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My gallery · by **solyn** » Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:11 am

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 16 cats [ 08 fem : 08 male ]
servings required: 04

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 21st feb
moons since last nonsense: 0

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

Trailing Thunderjaw was easier than expected. Minkfur had thought that after last moon's revelation, and her subsequent horror, he would have been more evasive. He had been carefully neutral, nodded quietly and hadn't deigned to argue when Minkfur split off from him on their duo patrol. Naturally, she thought he had been up to something. But he hadn't slunk or concealed himself in shadows. Even when a strange rogue approached him, he was dismissive and rounded her easily, continuing on with the patrol.
Minkfur followed at a distance, making sure to conceal herself from view as she carefully picked her way across the ridge above Thunderjaw. His pelt was little more than a smoky black speck in the distance, but not by much. Suddenly, he drew up short, head turning this way and that. Minkfur saw them before Thunderjaw did: a pair of apprentices huddled behind a large boulder. Thunderjaw clearly scented them, and panic kicked in. Minkfur scampered down from the ridge, rocks flying every which way under her paws.
Thunderjaw and the apprentices were a fair way away from her, but if she ran hard, she could reach them before he had a chance to do any damage. A part of her brain asked her why she thought now, of all times, Thunderjaw would choose to upset his position in the clan. He had consolidated Sleetstar's trust, and she disliked Midnightblaze. It would be all too easy to force him into retirement, have himself elevated to deputy, and then overtake Sleetstar at any given opportunity. Again, the logical part of her brain protested how she even knew that was his master plan. She shoved those thoughts away, skidding around the corner.
"-so sorry for your loss," he was saying, crouched low to seem less imposing, "I know it's hard, losing a parent. I can't imagine what it would have been like losing both at once." He looked up when he saw Minkfur. His expression registered shock, and then confusion, and then a flicker of heart-shattering pain, before it slammed back down into an impasse. Minkfur glanced away, furiously embarrassed at him having read her intentions so quickly. The she-cat apprentice flattened her ears against her skull, stepping in front of the white tom.
"Who's that?" She demanded.
"Minkfur," Thunderjaw said, "she's another warrior from my clan. She must have seen me, coming back from the areas she was patrolling," Minkfur knew for a fact that Thunderjaw didn't believe that for a minute, "but I promise, she's not going to hurt you, and neither am I." Minkfur knew the last statement was more a barb for her than anything else, but she held her tongue. The molly seemed to respond to Thunderjaw, and the white tom tilted his head curiously.
"Did you lose your parents too?" He asked, and Thunderjaw paused, his expression melancholy. It shocked Minkfur, that this notoriously collected tom was willing to be more open with two strange kits than he had been with Minkfur in the past few moons. She had thought they'd been bonding, but her surprise just alerted her to the chasm that still hung between them, even before the revelation.
"Yes," he said, "but in a different way. I let mine go, and it was one of the greatest mistakes of my life."
"Why?"
"I thought it was the right thing to do," Thunderjaw's maw turned upward in a wry smile, "but sometimes things aren't so black and white, and sometimes you can't see the consequences of your actions right away. If I could go back in time and change it, I think I would, but unfortunately there isn't anything I can do about it now. The best I can do is try to pay it forward. I want to help you, in whatever way that means to you."
"Gale," said the tom gently, "we need a home."
"We don't."
"We can't survive out here on our own," he said, eyes lifting to meet Thunderjaw's, "my sister is stubborn, but only because she cares, and she wants to make sure we're safe. But like you said, sometimes things aren't so black and white, and you've made the decision to be kind to us, so I'll make the decision to trust you. We're only young and I know we can't survive out here, especially not in a territory like this, not on our own. It'll be moons before we're old enough to even try. I think it's better to have a home for that time, and to begin making a new family, so I want to come with you, Thunderjaw."
"Whisper!" The she-cat looked at her brother in shock, before her eyes slid to Thunderjaw, and flicked to Minkfur beyond. She huffed. "Fine. Okay, fine. I'll come with you too. Family sticks together." Another unreadable expression crossed Thunderjaw's face, as he pushed himself to his full height again.
"Okay then," he said, "Minkfur? Let's take them home."

-

"Brackenstrike? Brackenstrike, wait up!" The brown molly paused, halfway toward the dirt place as Sleetstar hurried across the camp to her. Up on the ledge, Brackenstrike could see the new deputy watching them. Something about him set Brackenstrike off. He was always watching, always waiting, with a tension to his shoulders; like he was waiting for a hawk to swoop in at any moment. Aside from him, the rest of the camp was empty. Poppyhaze and Howlingeye had vanished into the medicine den some time ago, and they hadn't come back out. The rest of the warriors had headed back to the den, except for Summitsky, who had gone with the new apprentices to settle them in.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, and Sleetstar flinched.
"No- I mean- yes- I mean... I just," she took a deep breath, ears flattening, "I wanted to say that I'm sorry. For what I said to you. About the rune, I mean. You've... always looked out for me, and I was unfair to you. I was angry and that doesn't excuse what I said, and I wish that I could take them back, but I need you in my corner now and-"
"I know."
"What?"
"I know," Brackenstrike sighed, "I've known you long enough to know when you mean what you say and when your temper gets the better of you. Sleetstar, I've always had your back. Even in the Merchant days, when I really shouldn't have, I have always been in your corner. You're my friend, and I care about you, but this time... this time what you said hurt me. And an apology out of necessity isn't going to cut it. I'm not ready to forgive you yet. I'm your friend, and I want to be there for you, but... I have to take care of myself too, Sleetstar, and heading straight back to your aide on the basis of an extraordinarily week apology isn't good for me. You'll have to tough this one out on your own."
"Brackenstrike-"
"No," her voice was firm, "Sleetstar, this is not up for discussion. I've made my decision. I'm sorry."
"Please," Sleetstar's voice cracked, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I need you right now, you can be as mad at me as you like but I just... I need you."
"I can't," Brackenstrike shook her head, an unhappy expression settling onto her maw, "I'm sorry, Sleetstar, but I can't be your shoulder this time. I have to go, Splitface is waiting for me." With that, the large molly burst away from the leader, leaving her standing with her mouth agape, tears glittering behind her eyes. As Brackenstrike's pelt vanished into the shadows of the warrior's den, Sleetstar's eyes felt another set of eyes on her. Outside the leader's den, golden eyes trained on her, Midnightblaze watched. Waited.

-

"Where did you come from?" Howlingeye's bleary gaze caught Poppywish's as he stretched out in his nest, trying not to knock the ginger tom too much as he did. Howlingeye had been good and willing company since Poppywish's arrival in the clan. They spent almost every spare minute together, swapping philosophies, clan gossip and idle snarky banter. Occasionally, Howlingeye would let Poppywish prattle on to him about herbs and healing processes, and in return Poppywish would pry stories from the pointed tom. It had surprised him, initially, his proclivity for storytelling, but somehow, it seemed right.
"What?" said Howlingeye, blinking at the other tom.
"I was just thinking," Poppywish shrugged, turning over so that he couch rest his forehead under Howlingeye's jaw, "I know a lot about you, but I don't know all that much about where you come from, about who you were before all of this." Howlingeye was silent, unmoving under the ginger tom's weight. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Poppywish mewed, "I just... well. We've been getting along. I thought it would be nice to know you, really know you."
"You don't want to," Howlingeye said, sounding uncharacteristically glum, "it's not a happy story, and certainly not a pleasant one. I don't... I don't think I'm ready for that story to change how you see me. I know it's arguable that without it, you can't really see me at all, but it's a secret I'm not willing to part with just yet." Poppywish nodded, slowly. He watched Howlingeye's face in the gloom, saw how his blue eyes shone with emotions that Poppywish couldn't fully gauge.
"There's sorrow in your past life, isn't there? A lot of it." Howlingeye nodded, once, "I'm sorry. Whatever you went through, I'm sorry for it. You're a good cat, and you didn't deserve it." Howlingeye smiled, wryly.
"How do you know I'm not the one who caused the sorrow?"
"You?" Poppywish rolled his eyes. "You have the exact countenance of a butterfly. I'd trust a moth to do more damage than you ever could. But... I know that you intend for that to mean you believe you've caused sorrow, and I hope that one day you trust me enough to tell me about what you've done and who you've been, but until then, I'll continue to believe in you. If you're here and doing your best to stick your neck out for a tom you barely to know, to keep another company and shield him from unhappy memories, and to defend a grief-stricken molly... whoever you were is of no consequence to me. You are good, in the present, and that's all that matters."
"You're such an idealist," Howlingeye smiled then, blue eyes fond, "it's a pretty look on you."
"Everything looks good on me."
"Narcissism doesn't." Poppywish's laugh was bright and clear.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"Hey!" Minkfur's voice rang out loud and clear across the open plateau as she bounded across the summer tussock to catch up to Thunderjaw. The black tom tilted his head, curiously, watching her as she approached. Minkfur had been decidedly distant for the past few moons. He hadn't blamed her. He'd been waiting for the other paw to drop, for his secret to be revealed. But Minkfur had kept her maw shut, or else no one believed her. Thunderjaw wasn't sure what was worse: that people thought so highly of him that they would disregard her, or that he'd forced her to alienate herself from the clan.
"Is something the matter?" Minkfur hesitated, watching him carefully.
"Yes... and no," she said after a minute of deliberation, "look, I'm not going to say that I'm sorry for avoiding you, because quite frankly? You deserve it." Thunderjaw tried his hardest not to wince. "But... I've been unfair too. You told me something personal to you, and I'm still not sure why you thought it was a good idea, but... I want to understand. Why you did it, I mean. Because you wouldn't have told me if you thought it would jeopardize your standing with the clan, especially not if you had some scheme you were playing the long game with, and I know myself well enough to know I'm a loose canon and telling me anything is a gamble."
"Really selling yourself as my friend and compatriot here," Thunderjaw said, taking a few steps forward so that he wouldn't have to look at her. Minkfur frowned, bounding after him and crossing his path to make him draw up short.
"We're not friends," she said, "I wanted to be. And maybe I wanted to be something more, but it's very clear that I can't be your friend unless I know you, and whatever this is? It weighs on you. I didn't notice it before, but I've been watching you for the past couple of moons. Your shoulders are heavy from carrying this burden, and so... if I'm to know you, I have to know what happened." She paused, then. "I'm asking you, because you're all I have, and frankly, I don't want to give you up. I know it's probably not something you've talked about before, but... please. Let me help you."
"I'm afraid there's not a lot you can do to help, now that all has been said and done," Minkfur fixed him with a half-glare, and he sighed, nodding ahead, "walk with me. We still have a lot of patrol to do." Minkfur hesitated, and then nodded, falling into step with the tall tom as he wandered further north, toward the border. He was silent for a long while, emotions broiling behind his eyes, as if he were trying to figure out how to express them.
"I've... never spoken about this before," he said finally, "there wasn't a lot to say, after it happened. The decision to exile me was made fairly quickly. Sometimes, I wish I could go back and explain myself... but I know that any excuse I could have made, any different outcome would have only ended in pain and suffering. If I have to be the one to suffer, I can handle it. I'm strong, and I have weathered the pain."
"Who else would it have hurt?"
"Where I come from isn't like here, but in some ways it's all too familiar," he took a deep breath, "clans are plentiful where I'm from. My clan was boxed in from most sides by others, and clan culture is... ruthless. It's the kind of clan that says no medicine cats with mates, no exceptions. No cross-clan romances. If you're found out, you're exiled, and your kits with you. Cross-clanners don't have... a life. Some brutal leaders even had them killed. They're always an excuse for war, or it's first casualty. Growing up there... you have to be tough to survive. And I was. I grew up with this tom- Hollowstreak. In truth, I was probably in love with him a bit, before I even knew what the word meant. We were closer than I've ever been to anyone."
"Did he love you too?" Minkfur asked, quietly. Thunderjaw's smile was bittersweet.
"Not... the way I wanted him to," he said, "Hollowstreak was in love with a molly from another clan. Her name was Apricotstep, and admittedly she was beautiful and she was kind. I liked to be around her at gatherings, even if the attention Hollowstreak gave her made her jealous. They... became mates, in secret. And a few moons later, she had kits. She managed to find a tom in her clan to cover for her, and everything went back to normal. Hollowstreak and Apricotstep agreed they wouldn't see each other anymore, for the good of their kits. But... war isn't interested in promises. War is interested in what it can take."
"What happened to him?" Minkfur's voice was all but a whisper. She knew instantly it wasn't the right question to ask, not because it hurt Thunderjaw, but because it was clear that nothing had happened to Hollowstreak. The story was about him, but it wasn't his story. Thunderjaw continued.
"Winter came and hunting was scarce. There was a patch of woodland where hibernating prey was abundant, and good climbers could drag them out of their burrows and nests in the trees. The clans went to war over it to survive. There was a tom from Apricotstep's clan. A jilted admirer, probably. Hollowstreak had been fighting near his kits, and letting them attack him so that he wouldn't have to hurt them. When he fell, their clan had the upper hand, but the tom wasn't done. He was goading Hollowstreak, in full view of everyone from both clans. The penalty for hiding kits was always worse, and I could tell he knew. He was asking him how it felt, how he'd have to go to StarClan knowing how ironic his death was. Hollowstreak couldn't get away, and he was going to bleed out, so I got between them, and I took him out." Thunderjaw's shoulders drew up tight as he shuddered. "It's what scares me the most about this story. I've spent so much time rationalising things to myself. It wasn't my fault, he hit his head on the rock, he moved too far to the side and that's why my claws caught his neck when I tackled him. But I knew- I knew when I was jumping at him that I was going to kill him, because it was the only way. And I had made my peace with that. And now I don't know how to reconcile myself with that."
"I see," Minkfur was silent for a while, "you killed a cat because he threatened to expose a family, already kept apart by a strict and unforgiving social climate, thinking that you would save the lives of multiple cats involved." Thunderjaw sighed, shoulders sagging with a sudden tiredness that Minkfur had never seen in him before.
"You don't have to dress it up nicely," he said, "what I did was still against the code, and I can make as many excuses as I like, but at the end of the day that's the decision that I made. And now I have to deal with it, and I have to deal with trying to understand what Northstar wants from me. She led me here, and it must have been for a reason." Minkfur watched him, stopping in her tracks. Thunderjaw walked a few paces, and then turned to face her, a curious look on his face.
"I think I understand," she said, "about... you, and what you did, but about why I'm meant to be here too. Northstar said that this clan held the answer to the question I was asking myself. I didn't know what that question was supposed to be, but all this time I've been wondering- can I be forgiven? I abandoned my clan and I let them fall to pieces and that guilt has been haunting me. But if you can be forgiven for what you did- and you can be, I forgive you- then surely I can too." Thunderjaw's maw turned upward in a wry smile.
"Minkfur, there was never any question. That should have always been the case."
"I suppose I was too blind to see it," Minkfur laughed a little, eyes glittering as they trailed his frame, "I hope you know I mean it. I think you're a good cat, Thunderjaw, regardless of what you've done in the past. Everyone here cares about you, and you care about them. A truly bad cat couldn't bond so tightly to a clan, like you have, and I believe that with all of my heart. I think you can't be forgiven until you forgive yourself but... I hope that knowing I'd stand by you in the face of that decision helps."
Thunderjaw fixed her with a smile, a genuine one then. With the Greenleaf sun beating down on his pelt, she truly saw him for the first time; the smokey wisps in his fur turned liquid silver, shoulders relaxed and an exhaustion about him that added moons to his eyes. He was handsome and alarmingly beautiful, but even in the face of giving up, his chin was raised and his ears pricked proudly. Minkfur had never seen a more wonderful cat.
"Weirdly enough," he said, voice dripping with honey, "it does."

-

"I suppose congratulations are in order," Sleetstar jumped at the sound of a voice, whirling to see her new deputy cresting the trail to her den. She flattened her ears against her skull, turning her face away as her tail swept across her paws, half-obscuring her belly where it swelled with new life. Oftentimes, she felt sick. From the pregnancy or from what it meant for the future of her clan, she wasn't quite sure.
"I suppose they are," she said sarcastically, as Midnightblaze settled next to her, "aren't you back a little soon?"
"Howlingeye and Hollyfeather have it covered without me. The former was very insistent that the three of us split up. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's quite antisocial," Sleetstar snorted, "and besides, I thought you might be lonely, stuck in camp all alone. I know that I would be."
"I don't know why you're acting like you care."
"Because I do," Midnightblaze's voice was tight, eyes glittering, "if you think I chose to come here because I enjoy making cats conform to StarClan's every which whim, you're dead wrong. I'm here... because I have to be, and I can't do anything about that. I want to live, but if I have to be here, I don't want to be surviving. I want to be thriving, and I can only do that if you work with me here."
"Why should I trust you?" Sleetstar's gaze was wary, Midnightblaze's tired.
"You shouldn't," he said, getting to his paws, "but you're going to have to."

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` servings consumed
4/4 - x2 stoats
` clan events
poppywish searches for kitting herbs
summitsky & bearears teach whisperpaw and galepaw battle
sleetstar requests a queen from starclan
` patrols
hunting-
1 - midnightblaze, hollyfeather, howlingeye
2 - brackenstrike, splitface, viridianfire, fallowstep, hawkeyes
border-
3 - minkfur, thunderjaw

My gallery · by **solyn** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 1:06 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 17 cats [ 09 fem : 08 male ]
servings required: 04

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 26th mar
moons since last nonsense: 0

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

"-and so Y'ya ran and he ran and he ran... faster and faster around the world, trying to escape the the burning of the fire-ball tied to his tail, stopping for rest only when his paws were too tired to drag the sun any further. And that is why we have the day, because of Y'ya and his pranks!" Bearears puffed her chest out proudly as the cats gathered around her purred their gratitude for her story.
"Your tales from your clan are always riveting," Howlingeye mewed, his blue eyes glittering with genuine amusement, as Poppywish lounged against his flank. Their tails were curled together idly, Poppywish's rumbling growl growing louder when Howlingeye would absently clean behind his ears every few minutes.
"Thank you!" Bearears mewed, brightening up. "My clan believed that telling the stories of our ancestors was the best way to honour them, and the best way to learn from their mistakes. Y'ya is as much to explain why the world works the way that it does as he is to remind kits not to do foolish things such as provoke Ultoliqe, because he'll tie the sun to your tail, and if you don't run fast enough, the sun will catch you and burn you to a crisp."
"Charming," said Splitface, and Brackenstrike rumbled a low laugh that echoed around the gathered cats.
"Those names are something," said Twilightflower, the new queen that had apparently been sent by Northstar. Her eyes were bright and green, intelligent and curious. "I've never heard anything like them... and yet, you have a proper clan name." Bearears ducked her head, a shy smile on her maw, before she seemed to make a decision on how much to tell them.
"When kits are born, we are given a name for the body, and a name for the soul. The name for the body is the one which you all know- Bearears- but the name for the soul is to only be spoken to those you are closer to than anyone else. It is a very sacred and special thing to be told the soul-name of a cat. Before my clan was massacred, only my family members and one other knew." Bearear's voice caught in her throat as her brain tracked what she had said. A hush descended over the group. It was the first Bearears had spoken of the fate of her clan.
"I think that's a beautiful concept," Summitsky tired, awkwardly, but it didn't quite land. Bearears shook like a leaf, trembling terribly as the rest of the cats eyed her up, unsure how to continue. Finally, the shifting of paws drew attention to Howlingeye, as he stood, and stepped across Poppywish to press close to Bearear's side.
"Hush." He said. It was simple, and Bearears melted into him with a whimpering mewl. Howlingeye bent under her weight, pushing her to her paws as she shook. He nodded to Poppywish, and the pair of them flanked her, keeping her standing between their shoulders. Without another word, Howlingeye started forward, leading Bearears away from scrutiny, to the safety of Poppywish's den. As they got further away, Howlingeye's baritone carried as he murmured something secret to the young molly.
"Massacred," Hollyfeather said gravely, shaking her head, "no wonder she shakes like a leaf in the wind. What do you suppose happened?" Brackenstrike shook her head firmly.
"It's not something we should discuss. It's clearly taken a toll on her, and this kind of trauma can only be undone and overcome when she is ready. Until then, we should respect her privacy and not speak any more on the matter."

-

"You're turning in already?" Midnightblaze paused, halfway up the trail to the warrior's den. He paused, turning back to blink at Hollyfeather, where the young warrior stood. Her brow was drawn and her eyes were watching him carefully. It wasn't so much a question as it was an inquest, and Midnightblaze knew he was the object of scrutiny. This was the last thing he needed, really, but the past few moons had drained his energy to the point where he no longer cared.
"Yes," he said with a nod, "I'm tired."
"It's early."
"I've had a long few moons." Hollyfeather didn't say anything to that. "Goodnight, Hollyfeather. I pray StarClan blesses your dreams." She remained silent as he dipped his head and turned, making his way up the rest of the trail, and vanishing into the warrior den. Hollyfeather remained on the trail, watching the spot where his form had disappeared. Midnightblaze was strange to her. Every cat here was strange, strung together by Northstar and her invisible grand design, but Midnightblaze made less sense than most. She and Summitsky had been allowed to leave to follow a destiny. Poppywish was a vagrant, everyone else had tales and allusions to their clans falling, but Midnightblaze retained a heavy clan scent in his thick pelt.
"What was that about?" Hollyfeather turned to find Summitsky sidling up beside her, looking concerned. "Are you having problems?"
"No," she shook her head, "I just think he's weird, is all." Summitsky blinked at her, his eyes hardening as he tilted his head curiously.
"What makes you think that?" Summitsky's tone was one she hadn't heard before. All her life, Summitsky had been a kind, reliable constant. He was gentle and sweet and he had a laugh like a summer thunderstorm and eyes that twinkled like amber in the midday sun. Now, Summitsky's tone was perfectly calculated, a little sharp around the edges and punctuated with a curiosity that didn't seem at all benign. But Summitsky was Summitsky, and so she told him.
"I can't be the only one who's noticed that he has clan-scent on him. We all do now, but when we found say... Poppywish or Howlingeye, or even Thunderjaw, the clan scent was faded. Their clans had been gone, fallen apart for a while before they came here. Midnightblaze's is fresh, and he never talks to any of us. He's always just... here. Watching, but from the patrol structures, it doesn't seem like he's learning anything, and so I wonder why he is here, really."
"Maybe losing his clan is still too fresh to him," Summitsky suggested, "it must be pretty traumatic." Hollyfeather thought back to Bearear's earlier outburst.
"I don't think he lost his clan at all," Hollyfeather said, shaking her head, "I'm going to check on Bearears. Coming with?" Summitsky's eyes were trained on the warrior's den, high above them. When he didn't answer, Hollyfeather simply shook her head and started for Poppywish's den, leaving Summitsky gazing thoughtfully into the darkness.

-

"Do you think this is some kind of torture?" Thunderjaw tilted his head, blinking up at Minkfur as she wandered across the fallen tree next to him. "Surely they've figured out that we're no longer not speaking to each other. The get-along patrols seem redundant now." Thunderjaw's maw quirked into an amused smile, as he used his paw to scoop snow upward at her, although it spattered harmlessly against the tree trunk, while she scuffed some fallen snow onto his head.
"Are you saying you don't like hanging out with your dearest friend, Minkfur?"
"You're alright," she said, feigning an indifferent sniff, "I just think it's odd. Every day like clockwork: Minkfur and Thunderjaw, border patrol. Even the hunting parties get switched up sometimes, Howlingeye gets to escort Poppywish, the apprentices go... but never on border patrols. It's always just you and me. Why do you think that is?" Thunderjaw was quiet for a moment, carefully weighing up his words. Ever since his revelation, he had felt that it was better to be honest with Minkfur, but he knew she had lingering anxieties about the breakdown of her old clan.
"I think," he said, deciding for honesty, as he always did, "that Sleetstar would have preferred to have Brackenstrike or myself as her deputy, or even you, but for some reason Northstar doesn't want Sleetstar to consolidate power within NorthernClan, and so the appointment of Midnightblaze as deputy makes Sleetstar nervous, and unwilling to work with him. I also think that Midnightblaze is inexperienced, and without Sleetstar's guidance- which would mean very little in the first place, because Sleetstar is an isolationist who hasn't really taken the time to get to know her clan, but as a figurehead she's managed to isolate Midnightblaze from anyone who would help him as well- Midnightblaze is trying to roll with what he knows. And what he knows is that you and I are big and strong, we're experienced fighters, and we've never come back from a patrol bruised or battered."
"You've been thinking on that a lot, huh?" Thunderjaw gave a tight nod, and Minkfur blew out a sigh, flicking her ear in a manner that Thunderjaw had come to understand as nervous irritation. "I suppose we do make a good team. I just... worry."
"Everything's going to work itself out," he assured her, gently, "Sleetstar's tough, and you and I both have good heads on our shoulders. If push comes to shove, I'm sure we can wrangle some semblance of leadership into place. Brackenstrike and Splitface like you well enough, and I think Viridianfire would at least back me if you wanted to go casting orders about. And I would back you, one hundred percent of the time. I have the utmost faith in you." Minkfur gave him a wry smile.
"Flatterer." She fell silent for a long moment, before her ears pricked forward again. "What you said about Northstar... it sounds like you don't trust her, even if she brought you here. What's going on there?" Thunderjaw looked away, jaw grinding as he thought about what to say. Minkfur had almost given up on getting a reply out of him, when he spoke.
"There are things about her that don't add up. I think she's strange, and I don't trust strange cats."
"Every cat in NorthernClan is strange." Thunderjaw gave her a tight smile, but he didn't say anything. At that moment, a familiar scent wafted to him, and he turned, sharply, in time to see a chocolate brown pelt slipping through the trees toward him. Minkfur hissed above him, and Varvara paused, turning brilliant golden eyes toward Minkfur. She looked distinctly bored, as she turned her gaze back to Thunderjaw.
"I was hoping little miss was still dodging you," she said, without an ounce of actual emotion in her voice, "but oh well. It's not nearly so important that I catch you alone, so she can stay. I guess I can't fault you for being functionally hunky." Minkfur shot Thunderjaw a confused look. Thunderjaw appraised the molly.
"You're quite far in land," he said evenly, and Varvara's maw curled into an amused smile.
"You don't give anything away, do you Wonderboy?" Thunderjaw shrugged, and she took a step closer, winding around him. "You know that Sleetstar lied to me. Does your friend know that? The rest of your clan? It sounds like you're crumbling already, from what you were saying of this 'Midnightblaze'. I wish I could say I was surprised that a coup was already etched into the roots, but it is a clan headed by Sleetstar, so I do suppose it shouldn't come as such a shock."
"Thunderjaw?" Minkfur asked, tone warning.
"What I know is that you got very far into the territory, and Sleetstar probably said whatever she felt was right to get you away again," Varvara's eyes glittered, sharply, and it was Thunderjaw's turn to smile, "ah, I see. You're prying for news of her." Varvara sniffed, turning from him with her tail raised as she wandered across the ground, mushy from the meager summer-time snowfall. She turned to look back at him, voice airy.
"I couldn't care less what Sleetstar is doing," she mewed, "I just think this whole experimental clan thing is quite funny! I can't wait to see how long it lasts, although it hasn't taken long already to crumble to pieces, has it?" Thunderjaw was still smiling.
"I was mistaken," he mewed, "and out of the loop on clan romances. Sleetstar is carrying Summitsky's kits." Varvara froze, face shocked for all of a second, before a furious cloud drew tight across her features. She glanced between the two cats; tall and proud Thunderjaw, and the stocky molly on the branch behind him.
"We'll meet again, Thunderjaw," she said, tone frosty now, "ta." And with that, she vanished into the trees. Minkfur blinked down at Thunderjaw, face creased in concern.
"What was that?" She asked.
"Nothing good."

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"Are you okay?" Sleetstar's pacing paused as a voice came from behind her. She whipped around, finding herself facing the most recent addition to the clan. Twilightflower was bigger than she was, naturally plumper without the added weight of the kits growing inside of them. Sleetstar hated it. She felt sluggish and weak, each step reminding her of all the things she could no longer do. Summitsky did his best, but he didn't seem to understand where her real annoyance lay.
She doubted he would ever understand her well enough to get it.
"I'm fine," she said, tightly, "I just wish that I was out there... on patrol. It gets boring around here, being all on your own." She shrugged, awkwardly, as if this were no big deal. Twilightflower gave her a simpering smile that showed no real allegiance to her or her emotions. At least she didn't openly try to hide it, Sleetstar decided. It would have been worse if Twilightflower had acted like this circumstance meant they should be friends.
"You were alone before," she said evenly, "but I'm here now. One could argue that you choose to be alone, and that you've no one to fault but yourself." Sleetstar balked in shock as the black molly watched her, head tilted with an amused smile on her face. "I find ways to entertain myself, Sleetstar, so do not mistake this as a plea for your companionship. Consider it the olive branch. It's clear that being here isn't where you want to be, but the fact of the matter is, you are here, and you have to be, at least for a few more moons."
"I really hate it when literally anyone else is right," Twilightflower laughed, then, looking amused. Sleetstar couldn't help but smile, feeling some of the tension dissipate. "It's just... hard. I don't think I want to be a mother. But I have to be. And I don't want to explain that to you either, so I won't, but I've made some decisions that seemed right at the time and... now I'm starting to think that perhaps they weren't."
"In hindsight, you always have perfect vision," Sleetstar fixed Twilightflower with her blue eyes. The black molly shrugged. "My father used to say that to me. He always said if he knew the kits were coming on the day my mother kitted, he never would have left their camp. And then he always said that, and reminded himself he could never have known, and it's lucky he got back when he did so that my siblings and I didn't freeze to death."
"Your father was right, I suppose, but I just can't help but feel that maybe I am supposed to know. And I hate it. I hate feeling useless and I hate feeling alone in this, but I've no one that I can trust with how I feel." Twilightflower didn't say anything for a long while, the pair of them standing together in the campground as dark clouds gathered overhead.
"I doubt we'll be friends," she said finally, "but we're likely to be stuck together most days for the next two moons at the very least. If you ever want to talk, you know how to find me, and it's not as if I have anyone to tell your feelings to. I'm not sure how much of a help that is, but in any case, I'd also like to give you some advice. It's much easier and much nicer to focus on what you can do then what you can't."
"There is nothing I can do." Sleetstar muttered bitterly. Twilightflower's smile was wry.
"Then perhaps you are not looking hard enough."

-

"Found anything interesting back there?" Splitface jumped as Brackenstrike's shoulder brushed her own. She shook off the weird feeling in her stomach, turning to fix the tabby molly with her best unimpressed face. Hollyfeather and Midnightblaze had been quick to split off from the patrol to hunt on their own, but as always, Brackenstrike and Splitface hunted together. Having the other she-cat around made Splitface feel better about the growing anxiety she felt at the inkling that someone might be following her, but it didn't stop her from checking over her shoulder.
"Do you feel as if someone is following us? Watching us?"
"No," Brackenstrike's face grew worried, "are you okay? We handed off the rune, you can relax now."
"I know," Splitface sighed, shaking her head, "I guess I'm just not used to this. I'm probably just psyching myself out. I've... never really had a home, you know? Not like a clan, anyway." She paused, ducking her head shyly. "It's um. Maybe it's forward of me to say, but I've never had a place where I felt like I could have... a future. And you. Well, you always remind me that perhaps I can. Have a future I mean." Brackenstrike grinned, broadly, before it faltered.
"That's not too forward of you at all," she assured her, but Splitface had seen the brief hesitation.
"Is that... not what you want?"
"No! No, it's not like that at all- look, I really like you," Brackenstrike's face was melancholy, "you know that I do. But... I guess I'm the same. I haven't really considered the fact that I have a future anywhere, because everyone I love leaves me eventually. And that's not... meant to be a guilt trip or some way of forcing you to stay if you ever decide you want to leave, it's just a fact of life. I know it must be pure coincidence, but a part of me... a part of me wonders if StarClan does exist, and StarClan has a plan for everyone, if their plan is that I should be alone. Because I always have been- surrounded by cats but still lonely."
"I hope I can alleviate that pain," Splitface pressed closer, "for as long as you need me to. For as long as you want me to."
"I can't ask that of you," Brackenstrike touched her nose to Splitface's cheek, "you're kind, but I know you would struggle. It's not fair of me to ask you to make a promise when you've barely had time to let the dust settle. I want you to take care of yourself first and foremost, okay?"
"You really are a rock," Brackenstrike laughed, "but... all things considered, I'm glad it's your shoulder that I have to lean on."
"Very romantic," Brackenstrike assured her, "now come on. We should try and catch something so that Sleetstar doesn't absolutely lose her mind if Midnightblaze and Hollyfeather come up short... again." Splitface rolled her eyes, affection settling easily into her features. She watched Brackenstrike take a few bounds ahead, paw poised to follow her. Still, the unsettling feeling came back, crawling up her spine.
She spun, quickly, and something moved in the shadows. She froze, breath stuck in her throat, but the trees did not shift again. Up ahead, Brackenstrike called for her. Splitface hesitated, and then bounded after her, forsaking the movement for the comfort that came with hiding beside the brown tabby molly. And still, for the rest of the day, until the sun had set low over the horizon and she and Brackenstrike were curled together in a nest at the far end of the warrior's den, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

-

"Good," Summitsky's voice rung out across the clearing, where Galepaw had pinned her brother, "you're getting the hang of that quickly, both of you. Swap over again. This time, Whisperpaw you can hunt Galepaw. Good job everybody." The two apprentices nodded, and Whisperpaw returned to Summitsky's side with his eyes shut. Galepaw vanished into the trees to hide, and Bearears took off in another direction to find a new vantage point. The clearing was quiet.
"Am I really doing a good job?" Whisperpaw asked, startling Summitsky from his count.
"What? Yes, of course you are! I wouldn't say such things if I didn't think you and your sister were genuinely doing good work." Whisperpaw smiled, pleased, as his ear twitched. Summitsky paused for a moment. His apprentice oftentimes confused him, seemingly wise beyond his years but nervous with the naivety of youth at the same time. "Is there... something wrong?" He tried, finally. "Do you still feel unsure about some things?"
"No. Galepaw and I have had to be good at this for a long time, else we would be dead." He opened his eyes, looking around the clearing, before fixing Summitsky with his even stare. "It's been two minutes, no?"
"Ye- yeah," Summitsky stammered, watching in bewilderment as his apprentice got to his paws, and disappeared into the thicket. He didn't know what to say, or what to make of the nonchalance with which Whisperpaw had delivered a statement that might as well have been a box around the ears. Perhaps if Sleetstar had been around, or even Thunderjaw, who seemed keen-eyed and quick-witted, he wouldn't have felt so hopelessly lost.
As it were, the wind swirled around him, lifting green leaves from the soft ground and twirling them about his pelt. The clearing was silent, and he felt almost cocooned in his won world. Finally, feeling like a millennium had passed, Summitsky drew himself to his paws, making his way toward the direction Bearears had gone in. He met her halfway down the track, and the pair of them scented out the apprentices together.
"What do you know about Galepaw?" Summitsky asked, finally, in the burgeoning silence. Bearears blinked, flicking her rounded ears idly.
"Not a whole lot," she conceded after a moment, "she says a lot of strange things that I can't really make heads or tails of, but mostly I think that whatever she and Whisperpaw have been through, it wasn't good. And I don't think their parents dying was as big a factor of them coming here as they would like us to believe." Summitsky blinked, turning to look at the molly. Usually sunny and exuberant, over the past moon she had seemed more withdrawn, her face now pulled tight and more serious than he had ever seen it.
"What makes you say that?" Bearears shook her head.
"It's... not important. Don't worry yourself too much about it." A yowl sounded from somewhere deeper in the forest, and Bearears burst through the thicket to find Galepaw pinned by her brother, whose smile was quiet but pleased. He lifted his eyes at the rustling noise, and when they met Summitsky's, he realized there was something behind them he had never seen in another cat's eyes as long as he had lived.
He hoped to never see it again.

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` servings consumed
4/4 - x2 hares
` clan events
poppywish searches for kitting herbs
summitsky & bearears teach their apprentices to hunt
` patrols
hunting-
1 - midnightblaze, hollyfeather, brackenstrike, splitface
2 - fallowstep, hawkeyes, viridianfire, howlingeye
border-
3 - thunderjaw, minkfur

My gallery · by **solyn** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 2:12 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 20 cats [ 10 fem : 10 male ]
servings required: 04

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 26th mar
moons since last nonsense: 0

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

NorthernClan in Greenleaf was almost idyllic. Toward the northern end of the territory, snowfall was still light, but everywhere else the blanketing white gave way to springy green grass, tussock on the plateaus, and dripping dew from evergreens. Hawkeyes supported his mate's weight as the pair of them carefully stepped across the stones jutting from the river, wandering deeper into the forest where the prey ran more abundant.
"The air up here is so fresh," Fallowstep remarked with a sigh, stretching out so that his back dipped. Hawkeyes gazed at him fondly, head cocked just-so to watch him.
"I don't miss the stench of death," he said dryly, and Fallowstep snorted, shaking his head at him.
"Very romantically put," he said airily, straightening up a little, "but... you're right. I didn't think I'd ever feel at home anywhere but GraveClan, but I think that was short-sighted of me. I forgot that home isn't so much a place as it is where your heart feels safest, and that will always be with you." Hawkeyes purred, nuzzling close to his mate as their tails twined, the pair of them stepping in perfect tandem through the forest. "That being said... I like it here. The cats are a little strange, but they're nice."
"I'm glad you've been making friends," Hawkeyes said, "I know it was hard for you in GraveClan."
"I had a bad introduction," he nodded, slowly, "but... everyone here seems to have their own demons. I think I can be forgiven for some bad mistakes I made as a young tom. I know better now, and I'll do better." Hawkeyes nodded, touching his nose to Fallowstep's cheek. Fallowstep purred, carefully drawing away from him to leap up a rock outcropping to get a better view. "What about you? Have you been making friends, old-timer?"
"I'm not that much older thank you," Hawkeyes protested, with a rumbling chuckle, "but yes, I have. Everyone seems to have their own opinion on the new deputy... but I quite like him. He's a little... sullen, maybe, but when I've been able to catch him in conversation, he's well-spoken and polite. You know I like Brackenstrike- everyone does- and Splitface... and even the young one, Virdianfire? She's funny, I like her."
"Look at you, socialite of the year," his mate shot him a mock-withering look, and Fallowstep couldn't help but giggle, tail raised as if pleased with his own joke. His face fell for a moment, and he seemed to struggle with something, before he shook his head. "What do you make of Howlingeye?" Hawkeyes blinked, looking around. Viridianfire and Howlingeye had split off a while ago to hunt in a pair, but no one could be sure how close they were.
"He's... interesting," Hawkeyes said, after a long beat of silence, "why?" Fallowstep shrugged.
"I don't know. I've seen him skulking about all over the place. Word is he has a bunch of... strange theories that rely on a lack of faith in the general leadership of the clan. I just... I don't really know all that much about him. Do you?" Hawkeyes fell silent again, listening to the wind rustle through the trees, the chirp of insects and the twitter of birds in the boughs above.
"No," he conceded, giving his mate a reassuring smile, "but I'm sure it's fine. I'm sure he's just a little paranoid after his last clan broke up. Come on, what did we say about this place?" Fallowstep's features creased into a smile, as he climbed down the outcropping to meet his mate.
"New clan, new story. You're right. Things will be different here."

-

Sunset bathed the campground in a golden glow. Cats clustered together, sharing tongues and laughing. Poppywish had disappeared into the nursery with Sunnynose- a tom that Minkfur and Thunderjaw had come across on patrol- to check on him and his two kits, weak with exhaustion from travelling. Whisperpaw and Galepaw, ever reclusive, had vanished into the apprentice den and hadn't returned. Sleetstar had come down from her perch to sit with Summitsky and listen to Bearear's story. Howlingeye crouched near Brackenstrike and Splitface, the two mollies sharing tongues. Fallowstep and Hawkeyes were near them, wrapped lazily about each other with Viridianfire stretched in the sunlight next to them.
Hollyfeather sat on the opposite side of camp, glowering suspiciously toward the warrior's den. She hadn't seen Midnightblaze all evening, the tom suspiciously absent from clan activities as always. Thunderjaw and Minkfur sat a fair distance away, discussing something in hushed tones. Something rustled behind her, and Hollyfeather whipped around, finding herself glowering at Twilightflower. The molly looked amused, settling next to her and wrapping her tail over her paws.
"What a lovely greeting," she mewed, and Hollyfeather ducked her head in embarrassment.
"Sorry. I was just thinking."
"Clearly your thoughts weren't very kind," Twilightflower said, evenly, watching as Bearears continued her animated story, pacing back and forth with emotive swings of her tail, "that seems to be a theme with this clan, though. I've noticed many of you seem low on trust, especially with one another."
"Oh really?" Hollyfeather asked, not meaning for it to sound so sarcastic.
"Really. For example, you only trust Summitsky, and occasionally you let your guard down around Brackenstrike because she seems genuine to you. Sleetstar confides almost exclusively in Thunderjaw, and occasionally looks wistfully toward Brackenstrike which indicates some kind of a bad blood there, but she never turns to her own mate. Thunderjaw, on the other hand, seems to trust only Minkfur, and Howlingeye and Poppywish are two of a kind. There are many closed circles here, Hollyfeather. You all are not as subtle as you like to think you are."
"Maybe they should have called you Eagle-eye," Hollyfeather muttered, earning a tinkling laugh from the queen, "it looks like you're pretty observant. Especially considering you've only been here a moon."
"Some things are not so difficult to gauge," Twilightflower said simply, "when you're relegated to a nursery with only a cranky molly for company, there's not much you can do but observe. And sometimes things aren't easy to pick up on verbally, but body language is very telling. For instance, you weren't thinking, you were trying to keep tabs on the deputy because you think he's suspicious and you likely harbour the opinion that Brackenstrike or Summitsky should have been deputy due to the fact that they were here longer and you, personally trust them."
"Okay, I get it," Hollyfeather groused, "you're very smart. You're right. I was looking out on Midnightblaze because I think he's hiding something. But that's hardly any of your business."
"It's not really any of yours, either," Hollyfeather blinked in bewilderment, "whatever that tom has going on is about as serious as whatever everyone else is hiding. There's no trust here, but snooping on each other won't rectify that. Perhaps you should consider what it is about you all that makes cats afraid to share their secrets."
"Would you so willingly share yours?" Twilightflower's gaze was even as she met Hollyfeather's eyes.
"I have nothing to hide. Can you say the same?"

-

Night descended quickly over the camp, blanketing the silence in darkness. Howlingeye dragged himself out of Poppywish's den, eyes bleary with sleep but heart racing. The stars twinkled overhead, as he tilted his head back to look at them. After the nightmares, it was always nice to see Silverpelt watching over him. Oftentimes he wondered if they would take him. But he never thought too hard on the subject, not when his stomach still rocked unsteadily from the vehemence of his dreams.
Howlingeye descended the cliff-face, heading for the dirtplace to clear his thoughts. It was unlikely anyone else would be up at this hour, and Poppywish had never once been woken by Howlingeye leaving the den. The dirtplace would give his restlessness some kind of legitimacy if he needed it, but really, he just needed time to think, and to breathe. It was always disorienting, being dragged out of something that seemed so real, and being faced with something that was equally as foreign.
There was a rustle, a whisper. Howlingeye paused. His ear swiveled, searching for the sound, and he heard it again, like a hushed argument, coming from the front of camp. Howlingeye's eyes narrowed, and easily he blended into the shadows, hugging the side of the basin as he skirted around the camp, and slipped through the passage, ears trained on the noise. The voices got louder- one familiar but hard to place, the other definitively Midnightblaze. Howlingeye crouched closer to the ground, prowling forward, making sure the shadows cast by crags concealed him.
Midnightblaze sat, shoulders hunched, just to the right of the camp entrance. Across from him, partially obscured by the rock, was a white she-cat with stars dancing in her fur. Northstar, Howlingeye's brain supplied. He'd seen her once, briefly, when she'd ushered him to the clan, but not again since. Her tail lashed, angrily, as Midnightblaze balked and looked away from her, eyes troubled.
"I'm telling you, it's not working," he insisted, "I should just step down. Even offering would probably foster more trust than staying on would. Sleetstar just isn't going to suddenly decide she's not affronted by the fact she didn't get to pick her deputy. You got the wrong cat for the job-"
"Don't forget what you did," Northstar hissed, ears flattening, "I gave you purpose, and I could take it away just as easily. You are deputy of this clan, and unless you want to go back on our deal, I suggest you stop moping and start doing something to make sure the rest of the clan sees you that way. The reckoning hour is coming, Midnightblaze, and you do not want to disappoint me." The tom flinched, wincing at the ground near his paws.
"I can't do what you wanted me to," he said, voice quieter now, more resigned, "it's not who I am. I'm not strong enough."
"You know your solution was only temporary," Northstar's tone was icy as she flicked an ear, "I wonder who the next vagrant to come looking for this clan will be." Midnightblaze's eyes widened, before his gaze hardened. He drew his shoulders up, motion stiff as he angled his jaw.
"I understand."
"Good," Northstar smirked, turning tail, "I'll be watching." With that, she vanished into the late night fog, leaving Midnightblaze sitting alone on the precipice outside the clan. As soon as she was out of sight, the tom shuddered, and made a choked noise. Howlingeye realized with a sudden pang that he was crying, body turning in on itself as thick sobs wracked him. Midnightblaze wasn't exactly a small cat, but in that moment he seemed more fragile than even Sunnynose's little kits. Howlingeye hesitated, and then he stepped from the shadows.
"How much of that did you hear?" Midnightblaze asked, voice thick with tears. He didn't bother looking up.
"Enough," Howlingeye replied, evenly. Midnightblaze's laugh was bitter.
"Well, congratulations. You got your answers. I know you've been suspicious of me for a bit, and I'm sure you're just so stoked to be right." He shot Howlingeye a challenging look from the corner of his eye as the pointed tom settled next to him, tail sweeping over his paws, calmly.
"Whatever she has on you must be pretty terrible," he said. Midnightblaze sneered.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would," he met Midnightblaze's gaze, even and unflinching, "if you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine." Midnightblaze paused. There was a sincerity to Howlingeye's tone. His eyes were clear and sharp, and his stance proud. The weight of his secrets seemed so crushing that Midnightblaze could barely breathe, and here was this cat, offering to share that burden with him, to lift some of the weight. Midnightblaze exhaled, slowly. And then he nodded.
"Okay."
And so he told him everything, the whole story from start to finish: from hazy memories of the snowy NorthernClan camp, to the heat waves over the fields, to the terror and anger and hatred and the love and the pain. And Howlingeye listened to it all, nods and hums when needed, clear eyes never once leaving Midnightblaze's face. And when it was all done, and Midnightblaze felt he'd cried the last tears he ever would, Howlingeye told him his truth. Watched as his eyes opened wide and his jaw fell slack, watched as he spoke in an even tone, detached from the horrors he had seen. What he had done. Watched the casual shrug as he detailed the nightmares, the waiting, how he could feel the minutes tick by with shadows reaching boldly toward his tail with each creeping second, intent on dragging him down, down down.
Under the night sky, Silverpelt twinkling overhead, a new bond was forged, a solidarity unlike any other to ever exist, an exchange of secrets that remained whispered into hovering fog, and a silent agreement that these secrets would never, ever again be spoken.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

The afternoon sun bore down upon the campground as the patrols slowly filtered in again, one by one. There would be time for rest, the heavy-pelted cats not so used to such blindingly hot weather, before Midnightblaze would re-organize the patrols and send them out for the afternoon, once the sun had come down from her peak. The hunting patrols came through first, adding their kill to the pile, with the border patrol trailing in last.
Sleetstar struggled to her paws, belly swollen with kits that were ready to join the world any day now. Summitsky stood quickly after his mate, trailing her anxiously as she made her way to Thunderjaw. Viridianfire glance past him and darted toward Bearears, leaving the smoke tom standing with his shoulder brushing Minkfur's.
"What's the verdict?" She asked, glancing between her warriors.
"As far as we can tell, all clear," Minkfur mewed, "there's a strong stench of rogues in the southern quadrant, but Thunderjaw had us split off into a three-point convergence and we swept the territory as we came back through, and I didn't see the signs of any cats, but we should be careful nonetheless."
"I didn't want to worry you, but Varvara has been coming deeper into the territory for the past few moons," Thunderjaw added, watching how Sleetstar's face drew up tighter, more furious, "I don't know what her prerogative is, but I felt I should warn you, especially after Minkfur told me about the southern border. There's a good chance she's been watching our patrol routines, which is why I wanted to switch it up, make it a little harder for her to figure out where we were going to be."
"That's why you asked for an extra cat," Midnightblaze said, materializing near his shoulder. Thunderjaw nodded once, affirmative. Sleetstar blew out a huff.
"Okay, well, thank you for telling me. If it's just her, I doubt she'll make a play for the camp when everyone's gathered, so be on the lookout when you head back." Thunderjaw nodded again, before he inclined his head to Minkfur. The pair of them gave Sleetstar a nod, before they moved on toward the shade of one of the crags. Sleetstar whirled on her deputy, startling him. "You approved a request without talking to me?"
"I didn't think you would mind," Midnightblaze's tone was guarded, "it's just one cat."
"And? What if he'd been up to something, and you just started giving away warriors like they're bits of prey to send to your sweetheart!"
"This is Thunderjaw we're talking about," he said, "it didn't seem like an unreasonable request."
"Sleetstar, love-" Summitsky tried.
"No! I'm the leader of this clan, and just because I'm currently a little indisposed doesn't mean that you can start making executive decisions for me. I don't know who you are or what power you think you have, but I-"
"You were right, Var," a voice stopped Sleetstar cold, "she really is losing it." Slowly, all eyes in the campground turned to the entrance. A shaggy ginger tom stood, chunk missing from his left ear, horrible scars marring his muzzle and cheeks. He grinned, revealing a missing incisor. At his side stood Varvara, regal looking and smug as cat after cat, pelts sleek and muscles taut, began to fan out behind him, creating a wall, blocking the exit.
"I told you," she said simply, "she's just not cut out for this kind of thing."
"This is NorthernClan territory," Sleetstar said, "you're trespassing."
"Actually, you're trespassing," said the tom, with a little giggle as if he'd told the world's funniest joke, "I'm pretty sure I told you that if I ever saw your face around my territory again, I'd kill you." The silence was stifling. No one moved, each cat frozen as if time had wound to a complete stop all around them.
"This isn't Merchant territory," Sleetstar said, finally. The ginger tom grinned.
"Perhaps," he said simply, before his gaze turned steely, "but not for long."
With a flick of his tail, the camp was suddenly a flurry of action. A sea of cats swept forward toward the NorthernClan cats, swarming like ants toward crumbs. Galepaw, the nearest member to the ginger tom, launched at him with a cry. Nimbly, he twisted, raking his claws down her side. They embedded deep, ripping fur and leaving bloody gashes as she gasped and stumbled, collapsing to the ground on the other side of him.
"Galepaw!" Whisperpaw shrieked, streaking forward to press his face into the pelt of his sister. She let out a choked sobbing noise, trying to bat him away. The little white tom turned, eyes blazing as two large cats began to close in on him. "Leave us alone!" He yowled, claws unsheathing.
"Sleetstar, get to the nursery," Summitsky put himself between his mate and the approaching sea of cats, as Poppywish darted for his den and the other warriors stepped forward.
"No, this is my clan, I have to-"
"Go!" Summitsky snapped, "this isn't up for discussion! You can't fight!" Sleetstar glared at him, before she gritted her teeth and turned, moving as quickly as she could toward the rise. Sunnynose crouched outside the nursery, ushering the two mollies in behind him, before he unsheathed his claws, hovering anxiously at the mouth of the den.
The first rogue to slam into Summitsky knocked him clear off his feet, sending him tumbling against the rocky ground. They lifted their paw, gleam in their eye maniacal, before Hollyfeather slammed into them, teeth sinking into their neck. They yowled in pain as she spat out fur, pushing off their side to launch into the fray. The NorthernClan warriors formed a line across the camp, colliding with the sea of rogues in a flurry of claws and teeth.
Poppywish broke through, ginger pelt brilliant as he dashed for the apprentices. One of the large cats turned to face him, yowling in surprise as Poppywish spat into his eyes, and then shoulder-checked him directly into a wall. Poppywish pressed cobwebs into Galepaw's wound, spinning sharply to rake his claws down the other assailant's flank, as the first one struggled to his paws. Howlingeye and Midnightblaze wove together, ducking this way and that, nimbly dodging slicing cuts. Brackenstrike gave a mighty yowl, pushing forward from Splitface and bowling her way through the cats.
"Boscoe!" Her voice echoed like thunder. "Fight me yourself, coward!"
"Dearest Kipcha," the tom purred, large claws glinting with flecks of blood as the two cats collided, "I have been waiting to teach you a lesson!" He yowled in pain as Brackenstrike's claws struck him across the face, the large molly smashing him over and into the ground as they wrestled, tearing at each other with a renewed vigour. Splitface hissed, dropping into formation alongside Minkfur, who twisted artfully and slammed another cat into the rock, leaving them unconscious from the hit to the head.
"How should we play this?" She called above the commotion, the two mollies slashing together in unison.
"We just have to hold! For as long as we can!"
"Doesn't sound like a sustainable plan!"
"You got anything better?" Splitface let out a terse laugh, leaping and raking her claws down the back of an enemy tom, who yowled and thrashed as she tore her teeth into his ear.
A distance away from them, Thunderjaw battered and slashed at a group of cats, shoving each out of his way with relative ease. Blood dripped from a wound on his shoulder, on his side, from a nick in his ear, but even if he were outnumbered, he towered over the cats. A donkey-like kick sent another tom flying, crashing to the ground. He bounced as he rolled, taking out the legs of another of his clan, leaving Thunderjaw in the clear for long enough to pant.
"I told you this wasn't the last you would see of me," Varvara's voice rang to him, and he rounded on her.
"This is low, even for you," he said, eyes tracking her as she circled him. The rest of his assailants seemed to sense Varvara's attention, backing off as he faced the chocolate coloured molly.
"You don't know a thing about me," she said, airily, "or your precious leader, either. Don't you get it, Thunderjaw? She'll never be able to lead you, this group of cats. We really are doing you a favour, weeding out the sickness before it has a chance to take root, before she has a chance to turn her back on you like she did to me, to the clan before her. Just give her up, and this can all be over!"
"I can't do that," he said, shaking his head, "I won't let you hurt her." Varvara's eyes darkened, her lips pulling back in a snarl.
"Then you are more foolish than I thought." She leapt for him, colliding with him ferociously, but even her nimble slashes and speedy viciousness couldn't keep her from one of Thunderjaw's massive paws sinking into her chest, pinning her to the ground. She laughed, as if it were all the greatest joke in the world. "Such a hero..." she purred, her eyes roaming the camp ground. She seemed to light up, delighted. "But the truth of all cats is that they are selfish," a flick of her tail, "given the choice, who would you save?"
With horror, Thunderjaw spotted Bearears cowering against one of the cliffs. Her eyes were blank and her body was shaking as cats from Varvara's rogue group began to close in on her. Beneath him, Varvara laughed. Thunderjaw launched off of her.
"Bearears!" He yowled, voice drawing the attention of a few of his warriors. "Bearears, you have to mo-- augh!" Three cats tackled him simultaneously, forcing him to the ground as he struggled. A foot to the stomach shoved one off of him, but another took their place as Thunderjaw tried to crawl towards her. "I'm coming but you have to move Bearears! Bearears! Bearears!" A cat lifted their paw, claws gleaming in the afternoon sun.
The downward slice was clean and swooping, but Thunderjaw felt like he was watching it in slow motion. Bearears let out a blood-curdling scream of pain, and it seemed like time froze. The NorthernClan warriors turned toward her, battle suddenly forgotten. Poppywish was moving toward her, eyes wide, as the cats converged even closer, laughing and jeering at the trembling, sobbing molly, whose face was marred by massive, bloody scratches, her eyes squeezed shut.
And then time kicked into play again, and suddenly Viridianfire was there, between Bearear's cowering form and the advancing cats. Thunderjaw wrenched, powerfully, and flung his assailants away as he stumbled back to his paws, catching himself on Minkfur's shoulder.
"Over my dead body," Viridianfire hissed, lashing out at the nearest tom. He yowled as blood began to gush from his nose, stumbling away from the vicious little molly, defending her friend as Poppywish charged into another enemy she-cat, bowling her over and digging his claws hard into her belly. Together, the pair got Bearears to her feet, hurrying her toward the path that lead to the medicine den. Bonelessly, she dangled between them, progress slow, as the rest of the warriors backed into another line, finding themselves crouched at the foot of the trail, facing the advancing swarm.
"Midnightblaze," Brackenstrike called out, body battered and bloody, "what do we do?"
"Sunnynose!" Poppywish called, "get down here, I need help in the medicine den." Viridianfire took up a post outside. The tom hesitated, and then descending the trail, ducking in after the ginger tom. Bearears' sobs still echoed faintly around the basin, as the ginger leader stepped forward.
"This isn't a fight you can win," he said, tone distinctly mocking, "just give me your leader. She's the only one I want." The cats glanced between one another, before all eyes turned to Midnightblaze, including the eyes of the ginger rogue. He grinned, tilting his head a little, and laughing. "Oh, Sloane made this meek little thing her deputy? A tom the size of a montser-" Thunderjaw looked away, "-and a fellow traitor with a bone to pick-" Brackenstrike snarled, "-and she picks you? Teeny tiny little lady, way out of her depth." Midnightblaze's expression was furious, suddenly.
"Perhaps you're right about the other two, but you're wrong about me," his eyes flickered with fury, "I am no lady." And with that, he raked his claws down Boscoe's face, making the ginger cry out in pain, stumbling backward into Varvara's shoulder. "Howlingeye and I will defend the nursery. Everyone else, push forward! Our home is not yet established, but this is it. This is what we've got, and we fight for it, or we die trying."
"Your command!" Thunderjaw called, ears flattening as he unsheathed his claws again.
"You and Minkfur, flank! Brackenstrike and Summitsky, you two defend the front. Fallowstep and Hollyfeather take point, Hawkeyes and Splitface, you're lancers! Spearhead formation, go!" With a yowl, Brackenstrike surged forward, slamming Boscoe off his paws again as the NorthernClan cats splintered, Midnightblaze and Howlingeye scrambling higher to defend the nursery. At the foot of the trail, Summitsky and Brackenstrike defended, large bodies acting as a barrier to any cat who wished to try and break through.
Minkfur and Thunderjaw divided the attention of the group on either side, running wide arcs and crossing over, before slamming into the fray with fearsome yowls, claws and teeth sending flurries of fur into the air, blood spattering against stone and wiry grass. And throughout the distracted mass, Hollyfeather and Fallowstep worked in tandem with their friends, sending cats launching back again and again with injuries worse and worse.
"What are you doing!" Boscoe snarled. "You were trained for better than this! No mercy!" With a heavy swing of his paw, his claws caught Splitface under her jaw, sending her tumbling to the ground. "Show our enemies what happens when they cross the Merchants!" He yowled, stalking across to her, slamming a paw onto her throat. Splitface struggled under him, trying to push herself to her paws, as Boscoe's eyes glinted maliciously, claws lowering further and further.
"Hollyfeather, cover me!" The black and white molly nodded, dropping back to defend with Summitsky as Brackenstrike launched forward, yowl alerting Boscoe just a second too late as she slammed into him, sending him cracking against the cliff with a pained wheeze. "You have taken too much from me already," she snarled, nudging Splitface to her feet. The dilute molly spat blood, wavering unsteadily. "You will not take her too."
"We'll see about that." Boscoe surged forward again, feigning toward Splitface before he switched tack and dodged around Brackenstrike. With a maniacal laugh, he charged straight through Summitsky, sending him to the ground, with a wave of cats behind him. They surged up the cliffside as Summitsky and Hollyfeather struggled to get it under control again, Brackenstrike and Splitface returning to help them. A fraction of cats splintered off toward the medicine den, faced with Viridianfire's furious claws to keep them at bay.
"You again..." Boscoe grinned at Midnightblaze, "I do believe we've a score to settle."
"It's close quarters up here," Howlingeye said evenly, "perhaps you'd like to do this somewhere more open." Boscoe sneered at him, and gestured with his tail for the cats to swarm forward. Midnightblaze and Howlingeye battered them back, swinging sharp claws and lunging with bared teeth to keep them away from the den. Suddenly, Midnightblaze felt like he was flying. He landed hard, on his side, wind knocked out of him, before a paw pressed down against his neck, claws sinking in.
"I'll teach you to make a fool out of me," he hissed, eyes blazing. Midnightblaze cast a helpless gaze across the way to Howlingeye, as Boscoe's followers backed off of him.
"Howlingeye," he called, voice as pleading as his eyes, "please." His white chest began to stain red. Howlingeye knew what the plea was for. His gut roiled as Boscoe laughed. He knew what he had to do.
"What's he going to do? Talk me to dea- ungh," Boscoe's eyes widened in shock as his paw slipped limply away from Midnightblaze's neck. With a well-aimed kick to his stomach, Midnightblaze flipped him off him, and rolled back to his paws. Boscoe was still staring in shock at his paw where it dangled uselessly, gushing blood from a precise incision on the back of his leg. Screams from his clan carried to him as Howlingeye tore down the path.
A sharp kick sent cats flying over the edge, crashing to the ground below. He weaved between them nimbly, claws slashing with such an intense calculation that it shouldn't have been possible. Cats collapsed, paws giving out under them. Others yowled with pain as their hearing suddenly cut out, blood hot and sticky against the sides of the heads. Howlingeye drove them all back, face perfectly still, eyes glinting. Boscoe got to his feet, wobbling, back-tracking as Midnightblaze forced his limping form back.
Howlingeye had reached the battle below, weaving among the shapes like a shadow, claws flicking out with a decisive aim, felling enemies left and right. Boscoe looked down upon the carnage, saw the shadow-like tom advancing on Varvara as she backed away from Thunderjaw, eyes wide. He gritted his teeth, turning back to look at the deputy with the roaring inferno in his eyes. He grit his teeth.
"This isn't over," he said, a quiet promise for just the two of them. Then, louder, for his whole clan. "Retreat!"
The NorthernClan warriors backed off as the rogues hesitated, and then turned tail. Some grabbed the bodies of their dead and wounded by the scruff, hauling them after them as they followed a limping Boscoe to the front of the camp. Midnightblaze came down from the trail to stand at Howlingeye's shoulder. He hadn't moved, still staring down Varvara as she eyed him with horror.
"You should be ashamed," she spat, "you are a Shadow, and StarClan will not take you."
"In shadows I live, in shadows I will die, but the shadows decree I will not die today," he took a step closer, "can you claim as much?" Varvara hesitated for a second, flicking a cold look over Howlingeye's shoulder, where Thunderjaw supported a hard-breathing Brackenstrike. Without another word, she turned and ran, disappearing down the tunnel and out of the camp, the last of the rogues to do so. Silence descended upon NorthernClan. Blood ran the ground red. Galepaw's laboured breathing echoed about the basin as Poppywish broke from the medicine den with a fresh load of herbs and streaked toward her, where Whisperpaw had collapsed with exhaustion.
"Thank you," Midnightblaze said to Howlingeye, softly, "I know you didn't want to."
"Don't thank me now," Howlingeye told him, voice solemn, "we're not out of the woods just yet."

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` servings consumed
4/4 - x2 rabbits
` clan events
sleetstar is kitting! poppywish stays to help her (uses x1 chervil, x1 ragwort)
summitsky & bearears teach whisperpaw & galepaw to swim
northernclan is attacked by a group of rogues. roll for injury (not death) on:
brackenstrike, thunderjaw, hollyfeather, summitsky, hawkeyes & midnightblaze
bearears loses her sight in the battle
galepaw is in critical condition after the fight (roll for injury/death)
` patrols
hunting-
1 - hollyfeather, bearears, howlingeye, midnightblaze
2 - brackenstrike, splitface, hawkeyes, fallowstep
border-
3 - thunderjaw, minkfur, viridianfire

My gallery · by **solyn** » Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:32 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 22 cats [ 10 fem : 12 male ]
servings required: 05

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 26th mar
moons since last nonsense: 1

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

The camp was quiet.
Somehow, it felt worse than if it had been noisy and vibrant. Anything seemed better than the silence that had descended upon the clan. Wordlessly, Poppywish had left Viridianfire and Sunnynose in charge of the medicine den while he prepared Galepaw's body for burial. The black and white molly lay stretched in the center of camp, lavender and other aromatics settled across her fur. Stiffly, Whisperpaw sat at her shoulder, face turned toward the sky. He hadn't said a word to anyone since Galepaw's last breath. Not even Summitsky could get close enough to comfort him.
Most of the clan had been confined to dens so that Poppywish could treat their various wounds. Minkfur and Thunderjaw, usually such staunch bastions against whatever evils the clan faced were now crumbling, small and fragile looking. Bearears who sobbed in eternal darkness. Sleetstar, who cowered in the nursery with Summitsky wrapped tight around her. Fallowstep who couldn't stop shaking, watching his mate comfort him from behind tired eyes. None of them meant a thing to Whisperpaw, as he watched Silverpelt's slow procession overhead. He had always presumed he would sit Galepaw's vigil alone.
Footsteps crunched behind him, but Whisperpaw did not turn. A tired form dragged itself into view, settling a fair distance away from Whisperpaw, and looking up to the sky. Howlingeye didn't say anything, letting the breeze of receding Greenleaf ruffle his fur. Whisperpaw had seen what he had done during the battle. Howlingeye had his own to answer for, but he didn't have to answer to the apprentice.
"For what it's worth," Howlingeye said, startling Whisperpaw, "my father always told me that StarClan remembers how you die, and Galepaw died in the way most honorable for a warrior." Howlingeye smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's a funny lie that we tell ourselves, isn't it? To kill is unjust, but to die is glorious."
"Maybe you're just a cynic," Whisperpaw said, simply. Howlingeye's maw twitched in amusement.
"Perhaps so." They both lapsed into silence again, watching the stars overhead. Howlingeye turned, glancing over his shoulder, as another set of paws approached. Hollyfeather crossed the campground toward him, shoulders taut and head held high, but there wasn't a cat alive who couldn't place the distinctly haunted look in her eyes. She sat down almost at Whisperpaw's shoulder, leaning down and pressing her face into Galepaw's fur. Her shoulders shook.
The three of them sat in silence, the pair of toms gazing at the night sky to allow Hollyfeather privacy in her grief. Finally, the molly sat back, sniffing once, before she trained her gaze on Howlingeye. He said nothing, but Hollyfeather's stare was enough to convey what she wanted from him. The tom stood, nodded once to Whisperpaw, and then turned to climb the rise again. Hollyfeather watched him go, a glower on her face.
"Galepaw often said that the worst way to get information was to squeeze," Hollyfeather's attention shifted to the white apprentice, ghostly looking in the moonlight, "it was a shock to hear her say it, because her approach to life was the much more straight-forward one. She was confrontational. Abrasive. Our parents always said it would get her killed one day." He paused, giving the sky a wry smile. "I suppose they were right about one thing."
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"I knew she would die, one day," Whisperpaw said with a shrug, "I see how you all look at Howlingeye now, after what he did, but none of you seem to look past the surface. Galepaw always believed in doing what was necessary. Being strong was necessary. Doing what others could not bring themselves to was necessary. It was her job to protect me, the tactful one, the one who hides in shadows. She assumed that role because she felt it was necessary, and she died honouring her own beliefs. Howlingeye made a tough decision, but you seem to forget he saved the rest of you from dying before you could honour yours."
"He lied to us."
"You're all lying to each other, Hollyfeather," Whisperpaw fixed her with his solemn gaze, "everyone in this clan has secrets. It doesn't take a great master to figure that out. You think Brackenstrike is here because she believes in hope? You think Splitface chose the life of an acolyte? You think Midnightblaze was a destined deputy? None of you know how to mask what you're hiding, but Howlingeye always has. I wouldn't blame him for keeping his secrets."
"You're still young," Hollyfeather's tone was dry, "there's a lot for you to figure out still, Whisperpaw, and regardless of the secrets you and Galepaw had, whatever lead you to believe this was an inevitability that you'd already prepared for, to the rest of us, Galepaw's death was a tragedy. She's more than some pawn in the greater game of life. She's a cat. A soul we lost."
"None of you lost anything," he snapped, "she was my sister. I don't need you to preach about what a great loss this was, because I feel it acutely. The fact of life is, Hollyfeather, that one day we all return to the earth from which we came, and so the cycle continues; life and death, light and dark, beginnings and ends. My secrets are still my secrets, and they will die with me, when I join Galepaw in the shallow grave that you dig her under the pretense of being her family." Hollyfeather sat in stunned silence as Whisperpaw tilted his head back to the sky, eyes hard and cold.
"You should go now, Hollyfeather." He said.
"Goodnight then," she said, stiffly, nodding to Galepaw's unmoving body, "and may StarClan light her path home."
"StarClan has never had anything to do with her," Whisperpaw said to Hollyfeather's retreating back.

-

The moon was high over the camp when Howlingeye emerged from the warrior's den. Sleep wouldn't come, and the feeling of eyes on him was too much. He knew realistically that most of the other cats would be asleep, but he couldn't seem to shake the crawling feeling of being watched that tickled its way up his spine. A quick glance down into the basin told him that Hollyfeather too had abandoned the vigil. Only Whisperpaw sat now, staring blankly at the sky. Howlingeye was sure not even torrential downpour could move him.
As he passed the medicine cat den, Howlingeye noted that it was quiet. Bearears' simpering noises had quietened altogether. Poppywish would be working through the night, so he doubted the silence meant another death, but simply sleep. It was the best she could hope for, really, before she woke again to unbearable pain. Howlingeye thought it was an unpleasant thought, but his chest remained hollow-feeling, and not at all queasy, so he chose not to dwell on it too much, not when his claws still felt wet with blood.
"Are you going to stand there, or are you coming in?" Howlingeye jumped a little, having absently come to a stop. Poppywish was watching him, frown on his features. Howlingeye cleared his throat, glancing past the ginger tom into the abyss of his cave.
"I... no. Sorry, I was just... passing through. I wouldn't want to interrupt."
"So your plan is to avoid me, instead?"
"No-"
"We have to talk about it eventually." Howlingeye lifted his eyes to hold Poppywish's gaze. A small, petty part of him wanted to say there was nothing to talk about, but of course there was. His secret had been Midnightblaze's burden to share, but of course, Howlingeye knew that if one lied, they were bound to be caught, and his lies had caught up with him. At the end of the day, he decided, it would not be so much of a burden. He would trade in one friend for the other when Poppywish inevitably denounced him, leaving him with the company of Midnightblaze, who owed him his life.
"Look," Poppywish said, with a tired sigh, "I don't want to be in the den either. Let's take one of the smaller caves, at the base." Howlingeye hesitated for a second, before he nodded, and the pair of them descended the path, weaving into the crevices near the bottom of the basin, where winding tunnels led to caverns inset further back from the main camp. Poppywish circled, and then sat, tail wrapped over his paws. Howlingeye stood at the entrance to the tunnel. Neither of them said anything.
"This is what you meant," Poppywish spoke, breaking the silence, "isn't it? When you asked that what-if. This is what it was all about."
"Yes." There was no point denying it.
"You're Born of the Shadows." Poppywish didn't sound afraid. He simply sounded defeated. "StarClan... why did she bring you here? Shouldn't it have been harder to leave an order of murderers?" Howlingeye flinched at the word, turning his shoulder sharply so that Poppywish wouldn't see the hurt on his face. Of course, he should have expected it. He knew that his relationship with Poppywish could only end poorly, and yet he'd let himself entertain it as if it were harmless.
"I'd already left the order when Northstar approached me," Howlingeye said, "I made the decision on my own, and I'm not a threat. They're not looking for me, I made my way out fairly."
"Oh, just one last job for the road?"
"No. You fight for your freedom. The policy of the Shadows is the strong survive, and if you're strong enough to defy their strongest, that gains you respect. Hardly anyone ever leaves, because the legacy isn't exactly kind to those who seek better, who seek more. But I... I never wanted to be a Nightshade. I had no choice in the matter, and the training served me well... but I don't want to be remembered as nothing more than a murderer, a boogeytom to sic on those who've crossed you."
"I'd say you're a few too many moons late for that." Poppywish's tone was dry, and Howlingeye whirled on him, sharply. The ginger tom flinched, and then looked guilty, glancing away. Howlingeye's anger immediately evaporated.
"There isn't a lot I can say to convince you that I deserve a second chance, or sympathy, or whatever you came here prepared to offer. Perhaps it was nothing at all, and you just wanted to see me flounder as revenge. I don't know why she brought me here, either, but it looks like whatever chance I had of a new life, a better one, is gone, and so I suppose now all that's left is to figure that one out."
"I just... don't understand why you didn't tell me," Poppywish's voice cracked, and he sniffed, "we... I thought we were friends. And to know that Midnightblaze somehow knew this extremely important thing about you before I did, I-"
"Don't tell me you've caught feelings," Poppywish laughed, shaking his head as Howlingeye moved closer, pressing his nose to his cheek, "you swore you wouldn't, remember?"
"I never agreed to anything," he said, weakly, "and maybe it's half about that, maybe it's not. I just... I feel lonely. And when you're around I don't. The idea that I could lose you to him, to whatever darkness you have eating you up inside... I just wish I could share your burdens. I wish you had trusted me with them. Wish you had known I wouldn't have seen you differently."
"But you do."
"No," Poppywish shook his head, "I was... scared, and angry. It's been such a long few hours that I can barely tell what I feel anymore, but... you're still you. And perhaps it's short-sighted of me to not be angry with you for keeping such a huge secret, but I get the feeling that I'll need your friendship even more in the coming moons. I am not ready to lose you, Howlingeye. Please, please don't leave me out in the cold." Howlingeye softened, pressing their foreheads together.
"I promise. No more shadows, not for us. We exist only in the light."

-

The sound of feet shuffling in his den had Midnightblaze jerking awake, wincing at the strain it put on the throbbing gash in his chest. Boscoe's claws had hurt, but Poppywish had cleared him, and told him to take it easy for a few days to make sure he didn't re-open the cut so it would heal without getting infected. That didn't make the stinging pain hurt any less, and Midnightblaze debated marching back down to Poppywish and telling him medicine cats were supposed to remove pain altogether, no matter how rash he knew it to be.
As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, Midnightblaze could make out the tentative shape of Summitsky hovering in the mouth of his den, paws shifting nervously. He blinked, tilting his head at the other tom as he pushed himself up a little, ears pricked forward. He had gotten the impression that Summitsky didn't like him very much, and considering Sleetstar's obvious distress and his relationship to her, Midnightblaze didn't anticipate the conversation to be all that pleasant.
"Can I help you?" He asked, when Summitsky didn't say anything. The big tom jumped.
"Oh," he said, "I'm... sorry that I woke you. You need your rest." He started to turn, making Midnightblaze's brow furrow.
"Hey, wait," Summitsky paused, "you came down here for something, right? I wasn't sleeping so well anyway, you might as well stay and tell me what it was." The tom hesitated, glancing out into the night sky, before he let out a sigh and turned back into the den, settling close to Midnightblaze as the smaller tom shifted over to accommodate him. He was silent, watching his paws idly. Midnightblaze cleared his throat. "How's Sleetstar?"
"Oh. She's... holding up as well as expected," Summitsky blew out a sigh, "I guess it's just lucky that the stress didn't push her into an early labour. I don't think her body could have coped with that right now... and Poppywish has a lot on his paws already, so I guess that's one small thing to be grateful for." He cast his eyes sideways to see Midnightblaze nodding with a comforting glitter in his eyes. Summitsky shook his head. "But I uh, I didn't come here to talk about her. And I think you know that, so I won't do you the disservice of trying to talk a circle around it. I was wondering how you knew. About Howlingeye, I mean." Midnightblaze paused, glancing away.
"About a moon ago... Howlingeye and I came to an understanding. I told him my secrets in exchange for his, and we promised each other we'd keep them but... I betrayed him by asking him to do this for me, and I feel awful about it. It was selfish of me." Midnightblaze looked at the ground, ears flattening. Summitsky nudged his shoulder gently, and the black and white tom looked up, blinking at the kind eyes of the other.
"I'm sure he doesn't feel that way," Summitsky said, gently, "Howlingeye puts on an aloof front, but... I know he's a good cat who cares very deeply about others, even if he won't show it. I think it makes sense, knowing where he's from now, that he doesn't want to let his guard down around others, but I also know he would have done it anyway, even if you hadn't asked him to. You only asked him to save you from death, but he went ahead and did what he had to to make sure that no one else died. That's not your fault, and he'd never put it on you." Midnightblaze peered at Summitsky again, curious now.
"Were you two... close?"
"Something like that," Summitsky blew out another humourless laugh, all of the life seeming to sag from his shoulders, leaving him haggard looking, "sometimes I think if I hadn't messed it up, it would have been me and him against the world. I don't think he was willing to offer himself to me, not like... not like I would have wanted him to, but... he was a friend to me, and I pushed him away when he was just trying to help. And now I feel bad, because I should be there for him, but I know I can't be, because I never made any effort to fix things between us."
"Well... if Howlingeye is as good as you say," Midnightblaze said, after a considerate beat of silence, "and if he's as kind as he seemed to me when he chose to let me confide in him, I'm sure that he'll understand if you apologize now. He doesn't seem unreasonable at the least, just... cautious."
"Yeah, I think cautious is a good word to describe him," Summitsky nodded, smile half-fond, before it faltered, "Midnightblaze... I hope I'm not overstepping in asking this but... what did you tell him? It must have been something... important if it was enough for him to trust you with a secret like that. And I uh, I know we're not... friends or anything, but I swear it by StarClan, I'll keep your secret."
"It's... okay. I feel like telling someone. It's a heavy burden to carry, you know." He paused, took a deep breath. "I was born here, in NorthernClan, back when Northstar was leader. I was too young to remember why it fell, but my parents took me and we left. My dad died on the journey, so it was just me and my mom, and we walked and walked and walked until we found a group of barn cats who took us in. I grew up there, close friends with a tom, Rafe. We were best friends growing up, and he was there for me when I came out and... well. I guess I thought it was love."
"Where is he now?" Summitsky asked, and Midnightblaze flinched at the implied tone of 'why isn't he with you?'.
"I don't know, and I don't want to," he hunched his shoulders up, "Northstar clearly does, and that's what she used against me to get me here. Rafe and I... well, we had kits, and I wanted to be a parent because I loved him very much... but after our daughters were born, it was different. He was different. More aggressive, protective. He loved our daughters, I genuinely believe that even now, but he... started to cut me out, away from them too. I don't really know what was going on with him, but he would get violent with me. So I... decided to put a stop to it. One night, I tried to make things better with a walk, but he started to get angry with me again so I... so I took off his ear. And I told him not to come back, or I really would kill him. And for safe measure, I pushed him into the stream. And then I told our daughters that he was dead, because I didn't want them to think that their father had abandoned them, and I didn't want them to have to live with the knowledge that they had a bad father." Midnightblaze let out a miserable chuckle. "But I guess they had two bad dads after all, huh?"
"I'm... so sorry," Summitsky blinked at the other tom, brow furrowing in concern, "I can't even imagine what it would have been like for you to go through that. But I... don't think you're a bad cat. You just did what you thought was best for your family, and sometimes the best decision isn't the easy decision."
"I know," Midnightblaze gave him a watery smile, "it's just hard to look back on it and feel like I'm the good guy in that situation, but StarClan must not think so, if Northstar used it as a sin to repent for. That's why everyone else is here, isn't it? Something they're trying to make better."
"Maybe so," Summitsky glanced away, finally, out onto the night sky, "but after tonight, I think this penance is too high for whatever sins we've all committed."

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"Something the matter?" Viridianfire jumped at the sound of Hollyfeather's voice. She turned, finding the black and white molly hovering anxiously at her shoulder. Viridianfire gave her a tight smile, flicking her gaze back to Sleetstar. The molly didn't seem to notice them, climbing a rise and vanishing behind it in as much time as it took to blink. Viridianfire glanced away with a languid shrug.
"No," she lied. Hollyfeather gave her a pointed look, but luckily, she decided not to press. Instead, she nodded to the younger molly, and the pair of them veered away, trekking deeper into the territory in search of food. They moved in silence. It was customary after the Incident. No one spoke, Midnightblaze organized patrols and cats obeyed, and that was the end of that. There were hardly ever any conversations on patrols, lest stragglers from the rogue clan hear them while lurking in the territory.
Hollyfeather surged forward, leaping atop a fallen log to cross the river, balancing precariously and delicately avoiding the rotten wood. Viridianfire hopped across the stones, relishing in the way the cool water licked at her paws. It was soothing, and it reminded her of a better time, just her and Thunderjaw up on the ridge, alone, splashing about in the water as if it was an efficient swimming lesson. Now, her mentor's eyes just seemed hollow; haunted. He stuck close to Minkfur and spoke little to anyone else. Viridianfire supposed it was foolish to think nothing would change, but somehow it felt that the world had shifted on an axis from which it would never recover.
"Thinking that hard is dangerous, you know," she looked up, realizing she'd stopped in the middle of the river. Hollyfeather stood on the other shore, watching her curiously, "you know... this has been a tough time for everyone. If there's anything you need to talk about..."
"I'm fine," Viridianfire said abruptly, but she didn't move.
"Of course," said Hollyfeather, her nose twitching, "maybe it's me who needs to talk, then. I feel... stifled, all the time, in all this silence, and I'm so angry. I keep wanting to lash out and tell everyone to get their acts together, because if the clan acts like they are now when those cats come back- and I think they will- we'll lose more than just Galepaw next time." Hollyfeather looked away, with a sigh. "I'm sorry. Don't tell anyone I said that, I don't want them to panic."
"I know," Viridianfire said, "but you're right." She glanced back over her shoulder, mostly so she wouldn't have to look at Hollyfeather. "I'm worried about Sleetstar, too. It's obvious that her life is in danger... and she has kits now. It's not normal to leave them with another queen like she's doing. Not that I don't trust Twilightflower and Sunnynose with them, but... she should be there for her kits. She's not even in the nursery with them half the time."
"I guess she feels responsible," Hollyfeather shrugged, "but you're right, too. There's nothing good about this situation. I don't like how things are right now. I'm afraid." She closed her eyes, a little shudder passing through her. "Northstar said this was destiny, a fate of sorts, but more and more with every passing day I doubt whether we should have been left our old clan to begin with. I don't fit here."
"Someone has to have their head on straight," Viridianfire finally moved toward her, shaking out her fur, "come on. We shouldn't gossip. We don't know what's lurking in the shadows."

-

The larger hunting party had fanned out over the territory, as per instructions of Brackenstrike. Still nursing a bit of a limp, she'd been watched closely by an unhappy Summitsky, whose frown had permeated the polite conversation the new warrior tried to make. She felt bad for Frostclaw; he seemed a kind enough tom, being completely iced out by a clan in recovery from tragedy, and the poor thing had nowhere else to go. They'd moved out in pairs; Fallowstep and Hawkeyes together, Summitsky and Frostclaw, and then Brackenstrike and Splitface.
"How's your leg?" Brackenstrike turned her head to see Splitface's glittering yellow eyes watching her, concerned. Brackenstrike tested her paw against the ground to demonstrate that she was fine. It ached a little, but they'd been going slow on purpose so as not to aggravate it. Satisfied, Splitface nodded, and trotted ahead, scenting the air. "You know, the prey scents are running scarcer out this way. We should be heading more to the east if we want any chance of catching something."
"I know," Brackenstrike said, "and we will, in a minute. I just wanted a minute alone with you, away from everyone else. I've something to say." Splitface paused, turning to face her with a wide-eyed blink. "Splitface... last moon was a harrowing ordeal for all of us, but the one good thing it did was put things into perspective. I don't talk about my past a lot because I think it's reductive; I care more about the future than I do about fixating on things I can't change. And now... I can't imagine a future without you. When Boscoe showed up, it reminded me of everything I've already lost in my life, all of the futures I missed out on with my parents, my siblings... the molly I loved. I couldn't lose you too. And I don't want to lose you, especially not without telling you how I feel. I love you, Splitface, and I want to be your mate, if you'll have me."
"Brackenstrike," Splitface sounded winded, eyes shining, before a shy smile overtook her features, "yes. Yes! Of course I'll have you, you great idiot. I love you too, so much, it should never have been a question." She surged forward, pressing her forehead to Brackenstrike's, letting out a contented sigh at the rumbling purr that ripped through her new mate. She let the large molly curl around her, the pair of them twining together, pelts brushing in the afternoon air.
"I promise. I won't let anything happen to you. We're in this together, for a long time coming. I'm not going to break this promise. I swear it." Splitface pulled back, eyes shining with joy as she let their noses touch, fond smile on her face.
"I know you won't."

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` servings consumed
5/5 - x1 hare and x1 rabbit
` clan events
twilightflower is kitting! poppywish stays in camp to assist her (father)
midnightblaze and bearears both take a moon of rest
whisperpaw abstains from training for a moon
poppywish gives thunderjaw x1 chervil for his wounds
splitface and brackenstrike become mates
sleetstar asks starclan for a warrior
` patrols
hunting-
1 - brackenstrike, splitface, summitsky, hawkeyes, fallowstep, frostclaw
2 - sleetstar, hollyfeather, viridianfire
border-
3 - minkfur, thunderjaw

My gallery · by **solyn** » Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:42 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 29 cats [ 14 fem : 15 male ]
servings required: 06

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 27th apr
moons since last nonsense: 1

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

The clan was quiet with everyone else trying to keep busy. Whisperpaw supposed it was natural: if you were busy thinking about literally anything else, your demons didn't have time to catch up. Luckily, his demons seemed to be keeping at bay for now, as if they were aware of the bereavement period the clan had allowed him. The downside of this was that he was horribly bored, lazing about the camp with just Poppywish, the queens and the new elder for company.
The new elder was a bit much for him- she looked like his recently deceased sister, and she had a booming voice and a deep chuckle that would have been warm under normal circumstances, but left him feeling hollow. She'd wandered onto the territory a few days back, and Thunderjaw and Minkfur had brought her back to the camp. Whisperpaw thought it might have been odd to keep the pair of them on the same patrol day in and day out, but neither complained and neither looked afraid. If it had been him, he would have sent Howlingeye with them.
"Storm's coming," Magpiefeather said, and Whisperpaw opened one eye to blink at her. The sun shone overhead, cutting through the harsh chill that had settled in the stead of Leaf-fall. "Sky was red this morning," she said, without any more prompting, "an old proverb from the moors, you know. Red in the morning is a storm warning." Whisperpaw shook his head a little, but he smiled despite himself. At least the elder didn't treat him with the same fragile tenderness, as if he were going to break at any given second.
"I'm pretty sure that's not how weather works," he said, pushing himself to his paws. Magpiefeather gave a fluid shrug, and shot him an impish smile. It always struck him that she seemed younger than elder age, but every time he looked at her eyes, he remembered that Poppywish had said her sight was going rapidly, which was probably why she'd been made to retire. Either way, she seemed determined to stay active around camp. Whisperpaw wondered if Galepaw would have been like that, given the opportunity.
"You're young yet," Magpiefeather said, "you've plenty of time to see that I'm right." He laughed despite himself. "You know, you do have something better to do than argue with your elders, boy." Whisperpaw blinked, cocking his head at her. Magpiefeather's expression softened, as she nodded up the incline to Poppywish's den. His smile faltered, and he looked away, staring hard at the ground. "I know it's not the same as losing a sister, but that poor thing has lost something too. Perhaps it might be nice for you to talk about it."
"I could talk about it with you," Whisperpaw suggested, desperate to stay away from the den. The den always brought flashes: Poppywish's grief-stricken expression; blood soaking his ginger paws; Galepaw's glassy eyes; Bearears' pained wails and thick, terrified sobs. These days, she was silent. It was only the sag to Poppywish's shoulders that let the rest of the clan know she was still alive.
"Ah, child, my losses were a long time ago. I don't have the pain in my heart that you need to empathize with right now." She nudged his shoulder, nodding to the path. "But, come. We'll go together. It never hurts to have a friend." Whisperpaw hesitated, his eyes searching Magpiefeather's kind face. He couldn't shake the resemblance. So much like Galepaw. She would have been a gruff elder, cranky and complaining. Whisperpaw wondered how their lives would have been if Magpiefeather had been their mother.
"Okay," he said, with a nod.
Magpiefeather collected a mouse from the fresh-kill pile, and with Whisperpaw at her shoulder, the pair of them climbed the cliff-side trail that lead to Poppywish's den. Bearears lay on her side, facing the wall, eyes closed. The raking claw marks settling into jagged scars across the width of her face made Whisperpaw's stomach roil, and he looked away as Poppywish looked up from where he was soaking moss at the back of the cave. He gave Magpiefeather a tired smile, gratitude shining behind his eyes.
"Visitors!" He exclaimed, shaking off his paw. "Nice to see you common folk haven't forgotten about your medical wizard." Magpiefeather rumbled a laugh, nudging Whisperpaw with a shoulder. He saw Bearears' ear flick to indicate that she was, in fact, listening in on the conversation.
"Hi Bearears," he said, wincing at how lame it sounded. Her head turned, her eyes blinked open, and she stared in his direction with unseeing eyes, clouded over and unfocused. "I brought you a mouse." He took the fresh-kill from Magpiefeather, who shifted further into the den to talk with Poppywish, their conversation about greencough herbs and whether or not Poppywish needed help fading away into white noise. He placed the food down at Bearears' paw, so she would be able to feel it. She smiled, tired, but genuine.
"Thank you, Whisperpaw, that's kind of you." Her tone had none of her usual bounce. She sounded tired, defeated. Like she was Magpiefeather's age. It made Whisperpaw feel worse. He looked at his paws.
"I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner," he said, ears flattening a little, "I've been sad about Galepaw, but it's not really an excuse."
"It's okay," Bearears had always been gentle, "I miss her too, you know. She was- she was a good apprentice to me. And I bet she was an even better sister. I wouldn't blame you for being upset. And... I know I'm hard to look at right now. For everyone." She took a breath, shuddery, like she was holding back tears. Whisperpaw suddenly felt furious. It wasn't fair. It shouldn't have happened to her.
"You're not hard to look at," he said, "it's... I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened to you."
"It shouldn't have happened to anyone," Bearears gave him another placating smile, "if anything, I'm glad it was me. If it had happened to someone else... I don't know what I would have done. At least this way I can shoulder it. This is something I can deal with, even if it will take me some time to get back on my feet." Something inside of Whisperpaw broke then, and he let out a body-wracking sob.
"Why do things like this happen?" He asked, his voice cracking. "I'm sorry. I know there was nothing I could do- but I feel like I should have done something. I hate seeing you like this. You- you deserve better. I'm sorry." He surged forward, pressing his face into Bearears' fur. She made a gentle shushing noise, grooming between his ears.
"I don't know why they happen," she said, "but it's okay. Sometimes bad things happen. All we can do is move on." Whisperpaw climbed into her nest, curling against her shoulder. Bearears wrapped around him, tail cuddling him close like a kit as he cried, the emotions of the last few moons finally seeping from his body and staining Bearears' shoulder wet with his tears.

-

"Well," Whisperpaw said as the gale-force winds howled above, some of the down-draft pushing into the basin and buffeting the cats scurrying around the basin below, "I guess you were right. First storm of the season." Overhead, snowflakes began to fall, coating the ground in a fine layer of white slush. Magpiefeather smiled at him, watching the patrol cats slide back into camp, shaking off heavier snow from their pelts.
"It's too early for it to be that cold," Thunderjaw's voice rose around the basin, alongside Minkfur's laugh, and a snide comment about him being soft, which lead to him sweeping her paws out from under her, and laughing until she kicked his legs, sending him tumbling into the slush alongside her, the pair of them still laughing as they scrabbled back to their paws, simultaneously attempting to push the other back down.
"That's enough messing around," Sleetstar brushed past them, Summitsky trailing her anxiously, "even with the basin, everyone should stay inside the dens. It's cold out and we need to stay warm. I don't want anyone contracting a sickness, you understand? That's too much of a weakness to be exploited and we don't have the resources to deal with it. Dens, now."
"It's harmless fun," Midnightblaze said, shaking the snow out of his fur, "come on. Thunderjaw and Minkfur will be fine, especially since we know who they'll be huddling for warmth with later on." Howlingeye snickered as he passed the pair of them. Neither of the big cats deigned to look offended or protest. Thunderjaw simply scooped a pawful of slush and flung it at Midnightblaze, the smaller tom barely managing to duck in time.
"Hello!" A strange voice called out. Everyone in the clan froze. "Please! If anyone's out there, help!" Midnightblaze seemed oddly still, as the other cats looked around each other. Nobody moved, the molly's echo ringing off the basin's walls. Viridianfire jumped into action, before anyone could stop her, bowling through the tunnel entrance and out into the heart of the storm. Sleetstar's ears flattened.
"Dens! Go!" Howlingeye stayed put at Midnightblaze's shoulder as Sleetstar whirled, Summitsky close behind her, Thunderjaw and Minkfur bringing up the rear as Brackenstrike and Splitface reached the medicine den's ledge. The two she-cats came to sit beside Magpiefeather, watching the ground as Viridianfire stumbled back into camp, shaking out her fur. Behind her, a calico molly was supporting a chocolate and white tom, the latter of which was hobbling on an injured paw. Poppywish stood, hurrying down the incline toward them.
"Thank you so much," the she-cat was saying to Viridianfire, "I don't know what we would have done if we'd been lost out there." Viridianfire huffed, casting a nervous glance away from the calico's warm smile. Midnightblaze inhaled sharply, and she looked up, as Poppywish zoomed past him to inspect the newcomers. "Dad."
"Koi." Howlingeye's gaze flicked between the pair of them, understanding registering quickly across his face.
"Poppywish, I'll help you get this strapping young tom to the den, shall I?" The tom gave a tired laugh, gratefully leaning on Howlingeye's shoulder as he brushed up against him, Poppywish bracing him on the other side, the pair of them helping him limp toward the den, leaving Midnightblaze staring at the calico molly with a horrified expression.
"Bit of a flirt, are you? You can call me Birchfang."
"Nice to meet you, Birchfang. Don't pay any attention to Howlingeye, he's all hot air. I'm Poppywish, the medicine cat. Can you tell me what happened to your paw?" Their conversation and Howlingeye's snorting laugh vanished into the wind, leaving the pair of them staring. Midnightblaze finally tore his gaze away to look back up at the dens. All of the other cats had vanished, not even their outlines visible beyond the haze of snow slowly filling the basin.
"So," Koi said, her voice thick with barely restrained rage, "this is where you went? You left us, and you just came here to do what? Relive your glory days that weren't even glory days? Find a new family? You didn't even say goodbye! Do you know how worried we were for you? Do you know how long we looked? Me, Selene, Prim? We searched for you for moons! And you were here this whole time, letting us worry! Did we mean so little to you?" Her voice cracked, and Midnightblaze's shoulders sagged.
"No- no, Koi, I promise. It's more- it's not- it's complicated. More complicated than that, I just- I wish I could tell you."
"Why can't you!" Midnightblaze looked away again. Koi huffed, a humourless laugh. "Because there isn't anything to tell, right? Well, it's fine, Dad. You didn't want to be around us anymore, and that can super be arranged. I'm going to make sure Birchfang is okay, and then I'll be on my way again to find my sisters and tell them just what father dearest has been up to, and then we can all move on." She didn't touch her father as she passed him, stalking after the medicine cats, leaving Midnightblaze staring hollowly at the ground as the snow descended, swirling around him until there was nothing else beyond.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"So... you're worried about Leafbare too, right?" Minkfur grunted, using Thunderjaw as a windblock as the pair of them wandered along the eastern-most border, facing directly into the howling winds that hadn't let up for at least a week. The Leaf-fall seemed particularly intent on being punishing, and the encroaching bare moons made Minkfur uneasy. The large tom braced himself against a severe gust, his face almost level with hers as they huddled together.
"Yes, and no," Thunderjaw said, "I'm worried about it somehow being worse than this, but I think that we can weather it together. All of us, I mean." Minkfur felt herself flush as they looked away from each other.
"Of course," she said, "the whole clan." A pause. "You don't... you don't think that rogue clan will strike again, do you? I mean, I'm just worried with less prey, they might try to make a play for the hunting grounds again. And I don't know if we'll be strong enough to resist it this time. I... I don't want to lose anyone else." Thunderjaw smiled, pressing his nose to her cheek.
"We're going to be fine," he said, "I'm not going to let anything happen to anyone else. I haven't been fighting hard enough, but... that ends now. I'm devoting myself to this clan. All of me. I'll do what it takes to keep us safe." Minkfur nodded, resolute. She pressed up against his shoulder, making him lock eyes with her.
"I"m with you."
"Good. You're strong. Stronger than any cat I know. I'm lucky to have you in my corner." Minkfur grinned.
"Yeah you are." A howling gale ripped past them, and Thunderjaw stumbled, laughing as Minkfur shoved him back to his paws, the pair of them swaying as they huddled close together. "I doubt we're going to get any further in this. We should focus on getting back to camp, or else who knows how long we'll last out here?" Thunderjaw nodded, his eyes fond.
"I'm not worried. I think I could survive anything, so long as I'm with you."

-

"Well, I'm glad we're not out there!" Twilightflower looked up, her four kits cuddled close to her belly. Sunnynose stood above her, smiling cheerfully. Behind him, his two older kits let Sleetstar's chase them around the den, careful to slow down, falling down when pounced on to make the game fun for all of them. Twilightflower smiled, nodding for the ginger tom to sit. She liked him; he was kind and gentle, and his kits were well-mannered and played well with the kits Sleetstar left in their care day-in and day out, the only reprieve being visits from their attentive father.
"It's much warmer in here," Sunnynose nodded his agreement, settling down next to Twilightflower. He chuckled as one of her kits snuggled closer to her, smiling a little.
"Their father must have been a handsome cat, unless your genes are just that good." Twilightflower laughed her twinkling laugh, wrapping her tail around her kits for added warmth.
"Very handsome, and a smooth talker, but... not father material." Sunnynose nodded a little, in understanding. "What about you? Your mate, I mean. You didn't produce those kits on your own." Sunnynose laughed, a sad smile crossing his face as he glanced back at his kits, where Emberkit was dragging herself away from Sleetstar's kits and careening off around the den, Flamekit lying flat on his back and pretending to be dead.
"I love him very much, and I hope he's okay. When our old clan disbanded... we were travelling together for a while, but we were separated. I hope he's okay, and I hope I'll see him again one day, because he is the love of my life... but for now all I have is faith. Faith that he's okay, and faith that he's taking care of our family, our older kits." Twilightflower blinked at him.
"You have another litter?"
"Yes. They'd be about fifteen or so moons now. Winderstrike and I just loved being parents so much that we wanted another litter. We were looking forward to raising those two together but... the clan fell apart." Sunnynose's expression was sad, but it quickly brightened as his son crossed over to him, settling against his flank. Sunnynose wrapped his tail around him, licking between his ears. "Anyway... I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Losing kits is... hard."
"I'll always grieve for them, and for what they could have been, but... I'm still happy. Happy that I have four little ratbags to raise and nurture. I know the kits I lost will be taken care of in StarClan." Sunnynose smiled, letting Emberkit and Sleetstar's babies settle against him as well.
"That's a good way of looking at it. Just know I'm here for you, okay? I know I'm new here, but you've been nothing but kind to me, and I hope that this time we've spent together is the start of a wonderful friendship." Twilightflower's smile was bright as she leaned across to touch her nose to his cheek.
"Of course it is, silly! I'd be lucky to have a friend like you."

-

"So," Viridianfire pitched her voice above the howling wind as Sleetstar's hunting patrol made its way back toward camp to wait out the storm, "Koishimmer. You got a pretty cool warrior name. And it's uh- it's nice that you're staying." The calico blinked at her, before she smiled and glanced away with a half-shrug.
"Yeah, I guess it is pretty cool," she looked up ahead, watching Hollyfeather help Birchfang brace against the wind, with Frostclaw just in front of them, shielding them from the worst of the wind. Sleetstar marched forward, seemingly undeterred by the winds. "I decided I didn't want to leave Birchfang. We weren't travelling together for very long, but... he's been a good friend. Those are in short supply. Plus, after all this adventure, I can't really imagine going back to my boring barn cat life."
"Well, this definitely is the clan to have an adventure in," Viridianfire twisted, cutting through the wind with the broadside of her body, long fur whipping up, "I think you're going to like it here! I know you and Midnightblaze have stuff to work out, and everyone seems kind of broody and sullen but... they're good once you get to know them. You have to let me introduce you properly to Thunderjaw sometime."
"That really big cat? You know cats have no right being that big, right? Like, he's a freak of nature or something." Viridianfire laughed, letting Koishimmer's slimmer frame duck behind her as they trailed after the patrol.
"That's Thunderjaw, yeah, but he was my mentor so I kind of have a soft spot for the giant freak." Koishimmer laughed a little bit, pressing up close against Viridianfire's flank. The bicolour molly felt herself flush, and she glanced away from her dancing eyes. Koishimmer was pretty, but the way she spoke about Birchfang made it clear that a fight for her affections would be completely in vain. Thunderjaw had taught Viridianfire at least an ounce of common sense, and to pursue her would have been an insult to his teaching.
"Is he like... your father figure or something?"
"Something like that, I guess. He was really the first cat I got close to here, after I lost my parents. He believed in me and helped me get over most of my temper tantrums. So... I guess I owe him one! He made this clan my home, and he's part of that, you know?"
"Yeah, I know," Koishimmer peered at her, expression fond as she cocked her head, "home's about family, right? You ever see yourself building a family here?" Viridianfire looked away again, unable to hold her gaze.
"Maybe," she said, "if I can get through this winter first."

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` servings consumed
6/6 - x2 hares
` clan events
birchfang from peachclan joins northernclan (discord)
poppywish searches for greencough herbs
summitsky teaches whisperpaw advanced battle
` patrols
hunting-
1 - sleetstar, viridianfire, hollyfeather, frostclaw, koishimmer, birchfang
2 - midnightblaze, fallowstep, hawkeyes, brackenstrike, splitface, howlingeye
border-
3 - minkfur, thunderjaw

My gallery · by **solyn** » Thu May 02, 2019 5:56 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 29 cats [ 14 fem : 15 male ]
servings required: 06

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 27th apr
moons since last nonsense: 1

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

The wind ruffled Midnightblaze's fur as he crossed the camp. He wasn't sure what had woken him, only that one minute he'd been resting, and the next it no longer seemed an option. He supposed pacing the campground wouldn't make him feel any better, but staying in the warrior's den felt claustrophobic, and Silverpelt stretching overhead, only partly obscured by the clouds brought him some small comfort.
"Not exactly the optimal evening for a stroll," he jumped at the sound of a voice, turning to find Howlingeye standing at the entrance of camp, fur fluffed up against the wind. Midnightblaze's heart began to hammer faster as he and the other tom eyed each other. It was true that Midnightblaze had been avoiding him ever since the battle, unsure of how to broach the topic of their friendship. Summitsky made for a good and patient companion, but he could never quite shake the anxiety with him. Howlingeye had felt safe, like he had finally belonged.
"I guess not," he replied, finally, shoulders sagging, "I couldn't sleep."
"It doesn't seem like the best night for sleeping either, then," Midnightblaze caught his eye, cautiously, and Howlingeye snorted, stepping forward, "what? Do you think I lurk about the cliffs at night for fun? Poppywish snores like anything, and the medicine den... well. These days it doesn't have quite the same aura as it used to." Midnightblaze closed his eyes, and blew out a sigh, shrinking in on himself even more.
"I'm sorry," he said, "for what I asked you to do."
"Don't be," Howlingeye shrugged, "it was a secret that had to come out eventually. If you lie, you will be caught. It's a simple lesson, and one of the first ones I learned. Every secret this clan has will be revealed, one way or another, and as far as things go, I suppose this was a good way for mine to be uncovered. At least the clan saw it in action in favour of them. There could have been less... favourable interpretations."
"I thought you were mad at me." Howlingeye gave him an incredulous look.
"You're the one who's been avoiding me." Midnightblaze looked sheepish, ducking his head.
"I know," he said, "I'm sorry. It was stupid of me, I was just- I was scared. After everything... you know I've never felt that I belonged here, but then you let me confide in you, and you trusted me enough to confide in me, and I finally felt that I had a friend. It felt like I was starting to get the hang of this new life... and then I ruined it, by betraying your trust. Maybe it's true, or maybe I just fabricated it, but I didn't want to face the reality where I was doing this on my own again."
"Never," Howlingeye's nose touched Midnightblaze's cheek, "we're still friends, of course we are. And I won't tell anyone your secret. I don't blame you for what happened. Even if you hadn't asked me to save you, I'd have done it regardless. Too many cats have died on my watch, and I won't let anyone close to me feel that fair again. I have your back, for as long as you need me to." Midnightblaze blinked at him, his eyes shiny with emotion.
"Summitsky was right about you."
"Well, now I'm insulted, because I doubt Summitsky had anything flattering to say."
"He said you were a good cat," Midnightblaze shoved his shoulder a little, "that you would be fair, and kind to me. And you are. You have been, and I feel guilty that I ever doubted that." Howlingeye looked shocked, and Midnightblaze smiled. "I understand why you're so ready to believe the worst in everyone, Howlingeye, but he seems to think highly of you. I don't know what happened between you two, but... I think he wants to fix it. And for what it's worth, you shouldn't be doing this alone either. You're bearing a great weight, and it's not fair to ask you to shoulder it all on your own. I, for one, am more than willing to stand beside you, and carry it for a while."
"You're a good cat," Howlingeye's voice was gentle, as his nose pressed to Midnightblaze's forehead, "I hope that tom never makes you feel any different again. As for your daughter... she'll come around, I promise."
"You seem awfully confident about all of this," Midnightblaze turned, walking in-step with Howlingeye as the pair of them moved toward the den-trail.
"I think if you put good feelings out into the universe, there is a greater faith they'll come true. Aside from relentless optimism, you are a good tom, and you've been a good friend to me, even if for a short time. Your daughter is hurt, and confused, and I think you should talk to her when you're ready... but the fact that she's chosen to stay speaks volumes already. I think everything will be alright."
"I'll take your word for it," the black tom said, giving his friend a careful smile, "but if things go sideways, I'm blaming you." Howlingeye's rumbling laugh echoed around the still air of the basin.
"I think I can live with that."

-

"Sleetstar!" The pointed molly paused, turning to look back up the trail at Twilightflower, as she hurried toward her. "I know you're about to head out on patrol, but Sunnynose and I thought you might like to join us in the nursery today, instead! I'm sure Midnightblaze can handle patrols, and there are plenty of capable warriors- like Summitsky for instance!" Summitsky paused beside his mate, giving Twilightflower a genial smile.
"Why would I want to do that?" Sleetstar said, flatly, and Twilightflower paused. Summitsky went stiff like a board, casting a curious glance at his mate. Comfortingly, he pressed their shoulders together, but Sleetstar stepped away again, casting her gaze out over the camp, toward where the warriors were assembling for patrol assignments.
"Well," Twilightflower said, clearly picking her words carefully, "it's just that your kits are missing you, is all. I thought you might like to organize for them to play a game, since Sunnynose's kits are a bit too old to play with them now, and-"
"You can do that on your own," Sleetstar interrupted, "I'm busy."
"Hey," Summitsky soothed, "Twilightflower is just trying to be friendly. I think it's a good idea, I'm sure you can afford to take a day off-"
"Well, I didn't ask you, did I?" She snapped, and Summitsky flinched. "This isn't up for debate! I don't have time to swan around the nursery while the Merchants are out there planning only StarClan knows what. I'm the leader, what I say goes. Now if you're done wasting my time, I have to set up patrols so we don't get taken unawares again. I'm not losing anyone else." Fur bristling, Sleetstar shouldered past the pair of them, stalking down the rise.
Summitsky and Twilightflower stayed still, motionless. Worry gnawed at Summitsky's gut as he watched his mate thread through the scarce numbers of their clan, voice drifting up to them as a faint mumble. Thunderjaw and Minkfur split off from the rest of the group, heading for the entrance. Twilightflower's gaze was stormy, angrier than Summitsky had ever seen her. They both knew the patrol would have turned out like that, and Sleetstar's hunting parties would be gone for most of the day. At least he and Whisperpaw would be exempt for the day, in case they wanted to train.
"I'm sorry," he said, finally, breaking the silence, "this whole... thing. It's been tough on her- on all of us, but she's... well. She's not so good at talking about things. It's been an effort to get her to lean on me." Twilightflower sighed, squeezing her eyes closed and blowing out a sigh.
"It's okay, Summitsky, you don't have to apologize on her behalf. I'm just... I'm worried. Sleetstar seems intent on this keeping everyone alive mindset, but..."
"But?" Twilightflower took a deep breath.
"Sunnynose's kits were pretty much weaned by the time they got to the clan. He might as well be dried up now, for all the milk he's producing. Soon, it's going to be me, alone in the nursery, trying to look after six kits. It's taking it's toll on me already, Summitsky, and on the kits. I lost two of my children, and I don't have time to grieve, because I'm trying to play catchup with Wolfkit and Butterflykit at the same time. It helps when you're around, but... these are the formative years of their life, Summitsky. Think about what's going to happen if their mother isn't around."
"I know," Summitsky said, ears flattening against his head a little, shoulders slumping in defeat, "I don't know what to do."
"Normally, I'd say talk to her, but it doesn't seem like she wants to listen to anything she doesn't want to hear." Twilightflower gazed over the basin, shaking her head again. "Leafbare is on the horizon, Summitsky. We can't keep going on like this."
"I know."
"You have to fix this."
"I don't know how."
"You'll have to figure it out." Twilightflower turned, to make her way back up to the nursery, where Sunnynose was hovering anxiously, "or else it doesn't take a genius to figure out which two lives we're going to lose next."

-

"You look sad." Koishimmer jumped at the voice, turning to find an apprentice staring at her. Something in the back of her mind supplied that his name was Whisperpaw, that she'd heard the large grey-and-white tom call him that. He was a curious looking tom, with big eyes that seemed to look through her, as if she wasn't much more than an illusion. The bluntness of his tone was shocking, but Koishimmer couldn't deign to care all too much about that. Instead she just smiled; an arbitrary motion meant to placate him out of any more comments on her appearance.
"Maybe I am, then, if that's how I look."
"Things aren't always as they appear," he said simply, sitting down next to her without asking for an invitation, "but with you, I think it's genuine. You're Midnightblaze's daughter, right?" Koishimmer was silent, watching the young tom. He must have been almost ready to take his warrior assessment, she guessed. He was tall, like his mentor, but slimmer, more slinky, as opposed to the bulk that most NorthernClan cats seemed to possess.
"Right." She said finally. Whisperpaw nodded, silently, as if processing this.
"I didn't know he had a daughter."
"I didn't know he had a clan."
"But you did," Koishimmer startled at the easy rebuttal, glowering at Whiserpaw's profile, "you must have known that he came from a clan, since he had his name before he joined. If not the specifics, there must have at least been rumours about where he came from. Everyone is so fascinated with the idea of clan life, the romanticism of being named by the stars, blessed by ancestors stretching back generations beyond memory, almost beyond time itself. What you didn't know is that he would choose it over you."
"He used to tell us he came from the mountains," Koishimmer shrugged. "Selene, Prim and I paid no attention to the rumours. Everyone had a different story about where he came from. He and my grandmother came together, they said, and why they left was always a mystery, but that whatever happened, it must have been a terrible tragedy. They always talked about 'losing so many', but Gran never said anything, and neither did he."
"It makes you wonder, doesn't it? If Sleetstar is the first leader of this clan, then what was here before?" Koishimmer fell silent, looking around the camp at the rest of the cats. Brackenstrike and Splitface lounged together, sharing warmth as the bitterness of the night set in. Howlingeye trailed Poppywish to the medicine den, prey clutched in his jaws. Birchfang was animatedly describing some story of their travels to Viridianfire, who nodded even though she looked confused.
"I guess so," she said finally, "my biggest question would be how and why it rose from the ashes. If my father lost many cats here, what was it that made this clan live again? Surely the embers burned out a long time ago."
"Maybe," Whisperpaw said, "but who are we to question StarClan?"
"Blind faith is beyond dangerous," Koishimmer said, getting to her paws, "to adore something so whole-heartedly that any critical engagement with it seems blasphemous only leads to ignorance and heartbreak."
"You mean like love for a parent?" Koishimmer held Whisperpaw's steady gaze, a crooked smile overtaking her maw.
"Look how well that turned out, right?"

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"I can't believe you're abandoning me in the nursery," Twilightflower said, grinning, as Sunnynose bumped her shoulder affectionately. His kits sat near his paws, both almost vibrating with excitement.
"I'm going to miss you," he said with a little laugh, "but these two rascals have too much energy to stay now. It'll be tough without you around, which means you have to find a way to make your kits grow faster so that you can join me back on warrior duties, since I don't really know anyone else."
"Summitsky will be around, probably, at least you'll get along okay with him," she said, and Sunnynose gave her another of his warm smiles, before Sleetstar's voice cut into their conversation, drawing the attention of the rest of the clan.
"All cats gather beneath Highrock," she called, and sure enough, cats began to converge from all corners of the camp. A gasp to Twilightflower's left drew her attention toward Viridianfire, who was looking up toward the trail. A murmur swept through the gathered cats as Poppywish slowly descended the trail, Howlingeye stepping carefully after him, with Bearears leaning against his shoulder heavily. Whisperpaw broke off from where he was seated next to Magpiefeather, drawing up next to Bearears to let her lean against him as well.
"That's the first time she's been out since the attack," Sunnynose murmured, and Twilightflower nodded, slowly.
"Sleetstar did say all cats." They left it at that, as Bearears settled next to Magpiefeather, with Whisperpaw on her other side. Poppywish and Howlingeye settled just behind them, murmurs subsiding as Sleetstar cleared her throat, clearly ready to continue with her speech.
"Today, NorthernClan welcomes two new apprentices to our ranks. Apprentices are the future of this clan, and I ask StarClan to watch over them as they begin their journey to warrior-hood. Emberkit and Flamekit, from this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Emberpaw and Flamepaw respectively, to honour the path your feet walk under StarClan's guidance. Emberpaw, your mentor will be Fallowstep. He is a keen hunter, a loyal mate and I know he will pass on his knowledge and the best of his qualities to you." The clan yowled for Emberpaw, as she stepped forward to touch her nose to Fallowstep's, the tom looking pleasantly shocked at having been assigned a mentor.
"Flamepaw, your mentor will be Brackenstrike. Brackenstrike is..." Sleetstar paused, glancing away from the molly with an anguished look on her face, "she is the best this clan has to offer. She is loyal, she is wise, and she has more compassion than any cat I've ever met. No cat in this clan could make you a better warrior, and I trust Brackenstrike to pass on her knowledge and her values to you, to shape your identity as a warrior."
Yowls went up for Flamepaw, too, as the tom cast one glance at his father, and then scampered forward to touch noses with the large molly. Beside her, Splitface laughed a little at the angle the large she-cat had to bend at for Flamepaw to reach. Twilightflower caught Sunnynose's expression, proud and fond, mist clinging to the edges of his eyes. Gently, she nudged his shoulder, and he smiled at her, as Sleetstar descended the rock.
"Apprentices at last," he purred as his kits came running back to him, "your Dad would be so proud."
"And what about you, Papa? Are you proud?" Emberpaw cast her father a wide-eyed look, and the ginger tom laughed, nuzzling both of his kits as they rubbed their small heads against his cheek. Twilightflower's heart felt full, and she grinned at Hollyfeather as the black and white molly settled next to her.
"I couldn't be prouder," he purred, "now you two behave for your mentors, alright? I don't want to hear any stories about you getting into trouble."
"No promises," Flamepaw said, laughing as his father affectionately nipped his ears.
"Go on now, I've kept you long enough." The pair shot each other a hesitant glance. Finally, they pressed their noses to their father's cheek one last time, before they turned and scampered back to their respective mentors. Fallowstep cast a nervous look at Brackenstrike, who gave him a warm smile. The conversation they were having was too far away for Sunnynose to pick up on, so instead he turned back to Twilightflower and Hollyfeather, the two mollies smiling at him warmly.
"Do you miss your mate?" Twilightflower asked, gently.
"Oh, always," Sunnynose smiled, curling his tail over his paws, "but I have faith he'll find me again, perhaps sooner than I think."

-

"You know, as much as I love these little excursions, I feel like we're exhausting conversation topics."
"That's not going to get you out of answering the question." Minkfur's eyes shone with merriment as she bumped her shoulder against Thunderjaw's the tom laughed, trying to school the sound into a mock grumble, as she flounced ahead of him, climbing onto a rock and shooting him a look as she waited for his answer. Thunderjaw paused, to think it over seriously.
"I guess if I had to make a choice, I'd rather always speak my mind. I think I could handle not having a filter, but never being able to say what I mean would be too hard. I couldn't live without having opinions on things." Minkfur grinned at him, cocking her head to the side as her tail kinked up over her back.
"Somehow I knew that's what you would choose," she mewed, and Thunderjaw rolled his eyes.
"You're very funny."
"I know." She leaped down from the rock to continue walking with him, the pair of them shoulder to shoulder. The forest gave way to the river, lapping coolly at the stepping stones as the waterfall roared in the distance. Minkfur started forward, leaping delicately across the rocks. The late Leaf-fall sun filtered through the trees, dappling her brown fur in a way that made her tabby lines dance, illuminating a glowing halo around her head. Thunderjaw felt that the wind had been knocked out of him as he watched her, wind ruffling her fur. She turned to him, a curious glint in her eyes- and they were beautiful eyes- as she tilted her head.
"What?"
"I'm in love with you," he said it before he could stop himself, his jaw still half-open in awe. Minkfur stared at him, eyes wide, but it was something he had to commit to. He shook himself, drawing up taller, even if his heart felt like it might stop at any given moment. "I mean it," he said, "you're the most wonderful cat I've ever met in my life. Not only are you beautiful, but you are kind, you're incredibly intelligent and your passion and dedication to what you believe in never fails to inspire me. You've been my rock for so long, Minkfur, and I..." he paused, shaking his head. "I'm not really sure where I'm going with all of this."
"Be my mate." It was immediate, no hesitation.
"What-"
"You heard me. I want to be your mate. You and me, together, against the world and everything it throws at us. Officially." She stepped back across the river, close to Thunderjaw, her eyes sparkling. "We're a team, you and me. I think we have been, ever since we first met, even if we danced around it. We're two different halves of the same whole, and I know you feel it too, the pull."
"Of course I do," his voice was tender, just for her, as his forehead touched her own, "you are my missing piece."
"And you're mine. So have me."
"Yes."
"I'm yours."
"And I, yours."
"Until the end of time."

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` servings consumed
6/6 - x2 hares
` clan events
poppywish searches for greencough herbs
northstar asks for a queen
minkfur and thunderjaw become mates! (yes kits)
fallowstep and brackenstrike teach emberpaw and flamepaw to hunt
whisperpaw attempts his warrior assessment
` patrols
hunting-
1 - sleetstar, hollyfeather, viridianfire, birchfang, koishimmer
2 - hawkeyes, splitface, frostclaw, midnightblaze, howlingeye
border-
3 - minkfur, thunderjaw

My gallery · by **solyn** » Sat May 18, 2019 12:36 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 30 cats [ 15 fem : 15 male ]
servings required: 06 - pebbles: 0

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 10th may
moons since last nonsense: 2

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

The sun settled beyond the ridge of the basin, bathing the camp in a red glow. As the days grew shorter and Leafbare encroached on the territory, more persistent chills swept the usually sheltered area that NorthernClan called home. Even with the biting wind pressing past them, the cats of the clan gathered dutifully in a semi-circle near the centre of the camp, fanning out around the figures of Summitsky and Whisperpaw.
"I'm proud of you," Summitsky said, "you've done well." Whisperpaw's maw twitched.
"You're only saying that because I did what you told me to." Summitsky chuckled, before Sleetstar leaped onto the large rock above them, a hush falling over the clan. Summitsky looked sideways at Whisperpaw, whose posture was ramrod straight, eyes hard. Sometimes when he looked at his apprentice, the tom couldn't help but think of what was beyond the here and now; what had been before Whisperpaw and Galepaw had been brought to the clan. What could have been if Galepaw was sitting next to him now.
"Today, NorthernClan gains another warrior, another cat who has proved he has what it takes to survive these lands. Whisperpaw, reveal yourself as I, Sleetstar, call upon the warrior ancestors of NorthernClan to see you: for you have trained hard to understand the code. Do you promise to uphold this code and to defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Sleetstar's eyes were hard, as her gaze met Whisperpaw's. The pair stared at one another in silence, as the gust blew around them.
"Yes," said Whisperpaw, finally, voice ringing out loud and clear, "I do."
"The vow." Summitsky's pelt crawled, shocked at the frostiness of Sleetstar's tone.
"To my clan, to my home, to the blood that binds; I pledge myself to the cliffs and the snow. The North is all." Whisperpaw's voice was equally cold, steady, but cold. Summitsky could feel cats shifting restlessly all around him, but he forced himself to stay staring ahead, smiling reassuringly at his mate. Sleetstar's eyes did not even skip over him.
"Then by your own request, your name will be Whisperwind-" a murmur swung through the crowd. Among the cats, Midnightblaze caught Summitsky's eye. He shook his head, softly, and Midnightblaze turned to watch the ceremony again, face tense. Sleetstar continued. "StarClan honours your tenacity. You are welcomed by me, the Clan and the Stars as a full warrior of NorthernClan. Honour him!"
"Whisperwind!" Yowled Viridianfire, her voice splitting the silence of the cats.
"Whisperwind!" Cried Magpiefeather. Soon, more yowls joined them, the camp alight with praise for the newest warrior. Sleetstar turned and abruptly jumped down from the rock, stalking back toward her den. Summitsky touched his forehead to Whisperwind's, with a tight smile, before he whirled, and stalked off after her. Whisperwind watched them go, giving only a wan smile as cats clamoured around him to wish him well before the sun had fully set, and it would be time for his vigil.
Soon enough, they vanished, leaving Whisperwind staring at the cavern that Sleetstar and Summitsky had vanished into. It didn't take a genius to figure out the contents of the conversation. Even the blindest cat in the clan could be sure to see there was a strain on that relationship, and Whisperwind didn't doubt that his mentor had words to say about his mate not informing him that his apprentice had gone behind his back to request a warrior name.
"That's a beautiful name, you know." The voice made him jump, and he turned his head to find Bearears sitting alone, smiling into the distance. His stomach did a nasty flip as he stared at her, brow creased in guilt. Her eyes looked better now, but always off. Never focused on anything, and the jagged clawmarks across her face always made him feel sick. But still he looked. It was the best thing he could afford her, after everything.
"This way I can carry a piece of her with me, always."
"The ones you love never really leave you, not if you love them hard enough," Bearears' smile was sad, as Whisperwind shifted to be in front of her eyes, even though he knew she wouldn't see him. "I hope you know that she would be proud of you. She is proud of you. She's watching from StarClan." Whisperwind blinked.
"Do you really believe that?"
"I have to," she said, "if I don't, I think I'll fall apart." Whisperwind felt his heart shatter. He drew his shoulders up taller.
"Galepaw never saw the best in anyone," he said, "and her intuition was never wrong. But she believed in you. She liked you, which is more than most cats can claim. You did right by her, everything that you could, and she was beyond lucky to have you. I am lucky to have you, and I know that wherever she is, whether in StarClan or not, she is proud of the both of us. Even if you are coming apart at the seams, Bearears, you'll never know how much you've held me together."
Bearears fell silent, before she sniffed, just once, eyes watery. Her gaze for the first time seemed to meet Whisperwind's, and for a moment, he forgot everything, all of the horror and the pain, and it felt like things were as they had once been. The moment passed; fleeting, but important. Bearears got to her paws, and one foot in front of the other made her way back to the medicine cat den. Whisperwind watched her go, the wind howling about him, kissing the tufts of his white fur as he stood alone in the basin.

-

"You know you're going to have to go to the nursery soon," Thunderjaw's tone was distinctly amused as Minkfur vaulted across the river stones, shaking out the tips of her fur where the water had splashed up at her. He followed behind, more careful with his steps, falling into line next to her as they continued on through their border patrol. Minkfur shoved his shoulder with hers, laughing as he shoved her back, the pair of them jostling half-heartedly as they pushed in a tight circle.
"Trying to get rid of me, are you?"
"The opposite," Thunderjaw's purr was rumbling as he pressed their foreheads together, "I'll miss these patrols with you, you know? Who else is going to tell me that my head looks too big for my body and that my nose is oddly sloped." Minkfur purred, nuzzling their noses together before sliding against his side again, continuing on with their tails brushing playfully with each step.
"You are an ugly old thing," she said with mock-sadness, while Thunderjaw scoffed, "you're lucky I love you, huh?"
"I really am," he said, "but not because I'm ugly or old. I'm lucky because it's you, and any cat would be beyond blessed by the Stars to have you. And I'm simply happy that it's me." Minkfur touched her nose to his cheek, and Thunderjaw let his eyes close, for a brief second, with a content sigh. When he opened them again, a colourpoint she-cat was standing at the end of the trail. He started, and Minkfur bristled next to him. The she-cat smiled at them, amused.
"And cats say patrol can't be romantic." She said. Minkfur's mouth opened, but she simply laughed. "Oh, don't even bother asking the question, sweets, the clan-cat smell is all over you. I'm Rivermask, I got separated from my mate on the other side of the Thunderpath. Reminds me a bit of you, actually, in that he's just as sappy." Thunderjaw's maw twitched into a smile as his eyes met the brilliant blue ones of the she-cat. Minkfur, despite herself, was smiling, shaking her head in amusement.
"Can I ask what you and your mate were doing out this way? As far as I know, there's only the Merchants and NorthernClan this far out." Rivermask's nose wrinkled, as if she'd scented something rancid.
"Ah, those cats. They scratched Breakerhowl up pretty badly when we were passing through. Our clan on the coast disbanded, we've been wandering north for a while now. We were hoping to find a place to settle down before I kitted, but now I'm not even sure if he'll be around for the kitting." She paused. "No, I'm sure he will be, even if I have to track him down and haul him in with a claw through the ear myself." Minkfur shot Thudnerjaw a grin.
"Oh, I like her. Think Sleetstar will mind if we bring her back to camp?"
"Sleetstar has issues with everything these days," Thunderjaw said, before he turned to Rivermask, "I can assure you there's not much north of here- it's practically the top of the world. If you'd like to stay, NorthernClan will embrace you with open paws, I can personally assure you of that much." Rivermask's eyes twinkled as she shot Minkfur a grin.
"Lady, you snagged yourself a good one." Minkfur's eyes shone with adoration, as she grinned at her smiling mate.
"I did, didn't I?"

-

"We're not going to get much else done," Hawkeyes said, bracing himself against the howling wind, snowflakes swirling around him, "Leafbare's days away at this point, and the wind is making sure we know it." Splitface grunted from where she was standing stock-still, trying to use a stumbling Frostclaw as a windblock. "Let's head back." He suggested, and wordlessly, the tortoiseshell molly turned and let the momentum of the wind carry her back down the slope. Frostclaw and Hawkeyes followed her quickly, passing Howlingeye where he was crouched to help shield Midnightblaze against the wind.
As he hopped down onto the ledge next to his friend, Howlingeye noted the baleful look on Midnightblaze's face. He glanced sideways at his friend, sticking close to the cliff side to block out the worst of the storm. "Still sore about Sleetstar taking over deputy duties or something?" The tom shook his head a little, in frustration rather than a denial of Howlingeye's question. The brown tom waited patiently for Midnightblaze to find his words as they trudged along at the back of the party.
"It wouldn't be as bad if she hadn't trusted me to do my job from the start, but I don't understand why she's chosen now of all times to inset her back into the organization of patrols, and the fact that she won't even appoint me as head of a patrol anymore. It's frustrating. It's not like I wanted to be the deputy of this clan in the first place, you know that, but it's humiliating. I see the way the other clan cats look at me."
"I'm sorry," he said, "for what it's worth, I don't think it's a you thing, I think it's definitely a her thing. She and Summitsky have been fighting a bit, from what Poppywish has told me. He thinks she should be in the den with her kits, but Sleetstar is doing pretty much everything to stay away from there. My guess is this is her way of ensuring that she's got something to do. As for the... everything else... I'm sorry about that too."
"It's alright," Midnightblaze blew out a sigh, "it's not like you're the one doing it."
"Maybe not, but I can still feel for my friend, you know." Midnightblaze gave him a warm smile, ears pricking forward as Splitface dropped back toward them, nestling closely between them. Howlingeye gave her an amused look, and she shot him a bitter glare back, making him turn his face away to hide the grin that was spreading across his features.
"Those two are absolutely useless against the wind," she grumbled, "at least you two have the cognizance required to stay on your paws."
"Awww," Howlingeye cooed teasingly, "flatterer."
"Don't be mean," Midnightblaze scolded, "Splitface... I'm sorry if this is an invasive question, but has Brackenstrike spoken to Sleetstar lately?" The tortoiseshell blinked, thinking about the question for a bit as the two toms bracketed her from the wind. She was slighter than the both of them, and it made for easier going with the pair of them taking the brunt of the gale that threatened to sweep her paws out from under her.
"Not as far as I know," Splitface said after a long moment, "I know that things are... bad at the moment, but they had a falling out, and I don't think Brackenstrike's ready to listen to an apology just yet. Whatever happened between them is... well. It was bad, but I think if you're suggesting that our illustrious leader whose patrol compositions leave a lot to be desired might need a friend, I wouldn't hold my breath on her rediscovering one in Brackenstrike anytime soon."
"Distressing news aside," Howlingeye said, "I think you should take the backhanded compliment on your excellence as a deputy, Midnightblaze. That's almost high praise coming from Splitface." The molly rolled her golden eyes good-naturedly.
"He's alright, for a weirdo." Midnightblaze laughed.
"So are you, my friend, so are you."

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"Minkfur, this pining act has really got to stop," the maine coon jumped a little, swinging around to face her friend where she watched her with an amused smile, batting a moss ball away from her idly, and sending the elder kits careening after it with little thought. "If you don't stop staring mournfully at the den entrance as if it's your old mate, lost to the winds and the snow for moon upon moon, deemed unlikely to ever return, I'm going to ask Poppywish to build a brace for you so that you can't turn your head." At the other end of the den, Twilightflower laughed, as Minkfur shook her head in amusement at Rivermask.
"For someone who has only been here for less than a moon, Rivermask, you sure are bossy," her friend purred smugly as Minkfur turned away from the den's entrance to face her again, tail swept over her paws to keep them warm. "But alright, for Poppywish's sake, I'll stop looking in that direction. Stars forbid I wish you upon any of the other poor sods around here." Rivermask laughed out loud, and soon Minkfur was laughing with her.
Sleetstar had looked sour about Rivermask: the other she-cat was loud and headstrong and cheeky, and Minkfur had fallen into a quick rapport with her. Sleetstar had little time for humour, it seemed, but she didn't oppose Thunderjaw when he said he'd offered her a place within the clan, and that he would keep his eyes peeled for her mate. Twilightflower, on the other hand, had been much more amenable to another presence around the den, especially one as entertaining as Rivermask.
"I know you're chafing at the bit to get back out there, but you just got off the front lines, little soldier. I think you can afford yourself a moment's rest." Rivermask's smile was kind, and Minkfur smiled back, glancing down at her paws. The kits carried on their game, blissfully unaware of the queens and their chatting.
"I know," Minkfur said, "it just feels weird, you know? I'm not used to the idea of being a mother, or a queen, or any of this. I'm used to being out there, and I guess I just... I don't know. I don't want to start feeling claustrophobic. It's all new. I mean... aren't you scared? Were you scared, Twilightflower?" Rivermask's gaze softened, as she gazed at her belly, tail sweeping around it protectively.
"I'm afraid, especially with Breakerhowl not here, but I know that I have to be strong for my kits, and I have to believe that he's going to find me. Thunderjaw is here for you too, Minkfur, and you're allowed to lean on him. No one will judge you. It is not a mother's job to carry a family by herself, just as a family is not always a mother and a father. You've got your mate, and he will be there for you, anyone can tell just by the way he looks at you. And, on top of that, you've got us. Me, and Twilightflower too. I'll drag her back to the nursery by the scruff if I have to."
"As if I could stay away from you cranky old bats," Twilightflower teased, making Rivermask snicker in amusement, "look... Minkfur. I get why it's scary to you, and that's definitely not a flaw on your side. When I found out I was pregnant, I realized I was going to have to have these kits alone. Luckily, NorthernClan took me in, and I had Sunnynose to support me when I thought that I was going to have to do it all on my own. I don't have a Breakerhowl, or a Thunderjaw, or even a Winderstrike who Sunnynose seems so convinced is coming back. But I do have my friends in this clan, and I do have Poppywish, who probably kept me and the rest of my kits alive. If not for him, things could have been very different. I won't tell you to relax, because I doubt it will help... but I do say you should trust. If not in your own strength, of which you have multitudes, then in us, to hold you up when you feel frail."
"Thank you," Minkfur's eyes shone with emotion, "Twilightflower... this clan is lucky to have you, as kind as you are. And Rivermask?" The she-cat perked up, as Minkfur shot her a crooked grin. "If you don't stop talking about Thunderjaw like that, I'm going to have to fight you for him." Rivermask threw her head back and cackled, laughter ricocheting around NorthernClan's camp as snowflakes fell delicately outside.

-

"Hey!" Midnightblaze paused, early morning air rustling his fur. Most of the other warriors hadn't stirred as he'd clambered out of his nest and slipped into the main campground to get first pick of the kill and use the dirt place before any other cat got the same idea. Turning to find Summitsky padding down the path to the basin was as surprising as it was not. He was surprised the other cat was awake, but Summitsky following him was not unheard of. By now, most of the camp could tell that Sleetstar and her mate were sitting on an uneasy faultline, but no one brought it up.
"Good morning," Midnightblaze said with a smile, "I didn't think anyone was up this early."
"Well, you know what they say. Early riser catches the bird." Midnightblaze chuckled at the expression, nodding a little bit as Summitsky shot him a crooked grin. "So... are you out here trying to get the best kill as well? Maybe we could share a rabbit or something." The deputy narrowed his eyes at the other warrior, cocking his head to the side a little.
"Don't you and Hollyfeather usually share these days?" Summitsky spluttered.
"We don't always share-" he started to protest, but Midnightblaze's flat stare told him that the other tom didn't believe him for a second. Sighing, Summitsky shook his head. "We... do, admittedly, because I'm starting to realize she might be my only real friend in this clan but she's... not happy with me at the moment. She wants me to tell her what's going on with Sleetstar, but I won't."
"Is there something to tell?"
"No grand secret," Summitsky said, his shoulders sagging. Suddenly, the large tom seemed very small, as if the weight of the world had collapsed onto his shoulders, crushing him underneath it. Midnightblaze felt a pang of sympathy, nothing the exhaustion that sagged his posture and the resignation behind his eyes. "It's nothing even remotely interesting, just the same old relationship issues that no one really wants to hear about, and yet Hollyfeather is convinced there's some great conspiracy."
"Well," Midnightblaze said, as gently as he could, "you listened to me when I had troubles to lay upon you. The least I could do is return the favour." Summitsky blinked at him, opening his mouth to protest, so Midnightblaze brushed past him, toward the fresh kill pile. After a hesitant beat, the larger tom followed after him, quiet as they picked a rabbit together, and retreated into one of the crevices at the base of the basin walls, away from prying eyes or open ears.
"So... what's going on?" Summitsky sighed, looking down at the prey in front of them.
"I've been trying to be very, very careful with Sleetstar for a while now, because she went through a lot of trauma. I mean, having your old family attack your new clan and then kit so soon afterward... I can understand if she was messed up, and I think she blames herself, but I think making excuses for her has only been good so far, but I can't... entertain it any longer, I guess. Wolfkit and Butterflykit barely see her, and she's been leaving Twilightflower to pick up the slack. Now that Sunnynose isn't in the nursery anymore, it's twice as hard for her, and I worry that she's going to be estranged from our kits. I just- I don't know how we're supposed to build a family if she's not there, you know? And she seems... so angry all the time. I'm sure you saw the way she treated Whisperwind at his warrior ceremony."
"She didn't tell you that he asked for a name, did she?" Summitsky looked up, surprised. After a hesitant moment, he shook his head with a little sigh.
"I mean, it's his business and all that, and he didn't have to tell me... but I was his mentor. I regard him as a son, you know, and I guess it stings a little that he didn't tell me, and that she didn't think I'd want to know." He sighed, ears twitching in frustration. "I dreamed of having a family for so long. I never thought it would be this... lonely."
"You're not alone, you know," Midnightblaze said, glancing away so that Summitsky couldn't meet his eyes, "there are other cats in the clan who would be here for you. Hollyfeather might be cross with you now, but I guarantee if the choice had to be made, she'd pick you over any other cat, all of the time. I'm here for you. Brackenstrike likes you, Thunderjaw and Minkfur respect you, Viridianfire admires you and if you put aside whatever issues you and Howlingeye had, he'd be there for you too."
"And you?" Midnightblaze still refused to look at him.
"Well, I'm here, aren't I?"
"So you are." Finally, the black and white tom turned his head to find Summitsky smiling softly at him, almost fondly, before he shook his head a little. "Thank you. You might think it wasn't much, but it was nice to have someone to talk to about all of this. It makes me feel like I'm not shouldering this all alone."
"You're not. It feels hard now, but I'm sure things will smooth over. Just give it time."

-

Dark descended over NorthernClan like a blanket, earlier and earlier as the days wore on. Bearears, of course, could not confirm this fact herself, but Poppywish muttered to himself enough and Magpiefeather regaled her with blow-by-blows of her days, and thus she got the idea. For Bearears, much remained the same: everything was always dark. After her injury, she could barely make out the shadows shifting among a sea of blackness. There were no colours anymore. Everything was the same.
Poppywish was kind enough to let her stay in the medicine den. She had no reason to stay there now that her eyes had healed, but she knew the way the rest of the clan looked at her. Or, rather, how they didn't. The only cats whose eyes she would feel on her pelt continuously, instead of flicking away as if guilty of something, were Poppywish and Howlingeye who spent so much time with her she was sure it seemed natural to them, Magpiefeather who had no other company on busy days, and Whisperwind, who visited occasionally and briefly, but stared at her determinedly the whole time.
It was Whisperwind's voice she was hearing, nudging her quietly in what she assumed must have been the dead of night, if his voice was so gentle.
"Get up," he said, tone hushed but firm. Bearears listened for the other cats. Howlingeye and Poppywish's breath mingled, slow and steady. They were asleep, and Whisperwind was staring at her, hard, like he was challenging himself to keep doing so. She could feel his eyes boring into her pelt, like twin lasers intent on searing right through her. Carefully, she got to her paws, and followed him out of the medicine den.
Whisperwind guided her down the twisting cliff-side path that seemed so much more treacherous now that she couldn't see where to place her paws. She vaguely recognized the terrain of the basin, and then the tunnel, and then the cliffs outside. Whisperwind continued walking, and Bearears remained silent. Perhaps it was foolish to let the tom lead her on wherever, but he was hurting, and whatever he was thinking, she knew he assumed it would help.
Her mother had always said she would get into trouble one day for her selflessness, how she always needed to be helping others before she thought about herself. Thinking about her mother hurt almost as much as the latter did. These days, it was impossible to think of herself without that dread settling into her stomach, followed closely by a gutting apathy that left her feeling wan and weightless, as if she were floating through the world without actually ever really experiencing anything.
The ground smoothed under her paws, and Bearears realized they must be on some kind of plateau. She heard Whisperwind shuffle around in front of her, and felt his intense gaze on her again. The wind buffeted her, and his scent hit her nose, strong. Everything smelled stronger, now that she couldn't see.
"Defensive crouch."
"Excuse me?"
"Defensive crouch," Whisperwind was determined, "unless you want me to fight you while you're unprepared." Bearears was incredulous.
"Whisperwind, it's not going to be a fair fight, exactly. Don't you have someone else you can spar with?"
"This isn't about sparring," he sounded exasperated, "defensive crouch."
"Whisperwind. I can't see." The silence that fell between them was stifling. She realized she could hear his tail lashing, slight discrepancies in the whooshing of the wind. The fact surprised her, but it didn't detract from the discomfort she felt as they faced off against each other. Finally, the other tom spoke, voice quiet, and tone laden with barely restrained fury.
"Everyone looks at you as if you're broken," he said, "and I know you feel it as much as I see it. I know I do it too, because I hate looking at you and remembering how little you deserve what happened to you. I always feel that it should have been me, or anyone else, but that's wrong of me to think, because you're not broken. You're not. You were hurt, and that's all. People recover from injuries all the time. And I was injured too- in my heart. I lost my sister, my best friend, and one of the only cats who ever really cared about me. I spent all this time thinking about what she would want me to do, what would honour her legacy. For some time, I thought she'd want me to burn this place to the ground. To ruin them, like they ruined her, but I realized that that was wrong. Galepaw wouldn't have thought of this place or these cats like that. But what she did think was that you were a good cat. Possibly one of the best she's ever met. You cared about her, and I know wherever she is, she would hate to see you hurting like this. And I realized, beyond that, you're one of the only cats who really cared how I felt. How I am feeling. And so I want to help you. It hurts, and you are hurting, but I want to be here for you. And I want to help you show them that you're not broken, not even remotely close to that at all."
"Whisperwind," Bearears' voice cracked as she let out a sob. Suddenly, he was beside her, letting her lean on him as she buried her face in his fur, crying openly. His jaw rested atop her head, as he stood silent like a stone, warm, and steady. "I don't know if I can do it. All of this. It's- I-"
"You can do it. Galepaw believed in you. She believed you could make her something great, which is something she's never believed about anyone else before. And Galepaw isn't wrong about cats. She wasn't wrong about you. We'll show them that. You and me. Together."
"Together." Bearears said, taking a deep, gulping breath. Slowly, she stepped back from Whisperwind, and after another brief moment of hesitation, she smiled, small, but genuine. She could feel the force of his beam radiating back at her, like he was the sun himself. She dropped into a defensive crouch, feeling the thrum of energy surge through her muscles already. "Alright then," she said, "show me what you've got."

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` servings consumed
6/6 - x2 birds
` clan events
sleetstar asks northstar for help to find rivermask's mate (moonstone rq)
all mentors teach their apprentices to hunt
poppywish searches for greencough herbs
` patrols
hunting-
1 - sleetstar, hollyfeather, whisperwind, birchfang, koishimmer
2 - hawkeyes, splitface, frostclaw, midnightblaze, howlingeye
border-
3 - thunderjaw, viridianfire
den supplies-
4 - brackenstrike, fallowstep, emberpaw, flamepaw

My gallery · by **solyn** » Sun Jun 02, 2019 12:18 am

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 32 cats [ 15 fem : 17 male ]
servings required: 06 [34] - pebbles: 0

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 17th may
moons since last nonsense: 0

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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

"Just like the old days, huh?" Thunderjaw's shoulder braced under Viridianfire's haunches as her foot slipped on an icy crag, prompting a string of creative expletives as she scrambled to regain her footing. She surged forward, Thunderjaw making his way cautiously up the cliff-side in her wake.
"You slipped more as an apprentice," he responded, an amused twinkle in his eye, "and you cursed less."
"I'm a grown molly now, Thunderjaw, I have the right to say swears. Besides, I learned most of them from you." The smoke tom laughed at that, the pair of them coming to a stop at the top of the ridge, panting heavily. Leafbare had swung into the territory with a vengeance, howling snow storms cutting patrols short and confining the cats to their sheltered basin, most often time huddled in the far corners of the den. Thunderjaw was one of the lucky warriors who could excuse himself by vanishing to the nursery which was more sheltered from the wind, where he could curl around his mate and sleep peacefully. Still, he couldn't escape the ice that the snow left behind, and the way it made his pads ache, raw with cold.
"Leafbare sucks," Viridianfire announced. Thunderjaw hummed his agreement. "Are you worried? About Minkfur, I mean. It's hard kitting in the cold seasons." Thunderjaw shrugged, eyes scanning the terrain for any abnormalities.
"Yes and no," he said, "yes, because she's my mate and it's my job to worry about her, and no because she's very strong, very capable, and I believe in Poppywish's ability to keep her safe, happy and healthy. Besides, I'm not going to make her panicked if I can help it. It's better for me to be calm about this, even if I feel like I might have a heart attack at any given second." Viridianfire laughed a little, nudging her old mentor with her shoulder, before she crouched close to him to shudder against a particularly strong breeze.
"She's lucky to have you, you know. I was lucky to have you too. You're going to be a great dad, if what you did with me is any indication." Thunderjaw made a noise of despair.
"Don't say that. You're a menace." They shared a laugh as the bi-coloured molly nudged his shoulder, fond amusement twinkling in her eyes. Suddenly, a strange scent hit her nose, and her ears perked forward as she scented the air again, eyes following the tendril of the smell until they settled on a shifting white shape in the snow below. Thunderjaw followed her gaze, watching the shape silently as it trekked through the fresh fall that was almost neck-height on the poor cat. Suddenly, as if aware it was being watched, the face swung up toward them, dark grey against stark white.
"Well," said the voice, in mock exasperation, "don't you look like a bulldozer! Too bad you're all the way up there." Viridianfire turned to Thunderjaw, who looked amused, and oddly familiar with the cat.
"They're right. You are a bulldozer." Thunderjaw inclined his head, and the two of them slowly made their way back down the snow-covered cliff, until they were wading through the snow toward him, Viridianfire careful to keep in Thunderjaw's wake as the massive tom easily wandered through the snow toward the stranger, who stood and waited patiently for them to arrive, clearly not at all bothered by Thunderjaw's impressive bulk up close.
"Are you Breakerhowl?" Thunderjaw asked, and the stranger looked startled for the first time since they'd seen them.
"Well, I didn't know cats around these parts happened to be psychic," he said, "but yes, that's me. How did you know?"
"Not through mind-reading abilities, unfortunately," Thunderjaw let out a rumbling chuckle, "your mate- Rivermask, she passed through the territory about a moon back. She's staying with the clan now, and corrupting my mate with her rowdiness. You have the same manner of speech about you, and I thought it was a pretty good guess." He regarded Breakerhowl with a warm smile, the other tom returning the expression with a lingering fondness in her gaze.
"Not to be liberal with the term, but I think I'm in love with you," Thunderjaw laughed as the tom purred, "kidding, of course, but you've no clue how relieved I am to know that Rivermask is okay, and thriving if what you say is true. I don't suppose your clan has room for one more tom? Or do you have to be a certain height to join." Viridianfire snickered, ducking away from some snow that Thunderjaw kicked at her, shaking his head in amusement.
"We've been keeping an eye out for you ever since Rivermask mentioned that she was separated from you. C'mon, you have to tell us all about your journey while we take you back to camp." Breakerhowl didn't seem to have any objection to that, falling into step beside Viridianfire as Thunderjaw struck out in front of them to clear the way. As the three of them walked, Breakerhowl told them of how he and his mate had come to be separated.
He told them first of their wanderings from the coast, sticking close to the Thunderpath to keep direction, and how they'd come this far north only to be driven out of the two-leg camp by the Merchants, who he had led across the Thunderpath in order to allow Rivermask time to escape. She had continued north and, supposedly, found them, while he had tended to his own wounds as best he could, before trying to circle back to find her while dodging patrols from the unfriendly rogues. The story of his cunning escape from a patrol was just coming to an end, as the weary warriors finally made their way back inside camp.
"I'll go and get Rivermask," Viridianfire offered, touching her nose to her old mentor's cheek, before she darted toward the cliffside path, hurrying across the ground so fast that she almost bowled Brackenstrike off her feet. The amused molly gave Thunderjaw a curious look, titling her head at the new tom.
"Who's this?"
"This is Breakerhowl."
"The one that the new queen is always going on about?"
"The very same," Thunderjaw confirmed, while Breakerhowl gave Brackenstrike a winning smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'd say I've heard wonders about you, but these two have been kind enough to let me ramble for how much I like the sound of my own voice." Brackenstrike chuckled a little, sharing a smile with Thunderjaw. Before she had a chance to respond, an excited cry sounded from the other side of camp. She turned to see Viridianfire and Minkfur standing behind Rivermask, whose tail was raised like a banner.
"Breakerhowl!" She yelled, beginning to descend the path. "It is you!"
"Rivermask!" The tom bowled past his companions, sprinting across the campground as the two mollies tried to catch up to his mate. The pair of them collided in the camp centre so hard that Thunderjaw was sure one or both of them would be knocked over, but instead they twined around each other, purring broadly as Rivermask nuzzled her way under his chin and pressed her face into the thick scruff of his neck. Breakerhowl curled around her, purring so loudly that it seemed to make the walls of the basin shake. Sleetstar emerged from her den, looking disgruntled, with Midnightblaze trailing after her, an amused curiosity in his eye.
"I told Minkfur you'd be here," Rivermask gave a relieved laugh, stretching up to nuzzle her nose against her mate's, making him purr louder, "you know I would have kicked your furry behind if you'd been even a minute late to the kitting." Breakerhowl laughed a little, leaning his forehead to hers. His shoulders sagged, his posture relaxed, as if Atlas himself had reached down from the heavens to pluck the world off of his shoulders.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. You know there's not any storm or seas that could keep me apart from you." He gave her forehead a lick, before glancing up the rise to where Sleetstar stood, watching them. He raised his voice to be able to yell up to her. "I suppose you're the leader then, yes? I hope you don't mind if I stay, I know my arrival is probably a little unexpected, but I promise I'm a great addition to the clan, and Rivermask and I will raise many effective little warriors for you." All eyes turned to Sleetstar.
"I get the feeling that I'll be very unpopular if I deny that request," she called back, but for the first time in many moons, there was actual laughter in her tone, "welcome to NorthernClan- Breakerhowl, was it?"
"That's the name," he purred, "and it is fantastic to be here."

-

Howlingeye wandered away from the main group of cats with a smile on his face. Rivermask and Breakerhowl seemed to be the clan's newest attraction. Most of the cats had never seen the coast, and tales from their old clan kept spirits high. The novelty was wearing off for Howlingeye, and the cold was starting to seep in, and so he made his way up the cliff toward Poppywish's den. He found his partner sorting through herbs at the back of an empty den.
"In need of some company?" Poppywish turned to smile at him in that way he had that indicated amusement, with a sharp, mischievous glint in his eye.
"Actually, you're distracting me, but you're a very handsome distraction so I can't say that I mind all that much." Howlingeye chuckled a little, allowing Poppywish to press his nose to his cheek, before the pair of them wandered back toward the off-shoot of the cavern where Poppywish kept his nest. It was warmer here, tucked far back in the cave with little ventilation, like most of the crevices where Poppywish had built sick-nests.
"How've things been?" Howlingeye asked, as he always did. Poppywish shrugged, settling next to him and leaning against his shoulder.
"About the same as they typically are. I've been trying to keep on top of my skills, although so far it looks as if we'll be lucky. No greencough epidemics this winter and all." Poppywish stretched out, humming contentedly as Howlingeye groomed him behind his ears. "Bearears seems better, though. She's more alert, and less quiet for most of the day. She sleeps in late, but when she wakes up she actually talks to me, and Magpiefeather doesn't have to ramble at her so often anymore. Whisperwind is up and about all the time as well, which is good. I'm hoping that means he's getting better with regards to seeing Bearears injured. I know he still blames himself for it, in some twisted way."
"If it's anyone's fault, it's mine."
"You know that's not true," Poppywish said gently, and Howlingeye sighed, with a resigned nod. Poppywish watched him for a moment as he settled back into the nest. Howlingeye wasn't the biggest cat, not tall or particularly bulky unlike Thunderjaw or Brackenstrike, but he was regal and his muscles coiled under his fur like steel snakes that Poppywish could feel whenever he shifted next to him. He was a beautiful cat too, with his brown fur and striking blue eyes; eyes that seemed so far away now, always intense, but haunted.
"I love you," he said it quietly, before he could stop himself. But it didn't matter. It had been said. Howlingeye stiffened.
"What?"
"I said I love you. You must know that by now." Howlingeye's beautiful, pained eyes closed, as he gritted his teeth.
"Poppywish."
"I know you think of yourself as some kind of a monster, but Howlingeye-"
"I am a monster, Poppywish. You don't understand the things I've done, and the things I've seen. For how much I love you, I can't willingly let you throw your life away and waste it on me. I'm damaged goods, don't you understand? I'm never going to be what you need, or what you deserve." Howlingeye launched himself from Poppywish's nest, shaking his head. The ginger tom stood, trying to follow him.
"Howlingeye, wait, please, we can work this ou-"
"No. No, we can't." The tom took a deep breath, and Poppywish realized he was shaking. "I love you so much. So much it hurts, and it tears me apart every time I look at you. But I do love you, and that's why I can't hurt you by letting you get any closer to me. I'm just a timebomb, a disaster waiting to happen. There are things about me you can't fix, but you're good enough to try, and I won't hurt you like that. I won't do that to you. So this has to stop. We can't see each other anymore."
"Howlingeye-" Poppywish's voice cracked as he stepped toward him, but the other shrank back as if he'd been struck.
"Goodbye, Poppywish." And without another word, he turned and slipped from the medicine den, leaving Poppywish feeling as if he'd been shattered into a million pieces in his wake.

-

"Another straggler?" Sleetstar frowned at Midnightblaze as Howlingeye stepped up beside him, a brilliant ginger tom standing at his side. The rest of the hunting party dispersed around them, leaving the two toms with the stranger standing faced off against their leader. "There've been so many in past moons."
"A lot of loners and rogues are probably seeking shelter," Howlingeye suggested, "the Leafbare is going to be harsh. I suppose there's a few housecats whose two-legs have passed on or forgotten about them as well. Hopefully, the appearances die down by Newleaf, but I think we're probably best to accept these new arrivals, no?" Sleetstar gave him a look. Howlingeye turned to Midnightblaze, who shrugged a little. It had become clear in the moons since the attack on the camp that Sleetstar seemed to have a higher opinion of Howlingeye.
"In the event that we... come into conflict with the rogue group again," Howlingeye continued, watching the brief flash of fear that crossed Sleetstar's eyes, before her steely gaze returned, "it's likely better that we bolster our numbers. One would expect a clan to be weakened in Leafbare anyway, and it's not as if NorthernClan boasts any great numbers. Wasp here says that he's an adept fighter. It's not as if he'd be a terrible addition." The tom perked up at the mention of his name.
"I swear, I'll pull my weight." Sleetstar regarded him with a cautious eye, before flicking her gaze between her two warriors. After a moment, she blew out a tired sigh, and gave a sharp nod.
"Okay. He's welcome to stay. I'll hold a warrior ceremony at sunset to give him a proper name. Midnightblaze," the black and white tom perked up, as Sleetstar turned, flicking her tail at him, "walk with me. I need to talk to you about den reinforcements and expansions, if we're going to be taking on more bodies." Midnightblaze gave Howlingeye a look, before he nodded, and bounded after the leader, leaving Howlingeye standing with the newest recruit.
"Does she always make you feel like you desperately need to pee?" Howlingeye chuckled.
"You get used to it, or maybe I did. But don't worry, I'm sure there are plenty of cats still scared of Sleetstar. You won't feel left out." Wasp gave him a grateful smile, before his gaze landed on something over Howlingeye's shoulder. He turned to see Birchfang and Koishimmer approaching, curious looks on their faces. "Before you two ask, this is Wasp, he's going to be joining the clan. Wasp, these are two of our younger warriors, Koishimmer and Birchfang."
"Hi," said Koishimmer bluntly, while Birchfang just stared. Howlingeye's gaze darkened suddenly, before he turned back to them with a smile that was just a little too tight to seem genuine.
"I trust you two can take care of him for a bit. I need to talk to Brackenstrike about something." The three turned to watch Howlingeye as he hurried past Poppywish, who turned as if to follow him with a miserable look on his face, before he shook his head and continued wandering across the camp toward Whisperwind and Magpiefeather, while Howlingeye pulled up short in front of Brackenstrike and her mate. Wasp blinked at the other warriors.
"What was that about?"
"Who cares. He has some drama going on with the medicine cat, I guess." Koishimmer grunted as Birchfang nudged her shoulder, sharply.
"Don't mind her, she's just cranky because Howlingeye is just friends with her dad, and they haven't quite worked out their issues yet. He's cool though, definitely the kind of cat you want ins with if you're staying. He did stay you were staying, right?" Wasp smiled, and nodded. Birchfang breathed out a massive sigh of relief. "Okay, cool, I'm glad that I didn't like, totally make that up. It'll be nice to have someone young around who isn't Koishimmer."
"There's Viridianfire too," Koishimmer reminded him, but Birchfang simply shrugged.
"Viridianfire's been around for way longer than us, though, so she's kind of regarded like a senior warrior and we never get to hang out with her because she's too busy patrolling with Thunderjaw and Hollyfeather and stuff. Not like us lowly junior warriors, stuck on hunting patrol." Koishimmer rolled her eyes. "Besides. She seems only interested in talking to you." She shouldered her friend, making him giggle as Wasp bit back a smile.
"I think I'm gonna like it here," he said, with a warm smile at the pair of them, "you seem like my kind of cats."
"Cool. Great. Excellent." Birchfang said, nodding enthusiastically. Koishimmer let out a sigh, watching as Wasp cast a shy gaze at the ground, elated smile crossing his maw. Something told her that this was going to be the start of a very, very long problem.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"Leafbare still sucks," Viridianfire groused, shaking out her fur to get rid of snow that had fallen from a pine bough and onto her head. Beneath her, Thunderjaw bit back a laugh, watching as his apprentice continued along the length of the fallen tree, eyes sharp with concentration. Admittedly, Thunderjaw wasn't sure why Sleetstar sent such small patrols for the border, especially with Viridianfire. In his mind, it made more sense to send a cat like Brackenstrike with him, or even Summitsky, who wasn't quite as big as Brackenstrike or himself, but who wouldn't struggle through the snow like Viridianfire did.
"We don't have far to go now," Thunderjaw assured her, "just this last stretch of the south border, and things will get easier once we get to the east. We can walk along the very edge of the Thunderpath if we need to, since the two-legs will have cleared it and it'll keep us out of the snow." Viridianfire wrinkled her nose, but Thunderjaw could tell the idea was appealing, even if it did impose its own inherent danger.
"Look who's ba-" the pair of them whipped around to find Varvara, staring at Viridianfire in shock, "oh... well. You're new." The molly hissed, hackles raising as her claws unsheathed. The brown she-cat didn't seem fazed, turning her gaze to Thunderjaw, who stared at her with an expressionless look. "What? You don't have anything to say to me after all this time? I thought we were friends."
"No, you didn't. You liked catching me around because you could pretend you weren't afraid of how viciously your life is spinning out of control," Varvara startled, and Viridianfire shot her mentor a look.
"What are you talking about?"
"Before the attack, when it was just Minkfur and I, we would split up, and Varvara would find me on the borders and taunt me about Sleetstar, because she wanted some tangential importance to her. Brackenstrike left the rogues to follow Sleetstar, but Varvara here won't because she wanted the power, but after the attack, it's clear that you're not even remotely as close to being in control as you thought you were, and now you're starting to see that everything you've worked for and everything you've done- all of it seems to be for nothing because, at the end of the day, that tom doesn't respect you or your opinions. You're thinking of all you've lost, and so you've been waiting for me to show up so I can take you away from that again, be your reprieve where you pretend that things are still going the way that you wanted them to, where you are still involved in Sleetstar's life."
"You are wrong," Varvara hissed, her ears flattening, even as her eyes skipped away from him, uncomfortable, "and her name is Sloane."
"Not anymore it's not. You're holding on to tendrils of the past that you severed yourself. She has moved on, but you've confined yourself to a cage of your own making. Your inability to move forward is a trap of your own design, and neither I nor Sleetstar have to play into your escapist fantasies."
"You've no clue what you're talking about. You don't know anything about me, or what I've done, and you don't know anything about Slo- Sleetstar either. You think you're best friends, just because she chose to tell you some sob-story secrets, but I guarantee you she hasn't even scratched the surface. There is blood on her paws, and you know it. I know it too, because I know her, and you're a fool if you think she won't cast you aside when she's done with you, just like she did to me."
"We are not alike, Varvara," Viridanfire leaped down to stand at her mentor's side, eyes curious, "stop coming here. Go home. There is nothing left for you here, least of all whatever absolution you're hoping to gain from Sleetstar. You cast her out, and then you came to her and you attacked her new family, her future. That blood is on your paws, Varvara, and you know it as well as I do." Thunderjaw's eyes met hers, hard against the swimming anguish in her gaze. After a tense moment, she sniffed, and turned away, bounding back toward the two-leg village, disappearing into the trees. Viridianfire followed her with her gaze.
"Should we go after her?"
"No," Thunderjaw said, "we shouldn't deal with her at all. Whatever she wants isn't something we can give, and whatever her and Sleetstar have between them isn't something any of us can fix."

-

"You must be glad to get out of here soon," Minkfur said, watching as Butterflykit tackled Brewingkit, prompting a yowl while her brother nimbly plucked the moss ball away from them. Twilightflower rolled her eyes in amusement, as Rivermask groaned and rolled onto her back to drape her paws over her eyes.
"I'm not like you, Minkfur," Twilightflower said, "don't get me wrong, I like being able on patrol and around other cats and all that, but I'm not so impatient that I'm thinking about getting right back to work as soon as I get here. In truth, I'm a little worried. The only warrior I really know is Sunnynose, and even though I've been here for about six or so moons now, I've never really had a chance to see how I work with the other cats. I've mostly been here, looking after kits." Minkfur shuddered.
"You could try to look less repulsed by that concept, Minkfur," Rivermask teased, making the molly roll her eyes and swat moss at her friend. "Darling, you're going to be fine. You're so sweet, you'll make friends in no time." Twilightflower gave Rivermask a grateful smile, scooping up one of her kits with a well-aimed paw and making her squeal in delight as she nuzzled into her belly, before letting her jump off and race after her brothers again.
"Thanks... I just feel like I'm a little younger than most of the warriors here, but at the same time I'm too old to really fit in with the younger warriors, if you know what I mean?"
"I get it," Minkfur said, "when I first came here, I worried about fitting in too, but I doubt age will be a problem. Besides, you're about the same age as Hollyfeather, and Howlingeye isn't much older than you either. Then there's Birchfang and Bearears, who are also not that much younger than you. It feels daunting trying to fit into a new hierarchy, for sure, but you've already got a friend in Sunnynose, and I doubt that he'd let you go lonely. And besides, I'll be out of the nursery soon enough."
"Oh, she'll be out with bells on, streaking out of here first chance she gets," Rivermask laughed, "and sweetpea, you tell me if Breakerhowl doesn't look out for you, and I'll give him the thrashing of his life. He should know by now that any friend of mine is a friend of his, and thus I simply won't stand for him not acting as if he's known you all his life." Twilightflower laughed a little bit, shaking his head.
"I doubt there's anything you and Breakerhowl aren't on the same page about," Twilightflower said, "Minkfur and Thunderjaw are like that too. When I see you all together, I wonder how it is that you all manage to be so much on the same wavelength, all the time. It seems that there's nothing you disagree on."
"Thunderjaw and I exhausted our arguments on those patrols we took, but don't worry, I'm concocting new ones. He's a great debater." Rivermask rolled her eyes a little with another laugh.
"Of course you would think arguing is fun."
"It's not serious arguments, but... I don't know. I like testing him, and he likes testing me. It keeps us both sharp, to think about these things and then try to form a stance on them, especially on the fly. I don't think I'd love him so much if he didn't challenge me to re-evaluate the way I approach some things. That's what a partner should be, right? Someone who pushes you to be better, in whatever way, shape or form that takes? That's what Thunderjaw is for me. Someone who never lets me be complacent, but someone who makes me feel like I'm good enough all at the same time."
"That's so sweet," Twilightflower sighed, watching her kits dart around excitedly, "I missed the mark the first time, but I hope that one day I find someone like that."
"You will," Rivermask said, "call me an optimist or an idealist or whatever you like, but I enjoy the notion of there being someone out there for everyone. Even if it takes you a while to find them, I have faith that you will find them eventually."

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` servings consumed
6/6 - x1 small fish, x1 hare
` clan events
emberpaw and flamepaw learn to battle
poppywish practices medicine
bearears has started to cough
sleetstar wants to upgrade the warrior den
sleetstar requests help to find sunnynose's mate, winderstrike
` patrols
hunting-
1 - sleetstar, hollyfeather, whisperwind, birchfang, koishimmer, waspshine
2 - hawkeyes, splitface, frostclaw, midnightblaze, howlingeye, breakerhowl
border-
3 - thunderjaw, viridianfire
den supplies-
4 - brackenstrike, fallowstep, emberpaw, flamepaw

My gallery · by **solyn** » Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:17 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 36 cats [ 17 fem : 19 male ]
servings required: 07 [41] - pebbles: 20

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 9th june
moons since last nonsense: 0

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

"I preferred it when it was snowing," Sunnynose grumbled, prompting a chuckle from Brackenstrike as she padded ahead of him. The small patrol had been sent out to keep prey stocked up in between NorthernClan's intermittent blizzards, but the sun had decided to start shining down, turning the snow to virtual slush underneath the paws of the cats. Further ahead of them, Howlingeye bounded athletically through it, Koishimmer nimbly weaving through the snow after him. Sunnynose, on the other hand, was sticking close to Brackenstrike's shadow, allowing the large maine coon to clear the way for him.
"Leafbare will be over before you know it, Sunnynose," Brackenstrike said simply, pushing aside some more snow with her powerful chest as she plowed through the drift, "just be thankful that it's been so mild. I was worried for the kits, it's often hard for them to survive the cold months in these parts, but they look to be thriving, especially Emberpaw and Flamepaw." Sunnynose purred at the mention of his kits.
"I should thank you, you know? Flamepaw is forever going on and on about you, he's just so excited to have you as a mentor. It seems like you've been good to him." Brackenstrike chuckled a little, with an idle flick of her ears.
"You don't have to thank me for that. Flamepaw is great to have as an apprentice. He's enthusiastic and attentive and that's about all you can ask for as a mentor, I suppose. Not that I'd know, we don't exactly have any system like this in the Merchants," she blew out a sigh, "there, it's kind of every cat for themselves. The process of growing up is just the process of shadowing, the younger cats get sent out with the older ones, but there's no... one mentor who actually teaches them things. You're meant to figure it out for yourself."
"Well, I think you've done a splendid job," Sunnynose said, and Brackenstrike gave him a pleased smile, opening her mouth to reply when a shout from Koishimmer dragged their attention back to the front of the patrol. The calico molly was facing off against a strangle black and white cat, her fur bristled. Howlingeye was steadily back-tracking towards them, a determined look in his eyes. Brackenstrike and Sunnynose exchanged a glance, before they bounded forward.
"This is NorthernClan territory, and you're poaching," Koishimmer was saying to the stranger, ears flattened against her head. The cat blinked, and carefully laid down the ermine they had managed to catch. Brackenstrike brushed up alongside the younger warrior's shoulder, as Howlingeye circled around to stand behind them with Sunnynose. The ginger quirked an ear at the other tom, who shook his head. Sunnynose nodded, tension releasing from his shoulders. If Howlingeye said the cat didn't seem dangerous, then everything would be alright.
"I'm sorry," the tom said, and Sunnynose froze, breath catching in his throat, "I didn't realize."
"Sunnynose?" Howlingeye said, quietly, but Sunnynose wasn't listening. Without thinking too much about it, he shouldered through Brackenstrike and Koishimmer, skidding to a stop nose-to-nose with the strange tom. Only, he wasn't much as a stranger, as his nose brushed Winderstrike's, a smile burst across his maw and he let out a deep, happy purr.
"What is going on?" Koishimmer grumped, clamping her jaws shut in irritation as Howlingeye nudged her shoulder with a knowing smile. Winderstrike's eyes were wide as he took in the cat standing in front of him, familiar pelt flecked with old snow and tail raised high above his back. Finally, a broad smile stretched across his face as his own tail lifted, and he let out a cheerful, whooping laugh, pressing his forehead against Sunnynose's and eliciting a loud purr.
"Sunnynose!"
"It took you long enough, you silly old thing," his mate laughed, twining around him happily as they pressed together, re-familiarizing each other with their scent. "You almost missed our kits being apprentices. Emberpaw would have been beside herself, you know." Winderstrike let out a choked laugh, burying his face in the top of Sunnynose's head.
"Are they apprentices already? I can't believe I've been this long without you." Sunnynose turned his face up to smile at Winderstrike, adoration glittering in his eyes.
"I always knew you'd come back to me." Winderstrike's eyes softened, as he pressed their noses together.
"Of course, my love. We did say forever and always."
"Wait, this is Winderstrike?" The pair of them turned to Koishimmer, who was regarding the black and white tom with suspicion. Howlingeye stood at her shoulder, eyes warm, and even Brackenstrike looked pleased to see the two reunited. Sunnynose beamed at the three of them, nodding.
"This is Winderstrike, my mate. Sweetie, these are my friends from my new clan, NorthernClan. This is Brackenstrike, she's mentoring Flamepaw and doing a wonderful job of it. This tom is Howlingeye, brave and funny, and he saved my life once, so you owe him big. And this young lady is Koishimmer- I've not had the opportunity to get to know her extremely well yet, but as you can tell, she's fearless, and I feel safer knowing she's looking out for the clan." Koishimmer ducked her head, bashfully.
"It's nice to meet all of you," Winderstrike said with a smile, his tail wrapping around Sunnynose's as they stood shoulder to shoulder, "Koishimmer, I wish I'd made a better first impression, but you don't perhaps think I could trade you this ermine to stay with my mate and see my kits? Does that seem like a fair deal?" The calico molly laughed a little, shaking her head at the joke.
"I wouldn't dream of making you pay some price to stay with your family," she said, "but I am going to take the ermine anyway, because I can."
"Fair enough," Winderstrike said as his mate laughed, leaning against his shoulder, "I guess I've got to play nice if I want to make friends in this clan, huh?"
"You make Sunnynose happy," Howlingeye said, smiling at the pair of them, "that'll curry you favour enough."

-

The clan gathered around Sunnynose and Winderstrike, their kits twining between them as their father exclaimed over how big they'd gotten, trying to answer the questions fired at them from all sides by the likes of Hawkeyes, Fallowstep, Twilightflower and Hollyfeather. Even Koishimmer seemed interested in the tales of their travels, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Birchfang, who in turn was settled next to Waspshine. Howlingeye let his tail drape over his paws, ignoring the burning sensation from Poppywish's eyes on him across camp.
Across the way, he could feel another set of eyes, and when he looked up, he found Summitsky watching him, but the other tom quickly turned his gaze away. Howlingeye gave him a curious glance, before his eyes skimmed across the crowd of cats again. Midnightblaze excused himself from the circle with a tight smile, before he turned and scampered toward one of the crevices at the back of the camp, slipping into it and vanishing from view. Howlingeye frowned, pushing to his paws to follow after him. A few steps later, he felt a pelt brush against his, and he looked across to see Summitsky jumping at their proximity.
"I didn't know you two were such good friends," Howlingeye said. Summitsky shrugged.
"He's been helping me through a lot." He said. Howlingeye hummed, and then started forward toward the crevice again. Summitsky glanced around the camp to see if anyone else was listening in, before he took a few quick steps forward to block the other tom. Howlingeye looked startled, and then he gave Summitsky a disgruntled glare. The big tom took a deep breath. "Hey... look. One of the things Midnightblaze has been talking to me about is where I stand with other cats in this clan. I feel alone a lot of the time, and he made me realize that I've been guilty of pushing away some cats who were just trying to look out for me, like you were. I know you didn't want to be right, but these past few moons with Sleetstar and everything that's happened... you were right, and you know it. And so I want to say I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I should have apologized a long time ago, and that's on me. There's no excuse for the way I acted or the things I assumed about you, and I hope you can forgive me, one day." Howlingeye blinked at him, before he gave him a fond smile and nudged his shoulder.
"Of course, idiot. I got over that a long time ago but... it's still nice to hear I'm appreciated. Friends?" Summitsky smiled, with an enthusiastic nod.
"Friends."
"Excellent. Now come on, we should see what's up with Midnightblaze." The pair of them slipped into the crevice together, making sure that no one witnessed their vanishing from the camp. Almost immediately, it was easy to hear the wracked breathing of their friend, echoing around the cavern walls. Howlingeye followed the sound with Summitsky close behind him, until they rounded a corner and found Midnightblaze tucked back against the wall, shaking violently.
"Midnightblaze?" Summitsky asked, gently. "What's going on?" Midnightblaze shook his head weakly as Howlingeye moved forward, and settled at his flank, pressing in close to him. After a hesitant beat, Summitsky did the same on the other side of him, able to feel every visceral shudder of the other tom between them. For a moment, the three sat in silence, letting Midnightblaze sag between them. Finally, Howlingeye spoke.
"It's okay if you're not ready to talk to us yet," he said, "but we know you're upset about something, and we're here for you, whatever it is. You're our friend, and we stand with you, so whatever burden you're carrying, we'll gladly shoulder it with you." Midnightblaze sniffled a little, casting his friends grateful looks.
"I can't believe you stopped grouching at each other for long enough to come look for me," he said, voice still shaky, but teasing. Summitsky ducked his head, clearly still embarrassed, but Howlingeye simply purred.
"Oh, you're a pretty good cause to unite for," he said.
"The best." Summitsky agreed, with a warm smile. Midnightblaze returned it, eyes still watery, before he flicked a glance at Howlingeye, taking him in. Finally, he took a deep, shuddering breath.
"It's going to sound stupid," he started, his ears flattening, "and self-absorbed and so many other terrible things but... these past few moons, with all of these reunions with mates and family members, and Koishimmer showing up... it's been getting to me. You both know why I'm here and what Northstar has on me, and every time a new cat that someone's been missing shows up, I can't help but panic a little, you know? What if Koishimmer was a sign, and Northstar is unhappy with me, and she's planning on sending... sending him next. If he finds me, I can't- I don't-" Midnightblaze shook his head, curling in on himself.
"That's not going to happen," Howlingeye said, gently, but resolutely, "I won't let it. And if, on the odd chance Northstar does decide to pull such a horrible move..." he unsheathed his claws, wiggling them in the dim light. Midnightblaze choked out a laugh as Summitsky sputtered.
"Howlingeye!"
"What? The ground is very icy. I could slip." Midnightblaze laughed again, as Summitsky shook his head, bewildered but clearly amused.
"I think this is the first time since joining this clan that I have been genuinely afraid of you," he cast Midnightblaze a smile, "but without all the murderous implications of Howlingeye's promise... we back you. Both of us. If it comes down to it, we'll personally see to it that he doesn't come near you. You're our friend, and keeping you safe is our top priority. Anyone who's hurt you doesn't have a place in this clan."
"Agreed," Howlingeye said, "whatever happens, just know that we're here for you, and we're not going to let you face any danger on your own. We'll be there, left and right shoulders, to weather the storm with you."
"I do know that," Midnightblaze's smile was warmer now, more steady, "I love you guys. Do you know that?"
"Now we do," Summitsky said with a smile, "but I think I speak for both of us when I say we love you too."
"Oh, thank the Stars you said it, because I'm terrible at saying it back." As Howlingeye cracked a cheeky grin, Midnightblaze and Summitsky burst into laughter, filling their cavern with chuckles, and evaporating the last of the tension into the night.

-

Thunderjaw winced as the wind howled around them, crouching low and digging his teeth into the scruff of Viridianfire's neck to keep the smaller she-cat grounded. His former apprentice curled into his side, gritting her own teeth against the windy onslaught, leaning heavily into the bigger cat in order to stay grounded. Slowly, step by step, the pair of them dragged themselves up a rise, looking around for anywhere they could take shelter.
"There!" Viridianfire had to shout over the howling of the wind. Thunderjaw squinted into the whiteness around them, barely able to make out the hollow tree trunk that Viridianfire was pointing to. With the wind whipping snow around him, it was hard to catch the scent of anything, but if the den belonged to a fox or otherwise unhappy creature that wouldn't be too pleased to share with a pair of cats, he supposed that was a bridge they would have to cross when they reached it. One paw at a time, they dragged themselves closer to shelter, Thunderjaw doing his best to brace against the howling gale, even as his muscles ached with the effort. Viridianfire slipped in first, and Thunderjaw soon after her, feeling a sudden chill under his wind-bitten hide.
Three shocked faces stared back at them. Two short-tailed cats lay twined together, the calico back to back with a larger she-cat, tail wrapped protectively around her belly. The tom flattened his ears, baring his teeth at Viridianfire, who backed up into her mentor's chest. Thunderjaw stood staunch, drawing himself up to his full height. The tom immediately quietened down, gazing up at him in shock. For a long moment, neither group spoke. Then, finally, the ginger opened his mouth.
"By the Stars, what are you, half dog?" Viridianfire choked out a laugh as the calico molly gasped and smacked the ginger, and the larger she-cat ducked her head in amusement. Thunderjaw rumbled a purr.
"Something like that," he said, "I do feel that I have to ask... you are aware you're on clan territory, correct?" The tom glanced away, seeming guilty, as the calico nestled close to him shrank closer. The larger she-cat simply gave Thunderjaw a warm smile, unfussed by his presence. Viridianfire inched away from the entrance, finding a place to settle down, leaving her mentor to block the entryway with his bulk.
"We're aware," she said, "we were just trying to pass through, but... well. The storm took us by surprise. If we'd had more warning, we would have stayed outside the boundary, at least until it passed." After a pause, she added: "I'm Sorrelsong, this is Bramblingpaw and Ausmaspaw."
"Those are clan names," Viridianfire mewed, and Sorrelsong chuckled a little, "I mean, obvious statement, I know. I'm Viridianfire, and this is Thunderjaw. We're warriors of NorthernClan... but what are you all doing out here? As far as I know there aren't many other clans about." The apprentices exchanged a look as Sorrelsong continued on her amicable conversation with Viridianfire. Thunderjaw settled on the opposite side to his apprentice, shielded from the wind, tail swept around his body to keep him even warmer.
"There aren't," the she-cat said, "Bramblingpaw and Ausmaspaw are from a clan to the south, PineClan, but their family doesn't have many strong ties there, and they've chosen to move on and find their own way. As for me..." she winced a little, tail brushing protectively over her stomach. "I made some... decisions that my clan didn't agree with, and unfortunately I put my trust in someone I shouldn't have, so here I am. These two were kind enough to let me tag along. We're not really sure where we're going... but we're going somewhere."
"There's not much beyond here," Thunderjaw said, "sometimes I think NorthernClan is the top of the world, and beyond it is simply the end. Besides... you don't think it's dangerous to kit without help?" Sorrelsong shrugged, but he didn't miss the glint of worry that crossed her features.
"Well, it's not as if I have much choice anymore," she said, "I suppose I'll have to change with the breeze and simply accept whatever comes my way."
"Not necessarily," said Viridianfire, "NorthernClan isn't stranger to lone queens. In the past few moons we've had Sunnynose, Twilightflower and Rivermask. We'd be more than happy to shelter you, if you'd like to join the clan. Personally, I can't see Sleetstar turning anyone away." Thunderjaw nodded, as Sorrelsong looked to him for confirmation.
"These days, Sleetstar's a wee bit touchy about new arrivals, but even if she grouses and complains, I think deep down she couldn't morally abide by letting a cat suffer on their own out here." Although he wouldn't say it in front of Viridianfire, he supposed that Sleetstar would probably empathize heavily with Sorrelsong's situation. Both mollies had been cast out of their clans, away from their families, and had had their trust betrayed by cats they cared about. His gaze slipped to Bramblingpaw and Ausmaspaw. "And you two?" The pair shot a glance at each other.
"I don't know," Ausmaspaw said, after a while, "I'm not really sure what either of us want, but... I'm fond of Sorrelsong, and maybe PineClan wasn't the right place for us to stay, but... if she'd like to stay here, then I want to stay with her. Besides, I don't know about Bramblingpaw, but being stuck with an apprentice's suffix for the rest of my life isn't exactly a reality I want to face." Thunderjaw chuckled a little, and Viridianfire ducked her head to hide a giggle. Bramblingpaw gave his sister a fond smile, touching his nose to her ear.
"Alright then," Thunderjaw said, "when the storm settles, you can come with us to meet Sleetstar, and the rest of the camp." Sorrelsong met his eyes, gaze warm and thankful.
"I'd like that."

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"How do you think this is going to go?" Sunnynose murmured to Twilightflower, as the pair of them waited around Highrock. Winderstrike sat to the other side of his mate, shielding him from the cold weather with his own fluffy pelt. Their kits were sitting with their mentors, Flamepaw chatting animatedly to Brackenstrike while Emberpaw and Fallowstep were having a more subdued conversation, Hawkeyes watching his mate with a fond smile. Twilightflower, on the other hand, was stony-faced, Wolfkit and Butterflykit at her paws.
"Not well." She said, and Wolfkit looked up, watching Twilightflower.
"Maybe Mother and Father will stop fighting so often once we're apprentices," he said, and Sunnynose and Twilightflower both fell silent. At that moment, Sleetstar appeared from her den, stalking down the cliff-face with purpose. Summitsky was hot on her heels, face furious as the pair of them made their way across to the rock. Sleetstar leaped onto it, and Summitsky settled next to Twilightflower, face softening as he leaned down to touch noses with his kits.
"Today, NorthernClan welcomes two new apprentices to our ranks. Apprentices are the future of this clan, and I ask StarClan to watch over them as they begin their journey to warrior-hood," Sleetstar began, and the clan straightened to attention, "Wolfkit and Butterflykit, from this day on until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Wolfpaw and Butterflypaw respectively. Wolfpaw, your mentor will be Thunderjaw. He is this clan's best warrior-" a murmur swept through the crowd, cats sneaking glances at a stoic looking Thunderjaw next to a frowning Minkfur, "-and he will train you to be the strongest warrior you can be."
Cheers went up for the new apprentice as he left Summitsky's side to greet Thunderjaw, tentatively stretching up to touch noses with the big tom. Minkfur gave him a kind smile, and he seemed to relax. He settled at her paws, watching his own. He did not catch the anger in his father's gaze as his mother continued with her speech.
"Butterflypaw, your mentor will be Summitsky." Again, murmurs crept through the gathered cats. "As your father, he will nurture you into the best warrior you can be. Congratulations." Again, cheers went up for the new apprentice as she touched noses with her dad, but they were weak. The tension between Summitsky and Sleetstar was palpable, and it came as no surprise to anyone that as soon as the clan began to disperse, Summitsky got up from his spot and stalked back toward his mate. She met him with her chin raised haughtily.
"I can't believe you," he said, keeping his voice quiet despite the fact that he was clearly seething, "you couldn't have been any kinder to them?"
"It's an apprentice ceremony, Summitsky," she snapped, "I shouldn't be showing preferential treatment for my own kits. It's not fair to the rest of the clan."
"And it's not fair to them, either, not any of this. I don't know what your issue is, Sleetstar, but you haven't been a mother to them this entire time. You're never around, and on the rare occasion you are, you're distant. I tried to tell you that you chose the wrong cats for mentors, but you won't listen to me, and that shows just how little you know about them. Or maybe you did it just to spite me-" Sleetstar looked away, angrily- "but at any rate, you know Thunderjaw and I aren't the right cats to mentor them. Wolfpaw already feels too much pressure and you just lumped more on him. He needs someone patient and kind like Sunnynose, and Butterflypaw needs someone who is going to break her out of her shell, like Breakerhowl. You don't care about any of that, though. You only care that everyone on your side looks after your kits, right?"
"Oh, are you on my side, Summitsky?" Her ears flattened. "Right now, it doesn't seem like you are."
"Don't turn this on me," he shook his head, "you talk about playing fair, but it's clear you're playing favourites. It doesn't make any sense to have Thunderjaw and I mentoring right now-"
"You're both senior warriors and-"
"And I just finished training an apprentice. Thunderjaw is about the only cat on active duty who can still move about the territory without being hindered by the snow. He's the only one not phased by seeing Varvara around and, bar Howlingeye, probably the only one that could deal with an ambush patrol by rogues, but you won't put Howlingeye on border patrols because you're still too afraid of him and you don't know whether or not you can control him."
"That's not true." Sleetstar hissed, taking a step closer. Summitsky held her gaze, and she was shocked to find there were tears in his eyes.
"Isn't it?" He asked. "Then what is it, Sleetstar. Why are you acting like this?"
"I didn't want them." Summitsky stopped, stunned into silence. Sleetstar glared at him. Without another word, she turned and stalked toward the entrance of the camp, shouldering Howlingeye to the side as she went. The tom looked bewildered, casting a glance between her and a stricken looking Summitsky. His eyes softened, and he wandered closer, pressing his nose to his cheek. Summitsky gave him a small smile, and without another word, Howlingeye brushed past him, leaving him to his thoughts in the middle of a lonely campground.

-

Poppywish looked up from his assortment of herbs at the sound of paws scuffing along the den floor. At one point in time, he would have lifted his nose to try and catch a familiar scent over the aroma of the herbs clouding the den. The ache hadn't subsided, but he knew the scent wouldn't be the one he wished. Instead, he turned, smiling politely at Whisperwind, where the white tom stood on the opposite end of the den to him, glancing nervously at a shivering Bearears.
"How is she?" he asked, his voice quiet, as if he were afraid of the answer. Poppywish sighed, tail flicking uneasily.
"It's greencough, no doubt about it. Magpiefeather is up here so often that I think she may have caught it. I was just on my way down to check on her now." Whisperwind stared at him, shocked into silence. His gaze flicked between Bearears and Poppywish, horror crossing his features, before his expression broke and he collapsed, curling in on himself with a sharp breath, like he was trying not to wail. Poppywish rushed to his side, trying to nudge him back to his feet, but he refused to go.
"This is all my fault," he whispered, shaking violently, "this is all my fault. And now she's going to die."
"She's not going to die, Whisperwind," Poppywish said gently, trying to nudge him back to his paws again, "and what are you talking about? It's no one's fault that Bearears has a cough, it's Leafbare after all, and it's been harsh." Whisperwind shook his head, curling tighter into a ball as his shaking worsened. Poppywish cast a nervous glance at Bearears, who was still fast asleep under a blanket he'd managed to make by using tree sap to stick oak leaves together with moss wedged between them for extra insulation.
"You don't understand," Whisperwind whimpered, "it's my fault. I did this." Poppywish looked around again, before he grabbed Whisperwind by the scruff, dragging him deeper into the den. Instinctively, the tom stumbled to his paws, leaning heavily on Poppywish as the medicine cat guided him to a spare sick-nest far in the back of the den and away from prying eyes. He settled Whisperwind into it, and wandered back to the medicine store. He returned with another of his blankets, pulling it over Whisperwind as he shook. Again, he disappeared, and reappeared carrying a fragrant poultice of chamomile and honey smeared onto a rock, which he settled near Whisperwind's head.
"Okay," he said gently, "I don't know what's going on, but I think you need to talk about it. So let's take some deep breaths together, and then you can tell me from the start what has you so rattled. Ready? Three... two... one." He sucked in a deep breath, and Whisperwind did the same. After a few clunky breaths, the white tom settled into breathing in tandem with him. Poppywish kept it up until the shaking had subsided, and Whisperwind looked less wrecked, if not still vastly upset.
"It's my fault," he said again, but his voice didn't shake with anguish, "I..." he paused, and looked away. "Promise me you won't be mad." Poppywish's fur prickled, and he narrowed his eyes for a second, before he forced himself to open his expression again, with a kind smile.
"Of course. I promise." Whisperwind took a deep breath.
"I've been sneaking Bearears out of the medicine den," Poppywish barely retained the urge to screech, "so that we can work together on getting her used to warrior duties without her sight. We've been sparring a lot out at the plateau by the limestone cliffs."
"Whisperwind-"
"I know," said the tom, miserably, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it. I didn't think she'd be so exhausted from it that she'd be at risk, but that's still no excuse. I know it was irresponsible, I just... she's special to me, okay? Sometimes it feels like she's the last tie I have to my sister, because she's the only other cat who really got to know her, and she lost just as much as I did on that day. I just wanted everyone to stop treating her like she can't be fixed. I just wanted them to see that she was strong, and I wanted her to see it too, and now-" he started to shake again- "and now she's going to die, and it's my fault." Poppywish's expression softened, and he let out a gentle sigh, leaning forward to lick Whisperwind between his ears.
"She's not going to die, Whisperwind. I promise you."
"You can't promise that," he said, voice cracking.
"I can," Poppywish insisted, "look at me. I'm the medicine cat. I'm sorry that I couldn't save Galepaw. I wish I could have, but I'm prepared for this. Bearears is going to be fine- Magpiefeather too, okay? I'm going to keep an eye on their coughs and they're going to get treated, and before you know it, you and Bearears will be back to training. But... for what it's worth? Talk to Midnightblaze about this. He might not be running the show on patrols right now, but he still has some pull, and I'm sure he'd be happy to leave you behind so that you and Bearears can work in daylight, in camp." Whisperwind ducked his head, taking a deep breath.
"How can you be so sure of things like that? These days I'm not sure about anything."
"You can't stop having faith, Whisperpaw," Poppywish said with a smile, "I know it's hard right now, but the most important thing is not losing hope. It can be hard to carry on, but... it's important to keep on hoping, and to keep pushing forward, because even if today isn't the greatest, maybe tomorrow will be, and if not tomorrow, the day after that. To hope is to live, and that's what Bearears needs right now. It's what you need right now. And... if you ever feel that you can't hope again, I'm here for you." Whisperwind gave him a watery smile.
"Thank you, Poppywish."
"It's not a problem. But promise me you'll stop sneaking Bearears out of the medicine den, or I am going to claw your ears off."

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

` servings consumed
7/7 - x7 voles
` clan events
emberpaw learns to hunt
flamepaw learns tracking
bearear's cough is starting to get worse. magpiefeather has also started to cough
minkfur is kitting! thunderjaw is the father, poppywish stays in camp to assist.
poppywish gives minkfur x1 burnet
rivermask is kitting! breakerhowl is the father. poppywish assists.
poppywish gives rivermask x1 raspberry leaves.
↪ genetics chart
` patrols
hunting-
1 - midnightblaze, hollyfeather, splitface, hawkeyes, whisperwind, bramblingpaw
2 - howlingeye, winderstrike, sunnynose, koishimmer, viridianfire, birchfang
border-
3 - sleetstar, frostclaw, ausmaspaw
den supplies-
4 - thunderjaw, summitsky, wolfpaw, butterflypaw, waspshine, breakerhowl
↪ moss priority

My gallery · by **solyn** » Wed Jun 12, 2019 8:21 pm

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 42 cats [ 21 fem : 21 male ]
servings required: 08 [48] - pebbles: 20

𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩

moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 9th june
moons since last nonsense: 1

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

The wind howled around Sleetstar insistently as she stormed through the territory. It reminded her for the first day she'd come to the territory: snowflakes battering her face as she squinted into the oncoming snow-storm, not bothering to pay attention to where her paws took her. Her head felt muddled and her chest felt hollow. She hadn't meant to say what she had to Summitsky, but the worst part was that she'd meant it. Wolfpaw and Butterflypaw were her kits by blood, but whenever she looked at them, she felt ill from the reminder of what they represented.
A particularly icy patch of ground caught her paw and she slipped, falling onto her shoulder into the snow. Hissing in pain, she struggled to drag herself upright, but she couldn't find any purchase. All around her, the falling snow turned the world white, features of the territory indistinguishable through the haze. Finally, Sleetstar collapsed with a sob, curling her face into the crook of her paw to shield it from the harsh wind, as she allowed herself to grieve for everything. For her life before, for Galepaw, for whatever it is she'd gotten herself into.
Teeth fastened in the scruff of her neck, and she jolted, thrashing as a familiar scent reached her nose. But it was too late, and she was being dragged. She tried to yowl for help, but her voice was stolen by the wind as she struggled against the firm hold. Rocks scraped at her flank where the snow was thin, before suddenly she was being dragged over pine-needles, and into a warm hollow, shielded from the elements. Varvara let her go, settling down across from her with a solemn look on her face. Sleetstar averted her gaze, dragging herself into a more dignified sitting position.
"What on earth are you doing, wandering around in a storm like this?" Sleetstar glared at her, balefully.
"What are you doing out here?" The other molly shrugged.
"I needed to get away for a bit, clear my head. But... you know how the weather is. I got caught before I could make it back. I figured I could take shelter until the storm passed." Sleetstar didn't respond to that, and she simply turned her back on the other she-cat to settle down, facing the tree-trunk. When Varvara spoke again, her voice sounded broken, genuinely wounded. "Now you won't even look at me?"
"After what you did? Tell me why I should." Varvara didn't seem to have an answer for that. The pair of them lapsed into silence, as Sleetstar cleaned her paw, inspecting it for any terrible damage. It mostly seemed to be a momentary twist that had ailed it, assuaged by the reprieve from bearing her weight. Suddenly, without her injury bothering her, Sleetstar felt furious. For of course, it was Varvara's fault she was here in the first place. She whirled on her, suddenly.
"What? No grand remark to that? You always were such a smart cat, but I suppose that's testament to just how much you messed up, huh?" Varvara refused to look up from her paws. "I hope it was worth it, Var. I hope Boscoe is everything you ever dreamed of. I hope he's everything you deserve for casting me out and then acting like I still deserved to be hung up on you, for trying to take away my one shot at a new life. I'm sorry that you're not the most important thing in my life anymore, but did innocent cats really have to die for that? Not just Galepaw, but our friends, cats we'd known our whole lives, all because you couldn't let go of a petty grudge." Varvara's eyes lifted, glistening with tears.
"Why did you leave me?"
"You exiled me-"
"No," Varvara shook her head, "no. Before that. You were slipping away. You were going to leave me-"
"It was never like that," Sleetstar shook her head, frustrated, "I overhead him, Boscoe. He was talking about purging the clan, getting rid of anyone who didn't have generations worth of blood ties to the group. He wanted to consolidate power and ensure loyalty to him, and he thought he could do it by getting rid of any cat who was... 'new' to the Merchants. You, especially, because everyone liked you- he knew you had sway in the group and he wanted you gone. So I thought... I thought if I could get close to him, I could keep you safe. For long enough that I could turn the Merchants against him. Kip- Brackenstrike- would have supported me. And there were others. But..."
"Why didn't you just tell me?" Varvara's voice cracked. "It was supposed to be me and you, Sloane, against the world. And I thought you were abandoning me. I thought you just wanted to climb the ranks, and I was your stepping stone to vault yourself higher up the social ladder. You hurt me."
"I know. And I'm sorry. I should have told you what was going on, but I... I don't know. I think I was afraid that you wouldn't believe me, or that someone else would find out, and I half didn't want to burden you, and half selfishly I wanted to be the one to save you. To have Boscoe exiled and have a dramatic, romantic moment where I reveal that it was all for you. That it always has been." Sleetstar lifted her gaze to meet Varvara's. "But that's in the past now, isn't it? And I can't take back what I did, and I don't know if I can fix it. But I have to be Sleetstar now, because that's who I am. And Sleetstar has to look out for her clan first, has to be outraged at what you did." Varvara looked away.
"He smelled your clan on me," she said quietly, "I'd been finding Thunderjaw on patrols, making him tell me things about you so I could make sure you were okay. But Boscoe caught on... he demanded I tell him what was going on, smacked me around until I did. And I was so angry with you for moving on... and I did. I shouldn't have, but I did, and then he decided we were going to attack. And when I saw you there, and Ki- Brackenstrike... I wanted Thunderjaw to end it. But he wouldn't. And now I have to live knowing that I'm responsible for your pain." Varvara closed her eyes. "I've made so many mistakes."
"And so have I," Sleetstar said, her voice quiet but raw. The chocolate molly lifted her eyes to meet Sleetstar's. "But Var... you are not a mistake. Not to me. Never to me. Understand?" Varvara's smile was small, but genuine, as she scooted closer. Their pelts pressed together, as Sleetstar tilted her head to brush their noses together. Varvara let out a choked sigh of relief, as she pressed closer, nuzzling against the pointed molly.
"Don't you have someone waiting for you at home?" Varvara asked, suddenly drawing back. Sleetstar sighed, closing her eyes as her shoulders sagged.
"Another mistake. I don't want to burden you but... I really wish I could talk about this with someone."
"I know you've no reason to trust me, but..." Varvara touched her nose to her cheek, tentative and shy, "I'm here for you. Always."
"You're you," Sleetstar said, eyes shining with adoration, "and that's reason enough." They fell silent, Varvara's smile pleased but shy, as Sleetstar's expression became drawn, troubled. After a long moment, she spoke. "The clan system... to become a leader, the spirits of the cats before you must bless you. Northstar used to lead NorthernClan before it died out just before we were born. She offered me... a deal. Lead the clan, destroy the Merchants. It seemed good at the time, but now... now I don't know. She's controlling- she chose my deputy for me, that cat that Boscoe doesn't like, and then... then she told me I had to take a mate. And have kits. And now whenever I look at them, I feel furious for what they took from me. You, the ability to fight back against Boscoe. And the worst part is, they're all innocent. They've done nothing. It was all me. I did this to myself."
"Oh... Sleetstar." Varvara sighed, letting her lean against her shoulder as she sobbed. "I'm sorry. I wish I could have been there for you."
"I wish you were too," she said, and as Varvara opened her mouth to reply, eyes troubled by regret, Sleetstar gave her a bittersweet smile, "I understand why you can't be." Varvara fell silent again, thinking. Then, after a moment, she lit up, turning to the other with a warm smile as she swept her tail around the other, snuggling close to her.
"If I had a clan name, what would it be?" Sleetstar glanced at her, surprised, before thoughtfulness settled into her features. She gave the other molly a once over, before a slow smile spread across her face as one came to mind.
"Burningflame," she said, decisively, "your coat is the colour of burning logs, but your spirit is that of a raging wildfire. Indomitable. Strong, and furious- you've always been able to take down anything that stood in your way, and while it makes you something to behold, it also makes you beautiful. If I was the leader of your clan, that is what I would name you." Varvara smiled, pressing her nose to Sleetstar's again.
"Then in your heart of hearts, know me as that, and you'll carry me with you, always. And until I can be with you again, that's how I'll know myself, so even when we're apart, that piece of your soul will stay with me: Sleetstar and Burningflame." Sleetstar chuckled a little, nuzzling their foreheads together. Varvara sighed, suddenly, ears flattening. "I have to tell you. Boscoe wants me to have his kits."
"Don't," Sleetstar said, firmly, "just hold on, whatever way you can. We'll figure this out, together." Varvara nodded.
"Together." A pause. "What about... what about your new family."
"I don't... anticipate that lasting much longer. Summitsky and I haven't been seeing eye to eye ever since the kits were born," she let out a sigh, "he's a good tom, he really is. In another life, maybe it could have worked, and I hate to hurt him but... even before I ran across you today, I'd sowed the seeds that damaged our relationship beyond repair. Now I think what's best for everyone, me, him and our children, is that it ends." Varvara nodded, casting a glance at the raging snowstorm outside.
"We've time, don't we? Tell me about them, your new family- not just Summitsky and the kits, but everyone." Sleetstar smiled, and as the world went on around them, she caught Varvara up on everything that she'd missed in their time apart, the heaviness in her chest making way for a brilliant warmth, as if re-attaching a limb she'd struggled without for so long.

-

"I can't see anything," Asumaspaw's voice was almost drowned out over the wind as she huddled close to Frostclaw's bulky form. The big tom grunted his acknowledgement, bracing himself against a powerful gale. Things would likely be easier if they'd had any clue where Sleetstar had run off to. Frostclaw was still relatively new to the clan, and looking after Ausmaspaw on patrol while also trying to keep an eye out for the leader was a little bit much for him to handle. Missing something had the potential to turn sour very quickly for the clan, and Frostclaw did not want to be held responsible.
"We should head back," he said, turning, and smashing straight into a solid shape. Ausmaspaw let out a yelp of surprise. The force of it would have knocked a lesser cat off of his feet, but Frostclaw remained standing, barely, staring into the odd eyes of another tom. At his shoulder, a calico she-cat watched them, looking bewildered at having found them. Ausmaspaw cast an anxious look at Frostclaw, who in turn stared warily at the strangers.
"They don't smell like rogues," Ausmaspaw said, and Frostclaw nodded.
"This is NorthernClan territory," he said, "state your business."
"Passing through," the tom said bluntly, "if this weather has anything to say about it, maybe not."
"You don't control the weather, Twosight," the she-cat said, making the tom grumble crankily. She turned to Frostclaw with a small smile. "Don't mind him too much, he's old and cranky and the cold air is hard on his delicate nose. I'm Maplebreeze and this is Twosight, we're former warriors of a clan through the mountain pass, BorealClan. The clan disbanded after an attack by wolves, unfortunately, but we managed to survive. We're just trying to find somewhere new to settle down."
"Well, I doubt you're going to get anywhere during this weather," Frostclaw said, flicking his ear with a sigh, "we've lost our leader to the snow, so she won't have a chance to object to us sheltering you through it, if you'd like. After that, when she inevitably returns, you all can have a chat about whether or not you want to stay."
"Because this place is so charming," the tom named Twosight muttered, shooting daggers at the calico as she clipped him around the ears.
"That sounds great. Thank you...?"
"Frostclaw. This is Ausmaspaw."
"Ausmas? That's a unique prefix," Maplebreeze said with a purr, falling in step with the smaller apprentice to act as her windblock. Frostclaw struck out first to lead the party back to camp, Twosight at his shoulder. Behind him, he could hear Ausmaspaw's pleased purr as she and Maplebreeze continued their conversation.
"Thanks!" She mewed. "It's a type of rose."
"Weather always this terrible?" Frostclaw turned, surprised to find Twosight's nose about an inch away from his own. Feeling suddenly hot under the pelt, he turned his gaze away and continued on forward with a hapless shrug.
"Sometimes. Leafbares are always harsh, but it can get quite hot during Greenleaf. You just happened to pick the worst season for it, I suppose." Twosight chuckled, a gruff sound as he shook his head.
"Just my luck, eh? Your apprentice as mouthy as mine is?" He cast a glance back at Maplebreeze, where she was laughing at something Ausmaspaw had said. Frostclaw smiled a little, shaking his head. That explained why the pair were travelling together, despite an obvious lack of family resemblance and the absence of any kind of romantic energy between them.
"Oh, Ausmaspaw isn't my apprrentice, she's only helping out with patrols for today, but I can say with full certainty that I'm not nearly so cranky that I would consider any apprentice to be 'mouthy' when they're as kind as Maplebreeze seems to be." Twosight snorted another gruff chuckle, eyes glittering with amusement as he met Frostclaw's gaze again.
"That's how she gets you."

-

In the wake of the storm, patrols emerged from their shelters all over the territory in order to continue on. Midnightblaze's hunting patrol had managed to be close enough to camp to take shelter there during the blizzard, and now they wandered back out of camp, in pairs, travelling back to the best hunting grounds. At the head of the patrol, Midnightblaze and Splitface chatted amicably, with Hollyfeather and Hawkeyes just behind them, in silence. Bringing up the rear were Bramblingpaw and Whisperwind, the latter of which hung back so he was walking single-file at the very back of the patrol. Undeterred, Bramblingpaw dropped back to walk in-step with the other tom.
"Hey. Whisperwind, right?" The white tom gave him a suspicious look, and a nod. Bramblingpaw gave him a wide smile. "Hi. I'm Bramblingpaw. We haven't met properly yet, but as far as I can tell, you're the cat who's closest in age to me and Ausmaspaw, so I figure we should hang out a little, right? We could be friends." Whisperwind looked amused at that.
"You don't know a thing about me," he said, "for instance, long before you got here, rogues attacked the clan and killed my sister, Galepaw."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Bramblingpaw said, sincerely, and without missing a beat, "but that just means you could use a friend even more, doesn't it? Everyone says you only hang out with Bearears, but only having one friend must be lonely, especially if you carry the burden of everyone knowing what tragedies you've experienced and never letting you move on past that. What you told me that for was obvious, but it's going to take more than that to scare me off being your buddy. Handsome young toms have to stick together, after all." He nudged Whisperwind's shoulder, companionably, and the white tom looked away with a privately pleased smile.
"You sound like Howlingeye," he said, after a beat of silence. Bramblingpaw purred.
"There are worse things," he said, lowering his voice a little, "sounding like Hollyfeather for one." Whisperwind snorted, and the she-cat in question turned to narrow her eyes at them suspiciously. Bramblingpaw gave her an innocent smile until she turned away, before he cast a wink at Whisperwind.
"Okay," the tom said with a small smile, "I'll entertain the idea of friendship. You've got three questions."
"Alright," Bramblingpaw crooked a grin at him, bobtail wiggling from side to side as he thought, "one- if you had to eat one kind of prey for the rest of your life, what would it be? Two, what's your favourite colour that the sky can turn, and three... most embarrassing thing that happened to you as an apprentice."
"Weird questions." Whisperwind shook his head. "First... the big river in the east of the territory has salmon sometimes, but pretty much the only cat in the clan who can catch them are the bigger ones like Minkfur, Thunderjaw and Brackenstrike, but they're always on the borders so we never get them, but if in the hypothetical I could access this prey without worldly restrictions, then salmon. Two, I like it when it's sunset and the sky turns orange-pink. And three... I don't know."
"You're a terrible liar," Bramblingpaw said with a grin, startling Whisperwind, "and if you say 'I am not' then you admit you were lying. Anyway, I'll go first. In PineClan, we were learning how to climb, and I was showing off to one of my brothers and I missed a branch and caught myself on the chin on the way down. Luckily, the tree wasn't that high so it didn't hurt when I landed on the ground, but Ausmaspaw has never let me live it down. Now you." Whisperwind sighed, as if it was the most inconveniencing thing in the world.
"Once, when we were climbing up to one of the training hollows, I slipped on some ice and fell and I knocked Summitsky's legs out from under him, and when he fell, he knocked over Galepaw, so the only cat who managed to be standing still was Bearears, and she was laughing so hard that she lost her footing and well as well. And I had a bit of a bruised paw from it so then I had to explain the whole thing to Poppywish, while Bearears kept laughing at the memory of it. So, I suppose that would be it."
"Well that's hardly all that embarrassing," Bramblingpaw purred, "you just demonstrated an excellent technique if you ever have to battle again. Just curl up into a ball and roll as fast as you can and you'll knock them down one by one." Whisperwind rolled his eyes, exhaling a chuckle.
"That's a terrible strategy."
"Sure, but it made you laugh, didn't it?" Whisperwind darted forward so that he wouldn't have to admit that it had, Bramblingpaw's laughter following him all the way up to Midnightblaze.

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.

"Relieved to be out?" Minkfur's teasing tone made Twilightflower roll her eyes, as Rivermask snickered beside her. Even Thunderjaw, normally stoic, cracked a smile. Twilightflower sniffed indignantly, sweeping her tail around her kits.
"I've been in there far longer than you, and with far more drama," she cast a glance across to Summitsky, where he was sitting, listening to Wolfpaw recount something to him while Butterflypaw burrowed into his side, "I think I've earned a little relief about things getting a little bit more normal."
"But is it really normal if you've only ever been in the nursery? One could argue leaving the nursery removes the normality from your life."
"Rivermask?" Twilightflower said, amused. "I love you, but you're a pain." The pointed molly laughed, leaning into Breakerhowl, although her raucous amusement quietened as Sleetstar leaped up on top of the tall rock used to host clan meetings. A hush fell across the clan in anticipation. Their leader cleared her throat, eyes closed for just a second, before she took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Before I host the new apprentice ceremonies, I want to apologize to Wolfpaw and Butterflypaw for their ceremonies last moon. I wasn't fair to them in the way I described their appointment. To my son and my daughter- I know I've not been the best mother, but you both have so much of your father in you, and that makes you wonderful. I stand by my appointments of your mentors. Thunderjaw is not only a strong warrior, but he is kind, and resilient, and so, so brave. I would be lucky to have a son like him, and so I hope that he can instill some of that magic in you, Wolfpaw. And Butterflypaw? Your father's greatest strength is his gentleness. He is sweet and he cares implicitly about others. He puts the feelings of others above his own even when he probably shouldn't, and this doesn't make him any lesser. I know he'll teach you everything he can, and I hope that you can learn from him about how to be proud of your softness, and that you can grow to be comfortable with who you are. I am so proud of both of you, and I can't wait to see how you prosper as apprentices of NorthernClan." Summitsky smiled a little, with a nod to Sleetstar. She nodded back, with a deep breath.
"Now, continuing on. I owe much to Twilightflower, whose kits today have reached their sixth moon, and are ready to become apprentices. Apprentices are the future of this clan, and I ask StarClan to watch over them as they begin their journey to warrior-hood. Tempestkit, Blizzardkit, Brewingkit and Lightningkit, you have potentially the coolest prefixes in the entire clan-" Howlingeye's laugh was shushed by Midnightblaze, but chuckles rippled around the clan, tension broken, "-and I know that when you receive your warrior names, they will be wonderful. Until then, you will be known as Tempestpaw, Blizzardpaw, Brewingpaw and Lightningpaw, respectively. Tempestpaw, your mentor will be Howlingeye. For too long now, I have been cautious of Howlingeye, because he is headstrong and vigilant, and I've been afraid of how our opinions might class. Now, I see I have been foolish. Howlingeye is loyal, and kind, and proud, and there are many virtues he will pass on to you that will make you one of the greatest warriors this clan has ever seen, should you choose to follow in his footsteps." Cheers went up for the newest apprentice, as she bounded across the camp to touch noses with Howlingeye.
"Blizzardpaw, your mentor will be Hollyfeather. Hollyfeather has been with this clan since it's foundation, and time and time again she has proven herself to be dedicated, steadfast and hard-working. She will train you as thoroughly as she completes every other task for this clan, and for this reason I am sure she will make you a great warrior." Hollyfeather looked stunned as Blizzardpaw strode toward her, stretching up to touch his nose to hers.
"Brewingpaw, your mentor will be Splitface. She is wonderful- an adept hunter, a fierce warrior and a devoted she-cat. There is no one better to train you as a warrior, and I know that under her tutelage you will be great." More cheers went up for Brewingpaw, who crossed to Splitface and touched noses with her, both cats beaming with pride. He settled at her paws with a companionable 'hello' exchanged with Flamepaw.
"And finally... Lightningpaw. Your mentor will be Hawkeyes. He may think I've not noticed him, but I have been informed by Midnightblaze of his excellence. Hawkeyes doesn't make a fuss of his dedication to the clan. He may be quiet, but he works hard and he excels at what he does. I know that he will be a kind and patient mentor to you, and I hope that together you will grow to be as great a warrior as he is." The last round of cheers went up for the new apprentices, as Sleetstar stood tall atop the rock, looking down on her clan with pride.
Midnightblaze got to his paws, calling out to the clan to organize patrols. As cats began to branch off, organizing to go about their tasks for the day, Summitsky lifted his head to catch Sleetstar's eye. There was a relief, there, and a pride, and as their eyes met, he nodded to her. She nodded back, feeling a little of the pressure lift from her shoulders. A flash of movement caught her eye, in the far corner of the camp, near one of the crevices, a starry pelt watched her. Sleetstar met her eyes, and lifted her chin. Just as quickly as she had appeared, she vanished, disappearing into the shadows.

-

"Howlingeye, wait up!" The tom paused, turning to look over his shoulder at Koishimmer as she bounded after him. Twilightflower and Hollyfeather had branched off to hunt alone a little earlier, but Koishimmer and Birchfang had been happy enough trailing Howlingeye as he headed toward the eastern rivers to fish. Now, Birchfang hung back, clearly respecting Koishimmer's space, which tipped the pointed tom off that there was something she wanted to ask.
"Something I can help you with?" He asked, evenly, and Koishimmer looked embarrassed that she'd been picked so easily. After a moment, she nodded.
"I... wanted to ask your advice on something," she said, "I know you're close with my dad, and I know you probably know what happened between us, and I suspect you know why he left too. But I'm not gonna ask you to tell me, because I know that you won't, because whatever it is he doesn't want me to know. I just..." she blew out a sigh, "look, I'll level with you. You seem like a smart cat outright, and you seem like you have the information required to be able to say whether or not it's worth it for me to try and get answers from him. Which is... I guess my question. Like, what you think I should do about my dad, I mean."
"Well," Howlingeye said, thoughtfully, "I suppose the first question you should ask yourself is what you're hoping to get out of this." Koishimmer paused, as if she hadn't thought of that, and turned her face up to the sky.
"Closure, I guess," she said, finally, "I've been so angry for so long. I mean, we lost our first dad, and then he left us too. I know he was grieving and struggling, but... that was so long ago, now, and then he was just gone. And when I found him here... I guess it felt like it had replaced us. And all those moons I spent missing him and hurting and wondering if it was something my sisters and I did to make him leave... and part of me wants to hate him for all that, but most of all I just miss him, and I want my dad back. But... I can't just get over everything if I don't know why he did it, you know?"
"I understand," Howlingeye said, "for what it's worth, I think it's very smart the way you're handling all this. I saw how upset you were when you first found him here, and I wish I could tell you why he left, but... it's not my secret to tell. We became friends because he confided in me, and he trusted me, and I won't break his trust, not even for the greater good I'm afraid. Besides, I think it's something that he needs to talk through with you, not just for your sake but for his sake too. It's been weighing on him, it really has, but... Koishimmer, I have to warn you. If you do ask, you might not like the answer you get. Are you prepared for that?" She thought for a beat.
"Yes. I am."
"In that case, I think it's worth it. I'm his friend, so of course I would say that, but family is important. I don't really have any myself, you know, and I can't tell you how much I wish that I did. You have to hold on to the people that you love, and it's obvious from the way you speak about each other that you care about each other very much. So I think you should ask, and you should try to fix it but... you will have to be patient with him. What happened hurt him very deeply, and even though it hurt you too, it left him afraid of how much more it could hurt you if the secret ever got out."
"I don't suppose you'd be willing to run interference."
"Not a chance, sweetpea." Koishimmer laughed.
"I figured it was a shot in the dark but... thanks." She paused a little. "For everything. I think a part of me thought I'd stay mad at him forever, but I don't want that."
"I'm glad," Howlingeye's smile was kind, as he nudged her shoulder, "I hope you and your father can work everything out. Now, get back there and hang out with Birchfang before he gets so sad he explodes." Koishimmer laughed, shooting Howlingeye one more grateful smile before she turned and bounded back toward her friend.

-

"Tell us a story," Silverkit pleaded. Rivermask cast a look toward Minkfur, who shrugged, one paw curled loosely around her sleeping she-kit. The elder one, the tom, was standing with his shoulder pressed tightly up against Silverkit's. Since their birth, Silverkit and Sprucekit had been nigh inseparable, only parting to go to sleep. Although young, the pair were already causing trouble. Breakerhowl and Rivermask blamed it on each other, in Silverkit's case, but Thunderjaw was under no illusions that Sprucekit's reckless and rowdy nature was borne from his genes.
"Please?" Aurorakit echoed, gazing up at her mother with wide eyes. Rivermask sighed, with a light laugh.
"Alright then, if I'm going to be mobbed like this." Minkfur rolled her eyes, but a smile broke through as the kits squealed in excitement, bounding back to Minkfur to settle down against her flank. Aurorakit scampered after them, squeezing on the other side of her sister, careful not to wake Willowkit. Rivermask thought for a moment, before she cleared her throat and began to speak.
"Once upon a time, a long time ago, when the days were long and the nights were deep, there lived a tom afraid of dying. His name was Fox, for he was very clever. But cleverness did not stop him from eating prey that a bitter rival had poisoned. Fox died alone in a forest, when the poison set in and he could no longer walk. StarClan came to collect him, and found him crying next to his body. Fox was beside himself, and he appealed to the StarClan cat to let him live for just a little long. 'Please let me live, so that I can say goodbye to my mate and kits, and then I'll come right back', he said, and so the StarClan cat took pity on him, and allowed him to return home. But Fox was cunning. It was not dying without saying goodbye that he feared, but dying altogether. And so he returned to the camp, much to the surprise of his rival. He did not return to the StarClan cat, instead he remained in the clan and lived out his life. Each time StarClan came to look for him, to remind him he had to go to StarClan, he would disguise himself- sometimes by rolling in mud to turn his pelt brown, and sometimes in limestone dust to turn it white. But, in the end, he could not escape old age, and when it was finally his time and his heart could not bear the world any longer, Fox passed on." Rivermask took a breath, chuckling a little.
"Fox met the StarClan cat who guides souls to the plentiful forests. 'Okay', he said 'I'm ready to come now'. But the StarClan cat said no!" Sprucekit, Aurorakit and Silverkit gasped. "The cat said 'You lied to me and tricked me. Instead of going to StarClan, you must face punishment for tricking death. Before you can come to StarClan, you must show your penance by taking a rabbit to the place where the stars touch the earth'. Fox thought this task would be easy enough, and so he hunted down and killed a rabbit, and began to carry it to the top of the mountain, where the stars of Silverpelt kissed the earth of a plateau. But, as soon as he crossed the threshold, the rabbit came back to life! It leaped from his jaws, and sprinted back down the mountain, Fox chasing it all the way. He tried time and time again, but every time the same thing happened. Now, as punishment for tricking StarClan, he was tricked back, and he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity trying to gift them a rabbit that can never die."
"That's not how that story goes," Minkfur protested, drawing the attention of the kits and Rivermask, who gave her a curious look, "you missed the part where he rolls in pollen to turn himself yellow, for starters. And the part where each time StarClan comes looking for him, they take one of his family instead, and he eventually goes because he has nothing left. StarClan asks him to bring them a salmon, but each time he manages to get them into a pool, they become afraid and see him coming, and run away upstream."
"Well, I hate to tell you this love, but you're wrong."
"No, Rivermask, you are." Minkfur said back, the mollies sharing a crooked grin.
"Well, I like the version with the rabbit more." Silverkit announced, beaming at her mother who gave her a conspiratorial wink. Sprucekit snorted, rolling his eyes.
"No way, Silverkit, the version with the salmon makes more sense. It's why they jump upstream after all. The rabbits don't have any bearing on the real world." Silverkit stuck her tongue out at him.
"Yeah, but the rabbit version is less sad! All of his family manages to survive so they don't have to die for him being silly!" Sprucekit flicked some moss at her, making her squeal loudly enough to wake Willowkit with a start.
"Then it's not a cautionary tale, dummy."
"No one said it had to be!" She retorted, Sprucekit yowling as Silverkit pounced on him, the two of them wrestling in the dirt as Aurorakit stepped over them and flounced back to their mother, settling down at her side as she groomed her between the ears. Sorrelsong laughed from her end of the nursery, shaking her head.
"Now you two have done it."
"What?" Minkfur asked, exchanging a confused look with Rivermask. Sorrelsong nodded to the tussling kits with a warm smile.
"Started a generations-long feud, is what."

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

` servings consumed
8/8 - x4 stoats
` clan events
bramblingpaw and ausmaspaw use 1 moss, 1 clay and 1 feathers to upgrade the warrior's den
sleetstar looks to expand the nursery
poppywish gives bearears x1 catmint for her greencough
poppywish gives magpiefeather x1 tansy for her cough
poppywish searches for kitting herbs
emberpaw and flamepaw learn to swim
wolfpaw and butterflypaw learn to battle
` patrols
hunting-
1 - midnightblaze, waspshine, breakerhowl, frostclaw, dawnbreeze, twosight
2 - howlingeye, hollyfeather, koishimmer, birchfang, twilightflower
border-
3 - viridianfire, winderstrike
den supplies-
4 - hawkeyes, splitface, tempestpaw, brewingpaw, blizzardpaw, lightningpaw
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