ɪ'ᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇɢɪɴ | Intro

[Sedgerunner]

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Freezing temperatures, a fierce wind that threatened to cut through your skin with a knife of the coldest ice. Leaf-Bare was terrible. In WindClan, there was no shelter from the wind or snow, no thick trees to hide under besides the tall gross that now lay flat as it bared the weight of the heavy snow. Some call WindClan insane for living in such vulnerability but, in all honesty, it made them stronger. Being able to withstand the brunt of the storm, it made them more tolerable.
But that didn't mean it still didn't suck.
Tall angular ears swiveled to and fro, a salmon pink nose twitched to catch wind of any life on the barren moore. Crystalline virdian eyes scanned the area before her, determining what moved the heather. Wind or prey? Luckily, the wind blew towards Sedgerunner's direction, masking her sweet scent away from what lay before her. She had to catch something. She'd stay out all day if she needed to against the cold. Her rough pads felt as if a thousand needles stabbed at her, making her feet instinctively shake off loose snow from her pads.
"Ughh!" She hissed, slamming a chestnut paw onto the ground in annoyance. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was like the land was rid of all it's creatures. She huffed, a cloud of frost billowing around her. Sedgerunner turned towards where the dreary sun shining behind the thick veil of clouds, hoping something would turn up. Her paws began to grow numb along with the tips of her overly sized ears, her narrow snout began to gather frost and snow. The lean she-cat would begin to shiver, her body doing all it could to warm up her core. She gritted ivory incisors, biting the inside of her lip to keep her mind on something else besides how cold it was. It was beginning to be a little too much—and Sedgerunner didn't have long before she had no choice to go back to camp or else freeze to death out here.
Suddenly, as if StarClan heard her silent plea, the warm scent of a hare clouded her senses. Viridian eyes began to glimmer with hope, her mouth watering uncontrollably. Sedgerunner dropped low, her long tail streamlining behind her as she moved lightly through the frozen heather. There it was. A mature hare, not as plump as per usual, but food was food. Please—don't let me fail. Sedgerunner undoubtedly was a fantastic hunter; though, she didn't believe that. She didn't believe she was good at anything except for another mouth to feed at times. She lacked confidence in her abilities.
Now within chasing distance, she halted in place with one paw frozen in mid air, her eyes pinpointed on her target. Here we go. With a silent breath, Sedgerunner rocketed off from her perch with near blinding speed. The hare was alerted with a heightened squeak, taking off in a sharp left. The lean warrior jackknifed her self to the left as well, digging claws into the frozen soil to accentuate her turn more proficiently. She pounded the ground, shifting into high gear and sprinting with all her might with a tail windmilling behind her. She was gaining ground on the hare. Closer, closer, closer! Her flexed paws springing off the ground in a monstrous leap, clutching soft fur in her claws as she tumbled with her kill in a heap of fur. Ivory incisors gleamed in the soft light, quickly finishing off the hare and making sure it was done for. "YES! FINALLY!" Sedgerunner beamed with absolute pride. She did it! She finally caught something!​

 

[WOLFSONG]

──⇌•〘 INFO 〙 He knows little of the neighboring clans, but from Outlook Rock and occasional patrol, he assumes WindClan is the only one among them lacking in substantial shelter. For that, they are also the only clan he expects would last the longest in the land of his and Sunstride's birth. A place of stone-giants, their jagged-peaked heads sharpen whatever winds make to pass over their sloping shoulders. Among some of the sky-reachers, the snow never melts, and it is far too perilous a journey along steep crags to reach them. Wolfsong knows of only one cat who made an attempt, and she was an old warrior who could not die in battle and so chose another path.

All this to say Wolfsong does not mind this leafless season nearly as much as some of the others do.

But WindClan determinedly perseveres, as does the dark hunter pursuing a hare across the moor. He does not move to join the chase; it would only jeopardize the attempt, so he watches her slowly close the distance until a powerful lunge brings her within killing range. There will be fewer empty bellies this night. I want to watch WindClan's hunters when the burrows teem with plump rabbits. The hare captured, Wolfsong rises from his crouch to finally approach, smile congratulatory. "A fine catch, my friend," he praises warmly. "It was hard-won— I worried it might get away from you, half-frozen as you looked. Has the chase warmed your blood?"
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[Firefang]

