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Starclan: Hazelpaw, cedarpaw, Brightsplit
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 9:26 | |
Auburnflare blinked at the remark. So that was what Hopepaw had intended to do with the prey, carrying it around like a toy rather than eating it. An offering, an apology in a way that only the deaf apprentice could attempt in regards to another clan. Finally, he remarked, "It seems Hopepaw knows the meaning of peace better than all of us." He didn't like the idea of Thunderclan prey lining the stomach of any other clan, especially Skyclan. It made his tail curl in disgust. However, the warrior couldn't bring himself to be cross with her, even as he watched with disdain as she groomed Brackendawn's flank. He snorted, "Kit sitting is a fitting expression if you're going to act like a misplaced queen. Thunderclan honors her like any other apprentice. Not even her mom feels the need to sit on her tail." Auburnflare's eyes narrowed at the way the Skyclan cat brushed Hopepaw with his tail. The fur along his shoulders threatened to bristle with agitation. Acting like Thunderclan couldn't handle their own while pretending as if he had some care for the apprentice as if Skyclan cats hadn't tried to rip her pelt off a few sunrises ago, "Find me an apprentice that hasn't dipped their paws in mischief. Or tell me how Skyclan has the magic ability to keep all their clanmates in line that I somehow missed, then we can talk, featherbrain." The muttered words lacked any malice but his dislike for Brackendawn was palpable. Once again, he motioned for Hopepaw in an effort to draw her away from the enemy cat. |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 10:59 | |
MALLOWCLOUD ! "Congratula—" Mallowcloud had started to congratulate the warriors and apprentices Perchstar and Tigerstar listed off when Crabpaw approached him, loud as he was. A ShadowClanner! His tail curled with delight when the apprentice started introducing himself, a warm purr flooding his chest. How fun! "I'm Mallowcloud," The SkyClanner began, turning his head to wave his bushy tail around, "and I think I've got enough tail for the both of us!" He rose to his paws, choosing to press his new friend. "Did something happen to it?" |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 15:26 | |
i've given up on counting blessings the gods can judge me when i'm dead || code (c) kieer you know no one’s perfect but i’m pretty close || code (c) kieer ______________________________________ [Only mods are allowed to see this link] [character pages] Leopardstar ~ Nightdancer ~ Lightningbreeze ~ Mistflower ~ Scarletflare ~ Muse ShadowClan ~ ThunderClan ~ SkyClan ~ SkyClan ~ RiverClan ~ Nomad Leader ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Warrior ~ Scout Tier 5 ~ Tier 5 ~ Tier 3 ~ Tier 3 ~ Tier 1 ~ Tier 3 |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 16:07 | |
Feral Tongue Forest Tongue His eyes had been closed when Nettlepaw - no, Nettleweaver as ShadowClan's leader had announced - his sandy head lolled to one side as though he had been meditating before being approached. Had he not been approached with his own birth language, Vinecrawler might have ignored the call completely. He wouldn't have dared to cast his native tongue aside; especially not when greeted so enthusiastically. "Congratulations on your strong name, Nettleweaver. It suits you well." Umber eyes cast slightly to Nettleweaver's side where a fluffy black and white molly stood. He bowed his head respectfully, eyes unintentionally boring into hers as he waited for her to introduce herself. Vinecrawler is speaking to Nettle and Orchid! The first call for the gathering to start from Perchstar was what finally had Heatherberry blinking open an emerald eye, head turning to look at Littlesplash as he nervously pressed into the rock behind them. She could have sworn she had heard him whisper to her, but hearing that over the million voices of other cats was nigh impossible. She blinked at him in question, allowing for him to speak again whenever the leaders had finished their announcements. Heatherberry has woken from her nap. ______________________________________ |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 16:12 | |
