Two Hollies Across [Forbidden Romance]

Plot Name: Two Hollies Across
Clans involved: Riverclan + Skyclan
Characters Directly Involved: Hollypaw of Riverclan (Arcana!) + Hollypaw of Skyclan (Me!) + Wasppaw of Skyclan (SkC Holly’s sister/teddybr) + ??? (the potential others who might discover/become involved, including apprentices of theirs/other kin)

Will there be code-breaking?: Yes. This is a proposal for a very slow-burn, inter-Clan rivalry/friendship —> potential forbidden romance. Early interaction includes running into each other and multiple instances of fighting (one on one) at the border/fourtrees + (in SkC’s case) potentially being out alone against Bloodstar’s rules.

Explain your Plot:


As this is a very long-term plot for us, a lot of later specific events are up in the air; we’d very much like to work with current/future events happening in the clans (which will certainly provide plenty of opportunities for drama!). But for the bones: we are thinking of a kind of hostile rivalry for the Hollys’ apprentice and young warrior lives, warming into more friendly rivalry into warriorhood, and then any actual romantic feelings/awareness of them when it feels natural, and the spark is lit. (We have ideas and feelings of how this might happen, but no definite occurrences as of yet.)

The heart of it, however...

Is two Hollys: one soft grey, reserved and even-tempered, and her counterpart... stark red-black, vivacious and competitive. Hollyriver is collected and quiet, with an understanding heart, and Hollysky is unrepentantly honest, and also a pain in the butt. XD The latter is snarky and relentless, and is determined to pick fights with the ever-stoic and calm Hollyriver. Hollyriver, who is older and perhaps more graceful than Hollysky, is inevitably drawn to her in spite of the Skyclan cat’s attempts to make them brawl in the dirt.

Latter developments are flexible, but this is what we have planned for initial foundations:

Initial foundations:

As apprentices, Hollysky and Hollyriver meet by chance on the border of Skyclan and Riverclan, by the creek. Hollysky is out hunting, maybe venting (she is rebelliously by herself), and Hollyriver is talking a walk... when Hollysky trips and falls in the creek. :p

...very dramatic, even in shallow water you’d think she was drowning. Concerned, Hollyriver leaps down to help, and drags the other, slightly-smaller apprentice to her side of the bank. Incredibly embarrassed, and infuriated that she had to be rescued (because she panicked, all right?!), Hollysky is a prickly ball of rage, and lashes out. This... ends up in a fight, and the two soaked apprentices brawl in the dirt. XD

Whoever wins (though likely Hollyriver, with more experience), Hollysky is incredibly embarrassed by everything and swears to NEVER tell a SOUL this happened, and hisses at the other apprentice to do the same. They verbally spar.

Neither tells a soul.

—>

Next gathering:

Hollysky, still Hollypaw, arrives at the gathering. She is excited and determined to show well — after all, she’s an elite apprentice, with an elite bloodline (le cursed xD). She wouldn’t let these other clans intimidate her! This is her first gathering.

Hollysky overhears a cat, that there’s another Holly in the clans (cue Wasp). And Hollysky is is kit-curious, about this other molly with her name; to her, it’s unique, and of course she wonders how the other cat compares...

And then she sees that it’s her. That she-cat at the border! And not only that — the other Holly is a newly-made warrior! She is furious. XD And also can’t say anything, because she (mostly likely) lost horribly before, or else embarrassed herself in the creek. But Hollyskypaw is impulsive af, and can’t help stalking up to her to start aggressive conversation — and barely passive aggression, at that.

Hollyriver is stunned by her boldness, and is somewhat taken aback. She tries her best to calmly discuss things out, though her passive attitude doesn't help much, and could even drive SkC Holly to even be more enraged.

Hollypaw challenges Hollyriver to another fight: in half-moon’s time, at night, here at Fourtrees. “We’ll see who’s the better Holly!”

—>

Hollysky brings her sister Wasppaw that night, a half moon later,  to watch them fight; she is determined but also a little wary of breaking the rules so badly, as to go completely alone.

But this was about her pride — AKA, it is the fight to determine who is The Best Holly In All Existence (to Hollysky, anyway). She is potentially also a warrior, now: it should be even!

Neither of them truly hurt each other, but they certainly do tumble in the dirt… and at the end, Hollysky realizes she actually… kind of enjoyed that fight. And maybe, so did Hollyriver.

—>

Mostly gathering meetings, from here! And anything that we would like to take advantage of naturally; border skirmishes, patrol sightings, or training near the creek.

How will this impact the characters/clans involved?:

ginger’s holly: In deep, and different, ways; Hollysky is quick-tempered and impetuous, and taught to be hostile toward others clans by her mentor, Ravenclaw. She attempts to pick fights and antagonize Hollyriver — who Hollysky calls “Hollyfins,” in a derogatory but later very teasing way — but gets drawn in by how... unaffected and calm, Hollyriver is. She almost feels... intimidated by it, at first (especially since Hollyriver is older, and certainly skilled) and becomes more determined to break through her skin/calm demeanor. It itches at her. But eventually, she comes to respect it — and respect how well Hollyriver fights.

Even before Hollyriver realizes it, her fiery counterpart has begun to truly enjoy their spats — verbal spars and physical. She begins teasing Hollyriver, and becomes more playful — determined to make them rivals, even as they both are given apprentices. (Hollysky is fiercely competitive, and insists on it even when Hollyriver might be exasperated, but I think grows fonder of the exuberant Skyclan molly over time. There is no getting rid of her: she’s like an errant burr. And proud of it.)

Arcana’s Holly: Keenly taught on morals and respectfulness, Hollyriver is calm and even-tempered, also taught to be loyal by her mentor, Creamfrost. Seeing the fights that Hollysky tries to get with her, Hollyriver is ultimately puzzled and confused at first, though she continues to put on a stoic and calm mask behind her overwhelmed emotions. Eventually, she gets pulled in by Hollysky's boldness and passion, wanting to know more about her than just her urges to fight. She admits that Hollysky is a determined opponent, and is amazed about how far she is willing to go.

Though blindly, she hasn't been able to realize that Hollysky actually enjoys their spars. Hollyriver accepts her as her rival, despite not truly understanding why in the first place. Though as time passes by, she slowly learns to enjoy Hollysky's fiery attitude, and has gotten used to it, even if it meant the fights weren't going to stop soon.

[UPDATED: 2/16/22]

Provide links to relevant topics*: So far!

they meet at the gathering: December Gathering

their first chance meeting at the border: Sunlit Creek

they meet once again: January Gathering

Why should this plot be approved?:

ginger’s answer: BECAUSE THEY ARE ADORABLE

But also because I believe we feel strongly in the chemistry of our she-cats. Their plot is by nature flexible and dynamic because I believe their lives will be; I think they will be inexplicably drawn to each other, and that this will happen over time. At gatherings, and yes, when they run into each other near the border... during other, potentially plot-related events... (TRAUMA!)

Neither of them, I believe, are at their core swayed by the attitudes of their clans as a whole. And would pursue some sort of friendship, even in the case of warring clans. (In fact, we both think it would be very interesting if there was war — and how it could push them together or apart, but always toward greater understanding of themselves and each other.)

And ultimately, if they are discovered to the extent it becomes impossible for a time, we are patient. And I think they are, too? They might be older ladies by the time they’ll reconnect in life — but we would be so excited to give them an early foundation like this. :) And test out their chemistry! Because we both know neither Holly would betray their clan, or desire to leave; Hollyriver would deny her feelings out of duty, and Hollysky wouldn’t want to leave her family... but still. >:) If nothing else, it will be ANGST!

Arcana's answer: Like ginger have said, one reason of it would be that because they're really cute!

The tension between two of them undeniably has chemistry, and is also really interesting if we dig deep into it. Things can go in a variety of ways between these two, and with all the events currently happening and going on (future or not), this will also significantly affect their relationship between one and another. Maybe aside from all the anger and drama going on, they could bond deeper, affecting each other's personalities and more.

Ginger have proved a lot of things to the point that honestly, my answer's pretty much the same, too. Just in different words, maybe. Angst, drama, romance... this duo will have a lot of emotions going on in their journey. I just absolutely adore them, and once they have finally set their doubts and anger aside, this duo will be indestructable!

approved! i look forward to seeing this play out.

as you're considering a forbidden romance, make sure to update with developments and resubmit for approval before enacting your forbidden romance fully in character (if it goes that direction). also keep in mind if this does become a romance it will be discoverable at any time. and dont forget to use the invasion clause where applicable :)