Conversations [open]

[&& White Shadow]

It was his favorite thing to do, lay among the branches of the great oak tree. Most dared not to climb so high, most rarely settled for the lowest branches. Inkstar liked the height, the veiled privacy that came with it. He had his own personal favorite branch, anyone would be able to tell it, his scent was strong there even when he wasn't around. Though those on the ground would have no idea he was there, unless they were keen on following his scent up the tree. He could get away from the busy atmosphere of camp up here and lately he needed to. After the loss of most of the cats from his clan he needed to get away. They had lost some good cats from sickness and he himself had lost a life, not his first, but it had still shaken him, it always would. He couldn't really come to terms with the fact that he could go on living again his same old life while the others would take their place among StarClan before their time. He always had faith in StarClan, but it didn't mean he couldn't disagree with them. He always would when it came to loosing one of his clanmates.

Blinking he found himself awake again in the small patches of sunlight that poked through the leaves, he had drifted off in the cool breeze. He stood, stetching and leaping to a lower branch where the sun covered more, he was exposed to the ground on this branch. He settled himself in the sun and cleaned his fur, brushing the bits of bark out best he could with his nose and paw first. It was a lazy day, Zealheart was dealing with things at camp and he knew where to find Inkstar if he needed him anyway. Inkstar was actually hoping someone would come by so he could have company, he would enjoy a nice talk with someone, even an apprentice, they always had something interesting to say, once they realized it was alright to come out of their shell and talk to their leader. Once he convinced them he was just another cat like them. Watching the forest around him, he looked for any signs of life. He found a few mice scuttling around the ground, but no cats just yet, though givin time someone would show up, this was the best place to find prey in their territory.

[{{ Raven }}]

Phantomwing was indeed heading off to hunt, brushing silently past the entrance of the camp and into LightClan's forest. It was a beautiful place to walk, and a great place to think. However the tom had no need for thinking or walking. Now was the time for providing for his clan.

It was silent. Nothing stirred the leaves. No wind or the scuttle of mice paws. It was annoying, though he knew it was possibly because something was lingering nearby. Crouching, he waited, light blue eyes glittering in the sunlight that trickled through the leaves above.

At last a mouse scurried out from it's hole so close to Phantomwing that he snagged it with a claw without thinking. Biting down to kill it quickly he buried it for later pickup and moved on towards the Twisted Oak, not far away now.

As he got closer he noticed a black shape in one of the higher branches. Phantomwing knew who it was, only one cat climbed up so high in the Oak tree. Inkstar. He looked up and blinked a greeting to his leader before crouching again, spying a mouse almost as soon as he stopped moving. This was the best place to catch prey.

A leap and a bite and another kill was made. Burying it he returned his gaze to his leader, bunching his muscles and scaling the tree until he reached one of the lowest branches. He'd join his leader, but not nearly that high. "Inkstar" he murmured respectfully, bowing his head briefly in respect.

[&& White Shadow]

A small rustle in the brush below gave way to a familiar form. Inkstar recognized the lithe brown tabby tom immediately. While the had a few cats of that color only Phantomwing had no white. His pelt camoflauged him well against the forest scenery, but Inkstar had a keen eye and was watching specifically for movement, he easily spotted Phantomwing in the small clearing around the oak. He gave a small nod in return to the tom's recognition, but was sure he hadn't seen it, he was too far away and Phantomwing had moved on. He felt a small bit of joy watching Phantomwing grasp the prey, dead, and bury it beneath the branches of the tree. It was good, lack of prey had lead to deaths of elders by starvation and had given way to illness.

The tom's muscles were at work as he scaled the great oak tree, Inkstar took much notice. He was glad to have such strong warriors at work in the clan. It was vitalfor them to keep up appearances in such a time, they could not look weak, risk an attack. Inkstar hated the thought of it, having to show such powerful cats so others would be intimidated and show respect. Strength came in many forms, even the smallest and weakest cats had strengths and could win a battle, but none of it mattered because few cats would think that way and he couldn't put the clan in danger even if he knew they could win. It would be too much of a strain on their physical and mental health. He couldn't bear to bring that upon them, not ever.

Now Zealheart, he was a character. Inkstar carried great respect for the ebonite deputy. He was another that Inkstar believed would recognize the many forms strength could take and appreciate them all. He couldn't help but feel guilty leaving him in charge. Surely the tom was just as exhausted as Inkstar was, but the tom had taken the event in stride. Inkstar had made a promise to himself not to stay out long to give Zealheart a break of his own. He deserved it, having had so little time to rest since being appointed only a short time ago.

As he watched Phantomwing settle on one of the lower branches he admired the bravery and followed by joining him on a nearby branch. As the tom greeted him Inkstar gave a nod back. "Hello Phantomwing, how have you been fairing lately? It seems the prey is running much better lately, have you had a good hunt?" Inkstar questioned lightly, very casually, hoping to coax Phantomwing into reavealing some of his thoughts and opinions of more serious clan matters.

