Shadow Dweller [P]

[Finchwhisper]

(Here you go, Whitepaw! Also, I realized that these two are actually biological siblings. \Yaaay! xD )

Finchpaw was once again dwelling in the apprentice's den, much to her disdain, instead of in the more preferred wider area of the TreeClan camp. It was partly because of the cold weather that had been plaguing the Clan as of late. Even though she had begun to get used to trying to shelter herself against the cold winds, it still was starting to be unpleasant to be out there, for the cold weather seemed to only be getting worse lately. But staying in the den amongst many other cats also had another reason for it, for it was also because of shame. She didn't have much experience in basic skills such as hunting or battling, for her training had just begun, and she had not been taught such skills yet. Therefore, she almost felt sick and got a very shameful feeling whenever looking at the fresh-kill pile which seemed to be rather small during such a time, and she couldn't even assist with such the necessary task for survival, even though she wanted to.

Because of this, she lost mood to be out in camp, and show herself in such a shameful way to higher ranked cats that were much more competent. She didn't want to stay in the den, however, since there wasn't much chance for privacy, or observing the other cats in her own comfortable way. She had gotten used to being in the shadows in the den somewhat, however, trying to avoid notice and simply be an observant shadow, like she had been in the nursery. Hopefully today she would be successful, as she sat in a corner of the apprentice's den. In the corner, she had piled up moss and twigs around herself, as a sort of shelter to hide behind and observe quietly there.

It had taken some work, but she still had not lost the childish urges to do this, and it was a way she could watch other cats without being seen. The young apprentice was doing so now, huddling behind the gathered old moss as she peered in the holes she had made for herself to watch other cats. She watched with alert green eyes, wanting to pick up on every movement, every gesture, and every word spoken. It was a bit of an obsessive need almost, and a way to learn as much as possible, for a dull one like herself that was like a mere shadow, always had to be as knowledgeable as possible. If there was no opportunity to learn, she felt empty, and guileless. As she kept watching, she found it tiring when there didn't seem to be many cats around, or at least no new ones to observe, and learn about silently.

 So she slowly pushed her way out of the corner, though was careful not to disturb anything too much, and started creeping along the wall of the den, her eyes narrowed as she slid along it. Along the way, she picked up bits of moss that were scattered on the ground, one of the small "duties" she assigned herself to do in the den when there was no chance to observe, as a small way to make things better in it, though it was not for her own gain. Suddenly, she looked up immediately, some clumps of moss falling from her teeth, though some small pieces became stuck in them, when she heard a noise. She thought she heard another cat, so Finchpaw slowly slunk further back against the wall into the shadows, though her green eyes gleamed with  an almost unsettling eager curiosity as she tried to peer to see who was there.

[Whitepaw]

((Oh no... White is going to get all big brother-ish around Finch now. xD))

Whitepaw had taken a liking to this weather, though he would prefer it be warm. He didnʻt like seeing the other cats running in and out of the den and he hated when they complained about the cold. It was annoying and rather unnecessary. Instead of complaining, rather find something to do to take your mind off it. 

The black tom was sitting outside when it began to snow. It was just a beautiful sight, though no one would ever know what was going through his head at that moment. It was almost like being an apprentice was making his soft. But he did enjoy the snow. His fur kept him slightly warm, but it didnʻt matter. 

As a thin blanket of snow began to cover the black tom, he stood up and shook himself off. Lifting his white paw, he began walking towards the fresh kill pile, choosing a rather skinny, boney vole. 

As Whitepaw padded back into the apprentices den he had tripped and fallen over one of the nest that one of the new apprentices had made. He cursed under his breath and picked himself up. His head whipped around to see if anyone had seen him fall, when he saw green eyes watching him from the corner of the den. He slowly lifted the mouse in his jaws and made his way over to the other cat, most likely an apprentice. As he placed the mouse down, his jaw opened to say, Are you just going to sit there? Or would you like some? His eyes glinted with a warm welcoming sign, but his face stayed one solid expression. 

[Finchwhisper]

(Oh no! D: Well, this'll certainly be interesting then. xD )

Finchpaw watched the black cat come further into the den, carrying a mouse in his jaws. It was a new cat, that still had the familiarity of the apprentices in the den, but she still didn't really know or had observed him much at all. It was all the more interesting, then, which made her temporarily forget her moss collecting. She tilted her head, still watching him curiously, and also watched while he tripped over one the new nests made in the den. She didn't really feel amused by the action, rather more annoyed that one of the new nests was actually such an inconvenience. Maybe she could move it later... but she was distracted from that particular thought process when that particular cat started to approach her.She was surprised, and scrambled backwards a bit, not really keen on starting a conversation or anything of the sort with this cat.

 She didn't really retreat, however, and watched with wide eyes as the tom placed the piece of prey he had been carrying into the den down, near her. This made her unsettled, and even more so when he seemed to want to share it. Share it now, at this time? She didn't understand why, though it might be a generous action.. it wasn't worth it to share prey at this time, or at least with one like her. She shouldn't be eating it, especially now when prey seemed to be scarce, she had been able to tell that. The young cat's paw trembled for a few moments. "I... I shouldn't..." She meowed slowly, and hesitated, though her belly felt hollow and tight, it still betrayed her ethic of slight self punishment for the shame of not being able to hunt for the Clan. She grunted, though, and leaned down to nibble some of the mouse, and drew her head back, looking at the other apprentice expectantly to eat some as well.

She simply nodded as a slight sign of gratitude, though her expression showed a bit of confusion. Finchpaw sort of understood why this action was done, though, even if it was an unnecessary one. "What... your name?" She started by asking curiously, for even though she didn't like to start conversations, she might as well gain as much information as possible during this time, since they seemed to be rather alone anyway. Her whiskers twitched as she tilted her head, for there was a spark of recognition and familiarity in her eyes as she stared in her normal way towards the other one. She thought maybe she remembered this cat from somewhere, someplace, though it wasn't anytime that soon. It was a warm familiarity, too, almost like the one only her mother and siblings she had lost touch with had to her, though it was only a faint instinct that puzzled her.