TW: Sensitive Content Open SkyClan Journey Backwritten SkC into thin air // acornheart's "death"

[Cloudbearer]

{$title} TW for assumed character death, near-death experiences, grief

ACORNHEART
HE/HIM
21 MOONS
SKYCLAN WARRIOR
SPEECH |

THOUGHTS

PENNED BY PLOT

The young warrior stretched his limbs, yawning wide as the shudder of the movement echoed through his body. The crisp snowfall was invigorating, and with their current pause in movement, it might be good to get some hunting done. He looked to Chrysalisgaze and flicked her shoulder with his tail as he approached.

"Wanna hunt?" he asked, grinning. "We can take a few others with us... maybe... oh, Buttercupbriar!" He called to the tom. "Come along with us! And..." He gave Chrysalisgaze a knowing smirk before calling out to the next cat. "Starlingtrail! Wanna come along?" Finally, his gaze landed on Teaselpaw. He was fond of the deputy's child, and it wouldn't hurt to get them out and about.

"Teaselpaw, wanna come too?" He looked to Fitzgerald and dipped his head. "We'll keep an eye on them, promise!"

​

OOC: This thread takes place during the journey, shortly after the first snowfall [Early Dec 2024, so basically a year from this post's date] in order to explain how Acornheart was separated from the Clan and assumed dead.
Tagging the following who were interested in joining, but anyone who would have been on the journey then is welcome to join: @Buttercupbriar @Chrysalisgaze @Starlingtrail @Teaselfeather

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

ꕤ

Chrysalisgaze smirked at her best friend in thanks - she had been too shy around the beautiful young warrior still and Acornheart knew as much. There was no better wingman than him, inviting Starlingtrail to go hunting with them.

"I would love to try to hunt something! We will be back in no time." she spoke confidently, knowing their paws were swift and their claws sharp. They would only be a moment, to catch some prey for the clan and feed their most vulnerable - the young and the old alike. A single snowflake landed on her nose, but Chrysalisgaze wasn't worried - as long as the snowfall was mild, they would make do - the visibility was lowered, of course, and their eyes would need to get used to the constant movement, but the she-cat had confidence.

Her eyes met Starlingtrail's as her expression softened. "Do you wanna hunt side by side? Perhaps lure some bigger prey towards each other?" her voice was lower, more sheepish, talking to the dark molly. She hoped the other would agree to spend time together, alone, just the two of them. Her heart fluttered just at the thought of the possibility.

﹏﹏﹏﹏𓆦﹏

OOC: n/a​

 

[Teaselfeather Teaselfeather]

Let me die, let me drown, lay my bones in the ground
I will still come around when the time for sleep is through
Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale
Do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you

.

A hunt! And they were allowed to come with Acornheart! A delighted little ' mrrp! ' slipped out of Teaselpaw before they could stop it, their paws dancing in place with a small, jittery rhythm. Their tail quivered once, betraying their excitement, and a shy but bright grin tugged at their face. Starlingtrail, Buttercupbriar, and Chrysalisgaze would be joining too, this was shaping up to be a proper patrol. A real one. For a heartbeat, Teaselpaw cast a pleading, hopeful look back toward the makeshift camp, as if to silently ask for the final unspoken permission fromt Fitzgerald. When no objection rose behind them, relief softened their expression. They tapped their paw twice against the ground and stepped forward, eyes squeezing shut as a soft purr thrummed warm and full from their chest.

Yes. Yes, they absolutely wanted to join. It would be good to get out, to stretch their legs, to breathe air after... Everything. Tilting their head, Teaselpaw opened their mismatched eyes and looked up at Acornheart, the faintest flutter of awe and happiness lighting their features. They couldn't help it, they felt honored. Picked for a hunting patrol, and such a solid one at that. They'd been working on their stalk, practicing every morning, and maybe... Maybe today they'd even catch something to make Acornheart proud.

Teaselpaw's whiskers twitched, excitement bubbling all over again. They were ready.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

6 MOONS

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SKYCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

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bio

 

[Starlingtrail Starlingtrail]

She had been pleased at the offer of joining the patrol at Acornheart's offer, she had yet to leave the camp that day, and even despite the cool nip of leafbare, she found herself raring to hunt. Prey grew scarce this time of year, but even so, she wouldn't allow herself to falter; the clan needed to be provided for after all.

Starling couldn't help but smile seeing the patrol gathered, eager young Teaselpaw and her ever lovely friend Chrysalisgaze. She adored all of her clanmates, but she couldn't deny that such a tight-knit lot would make its patrol even better, everything kept light and maybe even some friendly competition. The black and white molly purred as she looked to Fitzgerald, eyes crinkling. "Teaselpaw will be kept a close eye on, though you may join if you so desire." The daylighter was another one she was fond of; she wouldn't mind if the other came along.

The molly stretched her limbs out, shaking her head as snow began to fall. Ill-timed, that was for certain; however, they were all skilled cats and even in poor visibility, they would persist. Though Chrysalis padded to her and asked about hunting together, she couldn't help but beam with a purr mulling in the back of her throat. "That sounds like a lovely plan, Chryssie. I know any hunt with you there to help me will be a success." She beamed, resting her tail against the side of the other, almost playfully. She always loved to be a playful tease, but there was something about Chrysalis' reactions that made her heart flutter. The molly was her best friend since their early apprenticeship, and yet she found herself drawn to her more than ever.

Not letting herself mull too long, feeling her ears burn warm as she met Acornheart with a grin. "Well then, lead us onwards. If we linger too long, surely the snow will make any hunt a pain in the haunches." She chuckled, padding ahead and glancing back to the rest of the patrol with a tilted head.

˗`, ˖ ݁ .✶ ݁₊ . . ݁₊ ✶. ݁ ˖ˎˊ˗

​

STARLINGTRAIL she/her, Skyclan scout 26 moons old.
A short-haired black and white molly with soft, blue eyes.
mentored by none // mentoring none
littermate to none
Larkvine x Greyduck / mother to none / mated to none
"SPEECH" // "THOUGHTS" // ATTACK
penned by Pheo ↛ phoenixwashere on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Buttercupbriar]

x

Buttercupbriar was pleased to join the tom's hunting patrol, he had always been curious about the tom --- a lingering fancy from afar. Though, to be fair, he thought that way about many of his clanmates. Even Chrysalisgaze was a stunning molly, so was Starlingtrail. It was so hard to choose, to have just one fancy at a time. It had gotten him into trouble a few times, of course, especially when the feline he chose to flirt with was taken.

He grinned at the tom's offer, they had been through their apprenticeship together but had not yet gotten the chance to hunt together since they had been made warriors. He glanced towards him, as well as to the two mollies and apprentice that had been asked to join them. "I am always in the mood for a hunt," He grinned, happy that he was among the company that didn't tease him for his name. It had been something he was used to since his kithood, probably adding to the reasoning he had been gifted with the suffix of Briar.

He almost wondered if the tom had picked Chrysalis first because he fancied her, though it seemed like a foolish choice to include the rest of them in a romantic hunt. He let out a sly grin, followed by the rumble of a purr. "Hopefully we aren't all interrupting you and Chrysalis's date."

OOC // @Chrysalisgaze @Starlingtrail @Teaselfeather @Cloudbearer

⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°

BUTTERCUPBRIAR

WARRIOR OF SKYCLAN
he / him, amab (male)
23 moons old, ages on the 24th.
lionstrike x brightshine, sibling to buttercupkit, marigoldmist, daisydancer
mentored by avocetleap, mentor to no one yet

SPEECH // THOUGHTS // INTERACTION

 

[Cloudbearer]

ACORNHEART
HE/HIM
21 MOONS
SKYCLAN WARRIOR
SPEECH |

THOUGHTS

| LUCIDITY

PENNED BY PLOT

Acornheart smiled at his companions, shooting Starlingtrail and Chrysalisgaze separate glances at Buttercupbriar's comment.

Wonder if they'll ever actually make it official,

he thought.

They certainly dance around things enough!

Head held high, Acornheart led the patrol out into the snow. It wasn't really great weather for hunting, but with so many tired cats, it was important to not both waiting for the ideal time.

"Let's make sure to keep an eye on each other too," he cautioned. "The snow could get worse at any time, and you don't want to get separated. If you end up alone, don't wander trying to find us - find shelter first, then we'll come searching for you." The last thing they needed was someone dying because he thought a hunt would be a good idea. Once certain everyone heard and understood his instructions, the fluffy tom bounded further from the makeshift SkyClan camp, scenting the air in earnest.

​

OOC: Hmmm I wonder if Acornheart will end up following his own advice in the future

 

[Chrysalisgaze]

𓆦 𖢥 𓆨 𓆣 𐀔 Chrysalisgaze 𐀔 𓆣 𓆨 𖢥 𓆦

ꕤ

With everyone gathered ready to depart, Chrysalisgaze brushed her tail over Starlingtrail's back as she moved after Acornheart. The territory was unfamiliar and she didn't know where to start, already missing the familiarity of the Gorge territory. Were it not for the constant threat, she would consider venturing back at her lowest moments. But, as it was, there was no going back.

"I'll go with Starlingtrail - two sets of paws and eyes are better than one." she announced, though Chrysalisgaze knew she wouldn't stray too far from the rest of the patrol, keeping an eye on them in this weather and unknown land. One could never be too careful.

The dark molly scanned her surroundings, trying to assess where to go next. Her breath showed in foggy puffs and the cold seeped into her paws, but she didn't let it show, focusing instead on the land before her. "What do you think about those trees?" she asked her hunting partner, pointing towards a batch of young trees - not tall enough to house any birds but perhaps a squirrel or so could reside nearby.

With Starlingtrail's approval, the two split off from the rest of the patrol and fell into silence, scanning and sniffing for any signs of prey.

﹏﹏﹏﹏𓆦﹏

OOC: n/a​

 

[Teaselfeather Teaselfeather]

Let me die, let me drown, lay my bones in the ground
I will still come around when the time for sleep is through
Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale
Do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you

.

Excitement shone in the young apprentice's mismatched eyes as they glanced from one cat to the next, whiskers trembling before a soft ' mrrrp ' slipped from their throat. They knew they weren't the best hunter yet... Honestly, very far from it!! But they were learning. And surely hunting with others could only help. Every outing was a lesson, after all. Their gaze lingered on Buttercupbriar, confusion flickering across their face at the comment about Chrysalisgaze and the other. An item? Their head tilted slightly. Did they... Like each other like that? Was this meant to be a date? And if it was... Shouldn't they not be here?

They blinked, staring perhaps a heartbeat too long before shaking the thought away and hurrying after the others. Questions could wait. But then, Chrysalisgaze was already moving off with Starlingtrail. A flicker of panic sparked in their chest. Who do I go with? After a brief hesitation, Teaselpaw padded quickly toward Acornheart, pressing lightly against the older cat's side. An apologetic, sheepish smile tugged at their muzzle as they looked up at him. Best to stay close. That felt right.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

6 MOONS

𖧧

SKYCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio