wc rebels on the wind it howls [snow den]

It's hard to believe that Gravelsnap has lived through another year. They have survived so much, including multiple battles with other clans, falling deathly ill, and even being driven from their clan's territory twice now… the fact that they still live and breathe is a miracle. They may be an exile of the only clan they've ever known, they may have abandoned Bluefrost and Thriftfeather, and their father may be dead—but they still have Peri, they have Slatetooth, they have Houndthistle. They should be grateful for who they have left, even when everything else is gone. It's just difficult, when things are so volatile, to hold onto hope that it will turn out alright.

The black-patched warrior spends a lot of time pacing around the barn, back and forth and back and forth across wood and straw until their paws are sore. Today, though, they've put their paws to better use; snow lies in a thick and dense coat on the ground, and snowdrifts pile up against their temporary home's siding. The wintertime chill is only made worse by the ice beneath their paws, and their fur isn't long or coarse enough to keep out the cold. They have an idea of what to do, though, and after a few moments of searching for a prime spot, they begin digging. By the time they've hollowed out a small den with enough space for a few cats to squeeze into, Gravelsnap's paws have long gone numb.

They can only remember faintly the last time they had been in a snow-packed den such as this, but they recall Mallowlark telling tales of a monstrous creature. They also remember the thick pelts of Sunstride and Wolfsong curled together, radiating heat to keep both themselves and a much younger Gravelsnap warm. Of course, no one has yet joined them in this freshly-dug den, but it is still warmer inside than it is outside. The den is more comfortable a space than the wooden-walled structure they've been sleeping in since their escape from camp, anyway. "Like a bear," they murmur to themself, curling their thin tail around their paws in an attempt to retain warmth. Their shabby little den may be warmer than it is outside, but it's still frigid as snow clings and melts against their thin pelt.
[ you put the fun into dysfunction ]
 
Pinkpaw doesn't know how to feel about Leaf - bare. Because it's cold and icky but snow is like, one of the coolest thing's she's ever seen. It smushes and crunches and turns to rain in her mouth— and you can makereally cool things out of it... The most Pinkpaw has ever made is a not moss ball. A snow ball...? Yeah, she just came up with that word all on her own! Her domain is only snow balls, so naturally she gasps in surprise when she sees the huge thing warrior - she - can't - remember - the - name - of made! " Woahh! " Pinkpaw squeals, inviting herself in at once with whiskers twitching.

Um... was mystery - warrior sleeping in the snow? Snow could be lots of things, but it couldn't be a bed, she doesn't think. a bed could be Heavy Snow, who wasn't cold but actually maybe the warmest cat ever... Maybe this cat got confused along the way. Why's he sleep - talking too, huh? Pinkpaw crouches down next to him so she could hear what the heck he was talking about... " What's a bear? " she asks loudly.
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  • NOTE: SHE IS A FEVER COAT BABY!!
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  • ( IT'S TIME TO START A FUCKING RIOT, RIOT! ) PINKPAW APPRENTICE OF WINDCLAN. DAUGHTER TO BRIGHTSHINE & HEAVY SNOW. SISTER TO HEATHPAW, DOWNYPAW, & FINCHPAW.
    —— SHE / HER; UNOPPOSED TO THE USE OF OTHERS
    —— CURRENTLY 5 MOONS OLD. AGES EVERY 16TH

    A tiny, longhaired calico she - kit with suburst eyes ringed blue around her pupils (central heterochromia). While you can clearly see her flame markings on her face, the rest of her body is currently covered by a grey fever - coating. Though the whites of her are still very much visible. Pinkpaw bounces around WindClan without a care in the world! Her emotions are big, and she makes little effort to regulate them, resulting in both her usually cheerful disposition, as well as making her prone to sudden bouts of extreme anger or sadness. Rarely seen without a smile!
    HEAVY IC OPINIONS! Pinkpaw is a very irrational and childish character!​
 



There are only two things that Heavy Snow cherishes in this world more than life itself and those two things would be his mate and his children. For them, he would gladly lay down his life a million times, if only it meant they got to live. Pinkpaw had always been the most energetic of his blood and he suspects that a lot of it has been passed down from none other than Brightshine herself. He has no doubt in his mind, actually, that Brightshine acted very similarly when she was their daughters age. While others may find her high energy, her squealing and bouncing to be annoying, he himself found it endearing, loved that about her.

When he sees Pinkpaw enter the mouth of a snow den that, no doubt, one of their more tunnel inclined clanmates had built he follows. He doesn't come all the way in, for hes not certain if he would fit, but he does poke his head in through the entrance of the den and inclines his head in greeting to Gravelsnap, who seems to be the one who had dug this particular den, the cat his daughter now seemed hell bent on rupturing the ear dreams of. His whiskers twitch in amusement at her loud question, his eyes shine with mischief. "A bear is a big creature with shaggy brown fur, they often sleep all winter in dens, usually caves, and they love to eat apprentices who ask too many questions" and then suddenly, his paw shoots out as he aims to hook Pinkpaw with it and draw her closer "I'm a bear grrr what're you doing in my cave?" he grumbles good naturedly as he pulls his daughter to him and then tries to ruffle the top of her head with one of his paws.

 
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-ˋˏ ༻☽༺ ˎˊ- Leaf-bare had always been tough on Slatetooth with his short fur and thin skin. It bit at his ear tips, clawed his nose, frosted his paw pads until he had grown used to the numbness of snow. While the barn sheltered them from the wind, and the hay sometimes worked as insulation, the chill still got to him - sometimes from the cold, and others from the realization of the dire circumstances the moorland rebels were in.

He didn't notice Gravelsnap's activity until he stepped out of the barn. By then, the snow den had been hollowed out, and inside it lay his brother and a curious Pinkpaw, who crouched alongside him. Though Slatetooth's paws itched to be productive, the lull of sleeplessness was finally calling to him, of which he eventually caved in to. He faintly recalled seeing a structure quite like this from his childhood, but couldn't quite place his tongue on whose it was and how well it worked. Wouldn't hurt to try.

He approached the den carefully, poking a paw in and hesitating before entering. "Mind if I..?" he mumbled to Gravelsnap, barely paying any mind to Heavysnow and Pinkpaw's antics. Up close, he could see now how thick this den was - perhaps even under the cold blanket of snow, heat could be shared between cats without the battering of outside air. But, he wouldn't enter without asking. There was room for more cats, but was Slatetooth expected to be one of them?
  • SLATETOOTH he/him, moor-runner of windclan, 17 moons.
    a reclusive short-haired black tom with low white and green eyes.
    mate to no one. son of lynxtooth x adelaide. brother to gravelsnap and ashpaw.
    peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
    penned by ixora@.ixora on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 
He watches as Pinkpaw disappears into the depths of the snow, and nostalgia pierces him through like a twoleg's great weapon. With a sharp inhale, he may as well have been split in two. Time passes unchallenged for most of one's life. But each memory of what had been brings him back — not as himself, but as a spectator. Standing before his den and watching as a young Gravelpaw slipped inside. And absurdly, in this brief moment, he misses him terribly. Gravelpaw, and Mallowlark's incessant giggling, and the polite Sootstar that had nosed her way inside and been embarrassed by such a thing. He misses the simplicity of moons behind him. His expression is one of raw betrayal, though not directed at the young (far too young) warrior who had learned such a useful skill from so long ago.

It is as if an old wound has torn open once more. A swath of skin once knitted cleanly now weeping blood. How horribly things have changed.

This time, Sunstride does not join him inside. With Slatetooth already seeking entrance, and Heavy Snow and Pinkpaw so close, he has no doubt it would fill up sooner rather than later. They would find themselves warm before long. He instead joins those clustered around the entrance and speaks up with no small amount of pride: "Well done. We will need your paws once we have reclaimed our camp. Even without dens, WindClan will remain the warmest of them all." It ends on an unsteady chuckle. Even with the ease of this moment, history is still reflected over top.
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  • OOC.
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    SUNSTRIDE. WINDCLAN DEPUTY & MOOR RUNNER.
    ——– HE – HIM – HIS ╱╱ 48+ MOONS OLD, ADULT.
    NPC x NPC, LONERS. MATE TO WOLFSONG; FATHER TO BEARPAW, SINGEDPAW, RIVEPAW, SUNLITPAW AND FEATHERPAW. MENTORING SCORCHPAW.

    TH ╱╱ LARGE CHOCOLATE ROSETTE TABBY, ICY EYES.
 


It had been only just over a moon ago that Rattleheart had been back in the comfort of Windclan's camp, her curious pale gaze focused on Peonypaw as he had made himself a little nest of snow. She had been startled and confused then, imitating her apprentice's actions and feeling delight spread through her at how much warmth the little makeshift dens had actually been able to keep in them. It had been a sweet moment, her being taught something by her apprentice rather than the other way around, and being able to appreciate the young tunneler's creativity. Now though, that happiness felt like it was seasons away, rather than moons. Like so much time had passed that it all felt blurry, even though she could picture it all in crystal clear detail in the back of her mind.

