CONSIDER THIS YOUR ONE LAST CHANCE / 11.2024 MEETING

[SCORCHSTAR]

༄༄ The morning air carries with it a new chill—one that makes sense given the changing of seasons, but one that brushes just a touch too cold against dappled fur. The wound across her flank aches as she stands, feeling the tug of the newly scabbed-over flesh as it protests her movements. The badger’s claws had torn into her, and it seems they had been intent on leaving her with a lasting impression. Today, her paws crush against frosted grass as she takes her place in front of the Tallrock, rather than atop it. After all that Cottonsprig has done to mend her, it would make little sense to tear her wounds back open by leaping atop the leader’s perch. "WindClan, gather below the Tallrock for a clan meeting." Her voice is even, only loud enough to reach the corners of camp and go no farther.

"The first order of business for today: Viperpaw. You are in need of a new mentor..." The clan is stretched thin—she has two apprentices of her own, and the shortage of extra paws is clear. Who could mentor such a vibrant, excitable young cat? The answer is clear once she considers the new apprentices to be named today. Golden eyes scan the crowd, and she spots the very cat she is searching for. "Sootspot. You have proven yourself a capable tunneler," she schools her expression into something stiff and unreadable, "and I believe that you would make a good mentor for Viperpaw." The two’s attitudes seem to mark them as polar opposites, which could turn out well for both of them… and for Scorchstar. It is not a punishment for either of them in any way, but the leader would not deny that the idea strikes her as amusing.

Clearing her throat, Scorchstar does her best to look out across the gathered cats. She cannot see over the heads of the moor runners from this height, so she has to trust that the apprentices she seeks are already here. Stars, I need to heal quicker. "Heatherkit, Bramblekit, Nightkit, Beetlekit, and Erminekit… you are all of age to be apprenticed. From this day forward, you are no longer kits. You begin your training today, to become warriors of WindClan." She looks over the group of kits, waiting for them to step away from the rest of the crowd. "Nightkit, until you are ready to become a warrior, you will be known as Nightpaw. Your mentor will be Pinkshine. I know that she is a loyal and kind warrior, and she will teach you all that you need to know." She is certain of this. She had trained Pinkshine herself. If the younger calico will ever be ready, then she will be ready now. Small and subdued, Scorchstar casts a warm glance in Pinkshine’s direction before moving on. The next cat she regards is one whom she had specifically chosen as a mentor alongside Pinkshine. "Heatherkit, from this day forward you will be known as Heatherpaw. Your mentor will be Downyfur. They are an intelligent tunneler; I trust that they will teach you all that they know and more." She is proud to add more tunnelers to WindClan’s ranks, especially as winter approaches. The clan will need all the tunnel-hunters it can get once prey stops running aboveground.

"Bramblekit… until you are ready to become a warrior, you will be Bramblepaw. Scorchstorm will be your mentor—she is fierce and loyal. She will defend you, and teach you to be a defender as well. Erminekit, you will be known as Erminepaw until you are ready to become a warrior. Your mentor will be Featherspine; he will push you to be the best warrior you can be." The moor runner pairings she is less confident about—she wishes Sunstar were here to assign them. Still, she holds her chin up as she looks at each of the named cats in turn, gaze flashing in recognition. "And finally, Beetlekit. You will be Beetlepaw… and you will train under Tigersting until she seems you ready for warriorhood." Scorchstar is not as close with this kit of Sunstar and Wolfsong, but she has proven herself a dependable clanmate all the same. Perhaps having an apprentice to train will help take her mind away from the loss of her fathers, as well.

