don't let me down [ IMPORTANT DISCUSSION ]



Under no means should this be a matter of contention, and a relieved groan (it isn't a very pleasant sound, mind you) rattles from his chest when the notion is baulked at. Hampering their efforts for the sake of one mangled apprentice, wagering the well-being of one against the health of many. It was ignorant to the high stakes they're playing with, and such a decision would prove disastrous in terms of comparative benefit. Flamewhisker, perhaps, could be afforded a shrivel of pity, seeing how her ill-founded line of logic stemmed from some measure of motherly distress. However, that did not grant her the power to set the terms going forward.

Put in her position, where he'd have to weigh his kin's safety against the betterment of all, would his perspective remain unchanged? The presumption prods at his judgement as he clears his throat to speak, sparking hesitation. He supposes it wouldn't. His world found its purpose in the security of his family, and he, too, would act with similar consideration for their survival.

Difference is, he'd never expose his offspring to the perils of this mission. The same cannot be said about the ThunderClan molly.

A soured scrunch of the muzzle acknowledges Magpiepaw's decision. Orangeblossom's presumption that the medicine cat apprentice belonged out in the mountains, rather than camp where his assistance was required, seemed misguided. The apprentice himself, however, resigns himself to this - mounting the burden on ShadowClan even further. It was now up to four of them, rather than five, to deliver a clan's worth of lungwort when they needed it most. His vision stalls on the inkspill feline, and then on SkyClan's deputy, before he turns to glimpse the broader crowd.

Tail-flourishing, shoulders held firm, Smogmaw circles back to the matter at paw. "All of us, every one of us here, has a role to play in helping their clan recover from Yellowcough. It is our job to see this lungwort delivered, and then distributed. Our kin deserve to be freed from this sickness as soon as possible." His amber gaze sweeps over those gathered. How many family members, friends, mentors, apprentices had each lost so far? "It is honourable to pause your efforts and help Stormpaw," he continues, "but unwise to delay our mission because of one. If splitting up is what must happen, then let it be so."

The deputy's attention then pursues the forms and outlines of his clanmates in the crowd, traces of urgency, desperation aglow in his eyes. "All I ask is that my other ShadowClan companions stick with me and head home. We are fewest in number here, and cannot risk splitting off smaller. It's vital that the lungwort - all of our portion - reaches our clan in the coming days."

 
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[ cw: mild ableism mention ]

The look she gives the ThunderClan apprentice is one of baseless pity. Not the sort that a clanmate or friend would give. Sharppaw would not dwell on the sad truth of what Stormpaw's life may become. She does not mourn for her— but for the life she would be leaving here in the land beyond the clans. So much worse than a misisng eye, or a broken limb; her body looked ready to give out completely. She could not walk now, but would she ever walk again? Sharppaw is silent, sparing glances to Stormpaw with only brief flickers of a silver gaze. Sharppaw prickles with apprehension, the thought burning in his mind: If it had been him...

But it had not been. Sharppaw did not need to find herself crouched with ears down, the subject admist dozens of voices, not chattering to her, but about her. So long as it was not him, why should he care? He does not spare anymore glances, from there. He feels the weight of his broken tail more than he has in seasons.

He would look to everyone besides her— to WindClan, to SkyClan, to RiverClan and ThunderClan alike, and then finally land on the greyed face of her mentor. ShadowClan needs this lungwort.

It's an excuse, really.

She just wants to be home. Because, stupidly, a part of her believes that things will be different, once she's back.

It occurs to her just how grown - up Magpiepaw sounds here. He recalls the strange wobbling kit that had pounced on her tail seasons ago. A blink— and now the two of them were here, the Medicine Cat Apprentice prattling on. He sounded wiser than much of ShadowClan did, and very suddenly, Sharppaw is discontent with the thought of him staying behind, potentially to be eaten; or to be swept off his feet. " ...I will continue on with the rest of ShadowClan. " he says. Presumably, anyways, by Smogmaw's request.

