Open Border ThunderClan ONLY HESITATION [ thunderclan herb patrol ]

[serpentberry serpentberry]

Serpentberry arrives at the thunderpath with a deep sigh of relief. Breaking through the undergrowth and feeling the sun on her pelt gives her a boost of energy, so to say - ThunderClan isn't necessarily shrouded like their counterparts across the road may be, but the light only flickers through translucent leaves and branches at best. This break upon both sides is welcoming, especially after being sick for far too many sunrises. This reminds her - she should go find whatever molly her daughter sought out for that tricky herb. Serpentberry would never suggest as much, but maybe she could learn a thing or two...

Her gaze hits on a familiar dark-colored pelt, and a grin splits her expression. "Oh, Mothbite - how darling it is to see you!" She would not greet Cicadabuzz with as much kindness, or perhaps Sablestar at all. But the tortoiseshell is special to the ThunderClan medicine cat. She's had him ensnared once, and unfortunately believes she may be able to drag him back. "I was so close to StarClan's threshold, I didn't think I'd be able to see you again!" Misery drips from her lips, a partial pout now within her expression.

[ apprentice tag in @rowanpaw, friend across the border tag in @Mothbite <3 no need to wait for either! anyone is allowed to post on either side <3 ]

 

[Mothbite Mothbite]

Still so young, Desperate for attention!

indentttSerpentberry never fails to catch Mothbite off guard, nowadays. He had been continuing his border patrol like always, none the wiser about an approaching Thunderclan patrol, when he heard her voice call out to him. In his defense, there's been a lot on his mind, lately! There's his new apprentice, the fuss with Possumgrin, and the aggravating (but dashing) tomcat from 'Windclan'. He's been in his head alot, in the rare moments he gets alone, trying to get his bearings and make sense of it all. Now he was being confronted with a whole 'nother issue - that of Serpentberry and her posse.

indentttHe's too shocked to think about darting away as Serpentberry approaches, calling out to him. Mothbite blinks his eyes dumbly for a moment, shaking his head and coming to his senses. "S-serpentberry! It's good to see you too- er, I mean..." His eyes shift to the side, unable to look her in the eyes as he attempts to brush her off. "Why're you so close to the Thunderpath, anyways? I doubt there's any useful plants around here." She had the same job as Cicadabuzz, right? They never did any border patrols, so Mothbite has reason to doubt Serpentberry would either. Could it be that she came to the border hoping to see someone?

ababaugfbiufhufbdfduibabababa

Mothbite | 22 moons | Shadowclan Nightguardbababbnihfibnfdifdhfhabbabab

 

[Copperstorm]

COPPER OF THUNDERCLAN

How did Copperstorm always end up on herb patrol with Serpentberry? Was it some cruel twist of fate? His golden eyes rolled as he padded forward, his thoughts drifting elsewhere, toward Dewshine, the warmth of the sun, and the promise of the future. The kits growing fast, soon to be apprentices. The quiet, hopeful longing to feel that bond again… but this time from the start. To be a father. A better one than his own had been.

His daydream shattered as he caught sight of Serpentberry chatting with a ShadowClan cat. A low rumble built in his throat as he stepped closer, puffing up his fur just enough to seem bigger, his eyes narrowing sharply. " Mothbite... " he said coolly, eyes flicking back to Serpentberry. " I hardly think you were on death's door, Serpentberry. But yes, we were fortunate to have help from a capable medicine cat. " Was it a jab? One never knew for certain with him...

His voice was flat, but the tension hung heavy in the air.

you walk along the edge of danger ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU

 

[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

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

For all the time Stoatpaw had spent in the past being rather adverse to spending time with Mothbite, she had come to realise it was rather unfounded. Mothbite was young, younger than her own father. There was no reason to hold ill will when like the rest of the clan, he was trying his best, especially with the weight of being a Night guard. Its why she more often joined his patrols when she was still awake in the day, he wasn't bad company just... Peculiar, sometimes (particularly when she recalled the whole slug encounter, just the memory often sent a shiver down the apprentice's spine).

