HEARTBEAT OF THE EMBER / 10.2024 MEETING

[SCORCHSTAR]

༄༄ Try as she might, the deputy could not convince mountain-born paws to rise from the sick den, to leave Wolfsong’s side even for a moment. Sunstar had refused to leave his mate’s side—yet the clan still needed to hear the words of a leader. And so once more, she finds herself standing before her clan as the figure of authority. It is not a path Scorchstreak would have chosen for herself, if ever it were presented to her. However, the path of leadership is not one edged in flowers or rainbows. It is thorn-sharp beneath her paws, ensuring that all she leaves behind are the bloodied imprints of a tunneler’s paws. Now, she must walk it alone for the second time—and it is hardly better than the first, though at least it lacks the fire that had threatened her clan back then.

It feels almost like blasphemy to approach Sunstar’s perch with the intent to climb it, to set four paws upon the stone that should know only three. So… she does not. Instead, the calico makes her way around to the front of the rock, where she stands shrouded from the light of the mid-morning sun. "All those who race the moors or stalk the tunnels, gather beneath the Tallrock." She does not bother to disguise the tired edge to her voice, already feeling the pressure of having all eyes on her as golden eyes cast about the gathered cats. "Sunstar is with Wolfsong, and has asked me to hold this moon’s meeting in his place." Well, he hadn’t exactly asked, but there had been a discussion. There had been an agreement. "The worst of the yellowcough plague seems to have deserted us, but if anyone begins to feel ill, do not hesitate to seek out Cottonsprig or Celandinepaw." Golden eyes shift to the two whose names she speaks, scrutinous. Cottonsprig’s trustworthiness is a broken thing, disproven by Sunstar’s revelation, but she is still WindClan’s only fully-trained healer while Wolfsong recovers.

"In other news, in case it has not been spread around to everyone yet…" she doubts it has escaped anyone’s notice, although it affects WindClan very little. "Flamewhisker of ThunderClan is now Flamestar. At the gathering, she announced that a usurper in ThunderClan murdered Howlingstar and claimed leadership for himself. He has been killed, his forces defeated, but for a moon ThunderClan knew what it was like to stand beneath the rule of a tyrant. In the wake of this, Flamestar put forth a new addition to the warrior code: the clan’s deputy is to become leader when the leader dies, retires, or is exiled. In Sunstar’s place I accepted this code, as WindClan has always respected this ruling." She does not mention Sunstar’s rise to leadership; this new law may be flawed in such a way, but surely none would question the morality of refusing the rule of either Snakehiss or Granitepelt. As far as WindClan sees it, Sunstar had remained the moorland’s truest deputy until his ascension to leader.

She straightens, taking a steadying breath. "Apart from that… there is one kit amongst us who is ready to become an apprentice. Thistlekit." Her gaze is uncharacteristically warm as she looks down upon her nephew. Rattleheart is gone, but still his legacy lives on in the forms of each of his children. Thistlekit is no exception, with bright eyes and a patchworked white-and-black coat. It is good to see that the kit is no longer weakened by illness—finally, he is ready to take the next step in his life’s journey. It is a shame that the clan’s true leader cannot be the one to name him; Scorchstreak’s hackles prickle as she imagines StarClan’s disapproval like a breeze carding through her coarse fur. She is merely grateful that there are no warriors to name, because she had not discussed the topic of names with Sunstar. "You are of age to become an apprentice, and so with great honor, I name you Thistlepaw. Your mentor will be Gravelsnap; they are a skilled moor runner, and they are certain to pass down all they know to you." The deputy, in a show of mercy, does not mention that the only fully-trained apprentice of Gravelsnap’s is the very DuskClan traitor who’d come crawling back on his belly to WindClan after he’d sired his code-breaking offspring. She offers the new mentor and apprentice a moment to greet one another, and then moves on to the next order of business. Thankfully, this meeting is nowhere near as intensive as some that she has seen before.

