Rise Summer Event: Summer of Thorns | Path 1

[Chimericect]

Art Prompt!
Username // chimericect
Clan Thread // Forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=3746159
Art Prompt Number // 2
Prompt Art //

[grizzly.]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: grizzly.
Clan Thread: pikeclan
Prompt Writing: 523/600 words

"What do you think, Foxsplash?" Aspenstar asked wearily as they walked along their strongly marked border. Things had become tense in the clan after the arrival of the group of rogues. More, so since the group started to venture closer and closer to their main hunting grounds. Normally Aspenstar would talk to her deputy or medicine cat about this situation, but Foxsplash was her closest and longest friend, and it just felt right to get his opinion about this.

The pale ginger and white tom sighed heavily at the question. "Should I even give you my opinion, Aspenstar? I'm not even sure that I know..." The warrior mewed, keeping his steel blue gaze locked on the forest floor. "I came from the lake as a kittypet, and your clan welcomed me with open paws." The tom cat pointed out, which in turn gained a delighted purr from Aspenstar. ”That was also different. It was just little ole you, not what could be equivalent to a clan sized group of rogues, whom are probably trying to set up their own territory.” Aspenstar pointed out as the two cats continued to trace their steps with the border of the territory, new, fresh scents from the rogues lingering as they walked.

Foxsplash gave Aspenstar a slight nudge, a gentle smile on his muzzle ”Hey, at least you managed to get a meeting with some of their higher ranked members. It might not be their leader, but it’s a respected cat nonetheless.” The ginger and white Tom always seemed to be able to find the silver lining in everything. ”I just hope everything works out for the better, and if anything we can agree on some sort of arrangement, whether it be a place in the clan or their own territory that doesn’t overlap with ours.” Aspenstar mewed as she watched a few of the rogues trot towards the freshly marked border. They seemed to ignore the two clan cats as they continued on their way. Aspenstar felt Foxsplash tense at the sight, and in return Aspenstar ran her tail along her clanmate’s spine to try and calm him. ”It will get figured out sooner or later, Foxsplash. I just wish Sunstar could give me some insight of what to do...none of us like the blunt intrusion, but I’d like to avoid a at if at all possible. The last thing PikeClan needs right now is a war.” Foxsplash kept his gaze on the two rogues easily crossing over their border, sighing in defeat. ”I know some believe it makes us look weak to not fight back, but what we need is more warriors, PikeClan is smaller then ever before. Your clanmates trust you to do the right thing, Aspenstar. Sunstar didn’t make a fool when he chose you. He did it for a reason, and you have to believe that. You’ll be able to get the clan through this. I’m no fan of their presence but I know you know what you’re doing.” The ginger tom mewed as he forced himself not to peruse the invaders, and turned with his leader to return back to camp.

Art Prompt!
Username: grizzly.
Clan Thread: pikeclan
Art Prompt Number: 2
Prompt Art:

[hazilnut]

Writing Prompt!

Username: hazilnut
Clan Thread: Aridclan
Prompt Writing: 552/600

"Have you seen them?"

Shaleheart dropped his fish besides Frostwhisker's on the secondary pile of prey which was, distressingly, about the same size as their main store. Shaleheart had come up with the notion, well Mothstar had officially but everyone new it was her deputy's idea, not that it would spare her any of the ensuing flack, that the negotiators bring the rouges food and drink as a sign of good faith. So while Aloeleaf was putting together coolers, packets of soaked moss wrapped in thick waxy leaves that Aridclanners regularly brought on long treks, all able-bodied warriors were on double hunting duty. "Seen who?" he inquired of Frostwhisker.

"The rouges."

"Well seeing as I have been stuck on fishing duty with you since this morning meeting: no, I have not."

Frostwhisker twitched her whiskers in mild amusement at the deputy's wry humor. "I just figured as the deputy you might have seen them before. When Mothstar did."

Oh not that again. Shaleheart couldn't help but hiss inwardly. For all they tried to avert it, Mothstar's reign seemed to be composed of one scandal after another. The deputy didn't believe anything major would come out of the dissent considering Beetlepath, the only one with a real desire for change in leadership, was a coyote licking coward, but it still irked him. "No, I heard of them second paw. Why?"

Frostwhisker shook out her long pelt, drenched in equal parts sweat and lake water. "No particular reason. I was just wondering." The young warrior locked eyes with Shaleheart for a moment, her eyes suddenly steely and cold. "I trust Mothstar with my life. She brought me into this clan by talking and I believe she can do the same with the rouges; but I know there was dissent with how she handled me. I hope you're ready for the potential storm that follows these rouges."

Shaleheart was stunned into uncharacteristic silence by the passion in Frostwhisker's mew. She had always struck him as a fairly reserved if tenacious cat. He had, of course, known about her arrival and the ripples it caused, but he hadn't known the potential ally that dwelled within her. "We will be," he answered finally, "Talking to the rouges is the right call. It will work and the rest of Aridclan will understand Mothstar's course of action."

"Of course they will." Frostwhisker nodded along to the deputy's conviction. "Of course they will."


~~~


"We're staying for this aren't we?" Willowskip asked her sister and the newly named Oxfang.

Hickorysplit scoffed. "Of course we are. If things go south Aridclan is going to need all the help it can get."

"I don't know about that," reasoned Oxfang, "If Willowskip doesn't return soon they may send a search party and mess up negotiations."

The fur that had bristled on Hickorysplit's back at Oxfang's objection slowly relaxed as the young warrior explained himself. "How is she supposed to leave?" Hickorysplit retorted in a barely controlled tone. She didn't like the idea of being split up from her sister during a time of crisis and she liked the idea of Willowskip moving through potentially dangerous territory even less.

"I-I don't know."

"We'll figure something out," Willowskip assured them, "But right now we need to hunt."

For the rouges of course," Oxfang grumbled.

"Stupid rouges."

[Hail.]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: howlingtothestars
Clan Thread: Cinderclan
Prompt Writing:

Cedarstar walked in silence, Frostheart and Petalfall by her side as they made their way back to the clan and shared the news of the upcoming meeting.

"What if it's a trick?" Tornheart spoke first, his tail resting beside him and the tip of it flicking ever so slightly.

"We will outnumber them. If any attack does break out, we will be prepared." Duskfall spoke next, his chest puffed with courage and Tornheart scowled at him.

"Easy for you to say. How many of us have actually fought in a battle?"

The cat's took a moment to look around at each other, frowning. Duskfall was the only cat which had battled another in the past.

Tornhawk lifted his head, his point proven.

"Well, at least we are doing something. Be it war or be it a conversation, we need to take action against them before bareleaf. We will hardly have enough food for us, save for a whole other clan." Sparrowfeather spoke up, her small body rigid despite her calm words.

"That is why we chose conversation. I do not want any cats to be harmed. If we can solve this peacefully, we will." Cedarstar spoke, her eyes moving along the cats fluidly, then moving swiftly to Tornhawk as he began to speak again.

"That still doesn't change the chance that a battle could break out, Cedarstar. Then what? We only have one medicine cat."

Instantly, Lightpool ducked her head slightly and looked away, clearly anxious from the sudden attention that was turned her direction.

Cedarstar watched the Lightpool for a moment, then turned to her clan again. "Be it good or bad, the meeting is tomorrow. Train together for combat, but we will approach that clans cats with intentions of peace." She turned away and slipped into her den without another word. Behind her, the clan was silent before beginning to speak together of their plans. As Cedarstar curled up, she couldn't help but feel the twinge of anxiety in her chest. If the meeting were to turn into a battle, could she help her clan?



Frostheart awoke and slipped from the den, making her way to Cedarstar's own across camp. When she approached, she found her leader to be just as awake as she was.

"Frostheart. Is there trouble?"

Frostheart sat and looked to the woods on her right - the last seen location of the invading cats. "Do you believe this will work?"

Cedarstar frowned. "I have to."

Frostheart released a soft sigh, her whiskers twitching. "I just cannot rid myself of this feeling. . . Something sour is to come of this. You saw that she-cat earlier, how well muscled she was. A fight with them. . ." Frostheart shook her head. "We need to understand what we are asking them to do, as well. Leave this place, a land where they have found shelter and bountiful food. . . I do not doubt that at least some will put up resistance against us or their leader."

Cedarstar nodded. "We do not know the nature of these cats, but we must work to keep the peace."

"You keep saying that." Frostheart's eyes locked onto her leader and she studied her deeply for a moment, a frown on her muzzle. "I know your doubts are the same as mine and that you fear the same events. . . Just keep in mind, a constant output of good outcomes does not always end well when things turn south."

Frostheart stood and turned away, making her way back to the warriors den as Cedarstar watched her in silence.

[Guest]

writing prompt two!
username: dinah.
clan thread: suntrials
prompt writing:
' You seemed to scare her, ' the golden brown deputy added on their rather long walk back to their barrne lake of a camp, their paws sore and their fur bristled as the wind pushed against it. ' I did no such thing, Talldoe. The cat seemed to scare herself. ' Their leader argued, flicking his head in a small nod towards the she-cat beside him. A light cream tom with white markings fell in beside them, craning his head to the side to look at the leader and his deputy. ' How did it go, leader? ' ' Rather well, Newtunner. We has arranged a meeting with their healers, I believe that is a good start. ' He nodded to his warrior, the tom's ears flicking in a short response to his leader. ' I still say we should leave them be, spiderstar. They do not seem to be harming our environment. ' Talldoe began, spiderstar stopping her short. ' Yes, but they will, my deputy, They have been taking our prey, something that is needed for our survival, talldoe. I do not believe their lives are more valuable than ours. ' ' Very well, Spiderstar. '

several minutes passed before they had reached their sloped entrance, which had led down into their measly camp. led by spiderstar, one by one the patrol entered their camp, warriors and apprentices stopping their chats to stand up or look, curious for the results. they began to crowd the small patrol, chattering and asking about the visit. talonclaw pushed his way to the front. ' I do not see any blood on you, leader, did you not fight? ' spiderstar shook his head, others muttering. ' They agreed a meetup with their healers, ' he began, talonclaw cutting him off. ' will it be an ambush? oh I do love ambushes, we could attack them during the meeting-- ' he stopped, spiderstar giving him a death stare. no one liked a death stare. ' We will not fight, talonclaw. we will talk. ' talonclaw looked rather confused. ' Would it not be more productive to chase them out? ' 'ancestors know we're not productive, ' spiderstar added before talonclaw could finish. ' Very well, Spiderstar. '


the crowd began to disband, apprentices following their mentors, kits huddling with their queens, warriors talking amongst one another. nothing seemed wrong, though many knew there was. they had a slight problem on their hands, a rogue group cornering them into their camp, slowly. and all they could do was talk.

let's just hope this ends well.

art prompt two!
username: dinah.
clan thread: suntrials
art prompt:
object count:
1. cow
2. sheep
3. fence
4. silo

[Shadowflight13]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: Shadowflight13
Clan Thread: Cometclan
Prompt Writing: 500/600 words

Smokestar padded back towards camp, Briarstrike at one side and Honeycloud at the other.

"Who does this mysterious leader think she is?" Briarstrike meowed contemptuously. "You're meeting with them--you deserve the respect of meeting their leader face to face, not these lower cats. I don't care how high ranked they are." She flicked her dark tipped tail irritably.

"It's all right, Briarstrike," Smokestar meowed. "At least we get to have a meeting with them. It is a good start."

"Maybe we should respond in kind," Briarstrike continued. "Instead of going yourself, send me and Driftheart to meet with them." She glanced sideways at Smokestar, grinning deviously. "It would send a message. And I'd keep my head cool, I promise."

Smokestar smiled. "Yes, that would send a message. But I'm not sure it's the one I want to send." She brushed against her mate affectionately. "No, love. I will go myself."

"What about me?" Honeycloud asked, as the began the climb up the cliff to the camp. Smokestar made the final leap and landed on the ledge of the camp. Briarstrike and Honeycloud scrambled up beside her a moment later.

"I don't know. I haven't decided yet. I thought we could all talk about it together, as a Clan." They entered the cave, where Driftheart and Dustpaw were waiting for them.

"How did it go? Did you learn anything?" Driftheart asked. Smokestar told him about the meeting.

"We need to decide who's going," she said.

Driftheart flicked his ears. "I suppose that depends on what message you intend to send them... And we must also consider the possibility that this is a ruse to draw us out of camp."

Smokestar nodded. "The messenger was skittish, not aggressive.. Other than the obvious, she seemed to be hiding nothing. But that is no guarantee."

"Maybe we should all go," Honeycloud suggested. "It would be safer to stick together."

"And leave the camp undefended?" Driftheart asked, frowning.

Briarstrike shrugged. "She's right. Even if we leave some cats here, we number only five. If they attacked the camp, there's no way two or three of us would be able to defend it. And if the meeting was an ambush, the cats there would have less of a chance."

"But it would mean taking Dustpaw..." Smokestar said slowly. The small tan tom perked up.

"I wouldn't be a burden," he promised. "I'd stay quiet, and out of the way."

"You must obey every order given to you," Smokestar meowed firmly. "Do you understand?"

"Yes!" the little tom said eagerly. "I understand!"

"Then it is settled. We will all go." Smokestar meowed. She looked around at her tiny Clan, and one by one they nodded to her. Smokestar sent a quick prayer to Starclan. Please, protect them... You lead me here to start a new life, to take in those who were as lost as I was and show them a new path, a better path. Please, don't let me have lead them astray. Protect them.

[mongrel]

writing prompt 2!
username: imaginary
clan thread: hollowclan
prompt writing:
"man, wolfstorm, you scared the heck outta that poor thing!" kestrelflight chattered away, trotting to match the bigger cat's long stride.
"mhm," he responded, less than interested in what the young tabby was blabbing of.
brookstar had invited the little cat into camp, wanting to make as good an impact as possible on the rogue group. the cat had followed them with reluctance, absolutely petrified of wolfstorm, who had made quite the first impression on him. brookstar tried to be as friendly and welcoming as possible as to make the cat feel comfortable and safe with them.
as they reached camp, cats turned to take in the new cat timidly following their leader. some welcomed the cat with gentle smiles, while others glared and bristled. brookstar shot a glance at a few particular cats, and they averted their gaze and attempted to wipe the suspicion from their faces.
"ah hello! my name's cloverpaw - who are you?" the healer apprentice questioned enthusiastically.
"i, uh.. my name's flicker," the small tom responded quietly, his voice full of apprehension.
"well, flicker, i'll be heading up to the bridge," brookstar meowed, pointing upwards with her tail. "i'll be needing to discuss this future meeting with my clan." she turned on her heel and began walking, cherryblaze joining up with her along the way. as flicker watched the cats further move away from him, other cats began to approach slowly.
"wait! miss!" he called, scrambling to his feet and attempting to catch up to the she-cats. brookstar stopped, turning her head with curiousity. "would you... would you mind if i joined you? i won't interrupt, i promise."
brookstar and cherryblaze looked between each other, a conversation happening within a matter of seconds.
"ordinarily, no. but seeing as you seem to be uncomfortable around the other cats, why not?"
"oh, thank you!" he said, bowing his head.
as the entire clan had already gathered underneath the bridge, brookstar deemed it unnecessary for her to officially call the cats together.
"good afternoon, hollowclan! as you have all noticed, we've returned with company - this is flicker, the messenger from the rogue group intruding on our territory," brookstar chose her words carefully, being sure to give the messenger enough information on her opinion to bring back to the group. "flicker has informed us that their leader is too busy with other matters to deem it important enough to talk with us," at this, some cats began to object before being abruptly cut off. "however, he has also said that two of the high ranking officials are willing to have a meeting."
"what sort of leader is too cowardly to speak with the clan whose territory they're taking in the first place?!" embereyes hissed, quickly frustrated by this announcement.
"believe me, i agree. but we've got to take this opportunity that her officials are willing to talk at all. consider that they are going against their leader's word to have this meeting."
this silences embereye's objection.
a few seconds pass before wolfstorm's voice can be heard. "and how do we know these cats are to be trusted?"
"wolfstorm, think about this. we'll have much more cats than they do. we'll have patrols in place as to be sure there aren't any ambushes. and to make sure this information won't get back to the group, flicker will be staying the night with us." with this last sentence, flicker bristled, backing up only to bump into cherryblaze, standing behind him.
"don't worry, little cat. we'll take care of you." [587/600]

art prompt!
username: imaginary
clan thread: hollowclan
art prompt number: 2
prompt art: [x]

[Areater]

Art Prompt!
Username: Areater
Clan Thread: BlitheClan
Art Prompt Number: 2
Prompt Art:

(note: those clusters at the top of the river are riverstones marking the start of the waterwhisker burial area)

[clouds-move-on]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: ☁Lady Raincloud☁
Clan Thread: NocturneClan
Prompt Writing:
"I don't like this." Came a muttered voice. Emberpaw turned his face away from the departing messenger to see Snowsight was the one talking. With a flick of her ear, she turned to look at her brother. Edgewalker didn't seem to like it much either- after all, he had tackled the messenger to the ground when the small cat didn't comply. Crimsonsparrow, however, convinced his leader to let the poor cat go. "Seeing more medicine cats isn't so bad, at least they'll talk!" He'd said calmly.
Now even he looked anything but calm. Everyone had been keeping up a friendly act, except Edgewalker, and now the patrol glared after the messenger with clear hostility.
Blizzardstripe, oddly enough, was the most panicked of all. His fur had steadily begun to raise and his eyes bugged out of his head like he'd just seen his life flash before his eyes. "I really, really don't like this." The normally composed tomcat muttered anxiously, his claws sinking into the dirt.
"Your new, why do you care so much?" Emberpaw asked. He said it as a matter of fact; he had nothing against Blizzardstripe and it was his way to be pretty straightforward with his questions.
Blizzardstripe ignored him and swallowed, looking to Snowsight and Edgewalker. The two glanced at him, their faces also revealing a hint of surprise.
"... I-I've seen groups take others land before, is all." Blizzardstripe hurried to say, shaking his head. He looked dizzy, and Crimsonsparrow instinctively moved a bit closer to the warrior. "It... can get fairly bad. I... I'm fine."
He added the last part as Crimsonsparrow bent his head over, trying to get a good look at his friend's face.
"Told you we shouldn't have brought this guy." Edgewalker growled, tearing earth under his claws as he turned and began to head back to their camp. The patrol hurried to follow, with Crimsonsparrow keeping close to Blizzardstripe, in case he did faint. "He's just gotten over an injury and I won't have any cats on patrol who'll faint at the drop of a hat."
"What's a hat?" Firefern asked. He'd ended up coming with them anyways, after reassurances from Snowberry and Rosewish that they and the others left behind could defend the camp just fine.
"Thinggy humans wear." Stick offered politely, looking a bit dazed himself.
"Are we going to this meeting tonight?" Snowsight asked quickly, hurrying to keep up with the group.
"Yes, we don't have much of a choice, do we?" Edgewalker growled. "We need to find out what they're doing here... Maybe even take one captive and make them talk, if we have to. We're not getting chased out of our land so soon."
"What about Ashclover?" Emberpaw asked, looking up at the large tom with wide and fearful eyes. "What if they really did kill him?"
"Then someone pays." Firefern muttered coldly, flashing a look back at the place the messenger had ran off to.
"Don't do anything stupid." Snowsight whispered to the ginger tom, stopping and giving him a searching look. "I'm worried about him too. We all are. But we don't know how many cats this group has, we might not be able to take them."

[MoonlightTabby]

Writing Prompt 2!
Username: MoonlightTabby
Clan Thread: Tornadoclan
Prompt Writing: (449/600)

Viperstar sighed as she came back from talking to this "messenger" of theirs. She wasn't all too excited to be talking to this rouge group, but Sungaze's reasons had made her believe this was the right choice. Even viewing all those patrols the rouges were sending out, the three of them would be outnumbered in a fight.
She eventually made her way into the cave Tornadoclan had always called home. As she went to get a meal, Viperstar heard a voice within camp. "So, how did it go?" Sungaze could be heard in the distance, a calm smile on his face. "It was.. Okay.." Viperstar replied, still not all too sure about this whole thing. Sungaze silently walked towards her, interest in his eyes. "What did they say? Did they agree to stay on the other side of the border?" "Sadly, I didn't even get to talk to their leader about that. However, we'll be having a meeting tonight to discuss the matter with what seemed to be their healers, you and Snowpaw will be coming with me."
"Well, that doesn't sound too bad! I'm sure the meeting will go fine." Sungaze remained optimistic in spite of the other possibilities. Viperstar on the other hand, despite Sungaze's optimistic approach, wasn't as excited about the meeting. As she looked around, her gaze locked on Snowpaw as he took a mouse from the fresh-kill pile. "I'm going to go tell Snowpaw the news. You prepare for the meeting tonight." Viperstar mewed, looking back at Sungaze. "If you wish." He replied, getting up and grabbing a snack for himself. Viperstar on the other had, made her way to wear Snowpaw was sitting. Snowpaw looked up at her "I assume you're coming to me about how the whole talking thing went?" he said, eager to know what had happened. "Yes, we'll be meeting with two of their high-ranked cats tonight, I need you to prepare yourself for it." Snowpaw sighed, clearly not liking having to go to the meeting "Alright.."
It was quite obvious he hadn't wanted to go, but still prepared for it anyway, knowing he didn't have much of a say in the matter.
Viperstar wasn't quite sure about the meeting. She wasn't fully sure about the idea of talking to these rouges in the first place, but she knew that she had already sealed the deal, and it's too late to go back. She went up to the fresh-kill pile and grabbed a bunny, thinking about the meeting while she ate. She looked outside, the sun still out, and let out a sigh. She certainly did not want to go to this meeting, but she knew she had to regardless.