We have a lot of announcements to make this month, so make sure to check out the April announcements! We have a brand new, themed thread contest to celebrate all of the new members who have joined our lovely little cat land over the last months, as well as two event reminders, a new organized archives board, a weather update, and our usual round of monthly plot and clan updates. As the weather warms up with the arrival of spring, we also want to encourage all of our members to take some time and step outside! It's been a long winter, and we all deserve some time with nature. Cheers to all!
The Apostles is a warrior cats roleplay based in northern Wisconsin. On Lake Superior, the wild cats have made the Apostle Islands their home. It is on these islands - Rocky Island and South Twin Island - that the clan and tribe cats have lived in a peace and harmony that ebbs and flows with the tide.
But as the tides turn, so does the truce that binds them to one another; and as the water raises, a darkness follows, an evil that will end in bloodshed and violence.
Post by wolfiedemon on Jun 9, 2020 20:11:06 GMT -6
Talon laid there in his nest, afraid to move, afraid to open close his eyes. If he did his mind would take him back to the mudslide. Back to the moment where he almost died. He felt his mate next to him. Her presence was a soothing balm to his troubled mind but it hurt anytime she touched him. He would not let her know that, he felt bad enough for what his accident almost did to her. If he had known that the mudslide was that dangerous he wouldn't of let any cat get as close as he did. But if it wasn't him hurt right now, it might of been Blackbird and it might of been worse.
Chickadee had lost his life and that was something there was no way he could of prevented. When the earth started to move, his one thought was to make sure the mother of his kits didn't get hurt. Looking back, he would of done it again in a heartbeat. He would not let his kits grow up without their mother. In the back of his mind, they would of done just fine without him being around after what he had did to his Snowbird. At the time he did felt like he loved her, that they could be together. But if all she wanted from him was the chance to be a mother he would respect her decision till his dying day.
The silver tom closed his eyes, next thing he knew he had fallen asleep. In his dreams he was reliving everything that had happened. As it got to the part where he was covered in the mud, he let out a scream. This not only woke him, but also Maple. His sweet, loving Maple. She tried her best to soothe him, licking him on his forehead as though he was a kit having a bad dream. He might as well of been with how pitiful he was. She was as gentle as any mother would be and he loved her even more for that.
Now that he was more awake, he turned his attention to the entrance. From what he could tell there was a little bit of light trickling in. It was already morning... "I'm alright love, could you go see Creek about the herbs I need to take for the pain?" His leg was starting to bother him. He looked down at it, it was stiff and couldn't take much of his weight. It was also the same leg that his son was missing. Was this a cruel reminder from the Tribe of Endless hunting that one of the kits he fathered would always have a disadvantage all his life? That there was the chance that he would fail at becoming either a stone guard or a prey hunter?
No, he wouldn't think that now, he couldn't think like that about his ancestors or his flesh and blood. He made a promise to himself that no matter what, he would make sure all his kits succeeded at anything they put their minds to. As he was lost in thought, Maple had left to retrieve what he had asked of her. As she was gone, he noticed that he had some visitors.
Since the storm and the landslide, Falcon and his siblings had been kept safe in their den until the ground was stable enough for their tiny paws. That might have been fine for his sisters, but the three legged black kit was growing restless. There was something that he wanted to do, but he hadn’t been allowed to yet. Word of Talon’s injury and Chickadee’s death had spread quickly throughout the Tribe and, though the young tom didn’t fully understand the extent of the incident, he badly wished to visit his father. He was injured. Falcon himself had never been injured, but he understood enough to know that it had kept the stone guard laid up and unable to visit.
Today was the day he was finally allowed to visit. Though he was aware of his mother watching from the den, he had been allowed to make the trip unaccompanied. Worry wormed in the kit’s belly as he limped along the path from the den he shared with his mother to Talon’s. He paused at the entrance, making room for Maple as she left the den, touching noses with the kit along the way in friendly greeting.
He hopped in place for a moment before propelling himself forward and into the den. His fluffy black head cocked to one side as he took in the sight of his father. One of his forelegs was held awkwardly out. The same leg, Falcon noticed, that he was missing himself. ”Hi papa,” he purred as he made his way to Talon’s nest. He stooped to sniff the tabby’s injured leg and sat down with a smile. ”Does this mean we’re the same now?” he asked. ”We both can’t use the same leg!”
Post by wolfiedemon on Jul 1, 2020 20:40:13 GMT -6
In the dark den, Talon tried to make himself more comfortable in his nest as Maple left. He didn't know how long she was going to be, if she was only going for medicine. But depending on how long she was going to take, he re-positioned his leg in the hopes it wouldn't hurt. As he was doing so, a small voice that was attached to a ball of black fur caught his attention.
