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.
Welcome to WCC! Here are our latest announcements:
Activity checks take place on the 1st of the month. PM a staff member with the completed form if you missed it.
Newleaf is finally here, and the Clans hope to find reprieve from the tough Leaf-bare.
Gatherings take place on the 1st of the month; keep your eyes out for a staff member's post!
Please feel free to hit up any staff member if you have any questions!
Characters : Murkyriver ♀ | Mistwalker ♀ | Mintglade ♀ | Crakeburn ♀ | Snowvixen ♀ | Hollowpaw ♀ Clan/Rank : Riverclan | Skyclan | Windclan Number of posts : 4942 Gender : She/Her - ash was here :3 and Ro! Age : 21
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Sun 19 Nov 2023 - 11:08
Egretswoop
“I will always fly home.”
She had finally achieved her confidence moving around Riverclan territory. Finally, in a world that always threatened to scream at her. But no-the forest had to fail them. The river had to fail them. She had searched desperately to find the source of its poison, of what had tainted the life-blood of her Clan, but to no avail. It had led to their need to vacate. Such a decision was one that she had wanted to protest, but found no voice to do so, for it was strictly out of fear. Gatherings were still events that threatened to tear her sanity asunder, and somehow this was even worse.
Hidden beneath her fox-pelt, what should have been sweet honeyed eyes instead held a particular sense of terror. Her ears were pinned against her head to a point they could not go any flatter, and it would have been all-too easy to accuse her of not even having any. The signature swiftness she had come to embody had been tossed entirely aside in favor of stiffer movements, nearly wincing at the sound that came from her own pawsteps. Her own breathing. If one were to attempt to peer into her gaze that was shadowed by her pelt, they could see the threat of tears looming. It came from being bombarded by every sense imaginable.
Simple scents of clanmates seemed so strong it brought her to nausea when combined with that of every other forest cat. What should have been comforting move for her to push her nose into her fox pelt only slightly muted the scents of the forest, as such, she found the maneuver to not even remotely be worthwhile. Blurs of vibrant pelts yet similar all at the same time made the visual splotches overwhelming in their own right. Her heart pounded in her chest, beating in her ears even though they stayed flat against her head. Wherever they were going... she wanted them to be there already. She wanted to move away from every single cat, even herself.
Scornfully, she looked up towards the sky for just a moment. Blamed Starclan for it, cursed their name mentally for the torture they were now putting her through. Her tail had puffed in lieu of her anxieties to such an extent that its white feathery tufts could be seen beyond even the bushiness of her fox pelt's tail. Even as she looked to try and find some cat to hide beside... she could not find one.
code by kiiko • edited by kitty
Mistwalker
“Are you listening?”
She knew a time would come where what had to be done would be unfavorable. Yet all the same time, it was what was necessary. What must be done could not be undone. It was a fate that had been set before them, one that whose alternative was simply out of the question. No matter her own personal opinion, or distaste for the path before them, she would follow it. She trusted her mother and her judgement, and she knew the pain that lurked beneath that silver-and-white pelt. How she stifled it for the sake of her clan and kin alike... but she knew the signs.
Knew them all too well, for they were her own. It was like staring to like. But she would not betray her mother's feelings in such a way, would not reveal the paw that raised her. Instead, she found her apprentice amongst the crowd, affirming his presence and security before approaching her sister and Sandyshell. "Allow me to assist in carrying herbs." She half-asked, though it almost came out as a half-command. "I can assist carrying the more dangerous herbs." She did not know much about them, but knew that some needed to be handled with more care than others.
code by kiiko • edited by kitty
Murkyriver
“I peered into the abyss... and it stared back.”
Disdain was perhaps the easiest descriptor of her present emotions. It felt one event after another was simply to strike her down, to continue to chip away and shatter any semblance of sanity she had managed to piece together. Friendship had been ripped away by war with its cruel talons, home had been taken away by famine. Destroyed without so much as another blink, without any semblance of interference from the stars. Even her family had been ripped away by lies. By mistruths that she had not recognized at first, but had come to know against her own will. Against anyone's will, it seemed.
A haunted orange gaze stared forth as she scanned the crowd for a cat to assist. A purpose that would allow her to not entirely recoil habitually into her self, to patrol as that shadow-blessed sentry that had stalked the forest for far too long. Perhaps if she carried that identity with her, she could leave it behind wherever it was the Clans ended up. Shed the ugly of her that she no longer wished to keep and only bring back the good. The part of her she had been around that onyx pelt... who she could have been traveling with.
Her tortoiseshell ear flicked as the familiar call of her mother pulled her attention. Even after spending a few moons away, it did not erase what had been programmed into her since her upbringing. Instinctively, she half-tuned into the announcements as she weaved among the crowd. She should have been offering her shoulder to an elder to lean against, but the idea of touch repulsed her more than the traveling herbs taken for a moonstone journey. So instead, the warrior would fall towards the end, ensuring no cat got left behind.
code by kiiko • edited by kitty
Mintglade
“A breath of fresh air clears the mind.”
It seemed that those in the Clans had two reactions when it came to what was going on. Either it was met with excitement and hope, or despair and grief. Unsurprisingly, the Skyclan warrior fell into the former category. She had seen the state of her Clan before her very eyes, and the way the rest of the forest had appeared to be doing just as poorly was more than a wake-up call. Easily had she blamed their lack of prey on something else. The weather's changing patterns, an illness sweeping through prey, an over-abundance of predators there to fight for their resources. But never had she truly stopped to think how it would be impacting other clans, too.
Once she had... it was easy to see where Mottlestar had come from. How it was the best option: to leave behind what was injured and allow it time to heal. Stars be on her side, she had yet to truly experience such an injury that required prolonged time to heal. But even thinking to her mentor... that was the type of wound which the forest had experienced. One that would leave a scar for many moons to come, that could not be healed while simply going through day-to-day tasks. It was one that needed to be left alone.
Their lives would only continue to prod at it. Bleed the forest dry, and ultimately, take them down with it. So she had clung to the hope that new, temporary lands would offer. After all, Birdstar had promised to bring them back when it was time. She had faith in her leader-had no reason not to. So she looked for a familiar blue pelt of a clanmate, her head pushing into the shoulder of the apprentice. "Do you feel ready, Bubblepaw? If you need help, lean on me, okay?"
Characters : [P]oppyshine; [Pi]neblossom; [W]hisperear; [C]rookedlight; [L]arkspring; [Wi]llowwisp Clan/Rank : RC T5 Deputy; SC T5; WC T5; SkC T5; RC T4; RC T4 Number of posts : 2969 Gender : Any Pronouns Age : 25
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Sun 19 Nov 2023 - 20:54
Poppyshine
Poppyshine trudged along with the rest of her clan. She felt tired, doubled with having Lavenderpaw on her back. It would not do to make him drag himself during the entire journey, so as the deputy, she was happy to help him along the way. It made her muscles ache, but her concern lied closer with the apprentice. Her concern only grew the longer they all walked together and Lavenderpaw’s consciousness seemed to swim.
She looked around until she caught sight of her daughter and she called out, “Sandyshell?” Poppyshine gave her a slightly strained smile. “Next time we all stop and rest, can you look over Lavenderpaw? I’m worried the stress of the trip is making him ill…” It would be difficult for every cat, but it would be best to try and stop any illness from spreading sooner rather than later.
Poppyshine is helping to carry Lavenderpaw and called for Sandyshell’s assistance.
Pineblossom often had trouble at the camp rounding up all of her kits to make sure they were on their best behavior. Some of them listened well; Hedgekit and Fernkit did not wander and remained close most of the time, but Wolfkit and Stagkit loved to wander far. Bluekit could be a toss-up either way. Now that they had to make this far trip, she did not want them wandering far at all. They were large enough and strong enough to walk on their own if they desired, but she did not make them; should they want to be carried, Pineblossom was happy to let them carry on her, Forestbreeze, or even Silver or Hawkpaw who were helping alongside her. She was grateful for the latter two, who could have been off socializing or keeping away from the responsibilities of keeping five excitable kits in check, but instead decided to keep close and assist. Once they could settle down and find some food, Pineblossom would make sure that they both took some larger pieces of prey as thanks.
“Keep close,” she told her kits. “How are you doing? Anyone need to be carried for a while?”
Pineblossom is with her family, rounding up her kits.
The journey away from the clans was long and painful. Crookedlight hated to see his home be left behind. It reminded him of being forcibly taken away from it by twolegs, never knowing if he will see it again…He is still with his clan and they will not be trapped in a twoleg nest, but he was still afraid that he would never see his home again. He had been taken from it once, and now had to leave of his own accord, even if he would really rather not. Hunger raked in his stomach, reminding him of the necessity, but it did not calm the pain in his chest.
On top of that, he still had unresolved feelings he had yet to sort through. They had weighed on him for months and he was determined to talk to one cat in particular about the subject. His eyes wandered during the journey, observing the slow shuffle of cats between clans until the russet pelt finally caught his eye. His eyes widened and he wandered off from Rainfrost without too much thought. He could not lose his chance to ask Rowansong about this again.
“Rowansong,” Crookedlight greeted, a little breathlessly from all the walking. He walked alongside the RiverClanner and grimaced. “When the clans find a place to rest before the evening comes…I need to talk to you about something.”
Larkspring was not happy in the slightest to be leaving RiverClan. He was born outside of the reed walls during another forest event, but he did not want to leave the place he had known as home almost all his life, especially not after he had just earned his warrior name. Other cats would say that home is where the clan is, not where the land is, but Larkspring was not so certain. There was ancestry and tradition to consider as well.
He looked over at Cindersky and drifted closer to her when he noticed how she flinched at the loud voices. He admitted too that it was overwhelming, being amidst so many cats. Gatherings normally didn’t bother him too much because they lasted only a couple of hours, but this would go on for days as they traveled without knowing where they were going. It irked him.
Larkspring noted Sprucebark’s approach and so did not say anything to Cindersky directly, but he let his tail brush along her pelt just slightly to indicate his presence to her.
Larkspring is walking with Cindersky. (Rookflight presumably close by.)
Willowwisp’s heart was light with joy after earning her new warrior name, but it was immediately weighed down by the heaviness of leaving their home. She looked back several times at the land left behind as they left RiverClan, and then they met with all of the clans and in a mass exodus, left the forest. Where would their journey take them…? She had no idea. She wondered how the other clans were handling this as well.
When she looked around, she noticed Murkyriver, a new warrior herself, lagging towards the back of the pack. Willowwisp wondered if she may have been feeling ill, thus accounting for her lagging. She slowed as well so she could come upon her clanmate at the back.
“How are you doing?” she asked coolly. She had not spent much time with Murkyriver, even when she was an apprentice. That was in part Willowwisp’s own fault, who was not terribly sociable.
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Sun 19 Nov 2023 - 21:47
Leopardstar listened as Lighttail spoke, speaking of the flood; recalling that she had indeed been one of the ones who was swept so far that they had left Clan land. While Leopardstar was in SkyClan's camp, watching her leader and mentor wither away, there had been other pockets of ShadowClan in other places. Fragmented.
After some consideration, she nodded her assent. "We need whatever information we can get, and I certainly appreciate your taking initiative. Just don't go too far ahead, and don't go alone."
She turned to face the rest of her clan, feeling as if she should apologize. It wasn't like they would have survived in the forest, but that didn't make leaving their home behind once again any easier; with no idea when it would finally be safe to return. "ShadowClan. This is not the first time we have been driven from our home. We are no strangers to hardship and the struggle of survival. Wherever we are, however long it takes us to return to our marshland, ShadowClan will survive."
The ShadowClan leader turned her head briefly to steal a glance at the other Clans, huddled and gathered together in the same way.