At last, the leader is nearing the end of her speech. Her ribs ache from the multitude of words, going on and on… she had been lucky for the past two meetings, she realizes, to have so few ceremonies. Now, she wonders how Sunstar had done it so easily. "Buckfire, please step forward." Golden eyes cross over the tom’s form, taking him in. His coat looks slightly messy, but beneath his rugged appearance she knows that there is plenty of powerful muscle. She had felt it during their spar. "Your path into this clan was not an easy one, but you have remained steadfast. You saved one of our warriors, suffered our illness, and you have trained under Scorchstorm for moons. You have proven yourself just as dedicated to this clan as any other," more than many others, in fact, "and it is clear that you are ready to be a warrior of WindClan in both name and status." She offers the tom a dip of her scarred head, and then turns to regard the rest of WindClan once more. "For now, that is all. This meeting is dismissed."

YOU KNOW I DESERVE IT ☽♰☾ WELL, TAKE IT OUT ON ME

• ooc: ceremonies:
  — @VIPERPAW reassigned to @SOOTSPOT
  — @heatherkit apprenticed to @downyfur
  — @bramblekit - apprenticed to @SCORCHSTORM
  — @erminekit apprenticed to @FEATHERSPINE
  — @NIGHTKIT! apprenticed to @PINKSHINE
  — @Beetlekit! apprenticed to @TIGERSTING
  — @BUCKFIRE is officially a full warrior of windclan
  
  shoutouts for this month go to @cottonsprig @SEDGEPOUNCE @SOOTSPOT @BLUEFROST @Vulturepaw @Brackenpaw @CELANDINEPAW @Thriftfeather @Periwinklebreeze. @dimmingsun @SCORCHSTORM @FEATHERSPINE @milkthorn. @BUCKFIRE @PINKSHINE @SHEEPPAW @THISTLEPAW !
• 
• SCORCHSTAR ⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆ she/they, leader of windclan, tunneler
  ༄ small, slim flame-streaked calico with fiery golden eyes. cold and closed-off, ferociously protective of her clanmates.
  ༄ mate to bluepool ; sibling to rattleheart & rabbitclaw
  ༄ mentor to bilberrypaw & brackenpaw ; previously mentored pinkshine
  ༄ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted, but may react aggressively
  ༄ penned by foxlore

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[BUCKFIRE]

Scorchstar's call for a meeting disrupts the spread of confusion surrounding the unusually frosted grass. The clan had seemingly spent all morning trying to decipher the meaning of the cold's early arrival — had this been merely a random occurrence or was WindClan meant to get themselves into gear for leafbare survival mode?

The chocolate tabby tom takes a seat on his haunches, tilting his chin back and listening to the calico leader as she dove right into the typical order of business. Young cats were apprenticed to new mentors; Scorchstorm was one of them. Orange eyes draw over toward Bramblepaw and their new mentor. At least she was training a cat younger than herself now, right?

His attention is grabbed by Scorchstar's voice calling upon him this time. More than happy to oblige, Buckfire steps into the spotlight without a second to waste, straightening his posture as the scarred molly showered him with more praise and approval than she'd ever spared him before. One could almost witness his ego inflating like a balloon if they looked hard enough, eyes burning bright with determination and pride. He was a full member of WindClan now. " 'ppreciate it, ma'am." Buckfire meows, giving a respectful dip of his head to Scorchstar. This meant that he could leave camp on his own now without having to trail behind Scorchstorm like a lost duckling. This also meant that Scorchstar—that the whole clan—saw him as an equal. He doesn't dwell on this consideration for long; he is a clan cat by technicality, but deep down his heart still longed for the freedom he once had.

After the meeting concludes, Buckfire's gaze flicks toward @SCORCHSTORM again. He makes his way over, a half-grin plastered onto his tan maw. "Guess I won't be yer' star pupil anymore." He drawls lightheartedly, glancing briefly at her new trainee. "You were a good teacher." Buckfire offers words of sincerity to the she-cat, a rare glimpse past his arrogant and unserious demeanor.

