border I GOT MY KNUCKLES BRUISED // visiting leader

[HOWLINGSTAR]

The leaf-fall air nips at her ear-tips, but she does her best to ignore the chill. She stands tall at the pathway that marks the border between the forest and the moors, the wind blowing through thick fur. The ThunderClan dawn patrol shouldn't be by in some time, not that any of them knew she was here. When she'd slipped out of camp, she only told her clanmates she wanted to get some solo hunting done to clear her mind. In truth, she has much she wants to do, and that starts here at WindClan's border.

Patiently, she scans the horizon until a patrol comes into view. Her ears prick and she tips her chin up in greeting. "I'd like to speak to Periwinklebreeze and Sedgewhisker," She tells them kindly, squinting against the wind. "If they're available." She can come back. She doesn't mind. But she came here on a mission, and has two more borders to visit after this - she would certainly prefer to get this all done now while the motivation burns in her old bones.​

 

[SNAKEHISS]

It isn't every day that a leader appears upon the borders, especially by themselves. Snakehiss' paws itch with an anticipation of sorts, knowing that the ThunderClan leader was so vulnerable against a patrol of moor-dwellers. It was bold of her to travel alone right to a den of wolves, that was for certain.

The young adult's sharp features nearly flinch, drawing back and clearly judging Howlingstar's request. "Hmph, why them?" It is not posed as a question that Howlingstar is expected to answer, more like a grumbling to himself as he tried to figure out why ThunderClan's leader would want to speak to those two cats in particular. Snakehiss can only assume it was something to do with the journey, which he is admittedly curious about, but why only Periwinklebreeze and Sedgepounce? Why were the other journey cats not sought out by Howlingstar?

The moor runner instructs his apprentice, "Stay put." He didn't think it would do any good for Rivepaw to trail after him to the sandy hollow and back. With one last glance to the brown tabby she-cat, Snakehiss ducked away and went to relay the news of the leader's presence to camp.

₊ ⋆ * ⊹ ₊ ☾ —— 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙮

• returning to camp to fetch @Periwinklebreeze. and @SEDGEPOUNCE
  apprentice tag @rivepaw

• 

• 

  ✰ SNAKEHISS
  —— he/him; moor runner of windclan
  —— bisexual; single; not looking
  —— long-limbed black tom with green eyes, a small white chest patch, and a notable bite mark on his right foreleg
  —— "speech", thoughts, attack
  —— link to full tags; @ on discord for plots.
  —— penned by beatles

​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

Sootstar hears about the news from Snakehiss' lips and is immediately on her paws. If Howlingstar had buisness with WindClan warriors she by default had buisness with Sootstar. Sunstride joins her and with the requested cats likely in tow they make their way back to the ThunderClan border.

During the time it takes to travel there Sootstar has a pretty good guess as to why the old molly was here. Why else in blazes would she need to talk to Periwinklebreeze of all cats? Sedgewhisker too?

Standing at the border she flicks her tail signaling for the two requested cats to approach the leader, but not without a word to Howlingstar first. "I hope the presence of their leader and deputy causes no issue." She says dryly, taking a seat and perking her ears in preparation to hear out the conversation.

☾ INFO BATTLE

• 
  » Soot ․ Sootstar
  » WindClan Leader
  » She/her ․ Mate to Weaselclaw
  » Tiny blue smoke she-cat with green eyes.
  » "Speech" ․ thoughts ․ attack
• 
  » A high-stamina foe who can be difficult to hit.
  » Excels in quick, short moves.
  » Fights to kill and maim
  » Fatal attack of choice is an underbelly dive.
  » May powerplay minor harm. Can powerplay healing

 

[rivewhisper]

—————————————————————⊰⋅ ☽ ⋅⊱—————————————————————​

Rivepaw hadn't ever seen Howlingstar before. Not really, besides the quick glances through the nursery in Thunderclan's camp. Her ears lowered in brief familiarity as Snakehiss echoed her thoughts. Owl blue eyes scanned the leader, then shifted towards Snakehiss, just barely missing the fact he flinched backwards. Storing that information to later, she watched quietly as he turned and padded off. "Uh, okay."

