Camp you were looking for saints ──✩°｡⋆⸜ meeting

[juniperstar]

juniper

too much...

the world moves in relentless cycles of impatient jabs. it doesn't give her the moment to hold and have her children in peace... doesn't give her the space to take comfort in her little successes. in what blooms peek out in the form of new relationships forming amongst clan-mates, distributions of prey keeping bellies from being empty. all to be singed by the hint of the coming new leaf sun. new growth stifled... scorched... left to wilt out of their sight. maybe she shouldn't have left it to Brightpetal alone... or she shouldn't have allowed herself to be coaxed into the idea of resting, relaxing... being a mother above being a leader.

her lips quiver with the guilt of her choices, treading across the camp with uncertain purpose- one marked by the wounds of the heart. how many lives needed to be lost before things were properly secure...? vision wanders from the dusty floor, lifting to climb the rocky outcropping that forms sweeping walls around their dens. it should be safe... why didn't it feel safe?

the stars would not pause themselves in the sky to wait for her to come to a conclusion... she couldn't wait for a gentle, young soul to endure more heartache to learn from those experiences- wouldn't subject her deputy to such torture for the sake of learning. "Some things need to change," she murmurs, first to herself before ultimately the pieces snap into place and inspire urgency to her paws. she delicately picks her way over top of boisterous kits that always seem to hover around her ankles, clambering a small ways up the stone that borders her den like a door- "ThunderClan," her call is a summoning stained in mourning... of things that could've been prevented.

"We've found where our territory butts up against ShadowClan... the blackened path that reeks of crow-food marks the split. They've taken it into their own paws to claim a piece of ours through a show of force... I ask you... not to engage with them. They aren't worth spilling blood for. We can push our borders near the river if necessary..." that would hopefully suffice to drown their fears... to not drive them to panic. her pupils thin with frustration, a vision of lightning bolted stripes making her fur bristle. they'd made an agreement... and he'd broken it with his hubris. there was no telling what Sablestar's retaliation would be. she'd need to meet with him... to try to smooth this over.

"The woods are dangerous... and it's become clear to me that apprentices shouldn't be given free reign to adventure like they have been allowed in the past... I understand this may be frustrating- I spent a lot of time exploring when I was their age but it's for their safety that I'm going to be pairing them with a warrior... their mentors. You'll only have to keep track of one apprentice... make sure they know how to hunt and fight... and don't let them out of your sight." brows furrow into jagged lines, the memory of Rowanpaw distant but clear... but not nearly so clear as the grisly end of another, more recent and violent death....

"Magnoliapeak... you're responsible for Rampaw. Trufflepaw, Owlbark is going to be keeping an eye on you. Burningdawn I'd like you to watch after Lightningpaw. Honeysucklecry, I'm going to have you tending to Bearpaw. Copperstorm, you're in charge of Erminepaw. Cryingdove, I'm going to ask you to watch after Yolkpaw. Brightpetal- Lovepaw's yours. Bustardpaw, you're going to be listening to Graybird. Firepaw, Hazelheart will be your mentor. Eaglepaw, Gravelpath's going to be teaching you." her dive headlong into the waters of assignments is cut short by a wide-eyed, insistent stare from Serpentberry, who she acknowledges with a swish of her tail. she'd leave Rowanpaw to her care... wouldn't insist upon sending her out into the wilds anytime soon after her repeated dangerous fiascos. her medicine cat would tell her when the russet she-cat was ready or...

she shrugs the empty space aside.

"There's... I've... Well I've also decided that Brightpetal cannot be everywhere at once." it was a fact, not meant to wound his ego or imply him an incompetent deputy... he had done well to ease tensions, to prevent unnecessary losses... she'd make sure he understood that, that this wasn't a punishment against him. "To help him while I'm... indisposed," the bright-eyed stares of her kittens just below her, scrambling at the rock's base to try to climb up there to join her makes her heart sigh with a sort of a bemused and miserable affection. "I'm forming a... group of advisors. To assist him. To answer questions and guide the clan... Those that shield us and make us stronger. Our Storm Guard." it certainly sounds impressive... and she hopes beyond hope that others think it so just on name alone.. that the respect they are owed flows into their new role easily and without butting heads. there are a few names that most readily stand out to her, some of them faces she trusted closely and cherished, others who had earned a spot in the heart of her clan even if they made her fur bristle at times.

Thunderflash would not be escaping her ire so easily...

"Owlbark... Hazelheart... Honeysucklecry... Murkyfang... and Thunderflash..." her eyes linger on the foolhardy tom with a persistent hardness, a simmered irritation that signaled this reward did not free him from consequence. "I ask you to find your stride beside Brightpetal.. to help him mold, care for, and shape ThunderClan... to model our clan's values of justice, compassion and trust when he nor I are present to do so ourselves. To act as an extension of our will and your clan's... and to serve faithfully as Storm Guards unless you so decide this path doesn't suit you."

──✩°｡⋆⸜ ✮

• lets gooooo!!!! apprentice/mentor pairings are introduced for the first time...
  the storm guard is founded and promoted!!
  
  @Magnoliapeak @Rampaw @trufflepaw @OWLBARK @BURNINGDAWN @Lightningpaw @honeysucklecry @BEARPAW @Copperstorm @erminepaw @Crying Dove @yolkpaw @BRIGHTPETAL @BUSTARDPAW @Graybird @hazelheart @eaglepaw @GravelPath @Murkyfang @THUNDERFLASH

• juniperstar leader of thunderclan nine lives remain

  ignore me

 

[THUNDERFLASH]

The time that had passed inbetween the border incident and now had allowed him to simmer. The sharp conversation with Juniperstar, the one that left an oddly bad taste in his mouth with Ghoststrike- perhaps he had been sulking. Hanging out neat where Serpentberry's (now) cleaned up den was, he had given himself time to rest, given the wound on his shoulder. One wrong look at the gorse tunnel and Serpentberry was ready to flame him to bits. Hell, even now, he made sure to keep his eyes forward and mind straight.

Juniperstar calls for a meeting. His ears prick, bright blues turning towards the rock outcropping that she stood upon. A grumble leaves him, pushing to his paws and slowly drawing near. Thunderflash does his best to stay respectful. Thin ice. That's what he was on. A near start of a war, for how selfish he was. Or, at least, that's what most parties involved were going to call him for the way he acted. His tail twitches as the thought, settling down slowly despite the ache in his shoulder from the speed. Juniperstar speaks on things he already knows, and he's half-blank in his mind until- I ask you... not to engage with them. "Tch." He whispers to himself, tail twitching. His head turns away, falling quiet in rumination again.

What she brings up next, however, is enough to make him pay attention again. The apprentice incident. Anger leaves him in a bout of grief, a frown plastering to his mouth. The hail of assignments come like the name he has given them, and a breath leaves him. Honestly, not too surprising that Juniperstar didn't give him a mentor after that. A frown is still pressed to his muzzle as she continues, speaking on Brightpetal's need for help. Storm Guards. That much, he and Ghoststrike could agree with- eyes stray to try and find the white masked tabby now, ears perking for a brief moment, then he's looking back at Juniperstar. The name was cool enough and- her eyes were pinned to him, his name leaving her mouth, and he straightens up. What? His thoughts are instant, baying in his mind.

Was this to keep better tabs on him? To put a kind of responsibility in his paws, so that he couldn't fuck up again? Or was it truly because she needed help, help that he had been clearly giving even without the title? He's left to ruminate on that thought too, forcing his jaws to move in the meantime. "Aye. I can do tha'." I can do better. He promises to himself, chin tucking against his chest. I will do better.

___________________ YOU'VE GOT MY BODY ☆ FLESH AND BONE, YEAH ___________________

• "speech"
  

• 

• THUNDERFLASH he/him, thunderclan storm guard, twenty one moons.
  ☆ a sh/lh chocolate tabby with low white and stunning baby blue eyes. stands of average height with a 'mohawk' and spiky-shaped mane.
  ☆ mentored by who / mentoring no one
  ☆ whichever relations / want listed
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ☆ penned by dallas ↛ dallasofnines on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[serpentberry]

The anger in her chest does not lie dormant - it flares with the aching wounds, both mental and physical, of her Clanmates. They returned in two parts: one, a patrol of youths torn apart by a badger. They lost a child to false bravery and adventure. And much worse, her daughter attended such a fruitless venture and found new scrapes and tears in her pelt as well. And two, the patrol that lost land. Thunderflash was a part of that one, an instigator in his own right. And their foolishness, alongside Brightpetal's petulant authority, lost them a strip of land on their side of the tarmac, ever closer to her, her kits - to Juni and the whole of ThunderClan...

Oh, she's angry. It manifests in heavy pawed healing and a tongue so sharp, her patients wish she would just claw them instead. Her kits are each kept close to her heels, her vibrant eyes focused on the camp's entrance, as if Sable would push forth, further than the land he stole. As if he would tear into their home and take everything away from her yet again. Rowanpaw, too, is sequestered to her den, a mother's rage pinning her to bedding - as if she was the one who died. As if it is her vigil they must prepare for. It may as well be.

She doesn't notice Juniperstar atop her rock, not until her leader's uncertainty makes her fur ruffle. Paranoia is thick in the air, only amplified by their chocolate molly's anxiety. She slinks closer, only slightly, but stations herself near Thunderflash. His quiet tutting is met with a snake's bite by way of her tail swiping against his backside. She doesn't agree with Juniperstar - it seems more and more lately, she sees the molly's flaws lie in her bleeding heart - but she won't allow her decisions to be openly mocked, even if in the quiet comfort of friends.

Apprentices are mentioned, and her gaze falls back to Rowanpaw. Divisive, Serpentberry narrows her eyes to her eldest daughter, all whilst Juniperstar details just how pliable and pathetic the older children can be. She would not speak on Molepaw - poor, sweet Molepaw - but none of them would be in this position if they hadn't been wooed by some foolhardy ideation. Juniperstar makes quick work of her decision. Warriors will hold to apprentices and guide them, mentor them as her friend puts it. There's a subtle flutter in her chest, then. It pulses before it becomes painful, a thrum of dread that begins to drown any common sense she may have had.

It shows with how her eyes widen, how her lips part no different than a fish's. Juniperstar names youth after youth after youth - and green eyes drag from the depths of her den up to her leader, her friend, her last connection to everything that is good and kind. You will be good to me, she makes her silent demands, standing to her paws achingly slow. She feels as if she's shriveled into her namesake, poised to strike at anything that offends her. Juniperstar finds her and dismisses her worry with a sway of her chocolate tail - but the heightened pace of her heart does not lighten.

Juniperstar continues without mention of Rowanpaw. She trails off, suggesting help for Brightpetal, naming names. It all becomes ringing to Serpentberry, details that do not matter as she turns entirely, leaving the meeting and sinking deeper into her den. She does not wave her goodbye to Thunderflash in her stark and sudden silence, simply stalking towards her mentorless daughter, intentions clear to anyone who may have watched.

 

[Murkyfang]

𓆝 . ° ✦

Murkyfang's tail trails behind her, sifting up dusty snow as she shadows the crowd. Perched above, their leader, commanding exhaustedly their attention. Murkyfang's ears flick back at the mention of ShadowClan.. of the little engagement that even she partook in, albeit only verbally. If she had the confidence to challenge her authorities, she'd scoff at the request for indifference as well.

Admittedly, she zones out when the whole mentorship thing unfolds. She knows she's not one to train another cat; she can barely look after herself. That's why, when her name tumbles effortlessly out of the leader's mouth, Murkyfang's head jolts up, eyes bewildered as if Juniperstar grew a second head. Murkyfang - in a list of many - entrusted to aid Brightpetal in his duties. Murkyfang, to be a model citizen, an embodiment of.. trust and compassion? Her mouth gapes, and she cannot help the raspy exclamation that comes.

"What?"

Murkyfang the Storm Guard. How peculiar. How.. laughable. She bites her lip and takes a half-step back; she wants to disappear into the crowd, to become a nameless, faceless lurker amongst their ranks once more. For the life of her, she cannot figure out what Juniperstar sees, if she even sees at all - but soon enough, an idea pops into mind like a lightbulb. Something conniving. Something manipulative - something she was used to, at long last.

Murkyfang would be a step above the other warriors, even if she didn't know how to be. Even if she didn't deserve it. What fear did Brightpetal and Juniperstar hold in their hearts from up high? She couldn't fathom it being any similar to her own - to the cowardly, scrawny scrap she had been as a mere equal. If this work is so important, enough to deserve its own title, who would challenge her then? Could she even imagine a reality in which she doesn't have to defend her food and life from the invisible threat of paranoia?

And so, after a careful moment of deliberation, Murkyfang rolls her shoulders and allows her ears to raise once more.

"Okay,"

she mumbles in her usual ghostly hum.. with a mere undertone of arrogance to back her volume.

✧ ° . ✶ . ° ✧

ooc Information

• ooc: —
• 

  MURKYFANG — SHE/HER ･ 19 MOONS ･ WARRIOR ; THE COLONY ･ PENNED BY IXORA

  a ghastly loner - blink, and you might miss her.

