MOCKING BIRD // “nesting” in the cold

[SOOTSTAR]

It was custom for WindClan cats to sleep underneath the stars and not tucked inside a den. With the cold moons many were abandoning this tradition for the warmth of the burrows, but Sootstar was doing quite the opposite. She has a comfortable nest all prepped for when her children arrive and her labors, moss filled with feathery down and rabbit fluff she pulled from rabbit tails. You'd think she'd start using it now to nest, but no, she is outside pushing away soft snow to make a minor dip in the ground in the twlight.

Not long at all does it take her to finish, just a hole big enough to fit herself. When finished the queen lays right down inside of it, curling up in a ball (favorite sleeping position) and allowing the winds to cover her up with a snowy blanket. Why was she doing this? Out of belief that sleeping under the stars while pregnant would allow her children to have a stronger connection with StarClan, she also believes this will help their bodies grow use to the cold, make them stronger. This thought process isn't bound by any rhyme or reason, it was merely a belief that "just made sense" to Sootstar- so it had to be factual. ​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/07

( 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 Smokepaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

​

​

 

[Wormtail]

Wormtail trudged through the snow in a rare daylight sighting. He squinted, the snow practically blinding him. He wasn't out here for a particular reason, but he did want to see what the clan was like after....That raid.

If he had sent his cats out in a blizzard for another clans catmint and they came back with TWO and a dead warrior he would SKIN THEM ALIVE.

But that was the past. He was witnessing a new foolishness.

And it was Sootstar!!!! She's supposed to be smart!!!!

"Are ye outta yer mind, lass? Ye should nest somewhere warmer. If ye get sick, ye could hurt yer kits...." He said, concern in his voice.

These surface dwelling cats sure are fuckin weird.
​

 

[Firefang]

Somehow seeing Sootstar decide to curl up and try to sleep in the midst of camp with snow still falling and sprinkling on both her and the snowdrift that covered ground was the most insane thing she'd seen the leader do. She'd given up on sleeping completely beneath the stars much to her chagrin, but she could at least still see their luster from outside the entrance of the hole she'd taken refuge in most nights, and for as long as she could handle she'd sit outside of it just looking up at Starclan above wonderinf just what plans they had for them. Wondering just why things had happened the way they did, what plans did they have for Windclan and was the vision they sent truly a omen? She doesn't want to doubt them just as she wouldn't doubt Sootstar, she doesn't have the luxury of hearing their words or seeing their visions she can only look to them and hope they too look down upon her. She was a loyal windclanner, she was strong and stuck to her faith something some of her clanmates refused to do. Shouldn't they show her good favor? So why does she feel so in the dark, just as confused as she's always been ever since she was stripped of her training as a tunneler and her mothers voice and favor became a distant memory.

She doesn't question. Things would be fine in the way, she'd make them fine she was good at enduring at pushing through. She didn't need Starclan or anybody for that matter for that. But her endurance wouldn't save her from frostbite just as she's sure it wouldn't save Sootstar either. She watches unsure from where she sits at the entrance of "her" temporary burrow deliberating what to do. She couldn't call her a mousebrain even if well, she was being one deciding to brave the worst of leafbare without cover. She grinds her teeth before deciding well, there was one way to make sure she got some modem of warmth. Surely she wouldn't bite Firepaw's ears off for just trying to help, and she could just say she was worried about the kits too if she was questioned. They didn't have lives to spare did they? She wonders what would even happen if Sootstar lost a life while pregnant but the idea disturbs her to much to ponder for long. Sootstar just would not ever die, it was all of windclans duty to protect their leader! Every life was valuable, especially with her being threatened not by just the other flea bitten clans but by cats like Galeforce and questioned by many more would be traitors.

Slowly she creeps over and without a word she'd flop down in the snow besides Sootstar. Attempting to lay close to the point their fur brushed together, sharing what warmth she could spare with her.​

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

 

[Sedgerunner]