A smile spread across the silver toms maw at the sight of his son. He hadn't seen him since his accident and just the sight of him was like a balm to his aching body. It didn't last long however, once the young tom asked him about if they were the same now. Talon's eyes fell upon where his sons leg should of been. What could he say to him that he would understand? He didn't want to honey coat it. This was something that Blackbird would probably have an easier time explaining. No, he couldn't do that. He needed to explain it to him, he just prayed that the Tribe of Endless hunting would guide him in what to say.
Talon closed his eyes for a moment before speaking, sending out a silent prayer. "Falcon, I am so happy you came all this way to see your old man." He let out a little laugh, but as he did it caused a spasm of pain to go through him. He winced a little, but tried his best to hide it. "It looks like it. Atleast at the moment. Creek says it might be a moon or so before I'm back on all four paws."
He still remembered the look on Creek's face when he was brought to him with his injuries from the mudslide. Atleast when he was still conscious enough to understand what was going on. "Till then son, it looks like you'll have to take my place." He carefully reached out and placed his paw on his sons front paw. "Think you can handle that?"
Post by fallenreaper on Jul 11, 2020 10:38:23 GMT -6
Song of the River at Dusk’s ear twitched. Her small head dug deeper into the soft moss lining of their family nest, her snot crinkled. A small bird feather tickled it causing her to wiggle and fight the urge to wake. Her small body twisted about. She pressed to her mother's larger tail as she slept on her back. Her legs curled against her figure while her tail spread out, exposing her underbelly. Despite the comfortable posture, her mind refused to relax. She forced herself to wait. The comforting, familiar sense of slumber failed to wash over her once more.
Mice droppings, Song cursed.
Her eyes opened up and she rolled onto her paws. With a gentle shake, her tangled fur fluffed out and a yawn erupted from her mouth. It threatened to overwhelm her face with its size and strength. Afterward, a small pink tongue licked her paws then ran it over her gritty eyes. When she finished the last pass, she managed to clear her vision enough to look about.
She frowned. Something was off. Her eyes darted from her mother to her sister, then counted her siblings. Only one dark shape dozed in the den. Song perked her ears higher to listen carefully. Yep, he was gone she confirmed.
The young kitten sighed then rolled onto her paws. She stretched lightly, the sleep worked from her body. With a bounce in her step, Song padded out of her family’s den into the bright sunlight. She curled from the intensity surrounding her. It didn’t take an expert to realize she hated it out here as she pushed through the sudden pain.
“Brother,” she meowed loudly as she continued to determine his location. “Where did you go?”
Word count: 200+ | Tags: Raven~wolfiedemon | Notes: Overprotective sister coming in to check on her absent brother. Still getting a feel for the character.
Initially, Falcon was a bit skeptical. If Talon couldn’t manage his duties on three legs, how was he supposed to handle them? He looked down at his father’s massive paw covering his own, eyes narrowed in concentration. Then it dawned on him. Because he was used to it. He had the advantage of having lived his whole life on three paws. Talon didn’t know like the black kit did how to speed around without a front leg. In addition to that, there was no pain that Falcon had to work through.
With purpose, he squared his shoulders and sat up tall, puffing out his chest. He gave one firm nod of his head. ”I can do it!” he announced. Posture loosening, he rose and bounced lightly around, lashing his tail with excitement. ”I’m going to be the best head stone guard ever!” he announced. ”I’ll take care of mom and Song and Primrose.”
He was about to go on when a new voice caught his attention. Abruptly, he paused and tilted his head with one ear up to better understand. It was Song! He flicked his tail once and looked to Talon. ”Be right back,” he mewed hastily before limping to the entrance of the den. He stopped just outside, not yet willing to leave his father’s den. Narrowing his eyes against the sun, he scanned the landscape for the source of his sister’s voice. ”Song!” he yowled. A moment passed before he shouted again. ”Come over here!”
With that, he spun around and hobbled back to Talon’s nest. ”I didn’t really tell anyone where I was going,” he explained. ”But I’m just with you, so it’s okay.” The three legged kit hunkered down in a crouch. The fur that rimmed his neck fluffed out into a mane and wide green eyes stared out from his dark face as he stared at his father. ”Tell me what I have to know to help you!” he demanded.
Post by wolfiedemon on Jul 18, 2020 9:40:38 GMT -6
A smile was spreading across the silver toms maw at his sons enthusiasm. To be young again, he thought to himself. He missed those carefree days of his youth. The days he was able to enjoy that is when his parents weren't smothering him. That was something he didn't want to do with his children. He wanted them to have the freedom he never did, to grow and branch out. He wanted them to experience everything they could before they became full fledged members of the Tribe. And even after. He hoped that Blackbird would agree with him on this. He had yet to speak to her since his accident....
Talon could hear a small voice calling for Falcon and watched as his son left to fetch the owner. Talon knew that voice, it was one that belonged to his youngest daughter. The one that once she was born it after the kit they had lost, it was music to his soul so see her, to know that even though they had lost one their was another life.
When Falcon returned to the den with Song in tow, Talon gave his son a look. "I thought you told your mother you were coming here." His tone was almost scolding, but not enough to be taken seriously. He couldn't treat his kits like that. He was almost a pushover of a father when it came to them. Before his daughter made her way into the den he thought a moment on what he could have his son do.
Hearing how serious his son was taking this responsibility warmed Talons heart. He was trying to imagine Falcon as the Head Stone Guard. And it occurred to him that if that was the path that his son wanted to take, that he excelled at, it would be an honor to pass the reins over to his son. But he wasn't sure if that would work. He had yet to hear of the position going to a cat that was an offspring of the previous head stone guard. Then an idea came to mind....
"If you are serious about this, for starters you can guard the den you share with your sisters and mother." He could only imagine the look on Blackbirds face at this instruction then he quickly added onto it. "But only for an hour a day after you've started your training. Your still young and I don't want you to push yourself. And I don't want your mother yelling at me." He gave Falcon a stern look.
"Once I'm able to move without hurting your next assignment will be helping your old man learn to walk again." Talon had always watched his son as he walked, it was an amazing sight to him that even though he was missing a front leg he still got around as though it was nothing to him. Until his leg was healed he would have to rely on others from time to time to help keep his balance. But if he could get some tips from his son, that would help. "If this is too much to ask for I can think of something else." He didn't want to overload him.
Post by fallenreaper on Jul 18, 2020 20:40:38 GMT -6
Song lowered her nose to the mud. She gave it a cautious sniff as her brother’s faint scent mingled with soaked earth, rotten plants, and wet fur. Her nose cringed, her headshot upright and her expression puckered. Within her belly, she felt a roll of nauseous bud. Disgusting, she thought. Her paws tucked in closer to her stocky figure while her eyes cut across the scene. All she saw was sloshed over prints and dens with a few wandering tribe members.
“Where did he run off to?” She meowed in annoyance.
Her ears caught Talon’s shout. Instantly, her head twisted about and spotted her three-legged brother. He stood strong just within an unfamiliar den causing her to pause and think. Who lived there? Nothing came to mind as she watched him turn about then disappear into the den. That image snapped her out of her thoughts.
“HEY, Falcon. Wait for me!” She hollered, her paws lifted to navigate the mud.
It wasn’t easy. Her chubby baby fat weighted her down, and she got stuck fast whenever she stopped. After some time working at it, she managed to make it to the den entrance. Song carefully stepped onto the drier den flooring causing her paw to slid underneath her. Her eyes widened in shock and her fluffy body began to topple forward with the incline. On instinct, her head tucked in while she kicked her hindquarters off the ground. In an amazing feat of smooth movement and pure luck, the kit became a small ball of silver and black blur. She followed the entrance downward to land perfectly just in front of her injured father. With all the spinning, she managed to avoid even touching his wounded foot.
A little surprised at her unexpected grace, Song shook her head and noted her landing spot. She came to a stop in the middle of two familiar, large paws. One obviously injured and wrapped up. Gradually, she looked up and rested on her father’s face. She trilled loudly upon seeing him then realized why her brother had come here.
“Oh, papa! This is where you’re at!” She squeaked in excitement. A small, rumbling purr followed shortly. Song didn't even realize how covered in mud her tumble made her.
Word count: | Tags: wolfiedemon,Raven~, | Notes: Rolled in Discord to see if Song landed on her feet.Got a natural 20-3=17, rolled to confirm 18-3=15. The girl is a graceful fluffball.
”I told her!” Falcon mewed incredulously. ”I just didn’t tell Song, that’s all.” He listened intently to Talon’s instructions, only answering with the occasional nod. When it seemed like his father was done, he stood up, his tail sticking straight in the air. ”I can do it!” he promised. ”I’ll guard the den and mama won’t get mad! Then I can show you how to walk.” Excitedly, he walked a few laps around Talon’s nest as if to emphasize his point. ”It’s easy, see?”
His eyes fell on Talon’s injured leg. Maybe he couldn’t bear weight on it, but the leg was still there. Did that mean he would one day be able to use it again? How long would the two of them have the same disability? One ear flicked, shooing the thought away as if it was an annoying insect.
Frightened by the sudden commotion of Song’s entrance, Falcon jumped back, his fur standing on end as if he was facing an enemy. Gradually, his pelt lay flat again as he watched his sister tumble to a stop between their father’s paws. He huffed loudly through his nose, fixing his littermate with a stern glare. ”You should be more careful, Song,” he mewed.
Post by wolfiedemon on Jul 24, 2020 22:19:56 GMT -6
A spasm of pain surged through the silver toms body as he watched his sons enthusiasm. He tried to hide it with a smile but it felt like it looked pained. Talon hoped that Maple would return soon with some of the herbs that were meant for pain. But till then he would have to bear through it if it meant spending time with his son. He hoped that Falcon was too busy gushing over his assignment that he wouldn't notice.
Thankfully an unlikely distraction showed up, tumbling through the mud to land between Talons front feet. He looked up to see Falcon's reaction to this muddy little she-cat and almost laughed. "Well theres the Song of my heart." He gave her forehead a little lick, trying to clean off some of the much. "Atleast I think who that is under all of this mud." He started to purr, happy to see that atleast two of his kits came to see him while he was cooped up in his den.
Talon eyed Falcon a bit. "You sister is just fine." He tried to reassure the startled tom. "She just wanted to show off her hunting skills when she becomes head prey hunter one of these days." He gave her a few more licks now that he could finally see her small face. "Ain't that right? Or are you also trying to be head stone guard like your old man? You might have to fight your brother for that honor." He mewed teasingly to them.
Post by fallenreaper on Jul 25, 2020 8:33:23 GMT -6
Song’s fur bristled a bit when Falcon’s eyes narrowed on her. She twisted her head over her shoulder and flashed him a confused look. His issue was lost on her. She didn’t plan her trip and tumble into the den, it just happened. The young kit tried to return the intense glare with one of her own.
Her face crunched up in what she hoped would be a miffed expression though the mud. She followed it by squinting her eyes and tensing her body. Only one thing ruined it all. Her purr still loudly rumbled from her throat as her father began to lick her. Song couldn’t help, but be her father’s kit. Her fur came clean with each stroke of his tongue.
When her father lightly scolded her brother, Song’s tongue tip peered out of her mouth at him. She looked back to her father when he finished clearing her face.
“I don’t know what I want to be. I mean, head stone guard and prey hunter both sound fun. I’m not fully sure what I would be good at…” She frowned a bit at her lack of knowledge over the subject. As a kit, she never gave the thought her full attention until now.
Her small paws kneaded a bit into the den’s drier as her head turned toward her father.
“What do you do as a head stone guard?” She mewed her question, studying him closely.
Post by wolfiedemon on Aug 2, 2020 12:50:18 GMT -6
Talon looked between his two kits. Though he had to remind himself that they weren't kits anymore. The pair and their sister were no longer the kits that he had watched as they curled into their mothers body. They were growing so fast before his eyes that it brought tears to his eyes. Looking at them, he could only imagine what kind of future they would have in the tribe. Once the conversation turned back to him and his duties he had to mentally shake himself.
Talon cleared his throat a bit, trying to collect his thoughts. "Well my Song, Stone guards help protect the rest of the tribe. They go out on patrols, check the island, and help with hunting parties so they don't get attacked." It was best to start with the basics he thought, describe what those under him do. "As Head of the Stone Guards, they come to me with reports and such and I help organize them into groups for certain missions." In his current condition, that was all he was able to do was take reports and organize patrols. Past that he was useless.
He thought some more on the topic. "I also evaluate the to-be's, make sure they are ready to be made into full members of the tribe. Also to see where they would fit in, what role they will take on." He eyed both his kids. "That means when you two are ready to go to the next step of your training, I'll be the one checking on your progress."
Falcon listened with wide eyes as his father described the duty of stone-guards to them. Enthusiastically, he flopped onto his side, pawing at Song with his front paw while flailing his back legs to keep his balance on his back as he pawed at her. ”I’m going to be a stone-guard!” he crowed, flopping back onto his belly with his legs sticking out in different directions.
