𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐍.
population: 14 cats [ 07 fem : 07 male ]
servings required: 04
𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩moderator: deimos - next moonstone: 21st feb
moons since last nonsense: 0
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𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐨.
"And that's the story of how Oneheart conquered the sun!" Bearears sat back proudly, grinning. Beside Sleetstar, Summitsky let out a chuckle as Hollyfeather glowered.
"That is not the story of the sun," Hollyfeather said stubbornly. Summitsky purred, shooting her a curious look as Bearears stuck her tongue out at the black and white molly.
"Could you tell it better, Hollyfeather?" Sleetstar missed Hollyfeather's snapped reply, as her eyes roamed over the gathered cats. It felt like the clan had come together, finally, in the afternoon sun. Poppywish and Howlingeye had retired to Poppywish's den earlier, the ginger tom prattling about herbs while Howlingeye nodded and nodded, as if he understood what he was saying. Thunderjaw lay stretched across the rock of the basin, warming his dark pelt in the late Newleaf sun. Fallowstep and Hawkeyes lay curled together, clearly enjoying the story. Sleetstar hadn't seen Brackenstrike or Splitface emerge for Bearear's tale, and Minkfur had excused herself a few minutes prior to use the dirtplace.
"Sleetstar?" Summitsky's voice dragged her out of her pondering.
"Sorry?" She asked, with a sheepish smile. "I was just thinking."
"We're asking what you thought of the story. Surely it must be different from the ones that you heard with the Merchants."
"I thought it was nice," Sleetstar said, without any dedication to conviction, "the Merchants weren't too big on stories, not stories like that anyone. Ones with moral lessons or things you were meant to learn about the world were practically non-existent. The Merchants believed in learning the hard way, I suppose. Fanciful things like that would just make us soft, all of those sort of reasons. If there were legends like that that the Merchants told, they'd have been before my time at the very least. Brackenstrike would know them, though."
"So, wait, you never had storytellers who told your clan's history?" Bearears leaned forward, looking curious. Sleetstar shook her head, suddenly feeling shy. The she-cat perked up. "Well! I was going to be the best Keeper in my clan's history, you know, I have plenty of stories that I could tell you!"
"I think another story would be wonderful," Hawkeyes said, "it's nice getting to know you, Bearears, and hearing about where you come from. You're lucky your clan placed such stock in remembering your heritage. A lot of clans just rely on bloodlines for that." Bearears purred, clearly happy with the praise. All eyes fell on Sleetstar.
"Sure, why not?" She mewed, before her eyes caught a silhouette on the far side of camp. Minkfur's pelt slipped between a crevice in the rocks at ground level. "Start without me, alright? I just need to use the dirtplace." She touched her nose to Summitsky's cheek in a placating gesture, as she got to her paws. Summitsky stared after her for a moment, before he shook his head, tuning into Bearear's newest story, about the great running of so and so. Sleetstar made sure no one else was looking, before she ducked after Minkfur.
She kept low to the ground in the crevice, hugging the shadows. The path war narrow, but she could hear voices up ahead: there was likely a small cavern. The first voice was familiar, easy to pick up as Brackenstrike. Then Minkfur. The third must have been Splitface, she surmised. She hadn't heard the she-cat talk all the much, but if those two were missing, likely Splitface was third party to whatever they were up to.
"How long?" Minkfur asked, sounding agitated.
"Soon," Splitface's voice soothed, "in the next moon or so, definitely?"
"Splitface, I trust you," Brackenstrike said, "are you absolutely sure they're coming? We've had no signal whatsoever. I just... I just want to make sure, okay? I don't want this to suddenly go sideways and for you to end up in the middle of it. I also think whoever was looking for the rune won't give up too easily. Are you sure they'll be safe to leave with it?"
"Yes," Splitface said, "yes on all counts. I know it must seem odd but I know they're coming for it, okay? The paragons are trained to keep the runes out of the paws of cats who would misuse them. Our brother Guild will come to collect the rune. If you're worried, you could always come with me."
"I thought paragons were supposed to keep their identities secret?" Minkfur interjected.
"They are- from those who wish harm to the rune. It would be impossible to hide ourselves from every cat. I believe Brackenstrike is pure of heart, and on my assurance, the other paragons will too. They wouldn't object to me bringing her along, for added security. That way, if there is an attack, at least I'll have protection. Back-up, so to speak. It'd greatly reduce the risk of grievous injury."
"And just how would you explain any injury to Sleetstar? You'd have to either sneak out in the night, or sneak out during patrol. Either way, a group of cats attacking you, or any story about any other enemy isn't going to just go away. And that's just assuming you don't want Sleetstar to know a primordial rune was ever here in the first place-" Sleetstar flinched back, glowering at the ground, "-which severely limits your options on how you explain yourself out of that. And what happens if you die?"
"I've been doing this a long time, Minkfur, I know how to handle myself."
"And look where that got you." There was a hissing, and the shifting of paws.
"Stop it," said Brackenstrike, authoritative, "fighting like this isn't getting us anywhere. I get that you don't want to be involved in any of this, Minkfur, but you are the one who pushed and prodded your way into it. At any rate, the primordial rune is more dangerous the more cats know about it. If it really has an aura of power, then it's already taking effect, if your fighting is anything to go by. We have to keep a level head. It's just for a little while longer, Minkfur."
"Okay, fine," Minkfur sighed, heavily, "this is not a great way to make a debut into a new clan, you know."
"Maybe if you'd minded your own business in the first place you wouldn't have had to get involved."
"Splitface," Brackenstrike warned, "let it be. It's done now, we just have to deal with the consequences. We've been gone long enough, we should get going before someone notices we're gone." A pause. "Come on, both of you." Sleetstar startled, scrambling backward frantically as paws on stone moved toward her. There was nowhere to go. Minkfur rounded the corner first, and stiffened, Brackenstrike at her shoulder and Splitface nestled close to Brackenstrike's side.
"Uh oh," said Brackenstrike.
"A primordial rune?" Sleetstar asked, voice higher than she would have liked. "Is here?"
"Yes."
"And you just weren't going to tell me?"
"Yes."
"Why?!" Sleetstar took a step forward. "I trusted you, Brackenstrike! You're supposed to be my friend. We've known each other for so long and yet you keep secrets from me and- and for what? Your latest crush-fad? Well, she's a paragon so I suppose that nips that romance right in the bud doesn't it? I suppose I'll be rid of her from my clan within the moon anyway, so congratulations, Brackenstrike, you've just managed to take my 'beacon of hope' and weaken it against the very forces we're trying to escape from!" Brackenstrike, to her credit, didn't flinch.
"Splitface can't go back," she said evenly, "the Riqis guild was attacked. She'll be in permanent danger if she returns to her post, because her face is known. She has to stay. Her status as a former paragon and her relationship with the rune is her business and her business only. I don't run around telling everyone about how or why you came to the Merchants, Sleetstar, and I only hope you don't go around telling everyone that my whole family died of a plague I narrowly escaped. I'm sorry that I kept it from you, but Splitface's trust means something to me too."
"You just never learn," Sleetstar hissed, "don't you get it, Brackenstrike? There's no point in ever wishing for the trust of another cat like that. Love is fickle, and at the first chance she gets, I guarantee she'll trade you in for a better model. Perhaps she's already eyeing up Minkfur! After all, she was smart enough to figure out you two were pulling wool over my eyes, wasn't she?" Minkfur looked away, gritting her teeth.
"You might believe that because you and Varvara couldn't talk your way through your problems," Brackenstrike said, voice still even, although a tremor lay behind the words, "but you and I have never been similar cats, and you know this. I can't believe in something so bleak and hopeless. Just because times have been bad for me, I won't lie down and give up. I won't resign myself to that, not now and not ever. If I did, I would have given up a long time ago. So again, I'm sorry, but I had to do this, whether it amounts to anything, or not at all."
"You're a fool."
"And you're a cynic." Sleetstar glowered at the towering brown tabby, her eyes flashing with emotion for all of a second, before they hardened. She turned, lashing her tail as she did.
"Fine," she snapped, "do whatever you have to, get that rune out. But stay out of my sight. As far as I'm concerned, we're not friends anymore. Your loyalty was obviously shallow." Sleetstar stalked away, shoulders hunched up about her chin. Minkfur cast the pair a look, before she too hurried after Sleetstar with her head hung. Brackenstrike stared after her, aware of Splitface's golden eyes watching her.
