sensitive topics CIRCLE OF SERPENTS [♱] RETURN

[SHARPSHADOW]

The stars— a little tauntingly, she thinks— still shine overhead by the time they are nearing camp's entrance. The fox she had tailed was long gone, content to steal that toad when it could've had any other warty thing hopping around this swamp, of which suddenly, there were many. Sharpshadow had chased and chased. To see that her clanmates were safe, is what she had thought, even when her claws itched to scratch through fur and muscle; because she should be allowed to inflict what it had upon them. It wasn't fair that it could just be bigger; be better.

But as it bled into darkness, and as its stench flooded his nose more and more, she became too keenly aware of all that she was leaving behind. Not like they'd miss him. It's all himself, that has him turning around. You have to, squeaks something small and pathetic.

Sharpshadow and the others help their leader home now with the offer of a shoulder. It's what he was supposed to do. This said nothing of what he thought of them, or what they thought of him. The Lead Warrior's moniker is a chain, and it's one that he can't be bothered to fight against. Moonlight bathes the camp's clearing. Were this any other clan, most of it would probably be tucked in for the night. In ShadowClan, not everyone would be.

His throat is hoarse. He's tempted to lift his voice in a screech, once their past the threshold of camp— to scream, look at this! Their leader, dead. He's seen it, so they all needed to see it themselves. ShadowClan's weakness, the predator's that never ceased their sniffing, how even when they had something good, it could only last for so long.

Sharpshadow doesn't do any of that. His presence begs no attention. It probably never would. If anyone wanted to wake up, they could do so on their own. Her voice is a mumble to Chilledstar, instead, " You should see Starlingheart. " He couldn't make them do anything, obviously.

// OOC: takes place after this thread! Returning with @CHILLEDSTAR. @Nightwhisper. @FERNDANCE @orchidbloom & @EERIENIGHT​

 

[MIRESTAR]

For once, Mirepurr is glad they decided to forego sleep for a bit of nightly lookout. Their jaws part in a yawn, one that they cannot simply push down their own throat, sleep threatening to muddy up their vision. There is no downtime for ShadowClan; they're always bracing for the next big thing, the next bit of bad news, the next deal of misfortune.

And they're proven right. Misfortune comes to them when Chilledstar's hunting patrol returns, the black-as-night pelt of theirs held and dragged between the five warriors. Mirepurr is quick to approach; a curt nod to the lead warrior, respectful but hesitant. A sweep of their eyes over the rest.

"Great StarClan," they breathe, not daring to lift their gaze to catch a glimpse of the glimmer that streaks the night sky. "What now?"
​

 

[FERNDANCE]

The story was one shared over a sombre walk home and Ferndance found herself angrier at the fox for stealing something of hers than mournful for a fifth life lost. To die over and over again seemed boring, if Chilledstar's injuries were anything to go by, then they may find themselves once more trapped within the medicine cat's den until they were ready to lose their sixth life. Lingering close to the leader in a polite attempt to comfort them, the cinnamon tabby's jaws gripped thin air, remorseful that there was no frog wedged between them - though it may have been a paltry consolation prize within a sea of amphibians, it would've been better than nothing. Gaze seemingly on another universe, Ferndance's graceful trotting took her towards the entrance of the camp, thoughts on her children, whether or not they would be safe with a red menace roaming close by. 'Ill make sure they're safe,' she decided with a quiet inhale, chest puffed out as she held her breath. It was only when Mirepurr appeared, unbloodied and unbothered by naught but the leader standing before them, that the she-cat trusted that nothing nasty had attacked in her absence.

"I got hungry..." she licked her lips, though there was a sense of deflation to her humour, as if it was only there to deflect from the truth of the matter. Eyelids fluttering in rapid succession, the wide pupils of the former Lead Warrior finally seemed to focus. "So did a fox... The fox wanted what Chilledstar had and... won the battle." It had earned its kill, just as Ferndance felt she had earned the right to kill it the next time she saw it.

