Hello and welcome to Purrgatory! We are an 18+ Warrior Cat Roleplay set in an AU where the clans were unable to leave the forest territories and perished! It has been 100 or more years since then, the clans of the forest are but distant memories to any cats still alive, stories passed down to kits of strangely named wild warriors and leaders with nine lives but the time of the clans is upon us once more and the stars shine yet again.

Open Backwritten Camp I THINK THE APPLE'S ROTTEN RIGHT TO THE CORE | Herb + Clan Patrols (May/June)

This thread occurred at a date previous to its posting date.
This thread takes place inside the clan's camp.
Frostmoth
Frostmoth

Frostmoth

meet your brand new image
meet your brand new image
RiverClan
Deputy
RiverClan Deputy RiverClan Founder
64
15
Freshkill
575
Pronouns
he/him

Frostmoth does his job. He does what he's told, he always has. He is loyal and obedient like a dog. 'Like a child,' he thinks bitterly. Such thoughts have begun to dominate the young deputy's mind, and though it is true that he is extremely young (and had been even shockingly younger when he'd been named to his position) he feels as if he is under some sort of leader-apprenticeship. Though he has won over the respect and confidence of the remainder of the council, the most recent convening has only proven to Frostmoth that he is somehow inferior to his leader and medicine cat. He lives in a shadow. Hasn't that always been so?

Frostmoth does his job. He does not complain. Dawn comes as early as the sun had set the night before, and an antsy RiverClan meets him in the still-crisp morning air for the patrols Pikestar had promised them in the day prior. The bicolor tomcat meets his clanmates with a flat expression. He conveys no gumption nor any dissatisfaction. The once cracked-open door has shut again. He moves to the front of the crowd with stilted strides and turns to face them with that same stiffness ringing residually in his body like a hollow bell.

Frostmoth does his job. He looks at the cats in front of them and begins to deliver what he has promised. "As Pikestar mentioned, we'll be sending out more border patrols on a regular basis, but we need to send out a few for diplomatic reasons too," he begins dryly, a certain lack of enthusiasm coats his tone "I'm staggering them a few days out. I only want one patrol going out at a time so that our camp remains guarded in case of an emergency." His mind goes back to the night of the heist. Following Smokewreath towards the ShadowClan cat while his medicine cat fights for himself. Frostmoth nearly winces. He collects himself. "Peachtrot will lead the patrol to ThunderClan, and with her she'll take Wavesong, Twinklepaw, and Coyoteclaw," he announces first "ThunderClan has been respectful, but remember that they are outsiders. Keep your guard up even if they are as civil as we remember them to be. You'll set out today." He moves on, eyes landing on Pigeonpearl despite who is supposed to be leading the next patrol. "WindClan's patrol will be lead by Pikestar, and with him he'll be taking Pigeonpearl, Stormswirl, Downyfeather, and Sharkpaw," he nods to each of them (even Pikestar) before tipping his head in thought and continuing "We don't know very much at all about WindClan. Be careful. We aren't sure were they may or may not align themselves. Your patrol will head out a few sunrises from now."

He hates to think that their enemies might have allies sooner than they do. He clears his mind by moving on: "A patrol will go to ShadowClan to speak with their leader and draw a hard line with them. This patrol will be lead by Russetfall, and with her Pikestar, Iciclepaw, Willowburn, and Crescentpaw," he doesn't want to think of that the outcomes could be for this one, given what happened only two nights ago "Be firm. ShadowClan are our enemies now, but it will not be wise to pick a fight with them. Your patrol will leave a week from now to give us ample time to plan." He doesn't waste time before moving onto the next "Finally, I want to make contact with our other neighbors in SkyClan again. I'll lead this patrol, and with me I would like to take Dogflicker, Smokewreath, and Thunderpaw. We'll leave a few sunrises after the patrol to ShadowClan. Our contact might not be fruitful, and I want ample time to prepare." Frostmoth finds himself settling a little. His fried nerves seem to calm. He concludes with a final request "Jinglemoon will need a lot of help recouping what has been lost. Although he will have Rainpaw and Pineheart to help him as he recovers, he will need a lot more paws. Please extend your help to them. RiverClan has to work together if we want to become stronger."

Frostmoth does his job. His patrol announcement ends unceremoniously. There are no frills, no fanfares, and no complaints. He moves into the crowd as they murmur and begin to shuffle apart to go about their day, likely relishing in the still-cool air of the morning. Early fog rolls through the canopy of trees overhead, likely to say goodbye as soon as the sun has fully crest itself over the horizon. He finds himself enjoying this moment, lingering among his clanmates. But the deputy knows he has a role to fulfill, and before he can get too carried away he finds himself seeking his sister, eager to get a hunt in before it starts getting too hot.

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE
 
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Its reassuring to know that despite the yowling that transpired the day before that Frostmost will arrange the patrols. He was prepared for an event in which the deputy would refuse. It would have been the only time he excused the other because of what recently happened, but if he abandoned his post after that? They'd have much bigger problems at stake. Thankfully, he didn't have to worry about it. All he does is tune out of Frostmoth's speech, knowing more or less how the patrols would be arranged beforehand. He's only drawn back in when he hears his own name. Sharkpaw, Downyfeather, and Stormswirl... Not bad. He nods in response to Frostmoth's own. The patrol is set a few sunrises from now, that gives him more than ample time to prepare.

What does surprise him is the inclusion of Crescentpaw and Iciclepaw on the patrol for Shadowclan. He almost wants to laugh. Was this Frostmoth's way of making things harder for them? Some sort of revenge? He can't help but look for Adderfang in the crowd. After all, Crescentpaw is one of his kits. With the spat they had he highly doubts that the warrior would be all too pleased with his kit being sent to Shadowclan with someone as pathetic as him. Naturally, he wouldn't be the only one on the patrol nor was he even leading it. It was Russetfall who was going to take charge. If he had any apprehension about Pikestar leading then he didn't have to worry too much in that regard. As for Iciclepaw? The apprentice didn't know how to fight and the boy was easy to frighten. He was fully prepared for Iciclepaw to cling to his legs or use him as a shield to hide from the Shadowclanners. Thankfully, the trip to Shadowclan will begin in a weeks time. I'll have to prepare him.

Eventually, the patrols are all assigned. He swiftly approaches his own apprentice.
"Things are going to be busy, huh?"
A small smile curls from his lips.
"Guess we'll have to train as much as we can before we leave to Shadowclan."
His intention is not to scare the poor boy, yet that may have not been the best way to reassure him. It seemed more like they would wind up fighting with the Shadowclanners than talking things out. However, it was perfectly reasonable for his apprentice to feel apprehensive about the whole thing.
"Hmmm... I'll be leaving to Windclan in a dew sunrises though... I'd love to take you with me, but I think we need more paws finding herbs. HMMMMM.... Ah! While I'm gone, be sure to follow Russetfall. She may be a little scary sometimes, but I know she'll teach you something if asked nicely."
And she's the only one who I can really trust right now.
 
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✦ Pineheart doesn't get up from where's resting when Frostmoth begins the meeting, knowing he won't be going on any patrols. He watches Frostmoth for a moment, the resigned expression on his face. He guesses that Pikestar hadn't approached him, hadn't apologized for anything. He clicks his tongue, and finds Pike in the crowd, boring holes into the back of his head. The anger hasn't fully left him, he feels it like a weight in his chest, heavy, suffocating. He considers going up to Pike now, confronting him in front of the clan, where he would have nowhere to run– but decides against it. Instead he rises slowly to his feet and approaches Frostmoth, a slight furrow in his brow.

