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Closed Thread [Closed] Roadkill Wake (16FG20)

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Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
There was a stain on the road outside the graveyard. It was made of blood and other bits. Someone hadn't slowed their metal beast and a squirrel had paid for their carelessness. Someone less careless had been courteous enough to move it off the road. As they dragged it by its tail, Morgan hoped its death had been painless. The state of its body was extremely incompatible with life. It was a wonder most of its guts stayed inside.
 
Once they were back inside the iron fence of the cemetery, Morgan brought the squirrel to rest in the grass across from the housefolk hut and shed. As the morning sun shone down and glittered across their marbled pelt, they sat staring at it as their tail swished. They debated what to do with the squirrel. Burying it in the ground was an option, but it was only newly dead.
 
"Crows need to eat too," Morgan murmured sympathetically to the corpse. They crouched down by it and tucked their paws under their chest. They weren't certain how long it took a squirrel's spirit to leave its body, but thought they should give it a moment before letting something descend on its remains. "Maybe you'll come back as one and have a better chance next time."
Day

16

Who

Morgan, whoever else

What

Morgan finds a body

Where

Whitehart Cemetery, 303 First Ave

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence watched from the top of the cemetery fence as the classic tabby she-cat collected the squirrel and removed it from the road. She was some ways distant as the cat settled near the little corpse. At first she thought perhaps the other cat would make a meal of the fresh meat, but instead watched her settle near it and do what appeared to be nothing.

Out of pure curiosity, Prudence made her way over. She intentionally made noise so as not to startle the stranger, listening as the other cat finally spoke. "Greetings." Prudence called out to the stranger who had no intention of eating a perfectly good squirrel.

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
Morgan's ear rotated at the sound of someone landing and calling a greeting. The bell on Morgan's spiked collar jingled as the marbled tabby looked over for the source. What a coat, they thought, noting the cat's curly fur before anything else. One of their old neighbors had curled fur, but this cat's was longer and more interesting.
 
Morgan stood up in the gracefully slow manner their mother had taught them. "Good morning," they meowed. "Would you care for a squirrel? It's cooled but still quite fresh. There's not a bit of stiffness yet."

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence was unsure of exactly what to make of the graceful classic tabby she was looking it. Not wanting to eat a squirrel herself but perfectly willing to let someone else take it. She guessed that the collar wasn't some remnant of long lost humans, but instead some mark that this one catered to the nasty creatures like far too many of her kind did. It was too much like being a filthy dog.

But, free food was free food.

"I think I just might take you up on the offer if it really is that fresh." Prudence's voice came out in a friendly tone, moreso than she generally liked to use with those who worshiped humans, but sometimes it paid to gather some intellegence as to what was going on. She'd only just wandered into this city and it wouldn't pay to make the wrong enemies before she was settled in. She strode closer to the other cat, ears and tail raised with the confidence she prefered to exude. "I'm called Prudence."

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
Prudence? That was a nice name. Morgan noticed Prudence lacked a collar, but maybe that was to keep all of that lovely fur from being flattened beneath one. Their grandparent Azem didn't wear one either for that reason. Something about visually-pleasing lines, they'd told Morgan.
 
"Be my guest," Morgan replied cordially to Prudence's consideration of the squirrel as breakfast. "Its body should be of use to more than just the maggots."
 
Of course maggots were important in their own way, but who would value their consumption of the squirrel over that of the living, breathing cat standing before them? Certainly not Morgan.
 
"I'm called Morgan," the marbled tabby mewed, then sat down. "This is probably a trite question, but are you often asked if your name is apt?"
 
There was no malice in their voice, just curiosity. Morgan imagined Prudence probably was asked all the time if she was prudent. Still, they wanted to know. It was always nice when a name suited someone.

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

"My mother always told me that a cat grows into the name they're given. So she named me prudence so I could grow to be prudent." There was a laugh in her voice as she spoke. Her paws carried her quietly now to the sad little corpse of the squirrel. A quick inhalation verified that it was as fresh as Morgan had said. Prudence settled to her impromptu meal. She wasn't particularly hungry, but only a fool passed up a free meal. She quickly had the little carcass opened up and downed the rich liver in a single bite. The perfect starter.

Without additional words she settled in, focusing on the choicest bits of the squirrel. "Are you sure you're going to pass on this?"

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
"Motivating," Morgan mewed with sincere interest. "I'm not sure how well that method would work for me, but I think your mother sounds wise."
 
