RC it makes no statement but does so quite loudly ✦ pike

[Galepaw Galepaw]

{$title} galepaw compares notes about the night's events with pikestar

—————————————————— Rocked by an endless motion ✦

The birth of the kits was far more tumultuous than the young apprentice was expecting, though not that it didn't make for an interesting spectacle. It had no real ill will against the ... colorful personality of Adderfang, but his decorum certainly left much to be desired. It did seem as though his words ruffled others feathers far more than his own, but it would make him a fool to forget it as easily as so many other things. Adder would make a dangerous enemy for sure, and yet he seemed eager to dance with death at every inflammatory moment. It intrigued him, such blatant bluntness, the unwillingness to let the waves carry him down the stream... perhaps the tom should take a page from his book. If not for himself, then to understand the thought process behind it. It seemed an impossible task, like diverting a raging river, but perhaps with enough time.

Adderfang was by far his interest of the night, though. In the brief time inside of the den, followed by the all-but-kind ushering out, Pikestar had drawn his attention. It had often gazed in curiosity at the leader, at the... well, he wouldn't call it a commanding presence, but he did certainly Have a presence. There was something that made that cat different, something internal, something unfamiliar. It was as though it was the first time he saw a bird, such strange things compared to his own body. To him, the leader could just as easily walk away on two paws and go living amongst the twolegs. The birds even regarded the tom with a strange song, something that tasted more like a strange fear and reverence than anything it was used to hearing. The thought practically made his paws shake, his body quivering with pure, unadulterated curiosity. If he had the choice, the apprentice would pick through every sinew on his body, press every nerve, and delve into the spirals of his mind. If he had the choice, Galepaw would know Pikestar better than anyone—and then, perhaps finally his curiosity would be satiated.

Pikestar had informed Pine where to find him, and Gale took it upon themself to invite himself as well. The leader had invited the apprentice to bring Wave something the following morning, but the pale lynxpoint simply couldn't wait that long. Not when the birds were awake to hear him, to see the way he stared at the leader. The camp was silent as he padded across it, pushing his way into the leader's den with a cool sort of bravado. He hardly cared if the tom was even awake—there was a certain sort of mystique the night brought, and surely Pike would see it as well as he could.

"Pikestar." The tom called into his den, large blue eyes falling upon the silver body of the older cat. It waited the briefest of moments, searching for the glint of eyes peering back at him sleepily before continuing. "Come on a walk with me." With nothing left to say, and of course no more context needed for the poor leader, the tom turned tail out of the den. It was almost as though he expected the leader to immediately bounce to his paws to follow him, but just in case he'd hover near the entrance of the camp to ensure that the tom had been following. The river was calling to him, and it waited for no cat, not even someone blessed by the stars.

—————Whether truth or just a story

It's not up to you—————

• @PIKESTAR strange beast alert
• 
  Galepaw
  ✦—Riverclan Apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—He/They/It
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A fluffy high white lynx point with curled ears and deep blue eyes
  #87878E #BAB2AC

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

It seemed like he was the bad guy in all this with how Pineheart practically threw him out the moment he entered the medicine cat den. I barely even did anything. I kept my space and said as few words as possible. Is that really too much? He was frustrated without a doubt. All he wanted to do was support Wavesong. She had asked him to be there along with the others, but it seems like Adderfang had more power over her. Even though he was not the one actively kitting. However, he was not going to march back there and give Adderfang a piece of his mind. Wavesong was stressed enough as it is. Getting into a screaming match with Adderfang would only make matters worse.

Oh well. He shifts around his nest so the rocks dig into his back slightly.

What he was not expecting was for someone to enter his den so soon. He did tell Pineheart that if the older tom wanted to speak further, they would continue this conversation in his den, but... I didn't think he would come so soon. The voice tells him immediately it's not Pineheart.

"Galepaw?"

Green eyes scan the white lynx at the entrance of his den. Is he tired? I guess apprenticeship has been keeping him busy. Before Pikestar can even say anything, the apprentice orders him around. All he could do is stare at Galepaw's back with his maw ajar. Did he just? What is it with everyone ordering me around today?!

The thought of staying in his den out of spite comes to mind, but this is Galepaw. This is Wavesong's apprentice and it's not like he demanded Pikestar anything before. In short, there was either something serious going on or the apprentice wanted to tell him something. With a sigh he rises to his paws and rushes to meet the apprentice. They are lingering by the entrance of the camp.

"Is... everything alright? Or is there something you want to talk about?"

Judging by how the apprentice ordered him around, he gets the sense that he won't get a direct answer. He'll probably just walk out of camp and start talking when we arrive to wherever it is he wants to go. Not that there's nothing wrong with that, but throw me a bone or something here!

"Maybeeee you got someplace nice to show me?"

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 39 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#00caa2"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[Galepaw Galepaw]

—————————————————— Rocked by an endless motion ✦

His eyes met the leader's as he hurried himself after the apprentice, but his face hardly betrayed what he was thinking other than a sort of profound curiosity. Pikestar had followed with not much complaint, and the lack of frustration at his sudden intrusion surprised him somewhat. '...Perhaps this is what leading is.' It hummed to itself, looking the silver tabby up and down as he slowed to a stop. 'Or perhaps simply keeping the peace, if they are not the same thing...' He didn't particularly care, really. It had no lofty plans for a role like Pike's. He was far more interested in the freedom of other roles. Well, at least for now—he could hardly tolerate some of his clanmates on the best of days.

"Oh, yes. Just fine." The tom mused coolly in response. "The night's as still as the water." The water was never particularly still these days, with the rapids roaring as they normally did. The night wasn't exactly a still one—in fact, far more cats were up and about than the usual. It didn't seem bothered by this contradiction, though, instead simply regarding the leader with soft blue eyes. It was never often when he got to see Pikestar up close, much less have his attention on him like this. They could almost convince themself there was something fluttering inside, something that crowed like everyone else.... but tracing the scar grooved across the tom's face, Gale decided better of it. The birds knew something he didn't, and they hadn't led him astray yet. In time, the seemingly long-ago claims of star-given power would be proven—though, it would likely be with death, with a terrible end or a terrible beginning. Either way, something or someone was going to end. So it goes.

"In your own territory?" Gale hummed back at the leader, turning away as pale paws led him away from the entrance. "Mm... not likely." In reality, the tom was simply letting his body do the work for him, absentmindedly treading a path he had often taken. The river, not too far from Pebble Falls was his usual spot—the birds often gathered there, herons stepping lightly through reeds in search for small critters, and so Gale also found himself nearby. They never said much to him, and in a way he delighted in the silence. It was far more peaceful than deeper into the woods, as the calling of birds could sometimes make his head spin a bit. The pale cat continued in silence for a while, wispy tail flicking back and forth in a rhythmic motion as he went.

"...Awful cruel, what he did to you." Gale said eventually, reminiscing silently on the events of the night. "Though, I suppose he didn't say a thing to you." The tom chuckled quietly to himself, an odd, rough noise. Laughter was never his forte, anyway, and he hardly had the time to work on it. Quietly, Galepaw added, "...Perhaps that was for the better..." After a moment's hesitation, and even quieter still, the tom muttered. "This is a family matter." There was an odd tone to his voice, a moment of unusual strain to his words as he said this. It hadn't gotten under his skin, per se... but it certainly wouldn't be something he'd forget anytime soon.

—————Whether truth or just a story

It's not up to you—————

• 
  Galepaw
  ✦—Riverclan Apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—He/They/It
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A fluffy high white lynx point with curled ears and deep blue eyes
  #87878E #BAB2AC

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

The response from Galepaw causes the silver leader to tilt his head in confusion. Perhaps, it is amusing to the apprentice. How easy it is to tell how exactly the leader is feeling. Guess it's good nothing bad has happened, but why is he so serious? I don't even think Torrentpaw would answer like this. Granted, a lot of our apprentices aren't like Galepaw. He's sort of... Alone? That's not the right word. Hmm. He's not as open like the others? Yeah, that's better! It's then that Galepaw moves along the conversation and brings up the water. In pure Pikestar stupidity, he answers,

"Uh. The water isn't still though? Unless you mean the night is roaring? I guess you're right?"

For tonight. He's certain that the commotion from the medicine cat den resulted in gossip among the clan. After all, they did cause somewhat of a scene. It would be shocking if everyone decided not to talk about what possibly may have transpired in the den to have Pineheart guard it so fiercely. However, that is of little importance. What is of importance is the terrifying sensation of being dissected. He does not miss the apprentice staring at the scar across his nose. Something within him wishes to hiss and bat the apprentice away. Every fiber of his being screams at him to run. That he is in the presence of a predator.

However, the thought of running was even more terrifying. Calm down Pike. This is just Galepaw. Nothing bad is going to happen. You're just spending time with your friends apprentice. Yeah. There's nothing to worry about. Look, he even turned away. Also! Answer him, he made a joke.

"It's not like I've seen everything here, and this is our territory. I don't own this territory, if I did then you all will be chased off. Or try to, cause one cat can't exactly chase off a big group away."

I'm not even strong anyway. I'd get pummeled quickly. He opts not to say such things, but it didn't need to be said. Galepaw and and a good bulk of Riverclanners knew that Pikestar was not the most skilled fighter. What they did know was that their leader was an exceptional swimmer. If he did not hold the title of leader, then he would've been an esteemed pearl diver. Sometimes the silver tabby can't help but wonder how much simpler life would be if he was but a mere pearl diver. Unfortunately, thinking of it was useless. He was leader and that was that.

For now, he chuffs,

"Awww what? I'm sure you've got the spirit of adventure in ya. You gotta know some cool place around here."

Unlike him, Galepaw had more than enough time to traverse through the territory. The area where he was led by the younger riverclanner was proof of that, so much so that Pikestar can't help but gasp in awe. Unfortunately, the awe is short lived.

What? Things have taken a strange turn. Galepaw's laughter brings him no comfort. It is hard to believe that he has been dragged someplace by an apprentice. An apprentice who rattles him for some reason. He is not like Adderfang who hisses, but far worse. Galepaw is an apprentice who is calculated and utters truths in almost a whisper. The action is far too unsettling, as if the cat before him knew that everyone would strain their ears to hear whatever fell from those lips. Sablestar. You remind me of him. Everything clicks into place. How he is nothing more than a butterfly caught in a spiders web. Galepaw's web, but the apprentice has no interest in devouring him. What does he want? Does he even want anything in particular? No answer comes to mind. The apprentice hasn't given any clue for Pikestar to latch onto.

"This is a family matter."

"Adderfang had no right to say that. Especially to you."

There was no need for elaboration. Galepaw fully knew what he was referring to.

"Wavesong sees you as her own. You are family, and I know it pained her to see you turned away."

Now, this he did not know if the apprentice was aware of. Perhaps, the apprentice had an inkling that their mentor saw them as something more than just a student. After all, Wavesong was never cruel. From what he had seen she talked to Galepaw as much as she could and asked how he felt. She wasn't obligated to become close to Galepaw, but she did. Whatever Galepaw thought about her didn't matter. He simply needed to know that she cared about him.

As for the what was said earlier in regards to Adderfang...

"He didn't say a thing to me because Pineheart dragged me out before he could. I knew showing up was going to be a bad idea, but Wavesong herself requested I be there. I showed up as a friend only to get thrown out shortly after."

The last thing he wanted was for Galepaw to assumed he appeared to purposely spite Adderfang. After all, everyone knew that the relationship between the leader and life guard was turbulent.

"What he did to me was cruel, sure. But he was crueler to his mate. All she wanted was to be surrounded by those she cares about, and he couldn't set aside his anger for one night."

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 40 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#00caa2"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[Galepaw Galepaw]

—————————————————— Rocked by an endless motion ✦

'The water isn't still though?'

Hm. Perhaps the tom needed to work on his sarcasm. Granted, the art of social convention was not one he was particularly gifted in, much less familiar. It hardly bothered him for the most part, though it certainly seemed to unsettle some, and Pikestar seemed to be no different. It was almost laughable, though the tom would never regard the other poorly for the ruffled feathers. He was familiar, unfortunately so, with the strange looks. The whispered words, the quickly-uttered excuses to slip away. At least to birds, he was never uniquely strange. At least to them, he was no different than any other.

Loneliness suited him, anyway.

The lynxpoint continued on their trek, listening in muted interest to the ramblings of the older cat. Pikestar had a way of filling the silence, taking the few words the apprentice uttered and turning it into something far more. It was a pleasure to witness, really—far too often his words were met with silence and confusion. At least the leader attempted to make sense of it, though. It was humanizing, and it certainly endeared the pale cat to him, but only so much. After all, he sought his company for little more than to understand, and such surface level observations were not nearly enough for the young apprentice. No, it was far more rewarding to walk in silence, observing the leader under the stifling quiet as they walked, writhing in the unknown of the situation... Gale couldn't help but revel in it, but he didn't stay silent for much longer.

'I don't own this territory'

"...I suppose you are correct." Galepaw thought to himself, eyes searching the treeline far ahead as they sidled to a stop by the river. With a gentle movement, he lowered back onto his haunches and curled his tail around his small paws. "No more than the fish owns the water, or the birds own the air... That sentiment doesn't exactly seem wise." Gale chuckled quietly to himself, eyes roving the river now. It was soothing, dangerously so, how the stars rippled in the rushing river. It was alluring, and deceitfully safe—there was sure to be things hidden within, horrible things that only betrayed their hidden places with gentle sounds of water moving. Birds were always good at picking out those sorts of things, spotting the ripples that he could not... The tom glanced over at Pikestar, thinking to himself silently. The birds could only tell that something was wrong, and it was up to the apprentice to delve into the what. To hook his claws into something slimy, something just beneath the surface, something that tempted him so dangerously... but he shouldn't be so hasty. "Some bravado does well at times. Else those boundaries get crossed." He shrugged to himself, returning his gaze to his paws. "Though, I can't say I'm interested in such debates. To own something is a fickle thing. I own my name, and yet others get far more use out of it than I do."

Once more, it fell into a thoughtful silence. It hardly seemed to recognize that Pikestar was talking about his mentor, that the family that Adder had referenced could be his. It was a nice thought, but one that seemed far-fetched to him, and so he simply didn't respond. Its ears couldn't help but perk up at the mention of the cruelty of Adder, and he regarded the tom with a single eye, still pointing his muzzle out to the river. "Oh, I'm sure he can be crueler." The tom mused coolly, studying Pike with pale eyes. "And I'm sure he will be. Crueler, and crueler still. Kits are stressful little things, aren't they?" Once again, that cold, cold laugh barked its way out of them. It was no wonder the warrior was stressed—everyone could see the strings growing taut, thin lines of patience and resilience from years on his own snapping under the weight of a clan. And to undergo such stresses with so many searching, hungry eyes about... He shook his head gently, putting a silent pin in the thought. Adder was an interesting figure, sure, a tree scarred and knotted from many years of hardship, but he was pristine at the same time. He was incredibly vulnerable, in the way that one who had bled before could be.... Gale turned his head, facing the older leader once more. His eyes didn't meet him though, instead focused on the scar across his muzzle.

"He's afraid of death." It said finally, scrutinizing the waxy skin with careful eyes. "As all animals ought to be... But you?" Eyes traced up the older's face, taking in the worn lines that indicated just how long his leader had been alive. He had seen things, things Gale could not begin to understand, and yet he felt as though his experiences were somehow different. There was a strange way the tom held himself, carried himself, regarded others. To be in power is to defy death, those hundreds of hungry, wrathful eyes that waited to tear him down, and yet Pikestar bore it. And yet he was meant to bear it, he was chosen to bear it. "Do you fear death, Pikestar?" He asked bluntly, unblinkingly. "How animal are you? How animal do you want to be?"

The tom cocked his head to the side, tufted ears twitching in curiosity. "...How animal are you allowed to be?"

—————Whether truth or just a story

It's not up to you—————

• 
  Galepaw
  ✦—Riverclan Apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—He/They/It
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A fluffy high white lynx point with curled ears and deep blue eyes
  #87878E #BAB2AC

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

Suppose? A brow raises. Why do you say that? Do you really think I could all of this?! Galepaw is running circles around him at this point and he's not sure if he should take the reigns of this conversation or just accept whatever Galepaw throws his way and adapt to it. The next set of words that come out of the apprentices mouth immediately makes him decide, y'know what? Lets just let the kid run this conversation. He simply doesn't have the eloquence to navigate through the monster that is Galepaw. Shoot. Was I supposed to answer that? Seeing as Galepaw chuckles to himself, he figures he's not meant to respond.

"That's true. We wouldn't be in this mess if I had a little more, uh... Bravado?"

Luckily Galepaw doesn't tease him for his lack of vocabulary. In fact, he moves on swiftly from it. You don't own it though... Your mom gave you that name. If anything she owns it. Besides, there can be another Galepaw in a different clan. I don't think you actually own the name Galepaw. Now when you're a warrior... I'll be giving you a name to own. You know... Let's not bring this up. Awkwardly green eyes look to the side,

"Well... What are we supposed to say to get your attention. Hey you? Curly ears? Blue eyes? It's not like you can't address yourself either. You can say Galepaw thinks this is stupid. Something like that."

Technically speaking he is not wrong. If the apprentice wanted to actually use his name he could, unless they didn't want to? He's not sure if this was another joke he's just not getting.

The statement that Adderfang can become crueler is not surprising. Russetfall had alluded to this when she sought him out in private after that dreaded council meeting. She warned him to be more wary. To consider how his words and actions can be taken by others. Ever since then he's been on edge. He had thought the other warrior would have handled it better when he arrived to the medicine cat den to watch his friend bring new life to the clan, but he was wrong. He was far too generous in his assessment of Adderfang. However, he thinks of Wavesong. Of her faith in Adderfang. He was cruel. He is cruel, but there is something within him as well that can justify it in another's eyes.

"Kits are stressful. All children are. They sometimes act recklessly or commit wrongs, but they don't know any better. They don't have the experience and knowledge as the older ones do. That's why we worry too much. It's also caused it us to become cruel as a result. We forget that they are simply children."

He's defending Adderfang and he knows it. It doesn't sit right with him to come up with an excuse for the younger council member. However, he wants to tell Galepaw the reason for it.

"Adderfang can be cruel. I've experienced crueler things from him. The only reason why I bear it is because his mate, my friend asks me to. She sees something within him that I can't. Something that outweighs his cruelty."

Perhaps Pikestar himself is cruel. His tolerance and friendliness towards the brown tom is not born out of genuine care. It is out of duty to a friend.

Does he fear death? The answer might be taken as a no due to his silence. In truth, he is uncertain. In his lifetime he's experienced many deaths. The first death was when his twoleg owner passed away. Even though there had been signs and there was more than ample time to grieve his first love, when they passed he still found himself yowling in agony. No matter how much he was torn away from the still body he returned. The world ended back then. Even if he was among the living and taken in by a relative, he considered himself dead. Hunger became nonexistent. Fear clung to his pelt, and all he desired was for the ground to swallow him. What purpose did he have now? Now that his only source of love, no living was gone?

The second death was when the promise of forever was broken. He could never imagine loving fiercely again, and yet it happened. Not to another twoleg, but another cat. A handsome tom golden red tom that stood by his side. Even when he was uneasy about bearing his heart to another, they remained. Brief brushing of their pelts transformed into holding one another during chilly nights. Words of adoration passed their lips as if it was meant to be. Everything had been going well. That tom loved him, he could see it beyond their fear. Perhaps it was foolish to believe in him. Knowing the risk. Even so... He wept for days. Why was it? Why did everything he love abandon him? Was he too much? Was that why it felt as if the world ended?

"Do you fear death, Pikestar?"

"I have died a few times already. Dying is cold. Dark. Suffocating. Lonely."

Green eyes darken as they stare beyond. He remembers for the first death how he was given soft strokes against his back, as if it would heal the gaping hole in his heart. To this day he can't remember the faces of those twolegs, but he does know that they tried. Unfortunately, nothing could soothe him. Eventually they gave up on him and he found himself alone. Rather than rot in a den he decided to go out. The wilderness didn't heal the gaping hole in his heart, but it kept him busy. To this day he's not sure why he survived or how the hole in his heart no longer ached as fiercely. The second death filled that gaping hole only to destroy it. Leaving it even more broken than before. Again, he traveled. Survived.

"But... Y'know, I never was alone. Not really. There was always someone there. Maybe not the same cat, but before and after... I wasn't alone. No one ever really is. Even if dying is scary, It's comforting to know someone will always be by your side."

He thinks of Russetfall. I wouldn't mind if you were there.

Silence passes between them.

"what do you mean by animal? I'm not sure I understand."

Green eyes narrow as they gaze into deep blue, breaking the momentary silence between them.

"I'm just as animal? As you and everyone else."

The leader cocks his own head to the side, puzzled. Am I not an animal? What even is an animal to you? Are you just saying how cat am I? That's still weird to say, but it would make more sense... Not that you're making too much sense in the first place. Ugh, what would you do if you were here Wavesong? I'm just not getting your apprentice. Is he even this talkative with you? It's difficult to imagine his dear friend having a lengthy discussion with Galepaw, but the two make their pairing work. Somehow.

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• imagine yapping too much
• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 41 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#36D9AB"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms