The Loved and the Lost - OPEN

[♠ ＰＮＥＶＭＡ ♠]

I'm Queen of the dead and the damned i came, i saw, i conquered. Welcome to hell, everyone There it was, the rumored camp of the Vouno, deep, deep in the woods, beyond the opening known as Oros' Blessing. If one was to traverse through the dangerous woods and spiked peaks of the mountain, the caves lining the base of the camp would come into focus, tall logs and spiked bushes making the outside walls sturdy enough to keep even the bears out. If you were to wander farther down the entrance, through the opening and past the prickly guards, you would come into the main camp, the small area flooding with cats, most looking grim, but with a softness that comes with being with the ones they know best. These cats know one another, inside and out, and would die for one another. And at the head of it all, you would be able to see a thick furred reddish black shecat, half of her face burned off and scarred to bits, the eye missing, but in the intact side of her face, you would find the fatigue and hardiness of a good leader. This is Theristia, and she doesn't like outsiders. A wolf skull headdress rested by her feet, a bird skull strung around her neck. Will you approach? Theristia looked around, peering out of her good eye at the cats gathered below her. She was feared by most, this much she knew, but she figured that had it's own perks. She stood, her foot nudging the wolf skull at her head, vines used to fasten the object to her head rustling against the stone underfoot slightly. The dry sound of the skull around her neck shifting alerted some below her, and her group watched as she rose further, her small stature flexing and bending as she lept from the height, landing on the ground silently. She should be preparing for the upcoming Wolf Hunt, she knew this. It wasn't often the tiny shecat neglected her duties, but she wasn't really necessarily in the mood yet. She was tired of constantly having to move about and deal with issues, but she knew better. Though, Skiazo usually helped keep her head on straight, she hadn't seen her closest confident and the only cat she would call a friend today. This was unusual, as she was the cat closest to him since his sister and mother had left him. The small molly sighed heavily, flinching only a bit when a kit yelped at the sight of her face, listening as the mother scolded the kit fiercely, and hollowly nodding when apologies were offered. She wished her face didn't look like this, she really did, but she couldn't do anything. She really needed Skiazo. Where was he, anyway? Her paws shook, somewhat violently, but her gait stayed steady, her eye determined. Notes: It's so good to use this template again XD Tags: @anyone | Words: 462 thanks malin @ adox

Skiazo
Ordinarily, Skiazo did not leave the camp for long periods of time. Usually, he was out for a few hours before being back in camp, at Theristia's beckoning and ready to serve his leader at any given time. He had, after all, become her eyes and ears, her closest friend, and the two had come to rely on one another, but maybe not so much as his old friend had become rather reliant on him more so than he had on her. But he was aware he was still a warrior, therefore he still had other duties aside from being Theristia's additional eyes and ears.

The reason for being gone longer than normal? He had been tracking the wolf pack for the up and coming Wolf Hunt, keeping track of their movements and patterns. It could be useful later for the fyli to coordinate and plan ahead, to help things run somewhat smoothly. But, even then, there was always the possibility something could go wrong. Cats got hurt, cats got killed, it was just part of the process and something the Vouno had learned to live with.

Soon enough, the red fox wolf skin that had become his signature could be seen, the tom making his way back into camp with a bird in his jaws. If he was tracking, the least he could do was bring back some prey while he was at it. For now, the head of the fox, serving as a kind of hood, rested behind his neck, the coat of the hood he wore dusty but something he could handle later. The sandy brown cat made his way to the fresh-kill pile, dropping the bird among the rest of the pile before turning his brilliant green eyes to where he had spotted the she-cat on his way in. It appeared Theristia was out and about from her den.

"Everything seems quiet today." Skiazo spoke up as he approached his friend, dipping his head respectfully out of habit now as he came to join her side as he often did. And still, there were some looks and whispers, having heard his fellow Vouno wondering when the two would just become more than friends already.

[♠ ＰＮＥＶＭＡ ♠]

I'm Queen of the dead and the damned i came, i saw, i conquered. Welcome to hell, everyone Theristia, or Thea as everyone had taken to calling her, blinked away her surprise when Skiazo appeared out of nowhere. She was used to it by now, he had been doing that since before she had become leader, and it no longer affected the shecat. It made a few nearby initiates jump a bit when his deep voice suddenly broke the silence, but other than that, the most the two did was attract some more stares from onlookers. Not that she wasn't used to that, because of her face and all. Thea chuckled at the initiates, offering them a tiny smile as she focused on the words that came from her close friend's mouth, a report of sorts she supposed. "Everything seems quiet today." She felt relief wash over her. She had a sneaking thought that Skiazo had been after the wolves again, but she knew he wasn't foolish enough to take them on alone. She kept walking along, off the the Farmako's cave for some poppy to help soothe the headache she had pounding between her ears. And she was fairly confident he would follow. It wasn't often the two were seen apart within the camp walls, even if Skiazo did go out a lot more than Thea was able to. She kept her pace steady, replying as they went. "That's good. It's nice to hear good news for once, with the Wolf Hunt coming up. Though I heard the pack was quite large this time around, did you see anything out in the territory?" Her tone was even, but the cats around her could tell she was more relaxed. She didn't worry about cats running their mouths with the Warrior Representative with her, especially in the absence of a Lykos. Though, she didn't fear for her position by any means. No one had the gall to challenge the shecat, and if they did, they didn't do it again. She was merciless towards everyone, though Florence, Kida, and Skiazo caught the softest parts of her rough edges most often. She glanced at the entrance to the little camp as she ducked into the Farmako cave, murmuring greeting to the shecat settled in a  heap of moss at the back, near a smaller storage crack in the cave wall. The smell of herbs made the air thick, but the molly didn't bat an eyelash, only continuing towards Andromeda calmly.  Notes: Me too, Vouno cats. Me Too. Tags: @tundra Pandora <3 | Words: 398 thanks malin @ adox

[Pandora <3]

ANDROMEDA

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Let her sleep, for when she wakes..

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Andromeda had been rushing around all last night, sorting herbs for the wolf hunt and trying to clean her mess of a den. There was still a lot to do in preparation for the injuries that would surely happen, and the deaths that were.. probable. Even the thought of the Wolf Hunt seemed to depress her. And so, the weary she-cat had collapsed in her bed of moss a little after moon-high, and fell asleep immediately. Not without sending up a prayer to the gods, of course. The clan would need all the help they could get for the hunt.

The she-cat was sleeping heavily now, unaware of the approach of Theristia and Skiazo until she heard the she-cat pad into the den. Andromeda lifted her head quickly in alarm, her eyes still droopy from sleep. "Who-? Oh. Hello, Theristia, Skiazo." Andromeda greeted, immediately relaxing when she recognized the familiar face of her leader and the she-cat's right-hand-man. She'd probably have been more cheerful and friendly if her eye bags didn't weigh ten pounds. The she-cat rose on limbs of lead, stretching out almost painfully before sitting in her nest and facing the two.

"To what do I have the honor?" She asked, the question probably coming out a little more sarcastic than playful. The Fármako hadn't meant for it to, but when she was exhausted, she didn't really care about being friendly. Right now, she had to get back to work making herb bundles and sorting them so she could.. actually find what she needed. 

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She will move mountains

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Words
271

Tags
@phoena

Notes
I'll probably screw around with her templates for awhile x3
♥

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[♠ ＰＮＥＶＭＡ ♠]

I'm Queen of the dead and the damned i came, i saw, i conquered. Welcome to hell, everyone "Who-? Oh. Hello, Theristia, Skiazo. To what do I have the honor?" Thea smirked as she noticed the Farmako's snark. The younger molly looked absolutely exhausted, which worried Thea, even if it was just a bit. She could tell that Andromeda was anxious and upset that a Wolf Hunt was coming up, the younger she hadn't been a fan of the tradition since she was a kit, but Thea knew that her Farmako understood why they did it, even if she still didn't approve. "It's nothing big. If you're busy, I can come back later. I just have a minor headache." Thea glanced at the crevice behind the Farmako, bundles almost spilling from it from last night. Ah, she had been preparing this early? And nearly all night, it seemed. Yellow eye met green as she moved her gaze steadily back to the medicine student. "Seems like you need a break. Why don't you rest today? I'll send you an Initiate or two that can help gather herbs by smell. We can't have you dying of exhaustion on us." Her tone was playful, but her expression wasn't, her eye showing how serious she was about that fact. If they didn't have the Farmako there at the hunt, then they would die. If they didn't go on the hunt, it was only a matter of time before the pack was at their camp, after the kits and elders. Either way, they needed Andromeda to make this work. Thea watched the shecat closely, observing her fatigue. She stood afterwards, glancing up at Skiazo before she looked at Andromeda again, trying to see how she felt about the plan. Notes: OOF. Andromeda take care of yaself XD Tags: @tundra Pandora <3 | Words: 276 thanks malin @ adox

[Pandora <3]

ANDROMEDA

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Leave your fear behind

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Andromeda listened with one ear cocked to the side as she padded over towards her herb store, scowling at the mess. She'd clean it up later, when she had time. "Ah, don't worry about it. Headaches suck. Lemme just.." The she-cat fished out two poppy seeds carefully from the crevices with a triumphant grin before turning back and hobbling over on three legs to Theristia. 

"Take these. They might make you sleepy, but you look like you could use some rest anyways." Andromeda commented as she placed the seeds in front of her leader. Pfft, Andromeda was one to talk.. "Speaking of resting.." She began carefully, sitting back on her haunches. "You're right. I guess I could use the extra sleep." The she-cat muttered, trying to fight off a frown. Sleep sounded absolutely lovely, but the Wolf Hunt was.. too soon. Andromeda didn't want to see anyone get hurt again. Or die. 

