I AM NO KING, I HAVE NO THRONE || SkyClan confrontation

[BLAZESTAR]

ooc ; this skyclan patrol comes in peace to discuss haze's death with sootstar. you don't have to wait for sootstar to post or the skyclanners but no flooding please, so we don't lose track of things <3 again, the patrol is coming in peace!!!​

The former kittypet treks across the oak forest, past Fourtrees, until sienna paws are brushing the heather of the moorland he's only visited but once, to the Moonstone with Dawnglare. He's flanked by his deputy, Daisyflight, and his warriors - and Basilpaw - trail behind him.

His thoughts are circular. "We cannot retaliate. So we have to take things away from her." Daisyflight's words won't quit pinging the corners of his skull. He doesn't know what sort of leverage he has over Sootstar, but he intends to find out how the WindClan leader chooses to greet a patrol from the Clan of the warrior she murdered.

Blazestar lifts his head, chin aloft. He refuses to let them tear him down, tear his Clan down. He's brought only capable warriors. (Besides poor Basilpaw, but he would need the experience, wouldn't he?)

As the patrol enters WindClan's territory, he levels the first cat who crosses their path with a nod and a welcome. "We come in peace from SkyClan. Take us to Sootstar." It's a command, spoken without ire or anger, but firm nonetheless.
​

PENNED BY MARQUETTE​

@Daisyflight @churrodream @HUCKLEBERRY @HARPYFALL @BASILPAW

also tagging for prosperity @SOOTSTAR

 

[hyacinthbreath]

The smell of SkyClan smelled of barn, of chickens, and of twolegs. It's a rotting smell that Hyacinthbreath found herself disliking after so long living in WindClan. The most decent smelling ones were ThunderClan, at least- though, her opinion on the Clan wasn't much different than this one that stood at their borders.

Hyacinth is the first to arrive, with a patrol not far behind; she had been showing the following apprentice(s) their established borders when she had seen Blazestar in the distance, tail flicking to the patrol behind them- a cautionary wave, followed by a curt nod in their direction. Hyacinth waits for them to speak before she approaches them. Blazestar's words are met with a suspicious grimace.

"Bringing a patrol of cats to a border. Bold." She states sarcastically, glancing behind her at the patrol she'd brought with her. "Ah, shit. Why not? I'd love to see Sootstar's reaction to this." She gives in, shrugging her shoulders. Then, turning around to speak to the patrol members of WindClan, blunting stating. "If they try anything sneaky while they're in our territory, kill them. Am I understood? I mustn't have to remind you that we have our cats to keep safe." A stern glance is cast towards everyone present. Then, as if there was a chipper mood injected into Hyacinth's gait, she twirls back around to give the SkyClan patrol a tired grin.

"Come on, then. Must be important, for Bla..Blake..Blaze? Blazestar, right- to be here." She musters up her best attempt at awkward small talk, not used to doing so. Why would she try? Not even she knew. With the news of Sootstar killing a SkyClan cat in self-defense, it was hard for her to not want to see how this goes. After all, Blazestar himself, and his Deputy was here- it'd be a chance to kill off the root of their opponent. "Name's Hyacinthbreath. Lead Warrior. Try not to trip over the hills."​

 

[Dandelionwish]

Dandelionpaw stood stifly behind Hyacinthbreath, fur prickling at the scent approaching the border and the horrid familiarity of it. It reminded him of that altercation, that skirmish, the vision of a body on the ground and blood soaking moorland grass; both mismatched eyes closed tight to force the vision of that day out of his head before he opens them once more with a more careful look at the patrol. Blazestar, the lead warrior said, this was the leader of SkyClan. The sepia point apprentice turned to swiftly keep pace alongside the silver she-cat who intended to lead the patrol back to camp to discuss with Sootstar, that she didn't just chase them off was surprising but he figured that if a leader arrived then something serious had happened enough to warrant the visit. It didn't look like a group set for war, only a handful of warrior-aged cats and a single smaller cat he guessed was roughly his age or close. That green and gold stare found @BASILPAW in the crowd and he offered a light smile in greeting to the other apprentice, tail raised; surely they wouldn't have brought a young cat if they intended to cause a fight, seeing the other set his nerves at ease somewhat but he still clung close to the lead warrior's side as they walked, he had no hesitation in believing the molly would carry out her threat if anything happened. The SkyClan cats had a scent that reminded him of the barn somewhat, maybe one day he'd lose those pangs for a home he no longer had.