𝐈 𝐆𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐀 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍 ✹ 　. 　 + 　 ˚ 　 · 　 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃

• 

• 

  — buckfire / 33 moons / he/him pronouns
  — windclan moor runner / shadowing scorchstorm / former loner
  — sh chocolate tabby w/ orange eyes, bite marks on left foreleg, nick in left ear & scratch on right side of lip
  — click for tags

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[ROWANPAW]

Small paws nestle upon the frosted ground, a chill dancing up the shorthaired chimera's spine as a cold unlike anything they've ever felt before makes their pads tingle. It would not be long before they would be called forth by the scarred leader and granted their warrior name. Anticipation of her future is eager to race through her brain like a rabbit, though out of respect for her superior, she manages to focus her attention onto Viperpaw's reassignment.

Sootspot, of all cats, was to be Viperpaw's new mentor? A frown curls onto their maw. Scorchstar, what in StarClan's name are you thinking? He hated their father ( at least as far as she knew ). How would he treat the very son of Snakehiss, the yellow-bellied tom who had betrayed his mother at the last moment? Even more concerningly, what would he teach her brother? Rowanpaw's eyes narrow as they glance in the direction of the blue-hued warrior. They did not trust Sootspot in the slightest.

The other apprenticeships are hardly registered by the calico, as much as they try to concentrate on Scorchstar's words. They catch that Heatherkit is to be apprenticed to Downyfur; another tunneler in the ranks. It was a good thing, but hopefully the child of Sootspot would not bring any unnecessary trouble to the underground.

Buckfire's official recognition as a warrior is brushed off quite easily by Rowanpaw; they lacked faith in the former loner, as much as Scorchstar claimed that he was ready to be viewed as an equal to the rest of the moor runners. Time would only tell if he truly possessed the capability to be loyal to a clan.

When the meeting is dismissed, Rowanpaw quickly makes for @VIPERPAW 's side. They brush against his flank, faux brows knitted in concern. "I must have a word with you in private when you have the chance." The tunneler apprentice murmurs into his ear, a slight urgency accompanying their tone. Hopefully Sootspot doesn't intend on taking him out right away.

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐊𝐈𝐃 ✹ . + 　 　˚ 　　　　 · 　 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍

• 

• 

  — rowanpaw / eleven moons / they/she pronouns
  — windclan tunneler apprentice / mentored by swiftshade
  — snakehiss† x berrysnap / littermate to viperpaw and privetfrost
  — sh black/tortie chimera w/ blue and amber heterochromia, scratches across right eye
  — click for tags

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[erminepaw]

Buzzing with excitement, Erminekit heeds the call to the Tallrock, tall kit's mind spinning with the knowledge that today he was to be made an apprentice! What was most exciting was that he'd be becoming a tunneler today for sure! But... Scorchstar does the tunnelers first, and then she moves along to the moor runners... and she hadn't called his name yet. The hell? Why? And then he finds out - he's to be a moor runner, apprenticed under Featherspine.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT??? WHY MAKE HIM A MOOR RUNNER WHEN THE TUNNELS ARE CLEARLY MUCH COOLER!?!?

If Erminepaw were to think about this with any amount of critical thought, he'd know that he's too large to fit in the tunnels with any ease, already a head and shoulders taller than some of the fully trained tunnelers, but that logic hardly matters to the blue sepia tom, all he cares is that he doesn't get the cool job, and that alone makes his scowl as he levels golden hues on his mentor, picking out @FEATHERSPINE in the crowd and sulking his way over to sit by him.

"...so how do I change to a tunneler?" He asks him, uncaring if his words might've offended her. He's wanted the cool job! The one where he'd be like some cool super hero leaping out of the tunnels to save the day! This boring, above-ground civilian life was not what he'd imagined for himself.

all you wanted // i could be

• 
  ooc -
  
• 
  #9bcfad
• 
  (img) Erminepaw * he/him * 5 moons
  short furred blue sepia with low white and pale yellow eyes
  Mentored by Featherspine
  Peaceful & healing powerplay allowed || underline for attack
  penned by Neptune. || Neptune on disc, dm me for plots

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[NIGHTPAW]

This had been a day to look forward to. Finally, he was gonna leave the nursery and get to find out what the world had to offer beyond the camp borders. Only in stories had he been told about the world outside, and secretly it had excited him but never something that had been revealed upon his mostly blank expressions. When his name was finally being called out, the kit would approch up alongside his sisters, curious over where his place would be. Hopefully, he had done good enough to gain the rank he wished for.

