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: An Introduction To Home[C] Thu 4 Jul 2024 - 0:33
I feel like I’m waiting for something that’ll never happen
Regarding Fishpaw's battle training, Quillsplash had quite a few qualms. One problem was that, as a former rogue, Fishpaw had no doubt gotten into a fight or two before, and would have at least a half-developed fighting style. In Clans, fighting in itself wasn't enough-- a warrior had to be able to fight cohesively alongside his fellow clanmates, so that they may be able to defend themselves and their Clans against larger threats. This was one of the many reasons each Clan had their own unique fighting style, or had grown and adadpted over time to have one. It would mean that Fishpaw would have to relearn how to fight, in a sense, and the young tom may not be quite so willing. He might find it an useless endeavor, and much like Quillsplash once had, not fully understand the concept of Clan. Even now, Quillsplash wasn't sure if he did.
Another problem was that fighting may carry for Fishpaw some... unpleasant memories. The tortoiseshell tom had never asked his apprentice about his life before becoming a ShadowClan Apprentice, allowing the younger cat to take his time in telling Quillsplash if he so wished to. With these worries in mind, the warrior had taken quite some time to plan this lesson, but eventually he had devised a plan.
He took Hedgepaw along with them for this lesson, taking his first apprentice aside before the lesson to privately inform her that though this was still a lesson, and one he expected her to take as seriously as always, it was more so a space where he wanted to help Fishpaw fit into ShadowClan, and asked for her patience and understanding when dealing with the tom. Quillsplash had a feeling it wouldn't be a problem for the usually caring she-cat, but he felt complied to ask regardless. The lesson plan was simple: he would have Hedgepaw and Fishpaw engage in a spar, where he would be able to asses Fishpaw's fighting skill and style. It would also be good experience for Hedgepaw, who may one day meet a rogue with unfamiliar fighting styles. Fighting Hedgepaw would surely be less intimidating that fighting with Quillsplash for Fishpaw. They were about the same age, and quite close friends, so he wasn't worried that they would go too far in the spars. He would still take note to keep a careful eye on them, though.
As they arrived at his chosen location, one where they would hopefully both have equal standings, he gestured for them both to get ready. "Hedgepaw, I trust you are already familiar with rules for sparring, but for Fishpaw's sake I'll repeat it: all claws should be seathed, bites or nips should be done with minimal damage if at all, and no dirty tricks. If either of you at any point in time feel the need to stop the spar, please sound out immediately, and I expect the other party to respect that. Understood?" He cast one last stern look over the two of them, before stepping back to allow them space for the spar. "You may begin when you're ready."
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Thu 11 Jul 2024 - 10:32
Hedgepaw, for one, could not be more excited about the prospect of welcoming the former rogue Fishpaw into ShadowClan. She'd already been delighted at the idea of them training together. When Quillsplash took her aside and explained the plan to her, she'd nodded seriously and understood, despite the warm glow in her chest. Quillsplash--she knew this from Mamma--had been a rogue once too, so he knew what it was like to join a Clan as your second home. It was really kind of him to try and make sure that Fishpaw felt welcome and comfortable. Hedgepaw was going to do anything she could to help... even if she was really bad at fighting. That was okay, because if she lost the spar, that meant Fishpaw would probably feel better about his skills.
Her white paws had almost turned completely brown by the time they reached far enough into the Deep Marshes. Sticky earth squelched every time she moved. It took a lot of effort to keep her small self going despite the resistance of the mud, so she was glad for a brief rest once Quillsplash stopped. Still, she shot a grin towards Fishpaw, hoping that he wouldn't be too bothered by the environment he was probably unfamiliar with. If he saw she didn't mind it so much, that might make him more comfortable. There wasn't much point in grooming the dirt from her fur; if they were going to be sparring, odds were she'd be rolling around on the ground more before long, so she didn't bother. She sat still though, and let her eyes focus back on her mentor and what he said. No claws... no damage... no tricks. She didn't like fighting with claws anyway, so she preferred sparring to real combat. It shouldn't be too hard.
