Open Camp RiverClan ENDLESS TIDE — SPRING CLEANING

[PIKESTAR]

It was time to organize his den again, and what better way than to clear out all the clutter? Perhaps it was silly and maddening to see Pikestar enter and exit his den with numerous shiny rocks, fish bones, and fish scales and place them gently near the entrance of his den. He recalled the strange look Adderfang had given him when he first entered his dwelling. It was amusing to say the least, but over time his frequent guests became used to it. Though, he did feel a twinge of guilt for his mate. True to her word she did toss out everything Peachtrot had given him, replacing it with objects of her own. However, he knew that he wanted to make the space hers as well, so that meant he would have to rearrange things and for once have proper bedding in his den for her.

To be honest he lost count how many times he went exited and entered his den, but he did know one thing. He was out of breath. In pure exhaustion he plopped on his beloved fish scales and glanced at the neat piles he had made near the leaders den. The abundance was concerning. With his collection alone the whole camp could be decorated, but that is... If he allowed anyone to take his treasures.

A paw reaching out for one of his shiny stones, causes the leader to rise to his paws and hiss

"DON'T TOUCH THAT!"

Fur bristles as he stomps over to his poor clanmate, snatching one of his precious rocks.

"ITS MINE! BACK OFF!"

It doesn't occur to him how unsightly he is being. Especially over a rock of all things. However, for those who knew him, this was typical. He'd always been stingy when it came to his own belongings. In a sense it made him feel normal. Like the rest of them and he was not some otherworldly being. He was just Pike. A riverclanner who got upset like anyone else.

 

[scalepaw]

It had been a big adjustment for the young molly here. Trying to grow accustomed to sleeping on something that didn't creak and bellow. Her soft green gaze spotted the leader rapidly moving about. The older cat seemed awfully stressed and her brow furrowed with worry. Connecting the dots she realized they were doing some organizing.

Scale had only meant to help. Really. She thought she could assist and tidy a few piles while he rested. The moment her paw brushed against the stone, Pike's voice tore through her like claws. She jolted back like she'd been struck, ears pinning flat as her paws scrambled, tail fluffing in alarm. For a moment she just stared, wide eyed and frozen as he stormed over and snatched the rock from the ground, fur bristling, fangs bared.

Her jaw trembled slightly, though she bit down hard to still it. "I-I wasn't trying to take it." She mewed, her voice barely a whisper as her rounded frame took a few uncertain pawsteps back. "I just… Thought I could help." Embarrassment flushed through her as she realized how many cats were surely staring. Scalepaw didn't dare check to see.

The youth hated the heat crawling up her neck, hated the burn at the back of her eyes, but most of all she hated that it was Pikestar of all cats. Their leader. It added a little extra sting. The one cat she thought wouldn't ever raise his voice like that. At least not over a pebble. Her gaze fell to the ground remorsefully "I'm sorry." She mumbled, still not looking at him. Her paws felt like stones beneath her as the need to cry grew more fierce.​

 

[Frostmoth]

Frostmoth has also been bitten by the spring cleaning bug. As bareleaf has been ushered out, it's obvious that many of the nests in RiverClan's dens along with the reeds that make up their walls have been worn and dried out. Of course, it doesn't help either that it rains so much. The combination of regular rain and dried out nests and walls have led to their quick deterioration. And it seems like Frostmoth isn't the only one who has noticed. As he's gathering up a good pile of moss to dole out onto some apprentices, he absently notices Pikestar coming in and out of his own den a number of times.

Though his absent notice is snapped straight to the center of attention as the leader begins shouting. Frostmoth drops the moss he's holding to turn wide eyes towards the clamoring. He sighs, half-annoyed, when he realizes that the yelling is basically over nothing. For a moment, the deputy thinks about pretending he hasn't seen or heard anything, but then figures that this is part of his job as the currently distressed Pikestar's second-in-command.

"The apprentices have been helping me clean up," he butts in quickly "Sorry, Pikestar. Scalepaw was just trying to help and wandered a bit too close to your belongings." He then turns sharply blue eyes on the tortoiseshell "It's okay, Scalepaw," Frostmoth reassures the apprentice as he comes alongside her nervous form "Here Scalepaw, do you want to help me refresh some of the nests in the nursery?" It's certainly a sort of last-ditch effort to diffuse the situation, but he figures that if he can draw her away and give her something to do it might help to amend whatever the hell this is.

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE

• "SPEECH"
• ★ FROST — he/him, riverclan deputy, 17 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]

As usual, Adderfang found himself in the wrong place at the right time—though, admittedly, he would've rather not have stumbled upon such a sorry display. The sight of their—ahem—very grown leader hissing at Scalepaw was enough to make a few hairs flake off and drift pitifully to the ground… or so it felt like it.

He had come to speak with Pike about the next training sessions at Ash Glade, but it seemed that would have to wait. Adderfang dragged a long sigh through his nostrils before slipping down into the den.

"Pikestar," The lanky tom said as he emerged, dipping his head courteously.

He spared a glance at Scalepaw and Frostmoth as he passed them, his eyes softening on the apprentice. The poor thing certainly didn't deserve to be yelled at. He couldn't help the tinge of pity that flickered through him.

He stopped suddenly, turning to the frightened apprentice. "Ah, Scalepaw," The scarred tom mentioned casually. "Came in here for another reason, but I've been meaning to thank you for all the hard work you've been puttin' in around camp. It's a boon to have such a dedicated apprentice with us, isn't it, Pikestar?" Adderfang narrowed his eyes at the RiverClan leader expectantly.

For the life of him, he couldn't understand Pike's unhealthy obsession with those damned rocks. It wouldn't be proper to undermine him in front of an apprentice… but the urge to grab him by the ears and shake him silly had never been stronger.

He tilted his head toward Frostmoth. "The nursery does look dire need of fresh bedding, that would be greatly appreciated." He turned back to Pikestar, eyes settling on the mound of rocks which he coveted. "Besides, I think Pikestar would prefer to clean his own den from now on, seeing as he's so particular about his belongings."

___________________ 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​