Posts by sheepskin.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin was always impressed by the medicine cats and their apprentices. All of the herbs, the memorization, the quick-thinking...he could never see himself doing something as daunting and relentless as healing injured cats. The blood, how quick they had to be on their paws, it was something that demanded a lot from the cats that stood in the healer ranks.

The deputy was busily finishing the rest of his meal, a small pile of fuzz the only remnants of his mouse as he pulled himself to his paws, full belly putting him a much better mood than he had come into camp with. Sheepskin had been on several patrols that morning and he was a bit more grumpy than usual, but a little bit of food and rest could really do a lot of good for a sour mood. The figures of Jaggedpaw and Cloudpaw caught his attention, curly grey ears perking up as the deputy came trotting up to the two apprentices.

"Can I h-help fetch any moss?" Sheepskin inquired as he swiped his tongue over the pads of his paws, cleaning himself up after the meal he had just inhaled.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin's first gathering, his first time meeting cats of other clan origins. He had been loner born and hadn't had...any experience with the other clans, so this would definitely be interesting.

The curly-furred deputy followed alongside Moonstar, dark blue eyes wide as he took in Fourtrees and the cats of the other clans sharing tongues under the stark moonshine of the full moon. "There's s-so many cats..." Sheepskin breathed in awe as his gaze struggled to take in the sheer mass of bodies around him. He had no clue that there were so many cats living around him. How did he not know?

//open to interactions! <3

✦ ✧ ✦ The molly in question, Pepper...she was young, but she sounded way more mature than he would've expected from a potential joiner of her age. Her body pressed low to the ground, ears folded back against her head in a way that Sheepskin was not used to. Pepper had training, she seemed suited to clan life, more prepared than he himself had been when he joined Thunderclan. Loudpaw and Stonecloud's words might've been harsher than Pepper had been expecting, evident by the way she bristled and turned her attention onto the curly-furred figure of Sheepskin.

"I t-think you'll be perfectly s-suited to clanlife, Pepper." Sheepskin responded quietly, approaching the groveling molly, dark blue gaze soft as he came forward. "I c-can train you, whatever y-you need to get accustomed. I w-was in your paws not t-too long ago, I k-know how daunting it can be. F-Follow me back to camp and we c-can get you settled in. Welcome to T-Thunderclan." He hoped Moonstar would be accepting of Pepper; it was hard to turn her away, the young molly reminded him scarily of himself when he had come to the border searching for his sister. He couldn't leave her here to fend for herself, not in good conscience, anyways.

✦ ✧ ✦ Prey had been running rampant and the forest couldn't have been more alive. The prey pile was well-stocked and nobody was going hungry, all of the Thunderclanners settling down in their nests with lifted spirits and a full belly. The influx of prey was nice, but it wouldn't be long until predators started to take advantage of the overflowing amounts of prey calling the forest their home.

"Zephyr...Sheep....move over this way...slowly..."

Sheepskin, fur bristling along his spine, made his way over to where Moonstar was crouched. Trying to keep his movements slow, dark blue gaze trained on the silvery figure of his leader. A blur of red, so quick that Sheepskin could just barely roll out of the way.

"Fox!" The yowl from the startled deputy was drowned out by Moonstar's wail and the snarling, slobbering form of the ruddy fox. Sheepskin didn't waste any time, rebounding back from his scare and launching himself at the fox, claws ready to sink into red fox skin as he attempted to latch onto the predator's back, teeth hopefully finding its scruff and drawing blood.

✦ ✧ ✦ It would be very irresponsible of Sheepskin to let this patrol go without a bit more supervision than it had before the deputy caught it heading out the entrance. Maybe he wanted to look out for Jaggedpaw or maybe he was just bored...the world may never know the true reasoning as to why Sheepskin joined in on this particular patrol.

The energetic apprentice had spotted the Shadowclanners crossing the thunderpath way before the curly-furred tom had, Sheepskin lagging behind a fair bit to chat with a few of the older warriors accompanying them on the patrol. Jaggedpaw's voice and boisterous posturing caught the deputy's attention, dark blue gaze finally finding the Shadowclan patrol crossing the tar-riddled road, his nose crinkling up at the smell. He would never get used to it. Sheepskin picked up his pace, jogging over to the apprentice's side just as they approached, stating their business.

A missing warrior? Sheepskin looked visibly confused at the mention of a missing tom, head quirking to the side as he racked his memory for any sign of a Shadowclan warrior. "Do y-you have a name to apply t-to the face? I haven't s-seen any Shadowclan warriors crossing into our t-territory, but I can ask around camp once we return." Sheepskin couldn't put a paw on any cats that would've stood out to him on his border patrols. Maybe the Shadowclanner slipped under all of their radars?

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin had been chatting with Moonstar, his gaze still wide as he glanced away from the Thunderclan leader for a quick moment. So many cats, he had never seen so many cats in one place all together like this. How many of them were even here? How many--

"Hm. Sorry." A cat had bumped into him, another tom, but he smelt of wind and flatlands, grey and white fur ruffled across a wiry frame. Sheepskin had been in his way, or maybe the tom had been in his way. Either way...

"It's okay, I...I'm S-Sheepskin, the Thunderclan d-deputy. You a-are?" Might as well introduce himself. The curly-furred tom moved a little bit away to give the mysterious tom some space, ears perked in his direction. How strange.

// cloudwatcher <33

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin had always been fond of swimming. He never really got to do it much anymore, but the rising temperatures of summer were really starting to heat up the forest and the deputy was starting to seek out ways to cool off.

One of the ways he found was wading in the shallow parts of the river in the territory.

The curly-furred tom was up to his chest in the gentle stream, paws digging into the silty bottom so that he wouldn't be pushed off course by the current. The afternoon was broiling, waves of heat simmering in the distance as Sheepskin waded a little deeper into the stream. Having a curly, thick coat like his didn't help in the heat; it kept all the warmth close to his skin nd made it easy for him to overheat...which was why he really didn't like his fur this time of year.

Sheepskin felt at ease surrounded by nothing but the calm sounds of the rushing river and the lazy, hazy summer air. It felt...nice to relax.

✦ ✧ ✦ The summer heat was slowly becoming unbearable, but around this time...when the sun was going down and the cooler night air mingled with the leftover heat of the day, it was perfect. The relief from the scorching summer sun was enough to bring the cats out of their dens and into camp, basking in the cool night air before they all retired to their nests to rest.

Sheepskin was one of these cats out in camp, enjoying the cooler air when he spotted something odd. Floating lights? The deputy had to squint, confusion clear on his face before he rose to his paws to investigate the fluttering, glowing lights. What in the world...?

One landed on his nose and Sheepskin had to go cross-eyed to examine what had landed on him. Fireflies. Thousands of them had flooded camp, illuminating the crisp night air in a spectacular show of graceful, dancing lights. It was magical. The deputy gently shook the firefly from his nose, backing away to admire the scene in front of him. The fireflies were like stars sprung to life, stars that had drifted down from the sky to spend a night on the earth.

"Wow..." Sheepskin breathed as he plopped down, tail curling neatly over his paws. It was so pretty...

✦ ✧ ✦ Pepper, a feline that Sheepskin had quickly grown attached to; he almost felt like he was responsible for her wellbeing in some strange way, the tom almost feeling like a father figure, although the molly would most likely vehemently reject his thoughts if she knew how much he had come to care for her. The deputy paddled over to where the currents were slower, gentler so the tom could pull himself up until the water was only lapping at his ankles.

"Why d-don't you come and join me? The river is r-rather calm today and it's hot, take advantage of it!" Sheepkin purred towards Pepper, turning towards the apprentice and, with a swift swipe of his paw, attempted to splash the apprentice with a wave of water droplets. Loudpaw's voice caught the tom off guard, the soaking wet Sheepskin perking up at the other apprentice's query. "Swimming's fun a-and the perfect way to escape the heat, especially w-when you have a thick c-coat like I do." The tom lowered himself into the shallow ends of the river, tail twitching playfully.

✦ ✧ ✦ Fireflies. Pepper's helpful voice caught Sheepskin's attention, eyes reluctantly being drawn away from the glittering bugs to the dark figure of his friend, outlined by the low light of the moon and the bumbling bugs fluttering about in the warm night air. He nodded towards Pepper, still clearly in awe at the sight before him, his attention turning back to the fireflies as he leaned back into a sitting position. Fireflies...that name suited the little lightning bugs. This was the first time he'd ever seen such things, were they common where Pepper was from?

His sister's shoulder bumping affectionately against his pulled Sheepskin out of his enamored state, the curly-furred tom nudging Goatkick back before turning back to the fireflies. "Are they common w-where you're from, Pepper? They're so c-cool to watch, I bet it's m-magical to see them every night." The deputy murmured as one of his paws reached out towards a small group of the bugs, one of the fallen stars landing on the edge of his paw. Frail, translucent wings fluttering a bit before it took off once more to join the other fireflies in a silent, enchanting dance of lights.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin had spotted the familiar curly figure of his sister, Goatkick, as he slipped into camp, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his sibling. Patrols had been slowing down as the prey numbers rose steadily, though there was also an increase in border patrols due to the recent sightings of bigger predators moving into the area, all because of the same influx of prey that the clan was celebrating. Everybody was full, comfortable and happy, but the territory was gleaming with the sharp, pearly fangs of foxes and dogs. It was dangerous, but they were trying their best to locate the predators and chase them off.