Still, she couldn't help wondering... how good at fighting was Fishpaw, exactly? He'd been surviving pretty much on his own during the age where she'd been sheltered safely at her mother's side. Even though she had been training with Quillsplash for moons, she couldn't shake the suspicion that he would probably beat her easily. She... wasn't that good at fighting. But it didn't matter! The point for her wasn't to win. She just wanted to help Fishpaw feel comfortable, that was all. Hedgepaw stood up and shook out her pelt, green eyes shining. "I'm ready," she chirped, dousing any prickling nervousness inside her with the comfortable sensation of talking to a friend. He was a friend--Fishpaw would obviously never hurt her. "You ready?" Without waiting for an answer, she lunged forward and bowled him over. This was the one move she was somewhat good at, having practiced it by play-battling with her brothers when they were young. It didn't take too much effort, since she'd caught him by surprise, to pin him to the ground. Her paws on his shoulders, her grinning face above his. Still, given how small and light she was, it would probably be similarly easy for him to break free of her hold. In fact, she was counting on it.
Hedgepaw used Leap-and-Hold, dealing 5 HP and costing 15 EP. Fishpaw is pinned for 1 turn.
Hedgepaw: 20/20 HP 45/60 EP
Fishpaw: 15/20 HP 60/60EP
Last edited by Ash on Thu 11 Jul 2024 - 10:33; edited 1 time in total
Mistpelt
Characters : Mistpelt Clan/Rank : RiverClanWarrior Number of posts : 15468 Age : 30
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Thu 11 Jul 2024 - 10:32
The member 'Ash' has done the following action : Dice roll
'Effect Dice' : 1
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♪~Founder/Owner of WCC~♫ ~Forever a RiverClan Warrior~ ~Please pm Administrators with queries as I'm not active~
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Sat 13 Jul 2024 - 8:57
FISHPAW
Now I face out, I hold out...
Hedgepaw’s dream was coming true. At some point, Fishpaw thought, it’d become his dream too. His paws tingled, overeager, as they followed Quillsplash out into the territory. Training with Hedgepaw… he was still gathering an idea of what all training actually consisted of, but being completely honest, he didn’t care what he was doing. He only cared that it was with Hedge. Fishpaw felt warm all over when he was with her, kittishly giddy. She was his first and best friend; he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. He’d never cared much for sparring, nor was he particularly good at it, but oh well. Wrestling with Hedge sounded more fun than anything.
The territory was sticky and uncomfortable, as Fishpaw was quickly learning much of ShadowClan’s land was. Dry spots were to be coveted. Quillsplash led them to a particularly deep part of the marsh, where the mud was thick and clinging. Fishpaw grimaced as they came to a halt and tried to shake the mud from a foreleg, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hedgepaw smiling. He turned toward her, blinked, and issued a smile of his own in return. The sensation of cold, wet muck clinging to him was not forgotten entirely, but she pushed it from the forefront of his mind.
Fishpaw nodded along as Quillsplash laid out the rules. They seemed obvious enough to only warrant half his attention. He didn’t need to be told not to hurt Hedgepaw--he wasn’t really trying to hurt her. Even Louse rarely used claws in a spar. Fishpaw’s heart squeezed briefly when his brother came to mind, but he pushed the thought aside. Hedgepaw spoke to him, and Fishpaw met her shining eyes with a quip waiting on his tongue, but she was suddenly throwing herself through the air to bowl straight into help. He yelped and flailed as he was rolled, suddenly and swiftly, to the ground.
”Hey!” He was whining, but there was a laugh bubbling under the words. How could he resist a laugh, when Hedgepaw was smiling down at him like that? ”I didn’t even get a chance to answer.” He sniffled, indignant, then began to squirm. If he was good for nothing else, his small size made him excellently wriggly. Where he could not hold his own in a fight, he could slither his way out of one. ...He thought so, at least. And success, he had! His thrashing proved just enough to unbalance Hedgepaw, giving him an opening to wrest himself away from her paws. He scrambled out from beneath her with a triumphant, "Ha!", before spinning around--so fast he almost toppled himself over in the slick mud--to greet her next attack.
