Posts of the Week

By the time they reached the shipyard, the silver tabby was wheezing. WOULD IT HAVE KILLED YOU TO SLOW DOWN?! As soon as Adder yowls for everyone to gather, his limbs have decided to check out for the day. He immediately collapses to the ground, limbs stretched out in a strange manner. His flank rising and falling as he struggles to catch his breath. He tries to listen as best as he can to what Adder relays to the group as his lungs suck in as much air as they can for his aching lungs. Eventually, the report is finished and he lifts his head up to those who have gathered to give them a strained smile.

Wave, while having her reservations about leaving behind this place she called home voices her support. He expected as much. Wave and Adder were always together. He doubts there is a place they would go, if they weren't together. They love each other alright. I wonder what it's like. Having a mate who would go anywhere if it's with you? And that you'll do the same for. They're happy, so I guess I'd be happy too... Awww, man. Now I'm getting sad about it. Remember you got something to do first !!! While exhaustion still clings to him, he manages to rise to his paws. Albeit, a bit slowly. Maybe he should have stayed laying down if he had known what Knot was going to say.

Wh-WHY? He can't stop himself from looking at her with shock. If you just don't want to get wet, then you're gonna get wet regardless... If not by the river, then by the stream. Or how... Damp- BLECK that place is. How would we even get to the same island without getting wet. A silver paw to brought to his black chin as he begins to figure out if there is indeed another way. However, from what the scouting patrol saw, the river stretched a good distance. There were spots that were thinner, which was they had swam through in order to get across. He had no intention of leaving Knot behind, but it was difficult to figure out a way that required no swimming. They could travel up the river to find some patch of land where they didn't need to swim, but there was no guarantee that they would find such a path. He had no idea what was beyond. Maybe somewhere more dangerous. Who knows? We have kits coming with us. It's already hard enough to take care of them here. We want to get to our new home as soon as possible.. UUUUGGHHH WHY DON'T YOU WANNA SWIM KNOT!!!! GAH, YOU'RE MAKING THINGS HAAAAAAAAAARD.

In the middle of his internal whining, it is Russet who shocks him. He even flinches while fur bristles, green eyes looking at the molly. Uhhhhh, do... Do you not get along with Knot? Of course he doesn't voice his thoughts, not wanting to be next in Russet's wrath. There she makes two things known. The first, even though she is among the injured she would prefer a short swim compared to a longer trek (as if getting to the island wasn't a journey itself). The second is that she has the same concerns he does. The concern being, what if there's no easier path to take after spending days of travel. Note to self. Thank Russet. Thank her for being real with Knot. His eyes slowly trail over to Knot. I'm so sorry queen, but Russet kinda ate you up with that one. Your argument of the injured not wanting to swim fell flat. WAIT. Do... Do you not know how to swim? It hadn't crossed my mind. Just like Downy not knowing how to swim either. He grimaces at the memory of Willow helping Downy. While he is grateful for his friend for helping the other molly, things could have turned for the worse quickly. Looks like there are cats here who don't know how to swim. For some reason? We... We live next to the water though...

Before he can even manage a response, it is Torrent who cuts in. His earnest nature had only grown in the short time he had left. He really took what I said at heart, huh? A surge of pride stirs in his chest as the younger tom offers his help to someone much older than he and is respectful about it. He even voices the opinion that maybe there are cats in their group who hate being wet, but will travel with them regardless of the fact. What he means to say and reiterate is that Knot will not be left behind. Torrent is more than willing to ensure everyone comes along. What he is not prepared for is the same tom to look at him in fondness. He can't help it when a smile is curled from his lips as Torrent mentions wanting to help.

Yeeesssshhh, I can barely get a word in. It would be funny if I yelled freeze and all of them just stood silent and still. Actually, how long would they even stay that way... I should try it. Someday. Anyway, PAY ATTENTION! The first cat who interupts is frost, who offers to teach cats who are unable to swim a paw. I believe in Torrent teaching, but he's just one cat. I have a hard time believing some older cats would listen to him. SO! Frost! you're gonna help him out, yes yes. This will work out. As for Frost's trust in him, well... He can't say it doesn't make him queasy. There are so many cats who are placing their trust in him and if he thought about it for a while, he would throw up here and now. All he can offer is an awkward smile.

The next cat is Fox. A cat who reminds him of well... Himself. They are both rather awkward and shy. The only reason why he didn't appear to be his usual self was because of the mess he'd been thrusted into because of the ghost cat Seabriar. I wonder how much different would my life be if they did pick someone else. Would I offer to teach cats how to swim? Or would I help gather the kits with Pine? He shakes his head. There's not a really a point in thinking of that, huh? In any case, he is happy to hear that Fox can indeed swim and will swim if it's for their survival.

Finally, he is given a chance and he takes it.

"Knot, you're not going to be left behind. You are going to swim. And if you don't, then I'll grab you by the scuff and drag you over to the shore. If you don't want that, then I suggest learning from others."

He looks at Torrent, then to Frost, and finally, Fox.

"I would like it if the three of you could work together and teach cats who don't know how to swim, to... Well, swim. Try not to fight with each other, this isn't about who is better. This is about or survival. We need to swim in order to survive. Our chances of getting across safely depends on all of us working together, after all."

We can grumble the whole way about it and be sad about leaving this place. That's fine, but when we get back to the island... I hope we can all look at it and think of it as a decent place to call home. Or... We can rest there for a bit before we find somewhere else. If... that's what everyone wants.

With that he turns and goes to Adder. He can't help himself from feeling as though he shouldn't interrupt a man reuniting with his wife. I'll make this quick. I dunno if Adder will claw my ears off, but I DO NOT wanna test the theory. Besides, he looked so miserable away from Wave. He practically sprinted the whole way, I swear I almost passed out a couple of times! I really gotta get in shape if I want to keep up with him.

Silver paws lead him away from the family and back to the group, in which he clears his throat (taking a note out of Adder's page, huh).

"We'll be leaving soon, so say your goodbyes to this place... And yeah, that's it. We've got work to do."

Awkwardly, he begins to pad away in search of particular members of the group to ask some favors for. They may ask for something in return in the future, but that was a problem for the future.

// @FOXTAIL @Frost @Torrent pike has put you in three in charge of swimming lessons! Feel free to make a thread in which they host a swimming class or teach cats one one privately if preferred!

To say that he was not seconds away from puking the moment the patrol members all gathered and quickly set out was an understatement. While it had been Adder- Oh, Thank you Adder, If I could kiss you! NOT in a disrespectful way. Wait, no... I don't want Wave to kill me for kissing his cheek as thanks for his ideas. A glance is spared to the chocolate ticked tom who looked as if he was five seconds away from clawing at their throats if anyone decided to say how was he on this lovely morning. On second thought... Let's not do that. And so, from there he quite awkward led the small group away. The problem was that he could feel their piercing stares on his back, especially Bay who hadn't been given in answer in how he knew of the place they were now traveling to. If looks could kill, then he would have been dead already nine times over. Just keep walking, just keep walking. Pretend like you know were you're supposed to be going. They don't have to know we're all kinda going blind for now.

Eventually the group had made it to the twoleg place. Pike would be lying to say he didn't breathe a sigh of relief when the twoleg place came to view, so that weird cat was right... HUH?! That can't be, cause he was just a made up in my mind! Right? We just, I just got lucky. There's no way dreams are real. Nuh uh, not at all. In any case, everyone had decided to take a small rest before they continued with the rest of their journey. After all, their paws ached from walking at first light to noon.

Once again they are following him, though he is a little less sure of where to go from here. A river. I have to look for a river. It's got to be close. And so they travel along the outskirts of the twoleg place until they are able to see a body of water from the distance. There? It has to be there. Riverclan. Oh. I get it. I get it now. It's cause we're next to the river. He feels a bit sheepish at the realization of why the clan had such a strange name. It's not that different from the Shipyard. It tells you all you have to know about the place. Guilt eats at him, the urge to apologize to the cat in his dreams becomes ever persistent. He wouldn't have known where to go if the place where he was meant to go didn't give a hint of where or what it was. If Seabriar had told him the place where they were meant to go was called a pizzeria where there was a mechanical bear, chicken, bunny, and fox... Yeah, they would not be finding that anytime soon. It's not like a place like that existed anyway, right?

Anyway, silver paws stop at the edge of the river. He looks back to the patrol, all of them are accounted for. It's the only warning any of them are given before Pike plunges himself into the cool river. He is not too alarmed at the slight increase in difficulty swimming here than in the shipyard. Before he had even joined those in Shipyard, his twoleg had taught him how to swim in lake. It was somewhat similar though the water was less calm than a lake. Thankfully, they have a nice patch of land not too far from them. They wouldn't be swimming long.

It only occurs to him when he is crosses the river and is standing on a nice patch of land is this: They know how to swim, right? I did say we'd have to cross a river. I DO REMEMEBER SAYING THAT! Unless I didn't? But there's no way I didn't? Perhaps, it's amusing for the patrol swimming across seeing him so flustered and pacing around the shore anxiously. Even as they make it with varying degrees of difficulty, there Pike is fretting about each and every one of them. It's only when all of them cross successfully he sighs in relief.

Crossing the river was a start. Now the trouble was finding that island. Considering there was land that went about a good distance, they needed to keep pressing forward and find another river before they found what they were looking for. However, before they do that he looks down and finally notices it. Surrounding the group is a meadow, with various types of flora. I know this place. The memory of Seabriar comes to mind. The starry tom had come running to him in a field of flowers. They had spoken in this very place. He brings a careful paw to caress one of the flowers beside him.

The patrol is waiting for him to stop wasting time, he knows this. He is well aware of their question looks as his frame trembles. Chuffs leave his maw as before it erupts into full blown cackling. None of them will ever know. HE'S REAL! HE'S NOT JUST SOME MADE UP THING! IT'S TRUE! WE WERE HERE TOGETHER. I WAS HERE WITH HIM. THIS WAS A HINT, SO THAT MEANS-

"It will make sense in practice, given time."

None of them will ever know. Know that even though he spoke of this new home as if it existed, he took a chance on it. Not because he believed Seabriar was real, but because they had nothing else. If he had said nothing, then they would rot away in the shipyard, or try and head further away. Far from the bounty of the forest's rivers. Excitement surges within he as he looks to the members of the patrol. Paying no mind to how maddening he appeared. It is then that he realizes the looks each is giving him, and the excitement he had in him is immediately snuffed out. Nerves begin to take their place as he nervously looks around, unable to look anyone of them in the eye. They weren't there yet, but it was nice to get some opinion so far of the new place. After all, they would all be living here in the future if everyone on the patrol was in agreement.

// @Adderfang @Peachy @Bay @downy @willow here y'all go we are in RIVERCLAN TERRITORY!!!! for reference we are in what will become known as sunset meadows. more information about riverclan's territory can be found here!

A slow nod of his head remarked the recognition of more faces anticipating to follow after. He caught Charcoal's gaze in his slow sweep, prompted for his attention. "Charcoal, your name derives from that of what's already been scorched through. But I see you're far from a smoldering future, instead you will join ShadowClan's legacy under the name Coalstrike." Something ready for far greater potential, and in a similar vein he looked to Smoky as well. For a name to bestow his friend with greatness, he thought himself clever with what he thought of. "And Smoky, your name now may bring about a sense of caution, but I've seen how you wear the night as a cloak. Smogmaw will do better to tell the kind of warrior you are."

It would make sense to then gift the tom's mate with her name as well, and Sablestar regarded Halfy with a smile. "Fi, your name regards your appearance. For the twin colors that make you, your name will be Halfshade." It rolled off better than Halfyshade, surely.

For now he didn't have much to provide for the pairs daughter, but she would not be the only one to find their names later as he spaced his days to dwell on them. He still had a few more, and he focused on the tom with rusting fur. "Your warrior name will display that fearsome you carry, hidden until brought to a breaking point. ShadowClan will know you as Mothbite from now on." The snappy tom would wear it well.

Only a few left in him now. "Possum." He spoke the cats name before seeing him among the crowd, glaring in a direction he didn't care to follow. "Continue to bear your teeth for your new name, Possumgrin. And Jade-." The final name he held for now. "you will be noted for your ferocity, it hasn't gone unnoticed. Jadethorn will mark your fury as a warrior."

Sablestar took a slow step back, a movement of finality as he rested once again on his haunches. "Ahem, we will revisit this another time. I will be sure the wait isn't long."