𝗕𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅 ╱ 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆

Beneath the moon's silver glow, Sunstar's pelt is dampened to an aged brass, its golden hues shifted blue and green. He seems every bit a wraith, still haunted by grief and gauntness. The space below where he stands on the rock is empty once more — Scorchstreak had refused to come, and the other warriors beneath him are scarce, carefully chosen. His dark eyes scan them from atop the rock and land for a moment upon Featherspine, then Wolfsong. (Does it mean anything to you? His gaze snaps away.)

"We should begin the Gathering now," he murmurs, more to the leaders than to the crowd, but steps forward to command everyone's attention. StarClan does not strike lightning down upon this rock for a second time, and so he allows himself to speak.

"This moon, WindClan mourns three of its warriors. Gracklestep, Cygnetstare, and Bluepool joined our ancestors among the stars." Whatever the other clans may wish to say of what they had done, he speaks this with brazen certainty. His eyes remain on the crowd, but his attention shifts towards Lichenstar, as if he may hear whatever gaze the RiverClanner lays upon him. "Two of them are dead at RiverClan paws. Gracklestep left signs of a struggle upon their border, cat fur along the bridge, yet Bluepool was lost to the gorge. There remains nothing of her that we may bury." A deep, shuddering breath exits him in a gust.

"Our clan remains on the cusp of starvation. What was meant to be a season of plenty has granted us kits but diminishing prey, lean and dusted with ash. Before you hear the other clans speak of what we have done," he spits that word with violence, "know that my warriors turned only to places they knew to be plentiful. The river feeds RiverClan throughout the seasons, and ShadowClan spoke of bountiful frogs. I did not know their plans as they departed, but I knew that they would do what must be done to ensure that our clan did not starve. What kindness RiverClan showed us died at Lichenstar's orders." Still he does not look upon the she-cat. He breathes deeply and turns from the rock, before whatever cries of rage and disbelief that may come at him now.

Tiredly, coldly, he steps back to allow for it ."Nothing more from my clan."
EpC61GT.png

  • ooc: since sun won't say it icly, YAYYY for rattleheart and mintshade kits, AND yay rowanpaw and gravepaw!
  • ↟ 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑. ╱ AMAB HE - HIM - HIS. LEADER OF WINDCLAN. ⋆̶̬́̀
    ———— a rogue brought to windclan in a search for greatness, one of sootstar's most loyal warriors turned into her downfall. with a mate and kits to worry about, and now nine lives from starclan with a missing limb, windclan's leader has a lot to prove.

    82190121_9CSsSGfEk2LJ5dF.png
    a large chocolate and white rosette tom with seaglass eyes. the first thing many see when looking at sunstar now is not his proud posture or un-windclan build, but the scarred stump that remains of his front left leg. a wound that would have killed most other cats took one of his lives; not even starclan could repair it.
 
WindClan's leader is the first to near the edge of the Great Rock, his golden pelt washed into a pallid color beneath the full moon's light. Raccoonstripe's eyes narrow, appraising, scouring over the three-legged tom. He'd had all four limbs the last time Raccoonstripe had been to a Gathering, and he'd had presence, command. The tabby's shocked to see how worn he looks, how gaunt — and in the span of only a moon or two? What happened to his power? And then he learns. A councilmember fallen. A warrior dead at the paws of another Clan.

Nightbird will be upset to have missed this one! Raccoonstripe's narrowed dark gaze widens and rounds with interest. He turns it onto Lichenstar, who has not defended themselves or their Clan as of yet. "RiverClan defended their territory, it sounds like," he murmurs, loud enough for the closest cats to hear him. "Would any of us not do the same?" Except SkyClan, I suppose, since I still do not walk with StarClan.

He does not condemn WindClan, though, for venturing outside of their territory for prey. A Clan must make sacrifices, and the warrior code is easier to watch wither and die than a kit or a frail elder. Raccoonstripe is silent on the subject of Sunstar's blatant codebreaking; instead, he searches the tom's face, wondering if regret hides behind those bolded words.

  • ooc:
  • 74327127_amPwOaY4eGaGkj8.png
  • Raccoon . Raccoonstripe, he/him w/ masculine terms.
    — "speech", thoughts, attack
    — 37 moons old, ages realistically on the 5th.
    — mentored by n/a ; mentoring Thistlepaw ; previously mentored Wildheart, Moonwhisper
    — thunderclan lead warrior. gray wolf x howlingstar, gen 2.
    — currently mated to Nightbird.
    — penned by Marquette.

    lh black tabby with white and dark brown eyes. charismatic, charming, calculating, ambitious, shallow, manipulative.

 

Similar to the ThunderClan warrior, Figfeather too is shocked to see how weakened the WindClan leader has become. With tired blue eyes and an entire limb torn clean off of him, he looks far from the ready-to-conquer tom-cat she had viewed him as just moons prior. He announces the loss of several clan-mates, one of them being a long time lead warrior, Bluepool.