Leafbare did indeed suck; it sucked a lot. The frostbitten winds chilled even the most thick pelted Moorrunner to the core, Firepaw didn't have the luxury however of excess fur to keep her insulated all she had was the warmth of her own body and the blazing determination to manage through the brunt of leafbares worst storms. She may not have the experience of the seasons like her older clanmates but she had enough drive and perseverance in the face of granted terrible odds to push on; to serve her clan and do her best to hunt in the stead of the ill and injured. She wonders just how long the season would last, if the snow they tread upon was even close to thawing out - she can't possibly know; it was her first after all a rite of passage for all young cats. The first true test to survival, she was lucky enough to have a clan to provide for her, a clan she in turn could do the same for they worked in tandem with each other no cat was truly alone even when they were out on the moors with nothing but the howling gusts over the moorland for company. They had a camp to return to and that's what she has to remind herself whenever she's out searching mindlessly for scents beneath the deafening blank aroma of snow that encompassed the tracks any rabbit, mouse or otherwise left behind. She'd never found it easy before the first snow to catch anything worth devouring much returning to her clanmates chest swollen with pride; but now she rarely found anything and whatever she did find easily escaped her claws and biting jaws disappearing beneath the expanse of white into tunnels far too small for her to give chase. From what she can tell thankfully (or unfortunately) she was far from the only Windclanner whos success rate took a nose dive in these chilled months, the prey pile had long since been dwindling growing smaller and smaller with every passing day. No cat had a full belly and it'd be like that for a while to come there was just not enough to go around.

Her paws tread swiftly across the frozen ground each step accentuated with a low crunch, there was little that could be done about it spending the entire time crouched wasn't efficient enough not when there was far too much territory to cover and she didn't want to risk getting her underbelly wet. She needed to keep whatever warmth she had for as long as she could, the hunt was over the moment the risk of hypothermia set in close rand closer with every flurry. She wonders if the fleabitten forest dwellers had to worry as much as they did about such a thing - she doubts it she hears that the trees protect them from the worst of the winds - something Windclan is sorely missing. She does her best to stay focused, trying not to let her thoughts distract her. Her senses are keen, ears swiveling and nostrils flaring maw slightly parted to take in any scents that are carried downwind. Just the faintest scent enters her nostrils, her stomach growls waking from it's slumber and reminding her just how long it'd been since she'd had a proper meal. She can taste it already. Her pace picks up, the muscles in her hindlegs extend out as she bursts into a run following the scent further into the moorlands but as she draws closer the scent grows more distorted the metallic tang of blood mingled with it. By the time anything comes into view the hunt is over and it's not hers to claim - she skids to stop as the forms of Wolfsong and Sedgerunner come into view; she can see the hare deceased already lying crumbled at Sedgerunners feet. For a moment she feels a twinge of envy, if only it was her who'd found it first but such things did not matter now what mattered was one of them had been successful and not as many cats would be going to sleep hungry.

She comes closer dipping her head respectfully to the older Windclanners trying her best not to stare at the fresh prey, shit licks her lips trying to swallow down the drool that collects in her mouth. It's unwanted, she's not some kit who can't control her appetite there are others who need to be fed much more then she does. ❝Nice catch❞ she doesn't sound to enthusiastic, her head tilts to the side ❝Are you gonna to take that to the badger set?❞ she figures if anyone should eat it should be the sick, she... Doesn't want to see anyone else perish like Wisteriapaw did. It's what she'd have done if she caught it, well after showing it off in camp anyway!

( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )​

 

[Sedgerunner]

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An involuntary silver showered over her then, every inch of her short haired body trembled violently. Sedgerunner wasn't sure if it was the thrill of the hunt, or if her adrenaline finally wore off enough that now she felt the true extent of the freezing wind. Paws skidded before her, a small wave of snow whizzing by her. She gasped with surprise, not realizing a fiery apprentice was on the move as well. It was Firepaw. She much have smelled the ssme hare as Sedgerunner did. A familiar voice sounded from a few feet away, a lustrous tangerine tabby pelt followed with it. Wolfsong. He praised her, having seen her heart-stopping hunt. She gave a shy smile, virdian eyes flicking to her paws as her cheeks flushed and heated her stinging cheeks. "Oh! Uh—hi, W-Wolfsong. I-I definitely thought i-it was g-gonna ge-get awa-away fro-mm me." She managed to stammer in between violent shivers.
Her extremities were beginning to feel the same stinging sensation as her pads did beforehand. It was past time for her to get back to camp to warm up. Her adrenaline had held her off for long enough but, after taking the tumble she did she was now dusted in icy snow, lumps clinging to her stock pelt. Firepaw had also congratulated her on her catch; though, her tone didn't seem to be as genuine. Perhaps she was a little envious over not making the catch? Sedgerunner's chestnut lips pulled back into a small smile. "Y-You'll be ca-catching far bigger h-hares tha-an this one ne-next t-time, Fah-Firepaw. I-I be-believe in y-you." The lean warrior stood onto numb paws, the harsh cold making her wince. She shook the ice that began to mold onto her chestnut fur, spraying snow around her.
The apprentice then asked her where she'd take her prey next, and the old badger set would definitely be a great idea. The amount of sick WindClan had was getting worse by the day, and seeing Dandelionwish work so hard made her chest ache in empathy. Her gaze flitted towards the warm hare, it's skin growing colder by the minute. Apart of her wanted to be selfish, wanted to tear into the hare right this second to calm her howling belly and regain strength to hunt again. Sedgerunner sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "I pr-probably will. Si-sick warrio-ors will n-need it first, or Dan-Dadelionwish to keep up his s-s-strength." The warrior sighed, shaking herself again this time in attempt to rid herself of the chill that was wreaking havoc in her body. She snagged the hare by the scruff, her tall frame able to lift it mostly off the ground besides it's large hind feet. "I-I better get thois back tew cah-camp." She mumbled with a mouthful of cotton-like hair.

