pafp rhythm of the rain keeps time — stuck in the mud

[GRAVELSNAP]

The coming of spring brings not only warmth, not only flowers. There is also a chill that hangs in the air, occasional dark clouds that blot out the sky and dump rain down upon the moor. Even the most gentle of thunderstorms makes Gravelsnap anxious, though, rumbling thunder echoing in his chest until he trembles with the force of it. He hates it, feeling weak and kit-like, but he can't shake the feeling that it would be so easy to get… swept away. Dropped into the gorge, rushing with white foam, and never seen again. Gravelsnap's conviction is strong, but will they truly go to StarClan if they die now, as they are? Are they a noble, loyal enough warrior? The thought is enough to make their ribs tighten uncomfortably.

It is truly unfortunate that a storm decides to crest in the middle of a patrol. The group, huddled beneath the outcropping of outlook rock, find themselves unable to move from their shelter until the whipping winds and stinging rain finally begin to let up. By the time it's clear enough to emerge from their shelter, Gravelsnap is humiliated, bicolored pelt spiked from where their flank had been pressed up against Periwinklepaw's. Their embarrassment is plain on their face, expression pinched even as the patrol steps out from beneath their rocky rain-shield.

It doesn't take too much time for the patrol to stumble across a perhaps even more unfortunate side effect of springtime thunderstorms. A massive mud puddle blocks the patrol's path, and rather than go all the way around they make the decision to trudge through it. Except… it's deeper than it first appeared, and Gravelsnap grimaces as sticky, slimy mud catches on their ankles, drags their paws back down when they lift them up.

Their ears flatten against their skull, tail lashing with concern. Is everything trying to send them into a panic today? "Oh…" They attempt to lift a paw, but find it difficult to pull it from where it's stuck in the mud puddle. Oh no. In a flash of sudden panic, they attempt to whirl around—only managing to knock themself off balance. Their useless, injured paw is to blame, and they end up nearly face-planting into the mud. There's no way around it: they're stuck.

Gravelsnap turns to look at the nearest member of the patrol—Periwinklepaw, similarly stuck in the ankle-deep mud—with wide eyes, breath catching in their chest for a moment. At least they aren't alone; at least their friend is here with them, caught in a trap that's been brought on by the day's rain. "Can you move?" The question is laced with the beginning of panic. Oh, stars, what if they can't get out? What if they're stuck here forever? They aren't ready to die, they aren't ready to find out if they'll go to StarClan. Wide hazel eyes stay focused on the apprentice, pelt stained with brown mud. What a mess.


// pls wait for @Periwinklebreeze.
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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[Periwinklebreeze.]

STEADY THE RIGHTS AND THE WRONGS
periwinklepaw | 09 months | demi-boy | he/they | physically easy (pacifist) | mentally easy | attack in bold #ccccff

---

The rain is an unfamiliar enemy that has only come about recently with the arrival of newleaf. Where the snow had always been cold and damp, his soft pelt had kept most of it at bay - the flakes that clung tight to his delicate frame insulating him against the rest in a cocoon. There is no such saftey from the rain - they can only find the nearest shelter and wait it out.

This time, when the heavens open up and pour down upon them, it is not with tigerfrost's awkward form beside him but gravelsnap - a relief and a curse in one. Things between the wo are stilted despite both boys efforts - forgiven but not forgotten. And yet - he cannot help but to huddle up beside his 'friend' as they wait it out - eyes half-lidded and only the chill in the air keeping a quiet purr from slipping out of his lips - body instead jolted with faint shivers.

It's over before they now it - and he gets up with a crack and a pop as he stretches. Shuffling along on light paws, the mud is a familiar foe - his first catch had been made in similar circumstances. The slick slippery ground does not bother him as much as the gritty feeling left behind a she moves - dancing about the surface of the puddles. His frame is still light, barely on the healthy side of 'skeletal' from leafbare and then his recent punishment, and so he is one of the last to notice the issue at hand.

Gravelsnap's words are what alerts him to his predicament - focused as he is on the quickly clearing sky, he turns to stare at his paws - indeed, sunk ankle deep into the mud. But... He shuffles forwards, a slow snails crawl, one paw at a time. It's not very fast, and he can't actually 'lift' his limbs, but he's not as solidly trapped as the newly named warrior. "Mhm.... b-barely" That means they're not stuck here forever probably - though he's not certain he has the energy required to pull himself out at such a pace. When he goes to say this however he quickly picks up on his friends panic - all thoughts abandoned in his worry. "A-are you okay? he stammers out quickly, clearly distressed, his tail beginning to lash anxiously. Perhaps gravelsnap is in a deeper part of the puddle - or maybe there's something beneath the earth grabbing him. Are they going to be eaten?

