[ti]Open[/ti]Fire in Our Eyes and Ice in Our Teeth

[Mama]

Ever since the cats left to go and fight, taking many of the prey hunters with them, Ruby decided to stay behind to help feed his Tribe. The tom worked day and night to provide, taking double shifts and hardly getting enough sleep. 

However, when the group returned, with lives lost but mostly in one peace, there was double the mouths to feed and injuries kept most from duties. Ruby took it onto himself to help even more, and sleep was just a vague idea as he kept himself awake with getting wet every now and then, and keeping his paws moving.

Returning to camp with a large bird in his jaws as a meal, his fur spiked up messily and he didn't say a word as he dropped his catch, before turning around. There was circles under his eyes, and sticks in his fur, and his steps were uneasy.  The young cat seemed to stall for a moment, giving anycat a chance to approach him.

[blackbird]

It wasn't yet her job, but Dark-of-Starlit-Night had been watching the entrance of the camp. She sat tall, but kept to the shadows so that she wasn't to be seen. When Ruby walked in, a large bird held in his jaw and fur messy, she followed him, leaping from rock to rock, staying out of sight.

He didn't look well, and she couldn't let a Tribe-mate go ignored. When he dropped the prey, she jumped down from her perch, and approached him, standing before him as he turned around. The severe to-be looked at him harshly, ears forward and tail still, asking "Are you well, Ruby?" her voice brooked no argument, nor permitted any lies.

@tag

VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[Mama]

Ruby stiffened for a second as a feline spoke, his ears turning back for a moment before he gave a light laugh and glanced towards the source. A younger shecat with a solid black pelt and brilliant green eyes seemed to be watching him intently. But, didn't all guards have that owl look to them?

"Oh, sorry if I worried you." Ruby started with a fake smile, however it was soft and his tone wasn't hostile in any way. "I'm just a bit tired. Lot of work missed, so I just offered to pick up some other's patrols." The ginger tom added, before reaching his paw up and swatting a twig from his head.

[blackbird]

Dark observed Ruby - his tired posture, weak laugh. Everything about him screamed 'exhaustion', and she couldn't blame him. Most of the Home-Guards and Prey-Hunters were stretched thin at the moment, with many of their number laid up after their recent battle.

"You should rest. The Tribe would suffer if you were to become sick from exhaustion; we can not lose another cat." Of course, the hypocrisy was wholly lost on the To-Be.

She watched as he swatted a twig from his head, before heaving a sigh through her nose. "Let me help you, you're a mess." without waiting for a reply, she stepped forward, plucking a twig from his fur.

@tag

VEL OF PIXEL PERFECT

[Mama]

His fur bristled for a second as she suddenly got into his personal space, however it was fine as she just appeared to be helping him out. Sitting down and curling his thin tail around himself, he went to work on his messy chest fur.

"Thanks, Dark." The tabby muttered as he spat a leaf next to him, before working on getting some of the sand from his chest area. Thankfully his fur was pretty short, so it wasn't extremely difficult for him to get that out and just groom it down so it was neat.