 

[Magnoliapeak]

𓆝 . ° ✦

Magnoliapeak listens intently. Another pair of eyes staring expectantly up at a Juniperstar who already looks like she is bearing the weight of the world. The meeting comes shortly after the scuffle with ShadowClan, and the news is far from cheerful. This is to be expected. She mostly blames Thunderflash for the loss of ThunderClan territory to ShadowClan- they might have been able to go separate ways if they had controlled their anger- she does not divert her gaze away from her aunt as she goes on about bloodshed and caution. It's hard not to give him a smarmy look when she is the first one given an apprentice, though. Let alone that Thunderflash is not given one.

She had thought it was going to end at the apprenticeships. Magnoliapeak blinks when Juniperstar announces the formation of the storm guard, nonplussed. The guilt that roils in her stomach when she thinks about the way they had to report that their territory had been stolen is enough to tell her she doesn't think she should have been named. Hazelheart and Honeysucklecry, her mother and sister respectively, are very deserving. But the other three...? Owlbark is a self-righteous asshole, though Magnoliapeak supposes the same can be said about her in some cases. Thunderflash is a good warrior, but Magnoliapeak thinks he makes up for his lack of brains in muscle. And Murkyfang is... She spares a sidelong glance at the quiet molly. Murkyfang looks like she spends half of her time being scared of her own shadow.

In her dissatisfaction, she stands as soon as the meeting is dismissed. She nearly crashes into Serpentberry, but says nothing. The medicine cat already looks angry enough. Magnoliapeak is sure it has something to do with Rowanpaw not being given a mentor. Her gaze trails curiously after Serpentberry, but she snaps it back on path. It isn't her business anyway. She approaches Rampaw stiffly, looking down at him. "I'm Magnoliapeak," she says flatly. No flair. "We'll meet at dawn. Think about what you want to work on first." The dilute tortoiseshell turns and stalks towards the warriors' den. There is a lot to think about.

✧ ° . ✶ . ° ✧

ooc Information

• ooc: —
• 

  MAGNOLIA — SHE/HER ･ 21 MOONS ･ WARRIOR & THUNDERCLAN ･ PENNED BY CARAT!

  dilute tortoiseshell with amber eyes. here too.

 

[Copperstorm]

COPPER OF THUNDERCLAN

Copperstorm's fur bristled, a light scowl settling on his face as he gazed toward Juniperstar. The expression wasn't meant for her, but rather for the events that had unfolded... The young cat killed by a badger, the reckless patrol that had sparked a fight with apparently... ShadowClan. He understood the frustration that fueled those actions, but frustration alone wouldn't keep them safe. Something had to change. Apprentices couldn't be allowed to run amok anymore; they needed guidance, mentors who could temper their adventurous spirits and teach them to explore with wisdom, not recklessness.

Dipping his head in acknowledgment as he was appointed mentor to Erminepaw, Copperstorm's golden eyes swept the crowd until they landed on his new apprentice. He met the young cat's gaze with a warm blink. He would train them well, shape them into a capable warrior, one who would live a long, prosperous life rather than having it snuffed out too soon by the fangs and claws of a predator.

Then, Juniperstar spoke of forming the Storm Guard. Copperstorm's ears twitched, his gaze narrowing slightly. Owlbark, Hazelheart, Honeysucklecry, Murkyfang, and Thunderflash. A new rank, cats elevated above their Clanmates. He mulled over the decision, his tail giving a thoughtful lash. Would this strengthen the Clan or deepen the cracks already forming beneath the surface? His gaze flickered toward Serpentberry, watching her reaction. She did not look pleased. Distant, silent, she turned away from the gathering, retreating toward her den without a word. Copperstorm exhaled slowly before finally turning to Dewshine and Tuliptail. His voice was quiet, laced with contemplation.

" …Quite the things that are happening here, huh? "

you walk along the edge of danger ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU

@Dewshine @Tuliptail

 

[Dewshine's iconDewshine]

⋆˚✧˖° Come On, Come On, We Can Go Away⋆˚✧˖°

The news of the...skirmish at the border left her terribly on edge, knowing that Charcoal was just a hop away on the other side of the thunderpath. What if Sablestar decided to finish what he started and Charcoal tagged along to finish what HE had started? A fully body shudder went along the length of her spine and Dewshine pressed herself against her mate in an attempt to quell it. Molepaw was dead, killed by a badger (she'd never seen such a creature before but felt rather foolish to ask so soon after...), things needed to change. That much she could agree with.

