“ All this time I was finding myself, “ Decided to make this into a project because I didn’t wanna have to split it up into chunks to put in the studio sob Just a little self-rp where I randomly got motivation and fifi discovers a bit more about himself and a bit more about the beautiful creatures around him <3 Open to comments or whatever, constructive criticism is always welcome because I’m constantly trying to improve my writing skills lol “ And I didn’t even know I was lost. “ - Avicii The nights seemed endless, though that was probably a common statement for a member of WindClan. The unfairness of being placed in such a violent place, full of sand and harsh heat that could fry a cat alive. Alas, Fikapaw couldn’t be one to complain about unfairness, now could he? He was finally home, surrounded by familiar scents and the coziness of the apprentice den that he had so recently moved into, overjoyed at the prospect of having all of his friends from kithood around him all the time. And he couldn’t forget his mother or his mentor. Oh, his sweet wonderful mother, how he regretted painfully that he had caused her such sorrow. The tiny cat gave a small sigh that seemed to escape and flow into the endless desert, the endless dunes… Yet Fikapaw knew now that it wasn’t quite endless. No, not quite. If one went far enough, the tepid grains would turn to cool grass, and one could see mighty oaks swaying overhead. It was quite beautiful. Though, he had to admit to himself that the desert had its beauties as well, with the phenomenal glittering crystals and odd, towering cacti. And there were the smaller things too, such as the tiny, naked-legged owls that burrowed in the sand seemingly everywhere, and the sleek, white-faced ones that soared so silently overhead. What odd creatures they were, yet so intriguing and beautiful at the same time. Fikapaw had been studying the rising stars for a better part of the evening, as he had done many times before in an attempt to add onto his Star Chart, as he called it. However, something else spiked his attention. How ironic was this? One of the little birds that had just crossed his mind was now in fact crossing his very path, it’s long, featherless legs skipping in long strides as the burrowing owl peered from a hidden hole in the dunes and made its way into the open, speckled head twisting this way and that. The rosetted feline watched it curiously, not daring to move. Not daring… To breathe? Oh dear, wait, that wasn’t good. He inhaled quietly, swiping the long bangs out of his eyes as he crept a step closer, crawling over the rise to peer at the bird better. Its vibrant amber eyes suddenly pierced him, and the cat froze, all of his fur standing on edge. The owl just stared at Fikapaw for a few moments, those bright eyes seeming to know things the apprentice did not. Without another sound, the bird raised its powerful wings and took flight, Fikapaw not daring blink in case he missed the moment it disappeared into the brilliant night sky. And then it was gone, without a trace. Or, it would have been without a trace if there had not been a tiny umber feather lying in the sand at Fikapaw’s feet. He picked it up and turned it over, the tiny specks of white that adorned it seeming to glow like the stars above him. Fikapaw hugged it to his chest, giving a small smile and suddenly bounding over the dunes, the pain in his paw the least of his worries. ++
He rolled down the sand, giggling and romping around like a kitten who was outside for the very first time. He would shake the grains out of his thick pelt and inhale deeply, the crisp air of his home flooding his nostrils. As he exhaled, he took a seat on one of the tallest dunes he had climbed, curling his large tail around himself and blanketing his coat from the rising breeze as he tucked the little feather into his chest fur. How lucky he was to be a cat. Not just any cat, a loved and protected one, son of Ghost and sibling to many. A cat of WindClan, where the fleetest and wisest of the clans roamed, feasting on rabbits and voles. And blessed with a compassionate and clever teacher, Bellflowercharm, who had taught him nearly everything he knew and was like a father to him. Fikapaw gave a content sigh, pulling his paws under his chest and raising his gaze to the stars, where it appeared as if- if one had mighty wings and could leap into the sky- they would be swallowed up, blinded by the lights of the incandescent orbs. Even though he loved his home more than anything, it could be tumultuous in times of chaos and confusion, and he respected his mother even greater for being able to handle that weight on her silver shoulders, even if sometimes she needed a bit of comfort. Oftentimes the little apprentice wished he could sprout feathers from his back and climb to the tallest mountain, where he would jump. And then, no, not fall, but /fly/. It seemed like it would be a beautiful thing, with the winds whisking your fur and the sky being your ground upon which you could run. Then again, his mind always circled back to his loved ones. Oh, how he knew they would miss him if he could fly away. And he could just see himself growing up; the glorious day of his warrior ceremony, trekking through the desert to hunt and provide for his clan, and perhaps even settling down with a special someone someday. Maybe… He would even be a father. Whoever his heart chased after, though, he promised he would love them and support them to the ends of the earth. He promised himself that. As the crescent moon slid further up the obsidian sky, Fikapaw rose to his feet and made his way down the dunes to the entrance of camp, where he paused. His willow eyes would scan over the desert behind him once more, and he gave a little smile. As he ducked into the long, winding tunnel, his grin seemed to grow, and the warm flutter in his chest overwhelmed him. Yes, WindClan. This would be his home, forever and always.
