Gathering 2025 TW: Sensitive Content TW: Death Open why did love put a gun in my hand ↠ disturbance

[Adder]

{$title} Pikestar has wandered from the main group and is spotted talking to Coalstrike.

This will take place shortly before and DURING Hawkstar's arrival as not to draw too much from that event. Adderfang is being relatively quiet, but those closest may overhear their discussion.

Closed for now, but will open after a few posts! Those guarding Pikestar or looking for Adderfang will be allowed to post before things really kick off!

His amber eyes simmered from the sidelines, half-shadowed beneath the trees sweeping roots. The noise buzzing in his ears—laughter—chatter—too many—too much. They were knats to rotten fruit, drunk on fermented sweetness.

His ears swiveled, catching bits and pieces of conversation, most blending indecipherably. His tail flicked sharply, stirring old leaf litter, while the low hum of voices and laughter raked at his nerves. ShadowClan had arrived some time ago. He watched as their tuxedoed leader sauntered over, snuggling up to Juniperstar shamelessly. So, the rumors he heard were true. ShadowClan really did have ties to the forest clan.

What a pitiful position they were in, for their enemies to have so many connections. Pikestar was a fool for believing them—for believing anything ThunderClan had fed them. Adderfang knew he was naive, but why couldn't he see the danger curled up on their doorstep? Why couldn't he understand that they were being tricked?

They were all pretending like those cats hadn't turned their claws on them not even two moons ago. Not to mention ransacking their medicine den and injuring Jinglemoon. Who was to bear the consequence for that? It wasn't ShadowClan, far as he'd seen. Not even Pikestar.

No, it was his family. His kits, who were feeling the ripples of their actions. Now, his son and daughter were suffering without the herbs that could've helped them. Wavesong almost died giving birth to them for fucks sake!

His tail switched, slapping against the dirt with renewed force. His gaze lifted and for just for just a breath, he froze.

Pikestar.

Right then, he knew he should've stayed home. But he'd come anyway—to project strength where there seemed to be a lack, and to see his warning into fruition. He'd always stubborn like that, from the day he was born.

A sharp burst of breath hissed through his teeth. His muzzle wrinkled, narrowed eyes shifting to the large black tom Pikestar was talking to. Adderfang recognized him immediately. One of the thieves from that night. Honestly, it would've served him right if that ShadowClanner chose to kill him now, but the two looked anything but tense. He watched in disbelief as they chattered, Pikestar's weasely laughter ringing in his ears.

What… was he doing?

Were they old friends now? Had he and Pineheart and Littlebrook not bled because of those fox-hearted bastards? His jaws clenched, the edges of his vision tilting.

With a grunt, he rose to his paws and started down the slope, roughly pushing past those in his path. His hackles prickled with tension, the fire in his chest singing the roof of his mouth. Familiar voices spoke in his direction, but he brushed them off. Sharp eyes flick between Pikestar and then to ShadowClanner only briefly before he gets between them, drving Pikestar back with a light bump to his shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?" He hisses sharply under his breath, head craned close, heated breath blowing against the leaders ear.

Adderfang ignores the other tom completely, back turned to him, tail lashing out to cut more space between the two. "What's next? Sharin' prey with the bastards? Maybe offer them a spot in your nest while you're at it?" A snarl gargles up in his throat, like the crackle of branches in a violent storm.

If Pikestar wanted to walk into that honey-glazed trap alone, that was fine by him. But the silverfish didn't get to drag the rest of his family with him, not anymore. "Need I remind you my kits are sick right now, and we don't have the herbs to treat them? But I'd bet you forgot all about that, didn't you?" His jaw is stiff with restraint, teeth flashing with every other word.

@PIKESTAR (@Iciclepaw and @Coyoteclaw also have permission to post)

___________________ 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​

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

Coalstrike was an interesting cat to say the least. As much as Pikestar wanted to keep Shadowclan interactions to a minimum out of spite, he decided against it. This gathering was a prime opportunity to gather intel on Shadowclan. If any of Sabelstar's warriors attacked all hell would break loose, but after meeting with the Shadowclan leader and observing him... It was safe to say he wasn't worried about the chance of a Shadowclan warrior attacking any cat at the gathering. After all, Sablestar despised cats who went out of line. Not to mention this was an event held by Juniperstar. He wasn't sure about the true nature of their relationship and didn't want to make an assumption that they were romantically involved... But if Sablestar liked Juniperstar, then he wouldn't want any of his warriors to cause issues or at least ones that were manageable.

In any case, when Coalstrike approached he did not turn the warrior away. The heist was not brought up. Pikestar saw little point in bringing it up considering their clans have come up with an arrangement. Besides, he didn't want the other warrior to grow quickly frustrated when there was much to ask. Such as learning about what prey and predators were common. A little about the territory, which was understandable. He didn't expect Coalstrike to share so readily, but whatever information Pikestar could grasp was useful. Useful in piecing together the enigma that is Shadowclan. To make understand it a little better. Of course, he could ask Sablestar himself but he was occupied with Dustystar. It's also just more of a hassle trying to figure out speaking with him.

Surprisingly, Coalstrike is able to make him laugh. The funniest thing is that the Shadowclan warrior didn't even say anything remotely funny, so what made Pikestar laugh? Why it was how Coalstrike's manner of speech changed when they were less guarded. The black warrior may have had a confused expression, but Pikestar would never know. The apology he has prepared along with a jest will never leave his maw.

Grunting as he's bumped into, taking a pawstep back only to hear a familiar hiss... Oh. Great. It's you.

"Talking,"

he answers while creating distance between them so Adderfang is not so close to his ear. It quickly becomes apparent that Adderfang is pissed at him for speaking to a Shadowclanner. The snarls following his next set of words only proving it further, though Pikestar says nothing in response to his outburst. Interrupting now would frustrate Adderfang more. There is something more important than the notion of him inviting Shadowclan to their territory on Adderfang's mind. And so, Pikestar waits. Green eyes never leaving amber.


Its with a heavy sigh and shake of his head that he finally answers,

"Need I remind you this is a gathering. Fighting isn't allowed here. This whole event was arranged so we can all coexist with one another. To understand each other better, hold each other accountable, and inform each other of dangers in the forest. All our clans desire the same thing. Survival."

Yes, that is why Shadowclan stole from them. While it is true that they committed a crime, they needed herbs to tend to their sick and wounded. Was Shadowclan supposed to sit idly by and accept a herb shortage? To watch their clanmates perish with only a sorry we don't have enough herbs as a reason? Of course, if one cared for their clan they would do anything in their power to ensure its survival. Didn't mean he agreed with the way they went about it. However, what was done was done. All they could do now was move forward.

"That's why we should be civil with the other clans. We don't have to tolerate them."

On the matter of kits, it is rather cruel that Adderfang would bring them up.

"I haven't forgotten about your kits. They've been on my mind before they were even born."

All Pikestar has ever shown was concern and care for the kits. He tried to be there for Wavesong during her kitting, but it was because of Adderfang himself that he was unable to support a friend. Everyone else was allowed to be there for her, but him? He was excluded. Did he understand? Yes, but Wavesong was the one delivering the kits. She had more of a say than he did about who should and shouldn't be there? I've been visiting them with Peachy. How are you say I forgot about them!

"The best I can do now is ask the other clans if they're willing to spare some herbs for your kits. I doubt any medicine cat brought herbs so the gathering, so you'll have to wait. Everyone is working as best as they can, but we can't make herbs appear immediately."

What do you want? Do you want us to drop everything and leave before Skyclan even gets here to find herbs? We've searched our territory relentlessly! Herbs take time to grow! Besides! Its far more dangerous in the dark! Do you want us to waste more herbs on warriors who get hurt trying to look for herbs in the darkness?

This was going to turn into a big scene if he didn't put a stop to it. Sablestar was already more than aware of how divided his clan was, but he didn't need the other clans to witness how dysfunctional they were with one another. It was bad enough that Coalstrike was going to be a prime witness to this as well as a few nearby cats.

"Is there anything else you have to say? I'd rather not have you shove me every time I try to have a civil conversation with a cat you don't like. This isn't Riverclan, we have other clans watching us. If you have problems with me, you can scowl all you want here, but we can talk about it when we are back home. In Riverclan's camp."

A reminder is given. Either Adderfang takes it and says his piece and then they can quickly discuss it here, or the tom shuts up and waits for Riverclan to return home before grilling Pikestar for every interaction he's had during the gathering.

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 39 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#00caa2"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[Iciclepaw Iciclepaw]

ICICLEPAW

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Iciclepaw had remained close to Pikestar's side, paws silent but heart pounding as the gathering swelled with voices and shifting tensions. The comfort of earlier warmth was quickly dissolving into a crackling storm, and he could feel it building in the air, tight, suffocating, heavy with something unspoken. He knew his mentor wanted him to make friends, talk to other apprentices... But not yet, not yet... Maybe next time. For now he felt the most safe close to Pikestar or Russetfall.

