Stars V.2 • Catvent

[faelyn]

xxxxxxxxxxxx

★ Catcafe Day Sixteen

One of your kitties has been eavesdropping on an important conversation!
What did they hear/see and what do they do about their discovery? As always,
art and/or writing is welcome! ^^

*this is a longer prompt with the chance to earn coupons! <3

Code: Select all

[size=85][list][b]↬ catvent day:[/b] sixteen

[b]↬ username & id:[/b]
[b]↬ clan archive:[/b]

[b]↬ word count:[/b] 000 words
[b]↬ prompt:[/b] [/list][/size]

#catcafeprompt

[mrs]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: mrs 1026844
↬ clan archive: Forum/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=4809453

↬ word count: 533 words
↬ prompt: After returning from a failed hunt, Muddedshine sat in camp, his tail tucked at his side. He watched the other felines pad to and fro as he lay idly within his chosen spot, which was a gentle and spry bush of leaves and twigs. He rested his head on his paws while he listened out for anything said through the heavily pouring rain.

Although his day was deathly boring and uneventful, Muddedshine was given a plethera of time to eavesdrop on other felines in his clan, which enabled him to form opinions on the other cats. Some conversations he'd overheard throughout that day, however, had left him shocked! Especially one conversation in particular.

"Did you hear about the appearances of those fattened prey?"
"No, what are you talking about?"
"The prey are suddenly plump in weight! How can a prey be plump? It's leaf-bare!"
"Oh, woah, really? All prey are plump? Are there lots to be caught??"
"Well, that's the thing. There don't seem to be so many out there, waiting to be hunted. But the ones I've seen are just so fat!"
"Ohh, you're making my mouth water! That's great! But, that makes it worse that the morning hunt failed this morning. Are you going to go out to try to hunt something down?"
"I guess, if they allow me to! Do you want to come with me?"
"No, I think I'll wait here so that when you come back, I can be prepared to jump right into eating it. Can you get a mouse? Or, a bird! How about both? And I want a toad. A fat one."
"Woah, woah! You're requesting so much! I don't think I can do all that! Besides, you know the rules. You can't eat until after our higher ups eat. You'd get in so much trouble if you did! You know this!!"
"Aw, but you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? If I did that?"
"I'm honestly not entirely sure you don't already do that! Quite frankly, I don't know if I care, though..."
"Aw, you care about me so much!"

A rulebreaker? At this time of year, no less. Muddedshine peered out of his bush to gaze at the two code-breakers. He observed them, but said nothing. He recognized them as young warriors. One certainly eating better than what most would expect from a wild animal during a cold winter season.

To not turn the two cats in to his deputy, perhaps even his leader, was treachery toward his clan. But to turn them Muddedshine already knew would cause him to feel pity toward the two and overall guilt about the situation. He grumbled something under his breath, which caused the two felines he was watching to turn their attention toward the bush. Muddedshine watched through the bush branches as the two young warriors slowly backed away from his hiding spot, then rushed to gain distance from the bush.

Muddedshine let out a sigh as he raised himself to his paws and hopped out of the bush. He wouldn't them in. At least, for now. He didn't feel like explaining the whole conversation word for word to the clan's high ranked cats right now, anyway.

[peachpit.]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: peachpit. + 857132
↬ clan archive: tideclan

↬ word count: 243 words
↬ prompt:


Gullcry was doing his usual afternoon activities, borderline stalking deputy Baybreeze. It was no secret he was head over tails for him. Today was unusual, though. After ducking behind bushes and trees, deputy Baybreeze traveled deep into the jungle, deeper than he usually does. What Gullcry caught him doing was unbelievable! He had been sharing tongues with a kittypet! Let alone, one he knew from his days of being a kittypet. Her name was Hana, and she sure was nosy about clan cats alright. She would tell him stories of all of the handsome strays she had been flirting with, but he could not imagine that she would find the clan way out here! It was way too out of her zone, perhaps she was a rogue now? But the collar around her neck said otherwise, perhaps just visiting from out of town. He inched closer, eager to hear what they were saying:

“Hana! What are you doing here?! You can’t just bump into me like that on a patrol! I had to pretend to chase you out!”

“I know, I'm sorry. I just have some news.”

