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Post by ♫ admin on Aug 13, 2007 22:09:49 GMT 9
SandClan territory is located on a beach, nestled between a cliff and a thin forest of pines. The wind blowing off the ocean is cold, harsh, and salty. The cats here are used to the spray of the ocean and the wail of crashing waves against the shore. The sand is thin, soft, and nearly white. It's also very, very cold, as is the water.
On the JaggedClan border is simply a towering cliff, plunging above, piercing the sky. There's normally not a border dispute here, seeing as no cat can climb the cliff to get onto JaggedClan territory, and seeing as from JaggedClan territory is a direct drop into SandClan territory, any "intruders" will meet death as soon as they hit the sandy ground. On the PineClan border, the boundaries aren't so obvious. Small amonts of sand are scattered into the areas between some stubby pine trees, and some pine trees intrude into thinly scattered pathces of sand. PineClan says the last tree is the boundary line. SandClan says the last grain of sand is the boundary line. They're always hunting in each-others spaces, and always fighting. Either clan would say the border has been resloved, the other clan is just tresspassing. JaggedClan and SnowClan would say "mouse dung", but no one asked them, so they don't.
The rest of the area is sand, sand, more sand, water, oh, and did I mention sand? Seagulls are abundant, and cats can crack open shells of clams and other sea cratures and slurp out the slimy remains. Medicine cats can use some of the slime left over in shells to calm bellyaches as well, though strangley enough, this remedy only works on SandClan cats. For other clans, it just makes them spit up.
Hunting Tip Cats can use the sand to their advantage in hunting as well as battle. When running at something, cats can go from the front. It's hard from the back, seeing as animals send up a spray of sand behding them which could get in a cats face. Alternatley, they hide behind a rock or shrub, then spring in front of the animal, sending a spray of sand in its face. They can also run at it head on, very abruptly if the timing is good, and send sand flying as well. While the animal is blinded and disoriented, cats can pounce on it. Similarly, cats can use sand-spraying techniques to temprarily blind and confuse enemies in battle. They then take the opprotunity to run, or spring on their opponent. Sand spraying is a key component of clan life that every apprentice should learn,
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Post by Shadow on Oct 2, 2007 16:34:07 GMT 9
Through the blinding white, a black blur streaked through the undergrowth, frozen leaves scattering wildly under the cat's paws. Shadowpaw's eyes were wide with terror, and her mouth was open in a thin, tight line, panting. A piercing horror gripped her heart, and she had no idea who or where she was. All that was fixed in her mind was...... She did not belong in SandClan.
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Post by .}{EXXI. on Oct 5, 2007 1:31:31 GMT 9
The lithe dun tom opened his mouth wide, revealing twin rows of pearly-white fangs, and tried to draw in as much of the air around him as possible. He went through all the scents one at a time, there was the ever-present watery, salty scent of the ocean surrounding them, the faint tint of feathers from a seagull flapping towards the horizon and many other familiar sea smells, but one was different. Chocolate-brown ears pricked towards the rising sun, Lightning concenrated as hard as he could. Yes, there it was again. He was sure this time, there was something else out there. Something new. It smelt vaguely of the Rocks they sometimes passed. Cats would all take turns swimming over and standing on them, just to know what solid ground felt like. A soft growl escaped Lightning's throat, they shouldn't be living like this. His cats were noble and strong and they deserved a proper home and territory after so many years of floating about aimlessly on the harsh sea. Elders had told stories of real 'Land', like a thousand Rocks all bunched together, and the frail old cats said Ocean Sea had once lived on this 'Land' too. Lightning, along with all the other cats on their Boat, had only ever known the endless blue waters, stretching out beneath the Boat.
There was a hint of what he thought and hoped to be Land in the air but he didn't call it out to the others. No point in raising their hopes if it was just another Rock. ----- The sun was high in the sky by the time the boat thudded against what could only be described as the biggest Rock Lightning had ever seen. The cats of Ocean Sea, particularly that hyper little bundle of kit-fluff that was Bubble, had been excited ever since the strip of Land had come into view. Now they were to see what it was really like. Glancing back over his shoulder at his loyal cats, Lightning took a deep breath and... stepped off the boat. Just like that. He took one paw and put it down on dry ground, doing what other cats before him had only dreamed of. The fawn-coloured tom staggered slightly at first, his paws unused to being allowed to remain still, his body acustomed to shifting his weight around constantly to match the waves, but soon he was standing normally. His paws sunk a little, into the grainy Land, surprising him slightly but he realised that not all the Land was like this, and that they would be able to move to more solid ground soon enough. Lightning that Splits the Sky lifted his head and turned around, calling to the rest of his Tribe to join him on the grain-filled Land. "Cats of Ocean Sea. We have travelled for many moons, and many seasons. More than any cat here can remember. It is said that we once had our own home and constant territory on Land but it was taken away from us when we were forced to board the Boat. Since then we have sailed the sea aimlessly, with no destination and no real home. This ends now." Lightnign nodded to his Tribe in satisfaction, determined to make this new Land their home. "I give you my word that Ocean Sea will not be forced back into this, or any other Boat, ever, ever [/b] again!" [/color] A tiny, fluffy, young cat practically vibrated on the spot with excitement. All her life, Bubble which Floats on Blue Waters had been bombarded with stories of 'Land' but never really believed they were true. Now, here they were, actually landing on real Land! Unable to contain herself any more, Bubble squealed out one excited, high-pitched note that rose in volume until she ran out of breath. This was absolutely amazing!! Once Lightning had stepped down, proving the Land would not swallow him (a private fear of hers) she yowled her agreement to his speech and tumbled off the Boat after him. She stood up for a split second before intstinctively shifting her paws around to keep her balance over the water. The only problem with this was, quite obviously, that there was no water here. The result was a very sandly ball of fur lying on her back, spitting out the tiny grains which had forced their way into her small pink mouth when she accidently performed a nose-dive into the ground. Emptying her mouth enough to speak, she called out to her fellow to-bes, "This is GREAT!" and promptly lost her balance once more, re-visiting her head-in-the-sand position. [/center][/font]
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Post by ♫ admin on Oct 5, 2007 19:05:07 GMT 9
Salt of Icy Ocean opened her mouth slightly, tasting the air around her, closing her eyes to drink in the salty tang of the ocean, the cool breeze in the wind, and sighed. She loved the sea. Opening her eyes again, she stumbled over to the side of the boat before throwing herself clumsily into the water, her graceful legs flailing. Swimming up to re-surface, she gasped. The icy chill of the ocean was exhilirating, the salty tang in her mouth, invigorating, and she purred as her fur began to soak through with the salty sea. It was a peaceful day and the sun was setting. She was content, as usual, and was swimming alongside the boat where her tribemates lived. It was nice to just go for a swim sometimes. Drinking in another breath of the air, she caught a whiff of something--more rocks? She glanced at the healer of the tribe, who was staring determindley at the shore ahead, looming. If it was a rock, it certainly was huge. Closer they drew, her paddling alongside the boat, until her paws tingled, feeling something beneath them. Looking down in alarm, she realized the stuff beneath her feet was mushy. It was sand! Sloshing along through the water now to keep up with the boat, as the sea tugged against her fur, she watched as her healer stepped off the boat. But when he made the tribe a promise...well, that was it. She was filled with emotion. Surprise, excitement...and angst. She loved the ocean! She loved the sea and the wind and the salt. The icy arctic chill, and she shuddered at the sturdy feel of the ground beneath her. Dripping and soggy with water, she gazed at the sky. The sun was almost gone. She was here. And she was never going back.
Fish of Golden Color had been raking his tongue through his brother's pelt. "Stoppit, Fish," mumbled a dark to-be. Fish's brother, Wood of Cracked boat, was shifting uncomfortably. He sensed something in the air. Something different. He hoped it was another rock. Glancing up at the sky, he saw the sun was making its journey down the horizon, and he yawned, anxious to get to sleep. He was suddenly embarrassed--he was so easily worn out, and his brother was still leaping around, and after licking his own fur clean, had decided to clean his brothe'rs. Sitting up, and being the more observant of the two, Wood mumbled uncertainly. "D'you smell that, Fish?" His whiskers twitched. Definatley a rock. Straining his eyes, he gasped. It was huge. "A ROCK, A ROCK, A ROCK!" Fish exclaimed, leaping from his brother's side and running to stand alongside Lightning, his leader. He gazed up at the noble cat. Finally, the boat rached land, and Fish tumbled out after his leader, Wood following close behind. He suddenly felt a whump on his back as his brother play-tackled him, and suddenly, the two young cats were wrestling on the sand. They couldn't do this much on the boat, as it caused it to rock, so this was their favorite rock activity. The two toms stopped shuffling about when they heard their leader begin to speak. And once the leader was done, they stood there in awe and excitement. "On land? For the rest of our lives??" Fish mewed in excitement. Wood was excited too, his paws were tingling with it, his body swelling, and he shuffled excitedly in his place, worried that the others would make fun of him if he acted too excited. So he just bursted inside, and watched his brother leap about.
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Post by .}{EXXI. on Oct 6, 2007 1:02:29 GMT 9
Nodding to the young to-be, Lightning shot a slightly exasperated look at Bubble who was still tottering about as though she had drunken too much sea-water. Fish was practically bursting with enthusiam too and even Wood seemed uncharacteristically excited. To-bes, always jumping about. Lightning couldn't help the prickle of anticipation in his own paws though and, eager to explore the new land, he whisked around, flicking his tail for the others to follow. "It begins." He murmered to himself with his eyes fixed firmly ahead. Lightning would not allow himself to look back at the Boat that he had grown up on. Now, he must only look forward. "Wheeeee!" Squealed an ecstatic Bubble as she skidded through the sand, ending up in an untidy heap at the paws of Salt who looked to be in a spot of iner-turmoil. "Aren't you excited?" She mewed to the boat-guard, wondering if the strong she-cat was actually scared. Were boat-guards allowed to be scared? Bubble wasn't sure. While waiting for the she-cat to reply, the little tabby-and-white she-cat picked herself up once more and started after their Healer, finally begining to achieve balance on land. She looked back at the Boat she had spent all her life on (or around) and stopped for a heartbeat, suddenly gripped by a sense of loss. It seemed as though she were leaving a part of the Tribe behind without even saying bye. That had to be fixed. "GOOOOODBYYYYEEE BOOOOAAAAAT!" She yowled back to her old wooden friend, feeling considerably better for it.
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Post by Incognito on Oct 6, 2007 1:10:30 GMT 9
Sun of Pale Light yowled in delight as she took in her surroundings. "LAND!" She purred ecstatically. "LAND!"
The sandy she-cat covered in ginger tabby stripes gazed around with vibrant green eyes. She tumbled out of the boat, and kneaded her paws into the sand, purring loudly.
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Post by ♫ admin on Oct 6, 2007 11:21:59 GMT 9
Salt looked down at the to-be at her paws. Bubble was usually excited, but she had never seen the young cat the ecstatic. "I'm not scared--it's exciting, I suppose..." she murmured but soon trailed off. This was too much to bear. She wanted to climb back into the boat. She wanted to curl up into a little ball and go to sleep in it, and she wanted to wake up and realize it was all a dream and that they were still on the boat and would be for the rest of their lives. But it wasn't a dream and it wasn't going to happen and she knew it. The air was too real, the sand, too grainy under her paws. Her body was too rigid cold, her fur too sopping wet. So she knew it wasn't a dream, and looking up at the moon, full in the sky, she paused, opening her mouth. She scented something. "OTHER CATS!" She hissed loudly, the fur on her body standing on end. They were not the scent of Ocean Sea cats, though they smelled similar. Ocean Sea was all ocean and fish and wind...these cats also carried the scent of trees and rocks and many other foreign things that she did not know about. They also had a strong scent coming off of them--lots of scents...fear, anger, and excitement were some she could detect. "They're coming for us!" she hissed in realization.
Wood and Fish had begun following their healer, but turned around, eyes wide in awe at what Salt was saying. Immediatley, Fish opened his mouth to scent the air. "HEY! I smell that TOO!" He yowled excitedly, before wailing, "I'LL fight 'em off! Cuz I'm gonna be a boat guard when I grow up!!" Wood stared in disbelief at his brother. They were going on land--there was no boat to guard! And how could he think that he could take down all the cats approaching? Shaking his head, he placed his tail gently on his brother's shoulder, indicating that he should quiet down. They could be in real danger, after all.
Seapaw skidded along with her clan, the looming mass of cats growing larger as they filed out of something. She then hid behind a large rock and gasped. There were so many of them! Wavestar was right, they were nearly as big as the clan alltogether! A big tom who seemed to be the leader was standing tall and proud, with three bubbling younger cats, who looked like they could be apprentices. Then, there was a nerve-wracked warrior standing to one side, and an excited looking she-cat warrior standing to another side. More were still filing out of what the cats of Sand Clan called, sea homes. They had been living in a sea home! Suddenly, the prophecy made sense. Arriving from beyond the sand was arriving from the ocean! look for it in the water. What worried her was the other two lines, especially the one that seemed to stick with all cats who had had the dream. "Bold and striking". These cats looked lean, well muscled. They could obviously swim. Even the apprentices looked particularly strong. What could they achieve? What did they want?!
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Post by Incognito on Oct 6, 2007 15:55:29 GMT 9
Wavestar paused, then began to walk rapidly towards the cats, fur bristling, eyes narrowed and back slightly arched. She skulked over to the newcomers. "Who are you." She began. "And what are you doing on our territory?" [Lol, Wavestar in a bad mood after Shadowpaw...)