​

 

[BRANCHPAW]

𖠰𖠰 Branchkit should be sleeping at Needledrift’s side, tucked in along with Gigglekit and Morelkit. He loves snuggling into the nest with his littermates, and even now the tiny tom purrs at the idea. But he isn’t in bed tonight, no. Branchkit toddles out of the nursery when commotion catches his attention—he isn’t able to sleep anyway, and whatever is happening outside in camp sounds a lot more fun. When he makes his way over, he brushes past Mirepurr to search for his cinnamon/furred parent in the patrol.

"Mama," he calls as Ferndance comes into view, entirely unscathed. "I missed you!" The little tom seems to realize what the cinnamon tabby has said, murky blue eyes widening. Chilledstar is hurt, but… the little lilac tom is more fearful about his mother than the leader. "You’re okay?" He presses up against her leg, purrs racking his tiny frame all the while.​

​

 

[CHILLEDSTAR.]

they blink slowly at sharpshadow, gaze lingering before they moved to look at ferndance for a moment. they furrowed their brows before looking forward with a twitch of their whiskers. they don't wanna bother her. there is a lot more pressing matters, surely. they can barely even feel their front limb. they don't think it's hurt that bad... not if they can't feel it. and the worst of its been healed by starclan. their ears twitched back and forth before they speak quietly.

"not a big deal. just make sure we stay safe and stay in groups of three... ferndance. thank you. sharpshadow. thank you."

they truly mean the thanks, even if their voice doesn't say it. they wince as they limp away, nearly falling to the ground but they just barely catch themself.

"... i will go see starlingheart."

they didn't want to. they didn't want to be a bother. but they can't function like this. something is wrong with their shoulder. in spite of not feeling the limb, their shoulder aches in ways that feel something akin to blazing fire. better fixed than left how it is.

———————---***ALL OF MY FEELINGS ARE GONE***———————---​

I LEFT 'EM ALL ON THE FLOOR✧ MAN WHO'S TO BLAME IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME NO MORE

•  
• — black feline with a white marking across their face, a white chin, a white right front paw, and blue eyes. chilledstar is covered in scars, the most prominent ones being the one across their face, and the one across their neck.
  — 46 moons old; ages the 3rd every month
  — they / them pronouns
  — aromantic / homosexual ; currently not looking / looking
  — child of JAGGED and RAVEN
  — shadowclan ; loyal to shadowclan ; other info if applicable
  — mildly difficult to befriend ; trusts barely anyone; trusts no one outside of shadowclan
  — "speech", thoughts, attacking
  — peaceful powerplay allowed

​

​

 

[smogstar]

The night's tendrils grasp at the swamp, tightening around the pines in thick velvety shadows. Usually, they'd suffocate the sound from ShadowClan's camp and surrounding territory, but tonight (much akin to last night, and the night before that one) the frogs' noisy chorus is overwhelming. Sleep seldom comes easily to Smogmaw as he is, and with the incessant croaks and ribbits droning on uninterrupted, his skull feels flooded with brackish water. He's alert, over-alert, on edge, like static electricity is prickling at his brain.

Shoulders slouched unevenly, scope of vision constantly flickering back and forth for something unspecific, Smogmaw's ears stand sharply when a patrol emerges from the wetlands. The tom's entire body goes straight shortly thereafter, jawbone stiffening as he bares the sight in the mouth of camp. Ferndance, Nightwhisper, Orchidbloom, Sharpshadow, and Eerienight all bustle around a grievously-injured Chilledstar, like blackflies to a fresh corpse. They buzz on about foxes and Starlingheart, urgency hot and thick in the air. Piecing together what'd happened is rather straightforward.

"The answer's painfully obvious, but I'm going to ask anyways," remarks the deputy as he hurries over, his whole focus devoted solely to his leader, "are you okay, Chilledstar?" They clearly are not. Their shoulder gives the impression the slightest tug might pull it from its socket. He, nonetheless, needs to hear it. Far too many implications arise when a leader is heavily injured - especially so close to a gathering. ​

 

[orchidbloom]

Chilledstar died. Not too long ago, actually. In fact, Orchid could bet on it being just a few minutes prior, or at least thats how it felt... She's sick, remembering Sharpshadows screech, of Ferndances protective stance at their side and Orchid admits she had just stood there, eyes wide, her own frog completely forgotten in the mental fog the scene brought. She wishes she could have said she had stalked off to find that thing and kill it. They're not that brave. In fact they had shook from a stupid owl attack prior to this... They wouldn't have been able to have been brave.

