StarryNight

The Dreamer

MOST PRECIOUS BABY DEARLY BELOVED THANK YOU KAYURI


AMAZING art by @goatpaste on Tumblr! Commissions: http://goatpaste.weebly.com/

epic training montage feat. icyCatgirl:

Starry Night wanted to be strong. She wanted to fly at the speed of a shooting star, and leave the enemies that threatened her and her clan trembling at the mere glimpse at her lapis and gold feathers. She was tired of being beaten down, of failing hunts. She arrives at the doorstep of Midori’s clan, looking determined. She’ll train with the well known warriors of this clan for however long it takes.

~

"So?" Noriko asked, padding alongside the newest visitor to their clan. "How was training?"

"It was...intense," Starry Night admitted, flexing her claws. She'd been fighting all day, and despite giving it her all, she'd been vastly outmatched and knocked out more times than she could count. Every time, she returned, exhausted, with Noriko and Sallyon to tend to their wounds and eat something from the food hoard before throwing herself back into the fray.

Noriko's head bobbed. "Mm, it's like that at first. But look how much stronger you've gotten! You finished off that wolf for us, and helped take down a yeti!"
Noriko stiffened just then, and Starry Night looked up to see Sallyon hovering over them. She was the eldest in the clan, born in Shadow territory, and a fierce warrior. The stars on her scales reflected a more literal interpretation of the sky that Starry Night was born for, and her muzzle was tinged with silver.

"You've done well today," Sallyon promised, touching her snout to Starry Night's head. "I know it may not seem like much. But you faced strong enemies, and you stood your ground over and over again. That sort of persistence adds up. Rest well; you've earned it."

"Thank you," Starry Night said, blinking slowly in gratitude. "It's been an honor to learn under your mentorship."

Sallyon chuckled. "And I am pleased to have a pupil as earnest as you. Now go, your denmates are waiting."

"Aquafina's gonna be training with you tomorrow, so good luck!" Noriko added, before scampering off to pounce on her sister. There was a muffled shriek from the direction of the lair, and Starry Night headed off to curl up for the night with her temporary denmates. She'd come here to learn to protect her clan, and that desire remained strong as ever. But there was no reason not to enjoy her time here.

~

"You have done well," Sallyon said, pressing her massive nose to Starry Night's shoulder. "But I've kept you too long. Take the skills you've learned here, and use them to teach those younger than you in your own clan. And take some of the bounty you've helped us gather-- you've earned it, after all. "Now go, and may the wind beneath your wings be swift."