"BUT I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR"​

To sleep under a blanket of stars and faint moon light was the safe haven for a typical WindClan cat. The soft moorland grass under paw, sweet heather brushing against fur and a soft breeze billowing around you was absolutely riveting. Sedgerunner often slept under the stars, just like her other warriors did and she thoroughly enjoyed it. There was just something so—calming about it. A hidden gem that other clans knew nothing of. But now, wintry gusts of wind would tear at the short haired tabby, the usual ambient temperatures of the moor now dropped to freezing. Snow piled high, packed down from the continuous paw steps of clan cats making traversing through it as it melted then refroze; creating an icy crust that was easy to slip on if one wasn't careful.
The cinnamon ticked molly now resided in the dug out burrows, her body ill prepared for weather like this. Now, she sat by the mouth of the burrow where warriors would choose to sleep if need be, picking at a frail field mouse that was half-frozen. It wasn't that appetizing to her, yet hunger gnawed at her belly like a ravenous beast. Her gaze flitted towards Sootstar, confusion brimming at their depths as she watched her heavily pregnant leader create a dip on the snow for herself. Was she planning on sleeping under the stars still, even in inclement weather like this? Sedgerunner couldn't help but smile briefly, a flicker of awe pulling at her lips while virdian eyes crinkled slightly. She hadn't smiled in a while, lately she had been merely keeping her head low to avoid everyone.
The warrior watched as Wormtail and Firepaw chimed in, the warrior speaks to their leader as if she were just some regular queen and Sedgerunner could feel her prominent ears fold back for the possible lashing her might get. He needed to tread lightly, just as Sedgerunner did, to avoid backlash. She musters up the strength to stand, taking a few paw steps in the direction with her half-eaten mouse in tow. Keeping a bit of distance, Sedgerunner places herself near Sootstar and Fire paw in the clearing and continues to pick at her food. The young warrior needed discipline, needed guidance. Perhaps she would find it under the stars and sky—perhaps maybe she could be as strong as WindClan's leader one day and could shake the looming thoughts that dwindled in the back of her mind. She certainly hoped so.
​

✦ ★ ✦​

 

[Periwinklebreeze.]

DONT EVER WANT TO SEE THINGS CHANGE
periwinklepaw | 06 months | demi-boy | he/they | physically easy (pacifist) | mentally easy | attack in bold #ccccff

---

As much as he loves the view of the stars, Peri has always hated sleeping outside in the open. While he rarely spends the nights actually sleeping, his illness keeping him awake instead, it does not lessen the feel of cold and damp and fear that follow him when he's outside. He misses the saftey of the nursery, the sturdy walls and roof of the medicine den. If he had the choice, he'd have never left either. A shivering bundle of fluff, his short pelt fluffed up as though intimidating a predator but really just trying to keep the cold at bay, he watches the group with saddened eyes. He want's to join them, but he's uncertain his presence would be welcome. When firepaw and sedgerunner simply join their leader without a word, the long-limbed boy slowly slinks his way over, soft pawsteps hesitant and unsure. He waits with baited breath to see if he'll be chased off, shivering timidly, and if nothing comes he coils about himself tightly, limbs tucked beneath his belly and tail wrapping so that it protects his soft nose - he's almost kit like, in this position, small and round once more as limbs disappear in an effort to conserve warmth. He's tired for once - the events of the past few days simply to much for his mind to bear. He wants to slip off into slumber - to sleep and dream and rest. But for now, heavy lidded gaze watches warily, just in case.

​

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[SOOTSTAR]

To be frank Sootstar is too tired to get her fur too terribly in a bunch over it… but she snorts at Wormtail's fussing. The queen did not need anyone's concern or anxieties, she knew what she was doing and her children would be ten times healthier because of it! Besides, they deserved to be able to sleep underneath the stars like the true WindClan cats they are.

"Shut it. Not a cat here who knows whats better for my kits than me." Dryly she corrects Wormtail, in terms of tangoing with Sootstar this was the equivalent of a slap on the wrist. She forgets about it the moment Firepaw lays down beside her. Usually she enjoyed her space, but she smiles lightly instead. Sedgerunner too sits herself nearby, along with young Periwinklepaw who already appears to struggle in fighting sleep away.

"This is exactly where WindClan belongs, underneath the stars forever and always, even in rest. For we are StarClan's favorite, their chosen clan, it is a blessing to sleep under their watchful eye while other clans hide from it." Prattles Sootstar, her voice filled with devotion and love for her ancestors. She hopes her clan-mates understand this, she hopes they can feel the extra safety underneath the eyes of StarClan too.​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/07

( 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 Smokepaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

​

​

 

[icebreath]

TAGS — Surprisingly, perhaps, Icepaw's never slept underground before. Sleeping below the stars, under the watchful gaze of their celestial guardians, is too special. Though her resolve's been wavering lately; as this dreadful leafbare presses on with increasing harshness, the prospect of curling up to slumber in such a dry, cozy space with no chilling wind grows more and more attractive. Maybe she'd actually get a completely restful night of sleep for once. Surely StarClan wouldn't mind, right...? They'd want her to be in top condition; well-rested and comfortable. She's kind of been contemplating bringing it up with Rainpaw, to see if she'd be interested in nesting down there with her, but admittedly she's also been hesitating on account of their newly discovered differences; it's impossible not to worry about how much her sister might hate her over it. But she's probably being overly dramatic, right? Maybe? Probably.

