pafp everyones scared - debate

May 2, 2023
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the sun pressed high, clouds puffy and white dotting the sky that could be seen through the orange and golds of the foliage. the brown tabby would find a patch of sunlight, jaws clasped around the body of a stiff vole. it clouded their senses, and they set it gently down before circling- finding a comfortable spot to drape their body on the patch of sun. their short fur could hopefully absorb the heat as a chill breeze made their whiskers twitch in mere unamusement.

though a loneliness drifted over her as her green gaze watched others lap pink tongues over others fur, and chatter. a pang in their heart, and in their stomach that tore away the hunger they had felt mere moments away, gaze settling down on their vole. they had on occasion shared food with houndtooth, with sleekserpent, with killdeercry. but they found a frown on their features as now they sat alone in the midst of camp. and perhaps their was more loneliness that settled Barleysights features.

insecurity.

they were losing those around them, they felt. so could they really blame those, that chose to go across their borders to meet with others who feigned interest in their smell, their voice- could others really decide who one could or couldn't love? was that really fair?

"its not fair," she decided, green eyes widening in surprise at her words that fell from her lips, a frown appearing across her white maw. "whether or not destiny exists, how can others decide whats best? if destiny or- or fate exists, how should that one stop another from finding their love? if the cat they were supposed to meet with lies across the border- how can one help that? not that i personally have that- but did you hear? mallowlark left- shadowclan, was it? to join skyclan, to love dawnglare! but why does it result in exile in other clans? if your heart yearns for anothers, why should one cat stop that? what- did starclan just, tell someone-" she pushed her chest out in a type to express authority, and even deepened their voice slightly to suggest a character change, "You cannot love another across the border."

they gave a slight breath of disbelief. starclan was another debate in her head, the power they held over some other cats, but she dared not speak upon that one. her gaze travelled to the gaze of another warrior close by, yellow eyes meeting hers- was she feigning interest? or annoyance? it didn't matter, her look was not studied as barleysight decided to bring the other into the conversation. "What do you think, Stormywing? Do you think its just and fair to decide who cats can or cannot love?" they ask, wanting to hear the others mindset on the random matter. "Especially, if the cat was willing to fight for their clan- you can make friends of other clans, but not find lovers? how weird is that?"

@STORMYWING
 

Stormywing glances up from her own sunning spot, catching Barleysight's gaze. The question hangs in the air, charged with more than just casual curiosity. Is…Barleysight interested in someone from another clan? Oh no. She isn’t usually one for deep philosophical debates about the Warrior Code, but this topic strikes close to her heart - too close, really.

She shifts, her muscles tensing, eyes narrowing slightly as if she were sizing up an opponent. "StarClan didn’t make the rule," She explains after a moment, her voice firm. "Emberstar did - she was the leader before Howlingstar. After Burnstorm’s sister died at the border, caught between two clans she shared blood with. Two clans she was loyal to.” Her gaze sharpens as she lets it fall over the younger warrior, ears falling back. There’s a hint of sadness in her golden eyes as she mutters, “That is why it’s forbidden. You can’t be loyal to two clans, and it’s dangerous for you and your clan if you are.”

The warrior flicks her tail, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as she thought of her kits across the border. She couldn't exactly pretend to be impartial. As much as she wished things were different back then…as hard as she would’ve worked to make their family work, to keep loving Iciclefang, there is a reason she has kept the secret so quiet. “I get why the rule's there. We have to put our clans first, and cross-clan relationships mess things up. But you're right - it's not fair. It’s not something you can control, and that’s not fair. But showing restraint, choosing your clan first…that is in your control." If only she’d done that. But like always, she is a fool who only follows her heart.

Her eyes lock back onto Barleysight's, a flash of something burning behind them. "Destiny, fate - who cares? It's about what we decide to do with the lives we have." She’d never believed in concepts such as destiny anyway. No one tells her what to do with her life than her.
 
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leafhusk doesn’t think about love to the same degree her clanmates do. she knows she’s an attractive molly, but the thought of settling down isn’t on her mind. the traitor-induced paranoia didn’t help, either, that will take seasons to get over. for now, there’s a notable lack of red string curled around her paws, and her golden eyes do not wander. some harmless flirting across the border, or at a gathering sounds harmless, though that opinion is kept to herself. this conversation is emotionally charged and not lighthearted fun about the attractive warrior from across the border.

it’s not eavesdropping if barleysight recruited stormywing for her opinion. her head had turned sentences ago, chin resting lazily on her paws as barleysight laments about love like a hungry bard. do you yearn? you do you crave? the molly asks the crowd, sunlight dappling on her back like a spotlight. the warrior code that stormywing reminds her of happened a moon or two before leafhusk joined… she thinks. even so, leafhusk finds that particular law to be flawed and rather reactionary, although her opinion is not voiced. a lead warrior can’t voice something like that… it sounds blasphemous. especially for the clan that started the rule.

"imagine a world where the code wasn't implemented, and we had fools who twined tails with shadowclanners. oh, i'd be embarrassed for them." she pipes in, her tail sweeping over her body; laying neatly underneath a patch of sunlight. the sepia's head tilts, humming quietly as she thought on it more. "i believe the code helps maintain trust between clanmates. like stormywing said, if you show restraint over your destiny, then you stay loyal."