camp I'M A BAD CHILD // intro

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DAZZLEPAW

Guest

" Oh Shinepaw look at you capturing your first rabbit!. We're so proud of you!." The mother would praise their child, looking all proud and overjoyed and the father would soon follow to join in on the shower of compliments. Shinepaw, the young tunneler stood tall as she clearly liked the attention she was receiving like usual. They were so busy flooding their beloved and favorite daughter with attention that they had completely forgotten all about their son, Dazzlepaw who stood at the side, unoticed like usual. He would just watch them saying nothing already so used with never being seen by his own family. That was until his father finally turned their attention to them. " I see you haven't captured anything like usual. Are you even trying to become a tunneler, boy?." The father looked disappointed. Both of their children had been blessed to become tunnelers by starclan but the one who only seemed to be worth it was Shinepaw. Always her. It was like they already had decided that Dazzlepaw was going to fail.

The comment brought a smile to the forgotten childs face. " Of course dad!. I'm trying my best honest!. In fact what if i told ya that rabbit is actually mine, but our beloved Shinepaw stole it from me so she could stand in the spotlight!. Would that make you think less of her, hmh?. " A devilish grin made its way to his maw as he stared his parents right in the eye who looked at him with stunned horror. Oh, had he gone too far this time?. Insulting their perfect lil daughter too much?. Their expressions right now really was worth to see!. " Pfft...hahaha!!. " he bursted out laughting, crounching down a bit because his stomach started to hurt by all of the laughing. " Oh man your faces right now are prizeless!. haha...haha!" He had a blast of time but his parents looked enraged. " You, how dare you insult Shinepaw like that!!. " The father took a step forward but the mother stopped him. " Dear just drop it. He is not worth it." she tried to calm them down, and with a 'tch' the father relaxed a slight bit but his eyes were still burying themself into Dazzlepaw's skin. How scary!.

" Tch, you're nothing but a bad child." The father would mutter to their son before he turned around with the rest of the family leaving Dazzlepaw behind. He would watch them and for a split second his gaze met his sister who had stayed silent through all of this, and he would give them a wink. In return all she would do was glare back in disbelief before she looked away. Behind stood Dazzlepaw, waving his tail at them while he wore a smug grin. " Haha, i think they are pissed at me. " He said to nobody else but himself. Oh well. He let out a sigh and instantly he was bored again. Hmh, he wonderd what he should do next?. Or rather who he should pester next, heh.
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( ❁ ) Sunflowerkit hovers near the small family, head cocked as they listen. They'll be an apprentice before long, so they've been learning what they can of the other apprentices; they want to know who exactly they'll be dealing with. Who they can trust. Shinepaw and Dazzlepaw are... strange. They're tunellers, so they're often underground, beyond Sunflowerkit's reach.

When they do get to see the two siblings, though, it seems their parents are always hanging around Shinepaw. Sunflowerkit doesn't like the tunnelers' parents. They don't know their names, barely know their faces and mostly recognize them by their constant presence next to Shinepaw. Sunflowerkit never wants to get too close when the apprentices' parents are around. They seem so mean to Dazzlepaw, it makes the kit's fur bristle. Surely, he can't be that bad.

Well, Sunflowerkit's parents didn't like them much either, from what Vulturemask has told them. But Dazzlepaw doesn't have someone like Vulturemask! They watch as his parents and sister leave him behind, feeling tempted to approach to the young tom. Still, though, they remain wary, so they merely creep forward, remaining a short distance away, scrutinizing the young tom as they wait to see what he will do next.​
 
Certainly, Badgermoon was not a parent, nor someone particularly inclined to interfere in the personal affairs of his Clanmates. It was, in fact, a matter of survival - he couldn't get bogged down by the little details of interpersonal interactions, or else his whole life would come crumbling down. The big picture was where things were safest: broad concepts about loyalty, dignity, respect, faithfulness ... these were intangible and flexible enough for him to mold to fit the array of attitudes and actions he witnessed, and thus maintain his sanity. None of this was conscious thought, though - all these structures existed just below the level of his active mind. This being said ... not being unkind to your children felt like it was an easy line to draw, and not one which required the status of "father". The big-bodied tom's yellow eyes narrowed as he caught the tail end of Dazzlepaw's conversation with his parents and sibling and he approached slowly, his speckled paws treading lightly both literally and metaphorically. He attempted to whisk his tail against Sunflowerkit's side as he passed, encouraging the kitten forward, before addressing Dazzlepaw. "I know it's hardly my business, but I just want you to know that the Clan is always here for you." he tilted his head. "If you ever need something...we have your back, alright?"

Hopefully that was enough. He wanted to show his support without overstepping - or, indeed, signing himself up for parenting an adolescent.​
 
Firepaw understands what it's like to be casts in he shadow of a littermates success, she'd been damned to it in her eyes might've deserved it she was meant to be a Tunneler bring pride and light to Ravencry's eyes like her brothers did but instead she'd done nothing more then be revoked of the prestigious task left on the moors to bask in her failure and try everything she could to gain the reverence she lost back. Ravencry wasn't deliberate, she'd never waste her time earning the scorn of the softest and most compassionate of the clan by hissing words of hatred nor would she diminish her daughters hope completely. She instead was silent, eyes disapproving the few times Firepaw was beneath them. She expected so much and Firepaw wanted nothing more then to live up to those expectations. She'd be strong and loyal, many times the warriors her brothers would be and naively believed that would be enough to make up for her failures, to make up for the scars Smokepaw bore and the common rank of one bound to the moors. Acceptance of reality wasn't something that lingered on her mind, she was determined and it wasn't just for the sake of her mother but for her self She sought worth, sought a place in her clan wanted to serve Sootstar to be something more then she could've been beneath the earth. She needed her drive, needed her ambition it was her crutch and her strength without it she'd have long since just given up and laid around like Snailpaw.

Windclan needed strong warriors and swift hunters, those who succeeded flourished but those who fell short were left behind more a burden on the clan then apart of it. It's easy for her to see things the way the strongest among them do, they all needed to pull their weight to push themselves as well it was shameful to fall short of that. They were better then that, it's easy for her to say despite her background even if she wasn't the greatest hunter she held promise pushed herself as hard as she could to gain the approval of those who mattered and in some ways she'd got that. She was the apprentice of the deputy now and no longer did some of the warriors look at her like she was merely some pest.

she doesn't view the scene of the family with the same gaze Badgermoon does; a picture of cruelty to him but it's not unusual she looks at her mentor quizzically as she to approaches. If he wasn't pushed he'd never do better would he? ❝Jeez, did you even try to hunt or were you just messin' around down there?❞ she assumes, he really didn't seem to take anything to seriously it wasn't much of a stretch really. She pauses for a moment ❝Try harder. You dun' wanna get shown up by your sister again do you? Maybe if you go back down there and try again you might get lucky and make up for... that❞ she gestures vaguely, she certainly would be doing as much as she could if her mother flat out called her a bad child. ​
( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )
 
DONT EVER WANT TO SEE THINGS CHANGE
periwinklepaw | 06 months | demi-boy | he/they | physically easy (pacifist) | mentally easy | attack in bold #ccccff
Periwinklepaw has never had anything but a loving family, as much as his life may not be prefect. Even before realizing Hyacinthbreath had been their unknown sire, their other parent, things between the little family of five had been pleasant. Happy even. Certainly, the lead warrior had been a bit awkward and stiff, but around and pleasant nonetheless. Moonshadow has been a loving, doting mother - the perfect mother in his eyes, even as much as he loved Hyacinth in her own way. He'd been a sickly and strange child, yet they'd never treated him differently than they did aspenpaw or wisteriapaw, even when his brother seemed determined to make enemies out of the whole world. When cloudkit had come along, when Snowshadow had found his way into the clan, they'd never favored one kit over the rest. Not even once he thinks.

Watching Dazzlepaw's interaction hurts in that unpleasant way he cannot name - that ache in his chest and clench of his belly that follows the thought of violence, that follows the thought of losing dustpaw, that comes when he thinks of his now exiled mother. The discomfort only lingers as he watches his clanmates interact with him - is he the only one surprised by this? He supposes this is probably normal for his denmates, and he'd simply been to focused on his own worries to notice until now. Awkwardly but with a genuine smile firmly in place, he slips over to join the small group that has formed, only sparing firepaw the briefest of glances. He finds himself... not wholly disagreeing with her, though he would've been nicer in his words, he thinks. "S-s-sometimes it t-takes a while, b-but if you k-keep tryin-g I b-b-bet you c-could cat-ch an even big-g-g-ger rabbit," His own first catch had only been just recently, but then again he'd been confined to the medicine den nearly half his apprenticeship and even sometime before it. He likes to think that he'd tried his hardest despite that.

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Snailpaw had never considered their parents to be bad. They never remembered a time where they'd been yelled at for something or asked to do something unreasonable, if anything, they were just... distant, more like an aunt and an uncle than immediate family. Raising concerns had resulted in them telling the apprentice to just 'suck it up' because it would only get worse with age, and the affection they recalled as a nursing kit had all but disappeared by the time they were six moons old. It was new, but not unsurprising, to see a pair of WindClan parents chastising an apprentice for something. The clan seemed full of strict adults, their presences only making the tabby shy away from duty even more, and he felt a brief kinship as Dazzlepaw found his own way to deal with it. They wondered if they were the only one hearing the argument before, out of nowhere, Badgermoon and Firepaw stepped forwards, the former offering words of encouragement that left Snailpaw's heart aching. Their throat felt dry as cynicism billowed in their thoughts, forcing a smile onto their maw as Periwinklepaw also stepped forwards. They wanted the Deputy's words to be true, but the 'head sickness' comments by their clanmates were still fresh in their mind.

