Open Territory 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 ── .✦ thunderstorm

[DUSKPOOL]

DUSKPOOL​

It'd been cloudy all mornin', unrelentin' as thunder rolled in, loud and earth-shatterin' in its wake. It made the hairs along his spine prickle in dread just waitin' for the downpour that'll sure come. He might've once enjoyed it once upon a time, but now? Duskpool could only swallow the cripplin' panic just itchin' beneath the surface. His facade remained neutral, prowlin' forward with a lazy flick of his wooly plumage. "Reckon we'll get rain any minute now." His molten iris flickerin' over his shoulder to the gathered lot.

His imposin' figure carried onward, maw tilted to scent the air, takin' note of the heavy aroma of scent and damp undergrowth. It wasn't long when the heady sound of thunder rolled overhead, followed by a flash of lightning cutting through the air. Foxdung. The rain hit seconds later, drenchin' their forms with droplets runnin' down a scarred muzzle to drip from his chin.

With flattened ears, Duskpool squinted through the haze of rain, mostly dry thanks to the waterproof undercoat that made him hotter than anythin' else. Supposed he should've been a RiverClanner in that case, but the thought of bein' surrounded by water made his skin prickle with unease. He preferred solid ground. Even the trees had him side-eyein' the sturdiness of 'em.

"Stay together!" His timbre smokey-tinged and solid as old oak weatherin' a harrowin' storm. His molten iris searched for Downypaw, mangled ears swivelin' in Teaselfeather's direction, "Keep an eye on Downypaw—" He rumbled to the young warrior before twistin' his gaze to look for Stonepaw, not givin' himself a chance to relax before spinnin' around to see where they've ended up before the storm hit.

His muzzle wrinkled, watchin' the sky be torn wide open as lightnin' rips down from the murky sky in jagged white scars, bathin' the world in a bright light for a fraction of a heartbeat. His body had pivoted toward the rain, shieldin' what he hoped was the worst of the storm. Thunder roared ahead, climbin' from the belly of the beast. Its booms low and rattlin' to the ears. He remained unwaverin' despite the trauma grippin' at his insides. "Come on, kiddos." He rumbled to the group, "Best we find some place to lie low and wait the worst of it before makin' our way back." His wooly plumage flickered, soppin' wet and let to slither on the ground like a snake. They were close to the fox burrow if he ain't mistaken. Another problem added to the list, but there must be an abandoned one to hold up in.

we're only haunted by the things we refuse to accept

ooc

information

main ref

• it's been cloudy the entire day when thunder rolls in the distance, lightning flashing over head as rain begins to fall. what will your patrol do? find somewhere to lay low and wait out the storm or battle through the rain to camp? @Downypaw @Teaselfeather @Stonepaw
• 

  DUSKPOOL he/him a storm carved in flesh and smoke, duskpool towers with the bulk of a maine coon and norwegin forest cat. his wooly black pelt bristles with ghost-stripes and scars—old wounds etched like lightning through dusk. one copper eye burns like molten steel and the other a mangled ruin of war. every step is heavy, thunderous—war-born, death-burdened, and unflinchingly alive.
  
  ᯓ★ senior warrior of skyclan (sun guard during coffeestar's reign)
  ᯓ★ brother to outlawbite & thistlestrike, half-brother to flowercloud
  ᯓ★ eighty-two moons; ages on the 1st of every month
  ᯓ★ speech thought action
  ᯓ★ peaceful/healing powerplay permitted
• ​

 

[Stonepaw]

The scent of humidity and crushed leaves clung to every breath she took as Stonepaw trailed behind Duskpool, blue eyes fixed on the shaggy back of his head.

The first crack of thunder made her flinch, round ears flicking back. The sky growled, like hounds pacing the horizon. Its belly rumbled, electricity charging the air before the storm finally broke free. Lightning split the clouds, white streaks clawing across the sky.

She lifted her head as the first drops fell, thick and cold against her face. A few became many, a torrent pouring from the storm above. Water dripped from her whiskers, her fur growing heavy as rain soaked her through, her plumage drooping under the weight. Water trickled down her legs, merging with the puddles swirling around her paws. Each rumble of thunder vibrated through the stone beneath her paws, a low growl that rattled her bones.

Their patrol cut short, it was decided they would find shelter now instead. Irritation flecked her brow, but she would not argue. There was nothing to be done about the rain. They would have to wait for it to pass.

She tromped after Duskpool, her paws sinking into the softening earth as she followed in his muddied steps.

____________But in order to get to the heart of things ⛉ Sometimes, you have to cut through____________

• "speech" - thoughts / emphasis
  
•  
• Stonepaw she/her & skyclan
  ☁︎ LH lilac point with a thick mane, blue eyes, and a half-tail.
  ☁︎ A hollow, vacant voice, stripped of emotion.
  ☁︎ Mentored by Stormcrow.
  ☁︎ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted For other, DM.
  ☁︎ Smells of pine needles and petrichor.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[Teaselfeather Teaselfeather]

TEASELFEATHER

Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you

Teaselfeather padded after Duskpool with steady, deliberate steps. Their ears swiveled restlessly, attuned to every rustle and shift in the air, while their eyes drifted upward, tracing the bruised-grey sky. Thunder murmured above, low, distant, like the growl of something ancient. It stirred a quiet purr in their throat. Storms always did. There was something sacred in them, wild and beautiful, even when terrifying. Nature stripped bare, honest in its chaos. Teaselfeather loved that kind of honesty.

Rain began to fall, soft at first, then sharp and endless, drumming against fur and leaves alike. They stayed close to Downypaw, their flanks brushing for the briefest moment, a wordless reassurance in a world where words were so easily lost to wind. Their mismatched eyes found Downypaw's for a second. A quick wink. A fleeting smile. Then they pressed onward, droplets slipping from their whiskers and muzzle, matting down the fine strands of their fur. The rain had no mercy. It drenched without pause, without care. But Teaselfeather didn't complain. No, this was the way of the world, and they had long learned to move within it rather than against it.

Still... the cold crept in. Their gaze swept the trees, scanning for shelter, a den, a hollow, anything. But the curtain of rain blurred everything into smudged shapes and motion. Their ears pinned back. The search would continue, but for now, Teaselfeather walked with quiet resolve. The storm would not scare them. Not anymore.

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