The tabby she-cat is reported to have been lost to the gorge, her body never to be recovered. Sun-hued fur twitches with unease, she couldn't imagine what it must be like falling from such a height. She's never seen the gorge first paw, but she imagines it's similar to some of the pitiless crevices she witnessed during the journey.

What shocks her is to hear RiverClan is the root of these deaths. Only when Sunstar reveals why, she hardly sympathizes for the WindClan leader. His warriors trespassed on their territory, and it was Lichenstar whose kindness died? Figfeather hisses, "Typical WindClanners!" Her insult is plenty enough loud for even the leaders to hear, but it's doubtful she is the only one to yowl her annoyance. "They commit the crime but never fail to place blame in another clans' paws."

Figfeather gives a pointed look to the ThunderClan warriors nearby... Orangestar should note how Lichenstar handled trespassers. She prays Howlingstar is true to her word in that it won't happen again.
  • sitting next to @Daisypaw
  • » Figfeather
    » SkyClan Lead Warrior
    » She/her . AMAB
    » Sire to Sangriapaw & Coffeepaw
    » Mentoring Daisypaw
    » A red tabby she-cat with a mangled leg.
    » "Speech"thoughtsattack
  • » A foe in battle whose ability to strategize can shift tides.
    » Excels in strategizing and pre-planning her battles.
    » Fights defensively and to aid her clan to victory.
    » May powerplay minor harm. Can powerplay healing
 
the sun falls tonight, and the king of the moors takes it's place tonight. he begins to speak, and leafhusk settles to listen in. she was indifferent towards windclan, for thunderclan's ally ship across the borders is painfully neutral. they don't owe them anything because the decision to open up their territory had been a necessity- that horrible gorge that had taken one of their own. she visibly grimaces, recalling how quickly the wolves tumbled over.

what had happened appeared to simply… be windclan's fault, however. she feels bad for those fallen, but what is there to gain? sunstar speaks with conviction, grief lacing his words, but he looks so dull up there. to think she almost skipped this gathering.

"this is ridiculous," she hisses, her tail tip flicking in irritation, "windclan knew the risks when they trespassed, why should we feel bad?"
 
Sunstar is not as spotless as he claims to be.

Of course — it would take a lot to be deemed a leader more bloodthirsty than Sootstar. In terms of not living up to a name that put a foul taste in the mouth of all clans but WindClan, he had it easy. Maybe he would say Sharpshadow is the stupid one, though, for daring to imagine them just... co-existing without problems. No more stolen kits. WindClan had lean hares that they would struggle to catch, even if they really wanted to. For the most part, ShadowClan's prey was all rubber and feathers. They are never too comfortable with prey, even when the grass was green.

So of course, the moment the swamp's bounty is at more than a crawl, it is immediately deemed too much and worthy of taking. She sees multiple sets of eyes are pinned to the leader's form, not just from ShadowClan. It's not difficult to catch the words of a few warriors nearby. She recognizes Raccoonstripe, a Lead Warrior of ThunderClan for some time now. Normally, she wouldn't seem herself important enough to talk to him... but if they all wanted to mutter, they might as well do it to each other.

" We would, " she murmurs in reply to his comment. Then, " We did. " added with teeth gritted. And they're right — Sunstar mentions their killers because they wanted them to feel bad. ShadowClan was never afforded sympathy for their dead. " ...RiverClan owes them nothing. WindClan deserves to suffer for a little longer, anyways. " His eyes briefly pass over the crowd, curious if she'd see the faces of those she had traveled with, when she was still an apprentice... All three Lead Warriors now, she thinks. And belatedly, she realizes, that's how she knows Figfeather, too.

A narrowed gaze searches for his leader. If there was any time to say something... this was it, wasn't it?
 
this gathering was a necessary evil. if they had it their way, they very well may have invaded the very camp in which the windclanners stood but they did nit think that the kits within that clan deserved to pay for the action of their elders. gatherings were probably supposed to be peaceful. an implied rule. unspoken. but right here, right now, chilledstar cared nothing about that. not that they ever did, really, espeically since three was quite literally nothing stopping any of them. starclan, at this very moment, be damned. they were out for blood. for the first time, they wanted to go to this gathering. they may have been recovering from death, but it means nothing.

they watched as sunstar spoke, and their lip drew back in disgust. for a moment of time they said nothing, listening to him talk. he must have been just as deluded as that in which he proceeded, because he says he didn't know their plans, but it didn't matter because they were starving. laughable. so laughable, in fact, that chilledstar does indeed laugh. this is not the same laugh that duckshimmer pulls from them with ease, or even the same laugh that a stupid pun makes them chuckle out. no. this is a laugh of pure anger. they're laughing because they cannot believe that this would be how he conducted it. never trust a windclanner. they gave him a tail length and he took a few fox lengths. they're not even surprised. they never trusted him in the first place.

"ha! anything that has happened to you useless wretches is of a fault of your own! surely you'd be praising your filth for killing a riverclanner all the same, right? right?!"

they snort, a hiss following as they speak up yet again.

"and because of your frog brained cowardice ways, instead of bucking up and asking for help– assuming we still had prey to spare– one of my warriors lost an eye! an eye! an eye for an eye, sunstar!"

logic has left them. no, it was not as bad as murder but they do not blame riverclan for their actions. windclanners are sneaky like adders in tall grace. windclan would always bite a hand– espeicslly if it feeds them.

"you deserve to lose one, too! or perhaps my teeth sinking into your filthy flesh will get your screws in place!"

some small part of them tells them not to fight over this. but the larger part of them– the part still affected by their most recent death, the part of them that believes one bad deed begets another– says that all bets were off the table. their muscles are tense and they are barley holding themself back from fighting sunstar right on the rock. they don't wish to anymore. they lift their paw and aim to slap sunstar right across his face. whatever happened, happened. their stoicism could no longer be a crutch to how they were truly feeling inside all of the time, which was no less than unfiltered and unbridled rage.

———————---***i try to live in black and white***———————---

  •  
  • black feline with a white marking across their face, a white chin, a white right front paw, and blue eyes. chilledstar is covered in scars, the most prominent ones being the one across their face, and the one across their neck.
    47 moons old; ages the 3rd every month
    they / them pronouns
    aromantic / homosexual ; currently not looking
    child of JAGGED and RAVEN
    shadowclan ; loyal to shadowclan ; other info if applicable
    mildly difficult to befriend ; trusts barely anyone; trusts no one outside of shadowclan
    "speech", thoughts, attacking
    peaceful powerplay allowed
 
When Lovelight had been told he would be attending the gathering, he had expected perhaps a bit of tension, some stressful conversations between cats from differing Clans, but nothing like this. Nothing like one leader attacking another in the middle of the gathering. Perhaps it's his conviction to be kind to all, but Lovelight can't find fault in WindClan's decision to search for prey outside their own territory if their own were starving. Would he do the same, in a situation like that? Steal from others to feed his friends and family? If he truly thinks about it, he thinks the answer is probably yes. He would do anything for those he cares about. He keeps his mouth shut, though, knowing from other reactions that his input would not be taken well. He doesn't interrupt, resolving to only say something if this becomes more violent than a simple slap.​
 


Chilledstar sets protocol aside and sidelines any formal announcements they'd intended to share, opting for an all-out assault instead. The deputy is left electrified. A jolt sets his tail twitching eagerly, claws scoring at the dessicated earth underfoot. Here, in the glade between the spiring oaks, it feels as though the his leader has grabbed their counterparts by the throats—here's hoping their attack makes contact.

Having overthrown prior gathering conventions in favour for such a brazen tactic, no doubt the other leaders were left limited to two avenues: align with the condemnation, or insist order like sycophants. Now is not a moment for peace. Smogmaw hankers to be fed on conflict; and WindClan's beating heart is long overdue for rupture. Thoughts stray to Orchidbloom, how his clanmate'd been shepherded home with a gaping sore where her eye should've been. He could not fault Chilledstar for their malice.

"They're actually goin' for it!" bellows the ashen-furred tom, ears perking, eyes locking with his leader in an expression alight with raw fanaticism. Unsheathed claws anticipate barbarity to spill over the Great Rock's precipice. At the same time, his limbs are poised to flee in the situation that StarClan sends down another condemnatory lightning strike or two. He sniffs the air, tasting the atmosphere for any sign thereof. Divine intervention seems a grim yet very present possibility.

Blurring shapes in his periphery emerge as his clanmates, his focus momentarily shifting from the boulder back to the masses below it. Impossible to gauge a collective reaction of any sort, or distinguish what the plan is from here. He cannot put to voice where his brain takes him for fear of further blaspheming a night where peace reigned supreme. So instead, he fixes those who can see him with a sharp, knowing look; prepare for anything. Violence mars a gathering. They're in unfamiliar territory, now.

 
Howlingstar nods to Sunstar as the tom opts to begin the Gathering, his presence at the front of the boulder enough to silence the chatter down below. He begins on a dark note, letting everyone know of the deaths of three warriors - one a lead warrior. She is about to murmur her sympathies, but before she can, she is shocked to learn that two of the deaths were at the paws of RiverClan. She pricks her ears in surprise as the tense WindClan leader spits his words with venom, the fur bristling along her shoulder blades. Something feels off. This isn't going to end well, she fears, and as cats begin to murmur and shout from below, she snaps her gaze to her own clanmates. Easy... she wants to tell them.

She does not immediately take a side, like many of the warriors below do. Death is not a worthy punishment in her eyes for a mere border scuffle on a bridge. The gorge, however...that would be deep into RiverClan's territory, and she may more understand that one. Still, she understands Sunstar's grief. How would she feel if a SkyClanner killed one of her clanmates when they went in search of prey? In this way, she understands WindClan's search for food in their hunger. ThunderClan hungers, too.

It is when the ShadowClan leader raises a paw that she finally speaks. "Chilledstar!" She yowls shock, on her paws in an instant. Have they lost their mind? Not even Sootstar or the infamously crazed Cicadastar had ever done such a thing, had they? Her ears pin, eyes wide as she waits for the outcome.
 
──ᨒ↟↟ᨒ↟ᨒ↟↟ᨒ── He keeps his gaze on Sunstar, unwavering. The uproar is immediate, of course, and reeks of yellowed undersides, the piss-stained fur of hypocrites who have waged their own battles and forays over their empty bellies. Not all are so quick to demean WindClan, but many are— and none so egregious as Chilledstar, coward of cowards, whose slap Wolfsong does not even attempt to mitigate because it is no more worth the effort than swatting a lone fly, though that is not to say that Wolfsong's claws do not leave bloodless wounds in the soil. The warrior in him demands retribution. Chilledstar speaks of an eye for an eye, but Wolfsong would have them both in his gullet.

"Starlingheart," he begins, ensuring his rasping voice carries to the leaders on the rock, "it appears your leader has forgotten where they are, and how many bones are buried beneath our paws. Perhaps an examination for soundness of mind is past due." His gaze leaves Sunstar to focus on Chilledstar. He does not temper his contempt, and the glacial rage burning behind his eye resists suppression. "Are you satisfied, fool? Proud to shame StarClan with a hundred eyes upon you?"
78133981_OgqdbQiOYIHTMTk.png
WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 42 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTAR (07/05/2023). BIOGRAPHY, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.
  • ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge.
    ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know; he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
  • ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel."
    ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
  • ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you.
    ★★★☆☆ KITTING: Thanks to Starlingheart and his own pregnancy, he's better prepared for the arrival of kits, but any complications will need a little faith and a lot of luck.
  • ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you.
    ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.
 
Stop trembling, everyone can see you from here, The lead warrior tells himself as he sits alongside the other clan deputies. He nervously wraps his tail around his paws, attempting hide his trembling paws from prying eyes. Foxtail almost felt out of place... sitting alongside Smogmaw, Raccoonstripe, and the like. He was used to having his apprentice by his side, mixed into the crowd of warriors from all five clans. Relax.... They aren't paying attention to you, anyway, The lead warrior exhales, and his ears prick as the tired voice of Sunstar is the first leader to speak.

His olive green eyes look up at the tom, and the first thing Foxtail notices is how.... worn out the WindClan leader appears to be. Foxtail can see bags underneath his blue eyes, and when he speaks— his voice sounds drained of any and all energy. Sunstar begins the gathering by mentioning three fallen warriors, and Foxtail cannot stop his tail from twitching as the WindClan leader digs himself deeper and deeper into his own grave. He speaks of how WindClan is suffering from a lack of prey after the fire that blazed the moors; RiverClan had been gracious to provide their elderly, sick and vulnerable shelter until it was safe to return. And how did WindClan repay them? By trespassing into RiverClan. Trying to steal RiverClan prey.

"What kindness RiverClan showed us died at Lichenstar's orders." Foxtail tries to stop his fur from bristling as those final words leave Sunstar's maw— is he really twisting it to make Windclan the victim? "We would've treated t-them with kindness if they asked for help," He murmurs quietly, just loud enough to be heard by those nearby. Are they in the wrong if they defend their territory from intruders? It sounds like it, according to Sunstar. You coward. Foxtail's eyes trail onto Lichenstar, for a moment, wondering what she was going to say back. He knows she isn't going to be pleased.... What a coward Sunstar has turned out to be!

Foxtail's ears twitch as Raccoonstripe's murmur reaches his ears, and Foxtail would be lying if he didn't feel some relief in his chest. Even a ThunderClanner— who despises RiverClan as much as WindClan— sees right through Sunstar's excuses. He gives a nod to the other stand-in deputy, every clan would do the same as RiverClan did. As ShadowClan did. He understands that the fire terrorized the moors that WindClan calls home— it was, is, an awful tragedy. But it didn't have to snowball into Bluepool's death; into that guilt that still haunts Ferngill's eyes.

His thoughts are interrupted as Chilledstar hisses out, and Foxtail finds his gaze snapping onto the ShadowClan leader. The ShadowClan leader spats out words that can cut, and Foxtail can already feel his paws begining to tremble again.

"One of my warriors lost an eye! An eye for an eye Sunstar!"

The lead warrior doesn't even get to blink before the dark pelted leader attempts to smack Sunstar across the face. His tail puffs up in alarm as Smogmaw cheers alongside him, his eyes widening in alarm. Oh StarClan, this is already going south. The lead warrior glances towards the moon that illuminates the night sky. His gaze scans the night sky for any clouds.... that might cover the moon. But if this bickering gets worse, he worries covering the moon won't be enough for StarClan to express their anger to them. The lead warrior looks back at the five leaders, as Howlingstar yowls in alarm, and he tries to ignore how fast his heart races in his chest.

  • 82418929_FoLQDUUK9zQigyb.png


    credit to raphaelion (via da) for the artwork <3
  • Foxtail
    lead warrior
    20 moons
    warmhearted
    timid
    experience: trained
    backstory: [HYPERLINK]
    biography: [HYPERLINK]
    credit to meghan for the chibi <3
    cisgender male [he / him]
    eyes: green
    pelt: cinnamon/chocolate
    fur length: long
    parents: dawnflower and redfur (riverclan npcs)


 

The tension within the fourtrees this moon had already felt as though it could be sliced with his claws it was so thick, and so he had stuck closer to Figfeather this time. When the leaders began their climb atop to address the gathered clans he had finally understood why and Daisypaw couldn't help the way his eyes widened and his jaw opened in surprise. He looked to Figfeather as soon as the news was said, curious on her opinion on the topic only to quickly get her words lodged into his head that she spat out - and he agreed. Daisypaw wasn't old enough to know of the troubles that WindClan had given them, moving through their territory and attacking their camp, promising war for herbs and simple things over all. He'd been there for the rumors around camp though, of WindClan promising to turn a new leaf and in the naive mind of that kitten back then he'd wished them well, hoped that it would happen.

Now he saw that the scary stories told from elders to keep kits in check were correct; WindClan wouldn't change, they were here to cause issues and strife to every clan. Just because they were unhappy with their living situation didn't mean that they had to take it out on the other clans, ShadowClan and RiverClan hadn't deserved to have their prey stolen, and he couldn't help but agree with those vocal around him about how WindClan had what was coming to them. Trespass and you die, it was against the code to go into another clan's territory, and if the WindClanners were willing to break such a simple and straight forward code such as that one what means they wouldn't do worse?
  • 77846082_BNFJiMhnYwpfeBr.png
    SH blue w/low white & blue eyes
    cannot properly control emotions
    born november 8, 2023. ages realistically
    sexuality unknown ; interested in no one
    adopted by Butterflytuft and Dandelionwish
    brother to Weedpaw and Fluffypaw
    easy to befriend ; easy to upset
    "speech", thoughts, attacking
    peaceful powerplay allowed
 
˚₊‧ ⛧ Ashenfall would likely appear like any other lump of fluff amidst the dozens of cats congregated beneath those ruling over them, powerless as his leader spit their fire in the face of Windclan's. Chilledstar's swipe at Sunstar's face was so awfully clear beneath the spotlight of the full moon, and though he understood the justifiable spark of rage behind the action (Orchidbloom only had one eye left to guide her through the rest of her life, and over a measly lizard or something), the young Shadowclan warrior could feel nothing but dread at the sight of it.

"Oh, stars..." he murmurs, heart thrumming beneath the ice-cold sparkle of Silverpelt despite the warmth of this Greenleaf evening. The cocktail of unfamiliar scents surrounding him became all too potent as the Gathering rippled with shock, and it was by instinct that he looked toward Smogmaw for some idea as to what they (as in Shadowclan) were going to do. His father stares sharply into the crowd with a look that makes Ashenfall bristle with unease, and he presses his side onto @FLINTWISH's, tensed and hoping he knew to ready themself for... whatever was to happen.

For now, as visions of lightning-struck trees and sudden outbreaks of bloodshed filled his head, all he could do was pray.

Starclan forgive us this trespass, forgive us for muddying your peace, forgive us of our irreverence...

  • OOC:
  • 29y3n1.png
  • ashenkit . ashenpaw . ashenfall
    — ftm transmasc. he/him. 15mo warrior of shadowclan. formerly mentored by smogmaw
    — muted blue torbie w/ pale blue and amber eyes
    — smells of rainsoaked fern and swamp milkweed
    all ic opinions!
    — "speech", thoughts, attack
    — pfp by meg, fullbody by antiigone, sticker by saturnid
    — penned by eezy
 

the tension is thick enough to slice clean through and shellpaw sits admits the middle of it, tucked partially into her brother's blue - striped fur as murmurs and whispers erupt around her. sunstar's start is rough, a rasp that has a deep part of her heart aching when pale lips word ancestors. she knows what is about to happen, still sees panicked green eyes behind thin lids and bites the inside of her cheek when riverclan's name finally spills into the cool night air. it's enough for her to wail a feathery, " but he didn't mean to! she was just — he had to protect our — ! " but others are shouting above her, throwing words and accusations and shellpaw shudders in a breath to catch it before her lungs sputter. she sniffs hard, nose running near into her mouth with the effort of raising her voice. she tries to catch her mothers eye, imploring, begging. ferngill was a good, just warrior.

