A view of the mist [Greywhisper // Goldenpaw]

[ADMIN~!]

Dark eyes, hit just in the right places by streams of light, gleamed in the darkness of the warriors den as Greywhisper blinked them open rather sleepily. He had made his bed near a taller fern that was surrounded by smaller ones, which provided excellent protection against rain and wind; it was a favourable spot, but he had more than earned it, being the senior warrior. The flicker of a smile ghosted at his features and he shook his head to chase away the exhaustion before looking down at his side to a small white and orange bundle, fondness entering his gaze as he stared at it. Their sides rose and feel gently with the peacefulness of sleep, and he could hardly bear to wake his Companion, but dawn had come and gone. It was time to get up. Uncurling his claws and standing up rather unsteadily, the grey tom bent down and nudged the ball of fur. Upon contact, it stirred slightly and unfurled to reveal a small kitten with one eyes and a crooked nose. Her small tongue rasped out as she yawned and looked up to her friend, a joyous expression spreading on her face.

“Morning!” Ghost sang, standing much quicker than the elderly tom and rubbing against his legs affectionately. He purred in response, nuzzling the kitten’s head before stepping out of the warriors den and into the soft morning sunlight. Streams of light cascaded from the treetops in the form of beams, lit precariously in the mist. Though the month proclaimed the seasons to be early summer, the air was crisp with the small of the turning leaves and frost crunched underfoot. Greywhisper shivered slightly. His matted coat wouldn’t be overly helpful if winter ever hit; he had caught whitecough the winter before. Blowing out a puff of chilled air, visible in the cold sun, he shook his head once again and walked forwards while Ghost trotted beside him in quick steps.

“What’re we doing today?” She asked excitedly, obviously quite awake now. Greywhiper was still blinking the sleep out of his vision, half smiling at her enthusiasm, half groaning at it. He sincerely loved his Companion to pieces, and couldn’t as for a better friend, but at the age he was on such a cold morning, she could be a little irksome. “It’s awfully cold out, dontcha think? A hunt would probably be good—the prey pile is looking a little low—but a patrol would be okay too! I’d really like to do a hunt though. Maybe go down to Eagle’s Craig and see the cliffs in the mist. Wouldn’t that be a pretty sight? I think—”

Greywhisper chuckled, cutting her off with a raspy reply. “Goldenpaw.” It was all he said, but the meaning was given and Ghost immediately perked her ears in pleasure and enthusiasm. “Oh right, Goldenpaw!” She mewled, skipping a few steps to hop around excitedly. “We can go for a hunt with her! Or train, or show the best spots for hunting in winter… it’ll be awesome!” Greywhisper laughed again, though it was more carefree and she purred in response. As the two approached the apprentice den, the warrior flicked his tail forwards and the small kitten bounded into the den, crying out Goldenpaw’s name in a loud, and no doubt annoying voice. She gave an excited squeal and dove towards Goldenpaw’s den, obviously meaning to pounce on the sleeping she-cat. Greywhisper blinked in sympathy, amusement dancing in his eyes.

[Moony~!]

Goldenpaw’s eyes flew open as suddenly she felt a force jolt into her and her breathing momentarily stopped. For a few moments the golden cat lay there frozen, unsure of what happened. Then, slowly, she glanced around trying to grasp the situation, only to smile warmly at the twisted grin that lay before her. The brown eyes that had been swirling with dark confusion instantly brightened and shone with life. The more she looked at the grin before her, the more it took effect on her. First it started with a smile, then giggling, then all out laughter, her fur standing on end because she curiously couldn’t stop. It took hundreds of heartbeats before she finally stopped, but even then a broad smile tugged at her mouth.

Before her stood her mentor’s companion, Ghost, a very odd looking, but sweet and energetic, kitten. Just as Goldenpaw had been moments before, she had a wide grin on her usually sparkling face and may as well have been a rabit by how excited she looked. The she-cat tried to remember the last time she had been like that, it had been ages. Perhaps it was time that she started again. Curling her tail with anticipation she yawned, her mouth opening wide sending out all her dreams that were not already forgotten. She blinked a few times before slowly standing up, gently letting Ghost slide off her now sore and empty feeling stomach.