And then, somewhat awkwardly, she adds, " Will you really be staying, Magpiepaw? " Her frown weighs heavy on her voice. Not - quite worry, but, maybe something like it.
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  • ( IS THAT NOT BRAVE ENOUGH FOR YOU? ) SHARPPAW: Mentored by Smogmaw
    —— he / she , no pref , icked by they prns ; fine with gendered terms ( tom, molly, etc... )
    —— currently 15 moons old. warrior ceremony delayed due to lackluster progress.

    a dark smoke feline that stands at an above average height. Easily identifiable by her namesake – an unruly mat of fur, destined to be cluttered by inconsistencies between her chimera fur. Burdened with a broken tail. Recently, she has realized it can still function, though she has wholly believed in its utter uselessness for so long that it cannot without great effort. Anxious, antisocial, paranoid. Sharppaw has not known peace for a single time in his life, and lives anticipating inevitable dangers to the detriment of herself and others.
    Obsessed with the perceived 'game' within ShadowClan, the rules of which she is unaware of. Striving to be someone more likeable due to this.
    heavy ic opinions! he sucks.
 
Like Sharppaw, Cherrypaw does not spare Stormpaw a shred of dignity. The apprentice has to wonder at the thoughts racing behind dulled eyes, the pain she knows all too well and more blurring her back and hindquarters. Her wounds, which would heal far faster than hers, ached at the sight of them. Are the ThunderClanner's thoughts similar to hers, in those agonizing moments just after Little Wolf took her last breath? Could she feel everyone silently grieving her loss of ability? Her warriorhood, too, may have been thrown in contention; at least in Cherrypaw's eyes. Figfeather couldn't climb trees with her leg, but at least she had her other hind leg.

Whispers about the injury had drifted through the little clowder like dandelion fluff. "Only StarClan knows if Stormpaw would ever be able to use hers again." Funny, hadn't it been Stormpaw who'd kept Cherrypaw awake with her prayers? The calico's heart lurches at a thought so cruel, and curls her tail around her paws as if to prevent it from escaping. Maybe it's all her fault, the little, cold voice inside her chimes. If she had just left the dogs to the WindClanners, she wouldn't be in this situation. We wouldn't be in this situation. Maybe Cherrypaw doesn't have to feel so sorry for her, and so intolerably bitter. Then both of them could just be the stupid little apprentices who'd foisted the burden of sacrifice upon others.

Nobody wants to stay behind. Everyone sympathizes with the ThunderClan mother's plight, having lost a longtime companion and nearly a daughter now, but still. No one—except for the already-wounded and already-lame, give or take a few bleeding hearts. Orangeblossom's words are a mallet to the gong in her chest, leaving it shivering and leaking notes of panic. Cherrypaw is wounded, and her mother and mentor and friends would be leaving her behind. Scorchstreak would inevitably cajole Scorchpaw, with only a face wound, and her brother to her side. Duskpool and Bobbie is staying, but Duskpool is perpetually wounded and Bobbie is...Bobbie. She's nearly as small as the WindClan tunnelers, and only a warrior for as long as Cherrypaw has been an apprentice. As much as she likes her best friend's mother, trusting her with her life seems like a bad idea. (Then again, Little Wolf had been Bobbie's size.)

Quietly beseeching eyes land on her mother. Don't go. The words writhe eel-like behind her teeth. Please don't go. Cherrypaw feels so hypocritical it hurts. She couldn't be stuck with a gaggle of slow-moving, wounded strangers; her mother couldn't just leave her here. Then again, she could. Rationally, Orangeblossom is well-within her rights too, and moreover, she should. Rationally, Cherrypaw knows this.

The kitten in her heart claws at her unperturbed, squealing and mewling and outright begging for her to at least say something in its defense. "Say hi to everyone for me," she says to the nearest leaving SkyClanner. Her voice reveals a little more hurt than she intends, and she cringes internally. She's not Lupinepaw; it's not like she immediately thought she'd die. Still, was it so wrong to want to go home, especially if everyone she liked was leaving?​
 
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.i'll be your calm, ———

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——— before the storm!.
———————— ————————
He had a feeling this was going to happen. Since he had seeing Flamewhisker turn back to look at the dogs. Since he watched her discover Stormpaw's body, since he watched Magpiepaw tend to her. All of this was... shocking. So totally and wholly shocking. It was never supposed to happen, and that's the thoughts that come over his mind as he approached the small meeting that Flamewhisker called. Almost instantly, he could tell who would go and who would stay.