“News? What’s going on? It must be urgent if you traveled all the way here by yourself?”

“I’m expecting kits, Baybreeze. Your kits!”

Gullcry’s eyes went wide, and he took multiple steps back. Processing what on earth he just heard, he wheeled around and made a straight shot for camp. Someone needed to hear about this.

[unohdettu.lupaus]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id:Unohdettu.Lupaus 946652
↬ clan archive:Shattered eclipse]

↬ word count: 629 words
↬ prompt:
As howl was looking around the camp.. he heard his mother talking to one of the clans leaders..
He had a weird feeling that told him to go and eavesdrop on the conversation, he didn't know why he had that feeling but he decided to do what his feeling told him, as he walked closer to the leaders den he was careful to make sure he wasn't noticed once he had gotten close enough he made sure to be hidden so nobody could see him eavesdropping..

“Kefira.. i don't know what to do, i want to tell the kits about their father but..i don't want them to get hurt if they decide to go meet their father once they're old enough..” [img=https://www.chickensmoothie.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=137362747#p137362747]Apricot[/img] said as she looked at the ground

“Apricot, I can't really tell you what you need to do, but I can always suggest what you could do.” Kefira sighed as she nudged apricots shoulder with her muzzle “But you know the kits deserve to know about their fathers no matter what he has done, but i can't tell you if its a good idea or not as i don't even know myself “

“I know that they deserve to know but what if.. they think that i didn't tell them before because i wanted to keep them in the dark about their father” Apricot replied before looking at kefira

“i- i…i miss him.. he wasn't always like what he is now.. and he was so lovely.. i don't know what made him change..why did he start hating you and sheep? why did he change so suddenly?.. did i do something wrong?...” Apricot spoke as tears filled her eyes

“Apricot.. i know you miss him..i miss him too but i know it wasn't any of ours fault that he changed and it definitely wasn't your fault, you were always so kind to him and i'm so sorry that he wasn't kind back..” Kefira hugged apricot trying to comfort her

“I just… wish wolf wasn't as mean as he was to you apricot.. you deserve so much better and so do your kits” she continued.. the two she cats hugged each other tight finding comfort in each other

at the same time.. Howl stood there in shock <our father is wolf?.. but he-.. why did he exile our mother? did he know he had kits? Does he know he has kits? would he care? are the adults telling the truth about him? or are they lying that he exiled all of them? what if.. he actually wants to meet us? > Many questions were running through his head, but one thing was sure.. he had to tell his siblings

he quickly left his hiding spot and went to his siblings “ Ember! Jay! i- i need to tell you what i just heard!” he insisted and before his siblings could reply he was pushing them towards a quiet corner in the camp
“what is it howl? Why do you look like you have seen a ghost?” Ember asked softly as she and Jay looked at each other and then at howl

“yeah what did you hear?” Jay asked curiously

“you know how mom and the others have told us about how wolf exiled them all? and how wolf is someone they wish we never have to meet?” howl replied

Jay and ember nodded “yeah?” they said in unison

“well.. he's our father.. i heard mom and kefira talking about it”

“what?! but why hasn't mom told us that then?” Jay said surprised at the revelation

“I don't know but we need to keep it a secret that we know who our father is… for now.. i don't wanna make mom angry that i eavesdropped on her conversation with kefira..”

[crexmii]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: crexmii + 1056107
↬ clan archive: clans

↬ word count: 925 words
↬ prompt: “ssh, make sure we’re not being followed,” a chocolate molly hissed, so softly that glowspots could barely hear it. a fawn-cream torbie nodded, then glanced around before following her companion.

“what is this about?” another hiss sounded from the bushes. two dark shapes emerged from the foliage. one was nearly invisible, dark fur camouflaged against the noir of night and concealed by the rest of the undergrowth.

the other was mostly black and unseen. however, stray moonlight shone down on them, allowing her red tortoiseshell specks to be seen. a great orange bird perched on the black torbie’s shoulder silently.

unbeknownst to the four, another was hiding in the tree above them, watching. a mismatched set of eyes glimmered, one orange and one yellow. their pelt, however, was much harder to conceal, as their neon blue rosettes still shined mildly in the darkness. his leader had asked him to eavesdrop, for his coat was dark and he had experience.

not to mention that he knew where they gathered to meet. he had heard them once, by accident. however, he never saw who was speaking. either way, the situation was reported to violetstar.

yes, despite being a medicine cat, glowspots was an expert spy.

the rosetted tom pressed against the branches, making sure not to make a noise and that his spots didn’t shine too brightly. the leaves and branches of above concealed him surprisingly well.

