; l e a r n i n g t o b r e a t h e . ++ [open]

[. shadow*!]

✽ ebonyshadow
      there's a song that's inside of us all

Make sure your shadow isn't falling on the water. Paw up. Stay very still. Very quiet. Be quick now -- you only have one chance. Ebonyshadow ran through the mental checklist dozens of times as he sat as motionless as he could, emerald-green eyes fixed on the clear water that lapped gently at the ground below him. A flash of worry sparked inside him, as always; what if he forgot something, and that made him lose the prey? After all, as he remembered, he only got one chance. If he missed this catch, he would have to try somewhere else until the fish calmed down again. His muzzle turned downward into a grimace of concentration, the tom slowly raised a forepaw in preparation to nab at a nice-sized fish that swam lazily near the land.

Got you! It took everything he had not to meow out loud, but he knew that, according to his checklist, if he made any noise, the prey would be frightened away. Mouth clamped shut in determination, Ebonyshadow made to flick his paw downward, but a sudden glint of gold in his peripheral vision caught his eye. The scoop of his paw turned into an awkward twitch at the distraction, and the tom staggered a few pawsteps forward to catch himself, so close to the edge he nearly fell into the water. His would-be prey zipped away in alarm, but the warrior was too preoccupied to feel desolate; a gold butterfly fluttered in a graceful arc above his head, and held his full attention. Ebonyshadow's previous expression of concentration melted into a grin of playfulness, and he brought his paws up to swipe at the fluttering insect.

A kittish giggle bubbled up through his throat and out his mouth, but he didn't care; after all, it wasn't like he was going to startle the butterfly. Besides, who brought butterflies back to camp to eat? No, the warrior was quite certain that butterflies weren't very tasty. Ebonyshadow leaped upward again and again, paws flailing, as the butterfly weaved evasively between his outstretched paws. "I guh-got you, s-suh-s-sneak-ky buh-b-but-tuh-terfly!" he crowed enthusiastically.

Splash! Splash! Ebonyshadow's eyes widened, and his mouth fell into a small "o" of surprise when he realized that he had chased the butterfly until he had fallen into the water. His legs were submerged in the chilly water, and the furs on his belly were brushing the surface. His butterfly forgotten, the warrior looked down at the water as the ripples calmed, and studied the scrawny black tomcat that contemplated him with round, curious eyes. Ebonyshadow cocked his head to the side, and the other cat mimicked him. His confused expression slowly transformed back into his elated grin, and he leaned down to get a closer look at this cat. The second his nose touched the water, however, the other cat disappeared. Startled, Ebonyshadow glanced up, blinking in surprise at his surroundings, but there was no one around. Oh... he thought, confused. Preyless, butterfly-less, and alone, the warrior slowly turned and headed back to the shore.