༺ 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙮 – wc rp

[peachpit.]

✧ 𝚁 𝚊 𝚋 𝚋 𝚒 𝚝 𝚜 𝚘 𝚗 𝚐

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[ Deputy - He/him - 45 moons - Heterosexual - Mentions: Mudslide cats Tags: Mudslide cats ]

The shouts, unclear under blood that gushed through his clouded head, a cacophony of warbled yowls and pleads from his clanmates. He was there at once, surrounded by the damp, earthy walls of the medicine cat’s den. The sweet smell of catmint, dandelion. The booming shouts, this time closer, more masculine. Rabbitsong was minuscule again, the standing herbs had still towered above him. “You said it yourself, Fogfern. If he didn’t get any bigger, he wouldn’t make it.” The scratchy drawl of his father’s voice. “Well here he is, alive. Small and useless. How am I supposed to be proud of a runt?!” The screams boomed in his blushed ears, “runt.” There he was again, cowering on the floor of the medicine cat’s den, his father enraged at a much younger Fogfern for something he couldn’t control. That helpless feeling. It was there with him then in every trip to the medicine den, it was there with him now, in the crumbling ruins of his clan.

Rabbitsong’s eyes narrowed into mere slits, a wild look of panic contorted his face as he dug, almost as if he was in a trance. His chest squeezed and filled too fast, his heart hammered against his ribs too loud, his paws desperately pulled and pleaded with the earth to return the young life not yet meant to be taken. The words of Wildfleck simply drifted through his mind, not cognitive under the trance of fear. The panic seized his body, paralyzing him as Patchpaw’s limp body was torn out of the mud. A fleeting thought as the unrecognizable frame of the apprentice was laid onto the ground, “It should’ve been me.”

Rabbitsong was detached from his surroundings, as if he was outside of his body watching it move around autonomously. He was dissociated, the shock of his panic attack settling into every nerve in his body and making it unbearably numb. He stumbled back from the scene with Patchpaw, empty eyes darting desperately to help the next clanmate. Instead, it caught the crisp gaze of Sykestar. Thank Starclan she had Briarseed at her flank. Silently, he padded toward the pair, eyes still slitted uncomfortably. His state of shock was not otherwise apparent on the outside, if not for his pinpointed pupils. With a few low grumbles, of things he does not even remember saying, he ushered Briarseed towards Patchpaw, who was breathing but not responsive. He said nothing to Sykestar, as if she hadn’t even been present.

“You’re in shock Rabbitsong.” Briarseed’s worrisome gaze caught the crystalline line of his own, the tom’s worn expression hardened as he lingered on her words. “I’m fine, Briarseed. Patchpaw is this way.” They walked in silence, unusual for the pair, the air between them tenser than ever. His heart hammered away in his chest, still out of his own body. The following events were unclear to him, just that Sykestar had rescued Stormpaw, and the rest of the apprentices were in stable condition.

Somehow, within the confusion and detachment, Rabbitsong and the rest of the patrol had returned safe to camp.

The deputy immediately busied himself within the medicine cat’s den, delivering fresh water to the apprentices recovered from the mudslide. He regarded each apprentice with tenderness on the outside, but deep down he seethed with rage. Their ancestors were punishing them, an entire clan of cats who had done no wrong. He needed to speak to Sykestar, though in his current state it was no use. Settling his haunches into the muddy floor of the medicine den, he sat and watched the apprentices tentatively, taking a moment himself to try to ground himself from the panic attack, and deal with the shock that settled in more intensely.

✧ 𝙿 𝚞 𝚖 𝚙 𝚔 𝚒 𝚗 𝚙 𝚊 𝚝 𝚌 𝚑

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[ Warrior - She/her - 25 moons - Lesbian - Mentions: xxx - Tags: Olivebranch ]

The squat molly got to her paws, briefly debating if she needed to tidy up the disheveled mess that was her long, fire-spotted pelt. Pumpkinpatch figured it was the least of her concerns as of now, shook out her pelt briefly and began padding towards the entrance to camp.

It wasn’t long before a soft voice called out to her, attached to a she-cat Pumpkinpatch had not had the pleasure of knowing past a surface level. It belonged to Olivebranch, who asked if she would like to herb hunt together.

“Oh, of course!” Her voice was gentle and delivered with such genuinity. “Yes, yes, much safer in numbers.” A soft smile parted her lips, “Thank you for asking me.”

Olivebranch in tow, the pair made their way out of the camp’s entrance. “I am ever so fascinated by herbs, yknow.” Pumpkinpatch began, a sort of glazed look over her face as the words tumbled out her mouth. Her mother would disapprove if she heard. Pumpkinpatch’s gaze fell onto the pretty she-cats olive green eyes, offering a sort of sympathetic look as if she had just admitted to a crime.

