JunniTree

featuring Tawnypaw by @JunniTree, Mapleflower by @Wonjayjin, and Pythonpurr by @SnootyCupid Tawnypaw The sun hadn't fully yet woken from its own slumber when Tawnypaw silently left the confines of the apprentices' den. Yesterday had been a day she'd been dreaming about since she could remember. Well, second to her warrior ceremony. The adrenaline racing high of being dubbed Tawnypaw crashed and left her feeling low. She didn't personally know her assigned mentor but that was fine. The ceremony was also wonderful! She had successfully navigated to Lizardscale without tripping or making a fool of herself. So, why did her heart ache? Unfortunately, Tawnypaw knew all too well why yesterday left a bitter taste in her mouth. Despite the crowd, her family's chants could be heard loud and clear. One voice was missing, though. Dewdropbelly - her mama. Since that awful day, she had tried her best. She struggled to maintain her past gung-ho personality and chipper demeanor. But she failed.

The sun settled to sleep and the moon rose to illuminate the land in an ethereal light. Ciarrang waited in relaxed anticipation - her favorite moment about to come. Because, once the moon settled comfortably into the sky, the wetlands sprung to life. Those that claimed night brought forth a deadly, eerie silence had never truly opened their ears: A cricket ensemble mimicked cheerful violins, wings plucking together in delight. Meanwhile, toads croaked in rich vibrato as they sang the blues. Otherwise silent owls chimed in with an echoing "hoot" every so often. Stars and moonlight highlighted the natural shine of the doe's wispy fur. Obsidian hooves carried the regal Rukaan forward. Gracefully, she waltzed beneath the moon, stepping perfectly in time with the swamp's melodic cadence. Brackish water was disrupted from its rest when young hooves clumsily stumbled through the marsh. The red fawn didn't notice the shadowy figure cloaked in moonshine until their bodies collided.