"Finally… Scorchstorm, you have proven yourself a capable warrior of WindClan for moons. Since your birth, your spirit has known no equal. Your ferocity and your loyalty are something to be commended." Her daughter, who looks so much like Badgermoon, so much like Dappledsun. Who wears the badges of her worth upon her face, her broad shoulders. "Sunstar and I invite you to join the council as a lead warrior of WindClan… if you accept." Golden eyes flash, seeking her daughter’s gaze, almost apologetic. This is not how it should have gone. I am sorry it is me. I am sorry it is not him who asks you this.

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

• ooc: TL;DR
  - @THISTLEKIT is apprenticed to @GRAVELSNAP
  - new addition to the warrior code: "The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires, or is exiled."
  - @SCORCHSTORM is promoted to lead warrior
  
  activity shoutouts for this month go to @SUNSTAR @cottonsprig @CELANDINEPAW @dimmingsun @BLUEFROST @SCORCHSTORM @SOOTSPOT @PINKSHINE @downyfur @BUCKFIRE @SEDGEPOUNCE @Brackenpaw @Vulturepaw
• 
• SCORCHSTREAK ❯❯ she/they, deputy (tunneler) of windclan
  ༄ small, slim flame-streaked calico with fiery golden eyes. cold and closed-off, ferociously protective of her clanmates. rarely seen aboveground.
  ༄ 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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[SCORCHSTORM]

It is not Sunstar who calls this meeting. Scorchstorm's ears perk to her mother's corralling cry; copper and golden eyes find Scorchstreak sitting below the Tallrock. She sounds... tired. Her daughter understands. With Wolfsong sick and Sunstar tending to him so tirelessly, managing the Clan falls squarely on the council's shoulders, and they are already so few — with Bluefrost's betrayal, and all of the death that has afflicted them.... She understands. She rises from where she and @BUCKFIRE had been sharing a meal to join the beholding clowder.

Her tail flicks as her mother explains her presence now, as she warns of yellowcough and illness, but it is ThunderClan's story that intrigues her. She had heard it at the gathering already, but the way it so clearly echoes WindClan's own struggle with Sootstar rings through her, as if her very ribs could chime the tale. She had known them — the journeyers, anyway — had known the cats who were pressed beneath the claws of a tyrant mere moons after Sootstar's own defeat. Somewhere in the dark recesses of her stomach, an adder whispers, did they understand? Did they regret what cruel things they have said about WindClan? She shoos with a lick of her broad chest. More important is the addition to the code. She flicks her gaze back to her apprentice then; she and Sedgepounce had only recently taught their charges the code, but one more addition would certainly be easy to remember.

Most importantly, Thistlekit is to be apprenticed this moon. Her heart lurches as she remembers his pleading stare, his quiet question, will you be my mentor? She had not the authority nor the time, now, with Buckfire to train — but StarClan, how she had wanted to say yes; StarClan, how she had wanted to say no. She had charged him with a great and terrible responsibility. It is important that Beefang know the extent of Rattleheart's sacrifice — but imparting that knowledge upon her is not the responsibility of a child. Still, her mind cannot come up with regret; for all of her reason telling her it was wrong, wrong, wrong, her emotion scrounges for punishment. No thick oil coats her throat, no bile chokes her tongue. She had told Thistlekit to hunt, and he either would or he would not. It is out of her paws now.

He is apprenticed to Gravelsnap. Scorchstorm's knife-edge eyes slide to them, half-hearted in their scrutinizing; they are a fine warrior, and a good mate to Periwinklebreeze. They would teach Thistlekit — Thistlepaw now — well, she is sure. And besides, they are a moor runner. She could always check in (other cats may call it hovering, but Scorchstorm does not). "Thistlepaw!" she cheers, hoping her cousin has the mind to hear her.

She does not expect what comes next.

Scorchstreak says her name. Her name, and it is not to give her an apprentice, or to admonish her, or to... she doesn't even know what else. Scorchstreak says her name to praise her — a rare enough thing even when not before the entire Clan — and then to invite her to the council. Scorchstorm's tongue stalls. Her heart swells and shatters, glass in the kiln. Her mother's eyes flash sorrowful, and she understands; this is not how it should have gone. But how could she refuse? She would never disobey the wishes of her leader, her deputy.

