Backwritten Camp RiverClan UNDERTOW — MEETING 5.22

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

Admittedly he sat alone in the medicine cat den for far longer than he intended. Granted, what transpired by no means was pretty. It didn't even occur to him that some clanmates outside of the council may have seen the other storm off one by one. He didn't even stop to think about whether or not others had caught wind of their... Discussion. The only reason why he left the den now instead of mulling over what happened was Peachtrot. She had arrived far too late, and instead of being met with a den full of the council... Her eyes landed on his lone figure hunched in the medicine cat den. He was not furious at her late arrival, so much worse had happened moments before. Her presence lifted his spirits only a little. It was not her fault. It was simply difficult to erase the wounds of five other cats so easily.

Unfortunately, he must do something and leaves her to scrape together what could have happened. With limbs feeling like lead, he scrambles to his perch.

"Riverclan please gather."

It wouldn't surprise him if those on his council wouldn't do as they were told. After all, they made their own choice. He was not going to yowl at them for not even bothering to show up. They already know what we're doing anyway. It won't really be big news to them. Although, what would catch them off guard was the fact that he would hold a meeting not too long after what transpired in the medicine cat den.

"Shadowclan has taken almost all of our herbs. Many of us have gotten injured as well. We will be getting justice as soon as we can. Unfortunately, we don't have the strength to fight Shadowclan and even if we did... We don't have any herbs to tend to our wounds. For now we'll focus on recovering what was lost and rebuilding our strength."

Hopefully, the news would be better received by the rest of the clan than his own council. It wasn't as if he was telling them they'd given up. They just had to deal with Shadowclan later.

Now, to the heart of the matter.

"The council and I have discussed Riverclan's future. While it may come as no surprise, herb patrols will be made. However, we will be arranging patrols to the other clans as well. We will seek allyship with the other clans. Frostmoth will arrange the patrol groups soon."

Discussion if it can even be called that did have some idea of a plan before things went down the drain. He doubted anyone in the council would retort now about the plans he announced, unless they wanted to make themselves even bigger fools than him. Frostmoth changing his mind about arranging the patrols could be worked around. He could do it himself and allow the young tom to remain the lead for Skyclan. Not out of fear or to please the other, no, it was for petty reasons alone.

"I'll go, but you owe more than just an apology, now. To us. To Adderfang. To Frostmoth. To everybody."

If those of his council wanted an apology, then they would receive none. One by one they turned their backs on him and battered him with words. The only one who stood by him was Russetfall. Even if she thought his judgment wrong and kindly (as kind as she could be) told him it would've been wise to be a bit more tactful... She still chose to side with him. That would be enough. For now anyway.

However, he couldn't rest. Russetfall wanted to speak with him. He had the nagging suspicion she would seek him out after this. He would be lying to say he wasn't curious about what she even wanted to talk about. It doesn't seem like she'll suddenly change her mind and start cursing me in private. She's not the type of cat who does that. She'll make it known from the start. Guess I'll have my answer soon.

"This meeting is finished."

Abrupt and awkward comes the dismissal. Pigeonpearl would not get her wish, for he already descended from the branch. Eventually, they'd have to face each other again when they meet with Windclan. He will deal with it when the time came. She still won't be getting any sort of apology from him. Even if she dared to seek him privately and asked, none will be coming from his lips. She made her choice and he is making his. He has bigger fish to fry such as the recovery of Riverclan than the feelings of those who turned their backs on him.


// This meeting will be taking place directly after this thread! Canonically takes place the 22nd of May! A patrol thread will be made soon so be on the look out! An announcement will also be made when the patrol thread has been posted!

 

[pineheart]

✦ When the meeting is called, Pineheart is one of the first to settle down in front of Pikestar, looking up at the leader, half hoping half dreading the words that would be spoken. He hoped Pikestar would take responsibility, for him to be honest, and for him to apologize.

What Pineheart said to Adderfang had been true only in part; in his heart there was hope that Pikestar would rise to the occasion, that he'd realise his mistake in speaking like he did to the council members. Cats who'd put their faith in him, who'd supported him all throughout his leadership, only to be spoken to so cruelly. His words still ring in Pineheart's ears– herbs don't work on dead cats. How could he say that to them? To Adder and himself, the two who had fought, who had put their lives on the line for their clan? In front of Jinglemoon, who had fought so bravely to protect what little he could? All that they had done was dismissed as folly because his ego couldn't handle disagreement.

Pikestar had said when he chose the council members that it was because they'd disagree with him and challenge him that they'd been picked, and yet, when they disagreed with his actions, what he did was lash out. He even lashed out at Adderfang, whose every word was laced with fear and shock, still obviously shaken by his near death experience and the near-loss of his family. Couldn't Pikestar see that arguing with him while he was in that state was futile? That talking down to him would not help, would only make it worse?

Perhaps Pineheart had put too much faith in him. Perhaps he'd put too much pressure on his young shoulders. But he believed Pikestar capable of being a leader. If he handled the aftermath well, this would only be a small bump in the road.

All this he keeps in his chest, looking up at Pikestar. There's even a hint of a smile on his face, thinking that calling a meeting was a good sign– surely Pikestar would take this opportunity to apologize? To rise above the petty infighting and step up as leader?

We don't have any herbs to tend to our wounds. For now we'll focus on recovering what was lost and rebuilding our strength.

"I have been ordered by Jinglemoon to rest within the camp," Pineheart says, giving a look around at his clan mates. "So I'll be happy to oversee and assist with the repair of dens and strengthening of our walls in any way I can without risking opening my wounds."

Pikestar announces vaguely that they will seek allies and search for herbs, and that Frostmoth will be responsible for making the patrols. Maybe they'd talked it out? Surely he wouldn't just spring that on him? Though his implication that Frostmoth was less than his equal was hurtful, Pineheart hardly believes it held any truth. It was the sort of thing you said in the heat of the moment, and in a misplaced attempt to make Adderfang listen to reason.

And then, where he had expected Pikestar to begin his apology, comes… nothing. Meeting dismissed. He can't hide the shock on his face as stares up at Pikestar, bewildered, disappointed. But before he can say anything, Pike has jumped down from the branch and turned his back on them. Turned his back on his clan, on his council, and on everyone who believed in him.

haven't had a dream in a long time

see, the life i've had could make a good man go bad

• ooc: -
• 

  
  

  PINE, - 49 moons / riverclan + warrior
  large brown tabby town
  adopted guardian of Torrentpaw and Squidpaw / future mentor to Torrentpaw
  healing and peaceful powerplay allowed

  
  

 

[Frostmoth]

Well, there is something to be said for Pikestar that they are even having a broad clan meeting after the disaster that came at the scene of the council meeting. Partially trying to save face and partially morbidly curious about what might be said, Frostmoth moves quickly to the front of the meeting. He sits near Pineheart but says nothing to the life guard. Still, the presence of the older tomcat is a comfort to the deputy. He keeps his expression flat and unreadable, returning to the social tendencies of the cat he had been a few moons ago in the shipyard.

There is still a certain anger burning in his chest. Being treated like a kit amongst his peers, hearing the others say that Pikestar had barely chipped into the fight against ShadowClan, and being told that Jinglemoon was the only equal to Pikestar- an insult to his rank at best and a personal devaluation at worst. But Frostmoth quashes his rage for now. His eyes are trained on Pikestar, and he knows that he is wondering the same things as anyone else: will Pikestar make an apology?

Frostmoth supposes at some point he might stop getting his hopes up.

His nose crinkles slightly at the impersonal sentiment behind Pikestar's words, but he quickly irons out his expression again. Frostmoth has always been a critical cat, but he reminds himself that there is a time and place for these feelings. Still, he cannot help but feel like the picture that Pikestar paints for them makes RiverClan look... Weak. As if they are one strong gust from crumbling and being forced to split and take refuge on their own paths. The leader continues, mentioning the council meeting with little regard for what transpired there. Frostmoth is slightly surprised that he even mentions him by name.

