✦ Pawsteps - WC ARPG - Weekly Challenges ✦

[WinglessSeraph]

The wind blew cold across the cliff that Skywatcher stood upon, looking across the valley she called home. She breathed in the air, crisp and cold, as Ravenshadow padded up beside her leader. The dark she-cat's collar softly hummed from the metal hitting each other, reminding the two of her kittypet heritage.

Skywatcher had grown fond of her second-in-command, despite how harsh Ravenshadow could be. She was loyal and did everything with honor. Her once pampered ways now far gone in favor of her tribe life.

"Would you like me to send out a patrol?" the dark she-cat meowed, lightly brushing her tail against Skywatcher's flank in respect. The leader nodded. "I'd like for you to take Owlhunt and Emberspark out towards the edge of our territory," she replied. "Some of our newcomers have said they've seen another settlement in the distance. I want to know if we can get any kind of scent."

Ravenshadow nodded before turning and walking away, searching for her designated comrades as Skywatcher looked behind her at the small group of cats she had gathered. Frozenriver, Mourningdove, and Meadow-weaver were weaving together nests for the medicine den. The small family had decided their abilities would be best suited for healing as Frozenriver was an exiled medicine cat for taking Mourningdove, who was a tribe cat, as a mate. Meadow-weaver was adopted by the duo after they found her abandoned.

Skywatcher watched as Featherdrift carried more moss and bramble to the trio, offering a gentle smile in exchange for thanks. The young tom was a loner with no home and he stumbled upon the tribe's doorstep a few sunrises ago. He was welcomed with open arms and taught how to be a Gatherer. Seeing Featherdrift's eagerness to learn their ways brought pride to Skywatcher's heart, knowing that she was doing right.

Her gaze turned to the sky, hoping her ancestors were looking back at her. While Skywatcher may not know exactly what she should be doing, she knows that the sky above will guide her to her destiny.

(342 words)

[Bear.]

Ever since leaving her clan, her birthplace, Brightstar was alone. She would mumble to herself as she trekked through the dense forest, needing to verbalize her thoughts sometimes but lacking the company to hear it. It was fine, though. She was alive, that was good enough.
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When she discovered the ruins that would become her camp, she thought that she might find other cats there. Maybe even an entire clan, making their home in such a worthy site. But alas, she was still alone.
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Many days passed as she set up camp, declaring herself the leader of what would hopefully be a full-fledged clan one day. A clan could not be comprised of a single cat, so she went out on patrol every day, in hopes of finding any kindred spirits. And that's how she met Harefrost. She had also been alone, nearly as long as Brightstar, and seemed just as desperate for company. Being the only other cat in the clan, Brightstar immediately made her deputy.
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But she wondered if that was the right decision. What if Harefrost wasn't cut out for the job? They had only known each other a day... What if someone better came along later? As far as she knew, a deputy couldn't be demoted. And that wouldn't be fair to Harefrost. She seemed to be a perfectly nice cat, a good hunter, maybe a little naive but otherwise helpful. Brightstar was worried for the future of her newborn clan, but she would have to trust herself, her decision, and most importantly, trust Harefrost. They were both new to this! The only way to improve was through practice, together. [274 words]


[image description: brightstar and harefrost first meet, and brightstar asks harefrost to join her clan and be deputy.]