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Post by .}{EXXI. on Oct 6, 2007 16:45:30 GMT 9
Lightning met the she-cat's gaze steadily and cooly, indicating with a flick of his tail for his cats to come together behind him. He did not like the words she spoke, or the accent she spoke in for that matter, it was coarse and grainy liek the land they lived on. He mentally decided that Ocean Sea's home would have to be near a lot of water to prevent them turning coarse too. Swimming made you limber, and these cats seemed very stocky compared to his elegant cats. "We are the Ocean Sea." He declared, strong voice reaching both her and the cats piled up behind her. There were a lot of them, but Lightning was fairly certainthat his Tribe could beat them in a battle, if it came to that. Not all of them could be boat-guards, after all. "And by what law is this your territory?" At her healer's commande, Bubble scampered up behind him and bared her teeth at the strange she-cat who appeared to be the other Tribe's Healer. She couldn't help still feeling excited though, Bubble had never met any cats that were not Ocean Sea. She thought she could see another female to-be in the midst of the other Tribe and stiffled a mew of greeting. Bubble wondered if other Tribe cats were as nice as her Tribe; she certainly hoped they were.
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Post by Incognito on Oct 6, 2007 17:04:24 GMT 9
"SandClan has lived on this territory for generations, we have fought to keep it ours." Wavestar replied coldly. "I don't believe you've been here even a sun."
Dark of No Shadow rolled his eyes at the she-cat, Ocean Sea couldn't exactly choose where they washed up could they? The black, blue-tinted tom strode to his leaders side, velvety green eyes glittering frostily.
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Post by Incognito on Oct 6, 2007 17:14:20 GMT 9
Sun glanced at Wavestar slightly warily, tail twitching from side to side, she eyed the other cats of SandClan, if a fight broke out, they would probably be evenly matched, depending on who were boat-gaurds or not.
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Post by .}{EXXI. on Oct 6, 2007 17:32:02 GMT 9
SandClan? What was that? Whatever she claimed, there was no way Lightning was taking his cats back to the boat. "Enough of this nonsense. I don't care how long you say you've been here. We're staying the night then maybe we'll move on....or maybe not." He spoke calmly with the light of a challenge in his murky green eyes. Bubble shuffled back a pace to stand next to Fish and Wood. "Who do these fish-brains think they are?" She muttered to her fellow to-bes.
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Post by ♫ admin on Oct 6, 2007 17:53:10 GMT 9
"Who knows?" Fish mumbled in response to Bubble. Shyly, Wood whispered back, "They think they're the owners of this land. Maybe we should...move on..." he mewed in a quiet, heasitant way. He didn't want to give in to these "SandClan" cats, but maybe it was wise to stay out of their way for a while. They seemed to mean buisness.
A few bass-lengths away, listening to the cats of her tribe speak with the rock cats, she hoped that Lightning would give in and decide to head back to sea. She also knew that this was wishful thinking. There was no way he'd go back on a vow he made, and most of the cats seemed to be excited about being here. She gave her drying fur a frustrated lick and padded closer to her clan, obeying Lightning's orders late. A freezing wind rippled through her fur, and she gazed at the darkened sky, littered with stars and the occasional cloud.
Seapaw stepped out from her hiding place to stand behind Wavestar. The other clan's leader looked so powerful with all his cats behind him. She figured she should back up her leader too, and she twitched her tail, indicating that the other cats should crowd around behind Wavestar as well. Baring her fangs as best she could, she narrowed her eyes in an unwelcoming glare at the newcomers. "Oh, you're right, we should just step aside and let you take our prey and land because you're poor ocean cats. HOW could we have been so SILLY? GO AHEAD." she spat, her voice oozing sarcasm, her tone as bitter and dry as a mouthfull of sand. She dug her sharp claws into the sand below her. She knew she shouldn't have spoken out, but what was done was done, and she stood her guard, daring a cat from the Ocean Sea cats to challenge her clan.
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Post by .}{EXXI. on Oct 6, 2007 18:07:48 GMT 9
Bubble hissed softly at the to-be's words. So much for land-cats being nice. She didn't say anything though, prefering to unsheathe her thick, curved claws and letting her neck-fur bristle threateningly. Bubble hoped this would be more threatening than actual words. Lightning regarded the irksome to-be with disdainful coldness inhis eyes, "In Ocean Sea, kits are taught manners." He meowed cooly to the other Healer, "What kind of Tribe is this?" The tom had had just about enough of this, he was itching to get on and explore the Land but night was showing signs of falling and it would be weakness to leave now. They would have to stay the night. He was not bothered by the cold, Ocean Sea cats had endured many damp nights in the middle of a storm.
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Post by ♫ admin on Oct 6, 2007 18:16:06 GMT 9
Seapaw gave a horrible, spitting hiss, but said no more, realizing she had embarassed the clan enough for one day. Her neck fur raised in anger and embarassment, and her paws kneaded at the ground. She couldn't take it any more! She had to say something! "We're taught to defend our clan, no matter what, that's what we're taught! Manners are for kittypets! And we're not a tribe! We're a clan, and proud of it!" she hissed in response, tail thrashing in the air.
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