This was going to go poorly wasn't it...


​

 

[Daisyflight]

"SUREFIRE, YEAH, THE SETTING SUN WANTS COMPANY"​

Daisyflight stayed tight to Blazestar's summery flank as they made the trek to Windclan territory. The moors were unfamiliar to her, their windswept surface a good match for the bluster Sootstar seemed to exhibit. It had taken much of the walk to stitch up her well-worn facade, light and impenetrable, though once it slid down her spine she found it as easy to don as before. This meeting was not for forthright anger- despite the rumble that threatened to crackle up her throat at the sight of the windclanner's patrol.

As Blazestar gestured the other clan over, the deputy turned to look at those alongside them. Noise carried in open spaces so her jaw remained shut, but Daisyflight gave a look of reassurance and confidence. If it were anyone who started conflict, it would be Sootstar, and if that happened then the leaf was in the lithe leader's branches. They were here for peace, if she spat in the face of that- well... it would only up their standing. Regardless, that shade of confrontation was best avoided. The opposing patrol slipped closer, weaving between gorse like squirrels atop the canopy.

She listened sharply to the first lines spoken, careful to gauge the levels of tension. Admittedly, Daisyflight was a surprised by the flippant hostility shown. It was a stance more expected from the streets than the forest, Starclan following as many of them were. "Ah, there will be no need for that. We want the same, safety is our top priority." The response was said with a smile, a noninflammatory nonchalance. Her calico pelt remained unruffled by the threat- she understood it.

Daisyflight followed along as the silvery lead warrior chaperoned them, a stately stride heeding her warning. "Much appreciated, Hyacinthbreath." ​

 

[HUCKLEBERRY]

Still holding steady with a stranger's laugh ♡​

this felt all too familiar to him, hefty paws plodding across the open grounds of the moors when before they had trekked through swampy marsh alongside a similar patrol for the very same reason but this time the only thing that was different was who was leading them and the grim reason for why they were here. it was only recently that the warrior had learned that one of rain's sons, haze, had gotten into a nasty spat with the windclan leader and it unfortunately ended in his death which was quite the blow to skyclan. especially those close to rain's family.

deep, amber hues would pass a glance over at his clanmates who carried themselves with firm and unwavering forms. they were all instructed that this is supposed to be peaceful confrontation and to avoid doing anything that would result in another fight breaking out. huckleberry hoped it would stay that way the second time around. . . atleast this time he'll be present the whole way through if things did go haywire.

it wasn't long 'till there patrol was face to face with windclan's own group led by a silvery she named hyacinthbreath who seemed to jump right into the pleasantries of informing the other warriors in her patrol that they had permission to kill them where they stood if there happened to be any suspicious behavior during this trip. were they that eager to spill blood at any opprotunity presented even when met with little to no hostility?

huckleberry tucked that worry in the back of his mind for the time being and instead he continued to carry himself with a lax and friendly attitude, shooting a smile towards the moor cats and allowing a small " howdy " to slip from his maw before they were escorted up the winding hills to head to their camp.

he briefly began to wonder if he'd see any of his former barn friends. ​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

"Don't bring them any further." The strong voice of a woman is carried through the wind, it comes from a molly scaling up a nearby slope to reach them. She walks slowly, her recent wounds causing her some pain, the SkyClanner's would likely notice the two scarring injuries on both of her sides. Sootstar doesn't enjoy showing weakness infront of kittypets of all cats... but perhaps this would have the opposite affect? She was still moving, wasn't she?

