Orpheus / Eurydice [closed]

Stagnant golden light hung heavily upon the strife-riddled morning air; the opulent darkness of the rapid dissipating night sky gradually curdling under the insistent illumination of the slowly rising sky. The freshly blossoming grasses and foreign foliage that crept across the duration of WindClan's moorland was heavily laden with freshly dusted collections of chilly dew, further softening the unpleasantly rough morning air with the sweet taste of flagrant humidity. Only the persistent stray breeze, borne from an unknown land far beyond the furthest reaches of the Highstones, seemed to bring any semblance of alertness to the admittedly drowsy forest. The moorland, often so tranquil and void of the deafening roar synonymous with the cramped confines of the forest, was quite serene most days- offering the quietude and extensive room to roam freely, on the days when you felt too restricted within your own body.

The thick swath of gorse that carefully concealed the vulnerable contents of WindClan's camp was heavily laden with fresh growth, bright flowers and buds weighting down each of the spindly tendrils that curled skyward in a menacing gesture of strength. The entirety of the camp was dusted in a soft coating of brilliant yellows and greens, the dry grounds revived by the gentle kiss of warmer weathers. Soft springs of sweet grasses and vibrant heather blossomed up from the sandy hollow of the camp, aiding the fallen flower petals in their unwitting attempt to further soften the ground below one's paws.

Although Brindlestar took care in her exiting of the gorse tunnel to ensure that her coat wasn't unintentionally snagged against the curling claws of the hanging thorns, even the gentlest movement was enough force to send down a shower of enticingly sweet petals raining down against her back. Tongue curling against her teeth, she resisted a shiver at the faint prickle of the hooked gorse thorns scoring lightly through the wild mane of her coat. It had only been a moon or so since she had officially taken over WindClan, but she still made an effort to attend patrols as needed- it felt too strange to hang about camp, especially considering her intimate awareness with all the things that needed to be done. Shaking away her dusting of overly sweet smelling little flowers and growths, the lanky she-cat turned to await the entrance of her companions. It wasn't that uncommon for Meadowgaze to join her on the occasional early morning stroll, but it was rather unusual that they had decided to take on two additional Apprentices.

"No patrols have been near the Flowering Fields recently, so I suppose we can begin there." Brindlestar mewed after a heartbeat of unprompted silence, pale gaze drifting between her companions.

The cream-tinted feline followed her leader past the confines and comforts of camp, holding back a gentle laughter as she saw the thorns just ever so slightly remind the leader of their presence. Her internal amusement didn't last long though, quickly being silenced by the thorns reminding her of their existence, as well. It resulted in a mild, pout-esque twinge of her maw before she herself was freed from the momentary prison. Of course, she didn't mind it - the tunnel was mainly constructed in the interest of the thinner, lankier cats, not so much the atypical fluffs that sprinkled WindClan.

Taking a moment to enjoy the free air, with the gentle breeze of their namesake reminding just how clear their land was, Meadowgaze turned to her companion. Their morning walks had been something she pondered would disappear upon Brindlestar transcending to leadership, but it was to much comfort that they indeed stayed part of the routine. Meadowgaze herself could definitely understand why. Most leaders stayed within the camp and saw to matters on the inside, venturing out only now and then. But that wasn't her friends' personality, and to know that it hadn't gone away was truly reassuring. It also kept the Clan that much closer together in companionship. Their leader just wasn't somebody who they should respect, but someone who actually interacted with them. Those virtues were ones that the pale she-cat deeply appreciated.

Somewhat dazed by the beauty of the world around her, Meadowgaze blinked to resume her place within reality upon Brindlestar's decision. There had been a reason she was named Meadowgaze - it was hard not to marvel at the beauty of the place she called home. "Feels like I haven't been near there in moons, sounds good to me." Her energy levels soared, and a few couple of hops placed her in front of her Clanmates. She especially eyed the apprentices. "Race you there!" From that single cue, the fluffy feline then spun around, taking off towards their destination. It was this child-like manner that kept her close towards the nursery and apprentice's dens, despite not being a mother herself. She had the spirit to entertain them as they were maturing, but to also remind them that it was alright to let loose and have a bit of fun now and then.

Bunnypaw was really excited when Brindlestar invited her onto a patrol. A patrol with her leader! Who wouldn't be excited?

The small she-cat padded through the thorn tunnel, managing to avoid the thorns due to her small body structure. She ran up besides Brindlestar, a bit nervous. Yet Bunnypaw managed to keep her calm, emotionless face and made it so that only cats she knew very well would identify her true feelings.

Yet when Brindlestar said that they would be going to Flowering fields, you could see the excitment on the tortieshell's face. She had heard from warriors that it was a very beautiful place but never got to see it herself. Is this a dream? Pondered the young she-cat. Being on a patrol with the leader and going to the flowering fields certainly made it feel that way.

When Meadowgaze started bounding off with the line, "Race ya there", Bunnypaw started running after her. Maybe this is a dream.

Eaglepaw’s pride was still overwhelming. Not much had changed, even after being an apprentice for a little while. His ambition to become a leader had done everything except subside, in fact, that was his main focus, and goal. He wanted to prove to Heronfeather and Brindlestar that he was worthy to be the deputy. Even though he was still an apprentice. It was never too early? The death of his father, Patchpelt, was a harsh blow to the family, especially Fernstep. But they had started to recover.

Today, he had been invited on a patrol with the leader. A perfect chance to show off his hunting skills! Maybe he could even become a warrior early. Meadowgaze, a warrior, and his sister Bunnypaw had already assembled. The brown tom rushed out, standing beside them. As the location of the Flowering Fields was suggested, he nodded. It was a place he had never hunted before, and he wanted to try new things, so he could master them all. His sister seemed dazed and in awe of the opportunity. He rolled his eyes with a small smirk.

Meadowgaze let out a call to race, and he let off, his competitiveness filling him. He sprinted with all of his might, his small Windclan build was built for running. However, his legs were still short, and hadn’t grown very much. He tried his hardest to win, after all, running was an honorable skill, especially for someone of their clan.

The fragile bones within Brindlestar's throat, lending the delicate framework for the arching expanse of the angular molly's build, rattled with a surprising intensity under her scoff of amusement- a reverberating sound of disbelief and mirth at the prospective challenge, evidently done at the guise of catering to their younger counterparts. "A race? Who d'ya think I am?" She echoed, tossing an amused stare in the respective directions of Bunnypaw and Eaglepaw, "I might have a few more grey hairs than I used to, but you should do well to remember that I've yet to lose a race!" Watching as Meadowgaze promptly scrambled off towards their unseen destination, with the youngest members of their party quickly haring off in a similar manner, she was struck with a sudden inability to remember- how long had it been since they had done something so simple and childish? It had been so long since the stars had dimmed and the Dark Forest had first crept over from their realm of darkness and decay, but they hadn't ever experienced a moment of peace since then.

Perhaps this was the closest thing she could receive to peace. Small moments where the world didn't seem so unbearably large and unbearably cruel, where her Clanmates didn't have to fret so much.

Brindlestar threw her head back as a voracious bought of laughter escaped from behind her teeth, before quickly charging off in the direction of her rapidly disappearing patrol. There was a slight twinge resonating within the stiffened joints of her hips, a telltale ache that bespoke the admittedly limited exercise that she had undergone during the past few moons since her inheritance of leadership. Ignoring the slight heat that blossomed within her in the wake of such sudden speed and movement, she gently bumped Eaglepaw with her nose as she gradually kept pace with the smaller tom. "Don't let your sister win without a fight!" Brindlestar called out, voice partially lost to the choppy presence of the buffeting winds, sharp gaze partially dropping shut into a playful wink. The Flowering Fields were rapidly approaching, the small rodents and birds dwelling within the flowers quickly scattering at the newfound presence of such large and rambunctious creatures. The warmth of late Newleaf had drawn all sorts of small beings out into the lushness of the moorland- a stark contrast to the bleak state of affairs during the colder moons. Thrusting herself ahead of Eaglepaw with a sudden burst of speed, Brindlestar was quick to pull ahead of Meadowgaze with a triumphantly juvenile exclamation of, "Don't look behind you!"