Pale orange eyes drifted from Copperstorm to Juniperstar as their leader made their announcements in light of recent events. Her ears perked up at the name of her mate being called quickly followed by one of the apprentices and she shot an encouraging smile at the tom beside her, purr in her throat. "You'll do amazing, love."

The decision to form a Storm Guard, as Juniperstar put it, was a welcome one. It was clear that neither leader nor deputy could be everywhere at once as much as they wished they could. The promotion of some of them however- Dewshine glanced at Thunderflash in particular at the thought- gave her pause. Was it really wise to raise him up like that? So soon after his actions had lost them territory and possibly opened them up to retaliation..? There was no telling what Juniperstar's thought process was on this... Hopefully it wouldn't bite them all in the tail later.

"Congratulations everyone..!" Still her eyes refused to meet Thunderflash's.

✦──

─ We Don't Need Them ✦

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

 

[GHOSTSTRIKE]

I WON'T SMILE, BUT I'LL SHOW YOU MY TEETH

​

---

A lone figure at the back, Ghost sat watching the proceedings through dark eyes. It was the first real meeting since the patrol had returned to report a loss of territory to Sable and his rogues, and while his features remained difficult to read, there were stirrings of curiosity within the striped tomcat. A desire to see things done right.

"I ask you… not to engage with them."

The shecats request left him with questions. Concerns. But there she wasn't wrong. Thunderclan wasn't hurting for space or prey, and they had other borders they could expand out from. The question was, how docile would they remain going forward? If Shadowclan chose to push the boundary again, how much of it would their leader let them have? Their recent win would only have bolstered their confidence against Thunderclan.

The next order of business was in regard to apprentice safety, something his old colony had never put much stock in. It was a smart move to have a formal training system in place, though. Assigning the young to Mentors wasn't a terrible start, and he found he didn't disapprove of the system Juniperstar was presenting them with. The only issue he could see with it was that the 'Mentors' had to be up to standards themselves, and he wasn't sure they all would be.

'Better than nothing' he thought to himself.

Better than what the Coalition had offered.

The final order on the docket was what had the majority of his attention though. It seemed like the issue near the thunderpath was enough to get their leaders thinking a bit more strategically– though, Ghost had doubts about those chosen, but then again, was there really an option that would satisfy him?

Owlbark. Hazelheart. Honeysucklecry. Murkyfang…. Thunderflash.

Ghost knew the tom wasn't ready, and he wasn't sure why Juniperstar was promoting him after he'd just showcased that fact the day prior. And while he was no less ready than any of the other cats who'd been singled out for this new rank, none of them had the dark-furred brutes attention in quite the same way.

Personally invested, as much as he hated to admit it.

​

---

thunderclan warrior- male - a large, grey tabby with dark amber eyes and several scars

​

 

[trufflepaw]

They feel as though they've fucked up way too many times over the past moon, and oh, is it another meeting time already, so soon? Certainly, certainly this time they'll be yelled at, their chest tightens already and its hard to tell Juniperstars call from the looming badger that snapped their teeth around Molepaw's chest, from the blood that splattered everywhere, from the-

They screw their eyes shut, nearly forgetting to breathe in the moment. No matter what happens, they're forced to meet this head-on. Just like...

Trufflepaw, and their heart skips a beat. This was it, wasn't it, oh, they'd be casted out without a second chance, Juniperstar would tell them they could have done more and oh, how they know that is true, that it was their fault. If they had gotten help faster... If they had fought, maybe, but they had been so scared... A punishment doesn't come verbally, but in the form of something called a mentor. Owlbark will be keeping an eye on them, and they visibly deflate. This, their punishment, someone to be watching them. Though they suppose its for the better, as misfortune tends to follow them everywhere they go, it does not soothe the piercing sting in their heart any less. It does not soothe the fact that they know they're in trouble, it does not soothe the fact that they're seen as foolish, it does not soothe anything. It certainly doesn't soothe the loss of Molepaw. Owlbark is also promoted to a Storm Guard, and... Everything else is lost in the fuzzy haze that becomes their hearing.

They watch as Serpentberry stalks back to her den out of the corner of their eyes as Juniperstar skips over Rowanpaw. Trufflepaw makes a mental note not to get in her way, nor be injured in the next few days... They blink, and they see the badger again. They shift closer to Owlbark, however far he was, mentally seeking any sort of comfort they can.