Backwritten Camp RiverClan CHAOS ASSEMBLY — COUNCIL MEETING

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

When he had returned with the battered patrol, what he was unprepared for was the chaos that awaited them in camp. The scent of Shadowclan invaded his nostrils. A couple clanmates breathing heavily with some wounds of their own, and when he rushed to the medicine cat den, where the putrid stench of Shadowclan was the strongest? Crushed herbs and seeds were scattered about. Claw marks carved into the ground and bits of the den as well. In the center of it all was his dear friend Jinglemoon. Rainpaw stood beside their wounded mentor, attempting to aid them with whatever herbs available. The last clear memory from there was a yowl and shredding of a nest. He was dragged away shortly after, thrashing about. When he awoke, it appeared as if a storm passed through his den.

Slumber would prove restless. The images of his wounded clanmates haunted him while Shadowclan cackled such a horrid sound. Frustrated tears slipped down his cheeks. Teeth gritted, preventing yowls of agony from escaping his maw, waking the others with him. Eventually, the sun would rise and when it did he went to gather the members of his council who weren't injured to the medicine cat den. He would not make his mostly injured council drag themselves to his den. No, especially when he was in much better shape.

Once he made his way inside... The rage began to bubble. It was in much better shape than the day before, but it was still in disarray. Unknowingly, he had unsheathed his claws. It was more than evident that this ordeal had taken his toll on him. They would forgive him for it. His haggard appearance was just proof of his care for each and every one of them. How could they expect him to remain cool and collected when they lost so much? This was the best he could do for now.

"The next time you dare cross into our territory with children, make no mistake, we will strike them down just like any criminal."

That is what he said then. Before seeing the state of the medicine cat den. Before sitting here with a good number of his council hurt. Before seeing Jinglemoon injured. When he was foolish. Now as the smell of blood and herbs invade his senses, he regrets. I shouldn't have shown them mercy. It was because of him and his faults that Riverclan paid the price. He was supposed to protect them. It was his duty, that was why the stars granted him these nine lives. Did they watch him with anger? In regret? He did not know and frankly he didn't care. What he cared most about was Jinglemoon. The pair of them were thrusted their respective duties by the stars and he had promised to do his best to support the medicine cat. However, here he sat unscathed while his friend was harmed. Unable to rest fully because it was his duty to tend to others as well. If Jinglemoon attempted to assuage his worries with a gentle smile, it would be met with a scowl. Your wounds should have been mine. Then, his gaze trailed over each and every member of his council.

"I'm sorry."

It's not enough and he knows it. No apologies will make this better. With a trembling frame, he continues,

"I should have given them the punishment they deserved instead of mercy. Because of me, this all happened."

Claws rake slightly across the ground before digging themselves.

"I won't let Shadowclan get away with this. That being said we've got a lot to discuss on what we should do from here on out."

Difficult it is not to give into his lust for blood. To not think of sinking his claws and fangs into each and every Shadowclanner who was there. Even a child who was forced to partake in the crimes of those who were supposed to teach her well. Her frightened expression at that time.... Why?

He really shouldn't be thinking about that child at a time like this. He needed to take care of Riverclan first.

"I think we should focus on finding herbs."

To recover what we lost.

"Maybe send out a patrol or two. At least, as a start. Do any of you have other ideas?"

// @Frostmoth @Peachtrot @Adderfang @pineheart @Russetfall @PIGEONPEARL @Jinglemoon @Rainpaw if I missed anyone please bonk me weeps

 

[Russetfall]

FALLING FOR THE PROMISE OF THE

EMPTINESS MACHINE

If she could have had her way Russetfall would have tracked those fox-hearted cowards all the way back to their own camp that night. Would have broken into Shadowclan's own medicine den and trashed the place beyond any meaningful repair. They would have deserved it after what'd been done to Jinglemoon and Adderfang. An eye for an eye...

Impulse said it was worth it. But logic dictated that it was a fool's errand. As much as she'd love to claw out that rosetted molly's eyes in retaliation for hurting their medicine cat (Thank the stars Rainpaw had been unharmed...), she knew that would be foolish. She was just one cat and their herb stores were all but obliterated. She realized she hated logic winning out in this case.

Sleep had not come for her at all- instead Russet had made herself busy trying to do what she could to tidy the medicine den somewhat. Tried to sort what herbs could possibly be salvaged into a pile for Jingle and Rain to sort through to confirm later. Herbs that were ruined tossed out with a growl. All the while she seethed. Wallowed in her anger and disbelief until she was pacing when there was little else to tidy in the den.

When Pikestar enters the den with the rest of the uninjured council, an apology tumbling from his maw, she nearly snaps at him with a growl but holds her tongue. Barely. This was his fault and he knew it. Instead she sits, tail curled around her paws and tail tip thumping harshly against the ground. "...We're all lucky this happened now, right before greenleaf, instead of the middle of leafbare." Russetfall finally bites out, green eyes narrowed on her leader. She does not need to elaborate how much worse this could have been in leafbare.

A claw pierces a stray leaf she had missed in her cleaning, studying the ruined herb for a moment before flicking it away.

"You're right that we need to restock herbs first and foremost," She murmurs coldly. "But we should also make it absolutely clear to Shadowclan that this will not be tolerated. And sooner rather than later. They took your good will and spat on it." Her mouth snaps shut with an audible click of her teeth at the last syllable.

A small part of her wants to look Pikestar in the eye and say 'I told you so', but that would do little but anger everyone involved when emotions were already high. Instead she lets out a huff and looks to the rest of the council, avoiding Pikestar's gaze. "I think a few of the most able bodied of us- no offense Adder- should lead a patrol to speak with Shadowclan's leader. Those with less drastic wounds should help Jinglemoon restock our herb supply. I can help gather herbs or go to Shadowclan, wherever I'm most useful."

Either way she was NOT going to let Riverclan struggle to recover.

ITS BEEN DECIDED HOW WE LOSE

RUSSETFALL

— Life Guard of Riverclan
— She/Her
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
— A Green-eyed Chocolate Mackerel Tabby With Low White
#8a2c55

 

[Frostmoth]

RiverClan returns to camp with their tails tucked like beaten dogs, utterly defeated in their own home. Their herbs have been stolen, ransacked, and destroyed. Frostmoth kicks himself for his politeness at the border when he had first encountered ShadowClan. There is a part of him that wishes he had pounced on the ShadowClan apprentice he'd met there and let her have it before Pikestar could have intercepted him. An eye for an eye. The injuries were not enough. With no casualties, Frostmoth is sure that they are likely to try this all over again. But next time they might bring bigger, stronger warriors instead of kits. Frostmoth trails after Pikestar, but he walks a few paces back as if misaligning himself with his leader.

Something sticks out in his mind: "You sent me back to camp. Jinglemoon and Rainpaw would have been safer with us where we were instead of sent back to a sleeping camp to be ambushed," Frostmoth is seething slightly when he addresses. His eyes are narrowed. He hasn't had time to simmer on the hot current of emotions that run beneath his pelt. The shame at being outnumbered to protect their medicine cat, the anger at being sent back to camp as if he were a child, and the frustration that this had even happened to beginwith. "There was no strategy to our defense. It devolved into tactless fighting and throwing our more vulnerable clanmates into the direct line of danger."

He stiffens at Pikestar's suggestion. They do need to recoup what's already been lost, but there are other areas in which RiverClan is lacking, too. "What we need to do is make allies. We need to speak to SkyClan and ThunderClan, and rather than act like shocked kits when SkyClan doesn't want us skittering on their border we should seek their allyship," Frostmoth's words have a sharp edge to them, but he does not recoil as usual. His anger has emboldened him. "I doubt ShadowClan's leader will care," he turns to look at Russetfall and finds that his gaze softens at her camaraderie "A group of cats like that is probably lead by someone who is equally as smarmy and conniving."

He glances around at the council with varying levels of wariness and injury before turning back to Pikestar. "I will take a patrol to SkyClan, and Adderfang will take one to ThunderClan. It might be best to try and speak with every clan we are aware of on a diplomatic basis, too." Frostmoth, who typically has resigned himself to being orderly and organized, now finds that anger seems to bring out something more commanding in him. And though the edges are sharp, his message is clear: he will not let this happen again.

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE

• "SPEECH"
• ★ FROST — he/him, riverclan deputy, 20 moons
  — penned by carat, feel free to ping or dm for plots!
  — longhair black and white bicolor with blue eyes
  — peaceful powerplay ok! all interactions ok!
  
• penned by carat!

 

[Adderfang]

The shuffling of paws came from the entrance of the medicine den. A hunched figure leans against the hollow. Slitted eyes swept across those gathered. A night's rest had done him no good. Though some of his wounds had been patched to the best of Jinglemoon's ability and what meager herbs they had left, he hardly looked any better than before. The taste of blood still lingered on his tongue. His pelt remained ruffled and bloodied, thin lines of exhaustion etched deep beneath heavyset eyes.

The disheveled tom limped inside, jaw set tight, a single serpent's fang drawn over his lip. It was good of him to expect this discussion, and no surprise that he found sleep difficult. Adderfang wouldn't have missed this meeting for the world. Too many thoughts weighed on his mind, and he'd see it fit that they heard every one.

The air inside was heavy—thick with discontent. His gaze dragged over the floor, over the emptied shelves. The sight made his face screw up, nostrils flaring as he fought to contain the typhoon that surged forth.

As Pikestar apologized, it didn't get any easier. Pointless—self-soothing apologies would not help them now. He spoke when Adderfang would rather see action. Only his promise to Wavesong dampened the rage brimming on the tip of his tongue… at least until the silver tom finished speaking.

That was a courtesy he did not extend to Russetfall, who takes a poorly timed stab at his pride. He was not in a tolerant mood. "I would thank you, Russetfall, not to tell me what I am or am not able to do," He responds curtly. "You will not leave me out of matters where the safety of my family is concerned." His long-banded tail rattles and sweeps the floor where he leans.

ShadowClan trampled their goodwill. They came, they stole, they ravaged. The idea of strangers waltzing into their camp uncontested, while his mate and children slept, made his vision blur red.

What fools we all are.

"Strangers invaded our camp unchallenged. They mocked us. Stole from us. Left our medicine cat bleeding in the dirt. We should consider ourselves very lucky they were only here for herbs and nothing more!" Adderfang could contain his anger no longer. He could not keep his voice from trembling as he hissed through clenched teeth. "I hope we don't forget it soon. What our weakness has cost us—what it will continue to cost us in the days to come."

His gaze drifted over them all, but it lingered on Pikestar just a heartbeat longer. "No one else seems to have the guts to say it out loud, so I will." He angles his head back, saying the next words with his whole chest. "I told you this would happen." Maybe he's just being spiteful now, but he's in too deep to care. After nearly dying for them, he can be forgiven for being a little unreasonable. "And it will continue to happen if we do not get our shit together."

The tom jerks his head away, nostrils flaring. The frustration in his chest boiled over, and while Pikestar bore the brunt of it now, the blame wasn't his alone. It was all of theirs to bear. There would be hard days ahead.

When Frostmoth finally spoke, it was the first lick of sense he'd heard since the meeting began. Adderfang hated the idea of relying on their rivals for charity, but they no longer had the strength to stand alone.

"Frostmoth is right, but I do still think we should pay ShadowClan a visit—whether their leader cares to listen or not. There must be consequences for what they've done. They need to see that RiverClan isn't as weak as they think. "

Frostmoth, as green as grass not long ago, was showing the strength they desperately needed now. Maybe it was anger that gave him the courage, but he has earned a sliver of respect. Decisive action would carry them farther than regrets.

"Once we've healed, of course." He continued in a raspy tone. "Let's hope that happens quickly before they think to try something like that again." Adderfang limped forward a few paces to stand beside the bicolor tom, claws scraping against root and stone. He hadn't risked his life just to let those filthy thieves try their luck a second time.

___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  

• 

• Adderfang he/him & riverclan
  𓆟 Chocolate ticked tabby w/ amber eyes. Peppered with scars. Deep gash across the right side of his face exposing one canine slightly. Missing left ear.
  𓆟 Deep gravelly voice that might unsettle others.
  𓆟 Would and will kill a man.
  𓆟 Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. For other powerplays, DM.
  𓆟 Fur smells faintly of river reeds and damp earth.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[pineheart]

✦Pineheart lays still in his temporary medicine den nest and listens quietly as the younger ones squabble, all of them like kits in his eyes. Apologies… regret… too little too late. He drags his large form out of his nest, stooping slightly under the roof, and looks down at them all. What a sorry sight they all are, himself included, no doubt.

He addresses Pikestar first, tone even.

"I agree with Frostmoth– you made a mistake sending Jinglemoon and Rainpaw back to camp. You couldn't have known they'd attack our camp, but you should've known better than to let such vital members of our clan out of our sight while we were under attack."

He looks around again, for a moment. "It's like I told that big bastard from Shadowclan. Leniency is not inaction. It is not a weakness either. If we all went around attacking anyone that crossed the border, we'd eradicate each other within a moon. We'd be no better than wild dogs. However, taking advantage of leniency– that is a move of the weak indeed. A coward's play."

He looks towards Frostmoth, giving him a nod, "I agree. Allies are needed, or at the least, warnings. Tell them to be wary of Shadowclan, to not show them leniency nor mercy, to doubt their words. Rats will be rats. If we can turn the other clans against Shadowclan, they will hesitate to try anything like this again. I… have been ordered to rest. And I wish to honor Jinglemoon's advice," he shoots Adderfang a glance, not angry, but more of a get it together sort of look. "So I won't be making any long journeys right now. But I can come with the herb patrols, keep them safe in case Shadowclan tries anything again."

haven't had a dream in a long time

see, the life i've had could make a good man go bad

• ooc: -
• 

  PINE, - 49 moons / riverclan + warrior
  large brown tabby town
  adopted guardian of Torrentpaw and Squidpaw / future mentor to Torrentpaw
  healing and peaceful powerplay allowed