Open Meeting Camp when angels deserve to die ──✩°｡⋆⸜ meeting

[loonstar loonstar]

juniper

"and this time, she won't be forgiving"​​

painted red by exhaustion and weeping, there is little love left in the storm-swirled seafoam that glances across the camp. half-lidded, creased and sorrowful but most importantly. . . angry. furious to have been brought so low from such incredible heights, to be snapped up by her tail and dragged from that which kept her most whole. that brief moment, that tiniest of reunions, it was just as generous a gift as it was a poisonous curse. and he is there, demanding to take up space at the forefront of her mind.

a grappling of talons that begs for her to feel the sharpness of their points embedded into her side. had she not offered him enough? was one life not plenty for one who would get nine more of his own to waste someday? her eyes narrow, hardly more than an accusatory squint anymore. "Owlbark." a greeting short, curt, frigid in its brevity. "Don't you have better things to do than worry over me?" like one of whatever four tasks he has assigned himself for the day without her say-so. bothering apprentices on their training, organizing patrols... listlessly creeping after her like she were a glass perilously close to the edge of a table.

"They passed their assessments... so I'll be giving them their names. Unless you'd like to tell me you don't trust their mentors?"

──✩°｡⋆⸜ ✮

• closed for now ;)
• juniperstar
  leader of thunderclan
  six lives remain
  

 

[OWLBARK]

Owlbark does not hold grief. He feels it rough and hard, but then releases it to some unknown ether and ignores its pleas for purchase on his mind. only rarely in his life has he felt grief. There is a bliss that comes with loneliness. He felt it when Hawthorne passed, and he heard its cries again when Serpentberry passed. Again, he allowed it to snuggle close for only a moment before pushing it back to the cold.

He wondered if Juniperstar had chosen the same tactic this time around. When Hawthorne passed, and she assumed his role as monarch, she had been so forlorn and open with her confusion and guilt. It was refreshing to watch, he realized as he looked back on the memory. The, he had openly mocked it. He wished she had hardened her soul in order to lead their infant clan into stardom.

Now, their clan was grown. It was a beast making its name in the world of the clans. They had shown their claws and fangs to SkyClan and RiverClan seemed desperate for their approval. He was satisfied with their progression. It made him question, then, the aura Juniperstar emerged from her den. It was heavy, and tight. The grace and frailty she wore before was gone. He admired her now for it, and felt beholden to follow in her wake.

Her greeting was unlike her, but he brushed the feeling of unease. The deputy sidled up to her flank and looked over the clan as she was. "It's one small fraction of my duties to worry over you, Juniperstar," he said matter-of-factly. It was a true statement that bore no sentimentality. He could only assume other deputies were doing the same thing in their constant vigil of their leader's lives.

He did not turn his gaze to look at her. The tone she set between them pushed at his mind and asked him to leave her to mourn alone. He would not leave, though. He had sworn to not leave her side in any matter. "I trust their mentors plenty. When the next batch is ready to move up, then I may have doubts. For now, though, I trust your judgement." Did she trust his? Doubt crept in at the thought of Juniperstar not trusting his own assessments of the clan, despite being around within it as long as she had. Owlbark turned his head slowly to look into her usually calm, green eyes. They usually reminded him of a sunlit glade, but now they looked like a maelstrom of conflicting colors. Had she slept last night at all?

"Juniperstar, if you need me to I can graduate the appren-"

His offer is left on deaf ears as she walks away without acknowledging him. A quick strike of confusion hits him, but he brushed it off. She would push away the grief in time, just like he had.

i turned 'round and there you go *ੈ✩‧₊˚

• ooc: -
  
• 

  ☾ OWLBARK
  ☾ THUNDERCLAN DEPUTY
  ☾ 58 moons, ages every 1st of the month
  ☾ open to peaceful interactions
  ☾ "SPEECH #687A63"
  ☾ penned by muddly

• toyhouse
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[loonstar loonstar]

juniper

"and this time, she won't be forgiving"​​

one of many tasks he had dressed himself in, juniperstar. her pupils slide along the ridge of her lashes to articulate how unimpressive she found this answer, studying the shape of his eyes like he might betray his own frustrations. there is nothing there that screams of inconvenience or agony or discomfort. if there had been, would it feel a little better? it doesn't scratch the itch as it stands now, eagerly waving away her sharpest implications with a shrug.

the conversation doesn't linger on her, thank whatever goodness remained in this world, broaching the subject of the warriors that were set to be named today. that were ready to grow. they would lead patrols, would fight in battles more ugly than their most recent encounter with SkyClan and they would win. because ThunderClan could not go pushed around forever. not when the berries started to fall from the bushes to ferment on the ground. to rot.

"Good, then I see no point in delaying it any longer. We can discuss your concerns with the next group later," a clean dissection of duty, easily fileted away from the rawness of her stature. anything to avoid being scrutinized any further- but he can't help himself, can he? offering to take control of what little consistency there is left to sink her claws into. ignoring him, the chocolate tabby brushes past him entirely to leave him, to be abandoned to the reach of his own olive branch.

she didn't want his pity.

clambering up to where she holds herself aloft above the clan, there is no gracious trill to summon them, just a barking call, "ThunderClan." they lull forward, a hesitant wave that seems to creep along the shore like it doesn't belong there. do they see it too? the fragility of someone ravaged by grief? (they shouldn't). "I ask you all to look upon Grizzlypaw, Cinderpaw and Flickerpaw. Admire them now, for they are ready to leave their nests in the apprentice's den behind." they are strong, prepared and capable.

they could weather the storm.

"Hazelheart has taken care to instill determination into you, Grizzlypaw... though you came to her already capable of great generosity and compassion, now you know how to use it. Today, I grant you a name befitting a heart as sturdy as yours- I name you Grizzlypurr." she waits a moment, two. but does not delay, as if there is a roaring wind howling against the hollows of her ribs that beg for urgency. for release.

"Cinderpaw, you've been a spirited soul your entire life and have proven quite gifted where agility is concerned. Wield it as the great asset it is... You will be known as Cinderstep, for others to bask in the wake of your path." the heart clenches, feverish and impatient.

"And Flickerpaw... Magnoliapeak is a stern teacher but her pride is not unearned- you represent her commitment... her furious independence and I expect you to carry those values under a new name; Flickerdance. Though you have outgrown the need for her guidance, she too has learned from you... Today, I ask her to stand amongst my guard-" she resists the urge to look to Owlbark's face, to call his bluff of trust. "Because she will be taking Thunderflash's place." his injuries amongst the battle at SkyClan's border were not so simple as a single week out of commission. and she knew him well enough to recognize a stubborn fool; he would work himself to death, long before he was recovered if she gave him the chance.

as much as she admired the selflessness of such dedication. she would not risk losing him too.

she allows the crash of commentary to rise around her ankles, to threaten to drown her in their judgements. anger, confusion, joy and elation. an overwhelming hurricane that threatens to pull the roots from underneath her, to send her skyward.

but that was always the goal wasn't it? to unbind the shackles, to reach closer towards the starry night and be free of such worldly concerns. no more juniper, stuck in the mud offering sweetness to any passerby that had the selfishness enough to pluck from the stems. to be left alone in the winter freeze, when there was nothing left to give. she could leave that behind. she would.

"Juniperstar will no longer lead you," she declares, stabbing her voice into the vulnerable lull between announcements. "It has been made clear to me that softness begets us nothing. StarClan cannot reward gentleness. I won't allow you all to become victim to my hesitance." reddened stare crawls through the many mixed faces, the shock, the dismay, the relief. they understand it just as well as she does.

"I relinquish my name, and the past hope it represented... I ask all of you to understand my vision for ThunderClan's future and trust in me to guide us through a harsh leaf-bare but come out the other side of it stronger. I ask you to put faith in a new name. I ask you..."

the relief... there it is. a rushing wind over fever-hot skin. the feeling of preening off the dead weight of molting feathers and standing triumphantly, ready to take flight from all that has kept her tied to the earth. freedom swaddled in new identity.

"To trust Loonstar."

──✩°｡⋆⸜ ✮

• congratulations to @grizzlypaw : ̗̀➛ @FLICKERPAW @Cinderpaw and @Magnoliapeak !
  
• loonstar
  leader of thunderclan
  six lives remain
  

 

[FLICKERDANCE]

Flickerpaw cannot let the death of Serpentberry shadow over her big day—her biggest day yet, the one she had worked towards ever since the creation of ThunderClan, and ShadowClan in tow. She considers herself lucky to not share the grief that a lot of her Clanmates do. To Juniperstar, she had been something... more than mere companion. And to Rowanpaw, Rattlepaw, Leafpaw, Thistlepaw, and many other (un)fortunate souls, she had been a mother.

To Flickerpaw, she had just been a medicine cat. Serpentberry would not blink twice at this ceremony. Why should Flickerpaw let it be anything but a background murmur?