it only gets worse, spirals. sunstar accuses lichenstar of ordering the death of two windclanners ( two? ) and she cries a miserable, " but that's not fair! " again it doesn't matter, because chilledstar speaks and a hush falls over the clearing the moment a white - capped paw lifts. it catches moonlight on a swift upward swing and shellpaw gasps, ears pinning immediately backward to velveteen ruffled skull and limbs shrinking down into a frightened crouch. this was sacred land, lichenstar told her. hazecloud told her. the elders had told her. had anyone ever been so bold, since the late sootstar's lightning strike? it was a thing of kits tales and warnings, what could happen to them now? ruddy eyes lift, flit around the sky in a frantic, desperate search for answers, muscles tensing before finally turning to bury her face in the bulk of pebblepaw's flank fur.

78127991_CB8CUpPRXAUSuLM.png
  • i. interacting with @PEBBLEPAW hehe
  • 75178334_B2nz6qRU6QTC3MQ.png
  • SHELLPAW 𓆉 SHE / HER. SEVEN MOONS OLD, APPRENTICE OF RIVERCLAN, MENTORED BY LICHENTAIL ; SMELLS LIKE SALT & RIVER BLOOMS. HAZECLOUD xx LICHENTAIL, NIECE TO SMOKESTAR. PENNED BY ANTLERS ----------------- ° ❀ ⋆
    frail alabaster molly with lilac striping and watery amber eyes.
    78128298_wohFIHxKbNARetE.png
    she is pallid ; platinum splotched with ribbons of dovey lilac curls, wisped ends like memories of a distant shore and plush enough to conceal the juts of malnutrition beneath. tufted elderdown fur conceals a body worn fragile by tumultuous youth, too thin in some places and round with baby fat in others. her face is short - muzzled, framed half mast by eyes coined rheumy, rosen amber. the anemic cold pink - purple at tender paws and nose tell a lifetime of sickness, further made obvious by the feathering weakness in half - whispered tones.
    CHRONICALLY ILL ; prone to wheezing, nose at a constant drip from longterm illness - induced nasal polyps. not contagious.
 

༺♰༻ Sunstar speaks boldly of WindClan's trespassing, and the air turns tense as it would before a lightning snap. Gravekit is shaking, slightly. It's overwhelming, all of it. The clamoring of cats, the reminder that they did something bad. Bluepool has already died for it, and now Sunstar provokes the other leaders further. No, no no, their frantic mind pleads. They want to go home.

And then - a blow across their own leader's face. They flinch as if they themself were the one struck. There's supposed to be a truce here. They're not supposed to be scared. "They - they're not supposed to do that. They're not supposed to do that," they babble, head shaking frantically back and forth as if to expel the blasphemy. It's wrong, it's wrong. This place is sacred like a grave, sacred like the stars their mother has joined. "StarClan doesn't like it," they plead weakly to open air, bulging eyes staring up at the display of hubris. Will their mother hate them, for witnessing it? Everything is wrong now. It's their first gathering. It should be special, and it's wrong. Their stomach curdles.

  • 76709559_bWR7r3uk7vUc2EB.png


    "SPEECH"
  • GRAVEPAW they / she, apprentice of windclan, six moons.
    a tiny chimera of black and white fur with bulging pink eyes.
    bratty and bitter beneath a sickly-sweet demeanor.
    cygnetstare x gooseberry, littermate to shriekpaw, heronpaw, & milkweedpaw
    peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
    penned by SATURNIDsaturnids on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 
"Asking?" he booms. Chilledstar's blow across his cheek is a sting without a cut, a flick of wind across an ember until it comes to a flame. "We should cower and beg before the clan that left this rot upon our clan? To the cat that treated me like a stain upon their lands as I returned their kittens to them?" A half-step towards Chilledstar, his own claws digging into the rock. Howlingstar's dismayed cry falls to the back of his mind — that at least someone sees this violence for the mistake that it is soothes him some, but not enough. "You spew rage well for the one that allowed Granitepelt to escape your territory and come upon our home. Your warrior that my clan drove away at the head of our traitors, your warrior that stole two kits from beneath your nose. I came to you with all that I knew so that you may have his pelt as you asked, and now his scent comes closer to my clan once more.

"And I am to believe that you would have done anything for WindClan?"


To the crowd, again, he spits: "For moons WindClan has carried the weight of Sootstar's failures as if it is our burden, as those that survived her, to fix what she had become. As if her blood upon our claws was not enough! Our clanmates' bodies, strewn about our territory! I came to each of your borders at the time of her death with nothing but peace upon my tongue, and WindClan has done nothing more than any of you since! This is how we are to be seen, as if your warriors have never crossed borders or wounded another? Your clans were content to let us burn. The only cats that will save us are our own." The remaining of his limbs tremble as his breath gusts out across the crowd. With his teeth glinting in the moonlight, Sunstar returns to ShadowClan's leader. "Do not dare pretend that you are above us."

It is easier this way. An easier path of his thoughts; easier to think of it as a corruption they cannot avoid, than one that they can. Peace was not an option. Whatever stories they spoke of StarClan's well-wishes, the dead had not stepped in for WindClan. Not for the fires, not for their fights, and not even now, as Chilledstar's cold eyes continue to singe with violence. "If you are to call us filth, acknowledge then that none of you are spared it."
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  • ooc:
  • ↟ 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑. ╱ AMAB HE - HIM - HIS. LEADER OF WINDCLAN. ⋆̶̬́̀
    ———— a rogue brought to windclan in a search for greatness, one of sootstar's most loyal warriors turned into her downfall. with a mate and kits to worry about, and now nine lives from starclan with a missing limb, windclan's leader has a lot to prove.

    82190121_9CSsSGfEk2LJ5dF.png
    a large chocolate and white rosette tom with seaglass eyes. the first thing many see when looking at sunstar now is not his proud posture or un-windclan build, but the scarred stump that remains of his front left leg. a wound that would have killed most other cats took one of his lives; not even starclan could repair it.
 

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✦ ˚ ✧ ˚ .˚ ✦ ✦
  • This night had been woven in stardust to be a ember sparked by blood. The iron smell forms a miasma so heavy, it is near suffocating... she can only take thanks that its reek is not of her kin or clan. However... that does little to ease the tension between scarred shoulders and it is even more validated by horizon-fire gaze that smolders at her from across the stones. Under such a sharp stare, the molly clings to her pride in a slight lift of her chin as stormy waters stare back down the bridge of her nose contemptuously. Whatever Sunstar had to say, the RiverClan matriarch was more than prepared to withstand. A stone unmoved despite the violent rush of tide all around.

    Her clan deserved success, to thrive, to not list its dead in long-listed obituary.. they'd suffered enough.

    The admission of two deaths, seemingly both to be claimed by river-soaked paws, is enough to alarm her- a jaw lined in fog-kissed fur squares itself to stifle the shock that riddles her bones. She knew of one unfortunate death (though she'd hardly call it... unfortunate, given the blatant disrespect slapped across her face to have trespassed so readily). The other... none of her warriors had reported. Warily, she glances down towards the throes of onlookers, searching the faces of her clan-mates for some sort of sign. Someone had to know something...

    What a beautiful swan song he sings, despite the exhaustion that riddles him. To crow of RiverClan's false kindnesses and fickle cruelty. To bellow of kits but not once had he named any such births in moons past- convenient... wasn't it? To blame everyone but themselves for their starvation and magically summon up newborns to draw sympathies for. Her eyes narrow, scrutinizing of the fantasy he weaves, though largely silent until his slander has finished. Whatever illusory order she has given, she isn't sure she remembers... beyond being honor-bound enough to abide the warrior code he so flippantly forgot.

    "Your hunger... does not exempt you... from the code," her tone is tight, lacking patience of empathy for a life lost to the gorge as if it is only a thief of WindClan lives. Star-dusted night had disappeared over that same edge.. even in accident, it stole from everyone without remorse. "The only order.... I've given... is to honor... that code. Which means... trespassers.... forfeit our mercy..."

    Chilledstar's outburst is enough to catch her off guard to say the least... a hissing, spitting fury that admits their own betrayal at their own border. Two times then.. that the code has been dishonored. Two deaths seemed a fair price, even if RiverClan had enacted that justice (once without her knowing). Her gaze turns towards sepia-wrapped bones that screech at the infuriated leader as if to scold them like a kit- the blue lynx point can't help but shake her head. What right does Howlingstar have to object, when she sits on an entire chunk of stolen territory, not just a stolen fish or frog?

    It's Wolfsong's hissing from under the rock, suggesting that medicine cats have some sort of reigns on their leaders that makes her bristle, and to speak of making a fool of themselves when this brewing war was made by more than one foolish, dishonorable idea? "You... do not have... any right... to speak of foolishness... medicine cat who cannot... keep his clan... from violating... law forged under... StarClan's watch... just the same as they watch... right now." Her gaze narrows, a broken tail fluttering with rising agitation. The only one who forgets themselves are the moor-fleeing rats.

    Choosing to ignore the outburst of Sunstar, who kicks and screams like a child whose mossball has been taken away as punishment, she addresses the other leaders, who have heard her name now dragged through the mud as a bloodthirsty mongrel. "RiverClan housed WindClan's vulnerable... during their fire... and rescued... one of their warriors... from Twolegs... just last moon... We have been... more than kind."

    The bridge of her nose scrunches with distaste, a bile rising in the back of her throat, "You expect... complacency... and mistake... it for kindness."
  • about
    speech hex code ✧ #6368A5
    ooc notes ✦
    tagging ✶
    penned by tieirlys
  • ˚ ★⋆. ࿐࿔ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦ ˚ .
    . ˚ * ✦ . . ✦ ˚ ˚ .˚ ✦ . . ˚ . ✦ . . ˚ ੈ✧˳·˖✶ ✦ ˚ ✦ . . ˚ ★⋆. ࿐࿔
    . ˚ * ✦ . . ✦ ˚ ˚ .˚ ✦ . . ˚ . ✦
 

Another gathering has commenced and Lilacfur resolved to take the same position she has done several times before now, beside her fellow lead warriors. Much to her surprise, WindClan openly admits to their sin! What attempt was made to uphold a neutral, polite expression slowly decayed into a snarling grimace the longer Sunstar spoke, feigning ignorance to the plans of his warriors. A failure of delegation it sounded, to her.

Yet ShadowClan wasn't their only target, and Sunstar reports the death of his Clanmates as though the had not died of foolish, vain behavior. "You ask that we mourn code-breakers?" The lead spat as her amber gaze narrowed into a glower. No other Clan turned to ally themselves with the tripod tabby and for once, Lilacfur felt relief that ShadowClan would not wear the paint of a villain once again. "So returning our stolen kits has made you entitled to now steal our prey? You should be grateful no one died from our claws as well."

Her ears fall flat as Chilledstar unleashed their own angry, physically, onto the tom. Her expression is a mirror to Smogmaw's as she watched in shocking awe. The molly, typically above the need for violence, felt only justified in how WindClan continued their attempts to beat them down. Routinely playing as the victim to circumstances they've created.

It is Wolfsong's bold remark that has the rosette unsheathe her claws. "Seriously?" Hackles raise and tension began to build in every muscle as the code-damned cat dragged her sister into his mates incompetency. Chilledstar must have stirred some sprig of inspiration in the molly as she aimed to slash her claws over Wolfsong's ears. A warning, she could do worse, she would if she must. "And you? Proud to watch your leader carry out his sin onto your neighbors? Do you believe yourself exempt from their judgement for this?"

If even half of what she had been told of her mother was true, Briarstar would have inflicted worse upon their sorry state. They should be grateful to even call themselves a Clan still! "There is no pretending, Sunstar. Did you already forget, how the sun was swallowed up from the sky as your moors burned to ash? I will not play the fool you may wish us to be. You're an omen to this forest."



 
within moments there is a sudden, chilling blot above them all. wisps of tendril thin clouds form together in tattered ribbons, a sudden uptick of wind drifting swathes of shadow before the full, shining moon. a clearing lit only seconds ago with silvery light grows shadowy, the darkness too thick amongst the gnarled base of fourtrees. the stars dim in the wake of unsheathed claw, hundred of eyes narrowing disdainfully as a low rumble of thunder sounds somewhere far in the thick, murky blackness. there the clans will stay for a haunting, silent moment ; a warning snarl, moonlight syrupy slow to leak back onto hallowed ground, returning but not so bright as before.

the clearing stays cold and unwelcoming, an air of bitter disappointment riding the heavy breeze.
 
chilledstar barely did anything to hurt the idiot that stands near them. they should have done more while they had the chance, if they're being honest. they offer lichenstar a look and a nod of their head. a silent agreement of neutrality towards the fish feeders. but the gathering is over before it even starts, as the clouds darken the sky and the air becomes cold. the sound of a snarl from the stars makes them look up. tch. typical. starclan cared not when windclan was breaking code after code, but now that there is but a little tussle, barely even blood drawn from the medicine cat's ear that lilacfur cuffed– they have their tail in a twist. whatever.

"fine, starclan. fine."

they grumble, making their way off the rock.

"riverclan. you have shadowclan's support. shadowclan, we are leaving. the gathering's over."

there's nothing more to say or do. starclan was pissed but who cared about that right now? if they truly cared, they'd make it easier for the clans to not break codes in the first place.

// out!

———————---***i try to live in black and white***———————---

  •  
  • black feline with a white marking across their face, a white chin, a white right front paw, and blue eyes. chilledstar is covered in scars, the most prominent ones being the one across their face, and the one across their neck.
    47 moons old; ages the 3rd every month
    they / them pronouns
    aromantic / homosexual ; currently not looking
    child of JAGGED and RAVEN
    shadowclan ; loyal to shadowclan ; other info if applicable
    mildly difficult to befriend ; trusts barely anyone; trusts no one outside of shadowclan
    "speech", thoughts, attacking
    peaceful powerplay allowed