Silence Is Golden; Duct tape Is Silver/ Aiko

[ŖáIň]

The snow did not permit an easy stroll, she was indeed perplexed as to how to stay atop it. She was frighteningly silent, her breath the only sound that polluted the twilight's air.
Surely there would be something to hunt? Something she could grasp along the broad pallet of her jaw, to feel the thudding pulse of her quarry falter and silence in her merciless jaws.

[Aiko]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

Swiftstrike wasn't far behind Rainpath, his steps rather wide and clumsy. He didn't mind the cold weather. In fact, the snow did nothing to damper his mood; he had managed to convince Rainpath on a hunt with him. Even though it was a long shot that they would find anything, he was still very triumphant, feeling his convincing her an accomplishment.

Paws heavy, he caught up to her, his breath rising in the air, fog in the atmosphere. His eyes were sparkling cheerfully and his ears twisting to detect prey sounds. "The snow is so beautiful!" he said quietly, standing close to Rainpath.[/size]

[ŖáIň]

Was that a sound? A lone march from the feline that so clumsily abounded behind? Her lope forth was silent, a heeding whisper that penetrated the tall, barron birch trees; gloriously tall and a silver mist above? She was marveled, and her whiskers teitched, and body changed.
A fainter scent; a dwindling hope that spelt faith.
Quarry.
Her stalk falered, muscles now terse and eyes frighteningly focused. The sillohette, tained and perpertrated by a sly orange, casted a shadow upon the white floor below, and what she sought came forth.
It was rather scrawny, a vole to no pride, but it was something. Prey was scarce in the winter, and she was grateful, though she hoped for an abundance that would not come.
It froze for a moment, this rodent. Its black eyes dashed to and fro as he scrambled foolishly for a nut. But it would pay the price for its incolence.
In a swift and graceful bound, the dappled feline lurched forward and pounced, unsheathed claws grappling for a grip as she skirted after it: it was rather fast, a henna blur on the whitish ground. No matter, she would catch it, she told herself in an appraising mew.
And she indeed did. Her claws caught only the slightest bit of fur upon its spine, and her jaws thrust forth to catch the meek torso, and a sickening crack spelt the end.

[Aiko]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

Swiftstrike watched Rainpath, envious of her graceful ability. He had always been disappointed in his hunting skills. His build made him lumber like a lopsided badger, and he made a lot of noise stalking anything. He took pride in his fighting ability, though, and loved the thrill. He watched her catch the vole gracefully, ending it's life with a swift bite.

"That was very good!" he meowed, his tail twitching against the ground. "You definitely make up for my lack of skill." He pushed his envy to the back of his mind when he heard skittering in the bushes behind him. He turned and dropped into a crouch, tail low and ears flat. He stepped forward gingerly, seeing a mouse, small and scrawny, seeking food on the ground. He could feel it's heart beat against his ear drums, and he took another step forward before pushing himself off the ground.

The mouse heard him and was quick. It scurried out of the way, and Swiftstrike swore, his large paws missing by inches. He whipped around to grab it with his claws but missed, then gave chase. In the end, he twisted himself in the bush and fell, much to his chagrin. He untangled himself from the branches, feeling flushed with embarrassment.[/size]

[ŖáIň]

Crimson stained her footing, and an unfathomable glint in her eyes portrayed satisfactory for her deed. It was no longer coincidence that she had loped here with a steady accomplice, thus a low, scarce, purr engulfed her tar throat.
For a moment she did not speak; no, she was much to pleased for that, but the distinct smirk upon her face was smothered when another twitch in the lumber aroused her senses; a tantalizing daze of the instincts, and for a moment her muscles rebounded, and the prey that had been held coyly in her maw laxed with apprehension.
But she was too late. A black figure had slunk away after it. Disproportionate and clumsy, she watched, rather amused by his actions. Could he beat her at her own game? Certainly not, he was much too massive in stature to heed forth unperceived.
Again, another rare purr caressed the frost, and her tail flicked to and fro, though her face remained stony cold.
He had missed his mark, she mused, still cheery as he stumbled after, the mouse will be off in a moment.
Her perception had been correct, and he bounded after it, the frost upon the leaves caterwauling their disgust.
And the snap of twigs indicated the quarry had indeed conquered. Hesitantly, she peered through tendrils of yew and holly, breath even and eyes amused,
" That was an intriguing strategy. Very graceful, " she mused, voice a bit muffled given the fur laden in her jaws.

