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

 

[SABLESTAR]

Stoatpaw was late to waking with him that evening. The tom had noticed the lack of moon-lit pale fur quickly as she often greeted him in front of his den when the time came to train. Camp was rather empty of any of those that normally strayed outside the medicine den this late, and after a brief poke of his nose in the medicine den, he discovered only Magpiepaw inside with a small shred of concern. Another pause into the warriors den told him who else had disappeared. A thick tangle of different scents awaited him at the camps entrance, and the leaders decided it would be better to await their arrival rather than go out in search.

In his waiting did his temper sizzle beneath his fur. Warriors, his apprentice, gone without so much as a word whispered his way. Stoatpaw would see the anger flare in his gaze as he saw her, her own glassy and she stammered. "RiverClan?" Sablestar lashed his tail as he lifted his head to face Hollowmist. His tone lowered in disbelief as the warrior answered the question stuck in his maw. They went to another Clan to steal. A Clan he hardly heard word of before, not even the chance to speak a word their way himself before his medicine cat is dragging the tails of his warriors over HERBS?!

"What do you mean hopefully? My medicine cat and deputy are in unknown territory, and you LEFT?!" The tuxedo blinked at his own bewilderment before tearing himself away to pace about.. "Risking your lives for plants, this will be a disaster." Leave him to clean up their mess, of course! What good was he if he couldn't keep their tails on their rears.

this heart beats cold like the devil his own

• "mew"
• 

  SABLESTAR— he/him ･fifty-eight moons ･leader; shadowclan ･penned by gonkpilled

  a black and white tuxedo with dark amber eyes

 

[webpaw]

Webpaw's half-consciousness, a raindrop slowly sliding down a leaf, dropped her suddenly into alertness. The thistles crackled and crashed around the arriving thieves, the crisp snag of ivy making her ears perk. She rose slowly, eyes glowing from the apprentices' den as she watched Stoatpaw, breathless, sputter out an explanation. Her head tilted, squinting. Were they being attacked?

Coming to her senses, she spared a glance around the den behind her, skirting over the vacant nests with a quiet, sharp inhale. Something had happened, and she had not been in on it. She skirted around Sablestar as if his agitation would zap her, coming to stand to the side of the commotion.

It was idiotic and foolish and reckless, and Webpaw would've killed to be there. A frown stamped across her mouth, but it lacked the fire sparking in Sablestar's expression. Her claws worked the ground, leaving fluffy streaks of dirt in their wake. "Is RiverClan coming here?"

 

[Coalstrike Coalstrike]

Coalstrike returned with a certain grace, despite the clear signs of battle marked across his pelt. He was scraped, bruised, but nowhere near as battered as Hollowmist. He had known the risks. He hadn't stayed behind to be praised or pitied, and he would've despised it if anyone tried. No, he stayed to buy time. Time for the others to escape without getting caught. Time for them to return with more than just broken bones. His thick tail gave a sharp flick as he glanced sideways at Hollowmist. Bleeding, limping. It would be a shame if the herbs they just risked their lives to gather had to be used on themselves.

He said nothing in response to Hollowmist's words. Let them sit. There was no need to mention that RiverClan wouldn't be so merciful next time, or that they'd only been allowed to flee this time. When Hollowmist spoke to Stoatpaw, Coalstrike's ears gave a slow twitch, and he looked down at the small apprentice with a glimmer of curiosity. Something unspoken was happening there, but he didn't pry. It wasn't important. What was important, however, was the irritation that prickled his pelt when Sablestar approached and looked... surprised.

Of course... Cicadabuzz hadn't told him. That was the mistake. Coalstrike's amber gaze sharpened as he spoke, voice low and calm as ever. " We stayed longer than ordered. " he said flatly. " To give them time. " His eyes didn't waver from Sablestar's. " I wasn't aware our medicine cat hadn't shared the plan with you. " A short pause. Then a cold flick of the tail. " We only left because that's what they wanted. "

He turned his attention downward, eyes settling on Webpaw. " No. " he added simply. " They're not coming here, not in the state they're in. "

___________________ I DON'T FORGIVE, I DON'T FORGET ☆ A wound's a warning, a debt is a debt. ___________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• COALSTRIKE he/him, shadowclanner, sixty-six moons.
  ☆ a lh black cat dangerous amber eyes. has a mane around his head, is huge [ grandiose ]
  ☆ mentoring vanillapaw
  ☆ loyal to sable, despises thunderclan
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by lion ↛ lionharted on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Stoatpaw Stoatpaw]

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

She could see the rustling of cats from their dens, and for a moment, the nausea in her stomach only grew; she wouldn't be so useful alone in explaining. She had fled like a coward, she had no idea if everyone was oka-

Something caught her attention instead, something white and red in the corner of her eye. She turned and the blood drained from her face, not trying to stop the tears anymore as her eyes happened upon the sight of Hollowmist, swaying like a leaf in the wind and stained a crimson red that shone even in the night darkness, great gashes across its face from some cruel Riverclan cat. "Hollowmist- Wh- What happened I-" She managed to squeak out before the chimaera talked directly to her instead. Where there was guilt turned fear, her heart thudded in her chest as for a moment she was in denial of what the warrior had said. Her face burned with shame. "I-I. How did- I-"

Her paws shook beneath her as it pieced together in her mind. Did that branch she cracked make a noise? Had she been the one to alert Riverclan of the raid? Stoatpaw looked up between tears that dripped down her cheeks, warm like the blood that trickled down Hollowmist's face.

It was all her fault.

She moved before she thought, paws almost stumbling over themselves to press a gentle nose to the warrior's side, tears staining the fur she had once sought comfort in during the terror of the haunting of the camp. Stoatpaw hated her emotions spilling for all to see, but the guilt of knowing Hollowmist was injured was too much for her to bear. Through tears and muffled by the fur of the warrior, she wept apologies as if she were the one to have attacked Hollow herself. The guilt she felt could have convinced her enough.

But she felt a presence change, and Hollowmist tensed up a little. Through bleary eyes, she could make out a darker blur that came to view, Sablestar. Immediately, the apprentice shrank, trying to steel her tears. She had already failed him enough this moon, and he had only caused more issues. Rage coursed through the leader; she was glad not to hear it in his voice, but it was hard to miss the fury in his eyes as his tail cut through the night, lashing back and forth with each word.

Stoatpaw's body still shook, tears still staining her fur, and the rattle in her voice betrayed the upset she couldn't hide. "We- We didn't know." She stared up at her mentor, she didn't know how much use she would be explaining either, but she didn't want to be useless, not again. "Cicada didn't t-tell us what we were doing until we got near the border." Stoatpaw hiccuped, she didn't know if Cicadabuzz had realised she was deaf, Sablestar had known for a while,e and Hollowmist now too, she thought surely the medicine cat had to have noticed, right?

"They told us to leave them!" She rebutted, a little too loud, face growing hot as eyes fell on her, everything felt like it was falling apart in her paws. She had to keep control. "I-I'm sorry... They said not to get into fights b-but some of the Riverclan warriors threatened me after remembering me from the moss patrol." She bit her tongue, immediately regretting the admission, guilt writhing in her chest like a disease.

It was her fault, there was no way around it. She felt herself shrinking into herself as the warriors and the leader continued to talk amongst themselves, wanting nothing more than to run and hide.

——— 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/#50BBF0
  
  ⤷ Written by Phoenix ​

 

[Tickpaw Tickpaw]

When you're lost in the universe, lost in the universe, don't lose faith
My mother says, "Your whole life's in the paws of the Stars"

.

Tickpaw had just returned from training with Mirepurr when Stoatpaw burst into camp, eyes wide, herbs clutched into her muzzle, afraid to let go. The way she crashed in... Frantic, shaken... It had made him freeze mid-step. His ears twitched. " Stoat? " he called, already moving toward her, concern twisting in his chest. " Are you okay? Where's... where are the others? " She'd left with a group, hadn't she? His gaze flicked around camp, searching... Until, one by one, the rest of the patrol began to trickle in. Hollowmist stumbled in next, looking pale and rattled. Then Coalstrike, his fur ruffled, his steps heavy with something unspoken.

Tickpaw's breath caught. Something was wrong. Then came the words. Broken phrases. RiverClan territory. Sablestar's voice, sharp with disbelief and growing anger. Deputy. Medicine cat. ShadowClan cats found deep in enemy land. His tail lashed behind him as he tried to follow the tumbling mess of it all. His eyes snapped toward Webpaw when she spoke, RiverClan coming here? A fight? Were they supposed to prepare for that now? Tickpaw looked to Coalstrike. The warrior's response was steady, grounding, but not exactly comforting. No, RiverClan wasn't coming. Not yet.

Then came Stoatpaw's voice again, sniffling, cracking as she tried to explain, tried to carry the weight of what had happened. Tickpaw's gaze settled on her, eyes narrowing, not in anger, but in quiet pain. Something had gone wrong. Deeply wrong. And poor Stoat… she was in the middle of it.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

10 MOONS

𖧧

SHADOWCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[Hollowmist's iconHollowmist]

♢Worried 'Bout The Future

Ain't Fuckin' With The Past♢

It stared at their leader, incredulous. Sablestar hadn't known about this. It can understand his ire, at the very least. This entire heist had been unnecessary. If Cicadabuzz had simply gone the diplomatic route and asked, it might not be standing here in camp bloodied and half-drowned. Still their pelt bristles before it lies flat once more when Stoatpaw presses against their sore body with unneeded apologies.

It takes a moment to rasp its tongue over the apprentice's ear, waiting for her to look up. "No matter what you may think, this was not your fault. You shouldn't have been dragged into this." Though Stoatpaw could not hear the conviction in its voice Hollowmist hoped the steadiness in its two toned gaze got the point across before lifting its head to address Sablestar with an irritated flick of its tail. Not directed at the tom, but the situation itself.

"Wolfpack went with Cicadabuzz, they're in each other's capable paws." It had the distinct impression that neither cat was a stranger to stealth. "We were just unfortunate enough to be caught by a patrol and outnumbered. They nearly drowned me, Sablestar."

All this arguing was getting them nowhere, and draining what little energy Hollow had left. They sat heavily with their head lowered, energy spent and a wet cough rattling out from their chest. "I will take whatever punishment you see fit...if I had known this was behind your back I would have refused."

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

 

[Blightkit]

The commotion wakes them up, bleary-eyed and moving out of the comfort of semi-plush nest lined with fur into the night of the camp, a large yawn escaping the younger member of the clan as tail lashes out behind them in slight annoyance at being woken up. The cogs within their brain slowly processing as much as possible before speaking - something learned from many tongue-lashings about speaking before thinking - though they still didn't have all of the information. Something about RiverClan, Stoatpaw was crying, and some of the cats that had left with the patrol before Blightkit had gone to sleep were still not back yet, that much was obvious.

So they find themself moving quietly forward, bleary eyes focused on Stoatpaw - the center of attention right now in the kit's mind, the one crying, the one who needed something done and Blight would be there to help even if they didn't know how, and even if it would probably be awkward, they moved towards the white apprentice and the small kit aimed to press into her for a moment, not seeing the way she wanted to shrink into herself - something Blight would never do themself so it was something foreign to them - and if successful a tired smile would form on the dark kit's features as they looked up to the other. "Do you want some water?" Something Blightkit's mother had always offered when Blight had cried when younger but too old for milk, some nice water to clear her throat, to stop the crying, to start thinking properly. "I can take you over there, you and me." It wasn't far, just far enough removed where the adults could talk and Stoatpaw could calm down and Blightkit could be helpful for once, but close enough where if they still needed her she'd be within eyesight. Maybe it'd work and Stoat would stop crying too, and it'd be a double win for everyone.

OOC

text BLIGHTKIT they/them, shadowclan, 4 moons. black smoke w/orange eyes kitten of ShadowClan mentored by none // mentoring none unknown, single, crushing on no one NPC x NPC peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking penned by tikki ↛ rabbitcake on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Timberfrost]

—————————————————— 'Till I can't run no more ✦

Resting in the nursery, Timber hadn't expected such a commotion to wake him up. He especially didn't expect the loud cries to come from outside the nursery, he was far too used to kits getting rambunctious and then tripping over their own tails, with tears soon to follow. The tom only stirred somewhat, though—that is, until he heard a familiar cry, something that tugged at his heart in a way nothing else could. Before he was even fully awake, the tom jumped up from his nest and burst out of the nursery, bleary red eyes blinking and attempting to peer through the dark night. "What's going—"

Immediately, his eyes caught onto the pale coat of his daughter, the tears rolling down her face glinting under the moonlight. He didn't care what was happening, didn't even look at the rest of the cats gathered around as he rushed forward. "Oh, oh my dear—" Timber said softly, his voice and face full of worry. He had to hold himself back from immediately scooping her up, instead gently putting a paw on her back and pulling her close. He pat her back rhythmically, gently cooing soothing words as, for the first time, he looked up around him.

Finally, the words the cats around him had been saying clicked in his brain, and the fur on his neck prickled with emotion. He couldn't quite parse what it was, some unholy mix of fear, of anger, some sort of rage that he couldn't have kept Stoat safe, that something had happened without anyone thinking to tell him. "A patrol?" He echoed from Hollowmist, looking at it with a face that was just barely shy of disgust. "You nearly... what in the world happened?" It was all he could do to stop himself from hissing the words, the presence of Stoat pressed into his chest being the only thing keeping him from figuratively biting someone's head off. Well, he thought it was figurative, but honestly he wasn't sure.

Then his gaze went to Sablestar, and quickly the angry words he wanted to say died on his tongue. The leader had some bizarre mix of fury and bewilderment on his face, and it made Timber's skin crawl in fear. Avoiding the tom's gaze, he instead looked down to his daughter and the small black kitten next to them. Blightkit was young, far too young to be dealing with the confrontation, and at Blight's words an idea sparked in his head. "Stoat..." He said softly, stepping back to look down at her. "I think it'd be best if you went with Blightkit. You can take a breather, get some water- It sounds like you've had a long night." The caretaker smiled appreciatively at Blight, nodding at the two gently.

The moment Stoat was out of his grasp, the emotions flared back up in his chest once more. "Does anyone want to explain what happened to my daughter?" He seethed, eyes on the cats that had clearly just scampered into the camp. At least it seemed that Sablestar didn't know what was happening either. At least it seemed that Stoat's mentor hadn't actively put her in danger like he had feared at first.

It's true, I want to be with you tonight

But I'm a little too late

• 
  Timber
  ✦—Shadowclan Caregiver | 27 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A large chocolate tabby with pale gold eyes
  #9A775A

 

[SABLESTAR]

Those disturbed from their sleep crawled out from their nests to view the spectacle of Sablestar's wrath in the face of bloodied warriors. Their words echoes to the same thoughts crowding his mind. Retaliation, preparation, more blood more war- to what end? This craving for conflict, he couldn't understand. Not yet, at least, he would have to wait for Cicadabuzz to make their appearance to find out.

Coalstrike's explanation was regarded with a simple twitch of his ear, keeping his gaze trained on Stoatpaw. "When has your training ever come before the whims of your Clanmates?" He is not looking for an answer, allowing his words to linger while the rest of them stumbled forward with tell of what happened. Commands from their superiors led them to this atrocious display of defeat, and he is left to take the role of the fool in the end. Sablestar flattened his ears again as he faced Stoatpaw once more. "Remembered you? You've met them before?" Sablestar forced his teeth down on his tongue as he stepped away to continue his pacing. Biting the words he wished to say, knowing it would not help anything.

"I tire of hearing about your wounds. Whoever is injured will wait for Cicadabuzz in their den, I have nothing to help you with. And Stoatpaw," The tuxedo kept his back to his apprentice, marred sights focused on the shadows cast across camp. "you are not to approach any borders without me. You will stay in camp today and repair or clean whatever is necessary." Timberfrost could dismiss her with Blightkit, but he doubted the caretaker would interject otherwise.

All they could do not was sit and hope. Pray that this was the worst of their mistake, that Cicadabuzz and Wolfpack would return and confront the wounds they helped cause.

this heart beats cold like the devil his own

• "mew"
• 

  SABLESTAR— he/him ･fifty-nine moons ･leader; shadowclan ･penned by gonkpilled

  a black and white tuxedo with dark amber eyes

 

[bluegale bluegale]

repay me,

in kind

The peaceful night in camp quickly becomes unpeaceful, but this time it is not thanks to one of their loud-mouthed apprentices. Or well... It kind of is, he supposes. He rouses from his fraught sleep to Sablestar demanding to know the whereabouts of Cicadabuzz and Wolfpack. He listens blearily, mostly interested in hearing what his unruly clanmates have gotten up to this time. However, it quickly becomes obvious that this is far more serious than just being some mildly annoying or unnerving shenanigans. They are injured and emptyhanded, shaken by what they have encountered. Bluegale sees Hollowmist among the ailed returning warriors, and finds that his vision is suddenly tunneled. Had he heard them right? Nearly drowned?

He scrambles out of his makeshift nest, darting towards the chimeric form of his sibling that he has managed to make out through bleary eyes. "You could have been killed," Bluegale echoes the already obvious sentiment dumbly, standing square in front of his sibling. His voice is uncharacteristically crackly with dry emotion. It seems remorseful of having been roped into this, but that isn't enough for Bluegale. The thought of losing it... They had already lost their parents. All he, Halfshade, and Hollowmist had now were each other. ShadowClan be damned. Sablestar's wrath seems to be punishment enough- Bluegale does not need to berate his sibling as if he were its father- he bites his tongue, unable to think of anything kinder to say.

"You should never do this again," he finally manages to croak out, having strangled a myriad of other possible statements "Regardless of how you are commanded."

/ ignore my LATE ASS REPLY i needed to get in a bluehollow sibling moment