"I'm just worried I'll run out of herb bundles, or something will go incredibly wrong during the hunt." The she-cat voiced her concerns aloud, her tired facial expression settling into one of concern. Andromeda didn't usually doubt her skills, but with the Wolf Hunt coming up, no Fármako could be too prepared for disaster. If Andromeda wasn't doing something useful, she would just let her feelings about the hunt fester. That happened every time she relaxed before a hunt. Worrying herself to death wasn't ideal. And so, the she-cat had agreed to resting, but she'd probably stay awake and sort her herbs. Probably. Sleep still sounded.. pretty great.

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Adventure awaits

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Words
260

Tags
♠ ＰＮＥＶＭＡ ♠

Notes
NEVER (she's such a mess XD)
♥

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Skiazo
As usual, Skiazo fell in step beside the likes of his friend, having grown use to just walking beside her without a word needing to be said. He held back the faintest smile as some of the Initiates jumped, sometimes forgetting few of their fyli were not quite use to his quietness as Theristia and her brothers were. “Yes, bigger than the usual pack we have dealt with in a while. The Alpha male looks particularly nasty this year, plenty of scars to prove his might.” He reported to her, knowing full well how to keep his distance and avoid being detected. Of Oros’ creatures, the wolves were not entirely stupid and sharp as the cats that ruled these lands. So, he always took precaution when he trailed them to watch their patterns.

”So far, nothing out of the ordinary. But, the Initiates will be put through their paces for those attempting to become Adepts,” Luckily, there had been nothing to further report that seemed concerning. He could handle talking with the other warriors later about the paths he had found, just so all of them were prepped just in case they did go on the Wolf Hunt. But as they approached Andromeada’s den, he allowed Theristia to go first before ducking into the den after her, the smell of herbs hitting him harder than a landslide. “Andromeada.” Skiazo greeted with a nod of his head, showing a hint of respect in his tone due to the position of the Farmoka being one of great importance.

He allowed the two to exchange words, occasionally glancing back to see if anyone else was coming but heard nothing. He didn’t mind not exchanging words, turning his gaze back to the two she-cats. “I would recommend getting what rest you can, the Wolf Hunt will be rough this year. The pack is a bit bigger and somewhat stronger, we need all the strength our fyli can muster from everyone.” The tom agreed, his tail giving a small swish.

[♠ ＰＮＥＶＭＡ ♠]

I'm Queen of the dead and the damned i came, i saw, i conquered. Welcome to hell, everyone “Yes, bigger than the usual pack we have dealt with in a while. The Alpha male looks particularly nasty this year, plenty of scars to prove his might. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. But, the Initiates will be put through their paces for those attempting to become Adepts.” Thea ground her teeth together. She hated that the wolves got smarter almost as fast as they themselves did. It was nearly all out war when the wolf pack exceeded 4 members, and with an alpha as well... This battle wouldn't be pretty. The leader's eyes glazed over with thought as Skiazo greeted the Farmako, her mind wandering so far that she didn't even hear anything that was said by the larger molly. She lapped up the seeds absentmindedly, knowing that she wouldn't sleep. They had a lot to do, and no time to do it. What was next to do? Oh, right. She had to prepare the adepts about to become warriors for the battle with the alpha, and the initiates going into adepthood for the fight with the pack themselves. This would be rough, but she knew it ad to be done. Was her own initiate ready for the battle? Had she trained her enough to make sure the shecat wouldn't die in battle? She wasn't certain, and the motherly instincts that came with being the oldest sibling raged up, making her want to hide her initiate away, and not let her go. But that would never work. The she turned to Skiazo, worry sharp as thorns still glowing in her eye as she straightened her shoulders. She heard something about something going wrong, and her hardened mask softened. Her back was turned to both, her face towards the cave entrance, when she spoke, and though her voice was firm, she knew the slight shake wouldn't escape Skiazo, if not Andromeda. "We just have to be ready to bury those who can't make it. It's rough, and I hate it, but we have to survive. We have to guard those who can't fight. And the truth is, if I followed my mind and let myself call the whole thing up, we'l be ripped to shreds in our sleep when they find our camp. I can't let that happen, I've already seen it once too many times." She was referring to her dream last night, when she was thinking of calling it off, giving themselves more time to train. Her gift of the future came to her, showing the wolves tearing the pelt off her brothers and the other warriors as they struggled to fight in the closed off space, showed her the scarred alpha tearing into Andromeda, ripping through Skiazo like he was a tick matted in his fur, and ended with her eyes staring down the throat of the alpha. She had woken up shaking, but no one needed to know anything about the vision. It was, however, safe to say that she kept the Wolf Hunt on, where they began with the upper hand. "Get some sleep, Andromeda." With that, Thea left the cave, steeling her shaking paws and glaring at the ground to get a hold of herself. Gods she hated being like this, but it was her job to be the protector, and she'd do it, come rain or snow, she'd protect her home. Notes: Gotta get some angst going on somewhere XD Tags: @tundra Pandora <3 | Words: 560 thanks malin @ adox