xx Storm of the Century

[Flint]

[Coyotesummer/Ivoryshard/OPEN! Woo!]

It was storming. The flashing lightning, the howl of the gale, did much to hide the lean canine’s entrance into the clan’s territory. Briefly she stopped, her muzzle lifted, a spark momentarily appearing in her once so lively eye.

Had she imagined their scents?

But when she could no longer smell her children, her head lowered, body sunk and she continued to slowly battle the wind.

She padded on.

For how long had she been running now? Coal had died moons ago, or was it an entire season turn? The she-coyote couldn’t remember anymore, days blurring together until it seemed like one long, unforgivable hell.

She knew the six were still after her. She wasn’t as strong, as quick, as she had once been. Her body had become emaciated, skin stretched over her skeleton like she was some macabre puppet in a sadist’s game.

Finally, her strength gave out, a sudden burst of wind toppling the coyote over.

“They’re coming…”

Flint whimpered once, before unconsciousness seized her.

[quintessence]

[ h e l l o ]

The wind whipped around the calico tom, throwing sand and dirt in his eyes, flapping his ears helplessly against his skull.
He squinted, gritting his teeth and standing firm against the merciless wind, his claws digging resolutely into the dry soil.

He had seen something fall from an outcropping not far away; with his rage of vision from that high place, he had thought he saw something else in the distance as well...but the wind fooled. He could see next to nothing in this swirling chaos of wind and lightening and dirt.

But a black shape loomed ahead...as the dark calico approached, he realized that it was a coyote.

He stopped beside the large head, looking down in surprise. His narrowed eyes -slits of purest aqua- surveyed her gaunt face, matted fur, emaciated frame.
Some cats would run, but Quintessence had known coyotes. He had always gotten along with Ivoryshard; he had since broken the tom of his fear.
Indeed, all Quintessence felt was sadness for the she-coyote. She must have run a long way...

Quint stood above the coyote for several long minutes, waiting.

She could not be dangerous; not in her state. Quintessence was fast. He was not afraid.

He moved with hesitation, the wind ripping at his fur, blowing him sideways. He unsheathed a single claw and poked the fallen coyote, poised and ready to leap aside.

[/blockquote]

[Flint]

Touch…

It had been the careful touch to rouse the she-coyote, the scent that was surely feline. Her eyes opened, once warm brown hues, now so tired, so broken. Wait, was it…

No.

They had been fooling her, for the briefest of moments, and the wild surge of hope faded just as abruptly.

It was a tom. Not her daughter, not that feline she had hoped to see.

Her gaze moved off the tom, moved forward, as she breathed shallowly.

“So tom…”

It would have once been a pretty, musical voice for all she was speaking cat. Now it was raw from dehydration, rough from disuse and so much pain it was purely heartbreaking.

“…are you here to kill me too?”

Another shallow breath. Was she going to die? She couldn’t, not yet, no.

Ivoryshard…Coyotesummer…

For them, for her young ones, she had to continue one. Had too…

Fighting the wind again the weakened coyote attempt to stand.

[quintessence]

[ n e e d . h e l p ? ]

Quintessence watched the coyote's valiant attempt to stand with alarmed eyes. "Here, let me help," he meowed, moving closer; he braced one dark shoulder against the she-coyote and pushed, hoping to help her stand.

"Kill you?" he panted. "Why would I...do that?" he shook his head slightly, tasting dust and grit. "I get along just fine with Ivoryshard; he's a good 'yote. I have no grudge against your kind."

He paused thoughtfully, his legs nearly buckling. The sky was roaring with thunder, and the wind was howling more fiercely than ever. "Hm, but then again, I guess he's a little different than most..." He shook his head.

[Silver]

Silverblade watched from the shadows.

Rain splattered her face and pelt even under a thick bush. She did not know why she was here. She had promised herself never to see another cat, had she?

Shaking her head she continued to watch. A kind hearted cat. An exhausted she-coyote. Silverblade wished she was her, the coyote. Dirt washed into her eyes. She thrashed.

What was she thinking?

That was only dirt. That cat will see her. She hoped not.
Lightning struck a tree close by. Silverblade jumped.

[Onyxdart]

The she-cat didn't know what had possessed her to go out in the storm, and her brother would probably give her the scolding of her life when she got back.

But she was restless. Very, very restless. And so she'd gone out, buffeted by the wind, just looking for somewhere to nestle down for a few minutes. Then there was a new smell on the wind. She turned her face that direction, mouth half open, trying to smell better.

A coyote? Cautiously, she headed that direction. It wasn't Ivoryshard, but there was a cat there too. She stopped when she got near them. And movement to her side. Gemfur tensed and looked that way. A cat she hadn't smelled.

And then she padded toward Quint and the coyote, ignoring the other cat for a moment.

"You know, one coyote is odd... two has to be a record," she purred kindly as she approached them, stumbling a bit as the wind she'd been fighting with dropped for a split second, nearly dumping her on her nose.

[/center]

I realized I have a bunch of characters who I haven't RPed lately...

[Flint]

Where another coyote would likely instantly attack, Flint didn’t even bother to protest the young cat’s assistance. Btu then, shock.

“Ivoryshard..? Did you say Ivoryshard?”

It was like a keening bolt of strength through her, the dog ‘yote’s name.

“Is there a she-cat named Coyotesummer with him?”

Desperation burned through the mother’s gaze. Oh, her son was here! But what of her daughter?

[quintessence]

Quintessence scrutinized Flint. She seemed desperate to see them...

A flicker of unconsious understanding lit the handsome calico. He blinked beautiful aqua-colored eyes, and meowed, "Yes, she's Ivoryshard's sister. They joined together; I helped them chase a fox who had killed a queen's kits. They're ok, those two."

More seriously, he added, "If you stay here, I'll get them for you-- would you like that?"

He paused for a moment, then dashed away. This coyote needed rest and food, but he rather thought she needed reassurance as well...

[ Coyotesummer can show up now. Maybe she was all he could find. ]

[Onyxdart]

ooc: Butbut... but I wanted to post as Ivoryshard... can we give up on the Fox thread yet?

[.::Umberwings]

[OOC - Go on ahead and post as Ivoryshard. XD]