And so Scorchstorm nods, the light glinting off her scars. "Of course," she answers, bowing her head. "I accept. Thank you."

It does not feel the way she has imagined it, lying under her ancestors' Argus-eyed watch, dazzling silver. She had expected Sunstar to be here — had expected her heart to be buoyed by the invitation, tangible proof of her worth, a gracious consequence of moons of hard work. Instead she feels... much the same as the heartbeats before, except perhaps more confusion-addled; more unsure. Still, she is fiercely stoic, expressive as marble. Will she see Sunstar later, newly knighted to his council? Will he tell her he is proud of her? Will Scorchstreak, as if her praise moments before was not enough?

Scorchstorm hangs her gaze on her mother now, her mirror. It does feel fitting, though it does not make it easier. The molly remains in her seat, suddenly desperate for the announcements to continue.

𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍’𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 ✧

• ooc.
  
• SCORCHSTORM —— lead warrior of windclan, mentored by sunstar & badgermoon . scorchstreak x badgermoon . littermate to rumblerain, frostwind, and luckypaw ✦ penned by meghan
  
  ✦ a broad-shouldered tortoiseshell with low white and dual-toned amber eyes. extremely loyal to sunstar and her family, and enjoys a deep connection to the moorlands
  ✦ demigirl / she they pronouns / lesbian / 18 moons & ages every 1st
  ✦ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / underline & tag account when attacking
  —— will start fights / will not flee / may show mercy. fights honorably and with great ferocity. can tank a few hits, but is not the sturdiest cat in windclan. starts fights with the intention of finishing them permanently, but will not aim to maim or kill obviously young cats
  
  ✦ "speech", thoughts, all opinions are in character
  ✦ full biography — msg on discord for plots — toyhouse
  

• 

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[BLUEFROST]

It has been almost two moons since Bluefrost has skulked through the tunnels behind her deputy or at the head of a patrol. It will be many more moons until she descends below the moorland again. Still, at Scorchstreak's call, she nudges her kittens into a squirming pile and steals toward the nursery's opening. Alarm tingles beneath her fur — why is Scorchstreak orchestrating this meeting? The tortoiseshell is quick to inform the Clan of Sunstar's whereabouts. With Wolfsong. Of course. Still, her mind clouds with doubt. Even as her father had withered into fur clinging to bone, Sootstar had led her Clan; she'd barely trusted Badgermoon or Sunstar to do anything of real importance.

Does Wolfsong's well-being trump WindClan's? Bluefrost's tail tip twitches. No, her mother would not have abandoned her duties to nurse Weaselclaw; she had not even fed her own kittens when they required her milk because of her loyalties to WindClan.

And is it just that judgment that clings to Bluefrost, or is it a touch of impatience, too? Still, he had not come to the nursery to look upon her kits; still, both she and Thriftfeather await his mercy or lack thereof. How long must you avoid us?

The queen is troubled by these thoughts; she hardly hears Scorchstreak affirm her intention to honor Flamestar's addition to the warrior code. And Thistlepaw's apprentice ceremony passes without much of a reaction from her at all — as much as she had cared for Rattleheart, the deceased lead warrior's brood were ill-mannered and standoffish.

But then… her ears flick. Scorchstreak, in Sunstar's place, asks Scorchstorm to join the council. Bluefrost's glacial green gaze whips toward the crowd, seeking flame-marbled fur. Is she… is she taking my place? The smoke-colored queen's heart begins to trip over itself. Is this the only answer I'm getting?

Scorchstorm looks as surprised by the appointment as Bluefrost feels, but she lifts her chin nobly, meets her mother's fiery gaze, and accepts. Easily as that, she becomes a lead warrior of WindClan — and shouldn't it have been her to begin with? Daughter of honored deputies, ambassador of the Clan in the mountains, flame-kissed and fierce, outspoken for justice and the warrior code?