"Oh boy! You have an adult figure in your life that calls you a disappointment too?" There's an exaggerated optimism to their voice, a deft grin replacing the pitiful smile they'd offered moments earlier. It was like a switch had been activated, and all prior doubts had been cast aside in favour of a joke. "You're like, tunneler me! Hey hey, if you really wanna irk 'em, you gotta let them know it's their fault for the way that you are." Empathy stopped them from acting like Periwinklepaw and Firepaw; your best would never be enough for cats that demanded perfection, so why try? It was a relatability that wanted them to learn more about Dazzlepaw's experiences and find common ground with him, considering it to be like a casual talk rather than a serious dialogue about their shared experiences. "Maaaaaaybe don't do that yet though. Wait until your bigger or something! And maybe don't... um..." They looked to the others, who advocated for more diplomatic solutions than what Snail offered. It felt weird being the firestarter, they shrunk in stature as they realised the implications of their rebellious idea.

"Nevermind, Badger's right... Clan'll handle it when it goes too far..." They muttered the last part under their breath, unusually bitter for such a positive animal. "Unless you've got a 'head sickness'..."







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Suddenly he felt this weird feeling that someone was watching them. So he turned around to find out if his feelings had been right or not and indeed he had been watched!. Sunflowerkit, the secret love child to their medicine cat - oh wait, that was wrong!. Sibling was it. No matter. If anything he knew better than to try messing with this kit!, Vulturemask for sure seemed like the type who would murder him in his sleep if he just looked at one of his siblings the wrong way. Dazzlepaw might be a daredevil but he valued his own life!....most of the times anyway. " Hey there kid!, nice weather we have today...right?." he would grin, and never had he realised before how much awkward kits made him feel. Yeesh, where was the adults when he actually needed them?.

Speak of the hero and they will arrive!. Badgermoon was here to save the day, and apperantly had something to add into the conversation he had have with his parents too. The clan is always here for you. We have your back. Pfft. He was sure they were geunie and that they would be there for him in his difficult times and not chase him out like a rabbit the moment he opened his mouth and said the wrong thing. Oh yes, he was sure they would be there for him just as much they had been for Galeforce who had acted out in grief. The clan had really been there for him hadn't they?, truly got his back!. Haha. What a message that was to give!. Like not one single drop of truth had slipped out from that former warriors mouth. He was sure if he come out telling them what actually had happened in that tunnel Badgermoon would be nowhere to be seen!. Curse the ones who tried to blemish the blessed ones in the clan!.

The truth was that his parents was the perfect mirror of how this clan was. Just like how his parents picked Shinepaw as their favorite and only paid attention to her the clan did the same, Sootstar did the same. If there was anything he had come to understand while living in this clan was that nobody would watch his back beside himself, and as long he pretended to worship Sootstar his life would go easy-peasy. " For sure!, i will make sure you're the first cat i ever tell if something is troubling me, promise!. " a lie of course. Badgermoon would be the last one he would come to. Sunstride would be a better choice if so.

Next was a lovely Firepaw blessing them with her presence!. Dazzlepaw would grin as he faced her, the nasty comments coming her way not bothering him at all. Suddenly his grin froze, and a look of embarrassment settled upon his features. " Messing around...so Icepaw has told you about me then...huh?." he stared at them looking completely serious, shook even like his dirty secret had got exposed. Didn't took special long before he would stop with his facade when sweet Periwinklepaw made his appearance. Like expected he was alot sweeter and nicer with his words than Firepaw had been. He was so cute, actually made him wish he had snatched that rabbit from his sister now. Uuuugh.

" Perwinklepaw...to think you believe in me so much. I feel touched." he put a paw on his chest, looking to be moved like all he needed was for someone to believe in him. " I promise to keep on trying harder to never give up until i can bring back home a rabbit to you - i mean the clan." he cleared his throat. Woops. Nobody had probably heard that!.

Last was Snailpaw, and wow they really said amusing things he had not even thought about before. To tell them it was all their faults. He liked that!. " Sure have!. They really are my motivation to go up every morning!" he chirped in, joining the clown show between these two. He would not leave a comment on it though....not when they where surrended by so many clanmates who might give him a scolding for it. Still the idea was good though. Maybe use it sometime when he reeeeally wanted to piss them off.