He really doesn't want to die just yet.
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[TIGERFROST]

TIGERFROST ♂

0/9

WINDCLAN / LEAD WARRIOR
BIOGRAPHY AND TAGS
PLAYED BY SHEOGORATH

HEALTH: ████████████████████​

---

The thunderstorm had raged on for what seemed like forever, and Tigerfrost had been one of the lucky ones. He had been in camp when it had hit. By the time the shower had finally passed, the territory was soaked and muddy, and there were large puddles within the hollow itself. Tigerfrost crests the rise out of camp and shakes droplets from his spiky fur, grunting with frustration. Hunting during the storm had not been much of an option, but the aftermath left behind was not much better. Regardless, he sets out across the moor, the smell of wet earth caressing his nose.

What he finds, however, is not a hare or a rabbit, or even bird. It's a small WindClan patrol, trapped in a large, thick looking pool of upturned mud. Yuck! Tigerfrost carefully makes his way closer, hearing two of the cats conversing with each other about their unfortunate predicament. He can recognize them easily enough, despite their soaked frames. Neither Periwinklepaw or Gravelsnap seemed able to move. What were they supposed to do?

Tigerfrost can only pause when his own paws begin to sink into the muck, and before he, too, gets sucked in, the Lead Warrior backpedals, flicking mud from his own paws. What a mess. He stares at the trapped WindClanner's with a sigh. His time in the marsh group had given him a few ideas when it came to pulling stuck cats out of the mud, but here on the moor, many of the tools he might have used are not so readily available.

"Hang on. Let me see if I can find a branch." Tigerfrost utters grumpily. "I might be able to pull you out with it." He explains. The problem? There weren't exactly an abundance of trees in WindClan's territory, and those that do exist were small and spindly, and usually covered in thorns. All around, not a good time for anyone involved. Regardless, Tigerfrost blows out a sigh and begins making his way toward one of these so-called trees, no so far from where the group was stuck. With any luck, the fierce storm had knocked some larger branches down.​

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[Mintshade]

The dark molly bumped shoulder's with Tigerfrost as she approached, not noticing the sink hole of youngsters just yet, "Did you get lost? The patrol is-oh, would ya look at that." Spearmint green eyes widened and then narrowed in amusement to the disgusting mud swallowing their clanmates in a filthy
"We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Gravelsnap and Perwinklepaw. Well, mostly Gravelsnap." There was no hesitance or even attempt to hide her disdain for Hyacinthbreath's remaining child, why they had not chased this little furball out to join his mother in RiverClan and then soon in death she did not know and did not care. Mintshade's teeth flashed white as she continued to smile, mock pleasantries in her tone but words cutting as can be as she turns to watch the lead warrior go about finding a branch to help pull the duo from the mud before they sunk much further.
"I'll wait here and see if they sink anymore!" She wasn't going to walk off and miss it if the point bastard sunk and started to choke, but she would feel a bit bad about Gravelsnap. Joining his uncle in StarClan all too soon! And newly made a warrior too! Well, not knew but...he was still pretty young. Good WindClan blood in that one that should be passed down at some point.
"Gravelsnap if ya need to push yourself up don't hesitate to use Perwinklepaw. Survival of the fittest."
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[GRAVELSNAP]

At the very least, he isn't trapped in the mud alone. Periwinklepaw, a tenuous friend but a friend nonetheless, is here with him, stuck just the same. The other black and white feline asks whether he's okay, and he grimaces, pinning his ears back against his head. "No, I'm not okay!" He grumbles, panic lacing his words. Of course he's not okay; they're both stuck in this mud puddle, and there's no way out! They're definitely going to die here. "I don't want to die like… like this!" Because Gravelsnap has always prided himself on being levelheaded, somewhat reasonable, but he can't move his paws and Periwinklepaw's distress is making his own worse.

The first cat to appear is Tigerfrost, and Gravelsnap is about to shout to warn him when it seems the lead warrior notices the mud himself, backing away and calling out that he'll return with something to help them get out. "Hurry," he calls as the older tom takes off into the distance. He trusts Tigerfrost, believes that the dark tabby will find some way to get them free, but what if something happens while he's gone?

Fortunately—or, rather unfortunately, actually—Mintshade says that she'll watch over them. He lets out a small sigh of relief, but it doesn't last long because she follows it up with more harsh words spat toward Periwinklepaw. He tugs at one paw, making only a little progress in moving. "I'm not—pushing myself off of him," he mutters, shaking his head stiffly. Periwinklepaw is kind, at least more friendly than the other apprentices that he associates with. And he's panicking, just like Gravelsnap is. Hazel eyes narrow at the black-pelted warrior. Survival of the fittest. He'd seen the way Periwinklepaw had lashed out at Firefang; Gravelsnap himself had hardly even survived a fight with a RiverClan apprentice. Of them both, he isn't so sure he's the fittest. "Why don't you help instead of just watching?"
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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[Badgermoon]

"Hush, Mintshade - you'll make them want to sink to their deaths, to ensure they never have to hear you speak again."

