Username: Clementine Cloud
Clan Link: FrostClanCat Name: DarkFang
Cat Gender: Male
Prompt:ColdStar watched as the newest cat in her clan trudged by. There was a dip in the snow, a trail the dark furred cat had carved in his pacing. He'd been out here all night. ColdStar sighed, remembering the failure of a hunt they experienced the day before. Despite living in this frigid landscape the prey was rarely *this* scarce. And when that hare slipped right between DarkFang's claws, well, he seemed to be beating himself up over it.
DarkFang was determined to pull his weight, to prove he was a good provider to the clan, that he was worthy of the second chance they had afforded him. But it seemed every time he had an opportunity he let it slip right through his paws, just like that hare. Was it really all for nothing? Was this his punishment for his past wrongdoing? Is he really this useless?
DarkFang slashed at the snowbank in front of him as he yelled out in frustration. His hot breath huffed out clouds in front of him in the icy morning air. He missed the sound of paws padding through the snow on account of his blood pounding in his ears. "DarkFang" the calm voice of the clan's leader called out to him. He didn't mean to whip around so sharply to meet her gaze, he almost apologized, but ColdStar didn't seem to notice. Or if she did, she didn't say anything of it. "Come with me."
DarkFang wasn't really in the mood for a stroll, but he knew better than to disobey her command. Looking back at the mud and slush of snow of his path, he sighed and followed his leader away from the camp.
The two walked in silence for a while, the only sounds were the soft crunch of their paws in the undisturbed snow and the quiet song of the wind through evergreen forest. DarkFang hated it, it was too still. Too perfect. For some the serenity may quiet their minds, for DarkFang it only allowed his bitter thoughts a chance to ring louder and louder in his mind. ColdStar knew only by the look on his face the inner turmoil he'd been harboring. It was in that crease right between his eyes that never fully went away.
DarkFang could hold it in no longer, "WHERE ARE WE GOING?" He snapped, voice harsh through the morning air. His sharp gaze at his leader was returned with one of... almost... pity? ColdStar's expression snapped him out of his own thoughts for just a moment, but one long enough that he was able to take in his surroundings. They were no longer in the quiet snow and evergreen forest.
DarkFang thought for a moment that it was the pounding sound of blood in his ears again, but no, it wasn't coming from inside his head anymore. The two cats looked up as the roaring water cascaded down before them. It had been a very long time since DarkFang felt so small. His mouth hung open at the sight, and yet still ColdStar beckoned him onward. The two walked over the smooth black stones closer and closer to the furious water until ColdStar lead him to a small cave entrance just to the right of it. ColdStar only glanced back at him once before slipping inside, out of his view. With a shaky breath he followed her in.
DarkFang didn't know the sound could become even more deafening that it already had been, but here, with the roaring water a wall in front of them and the smooth black rock of the cave wall behind them, the sound echoed back and forth surrounding them with its fury. ColdStar had to come very close and speak right into his ear for him to hear anything she said. Knowing this, she thankfully kept it brief.
"My mind gets too loud sometimes too. I come here because the waterfall is louder. We can stay as long as you need."
With that she stepped away, just far enough to give him space, but not so far that he was alone. And there, in the opposite of silence, the two sat and stared at the white water falling before them.
The icy air filled his lungs with every inhale. Every exhale the water seemed to take bits of his anger and frustration away, gone to wherever the rushing river flows. His shaky breaths slowly evened out, and that crease between his eyes evened out with it. Looking down he finally noticed the cold of the smooth black stones beneath his paws. He picked one up, the shiny dark surface reflected his face back at him. After some time he looked up and saw ColdStar's gentle gaze at him once more. A hint of a smile he didn't realize he was returning.
The two remained in their silence as they headed back to camp at midday. And with it, the silence of his mind he had long forgotten the sound of.
ColdStar said he could go there anytime he needed. What did he do to deserve this clan he now called home?
