forbidden friendship — lost puppy

[FOXTAIL]

StarClan, it's starting to get dark, Foxtail observes as silverpelt begins to cloak the sky. It's been quite a long day; he can't wait to go back to camp and share tongues while eating some fish. Their patrol heads through the territory, and Foxtail knows it'll only be a few short minutes until it's time to retire for the night. But as he pads along with the patrol, his ears suddenly pricking up in alert. ...He hears whimpering, but it definitely doesn't sound like a kit's mewling. "D-Do you guys hear that too?" He asks his patrolmates, and the younger warrior comes to a stop. "...I-It sounds close by," Foxtail murmurs as he focuses in on the noise, deciding relaxing back at camp can wait a little bit longer. He pads carefully and follows the sound, and when the fuzzy warrior turns the corner, his eyes widen at what he sees.

A dog! ....But more like a baby dog— a puppy, right?

The pup is smaller than him and his clanmates, but it's ears are long. It's skin is rather wrinkly, especially around it's face. It helplessly sits in RiverClan's territory, whimpering and howling. Foxtail's heart pangs as the little pup cries; he might not speak it's tongue, but anyone can hear the sadness coming from it.

They can't just leave this puppy here. It might be harmless by itself, but it can still bring trouble if it's mom or twolegs come looking for it. In the distance, Foxtail sees a light illuminating in the twoleg camp, and he looks back at the innocent, sweet pup. "It must belong to those twolegs," He mews quietly, but not quiet enough. The pup's whimpering dies down and tilts it's head with curiosity, before sniffing it's way over to the patrol. His fur puffs up in alarm. "That's close enough-" He begins to gasp, but is interrupted as the puppy sniffs his fur closely, and he notices it's tail wagging. "We- We have to take it back to the twoleg camp!" He mews as the puppy sniffs another clanmate, curious by the creatures it just discovered. The pup lets out a tiny howl, and for a second, he wonders if it just agreed with him. ​

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• puppy is a bloodhound!
  
  "The cats are not the only ones bringing in new life, a small baby animal is found while out on the territory."
  
• 
  
  

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  credit to skaicraft (via insta) for the artwork <3
  
• Foxtail

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  warrior
  warmhearted
  timid
  experience: trained
  backstory: tbd
  biography: [HYPERLINK]
  credit to sixbane for the minis & tropics for the icon <3
  

  cisgender male [he / him]
  eyes: green
  pelt: cinnamon/chocolate
  fur length: long
  parents: dawnflower and redfur (riverclan npcs)
  17 moons
  

  ---

  ​

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[HOUNDSTRIDE.]

Hound can't help his reaction. Instinctive as breathing, as his paw smashing into the water to haul out a fish. The pup gets too close to him, sniffing at the scarred side of his face, and his paw goes flying. Thump! A sheathed paw smacks hard into the side of the dog's face. It recoils instantly, a mournful woooo of agony bright in the air around them. "Wasn't even that hard," he mutters, though it satisfies him anyway to see it pull back. Right until it jerks back in, nosing at him harder. He hisses and rears up. That tail goes faster and faster, clearly curious, and Hound strikes out at the air just to get it back again. Foxtail's still talking on, eyes turned to the distant lights, and he's–

Panic's not quite the right word for it. His heart's beating fast at the thought of those encampments. Wasn't it just this season when they founded this clan that those hunters'd done what they did? He thinks of Cicadastar. Those twolegs. "What in the stars name are you on about? Taking it back?" Another swat to the air to fend it off, and it finally gives up and goes back to friendlier clanmates. "An' what d'you reckon we do if the twolegs catch sight of us? I'm not catching another'f those collars for anything." The feeling of thick leather, wrapped tight around his neck — claws digging in uselessly 'cause he'd never let another close enough to gnaw at it.

Does this pup wear one? Hound's not about to get a close enough look past those giant ears and skin-covered neck to find out.

𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐋𝐄𝐓: 𝐎 𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊.  ╱ ( 𝑬𝑿𝑰𝑻 𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑳𝑬𝑻 ) 〚 03.11.2024 〛 𓆟༝ ˚ ｡ ⋆｡˚ ༝ • .𓆝

• OOC. —
• 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄. HE - HIM - HIS. PRODIGAL WARRIOR OF RIVERCLAN. ————— mauled by a fox moons ago and has the scars to prove it. though his wounds are healed, nothing can rid him of that pain.  ╱ PENNED BY REVELATIONS
  
  a lean chocolate tabby with lime green eyes. the scars that had once been limited to the bridge of his nose now shatter and expand across that entire side of his face, up to a ripped ear and down to his shoulder and front right leg. it is somewhat difficult for him to put his weight on that paw at odd angles, and he gets grumpy after a long while of walking, but it does not inhibit him terribly.

• "speech"

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[Petalnose]

An awful sound was sounded, head swiveling to prick forward at the source. A clanmate's softer tone murmured near it, sending her muscles tense. It sounded like dog. It smelt like dog. This would lead to disaster. Death.. possibly. Why had the voice sounded of rather flustered tone rather than fear? Dread? Maybe rushing forward wouldn't be the best call to action in this situation.

Petalnose crept forward, glancing through the reeds to find a small body baying at Foxtail. Then it moved over to Houndstrike in curiosity, having been swiped across the face, emmitting a startled yelp. Of all it could be, it had to always be one of a predator. This was a threat to their clan, if Foxtail hadn't understood that she would let that be known. Houdstrike hissed his peace of mind, scolding of the clanmate and expressing his experience with the furless creatures. But where was the labor? They needed it gone. Now.

Brows pull forward as she slinked out of her cover. A hiss erupted loudly in attempts to intimidate the dog kit, throwing a swat through the air as she spat, "Having this in our territory is bad news! Drive it out!" She commanded, attempting to drive forward to push the young animal away as it slinked near Foxtail. "Don't be gentle to it, having it follow us is luring trouble!" she snarled, a lash of her tail expressing her distaste to the scene. Houndstrike was right... A mother, twolegs, or even worse.. a pack of dogs would be welcomed into their lands in search for their young. It was best to drive it away.. or hide and pray to the stars for mercy.

Tags​

 

[FOGSHORE]

It's been a long day for Fogshore, he lifts his head up to observe the darkening sky. He can't wait to go back to camp, and slink back into his nest and lay there until he falls asleep. The patrol he was on, trudges through the territory. The feathery chimera perks his ears forward, as he heard nearby whimpering. A mournful sound really. He glances through the reeds, to spot Foxtail and a.. A puppy? That's odd. Seeing the wrinkled bundle of a baby animal, bound around sniffing his clanmates. It was strangely cute? It's cute. With a firm nod to himself mentally, he pushes pass the reeds to pad up next to Foxtail.

Waving his tail in a greeting of 'hello'. He glances at Houndstrike swiping a paw across the poor things face, he angled his ears down slightly at the scene. Hearing the pup's yelp made him twitch. "I agree with Foxtail, we should take the little thing back." he speaks up, frowning at the way Petalnose hissed at the long eared pup. He gets the whole 'it's a predator, it's dangrous' but- "Do we really want the pup's Twolegs or.. mother come stomping in here? It won't happen unless we take it back where it came from." He clicks his tongue, as he watches the floppy eared puppy bound up to him. The thing sniffs at his swirling feathery coat, with a wagging tail. Curious. The tom pokes at the pup lightly with a paw, as he observes the pup with a curious sniff of his own.

MAKE IT LOOK PRETTY ✦ BENEATH THE MOONLIGHT

•  
• no ref yet </3
• ( well, that was.. interesting ) FOGSHORE : warrior of riverclan
  𓇼 non-binary ; HE / HIM ; currently 33 moons
  𓇼 bisexual / single / sort of looking / open to crushes
  𓇼 LH blue smoke & SH white chimera with amber sectoral eyes and yellow sectoral heterochromia
  𓇼 action , thoughts , "Speech, 9EB8D9"
  𓇼 smells of freshly baked cinnamon buns & distant rain
  

  ic notes: has light sensitive eyes.
  squints in the sunlight.

  
  - tags / @ on discord for plot
  - penned by calzone
  
  

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[FOXTAIL]

Foxtail's ears pin back as Houndstride smacks, albeit gently, the little pup. It lets out a wooo as it whimpered, but it didn't take the pup very long to start sniffing the older warrior again. After Houndstride smacked at the air, the puppy seemed to understand to stay clear of the older tom. Houndstide might think Foxtail to be mad to suggest going near the twoleg camp, especially since it's now in use. But the pup smells like the twoleg camp, and the warrior quickly thinks what to say back.

"W-We don't have to get close enough for the twolegs to spot us," He mews as the pup starts to sniff him again, Foxtail taking a step back. "Sooner or later, those twolegs are going to notice their dog is missing," He takes a glance over to Fogshore, feeling some relief that someone agrees with him. "E-exactly! Either we return the pup, or we risk it's mother or twolegs searching for it...." And both of those options sound awful; a puppy is essentially harmless, but the wrath from it's mother can be fatal if it tracks the pup's scent here. He shakes his head as Petalnose suggests chasing the pup out, as she lashes her tail. "No, I don't think that's a good idea.... It's j-just a pup," He mumbles, he knows he shouldn't be.... defending the little pup, but it's just as helpless as a kitten. It doesn't know it shouldn't be out in RiverClan territory. It is just as vulnerable to predators like hawks and snakes, maybe even other dogs. Anyone can see that it doesn't understand the danger of wandering alone.

He lets out a tired sigh. "Well, if it's going to be following us, we can at least lead it to the twoleg camp." He pads away from the patrol, looking over his shoulder. And lead it away from RiverClan camp. If Houndstride doesn't want to get close to the twoleg camp, Foxtail will understand if the older warrior stays behind. It's a risk, heading near the twoleg camp during Newleaf, but they can't have a puppy wandering in their territory. And it doesn't feel right to him to chase it off! "C-come on puppy! Follow me," He mews at the puppy, beckoning it to follow him. The puppy tears it's focus away from whatever clanmate it was trying to sniff, letting out an arf! He nervously swishes his tail, looking back at over his clanmates who have gathered. "...A-Anyone else want to help?"

It'd probably be more safe if there were more of them, right?​

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• 
  
• 
  
  

  ---

  credit to skaicraft (via insta) for the artwork <3
  
• Foxtail

  ​
  

  warrior
  warmhearted
  timid
  experience: trained
  backstory: tbd
  biography: [HYPERLINK]
  credit to sixbane for the minis & tropics for the icon <3
  

  cisgender male [he / him]
  eyes: green
  pelt: cinnamon/chocolate
  fur length: long
  parents: dawnflower and redfur (riverclan npcs)
  18 moons
  

  ---

  ​

​

 

[QUICKJAW]

On the outskirts with an arched spine and a lashing tail, Quickjaw had been prepared to swat at the puppy if it dared come any closer to him. The young of other animals interested him very little, but he'd heard enough horror stories to know that a predator's baby was bad news. When it wasn't chased off straight away, his blue eyes shifted between those who'd gotten closer to the dog, ears twitching madly at their discussion. StarClan knew how they could hear each other over the panting and occasional 'awoooos' that pierced his ears, even from a short distance away, Quickjaw could only make out enough to get the gist of everyone's stances. When the bloodhound seemed more interested in Foxtail, the flame point moved forwards. "So.... Would you still want to let it go if it was a badger cub? That things gonna grow up and it's gonna hate us whether we help it or not, maybe we should..." The idea caught in his throat before he could say it, looking away from the chimera in guilt. Even for the good of the clan, some things were too dire to stomach.

'Sheesh, was I really gonna suggest killing some dumb puppy?' It made sense, kill it young before it grew old enough to kill you back, but... it still didn't sit right with him. This dopey and irritating thing wasn't causing them any harm yet and that should've been all that mattered. "Nevermind, dumb idea," he huffed, forcing a smirk upon his muzzle. He looked to Petalnose for direction and, when she didn't give him any fast enough, he slouched after Foxtail: if the former wanted the pup driven out, he'd oblige, just in a way that didn't involve wetting his claws with blood. "Fiiiiiiiine, I'll help," he mewed, shadowing Foxtail and the dog, keeping just a big of a distance to make a break for it if the puppy chose to follow him instead. "But if that thing starts slobbering on me, I'm throwing it in the river. It takes a lot to style my fur and I'm not having some dog ruin it." The short spikes across his body did little to give the impression of a well-groomed tom, but Quickjaw would promise it was a deliberate look, that he wasn't as unkempt as he let his appearance and nest suggest. In truth, he just didn't want to get licked.




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[Snakeblink]

MAYBE I'D BE A SAINT IF I WEREN'T ————————————​

Having not had many experiences with dogs, be they good or bad, Snakeblink looks at the wrinkly little thing with bewilderment. It’s so— ugly. Kittens are much cuter than that, and slobber much less on top of it. But Foxtail and Fogshore have a point: it’s one thing to have a puppy around, and another one entirely to have an adult dog or twolegs tearing through the territory in search of it.

”We ought to push it in the river and let Thunderclan deal with it,” he sighs, padding up after the three younger warriors — he would rather not leave them alone to lead this thing to the campsite, and considering Houndstride and Petalnose’s reactions to the dog he suspects they would not gladly take up that duty. ”Approaching twolegs on purpose is a dangerous idea. We will drive it closer to their camp and then leave before we can be noticed, understood?”

This said, he darts forwards and snaps his teeth at the puppy’s back paws, urging it forward. If the damn thing runs away in the other direction, he will go get a larger warrior than him and ask them to throw it bodily into the water, he swears.​

——————————————————————————————————— so god damn lonely ​

ooc. information.

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• 
  
  
  — Snakeblink • he / him. 50 ☾, riverclan warrior
  — a sleek, skinny tabby with long ears and a scar over his right eye.
  — gay, not actually evil, penned by @Kangoo
  
  
  

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[HOUNDSTRIDE.]

"Stars above," Houndstride grouses, 'cause he knows reason's already lost with this crew. Soon as Snakeblink shows up, all respect to Smokestar's council, the battle's over. Fond exasperation despite his very real reluctance to deal with this beast almost makes him smile. It's not a fox. It's face is too fat and its eyes too round. Even all grown, it hardly seems like it'd be much of a threat to the clan. That doesn't mean much, he knows. Even one'f the twoleg kits can wound a cat with their big clumsy paws. This thing's still got teeth. Still got that playful need to bite. But the nip at its paws seems to work some, and it leaps away from Snakeblink off towards the lights. Only a few steps though before it turns back and heads towards another clanmate.

Suddenly bold, or perhaps just sick of the waffling around, Houndstride darts in front of the pup and makes a soft, "Mrr?" at it 'til it follows. It follows him well enough. "Foxtail?" he calls on over. "You've made friends of it– you act as bait an' I'm sure it'll follow. Rest of us can herd it on, yeah?" His eyes dart around the group, distracting him long enough the dog gets too close and Houndstride's got to launch himself off to the side to avoid it. "Keep it from wanderin' off and it'll be home right quick. Though ThunderClan's not a half bad idea."

𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐋𝐄𝐓: 𝐎 𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊.  ╱ ( 𝑬𝑿𝑰𝑻 𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑳𝑬𝑻 ) 〚 03.11.2024 〛 𓆟༝ ˚ ｡ ⋆｡˚ ༝ • .𓆝

• OOC. —
• 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄. HE - HIM - HIS. PRODIGAL WARRIOR OF RIVERCLAN. ————— mauled by a fox moons ago and has the scars to prove it. though his wounds are healed, nothing can rid him of that pain.  ╱ PENNED BY REVELATIONS
  
  a lean chocolate tabby with lime green eyes. the scars that had once been limited to the bridge of his nose now shatter and expand across that entire side of his face, up to a ripped ear and down to his shoulder and front right leg. it is somewhat difficult for him to put his weight on that paw at odd angles, and he gets grumpy after a long while of walking, but it does not inhibit him terribly.

• "speech"

​