Saddled with more responsibilities with little recognition. Frostmoth tears his gaze away to look at his paws. Pikestar has turned his back on them all, has placed the weight of RiverClan squarely on Frostmoth once again, and has refused to take accountability- before his council and before RiverClan- for his failings. Frostmoth had never had a strong belief in StarClan to beginwith, but he wonders what divine presence could have chosen such a cat to lead them.

Frostmoth glances at Pineheart, but he says nothing. He does not even spare a look in Pikestar's direction. He turns and walks away just as the leader had, but he moves into the crowd in search of familiarity- of Stormswirl, Willowburn, and Smokewreath- as opposed to the leader who has just unceremoniously dismissed himself. There is a lot to think about.

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!

 

[Thunderpaw Thunderpaw]

——————————————————— You who bares all your teeth in every smile. ✦

Thunderpaw listened, paws shaking, having heard of the heist, she sat at Rainpaw's side, protectively, defensively. She was okay, thankfully, she had to be grateful to Jinglemoon for protecting her but the upset in the eyes of such a young cat was unavoidable.

Intently did she stare up at Pikestar, usually, his meetings were winding, a little disorganised, but that was just what he was like. But even now, it seemed something had changed. Rain had whispered about a meeting by the council, bickering and arguing between the higher-ups. It unsettled Thunderpaw, though she had faith in her mentor at least to have kept her cool. Though her ear flickered, looking around as Pikestar ended the meeting just as quickly as it had begun. She went to speak to Rainpaw, quieter than usual after everything, though she noticed Frostmoth join the crowd.

He looked... Concerned. She had only briefly interacted with the deputy, but there was something written across his face as he seemed to peer about. She looked to Rain for a moment, headbutting her sister gingerly before standing up and trotting over to the black and white tom. "Frostmoth?" Her voice was as calm as it could be, though there was still a shake to it as she grappled with the deep-seated fear of what could have happened to her sister. "I wanna help, I know I can't do much yet but..." Her face scrunched up for a moment, her disdain for the medicine cat wasn't something she hid, but she had bigger concerns now. "Jinglemoon kept my sister safe, so I wanna help."

There was a glittering to her eyes, she found Pikestar strange, especially after her talk with Pineheart, but Frostmoth felt like a solid presence in the clan. She had heard the leader's outburst at Scalepaw, how he acted kinda strange some of the time. She would of course, respect him as the clan's leader, but she would rather come to the deputy to seek guidance. Or her mentor, but Russetfall was hard to find a lot of the time, but Frostmoth was always there, even if a little distant-seeming sometimes. She took a moment, shifting on her paws a little before remembering- "Please?.. It's okay if you gotta prioritise boarders and.. uhm stuff? But I wanna help too."

She was a little nervous, though she wouldn't admit it. Things were going wrong all over again. Cats she looked to as strong figures were injured in the fight, the herbs were completely gone, Pikestar seemed... Weird. She wanted to find some semblance of normalcy again, she didn't really know how to achieve it, but the best she could do was seek one of the only cats who didn't seem completely out the count or acting weirdly. Even if it meant acting bigger than her own boots and requesting to be put on a patrol - one that was meant to help Jinglemoon at that. Her grievances with him were on pause for the time being at least.

——— Take a swim in the water

Dear Arkansas daughter. ————

• ooc - addressing @Frostmoth directly !!
• 
  Thunderpaw
  ✦—Riverclan apprentice | 7 moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A stocky, fluffy cinnamon sealpoint kitten with long curled ears and soft blue eyes.
  #DE966C

 

[Adderfang]

Adderfang sat outside the warrior's den, one paw curled tight against the dirt, his tail writhing in the grass.

When it's over—when Pikestar gave that limp dismissal and turned his back—Adderfang set his jaw, slitted eyes trailing after him.

He rises with a growl. "That's it? What a waste of a meeting." Adderfang hissed, not yelling but none too quiet either. Each word spat through his teeth like venom. "Stubborn... ass... cant even..." He delves into unintelligible muttering.

That was all he had to say? Their camp was invaded. Strangers slipped under the moon while they slept, ransacked their herbs, injured their medicine cat—and that was it? At the very least, he expected a half-hearted apology, if not to his council, then to the folks who were scared! Who still struggled to sleep at night, fearful that something like that might happen again.

If Pikestar couldn't pull the stick out of his ass and lead with conviction then he had no business being up there at all. Pineheart asked him to have patience—Wavesong asked understanding—but that was getting harder and harder to do.

The only bright side was that there was something resembling a plan in place. They were gonna go out there and seek out some 'allies'. It's something.

Still, Adderfang didn't trust for a second that their neighbors ouldn't turn against them, just like he doesn't trust that Pikestar won't find a way to screw that up too. Well, whatever hole he plans to dig himself next, he'd have better hoped those stars that put him in charge were there were willing to help him crawl out of it because Adderfang sure as shit wasn't going to… not this time.

There is idle chatter throughout camp. He could stay, but he doesn't feel like joining in. The tom immediately turns back inside, tail winding behind him.

___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  

• 

• Adderfang he/him & riverclan
  𓆟 Chocolate ticked tabby w/ amber eyes. Peppered with scars. Deep gash across the right side of his face exposing one canine slightly. Missing left ear.
  𓆟 Deep gravelly voice that might unsettle others.
  𓆟 Would and will kill a man.
  𓆟 Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. For other powerplays, DM.
  𓆟 Fur smells faintly of river reeds and damp earth.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[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 to Pikestar in silence, her expression thoughtful, ears twitching faintly as she absorbed his words. Her eyes flicked to Adderfang for the briefest of moments, searching, perhaps, or simply weary. Talk of den repairs... herbs needing to be restocked... Stars above, the last thing they needed now was a battle they couldn't recover from. A soft breath left her nose as she dipped her head ever so slightly. She'd see to it, then. That the herbs would be replenished. With a little nudging and kindness, she was sure Littlebrook would help too. But that would come later. First, her friend needed rest, the wound on her shoulder was enough proof of that.

When the meeting ended, abrupt and sour as it was, Wavesong didn't move. Not right away. She simply sat there, still as stone, save for a slow flick of her ear. Her gaze drifted across the crowd. She wanted to speak, wanted to say something, but the words curled like mist on her tongue. Her gaze met a few others, and what she saw in their eyes made her ache. Disappointment. Frustration. Anger. It settled like a stone in her chest. She looked down at her paws, the fur along her spine bristling just slightly before she smoothed it down with a breath. That ache wouldn't wash away easy.

Before she could even stir, Adderfang was gone. Her eyes followed where he'd been, then she sighed and rose to her paws, belly heavy beneath her. She wouldn't chase him. Not now. Not like this. Let the storm pass. Let them both breathe. Instead, she slipped into the movement of camp, into the tasks that still remained. Dens to repair. Herbs to find. Work to keep her paws busy while her mind tried to quiet. Later, she promised herself. She'd find him. They'd talk.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

37 MOONS

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[Littlebrook Littlebrook]

There's so much more
You can reclaim your crown
You're in control
Rid of the monsters inside your head

.

Littlebrook had said nothing as the meeting began, her form tucked low in the crowd, half-shaded by a tall tuft of grass. Her eyes, pale and still, had tracked every movement, every flick of Pikestar's tail, every shift in his voice. She had watched him the way one watched the sky before a storm, trying to read what might come next. Maybe she had hoped for something softer than this. When the words died on the wind and Pikestar leapt down, silent, distant, gone, Littlebrook still hadn't moved. Only when she heard Pineheart's voice, steady but weighted with a quiet ache she knew too well, had she finally stirred.

Her paws were careful as she crossed the space between them, threading past murmuring clanmates with the ease of someone who didn't want to be seen. She said nothing as she settled beside him, her flank brushing his in a slow, deliberate press of shared silence. Not everything needed to be said aloud. He didn't need her voice to know she shared his disappointment. That she too had watched their leader and waited for something more. Her tail had flicked once, the tip curling loosely over her own paws as she exhaled slowly through her nose.


Speech, thoughts/emphasis

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