Post by Silver on Aug 16, 2014 22:32:07 GMT
Flattening his sensitive and keen ears at the sound of his leader's raucous caterwaul, Azriel was woken up from his midday nap with a startled flinch. He looked around, confused, before realizing that he must've fallen asleep after his energy was sapped from a deer hunt. For such a regal and majestic appearance, the SwiftClanner learned the hard way that fighting off a buck was not as easy as one would think. Not only had he planned to attack the buck as prey, he had also yearned for keeping the palatial and delicately carved antlers. They had been one of a kind, and keeping the hazel hued pelt wouldn't have hurt, not him at least. As for the buck, well it would be long dead by then so it wouldn't inflict pain on the stately creature at all.
Nonetheless, the senior warrior listened to each word that dropped out of the leader's mouth, certain that they would still like glue to a piece of paper. However, it was only a matter of time until the glue wore off and became less sticky, so the sooner the russet wolf would set out, the better.
It was a hard decision for him, choosing between whether to go out with the rest of the rambunctious group that was plowing through the territory first, or to make his decision about which trinket to search for right on the spot. The latter choice seemed a bit demanding, forcing him to take some of the time to think. He couldn't afford to think all afternoon, and the sand was already sliding away from the hourglass. Grain by grain it would descend, until there as nothing left but an emptiness, a void.
However, the former choice was what he disliked even more. Going out while the deafening and thunderous tumult from the massive group of SwiftClanners all frisking each inch of the territory for a mere trinket at once was almost unbearable. The discordant ambience of the forest would be too much to bear for the sensitive feline.
Now, Azriel would move onto thoughtfully pondering on what his trinket shall be, shall represent. He had a wide variety of choices, but what he valued, what he thought would reflect himself, it would all narrow the assortment of different objects down in the long run. No one had said that it was easy to find an object that would reflect oneself the best, but all in all, it was harder than he had expected.
He lifted his head upwards towards the azure sky. The sun had moved a few degrees to the west since he had last seen it before he was thinking. If he wanted to find his simple, yet subtle trinket, he would have to get a move on.
Traveling out of cramp, Azriel purposely stepped on some dry, brittle sticks and leaves, enjoying the pleasing crunch and crackle that came after. It did make him feel like he was in command, in command of his life and his actions. He still had unlimited options ahead of him, roads to take, decisions to make. This was only one out of the multitude that would be committed.
Looking around at his surroundings, the experienced hunter would see some of his Clanmates already on their way to return to their camp. Azriel stopped to watch them sort of in shock as a number of others doubled their way back. While he had only thought of his object, they had already found and completed the simple task. Of course he would be the one to over-think about this, but that was just another trait of his to add onto tracking down the ornament.
Alas, it was too late to focus back on hunting after breaking his intense concentration and motivation. Soon after trudging forward no more than a few rabbit hops, Azriel located a nearby stream. A cold, refreshing sip from the stream would invigorate him and cool down his hot head. He had been tired from the start, and now having to explore the territory, he was losing energy more quickly than usual.
Arriving closer to the stream, Azriel would perk his angular ears towards the brisk, trickling sound of the forest stream. Grateful to be under the shady canopy of pine trees, the hunter would lean downwards to take a few drawn-out and satisfying sips from the body of water. Worn out with aching paws, it rejuvenated his energy and motivation to push onwards.
Heaving himself onto his paws, the powerful predator would come across a trail blocked off by looming, colossal boulders. It seemed nearly impossible for an animal to get a firm grip on it without falling off, and going around would take away all the time he had from now to sundown. Now that he thought about being low on time, Azriel squinted and squeezed his eyes smaller as he looked up at the sun. Checking as fast as he could, he looked down at the darker colored ground and reviewed what he had seen.
The sun had been nearly halfway until sundown, which meant he had about a decent, three hours left to retrieve the trinket and return home. Scaling a boulder nearly didn't provide enough time, so he decided to be flexible with his surroundings and move accordingly. If there was an enormous and gigantic rock in the way, he would climb over it.
Seeing that digging would take more time since the large rock was firmly embedded to the ground, Azriel concentrated on climbing up the rock.
Moving under the shade the rock provided first, Azriel would find footholds to climb his way up.
Successfully climbing up and landing safely on the other side, he would continue his hunt.
Now, he was by the river, glittering with sparkles as the sunlight reflected off of the rippling river. With no time to stop to enjoy this change in scenery, he hopped closer to grab a pebble. A worn, smooth, soft, shiny pebble that caught his eyes.
Why? Because the warrior felt like one. It was worn down, beaten, abraded, but also carved by nature into this fine shape that revealed its beauty. Once a former sharp and jagged lump of rock, it was now intricately worn away to this delicate trinket which revealed its old lifetime of being eroded. Azriel felt exactly like a pebble. Some rocks, friends in his life, had been washed away, dragged away by the never-ending current of death. As time continued, he became smoother and smoother while the newcomers to SwiftClan, to his life were still starting out as rough and uneven pieces of solidified minerals. He felt like he was in a completely different timezone, with Clanmates thinking he was old and senile when he was in his prime.
Yet, grain by grain by grain, all the irregular and sharp, unwelcoming edges were chipped away to reveal his true self, him as he was now. All this way, just for a tiny pebble by a large river.
Misty eyed as he thought over the sentimental value it held to him, he carried it in his jaw and turned back to camp He took a few minutes to feel relieved, like he had grown and developed in that one, little journey for a trinket. No, it felt like more than a trinket now. It felt like it was something that was part of him, something that he could relate to as an old friend.