​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

Sootstar cares for the ill but sometimes it’s still difficult for her to not in the opposite sense, view them as burdens. Of course she wants to see them gain their health back, to be strong and healthy for their clan once more, but their resources dwindle to keep the sick from getting sicker. It leaves the healthy growing thinner and more tired due to lack of fuel in their bellies.

It’s a bitter taste knowing that the catch Sedgerunner had managed would be going to the badger set den, for the ill. Sootstar knows it is whats right and she does not protest, but her own stomach rumbles and she thinks of the children growing inside of her- the born children she has back in camp. Did their stomachs growl and yearn for food?

It was a cold day but the thought of her children alone was enough to inspire her to keep hunting, Sootstar would dive back into the tunnels soon and hopefully would come up with a rabbit.

”The ill should all suffice with that rabbit, Dandelionwish tells me appetites are still low.” To be frank that side effect of illness was a blessing, if they still had full appetites she wasn’t sure the working would ever get their fill. ”Anymore catches today should go back to our main camp, we must eat too.” Hopefully she was finding a fair balance- the fairest and most just she could get anyways.​

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Spoiler: TAGS ★ 12/18

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· SOOTSTAR, female — she / her
╰ ‣ 34 moons . pisces. ages on the first
╰ ‣ windclan leader . marsh-born . believes in starclan
╰ ‣ former soldier of the marsh group

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like heather and wet dirt , status — 100%
╰ ‣ blue smoke . scarred chest, difficult to see through fur . green eyes

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ESTJ-A ❝ EXECTUTIVE ❞ , Slytherin, Lawful Evil
╰ ‣ Cunning, brash, fierce, confident, self-reliant, envious & selfish
╰ ‣ finds great difficulty in relating to others . can be cruel, usually shows mercy to those she can find sympathy with
╰ ‣ sole key to her heart is loyalty, if you have her trust, she often shows a completely different side of herself. Aggression tends to manifest from her extreme paranoia
╰ ‣ Appreciates titles such as "miss, m'am" etc

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· SOOT CLAW x PEBBLE BREEZE, sister to Pebblenose
╰ ‣ heterosexual. mate to Weaselclaw
╰ ‣ mother to Windpaw & Sootpaw
╰ ‣ mentor to Sootpaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

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[Sedgerunner]

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Sedgerunner listened to her leader intently, nodding her head in agreement. Hopefully more catches would be on the way soon. The lean warrior dipped her head in a silent goodbye, grabbing her half-frozen hare into her jaws. She stumbled off back towards camp, occasionally stumbling over herself as she walked. The dreary sky loomed overhead, the chance of any sun peaking through plummeting. It looked as if this snow wasn't going anywhere for quite some time. She wondered just how long it planned to stay, or how much more her clan could take while being out in the open like they were.
Despite that, WindClan was strong. Sootstar was strong. They'd somehow survive, right? There wouldn't be any more deaths like Wisteriapaw. Everyone would recover soon and they'd be healthy again before New-Leaf.
She surely hoped they would, anyways. ​

 

[Firefang]

She never knew what to think when encouraged, it made her uncomfortable if anything else she didn't feel it warranted she shouldn't need encouragement after all she should just be good enough to get by without it; to actually catch prey rather then languish as she watched others do as she failed. Her ears droop and she looks down at her paws ❝uh... Yeah I will❞ she'd be happy catching anything more then scent trails and mouthfuls of fur but one of these times she would succeed and finally be able to put her own catch into the prey pile just like she had when the weather was far warmer. She just had to keep trying, giving up wasn't an option not for her and not for any of her clanmates they'd stay strong together - she just wanted their sick to get better as soon as possible they didn't need to bury any more clanmates. She was tired of laying awake at night staring into the stars and wondering if it would be her or any of the other apprentices who'd join poor Wisteriapaw before long if the spread of greencough wasn't handled. She'd glad Sedgerunner heeds her advice, even if Sootstar wishes to leave them just the one rabbit. She doesn't truly know how everyone is doing herself, she didn't like the idea of bothering Dandelionwish and wouldn't go visit the badger set lest she had something good to bring them and even then she wouldn't stay long to look and talk with the ailed of their clan.

❝I'm sure it'll help them a lot. I'd be miserable enough layin' in some stinky badger den least we can do is make sure they're fed right❞ her eyes rest of the dangling rabbit once again and man she'd die for just a bite, just something but she knows better then to ask to even let her gullet get the better of her. ❝...Hopin' the others have luck out on the moors.❞ she'd say wistfully.​

( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )

(edited)
December 29, 2022