She stands tall today, taller than usually. Her always-pristine fur glows differently in the rays of the dying sun—dying, for it is getting weaker by the day, now that greenleaf is behind them. Flickerpaw's own rays will not be getting weaker. On the contrary...

Flickerpaw does not see the tension that precedes Juniperstar's call of the meeting. It is entirely unimportant to her; any other day, she would have been scooting closer and closer to hear the details, but they could not carry less weight today. She straightens herself even more when her name is called. She nods to each fellow apprentice as Juniperstar dons them their new names, and she chants them, just like the rest of the Clan. For the first time in her life, Flickerpaw has trouble sitting still and focusing until it is finally her turn.

Flickerdance.

She dips her head in deepest respect, hoping the bow of her dome will cover the minute tremble of her paws. It suits her; Juniperstar does not disappoint her today.

Only when her mentor remains in the spotlight does she raise her head. Surprise flashes through her. Juniperstar doesn't linger on the details regarding Thunderflash's apparent demotion. Had he done something wrong? Not done enough? Either way, the brute way in which Juniperstar replaces him sends a thrill through Flickerdance. This can't be the same cat that had stretched her neck freely for Hawkstar to grasp.

"Magnoliapeak!"

Flickerdance is triumphant when she rejoices in Magnoliapeak's favor, a feeling she doesn't often offer to others. This is a point of pride for her, too. Though Magnoliapeak is already finished with her training, Flickerdance can now feel satisfied with the knowledge that a storm guard had been appointed in the wake of her ceremony.

And then, Juniperstar continues. They have a lot to say, apparently, and Flickerdance sees something different about her leader when she looks at them again. Is this what grief does? Strips you naked for all to see, only to be rebuilt into something new?

Stunned silence no doubt welcomes Junipestar's words. Many likely think it to be foolish on her part—and in a way, Flickerdance does too, knowing that the freshly widowed feline has decided to rebrand themself now.

But to Flickerdance... this is the start of something new. Not only does her warriorhood begin, but she finds herself pleasantly shocked by her leader's decision. They promise ThunderClan strength. A brighter future than their current present. This is all Flickerdance has wanted- for Junipestar to grow a backbone that she knows what to do with.

Flickerdance raises her voice, confident.

"Juniperstar is no more. I trust Loonstar."

This, too, calls for celebration, does it not?

"Loonstar! Loonstar!"

 

[Boarpaw Boarpaw]

————————————— The melody sings what the words can't say. ✦

Something bitter lolled about the apprentice's maw; he wasn't sure what it was, perhaps just the aftermath of the unease that had fallen over the clan like a blanket of snow. Sudden and ruthless, uncaring and cruel. How blood and death tainted the clan after the last moon of unforeseeable tragedy.

It was impossible for Boarpaw not to feel that weight, as his mentor seemed to try to hold themself together; the unforgiving tension that clung to the air was suffocating. Still healing from his wounds following the Skyclan battle, all he could do was watch like a ghost as it all unfolded, the brief glimpse of Serpentberry's body still sending a chill down his spine. How it all shattered something in Juniperstar. He had been quiet, dutiful; he already felt rather aimless, reapplying his own salves to avoid pressuring Rowanpaw with more than she already had to handle, but even more docile just to try to help his mentor. It was small, but it was all he could do.

Though even with his quiet apprehension, it wouldn't stop him from supporting his mentor and leader, who sat in silence at the back of the crowd. Once, he was eager to find himself as close to the front of the huddle when he was still small. Now, his stature made him a blockade, gently being pushed further to the back so more cats could bear witness to Juniperstar and anyone brought forth to them.

But a smile still managed to reach their maw, tugging at tusked lips. Grizzlypurr, Cinderstep, Flickerdance. Each one granted their warriorship, rightfully so. Grizzly needed more patience but had grown to be a strong warrior. His friend, Cinder, even after having struggled with his warrior ceremonies, managed to pull through in the end. And Flickerdance, the youngest of the three, barely older than Boar, granted her name after an incredible fight against Skyclan. They would be sure to meet their once denmates with congratulations following the meeting, well deserved for all of them.

It seemed, though, that wasn't it, Thunderflash replaced by Magnoliapeak in the council... Boarpaw clenched his teeth; he would never refute Juniperstar's word, nor argue with it, but that wouldn't stop the fact that the apprentice was... Just a little apprehensive of Magnolia. Thunderflash was mentor to his dearest friend Hopepaw, and it was a shame to see him cast out, but the leader's word was the end-all, so even to his apprehension, he joined in the cheering along with his clanmates. At least there were a few events left to celebrate in the wake of everything.

As Boarpaw breathed, a baited breath, thinking the meeting was over, the apprentice froze in place. His blood ran cold. Were they stepping down? Giving Owlbark- Their thoughts faltered as the leader continued. "Relinquish my name and the past hope it represented.' They stood there, mouth drying as their leader, their mentor, relinquished the only name Boarpaw knew her as.

Juniperstar was dead, buried at the side of Serpentberry, forever just a memory. His mentor was dead. For the blink of an eye, it felt like staring up at a stranger, a cat he couldn't recognise. Like someone wearing her pelt had taken her place on the high rock. But he couldn't lose them either. Boarpaw refused to let go of the few cats who had given him stability. So just as Flickerdance rose, so did the oversized apprentice. "Loonstar! He called out, in the wake of so much loss in the clan, they would need to adjust, grow, and accept that nothing would ever be the same as it once was.

——— You keep on grinnin'

and this world keeps nagging. ———

• 
  Boarpaw
  ✦—Thunderclan apprentice | 10 moons
  ✦—He/They
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A long-haired, dark grey tom with a prominent underbite and blue eyes.
  #91989b

 

[Magnoliapeak]

I SIP A TOAST TO NORMALCY

Despite a diamond-tough exterior, Magnoliapeak feels the full-thickness weight of the air when Juniperstar calls for a clan meeting. She watches wearily as she clambers to address them, half expecting this to devolve into some weepy spectacle. The sort of grieving ceremony one might only receive when they are the transient lover of a clan leader. Though Magnoliapeak finds it hard to cry for the serpentine medicine cat's death, she finds herself exhausted from bearing the weight of the wake she leaves behind. And so, when Juniperstar carries on with a meeting that is as typical as any other, she can't help but to feel relief. Though that too makes her feel guilt roiling in her belly.

It's forgotten quickly though. Pride surges through Magnoliapeak as Flickerpaw is called forward to receive her warrior name. When the apprentice had come to her asking her to graduate early, Magnoliapeak had her doubts. She'd promised Flickerpaw that she would spend a moon longer in training if she failed her assessment- an assurance that had been half-made of ego- but the apprentice had passed with flying colors. Unsurprising, but impressive nonetheless. Though she finds herself blinking with surprise when Juniperstar quickly adds that Magnoliapeak will be stepping up to her council. A replacement for the storm guard who had been badly injured during the border skirmish with SkyClan.

Magnoliapeak knows well enough that she would not be the popular choice to replace the charismatic Thunderflash, but she does not care either. What made her a good warrior did not have to also make her a favorite among the crowd. There are a few shocked murmurs and uncertain glances, but she chooses to ignore them. Magnoliapeak stands with her head held high, readily accepting her new role with open paws. "I won't let you down," she remarks, mew filled with gratitude. She moves to take her place beside her mother, brushing her pelt against Hazelheart's.

Shock ripples through Magnoliapeak, and she tries not to stiffen as Juniperstar's stabbing assertion that she is no longer the cat to lead them. Her eyes flicker to Owlbark, searching momentarily before returning to her aunt. She wills her fur to lie flat and her ears to stand up straight. She had not intended that her assertions among her clanmates that they seek retribution would lead to this, but it seems that Serpentberry's death had her final straw. For a quiet moment, she wonders if Juniperstar might be feeling reckless, driven forward into madness by the death of a lover. Her bunch of remaining lives seen as fodder to be freely spent rather than gifts from their ancestors. At least her resolve is reassuring. Magnoliapeak blinks in surprise for the second time this meeting when Juniperstar renames herself. Frees herself from the resilience of evergreen to be wrapped in a mournful name of black and white.

She almost shudders. Almost. "Loonstar! Loonstar!" She raises the cry with her clanmates. This is not the time to be having doubts and second thoughts.

— ⋆˙⟡

✿ magnoliapeak is a thunderclan storm guard with sharp resolve and strict standards.
✿ 30 moons old, ages on the 11th of each month.
✿ currently mentoring flickerpaw and sandpiperpaw
✿ in battle, physically difficult and psychologically difficult
✿ her parents are hazelheart x bracken. she is littermate to honeysucklecry and hyacinthrain. she is gen 2 on the junipersable tree.
✿ penned by carat, see her tags here.