Bluefrost's jaw threatens to tremble, but she catches it just in time and locks it into place. Scorchstorm would not break the warrior code. She is not descended from madness and tyranny. She made the right choice when Sunstar left, and I—

She had been given chance after chance, and she had broken the trust of all her Clan. She had taken Cottonsprig's kits, yes — but even that, perhaps, could not atone for her sins and the sins of her mother before her.

If she meets Scorchstorm's eyes, she will dip her head — formal, a sign of respect from a subordinate to a superior — and then she will back away, sequestering herself in the nursery for the remainder of the meeting.

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

• ooc: —
• 
• Bluekit . Bluepaw . Bluefrost, she/her w/ feminine terms.
  — "speech", thoughts, attack
  — 18 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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[THISTLEPAW !]

---

His aunt's voice rings across camp, her call flowing like a fleeting summer breeze. Sunstar is with Wolfsong again, and he can't help but feel disappointed. While it was nice to have Scorchstreak be the one to conduct his apprentice ceremony - Finally, finally. - he had hoped the sun-touched leader would've been the one to do it. Most of all, he was glad to leave the nursery behind him ( no more sleeping among traitors - although Vulturepaw would be there, and he might as well be one ).

His mother's presence was missed, still, and always. He was not here to see this day in person, only from StarClan above.

The seal-point stands proud before Scorchstreak as she names him Thistlepaw, apprenticed to Gravelsnap. While his heart lies in the tunnels like Rattleheart's once had, he must do this. He needs to be above ground at all times, always watching.

"Thistlekit, your mother died for that apprentice. I did not catch his name, but his mentor, Beefang, did not honor Rattleheart's sacrifice. If it is the last thing I do, I will punish her for that." Her eyes flash. "You should, too, when you are grown." His cousin's voice plays in his head, an echo that had never once faded.

He was grown, now. Not fully, but it should be enough. It had to be enough.

After touching noses with his mentor, his ears perk at Scorchstreak's next announcement. It's directed towards her kin, her child. Sunstar and I invite you to join the council as a lead warrior of WindClan… if you accept. Scorchstorm is nothing if not deserving of such an honor and he wishes to one day stand beside his aunt and cousin on the council. Thistlepaw stares at her expectantly, and cheers when she accepts the role of lead warrior. "Scorchstorm!" His smile is genuine as he gently bumps into her.

After Bluefrost's betrayal, WindClan needed a Lead Warrior they could truly and wholly trust.

Glancing back towards the nursery, his eyes narrow as the queen slithers back into the den. It is satisfying to see.

𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 *:･ﾟ✧ 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓

• 
  ooc. —
  
• 
  

  LH Seal-point with low white​

  
• 
  
  
  THISTLEPAW he / him apprentice of windclan
  son of Rattleheart x Venomstrike, brother to Bunnypaw, Crunchykit, Vinekit and Splinterkit.
  Lissom seal-point prickly-furred kitten with white markings on his face, chest, belly, paws and tail. His tail is long and has a tufted tip.
  "speech" thoughts

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[SOOTSPOT]

'You little, snivelling partisan.'

The calls for Scorchstorm's name were deafening, the tom was grateful for his steady paws for he swore even the earth rattled in its support of Scorchstreak's choice. From his spot at the Nursery's entrance, Sootspot's body tensed, his smile not reaching his eyes as he looked expectantly toward his little ones. 'Do not cheer this gross display of cronyism,' he wanted to say, but found the words caught at the back of his throat for fear another would hear him. 'Cheer for me. I should be there on that council. Not her.' Was it being a parent that forbade him this time? Did Sunstar not think his mind sharp enough when it was divided between clan and kin?

He turned his gaze away towards the molten calico upon her highground. 'Or is it because I am of the wrong kin?' Indignation hit him like a cuff across the ears, that he would be victimised and pushed aside for something he could not change, that he had to watch the clan he loved fall victim to the same weaknesses of Sootstar's regime all because StarClan had chosen the incorrect mother for him. An ear twitched, a spark that threatened to burn the whole clan to the ground if he could rule over the ashes. Sootspot took a deep breath and got to his paws, moving closer to the bulk of the population.