"You didn't have to do that for me," she said, after a long moment.
"Yes, I did," Brackenstrike gave her a tired, strained smile, "Sleetstar is... rash. Emotional, impulsive. There's lots of words for it, and I've had a lot of time to think on them. We've known each other a while, and I'm not worried. She'll come around and understand why I did it, eventually, but a lot has happened in a short amount of time, and she... well. She's never been the best at coping. The best I can do is give her the space she needs and hope that she'll talk some sense into herself before the responsibility falls back onto me." She paused, realizing that Splitface was still staring, brow furrowed. "Something wrong?"
"I want to stay," Splitface said, adamantly, "with you. For you. I know it's silly because I haven't known you very long, but I- there's something about you. It makes me afraid, because I've never... felt like that with anycat before but I... my life as a paragon is over, and if I'm to have any semblance of an existence beyond my duty, well. I think I'd like it to be with you, if that's okay." Brackenstrike's expression softened, fondly.
"You don't need my permission to exist."
"Perhaps not," Splitface said, "and you don't have to be so strong all the time. You said to me once that everyone needs a rock every now and again. Allow me to be yours." Brackenstrike smiled, and leaned forward to press her forehead against Splitface's. The pair of them stood like that for a long while, alone and at peace in the dim light of the cavern.
-
The sun set on the horizon as Sleetstar sat atop the great rock. Viridianpaw sat close to Thunderjaw, chatting excitedly with the smoke-coloured tom. He chuckled at something she said, raising a great paw to put between her ears and ruffle. She squealed a little, making Brackenstrike chuckle lowly where she was seated, not too far away. Anger broiled in Sleetstar's stomach, and her expression soured, before the feeling of guilt quickly swept it away. Brackenstrike always had a point. Always had to be so good, so kind. She knew, in her heart, that Brackenstrike had been trying to do the right thing.
Near the bottom of the rock, the Northstar-sent deputy kept vigil. "I know what she asked you to do," he had said, eyes kind and tired but resolute, "I'm supposed to make sure you follow through." She had nodded. They'd left it at that. He was the reckoning, the consequence. But Sleetstar was working on it. There was no need to worry about the black and white tom who would be watching her every move now.
"Thank you for gathering," she said, startling most of the clan out of their conversation, "today, NorthernClan gains another warrior, another cat who has proved she has what it takes to survive these lands. Virdianpaw, step forward. 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?"
"Yes," Viridianpaw said, voice ringing out across the clearing. Sleetstar hesitated.
"The vow."
"To my clan, to my home, to the blood that binds; I pledge myself to the cliffs and the snow. The North is all."
"From this day forward, you will be known as Viridianfire, as StarClan honours your ferocity. You are welcomed by me, the Clan and the Stars as a full warrior of NorthernClan. Honour her!" Yowls rose around the campground as the warriors cried out for their newest addition. The grey and white molly beamed, bright green eyes glittering as her ears pricked forward. Thunderjaw nudged his forehead against her own, smiling proudly.
"Congratulations, Viridianfire."
"Watch out, old tom, I'm coming for your title of most coveted warrior," Thunderjaw purred, swatting her around the ears as she laughed. Sleetstar smiled at the affectionate display, as the clan converged on the newest warrior to give her their congratulations while the sun was still in the sky. Viridianfire would sit her vigil, and in the morning, Sleetstar hoped the clan would be back to normal. That she wouldn't see hurt swimming behind Brackenstrike's eyes when she looked at her. That she would feel as if she deserved to be able to even look at her oldest friend.
"A charming ceremony," Sleetstar jumped, turning to find Midnightblaze staring at her. He was an odd tom, she'd decided. His eyes were gold with tinges of green, but the right one seemed significantly more green than gold, but if the light hit it right you could be fooled into thinking otherwise. It gave him a disjointed appearance. Sleetstar had already decided that she didn't like him.
"Thank you," Sleetstar said, "apparently if I don't have kits, it might be your responsibility in a few moons."
"My speeches aren't nearly so moving," he pushed himself to his paws, and shrugged languidly, "I'm not sure why you follow that she-cat. She seems a little unhinged. Appointing a complete stranger as a deputy seems a rather controversial move. It only serves to make me wonder what it is about this clan, and what it is about these cats that makes them not mind it."
"I mind it."
"I know," Midnightblaze grinned at her then, dazzling, "you hoped it would have been her." He nodded to Brackenstrike, where she was laughing at something Bearears had said. Sleetstar looked away. "But she has an effect on you, doesn't she? History there and all that. I suspect I'm meant to be the daily Northstar in your ear, which is an entirely unpleasant thought. I'm hoping that we can make this partnership... bearable, at least. I'd actually like to work with you, as hard as that may be to believe." Sleetstar evaluated him, cocking her head.
"Why do you follow her? It seems you don't have an entirely positive opinion of her." Midnightblaze's maw curled up in a half-sneer.
"She didn't give me much of a choice." Sleetstar opened her mouth to ask what he meant, but Midnightblaze was already drifting away, issuing shy congratulations to the newest warrior, and leaving her to ponder what exactly his comment had meant.
-
"You alright?" Minkfur startled, looking up from her paws to see Thunderjaw hovering a safe distance away. She tilted her head from side to side with a heavy sigh and, after a reluctant minute, the smoke tom came closer and settled next to her, crouching against the ground to minimize the amount that his fur would ruffle in the chilly night air. "What's going on, Minkfur? You don't seem like the kind of cat to sit around brooding."
"You do."
"I know, that's why it's odd that you're the one doing the brooding." Minkfur didn't say anything to that, so Thunderjaw fell silent, the pair of them watching the camp go about business. Poppywish and Howlingeye were laughing over something or other, Bearears and Hollyfeather were chatting excitably with Viridianfire, while Sleetstar and Summitsky spoke in hushed tones. The pointed molly touched noses with him, before she turned and vanished up the cliffside to her den. Thunderjaw's eyes trailed her, watching her as she went.
"Nothing's wrong, you know."
"Never said anything was, I just asked what was going on."
"Would you believe me if I said nothing?"
"Not in the slightest," Minkfur cracked a smile at that, but it was strained. Thunderjaw paused for a beat. "You can tell me, you know. Anything that you want."
"You say that with remarkable ease for someone who's keeping a secret," Thunderjaw stiffened as Minkfur turned to him, a cool sharpness behind her eyes. Thunderjaw's spine prickled, and his fur bristled a bit, but he held her gaze, refusing to let his expression twitch away from impassive. Minkfur watched him, amber eyes evaluating every single second of his movement. Thunderjaw didn't speak until he was sure his tone wouldn't give him away.
"I don't know what you mean," he said, "you think I'm keeping secrets?"
"It's written all over you," Minkfur shrugged, with a humourless laugh, "you're good at hiding it, I'll give you that. The first time I met you... you intrigued me because you were just so... neutral. A lesser cat might have called you unremarkable, but that would be false and a discredit to you. You are quite incredible: handsome, strong, bigger than any cat I've ever seen, but you have this countenance about you. Troubled yet carefree, aloof yet involved. You're every kind of dichotomy wrapped into one and you have everyone here fooled."
"And what about you?" Thunderjaw's head tilted, his tone cool. "You have everyone thinking you're iron-willed and iron-fisted, dedicated and absolute, and that's how you achieved your role as deputy in your other clan. To your credit, some of that is probably true. In fact, I'd wager most of it is, because I see the fire come alive in you when you act like that. You love a challenge, don't you Minkfur? But you're also afraid. You fear. What it is you fear, I haven't figured out yet, but there's something."
"I am afraid," she said, quietly, "always afraid of what comes next. I thought I knew, once upon a time. But now, I'm not so sure."
"And do the secrets make you more or less afraid? Are you afraid of me?"
"Yes," her gaze met his, "I think I could cut your throat in less time than it took you to blink, but that's not the context in which you frighten me. You scare me because I'm intrigued by you. I'm invested. I didn't plan to be, I didn't even plan to consider you, but here you are, with your dichotomies and your challenges and your even gaze. I think I would hate if something happened to you and that is dangerous."
"You're afraid that I have power over you."
"Yes."
"I only have as much power as you'll afford me."
