Seeking Survivors || Ivalene & Open

[Iva]

Growling, he was growling, now. Hissing did not suffice. It was sharp and piercing and savage, but it was short lived. Growling, on the other hand, was more of a continuous process. Perfect for him right now. “Get..out of that!” Comment about bears or badgers or Raccoonheart getting eaten by other things? Ignored. Really, if one of those could fit in the hole..So could he. Which meant it would’ve been long mauled by now, if it really had been attacking. He even ignored the grumpy comment, which he could hear. The tunnel really wasn’t..that deep. Just fairly so, for the small creature which was on the other end of it.

He could hear them both coming out, now. First Petal
paw, who said something or other. He wasn’t quite listening- instead, both blaring blue eyes flashed at the apprentice, and then the hole. Savagery. “How dare you pull a stunt so mousebra-“ What.. was that? A.. Kit? He finally recognized Petalpaw’s words, and deadpanned. ‘Coon was out, now.. From his jaws, dangled something..Small and grey. A.. a.. kitten? Sttaareee. Who..who had.. what? “There was..a kitten.. In there?” Fallen stared off toward the hole, then back, then the hole, and back. Finally..’Coon. The mumbled something, and Fallen didn’t really make out..But he understood it, anyway. The deadpan expression didn’t change.

For a long moment, both large warrior and miniscule kit locked eyes. Neither moved, and neither blinked. One amazed, one bewildered. Finally, when ‘Coon set the small, grey kit down, both looked away. Fallen.. Still staring in the same direction, but at Raccoon..The kit, looking bug-eyed at the cats suddenly surrounding him. “Meow..” Big, scary Fallenstrike! And..Petalpaw..and..They where just a tad scary. Everyone but ‘Coon, it seemed, for the Russian Blue backed up as far as physically possible into the warrior..Pretty much on his paws, sitting there. Fluffing up, too, but in a less horrified way..More of ‘oh dear so much going on’ way. What to do, what to think..? Not much, he was a kit.. Even if he didn’t understand the words, he sort of agreed with them, anyway. “Mommy?” Staring directly at ‘Coon. Seems he did understand one, then. Or..Was he deeming ‘Coon Mommy on his own..? Starclan new..It was fairly clear, though, that it wasn’t a question of ‘where was mommy’ or the like..For he curled onto ‘Coon, and sat there, purring once again quite contently. Purrr!

[Petalpaw]

Petalpaw giggled. "Oh yes Fallenstrike, you must now address Raccoonheart as 'Mommy 'Coon'" she mewed giggling. "And was it so hard to believe that we could hear something that you couldn't" she said giving him a side smirk before drifting up to the Russian blue kitten. She lied on her belly to make herself smaller as she watched the kit happily with wide green eyes "He's so cute!" she mewed giggling and rolling on her side. The orange colored apprentice looked up at Fallenstrike from her back. "Hey, your Daddy Grumpy around the kit now. Alright? No matter what you say we'll probably just keep calling you that.

Petalpaw sighed and blinked her eyes and sighed. "I think we should keep moving. We have a lot more land to cover. Well.... If you think that the kit can make it" She mewed shifting her weight to her side and pushed herself up off the ground.

[Wargrace]

Lecture time? Sort of. He pretty well grinned. Mousebrained? No, no! Perfectly sensible. He'd known it was another cat. If it had been something else, the scent would've told so. Be it prey or predator, there was a definite distinction between that and a cat -- even a cat that seemed to.. lack a distinctively feline scent. "No, Fallenstrike~! No kittens in there, I did find a grizzly bear, though. Striking resemblence to you~!" Heh. Was it a bad idea to make jokes at Fallenstrike-in-a-pissy-mode? ..Yep! Because.. he was Raccoonheart. Clearly, he was immune to all anger. Tail swish. Oh, aww, the kitten was cuddling close to him! After a stareoff with Fallen. He wiggled a bit, curling his tail forward to encircle it affectionately. ..Hopefully it wouldn't be lost in the over-excess of floof. Really, how did a cat with short, sleek fur.. have a massively pufftastic tail? Best not to question. Happy purr! Nice, loud, rumbly purring. Enough to practicly vibrate the warrior. ..He happened to like small, fluffy creatures. Particularly kits. He'd be it's new mommy!

Wait, the kit had said.. mommy? Was it calling him mommy? "OhmyStarclan! Fallen, Fallenstrike! He said his first wordddd!" Wiggle. "Good job, little one! Yes, mommy! I'm your new mommy~ and see him? The biggg, scary furball? That's daddy!" ..Yeah. Probaby.. a bit.. of a dyfunctional family. "And that nice apprentice is your big sister! Because she helped find you, yes she did! Good little kitty.. I wonder if you have a name? You're so cute! ..And blue! I wonder.. if you have a name.." Debate. "I shall call him Bluekit! Blueeee~kit~" Happyyy. Oh, wait.. there were others present. Surely this was not the proper attitude of a well-trained warrior? ..Yeah. It was. Too bad. "..Isn'thecute?" Petalpaw was looking at the kit -- and supporting the new name system. Wonderful! He puffed a bit, happily at this. Daddy grumpy.. what was he doing? A glance to Fallenstrike. To check what he was doing, if anything. Yes, keep moving. That was necessary. One survivor was a good thing, excellent, but there may have been more that needed to be found.

"I wonder how well he can walk? I may have to carry him. ..Actually, may be best I do, even if he can walk well." Raccoonheart's focus shifted, taking in the.. destruction. Not very safe. 'Course.. the kit had apparently been alone.. anyway.. and surviving so far. He bent to give the little kit a headlick before picking himself up -- careful of the kit -- and taking a step back. "Bluekit.."

[Iva]

They had actually found someone? They had actually found..A kit? Even when his expression of amazement faded off, the feeling still remained. All previous anger..? Gone, mostly. It wasn’t enough that Fallenstirke would completely start in a better mood right away, but this was more important. Observation time. A small, greyish-blue kit. “..Hmph.” A grizzily bear, resemblance to him? Floof time! Only, he was still fully fluffed.. Smoothing time, instead. He ignore the remarks, and twisted a bit to lick down his flank. Did he really think Raccoon a mousebrain? Of course not. He knew how smart and understanding the warrior really was.. He just had a habit of over reacting and..Flipping out? Yes. In his mind, no matter the logic, if the risk was there..Well, he got very.. Unpleasant.

Wait.. Mommy ‘Coon? Daddy Grumpy? Smoothing down attempt stopped, the brown warrior turned- gazing at both ‘Coon and the kit, which was completely content to pay little mind to any of them, and just sit there, curled up against the long-bodied warrior. ..Mommy ‘Coon? And he had..Said his first word..This was a lot to assume, for a kit they had just plucked from a big, dark crevice under a tree. Comments, comments...He had none. Maybe he was still a little shocked.. Or maybe he wasn’t, and he just couldn’t fathom a way to respond. Yes, more likely the second one. He could.. Argue? The mother ‘Coon and Father Fallen and Sister Peral, thing? Strangely enough..He didn’t feel the need too. “Do you think..” What was he saying? His mind had travelled away. Back to..Watching.

Watching, while the kit just purred and purred, happily oblivious to the conversations. He was just so thrilled, suddenly.. Imagine, he was found by his mommy! Nice and safe and saved from the darkness. The other cats, they were amazing, too- they were around, when he was saved! Not as amazing as his mommy, though.. Which he abruptly focused back in on, giant green eyes wide and watchful. Bluekit? Did he understand his name? Sort of..From the way it was said, and the tone, he could tell it was a name. Just what it was, or what it meant, was sort of..Above him. He was barely weaned, after all, and apparently less taught than other just weaned kits. “Bluuuuueee.” That was him. Did he get that? Mostly. In time, he would more clear..For now, it was just something being meowed, and something he tuned in on- focused carefully. Well..As close as a kit could focus. He has spotted Petalpaw, and was now staring at her with the big-eyed wonder instead..Till he was licked, when he let out a sort of squeak of surprise..Then returned to purring. Groomng! He knew what that was it. He felt clean and loved. Yay! Wait.. Mommy had taken a step back? Noo! “Meow!” Up was Bluekit..Frantically ‘waddle-walking’ himself back at ‘Coon..If possible, as close and walking-on ashe had before. Don’t go! Only a tail length or less way? Irrelevant..

[Petalpaw]

"Think what?" The small orange colored apprentice asked "Think that this kit just happens to be the cutest little thing ever? Yes! Yes, I do" she mewed giggling as the small kit. Petalpaw sighed "You guys ready to move on?" she asked as she stared at the horizon with her green eyes. "If you want we can take shifts carrying Bluekit" she mewed an offer directed toward Raccoonheart "But only if he lets us" she said mellowly as she shrugged her shoulders.

The lithely built apprentice smiled as she stood up and stretched her back in a rounded arch. She smiled at the kit as he stumbled his way toward Raccoonheart again. The setting sun had set the ruins of Hollow Lake aglow with a fiery shade of a red-orange.

[Wargrace]

Ah, Fallenstrike. Always the biggest ball of floof around -- physically, atleast. His personality? Not very floofy! But he was a good cat. A very good, if slightly hard-shelled cat. 'Coony knew this. He had since kithood. Fallen started to talk, then stopped. What was he planning to say? The grayscale warrior didn't ask. If it was important, Fallenstrike had said it entirely. Instead he purred with laughter at Petalpaw -- head bobbing in agreement. "Fally~ I think you found your rival for 'cutest kitty ever'!" Kitten grooming time! For a moment, atleast; because Bluekit seemed to like grooming, and he had a moment; listening to what Petalpaw said. A slight head-nod given. Yes, they needed to get moving again. The sun was starting to fall. The day would end soon, and night would come. Bad.

"If he doesn't make a fuss, that works~" Taking a few steps, the warrior beamed at the little shining kittyball -- aww, how cute! The kit hurried to follow him. "We can spend a bit more time searching, until the sun's about.." Eyes narrowed, he peered at the sky. "Half way set from where it is now. Then we need to head back for the temporary camp. No sense getting caught out here in the dark. What the earthquake didn't kill, predator-wise, is sure to be as restless and lost as the clans are. We could go out again at dawn tomorrow if you two are up to it~?" Oh, but the kit.. he'd have to figure something out. Mommy Coony or not, he was no queen -- he had duties to attend, too. A moment for replies, and the grayscale warrior dipped his head, trying to pick Bluekit up gently before flicking his tail. Time to move!

Not so hurriedly this time; none of that prior darting about. Much more care. He had a kitten to ensure the safety of, afterall. What if he managed to trip and hurt it? Or stumbled on weak ground? No risks. Bluekit needed to grow big and strong. The sunset.. he peered at it again. So red-orange. It looked.. morbid, almost, over the destroyed territory. Painting it with a threatening fire; spilled blood.. he felt his fur bristle a bit at this, then dismissed it, looking ahead. Off they'd go, now, if the others would follow!

[Kovu]

(Mind if I join in?~)

Speaking of spilt blood, a busy she-cat tore her way through the dead earth. Churning were her broad paws as she made her way hurriedly towards the scent of new life. Was that a kit?! Her turquoise eyes widened and she cursed breathlessly as she neared the motley group of four. If the kit wasn't big enough to walk on its own, it would surely slow them down what with all the carrying the Clans would have to do. Frecklegaze had to investigate. She had to be everywhere at once, know everything that was going on around her. If not, well, it had never been done before; but surely would she go mad like her deceased troubled father.

Coming up to them now in a brisk walk, her chest heaved slightly from the energy burst and she rolled her determining eye over each one of them. Finally, she spoke; her voice sharp and commanding (she was the StormClan deputy after all), "What have we got here?" and blinked down at the fluff all kit. A glimmer of softness lingered in her depths at the precious little one but she ignored it for now.

[Petalpaw]

Petalpaw looked at the deputy with green eyes. She wasn't her clan's deputy but almost all of the cats around her would respect her. "It's a kit, and his name is Bluekit" she mewed dipping her head to the she "Raccoonheart found him in that hole underneath the tree." she mewed and flicked her tail over towards the area spoken of.

[Iva]

(Posting order – Me, War, Kovu, Petal. PLEASE keep to it.)

A kitten. Now named Bluekit. Alright. It was a good sign, wasn’t it? To find that a lone kit had survived out here? Maybe there were more survivors around, then..But, what to do now? Look for more survivors? The sun was going down, and now they had the kit to think of. How was it, physically? It didn’t seem..Especially scarred mentally. Or..Even really bothered, now that Raccoon had him. Perfectly content, if Fallenstrike had any clue what being perfectly content looked like. Physically, though? The large tom took a look from where he was, peering at the kit as it frantically made it’s way back to ‘Coon. Clean, shiny fur, kind of plump, moving fine..It looked fine, really. Surprisingly fine, for a kit found all alone after a disaster. He wouldn’t complain.

If he doesn’t fuss, that works? It was as Blue knew what ‘Coon was saying, Fallenstrike noted, for as soon as he did say it, the little grey tom put on the breaks, and sent both him and Petalpaw a look. A look that clearly said something along the lines of ‘oh hell no’. Fallen frowned a bit, but before he could make a comment, he heard something. His fur didn’t fluff, as one would imagine- it had just flattened, and was staying that away..Despite the voice, that seemed to come from nowhere. Frecklegaze. Acting quite.. Above them, as it were. He did not growl, he did not prickle- instead, he grinned a bit, and took a few steps forward. Confident, strong steps- there was nothing about them what would suggest anything..Apart from the fact his claws, even now, minutes past his tunnel-spazzing, his claws were still unsheathed. Long, hooked claws. Many of them.

“A survivor. A better question would be- What have we got here? I’m sure you have some grand duties of your own” Stormclan Deputy? Fallenstrike didn’t care. He was not of Stormclan, and thus, he had no reason to feel lower ranked than this cat. Nor did he believe she had a right to go about as she did- what did she think, she ruled all the clans? What a joke. Was he to respect her anyway? Possibly, but Fallen wasn’t the type. Cats earned his respect- and coming about suddenly, acting as If she commanded them all, was not the way to do it.

[Wargrace]

Aw, look at that waddly little kit! So cute. Without further debate, however, he'd dip his head to try picking the little thing up again -- not before giving him another head lick, though. Kits. They were precious. Carrying the kit, now, if allowed, he'd keep moving. Well, briefly. Another cat came into sight, one he knew.. sort of. Not personally, of course. Stormclan deputy.. Frecklegaze. Atleast.. he was fairly sure that was the name of the she-cat. At her approach, he paused, bright green stare focused on the deputy. Her approach.. it had been hurried, but turned to a walk; determined and bold. The warrior was quiet at this, observing. She was Stormclan -- no one present was of Stormclan. The commanding tone.. it wasn't needed. Perhaps towards her own clanmates, but.. not towards cats of a different clan, even in this situation. He didn't comment on this, for the moment -- he likely wouldn't at all, without reason.

A moment, and Raccoonheart lowered his head again -- if he had been let pick the kit up -- to gingerly return Bluekit to the ground in the space between his front paws. Forward, then, would swoop his too-fluffy ringed tail to wrap around the kit protectively, settling into a sit. Ah, Fallenstrike -- he had moved forward, and really.. there was a lack of friendliness about him, in 'Coony's opinion. However subtle it may have been. Shifting himself, the long-bodied tom practicly grinned. "Pfft, and you say you don't resemble a grizzly bear, Fally.." A glance to Petalpaw. Examining the apprentice for a moment. Making sure she was alright. Why? No reason. Then to the sky. Watching the sun for a moment. Why, exactly, had the Stormclan deputy come striding up, and asked what they had there..? A kit, clearly. Shouldn't she have been happy? It didn't seem it. Focused on Frecklegaze, now, the bright green stare remained steady for a moment, debating.

"Bluekit. Bound to be a strong warrior some day, I mean just look at him. Isn't that right, little one~?" Practicly grinning yet again, the warrior lowered his head to give the kit a head-lick -- still watching the others. Carefully watching. Not quite hawkish -- but observant. Taking in their behaviors carefully.

