Private Border Territory Borders are the gallows of our national collective egos || Peonypaw Border Tour

[Chrysalisgaze]

SUBJECTIVE LINES IN SAND 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦 IN THE WATER SEPARATING EVERYTHING

ꕤ

The forest opened up into a clearing as Chrysalisgaze led her apprentice towards the first SkyClan border. This was the most recent site of bloodshed, but there wasn't a border at SkyClan's edges that wasn't soaked in blood. The outer border held Cinderpaw's. WindClan's held Hawkstar's. ThunderClan's held Rosebelly's. And the ShadowClan border? The ShadowClan border held her own. Perhaps only RiverClan's stayed clean and pure, out of all five borders.

And today, it was only her and Peonypaw - nobody threatening, just a pair of cats on a learning excursion. And it was important to show Peonypaw that borders weeren't scary, that they were quiet and peaceful most of the time. "Where our land meets the gorge is the furthest we can go." she stated, pointing her tail towards the chasm that had claimed the life of two leaders. "Beyond that is WindClan land and that is not to be trespassed upon."

There was bitter irony in her words, considering it wasn't SkyClan that had trespassed in the first place, but those were thoughts not for the young cat to hear nor worry about. "While we live in a forest of tall trees, WindClan prefers the open space of the moor. Their territory has its own advantages and challenges, ones only they understand, just like ours only we do."

She held her gaze on the plains in front of her, spanning from beyond the gorge, wondering if WindClan was faring well after what hat transpired not that long ago. Finally, she tore her gaze from the sight, instead focusing on her young companion. "Now, Peonypaw." Chrysalisgaze smiled. "Why do you think it's important to patrol and mark our borders daily? And why is it important for us to not cross beyond them?"

﹏﹏﹏﹏𓆦﹏

OOC: @Peonypaw.​

 

[Peonypaw.]

Curious eyes take in every blade of grass they pass, not looking up further than her mentor's face. Every so often she would catch the glimpse of waving pines, sunlight dappling the pair as they wandered towards their uncovered neighbors. Both many and no thoughts passed through her mind. A border tour was important, but the walking was almost too much. She knew that she would need a good long nap once they returned home. Their ear flicks as they come up past the trees and look upon the moorlands. Peonypaw's eyes widen, looking out to the moors until their eyes drift down towards the gorge. It made their fur prick up. Why did it seem so terrifying?

Deep down, she knew. The blurry image of scars and blood passed her mind. Thats right. Here was where the recent battle was. Maplemouse had been here. Hawkstar had been here. Hawkstar had died here. The young cat froze, lost in thoughts. What if someone else had fallen into this pit? What if her family members took that dive? Was that… What happened to… She shakes her head, casting the dark thoughts from her mind. Of course not, she knew what had happened to her mother… or did she? It was all blurry. Everything of her memories were.

"… Windclan pref….en space of the moor. Thei…vantages and challenges…"

Right, Chrysalisgaze was talking. It was a moment to learn, not to dwell. Peonypaw tries to look her mentor in the eyes, but they drift past her and towards the moor she was informing the younger of. Full attention is given when she hears her name come from Chrysalis' mouth.

Why is it important?

"So… that others stay away… That we know… someone was… here." Peonypaw isn't certain of her answer. How could they be? This was their first time out in the world since they were found. The second question is harder to answer. Why was it so important not to cross? Because it's their home, not theirs. There were advantages to crossing, maybe. Like prey. Starclan gave them enough in their territory, however, so crossing would be a sin. Brows furrow as the apprentice tries to come up with something. "Uhm… Because StarClan disapproves of it..? We could get lost over there… or hurt." Thats what happened to those who crossed, right?

​

PEONYPAW they/she, skyclan apprentice 6 moons old.
a small tortoiseshell kitten with dark green eyes
mentored by Chrysalisgaze
littermate to ???
NPC x NPC // Adopted by Mulberryburst
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by doc↛ m0dernd0c on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

ꕤ

It took her a while to notice her apprentice had not been paying too much attention to her, but instead focused on the gorge, wide eyes scanning the hollow earth. It was naive of Chrysalisgaze to expect the young cat not to worry just because she made no mention of the bloodshed - all of SkyClan knew what had transpired here.

"I'm sorry, Peonypaw." she apologised, genuinely, searching for the right words. "I shouldn't just talk about this as if it was just a regular border. I know we lost something here." Chrysalisgaze lowered her head for a moment, before explaining. "Borders are important, not because StarClan wills it so, but because without them, there would be only chaos. There's us and our territory," she sweeped her tail behind them, then pointed towards the moor with her nose. "and then there's WindClan. We each have our own land and we strive on it. But were we to disregard these borders, what would stop us from attacking WindClan over every piece of prey? And what would stop them from attacking us?"

It wasn't the best answer, but it was all she got. Why had WindClan crossed into their own land, with a party as big as three patrols? It wasn't for prey, despite the guise, nor was it an invasion - there were too few of them for that. The cause of their actions remained a mystery to the scout, but she dwelled on it no longer - she could do that later, when she was by herself or with the other warriors. For now, Chrysalisgaze focused on young Peonypaw.

"We mark these borders every day, to show we were here, just like you said." she smiled at the apprentice as she approached the border. "So that others know this is our land and we protect it. Just like this." Chrysalisgaze demonstrated marking the border. "Now you try."

﹏﹏﹏﹏𓆦﹏

OOC: n/a​