Eagerly, he looked from Song to Talon. ”I’m going to be just like you when I grow up,” he told his father. ”I’m going to be big and I’m going to be strong and I’m going to be a stone guard. I bet I can keep the whole tribe safe!” It was obviously a boast, meant to amuse Talon. Of course he knew that no cat was solely responsible for the safety of the entire tribe. No stone-guard was responsible for every cat’s safety any more than Sunrise was capable of feeding every cat on her own. They worked together and that was what made them strong.
Deep down, he knew his missing leg was going to make the mission a difficult one, but no cat in his life had ever made him feel like his leg was going to hold him back. His family and Tribe-mates were all so supportive, he felt sure that they would help him find a way to serve the tribe despite his disability.
Post by fallenreaper on Sept 20, 2020 18:54:05 GMT -6
Song's familiar trill rumbled from her throat when she heard her father's nickname again. Love oozed from her expression and eyes as her ears swayed forward to listen to him. In her mind, her father represented the strongest individual next to her mother. Nothing any cat said would change her opinion. Her attention anchored on his words even when her paws kneaded into the nest's soft moss. The trill lowered into a rumbling purr before it faded out.
It appeared her father's duty required a lot from him. Her attention turned inward as she tried to think about her own path. So far, she knew both her parents were stone guards. Did that mean she had to become one too?
Before her head could hurt with the struggle of choice, her ears caught her brother's movement. Her head turned to the right and spotted him on his side and his paw hooked her focus. All thoughts over the subject vanished into thin air.
She relaxed when she heard Falcon's decision at following their parent's footsteps. It brought her muzzle into a smile as her heart warmed from his antics. In moments like this, she had been blessed with a wonderful family. Something she intended to return by being a supportive sister.
Mischievous energy reflected from her eyes. She twisted onto all four of her paws then crouched down, her tail twitched in eagerness.
"If you're going to be one, you better learn to fight better." She teased then pounced at her brother.
Song misjudged the wisdom of her actions.
Her front paw caught on her father's good leg and pulled her front half behind her. The young kit's face pushed forward into the ground. A sharp stone cracked into her snout and split the surface of her nose. Song yelped in pain before she flopped onto Falcon. Her paws wrapped over her face as tears streamed down her whiskers.
Word count: 300+ | Tags: wolfiedemon, Raven~, | Notes: Discord 2- 3= -1... Oh this will not end well.
Post by wolfiedemon on Oct 17, 2020 17:46:53 GMT -6
A feeling of pride overcame the silver tom as he looked upon his son. He wanted to walk in his fathers paw-prints, to become a stone guard so he could protect the tribe. Talon could almost feel a tear forming in the corner of his eye. He quickly turned his head and blinked it away. As he did however, he noticed something. It was as though he could see an outline of a cat behind his son. Could Swoop be watching over his son? Or was this Talon seeing how big his son would grow? Either way, the thought made him smile again. At Songs challenge however he let out a bark of laughter....
That laughter didn't last, it quickly turned into one of surprise. He watched with worried eyes as Song fell to the ground. She had tripped on his good leg and went face first into the floor of the den. A smell hit him, one that he knew all too well. Quickly, without thinking, he left his nest and went to his daughter as she laid there covering her face. "Song, are you badly hurt? Please uncover your face my Song." He gave one of her paws a nudge with his nose. Yup, he was right. She had cut herself on something. He could smell the blood but with her face covered he didn't know where was cut.
Looking back, he saw that there was a stone in the den. How it got there, he had no clue. It must of been kicked in my accident by a passing cat. Looking back at his children, he just then noticed what he was doing. He was standing... He was waiting for the pain to wash over him at his sudden movement but right now he would continue to stay there, making sure she was alright. Talon gritted his teeth a bit out of habit.
Falcon barely had enough time to start pulling away once he realized his sister was coming towards him before she tripped and fell on her face. His nose wrinkled as a sharp scent hit his nose. It was one he would later recognize as blood. His brow furrowed and his eyes glittered with scorn as he pushed himself to his paws and limped over to his sister. Far from Talon’s careful checking, the young tom snatched a mouthful of his sister’s shoulder fur and tugged on it in an attempt to haul her to her feet. ”Song you’re being careless!” he huffed crossly.
Their father lay injured in his nest and she had come in with rowdy energy to disturb his rest. Almost at the same time as Talon, he realized that his father was standing and he cast a nervous glance at the silver tom. Pain creased his face, but he wasn’t falling. At the very least he seemed stable.
His sister forgotten, he crept forward to sniff at Talon’s paws. Circling around him to investigate, Falcon tilted his head. ”Are you okay?” he asked. His movements were slow and careful as if he was afraid that the motion of his own lopsided gait might knock the older tom off balance. ”Does your leg hurt?”