Morgan had not one, but three names. They were called Morrigan, Morgan, and Mori. Each name had its own meaning and its own source.
 
Perhaps, Morgan considered, it could mean I have more options in life. It wouldn't be a wrong assumption. They had been very fortunate and blessed with the means to pursue their potential.
 
Prudence asking if they were sure they didn't want the squirrel dragged Morgan back to the present. "Oh, yes, quite sure," they replied a little distractedly. "I've eaten already and I can always get more at the house."
 
Morgan could count the number of times they'd hunted and ate wild game on one paw. Their human disliked it greatly. They got upset and kept Morgan inside when it happened, and Morgan had just been given freedom to wander about on their own in this new town! They were not about to ruin it over a squashed squirrel.
 
Watching Prudence eat it was fascinating in its own way too, and Morgan started washing their face so as not to openly stare at their new acquaintance. Aside from the times that their human treated them to the very freshest meals, Morgan's usual food rarely looked like any part of a creature. On the contrary, it was just a mass of mushed meat.

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence continued to eat as the stranger, Morgan, spoke about having access to more food at the house. That verified it, then, yet another slave to humanity. Too bad, but that didn't mean she still didn't know things that might be useful. She swallowed another mouthful of meat before asking her question.

"What happens here other than squirrels getting flattened?" Prudence kept her tone casual. She needed to know more about this city and the creatures who lived in it. If dogs ran riot in the streets she needed to be aware. It just wasn't prudent not to be aware of the dangers where humans lived. With luck she wouldn't be stuck in such close quarters with them for very long. They simply couldn't be trusted.

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
What happened there other than squirrels getting flattened?
 
"Well, the cemetery is a place to honor the dead," Morgan explained, pleased to put their knowledge to use. "The humans see them out of the mortal realm after preparing their bodies for their journey to the afterlife, and by escorting them to their resting places." That sounded better than "they're put in a big box and buried or burned to ashes".
 
"That big house over there is where they're prepared." Morgan pointed eastward with their nose as they spoke to indicate the mortuary in the distance.
 
"A lot of the ceremonies start there or at the church. I've seen cats and even dogs participate in the ceremonies," they continued. "I've not yet encountered any spirits, but I believe most here are at ease. I've found it very peaceful at night. The humans leave many offerings.
 
"In this part--" Morgan gestured at the section they were in, "--I've seen them leave things for visiting cats, especially around the little house there and the tree." They indicated the housefolk hut and the large hawthorn tree near the shed.
 
"The squirrel getting hit was a bit of a surprise honestly," mewed Morgan, who'd tilted their head slightly as they rambled. "I'd heard the housefolk here are normally very considerate of other creatures' lives and the streets are safer for it. They know a lot of cats roam here."

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence did her best to conceal her dislike of the mention of humans. Morgan was clearly too fond of the monsters to be clear of mind. Brainwashed, even. She still listened attentively while she continued to work her way through the squirrel. It would be a generous meal and she'd be overfull afterwards, but it would be worth it not to waste the opportunity.

She nodded with interest when Morgan got to the part about there being a place that humans leave things for cats. It was good information to have a failsafe is hunting ran short. Even if what humans thought was good for cats was tasteless trash.

Her tail twitched with even more interest when the safety of the streets was mentioned. Now that, that was good information. If even squirrels were usually safe cats had it pretty easy, then. "It's nice to hear that the streets are so thoughtful. Humans normally don't seem to care from what I've seen."

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
Morgan nodded. "They're very... perplexing."
 
That was about the nicest way Morgan could put it to describe the humans they'd met. Even their own human could be infuriating at times, but Morgan knew they were lucky to have a guardian like that. Not all were so blessed. Morgan had been reminded of it by multiple cats on multiple occasions.
 
"Inscrutable," Morgan decided. As good as their human was, Morgan would never understand all of their decisions. Likewise, their human would never understand all of Morgan's. The marbled tabby shrugged lightly.
 
"But I imagine we're that way to them too."

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence lifted her head from the squirrel to look more carefully as Morgan spoke about humans. Her tone of voice was entirely too fond for Prudence's tastes. But the only interactions she'd ever had with humans painted them in a very bad light. Perhaps "inscrutable" was a good word for them. They did have the odd tendency to treat the cats they chose with kindness all while treating the cats they didn't choose with cold distain.

"I really don't know much about humans other than what my mother taught me: Stay as far away as possible." She made her way quickly through another bite of the succulent squirrel. It was so strange that Morgan passed this over in favor of the stones that humans made offerings of. "I only traveled here out of curiosity."

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
Stay as far away as possible...? Morgan repeated in their head while their face took on an expression of deep thought at Prudence's words. As their mind went to work, Morgan recalled their old home and what they had learned there. There was much to consider...
 
How would Pa approach this? Morgan mused, but then narrowed their thinking away from their father Idris's side of the family. Like Morgan, that side had always had housefolk to look after them. Stars above, Morgan's grandfather Tinunil had even inherited his parents'.
 
Would the teachings of Morgan's mother Kathani be better? No, their grandmother Kiran's would be best. Kiran had lived without a human family for a significant part of her life. She was why Morgan knew humans could be cruel and how fortunate their whole family was. But Kathani's teachings were Kiran's too. It wasn't as if Kathani ever forgot her mother's past...
 
Wait, stop, Morgan told themself firmly, bringing to mind their instructor Alda. None of this helps. How they'd do it doesn't matter, because they're them and I'm me. How do I approach this?
 
Not all humans were kind. Staying away from them was sound, and yet Prudence journeyed here out of mere curiosity? Why? Morgan hoped that what had felt like a long moment of consideration in their mind hadn't been too long for Prudence in the material plane.
 
Contemplative, Morgan finally asked, "What is your curiosity?"

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence liked her fangs as she finished the last of the meat from the now sad little carcass. "My curiosity was for what was here, and how those who live here do so." She gave a small shrug as she settled, licking her paw to run it over her face in a post meal ablution. "I'd always wanted to see what it was like amongst the nests humans keep, when I've passed close enough the scent of cat runs through the entire place. Not sure I'll stay, but it seemed worth learning what was to be learned."

((Apologies for the shortness. I pushed through writers block so I could stop holding things up.))

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
((No worries! Nothing wrong with short posts.))
 
"Knowledge for the sake of knowledge? A worthy pursuit," Morgan mewed. "I wish you well on your quest."
 
They looked down at the remains of squirrel, briefly wondering if they should bury it or leave it be. Leave it, they decided. Something else would eat what Prudence didn't.
 
"I haven't been here for very long," Morgan went on. "It is a curious place. There used to be a kingdom long ago." They started grooming their chest fur.
 
"I can't speak for all of the nests, but this area around the cemetery is a sanctuary as far as I can tell. If you ever need respite, the gates are always open."

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Prudence continued the meticulous clearing of her whiskers and the curls of the fur on and around her face. She listened to the other speak, complimenting her on the reasons for her journey into town.

"A kingdom was here?" This piqued her interest greatly. She knew about the cats who lived in the land the humans mostly left to itself, but she did not know of any organization to this place. "How unusual."

A few more careful swipes of tongue and paw, then she was satisfied that all was in order. "Apparently they're gone now, since you said 'was'?"

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  
Morgan nodded sagely. "Yes, they're gone. The kingdom was called Camelot. My grandmother told me stories of it from her kithood, but she's blessed with longevity. It's been countless moons since she lived here." They started licking their forepaw.
 
"It's like the kingdom vanished into thin air. I've tried to ask around, but the few who even knew anything about it only gained their knowledge through word of mouth, not through lived experience."
 
Morgan swiped their paw over their ear. "It's quite the mystery."

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot


   
(@kitsufox)
Admin Applications Team, Information Drive, Medicine Cat Player, Leader Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 385
 

No other protection is wanting,
provided you are under the guidance of prudence.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

"A mystery indeed." Prudence agreed quietly, mulling over the news that had been offered. Something that was quiet destroyed an entire kingdom. The source of this must be investigated carefully. It wouldn't due to settle somewhere that had dangers like that, especially ones that could travel unseen.

She absently licked a paw and drew it over her ears in thought. "This is certainly an interesting place, friend."

Kitsufox, CoSC Owner & Administrator

Ashpaw ♂ Apprentice of ShadowClan
Boldstar ♂ Leader of RiverClan
Prudence ♀ Wanderer of Whitehart
Rowanglade ♀ Medicine Cat of WindClan
Savagefox ⚥ Warrior of ThunderClan
Stormkit ♀ Kit of RiverClan
Uther ♂ The Once and Future King


   
Estellaria
(@estellaria)
Player Deputy Player
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 172
Topic starter  

((And scene.  Clanless ))

PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue

NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot