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.
His eyes were still blurry with sleep despite his best efforts to clear them. He'd woken up earlier than he should have but Cicadapaw figured the earlier the better. The early cat gets the mouse, right? Besides, he'd been too anxious to sleep any longer in the first place and his inability to sleep quietly through the night had been the source of so many grumbling voices that the newly named apprentice found himself swamped with guilt. It wasn't fair to everyone else that needed to rest so he had picked himself up this morning despite his foggy mind and empty stomach and made his way to the falls. [break][break] The grass was soft against his paws, still cold from the morning's dew. Cicadapaw relished in the calming chirp of the birds overhead, doing his best to keep his mind firmly on the task at paw. Scarabpaw had been quick to jump into her usual morning pep-talk of not overthinking things and controlling his fear rather than letting his fear control him. Such things were easier said than done, though, especially knowing he had to look forward to having Barracudabite as his mentor. [break][break] Cicadapaw was perhaps the most surprised when Toucanstar announced that the silver-furred warrior was to guide him during his apprenticeship. In the hopes that your bold, unwavering nature will mold this young apprentice into a truly fearsome warrior of Jungleclan she had said. Cicadapaw had nearly laughed aloud at the prospect. Him? A fearsome warrior? Snakes were more likely to sprout wings and fly. [break][break] Even so, the brown and white male didn't want to disappoint his mentor and so he'd chosen to arrive at their designated meeting place entirely too early. He'd been shown the falls during a brief tour of the immediate territory and then instructed to find the riverside training grounds again at sun high before the formidable older warrior went on his way, leaving the apprentice to his own devices. Cicadapaw couldn't help but feel that this would be the first of many tests over the next however many moons. His crippling fear and anxiety had brought forth a slew of wide eyes and twitching tails among his clan. How could a cat as timid as he ever manage as a warrior? He'd asked himself the same thing countless times. [break][break] Still, Silverthread Falls hadn't been all that hard to find again. The way there seemed to be ingrained in his mind, and this was one instance in which Cicadapaw found himself filled with pride, however fleeting it may be. Coming to the edge of the river where the crash of the falls kicked up a steady mist he hunkered down, looking at himself through pensive eyes in the waters rippling reflection. I'll show them all, though. I'm not going to be the same scared little kit any more... I hope.
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When Barracudabite was called to the apprentice ceremony for Cicadapaw, he had already known he was going to be his mentor. Toucanstar had already given him the heads up, a common courtesy that most leaders offered their warriors. He had been surprised, initially, but overall rather flattered. Cicadakit had been known to be a fluttering leaf in the wind, though, and he couldn't help but feel like Toucanstar had purposely given him a tough challenge. Toucanstar had hoped that his bold nature would shape the frightened young tom into a strong warrior, but Barracudabite had his doubts. Even still, he would do his best to pass along all of his knowledge to Cicadapaw. Giving up was not in his nature.
[break][break]He had told the brown and white tom to meet him at the falls today to begin his training. Having already shown the young apprentice where the falls were, Barracudabite expected him to be able to scent his way back today without help. He was under the mindset that if you were shown something once, you shouldn't need to be shown again unless you weren't paying attention. He wanted to see if Cicadapaw had been paying attention. The silvery tom padded from the camp and set out in the direction of the silverthread falls at a steady pace. He wouldn't allow himself to feel excited about training the young tom, this was strictly duty. But he was very interested on whether he could help the fearful tom build up some nerve.
[break][break]He caught a whiff of the apprentice as he approached the falls. It wasn't long before the scent got stronger and he saw the familiar brown-and-white shape of Cicadapaw at the edge of the river, staring down into the churning waters. The silvery longlegged tom padded up behind him, clearing his throat loudly. "You aren't going to jump, are you?" He asked, a smirk spreading across his angular face as he regarded the younger tom. "Well, you made it - so that is reason enough not to," He added, not wanting to say that he was proud just yet. There was still time for the young apprentice to disappoint him. "I haven't decided what we should focus on today. Do you want to do some hunting, or would you rather do some battle techniques?" He asked, padding forward to sit beside the tom next to the river; his tail curling around his paws.
So far gone within his own mind, the newly named apprentice easily failed to comprehend the nearly noiseless arrival of his mentor. "You aren't going to jump, are you?" Jolting violently, Cicadapaw nearly did take a tumble into the water below as he twisted his lanky form around to face the silvery feline. The apprentice shook his paw out, face twisting into a slight grimace. The water held no love for him and aside from quenching his thirst when the need arose, he didn't particularly care for it either. [break][break] "N-no! I mean, no Sir. I'm not-t-t gonna jum-m-jump." The male was quick to swallow the lump in his throat and take one of those 'calming' breaths that Scarabpaw always talked about. I don't get what's so calming about hyperventilating though he thought to himself as he forced his heart to stop its' race to escape the confines of his chest. [break][break] Unfortunately, Cicadapaw had always been this way. Easily frightened, an anxious mess who could barely talk straight half the time. He understood all too well how much of his clan regarded him, the pity clear in their luminous eyes. So far he hadn't caught the expression in Barracudabite's own face. But there was plenty of time for it to grow in place of the cool indifference he found there now. [break][break] "Well, you made it - so that is reason enough not to." Flexing his claws into the soft ground self-consciously, Cicadapaw refused to allow himself to feel the slightest sense of pride bubbling up in his chest. He had made it here, hadn't he? He'd passed the first test with what he deemed flying colors. Needed to work on paying attention to his surroundings more but he figured that would come with time and experience. He hoped. "I haven't decided what we should focus on today. Do you want to do some hunting, or would you rather do some battle techniques?" His brows furrowed. Was this another test, so soon after the first? [break][break] The first decision that sprung to his mind was hunting. At least then he would stand a chance at succeeding in something during this day. His nose worked well enough and he was a quick learner. Cicadapaw figured he could manage two morsels of prey at the bare minimum. Besides that, it was no secret that even during kit-fights Cicadapaw chose to sit on the fringe rather than participate. When finally goaded enough he would drag himself slowly into the fray only to quickly be pounced upon by his nursery mates. His lithe form and flailing, uncoordinated limbs never quite knew what to do with themselves. The idea of being pit against his mentor was enough to send his whiskers quivering. [break][break] Barracudabite was a well-known fighter and Cicadapaw figured he would be stupid to test his wiles against the more battle-hardened warrior so soon in his apprenticeship. Still, if this was in fact his second test then his mentor must expect him to decide on hunting. It was to be expected that when given the option, Cicadapaw would tuck tail and go with the easier answer. He wanted to pass the test, though, and so he forced himself to square his shoulders despite his gaze being fixed against the ground as he spoke: "Let's do-o the ba-a-attle techniques."
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Under his gaze, he watched as the newly named apprentice jolted violently out of whatever thoughts he had been having and twisted to look at his mentor. Cicadapaw managed to choke out some words, but they came out in a jumbled sentence that was hardly coherent. Barracudabite's tail flicked behind him irritably but he managed to bite back any harsh words he was thinking of. It was the young tom's very first apprentice training session, of course he was nervous. He would need to learn to be more patient if he was going to impart any sort of lasting knowledge onto Cicadapaw. "Good."He replied simply, narrowing his eyes at the apprentice as he took in the younger tom.
[break][break]He knew that others pitied the fearful tom, but not Barracudabite. He had time to grow into a fearsome warrior yet, and if there was anyone in the clan who was cut out for the job of helping him grow some confidence, it was him. He thought he saw a little light of pleasure in the younger tom's eyes after letting him know that getting here was good, but it passed quickly. He hoped that was the light of a fire that was ignited deep within the young apprentice. The light of ambition that would hopefully fuel him towards being a strong warrior for JungleClan. One could only hope.
[break][break]The silvery tom waited as Cicadapaw deliberated with which decision to make for his first session as an apprentice. It came to a surprise when the younger tom decided he wanted to start with battle training. The warrior tried to hold his surprised look in as he nodded his head. "Very well, we shall start with battle training." He mewed, blinking. He figured the first thing to start with would be defence. There was no point starting on how to fight if you didn't know how to protect yourself, first. It was important to know how to defend yourself and the clan, after all.
[break][break]"Let's start with the Duck and Twist. It is a very simple defensive move," He instructed, moving into a position that was more conducive to demonstrating the move. Barracudabite ducked, then twisted around. He then rolled over onto his back, and sprang to his paws. It was a seamless move, and he landed on his paws gracefully. "Alright, Cicadapaw. Do you think you can demonstrate the duck and twist for me? You won't get it right on your first try." He warned. It was an easy move, but it was rather awkward to perfect on a first shot.
Regret was a fickle thing. Choosing a path, making an effort only to fail in the end and realize you should have taken a different route right from the start. And that was how Cicadapaw was feeling now as his mentors narrowed eyes pierced him. Though the apprentice couldn't discern any pity in the older tom's gaze the apprentice was filled with enough of the toxic emotion for the both of them. He was just tired, tired of being Jungleclan's crybaby, but he didn't know how to go about changing his lot in life and secretly, he hoped that having such a tough mentor would be what helped him in the end. [break][break] Let's start with the Duck and Twist. It is a very simple defensive move. Ah yes, simple the absolute bane of his existence. Even his siblings tried to coax him to do new things with that silly, stupid little word. Climb this tree, Cicadapaw! It's simple! Oh gosh Cicadapaw, you can surely catch a mossball it's simple! But then he had gotten stuck in the tree and needed help getting back down and the mossball had slapped him straight in the face. [break][break] The brown and white tom watched closely as his mentor moved with a grace and skill that came from moons upon moons of practice. He did his best to drill into his mind the way Barracudabit ducked down low, keeping his legs evenly spaced apart before rolling to his back and suddenly being back on his paws. Alright, Cicadapaw. Do you think you can demonstrate the duck and twist for me? You won't get it right on your first try. Well of course he wouldn't get it right, had Barracudabite not met him? Cicadapaw had a hard enough time walking without falling all over himself and now he was expected to do that? [break][break] He got the 'duck' part easily enough, he'd been hunching down and curling himself into a ball for most of his short life. The 'twist' though was another story altogether. As he tried desperately to copy his mentor's ease, the apprentice's long limbs tangled together in an impressively terrible rendition of the defensive move. His body locking up around itself cause the tom to startle, scrambling to find purchase on the ground again even as his body coasted inelegantly to the side leaving him to land heavily on his flank. Well, his mentor did say he wouldn't get it on the first try but even he had hoped it wouldn't be that bad. [break][break] Breathing in the scent of sweet grass, the tom's eyes focused on the sky as he tried to gain his bearings and breath at the same time. Much to his irritation, he could feel the tale-tell sting of tears start to well up behind his eyes. Why did this always have to happen to him? Somehow he managed to mess up a maneuver that - while difficult in its own way - was a basic defensive tactic. He was supposed to become a warrior some how, but at this rate he would end up as a turtle with his head stuck firmly in his shell in a sad attempt to hide his shame from the rest of the world around him. Nothing was ever simple.
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After he had demonstrated the duck and twist to Cicadapaw, he watched the apprentice expectantly. He was not expecting anything great from the young tom, not just because of how clumsy and timid he was; but because it was his first ever training session. He knew full well that he was pushing the tom to his limits, but he knew that in order to help the tom grow and develop it was necessary.
[break][break]Ocean blue eyes focused on the brown and white tom, watching as the small scrap of fur demonstrated the first part of the move by moving into a hunching position. Once the twist part of the duck and twist was introduced, Cicadapaw became a tangle of long limbs. Before long, he had tripped himself up in his own legs. Barracudabite had expected failure, so he didn't let any sort of reaction show on his face at the display when the apprentice landed on his flank on the ground.
[break][break]The younger tom lay there for a moment, looking at the sky without saying a word. He couldn't know for sure, but he could feel the wave of emotions rippling off the tom like a tsunami. A small pang of sadness washed over him as he looked at the scene before him, but he wouldn't let Cicadapaw drown himself in self pity. The mentor rose to his paws, and padded closer to his apprentice, keeping his tone and facial expressions neutral. He nosed the younger tom, hoping to help him into a sitting position so he could look him in the eye and speak to him.
[break][break]"Cicadapaw, you need to put your fear of failure behind you," He started in a firm voice. "How would any of us learn at all if it wasn't for our failures? Even I could not have perfected that move on my first try." He added, his voice softening ever so slightly. As stoic as the tom could be, there was something about him that reminded him of his sister - a softer and more gentle warrior than himself, he had always had a soft spot for her but tried to never show it.
[break][break]"Come, you must practise again," He mewed, getting up on his paws again to demonstrate the duck and roll. This time he performed the move as slow as he could, trying to give Cicadapaw a good idea of where his legs should be moving. Once finished, he moved over and gave Cicadapaw an encouraging nod. "The only way to get better is to try, and try again - despite failing. You must fail until you perfect the moves I show you. That is how you will learn."
forcing his breathing to return to an even keel, cicadapaw gave a light groan as a shaft of sunlight pierced his eyes. he could hear the moment barracudabite rose, and for a moment the apprentice was sure his mentor would leave him in there in the dirt. it wasn't a far-fetched train of thought for the young tom. after all, it was what the majority of his fellow apprentices tended to do when confronted with the hardship of extending a helping paw or ignoring his plight altogether. cicadapaw surmised that ignorance was in fact bliss. [break][break] the older male's voice coming from above startled the brown and white trainee but the cold press of a nose in his flank shocked him even more. incessant nudging on his mentor's part forced cicadapaw into action despite wanting to remain in his prone position. even sitting though, he kept his eyes turned towards his paws, grimacing as they shuffled self-consciously against the ground as though they had a mind of their own. [break][break] cicadapaw, you need to put your fear of failure behind you. barracudabite's words had the apprentice's head jerking up. bright blue eyes darted back and forth across the silver tom's face searching for any sign of pity or shame. while he was used to seeing such emotions upon the faces of other cats cicadapaw could barely understand the relief he felt when he couldn't find the same in his mentor's gaze. in truth he didn't think he could handle another cat feeling sorry for him. instead his trainer's voice was firm as he continued on. [break][break] how would any of us learn at all if it wasn't for our failures? even i could not have perfected that move on my first try. the brown male found his eyes rolling in a rare show of irritation. but you got it eventually, right? you're a strong fighter, everyone probably had faith in you but.. but no one believes in me. those baby blues started watering once more and cicadapaw clenched his jaw as his throat tightened. teeth dove into his tongue to force back the visual show of his weakness. [break][break] seeing the slight softening of his mentor's eyes was cicadapaw's breaking point. and then barracudabite was back to normal once more the only way to get better is to try, and try again - despite failing. you must fail until you perfect the moves i show you. that is how you will learn. focusing on every minute movement of his mentor's extremities cicadapaw followed after slowly at first, taking his time to go through the motion and figure out how his body needed to move to pull it off successfully. [break][break] and it took time. so much time that the sun had started to go down in the sky before cicadapaw found himself able to move the slightest bit faster. his muscles began to remember what they needed to do. though tired his heavy limbs began to guide themselves almost without a focused thought coming from him. success was slow coming but it washed over him like waves cresting on the sandy beach as his body ducked, twisted and rolled before popping the exhausted apprentice back to his paws once more. though the move needed more practice in the way of finesse, cicadapaw was struck with the knowledge that he did it. [break][break] forgetting his sore body, the apprentice whipped around to grin at his mentor. did ya' see that! did ya'?! i did it barracudabite i really did it! tired tears welled up in his eyes. even in happiness his emotions seemed to get the better of him. still grinning though, cicadapaw truly couldn't believe he had finally done something so miraculous. but most of all, he was proud he hadn't let his mentor down, after all.
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630 WORDS FOR Artemis + man cicada got me in my feels ;o;
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Barracudabite tried to ignore the eye rolling of Cicadapaw. He refused to feed into the younger tom's insecurities. He wanted to help shape the young tom into a strong and loyal warrior, but that wouldn't happen without firm leadership. As the apprentice spoke, he saw the emotion in his eyes. As moisture begun welling up there, Barracudabite kept his face still. He could see the brown tom trying to force his emotions away, but he wasn't quite as stoic as his mentor - and he never would be.
[break][break]Changing Cicadapaw was not possible - nor did he really have any intentions to - but he saw qualities that he could work with in the young tom. "With hard work and dedication, you will get it eventually too. There's nothing stopping you but yourself from being a strong fighter. I'll believe in you when you start believing in yourself." He locked eyes with the other tom, blue eyes meeting blue eyes in knowing stare. He would need to find his confidence if he was ever going to to improve his skills.
[break][break]As he performed the move again, he felt the apprentice watching him with a newfound focus. The sun had begun drifting below the horizon as the younger tom mimicked his demonstration time and time again. After many failed attempts as well as some half decent recreations of the duck and twist, Cicadapaw finally performed it well. Barracudabite watched as the tom pushed through his exhaustion to perform the move just right. Despite the tired eyes and surely tired body, the apprentice lit up with the feeling of success.
[break][break]The smaller tom was grinning from ear to ear, tired yet happy tears welling in his eyes. Barracudabite couldn't help but let out the gruffest mrow of amusement, nodding his head with approval. "You did well, Cicadapaw. Tell me, how did that success feel?" The tom remembered the first time he had gotten the intoxicating taste of success. From those very early days, that same fire still fuelled him forward. He was constantly trying to better himself. He had nothing to prove to anyone, but everything to prove to himself.
[break][break]"Keep pushing yourself to do better, and you will continue to be successful. I expect this move to be perfected by our next training session. Train whenever you can." The silver tom sat back on his haunches, licking his chest hairs as the drowning sun cast a warm glow over them. "Before you can go get something to eat at camp, I will show you one last move. Once I do it, I want you to give it a try." The tom padded around Cicadapaw, and then lunged forward with a frontal attack.
[break][break]He brought his front paw forward fast and hard, claws sheathed, purposefully just missing the apprentice's head. Had the blow landed, it would have been a strong one. "This move is called the Paw Strike. It is the simplest battle move you can learn. You can either use it to hit your opponent hard on the head with your paw, or you can unsheathe your claws to slice forward. Let me see you try it." The silver tom finished his demonstration and sat on his haunches, watching the tired young tom. Hopefully he wasn't pushing him too hard. After all, it was their first session.
