Observations and Advice [open]

To help protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life.

That was the code and the promise that Mottlerose had made before she took her warrior name. It was what she had built her life around. Her home was everything to her, all of the cats around her were a vibrant part of her life. If she were the rose, Thunderclan was the stem that supported her. As such, she felt a strong sense of duty to protect and care for each and every one of them. Her kits, her mate, Stoatstar, her apprentices… All of them. She wanted to make sure they were all taken care of, safe, happy, and healthy.

The harsh weather offered one of the many challenges currently being faced to keep her from this goal. Of course, Mottlerose had accepted early on that she never truly would be able to obtain it. Life simply offered challenges alongside it, and it was the fulfillment of life that was the product of overcoming each and every hurdle. She was seeing her children apprenticed as they became of age, and it brought both joy and sadness to the mother’s heart. On one paw, it was gratifying to know that she had raised them well to move to the next phase of life. On the other paw, she wanted them to stay young forever.

As her mind thought about her kits, it eventually drifted to her mate. Minnowfin. The deputy, as young as he was, had blossomed into his role. Her pride was almost too much for her small frame when it came to the silvery tom. At any chance she got, she would boast about him. He worked tirelessly every single moment that he got. Between watching over the camp, training his own apprentices, and making sure the rest of the territory was safe… it almost made motherhood look like a kit’s task.

That was the reason that Mottlerose found herself on the highrock. She felt somewhat taboo existing upon the surface, but the moment Stoatstar or Minnowfin asked her to come down she would move. While her mate was out taking care of the territory, she had promised him that she would watch over the camp. After all, she needed something to do. As much as she wanted to ignore the enemies lurking within their borders, Mottlerose couldn’t. It kept her in the camp until all of her kits had a mentor, someone that she would know would ensure the safety of her children. Even then, she would be checking in on all of them as she could. As much of a doting mother as she wanted to be, she had accepted long before they were born that she couldn’t hover over them forever. They needed to grow into their own beings.

The highrock offered a great vantage point for the molly as she surveyed the camp. A gentle, chilly breeze also carried through, ruffling her tortoiseshell pelt with its kiss.

Softfall got on the Highrock for very different reasons. He liked to imagine that one day he would be the one to lead thunderclan. If he were the leader oh how different things would be. He would put those Riverclan excuse for warriors back in their place that was for sure. He didnt fully understand why stoatstar hadnt yet but he was willing to be patient, Thunderclan was his pride and joy. He would move this clan forward by whatever means necessary ... even if his actions were a bit more extreme than his clanmates might consider ethical he truely did everything with the intention of moving thunderclan ahead.

He was a bit supprised to see Mottlerose up here too and he gave her a nod his face unreadable as per usual and was more hidden now than ever as to what he was thinking. He had gotten to know Mottlerose pretty well, they had talked during her vigil... er hmm rather Stoat and him had talked while she listened having to stay quiet he grinned for the briefest of moments thinking back to how it was so funny that she could not shoo the then Softpaw away to bed having to keep her vow of silence for the night.

She was a caring cat and she loved each thunderclan cat dearly, Softfall also loved thunderclan but... in a much different way ... a more twisted way really, in that he was able to convince himself that terrible deeds needed to be taken to protect this clan when really they did not.

But to softfall every action he took was justified the killing of the riverclan cat at the gathering? Justified and he would tell no one of it.

The breeze blew through camp as he sat next to his clanmate "how is minnowfin? and the kits?" he asked. He actually did care how they were, as evil as Softfall was he did still care about his clanmates, his clan which he was loyal almost to a fault to were important to him. He just took things to far in how he wanted to "help" them.

Morningpaw had spent the day learning the various duties around camp and prided himself in his tick pulling skills. The elders had remarked that he did the best out of all his siblings. Though, he was sure Mistlepaw wouldn't have the taste for the bile that was pulling ticks.

The tom strode towards the Highrock with a mouse in his jaw. Green eyes landed on the form of his mother and another warrior. Softfall. He had seen the ceremony. Gingerly, he dropped the mouse to the sandy floor and called up towards them. "Is that allowed?" Morningpaw called up, fluffy head tilted at an angle.

A lively gust met the apprentice's wavy, black fur. The wind kicked up sand and dirt onto her muzzle, quickly rid of by a sneeze. Despite just coming from a lovely conversation with the Thunderclan elders, Comfreypaw was in an uncommonly sour mood. Against her highest hopes their stories did not distract her from the matters casting a shadow over her thoughts. It was only tales of previous invasions and horrid things long-dead cats did. Though an upside was she now knew more of what exactly happened at the Gathering- Who the Dark Forest cats were and that they had returned. But this information didn't answer her other, more pressing questions. Comfreypaw most of all wanted to know what would happen to Thunderclan. Within the moment she stood outside the elders den she began to ramble to herself, They aren't going to stay here forever right? How can we live like this? They're so creepy and dangerous. Did Stoatstar invite them here to protect us or help us thrive? I doubt we will thrive like this. Living with ghosts.. it's just crazy. She felt a need to ask Stoatstar what his plans were.. but her nerves were getting the best of her. Is it right to question him? Is that what a noble warrior would do? Ohh this is just the worst..

Comfreypaw walked further and further away from the elders den. Now that they had been given a sorry excuse for a squirrel, she directed herself towards the nursery. Kits and Elders must be fed first. But on the way something near the Highrock caught her eye. Two cats sat atop the boulder- two cats who weren't the leader or deputy. She paused and realized it was none other than Softfall and Mottlerose. It was intriguing to say the least. Comfreypaw gave an apologetic glance towards the nursery. Just a moment of rest, she promised herself before changing course towards the Highrock.

She joined Morningpaw near the base of the towering stone, though it seemed to be shrinking with every moon. I'm growing, she casually deduced before catching her denmate's question. He asked exactly what Comfreypaw was wondering. Were the two allowed there? She gazed up at the tortoiseshell she-cat and grey tom, pointing her fluffy ears at their muzzles. It was probably allowed, right? Mottlerose was the deputy's mate after all, and Comfreypaw doubted she'd break any rules. The solid black cat made an attempt to push aside her troubles and get comfortable. She was much more eager to converse with her clanmates, but a worried smile was the most she could hold at the moment.

Dovefrost had been sitting at the exit of the medicine den, quietly observing the world around him with his paws tucked neatly underneath him. It wasn't until he saw a couple bodies moving to the high rock. Did Stoatstar call a meeting, and he just happened to miss the sound of the call? The large white tom's head tilted in confusion for a moment before he pulled himself to his paws. With a good shake he set out to the meeting spot so he wouldn't be late to only discover that it was just a growing crowd sharing tongues.. How interesting..

"What are all of you chatting about?" He asked, green eyes looking over each cat for a moment, taking them in and assessing their health. A habit he had formed many moons ago. While Thunderclan wasn't in the best condition and there wasn't much he could do about that, he still wanted to prevent them from getting worse. "Are the two of you comfortable up there?" He asked the two who were laying on top of the Highrock.

A glance spared towards Softfall as he joined her on the highrock. "Fine." She responded simply. Words weren't exactly something she enjoyed to share with just about any cat, and telling by the bravado that was in Softfall's body language, she didn't particularly want to engage in discussion. As such, her tail simply flicked about as her amber gaze surveyed the camp. Apprentices were getting their duties done, warriors were helping the apprentices... it was a good sight.

It was the approach of a familiar fluffy tom that caught her attention, and a gentle purr rose in her throat as she spotted her son. Noticing the mouse that had been within his maw, she couldn't help but feel pride. Her son was doing quite well. A polite nod of her head responded to his questions. "So long as I get off when Stoatstar or Minnowfin desire to be up here, they don't mind." It seemed to answer the silent questioning of yet another apprentice too. Part of her still felt odd being at such a high place, able to look at everybody from down below. But she had made sure that it was acceptable.

Spotting the medicine cat, a respectful dip of her head came from the molly upon the Highrock. "Nice to see you Dovefrost, sir." Her mannerisms wouldn't ever leave her habits, even if she was now at least equal rank to quite a few of her denmates. Even when it came to Minnowfin, she sometimes had the honorific slip. "Simply keeping an eye on the clan from above while my mate is out." Keep it as concise as possible, that was her motto. Now, if she had to delve into talking, she would. But truth be told, unless anyone directly asked her questions, she wouldn't prompt the conversation.

Noticing Comfreypaw, the tom motioned to the small mouse on the floor. "You just fed the kits, right?" He asked, settling on the ground after his mother answered his question. It seemed fair enough. Not that he knew any better anyways. "It isn't much, but we could share this mouse if you would like." She had done a good job catching that squirrel. Even if a mouse was a small morsel of food, Comfreypaw had earned it certainly.

He left her to take the first bite if she wanted, turning his gaze up to the high rock. "So, then, why is Softfall up there?" He asked, green eyes turning to the medicine cat who joined their circle. Flicking his ears in greeting, the tom looked over Dovefrost, not really knowing much about him.

Comfreypaw blinked at Morningpaw's question, and at the mouse. "Not quite yet actually, was just about to when I got curious," she responded nervously. The molly didn't want to deny his offer, but the last thing she would do is disobey the code. Glancing over at the nursery, she sighed in relief as some other apprentice entered the den with prey in their jaws. Phew. "Lucky me! Looks like someone just did it for me. So yes, I'd love to share," she mewed with a smile. Morningpaw seemed very considerate, she liked that about him. Leaning over she took a small bite out of the mouse, surprised at how much it made her feel better.
"Mm!" she said, taking another munch,"Thanks, I guess my belly was empty."
Grinning again she pushed the rest of the meal closer to him.
"I bet you're a good hunter, want to join me sometime? We could catch a lot."