______________________________________ Art by Copperbeanz Lilyvalley* | ShadowClan Warrior | 45/90 | #6e174c Elmpaw | RiverClan Apprentice | 20/60 | #1c1c70 Robinmist | Skyclan Elder | 60/80 | #4E5A64 Adderkit | ThunderClan Kit | 10/30 | #99b586 (Not Pictured) Profiles | Heart Chart | Plotting |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 16:15 | |
Acornstar winced as Wolfstar glanced at her - mentioning her desire to speak. She knew what had happened - she had gotten the story and she wasn't happy at all with what had happened but she knew it was her fault... She nodded, preparing herself for that conversation - but was certainly not prepared for Hopepaw to approach the rock - her eyes widening as she spotted her apprentice casually caring a squirrel. Her heart started to beat rapidly as she realized who Hopepaw was heading forward, dropping the prey to lean up to tap on Wolfstar's tail. W-Why was Hopepaw offering prey to Wolfstar? It had to be an apology, surely but... It seemed the leader was just as confused, and as the leader turned to Acornstar to try to get answers, the ThunderClan leader had nothing to give. She stood there in shock, her mouth agape as she tried to find the words to speak. She was aware of the situation that had happened - that Hopepaw had crossed the border by accident... A failing of her own work, she should have done better to explain what the separation of the border was instead of relying on the Thunderpath and river as a clear enough mark despite SkyClan being the Clan they were in trouble with. "I-" she started, before her voice failed her. It seemed the silence of her unable to find her words carried on for too long as Perchstar finally stepped up to fill it by starting the Gathering. She sighed, watching with relief as Hopepaw stepped away at that and gave a look to Wolfstar - she would explain things after the Gathering after all, it seemed. She listened as the other Clans spoke - a rogue problem with RiverClan as of late, and SkyClan dealing with something having managed to kill a fox but not the work of a cat... Troublesome. She was lucky that nothing had posed a problem for ThunderClan so far, but perhaps it would be worth speaking with Sageroot about doubling patrols to keep an eye on their borders if their neighbors were having such troubles... At least ShadowClan seemed to be doing fine - but with that, it was her turn to speak. Clearing her throat, she took a step forward. "ThunderClan has faced so such troubles the recent moon, but we'll keep an eye on our borders and territory - I think you both for your warnings," she meowed, before twitching an ear as she tried to consider how to announce things. "We've recently welcomed Tinypaw, Irispaw and Lionpaw as apprentices, while our newest warriors are Auburnflare and Ravenloft. That is all," as she stepped back, she turned to look at Wolfstar now that the announcements was done - a sheepish expression crossing her face. "I greatly apologize for the situation at the border, Wolfstar," she said quickly, stepping closer to try to keep the conversation between the two of them - having used the time afforded by the other leaders to speak to find her words. "Its my fault - I admit that. Hopepaw is my apprentice, however... She is deaf and I...failed to stress the importance of borders marked only by scent to her. I don't know if she fully understands what happened - it may be why she attempted to offer a squirrel, to make up for the misunderstanding but its..." A sigh escaped her, shaking her head. "Still I apologize, for that and the disrespect my warriors showed you. I will do my best to make sure Hopepaw takes the lesson afforded to her to heart and remind my warriors to treat you and yours with respect despite our previous tensions." There was a pause, a thought suddenly hitting her. An oversight when it came to their new agreement with RiverClan - it was another thing that Hopepaw couldn't be told about. She spun to face the regal leader. "Hopepaw might pose a problem with you as well - being deaf, she isn't aware of the change in our agreement," she meowed, trying to keep things vague - Perchstar had not mentioned that their alliance was no more and after the last Gathering... Acornstar didn't want to make a mess of things by speaking of things she had no right in sharing again. "I can only hope that the situation at the SkyClan border, as brief as it was, may teach her to be more mindful of scent borders but I do not know if that will apply to our border so... That will be something to keep in mind but I'll do my best to teach her." ______________________________________ Acornstar ♀ ~ Badgermask ♀ ~ Creamsky ♂ ~ Duckpaw ⚧ ~ Eveningmoon ♀ TC T5 Leader (80 HP - 170 SP) ~ SC T5 Warrior (70 HP - 160 SP) ~ SkC T5 Warrior (70 HP - 160 SP) ~ RC Apprentice (20 HP - 60 SP)~ WC T2 Warrior (35 HP - 70 SP*) Rosybrown (Forest)/Sandybrown (Feral) ~ Indigo ~ Tan ~ Olive ~ Icyblue *Disadvantage Stats |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Mon 15 Apr 2024 - 21:14 | |
