in time i could see you shake [cloud & lark]

[daisy]

The crisp morning air of spring made Cloudpaw shiver as he stood in the middle of camp. The sun had only just risen, so the coldness of nighttime still lingered. Only a few moments ago, Cloudpaw was curled up in the apprentices’ den, snug and asleep. He could have stayed there- comfortable and warm- but he hated the idea of wasting any time sleeping, so he got himself up and out very early as he did every morning. He shook out his white pelt as he tried to wake himself up completely.

’No time to waste.’ he told himself sternly. ’There’s work to be done. Today is a big day.’

Every day was a big day for Cloudpaw. There was always something going on- a border patrol to tag along with, fresh moss to be gathered, prey to be caught. If he wasn’t working, what was he good for? He might as well retire completely and join the elders in their den if he wasn’t being a contributing member of the clan. That was what being a great warrior was all about, right? Lending a paw wherever and whenever you’re needed.
Cloudpaw, looking around camp for any warrior, was disappointed to find the camp relatively empty. He considered leaving camp on his own to see if he could track a patrol down to join them, but a grumbling stomach disagreed with him. He decided he would eat a quick meal first and then find himself some work.

He settled down toward one side of camp after picking out a fat mouse from the freshkill pile. A new day brought new opportunities- not only job opportunities, but the chance to experience something different. A new litter of kits to meet in the nursery, a friend to be made in a warrior (or even an apprentice), or maybe even stumbling upon a new area of the territory that you've never explored. Part of the reason Cloudpaw loved being out of camp working so much (even if he never said anything about it) was the chance to come across something fresh. Something unexpected.

Word Count: 346

[xxspade]

It was the morning sun that woke her up. Her nest was very close to the edge of the den entrance so she was woken this way every morning. The sun would come up and the light would open her eyes. It was time for her to get up. So she rose out of her nest and leaned out in a morning stretch. When she was finished she glanced around the den to see several other apprentices begin to rise from their sleep also. Probably to go out with their mentors. Her mentor was on patrol this morning and there was not much to do before they got back. So she stepped out of the den and looked around the camp. Not many cats were out, so there wasn't anyone she would really want to just walk up and talk to. She could go see if Lionfur or Whitethroat were up and about, but she didn't want to wake them if they were still asleep. The cat she refused to disturb was Brightcloud. Especially since she had just had kits not to long ago. She must be very tired with so many little bodies following her around. The one cat she did notice though, was Cloudpaw. The larger and older tom was padding up to the freshkill pile and picking out something to eat before he to needed to go train or help out around camp. Larkpaw had been only three moons old when Cloudpaw had become an apprentice and got himself out of the nursery. It had been awhile since they had even possibly looked at each other. Now that she too was an apprentice, she didn't know what he would say to a little company. So she decided not to pursue the matter. Instead she padded up behind him and looked down into the pile herself to choose something. Although nothing really seemed to impress her at the moment. She noticed that Cloudpaw had chosen a plump mouse to chew on. But quickly averted her gaze back to the freshkill pile to choose something else. Her eyes focused in on a small squirrel, and she wondered if she herself would ever learn how to catch them. She wasn't the fastest runner in the clan. But she picked it out anyway. She was a small for her age of six moons and she still had much of her kitten fur left on her. It wouldn't take very much for her to become full. She would normally share with Brightcloud or her brothers. But none were up at this time and her mentor was out so she would have to make due with the food she had and would find someone else to eat the rest of it when she was finished. Now that she had her freshkill she looked around the camp to see if she could find a place for herself to eat. ....................................................................... words....0483 tag....cloudpaw notes....I was just thinking that cloudpaw invites her over with him. because I couldn't think of another way for them to interact. xD larkpaw is a very shy cat. but it's up to you. :]

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[daisy]

Cloudpaw had only started to eat his meal when he realized with a jolt that he felt a bit awkward eating on his own. He recalled the past few meals he had had, and the fact that they had all been eaten surrounded by warriors or queens with their kits or at least an elder or two. Even though Cloudpaw wasn't too keen on engaging in conversations, he did enjoy listening in on what others were discussing. 'How's the prey running? How well did you sleep last night? How have you been feeling lately?' It was comforting to hear any sort of voice, even it was just simple small talk. Cloudpaw decided at that moment that he hated being alone.

The young tom raised his eyes to gaze around camp. By now, he was expecting at least one warrior he was familiar with to be walking around, but with a frown he saw that there was nobody around. He continued searching, almost frantically now, and his eyes nearly passed over a small cat not too far away from him. He recognized her as Larkpaw, someone a few moons younger than him that he had occasionally bumped into in the past. He couldn't remember a lot about her- just that she seemed very quiet whenever they were around each other and they hadn't engaged in much conversation before.

Larkpaw was probably the opposite of the kind of cat Cloudpaw had in mind for sharing a meal with. He surrounded himself with strong, wise warriors almost on a daily basis, so the sight of Larkpaw was foreign to him. After seeing only the big, fully grown, adult cats of the clan most of the time, Larkpaw looked like she could have been born only yesterday.

At first Cloudpaw was going to continue waiting for someone else to show up. But his juicy mouse was waiting for him just under his nose, and his growling stomach argued with him. So he decided giving Larkpaw a chance wouldn't hurt anyone, and if he didn't enjoy her presence all that much, he could always just stop talking to her completely.

He opened his mouth to call to her, though he felt a bit uncomfortable addressing the younger she-cat.

"Larkpaw!" he called out, his voice firm yet inviting and warm. For a moment he was scared that she wouldn't hear him- or even worse, she would hear him but feel too scared to approach him.

He held his breath as he waited for her response.

Word Count: 413
Notes: sorry for the late reply, i just got back from a mini vacation! also i am loving the way cloudpaw is acting around her haha :D