I JUST WANNA L I V E !

[ωнιskuяz]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/wk2wco.jpg] [scrolly:h(112),w(425),sy] Oh, Summertime. What could possibly be more perfect and comfortable than the heat of the sun warming soft fur and relaxing sore muscles? The cheery birds were absolute music to the ears, and the trees were blooming and beautiful, some of the prettiest shade around. Oh yes, summertime was the season for big cats to thrive and flourish. And thriving in and flourishing as a perfect example of the thought was a small, lovely little she-lion sprawled out lazily across a big polished rock hanging over one of the dens used for shelter in the center of the Lionclan camp. Riversplash's large furry paws were pulled tightly over her head, back legs danging straight out over the edge of her warm, stony bed. Her back was cradled just perfectly in a slight grove worn in the surface of the stone from years of lions roosting there to sleep and observe life around them. It was the perfect shallow bed for River to lay in as her crystalline eyes watched the matching blue sky above her. Her eyes were, by far, the strangest thing about the she-cat. Though the list was long, blue eyes on a lioness were quite a rare thing indeed, and she was often mistaken for blind. But Riversplash was far from blinded. She saw things in the world that some other cats sometimes missed, or refuses to see. The world was as sharp and clear and lovely to her as to any other able-bodied cat, and she drank in every inch of it as often as she could. A lone bird passed over, calling out a lovely musical cry that echoed slightly between the many rock surfaces surrounding Riversplash. Her tail twitched as she watched it, cocking her head to the side to be able to easier follow its flight as it drifted on the warm air currents that flowed high above the trees and grass. River would have loved to join him; flying sounded like so much fun, though she would prefer to be able to roam the ground just as often as take to the skies. Who ever wanted to be stuck to just one element? Sky or land; why not have both? So she decided to let herself have both. With a giggle that was much younger-sounding than should have been from a lioness her age, Riversplash rolled out of the groove she'd been laying in and hopped to her paws, tail twitching and rolling in the air like a kit's during pouncing lessons. Shutting her azure eyes tightly, River imagined herself with large wings sprouting from her shoulders, the same color as her short fur. She imagined herself on a large cliff, the rolling white claws of the sea below her. Eyes still tightly closed, she ran to the edge of the rock and jumped, her powerful muscles coiling and rolling, bulking out at her thick back legs and causing her short golden fur to ripple. In her mind's eye, River unfurled her wings and began to soar through the sky, wings beating powerfully and causing her to go up and up and join the birds. As she landed on the ground her paws buckled beneath her, sending her summersaulting over the parched grass in a heap of giggles. [/scrolly]

[snowtuft]

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[atrb=background,http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy35/BaileeDanielle3/blackstartable2.png] Golden eyelids fluttered and piercing, dark brown eyes glinted in the half light. Large paws slid into position as a large beast stood tall, shaking his golden pelt and stretched his powerful limbs and paws, his claws sliding out and slipping back as he stretched. Shaking his coat again, the beast sat on the ground, licking his paws and grooming himself. He yawned a large yawn, pulling his lips back and revealing large, pointed fangs, his lips quivering as he closed his jaws and shook his head and mane. His mane was thick, jet black in color and golden brown around his massive head. He licked his lips and looked around his den before standing up and shaking his pelt one last time. He looked out of the entrance of his den and saw gray light barely touching the inside of the stone cave that was the male's den. He scented the air before padded silently to the cave's entrance, looking out with his brown eyes to see the patrols leaving for their daily duties. He stretched his forelegs once more before looking around the camp again. Seeing the fresh kill pile, the beast walked calmly to pick out a small gazelle for himself. He dragged it to his den and devoured it. Blackstar licked his bloody lips clean before making a second appearance to his camp. By this time, it was sun high and the sun blazed hot. Blackstar wanted to retreat to his den again, but knew that he could, and had to, bear the sun's blistering heat just like everybody else. He grunted as a passing warrior said hello to him and moved on. His brown eyes searched the camp for something to do when he spotted Riversplash. He smiled crookedly as he looked at the lioness, stretched out on a sunning rock, looking content. Just as he was about to go over and chat with her for awhile, she got up and stood tall, closing her eyes. He cocked his head to one side as she jumped and landed with a hardy flop on the ground. He snorted with amusement as he padded over. Maybe I should rename you Riverhop. The great beast chuckled as he approached. Blackstar grunted as Thunderstrike bowed his head to him. No need to bow your head, Thunderstrike. I share as much respect for you as you do I. Afterall, where would we be without a medicine lion? Blackstar asked, only half joking. Then he turned back to Riversplash. I did just see you try to fly. How did it work out? He commented with a flick of his ear and a deep chuckle. His tail batted at his hip, chasing away a pesky fly. He sat on his rump and swiped a licked paw over his face. After that, he licked his claws to groom them and then put it back on the ground. The sun's heat seemed to burn his pelt and Blackstar felt he was overheating. He nodded to a nice shady spot. Join me? He asked politely. The sun was killing him and he wished to chat with Riversplash. The sun is killing me, probably literally. He growled as he confessed he was getting overheated. His black mane wasn't much of a help either. He stood up and smiled at the lioness.

