Open Camp ShadowClan One thing stays the same, rises the moon // Respite

[Stoatpaw]

{$title} Follows up directly after the nightmare thread. The spirits have been laid to rest and - for once - Shadowclan is rewarded with a peaceful night of sleep.

——————————————— Together, we'll make our way home ✦

Paws were all still soaked in mud as the small, impromptu night-time patrol padded back in silence towards the camp. However, that silence wasn't something of fear, but relief. Every cat walked not with a nervous tinge, not with the paranoia that struck them to the bone like the night and nights before. Finally, did they heed the warnings of the nightmare that plagued them all? The warnings of the dead. Having returned the restless souls to their graves, every last one. The disrespect this newly founded Shadowclan wrought on these spirits now laid to rest to leave the plain to whatever came next.

'Whatever comes next....

The thought plagued the fringes of Stoatpaw's mind; perhaps she should ask her father, or maybe Sablestar or even Cicadabuzz come the morning. But for now, her body ached with exhaustion, stirred awake so soon, barely given time to process her awoken state before being brought along to the graveyard to return the dead to their resting places. Every last one of them was too exhausted to stop and clean the dirt from their claws. Everyone - even Sablestar, so it seemed - wanted nothing more than to return to their nests. They'd done as the spirits demanded. All the cats could do was pray it was sufficient for their forgiveness.

Stoatpaw hadn't realised she'd begun to walk ahead of the rest of the cats, a pace she only clocked as when she pushed through the brambled into the camp that the eyes of the remaining cats fell on her. She swallowed hard, nervous momentarily, before speaking as steadily as the apprentice could muster. "We did as they told." Just a hint of a wobble in her voice; she could feel it as she spoke, the remnants of her upset state just a short while before. "The graveyard's been returned to how it was. We buried them with respect." Her gaze fell to the floor. Guilt still churned in her stomach, but the atmosphere in the air of the camp was nothing like before. No longer heavy with the weight of spirit's fury. Maybe... Just maybe it was over?

Stoatpaw felt the vibrations of paw steps behind her - quickly, the apprentice stepped out of the way, the rest of the patrol returning. She looked up to Sablestar - leading the rest of the cats - with a sheepish look, she really shouldn't have walked ahead but with what the night had entailed, she was sure the leader wouldn't be too upset with her. Knowing the rest of the patrol was safely home, whatever Sablestar or the nightguards might have needed to address the clan was - admittedly - not her issue anymore. She'd done as she needed, and while she was certain nightmares would still plague her sleep, Stoatpaw wanted nothing more than to collapse in her new nest and try again to sleep. She could process this when she wasn't bone tired.

With that, the apprentice walked off, not bothering to look behind her to see what anyone else had to say, pushing her into the apprentice's den. There were many of her peers awake now, looking at her with confusion or surprise or perhaps a mixture of both. Some tried to speak to her, it seemed, but muttering some bleary nonsense to them as her eyes grew tired, she decided again that this was an issue for later as she flopped unceremoniously into her nest. Stoatpaw just hoped the nightmares would be kinder than what had awoken her.

---

The light of the sun peeked through the entrance to the den and - just as Stoatpaw's luck would have it - right into her eyes. She stirred with a small groan, batting at her face for a moment, expecting it to still be her father until she cracked her eyes open. 'The... Sun?' She blinked, confused. Like she was a newborn basking in the sun for the first time. Though she must admit, after moons of bleary weather, it was a shock to the system to have the light filtering in to disturb her sleep. She was awake, right? A nip of her tongue was enough to ensure her that, yes, she was awake! Stoatpaw stretched and looked about the apprentice's den with a hum, tilting her head; most still seemed to be in their own nests, content. There was no fear.

Stoatpaw stepped out into the early morning sun; the day had only just begun as light basked the position in the new leaf whispers of warmth. The camp felt unlike anything it had been in a very, very long time so it seemed. It took her a moment to realise that her sleep had been restful. Not an ounce of fear in her chest. No new nightmare - the flickers of the night before still reeled at the corners of her mind - but something had changed. She couldn't help but smile, staring up as clouds passed by. Whatever comes next, those cats were at peace, finally.

