[Embergleam]

Username: Embergleam
Clan: In The Wake Of Giants

Quest Number: #3
Response:
In which Duskbloom has a crush, and Owlflight gives her a hard time about it.

"So when are you going to tell her?"

Duskbloom made a point of not looking up from the herbs she was sorting. She could feel Owlflight watching her, feel the patient expectation in his gaze. It made her want to...

What did she want to do? Be sick? Lash out at him? Flee before he could steer the conversation into more unsettled waters? She wasn't sure, really, and didn't care to examine the topic either. Best to bat it aside like one of Flicker's cast-off feathers.

"No idea what you're talking about, 'Flight."

Flicker, perched on a branch overlooking their workspace, made a sound of unmistakable avian disgust. Owlflight himself was somewhat more generous. He merely made a sound of acknowledgement and returned to the task at paw. For a time they worked in silence, but Duskbloom knew better than to trust an Owlflight gone quiet. Most of the Wake assumed Owlflight had been named for his markings. After all, they were almost eerily reminiscent of the bewinged hunters that patrolled the night sky. Duskbloom and Ivystar knew better. They knew all too well the keen mind and predator cunning that lay beneath the cheerful exterior.

"...I don't mind you lying to me, Dusk. But you might want to be honest with yourself."

And there it was, the bolt from the blue that Duskbloom had been waiting for. Owlflight had- had always had- an uncanny knack for cutting through to the hearts of matters. It had won him the praise and admiration of Ridgeclan when they were youngsters. Now, firmly in the healer's proverbial crosshairs, she found herself resenting that skill and every experience that had honed it.

"What do you want me to do, 'Flight?" Duskbloom sat back with a huff, herbs momentarily forgotten. They could safely sit unattended for a few minutes. A conversation with one of the most important cats in her life couldn't. No, this needed to be dealt with now, no matter how much the thought of it made her stomach churn.

"Nothing rash." Owlflight too set his work aside, turning his whole and undivided attention onto Duskbloom. She looked... drawn, he decided, like a kit who hadn't eaten enough in the run-up to a growth spurt. It worried him almost as much as the doubt and guilt in her eyes did. The black cat with the tattered ear had come a long, long way from the kitten who'd clung to the twins' shadows, but every now and again ghosts of her past self came back to haunt her. He'd seen far too many of them lately, and always when Ivystar was involved. It hadn't taken much digging to figure out why.

"I hate you a little bit right now." Duskbloom sighed, willing her heart to settle, her paws to still. She could do this. She could have this conversation. She could trust Owlflight with her heart, as she had so many times in the past.

More than that, she could trust herself with her heart, and her future besides. Could. Would. Had to.

"I... I don't know how to tell her." It hurt to admit even that much, but Duskbloom soldiered on anyway, before the ache in her throat could steal her voice entirely. "Or when, for that matter. There's always so much going on these days, and poor Ivystar's right at the heart of most of it. I don't want to be another burden for her to carry."

Another sound of annoyance from Flicker, who shuffled around on her perch to put her back to Duskbloom. It was as close to a scathing retort as a little owl could come, and stung rather more than Duskbloom had expected it too. Owlflight looked from bird to deputy and back again before picking the thread of conversation back up.

"Feelings aren't burdens, even when they're inconvenient. They're part of being alive. Weren't you just lecturing Aldertrail about that this morning?"

Duskbloom's glare could've curdled milk. Of course he'd overheard that interaction. Of course he'd polished that lesson to a mirror sheen and held it right back up to her. It was precisely the sort of thing a true friend with an excellent grasp on the situation would do... but stars above, she didn't have to like it!

"You weren't supposed to hear that," She grumbled, looking anywhere but at the healer's grinning face.

"I know all kinds of things I'm not supposed to," Owlflight chirped, "And you're trying to change the topic. You love her, Dusk. You have for seasons, probably longer. Why not just tell her and be done with it?"

Breathe in, breathe out, slow and steady. Don't panic. Panic is the enemy, be it in combat or in peacetime. It turns warriors into wrecking balls and diplomats into disasters. No, Duskbloom wouldn't allow herself to panic, even as fear wrapped cold claws around her heart and squeezed.