[Aiko]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

She was amused. It was clear his actions we're rather comical. He tried to not let it hurt his pride, but it was definitely stinging at the least. He flicked an ear, sitting next to Rainpath, feeling defeated. "Told you," he murmured, glancing toward where the mouse disappeared. "Hunting is definitely something I can't seem to do." He looked at the vole in Rainpath's jaws, suddenly feeling a little more cheerful. "Hey, at least you got something! I knew you could make up for my lack of ability!" He realized he had amused the she-cat; that had to mean something. He purred happily, blinking at her. The ice was breaking, he felt.[/size]

[ŖáIň]

Her stare provoked an uneasy kindly among her torso, a stinging wrath of bewilderment and irritation as her ear slightly flicked backwards. She supposed she should be cheery- she had, after all, prey still and limp and frighteningly peaceful in her jaws, but she could not help revoking the feelings of genuine echo of her silent and wavering past.
She was pleased by his enthusiasm, but returned a stony glare. She presumed this brusque whiplash was unsatisfactory to the twilight warrior, but she rather not become soft and unlikable like her Father was when she was filled with youth.
Did she feel pity when she stood up and shot an indifferent glance at the black warrior? Guilt? Certainly. It pained her, in a peculiar way, and she pawed at the ground and dropped her quarry in the depths of the hole.
Did she actually like someone? It was an amusing thought, but she wistfully hoped that he could not see the expression that lingered in her icy eyes.
" I'm flattered you consider me in such a way you do, she stated icily, "But would not it be best if we we're to make ourselves useful?"
OOC: I feel so cruel x3 He's such a kind cat.

[Aiko]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

His ears flattened, his hopes dashed again. That time, it hurt a little more. He was glad her back was turned, because he couldn't help the disappointed look in his eye. "You're right," he meowed, trying not to sound so dejected. He wanted nothing more than for Rainpath to warm up to him. He wanted her to emerge from her icy shell and be warm to him. He thought he almost had her, and her amused purr roared through his ears. He shook himself, shaking the disappointment and getting slowly to his paws. Who knew? Maybe he had warmed her slightly? He knew he didn't have much patience, but he wanted nothing more than to be friends with Rainpath.

He cheered himself up immediately, tossing his hurt over his shoulder, trying to forget about it. He bounded next to Rainpath, glancing at her. He admired her thick fur, and her elegant stance. He blinked, looking away. "I've probably scared of all of the prey, though, with my lumbering antics."[/size]

[ŖáIň]

He was persistent, wasn't he? A notorious burr in her winter coat, one she could not provoke to go elsewhere.
He was different then the others of her kind. Many considered it, she perceived, a pain to spend much more then a patrol alongside her. But he had offered a trip. Not out of spite- not in vain pursue of prey, but a simple queer to amuse her. And she was ever so rudely disregarding him?
She halted for a moment, tail flicking to and fro, and she was momentarily startled that her ultramarine pupils fell into his acidly emerald.
She flushed her regards, hesitant to continue forth. What did it matter? Not another soul was here, it was just another cat in her clan, one she had admired since she was a kit, a passerby with wide eyes as he tousled about with his comrades. Her sole amusement.
Peculiar how she had remembered. It had been many moons ago- but it still remained etched in granite.
No need in standing there like a fool, Rainpath. Speak. Make use of the time when not in solitude, she told herself fiercely, coming about the Rocks with wary eyes,
Was RiverClan nearing? Their scents, had they encroached on their territory?
Speak, the voice hissed again, and she found herself flushing at the ice beneath. How had she become so soft?
However, to her astonishment, her own purr came forth from her neck, and she bounded gracefully upon the boulders, envying the sun's glorious rays.
" Most likely, " she teased coyly, sitting up so that her tail wrapped around her paws, " If RiverClan hasn't whisked them away with their pungent scent."
Another content purr. What was she doing? Idiot, she told herself, but she continued to watch his badger-like movements from atop the pillar.