“guys, this is bad, alright? softclan’s figured out where we are and they’re trying to get us back.” the black torbie whispered anxiously, tortoiseshell fur bristling.

“what?! but….but we hid so well. belladonna, are they…going to force us to go back?” the fawn torbie meowed in worry, voice raising slightly. belladonna simply stared at the ground, expression solemn. her red and blue eyes glittered with anxiety.

“well, then what are we supposed to do now?” a gruff voice hissed. “it’s not like we can travel so far in the span of a day or two. i bet they’re already looking for us.”

glowspots silently moved closer. the branch rattled under his weight. realising what he did, he pressed his belly lower and hoped the leaves concealed him well enough.

belladonna immediately whipped her head, straining her neck to see if anyone was in the branches. glowspots didn’t dare to even breathe. he didn’t want to know what would happen to him if he accidentally outed himself. “no cat there. just the wind,” the fawn torbie next to her meowed, casting one more suspicious look at the tree before turning away to continue the conversation.

“if you say so, laurel. anyway, we’ve got to get out of here, and fast. ugh, i knew we shouldn’t have camped so near our former clan!” belladonna growled, lashing her tail angrily. “come on, weasel, we’ve got to go. now. quickly get our things packed, we’re going to leave, and hopefully we’ll be far enough when the sunne has just risen.”

the chocolate molly nodded, silently pushing her way through the bushes… and then she was gone. glowspots carefully creeped closer, still on his belly. he knew the branch would support him, but if he got too close he would certainly,y be doomed.

“but…but..what about..” the cat with the gruff voice slowly emerged from the bushes. moonlight shone down on him and glowspots could finally see who it was. father?! no…no..this has to be a mistake…so he didn’t really die? he…he lied and ran off?!

hickory…why?

glowspots didn’t want to believe it, but he knew it was true. the unmistakeable amber eyes glittered in pain. “but…glowspots..” he croaked, his voice cracking slightly, full of emotions.

laurel gave him a sympathetic look and rested her tail on his shoulder. “i’m sorry, hickory, but you’re going to have to leave him behind. we can’t trust any other cat so easily, not even our family. besides…you know, right?”

hickory sighed. “yes, i know I’m not his real father, but he was a great son to me. it was almost like we really were family. but you know I couldn’t have neared to leave him abandoned like that.” he mewed sternly, glancing forlornly at the grass below his paws.

glowspots took a while to process the information he heard correctly.
not his real father…not his real father….leave him abandoned…

no. no. hickory wasn’t his father? then…who were his true parents?!
“plus his sister was already dead. I couldn’t leave him to die too.”

I had a sister?! no…no!

the world glowspots once knew cracked and shattered into pieces at his feet.
all familiarity, everything he thought he knew…gone. he didn’t even finish eavesdropping in on the conversation. he simply watched his father— no, hickory, numbly.

the chocolate she-cat known as weasel was back. wait. they were going already! glowspots had to get back and tell violetstar everything. he glanced back at the four cats one final time, about to slide down the tree silently.

until…he saw the look on hickory’s face. the looks on all their faces, actually. these weren’t the faces of dangerous plotters, ready to escape to avoid being caught by softclan.

these were the faces of clanmates who couldn’t bear to leave, who didn’t want to leave, yet they had to.

glowspots then stared at hickory again.

he stayed silent, unmoving, and deep in thought for several heartbeats.

maybe he didn’t need to tell violetstar about this.
after all, these cats weren’t a threat to softclan’s leadership.
they were simply outcasts, running away to find a new home.


….maybe it was better to leave things unsaid.

