TW: Sensitive Content Private Border WC 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆 𝙎𝙏𝙐𝙁𝙁 𖤐 talonpaw

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

Whether it's the gnaw of hunger in their stomach or the constant nightmares every time they sleep, Crowpaw doesn't care about the reason they're out in the territory so late as long as they can stay out for a while without getting caught. Stars glitter in the sky, shining a faint light upon the cold, soggy ground, and Crowpaw's tiny form moves along as though they're little more than a shadow cast by the trees.

This is not the first time he has snuck away to spend some time alone; and not only that, but to see if he can snag a catch or two while no one else is looking. Usually he doesn't turn up anything, all of the prey having completely gone from the pocosin, but occasionally he's able to score a bite or two. What his Clanmates don't know can't hurt them, and if Crowpaw were to die of starvation then he wouldn't be able to feed them anyway. It's not his fault that the rest of them aren't smart enough to figure out how to bend the rules.

After padding around aimlessly, her pupils go wide as she catches the scent of prey. She immediately crouches down low, belly brushing against the ground as she stalks toward the scent of squirrel, her tail hovering behind her and her mouth slightly ajar. Drinking it in. Tasting it.
When she pounces, her paw falls upon the ground with a splat several whisker-lengths from the squirrel's tail, and she curses loudly as she desperately chases after it. Maybe, just maybe, she'll get lucky - she can jump forward, and -
She comes to a screeching halt when her nose is assaulted by the stench of the Thunderpath. The squirrel, already too far ahead for Crowpaw to ever dream of catching it, disappears into an endless sea of the moonlit plains that make up WindClan's territory... an idea pops into her head.

After dashing across the Thunderpath, Crowpaw lingers at the very edge of the border, gazing out into the territory beyond. Maybe... if she could find a place to disguise her scent or something, just maybe she could be in and out before WindClan knows there was ever anyone here. She's looking for a bush or perhaps a patch of dirt to roll around in when she catches a strong whiff of the bordering Clan's scent - That's not just a fresh marker. Someone is here...
Their tiny body hides well amongst the darkness of nighttime, and silvery eyes peer ahead in the direction of the movement just across the border. It's a WindClanner, obviously... a very large one, that would surely tower over most warriors... but Crowpaw recognizes who it is after several heartbeats.
It's that stars-damned apprentice again! The one that stole the frog from me!! Their lips curve downward into a scowl just remembering it. Talonpaw had clearly had a growth-spurt since the last time they saw each other - Crowpaw is still small and lanky, but it seems that the WindClanner had nearly tripled in size. It doesn't stop Crowpaw from feeling just as infuriated to see him, and instinctively, his claws unsheathe and anchor him as he stares daggers at Talonpaw.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc: 2 (1d10) to hunt // 10 (1d20) to hide
  @Talonpaw
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Talonpaw]

Talon had spent the better part of his apprenticeship never leaving someone's side to leave camp. But as he healed and adjusted to his missing eye- he found it easier to conquer the fear of being alone and enjoying the solace. He found it easier to focus without having to worry about the possibility his own clanmates could turn on him. He hated that he still felt like that- but it was just easier to be alone the way he was used to. Even still, despite healing, he found himself more comfortable in the confines of the medicine den rather than the open moor where windclan slept together- piled and touching so close to stay warm.

Sure, he found himself pressing a nose into Meadowpaw to check on her to make sure she was warm, or sometimes curling against her when he was real cold (which he wouldn't admit) or woken from bad dreams- but most of the time he enjoyed his sleep like he enjoyed his time... Alone.

He hadn't much luck with hunting on this night. Most things were sleeping- he assumed, but there had to be some things out. He found himself nearing a familiar border the stench of the thunderpath making his nose curl when a squirrel practically ran into his paws. The kill was easy- and he was willing to go back home with this catch. It hung from his jaws, easily carried off the ground unlike when he used to catch rabbits and had them half dragging. He was aware he grew... It was obvious when he felt himself squeezing through bramble he used to slide through easily.

But it only meant advantage to the prey in his opinion. Or to battles- which fortunately he was able to avoid. His tattered ears flicked as he thought he heard something, blue gaze scanning the border, studying the shadows for something when he thinks he caught a flash of eyes. His gaze narrow, flexing claws from his sheathes.

Rolled 16 to beat stealth...//
Rolled 13 on defense for next attack as he prepares himself rather than attack what he cannot fully see//

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

Crowpaw had been furious to begin with over the frog, over having to encounter Talonpaw again, over everything. But seeing the WindClan apprentice catch the squirrel with such ease made her lose her temper. Last time, she had been forgiving - had let the patrol take prey from ShadowClan without a trace of guilt on their faces - but this time, it's just her and Talonpaw. No one else is there to stop her. She lunges forward, crossing the border with WindClan in one determined leap toward her opponent. Her claws reach for the fur of Talonpaw's belly, but she just barely misses as she flies past, pulling up a small tuft of fur rather than feeling the rake of claws against flesh. Turning to him, her small form crouches down once more amongst the weeds as she hisses, fangs bared at the tom that towers over her.

"Couldn't help yourself from taking my prey again, could you?" they spit, tail lashing with unfiltered fury. "You think you're so much better than me - well here's your chance to prove it." Are they projecting? Probably. But they're too angry to care. They just need to sink their teeth into something. Anything. And Talonpaw is right here. "I'm gonna give you another scar to go with the one on your infuriating face!!" They brace themself for Talonpaw's attack, watching his every move with narrowed eyes and pinned-back ears. The moment he gets close... that's when they'll rip that squirrel right out of his jaws.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc: 11 (1d20) to attack -> missed. 19 (1d20) defense roll for impending attack.
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Talonpaw]

Talonpaw at first did not recognize the runt that flew past him. His paws slid on grass as Talon stood unwavering- unflinching as claws breezed through his fur and his blue eye flashed dangerously at the sight of the moonlight shimmering off of claws.

They shout things that don't make sense- Talonpaws blue eye turning to slits as the child yells out that Talon thinks he is better than them, and Talon finally realized. "I have nothin' t' prove t' fightin' a kit." He says simply as his tail flicks. Was this guy a kit? He wasn't sure, but the way they pressed themselves and threw themselves clumsily about only reinforced Talons idea about that. It was not precise, not aimed, not practiced.

They were not worthy for a fight, Talon thought. And he did not feel inclined to injure another- because he was sure Meadowpaw would not be too keen on that. Until a black paw shot forward towards the squirrel in his jaw. He remembered then how thin his skin was as claws dragged through and tore his lip, ripping skin free from covering precious teeth.

The snarl that ripped from Talon was otherworldly. The squirrel, now covered in his own blood that he felt stained his vision- fell to the ground as he slammed his front paws to charge at the other. A mottled white and brown paw shot forward, claws black as the night itself slicing forward at Crowpaws chest as he slammed it into the other and flung his paw upwards. The claws lifted with ribbons of blood pulling free from the other, traces of where his paw hit following his movements.

He pressed his body close against the ground, tattered ears pulled back and blood flooding his mouth, dripping down his chin and painting the ground beneath them. "Leave," he warned, his voice gutteral and snarling as blood bubbled from his jaws.

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

A kit!! Crowpaw scoffs, a twisted smile forming upon their maw. "Oh? Are you afraid this little 'kit' will make you look weak?? Is that it!?" When they lunge forward once again, they feel their claws slash across the massive tom's lip, though the squirrel remains fastened between his fangs. Before they get a chance to even prepare for another swing, a giant paw collides with their chest, slicing open the flesh upon it as they fly backward, blood spattering across the moonlit ground.

Crowpaw feels dizzy for a moment; she wheezes as she pulls herself back up to her paws, a desperate attempt to catch the breath that had been knocked out of her lungs. Talonpaw's warning rings out in the night air - "Leave." But she doesn't falter - won't falter. She's so tired of everyone around her treating her like she's little more than the pitiful little loner that she'd been found as mere moons ago. She's more than the weakness she'd shown that day, she has to be. If she's not, then... then...

As soon as he catches sight of the squirrel, he races toward it as fast as his paws can carry him, fueled by the searing pain of the open wound on his chest. Pupils dilate as he snaps his jaws swiftly around its blood-soaked fur, and he hisses at Talonpaw's attempted swing at him, the sound of it whooshing past ringing in his ears as he ducks underneath. A muffled yowl escapes him as he extends unsheathed claws toward Talonpaw's shoulder, raking across it in a defiant act of ignorance toward his warning. "How's that for a pathetic little kitten!? Feel fucking humiliated yet!?" Humiliated, like the WindClan apprentice had made Crowpaw feel multiple times now... perhaps that was what had driven them to recklessly march into battle like this. Their chest heaves as blood drips down their legs, silver eyes sparkling with a flame in them that rages on.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc: nat 20 to snatch the squirrel / 15 to scratch talon's shoulder
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Talonpaw]

Make him look weak? Talon snarled, and he moved. He almost didn't hear the words as his blood pounded in his veins, but alas. He did, and unfortunately, it pissed him off. Not a lot pushed him over the edge- but when he stood in the moonlit moors, he did not think about or even realize what he could face when he got home. He did not think about Meadowpaw, who surely would fret, or Yewkit- did not think about anything except right now.

And right now- it was survival of the fittest. Crowpaw moved from the ground quickly, darting forward and back to the squirrel. Talonpaw was never one to give up easily, he was never one to allow someone to call him weak. One paw shot to swipe- and air whiffed past his paw as the other dove to wrap jaws around the squirrel. He was still midswing when claws sliced through muscle in his shoulder.

Words rung through the air- actually audible over the beating of his heart like a rabid beast, and audible over his snarls. "Humiliated...?" He echoed, blue eye wide, pupils dilated into thin slits. He stood over the other, blood dripping more onto the grass of the moor, before he slammed a paw down into Crowpaws face- and with the same motion, aiming to grab the Squirrels tail to rip it free from his jaws.

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

small tw for very mild gore + depiction of a ptsd episode (starts at **)

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

Perhaps if Crowpaw was using his head to act, thinking about his every next move, then he would have turn tail and run the moment he grabbed the squirrel. But he isn't. It's pure instinct that goads him to land that swipe upon Talonpaw's shoulder, causing the towering cat to slash wildly at him in an attempt to take back the fresh-kill prize. Crowpaw leaps back, giant claws just barely flying past his face - it snags the tail of the squirrel's limp frame, and -
**RIIPPP!!
The tugging of Crowpaw's teeth paired with Talonpaw's grasp on the squirrel results in its tail being ripped clean off, a sickening sound of tearing flesh and sinew causing Crowpaw's ears to flatten and their eyes to go wide, their tiny frame freezing for just a moment. Their breath seems to be caught in their own throat, a sickening feeling creeping its way up his spine and into his heart... but it's only for a moment, as it's all the time he's given before the claws of Talonpaw come crashing down upon his face. They dig into his jowl as he crashes into the ground, grunting loudly from the impact. The squirrel flies from his mouth, falling a couple tail-lengths from his head.

Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as she stares up at her opponent, and time seems to still, every moment dragging out for what feels like moons. That stars-damned sound, she can't get it out of her head, and suddenly the WindClan apprentice's snarling fangs are akin to the snapping jaws of a coyote, his claws drenched in blood as they rip, tear, rip, tear... is that her 'ma's scream in the distance...?
No, she thinks desperately. I... I'm better! I'm STRONGER!! I'M NOT WEAK!! In the haze of her desperation, fear, and anger, she turns her head toward the paw that had snagged her face and immediately bites down as hard as she can, the metallic taste of Talonpaw's blood filling her mouth, grounding her back inside the moment with mind-reeling speed.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc:
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Talonpaw]

He couldn't say he was immune to the blood that poured from his body, that dripped relentlessly from his mouth. The iron taste was familiar, the prey being torn apart reminding him that he indeed was here to survive further. He took advantage of the feared look in the others eyes, he craved the way their eyes widened- it was a sick curling feeling in his stomach, but it felt sated as he pressed claws down into the others face.

Because he was winning. Because, he felt strong. When he faced the raccoon, he was small. He let the unknown weight of fear weigh him down as his world spun. But the blood did not make him spin this time, the injuries were nothing but a fleeting moment of pain before being used to further enhance his anger. He wasn't even sure if he was seeing another cat now, or the raccoon.

He would say, everything did feel surreal and perhaps it was the blood loss. But... He wasn't sure. A part of him felt like most of the blood that drenched his pelt was the enemies, but he wasn't sure. He didn't know. He didn't care.

Then the other sunk teeth into his ankle, wrapping their jaws around his paw causing a nasty snarl from his tattered maw- and instinctively, he attempted to slam a paw into Crowpaws face, pressing a large pad into their jaw to shove them into the mud. He wouldn't relent, hot breath nearing the smaller forms face, the gutteral sound gurgling from saliva as he leaned closer .... And closer-

"The problem y' have with me is stupid, y' think y' so strong... But y' not. I don't know y' but y' nothin but an anklebiter, y' nothin but weak. I don't know who y' are, but to me, I'll remember this moment... Do y' understand?" He growled as obsidian claws neared to press into flesh of the childs cheek.

And something stopped him, his blue eye widening.. and he paused. He thought of when he was small, when his prey was taken... And his heart lurched in his chest. You think you're a monster I need protected from! Meadowpaws voice broke his thoughts as his eye widened. I'm dangerous! What don't y' understand from that?

He's.... He's acting exactly as he was scared of acting. His heart thudded, but it wasn't of fear of the shadowclanner....

It was fear of himself.

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

Tiny fangs sharp as daggers dig further into the other apprentice's paw, beads of scarlet blood staining Crowpaw's teeth as their head is shoved hard against the frosted ground of the moor. Enormous paws hold them down as they glare up at Talonpaw; their face twists in a pained scowl around a mouthful of fur, Talonpaw's bitter words spat at them like venom as his blood drips on their face. Despite attempts to swing at him, claws wildly slashing through the air, the other cat towers over them, and they're pressed too low to the ground to land a hit. It's only when the WindClanner suddenly hesitates, his grip loosening ever so slightly, that Crowpaw is finally granted enough wiggle room to act. Their hind paws shoot upward, connecting with Talonpaw's lower jaw in a swift kicking motion as their jaw finally snaps open to release his giant paw that's now soaked with blood. Scrambling away from him, Crowpaw nearly trips over themself on their way to snatch up the squirrel one last time, bounding away into the depths of ShadowClan territory without so much as a glance behind them. Tears streak across their face as their tiny paws thud rhythmically against the ground, their still-unsheathed claws flinging mud behind them in small clumps.

He runs. But the squirrel, tattered and bloodstained, is dangling between his jaws. A small victory despite the way their form trembles now, thoughts and emotions all muddled together with blood as they slow to a trudge toward camp.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc:
• "speaking" | thinking | action