Sheepskin was approaching his sister before he was hit with a wall of stagnant water, the puddle being kicked up in his face by his sister who stood in the middle of it all. "T-Thanks for the bath, sis'. Are you a-always this excited about p-playing in puddles?" His sister was a hardworker and he hadn't seen her so playful in...a long while, that was for sure. Goatkick didn't seem the type to play in puddles and giggle excitedly, but maybe she was going out of her way to try and have more fun.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin hadn't seem much of Flameseeker lately. The warrior had been secluded in the medicine cat den for longer than he could remember, small peeks of fiery orange fur catching his eye every once and awhile as he left for border patrols or hunting sessions. He couldn't help but worry for the molly; he didn't know her well, but Flameseeker was a clanmate of his, one he held close to his heart, so he felt like it was his right to be a little concerned for the warrior.

The deputy hovered around the prey pile for a few moments, debating whether or not to continue with his plans. He wrapped his jaws around a small mouse and made his way towards the medicine cat den, searching for the ginger tabby form of Flameseeker. "F-Flameseeker? I brought you some f-food, would you like to s-share tongues?" Sheepskin inquired as he caught the molly's green gaze, setting the mouse down at the entrance to the den and pushing it forwards, gesturing for Flameseeker to take it if she'd like to.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin listened to Pepper as she spoke, gaze flickering between the young apprentice and the bunches of fireflies lighting up the night sky. He felt a bit dumb for being so mesmerized by such a simple sight, but he had never had the experience of witnessing fireflies dancing against the backdrop of a clear, cloudless dark backdrop. There was something soothing in the picture, something that put his mind at ease.

"W-We never had f-fireflies where I was raised. We had flies and mosquitoes, but n-nothing as pretty as these." Sheepskin replied softly as he gestured to the flocks of fireflies. He couldn't help but let a small grin curl onto his face, turning briefly back to Pepper. "Was this occurrence common w-where you're from?" The deputy couldn't recall a place that had so many fireflies, but he also hadn't been to a lot of places around Thunderclan. He had been secluded, isolated growing up.

✦ ✧ ✦ Things had been slow around Thunderclan recently. There hadn't been much trouble and the prey was showing up in droves, the hunting patrols bringing back plenty of food to feed the mouths of the clan. No skirmishes with any of the clans...being deputy during peaceful times couldn't be much easier.

The curly-furred tom had approached the small group curiously, ears perked forwards towards the injured stranger surrounded by a group of his clanmate. Loudpaw and Balsameye were tending to the loner, trying to see what was wrong with the injured tom. "Do you need m-me to run back to camp and get you anything, B-Balsameye?" He didn't want this stranger bleeding out on their territroy and plus...he felt obligated to help, Sheepskin was a bit of a bleeding heart for loners as he had been one not too many moons ago. Moonstar had lent him a helping paw, so he would do the same to other cats in need, to the best of his ability.

✦ ✧ ✦ Did this loner just wink at him? Sheepskin was taken aback, jaw opening and closing as his pelt burned hot under the thick coat of curls he wore. He stood there for a moment, frozen in shock and embarrassment when a voice sounded from behind him, answering the injured loner's question before he could. "Y-yeah, that's me, Sheepskin. This is Moonstar," Sheepskin turned to gesture to the regal silver tabby by his side, "the leader of Thunderclan. Moonstar, this is...a loner L-Loudpaw and Balsameye found, I'm a-assuming." The deputy explained as he turned his attention back to the loner.

"Our m-medicine cats can patch you up, but you'll h-have to talk to Moonstar about j-joining, though I d-don't see why you couldn't join as l-long as you carry your own weight and h-help the clan out." Sheepskin was known to have a soft spot for loners as he had been one not too long ago, taken in by the kind molly at his side. "Also, are you feeling alright, Moonstar? N-Nothing creaking yet?" A playful tone laced through his words as he gently bumped Moonstar's shoulder, a small smile curling onto his features.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin had been recovering mentally from the fox fight. It had been a tough thing and he hadn’t fought anything in awhile, so battling the fox had taken more out of him than he had first expected.

The deputy stopped by the prey pile, searching for a mouse for Moonstar. The leader had been restricted to nest rest in the medicine cat den and he...wanted to check on her. She had gotten torn up by the fox and lost a life, he couldn’t lie to himself and say that he wasn’t worried for the silver tabby molly. Wrapping his jaws around a plump mouse, the curly-furred tom turned towards the medicine cat den and briskly trotted over.