Regardless, she tentatively tailed his patrol along the Thunderclan border. She had seen plenty of the cats from this other clan, the encounters seemed uneventful but it didn't cease the worry she felt when running into them. This time was no different as she spotted them and felt her pelt stand on end. She squinted at the cats, ones she had never seen before. A rather pretty calico and a rugged brown tabby. Stoatpaw watched tentatively, not speaking quite yet, waiting for Mothbite's reaction first.

But surprise spread across her face, seeing the calico speak Mothbite's name. For a moment, her posture slacked from the high-strung nervousness to an air of confusion, gaze flickering from the cat to the Night guard. Words slipped from her mouth before she really gave time to think. "You know them, Mothbite?" Her voice was almost incredulous, head tilted as she observed.

Something felt amiss about it all, like something was wrong, Thunderclan cats always seemed so mean... Then again, that very nice she-cat kept her kind company during the storm some time ago, Dewshine, she recalled. Stoatpaw wasn't sure how to feel about these cats, the tabby seemed to puff up in some attempt to look even bigger than he already was. Maybe she just needed to trust Mothbite on this one, but she couldn't help but feel on edge.

Though, her curiosity piqued, her face scrunching a little as the Night guard spoke, quickly butting in. "No, there are lots of plants Cicadabuzz uses, you just don't go on herb patrols enough to see them." She blinked, motioning not far from the cats. "There's a dandelion right there." She adds, rather matter-of-factly.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix

 

[Mothbite Mothbite]

Still so young, Desperate for attention!

indentttMothbite is about to bite back at Stoatpaw's comments. 'Dandelions? There's no way Cicada uses those for anything. What would they be good for, anyways? Staining your paws yellow?' Before he can make a biting comment though, Copperstorm's comment catches his attention.

indenttt"Death's door?" Mothbite can feel himself go cold. Had something happened to Serpent? He looks her over as best he can from the other side of the thunderpath, but can't see any wounds or injuries. So, it must have been an illness, then? Mothbite's brow knits together with worry. "You're alright now though, right?". While he had been away, starting his new life, his moth... his friend had been hurting. Had something he'd done been the cause? It seems unlikely, but Mothbite can't rule out the possibility that something may have been caused by his own miserable existence.

ababaugfbiufhufbdfduibabababa

Mothbite | 22 moons | Shadowclan Nightguardbababbnihfibnfdifdhfhabbabab

 

[serpentberry serpentberry]

Serpentberry croons a purr that would rattle tree limbs if let loose. Mothbite sees her with no small amount of surprise but receives her with warmth regardless. He inquires of her whereabouts, and though the apprentice beside him interjects, Serpentberry still entertains the curiosity. "Your little friend is right. The plants that grow about here are worthwhile to investigate."

She lingers for a moment, debating what to entrap Mothbite in this time, when Copperstorm mutters his comment. Serpentberry flicks her tail to his side, "Oh, Copperstorm. I do wish you would allow me to drag a burr across your tongue one day. Maybe then you would learn when to hold it...!" Her tone is light, airy, but with no withheld amount of venom in every syllable. Mothbite grabs onto it, however, and unwittingly does the ThunderClan warrior give the molly means to plead her case of pestilence and despair.

"Do mind that Copperstorm cannot tell a weed from a dandelion - like that apprentice of yours surely can," she trills in favor of Stoatpaw, shining her smile to the young molly. "Death's door is in no small amount truthful, however. Some leafbare bug crawled right into my lungs, Mothbite - it did, and it made home there for many uneasy sunrises. I didn't think I would ever find a cure." Serpentberry curls her tail around her haunches as she leans to sit down. Her teeth click together, "We're so lucky here, with my darling daughter Rowanpaw. She managed to figure it out, she did. Catmint. Who would've thought!" A serpentine grin. You've been replaced. What a different world it would've been if the tom had clung to her side in the way her russet daughter would have.