Goldenpaw stretched with another yawn, unsheathing and sheathing her claws over and over again. Today would be as Greywhisper had promised, her first hunt or tour of the territory with her official mentor. She herself nearly jumped up and down at the thought. She glanced down at Ghost, excitement lapping over her over and over again like waves in the sea. It would be certainly enjoyable to train with her. She was so cute and fluffy, and she would be great to combat against due to her knowledge. Her never fading smile just made Goldenpaw want to run up to her and snuggle.

She swiveled her ears pointlessly, as if trying to catch some sign that her missing companion had once returned to sit upon her head chattering. But to no avail, the spot where the squirrel usually resided was as vacant as it had been over the past few weaks, and her heart ached with fear and pain. Flow… Her mind repeated it over and over again and it drove her crazy. She could feel that the young and enthusiastic squirrel was still alive, but still. Being this far away… she may as well have been dead. She knew that half of her soul was still there. But it felt as if it was hanging there, just by a tiny thread holding her stressed body and mind together. As if any moment Flow would just disappear for forever, and she would turn into a mindless and heartless cat. Missing many emotions she herself in particular needed to live.

While she thought all these things, and realized her pain she just stood there frozen. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the bundle of fur, tears threatening to escape at any moment. She looked like she did on that day when her parents disappeared and were found dead in that deep dark forest beyond the field. The painful realization that she may never see Flow again swollowed the waves of excitement and wrapped around her like darkness. It was.. just to much. She stood there, every muscle still not even daring to blink, staring down at Ghost. Was she really excited about being with Ghost, or was she just trying to fill the void of Flow? For the first time in what may as well have been a moon she blinked and shook her head. No, that can’t be it. No one, NO ONE, could ever replace Flow. Not even a cat. She said to herself determinedly, but the thought still haunted her and guilt slowly spread throughout her body. She felt like she betrayed her companion. For forgetting about her for just a second. Managing to smile or laugh, it was treacherous.

If her parents had been here, they would have soothed her. Or maybe even her elder brother would have helped. They would have told her Flow would have wanted her to move on, to smile until she returned. Goldenpaw knew that’s what they would have said, all of them. Smiling broadly and warmly, sitting next to eachother in a line. All with her same brown eyes, all with nearly the same color of tawny gold. How she missed them, how she missed Flow, how she missed so many things. She couldn’t just walk around like a happy maniac. It was her fault her parents were gone. It was her fault Flow was gone. It was… all her fault.

She cast one more glance at Ghost then once again stretched, then padded silently out of the den. Dipping her head in greeting to her mentor Greywhisper before sitting in front of him, staring at her paws in shame.

[ADMIN~!]

Greywhisper immediately noticed the contrite expression on Goldenpaw’s face as she padded out of the den, her tail drooped and eyes downcast. Of course, it wasn’t hard to miss—her entire posture spoke of a sudden depression—as she was practically shouting her sorrow with the bowed head and demurely-placed paws, but what the problem was, he couldn’t place. There was too much emotion there for just a sullen thought of being up too early in the morning, or even having fought with another apprentice. No, there was something else, and the old tom blinked perceptively, trying to place it, but couldn’t…

Oh. He shifted his paws as Ghost hopped out of the Apprentice Den, sunshine and stardust written clearer on her face than the blue in the sky. Of course, there had been a few cats in the clan whose Companions had gone missing for disconcerting reasons that no one could figure, not even the medicine cat and her apprentice. For a brief second, worry flickered across his face, but he quickly straightened his features before standing up and rasping, “Goldenpaw.” He pressed his nose against her forehead, slightly startled by the warmth of her body. It was a cold morning. He tried to pour all his sympathy and sorrow he felt for her in the simple gesture, and dearly hoped she understood what he tried to say, but couldn’t. Without any other visible signal, he stood and started towards the forest.

Blinking excitedly, Ghost pranced around Goldenpaw’s feet, her ears twitching with enthusiasm. “Wanna go hunting today?” She mewed, pouncing on the other’s tail with a childish mrow of laughter. “Greywhisper said he’d take us out hunting or training! I’m not sure which one he wanted, but we’ll find out, right Goldenpaw? C’mon, c’mon! We’ll be left behind!” She looked up to the she-cat, her one eye shining, before she limped after her best friend.

[Moony~!]

Goldenpaw's now dull brown eyes lightened a bit at her mentor's kind gesture, and brightened when Ghost mentioned possibly training to boot. She had been looking forward to getting back to fighting training. She hadn't tried her moves in ages due to her injured leg. Ah... that seemed such a long time ago. She flicked her ears in slight agitation. She just wanted to get out of camp, maybe alone but she knew that she shouldn't. It was still dangerous. After all she could hear whispers about the camp. Fern had been killed by a rouge.

She had liked the she-cat, they had become close over the short time that they had had together. She narrowed her eyes while deep in thought, trying to keep the crisp wind from biting her eyes. Her pelt had thickened but she still felt chilled to the bone as the breeze tugged at her fur in what seemed an endless but accurate rhythm. Whish... swoom.. whish whish swoom bloooooo, whish... swoom... whish whish swoom bloooooo...

She swiveled her ears slightly to the right, looking up from her paws but only to gaze at the enthusiastic kitten before her. A small smile spread across her muzzle as she went on and on, not even waiting for a reply to her questions. Even though a true smile hung on her face, fear, anger, and sorrow hung over her heart like a thundercloud ready to send lightning to strike her any moment. But she slowly managed to push the ominous feeling away and followed Ghost and Greywhisper, in hopes of finding comfort from her loss in hunting for her clan.

[ADMIN~!]

Setting off at a brisk pace, Greywhisper surged forwards into the forest with his tail raised high and his ears perked forwards. They would occasionally flick backwards or to the side so he could listen for Ghost or Goldenpaw’s pawsteps, reassuring himself that they were following. It was strange having two people following him, rather than just the usual one: his Companion, of course. It almost reminded him of the mentoring sessions between him and his mentor, Lilyfur. His purred to himself at the sudden memory, but stopped almost immediately. After him losing his voice in the fire, things had been awkward without the flowing conversation.

Slowing his pace slightly, Greywhisper placed himself beside Goldenpaw, though still kept up a steady trot. He flicked his tail at hers, then nodded to the right where a small opening in the trees could be seen. “Ea’hal ‘raig,” he rasped with a small smile. Ghost in turn perked up and glanced to the place he had nodded. “Goldenpaw! Goldepnaw, we’re nearly there!” She squirmed in her spot and bounced gleefully. “C’mon! Betcha never seen the cliffs in mist before!” She dashed ahead and out of sight, obviously too eager to wait for the others.

[Moony~!]

Goldenpaw padded behind Greywhisper with her eyes averted to the ground. Tears stung at the edge of her eyes, begging to come forth is low but mournful sobs. She didn't know what'd come over her.. perhaps it was the fact that she was spending time with a companion. Who, it didn't matter. But it was a companion and it made her heart ache more than anything to have Flow back. Anything at all. As she trudged along, she could hear the steady pawsteps of her fellow cats and it slowly but surely calmed her heart.

When she finally had the courage to look upward there was ghost smiling widely at her meowing something. Goldenpaw was too sad to actually transfer what the cute bundle of fur was saying. She looked away for a few seconds then looked back, following the eccentric companion trying to fake a new bounce in her step. Suddenly, her mouth dropped open in excitement, fear, wonder, and just plain awe. There, before her lay the same old rocks of Eagle Craig, but among them was a mystifying whitish texture. Mist. Goldenpaw's brown eyes widened, it was beautiful. She just stood there, slightly stunned. Then she meowed one word, "Wow..."

[ADMIN~!]

Ghost scampered back from her advanced position on the edge of Eagle’s Craig’s meadow, eye shining in the mist. “Told yah’ it was cool!” She chirped happily, casting a glance back over her shoulder. Like what Goldenpaw had seen, mist spread across the meadow like an outstretched hand reaching for something sinister just beyond the white, sheer cliffs Great birds of prey, hawks and eagle’s alike, lived in this nesting ground peacefully and they could be seen waking up to the morning light that hit the mountain. Like daggers, the rays sliced through the mist and crashed against the cliffs violently, making them whiter and more blinding that usual. Without the weariness of the day and the protection of clouds, the sun was at full force and everything sparkled. Dew on the ground, fresh from the waning night, glittered like a thousand untouched jewels luring unsuspecting prey into the dangerous trap of the eagles.