“Moonstar?” Sheepskin called around the mouse clutched tightly in his jaws. He spotted the leader, wrapped in newly-placed cobwebs. Seeing his leader like this....it was definitely a bit of a shock to the system. “I brought y-you a mouse , how are you f-feeling?” The deputy asked softly as he sat the mouse at Moonstar’s paws, settling down across from her and giving her a small smile.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin felt a bit of the weight leave his shoulders as Moonstar confirmed that she was okay, although still painful. That was understandable, she lost a life, it was normal to be a little sore after all that she had been through the past couple of days. The deputy shook his head at the words that came from the regal silver tabby molly, ears perked towards her as she spoke.

"It's n-no problem, Moonstar. I'm your deputy, whatever y-you need, I can get for y-you." Sheepskin purred softly as he gently nudged the leader's shoulder, tail curling around his paws as Moonstar continued to speak. Losing a life...it freaked him out more than he would've thought. Leaders had nine lives, but it was still shocking and more than a little scary to watch as the leader of your clan lost a life. The image that was burned into the backs of his eyelids wasn't pretty.

"In a w-way, he did see a Starclan cat. I h-hope you're t-taking it easy, losing a l-life isn't easy on a leader." The deputy couldn't think about Moonstar pushing herself farther than her limits. "If I find y-you haven't been resting, I'll j-just have to sit outside the medicine d-den and watch you personally." Moonstar needed her rest, now more than ever. If worse came to worse, Sheepskin would do everything in his power to make sure Moonstar recovered fully and stayed healthy.

✦ ✧ ✦ //im gonna miss you here in trad! it was so much fun having you around <33

Balsameye. The tom hadn't been medicine cat for long and Sheepskin hadn't gotten to know him as much as he wanted to. The deputy thought that they would have more time to interact, but it seemed that Starclan had different plans for the medicine cat.

Sheepskin had been chewing through a mouse as the figure of Garin dragging something into camp caught his attention, blue eyes narrowing to get a better look at what-- oh no. Garin was hauling the deceased form of the other medicine cat into the middle of camp. His heart dropped into his stomach, blood running cold as he struggled to his feet, quickly making his way over to Moonstar's side. Curly fur bristling at the sight, the deputy let his head drop and his eyes squeeze shut.

"I'm sorry f-for your loss, Garin...Rest easy, Balsameye, may Starclan guide you to where y-you need to be..." Sheepskin's voice was strained as he returned his gaze onto the figure of the dead medicine cat. He couldn't look for long, it was...hard to look at, hard to bear witness to. Death was never easy, but losing somebody that the whole clan relied on...it stung.

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin, unbeknownst to himself, was lurking near the Darkclanner and the Thunderclan apprentice. Movements slow, a deep breath inwards...crunch. His paw brushed against a crumbling leaf, sending the mouse that he had been stalking rushing into the underbrush, the deputy letting out a frustrated huff before falling silent. Were those voices he heard? They were nearby but hushed, Sheepskin's ears perking towards the disturbance as he made his way towards what he was hearing.

Dark blue eyes narrowed as he nosed his way through the thick foliage, gaze searching for the chattering cats. Was that Loudpaw? He recognized the outline of the apprentice, but the molly that was chatting with him was somebody that he didn't recognize. The fur along his spine started to rise out of instinct, tail tip twitching as he appeared through the bright greenery.

"C-Can I help you?" The deputy called out as he shouldered his way through the underbrush, eyes locked on Quietdawn as he tilted his head slightly. She smelt of pine and fresh mountain air, what was she doing all the way in Thunderclan?

✦ ✧ ✦ Sheepskin found it hard to sit still while Moonstar fidgeted and squirmed, ears perked towards the uncomfortable silver tabby as she finally started to settle down. He hoped that she wouldn't be confined to the medicine cat den much longer, he could see the boredom broiling in her bones as she chatted with him. Moonstar was desperate to get back out there, he could tell.

"Y-You think I'd l-let the clan burn down w-while you're recovering? I'm o-offended, Moonstar." The deputy pressed a dramatic paw to his forehead, shaking his head in fake disapproval as he gave a loud huff. "Everything is f-fine, I promise. Nothing is g-gonna happen while you're c-cooped up in here...and you have my word that i-if something does happen, I'll l-let you know as soon as I can. I won't l-leave you in the dark while you're r-resting." Sheepskin explained as he settled back down into a relaxed position, a small smile curling onto his face. "I promise."