Scrambling over a low over-hang, the molly accidentally disturbed a small scattering of warm stones in her wake- unaware of the inhabitant residing within the enticing warmth of the little shelter.

The colorful alabaster and dreamsicle pelt had charged forward, the fluff dragging only slightly on the wind and grasses. As her legs carried her, the cadence within her mind slowly disappeared into the whistling of the world. It only returned when she saw the familiar she-cat reappear, her maw dropping with surprise. She too had scuttled over the stones, but an angered hiss soon resonated from within. It caused the warrior to leap with surprise, jumping towards her leader and quickly calling out to the two apprentices on their way.

"Watch out!" The sharp hiss quickly pierced the air, the contrasting melody of the serpent before the leader and warrior coiling tall in challenge. There would be a fight between the four cats, and Meadowgaze prayed that the apprentices would be ready - and that it wouldn't end in turmoil. Looking over to her leader, her tail flicking with great anxiety, she let her gaze flash rapidly between both her leader and the snake. She didn't want to attack, but her claws definitely dug into the ground.

Bunnypaw raced through the moor, the wind against her fur. It was easy to tell the she-cat was having fun.

Bunnypaw was only a few fox-lengths when she heard Meadowgaze call out to them. Bunnypaw skidded to a stop.

The young tortishell's green eyes widened in fear at the sight of the snake. The she-cat crouched down, trembling with fear at the sight of the snake, her big ears flopping down. Is that snake going to attack me? Or Eaglepaw? Or Meadowgaze? Or Brindlestar? What if it kills one us? What if it makes one of us go blind? Brindlestar could recover my I can't. Oh starclan why did you have to let the snake out of it's bundle of rocks? So many thoughts ran through Bunnypaw's head.

Eaglepaw looked at Brindlestar, and with a grin, kept running. He heard Meadowgaze, but his momentum was too much, he kept running. That’s why he found himself right next to the snake. His eyes widened. This could be dangerous, but it was a chance to prove his fighting skills. All four of them beta one little snake in a fight, right?

He saw Bunnypaw a few lengths behind. He turned to look at her confused. He wasn’t sure which cat would attack first. Even though he felt the instinct too, he should be listening to his leader and deputy in these kinds of situations. That’s what his ma had always told him.

The turbulent howl of roaring winds, combined with the voracious flow of blood rapidly pulsing through her circulatory system with each intrinsic beat of her heart, nearly enveloped the faint hiss that curled upon the air like a tendril of smoke. Her muscles went unbearably tight at the sudden stab of adrenaline flourishing within her tense muscles, so incredibly different from the gentle warmth of the slow-rising adrenaline that had initially arisen during their run. Limbs going stiff and unresponsive, Brindlestar clumsily stumbled to a halt alongside her Clanmates- nearly colliding with the coiled snake itself in her graceless attempt to halt from the intense pace she had previously adopted. The delicate arch of her spine sent stiff and unyielding at the sudden presence of danger, pale fur - previously made even more unkempt and wild than usual due to the wind - prickling upwards in an instinctive display of fright and concern.

Although not entirely rare, adders were quite uncommon on the moors. Traditionally, there was too little cover and too few opportunities for adequate sun-basking for the reptiles to call home to the rugged hills.

Delicate jaw muscles aching under the strain of her teeth gritting so hard, Brindlestar forced herself to exhale, attempting to soothe the worst of the apprehension currently wreaking havoc on the natural order of her thought process. It had been seasons since she had last seen an adder, even longer since she had attempted to deal with one- and judging by the thinly slitted eyes, and neatly coiled aggression, displayed by the venomous creature, they were going to have to deal with it. It was entirely too difficult to judge where the adder would attempt to strike first, countless movements and ensuing repercussions drifting through her racing mind as though clouds on a windy afternoon.

"Eaglepaw, Bunnypaw." Brindlestar eventually summoned, raspy voice uncharacteristically soft and slow, terse command devoid of the familiar warmth, "No sudden movements, the adder is too fast for us to try and keep up with. Try and back away slowly, and don't break eye contact with the snake." She instructed, unsure of the nature of the situation. Perhaps they had only disturbed the snake, instead of happening upon its burrow. If the adder wasn't attempting to defend its home, then it would likely let them depart in peace.