The apprentice found a comfortable spot, already beginning to be warmed by the sun and began to clean her paws from the mud that now soaked into her fur. It'd take a while, but for once, it didn't feel as if she had to look over her shoulder at every moment. Instead, she waited for more of her clanmates to awaken to ensure she wasn't struck with a strange euphoria after completing the spirit's wishes.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

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  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 6 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1
  
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix ​
  
  

 

[Tickpaw]

TICK

So what if you can see the darkest side of me?

The spirits that had lingered in the land, plaguing their nightly rests, had finally been laid to rest. No more whispers. No more shadows tugging at their dreams. They would no longer haunt them. That thought alone made Tickpaw breathe out in relief. That night, he had slept deeply, curled up against his sisters, safe in their warmth. It was the kind of sleep that came after days of exhaustion, after rest had been elusive for so long. It reminded him of the first days after he had been found, back when he had slept endlessly just to heal.

But this time, it wasn't about healing wounds. This time, it was… Peaceful. When he finally stirred, he blinked in surprise, squinting against the golden rays filtering through the den. The sun. A large yawn escaped him as he gently uncurled himself from his sisters' sides, watching them for a moment. They looked peaceful, too. Before leaving, he rasped his tongue over each of their ears in a brief, affectionate gesture.

Then, stretching as he stepped out into the clearing, he paused. The warmth of the sunlight kissed his fur. A deep purr rumbled in his throat as he lifted his head, closing his eyes for a second. " That's a welcome surprise... " he murmured, letting the warmth seep into his bones. Movement caught his attention, and his gaze flicked toward Stoatpaw. A grin pulled at his face. " Stoat! " he called, trotting over to her before settling down at her side. He lifted a paw, carefully scraping off the dried mud clinging to it. " I hope sleep found you well this time? " His tone was light, but there was something genuine beneath it.

He glanced at her before adding, a little softer. " I know it did for me. " They had done the right thing. And now, the spirits could rest.

So could they.

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[WOLFPACK]

AND I AM SORRY MY CONSCIENCE CALLED IN SICK AGAIN​

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Jaws parted in a wide, toothy yawn as the cat pulled himself from the gap in the brush that marked the entrance to the warriors den. His coat fluffed up in the morning chill, but it was a nice day compared to what they'd been having lately. All bright skies and sunshine on their coats. He was much better rested as well, the night having gone uninterrupted by strange dreams or stampeding pawsteps.

Too bad he was still sore and a bit tired from having to dig holes all night.

"Looks like the sun finally decided to show it's face." he snorted, stepping out into camp and making his way over to the prey pile to snatch a sparrow off it. It was cold and not the freshest- leftover from the last patrol of the previous night- but it was enough to fuel him for the morning hunt ahead, and enough of an excuse to sit down and enjoy the sun for a minute or two before getting soaked out in the territory.

Besides, there was no law saying he couldn't help himself.

"The prey should be running well today. Might even be able to hunt up something better than frogs and lizards for a change." he mused, tone more teasing than anything considering he didn't actually dislike the odd prey found inside the marsh.

OOC- Wolf is talking to the nearest warrior!

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shadowclan deputy - male - a large, monochrome chimera with mismatched eyes and several scars​

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[Marbleshine]

MARBLE OF SHADOWCLAN

A deep breath filled the blue-furred she-cat's lungs as she stretched her limbs, a pleasant expression settling on her face. Tilting her head skyward, she basked in the warmth of the sun filtering through the trees. Newleaf was coming. The air smelled fresher, lighter. And for the first time in what felt like ages, sleep had come easily.

She was still up early, as always, but today she didn't mind. It felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Not everything was perfect, but at least some things had finally fallen back into place. Releasing the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, she gracefully settled herself in the middle of camp, tucking her fluffy tail around her paws. Her gaze swept over the clearing, taking in the familiar sight of waking clanmates. A few apprentices had stirred, she spotted Stoatpaw and Tickpaw deep in conversation. A faint smile tugged at her muzzle. Relief. It was good to see the young ones finding peace, getting along.

Then, her eyes found Wolfpack, and a soft purr escaped her. Prey should be running well. indeed! The season promised it, and the air carried the scent of renewal. " I think that would be a great idea. " she meowed, rising to her paws, her tail lifting high with enthusiasm. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

" The day will treat us kindly, surely! "

GO ON AND TRY TO TEAR ME DOWN ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— I WILL BE RISING FROM THE GROUND