PAFP Event Camp ShadowClan TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY, WHEN THE NIGHT FADES AWAY | heist return

[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

{$title} Takes place immediately following the heist thread, the patrol shattered into smaller groups slowly returns to camp and the rest of Shadowclan witnesses what happened under the guise of that night.

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

The thundering of her paws past the banks of Riverclan, roaring across Fourtrees, the night was alive with the distant yowling of cats she was mercied not to hold witness to. Her pelt was spared, but her mind was not. Like some wild animal hunted for some sick pleasure, she did not hesitate at the edge of the Thunderpath, aching paws still dripping water from the river she dipped beneath for her escape. Abandoning the patrol just as Cicadabuzz warned them to in the face of an attack.

But still, there was a guilt that chewed at the chest of the apprentice, like she had committed some betrayal of her clanmates. She just had to hope they were behind her, hope they had not stopped to fight and... If they had? She prayed that they were okay.

Her mind was a blur of panic and a daze of exhaustion from running nonstop from Riverclan's borders as she pushed her way into more and more familiar territory. The soft terrain should have been a comfort, but there was little to comfort Stoatpaw in that moment; she couldn't relax, not now. Her jaw ached from clutching the willow tightly in her jaws. Was this all worth it? For the herbs she clutched like a lifeline? Only Cicadabuzz would be the judge of that, after all.

---

The night was still, calm even. A peaceful night in Shadowclan camp, until it wasn't.

The blur of the white apprentice half ran, half stumbled her way into camp, chest heaving as her whole body shook from exhaustion and sheer panic. Herbs clutched in her jaws dropped with a thud as she tried desperately to keep any semblance of composure. Though that alone was a feat, Stoatpaw struggled with her voice betrayed the terror that shook her entire being. "R-Riverclan, they- They found-" Try as she might to keep her voice steady and loud enough to alert someone, anyone, that something had gone terrible wrong, her voice faultered and cracked as she tried desperately to steel the tears that already began to roll down her cheeks, guilt writhing in her chest even now.

All too aware she was the first one back to camp.

——— While you were sleeping,

Everything changed at once. ———

• ooc - were BACK from riverclan!!! since this is a pafp please let another one of the folks from the heist reply first please!! @cicadabuzz @WOLFPACK @Coalstrike @Cherryblaze @Jadethorn @Hollowmist @VULTUREPAW @VANILLAPAW
• 
  Stoatpaw
  ✦—Shadowclan apprentice | 8 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
  ✦—A slender white cat with faint lilac markings and blue eyes.
  #96d5f1/#50BBF0
  
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix ​

 

[Hollowmist's iconHollowmist]

♢Worried 'Bout The Future

Ain't Fuckin' With The Past♢

It does not expect Coalstrike to give any support beyond dragging it out of the river, and the thought holds true as the warriors make what begins to feel like an impossibly long trek home. They relax somewhat as tired paws touch upon familiar ground once they cross the thunderpath. The urge to sit and catch its breath for a moment is nearly overwhelming but there would be more than enough time to do so when it got home.

Their bleeding had slowed to a faint trickle-smaller wounds stopped completely- by the time they reach the camp entrance and Hollowmist nearly tumbles down the incline when a foreleg threatens to give way. Gracelessly it makes its way down, catching a ragged breath before slowly raising its head to address the crowd slowly gathering around Stoatpaw. Briefly it wonders what it must look like. A ghost of a cat more red than white, split face bloodied and body trembling with effort.

"Riverclan caught us gathering herbs across the river," It's good eye briefly flickered to the apprentice, relieved that she had made it back in one piece. This had all been worth it then. "They did not take kindly to this and threatened to kill the apprentices with us in response."

A gross oversimplification, but what did it matter? The blood had already been spilled and the chimera's wounds would only serve to corroborate its story. It briefly scanned the crowd looking for its siblings before limping closer to Stoatpaw, expression unreadable but a knowing glint in its eyes.

"Stoatpaw, you did not run when told." They had thought it strange...their voice certainly had not been quiet when giving the order. The trek back had given time for it to reflect, particularly to think back to that night in the nursery when as a kit she had practically glued herself to it with her head resting against its throat, there had been other tells but that had been the first sign. Stoatpaw was deaf. "It's not your fault, but that was dangerous. You did not hear me or Coalstrike telling you to run to safety- I wish you had said something sooner."

There was no anger in the statement, only a faint hint of concern peeking out from the exhaustion. She had probably hid it so long out of fear of being treated differently, they assumed. And they could understand that. When it became obvious that their left eye was all but useless, there had been a time when both Halfshade and Bluegale had hovered overprotectively over it. It had felt suffocating and there had been more than one argument with it's brother after.

"We had split up when we crossed the river, I can only assume they were lucky enough to avoid the patrol we came across. Hopefully Cicadabuzz and the others will be back soon." That was all that needed to be said, if someone wanted them to elaborate then they could wait until it had slept off the pain.

It wanted nothing more than to get all the filth of the river off and then sleep curled up with its siblings for the next moon.

Ain't Got No Time To Waste On Bullshit

♢

You Know I Gotta Keep My Head On Straight

• ooc notes:
• 
  Hollowmist
  — Thief of Shadowclan
  — It/They
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  — A LH Black/Fawn Chimera W/ High White (LaPerm)
  #a7767c