Rivepaw's vision shifted back towards Howlingstar. Stars, this was suddenly very awkward without anyone else here. Her, and Thunderclan's leader. Rivepaw cleared her throat, lifting her chin. Prideful, Rivepaw. Don't show weakness. Her thoughts murmured to her, and well, Rivepaw wasn't going to doubt herself now. "They'll be here soon." Rivepaw responded to Howlingstar.

It was only heartbeats later that Sootstar approached herself- and Sunstride. She wouldn't lie if she had said aloud if she wanted to scoot between her father's paws to stand the exact same way at Howlingstar, but she kept her mouth shut, turning to face Howlingstar again. What am I about to witness?

"text"
thoughts​

 

[quailbreeze]

taking a seat herself, quailbreeze would patiently wait to see what the thunderclan leader's visit brought them. why was she seeking out her clanmates by name? didn't leaders normally come to visit and request to speak with the leader of the clan? this was definitely an interesting sight to behold. a quick, undetectable uneasy glance would be cast towards her leader, before returning her attention to the opposing leader.

​

OOC NOTES . ◭ . CHARACTER INFO

• ooc : —​
• — ic opinions
  — open to minor/healing powerplay
  — quailbreeze / windclan moor runner / feminine pronouns / biography

 

[Periwinklebreeze.]

I'M NO BURDEN - NOT SO WORTHLESS
BENT SO MUCH THAT I JUST MIGHT BREAK ​

---

periwinklebreeze ❀ 16 moons ❀ demi-boy ❀ he/they ❀ windclan moor runner​

---

Periwinklebreeze has no idea what to expect when he's called over, sootstars figure enough to have him on edge immediately. But its not she who seeks him - but howlingstar? What could she possibly want from him? He follows along in a haze, pawsteps clumsy as he does his best to keep up - skewed vision still an adjustment. Its getting easier, he thinks optimistically. Certainly, if cats like houndthistle and wolfsong have made it through with such limited vision, he can too.

He draws to a halt behind the others, twitchy and on edge now that they've arrived. Blue eyes turn upon the leaders form, one clear and bright and the other milky-sheened. Ears twitch, and he finally risks raising his voice - "Ah - I'm periwinklebreeze," he says softly. Not that it's hard to tell really, sticky-sweet scent is still belied by the mingled mx of mountains and frost that had become their scent - not of any one clan, something all their own.

━ actions & " speech, " & 'thoughts/quotes' ━

---

T H E ━ Q U E S T I O N S ━ T H A T ━ K E E P ━ M E ━ A W A K E

---

 

[SUNNVAR]

✦ . ˚ . He remembers the way that his mind had churned at the sight of Howlingstar in battle. The pride that had welled within his chest at her words. Respect had been warmly fostered within him in that moment, and only blossomed with time. Though distance had made him wary of the clan once more, it is not lost to frosty hibernation there was no returning from. He sees her and offers a polite smile, even if it comes from Sootstar's back as they walk. Once all are settled, he offers only polite and curious indifference. Periwinklebreeze and Sedgepounce are an odd pair to request. Not the only cats to have gone on this journey, but....the pair that had chosen to stay behind, are they not? Even with all that had happened. They chose to protect another. Worthy of respect, unless Howlingstar comes to chastise them for it.

Quietly, he beckons @rivepaw back with a flick of his tail. Towards himself, yes, but also towards her returned mentor. She is smart enough to keep her tongue along their borders, but Sunstride prefers her closeness. After what had happened with Juniperfrost and Cottonpaw...there is little trust left in him for the respect of borders.

𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚𝘖𝘔𝘌 𝘈𝘚 𝘓𝘐𝘍𝘌 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘗𝘖𝘐𝘚𝘖𝘕; 𝘚𝘜𝘕-𝘉𝘓𝘖𝘖𝘋 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚𝘖𝘔𝘌  ╱╱ 9.16.2023 ˊˎ＜

• OOC. —
• ✦ . ˚ . FORMERLY SUNNVAR. HE - HIM - HIS OR THEY - THEM. DEPUTY OF WINDCLAN. 4 YEARS OLD. PENNED BY REVELATIONS. —————————
  
  
  —— a tall auburn tabby with thick fur and bright glacial eyes. sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond it, with fur that flames red and deepens to a burnt amber with every stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of them. he radiates confidence and self-assured authority.
  
  

  ✦ NPC x NPC. DECEASED MOTHER, ESTRANGED FATHER. NO LITTERMATES. MATE TO WOLFSONG. FATHER TO BEARKIT, SINGEDKIT, RIVEKIT, SUNLITKIT, AND FEATHERKIT ——

• "speech"

​

 

[RATTLEHEART]

Normally, Rattleheart would try to keep as much distance between herself and wherever Sootstar was. It was a matter of survival for her, not wanting to attract the leader's attention further to her or witness whatever the latest atrocity would be. This time, though, her curiosity was piqued by the mention of Howlingstar's presence at the border, and she found herself unable to resist. Especially considering the Thunderclan leader was asking after a pair of clanmates that she rather liked, meaning that hopefully she had nothing but good intentions.

Swift pawsteps brought her practically racing after Periwinklebreeze, joining the crowd of others that had already found their way to greet Howlingstar at the border. The tunneler had to imagine the miniature wall of Windclanners was intimidating, so she made sure to offer the leader a kind grin. It didn't matter to her that Sootstar was present – after all, it wasn't as if they were actively warring or anything. She was allowed to be nice. "Greetings Howlingstar, glad to see you're doing well." Sunstride's presence nearby was also a comfort, the monochrome feline sure – or at least hopeful – that he would keep things from potentially escalating. He presented a counterbalance to Sootstar, luckily for them all.
​

[ PENNED BY EO ]​

 

[SHALESTRIPE]

Shalestripe arrives just as that little mite Snakehiss passes him on his way to camp. Scaly amber gaze flicks from the ebony frame to the bodies gathered ahead, stark against WindClan's flat, blue horizon. It isn't often that they get such important visitors, and he must admit that his interest has been piqued by Howlingstar's request for Perwinklebreeze and Sedepounce of all cats, but he supposes if he wants to know more he must simply shut his trap and let the dame speak.

So Shalestripe sidles up to Sunstride. He's wearing a grease-lipped grin; his eyes tick between cats like an overeager pocket-watch. What use does a ThunderClan leader have for a scrawny rat and some unsalted dawdler? Sure, they'd both managed to make it to the mountains and back — for this, Shalestripe supposes he ought to commend them — but they don't seem to have changed much. Periwinklebreeze was still prone to the trembling, sugared misery Shalestripe had always known him for, and Sedgepounce was... Sedgepounce. Unremarkable in all ways. Howlingstar should really be asking for anyone else.

"Good mornin'," Shalestripe drawls, oily in his sidewinder kindness. The cold nips at his ears. The moors nip at his heels. Behind him, his tail twitches curiously, eager to see what this social call was for.

𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑, 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 ✧ 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐀𝐋!

• 
  
  — shale . shalestripe
  — he / him ; windclan moor-runner ; mentoring none
  — short-haired black smoke tabby tom with high white and amber eyes
  — "speech" ; thoughts
  — headshot by me, chibi by moonacre
  — penned by meghan; all opinions are IC!

 

[SEDGEPOUNCE]

It's a blur of faces that all swarm to the border at Snakehiss' call—Sedgepounce has hardly the wherewithal to keep up. Snake's sneer-touched face touts after himself and Periwinklebreeze, Howlingstar asking for them, and it's not exactly hard to piece together what the whole thing's about.

Still, nerves needle him. The moor cats buffer the border like a great wave, and through the fronds of the crowd he and Peri are pushed forward, bracketed by the steely pillars of the deputy and Moor Queen herself. He catches the rich, earthy scent of ThunderClan fox-lengths away, but it's not as strange to him as it once was.

And then there's Howlingstar. She looks weathered; her eyes are a leafy green and her fur's buffeted by the wind. There are old scars nestled in the rich oak tufts of her fur. Without standing up on a perch to address a clanful of cats, she doesn't look particularly regal or intimidating. It's hauntingly humanizing.

