all your mysteries are moving in the sun. [OPEN]

[lynx]

The fresh spotlight of the day had begun to decay moments ago-- it was an easy thing to notice in the forest, he thought. It was so deeply unlit throughout the day there anyway that any miniscule spot of change in setting could be spotted with ease. That, and the fellow had a natural knack for observation. It was a skill he had honed over the moons, one he was thankful for, since he thought he'd never be able to adequately protect and run his clan without the sharpness of his wits. After all, a clan so well-watched as TimberClan had better always be on their toes. While the others usually respected them, they both knew that TimberClan was shifty, changing their alliances with the wind, and it kept HeatherClan and GaleClan satisfyingly cautious.

Peering upward, through the lazily twisting treetops, their leaves fluttering in the faint breeze, the feline licked his chops and let out a soft, rasping purr in admiration of the hues that StarClan had begun to paint across the sky. With a rush of nostalgia seeping through his skin at the sight, the leader recalled the time many moons ago when his mother had told him how his passed warrior ancestors dipped the tips of their tails into the passing sun to create the sweeping colors of the sunrise or set. It was a poetic legend, one that Stormstar had always adored, and now looking up through the foliage into the Starry One's canvas, he felt a familiar sensation of warmth at the memory. Of course memories like that, to him, were rare delights. A sweet treat presented to him only every once in a blue moon, so perhaps this was the very reason he clung so dearly to the ones he could manage to collect.

Uttering a soft sigh, the hefty tom stood and shook out his plush coat before setting out to further explore the delights of the dusk time forest. Of course, twilight was his favorite time of the day, the time he chose to spend by himself to collect his thoughts and enjoy some peace. What more peaceful time was there? The soft cooing of owls in the treetops lulled his frantically wound thoughts, allowing the leader to push his stress away to a tight corner of his mind, and let his mind drift away into the coming night instead. As he went, he let out quiet rumbles of satisfaction, content with the fact that his clanmates were all tucked safely and happily away in their camp, bellies full with the plethora of springtime prey. The other clans, too, were happy evidently as there had been no turmoil between them. Thus, while of course he felt obligated to stay on his toes, as clan life was never really safe, Stormstar was pleased that he could take this time to relax, and stretch his aching legs.

Just as this thought entered his mind, though, it dispersed in a frenzy with the snapping of twigs somewhere not far behind him. Spinning around with his hackles raised cautiously, he called into the crisp air. "Come on out now."

comments: on ther short sloppy side, but intros are rough for me! come join in <3

[cinder]

Shadedfur stopped just outside of the entrance to the camp to streach her legs. Slowly, one at a time extending them to their full length, and pointing her toes untill they each gave a soft pop. When all four had been taken care of properly, she proceeded to move on to the next task on her paws.

Shadedfur padded through the forest listening to all of the sounds that surrounded her. The most immediate sound that met her ears was the cheery songs of the crickets, all blending together into a sweet forest melody. Woven into the song were the deep voices of the owls in the trees far above her head. They called to one another, adding voices to the music of the crickets all around her. Shadedfur purred softly at the beauty of the sounds of the forest around her. These were the sounds of her home.

Taking a deep breath, Shadedfur took in all the scents of the earth that surrounded her. The most prominent scent was the scent of the earth under paw. Shadedfur dug her claws into the cool, damp dirt,feeling the sharp points of her claws slide through it with ease. There was a whole host of green growing things all over the forest, each of them having their own unique scent. There was the scent of small living things all around, mice and vole going about the buisness of preparing for the night. But they were safe for the moment, the clan was fed, and there was no need to take any more back to the camp untill the morning patrol.

As Shadedfur continued, she took in all of the sights of the forest. This was her favorite time of the day. The sun was starting to dissapear, and the forest was no longer given a bright golden glow, but was not bathed in amber and red hues. The red light that filtered down through the leaves in the trees from the glowing orb promised good weather on the morrow, and that put a smile on the she-cat's lips. The brilliant green leaves on the trees rustled slightly as a soft breeze danced through them.

Caught up in the beauty that surrounded her, Shadedfur stepped squarely in the center of a twig, breaking it in half with a loud SNAP! She quietly laughed at herself for jumping at the sound, and was able to take one more step before she heard his call and froze. "Come on out now."

Shadedfur stepped out of the shadows to meet the tom, dipping her head respectully. "Hello Stormstar"

[lynx]

When the mystery cat emerged from the foliage, painted with dark hues by the shadows of the forest, it took the tom a drawn out moment to recognize the figure but let out a breath of relief when he did. "Oh," he smiled, sensitive ears now folded back as he wallowed in brief sheepishness. After all, there was really no reason for him to be so jumpy in his own forest! He was a formidable specimen, surely he would be prepared for anyone sneaking up on him? Again he grinned, "It's only you. Hello Shadedfur," he added with a soft chuckle. Just a bit jumpy. He decided, thinking that this kind of involuntary behavior with the inactivity of their neighbor to the west, GaleClan.

Infamous for clever schemes and forever pining for Timberclan's alleigance, GaleClan was a very valid point for which Stormstar could become uncomfortable about. Rejecting their schemes meant becoming a target, and accepting them meant becoming rather villainous. While either side of the constant battle for more land had pros and cons, Stormstar would have simply preferred staying neutral. It wouldn't be long before something began brewing on the other side of the river.