Those who hailed from callous and colder clans took away the choice from their clanmates. Hazecloud's words come as a bit of a surprise- green eyes shifted towards her, staring. Shock was in his optics, but his face was neutral. His ears twitched backwards, listening to those around him come to their decisions, and he tugged his vision away from the gray Riverclanner, his eyes closing. Nightbird spoke, and he knew he had to go. All of these cats were stay home, all of them from different clans, but if that left so little of Thunderclan to return home...

He spoke, his voice rough and filled with welled emotions. He had to get back home. Tigerpaw. Leopardtongue. The sick cats in the medicine den... He had to go."I'm continuing on. With Nightbird." He cleared his throat. No, he wouldn't cry. He'd see those he journeyed with soon enough- his clanmates, his friends, his best friend. Head turned and tilted now, resting on Hailstorm. It seemed they had the same idea, anyways.

"speech"​
 
The lead warrior knew to expect some discourse from his decision to keep pressing on. While Orangeblossom seemed to speak some sense at first, his mangled ears flattened when she implied that she would be staying back while he and the others continued back to the forest. "What?" Slate scoffed, a frown curling onto his broad muzzle with disbelief. "Ora, you can't be serious." He meows to the bi-colored she-cat.

He whips his now-fiery gaze toward the wounded Stormpaw, her fawning mother, and the other cats going back and forth on what was the right choice to make. They would all make it back faster if they stayed together, some argued, but what if they didn't? What if there were more dogs, eagles, and even twolegs that would prey on them if they remained out in the open for much longer?

His blocky head turns back toward the direction of the SkyClan deputy as he tries to convince her otherwise, "We all knew the risks when we volunteered for this mission. Nobody should have to feel obligated to delay our return, especially with so many sick waiting back at home. The lungwort has always been our first priority." If it were him, he would have urged them all to continue! No fussing over his injuries, no fighting over what to do. His own life was not bigger than the task at hand.

The Maine Coon lashed his tail, the idea of departing without Ora and without knowing if he'd even see her again overwhelming his mind and making him run his mouth even more, "If anybody should be staying behind, it should be the apprentice's own clanmates. They can look after their own. SkyClan can't afford anything happening to their deputy." Who would step up in Orangeblossom's place if, stars forbid, anything happened to her? Silversmoke? Slate wanted to retch at the very thought.


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    SLATE
    —— he/him; lead warrior of skyclan; former rogue
    —— bisexual; single; not looking
    —— hulking, scarred charcoal-black colored maine coon with amber eyes
    —— "speech", thoughts, attack
    —— link to full tags; @ on discord for plots.
    —— penned by beatles
 
The first to arrive is one of Windclan's lead warriors, Scorchstreak. She too, a mother with kits on this journey. She watches as Scorchstreak approaches her, and tells her that she is thankful that Stormpaw had survived. Flamewhisker dips her head, and mews back, "Thank you. Me too...I don't know what I would have done if.." she silently trails off, knowing full and well the other she-cat knew exactly where she was going. If she had lost her daughter, her entire world would crumble. Kits were supposed to bury their parents, not the other way around.

One by one, they each begin to speak their opinions. She wasn't surprised that Scorchstreak declared she would be continuing on. The tabby hadn't had much faith that anyone Windclan would stick behind. Besides, Scorchstreak had her kits here with her, having them out here any longer than needed would just increase the risk of anything happening to them. She dipped her head in acknowledgment. Orangeblossom is next to speak up, and she is thankful to have the Skyclan deputy's support. Next, Periwinklebreeze, the Windclanner who had lost his eye to the dogs speaks up. He wishes to stay behind with her, and she smiles faintly at him. "Thank you."

