Even in the Darkest ForestxxThe Fireflies Flicker

[Roxie !]

XxEven in your bedroom shadows....

A lone feline's blazing yellow eyes pierced through the shadows of the forest, narrowed in concentration. A lithe silver tabby tom slunk through the array of trees, his paws padding soundlessly against the grassy forest floor. He knew the forest well, and by now nearly naturally stepped over the various roots and stones that were scattered around the forest paths. In fact, the ShadowClanner spent most of his time here, when he could. This place, as its name suggested, was, well...silent! It was mysterious and shadowed, and there were always secrets to uncover. That was what Bandedtail, as the warrior had been dubbed for the black rings around his bushy tail, liked about the place. He was an adventurous young tom, but he had his own style, so to speak. He was rather mysterious, although this didn't keep the flirty tom for running his mouth.

Bandedtail moved through the forest with silent grace. There was really no need to keep so quiet, for the warrior wasn't hunting. He was merely patrolling the territory near WindClan's border. But he didn't like to make the presence known. After all, one never knew when he'd need the element of surprise.

With a swish of his tail and a twitch of his whiskers, he had suddenly quickened his pace into a short sprint. Long limbs reached out, claws scraping against the forest floor. In a single bound, Bandedtail had cleared the log before him, whiskers twitching in amusement. Even as a warrior, he liked to occasionally play little games like these. It didn't hurt, after all, did it? Without giving the matter a second thought, he padded onward, walking again now. Dappled sunlight filtered in small golden shafts through the forest canopy, catching the grey of his pelt and turning it to a shining silver, his black stripes rippling. Bandedtail mostly resembled his father, Thornclaw, while his sister took more after their mother, who had been the previous ShadowClan leader Goldenstar.

Finally, as if by some miracle, Bandedtail actually allowed himself to stop moving for a moment. He had stepped away from the sunlight now, and was now one with the shadows once more. It was a quiet day, and the whether seemed warm. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to do a bit of hunting after all. The Clan probably needed it, and the newfound late-New-Leaf prey seemed to abundant to go to waste. Claws extended and flexed, churning the dirt of the forest floor thoughtfully. The silver-and-black tom had stiffed now. Even the tip of his twitching bushy tail had lowered to rest motionlessly upon the ground. Bandedtail was like a stone statue, his ears pricked unwaveringly; every muscle tensed. The only splotch of blazing color that gave his existence away was the blaze of his intense yellow stare.

The sounds of the forest seemed to intensify around him, and the Silent Forest was no longer silent. The wind howled mournfully, and then dulled to an eerie, sing-song whistle as it met the trees and brushed against their leaves. Far off, the hoot of an owl could be heard, along with a strange trickling. Perhaps a tiny brook that New-Leaf had uncovered? No matter, it was not what Bandedtail had strained to listen for. No, both his thoughts and ears were fixed on only one thing: the sound of a quiet scuttling, so soft that it had almost gone un-noticed. But now, Bandedtail had heard it. All of his senses automatically pinpointed the noise and its position. In one smooth, quick motion, the young warrior lowered himself onto the ground in a perfected hunter's crouch. He paused only for a moment to confirm his target's position, before slowly, paw by paw, he slipped along the forest floor. A stalking shadow, unseen by his new foe...

Bird scent filled his nostrils as soon, the plump little robin came into view. It's feathers were bracken-brown, but the blaze of read on its chest instantly gave it away to Bandedtail's keen yellow eyes. He watched it warily, already exhilarated by the hunt as he slipped toward it. The dim-witted creature was fluttering about noisily, wobbling on its little yellow legs as it pecked the ground in search of food. It hopped this way and that, and his eyes followed it with each movement, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Finally, it hopped close to his position in the ferns, too close in fact. It's beady little eyes had focused right upon him, but Bandedtail had already leapt. He caught it just as the creature had began to soar upward into the air, stifling its shriek of alarm. Landing with the bird between his paws, the ShadowClan tom raised his chin triumphantly, his eyes narrowed in satisfaction. Too easy.

....There is something movingxX

[squee.]

^{My heart is on my sleeve,}

[/sup][/i]

What did time matter anymore? Empty days came and went without so much as a mutter to control them, as if she was trapped in some movie and forced to live out some invisible script. Her identity was unknown to everyone, including herself. With so many moons passing and her heart growing colder toward her wicked kin each day....she no longer knew herself anymore. Why would anyone want to know her if she kept wandering down this path? If she allowed herself to grow colder with days passing, what would be the point in living in a clan? No, she wouldn't allow herself to hate him anymore then she did now and she wouldn't allow this hate to control her thoughts and actions either.

Gaze narrowed in slight annoyance, a picture rarely painted upon the warrior's white with black face. Normally, one would never guess her vexed the emotion would be replaced with a new thought before she had the chance to allow it to invade her thoughts as it did now. Though lost in memory and thought, her steps were covered with the sounds of the Silent Forest. Another hard shake of her head, she would no longer allow him to rule over her like this. She would never allow her memories to flash by like this again, if she could help it. No, she wouldn't seek vengeance against her brother....she would only fight him if he and his clan were stupid enough to go after Shadowclan. Only then could she allow herself to fight against him. Heaving a near inaudible sigh, she shook her head clear once again.

She knew that, at this hour, she should be back at the camp but, fate had her wandering this forest now. She had only intended to clear her head and then return to the camp or even hunt. With her head cleared, again, should be headed toward the camp with prey already and yet, she kept her direction. It was then that her surroundings finally became clear. Scents and sounds filled her head, forcing out any previous thought. Exactly how far had she wandered away from the camp? How long had she been gone? How many would be expecting an explanation? Another graceful shake of her head, she owed no body an explanation. She was a member of Shadowclan wasn't she? I guess it all depends on who one would ask. Many welcomed Twilight as one of their own, though there was still that select few that had refused to allow her into the clan as an actual member. With shapes of stars and moon running across her back....she didn't exactly fit in with any of the other members of Shadowclan....or any other clan for that matter.

Lithe form paused completely at the sound of a small fray from somewhere nearby. The struggle ended soon with a muffled squawk of a bird followed by the scent of fresh blood. Instantly, she assumed it was the fight of prey and predator. The scene was becoming more and more familiar as Green-leaf erased most of the signs of the struggle the clan faced months earlier. Jowls parted slightly to drink in the scents of the forest once more, tasting for who the predator was and who ever else was close enough to scent. The scent, along with the freshly killed prey, belonged to a Shadowclan tom known as Bandedtail. Twilight had never actually spoken with the warrior, but she had seen him around the camp a few times and had heard stories of the flirtatious tom from a few of the female apprentices and queens. Though she usually preferred company, now was not the time.

Veering off her path slightly, she had hoped to avoid running in with the tom. Blowing the encounter off completely. Too bad her mind was still mixed up with her memories, because within seconds she was standing in the same small clearing as Bandedtail. Well, that didn't end as she hoped. Ears flicked in a small greeting to the tom. "Hello, Bandedtail." Came the familiar soft, shy voice of Twilight. Nothing from the way her greeting sounded to the way she stood in the back of the clearing gave of the fact that she was mentally kicking herself for making this mistake. Was she really that bad of a warrior? Again, the answer depended on the one answering. More importantly, now what? What was she going to say or do now that she had barged in on the tom?

^{Wear it like a bruise or black eye.}

[/sup][/i]

[Roxie !]

Hazy yellow eyes fixed upon his fallen prey for a moment longer, raising his bushy striped tail proudly. Then, slowly, Bandedtail dipped his furry head and parted his jaws, gripping the bird lightly in his teeth by its ruddy-feathered chest. The scent of the robin was warm and inviting as it floated into his nostrils, and it greatly tempted the young warrior. He hadn't eaten since yesterday, and the prey smelled delicious. But of course, the warrior code said that the Clan must be fed first. Bandedtail couldn't help but roll his eyes. As if even a kit couldn't catch its own prey with the warm-weather abundance that had crept upon ShadowClan's territory. Never-the-less, he'd keep to the code(HAH! Pirates)

Bandedtail had wandered into the forest alone, and had intended to leave it alone. He had not been expecting any visitors, and because his mouth was now full of prey, he did not scent the femme as she wandered the forest. Nor was he aware of her attempts to avoid him, oblivious to the world around him. For once as he trudged back toward camp, Bandedtail allowed himself to keep silent, his thoughts deep and secretive.

It wasn't for long, however. When the she-cat entered the clearing, he finally became aware of her presence, tensing as his ears swiveled forward. Bandedtail brought his eyes upward to meet hers in slightly surprise, before recognizing the distinct pelt of his clan-mate. Twilight was a she-cat who had not been Clan-born, and he knew that some of the other cats still held this against her. Up until now, Bandedtail's opinion had been distinctly neutral on the matter. After all, he did have a bit of ThunderClan blood in him seeing as Goldenstar's brother had been Nightshade, the once-leader of ThunderClan. Perhaps now would be the ideal time to get to know the she-cat.

Though...Twilight seemed rather tensed. Perhaps she had been counting on being alone tonight. Bandedtail surveyed her, curiosity flickering in his sharp yellow gaze as she greeted him. He paused only for a moment, tail flicking in greeting, before he bowed his head to set down the robin once again to allow himself to speak, surveying her once again.

"Hey. Twilight, right?" He asked, verifying her name. After all, she seemed to know his. Bandedtail tilted his head slightly, giving her a cattish grin that was both friendly, and a bit cocky.

[squee.]

Despite every other cat in the clan calling out her name every so often. Or the rumors and annoyed insults floating around the clan's camp day in and day out....this tom had to double check her name. Twilight couldn't tell whether this was a good thing or not, and she could care less whatever the outcome. What ever the tom thought of her- she couldn't change it and she didn't care either. Just recently, Twilight had learned that it didn't matter what the rest of the clan thought of one mere warrior.....as long as the warrior could prove them wrong when they had their doubts or they could uphold a clan's life and defend it with every bit of strength they had. And she had been doing just that. Many warriors, apprentices and even older kits have questioned her on her hunting skills and on her fighting skills....often a warrior would challenge her to some fake battle, claiming it was to keep her up on training. With effort, she had managed to beat most of her challengers though she took little pride in winning those petty fights. And so far, Twilight helped keep the fresh-kill pile full. Though she had never been in a serious battle with another clan, or clans, Twilight proved useful during a small rogue invasion last moon. She had battled with everything she had to ward off the clan's enemies.

She had just noticed that Bandedtail had been in the middle of killing off prey when she intruded. Again, the warrior mentally kicked herself. If she had showed up moments earlier, she would have ruined his catch and the last thing she needed now was another enemy in Shadowclan. Her gaze fell to her paws in a new annoyance. Forest green eyes shone with such annoyance, such coldness, it could have made a warrior flinch away from her gaze though this time every bit of her rage was directed toward no one else but herself. No matter what she did, it seemed that she was messing everything up with everyone these days. Since coming to Shadowclan moons ago, Twilight had made more enemies then friends....if she had even made a friend in the entire clan since her first day here. Perhaps her brother was right, she wasn't fit to live clan life. She was meant to be a kitty-pet....or some loner. Perhaps she really did need her brother for survival. No. She was stronger then that, and she could live a warrior's life....she just needed to learn to adjust to these things. After all, she couldn't make every cat's goodside. She needed to realize that two out of three wasn't bad. Besides, she would never have the heart to live in Bloodclan alongside her brother.

Gaze rose to the warrior before her once more, though the annoynace with herself hadn't completely left her gaze yet. Twilight gave a slight nod to his questioning her name, though she didn't voice an answer. Who was she kidding? She shouldn't be here holding some conversation with a warrior, she didn't belong here. She should be off in some house living life as a kitty-pet. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." She replied suddenly with another nod to his fresh-kill. Within seconds, Twilight was back on her paws once more. Without waiting for any reply for the tom, she started off toward the other end of the clearing. She needed to re-clear her mind before returning to the Shadowclan camp and she needed to hunt.

[Roxie !]

Bandedtail fixed the she-cat with a quizzical stare, eyes narrowed. A gleam of curiosity lingered in his emerald-green gaze, mingling with his already skeptical foundations so that the silver tom looked almost bemused by Twilight's silence. She didn't seem exactly comfortable. Far from it; actually, the black-and-white warrior looked as if she'd rather be any place but here. Bandedtail's stone-still posture was momentarily broken as he twitched his whiskers and tilted his head by the slightest fraction, merely blinking in response to the nod Twilight had just given him. He'd got her name right. That was something. Still, the awkward silence lingered, and it made his paws prick with irritation. Since when had he been known to be awkward? Bandedtail had always been the smooth-talking, mischievous warrior in contrast to his more logical sister, Frecklenose. But now, this was beginning to bother him. And yet, in some ways, the silent she-cat also provoked his curiosity. Just as Bandedtail had opened his mouth to say something, however, Twilight beat him to it.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."