"We must remember that we do not stand alone. Every Clan is here, every Clan is suffering; and while I don't expect you to treat them as your very best friends, I do expect that you show respect and compassion to the others. Any infighting will not be tolerated, just as I won't tolerate it amongst yourselves--any disputes are to be solved among yourselves, non-violently, or brought directly to me. Do not lose sight of your Clan or your loyalties, but recognize that you can learn from those around you."
Her tail lashed once.
"For the duration of this journey, in order to not fall behind and to keep ourselves safe, we will adhere to the schedule of the rest of the forest. We will travel and hunt under the sun, and sleep beneath the stars. Additionally, Lighttail has volunteered to scout ahead; does anyone else wish to join her? I'd rather no one was alone. I'd volunteer myself if I could."
after all the things i’ve said and done; i don’t feel like the chosen one —— info.
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Sun 19 Nov 2023 - 23:15
The growing cold of Leaffall was biting, and the chill ceaseless. Silverkit’s bones ached, and her stomach growled, but she continued forward with the rest of the clan cats. Her mother had roused her as the sun had sunk just below the tree line, urging her out of the nursery and intro the thick of ThunderClan cats as they left their home. Confusion had wracked their tiny brain, but her mother had explained as they’d walked the dire situation the forest was in, and that small nugget of knowledge had settled their anxieties. So silverkit clung to her mother’s side, head raised and dutifully followed the mass of cats as they migrated.
They had never left camp, had never experienced anything on this scale, but there was no pause to take it in, and Silverkit found they did not care to anyways. She was exhausted and if they focused on the changing leaves of the trees, or the snap of a branch she did not think she’d be able to keep up with the pace set by the leaders. Their body weak from lack of real food struggled to even keep up with her mother who already dragged behind for Silverkit’s sake. hopefully wherever their destination was they would arrive soon.
Characters : [C]indersky, [W]olfpaw Clan/Rank : RiverClan, T3 Warrior| ShadowClan, Apprentice Number of posts : 330 Gender : They/She Age : 20
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Mon 20 Nov 2023 - 1:52
wolfkit
kit | shadowclan
Wolfkit was displeased that morning. He had been woken up at a StarClan forsaken time and told to behave. Him, behave? Perish the thought. And they had been walking for so long now he thought his paws would fall off and his pelt itched with irritation. "These cats stink," He hissed, an announcement rather than a comment. "And I don't want to be carried. I'm not tired."
He was, but he wouldn't admit that. He looked up to his mother, and gave her that wolfish smile that indicated plotting. He loved his mother. He loved carnage more. "Mama," He stated slowly. "I want to meet a kit from another clan. Can I go play with one of them? I won't go far."
Cindersky, so lost in her own thoughts and drowned amidst the fluctuating noises, unknown scents and sights and everything in between, took much too long to notice Sprucebark. Her eyes, wide and mooned and unsettled, bored into him with an expression that hovered on the line of frightened and confused.
His mouth was moving. She wasn't sure what he was saying. It was something, she picked out her own name from between the warbled, garbled sounds as though she had plunged her head under the crisp river-water when it had been clean. "What?" She mumbled hoarsely, and then it caught up with her.
"Oh, it's... It's okay-- Thank you, I-..." And almost as quickly as the older warrior had come, he was gone, and instead of it was a touch that felt like a sear of hot stones against the bottom of her pawpads. A squeakish, feeble sound came from her throat and she flinched away, head ducked and ears back, until she managed to pick out the familiar, much welcome scent of Larkspring.
Her shoulders slacked and the tensed ache abated for the moment. "I-I'm sorry," She said to him, her eyes never focusing on one spot for very long. Too much too see, too much happening. "I'm... Not good at this. I didn't mean to--... jump."
Last edited by moonazyne on Mon 20 Nov 2023 - 9:23; edited 1 time in total
Arcana
Characters : [F]awnshine, [Fe]nnelbreeze, [T]hrushnose, [H]arrierpaw Number of posts : 1477 Gender : Gender fluid, She/They Age : 14
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Mon 20 Nov 2023 - 5:03
Fawnshine
Their journey certainly wasn't a boisterous trade of laughter or joy—but it was extremely crucial for all those residing here in the forest. Fawnshine had gathered as many herbs as she could to bring along the way, even going as far as entwining them between her pelt and clutching a bundle of herbs between her teeth. She listened attentively to Mottlestar's words and urged Echosong forward, grateful for whatever help was offered to the both of them.
This isn't the first time we've moved before. It'll be fine, she reminded herself, having flashbacks of when they had to move to Fourtrees for the sake of their safety temporarily; and although they didn't have a specific, prevalent threat of cats looming over the forest now—it would've been dangerous to still stay throughout Leaf-bare with the current starvation and soaring of predators. Sighing, she kept a straight head and continued on her way, offering occasional glances toward other cats in case they required assistance.
(ooc: fawnshine is walking with TC & is watching to see if anyone needs assistance!)
thrushnose
This was his first time being so far away from home. Home, where familiar canopies stretched ahead for miles and woodland once lush with prey now suddenly barren—making it not-so-homely anymore. But it was where ThunderClan was, anyway. These cats, gathered in large clutches and groups left spread wide over far distances were unfamiliar to him; making Thrushnose more uneasy than he normally would be. He could at least ensure the cats whom he loved and cared for while they were in familiar territories, but this... It made him almost anxious.
Letting out a soft sigh, the tom padded forward and approached one of the felines whom he was more fond of—his sister, and tried to put on an encouraging smile for her. "Hey, Murkyriver," He mewed, gently brushing his tail over her back in an attempt to ease some of her tension. "You feeling okay? I know this is hard, especially for us both, but... I'm sure we'll go home soon. As soon as Leaf-bare's over, of course. When prey will return and the forest will become lush again." He smiled, attempting to be optimistic for the sake of hope. "Promise that you'll let me help you along the way, yeah? Don't take care of everything all at once."