Clearing his throat and returning to his gruff demeanor, Azriel would place the small, insignificant pebble down by the where the rest of the trinkets were deposited. Yes, he was a small, insignificant loyal warrior of SwiftClan, but he would still give his life any day to protect all members of the Clan. ShadowClan would miss the annoying rascal, but they wouldn't be missing him. He had lived a good life so far, and he had made peace with his friends before they left. The only thing left for him now is to live as long as he could, to live without regrets.
Nonetheless, the senior warrior listened to each word that dropped out of the leader's mouth, certain that they would still like glue to a piece of paper. However, it was only a matter of time until the glue wore off and became less sticky, so the sooner the russet wolf would set out, the better.
It was a hard decision for him, choosing between whether to go out with the rest of the rambunctious group that was plowing through the territory first, or to make his decision about which trinket to search for right on the spot. The latter choice seemed a bit demanding, forcing him to take some of the time to think. He couldn't afford to think all afternoon, and the sand was already sliding away from the hourglass. Grain by grain it would descend, until there as nothing left but an emptiness, a void.
However, the former choice was what he disliked even more. Going out while the deafening and thunderous tumult from the massive group of SwiftClanners all frisking each inch of the territory for a mere trinket at once was almost unbearable. The discordant ambience of the forest would be too much to bear for the sensitive feline.
Now, Azriel would move onto thoughtfully pondering on what his trinket shall be, shall represent. He had a wide variety of choices, but what he valued, what he thought would reflect himself, it would all narrow the assortment of different objects down in the long run. No one had said that it was easy to find an object that would reflect oneself the best, but all in all, it was harder than he had expected.
He lifted his head upwards towards the azure sky. The sun had moved a few degrees to the west since he had last seen it before he was thinking. If he wanted to find his simple, yet subtle trinket, he would have to get a move on.
Traveling out of cramp, Azriel purposely stepped on some dry, brittle sticks and leaves, enjoying the pleasing crunch and crackle that came after. It did make him feel like he was in command, in command of his life and his actions. He still had unlimited options ahead of him, roads to take, decisions to make. This was only one out of the multitude that would be committed.
Looking around at his surroundings, the experienced hunter would see some of his Clanmates already on their way to return to their camp. Azriel stopped to watch them sort of in shock as a number of others doubled their way back. While he had only thought of his object, they had already found and completed the simple task. Of course he would be the one to over-think about this, but that was just another trait of his to add onto tracking down the ornament.
Alas, it was too late to focus back on hunting after breaking his intense concentration and motivation. Soon after trudging forward no more than a few rabbit hops, Azriel located a nearby stream. A cold, refreshing sip from the stream would invigorate him and cool down his hot head. He had been tired from the start, and now having to explore the territory, he was losing energy more quickly than usual.
Arriving closer to the stream, Azriel would perk his angular ears towards the brisk, trickling sound of the forest stream. Grateful to be under the shady canopy of pine trees, the hunter would lean downwards to take a few drawn-out and satisfying sips from the body of water. Worn out with aching paws, it rejuvenated his energy and motivation to push onwards.
Heaving himself onto his paws, the powerful predator would come across a trail blocked off by looming, colossal boulders. It seemed nearly impossible for an animal to get a firm grip on it without falling off, and going around would take away all the time he had from now to sundown. Now that he thought about being low on time, Azriel squinted and squeezed his eyes smaller as he looked up at the sun. Checking as fast as he could, he looked down at the darker colored ground and reviewed what he had seen.
The sun had been nearly halfway until sundown, which meant he had about a decent, three hours left to retrieve the trinket and return home. Scaling a boulder nearly didn't provide enough time, so he decided to be flexible with his surroundings and move accordingly. If there was an enormous and gigantic rock in the way, he would climb over it.
Seeing that digging would take more time since the large rock was firmly embedded to the ground, Azriel concentrated on climbing up the rock.
Moving under the shade the rock provided first, Azriel would find footholds to climb his way up.
Successfully climbing up and landing safely on the other side, he would continue his hunt.
Now, he was by the river, glittering with sparkles as the sunlight reflected off of the rippling river. With no time to stop to enjoy this change in scenery, he hopped closer to grab a pebble. A worn, smooth, soft, shiny pebble that caught his eyes.
Why? Because the warrior felt like one. It was worn down, beaten, abraded, but also carved by nature into this fine shape that revealed its beauty. Once a former sharp and jagged lump of rock, it was now intricately worn away to this delicate trinket which revealed its old lifetime of being eroded. Azriel felt exactly like a pebble. Some rocks, friends in his life, had been washed away, dragged away by the never-ending current of death. As time continued, he became smoother and smoother while the newcomers to SwiftClan, to his life were still starting out as rough and uneven pieces of solidified minerals. He felt like he was in a completely different timezone, with Clanmates thinking he was old and senile when he was in his prime.
Yet, grain by grain by grain, all the irregular and sharp, unwelcoming edges were chipped away to reveal his true self, him as he was now. All this way, just for a tiny pebble by a large river.
Misty eyed as he thought over the sentimental value it held to him, he carried it in his jaw and turned back to camp He took a few minutes to feel relieved, like he had grown and developed in that one, little journey for a trinket. No, it felt like more than a trinket now. It felt like it was something that was part of him, something that he could relate to as an old friend.
Clearing his throat and returning to his gruff demeanor, Azriel would place the small, insignificant pebble down by the where the rest of the trinkets were deposited. Yes, he was a small, insignificant loyal warrior of SwiftClan, but he would still give his life any day to protect all members of the Clan. ShadowClan would miss the annoying rascal, but they wouldn't be missing him. He had lived a good life so far, and he had made peace with his friends before they left. The only thing left for him now is to live as long as he could, to live without regrets.