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2mz9yk4.jpg] It had been a lovely day, a perfect picture one in fact, and the lion was enjoying it to the fullest. In the morning, he had taken inventory of his herbs as he had every quarter moon for many seasons now. It never took long, an old habit that he did almost mindlessly by now. He'd need to get some more borage for Goldenpelt, a queen who was expecting. She may not need it, but it was far better to be prepared than to be fighting to keep on top of things because of procrastination. He padded out from under the crook of a few rather massive rocks which served as herb storage, something big enough for him to get in and get to them but no bigger. If needed, there was always a tree nearby where he could store his herbs if he needed to stick a patient in the crevice to keep the patient away from the weather. He shook himself, mane flying a bit, though not much. It wasn't long enough. His mane had never grown too long, but he never cared. He stretched slowly, meticulously. He was in no hurry - he had no need to hurry. His jaws gaped open in a long yawn, ears flattening out and eyes squishing shut for a moment. He shook again and straightened up, mouth closing up. He set off at a lazy walk across camp to head out and find his herbs. It was only his attention to his surroundings from his warrior training that caught him in time to side step and avoid getting bowled over by the lioness as she came flying and tumbling toward him. His jaw cracked open into a smile grin as he looked down at her, his forepaw that was closest to her still slightly in the air from his movement sideways. He chuckled softly, not bothering to ask if she was alright. Riversplash was a warrior - she could handle more than that. Not to mention, she was laughing. Whoever said warriors are serious must have been lying, or was that not you trying to fly? He murmured softly, though not too soft. There was a rumble of a laugh in his chest as his paw lowered to the ground and he watched her further, curious and with little else to do. It wouldn't take much time at all to go grab borage leaves, particularly since they weren't very far at all. He could take time to chatter, to observe. It was then he heard the words of their leader and his ears perked up, though his head dipped slightly as Blackstar came over, ever the respectful one even when he was told not to be. It was bred into his bone - he could not help himself, no matter what he was ordered to do. However, he said nothing to Blackstar, just flickered his ears toward him in a silent greeting, paired with a small flicker of a smile or sorts.

[ωнιskuяz]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/wk2wco.jpg] [scrolly:h(112),w(425),sy] With a shake of her head, Riversplash continued with her giggles as she took inventory of herself. No surprise, she hadn't hurt herself. Her front legs felt fine, although they had given under her weight a moment ago. Her tuck-and-roll maneuver had taken the force away from most of the impact, and she was a-ok. With a deep sigh to stifle her laughter, the she-cat looked up into the large dark main of her leader, Blackstar. With a lopsided, almost embarrassed smile at him, she nodded her head at him and in turn to Thunderstrike, the medicine cat who'd also saw her little daydream being put into action. She was roughly the same age as both males, though much smaller and attitude-wise, definitely younger. She had respect for both males though, and stood up quickly, shaking out her short pelt and watching as dust flew from the action. Her small rounded ears twitched happily as she continued to grin at the two males. With a laugh, she said, "I was just wondering what it would be like to have wings. Like a bird. I saw one fly overhead while I was resting and it just got me thinking. But," she added with a content shrug of her shoulders, "it looks like I'm not quite built for the task." With another chuckle, Riversplash rolled her head and bounced slightly on her large paws that looked much too big for her small little body. Her short spiky fur rippled with the movements, making her look like a golden brown drop of water. She turned her deep blue eyes to Thunder with an apologetic look on her maw. "Sorry about almost landing on you, I sometimes forget to look before I lea - erm, fly." ooc: sorry it's so short; Gma just got home and brought me some new toys xD [/scrolly]

[snowtuft]

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[atrb=background,http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy35/BaileeDanielle3/blackstartable2.png] Blackstar chuckled at Riversplash. No worries, dear. There are times I try to fly as well. He said. And he wasn't lying. When Blackstar was alone, he would sometimes pretend he was a bird. Acting like a kit when he was alone sometimes helped him cling to whatever scrap there was left of his kithood, even if none of it was good. He shook his pelt and padded to the shade, flicking his tail to Thunderstrike and Riversplash to join him if they wanted to. He plopped to the ground in a mass of golden fur and black mane. At that moment, he forgot where he was and started to roll in the dirt, enjoying the coldness of it. He got on his side and wrinkled his nose, sneezing. Dust poofed into a tiny cloud around his muzzle before disappearing. He shook his head to clear his mane of at least some dust and looked around, aware now that he was being stared at. He snorted and looked at Riversplash and Thunderstrike with a sheepish, embarrassed smile. Um... you saw nothing. He growled playfully and layed flat on his side. OOC: I'm sorry, I don't have a lot of Blackstar muse at the moment, it's kind of transferring to Snowtuft and Ashstorm. But I'll get better, I promise.

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2mz9yk4.jpg] Thunderstrike just chuckled softly at the lioness's apology and shook his head. He accepted it, he would be rude not to, but that didn't mean he thought it necessary in the slightest. Don't worry about it, Riversplash. I wasn't exactly looking where I was going either. He watched her seemingly boundless energy continue, shifting to manifest in small bounces that one would expect of a kit or an impatient apprentice. Still, he wouldn't hold it against her. There was nothing wrong with acting that way, provided she could be serious when the time called for it. He had little doubt she could be, or else she probably would not have made it to be a warrior. When he heard Blackstar flop down, he glanced over, intending the glance to be brief, though the leader's actions outed that plan rather quickly. A grin came to his face at the leader's words. Oh, no sir. I most definitely didn't see my leader rolling around in the dirt like a kit who has no one else to play with. His grin had disappeared while he spoke, looking entirely serious except for the fact that, somehow, despite his best efforts, he was very clearly anything but serious. Still sticking with the serious act, he shrugged, as if it was obvious he saw nothing, and then began to pad away, small smirk coming to his maw as he waited. Waited for a reaction, almost hoped Blackstar pounced at him for it. He hadn't had a good fight, practice or otherwise, in a long time, since he was the medicine cat now and not a warrior.

[ωнιskuяz]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/wk2wco.jpg] [scrolly:h(112),w(425),sy] Pleased with Thunder's reply, Riversplash continued to bounce on her large paws and ripple her short fur. Her leader wandered off the the side and she watched him, her gleaming, strange blue eyes watching his dark mane ripple and move with each large pawstep he took. She watched his little act, chuckling at first, then allowing all-out laughter to consume her. Her sides shook and heaved at the look he gave them after explaining how they'd seen nothing. And she thought she was the kittish one here, and he one of the mature adults. Hah! What a silly thought that had been. Rolling onto her own side, Riversplash looked sideways at her leader, tongue lolling out the side of her mouth. Her gaze went to Thunderstrike as he himself tried to hide his laughter, but it didn't take a genius to see it was difficult for him, too. The sight of their big, strong, brawny leader rolling in the dirt like a newborn and sneezing a puff of dirt the size of her head had been much too humorous for anyone in the clan, no matter how serious, to not laugh at. She nodded her agreement, though given the chance she'd certainly retell this story to someone. Blackstar surly wouldn't mind; it was good to laugh at yourself with others. It kept you positive and young on the inside - just look at River herself! She felt it was the point of getting older to learn how to enjoy your flaws, laugh at your mistakes, and love yourself despite your flaws. Not to mention others for theirs, as she loved her leader. As Thunderstrike turned his back and made the comment about Blackstar's actions, Riversplash herself put on a face of seriousness and rightened herself, looking after the medicine cat. "You dare accuse my leader of something so silly?" she called, pretending to be aghast. "What sort of blasphemy is this? Does Blackstar really strike you as the type of leader who would let someone see him do such a foolish task? Tsk. I'm disappointed in your judgment, Thunderstrike. Blackstar, what do you propose we do about this accusation?" [/scrolly]

[snowtuft]

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[atrb=background,http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy35/BaileeDanielle3/blackstartable2.png] Blackstar growled as Thunderstrike lied about not seeing. But the growl was playful. Then Riversplash spoke of punishment in a kittish matter. He chuckled. I know just the thing. He smiled a menacing smile and stalked forward as if Thunderstrike were a precious piece of prey, his belly brushing the ground and his tail stiff behind him. He leaped suddenly with his powerful hind legs, the muscles visibly rippling beneath his fur and he aimed for the sides, landing heavily and, pushing against Thunderstrike with a good amount of force, swiping with his paw, claws sheathed, and swatting at his ankles, hoping to knock him over, his tail lashing for Riversplash to join in when she wanted. Blackstar was doing something extremely rare... playing. He nipped gently at the medicine cat's shoulders and reared with his forepaws flailing. He let out a great roar that seemed to vibrate through the ground, making the smallest grains of dirt shudder. He landed with his paws draped over Thunderstrike's back and slid off. The heat was killing him and because of it, Blackstar was already exhausted. He shook his coat, spraying anyone around him with dust. He stumbled to one side and looked at the sun. It was maybe a few hours past sun high, but night, and coldness, didn't seem to be coming fast enough. OOC: I originally had a plot for Ivysong to be Blackstar's mate, but I think Riversplash would be a better match for him. Blackstar is relearning to play again, but it won't last long without someone like Riversplash to keep Blackstar's youth alive. So what do you say, Whiskerz?