Greywhisper came padding up behind Goldenpaw with a faint smile on his face as he looked at her awed face. Yes, it was a sight to see, especially in leaf-bare. One wouldn’t think it, but the mountains were most powerful during those months of bitter chill and snow. All the white, the dazzling white, well… she would have to see for herself when the time comes. Not that it would be far off, Greywhisper thought with a frown. The leaf-bare that they just had seemed to be returning with a vicious bite, though he couldn’t place a claw on why. It was unnatural, not right. The mist that floated just above the dewy ground shouldn’t actually be around; Instead, newborn rabbits and flowers should be poking out of the grass. As Ghost caught his eye though, Greywhisper shook away his thoughts and concentrated on the current issue—Goldenpaw. He padded forwards a little to stand in front of his apprentice and swung his tail towards the open meadow. “Ea’hal?”

Ghost, understanding, perked right up and launched into what her Soul-Partner wanted to say. “You know what to do out here, right Goldenpaw?” She asked. “Watch out for the eagle’s and hawks, and if one comes after your, run! Don’t stay and fight. No apprentice can win against those. With the mist though, we have protection. It’ll be harder to see us. It’ll be harder to see the prey too though! I think Greywhisper wants to hunt for a little bit, but then we’re going to head towards Whisper Stream and the Dark-Forest to train for a little bit. You get some of everything today!” Ghost purred.

[Moony~!]

Goldenpaw smiled slightly, her ears perked with amusement. "You kind of just answered the question you know, Ghost." She purred and nodded at the instructions. It sounded like today really was going to be great. She glanced warmly at Ghost, then at Greywhisper meowing. "Well, I guess this means you lead the way." Her paws moved along the uneven ground with anticipation, feeling the awkward air. It was strange having a mentor that was, well, unable to talk to her. Or at least when he did talk, that she couldn't comprehend.

She knew he could tell through her weak smiles and her fake enthusiasm. No matter how she tried... her usual natural 'bounciness' never did show through. Her eyes still had that dark tint to them, that lifelessness that showed whenever she was seperated from Flow. Even for the slightest second, her eyes always slightly darkened. She guessed the others called it they lost their sparkle. She grimaced at the idea. She liked who she was, looking any different made her feel sick, possibly even revolted with herself. Being herself was what had won her all her friends and that would never change. She knew her connection with her old friends was dwindling, even her littermate Quaintpaw seemed to have less of a connection with her. Why, she didn't know. He was acting strangely too. Not as lively as he used to be before apprenticeship, and not nearly as shadow loving as he had been only a few moons ago. His personality was everchanging. She would in no possible way ever understand him. That she was sure of.

Though, no matter how much she loved him as a brother. At the moment, she didn't care. She just needed to bond with her mentor.. and Ghost. A wry, but true, smile crossed her face. She could do this! It would just take a little bit of practice, no. Not practice. Just time. Time to get to truly know them, love them, and grow a bond that she had grown with so many other cats. Then had foolishly broken by some one else. Just thinking about how many friends she'd grown so close to then lost stung. She half wished she could go back in time, at least say sorry to Flow. For the last thing she had said to her loving companion was "go away." She had been in a terrible mood, but she knew it was no excuse to treat Flow that way. The squirrel had been terribly hurt. Goldenpaw could tell by the way the small animal slunk off, looking as if she was about to cry.

Guilt washed over Goldenpaw. Perhaps... Flow has run away? Sick of the way Goldenpaw had been treating her? The thought tore her heart to pieces, but she knew it was possible. Or at least SHE considered it possible. Her head buzzed and swirled mercilessly as all those thoughts went through it. It was like there were millions of cats and animals talking to her. Telling her what was right, what was wrong, and all the things that she shouldn't have even considered doing. She closed her eyes and focused for a few moments on the voices, then shook her head and opening her eyes with such force she wouldn't be surprised if Ghost or Greywhisper jumped. Right now, she couldn't go back in time. She couldn't change everything she had done. But there was one thing she could do. That was wait-- and hope that someday Flow would return. And always have a warm bed waiting for her, and to do what Flow would have wanted to her to do. Be happy.

For the first time in what seemed ages she felt emotion other than guilt spark within her. It was warm and fuzzy, yet sharp at the same time strong and willing. She couldn't fight it. Even if it was unintentional she liked it. She liked it's motive. Determination was the only thing she had left, she had to cling to it with all the strength she could muster.

{done}

[Moony~!]

I guess this is closed x.x
-x-Closed-x-