[Aiko]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

The sudden change made Swiftstrike pause, tail twitching in confusion. He watched her gracefully leap upon Sunning Rocks, her loud purr making his ears twitch. Her tease reached him as he watched, perplexed, as her icy shell seemed to melt away, showing him the true Rainpelt that was underneath, the Rainpelt he felt had been there all along.

His shock didn't last very long. It switched to energetic joy, and he leaped slightly in the air, nearly falling flat on his face. With quick steps, he leaped on another boulder, his movements much less graceful than Rainpath's. He lashed his tail, purring loudly, looking over at Rainpath, a stupid expression on his face. There was an excited glint in his eyes as he looked at her, the sun warming his back. Or was it the sun? He felt warm beneath his fur, and it spread through his frame, a unfamiliar feeling surging through his paws.

He stood, tall and proud on the edge of the boulder he stood on. "RiverClan better not dare to touch our Sunningrocks!" he challenged, crouching as if preparing for battle. "I shall sit on them until they surrender!" He waddled comically, falling hard on his haunches and laughing, his green eyes flashing back to Rainpath, warm and happy.[/size]

[ŖáIň]

Another peculiar purr from her lips, and an instantaneous fiery gawk laced the ground, a profound amusement in her gaze.
To much of her surprise, he bounded forth to meet her upon the pillars, and she settled in a low crouch as she hesitantly peered into his eyes, then at the yew that coarsely inhabited the bank's edge.
Studiously, she inclined her head to the granite flat, pondering quietly. There was no escaping the wrath of softness with this feline. It would be cruel if she persisted.
Again, her stare fell upon the black tom, the nape of her neck arising in exhilaration, as the sun wreathed her like a cloak.
" I'm sure they'd be frightened of such an intimidating fiend." she purred, studying his reactions in silence, " For if you terrified the prey away, then what can you be good at?" she inquired coyly, "Flying?"

[Aiko]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

Swiftstrike purred in amusement, nodding. "Terrified!" he responded, shaking his head seriously. "Who would want to be crushed under the weight of a lumbering badger?" He sprung to his paws, leaping a bit closer to Rainpath, eyes alight. "Why, flying? Don't be silly! Could you imagine someone my size in the air? It's deadly for everyone!" His purr was loud, filling his own ears with the sound. He neared closer, paws unsteady.[/size]

[ŖáIň]

Her tail lashed to and fro as she excitedly gazed back at the tom, settling in a lower crouch as a purr lashed awkwardly into the air, the dawn's glittering feat arousing the frost beneath the rocks.
" I certainly can imagine you in the air," she purred, " Slaughtering the common fowl as you terrorized their domain. " she mewed, scrutinizing his steps toward her reclining figure.
" Careful, SwiftStrike. " she mused, voice light, " I don't believe our beloved medicine cat would be particularly happy to see you. " she mused, settling over so he could more so easily come across.

[Aiko]

[shadow=red,left,300][/shadow]

Swiftstrike

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_{Somehow I found a way to get lost in you.}[/color][/center]

He nodded, the fur along his back itching. "Claiming the skies for my territory! Wrecking havoc!" He purred loudly, shaking his head. "Poor birds wouldn't stand a chance against me!" He took a final shaky step, standing just next to Rainpath, tail stiff as he kept his balance. He looked across the river, then back toward their camp. The snow blanketed the earth, making it sparkle and glitter in the light of the sun. Standing next to Rainpath, he suddenly felt very warm.

He focused on Rainpath just a moment, his green eyes catching her azure pools. He tore them away a moment later, forcing his sight back on the earth. Other than the soft trickling of the stream, it was silent. No birdsong, no skittering of prey. It was as if the world shut itself off, just for the moment. He sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws as he admired the earth, and Rainpath, just out of the corner of his eye.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he mused quietly, flicking an ear.[/size]

[ŖáIň]

She settled for gawking in the vicinity of the camp- tail flicking to and fro- occasionally brushing against her fellow comrade beside her. Nevertheless, she was wary. She sensed a coming war; the tension on the shores of the lake had provided her with that much of an insight. However, she hid her discomfort with an affectionate gaze at the sun, before turning back to the midnight hued male, purring.
"Surplus killing of the birds, graciously from Swiftstrike," she mewed, paws tucked neatly at her waist as she licked her lips to rid it of ilk.
But at the softness of his tone, she too admired the horizon.
"Indeed." she replied