Fishpaw attempted Duck and Twist... attempt successful! Fishpaw is no longer pinned. Dealt 7 damage and cost 10 EP.
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Mon 15 Jul 2024 - 9:48
Of course, it didn't take long for Fishpaw to wriggle out of her grip, but Hedgepaw couldn't stop grinning anyway. She wasn't offended. She wasn't in this to win. Already, seeing the wide smile on her friend's face, seeing the way that he behaved with just as much confidence as if he'd been with her his whole life, made everything worth it. He was home with her. This was his home now. The idea thrilled her so much that she could hardly focus on the spar, but she managed to lash out with a sheathed paw, bapping Fishpaw on the shoulder. "You gotta think fast!" she laughed. "C'mon, come get me! Bet you can't catch me!"
Hedgepaw used Smack, dealing 4 damage and costing 5 EP.
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Fri 2 Aug 2024 - 5:20
FISHPAW
Now I face out, I hold out...
Fishpaw felt dizzy, and he wasn’t sure if that was from rolling himself upward and spinning himself around so fast or if it was from Hedgepaw’s smile. Facing her felt like staring into the sun; too bright for him. And her laugh, a sweeter music than he’d heard before. How was he supposed to spar under these conditions, distracted? Not that he particularly wanted to spar when he could be lounging in the shade and seeing how much he could get Hedgepaw to laugh. Well--what he wanted didn’t matter. They were sparring, and she hadn’t forgotten that fact. Fish made a noise of affront at the swipe of her paw and his perennial smile grew even wider. ”Oh, I will!” He vowed. Then he sprang, using the same move against Hedgepaw which she’d just used on him to affix her to the muddy ground with another triumphant laugh.
Fishpaw used Leap and Hold, dealing 5 damage and costing 15 EP. Hedgepaw is pinned for 2 turns.
Last edited by downfive on Fri 2 Aug 2024 - 5:20; edited 1 time in total
Mistpelt
Characters : Mistpelt Clan/Rank : RiverClanWarrior Number of posts : 15468 Age : 30
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Fri 2 Aug 2024 - 5:20
The member 'downfive' has done the following action : Dice roll
'Effect Dice' : 2
______________________________________
♪~Founder/Owner of WCC~♫ ~Forever a RiverClan Warrior~ ~Please pm Administrators with queries as I'm not active~
moonazyne
Characters : [C]indersky, [W]olfpaw [D]aytrader, [R]yepaw Clan/Rank : RiverClan, T4 Deputy | ShadowClan, Apprentice| T1 Loner | WindClan Apprentice Number of posts : 521 Gender : They/She Age : 20
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Fri 2 Aug 2024 - 6:32
Wolfpaw
You don't believe me? You will...
He had taken to tredding wherever the cat-scent was strongest. Perhaps he would have been more comfortable letting Hedgepaw out with either Quillsplash or Fish, but not both. Certainly not both. He had kept well to the shadows, deep in the marshes and the sticky mud had made his stepfall that much softer. The foliage, tight to him and pulling at his pelt, was his shroud, amber eyes piercing out of the darkened canopy and to... To... His breath caught.
He had flung himself from the bushes with a furious spit, faster than he had ever moved before. His blood roared in his ears, his heartbeat a pounding, rapid thumpthumpthumpthump. He sank his teeth into whatever surface he could, the taste of Fish's blood causing his paws to itch. He pulled, tearing him from atop his sister. His sister, his Hedge--
"I warned you," His voice came out in a ragged hiss, laboured with heavy breaths and bloodied teeth still bared. He planted his paws firmly in front of Hedgepaw, not so much as sparing her a glance-- Surely if he turned away from these two, they would try again. "I told you. And you tried. In cohorts, is it? Oversee. Kill. I will rip you neck from navel, leave your carrion for the crows."
His paws were shaking. He could feel it. Not of fear, or nerves-- Perhaps adrenaline? No, no-- He wanted to swing them, paint the marsh in crimson. It was almost unbearable, and he could see nothing but them in red. He narrowed eyes, pupils thin as grass blade, and continued in a warbled, manic hiss. "Neck from navel. Was the fox not warning enough? Was it-- Do not move, or I'll put you in the ground--" He swung his head from Fish to Quillsplash, taking in a sharp breath. "I gave you time. Warnings. I have been merciful--," His voice rose in a shout, and then he huffed, lowering his tone again. "You hurt her still."