And then Scorchstar called him out, and with ears perked forward he listen carefully over what she had decided for him. Tunneler. This words were so rewarding to hear. After months of being caution with how much food would be allowed into the belly all to make sure he wouldn't grow up big and strong enough to not pass. All of that had been worthwhile, or so the kit decided, unaware over how growth really worked. But he had taken in what the adults had told him about how tunnelers got picked and decided to do something to easier reach his goals.

The one Scorchstar had picked as his mentor though was a...strange cat. Everyone always knew when she was in camp, kinda hard to miss that out... the complete opposite of himself. Despite the two's differences Nightkit was determined to make this work, and he honestly believed he could learn alot from her, not only loyalty but kindness which surely was what his father wanted of him. That and maybe he could learn to become more...outgoing like her.

He would touch his nose with hers, and as he took a step back dipped his head to her. " Looking forward to work under you, Miss Pinkshine." After what he hoped to be a good first impression on the molly Nightpaw would sneak back into the crowd when his spotlight in front of the whole clan was over and done with.


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[VIPERPAW]

*+:｡.｡ Viperpaw wasn't a particularly ambitious guy, so he didn't mind a late reassignment. Although he didn't doubt this may hold him back a moon, Viperpaw stood proud nonetheless at the prospect of having a better chance at being a more helpful member of Windclan. That's all a hero could ask for!

So imagine his surprise when, with a steely face misplaced for one cracking a sick joke, Scorchstar assigns Viperpaw to Sootspot. Viperpaw blinks hard at the declaration. He can't lie and say it doesn't make him a little nervous. Already well known as Snakehiss's spawn, coupled with the newfound truth that he was associated with Duskclan through his mother...now apprenticed beneath not only a former loyalist but Sootstar's own son? Not a great rap sheet for Windclan's future greatest hero.

Still, the young man raises his chin and smirks toothily at his new leader. "I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE!" he announces, loud and proud. Very uncouth for a meeting, but Viperpaw has never been known to read a room properly. Especially not while his mind is racing at the new goal before him. Perhaps Scorchstar assigned Sootspot to Viperpaw not because the blue tom has something to teach Viperpaw but rather Viperpaw has everything to teach Sootspot? Oh yes, he can see the big picture now - while Sootspot shows Viperpaw the ways of the tunnel, Viperpaw in turn will teach Sootspot everything he knows about how to be a hero! He'll shape Sootspot into a proper defender of Windclan, someone who needs not worry about his lineage for he'll carve his own place in history as a legendary vanquisher of evil and wrong-doing!

This is going to be awesome!

Viperpaw blinks when Rowanpaw presses against him. Instead of being excited, though, she looks incredibly concerned. "If you have another revelation..." he whispers, groaning at what else he's about to learn about their heritage. What, is Snakehiss somehow Sootstar's illegitimate child next? Starclan, Viperpaw is ready to throw up at the thought!

*+:｡.｡ Updated 10/11/24

• 
  
  
• 
  "SPEECH"
  
  
  GENERAL:
  ☁ Viperpaw
  ☁ DFAB— He/Him
  ☁ 10 moons
  ☁ Son of Snakehiss and Berrysnap
  ☁ Brother to Rowanpaw, Snakepaw and Privetpaw
  ☁ Windclan — Tunneler's apprentice
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  COMBAT:
  ☁Physically easy | mentally medium
  ☁Attack in bold white
  ☁ None currently

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[PINKSHINE]

This meeting doesn't have the same urgency as the last one. It doesn't have a bunch of cats waiting around for answers... but it isn't any less sad really. She loves Scorchstar, of course. she felt like she was supposed to be happier for her... She felt like she was supposed to be happier in general. And it'd be a lie if she said Scorchstar looked wrong atop Tallrock, but it's weird, still. It's too soon. In a weird way, she'd kind of thought it 'd never actually happen... Like when she'd thought Sootstar was Leader forever, and Sunstar- Sunstride would be deputy forever. Obviously, she should've learned the lesson already. She felt a bit silly for this, she really did...

Well, there's a bunch of kits being apprenticed today... For all the wondering Pinkshine had done about being a mentor in the past few moons, she hadn't expected it at all today. Scorchstar catches her eye with this nice look, one she felt lucky to receive when there were so many reasons to not give her it. Like... nothing makes sense right now. And Pinkshine looked ugly right about now, didn't she?

She can't be given a look like that and not even try to return it... Her lips curve into a smile, her eyes crescent... and it was so much harder than it usually was. So much more intentional. After that single second, it starts to slip away... but she had an apprentice now! She had Nightpaw! And she needed to look good and friendly for him now. She really needed to.

It's a not-very-good smile, really, but she does smile as their noses touch. She calls her Miss Pinkshine. Didn't that make her sound sooo grown up and important? " Me too, " she mews, and she's really not as enthusiastic sounding as she should... but her blink is kind. Of course, she'll do her best... She'd be just as good of a mentor as Scorchstreak- Scorchstar had been, even if it's the hardest thing in the world...​

 

[FEATHERSPINE]

As odd as it was to see Scorchstar up there, Featherspine forced himself to assimilate, yellow eyes glancing up though narrowed with criticism. Conflict warred still, between her ribs- grief for who was last, who had wandered... grief for a legacy she hat tried all her life trying to match now a thing of the past. Still, as long as she had blood in her veins, she would strive to be a WindClan warrior... it was a vow he had made for as long as he lived. Even if that WindClan was without her parents.

An apprentice. With every step she would take from now on, Featherspine realised he would feel a small pang of grief for those who were not here to witness it; he repressed that feeling, looking to Erminepaw with what might have been pride.

Until he spoke. Featherspine's face immediately soured, spiny fur urchin-spiking, an irritated glint stark in sun-blister eyes. "You don't," he spat, horned ears flitting flat against his skull. Stars, it was a familiar sentiment... he only hoped Erminepaw would grow out of it the same way Pinkshine had. "You will b-b-buh... will be one of WindClan's finest moor runners under my watch. Is that not sufficient?" A dare for a challenge, perhaps.

(Purrs of congratulation would come later.)​

✦ penned by pin​

 

[BLUEFROST]

Bluefrost hovers just outside the nursery at Scorchstar's call, her eyes narrowed against the icy bite the wind now carries. She has no real business attending the meeting — her apprentice had been reassigned moons ago, and she no longer sits upon the leader's council. The Clan's affairs are not her concern any longer, but... she had never missed a meeting, not even when she'd been nursing, and she does not intend to start.

Sootspot receives an apprentice, which causes Bluefrost's eyes to narrow. Another cat for him to manipulate. An unforgiving green stare sears into her older sibling's two-toned pelt, though not for long. Her brother's likely-stolen brood, as well as some errant nursery kits, are given their apprentice names and mentors. Pinkshine, Downyfur, Tigersting, and Featherspine receive their first proteges, which she supposes is a blessing; the young warriors will have a chance to prove themselves, one way or another. Scorchstorm loses Buckfire and gains Bramblepaw, which she believes to be an interesting choice.

Bluefrost waits, tense, wondering if Scorchstar will announce Thriftfeather's fate to the Clan... but the tortoiseshell ceases speaking after Buckfire's acknowledgment, and she exhales her frustration. Would Scorchstar heed her? Thriftfeather had spent an entire moon in the nursery, and while she appreciates that the children have grown so close to him, she wishes Scorchstar would extend a paw of some sort... some gesture to show her mate had been welcomed back into the Clan.

Her lower lip twitches, but she does not speak out. Instead, she disappears, back inside the nursery, where the kittens cry for her.

『 out of character. 』 ✧･ﾟ:* 『 about. 』

• ooc: —
• 
• Bluekit . Bluepaw . Bluefrost, she/her w/ feminine terms.
  — “speech”, thoughts, attack
  — 23 moons old, ages realistically on the 14th.
  — mentored by Sootstar ; mentoring Brackenpaw ; previously mentored n/a.
  — windclan queen. sootstar x weaselclaw, gen 2.
  — penned by Marquette.
  
  
  lh blue smoke she-cat with white and emerald eyes. aloof, dignified, poised, haughty, composed, distant.
  
  

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[Beetlepaw!]

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ She shuffled over, paws dragging on the ground at the sound of the Scorchstar beconing. A tiny part of her was hopeful, and another dreaded her name being called. Their new leader stands steadfast in front of Tallrock; she half expects her to start rattling like a snake about to strangle her dreams to death. Even injured Beetlekit feared her decision, and her shaking became worse after her name was called. One by one, her fellow denmates were called and swiftly assigned to their mentors. She curled into herself; everything was happening so fast, and of course her name was last, and...

Tigersting. A moor runner. Which makes her a moor runner apprentice. The newly named apprentice was the first of her peers as she scurries away not even looking for her new mentor. She was meant to become a tunneler, and today was supposed to be a good day. This wasn't supposed to happen.​

 

[bramblepaw -]

✦ Of all the meetings Bramblekit has attended, this was to be the most important - to date, anyway, because her warrior ceremony will probably be more important, but that's almost too far away to imagine, more than her currently lived lifetime away - and the tabby could hardly contain her excitement. She surged forward at Scorchstar's call, nestled between her two siblings as listed and as they walk, and it took all she had to school her paws into stillness once the summoned kittens came to a halt. Did she look respectful and proper for her ceremony? She had to! Paws pushed into the solid ground and head held toward the sky, the strain of her posture was enough exertion to stifle the need to move.

The sibling's names were shuffled as mentors were assigned, but she noted it only to the extent that it seemed appropriate. Heatherpaw and Nightpaw - her face glowed with pride for her siblings - deserved to be called first, before everyone got tired of cheering. And if Scorchstar hesitated after calling Bramblekit, there was a good explanation for it; she denied the mystery for the few seconds she could, unwilling to investigate whatever set unease coiling in her stomach. Golden eyes closed against the answer like she could hide from it. Bramblepaw was apprenticed to Scorchstorm: lead warrior, defender, and moor runner.

What was she meant to do? Erminepaw hardly accepted his assignment, immediately asking to swap paths, and was shut down so soundly and certainly that the dark child winced for the young code-breaker who played with his prey. Beetlepaw shrank small enough to become a tunneler as her future was decided, and sulked away at the first opportunity, entirely going against the expected behaviour. The long-furred, long-legged, sore-jointed youth knew that a glance to her father would confirm that the other moor runner apprentice's hadn't done what they were meant to, and that she couldn't do the same. She spared herself the ache of knowing. Maybe... maybe she would talk to him, later.

Bramblepaw fixed a smile to her face as she turned toward her new mentor, purposefully crinkling her eyes when Buckfire's words further the pit in her stomach. She has to be a star pupil? Well, if anyone can be, a daughter of Sootspot is bound to. "I guess I have big paws to fill, don't I?" She laughed, anxiety mimicing the bubbles of excitement in her words as she leaned forward to touch noses. Nightpaw's words filtered to her and she silently thanked her brother for guidance on what to say. "I look forward to training under you."​