- oh, the irony.! [open.risingsun]

[AUGUST !]

eclipse.

the white and tan tomcat sat, curled up in the shade of the auburn-leaved trees. a sigh emitted from the depths of his throat; life was tiring, to be sure. not only the things he had to do, but also the cats around him. not every feline was exactly... the easiest to put up with. he tried to push those thoughts from his mind, however, and attempted to simply relax under the shade of the birches. the day was a sunny one despite the chill autumn was supposed to bring. nevertheless, he shook his head and let his aching bones rest. his brain whirled around and around, rotating in repetitive circles. too much had been inserted into his being that day. actually, the whole week had been tiring and exhaustive to both his soul and his physical body. he needed to recover... desperately. every second he turned around some hunter needed some help with hawk-hunting and taking down larger prey. some elder needed him to clean their den. some guard decided he wanted eclipse to take his place for an hour doing nothing while he strolled off to flirt with the ladies. all the while taking in the heat of the hot sun; not basking, but panting in the scaldingness with no cool breeze fall was supposed to promise.

after pondering all of those things, he only got even more fatigued, so he closed his eyes in endeavor of sleep. again, it was a feeble one when the chatter of other cats grew and the buzz of life threatened to burst his ear drums. gritting his teeth with frustration, he leaped to his paws. and scrambled up the birch tree that had served as a haven for his sore muscles and boiling skin. now he was perched in its uttermost branches, whiskers brushing against the golden leaves that matched his drowsy, slitted eyes. they were all wrinkled, withered, and crumpled. despite the hot weather, winter was coming in the matter of months. he found it extremely difficult to believe, but such was true. he shook his head in sheer disbelief, lazing about in the branches, away from the rest of the world. at least, he wished he could be. below the endless chatter never ceased, cats weaving in and out of the ravine dwelling. the only thing he could do was sigh and close his eyes in pleading.

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2nvwjld.png] a rustle of leaves was all that announced her arrival home. she came in seemingly on a breeze as per usual, roosting high up on a narrow branch above the homestead. in her jaws she held a finch, something small to munch now that she'd brought home plenty else. it wasn't until she glanced around for a spot to land and eat that she spotted the fellow below her. lucky she hadn't dropped the finch; he'd have had a head full of feathers and guts! the idea of dropping a finch on Eclipse's head brought a smile to the she-cat's narrow face. rather than doing such an evil deed, though, she simply took from the branch and like a spector, circled down into the clearing. she turned to face him with a smile still gleaming in her eyes, wings folding to her sides. "dear boy, you look positively dead. them hunters been running you wild, huh?" the finch was dropped near him, and she took her seat. with some adjustments to her wings, the pretty she-cat settled near him, nudging the finch closer to him. "you might as well enjoy a meal, boy. it's small, but i can go another hour without it. you've still got growin' to do." the she-cat's voice was friendly and calm. she hadn't gotten to know this trainee very well, and fully planned on fixing that now that she had a moment's rest. and if she were speaking to this little tomcat, no one would pull him away except for training... and the poor lad was so tired, what would be the point?

[AUGUST !]

eclipse.

just as he was close to letting go of all worries and submitting to the lull of sleep, the sandy hunter captain by the name of pepper came into view, resting on the same branch he himself lay and fluttering her owl-like wings into place. "dear boy, you look positively dead. them hunters been running you wild, huh?" all the while she dropped a finch; such a small morsel it was, but he blinked his eyes open and sunk his teeth into it nonetheless. it was then when he realized his great hunger; he devoured it in seconds as he listened to her pity. "you might as well enjoy a meal, boy. it's small, but i can go another hour without it. you've still got growin' to do." he recognized the similar slang she and stonethunder, the warrior captain, shared, and for a split second he considered the thought of she and him being siblings. he quickly cast the suggestion out of his mind, however. it was highly unlikely, for stonethunder was far older than pepper; at least, he thought so, although he still wasn't sure.

suddenly remembering his manners, he looked up and blinked, golden eyes glittering with appreciation. "thanks," he purred, even though he was quite ungrateful due to the fact still, she was not knowledgeable to such a thing and she showed much kindness by revealing the courtesy of giving him food to eat, be it the tiniest shrew to the most monstrous rabbit. he nodded several times, letting his jaws gape into a huge yawn which unhid his white fangs. he tilted his head a few times, and when the satisfactory crack came, he sighed with relief and rested his chin on his paws.

