TW: Sensitive Content Private Territory SC What's the kindest way to say, The end? (Your Mama's crying for you) // Discussing Serpentberry

[Stoatstream Stoatstream]

SOMETHING SACRED

HIDES IN EVERY DROP OF DEW

Stoatstream didn't think after the very first gathering that it could go any worse. While there was no blood spilt there, the announcement of death on the maws of the leaders made her stomach knot, but amidst her own horror, did another cat come to mind.

It wasn't like she had always been buddy-buddy with Mothbite; she was frankly a brat towards him growing up. But knowing now how young he is and holding such a title as Night Guard felt so heavy for a cat who was just as much grappling with clan life as the rest of them. She couldn't forget then the patrol where she and Mothbite had stumbled into a kind molly, Serpentberry, one who regarded her so kindly and joined her in light-hearted banter. But it was impossible to shake the weight of the conversation she and Mothbite had there on the Thunderpath.

There was some prying and eavesdropping (as well as she could), but it was enough to learn Serpentberry had been important to the tom, more than that even. She hadn't recognised it then, but there was a sullen look behind Mothbite's gaze while he and the medicine cat talked. Stoatstream could not possibly understand the extent of what happened in the colony, but she understood enough that she wanted to ensure Mothbite was not left in the dark. It was the least he deserved, even if her heart twisted at the idea.

On the return to camp, Stoatstream had managed to quietly ask Snowdropheart to accompany her. It felt like a daunting task, one too heavy for her alone when the molly herself was grappling with nearly losing her own father, but she hoped it would allow the two to talk. She wasn't sure how much respite she could give, but she didn't want Mothbite to handle the news alone, not when most of the clan would brazenly announce the loss, or leave him in the dark.

As the two white mollys entered camp, the younger scanned the place, tail flicking behind her nervously, gaze flicking about the camp in search of the rusted tom. She clenched her jaw as she noticed him distracted on the other side of camp. Stoatstream darted towards him, trying to keep her voice steady. "Mothbite?" She spoke, her voice quiet as she looked up to the guard. "Uhm, can you come with us, please? I wanted to talk to you about something."

She knew it would not be an easy conversation, and maybe he would have either heard it from Loonstar or someone else. But the fact that it was told to the whole gathering first and not to the cats of Shadowclan, who cared about Serpentberry? She hoped it was the kinder option than not being told at all.

YOU'RE MORE THAN STAINED GLASS ​

OOC - Tagging @Mothbite @Snowdropheart

YOU'RE THE LIGHT THAT COMES THROUGH ​

STOATSTREAM She/Her, Shadowclan Thief, 14 moons old.
A slender white cat with lilac markings and dark blue eyes.
Mentored by Sablestar // mentoring none
Sibling to Fleafire and Monsterpaw
Timberfrost x Oleander (Gen 3) / mated to none
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
[/COLOR] penned by Pheo ↛ phoenixwashere on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Snowdropheart]

Snowdropheart

Snowdropheart didn't know the ThunderClan medicine cat well enough to have any opinions on her - it was a tragedy that the clan had lost its medicine cat, but that's as far as her sympathy went. She knew not whether she shared any kin in ShadowClan nor did she know what connection Mothbite had to her.

But Stoatstream had asked her for company and support and who was she to say no? And so she followed the molly towards the Nightguard, ready to shoo away anyone who would have the idea to approach them now.

"Don't mind me." she smiled sympathetically at Mothbite. Her and the Nightguard have never been close, their interactions mere formalities and duties. She hoped he wouldn't mind her presence there, in a conversation that was not only private, but about to turn very, very personal. She knew what it was like to lose family, what it was like to feel completely alone. She had a shoulder to cry on back then - now, she'd be returning the gesture, if Mothbite were to need it.

OOC: n/a

 

[Mothbite Mothbite]

Still so young, Desperate for attention!

indenttt"Yo, Stoatstream!" Mothbite looks up from the dead bug he's been playing with. Stoatstream's not usually the kind to make a beeline to him for any reason, so it's a little strange for her to approach him so hastily. "How was the gathering? Nobody died this time, right?" He flashes his teeth in an akward, lopsided grin.

indentttHis smile quickly fades as Snowdropheart approaches too. He's cornered by the two mollies, and the tone of their voice spells out nothing good. Cats only talk like that when they know something real bad is happening.

indentttGold eyes flick between Stoatsream and Snowdropheart, scanning their faces for any sign of what was about to happen. "Y-yeah? Uh, I can move, sure." It's difficult to speak around the bile rising in his throat, but Mothbite tries his best to keep his voice steady. He stands, crushing the bug under paw before moving out the entrance of the clan. He's quick about it. There's no need to draw this out.

indenttt"Stoatstream?" Mothbite turns back to look at her. He's been awfully brave these past several moons, brave enough for him to forget what this was like. The face that stares back at Stoatstream, though, is twisted into an expression of fear, etched perfectly onto his features since his birth. "Nobody died, right?"

ababaugfbiufhufbdfduibabababa

Mothbite | 24 moons | Shadowclan Nightguardbababbnihfibnfdifdhfhabbabab

 

[Stoatstream Stoatstream]

SOMETHING SACRED

HIDES IN EVERY DROP OF DEW

Stoatstream pretended like she didn't see the question on Mothbite's maw initially. "Nobody died, right? The tom wasn't foolish, but she would prolong the inevitable for just a few moments more. She didn't have the heart to acknowledge his question until they were given some privacy. Mothbite could live in a heartbeat more of ignorance. She glanced at Snowdropheart for a moment. Nothing could be said, but she was grateful not to be doing this alone.

They don't get far until Mothbite turns to meet Stoatstream's gaze; there's something etched into his face the molly isn't sure she's ever seen. That alone made her mouth grow dry as he almost pleaded with her, the painful reminder he wasn't above the rest of them all, of all the council he had been the most down to earth, and that matter made the truth all the more painful. She took a breath and looked to the night guard, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I'm sorry, Mothbite, I wish I could say otherwise." She swallowed hard, like the words threatened to suffocate her the longer they clung to the back of her throat. "The gathering was never given details but... It's Serpentberry." Stoatstream's voice wavered, her expression falling as she struggled to keep her front. "I'm sorry, Mothbite, but she's gone."

She could not look away, as much as she dreaded to see the reaction of the night guard, she could not leave him in the dark if he had questions. Now, of all times, he did not deserve to be alone.

YOU'RE MORE THAN STAINED GLASS ​

OOC - Tagging @Mothbite @Snowdropheart

YOU'RE THE LIGHT THAT COMES THROUGH ​

STOATSTREAM She/Her, Shadowclan Thief, 14 moons old.
A slender white cat with lilac markings and dark blue eyes.
Mentored by Sablestar // mentoring none
Sibling to Fleafire and Monsterpaw
Timberfrost x Oleander (Gen 3) / mated to none
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK, PAWSPEAK
[/COLOR] penned by Pheo ↛ phoenixwashere on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Snowdropheart]

Snowdropheart

Her heart pained at Mothbite's innocent question. She supposed it made sense, considering the gathering prior to this one - and he was right, in a sense. Nobody died during the gahtering, all that was shared was vague news - even ShadowClan did a better job of reporting Coalstrike's death. Though, Snowdropheart did not know the cause of Serpentberry's death and perhaps there was a reason it had no been explained. Perhaps the truth would hurt even more, if it had been.

Stoatstream had chosen her words carefully and Snowdropheart wished that if someone close to her were to die again, one as kind as her would deliver the news. Her words were laced with care and comfort, despite the horrific truth. Snowdropheart hoped Mothbite would see it the same, see that they were not to blame for the news, merely the wings by which it's been delivered.

"I'm sorry," she murmured softly, just a whisper over the silence. She wasn't here to speak empty words, she wished to only offer her company to the tom. A bit of warmth, shall he need it.

OOC: n/a