Wolfpaw used Surprise Attack with Bite, dealing 6+3 damage and using 10+5 EP.
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Sat 3 Aug 2024 - 19:28
I feel like I’m waiting for something that’ll never happen
The spar seemed to be going well, Quillsplash noted to himself. Fishpaw and Hedgepaw both took turns pining each other down, and in their fight they enterred a friendly banter. It seems he had been right to arrange this training session after all. Though the tom offered no commentary throughout the fight, his attention remained fixed on the pair, assessing their movements and choices as they fought. Fishpaw seemed decent at fighting, or at least had gotten into enough scraps in the past to know how to get himself out of a pin swiftly.
As he watched, however, a sense of nervousness settled into him. Amber gaze darted to the shadows of the forest around them, narrowed as he tried to search for the source of this discomfort. It wouldn't be unfounded, he knew, but surely if it were a predator it would have made itself known by now? Just as he was about to call the spar to a halt, to inform his apprentices that something was watching them, the "predator" made itself known.
The blur of colour as Wolfpaw flung himself at Fishpaw was too quick for Quillsplash to react to in time, but in several heartbeats the warrior had already regained himself and burst forward, securing his fangs firmly in the apprentice's scruff and flinging him away from Fishpaw. Whatever Wolfpaw was sprouting, it was incomprehensible to him. He planted himself firmly in front of Fishpaw and Hedgepaw, blocking his two apprentices from Wolfpaw's path. This crazy apprentice- he had known, since that one patrol, that Wolfpaw was out to get him, but never that Wolfpaw would do it while- while Hedgepaw was around. Had Wolfpaw gone mad, mistook a spar-- something he surely must have seen before, participated in one himself-- for an attempt at slaughter? Quillsplash could understand the need for protecting his sister, but this was something where protection was not needed. Wolfpaw was delusional, surely. But Quillsplash refused to move from his place. Was there a second cat, now lurking in the shadows, waiting for him to leave his apprentices' side to strike? He would not put it past Sablestrike or Lilyvalley to commit such an act... they both seemed the same awful bunch. And he knew the deputy's attitude towards former rogues.
"That's enough, Wolfpaw. No one here is trying to hurt Hedgepaw. You have attacked a clanmate today-- and have attempted to cause harm to several clanmates in the past. I trust you understand that this calls for punishment?" Would Hedgepaw defend her brother, even now? He did not want to cause alarm to her, but this had gone on for too long. He should have reported the first incident, even if that would have broken Pineblossom and Hedgepaw's heart. Well, there was more than enough evidence now, and a lot more at risk. Wolfpaw going for him, he could take, but Fishpaw? And in the pursuit of harm, would Wolfpaw have hurt Hedgepaw too? Quillsplash could hardly conceal the rage in his voice as he went on. "Step down, now. You won't be able to win against me, you know that. Stop now, and your chances of staying in ShadowClan might be a bit higher." He had no right to make threats, no place to decide punishments, but if Leopardstar did not consider this a crime worthy of exile she was insane. Wolfpaw had attacked a clanmate, attempted to cause harm to a clanmate, and threatened to kill two clanmates. Was that not enough? But perhaps the leader would go easy on her friend's son. The very thought turned his mouth sour. A pity Heatherberry was no longer with them; perhaps he would have implored the medicine cat to speak with Wolfpaw, who was clearly troubled, and ease whatever unrest he had within him, however hard it was for Quillsplash to think kindly towards the scum.
