Just Your Average Morning{Hauntstar}

[S C O R P I A]

RAPTORPAW
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^{I'm holding on to something that used to be there, hoping it will come back, knowing it won't.}

You could say that the sleeping bundle of orange fur towards the back of the Apprentice's Den looked out of place. You could say RushClanners were supposed to be silver or gray tabbies. You could say all this, and you would be absolutely correct. In fact, the sleeping bundle happened to look very strange, surrounded by the colors his clan called its own. Flanked by two; Swimpaw and Wavepaw, the tom looked like an EternalClanner that happened to stumble across the RushClan boarder. Not that anyone really noticed, though, after all it doesn't really matter, right? It isn't like you have to be a silver tabby to swim, or to fish. It doesn't matter the color of your fur to clean out the Elder's Den(regrettably, the sleeping tom would have enjoyed getting out of that), or to make your mentor proud.

The bundle's paw twitched. It was rather annoying, that sliver of light that always seemed to land on one's eye at dawn, just before the time when apprentices are supposed to be awake. Just at the point, in fact, that it is too late to go back to sleep, but too early to actually get up. What a fabulous way to start off the morning, sarcastically speaking. A single emerald eye revealed itself, blinking wildly at the shock of bright light, as one's eyes would do every morning. The apprentice hissed softly, forcing himself to his paws with a groggy, irritated look. He narrowed his eyes at the entrance to the den. Raptorpaw sighed and looked away, down at the rest of his sleeping denmates. Why did the sun have to choose to wake him? Why could it not flood the den with light, forcing everyone else to awake as well?

Raptorpaw wasn't going to bother tip-toeing around for the other apprentices, not after his rude awakening. Instead the tom stretched, yawning loudly and scraping his messed up nest back together again. Soon, the others were awake as well, obviously irritated with the newcomer but not saying a word. As his denmates began to stretch and groom, chatting with each other about dreams and their mentor's plans for the day, Raptorpaw couldn't help thinking about what it would be like if Stonekit were still alive. They would be the two newest apprentices, it wouldn't just be him feeling left out. The tom didn't have any friends yet, and wasn't exactly being social. Everyone else already had companions and made it obvious the spots were filled, so to speak. The red-brown tabby shook his pelt once and headed into the clearing, the chilled morning air greeting him as always.

Raptorpaw was excited for his first day of training, but felt it would be immature to show it. Instead, the tom padded silently into the middle of camp, watching as the day got started. His green eyes were in 'scanning' mode, ready to detect the tabby pelt of Hauntstar from the corner of his eye. When he wasn't detected right away, Raptorpaw walked to the fresh kill pile, trying to find something that could fill his empty stomach. It would be humiliating to find it growling in the middle of his first training session. The tom picked out the first thing he saw; a mouse, and began to tuck into it. The meat was stringy and without juices, and by the time Raptorpaw was done he found this wasn't a very good meal. Looking around once, the tom grabbed another, knowing full well that he shouldn't be feeding himself two pieces of fresh kill, even with the weather so good. But the pile was well stocked, so it was ok, right?

Raptorpaw began to eat the bird quickly. It was early, not many were in the clearing and none, that he could see, were paying attention. If no one saw him, he would have enough energy to impress Hauntstar with training. Raptorpaw figured there was plenty to go around, and he would hunt more later, most likely. All he had to do was bring back more than he ate! The tom was just finishing up the bird, tucking away the last pieces of meat into his stomach for the rest of the day. Afterword, feeling comfortably full, Raptorpaw buried the bones and gave another quick glance around the clearing.

status; finished
puppet; raptorpaw
word count; 724 -.-
muse; actually, fairly decent. I usually am much more tired at 2 in the morning.
other; *smacks raptor* Bad![/sup]

[Haunt]

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There is a fine line between brilliance and insanity..

Hauntstar[/font]

I'm at a loss to where I stand.

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Hauntstar had enjoyed another nice night in his little placeby the bank of the river. He had over the seasons of his life come to cherish the spot as his one place of serenity. In fact if a patrol was to pass his special place they would probably see a nice indentation of himself. Stretching as he came closer to camp he looked around carefully. He would have to make sure Foxfang had sent out the proper looking Dawn Patrol. He was still busy testing the tom's capabilities. As he would soon be doing with Raptorpaw. After a good half moon of apprentices duties though. He smiled, assuming what Raptorpaw would do when he found out. If Hauntstar woud even make it a point to let his new apprentice know his sentence.