"I don't want my land stinking of SkyClan, and I'm not interested in showing them hospitality in my camp." She glances at Blazestar, then the deputy of their clan, there's a displeased scowl on her face. "You're here to talk about what happened, so I won't waste time with small talk. Two of your felines were at my border, I told them to go home, but neither of them did. No, instead on my own land I was attacked, and in the scuffle the warrior who initiated the fight died." You're lucky they both didn't.

"You've heard it from the horse's mouth, so if that's what you desired to hear you can turn around and go gome." ​

---

 

[HARPYFALL]

The trek to the moors is a long one, one which the cream-furred tom suffers in brooding silence. Harpyfall's tail lashes with ill-contained agitation, his gaze skirting over the moors that opens in front of them. No cover of branches. No security. His hackles rise over the fabric tied across his neck, the arboreal warrior as antsy as a grounded bird. It's no secret to his clanmates that he possesses a deep discomfort with being marooned on the earth without the vantage of the trees.

A patrol approaches, one which reeks of rabbit dung; similar to that of their border. The leader of the patrol greets them with sarcasm, and Harpyfall must bite his tongue. Blazestar warned him that this was not an inflammatory mission, reminding him to be civil. So, instead of a remark, the daylight warrior regards them with an unimpressed glare. "Go dtachtar le d'anáil thú," he mutters beneath his breath, hopefully low enough that the WindClan cats could not overhear. Yet even if they did, he does not worry much. It's a rare possibility that any of them would understand his native tongue.

Upon the bold statement that the WindClan cats are to kill them if they 'try anything sneaky', Harpyfall barks out a shocked laugh while his claws instinctively unsheathe. He is not opposed to neutrality, but there is a line that he draws in the sand. SkyClan must protect their own as much as WindClan must. "Are we not here be slaughtered, mate?" The statement is phrased as a rhetorical question, the cream cameo jerking his head to the side in an aggressive display of, 'what the feck is your problem?'

They do not venture far into the open moors before a commanding voice stops them in their tracks. The blue smoke known as Sootstar crests the hill in front of them, and Harpyfall notes the hesitation in her stride as if each movement inflicted pain upon her... Then he sees the wounds scabbing along her sides, and his lips purse as he briefly wonders what could have caused such wounds... It didn't look like bitemarks nor scratches left by claws.

But his curiosity is stomped out by Sootstar's words. Harpyfall returns Sootstar's scowl, although contrary to hers, his is interrupted by low laughter which he cannot control. Still, he waits to hear what she has to say...

And the response leaves a bitter taste on his tongue.

The two brothers had come to WindClan's border and initiated a fight with the leader. Idiots. What had they been thinking? No, they hadn't been thinking at all. This was Haze's own doing; karma bites back, and it cost the ashen warrior his life. "What fools..." This all could've been avoided.

Harpyfall glances towards Blazestar, awaiting the leader's response...​

 

[BASILPATCH]

To say Basilpaw is afraid is an understatement. He didn’t want to trek all the way out into the open fields of the moor lands and look a killer in the eyes. Just the mere thought of it had him shaking and crying, begging Harpyfall not to make him go. But the cream colored tom had insisted and here he was, stumbling behind him as they made their long journey over to where Haze had been slain to go and see the cat who had killed his brother.

He felt like he was going to throw up.

They arrive. They are greeted by a mean she cat who smells of the moors. Then he catches the eyes of Dandelionpaw, mismatched like his own, and he starts to feel a tiny bit better that is, until Sootstar herself shows up. He lets out a small whimper of fear at the sight of her. Marigold. He wonders if she ever even knew his name, or if she knows she has taken something from his as well as the siblings of Haze.

He wonders if she even cares.

He doubts she does.

