Open Camp aren't i a martyr [🕊️] coming to

[Needledove]

{$title} TW: facial injury, blood

There is something wrong with her mouth. It's the first thing - the only thing - she can tell over the haze. Starbursts explode behind her eyelids, painting delicate spiderwebs in her unfocused periphery (they seem to pulse in time with the aching pain in her head... and mouth.) Slowly does she shift, adjusting her prone position to free a paw to explore the ache. Her fingers ghosted over the sharp ridge of her jawline, oddly prominent beneath her paw. Even the slightest touch lit a flame beneath her skin, a red-hot searing pain that made her eyes flutter in discomfort.

She tried at a mumble ("water") but the only water that dribbled from her ajar lips was a foamy line of red-tinged drool - even without seeing, she could taste the blood in the back of her throat. Some strangled mess of a noise erupted from her then (voluntarily or not, Needle couldn't tell) - something halfway between a wail and a choked sob. why did it hurt so bad?!

 

[Flamerunner]

FLAME OF SHADOWCLAN

Flame stayed by Needle's side, his blue eyes sharp and watchful as he observed the cats around them. A shadow of doubt clouded his expression, but his resolve didn't waver. He had carried Needle here himself, unsure of her allegiances or intentions, unsure where she even wanted to go. All he knew was that she needed to be safe.

He couldn't forget the sight of the cat who had been with her, the one who had lain so close their noses had touched. That cat hadn't made it. Flame's heart clenched at the memory. He wouldn't let anything like that happen to her. Not Needle.

When she stirred, his ears flicked toward her. Relief mixed with concern as he meowed softly. " You're awake. " His worry was plain, etched into every line of his face as his head turned, searching for aid. It wasn't long before Marble appeared, carefully carrying moss dripping with water. Flame's shoulders sagged slightly, his tension easing just a fraction at the sight of help.

RUN BOY RUN ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— THE SUN WILL BE GUIDING YOU

 

[Smogmaw.]

He hadn't meant to watch, nor had he meant to follow. But a mind like his gives no thought to intent—the moment is where he dwells, and the moment Needle's warbling moan reaches him, his paws spur to life, he's off and crossing the clearing with no inkling of restraint or stopping. Steps are surer than they feel, bounding over upraised roots and uneven divots in the earth. Nothing registers to him beyond that awful sound. When the drive in his skull clears and sight is made plain, it's her he sees: prone and pawing gingerly at her face with her jaw bent wide the wrong way.

Needle. The image is frozen there, wedged like a splinter; she makes for an abhorrent subject to linger on. Every uncertain - if not horrified - twitch of movement on her end stirs his chest tight. Needle. A jittery groan gathers at the back of his throat. "Jaw's hanging like a beaver chewed it loose," he has to mutter, so as to expel the thoughts that hound him. "Don't move it no more. Just lay still." Amber eyes roam from her to Flame, to Marble, back again; tension spreads to his limbs, forcing him to coil as though expecting something.

It's instinct that bids him to stay close, even if his assistance went no further than stating the obvious. What's a cat like him supposed to do? It's a hard line to walk. Noticing when it's appropriate to distance himself is tougher. Peculiarly, he isn't certain he has it in him to budge from his spot, lest Needle squirm the wrong way and break her jaw into a million pieces.

 

[BONESTALKER]

The sudden noise of agonizing pain makes her head jerk up. Her body tense and her spine of bristling fur spike up. Sharply she gets to her paws and much like Smoky she is moving toward the sound. Though whatever intent she has is lost on her as she comes toward the scene. Watching with almost too wide eyes as the molly touches her misshapen jaw that drools out red tinged saliva. The pain in the other is very much obvious. Very sharp against the gloom of their camp and she breathes in roughly before glancing to Smoky then. A question lingers in her gaze and then it forms on her muzzle. "Will...will she be able to eat...?" Like that? Will she be able to drink the water that Marble brings? A part of her doesn't know why she asks the question to him. Perhaps because he is the closest one to her that she does so but regardless she turns her gaze back to the scene then. Her maw becomes a thin line as she looks away finally.

There is not much else she can do in the situation. She knows nothing to help. Perhaps she can give some kind of comfort but she has never been the type to be...comforting. More elusive and solitary.

 

[Marbleshine]

MARBLE OF SHADOWCLAN

Though Bone's question hung in the air, Marble couldn't do more but swallew the fear threatening to creep in. There was no time to dwell on what-ifs. Needle needed her now, and though she wasn't Cicada, she couldn't sit back and do nothing.

" Don't crowd her too much, fellows... " Marble murmured softly, her tone steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at her insides. She padded closer to Needle and lowered the moss, letting a few droplets fall onto the injured cat's muzzle. The sight of her frail form tugged at Marble's heart.

" Shh, shh… I know it hurts, dear one... " she soothed, her voice barely above a whisper. She nudged the moss closer, the water glistening. " But you need to try, just a little. Can you manage to drink? It'll help. " Stars above, she hoped it would help...

Marble paused, watching Needle carefully, her gaze soft but resolute. " You're strong. " she whispered, the quiet conviction in her tone meant to reassure Needle as much as herself. " Even a little will make a difference. "

GO ON AND TRY TO TEAR ME DOWN ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— I WILL BE RISING FROM THE GROUND

 

[F l e a p a w]

its dead! poke it with a stick.

​

Fleakit was always the first to stick her nose in when something remotely interesting happened. Things had been pretty boring lately, and she—for one—welcomed a little excitement. Trotting over with her rear-end wiggling unstably, she squeezed her way through the legs of her taller peers, all fluff and bad attitude per usual.

"Move it, jeez." She muttered, slipping beneath their towering forms until she managed to wiggle her way to the front. Up on her tiptoes, she craned her neck to get a good look.

It was a sight that made even Fleakit cringe, and she'd seen a lot of messed up stuff. She winced, and something unpleasant settled in her chest—kinda that feeling she got when she stubbed her paw on a rock but also like she wanted to stub it again? There was a word for that, right?

She swallowed hard, giving her jaw a quick test to make sure it still worked. Whatever happened to Needle's face, it was fucking gross.

"Ewwwwww! Awesome!" She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. How was a cat supposed to eat that way? Far as she understood there was no fixing that. Most of the cats that ended up that way in the two-leg place were goners. Can't eat and you die, simple as that. That's if somethin' else didn't get you first.

"She's gonna die, right?" Fleakit asked casually and glanced back at the others. "Can I have her bones?" Fleakit always wanted to have another cat's skull, like how freakin' cool would that be?

​

shes got a knife ▬ι═ﺤ stab stab

• ooc - - -
• 
  I extend my hand like a mob boss and allow you to kiss my ring but when you lean closer you see its one of those glow-in-the-dark spider rings you win at arcades [MUNCH] you disrespec me - and eat my spooky spida ring! which cost me 50 tickets at funtime arcade and pizzeria. VINNY! Hit her with da sticky hand!​
  ​
• FLEAKIT / FLEAPAW / FLEABITE
  - she/her
  - kit
  - 5 moons; ages on the 1st of every month
  - speech thought
  - physical powerplay permitted (take her away officers)
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

​

 

[SABLESTAR]

Needle had been the most gruesome of those injured from the fight, that was an undoubtable fact. Plenty bore the scars of teeth and claws, flesh that would mend back together and leave behind pale furless skin. Ears tattered, maybe. The tuxedo couldn't bare to imagine the possibilities of his life had someone completely knocked his jaw loose from his snout.

You're awake. Got his attention. ... hanging like a beaver chewed it loose. Made him clench his teeth and cringe. So she hadn't died from the injury, time would tell if that was a blessing or a curse.

"Away, Fleakit." Sablestar aimed to bat the kit towards the back of the forming crowd with little patience in his glare. "This does not concern the likes of kits." And Needle did not need to be ogled at in this state. Marble had a kinder touch for this, he would leave it to her until someone else came along.

His eyes turned up to look at Smoky, Bone and Flame with an unamused flick of his tail. "She might not like keeping awake in all this... What's the one that stops pain? A seed, anyone know?" The name is reachable behind some fog in his brain, but maybe that would give Needle even a bit of relief.

this heart beats cold like the devil his own

• "mew"
• 

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

  a black and white tuxedo with dark amber eyes

 

[Coalstrike]

I'LL SHOW NO MERCY, I'LL SHOW NO REMORSE.

——————————​

Charcoal's amber eyes stayed fixed on the spot where Needle had been placed, his expression as cold and unyielding as stone. He still couldn't fathom why Flame had brought the unconscious cat back. To him, it was clear: she was beyond saving. The wounds she bore, both seen and unseen, were too severe, and in war, mercy was often the kindest option. Yet, even as his thoughts skewed logical, he couldn't help the flicker of annoyance when a certain kit darted forward, shrieking about how Needle was dying, how it was awesome, and even asking if she could keep her bones.

The kit's antics had earned a swift bat from Sablestar, but Fleakit's misfortune didn't end there. He landed near Charcoal, who wasted no time grasping the unruly kit by the scruff. Without hesitation, he tossed Fleakit further away, his burning gaze locking onto the young troublemaker.

" I should warn you to keep your distance. " Charcoal growled, his tone icy and sharp. His head tilted slightly, giving him an air of calculated menace. " As your leader already told you, this is no place for a kit with a foul mouth. " He bared his teeth, the quiet threat in his voice unmistakable. " Return when you've learned how to properly use that little brain of yours. "

His claws flexed against the earth as he watched the kit, daring him to try again. If Fleakit tested his patience, Charcoal wouldn't hesitate to deliver a harsher lesson than Sablestar's earlier reprimand.

" Now, if you have even an ounce of sense... or the faintest shred of usefulness, this would be the time to show it. Help around camp. " he snapped, his tone curt and commanding. " Otherwise, stay out of the way. "

—————————————————————————————————

I'll watch the battle until the dust is clear.

ooc: @FleaKit I am so sorry lil tike

 

[Pepperpaw]

Pepper stood off to the side, her sharp lightgreen eyes fixated on the small crowd gathering around Needle. Her tail lashed irritably, sweeping the ground with every whip. It was as if they were spectating some kind of damn show, gawking at Needle's battered form like curious kits peering into a thorn bush. She'd seen how the she-cat had been carried back... She had been limp, lifeless-looking. Not like the others who had stumbled back on shaky paws, heads held high despite their wounds. Needle, though...

A shiver ran down Pepper's spine, but she quickly masked it with a scowl, her gaze snapping to the scruffy bundle of fur tossed out of the makeshift den. Flea. Of course. The little pest was always skittering about, picking fights and drawing attention like a moth to flame. A sharp huff escaped her as her tail flicked once, her irritation simmering.

Her glare lingered on the kit before Sable's question broke through the tension, cutting through the murmur of voices. Pepper's ears twitched, swiveling toward the sound, and she straightened just enough to be noticed.

" Poppy seeds. " she meowed, her voice loud enough to command attention. The rusted tones in her black fur glinted faintly as she took a step closer. " I was taught they're for pain, the poppy seeds. " she repeated, as if daring anyone to question her knowledge.

Her narrowed eyes flicked back to Flea, and with deliberate precision, her lashing tail smacked the kit lightly on the flank, a clear warning to quit causing trouble. Finally, she turned back toward the group, moving a few pawsteps closer to the gathering.

" I can find some. " she offered, her tone gruff but purposeful. " Maybe even back at the old camp, if it comes to that. " Her bright lightgreen eyes glinted with determination, her expression hardening as she glanced at Sable. She wouldn't mind an excuse to leave this... place. It was barely a camp, and it grated on her nerves every second she stayed.

And if she could prove her worth while doing it? Even better.

___________________ 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
  ☆ @SABLESTAR & @FleaKit & @Needle mention
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by lion ↛ lionheartedphoenix on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[F l e a p a w]

tw - language, talk of disrespecting the dead

Out of nowhere, a dark blur came flying toward her. She tumbled backward, dramatically flipping head over tail until she landed flat. A few scrapes. Maybe a bruise. An ache that she would forget by the time she got to her paws. But she wouldn't forget the rage. A snarl crinkled her face, the fur along her spine bristling. Her claws raked the ground, itching to retaliate. "What the he—aahck!" But before she could do anything about it, she was lifted off the ground. Sharp jaws latched onto her scruff and Fleakit squeaked as she was tossed aside like a rat—sliding across the dirt, pelt streaked with mud.

Most kits would've cried. They would've run off squealing to their mothers. But she'd been through worse—much worse.

Her head snapped up, and if looks could kill, the tom would have been dead, writhing in agony like he'd swallowed a bushel of deathberries. She met Coalstrike's gaze, wiping the mud off her maw, bristling in furious silence. For once, she chose not to take the fight. Her tail lashed in frustration, but she held her tongue.

Instead, she turned away, jaw aching as she ground her teeth together. Fucker. Bastard. Shithead. She went through every curse word in her vocabulary, mushing the ground between her toes with every step. Fleakit had plenty of time to plot her revenge. Oh, the ideas were already running wild—a thousand ways she could ruin his day. Him and Sablestar would get theirs.

As for that messed up molly and her bones. She could wait. There was no way she survived. If the sick didn't get her, starvation would. They would have to bury her somewhere and Fleakit would be waiting to dig her up.

Exit Fleakit​

​

shes got a knife ▬ι═ﺤ stab stab

• ooc —— xxx
• 
  I extend my hand like a mob boss and allow you to kiss my ring but when you lean closer you see its one of those glow-in-the-dark spider rings you win at arcades [MUNCH] you disrespec me - and eat my spooky spida ring! which cost me 50 tickets at funtime arcade and pizzeria. VINNY! Hit her with da sticky hand!​
  ​
• FLEAKIT / FLEAPAW / FLEABITE
  - she/her
  - kit
  - 5 moons
  - speech thought
  - some physical powerplay permitted
  
  
  penned by user​

​