thoughts, perhaps prayers [open]

The two tortoiseshell felines found themselves walking towards a particular part of the territory. For a change, instead of the smaller molly taking the lead, it was the much larger, fluffier one. It wasn't usually her place to lead, to follow in her mother's literal pawsteps. But in this case, she'd been the one given the opportunity to do so. It wasn't like they were going to a place of unfamiliar origin, it was a place that had become sacred to their family in many ways. Newleaf's blessings meant that taking a trip to the Owl Tree was met with warmth, a place to share tongues as a family, a place to remember. The small memorial that had come to decorate the base of the tree was replenished in Newleaf, should any of it have been disturbed.

By some miracle, the ring of stones and ornately-woven brambles had hardly been disturbed. It looked more like a small den, more than anything, and in a way, it was. Every close family member that Mottlestar had lost resided here. The hardest one to place had been one for Minnowfin, when one evening, the silver tom had left without a trace. She knew what type of walk he had gone on, and it hurt her chest to have to mark his grave without properly being able to grieve his passing. Morningsun's grave was here as well, the first one marked.

Murkyripple hadn't ever felt as much of a connection to this place. She hardly even felt the connection to the idea of a father, as she never even got to meet the tom who had sired her. But that didn't mean she didn't feel some semblance of empathy, even if it was near-impossible. It was something to get them out of camp, to patrol for the fabled owl that supposedly claimed the tree. So she slowed her steps as the two approached, allowing Mottlestar to finally take the lead on their little walk.

"You would have really liked Mistlepaw. She was a little spitfire, just like your sister. Morningsun was gentle... much like Briarrose, but if you wronged him, he'd tell you as much." Mottlestar spoke fondly of her loved ones. The mention of Morningsun just hurt, much more than it still should. But she couldn't help but feel the pain of him in the stars, angered at her for what she'd done. Shaking the thoughts away, she offered a spot for her living daughter to rest with her.

Murkyripple settled herself down, simply nodding to her mother's words. They felt so far away, a relationship that... simply didn't exist. Her relationship with her older sister, Briarrose, was even often a bit weird. But most of that had to have been thanks to Murkyripple's own doing. Surely. "I'm sure they're watching over us, in the stars. They're proud of you, ma." What had started out as a sarcastic-sounding phrase had a surprising amount of empathy to it, and Mottlestar could only smile and give a gentle chuckle. "I hope so."

Though the only living cat whose blood he shared was Curlyfluff, Lichenwing had never felt like he lacked love, or connection, in ThunderClan. They were close-knit, and Mottlestar, as leader, had seemed to do everything she could to keep it that way... at least, that's what Lichenwing thought. So he'd been happy to join the leader, and her daughter, on a patrol to the Owl Tree, though it seemed less of a patrol, and more of a field trip, than anything.

No complaints from Lichenwing - he enjoyed the casual hangouts just as much as he would a hunt or real patrol. But he also didn't want to interrupt the family bonding happening up there, so he hung back, sort of doing his own thing.

Whitewhisker had followed a ways behind the patrol.  He had been needing to stretch his legs, it was getting pretty old being stuck in the elder den for so long.

He watched silently as Mottlestar and Murkyripple settled down and spoke softly of cats lost.

He blinked nodding somberly a little.

He went over to Lichen's side.  "Mind if I sit next to you Lichenpaw?" he asked quietly.

The fact that he got Lichen's name at least correct was an acomplisment in itself.  His memory was spotty at best and he may be a few moons behind as far as warriors were concerned still having Lichen pegged out as an apprentice.

Name changes were getting very difficult for the old tom and he tried his best to keep up with them all but age waited for no one and it was getting harder and harder to remember things recently.  

At times, the memory issues would lead him to snap out or be frustrated which was very understandable but he always tried his best to keep a joyful attitude.


He glanced over in the direction of his leader.  did you ever talk to the riverclan leader? ... gee what is his name... JAYSTAR thats right... yes about the rocks... the rocks with the sun... what was those rocks name... sharing the rocks he purred.

... well some parts of his memory were better than others, the fact that he got at least A riverclan leader was doing well enough.  ... the fact that Jaystar had not been around for seasons was details after all.

"Sunningrocks?" It was rare for Firefly to join a gaythering of more than one or two cats, her bad attitude never lacking. But, recently, her clan had given her the opportunity to not only train, but to let out pent up aggression in a healthy and controlled environment. Today, she was just fine. Normal, even. For now. "Jaystar...? I don't think there's a leader with that name. Not alive, anyway." Every now and again, Whitewhisker would say some strange thing, solidifying that he was absolutely ancient. Though the elder probably couldn't life a single claw in a real fight, he had her to protect him should trouble come around, so it would be okay. She smiled at him.

Nodding to Lichenpaw, Firefly joined both her sister and her mother.

Mottlestar gave a warm purr towards her clanmates as they joined, and her gaze in particular found Whitewhisker. "Jaystar passed a fair bit ago, Whitewhisker. Riverclan is led by Perchstar now." She purred warmly, gently reminding the tom of how things now were in the forest. She could hardly blame him, there had been so many different leaders that had come and gone even since she was a kit.

Murkyripple had let the conversation carry on, and noticing how Lichenwing seemed a bit far out, she dipped her head quietly to her mother and sister and found a spot by the tom. She may not have interacted much with him, but... this was a time to share kinship with everyone. Not just blood-family. Silently, the tall calico brushed her head gently against the tom's shoulder, encouraging him to lay down with her. They could have a break here for a bit.

"But yes, Sunningrocks. Perchstar and I are... still talking about that. But we may be able to share the rocks soon. Whitewhisker, I'm sure you remember back when Stoatstar and Jaystar got in fights about those rocks. Seems a little silly when we may be able to share them, right?" She made conversation with the elder, chuckling softly. She once more glanced at the memorials, thinking of Minnowfin. Would he be proud of that progress? Perchstar had an affinity for Minnowfin, as well as it seemed now Mottlestar herself. It wasn't something she'd take lightly.

But the leader didn't let Firefly go unnoticed either, signaling for the she-cat to take the spot that her sister had just left. Her kits would never be too old for her to enjoy some time grooming them, and if Firefly wished, she'd get just that.