Camp JUSTICE RIP | patrol return

[BRIGHTPETAL]

He had made the decision that felt right, but it didn't feel good at all. All he could imagine doing when he re-entered the camp was curling up in his den and covering his ears, perhaps hoping that totally blocking out the world would make the last couple of hours inconsequential. But he couldn't do that. Brightpetal had made the choice to be Juniperstar's Deputy, he had made the choice to be her voice when she could not speak - he hadn't expected it to be easy, but he hadn't expected the hard decisions and failures to feel so crushing either. He didn't speak to his clanmates on the journey home, didn't know what to say, whether he would apologise profusely for letting them down or lash out because they'd made an awkward situation even worse, either way, it was too difficult to meet their eye.

How he was going to meet Juniperstar's was anyone's guess.

Heaving himself into camp, Brightpetal called out, "A word, everyone?!" He flashed a waning smile on instinct, assurance that things would be ok even if the news he carried was troubling. The name ShadowClan still confused him more than he'd like to admit, but in a sea of uncertainty, it was but a tiny wave. A tiny wave that, when compared to the tsunami he was otherwise dealing with, felt quite noticeable in comparison.

"We... encountered some problems near the Thunderpath. Sable's followers were there... waaaay too many of them, kits included. They were hunting on our grounds and I... They refused to budge. Then Sable came and Thunderflash attacked him and... long story short, they have that part of the territory for now. I'm sorry, if I'd known their patrols were that large, I'd have never sent such a small group that way." Apologetically, he flattened his ears, head disappearing into his neck fluff as he dipped it in humility. The idea that someone may have died because of him was nauseating, too easily did their neighbours wear a badge of death that any idea of harboring his own felt out of the question.

Maybe the clan would forgive him, maybe Juniperstar would forgive him, maybe even StarClan would, it was just a question of whether he could forgive himself for such negligence. He would pray for the ability to make better choices for his home, pray that he would find the strength to be a better Deputy for all of them. Again, that little ripple stirred in his mind, and though uncertain whether a divine thunderbolt would smite him down, he tentatively lifted his head. "They... have given themselves a new name though. Sable told me they were called ShadowClan. If they're anything like us then... maybe they're a little more prepared than we are for things."
​

 

[maplefrost]

❄︎

Maplefrost looks up as soon as he hears Brightpetal's voice call out– he hurries towards it, spotting the red tabby leading the patrol back into the camp. He did a headcount as Brightpetal spoke, feeling some relief that at least they were all present, though some were a little worse for wear. Serpentberry would have plenty to do– and his sister too, if she was still insisting on helping the older molly out. He didn't really understand it, but then, he'd grown up with a mother, although she might've not always been the best one.

His ears flick at the mention of a 'Shadowclan'. If that was true…

"If they've become a clan too," Maplefrost says, "does that mean Sable is their leader? Is he… Sablestar, now?" He digs his claws into the dirt for a moment, before shaking his head. "I thought that this Starclan was supposed to be on our side."

would you stare forever at the sun

and never watch the moon rising?

• ooc: -
• 

  
  

  MAPLEFROST, - 19 moons / thunderclan warrior
  large tortoiseshell tom cat, lawful good
  healing and soft powerplay allowed

  
  

 

[THUNDERFLASH]

He, much like Brightpetal, hoped to do nothing but disappear into the ground when he returned from the border. His shoulder stung with the wound that Jadethorn had given him, but it was easily ignored in place of anger and adrenaline. Yet, the long walk had worn on the latter of that statement, and the pain was easier to feel. Hell, he didn't even think he wanted to see Ghoststrike after all of that- no, there was a tree or stone or some poor patch of moss that he wanted to sink his talons into and rip and tear, imagining it to be Sablestar's throat.

Yet, Brightpetal had other ideas. A word? He grimaces, stepping towards the fringes of the group that gathers, eyes darkened and hidden. And for the most part, what Brightpetal recounts is true. Thunderflash did attack him- but could anyone blame him? He doesn't turn to look at the rest of camp, but he does stray to look for two cats in particular. Serpentberry, first, then Juniperstar, before he's returning his vision towards Brightpetal. His skin itched all over, as if there were a hundred pairs of eyes on him- and maybe there was. His chin lifts, jutting forward, even with the blood dotting his muzzle, even with the ichor that dripped down his shoulder.

