Username: ivyy.
Cat Name: Widowsurf
Gender: Tom
Rank: Explorer/Gladiator [Multi-duty]
Clan: OceanClanAge: 12 moons
Prompt: "With all due respect, Tansystar, that child is much too young to receive his warrior name."
The sound claws scarping on stone flooring and growls filled the hollow cave. A ceremony had been held for Burnetpaw's friend, Widowpaw- now Widowsurf. He was only 11 moons. While her apprentice companions muttered jealously and casted wary glances in his direction, Burnetpaw puffed her chest out confidently, if he had been given his name by
Tansystar, surely he must be ready? Now,
Dusteye stood lashing her tail and speaking to OceanClan's leader, Widowsurf had been her apprentice before his graduation- now he looked awkwardly at his paws as the older she-cat could barely control her anger.
Tansystar let out a sigh and shook her head, "He's ready, Dusteye. I promise." They held each other's gaze for a long moment, the clan silenced as they watch the scene unfold- even Dusteye's mate,
Fennelcloud, remained silent nearby. Dusteye dropped her gaze and growled, "Fine." Before leaving camp and allowing the gathered cats to break off in uncomfortable silence. Widowsurf, while looking a bit torn, decidedly followed his mentor out of camp, leaving Fennelcloud behind as he watched them go. It seemed they were sure that Widowsurf and Dusteye would work it out. When the others had begun to gossip, Burnetpaw followed Widowsurf's exit, curious to see how her role model would handle the tension. Furrowing her eyebrows, she imagined how
livid she'd be if her mentor humiliated her in front of the clan like that.
Trying to be sneaky and silent, she followed the imprints of paws in the sand into the forest where she was able to track them a little ways into an opening in the trail, surrounded by ferns. The trees cast an intimidating shadow over Dusteye as she faced Widowsurf. It seemed in the time it took her to follow the duo, Dusteye had angered the adventurous tom. "It was
not right of you to do that! And in front of the whole clan? Really, Dusteye? That was beyond unfair!" His voice was strained with anger but also hurt. Burnetpaw crouched in the undergrowth, hidden by foliage as she eavesdropped on their conversation, amber eyes glinting curiously. Dusteye dug her claws frustratedly into the soil, "You don't understand, Widowpaw." He dropped his head and narrowed his eyes, avoiding her gaze, "It's Widow
surf now. And I am
not your
son so stop treating me like I am!" A stretch of silence passed between the two, Dusteye visibly flinched backwards, stirring the undergrowth near a small boulder. When he opened his maw to speak, the young tom's voice cracked with uncertainty. Never had Burnetpaw ever heard him so solemn-sounding.
"Aren't you happy for me?"
Dusteye's gaze snapped back to her ex-apprentice, immediately softening. Before she could get a word out, a thin shape slithered through the short grass from behind a rock. Burnetpaw couldn't yell out a warning sooner than Widowsurf spotted the creature and yelped, "Get out of the way!" He shoved his mentor back just as the snake lurched forward, snapping at his shoulder. Making contact, it sank it's two fangs into his shoulder blade. Yowling in pain, he turned his head and clasped his jaws around the snake's head, crunching it's spine and swiftly killing it. "Widowsurf!" Dusteye screeched, leaping forward and carefully pulling the snake off him as he collapsed to the ground. Burnetpaw gasped and Dusteye spotted her.
"Run, get help! Go!"
[588 words]