She listens to each of their opinions, sending thank yous to those who offer to stay back, and silent nods to those who decide to trek ahead. Hazecloud speaks up, declaring that none of Riverclan would be helping. She stares at the molly for a brief moment, then turns away. Now was a time to hold her tongue...shortly after, Dovethroat offers to help...perhaps all Riverclanners weren't so stone hearted. Magpiepaw speaks up, and tells everyone to let their hearts decide. "We only need a few extra sets of paws to stay behind...I am not asking everybody to stay. I am very thankful for those who have volunteered already."

Duskpool and Bobbie offer to stay back as well, and she shoots the other mother a warm glance, Thank you. If the roles were turned, she would stay behind to help as well. There were too many conversations going on for her to hear Stormpaw's apology, but if she had, she would have been over to her side in an instant. She opens her jaws to speak, but Slate's outburst took her by surprise. "I am not forcing anybody to stay behind." she responded, her eyes narrowing instinctively. She hadn't been a fan of this tom the entire trip, and this certainly wasn't helping. "The lungwort is still a priority, that is why we are splitting up. I would not have asked for help if we didn't need help." She then turned to Orangeblossom, taking a second to blink the emotions that were begging to be released back. The red tabby wasn't sure how much longer she could keep herself composed.

"It appears it has been decided. Our group will be separating. Thank you to all those who will be traveling slower with us, and I wish those who are traveling ahead safe travels." she then dismissed herself, heading towards Stormpaw.

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    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​



 
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    orangeblossom | tags
    — she/her ; deputy of skyclan, mentoring eveningpaw.
    — scarred white-and-ginger she-cat with brown eyes.
    "speech" ; thoughts
    — chibi by waluigipinball
    — penned by mercibun. @ me in any official tabbytales discord for plots.
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Around her, cats speak up, splitting; the ShadowClanners and RiverClanners seem adamant that they'll all go on ahead, but Dovethroat at least volunteers to stay behind. It's a rough situation, she acknowledges silently; though she thinks taking the time to help Stormpaw is the noble decision, and therefore the correct one, she knows they were sent here for the lungwort they carry. Orangeblossom glances at Needledrift, who has so far been silent, but the conversation continues before the grey-and-white she-cat speaks up.

Orangeblossom nods at Nightbird, respect for the molly increasing minutely at the agreement of her suggestion. She doesn't often agree with Blazestar's bias towards their neighbours, but the white-toed warrior settles in her mind as a cat she might be able to trust in future. She'd bring this up to Howlingstar the next time they spoke. Figfeather decides to go onward, the first SkyClanner to do so, and Orangeblossom inclines her head as they make eye contact. She wouldn't say no. Periwinklebreeze opts to stay behind, as do Duskpool and Bobbie.

But a familiar voice, appealing directly to her, compresses Orangeblossom's scowl even further.

"Of course I'm serious." She retorts, ears flattening. Her eyes narrow as @SLATE continues, searching his face as he does so. She settles back on her haunches, posture taut. Slate might not have realised this, but Orangeblossom knows that if any SkyClanner had been in Stormpaw's position, she would be staying behind to help them home, deputy or not; actually, if anything, it would have been her duty. If none of the SkyClanners had gone ahead of the group, she would have; but there were cats continuing at speed, so it's not something she has to think about. Others have made that choice for her.

The group begins to disperse, thank StarClan, and she approaches the lead warrior. Speaking in a terse undertone, she meows to Slate, "Look. With at least you and Figfeather going, the lungwort will get home safely. It's not like we're staying here for good; we'll just be moving a little slower. I ..." She spares her daughter a glance, tail flicking, and leans in slightly closer. "I don't want to risk Cherrypaw reopening her wounds. If we rush it, she might. This way, you get to get the lungwort back to SkyClan, and I don't lose my daughter." This way, Flamewhisker won't lose hers.

Another breath. "Take my lungwort, as much as you can carry, and tell Blazestar we're coming. Depending on who we can spare, he might want to send cats with ThunderClan to keep watch. Give us ... double the amount of sunrises it takes you to reach Highstones before you start to worry. We'll be fine."
 