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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2nvwjld.png] he's still got growing to do. tiny little kitten. pepper mused to herself, red eyes gleaming with a sort of fondness. it wasn't too common a trainee ever slacked off around the captains, a rank pepper proudly filled. today wasn't the common day though... today she felt like the company would do her some good. unfortunatly, this kid was half dead to the world. where was the fun in that? talking still takes the mind of the worries of the tribe. he's tired, but he's still able to speak... get something out of him, pepper! stop slacking! "thanks" she blinked her thoughts away as he thanked her, surprising the girl to say the least. by the gods of light, the boy can speak! oh, wait, too much sarcasm there... let's try that again. she shifted a bit and flexed her claws lazily. "you're welcome, eclipse." a tiny purr followed, before she rested her chin on her paws. "so who's it been trainin' yah? stonethunder?" the she-cat took a moment to rasp her tongue across her paw. "that buck-toothed old limper... he'd better know his stuff to be a captain." pepper's tone was playful, if a bit scornful. she'd seen little to nothing of this huge tabby chewtoy, and as such, her opinion of him was lacking a few good points. how could a three-legged, one-eyed cat train the future protectors of the tribe? this kitten is probably doing all the work for that mangy fellow, i'll wager. those red eyes gleamed as she looked down to the lower area, curiously searching in case the former had appeared during her rambles and thoughts. i'll admit, meeting those fangs in battle would be a dangerous thing... but he's got himself no wings! how does he manage? so caught up in her own mind, the tawny she-cat probably wouldn't notice it if riddlehawk had sprout a set and flown up beside her. the better question was how the heck she made it to captain with such a lost and rattled mind?

[AUGUST !]

eclipse.

eclipse blinked, hardly registering the slang pepper used. he was dizzy and exhausted. she seemed to understand his questioning and his tire, though. nevertheless, the sandy, owl-winged she-cat chattered on, red eyes giving off an intense aura. "you're welcome, eclipse." a short pause followed as a purr rattled from her throat. "so who's it been trainin' yah? stonethunder?" eclipse almost chuckled at her question. stonethunder? training him? he shook his head, ruffling his tiny golden winged that only stood there as mere decorations. he wished he could truly fly. he tried to keep a straight face so as to not reveal his disappointment in such things. however, a little flicker of hope still sparked; so help him, he would fly someday. fly so high he'd beat the best fliers out there. all he needed was his runt wings to fully fledge. "that buck-toothed old limper... he'd better know his stuff to be a captain."

[/i] eclipse grinned broadly. indeed, his tire was fading quickly as he was entertained by pepper's playful scorn for stonethunder. he just shrugged and flicking his tail high, rising to his paws and yawning once more.

"so how're... how are you this fine... er, day..?" he had to choke the words out drowsily, looking to the bright, blinding sky and the sun that was in it. he would have fluttered off the tree just then, thudding to the ground if he had been just an inch more exhausted. he decided to sit down again and laze about, eyes half closed and unnoticeable winged tucked neatly on his shoulders. they were so small they almost looked like markings, had they been just a little less feathery! he tilted his neck over and scrutinized them in disgust, snorting and almost angrily sitting down upon the sturdy branch. his grin had long since vanished, replaced by a grim line and fatigued features.
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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2nvwjld.png] "so how're... how are you this fine... er, day..?" his voice caught her ears and she smiled, tail twitching below the branch. "fine enough, i s'pose. it's not really a bad day, and the hunting's been fine... but you're bushed. hopefully, you're feeling fed enough though?" red eyes glittered with a sort of sisterly concern, his being too old to be seen as a kit, too young to be seen as an equal friend. little tribe brother would have to do for now. her eyes travelled to his wings, and a pang of sympathy hit her chest, clutching her stomach in a way that made her readjust. peeking back at her own, fully fledged wings, she winced. she'd been flying since she was a bit older than eclipse was now... how had his wings not fledged as well yet? turning back to look at him, her own smile faded into a sort of playful frown. her frown mimicked his, her ears drawing back. "your face will stick like that." she meowed scornfully, reaching her neck out to rasp a gentle tongue across his shoulder. "i almost had you smiling. what's wrong now?" her head returned to her paws, like her smile returned to her face. pepper was a bit distressed at this kid's sudden mood swing, but otherwise... he amused her. she felt a purr raise in her throat, but kept it silent. why should she purr about his being upset!? unreasonable.

[AUGUST !]

eclipse.

"fine enough, i s'pose. it's not really a bad day, and the hunting's been fine... but you're bushed. hopefully, you're feeling fed enough though?"

[/color] he was thankful for her sympathy, but at the same time he wasn't. eclipse didn't exactly enjoy the way she was staring at his wings, but he couldn't blame her; they were tiny little things, and he had brought attention to them. sighing, he decided to not reply to her question; after all, she was slipping off to the next subject without him uttering a word. "your face will stick like that."[/color] eclipse blinked in slight surprise as she bent down and let her tongue rasp over his shoulder. he almost recoiled, partially due to the fact he was slightly intimidated by her. he was a battle trainee and she was... the huntress, or leader of all of the hunters. the captain. he choked down probably the fifth sigh and tried to ignore his sizzling hot pelt; not of the weather, but of shyness and embarrassment. "i almost had you smiling. what's wrong now?"[/color] eclipse just shrugged and sat up, flicking his tail.

"oh, i dunno. i'm just a little depressed. a lot going on, y'know?" his sixth sigh escaped. he turned around and stretched out his wings, attempting to balance in the still air as he paced along the thick branch. he grunted and whipped around, leaping up to the next jutting piece of wood. it was a bit unstabler, and he nearly slipped. a little yelp was heard... and it came from himself. he shook his head and dug his claws deep in, looking at his wings in remorse. he felt as if he'd done some sort of wrongdoing to receive such runty wings. they had feathers, sure, but only decorative wisps. they did not contain the essential lightness. in fact, they were gold, and one might think they were, for they hung limply at his sides and it was a pain to move the weights on his shoulders. they had not yet grown hollow in the bones or light in the fur-like feathers. he shook his head, wishing.
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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2nvwjld.png] pepper's own sigh followed his when he spoke of being depressed. her's was more exasperated, though. she watched him with narrowed eyes as he climbed higher, his wings held without dignity. her ears flicked back and she gave a subtle groan, standing and following him up with a few flaps. she came to a stop beside him, roosting with her long talon-like claws gripping tightly to the bark of the branch. "well there's your first problem, chickling." her own wing reached out to brush his gently. "you need to work them more, and holding them limply won't do. build strength in them whilst they're heavy, and you'll have better power in your thrusts when it comes time to fly." admittedly, her own wings had hollowed out early, and she'd been able to fly at a younger age. her flattened tail fur and ruffles on her legs allowed for an easier flight... he seemed to lack these features, but with any luck, the kitten would change with his growth. "i'll teach you some techniques now, if you like." she moved to side the branch, tail gripping the air as if it were solid. "go ahead, spread them wings of yours." she did so herself, stretching her wings above them in a way of proud spread. "a good stretch is the first thing you need... once your wings are stronger, which should only take a few days of stretching and excersize, you'll be able to start..." she lifted off the branch in a glide, only stroking the wind as she came to land on another, lower branch a few feet away. turning to face him, she smiled and finished. "..branching. go ahead now, stretch them wide as you can."

[AUGUST !]

eclipse.

"well there's your first problem, chickling."

[/color] she stretched out her wing; he shivered as her feathers touched his own. "you need to work them more, and holding them limply won't do. build strength in them whilst they're heavy, and you'll have better power in your thrusts when it comes time to fly." he blinked and merely listened; to tell the pure and honest truth, he was quite doubtful of her motives. from wallowing in sorrow for so long at his runty wings, he never really did encourage himself with the thought and thus he was used to the fact that his future was probably going to be him being impaired from flight. don't expect anything; then you won't be disappointed. that had become a daily phrase in his life, and he believed its words. in a way, it was good, but because of this his hopes and dreams and happiness was gone. he was such a young soul, and it was a pity his imagination was spoiled by such a sorrowful mishap. nevertheless, he listened and obeyed, lest she reign affliction upon him if he refused.

"i'll teach you some techniques now, if you'd like." to those words at least some hope entered his heart in the matter. he listened and listened to her instruction, letting himself take a deep breath and stretch out his wings. the feeling was nice, really. he stepped forward and closed his eyes, preparing to leap towards another branch. he opened his eyes again, revealing those luscious golden orbs, and set himself on one specific, sturdy-looking thick branch. it would be good for a first, wouldn't it? he thought so. silence seemed to enter his mind, determined to block all distractions from the sizzling day. he tensed his muscles, flapped his wings a few times to warm up, and leaped. it was rather clumsily, but nevertheless he made the short distance and blinked as his claws reached out and grabbed the branch. his success was unexpected.
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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2nvwjld.png] she watched him glide over with a sudden and unexpected burst of pride. his own surprise brought a purred chuckle from the she-cat. she came over to him, litting on his branch and fluffing up her fur a bit. "wonderful! great job, eclipse!

[/b]" she rasped her tongue over his ear and sat back. "not so hopeless now, huh? lets try again." she turned and lifted off the branch to another one a bit more away. turning, she folded her wings to her sides and crouched near the trunk. "it's further away, but you should be able to make the glide. go ahead, try. and if you don't make the full distance, i'll bring you up again."

a warm smile came to her crimson eyes. her voice matched as she meowed over to him. "you'll make a powerful fighter with wings of gold someday. i know you will. soaring down from the skies like fury blazen, catching your enemies off guard with powerful dives and sharp claws. make your tribe proud, eclipse." her wings shifted as she spoke, her teeth and claws flashing out and encouraging pride glinting from her voice. her methods were strange, but hopefully it'd work.

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[AUGUST !]

eclipse.

eclipse listened to her instructions carefully, posing himself on the branch accordingly. he made sure the winds were strong before he prepared to leap, although her unexpected praise came out of nowhere just as he was about to stretch out his wings. "you'll make a powerful fighter with wings of gold someday. i know you will. soaring down from the skies like fury blazen, catching your enemies off guard with powerful dives and sharp claws. make your tribe proud, eclipse."

[/color] from those very words, he took a deep breath and eyed her with awe. would he really, truly be that warrior? someday... he promised himself, readying for gallant flight. he perfected his stance, tensed his muscles, and locked onto the jutting branch ahead with those fierce, determined golden pools. then he jumped, letting his wings soar above the stirring breeze. it seemed to cuff below his feathers, making his body as light and as flawless as air. the sensation was felt all over again, and he wondered how he could ever dwell on the ground ever again.

the moment ended as he stretched out his claws and grasped onto the branch quite shakily. nevertheless, he had made it! that was all that mattered. "wow..." he mewed to himself, although very much so out loud. he shuddered from the aftermath of the feeling. it was so amazing! "wow, wow, wow!" he repeated, eyes wide.
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[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2nvwjld.png] pepper watched with eager red eyes. the boy's stance was nearly flawless. good... and then he litted from the branch, and in a breathless second, was landing beside her. she blinked away her amazement to replace it with pride and approval once more. "i do think i'm looking at rising sun's future. that was wonderful, eclipse!

[/b]" she purred and moved over to nudge his ear with her nose, a gentle gesture to praise his efforts. "a few more times, and then you should get some sleep. tomorrow's a busy day, and you'll need the energy.[/b]"

without much warning, she dove from the branch, twisting below it and making her slightly less than epic landing on a nearby branch, lower down and off to the side. "you'll need to twist to reach this one, eclipse." she turned to face him again. "don't start like i did. face me and try to turn and reach this branch. we're not birds, so our tails don't work as well as theirs do. try using your hind legs in the main flight, and your tail as you're lifting off and landing. remember; up is down, left is right. now try." her voice still held a certain pride and understanding as she instructed him. to think, a hunter teaching a fighter how to rule the skies... "It's just like battle training; think back to your leaps."

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[AUGUST !]

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[bg=CF5E26] eclipse nodded, dreamily taking in all of what she said. he would soar through the skies and be a true fighter of rising sun. determination split through his veins as her challenge sliced the air. he was sure it wasn't meant to make him feel worried and rather nervous, for it was a warm mew she used to refer to the supposed challenge. still, a challenge was a challenge, was it not? smirking, he tightened his muscles and poised his legs so he was nearly sure he was in a perfect position. gulping, he glanced at the wind and flicked his gaze up and down the winding tree. would he make it? the tension was unmistakable to any watching, he was sure. eclipse knew that there were probably none watching but for the cheery rising sun captain, it still made his heart thump violently and thus make him shudder. "i can do this," he whispered to himself, taking a deep breath and finally taking the dare and flapping his wings. he leaped and soared, although he wasn't sure if he would make it. he didn't feel that same sensation - - only a feeling of an endless pit. suddenly, his stomach felt like steel; he faltered and began getting dragged down, down, down! he screeched and stared at his tiny wings with absolute horror. his feathers! they were... they were too weak! his muscles were too premature. he couldn't make it! he just couldn't!"aaaahh!" he yowled as he scrabbled for the tree. it was insane... he could hardly breathe, much less do anything. it was horrible! it was, to him, slow motion with so many things going on at once. in reality, it was only a few seconds of him hopping off, crashing into the tree and then a blur of him plummeting headfirst to the ground.

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