A watering hole [Open for RC - Staff Generated Event]

The Leaf-fall showers had filled a dip in the pebbly earth nearby the camp in RiverClan territory. It's cool waters looked inviting. Shallow enough a kit may play in, and deep enough that the water within remains cool, a refreshing drink for all. With the recent unexpected burst of warmth from the weather, it was the perfect place for the clan to gather and relax. No threat of drowning here.

A nice, clear watering hole.

A coarse, throaty cough erupted from the reeds as the silver deputy slipped out on her way back to camp. The air was terrifyingly warm and dry despite Leaf-bare quickly approaching. Mistfeather let out another bought of coughs, huffing as she gasped for air. After a long morning spent wandering, patrolling, and hunting, the she-cat was ready to fall down, eat a delicious fish, and drink as much water as she could.

The tabby stared into the sky as she made her way towards camp. Her eyes barely stayed open as she trudged through the heat, cursing her fur. The she-cat lazily gazed at the clouds, only to be shocked into reality as her paws came in contact with very cold water. Jumping up, she hissed loudly and stepped back, her green eyes plastered to the pool in front of her. Where had this come from? Mistfeather knew the territory like the back of her paw, but this was new. She stared at it for some time. It looked very shallow, enough so that kits could stand without the water touching their chin. The clear water stood still and the small pebbles lining the bottom appeared clean. There wasn't anything wrong with it. In fact, it seemed almost too clean.

Laying down, she flicked some of the water with her paw. It seemed harmless, and who was she to turn down such a welcome pond. Lapping at the water a little, she was more than relieved to feel the refreshing liquid sooth her raw throat. She continued to drink, as her thirst grew stronger, unknowing to it's poisonous properties.

Raising her head for air, she couldn't help but sigh in relief. "The clan needs to know about this. And it's so close to camp!"

OOC: Oops about my last post- I didn't realize it was RP.

Slushpaw was hunting when she heard Mistfeather talking. She was surprised to see a big hole filled with water. "Hi Mistfeather. What's this?"

OOC: can i say Willowkit was being taught by Slushpaw to hunt?

IC:Willowkit squeaked in excitement as she caught a small water vole near by. "Slushpaw I got one!!" The diluted gray and black calico meowed. She was very kit like since she never had a kithood because she lived in Boneclan with her father, but now she was back. The apprentice aged cat stopped next to her sister, her mouth full of the water vole. She dropped it as she saw Mistfeather. "Hi Mistfeather!"

Ashcloud had been trying to hunt in the streams a ways away from camp with not much luck. A single small bass lay in his jaw, twitching every now and then. He pushed his head through the marsh grass, coming upon Mistfeather, Slushpaw, and Willowkit. At first he questioned why Willowkit was out of camp, but stopped when he saw the pool of water. It was so clear and beautiful, a perfect reflection of the sky.

He padded over to it, sniffing the surface, causing little ripples to radiate outwards. After a drink, it was proven that it tasted good too.

Troutstep padded out of the crowded camp and walked over to the watering hole. Seeing there were other cats around, he steered clear of them and sat his rump on the far side of the watering hole, enjoying the breeze.

Slushpaw sniffed the water. "Hmm." She said. "Strange. There must have been a lot of rain or something." She flicked her paw into the water, feeling around to see how deep it was. "I still prefer the river, however. But this is nice to cool your paws in." She dipped her paws in and felt happy. She didn't like this holes muddy look- she hated muddy water.

Swiftkit ran over to the watering hole and jumped in. Water went all around. She jumped up and down repeatedly, playing in the water. She settled down and looked down at the reflecting water. She pawed at her reflection watching the ripples. "This is so nice." Swiftkit mewed as she shook the water off her paw.

Crisp breezes were often common, and many days were full of them. The air was often damp with dew or raindrops, but today... The air was warm and muggy. 


"I don't understand this terrible weather!" The gray tabby rasped, her heavy breathing louder than normal. "Leaf fall is here, I know that, but... Why is it so warm?" She demanded crossly, her ugly tone more like a sickening hiss.


Stepping forward into the massive crowd, a sudden feel of happiness burst over the tabby. "Water!" She cried excitedly, leaning forward to lap up the seemingly delicous water on her tounge.

Ripplepaw looked at the watering hole with curiosity. His gaze darted to the other cats. Ripplepaw reached down to touch the water with his nose when he got splashed by Snowkit.

Willowkit saw that her brother Troutstep was sitting a ways away. She padded over to him and sat next to him. "Hi Troutstep. Hows it going?" She calico meowed looking at her brother with her sky blue eyes.

Barrenkit, spotting Troutstep and some other warriors and kits leave the camp, followed behind. The tom stopped at the pool of water and trotted over to his only friend. Barrenkit sat down next to Troutstep without speaking a word. He closed his eyes, enjoying the peace until Willowkit came over and greeted Troutstep. "I'm trying to enjoy the quietness over here with my buddy, do ya mind Willowkit?" Barrenkit hissed.

Willowkit narrowed her eyes. "Well excuse me for trying to say hi to my brother!" She hissed and stalked off into the territory trying to get back to camp. She stopped by a small stream and growled. "Toms!! Ugh they can be annoying sometimes." I was just saying hello to my older brother.. Does Troutstep not like his other siblings..? She thought glumly. She looked down at her reflection and frowned. Hissing she swiped a paw across it and turned away.

The crystal clear surface of the water hid a insidious secret. The water was indeed cool and refreshing, but it was laced with poisonous wastes from the twoleg's attempts at weed management. Those who drank from it's cool depths would slowly lose their appetite, their muscles would twitch and a rumbling pain would be felt in their stomachs.

After a day, they'd lose co-ordination of limbs, vomit, and their hearts would race. A hot flush would take over, and they'd feel feverous.

The final stage, the deadly stage, the one hopefully none of the sweet cats would reach was the seizures and of course, death.

The only remedy? Hope that your Medicine Cat had lots of yarrow handy. It's said that it's poison purging properties may be of use. But that of course counting on them figuring it out.

Cats who have been afflicted so far: Mistfeather, Ashcloud, Salmonstripe, Fishstar

ooc: this is good and bad. Wisteria has a lot of yarrow, but doesn't know of their properties. My predicted outcome is at least one death. (realistically-- we can't force someone to die, right?)

Wisteriapaw had not been so much emotionally affected with the death of her mentor in the terms of grief. However, her anxieties grew. She was left with an over flowing den of herbs she had no idea how to use. She could patch wounds with cobwebs and birth kits, but that was about it. She had spent most of the day pacing the territory, searching her too-young brain to come up with any idea on what to do, and avoid doing her duties in camp... Would she be allowed to cross territories to beg for help from say ThunderClan's medicine cat? The truth of the matter is, she hasn't even met any of them. She would have to ask Fishstar, and soon.

Towards the end of the day, she heard noises of amusement and some anger. Curiosity took her paws, and she ended up at the clear pool. Pausing at the edge of the crowd, she stopped to pick some (yarrow) leaves.