RESOLUTION |☀| delayed group, highstones

[LIGHTSTRIKE .]

❝ WE HAVE YET TO CRASH ✧°.☀ —————————————————————————————
It felt as though all the energy that had been sapped from him over the past moon was coming back all at once. Home, the little kit-like voice in the back of his mind kept chanting. Home. Closer and closer Highstones loomed. Closer and closer they all were to finally being home.

As much as Lightstrike wanted to race ahead, to scream to the five territories that they had returned, the group maintained their steady pace for the sake of the injured, for the sake of Stormpaw. Despite his impatience, he knew they could all finally relax. There was nothing left for the journey to throw at them. No unexpected blows. Only familiarity.

One by one the cats crested the top of Highstones, only pausing once or twice to shift weight or catch breath. It was when they began their descent that the golden tom's ears perked. In the distance stood one, two... a whole patrol of figures.

"Is that...?" he uttered, squinting at the mingling pelts. Familiarity hit him hard, and his eyes flew wide. "That's- that's Flycatcher down there! They're waiting for us, come on!"

Raising his tail high, the warrior raised his voice to a shout. "Flycatcher! Up here!"

// calling out to @Flycatcher , not pafp

[penned by its_oliverr - ☀]

——————————— ☀.°✧ BUT WE STILL MAY AS WELL ENJOY IT ❞ ​

​

 

[Periwinklebreeze.]

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

---

periwinklebreeze ❀ 15 moons ❀ demi-boy ❀ he/they ❀ windclan moor runner​

---

They're finally back. Highstones is comfortingly familiar - visiting the moonstone had been a warm experience back when he was an apprentice, though surely a saddening one given the circumstances at the time. Still - he can see the moorlands already. See home.

It feels surreal, and for a moment the boy wonders if he is simply dreaming. Blue eyes blink, and the sting of tender pain that follows reminds him that he is certainly awake. Inkstained feline moves at a more sedate pace than lightstrike, his good-eye trained upon the path as he travels - just in case. His change in vision is an adjustment in of itself - the last thing he needs is a tumble upon a burrow hole, snapping or twisting one of his paws.

WHen he at last joins the awkward group, he cannot help but look to @GREENEYES - what should have been an awkward and forced companionship grown to something comforting and warm. And now it must end. Eyes water for a moment before he collects himself, blank-faced and withdrawn, though he keeps his posture firm. "G-g-goodbye then - s-suppose we'll see eachother at th-the g-g-gatherings, maybe" it hurts more than he thought it would, this awkward distance. A nod of his head is all he can muster, and then he is fleeing - @SEDGEPOUNCE hopefully hot on his heels.

It is time to go.

━ 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

---

 

[GENTLESTORM]

✦ His paws ache but he presses onward knowing that they were so close to getting home, he kept close by helping carry Stormpaw, and once they arrived at the Highstones did his tired gaze light up. They take a pause and soon are moving once more, he perks up immediately when Lightstrike announces that he can see Flycatcher in the distance and spares Flamewhisker a quick glance knowing that she would be happy to be reunited with her mate once more. "Thank Starclan... I'm so ready to return to my nest and sleep for several moons," His voice lighthearted and rather jokingly though it's only half true, he hadn't gotten a lot of sleep since the loss of Little Wolf or the dogs.

He turns to Magpiepaw wondering if he would have to make the trek alone and can't help but frown at the thought, he hopes not considering that the only reason all of them hadn't died from infections was because of the dark tom. Hailstorm offers a slow nod and says to the Shadowclanner "I'll ask if the patrol will guide you home. If not, I could go with you." He doesn't think those from Shadowclan would be all that pleased that Magpiepaw made the journey home by himself so he might as well offer.

* ˚✦ YOU FOUND ME HERE; UNDERGROUND

• 
  ✦ 48 moons old
  ✦ thunderclan warrior
  ✦ bisexual demiromantic; mates with little wolf
  ✦ "speech", thoughts, attacking
  ✦ semi-difficult in combat; relies on strength and his burly build
  ✦ peaceful powerplay allowed
  ✦ penned by bosstaurus

​

​

 

[Flycatcher]

Since the first of the journey cats had returned it had been a nervous wait for the others to come home too. They knew they were a few days behind, but with everything Flycatcher knew about his daughter's condition, they felt like the longest days of his life. Being sent to the Hightstone that day, Flycatcher did not know whether they would see any cats but tried to keep spirits high. "Whereabout from Hightstones did you come from?" Flycatcher asked, looking to Nightbird as they approached. As one of the first cats to return, he was curious to know which direction she had come from so they would have a better idea of where to look.

They are milling about near the bottom of Highstones, eyes looking around for any sign of life, when Flycatcher is aware of something descending the pointed stones. He narrows his eyes, trying to make out the shapes, when he hears Lightstrike's voice carried by the wind. "It's them!" Flycatcher says excitedly, turning towards the rest of the patrol with him. "The journey cats have come home!"

Flycatcher does not wait before bounding off, hoping to meet the cats halfway. "Lightstrike!" He calls out, gradually slowing his pace as he hurries to meet the returning cat. His green eyes pass over all the cats in turn, those who had remained behind to help the injured. His eyes linger on Flamewhisker for a long time, drinking her in, as though she is the most radiant vision. He wants to say more to her and can tell by her own look towards him there will be much to be said. He gives her a warm but silent glance an acknowledgement that they will speak later. And then his eyes pass over to Stormpaw, carefully carried between some of the cats. He can see the wounds on her and it breaks his heart. His expression is pained but one of relief, glad that whatever the circumstances she is back home. "Welcome home," He says, addressing the patrol as a whole. "Is everyone alright?"

// @nightbird @WOLFWIND @MOUSENOSE ​

 

[GREENEYES]

The blurred landmark guiding their paws is more tangible now, anticipation building with each step toward it.

He still can't believe it, how close home really is. He feels like an apprentice again, feels like bounding forward to see the view ahead, to try to catch his first glimpses of home on the other side. But tom knows as well as everyone else that speed hasn't been their purpose - that he must delay his stride the best he can until the end, for Stormpaw's sake.

And it begins to settle, the realization that they'll all be back to their clans soon, returning just as he hopes the first group had - the journey will be done, never to be dealt with again, and they will go back to their normal lives in differing parts of the forest. Spotting the forms of a patrol below, a malachite gaze shifts to meet Periwinklebreeze's blue, his mouth opening to say goodbye. Even still, he doesn't think he's good at finding the words for these things, though preparations for saying goodbye to a WindClan warrior is few and far between.

The tom gets his goodbye out first, posture held together better than what Greeneyes feels his own is. Though his own eyes sting with threatening tears, he straightens up too, but a smile still stays on his face. "Yeah! I'll... I'll see you around," he confirms to his newfound friend. Greeneyes steps forward to nudge his shoulder in farewell, but his steps are too slow - to used to their delayed pace - for the burst of speed that erupts from the WindClanner. Periwinklebreeze is gone before he knows it.

Greeneyes' heart sinks, but knows the WindClanner must go home too. It's time for them all to go home - to finally complete their journey. Flycatcher's voice emerges, and the warrior looks to ThunderClan's group, a nod in their direction. "Safe travels!" he wishes them - wishes Magpiepaw, wishes Stormpaw - before looking to his own clanmates for confirmation that they'd soon depart too.

✦ ABOUT

• 
  

  
  
  GREENKIT ‣ GREENPAW ‣ GREENEYES, Warrior of SkyClan
  — Daisyflight x Raven Ramble
  — AMAB; He/Him
  — A red tabby and white tom with bright green eyes.
  — Mentored by Sheepcurl; Currently mentoring Falconpaw
  — "Speech"; Attack
  
  ✦･ﾟ: * — Among SkyClan's first born, Greeneyes is a bright tom with an affinity for the world around him. Despite always seeking to be kind to others, the warrior believes he's cursed - a belief brought on by rhetoric that green is a deadly color.

​

 

[Magpiepaw]

—————————————————————⊰♰⊱————————————————————
There are familiar cats to greet them, but not familiar to him. Part of him is a little sad that not a single ShadowClanner had come to wait for him as the ThunderClanners had their own. At the very least the other cats who accompanied them had someone else to travel back to their clan with or were old enough and capable enough to walk on their own (such as Dovethroat who was also the only RiverClanner) but even knowing his struggling to walk none of his clanmates had considered coming for him. He supposed they had just brushed him off for dead, like ShadowClan was won't to do. Hailstorm's voice rings out and he turns with a head tilt to smile at the pale tom and his concerns - he would miss that warmth if he was being honest. Starlingheart loved him and he had a few friends whom he liked but overall his clan lacked the sort of comfort and security he had noted in the ThunderClan cats.
How depressing.
"Oh...I was hoping I could walk back with you? I want to make sure nothing happens on the walk back for Stormpaw." The healing process was a delicate time and though he didn't think much would cause her to have continued issues on the walk from Highstones to ThunderClan he still worried all the same. And a small part of him didn't want to end the journey just yet, the lungwort was with his clan now but his time in the mountains made him wonder if that was his place too. His eyes wandered over to Flycatcher as the gray tom glances at the wounded apprentice, he was the deputy and Stormpaw's father and his smile strains more, "She'll be alright. Strong blood. I'd like to see Berryheart and Lichenpaw if you don't mind?"

————— ⸸ looks like the stars won't shine much longer ———— ⸸ so give me your hand

• OOC can go here.
• 
  
  
  Magpiepaw
  —⊰⋅ MCA of ShadowClan
  —⊰⋅ He/They
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  —⊰⋅ Black tom w/a white throat and blue-violet eyes.
  

 

[WOLFWIND]

ThunderClan's group had not returned as a whole.

Wolfwind had first noted this with panic. A twitch of her smile, the wary narrowing of an eye. At least Nightbird was not so cruel as to keep them in suspense without at all. To the point, as always. She understood at once, when she heard about Stormpaw. Of course, her clanmates would stay behind to help her. A temporary loss is all it was, for all except one.

Alongside her deputy, Wolfwind steals herself. She would have time to mourn later. That's what she tells herself, anyways. She's staved off this sickness for as long as she can. After everything, the last thing she would like to do is see the rest home. Over the horizon, she spots the bodies. She holds her breath, until she can make out every last one of her missing clanmates ( All, but one ).

" Hey...! " her voice comes out breathless. It is far from the excited greetings she had practiced a moon prior. It makes it all the more real, to see the party return, devoid of a pitch pelt and green eyes. The closest thing to her is ShadowClan's Medicine Cat Apprentice, wobbling in step. She's surpised, to see that not only ThunderClan had lingered behind. They could've been home to their friends and family already, and yet they chose to stay back.

There was some good in every clan at the end of the day, then. It makes Wolfwind smile, if only a little bit. They already begin to part ways. Wolfwind attempts to catch them. " Thanks, everyone... for helping Stormpaw." She'd blink to the unfamiliar cats amongst them, and finally, bring her gaze to... Magpiepaw, was it?

Oh...I was hoping I could walk back with you? I want to make sure nothing happens on the walk back for Stormpaw. Wolfwind's face softens. she didn't see why not.

But of course, that was not her decision to make. She lifts her face to Flycatcher, head tilted in a c'mon, sort of gesture. Why not?

OOC ✨ 10.25.2023 BET MY MONEY ON A STUPID HORSE, I LOST THAT

•  

• 

• [ SO I RAN OUT TO THE TRACK TO GET MY CASH BACK ] WOLFWIND THUNDERCLAN LEAD WARRIOR! MENTOR 2 EMBERPAW; KIN 2 MANY.
  —— SHE / HER, CONFUSED BY BUT NOT OPPOSED TO THE USE OF OTHERS
  —— CURRENTLY 23 MOONS OLD. AGES EVERY 1ST.
  
  FRIEND TO MANY! UPBEAT AND UPFRONT. MOVES THROUGH LIFE WITH AN UPBEAT EXTERIOR AND BRIGHT EYES. MAKE NO MISTAKE! TAKES HER JOB VERY SERIOUSLY. THERE'S IMPORTANCE IN SAFETY, RECKLESSNESS ONLY GETS YOU SO FAR. ONCE A FOOL, BUT NO LONGER

​

 

[DUSKPOOL]

anger makes you stupid . stupid gets you killed .
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Walking amongst the delayed group, Duskpool tossed a glance over his shoulder at the wide expanse of territory beyond Highstone. He rumbled, taking in a wilting breath to stare at retreating backs and familiar faces. The battered warrior smiled, offering his farewells to retreating backs, biting back a pained grimace that threatened to take over.

They were home. He breathed shakily. Since he crossed the thunderpath, Duskpool had known deep in his heart that he would never return. Dying on the journey was his only mission, making up for sins he committed and greeting death like an old-time friend. "Never thought I'd make it." He grunted, quiet against a sandpaper tongue, but loud enough for someone standing next to his hobbling frame.

Turning a helm to the ThunderClanners, Duskpool dipped his helm. "Ya should be proud. The kid fought well." He directed his comment to Wolfwind before glancing at the remaining SkyClanners, wooly tail flickering. "About time we head home, eh?" He rumbled, not before tossing a comment to the others. "Get back safe, ya here?" With that, the battered tom grunted, willing tired limbs forward with great difficulty, limping past them with a final wave goodbye. ​

​

thought speech​

 

[Flamestar]

Many sunrises and sunsets had passed since the traveling group had split in two. Upon their journey back, they hadn't come across any signs of struggles, so they could only assume their group-mates had returned home safely. Just yesterday, the Highstones had come into view. They were so close to home now that she could almost taste it. With each pawstep they gained, her paws itched and itched to break out into a run.

Her face was twisted in a combination of pain and exhaustion, but Lightstrike's excited voice brought a new energy into the air. Flycatcher was here waiting...Thunderclan was here to take them home. As her mate came into view, she felt a wave of emotions wash over her. The only thing that kept her from collapsing was knowing that their daughter was draped across her back. "My love.." she breathed, her voice raw with emotion.

Soon they would be home...their journey was finally over. She couldn't wait to see everyone again...


​

★ born to find that great unknown

• short, but kinda rushed​
• 
  FLAMEWHISKER of THUNDERCLAN
  LH red tabby with low white (masks black tabby, carries dilute, solid)
  — Lead Warrior of Thunderclan ; currently mentoring Acornpaw
  — she/her ; mated with Flycatcher
  — mother to Stormpaw & Falconpaw
  — 25 moons ; ages on the 20th
  — Smells like dirt, old leaves, tree sap, faint hint of flowers
  — will start a fight, will finish fights, will kill (case depending)
  — "speech" ; thoughts ; attacks
  — penned by Icey ! ; link to tags
  — link to toyhouse
  — funny guy art by waluigipinball​

 

[MOUSENOSE]

It's a pity Moonwhisper hadn't volunteered for this patrol—she wants to see the look on her face when Lightstrike looks at her first, and not that stupid prissy tortie point. She stands beside Wolfwind, the less intimidating of the lead warriors present, and searches the skyline for the first hint of approaching cats. To her surprise and delight, a familiar broad-shouldered cream tabby shoulders his way through the grass, calling down to Flycatcher.

Mousenose gives a squeal of delight. "LIGHTSTRIKE!!" She seems to have forgotten her lies were just that—lies—and the mostly-white she-cat pelts forward, leaping so she can barrel into Lightstrike. "I missed you so much! I just knew you'd come back!!" But it's then she realizes the more somber atmosphere—the cats saying goodbye, and then there's Stormpaw, who is being carried. She remembers Nightbird's report, but she hadn't expected the torbie to be unable to walk at all.

"Erm… we should head back, yeah?" She asks, feeling awkward now.

, "​

​

 

[Flycatcher]

Despite the underlying sadness of Stormpaw's situation, it is a joyous reunion as a whole. Although many had begun to depart, Flycatcher is quick to join in with Woflwind in expressing his gratitude. "Thank you!" He calls out. "Safe travels home!"

His attention is then caught by a young black and white tom. It takes a moment for Flycatcher to place him, before recalling that he was the medicine cat apprentice of ShadowClan - Magpiepaw. He asks if he might accompany them back, to ensure Stormpaw was alright. If it had been a regular warrior or apprentice, Flycatcher might have been more indecisive, but as Magpiepaw was a medicine cat apprentice he saw no issue with it. Besides, he was quite touched by his offer. "Of course, you can follow us back to camp," Flycatcher responded, giving a dip of his head.

He hears Mousenose comment on heading home and he nods again. "Mousenose is right, we should start heading home," He mewed. "Some of you have been away from home long enough. I'm sure there are plenty of clanmates waiting to see you all again."​

 

[nightbird]

nightbird responded with a twitch of her tail to flycatcher's question, pointed in the direction of where they came. but it wasn't long at all until the journey cats began to show. tired and dragging, but they were all alive. she sighed a relief, waiting for them to join the patrol.

mousenose sprints forward, quick paws aiming to barrel right into lightstrike. nightbird observes with a raised brow. were they always that close? nevermind that, she gives a slight dip of her head to the cats from other clans who stayed behind, undoubtedly restless to be home. magpiepaw would be coming with them to camp, and while nightbird didn't necessarily see the need for that it couldn't hurt.

---

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎┌── ooc ⋆⋅☾⋅⋆ info ──┐‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

• 

• NIGHTBIRD ✩ she/her, lead warrior of thunderclan, twenty-seven moons
  ⭃ nightbird is a small black smoke molly with pale silver eyes. a loner turned thunderclanner, her loyalty and drive to provide for her clan is unwavering. however, she is not known for harboring a bleeding heart, instead equipped with sarcastically fueled wit, brutal honesty, and a sharply edged tongue.
  ⭃ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking ↛ see battle info here
  ⭃ penned by vayle ↛ @vayl3 on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

​

 

[LIGHTSTRIKE .]

❝ WE HAVE YET TO CRASH ✧°.☀ —————————————————————————————
As the two groups drew closer to each other, Lightstrike's gaze flitted over the others with eyes brighter than they had been in weeks. Wolfwind, Nightbird, and Mousenose. Mousenose, who let out a squeal that demanded his attention and was currently running at him with a shrill shriek and clearly no signs of stopping—

The golden tom let out a yelp when the she-cat barreled into him, his sheer bewilderment escaping him in the form of a barked laugh. He had never considered the two of them to be particularly close—which made her enthusiasm somewhat confusing—but he would still regard her as a friend, attitude and all. "Uh- missed you too!" he uttered once he'd regained balance on his own four paws. Lightstrike offered a friendly bump with his shoulder.

Briefly he watched Flycatcher and Flamewhisker's reunion, but the departing journey group turned his eyes elsewhere. That was it, then. No longer were they the journey cats, of alignment contained in memory alone. The borders between them would become real once more, both in name and scent. It would be strange, in a way, knowing that he would no longer meet them anywhere but at Gatherings.

It was for the best, he reminded himself, and averted his gaze. "Bye, you guys," he said simply, and that was that. "Safe travels."

Despite it all, his small smile was somewhat somber when it turned onto Nightbird. "Long time no see, huh?" he said. He'd been about to say it before Mousenose crashed into him, but... well.

With the general consensus rising to return home, the golden tom offered one more glance back at Stormpaw, expression furrowing. "Yeah," he said, quieter. "Let's go home." There were still many cats he hadn't seen in moons.

[penned by its_oliverr - ☀]

——————————— ☀.°✧ BUT WE STILL MAY AS WELL ENJOY IT ❞ ​

​

 

[SEDGEPOUNCE]

Fourtrees doesn't feel any more familiar now than it did weeks ago when they first left. Either way, it's some huge, unfathomable forest where Sedgepounce has only been once—now twice—that holds nothing of WindClan except for the scorched perch where its Moor Queen sits. Sedgepounce would think them still far from home if not for the giddiness of his companions. Weary and bone tired as they all are, everyone's paws are lightened at the thought of finally reaching journey's end. It's a warmth so infectious that Sedge can't help but to grin with them, but he mostly keeps quiet. Honestly, he's just here to help.

The leafy canopy, muddled with the oranges and yellows of the dwindling season, gives way to teary-eyed faces. ThunderClan greets them. The reunions are sweet; they make him wonder what the reception will be for them when he and Periwinklebreeze finally make it home. He stands for a moment as they all rush to meet each other, happy. Then, easier than anything, they're splitting, like there was nothing that even brought them together in the first place.

"Bye," Sedge says. To all the cats he traveled with, and to the ThunderClanners too, before he pads alongside Peri and heads for the moors.​

 

[Cherryblossom]

It's so anticlimactic that Cherrypaw almost feels disappointed. Anticlimactic for her and the rest of the SkyClanners, anyway. It seems ThunderClan had the sole blessing of a joyous reunion, complete with cats sinking into each other's embrace and others bull-rushing their missing loved ones. Cherrypaw just watches, jealousy and longing filling her mountain-hardened vessel as she does. Would her siblings pile onto her, with Ashenclaw patiently waiting his turn in the background? Would Edenpaw shamelessly join them? Would Crowpaw make some tactless, cuffable remark about her new scars? Would Lupinepaw examine the butterfly wing behind her ear, tracing its weave with inky paws as gentle as Scorchpaw's pale? Oh, they'd all better be excited to see her.

Duskpool is the first to suggest they get a move on, but he and Greeneyes remain busy for a few more moments giving their regards to their sort-of-clanmates of the past moon. Cherrypaw feels fit to do the same. Without hesitation she bounds upon the heels of the retreating WindClanners, internally wincing at the stretch of her scars but determined to get within yelling distance nonetheless. "Hey!" she calls, hoping for the attention of at least one out of either @SEDGEPOUNCE and @Periwinklebreeze. "Say hi to Scorchpaw for me, will you?" Her message, at the mercy of WindClan now, is still phrased more like an expectation than a plea.

Cherrypaw supposes she doesn't care if they decide to tell her or not. She supposes she's just a SkyClanner talking to WindClanners now. And...whatever. No one's making a big deal out of it, so it'd be out of place for her to wail about it or something. There's no good reason to, anyway. She doesn't know why she even thought about fussing over it to begin with.

When she rejoins Duskpool, Bobbie, Greeneyes, Orangeblossom, and Chalk, it feels like stepping over the SkyClan scent line for the first time ever again, even as her nose recognizes nothing but the scent of empty Highstone wind and wild grass.​