Swallowing down the echoes of sadness in her chest as she approached, the tunneler instead focused on the frigid feeling of snow beneath her paws - it dragged her mind into the present rather than being stuck in the past. Something it seemed that Sunstride was struggling with as well, his own expression a mirror of her nostalgia before being hastily swept away. Rattleheart tried to offer him a grin, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Gravelsnap can even teach all us tunnelers how to make them nice and sturdy for everybody. We'll spend the rest of leafbare in camp curled up in warm luxury." She then looked towards Pinkpaw, a more easy and genuine chuckle leaving her as she watched the young apprentice and her father. "You know, that would be something that you could help with, Pinkpaw." There was still hope in Rattleheart that Pinkpaw would eventually take to the role that she had been assigned, even if the older tunneler didn't agree with how Sootstar had handled things. She could have been - should have been - kinder to Pinkpaw, but the calico could still be an amazing tunneler.

There was only a brief moment of hesitation in Rattleheart before she stepped forward, slipping into the snow den and settling down almost immediately. The change of warmth in the air was immediate, and a rough, rumbling purr reverberated throughout her chest. "This is amazing, Gravelsnap. It's somehow even warmer than being in the barn." Though that wasn't actually that surprising, all things considered. As useful as their temporary home had been, there were times she found herself worried the whole thing was going to come crashing down at anything stronger than a light breeze.
[ PENNED BY EO ]
 
──ᨒ↟↟ᨒ↟ᨒ↟↟ᨒ── Such an odd sorrow, melancholy. It lives in memory differently than the grief for a dear one, concerned not so much with absence but the presence of the past. It finds him here, gazing upon Gravelsnap's snow den. Pinkpaw doesn't hesitate to delve inside, and though he hadn't heard Gravelsnap's murmuring, her conversation with Heavy Snow is loud enough that Wolfsong's mouth twitches. They had played at being a bear, hadn't they? He and Sunstride, curled close in warm intimacy, moons before courage guided them together as mates.

A simpler time, to be sure, and he watches Sunstride crouch beside the entrance with a small smile. "A fine construction indeed," he adds, circling the den from a distance. "I hadn't realized you still remember that day, so many moons ago." Unlike Slatetooth, Rattleheart joins them inside without pause. Hopefully there is room still for the former, but if there is not, he and Sunstride can always build another, as they so often did in the mountains of a distant lifetime.

Gravelsnap is not as small as they once were, and as with his growing kits, Wolfsong finds himself mourning their growth despite his pride.
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WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 41 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTRIDE (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.
 
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

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The sight of snow brings backs memories the boy can only wish he'd forget. it's strange, just how much has changed. Blue eyes watch for a moment, musing upon similar moments before - laying beside wolfsong and sunstride in their snowden, or when heavily pregnant sootstar had slept upon the snowdrift with only her clanmates to keep her warm. He'd been one of them - he thinks absently. He'd slept beside many of the same cats who'd turned teeth and claws upon him, who's words had hurt him just as much over the moons.

Even now - he is not free of them.

But he says nothing, ignoring the idle conversation about bears and dens - slinking over in silence to press tight against the pile of bodies. A familiar action as he wriggles his way as deeply into the warmth as his clanmates allow, cautious not to do so with any who seem bothered by his presence. This - this warmth, this human touch - it keeps him going, he thinks, even in spite of the hurt that echoes through his chest and stops his heart.

Eyes closed tiredly, and he lets them rest - tired ears only half listening as he simply lays there.

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

 
Yewberry watches the windclanners huddle in the snow den and he feels his chest tighten. They're all nice and snug in there and his heart aches to be that close to someone again. Part of him tells him to go back inside and he nearly listens, but another part tells him to stay. He should get to know them better. And yet, instinct still tells him to stay away. That these cats would have happily killed him had Sunstride not returned those kits and started a civil war. Had things gone differently, each one of them would not hesitate to tear him open. He feels locked in place as he watches them.

He can't bring himself to move any closer, no matter how he tells himself to put it all behind him. He's trying, but perhaps its just too soon to cuddle up in a closed space like a den with them.

"Never thought about burrowing into the snow to make a den before..." He says. "Looks cozy enough I guess...But won't it melt if it gets too warm?" He asks to those present.​
 
Gravelsnap lies curled around themself, comfortable within the confines of the snowy den they've created. The peace and quiet lasts only moments, though—a shrill exclamation breaks the silence, the stillness, and they hear someone enter the den. Little paws shift ever closer, and the warrior squeezes their eyes shut tighter, draws their ears back against their head as though they can block out the noise. It isn't enough, though, and from directly beside their ear comes Pinkpaw's horribly annoying voice. They wince, lips drawing back into a displeased snarl as they finally open their eyes, shooting her a drowsy glare. She doesn't seem the type to move on quickly from curiosity, so perhaps if they entertain her for a moment, she'll go away. Thankfully, though, the apprentice's father arrives just in time to explain to her what a bear is, and to draw her attention away from them.

Still, Pinkpaw and Heavy Snow are not the only clanmates who take it upon themselves to interrupt their nap. They hear Slatetooth's voice, and though their first instinct is to deny their brother, they cannot muster the energy to refuse. "Come in," they say, and it is just as much an announcement to anyone as it is to Slatetooth. They want to sleep, now. Another body joins them in their den, and they shift slightly away from Rattleheart's form, but bask in the tunneler's warmth all the same. The praise from the older warrior, deputy, and medicine cat doesn't hurt, either. Their muzzle curls into a smile when they hear Wolfsong comment that they remembered the snow den, the story of the bear. They let out a yawn. "Of course I remember. It's warm," they say, as though that explains anything. In truth, they remember it because it was one of the last times everything in WindClan had felt right. They have all grown since then, changed in ways they can't go back from. Their clan has splintered, their fates unknown. This is the closest they will get, for now, to normalcy, they think.

A familiar black and white form presses its way into the pile of bodies that has accumulated, and though Gravelsnap's skin crawls with the nearness to so many others, they appreciate it at the same time. They are not alone—a fact both bad and good. "Hello," they mumble sleepily, finding Peri's neck and burying their nose into the fur there. Another voice joins in with the rest not too long after, though, and their momentary calm is once again interrupted. They raise their head, eyes narrowing as they spot the source. "I don't know," they say, with a shrug aimed toward Yewberry. Traitor. An enemy, an exile—though now he is merely one of them, isn't he? They are all exiles out here, none of them loyal to their clan. "Ask Sunstride and Wolfsong. They made one first."
[ you put the fun into dysfunction ]
 
Gravelsnap is like sooo slow. By the time he wakes up to give her a funny look, Heavy Snow has already come to answer for her! Pinkpaw would love to be a big creature that can sleep all winter... she'd eat nosy apprentices if she really had to. Pinkpaw hums considering. She's about to ask how many questions is too many when he suddenly shoots out to grab her! Pinkpaw lets out a squeal as she's forcibly tugged to Heavy Snow— which isn't the worst thing ever cause it's soooo cold! " Nooo! I only asked one! " she protests. Heavy Snow TOTALLY lied!

Pinkpaw doesn't know why Slatetooth asks for permission and stuff. Pinkpaw's already there isn't she? Clearly sleepy cat is okay with visitors.

Sunstride thinks the den is cool too clearly, even saying Gravelsnap did a good job and stuff... Pinkpaw wonders if Scorchstreak would just let her build snow dens all day, if it was apparently that useful. She has time to ponder this very thoughtfully as she gets tired of wiggling in her father's grasp, and eventually just settles for hiding in his fur. She is very much paying attention when the subject is something super cool like snow dens! Rattleheart says she can maybe make some, and Pinkpaw perks at once. " Really? I wanna help! You gotta teach me, sleepy cat! " she insists, cheek pressed to her father's side.

Periwinklebreeze was clearly too sleepy, and she has no idea what the heck Wolfsong is talking about... A questioning glance is passed his way, and then Pinkpaw's looking at one of the mysterious barn cats, Yew-something. But yew-something totally has a point! " Will you be cold if the snow melts on top of you? Or warm 'cause it'll be warm enough for the snow to melt? " These are the important questions she ought to be asking! Ask Sunstride and Wolfsong. They made one first. " Whaaat! Reallly? " she exclaims, gaping at the cats in question. How dare they never have shown her? " Tell me, pretty pleaase! "
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  • EZIRq0S.png
  • NOTE: SHE IS A FEVER COAT BABY!!
    I3iy2hK.png
  • ( IT'S TIME TO START A FUCKING RIOT, RIOT! ) PINKPAW APPRENTICE OF WINDCLAN. DAUGHTER TO BRIGHTSHINE & HEAVY SNOW. SISTER TO HEATHPAW, DOWNYPAW, & FINCHPAW.
    —— SHE / HER; UNOPPOSED TO THE USE OF OTHERS
    —— CURRENTLY 5 MOONS OLD. AGES EVERY 16TH

    A tiny, longhaired calico she - kit with suburst eyes ringed blue around her pupils (central heterochromia). While you can clearly see her flame markings on her face, the rest of her body is currently covered by a grey fever - coating. Though the whites of her are still very much visible. Pinkpaw bounces around WindClan without a care in the world! Her emotions are big, and she makes little effort to regulate them, resulting in both her usually cheerful disposition, as well as making her prone to sudden bouts of extreme anger or sadness. Rarely seen without a smile!
    HEAVY IC OPINIONS! Pinkpaw is a very irrational and childish character!​