It was no secret that Pumpkinpatch’s upbringing was rather strict. With a mother who firmly believes a she-cats entire purpose is to bear kits and support their mate, it was no surprise when Pumpkinpatch wanted to be a medicine cat apprentice, did her mother scold and forbid her. “Do not fill your thoughts with such silly ideas,” She would say. “Medicine cats cannot have families.” Such sillies idea filled her head regardless, she was rather good at healing. Pumpkinpatch’s paws shifted uncomfortably and she lowered her muzzle to the floor to try to catch a scent of anything useful nearby.

[TheClockmaker]

Gullsplash
Warrior | 25 M | Male | Tags: Hopperpaw, Lightpaw | Mentions: Sykestar

"Thank you for trying to help me," Gullsplash mewed to Hopperpaw, voice low. The cobwebs covered part of the scratches on his flank, but the injury still hurt a lot and bled a bit. Gullsplash noticed that Hopperpaw looked sad, probably because they would soon be punished for their adventure. Deciding to cheer him up, he said to the apprentice: "Y'know, we don't have to get in trouble. We could just... not tell the whole truth. We did go hunting for the clan, but we could just say that we were attacked by the rogue on our territory." He hoped this could actually work.

Gullsplash leaned on Hopperpaw on the way back to camp, so the other tom could half-carry him due to his injuries. He felt utterly exhausted by the time they stumbled into camp. But he had one last burst of energy to finish the job. Gullsplash started to stagger through the clearing, yelling over and over until he could no longer speak: "There was a rogue on the territory!! They attacked us while we were hunting, but we chased them off!! Tell Sykestar!!" Crumpling in front of Lightpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, Gullsplash croaked out, "Please help... my injuries..."

[ColonelHamster]

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➼ age: 32 moons ➼ gender: female ➼ rank: rogue ➼ tags: Aspencurrent, Perchwood

Firefly didn’t step away as Aspencurrent approached her. Her gaze had softened when tom touched her shoulder. Firefly’s amber eyes watched the warrior as he spoke. She wanted to trust him. Firefly couldn’t help a small smile and a purr of amusement at the tom’s display of a “shiny pelt.” As much as he spoke of how good clan life was, doubt still washed over her. Though he had the luxury to have been born in the clan. She knew some past rogues had joined the clan, but she had yet to openly speak with, or hear from them about their thoughts were on clan life vs rogue life.

When his tail tip brushed her ear, she flattened both of them against her head as if to hide, or to protect her freshly given wound. ”We choose you. Now choose us” Auspencurrent’s words sent a shiver down her spine to the tip of her tail as he looked into her eyes. She stared back him for a few moments then blinked once. Her gaze then drifted to the Fallsclan’s territory beyond. Troubled times laid ahead, more ways than one. Danger was lurking near, and where would she be standing when it came? Could she risk life as she knew it for this? If the rogues found out she had joined, truly joined the clan cats… they might hunt her down for being a traitor. Would her mother then truly abandon her? Firefly inhaled deeply. This could be a better life for her like Aspencurrent said. She couldn’t deny that this would also be her chance to see and learn more of starlingflight.

Firefly kneaded her claws into the soft earth under her paws for a few moments before stepping towards Aspencurrent. “I make no promises of joining the clan.” She finally said, lifting her head to look into his eyes. “I am willing to go to your camp and speak with Skyestar about it. I want to see what paths are laid out before me for myself.” Firefly paused, a pit in her stomach forming. Was she really going to let herself go into another fox den of cats? This was the game she had been playing at since she was a kit. The only problem she now faced was the small spark of hope Aspencurrent was giving her. It wouldn’t be easy at first she knew… but would they ever accept her as he had said? “Let’s be off before something else happens. You said you might have clan mates out here… We can search for them if you want but I don’t want to stay in one spot very long.”

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✦ age: 8 moons ✦ gender: male ✦ rank: medicine cat apprentice ✦ tags: Lynxspring, Gullsplash, Hopperpaw, Rumblesprout, Neritebloom,
In camp moving between the Medicine cat den and elders den

Lightpaw blinked in surprise when Pumpkinpatch slid in next to him, deposited some cobwebs and goldenrod at his paws before once again sliding back through the body of cats that began to crowd around. He wasn’t given much of a chance to thank her before his attention was drawn back to the cats in front of him. Lightpaw looked up at Lynxspring gratefully as the warrior stepped up to help get Mistback into the medicine cat den. Lightpaw knew Lynxspring had already done so much to get Mistback to camp, and the warrior was still willing to keep going to get things done. A new respect for the warrior grew inside Lightpaw. He felt his mind buzz as cats gathered around. They seemed like they wanted to help, but it made him feel nervous to have so many crowd around him as he tried to figure out what to do.

Relief soon washed over the medicine cat apprentice’s face as Briarseed arrived, calling for the cats to make room. The tip of his tail twitched as Brairseed went to look Mistback over. Lightpaw hoped she wouldn’t disapprove of the decisions he had already made in her absence. He nodded gratefully as Neritebloom and Rumblesprout had returned with the wet moss. When Brairseed had turned to him to give him instructions, Lightpaw latched onto her words as if they had come from StarClan themself. He nodded his head, repeating the list she had given him in his head so not to forget. “Yes Brairseed.” He answered, his eyes fixed on her as she turned to leave, wishing she could stay with him.

Looking to Lynxspring Lightpaw went to help the warrior to carry Mistback into the medicine cat den. When the two had gotten the molly safely into the den, Lightpaw lifted his gaze to the warrior before he had time to leave. “Lynxspring… Briarseed has a point. You need to take care of yourself too. Please, let me look you over before you go prancing back out into danger. I... I don’t want you getting hurt too.” Lightpaw’s gaze shifted away from Lynxspring to Mistback, worry echoing in his voice as he spoke.

Lightpaw’s attention was then drawn to the entrance of the den, his fur bristling as Gullspash and Hopperpaw stumbled into camp, heading towards the medicine cat den. Lightpaw’s heart skipped a beat. What else had happened? StarClan please… I want to help my clan mates, but there is so much I don’t know. Guild my paws, and watch over my clan, lest we all parish. Standing at the opening of the medicine cat den Lightpaw felt a small trimmer run through his limbs as he heard Gullsplash yowling about a rogue attack. Cats had started coming back from the patrols and filling what little space remained. That’d have to take overflow to the elder’s den to make sure the wounded could be treated without further complications.

Lightpaw stepped forward as Gullsplash collapsed in front of him. Lightpaw leaned over the warrior, seeing the dried blood stained fur on the tom. Cobwebs had been placed on the wounds, a bit messy but functional enough. Lightpaw’s eyes narrowed as he stepped to the warrior’s side, gently peeling back one of the cobwebs to get a look at the damage. Lightpaw grimaced, it was hard to tell how deep the rogue's claws had gone. “You’ll live, but I’ll need you to stay in the Elder’s den until I get these wounds cleaned up. I don’t want these scratches to get infected.” Lightpaw tried to speak with more authority and confidence than he felt. His gaze went to Hopperpaw, examining the apprentice for wounds. “You too.” Lightpaw flicked his tail towards the Elders den. Lightpaw bent down and nudged Gullsplash’s shoulder with his nose, trying to help the warrior up onto his paws to get him further into the den. I’ll need more cobwebs to replace these once I get some goldenrod to put on these scratches. Lightpaw thought, grateful they at least still had a good stock of cobwebs.

His mind buzzing Lightpaw quickly padded to Rumblesprout, coming up with an idea that could be helpful, as well as get the elder’s mind on a task vs idling by Mistback with darkened thoughts. “RumbleSprout, there is much to be done. Would you help me prepare the oak leaves and goldenrod? I think I saw some cats leaving to find herbs while I’m cleaning wounds, I want you to help prepare the herbs as they are brought back. This way you can help Mistback and still keep close to her.” Lightpaw mewed, before quickly explaining what herbs, and how they were to be prepared as he started to get to work. Lightpaw had spoken in a clear, loud tone, hoping if not Rumblesprout one of the many cats bustling around the den would hear and lend a paw. Soon enough the apprentice was busy with his work, trying to remember what Fogfern had taught him, and everything Briarseed had said before had departed. As cats started to trickle into camp, Lightpaw caught himself more than once trying to find the white colored pelt of Kyanitepaw. He tried not to let it distract from his work, but the pang in his heart made him keep glancing up whenever he had the chance to look for her.

[selasphorys]

𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
(warrior) (40 mns) (she/her) (appr: goosepaw) (x)
(location: mudslide --> fallsclan camp) (tags: gullsplash, lightpaw) (mentions: stormpaw, sykestar, rabbitsong, snakepaw, mantispaw, hopperpaw)

Swallowsight leapt over swells of mud and stone, kicking desperately to stay afloat. Her piercing eyes searched for any sign of life amidst the endless rubble. And then she saw it. There was no greater wonder than that eruption of earth, when Stormpaw and Sykestar emerged from the mud. She could only stare. Far as they were, down in that canyon where no cat could reach, she saw the dark of their sodden pelts against the sky's pale reflection. The blue warrior skidded to a stop, nearly crashing in her haste. Their search was finally over. Hope bubbled in her chest, turning to a spring, a flood. For the first time since the earth fell away, she finally let herself breathe.

Stormpaw was her little brother Gullsplash's apprentice, so Swallowsight always had a soft spot for the young cat. If Stormpaw was here, then where was Gullsplash? It seemed he had left his apprentice behind again. As her panic ebbed away, a slew of other emotions took its place. Anxiety, then anger. Even a tinge of regret. She remembered how over-protective she was as Gullsplash's mentor, never letting him out of her sight for a moment. Was his careless, irresponsible mentoring a form of rebellion? With misty blue eyes, she watched the unconscious apprentice. Her heart broke to see the bright child so limp and lifeless. Briarseed said that Stormpaw would be alright. But the little one shouldn't have had to face this mudslide alone.

Burying her anger for the return to camp, Swallowsight focused on ensuring that the path was safe before she proceeded. Lingering worry weighed down her paws. With each step, she feared the earth would give way, swallowing the patrol. How could she trust this land any longer? Normally she would look to Rabbitsong to ease her fears, to be the calm to her storm. But he was distant. His voice was hollow, a toneless echo of its usual melody. His eyes were clouded, the pupils no larger than the prick of a claw. Swallowsight had seen this before, on her mother, many moons ago. The day her father was murdered. Her mother had wasted away ever since, a shell of herself. Swallowsight hadn't known how to handle it then, and she didn't know how to handle it now. Her words couldn't reach them. Swallowsight could only keep her eyes trained for danger, avoiding the disquiet that tainted the silence.

The safe return home should have soothed her fears, but a new onslaught of tragedies worsened her anxiety. Swallowsight soon learned about Mistback's injury. Gullsplash, Hopperpaw, and Milktuft were all unaccounted for. She could only keep herself steady by planning out all the things she'd yell at Gullsplash when he inevitably came back. He'd be safe, he had to be. Unable to still the pounding in her head, she distracted herself with any chore that could be of use to the clan. Swallowsight helped Snakepaw and Manstispaw clean out the Elder's den. She grabbed fresh moss for patient bedding, even got extra and changed out Milktuft's old nest for her eventual return. All the while she avoided Rabbitsong, though she knew he was burying himself in duties just like her. That empty gaze scared her. And she was ashamed of herself.

The molly finally saw a familiar gray-speckled shape in the fog. She leapt to her paws, ready to fire off a lecture as she screeched: "Gullsplash! You have some nerve---" Her brother's wild yowls cut her off. A... rogue? Memories flashed before her eyes, of this exact moment 18 moons ago. Except then it had been their mother, crying out in the wind as she carried their father's body. A rogue had killed him in cold blood. Mothdapple shattered after that, the spark that left her gaze never kindling anew. All Swallowsight could do was curl around her brother's small body and protect him from all the horrors of the world. And now she did the same. Even though she couldn't save him from those very same monsters today. She appeared by his side as he collapsed in front of the medicine cat apprentice. "Lean on me," she murmured, pressing into Gullsplash's good flank. "It'll be okay. Just a few more steps." Swallowsight examined his long scars, recoiling at the sharp tang of blood. When the apprentice returned, she asked, "Lightpaw, is there anything I can do to help?"

𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗔𝗪
(apprentice) (9 mns) (he/him) (mentor: spottedfeather) (x)
(location: fallsclan territory --> camp) (tags: gullsplash, yarrowpaw, goosepaw, lightpaw) (mentions: sykestar, dapplepaw)

Hopperpaw's dull gaze lingered on the blue skies above, only breaking as Gullsplash's words reached his ears. "Y'know, we don't have to get in trouble. We could just... not tell the whole truth." His head snapped sideways as he stared at the warrior, shocked by the suggestion. "That... that just might work," Hopperpaw mumbled, feeling something drop to the pit of his belly. It wouldn't be the first time he twisted the truth to get out of trouble. But, perhaps, even this reckless apprentice could recognize the danger of this deceit.

Shouldering Gullsplash's weight, Hopperpaw helped carry the injured warrior back to camp. With each step the scratches on his shoulders stung. Exhaustion clung to his fur. The apprentice had never carried anything so heavy--- not just the warrior, but the hidden truth they shared. As the mists thickened, so did the pall that seemed to fall over the area. He couldn't put his paw on it, but something felt different. There was an earthy dampness in the air. As he and his friend stumbled into camp, Hopperpaw felt the fur on his spine stand on end. All he could hear were hushed whispers. A whole clearing full of cats, petrified. When Swallowsight let out a yowl, Hopperpaw nearly jumped out of his skin. Gullsplash started screeching for Sykestar in an instant.

Hopperpaw looked on, eyes round. He had made his nest, and now he had to lie in it. He opened his mouth but couldn't choke out a sound. He just couldn't do it. The apprentice could only stumble forward with the shrew clamped in his jaws, finally letting it slump onto the fresh-kill pile with the other prey. The sight of his friends lifted some of the weight off his shoulders. "Goosepaw! Yarrowpaw!" he cried, slipping over wet stones to get to them. "We fought off a real rogue and won!" Hopperpaw puffed out his chest as he boasted. Even if the words came out hollow, he had to keep up this facade. Normally he'd find Dapplepaw to rub his victory in her smug face, but he couldn't see her in the clearing. He deflated in seconds. "Where's Dapplepaw? Is something..." his quiet mew trailed off as he saw Gullsplash collapse in front of Lightpaw.

"I've gotta go," Hopperpaw muttered. He ran to Gullsplash's side. Hopperpaw gave Lightpaw a quizzical look, tilting his head as he asked, "Why the elder's den? Shouldn't we be going to the medicine den?" As soon as the words left his jaws, realization sunk like a stone in his belly. He couldn't deny it any longer. The heavy atmosphere, the whispering clan, the stench of rot and earth and blood. Something was terribly, terribly wrong. Tail drooping, he shrunk into the elder's den and waited for answers he didn't want.

[selasphorys]

𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗣!
Shining down on ruined earth, the sun's golden rays touch the devastation below. Bright beams burn through what was left of the morning's storm. StarClan had willed it: the weather was clear enough for a Gathering tonight. Mud begins to dry, long fissures spreading through the land. Clouds give way to blue sky, the blue of forget-me-nots and robin eggs. Such uncharacteristic colors. Hopeful colors. As if so many lives were never lost.

The mystery of Milktuft's disappearance is answered in one fatal blow. Lynxspring watches in horror as Cinnamonthorn is swept away by another flash flood. The warrior rushes back to camp with the grim news, barely able to breathe, let alone speak.

In a haze of grief, FallsClan tends to its injured. Mistback remains unconscious but stable. The apprentices caught in the mudslide would be alright. Gullsplash and Hopperpaw's wounds will heal.

The troublesome duo tells Sykestar their lie that they were attacked on FallsClan territory, even though they had crossed into rogue territory. They are shocked to hear of the mudslide. Gullsplash has abandoned his apprentice Stormpaw for the last time-- she was nearly killed in the mudslide and so he had failed as a mentor. When Stormpaw recovers, she will be reassigned to another warrior. Gullsplash and Hopperpaw are punished for their disobedience with a half-moon of apprentice duties.

The clan's loner queen has had enough. Neritebloom is the first to flee this dangerous territory. After her last fight with Rumblespout, when the roar of the mudslide split the sky, she slips away in the chaos. Her escape may inspire others to do the same.

A cat with strange scent approaches the camp, accompanied by two warriors. Could a fractured clan bring hope to a hesitant rogue?

[ColonelHamster]

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➼ age: 32 moons ➼ gender: female ➼ rank: rogue ➼ tags: Aspencurrent, Perchwood, Skyestar

Firefly didn’t speak much as the trio made their way back to the camp. The ginger molly kept close to Aspencurrent as he led her towards Falldclan camp. She was able to keep pace easily enough, though the looks from perchwood made her fur bristle at times. It felt like his gaze was being burned into her pelt. Of course he wouldn’t trust her, the feeling was mutual. Not that she blamed him, after all she was a stranger being led straight to his home. The journey to the clan’s camp took longer due to the aftermath of the storm, or whatever that was. They had no idea if something was going to begin again, so the group took some precautions as they trekked through the alerted forest.

As wave after wave of unfamiliar scents washed over her, It was unmistakable even before she had seen it that they had arrived. Her ear perked forward as they entered. The sight was something else. The clan cats were still trying to get themselves sorted out, at first she wasn’t even sure if they noticed her. A warning hiss from her left made her edge closer to Aspencurrent. Her ginger tail switched behind her as she tried to keep her fur from bristling more. She let Aspencurrent lead her through camp towards the den that smelt strongly of Skyestar. Before she even knew it, Firefly found herself standing in front of the Fallsclan leader herself. Firefly blinked once, feeling her limbs stiffen as she looked at the rather intimidating looking molly in front of her. “I-“ Her mouth felt dry as she tried to speak. “I’ve come… to… to help Fallsclan… if you’ll have me.”