I promise that you'll never find another like me ♡ discord: rainyheart | timezone: pst | code (c) kieer |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Tue 16 Apr 2024 - 6:03 | |
A tom's voice had appeared behind her, and her head was quick to turn to see who she would be met with. A tuxedo cat, no doubt smelling of Skyclan. Though she didn't leave camp anymore, her moons as a warrior still served her well. Immediately, feelings of defense crept into her paws, but they were only ebbed away by the peaceful oath they all swore beneath the full moon. What did he want to do with..? She searched her memory incessantly. Did she know of any times he'd sought the company of this cat? No. Perhaps his former apprentices would have, but she herself did not. Shaking the thought away, Mistwalker at least figured she could offer some information if the tom knew Rowansong by name. "I apologize for the disappointment, but Rowansong is no longer able to attend gatherings." She allowed that sentence to hang in the air, before a realization hit her. "He is alive--let me clarify. He is alive. But will no longer be able to come." She was... somewhat unsure just how much to share. It hurt her heart to see how the tom had been struck by the wolves. However... all Clans had been there for that. Surely, whoever this was would understand. Mistwalker is talking to Crookedlight! His rasping urge for her response gave way to a strange feeling in her chest. Was this... nerves? She couldn't quite tell. Not that it truly mattered, but, part of her truly hoped that he approved. "Snowvixen." The white molly had leaned forward, just slightly, to pass it along to the tom as if it were some contraband. A secret that the world didn't quite get to know yet. But all the same, there was pride in her voice as she spoke it. "I requested from Tigerstar that I no longer be called Pipit. That... was a name from a cat who caused me a lot of pain. So I wished to find a name that would suit me better. One where I am not an annoying bird." She scrunched her nose at the idea of still being the tiny little thing that her name had hailed from. "I kind of like being called Snowvixen. It reminds me of you, a bit. A vixen, a fox, and a wolf. Two really strong beasts." She looked at her paws, the heat creeping to her cheeks. Hopefully, he approved. He had to like her name. What if he didn't? The thoughts seemed to tug at her a bit more than they should, but she wanted to know what he thought. Any indication that he liked it. Snowvixen is talking to Wolfpaw! ______________________________________ v e t e r a n . u s e r • f o r m e r . a d m i n p r o f i l e s • h e a r t . c h a r t Murkyriver • Mintglade • Crakeburn • Snowvixen • Mistwalker • Hollowpaw |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Tue 16 Apr 2024 - 12:37 | |
Ivypaw nodded, smirking as well. "Great," he meowed, with the mossball still clenched. He didn’t want to be held accountable for anything, so he pawed it to Featherpaw. But as he did, he nearly felt... guilt. Making her throw it, making her possibly get a punishment if caught... What was he feeling? Love or something! He tried to make it go away, but he stood to no avail. "Oh, hm... throw this mossball at..." He watched the crowd of cats and saw a tortoiseshell of WindClan. He smirked even wider, but guilt still clung at his fur, not letting go. "Throw it at that one," he said silently and quickly, his eyes pointing towards the WindClan warrior. Making sure no one was looking, he hoped Featherpaw knew to do it as discreetly as possible so some warrior wouldn’t come scolding them. |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Tue 16 Apr 2024 - 13:15 | ||||||||||
