[ CAC ] ─ Birthstone Event Writing

[ponz]

(c)
Link to CAC ... Link to Fanclub


The following thread's posts are my written entries for Create-a-Clan's Birthstone Event! Writing will be filled in as soon as it is completed, and entries will be posted in order of preference. In the event of a tie, my birthstone is October's opal!


ENTRIES

1. Opal | October

2. Sapphire | September

3. Ruby | July

4. Pearl | June

5. Diamond | April

-

[ponz]

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---OCTOBER | OPAL
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---username ─ ponz
---clan ─ golden kingdom
---cat's name ─ opal's gleam
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PROMPT This cat has a stack of various different identities
and aliases. They’ve claimed all sorts of reasons for having
them; the story changes every time they’re asked. When
they come across your clan, what persona do they put on?
Is it their real one, or has your clan yet to reveal the truth
of this cat?

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paragraphThey had no name. It was easier that way, when slipping between skins and tongues was second nature. Names didn't stick, and they'd worn so many by now that it wouldn't be worth the effort to try and remember them all. Though they didn't remember when, how, or why it had begun, they kept up the act. Mostly because they couldn't remember what it was like not to be acting at all. "I'm a world-traveler, hailing from the mountains, but I've seen just about every sort of cat this world can create," they had said once, and while living that life, they wore a perpetual scowl and kept one paw raised in imitation of a limp. That lie hadn't gone over so well, the age of their character a poor match for the youth of their voice and body. Another time, they whispered promises to the other cats that had snuck aboard the twoleg locomotives for free passage to a new life: "I was a twoleg's pet, once, did you know? She was plenty kind to me, but it was the rose garden in her backyard that kept me coming back each night. But she's dead now, so I'm on a quest to find flowers even more beautiful than those."

paragraphThat one lasted longer, but eventually, the train stopped at its final station and they had to disembark. Their stories grew darker to accommodate the territorial toms and mollies that lived in this new, uncharted city. "I have known grief beyond your wildest imagination. I have had to kill, had to watch the life fade from one pair of eyes too many, and I'd rather you not have to join that number." To the half-starved kitten they encountered on their adventure through the alleyways, they spun sweet fantasies to ease the pangs of hunger that gnawed at both of them. They both liked those stories. "My mama raised me by the ocean. Have you ever seen the ocean? It's so big, so expansive, smelling of the strongest sea salts and speckling the beaches with beautiful shells. Sand always gets between your toes, though, no matter how often you get your paws wet."

paragraphThe kitten wasn't much longer for the world, but the stories had made her happy, and they carried the memory of her bittersweet smiles with them deep in their heart. It was their first night alone in quite a while. And being alone meant that there was no reason to tell tales.

paragraphThat night, their dreams were rather unusual. They came to in a grassy field, vibrant green plumes sprouting up beneath their paws and massive lavender plants swaying with the gentle breeze. Before them, a grand river, waters clear as crystal, stretched on into the sunset. It was so clear, in fact, that it almost seemed to sparkle. When they leaned over to inspect it, the shiny things revealed themselves. Dozens and dozens of iridescent koi fish, swimming lazily around against the current, each one more unfathomably colorful than the last. Yet something about the fish gave them pause. They seemed... unreal, like if they were to reach out, the fish would pass right through their claws. "Do you like them?" a mighty voice thundered, and they startled. Some sort of flickering presence, faint and yet powerful, this great cat was. It purred, seemingly amused by the shock on their face. "Each one is a life you've lived, little one. Beautiful performances, moving characters, but not real. Come home to me, Opal. The Kingdom waits."

paragraphThey woke up afterwards in a verdant plain, not unlike the one from their dream. There was a massive stone castle, just before them. Fragrant wildflower blooms coated the hillside path they'd have to take to climb up to it. They remembered the cat from the dream, remembered that it had mentioned a "Kingdom," and made the decision to approach. A small group of cats at the castle entrance bristled when they approached, but after a brief exchange of words and the hurried excuse of "an orphan seeking shelter for the night," they were escorted to the Throne Room, where the Monarch would decide their fate. It was all a rather grand and dramatic process, especially given how most of the other cats within the castle walls hardly batted an eye at their presence.

paragraph"Do you have a name?" Crown of Embers, a handsome cream oriental with a weariness in his frame that spoke volumes, asked them kindly. This gave them pause, but after a moment, they answered.

paragraph"Opal," they said, remembering the title that the dream-cat had called them, and that was that.

paragraphIn the Kingdom, things were... different. It wasn't as if they could jump from story to story anymore, not if they were planning to stay here permanently. Certainly, they could try to give glimmering little hints of the truth, to shed their chameleon-coat for good, but that was easier said than done. Opal's Gleam wasn't sure what their story was, anymore. But the Kingdom was a clan full of pretenders, of cats unsure in their skins and their stories, of cats hiding from their pasts. It was almost comforting to know that they weren't alone in that regard.

paragraphAt the very least, they could get some amusement from being the Kingdom's token enigma. Cats speculated with intensity over what secrets they might be hiding, where they might have come from, what sort of things they kept locked up in their mind. Surly Honeybee's Wing didn't seem to care about the inconsistencies in their character, but the stoic Otter's Fang often eyed them with something akin to respect. Opal liked Otter's Fang. He had his own garden of secrets blossoming beneath that stony facade, and it sparked a sort of tentative kinship between them. Lily's Grace, ever observant, grew more and more frustrated as she tried to piece together who Opal's Gleam really was. Every trip to the cleric's den, from simple thorn in the paw to more serious wounds, ensured a thorough round of questioning that only left both parties more confused than they'd been at the start. Morning's Dew more than made up for it, though. The vain young tom always mocked his mentor for her pointless, single-minded pursuit of knowledge that did not belong to her, and Opal appreciated his biting humor whenever he let his tongue fly freely.

paragraphBut there was one cat who just wasn't content with the meager truths Opal could offer. Young Aspen, the sharp-tongued little prince, never once let down his guard around them. It was of little consequence, really, except that Aspen always seemed to be watching them, studying them, but never reaching out to speak until the dawn of Opal's second moon in the Golden Kingdom. "I don't understand you," the young prince said, staring at them with a burning curiosity in those sad eyes. "I don't, but I'd like to."

paragraph"I'd like to understand myself, too," Opal told him, half-joking and half-serious.

paragraph"Well, good," said Aspen, sounding rather pleased. "In that case, I have something important that I think you should see." So Opal allowed themselves to be dragged around the castle by the heir to the throne, darting through hallways and scampering up staircases that time had cracked and let crumble, until they stumbled into a small chamber with a mighty bronze bell hanging from its ceiling. Aspen stepped towards it first, giving the knotted rope that hung from the bell an experimental tug. It rang three times, each one deep and melodious. "My sister and I found the bell tower when we were younger," he explained flippantly, his tail swishing from side to side with an eager sort of energy. "Couldn't explain why, but the sound it makes when you ring it is different for every cat. It can tell you a lot about them, if you know how to listen."

paragraphIt sounded like an old queen's tale, but they had nothing to lose. Opal took the weather-worn cord in their mouth, and waited for just a moment before giving it a pull. The sound that echoed through the bell's chamber was an eerie one, completely unlike the sonorous clang when the prince had rung. It was much longer, a note that wavered uncertainly, tapering off before coming back suddenly with a vengeance, a sound that gave the impression of broken wind chimes. It was a strong sound, though, and by its end Opal was left feeling as though they'd been doused in ice water from head to tail-tip. "What was that?" they gasped, staring at the bell with a new sort of horror. The only certain thing about them was the body they lived in, and it failed them now, knees trembling under the weight of some bronze creation's song.

paragraph"Ha!" Young Aspen burst out. Why was the prince grinning so triumphantly? What did it all mean? "I think I get you now. Come on, then, Opal," the little prince said, making himself comfortable by their side. They didn't have the heart to protest, still a little unnerved by this enchanted bell, and allowed themselves to be tugged along by the small tabby. Opal followed him down the winding belltower staircase, through the many imposing corridors, and into the near-empty courtyard. Together they sat, two young cats in the golden hour before sunset, and each one mulling over what had just occurred.

paragraph"But I still don't understand anything," Opal whispered, filling the silence while their head still swam in confusion.

paragraph"You're Opal's Gleam," Young Aspen said, as if that were the most obvious thing in the world. "And I think that Opal's Gleam is whoever you want to be. It's okay if you don't know yet. You'll figure it out."

paragraph"I'm Opal's Gleam," they repeated, quietly. They knew that, obviously, but it still felt like a revelation to hear it from someone else's mouth. Maybe that was all there was to it, after all. "I can work with that."
-

[ponz]

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---SEPTEMBER | SAPPHIRE
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---username ─ ponz
---clan ─ golden kingdom
---cat's name ─ sapphire's shine
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PROMPT This cat prides themselves on being
forthright and honest, and tend to hold the same
standard for every other cat. They can’t stand to
watch as devious, selfish schemes play out before
them. What was a scandal they might have
uncovered or came about? What was the aftermath?