Bandedtail blinked, momentarily confused. This was just another part of ShadowClan territory, hers as much as his. But it was then that his gaze followed Twilight's to the bird he had just caught. With a sigh, he merely watched as she whipped around and began to pad back into the shadows of the Silent Forest. The whole encounter had been odd, to say the least. In fact, he wasn't entirely sure of what had just happened. So perhaps it was some odd form of guilt, curiosity, or a mixture of the two that fueled his next actions. As calmly as could be managed, Bandedtail slipped quickly after Twilight, his pelt turning a darker, shadowy shade as he moved away from the moonlight.

"Hey, hold on a second." He mewed, almost reassuringly. He then paused, still padding to keep up with the quick-moving she-cat and surveying her briefly before adding, "I wouldn't mind a bit of company. D'you want to hunt with me for a bit?" By now, Bandedtail had realized what he had just said. Unsure of exactly why he had made this offer, he kept silent about it anyway. It might have been better to hunt with a companion anyway. And even so, he still half-expected Twilight to refuse.

[le Dawnz]

OOC: -sighs- Instant yet oblivious love once again. Anywayz, sorry to intrude, but Roxie I love your siggy!!

[squee.]

[[ Twilight ain't in love. Not even close. And I'm doubtting Bandedtail ish in love. A simple crush maybe....but not love. Not yet. ]]

[Roxie !]

Oh oh to da see//Nuupe. Bandedtail neither. He just can't resist being slightly flirty and whatnot xD. And thanks! Kristen would kick Helen's butt though xDDD.

[le Dawnz]

OOC: Kristen's the short one right? Chenoweth or whatever, right? If so, I like her better, even if I haven't actually seen them perform, just some stuff on youtube. She's goofier and makes this fun. -nods-

[Roxie !]

OOC//Yep, she is. She's awesome xDDD. Not that I dont like Helen Dallimore...but her voice really annoys me. I dunno why. Maybe Im just not used to a British Accent!Glinda lol. But I cant stand it! I was just listening to her version of 'Popular'.
I dunno whether its my sense of humor, but I actually find Erin Mackey, who I saw in Chicago, funnier than Kristen Chenoweth. Not better. Just funnier. She sings Popular kinda fast but she just SPAZZES OUT. Clickith the shameless plug. Believe it or not, she was crazier than this when I saw her. I got dizzy trying to watch her dance xD. She even sounds kinda like KC when she sings! And Dee(Elphaba) Is soooo trying not to crack up.Lmao. Sooo yeah. If you ever get to see Wicked and get a say on where to see it, pick Chicago if they're still doing it. They ish REALLY Good. Particularly at the 'touching'(Or coughsappycough, if you wanna look at it that way) scenes. Theyir 'For Good' is reaaally sad. Just my humble opinion, but I think they're the best cast that are currently performing since IM and KC had to go and quit -mutters under breath- and from what I've seen on youtube of the other castehs.

Anyway, Im sorry for like, completely spamming this otherwise perfectly good roleplaying thread. Im done. Gah! See what happens when you get me started on Wicked?!

[le Dawnz]

OOC:: -tries not to laugh at video- She's very... bubbly. It looks like she's a cross between KC and HD. But I still like KC better. I wish I could see THEM preform. -sighs sadly-

[Roxie !]

OOC//-Nodnod- I couldn't stop laughing when I saw her in Chicago. And I know >< I hate that they stopped. Buuut have you ever seen any clips of KC's last performance? She ad-libs 'Popular'. Like, MAJORLY. It is soooooo funny! I was watching it today, and KC is just ad-libbing away and the whole audience is cracking up and cheering and IM is just like "O.O ROTFLMAO!" And there's a vid with that, and other clips from the last show. It's so sad, because they're both like, sobbing through half of it seeing as its KC's last performance. I think IM was crying a bit in Defying Gravity, and KC could barely sing the last song. Buuuut I'll PM it to you.. because Im starting to think if we continue this, we should, like, move to a different board.-shifty eyes- But hey, it makes us look more active xD