Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Another successful outing, even if his to do list was only partially completed. A wide grape leaf hung in his mouth, dangling with his catch of select parsley leaves from the overgrown herb garden just over the Windclan border. Here was a bounty that few places could muster, and whatever order has once reigned these plants in have now taken control of the entire plot. He'd have to remember to come back to fill out his collections - there was more than plenty to give.
But what had intrigued the cat was the scent that seemed to linger beyond the border. The two-leg den was clearly abandoned, yet there were signs of life yet - including cat smells. An inviting proposition, but also one that caused a morbid curiosity to stir his paws as they lingered. Could this place be afflicted by this forest blight as well? Only way to find out was to do a bit of investigating and get to know the locals.
His initial patrols hadn't unearthed any particular signs of death, but one couldn't be too careful. While caution fueled his steps, his deep seeded need for uncovering this mystery kept his paws without need for indecision. Action was required to lift this curse. Perhaps when the clan cats have suffered enough they'd applaud his efforts, but for now exploration brought him closer to the barn's side, nostrils sniffing while his large form was partially hidden from the overgrown underbrush. But what kind of well meaning cat would sneak around unannounced?
"Hello?" He called out, tenor casual while his entire pelt permeated of parsley. A freshening smell indeed after a long while doting around the plant life.
23
Kosmo, Lawn Gnome, Ghost & Whoever
Some inspection of the barn's overrun herb garden as well as investigating up north to discover more about the strange deaths
Northern Barn area, starting near the herb garden
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
GHOST
Sharp ears pricked at the sound of a foreign mew, and a few moments later, a strange scent wafted through the air. From her place up the staircase, Ghost's hackles raised. She silently snuck around the railing, all too aware to keep her stark-white coat out of the stranger's eyesight for the time being. It was a tom, she realized, and she could spy an orange coat from her position. Growling, she stalked over a ridge jutting out from the wall above him.
"Who are you?" she hissed, claws digging into the wood.
Gnome:
The voice of her daughter drifted through the air, and brought Gnome out of her afternoon nap. Curled up in their shared bedding, she stretched - feeling a twinge in her legs that refused to leave no matter how much she shook them out. A sigh escaped her as she caught the defensive tone that Ghost took with their guest. Had she not said to let the house and yard be a safe space for all to use? Either way, she would probably have to head up before a fight broke out.
Slipping out of the small space, Gnome traversed though the maze-like tunnels that ran underneath the house. They were probably originally dug by a large gopher but for Gnome and her daughter, they were the perfect size. The entracnce was a big of a squeeze, from beneath the deck and though a small gap in the lattice fencing - but it inspired her to keep in shape and no predators or larger cats could ambush them there.
After shaking the dirt and webs from her creme-white pelt, she made for the barn. Hopefully Ghost wouldn't attack in the time it took for her to get there...
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Kosmo's muzzle shot in the direction of a voice, a presence that was quick to make themselves known. Hackles and voice raised he half wondered if this she-cat would immediately jump at him from above, using the railing as an advantageous leaping point, but the tom wanted to try and ease her concerns. That would begin with an introduction.
"I am a cat who does not wish harm upon you. You may call me Kosmo." He sniffed in her direction. It was clear that her scent wasn't the only one here, but it paid to be respectful, especially if he came across some place with multiple cats - a clan of sorts. His package of parsley rested neatly at his paws, half hidden in the foliage. There was no mistaking the scent, and secrety he relished in the flavor that hung on his tongue.
"This must be your home, then?" The large tom asked her with some purpose; a speaking cat was not usually an attacking one.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
GHOST
Ghost kept her ears perked as she listened to the tom's mew. Even though her mother was so insistent on keeping their home open, she couldn't help but feel defensive at strangers. Those clan cats could be awfully territorial, she knew, so who was to say they weren't trying to expand into her own home?
With a sigh, Ghost crawled back over to the staircase, quietly slinking her way down to meet the new cat. The odd-eyed tom sitting with a bundle of plants at his paws was a better sight than some scarred, puffed up cat ready to fight, at least. Still, friendliness did not come so easily to her as it did to her mother, who might still be napping under the house, for all she knew. Ghost kept her distance, fluffy white tail waving slowly in the air. "Yes, this is my home," she replied. "What brings you here?"
Gnome:
There was a stranger on the farm, a tomcat by the looks of it. Gnome stopped and stretched one final time in a last ditch effort to remove the numbness from her legs, before padding up to the barn.
"Ghost, dear, I hope you haven't been spooking out guests." She gave the tomcat a wide berth - some cats were strange about their personal space - and settled next to her daughter. He was much larger than her - a lilac tabby with a little stumpy tail. It looked to be an injury, unlike her lacking tail. She blinked at him, sizing him up. Was he a clan cat? That would certainly make him more interesting.
"Hello honey - My name is Gnome, and this is our farm. What brings you to our little slice of paradise?" Maybe he would stick around? Gnome settled into a loaf as she eagerly awaited more information on their guest.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Her suspicions were valid, and if there were stranger in his home, he'd be a bit defensive too. A dark ear flicked as he felt the heat simmer off her pelt, somewhat quelled by his nonchalant honesty. "This area has remained a place of interest to me for some time..." He began, although his expression turned to one of gentle curiosity when he spied another cat emerging into view. An older she-cat, not unlike his mentor or mother. Perhaps she called her self Mistress to his place.
"Ghost, is it?" He repeated on his tongue, tasting the name. Like a spirit, white and wandering. And then there was Gnome, similar to - an idol of some sort? He wasn't quite sure what to make of her name or perhaps how she obtained it, but nevertheless, he wanted to return her welcome in stride.