While such things had an irksome habit of interupting the present for the tom, the sudden change in the breeze snapped him back to enjoying his clanmate's company. He twitched his tail, and met the dappled female's sweet gaze. "Sorry about that, I'm just a little out of it this evening-" he shrugged, "What brought you out here? Seems a bit late for hunting, although I'll be the first to admit that it's beautiful out- enough to draw one out of camp for no reason at all." Of course, that's how he had found himself prowling the forest- but he thought he was alone in that silly habit of wandering off by himself.

[cinder]

Shadedfur emerged from the undergrowth and sat with her tail curled around her paws. She looked at her leader, head slightly socked to the side. It was odd, the way that he was acting. He was so flighty, like a piece of prey that knew that the end was drawing near. What is it that is keeping him so on edge? she wondered to herself. Pushing the thought aside for later contemplation, she focused on his words.

"Sorry about that, I'm just a little out of it this evening. What brought you out here? Seems a bit late for hunting, although I'll be the first to admit that it's beautiful out- enough to draw one out of camp for no reason at all." He mewed to her.

Shadedfur suddenly wondered if it was wrong that she was out this late alone. She had always felt that she had to sneak out to take her nightly walks, and this was the first time that she had ever been caught. But she pushed the fear out of her voice and hopefully out of her face as she gazed back at her leader and answered truthfully, with her head held high. If she was going to be in trouble, she would not lose her pride doing it. "It is a beautiful evening. One of the nicest that we have had in a long time. This time of night as the camp is winding down to sleep, and all of the chores are done, I like to sneak out and take a walk alone in the quiet. After the noise and chaos of the day, it is my way of relaxing." Struck by the magic of the moment her mouth and heart took hold, letting her tongu roam freely. "Just look at it! Look at the wonder that Starclan has surrounded us with! I can not think of a more beautiful or magical place anywhere. There is nowhere that can be mor lovely than our forest..." Shadedfur trailed off as she realized that she had spken out like that. Embarassed, she looked off at the orb of light that was sinking lower by the moment, watching as the dust moats danced in the rays of red and gold that broke through the trees.

[lynx]

he smiled again- this time a bit warmer, like the sun peeking out from behind cloudcover now that his suspicions had eased and his nerves had settled a bit. a wandering clanmate, that's all. he reminded himself, and with that his serene nature once more settled where it ought to have been. he knew the she-cat had noticed his jumpiness, but was pleased to see her push it away as nothing- it was dangerous to have his clan think him unsettled. he was their rock, their safepoint, and their ultimate coolness. there was no use in getting worked up, especially over nothing. while it wasn't often that stormstar had to remind himself of such subtleties, an unbalance in his harmonous personality did occasionally happen and it was moments like these that he was thankful for, in order to put the pieces back together.

he sensed worry in his clanmate, and a slight, almost invisible frown caressed his broad features, wondering if he could aid her, but instead she addressed his question before he had a chance to open his maw. and once she got rolling, he noticed with a mirthful twinkle to his silvery gaze, she became rapidly more entranced by her own speech. in turn, he too found himself enchanted by her love of timberclan, and the very reason she illustrated. "yes, yes, exactly." he purred, curling his tailtip with a distant smile. "I must admit timberclan is rather bewitching- I can't imagine enjoying any other place as much as I do m- our home," he meowed, a faint purr touching his quiet words.

"have you ever been out pre-dawn rather than pre-nightfall? it's even better, I promise. if you go sometime then and a guard questions you, just assure them you have my complete permission to enjoy it." with this, he released a full grin, and flicked his tail for the mottled she-cat to follow him as he began to gracefully make his way through the lush landscape, enjoying the soft sensation of the coming night upon his billowing short coat, the soft forest breeze smelling strongly of leaf-matter and soil as it filtered through his tabby stripes, easing the tension from his face.

assuming shadedfur had decided to follow his lead, he went on in his soft tones, "it is even more beautiful because even before the sun rises the day begins to give light, but it's magical because there's no sun to give it, you see? there's no explanation besides starclan's kiss. now only that, but before the sun comes up and burns it all away, there's a fog or- a mist rather, which obscures the entire forest. that's where the dew usually comes from, and even though it's a bit unnerving to be alone in all that mist- it blocks out almost all sound, you know- it's really an experience unlike any other." he shrugged almost passively, but his glittering blue-gray eyes betrayed his love of the time in which his words described. "I would highly recommend giving it a try." he purred into his words again, then added as an afterthought- "would you like to do a bit of hunting while we're out here? I could go for a night time snack."

[cinder]

Shadedfur was releaved when Stormstar seemed to share in her feelings rather than be offended by her outburst. Some leaders saw themselves as above the clan, but Stormstar had never been that way. He ruled the clan with fairness and mercy, dishing out punishment only when he had to. Shadedfur relaxed a little bit, and listened as he spoke.

As he flicked his tail for her to follow, Shadedfur got to her feet and padded lightly after the tom. It really was a beautiful night for a stroll through the woods. As she padded along listening to his words, she considered what he was saying. Shadedfur smiled to herself, she had the permission of the leader to be out of camp for the sunset and sunrise, she need not fear being caught anymore. A small weight lifted off of her shoulders.

Still, it was hard to believe that anything could be more beautiful than this. The sky was begining to turn purple as it extended away from the pink orb that was now resting on the horizon. The few whisps of clouds that floated in the great expanse were turned to gold as they drifted along on their way. As she looked up, she could see where the first stars were starting to peek out of hiding, sparkling and glinting in hello.

Just as Stormstar concluded his question, Shadedfur's stomach gave an audable growl. In her haste to sneak out of camp and not miss the setting of the sun, she had skipped her dinner. This was something that she did often, however usually there was no one around to witness her tummy's protests. Shadedfur blushed and searched for a way to explain it away, embarassed.