[{{ Raven }}]

ooc|| sorry it's so short, I lack muse D:

Once he was properly settled on the branch, Phantomwing gave himself a quick lick on the chest, to hide his heavy breathing as he caught his breath. Rarely did he climb trees, and though he was a strong warrior and built to fight, he was not built to actually climb trees. When he was a kit it was so much easier...probably because his paws didn't have to pull up as much weight.

Inkstar asked his questions, and Phantomwing purred briefly. "Life is...easier now that the prey has returned. My mind has slept easier now that I know the whole Clan will be fed tonight." he replied solumnly. Truthfully, he'd been distraught during the winter that so many of the clan had perished from the sickness, and the lack of food made it worse. Not being able to do anything but watch his clan suffer was hell for Phantomwing, and he knew it had to be worse for his Clan leader. Phantomwing was aware that Inkstar himself had lost a life because of the sickness. The tabby tom hadn't caught a sniffle during the winter, and often was found hunting solo for his clan.

"And how are you Inkstar?" he asked in reply, studying his leader calmly. The question had many meanings to it. Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Phantomwing respected his leader, as well as the deputy, but he knew that they were only cats. They were not immortal.

[&& White Shadow]

Inkstar remained calm as Phantomwing replied. It was good to know the warrior felt just as strongly about the issue as his leader did. 'And how are you Inkstar?' Such a simple question, often asked of him, though to this he always gave a sincere answer. Taking a moment Inkstar thought about it, how was he? "I too sleep easier at the thought, yet our view in the eyes of other clans remains to haunt me. We cannot afford to look wea, I cannot let our clan surrender to a battle, yet I cannot let us fight one either. I hate having to keep up appearances like that, but I have no choice." Inkstar gave a slight pause to watch Phantomwing a moment before continuing, "I am well otheriwise, Tumbledthoughts has treated me well, I feel as if I could take on a badger." He purred at the thought. That would certainly be suicide even with his lives, but it was absolutely true, it gave te right picture anyway.

Such a long answer to a simple question. Most would simply respond that they were well, not matter how they really were. Inkstar took much care in how he felt, for how could he lead his clan well if he wasn't in good state himself? He would overwork himself for sure. He also took care in knowing the feelings of others and making sure they didn't overwork themselves either. The sole reason he would head back to camp soon to give Zealheart a break of his own, he needed one just as much and it was only fair to the deputy. Coming from his own thoughts Inkstar watched the tabby warrior with care. He would have spoken again to continue the conversation forward, but the ebony leader wished the tom to comment on his own remaining fears. what did Phantomwing think of Inkstar's fear? He wished to know, therfore he refused to speak again before the tom. If he didn't comment but rather went to another topic Inkstar wouldn't be angry or annoyed, he would simply follow the conversation even if it didn't continue the way he wanted or expected it to. It wasn't important, what was, was the fact that they were talking at all, delving a bit deeper into each others knowledge of the other.

[{{ Raven }}]

Phantomwing listened to his leaders fears with a quiet appearance. The warrior had thought of it as well, but not as much as a leader would. Just passing thoughts, thoughts that led to reasons why he should patrol a little more than the cats affected by the sickness. He nodded "We cannot let the other clans take advantage of us." he agreed simply. "And bloodshed is not something we need right now."

Then Phantomwing, bless him, chuckled at the mention of fighting badgers. "Don't tell that to the apprentices, they'll want to come with you." he said with a small purr. Then he became serious again, his usual self. He watched his tail dangle off of the branch for a brief moment before looking at his leader. "I am glad Tumblethoughts is our medicine cat. He took care of our clan better than any cat could." Would Tumblethoughts apprentice be as skilled as their current medicine cat? He sure hope so.

[&& White Shadow]

Inkstar listened to Phantomwing's reply. It was a simple agreement, nothing wrong with that. Then he laughed slightly at the thought of badgers. Inkstar purred with a smile on his face as Phantomwing responded. "Yes, I think they would." He continued to purr happily, imagining Thunderpaw so excited and wanting to come along at just the mention of it. His purring died down as he saw Phantomwing ready to speak again. Inkstar nodded in complete agreement. There was none better in Inkstar's mind. He too had wondered about Tumbledthought's' apprentice, when would the tom find the right kit to take on as his apprentice? Inkstar had thought a few worthy, but none had been too interested, and StarClan had no signs, at least none he knew of. "Yes, we are so blessed to have Tumbledthoughts with us. No clan could want anymore than what he did for us. I only hope he can take some time for his own break, if only he did have an apprentice." Inkstar let his voice sort of trail off as he thought about it. Hopefully they'd be able to appoint him one soon, one who would realize the gift he was getting by being mentored by the tom.

ooc//ohmegawsh I'm distracted and lost my muse just now 'cause of it meh I'll finish this as soon as i can..mehmehmeh