Then came Adderfang. The tone shifted instantly. Iciclepaw startled at the intrusion stepped back a bit, eyes wide. Adderfang wedged himself between them all like a thorn-studded wall. The warrior's voice was sharp and venom-laced, his words rasping with bitter heat. Iciclepaw's ears flattened instinctively at the venom in his tone, he wanted to look away, to back off, to not be standing so close to this... But he didn't move. Not far, at least.

He watched, wide-eyed, gaze flicking between Pikestar and Adderfang. The anger was palpable, like lightning flashing behind clouded eyes and Iciclepaw felt a wave of helplessness crash into him. The words stung even though they weren't directed at him, and he felt small, like a kit stuck in a storm far bigger than he could comprehend. But then came that line about Adderfang's kits. The desperation under the fury. And that, more than anything, struck something deep in him.

He swallowed hard, then softly, so softly it almost disappeared beneath the hiss of anger he dared to speak. " W-we're… we're working on it… L-Littlebrook... A-and Jinglemoon... A lot of us are working on it... " His voice wavered, but it was there, clear and real and trembling with sincerity. His eyes shifted from Pikestar to Adderfang, then van to Pikestar again in the hope that he had done right with the words spoken. Pikestar's words were also very true... They shouldn't fight here, they had to remain civil!

He didn't know if his words would be enough to calm the storm. But he wanted to try. He had to try. Even if his voice was small, it still mattered… didn't it? So he stood his ground, just beside Pikestar, shoulders tense, ears pinned, but present. Because he didn't want to disappear into the shadows this time.

═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════

 

[Adder]

What Pikestar flung back at him sounded more like the whining of an angsty kit talkin' than a leader. Again, he went off talking about things he didn't understand. "You even know what that word means?" He spat, fury boiling behind his teeth. "I can tell by lookin' at you that you've never really had to fight for nothin'. You've never struggled. That's why you're so trustin'. Why you can't see it like I do." From the time he was born, he'd fought for every scrap he's had. He'd starved and freezed and bled, sometimes all at once.

Pikestar shows greenness. He's more wet around the ears tha a newborn kit, and If he could see it, so could every other cat with a struggle or two under their pelt. ShadowClan, especially, being the ragged bunch of snakes they were. Sooner or later, they'd take him for everything he had.

"You wanna know what this is, really?" He swept his gaze over the gathered cats briefly. "It's not a social call. It's a trap. A chance for them to bleed information out of us so they can better take advantage of that soft heart of yours. Look around you. These aren't our friends. They don't want peace. They're more acquainted with each other than us." He shook his head.

"Yeah, they're friendly now, but what about when snow starts falling and there's no prey to share? They stole herbs from us already, so what do you think is next? You think they won't slit our throats in the night if it means keepin' their own kits fed?" Adderfang knew the hard truth. Because if it were him? If his kits were starving? He'd do the same.

But that wasn't the problem wasn't it? Pike couldn't understand. He didn't have any kits or a mate or any family he'd be willin' to bleed for. He didn't have to struggle like Adderfang did. He wasn't even willing to do the bare minimum and heed even a shred of the advice they'd offered him.

The silver tom had sure been happy to lean on him when they were scared and needed guidance after the shed collapse, but now that they were out of imminent danger, his advice meant nothing?

What was he on the council for? Why did he even have a council when he wasn't willing to consider the warnings they shoved into his ears time and time again? No, instead he wanted to play with his friends and make sandcastles.

"The best you can do?" He scoffs bitterly, "That and all your 'best' I've seen up til now is right pathetic, Pike. No... my kits won't wait and neither will I, not anymore."

Iciclepaw gets no more than a twitch of his ear. Far as he's concerned there's no one else but him and the silver tom standing there. He was past the point of caring who heard him. ThunderClan, ShadowClan, SkyClan—it didn't matter.

Blades of grass are shed as he presses into the tom's space once again. Adderfang wasn't done. Not by a long shot. Pikestar would hear him this time, whether he liked it or not. "No." He took another step forward, teeth clenched tight. "We're gonna talk about this now. Not back at camp. Not later. Right. Now." He hissed, drawing up above the silver tom. "You will listen to what I have to say." He lurches forward, claws unsheathing, ready to block Pikestar's path should he decide to move away again.

"Wavesong almost died giving birth." He snarled. "My kits ARE dying. You've had plenty of time to do something. To make ShadowClan answer for what they did, but you haven't. You went and talked to them, but for what? I don't see them returning what they stole or holding their own accountable. You really think they don't have the means to replace it? Bullshit. They're predators and they took advantage of our perceived weakness, of you." His voices frays, just for a second. He's scared. Terrified. He should've convinced Wavesong to leave with him moons ago, but she can't loose another home, and he can't lose her. Now he has to do something. He can't let things continue on their current path.

Something had to give, right now, right here, one way or another.

Adderfang quickly gathers himself, voice stilling, growing colder with every passing heartbeat. "You're a fucking coward and you'd rather suck up and lick their chops like a mutt than ruffle any pelts." He leans forward, drawn up over the silver tom, eyes glinting dangerously. "You wanna play leader but you don't want none of the responsibility that comes with it." The tom narrows his eyes. "So now I'm telling you. That if you don't have spine for this, then step down. Make room for someone who does." His chest heaved, fire burning through his ribs. Every word out of Pikestar's mouth, every excuse and 'wait and see'—it was wearing his patience thin. He should've nipped it in the bud a long time ago, but he'd waited. A mistake.

Pikestar could talk about peace all he wanted, but what about war? Was he ready for that? What would he do when some cats worse than ShadowClan came barreling into their camp? Cause last he checked Pikestar hadn't lifted a claw when the fighting broke out. That wasn't any kind of leader he wanted to follow, nor one fit to protect his family.

___________________ 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​

 

[Coalstrike Coalstrike]

Small talk had never suited him. Droll. Tedious. Grating. But still, curiosity gnawed at him like a rat at carrion. He wondered, just faintly, how RiverClan had fared after the heist. Not that he brought it up, of course not. Sablestar had made himself clear: civility was expected. So Coalstrike would be so civil, he might well vomit after this wretched Gathering. He spoke with Pikestar, exchanging shallow words. A casual mention of coyotes. A quiet nod toward shared wounds. Just enough to wedge in a sliver of empathy, subtle. Truth be told, he cared little. Marbleshine had no place among them to begin with. The fox should've finished the job, but fate had proven uncooperative once again.

And then, without warning... Him. The wiry little firebrand wedging himself between Coalstrike and Pikestar, sparking like dry twigs in a flame. Ah yes, Adderfang. The one who burned too bright, too fast. Coalstrike had known he'd combust on his own, given time. As the moment spiraled and even a frail apprentice tried to intervene, Coalstrike slowly lifted a paw, amused by the display. He turned his gaze toward Pikestar, and spoke, calm and silken with a look that spoke only of worry, almost seeming geniune. " Oh dear… A touch of discord within your Clan, young leader? "

His voice was laced not with malice, but a mock-worried softness that was all the more cutting. He blinked slowly, feigning innocence. " Perhaps I should step aside, leave you to sort things out. I was under the impression this was a time for peace. For unity. But it seems your own don't quite share that vision. " He paused just long enough for the tension to tighten. Then he dipped his head, closing his eyes for a moment.

" I do apologize… for the state of one of your warriors. I hope she recovers soon. "

___________________ I DON'T FORGIVE, I DON'T FORGET ☆ A wound's a warning, a debt is a debt. ___________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• COALSTRIKE he/him, shadowclanner, sixty-six moons.
  ☆ a lh black cat dangerous amber eyes. has a mane around his head, is huge [ grandiose ]
  ☆ mentoring vanillapaw
  ☆ loyal to sable, despises thunderclan
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by lion ↛ lionharted on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Coyoteclaw Coyoteclaw]

———————————— 'Cause everything moves, everything pulses. ✦

Coyoteclaw had been distracted a little between trying to keep an eye out for Scalepaw and observing as other clans approached, it took the huge freak of a cat seeming to take interest in something that she finally tuned in.

To her sheer horror, Adderfang seemed not only to be starting shit at a peaceful get-together but was basically taunting Pikestar. She groaned with a growl, side-eying the giant tom before getting to her paws and weaselling her way into the frankly pathetic argument that she was sure Adderfang had instigated, since that's all he seemed to be able to do these days.

"Fuck me, read the room, you fish for brains." She snarled, a low quiet huff as she stared down Adderfang, having shoved him back from looming over Pikestar. "Are you trying to start shit? What, do you want Pikestar to get pissed back at you just so you can point and jeer to the rest of us that he's some unstable moron?"

There was one thing Coyote got exhausted about fast: it was cats who acted out just to try to get a reaction out of someone. She tried not to get too heated; it would do nothing but lead to more issues, especially with more cats huddling into the opening. Her amber eyes trained on the life guard, a sorry excuse for one if he was so determined to start shit with his own clan.