Walking into the shadow s of camp he saw Raptorpaw in the center of camp, chewing a rather stringy looking mouse. Slinking further into the shadows he watched carefully. He wondered if the young tom had even looked around for his mentor. He probably hadn't thought a thing about it, most apprentices with that arrogant way about them never seemed to care either way. On the first day it was usually commonplace to see an apprentice up early gazing around for their mentor. Not Raptorpaw, he just seemed to be interested in eating. Hauntstar lashed his tail for a moment, disappointed that his apprentice wasn't searching every crack of the camp for him in eagerness. This pretty much sealed his fate with apprentice trials.

Then something that really got Hauntstar was when the apprentice looked around quickly. He didn't notice him in the shadows, but Hauntstar saw everything. He couldn't say that he was looking forward to this apprentice now. The little thief was stealing another piece of prey before anyone else who would be doing something completely worthwhile had a chance at it. How dare te apprentice think it alright for him to take a piece of prey. He would really have to instill the Warriors Code into this one. Hauntstar's aqua-blue gaze waited on Raptorpaw for a while, waiting till the proper moment for his next move. Now the apprentice would think that the tasks were as punishment of the crime he had committed. When really he would have to do them anyway.

Padding silently over towards Raptorpaw he sat over his shoulder, even his breathing was quieted. Once the apprentice finished the prey he would probably jump out of his fur at seeing his mentor behind him. Then the next feeling hopefully would be guilt and a bad feeling that he knew what he had done. Then Hauntstar would begin to trot away from Raptorpaw to the entrance of camp. He would sit and wait for Raptorpaw. He still had not said a word since entering camp. This was Raptorpaw's punishment, being told that he wouldn't be going out with the other apprentices even though Hauntstar had come to the entrance. Other apprentices and their mentors had begun to join the group too. Most heading to a tour of the territory and still others going for some hunting or battle training. Hauntstar would wait there until everyone else had left eagerly to begin the day. Then he would speak, letting excitment fester and bubble inside Raptorpaw only to be told that he would be helpng the elders for the day and the next. Until Hauntstar felt he was ready or real stuff.

status; finished
using; hauntstar
word count; 577 x.x
muse; obviously suckish
other; haha poor, poor little Raptor, next thread shall be the start of the good stuff<3

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[S C O R P I A]

RAPTORPAW
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^{Guilt is the price we pay, willingly, for doing what we are going to do anyway.}

Raptorpaw wasn't one to break the rules due to ignorance. No, this tom knew full well what he was doing when he did it. In fact, he was so confident that he wouldn't get caught he did so almost arrogantly, like he was too smart for the rest of the world. Raptorpaw lifted his head and looked forward toward his mentor's den. He still hadn't shown himself for training. "What is taking him so long?" Thought the apprentice, "Everyone else is getting ready to leave?" Raptorpaw sighed and stared at the slowly forming group at the entrance to camp. The tom began to turn, planning on heading back to the entrance to the Apprentice's Den. After all, he didn't want to look like a pig. He was smart enough to get what he wanted. Could this, one day, turn into something more useful?

Raptorpaw was looking at the ground, and froze in terror as he saw a pair of tabby paws. Slowly looking up, he saw the face of his mentor. The apprentice appeared to relax, and sat, wrapping his tail around his paws. "Good morning, Hauntstar." Raptorpaw dipped his head to the leader, just like nothing had happened. But on the inside, he was panicking. How long had he been standing there? Had Hauntstar seen what he had done, or had he just arrived? Raptorpaw tried his best to appear calm and collected, staring at his mentor with eyes unemotional. He tried to look as though he was simply awaiting Hauntstar's return near the fresh kill pile. You see, unlike his brother, Raptorpaw was willing to not bring something up unless he was confronted. If Hauntstar asked him what he was doing, though, he would admit to it respectfully, while spewing out insults in his mind.

Raptorpaw shifted his paws in the uncomfortable silence. He wasn't particularity feeling guilty, but would prefer that Hauntstar said whether or not he was seen. Most likely he wouldn't feel bad if he wasn't caught; Raptorpaw didn't feel that having two pieces of prey was that big of a deal. He wondered vaguely what Stonekit would be like if he were still here. Would he be a rebel? Or would he stick to the rules and feel that Raptorpaw was being mousebrained? Not knowing was another one of this tom's pet peeves, and he knew the question would bug him for a long time. How could he ever know, though? Stonekit was gone, after all, and wasn't coming back. Green eyes stared into Hauntstar's brilliant blue ones, and he awaited his fate almost impatiently.

