camp FACING TRAGEDY // discussion

[cottonsprig]

[ this takes place while sunstride is out sharing the news! ]

Cottonfang finds her gaze drifting towards the camp's entrance more often than not. She knows that it's paranoia, plain and simple, plaguing her mind. The cats that've left with Granitepelt would not return so soon - none likely have had the chance to lick their wounds yet, even. But still, they retain their ruler, former queen of the moorland: Sootstar, in all of her diminishing glory. Would Juncopaw, Peonybreeze, Thriftfeather - would they return to save her? Or are they all to run eternally?

She glances that way, too, anxiously waiting for the return of Sunstride. He had gone out, to notify the other four Clans of the ongoings on the moor. She worries for much of them still in WindClan are battered and bruised just the same, the rust colored tom included. Cottonfang can't help but lean into her companion's side (should they not shake her off immediately,) and ask, "Do you think the other Clans have received him well, thus far?" Or have they taken joy in shredding him to bits? If Sunstride, their destined leader, dies before he can name a successor, what happens then?

"Howlingstar is too nice, I think," she continues in desperate hope to assuage her own thoughts, and perhaps those around her too. "Blazestar and Chilledstar... probably cold, the both of them, but amicable. Smokestar, on the other paw..." she grimaces, ears pinning back for a moment.​

 

[RATTLEHEART]

Truthfully, it had been difficult for Rattleheart to just let Sunstride go out to see the other clans without issue. They knew that - much like Cottonfang - their usual anxiety was plaguing their mind. Sunstride could clearly handle himself, and the pairing of Scorchstreak and Bluepool was sure to keep Sootstar from stirring up any trouble in his absence. Yet still they shifted from paw to paw, gut churning as they listened to Cottonfang's questioning. A soft chuckle left them when they heard her, though it was dry and absent of any real humor. "I'm sure that some of them have. Thunderclan has mostly been spared of any trouble lately, and I'm sure that Chilledstar is at least still grateful that we made sure their kits were returned." The we in their statement was literal rather than referring to the whole, considering Rattleheart had helped bring the kits back alongside their sister and Sunstride.

The eventual mention of Smokestar caused their ears to flick back, jaws clenching at the thought of Sunstride having to deal with the Riverclan leader's hostility. A hostility that was not wholly unwarranted considering Smokestar's near death at the Moonstone, but not appropriate to focus towards Sunstride of all cats. None of them had approved of Sootstar's taking of that territory, save for the loyalists that were now scattered away from the moors. "Smokestar will definitely be more difficult than any of the rest of them. I don't really think that he's the forgiving type, but he'd be a fool to try and hurt Sunstride right now. Not when there's finally a chance for some kind of peace without Sootstar around." Or at least not in charge anymore, considering her weakened form was still slumped over in her den. Hopefully Sunstride would decide what to do with her upon his return.
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[ PENNED BY EO ]​

 

[GRAVELSNAP]

➴➴ The clan has shifted into a state of rebuilding, and though everything is beginning to feel right again, Gravelsnap cannot help but to think that it feels wrong. Thriftfeather is gone, having followed after Granitepelt, and they may never see him again. They had trained the golden-striped tom for half a year, and they had lost him in the span of a day. They could have lost Bluefrost, too, or Periwinkelbreeze or their brother, but out of everyone… it had to be Thriftfeather. The thought still makes their eyes burn.

The warrior sits silently nearby Cottonfang and Rattleheart, ear flicking idly as they listen in on the others’ conversation. The idea of Sunstride going out on his own was not one that Gravelsnap cared for, given WindClan’s history of being attacked across their own borders, but the older tom had not given anyone the chance to go along with him. So they are stuck here, awaiting his return with worry shining in their eyes. "I hope he comes back soon." They shift from paw to paw, unable to shake the concerns from their head. What will we do if he doesn’t return?​

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[SOOTSPOT]

Sootspot couldn't care less if Sunstride lived or died on his victory parade. He had joined him at the crossroads, wary the other route would lead to a bear's maw, but fondness for the rosette tabby had been absent since the moment the rogue showed his face on WindClan soil. Despite his indifference, he could feel nervousness rippling through his clanmates like a river disturbed by feeding fish and the chimera was sure to wear his smile with a little less hubris than usual. The Tunneler settled close to his sister, listening to her opinions on each leader with a twitch of an ear. "Everyone has been so desperate to get rid of ou- Sootstar, that I am sure that even a frothing bear delivering the news would be treated like a hero," he quipped softly. "He will be fine." The words were partially meant for Gravelsnap, partially meant for the medicine cat apprentice, who had solidified his fate by running away. Betrayal was a scab that he picked at over and over, she'd inadvertently saved his life, but the distance between older and younger siblings had grown wider than a meadow.

Eyelids fluttered at the mention of ShadowClan kittens, head tilted somewhat towards Rattleheart. Something akin to a heart tightened in his chest, his smile growing strained. With a ruffle of fluffy fur, Sootspot straightened his posture and decided it was not worth giving the foxheart anymore of his attention. It would be best if his involvement in the kitnapping was forgotten (and if it wasn't... well, he was coerced into it, threatened with death if he did not comply; no snake had ever been caught in the knots it tied itself in). 'The code never said you can't steal kittens.' Sootspot glanced towards Cottonfang once more, gaze growing sharp with curiosity. He pressed his maw forwards as if on the edge of discovery, "It does bode an interesting question though, should he fall to one of these groups. Who would become the next leader of WindClan, Snakehiss?" He had been the most recent Deputy, as unappealing as the ratty tom was. His attention, once flittering between every clanmate available, now rested solely on Cottonfang, waiting to see her reaction to the idea.



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[cottonsprig]

Perhaps forever going forward, Cottonfang appreciates Rattleheart's soft confidence. The bicolored feline seems to know what must be said at any given point in order to calm the nerves - a mediator, perfectly built. It's unfortunate that words and conversation has not been an active lesson throughout the WindClan youth. Perhaps thankfully, Rattleheart and Sunstride each being around tell her that such can change. Wolfsong believing in her, despite their bumps in the road, tells her that all will be fine.

Sootspot's slip of the tongue, followed by the correction, is met with a flick of a dark grey ear. She tries not to think of their mother, even with the smoke colored woman only ever being foxlengths away at all times. Still, her brother isn't wrong. "I'm..." she pauses a beat, blue eyes glancing over Gravelsnap for a second - and suddenly she feels out of place again. A rebel, in a camp of loyalists. Her ear flicks back, "I'm not sure how I'd feel, if Sunstride returned with news of cheering." There've certainly been no celebration here, in WindClan.

She opens her maw again to agree with Gravelsnap, and perhaps continue the chatter about the other Clans, when her brother voices her thoughts. Cottonfang of course wondered who shared the fear and worry - but she did not share the same outcome. Her nose wrinkles, and she's oblivious to the way her brother stares down at her, plucking her strings in an effort to gain a reaction. "Snakehiss will be lucky if StarClan doesn't drown him in a star filled pool, first." She wonders, if one dies in StarClan, do they die forever?

The conversation, however dreadful and unwanted, does drive her curiosity however. "Perhaps Wolfsong would step up? If the grief doesn't take him first."​

 

[heathermoon !!]

The wait for the mountainborn tom felt like claws dragging over ice. Sunstride had shown the power he was capable of without fear, without demand and had kept himself and so many others safe despite the unknown truth about how it would all end. What Heatherpaw did not consider was that Sunstride was not just smart but that his mind was not addled or poisoned with self inflated grandeur. It was not a power he was used to of course, so many of WindClan only knew a leader like Sootstar.

While they all waited the quiet had stretched on longer than Heatherpaw felt comfortable with and there's a moment of relief as Cottongfang leaned into him and broke the silence. Her question is another he didn't worry about at first, not understanding the possibility they would assume Sunstride were lying. Or so vengeful enough to take advantage of their weakened state. Sootspot voiced the first concern Heatherpaw had and tilted his head in thought with him. However he can't help but laugh at Cottonfang's quick response.

"Yeah. I think another coup would stir up." Because screw that guy! What a snake-spined loser, turning tail at the last second. He had all the time before their final battle to condemn that witch and instead he played her game... "WindClan needs a real leader more than ever. Maybe... Bluepool could take it." She didn't struggle picking her loyalties. ​

WINDCLAN APPRENTICE ✦ RED MACKEREL TABBY ✦ 16 MOONS ✦ TAGS​

 

[slateheart]

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ Slatetooth had taken the moment to get a breath of fresh air. It was hard to contain himself in the medicine cat's den, waiting for his itching wounds to heal, and even harder knowing his Clanmates were out and about repairing camp and resuming their warrior activities without him.

It is with a heavy sigh that he settles down near Gravelsnap and some others. Sunstride was out sharing the news of Sootstar's demise with the other Clans, and he can't help but worry that someone, somewhere is going to take his presence poorly. Poorly enough to prevent him from coming home, one way or another. As the cats nearby chat, he finds some morbid comfort in that he isn't the only one with such a worry.

The speculation starts on how the other leaders will receive Sunstride's news, and admittedly Slatetooth isn't sure. He's never personally met the other leaders, and has barely any gathering experience under his paw - he can't say he'd know them more than enough to simply recognize them. Then, the conversation takes a turn as Sootspot starts speaking, wondering who will take over incase the deputy didn't return. The guess of Snakehiss is met with a contempt snort. "I'd sooner go back to Horseplace," mumbled the black-furred tom. Not that he had any quarrel with Snakehiss, but he's seen enough of his foul attitude.

Wolfsong and Bluepool didn't seem like bad choices. He pressed his tongue to the top of his mouth as he pondered what other cats would fit. A cat Sunstride would pick as his deputy, Slatetooth mused. He was lost, though, and it's a heavy reminder that he truly knows nothing about his own Clanmates after moons of hiding himself away. "Scorchstreak?" he suggested with a hint of doubt. He was really just guessing at this point.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎┌── I SEND HIM A SMILE ⋅❁⋅ HE TELLS ME 'LOOK DOWN' ──┐‎

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• SLATETOOTH ✩ he/him, moor-runner of windclan, 19 moons.
  ⭃ a short-furred black tom with low white markings and green eyes.
  ⭃ son of LYNXTOOTH xx ADELAIDE // brother to GRAVELSNAP, ASHPAW
  ⭃ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ⭃ penned by ixora ↛ @.ixora on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
  

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[PINKSHINE]

Pinkpaw doesn't really know that much about the other leaders, besides them probably being nicer to Sootstar... it's weird, 'cause when she was a kit, she would hear about the gathering, but suddenly, when she was old enough to finally go to one she thought, Sootstar wanted nothing to do with them no, more... Was Hazestar really a kittypet with a loud, jangly collar? She flicks her ear listening to the older cats talk... Smokestar wasn't very nice, apparently... " Me too, " Pinkpaw mews in agreement with the grumbly snow - fort cat... She didn't fully get what he had left to do, but he should get back before it's dark...

And Pinkpaw wrinkles her nose when Weird Sootspot speaks. Should he fall to one of these groups. Huh, huh? Her confused gaze pivots to Cottonfang-paw, then to Heatherpaw, then to Slatetooth... " What're you guys talking about? " she whines. " Why would anything happen to Sunstride? " He'd been deputy forever and ever, um, probably, she thinks... So he'd get to be leader forever and ever real soon... Even though she had thought Sootstar would be leader forever and ever before but... It's be for real, this time. Pinkpaw had only been thinking about how soon he'd come back, not him not coming back at all!

staring at the mirror gotta smile, smile 🌸🌷🦄🦩 don't be late, we got plans!

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• NOTE: SHE IS A FEVER COAT BABY!!
  

  

• ( IT'S TIME TO START A FUCKING RIOT, RIOT! ) PINKPAW APPRENTICE OF WINDCLAN. DAUGHTER TO BRIGHTSHINE & HEAVY SNOW. SISTER TO HEATHPAW, DOWNYPAW, & FINCHPAW.
  —— SHE / HER; UNOPPOSED TO THE USE OF OTHERS
  —— CURRENTLY 6 MOONS OLD. AGES EVERY 16TH
  
  A tiny, longhaired calico she - kit with sunburst eyes ringed blue around her pupils (central heterochromia). While you can clearly see her flame markings on her face, the rest of her body is currently covered by a grey fever - coating. Though the whites of her are still very much visible. Pinkpaw bounces around WindClan without a care in the world! Her emotions are big, and she makes little effort to regulate them, resulting in both her usually cheerful disposition, as well as making her prone to sudden bouts of extreme anger or sadness. Rarely seen without a smile!
  

  HEAVY IC OPINIONS! Pinkpaw is a very irrational and childish character!​

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[RATTLEHEART]

Laughter was a rare sound around Windclan these days, most giggling spirits far too dampened by all that had occurred in recent moons to be jovial. There would be time for more celebration later, when the blood spilled on the ground was long past stale and the loyalists were nothing more than a distant, unpleasant memory.

In this moment, though, Rattleheart found that they couldn't help it.

The suggestion of their next potential leader left Sootspot's muzzle, and his fellow tunneler immediately found laughter to be bubbling up in their chest, using their ribs as a ladder to go bursting out of their mouth in a fit of chuckles and frantic giggles. The thought was so ridiculous that they found it difficult to even take seriously, monochrome shoulders shaking with laughter so intense that they had to cover their muzzle. "No! In what world would Snakehiss ever be our leader if Sunstride fell? Sunstride certainly didn't choose him as his deputy, and Soot's choice matters about as much as anything in the dirtplace now." They no longer bothered addressing her with her full title, seeing as they were certain Starclan no longer wanted her to possess it either. It was just another sign of the lost respect for the slowly decaying former leader, and the fallen apart regime they were content to laugh hysterically at.

With their temporary giggle fit over, they turned their attention to the others present as they began to suggest actually possibilities for who would take over in a worst case scenario. A thoughtful hum left the tunneler then, their head lightly listing over to one side. "I suppose it would be any of the three. I'm sure Sunstride would trust any of his current council to take over if the worst happened." Rattleheart supposed Bluepool and Scorchstreak weren't technically officially on Sunstride's council, but they couldn't imagine him demoting them, either. "Maybe we'd vote on which of them we'd want to take over. That way it would be a decision that the majority was happy with... I doubt anything will happen to Sunstride, though. Anxious as I may be, I'm sure the other clans will be relieved to hear his news." They hoped that would be enough to soothe Pinkpaw's nerves, considering they hated seeing the sudden confusion spread across her face.
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[ PENNED BY EO ]​