[crush]

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2mz9yk4.jpg] As Blackstar came at him, he couldn't help the satisfied little smile. Perhaps he had found his calling in life through being a medicine cat, but that didn't mean he had forgotten his days leading up to the battle that had changed his life. He still missed getting his paws dirty, fighting, hunting, patrolling for trespassers rather than herbs. He loved life as it stood, but he often wondered how it would have been if he had simply taken his warrior ceremony when he was healed and been done with it. Who wouldn't? It was one of those large decisions you never forgot and never stopped wondering how your life would be different with the other choice made. He felt the paws hit his side, and let himself take the blow, allowing it to carry him into a full roll and pushing to his paws as they rolled underneath him again. Quick enough to not leave his belly exposed, but not so quick he lost control. One could never say he wouldn't have made a great warrior. He twisted to avoid the playful nipping, slipping away from the weight across his back before it even had time to settle, pulling out of it, growling softly, though not fiercely, his paws rising to fly at Blackstar's head, feigning a full-out blow, even though it was nowhere near full strength. He let the leader go as he pulled away, clearly tired, though Thunderstrike himself was far from it. He had high endurance these days, thanks to trekking across the whole clan territory daily to find bits of herbs here and there. I do believe you're falling out of shape Blackstar, with all due respect. And no, that wasn't a joke. It was an overstatement, and thus his general sort of humor through exaggeration, but the point was still there. A vague worry, a hope that the only thing that was wrong was Blackstar's fitness and not his health.

[ωнιskuяz]

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[atrb=background,http://i53.tinypic.com/wk2wco.jpg] [scrolly:h(112),w(425),sy] Giddy with joy, Riversplash watched with a loopy grin on her maw as her leader and medicine cat sparred. It was fast and all half-strength, but it was humorous and she was glad for the cheer it seemed to bring Blackstar. He was always so...lonely-seeming. Introverted. He had built walls around his heart, rarely let anyone know it was still there until the rare and beautiful times like these. River was glad she could watch the smile in her leader's eyes as he tired himself out a little too quickly. She shook her head in his direction; he was leader and let himself get tired out so easily. Maybe she should start sparring with him herself and whipping his tail back into shape. With a snort of laughter, River sprawled back out on her side, glistening blue eyes capturing the darker orbs of her leader. "He's got a point there, sir. I hear Goldenpelt is delivering kits soon; perhaps you can start chasing the little buggers around when they're here? It'll surly keep you whipped into shape. Any kits of hers are sure to be a pawful." She changed her line of vision to Thunderstrike, tongue again lolling out the side of her mouth like an overgrown dog. "I think with as quickly as he wore out there, he'd be safe to play with kits. Or would they just be too fragile?" She loved the idea of kits, though River wasn't entirely sure they'd be for her. Come those times when her body became a flashing beacon for males, Riversplash had gone out of her way to stay away from them. Motherhood wasn't her forte, seeing as she was still a kit herself. Short fur clinging to the sun-baked dust of the campground, the cheery she-cat flicked her tail back and forth, loving the feel of the sunshine on her belly. She was only a body's width away from a shady spot, but she was quite content to let her skin get the fresh air and heat. Warmth agreed with Riversplash, and if nothing else, when she got she would probably just go lounge by some water. Her name indeed fit her well; she was a lion who could spend as long in the water as any tiger. [/scrolly]

[snowtuft]

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[atrb=background,http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy35/BaileeDanielle3/blackstartable2.png] Blackstar just chuckled. Yes. I am out of shape, aren't I? Or its that I'm just getting old. He sighed as he layed on the ground. It was made hot by the stupid sun. He yawned a large yawn, his large teeth flashing in the light of sun high. He licked his lips before rolling onto his side, his sides slightly heaving. He would have to get out of the sun soon. Annoyed, Blackstar rose to his paws crawled under Thunderstrike's belly, not caring who stared. Again, he was being playful. He looked up at Thunderstrike's face, not caring if he got an odd stare in return. He flicked his tail, lightly batting it between Thunderstrike's hind ankles. He yawned again, his eyes closed tightly as he finished his yawn. You know, Thunderstrike, you make for very good shade. Blackstar purred innocently and stole a side glance at Riversplash. His golden eyes gleamed joyfully as he crawled out from under Thunderstrike and prodded the medicine cat gently in the side. I have a secret I need to tell you. Blackstar whispered quietly in Thunderstrike's ear. You are a great medicine cat and you and Riversplash should join me by the river for a drink. The male chuckled and flicked his tail toward the camp's entrance. Hey Riversplash, I'm heading the river for a drink, would you and Thunderstrike like to join me? He asked politely after a moment of silence. The sun is killing me and I need a drink. Blackstar added after a moment. He started to head toward the entrance and slipped out of camp, waiting outside the barrier for Thunderstrike and Riversplash.