"That is it?!" He aimed to shout over the cheers for a new Lead Warrior, his tail lashing. His eyes widened with fear as he settled his attention upon the Deputy, he only hoped the way he positioned himself between Clanrock and Nursery told her that he was scared for his offspring, and not of the cat he was about to test. "What about the DuskClan traitor who still stays in our Nursery? What is happening to him?! Why is he allowed to stay with our most vulnerable for so long?! What if he tries to take them like he did before?!" His tail lashed as he asked his questions. His head swivelled left and right, looking for others who would support his questions. "For the sake of the young I cherish, I need to know."
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[bramblekit -]

✦ This was hardly the first meeting to be held in Bramblekit's lifetime, or in the time since she was carried to Windclan by a firm vice around her scruff. It was the first, however, since she had begun venturing from the nursery with intent. The first she consciously chose to listen to, no longer content to sit in her nest and doze through the dissemination of announcements. The black tabby kitten sat by her father, pressed close to his hind legs like the force might keep her still. The thought prickled along her spine, impulse guiding her into place without conscious thought, the same path that a fleeting, childish frustration traveled. She knew Nightkit and Heatherkit preferred Sootspot's forelegs, and he only had two. Her place was here.

She didn't know how to conduct herself. It was an easy thing to remedy; there was an entire crowd of Windclanners to guide her, if she ever looked past her father. She liked his smile. It always seemed like a secret, one that Bramblekit was privy to even if her siblings understood better than she did. Sootspot smiled, and the crowd rallied around Thistlepaw's and Scorchstorm's names, so the kitten smiled and said nothing.

A sudden empty space beside her, and she nearly fell into it. She watched, golden eyes wide, remaining in place as the blue of her father stood firm against the muddled hues of the clan at large. Stars, she wanted to ask if everything was okay, if they was safe given everything he said was true (which it was, he would not lie), if Thriftfeather would really be so bold as to steal them from under Sootspot's nose. But those were her father's questions. He would get answers, and she would get them in turn. Instead, she glanced back to the nursery, wondering if her aunt's retreating form would be replaced by a threat to her siblings.​

 

[NIGHTKIT!]

Todays meeting was different from usual. Firstly, the sun spotted leader was missing from thier rightfully place on the rock, and replaced with thier right-hand. That was odd to see. Nightkit had got the impression that only the leader was allowed to stand on top of that rock. Secondly, it was about this new rule that had just been installed for all of them to follow. Honestly, Nightkit was still learning about the warrior code but he would take in this information to hopefully remember later.

A new member to the council got promoted that shared the same name as thier deputy did. Nightkit would blink as this news got deliverd before his eyes automatically find themself to stare up at thier father to seek for an answer. Father glanced down at them with a smile. There it was, the sign he had been waiting for in that familliar smile. It always meant something, leaking with knowlege to find. Nightkit had learned that father's smile could be deceiving, that it might not always mean what it seemed. It was importand to look beyond that smile if he wwanted to act appropriately to father's wishes. The eyes were the key, and today in that very moment failed to match with the smile. The message were clear.

Nightkit would shift his gaze from father's to glance over at where his sisters were, wondering if they had succeeded to read the hidden message like he had. Bramblekit he would find smiling just like father did. Wittnessing his sister copying father's smile brought Nightkit to look down at his own paws. Thinking, birefly so, the kit placed a forepaw at the end of his lip and pulled it up to form the closest to a smile.

Father suddenly storming up to thier paws to roar across the whole camp surprised Nightkit, and his attention was on the meeting once more as it had turned rather tedious up until now. However, father's alarming words never reached deaf ears. Father were sure to remind them all of the threat once more the clan had not yet dealed with. The rogue, his aunt. That was a problem that had not been solved. The bad was still tainting this place. He heard something he did not like. Thriftfeather could potentially take him away from his father?, from his family?. Could this rogue they shared the nursery with truly be that bad?.

Nightkit cast a wary look back over at the nursery, and if not before he now know he had to be extra careful around that outsider. He could not let them take him away. Hopefully father would get thier answers, and hopefully it would lead to solve this danger.


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