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Post by Foxstrike on Apr 1, 2017 15:12:48 GMT -6
Squirrelbite Foxstrike didn't know what was wrong with him. He often didn't, actually. Lately, though, it had seemed that perhaps there was more wrong with him than he had previously though. There must have been, given how strongly he had reacted the....recent events.
In any case, he found himself wandering towards the lake. It was a good place for him to clear his head. Maybe not as good as the river, but he could do with listening to the sound of a body of water that was less...chaotic. Loud. He could do with a bit of quiet in his life, since there didn't seem to be any of that left in his own mind. He reached the edge of the water and sat, closing his eyes, listening to the soft rippling of the water.
The peace was shortlived, however, as soon Foxstrike heard the sound of an apprentice approaching, followed closely by their scent. Unfortunately, he recognized the scent. Even worse- despite himself, and every sentiment of being the 'bigger cat' that he hold dear, he opened his mouth.
"Squirrelpaw, was it?" Foxstrike asked, keeping his tone neutral. He didn't even look in the direction of the apprentice as he said it- he didn't need to. He was happy to at least have remembered that the kit had gotten their ceremony a few days ago- making that mistake would have likely caused a fight far more pointless than he wanted to bother with. |
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Post by Squirrelbite on Apr 1, 2017 15:48:56 GMT -6
Squirrelpaw didn't particularly like this area, but it was a part of TreeClan territory, so she might as well get used to it. She padded though the damp, musky area, cringing as mud built up between her toes with every step. Cats did not belong anywhere near water, the only use for it was drinking. Fishing in it, or, CloudClan forbid, swimming in it, was absolutely disgusting.
At this point, the apprentice was just looking for a way out, and back to somewhere more agreeable, like the fern gully, or the Sky Tree. She was stopped by the sight of another cat, a TreeClan warrior that she recognized, but didn't quite know by name.
"Yes, that's me." The reddish-brown she-cat nodded her head, padding a few steps closer to him.
This cat obviously wasn't important, since Squirrelpaw didn't know him, but she decided to be polite anyways. "What's your name?"
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Post by Foxstrike on Apr 1, 2017 16:09:14 GMT -6
It was clear that she didn't recognize him. Foxstrike had half a mind to be hurt by that- he was fairly certain it was easier for those who could see to recognize a cat by their pelt alone, but maybe her own arrogance at the time of the meeting had, for lack of a better word, blinded her. That was an opinion he would keep to himself, though. It would be petty to say that out loud.
"Foxstrike," he told her, opening his eyes, and looking in her direction. It helped him focus on something or someone when he looked at them, even if he couldn't see them. She was still young, but her stance betrayed confidence, a firmness in her cause. Maybe too much for her age, but then again, Foxstrike himself had done the same at her age. She had the scent of a TreeClanner, as he did, for the most part- but there was something off about it. He couldn't quite figure it out yet, though.
"Had a lot to say at the meeting, didn't you?" he asked, saying nothing further. He regretted it, instantly, but not enough to take it back. He was curious at what she had to say- and perhaps a little too eager to try and shoot her down himself.
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Post by Squirrelbite on Apr 1, 2017 16:34:49 GMT -6
Squirrelpaw's expression sunk and she bit back a groan of frustration. She didn't care about this stupid blind cat's useless opinion, and she hated how every cat she met already had it in their mind that Squirrelpaw was some purist, rogue-hating rebel. Well, even though she kind of was, it wasn't nearly that simple, and it was still rude to make assumptions.
"Nice to meet you, Foxstrike." Even if he wasn't going to be civil, Squirrelpaw would. After all, when she became leader, she would have to deal with plenty of rude cats, and she would need to handle it with the grace of a true leader.
She sighed slightly. "No, not really. All I did was argue with Fallenpaw, who was being mouse-brained. I wasn't calling for the death of all non clan-born cats, like so many of you seem to think."
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Post by Foxstrike on Apr 1, 2017 17:38:05 GMT -6
Nice to meet you, she had said. At least she was trying to be polite, even though Foxstrike could tell it was a lie. "I hardly think that's what you meant at all," Foxstrike meowed, attempting to rein in his own temper. "Be careful not to assume too much about others. I asked because I am interested in what you have to say, and your reasoning behind it."
"On that matter, though- it's not what you said to Fallenpaw that concerns me," he added, turning fully towards Squirrelpaw. "Rather what you said before, about merit." He let the sentence hang in the air for a moment, giving time for her to remember her own words, observing her reaction.
It was then that he realized why her scent had been bothering him. The scent of a mother that wasn't truly hers lingered on her pelt, but it wasn't quite enough to fool his sharp nose. "...were you born in TreeClan?" he then asked, genuinely curious.
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Post by Squirrelbite on Apr 1, 2017 19:24:33 GMT -6
Squirrelpaw was beginning to grow a strong dislike for this cat, but she forced herself to maintain a civil conversation. Foxstrike actually seemed to be fairly witty, and perhaps she could learn something from him. "I don't know why you're interested in me, or anything I have to say. I'm just another uppity apprentice." She said with a shrug.
"How does that concern you? I don't think there's anything wrong with making sure a cat has good intentions before allowing them into TreeClan." The reddish she-cat commented, her long, thin tail twitching behind her.
Upon hearing Foxstrike's next words, Squirrelpaw stiffened visibly, the fur on her spine raising ever-so slightly. "You mean, are my parents TreeClan? Sorrelpatch is my mother, so the answer to your question is yes." Her words were unusually short and clipped, her tone icy.