"I'm afraid that I'm too willing to hand too much of it over," she looked away then, with a wry smile. "This clan is a mess. Sleetstar is hiding just as much as you are. Howlingeye sees all but no one will listen to him. Viridianfire is young and foolish, and that's a deadly combination when her foolishness is paired with her bravery. You have tragedy behind your eyes, and I... well. I'm a failure, aren't I? I let my clan die. I let it fall apart."
"None of that is your fault," Thunderjaw said, moving closer, "you're one cat, Minkfur."
"A cat who was supposed to be a leader. What good is a leader if they can't even lead? If everything falls apart before them?"
"What is this really about?" Minkfur's eyes met Thunderjaw's, finally, feeling watery. There was a storm raging behind them, a million emotions colliding in a way that made her want to crawl against his flank and curl up there, as if she were a kit curling against her father's side again. She got the impression that Thunderjaw wouldn't push her away, like he did. Thunderjaw was strong, and good, and stalwart. A bastion to cling to in tumultuous seas.
"Brackenstrike and Splitface are hiding something," she said, lowering her voice, "a primordial rune. Riqis. Apparently Splitface is the last paragon. Sleetstar knows, but not by choice. She and Brackenstrike are on the outs, and the rune threatens more and more fractures with every day it remains here, and I can't tell anybody, because the rune's power comes from fear and from hatred of that which you can't explain. I'm afraid it's happening again, the downfall. And that deputy... that deputy-"
"Minkfur," Thunderjaw's voice was gentle, as he rested his jaw on the top of her head, "I'm sorry you've had to go through this alone. I know it's likely not much consolation but... I trust Brackenstrike. She cares for Sleetstar, and she cares about this clan. She wouldn't do anything to put it in danger. As for the deputy, I promised Sleetstar I would try and make good of Northstar's riddles by her side, so I'll be keeping an eye on him. You are diligent, and good, and you care, and that's important, but you can exhale now. You are not doing this on your own." He paused.
"What is it?" Minkfur asked, barely a whisper. The air felt fragile enough to shatter with one wrong breath.
"I don't want there to be secrets," he whispered back, "not between us. But I'm afraid too."
"You are not doing this on your own," she placed her paw over Thunderjaw's, but he pulled away, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I very may well be, after this," he said, tone strained, before his eyes met Minkfur's again. He took a deep breath. "I did something. Something very bad. I sleep every night and wish StarClan would tell me it's forgivable so I could believe it for myself. Maybe you kept something from Sleetstar, and maybe your last clan fell apart and you feel responsible, but those things can be forgiven. You can be forgiven, because you are just trying to do the best that you can, and if that is not enough for you to earn forgiveness, then what hope is there for me?"
"Thunderjaw," Minkfur was still whispering, pressed closed to him now, "what did you do?" There was pain, sadness behind his eyes.
"I hope one day you'll forgive me for burdening you with this secret," he said, before he took a deep breath, and said it.
"I killed someone."
-
"Hey, Howlingeye, wait up," Howlingeye paused, halfway up the cliffside path to the dens. Summitsky broke away from the group of cats who were giving their last pieces of advice to a nervous yet excited looking Viridianpaw, scaling the path behind him. Once their were face to face, Summitsky paused, ears flattening just a bit, as if the wind had been taken out of his sails. "Listen, I just wanted to say..."
"That you're sorry?" Howlingeye blinked at him. "I'll bet."
"I am sorry," Summitsky said with a nod, "what I said was... hurtful and insensitive and I... didn't consider your feelings in the matter. And listen, this whole thing? It doesn't have to stop us being friends." He gave Howlingeye a reassuring smile, eyes twinkling. The pointed tom, on the other hand, just looked incredulous, before he was outright furious.
"Are you still somehow chugging with the rail-monster of thought that I'm in love with you or something? Good StarClan, I thought we'd moved past that." Howlingeye took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Get this through your thick head, Summitsky. I don't care about you. I flirted with you once, but that does not mean I have any attachment to you whatsoever. I was trying to be a good friend to you, and watch out for you so you wouldn't get hurt, but clearly-"
"It's not like that, please," Summitsky waved his tail rapidly, "I promise, Howlingeye, I don't think that of you! I know, I know that was a mistake, that I ever said that but I-"
"Hey!" Both toms looked up to see Poppywish at the end of the ledge beyond the medicine den. His eyes were twinkling merrily, and he was looking at Howlingeye as if he'd hung the stars in the sky. "Are you just going to stand around chatting or are you coming up?" Howlingeye smirked, and that seemed to be all the confirmation Poppywish needed. He turned and vanished back into the den. Dread settled in Summitsky's stomach as he slowly lowered his gaze back to Howlingeye, who was looking at him with cold indifference.
