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last explore post |last response| archive | level 2 | 106/300 exp | 1,097 words | prey list | not opted in for death
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last explore post |last response| archive | level 2 | 106/300 exp | 1,097 words | prey list | not opted in for death
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- Dusk had fallen above the ocean, tucking away the sun’s hot embrace on the sand. The beginning of a cool night, star’s twinkled ever so delicately on a backsplash of deep purple. The soft silhouette of Mothflutter was perched upon the beach, not another soul to accompany her.
She had been monitoring as night fell, a soft yawn parting her dilute muzzle. Sleep weighed on her eyelids, drooping them as the sun behind the horizon. The beach had been engulfed in the silent darkness of the moon. A soft sigh escaped her chest as the molly got to her paws, ready to turn herself in for bed.
Something most peculiar had hooked the corner of her eye, urging her to investigate further. Squinting her eyes, she approached the roaring ocean with urgency. The tide, it has stars in it. All of a sudden, the ocean’s front was illuminated with the twinkle of blue stars. “The Startide!” Mothflutter exclaimed, almost in shock, whirling around toward the camp.
As she entered the cave, chest heaving rapidly as she tried to catch her breath, she could barely spit out a word. “Mothflutter?” Sandstar looked to her deputy with much confusion contorting her face. “What in Starclan happened?”
“That’s just it!” Mothflutter began, her words harsh and breathless. “Starclan has graced our waters!.. It’s the Startide!” Crowds of cats had collected to heed Mothflutter’s words, soft chatter filling the air among them. Cats of every age began craning their neck toward the ocean, attempting to see if their deputy’s words were true. Even from the cave, the ocean glittered welcomingly.
There was no denying it. The ocean was a brilliant, sparkling blue and had brightly illuminated their shore. Swiveling her head back towards the clan, Sandstar announced “What our dear deputy says is true. Starclan has graced us with their presence in our ocean. Startide is upon us. Quickly now, a celebration is in order. Get yourselves ready, and look your best. I must speak with the medicine cats.” The sandy-pelted molly peeled away from the group, setting off towards the medicine cat’s den.
The pungent stench of herbs clouded her sinuses as she finally approached the room. Peeking her head in quietly, Sandstar called “Minnowgazer?” The slate-pelted tom approached her at the mouth of his den. “Sandstar? To what do I owe the pleasure?” Sandstar smiled at him apologetically, she rarely visited her old friend as their own positions had kept them quite busy. “Startide is upon us. Your presence is requested.”
“Ah, I see.” Minnowgazer responded, his tail swaying back and forth ever so slightly. “I have been expecting it. My dreams have become more vivid lately. I will prepare Oceanpaw.”
With a curt nod, Sandstar left the den to prepare herself for the celebration. Sauntering through camp, cats had adorned themselves in their very best. Mother’s were grooming their kits, lovers tucking flowers in each other’s fur, families sporting their jewelry made of rocks and shells. A vibrant hum of excitement had fallen over every cat in Tideclan.
Sandstar couldn’t help but feel alone. During her last Startide, her mother and father had helped her get ready and dressed her up with their heirloomed jewelry. She padded solemnly to her den to retrieve the jewelry they left her.
Mothflutter entered the den right after her, the most delicate bundle of african lilies in her mouth. “Sorry to intrude,” The deputy spoke through a mouthful of flowers, “I saw these and thought they matched your eyes.” Her paws shuffled anxiously. “Mind if I help you get ready?”
A soft smile broke on the lips of Sandstar’s dusty muzzle. “Of course, Mothflutter.”
The pair collected with the rest of Tideclan out of the shore, both with jewelry and flowers tucked in their fur.
Minnowgazer approached Sandstar, the tom wearing a crown of aster and a necklace of ivy. She dipped her head to him respectfully before he turned to face the vibrant ocean. The air was tense and silent as the entire clan watched their beloved medicine cat engulf himself in the ocean. Nobody dared to interrupt the silence, so they sat holding their breath for what felt like an eternity. Minnowgazer finally emerged from the tides, head hung low as he made his direct path back to the medicine cat’s den.
Sandstar finally broke the silence. “The celebration now begins, please hunt with our ancestors in the waves. They are here with us on the beach tonight, eat as much as you can hunt, sing, dance, swim with them, and tell their stories.” She smiled proudly at her clan, chaos ensuing as she dismissed them with a nod. She caught a glimpse of Scallopfang and Gullcry sharing tongues and Mothflutter diving into the water before she headed toward the medicine cat’s den.
She approached Minnowgazer and his apprentice, anxiety riddled in her chest. Minnowgazer had been attempting to groom the saltwater from his dense pelt. “Did you get one?” Sandstar meowed hesitantly.
“Yes.” Minnowgazer responded quietly, closing his eyes as if to remember what he had seen. “I saw Oceanstar and Mousetuft. They had been swimming along with me underwater. They showed me that the upcoming baretide will be the hardest one yet, a baretide like one that depleted Tideclan’s numbers before. But they showed me this time will be different, with your guidance, we will not have to worry about our numbers depleting.”
Sandstar’s eye brimmed over with tears, a soft sob breaking the unsteady breathing in her chest. “M- me?...” She stammered out, “H- how? How could that be? I- i’m barely even fit to lead.” She stumbled, panic arising through her body. Minnowgazer pressed against the unstable molly in an attempt to support her, Sandstar burying her face in his pelt as she sobbed. “You are a wonderful leader already, Sandstar.” Minnowgazer began, lapping between her ears. “Starclan would not have told me you were ready to lead, if you hadn’t been.”
A long while passed as the two cats sat in one anothers comfort. “A shame to be missing such a celebration, Sandstar.” Minnowgazer chirped pleasantly, attempting to make her feel a little better. “C’mon, I haven’t tried hunting in ages! You wouldn’t want to show me how it’s done, would you?”
Sandstar giggled, her face damp with tears. “Oh alright, Minnowgazer. I will take you up on that offer.
And so, the two cats padded out to the celebration. Heart’s heavy with the upcoming future, and minds swirling around the prophecy’s meaning, they tried to enjoy themselves by hunting with Starclan in the tides.
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𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
mouse | 1 FP | x3
minnow | 1 FP | x2
lizard | 1 FP | x3
seagull | 3 FP | x2
sorrel | x1
borage | x1
parsley | x1
chervil | x1
lovage | x1
fennel | x1
stinging nettle| x1
broom| x1
deathberries | x1
mallow leaves | x1
sweet-sedge | x1
catmint | x1
𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥mouse | 1 FP | x3
minnow | 1 FP | x2
lizard | 1 FP | x3
seagull | 3 FP | x2
sorrel | x1
borage | x1
parsley | x1
chervil | x1
lovage | x1
fennel | x1
stinging nettle| x1
broom| x1
deathberries | x1
mallow leaves | x1
sweet-sedge | x1
catmint | x1
sandstar | she/her| HP 95% | HUP 20% | sick: n
gullcry | he/him | HP 90% | HUP 20% | sick: n
mothflutter | she/her | HP 100% | HUP 10% | sick: n
scallopfang | she/her | HP 95% | HUP 10% | sick: n
minnowgazer | he/him | HP 100% | HUP 0% | sick: n
𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬
no active quests
𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝
no items used
𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬
more on the startide tradition can be read here!
