Private Leader's Den when in between two places ] sablestar

This thread is private! Only post if you have permission!
This thread takes place in the Leader's Den.
115
9
Freshkill
564
Pronouns
they/them

CICADABUZZ, 30 moons / shc + med. cat
a SH cinnamon tabby/chocolate tortie chimera w/ black eyes
parent to deathberrykit, hemlockkit, mistletoekit ; mentor to magpiepaw
a reserved, pragmatic healer driven by duty rather than sentiment
Cicadabuzz moves with precise, unhurried steps, each pawstep light against the =earth as they near Sablestar's den. Their tail brushes the ground behind them, the fur decorated with browning leaves and herbs that leave a faint scent in their wake—dried thyme, marigold, the acrid ghost of yarrow. Their expression is unreadable, but tension coils beneath their pelt like a tightly wound spring, each step a study in restrained frustration. They do not wait to announce themself. They duck into the den, letting their gaze adjust to the dim light, and fix their eyes on Sablestar with a steady, simmering intensity.

"I brought warriors I thought I could count on," Cicadabuzz begins, voice low but clear, the tone a dry rasp that cuts clean through the silence. "They were chosen for their strength. For their discipline." A pause. They don't pace, don't flick their ears or lash their tail. The stillness in them is heavier than movement. "And yet," they continue, tilting their head slightly, "half of them came back bleeding. With wounds that were perfectly avoidable had they followed the clear instructions I gave them." Their tone doesn't rise, but each word grows sharper, more deliberate.

"I told them not to engage unless provoked. I told them exactly how this needed to go. I told them that they were to drop the herbs and run if necessary to avoid injury, and yet, they come back here, bleeding, having engaged in an unnecessary fight. Wasting the herbs that I went to retrieve. Now, I have to use them immediately rather than stock up for dry months, or leafbare." Cicadabuzz inhales, slow and cold through their nose. "I was not unclear. 'If it is between yourself and the herbs, you drop the herbs and flee.'" The quote of their own words falls easily from their maw. "'I won't patch any of you up just to watch you bleed again for pride. Do not make me waste what we came to collect.' And yet they prioritized their own thoughts on what to do over the orders that they were given."

Their eyes narrow slightly, more in thought than anger. "I don't care if they're brave. I don't care how many battles they've won. If they can't follow simple orders, they're a liability. I need warriors who will listen. Not ones who run off chasing glory like kits playing at war." Their stare doesn't waver. "Next time I go into another Clan's territory, I want cats who understand that they are to listen when given instructions. If I wanted chaos, I would have asked for your most reckless." A faint beat of silence. Then, evenly, voice unshifting, "This was my plan. I take responsibility for it and for any tension with RiverClan that may follow. But I won't take responsibility for their injuries. I am not responsible for warriors too stupid to follow orders."


[ @SABLESTAR ]