camp BENEATH THE STARS — arrival

[SPARROWBREEZE]

Her home is no longer hers to call home, washed with crimson and torn apart by dogs.

And now, she allows a stranger to bring her to a new home. Another barn, the kit assumes. One far away - a long journey to be made. She'd be more excited about this trip, had today been like any other day, and her family was alongside her, rather than the black and white tom that carries her - limbs far too tired to do her own walking, shoulder stinging from her wounds. Instead, she mourns her losses, wishes they were here too.

There'd been three of them who'd surrounded her - One even came out of the ground? Is Sparrow remembering that right? - so, the brown tabby can only guess that their barn is of similar size to her old home. She tries her best to imagine what this new home will be like, but can only picture the only one she'd ever known - worn down and rickety, but perfect to Sparrow all the same.

Nothing could prepare her for what stands before her, though, as they finally make their arrival. This... This wasn't a barn. It's only more of the plains they'd been traveling on, hidden away in the slightest without the structure of a barn to cover it. Sparrow's ears flatten against her head.

What is this place?

"This is... your home..?" she asks. She isn't sure she likes this place, whatever it is.

// follow up to this thread! tagging @Badgermoon , no need to wait though!​

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[BLUEFROST]

Bluekit is not used to seeing new faces. WindClan is full of cats she's known since she was born, and she can't mask the shock on her face when an intruder walks into their camp! She gives Badgermoon, who is close to this strange tabby, an incredulous look. Why is he not driving her out? Why is he letting this strange cat stay in the camp with them?

The fluffy blue kit turns a fearless gaze onto the tabby. "You don't belong here," she says. "This is our home, but it's not yours." Her emerald eyes narrow into slits.​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

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[WOLFSONG]

──⇌•〘 INFO 〙 Ah, already zealously protective of WindClan's territory— Sootstar and Weaselclaw must be proud of their brood, who doubtless have bright futures ahead of them. She is more fortunate than she knows to have them both; Wolfsong would wager that the timid newcomer has no such guardians. She's plainly wounded where she's aloft in Badgermoon's jaws, and from the set of her ears, deeply uncomfortable.

And beyond that Wolfsong smells the stink of dogs. His scarred eye throbs under the teeth of memory. Did the beasts steal from her as they did me?

"Bluekit," Wolfsong begins, crouching to be nearer her height, "Do you see who carries her? Badgermoon would not bring her here if he thought she has no place in WindClan." He straightens but keeps his posture non-threatening as he seeks the new kitten's gaze. "My name is Wolfsong, littling. This must all seem very new and strange to you. Do you have any questions?"
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[SUNFLOWERMASK]

( ❁ ) Sunflowerkit is trailing after Wolfsong, as they have been prone to do these days, when they stumble upon a strange sight. Badgermoon, the deputy, clutching a kit that they've never seen before in his jaws. Huh. Is that... Badgermoon's kit...? She seems a little old for it, he'd had to have been hiding her for a while. But no, she's asking if this is his home, so she must be new here. Which is even weirder, since everyone here seems to hate outsiders so much. It makes them feel a little weird, but they guess they don't count since they're related to Vulturemask?

As Sunflowerkit peers around Wolfsong's legs, they can see wounds on the kit's shoulders, blood trailing down. Oh, that's not good. Vulturemask can handle it, though, he's really talented. She looks upset, though. Bluekit pipes up: "You don't belong here, this is our home, but it's not yours." Well, that seems a little mean. Sunflowerkit doesn't love the idea of more kits in the nursery, it's crowded enough as it is, but this one is clearly injured. They should at least help her a little, they think.

Wolfsong's words soothe the kit's worries a bit, as he speaks to Bluekit. They pad around to give a small nod to Bluekit, hoping to reassure their younger nurserymate. It's okay, they're saying, he's right. You can trust Badgermoon.

Sunflowerkit turns to the kit then, a tiny mirror of Wolfsong. They cock their head, staring curiously. Will this kit be staying?​

 

[cottonsprig]

New friends are often born into the Clan, like Burnetkit and Petalkit, not carried in by the deputy. The change of pace is confusing to Cottonkit, and for once her ever going tongue is stunned. She's quick to take up Bluekit's side, sharing with her sister an incredulous glance. The other vanquishes the stranger's appearance in their home almost immediately, however Wolfsong and Sunflowerkit (the latter, silently,) argue for the tabby kit.