Maplefrost pipes off, and he thinks about not answering for a moment. He really does consider marching back to the border and infiltrating. Throwing his life away for the good of everyone else in this forest, but that's quelled before it can even stop. A stupid idea, suicidal at that. "... Yeah, one of em' called him Sablestar." He finally speaks, voice rumbling, accent thick on his words. "I don' know wha' they all wan'- Starclan, or wha'ever. Don't give a right crap, either." His tail flicked with irritation. Maybe he does care. Maybe he thinks he hallucinated the spirits from afar, with Ghost standing over him. Thunderflash doesn't know what to think, beyond the anger still simmering in his veins.

___________________ YOU'VE GOT MY BODY ☆ FLESH AND BONE, YEAH ___________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• THUNDERFLASH he/him, thunderclanner, twenty one moons.
  ☆ a sh/lh chocolate tabby with low white and stunning baby blue eyes. stands of average height with a 'mohawk' and spiky-shaped mane.
  ☆ mentored by who / mentoring no one
  ☆ whichever relations / want listed
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by dallas ↛ dallasofnines on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[GHOSTSTRIKE]

WE SLEEP SAFELY AT NIGHT BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY TO VISIT VIOLENCE ON THOSE WHO WOULD HARM US

​

---

A shadow in camp began to stir.

From the mouth of his solitary den– a deep crevice dug into the side of the ravine– Ghoststrike got to his paws and turned his attention toward the commotion in the center of camp. He drew nearer as Brightpetal spoke, dark eyes flickering from the orange tomcat and passing by several others before landing on mocha fur and chocolate stripes. Blue eyes like an ocean in a thunderstorm.

"Of course he did. Outnumbered and with no plan." he scoffed, the words every bit as scathing as he meant them to be. Thunder could have gotten himself killed and it would have been for nothing– the patrol still would have been outnumbered, and one of that tyrants underlings would just step up to carry on in their place. Reckless, and not even the kind of risk to bring a worthy reward.

So no, Ghost didn't bother to hide his displeasure at seeing the other come back with preventable injuries.

But Thunderflash wasn't the only one who'd meet that quiet, controlled scorn.

"None of this would have happened if you had a proper border set and regularly patrolled."he stated, and this time, his focus and the words were clearly meant for Brightpetal and Juniperstar. They were the highest ranking cats in camp. It was their job to make sure the right calls were made to protect their cats.

From where Ghost stood, this disaster of an encounter was just as much their fault as it was his idiot clanmates, and he wasn't shy about pointing that out.

Jumpin' at the enemy like an out of control mutt. Givin' away our hunting rights to a bunch of trespassers.'

"What's your plan now? I doubt they'll be handin' it back to us any time soon."

It was likely the most the majority of these cats had heard him say in one go, but this wasn't the kind of situation where he could afford to sit idle and trust others to make the decisions. Shadowclan was making their move, and Ghost had seen enough of Thunderclans inexperience to know when to speak up.

They needed to get their shit together, or risk seeing Sable and his mob finish what they started moons ago.
​

---

fthunderclanner - male - a large, grey tabby with dark amber eyes and several scars​

​

 

[juniperstar]

juniper

he is all soft edges and downy-stuffed words... a tender footed, gentle-mouthed beacon for what a hopeful future ought to fixate on. compromise, compassion... the willingness to take temporary losses in favor of preventing permanent ones. even now he addresses them like kittens in need of careful, cautious coaching, reassurance that one mistake would not be the foundation of their forever. "You made the right decision," she answers, drawing herself from the woven roots of a half-tilted tree that had formed her den. Maplefrost pipes up with the revelation that the tuxedo across shaded borders must be a leader in name as well too and Juniperstar has to school her features not to wince at her own oversight not to have said anything before. would it have mattered... to reveal her lonely encounter moons prior?

the details matter little in the face of the bristling figure of Thunderflash, who's foolishness may have very well been all the leverage Sablestar needed to insist upon repayment in the form of land. his foolishness, hungry need to lunge at their enemy had sliced through a contract drawn in blood. eyes harden with a boiling frustration, grown more agitated by the cutting judgement of Ghoststrike, whose feedback was not requested nor welcome. this failure was not hers. it was not Brightpetal's. she would not be lectured by cats hardly old enough to call themselves adults.

"You mistake yourself," she growls, a warning that further commentary that sought to isolate leadership from the responsibilities of the clan as a whole would be met with conflict. "One border nudged hardly matters- there is plenty of forest to pursue in the meantime. We are not starving, blood-thirsty cat-eaters. We are not going to tear at each-other's throats for their pleasure- if ShadowClan would like to see us bleed they can do it with their own claws. I don't need your teeth buried in my back when it suits you."

it is a defensiveness that builds with too many harsh stares, too many judgements made without empathy... opinions formed in half-light... without care. tongues barbed and lashing with complete disregard for the welts and scars they left behind. it speaks to an overwhelming anxiousness, a rabbit backed against a wall and forced to bite back. her head lifts, sweeping her gaze towards her warriors, "Keep your eyes out... I want a few of you to stand guard tonight just in case."

her stare fixates on the swirling stripes of one who had earned her blame, though she wouldn't articulate so loudly and brashly as Ghoststrike. "Thunderflash... once you've seen Serpentberry... we need to speak." it isn't a request. that much is clear, even as she turns to retreat back into the dark of her den to usher her kittens to find a babysitter.

──✩°｡⋆⸜ ✮

• juniperstar leader of thunderclan nine lives remain

  ignore me

 

[Magnoliapeak]

𓆝 . ° ✦

Magnoliapeak straggles at the back of the group, her position among her clanmates unintentional. She spent the entire walk home in silent contemplation, eyes wandering between the small patrol who had been so easily outnumbered and the deputy. She knows that this is inevitable, but when Brightpetal calls for attention when they return to camp she can't help but feel like she should melt into the ground. Magnoliapeak isn't sure what she expects from her aunt when she appears. The leader doesn't seem to have many hard edges despite her resilience and strength. Magnoliapeak evaluates her silently as she meets the patrol.

And to her surprise, Brightpetal is praised for his relinquishing on territory. The dilute tortoiseshell glances once again around at her patrolmates. They could have been all easily ripped apart; not because of a lack of skill (though she hates to admit it, Thunderflash is one of the most skilled cats in ThunderClan) but because of a lack of numbers. "They were mostly kits and apprentices," she pipes up after a moment of pause "But there were a lot of them. And they seemed hungry for blood." Magnoliapeak casts her gaze sideways, regretful that she could not have at least fought off one of the loudmouthed warriors.

Then, she all but jumps at the opportunity Juniperstar has presented: "I'll stand guard tonight. With whoever else is willing." Magnoliapeak is tired from the conflict, and although she knows that the leader is not disappointed in her or her clanmates, she still feels the need to redeem herself somehow.

✧ ° . ✶ . ° ✧

ooc Information

• ooc: —
• 

  MAGNOLIA — SHE/HER ･ 21 MOONS ･ WARRIOR & THUNDERCLAN ･ PENNED BY CARAT!

  dilute tortoiseshell with amber eyes. here too.

 

[Palefern]

PALEFERN, 30 moons / thunderclan queen
A lithe pale cream tabby with unusual blue and green eyes.
Sister to DAWNSONG, mother to HOPEKIT, HEARTKIT
Palefern is deaf and uses her own version of kitty sign language to communicate primarily, though she will speak on occasion (speech is often slurred due to hearing loss)
Tagging person here

---

Sable's followers attacked them? No, no, Thunderflash attacked Sable? Er... oh ... Palefern shook her long ears in frustration, unable to keep up the flickering sounds and flashes of words she got from reading people's lips. It was all so much, all too confusing, but still she pushes forward, her unusual blue eyes wide - blow out with worry.

"Was Ember with them?" the question is half-plead, half-demand: some vague desperation clinging behind her accented words. "With Sable - did - is - my-" the pale tabby's ears flatten in utter frustration. The vibrations in her mouth, the back of her throat, they feel wrong. They feel choked behind cotton and empty despite what she wanted to get across. Too quickly do her paws fly against her chest (in and out, thumping, pumping) to the ground back to her face to show off the angry expression drawing up the lines of her face: tell me my mate wasn't hurt. tell me you didn't hurt her

She ignores - or perhaps, forgets - in the moment that Ember was no longer her mate, her family, her clanmate to worry about in this scenario.