[Kovu]

The she-ct flattened her ears and narrowed her eyes, her own laws coming out into view. Hers were equally matched with the bigger tom and a low, warning growl sounded deep within her throat. She strode up to him, placing her nose against his with a smirk of her own. "Finally, a cat with spunk." she lashed her tail after assessing him, then nodded once to herself and then stepping back with an overly dramatic bow to the tom in one foul swoop. Eye level now, and smirk still present she grinned. "So you're not an idiot. Name's Frecklegaze." her eyes swiveled from the first tom to the second tom with the kit.

"So...a kit rescued then? Ah...perhaps assistance is required?" she offered, looking at the second tom now, her hackles still at the ready; risen. A glimmer of amusement flashed in her eyes and actually she was impressed he had been able to stand his own. She move closer to give the kit an appreciative sniff. "Strong one." she breathed then gave a tentative lick between its ears.

Stepping back quickly she lashed her tail as she answered the first tom's question. "Grand duties, my arse." with a disgusted turn of her upper lip. "Nothing doing lately but sitting and waiting. And finding." her turquoise eyes flashed violently at the last words as she glanced from the first tom to the kit below.

Still she was tensed. Still were her claws out, on the ready, should the first tomcat decide to attack. She welcomed it. She loved the challenging air he brought with him and relished yanking the conquering aura from his flea-bagged pelt. Her eyes gleamed ferally, with the light of challenge blazing.

[Petalpaw]

The orange colored she's shoulder fur started prickling as Frecklegaze came toward's Bluekit. It was none of her business! None of the patrol were Stormclan! Why should she even be here? Was she spying on the patrol? "What are you even doing here?" she mewed narrowing her eyes as she stepped in front of Fallen. "I'm not letting you get into a fight unless she starts it" she whispered behind her to Fallenstrike then looked back to Freckle "I don't mean to pry but were ReedClan and MarshClan, not StormClan. So why are you prowling about the ruins?" Petalpaw had kept a calm and cool composure as she talked to the deputy, but her muscles were wound like a spring's.

[Iva]

Fallen paid no mind to Freckle’s aggressiveness; just kept on grinning his pointed grin, as immobile as the Seat of Starclan. Touched noses with? He didn’t even flinch, just kept right on glaring..Until she moved away, that was, when he pulled a face of utter disgust. He could almost feel the ego. Gross. “You know, for a Deputy..I would’ve assumed you would be a bit too smart to underestimate someone’s intelligence. Maybe Stormclan just have lower standards.”

Attack? No, of course not. He knew the warrior code. She might’ve been an enemy warrior, and she might’ve even been on what was Reedclan territory..But it was different, currently. They were all one big clan. To attack, would be little more than to show someone that you had a lack of self-control. Did Fallen? Absolutely not. He was a cranky, mean, aggressive cat, but he wasn’t one that lacked self-control. Did he resemble a grizzly bear anyway..? Yeah, just a bit. Especially when he bristled angrily..Which he wasn’t currently doing, despite the flash in his eyes. Onward with Freckle..He turned, to watch, just as intensely. “Assistance? Assistance is always needed to seek survivors. This kit, however, is in perfectly capable paws. If you wish to assist, you may consult Raccoonheart and Petalpaw in which direction they where planning to go.” Yes, both the Warrior, and the Apprentice. This was their scouting mission, and no wayward deputy was to come and decide to get in the way. Petal stepped in front of him- Just as well. He hadn’t made any move forward.

--

Bluekit was completely oblivious to all the words and potential drama around him. He did know something was going on, and that a new cat had shown up..But that was pretty much it. That was pretty much all that mattered, too..Aside from the placement of Raccoonheart, which he suddenly decide might’ve been horrifyingly far away. Head licked? He looked around wildly, sniffing in a bit, and making himself look comically filled with air- and then he spotted ‘Coon. He was..Sitting right by him. He was on him, practically.. Kay, disaster avoided. Haha..ha.. He was licked again. Licckiiesss. He purred; fairly loud, for such a small kit. Anger? Hostility? He noticed none of it. Purring time!