Quillsplash used Bite, dealing 13dmg at the cost of 5EP Surprise Attack is in effect, dealing an additional 3dmg
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Sat 3 Aug 2024 - 21:35
It appeared that the mission to make Fishpaw feel more at ease had been a great success. With how much the two of them were smiling and laughing, it hardly felt like a real spar--far more akin to the playfights she'd used to have with her brothers as a kit. But she couldn't recall any of her brothers smiling quite so wide, or her eyes being so completely fixed on them that nothing else really mattered. Where did Fishpaw learn to grin like that? How did it look so natural on him? Hedgepaw herself couldn't stop giggling, even when the tom bowled her over with the same tackling movement she'd used on him. He wasn't rough, it didn't hurt. Besides, she didn't mind lying on the ground like this if he looked at her like that, his eyes shining brighter than the moon. It was nearly hard to breathe from the warm dizziness swirling through her. "That all you got?" she asked, barely managing to fit the words past her laughter. She squirmed slightly, but he'd gotten a good grip. Oh well--Quillsplash hadn't told her to win, he'd told her to make Fishpaw feel comfortable. With the sparkles in both of their eyes, she felt more like a winner than she ever had, even on the ground. She tried to reach up and place a paw on his nose--
And then suddenly the weight lifted, and a blur of dark brown fur shot past her in a move so fast that she hardly even comprehended what had happened. What? Just moments ago Fishpaw had been on top of her, and now he was fighting someone else, and he was wounded, and there was blood, flowing scarlet from wounds that hadn't been there before. Shock froze Hedgepaw to the ground for a moment. Her smile faded, her eyes widened, her heart's rapid thumping suddenly becoming an unpleasant, heavy sensation from its previous lightness. Who was that apprentice with his fangs bared crimson, fur prickled as if he were facing an enemy, attacking Fishpaw as if he were a fox? Surely not Wolfpaw. That wasn't her brother. That couldn't be her brother. This wasn't happening, her friend wasn't hurt, her brother wasn't attacking him with claws and teeth, this wasn't happening.
The moment passed and time resumed. Belatedly, she let out a cry of alarm and confusion and growing panic, struggling to force herself onto her numb paws. "Wolfpaw!" Because it was her brother, it had to be, who else could it be? But why? Why, why, why was this happening? "Wolfpaw, what are you doing? No, stop! Stop it! Leave him alone!" Before she could control her limbs, her brother leapt off of Fishpaw, and then Quillsplash grabbed Wolfpaw and flung him away and he went flying, and they'd been snarling at each other this whole time but she couldn't make out the words. Had she missed something? What was this nightmare? "Stop! Quillsplash, don't hurt him!" Wide, disbelieving green eyes darted from her brother to her mentor to her friend. All cats that she cared for so dearly. Oh, stars, Fishpaw was bleeding. Her paws were shaking; she couldn't move, she wanted to run to him but she couldn't go anywhere. She just stood trembling like a leaf, gasping for breath. Every ounce of light and happiness shattered in a moment. Suddenly she felt as if she might throw up, looking at the fresh wounds opened on her friend's pelt. "Fishpaw... Fishpaw, are you okay? Stars. You're hurt. I... I... We'll get you to Nightpaw, it'll be fine." It would be fine. It would be fine, it wasn't a big wound, he wasn't gonna die like Honeylight. Wolfpaw wasn't a fox. This was just... this was just a misunderstanding, right? This wasn't really happening, right?
She couldn't breathe. The air wouldn't stay in her lungs long enough to relieve her head's spinning. Her gaze sought Wolfpaw, still hardly sure that the tom was her brother. "Wolfpaw... You--you're confused. We were just, just sparring. Everything's fine, it's fine.... Are you okay? What were you thinking? You're not gonna..." One of the sentences Quillsplash had spoken fell suddenly, sharply, on her ears. His chances of... of staying in ShadowClan? Her world was spinning, but even in this strange nightmarish scenario, that thought seized tight around her heart as if she'd been encased in stone. Hedgepaw's voice faltered, barely a whisper. "Quillsplash, you're not gonna... not gonna make him leave... are you?"
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Fri 9 Aug 2024 - 3:53
FISHPAW
Now I face out, I hold out...
He was laughing, wasn’t he? Fishpaw had been laughing. Smiling. Hedgepaw too. He was having fun and their spar was going well. Hedgepaw was under his paws, grinning up at him one moment. Then the next, he was somewhere else. Pain radiated out from his neck and his shoulders as he was bodily removed from his sparring partner. He saw the sky, dark and speckled with stars, as he was yanked off his paws. Everything felt slowed. He could almost count the pinpricks of light above him.
And then the teeth were forcibly removed from his neck and the momentum sent Fishpaw rolling. He dug his claws into the ground to catch himself before he slid away too far and then he raised his head. Wolfpaw. Of course it was Wolfpaw. Really, he didn’t even need to look to verify that fact. Who else would attack him so suddenly and aggressively? Fishpaw tried to swallow but his throat felt taut.
He should have known. He should have heard Wolfpaw’s approach, or been able to scent another cat on the air. Fishpaw’s mind spun frantically, searching for something to grasp onto. Why hadn’t he noticed? He was too fixated on his spar with Hedgepaw. He should have been paying attention. Fishpaw could feel his legs starting to shake beneath him. Why wasn’t he paying attention? Why couldn’t he focus on the spar and remain aware of his surroundings?
Was he going to die here, skinned like Wolfpaw had always promised?
Fishpaw finally managed to swallow down the lump that had built in his throat. He pushed himself back to standing height, tilting from side-to-side as he rose. He couldn’t see the blood at the base of his neck, but he could feel it: hot, sticky, matting in his ruffled fur. And the site hurt. Fishpaw had taken scrapes like this before, but never a real bite. Was his chest heaving? Was he panicking? Fishpaw swallowed again. What did he do? What did he do?
Think. That’s what he was best at. Think, think, think! His eyes darted across the scene before him. Wolfpaw’s teeth were bared and bloody, and he spat his usual threats, but he made no motion to attack further, only to guard Hedgepaw; but then Quillsplash was putting his much larger body between the siblings, backing Wolfpaw away, issuing (justifiable) threats of his own. And… Hedgepaw. Fishpaw’s heart tightened in his chest when he looked to her. However he felt, panic was clear across her face. It warbled in her voice when she gathered herself enough to cry out. His leg nearly buckled under him when he planted a paw, but Fishpaw moved a step closer to her. Was he fast enough to push her along with him in a gallop? Could he navigate the marsh at speed to get away from Wolfpaw?
No. He knew he could not. Wolfpaw was raised under the guise of night, was used to the slip of mud. Fishpaw was still adjusting to the darkness; he would surely fall trying to sprint over the wet ground. How else could he escape this? How could he get Hedgepaw out of this? Escape didn’t seem to be an option. Fishpaw grit his teeth together until the creaking sound filled his ears. There had to be another way that wasn’t flight. Fishpaw took another stumbling step forward, then another, until he was falling against Hedgepaw’s side. She was warm against him, but she was shaking, and so the press against her wasn’t much comfort.
Fishpaw angled his head to look to Quillsplash. He stood between them and Wolfpaw. He looked, in his own right, dangerous. But Fishpaw felt no fear toward him. He knew the large tom would protect him. Even with the harsh words that turned Hedgepaw’s voices small. Taking a deep breath, Fishpaw tipped his vision to lay eyes on Wolfpaw, standing past his mentor. The sight of him made his entire body bristle. He could taste his own fear, acrid on the air, mingling with his blood-scent. His heart was hammering in his chest.
”Quillsplash-” The sound of his own voice surprised him. He hadn’t even noticed his mouth opening. Fishpaw shifted on his paws, wincing from the way his wound strained. He swallowed once again and glanced at Hedgepaw beside him. ”Quillsplash can’t make that decision.” He knew enough to understand warriors had little sway when it wasn’t requested of them. Fishpaw doubted a reasonable cat would act against Quillsplash’s wishes to exile Wolfpaw, but he did not know Leopardstar well.