[Kazin]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: Kazin 3262
↬ clan archive: Forum/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=4216911

↬ word count: 620 words
↬ prompt: Coffeepaw was known to be a troublemaker. It was a title she took seriously, and she hardly went anywhere without a smirk on her face. It wasn't uncommon to hear her mentor, Silverspark, frustratedly asking the others if they had seen Coffeepaw anywhere because she was missing for training. Coffeepaw, a few moons into her training, did her regular disappearing act when she overheard her mentor having a serious discussion with Hemlockstar...

What the other cats didn't know about Coffeepaw was that she was already a proficient climber. She spent a lot of her time hiding in the trees, almost like a squirrel, tucked into the foliage, her brown and orange pelt especially well suited for autumn. This was where she was when she overheard Silverspark and Hemlockstar, and to her utter glee (at least at first), she overheard them talking about her! She peered down through the leaves, barely able to make out the smaller shapes and the light pelts of Silverspark and Hemlockstar.

"...about Coffeepaw," Silverspark had said, causing Coffeepaw to stay very still, barely breathing as she tried to eavesdrop on the conversation. Surely they were going to talk about how well she was doing at her training! She knew she worked hard, and fought well and hunted well, and didn't have a doubt in her mind that they were going to praise her. A signature smirk on her face, she silently dropped one branch down to get a better listen.

"Yes, go ahead Silverspark. I can tell something has been troubling you about being a mentor this past moon at least." Hemlockstar's voice was a soft rumble, almost too quiet for Coffeepaw's ears. She crouched on her branch, squinting as she focused all her senses on overhearing this conversation. Troubling Silverspark? Thought Coffeepaw. Maybe she realizes that I've been progressing faster than she can teach me!

Coffeepaw watched Silverspark shift uncomfortably in the dirt, looking away from their leader. It was strange to see - her mentor was usually pretty straightforward and honest. "Well... yeah. I'm worried that she's going to take too long to become a warrior. She's never around for training, and she has such a headstrong personality that it's hard to make her listen to me. I know the other warriors are having the same issue when we're on patrol together too, so it's not just me..." Silverspark sighed, and Coffeepaw felt frozen to her branch. Her blood turned to ice as she continued to listen, never having thought that Silverspark thought she was behind on training!

Hemlockstar put his tail tip on Silverspark's shoulder comfortingly. "I have taken notice that Coffeepaw seems to be absent a lot. I myself have tried to assign her on patrols that she conveniently misses, at least once this past moon. Every time I have the chance to talk to her she seems to never be around... I am worried about her loyalty to the clan and her dedication to her training."

No! I'm loyal! I want to be the best warrior! Coffeepaw yowled in her mind. You're wrong!

"What I'm suggesting," Hemlockstar continued, "is that we tell her she has one last chance, or she may well be an apprentice for a long time. She's ambitious like her fathers, and I think she'll understand that her actions are going to have consequences."

I'll prove that I can be the best warrior, Coffeepaw vowed to herself, scowling down at the two cats who were now walking out of earshot. As she turned her back on the conversation, Silverspark looked up, letting out a sigh she had been holding. Perhaps now the young apprentice will learn that she can't skip out on training, and actually listen to her mentor...

[Adamented]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: adamented + 670829
↬ clan archive: [x] Gladewood

↬ word count: 741 words
↬ prompt:

The morning is quiet and cold, a sharp breeze ruffles their fur and Vaikkya tugs the fur cloak over their shoulders closer to their body. They couldn't sleep, the adults keep talking about the clouds in hushed voices, watching the horizon and avoiding the curious and concerned glances of novices like themself. They turn their gaze to the sky and watch small birds flit from treetop to treetop, Vaikkya pulls the shortbow from their back, dark wood etched with braids and the curve of it fits perfectly into their palm. They dip into the treeline, away from camp, and watch the foliage above carefully as they creep near-silent through the brush. The chilling wind disguises their movements well enough, but over the ruffling leaves and creaking old trees they hear a twig snap and freeze, shifting back toward their left where they came to shelter behind the large trunk of an old tree. They peak cautiously out from behind the bark and see two figures making their way deeper into the wood, walking nearly in step together as they speak in hushed voices.

Vaikkya recognizes immediately the fluffy mane of their mother, Leijona's radiant yellow-orange and rich chocolate dappled fur is unmistakable. However whoever is with her... Vaikkya can't quite place then, their voice far too hushed to pick out from the many other Wanderers. Their tone is evident, deep worry permeating every huffed breath that sends a frosty cloud into the air under the shelter of the needled trees surrounding the pair as they chatter. Vaikkya ducks down further, they have half a mind to sneak away but something holds their feet where they are, crouched low and hidden in the shrubs. Their sharp tipped ears swivel to listen closer, they can't decide if it's better to make themselves known or to stay hidden.

Ultimately indecision holds Vaikkya where they are, tensed and nervous, ready to jump up and confess at the moment they are spotted, but instead Leijona and her companion take no notice. They're so occupied by their discussion, which strikes Vaikkya as odd since Leijona has always taught them to be wary of their surroundings. Is this how easy it is to be caught off guard? It's a thought that sends a trill down their spine, a small tremble in their shoulders.

"There's nothing we can do now, it's coming, and we're going to be right in its path." The hushed tone of their mother warns, sharp and intense.

Her unknown companion falls quiet for a short time, presumably in thought, burdened by Leijona's suggestion. "We can't know that for certain, not yet. Orava is many things, cruel isn't a word I would put in her hands."

Leijona's eyeroll is almost auditory, a frustrated huff leaving her maw. "This again-! There's no merciful greater being that will spare us from this, it's the natural force of the world. Not some hand of justice."

The companion bristles, before smoothing their fur back down and composing themself. "You can't know that either. I'd rather have hope than live miserably," They pause with intent, casting a sharp glance to Leijona. "Temper your distaste. If you're wrong after all, we might all suffer for it. Lest the gods turn out to be truly vengeful."

Leijona stands there quietly, drumming her fingers. "...Should we buckle down, or press forward? If we keep going, will we be wandering defenseless right into the forefront of it?"

The companion shrugs, shoulders sinking. The confidence has left their voice, they mutter, "The storm will catch us one way or another. In the end, we'll do what feels right. So what feels right?"

Vaikkya had a deep, fearful feeling bubbling in their belly. They want to step forward now, but something holds them back. They're going to walk right into a raging blizzard? Vaikkya had a hard time believing their mother would risk something like that...

But even in the anticipating moments as Vaikkya stands at their siblings' sides holding each others' arms and pressing forward into the biting, whipping winds and sharp icy precipitation, they hold their tongue. They trust Leijona will keep them safe.

The losses weight especially on Vaikkya, knowing they could have spoken up, but they know they never would have vocally opposed their mother even if they had known how many would lose their lives to the cold in the trek through this storm.

[ArithMedic]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: ArithMedic 1064661
↬ clan archive: Celestials


↬ word count: 560 words
↬ prompt:
Fire that Blazes Endlessly was waiting not-so-patiently at the back door of the Commander's Hall. Technically, he was here to report the completion of a task assigned to him by a commanding officer, but the reason he was at the back door was so he could report it directly to said commanding officer and see her again. Possibly even get another assignment that would require them to meet once more.

Because no one was supposed to be at the back door, the commanders inside were not discrete in their conversations. Due to this accidental eavesdropping, Fire learned something that shook him to his core.

"This generation has had more strong familiars than any before. Even with the four rulers we have now, they could easily destroy the entire council and return us to the days of the Tyrant!"

"I know, they're too dangerous. The other commanders are too lenient with them. I still think we should return to the methods of just after the Tyrant was overthrown."

"You mean, killing their familiars before they can become used to them? That's just too cruel! You're practically killing them too!"

"It would be worth it to stop them from taking over."

The conversation moved away from the door and Fire stood stone still, stunned.

The Tyrant? Killing familiars? The commander's council was supposed to be their benevolent leaders, how could they be so cruel? And who was this Tyrant? As a knight, he was supposed to be taught in all of their history. Fire's mind swirled with thoughts, nearly making him dizzy.

While he was in this state, Thorn that Tarnishes the Rose stepped out the door to meet him. She greeted him but it barely reached his ears as it occurred to him that she was also a commander, that the ones he overheard.

Before he could stop himself, Fire blurted out, "Would you ever kill someone's familiar just because your were scared of them?!"

Thorn looked at him puzzled and then turned to door and back to him. "Whatever you overheard, you must forget it."

Fire was fuming and opened his mouth to argue but Thorn spoke again.

"There are commanders who want to use such methods, but we will never let them. It was a barbaric practice that came out of barbaric times."

"Well, then who was the Tyrant? I've never heard of them!" Fire seethed, glaring at the cat he hoped to be the love of his life.

Thorn sighed and looked away. "Another thing you must forget. The Tyrant was a cat who nearly destroyed us all several generations again. As such, he left severe marks that many of us, including myself, are trying to clear away so we can return to who we were before him. There are many things about the politics of the council that others cannot know, even you..." She trailed off, like she was about to add something else and stopped herself.

"Anyways, I assumed you finished your task? I have another for you if you have." She changed the subject with a strained smile.

Fire nodded curtly and responded. "I finished it, but I think I have other duties to attend to. I hope another knight has time for your next assignment." He turned and walked away, his heart ached and his mind conflicted.

Behind him, Thorn felt the same.

[canadianhowl]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: canadianhowl + 523964
↬ clan archive: galactic skies

↬ word count: 648 words
↬ prompt: Firekit had been playing alone in the nursery. He didn’t mind one bit as he liked being able to play his own games with his own rules. That was until he began to hear shouting coming from… behind the nursery? Well he wasn’t aware if anything was behind it. He flicked an ear and tilted his head before taking a big breath in and clawed his way through the nursery walls. The noises got louder and louder until he recognized who it was. That was dad! Who was he with? … it sounds like… two more cats? The top warrior Rabbitwhisker and… and Birdspirit. He poked his little head out of the nursery wall and shrunk back realizing they indeed were arguing.

“You know exactly what you did! Your grandfather trusted you and your cousins and this is the thanks he gets?! I knew that man and he had so much hope for you all! It’s a slap in his face to be the chosen one and do this!” Birdspirit yowled at the pink tom.

“Look I couldn’t… help it! I loved her dearly I didn’t think we’d get into this much mess from it!” Dragonfruit snapped back. His fur was bristled and wings were spanned out to make him look larger. “It was in no intention of mine to betray my grandfather like that I didn’t even realize this would upset you so much! Why do you even care about this?!”

“That tom was a man of his word! Do you realize what kind of hardships you brought to the clan by bringing back that tainted kit?! You’ve angered the stars!” Birdspirit hissed again getting closer to Dragonfruit’s face.

Firekit realize what this was about. It was about him. Why?! He hadn’t done anything wrong right? He thought he followed the rules well and was polite!

“Bird please… I know this is scary but we need to calm down.” Rabbitwhisker huffed once building up the courage to step in. “He’s just a kitten and what if Draco likes him? Then what? What if Draco doesn’t mind this kitten is a half clan cat!”

“Draco does mind! I knew him he was my friend! He minded so much he told me everything!” Birdspirit shouted before he began to cough.

“Rest Bird… you’re getting old. Don’t yell like that.” Rabbitwhisker gently licked his forehead and he relaxed reluctantly. “My apologies.”

“That’s cool but can we stop talking about this?!” Dragonfruit yelled before new pawsteps entered the group. It was Pineapplesnap and he had a smirk on his face.

“Looks like it’s the traitor. I hear everything and you know Birdspirit is right. Grandpa would have been fuming at this if he was physically here. How does it feel to let him down?” He laughed as he shoved his cousin. The two began to hiss and yowl at each other. Birdspirit and Rabbitwhisker went in and tried to pull them apart. “That was my title! You took it away! He only gave that to you because you were the first born! You are nothing compared to what the others can do! I am far more superior! You better train that kitten well! You better make this betrayal worth it!” He kept screaming before Birdspirit just dragged him away back to camp.

Rabbitwhisker sighed and looked down. “Don’t mind him. Draco wouldn’t have cared. Just let Firekit grow up normally and it will be fine.” She gently set the pink tom down and also walked away.

This was Firekit’s cue to leave. He slunk back into the nursery walls and raced to his nest. He didn’t know if he should have seen that. It… scared him a lot. A minute passed before he gazed up and saw his father return. He smiled at him as he always did but he noticed something was different. That spark in Dragonfruit’s eyes were gone.

[Archaeopteryx.]

↬ catvent day: sixteen

↬ username & id: Archaeopteryx. 334452
↬ clan archive: Enurian

↬ word count: 845 words
↬ prompt:




Late nights were often the only time of day Xericstorm had to himself. He believed in Lupinetooth's cause, of course, but sometimes living with so many other ferraen felt downright unnatural, the voices and flurries of motion and constant talking getting on Xericstorm's nerves. After the sun had set, though, a curfew was imposed to encourage the ferraen living there to get a proper night's sleep, and the halls of the ancient temple were promised to be empty. And so often Xericstorm would wander those halls for hours, discovering things hidden far beneath and beyond the halls the group occupied, things he was sure hadn't been disturbed since the Ancients built them eons ago. He would wander until his paws ached and he could finally feel sleep weighing him down, where he'd slink back into his room, curl up on his cot, and would sleep for the few hours his body would allow him.

Throughout his seasons of doing this, he only ran into another soul once. On the way back from a nightly excursion, walking mostly on autopilot, he nearly walked straight into them before he heard a low, somber voice.

"You can't keep doing this."

Wide awake now, heart jack-rabbiting in his chest, Xericstorm ducked behind a doorframe, ears angled towards the conversation.

"I can. I have[i] to, Quicksnare, its for the good of all the cats in my care—"

"The good of the—oh, save your breath. I am your [i]right-hand man, don't start spewing the same lies you give the initiates to me like I haven't heard you recite them over and over. You think I can't tell when you're manipulating me? Manipulating us? I won't stand for it any more—"

"I suggest you hold your tongue."

"No. I've had enough holding my tongue. I should've said something when you nearly took that initiate's eye out because he didn't grovel at your feet enough for your liking. This entire group is built on nothing but lies and your need for power and I—"

He didn't want to hear this. He wanted to go back to bed, but his eyes were wide and entire body shook to keep his tail still, from swishing in agitation. He wanted to leave and forget it ever happened but they were blocking the only way to get back to the rooms.

"You'll what? Leave? You need us, Quicksnare, as much as we need you."

"I will leave."

There was a long silence. Xericstorm could hear the angry breathing down the hallway, and couldn't tell if it was Lupinetooth, Quicksnare, or both.

"If you leave, I will punish others for your transgression."

A horrified spitting. "You wouldn't."

"I would have to." Despite the words coming out of his mouth, Lupinetooth's voice was like smooth honey, placating, promising such horrid things in the same manner he told the initiates that everything would be alright. "The initiates look up to you. I would have to dissuade them from taking the same tragic path as you."

Again there was a pause.

"Fine. Fine, I'll stay." It sounded like Quicksnare was gritting her teeth. "But I hope they all discover this whole things is a sham, worshiping a false god as a placeholder for just worshiping you. Goodnight, Lupinetooth. Let me get my sleep."

Xericstorm could hear the soft sounds of her padding away, the rasp of claws as she tore at the packed earth as she went. For a long time, the hallway was quiet, and Xericstorm nearly thought Lupinetooth left before the cat spoke again, in a manner Xericstorm had never heard him speak before. Dark and low, a fury underneath that was uncharacteristic of the cat, even when the younger initiates played pranks on him or put dye in the community food so it looked bright purple.

"Something needs to be done about her," He growled, and Xericstorm could hear his rapid breaths even from where he stood.

And then, too, came the sounds of his pawsteps fading into the distance as he returned to his quarters.

Xericstorm still huddled there for a while longer, shivering, crouched in on himself in prayer (though, he didn't know who he was praying to, not anymore) that the two did not return. When the hallway remained silent and still, he crept back through the hallways to his room, jumping at every faint shadow and noise.

His room was quiet when he entered, and be beelined straight for his bed, curling up within the blankets and furs and screwing his eyes shut.

"You were gone for a while," Came the quiet, sleepy voice of his roommate, hesitant, like they might be doing something wrong. "...see anything interesting?"

For a moment, Xericstorm was quiet, listening to the slow, even breaths of his roommate. The steady dripping of a leak somewhere nearby, the way the earthen walls swallowed the noises around until everything felt both too muffled and too loud. "...No." He finally said. "Just got distracted. Go back to sleep."

He didn't sleep at all himself, that night.