"Ah, well. Right as rain now, anyways," she chirps delightedly. A paw is held out towards the aforementioned dandelion, "Any chance you could spare that for me?"

 

[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

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

She huffed a little at Mothbite brushing her off, but she was still intrigued by these strange cats. The calico - Serprentberry - seemed to talk so fondly to the Night guard, where she seemed to turn and snap at the tabby. She watched the conversation intently, feeling a little bashful as Serpentberry motioned to her. She was more than used to talking with the warriors of her own clan, but any other time she tried to talk with other clans, they always just seemed... Agetated. Except Windclan, so far, of course. So it felt a little strange to be included in a conversation between cats who seemed very familiar with one another-

Then it hit her, the colony! They all came from the same place before the clans. She felt rather foolish having asked how Mothbite knew these cats, but in her defense, no one seemed to talk about it ever, so it wasn't at the forefront of her mind. She was curious, however what she had to say, catmint for leafbare sickness... She didn't know what catmint was, but maybe she could ask Cicadabuzz the next time they asked around for herb patrol volunteers.

Though her eyes widened a little, Serpentberry motioned to the lone dandelion swaying in the lightest gust of wind. She glanced to it again. It was only one plant, and if Thunderclan cats were sick, then maybe they really needed it... She glanced at Mothbite, for just a moment, before standing and gingerly plucking the dandelion flowers, leaves, and all.

Stoatpaw wasn't a colony cat, she was a kitten moved here by her father from a different place where the wind was cool and the cats treated each other with kindness. She had no stake in whatever happened in the colony, no one gave her the time of day to explain it. Maybe Cicadabuzz would be upset at her for it, maybe Mothbite too. But until someone told her a good reason to hate these cats, she would treat them as they treated her, it was how her father taught her after all.

She brought the dandelion to Serpentberry with a timid smile. "Cicadabuzz wouldn't be too happy if you came taking a whole bunch of herbs without asking." She muttered, knowing instead she would be the one to get in trouble for this. "And Sablestar won't be pleased for you being at our border." She winced a little, realising just how much ire she might receive for this one action. "But if Thunderclan cats are sick, maybe Magpiepaw can be more help?"

Stoatpaw, in reality, wasn't much use in this scenario, a warrior apprentice who just so happened to be one of the few who enjoyed the rather abrasive medicine cats company, it was the only reason she could make heads or tails of some plants now. And maybe being that close to both them and Sablestar might save her hide if Mothbite were to tell either about the gesture.

She glanced back up at Mothbite as she tentatively returned to his side, her own morals and regard for her clan spinning circles in her stomach. She knew Shadowclan cats were meant to hate Thunderclan, but it was hard to do when she had no reason to hate these strangers, especially ones who were just trying to survive too.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix

 

[Copperstorm]

COPPER OF THUNDERCLAN

Copperstorm's ear gave a flick, his gaze resting on Stoatpaw with a quiet, almost unreadable curiosity. She didn't speak with arrogance, nor the overconfident prattle of apprentices trying too hard to impress. No, her voice was simple, factual. Gentle. It reminded him, faintly, of Seal, the young one from the old colony. The kit whose mother had been found torn apart after the war between two sides. So small, so quiet. So lost. He exhaled through his nose, tail lashing once as his eyes slid back to Mothbite and Serpentberry. The slightest bristle of fur betrayed his irritation, just a ripple, but enough. Serpentberry's words hung in the air like smoke. Flowery, sweet, and utterly disingenuous.

