Open Camp what you'll find ──✩°。⋆⸜ meeting

This thread takes place inside the clan's camp.

juniperstar juniperstar

mother remembers what her sons forgot
ThunderClan
Leader
129
40
Freshkill
660
Pronouns
they/she
Played by
tieirlys
juniper

there is more to address than celebration, she understands that as she untangles herself from her nest, as she grooms down the cowlicks from a night of rolling sleep. there is more to acknowledge than the growth of the clan, she understands that as she pads out of the shadows that hide her den from the sun's piercing gaze.

her gaze sweeps the camp, notices what eyes linger at the roseate necklace at her throat, and stiffly turns away from them, carrying herself atop the perch that forms the doorway to her den-- their den. "ThunderClan.... good morning," she calls, hoping to soften their worries with the well-wishing greeting. the spotted tabby curls her tail around her paws, seated contentedly and lacking the rigid stance of a commander.

"I know you've all been wanting to talk about what happened at the Gathering and I promise you, today we will discuss it... but first, let's give our attention to our apprentices-" she'd held her child back, for fear his constant sickliness would only find him in trouble that much more often but... in Serpentberry's company, maybe she felt more secure. Then there was the matter of the young loner they'd taken in. "Owlbark... I'll be asking you to tend to Rufouspaw's training; teach him what the life of the clans is like... and how to keep himself safe," she starts, finding the scowling face of her deputy and hoping he understands this a gift rather than a burden.

"Asterpaw... I'm going to be handing your training off to Graybird- I have no doubt you'll be in good company under your uncle's care, he will keep you safe... and teach you what matters most."

That was all she had left to organize on the more fortunate end of things, though her discomfort twists in her belly to now confront the memory of teeth tearing through flesh and the jagged memory of Thornstar's visage. "SkyClan spoke of some sort of 'code', trying to weaponize a moral high ground against us despite the blatant trespass of one of their warriors. I have no reason to believe Owlbark didn't make the right choice and I expect each of you to place your faith in him too. He is your deputy... and he'll take my place someday. Trust him."

"Cardinalpaw will be mentored by Gingerflame. Try not to give him a gray muzzle too quickly. Sandpiperpaw, Flickerpaw... you'll both find a good mentor in Magnoliapeak; I'm sure she's stubborn enough to handle the two of you. Dewshine... I'm asking you to take care of Webpaw; Brownfur, you'll be in charge of Coyotepaw's training if you don't mind. And lastly, Fogsight... Saltpaw's going to be your responsibility from here on out."

her brow furrows, feeling the knot in her chest becoming overwhelming as she dances around the subject of her most grisly death so far. "Hawkstar opted to... forego her own moral compass in the name of revenge and... I'm sorry that many of you were made to witness something so....."

terrifying. painful. torturous. dark.

"Violent."

her chin tucks in, unconsciously, as if trying to mask the mark of the onslaught. "But we will prove ThunderClan is not the battle mongering beasts she claimed us to be. We will be hypervigilant on our borders, we will choose peace to those that give us peace first. Do not scorn our allies for the bloodlust of SkyClan but be strong... be sturdy... be unwavering and confident."

let my blood be the ink that signs the contract to ThunderClan's greatest strength. unity.

"I know this may not satisfy your angers, your fears... so... speak them. Share them with me, we are stronger together and will address this with every voice in mind."

 
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Serpentberry leaves their nest first. At the first rays of dawn, she uncurls from her entanglement with Juniper and stretches out her limbs. The molly debates with herself whether or not she should stick around and wait for her leader to stir as well - however with how much she has to do that day, the medicine cat can't afford to burn daylight. And so, she leans forward, pressing her muzzle to the other's forehead briefly before leaving their den. It would not be the first time she descends from the leader's caverns in broad daylight, and it will be far from the last, too.