(ooc: thrushnose is talking to murkyriver!)
Crowspirit
Crowspirit's paws weighed herself down as she was forced to once again, leave home. When the circumstances have become so harsh on Shadowclan and pushed them out of safety for what seems to be like the fourth time (according to her memory)—she wished she could've just remained back at camp all the time and cared for others instead of having to leave. But the reality was this; the forest was dwindling, and they needed to let it heal. At least, that was according to the other clan leaders' words and their medicine cats'.
Noticing Leopardstar's call for any volunteers of help, she lifted her head and approached him with a polite smile. "I'll volunteer if no one else will. I'm sure another paw will be useful."
(ooc: crowspirit is volunteering to help scout ahead!)
Hawkshriek
Hawkshriek strutted ahead with his clanmates by his side, gleaming green eyes watching out for whoever required his help. Leaving the territory he so dearly loved was not what he had in mind—but if that was the best for the forest, then so he would follow to the best of his abilities. He'd survived leaving RiverClan (involuntarily) twice before, and he knew how they'd survive. The entire five clans were moving, not just him now. I'm not alone, he reminded himself. And that's how he'd push on.
(ooc: hawkshriek is walking with RC & is watching to see if anyone needs help!)
Fennelbreeze
Flashbacks haunted her mind as Fennelbreeze thought back to when she was a kit; they also had to move to Highstones for the sake of avoiding two-legs that roamed the area. They still had remained in the forest then, but—this was... It was new. An unfamiliar, almost anxious sense of premonition clouded her mind, making her almost lag behind the rest of the others—until she saw the joyous sight of Fuzzface and Sootstorm helping his kits on his back. Almost instantaneously, a smile replaced where the worried frown had been on her maw; heart warmed by the sweet sight ahead of herself.
Sighing, she shook her head and gave a small chuckle, making her way to walk beside Sootstorm with a smile. "Helping out and doing some good deeds, hm?" She lightly teased him, gently nudging his shoulder with a smile. "Hiya there, Soot. The kits are cute, aren't they?" Her gaze softened, glancing at them to almost envision a future where she could also be so peaceful with her own family and kits. The picture of Sootstorm flashed through her mind again, and she forced herself to shake the thought away, pelt heating up with part embarrassment, part inner joy.
Characters : Murkyriver ♀ | Mistwalker ♀ | Mintglade ♀ | Crakeburn ♀ | Snowvixen ♀ | Hollowpaw ♀ Clan/Rank : Riverclan | Skyclan | Windclan Number of posts : 4942 Gender : She/Her - ash was here :3 and Ro! Age : 21
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Mon 20 Nov 2023 - 6:33
Murkyriver
“I peered into the abyss... and it stared back.”
A flash of surprise briefly registered in her amber eyes as one of her clanmates slowed to walk with her. She had not thought herself to be of particularly close company to many of her clanmates, especially those who had been apprentices during her own brief apprenticeship beneath Perchstar. Even more surprising was just who it was that had slowed. Willowwisp, one of Riverclan's newer warriors, and daughter to her leader. Perhaps that made them of a similar coin, forever burdened by the internal pressures that resulted from being bred into a line that carried such power.
"I am alright. Watching for any who may need assistance. Yourself?" She had fought her tongue for the words, but they came smooth enough. "Congratulations, may I add. Willowwisp is pretty." There was some internal reverence she felt was due towards the newer warrior. After all, Willowwisp had held a place in the Clan for longer than she had, though they were around similar age. A brief study of her seemed to allude that yes, they were quite similar in their mannerisms. Particularly self-kept, but deeply analytical. They understood far more than their colder exteriors seemed to say.
The sight of a familiar diluted pelt was certainly welcome as Thrushnose slowed to chat. While the idea of any other cat's fur brushing along her own typically would have made her rather eat carrion, her brother was the exception. He always was. Such kindness and empathy displayed for longer than emotion usually did as she regarded the tom, a slow blink of gratitude passing his way. "I am alright. We will return home soon, I know Mother will give her lives to bring the forest back when it is time." It was much easier to talk to Thrushnose. But then again, it always had been. "This is my clanmate, Willowwisp. Willowwisp, this is my brother, Thrushnose." Though speech struggled for her, she figured that her manners had no reason in being forgotten. As she walked between the two cats, her head would tilt to indicate who-was-who, a mannerism that certainly had came from her mother.
Characters : [R]owansong [Ro]okflight [S]ilverhawk [P]igeonpouce [F]ish [T]wilightkit Clan/Rank : [R] RiverClan T5 Elder [Ro] RiverClan T4 Warrior [S] ShadowClan T3 Warrior [P] T2 RiverClan Warrior [F] T2 Rogue [T] RiverClan Kit Number of posts : 2499 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Mon 20 Nov 2023 - 17:31
Silverhawk
This journey terrified Silverhawk. It made him feel cold deep, deep in his bones. The world beyond the forest was larger, far larger than him, and entirely unknown. Starved and sick as it was, the territories they walked away from were home. The marshland had raised him. The graves of Meadowlark and his brother were there. Even Beetlechaser, buried hastily. But they were going; there was no argument to be had. There was only the forward march. Silverhawk stayed close to his family, unwilling to stray from them, helping to guide and carry the kits as they went. Hawkpaw stayed close, too, and Silverhawk didn't care if it was for him or for the kits. He was just grateful to have his best friend close. It helped soothe the bubbling grief and fury in him.
The cliffs of Highstones and the mountains extending in the distance beyond them did not look so daunting when he came to speak with StarClan. He felt pitifully small staring out at the faraway peaks, jaws of blue gnawing at the sky itself. He didn't think he had been this frightened even watching Honeylight spit blood from the throat. It was not only fear that put a slight tremor in his legs: the mass of each Clan's smell, the nuanced scents of every individual cat that made them up; the sounds of all of them, yawping and mewing and hissing and stomping about, claws on rocks, coughing and sneezing and sniffling and fur brushing against fur--
Silverhawk's own claws flexed. The whine of being dragged across stone made one of his ears flick. He desperately wanted to sink his teeth into something, bite so hard his jaw locked in place. If anyone tried to speak with him, he thought it may end up being their throat. In the back of his mind, he mourned having the eyes of the other Clan's on them right now. Wrestling Hawkpaw on this harsher, stony terrain sounded like a good way to feel regulated. Judging by the cornered animal glare in Hawkpaw's eyes, he felt the same.
Wolfkit's voice earned a small wrinkle of Silverhawk's nose, but once he placed it as Wolfkit it had his attention. Thirsty for trouble, as always. "Didn't you just say they smelled bad?" Silverhawk muttered, dragging his brother close with a careful paw. Wolfkit was getting big, fast but it was easy still to move him. "You shouldn't wander, anyway. You're just gonna bite someone and get us in trouble." He knew his discouragement wouldn't mean much if Pineblossom spoke over him. He doubted Wolfkit would listen, anyway-- he'd probably just get bit in whatever kit's place. With a little huff, Silverhawk left it at that and picked his head up to listen to Leopardstar's last few words.
He scowled, hearing they'd be operating on the other Clans' schedule. Yet another thing to get used to. And there was hardly any use calling themselves ShadowClan, living under the light of day just like everyone else. Silverhawk was going to turn his attention off again but the announcement she wanted another scout to accompany Lighttail. He figured it was rather prestigious, to be tasked with safely guiding not only your own Clan, but every Clan to their fabled new home. Turning, he took in the crowd of warriors around him. He was the youngest among them, named only days prior to their leaving. He'd done nothing to prove value of that level.
...which, in a way, made this the perfect chance to. Silverhawk's eyes lit up and the bristle left his fur. As a young, unseasoned warrior, there was no investment to be lost if walking ahead of the flock's protection cost him his life. Other apprentices were surely due to earn their names soon; he would be replaced easily. It would not be the same shattering loss of a senior warrior, a pillar of the Clan... which Lighttail was one of. It would be almost foolish to risk another alongside her. If not the perfect choice, he was certainly the ideal choice. Hopefully, Leopardstar would see the skill he'd just been lauded for and know he was the perfect choice. And if she made the correct decision-- that alone would make his merit soar. If their journey was a success as well, and he was one of the pawful of cats to nobly forge the road ahead, lay first eyes on the bountiful plains supposedly awaiting him?
Without a word, he stepped around the kits at his paws and moved between the crowd of ShadowClan until he stood at the front. "Leopardstar!" Silverhawk called, tail waving to get her attention. Once he had it, he lifted his chin and went on, "I volunteer to scout alongside Lighttail. I'm excellent at navigation, and it'd be an honor to lead the Clan through this difficult journey."
Silverhawk is offering to be ShadowClan's second scout.
Rowansong
Rowansong's tail lashed the entire walk to Highstones. He did not want to crowd around all the cats in all the Clans, traipsing across unknown land for some unknown amount of time. He did not want to leave behind the home he loved so dearly. He had been forced away from it once, and those months of his life had been miserable. Some days it still felt like no time at all had passed since he'd come home, and now he was being asked to leave again. All the family he'd lost there, Minksplash's pelt and the stone Stormdance had given him (which he'd spent hours deliberating over bringing, ultimately deciding to leave them tucked safely beneath the moss of his nest for fear of losing them in lands he could not find them again)... the cradle of RiverClan's wetland territory, the breathtaking sight of sunrise over the Beech Copse or bold fish leaping the sparkling river. All of it, left behind.
There was some comfort, in searching his memories for the stories Felix told him while they sparred. It did not soothe the agitation that bristled Rowansong's fur, but he thought of great fanciful things; of the sea, waters like the river but stretched out and out and out to swallow everything in sight until it reached the horizon. Rowansong exhaled through his nose and grit his teeth to keep them from chattering. They were reaching Highstones, and the other Clans were huddling together as well, with all their reek and din. Frowning, Rowansong looked inward. He'd wandered foggily for much of the walk, but now that they came to stand still, he looked instinctively for Egretswoop. He caught sight of her, shaking beneath her fox pelt, when another voice called for his attention.
Paw frozen in the air, he paused and turned around. Rowansong blinked once then slowly tilted his head at Crookedlight's request. "You... would like my advice?" He ventured curiously. What in StarClan's name required Crookedlight to come to him, of all cats? Hadn't he an entire Clan of cats to speak to first? However puzzled he was by the approach, Rowansong felt a swoop of pride alongside something else, unnameable but warm in his chest. Shaking the surprise off his face, he smiled cheekily and said, "But of course. I fear I will have little else to do." He laughed softly and whisked his tail across Crookedlight's shoulder-- perhaps too friendly a gesture, but he didn't falter over it. Asking to talk about something clearly personal was quite the friendly gesture, anyway. "You've caught my interest, too. I hope for quite the engaging conversation."
Rowansong is speaking to Crookedlight.
Rookflight
Rookflight stayed pressed to Larkspring's side the entire way to Highstones. If they did not, they would start to shake on their paws, and they were not sure if they would be able to stay their limbs enough to move forward again. Their heart did not seem to slow once, beating so wildly and incessantly in their chest they thought it would drive them to illness or faint. Leaving the damp earth of RiverClan to walk coarser ground threatened to undo the efforts Rookflight put into composing themselves enough to continue. Excepting a very brief period of kithood, RiverClan's territory was all they had known. The moons-long fits over changing dens paled in comparison to the journey they walked into now. They understood--they understood, this was a necessity. The river was thick with poison, and all Clans starved. Rookflight wondered if, presented the option, they would have chosen the slow death just for the comfort of knowing what awaited them.
The force of the other Clans did nothing to soothe them. One thousand voices and scents filled the air. Rookflight had desperately tried to replay every Gathering they'd attended along the walk, attempting to brace themself for this eventuality, but it hadn't been enough. His ears pressed entirely flat against his head. It was an immense effort not to bury his head in Larkspring's ruff and remain there, walking crooked, until this terrible trek was over.
But, he didn't, and so the hollow wander of his gaze caught sight of Cindersky. She looked more small and scared than Rookflight could remember seeing her, despite her disposition. His chest panged with something like sympathy. Wincing away from the grating howls of the other leaders' announcements and all their surrounding chatter, Rookflight trailed after his brother to approach Cindersky. She startled even at Larkspring's approach, so Rookflight did not bother gesturing with his tail to signal his presence, but he made a small noise from the back of his throat and gave a withering nod in favor of a more formal greeting.
Pigeonpaw
Pigeonpaw was getting bigger. She could hunt a little better now, even though there wasn't really much left to hunt. She could swim, more or less, but that wasn't really an option. And she could hold her own in a fight, and she was brave. The starving didn't scare her, and neither did the poison river, or everything in the territory seeming to just--die, disappear, and neither did... leaving. Following Mottlestar's orders to go look for somewhere more sustainable. It made sense, she guessed... it was practical. Practical. She definitely understood it, and it wasn't scary at all. She was fine leaving RiverClan behind. It was just dirt and water! Dirt and water that Pigeonpaw grew up on, but that was--fine. There was dirt and water everywhere. It'd be there on their big, long journey, and it'd be there wherever they landed. She didn't care about going anywhere, because her family was here with her.
Pigeonpaw shook with every step, however she tried to convince herself she wasn't scared. She pressed close to Swanpaw, big blue eyes darting between RiverClan's ranks in search of their brothers. It was hard to tell if she felt sick with hunger or nerves. She wanted to stay as close to her siblings as possible. The presence of so many cats did nothing to excite her; today, it just made her feel little, like she was a kit again. Her whiskers twitched and Pigeonpaw ducked her head against Swanpaw's neck. It was too busy. "This sucks," she muttered with a shaky laugh. Stars, she already wanted to turn around. She couldn't dredge up the energy to pretend otherwise anymore.
Pigeonpaw is with Swanpaw, and looking around for her brothers.
Characters : Nightstalker - Rom wuz here <3 Clan/Rank : Shadowclan Warrior Number of posts : 1155 Gender : Unspecified | kitty says hi <3
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Mon 20 Nov 2023 - 18:15
Crocuspaw being nervous... was the understatement of the season to put it plainly. Mottlestar wanted her as one of her scouts, the tales her father told quickly going from what seemed like a dreamy fantasy, too good to be true, to a kind of shackle that secured her to the burden of being their hope. Hope to find another place to stay, even temporarily, with enough food, water, and medicine to keep them comfortable and healthy until they would make the trek back from... wherever they went. The pressure was on, and Crocuspaw felt as if she had the world on her shoulders. She figured that she'd find her smaller traveling companion, Redsun, who she was sure felt the very same she did when the prophecies given to the medicine cats had been revealed to every cat at the gathering. She wondered if the small tom had been gifted or made special in some way. She shrugged the thought away, not particularly concerned about finding an answer to that.
Crocuspaw was able to see a great majority over each cat that was there, a few she had to straighten herself a little taller to see over, but the young she-cat was able to spot her traveling companion who seemed to be looking for her. How could he not find her? She was not tiny like him, she was a giant amongst giants, surely her large head stood out enough? Shrugging that thought away too she easily shouldered her way through the crowd and met up with Redsun, laying her short tail on his shoulder and guiding the way through the crowd to the front of the traveling group.
"Better? You are so small and do not have Mottlestar's authority. I fear you'd be trampled before journey even start." Crocuspaw mewed thickly, anxiousness and nervousness bringing her accent out more heavily than she typically allowed it to be. She swallowed it down best she could when she realized, wanting to hide away a part of herself before the other scouts joined them properly.
______________________________________
Nightstalker Tier 5 Warrior of Shadowclan 70 HP / 160 SP
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Tue 21 Nov 2023 - 2:08
Happiness comes the way the wind blows
Sootstorm watched in amusement as Lavendercloud and Fuzzface fussed over their kits, content with taking a step back to simply observe as Fuzzface piled his kits onto him like leeches and Lavendercloud fussing along to make sure the kits didn't fall off. A warm fuzzy feeling of his own rippled through him as Fennelbreeze's voice sounded beside him. Despite the thinness that nearly every cat on this journey had adopted, Fennelbreeze was as beautiful as ever, and Sootstorm wondered what it would feel like to rest his chin behind the curls of her ears.
Lost in his admiration of the she-cat, he completely missed whatever it was that she said. Sootstorm felt his pelt flush with embarrassment as he looked at his friend. "W-what?" His mind managed to form a single word as he continued to stare at her. Was it only that that he noticed how her eyes were a brilliant mix of yellow and green, but never one or the other?
Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our power
Tawnyshadow felt her shoulders relax just a little as Swiftheart returned her greeting. Swiftheart was leaving behind a family member too, and the thought that she wasn't alone in her worries was enough to calm her down. Heatherberry's voice called over, and instantly the more business-like part of her took over. As Swiftheart instructed her apprentice on what to do, Tawnyshadow carefully picked up the bundles of leaves and roots. She wondered if where they were going would have the exact same herbs as what they had found in the forest, or if there would be herbs there at all.
Characters : thistlemask | grebedance | turtlepaw Clan/Rank : thunderclan t3 warrior | riverclan t3 warrior | thunderclan apprentice Number of posts : 326
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Tue 21 Nov 2023 - 5:44
The air was almost buzzing with the sheer volume of cats present, sending an uncomfortable pang through the molly as she thought over the step she was about to take that could never be taken back. Her pawpads felt hot, a stark contrast to the cold stone she currently felt underpaw, a bleak and uncomfortable reminder of why she found herself back in the presence of the clans. The decision to leave Thunderclan - to leave the only real place that had ever felt some resemblance to home was not one she had taken lightly, but one that had been deemed necessary with her failing health and inability to perform her tasks. Her demotion had truly been the final nail in it all, proof that she could not provide and therefore did not deserve a place. It seemed after moons of abiding to a code that had only been introduced to her later in life had never fully penetrated her mind; where she believed others deserved sanctuary and comfort when they couldn’t provide, she only believed herself to be a burden. And as such, much like she had initially arrived with Achelois and Featherfrost, Thistlemask had disappeared without a trace, believing it would be best to wither far from those who may care about her.
What she hadn’t expected, however, was that a moon into her trek away from the clans, Mottlestar’s daughter would appear, barely old enough to visit Highstones let alone follow in the molly’s steps for as long as she had. This had led to the unfortunate consequence of Thistlemask returning to the clans - her clan - to return the stowaway child of her dearest companion. The journey home had taken significantly longer than the one out there due to an injury Turtlepaw had acquired on her way out, and also the fact the duo had gotten horribly lost at some point. As they had approached the forest, the calico had been uncomfortably aware of how barren and silent it was, learning after a while from a fellow rogue that the clans had departed. And so they had traced the lingering scent trails, slowly finding themselves gaining on the mass of cats, knots twisting in both their stomachs.
There was a burning question left unspoken between the two on whether they were still welcome - Thistlemask was very aware she no longer carried Thunderclan scent, and even Turtlepaw’s had begun to fade to nothing but a whisper. Was this really still home? Would she really return? They both pressed against the rocks as various leaders called out about a temporary truce, insisting on helping each other through this calamity. As Thistlemask turned to her once unwelcome companion to discuss their plan once more, she was horrified to see Turtlepaw missing, and seeing her barreling straight towards Mottlestar, swerving between cats of all clans, not a care visible as she longed to return to her mother. The former deputy had no choice but to follow, warily eyeing the crowd as she picked through it, uncomfortably aware that she hardly recognised a soul anymore. Before long, Thistlemask found herself reunited with both Turtlepaw, Mottlestar and Birdstar, instinctively bowing her head and not daring to look back up.
Characters : Murkyriver ♀ | Mistwalker ♀ | Mintglade ♀ | Crakeburn ♀ | Snowvixen ♀ | Hollowpaw ♀ Clan/Rank : Riverclan | Skyclan | Windclan Number of posts : 4942 Gender : She/Her - ash was here :3 and Ro! Age : 21
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Tue 21 Nov 2023 - 6:13
Mottlestar
“May the stars light our paths.”
Mottlestar could not help the twitch of her whiskers as the powerful Skyclan leader came into view. It was a twich of relief, surprise, gratitude, and many more emotions all rolled into one. Skyclan by far had the farthest trip to take to Highstones, and as such, it surprised her that Birdstar was the second leader to make themselves clearly visible. Even then, that did not stop the gratitude that welled into her ember gaze as she beheld the sight of her. It meant that her journey would not be taken alone. Dipping her head in greeting, her words came more on a sigh than anything else. "Grateful certainly explains how I feel to know you're here." There had been little to be thankful for in recent times, it felt like.
Not long after, the other silver-and-white pelt that she could spot from any point in a crowd had arrived to their group, too. Exhausted as the tortoiseshell was, and even as much as her throat burned, a smile made its way onto her face. One of hope. "The stars do not know how glad I am you both are here, now. Even if Shadowclan and Windclan do not arrive... I feel much safer knowing we travel in our alliance." There was no need to lie through her teeth in such a situation, nor was there need to attempt to placate the other leaders. She simply spoke from her heart in that moment. Their weariness seemed to delve deep enough to reach their souls, and it would be an act cruel enough to send a cat to the Dark Forest to lie in a time like this.
Just as Leopardstar had come into view for the tortoiseshell, though, she was knocked off her feet by a particularly strong collision to her side. "Wha-!" The bark of surprise came as the breath was also knocked from her lungs by the force. Taking a moment to regain her bearings, widened eyes that also now held a particular element of frustrated shock were quick to find the source. It took all of a heartbeat for her to see the familiar calico pelt, its fluffiness unmistakeable. "Turtlepaw? I-Okay, one... Excuse me, a moment, I... Am I hallucinating?" An entire mess was what the sight had rendered her to, even as tears immediately came to her eyes. Her gaze flipped between Perchstar and Birdstar in confirmation, before she shook her head and dismissed herself. "You're alive? Actually alive? Where have you been?! I-I made you a grave!" Hurried whispers as she attempted to process just what was going on came through, and she ushered her now-found kit towards the crowd. Surprisingly, it'd provide some privacy.
Not many steps into the crowd did another face catch her eye. Fawn and silver, split to show the two lives she had led. Eyes of gentle hazel that she had trusted to help see just what would be the right path for Thunderclan. It made the tortoiseshell dizzy, truth be told. "Thistlemask... You too? Alive? Stars... Did I lose a life? Did... did you guys find each other?" She didn't know what else to do than to ask questions. Find answers. Because it was, admittedly, rather hard to believe that two dear cats she had sworn were gone to the stars were now before her. Pelts a bit matted-which was an easy fix-but alive. Her rapid blinks in an attempt to bat away any falsehoods that appeared before her spoke volumes enough for how hard it was to believe. But truth be told... it was such a good thing they had found her now.
What if they had come after they had left? Would they have survived the forest in its current state? Would they have given up hope? Such questions immediately rattled her mind, but ultimately were shaken away. They wouldn't help here. Not now.
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Tue 21 Nov 2023 - 17:07
Dovepaw was only getting through this by pretending it was not happening. Every breath he took, he convinced himself that this wasn't real, that it couldn't possibly be really happening. There was no way. RiverClan was his home. No matter his blood, RiverClan was his home. He didn't want to leave. So, why... why was he leaving? Realistically, the ribs poking through his fur and the ever-present growl of his stomach answered his question. But he wished they didn't. He hated this--the noise, the crowds, the thick stench of fear and uncertainty and doubt, the fact that his soft nest was behind him. It was driving him crazy. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to do.
In the large group of cats, somehow, his pale blue eyes caught sight of two familiar faces. Swanpaw. Pigeonpaw. It was as if he'd suddenly jumped into the freezing cold river. His mind suddenly cleared. No matter what--he had to be there for his family. That was going to be his goal this trip. He would look after each and every one of his siblings, no matter what. Pawstep by pawstep, ignoring all the other presses and shoves of bodies around him, hardly even hearing the words Perchstar said, he made his way forward. Once he was there--once his fur was melding with his sisters' instead of strangers'--he sighed in relief. "Let's stick together," Dovepaw murmured without preamble. "The rest of this doesn't matter. I'm just going to make sure that you all are safe. We'll look after each other, all right?"
Dovepaw is with Swanpaw and Pigeonpaw.
--
Bubblepaw was struggling. Every pawstep forward was difficult enough, but the thought of more? The thought of walking and walking and not even knowing where they would end up? All for the distant hope of some food? It made her mind feel hollow. She could do this, she tried to tell herself, but it was as if her heart had gone numb. She couldn't feel much besides the empty, aching hunger. The only thing that kept her sane was the occasional glimpses of family that she caught in the crowd, and... The words of her friend Mintglade cut through the dull buzz of unfamiliar voices. She blinked once, twice, shaking off the exhaustion as best she could and allowing herself a small smile. "Hey, Minty. Yeah, I... I got this." Was that the truth? Did she? She wasn't really sure anymore. Her voice was quiet. "I might lean on you just a teeny tiny bit. But lemme know if I'm too big an' heavy." They both knew that Bubblepaw was the lightest and smallest she'd ever been, rivaling even her slight weight as a kit. The lack of food had really done a number on her.
Bubblepaw is attempting to joke with Mintglade.
--
Hedgekit shrank back against her mother's side as they went forward. She had never even left camp before. Kits weren't allowed to leave camp, she thought. And now here they were, all the way out of the territory. The loud sounds and strange smells and what seemed like hundreds of giant cats were all swarming around. What if she got stepped on? What if she got lost? What if she got left behind? What if she never got to see her Mamma or her brothers or anyone she knew ever again? These thoughts kept her huddled as physically close to Pineblossom as she could get. Silverhawk ran ahead; Wolfkit wanted to wander away; Hedgekit couldn't quite keep herself from shivering. She just wanted to be back in the nursery, back in her nest. She didn't want any of this. Barely, she managed to get out a squeak of words over her terror. "Mamma... I'm scared."
Hedgekit is staying as close to Pineblossom as possible.
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Tue 21 Nov 2023 - 17:54
Swanpaw leaned against Pigeonpaw for a moment, and nodded. "Yeah." She muttered, "This can't be forever though, we'll return... Right?" Stars, she hoped so. Dovepaw approached, and Swanpaw felt relief to see another of her siblings was... Well, not well, but standing. "We'll look out for each other." She vowed, "I'm not letting anything happen to you guys." After Morningpaw, she never wanted to see one of her siblings so still, so broken on the ground again. They were here now, and she would fight to make sure it stayed that way. They were the only ones who mattered on this journey.
Subject: Re: A Beginning, an End [OPEN, SITEWIDE] Tue 21 Nov 2023 - 23:25
Sandyshell
The dream of relaxation was something far gone, drowned deep in the rivers the clan was forced to abandon. Hunger ravaged the medicine cat’s small, greasy-coated body. The only attractiveness attributed to her might be the herb bundles adorning her pelt. The strongest woven in her thin, sandy fur, while more delicate things were held within leaf wraps tied to branches which she balanced over her back and shoulders. It hadn’t been her clever idea, but certainly a welcome solution.
If her senses were alert enough she would have jumped at Mistwalker’s sudden appearance. The medicine cat quickly accepted her offer before another stick slid off her back. With bundles of the most fragile herbs safe between her teeth, Sandyshell flicked her ear to point to the first rack on her shoulders. Dangerous was an odd request, but her mind wasn’t capable of questioning it at the moment. Sandyshell didn’t store poisons though some herbs could be fatal as an overdose. It was safer to keep those out of reach of kits so Mistwalker was fittingly tall and responsible. With the warrior hopefully satisfied Sandyshell could return to her bog of thoughts.
She had to not think about leaving home. Or about this risky, deadly journey. Or about losing herbs, losing patients, or losing her sanity. Or about how the last time Riverclan had to evacuate their home she had lost someone extremely important to her. Or- Stop. She had to try her best to imagine the taste of fish and clean water, instead of the numerous cases where one of her clanmates, loved ones, or even herself could die on this trip. I have to rely on my herbs. I have to trust Starclan. I have to protect my family. And I have to serve my clan.
Ignited in her nutrient-deprived mind was the memory of a tune she had once heard a queen sing to her kit. Just keep swimming... Just keep swimming... That was how Sandyshell felt. As if her legs weren’t really on land, but she still had to paddle each foot in front of the other. Her body was floating down a murky, gunky, poisoned river while just trying to keep her head from sinking. Thankfully these paths to Highstones were no stranger. But beyond that...
What helped her in her goal of staying awake and distracted was Poppyshine calling her name. Sandyshell lifted her head with a hopeful glint in her eye. And with what little strength she had she returned her mother’s smile. After the deputy’s request, she looked at the poor Lavenderpaw who was barely conscious. “Yes of course,” she said after briefly setting down the bundles that she had held, “Thank you for caring for him. Remind me at our next stop if you can. I might… forget.” She didn’t want to admit that her mind was weakening, but it was important to be transparent with Poppyshine as her mother and deputy. She just hoped Lavenderpaw would be okay.
[Sandyshell has given Mistwalker some herbs to carry and has responded to Poppyshine's concern.]
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