Open Border SkyClan TOWN CRIER ʚɞ pleading

[SWALLOWPAW]

admitting defeat isn't easy– but when your head begins to ache and your ideas have run out, there's no other choice. lionfoot hadn't prepared her for an injury like this one. this wasn't his fault, though, she doesn't blame him, you can't pick and choose when you plan on disappearing under mysterious circumstances.

swallowpaw weighed her options carefully. thunderclan's border was too far for consideration, so she stuck with the closest: windclan and riverclan.

windclan was the best option, the girl knew that, tensions didn't exist across the gorge but she didn't know who to even ask for. if she begged to see their medic, would they even show up? no, no... she had to stick with someone she'd already met.

when the trees begin to thin out near the river, swallowpaw stops. she awkwardly glances to the small patrol she gathered, three warriors with apprentices toddling at their heels. she doesn't expect things to get ugly, but just in case, she has some cats to hide behind.

"uh– uhm, hello– excuse me? would you mind getting jinglemoon, please? the skyclan medicine apprentice needs to uhm... talk to him. ...thank you." she calls out to the first patrol she sees, her voice stuttering, but the point comes across easily.

//any riverclanner can be the cat she's talking too

ʚɞ

 

[Frostmoth]

In his own way, the deputy too had had to accept his own defeat. Frostmoth still feels the fraught soreness of both his ego and his body from the heist on RiverClan territory. He pushes it away. Walks it off. Frostmoth doesn't need the help. He forfeited it when he went willingly away from his clanmates and lacked the ability to protect Jinglemoon when those monsters had broken into their medicine den and ravaged their stocks. He had been overwhelmed. Not just in numbers, but in experience. It was glaringly obvious. He was a far cry in age and knowledge from many of the ranks that had infiltrated their home, and they had paid a dire cost.

Frostmoth, in following hours and sunrises, has thrown himself completely into his duties. Never taking time for leisure or excitement. He tries not to ruminate on it, but every silent pawstep on a patrol or while doing a task thrums into the same morbid beat. It's one such routine patrol when the heavy scent of SkyClan hits his senses. They are close to the border, but it seems fresher than usual. And just as he suspects, there is a SkyClan patrol appearing to be waiting for them on the other side.

Here presents an opportunity for Frostmoth to temper his expectations of outsiders. SkyClan had been unkind, but not violent. Though Hawkstar had ensured that RiverClan was aware that she was not above drawing solid boundaries. This young cat- medicine cat apprentice, though he can neither confirm nor deny this as fact- is here with a small patrol. What once might have been an exciting chance to meet some of their neighbors is now met with leveled suspicion. He steps forward as the medicine cat apprentice has.

"One of the apprentices, go fetch Jinglemoon," he commands without looking at the patrol that trails behind him "The rest of us will remain here until he arrives." Frostmoth feels a touch of guilt wash over him for presuming that this clearly nervous molly would be capable of such deception, but he remembers too what that nervous ShadowClan apprentice had done to him before as well. And all they can do now is wait.

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE

• "SPEECH"
• ★ FROST — he/him, riverclan deputy, 20 moons
  — penned by carat, feel free to ping or dm for plots!
  — longhair black and white bicolor with blue eyes
  — peaceful powerplay ok! all interactions ok!
  
• penned by carat!

 

[cygnetscratch]

Cygnetscratch does not have an apprentice to command - she's hardly shed her own juvenile name herself. And yet, the recency of her ceremony still unfurls new feathers as she trots alongside the medicine apprentice and the other SkyClanners. Her gaze flutters at times, seeking out her former mentor on instinct alone. It is her lack of apprentice that keeps her chained to Swallowpaw, specifically; the other two warriors have apprentices to train, but the white furred molly has one to protect.

The stranger upon the other side of the border is met with a narrowed, disinterested stare. He sends an apprentice away with a cutting tongue and declares that the rest of the RiverClanners will remain here. They're worried we're lying. As if Fujimoto's pain and awkward angle of his leg is a farse. Cygnetscratch holds her tongue and remains ever still, tail twitching behind her. There's no use in spurring an argument, not when Swallowpaw needs help.

 

[stormcrow]

♱ Stormcrow walks a few paces behind Swallowpaw, letting her lead the patrol as it is her errand they're running. Her apprentice, Stonepaw, is with them– a good chance for her to watch diplomacy at work. As soon as she sees the Riverclan cats on the other side of the river, she feels something is off. They've changed. The way the black and white cat looks at them, you'd think they'd crossed into their territory to steal the herbs rather than just asking. Still, she doesn't pry, nor even suggest that they've changed. Better not to. She sits down next to Swallowpaw, tail wrapping around her paws, and looks at the bicolor who'd spoken.

"Our medicine cat apprentice does not come alone," Stormcrow says, soft, but with a new-found sense of authority. "but we come in peace. You've been kind to us, and we will return this kindness, should the opportunity arise. My name is Stormcrow, Sun Guard of Skyclan. What is your name, Riverclanner?"

♡ STORMCROW. 44 moons
temporary mentor of teaselpaw,
daughter of snowveil
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc - adressing @Frostmoth

 

[Frostmoth]

Frostmoth wavers slightly. There's a thick awkwardness that comes heavy in the air. It isn't necessarily tension, though its terseness is to be expected given what ShadowClan has done to them. Silent looks are exchanged until one of them steps forward beside the medicine cat apprentice. She's a black and white molly who breaks the ice by introducing herself as Stormcrow, one of SkyClan's 'sun guards'. A role he can assume is similar to their own life guards. He dips his head cordially.

There is another pregnant pause between them before the bicolor finally moves to break his own silence. "My name is Frostmoth," he replies finally "I am RiverClan's deputy." He decides, against his own bias, to trust that Hawkstar would not allow her warriors to partake in some lawless siege against RiverClan as ShadowClan has.

"You'll have to forgive me and my clan's lack of warmth... A few nights ago we were attacked by ShadowClan. They stole herbs from us and injured many of our clanmates," he wavers, deciding not to divulge any further. If Jinglemoon wanted to disclose that he had been among the casualties that would be his own information to divulge. Surely this is enough to provide context for their lack of bubbliness, per se.

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE

• "SPEECH"
• ★ FROST — he/him, riverclan deputy, 20 moons
  — penned by carat, feel free to ping or dm for plots!
  — longhair black and white bicolor with blue eyes
  — peaceful powerplay ok! all interactions ok!
  
• penned by carat!

 

[Wavesong]

And that's why we share all we have with you
Though there's little to be found
When all you've got is nothing
There's a lot to go around

.

Sharp eyes observed the young child as she blinked slowly, requesting the presence of their medicine cat. Wavesong remained silent at first, she knew when to hold her tongue and when to speak. They couldn't, in good conscience, ignore the child's plea. When a medicine cat was asked for, there was always a reason. Her gaze met Frostmoth's briefly, a quiet understanding passing between them before she finally gave a nod and turned back to the medicine… apprentice? A soft smile curved her mottled maw as she stretched her neck slightly to peer at the younger cat.

" Fret not. " she meowed gently. " Sweet Bells is a kind soul… He'll come. " Her head dipped in quiet reassurance. Whether that kindness could still be as bright as before, Wavesong wasn't certain. ShadowClan's foxhearted ways had unsettled them all, had shattered the sense of safety they once took for granted. That other cats could be enemies… that they could hurt them without remorse… She had seen it firsthand when Adderfang returned, battered and weary. When she screamed in worry, checking him over, helping Jinglemoon wherever she could. When she scolded and whispered promises of healing, telling her mate he would be alright, that they would be alright.

Since then, ShadowClan left a bitter taste in her mouth. She would've welcomed the chance to face those foxhearts, pregnant or not. Her eyes then flicked to the cat who had spoken their name, commenting on her rank. She nodded in approval. " Aye, ye've got yerself a strong name there. " she said with a toothy grin. " Call me Wavesong, no need for fancy titles, save for storyteller. " She laughed softly, the sound tinkling like wind over water.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

37 MOONS

𖧧

RIVERCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[stormcrow]

♱ The tom's reply is hesitant, blood from a stone. But it explains the change in them; the anxiety, the unfriendliness. Stormcrow doesn't blame them. If someone had dared to attack Skyclan land, to steal their herbs… if Hawkstar asked it of her, she would kill them all. This isn't a new revelation, but it sits behind her ribs rather uncomfortably now, jutting into her lungs painfully. She flicks her ear.

He seems awfully young for a deputy, but then, their leader seemed young too. There's a certain level of childishness in the way he divulges so freely that their clan has suffered such a blow to their strength; a belief in the inherent goodness of others that you tend to lose with the years. Stormcrow certainly lost it long ago.

"It is nice to meet you, Frostmoth, deputy of Riverclan," Stormcrow replies, dipping her head in return. "That is a grave situation indeed… Thank you for telling us. I will tell our patrols to keep an eye out for any stray shadows in need of chasing. Prey is one thing, but stealing herbs is low indeed… it is beneath Skyclan, I can promise you that. If it weren't, we'd hardly be here asking for your help. Still, it seems we might be able to repay your kindness, then. Your medicine cat– Jinglemoon, was it? If there's something we can offer as repayment for his help, and we are able to give it, we will."

♡ STORMCROW. 54 moons
mentor of stonepaw,
daughter of snowveil
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc -

 

[Sagesong's icon Sagesong Sagesong]

⋆˚✿˖° "I'll Be Fine On My Own" She Said

⋆˚✿˖°

The mottled warrior gives a reassuring glance towards Swallowpaw, blinking warmly before curiously turning their mismatched eyes to the Riverclan patrol before them. An ear flicks as Stormcrow speaks, introduces herself and the warrior nods once as if in agreement.

"My name is Sagesong," Her eyes light up slightly as Wavesong introduces herself and an amused chuckle escapes her despite the tension in the air. What were the chances of meeting another clan cat with -song at the end like this? "Perhaps if we cross paths again in better circumstances we can trade stories, hmm?"

They can't help but frown at the deputy's explanation, given freely, and she dares a glance towards Stormcrow with a raised eyebrow. "Didn't that apprentice that got lost in our territory a bit ago say she was Shadowclan..? Chased right over our scent line by a coyote, you said, right Swallowpaw?"

From the sounds of that encounter they hadn't seemed like a clan so desperate for herbs that they'd resort to stealing... Then again Sagesong had never considered themselves one to stick around one place for very long and now here she was on a patrol at her clan's very own scent markers talking to strangers.

✿──

───I Don't Need You Inside My Head─✿

• 
  Sagesong
  ✿— Skyclan Warrior
  ✿— They/She
  ✿—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✿— Small, Curly-furred, Mottled Black And Brown She Cat With Heterochromia.
  #5fb49c

 

[Stonepaw]

Stonepaw trotted beside her mentor, small paws moving in quick tandem to keep up. She recognized the border almost immediately—it wasn't far from where Stormcrow had given her first lesson. As they walked, she didn't speak, but her eyes were wide and sharp, soaking in every detail of the land. Clattering branches gave way to open fields, where tall grass swayed and reedbeds poked out from the river. The scent of the other clan drifted beneath her nose, mingling with the familiar traces of SkyClan, both clinging low to the damp ground.

She hadn't questioned when Swallowpaw requested an escort. If anything, Stonepaw was glad to accompany her mentor and repay Swallowpaw again for all she'd done.

The river came into view, its low babbling threading through the air like background breath. They hadn't been waiting long before the RiverClan patrol arrived. Stonepaw stared, unblinking, as the new cats approached. These were the faces she'd only heard of in passing, now painted in flesh and fur. RiverClan. Finally, they had shape.

She followed Stormcrow's lead, stepping forward a few paces before sitting neatly within the Sun Guard's shadow. She said nothing—only watched and listened, absorbing every word, every glance, every flick of a tail with an impressionable mind.

Then a new word drifted into the conversation—ShadowClan. Her ears twitched. SkyClan lived high in the trees. RiverClan by the river. WindClan ran through the moors. But where did a clan of shadow live?

Her head turned slightly, eyes flicking toward Sagesong. Rather than introduce herself as others did, she sought an answer for the question that simmered in her chest. Stonepaw leaned forward, eyes on Stormcrow. "Why would they steal herbs from RiverClan?" She asked flatly. "There are herbs everywhere, are there not?" It did not seem wise to steal something which they could find elsewhere, especially at the risk of getting attacked. All that effort seemed wasteful only to take herbs...

____You are a stranger here, why have you come? ᨒ↟↟ᨒ↟ Lift me higher, let me look at the sun____

• "speech" - thoughts / emphasis
  

• 

• Stonepaw she/her & skyclan
  ☁︎ LH lilac point with a thick mane, blue eyes, and a half-tail.
  ☁︎ A hollow, vacant voice, stripped of emotion.
  ☁︎ Mentored by Stormcrow.
  ☁︎ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted For other, DM.
  ☁︎ Smells of pine needles and petrichor.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[Jinglemoon]

JINGLEMOON, 25 Moons, RiverClan Medicine Cat // He/They // #3b90ff
A long furred blue tabby tom with low white, long pointed ears with curved tips and dazzling blue eyes.
Sibling to ASTRO, Uncle to TWINKLEPAW, ECLIPSEPAW and COMETPAW
Usually walks with a jingle in his step. Good listener and always thoughtful.
Played by DINGO

---

Jinglemoon padded through the damp grass of RiverClan territory without the usual spring in his step, his tail seemed to almost drag along behind him, but with Russetfall as his escort they'd catch up to the patrol that had fetched for him in no time. His injured ear would flick at the sound of chatter being exchanged between the two groups, he was surprised to hear it given that the other clan was SkyClan but was glad regardless. The last thing RiverClan needed right now was even more hostility from yet another Clan especially one they had neighbouring borders with.

Hopefully what was exchanged in words wouldn't be used against them later, it was the kind thing to do to warn their neighbours of ShadowClan's heist but the medicine cat found himself feeling uneasy in the belly at the thought that SkyClan might use the information of knowing RiverClan was already weakened to attack them as well. The blue tabby tried to push the thoughts away, SkyClan had requested his presence for Swallowpaw's sake, he had met the young medicine cat apprentice once before and knew whatever it must be for was important-- That was what he needed to focus on right now!

Dipping his head to his clanmates as he joined them on the border Jinglemoon would twitch his whiskers as he looked somewhat wearily over to the SkyClanners from across the river, the scars on his face and ear still fresh. "They were also not above trying to attack myself and my apprentice in our own den too, please do what you can to keep Swallowpaw safe" He mewed to the SkyClan cats that had gathered, adding onto the conversation he had just caught up to. His shoulders seemed to relax a little hearing one of the SkyClan cats being friendly enough to even offer some form of repayment in return for the medicine cats' help, some help from another clan would be nice but he tried not to get his hopes up too much too-- He still had to help them first as well!

"Unfortunately only ShadowClan really knows the answer to that one young warrior" The blue tabby would call back in answer to the pointed apprentice, the bluntness of her questions amusing him somewhat at least enough to smile slightly. "Though, certain herbs only grow in certain areas too. Maybe there was one here that they really needed? Though, they could've just asked for some" He sighed gently before giving a flick of his tail as if to refocus himself and shoo the thoughts of ShadowClan away, at least SkyClan knew how to ask.

Speaking of, Jinglemoon would straighten his posture as he took a single pawstep forwards, his deep blue eyes scanning the other cats across the river from them before finally landing on the familiar pelt of their medicine cat apprentice. "What did you want to talk to me about? Is SkyClan alright?" It felt foolish in a way to be worrying about another Clan right now but Jinglemoon found that he couldn't help it.

 

[Wavesong]

And that's why we share all we have with you
Though there's little to be found
When all you've got is nothing
There's a lot to go around

.

Wavesong listened with the quiet patience of one who'd weathered many tides, her gaze resting on Stormcrow with a flicker of consideration beneath her soft eyes. There was always a cost to kindness, these days. Yet when it came genuine and without demand, she could not help but honor it. She dipped her head with gratitude. " That is kind. " she said gently, voice quieter than usual, like the hush before rain. " RiverClan won't forget it. "

But her solemnity didn't last. The moment her ears caught the new voice, brighter, more curious, the wind in her heart shifted. Her eyes turned to the mottled warrior, and that grin she wore bloomed back to life across her face. " Sagesong, is it? " she echoed, a touch of mirth in her tone, as if savoring the syllables. " Ye got yerself a fine name, aye. The sort that rolls off the tongue like spring water. " The fire in her chest sparked to life again, gentler this time, warmer. " An' I always got time fer a tale, lass. Ye just wait 'til the wind settles and the water stops churnin'. I'll tell ye stories that'll make yer whiskers twitch. "Her laugh followed, a light trickling sound, but even as it danced across her lips, the weight of memory coiled like riverweed at her paws. She shifted slightly, fur bristling faintly as the mention of a coyote twisted the mood. One ear flicked at the mention, and her eyes, still kind held a sharper edge now. Danger was always at the borders lately. Be it beast or cat.

It was the sound of Jinglemoon's voice however, that turned her head like a fish tugging the line. A small smile surfaced, brief and flickering like sunlight between reeds. That name always did that to her. But it didn't linger long. The smile faded, drawn under the current of everything that had happened. Everything that hadn't been said but still hung heavy in the air. " Some folk. " she murmured at last, voice low, threaded with quiet fire. " Would rather skulk in the dark with their claws bared than speak true. Shadow an' fear's easier, fer some. But that ain't RiverClan. An' it ain't me. "

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

37 MOONS

𖧧

RIVERCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[SWALLOWPAW]

they don't trust us. frostmoth says that he will wait for jinglemoon to arrive. she didn't expect a whole patrol to go and find one whole cat, but the realization still stings and causes her expression to noticeably fall. there's not many cats she can turn to glance pitifully at, so cygnetscratch will have to do.

the girl stands quietly while stormcrow takes over the finesse portion of their urgent visit. her attention peeks when frostmoth admits that shadowclan raided their camp just the other night. are they giving us a warning, or was hawkstar's fool-hardy judgement correct? swallowpaw has finally realized one crucial detail in her mission— all of the medicine cats have to get along. interpersonal issues can't be brought to their moonstone. she hopes that jinglemoon is able to look past the issues within shadowclan to participate.

her eyes meet the monochrome warrior named wavesong, forcing a small smile to show her gratitude. the way she speaks is almost comforting, like a quiet stream on a warm day. "um, r-right. they left quickly, though." if they knew of her rank, would they have attacked her? the anxiety grows in her stomach, and doesn't leave until jinglemoon finally approaches.

"jinglemoon! stars... i'm sorry about your herbs. i had no idea shadowclan would be such foxhearts." she frowns at the wounds decorating his face, "skyclan is well, expect one of our warriors is suffering an injury that i... i can't heal. his-his leg is broken, and i can't figure out what to do. i wasn't prepared for this. please, tell me what to do, i'll even—" her impulsive suggestion catches in her throat. it takes her a second to muster the courage to finish. swallowpaw sees riverclan as reckless for discussing a raid that happened to their camp, and here she is, admitting that their medicine cat is still an apprentice who can't do her job. "—give you herbs. whatever you need! to heal your clanmates." she meets jinglemoon's battered, injured face.

ʚɞ

 

[stormcrow]

♱ Stormcrow glances at Stonepaw, her steel blue eyes flashing for a moment at her apprentice's brazen question. It wasn't wrong, it was a very good question indeed– but hardly the time. Before she can tell her off in full, the Riverclan medicine cat appears and replies to the question with far more patience than Stormcrow would've expected. She decides to save the lecture for later.

Something else catches her attention too, makes her anger throw sparks that may very well catch– the implication that they are not already looking out for Swallowpaw. It… it irks her.

"I assure you Swallowpaw is in safe paws, Jinglemoon," Stormcrow says steadily, though her eyes now have a certain glint in them. Not anger. Pride, maybe.

She's getting impatient now, with the storytelling and the tangents– they are wasting time. Her tail lashes once, then Swallowpaw finally gets to the heart of the matter; Fujimoto. His injury. How she is incapable of curing it. There's no way to put it without revealing that she does not have a mentor to teach her… still. Swallowpaw was capable in other fields. Broken bones were rare enough that it hadn't come up before now. Swallowpaw echoes Stormcrow's sentiments of repayment, and though it feels somewhat sour now, Stormcrow nods in agreement.

"Yes," she says. "Your help will not go unrewarded."

♡ STORMCROW. 44 moons
temporary mentor of teaselpaw,
daughter of snowveil
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc -

 

[Russetfall]

FALLING FOR THE PROMISE OF THE

EMPTINESS MACHINE

The Life Guard follows Jinglemoon hardly a pawstep behind him, head held high and eyes narrowed as chatter reaches her eyes when they drew closer. A sidelong glance is given every once in a while to check on the medicine cat before she turns forward as they join the group at the river. There's a glimmer of curiosity behind her eyes as she sizes up the opposing patrol. Did Skyclan expect them to attack just for daring to ask or were they hoping to intimidate them into helping?

Shadowclan's raid is mentioned and the tabby scoffs. "I doubt they'll do anything of the sort anytime soon," It comes out as a growl, glancing in the direction Pineheart had told her they fled. "Adderfang nearly drowned one of them, its a lesson I doubt they'll forget."

She gives a flick of an ear when Swallowpaw speaks, nodding once in acknowledgement of her request before glancing at Jinglemoon beside her. What would he say? ...Yes, of course. She hadn't spent a moon under his care to not know the tom would all but drop everything to help. He'd probably offer to help even without Swallowpaw's promise of herbs.

"Jinglemoon is a fine medicine cat," She does not give any sort of praise often, or at all, really, and the words come out somewhat stilted, foreign on her tongue despite being very much genuine. "He healed my shoulder when I was hurt, without him I might have died from the infection. He'll know what to do to help your friend."

And teach her how to fix it on her own in case of a next time, but that seemed obvious and so the words died in her chest.

ITS BEEN DECIDED HOW WE LOSE

RUSSETFALL

— Life Guard of Riverclan
— She/Her
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
— A Green-eyed Chocolate Mackerel Tabby With Low White
#8a2c55

 

[Frostmoth]

SkyClan seems far more amicable than previously thought. Frostmoth finds himself further relaxing as the conversation continues. It's a bit stilted- there is warmth here, but it's perhaps more out of politeness than genuineness- but continues in a formally transactional manner. One of the younger cats speaks up, asking why ShadowClan would have done such a thing. He nearly snorts. That is certainly the question, isn't it? Why, if they had known RiverClan had treated them with respect at the river-border, would they have stolen under the cloak of night? Jinglemoon replies, and the deputy finds he can no longer hold his tongue. "There is nothing they could have needed that would have warranted what they did to us. To you, Jinglemoon," Frostmoth frowns "There is something more sinister." He does not add that he had hoped they might have killed some of the ShadowClan cats.

He drops the topic.

Frostmoth listens quietly as Swallowpaw and Jinglemoon speak. The medicine cat apprentice speaks of a cat among their ranks with a broken leg, and the mere thought makes Frostmoth wince as if his own bones sing with the pain of disunion. He finds himself lost in his thoughts about it until the SkyClanner offers them herbs in return for the medicine cat's expertise. His eats perk up. He glances at Jinglemoon- this does not seem like a bad idea. "It's a generous offer," Frostmoth comments politely, finding that he is looking at Stormcrow again. "Like Russetfall says, Jinglemoon is an excellent medicine cat. He's attentive and skilled. StarClan chose the right cat for the job... I imagine Rainpaw finds him to be a fine teacher as well." Perhaps Jinglemoon might want to bring along the apprentice as well. There's something to be said for the chance to learn both diplomacy and less common injuries.

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE

• "SPEECH"
• ★ FROST — he/him, riverclan deputy, 20 moons
  — penned by carat, feel free to ping or dm for plots!
  — longhair black and white bicolor with blue eyes
  — peaceful powerplay ok! all interactions ok!
  
• penned by carat!