Badgermoon is trustworthy, is the lesson they are to learn here. Sootstar would not make the tom so important if he were not trustworthy. And still, Cottonkit feels apprehension, the urge to run off and find either of her parents. Just seeing one of them approach the situation casually would settle her quickly beating heart.

Someone will get one of them soon, surely. Cottonkit doesn't budge from her place, but she does look towards the newcomer with a furrowed brow. "What's your name?" she asks, suddenly. Maybe she can gauge how important or necessary the bleeding stranger is by their name alone.​

 

[Badgermoon]

He was relieved when Sparrow allowed him to carry her: she had been through quite an ordeal, after all, and he could hardly imagine the exhaustion and fear she must be feeling. It was the least he could do to provide transport, and she felt light as a feather held carefully between his jaws. After they had descended into the hollow of camp, the broad-shouldered tom lowered his head and placed her softly on the ground, moving with the utmost gentleness, petrified of breaking her or making her even more frightened. He did not move far from her after setting her down, instead reclining on his haunches behind her and setting one speckled paw at her side, in case she wanted to hide behind it, or simply for the comfort of proximity. His bright eyes stayed on the little tabby as she reacted to her surroundings, and he nodded with a small smile as she spoke to him. "Yes, it is. This is WindClan, Sparrow." his scarred chest puffed out a bit with delight at getting to introduce this place he loved so much to someone who had never seen it before. "I'm sure it's different than what you're used to."

The amber-eyed child's ears are flat against her head and he offered a little purr. "It's okay. You can go into the nursery soon and get some rest. But first, it looks like some people want to say hello..." perhaps not surprisingly, one of the Sootweasel litter is first to appear, green-eyed and sharp-tongued like her mother. "This is her home now, Bluekit. Let's make her feel welcome." Wolfsong's handsome figure and kind words were a welcome sight, and Badgermoon leaned over, hoping to whisper into the golden tom's ears in a voice low enough for just him to hear. "Dogs got her family. It seems like she's the only survivor. Barn kit. Would you mind getting Vulturemask? I think she needs some herbs or something." leaning backwards, he watched as Sunflowerkit and Cottonkit appeared, staring owlishly at the newcomer. Badgermoon swept his tongue along his muzzle, washing the wretched taste of kit's blood out of his mouth, and waited tensely. He suspected that the next few minutes would be ... important, somehow, though he couldn't articulate why he felt that way.

@VULTUREMASK​

 

[SNAKEHISS]

❪ TAGS ❫ — Snakepaw doesn't know real pain. He could never imagine real suffering. All the drama that has occurred within WindClan's borders, he has always been on the outskirts of, looking in and joining in with shaming others for making decisions that he could not possibly fathom at such a young age. Dandelionwish's choice to publicly mock Sootstar and betray his clanmates was something that Snakepaw doesn't understand, and perhaps would never understand if he continued to keep such a narrow mind.

Likewise, he doesn't understand the need to bring in a little orphaned child; WindClan was not an open sanctuary for the lost! They only had room for the toughest and most competent cats in the wilds. Even Silverpaw, the recent kittypet recruit, had apparently proved that he was not some useless sop of fur ( although Snakepaw would never be able to fully put aside his bias against twoleg pets ). Would this kit turn out to be a liability, with outsider blood not made to dart along the moors or tunnel in the caves?

Wolfsong speaks as Snakepaw issues a sneer in the newcomer's direction, emerald eyes glinting harshly as he stared over at the ball of fur. Something about trusting Badgermoon's judgment, but what if Badgermoon was wrong? After all, he had not been StarClan's chosen leader; the decision was ultimately up to Sootstar. What would she say about this? "But there is no place for a kit! Especially an outsider one." The apprentice scoffs, giving an irritated lash of his tail as a non-clanborn invades the camp of WindClan. Was she even old enough to begin her training? She was just another leech, stealing milk from the queens and eventually actual prey!

"We have enough little—" His maw is poised to pronounce the term "brats", but he stops himself short as he remembers that Bluekit and Cottonkit are present, giving a quick side glance at the two. As much as Snakepaw despises the little parasites, they are Sootstar's children and he can't go around slandering them if he wants to upkeep a good impression. So, the apprentice quickly corrects himself and finishes, "—kits as it is." Out of habit, the young tom pauses and swipes his pink tongue over his arm, making sure his short pelt was nice and tidy.​

 

[Azaleafrost]

A scene she was familiar with.

An orphan of tragedy, brought back to the camp by those who thought their hearts were good. They were not. Windclanners did not typically have good hearts. They thrived on cruelty and blind worship of a leader and their stars.

She wondered if this kit would be damned as she was. Scorned and hated for things out of her control. She wouldn't be one of the ones to do so.

" Hello..." She greeted. "Sorry about what happened... You're safe here, though. I'm Azaleapaw."

Showing kindness felt strange to her. She argued with herself over it. She wasn't shown any, so why should she give any in return? Yet she couldn't find it in her blackening heart to forsake someone as she had been.
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[VULTUREMASK]

No need to get him Vulturemask had already seen them arriving into camp from his den, not that he knew about the whispering conversation that had happened between the warrior and deputy. " That's not your decision to make." he made sure to remind Snakepaw as he walked on over thinking apprentices should just shut their mouths in matters like this. Badgermoon was the deputy of the clan and should be respected when adressed. Vulturemask himself might have his own personal opinions about their deputy bringing in a kit to their home but he was sure there was a good reason for it. If not that would be Sootstars call to make.

Coming closer he noticed the kit was hurt which meant work for him to do. Vulturemask was actually not fond of kits despite being constantly surrendered by them. He however would never step back watching a kit getting hurt or be hurt in this case. Starclan would forbid him to do so. Breaking his vows....who knew what they might do if he did. He especially wouldn't reject when his own sibling was watching him. " Lets get her to my den so i can properly examine her. After that you should report this to Sootstar. " She for sure would like to know about this and the two of them could decide this kit fate but he doubted Sootstar would turn a kit away. She had never done so before not even when they had struggled in leaf-bare. It was up to Badgermoon to fight for this kit so they could stay.


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[icebreath]

TAGS — This was a heartbreaking situation, truly; wary of outsiders as she is, Icepaw can't not feel awful for Sparrow and her plight. Her family torn apart by dogs... just the thought is enough to send a chill down the apprentice's spine. She can't imagine the grief she'd feel if the same happened to Rainpaw or their parents. At least Sparrow's young, just a little kitten; maybe, with time, she'll come to forget the pain. But in the meantime, Icepaw's happy to support her however she can — and they're glad she's been brought home to maximize that support. Some reactions to her arrival are lackluster; Bluekit, she can excuse, but Snakepaw's protest earns him a stony look from her position behind Badgermoon. As much as she'd like to, she can't find it in herself to scold him; anxiety quickly blossoms within her and holds her back. But really, how insensitive can he be? Saying that right in front of Sparrow, no less... Where's his heart? Vulturemask's sharp retort is satisfying to witness; discipline always is. Snakepaw would do well to remember he's barely an apprentice himself, hardly much older than Sparrow. He's got some nerve for challenging Badgermoon of all cats, and she can only hope the deputy will deliver his own, ideally harsher reprimand.
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[SPARROWBREEZE]

Badgermoon's home has a name - WindClan.

"WindClan," she echoes, as she's placed back onto the ground, paws wobbling as she finds her balance. She thinks it's a little silly. Sparrow's home didn't have much of a name - other than barn, she supposed. Was it easier to find WindClan amidst the sea of grass and mud, if it had a name? A label to mark its lack of structure?

And oh, Badgermoon's home houses more than him and the other two cats she'd met. How quickly, a new face shows up, a kit smaller than her - smaller than Kestrel, even - to point out the truth in Sparrow's arrival: She doesn't belong here. This isn't her home.

She knows this, but the ferocity in the kit's voice scares her, and leaves her trying to duck under Badgermoon's legs to hide away from such a truth. This isn't her home, but her home is gone.

And, WindClan only seems to bring more new faces forward. Sparrow's never seen so many. Ma'd told her before that, when the warm seasons began, she'd begin to see other cats around the barn as they passed through. This was still more than what she'd ever expected to see.

Questions. One asks if she has questions. She doesn't think she does, right now, but she's bound to have plenty later - when her mind is free to process all that'd had happened.

With names like Badgermoon, Bluekit, and Wolfsong, the next kit that speaks to her's question only makes her own name feel like it sticks out.

"Sparrow," she mumbles, a paw kneading at the ground. It doesn't sound right beside the rest of the names she hears here. Had her mother named her wrong?

There are too many faces surrounding her now, and it's unclear to her whether her presence is wanted. Though some seem nice, it only is washed away by the annoyance of others. Words of safety spouted, just to be told she's unwelcome by the next face. Sparrow just wants to go home.

Maybe this is all some scary nightmare, and she'll wake up beside Ma soon.

If she hadn't already thought it was a bad dream, the next cat that comes forward would have brought on such thoughts. Dark-furred and tall, with fangs all too similar to those still fresh in her mind, the feline instills fear in the kit. She's to be brought to his den, according to his words. Sparrow can only see gnashing teeth and scars, can only think about finding an escape route in case he shifts into something more dog-like.

She hopes she still has the energy to run away.
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[Mintshade]

"Here we go again..." You know, one of the last barn cats they let in ended up being that traitor Dandelionwish and his equally pathetic family. Only barn cat who had not being so wretched was Weaselclaw and his devotion to her sister was enough to make a molly gag; a bit too much but enough to keep him in line. Frankly, she was sort of fed-up with this constant need to bring in lost kittens because they only ever grew up resentful and being a problem. The clan needed strong clanborn cats and not these parasites taking from them precious herbs and food before turning tailcoat the second they don't get their way.
Mintshade stomps over, heavyfooted and already sneering in his usual way; a mix between a smirk and a grimace, hard to tell if her feelings with disgust or disinterest but they were clearly not positive.
Bluekit is immediately offended and the dark she-cat laughs sharply at her nieces words. Look out, Moorkit, she might have a new favorite. Sootstar was raising them well already. "Don't talk down to her, she has the right attitude." Mintshade shot in Wolfsong's direction, it seemed everytime they interacted her opinion of him got lower. "...so does Snakepaw."
Apprentice had a good head on his shoulders it seemed, she'd thought him sort of useless prior but it was good to see some sense rattling in the little skull of his. And of course Azaleapaw was a little too friendly. Ugh, kittypets. At the medicine cat's approach and remark she can't help but laugh.
"I guess bringing in outsider kits WOULD be a sore spot for you wouldn't it." She jeers at Vulturemask smugly, knowing he was just as guilty of wasting WindClan's sanctuary as Badgermoon was now. "If Soot-" Star. "-If Sootstar says its fine then whatever, but I better not see anyone coddling them. She ought to learn quick and earn her keep is all I'm saying." No more feeding leeches.
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[WOLFSONG]

──⇌•〘 INFO 〙 Sunflowerkit investigates with a bright curiosity that draws Wolfsong's fond smile, though it is short-lived as Badgermoon steps in to murmur the details to him. It is as he thought: dogs. His features twitch, the lines deepening around his sighted eye. "Of course." He glances at Sparrow, the kitten increasingly overwhelmed as more WindClanners arrive— and Snakepaw, predictably, is brazenly vocal in his disagreement. Azalepaw is understandably far more welcoming, but it seems that Badgermoon's authority as deputy —chosen by Sootstar— is not enough to convince the others that they should tread carefully.

Vulturemask, when he arrives, reminds them of this. Wolfsong is glad to see him, eager for Sparrow to withdraw from the public eye and receive treatment for her wounds. She, fortunately, has managed to hold onto both eyes.

Mintshade has both of hers as well, and yet he would not expect her to see farther than the inside of her own ass. "Mintshade. Lovely, lumbering Mintshade— if a single kit is such a burden, perhaps I could teach you to hunt without breathing so loudly the rabbits mistake you for two badgers beginning a family." He smiles warmly. "I cannot imagine how difficult it must be in the shadow of such a prolific hunter as Sootstar. Sootstar, who chose Badgermoon personally." Wolfsong glances down at Sunflowerkit, then at Sparrow, Azaleapaw, and Icepaw, and back to Sparrow.

She's so frightened, staring at Vulturemask; it isn't difficult to imagine why. He steps closer to her, lowering himself down on his stomach within her line of sight. "You are safe here. I will protect you— wolves frighten dogs, and they won't dare come close."
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