They hurry home. Further now- just up ahead the camp entrance lays, just a little more and they break through in to the hustle and bustle of the night camp. Thank the Stars that Shadowclan operates at night too- otherwise, shes sure any help would have been lost on the normal stillness of twilight. Mirepurr is the first to greet the returning patrol and she opens her mouth to say something but is immediately shut up by Ferndances explanation, the ticked tabby strangely calm. Her son comes to press against her leg. Orchid looks away.

Chilledstar says theyre going to see Starlingheart. She blinks wide blue eyes back and between Smogmaw asking if they're okay (obviously Chilledstar is not, he even says it himself) and her leader. Her mind screams at her to do something helpful. Their mind is nothing but blank, but they muster something up anyways.

"I'll- I'll h-help you to Starlingheart... I- don't... Want you to- to fall." their voice shakes violently. "Or- Uhm, Stars," its hissed through their teeth in frustration, tears bubbling at the corners of their eyes. They feel so useless, almost dry-heaving as the image of Chilledstar lying there, bleeding, dead on the ground flashes within their mind again. They opt not to open their mouth again.

Can Shadowclan get a break? That'd be lovely, they think.

𝙲𝚁𝙰𝙵𝚃𝙴𝙳 - 𝙷𝙾𝙻𝚈 -ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ- 𝚁𝙾𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙷𝚄𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁

• 
  ❥ orchidkit, orchidpaw, orchidbloom
  ❥ demi-girl ,, she/they ,, 14 months
  ❥ warrior of shadowclan ,, formerly mentored by forestshade
  ❥ lanky yet fluffy cinnamon smoke she-cat with wide blue eyes
  ❥ "speech, d1afed" ,, thoughts
  ❥ bisexual ,, mates with raggedbite
  ❥ smells like lilies and iris'
  ❥ chibi by I-IALCY0N ,, penned by chuff

​

 

[EERIENIGHT]

✧ . And so it seems nothing will ever be safe from bloodshed in the marshes, for even their bounty is blighted by tragedy. A loss of life, a loss of a star — Eerienight’s frogs are long forgotten in the rush to retreat, the rush to return Chilledstar to safety away from another chance to visit the stars. The night-sky tom keeps close, dark eyes sparked with fright as he keeps close to ShadowClan’s leader, as he watches for any signs of faltering, of a star-mark put to further use.

This isn’t how their patrol should’ve ended, and yet nothing can be rid of death.

He doesn’t stray upon their return, the silent tom lingering, watching as the news spreads through his home of the beast who’d slain the battered black and white cat. This isn’t the first time Chilledstar has entered camp in such a state, and it won’t be the last, Eerienight unfortunately knows. But the leader — his friend, his family — hardly looks okay despite their insistence otherwise, and when they stumble toward Starlingheart’s den, the warrior follows Orchidbloom’s actions, spindled limbs rushing to their side.

“ Let me go with, “ he says, looking to Chilledstar with rounded eyes, to a teary-eyed Orchidbloom at their opposite side. Are his own eyes rimmed with tears, with the realization that he’s lost count of how many times the older cat has been in such a state. He blinks at the young warrior, a gesture of encouragement as a correction is formed — “ Us. Please. “ ​

✦ ABOUT

• 
  EERIENIGHT ✦ AMAB. He / Him. Warrior of ShadowClan.
  ✧ . A spindly black tom with unblinking, dark brown eyes.
  ✧ . ??? x ???
  ✧ . Mentored by Spectermask
  ✧ . Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted!
  ✧ . Penned by Abri ‣ @_abri_ on discord, feel free to dm for plots!
  ✧ . " Speech " ; Attack
  

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