Just then, Raptorpaw looked over his shoulder to see a kit and her mother come from the Nursery. The apprentice's heart sank as he saw them going for the fresh kill pile, it was smaller now; others had taken their share as well. In fact, there was only one piece of prey left. A small mouse not unlike the one he had already eaten. Raptorpaw watched as the mother picked up the mouse by the tail and gave it to her child, who looked at it in disgust. "Isn't there something better to eat?" The kit asked, pushing the mouse away with her paw. Her mother replied in a stern voice, "You're lucky to have something to eat, Boundkit, there is someone starving every day." Raptorpaw was surprised by the amount of guilt that swept over him. How had the fresh kill pile disappeared so quickly?

Mind spinning with questions, the apprentice just wanted Hauntstar to tell him already. He would take the punishment, he just wanted to get it over with.

status; finished
puppet; raptorpaw
word count; 606... bleh. worst so far
muse; little below decent.
other; nope[/sup]

[Haunt]

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Smart is believing only half of what you hear..

Hauntstar[/font]

Brilliant is knowing which half to believe.

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Hauntstar knew that Raptorpaw was aware of the rules. He also knew that soon the rush of cats in the morning would come and it was more than likely someone wouldn't get the choice of bird to something less suitable. He knew that it would be punishment enough for Raptorpaw to see that and not know if Hauntstar had seen his crime or not. Hauntstar smirked a bit as Raptorpaw made to turn around and saw his black tabby feet. By then he had moved to the entrance just as the other mentors and apprentices iodid. It was a tradition that was carried out most mornings. That all the apprentices and mentors came to this place to tell each other their plans, join groups, and talk over their plansfor the day with their apprentices. This always took place while eating or after eating.

So naturally as the group grew, the freshkill pile slowly shrunk. It was a pattern that Raptorpaw would now learn. If he didn't some poor cat wouldn't get their food every single day. This would be an important and worthwhile lesson for the young tom. Hauntstar felt that this would be the perfec way to teach him. Not by saying a thing, but the not knowing and seeing as the pile becam no more. Soon some poor sap would find hat their prey for the morning would only be a stringy mouse. That cat wouldn't have the option of stealing someone else's breakfast too. They would have to deal with that all day until they had actually caught prey for the Clan. Raptorpaw also didn't know if he would be able to pay back the pile. Which he wouldn't be doing, just o make him think twice about taking two pieces of prey tonight.

Hauntstar had simply dipped his head in greeting to Raptorpaw before taking off to his spot at the entrance. He would greet a few warriors before he even thought of looking towards Raptorpaw. He was also telling every one of the mentors to wait before leaving to give Raptorpaw some much needed humility on front of his peers. He obviously needed it, he thought he was all that. Just as Flamefoot had, but Raptorpaw didn't have use for it until he was worth something to this Clan. Hauntstar planned on announcing that Raptorpaw was to do apprentice tasks all day, juust loud enough for every one of the apprentices to hear. By now there was a hushed lull over the group as they waited eagerly for departure.

Hauntstar was still waiting for the end of the line to the freshkill and he almost smiled as a queen and her kits came outof the Nursery. Glancing to Raptorpaw he saw that he was confused. Probably wondering how all the food had gone. Well there is more cats than one in this Clan and he would learn that now. As the queen pushed the mouse to her kits. One pushed it away with its paw and spoke about anything else that she could eat. Her mother replied with the classic someone was always starving somewhere, a message Raptorpaw himself had needed. He watched as the little kit spoke again. "I guess your right mother, but I still don't see why I have to eat this stringy excuse for a mouse. If I want to be a strong warrior though I guess I'll choke it down." The mother smiled at her kit as she pulled it towards the Nursery. One could barely hear the mother's reply, "That's my little warrior, Boundkit."

He knew that Boundkit's words would be enough to kill Raptorpaw inside. So as the tom turned his gaze to Hauntstar he knew it was his turn to finally speak. " Well Raptorpaw good morning. I hope you had enough time to speak with some of your new friends. Today you're going to be doing apprentice tasks though. So say goodbye and get over there to the Elder's Den and help them out with their ticks, bedding and the likes. You'll learn quite a bit about Clan history while you're there. Seeing as you are going to be spending the next day there and the next. In fact I may just have you spend a nice half moon learning about your history." Hauntstar gave an innocent smile to Raptorpaw and waited eagerly for some grumbling. This was always the fun part of the day.Crushing the hopes and dreams of one's apprentice. Especially in punishment for his crimes. He only did it because of that. He wouldn't have left Raptorpaw at the mercy of the other apprentices as they snickered. Then with a flick of all their mentors' tails they were off to train and see around the territory. Leaving Raptorpaw with a few snide goodbyes that Hauntstar appeared immune to.

status; finished
used; hauntstar
word count; 805 ^^ yay longest for this thread xP
muse; alright I guess, probably not as long as I'd like my posts
other; Hauntstar may be afraid of anger, but that doesn't mean he can't be cruel! xD

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[S C O R P I A]

RAPTORPAW
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^{You'll never have a second first impression.}

"That's my little warrior, Boundkit."

Raptorpaw felt sick. Not just because a kitten nearly half his age had dealt with a problem better than he had, but also literally. The apprentice's stomach churned and complained, he couldn't tell if it was because he ate too much, or if the prey itself had been bad. Whatever the reason, Raptorpaw was feeling very ill. After Hauntstar had left, he could feel Boundkit looking at him strangely. He quickly straightened up and forced his facade to stay neutral as though everything was fine. Obviously his mentor hadn't seen his little secret, and he wasn't about to give it away now. So Raptorpaw clenched his teeth and followed Hauntstar toward the entrance to camp. He hoped they would be able to hunt for two reasons: One, he wanted to re-fill the fresh kill pile and make up for his mistake, and two, he doubted he would last long in battle training with his stomach acting so strange. He did not like the idea of Hauntstar pushing him around right then.

As he reached the entrance to camp, Raptorpaw couldn't help but notice how immature the other apprentices were acting. There were two; Swimpaw and Wavepaw, who had been given their mentors yesterday as well. Needless to say, they were acting as though they still lived in the Nursery, and Raptorpaw had to suppress a purr of amusement at how much older he acted. Why, he was hiding his excitement as if he was a warrior already! The tom sat just a little bit straighter, staring at the entrance to camp seemingly just curious. Really inside, Raptorpaw was burning with excitement. He had heard stories of the rush of smells that hit your nose as you left camp, and how great it felt to catch your first prey. Inside, Raptorpaw was just like a regular apprentice, waiting for his first day of training with an eager heart. He just didn't show it as much, is all.

Swimpaw and Wavepaw were a few tail-lengthes away. Swimpaw was shaking with excitement, standing next to his mentor, Stormcloud, who looked amused. Raptorpaw tried to meet his den mates mentor's eyes and make a a sort of silent joke, but Stormcloud simply looked at him strangely. The apprentice was confused, but shook it off and waited "patiently" for the call to follow the patrol outside. He could hear Ragespirit telling another cat what he planned to do with Wavepaw for the day; showing him the territory then practicing a bit of stalking. Raptorpaw's heart leaped, maybe he would be asked to accompany them! He glanced at Hauntstar out of the corner of his eye, straining his ears to hear if he would share his plans with anyone. When nothing came, the tom relaxed and slouched a bit, flicking his tail back and forth thoughtfully. A few, elder apprentices joined the patrol and looked at him, talking in hushed tones. The tom narrowed his eyes curiously. What in the world was going on? Finally, Hauntstar began to speak.

As Raptorpaw listened, his tail slowly fell to the ground. Why had his mentor taken him over here, only to tell him that he knew about his extra breakfast? His ears flattened to his head out of embarrassment as the other apprentices snickered and whispered, staring at him. The tom felt the skin under his pelt grow hot. A half moon! He would be behind in training! Raptorpaw thought of all the things his fellow apprentices could do in half a moon. Why, they could learn to hunt and nearly master it by then! The tom watched as the group left camp. On their way out, one of the elder apprentices addressed him over his shoulder, "Well, on the bright side you won't be tired tonight! You should know, though, that I'm not letting you into the den if you smell like mouse bile!" The apprentice lifted his head and roared with laughter, and Raptorpaw could do nothing but glare.

His attention turned back to Hauntstar. That stupid, mousebrained fool! What kind of mentor shoves their pupil into a den for half a moon? How was he supposed to learn anything? Raptorpaw stared at the ground, not out of shame, but to hide the anger in his eyes. He didn't want to deal with this cat for the next six moons. Every mistake he made would end with him talking to the Elder's for half a moon. Who cared about history? Shouldn't clans be dealing with today's problems? That's what he would be doing if he were leader. The tom was certain his mentor wasn't doing a very good job.

Raptorpaw said nothing. He dipped his head, turned, and began to pad toward the Elder's Den, unsheathing his claws along the way. Better they dig into the dirt than Hauntstar's face.

status; finished
puppet; raptorpaw
word count; 817
muse; decent
other; yay for pms![/sup]

[Haunt]

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There has never been any great genius without a spice of madness,

Hauntstar[/font]

I like my brilliance with just a little extra.

