The sky is falling [open]

[●Sparrow»]

MINTPAW:: the tomboy

Mintpaw was always one of the early birds of the Clan, up before the sun rose just so she could see it transform the land with its light. The lithe female was walking through BreezeClan territory the vast meadow fields and open tall grass made her calm. Though with her usual fiery nature she couldn't stay calm for long, she had to move, to do something no one could think of. Did that make her reckless? Well yes, but the thrill of it all was worth it in the end, and besides she never got seriously injured. To her that was a sign to continue her dangerous life style because life was to short to worry about all the hazards in life. With each paw step she took she grew more and more bored. To prove that point the female heaved a sigh and lowered her head as she walked. Her tail flicking back and forth in thought.

Suddenly her blue eyes flicked up to the few trees. Her body slowed until it came to a completely stop, her gaze ran along the base of the tree up to the oddly scented leaves. Had anyone ever tried to climb it? Suddenly her eyes narrowed in determination and in moments the blue pelted female bounded toward the tree giving herself momentum for a nice jump. Bunching up her hind muscles she launched, her paws outstretched and claws out ready to dig themselves into the bark of the tree. Upon impact her silver tinted claws clung to the bark and she slowly but surely made her way up. Reaching the top she sat nestled inside the branches and leaves. They branched out pretty far so there must be some sort of sturdiness through out this tree. She crouched her paws tucked under her slender bodice while she thought.

Soon enough the sound of movement drew her out of her wild mind and her ears angled down to focus on the movements below. She wondered who or what would be out at this time of day, most of her clan mates took their sweet time getting up in the morning with an exception of a few other warriors. Still Mintpaw pawed her way out a bit, lowering her head to try and see who was making the slight noises below. Her tail swished behind her curiously until one more paw step sent her falling through the leaves and toward the floor. She didn't even have enough time to yowl a surprise or nothing, she could only react and so her body instinctively turned allowing her to land, rather loudly, on her paws. Some of the tree leaves fell upon her head and she sat back to shake them off. Blinking back some of the pain that shot up her legs she turned to see a bird right in front of her. "Hello bird." she said using her tail to flick off some of the remaining leaves that rested in her blue/grey colored fur. Flicking her mint green optics back up at the startled creature she giggled lightly, "So your the one who was making the noise down here." she said in a teasing tone before pushing herself to her paws.

The feathered animal finally processed the cat and took off into flight, not before she took the time to pounce into the air in an attempt to catch it. Her claws luckily caught onto its feathers and she brought it down with her, biting into its neck before impact. Landing she sat back onto her hunches, the bird laying at her paws, which still stung from before. She lifted a paw and start to run her tongue along her pad, and its now tender surface.

[mystic]

Firstwhisker
^{If I had a rose for every time I thought of you I'd be walking in a garden forever.}

Firstwhisker had been padding along, trying to get away from his sister's advances and his mother's general thickheadedness. This need to escape had led him to the tall grass. The red tom sighed deeply, breathing in the Greenleaf scents. Everything was perfect, it was warm out and on some days hot. He smiled and purred a bit. Then kept on walking, letting the sun warm his red pelt.

He stopped when he heard a voice, then shook his head a little grinning to himself. Giving his whole body a little shake he padded up. "Cats don't often talk to their prey before pouncing Mintpaw." he called out to his clan-mate. "It gives away their position." he paused and saw that she had caught the bird. "However you seem to be doing quite well." he added. "Though I wouldn't make a habit of it. Why don't you and I put that bird where no scavengers will find it and see if we can catch some fat Greenleaf rabbits?" He mewed loudly.

[●Sparrow»]

MINTPAW:: the tomboy

Mintpaw continued to lick at her paw a few more moments until her tongue successfully massaged her paw pad. Placing it easily back on the earth, she pushed herself to her paws clearly pleased with herself. Her mint green eyes glanced down at her catch, it was pretty good sized so it could feed a nursing queen or elder well. The sunlight that peaked over the horizon ran its golden fingers along her pelt. Though in the dark it looked grey and dull, in the light you could see the beautiful blue tint to her fur. Her ears angled forward at the sound of the breeze across the fields, and her eyes ran along the morning sunrise, though it had already begun to rise into the skies. It still left a faded golden pink glow around it, like the sun meant to blend the colors together. It really was beautiful, it was one of the few things she found pure in this world. The sound of now moving paw steps caught the elder apprentices attention, and her lobes flicked like tiny radars.

She peaked over her shoulder to see Firstwhisker walking toward her, an amused look upon his face. She turned and trotted to meet him half way, as he obviously wanted to converse. "Cats don't often talk to their prey before pouncing Mintpaw." his voice traveled into her ears and she shrugged her slim shoulders in response. Stopping a few mouse lengths in front of him. It wouldn't be long now until she was given her warrior name, really she only had a moon or so of training left. Just the thought of being able to roam without a mentor breathing down her back gave her chills. She hated everyone fretting over her like a tiny breakable kit, she was practically a full trained warrior. "Well I am not just any cat." she mewed cooly, flicking her tail. She turned to use her paw and drag the bird back under her for safety. You couldn't trust most animals with fresh prey, they could come out of no where.

"However you seem to be doing quite well." Mintpaw flicked her mint colored optics back up at the tom cat, a grin was placed upon her features. Of course she was doing well, she knew what she was doing believe it or not. Besides the talking part was all in good fun, well until she fell from the tree. Still it technically gave her the element of surprise, so that was good. Still Mintpaw could always be seen doing the more dangerous, and wasn't afraid to get her pelt dirty. Which it was quite often, but with her short fur it was easy to be kept clean despite that. "Though I wouldn't make a habit of it. Why don't you and I put that bird where no scavengers will find it and see if we can catch some fat Greenleaf rabbits?" Mintpaw narrowed her eyes suspiciously, did he think he was that much better than she was? That she couldn't hide her own prey on her own.

"I am perfectly capable of burying my own prey, thanks." she mewed calmly though her voice was slightly challenging. Leaning down she picked up the bird in her jaws and trotted back toward the tree, near its roots she began digging up earth. When it was deep enough she dropped the bird inside and buried it back up. She licked her lips before turning and bounding back to Firstwhisker. Ears perked up as the thought of a challenge entered her mind. Her longer legs carried her quickly to the tom, and she stopped before him. "As to the rabbit hunting, I say, your on." she purred giving a playful flick on her tail before padding off toward the more open fields where the rabbits lured.

[mystic]

Firstwhisker
^{If I had a rose for every time I thought of you I'd be walking in a garden forever.}

The tom grinned broadly, showing his sharp white fangs. "I can see that Mintpaw. You are most defenitley not most cats. In fact I'm sure that most cats would give most anything to be like you." He chuckled softly, a purr rumbling deep in his chest. "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it, I swear. I was just trying to be polite. I'm sure you can bury your prey on your own, what with you being all grown up and such." he told her. "So, sorry to offend." He padded along beside her. "I think I smelled some rabbits not far to the north." he said. He paused and looked at her, his eyes flicking over her body in a highly approving manner. She was pretty, and almost old enough to be a warrior. But still young and fresh enough for his tastes. Oh, by StarClan she was perfect.

"I'm sure a hunter like you can bring in enough rabbits to feed the whole clan." He purred in her ear, brushing a tail over her back. "In fact I'd bet on it." he mewed. "I'm sure you can catch far more rabbits than I will." he told her, his voice as smooth as kitten fur. "Why don't you show me what an amazing cat you are?" He asked her. "Go on, lead the way Mintpaw." He held his paw up, directing her where the rabbits lived.

[●Sparrow»]

MINTPAW:: the tomboy

Mintpaw walked along on her way through familiar BreezeClan territory. She knew exactly where she was going, after all she should since her training was nearing completion. It seemed just like yesterday she was just being made into an apprentice and now she was about done with it, and would soon receive her permanent name. Well unless she was made leader or something, though chances for that were slim so she didn't spend much time thinking about it. The sun glinted off of her blue and grey colored form, her ears flicking to the sound of Firstwhisker following her. She would show him how skilled she was, perhaps he would even tell Maskedstar. She was due for a final assessment at some point soon. Though she wasn't in a big rush, you got away with more things as an apprentice anyway. The thought brought a small smirk to her lips though she pushed it back with Firstwhisker was nearing her. She turned her mint green eyes onto the tom.

