mentions of blood/a dead body. takes place on the night after the gathering/during rosebellys vigil.
In the aftermath, there is only silence. The stench of blood hangs heavily in the Skyclan camp, as if it's seeped into the very bones of this place. Rosebelly's body is lying still in the darkness, a shapeless lump. It makes her sick. Stormcrow's paws feel heavy. She is weary in a way she has never been before. Whatever emotion had been going through her king as she helped her back to camp, it had somehow leaked into her, taking hold of her heart and digging its foul claws into it.
Now, after the clan members that stayed back to protect the camp had been briefed, they could finally rest. They could finally sit vigil for Rosebelly.
In the darkness of night, her paws find their way to Hawkstar's side, whether by smell or hearing or something else, she does not know. She is too tired to question the red string that seems to tie her to her leader at all times– the string which sometimes seems more like a noose than anything else. But so be it, she thinks. She will wear the noose with honour.
She lies down next to Hawkstar under the cover of night. She does not think about why she needs cover to do so.
"You did what you thought was right," she murmurs, unsure if her words will do anything to comfort or reassure, but feeling nonetheless that she must try. "And I find no fault in your logic. These cats… if they insist on it, they will learn the hard way what upholding the warrior code entails." After a moment's hesitation, she softly adds. "Let me help you…"
She reaches out, and begins to clean Hawkstar's fur, meticulously grooming the blood from it. It is not intimate, but religious in nature.
"In the future, should you ask it of me– I will be your sword, your executioner. You need not dirty your fur with blood, Hawkstar. All you have to do is ask, and it shall be done, precisely as you command it," she murmurs. "It is true, your path is not easy, but you do not walk it alone. Wherever you go, I will follow, lest you ask me not to."
Please don't ask me not to.

Now, after the clan members that stayed back to protect the camp had been briefed, they could finally rest. They could finally sit vigil for Rosebelly.
In the darkness of night, her paws find their way to Hawkstar's side, whether by smell or hearing or something else, she does not know. She is too tired to question the red string that seems to tie her to her leader at all times– the string which sometimes seems more like a noose than anything else. But so be it, she thinks. She will wear the noose with honour.
She lies down next to Hawkstar under the cover of night. She does not think about why she needs cover to do so.
"You did what you thought was right," she murmurs, unsure if her words will do anything to comfort or reassure, but feeling nonetheless that she must try. "And I find no fault in your logic. These cats… if they insist on it, they will learn the hard way what upholding the warrior code entails." After a moment's hesitation, she softly adds. "Let me help you…"
She reaches out, and begins to clean Hawkstar's fur, meticulously grooming the blood from it. It is not intimate, but religious in nature.
"In the future, should you ask it of me– I will be your sword, your executioner. You need not dirty your fur with blood, Hawkstar. All you have to do is ask, and it shall be done, precisely as you command it," she murmurs. "It is true, your path is not easy, but you do not walk it alone. Wherever you go, I will follow, lest you ask me not to."
Please don't ask me not to.

♡ STORMCROW. 54 moons
mentor to stonepaw,
daughter of snowveil
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc - @Hawkstar
mentor to stonepaw,
daughter of snowveil
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc - @Hawkstar