#sheepshade

[flickerclans-legacy]

FlickerClan’s Legacy

Chapter 11

❦

Hollowrunner stretched and padded out of the warriors’ den after an afternoon nap. The sun sat low in the sky. Her duties were done for the day. The dusk patrols already chosen, apprentices training or resting, and she had one last thing to do before the light slipped away: a much-needed outing with Jasminelarch, under the clever disguise of herb-gathering.

She flexed her claws happily as she stretched, nothing would keep her from this.

“Hollowrunner! Just the face I wanted to see,” purred a familiar voice.

She blinked herself more awake, only to find herself nose to nose with Orangesun. His long dark ginger fur brushed the ground and his yellow eyes were as mellow as always, unreadable behind an easy smile.

“Hello, Orangesun,” she mewed. “You’re not here for a patrol. So what is it? Am I due for mediation? I’ve been trying not to mutter about curses or ghosts since Amberripple nearly clawed my ears off.”

He laughed. “No, no. The whole Clan’s already heard about your little spat. But I’ve heard something else...something about you and Amberripple. Something about kits.”

She stiffened.

“And what would that be?” she asked, her voice steady.

“You were wondering about having kits of your own one day.”

Hollowrunner narrowed her eyes. “Maybe. I’ve had a hunch. Why exactly do you care?”

“Kits are a massive responsibility,” Orangesun said, purring in a honeyed tone. “I’m sure you know that. But it’s more than feathers and mossballs. Are you sure you’d be a good mother?”

The words were spoken softly, but Hollowrunner heard what was beneath them. She felt the doubt and the judgment. Maybe even fear. They struck her like thorns. It made her fur prickle.

“I’m going to be a fine mother, Orangesun.”

There was a stillness in her voice that left no room for argument. She wasn't quite sure what made her so certain, but in the moment she felt all of the confidence of StarClan in her chest.

She turned before he could speak again and padded away.

Jasminelarch stood at the edge of the clearing, sunlight against his shoulders. He waited like a soft leaf in the breeze. His ears flicked as she approached. “What did Orangesun say? I swear, if he hurt you—”

Hollowrunner pressed into his side. “He was fine. Let’s go before our duties catch up to us.”

They left camp at an easy pace, paws brushing through the soft ferns as the forest made way before them. Jasminelarch led the way to the flower field. A place they both knew well, nestled between the rolling hills on the far edge of FlickerClan territory. It was late enough in greenleaf for the flowers to be tall and full, their colors painting the field in brilliant reds, purples, and golds.

They spent the first while in silence, collecting plants that would impress even Bluegaze. Jasminelarch tucked herbs into his chest fur with care. Hollowrunner, for once, didn’t speak about curses or omens. She just breathed in the scents of the plants and watched Jasminelarch in his element.

Then Jasminelarch flicked a petal at her nose.

Hollowrunner blinked in surprise.

He darted away with a teasing grin, his tail flashing through the wildflowers.

Hollowrunner stared after him for half a heartbeat, then gave chase.

They raced across the field like apprentices again, petals flying behind them in streaks of color. Jasminelarch was faster than she remembered, but she was stronger. She caught up just as the sun met the horizon. With a playful growl, he tackled her gently into the tall flowers and they tumbled together into the clearing.

Petals floated through the air like rain.

They landed in a tangled heap, breathless with laughter.

Hollowrunner blinked up at the sky, face warm with something she didn’t want to name yet. Jasminelarch was beside her, watching her with a soft smile that said more than any words could.

The world felt quiet. The previous cold and whispers on the wind were nowhere to be found as she bounded through the flowers with Jasminelarch.

Sheepshade had looked so proud earlier that day, stepping into her new role in the Clan. Hollowrunner wondered... Would she look that proud someday? Would the Clan ever see her the same way? Would they greet her with gratitude when she became leader?

And if she never did, if something happened to her, would they carry her kindness forward, pass it on to the kits who would one day be warriors?

She glanced sideways at Jasminelarch and felt a quiet blush rise under her fur.

And then, as if summoned by the weight of that thought, Amberripple stepped out from the edge of the field like a memory made real.

Hollowrunner sat up in surprise. “Amberripple?”

Jasminelarch’s fur bristled. “Why are you here, Amberripple?”

The queen’s expression was unreadable, but her eyes held no fire. “I didn’t come to argue."

Jasminelarch looked between them, uncertain. Then he moved closer to Hollowrunner and brushed his tail along her flank, curling it softly around hers.

Amberripple sat across from them. Close enough to be heard, but not close enough to crowd. The silence stretched between them, its presence overwhelming.

“I’m sorry,” Amberripple said at last. “For what I said before. You didn’t deserve that.”

Hollowrunner nodded toward Jasminelarch, and he dipped his head. “I’ll give you two a moment,” he murmured before slipping off into the flowers.

Hollowrunner stared at the grass beneath her paws. “You were grieving. I understand.”

“I still shouldn’t have blamed you. The rogues… that wasn’t your fault.”

The silence that followed wasn’t sharp anymore. It was soft. Exhausted. Amberripple’s tail twitched once, then sat still.

"I'm terrified, Amberripple," Hollowrunner admitted. "These stories hang over FlickerClan like pine branches, but no cat ever wants to explain them. I have only had a few moons as deputy, but I expected to learn more than this. Instead, all I feel is more paranoia that something may go wrong the same way it did with Graystar."

Amberripple's expression softened. "One day I will tell you what I remember. I don't wish to, and I am sure that is one reason why so many cats are hesitant to give you answers...Great StarClan, when I heard you spoke to Scorchfern it was as if this fear I thought was gone came over me again. It is difficult to speak about these things, Hollowrunner. Think about how you might feel speaking to an apprentice about Graystar."

The two cats found themselves in silence once again.

“Do you ever think about Piperstar?” Hollowrunner murmured.

Amberripple didn’t respond at first.

“Sometimes,” she mewed. “I try not to. She was… complicated.”

“I don’t want to become her,” Hollowrunner whispered. “But I don’t know what to do with everything I’m feeling. I’m scared. Not just of curses or ghosts. Of what kind of cat I’ll become if I lose too much more.”

Amberripple didn’t offer wisdom or comfort. She just shifted closer and lay down beside her in the tall grass.

They stayed like that as the last of the sun dipped below the horizon.

"Then think about the sky with me for now, Hollowrunner. Look towards the clouds."

Above them, the sky shone in golden and soft reds. Hollowrunner lifted her muzzle toward the clouds.

Jasminelarch returned quietly, brushing his pelt against hers as he lay down again.

Amberripple followed Hollowrunner’s gaze and lifted her tail to point at a drifting shape.

“That one looks like a rabbit.”

Hollowrunner squinted. “It looks more like a plump squirrel to me.”

“There’s a flower,” Jasminelarch added, pointing to another. “There, see it?”

The three of them lay there, bathed in the warm hush of sunset, pointing out shapes in the sky like kits at the edge of the nursery.

The light dimmed. The grass swayed gently around them.

After a long silence, with only the rustle of petals and the faint hush of twilight, Hollowrunner spoke again, the words shook in her mouth, but not out of fear, but instead out of a strange certainty.

She drew in a breath, then let it out slowly.

“You both must not tell a soul yet,” she murmured, her voice barely audible enough to hear above the crickets. “But I… I think I’m pregnant.”

The words hung in the air like pollen. This came from nowhere, yet Hollowrunner could not be more certain.

As the clouds passed by she wondered how the mother she never met felt when she had this same realization. Did she look at the sky as Hollowrunner did? Was she scared?

Jasminelarch’s head turned quickly, his golden eyes wide, but warm. Amberripple looked over, too, ears tilting gently, her gaze soft and steady.

“I’ll announce it to the Clan soon,” Hollowrunner added, her voice trembling with emotion she tried to contain. “But I trust you both. An experienced nursery queen not afraid to claw my nose off if I'm wrong and my mate. I am lucky StarClan gave me both of you."

Jasminelarch brushed his flank against hers, his purr deep and immediate. “We’ll be with you, every step,” he promised.

Amberripple didn’t speak at first. She just rested her tail lightly against Hollowrunner’s. “You’ll make a fine mother,” she mewed at last.

The three of them lay in silence, curled into the hush of the coming night.

No more words were needed.

Above, the stars blinked into being, slow and deliberate. Below, the tall grass rustled softly around them, like a lullaby sung by the earth itself.

And though Hollowrunner knew she should return soon, and she knew that questions would come if she lingered too long; she let her eyes drift shut for a moment longer.

Perhaps her paranoia was only her worry of handling her duties and kits...perhaps there was nothing more.

StarClan and those around her would guide her enough. She was deputy for a reason.

< Previous | Start | Next >

[wilkycreative]

#sheepshade under the big oak https://www.instagram.com/p/B-pZtOCHNAE/?igshid=n4rm6xi5xvcx

[sheepshades]

Coffee and Bailey's and Sheep Shades and Poker. . . . . . #travelinspo #coffee #caffeine #lasvegas #wheninvegas #vacationmode #longweekend #travelinstyle #travel #adventure #dayinthelife #livinginstyle #vegas #caffeine #latte #accessories #sunnies #sunglasses #sheepshades #sunglass #shopping #shopthelook #designersunnies #designersunglasses #designeraccessories #sunglassesstyle #sunglassesinside #aotd #wanderlust #weekendvibes (at Caesar's Palace Hotel & Casino)

[blubberquark]

How I loaded TMX files in Flixel, because somebody asked

I assume you know how to Flixel! Put this in playstate.hx:

import flixel.addons.editors.tiled.TiledMap; import flixel.addons.editors.tiled.TiledLayer; import flixel.addons.editors.tiled.TiledTileLayer; import flixel.addons.editors.tiled.TiledObject; import flixel.addons.editors.tiled.TiledObjectLayer;

Call this in your create(), your playstate needs instance vars "collisionN" for collision layers, and instance vars for Arrays and Sprite groups according to your own games, but you get the idea... Unless you have sheep and dogs like me, you need to handle your own mobs! Collision layer names are hardcoded. I check for collision layer collision with FlxG.overlap.

public function loadLevel():Void { FlxG.camera.bgColor = 0xFF215C2E; var tiledLevel:TiledMap = new TiledMap("assets/data/level-easy.tmx"); var level: FlxTilemap; var tilesheetPath:String; tilesheetPath = "assets/images/"+Path.withoutDirectory( tiledLevel.tilesetArray[0].imageSource); var tileSize = tiledLevel.tileWidth; var mapW = tiledLevel.width; var mapH = tiledLevel.height; FlxG.worldBounds.set(-10,-10,tileSize*mapW+10,tileSize*mapH+10); FlxG.worldDivisions=10; for (layer in tiledLevel.layers) { trace("Layer: "+layer.name+" ("+layer.type+")"); if(layer.type==TiledLayerType.TILE){ var l:TiledTileLayer=cast (layer, TiledTileLayer) ; level = new FlxTilemap(); level.loadMapFromArray(l.tileArray, mapW, mapH, tilesheetPath, tileSize, tileSize, FlxTilemapAutoTiling.OFF, 1,1,1); add(level); if(layer.name=="wald"){ collision2=level; } if(layer.name=="zaun"){ collision1=level; } } if(layer.type==TiledLayerType.OBJECT){ mobGroup=new FlxSpriteGroup(); add(mobGroup); var ol:TiledObjectLayer=cast(layer, TiledObjectLayer); for (o in ol.objects) { //trace(" - "+o.type); switch(o.type) { case 'shepherd': { player= new FlxSprite(o.x, o.y - 16); player.loadGraphic("assets/images/shepherd.png", true, 16, 16); player.drag.x = 1.0; player.drag.y = 1.0; player.animation.add("walk", [0, 1], 3, true); player.animation.add("idle", [2], 1, true); add(player); player.animation.play("idle"); } case 'goal': { goal = new FlxSprite(o.x, o.y); goal.loadGraphic("assets/images/goal.png"); add(goal); } case 'dog': { var adog= new Dog(o.x, o.y - 16); FlxMouseEventManager.add(adog, clickDog); adog.shader=new SheepShade(); selected = adog; dogs.push(adog); mobGroup.add(adog); } case 'wolf': { var awolf = new Wolf(o.x, o.y - 16); awolf.sheeps=sheeps; mobGroup.add(awolf); } case 'sheep': { var asheep = new Sheep(o.x, o.y - 16); sheeps.push(asheep); mobGroup.add(asheep); } default: trace("UNKNOWN OBJECT TYPE IN LEVEL! IGNORING!"); } } } } }

[volusiapixel]

Double tap if you like this #picture and tag a friend that needs to see this Picture By @sheepshades . . Original Caption: Perfect Saturday. . . #VolusiaPixel #Volusia #VolusiaCounty #Debary #OrangeCity #Ocala #Florida #PortOrange #OrmondBeach #Daytona #Delnd #LakeHelen #Pierson #Edgewater #OakHill #HollyHill #DaytonaBeach #PonceInlet #NSB http://ift.tt/2xuBFdZ

[flickerclans-legacy]

FlickerClan’s Legacy

Chapter 10

❦

The forest was golden with early greenleaf light, the wind howling with the warm breezes of the season. FlickerClan gathered at the roots of the Fallenpine, its great trunk lying hollow and ancient in the clearing. The warriors stood in quiet anticipation. Apprentices sat with twitching ears, and the elders had made their slow, deliberate way to the front.

Auburnstar stood atop the fallen trunk, her tail curled around her paws. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Fallenpine for a Clan meeting!”

Her voice carried easily through the woods, bright against the hush of the trees.

Burnshadow stepped forward.

The dark brown she-cat moved with a deliberate grace, her white markings like snow melting on soil. One of her hind legs still trembled faintly from the battle moons ago, but her yellow eyes were steady. She held her head up proud. She had not been driven from her duties. She had chosen this.

“I’ve served FlickerClan with my whole heart,” Burnshadow said, her voice firm. “But it’s time I let the next generation lead. I’ll be retiring to the elder’s den, and I do so with peace in my paws.”

A quiet murmur passed through the crowd. Not surprise, as she had limped a little more each moon, but something softer. Hollowrunner could feel a mix of grief with the gratitude that filled the air of the cats.

Cobaltnight yowled her name first, his voice breaking on the final syllable. Roanfoot followed, proud and loud. Morningthrift leapt onto a stone to cheer.

“Burnshadow! Burnshadow!”

Hollowrunner stayed quiet at first, watching the old cat step down with grace. She dipped her head low, a deep, solemn respect in her chest.

Later, as the crowd began to drift, Hollowrunner padded up to her.

“You’ve lost so much,” she murmured gently. “More than most cats know.

Burnshadow gave a soft huff. “We all lose something in the end. I just kept going until it made sense to stop.”

“Do you think Floodleaf ever meant to come back?” Hollowrunner asked.

The question had long lived in her chest, but now it escaped like breath on cold air.

Burnshadow didn’t answer right away. Her eyes flicked to the trees, to the west where the mountains beyond the Great Falls lay.

“I don’t know,” she said at last. “Sometimes I think she’s dead. Sometimes I think she just chose the silence over us. But when I saw those rogues at the Rotplace… part of me wondered.”

Hollowrunner tensed. “You think she became one of them?”

“I think she was running from something. Maybe it caught her. Maybe she let it.” Burnshadow’s gaze softened. “But I don’t think she would’ve hurt our Clan. Not on purpose.”

Burnshadow stretched slowly and winced. “Let the past stay buried, Hollowrunner. It has claws.”

As Burnshadow padded away toward the elder’s den, Hollowrunner stared after her, her fur twitching with unease.

The rogues were still out there.

And some ghosts didn’t stay buried forever.

❦❦❦

Twilight settled softly over FlickerClan as cats gathered beneath the Fallenpine once more. The air was warm, dappled with the scent of greenleaf blooms. A breeze stirred the branches as Auburnstar leapt onto the low rise, her eyes scanning the gathered Clan.

“Sheeppaw,” she called, “step forward.”

The marbled tabby moved with cautious grace, her long fur fluffed and gleaming. She had clearly spent extra time grooming. Her coat lay smooth and tidy despite the warm breeze, and her yellow eyes shone with quiet pride.

“Sheeppaw,” Auburnstar said, voice gentler than usual, “you have chosen to serve the Clan in one of its most sacred roles. You’ve shown patience, compassion, and care beyond your moons. From this day on, you will be known as Sheepshade, a queen of FlickerClan, trusted to guide and protect our youngest.”

Sheepshade dipped her head, though her whiskers trembled with emotion.

“May StarClan bless your path, and may your nest always be warm.”

A soft chorus rose up as the Clan echoed her new name.

“Sheepshade! Sheepshade!”

Sheepshade blinked quickly, clearly holding back tears. “I wasn’t going to cry,” she murmured, her voice caught in the back of her throat. “But this means more than I can say.”

Several cats padded forward to touch noses with her. Friends, mentors, nursery queens she’d helped over the moons. Sheepshade greeted them all with soft purrs, making sure every kit’s fur was clean.

“She’s been ready for this for a long time,” Hollowrunner said under her breath, watching from the crowd.

Jasminelarch nodded beside her. “She’s got the steadiest paws in camp. And the cleanest fur!"

“Just don’t get moss on her bedding,” Hollowrunner added with a smirk. “She’ll have your tail!"

The two of shared a laugh, and Sheepshade turned just in time to catch it. Her eyes sparkled, and she lifted her chin with pride.

She wasn’t a warrior. She didn’t need to be. She had found her place, and in times like these, that was no small thing.

I wonder if she’ll ever look after mine, Hollowrunner thought.

The idea struck her harder than she expected. She glanced sideways at Jasminelarch. The evening light caught his fur in warm gold, his eyes soft and bright with the remnants of laughter.

Hollowrunner blinked and looked away, suddenly shy.

If I ever have kits, she thought, would the Clan be proud of them? Would Sheepshade keep them safe if I couldn’t?

The wind stirred through the pines, carrying the scent of warm moss and wildflowers.

She didn’t have the answer yet.

She turned to leave the clearing and nearly ran into Amberripple.

“Careful,” Amberripple muttered, her tail flicking as she stepped back.

Hollowrunner blinked. “Sorry. Didn’t see you there.”

Amberripple studied her, her expression unreadable. Her fur still prickled from stress and the lingering grief from her mate, but her eyes were sharp and alert as ever.

“You’ve been watching Sheepshade too,” Hollowrunner mewed. Though it was more of a thought than a question.

Amberripple nodded once. “She’s ready.”

They stood in silence for a moment, both gazing toward the nursery where Sheepshade was already curled with one of the younger kits nestled close to her.

Hollowrunner hesitated. “Do you think the Clan would be proud of… kits I raised?”

Amberripple turned her head slightly, enough to meet Hollowrunner’s gaze. “If they carry your fight, your stubbornness, your protectiveness?” She paused, then sighed, “Yes. I believe they’d be lucky.”

It wasn’t forgiveness.

But it wasn’t a warning, either.

Simply the truth, and that was all.

Hollowrunner gave a small nod. “Thank you.”

Amberripple flicked her tail. “Don’t make me regret saying it.”

And with that, she turned back toward camp.

Hollowrunner remained a moment longer, watching the golden light drift across the clearing.

If the Clan was changing. Maybe she was too.

And maybe there was still room for hope in that.

< Previous | Start | Next >

[flickerclans-legacy]

FlickerClan Allegiances

MORNINGTHRIFT—a long-furred unusually spotted silver and white she-cat

MISTLETWIST—a speckled black and white she-cat

SHININGLOTUS—a long-furred white and gray tabby tom

APPRENTICE: GARLICPAW

ROANFOOT—a long-furred speckled cream tom

APPRENTICE: WEEVILPAW

BRISTLECREEK—a speckled light brown she-cat

DUSKTAIL—a long-furred dark gray and white tom

SPIKETROT—a speckled ginger tom

PLUMEFLECK—a speckled pale ginger she-cat

ELKROCK—a long-furred light brown tabby tom

APPRENTICE: PIGEONPAW

COBALTNIGHT - a black/golden brown mottled tabby she-cat

FLAMECLASH - a speckled dark ginger tom

FLIPPETAL - a ginger tabby tom

GRAVELTREE - a dark gray tabby and white tom

BURNETFEATHER - a black tabby and white she-cat

VIOLETFOG - an unusually spotted brown and white tom

LARKSPURFIELD - a pale tabby tom

WILLOWSTRIPE - a pale tabby she-cat

FIRESCREECH - a long-furred speckled pale gray tom

MIDNIGHTWILLOW - a dorsal-striped silver and white tom

RINGO - a long-furred silver tabby she-cat

INIKO - a dark gray and white tom

MINTGLOW - a long-furred white and golden brown tabby she-cat

APPRENTICES

PIGEONPAW - a long-furred dark gray/golden brown mottled she-cat

NIGHTPAW - a long-furred dark gray tabby and white she-cat

SHRUBPAW - an unusually spotted dark gray and white she-cat

GARLICPAW - a long-furred brown tabby and white she-cat

GREENPAW - a long-furred dark brown tabby and white she-cat

WEEVILPAW - a pale ginger tabby tom

EGGPAW - a cream tabby she-cat

QUEENS AND KITS

LIONROAR - a golden smoke and white tom (caring for Pipitkit - an unusually spotted ginger and white tom, and Poppykit - a silver smoke and white tom)

FREEZEHORSE - a dark gray tabby and white tom (caring for Ashkit - a gray tabby and white tom, Stormkit - a gray tabby and white she-cat, and Snowkit - a white and gray tom)

COBALTFOX - a black smoke and white tom

AMBERRIPPLE - a long-furred gray/dark ginger tortie tabby and white she-cat

SOOTTAIL - a long-furred white and pale tabby tom

CHARREDFUR - a black and white tom

LARKSPURTANGLE - a long-furred white and gray she-cat

SHATTERRUNNER - a dorsal-striped dark gray and white cat

RYEFANG - a light brown tabby tom

SHEEPSHADE - a long-furred dark ginger tabby and white she-cat

ELDERS

OWLEAR - a black/golden calico tabby she-cat

WEEDBLOSSOM - an unusually spotted dark ginger tom

BURNSHADOW - a long-furred dorsal-striped dark brown and white she-cat

SCORCHFERN - a white and unusually spotted pale gray tom

LAVENDERBURN - a long-furred light brown ticked tom

LILAC - a speckled pale ginger she-cat

DUDE - a long-furred white and ginger tabby she-cat

[sheepshades]

@sheepshades co-founder @willyjayiv rocking our Indio Frames. #shopthelook . . . . #mensfashion #mensfashionpost #style #sunglasses #sunglass #sunglasses😎 #California #newportbeach #aotd #menstyle #mensstyle #livinginstyle #menssunglasses #buyonline #mrporter #saksstyle #designersunglasses #designerlabel #designersunnies #sheepshades #stylemen #stylemens #thursday #travel #adventure #wanderlust #entrepreneur (at Newport Beach, California)

[sheepshades]

Saturday adventures. . . . . . . #eyewearfashion #eyewear #sunglass #sunglassesstyle #sunglasses #sunglasseslover #sunglassesbranded #sunglassesready #sunglassesstyle #sunglasses😎 #aotd #accessories #travel #adventure #resort #paradise #shopthelook #designersunglasses #designersunnies #designer #newdesigner #sheepshades (at Toulouse, France)

[sheepshades]

@ashtengiardine is #fitnessgoals in our @sheepshades! #shopthelook at SheepShades.com (at Los Angeles, California)

[sheepshades]

Are you ready for a weekend adventure? Don't forget your @sheepshades! (at Tortuga, Caroni, Trinidad And Tobago)

[sheepshades]

Love seeing @jenniferdh1 rocking our sunnies on the beach! Where do you rock your @sheepshades? (at Pensacola Beach, Florida)

[sheepshades]

In honor of #nationalpuppyday, here's our chihuahua, Thumper, with his favorite frames from @sheepshades.