Poppyshine Poppyshine was happy for Sleepycloud, but her heart also squeezed tightly in her chest. Sleepycloud had honestly thought that she had to leave the forest to be with another cat? She knew that Perchstar would have let this Stormsong into RiverClan if she had only asked, especially since they ended up back in ThunderClan anyway. Owlshriek had gone out looking for her because of it. If Sleepycloud had only talked to them, perhaps he would still…She shook the thought from her head. It was supposed to be a joyous moment of reuniting. She didn’t want to soil that with her own heavy thoughts. “I am glad you found someone that makes you happy. I miss you dearly, but if you are happy in ThunderClan then that is what matters,” she said with a tiny, sad smile. “I have some sadder news then, for you. I wish it could just be a happy moment, but you should know. Your father has since gone missing after you left. If he should ever return, I’ll make sure word gets to you. And your siblings…They have all passed.” Her voice grew softer. “Sootspirit drowned in the river some moons back and Hawkshriek was found having drowned while the clans were staying at a lake during our absence. I am sure Perchstar can permit you visits if you would like to visit where they’re buried.” She tried to smile, but the sad weight was obvious on her. “I hope I can get a chance to meet your mate and your children as well.” Poppyshine is speaking with Sleepycloud. RiverClan • Tier 5 • Deputy • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #669966 Pineblossom The sudden yell for Hedgepaw startled Pineblossom out of her rest and she jumped to her paws. She looked around, expecting danger or for her daughter to be in trouble, but she then saw Hedgepaw dragging a familiar little form behind a tree. Pineblossom’s muscles relaxed but she hurried over to the tree anyway. “Fish what in the world are you doing here?” she asked sternly as she walked up behind her daughter. “Hedgepaw is right, this is a dangerous place for rogues. Many clan cats are not very patient with cats outside the clans.” She looked over her shoulder at the little cat that had passed her. He looked an awful lot like Fish. “Is that one of your siblings then?” Louder, she called to Louse, “You. Come over here.” Pineblossom looked back at Fish. “Where is your father, then? He lets you and your sibling go wandering through the woods in the middle of the night?” It was normal for ShadowClan cats, sure, but she knew it was not for any others. Pineblossom is with Hedgepaw and Fish and called for Louse to come back so he doesn’t wander up to other clan cat. ShadowClan • Tier 5 • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #6699ff Crookedlight Mistwalker’s delivery of the news made Crookedlight’s ears flatten and he felt his stomach roll over inside of his body. He came to the conclusion of Rowansong’s death and it felt like hi world spun before Mistwalker corrected herself. Crookedlight let out a breath and looked for a moment like he may vomit before he steadied himself. Rowansong was not dead, just…incapacitated, however that was. Him being alive was a relief, at least, but still left him concerned. “Can…Can I ask why?” he asked weakly. Crookedlight is talking with Mistwalker. SkyClan • Tier 5 • He/Him • 70 | 160 • #ff6699 ______________________________________ Whisperear*T5 WindClan Elder 65HP/130SP #9999cc PineblossomT5 ShadowClan 70HP/160SP #6699ff WillowwispT5 RiverClan 70HP/160SP #6abcde CrookedlightT5 SkyClan 70HP/160SP #ff6699 LarkspringT5 RiverClan 70HP/160SP #787878 PoppyshineT5 RiverClan Deputy 70HP/160SP #669966 |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Tue 16 Apr 2024 - 15:38 | |
Perchstar listened carefully to the other announcements. Little from Leopardstar, which was characteristic. Wolfstar's news of the dead fox was... worrying, to say the least. It was easy to remember how her Clan had been torn apart by repeated issues with predators during a greenleaf season early in her leadership. If there was something that could kill one that easily, and leave such a mess... it was good to be warned. The wolves that had taken one of her lives jumped to mind, and she could see similar thought processes on her fellow leaders' faces. She offered a nod to those who mentioned her, but mostly sat back until Acornstar walked closer with a whisper. So they were not going to talk about Sunningrocks. It was a gesture she appreciated--one that showed Acornstar had grown already from the deputy that she used to be. News of a deaf apprentice who did not understand borders, however, was slightly concerning. She did not want to make any exceptions to the very important border rules. Cats who had disabilities should be accepted and allowed, but they should not be permitted to break the rules. Perchstar's torn ear flicked once. "I appreciate the warning," she said, keeping her voice low. "Whatever it was that transpired between her and the SkyClan border... I would prefer if there was no repeat. Her being your Clanmate means she is your responsibility to teach, difficult or no. If I encountered her trespassing, I would know it was not malicious, but most of my Clanmates would not know the same. She still will not be welcome past the borders." It was important to clarify. She did her best to speak with neutrality rather than unkindness. Perchstar has finished her announcements but is speaking with Acornstar. -- Physical affection had always been one of Bubblebeam's love languages. She would snuggle with her littermates, press her face into her grandmother's fur, nudge Uncle Rain's shoulder. But... with Silverhawk, it was always different. Even now, just the way he leaned in close to her ear made every hair near his warm breath stand on end. They were in a public place. That was the only thing keeping her from getting closer to him, from responding physically to the magnetism of his greeting. But her gaze met Hawkmist's, and she couldn't help blinking at the way that the shock on his face curdled into a more sour expression, complete with the lash of his tail. Yet, the way he said her name made her spine tingle slightly. He wasn't mad at her, then. He couldn't be if his regular growl contained a sweeter undertone. "Regular," she called it, though she'd only met him once before--as deep as that conversation had been, she didn't know his mannerisms as well as Silverbird's. Glancing between the two of them was strange, though. They were friends? Best friends, from kithood? It didn't look like it somehow. It discomforted her a little, how they both spoke to each other without meeting the others' eyes. Were they unhappy with her presence? Was she the common denominator? She would fear that she'd been intruding, if not for the fact that they'd initiated the conversation with her. Perhaps it was just awkward for them, being such good friends and having known her independently. Trying to figure out the exact inner workings of Silverbird's mind was always an enigma; she didn't know Hawkmist enough to read any differences between the various flavors of scowl that generally graced his features. She'd just have to take their words at face value, for now. Her smile did not falter. Pale green eyes hopped from striking gold to deeper forest-green in turn, glancing at each when they spoke. It was strangely electrifying, to see both of them at once like this, at the same time as she wondered what the word "friendship" meant to both of them. Perhaps she ought to stop using the nickname. Maybe it would make them uncomfortable; he'd mentioned being proud of his name, after all, and that was... their thing. It might make both of them upset. Not that it mattered much, not really, though it made her throat tighten inexplicably for a moment "Silver...hawk and I have run into each other a few times at the border," Bubblebeam explained, looking first at the gold-and-white form of Hawkmist. If the two did know each other as well as they said, she couldn't help being a little bit surprised that Silverbird hadn't mentioned her to him. Though heat rose under her pelt at the memory of her last meeting, and... she was a bit less surprised. After all, she hadn't told any of her siblings or friends about him, had she? And she certainly didn't want Hawkmist to know about the word "mine." Something about the deep glare of his gaze, about the way his paws tightened into the ground, made her think he wouldn't like it. The odd path in which her thoughts ran was disrupted by Silverbird asking a question. She glanced over to him, the tip of her fluffy tail twitching once behind her. How odd that this felt like an interrogation. Still though, she had no reason not to answer. Would he be... upset? Was he upset? It would be odd, for someone feeling upset to purr in the way he did. "We had a conversation once across the border. It was a bad day for both of us, I think, so talking made us feel better. Or at least... made me feel better. I hope I was more than just an annoyance. Just only the once--but I thought Hawkmist seemed nice. It's really not a very long story. Not yet, anyway. Though it's nice to see him again." She shot the lanky tom another glance, warm and genuine, before returning with a cocked head to listen to Silverbird's words. (It took effort not to react to the soft brush of his tail against her flank.) Hawkmist having difficulty making friends... she could see it. He did seem somewhat standoffish, especially moreso in this interaction--but at the border, talking to him had been so easy. He'd been nothing but kind to her, even though he could've had every excuse to be grumpy or mean. "Well, if he's got you for a friend, then he's doing pretty well already. It's nice to have someone close to you. I wouldn't dream of trying to take the 'best friend' title." Thinking of the phrase "best friend" and who she used to apply it to did make her ear twitch once, though. Mintglade... How long had it been since she'd thought of the she-cat as a friend? Instead of... the strange gulf that now lay between them? Bubblebeam caught her shoulders slumping but stopped them, flicking the tip of her tail dismissively. Why on earth did her unhappy thoughts keep trying to drag her down? That was the whole reason she was talking to these two, the whole reason she had come to the Gathering. To feel better. To stop worrying about the messed-up situations with her Clan and her family and just stop. She shook her head and smiled again. "I guess I just get two friends for the price of one. Lucky me, huh? If Hawkmist doesn't have many other friends, it's nice that I get to take second place automatically. If your Clanmates knew what was good for them, I'd have to get in line. With how handsome the two of you look, I'm surprised they're not all throwing themselves at you already." The paleness of her eyes gleamed in the darkness. She pushed away the wonder of how many other friends Silverbird had--and whether he'd claimed any of them as his. It wouldn't help much to think like that. She was in a different Clan, after all, so they couldn't be... well. That thought would only worsen her depressed moping if she let it see the light of day. "It would be a lot nicer to call you two Clanmates than... some of the ones I've got to deal with. But I didn't come to the Gathering to complain." Bubblebeam is speaking with Hawkmist and Silverhawk. -- Hedgepaw felt her tail lash once behind her--a fairly unfamiliar movement. She rarely got upset, not with such wonderful family and Clanmates around her. But for some reason, this rogue tom got under her pelt with his insistence upon doing such dangerous things. Hadn't he learned his lesson after trespassing on ShadowClan territory before? She didn't want him to get eaten. "What do you mean, you didn't know this was Clan territory?" she asked, her voice a quiet hiss among the loud calls of leader announcements and general hubbub of conversations. "You must've had to cross some border to get here! B'sides, how many other places nearby do this many cats gather? It's pretty obvi'us they're not rogues." She wasn't really angry, though, so much as just upset. Why was he purring at her? Why did the rumble feel so strange traveling from his chest and up through her paw? "I mean--I don' mind talking to you, I guess. But this isn't a good spot to be." But finally, the reality of the situation seemed to catch up to him. His glee faded as he stepped back, a more sober expression making its way to his face. It caused a twinge in her heart, for some reason. She wasn't quite sure why. She wanted him to leave so that he'd be safe, didn't she? Her small ears perked up and seized upon the word he used--"friends." "We're... friends?" Hedgepaw's head cocked to the side, green eyes wide. She had a couple friends back at the Clans, she thought, but... to hear Fish say it was different. They'd only really met once. But she couldn't deny, as scary as anything beyond ShadowClan borders were to her, that he was... interesting. She had a lot of questions for him. And maybe, if they were friends, he'd have to be more careful. So she found herself nodding. "I mean--sure! Yeah. Friends. I'd like that." Another frown came, though, when he mentioned his brother. He had brothers like she did? Why weren't they here protecting him, then? Why would Fish's brother have run off into the crowds? That wasn't very responsible of him. Still, she found her paws gearing up to move after him. A familiar, stern voice came from behind, stopping her movement. Hedgepaw's fur stood up for a moment--then it settled back down, and she smiled. "Mamma!" Pineblossom could do anything. If she was here, then there was no longer anything to be worried about. Thank goodness someone else was here to back her up, too, about how dangerous this place was. Now no one could hurt Fish. At the mention of Fish's father, her thoughtful green eyes returned to the tom's. "Yeah. Mamma doesn't let me wander off alone at all, 'cause of all the scary things. Isn't your dad worried that a fox or badger or some'n else scary could get you? If I hadn't been here some warrior might've eaten you up." Meeting another rogue... Even if he was Fish's brother, she worried a little bit. What if he was a big and scary brother like Wolfpaw, or a much older brother like Silverhawk? She couldn't quite see him through the crowd. So she ducked briefly behind Fish, simply because he was closer to her than Pineblossom was, though either would offer suitable protection. Hedgepaw is talking to Fish and Pineblossom, and waiting for Louse. ______________________________________ ⸙ Larchpaw ⸙ ~ ☆ Perchstar ☆ ~ ♡ Hedgepaw ♡ ~ ◈ Dovetail ◈ ~ ○ Bubblebeam ○ ⸙ WindClan ⸙ ~ ☆ RiverClan ☆ ~ ♡ ShadowClan ♡ ~ ◈ RiverClan ◈ ~ ○ SkyClan ○ ⸙ Apprentice ⸙ ~ ☆ Tier 5 Leader ☆ ~ ♡ Apprentice ♡ ~ ◈ Tier 3 Warrior ◈ ~ ○ Tier 3 Warrior ○ ~~PM me here or on Discord if you want a topic with any of my cats!~~ ~Wonderful Signature by Xaandiir!~ |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 Tue 16 Apr 2024 - 17:48 | ||||
There was some satisfaction in the way that Silverhawk tensed too, the way he wouldn’t quite meet Hawkmist’s eyes. He was aware enough to recognize Hawkmist’s emotions, still as attuned to them as Hawkmist was to his. That was- something, at the very least. Hawkmist had to fight the urge to snarl when Bubblebeam said a few times. It wasn’t surprising, given the familiarity of how they greeted each other, but it was still aggravating because Silverhawk hadn’t told him. It wasn’t like Hawkmist had told Silverhawk of his encounter with Bubblebeam either, but that was one time. They were close enough to call each other friends, familiar enough to greet each other with physical affection and to draw purrs from Silverhawk’s chest, and he hadn’t breathed a word of it to his so-called best friend. Silverhawk settled too close to Bubblebeam’s side for Hawkmist’s comfort, positioned between the two of them. But he also sat in a way that deliberately showed off his scar to Bubblebeam. Hawkmist’s eyes flick towards Silverhawk’s face for a brief second to find that Silverhawk was avoiding his gaze too. He caught the flicker in Silverhawk’s expression when they almost-but-not-quite met eyes, an expression that almost looked contrite for the split second it appeared. Apologetic was not an emotion Silverhawk wore often, if at all. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, if it made him feel better or worse. Hawkmist ground his teeth together to avoid baring them. Silverhawk was, as always, utterly infuriating to try and read. He turned his gaze back to Bubblebeam, as if she could be any less infuriating in this situation. The rest of the gathering might as well not exist to Hawkmist right now; his only focus was on the two in front of him. Silverhawk’s purring made him want to roll his eyes. He might’ve if Bubblebeam wasn’t intently watching the two of them, soft green flicking between each of them in turn. Hawkmist couldn’t identify the emotion her gaze brought out in him. He wondered as he studied her, trying to read her with even less clues as to her thought process as he had with Silverhawk, what she thought of the two of them and how they interacted. His fur stood up as Silverhawk’s tail brushed across it, and once again he felt the urge to chase the touch like prey. His teeth ached when he watched that tail brush against Bubblebeam too. He wanted to bite it. Or maybe her. But far more shocking than that was Silverhawk using his name. His actual name. He hadn’t heard his name in Silverhawk’s smooth voice since his naming ceremony, and his ears perked up on his head in surprise as a shiver raced down his spine. It was just as well, Hawkmist really did think his temper would snap if Silverhawk tried to convince Bubblebeam of that infernal Pigeon nickname, but actually hearing Silverhawk use his name was a shock to his system, momentarily disrupting the storm in his chest. He didn’t even disagree with Silverhawk’s insult. He was historically terrible at making friends. It was tradition to flick his ear at Silverhawk and screw up his face in irritation. But the nonverbal response was colored with something else too. Acceptance, perhaps. As the moment faded, it was Silverhawk’s statement that Bubblebeam could be the exception that caught his attention. Was that true? He had enjoyed her company far more than he would’ve ever guessed, even found comfort in it. His eyes focused completely on Bubblebeam once more, listening to her explain their meeting. It was good she answered, since Hawkmist wasn’t inclined to do anything Silverhawk wanted right then. She spoke of him so kindly. She called him nice. Now there’s a word he doubted many people associated with him. She had made him feel better, much better, but he couldn’t voice that in