Murderers in Riverclan V.3 [welcome back!]

[KookieKrumblez]

Only a couple hours left >_<

[22tabby]

please do not spam the thread. The host has until the 14th, and since it’s a mega round they need some time.

[Fading Dreams]

the hosts have until tomorrow (11/14) 9 PM PST
to post the kill or the round will be closed.

[AquilaFuga]

ＲＩＶＥＲＣＬＡＮ

It was a beautiful leaf-fall day. Trees weren’t common in RiverClan, but when the leaves fell, masking the once green grass under their colorful blanket, many cats enjoyed this weather. But today, the usual crisp autumn scent was hidden under the stench of the corpse of Amberpaw. The whole Clan mourned the loss, as they’d all had a connection to the apprentice somehow. Only Skyheart and Sparrowdusk mourned the loss of their son, Budgiepaw, as well. No patrol had found him on the territory since he’d fled.

Of course, the tom had perished in an even more brutal way than his sister, who was waiting among the stars for her successor to continue her mousetail of a legacy.

She'd realized the moment her target's claws scraped her fur that she would have to lie a whole lot in StarClan. This wasn’t the problem; the issue was the unsettling fact that her pelt already looked slightly faded, while Budgiepaw appeared happy and full despite being shunned by his Clanmates. However, both of the littermates knew that their deaths were particularly morbid.

Amberpaw, at the moment, was hiding behind a rock in the starry mimic of RiverClan's territory. It felt almost as good as the real deal, but with more unfamiliar cats and less of a plague trying to take over the world. Luckily for the apprentice, there was a puddle of water to her side, where she could look down on the living cats without being disturbed by overactive brothers and curious elders. And younger cats by the name of Rainkit whose only purpose is to pester her.

Brushing those thoughts out of her head, Amberpaw stared into the pool, wondering what was happening on the other side.

One cat was especially sorrowful after Amberpaw’s demise. They’d never experienced such gruesome violence in the Clan. An image of Amberpaw’s limp form flashed in their mind, and they squeezed their eyes tightly together, wanting to get away from it all. While everyone else sat vigil for the apprentice, this cat slipped out of camp, wandering through RiverClan territory until they were right next to the river that cut between the land. They stared into the streaming water, lost in their thoughts, when a voice called out to them.

Pitiful, Amberpaw thought, scraping at the ground. That one’s next, I can feel it.

“Hey, [redacted]! What are you doing away from camp?”

Called it. Her whiskers twitched in amusement as her infected entered the scene. Go. Do what I could not.

The cat whirled around, their fur raising once they saw who it was. “You’re not going to report me, are you?” they asked suspiciously.

“No, of course not. We all have our own ways of grieving,” the other cat replied.

The cat’s fur flattened out, and they licked it down, embarrassed. “Thanks,” they meowed. “I just- I can’t believe that she’s gone.”

I can’t either, but here I am.

“Amberpaw was a good cat, and would’ve made a fine warrior. She’s in StarClan now,” the other cat soothed, coming over to stand by the first cat. “There’s nothing we can do now except remember her.”

Hah! The Clan can only wish for that.

The two cats sat, staring at the river, watching elusive minnows flit through the currents. The first cat closed their eyes, trying to calm themselves.

After an uncomfortably drawn out moment of silence, Amberpaw groaned, her face dropping into the water and creating ripples on the surface. What’s taking so long? I only gave it one simple instruction.

The infected remembered. They’d been given an order before the apprentice’s untimely death: to keep their target alive, but destroy as much as possible. This worked in their favor, as they wouldn’t be able to bear the weight of a death at their paws on their conscience, even if the dead cat were to come back alive afterward.

”I'm very sorry,” they murmured, wrapping their tail gently around their sorrowful Clanmate. ”I'm sure you must have been close. I haven't spoken to her much myself, but every cat is grieving tonight. You're not alone.”

Haven't talked much, but the times we did will change everything.

”I know I'm not,” they grumbled, pushing away the tail with their own. Their eyes shined up at the infected with frustration and slight fear. ”It's just weird, knowing that… she's dead, and nobody knows how, or why, or what happened. And now Budgiepaw's gone, and it's everyone's fault, because some weirdo had enough guts to think that he was the one who did it!”

Right? Sure, he's annoying, but he doesn't deserve to be exiled.

The other hummed, pulling their tail back. They nodded in understanding. ”I know how hard it is, losing someone. You never really get over it, but you move on in a way. I've lost… quite a few cats, but that never stopped me.” Taking in a deep breath, they summarized, ”I get it. You're upset-- well, maybe a little more than upset, but you know what I mean. But what if I told you…”

The smaller one's ears pricked curiously. They didn't normally take suspicious offers, but despite the hesitation in the taller cat's voice, this seemed promising. ”I'm listening.”

They blinked, astonished that they had been taken up on their bargain. ”Oh, uh, okay.” Puffing out their chest, they presented, ”What if I told you that you don't have to be sad anymore?”

The target's eyes widened, light reflecting off of them, making them look like glowing moons. ”How do I do that?” they asked, tipping their head to one side as the bigger cat leaned down to whisper in their ear.

”It's very simple. Just do as I say, and everything will be okay,” they instructed, hushing themselves so nobody who was coping in the same way the two of them were would find them.

Yes! Listen to my helper! We’ll make it all better.

Reluctantly, the mourning cat turned their head to where their nose was almost touching the other’s and nodded, still quivering quietly. ”O-okay,” they meowed, at first uncertain then filled with resolve. ”Alright, what do I have to do?”

Pride swelling in their chest, the infected stood up and took a step back, inching closer to the river. ”Over here,” they beckoned with a flick of their tail. ”Watch what I can do.” As their new student crept up beside them, they shot a paw into the water, scooping out a fish with incredible speed. As the prey wriggled about on the shore, they drew a claw down the back of its head. The animal soon turned to sickly-looking fresh-kill.

An odd method of catching prey, but I’m not one to judge.

”Eat it," they ordered, pushing it over to the cat who had watched, marvelling at the excellent catch. ”And quickly, before it rots.”

Swiftly obeying, the cat bent down and ripped a piece from the carcass, chewing it up and swallowing as they had been told. The change hit them almost immediately.

About time. Not very creative, but that’s fine.

The small portion of the meal sunk in their stomach rather heavily. Limbs twitching involuntarily, they stammered, ”What did you--” They weren’t able to finish before their legs buckled underneath them, causing them to collapse onto the ground.

”It’s okay,” they assured the cat, who was convulsing and desperately scrabbling to get up. ”You’ll be fine soon.”

Swallowing down a chunk of vomit, the cat weakly ducked their head, barely able to move. The more experienced infected sat by their side, giving them the occasional nudge to help them through. In the end, they were laying in an awkward, stretched-out position with limbs splayed at awkward angles, fur slightly wet and sticky from the pool of mucus and vomit that lay under them.

The late apprentice had gone silent with a mixture of emotions. Gratitude, relief, joy… slight frustration from the kit climbing over her back.

The infected gently stroked their belly, which was facing up, with their tail, awaiting the moment that their student would shake out their fur and await their next order.

So they waited.

The sun had long set by the time they awoke. Gasping for air, they jolted up, slipping a couple times on the mess before getting to their feet. The infected purred, leading them to the river. ”Wash off, they requested, ”and then we can start.”

The newly-infected practically jumped into the water, rinsing away the remainder of the revolting puddle they had left. A moment later, they hopped back out, brushing their pelt against their tutor’s. ”Thank you,” they croaked, coughing out some of the water and what was left of their old life.

”I’m just doing my job," the older chuckled, flicking their tail and sending drops of water back towards the stream. As they brought the novice back to camp, they murmured words of encouragement.

”Welcome. You’re truly one of us now.”

Satisfied, Amberpaw stalked off towards her own version of the camp. Things were changing, and everything was working out in her favor.

They’re growing, RiverClan, and they might be stronger than you thought…

Leader --
↳ Whisperstar // F// imp.

Deputy --
↳ Flametail // M// realkitty56

Medicine Cats --
↳ Sunsoar // M// trikkie tikki tavvie
↳ Ravenpaw // M// webgott

Warriors --
↳ Emeraldeyes // F // Tainted~Wings
↳ Thistleheart // F// Yukon_
↳ Brightfire // F// .:Cursed.Fox:.
↳ Firefeather // M// 22tabby
↳ Sparrowdusk // M// EverestEmberz
↳ Skyheart // F // KyKoolKookie835
↳ Ivyshade // F // Silverflare12345
↳ Hawkfire // F // montmorency
↳ Dawnpetal // F // Firefoxx01
↳ Pumpkinmask // F // moyashi.
↳ Honeystorm // F // Simonpet
↳ Frozenfire // F // Lelushio
↳ Badgercloud // M // ubiquitous.
↳ Blossomsong // F // CrunchyTacos
↳ Lionmask // M // inky.

Apprentices --
↳ Goosepaw // M// .galaxy.
↳mentor: Sparrowdusk
↳ Glimmerpaw // F// Fluffy Kitty Cat
↳mentor: Brightfire
↳ Amberpaw // F// Lapis Lizzuli
↳mentor: Honeystorm
↳ Budgiepaw // M// b r e e z e
↳mentor: Flametail
↳ Petrelpaw // F // potioncat
↳mentor: Blossomsong
↳ Crowpaw // F // doggoesmeow
↳mentor: Firefeather
↳ Wrenpaw // F // liightning
↳mentor: Ivyshade
↳ Nightpaw // F // Fading Dreams
↳mentor: Lionmask

Queens --
↳ Mistfeather // F// Canary22
↳ Quailtail // F// viper.
↳ Duskflower // F // kassierose


Kits --
↳ Butterflykit // F// ForgottenShadow
↳ Oceankit // M // mastergirl7

Elders
↳ Adderfur // M // unikels
↳ Maplefang // M // starlinq.

----

round info: MiR Doc
round type:
MiR Chatzy
[removed]

toms: 11
she-cats: 21
total: 32

----

families + relationships:
- Quailtail + Flametail = Butterflykit, Glimmerpaw, Wrenpaw
- Mistfeather + Deceased = Oceankit, Deceased
- Deceased + Adderfur = Firefeather, Flametail, Pumpkinmask
- Deceased + Maplefang = Hawkfire, Brightfire, Lionmask
- Blossomsong + Firefeather = Sparrowdusk, Sunsoar, Dawnpetal
- Thistleheart + Unknown = Quailtail, Duskflower, Frozenfire
- Deceased + Deceased = Adderfur, Maplefang
- Ivyshade + Unknown = Mistfeather, Emeraldeyes, Skyheart
- Honeystorm + Badgercloud = Nightpaw, Crowpaw, Petrelpaw
- Skyheart + Sparrowdusk = Budgiepaw, Amberpaw
- Duskflower + Lionmask

[mastergirl7]

Oceankit|kit|male|tags: Mistfeather

Oceankit woke up the warm feeling of his mother's fur against his back mass him want to go back to sleep. The crisp air invited him outside, his little paws walking quietly without making a sound on the ground. He left the nursery finding a small corner to sit and play in the leaves. The faint smell of death still hang in the air tingling with the smells of leaf-fall. He sighed curling up in a ball on a small pile of leaves.

[rose petals.]

Glimmerpaw;; molly;; apprentice;; mentor;; brightfire tags;; oceankit

Glimmerpaw blinked opened her eyes, th sadness of Amberpaw’s death still weighing in. Not many cats had died in her lifetime, and it had never been a cat that she had known well. But Amberpaw and Budgiepaw had shared a den with her, and it had never occurred to the young molly that death didn’t have to come at a young age. Shaking the bought from her mind, Glimmerpaw day up and began to groom herself. When she was confident that she was clean, she sat off into the cool morning. She saw Oceankit sitting alone, the first one awake and smiled. “Good morning Oceankit!” she meowed.

[KookieKrumblez]

Skyheart / Female / Mate: Sparrowdusk / Kits: Deceased / Warrior / Tags: No one

Skyheart was in the warrior den, staring at the wall. She felt as if everything has collapsed in front of her: Both of her kits, dead or exiled....her mate, unfaithful.....now she had nothing left and was beginning to lose her belief in life. She looked at the wall, tears in her eyes. Maybe if she was just quiet, the other cats wouldn't yell at her.

[moya]

pumpkinmask stretched, eager to get up and start her morning. Yesterday had been slow, so they’d need to make up for it today. She stepped out of the warrior’s den, picking her way through sleeping bodies until she reached the entrance. The air outside was crisp, and she puffed out her fur, gazing around the clearing. At once the orange tabby noticed the two younger cats, apparently conversing, and felt a twinge if concern. Shouldn’t they be watched? Glimmerpaw was old enough, but where was Mistfeather? Oh well, it wasn’t her matter to deal with. She sat down and began grooming herself, keeping one eye on the other cats all the while.

[Everestsong]

–¦================================================================================¦–
xxxSpawrrowdusk
xxxTom ¦ Warrior ¦ M: Skyheart ¦ Tags: Skyheart
–¦===============================================================================¦–

Sparrowdusk's eyes were heavy as he groaned silently in his moss bed. Sunrise already...? The tom had been quite upset ever since Budgiepaw was...exiled. He felt himself guilty for doing so. It felt awful and distrustful for him. For his family Not to mention as he was half asleep, opening his eyes as he looks towards a quiet noise. Was that...? He sat himself up in the moss bed, seeing that tears were going down the she-cat's face. He slowly gets to his paws, going right next to Skyheart. "I'm sorry..." he admitted, frowning as his blue-gray eyes glimmered dimly in the cave of the warrior's den. "I don't fully believe that Budgiepaw ever would...kill any cat. She was kind to Amberpaw and...I don't truly believe that she was the one responsible." His tail went over resting onto her shoulder a moment. At the same time...what else could he say to her? His family was being torn apart...at least Firefeather, his own father was still around...and Sunsoar. Sunsoar...what is he even doing? Not to mention Petrelpaw...the poor apprentice...He had a good knowledge meant of her relation to Amberpaw. He swore to Starclan...was he actually crying now? The small bit of tears were coming from his eyes, though he tried to blink it away. No...we don't need another emotional imbalance again...

[KookieKrumblez]

Skyheart / Female / Mate: Sparrowdusk / Kits: Deceased / Warrior / Tags: Sparrowdusk

"Why did you do it then? Why....." Skyheart looked away from him. "Why would you take away one of my- actually, our kits? Why? Now we have no kits and a broken family. Why would you do this to me? I abstained because I did it for us: us!" A tear went down her face. "But you didn't do the same." Now Skyheart was looking at him, her eyes soft and her heart broken.