Badgermoon's voice was wry and slightly stern as he brushed past Sootstar's sister, his yellow eyes focused on the young cats trapped in the mud. He felt rather guilty, really, even though he knew it was illogical - he had been with them on their patrol, after all, and had even put it together. Perhaps it was his fault that Gravelsnap and Periwinklepaw were now trapped and sludgy beyond belief. "Anyway, stay calm, you two. You'll be alright, I promise." he hitched what he hoped was an encouraging grin onto his face and approached the edge of the wannabe wallowing pit carefully, unsheathing his claws to get a firm grip on the boggy soil. "I can try to pull you out while we wait for Tigerfrost. Even if I can't get you all the way, it'll get you a few mouse-lengths, at least. Periwinklepaw, you first." the apprentice was slender and long-legged, and Badgermoon had strong shoulders; he felt confident he could heave the trapped cat out, if he got a good enough grip first.

If Periwinklepaw gave his permission, Badgermoon would reach out and attempt to grasp the apprentice's prominent ruff of neck-fur; if he got a good grip, he'd lean back, twisting his powerful neck and shoulders in an effort to unstick the younger cat.​

 

[Bluepool]

It figured her apprentice is the one who would go traipsing through the mud like some hare-brained fool! She bites her tongue as she makes her way over to where the small group of cats gather to talk about ways to get them out of there, or in her sisters case, to poke at the two stuck toms.

Her yellow eyes land on the smoke points familiar face and she cannot hide the disappointment that shadows her features "Why in StarClans name did you two decide that traipsing through the mud would be a good idea?" she mutters, mostly to herself, her tone accentuated with a frustrated growl. Would she ever understand why young cats made the choices they did? Had she been so foolish when she had been younger? It doesn't matter. She rolls her eyes "let them figure it out themselves Badgermoon. They got themselves into this mess, they can get themselves out of it" but the black and white tom is already leaning forward to pull her apprentice out of the muck. How embarrassing!

She takes a seat next to her sister, content to just watch. She even licks a paw and brings it over a black tipped ear, casually grooming herself as she waits for the two to become unstuck.

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[SNAKEHISS]

❪ TAGS ❫ — Oh, just his luck. Of course it had to start raining right in the midst of a patrol! Snakepaw hated getting wet; it took a long time for him to groom his pelt and keep it nice and sleek, and the rain only made him look like a sopping wet mouse that had taken a dive in the river.

Snakepaw certainly wasn't keen on getting all of that muck stuck to him, so he had opted to walk right around the newly-formed puddle. He pricked his ears and glanced over in the direction of both Gravelsnap and Periwinklepaw, however, once a commotion began to arise. They had both gotten themselves stuck! What harebrains. Gravelsnap may have been a warrior now with a fancy new name and everything, but they weren't as brilliant as they thought they were.

Content to sit and watch the show, he settled near Bluepool, a smug grin sneaking onto his features. "Agreed." Snakepaw snorted. Sootstar, he thinks, would hold a similar sentiment to her sister. WindClan was not for the weak, and if they couldn't get themselves out of their own foolish mistakes, then did they even deserve to be WindClanners?​

 

[Periwinklebreeze.]

STEADY THE RIGHTS AND THE WRONGS
periwinklepaw | 09 months | demi-boy | he/they | physically easy (pacifist) | mentally easy | attack in bold #ccccff

---

Tigerfrost is the first to arrive on the scene - and for that periwinklepaw finds himself rather grateful. While they dont always get along, tigerfrost is a lead warrior for a reason - and in the same way he trusts sootstar to kill and die for windclan, he trusts that the older tome means it when he says he will help. "w-we won't die - h-h-he'll find some way to h-help," he says softly, trying to offer what little comfort he can to the black and white feline beside him. He is much less enthused however to see Mintshade - who, despite the fact he's fairly certain he's done nothing to her, seems to hate him for no good reason. Well, that's certainly nothing new.

Blue gaze is sad but earnest as he sneaks a glance at gravelsnap, surprised to hear the older warrior stick up in his defense. "I w-wouldn't mind if you d-d-did," he says quietly, hardly more than a mumble, and ignoring the way his face heats. If anyone has to die, he'd rather it be him. He's the one who's rather useless within windclan - nine moons old and still so far from getting his own warrior name. Besides - perhaps starclan would offer a more peaceful life... or, afterlife as it may be. He's just so tired of this endless cycle of prejudice - he cannot escape their judgment no matter what choice he makes.