He swallows the tears that threaten to well up and spill out of his eyes and he turns to Blazestar, waiting with baited breath to hear what he was going to say, thought he does move slightly so that he does not have to be in Sootstars eyesight anymore, safe behind the protection of his mentor.
​

 

[Duskfire]

I WANT SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS​

---

Dusk couldn't imagine anything good coming from this meeting. While the death of a cat over someting like resources or a disagreement were far from unusual to the tom, he'd had a sneaking suspicion that the clan cats weren't as likely to take things the same way. They were a lot more connected with each other than the cats were back where he'd come from, and so really he'd been expecting this to come at some point. The large bengal made his way over flanking Sootstar, green eyes unreadable as they scanned the faces of the strangers standing opposite them on the border. The Deputy couldn't recognize a single one of them, but it was easy enough to pick out which one was their leader from the interaction Soot was having with them.

As expected, the shecats words are anything but unfriendly and rightfully so in his opinion. Two of Blazestars warriors had come to her territory and jumped her, no doubt with every intent to strip her of the lives Starclan had given her, and unless this entire thing was to apologize and make things right he didn't see why they needed to be here at all. After all, this was no case of mistaken identity like what had happened to Cicada. This was intentional, and Soot ordered them to run these cats out then Duskfire wouldn't hesitate.
​

---

windclan warrior - male - 17 months - homosexual - polyamorous - single - tall, strong bengal tomcat

 

[VULTUREMASK]

Leechpaw was there but he wasn't really present, not being there with any of them. At the moment he had other things that haunted his consciousness to feel bothered over the conflict between windclan and skyclan thanks to Sootstar killing one of thier own. Sooner or later this confrontation would have happend anyway. Leechpaw just contunied to stand there with his body while his mind had wanderd into some other place, blankly staring at nothing as he not fully was listening even if he was fully aware of the tension in the air. At worst a new war might break out between the two clans and if that happend...he hoped this time he would be one of the cats who died on that battlefield. That was all he could think about. Death.


​

 

[hyacinthbreath]

Sootstar's arrival is met with a surprised noise from Hyacinthbreath, a look of worry flashing past her gaze before she dipped her head to the woman, submitting to her orders almost instantly. Hyacinth flicks her violet gaze towards Duskfire, as if speaking silently to the male. She'd gesture to the space beside Sootstar where she was standing, offering to give her place up in favor of the Deputy getting his time to shine.

Though, the talk of the dead SkyClanner makes her fur rise along her spine.

She just hoped this wouldn't turn into a fight. She turns to look at Dandelionpaw and Leechpaw, giving them a glance that tells them to prepare for the worst if it comes to it.

She sees the way the SkyClanners look at Sootstar's wounds, and the molly finds herself instinctively moving close to Sootstar's side, glaring. She wouldn't let them think Sootstar was weak. Not in this lifetime. ​

 

[sheepcurl]

Shes doing this for justice. For the greater good. For Red. Her friend, her buddy, the reason she enjoyed showing up to camp, why she had been showing up more and more. She narrows her eyes despite the anxiety. For Red, she repeats. For Red, for Red, for Red. For justice, for Red.

They spit venom and fire. Her chest tightens as her pelt prickles uneasily. What had they done? Sootstar had killed one of theirs. Anger now fuels terrifying fear. For once sleep does not drag at her bones, replaced with a rather unpleasant emotion and she swallows hard. Did Haze have to be killed? Why as a leader, does one feel the need to kill? She decides she hates this clan. Murderers.

She leans in close to Harpys ears to whisper gossip quipped. "This isn't gonna go well, ay caramba..." she whines quietly, sure that no one else could hear. Her anxiety at this point has only worsened,
​

"speech"​

 

[BLAZESTAR]

Before they've gone far, a small, heather-pelted feline stalks toward them with a sneer on her face. "Bringing a patrol of cats to a border. Bold." Blazestar towers over her, but there's a sensation like insects crawling beneath his thick pelt. Their height difference means nothing; like Sootstar, this small she-cat looks down on him and his kind as though they're nothing. The death threat leaves her lips as though they're lullabies, and Blazestar understands very clearly what kind of danger they are in.

Daisyflight tensely states that SkyClan isn't here to cause trouble anymore than WindClan is, but now the Ragdoll isn't sure. He hopes to StarClan he hasn't brought cats into a place where they'll be mauled. WindClan seems to him a place of fox-hearted wild beasts. Every cat for themselves, their community merely a colony of paw-kissers to their false god.

And then she appears, forbidding Hyacinthbreath and the apprentice that accompanies her from letting SkyClan into their camp. Blazestar meets Sootstar's eyes. There is no friendship lost between the two, but the hatred that begins to seep from his heart as she speaks is cold and damnable. Rage sparks in his dark blue gaze. "So," he says, voice curiously flat. It carries with the wind as Sootstar's had done. "You admit to killing a warrior of mine in cold blood."

Like Harpyfall, the news that Haze had attacked Sootstar on her own land is troubling. Squallmist had left that part out. The two sons of Rain had been upset after Blazestar had promoted Daisyflight, and he supposes they'd gone to the moors to attack WindClan rather than go to the Gathering.

He clenches his jaw. "I was Haze's leader. Had you the sense of a kit, you'd have chased him away from you and let me know of the grievance. I would not have let it go unpunished. But you murdered him instead. Squallmist mentioned you had other WindClanners backing you up rather quickly. You have nine lives, and Haze had but one." He bares his teeth, his anger getting the best of him. "Am I to take it WindClan condones murder?"

This time he rakes his gaze across the pelts of the other cats present, young and old. Most of them sit with little to no expression, judging Blazestar and his Clanmates. Bile singes his throat.

He wants to spring at Sootstar. She's dragged herself out of some rabbit hole, wounded, so she can shout and condescend to him and his Clan. Admit she murdered and tell them to leave. Show no remorse.

But he can't. He can't do that. They're outnumbered. They're on WindClan's territory.

And Blazestar is no hardened fighter.

He lets out a long, furious hiss, a sound he's never made once in his life.

"SkyClan will not forget this, Sootstar. And the forest will know what WindClan is made of, and what sort of monster leads the Clan in the moors." Wind batters his long fur, stings his eyes.

"SkyClan, to me. We will take our leave now." He can't stomach looking at Sootstar anymore. Not that smug expression on her face, or the faces of her soldiers.

He's going to be sick if he has to for much longer.

/ ic opinions lol <3 also he's on his way #out
​

PENNED BY MARQUETTE​

 

[Dandelionwish]

He'd never seen another cat with odd eyes like himself! The sheepish smile that crossed his face the second he and Basilpaw made eye contact widened into one of much more sincerity and interest. He wanted to ask questions, like did they have sibings with the same mismatched eyes? Was it common in SkyClan? Did it mean anything? He'd never given much thought to his own other than having to explain it was just how his eyes were to a few curious cats.
Any attempt at a polite chat was very quickly halted as the WindClan leader arrived and Dandelionpaw found himself scooting around behind Hyacinthbreath once again.

Well, say what you wanted about Sootstar. She was hardly deceitful. Without hesitation the gray she-cat had spoken the truth and admittance without even a look of apology.
Dandelionpaw found that he had to continually remind himself the SkyClanners WERE trespassing and they HAD attacked first. That the WindClan leader killed one was perhaps too far, but from what the fighting had looked like when he had galavanted onto the scene she might’ve had no choice? Much as he instinctively wanted to fault her given her past actions, he couldn’t. He didn't think she should've killed that cat, surely there was a better way, but he wasn't there. He didn't know the exacts, couldn't tell if it was necessary.
He liked to think killing was never necessary though...

The apprentice frowned intently as the SkyClanner's moved to leave as quickly as they had arrived.

​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

With all but one of her warriors high rankings here, Sootstar feels secure. Dealing with these cats would be as easy as stealing prey from a kit... they may have came with a large patrol, but the swarming WindClanners swiftly grew to outnumber them. Pride bubbles up inside of her, what a strong clan they were.

So, you admit to killing a warrior of mine in cold blood.
Sootstar is notably flabbergasted, cold blood? Murder? The King of Kittypet's threw these words around like he didn't know their meaning, Sootstar thinks! "Had you the sense of a kit, you would not come stumbling over here scolding me for not babysitting your warriors. It is not my job to give them a cuff on the ear and send them home, the only cats I mother are my two back at home." She growls in dismay that these cats were really standing here, telling her that she should've been kinder to her trespassers and attackers!

"I don't know about where you come from, Blazestar, but if a cat trespasses onto another cats territory, attacks the owner of the territory and they die? It's not murder. Perhaps Haze's life could've been spared, but I do not show mercy to those who attack WindClanner's in their own home. I am not sorry." Her tail lashes in the air and dark blue fur bristles with rage, how dare these cats... "WindClan condones self-defense, defense of the clan, and not showing mercy to those who dare to harm us." And murder when nescisarry...? Sure. Not something Sootstar needed to vocalize to this bunch, believing it was entirely irrelevant to this scenario.

Sootstar can't help the growing smile on her face as he makes his declaration, "My bones quake in fear." the wind blows against her back, ruffling her cheek tufts.

"Run, don't walk Blazestar. WindClan is just as eager to have you off the moors, she taunts before her gaze flickers to her loyal soldiers, "Follow them, and don't stop tailing them until they disappear across the border. Scent mark any of the places that carry the faintest whiff of their scent immediately after." She throws out her orders with a nod to them all, before she herself begins to depart from the scene.​

---

 

[hyacinthbreath]

The atmosphere is tense, a reminder of their place in the world in this moment. Everything could end in blood, and they could snatch away the light of SkyClan in one moment. Hyacinthbreath murmured a soft comforting lull to Dandelionpaw as he backed closer to her, her tail coming up to rest on his shoulders. She listens, idly, to the conversation.

It was self defense. She couldn't help but to agree, even if she wasn't there.

Sootstar's call to the Warriors causes Hyacinth's ears to perk, listening intently to the woman's orders.

Follow them, and don't stop tailing them until they disappear across the border. Scent mark any of the places that carry the faintest whiff of their scent immediately after.

There's a sense of excitement beneath her fur as she flicks her tail to the patrol, dipping her head to Sootstar in reverence. "Yes, ma'am." The voice that left her was stoic, cold- if anyone was militaristic in this moment, it was Hyacinth. Obeying like a good soldier, like a good cat who followed her leader. Had SkyClan no guts? Were they just weak kittypets who wanted to be called Warriors?

As Blazestar begins to walk away with his patrol, Hyacinth follows along not far behind- with anyone else in the patrol who chose to come.

She hoped Sootstar got back safe..​

 

[Daisyflight]

"SUREFIRE, YEAH, THE SETTING SUN WANTS COMPANY"​

She knew Sootstar was petty, but the pettiness the Windclan leader soaked herself in still stung. Commenting even on their scent. An unnecessary, vitriolic slight. At least she was quick to get to the core of the problem, as rotten as it was. Daisyflight's composed countenance remained, beneath it unimpressed fury brewing.

The steel sobriety that Blazestar spoke with was unusual, though appropriate for the setting. It was clear to the deputy that he is angry, and plumed tail lashing behind her, she matched it. Revelations that the brothers had been trespassing twisted the situation, however it did not strip Sootstar of the crime. Daisyflight would have understood, perhaps even respected, turning them away with a few claw strikes. Killing though- it only went to show that the leader sought blood.

Those that surrounded her, so eager to please. The hairs along the calico's back split from the rest in a ridge of displeasure. What had bent these cats to follow someone like Sootstar she did not know. As they were told to tuck tail and leave, Daisyflight lost her grip on her tongue.

"You lack control, not of your territory but of yourself. Soon enough you'll run that bloody nose of yours into the ground." Clear as a bell tone the deputy spoke past the wind, sharp olivine eyes hooded with distaste.

"That is not a threat, however I suggest you take it as a warning." Piece said, the molly turned to leave with the rest of her clan. No doubt it would fall on deaf ears. The chill on the air cut her throat as they slinked off the moors. Daisyflight gave her leader an apologetic blink, though it held no regret.

/also out
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✿ ✿ ✿​