"It's good to meet the both of you. You may call me Kosmo. As for my purpose here, I suppose there might be a couple." He began as he returned to all four paws. He still carried the heavy scent of herbs on his pelt, and he gave an appreciative nod. "The herb garden for one - there are plenty of natural commodities that can lend a helping paw to those in need. That's what I am, a medicine cat of sorts. A healer of some skill, taught by the finest clan cats." Which wasn't false; his mentor was once an experienced, devout healer of the highest caliber. And her wide skill set was unhindered and much expanded when she was forced to leave.
"Have you need of healing? Have you noticed any creature sick or destitute around your 'little slice of paradise'?" He inquired, not wanting to divulge the bleak news of the forest so suddenly in case of upsetting them. Kosmo padded to the side of the fence, giving a little experimental wag of his hind end before he hopped onto the uneven pickets, the shadows of his eyes calm but wanting.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
GHOST
As her mother settled beside her, Ghost looked over the tom warily. He carried himself with the confidence of one of those self-righteous clan cats, at least. She'd never understand why her mother was so friendly to such rude wild cats. She nodded as he asked her name. It wasn't a name she particularly loved, but it was what she'd been given, and she hadn't cared enough recently to come up with a new one.
"You want to use our garden?" Ghost asked as he explained his reason for visiting. She glanced down at her mother to confirm. "I mean, we don't use it much." Her curiosity piqued at the mention of his being taught by the clans. From her experience, they didn't care much for those born outside of their groups, so how did he gain access to that knowledge? She decided to ask later, and shook her head to his question. "I don't believe we need any serious healing, but it's a kind offer."
Gnome:
A healer? Gnome debated his answer. She had never heard of a non-clan healer before. Perhaps he was half-clan - If his mother or father was a healer that would make more sense. She didn't know much about the medicine cats of the four clans. Perhaps Kosmo could tell her more about it. She was always interested in information that might make talking to those cats easier.
"The garden is free to use by anyone who needs it - and the property for that matter." She took pride in her home, but it was only home to her and her daughter. If a single loner wanted to pick some herbs from the out-of-hand bushes, they were more than welcome to. Gnome wasn't the most territorial cat and certainly didn't have the power to back up her claim. But she still wanted to be a place where cats could come and go as they pleased without fear of retaliation.
It gave her some piece of mind... and might even provide the opportunity for herself and Ghost to expand the cats who lived at the farm. She gave a somewhat melancholy sigh - she did miss her companions.
"The only destitute creature that has wandered our way would be you, Kosmo." Her tone was joking. "As for healing, if you know of anything good for old aches and pains, I would love to hear it. Where did you learn these skills - I've never met a clan-born healer, or half-clan... or whatever you are." He was intriguing. So sue her.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Yes. A kind offer by a kindly wanderer who offered the only things that he thought might appease them for their initial distrust. A helping paw was more welcome than a swiping one, and his jaws turned towards a smile that made his white whiskers twitch with soft appeal. He stood on the fence pickets before his form dipped down into a stretched that grasped one farther out front, claws grazing the wood as Ghost's had done. A good way to sharpen your claws in any rate.
"Oh~ good!" The tom mewed in a pleased tone. "The garden is welcome to take freely from, then. You have no idea how offended those clan cats get when I try to pluck a plant from their territory. I must say, you're next to gracious compared to their hospitality. Lack thereof." his mismatched eye, the green one in particular winked towards the older she-cat. How odd that she didn't possess a tail at all it seemed. He wondered if she had lost it somehow during her lifetime or perhaps was born without it.
The tomcat chuckled as he aimed to lower himself on his haunches, exchanging a glance between the both of them. The thrump of his cinnamon hued half-tail hung sloped from his hind. The humor shared by Gnome was refreshing as she seemed to call it as she saw fit, and hey, he wasn't going to argue based off first impressions. He probably did look a bit ragged at the moment. At the mention of releiving aches and pains he got to mentally projecting what kind of treatment he'd prescribe.
"Well, that all depends on what specifically ails you? Have you suffered a dislocated joint or limb before, or old injury acting up? Any inflammation or just general stiffness?" He had instinctively began to size her up, a sharpness to his eyes as if they were an extension of his precise knowledge of medicine cattery.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
GHOST
Ghost shifted in her place, feeling better to know that this cat was one of the ones who loved plants more than anything else. She ran her tongue over a paw, carefully swiping it over her ears and face as her mother conversed with the tom.
"Are you going to stay long?" she asked when there was a pause in their questions. "We have plenty of food. I can catch some pretty quickly."
Gnome:
There was the hospitality she was hoping for from Ghost - she knew her daughter had it in her. Just needed a moment to get her worries out. He was more than welcome to take as much as he wanted... but his comment about the clans being defensive of their plants brought another idea to mind... perhaps that was her 'in'. A way to speak to them, civilly. She would discuss it with Ghost later.
"Oh, no injury in particular honey." She looked back at the 'medicine cat' as he stretched out. "I'm just old and tired, one day - if you're lucky - you'll know what its like." She blinked up at him. "I'm... oh, what do those cats call months Ghostie?" Gnome had heard the term - it had something to do with a celestial body but for the life of her she couldn't remember which one. " Well, either way I'm going on around 126 of them at the moment." Or was it 127? The math was hard when you worked in years for the most part.
"Why don't you go find some food Ghost, I'll show Kosmo here to the main house. The attic is cool and dry - it might be a nice place to stay for the night." Gnome slowly got up, feeling the 9 years of life weigh on her bones. She wasn't quite done yet - but perhaps this cat had some remedy she hadn't thought of yet.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