so many words in front of Silverhawk and the still-present crowd. Still, he interjected with a firm, “You were not an annoyance.” The look that she sent his way, something so genuine he couldn’t even find it in him to be suspicious of it, was enough to make a different kind of warmth bloom in his chest alongside the simmering anger. He realized, with a slight jolt, that once if he could look past seeing Silverhawk interact with her like that… he was happy to see her too. He’d been wanting to. His ear flicked, a conflicting rise of emotions hitting him all over again. He couldn’t decide if Bubblebeam saying she had no desire to take the best friend title reassured him or if he was wholly suspicious of the statement. Maybe it was the fact that best friends wasn’t a term that was enough to cover everything that Silverhawk was to him. But there was also something sad, a shadow that passed across Bubblebeam’s expression when she said that, and he hated the surge in his chest that made him want to comfort. She brightened quickly, which allowed Hawkmist to ignore the urge. She seemed so easy to read. So open. It made him feel like she had to be hiding something. Hawkmist blinked, ears flicking back and forth as she called them friends, and said she was happy to be his. That warmth she caused in his chest grew, and alongside it he found himself wondering as he looked between Silverhawk and Bubblebeam if friends was all she wanted to be with Silverhawk. And alongside that too was the urge to correct her, to tip her off as to what an unpleasant and undesirable creature he really was, but the anger in his chest made him want to cling to the warmth she brought all the tighter. And then-- Handsome. Hawkmist’s ears burned and his mouth suddenly felt dry, eyes going wide and a tiny noise of surprise caught in his throat. No one had ever called him that before. Bubblebeam was full of so many surprises. (He wanted to dig until he uncovered every last one.) He couldn’t tell what the compliment meant, if it was genuine or not. He certainly couldn’t see himself in such a light. He wondered if she truly did or if she was just saying that to be kind. He wondered if she knew she was beautiful-- and then he wondered what brought on such a thought. But it wasn’t just him she complimented. Hawkmist’s eyes inevitably slid from those gentle, pale green eyes back to glittering dark pine to the other target of her compliment. Silverhawk was handsome, anyone with eyes could see that, and he knew it too, which is why Hawkmist could never bear to voice it and puff up his ego even more. (He knew that wasn’t the only reason.) He couldn’t tell what made the surge of jealousy crash over him all over again. The fact that she was calling Silverhawk handsome, the way Silverhawk reacted to the praise, or the fact that her attention wasn’t solely on him. Suddenly he absolutely despised both of them for making him feel this way. If Bubblebeam was his clanmate, she certainly wouldn’t believe him nice, but Hawkmist didn’t say that. Instead, he chewed through his words to try and sound as normal as possible when he responded to the two of them. He cleared his throat to remove the last of his flusteredness from her earlier comment and replied, “Shadowclan could use someone like you, I’m sure. Though we’re not without our own troubles, we take care of our own.” His eyes stayed focused on Silverhawk a moment longer before they returned to her. “Don’t let him fool you,” He added in an irritable little growl, flicking his tail towards Silverhawk. “He’s as bad at it as I am.” This time, Hawkmist didn’t flinch from eye contact when he looked towards Silverhawk. “It’s why we have each other.” He paused, then added with an unreadable edge to his tone, “Though I’m sure most have noticed how handsome he is. It would be hard not to.” Shaking his head, he looked away again and looked at Bubblebeam once more, studying her for a moment. The edge doesn’t quite leave when he said, “I would also like to learn how the two of you met, as well. Sounds like it’s been…” His ear flicked once. “A little while. I hadn't heard anything before this so I'm very… curious.” ______________________________________ Stormdance RC Tier 5 Warrior 70HP/160 SP #9999cc Sunpool RC Tier 2 Warrior 40HP/100SP #de0404 Wrenpaw RC Apprentice 20 HP/60SP #1f6e55 Hawkmist SC Tier 2 Warrior 40HP/100 SP #7ba3a8 Rainfrost SkC Tier 3 Warrior 50HP/120SP #446fb3 My Cats! |
Subject: Re: April Gathering 2024 | |
April Gathering 2024 |
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