"I can see that Mintpaw. You are most defenitley not most cats. In fact I'm sure that most cats would give most anything to be like you." She allowed shock to come into her gaze for a few moments before letting it down out. She scoffed lightly at the mere idea of anyone wishing to be more like her. The reckless, adrenaline junky that everyone had a hard time with as a kit, yea she was sure everyone wanted to be in her paws. She shook her head to his statement, "That is where you are wrong my friend, no one would want to be like me. I'm to much work." she mewed thinking about the countless cats who said such a thing, trying to be all secretive about it, but she heard. She was sure he had heard it being said about her once or twice, they talked about it enough. Trying to take her mind off the subject she turned to watch a hawk fly above and away from them. Her eyes locked on it while she was still walking, not the smartest of ideas, but she caught herself and turned her head forward.

She had been so distracted by the bird that she didn't hear the first part of his apology, but luckily enough she caught the gist of it by these four little words. "So, sorry to offend." she shrugged her slim shoulders, she had completely gotten over that already, but to make him feel better she replied, "Eh, no harm done." she mewed her tone more cheerful as to prove her "overness" of the whole situation. When he spoke about rabbits to the north she rolled her eyes, but nodded. he knew this of course that was why she was walking this way in the first place, but instead of start another little argument she kept her mouth shut. She was to stubborn for her own good, eve she admitted that sometimes. Though something edged her out of her thoughts, the feeling of being watched came over her and she didn't much like it.

Flicking her mint green gaze back to the tom cat, she caught him looking at her. "What are you staring at? she questioned lifting and eyebrow at the way he was looking her over, in truth it made her uneasy and she narrowed her eyes in response and turned her gaze back forward. What did she have a pice of bird feather stuck on her face or something? She shook her head quickly but no feather fell from her maw, so there wasn't a feather there than what was he looking at? And why did she had the urge to cuff him over the head for it? Shrugging it off she slowed down as they reached the rabbits usual spawning area. Her tail swished in excitement and the feel of the adrenaline started to flow through her veins. She lowered herself onto her stomach and waited patiently.

"I'm sure a hunter like you can bring in enough rabbits to feed the whole clan." he mewed coming up beside her she flicked her gaze up at him, smiled coyly but shrugged she didn't want to brag. Though really to most of anyone's surprise the blue pelted female was one of the best fighters in the Clan despite her petite and slender size. It was her speed that did her justice, and she would always pride herself in that. Her body stiffened as she felt his tail brush along her back, and without thinking her tail flicked his off of her back. She gave him a confused look before trying to focus back onto the task at hand. When he began speaking about how well she would do, and how much better she was she slowly tuned some of it out. Waiting for a rabbit to peak its head over the hill and she would give chase.

While she waited, she couldn't help but think how far out this was from camp. No one from camp could see it, or hear anything in a way it was a bit creepy. Still she flicked her mint colored optics to a pair of rabbit ears and sprang forward, using her longer legs to propel herself easily toward the furry bunny, with the element of surprise on her paws she jumped landing squarely on the back of the creature and bit into its neck. Sure it was just luck this time, but any other rabbits would be aware to her presence, and thus really difficult to catch.

[mystic]

Firstwhisker
^{If I had a rose for every time I thought of you I'd be walking in a garden forever.}

Firstwhisker smiled gently at her. "You're eager." He mewed, his voice soft. "You are full of passion. Sure there are a few quirks to work out. However you will be a great warrior one day. You have the heart of one, maybe even the heart of a leader. You live with such amazing passion. I must say, I am inspired by it Mintpaw. Anycat who says differently is a complete fool for not seeing what I see." He told her.

As they walked along she inquired as to what he was staring at. "I was just thinking." he explained. "You've grown up so fast, into such a wonderful young cat. You make me so proud." He purred gently at her. "It has been my honour to be your mentor Mintpaw." he told her. "My greatest honour." He smiled at her gently.

"Now you remember what I've taught you." he told her softly. His lessons had been on waiting until one gets far enough away from its friends to attack. And to not let it make any noise. Rabbits screamed when in danger. And they screamed loudly. Unless they wanted the whole warren going to ground, the kill would have to be instant.

"Good job!" he said, smiling at her. "Now, we wait." He said, crouching low. What he wasn't telling her was, that this was her hunting assesment. He found it better that she didn't know. That way he'd get clearer idea of how she hunted. Without pressure either making her act on her best behaivour or mess up.