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Her gaze does not waver as she met the eyes of her Clanmates, the only cause of forcing her sights away was the trill of a silver tabby. Her words bounce off her like a steel plate, feeling nothing at her whining attempt to keep them all together. Did the altitude fill their heads with air? Did they all forget what was at stake here, how many lives depended on what they held? Nothing would slow her down now, not when they were so close to the finish line. Not when her Clan was so close to salvation.

"In case you haven't noticed, RiverClan is the only one that didn't need a Lead Warrior to attend, ThunderClan needed two." A quick shift toward Dovethroat reflected the flash of betrayal that sent a pang against her chest. Of all the cats she expected to speak against her, the dusty tom was not one of them. Especially not after the nights they'd spent beside each other, the moonrises spent reassuring he had the strength to return home with the rest of them. She needed him to arrive beside her, every single one of them.

"Fernpaw, that is not-" The rest of her sentence exhaled in a poorly hidden huff of frustration. Slate was pleading to his Deputy, coming to an uncomfortable realization just how similar he sounded to her own thoughts. Was she thinking like a rogue, or was Slate speaking like a Warrior? Wherever that answer lied she still wanted to place as much distance in any similarity between her and the SkyClanner.

Instead she turned to face Dovethroat, her tone unnaturally flat. "If that is the choice you're making, I won't drag you back by the ears. I'm sure Cicadastar will be very understanding of your decision to help ThunderClan." I'll make sure Ravensong knows he was the only one to not return, too. Only missing a few death-defying doses surely wouldn't upset him.

Hazecloud deliberately avoided meeting Batwing's eyes. There was enough weighing on her already, she might just buckle under a single glance into a field of emerald. In the end he would move on with them, too. With nothing else to say the smoky molly turned and padded away.

//out
 
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If it wasn't apparent before he'd chosen to speak, Greeneyes knows now - after others follow his words - how this will go.

Freckled ears flatten against his head as safety is dismissed in favor of speed, a dimming gaze darting from face to face as they speak similar opinions, despite choosing separate fates: whether to ensure the arrival of their mission's purpose, or to ensure the return of one of their fellow party members.

Stormywing is the only one to agree with him. He turns to look at the ThunderClanner, a silent thank you shared in a nod of the head. Despite his gratitude, though, one cat agreeing with him isn't going to change much.

Separation is impending - unavoidable - no matter how loud he ties to speak up.

And, he can't help the hurt that strikes him at Figfeather's words, at her disagreement. How could she think not sticking together is the best option? How could she think further separation - after everything they'd gone through - would be for the best? Why couldn't his own sister, of all cats, see what he sees?

She doesn't voice her fate at first, and though the slight from his littermate twists at him, he feels his fate will be tied with hers, feels like he must go where she goes - to make sure she remains safe, no matter what happens. Where she goes, he hopes, will be with Flamewhisker and Stormpaw, that the injured apprentice and her mother won't be left behind with no one to aid them.

But Magpiepaw speaks, sharing a speech on making one's own decisions - something that his sister finds meaning in, finds her own fate in.

Going home. Going ahead with the lungwort. Her golden gaze meets his namesaked sight before he can even process this, a question of his own fate asked of him.

"Will you be coming with me?"

"I…"

Hesitation is thick in his voice as he looks to her, as he hears Stormpaw's voice break onto the scene.

Suddenly, he wishes he were an apprentice, wishes someone else could chose for him now. He doesn't know if he could live with himself. Doesn't know if he could, if he went with Figfeather, and something happened to Flamewhisker and Stormpaw's group in their delay. Doesn't know if he could, if he stayed back to aid in carrying Stormpaw back toward ThunderClan - only to come across something horrible, only to have to carry Figfeather's form back home.

But he knows - knows they've been delayed enough, that lungwort needs to come home sooner, rather than later. And he knows all too well he is not one to leave others behind, knows that he'd urged Duskpool forward amidst rubble, knows that he'd stopped to help free Honeyjaw from his brambled confines. He knows what he must do, knows what Figfeather must do too - not together, but separate.

