Everything Goes Away [Closed for Apple/Stoat family]

The sun was just rising in the sky, illuminating the tall tree that would be their destination. Though the owl tree wasn't exactly the best place to talk without curious ears around, the she-cat knew of an abandoned badger den large enough for them to hide for just enough time to talk in privacy. After all, her plan would not see the day of light if the Dark Forest escorts catch them trying to plan an escape. The Abyssinian molly instructed her siblings to enter the den, keeping the secrecy of her motives for this unusual meeting.

With so many cats the den felt a little crowded but it was manageable still. Once they were all settled, Cinderflame took a deep breath and looked with sharp eyes at each of her siblings. Only one of them was missing... and though Cinderflame made that decision on purpose, she still missed her brother's, Softfall, presence. Without all of them, the family felt incomplete. However, it would have been useless to invite him to this meeting... the she-cat already knew what her brother's response would be.

"I apologize for not being able to tell you all why I gathered you here this morning, but I couldn't let the Dark Forest hear us. But now I won't hide any more secrets." Cinderflame took a pause to collect her thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to approach her siblings in this situation. "After my warrior ceremony, I confronted Stoatstar for his decision to join the Dark Forest. I asked him to end the alliance, to stop this nightmare for the sake of our family and our clan. How could we ally with murderers, code-breakers and traitors? They are going to betray any moment and Stoatstar is opening our home to them like they were pals. I can't stand it. I can't stand what they are doing to our clan and... what they are doing to our brother, Softfall. But our leader can." The anger of the situation made her fur bristle as she spoke. The small warrior controlled a hidden, frustrating hiss on her throat before continuing. She refused to call him father after all the stuff he said, even if she pained her to deny his parenthood. Right now, Stoatstar wasn't a cat she could consider her father, not after how little he cared about Softfall becoming one with the Dark Forest: a murderer and manipulator.

"We are warriors, we defend the Code and our family. Stoatstar and the Dark Forest's influence are going to break all of that. And I'm not letting them do that to me or any of you. I'm going to escape from the clan tonight. I don't where I'm going but I want to become stronger on my own... So I can come back and fight to save Thunderclan from this madness." Suddenly, her angry, decisive tone changed. The usually angry, non-affectionate she-cat now lowered her ears and looked at her family with saddened hazel eyes. "I know I suck at showing you all how much I love you... but I do. And I want to protect us all from this Dark Forest plague. I won't force you to come with me... I understand this isn't the safest way to go... But it is the one that sits right with me and my morals... Would you join me when the night falls?" Cinderflame remained silent, expectant to the cats' response. She didn't want them to leave them... inside, the she-cat hoped they would come because in that way she would be able to do something to protect them if something happened. Thye didn't have any idea how the young warrior would miss them if they refused....


OOC: For more context, check the official plot page: Always Gold [Clan Betrayal]. In summary, all the Apple/Stoat kits (but Softfall) had been gathered by Cinderflame outside of the camp and curious eyes. After arguing with Stoatstar (topic here) she has come to the conclusion that she can't longer support Thunderclan's alliance with the Dark Forest and she rather leave the clans to train on herself than submit to the evil ghost cats.
So, here Cinderflame will ask her siblings to join her in her escape if they want to. You're all free to leave Thunderclan with Cinder if you wish. Consider that it doesn't mean it is a permanent thing, your cat can come back when they feel like they want to but considering what consequences may happen. Cinder is ready to take the risk and become stronger to save Thunderclan from the Dark Forest and though she wants her family with her, she is going to respect her siblings' decision.

Rainpaw looked at Cinderflame with their soft dark brown eyes, before opening their mouth to speak. "You're saying we.. Run away? Will we be Rogues? I.. I agree with you.. D.. Stoatstar, Stoatstar has not been the greatest leader.. I'd love to follow you. I'd love to so much, I love you so much.. But.. I don't have fight training.. I can't fight. I'd love to go with you, But what use am I if I can't fight? You can all hunt for yourselves, I'm certain about that. All I ask is some tips on fighting sometime. Just in case. I don't want to be helpless in case something happens." They paused, Taking in breath and thinking for more words. "I'll join you. But I might not be the most helpful to you all in case a Dark Forest cat appears. Minnowfin hasn't taught me how to fight yet, And I think that's a load of Foxdung. It's been a long while, He hasn't even offered! ..I'm ranting. But it's true!" They explained, Teary eyed, Before padding closer toward Cinderflame, And giving a soft forehead bonk to Cinderflame's shoulder.

Sweetpaw looked at his siblings with big, big eyes. Scanning all of them with confusion- they wanted to leave the clan, and he understood that, but... Should he leave? It's... His clan. He just became an apprentice! He wanted to stay- but.. His.. His family. He didn't want to leave his siblings... What.. What should he do??

He laid down and placed his paws over his muzzle. He felt so sad... What should he do? Either way he... He abandoned something he loved.

"what do I do?" Sweetpaw choked, looking at family with his big round, curious eyes

"I don't wanna abandon anyone!!" Sweetpaw mewled, suddenly yearning to cry out, wanting to snuggle someone or something, but not daring to move... He felt... Scared.

OOC: A few things to say:
(1)For the sake of wrapping things up and not delaying stuff, I'm going to post now. If any other siblings decide to join, please send me a private message and post here with your character response.
(2)@Moths in the Sky, in character, after confirming with Ripped, neither Stoat nor Apple had informed the kits about their rogue origins (only Cinder knows because Stoat tell her out of anger during their argument, but she hasn't told her siblings yet). All they know is that they are adopted and, supposedly, their biological parents are dead warriors. For now, I will roleplay Cindeflame considering that Rainpaw didn't mention the thing about becoming rogues again. Sorry for the confusion! On another note, I will send you a private message with a small training topic soon ;D


Cinderflame looked at their sibling empathetically and deep inside... she was relieved she wasn't alone on this. It made her feel more sure of her choice. But also... more worried. What Rainpaw said was right. They needed to learn how to fend for themselves or Cinderflame would be risking their life in vain. The slender she-cat stood up and bumped Rainpaw's head back, letting out a soft purr. These past days had gotten her emotional and more irrational. If she wanted to go through with this plan, they had to be prepared. The newly-named warrior stepped towards Sweetpaw and placed one of her paws over his. "It's okay. You don't have to come with us. And this isn't a forever goodbye. We are meeting again and when we come back... the Dark Forest will be gone. Thunderclan right doesn't feel like home to me... but all of you are my home. Approaching her brother, she licked his forehead to comfort him. I'm not abandoning you, Sweetpaw. When we get stronger to protect all of our clan, we will come back for you, to fight for our family and freedom."

Her eyes suddenly shifted back to Rainpaw, looking at them decisively. "But first... you're right Rainpaw. We can't risk living on our own if we can't fend for ourselves. So... I'm changing the plans. In three days we will make our escape. In the meantime, you and I are going to train together here, at the Owl Tree. I knew Minnowfin couldn't be trusted... but you have your sister to help you."

ooc: ooh okay, thanks jay! also Reed is dead, or supposed to be dead, I just found this out so don't feel too bad

Rainpaw gave a small smile to both Cinderflame and Sweetpaw, their tears fading, before softly nodding in Sweetpaw's direction. "We'll take some time to train and prepare. You can make your choice on the final day, in the meantime, you can process all of what's happening. Listen, I've got an idea, sometime when me and Cinderflame aren't training, I'll look around with you and find a lovely feather to remind you of us for when we leave, sound good?" Rainpaw said, their thought process being something like.. If we give a sentimental thing to him, maybe he'll feel like he's never alone, that a part of us is always with him. That's what they hoped, they had already begun to think of feathers to give Sweetpaw. Maybe a heron feather? a snowy owl feather? those are hard to find.. What about one similar to my first feather? the one I've stated to all of my littermates to have been my favourite? I know I have to wait until I get his response.. But it can't be helped.. They thought to themselves, before looking back at Cinderflame cheerily "You'd do that for me?!? Thank you so much! you're beessttt!!" They said slightly louder than the last time they spoke, rubbing their head onto Cinderflame for more showing of affection.

ooc: healthy sibling love :]

Sweetpaw gave them a small smile, having sat up a little more, he gently nuzzled Cinderflame and Rainpaw. "Th.... Thank you... I'll.. I'll try to decide I- I don't know yet, but I'll try... It's such a long time... I'll miss you so much if I stay, but I'll miss the cl...." Sweetpaw breathed in and out deeply, remembering he had three days.
"I'll.... I'll try to decide.. I'm.. I'm sorry I can't right now- I'm just.."
Sweetpaw sighed now, laying down again "I'm scared...." He looks at them with big eyes "Are.. You scared? This.. This is scary.."

He sighs, rolling onto his back.