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Hauntstar could tell that Raptorpaw wasn't feeling very comfortable, much to his pleasure. He seemed to be in a mood of tormenting young cats. Well when they stole from their own he often felt it necessary to steal from them. He especially loved the help from Boundkit. She was three moons old and alreay better than this arrogant tom in front of him. She knew what it meant to sacrifice and that trait would continue to grow because of her mother's teachings. It concerned Hauntstar a little that Raptorpaw hadn't got that through his thick skull. Well he certainly would think twice or even thrice next time about taking more than one piece of freshkill. Raptorpaw certainly hadn't left a very good first impression on his mentor and leader.

Part of Hauntstar wanted to wrestle a bit with Raptorpaw right there. The sick look on his face was enough to tell that he was either emotionally sick or physically sic. Hopefully a bit of both, thank goodness for karma. It always seemed to work in good's favor. Hauntstar also watched as Raptorpaw headed towards where he sat. His aqua blue eyes landed on the tom as he stood a bit straighter. He obviously was proud that he was strong enough to not be shaking in excitement. Though Hauntstar had always been fond of the young cats and their eagerness. It was a trait he wished would stay with the older ones. Instead they seemed to pick up a certain snideness that wouldn't leave until six moons after they were made warriors. Hopefully a little earlier, if they knew what was best for them. Raptorpaw seemed to already have that snide, high and mighty attitude.

He showed it when he gave a joking look to Stormcloud. He already felt as though he was a warrior and hanging with these over-excited apprentices was below him. Stormcloud did the proper thing as he gave him a strange look back. No apprentice on their first day should feel completely comfortable. Mentors often took that as a sign that the first thing to do with them would have to be tough, just to show them that they weren't all that. That they had plenty to learn. All cats did, but those marked as apprentices even more than the average cat. What would be the reason in calling them apprentices and giving them mentors if they didn't. So in acting as he was Raptorpaw would only annoy the cats around him. they all knew their place and the elder apprentices were already whispering about it.

As Hauntstar had been speaking his eyes had been focused intently on the flicking tail of Raptorpaw's. It slowly fell as he told him the news. Much to Hauntstar's oddly twisted glee. The hardest lessons were those he taught first, better to build them, than throw them up unstably. The basics of Clan life were most important, because of the lessons of humility and virtue that they taught. Raptorpaw was probably busy thinking about how behind he would be. When in fact he would later reflect and realize how important the lessons he had been taught from day one were. Hauntstar wasn't in the business of teaching snide cats, so until he went away with a look of sheer determination, in roughly a half moon, he would be ready for the easier parts.

Hauntstar was a big believer in history. From the ancestors of the Clans came some of the greatest techniques and skills of all time. They were stories that any cat needed to hear, those of life lessons and cats of old. They were the cats that founded the Clans and their values. Without the greats young minds had nothing to aspire to. Hopefully those stories would get Raptorpaw's head to shrink a little more and get him back to earth. He could be a great if he truly put his mind to it. No one would ever sink behind as Raptorpaw thought, because Hauntstar had his best views in mind as he taught Raptorpaw in the oddest of ways. Humility being the largest of anything yet. his head needed to shrink before Hauntstar could begin to fill it.

Hauntstar watched Raptorpaw curiously. He didn't even mutter under his breath about how stupid this was. Hmm, maybe Raptorpaw was one of those cowardly cats that cursed you in their mind but never said a thing about it outloud. There was nothing weaker to Hauntstar than someone that wouldn't voice their opinions. Even though he was in the business of crushing others' opinions. Maybe that is why it angered him. He would never know exactly and there for couldn't have a chance at debating it with him. So what was the point of having ideas of your own if they would never get out and you could test them. You were an idiot to Hauntstar if you would never take the time to say things outloud. Crazy in fact, more crazy than him even. Which was saying something.

Raptorpaw must have said some very rude things in his head to him. Otherwise he wouldn't be acting so respectful after being humiliated by most of the Clan that he would be interacting with for the next six moons of his life. Yet he didn't seem to care about it on the outside. All he did was dip his head and go towards the Elder's Den. Hauntstar's aqua blue gaze followed Raptorpaw carefully. He was looking up and down the apprentice tryin to find a sign that Hauntstar had gotten to him, gotten under his fur. Then it came, with the simple unsheathing of his claws. He was probably wishing that he could jump back and scratch Hauntstar in the face, not rn them over the dirt of the camp. That made it all worth it, he was in phase one of Raptorpaw's humiliation phase.

status; finally finished
used; hauntstar
word count; 983
muse; great at beginning, then I had to keep leaving, so slowly it died
other; you want to like jump to the last day of this for the end of the thread after your post? Unless you have any other ideas.