#egg violet

The tree line shook and shuffled like a freshly named apprentice. Violetheart thought of her own apprentice, Creampaw. The little molly was a paw full, but Violetheart loved the younger cat regardless. Creampaw proved to be an innovative and curious cat, inspiring her mentor to try out new hunting methods, and even to question the twoleg landmarks that mar their territory.

Her violet eyes glanced up at the leaves, and she noticed a squirrel, nibbling on an acorn. The squirrel worked it’s little teeth around the cap, flaking off chips of the brittle shell.

Violetheart found herself wondering what an acorn actually tasted like. Of course it would never be a sustainable meal like fresh kill, but herbs have their own positive properties as well without necessarily sating hunger.

In her 100 moons, she hadn’t had the time to slow down and think about these things. She felt an uncomfortable tightening in her chest as she thought about retirement, what would she do when she no longer had an apprentice, border patrol, hunting expeditions? Violetheart shook her head to rid the useless thoughts and heard a scuffling behind her.

Keeping deathly still, she inhaled deeply and recognized the scent of a rabbit. Her eyes slid to a bush, where she could see faint movement and suddenly a dark ear emerged.

Violetheart breathed a quiet thanks to nature and leaped, securing the dark rabbit with one swift motion. It shook and resisted for a moment, wrenching the warrior’s heart yet again. Despite her moons, she still did not find joy in killing. Her teeth squeezed tighter until the movement stopped and she sighed in relief. “Your sacrifice will not be in vain,” she promised the rabbit and turned back toward where the remains of the acorn lie scattered on the forest floor. The squirrel was nowhere to be seen.