runaways {p--Adaline}

[Aloepaw/Andri]

Adaline here we go



Aloepaw stopped running awhile ago once he had made it a pretty good distance from FireClan territory. He felt safer now, even though a part of him worried that Amberflash was following behind. It was something she would do, but her really hoped she wasn't in the mood to continue her lecture. He really didn't need that.

Although the brown-and-black Maine Coon had never stepped outside of FireClan territory, he didn't feel uneasy. And it was kind of exciting, to see what was past the borders of his homeland. A part of Aloepaw hoped he'd run into some weak little loner, so he could take his anger out on something. But he doubted there was a cat like that around here, if anyone was even around to begin with.

The plains did smell of cats, though, which was worrying. And they were clan scents-- these were more distinct, rather than the overall stench that all clan cats carried of their home. Some had traces of heather in their scent trails, while others stank horrible of infected wounds, and others similar to the medicine cats back in FireClan's camp. There was such a wide variety, Aloepaw was almost curious to meet these cats.

But not in his current mood, certainly. Right now, he just wanted to lay down and rest. And so, Aloepaw veered his way towards a small section of trees in the area. FireClan barely had any trees, so he was curious as to what different territory was like. Maybe he could try climbing to clear his mind of his cruel mentor?

Although once he entered the forest, he stopped as a scent hit his nose. Familiar in just the slightest of ways, but he couldn't put his paw down onto a name or face....

[Adaline]

Addie had already explored this patch of trees, and hunted here once or twice. It'd... Been quite a while since she'd left Fireclan, and she'd had plenty of time to herself. Yet, it was still lacking. She still felt like crap. Would this feeling of despair follow her wherever she went, until the end of her days? It sounded like what she wasn't looking for.

She didn't talk to other cats very much. She... Didn't want to risk it. Her only real friendships in life turned out to be Swanfrost and Mudclaw. The former turned her back and the latter... Addie kept hurting him and really this was better. He deserved better than some fox-heart like her. She wasn't sure she wanted to risk getting attached again, and losing them because she was a big pile of fox-dung.

It took careful maneuvering to avoid others, but she succeeded. Ever since talking to Loki again, she hadn't really done much in the way of social interaction. She talked to herself a lot though. She guessed she was lonely and even her own voice helped her stay sane. Ha... She wished she was someone else a lot of time. Yes, she'd ran away from her identity as Brightwing and was trying to be someone else but....

It didn't help much. She was still Brightwing the fox-heart, destroyer of bonds, all around horrible cat.

She turned the corner around a tree and froze. She smelled... Aloepaw! She had a strong memory and never quite forgot a scent. Why was he here, so far away from home?! She backed up and hid behind a tree, wary of anything that would reveal her.

[Aloepaw/Andri]

Aloepaw didn't recognized the scent right away. Not until he stood for a few more moments, trying to draw back old, beaten memories he hadn't thought of in forever. The brief figure of a light brown tabby crossed his mind, but as soon as he thought of it, Aloepaw stamped it out again. No, it wasn't that cat. That cat wasn't alive anymore. And thinking about her now would just ruin his mood further.

Ignoring the familiarity of the scent, Aloepaw padded deeper into the forest. He didn't know if the nearby cat was hostile, and had claimed this land. But he almost wished they were-- he could use a bit of a brawl. And the look on Amberflash's face when he returned with even more scars would be oh-so satisfying. Still, the other part of Aloepaw wanted rest. And so he laid down with his back to a thorn bush and a tree, eyes set to watch the area someone could attack him from.

Whoever was around, they were close. Maybe even watching him. But Aloepaw tried not to care. So what? They'd either challenge him, run away, or stalk him until he left. None of those thoughts bothered him.

Not like the thought of her was.

Aloepaw's claws curled into the ground. Brightwing was dead. Why was he still thinking about her? He hadn't in weeks, since she had been taken by that hawk. Refusing to waste time on dead cats. She was gone, and he accepted that, and all of FireClan accepted that. Although Pinyondapple seemed pretty shaken up by it still, Aloepaw wondered if she was just scared of a hawk taking her off next.

Tch. He was in a bad mood. From everything. Aloepaw really hoped this cat appeared to fight him soon.

[Adaline]

Addie felt an urge to sigh in relief when Aloepaw didn't immediately sniff her out and confront her for whatever reason. She guessed her faking her death really worked, and he didn't think it was worth it to go looking for someone who was supposed to be dead. She felt a pang at her heart to how Mudclaw must've reacted. Would Swanfrost have mourned? She didn't know. She... Hoped not. It hurt to think that they'd drifted so, but... The devon rex shouldn't be shedding tears over someone like her.

Still, she was kind of curious as to what Aloepaw was doing here. Maybe if she followed him, she'd figure it out. She... Didn't want to talk to  him, however. So, stealthily and stepping softly, she followed the tom she loathed to call brother. As far as she knew, she didn't really have a family... She never had, honestly. Her family was born broken with the seeds of hatred sown before she'd even spoken to her siblings for the first time.

She still didn't appear, still unable to discern his reason for being here. He seemed... Upset. Perhaps something didn't go his way? She guessed he probably got in trouble with Oceanstar, probably. Almondfire had been similarly enraged when she'd been punished by the tortoiseshell leader for fighting with her, oh so long ago.

[Aloepaw/Andri]

Aloepaw was started to get impatient. The scent of the cat was strong, and remained in the area. That meant they weren't going away. Oh CloudClan, it was annoying to him now.

Standing up and giving his pelt a rough shake, Aloepaw stepped out of his little safe area a few and glanced around, before his jaws parted to speak. "I know you're there, so make this easy and just come out!" he called to the presence. Come out and fight me. he wanted to say.




shoorrrt, eh

[Adaline]

Addie didn't want to come out. She really didn't. She was scared. She was terrified. Countless scenarios tore through her mind like a merciless hurricane. She shut her eyes tightly.

Fox-dung. She couldn't... She couldn't let fear control her like this. She left Fireclan to try and... Figure herself out. Be better. Not get worse and worse! She took a deep breath, and put on a mask of calm. Then she turned the corner around the tree and revealed herself to the brother she'd hardly call family. "... Aloepaw. If that's still your name... It's been a long time."

((I suddenly had a thought that Aloepaw is like Cersei Lannister from GoT.))

[Aloepaw/Andri]

His eyes narrowed at first as a light brown tabby, satisfied with his skill in detected her. But that barely lasted a moment before he recognized her. And at that, his eyes grew wide. It wasn't... this wasn't real. Maybe some illusion his mind had created from all his running emotions, or maybe some coincidental lookalike. But when she spoke....

Aloepaw's gaze dropped to the ground, questioning if he was really seeing what he thought he was. After another second, he raised his chin, staring hard into the gaze of the she-cat. "How do you know me?" he growled darkly, in denial that this she-cat was anything but his sister Brightwing.

Brightwing was dead.



{I had to google that xD

[Adaline]

Addie didn't expect outright denial, for her genetic brother to refuse to believe that his biological sister to be not alive. She sighed and... Felt like she should be honest. She wasn't going to keep up delusions, besides it wouldn't stop him either way from mouthing off and revealing that she was alive.

"... Denial doesn't suit you much." She murmured. "I think it's obvious. It wasn't real. I never died. I just made it look convincing." She explained, not too bothered by Aloepaw's tone. After spending nearly her entire life with venom spitting from both his mouth and Almondfire's... It had less of an effect. Maybe it was bad that she desensitized, but it was simply how things were now.

"So... Is it? Is your name still Aloepaw?"



((It's fine lol 

[Aloepaw/Andri]

It took another moment for him to process what the she-cat was saying. That it was fake. That his sister Brightwing wasn't in CloudClan, some happy spirit who would never suffer and go hungry again. The hawk attack hadn't even happened-- or maybe it had, but Brightwind had used the opportunity to seem as if she had been taken off? Aloepaw shook his pelt of all his confusion so he could stare hard into this rogue's eyes, willing for her gaze to break and to admit she was spouting nonsense. But it didn't, and after another second, Aloepaw gave a twisted smile.

"Huh. So Boringpaw has some brains." he huffed, but the bite to his words wasn't there. The large tomcat didn't have the energy to put any feeling into it, was of course the problem here.

At her next words, Aloepaw looked puzzled. Is what? When she finished, though, he couldn't help but glare at her, before shooting a sneer down at his paws. Did she know, and was just rubbing it in his face that he was a failure-- not that he was, as this whole thing was Amberflash's fault. But Brightwing hadn't even been in FireClan since... the hawk. She probably just expected him to have finally been ranked up, since even she knew that Amberflash was holding him behind on purpose.

"Yeah." he growled after a minute. Aloepaw took a deep breath, still looking a little irritable, but not towards Brightwing herself as he looked up again. "Amberflash-- heh, she's a... a pretty terrible cat. Honestly, I should have used your fake-hawk-death myself to get away from her."

He paused again, thinking. And then the brown-and-black tabby took a seat. "My assessment was today." he said, without an ounce of hesitation, eyes narrowed to dare his sister to tease him. "She failed me. Of course, which I should have expected. And here I am."

He added, more quietly and more to himself. "...She's never going to make me a warrior. It's pointless to even try anymore."

[Adaline]

Addie's gaze didn't break, except for her to shrug, as if faking her death wasn't such a big deal. ".... I just didn't want anyone to follow me. I didn't want anyone to think about me. They'd mourn and move on. I didn't want to leave behind a chance I might return." She explained. She wondered what Aloepaw thought about her apparent death. Was he happy? She had no idea. Probably not. Probably didn't give a crap about whether the lighter brown tabby was in Cloudclan or not. He was like that, Aloepaw never seemed to change much. Only seemed to get bigger and bigger in every sense of the word, to the detriment of everyone he deemed lesser. Which was basically everyone who didn't think like him.

Then she earned a look she wasn't sure she expected. Puzzlement? First time she gets a smile that isn't quite mocking, and then a confused look. This was a whole new day for firsts, wasn't it? Then he explained. He explained that their grandmother on dad's side, Amberflash, was on the 'I really want her dead' list. She tilted her head with a vaguely apathetic expression. "Wow. You hate her more than you do on the norm. Quite a feat, considering your casual hate you directed towards me was pretty bad on its own."

Then she listened to the reason for his hatred. She tilted her head to the other side. She contemplated posing the possibility he failed because he couldn't meet the requirements, regardless of interference or not. She decided not to. What would it prove? She knew what the answer would be. So, try something that would confuse him, and maybe he wouldn't somehow increase his hatred.

"I doubt that being a warrior or not defines you that much." She began. "Even if you gain your name, you're not really that much different. You're an adult already, and any idiot with eyes can see that." She shrugged. "I left my name behind. I tell the other rogues and loners to call me Addie. Can't be calling myself Brightwing, if she's supposed to be dead." She pointed out. "You're still the guy I hate for being who he is. You're the guy who gets a kick out of torturing whom he believes weaker. You've still got that dumb superior/inferior mindset, probably. You and Almondfire are still pretty tight, I imagine. What you call yourself isn't that important." She tilted her head again. "I doubt Almondfire cares that much. She's probably on your side, ready to protest your failed assessment."

((this is the weirdest attempt at cheering someone up probably between the most awkward pair of people to be doing cheering up between))

[Aloepaw/Andri]

Aloepaw didn't know what to say to the first part. So he just gave a light shrug, still considering how to even respond to the fact that his stupid, dull sister was actually alive this entire time. Should he be angry that he had been lied to? But having her dead was something to celebrate before, so why would the lying matter? Maybe he should get mad at the fact that Brightwing was still alive? He didn't know. Did he have to get mad at all? Tch.

"I'd ask why," he started in a bored voice, oozing of disinterest. "But I think I know the reason you left, and I rather not go through that. Still, uh, I mean... I think you had friends? Or something? I feel like I've seen you around some cats before, more than once. So why'd you leave them?"

Aloepaw gave an amused smirk at that, almost feeling complimented there. Good. He was glad he hated Amberflash more than anyone else he didn't like. He had never considered hate a strong word until that moment, where he was more than happy to say he absolutely hated his mentor. For awhile there, it seemed they had had something. At least neutrality, on his part at least. But that was gone now. And Aloepaw remembered why his six to seven moon self despised Amberflash again.

And then Brightwing was... trying to cheer him up? Make him feel better? What the hell? Aloepaw stared at her, thinking again that this couldn't be his sister. Sure, she had been nice to spar with him long ago, and did prove before that she wasn't a completely horrible cat like him. Scratch that, amazing. But this was still... awkward. And Aloepaw wondered when she'd pull the 'haha, just kidding! you failed, haha!' he knew had to be there.

Glancing down at himself, Aloepaw did have to note he looked like an adult. He wasn't the young, puny apprentice from before. He had grown muscles from hard battle training, having thrown away his hunting talent altogether. He looked like a warrior, even if he didn't have the name to go with it. Brightwing's words actually made him feel, dare he say it... a little calmer. And a moment later, Aloepaw had to ask himself whether to call his sister Brightwing or Addie?

Perhaps Addie was better. A part of him still denied the light brown tabby could be alive.

The insults flew right over his head, as Aloepaw only smirked at each one. Yeah, Addie knew him well. All of what she said was true, though he didn't see anything wrong with himself. So what if other cats didn't like him? Almondfire did. And other cats did as well, like Cherrypaw, and Spiderpaw. And even that loser Sparkpaw.

"She probably is. But I haven't told Almondfire that I've failed yet." Aloepaw finally spoke, his expression darkening at his next words. "Although Amberflash has probably announced it to everyone already...."

He paused, and then he gave a soft sigh. "Well, Brightwing. Or Addie. Whatever you are now. You have some good points, for someone with such a dull personality." He wasn't going to tell her outright that he felt better. But hell if it wasn't obvious enough in Aloepaw's demeanor. "I guess... heh, defining yourself by a name is... pretty stupid."

"But enough about that stupid stuff. What's it like out here, anyway? More exciting than the boring life in camp?" Aloepaw piped up, just wanting to stop thinking about Amberflash and his failed assessment. "What do you even do out here, anyway?"



{idk what to write, ahhhh awkward bonding is so awkward}

[Adaline]

((Awkwardness for the win...??

Addie noticed Aloepaw didn't really respond to her first statement. She guessed that was fine. Then he claimed he knew the reason she left and didn't want to talk about it. Then she shrugged, as she began to reply. ".... Not really. Swanfrost cut off her friendship with me and Willowspirit. Apparently our disastrous sisterly relationship was too much drama for her." She shrugged again. "As for Mudclaw... He's probably better off without me." She said, her voice blank. It didn't sound like she felt much on the matter.

She didn't want to feel the gnawing guilt claw at her heart right now. Especially not right now, so she pulled up a mask of apathy. You couldn't show weakness in front of cats like Aloepaw. Not ever. He'd attack it without a moment's hesitation. So, here she was pretending she didn't feel anything. Pretending it was no problem to leave her home behind. To leave her friends behind. To give them reason to think she was dead, so they would never come after her.

Addie watched passively as Aloepaw stared down at himself. Like he had to reaffirm to himself of his size. Hm. She always wondered where that bulk had come from, the rest of the family being more than definitely composed of Fireclan cats. The dark tabby didn't seem to fit into Fireclan, with that lack of speed. At least it gave Addie an edge, should her brother attack. Even by Fireclan standards, she was quick. Her brother would never be able to catch her to lay a claw on her.

Addie shrugged and tilted her head. "... Maybe Amberflash has. Maybe she hasn't. You should probably go talk to Almondfire anyways." She suggested.

"Just go ahead and call me Addie." She encouraged. Then she rolled her eyes at the jab. At least she got through to him, and he didn't seem in the mood for picking a fight with his... Sister. She didn't like defining them by a familial relationship. He didn't and never deserved such a label.

She tilted her head. "Well... You only have to take care of yourself. It's easier to avoid cats you don't want to talk to. You have... The freedom to make your own rules. To go where you want to." She shrugged. "Eh. I've been satisfying my curiosity by exploring the neutral territories and such. Fireclan's land is pretty bland and boring in comparison. You might find it easier to hunt within the trees. Your dark pelt would probably help you blend in more."

[Aloepaw/Andri]

Aloepaw had to think about who Swanfrost was, but then he recalled an apprentice by the name of Swanpaw, so he figured they were linked. Although he wasn't close to her, or Mudclaw for that matter. He snickered in his head about the she-cat ditching Brightwing because of her problems, but his eyes blinked more slowly at the simple explanation for Mudclaw. But Addie didn't sound like she cared for either of those to, so with a notable shrug and an "Oh", the subject was dropped.

Moving on, Aloepaw didn't know where all this positive thinking was coming from. Honestly, a dull cat like Addie seemed the furthest from thinking of the silver lining in anything. Still, he barely knew her, so maybe this was common for her to try like this. "I will find Almondfire. Eventually. Maybe I'll catch her on a patrol." He grumbled the last bit to himself.

Addie was the name she wanted to be called. As unusually of a name it was, being that Aloepaw didn't exactly grow up around any non-clan names, he just gave a slow nod of acceptance before repying. "Okay. Weird name, but whatever."

The helpful advice made him bristle, even though he would probably take heed to the forest hunting sometime. Although it would be a lot of trial and error, if a weak TreeClanner could do it, than so could he. Still, it seemed a rogue's life wasn't that bad. No rules. No annoying cats. No... anything. Aloepaw was almost jealous that Bri-- Addie had discovered the lifestyle out here first.

Maybe... so could he. Aloepaw needed to be away from FireClan for a few days. Cats disappeared all the time and returned, so what would it matter? No one would even notice his absence, hopefully, and the only cat who would be worried would be Almondfire. Still, he could easily get ahold of his sister.

"This rogue's life sounds... heh." Aloepaw rubbed a paw down his face, then smirked. "I might have to try it myself. Any... tips I should know?" As much as it stabbed his pride asking his sister, if he could even call her that, for area information... if Aloepaw was going to rest for a few days, some info on the dangers around here might be nice. Still, he quite expected Addie to leave something out on purpose.

Pausing, Aloepaw then added. "...I could also get a weird name like yours. It'll have to be good enough, though. Any idea?"





{little late cause back in school, and Aloe is nice for some reason, idk...}

[Adaline]

((It's cool. This is all very odd in general soooo

Addie wasn't sure what to think about the fact that Aloepaw's only response was 'Oh.' She decided not to dwell on it too much. It wouldn't change anything. Trying to press him about it would achieve nothing and likely simply anger him, or earn her cruel insults. 

Then Aloepaw responded... Well... As well he ever could to Addie's positive suggestions. He promised to find Almondfire again, though it sounded like he wasn't going to return to Fireclan. She wasn't keen on the idea of seeing him again... Though, she wouldn't attempt to force him back. She couldn't anyways, not without revealing herself as alive to that clan, probably.

Predictably, Aloepaw called her new name dead. Probably because he was unfamiliar with non-clan names. It wasn't like clan cats on average got exposed to the names of foreigners on a regular basis.

She noticed the effect her advice had upon him. Clearly, his failed assessment had left Aloepaw touchy about his hunting abilities. Which, meant she was likely lucky to not have been clawed for her suggestion. He took it remarkably well, in her opinion. Aloepaw nor Almondfire were really as well-adjusted as either her or Willowspirit. All four of them were fairly prone to violence, though the former two reveled in it rather than feeling trapped by their emotions like Willowspirit and herself. 

Though, it seemed that Addie's own life choices seemed to be... Appealing. Funny. She didn't think she and Aloepaw would've ever had such things in common. Though, their reasons for wishing to abandon Fireclan were clearly different. She... She couldn't stand it. Being alone. Being trapped. She couldn't stand her own reflection. So, she left the clan. Aloepaw obviously thought more along the lines of hating Fireclan for not enabling him. Tch.

She eyed her 'brother' carefully before speaking. "... Cats out here... You might not mind them being the more violent sort. None of them are bound by any code but one they have formulated for themselves. It's your decision whether to antagonize and attack or to make peace and form an alliance of some kind. Just remember... There is no one saving you but yourself. It's something you should never forget, and these cats are not willing to adhere to honor if they don't feel like it. Meaning, they can gather friends and gang up on you if they want and leave you dying in some ditch somewhere. So, honestly the only real thing I have to say is...

Your fate is really up to you. I know nothing of your current fighting ability, but I hope if you do not return to Fireclan... It's up to snuff. I hate you and I can't say I wouldn't get some twisted satisfaction from seeing you get your tail kicked. But that doesn't necessarily mean I want you to die a stupid death."

Then she shrugged. ".... Andri. Sounds right, and somewhat close to your old name. Shouldn't be hard to get used to."




((It took a while to type this and im too lazy to format it *headdesk*

[Aloepaw/Andri]

The information was almost unsettling, although it twisted a weird bit of excitement into Aloepaw's heart. The cats around here seemed to be the danger. He didn't know if Adaline was exaggerating a tad just to scare him, or of she was genuine in her advice, but what did it matter. Of course there would be some truth to it, with some certain cats at least.

The rogues and loners that lived out here sounded like his type of cats. Much stronger than the pathetic cats in FireClan. And honor? Heh, a cat who had honor was doomed to be stabbed in the back by someone else's unhonorable claws.

Adaline admitted that she hated him, and would be satisfied seeing him beaten up, though not killed strangely. Those words resurrected the memory of Willowspirit, and Aloepaw's battle with her. It made his fur bristle, especially since he took it as Adaline doubting his skills, especially from past experiences. "I can fight just fine." he growled, hazel eyes drifting towards his worst scar, the one on his paw. After a minute,
the anger in his eyes fading to only have a hint of it in his bristled fur, Aloepaw went on. "Tch... I guess the cats don't sound half bad. Have you fought any yet?"

A non-clan name was suggested to him. Andri? It was such an odd word. Aloepaw didn't know how he felt about all these weird names. It was something to get used to.

As much as it was another stab at his pride to accept a suggestion from Addie of all cats, Aloepaw figured it was probably the best name he could come up with. As long as it wasn't actually a stupid name in this society.

Andri. Hmm. Did outsider names have meanings, like clan names did?

"So I guess you can call me Andri, then." the dark tabby said slowly. After a moment, Andri slowly let a smirk cross his face.