angel, even angels lose control // 07.07 meeting

[SABLESTAR]

"Rise, ShadowClan. We have much to go over this moonhigh." Sablestar mewed as he settled on his haunches. His marred gaze looked over his Clanmates as they gathered, noting the faces that would be brought to attention in the waxing moonlight. It was nearly to its fullest this night, but he could not wait another day with the announcements he had to make.

"We have many ceremonies to go over, this moon brings us a boon in warriors. Gravel, Coalstrike's daughter, being among you. She has made quick work to living in the Clan as though she were here with us in leafbare. Gravel, you have shown a great sense of duty within you. Just as your father, I see all his best features in you- she should be proud." Sablestar can only empathize with what he imagined his Night Guard must feel. To see the life created from oneself bloom into something of their own though akin to what they have inherited. He could see himself the same in Magpiepaw and Dreamkit. "For the moon of valuable effort you have shown, you will bear your warrior name in return: Gravelspark. I hope this name serves you well."

Sablestar relented his burnt honeyed gaze from the dark molly to look to clowder of apprentices next. Those that had passed their third and final assessment to reach warriorhood and embrace a new freedom that did not entail tick-pulling or grueling chores to teach them duty and responsibility. "Vanillapaw, step forward." Sablestar began slowly- another accolade for Coalstrike to wear. "It seems my Night Guard has much to brag for tonight... you have passed your final assessment. Coalstrike has instilled in you loyalty, and the meaning of what message ShadowClan brings to this swamp. I know you have trained tirelessly to earn where you stand amongst your peers, and tonight you will join the rank of a warrior, no longer Vanillapaw, but as Vanillathorn." A name gifted to Jadethorn for the same set of skills. He saw nothing else more fitting for her.

"Pepperpaw, it is your turn to come forward." His gaze flickered toward Geckoflame briefly. "Alongside your sister you have shown loyalty to ShadowClan. I have seen you hunt to feed your kin, and fight to protect your land. You do not back down easily, and for that your warrior name shall be Pepperblaze." A token to her mentors name while something entirely her own. Sablestar moved on to the last warrior ceremony. The tuxedo paused as he pinpointed those pair of folded ears in the crowd.

"Our final warrior ceremony tonight... Fleapaw, step forward." Another assessment, so quickly after the last had been called for by Jadethorn. Sablestar had doubt at first that much could have changed, enough that could impress him after seeing the cinnamon-furred molly trample through the pocosin all night. By some struck of divine intervention, Fleapaw had. Jadethorn must have worked miracles day into night, but it was true after seeing it himself. Fleapaw was ready to become a warrior.

"You've worn the role of an apprentice earlier than your fellow ranks, and while your training did not ignite what I had hoped for right away... you have persevered to see the end of your apprenticeship. You have been taught well... you have taught me well, too. I've underestimated your potential when you deserved greater opportunity, and it is my hope that your life as a warrior will continue to prosper." Sablestar flicked his tail once behind him as he allowed the Clan to witness him fall on his sword. "Fleapaw, tonight you will join the rank of a warrior as Fleafire."

The tom lifted his chin as the Clan rose to cheer for the new graduates. Four new warriors, strong and built to support the pocosin in all different strengths. Not too soon would his apprentice join them, and his sons, too.

"We have one more ceremony. Monsterkit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time to leave Timberfrost's care to start your training. You will be assigned to our Night Guard, Mothbite." He smiled down rusted tom as he greeted his new mentor. Before anyone had the moment to lift their tails from the ground Sablestar parted his jaws to speak once more.

"Before you leave, I have one last announcement. I said before the Night Guard's have grown thin, and I've made my decision on who will help it bloom once more. Cherryblaze, Jadethorn, will you two accept invitation to my council?" Jadethorn's secret did not slip his mind, but he has seen now how she has grown into herself as a ShadowClan warrior. He could not let that be squandered by getting lost in kit-play now. She must have a reason to remain sharp. And Cherryblaze... for all her recklessness in throwing herself at RiverClan while still being a Caretaker herself, maybe this time a new perspective would be more helpful than hindering.

this heart beats cold like the devil his own

• WOW LOTS OF NEWS GOING ON THIS MEETING
  
  CONGRATS TO OUR NEW WARRIORS
  @GRAVEL -> GRAVELSPARK
  @VANILLAPAW -> VANILLATHORN
  @Pepperpaw -> PEPPERBLAZE
  @Fleapaw -> FLEAFIRE
  
  our new apprentice!!
  @Monsterkit -> @Mothbite
  
  aaand our new councilmembers!
  @Cherryblaze
  @Jadethorn
  "mew"
• 

  SABLESTAR— he/him ･fifty-nine moons ･leader; shadowclan ･penned by gonkpilled

  a black and white tuxedo with dark amber eyes

 

[FLEAFIRE]

-

Weary eyes sparked to life at Sablestar's call. The last few days had been brutal—tests that scraped her mind raw and left her body aching. But it was worth every ache, every drop of blood, every suffering great and small. Fleapaw uncurled from where she'd been loafing, slinking out of the shadows like a rat before dropping onto her haunches with a dusty flop.

She tilted her head, amber gaze scanning the crowd for the dark she-cat that was first. Gravelspark. Now that was a name. Real fitting for one of Coalstrike's.

The others were whatever. Vanillapaw was fine, she guessed, but Pepperpaw—her lip curled faintly. Pepperblaze. Wasn't there already a blaze? Sablestar must've been scraping the bottom of the naming barrel for that one. And thorn for Vanilla? That was Jadethorn's name, and frankly, her mentor wore it better. She had the decency to keep that to herself, as long as the two of them played nice.

When her own name rang out, her ears snapped up. She sauntered forward, lifting her chin to meet Sablestar's gaze. All that training, the nights crawling home covered in mud and bruises, the grueling herb searches, the days she thought she'd fail no matter what—all of it came rushing back. She'd fought hard to get here, and now it was finally... finally happening.

Sablestar was the last one she expected to admit a mistake. He did, though, and she could hardly believe her ears. To tell her straight to her face that she deserved better? The muscle in her throat clenched. She swallowed, blinking back the burning in her eyes.

Fleafire.

The name flickered across her mind like sparks catching on dry grass, hot as coals, hungry to burn brighter. Her chest swelled, a crooked, toothy smirk tugging at her mouth. She caught Pepperpaw's eye, tipping her head back. Yeah, chew on that.

She and a handful of others thought Fleafire wouldn't make it. Possumgrin was the worst of them. If he'd even bothered to deign them with his presence. Would he hear her name and realize how badly he'd fucked up? Then again, maybe she should thank him. His failure as a mentor had led her there. Without him, maybe she never would've met Froststorm.

Her gaze darted around, hoping to find the pale tom lurking. He was proud of her, right? She hoped this wasn't the end of his visits, that she wouldn't wake up and find him gone, like a dream. Her grin faltered, but she quickly fixed it, tilting her head back, beaming for him, wherever he was.

Yeah, she had help—Froststorm, Jadethorn, Tickpaw, even Mothbite—but she earned this. She clawed her way here.

When Monsterkit finally tumbled forward, a scrap of fuzz ready to leave the nursery, she watched. A shame they wouldn't be apprentices together, but that was fine. She was a warrior now. She could come and go as she pleased, no strings—and maybe she'd take him on a 'graduation trip' as a reward.

When Sablestar's final announcement came, her ears perked sharply to catch who would take Smogmaw and Possumgrins place as Night Guard. Unsurprisingly, Jadethorn was picked. She was moving up too.

Fleapaw's head snapped to find her mentor, pride swirling in her chest.

Not waiting for the cheers to fade, Fleafire bounded across the clearing, shoving through the crowd until she reached Jadethorn. She bumped her greasy forehead against the tabby's shoulder. "Grats, Jadethorn!" A purr crackled in her throat with the aggressive mashing of her face against the sleek pelted she-cat.

When she was peeled off her eyes glittered with admiration. "You're so perfect for it! Heck, I'd say there's no one better." If anyone asked Fleapaw, she deserved it from the start. Way more deserving than that lazy good for nothing that she'd snatched it from.

Meet me at the top, don't stop.

FLEAFIRE

11 MOONS
SHE/HER
- Undersized cinnamon solid with folded ears. She's thin but stubby with very messy fur.
"SPEECH" - crimson | 'THOUGHTS/EMPHASIS' - crimson

Fleafire values family and strength the most. She is clever, sharp-tongued, and quick to anger. She is guided by her desire to become stronger and protect those she cares about—at any cost. Fleafire respects strength but not necessarily authority. She will push boundaries and take advantage of the weak at any given opportunity.

Due to her experiences, Fleafire is corrupt and lacks morals. She does not believe in Starclan but now believes in the Dark Forest. While not a devout follower, her loyalty belongs to her mentor, Froststorm, who reached out when she was at her lowest and saw her into warriorhood.

Growing up in a kitten mill, being separated from her mother, ending up on the streets, and being powerless have deeply affected her view of the world. Despite that, she has grown more resilient as a result of her hardships and bounces back quickly. Her training and mended relationships with some of her clanmates has solidified her devotion toward ShadowClan.

I'm gonna push until I drop

 

[GRAVELSPARK GRAVELSPARK]

Take you to the grave, I'll ghost

——————————​

Gravel sat near the back of the gathered cats, paws planted firm in the damp earth as the moonlight tickled in. The air was thick with humidity and warm bodies pressed close, buzzing with restless energy.

The dark molly did not understand it, not really. All of it was foreign to her, the way they tied worth to names and ranks. She didn't hate it, but it wasn't something she drew excitement from.

When Sablestar's gaze found her, she met it with a single unblinking eye, breath grinding like stones in her throat. His words washed over her, a ripple through the warm air, speaking of duty, of her father, and of new identity.

Gravelspark. The name, even as simple as its new addition was, felt like it belonged to someone else, caught in her fur by mistake. Still, if this was the way of things, she would not spit on it. It would do.

She dipped her head to the tom, visually unfazed. Would her father be proud? She had doubts of that, but what the tuxedo said was thoughtful, nonetheless.

When the cheering began, the grating sound of her voice wouldn't join theirs. Vanillathorn, Pepperblaze, Fleafire. Gravelspark could see the way their chests puffed with pride. Cats pressed closer around her, just as proud, voices lifting to the moon.

She turned her head slightly, catching the reflection of moonlight in the muddy water pooled by her paws, the shape of herself rippling and shifting with every breath. What sort of features of her fathers did Sablestar see in her that she couldn't?

————————————————————————————————

I know I can be so cold

 

[Coalstrike Coalstrike]

Coalstrike sauntered forward, his imposing form slipping between his Clanmates with quiet purpose. He halted where he saw fit, settling into place with a weight that seemed to still the air around him. A quick glance toward his apprentice, Vanillapaw and he gave her an earned firm nod of approval. She had worked hard, and it had shown. She hadn't wilted like so many others. She had spark, grit. Whatever warriorhood held for her, he would watch it unfold with a sense of quiet satisfaction.

When his daughter's name rang out, Gravelspark... His ear flicked, but he remained motionless, save for the sharp focus in his amber eyes. He studied her as she stood to accept the name, observing the way she held herself. How did she feel? About the name? About this place? About him? He was no father in the conventional sense, he knew that, but still, some fragment of something twisted quietly in his chest. Whatever her mother had told her before the end, it was hers to keep.

His gaze returned to Sablestar as the ceremony moved on, expression unreadable. When Vanillapaw and her sibling were called forward, he gave a subtle jerk of his head, signaling her to rise and move forward, and when Sablestar called out her new name... Vanillathorn. He couldn't help the flicker of pride. A strong name. Fitting. Pepperblaze followed, and Coalstrike gave a curt nod. Geckoflame had done well enough.

But it was when Fleapaw was summoned that something flickered in his gaze. The faintest trace of a smirk ghosted across his face before vanishing. She had earned this. From the wild, scrappy thing she had once been to the cat who stood here now. When she glanced into the crowd, searching, for who he did not know but their eyes met and for a heartbeat, something glinted in Coalstrike's gaze. Pride, cold and fleeting, but real. His head dipped slowly down, a nod of approval.

As Sablestar named Jadethorn and Cherryblaze as council, Coalstrike tilted his head slightly. Jadethorn was a sound decision. Cherryblaze... unpredictable, perhaps, but maybe moldable. Monsterpaw under Mothbite's guidance was not unwelcome. Change stirred around them, and Coalstrike, as ever, sat still in the current. Watching. Weighing.

___________________ I DON'T FORGIVE, I DON'T FORGET ☆ A wound's a warning, a debt is a debt. ___________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• COALSTRIKE he/him, shadowclanner, sixty-six moons.
  ☆ a lh black cat dangerous amber eyes. has a mane around his head, is huge [ grandiose ]
  ☆ mentoring nobody
  ☆ loyal to sable, despises thunderclan
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by lion ↛ lionharted on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Pepperblaze]

Pride surged through Pepperpaw like fire in her veins as she strode forward, her head held high, tail lashing confidently at her side. This !! This was their moment. Hers and her sister's. They had earned it. Through mud, blood, and more clawmarks than she cared to count, they had clawed their way here. And under Geckoflame's sharp, scrutinizing eye, Pepperpaw had been shaped, polished. Some of her " rougher edges", as her mentor so nicely put it, had been worn down. But not dulled.

A purr rumbled low in her throat as she brushed up against her sister, eyes gleaming. " We did it, sis. " she whispered, voice thick with excitement and pride. Then she turned her gaze up toward the high ledge, chest puffed out as she fixed her attention on their leader. Vanillathorn. The name echoed in her ears, and Pepperpaw's heart skipped a beat. She whooped silently, flashing her sister a sharp, toothy grin. Vanillathorn. It was a good name. A real warrior's name. Maybe the whole Clan thing was still a little silly, maybe. But this? This meant something.

And then it was her turn. Pepperblaze. The name hit her like lightning. She tasted it on her tongue and felt the fire of it spark to life in her chest. Pepperblaze. Yes. Yes, that was perfect. She dipped her head low to Sablestar, voice steady but glowing: " Thank you. " Her heart soared. Until it didn't.

The warmth in her blood turned to ice as Sablestar called out another name, Fleapaw. Pepperblaze froze, her eyes narrowing sharply. What? Her gaze shot to the scrawny molly across the clearing. No. No no no. This was their day. Her day. That mangy, thunderpath-smelling runt didn't get to ruin it with her stupid face and her dumb ears and... Stars above... her warrior name?

Pepperblaze stared, stunned, as Fleapaw stepped forward, her mouth dry. Their eyes met for a brief, electric moment and Pepperblaze bared her teeth, just enough to make the message clear. She turned away before she did something she'd regret. The rest of the meeting became a blur, her ears ringing with a mix of disbelief and fury. The sweetness of the moment had curdled, left bitter and choking in her throat. She refused to call Fleapaw by her warrior name. Fleapaw would always be that mill rat kit who stole her spotlight.

Stupid Flea.

She hated her.

___________________ I'VE GOT THICK SKIN ☆ AND AN ELASTIC HEART ___________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• PEPPERPAW she/her, ShadowClan, eight moons.
  ☆ a sh black rusting cat with lightgreen eyes
  ☆ mentored by who / mentoring no one
  ☆ whichever relations / want listed
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by lion ↛ lionheartedphoenix on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Flamerunner Flamerunner]

FLAMERUNNER OF SHADOWCLAN

Flamerunner had nestled himself into a neat little spot, a wide yawn splitting his muzzle as Sablestar's voice rolled over the gathered cats. Yadda yadda, warrior names left and right… Good on them. He supposed. His lazy gaze wandered through the crowd, eventually landing on the newly named warriors. Welcome to the life, punks. He draped his fluffy tail over his paws, the picture of relaxed indifference, until one name caught his attention.

Fleapaw.

His ears perked. Sablestar was praising her, really praising her. A flicker of surprise lit his eyes before pride quickly took over, stretching into a grin as he sprang to his paws the moment Fleapaw had received her warrior name. " You go, Fleafire! " he whooped. " Blaze across that forest with your energy! " He gave her a quick, cheeky wink, tail flicking high behind him. Yeah, she deserved that name. She'd earned it. Stars knew that she had worked herself to the bone to get here.

…And, sure, congrats to Jadethorn and Cherryblaze too. Council positions, though? Yikes. All that hustle, all that responsibility. Sounded like a fast track to losing his hard-won nap privileges.

RUN BOY RUN ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— THE SUN WILL BE GUIDING YOU

 

[Tickpaw Tickpaw]

When you're lost in the universe, lost in the universe, don't lose faith
My mother says, "Your whole life's in the paws of the Stars"

.

Tickpaw had risen when the meeting was called, slipping into the crowd with his usual quiet presence. He listened, observed, nodded now and then, yawned once or twice. Routine. Predictable. Until he heard her name. His ears perked up sharply, eyes widening as they snapped to Sablestar. Flea? His sister? Was.. was she getting her warrior name? A jolt of pride and love surged through him like lightning. He shifted closer, eyes locked on Sablestar, ears tuned to every word. The smirk that slowly tugged at his muzzle was impossible to hold back. Yes. YES. He wanted to leap up and howl it to the sky, his sister deserved this. Every bit of it.

Let Pepper stew in her sour looks.

" Fleafire! " he yowled the name the instant it left their leader's mouth, stomping one paw against the earth in celebration. " Fleafire! " he repeated, voice loud and proud. His heart thundered in his chest. He let her bask in the moment, let her take in Sablestar's words, the weight of her new title. The moment where Jadethorn was promoted too and gushed over by his sister. And then? He charged. Barreled straight at her and tackled her to the ground, a burst of joyful laughter bubbling in his chest as he butted his head against her cheek, purring like a motor. Without hesitation, he rasped his tongue over her ear, as if to say I'm proud of you in a way only a brother could.

" Damn right you're Fleafire! " he crowed, voice raw with emotion. " You did so well! " Only then did he glance over to Jadethorn, dipping his head with a flick of his tail. " Congratulations on your promotion too. " he added, swallowing pride for something far more important. " And thank you... for seeing the fire in my sister. "

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

10 MOONS

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SHADOWCLANNER

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SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[Mothbite Mothbite]

Still so young, Desperate for attention!

indentttMothbite cheers on the new warriors. It's strange, seeing the three apprentices grown now. Mothbite isn't fully sure what to think of it. Right now, he's mostly nervous about sharing a den with Fleafire.

indentttHe yawns, ears flicking idly as he listens to Sablestars words. Monsterkit was six moons now, old enough, yadda yadda, Mothbite's in charge of him... huh?

indentttMothbite springs to his paws, eagerly trotting to the new apprentice among the crowd. "Monsterpaw! Looks like it's you and me." His tail is raised proudly, but black fur pricks with apprehension. 'This is a big deal! Sablestar and Timberfrost are putting a lot of faith in me.' He doesn't want to be a total letdown like Possumgrin, but he can't say he's entirely thrilled about having an extra shadow for the next six moons. What will happen to his luxurious midday naps? His quiet, contemplative walks alone across the marsh?

indentttPushing past his anxiety, Mothbite lowers his head down, offering to touch noses with his new apprentice.

- @monsterkit -​

ababaugfbiufhufbdfduibabababa

Mothbite | 23 moons | Shadowclan Nightguardbababbnihfibnfdifdhfhabbabab

 

[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

——————————————— Together, we'll make our way home ✦

Stoatpaw knew the meeting was coming; the last one was just before the full moon, too. So when everyone gathered by Sablestar's call, she hung near the back of the collective, cool blue eye trained on her mentor. There was already a bitter taste in her mouth before anyone even uttered a word, but she remained quiet.

New names to remember.
Gravelspark, fitting from the brief interactions with Coal's daughter.
Vanillathorn and Pepperblaze, harsh and sharp names, nothing new amid Shadowclan.
Fleapaw-

Fleapaw.
Seeing that name on Sablestar's lips made her heart stop in its tracks.
No. No no no.
She couldn't, she hadn't.
Fleafire...

It was fitting. She couldn't deny it, her first friend, her best friend, she had always been an inferno amidst the rubble. An undying fire in the pocosin that quashed light like a smothering paw. Part of her got her hopes up. Maybe she or Seal would be next, Seal had started training before both of them, and they'd always wanted to graduate together and-

Monsterkit?...

She watched now as her little brother, not so little anymore, stepped forward. Monsterpaw. Mentored by Mothbite of all cats. She was meant to be happy, it was a celebratory day, her best friend and sister a warrior and her little brother an apprentice too.

So why did Stoatpaw feel so much shame. Selfish, self-absorbed shame. She didn't smile, she didn't react at all, really. Stone-faced in the back of the meeting. Wanting to run, hide, anything. But knowing better to leave mid-meeting, else Sablestar would find another reason to find frustration towards her. But in her mind, it felt as if she had been betrayed, left in the dust again. She was apprenticed first, made a warrior first. Stoatpaw had tried so hard to catch up with her, but it felt futile in the end.

But her tipping point, her boiling point. Jadethorn and Cherryblaze. Two cats she frankly hated, knowing what she did. Now on the council. Now with far more command or power than they ever deserved. Stoatpaw's mouth grew bitter, her paws shifting like she was sitting on burning ashes.

The moment the final words left Sablestar's maw, she stood up promptly, shooting a thinly veiled glare back at the new council members. Her fears only seemed to be culminating more than she could have imagined. Once she had trusted the council all implicitly, but she had learned quicker than she would have liked that it seemed misplaced. Maybe she was overthinking it all, but in that moment, she couldn't bear to be anywhere near a single cat of the clan.

She didn't stop to congratulate anyone, she would make it up to them later when this wasn't all so fresh in her mind... Instead, her paw led her outside of camp, into the pocosin. Everyone could celebrate without her souring the mood; she could go pick some more flowers, perhaps.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 10 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1/#50BBF0
  
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix ​

 

[Monsterpaw]

MONSTERPAW, 06 Moons // ShadowClan Apprentice // He/Him // #ff5700
A solid black tom with red rusting and piercing copper coloured eyes.
Family is TIMBERFROST, FLEAFIRE and STOATPAW
Apprentice of MOTHBITE
Quiet, observant, ambitious, guard dog.

---

So many new names were announced this moonhigh meeting. Gravel earnt their full clan name as Gravelspark alongside several apprentices graduating to full warriors, all with fitting full warrior names picked out by Sablestar, one of which was a cat he saw as family, Fleapaw-- Now Fleafire. The new name fitted her perfectly but he couldn't help but to feel a little disappointed that they weren't going to get to train alongside one another. Would she be too busy now to hang out with him anymore? He was excited for her too though and she had worked harder than any cat to get to where she was now. There wasn't much time to ponder more on all of that now though, as his own name was soon called out as well.

Monsterpaw.

He'd missed training alongside Flea by a single moon. No flicker of disappointment would bare across his expressionless face but he still felt it inside, his copper gaze only narrowing slightly as he stared at nothing in particular. He pushed the feeling aside as he got to his paws dipping his head to Sablestar before turning to face his new mentor. Mothbite approached him eagerly and even held up his tail proudly when addressing him, "I will make you proud, I promise" He was determined to make sure that came true, he'd been assigned a Night Guard as a mentor and knew it was an honour to be trained and trusted by any one of them. He'd only need to reach a little ways up to touch noses with Mothbite and it was only in doing so that he noticed just how big he had gotten... Surely a normal feeling shared by all those who had just freshly left the nursery? Except he was nearing his mentors' height already on his first moon as an apprentice. A strange observation to be sure, perhaps he had just grown sooner then most and wouldn't get much bigger from here? Only time would tell.

His copper gaze would search the camp for his kin, Fleafire was preoccupied with congratulating her second mentor whom had just been promoted as well. Monsterpaw sneered slightly at the sleek-pelted she-cat, he doubted her ego needed to be made any bigger then it already was and did not look forward to her joining the ranks of the other Night Guards with her being as loud-mawed as she already was. His gaze would continue searching but Stoatpaw was nowhere to be seen, his ears flattened back against his skull.

He hoped at least Timberfrost was proud and present.

Pushing his attention away from thoughts of his kin he'd fix his burning gaze on his mentor instead "When do we start training?"

 

[Marbleshine]

In the morning when I wake and the sun is coming through
Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness and you fill my head with you

.

Marbleshine sat quietly off to the side, her tail wrapped neatly around her paws, a soft smile dancing on her face. A gentle purr rumbled in her throat as she watched the ceremony unfold. There was something so heartening about these moments, seeing apprentices step into their names, into their own. Warriors. It made her chest swell with pride, even if the ache in her body reminded her to stay still. Vanillathorn, Pepperblaze, Fleafire, Gravelspark.
Congratulations are in order, she thought happily, her eyes bright. She'd find something special for each of them when she could, perhaps feathers. Yes, a feather for each one. Coming-of-age gifts, light and lovely. Something to mark the moment.

And then came another announcement. Jadethorn and Cherryblaze made council. Marbleshine blinked once, surprised. She hadn't expected it… not after the heist. But Sablestar made the decision with confidence, and maybe... Maybe he saw something she didn't yet. She supposed there was no denying that Jadethorn had worked hard. And Fleafire, once an unruly storm of fire and fury, seemed, at least for now, more grounded. More... settled. It was brave, she thought, what Jadethorn was taking on. Leadership and kits all at once.

After a moment of quiet reflection, Marbleshine finally pushed herself carefully to her paws and limped forward, soft and almost shy in her approach, toward where Fleafire, Jadethorn, and Tickpaw were gathered in celebration. She waited patiently, then offered a kind smile. " Congratulations, Fleafire. " she mewed gently, her tone warm and sincere. " A good, fitting name for you. " Then, her gaze shifted to Jadethorn, still cautious, but kind.

" And you too, congratulations, Jade! I think it's very brave to take a council position with everything you're managing right now. When are the little ones due? "

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

24 MOONS

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SHADOWCLANNER

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bio

 

[Froststorm]

———— I awaken with the thunder, a bold statement to end my slumber. ✦

Froststorm had come to look forward to these little meetings Sablestar put together. They weren't the most riveting, but he had high hopes for this one, like hell he would miss it for the world.

The tom sat in the crowd, reminiscent of his living days amongst his own clanmates. Usually, he would sit up high, out of view, but he was here for someone, and he didn't want her to think he wasn't there. He listened passively to what Sable had to say. Outsider welcomed to the clan, a pair of nobody apprentices given their warrior names and-

Fleapaw. There she was. A smile of pride appeared on his face. His dear apprentice, a cat he genuinely looked upon with fondness. He wasn't so sure when the fiery little thing had wormed her way into his heart, but much like Deadwood, he regarded her as kin. In a world that had treated her like mud on their paw, she had grown into a strong and respectable cat. So he wasn't surprised to hear her name amid the three apprentices being gifted their warrior names.

His pride only grew, as she was given only the most fitting name a cat like her deserved: Fleafire.

He had found her a furious bundle of fur, wronged by everyone around her and with the recent assistance of Jadethorn had moulded her into the perfect Shadowclan warrior. She still had much to learn, room to grow, but much like when Deadwood was awarded his original name, Alderwing, his face was not twisted in a devious grin, but a paternal pride in watching the cats he raised grow into cats he was proud to see serve their clan.

For her sake, he waited to congratulate her directly, waiting until no one was about so it didn't seem she was communing with the air. Though he was sure to join the cheers for her, raising his crackling voice louder than it had been in moons upon moons as a rumbling purr reverberated in the back of his throat. He should have brought Deadwood along, but then again, he was busy training his own apprentice.

Froststorm didn't pay much attention after, though the oversized new apprentice did catch his eye. Until, of course, his co-mentor's name was uttered too. He let out a hearty laugh. Today wasn't just a celebration of his apprentice, but the clan was growing too. Sablestar finally got some sense about him and added good warriors to his council. Jadethorn had proven an incredible cat to help guide Shadowclan, and there was no better pick to join the night guards.

It was a shame that it was harder to reach out to anyone but Flea; he would have to tell her to congratulate Jade on his behalf. He considered her a friend now, an unlikely alliance, but one he appreciated nonetheless.

Which was why that bumbling fool of a cat, Marbleshine, telling the clan Jadethorn's business made his thinning fur bristle on her behalf. "Damned fool, cats like that are the sorts to let clan secrets slip far too easily." He sneered, glaring at the molly with a huff. It was good only for Marble that he was incorporeal; else, he wouldn't have hesitated to correct loose-lipped slips like that. A clan's safety was always jeopardised by cats who let even their own clanmates' secrets slip.

He shook his head, trying to ignore the sorry sack of fur. But something else caught his eye, a slip of white fur leaving the camp. There was only one cat with that pristine of fur, wasn't she meant to be the best friend Fleafire always spoke such high praises of? A growl curled in his throat. Flea didn't need her celebration dampened by some brat throwing a tantrum for not getting her way. He would omit any mention of seeing her leave. Instead, he looked out to the cats who stood before Sablestar, smiling warmly towards Fleafire, full of pride.

- I want sacred, I want final.

I'm seeking it wherever I go. -

• 
  Froststorm
  ✦— Dark forest warrior
  ✦— He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦— A skinny, grey speckled cat with amber eyes and various frostbitten wounds.
  
  #CD807A