"Because I'm her deputy, 'Flight! How could I ask Ivystar to choose between me and the clan if push came to shove!? There's a reason leaders and deputies are forbidden from becoming mates, you know-"

Duskbloom's rant died on her lips, interrupted by a sudden gale of... laughter? Yes, Owlflight was laughing, and so was Flicker, for that matter. Both of them were giggling so hard Duskbloom had to sit and wait for them to pull themselves together, confusion and annoyance growing by the minute.

"That's what's got you all tied up in knots?!" Owlflight dissolved into a fresh fit of giggles, collecting himself only when Duskbloom growled under her breath. "Oh, by all the stars in the sky- Dusk, look around you!"

She did as bidden, expecting to see some new threat lurking in her periphery. Instead she saw... comforting familiarity. Half-a-dozen cats were scattered about the camp, each tending to one of the humdrum duties that kept a clan going. She knew each and every one of them inside and out. There was Nighteyes, busily carving a chart of the stars into a flat piece of wood with one clawtip. A dozen fox-lengths past them stood Aldertrail and Stormhaven, wholly engrossed in a discussion about the clan's defenses. Just visible past them were Fogwatch and Whisperwind, the clan's resident romantics. They'd been snuggled together since the former had returned from a days-long hunting trip at sun-high.

It made for a pretty picture, sure, but Duskbloom couldn't see how that scene of domestic bliss tied in with her current... conundrum. Some of her confusion must've shown on her face, too, as Owlflight shouldered against her, earnest and entreatying all at once.

"We're not fighting tooth and claw for survival anymore. We're *living.* Stars, I'd say we're thriving! We can handle some turnover in the ranks, even if that means our illustrious deputy has to step down to avoid a conflict of interest. Someone can step in and take your place, especially for something as important as this."

Duskbloom... just sat there for a few moments, turning that thought over and over in her head. Yes, she had enjoyed her tenure as the Wake's second in command, had excelled at it beyond even her own wildest imaginings... but was it what she really wanted?

Whether she admitted it or not- and she wouldn't, not with the whole of the Dark Forest at her heels- Duskbloom had accepted the role of deputy partly because it meant staying close to the twins. If she twined her life through theirs, ensured she was always valuable to them, she need never worry about being left behind again. And she had, almost effortlessly. Ivystar valued her opinion above almost any other in the clan. Owlflight and Whisperwind conferred with her whenever Starclan sent them signs from beyond. The whole of the Wake looked up to her as an authority figure, and most of them loved her for it.

But there was that nagging question again: was adulation and power what she wanted?

Sat in front of the medicine den, the clan's laughter in her ears, Duskbloom was forced to admit the truth. A position of authority had never been her end goal. Belonging had been, and safety, and the love of her best and oldest friend.

She didn't need to be a deputy to earn that. She simply needed to be herself.

...and to speak up before it was too late.

"Go talk to her." Owlflight nudged Duskbloom again, more gently this time, and his gaze held none of the pity she half-feared she might find. "Lay it all out and see what happens. Worst case scenario she'll let you down gently. Best-case scenario..."

Owlflight jerked his chin towards Whisperwind and Fogwatch, still contentedly cuddled together watching the sun set. The story of their (...some said sickeningly) sweet romance had taken the entire Wake by storm. Some neighboring clans had even taken up the refrain, holding their relationship up as something for kits and single adults alike to aspire to. Here, they said, were two cats who loved each other as much as they respected each other, whose strengths made up for the other's weaknesses, who faced the storms of life as a team and came out the stronger for them.

"...you end up like them, and Clouddance starts singing 'The Ballad of Duskbloom and Ivystar'. It's got a ring to it, wouldn't you say?"

Duskbloom couldn't help herself: she buried her face in her paws and prayed that her fur would hide her furious blushing. Yes, it did have a ring to it, but she'd sooner be skinned alive than admit it aloud. What if someone heard?!

...Stars, what if Ivystar heard?!

"Alright, alright, I'll talk to her! Just- stop talking about it, before the whole blessed clan hears you!"

"There ya go!" Owlflight sat back on his haunches, pleased as a kit up past their bedtime. "Last I heard she's out near the north border with Oceanfoam and Moonhaze. I'll bet you could meet 'em at the river crossing if you hurried."

Duskbloom did precisely that, trotting off with her tail high and her ears pitched forward. She was, Owlflight noted, the most focused he'd seen her in moons. He waited, expression carefully schooled into neutrality, until his old friend had disappeared into the brush at the edge of camp. Then and only then did he allow himself a grin so broad it threatened to take in his whiskers.

"...I give it an hour 'til Ivystar breaks and admits she had that exact same conversation with me yesterday. She always was awful at keeping secrets. 'Specially from Dusk!"

Flicker, still perched overhead, broke into giggles all over again. This right here was why the leadership of the Wake made such a fearsome team: they could be painfully honest with each other even when they struggled to be honest with themselves.

Word Count: 1,802 words.

[dimi.]

Username: dimi.
Clan: heart of decay

Quest Number: 2
Response:


"The bones. They speak to me."

[ethium]

[ Start of October Round ]

"Thank you all for your replies!! I'll have your prizes figured out soon!"

The current round has ended.

Month Quests

Quest #1
hazelfang -- +35 exp
sushifoxx -- +70 exp

Quest #2
hazelfang -- +40 exp
macabre. -- +35 exp
dimi. -- +30 exp

Quest #3
embergleam -- +100 exp

Please remember to link to this post in your next explore post to use your exp!

"And here are some special prizes for those who put extra effort into their entries!
You can use this to buy some cool stuff from StarClan's shop!"

hazelfang -- +150 stardust
sushifoxx -- +140 stardust
macabre. -- +70 stardust
dimi. -- +60 stardust
embergleam -- +200 stardust

"Thank you all for participating! I loved hearing about each of your Clans!"

"While I loved all of your entries, these ones were my favorites! Here's something extra for your hard work!"

Quest #1 - sushifoxx
+1 1 uc MYO

Quest #2 - hazelfang & macabre.
+1 c MYO each

Quest #3 - embergleam
+1 1 uc MYO

"Wait wait wait, I have more questions, don't leave yet!"

A new round has begun!
QUEST #1
Draw or Write about a natural disaster your clan has handled.
You may write and/or draw your response to this prompt.

QUEST #2
Draw a cat being punished for breaking the rules of the clan.
You may only draw your response to this prompt.

QUEST #3
Write about one of the most important gifts a cat has received from another cat.
You may only write your response to this prompt.

[I Like Bees]

Username: I Like Bees
Clan: The Edge

Quest Number: #2

Draw a cat being punished for breaking the rules of the clan.

Response:

"Don't explore alone. It's not safe."

Word Count: N/A

[Hazelfang]

Username: Hazelfang
Clan: The Blessed Lupus

Quest Number: 1
Response:

The echoes of battle roared around her, a cacophony of teeth tearing fur, claws clashing against eachother, and the yowls of rage. Blood was pounding in the tortoiseshell cat's ears, nearly muffling the sounds enveloping her. There was a thumping in her chest as she felt her heart race relentlessly. This wasn't supposed to happen, she thought to herself. This needs to stop. We need to stop! Her gaze swept across the gathered cats. Friends and family alike were tearing one another apart. There was no justice to be found in such a fight. No hope for a better future forged on the blood of those they love. She had to do something, she knew with certainty she had to stop them.

CRACKLE

A loud noise startled her from her thoughts, bringing her attention towards the source. Not far from the battling cats, the great maple stood tall and proud. It's bright red leaves mirroring the soaked forest floor. As she stared at the tree, she noticed what had caused the noise. A massive branch was hanging limply from the side, it's thinner ends brushing the ground beneath. Near the thick base of the branch, she noticed splintered wood, tinged in black as if burnt by something. She made her way towards the sacred tree, dodging cats as they rolled by, her eyes fixated on the branch. Closer and closer until. It happened again.

CRACK

Right before her eyes, the sky was illuminated in an overpowering yellow. A rumble surrounding her as a bolt shot from the sky, striking the sacred tree once more. Another branch snapped and fell, this time sparks of ember shot off the fallen branch, landing atop scattered maple leaves. Her eyes widened as, rapidly, the embers turned to flames lapping at the forest ground. It crawled atop the debris, grabbling with the surrounding trees and making their way up until the entire forest was enveloped in hues of crimson. "Fire! Everyone, run!" She yowled to the sky, the gathered cats already running every which way. The fight had come to a complete halt as the cats, instead, fled for their lives. The tortie watched in horror as they left the camp, abandoning everything they knew and love.