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She never much cared for the sentiment Badgermoon and other warriors liked to claim either, though she would've disagreed with Dazzlepaw on the logistics. Traitors didn't deserve support did they? They doomed themselves to their fate, it wasn't hard to be respectful of Sootstar and those who followed her she was their leader and this was their clan they were all cats of the Moor all Windclanners and they would support one another; true windclanners would never need to worry about falling short or being cast out completely. The strong thrived and that's what Firepaw was in many ways, though that didn't mean she was any less affected by the rigorous training regime and harsh attitudes Windclan put onto their youth she just succeeded under it far more then cats like Dazzlepaw or Snailpaw ever could. Yet she tolerates Snailpaw more then this sharp furred tom, sure they were both annoyances she needed to keep an eye on and push but at least Snailpaw could be amusing on their best days and she could say whatever she wanted to him without him being a little nark. Dazzlepaw was not Snailpaw, he was a little brat and the words he meows makes her want nothing more then to slap that look off his face and hold his head to the ground until he was begging for mercy.

She cringes in disgust, seriously what was he trying to say ❝Yeah right, she already hangs out with a worthless loser of a tom already and that's my brother❞ that annoyed her enough though she's doubtful there was any inclination of romance there, bah not that Smokepaw had any chance with his ugly mug! Her ail lashes and she takes a step towards him squaring her shoulders and look down at him disdainfully ❝Though If you want to keep your tongue I suggest you keep her name out of your mouth kit❞ she doesn't know why he tries taunting her with Icepaw, he doesn't have the balls to torment her and Firepaw wouldn't tolerate anyone lesser then her bothering the pale furred molly. She backs up tail still lashing, she barely listens much to the way he fawns over their resident little pushover Periwinklepaw like he was some prize or Snailpaw's strange attempt to bond with him.

Did he think being called a disappointment was like a good thing? Why would they wanna befriend this little twerp because they shared the same trait of being useless? She rolls her eyes shaking her head at the two of them. ❝Mousebrain❞ she huffs under her breath.
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( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )
 
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Reactions: SMOKESTEP
TAGS — Here comes the worthless loser of a tom now. Smokepaw is drawn by the commotion, having completed his tunneling duties this morning (lately he's been trying to get through them faster and faster)- he'd seen Dazzlepaw and Shinepaw down there ever earlier than him, but only now does he reunite with the other apprentices topside. He approaches quietly, amber gaze flicking about those present while he picks up on the pieces of their conversation, only to catch Firepaw's scathing assessment of him.

"At least she and I are friends," Smokepaw meows, whiskers twitching. Icepaw might not even be far behind him now- he's fairly certain the other apprentice had been in the tunnels, too. He side-eyes his sister, trying to glean what her defensiveness might mean. Unfortunately they're similarly dense. So, he settles on his closing remark: "More than you can say." That's not entirely true, but he is fairly certain that he and Icepaw get along better than Icepaw and Firepaw ever would. His littermate is just too much of a bully. At least Smokepaw has the sensibility to keep his mean thoughts to himself.

And as he sweeps his attention over his clanmates, he finds himself biting his tongue a few times. Badgermoon is a respectable cat, and he doesn't find Periwinklepaw particularly abhorrent, and Sunflowerkit is just a kit- but Snailpaw and Dazzlepaw... well. The former seems to be too mousebrained for their own good, and the latter might be smart, but he certainly doesn't put it to any use. Deft judgement radiates from his gaze, but Smokepaw says nothing. He's never been the chatty type.​
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TAGS — [sowwy ik this is like 10 days later but it felt right lol]

Sure enough, Icepaw isn't too far behind their dark-furred companion. Dirt still streaks their pelt from their recent patrol, and though they try doing their best to stay clean after working (especially with how stark her white pelt makes stains look), it's easily forgotten when she sees her friend approaching a throng of cats. It's an intimidating sight, always is, but the older she gets the more she tries to force herself into these kinds of situations. They're running out of time to get away with their meekness, or so it feels. Better start practicing before they become a warrior — WindClan has no room for weakness, mental or physical. Thank goodness tunnelers get train longer than moor-runners; it still feels like she has a million seasons to go before she'll feel capable in terms of the latter.

"I suggest you keep her name out of your mouth," she hears Firepaw saying to Dazzlepaw as she pads after Smokepaw. Their curiosity is piqued; who could they be talking about? What bad thing could he have said about one of their clanmates? Oh, stars, they don't have another potential traitor on their paws, do they? It's an anxiety-inducing thought. Fortunately(?), her confusion is enough to distract from that a bit when she hears Smokepaw's retort. Is he talking about Rainpaw? Or herself? Who else is he friends with that uses those pronouns...? "Who're you talking about?" With a lashing tail they glance around between the three apprentices, and then at the rest of the cats in the group. Oh- Badgermoon is one of them! Reflexively, she flashes him a little smile and dips her head by way of respectful greeting.​
 
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