Badgermoon's arrival comes with a sudden sense of calm - finally, a cat peri trusts. The deputy has yet to do anything or make a single decision that the boy cannot get behind or that has endangered the group. Bowing his head silently for better reach he allows himself to be tugged out - steadfastly ignoring the sharp pang of hurt at his mentors words. Even she doesn't care if they die here. Figures. It's always like this - one pawstep forwards two pawsteps back. He can trust no one. Snakepaws presence is just another nail in the coffin, but really peri expects nothing less from the rude boy. They don't get along at all after all.

With a sickeningly wet sucking noise followed by a loud plop, the boy is pulled free, tumbling head over paws the moment he is let go of. He's no longer stuck in place, but the mud still has a hold of him nonetheless - this time clinging to his fur and even his face. "Urk," he says, spitting out a mouthful of dirt. The moment his wits are about him, he's scrambling back up and over to gravelsnap, careful to avoid repeating the same mishap, anxiety returning once more now that he's focused on something other than himself. They'll be able to get him free to, right? And where the heck is tigerfrost with that branch?!

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[TIGERFROST]

TIGERFROST ♂

0/9

WINDCLAN / LEAD WARRIOR
BIOGRAPHY AND TAGS
PLAYED BY SHEOGORATH

HEALTH: ████████████████████​

---

By the time he returns with a large branch, Badgermoon had already freed one of the stuck WindClanners. A small crowd had gathered, it seemed. Mintshade, Bluepool, and Snakepaw. Tigerfrost doesn't speak with the wood beneath his teeth, and unlike the deputy, he's not willing to risk getting stuck himself to try and pull Gravelsnap out. Instead, he extends the other end of the branch toward Gravelsnap, and hopes they get the general idea to bite down. If the other warrior does so, Tigerfrost will then brace his muscled legs against the earth and try and yank Gravelsnap free.

Perhaps they both had learned a valuable lesson. Some shortcuts just weren't worth it.​

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[Bluepool]

Despite her protesting to let them figure it out themselves, Periwinklepaw is freed with Gravelsnap soon to follow. Her gaze softens a tiny bit at her apprentice and she leans forward to give him a cautious sniff. "Anything broken?" she asks, looking him over briefly. If it was, there wasn't a damn this she could do about it except send him to the vile den of their medicine cat.

If her assessment would turn up alright she would scrunch her nose ever so slightly "Maybe next time you guys will follow the example of the older warriors, it'd do you some good. Now Cmon let's go get you cleaned up or else you'll be tracking mud all around the camp"

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[GRAVELSNAP]

Periwinklepaw attempts to assure him that it's alright if he shoves the other cat down in order to save himself, and Gravelsnap huffs irritably. "I said I'm not. If you die here, so do I, I suppose." He's not putting Periwinklepaw in jeopardy just to save himself, no matter how controversial the apprentice may be within the ranks of WindClan. Badgermoon reaches out to drag Peri out by the scruff; Gravelsnap feels the intense anxiety begin to drain from his chest.

He shoots Bluepool a halfhearted glare when the she-cat speaks, its effect dulled by still-fresh panic. Snakepaw's addition draws a snort from him, eyes narrowing further. "Don't ask me why, ask them," he jerks his chin toward the other cats on the patrol, who by now have surely extricated themselves from the mud puddle. "You should try helping instead of talking." His tone is clipped, clearly more annoyed than panicked now that his friend is out of danger.

Just as he's about to start shouting, urging the bystanders further to help him out, the dark form of Tigerfrost returns, rare tree branch in tow. The black-patched warrior bites down on the end of the branch that's offered to them, and after a few moments of terrible, sluggish tugging, he's pulled free. As soon as his paws touch dry ground, he stumbles to Periwinklepaw's side, eyes wide. "Are you okay?" He hates the feeling that tugs at his chest, the urge to reach out, to offer his aid in cleaning the other cat's pelt. The idea of touching another, after the time spent huddled together away from the rain, sends prickles down his spine.

He only rolls his eyes as Bluepool keeps speaking, though—stars, is she ever silent? He pointedly ignores the older warrior, now, and instead turns to face the cats who have actual authority within the clan. "Thank you, Badgermoon. And you too, Tigerfrost." He dips his head respectfully to the two older toms, hoping that he'll find a way to repay them. Maybe he'll bring his next couple kills to them. But his first priority now is getting cleaned up, as Bluepool suggests. "We'll get cleaned off, then." He aims to nudge at Peri with his shoulder, an easy point of physical contact, attempting to think of a quick way to wash off the mud that stains the white of both their pelts.
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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