His bristled tail whipped behind him. Fishpaw moved wobbily away from Hedgepaw’s side, missing the closeness instantly. He padded forward, daring to stand at Quillsplash’s side in front of Wolfpaw. ”I told you you were the real danger,” he said quietly. Wolfpaw would get himself exiled, fail to protect his family when it really mattered--Fishpaw had known. And he’d told Wolfpaw. And still, this happened. When Fishpaw went on speaking he forced his rattled voice to come out a little louder, sterner. ”We should… go back to camp.” He met Wolfpaw’s burning eyes, despite the way facing the blood on the larger tom’s teeth--his blood--made his stomach clench. ”We can’t attack Hedgepaw in front of the entire Clan. Or in front of you. If you let us all go back together, you can guarantee she’ll be safe. Then you can explain your concerns to Leopardstar.” He bit his teeth around adding, See how unfounded they are. See if she expels you. “...I need to see Nightpaw now, anyway.”
Characters : [C]indersky, [W]olfpaw [D]aytrader, [R]yepaw Clan/Rank : RiverClan, T4 Deputy | ShadowClan, Apprentice| T1 Loner | WindClan Apprentice Number of posts : 521 Gender : They/She Age : 20
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Mon 12 Aug 2024 - 11:11
Wolfpaw
You don't believe me? You will...
The lance-shot pain of Quillsplashes teeth in his scruff, and the wind being knocked out of him as he crashed into the ground. It was gratifying. Agonising, hot and throbbing pain and rather than hiss in fury he laughed. A choked sound yet higher than his normal tone, a shake of his chest as it peetered out and he righted himself to his paws again. Adrenaline of no kind he had ever felt coursed through his veins-- he had been hurt. He had never been hurt before, not like that and not by another cat and when he locked eyes with Quillsplash, he could not help but smile. A fleeting thing, so foreign to his face and then it was burned away when he had blocked his sister from view.
"Hurt several? Several, no, no no-- Only one. Only two,-- Get away from her," Like two minds trying to contest with one another, he seemed to not know exactly what he wanted to say. He squeezed his eyes shut, the feeling of his blood along his shoulders and legs, oh how new and exciting it was-- He took a breath, craned his neck to see the smaller brown form of his sister.
"I will not leave you while I draw breath," Coherent, though the edge sounded like quiver. Anger again, his sister caught behind two scavengers. He dug his claws into the ground and ran his tongue over his lips and teeth. Salty sweet, warm-- His eyes flicked to Fish, still yammering on. "Shut up," He rasped. "Before I make you. Hedgepaw," He looked back to his sister. "We will go back to camp. Together. They can walk behind us, you walk with me. And we will go back, and you will go to Mama and she will keep you safe. I will keep you safe." He blinked. Had Quillsplash cut his head, was there something in his eye? He felt... Lethargic. "I will always keep you--"
His mouth was still moving, finishing the sentence. And yet he could hear nothing but the buzz of a faraway fly. His head tipped to Hedgepaw, she was getting further away and so was the ground. His pelt felt sticky and hot, and it was not the blood, he could not smell that anymore. And a voice then, like a clap of thunder on a humid Greenleaf day, so faint but loud; "I warned you, child."
His vision was darkening, his head throbbed, and he had no more than a second to bite out a snarling curse; "Stop talking to me-- Get o--" And darkness took him like a torrent.
Subject: Re: An Introduction To Home[C] Wed 14 Aug 2024 - 6:44
I feel like I’m waiting for something that’ll never happen
Quillsplash's heart sank when Hedgepaw spoke to him. She sounded so scared, so confused, he couldn't begin to imagine how horrified she must be by all this. Fishpaw piped in, seemingly trying to calm the she-cat down, but before he could finish, Wolfpaw was speaking again. Quillsplash's attention snapped back to the threat, trying not to show how tense he was as the tabby spoke. His words started sharp, fierce, insane, but quickly his words fell to shambles, his gaze clouding over and his voice slurring. And, suddenly, with a shout that was cut off abruptly, the tom collasped, falling down into a pile of fur as if he had suddenly lost all bones within him.
Quillsplash lurched forward, ready to steady Wolfpaw as he would any other cat, but he held himself back. What had just happened? Why had Wolfpaw so suddenly collasped? Worried amber eyes observed the still body, releasing a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding once he confirmed that he was still breathing. Gingerly, the warrior approached the fallen apprentice, nosing him gently so that he was propped up on a pine tree and not face-down in the mud.
Now, for the difficult part. The warrior turned to his two apprentices, both terrified, and contemplated how he would start this... conversation. "Hedgepaw, Fishpaw is right. I have no more say over Wolfpaw's place within the Clan than you or Fishpaw." That was a good place to start, he supposed. Hopefully Hedgepaw would calm down soon. "And I don't intend to harm Wolfpaw, not now that he's... fainted." Had he fainted? Quillsplash didn't know. "I'm sorry that you would have to- have to see this. But Wolfpaw is-" How would he explain it, without calling the apprentice crazy? "-He needs help. He has- he's confused. Whatever just happened-- him falling down, his incoherent words-- it isn't something a healthy cat would do. Maybe he's sick, and all we need to do is bring him to Nightpaw." He highly, highly doubted that was true. Sure, what Wolfpaw did wasn't normal, but he had done it for too long without showing any other signs of this "sickness" for it to be true.
"Hedgepaw, I need you to trust me on this. As a warrior of ShadowClan, I have a responsibility of reporting this to the leader-- report that Wolfpaw has been threatening me and Fishpaw, and that he's tried to cause harm to us both before. But, I promise you, I will try my absolute best to keep your brother in ShadowClan. Ultimately, I have no say in this, and if Leopardstar deems what Wolfpaw did as too horrible and decide to exile him or punish him, there will be little I can do. But, please believe that I will try. I do not wish to harm you or your brother. I am only trying to help." If not for Wolfpaw, then for Pineblossom and Hedgepaw. For the cats who had loved this monster, and can't accept his death or exile.
"I understand if this is confusing to you... I myself do not fully understand the situation. If you need a moment to breathe, please feel free to do so. I'll be here if you need anything or have any questions. This is... not something you should be experiencing, and I'm sorry that you have to deal with it, but it is happening, and we have to accept that." He took in a deep breath, then turned to Fishpaw. He'd allow for the she-cat to calm down first before approaching the idea of returning to Camp.
"Fishpaw, I am not sure to what extend Wolfpaw has threatened or harmed you, but from today's events I can guess that this isn't the first time he's threatened you. When I report this to Leopardstar, you can choose whether you'd like to be there to testify what has happened to you. If you're uncomfortable to share it with her, you can relay the message to me or Pineblossom, if you'd feel comfortable telling her, or if you decide not to share, that's fine too. It's your decision to make."
Stars, what would Pineblossom say? How would he explain it to his former mentor, when they returned with a bloodied, unconscious body of her son and an injured Fishpaw? Quillsplash sucked in his breath as she imagined her look of horror. Would she- would she refuse to believe him? This was her son they were talking about, and who was he to her? He felt a chill run down his spine; say no cat believed him, and he got kicked out instead? No, that wouldn't happen. They had three cats to confirm today's events, after all. That was plenty of proof.
Now, he turned back to Hedgepaw. "Hedgepaw... do you think you'd be able to testify what happened today as a third witness? If you don't want to, that's alright too." He wished she would, but he wouldn't force her. This must all be so hard for her... there was so many things for her to digest at the moment, he wouldn't be surprised if she started crying. If he were in her place, he probably would too.
"Now, it's best we bring Wolfpaw back to Camp now. Don't worry, he's still alive, but it would help if he has any sort of illness if we could bring him to a medicine cat as soon as possible. I will carry him, and make sure he doesn't get dirtied on the way back." His gaze darted almost nervously to Hedgepaw. "Fishpaw, Hedgepaw, please run ahead and inform Nightpaw to prepare herbs for Wolfpaw, and get that injury checked out while you're there. Please also inform Leopardstar to gather as much of the coucil as possible for a meeting." He was probably the only cat here strong enough to carry Wolfpaw on his back, and if the tom woke up now, he at least knew he had the abilities to handle the wild apprentice.
With all that said, Quillsplash bent down to nudge Wolfpaw's body over his back. The apprentice was surprisingly heavy, though now that he thought about it, Hedgepaw's weight wasn't exactly what was expected of an apprentice her age. She was just... smaller than most. The tortoiseshell was careful as he pushed the tom into a comfortable position, then spared another glance at his apprentices.
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