Given her own distaste for the season's frigid temperatures, the sight of the pregnant Sootstar nestling in the snow — blanketed by it — comes as a shock. Her fur's thick and fluffy; doubtlessly much warmer than Icepaw's own short pelt. But still, there's... no way that can be good for her kits, right? Wormtail clearly agrees, and while his warning is necessary his wording makes her stomach twist with a bit of unease; he's brave for talking to her like that, Icepaw will give him that much.

Sootstar's response is curt, but it's nowhere near as harsh as Icepaw had been expecting. Startled, she tilts her head thoughtfully. How in the world is this not bad for the kits? Or Sootstar, for that matter? Then again, she's an adult, and the leader, and an experienced mother. Icepaw would be foolish if she claimed to know better than such a noble, seasoned molly.

Firepaw, who also seems to be feeling brave today, pulls her away from her thoughts. She watches from a distance through wide eyes, still distracted from her grooming, as her fellow apprentice wordlessly settles down beside Sootstar. Imagine having the nerve... the little feline muses, halfheartedly licking a forepaw and swiping it across an ear to at least try and act like she's not just staring at her clanmates like a weirdo. Since when are Firepaw and Sootstar close? No way they are. How does Firepaw not feel insanely awkward or weird about this? Actually, of course she doesn't; that cat's probably never thought hard about anything in her life. Icepaw's pale gaze returns to her leader's face, searching for an inevitable, irritated scowl or at least an eye-roll at the intrusion of her personal space.

Wait, is she smiling? She doesn't mind? Periwinklepaw joins the pair soon after, looking as nervous as Icepaw would feel if she were in his position, and his presence is similarly welcomed. Huh. Am I weird for thinking Sootstar would mind? She just really doesn't seem like the type to not.

Then their leader speaks again, upon which Icepaw resolves to continue sticking it out in the snow every night like a proper WindClanner instead of turning tail and retreating into the tunnels, away from StarClan's soothing company. "I can't believe no one else does it," she pipes up, and although she's supposed to sound proud and strong (like she'd rehearsed in her head a minute ago) in Sootstar's intimidating presence, her voice comes out sounding soft and tentative like it usually does. Dammit. She gingerly approaches while speaking, head lowered in an almost submissive manner. Is it overkill if she joins the group, too? Overcrowding? Annoying? Will it look like she's copying the others? They just look so cozy... and if Sootstar likes Firepaw enough to get away with it despite how loud and annoying she is, surely Icepaw's company is palatable enough to accept? She'd smiled at Icepaw too, after all, during patrol assignments the other day. So it probably wouldn't be weird to join in...

But instead she just winds up standing awkwardly in front of them for a few seconds, frozen. Come on. If you could steal the catmint, you can do this. "I... wonder if StarClan judges ThunderClan and SkyClan for living in forests — I bet you can barely even see the sky." This time, she settles down with the others as she speaks, treating her words almost like a diversion of sorts to distract everyone (herself included) from how weird it feels. The body heat she's met with is beyond welcome, though she's careful not to let herself truly lean against anyone in the throng, lest she make herself a nuisance in any way. Part of her wants to ask Sootstar if she has any idea of what she wants to name her kits, but she finds herself feeling too shy.
​

 

[WEASELCLAW]

Weaselclaw, at first, is as appalled as Wormtail is when he sees Sootstar leave the warmth of her den carved into Tallrock and flings herself merrily about in the snowdrifts. Her belly swings, precariously large now, and although he finds her as beautiful as ever, he also has to crease his brow in worry. Was it bad for the kits to be so cold? Could Sootstar's sickness come back, hurt her and the kits too?

He's dangerously close to voicing this when Wormtail does -- though Weaselclaw scowls at the dark-eyed tunneler's familiar term lass, he can't really disagree with the little cat's assessment.

But Sootstar silences him. "Shut it. Not a cat here knows what's better for my kits than me." It's not a verbal clawing, but it's enough for Weaselclaw to stay his tongue. And, really, perhaps she's right. This is her second pregnancy, and her oldest kits are nearly warriors, have made it this far.

Still, Weaselclaw only watches as Periwinklepaw, Sedgerunner, and Firepaw gather to curl near their leader. Despite the frost, the Clan seems almost unified in this strange decision. Weaselclaw exhales, trying not to show how affected he is by the cold air. Even with a 'winter coat' grown in, the tabby is not equipped with his short, bristly fur.

But he will not show his weakness in front of his Clanmates. He goes to Sootstar and lays at her back, so their spines can touch and the dark fur can blend with the striped. He's comforted by the solidarity, by the feel of her lungs taking breath and exhaling -- by the stars, brilliant and bold above them.

Icepaw comes to join them, her small voice filled with wonder as she questions whether StarClan feels disappointment in the forest-dwelling cats for blocking out their holy light. Weaselclaw nods at her. "I imagine so. ThunderClan, SkyClan, hell..." He shrugs. "Even RiverClan and ShadowClan aren't as close to Silverpelt as we are. We are blessed, and they reward us for our closeness to them." He doesn't realize he sounds almost exactly like his mate. He's absorbed some of her religious fervor via proximity, it seems.​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

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[SOOTSTAR]

Icepaw stands idle nearby for a few short moments before settling down with the rest of the growing group. The blue smoke does not mind that others have followed suite, she is glad to have inspired others to brave the cold and sleep under silver pelt. Just as they did in all the other seasons. It reminds her of old times where she'd depart her den to her clan still slumbering in green-leaf grass.

Times were tough and sometimes it felt they were all more against each other than for each other. But times like this were comforting.

Weaselclaw's presence is always a welcomed one, she feels safe and secure at his side. With him she could do anything. Sootstar angles her head back to quickly groom down a collection of tabby fur that was parted the incorrect way on his back. "He is right, Icepaw. The only time WindClanner's are hidden from the eyes of StarClan is when a tunneler must take to the tunnels." It was why tunneler training was no joke, not only did they brave the natural dangers of heading underground but being out of StarClan's site was a danger in itself! "When we run, sleep, eat, share-tongues underneath silverpelt we are allowing our ancestors to keep a close eye on us. Their light is guiding us always. We must always be grateful for all they ask in return is our faith."

"I hope no matter the perils that we face as a clan, you all keep your hearts open to StarClan. As long as we have faith in them, they will have faith in us."​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/07

( 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 Smokepaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

​

​

 

[Badgermoon]

Badgermoon couldn't conceive of what his life would look like without the open skies under which WindClan had the privilege of living. It had been the wide, rolling moor and the endless heavens above which had drawn him here, after all; they had taken his whole soul into themselves, and he had known from the very beginning he could not ever leave. Though he had not had the privilege of being born beneath the stars, he had every intention of dying beneath them; he in fact could think of no finer end. Preferably, of course, not until he had lived a long life in WindClan's service, dotted along the way with good-looking cats, thrilling battles, and kind friends. The point was, though, he joined his Clanmates in preferring to sleep beneath the stars, and as he heard discussion of the honor of doing so - discussion of how WindClan was favored by their ancestors - he lifted his head from where it had been resting upon his speckled paws.

It seemed there was a little group that had formed, with Sootstar as its nucleus. It was a striking sight, and a soothing one, what with the recent strife in he Clan, and to his surprise he felt a slight sting of tears at the edges of his yellow eyes. Pull it together, you overgrown kit. Badgermoon pushed himself upright, grimacing as the injury to his chest twinged in protest, and padded closer, smiling with more tenderness than he was usually able to show. He sat slightly to one side of the huddle of cats, not joining in the little pile himself but positioning himself almost as if to guard them, tilting his head back to gaze up at the stars. They sparkled with a beauty so sharp he felt his heart squeeze in his chest and he allowed a deep purr to rumble from his throat, unfurling over the starlit scene. "How lucky we are." was all Badgermoon was able to say, in a quiet voice.​

 

[Wormtail]

She told him to shut it!!

You try to look out for someone and they spit in your face.

Well then!

He just stared at her with a slightly unimpressed expression. Guess she didn't get the life of common sense when Starclan gave her her nine lives. He wasn't about to fight with her, if she wanted to give birth to frozen kits then who was he to deny her?

"Alrighty then!" He said. Suit yourself, he wanted to say, but he had to be more careful with Sootstar.

Personally he thought these cats were insane. But he only had to deal with them whenever he emerged from the tunnels, so he figured he could keep his mouth shut for that short amount of time.

He turned to leave, tail raised high, and trotted off.

This wasn't his problem.

(/Out!)
​

 

[Firefang]

Starclan's favorite. It's an esteemed title they suffer for, but in spite of it they don't crumble and wither to dust in the wind they stay strong and for the most part unified, those who spat their rancor against them were never apart of them. Would never lay beneath the grace of the stars ever again like she does, nestled close to the warmth of her leader and her clanmates eyes blinking drearily with every word spoken, every breath bringing her closer and closer to dreamless sleep where the cold didn't bite so harshly and her wounds didn't exist. Her worries; the everso chattering anxiety that wracks the inside of her skull so annoyingly day in and day out silences itself and her inhibitions wash away with every rise and fall of her flank. Stuck between the realm of unconsciousness and the waking world she scoots closer muscular arms and curled claws reaching forward to find purchase on anything as a low purr emits from her throat; a rare song of her delight from the apprentices who seemed forever on guard. For right now while her mind wanders she is what she was beneath the veneer of domineering aggression and hopeful ambition, she's just a 8 moon old child. her claws knead in and out unconsciously shifting until she's trying to knead against the closest side to her; that of Sootstar.​

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