[Wargrace]

Watching. He did so steadily; focus now entirely on Frecklegaze. She had moved. The tom went from.. fairly calm, to rigid, long body readied, tensed -- prepared to launch into action at a moment's notice. She'd moved towards Fallenstrike. Touched noses -- with a warning growl, too. Bowed. Made some comments. Unblinking; he just kept right on observing. Everything. All of her behavior. He was a good-natured cat, really -- well, most of the time. There was that.. occassional time when.. well, best not to go there. Oh, Petalpaw -- she made him want to grin again. Mildly telling off the Stormclan deputy. And Fallenstrike, making a comment, too. Quiet. She'd come forward and gave Bluekit a lick, too. A good sign, really. Assistance? What did she expect they needed assistance with, carrying a tiny two-moon-old kit? The tip of the ringed tail twitched a couple of times. How to react, how to react.

Calmly. But not without some layer of venom masked beneath. "You do know we're on a patrol right now, don't you~? Assigned by the migration leaders~? To bring back survivors?" Pause, he gave his muzzle a lick, then let his fangs show in a sort-of grin. "Really, 'deputy', it's quite rude of you to go assuming someone's an idiot when you've not met them a single other time in your life. You should consider thinking before you make such comments. Keep them in your own mind, if you need to think them. While you're at it, why don't you put your claws away~? Fallenstrike already had them out from an earlier incident, not because you strutted on up. No need to go flashing yours like it's time for a fight." Pause, again. His tone of voice? A mild one. Almost friendly. Not quite, though. "Unless you're looking for a fight~? That doesn't seem like a very good thing, the Stormclan deputy running around itching for a fight in a time like this~" Fangs flashed again in the grin. He was rather protective over the big 'grizzly bear' warrior, even if, no doubt, Fallenstrike could handle his own. There was also Petalpaw and Bluekit to be protective over, too -- undoubtedly feeding into his.. less than characteristic commentry.

Oh, Bluekit -- purring away. He sent a brief glance to the kit. So happy and unaware. Kits were adorable little things, weren't they? He sort of missed being a kit. But being a warrior was wonderful, too. He was proud to be a Reedclan warrior -- he'd defend his clan to the death and any of it's members. Blink. "It may be a good idea to head back to the camp, now, the sun's getting rather low~" No hint of the prior tone. Just his usual perky, energetic tone. Warm and harmless. Moody..?

[Kovu]

The she-cat's nostrils flared and a flash of something sparked within her gaze. No names. They wouldn't give her their names. And why was that? She wondered this distractedly as she watched the little cluster band together. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she watched. Was she really that threatening? Pfft. She just wanted something to do. Her ears flattened against her skull at his snide comment, slippery about her Clan. Those were HER dopes, only SHE could mess with them. "Not underestimating...merely being on the ready. You guys are clearly a breath of fresh, cool air." but her sharp glare upon the first Tom sharpened yet more as she clearly meant something else entirely. A time to test her wit, yes. Failure...? Not an option.

Her tail lashed. He had self-control. She turned to the other Tom and was about to open her mouth, a storm cloud above her hot head, when he opened his first. Her eyes widened with interest and she even tilted her head a bit to one side in her perplexity. "Puh-lease. Let him fight his own battles. Rude? Perhaps. But I tell it how it is. Believe me when I say that I don't go around finding very many cats about my own intellectual capacity, boys. Once again, a nice change of pace, so thanks." she smirked, somewhat playfully, then yawned and stretched comfortably. Her long, small body rippling with muscles in tact, "Oh~ You mean these babies?~" she pulled a paw up to begin licking at it with a wicked chuckle warbling from her. "Puh-lease. They come out without my say-so. Go back in, little ducklings, Mama can handle this." Insane? Maybe a few feathers shy of a dove...did she appear anyways...Having fun? Definitely.

Now she returned to watching the kit. "Maybe one day we'll get to see who's battle expertise prevails...but for now, be thankful I'm on your side, boys." ignoring the apprentice entirely. For she was too boring. Distasteful even. She sniffed then looked back at the toms, "Oh by the way, thanks for giving me your names. And I'm the rude one?~" she threw back her head and gave another intense laugh.

Ego. Oh yes, it was there. Frecklegaze knew she was the best and wanted everyone to know.