09.30.2019 → There has been some exciting changes on CD lately! We've added a new monarchy to the groups of cats on the islands, as well as restructured the boards a bit to allow for some space - thus, redrawing the map! We've also promoted Nifty to Global Mod! There are some auditions open right now for JungleClan Deputy as well as for all of the new Kingdom of Mokuhau high ranks - Artemis
09.12.2019 → Unfortunately Elaedria is stepping down as administrator due to life being too busy to keep up! The site will be going through some restructuring in high ranks as well due to this. Effective immediately, the word count is now 100 minimum. Some more changes will be coming in the future - members have been emailed a survey to help us figure out what to change and how to get better. Thanks for your patience! - Artemis
WEATHER
Year 55, Scorching Sands 09.05.2019 → The temperatures of the islands are a steady 98° F on land/ high 80s in water. There is almost no breeze, the sun is uncomfortably warm.
Prey during the day is pretty scarce due to the heat, however is quite active after the sun goes down.
Lost in the dense jungles of scattered islands, facing perils unimagined by their ancestors, are three warrior groups - The traditional JungleClan, descendants of the original clans carried aboard a twoleg contraption from their home long ago and breaking new ground on old beliefs. Second, the curious TidalClan, made up of kittypets who chose to abandon their long since passed twoleg civilization ways for those of true felines. Lastly, the mysterious Tribe of Twisted Roots, hidden in the mist from others with their strange ways and a deeper knowledge of the land around them. Together they must learn how to take their fate into their own paws if they wish to survive this land of erupting mountains and roaring waters.
Join our crew and dive into an island-based Warriors roleplay - a twist on the original series by Erin Hunter. We are a semi-literate site with a minimum of 100 words per post.
The early morning was quite a sight, the she-cat mused as she stared out over the remains of the two-leg village. The history of their clan was an interesting one, and with so many having ancestry that was out beyond the horizon, the Clan was able to know what precisely these buildings were through their kittypet ancestors. The sky was a dark blue, the stars fading away to allow for the sun to brush against the clouds. As dawn creaked over the skyline, the dusky calico slipped through the sleeping warriors and apprentices, keen yellow eyes picking out their distinct shapes.
There was one feline she was looking for in particular: Tangpaw, her apprentice. Parting her jaw to take in the scents and filtering the unnecessary ones out, Duskleap carefully stepped around the tails and sprawled limbs of her kinsmen. Warm yellow eyes glinted as she spotted the familiar ginger and white form curled into a ball, tail tucked up to her nose. The older she-cat had to stifle a snort of amusement, knowing that she herself liked to sleep that way. Stepping forward and around the apprentice, Duskleap lightly brushed her slightly fluffier tail against the other she-cat.
"Tangpaw," her voice was a whisper as she attempted to coax the other out of deep sleep. "We need to get going."
Tangpaw was huddled on the fledglings’ side of the old farmhouse, tucked comfortably in her nest of palm fronds. She’d made it a point in her apprenticeship so far to be on time. She did what her mentor asked her to. She gathered more nest materials and did every other fledgling chore with almost no complaint. But no matter how good she tried to be, the lifestyle change was a huge adjustment for her. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was simply exhausted. She always liked sleeping as well, so the combination meant it was easy for her to sleep in—and sleep late.
She didn’t even feel the touch of a tail as she shifted deeper into her nest. She heard a voice, but it sounded distorted and far away. A gentle shake pulled her towards wakefulness, and the insistent voice made her open her eyes. She squinted against the light falling into the old building, and she blinked through bleary vision as she tried to remember where she was and why she was up so early.
And then it hit her.
Her training! She sprung out of her nest with a gasp of shock, and she twisted around. Duskleap was right there. Shame burned through her like fire kindling. “I… I didn’t mean to sleep so late!” she said quickly, eyes wide. “I’m sorry.” How could she prove herself a competent fledgling if she couldn’t even wake up when she was supposed to?
Blinking bemusedly at her apprentice springing out of her nest with a gasp, Duskleap couldn't even think of a reason to why the apprentice was acting like that. The she-cat's eyes were wide as she apologized, and the dilute calico couldn't help but roll her eyes slightly. "You're fine, Tangpaw. The sun has barely risen," she said quietly, tail flicking over at the horizon and tilting her head up at the array of shimmering colors. In the area of where the sun barely touched, the sky was still dark as it woke up to its brighter blue.
"Walk with me," the warrior murmured, yellow eyes gleaming with muted enthusiasm. As much as she was a serious warrior, she was still excited to work with an apprentice. Someone to order around during training and help clean up the camp was a good thing to have, she knew. Flicking her tail in the air and curling it slightly over her back, she bounded forward a few times. Her tail quivered and curled again as she looked behind her for the orange pelt of her apprentice. "I'm going to be teaching you to fish today over by the falls. Do you have any concerns? While we're there do you want to get swimming training started and out of the way?" Duskleap queried, head tilted slightly.
It didn’t occur to Tangpaw until after she left the den that her reaction might have been an overreaction. She followed Duskleap dutifully, though the characteristic pep in her step didn’t show until they were out on the territory. As she awoke more, the more excited and in-tune with her environment she became.
She quickly looked to her mentor when the questions were asked, and she took a moment to think. Her last attempt at swimming was with Tunapaw, and it hadn’t been the best experience. However, she knew Duskleap was skilled, and anything that happened would be under her watchful eye.
“No concerns!” she chirped, deciding against mentioning the experience. She didn’t want it on either of their minds before they actually started. She did want to know what they would do first, however. “I’m fine with swimming, but which one would we do first? Is there even any way to fish around the falls without any swimming?” The lake—Hekili Lake—where the falls and river ended, was coming into view. The colorful horizon reflected on the oscillating surface, and she took a moment to stare at the glittering water. The lake would always be her favorite place, but there was more to appreciate now than ever.
A soft 'mmm' came from the calico, her warm yellow eyes becoming half-lidded in thought as she plodded along. With a sideways glance at the little she-cat, Duskleap couldn't help the smirk that flitted across at Tangpaw's growing excitement as she woke up. Her chirpy response to the calico's first question drew another glance, yellow eyes semi curious as another 'hmmm' escaped from her. Only a little louder than her previous one. The she-cat paused for a moment at the younger's queries, not stopping in her walking as they drew ever closer to their destination.
"Swimming," the she-cat decided firmly, her eyes roaming over the glittering water and taking in the environment around her. The grass was a little damp under her paws, both from the morning dew and how close they were to the water. Her claws sank into the slightly marshy ground, drawing her gaze to the bright green leaves and arching branches of the trees nearby. In the distance, if she strained her hearing a fair bit, she could hear the roar of the falls as it tumbled down its jutting cliffs. "If you fall into the water while I teach you the other way, you'll be able to swim either after your prey or to the bank."
She eyed her ginger apprentice reservedly, a glint in her eyes as they came to a halt next to the water. "Have you been in the water yet?" she murmured, gesturing with her tail and privately enjoying the early warm sunshine on her pelt. "We're gonna take it slow, be careful. It's a little slippery and the ground up here hasn't quite dried out from last night." Unconcernedly and with all the grace she could muster, Duskleap stepped into the cool water and pushed forward. When she was a few paces from the shore and the water about half-way up her chest, she turned through the gentle tug of the lake to eyeball Tangpaw curiously.
notes mehergkaerhun it's lATE i'm sorry orz word count 330
Tangpaw didn’t pay much attention to Duskleap’s noncommittal answers. She was busy watching the land go by as they walked to their destination. She was committing it to memory, waiting for something to happen that was worthy of sharing to Tunapaw whenever they exchanged stories next.
The abrupt word drew her attention to Duskleap. Swimming was something she wanted to learn. She tried it, but it was harder than it seemed. The edge of the lake quickly arrived at their paws, and Tangpaw looked down to study it as her mentor questioned her. She worked her jaw in silence as she thought of her answer. ”I’ve… played around in it,” she started. “And I have tried swimming before.” The softness of the ground and the way her paws sank into it slightly seemed to confirm Duskleap’s statements. Did it change how they would be swimming? Tangpaw didn’t see how that would be the case, but she wasn’t about to rule anything out.
She followed after Duskleap into the lakewater. It was cold against the chilly morning air, and she felt a bolt of shock travel down her spine. It made her twitch as she held in a shiver. Forcing her legs forward, Tangpaw waded, and eventually hopped as the water got deeper, to her mentor’s side. "It’s… more challenging than it looks,” she commented, hoping it would prompt Duskleap to start her lesson. As much as she wanted to train, she didn’t realize how much the cold threatened to dampen her focus.
The calico turned her head fully to Tangpaw, tilting it slightly and letting her whiskers quiver as the apprentice twitched at the cold of the water. "I know it's cold," she said quietly, eyes dark and calculating as she took in the way that the apprentice forced herself forward. "You'll get used to it, and in the hot seasons you'll be grateful for it." She brushed aside the admittance that the apprentice had gone swimming before.
"While I'm teaching you how to swim, I'll show you my personal hunting techniques for the fish that live in the lake." Her eyes flickered sharply over to the orange-pelted apprentice at her comment of it being more challenging it than it seemed. Duskleap brushed it aside, tail swishing in the water. The coldness awakened her even further, sharpening her mind. "Right," she mused aloud. "Tell me how you would swim, and while you tell me I want you to kick your legs out in a paddling motion. I don't want you to panic and start flailing, you could hurt yourself. Swift, shallow movements in a churning motion. Memorize how it feels and how it stretches your muscles. Try not to move out, stay in one spot. This is called treading water." The she-cat swam out around the she-cat, stretching her legs out and moving slowly as she moved in a circle so she could correct where needed.
notes rfejkgstrh sorry this is so late! word count about 235 or so