"Fig… I — " he starts, before letting out a sigh and shaking his head at his sister's inquiry, "I'm staying. You can go home, but… But I have to stay."

For not long, he hopes. From where they stand now, they shouldn't be too far from their return - a slowed return shouldn't be too terribly long. Soon he'd be reunited with Figfeather again, with SkyClan again.
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    GREENKITGREENPAWGREENEYES, 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

    : * — 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.
 

cats decided to come and go, nightbird listened idly to their debating and deciding. batwing would be returning with her, and although a few thunderclanners were unaccounted for still it seemed the majority was planning to stay back with stormpaw. it was their choice to make, nightbird cast no judgement.

one riverclanner seemed adamant about her clan to push on together. she could understand that. what she could not understand is the dig at thunderclan after flamewhisker's mild chiding. her tail twitched, a scoff passed her throat. having two lead warriors accompany their clanmates on this journey was far from a bad look for thunderclan's council.

"does that not say more about riverclan than anyone else?" she counters with a cool glare. it wasn't anyone's fault but the river dwellers that their lead warriors had grass for spines, and to bring it up at a time like this? when cats from all clans were banding together for one of the journey's injured. hazecloud had such nerve, it was misplaced, especially for a cat who couldn't even rally their own clanmates to agree.

"we'll see you all at highstones, stay safe." she turned to address the cats who would be staying with a dip of her head. although her eyes lingered on the thunderclanner's a little longer, she did not completely brush off the generosity of the cats from other clans who stayed. nightbird turned to head off, she would need to rest before this continued on.

  • out!!

  • NIGHTBIRD she/her, lead warrior of thunderclan, twenty-six 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.

 
The others argue, but Scorchstreak has already made up her mind. One of the SkyClanners makes a verbal jab at her—I would hope any mother would do the same, from the slow-moving she-cat—and Scorchstreak's lip lifts into the shape of a snarl, tail lashing once behind her. She is a mother, but she has her own family to look out for. She and her kits will be continuing along—because they are her first priority, and as much as she'd like to drop everything and lend her aid to a fellow mother in need, she cannot. She cannot jeopardize her kits' safety, her friends' safety, her clan's safety. Her blazing glare flickers away to embers when Periwinklebreeze speaks up, though, insisting that he should remain behind. Mouseflight next declares that he will not remain behind, and she regards her clanmates with a carefully neutral expression.

She searches for conviction, for good reason to allow any of them to stay behind. They are all hers to look over, to defend; what kind of lead warrior would she be if she were to let one of her own die? But she will not force any except her own kits, and cannot deny that Periwinklebreeze's decision is a wise one, especially given the extensive injury to the young warrior's eye. She nods once. "Very well. I will not tell you whether to come or to stay. Stormpaw will need the help of many, and I trust that you're capable of helping her." Truly, Periwinklebreeze has more than proven his competence and trustworthiness on this journey; she respects his decision to remain behind, no matter whether it is driven by a sense of duty or by a reluctance to return to WindClan.

She watches some of the other cats begin to depart from their grouping, those who will continue on home. She jerks her head in the same direction, ear flicking as she directs those clanmates who have made the choice to continue on. "We should get moving, then."
[ BE A FIRE, BURN THIS DOWN ]
 
Mosspaw perked up as one of the lead warriors from Thunderclanner called for attention to announce a delay. Hers had often been the loudest voice such delays, but for once she did not raise it. This time it felt unavoidable, with an injury like that. Then, however, Flamewhisker explained her idea more fully. Two groups, one to help Stormpaw, and one to get the lungwort back home as soon as possible.

She nodded, slowly. It was a sensible plan. One that left only the question of who should stay behind.

"I wi-" She started speaking without thinking, surprising herself with her intent to announce that she was staying behind. The decision would have been unthinkable to her, once. Now though, all the cats around her felt like clanmates, and it was wrong to leave a clanmate behind. As soon as Hazecould began speaking, however, she quickly cut herself off. She blinked as the warrior proclaimed that no Riverclanner would be staying behind.

It was not her place to contradict a warrior. Besides, she reasoned, there Hazecloud was right. None of them should be staying behind. She had been foolish to think otherwise. For all they had been though, she had to remember these were not her clanmates, those were still back at the Riverclan camp. Still that did not stop her heart from aching with sympathy for Stormpaw

Mosspaw merely nodded her assent at Hazecloud's assertion, averting her gaze from Stormpaw.​
 
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☁︎
She crumbles as more and more cats, Fernpaw included, announce they will go on ahead. But similarly, for every cat who speaks up that they will stay behind, she perks up, eyes glowing with gratitude and admiration. How selfless all of these cats are to stay back and help a ThunderClan apprentice, her kin. "Thank you," She mews sincerely, visibly holding back more emotion. Her ears pin to her skull as Nightbird and Batwing prepare to press on. Betrayal at how easy it is for them to do so.

Her paws take her back to Flamewhisker's side, where she presses for comfort. "We'll be okay," She tells her, looking to the lead warrior to Stormpaw to all who volunteered to stay behind.

// SUPER QUICK POST but i wanted to get this interaction in! @Flamewhisker
I WANNA TASTE LOVE AND PAIN ☁︎
 
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"I would only slow you down, Smogmaw." The apprentice chirps, making clear he would not be balking from the decision. His clumsy and wobbling steps had added to their venture and he would not stall their return if he was better suited to stay back anyways; Stormpaw needed him, the others were all close to highstones and capable enough on their own. He is inwardly pleased that Perwinklebreeze was staying back too, he had been worried over his eye for most their walk since patching it up and being able to check on it and clean the cobweb out would give him relief rather than worrying it would sour and fester without proper care.

Sharppaw addresses him and his crooked tail flicks to the side before he smiles, "Yes. Tell Starlingheart I'll be home soon, but I can't leave them..." His duty was to the sick and injured and he did not care their clan nor background - he would help them all the same. StarClan had insisted they work together, to abandon them now would be a refusual to their ancestors will and cruel on its own.
"Please travel safely."

  • OOC can go here.

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

 
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As she departs from addressing the group, it isn't long before Stormywing is at her side. Flycatcher's niece presses against her side, and for a brief moment she feels slightly comforted. She closes her eyes for a moment, but almost as soon as she reopened them, the feeling was gone. What she would give to have Flycatcher here right now...he would know what to do. We'll be okay she says, believing that she would be staying behind as well.

Flamewhisker shakes her head, and lifts her gaze to meet Stormywing's. "I need you to go with Nightbird and Batwing." she says quietly, her voice tired. "Thunderclan needs you help carry back the Lungwort...we're already carrying extra from Little Wolf.." Her gaze darkened as she mentioned her friend's name, and she turned her gaze off to the distance, her mind appearing to be far away. "I know you want to stay, but please listen to me...Cloudyfur needs you."
  • flamegal.png
    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​



 
stormbanner.png
☁︎
Her ears immediately prick. I need you to go with Nightbird and Batwing. "But-!" She shoots a look up at her, alarmed. She listens despairingly as the orders are given to her. With Little Wolf gone and several ThunderClanners already planned to carry her cousin, there weren't many mouths left to bring lungwort home as quickly as possible. The logic is there, but the immature part of Stormywing wants to argue and stamp her paws and demand she stays with her kin. But then Flamewhisker mentions Cloudyfur, and Stormywing's ears pin flat to her head.

Her sister needs her. She needs the lungwort as soon as she can get it, and now she knows she must go. The frown pulling tight on her lips makes it obvious she isn't happy at all about it, but she relinquishes with a dip of her head mournfully. "Alright, Flamewhisker," She mews back dejectedly, understanding in her voice.
I WANNA TASTE LOVE AND PAIN ☁︎
 
Cherrypaw isn't thinking of the sick cats in SkyClan. Crowpaw, Lupinepaw. Her siblings. None of them were sick, at least not anymore, and they wouldn't get sick again if they were smart. Ferrying the lungwort back is not her job, not even her priority, and neither is the care of Stormpaw with the wounds already burdening her back. Her selfishness is becoming startlingly comfortable. As she loathes it, she sinks herself deeper into it, letting the warmth of shame burn up her ears like an embrace.

She whips her head around at Slate's outburst. 'Ora?' From a distance, his words could be taken as reasonable. But Cherrypaw knows him, and in this moment she hates him too. Her mother has decided to stay, and he dares try pry her away from her injured daughter for—for what, exactly? For whatever reason lay behind this nickname so foreign to Cherrypaw's ears, who had only ever heard herself say 'Mama' or 'Orangeblossom.' He thinks he has the right.

He thinks! Cherrypaw wants to scream at him. What about her? If not her for her own sake, then what about Orangeblossom's flesh and blood? What about his own apprentice, who he'd raged at while Little Wolf's body lay cooling a fox-length away, while blood still ran freely down her flanks? They hadn't talked since, and Cherrypaw is grateful to him in only his decision to leave.

SkyClan can't risk its deputy her tail. Slate would probably give all of Blazestar's nine lives up if it meant saving his own woolly pelt. StarClan knows she saw him turn to stone at the sight of the dogs, while Scorchpaw and Stormpaw mangled themselves leading them away. StarClan knows she loathes him right now like she loathes the grooves carved into her back, with equal parts guilt and fury.

The world tilts into red. She glances away as her mother leans into Slate, trying to douse her burning gaze in the familiar face of another, but all she can see is their backs. Iciclefang, Fernpaw, Mosspaw, Figfeather, Scorchpaw. Stormpaw—it's all her fault, has to be. If she hadn't injured herself upon that dog's teeth, they wouldn't have had to split up to care for her, and Cherrypaw wouldn't be left behind. But—AH!—she knows the thought's wrong from the outset. It's easier to blame her if she doesn't have to look at her sorry face. Or anyone's, really.

Faintly, she hears Flamewhisker mention something about Little Wolf and the extra lungwort. Her head, it spins, it burns. Could she shut up about Little Wolf for once in her life? She literally could not be more aware that she died, and also that they all could've died to the dogs and will continue to maybe die in the future, also kind of to the dogs. Or maybe their maybe-deaths would be because of Stormpaw, as if the ThunderClanner needed to feel worse about the situation. At least she didn't get anyone else killed.

StarClan, she just wants to go home already.​
 
It feels like this was inevitable.

The dog attack was bad. Worse than Sedgepounce thought it would be. He doesn't know why, it's just—after everything that's happened, he didn't expect getting so close to home before it all fell apart.

Many are injured. Sedgepounce sits with them, relatively unscathed. His bruises are from the rest of the journey, but Stormpaw, Cherrypaw, and Periwinklebreeze aren't so lucky. There's not much more they can do but to hobble along. Splitting up seems...sound.

Only one from WindClan deigns to stick behind. The rest step away, and suddenly there's this huge chasm of space between then. Sedge feels like he's looming on the precipice of some big jump, and if he doesn't act now he'll miss it; the space is growing broader.

The lungwort needs to get home. He thinks of his friends, his family—but mostly of all the cats he's heard stories about from his travel companions, those that are sick and dying already without this cure. The heavy weight of their journey's intent is a storm cloud yet to wane, but at the same time, Sedgepounce can look over at the cats right in front of him and see the scabs just barely knitting their wounds together. These are cats that need help, too. And he is well enough to provide it.

"Me too," Sedge says lightly, stepping forward to give Periwinklebreeze a friendly bump of their shoulders. The ever impervious frown of Scorchstreak meets him as he levels his clanmates a smile. Best of both worlds, he thinks. The lungwort gets where it needs to go, and the wounded don't have to suffer for it.

Besides, what's really waiting for him at home? Beetlenose, Hawkswoop? Their unimpressed faces when he shuffles back into camp, or even worse—the lack of them altogether. He can stand to wait.​