Open WindClan So collect your courage and collect your horse ✪ 03/19/25 meeting ✪

[Dustystar]

{$title} Yay, first meeting! We made it! This takes place the morning after the fire, on the nineteenth of march.

✪ Align my Heart, my Body, my Mind​

indentDusty awoke, limbs aching, from her uneasy slumber. The revelations she had in her dreams, the things she had learned, still raced in her mind. She had overslept - the sun had already risen far above the horizon. There was no time to waste.

indentDusty rises, ignoring the stinging pain in her paws as she stands. On unsteady legs, she climbs to the peak of the tall rock she had taken shelter underneath.


indent"All cats present here today! Gather under the Tallrock. It's time we had a meeting."

indent She stands with her head high, regarding the cats gathered below her with confidence and poise, despite her injuries. They had all suffered in the fire. It was no use wallowing in her own misery while so many others had gone through the same. They needed leadership now, and not self-pity.

indent"I thank all of you for following me out here, despite all you've gone through. This place has become a respite for us, and, I hope, will become a home In time" Was it fate, that led their pawsteps here, into the home of the clans? "Last night I received a message from our ancestors. Starclan, a group of cats that has since left this world behind, contacted me, to give you all a very important message. The land we now inhabit was once the territory of a powerful group of cats, known as Windclan. They have chosen us to be their successors." Dusty bows her head, seeming nearly sheepish as she speaks. "And they have chosen me to be your leader. I'll do my best to lead you forward and keep you safe." You don't have to accept me, but I sure hope that you do. Dusty takes a deep breath, holding her anxious thoughts to herself. If they wouldn't take her, they're free to leave. That's just how it'll have to be. "I won't be alone. In the coming days, Starclan will choose another cat among all of us. Someone to treat our wounds - something we especially need right now. When they reveal themselves, I hope you show them support."

indent"Some things are going to change around here. For one, I think they'd like us to take on their naming system. Dusty furrows her brow, dreading the need for explanation. Did the ancient cats really need to come up with such a complicated way to come up with names? "Each name is made up of a prefix and a suffix. For most of you, your current names will do just fine for a prefix. It's the suffixes that are a little more complicated. Cats six moons and under are called '-kit', and those up to 12 moons are '-paw'. Everyone over 12 moons is a warrior, and they get their own fancy name based off of their skills and virtues or whatnot. I'll get around to assigning those in the coming days. Just give me some time." Oh, Dusty is not looking forward to this either. She'll have to ask someone for help.
"Leaders get a special suffix. Going forward, I'd like you all to refer to me as Dustystar. Dusty- Dustystar - does her best to keep a straight face. The new name will take getting used to, sure, but she'll learn to wear it with pride.

indent"The coming days are going to be difficult, but I trust in all of you." I have no choice but to trust in you. "Together, we will recover, and we'll come back stronger." That's the hope, at least. Please don't let me down.

Dustystar - 25 moons - Windclan Leader

 

[owlbear]

Owl is… so very tired. She feels like half a cat, held together only by the presence of Daz next to her. Her father is dead, and her sister is missing, and she is far too pregnant for all this. She'd put up with Dusty and everyone else's nonsense and babbling yesterday, but when Dusty starts speaking now, off stars and ancestors and who knows what, she feels frustration building in her quickly.

"That's all well and good, Dusty," she manages, "but is now really the time? We haven't even gotten the chance to pull the bodies out of the barn, never mind a chance to bury them–" her sentence is cut off as she winces, cringing with pain from her abdomen. Not now, surely? It would be too cruel, too cruel for them to be born just a day too late to meet their grandfather. She swears under her breath, shaking her head. "I'm too pregnant for this," she meows shakily.

i can't look at the stars

they make me wonder where you are

• ooc: -
• 

  
  

  Owlbear, - 50 moons / windclan warrior
  peaceful powerplay allowed

  
  

 

[Merrystalk]

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

The tom had stirred with the sunrise, just as he always did. Though back home, he'd be preparing to sculk around the barn picking mice off one by one. Instead, heavy eyes opened to the moorlands. It wasn't a dream. Some awful nightmare. Paws still painful with every slight movement, lungs still caked in smoke that made breathing hard and his voice some awful crackly mess.

Merry let out a wheeze of a sigh, especially as he remained curled close to Harefoot for just a moment longer. He was okay,even after Merry had drifted asleep at some point in the night. He hoped they might find some plants to help with his pain, maybe Sparrow could find some of those poppy seeds they'd mentioned the night before? Just the thought made his heart ache though, what would the day hold? Traveling elsewhere in the moors? How would they make sure they have enough food? Or the-

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice breaking the quiet... Dusty? She stood atop a collective of stones that loomed over the rest of them, he had to crane his head up to even see her. He was... Curious, to say the least. Pressing a gentle nose to Harefoot, almost like a plea not to move, avoiding injuring himself more. And - in spite of what he asked of Harefoot, and what Goldy demanded - he shuffled closer to the rocks, still staying as shaded as he could with the sun low in the east.

Pain arched through his legs, though he bit his tongue and listened to what she had to say, shooting Goldy a look of confusion as she began. The more she spoke, the more Merry was convinced he was still asleep. Starclan? Windclan? Warriors and- Leaders? He blinked hard. Confused, none of this made sense. Their ancestors spoke to Dusty in her sleep? His mind reeled just trying to wrap his head around everything, it was surreal, really. But his mind settled on the fact she was their leader now?... Merry's eyes again flicked to his brother, and then up to the Tallrock where Dusty stood.

He when to speak, before Owl spoke up, doubtful and confused. Merry couldn't blame her. The suffering she'd been through, it was no wonder why she aired some of her frustration towards Dusty. Though he considered the cat above them, what she was like. She didn't seem cocky. A cat claiming leadership of a group like that, wouldn't someone act full of themselves? She had lead them from the smoldering barnyard all the way here. She wasn't the easiest to get along with on the best of days, she was much more straightforward than most. But it wasn't a bad thing perse. The barn cats were lax, and those who weren't often had tempers that preceded them. And well, Dusty didn't seem the type to declare herself a leader in a spur-of-the-moment decision, she'd think on it, right?

"Dusty- Uh... Dusystar?" The name foreign, strange. But even if she was speaking nonsense, he would entertain it for now. "This is all rather... Outta the blue. Havin' leadership an' guidance is good for us, but what's all this 'bout clans? Starclan, Windclan? Where on earth did ya' come up with all this?-" Merry had to take a moment, a sputtering wheeze interrupting his speech.

He shook his head as he took a deep breath, continuing. "I agree with Owl here, all this ancestor stuff, true or not, ain't somethin' we should be focusin' on right this moment. But..." He paused for a moment, considering his words. "But I'm trustin' ya' not to be pullin' wool o'er our heads here. If you say yer gonna try an' help us leadin' us - even if I ain't got no clue what all this new namin' nonsense is all 'bout - ain't no reason for me to argue with that."

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• 
  Merry
  ✦—Barncat | 25 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[GOLDENROAR]

Goldy hadn't just taken the first watch- really, he hadn't even truly discussed with Dusty about how to split the watch. When she finally fell asleep, he remained up, eyes narrowed towards the horizon and grasses, making sure everyone slept that needed it. Watched any stragglers press their way in, and luckily no predators found them. Not yet. The sun would press in on them yet, and those with burns would suffer the worst of it. Every now and again, he did glance sidelong at Dusty herself. She had an eye injury, if his eyes weren't tricking him, and she needed rest.

She rises, moments later, the sun bearing down on them already. Goldy pushes to his paws, creaky and with his leg aching, moving towards his brother who wakes to the sound of Dusty's voice. A yawn splits from his jaws, moving to help his brother towards the.. the Tallrock, if he just heard Dusty right. He settles not far from Merry, a stray eye on Harefoot for a brief moment, before he's looking up towards Dusty again. And what she speaks on... confusion spreads like wildfire- perhaps too soon on that analogy- amongst this group of cats. Barncats, the lot of them, to become... clan cats? Dusty-, no, Dustystar, has decided this, and all Goldy has decided is, well...

Did she have a concussion?

Aqua eyes are staring, exhausted and quickly blinking, as both Owl and Merry speak. He dwells for a moment. Dusty- er, Dustystar, right?- is a good cat. He knows that. Her reputation spoke enough about that. More then his character, anyways. He swallows and speaks. "Look, Dusty- shi', Dustystar, sorry-... I think all of us would've been happy t' give you our support. Are.. happy?" He glances at the masses, standing and twitching his bushy tail. "Are you sure y' didn't hit your head? This is all.. pretty sudden. Strange." A frown presses to his face, glancing towards Merry again before back forward. "M' not trying to call you crazy, but..." His head shakes.

"Look. Try my best t' keep up with you, I will, but let's start with what the others said first. Food, shelter, water, buryin' our dead..." Goldy trails off. He knows that a fair group of cats are going to be hungry, and nearly everycat is injured. Forget the bodies in the smoke pillar he can still see from out here. A breath is inhaled then exhaled, his head shaking. "I guess... at your order, then, Dustystar." He still has a bad feeling about this, but at this point, what else was there to do?

_______________________ I KEEP RUNNIN' BUT ☼ I'M STANDING STILL _______________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• GOLDY he/him, to-be-windclanner, thirty three moons.
  ☆ a lh golden red marbled tabby with low white and glimmering aqua eyes. often seen with a smirk, confidence oozing from him in heaps, but always the ever-helpful guy.
  ☆ mentored by who / mentoring no one
  ☆ older brother to merry
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by dallas ↛ dallasofnines on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

/code]

 

[Peafowlpaw]

Peafowl laid in the same spot he'd fallen asleep in: a respectable- but visible- distance from Meadow and her tending sister. His eyes opened slowly and groggily, but with a knowing dread filling his conscious mind.
His eyes would open and last night would not have been a nightmare. He would not be in the comfort of his barn with his family and friends, and they would never be their same selves. A new exhausted, jaded vacancy clung to his mind he couldn't shake. That things wouldn't get better from here. Not now, not yet. Not…ever?
Dusty's words were about as well received by him as they were any others in an equally tired and worn headspace.From where his head rested on the cool grass, his ears swiveled back and forth with the exchange of exhausted and understandably uncertain mews, but he would offer Dusty–sorry- Dustystar? No further attention. In any other light, Peafowl might have simply had the air of a moody kit, but this morning, his lack of attention and rolling of his eyes seemed… apt.

Ripped from their home, just so the dead could tell them to get over it and go somewhere else.

He didn't want to hear all this nonsense. He wanted to go back home, lay in the ashy remains of the barn, and just sleep all of the events off. As if, with enough hours wasted away in the depths of dreams, all the damage would be undone. Somebody would tell him it was just some cruel joke.
Just like this conversation the barn cats- if they could still be called that- now took part in. He couldn't- he wouldn't humor it. A low groan and a twitch down his backside was all he'd offer before going limp in the grass once more in an effort to find more rest.

on my mind and ∅ with me all the time

• "speech" thoughts
  

• 

• peafowl he/him, barn cat, five moons, 10.13.24
  ∅ long haired blue smoke chimera with bright amber yellow eyes
  comically large, fluffy ears and a long tail with black striped markings
  maine coon genetics
  always smiling. ever optimistic
  ∅ mentored by x
  ∅ open to all bonds
  ∅ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted
  ∅ penned by idola / / tag @.idola appreciated
  

 

[Hollowmumble]

Hollow, -- 34 Moons / Barn Cat -- Ages on the 14th
Black spotted ghost tabby with bright amber eyes.
She is friendly, yet quiet, and always willing to help.
Tagging N/A

---

...Hollow was kind of regretting the promise she made to herself last night.

She blinked and stared up at where Dusty was sitting on the rock, towering over the rest of them. She was still laid in the grass with Clover, a bit farther back from the rock. The ground was shining with cool morning dew, a wonderful change from the simmering heat that followed them all last night.

This was... ridiculous. As Dusty went on, Hollow slowly believed more and more that either she was trying to trick them into something, or that she got a bit too hurt during the barn fire. She didn't know Dusty well, she was one of the many cats that Hollow only had a passing conversation with when they decided to talk to her first. She didn't know what Dusty was capable of, and her distrust only grew as everyone began to voice their own options. The doubt was clear in her nervous expression as she glanced at Clover, and around at all of the cats gathered nearby. A couple met her eye, and she could read the same mistrust on many of them as well.

What in the world was she going to do about this. She wouldn't speak up, she couldn't. All of the others were already very clear about their opinions. She wouldn't leave either, she had cats to worry about and care for.

But... she wouldn't trust this.

She won't trust this.

 

[MAREMANE]

Was a side effect of being a burn victim having hallucinations? Lucille's jade eyes were painted with broad strokes of surprise as she saw Dusty's shadow fall over their shelter. Her mind had still begrudgingly been adjusting to the tasks at hand - food, warmth. Protecting the vulnerable, injured cats inside their little makeshift place took energy now without the wooden walls to aid them.

Her ears flattened as the announcement continued, unable to hide her fidgeting paws, the minute quickening of her heart. She couldn't comprehend how Dusty could clamber up there, yapping about her dream and about a calling for them. Hell, she wanted them to change their names. Lucille huffed, tail hitting the ground. Fat chance. She was Lucille, and would always be Lucille, even if it meant being alone-on-the-moor-Lucille.

These ancestors ought to have warned them about the fire if they were going to make them fit the mold of cats long dead. At least then they'd all be happy, and probably far more willing to wear that costume.

It hadn't gone unnoticed that Dusty had stepped up, leading them away from the fire, being the first to settle them into this open divot in the ground. How was the molly able to talk, to direct as easily as breathing? The idea of a chain of command forming made it feel like shackles. She'd lived every season twice, and every season free of instruction. Her mind found the door to this closed, the windows boarded shut.

Lucille hadn't realized her own burning expression towards the peak of the tall rock until she broke away. She took no time for the resulting discussion, exhaling longly before she shouldered past whoever was at the perimeter of their shelter. "I'm going to scout," she explained shortly, her dark tail disappearing into the tallgrass.

 

[aurora -]

★ Aurora, typically begrudging of how easily sleep came to her, was thankful that she'd managed to rest for a few hours before the night's event's had bloomed like so many flames in the barn. The hours had stretched long, like a shadow cast by a flame, and a sleepless night would have made it nigh on unbearable. The escape, the walk, the tending. As it was, exhaustion was creeping up on her, and the blue tabby chimera would have to miss the morning hunt for the first time in moons. It was such a small thing to complain about.

When a call came from above, yellow and blue eyes were drawn to it in an instant. Dusty had shepherded them all from the flames, some invisible paw guiding them to safety, some undeniable voice divvying out tasks. It settled some of the anxiety in Aurora's gut to have a clear path to follow; Dusty's instructions were a balm to the festering guilt in the tabby's heart. She could gather as she was told. She would listen as she was bid. Confusion and disbelief, hesitation and skepticism, ripplied through the crowd, and she paid it no mind. Aurora had always striven to serve the barncats, and, strange as the shape of it may be, adhering to the words flowing from above seemed the best way to continue that pursuit. She had to trust that Merry, Goldy, Lucille, and others besides would see that in time.

"I trust you," she said. She couldn't add any more detail to it just yet - it was a lot to believe in all at once, and she had no justification for the faith she placed in Dustystar that she could voice - but the words as she spoke them were true. Aurora trusted that this would be their new home, that Dustystar spoke of clans and ghosts for a reason, that changes would come, that they would survive, and that the cat standing above them would lead. If it gave her something to do, some way to help those that remained, Aurora would follow. "Thank you."

 

[Beetlepath]

BEETLE, 26 moons / WINDCLAN MOOR-RUNNER
A lanky, awkward black tom with white markings and forest green eyes.
Mate to Glade.
. . . a friendly yet cautious type, loyal almost to a fault, though not without his flaws - a selfish undertone and low impulse control.
Tagging @Glade - ic opinions!

---

It is not with ease that Beetle listens in to Dusty's call. He wakes sorely, nudging Glade awake, and follows the growing crowd of cats that can still stand and listen. Dusty is quick to take up the mantle, something he has no reasonable complaint for - but her words earn raised eyebrows from the black-furred tom. With a skeptical look, he leans in to mumble in his mate's ear.

"Could you.. understand any of that?"

Nonsense, is what it sounded like - he wonders if Dusty hit her head in the escape.

Talk about an information overload, he thinks, uneasily. Ancestors is something already new to him - he knew of this faith, but never put much thought into it himself. That they were able to commune with the living seemed an unlikely miracle in its own right. Then, something about a Wind..Clan.. how they must commune and organize with a depth far greater than they experienced in the barn. Beetle can't help but shake his head, subtly.

"And if they don't pick a .. a 'healer' .. what then?"

he mumbles, again, to Glade.

Beetle takes a moment to search her eyes for emotion, for thought. Would she agree with him that this all sounds so.. confusing? Or is she content to blindly follow these instructions, just like the others?

Well.. it's the only instruction we have, he reminds himself mournfully. He supposes a fairy-tale chance is better than no chance at all.. or no hope.

"Okay... Dustystar.."

he reluctantly agrees, testing the strange two-part name on his tongue. She's done them no wrong, so far.. perhaps their support is all she asks, all she needs.

"...I'll trust you."

 

[Crow]

THANK YOU FOR THE VENOM

_______________________________________________________________​

'This is stupid.' Crow thought to himself, annoyed and frustrated. He'd been hoping to salvage something out of all this when he'd followed the group out here. Had even had a bit of faith that they'd be able to get their shit together since cats seemed to be stepping up to take charge and help each other out. Dusty in particular had been playing a major role in things since the fire, and until right now he hadn't questioned any of it.

But this?

Crow was a cat who had always been grounded in reason and common sense, and never had there been any indication that spirits or other planes existed outside of their own. Quite frankly he wasn't sure which to be more insulted by; the premise itself --which was completely ridiculous-- or the way in which the entire thing had been delivered to them. Had the smoke-colored shecat really thought that this was the most effective way to convince everyone that her dream was real-- without any kind of physical proof to go on?

He was a little relieved to hear many of his fellow cats voicing their concerns on the matter-- enough of them that Crow didn't feel the need to create an echo chamber by adding to it. Instead he let the frown he wore speak for itself as his disappointment mounted-- not only was the barn gone, but it looked like cats were going to use this as an opportunity to push their own agendas.

He was tempted to cut his losses and just leave. Save himself the trouble of dealing with another cats insanity. All it took was a single look around at the group for that thought to falter though. There were good, innocent, nice cats here. It was the whole reason he'd wanted to stay in the first place. While Crow might be new and not as well integrated into things, he'd felt welcomed and accepted in ways his family and the city cats weren't able to replicate. Leaving them here when they were at their most vulnerable felt wrong, especially when it looked like there were cats willing to prey on that same vulnerability.

​

OOC NOTES . ◭ . CHARACTER INFO

• ooc : —​

• Windclan Warrior
  Male
  A tall, athletic, blue-eyed tomcat with bi-color fur

 

[Dustystar]

✪ Align my Heart, my Body, my Mind​

indent Dustystar's already red ears flush even brighter as she watches Owl and Lucille turn and leave. 'Dammit. Knew this would happen.' Dustystar was sure the rest of the cats would react the way she had, when she first heard talk of clans and stars and ancestors, but she decided to put her trust in Windrose. 'Look at what good that did me.' Instead of a competent leader, She'd made herself look like a madwoman.

indent Dustystar wills herself to ignore the dissenting voices and angry expressions, focusing on the encouragement. It was far from resounding applause, but it was still comforting to know they had trust in her, however small. She takes a deep breath, centering herself before she speaks again. "You don't need to follow me, but I appreciate each and every one of you who does." Although she tries to keep her head high and her voice confident, she can feel herself waver. "We don't need to change everything right away. We just need to survive, for now. Then we can figure it out." Her brows furrow as she gathers her thoughts.
"I know I'm a hardass and a control freak, but please trust that I'm not a liar. I wouldn't say this if i didn't think it was true." The more she speaks, the less she believes it wasn't just a crazy dream. Maybe the fire has driven her mad.

indentThere's one more request Windrose made of her. Heading to the Highstones to commune with Starclan again. Originally, she had meant to ask some cats to accompany her. With injuries like hers, the journey would be impossible without help. Now, though, she's less sure. She can't go alone, but she doesn't need to announce her departure either. She'll take one or two cats with her, and leave quietly just before sunset to arrive there at twilight. Then, she can see for herself if this 'Starclan' is real, after all, or a one-off dream.

Dustystar - 25 moons - Windclan Leader

 

[REDVEIL]

Red lay panting, exhaustion clinging to him like a second pelt. Sleep wouldn't come not after how close they had been to dying. His injured leg throbbed with fresh pain, the wound having reopened somewhere in the chaos. His head pounded and every breath seemed to rattle his chest.

Dusty's voice broke through the gloom, enough to stir him. Tallrock? Unsure but willing he put forth the effort to see what the commotion was. With a groan, Red pushed himself upright on three aching limbs. Keeping the injured leg lifted just enough to avoid brushing the ground. Spotting a familiar ball of honey kissed fur he set course for their location.

Sluggishly he filed in shortly behind Goldy and his brother, grateful to sit again once they'd stopped. His posture leaned awkwardly to his good side as his heavy brown gaze fixed on the gray molly addressing the gathered crowd.

Confusion twisted his masked features, same as nearly every other cat around him. Starclan? New names? Healer? What the hell!

They had just barely clawed their way out of death's grip and now this cat was up here spinning nonsense like some fever dream. Red's jaw fell slack, baffled. He hadn't known what to expect from this place, but it definitely was not this.

Goldy, ever loyal also chose to speak up, concerned, but still rooted. Red respected that and the other opposing voices. He, on the other paw, could see why some cats were already turning tail. Honestly, he didn't blame them. Though his paws refused to move.

Whether it was the pain, the shock, or just disbelief holding him there, he couldn't say. Maybe it was Goldy. Yeah, that was it. The pale furred tom had risked his life for him. Red wasn't about to just up and leave after everything. Not like he had a anywhere else to go for that matter.No matter how absurd this all seemed. So he stayed. Sat through this 'Dustystar' stumbling explanation with barely hidden skepticism weighing in his eyes. Red wouldn't believe it. No, he refused to believe it. He would tolerate it for now. For Goldy.​