With a frustrated hiss, she turned on her heel and raced towards the nursery. "You need to get out, hurry!" She called out as she poked her head into the bramble nursey, two queens staring back at her with bright, frightened eyes. They wasted no further time, however, and stood up, gathering the two young softpaws hiding beside them. The group of four hurried out of the den, following the tortie she-cat as she led them out of the camp. "We must head to the water! Follow me, I know a quick way!" Her voice was faint against the raging flames, only a few cats being able to hear her. But there was no time to herd everyone, she had to ensure the cats following her would make it to safety.

Her lungs ached as she raced as fast as she could through the burning forest. A dark smoke was settling around them, suffocating and oppressive. Yet, she continued forward, following the path she always took towards the Shallows nearby. "Just a little farther, we can make it!" She yelled out, hoping her words could reach the other fleeing cats. And just as she promised, they reached the damp swampy marsh just beyond the camp. She let out a sigh of relief as her paws touched the wet ground- the only time she could ever recall being grateful for its moisture. "Come, now. Further into the Shallows! We must stay in the water where the fire can't reach us." She was relieved to see that all four of the cats from the nursery were right behind her, along with a few others that must have followed them as they fled.

The group of cats waded in the water, none making a single complaint as the dampness seeped into their fur. The she-cat's paws felt heavy and cold, but she knew this would be the safest place they could be in. Their only safe haven. Once they were far enough in the water, she gestured with her tail for them to stop, deciding to take a moment and check on everyone present. With an ache, she realized that there was only seven of them in total- many others were missing, including the Anyara and her sister. "We must stay here until the fire goes away," she meowed. "I'm sure it'll go away soon... and then we can find our missing companions and find our way back to camp. Everything will be okay." She hoped her words came across more confident than she felt. As it seemed right now, there would be little hope they could ever return to their camp. Why did it have to happen this way? Why couldn't I stop her? she asked herself, her heart aching in her chest as she recalled the vengeful look in her sister's eyes when she made the initial attack on their Anyara. A betrayal like no other.

She shut her eyes tightly, forcing the memory out of her mind as she regained her composure. She didn't know why her sister did something so cruel. Nor why she would want to start a war within her home. All she knew was that she wouldn't let the Blessed end like this. She would make sure everyone would return home safely. She would make sure they could all be the Blessed once more. That was her vow.

Word Count: 934 words

☆☆☆

Quest Number: 3
Response:

The tom glanced down at the green amulet held in his paws, its glowing light reflecting in his own gaze. The words seemed to be stuck in his throat, struggling to free themselves. Dread creeped along his body, gripping his heart viciously in its powerful and threatening claws. Just in front of him, she stared at him expectantly. Her gaze was kind and understanding, willing him to speak but only when he was ready. Only when he could.

There was certainty in his mind that he wanted to tell her the truth. This was the cat he loved most of all, after all. The only cat he would vow to spend an eternity with. Yet... his mind and heart seemed at odds as to whether the truth was what she needed to hear. Perhaps life would be simpler for them if she didn't know what this peculiar jewelry he wore meant. Or what it truly was.

"It's okay if you can't tell me, Osprey," she began softly, reaching a paw out to rest atop his tenderly. Warmth spread from her touch, as if enveloping his whole being in her love. With fluttering lashes, he felt his eyes slowly close, succumbing to her soothing embrace. Tranquility washed over him, casting away the dread holding his voice hostage. Slowly, he was able to speak.

"This... necklace... was a gift. Well, more than a gift. A blessing and a curse. A symbol of the fate of my kind, a reminder of a past not my own. The last remaining bit of my mother..." his words trailed along the breeze, carrying away from the pair. With his eyes remaining closed, he continued to speak, "It's a very long story, one that I can explain in time. But, my mother, was part of a group known as the Harmony. She was the last living member of this group. Although I am her son, I was not alive when the Harmony was still around. So I never truly became a member."

"They were not much different than the Blessed," he continued on, his voice staying steady as he went. "They were loyal to one another and worshipped a god of their own. Yet, they were torn apart by a dark force. That same force is the one that... gifted me this necklace." His eyes opened as he glanced back down at the glowing green amulet. It seemed to glimmer brighter upon his gaze, its burning touch searing his skin. "This is no ordinary amulet. Housed within the green gemstone is the desires of all the Harmony lost to this evil being. Including... my mother."

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed the she-cat's ears slowly pin back. Her eyes glimmered with concern as she watched her mate speak, every word more painful than the last. Yet, he didn't stop. He knew he must continue. "It was my fault I was given this curse. When my mother was incredibly ill, I took her to her homeland. I had hoped a miracle could happen, that if I prayed hard enough her ancestors could save. I agreed to make a sacrifice to someone I believed was part of the Harmony. I offered my left eye in exchange for saving my mother's life. Not realizing that they would never truly bring my mother back...." The next words caught once more, cracking under the weight of reliving his memories. "At least, not her real self. If I had known that they would trap her and all of her ancestor's desires in this necklace, I can't say I wouldn't have done it again... I was a grieving son, desperate for my mother back. And I live with the consequence of my decisions today and will forever do so. Forever destined to hear their voices in my mind. As desperate as I was that day, desiring for something they could never have."

Word Count: 650 words

[ivyy.]

Username: ivyy.
Clan: oceanclan

Quest Number: 1
Response: Draw or Write about a natural disaster your clan has handled.
IDEA: avalanche in the ashen trails ft. shrike and her sister cormorant cormorant
Word Count: (If applicable)

Quest Number: 2
Response: Draw a cat being punished for breaking the rules of the clan.
IDEA: fireplume getting sent away from oceanclan

Quest Number: 3
Response: Write about one of the most important gifts a cat has received from another cat.
IDEA: crest gifting eaglet his crow (the one in her basket)
Word Count: (If applicable)

[ethium]

the results for the last questboard round have been belatedly posted !!

[EchoIre]

Username: EchoIre
Clan: LakeClan

Quest Number: one
Response:
The clouds had been growing darker for days.

Damir stood at the edge of the frozen lake, staring out at the sunless sky. It was midday, but the clouds were nearly as dark as night. As Damir’s gaze swept across the forest, he found nothing but shadow and frost. No snow, though. Not yet.

The tom shivered as a biting wind blew, tearing through his thick fur to claw at his skin. The wind rushed through the trees, screaming and singing as the conifers bowed and moaned. Tiny shards of ice flew towards Damir from the frozen lake, making him scrunch his eyes shut. The grass at his feet was too dead and frozen to be moved by the wind. As the squall died out, Damir opened his eyes to once again gaze about the land his clan called home.

It was winter - or Leafbare as some knew it. Very few of the cats in Damir’s ramshackle clan knew the colder season by that name, but those that did were equally surprised by the name Damir and the rest had. Frost had guessed the reason for the two different names was location-based, and that the others called it Leafbare because they lived in areas with more deciduous trees. The forests of this area were mostly evergreens, so the trees were hardly ever bare of leaves. Hence, no Leafbare.

Damir thought it was a lot of words for something that didn’t matter. He’d sooner call the colder season “Hell” if he had the word for it.

The winters of his home were harsh. The human settlements had heating runes carved into their town walls that kept the streets from growing too cold, but the clan cats had no such luxury here. Additionally, most human settlements would chase stray cats away once winter came, in order to reduce the amount of mouths to feed. Damir knew for a fact that the closest one did that, at any rate. It was cruel, but the tom understood it. He wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to care for anyone not in his clan during winter.

“Did you feel that?”

Damir’s ears flicked at the voice behind him. He didn’t turn around.

“No. I’ve been sitting here enjoying the sun.” His voice was low and gruff, but the cat behind him laughed. Paws crunch through the frozen snow, then warmth pressed against his shoulder. A brown molly sat at his side, fur pressed against his.

“Looks like a blizzard.” She hummed.

“I told you that two days ago.”

“Anyone with eyes could have.” Briar grinned faintly, fangs just barely showing past her lips. The expression quickly became more serious. “Do you think we’re ready?”

Damir thought for a moment, then sighed. “No. We have enough food, but… I don’t like the winter dens.”

Briar nodded. “Smokesong told me that TaigaClan would spend days at a time in the winter dens when a blizzard struck. They’d fill each with furs and dried food and just… wait.”

“I don’t know how they could stand it.” Damir grumbled. He couldn’t imagine just leaving his mother in the nursery, or his sister in the apprentice den. Nevermind the fact they would both be far too cold alone.

Briar shrugged at his side, making his fur bounce. “There were more cats. They couldn’t fit everybody into just one den.” Her voice was even and light. Relaxed. Damir’s tail tip flicked. How could she be so carefree at a time like this?

“I heard they also sent a warrior into every other den, just to keep everyone warm and safe.” Briar added. “Can you imagine being the only one watching after five teens? Ten?”

Damir grumbled, but the hint of a smile curled his lips. “Do you think we have enough room for everyone in the warrior den?”

“We should.” Briar stood and stretched. She wiggled her toes as she did, crunching the frost lightly. Damir simply stood and shook the collected ice from his pelt. “We should be heading back, too. I think the blizzard’s coming tonight.”

“Mh.” Damir nodded once. Briar, used to her friend’s propensity for silence by now, simply nodded back and began the trek to camp. And as the pair walked, snow started to swirl from the sky.

~

“Come on…”

Farther from camp, a lone cat sat in a copse of stark white and black trees. Unlike the pines and cedars around them, these trees were bare of leaves, making the gold and black cats amidst their roots stand out sharply. Aspen hissed as their claw pierced through the sheet of bark they had pinned beneath one of their claws. With a growl, they tossed it away - into a pile of similarly sized scraps of bark, all with varying degrees of scratches into the softer side. All mangled in some way.

With their tail lashing Aspen regarded the pile for a minute more, then turned and grabbed another card of bark to begin the process all over again. Though the winter wind grew colder and colder, it failed to penetrate Aspen’s thin fur. They steadied their breath as they carved.

“Just a few more…”

~

The camp was in utter disarray. At least, it was according to one cat.

“Is that all of the food we have?” Dinara cried. She’d just checked the reserve of dried meats they had in the winter warrior den, and she was not happy with it. They could be snowed in for days!

Across the camp, Lev rolled his eyes. “If you’re so worried, come over and help us carry it then!” The healer called out. Preserving the prey they had had by and large been left to the healers, as their practiced claws and knowledge of poultices lent well to preserving meat. At the moment, Lev was tying some plant fibers around a bundle of dried scraps while Feya and Willow carried their own bundles to the winter den. Willow shot Dinara a look as she walked past, but the deputy paid her no mind. She shook her head absently as her gaze flicked around camp.

“I’m making sure we’re ready! Do you have all the herbs you need?” Dinara called out.

“Yes!” Lev shouted back, tail lashing. “Go actually do something if you’re so worried!”

Dinara took a step back, ears folded. “But-”

“What’s this?” An exasperated growl came from the camp’s entrance, making both Lev and Dinara turn. Damir was striding back into camp, Briar trotting at his side. Their jaws were empty.

“You didn’t find any herbs?” Dinara gasped.

“Nothing we could use.” Briar chirped, shaking her head. She frowned apologetically at Dinara. “I’m sorry. I know you were worried.”

Dinara tried to smile back at the bard, but couldn’t quite find it in her to make the expression particularly convincing. She had to worry about herbs, space, food, nests, nesting materials, and no one else seemed to care! She was trying so hard to make sure everything was okay, and-

“We aren’t going to be in the dens for that long.” Damir grumbled. “We can go out once the snow has stopped.”

Dinara blinked. “Can we? Won’t it still be cold?”

Damir rolled his eyes, which made something in Dinara shrivel. “Yes. But a few minutes of cold won’t kill us.”

The deputy swallowed harshly. “Sorry, I just… I’ve never dealt with anything like this.” She tried to laugh, sheepish, but the sound caught in her throat as Damir met her gaze with an unimpressed glare.

“I’ve heard.”

Another gust of cold wind cut off anything Dinara wanted to say. She shrank into her fur, shivering. More flakes of snow were carried on this breeze, and Dinara could feel them fall against her face and nose. When the wind passed, Damir was the first one to speak.

“Where is Aspen?”

“He isn’t back yet.” Dinara answered, anxiety gnawing at her stomach. “Should we send someone to look? What if he…?”

Just then, a golden shape thundered into camp. Aspen skidded to a halt as he came up to Dinara and Damir’s side. Dinara gasped as he drew closer. Warmth seemed to radiate from the tom’s fur.

“Aspen.” Damir nodded to the tom, who - panting - nodded in return.

“They’re done.” He gasped. “Move everyone into the dens.”

~

The warrior den was large, large enough to fit the entirety of the small clan in. There they were huddled now, curled in piles of friends and family as the wind howled outside. The entrance had been blocked by a weave of vines and brambles that Idalia and Yantar had spent three days working on. Rita, Feya, and Nitya - the sole apprentices of the clan - were chasing each other about in the underground den, filling the dark burrow with laughter. Aspen sat purring with Frost, discussing runecraft and its complexities. Briar sat with them, though she seemed to be struggling to stay afloat in their conversation. Osa, Vorona, and Damir all sat together, watching the apprentices play and laughing to each other. The largest group by far consisted of Idalia, Yantar, Willow, Dinara, Lev, and Rye, and while most of the cats there spoke in pairs, they sat near enough that their pelts pressed into each other. Runes of warmth leaned against the earthen walls, carved into birch bark by careful claw. The air outside was cold and biting, but here it was warm and filled with laughter.

And so, LakeClan endured the first blizzard of winter.

Word Count: 1,575

[ethium]

[ Start of November Round ]

"Thank you all for your replies!! I'll have your prizes figured out soon!"
The current round has ended.

November Quests

Quest #1
hazelfang -- +55 exp
echoire -- +85 exp

Quest #2
I like bees -- + 42 exp

Quest #3
hazelfang -- +40 exp

Please remember to link to this post in your next explore post to use your exp!

"And here are some special prizes for those who put extra effort into their entries!
You can use this to buy some cool stuff from StarClan's shop!"

hazelfang -- +190 stardust
I like bees -- +84 stardust
echoire -- +170 stardust

"Thank you all for participating! I loved hearing about each of your Clans!"

"While I loved all of your entries, these ones were my favorites! Here's something extra for your hard work!"

Quest #1 - echoire
+1 1uc MYO

Quest #2 - I like bees
+1 uc MYO

Quest #3 - hazelfang
+1 c MYO

"Wait wait wait, I have more questions, don't leave yet!"
A new round has begun!

QUEST #1
Draw or write about some sort of danger on your clan’s territory (roads? a twoleg den? cliffs?)
You may write and/or draw your response to this prompt.

QUEST #2
Draw a spot in the territory that elders like to rest on/around
You may only draw your response to this prompt.

QUEST #3
Write about a mentor that every kit hopes they get
You may only write your response to this prompt.

[Macabre.]

Username: Macabre.
Clan: BirchClan

Quest Number:1 - Draw about some sort of danger on your clan’s territory
Response: River - CloudPaw drowning
Word Count: N/A

Quest Number:2 - Draw a spot in the territory that elders like to rest on/around
Response: OwlBurrow Napping
Word Count: N/A

Quest Number:3 - Write about a mentor that every kit hopes they get
Response: FerretFoot & HorizonPaw
Word Count: 171

HorizonPaw was so excited when FerretFoot, the deputy of BirchClan, was named as his mentor. He was a little less excited when she started his training.

“Are you sure we have to patrol the whole border again? I mean how much really could change from one day to the next” HorizonPaw meowed plaintively.

“Yes HorizonPaw,” FerretFoot answered, calm and even tempered. “A lot can change from one moment to another, it’s best to be prepared. That's my job as deputy, and will soon be yours as a warrior.”

Glancing down at HorizonPaw she muffled a meow of amusement at his disgruntledness. “I’ll make sure we take some time for hunting.”

After returning to camp late after patrol HorizonPaw’s brother CloudPaw bounded up to him. “I can't believe FerretFoot let you patrol all day! You must have seen the whole territory.” CloudTail yammered on oblivious to HorizonPaw’s exhaustion. CloudTail followed HorizonPaw into the apprentice den, and laid down next to him continuing to talk about his day without any input from him.