"I have things to do," he said.
"Howlingeye, please," Summitsky hung his head, "I just want to make things better. To make things right."
"If you want to make things right, Summitsky, open your eyes," Howlingeye turned then, casting him a look over his shoulder, "I'm not above saying I told you so, but you're nice enough, and in this case, I really don't want to have to say it- or even think it. Just... watch your back. If you want to prove to me that you're sorry, maybe take my advice to heart instead of acting like I never warned you in the first place." He was gone before Summitsky had a chance to respond to that, but in his place, silhouettes outside Sleetstar's den. Summitsky ducked closer to the path, quickly, hoping the overhangs would shield him from view.
Sleetstar and another cat- Thunderjaw, he thought, no other cat in this clan is that big- were too far away for him to hear what they were talking about, but their stances seemed relaxed and their tones fond, especially as Sleetstar reached up to touch Thunderjaw's cheek with her nose. Thunderjaw moved away then, casting her one last look over his shoulder, before he descended the path, and vanished into the warrior's den. Sleetstar's blue eyes tracked him as he went, skipping over him in the dim light. It wasn't until she turned away that Summitsky stepped out of his hiding place, casting a look toward the medicine den. Howlingeye's words rung in his ears.
Howlingeye was probably paranoid. But if it made things right, he'd keep his guard up.
𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧.
"Teams of two," Splitface allowed Brackenstrike to haul her up a particularly difficult incline by the scruff of her neck, "quick thinking on such short notice." Brackenstrike nodded resolutely, eyes on the rune that Splitface clutched delicately between her teeth. It hadn't been figuring out a reason to get the hunting patrol to split up that had been hard, it had been doubling back around and collecting the rune that had been.
"You're sure it was them?"
"I'd know them anywhere," Splitface assured her, smiling at her.
"Good to know the old steel trap hasn't gotten too rusty, my darling," the two she-cats spun around to search for the voice, eyes lighting on a dazzling ginger cat. Splitface purred, placing the rune down and taking a step forward. The other cat surged to meet her, the pair of them tangled around each other in a fierce embrace.
"It's so good to see you again, Celica," she sighed, pressing her cheek to theirs. The ginger purred, rubbing their cheeks together contentedly.
"Shroud," he said happily, "when I heard of the sisters... well. I had hoped that you were the one to survive. I'm sorry for all you lost. I know they meant a lot to you." Splitface looked away for a second, before she smiled, nodding to Brackenstrike.
"They were an important chapter in my life, but my story isn't over yet. I have a new family. This is one of the cats- Brackenstrike. A proper clan, follows StarClan and everything. She helped me recover the rune, so I promise it's safe that she knows you. Brackenstrike, this is Celica, my sibling." Brackenstrike gave them a smile.
"It's nice to meet you," she said, "I didn't know Splitface had family beyond the paragons."
"And I didn't know my sister had such good taste in mollies," Splitface swatted at them, but they stepped back nimbly, "thank you for your help, Brackenstrike. You must know the importance of the runes. It takes a good cat not to try and twist that to their advantage."
"I've seen what happens to those drunk on power," she said, "I won't let that be me."
"Cautionary tales do make the best exemplars," Celica nodded, turning to their sister, "how long can you stay? Perhaps it's selfish of me to ask, but... well. You know what happens once I leave."
"I know."
"If I never see you again... well. I want to make sure I take every moment I can with you. You are, after all, my last remaining sister, both in name and in blood. After this... we truly do go our own separate ways." Their expression was sad, worried. Splitface turned to Brackenstrike momentarily, before she turned back with a fond smile. She pressed close to her sibling again, with a gentle sigh.
"I'll be okay," she said, "I'm safe here, and I'll be happy. Brackenstrike has already proven a good friend, and I am optimistic for the future. I think I can stay a while, and make sure you're completely caught up."
"I'll cover for you," Brackenstrike said, with a nod, "just make sure you're back at camp before sunfall, and bring prey if you can. It'll probably go over easier that way. It was nice to meet you." She gave Celica a final smile, before she turned, and disappeared over the edge of the cliff, the sound of her scrabbling paws fading from earshot. Celica gave their sister an encouraging smile, bumping her shoulder as she picked up the rune again.
"So, where to start? Fill me in on everything that's happened."
-
A familiar scent was awaiting Thunderjaw on the southern border. There were many things that surprised him about this: the fact that the scent was there at all was the least surprising, with the fact that he recognized it with ease being the most. He turned, casting a look of casual curiosity over his shoulder, where Varvara was lounging against the back fence of a two-leg place, clearly unbothered to see him.
"This is what Sloane- oh, sorry, Sleetstar- counts as a patrol these days, is it?" He maw curled into an unfriendly sneer. Thunderjaw simply shrugged, before glancing up to the sky: blue, sunny, a few clouds. Typical Newleaf day. He looked back to Varvara. She looked irritated that he hadn't replied to her so quickly, watching him. Waiting. Evaluating. She reminded him then, of Minkfur, who wouldn't even look at him these days.
"Hunting's good," he said, "so it takes priority. The rest of my patrol doesn't really like me all that much right now, so here I am, covering more ground and dashing your hopes and dreams of chasing some sort of connection that just isn't there anymore." Varvara startled, and then she laughed, ears flicking forward. With a fluid motion, she pushed herself to her feet, wandering closer to Thunderjaw. He refused to budge, watching her calmly as she walked in a circle around him.
"You're kind of mean," she said, "I like you. I can see why she likes you, too."
"And you seem a lot mean, so I can see why she loved you." Varvara's smile faltered.
"Yeah, well," she said lamely, "I don't know if I would call what Sleetstar felt 'love'. That seems to grandiose a term for it."
"What else would you call it, then? Whatever you two had, it clearly came attached to some history and some very intense emotions that neither of you bothered to resolve." Varvara glared at him, looking put out. Thunderjaw didn't so much as flinch under the weight of her stare. She looked at him for a few moments, before she scoffed, taking a step away and casting her glance indifferently at a mouse trying to scurry away from under one of the fence posts that was just a bit too low to the ground.
"And what do you care? Mad that Sleetstar's just sooo messed up that she won't love you back because she's too busy loving me, or Summitface or whatever that guy's name is-"
"Summitsky?"
"Why do you sound surprised?" Varvara rounded on him again, as Thunderjaw's expression slammed shut like a metal airlock door closing on an approaching enemy. Varvara's eyes widened anyhow, and then narrowed. "She lied to me, didn't she? He's not her mate. Oh, of course! Of course it was a lie. I go up there to bring her home and all she does is lie, lie, lie! She's never been able to be honest with me, you know that? With anyone, so I'd watch your back uh-- uh. Oh. Oh, you're him, aren't you? You're Summitsky. Well sorry to ruin your surprise!"
"Thunderjaw, actually," he seemed amused at that, "actually, I told the girl I like that I'm a murderer, so that's how my love life is doing." Varvara recoiled in shock, shaking her head as if she hadn't heard him properly.
"What? Wait, isn't that against like, the warrior code or whatever you religious freaks call it?"
"That's the long and short of it, yes."
"And what's the long and long of it, then?"
"That's between me and another fraud," Thunderjaw took his first steps forward, turning to look over his shoulder at Varvara, "I'll see you around. Something tells me I haven't seen the last of you yet."
-
"You're getting pretty good at splitting up these patrols," Sleetstar turned to give Summitsky her best pout, at the top of the waterfall, "should I be getting concerned? Maybe you're normalizing this so I won't see it coming when you take me out." She rolled her eyes, splashing water from the creek at him, before she bent down to lap at the surface of the creek.
"Very funny," she said, watching him as he stooped to drink as well, "I like spending this time with you. It doesn't really feel like we're alone, not at camp and I... wanted to talk to you about something." Summitsky paused, shifting his eyes to evaluate her calmly, tilting his head to the side. Finally, he sat up straight, curling his tail over his paws.
"Okay, shoot."
"My life with the Merchants was... unhappy. I didn't really realize that until I came here. I thought being exiled was the end of it for me, and then Northstar offered me a second chance. A chance to live. You know, when I found Brackenstrike, she told me I'd turned into a beacon of hope. For most of the Merchants, there's nowhere else to go, and so they stay. I... never dreamed that this is where I'd be today, and if you'd told me who I was and how I'd be feeling at this exact moment six moons ago, I'd have laughed in your face. But... things have changed. I have changed, and I think that's a good thing. Part of that change is... coming to understand some emotions I haven't felt before. Not... really felt, at least."
"Sleetstar-"
"Please, let me finish. I just... I love you, Summitsky. I know it might seem sudden, and maybe it doesn't make much sense but you're kind, and understanding, and being with you is... freeing. Like I don't have to pretend." She smiled at him, feeling her heart going a million miles an hour in her chest. Summitsky looked taken aback, but not aghast. She counted that as a win. "I suppose I'm asking if you'd be my mate?"
"I... Sleetstar... yes! Yes, this isn't a no because nothing would make me happier but I just- I have to know... there's nothing going on with you and Thunderjaw, right? I know, it's a dumb question but I just... it's nagging at me."
"Summitsky, I swear. If you're talking about my den the other night, he was up there grousing about Midnightblaze. He doesn't like him all that much, he thinks he's untrustworthy, but whatever issues they have are between them to sort out. Thunderjaw's just a friend. You are the only cat I'm interested in."
"Then yes. Yes, of course. I love you, so much. Of course I'll be your mate! You have-- you have no clue how happy this makes me." Summitsky surged forward, pressing their foreheads together. Sleetstar was quick to drag a purr from her chest to match Summitsky's as he nuzzled against her, tail held high in excitement. Over his shoulder, Sleetstar caught a flash of white. Her eyes lighted on Northstar's glittery form, hanging in the treeline. Their eyes met, and she smiled, before she turned, and vanished into the shadows.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
` servings consumed
4/4 - 2 rabbits
` clan events
sleetstar and summitsky become mates
poppywish searches for herbs
` patrols
hunting-
1 - splitface, brackenstrike, fallowstep, hawkeyes, bearears, hollyfeather
2 - sleetstar, summitsky, howlingeye, viridianfire, midnightblaze
border-
3 - minkfur, thunderjaw
` leader
`` sleetstar | 51 moons | ♀ | ✦
` deputy
`` midnightblaze | 57 moons | ♂ | ✦
` medicine cat
`` poppywish | 42 moons | ♂ | ✦
` medicine cat apprentice
`` name | age | ♀/♂ | ✦
` warriors
`` summitsky | 54 moons | ♂ | ✦
`` hollyfeather | 29 moons | ♀ | ✦
`` thunderjaw | 49 moons | ♂ | ✦
`` howlingeye | 32 moons | ♂ | ✦
`` brackenstrike | 60 moons | ♀ | ✦
`` splitface | 57 moons | ♀ | ✦
`` bearears | 24 moons | ♀ | ✦
`` minkfur | 47 moons | ♀ | ✦
`` fallowstep | 49 moons | ♂ | ✦
`` hawkeyes | 54 moons | ♂ | ✦
`` viridianfire | 16 moons | ♀ | ✦
` apprentices
`` name | age | ♀/♂ | ✦
` queens and kits
`` name | age | ♀/♂ | ✦
↪ kit names
` elders
`` name | age | ♀/♂ | ✦
` ally clans
none currently.
` enemy clans
none currently.
` borders
↑ | open | user
→ | open | user
↓ | two-leg village
← | ski slope
` medicine store
catmint [3] | greencough
poppy seeds [1] | pain
burnet [1] | strength
lamb's ear [1] | strength
lovage [1] | coughs; c
` fresh-kill pile
vole | x2 | 1 servings
rabbit | x4 | 2 servings
stoat | x2 | 2 servings
small fish | x3 | 2 servings
hare | x1 | 3 servings
bird | x0 | 3 servings
` mentors
none currently
` deceased
name | cause of death
` family ties
fallowstep + hawkeyes - ravencall; surrogate
↪ batkit, racoonkit & beaverkit (snakeclan)
sleetstar + summitsky
↪ trying
by solyn » Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:01 pm 
