I WENT INTO THE WOODS // TUNNELS DISCOVERY
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Exploring the new territory was already uneasing to the warrior, a new land of unknown obstacles and creatures who inhabited this land kept him on edge. He strode beside his littermate, keeping a keen eye to the vast moorland for any potential threat.They had already found death on the new territory, a dead mother with young kits nearby. Of course, anyone woukd take in the young, but what could've killed the mother? Sickness? Some type of creature? Anything was possible with unfamiliar territory. His muscles were taut as he moved, much like a prowling tiger with intent to protect. And protect he would. He'd protect his family, his friends, and his clan with dying breath. I still don't know about this place, Lily. He muttered, casting a glance towards Blacknight and Jackalpaw. What d'ya'll think? Oakshade wanted to hear opinions, to wonder whether he was overreacting, a trait he was known for, or if he was right to be cautious.
He found his sister moving towards something hidden in the tall grass, purpose in her step as she ventured farther. What was she doing? What could she see? Oakshade picked up his place, tension clutching his chest like razor blades.He soon caught up with the cream fae, forcing a dusty pink nose through the grass and there stood a burrow of some sort. Anxiety quickly sank in his abdomen, claws digging into the fertile soil beneath them. What is that? That's no burrow I've ever seen. He mused, a little hesitant to move closer in case anything decided to come out. But as Lilypetal grew closer, a low groan would rumble through the warrior. Lily, please don't! Are you rabbit-brained? His voice came out no more than a feeble hiss as he watched her enter the mouth of the cavern.
'These look like tunnels!' Oh, that didn't ease his concern, in fact, it did the opposite. Just great, something to live in and find where we live, he grumbled under his breath. He slowly moved forward, his head low and muscles taut in case anything decided to come crawling out and snatch his sister. No scent lingered in the mouth, only the distinctive smell of earth and stagnant air. His handsome fsce twisted in disgust, taking a step backwards. Okay, so they're tunnels. Let's get out of here and report it to Brightstar.
"Speech"
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~~Jackalpaw followed silently after the group. His steps were slow, eyes darting around the territory as if he was expecting a snake to leap out and bite him on the nose. Perhaps something of the sort would rattle loose the feelings he'd been suffering from leaving behind their home. The tom was a devoted StarClan follower. He did his best to abide by their every rule. But as of late, he was questioning their decision. Clearly they could not have stayed where they were but it was like StarClan had abandoned them. Hurt them. Deceived them. Was this place going to be any better? What if StarClan lost the power the Clans had fought so hard to restore? How could they be so weak and fickle to just fade from existence the moment the Clans needed them the most.
He swallowed tightly, his face stony and he tried not to show any emotion when Oakshade asked about their opinions. "It was StarClan's will for us to come here, wasn't it?" he said cooly. Not many were able to get close to the apprentice. He preferred to keep his nose down, grinding away at training to become stronger and better. He had this disillusion that being the best warrior ever, maybe even rising up to deputy and leader, would give him a sense of fulfillment. He desperately needed a task, a job. Keep moving, keep bettering himself and he'd not sink into the thoughts that were darkness in his mind. The anxiety, the hopelessness, the fear.
And thankfully, those thoughts starting to come up were quickly shaken from his mind when Lilypetal exclaimed that there were tunnels. Tunnels? Oakshade seemed spooked and Jackalpaw couldn't lie, he was a bit spooked too. Perhaps for different reasons, but the feeling was definitely gripping him. "Don't be mouse-brained! We can't just abandon these tunnels and let an enemy sneak in from them. I'm going in," Recklessness was something common in apprentices, but Jackalpaw cold and deliberate recklessness to prove himself was a whole different level. The tom started to go down one of the tunnels, ears flattened against his skull as he let his whiskers guide him.~~
"speech."
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When he joined Windclan in their old territory, the tunnels were long gone. If someone had asked him about them in the past, he would stare at them as if they'd grown two heads. Windclan's history wasn't something he consciously kept track of, or even held an interest in learning. Anyhow, he followed Lilypetal on this patrol. Oakshade out of every single one of them was the most disturbed by their new home. To be frank, it was kinda annoying to have the other warrior so worried about it. That's why, when Oakshade asked for an opinion, he shrugged, "Everything seems fine." There's a hidden 'stop being so annoying' message laced within his words. Then, Jackalpaw mentions Starclan and he rolls his eyes. After everything, he still hates them. He hopes, he prays that this isn't Starclan's will.
When they came across a large hole, he didn't have any thoughts about it. It was just a hole to him. He really didn't see why Lilypetal was interested in it. Oakshade on the other hand states that this is no burrow he's ever seen, which causes Blacknight to roll his eyes. "Duh, it's not a burrow rabbit-brain, he comments and leaves it at that. Lilypetal going into the hole doesn't cause fear to run up his spine, unlike Oakshade. Why did we even bring him along? We're not going to explore anything at this rate! When Oakshade flies into panic over his sister going into the tunnel, Blacknight decides he's had enough. Fed up with Oakshade, he shoves them, "If you don't shut your maw, I'll shut it for you. You're acting more like a kit than a warrior." Without a doubt the words are harsh, but he's beyond caring about Oakshade's feelings right now.
Anyhow, at the mention of tunnels, he perks up. He doesn't know what a tunnel is, but he has a feeling that he'll like it. The darkness and the earthy scent doesn't scare him away. When it gets real hot, I can come here and cool off. Again, the moment is ruined when Oakshade opens his maw and voices their fear. He hisses at the other and agrees with Jackalpaw. "If you're so scared, then just sit out here and wait for us," he sneers as he follows Jackalpaw into the tunnels. Whether or not Oakshade decides to stay is not his concern.
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Was he the only one here with a conscience? Oakshade flexed his claws, anxiety gripping him as he stared into the shrouded darkness of the cavern. Jackalpaw objects to him first, then enters the cave. He proceeds to call out to the apprentice, to bring him back but fell short. He was caught off guard when he felt the sudden force of someone shoving him. Normally Oakshade had a rather sturdy base, his muscular legs anchoring him to the ground; but not this time. He stumbles forward, his paws scrambling for solid surface to steady himself. Venomous words penetraded his ears afterwards, a hiss of disdain from none other than Blacknight. The warrior rounds on the other, ears flattened against his cranium with teeth bared. Do not touch me! He snarled, ivory canines snapping in the air. Was that the price he paid for being cautious? To be threatened and pushed around like he didn't matter?
Oakshade suddenly stops, realizing he's acting no better than Blacknight by reacting to his harsh actions. He gathers himself then, forcing raised hackles to lie flat again before taking a deep breath. He's vigilant no doubt, anxious yes. But Oakshade was no coward. He would face death in the face with a stoic expression if it meant he would save his family and his clan. With narrowed visionaries, he addresses Blacknight with a cool tone. Excuse me for trying to watch over my sibling and my clan mates. Ya know...we're still in unfamiliar territory. Anything can be down there. He replies, turning away from the shadowed tom. Maybe he was being overly cautious. Maybe he was being the "protective brother" ever since his sister was mauled by a dog and it took half her face.
Another jarring sneer from Blacknight had the warrior near seething, his tabby tail lashing dangerously as he whipped towards him with a venomous gaze. I am not staying here. He protested, taking a step forwards with new found confidence, but would that confidence get him into trouble? There was only one way to find out. He reluctantly enters the mouth of the cave, shrouded by empty blackness. Apart of him still wanted to immediately turn around and report to Brightstar, but what kind of brother would he be if he left Lilypetal here without help? The rigid walls of the tunnels seemed to be smoothed over from years of wear and tear, Oakshade kept himself close to a wall while letting his whiskers guide him.
"Speech"
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The cream point listened to the bickering between Blacknight and Oakshade, finding herself a little amused. She understood both points of view - they needed to explore these tunnels, at least a little bit, but it made sense to be cautious. The slender feline felt warmth rush through her as Oakshade mentioned wanting to watch over her. Lilypetal appreciated that, she really did, but at the same time, she wondered why he would mention her specifically, saying, "my sibling and my Clanmates" rather than simply viewing them all as a collective group. Did he think she needed to be looked after in particular? Did he think that she was weak?
He wouldn't be wrong. Lilypetal was no fighter, and she was considerably slower than the average WindClanner too. If there was anything dangerous lurking in the tunnels, or if the tunnels were to collapse, she knew her chance of survival would probably be lower than the rest of her patrol besides maybe Jackalpaw due to him only being an apprentice. But Lilypetal didn't want anyone to think that she was weak. The warmth she had felt rush through her soon turned into coldness, and she could feel the fur on her spine bristling with frustration. "We'll be fine. I'll be fine. They're just tunnels." The creamy molly was caught off guard by her snappy tone and the harsh iciness of her voice. She hadn't expected the words to leave her maw like that - but there was no taking them back now.
Lilypetal continued to head into one of the tunnels, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. Though she would never admit it out loud, she was growing increasingly nervous - not just for herself but for her Clanmates. I'm the leader of this patrol. I could have led them back to camp if I wanted to. My brother is here, and so is my apprentice. The last thing I would want is to lead them into danger. But Blacknight and Jackalpaw both seemed to want to carry on exploring, and she didn't want to back out until at least one of them did. I'll just have to stay on guard for danger.
Although they hadn't been walking for very long at all, it already felt like too long for Lilypetal. "I bet these tunnels go on forever," she commented, forcing any fear that she felt out of her voice. At least in the darkness of the tunnels she didn't have to worry so much about hiding her uncomfortable expression. "There doesn't seem to be any sign of light." As she spoke, the slender feline swung her head around, hoping that she might find even a whisker of light, a sign of an easy escape coming up ahead, but there was nothing but heavy, uncomfortable darkness. She wondered whether she would get more used to the tunnels if she was to visit again - maybe she would, but right now, it was the last thing that she wanted.