"I take it Pikestar hasn't spoken to you either?" He says, voice low, but not necessarily low enough that Pike won't overhear him. "You're a damn good deputy, Frostmoth. Not many would still do this after being spoken to like that." He sighs, shaking his large head. "Good luck speaking with Skyclan. They're a tough lot, but they seem reasonable. I'm sure you and Smoke will do well."



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
    Click to expand...

 
FALLING FOR THE PROMISE OF THE
EMPTINESS MACHINE

Russetfall watches Frostmoth quietly with ears pricked. She knew the patrols had technically already been decided-or at least as far as which of the council would lead which patrol, but she did not know who would be going with who.

Wavesong, Twinklepaw, and Coyoteclaw were all solid choices to go with Peachtrot to Thunderclan's border. It made sense to go to their closest neighbors first as well with warnings of an enemy and offers of allyship. She wondered if Thunderclan would be receptive to the patrol.

Stormswirl, Downyfeather, and Sharkpaw were good choices as well. And hopefully Pikestar and Pigeonpearl could begin to make amends while out there meeting Windclan. ....Hopefully.

It's when her own patrol is announced that Russetfall's green eyes flash with disbelief before steeling into cold neutrality. Did Frostmoth not hear Adderfang's outburst about wanting to protect his family during their meeting or was he assigning Crescentpaw to the patrol to spite Pikestar? And Iciclepaw... Her chest grew tight at the very thought of the patrol going wrong and him getting caught in the middle of it all.

The rest of Frostmoth's patrol announcement is useless static in her ears as she turns from her spot to search for...for her...- Pikestar's voice addresses the kit in question and her head snaps in his direction.

His suggestion to follow herself while the leader is away speaking with Windclan almost brings a rare smile to her face and Russetfall rises to her paws to make her way closer to the two toms.
"Iciclepaw knows me, and knows that all he has to do is ask me and I'll help with whatever he needs." Her tail curls briefly around the apprentice, almost protectively so before waving lazily behind her. "You'll train with me and Thunderpaw while Pikestar is busy, ok?"

Russetfall raises her head to search the thinning crowd for either Crescentpaw or her parents. If she actually ended up going with her on the patrol to Shadowclan, Russetfall would need to assure them that their child was in capable paws.


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
 
When it's time for announcements, he's there. The situation with ShadowClan has to be dealt with, with or without him.

It takes a good deal of self-convincing to gather for patrols he won't be attending, but he musters it. The situation with ShadowClan has to be dealt with, with or without him. But he also attends to support Frostmoth. He knows the boy is having a hard time—especially after what happened at the council meeting. Adderfang is too. They're united on that front, but life goes on.

The lifeguard sucks in a long breath, steeling himself for what's to come. While he's usually front and center, now he watches from the sidelines. He doesn't bother to hide his irritation, but it's not directed at their deputy. Adderfang finds himself boring holes into the back of Pike's skull more than once. His tail flicks irritably in the grass.

He isn't pleased that Wavesong will be attending the patrols, but he's comfortable enough with ThunderClan. After saving one of their apprentices—not to mention all the paw-licking Pikestar's been doing—he figures they're friendly enough. Coyoteclaw and Peachtrot are going as well. That's good enough.

The other patrol selections are solid enough—or rather he couldn't care less who goes where, until they get to ShadowClan's.

Where his eyes had been fixed, they suddenly snap back into focus. Adderfang shoots Frostmoth a bewildered look. Crescentpaw?

Immediately, the fur along his spine bristles. He forces it flat. No—no, there had to be a mistake. Surely Frostmoth wouldn't intentionally risk the lives of his kits after everything that just happened. Willowburn is Crescentpaw's mentor, and normally, Adderfang would be fine with his kits joining their mentors on patrols—but not this one. Not after what ShadowClan did to them. If they were willing to steal and attack their camp while they slept, there wasn't a doubt in his mind they would kill indiscriminately.

He rises from his spot at once. He waits for Frostmoth to finish speaking, tail flicking in sharp, agitated arcs. When the last patrol is named, Adderfang hobbles over faster than he has any business moving. He winces, but his paws don't stop until he's standing directly in front of the deputy.

"Is there some mistake, Frostmoth? Why is Crescentpaw on the ShadowClan patrol?" The wire is stretched thin. His vocal cords grate with restraint. He does his best to phrase it as a question, not an accusation. Adderfang leans in, voice lowered to a tense whisper. "Ignorin' the other additions to that patrol—it's too dangerous for any apprentice, least of all my Crescentpaw. If they all wanna go there and get themselves killed, fine. But not my kits, you understand?" He exhales sharply through his nose. Oh, Adderfang feels like he might boil over then and there, but it's Frostmoth. Adder decides to give the tom a chance to explain first.

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

  • Click to expand...
  • 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​
 
And that's why we share all we have with you
Though there's little to be found
When all you've got is nothing
There's a lot to go around

.


Wavesong listened quietly as Frostmoth went over the patrol assignments, her ears giving the occasional flick in thought. ThunderClan seemed fine... She didn't mind going with Peachtrot, and WindClan's group looked solid too, a well-balanced mix. But then came the name that struck her like an icy wave crashing over the shore. Her breath caught in her throat. ShadowClan. A shudder ran down her spine, and for a moment, the only sound she heard was the distant roaring of memory, Adderfang, bloodied and barely standing, Crescentpaw's innocent eyes filled with worry. Fear gripped her chest like claws. Her sweet, sweet child, she trusted his mentor, truly, but it wasn't enough. Not after everything. Not with the wounds still fresh in her mind. If she could, she would trade places in a heartbeat.

She barely registered SkyClan's patrol. Even Jinglemoon's herb patrol drifted past her thoughts. Instead, she stepped forward just as Adderfang voiced his concern, her paws steady despite the turmoil inside. Her tail brushed his side in quiet support before she turned her gaze toward Frostmoth, offering a calm, warm smile, though there was no mistaking the steel beneath it. " I understand ye want t'treat this patrol like any other, Frosty. " she began, her voice gentle but firm. " But I don't think it's wise t'let apprentices go. Not after what we've seen ShadowClan capable of. " She stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. " If ye don't mind, I'd like t'take th'place of one o' th' apprentices. Preferably... m'own kit. "

There was a deep strength in her words, wrapped in warmth but carried on a tide of fierce, maternal resolve.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis


37 MOONS
𖧧
RIVERCLANNER
𖧧
SONG
𖧧
bio
 

ICICLEPAW

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Iciclepaw sat quietly as the patrols were called out, his wide blue eyes filled with disbelief. Surely he hadn't heard his name assigned to the ShadowClan patrol, there had to be a mistake, right? That couldn't be real. He had seen the aftermath of those brutes. He had seen Littlebrook. Adderfang. Pineheart. Oh, Stars. He was going to die. They were going to kill him. This wasn't a patrol, it was an execution. They were getting rid of him and he was going to--

His spiraling thoughts were abruptly cut off when a voice jolted him back to reality. His eyes snapped upward to meet his mentor's, and he swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile to his lips. He wasn't going to cry. Not now. Not here. He had been working so hard, hadn't he? Russetfall had been teaching him. Pikestar had believed in him and had been teaching him too. He was going to be a capable warrior. He was going to make them proud. …But he couldn't do that if he was dead.

Then don't die.

" Y-yeah... " he finally stammered, voice barely above a whisper, his chest rising and falling with each unsteady breath. No. He was going to be fine. He had to be fine. He was going to be okay. He just had to believe that. " L-leaving?! " he meowed suddenly, alarm spiking in his voice as he turned to his mentor in wide-eyed panic. His gaze flicked to Russetfall, and for a brief, grounding moment, comfort bloomed at the warm tail that curled around him. He instinctively pressed closer, seeking out the safety in their presence. " I... I know... " he murmured, voice thick as he tried to hold back the tears that clung stubbornly to his lashes. Then, in the softest breath of honesty, he confessed:

" I don't want ShadowClan to hurt me... like they hurt the others... "
═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════
 
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There is the faintest shift in tension as Wavesong comes over. She stands beside him, brushing his side with her tail like a balm meant to soothe something already too raw to be tended. Her voice is gentle, reasonable. He nods in agreement, up until the moment she says she'll trade places with the apprentices.

Adderfang spins to look at her, eyes wide. His tail lashes once, the only warning before his voice cuts through the clearing like a snapped branch.

"Absolutely not." The deputy he came to speak with is forgotten in an instant.

His jaw clenches, eyes narrowing as heat rises beneath his pelt. What in the world was she thinking? He breathes hard through his nose, trying to steady himself as he locks eyes with her. "You—" his voice catches for just a second, breath snagging on disbelief. "You want to replace them? Have you lost your damn mind?"

The words are out before he can soften them. He hears them even as they leave his mouth, and his ears flick back briefly. He steps closer, barely able to mask the tremor in his voice. "Wave. Darlin." He says, voice strained, "You're carrying our kits. There are a dozen other warriors who can go in their stead." He exhales, but it's not relief at all. Panic is in his throat, clawing for an escape.

"Those filth won't discriminate. Pikestar and the rest of them could well be marchin' out there to die." His voice rises, loud enough to draw some looks he's sure, though he makes a poor effort to lower it.

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

  • Click to expand...
  • 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​
 
And that's why we share all we have with you
Though there's little to be found
When all you've got is nothing
There's a lot to go around

.


Wavesong's ears twitched back as Adderfang's voice cracked sharp through the air, drawing more eyes than she liked. Her tail stilled, lips pressing into a tight line as she turned to face him, her stomach a visible reminder of what they both stood to lose. She wasn't that far in her pregnancy, but the light bump betrayed her condition. Either she had ate too much, or something was brewing in there. " Pregnant or not, I'm still a warrior, love. " she said, her voice quiet but firm, a ripple beneath still water. " I didn't forget what I carry, nor who helped put 'em there. " she pointed out with a small frown as she stepped closer, sky blue eyes holding his like a current refusing to break. Her tone dipped cooler, though not unkind. " RiverClan don't need more fire right now, Adderfang. We need water. Somethin' calm. Steady. Somethin' that don't snap an' bite when it's afraid. "

She paused, letting that settle between them before the irritation in her voice crept in proper. " And ye... Ye stubborn tom, ye don't listen when yer told t'rest, even with wounds still fresh an' Jinglemoon threatin' t'tie ye down with cobwebs. " Her tail lashed once, a small huff escaping from her as she shook her head.. " But I say I want t'help, an' suddenly I've lost m'head? " Her ears pinned, but her voice stayed steady. " I'm not daft. If somethin' goes wrong, I'll fall back. I won't risk our kits. " A breath. " But I'll not sit on the sidelines while our Crescent walks out there, and I'll not let th' river lose its voice of reason 'cause everyone's too fired up t'think. "

She pressed a paw gently to his chest, over where his ribs still ached. " This ain't 'bout pride. It's 'bout doin' what I can. And I can, Adderfang. I still can. " A beat passed, and she added, softer. " Ye can worry for me all ye want, but don't talk like I'm made of mist, love. Ye know better than that. "

Speech, thoughts/emphasis


37 MOONS
𖧧
RIVERCLANNER
𖧧
SONG
𖧧
bio
 
Adderfang inhaled sharply, biting back the worst of what he wanted to say. His amber eyes softened at her resolve, but the knot of worry didn't leave his brow. "Fine. Fine—we're both two acorns away from a squirrel havin' a full hoard."

"I do know you. You're smart. Tough. You could talk a fish into walkin' on land, and I know you mean well—but all the sweet talk and well-wishin' in the world ain't gonna fix what's goin' on with ShadowClan, Wave. His voice dropped into a low rumble, eyes locked on hers. "Look at me. Look—at—what—they—did—to—me. You can say you'll fall back if it gets bad, but that ain't gonna stop them from chasin' you down and finishin' what they start." Adderfang does not trust those thieves not to attack on sight. After all, they were willing to bring an apprentice to steal from them. He's got a good inkling of the other things they'd be more than willin to do.

He gave a sharp breath through his nose, frustration flickering across his face. As much as he respected Russetfall and Willowburn, even they couldn't protect all of them—not with an apprentice and in tow. Wavesong was capable enough, but she had no business fighting right now. Diplomacy's one thing, but if things go south, he didn't trust anyone but himself to keep her safe.

"I get wantin' to do something. And I love you to death, but I can't let you walk into mess." There was no fire left to flare—just the quiet, grumbling threat of a storm that never passed. He sighed, paws shifting uneasily.

"You know what. Fine, go on ahead. You're set on it now, ain't you?" His gaze rests on his mate, jaw set firm. "But you go, I'm going too." Pikestar and Jinglemoon be damned. They could do whatever they wanted to him, he was not about to see the only she-cat he ever loved off into enemy territory while he sat at camp.
___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________
  • "speech" - thoughts

  • Click to expand...
  • 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​
 
Last edited:

✦ Pineheart listens, weariness washing over him as Adderfang and Wavesong start to bicker. He understands both of them, and… no, he shouldn't compare him and Brook to… to a… he shakes his head. Adderfang insists on going with them on the patrol if Wavesong comes, Wavesong insists on going and doesn't want Adderfang to go– he sees no end to this, so at length, he speaks up himself.

"I'll go," Pineheart says. "It's a week from now, right? I'll rest, and by that time, I'll be good as new," he looks at Adderfang, hoping his eyes say what he cannot say right now, not in front of all these cats– I won't let her die, I won't let your kits die. You will not suffer the loss I did. "Adder… your heart is in the right place, I know it is. But your body isn't. You're in no state to travel that far, and certainly in no state to fight, if it comes to that. You can hiss and argue as much as you want, but it won't change that your wounds aren't healed and that you're not back at full strength just yet."

He looks over at Frostmoth now, eyes saying something else– Adderfang can't go anywhere near Shadowclan right now, or he'll get himself killed, nevermind the rest of us. "I'll take Iciclepaw's place. If they bring that big son of a bitch– Coalstrike, I think his name was– then I'm the only one who can realistically take him on anyway. I don't mean to override your authority, Frost. Trust that I trust you. But I think it'll be better like this. We can't judge them for bringing kits and then bring our own."


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
    Click to expand...


 
And that's why we share all we have with you
Though there's little to be found
When all you've got is nothing
There's a lot to go around

.


Wavesong had been quiet for a moment too long, her breath a measured thing, the calm ripple before a river turned to current. Her eyes flicked between Pineheart and Adderfang, ears turning slightly back, not in frustration, but in careful thought. The tension had climbed high again, thick as fog, but she didn't meet it with fire. Instead, she sighed softly, voice steady and even as the river's edge. " Thank ye, Pineheart. " she began, her tone laced with warmth, with sincerity. " I don't doubt fer a moment that yer offer comes from a place o' care. That I'm certain of. An' I know yer strong, ye've always been strong. " Her gaze softened as it landed on him fully now, though a flicker of something wary passed through her eyes, like a shadow beneath the surface. " But I remember it was yer claws they felt, too. When RiverClan found 'em. Ye fought, and so did they. Blood's been shed on both sides, and when they see ye comin' again, I don't think they'll forget it. " She hesitated, ears dipping a little. " M'not sayin' it's yer fault, Pine… just that it's fresh. Too fresh. "

She looked toward Adderfang then, and though there was love in her gaze, there was no softness in her words. " And ye. " she said gently but firmly. " Don't look at me like I'm some delicate lily pad, waitin' t'be crushed under th' first breeze. I'm yer mate, not yer kit. I know what ShadowClan did to ye. I see it in every stiff step, every wince ye try t'hide. But I've fought tooth and claw just th'same. I've stood in flood and frost an' come out swingin'. Ye gotta trust me like I trust ye t'take care of yerself... "

A beat passed. The emotion in her voice had never raised, never cracked, but it was there, under the calm. Under control. " I don't want more fightin'. " she murmured at last, voice softening. " Not now. Not with apprentices watchin' everythin' we do an' thinkin' that violence is th' only way RiverClan keeps itself safe. I don't want Iciclepaw there, or any wee ones, not until we know it's safe to tread that way again. " And then, finally, her gaze turned to Frostmoth. She didn't shift her posture to challenge. There was no bristling fur, no stiffness, just a quiet, sure steadiness as she spoke.

" If ye lot allow it, I'd like to take th' place o' th' young ones. If peace is what we're lookin' fer, then we need cats who'll carry their claws sheathed, who'll listen before they leap. I can do that. " A pause, then finally a soft sigh as she dipped her head. " But if ye got a better plan, I'll trust in it. Just… know I offer this 'cause I care what happens next. Because I want to see this end, not carry on. " She exhaled slow, the ache of all of it clinging to her bones, but she stood steady, still. Just as the river always did.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis


37 MOONS
𖧧
RIVERCLANNER
𖧧
SONG
𖧧
bio
 
FALLING FOR THE PROMISE OF THE
EMPTINESS MACHINE

It's hard not to overhear the squabbling threatening to turn into a full blown argument, Russetfall's ears swiveling back to catch more of it before leaning down to shoo Iciclepaw away with a gentle nudge of her nose.

"Go, I'll take you out to train later." She murmurs, giving a glance towards Pikestar before turning away to join the council gathered around Frostmoth and Wavesong.

Pineheart mentions going in Iciclepaw's place and she can't help but notice the tightness in her chest lessen. The tom was still not in perfect shape but in a week would at least be well enough to make the journey, she thinks. She'd have to ask Jinglemoon about it later. "...My intent is to have the apprentices bring up the rear, so that if Shadowclan does unsheathe their claws they have to go through our warriors first and they also have time to run." A glance is given towards Wavesong and then Pineheart specifically, green eyes lingering on the massive tom for perhaps a beat longer than necessary. It's a selfish thought but she'd rather Pineheart be in the middle of it all if or when blood is spilled instead of... Iciclepaw. "Wave if you do go with us I also want you near the back- I know you're more than capable, you proved that when you dragged me out of the shelter- but we don't know if they'll attack first and ask questions later and I'd rather be overly cautious than not."

Wavesong brings up a valid point about Pineheart going and the molly tips her head in thought, tail twitching behind her. "...You're not wrong, but we might not have a choice. If this Coalstrike is one of the cats we come across on this patrol none of us stand a better chance than Pine. From the sounds of it he could send most of us flying with a swipe of a paw."

She pauses, letting it sink in. Pikestar's words from before come to the forefront of her mind and Russet shakes her head. Herbs don't work on dead cats... "I want us all to come back alive, I don't want to have to carry one of our own back to put them in the ground... It's a risk no matter who goes, of course, but if it's between the apprentices or one of us I'd rather Pineheart goes."

It was clear that Wavesong already had her mind made up, and if she was farther along in her pregnancy Russetfall would be more adamant about her staying in camp. As long as she stayed in the rear of the patrol it was as safe as they could all make it. Adder certainly wasn't going to like it but then again it seemed there was going to be no perfect solution that would satisfy him bar hobbling along with the rest of the patrol himself. And if he did she was going to cuff him over the ears and drag him screaming back to camp. But still...

"Let's see if someone else will take Crescentpaw's place- another adult of course- before you come along, Wave." And if not she could at least say she tried.

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
 
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