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Post by Foxstrike on Apr 1, 2017 21:13:04 GMT -6
"It concerns me because despite your good intentions, Yellowburr has tried to twist your words," Foxstrike replied. "You think anyone can be accepted into TreeClan so long as they prove themselves- which is a nice sentiment, admittedly. A bit harder to enforce, but I see your point, and actually, I agree." He could acknowledge that he did agree with Squirrelpaw in that regard.
"You're right. Trust shouldn't be given so freely to an outsider." He felt like he was betraying his own mother by saying it, but he couldn't deny it was what he felt. At the same time, though, if a cat was requesting sanctuary, it didn't feel like his place to determine their worth before granting them shelter. And what of a kit, who couldn't prove themselves? Should they be rejected, too? "The problem, though, is that Yellowburr has a rather distinct idea of what an outsider is."
He immediately noticed her reaction to his question- the way her voice changed and her stance shifted. Less confident, less...sure. The way she answered a question, yes, but not his. He straightened his spine, looking down at her. "That wasn't what I asked," he said, blinking for a moment. "Sorrelpatch is your mother, yes, but not by blood. A bind cat can see more than you might think." He winced slightly at his own comment, regretting it only a moment after he'd said it. It had come off as defensive- he was too used to having to correct others after they underestimated him. Oddly enough, Squirrelpaw didn't seem like the type to do that- she had a good head on her shoulders, even if Yellowburr was stuffing it with nonsense."Apologies. That...wasn't what I meant to say."
"...so. Were you born here?" he tried again, though he was fairly certain he already knew the answer. "I won't tell anyone. I'm fairly certain anyone who would care wouldn't believe me, anyway."
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Post by Squirrelbite on Apr 1, 2017 21:31:34 GMT -6
"I'm not mouse-brained, I know what Yellowburr wants." Squirrelpaw's tail began to twitch back and forth, showing her irritation. She did not hide her sneer of contempt, like she normally would, since Foxstrike couldn't see it anyways. "I know he wants to hurt cats, and I don't necessarily agree with that, but if TreeClan doesn't change, cats are going to get hurt anyways."
Squirrelpaw was quiet for a few moments. She did not want to state any more of her opinions or her plans, as Foxstrike already knew too much about her for her own comfort. It made her extremely wary, and all she wanted to do was run the other direction.
"I- Yeah, you're the first cat I've met that's guessed that about me. Obviously your lack of sight isn't impairing you that much." Her voice was hard, and the young apprentice was quickly becoming incredibly tense and stressed out. The subject made her chest tighten, and stomach twist. Why did Foxstrike have to bring it up? He didn't know her past, and he had absolutely no right to talk to her like he knew her. Squirrelpaw's head pounded and her pelt became hot.
"No, technically, I wasn't born in TreeClan." Squirrelpaw snapped at him. "I was just a kit when I got here, though. This is my home.. It's not like I lived a whole life outside these borders before deciding to join." There were certain things from her past that she remembered, but preferred not to think about.
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Post by Foxstrike on Apr 3, 2017 21:59:08 GMT -6
"If you don't completely agree with somebody," Foxstrike found himself asking, before he could stop himself. "...then why are you following them?" He didn't need an answer to that- he just wanted Squirrelpaw to think about it, at least briefly. Of course he knew that eventually, if all of this stayed the same, somebody could end up getting hurt. But more cats would get hurt this way- the way that Yellowburr was splitting the clan. He trusted that Squirrelpaw would figure that out on her own, though. He only hoped it wasn't too late when she did.
It was clear he'd struck a nerve by mentioning the subject of birth from the way Squirrelpaw was acting. "I doubt I'll be the last," he murmured quietly as she mentioned that he was the first to figure it out- or at least the first to let her know that. Perhaps cryptic- that comment of his. In his defense though, it had been an accident.
He was making far too many of those, lately. Accidents and mistakes.
After that she seemed to put herself more on the defensive, snapping at him. "What happens when Yellowburr finds out, though?" he asked. Not if, when. Somehow, Foxstrike was sure he would. "I was born here, you know. Despite my mother's...upbringing, I've never left, not once. I'm even half TreeClan myself- but I think it's clear what Yellowburr thinks of me. If he hates a cat who's almost TreeClan...what will he think of somebody who isn't even that?" Again, it wasn't something Foxstrike needed to hear the answer to. It was just something for her to think of. It probably wouldn't change her mind, though, as much as he might have hoped it would.
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Post by Squirrelbite on Apr 4, 2017 16:32:17 GMT -6
Squirrelpaw knew that she didn't have to answer his questions, but she still felt compelled to anyways. It was ridiculous that she was getting this riled by a total stranger, when she'd managed to lie to and manipulate cats like Beechroot and Crystalbird with ease.
Forcing herself to think more clearly, Squirrelpaw flattened her fur, looking at him through narrowed eyes. "He isn't going to find out. Sorrelpatch has had plenty of kits, it's impossible to keep track, and if he doesn't know by now, then he isn't going to." The red apprentice stated confidently, erasing any whispers of doubt from her mind.
"Anyways, I care enough about my clan to risk whatever happens. Unlike you cowards, I'm willing to admit that taking in outsiders puts TreeClan in danger, and I would rather be with the side advocating change than the side that wants to do nothing." Contempt entered her voice as she brought up a new point, staring at Foxstrike boldly.
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