"What have you done for your kits? Have you gone to help with gathering herbs? I hear that you did nothing but make it worse, shoving cats out of the medicine den, you can't go about blaming cats who have been trying to fix the actions of bastards who deserve your ire." Her whispered snarl was punctuated with a glance at the giant tom, he had no right listening in, but she wasn't going to be the one to start shit either, it seemed like Adderfang had that in control since he can't listen to a single thing anyone tells him to do.

"What? Like anyone would want you as a leader. You can't keep the peace with your own clan in a peaceful gathering, Starclan forbid how emotional you'd act the moment you've got to decide what a whole clan does in a pinch." She sneered. "And I know Pike ain't perfect, no one is. But between the two of you, only one got chosen to lead us, and I would rue the day I have to see Riverclan be led by a sorry excuse of a tom like you."

She stepped back, and there was a fury she didn't realise had been building. Coyote didn't think she had much of a stake in Riverclan, let alone how much of her heart had been caught by these cats she slowly saw as friends, but seeing an asshole of a tom that Pikestar had trusted to lead alongside him treat him like some immature kitten trying to join in a warriors conversation when he was instead the chosen leader for the clan. It was infuriating. She felt sorry for Wavesong and those poor kittens, if he couldn't keep his shit together talking to his higher up, Starclan forbid how shit of a father he would end up.

Ah. Maybe that's why she found such rage towards Adderfang. She had seen this before in her own father; she didn't like to bring her own personal life into all of this, but if Adderfang acted like a cat, she swore to take down the next one she saw him, then he was already in an unavoidable downward spiral. She scoffed. He was a lost cause in her eyes, no use in arguing with someone who seemed to think he never did anything wrong.

She side-eyed the tom again, letting out a huff as she tried to keep her voice cool, speaking up a little as if they weren't in the midst of an argument. "Oh, we believe this is a time for peace, but excuse Adderfang since it seems he's forgotten that fact." The warrior glared at the life guard, she would probably get a good argument of her own when they returned to camp, but then again, she had settled in her mind that Adder was a lost cause; she could tune him out.

— So many angles, so many lines,

So many ways to see the sunrise. —

• 
  Coyoteclaw
  ✦—Riverclan Warrior | 20 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A chocolate/cinnamon chimaera with low white, and amber eyes.
  #8E4C1A

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

Coalstrike was trying to rattle him, he knew it. There was no genuine care behind those words. Not like he expected much from the older Shadowclan warrior. Still, the words cut deep as intended. Pikestar was indeed young. Younger than most of the leaders, save for Dustystar. However, none would look at Dustystar and assume she was the youngest due to the manner she carried herself with. It was always him, lacking in one way. Whether it was being too young, too inexperienced, too naive, too spineless, and too cowardly. And yet, the stars chose him in spite of his failings. What they saw in him remained to be a mystery, one he shoved aside. Pondering the reason why while everything was actively going to shit did nothing for Riverclan.

It takes everything in him not to hiss at Coalstrike.

"I apologize for having to cut our enlightening conversation short, and thank you... For your kind words. I hope we can carry on where we left off in the future."

Nothing else is shared between him and the hulking Shadowclan warrior. There was no need to. Both understood there was no genuinity behind their words.

Back to the matter at hand. Adderfang is furious. It was no secret that Pikestar himself didn't have similar struggles like the life guard in question. There was even a point in time where Pikestar had to be trained not only by Adder but other warriors in how to fight and defend himself. Did he excel in either? No, but he learned enough to at least put up a decent fight. It was almost amusing how the scar across his nose didn't indicate some sort of hardshipn he faced, but he could only guess that his own personality deterred many from that line of thought. As a matter of fact no one asked him how even got this scar in the first place. He could only imagine they'd come up with a reason for it. Perhaps, one where he slipped and fell awkwardly. In any case, he ignores Adderfang's comment about him entirely. Only opting to focus on the other warrior's thoughts in regards to the gathering.

"If what you say is true... That this all just a social trap, then I would've brought Riverclan regardless. After all, we can bleed out information from the other clans as well. Lets face it. Riverclan is already on its hindlegs compared to the other clans. Like you said Thunder, Wind, and Shadow already know each other. Isolating Riverclan from the other clans does have its benefits, but we will give the other clans the opportunity to catch us by surprise. How would we know if Shadowclan and Windclan or any clan for that matter is planning to strike us? We'd only know when its already too late."

As much as he wants to bring up herbs and how some can only be found in other clans, he decides to forgo it. What Adder is more concerned about in this moment are the other clans clearly. Namely, the harm they can bring to his family.

As for the topic of slitting throats.

"They won't. First of all, Hawkstar has honor. She will never do something as low as slitting our throats open. If anything she would arrange a battle in the morning. She's stubborn and prideful as they come and will only ask for prey to share when the situation is extremely dire. Juniperstar on the other paw has no desire to make enemies. The river is dangerous enough for those who don't know how to swim, but in the darkness? Its more than likely she would hunt elsewhere, a place that is not claimed by any of the other clans. She, very much like Hawkstar will hold off on asking any favors. Dustystar is allied with Sablestar and they are neighboring clans. Why would she go through the effort of marching to Riverclan when Shadowclan is there? They've already planned on hunting together, so I doubt Sablestar would deny her clan at the very least scraps of food."

He sees where Adderfang is coming from. Its still very much a possibility for the other clans to slit their throats while they slumber. After all, nothing is certain in life. Even if there was a high unlikelihood it was still possible. However, what Adderfang is failing to consider is the big picture. The long term consequences.

If Adderfang tried to retort about the lack of Shadowclan in his reasoning, Pikestar would cut him off himself.

"While it's true that Shadowclan stole from us, they wouldn't slit our throats at night. Sablestar... Loves to have things in order and for it to be done efficiently. I very much doubt he would order a patrol to come to Riverclan due to how far our clans are. His warriors would be wasting more energy that should be preserved. If anything he would order his warriors to simply hunt in our territory at night, not slit our throats. Slitting our throats would only cause more trouble for him in the long run. Juniperstar is already more than unhappy with him. The last thing he wants is for her to march to his clan. It is simply more beneficial to him to look to Windclan for aid than mess with Riverclan again."

The answer is not taken well. Is there even anything he'll take well at this point? All Pikestar can do is watch as Adderfang huffs and tells him how pathetic he is. How his kits will not wait. How Adderfang himself can't wait anymore. Pikestar's eyes narrow at the unsheathed claws, before he's forced to look up at an ever looming Adderfang. For the first time what he feels instead of fear is exhaustion. He is tired of trying to reason with a tom who refuses to listen or even consider. Fine. It's not like you're giving me much of a choice.

Coyoteclaw shoving Adderfang aside startles him, but its only because of this does he remember that they are in a gathering. There are others nearby either listening and pretending not to look, or those who are actively avoiding the commotion. He is grateful for the breathing room that Coyoteclaw graces him with. The notion that Adderfang wanted to rile him up only to point a paw at him and show how much of a unstable moron he is, hadn't occurred to him. If anything, most cats already believe that. In the end, it didn't matter. He needed to try and diffuse the situation as best as he could. That is why he refused to lash out at Adderfang, no matter how much he wanted to.

"Put your claws away, Adderfang. We'll talk about it now."

Apparently, things could become a dumpster fire in under five seconds with Coyoteclaw's comment. Did she have some good points? Yes, but this was Adderfang. The tom who cared his family more than anything. To throw his kits and how he failed them? Knowing that they were currently ill? If she wanted to say this, then she should've done it at the very beginning when he wasn't one spark away from combusting. He isn't even given a chance to find his next set of words as Adderfang continues to hiss at him, while Coyoteclaw is hissing Adderfang. CAN YOU BOTH JUST STOP?! THERE'S TOO MUCH GOING FOR ME TO EVEN KEEP UP WITH! Am I happy to hear she'd rather have me than Adder, sure, but NOT AFTER INSULTING HIM THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE! He was already mad enough, so WHY ARE YOU RILING HIM UP MORE?

Heavy silence passed between all three of them.

"I never asked to be leader. I was chosen. If you consider my kindness as weakness, then I'm sorry to tell you its because of my weakness we are here in the first place."

His gaze remains focused on Adderfang as he continues,

"When Starclan visited me the first time not only did they tell me I was destined to become Riverclan's first leader, but they told me where to find our new home. I could've left everyone behind at the shipyard and saved only myself. You've seen how abundant our new home is. I wouldn't struggle much finding food or shelter, but... How could I? We spent moons surviving together. Most adults went hungry for a couple of days just trying to make sure the younger ones get fed, and we all slept under one roof. I refuse to abandon you all. To leave you all to suffer while I alone get all the spoils. You all mean so much to me."

This was something Adderfang could never understand or maybe he simply refused to see. Perhaps, that is why Starclan hadn't chosen him to lead. What they saw a cat who could hold no room for love in his heart besides his mate and kits. That alone was no crime, but it would cloud Adderfang's decisions. He would only be acting in the best interests for his own family, not the collective. Even now, Riverclan was suffering due to Adderfang's actions. Maybe I should make this clear enough for him to understand.

"I want all of us to rise together."

"Adderfang? I won't step down as leader."

Not until I make this right, and if this is what everyone wants. Though, I'm not really sure how I'd pass along the rest of my lives to Frostmoth? I'm really not looking forward to having to die a lot quickly if that's the case. There's gotta be another way, right?

"I am going to speak with Sablestar more firmly tonight to resolve our herb issue. If he refuses to listen, then I'll pester him each and every day until he's grown exhausted of me lingering by his borders. And if he continues to refuse, then I'll bring along Juniperstar with me. He would have no choice in refusing anymore with her present. However, you're still going to have to wait."

No matter how much Adderfang wanted those herbs, it wasn't possible right now. If he was desperate, he should look for them himself like Coyoteclaw suggested. It was evident that this gathering wasn't for him, so why stay? He could take Pineheart and Jinglemoon with him as they searched the forest to try and find something.

Speaking of Coyoteclaw... She's addressing Coalstrike while riling up Adderfang again. Breathe Pike. Just breathe. We can speak with Coyoteclaw about this later. I know she means well, but there's a point where you're just asking for trouble.

Once again he does nothing in regards to Coyoteclaw, which may only serve to aggravate the life guard further. Hey, at the very least he wasn't joining in with her. Now comes a difficult decision. He's been considering it for awhile now, but tonight has only solidified it. The only reason why he held off for so long was that there were more pressing matters.

"I know you love your family Adderfang. No one here is ever going to deny that, but your responsibilities as a life guard is keeping you away from them. I think more than anything, you need rest and to spend as much time with your family. They need you. That is why tonight will be your final night as a member of my council."

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 39 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#00caa2"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[Adder]

His teeth grit as Pikestar once again addressed the ShadowClanner, the ruff of his neck bristling. "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, Pikestar. If they want to strike you, they will and coming here to mingle with our enemies will not change that. If anything, it'll muddle what few loyalties you already have even further." He scoffed softly, "But why do I bother warning you at all? You're just going to do what you want, damn the consequences, right?" Fool. Just because you think you know someone, doesn't mean you do—not really.

He sighed, frustration reaching its peak. "Don't you think you're underestimating them? You hardly know them, and you're willing to extend them that much trust—"

Coyoteclaw stepped forward, obstructing his path. His head snapped down to look at her, eyes narrowing, pupils darting across her face. There was no unyielding heat in his stare. No, he was long past the point of burning. The fire in his ribs had since died. What remained was a blizzard in his chest, encompassing him entirely. Cold and devastating as the first frost of leaf-bare—the kind that kills crops, freezes breath, strips trees bare.

She vents her thoughts to him, whether he cares to listen or not. Only when Coyoteclaw brings up his kits does his patience reach its end. "Yes, because my mate was in labor. Which in most cases, would've been a PRIVATE matter between FAMILY. Which you all are not, last I checked. You all seem to have some confusion about what we are to you." His banded rattle lashed irritably.

There was no point in speaking to her. She chided him and yet knew nothing. "Spare me. Nothing has gotten fixed, and if it's news to you—I spent the last three weeks recovering from wounds. Wounds I earned defending our territory."

"Clean your ears out, girl. Did I say I wanted to lead? I don't care who leads as long as they're capable of protecting my family." He corrects her swiftly. "Our deputy is more capable of making sound decisions, and everyone knows it. Well… except for you, it seems. Kissing ass doesn't suit you, Coyoteclaw." All he cared about was who was able to ensure the safety of his family. If that had to be him, he would do it, but it didn't have to be. So far, Frostmoth had shown to be capable enough of making decisions. He knew the risks of coming off too soft to the other clans. While Adderfang didn't agree with his choice to come to the gathering, he had made better decisions than Pikestar so far.

The peace they both spoke of did not exist. It was an illusion—just like the safety everyone seemed to believe was there while they sat and chatted with their 'friends.' Pikestar, in his infinite wisdom, seemed to think there was some benefit to mingling. Normally, he couldn't have cared less, but his family would feel the shockwaves of his mistakes. Just like his other screw ups, Adderfang was sure this would go extremely well.

Pikestar talked—this time from behind Coyoteclaw. Proving once again just how spineless, how gutless, the bastard truly was. The tide of his temper surged again, crashing inland, sweeping away what restraint he had left. He let the tom speak. If only to hear what new bullshit he'd make up. Somehow, he managed to top the last bit of nonsense.

Chosen? He was still trying to cram that down all their throats? Good grief. Could he ever catch a break? Would it have been too much to ask to have a sane cat to talk to?

Once again, Pikestar made himself an obstacle. He wouldn't step down. He wouldn't step up. He refused to make right what had been done to them, relying instead on the unpredictable whims of strangers. "There is no 'StarClan'. Telling yourself that might make you feel important, but it ain't real. I don't know where you heard that, but no one in their right mind would've picked you when Pineheart or even Smokewreath were much better choices. Oh, and ain't it mighty interesting that you didn't give us, cats who clearly mean so much to you, the choice to decide who leads us?" Stars... Was Wavesong wrong after all? He didn't think the silverfish capable of it either back when, but could be he was more conniving than he let on, that or he was out of his mind.

"Like I was saying before. . . you don't know these cats and what they're capable of. You seem to think you do, but have you really gotten to know them? The fact that Juniperstar associates with ShadowClan should be hint enough, same for WindClan's leader. Cats like that, like ShadowClan will exploit that, and if you can't see it, then I don't know what to say. Everything can't be fixed by playing nice, Pikestar. One of these days, you're going to have to grow up."

Again, he wasn't listening. Neither of them was, but what did he expect? There was a difference between Coyoteclaw and Pikestar in the way they both thought like kits playing at being grown.

"All I'm hearing out of this is that you are condemning my son and daughter to die!" He rasped, breath ragged in his throat. The tom tosses his head back, teeth grinding so hard he could taste the grit on his tongue. The ring in his ears was so loud now that it had his head pounding.

He could forgive Coyoteclaw for doing what she thought was right—but so was he. He was doing what he had to—for his family. For the home Wavesong loved. For the future they were building. On the other side stood Pikestar, who now only ever seemed to serve himself. His wants. His needs. His safety. If he cared about Wavesong and their kits as he claimed, then he was somehow more dangerous than helpful. What about Wavesong? What about Troutkit and Shellkit? He could say he cared, but actions spoke louder than words alone.

So far, Pikestar hadn't lifted a single paw to help. He just hid behind Frostmoth, behind Coyoteclaw, behind his lengthy speeches. He retreated at the first sign of danger, barking from behind a fence like some pathetic, yappy dog. He always relied on everyone else to pick up his slack. Who in their right mind would 'choose' a leader like that to guide them?

"I don't give a shit about your council and I never have. The only reason I even accepted was for my family." All I ever do is for them... "Fine. Cut me loose. Go get yourself killed with your delusions, but one thing you don't get to decide is whether my family gets to suffer!" He scraped the dirt beneath him, claws carving deep into the sunbaked soil. Somewhere deep in his chest, the leash finally slipped. Coyoteclaw was still in his way, but Adderfang barreled over, long legs propelling him toward the silver tom, paws outstretched. He crashed into Pikestar, toppling him to the ground, eyes wild with fury.

"Spineless bastard!" A snarl rips from his throat as he pulls the tom into a tight embrace. Claws pricking into fur and flesh as they fall together. Pikestar's paws shot up to block, but Adderfang forced through the gap, pushing with all the force he could muster. Claws are flung without aim—blindly slashing the leader's face, chest, legs—anywhere he could reach. Blood laced the air like streamers, spattering the trampled grass.

Chaos erupted. Yowls and shocked voices, but it was background noise. All Adderfang could see was him. All he could hear was the memory of Wavesong's screams as she gave birth—and the numbing silence that followed when the last of the litter emerged. That dread and terror, that grief in his chest.

Why did he get to choose who suffered? Why was Pike in charge of their survival when he was incapable of making difficult choices to protect them? The one tasked to ensure their well-being was too much of a coward to get justice for them, for his children.

All Pikestar had to offer them were excuses and inaction. Empty reassurances and politics wouldn't save his kits. It wouldn't soothe the grief of him and his mate when their sickly children passed in the night.

He couldn't lose another daughter. He couldn't lose a son. If Adderfang had to bloody the whole damn clearing to stop that from happening and to save his kits—then so be it.

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

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  Other cats may try to pull him off, but I fear this is a cannon event. . . Also, this thread is now open!
  
  

• 

• 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​

 

[Iciclepaw Iciclepaw]

ICICLEPAW

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Iciclepaw looked from one to the other, wide-eyed and terrified. What... what was happening? The tension wasn't lessening, it wasn't simmering, it was boiling over. It was consuming the air around them, crackling and violent. Why was Adderfang not listening to Pikestar? Why was kindness met with anger? Why was civility something to spit on? He didn't understand. He couldn't understand. He wouldn't understand.

His breath hitched, chest tight with panic, as he turned to Pikestar, searching his mentor's face with pleading eyes. Say something… they begged. Fix this. Please. But deep down, he knew, even Pikestar's words might not reach Adderfang now. The fire had already caught. And it wasn't just a fire anymore... it was something worse. He blinked rapidly, trying to hold himself together. His chest rose and fell with every shallow breath. Then Adderfang's words cut deeper. They weren't family. That's what he said. The air seemed to collapse around Iciclepaw.

Wavesong... She had shared her prey with him, her stories, her warmth. She had seen his shyness and embraced him still. She had made him feel like family. And now, Adderfang, her mate, was unraveling everything. A flinch ripped through Iciclepaw's small frame. He recoiled slightly, staring at the scarred tom in horror. The louder Adderfang spoke, the more terrifying he became. " P-Pike… " he stammered, voice barely audible, gaze locked on Adderfang. He didn't dare look away, he was afraid if he blinked, if he moved, something terrible would happen.

And then it did. " NO! ADDER-- NO! " he shrieked, voice cracking with sudden, blind panic. Iciclepaw moved before he thought, his body lurching between them, trying to intercept the older tom. " Adderfang, please-- please, STOP--! "

CRACK!

A blur of motion. A harsh impact. Pain seared through him. He hit the ground hard, wind knocked from his lungs, vision blurring. His ears rang. His body burned. He looked up, dazed, just in time to feel a hot spray hit his face, colouring pristine fur red with blood. His pupils shrank to pinpricks, a shriek ripping from his throat before he even processed it.

" DAD, NO!! "

═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════

 

[pineheart]

Pineheart sees it a moment too late. He finally spots Adderfang, and he's speaking to Pikestar– and he thinks, for a moment, that Adderfang may at least have the self control to not attack their leader at a gathering of all the clans, showing the weakness of their clan, but… Adderfang shouts, and Pineheart is moving towards them, arriving too late to do anything but watch in horror.

"Adder!" he shouts, and he watches as Iciclepaw is sent sprawling, his horror turning into a snarl.

He jumps forward and bites down on the scruff of Adderfang's neck, yanking him off Pikestar with some effort, the scrawny tom's claws buried deep in their leader, and manages to wrestle him to the ground, using his weight and considerable size advantage to hold him down.

"Calm the fuck down!" He hisses, staring down at Adder. "What the fuck are you doing? Your kits are back at camp! If you get yourself killed here, you'll never see them again– you'll have no say in whether or not they live, because you'll be DEAD!" His anger flares, chest heaving. "You have a family Adder– a family that's alive, a family that needs you. Why the fuck are trying so hard to throw it all away?!"

He shakes Adder, as if trying to somehow force him into seeing reason. He has lost his patience, that much is obvious. He can't wrap his head around it. Pineheart would give anything– anything– to have his family back. For his mate to be alive, for his kits to still be running between his legs, for his last memory of them to not be battered and bloody bodies stinking of dog. And Adderfang has it, he has everything, and he was throwing it all away, and for what? His stupid fucking pride? Or was he so afraid of pointless and meaningless loss that he'd rather be the reason he ends up with nothing?

see the life i've had

could make a good man bad

• ooc: -
• PINEHEART : 51 moons
  mentor to torrentpaw
  tags

 

[Coyoteclaw Coyoteclaw]

———————————— 'Cause everything moves, everything pulses. ✦

Fury turned to shock, turned to horror. Coyote stood back and listened to the rage built between Pike and Adder, tail lashing as it was clear Adderfang was useless to reason with, nothing more than a blight of fury upon Pikestar, relentless and mindless. She was glad Pikestar had the sense to demote him there an then, while she spoke out of blind frustration, her point remained true; she would have loathed the day to see the council include such a senlessly angry cat cause more suffering in the clan.

But even so, her face fell to something else. She hadn't expected Adder's rage, but even less so could she believe her eyes when the tom lunged for Pikestar, tearing at his throat like a dog with a rabbit between its teeth. Coyote would have tore the bastard off herself, if the cry of Iciclepaw didn't tear her to reality. Bless him, bless his tiny heart, he loved Pikestar like a father and in his blind love did he try to defend the cat he looked to with such reverance, tossed aside with a painful crack that made the molly wince in pain.

She watched Pineheart latch onto Adderfang in kind, trying to tear him from ripping their leader to bloody shreds. Her gaze flickered between a cat she could now only see as some monstrous beast and an innocent bystander injured while trying to defend his remaining kin. "Fucking hell, Adder, pull yourself together, you bastard." She hissed, padding towards the apprentice, writhing and wailing.

The moment she uttered words about his kittens, she resented herself for it, they were innocent and had no reason to be brought into it all. And yet. And yet with her gaze on Pikestar's apprentice, splattered in blood, she couldn't help but truly feel worry for Wavesong and her kittens, such a rage-filled tom would cause more issues than protection for a family of such kindly cats.

Coyoteclaw nosed Iciclepaw's face tenderly; he seemed dazed and clearly in agony. "Icicle, can you hear me lil' guy?" She wouldn't bother asking if he was okay, he wouldn't be, his heart would be shattered for many moons watching his father be torn into like prey, let alone his trust in the council alone. "Yer okay, I've got you, come with me...", She tried to pull the shaken apprentice to his paws, standing between him and Pineheart's attempts to break up the fight.

He didn't need to be subject to it more, especially not as she felt more eyes fall on the increasingly escalated argument, shame burned in her face, but she wouldn't show it. Instead, focused on the injured at hand- Dear Starclan, Jinglemoon had his paws full already.... If it weren't for the shaken little apprentice, she would have shown Adderfang what a good and loyal warrior does in the face of a traitor seeking bloodshead against his own leader, but for that poor overworked medicine cat, she was grateful to have that passed over to a more level-headed cat.

— So many angles, so many lines,

So many ways to see the sunrise. —

• Interacting with and comforting @Iciclepaw
• 
  Coyoteclaw
  ✦—Riverclan Warrior | 20 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A chocolate/cinnamon chimaera with low white, and amber eyes.
  #8E4C1A

 

[Russetfall]

FALLING FOR THE PROMISE OF THE

EMPTINESS MACHINE

.

She's trapped in conversation with some Thunderclanner she doesn't know, desperately hoping her continued responses of uh-huh and hmm are enough to give the impression that the Life Guard isn't interested in talking but STARS this cat won't shut up.

'Be polite... Be polite... If blood is spilled tonight don't let it be you that draws it first, you have an example to se-'

It's the sound of Iciclepaw's shriek that snaps her head to attention moreso than Adder's snarl, fur bristling though she still can't quite place why the apprentice's fear bothers her so much. The former rogue is on her paws in an instant, heart in her throat as she surges forward without care for who's tail she stepped on in her rush.

Pine gets there first and for that she's almost grateful- she'd have a harder time dragging Adder off of Pike if it was just herself. She moves to place herself between the two and Pike, sweeping Iciclepaw against her side with her tail. "You idiot! How is this solving anything, Adder!?"

They were already low on herbs to begin with and now with blood spilled Jinglemoon would need to use what little they had still-and realistically could not spare- on whatever wounds Pikestar had just been given. Couldn't he see he was only making his kit's situation worse? That even if the progress was being slow they were all working to keep his kits alive? She'd barely seen Jinglemoon sleep since Wave had given birth, was he blind to the effort everyone was putting in to save his kits while he bitched and moaned that nothing was being done?

Claws flexed in the dirt, unknowing and uncaring for what had happened here moons before. As much as Russetfall wanted to cuff Adderfang over the ears it wouldn't solve anything. It would only escalate things and so with gritted teeth she turned, ushering Iciclepaw towards Coyoteclaw with an almost pleading glance before resting her narrowed gaze on Pikestar.

"Pike..."

[/b]

She stood still, statuesque save for the faintest twitch of her tail.

Get up.

Get upgetupgetup. You should have been RIGHT there.

22 moons

◆

Life Guard of Riverclan

◆

she/her

◆

tags

it's been decided how we lose

RUSSETFALL

— Life Guard of Riverclan
— She/Her
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
— A Green-eyed Chocolate Mackerel Tabby With Low White
#8a2c55

ooc: rushed mobile posting so things may look wonky!