The presence of his clanmates—of Sootstar—burns against the back of his head. He does his best to seem nonchalant, and though he mostly succeeds, he still blinks haltingly when Peri introduces himself, scrambling to catch up. "Ah...Sedgepounce," he says, smiling despite himself.

// sorry for the late response !!​

 

[juncoclaw]

Word of the ThunderClan leader at their border wouldn't typically pique the interest of young Juncopaw; most things didn't, unless it was something she could profit from. But upon seeing Sootstar hurriedly leave camp after the bitterly noted chosen warriors, Juncopaw was quick on her paws to follow, like a loyal dog. As always.

If Sootstar would have shoo'd her away, she would have shuffled a tail-length to the side and remain her same smug self. Until then, the silver tabby sits close behind the leader, staring daggers first at Howlingstar - and then to Sedgepounce and Periwinklebreeze, two warriors that she was barely acquaintanced with, but figured that they were just average nobodies, based off the reactions of others. Why couldn't Juncopaw get the special privilege of being summoned to speak? Not that she particularly wanted to talk to Howlingstar, but she certainly wouldn't mind the attention.

I hope the presence of their leader and deputy causes no issue, said Sootstar, prompting a matter-of-fact nod from Juncopaw to back her up. And me, she thought proudly, blissfully oblivious to the high possibility that her presence was more likely to be a nuisance than an intimidation factor like she thought it was.

"Speech"​

---

praise be the heavens. praise me, i'm the lord.​

​

 

[HOWLINGSTAR]

A young warrior hurries off to retrieve the cats she requested, leaving his apprentice to watch her alone. She turns neutral eyes to her, lifting her chin in friendly acknowledgment that they will indeed be along soon. And the famous speed of the WindClanners does not disappoint, as Sootstar and Sunstride themselves arrive at the scene to see what this all is about. "Not at all," She answers the smoky-furred leader, answering her dry tone with a politeness that often came easily to the old she-cat. Warriors and apprentices alike gather, some offering greetings to which she responds to with a kind smile and nod.

And finally, the two warriors she had been seeking out step forward, each introducing themselves. They are both young, couldn't be much older than Flycatcher's kits, but all the same she appraises them with wise eyes. "You both helped our injured apprentice home even though it delayed your own return to your clan." It is spoken like a statement, a fact rather than any sort of question. She shakes her head softly and smiles, "She made it back to camp safely thanks to you and the others that stayed behind. She is alive, and though she cannot walk, she is safe and home with her family. I just wanted to talk to the two warriors who helped make that possible, tell you face-to-face how much I appreciate it. You both have my sincerest gratitude." The tabby lowers her head in a respectful dip, ears folded back. She does not care in this moment that WindClan has repeatedly terrorized the forest. These two warriors have given her hope that maybe, just maybe, there is goodness in the moors after all. She can hold onto that faith.​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

Sootstar's tail lashes impatiently for the scene to commence. Sedgepounce and Periwinklebreeze step forward to face the ThunderClan leader. She dips her head to them, the tips of her ears jutting forward. Sootstar is unimpressed by her show of gratitude but ThunderClan had always been the type to insist such pleasantries. Though her presence had not been requested she feels this has been a waste of her time along with all who have gathered.

"…Yes, we honor Perwinklebreeze and Sedgepounce's kindness." She speaks up, tone remaining dry and unenthused. "Consider it a debt repaid for ThunderClan's shelter." The audacity to suggest is found with ease, Sootstar thinks it's plenty fair.

☾ INFO BATTLE

• 
  » Soot ․ Sootstar
  » WindClan Leader
  » She/her ․ Mate to Weaselclaw
  » Tiny blue smoke she-cat with green eyes.
  » "Speech" ․ thoughts ․ attack
• 
  » A high-stamina foe who can be difficult to hit.
  » Excels in quick, short moves.
  » Fights to kill and maim
  » Fatal attack of choice is an underbelly dive.
  » May powerplay minor harm. Can powerplay healing