Open Camp AWAY, IN A MANGER; ☼ ] patrols 12/25 [

[GOLDENROAR]

There's a slightly sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. The scent that they had discovered underneath of Molewhisker's claws. Molewhisker themself, the poor soul- the aching hunger that slowly had begun to settle in given the season that was quickly approaching. Goldenroar believes that there are going to be some hard times soon- the only reason he had bothered to agree with Dustystar on this patrol. But, that was for later. Later. He'd talk about that later, even knowing the cats he wanted to send on that patrol.

Goldenroar picks himself up. His tail flicks behind him, mane-like countenance brushed with an icy breeze as he moves to settle on the rock just below where Dustystar speaks in her meetings. A symbol of strength, she always was, perched up there. Here, he settled as her shadow. The long arm of her doing. A position he enjoyed, even if there was the ever burning feeling of needing out.

"Alright, Windclan. Let's get some patrols ironed out." He calls. "First, I'm having Merrystalk lead a patrol to the Shadowclan border." Aqua eyes turn to find his brother in the crowd. "Take Eggsplat and Sweetnose with you." Goldenroar urges. There, things should be relatively smooth. Even given Talonpaw's incident, he thinks that nothing will happen. His head swings to find the next patrol leader- notably not a Gale Guard.

"Wheatwhistle." A warrior of wisdom, Goldenroar thinks, to have lived so many moons longer than others, to still lend a paw so. "Take a hunting patrol towards the spires. Uh…" A slight hesitance- eyes searching the crowd for heads that haven't already been mentally selected for something else. "Wrenwhisker. Sassafraschill. Go with him." Goldenroar's head turned for the next patrol.

Again- not a Gale Guard. "Dirgefrost." The first to greet the newest individuals in camp- of which, he had an eye on still. "Head towards Fourtrees with Weaselchirp and Clayspots." Sorry, Weaselchirp. I can't let you lead them all. He thinks softly. "You three should map out what tunnels are heading that direction." Goldenroar says. He studies them, their apprentices, then moves on.

"Dimmingsun, I'm unsure if herbs are available with the mounting frosts- but Lightning-growl and Tinytail are at your disposal if you can use them." Short, sweet, to the point. There's a slight bit of worry as he thinks about Meadowpaw, but he's moving on. Finally, he inhales, addressing the crowd.

"Those of you who are wondering why the patrols so far are thin, I have answers." Goldenroar admits. "Dustystar will be leading the final patrol to the Gorge, the territory beyond that. I will attend myself." He says. Something is chewing at the back of his mind. Something feels wrong. He chooses to trust in his leader, to ignore that feeling. "With us, Ripplemist, Gorsehowl, Harvestseeker, Cloverbloom, Nutmegpurr. Jaypaw, Talonpaw, you as well." Goldenroar's tail flicked again, the thick fur pausing only to curl around his front paws. Aqua eyes scanned the crowd. Sure, there'd be murmurs, words. Asking for causation. A deep breath-

"That is all."

_______________________ I KEEP RUNNIN' BUT ☼ I'M STANDING STILL _______________________

• "speech"
  
  // hiii guysss :] as always, if something is incorrect, please feel free to DM me or message me in my channel!! As always, warriors are free to bring their apprentices. There's no prompts this month, as it's December/there's a lot going on OOC atm!! Feel free to freestyle them (though I feel a couple have intended directions, like the fourtrees patrol!)
  // done while at work, please excuse any other mistakes
  
  SHADOWCLAN: @Merrystalk (LEAD) ; @Eggsplat , @Sweetnose
  
  HIGHSTONES HUNTING: @wheatwhistle (LEAD) ; @sassafraschill , @Wrenwhisker
  
  FOURTREES TUNNELS: @DIRGEFROST (LEAD) ; @Weaselchirp , @CLAYSPOTS
  
  HERB : @DIMMINGSUN (LEAD) ; @Tinytail , @Lightning'growl
  
  SKYCLAN TERRITORY: @Dustystar (LEAD) ; @GOLDENROAR , @Ripplemist , @gorsehowl , @HARVESTSEEKER , @cloverbloom , @nutmegpurr , @JAYPAW , @Talonpaw
  

• 

• GOLDENROAR he/him, windclan deputy, fourty four moons.
  ☆ a lh golden red marbled tabby with low white and glimmering aqua eyes. often seen with a smirk, confidence oozing from him in heaps, but always the ever-helpful guy.
  ☆ mentored by no one / mentoring dandelionpaw
  ☆ older brother to merrystalk and sunnyspring
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by laevatein ↛ laevatein_arx8 on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
  
  ☆ mini by tasmagoric, ref image by laevatein (yours truly!)

 

[Hollowmumble]

Hollowmumble, -- 43 Moons / Windclan Cat -- Ages on the 14th
Black spotted ghost tabby with bright amber eyes.
She is friendly, yet quiet, and always willing to help.

Tagging @GOLDENROAR @cloverbloom @Merrystalk @Meadowpaw

---

Hollowmumble didn't think much of the patrols. They were laid out as usual, cats called to hunt or check borders, keep their eye out for dangers... but her ears pricked when Goldenroar addressed why they were so thin- she hadn't even thought about it herself, but the next sentace had her fur prickling. Skyclan territory?

no... they couldn't be.

Going into Skyclan territory? Intentionally? The images of Thunderclan's leader flashed in her mind, red soaking the stones. Everyone had seen how volatile Skyclan could be that day. They were going to cross their borders!? After all of that time trying to establish them and convince cats to keep them safe and stay inside of them!? This was- this was foolish! Reckless! Dangerous!

Cloverbloom's name was called along with the rest, and a flash of protectiveness washed over her, a deep panic welling up in her at the thought of Clover being caught on the wrong side of Skyclan's claws... her words spilled out of her unwillingly, before she could even think about them.

"...you can't do that... YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" She yelled, heads turning toward her, only causing her panic to worsen. "Crossing the border!? After all of that time reinforcing them- going into Skyclan's territory!? YOU'RE GOING TO GET CATS KILLED!" Hollowmumble's protests echoed around the clearing, anything but quiet. She felt everyone looking at her, fur standing on edge as she desperately looked around at her friends, Merrystalk, Meadowpaw, Cloverbloom, for any ammount of agreement, any hint of support.

 

[cloverbloom cloverbloom]

Cloverbloom settled herself beside Hollowmumble, curling her tail neatly around her paws to sit and listen for patrols. Judging by the deputy's tone of voice, it was going to be another quick assignment and then everyone would be off to their respective groups. She figured she'd be sent off with another tunneler or two, maybe to reinforce tunnels out in the territory-

And then her name was called in the SkyClan patrol list. Her blood froze, her paws feeling as though they were stuck in place to the ground. The gathering loomed in her mind, the accusations and the fighting and the inevitable flight from the hollow... And they were going face-to-face with the cats who had started it all? Hollowmumble spoke before she did - yelled actually, freeing her from her shock just enough to let her shrink back from the sudden outburst.

SkyClan territory... what are we going there for? To.... talk with them? To fight? She shook her head as if to force the thoughts out of her mind. I don't like this...

__________way down deep inside ✿ there is a real me___________

• "speech" - thoughts
• 
  

  

• Cloverbloom she/her & windclan tunneler
  ✿ lh red lynx mink w/ white spotting
  ✿ 14 moons
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted.
  ✿ Slight suppressed southern accent
  
  
  penned by stygianpaws
  template by scarlet
  template art by lassie​

 

[Silentstep Silentstep]

Silentstep, 36 moons || Windclan || Tunneler

A fawn tabby with brown and white speckles.

She has a friendly demeanor, yet overshadowed with oddity.

Tagging - @GOLDENROAR @Hollowmumble

---

When the mention of the Gorge... It... Didn't connect to her soon until a cat amongst the crowd had yelled in objection toward this... It is when she flicked her ears attentively, to listen in.

W... What...!?
It was all her mind could even process the thought of in reaction toward this, while having a horrified expression across her face in shock to match. They were going to... No... Nonononono.
We're still suffering the damages from the flood, a-and even lack the supplies to even support everyone here...!

Seeing that cat... Hollowmumble... Was that her name...? Standing there, alone... Something inside Silentstep had begun to scream. Pushing her to join and use her voice.

To create a harmony.

It started off with hesitance, the many eyes quickly darting over at the other cat... And fear already beginning to eat her at the mere thought of being stared and judged at... But, soon, Silentsteps voice rung out.
" I.... I have to agree....! "
Eyes. Hundreds of eyes directed their focus over at Silentstep now, once she spoke. Which, in return, prompted a squeak from fright upon the sight. But, with paws digging into the dirt to comfort her, she continued.

" Th-This.... This is ridiculous...! Y-You... You can't do this, a-and put others in harm! "

" I... I kn-know... I know the wounds are st…still fresh... A-After Molewhiskers... D-Death... " She trails off, being reminded by one of her tunnelers, who recently, have passed away from a tragic death in the tunnels…
N... No... Don't cry now...
It is all she could remind herself, to rid the sudden knot in her throat. Shutting her eyes to shake off the imagery... Afterwards, Silentstep moved forward to now stand alongside Hollowmumble. Showing that she, too, didn't agree with any of this. " B... But you cannot drag more cats into this mess! "

She barely knew this cat. Or, well... would see the black spotted tabby now and then... But, to her knowledge, this would be one of the few moments they've both ever fully interacted.

 

[Jaypaw ⏾]

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ Jaypaw ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☽⋆⁺₊⋆-

Jaypaw listened patiently as Goldenroar announced the patrols from atop the rock, his tail swishing slightly. The apprentice hoped for his mentor or himself to be assigned to one of them, to keep himself busy, to feel useful. He couldn't stand the thought of being left in camp - not because he didn't wish to help around camp, but not moving out in the territory meant he was left with his thoughts and with the memories of the flood. No, Jaypaw wanted to rewrite those memories, to do something.

Merrystalk was assigned to lead a patrol towards ShadowClan, but Sunnyspring had not been assigned alongside him. Nor was she assigned on any of the following patrols. Jaypaw felt his shoulders drooping, losing hope of getting to go out into the territory this time.

And yet - the last patrol was announced, towards SkyClan's border...no across SkyClan's border...? Jaypaw heard his name be spoken. The apprentice said nothing, only stared at the deputy, his gaze flicking from Goldenroar to Dustystar. He felt honored they have chosen him, but... he couldn't help feel the same worries his clanmates had started to announce all around him. Still, he kept quiet, letting the others talk. He felt scared, but he was not going to let it show, was not going to disobey the leader's command.

Jaypaw would do what was required of him, whether he liked it or not.

 

[Wrenwhisker]

Patrols, issued as ever from Dustystar's golden-furred mouthpiece. Wrenwhisker slunk over as the marbled tabby started issuing orders, blue eyes flicking from face to face as her Clanmates were assigned to patrols. She grunted in acknowledgement as she was assigned to head toward Highstones along with Sassafraschill, led by Wheatwhistle; it was a small patrol, and she wondered why - until Goldenroar reached the end of his patrol assignments. Ahhhh. This was about Molewhisker, wasn't it? SkyClan. Dustystar was taking a large group of cats past the gorge...This will be very, very interesting. And potentially quite dangerous. Wrenwhisker's mottled tail flicked thoughtfully. She wasn't a huge advocate for violence, having seen her fair share in her old life...but SkyClan had to answer for what they'd done. Perhaps a large group of WindClanners on their border would encourage them to own up to what had happened. It seemed that not everyone felt that way, though: Hollowmumble and Silentstep's voices rang out, sounding panicked, incredulous. Her eyes widened in surprise and lifted a single dirt-flecked paw, nibbling some dirt from between her toes. She had nothing to add to this, nothing yet; she'd hedge her bets and see what happeend next. Very, very interesting, indeed...

 

[Talonpaw]

Talon listened to the patrols. He heard his mentors name be spoken, and rolled his tongue over his injuries. So soon, going to shadowclan? He could only assume at least. But Goldenroar continued, blue eye unwavered from his golden form. But then he continued, explaining how they would go beyond the gorge to gather prey. The same should be done for herbs- he thought simply. However, what he didn't expect was to be called forward for that. Oh? His interest piqued, until other voice began nervously yowling their opinions.

Blue eye swept the crowd, instantly uncomfortable in the uproar. His paws flexed, his tail flicking slightly as he listened. "It is survival of the fittest," he said, easily. "We dont- we die. I don't know if you refuse to listen to the growl of y' stomach- or the aches of pain that our medicine cats cannot help- but Goldenroar and Dustystar gave an order." The tom didn't really care to argue with them, but he didn't understand it was even arguing, and he didn't understand at all. Cats were bloodthirsty- it was what was supposed to be done, right? Otherwise... Why would the kid have attacked him for that squirrel?

​

Talon he/him, windclan 10 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[Hollowmumble]

Hollowmumble, -- 43 Moons / Windclan Cat -- Ages on the 14th
Black spotted ghost tabby with bright amber eyes.
She is friendly, yet quiet, and always willing to help.

Tagging @Talonpaw @GOLDENROAR

---

The relief of Silentstep speaking up in agreement emboldened Hollowmumble, and she shot the cat a greatful glance despite the shaking in her paws and the fear in her heart. She could feel the gaze of the cats in the clearing resting on her.

The words of Talonpaw infuriated her. They ignited a spark, an anger that she had hardly ever felt before. Something rash and hard to control. Survival of the fittest... this stupid child was willing to let others die to keep his belly full. The cruelty and the greed sickened her.

She snapped to her feet, standing tall and large, tail high. "Survival of the fittest? Survival of the fittest!? It'll be survival of the fittest when you FALL INTO THE GORGE!" She yelled, teeth bared. "You're willing to let your friends die because you can't get your lazy ass up and hunt!? I hunt from sunrise to sunset to keep greedy cats like YOU alive! Dusty and Goldenroar have NO RIGHT to demand that we put ourselves in danger for some idiotic border crossing!"

Hollowmumble heaved a breath, and before anyone else could get a word in, "We could hunt and find herbs anywhere else! We could return to the farmland, we could venture further out, we could ask the other clans for help!" she twisted around, looking at Goldenroar though it was obvious her words were meant for both him and Dustystar, rageful and terrified and desperate to protect her friends. "Nobody needs to die for your ego because you can't ask for HELP!"

 

[Meadowpaw]

FLOOD STOP: PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DOUBLE-POSTING UNTIL DUSTYSTAR HAS A CHANCE!​

MEADOWPAW

x

Patrol announcements started as they usually did, Meadowpaw attended more out of habit than anything else. She was on a break, so there was no need for her to worry about attending. As Goldenroar began to assign cats to their patrols, she scrunched her brow. There were so few attending these patrols—why?

Goldenroar would soon answer that question. The last patrol was the largest, accounting for nine of their own—including her sister and two apprentices she knew well—Talonpaw and Jaypaw. Meadowpaw's heart plummeted into the very bottom of her gut.

A patrol of that size headed into territory that wasn't theirs? Even if their intention wasn't… what she hoped it wasn't, then it could well result in that if they were caught. Meadowpaw always knew that her sister being on the council could come with dangers, but Jaypaw and Talonpaw too?

Dustystar had to know that, so what was she thinking!? Setting aside what happened during the gathering, the list of things that could go wrong was endless! Their herb stores hadn't recovered since the flood. If more than a few cats came back with injuries, Meadowpaw didn't know if there would be enough to treat them, never mind any serious wounds… They were just now getting their paws back under them. What could've possibly convinced her that marching into SkyClan now of all times was appropriate?!

She leans forward, mouth flying open in protest, but clamps her tongue to the roof of her mouth to silence herself.

No… no matter how she was feeling right now, she could not let her emotions run free. She knew how that ended. That was how friends were lost and what drove those she cared about away from her again and again. Merrystalk… Talonpaw… they were two of her biggest regrets. What's worse is that she was a pitiful coward. One who didn't know how to rebuild things once she broke them.

Merrystalk had nearly gone away forever before she ever got the chance to try. Meadowpaw didn't know if they could even be salvaged; maybe it'd been too long, but if he could find the courage—the steel—in his heart, then so too could she.

From the medicine-den threshold, she rises when a wail splinters across camp. All heads turn to the source of the disturbance. Hollowmumble's voice rises above the rest. She speaks with more clarity than she ever has, but her courage comes from panic. Silentstep joined the protest, but Talonpaw impedes them, sparking more outrage from the already aggravated warrior. She nearly flinches at the horrible things that tumble from her usually gentle-spoken friend. "Hollowmumble!" Meadowpaw interrupts sharply and charts a path through the crowd.

Chartreuse eyes flick briefly to Talonpaw, a tenderness stirs in her chest, but it's wrapped in guilt. Meadowpaw has nothing to say to him that she hasn't said already.

She turned to face Hollowmumble. When she opened her mouth, she was afraid of what might tumble out, but it was surprisingly calm. Hollowmumble on the other paw was frantic, drenched in a fear miasma. What she said to Talonpaw was uncalled for, but now was not the time to address that.

"I know how you feel, but you are not the only one who's scared." She reproves gently. "And anger will not carry those feelings any farther, if anything, what you're doing now is only misshaping the message that you—we want to reach them." They were fighting for the same future. As much as she wanted to stand beside them and scream about all the unfairness of it all, that wasn't going to change things. I would know.

"Let me talk to them. I promise I will do everything I can to make them listen." She pressed against the other's flank, gently coaxing her toward the medicine-den. "Go and wait for me, okay? "

x

I BELIEVE THAT THERES COURAGE

BUT ITS BURNIN' LIKE ASH IN THE WIND

x

WINDCLAN

MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE

15 MOONS

SHE/HER

Meadowpaw values kindness and remembrance. As a kit, she internalized her mother's lessons, but questioned whether her way is the only way. She has broken free from the heavy burden of her mother's expectations due to their estrangement after the fire. She remains kind and soft-spoken through all she's endured, but is not afraid to speak out for what she believes is right.

Meadow works tirelessly at any task she undertakes, desperate to prove herself capable and worthy despite her disability. Without her mother's guidance, she finds new ways to express herself.

In conversations, she is gentle, thoughtful, and withdrawn, often hiding her struggles, fearing others seeing her as incapable. She continues to have a strong bond not only with her sister, but with her adopted family as well. Meadow uses her new freedom to support and deepen the bonds with her clanmates. Additionally, she has started to explore the more spiritual side of herself…

Her worldview is a complicated mix of hope and frustration. She wants to believe that there's hope at the end of all the suffering, but feels trapped by her limitations. With enough time and support, she may find a way to overcome her limitations and accept herself.

 

[Dustystar Dustystar]

✪ Align my Heart, my Body, my Mind​

indentDustystar has been watching from a distance. Cowardly, she's letting Goldenroar do the talking for her. He's better at talking, anyways. Still, she hadn't expected such a strong reaction. Didn't they want to survive?

indentSwift as a rabbit, she moves to her deputy's side, watching Hollowmumble with an intense gaze. "If you're upset with my decision, say it to my face, Hollowmumble." Dustystar tries to stay calm, but her whiskers twitch. "Nobody is dying for anyone's ego. Nobody is dying, at all. We'll go and get food. If Skyclan shows up, we leave. We're lighter on our feet than them, and better at navigating the moors. They won't catch us."

indentThe words, even if not said to her directly, still sting. Didn't Hollowmumble trust her? All the cats whispering in fear and anxiety, didn't they trust that she had thought this through? Her good eye flits between the faces of her clanmates, searching for some sort of approval.

indent"You all act as if Skyclan will spare us if we leave them alone, but that isn't true! Molewhisker has already paid the price for that assumption. We've gone our whole lives playing nice, but that isn't how the Forest Cats live." Wasn't that what Juniperstar had said, when Hawkstar had confronted her? They live by the laws of the wild now. "If we don't prove we can play by their rules, they'll keep taking advantage of us." That's what it was, wasn't it? Taking advantage of their goodwill. Even her own kin admitted to his warriors stealing their prey.

indent"If you don't want to risk your lives for your clan, stay home. Guard camp. I can't make you do anything you don't want to." Stars know, she had tried. "Sunnyspring, please accompany Jaypaw. Clayspots, if anyone drops out, I'd appreciate you filling in." Her voice is short and clipped, her unflappable mask broken by the betrayal of her clan.

indent"That's all I'll hear about this now. If you have anything else to say, come to my den tonight, and we'll discuss it without screaming at eachother."

Dustystar - 27 moons - Windclan Leader

 

[HoneyflowerHoneyflower's icon]

Slow Down, Just Breathe

Honeyflower sits just outside the nursery, paws tucked underneath herself and ears pricked forward to catch Goldy's assignments. She almost feels back to normal, now. If she can call it that. Molewhisker's murder had broken something inside her, she thinks. Something she worried might never fix itself completely. A senseless death, how much more could they all lose? How many cats needed to be hurt or killed or herbs lost for something to be done about it?

The reaction is expected, understandable even. She might have reacted in much the same way before the flood. Still the molly grits her teeth in frustration. Didn't they all see that this needed to be addressed? That if it was not nipped in the bud that someone else could very well be next? She would not allow her children to become apprentices with this unknown threat potentially haunting the tunnels in their own territory. "And what of Molewhisker. What of its memory..?" Her voice is low before she pushes herself to her paws, tail lashing and fur bristling, eyes bright.

"Are we just going to let their murderer go unpunished? The cat that did it could kill again, and I am not letting my children become apprentices only to have them die in the tunnels while this skyclan cat is running amok."

If she was able to go she would have volunteered to go herself. But as it was she still had Lotuskit to worry over. Bunnykit had recovered from her own pneumonia but still her breathing on occasion still sounded ragged. Branchkit's light sensitivity now sent new, raw waves of concern and fear for her son. He'd undoubtedly become a tunneler for his comfort and right this very moment it sounded more like a death sentence than an apprenticeship.

Dustystar appears, says her own piece and Honeyflower steps forward in response with eyes narrowed. "And if they retaliate for stolen prey, what then?" She hisses out. "They won't listen to us at all if we tell them Molewhisker was murdered by one of their own. All this will do is put a bigger target on us..!"