 

[Smokewreath]

all you have is your

FIRE

─〃

He is eternally grateful for Curlpaw scurrying off as quickly as she did when he sent her to go socialize, his attention now settled fully on keeping track of his clanmates in the crowded clearing; he could see several RiverClan apprentices, two of his kits, chattering in a group and laughing, Pikestar sits next to a ShadowClan tom prattling on and Smokewreath feels his lips curl in annoyance but he bites his tongue and looks away - that was something they could have word about later but for now he continues his idle observations. It was when Adderfang swept thunderously through the crowd did he look back in Pikestar's direction; the brown tabby's tail was lashing like a war banner and his voice thought muffled as sharp enough to pierce through the fog of noise and reach Smokewreath's ears. The big dark tom rises to stand slowly as he hears their leader demote the other, then with more urgency as it comes to blows - he bolts in that direction as Pineheart rips Adderfang off their leader, hear Iciclepaw shriek in horror and he's there over the blue tabby in seconds, single orange eye frantically gauging injuries - he is no medicine cat but he knows where fatal areas are, he knows how much blood is too much, he knows they have nothing in their stores to fix this.
Pikestar to him is...mostly an annoyance, an annoyance he knows was chosen, a cat who the stars put faith in even if Smoke himself did not, but if he couldn't believe in those that guided them to their new home then what could he believe in? Surely not Pikestar alone, he was a fool and spineless, but having heard him demote Adderfang for disrespecting him, fighting him, pushing him - there was backbone there, even if you needed claws to tear it out.
The scarred tom agrees, for the most part, with Adderfang over Pikestar - they should have fought harder, should have retaliated against the clan that wronged them, they had lost cats to lack of herbs already and the irony Pikestar may follow is not lost to him. But this went too far. It went farther than should have been allowed to happen, they all saw the storm brewing and none of them charted a different direction for their ship.
You damned fool, Adderfang!" He is not as large as Pineheart but he staggers upward standing between the outraged warrior and their leader, "Was enough RiverClan blood not spilled already, do you want to drown Jinglemoon in the bodies of his clanmates!"

Ooc- ooc info here.

─ & the place you need to reach.

Smokewreath

— RiverClan Warrior
— He/Him
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
— Solid black tom w/vitiligo and one orange eye.
#ff7d46
x
x
x
x

 

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

TW WARNING: there will be descriptions (vague not too descriptive) of violence. There will also be dying

Why did he bother? Adderfang was not listening to him whatsoever. It was becoming much more difficult not to give in and start hissing back at the brown warrior. Especially with Adderfang going off on Coyoteclaw, although he would argue some of it was deserved. You really shouldn't have brought his kits into this. Argh, its hopeless with you two acting like kits. And Coyoteclaw is making my life harder thank you very much. If you actually bothered to get to know someone other than your family, you'd know this is just how Coyote is. All he can do is wait for the pair to settle whatever mess they had. He was not getting involved in their spat thank you very much.

To his fortune or perhaps misfortune, he is addressed again. This time Adderfang brings up Starclan. He genuinely wants to burst into laughter, because his experiences were living proof that Starclan existed. Not to mention Smokewreath had an encounter with Starclan, so it wasn't like it didn't exist. Your mate has talked about them too, so I'm not sure how you can keep denying it. I know better to bring her into this though. Once again, Adderfang is showing how much he refuses to listen.

"As I said. I was chosen by Starclan. I personally don't know why they picked me, but they did. I agree with you that there were better picks though. We can go back and forth about, but the fact remains that I was chosen by Starclan."

Whatever answer he gave, he knew Adderfang wouldn't listen. He didn't believe in Starclan and that was fine. Pikestar never forced anyone to believe in them. However, all of Riverclan should be aware of the very fact that it is due to Starclan that they even have a new home. A new life. As for letting the others decide who should lead them?

"I care about you all deeply, but I wasn't allowed to give you all the choice to decide. Knowing that, I tried not to be forceful. The changes made were slow for a reason."

Did you forget all that?

Of course, Adderfang is still not thrilled with the answer. The scrunch of their nose an indicator enough. You don't understand. You won't ever understand. Once again the warrior brings up the other clans. Quite frankly, Pikestar is tired of it. They're running in circles in this point. Only because Adderfang refuses to see things another way. I've heard I've got to grow up so many times before, this isn't even an insult at this point. Please come up with something better.

He sighs,

"It's not enough Adderfang. Am I supposed believe everyone who is associated with Shadowclan is evil?"

Make no mistake he didn't believe that Shadowclan was all good. He would be a fool to say there wasn't some bad in Shadowclan due to what happened to their clan, but everyone else? How can I make him see?

"For a moment lets forget all the clans. Tell me if there were two cats in the entire forest, one a rogue and the other a loner who have been traveling together all this time... Should I automatically consider the loner just as evil? Just because one cat or group of cats is bad, doesn't mean everyone who associates with them or knows them is just as bad. What of the children who are judged for the actions of the adults? They did not ask to be born to what is considered evil. I am not saying your views are entirely wrong. There are definitely some bad cats out there, but there is also good. You are forgetting that."

Life was not as simple as good and evil. Categorizing everything in such a manner was simple, but much was lost in the process.

"That is why its not enough. Why I choose to believe that there is good within Thunderclan and Windclan, even if they have Shadowclan kin within their ranks. Juniperstar and Dustystar are more than capable leaders. They are not Sablestar himself. Remember Juniperstar had the chance to attack us when we trespassed into our territory, but she chose not to. Do you think Sablestar would have done the same? Dustystar also had the chance to strike me down as soon as I warned her of Shadowclan's crimes. It would have benefitted her and Windclan greatly to do so, and yet she didn't. I know I can't trust them fully, but their actions have shown me the good in their hearts despite their association with Shadowclan."

He doesn't bring up his conversation with Dustystar, knowing it would greatly upset Adderfang more. Hearing that he and Dustystar agreed to know each other better despite clan alliances would go poorly.

"All I'm hearing out of this is that you are condemning my son and daughter to die!"

"I am not."

He could never condemn Adderfang's family. Wavesong has only ever been kind. Everyone within the clan loved her and such love was returned. All of them wanted to be their for her when kitting, yet they were turned away by her mate. As for the kits? It pained him each time he visited seeing how sickly they were, but he still visited along with Peachtrot and others. The children did not deserve to be condemned because of his failings or for how their father treated everyone. The truth of the matter is what he has said over and over again. Riverclan needed more time to find the herbs or to gain assistance from another clan. Adderfang could keep barking all he wanted, but this fact would not change. Unless the brown tom had the power to manifest herbs, then he would have to wait.

The admission that he did not care for the council whatsoever did not hurt. He had expected as such. Adderfang may have had some good ideas here and there, but if one looked closely the decisions were made with only his families needs in mind. At the time, the needs of Adderfang's family were what the clan also needed so the suggestions were followed. However, they couldn't keep making decisions based on one family. The clan had different needs from Adderfang's family. There were the apprentices who needed to keep up with their training, mentors who needed to find time to train said apprentices, upkeeping the camp, and sending out patrols to the borders or to gather resources. Riverclan couldn't be afforded to pour all their energy into finding herbs for the sake of Adderfang's family. If they did, all they would be doing is appeasing Adderfang. He would be content in knowing the fate of his family was secure at the expense of the others, guiltless. After all, his heart held no room for them.

I refused to look at the truth. While Adderfang continues to hiss at him, he can only think of Wavesong in this moment. Of how she approached him the first time he and Adderfang had conflict. You told me he would apologize. That I should look past his anger. Then, he thinks back to the time she approached him after the council meeting. How she didn't believe he was in the wrong. How Pikestar was to be more understanding. Was I not understanding enough? All this time, I looked away from the truth for you Wavesong. Its pitiful really... How he can't bring himself to feel enraged by Adderfang. He should be. The tom has insulted him, hissed at Coyoteclaw, and made Riverclan look like fools for everyone to see. I don't blame you for it, Wavesong. Because... Because I wanted to believe in him too. The good in him. That's why I refused to look for so long.

Pikestar watches in horror as Adderfang quickly vaults over Coyotefang, but before he can react a flash of white fur darts out in front of him.

"Iciclepaw?"

His apprentice is sent sprawling. A pained yowl leaves his throat as he's sent to the ground by Adderfang. Green eyes meet wild amber. He doesn't need to hear another insult to know this is not going to end well. Jarring it is to be pulled into a tight embrace. Instinctively, the silver leader begins to squirm, trying to break free from a crushing embrace. Unfortunately to no avail as another pained yowl leaves his throat and his body jerks at Adderfang's claws sinking into his flesh as they fall.

"ADDERFANG!"

No matter how much Pikestar flails his limbs or tries to block Adderfang's attacks, he is helpless to the assault. His throat hoarse from countless yowls. He's lost count how much he's cried out.

"Pl-please. Stop."

Fire burns everywhere, its difficult to pinpoint where Adderfang hasn't decorated his claws with. Either Adderfang hasn't heard him in his rage or has refused to give any mercy. One thing Pikestar is painfully aware of is the blood. The metallic scent without a doubt far more pungent due to how fresh it is compared to Hawkstar's blood soaked pelt, the awful tearing and squelching sounds, and the warmth leaving his body.

Eventually, he runs out of the strength to defend himself. Green eyes are forced to watch as Adderfang lifts a paw with blood stained claws. He is not afraid. No, if he was afraid it would've been from the start when his apprentice was sent sprawling. When he was pulled down and claws raked down his face. Now, he was exhausted. Resigned. He could only take in a wavering breath as claws sunk into him once more.

Mercy comes in the form of Pineheart who manages after some effort to pull Adderfang off of him. Not without claws tearing his throat.

They're so loud. Whatever it is Pineheart is yelling about is falling on deaf ears, as his body begins to tremble with every wheeze. Not yet. Please. Not yet. The sensation is akin to the very first time he received his nine lives. The abyss is calling for him. Ready to drag him into its depths once more. To cradle him as he panicked. Never cruel, only patient. It had waited then, for him to stop struggling. When he did, he felt an otherworldly peace. They were ready for him, but he couldn't go to them just yet. He needed to see his son was alright, and... Russetfall was calling for him.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have enough strength to rise to his paws. All he can do is roll to his side, heaving. Relief washes through him when he sees Iciclepaw being tended to by Coyoteclaw and Russetfall, even if his son's pelt was now stained in red. It is a small comfort. His gaze flicks from Iciclepaw to Coyoteclaw. Then to Pineheart, Smokewreath, and finally, Russetfall. No words needed to pass between them for him to understand what was going on through her mind. However, he felt responsible. For the four of them here. All of them had tried their best, yet it wasn't enough. Time was running out. Their blurry figures were fading slowly to black. He smiled at them.

"... It's not your fault."

With a final wheeze, Pikestar stills.

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆩♱𓆪 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• smh can't believe adder would do this / j but WOWWWW pike has lost a life officially and what happens now is up to everyone else! (he may have other lives but it does take a hot minute or more to come back to life) maybe... maybe he should've made it publicly known so they wouldn't think he was actually... dead fr.
• PIKESTAR

  — leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  ♱ 39 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
  ♱ speech is

  "#00caa2"

  — thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
  ♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
  ♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  ♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[Frostmoth]

A streak of black and white flies out of fourtrees, leaving the conflict between ThunderClan and SkyClan out of sight and mind. He easily picks Smokewreath's dark, scarred coat and Pineheart's hulking tabby form out of the crowd. Adderfang is beneath the latter, and a the pitiful pile of grey nearby is unmistakably Pikestar. "Each of you, all of you except for Pineheart and Smokewreath, get away!" Frostmoth's cry cuts high over the clamoring and shocked reactions of his clanmates. He shoves to the front, uncaring of who he knocks out of the way. He stops as if struck frozen when he sees it: Adderfang is spattered with blood, it flashes in his teeth and over his claws. The coppery smell is overwhelming, and the realization strikes him when his gaze flickers to the centerpiece. There, grey fur is thick with ribbons and roses of crimson, and Pikestar lies as peaceful as Frostmoth has ever seen him. He tries to suck in a breath, but finds that his lungs do not work. Not unlike Pikestar's own; the rise and fall of his body is shockingly still.

Frostmoth feels the sharp gust of a hurricane of emotion rush through him, nauseating him and causing him to stagger. Fear and confusion foremost around them, having witnessed what one of his own is capable of doing. Horror at the sight of death; there had been cats who died at the shipyard and near the boat he'd been raised on, but not like this. And he is disgusted with himself to find some semblance of relief in the storm. Relief that this all could be over, that the rising unrest in RiverClan could have resolved itself no matter the cost. The deputy tears his gaze away, almost as if him not looking at Pikestar might make this any less real. Like it might absolve him of feeling such a manner about a cat who has been slaughtered at his paws. Does he have any fault in this? Surely the rest of the council had not egged on Adderfang to go so far as he has, and with so much to lose too. Pineheart is right, Adderfang has kits and a mate. What is it that could have possibly made him snap like this?

"Hold him," he commands Pineheart sharply, as if the lifeguard would ever consider letting Adderfang go in his spitting, snarling rage "You're the only one who can." 'And you very well may be among one of the only ones I trust.' He turns back to the gawking group of cats behind them, eyes flashing with anger. "If you all came here to balk, you could at the very least go get a fucking medicine cat!" Frostmoth snarls. He is no longer interested in entertaining an audience of clanmates and strangers who form a theater of death around the show of his leader's wounds. The bicolor whips back around, dipping his head within earshot but out of striking range of the brown tomcat. "I trusted you," he hisses lowly at Adderfang "I fucking trusted you, but you are not the cat- the father, the loyal clanmate, the contrarian- I looked up to."

He allows a few clanmates past to tend to Pikestar's body, equally wanting Adderfang dealt with but also wanting to avoid the reality of the situation. He glances at Pineheart, at Smokewreath, and then back to Adderfang. Frostmoth feels sour creeping up his throat. Would they have to kill him? "You have to leave," he croaks suddenly "You must go and not return unless sought after. You are outnumbered."

Frostmoth clenches his jaw so hard he thinks he might have felt something crack. He looks to the sky, a silent pause as if he is praying for something, and then returns a gaze to Adderfang that is cold and unfeeling. "Unless you'd rather just be torn to shreds as you did to Pikestar."

OH, MY GOD ★ MAKE ME IN YOUR IMAGE

• "SPEECH"
• ★ FROST — he/him, riverclan deputy, 21 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!

 

[Iciclepaw Iciclepaw]

ICICLEPAW

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Wheezing, Iciclepaw could do nothing but stare, frozen in horror, at the lifeless body of the tom who had treated him like a son. His chest heaved in shallow, shaking gasps, tears welling in his eyes until they finally began to fall, one after another. He heard voices, vaguely. I've got you. Coyoteclaw… right beside him. Gentle words, a firm grip helping him up. But none of it felt real. The world was muted, as if someone had plunged him underwater. He stumbled to his paws, barely holding his own weight. His eyes never left Pikestar. Not once. Even when the tom, with dying breath, told them it wasn't their fault... he couldn't believe it. Because it was. It had to be.

I wasn't strong enough… I wasn't strong enough to protect you like you protected me… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…

Then he felt her close to him, Russetfall. Her warmth, her presence. And for a brief heartbeat, something inside him loosened. He wasn't alone. His mom was here. But it wasn't enough. It couldn't stop the storm building in his chest, screaming against his ribs like a trapped thing. His eyes, red-rimmed and glassy finally turned. Fixated. Adderfang. A hiccup broke from his throat as he stared at the wiry tom, vision swimming with tears.

" Y… You're right… " he choked, voice hoarse and cracking. " You're not part of this family… and you never will be! " The words tore out of him, grief burning through every syllable like fire. " W - Wavesong would never... she would never... " He couldn't finish. Sobs wracked through his small frame before the words could find their way out.

All he could do was move forward, slow and stumbling, until he collapsed beside Pikestar's still form. He pressed his face into the tabby's fur, letting it muffle the sound of his shattered sobs. His protector. His mentor. His father.
Gone. His father was dead..

═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════

 

[Littlebrook Littlebrook]

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

.

Too late… They had been too late. Stars curse it all, she had been watching him. She had. That wiry tom, always slipping just out of reach… But there were so many cats, so many moving bodies, too much noise, and in the chaos of it all, she lost sight of him. Just for a second. And a second was all it took. Everything erupted. Screams. Blood. A tangle of claws and fury. She had moved the instant it began, but by then, by then it was already happening. Thank the stars for Pineheart. Thank the stars he had been there, strong enough to pull Adderfang away before it could go further. But even now, her paws trembled beneath her as her eyes found the wounded form of Pikestar.

The blood. The rasping breath. The way his body moved like it was already halfway gone. Her stomach twisted, her face drained pale. Ears flattened as horror clawed up her spine. Around her, the world spun like a whirlwind, but her eyes were locked on Adderfang. " What have you done, Adder… " Her voice cracked around his name. Not loud. Not angry. Just broken. What did he expect now? That RiverClan would suddenly drop everything to scavenge for herbs that didn't exist? That the rest of them would rally around him after this? Did he believe he could just slink back into camp and call for Wavesong, to make her understand?

She knew Wavesong. Knew the soft, strange way she loved. And this? This wouldn't be something she forgave. Not even for him. He had destroyed it. All of it. His future. His family. The chance to raise his kits beside the one he loved. For what?

Smokewreath spoke, and Littlebrook dipped her head in terse agreement, jaw clenched. Then Frostmoth added his voice, measured and heavy with grief, and again she nodded, feeling every word land like a stone. Adderfang could not return, not after this... He wasn't welcome anymore... And Iciclepaw... Stars above. Her heart splintered at the sight of the young apprentice's anguish. She couldn't look at Adderfang anymore. Couldn't stomach it. Turning sharply, she pushed past the others, slipping through the crowd like a ghost. Her voice stayed buried deep in her chest as she followed after Twinklepaw, legs moving on their own now. They had to find a medicine cat. But in her heart, she feared the worst. Some lines, once crossed, could not be stepped back from. And death… death didn't wait.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

MOONS

𖧧

RIVERCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[Twinkletuft]

Well I know you're afraid,
but if even just one of us has faith...​

---

TWINKLE(TUFT), She/Her / 9 moons / Riverclan Apprentice
Fluffy rosetted silver tabby molly with tweed white hairs and soft blue eyes
Daughter of ASTRO and NEBULA, Sibling to COMET(TAIL), & ECLIPSE(SHADE)
Whimsical and oddly wise beyond her years if not a bit silly, has dexterous paws that are good for making things, goofy and bluntly honest
Tagging [@]

---

Okay. So, awkward was not going to be the undertone of this event. Skyclan's arrival really pulled things into a whole different realm that Twinklepaw hoped to not see. What was it with all of these supposedly grown cats and causing each other piling mounds of festering grief. Twinklepaw had no idea what happened between Thunderclan and Skyclan in truth, and based on what little she could (somewhat involuntarily) hear she had no idea what was the real truth. Basing an opinion on such lacking information would only be a recipe for disaster. She counted her lucky stars that she wasn't part of those clans, but the fact of the matter is it didn't matter if she was or not. Riverclan and Shadowclan were as well because of that idiotic heist.

Pulling her attention away from the rising tension across the way, Twinklepaw was momentarily left with her own thoughts.

What's next? What nonsensical cruelty was going to be pulled next? Who was going to be dragged into it? How many hearts would be broken? Lives shattered? Blood spilled? What next? Why was she, only nine moons of age, needing to think this way? Why? It was suffocating and Twinklepaw's frustration only grew.

Yet, she did not let it control her. She refused. She wasn't going to be like them. She wouldn't allow it. She wasn't going to end up drunk on sludge-like bitterness.

Her attention snapped back to reality as yet more tension rose, this time closer to where she had found herself. Pikestar and Adderfang. Oh, great. Wonderful. Of course! Of course. More of this. She had half a mind to march her way right up to the pair of them and just let them have it, grill the pair of them, lecture them, two grown toms. Why was she, only nine moons of age, needing to think this way? Why? Twinklepaw exhaled sharply, momentarily looking away since Coyoteclaw decided to try their hand at getting between the pair of them. Maybe pulling Iciclepaw away from that disaster would be best?

It was in that moment, when she looked away that she missed it.

Everything came crashing down afterward, Pineheart, Russetfall, Smokewreath and Frostmoth immediately descended upon Adderfang after he had callously attacked Pikestar.

Of course he did. Of course he did. Twinklepaw's body rattled and writhed with a furious vexation that no cat her age should. If Adderfang wanted to slash and strike at everything and everyone around him that ever tried to befriend or comfort him or help him, fine. What of his family? Oh his poor family. Twinklepaw's growing rage turned to dust at the thought of them, replaced by sorrow. Wavesong, Crescentpaw, Rushingpaw, Rosepaw and the new guppies— stars only knew how they would feel about this. How could he do this to them? Why didn't he understand where the others had been coming from? Why didn't he see that this would make things worse, not better?

Why were so many cats like this? It made Twinklepaw feel ill. Shaking her head, she didn't even bother to look at Adderfang, instead she chose to do as Frostmoth had said— find a Medicine Cat. Littlebrook had the same idea, and Twinklepaw was grateful for the help. Twinklepaw decided to leave Rainpaw out of this. Poor girl had been through enough lately, she should be hanging out with her siblings instead of handling the aftermath of adult tantrums.

Twinklepaw knew the other ones only by the descriptions her uncle Jinglemoon had given her; and based on that the priority would have been to find Swallowbreeze, but they weren't here. There was no point in looking for the Shadowclan Medicine Cat, and Serpentberry was busy with the other disaster. That left Gladebloom... Who was nowhere in sight either.

Stars, that only left the other Medicine Cat apprentices as options to seek help from. Swallowbreeze didn't seem to have an apprentice, Magpiepaw was practically a baby by comparison, which only left Rowanpaw and Meadowpaw. Twinklepaw prayed to the stars that at least those two would be available and not wrapped up in the chaos elsewhere.

'Please, let something go right this gathering'

Thankfully, Twinklepaw did indeed find precisely who she was looking for, the both of them— Rowanpaw and Meadowpaw. "Rowanpaw, Meadowpaw!! Help!! I knew to look for you because Jinglemoon is my uncle, he's busy and isn't here. No time, need to be quick. Pikestar got attacked, it's really bad." She sputtered out her plea, as much information as she could before turning around to run back the other way. "C'mon!"

---

You can be certain that some day—
All of our dreams will come true!​

​

 

[JUNCOPAW]

Truthfully, Juncopaw doesn't exactly know what she's doing here. She had been drawn, like moth to a flame, towards the ever-increasing sounds of her Clanmates. Their tones had not matched the playful one that Jackdawpaw used when joking about the SkyClan leader. The difference between those two situations are night and day. With widened eyes, Juncopaw nears the commotion—and with a mute gasp, she witnesses something she never thought she ever would.

Her excitement about attending the Gathering feels like snippets from someone else's life; that's the kind of emotional whiplash she gets when Adderfang lunges for Pikestar. Juncopaw's stomach churns as the sight unfolds before her, unable to tear her gaze away despite the whimper that soon finds itself onto her lips. Later she will be embarrassed about it... if she will even remember what she had been doing. Hawkstar's bloodstained fur pales in comparison—she had been so much further away from Juncopaw, someone unapproachable like the very stars themselves.

Juncopaw only realizes that her senses had momentarily dulled when the panicked yelling of RiverClan explodes in her eardrums.

"Ruh... Rainpaw!"

That's the first thing that pops into her head. Jinglemoon might not be here, but surely, Rainpaw can do something? Juncopaw doesn't entirely comprehend Pikestar's still form. He needs help, is the only understandable echo within the confines of her mind.

When Juncopaw finds the pale gray fur amongst the crowd, she urges the medicine cat apprentice forward.

"Help! Come- Pikestar is-"

She doesn't know. Dead? He can't be. This cannot be happening.

The scene slips out from under Juncopaw once again. Words, details- all of those are lost on her as she returns to the scene of the crime, because really, that's what this is. Her watery gaze settles on Smokewreath, his dark pelt shining like a beacon for her. Quickly, Juncopaw closes the gap between them both and headbutts his flank, ears and tail tucked.

"Dad..."

Fetching @Rainpaw
Hiding beside @Smokewreath <3

 

[rowanpaw]

☆ Rowanpaw is on her feet immediately, abandoning both the Riverclan apprentice and Meadow as she darts toward the commotion to which she'd been summoned, the stench of blood immediately overwhelming her. She grimaces, trying to suppress the horrid memories of the great battle. They flash behind her eyelids, the screams cut through the air.

She reaches the grey tom, who she recognizes to be Riverclan's leader. She looks him over, a gentle paw resting on his chest. He isn't breathing, and his heart has stilled. She shakes her head gently, looking up at the gathered Riverclanners.

"I am- I am the apprentice of Thunderclan's medicine cat. I'm a friend of Jinglemoon's," she says, a feeble attempt at quickly establishing trust. "It is too late… I'm sorry. He lost too much blood. Your leader has lost one of his lives. There is not much you can do for him now- we can try to stop the blood flow, but it will stop itself soon enough, once Starclan gives him back to you. I… I know it is scary to watch, but you must trust in Starclan. They chose your leader and blessed him with his nine lives for a reason," she looks around and spots the small form of a kit, looking shaken and terrified.

"Is he hurt?" She asks, addressing no one in particular. "And what about the cat who attacked your leader– is he hurt?" She looks at him, where he's nearly buried beneath a mountain of a cat, and can't see enough of him to know if he's injured or if the blood all belongs to his leader. She looks back up. "Not everyone has the benefit of extra lives, so right now we should focus on them… I don't think there's any cobwebs here, but if someone is bleeding, moss will do the trick as well." She looks around and catches Meadow's eye, "could you fetch some moss? If nothing else, we should be able to clean up Pikestar… It's no way to come back, covered in blood like that."

She turns back to the small kit, smiling gently at him. "Don't worry, little one… you were very brave. I'm sure once your father returns, he will tell you the same," and then, looking up at the cat comforting him, she says, "I didn't see everything, but I think he hit his head- and he's afraid. Try and see if you can get him to slow his breathing, alright? And keep him still, he shouldn't move too much till someone can get a proper look at him."

Is she talking too much? It all just sort of came tumbling out of her all at once, but there was so much to do and say and so many looking lost, so many to help- she feels quite suddenly overwhelmed and sinks back on her haunches, lowering her head and trying to take deep breaths. She wasn't used to ordering people around, especially not those older than her.

She turns back to Pikestar, eager to busy her paws again. A brief look over her shoulder, "I won't hurt him, I promise."

Then she leans down and gently closes his eyes with her paw, smoothing over his rumpled fur, and gently pushing him so that he's lying in a more comfortable position. She sees flashes of Juniperstar's body, her infected leg- ignores it. She can help this time, make it easier for him.

☆ ROWANPAW. 14 moons
mentored by serpentberry,
adopted daughter of serpentberry and thornstar
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc -