The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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Subject: Cedarpaw's Moonstone Journey Sun Jun 11, 2023 10:48 pm
His paws were cracked and his eyes drooped with fatigue, though when he was approached and told that another apprentice was ready to meet with Starclan, Echopaw was renewed with energy. Why wouldn't he after all? Every trip he made to the moonstone allowed him to become closer to his clan's ancestors. That, and every trip meant another cat was closer to being a warrior. And the stars knew they always needed another warrior, who knew what would happen next? As the sun threatened to rise over the horizon, Echopaw approached the apprentice den and nudged Cedarpaw awake, "Come." he meowed, pushing himself out of the den and dropping the bundle of herbs he prepared for the apprentice, "Eat these, they'll help you stay strong on our journey." he chirped giving him a smile. He knew the road to the Moonstone like the back of his paw at this point, the journey would be a breeze and he hoped Cedarpaw had faith in him to bring them both home as well.
Sleeping soundly in his nest, Cedarpaw was suddenly woken up when someone bumped into him. He grumbled and pushed out his paw, assuming it had been Amberpaw or one of the other apprentices, but when his paw swiped at empty air, he realized that whoever nudged him definitely did that on purpose.
The tom lifted his head, slowly blinking the sleep from his eyes, and spotted Echopaw standing over him. Oh, it must be time for his journey to the moonstone. Acornstem had told him that it would be soon, but he didn't think it would be this soon. Then his gaze landed on the herbs Echopaw placed in front of him, his nose wrinkling with distaste.
However, he lapped up the herbs without complaint and got to his paws. "Thank you."
Cedarpaw looked over at the other apprentice's, his attention falling on his friends who were still sleeping. Hopefully, they wouldn't be too concerned when they woke up to him not in his nest. Or in their territory at all.
With so many apprentices going on their moonstone journey's recently, Echopaw was undoubtedly tired from all of the walking. Regardless, someone had to do it and he had full confidence in Echopaw to get him there and back safely.
With the taste of the herbs still lingering on his tongue, Cedarpaw stretched before fixing his gaze on Echopaw. "Is it a very long journey?"
Noticing the apprentices attention momentarily transfer to his slumbering friends, Echopaw glanced at them and hummed, "We won't be gone incredibly long. Your mentor knows where you're going, and so does Mottlestar. Yes." he chirped nodding his head as he averted his gaze and led them swiftly out of camp and into the territory. He started them at an average pace, perfect for keeping conversation and simultaneously making good time to Mothermouth. It took him a moment to respond to Cedarpaw's question. Silence lingered and perhaps after a heartbeat or two more Cedarpaw would begin to wonder if Echopaw had heard him ask.
But he was merely contemplating how to correctly respond. How long is long to Cedarpaw? the tomcat wondered, his eyes trailing a small butterfly passing by overhead. Perhaps he thinks a trip to the river was long, then certainly the trip to the Moonstone was very long. But if his judgment of a journey was based on - say Twolegplace, then this journey would be equally as long. It was then that he realized he hadn't responded and he should say something, "Uh. Hmm. I suppose it is. Fourtrees is about the halfway point. Yes." he mused, hoping it could give Cedarpaw an idea of how long it would take them to get there, "Are you very nervous?"
Cedarpaw nodded gratefully to Echopaw. He assumed that Mottlestar, at the very least, would know about their journey, but it was reassuring to hear that nobody would be missing them while they were gone. So, without further delay, he followed Echopaw out of the camp and into the still dark forest.
Dew covered plants left his legs damp and though he wanted nothing more than to return to the camp to resume his duties or see his friends, Cedarpaw knew that this was an integral part of each apprentice's journey through life.
So, he sucked it up, shook his legs off, and treaded silently after Echopaw.
After a while, Cedarpaw just accepted that Echopaw probably wasn't going to answer his question. To be fair, he was probably exhausted from all of the apprentices he had led to the moonstone as of late. Though, as if reading his thoughts, Echopaw finally responded.
"Fourtrees is halfway?" Cedarpaw nodded slowly. "I suppose that doesn't sound too bad." Silently, Cedarpaw was wondering how Echopaw and the other medicine cats made such long trips so often. They had to have paw pads of stone by now.
Echopaw's next question caught Cedarpaw slightly off guard and he shrugged. He didn't want to seem like a mouseheart, but he was admittedly a bit worried. "A little. I bet it's normal for medicine cats like you to convene with Starclan often, but it's..." Cedarpaw fell silent, searching for the right word.
Finally, "It's daunting. Starclan seems very wise though, I hope I can learn something while I'm there."
Cedarpaw glanced toward Echopaw, wondering why he'd never gotten to know the other apprentice. The same reason he never spoke to important cats like Mottlestar - their paws were set on very different paths.
Subject: Re: Cedarpaw's Moonstone Journey Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:05 am
ooc: sorry for the wait!
Echopaw trudged forward, the dampness from the dew causing his fur to stick to his legs, while it was unpleasant it wasn't nearly as bad as when he had Twoleg paint stuck to him. That was a terror to remove. He would take dew any day over that stuff.
While he was a medicine cat and he did speak with Starclan often, it was hardly normal. Each time he fell asleep in the cave and woke up in the star-studded fields of the heavens, his jaw parted in awe and he fell into the same state of comfort and euphoria as he did the first time he had spoke with Pricklebush. He hoped cedarpaw would meet a nice Starclanner - though he wasn't sure there were any mean ones. Maybe Pricklebush would visit this fellow. That would be nice.
"It's always daunting. Every time I go." he confessed tilting his head in thought, "I always worry they won't want to talk to me." he added with a shrug. Echopaw wasn't bashful when talking about his feeling but it was rare, "But yes yes. They're very wise. You can ask them anything really. I used to want to be a warrior. But...Starclan had other plans for me."
He thought about his capture by Twolegs - it felt like ages ago when he was trapped and put into a Twoelg nest with the Shadowclan leader. Like a dream almost. "I don't regret anything though."
Cedarpaw glanced at Echopaw, waiting for the other tom's response. He'd always assumed that being a medicine cat would make it less nerve-wracking to talk to Starclan. However, this long pause made him thing otherwise.
His ears twitched at the medicine cat apprentice's words. So it really was intimidating. It had to be if even Echopaw still found it daunting. "I have to admit, I'm a bit concerned now." He paused, then added, "But I'm looking forward to it. Maybe someone up there can help me."
A small shudder went down Cedarpaw's spine as he suddenly realized something. Maybe his mother would speak to him? She had died while kitting, so he'd never gotten a chance to know her, but maybe that could change?
If he could speak to her - even for a moment - all of this heartache would be worth it.
He wouldn't even care that his father abandoned him moons ago. He had made the conscious decision to leave, his mother hadn't. Unfortunately, that thought did little to comfort Cedarpaw.
Taking a deep breath, the red and white tom pushed the thoughts aside. He didn't want to get his hopes up. "So..." He meowed, changing the subject. "I don't think I know the story there. Why did you change your mind?"
Cedarpaw had had enough of stewing in his own problems. He should be worried about his own clanmates, not just himself.
Subject: Re: Cedarpaw's Moonstone Journey Sat Jun 24, 2023 2:23 pm
His age didn’t show, there weren’t any gray hairs on his head and he didn’t quite have the exhausted look in his eye in the same way that many warriors did. But he had a large build, and the way he carried himself gave a clear indication he was without a doubt the oldest apprentice. He had been alive before most of the newer warriors were ever born. “If you see Pricklebush, tell him I say hello.” He purred, a fond smile on his maw. Pricklebush up to this point was his saving grace. Everything he ever wished for in a father figure. His only complaint was that Pricklebush was dead.
They reached the Thunderpath and soon Highstones was in view. Echopaw nodded as he thought about Cedarpaw’s question, “Hmm. Moons annd moons ago, the ground started shaking like leaf in a windstorm. Cats couldn’t keep on their paws, trees fell over into camp, the river flooded. All five clans met at Fourtrees and Gathered there to take shelter.” He told him - it was a good story, he hoped Cedarpaw would enjoy it, “Then Twolegs swarmed Fourtrees, putting every cat they could see. Every cat they could see into these shiny hard dens - cages - they’re called. I..I don’t remember much, but I remember pain..then when I woke up I was in the Twoleg den, I was covered in weird cobwebs and Nightstar was there.” He meowed, chuckling as he remembered how vulnerable Nightstar looked back in the Twoleg den. At this point the moon was high in the sky and Silverpelt was clearly in view. “But when I got back, I realized the Twolegs took away my front claws, and at that point I had been spending a lot of time with my aunt Fawnshine. It was natural for me. Much better than fighting, I think. Yes yes yes.” He added as they approached the opening of the cave.
Echopaw gave Cedarpaw one last look, “Keep close to me in the tunnels, they’re dark and you can get lost easily. You can grab my tail if you need.” And with that he headed into Mothermouth.
The tunnels were dark and damp, the only sound was their pawsteps and a faint distant dripping sound. There was no wind, and the air felt heavy and cold - he could understand if the apprentice felt fear as they entered, “Almost there.” He comforted as they continued down the winding tunnel. Soon there was a faint glowing that bounced off the cave walls and reflected onto the floor of the tunnel - they arrived. Echopaw stepped into the room that held the moonstone, moving out of Cedarpaw’s way.
The moonstone seemed to shine extra bright on this night, its glow was nearly blinding and the medicine cat couldn’t look at it too long. “Now, go and lay down. When you press your nose to the Moonstone you’ll meet with Starclan in your dreams. I will be here when you wake up. Yes.” He meowed giving the apprentice a nudge on the shoulder with his nose before he settled into his own position at the Moonstone.
Subject: Re: Cedarpaw's Moonstone Journey Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:51 pm
Cedarpaw
Gender: Male Rank: Apprentice
Cedarpaw nodded. He didnt knew who pricklebush was, but he was certain that if he met them, he'd figure it out soon enough. For a moment, the red and white tom wondered how Echopaw knew this Pricklebush fellow, but his curiosity was directed elsewhere as Echopaw began explaining what caused him to choose the path of a medicine cat.
The tom looked at the ground, his head tilted to the side. The ground was shaking? That didn't seem possible, but he supposed odd things happened all of the time. And a twoleg invasion...that sounded like something straight from his nightmares
He glanced down at the other apprentice's paws, his face stoney. The twolegs had taken his claws...? The more he heard about them, the more he was certain that kittypets must be insane to want to live with those monstrous beasts. "I'm sorry that happened to you."
He paused, then went on. "It must've been really frightening." The younger apprentice wasnt sure what else to say, and was glad when the came up on the Mothermouth.
That relief lasted for all of a few seconds before he suddenly grew concerned. What if no one wanted to see him? What if Starclan shunned him? What if nothing happened? These questions swirled in his mind as he treaded into the tunnels after Echopaw. "Its so dark in here." He muttered softly.
"I wonder how our ancestors found this place..."
Eventually, they reached a point in the tunnel where the walls began to reflect a pale blue glow from something up ahead. The shone was bright enough that it hurt his eyes after being in pitch darkness for so long. He squinted as they entered the large chamber and once his eyes adjusted, he padded forward hesitantly.
"O-okay..." His voice wavered slightly as he crouched down in front of the bright stone.
Not allowing himself a single moment to hesitate, he forced his eyes shut and pressed his nose against the ice cold rock. For a moment, nothing happened and Cedarpaw thought that his worst fears had come true.
The tom opened his eyes and instead of the cave he had been in, he was surrounded by the starry forests of Starclan. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before! Far more beautiful and peaceful than his own home beside the other clans.
Something was supposed to happen now, right?
Cedarpaw stood up and looked around cautiously. A small part if him hoped that he would see his mother bounding across the leafy forest floor to smother him in licks and all of the things they'd never been able to say to each other.
Flybot Former Staff
Characters : [SC]Heatherberry| [TC]Vinecrawler | [SKC] Peatkit | [WC] Moosepaw | [R] Grub Jr Clan/Rank : [H]T3 BT MC / T4 MC | [V]T5 Warrior | [GJ] T1 Rogue | [P] Kit | [M] Apprentice Number of posts : 4591 Gender : she/her Age : 26
Subject: Re: Cedarpaw's Moonstone Journey Sat Jun 24, 2023 9:28 pm
The scenery slowly shifted into an open field, not too unlike WindClans territory. Except this field held wheat ready for harvest, a white tom with soft brown eyes lounging within. For Mr. Worm, this was what his StarClan looked like. Though the cat that appeared before him may see something else, he wasn't really sure how this whole thing worked. All he knew was that the living would visit every now and again as a rite of passage of sorts.
The old tom stood, shaking stardust from his pelt. "Hello, young one!" He meowed with a bright, cheery smile as he approached the young tom. "Hope you weren't waiting for anyone; Looks as though your ancestors had me in mind. So, is there anything you like to ask?"
Subject: Re: Cedarpaw's Moonstone Journey Sun Jun 25, 2023 3:40 pm
Cedarpaw
Gender: Male Rank: Apprentice
Cedarpaw whirled around as the forearm around him began to melt away, swirling with stars and bright mist until it morphed into rolling, open fields of starlit grasses. He panted slightly, feeling his heart thundering in his chest and ears.
He looked around curiously, his pulse slowing when he realized that this was just a different part of Starclan. He was safe, not in the dark forest or anywhere similarly scary. Which was...good. Definitely good.
Suddenly, movement in the fields caught his eye. The cat was solid white and almost blinding to look at with the sunlight and stars glittering in his fur.
Cedarpaw took a step back, then stopped. Wait, this was a Starclan cat! He didnt need to be afraid! With a humble dip of his head, he approached the tom, a gentle smile on his face. "H-Hello." Mousedung, how embarrassing was it to stutter in front of a Starclanner?
Furthermore, how had this cat known that he'd been hoping for someone else? Because this tom definitely wasn't his mother. He wasnt even a she-cat! Clearing his throat, tried to mask his disappointment as he went on.
"I- ahem, sorry. I'm a bit nervous I guess." He lashed his tail, suddenly annoyed with himself.
"Well, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say, actually. Do you have any sage, Starclan advice for me?" He paused, then an idea struck him. "Oh! Do you know my mother!? Her name was Sparrowsong, she probably looks kinda like me..."
Cedarpaw's gaze lit up at the thought of meeting his mother. He didnt mean to insult this Starclan cat, he'd surely been chosen to talk to him for a reason...but he couldn't help but ask.