It was clear that Dustystar had no intention of further answering anyone if her tone was anything to go by, and the gale guard turns away with a low growl to slip back into the nursery and away from the crowd.

xxx

All We Have Is All We Need

Tags

Honeyflower

✿—Gale Guard Of WindClan
✿—She/Her
✿—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
✿—Dilute Calico Shecat With Green Eyes And A Floppy Ear
#a4e1ba

 

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

TW // Descriptions of a panic attack

The last days were a daze: Molewhisker's murder, the tension over the clan, the weight of a life lost in the claws of another clan. Merry's maw was bittered with something he could only call dread. He'd had an inkling something had changed since his meeting with Breezewing, indescribably but palpable. The days since Molewhisker's death, the buzzing sensation of tension had made it nearly impossible to sleep, mottled fear and sorrow, not stronger than following the flood, but poignant in a different way. Concentrated, everyone was in camp, together. Merry couldn't run from it here.

The call for patrols, Merrystalk had to drag himself from his nest, something uneasy in his expression. A sort of distant look in his eyes, but he had work to do, a clan to provide for, protect. He hoped for stricter regulations on cats leaving alone, a buddy system, just so they could meet with Skyclan's leader and talk with them. They were stern, terrifying sometimes, but they had felt this same anguish once before; they wouldn't take murder lightly, they would want their clan free of vile influences.

He weakly acknowledged his own patrol, easy, simple, Shadowclan. Maybe he could seek help, exchange more herbs for prey; he knew their allies were amidst a famine, they deserved help just as they, as a clan, sought it. His attention faltered as his brother spoke, dark clouds rolling overhead, snow perhaps.

"Dustystar will be leading the final patrol to the Gorge, the territory beyond that. I will attend myself."

The gale guard snapped to attention, sobered from his foggy thoughts for just a split second, a spark of fury in his chest. But before his mind could race, before a spitfire could cross his maw, before even disbelief could furrow his brow. It felt like he was caught in that den again, collapsing, struggling.

A wave over his head, breath catching in his throat like a fox trap snapped shut. Everything blurred together into a furious cacophony, bitter fury, not his own. Starclan, no, he knew what his own rage felt. It was only when he realised it was his own dearest friend, Hollow, disregarding her namesake and maw lashing a furious vitriol up to Goldy.

Merry looked around, a wild desperation. More and more voices chimed in. Silentstep stood at Hollowmumbles' side, Cloverbloom shrinking in fear, Jaypaw's mottled terror, Talonpaw's snide agreement. Even as he watched Meadowpaw, something burning beneath her pet as she tried to talk Hollow back, even as Honeyflower spoke of Molewhisker's demise. It was loud, not the shouting, that had mottled into a ringing in his ears. No. No, it was whatever was wrong with him now. This awful burden. His paws shook as the fury, fear, horror and terror of each and every one of his clanmates circled in the opening seemed to reach into Merrystalk's very soul. Tearing at his very being.

It wasn't as if he was any use in a senseless argument like this; any other time, he would have stood up there beside Hollowmumble, just as upset at the last of the discussion with the council. But Merry couldn't move. He couldn't even muster a word. He was drowning.

Starclan had forsaken him. For all he did for his clan, for the sacrifice, he couldn't even speak now when a voice like his was needed. When his fellow council members were split between taking from an already unpredictable clan and letting no justice go for Molewhisker.

Merrystalk took a step back.

He barely registered who was going; it was only when Dustystar stepped in and snapped at Hollowmumble and addressed the clan, barking for Sunny to go along too? That was the push. His sister, his brother, the apprentice he died once before to save? All going into dangerous territory? His clanmates? The cats he treasured with his being itself.

His vision blurred as Merry found himself backing away faster from the clan, his thoughts hazy at the edges. It was all too much, their emotions, his emotions, all writhing beneath his skin, trying to claw back out.

For a tom who had gotten a reputation for his outbursts, all he could mutter beneath the fury likely went unheard by anything but the discordant wind atop the moors. "This is wrong. We never built Windclan to be like this." The gale guard's voice broke. He couldn't think. Not here, not with so many cats, not with so much terror and rage and hatred. Stars, when did his Windclan become so hate-filled?

Merry didn't stay in camp to hear what was said; he needed to get away, clear his head, cleanse his mind of what weighed down his pelt. He needed dry land. He couldn't drown here, not again, not beneath everyone else's rage. Not when shame burned the loudest, that he would seem a coward for running. It was that or face his clan as he broke under the weight of their animosity.

// Merry is out

​

MERRYSTALK He/Him, Windclan Gale Guard, 34 moons.
A lithe, tortoiseshell cat with green eyes and pelt speckled with rye grass.
mentored by none // mentoring Talonpaw
sibling to Goldenroar and Sunnyspring
NPC x NPC / parent to no one / mated to Harefoot
"SPEECH" // "THOUGHTS" // ATTEMPTED ACTION // EMPATHY DETECTION // ALETHIA DETECTION
penned by Pheo ↛ phoenixwashere on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[gorsehowl]

☼ . ° ✦

What a bunch of scaredy kits! Gorsehowl had heard the patrol announcements and almost jumped for joy. She had been waiting for her clan to bare its teeth. Every other clan in the forest was showing its mettle, and why not their clan? They were getting left in the dust while every other clan got stronger and more experienced in fighting. Plus, they would be justified! Poor Molewhisker died, for StarClan's sake, and it was probably up there right now cheering them to go claw some SkyClanner's ears off.

The warrior, fresh and cocky, looked to the grumbling crowd and rolled her eyes. "Y'all don't have to go, y'know? You can say no," she mumbled under her breath. More SkyClan pelts to shred for her!

✧ ° . ✶ . ° ✧

ooc information

• ooc: —
• 

  NIP GORSEHOWL — SHE/HER ･ 13 MOONS ･ WARRIOR & WINDCLAN ･ PENNED BY MUDDLY!

  silver tabby with high white and yellow-green eyes. a grumpy, independent she-cat that prefers to bite before she speaks. a coyote-given scar runs aross the bridge of her nose. raised by alder. adopted sibling to icepaw and pebblepaw.

 

[cloverbloom cloverbloom]

It felt like it was all over too fast. A comment from Talonpaw sparked Hollowmumble's earlier anger into a raging fire before Cloverbloom even had time to register the apprentice's words. She stood herself up tall beside her friend as Hollow launched into her second, more vicious tirade, puffing her fur up in annoyance at Dustystar's response. It felt like nothing, a paw-waving dismissal of real concerns her clanmates had voiced. No cat in their right mind would want to go trespass on SkyClan territory, right? She must have reasons for thinking it's a good idea?

And yet... even as she told herself that, she knew she didn't believe it. Whatever reason they had this time... it wasn't good enough from where Clover was standing. Cats were going to get hurt - if not killed, judging by the display SkyClan's leader had given them all moons ago at that Gathering... and Dustystar was still sending the marching orders out loud and clear, backing them up as if it were their only choice. It can't be. We have to have some other option that doesn't send so many of us right into harm's way.

Her words were calmer than Hollow's, for sure, but there was still a simmering anger hiding beneath the calmness as she glared up at the rock and the two cats atop it. "Promising we can outrun 'em sounds great and all, but I don't think most of us want to risk a fight when there isn't even enough prey to keep the whole clan from goin' to sleep with grumblin' bellies. Do ya think that's what we need? More cats starvin' and healin' wounds at the same time? 'Cause I'd like to spend this season digging tunnels and not graves."

__________way down deep inside ✿ there is a real me___________

• "speech" - thoughts
• 
  

  

• Cloverbloom she/her & windclan tunneler
  ✿ lh red lynx mink w/ white spotting
  ✿ 15 moons
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted.
  ✿ Slight suppressed southern accent
  
  
  penned by stygianpaws
  template by laevatein
  template art credits can be found on her toyhouse![/I]​

 

[nutmegpurr nutmegpurr]

Patrols are not an odd thing, but Goldenroar seems... Off, if that makes sense. And when it comes to the end of it, she realizes why. Dustystar will be leading the final patrol to the Gorge, the territory beyond that. I will attend myself.

Her heart seems to skip a beat when she hears her name. It's not followed by Roostertuft, nor is it followed by Meadowpaw and she supposes she should be grateful that they won't be marching off in to the territory of a Clan whose whole motto was an eye for an eye (teeth flash, skin rips, blood sprays)... But it doesn't stop the ever growing fear that begins to freeze in her veins. For what seems to be the hundreth time this week, she tucks her chin against her chest, the fur of her mane tickling her nose. Hollowmumble shouts her protests, and Silentstep speaks her own as well... But Nutmeg knows her leader and deputy well enough, or at least she thinks she does, to know that nothing will change, nor will hearts be swayed so easy. A heavy exhale through her nose. A life for a life, a leaders throat is torn from her body.

The clan explodes not too long after the bespoken speaks their pieces. She hardly has time to even think before screams and yelling rolls across the camps clearing. Instinctively, she turns, finding her mates bright coat in the sea of cats too loud, too mad- but she does not hear a better solution brought forth despite the protests. She presses against @ROOSTERTUFT, letting her cheek linger against his shoulder, breathing a familiar, comforting scent in as if it'd be the last time- Oh, stars, would this be the last time? Her eyes briefly flutter shut (crimson drips from a maw, frantic panic explodes), relishing in the warmth that he brings, the calm to her inner storm. Nutmeg would do anything to ensure Windclan's survival, after all, a loyal hound with little to no bark of her own. Her teeth grind as she beckons him away with her tail, towards their nest, stopping to pluck a few frost bitten blooms along the way, remnants of a season long gone. This leafbare would be cruel.

GOOD NEWS FOR ANYONE ♡ WHO LOVES BAD NEWS

• [ out to have a quiet moment hehe ]
•  
• 
  NUTMEGPURR ♡
  
  ( gale guard of windclan )​
  ❥ a tall cinnamon tortie with curled ears & pink-brown eyes; well-muscled & fluffy
  ❥ mentored pebblestep
  ❥ sister to meadowpaw & peafowlplume; mates with roostertuft
  ❥ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ❥ penned by chuff
  "speech"

 

[Talonpaw]

Talon did not flinch as the warrior yelled at him. Her teeth bared, and his blue eye watched her, shifting to his own full height. Her teeth bared, and his torn lip lifted, claws flexing out of their sheathes and digging tips into the dirt. He was in the middle of camp- eyes were around him, and their was distance between them.

She called him lazy. She called him greedy. The growl came from his throat before he could stop it, listening to her ignorant hammering yells. "Lazy?" He echoed, but not his usual confusion. His rumble of a voice drew laced with venom as he spoke. "Before I was informed that I could not leave without Merrystalk, I did the same as y'. I hunted, an' did not take from the pile. I searched for herbs. I changed nests, an' picked ticks of the elders. My paws were not done movin' till I had made sure everythin' I could do was done! I did not ask for help, I did not ask for anyone t' feed me, t' pull me from the grass when I lost my eye. Dustystar made that decision, an' meadowpaw wanted t' help- an I wasn't t' stop it. An' I actually grew close t' windclan, an' I stay here t' repay my debt for the help y' have given me! And y' call me lazy? Greedy? "

Talon did not understand he was over explaining, nor did he care. The words came out in his own defense, his leaders defense, and his deputies defense. He was pissed. He had come from a time when he was younger than these apprentices, expected to survive on his own. When he came here, he was skin and bones, and refused to eat more than he needed. Even still, he felt guilty and replaced food he took from the pile. Since everything had pretty much been finished, he was losing weight- his skin taught against his rib bones, but he wasn't hungry, and no one could force him to eat.

His gaze turned to Meadowpaw as she spoke, and a pang of... Hurt hit him like a brick, but his gaze travelled away from her, back to Dustystar who spoke now. He understood she wanted to diffuse the situation, but he didn't start the name calling, nor the disrespect. He could not agree with Dustystars words more. They killed one of their own and others wanted to ignore that- for peace? What peace was there when they were getting attacked and killed left and right? He didn't understand. He may never understand.

But it was strange. So that's what they think of me- dangerous, greedy, and lazy. A liability- Good to know. How nice it was to feel accepted into a clan he thought for a moment he could actually be home. But he was wrong. He was wrong for a moment to have hope. His paws flexed underneath him, rolling his chewed on ankle as he shifted his weight to stretch the leg. He noticed, and his gaze flicked as Merrystalk moved to leave camp, but he did not follow. He did not care to bother with anyone.

"After I lost the squirrel the shadowclanner attacked me over- on our side of the border- I refused t' eat because I lost food for the clan. Y' think what y' want, but I won't sit here an' let y' argue and disrespect our leader an' deputy." He said again to Hollowmumble. "If they're gonna attack us, and kill our own... What should we do then? Nothin'? Let them? Thats not how life works. When jaws wanna destroy, y' don't let them."

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[Weaselchirp Weaselchirp]

I'm a young soul in this very strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout what is true and fake
But why all this hate? Try to communicate
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make

.

Weaselchirp moved forward when Goldenroar called the meeting, her large ears twitching once, twice. Sorrow clung to her pelt like damp moss at the memory of Molewhisker's stolen breath, but she had pushed through. She had to. Mourning was allowed. Letting herself tumble endlessly down the pit was not. She would seek justice in the ways she understood, quiet, steady, earthlike... And she would not mirror the violence that had taken her friend. Even if a tiny spark inside her whispered for it. That was not her way. That was not her heart.

A sharp, tight breath pulled her back into the present. Her head snapped toward Goldenroar with that almost unnatural quickness she so often displayed, the motion jolting her whiskers into a trembling fan. For a heartbeat, her expression cracked wide open, sadness spilling raw and unhidden before she dipped her head once, steadying herself as the meeting began. Goldenroar's words filtered through her like wind through grass. Merrystalk to the ShadowClan border. Eggsplat and Sweetnose with her. Weaselchirp's heart tightened, but she nodded. She trusted Merrystalk. Trusted the choices. Trusted the rhythm of patrol work, even now.

Then Wheatwhistle's patrol, to the spires. And then her own name. Dirgefrost. Clayspots. Tunnels around Fourtrees. A spark lit her chest, startling her with its brightness in the middle of her grief. She let out a small delighted chirp. " It is grand, yes! A new chance to map what the earth whispered out of place. " she purred, turning an eager grin toward @DIRGEFROST " At your command, Dirgefrost. " But the spark dimmed when Goldenroar announced Dustystar's patrol.

Ripplemist, her brother. Gorsehowl. Harvestseeker. Cloverbloom, her first apprentice, her heart learning to teach. Nutmegpurr. Jaypaw. Talonpaw. The gorge. Her breath froze like frost on cold stone. The gorge bent toward SkyClan. Close enough to smell their trees. Close enough that her fur prickled as if claws scraped against her memory of Molewhisker's wounds. She heard Hollowmumble call out, sharp with fear. And she understood. StarClan, she understood. She didn't want Ripplemist anywhere near SkyClan. And Cloverbloom... She pictured her apprentice's paws, so clever in the earth, not made for cliff edges or hostile borders.

She drifted to @Ripplemist , her brother first, brushing against him as if to memorize him. Her eyes were wide and dim, stripped of their usual bright wonder. " You are the wind... " she murmured, voice fragile at the edges. " The fastest cat I know... Please be careful. Please. " A soft, brittle laugh. " Avoid depths, for you cannot fly. Just run. " Her heart pressed so painfully against her ribs, she almost thought it would crack.

Then she moved toward @Hollowmumble , pressing her flank to her friend's trembling side. She reached her tail to @cloverbloom next, curling it gently over her back. Silentstep hovered nearby too, her posture taut with the same uneasy fear she felt. Weaselchirp inhaled, slow and thin. " I agree it may not be wise to walk toward SkyClan right now... " she murmured. " But shouting will not make them listen. You cannot meet a storm with a storm. A tree will snap in heavy wind... But a blade of grass bends and waits until the sky tires. " Her eyes flicked between Hollowmumble and Silentstep, then back to their leader. " They said nothing of battle. Not yet. " Not ever she prayed...

But Dustystar's explanation unsettled something in her stomach. Collect food. Keep light on their paws. If SkyClan appeared, they would retreat immediately. Retreat from what? Why prepare for retreat at all? They weren't entering SkyClan grounds... Were they? And the gorge... The gorge was the border between Wind and SkyClan. Were they truly going to hunt that close? Risk that much? Honeyflower's voice mentioned Molewhisker. And for a heartbeat, Weaselchirp's breath vanished in her chest. She felt like she was back in the collapsed tunnel, dust clogging her lungs.

Then Cloverbloom spoke. Calm, composed, yet clearly resisting. Her apprentice, not a child anymore, but still someone she wanted to protect. Weaselchirp turned, meeting the younger cat's eyes with gentle, quivering warmth.

" Do you want to switch with me? " she whispered softly. " There is no shame in choosing safety. You can map the tunnels with Dirgefrost instead. " She didn't say I want you safe. But it hung between them, heavy as earth, quiet as grief.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

70 MOONS

𖧧

WINDCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[Ripplemist]

RIPPLEMIST
HE/HIM
42 MOONS
WINDCLAN MOOR-RUNNER
SPEECH | THOUGHTS | SPRIGHTLY | PHYSICAL

PENNED BY PLOT

Ripplemist listened as the patrols were listed out, smaller patrols, spread out - Weaselchirp would no doubt enjoy her assignment, he thought, getting to learn more of the ground below them, to memorize it with her whiskers and paws. And then....

To SkyClan territory? Was this...

His muscles tensed. He was honored to go along on a patrol to go fetch more prey for their Clan, and he knew he was fast enough to get in and out as needed. But such a large group... It hardly seemed like a mere hunting patrol. Others vocalized their discomfort, some tried to silence the dissent, and Ripplemist simply stood there. He would stand by his family here, protect them as needed. But something worried him about the idea of such a large group crossing the border. They could say it was a hunting patrol all they wanted, but he knew - as did many of his Clanmates - that this was not entirely formed with that purpose.

He sought out his sister in the crowd, the one who had found Molewhisker and brought the tunneler back to camp. How must she be feeling, seeing such chaos in their Clan around her friend? Her approach was unsurprising, and he pressed back against his sister with all his being. WindClan may be their home, but it was only home because she was here. And Ripplemist would always come home to her.

"My paws will always take me home to you," he mewed softly. "I'll be swift and safe, sister - keep your paws steady belowground as well." He licked her forehead gently before she moved along to her other friends. "I know you're worried over the others too - you know I'll do everything in my power to protect what's precious to you." It was an uncommon somber moment for the tom - usually he'd brush off worries with a quip and wink, but with the heavy cloud around this meeting, he knew it was no time for humor. It was time for devoted promises and careful words, deliberate and protective pawsteps.

​

OOC: tagging @Weaselchirp

 

[Hollowmumble]

Hollowmumble, -- 43 Moons / Windclan Cat -- Ages on the 14th
Black spotted ghost tabby with bright amber eyes.
She is friendly, yet quiet, and always willing to help.

Tagging @Dustystar

---

There was so much going on. Dustystar's rejection and anger, Meadowpaw and Weaselchirp's attempts to speak to her, telling her that she was wrong for this, the distain of other cats, the whispers the yelling the talking and looks the eyes on her, all for her, all around- she couldn't take it. Dustystar wouldn't change her mind, blinded by anger and stubborness and violence. She'll learn. She'll regret it, when her warriors come back broken and bruised or not at all.

Nobody heard her. Nobody listened to her. Her grief and her fear and her love and her want for peace, all rejected. She was wrong. This was all wrong. Her pelt burned with shame and sadness, rejection and defeat, and for the first time in a very long time... she wished she was still a housepet. Oh how she longed for that simple lifìe with her people who loved her who threw her out, with the easy meals and the simple affection. There was no fighting for her life, back then. No death, unless it was to old age, a life lived long and comfortable. She wishes she could go back.

A crackle of rage, dying and burning like an ember, made her spit one last sentace as she met Dusty's eye. "You're going to get us all killed." Her jaw snapped shut and she abruptly turned, hair on edge as she fled from the spotlight, away from the all seeing eyes, into a place where she hoped no one would follow.

OOC - Hollowmumble has left to the Medicine den.

 

[SANCTITY SANCTITY]

SANCTITY
SHE/THEY
40 MOONS
WARRIOR OF WINDCLAN

PENNED BY DEJAVU

In the past quarter of the moon, Sanctity has learned many things. She feels as if her mind is going to start running out of her ears if she learns much more. It is getting quite crowded in there, new knowledge jostling with old teachings, all of it ruled by the roaring voice: traitor, traitor, traitor. There is the matter of the seemingly thousand groups circling the forest, Clan and Clan and Clan, and the tangled web that connects them to each other.

What she knows for certain, from words on the wind, is that the group across the gorge had slaughtered one of this one's (their?) own. She had not paid it too much mind, assuming that the leader here would handle the blood debt with her own paws, as they might have at home. It would seem she has assumed wrong, and perhaps that is not how things are done here. They would have chosen their price in flesh and offered it up to the god, where she comes from, but evidently they are not so decisive here.

No small wonder. Their leader needs to grow in some iron claws to replace bone. The other… warriors, yes, are quarreling with her, as if she were some common cat like any other. And a foolish quarrel it is. The nightpelt with the amber eyes is all but howling about getting cats killed, and an owlish cat is lending her voice in agreement. Sanctity narrowly prevents her lip from curling in distaste (it is the god's place to judge, not hers). How could such weakfleshed cats call themselves warriors? The little tawny one can barely speak without warbling.

This would not have happened at home, she is certain. Their leaders would have had the dissenters dragged off to atone for befouling the altar with their loose tongues. This one merely protests with words, laying out her reasoning. This is new to her. She has never known her leaders to give much more explanation than a request for faith. They are the mouthpieces of the god, after all. Why should she not trust their words?

" Cowardice is unbecoming, " Sanctity scoffs as Hollowmumble flees to the medicine den. " Ye ought to be ashamed, befouling the air with traitorous words. If thy leader commands it, ye ought to make it so. " She does not move from her place in the crowd, but neither does she mind the volume of her voice. It is no matter if they hear her, and know the shame of their disbelief. Ye of little faith.

" One cannot call themself a warrior, yet refuse to bloody their claws, " she mrrows, coolly righteous. " A few morsels of prey are a generous price for the life of one of thine own. Were it my price to name, it ought to be paid pound for pound in lifeblood. The cat who did the deed ought to pay with their life. " Sanctity's claws nudge at their sheaths, a memory shivering through her. Oathbreaker, false preacher, the low undercurrent of her mind burbles, and she pushes it steadfastly away.

​

OOC: The summary of what Sanctity is saying is that 1) the cats should follow their leader's orders blindly and 2) the murder should be avenged by killing a SkyClanner.