[●Sparrow»]

MINTPAW:: the tomboy

Mintpaw held the rabbit in her jaws now as the others started to scatter back to their burrows. Her mint green eyes flicked to them as a few ran down hill, she would run after them but a rabbit down hill was like a bullet. So she would wait until they got to a more uphill place to make her move. She was long legged she could make it to them while they were heading up hill, she was most certain of it. Plus she could think of it as a race, or a challenge. The mere thought made her paws tingle and her eyes glint with her secret lust for the thrill of competition. Even if it was all in good fun, turning her attention back onto Firstwhisker as he was sitting not to far off she trotted back to him and placed the rabbit at his paws. Her fur was ruffled from the encounter, but she didn't bother to mess with it.

Really she didn't care to fix it, she might sooner or later, but not now. "You are full of passion. Sure there are a few quirks to work out. However you will be a great warrior one day. You have the heart of one, maybe even the heart of a leader. You live with such amazing passion. I must say, I am inspired by it Mintpaw. Anycat who says differently is a complete fool for not seeing what I see." Mintpaw had to admit she was surprised by what he had said, and she actually felt a bit of heat rush to her face. Was she, blushing? No couldn't be, Mintpaw of BreezeClan did NOT blush ever. Clearing her throat she focused her mint colored gaze back to him. "Well, you would be the first to think so." she answered calmly and lowered her head to see the rather plump rabbit she had caught, a sense of pride for it swelled within her for that. Her tail swished in thought as she noticed the hind legs on the creature, sturdy which meant it would have been a quick runner. Really she may not have been able to catch it at all if she hadn't caught it off guard.

Her ears flicked at the sound of Firstwhiskers voice and she turned her attention back up to the tom cat. Sitting back onto her hunches as she waited for him to finish speaking. He was rambling on about time and such and how she had grown. Everyone grew at some point so what was the big deal mentioning it at all? His eyes started to get all gentle and warm that she could feel her eyes narrowing in confusion."It has been my honour to be your mentor Mintpaw." When he spoke that and enforced it with a repetition of the honor he felt she rolled her eyes. "Don't get all sappy on me now." she teased playfully before flicking his ear with her tail tip. Why was time such a sappy subject, it was just time an hourglass really. Still the female got to her paws to go and sit near Firstwhisker, hearing him say to remember what he taught her and to wait so she shrugged and lowered onto her stomach letting what muscle she had roll with her shoulder blades as she waited. Some rabbits would come back uphill sooner or later. Her tail swished around her paws.

[mystic]

Firstwhisker
^{If I had a rose for every time I thought of you I'd be walking in a garden forever.}

The tom flicked his tail. He was being "sappy", as she put it, because he planned to talk to Maskedstar the moment they got back to camp. Instead he smiled at her. "Let's catch say, four more. Then we can head back." he mewed to her. By we he meant her. This, after all, was her final test. He knew that she would go to the gathering as a warrior. The tom purred happily, his chest rumbling. If only she truly understood how proud he was of her. He placed a tail on her shoulder. "Let's see how fast you can catch those rabbits." he said, grinning at her. "I'm sure you can catch them faster than any other apprentice in the whole clan. You'll make warrior in no time at this rate." He told her. "I'm sure of it."

[Bear]

I'll make this brief. Some people noticed that email notifications on new topics and posts have stopped coming for some reason.

At first we thought it was just our webmaster email address that sends these emails is wrong, but some of the email providers may have blacklisted us because of this.

So I reset the notifications for every user on the forum. They've been UNTICKED on all your forum profiles. Now I ask you not to turn them on for a week, just so we can see if the email providers will remove us from their blacklist. The huge amount of notification emails may have led them to ignore the emails completely, but this is due to our webmaster email address being wrong and the providers may have wrongly interpreted those emails as spam.

So please don't turn on notifications for a week and then later you can turn them back on. Hopefully this will finally solve our problem with notification emails and registration/activation emails.
~~~ UPDATE ~~~

Seems our server had installed some new firewall rules that prevented us from sending notification emails.

Now with the help of HostGator technical support, I managed to fix the problem. The following systems should be working now:
New PM email notification
New Posts in Topic notification email
New Topic on Board notification email
Registration/Activation email

Just a reminder for everyone that uses these notifications, the new posts/topics notifications have been disabled for EVERYONE. If you wish to receive these notifications again, please go to your Profile / Notifications menu and TICK the boxes for notification emails.

Also all accounts that are awaiting activation will be manually activated now since the emails can't be resent now, only the newly affected ones will be sent out.

In a nutshell, notification emails are working now!

Thanks for your patience.