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paragraphSapphire had always had the reputation of being rather blunt. It could be considered a blessing or a curse, depending on who you asked. He'd have no trouble speaking his mind ("airing the dirty laundry," to borrow his kittypet friend's favorite phrase) to anyone, no matter who they were, but he also hurt a great many feelings that way. No matter. Sapphire simply saw it for what it was. A passion— no, an obsession— for the truth. Lies, trickery, deceit, it all covered up what was really the case, and the truth was the most dangerous weapon of all. Hence, why he'd learned from a young age to study the art of dishonesty. From the tells of a liar to the easiest way to conceal his emotions, knowing instrinically how dishonesty worked made it so much easier to dismantle.

paragraphIt hadn't made him very popular in kittenhood. Sapphire's only real friend was the annoyingly perky kittypet next door, a pretty little pedigree who wore each cat show ribbon with pride. Her collar read "Titania," but she insisted he call her Princess, as it was the name her mother had given her. Sapphire knew this was a lie (the name her mother had given her was actually Pickles, and her brother Peaches had cheerfully taunted her with it for hours when he visited), but he allowed it; this was mostly because he knew the verbal thrashing he'd get for calling her on it would far outweigh the prickle of irritation he felt each time she regaled him with the story, but also in part due to his fondness for her. His formative moons were spent there, lounging on the fence's edge as Princess trilled on and on about some inane encounter at the birdbath down the street.

paragraphBut it wasn't enough for Sapphire, no matter how fond he was of Princess and her lilting voice and silky fur, or how nice and special and loved he'd felt when she'd slipped him one of her many ribbons and promised him she'd stay by his side forever. Because one day, her family moved, leaving him behind with her name on his tongue and a weather-worn ribbon tucked under the edge of his collar. He never did see her again. Every other cat on the street let their fur rise and hissed insults at him when he walked past. They were all too bitter over his accurate assessments of their character, of the cheating scandals he'd uncovered or the backyard brawls he'd broken up, or the cold and stilted way he spoke. It wasn't enough for Sapphire. Not anymore.

paragraphNo matter. If they couldn't handle the truth, he'd just wander until he found somewhere or someone who could. It ended up being many, many moons of wandering. Sapphire had no fondness for the many clans of wild cats he'd wandered past. It wasn't their rugged lifestyle that bothered him, but the absurd rules they imposed upon themselves and then took great pains to sneakily break and work their ways around with lies. If they didn't want to follow them, why keep the rules in place to begin with? And Sapphire didn't wish to find another twoleg home to occupy, either. It was too great a risk of finding a family with the little children that liked to yank his ears, or being stuck in another neighborhood with compulsive liars at his doorstep. No, better not to go back down that path. So he simply kept wandering.

paragraphIt was a day most fortunate for Sapphire when he stumbled upon the Golden Kingdom's ancient castle. At first, he was just intrigued, curious as to what history might have once existed within the old twoleg creation's walls. But when he spotted a small horde of cats circling its perimeter in a territorial manner, he was hooked. A group lived here. Perhaps these cats could handle the truth, and if not, perhaps he might at least glean a few pieces of their history to satisfy his interest. He approached them, introduced himself, asked for council with their leader. Sapphire was pleased, though he did not show it, that not one of them made light of the formal way he spoke. And their leader, the Monarch of the Kingdom, had been quite open and frank with him about their lifestyle, their customs, their system of beliefs. Their rules, the few that existed, were simple, justified, and practical, while everything else about daily life was composed of tasks assigned to keep the Kingdom running. There wasn't a bat of the eye or an ounce of dishonesty in his words. This was a cat who believed wholeheartedly in what he was saying, and practiced exactly as he preached.

paragraph"I will keep wearing my collar," he told their leader sternly, "Because I was a kittypet, once, and to pretend otherwise would be facetious of me. No, this was my identity, and so a part of me it will stay." Crown of Embers had accepted this with understanding, wisely choosing not to comment on the scrap of ribbon he kept tucked under his collar. But he spoke the truth, so Sapphire had no apprehensions about staying and offering his services to this Kingdom, ruled by this Monarch. He could be honest here, and he might even be able to make friends. Sapphire's Shine joined the Golden Kingdom, and for a time, he was perfectly content.

paragraphAs he joined the rest of the knights and squires to train for the Tournament, a friendly sparring competition held every ten moons to celebrate The First and to demonstrate the Kingdom's strength, Sapphire's Shine met his first friend. Her full title was Honeybee's Wing, but it was with a snarl that she insisted he call her Bee. Reminded of Princess, Sapphire agreed. He trained with her for the Tournament most days, the stout molly proving to be a fierce competitor with an equally-fierce tongue. They swapped cutting insults day to day, each more brutal and more accurate than the last. He relished in it, in having a vitriolic partner who, like him, dealt only in truths and in abrasive honesty, and also in the strength he could feel growing in himself with each day. Sapphire was large, tiger-like, but now, his physical prowess was beginning to match the facade. Crown of Embers had proved himself honest.

paragraphSapphire was content, yes, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. He'd catch glimpses of movement in the shadows, the hurried whispers between cats of the Kingdom, the dark glares and rumors of a group growing outside their castle on a hill. He continued his routine with Bee, but Sapphire did not ignore it. Something suspicious was going on beneath the surface. It all came to a head the night he saw Aster's Petal slip from the quiet calm of the knight's den the moon before the Tournament was to be held. Shortly after, a number of other cats from every den along the castle hallway made their quiet escape, following after her to the central courtyard to plot. It was almost too easy to listen in and infer what they were planning: regicide. Each one of them, traitors. Crown of Embers was a just ruler, a kind ruler, and these cats were seeking to murder him. Not even holding a public coup, but plotting his demise like underhanded dogs. Sapphire's Shine felt his lip curl just listening to it.

paragraphLies left a bitter taste on his tongue, but he'd have to bear it in order to stop them. Sapphire began to let his lies fall freely, silky-smooth and sickening-sweet, flattering Aster until her carefully-hidden pride began to rear its ugly head. It was all too easy. Cats were always more inclined to believe you if you fed them the half-truths they wanted to hear. It wasn't hard to work his way in. For a cat whose entire persona relied on the backbone of deceit, she was astonishingly bad at identifying a liar's tell-tale signals. Or maybe Sapphire's Shine was just a good actor. Regardless, he had his in, he could learn their plans, and he could wait in silence for the right time to strike.

paragraphThe plan was to strike at the Tournament's end. Each one of the members of the conspiracy, if they were chosen to compete, would throw their fight, so that only innocent cats remained in the fray. They'd then gather around the throne room, waiting for Aster's cue as the unaware battlers continued to show off. While the Monarch was distracted with the Tournament's proceedings, she'd strike, ripping his lives from him in broad daylight with her many followers behind her. Sapphire's Shine listened carefully, committing her plan to memory as he played the part of doggedly loyal supporter. He made sure to request he not be placed in the Tournament, playing up a wrenched paw for Lily's Grace and assuring Aster it was simply a ruse to ensure he get to his post on time. She bought it easily, too proud to consider that one of her minions wasn't blind to her every fault, too cocky to realize that the tom who'd spent his first few moons preaching the value of honesty had suddenly glued himself to her side not from admiration, but from disgust.

paragraphThe moment she'd try to leap at Crown of Embers, he'd be there waiting. She wouldn't know what had hit her.
—

[ponz]

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---JULY | RUBY
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---username ─ ponz
---clan ─ golden kingdom
---cat's name ─ ruby's edge
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PROMPT This cat loves to experience the world
around them. They’ve got a lot of life to spend
and don’t want to miss a moment of it. Their
energy is contagious. What do they drag your
clan into doing? Does it become a regular activity?

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paragraphKit of Aspen knew from the moment that his father began the Golden Kingdom's first Tournament that the massive, ruddy knight was going to be its victor. Kit of Birch was still firm in her belief that the experienced, muscle-bound Adder's Hiss would effortlessly take down the many other squires and knights competing, but Aspen had always been more cunning, more of a strategist. He knew he was right. Ruby's Edge was a newcomer to the Kingdom, and though she was untrained, childishly enthusiastic, and a pacifist without a mean bone in her body, there was just something about her that made the young prince wonder what she kept hidden beneath the surface. A cat like that couldn't be taken at face value until they were seen in action.

paragraphHe was right, of course. Ruby's brute strength, quick wit, and deep-rooted competitive streak was more than enough to tip the scales in her favor. Birch and Aspen stood in shocked silence by their father's side as the giant tabby obliterated each opponent with brutal efficiency, somehow able to outmaneuver even the swiftest knights and squires' attacks before pinning them to the ground in a matter of seconds. Each time, the enemy would submit, and she would flash that same cheerful grin, thanking them for a match well fought and offering a quick bow to the Monarch and his Heirs where they sat watching. The Tournament was a prestigious event, an opportunity for knights to demonstrate their abilities to woo mates, honor The First, or win a coveted position as a member of the Royal Guard. Ruby's Edge didn't seem to care about any of those things. She'd just looked like she was having fun.

paragraphBut regardless of her intent, she had emerged the victor, and that meant a certain reward was owed. Crown of Embers was hesitant to let a cat so new to the Kingdom join the Royal Guard, so his solution was simple; she would receive the great honor of mentoring one of the Heirs on the dawn of the next moon. His first day as a squire saw the newly-named Young Aspen trotting after Ruby's Edge as she led the way down the castle's hill and towards the great plains below them. "Are we going to be hunting today?" he asked her, but the great tabby just shook her head cheerfully, leaning over to get a whiff of a nearby bloom of meadow wildflowers. Her pace was leisurely, but with such long legs, it was tricky for the young squire to match her gait. "Then what are we doing?" Aspen called to her, stumbling a bit in his haste to keep up. "I thought we were supposed to be training?"

paragraph"I'm having fun! You should try it sometime." Ruby flashed the prince a bright grin, jovial and almost childlike, before her bright coat disappeared entirely into the tall, waving field grasses. If it weren't for the suspicious rustling before him, Aspen wouldn't have know that she was there at all. But he just watched curiously as the grasses twitched and swayed with his mentor's movements. Suddenly, she pounced, and he caught a glimpse of her red fur before she vanished back into the plant life. Moments later, Ruby's Glint emerged with her very-much-alive prize to display. A snake, still wriggling and hissing violently, was trapped in her steel jaws.

paragraphAspen eyed his mentor wearily. If she was trying to show off, there was no need. Snake bites were one of the more painful side effects of subsisting on a diet of reptiles and rabbits, so it was often better just to kill the things before they could inflict any damage. All Ruby's Edge was doing was prolonging the inevitable. "Aren't you going to finish it off?" he called to her, making sure to stand a safe distance away from the infuriated snake's swinging head. Each frustrated snap of the creature's jaws made the young tom wince.

paragraph"Not just yet, my prince!" Ruby sang, though the words were a little muffled around the live prey in her mouth. "First, I'm going to play a game!"

paragraph"I thought only kits played with their food," Young Aspen started, trailing off in confusion as Ruby's Edge began to spin around in a circle. Baffled, he watched as the knight turned on her heel, speeding up progressively with each completed turn. On her fastest loop, the knight skidded to a stop, whipping her head around and flinging the snake into the air as hard as she possibly could. Aspen ducked with a yelp, only standing once more after the indescribable sound of a near-boneless snake flying through the air overhead had ceased. When he stood once more, shaking and more than a little irritated, Ruby's Edge was beaming at him.

paragraph"That might be the furthest I've ever thrown one! See him over there, in the patch of grass by the rocks?" Aspen looked over to where she was pointing, and sure enough, a very dazed-looking adder was sprawled over the flattened plants. Asides from twitching every now and then, the snake seemed too dizzy to try escaping. It just laid there, several yards away, a physical reminder of how powerful Ruby's Edge really was. The squire turned back to his mentor, whose smile seemed to spread even further at the ruffled expression on his face. "It's called Snake-Toss! I used to play it a lot when I was younger. Want to give it a try?"

paragraphAspen just stared at her, uncomprehending. Ruby's eye roll in response was fond, if not a little too all-knowing for comfort. She gave the cream tabby a nudge, tossing him a small twig with one paw, and looking at him expectantly, tail stub twitching eagerly. "Why don't you try it out with that?" she offered, still smiling. "I know you're worried about getting bitten, but a stick doesn't have teeth of its own." Slowly, the prince leaned down, picking up the twig between his teeth. When his mentor nodded enthusiastically, Aspen began to spin in a slow, uncertain circle, before tossing his head just enough to let the stick go flying through the air. Or, at least, he tried to. It fell just in front of his paws, and for some reason, Young Aspen was disappointed by this. He'd sort of wanted it to go further.

paragraph"That was a great first try!" Ruby's Edge cheered, seemingly unfazed by the unimpressive distance traveled. Aspen managed a hesitant smile in return as his mentor bounded off to recover her plaything from earlier. "Ready to head back?" she asked, scooping up the now-very-limp snake in her jaws. "You did really well today. Maybe we can play Snake-Toss with a real snake next time!" Her piece said, the eager young knight turned back towards the Golden Kingdom's castle with a spring in her step. Young Aspen shook his head with a soft, incredulous laugh, racing to keep up with his mentor's quick pace. He didn't understand Ruby's Edge, not yet, but she was starting to grow on him. Just a little.

paragraphAnd if Aspen was planning on telling Young Birch about this Snake-Toss game later? Well, that would just be his little secret.
-

[ponz]

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---JUNE | PEARL
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---username ─ ponz
---clan ─ spruceclan
---cat's name ─ pearlwish
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PROMPT This cat is determined to settle down with
their one true love; they’ve heard enough stories to know
they can’t have a happy ending without one. They seem to
think they’ve found their match in your clan. How does
your clan teach them the truth about love? What kinds
of relationships does this cat actually begin to develop?

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paragraphWhen Pearl had stumbled upon SpruceClan entirely by accident, he was excited by the prospect of receiving a new clan name. Pearlwish was a nice title, something new and special to mark a turning point in his previously lonely, mundane existence. And certainly, he was excited to make new friends, since his vagabond lifestyle wasn't really one that lent itself well to forming lasting connections. But what he was most excited about was the multitude of other cats his age. His Mama had always told him such lovely stories, ones about love at first sight and happily-ever-after and soulmates, and even though he didn't know his Papa, he just knew that what she said was true. It had to be. Mama had been right about everything else, so surely, Mama was right about love. He'd have to seize it for himself. So when he spotted the pretty grey tabby on the outskirts of camp, Pearlwish pounced.

paragraphIt was in the middle of his tirade about the color of her eyes that a stranger appeared behind him. Pearlwish barely had time to blink before she'd scooped him up by the scruff like a newborn kit and begun tugging him away from a relieved-looking Cherryclaw. "That was painful to watch," the strange white molly said, but there was humor in her voice as she dragged him into the warrior's den. Pearlwish struggled as best as he could, giving up when she tossed him easily into the nearest open nest. He finally sighed, looking at his kidnapper-slash-savior. She offered a playful smile in response. "Cherryclaw's too nice to tell you upfront, but she already has a mate. Sorry to rain on your parade. I'm Cloudchaser, by the way. Nice to meet you."

paragraph"Pearlwish," he grumbled, petulant. "But I really wish you hadn't interfered. I'm trying to find my one true love."

paragraphCloudchaser rolled her eyes. "Love's not just about ending up with the first pretty someone you see for the rest of your life. There are lots of different kinds of love. You don't have to find a 'soulmate' to know what love is. You'll know it when you find it."

paragraph"I don't follow," he said, but even then, his words were a little unsure. Something about her honesty cut right to the heart of him. It was... unusual. "How am I supposed to have my happy ending if I don't go and make it happen?"

paragraphThe white molly, taken aback by this response, did her very best to stifle a snort behind one paw. "You're a pretty weird cat, you know," Cloudchaser said as she stepped into the nest to his right, burrowing deeper into it to get comfortable. A sleepy sort of smile crossed her face, and she cracked open one piercing yellow eye to look at him. "But I like that about you, Pearl. I'm glad you're here." Pearlwish offered a trembling smile of his own, traitorous heart pounding hard and fast against his ribcage. Instead of replying, he let his eyes slide shut and embraced the feeling of nest feathers beneath his chin as Cloudchaser snored gently to his right. Sleep did not come quickly that night.

paragraphEach day, Cloudchaser rose with the sun, dragging Pearlwish out his nest to join her on patrols. It was terrible; he was always sore afterwards, though the trembling of tiredness in his legs eventually gave way to hard muscle. He didn't even appreciate the quiet jokes she'd make in the back of the patrol groups, or how difficult it was not to laugh at them. Pearlwish gave in eventually, and when pressed, would reluctantly admit how much he enjoyed their time in the mornings together. But Cloudchaser was quite the thorn in his side with romance, too. Each time he tried to flirt with another cat, she'd gently drag him away, or distract him with offers of prey, or draw his attention with a funny story. Goldenheart, Cherryclaw, and Mintfur had all been gentle in their rebuffs of his attentions, but he was almost thankful to his friend that she'd stopped him from talking to Thistledance; she might've bitten his head off had he tried. Pearlwish didn't like to admit when he was wrong, but just this once (or twice), he'd agree that Cloudchaser might've been right.

paragraphSometimes, though, she didn't take him out on patrols. She'd just ask him to sit by her side and watch the other cats of SpruceClan interact. She'd point out certain cats, helping him to learn their names, but most of the time, Cloudchaser was quiet. Pearlwish just used the time to observe. He'd catch glimpses of the pretty grey tortie, Ivyblossom, and the affectionate camaraderie she shared with ruddy ticked Cardinaltail, and how the best friends spent a lot of time together, either with her kits or out on walks. He wondered if either one would notice the longing glances they gave one another when they thought the other wasn't looking, but when he pointed this out to Cloudchaser, she just laughed.

paragraphSiblings Dovepaw and Crowpaw liked to chase one another around the caves in high-energy games of tag, their laughter high and bright as they lunged and darted and skipped out of the path of danger. Their father often snapped at them to slow down, but his matching proud smile always betrayed him, and the two apprentices never listened, anyways. Pearlwish also spotted Fernpelt and Riverhowl together occasionally, hurling insults and scathing remarks like a second language. It seemed like it should've hurt their feelings, but each time, their grins only seemed to deepen, and their tails would twine together even tighter. Sometimes, he could overhear Applefall in the healer's den as he coached Honeypaw through the setting of a broken bone or the proper application of herbs for wounds dressing. Whenever she left the den after a successful lesson, the small golden she-cat seemed to glow with the praise she'd been given, and her mentor's harsh tongue would be softened for even the most irritating of his patients.

paragraphCloudchaser liked to point out a small grave by the side of the cave dens, and the grey tabby that lurked by it each evening. Pearlwish's hearing wasn't the greatest, but he was certain that the melody the tom sang to the tomb was part of an old twoleg's love song. The tabby, Smokestep was his name, sometimes slept outside, chin resting on the edge of the dirt and tail wrapped tightly around himself like a hug. It made Pearlwish sad to watch, but Cloudchaser promised him it was a sign of his affection for the fallen. He grew to like the quiet moments together, too, even if he didn't understand the purpose of them.

paragraphOn one early morning's patrol, Pearlwish found himself walking by his friend's side like always. Birds sang overhead, Briarmask leading the way at the front and Hailsplash flanking her obediently. But Cloudchaser must have noticed his drifting thoughts, as the sharp edge of her hip dug into his side suddenly. He huffed, feigning indignance, and Cloudchaser just winked. Her pawsteps were light but certain, setting the pace for him to match as she padded through the woods with the confidence of any cat born and raised a warrior of SpruceClan. It was a nice sight, he thought. She looked happier when she was sure in her footing. Seeing her happy felt like the glow that surrounded Honeypaw when Applefall praised her for a job well done, or Dovepaw and Crowpaw's cheerful laughter as they chased after one another in the caves, or the softness in Smokestep's eyes when he laid down by the small grave plot at the edge of the woods.

paragraphMaybe that was what love was supposed to be. "I think I get it now," Pearlwish said aloud, a dawning awe in his voice. Cloudchaser slowed to a stop, turning to look at him curiously.

paragraph"Get what?" she asked, humor shining in those bright yellow eyes.

paragraph"Oh! Um, nothing," the silver tom said, a sudden and uncharacteristic shyness overtaking him. She just smiled, a little confused, and continued onwards, leading the way through thick growths of fern and around sturdy pine trees. Pearlwish couldn't help himself. Delighted by his newfound discovery, he began to hum a little tune under his breath. Cloudchaser echoed him after a moment, following the same simple chord progression, and that same warm feeling planted firmly in his heart stretched and grew tenfold. He could feel himself smiling, that same private smile that he'd seen Ivyblossom and Cardinaltail share. Maybe Cloudchaser was right all along, that someday he'd know what love really was. And when Pearlwish looked over at his friend, meeting her curious gaze, he was certain that he already did.

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[ponz]

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---APRIL | DIAMOND
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---username ─ ponz
---clan ─ spruceclan
---cat's name ─ diamondgaze
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PROMPT This cat is talented in a great number of
things, but others have often found their skills
off-putting. What is this cat capable of? What is
their greatest strength? And how could it be used
to aid your clan in times of need?

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paragraphFor as long as Diamond could remember, she'd been able to see them. Even when she was small, barely able to open her own eyes and spending her days tucked against her mother's side, she'd caught glimpses of the wispy shadow-figures watching, waiting, whispering. There was one that looked a lot like her, a tiny kitten with slightly darker fur, and she liked to call that one Jewel. It was the name her mother had cried when they buried the sibling she was supposed to have had. One of them was a rude, snappy little thing, always snarling insults at her and every other cat that walked by, so Diamond tried not to take it personally. One of them always begged her to slip some of the bright purple berries into the mouth of the mice that their "old mate" favored, with a bitter sort of twist in their voice. But her favorite one was a burly old tom-cat with grizzled scars, and that one always tried to comfort her when the other kittens laughed at her stories of the transparent cats that walked among them.

paragraphDiamond learned to ignore them. Or, at least, tried to learn. It was hard not to pay attention when they got angry, wailing in her ears and begging for help, demanding she enact revenge, cursing the names of those who'd wronged them. She had only tried to interfere once, when the rogue group she called home had experienced a sudden change of leadership. She'd spotted the old ruler's spirit pacing the camp, howling about how the new leader had killed him and spilling every last gorey detail of his death, and so she'd tried to do the right thing. Diamond had announced the plot to the rest of the group, but the new leader hadn't taken kindly to her "lies." Despite the pleas of her mother, DIamond was exiled, left to fend for herself at the tender age of six moons. She stopped trying after that, once she'd run far away enough that she couldn't hear the new leader's screeched threats to her life.

paragraphIt was rare to find ghosts (and that's what she called them, now, because what else could they be?) that didn't want something from her. But the longer Diamond traveled alone, navigating dangerous conditions and just trying to stay alive, the more often they seemed to appear. Those calm, content spirits sometimes liked to guide her places, showing her the fastest route to a creek when she was near-exhausted from thirst, leading her to a patch of herbs when illness left her head swimming in the clouds, or taking her to a spot to rest when her legs felt as if they'd give out at any moment. Those kind shades, they would whisper things to her. Things like "keep going" and "special one" and "you're almost there."

paragraphOn her seventh moon of wandering (and that was certainly an odd thought, to know she'd been wandering for longer than she'd spent living with her family), she made her way through a lush forest of spruce, firs, and pines. Something about the place felt like it was important, once, maybe because of the flickers of spirits she could feel around the place, but rather than speaking to her, they simply urged her onwards with gentle waves of energy. But when she made it to the edge of the woods, Diamond found herself staring up a rocky cliff outcropping, attached to the massive mountain that had somehow escaped her notice. At the very bottom of that cliff, a black-furred ghost was waiting.

paragraph"Hello," Diamond greeted, after a moment of silence. This ghost didn't seem unfriendly, but it didn't answer, just beckoned her forwards. "Where are we going?" she tried asking, but the ghost still did not answer. It just smiled reassuringly, bounding around a corner and climbing up a particularly rough patch of stones with a practiced ease. Confused, and reeling from a sudden shove of energy from the wisps surrounding her, Diamond simply followed along. It seemed that that was what they all wanted, and there was no point in trying to fight against them. So she trailed after the ghost, fighting her way up the mountain and letting it guide her where she apparently needed to go.

paragraphShe'd been following the ghost for half of the day when it finally stopped, nodding politely at a tom cat lounging on one of the rocks at the mountain's top. Diamond turned to ask the ghost who the other cat was, but when she turned to face them, it had disappeared. "Hello?" she tried, catching the other cat's attention. The black and white oriental stepped down from the rock, trailed by a see-through silvery she-cat. Diamond tried not to stare too much at his ghostly companion, but settled on nodding politely to acknowledge her existence. The ghost seemed startled by this turn of events.

paragraphBut before she could say anything, Diamond was suddenly aware of the tom staring at her, his two-toned gaze appraising. She tried not to wither under his stare, or the equally-piercing one from the silver-furred shade that clung to him like moss to a boulder. After a moment, the tom looked directly at the ghost, who nodded once, and then back to Diamond. A slow smile spread across his face, tension seeping from his shoulders in a rush. "You can see them, too."

paragraphDiamond let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Yes," she said. "Yes, I've seen them."

paragraph"For as long as you can remember, they've been there," the other cat finished for her, growing visibly excited now. "You're like me. You see the ghosts." Diamond laughed, near-hysterical in her relief. She wasn't alone. There was someone else just like her. "I can't believe..."

paragraph"Let the young one speak for herself, Tallthorn," the ghost between them finally interrupted, though there was humor in her voice. That eternally-stern expression softened into something almost motherly when she looked at the young seer. "She found her way to us for a reason."

paragraph"Please, let me stay with you," Diamond begged the ghost, who seemed to possess more authority than the tom. "I've never... he's like me. Please."

paragraphTallthorn and the ghost shared another look, this one even more unreadable than the last, before both looked to DIamond with a smile in their eyes. "Of course you can stay," the tom said gently, in the sort of voice he might use with his own kits. "We'd be happy to have you in SpruceClan. And I'd be happy to have someone else to distract Marshstar." The ghost rolled her eyes at that, but moved forwards to press her nose to Diamond's forehead gently. Both older cats began to walk off towards a thick cluster of pine trees, leaving her frozen where she stood for just a moment. But Tallthorn turned back to her, beckoning with a tail, and it was with a spring in her step that Diamond raced after him. She'd finally found a home.
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