It is not long after that Juniperstar arrives atop her high rock, clean and proper. Serpentberry would even wager that she somehow spit-shined that new necklace of hers, given how on display it is always. Their leader asks for their attention and addresses, first, a few apprentices. Owlbark is nearly rewarded for his actions against SkyClan by being given one of the more unruly apprentices. Sharp tongue and even sharper claws, that one. Serpentberry nearly chitters something useless and harsh into Rowanpaw's ear, but holds herself back for once. The molly then hands Asterpaw off to his uncle, and recalling how the boy disappeared for the latter half of the moon while his mom recuperated... She has thoughts, and they display clearly on her countenance. She'd not blame the boy but most certainly his overbearing father.

And finally, the importance of the meeting shows itself. It's an open floor, more or less. Juniperstar insists that no ThunderClanner is in trouble for not following some so-called set of codes. They're not currently aware nor in agreement over these rules - so why bother at all? Perhaps there's merit in such rules, but to enforce them on cats one has never met is awfully audacious. Regardless, the spotted tabby requests that the Clan voices their concerns and issues immediately, so that they may join beneath one controlled thought. She clasps her teeth together, ever eager to start the conversation.

"Should I expect more cats in my den due to SkyClan's 'code'? They seem so willing to toss it aside when it benefits them," Serpentberry wrinkles her nose, her tail lashing against the ground, "What are our warriors and apprentices to do on that side of the woodlands? Just... be wary and kind? Surely more can be done than that." 'Choose peace to those that give us peace first.' SkyClan took that option away, had they not? So are they to act in violence instead? "We have daughters and sons in the forest now, Juni," she pleads to the mother in her partner, to the parents in the Clan, "More should be done to protect us all, but more importantly, them."
 
----
https://www․purrgatory.net/Plot_Twists/info?=Webpaw
Webpaw pricks her ears at the mention of her name. A mentor... well, it was about time! There was only so long a cat could be trained with the group before needing more direct instruction.
And then... well, Dewshine would be okay. She supposed. She didn't really know the warrior well, but at least this was one step closer to being out of apprenticehood.
Her eyes crossed the clearing and she looked to Dewshine before padding up to her new mentor, barely dipping her head.

"I look forward to training under you," she said evenly. Time to figure out if Dewshine is really capable of training me or not.


OOC: All opinions in character
Tagging: @Dewshine

ThunderClan Apprentice
9 moons || she/her
SPEECH || THOUGHTS
 

RUFOUSPAW
Welcome to the celebration, baby!
'Why are we here, again?'
Vulturepaw demanded. In their shared mind's eye, Rufouspaw saw the tip of his tail twitching irritably. She was not fond of these things either—"clan meetings", one of the elders called it—but Stars, it's not like she came up with the idea, you know?
'When she gets on top of the rock, you know she's about to say something important,'
she reminded him,
'we've gotta keep up. Know what they're gonna make us do.'

'But why so early? What is her problem?'
Owlpaw sighed, still weary.
'Just for... talking, and going on and on and on! Ugh!'

— Eaglepaw, meanwhile, watched the leader with keen eyes.
'Guys, shut up. It's starting.'


Indeed, without much further ado, she began to speak. Rufouspaw's rather bored expression turned into a light scowl at the thought of the Gathering (oh, don't get her started on the Gathering), but nothing could've prepared her for what came next:
"Owlbark... I'll be asking you to tend to Rufouspaw's training; teach him what the life of the clans is like... and how to keep himself safe."


She looked back and forth between Juniperstar and Owlbark incredulously. The apprentice was elated to begin training—with someone who wasn't afraid of using his claws, at that!—although... he was their "deputy", wasn't he? Something about the Clan's council seemed off. Wrong, even. Why was it that they were all expected to obey them at all times, when they could still be (and often were) wrong? Following through with something you knew was a mistake... it didn't sit right with her.

— Owlpaw was the first to comment on it:
'...I-Isn't that the cat who killed an apprentice?'

'Nah, that one only lost an eye. He did kill a warrior, though! That's why Hawkstar was so pissed,'
corrected Eaglepaw.
'At least he kills when he's got to?'

'As anycat should, but...'
Rufouspaw sighed.
'He reports to Juniperstar. He's not safe.'

'He's particularly unsafe, I'd say.'

'Unsafe, but strong...'
Vulturepaw mused aloud.
'He could make us strong, too.'

— She nodded along.
'We'll see what he does soon enough.'

'Guess we will... I-I'm keeping an eye on him, though. Starting now.'


Rufouspaw casted another glance at the tomcat and unsheathed her claws, tracing circles on the ground with one paw. There was... a lot going on in her mind, and she liked none of it. Still, Vulturepaw may have had a point: maybe she could give her new mentor a chance?

  • OOC: :3
  • KEY:
    "speech"

    'thoughts'
    'owlpaw'
    'eaglepaw'
    'vulturepaw'

    attempted action
    "other character's speech"


  • Click on the image to see my full
    reference sheet!
    Rufouspaw is a small ginger bicolor tabby with tortie point patches and odd blue-green eyes. A former loner, she faces the world with her head held high and her claws at the ready—for she believes danger is lurking at every corner. It remains to be seen whether her foolhardy yet distrusting disposition is justified...
    9 moons, ages every 6th.
    Genderqueer (she/he/it); any gendered terms OK!
    Gyrfalcon x Unknown — Generation 1
    Host of a plural system of 4: Owlpaw, Eaglepaw, Vulturepaw and herself.
    Mentored by Owlbark
 
juniper
"and this time, she won't be forgiving"
at the very least, the apprentices shuffle about to greet their mentors without much fuss. even some of their more sour-faced youth seem invested in the changes offered to them; Juniperstar feels small surge of relief that settles the tension in her spine. just children, but still their contentedness and approval weighs heavily on her shoulders- what sort of warriors would they become if they grew up disgruntled, frustrated, angry with their leader's choices?

if they were half as sharp-tongued as Serpentberry, it might be enough to promise those seven remaining lives end quickly. her eyes flick towards the tortoiseshell she-cat, as lovely as she is cutting. there's a sort of keening in her heart that begs the medicine cat to temper her frustrations but it isn't a plea shared, just one tucked away and kept silent.

"I have no way to know what SkyClan's further intentions are- I can only hope half the honor Hawkstar presents herself with is genuine enough to accept our deal for what it was." no further bloodshed, not when a life had been paid for a life lost. still... that didn't promise anything and they needed to be vigilant. a soft-spoken confession reminds her of the faces of the apprentices who had hoped to go through their lives in peace. those who didn't want to raise their claws in feverish defense.

"I need mentors to be certain their apprentices can defend themselves- but we can't risk slacking on hunting, not when leaf-fall is approaching." but the flame of her affection burns with hot indignation, is not satisfied with just the answer to be nebulously prepared for what may come. she wields love with all its barbs, a reminder that there are more things to lose than just her own lives.

"Then what would you have me do?" a call to action, certainly, but what options did they have? a penchant for war, the spotted tabby did not have, and so the solutions beyond levity and respectful distance elude her.

"No solo hunting. No private lessons for apprentices. Do not risk being caught in small groups and Owlbark-" she trusts he has already come to the same conclusion, doesn't need a command. "Patrols that near that border should be bolstered..."


  • interacting with @serpentberry and @OWLBARK directly but still the clan at large is encouraged to add their two cents :)
  • juniperstar
    leader of thunderclan
    seven lives remain
 

Owlbark stood at the front of the crowd, like a criminal on the execution block. His back was to them and his ears were pricked in rapt attention to Juniperstar. He knew a lot of the clan was split on his actions. He did not disagree with either side. It was a rash, violent decision that helped strengthen their clan's border. Every decision he made would be met with this scrutiny until he died or stepped down, he realized late last night. There was no point in trying to be everyone's friend in this position. He knew that was what Juniperstar felt, but she was much better at being a friend than Owlbark.

He was surprised to be given an apprentice, though. Perhaps this was Juniperstar's way of assuring the clan she still trusted the tom to bring the youth of ThunderClan into warriorhood. He appreciated it. The tom turned his head slowly, almost like his namesake, to look at the scrap of fur. Rufouspaw. He almost had to laugh at the way things worked out. Rufous like a hawk, given to him to mold. What an ironic way to atone for his sins. He bowed his head to the young cat, intending to speak to them once this meeting was over. Unlike other meetings, this one was a forum of sorts. Juniperstar craved to her from her constituents and soothe their fears. He hoped these last seven lives of her's were long and prosperous. She was the leader this clan needed. He was warm at her words that urged the clan to trust him, but felt a small pebble of cold at the idea of taking her mantle one day.

Owlbark swiveled his head to look at Serpentberry as she spoke. She struck without any barrier, love or no. He reacted with cool interest to her words. Where he was timid to shatter their leader's resolve, she had no fear. She would be the one to piece it back together, anyhow. Juniperstar responds in her own way, and again directs her thoughts to Owlbark. "As you wish," he agreed. He had already though to place his most loyal warriors there. He did not want to send sympathizers there to make it seem as if the clan was shattered by the gathering's events. He would take his fresh apprentice there, as well.

The deputy stood and turned to face the crowd. He wanted to give the clan his full attention and focus while they aired their grievances. He wanted them to see him as a cat and not a weapon of war. He also needed to know who stood where and who to trust in the coming moons.

  • ooc: acknowledging @RUFOUSPAW and @juniperstar
  • OWLBARK
    THUNDERCLAN DEPUTY
    51 moons, ages every 1st of the month
    open to peaceful interactions
    "SPEECH #687A63"
    penned by muddly
  • toyhouse
    playlist
    pinterest
 
Come on, come on
We can go away

.

A not-so-small part of her was thankful that Copperstorm had pleaded with her to stay behind on the night of the gathering. Charcoal- Coalstrike now- had been there, and she was not keen on reuniting with her father in law at all if she could help it. Apparently he'd sat there and watched as the Riverclan leader was murdered right in front of him. Hadn't so much as lifted a paw to help when he was close enough to do so...

Then of course, there was Skyclan... Truthfully Dewshine wasn't sure what to make of it all. Hawkstar had spoken of a supposed code, one that she seemed to believed had existed for moons upon moons. It brought to mind what Coffeestar had said that faithful night... A Thunderclan from generations ago... Was that ancient Thunderclan beholden to the code that the Skyclan leader had spoken of? Or was she full of air and delusions of grandeur? Why hadn't Coffeestar said anything of the sort? This train of thought was only giving her more questions than answers, and the silver molly shakes her head with a frown before looking up at the sound of her name from Juniperstar's mouth.

Her? An apprentice of her own to train..? Orange trails over the gathered crowd to spy Webpaw already making her way towards her and she smiles nervously at the other. "We'll learn together, hm?" Her voice is soft. "I'm sure you'll teach me as much as I teach you, we can start after the meeting."

Serpentberry's concerns are like thorns wrapping tightly around her heart- before she might have only worried about herself and her mate, but now... Now she worried for Boarpaw and Saltpaw, worried for all of Thunderclan trurthfully but most of all she worried for her and Copperstorm's future. Their recent hushed conversation still rang clearly in her ears. She did not want her future kits to be born into a life that feared stepping even a paw outside their territory for fear of retribution on multiple fronts. But what was she to do..?

The warrior rose to her paws, tail tip twitching in agitation. "And what are we to do if they go back on their word at our border? Be kind to them even as they try to claw us to ribbons? I don't trust this Skyclan as far as I can throw them. They've already shown they only follow their own code when it suits them." She meows, voice uncharacteristically cold. "...I want to have kits one day, what are we going to do to ensure not just Thunderclan's current generation is safe but the future ones as well? I don't want war, Juni... But I want reassurance that something is being done to defend us from Skyclan." And Shadowclan too, of course, but right now their neighbors across the thunderpath seemed like an annoying gnat in her ear compared to what Skyclan could become. Zealots, the lot of them...


37 moons
thunderclan warrior
she/her
bio


We Don't Need Them
DEWSHINE


✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
✦—Silver She Cat W/ Orange Eyes And Dark Stripe Along Her Tail
#8f85c2