" You are ever so kind, Serpentberry. " he said at last, his voice level, but cool. The dry irritation was impossible to miss, threading through every syllable. The implication that he couldn't tell a weed from a dandelion? Insulting. And entirely false. But he knew better than to argue with a cat like her in earnest. You never won with Serpentberry. You just endured. He held her gaze evenly before turning slightly, a quieter resolve settling into his bones. " Yes. " he said simply, but firmly. " Rowanpaw has shown herself to be thoughtful and clever. She cares. She sees what others miss. " That was more than he could say for some older, louder voices.

Then came the dandelion.

A bright yellow bloom, simple in its offering, yet more profound than anything exchanged thus far. Stoatpaw had picked it, offered it without expectation or edge. Just kindness, plain and true. For all their words, the adults had been circling in polite claws. But it was the young one who broke through the noise. Copperstorm's gaze softened, if only for a moment. He dipped his head slightly toward the apprentice. " ...That's generous of you, young one. But I believe the dandelion belongs to you and your clan. I'm sure your medicine cat will appreciate your attentiveness. "

And then, slowly, his gaze returned to Serpentberry, pointed, precise. " Serpentberry and I both know how to tell the difference between a weed and a healing flower. " he said, his tone dry as old stone. " And I'm sure she'll prove capable of finding plenty of herbs in her own territory... with or without theatrics. "

you walk along the edge of danger ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU

 

[Mothbite Mothbite]

Still so young, Desperate for attention!

indentttMothbite's mind is alight with countless conflicting emotions. He's nervous for Serpent, and guilty for leaving her, but at the same time he feels a burning anger within him. He's not stupid, he knows what Serpent is trying to tell him. He's useless to her now, having been replaced by a younger and more complacent cat. If her runs back to her now, shows his belly and mews like a kitten, she might just show him a little pity and take him back, rewarding him with the soft affection he so desperately craves.

indentttMothbite grits his teeth. He's not that sort of cat, anymore. Since he left the colony, he's grown a backbone. A weak one, maybe, but a backbone all the same. He won't spend any more of his life groveling, waiting for love to be offered up so he can lick it up miserably.

indenttt"Stoatpaw." He calls. His eyes are fixed on Serpent, searching for a reaction. "They don't need it. I'm sure their pretty little forest has more of that than the swamp they chased us into." He sneers, and his tail lashes to and fro. "If she wants the damn flowers, she can ask Rowanpaw to get them for her."

ababaugfbiufhufbdfduibabababa

Mothbite | 22 moons | Shadowclan Nightguardbababbnihfibnfdifdhfhabbabab

 

[serpentberry serpentberry]

The pale furred apprentice seems stunned at first, with the proposition that Serpentberry have the lone bloom. Her gaze floats to the warriors on either side of the thunderpath before she decides of her own volition that ShadowClan can spare a dandelion. It's plucked with a satisfying snap, only to be done by apprentices toted along by their medicine cat, and she treads across the road with ease. Serpentberry chirps softly, "Not to worry, littleling. Cicadabuzz and myself are... long time friends. I'm sure they won't miss a few yellow petals," the medicine cat purrs.

In waiting for Stoatpaw to make her decision, the medicine cat listens to Copperstorm and his incessant musings. At least he's correct this time; her daughter is as clever and kind as she is lovely. Perhaps it was favoritism that drove the russet furred girl into her own awaiting paws, but StarClan nurtures the pelt upon her back nonetheless. It is his following comment to young Stoatpaw that ruffles the fur on her shoulders again.

She twists to look at him with the same smile, same bright gaze, and hums, "Oh, are you getting worried about appearances now, Copperstorm? It's alright. Not every cat knows one leaf from the next, after all. That's what I'm for, mister warrior. Star-blessed and star-chosen..." Stand down. It is too like her to pull rank when she feels her control slipping. Her tail lashes, "You may walk along, if you feel embarrassed. I can catch up later...!"

And in the background of that, she loses sight of Mothbite. The Night Guard filters through his emotions whilst she plays her soft siren song. When he calls a name - Stoatpaw - her attention snaps back to him. A reaction, indeed. Nothing quite fades, per say, but the incredulousness of being snubbed grows. Yet all the same, it delights her. Oh, how he's a feather to be swatted at. Clearly bothered by her new prodigy. Serpentberry does all she must to keep her pride at its highest levels. Instead of honoring him with an immediate response, she looks back to Stoatpaw, and offers a quiet giggle.

"Toms, am I right? They let any gnat buzz in their ear and upset them...!" The dandelion is sought after, heavily so, but Serpentberry relinquishes that much. "Not to worry, little gem. This will be of grand use for ThunderClan," the medicine cat makes that much a promise. Her tail twitches as she watches the youth cross the thunderpath once more, a slight nod to her head as she looks back to Mothbite. "I'm sure your swamp has plenty more beauty in it than you let on, Moth," she cuts his name short intentionally, lidding her eyes half way. "Why else would you have stayed?"

 

[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

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

She hadn't even registered that she had crossed the Thunderpath by the time she stood before Serpentberry, looking up with curious eyes. Stoatpaw nodded. She didn't know the colony well, so maybe the medicine cat was right, that Cicadabuzz would be fine with this. All the colony cats had gotten along once, right?

That was, until Serpentberry looked across the Thunderpath. Still stood at her paws, Stoatpaw looked around, curious. It was... Strange. She was standing on the other side, in Thunderclan, looking back at Mothbite still in Shadowclan. Something strange stirred in her stomach; it wasn't quite nausea. But still some kind of unease. The apprentice didn't catch what he had said, stood behind her she had no way to know, but he looked upset. Her ears drooped, guilt joining the terrible feeling in her gut.

She turned to Serpentberry, ready to apologise, before she started... Giggling instead? Her head tilted, but she couldn't help but snicker too. Stoatpaw couldn't deny the toms of Shadowclan were exhausting to deal with. Tickpaw was about the only one who didn't cause her some kind of grief on a regular basis. Clearly, Serpentberry had had to deal with far more than she had in her 5 moons of living in Shadowclan.

She felt better with the brief joke shared with the kind medicine cat, nodding enthusiastically. "I hope your clanmates feel better soon, Miss." Stoatpaw smiled warmly before turning and promptly crossing the Thunderpath again.

As she approached Mothbite, her demeanor did falter again. There was dread for Mothbite's reaction, or maybe if he told Sable or Cicada. She swallowed hard, just deciding to stay quiet for a moment. It was only one flower, like Serpentberry said. It wouldn't be that bad, right?

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix

 

[Copperstorm]

COPPERSTORM OF THUNDERCLAN

Annoyance...

It stirred beneath his pelt like an itch he couldn't scratch, subtle but persistent, as he watched Serpentberry's performance. His golden eyes narrowed, the faintest twitch of irritation flickering across his scarred muzzle. Mothbite had spoken the truth, plain and valid. Whatever this flower was supposed to do, Cicadabuzz could've used it. Now, instead, it had been handed off… to them. It was a kind gesture, sure. Sweet, even coming from a child. And under different circumstances, Copper might've offered thanks in a heartbeat. Might've smiled, even. But not now.

Not like this.

It bothered him because it wasn't offered with understanding. It wasn't given with consent. It was plucked from a well-meaning heart, yes, but twisted, in a way. Manipulated, whether intentionally or not. That's how it felt to him. And he hated it. His tail lashed once, then again, a visible crack of tension. He glanced briefly at Mothbite and dipped his head, a silent apology. He didn't blame him. Not entirely. ShadowClan might be the source of so much ruin. Might even house the one cat he wanted to forget. But not all of them were like that.

" …Thanks... " he muttered at last, voice flat and dry. His gaze lingered on the kit. Did she even hear what he said? Did she not understand that they didn't want it? That it wasn't about the flower, it was about what it meant? He stared a moment longer, then looked away. The weight in his chest didn't lift.

you walk along the edge of danger ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU