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You wake your healer and deputy that morning, your movements slow from sleep deprivation. They both give you concerned looks but refrain from asking, halted by the tired shake of your head. You lead the pair back to your den, and before you can sink back into the alluring comfort your nest your deputy stops you with a flick of their tail,
"Who was in here? That's not the scent of any of ours." You can only sigh in return, waving the question off briefly so that you can finally lay down. Last night had drug on longer than you had expected, and you were exhausted. Once settled, your gaze flickers upwards to see both other cats in the den staring at you expectantly.
Neither seems impressed with the state you're in, and you can only allow yourself a moment of amusement at the thought that they look like exasperated mothers before jumping into what you have to tell them.
"Hecate and her... Oracle were here last night." This garners startled looks, but you plow onwards before either of them can interrupt,
"She told me the ancestors have given them a prophecy." The two cats facing you share a look before your deputy steps forward.
"Why would they approach them and not us? They aren't the rogues ancestors."You can only shrug. You had given thought to that all night and couldn't come up with anything concrete on why they would do so, but there obviously must be some reason. Perhaps you all just didn't see it yet.
"They didn't know either. But she gave me the prophecy they told them before she left."Your medicine cat approaches then, sweeping their tail in front of them as they sit, ears forward.
"Let's hear it, then. It must be important if she came all the way here to tell you." Your deputy nods in agreement, sitting as well.
Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you repeat the prophecy to them, the haunting words etched into your memory. You're sure, no matter which way this ends, that they will always be something you remember. You trail off once you've repeated it for them, and after a moment of tense, uncomfortable silence as they process the words you add,
"Hecate said she'd be back in two days for our answer."Neither answers this, looking troubled. You suppose that's fair; you don't know what to do either. You all had an unfortunately short time to decide.
"You both can go think on it if you'd like. I think that would benefit all of us. We can meet here tomorrow morning to decide our path." Both cats give you distracted nods, wandering out of your den with undiscernable looks on their faces. You share the sentiment; all of you have a long day of thought ahead of you.
The three of you spend the day distracted and worried, each caught up in their own head, trying to solve the problem in front of you. You know your clanmates are worried because of the behavior, but they leave you be for the time being, which you can only be thankful for. The day passes in a blur, overshadowed by your dark thoughts and the prophecy hanging over your head. You curl up in your den that night, knowing what sleep you do manage will be restless and scarce.
When your deputy and healer creep into your den the next morning you've already been up for hours. You greet them, exhausted and weary of the day ahead of you. Hecate will be back sometime tomorrow for your answer; you need to make your decision now.
The two others join you in laying down, clearly weary themselves.
"We have given thought," your healer starts, the hint of sleep in their voice poorly masked,
"It is time to discuss."You shift forward a bit, shaking yourself further awake.
"I still don't understand why this wasn't brought to us, instead of them. But it won't be the first time our ancestors have spoken to them. They were spooked; there must be some weight to it if Hecate came all the way here to tell us. And... she may be young, but she clearly cares for her group. She was adamant that I understand that unity was what would help all of us; she clearly believes it."Your deputy flicks their ears, frustration borne from lack of sleep clear in their movement.
"But how do we know this isn't some scheme to benefit them?"You and your healer share a look and it is them that turns to answer.
"They have stuck to our agreement, and have settled in fairly well. They seem capable and willing to change. If they've extended this branch of peace to us, of their own will, we should see where it takes us. Allies are always welcomed. And if it is a trick," they shrug,
"We still outnumber them. If it comes to a fight, so be it. But I would rather assume they mean no harm until they prove otherwise."Nodding in agreement, you turn again to your deputy, allowing them to add further if they wish. They're quiet for a moment, clearly mulling over both your words. After a few long beats, they dip their head.
"Alright. I can see the benefit of unity here, you won't find an argument from me. We can figure out how to tell the clan once she returns."You all share nods of agreement, and your healer and medicine cat get up to attend to their own duties. There will be another long day of worry ahead of all of you, but at least you have your answer now, and Hecate will be back tomorrow. You can work out some solution with her then. You raise yourself, stretching as far as you can before giving your pelt a hard shake. You may as well distract yourself with the clan today. You'll all have a long day tomorrow.
When you flop into your nest that night you're more relaxed, the day spent among your clanmates doing wonders for your nerves. You can feel them creeping back in now that you're on your own, but you can't help but be thankful for the, even temporary, reprieve. You drift off wondering what tomorrow will bring.
You're awoken the next morning, thankfully, not by Hecate but by your deputy. You'd have been worried if the small she-cat had managed to make it to your den unhindered in the daylight. You pull yourself up, following at your deputies heels as they turn and lead you to where Hecate is sitting by the camp entrance, flanked by two of your warriors and one of her cats, who you're surprised to identify as Pan as you get closer.
Hecate gives you a curious look as you approach, clearly expecting her answer, even as Pan jostles her slightly to greet you. You give the young tom a greeting, in turn, getting a beaming smile in return as he settles finally by Hecate's side, and turn your attention to the she-cat in question.
"Well," she prompts, her tail sweeping behind her,
"What decision did you come to?"Your deputy waves off the curious stares of the warriors who had acted as guards, and send them to attend to something else as you gather yourself. They give you a curious look, clearly questioning your hesitance.
Finally, you take a deep breath, brushing off your anxiety at the decision and standing a little taller.
"We discussed it." Your gaze slides over them to your healer who hovers by the entrance to their den. They give you an encouraging nod, waving a paw for you to get on with it. Your attention drops back to Hecate,
"We're willing to work together."The small she-cat grins, ears swiveling forward.
"Thank you." At your confusion, she stands, flicking her tail in embarrassment.
"You may have just saved both our groups, agreeing to work with us. So, thank you. I know you've all probably had a long few days, and that you're going to need time to explain this to your Clan. Meet us at the edge of your territory tomorrow at sun-high. We can discuss our plan of action. Bring who you need."You're surprised at how sure she seems of herself now, even if rattled by what's going on. She's definitely grown in the year that's passed, and clearly is trying to be a better leader for her group. She even seems kinder to her clanmates. Perhaps your encounter last year had been what she needed to grow into herself. You can't help but wonder if shes mended relationships with some of the more strained interactions in her group, like Janus or Nike. Maybe you'd find out by the end of this.
You dip your head in agreement, watching as she and Pan exit your camp. You can only hope that this unity helps both your groups and that you're all equipped to handle whatever is coming.
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Prompt 3A: You have decided on unity. How does your clan take the news? Was there any particular reason you chose to work together?
Art Prompt 3A: Draw any scene from the above story, whether it's your leader meeting their advisers or with Hecate and Pan.
Hecate |
Oracle »»———— • ————««
End Date: This writing prompt closes at 11:59 pm EST on the 12th. The art prompt does not close.
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