camp IT'S LIKE I'M WASTING YOUR HONOR // 11/3 MEETING

HOWLINGSTAR · Nov 3, 2023

Howlingstar perches on the edge of the Highrock, hunched like a gargoyle in the light rain that showers the camp. Ever since the first journeyers returned, she has been despondent. A mother can only lose so many children before she begins to wonder if she is destined to outlive them all. If nine lives are more a curse than a blessing. She closes her eyes, allowing the rain to soak into her pelt. She feels no cold. But when she opens her eyes, they fall on the nursery, with two excited kits inside who know today is their big day. There is an eager apprentice who passed his assessment and is ready to take on his full name. There are heroes to be rewarded. ThunderClan cannot afford to sit by and watch her bathe in her own sorrow, and so it is with forced strength she yowls, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

She waits for her clanmates to gather, and she knows it isn't ideal in the rain but she is grateful for their attendance anyhow. She draws in a breath and calls, "Berryheart has reported the lungwort is working. He predicts those who are sick will be able to leave the den and return to their duties within a quarter-moon, if not sooner." The relieved murmurs from clanmates cause her to dip her head in acknowledgment. It's good news for everyone, indeed. "I pray we will see happier times ahead of us now that Yellowcough is in the past. And that begins with our youngest. Sunshinekit, Pigeonkit, come forward." She turns her attention to the young cats and smiles, a rare sight since the news.

"Sunshinekit, you have come back stronger from the illness that held you back, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Sunshinepaw. Your mentor will be Mousenose. I hope she will pass down all she knows on to you." She looks to the multicolored warrior with a glint in her eye, wondering how she must feel to be called to mentor her younger sibling. "Mousenose, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You received excellent training from Silverlightning, and you have shown yourself to be a creative, cheerful warrior. I expect you to pass on all you know to Sunshinepaw." She dips her head and waits for the new pairing to meet at the front and touch noses. She sneaks a glance to Sunfreckle and Rabbitnose, wondering how they'd react to her choice.

"Pigeonkit, you have reached the age of four moons and and it time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Pigeonpaw. Your mentor will be Sparkwing. I hope he will pass down all he knows on to you." Another older sibling, and she simply can't hide the excited smile anymore as she finds the young tom. "Sparkwing, you are also ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Wolfwind, and you have shown yourself to be an energetic and enthusiastic warrior. I expect you to pass on all you know to Pigeonpaw." She waits for the pair of adoptive siblings to touch noses before she lifts her voice to call out their names. "Sunshinepaw! Pigeonpaw!"

"Now, I'd like to have Toadpaw and Mothpaw come to the front." Her eyes first find Toadpaw. Finally, after many moons, the tom has passed his warrior assessment. Her eyes shine as the young cat comes forward and no longer is he that traitorous she-cat's child. No, today he is a ThunderClan warrior in his own right, the last of his littermates. She knows Ragwortpaw must be so proud. Next, she looks to Mothpaw, knowing how hard it must have been to have to switch mentors so late into his training. Regardless, she knows Roeflame put her all into her first apprentice. He is ready. "I, Howlingstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble Code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Toadpaw, Mothpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

// Apprentice ceremonies: @sunshinekit . @MOUSENOSE @Pigeonkit @Sparkwing
Warrior ceremony: @TOADPAW @Mothpaw!

October activity shoutouts go to @HOWLINGSTAR @Flycatcher @BERRYHEART @Flamewhisker @nightbird @RACCOONSTRIPE @BURNSTORM @Roeflame . @STORMYWING @batwing @HAILSTORM. @honeydapple @FALLOW
Thank you for being the highest posters in the clan last month!

Sparkwing · Nov 3, 2023

Seeing Howlingstar sad makes Sparkwing sad. He feels just as terrible, Little Wolf had always been there. He grew up with her always being present, with her kits. To learn that she was gone.... It needed time to sink in. It hurt to think about, but he was sure her family was in more pain than he is.

He sits quietly in front of the high rock for the meeting. Today is supposed to be a happy day, because his siblings are being apprenticed! He needs to be ready to cheer as LOUD AS POSSIBLE. He wonders who their mentors will be. Will Wolfwind get one and have two of his siblings again? Its a funny thought.

Things are gonna get better. He can feel it! He is full of optimism and hope for the future now that they have plenty of lungwort and everyone is recovering. And when the moment arrives for his siblings to step forward, he's ready to BURST. Sunshinepaw gets Mousenose as their mentor and Sparkwing nearly does burst with excitement.

What comes next though. IS THE NEEDLE IN THE BALLOON.

He is to mentor Pigeonpaw!!!! His eyes open wide and elation is clear as day on his face. He quickly gets up to meet his little brother and touch noses with him.

"THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT!! I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO DO SO MUCH COOL STUFF." He says. "I WAS TAUGHT BY THE BEST AFTER ALL. ITS ONLY NATURAL."

Was Wolfwind proud of him????? He hoped so. He was going to make his family proud, and Wolfwind proud. Though, he already considers her part of his family.

"SUNSHINEPAW!! PIGEONPAW!!!" He cries out joyously, and also as loud as he can. Which is pretty loud as everyone knows.

Flamestar · Nov 3, 2023

She isn't surprised to hear Howlingstar call for a clan meeting so soon after the council meeting. After speaking to the leader privately, she had gone to visit Stormpaw at the Medicine Cat den. When the call to gather was announced, she had been licking her daughter's forehead. She blinked, obviously contemplating on going out there or not. In the end, she had decided to join the rest of the clan, but she was reluctant to stray too far from her injured kit. "I'll be right back." she said quietly, before padding just a couple pawsteps outside the den.

Being back in the camp felt foreign now after spending so long out in the open. Their group hadn't been small by any means, but there were certainly less cats than there were in the camp. It had been many moons since she was a loner, but sitting here now, she felt as though she had when she had first joined Thunderclan.

Sunfreckle's two remaining kits in the nursery were made into apprentices, one to be mentored by Mousenose, and one to Sparkwing. When her friend's elder kit's name was called, she felt a small smile creep onto her maw. It seemed like just the other day she had been baiting Spark-kit with her fluffy tail. What she would give to be back in those days. She cheered for Sunshinepaw and Pigeonpaw along with the rest of the clan, but her voice wasn't as loud as it normally would once have been.

Howlingstar then went on to warrior ceremonies. Her heart stung with grief, and she cast a glance in the direction of the Medicine Den. Stormpaw and Falconpaw should be standing proudly up there... She was happy for Toadpaw and Mothpaw of course, but she couldn't help but feel overtaken by grief.

★ born to find that great unknown

FLAMEWHISKER of THUNDERCLAN
LH red tabby with low white (masks black tabby, carries dilute, solid)
— Lead Warrior of Thunderclan ; currently mentoring Acornpaw
— she/her ; mated with Flycatcher
— mother to Stormpaw & Falconpaw
— 24 moons ; ages on the 20th
— Smells like dirt, old leaves, tree sap, faint hint of flowers
— will start a fight, will finish fights, will kill (case depending)
— "speech" ; thoughts ; attacks
— penned by Icey ! ; link to tags
— link to toyhouse
— funny guy art by waluigipinball

TOADHOP · Nov 4, 2023

If he's being honest, Toadpaw doesn't know why he still sits through these things. Sure, it's important to hear any news about the illness that almost took Roeflame from him - the lungwort is working, which, for once, is good news - but he shouldn't have to sit through another set of ceremonies where his name isn't called.

He could probably hear the chanting from the apprentice den if he stayed in there instead - would hear whose to move in, and whose to move out - but still, the brown tabby settles among the crowd with a small sigh, tail curling around his paws as he listens.

The rest of Sunfreckle and Rabbitnose's youngest litter will be his newest denmates: Sunshinepaw and Pigeonpaw. They're to be mentored by their siblings, by Sparkwing and Mousenose. Two cats Toadpaw had trained with, two cats he was meant to have his ceremony alongside. He can't help the envy he feels, dejection brewing within him. He's still stuck as an apprentice, and his peers are training his denmates, now.

"Sunshinepaw, Pigeonpaw," he murmurs along with the chanting surrounding him, his head sinking to look down at his paws. Maybe he should've stayed in the warmth of his nest, after all. It would be better than this, wouldn't it?

The new apprentices' celebration dies back down into silence as the audience waits to hear of this moon's warrior ceremonies. Toadpaw's gaze remains on white-capped paws as he braces himself for disappointment, as he tries to be happy for whoever's name gets called. But the first name Howlingstar calls is familiar to him - so much so that his cerulean eyes grow big, and he lifts his head to look up at the leader. Did he hear her correctly?

His heart pounds as he meets her gaze, as he turns to look at Stonepool, who in turn gives him a curt nod in encouragement. He did hear her, he did. It sets in as he rises, as he moves to step forward:

He's becoming a warrior today.

He stands beside Mothpaw, stands beside Roeflame's apprentice. Ragwortpaw may not be beside him today, but at least he won't be alone in his ceremony. Is she watching now from the stars? He hopes so, hopes she gets to hear his name too. Toadpaw is asked the question he's heard so many times over, given to others before him, and the tom nods his head. He is ready for this - has been for moons, now.

"I do."

MOUSENOSE · Nov 4, 2023

Mousenose nearly breathes a sigh of relief to hear Howlingstar call a Clan meeting. The cats had returned from the journey, and their leader announces the lungwort is beginning to work on those sick still. Her attention is drawn toward Sunfreckle, who leads his remaining two kits out of the nursery with shining pelts and varying levels of enthusiasm. Sunshinekit still worries Mousenose—her younger sibling is still the laziest kit she’s ever met, even compared to Rainbowpaw and Emberpaw, and even now she has to wonder if the little tortoiseshell is even excited to be starting their warrior training.

Her ears flick when her name is called. Surprise registers on her face, but it quickly changes to pleasure. As Howlingstar tells her to pass down all she’d been taught by Silverlightning, her tail curls up behind her and she sits up straighter. Though her heart still twists with grief as she remembers the silvery tabby, she knows she is capable of doing him proud with Sunshinepaw.

With a surge of energy, Mousenose leaps to their paws and goes to the base of Highrock so they can touch noses with the newly-named Sunshinepaw. She shares a thrilled look with Sparkwing, whose enthusiasm is enough to shake the forest to its roots. “We’ll have a great time,” she promises her sibling after the two of them touch noses. “Hey, as soon as this meeting’s over, Sparkwing and I can take you two to see the territory! Won’t that be a blast?” She bounces in place, her tail fluffing out behind her with excitement.

Then it’s time for Toadpaw’s warrior ceremony. Long overdue, she thinks ruefully, returning to her spot and shooting the blue-eyed tabby a glance. She misses the borderline-resentful look he’d thrown her and Sparkwing for receiving apprentices before he’d gotten his warrior name, and truly, she thinks nothing of it. His training had simply gone slower. Silverlightning had worked diligently to make sure she’d graduated on time, and she would do the same for Sunshinepaw.

, ”

Mothfur · Nov 4, 2023

♪ Like a moth to a flame ♪ ---- He watched and congratulated the new, upcoming warriors as they obtained their new names while the drippling rain trickled down his obsidian fur like water on a steady stream. However, one thing was on his mind today and that was his warrior ceremony. As the oak leaves steadily mimicked the wind, excitement filled the tom more and more as each name was called, so much so, that he began to anxiously prance his front paws on the earth below him.

Finally, as Howlingstar called upon his name, his heart skipped a beat, and he froze. Only resuming from the pushing of his other clanmates and eventually leading to trotting behind Toadpaw. As he walked to the front, he took in this important moment and began to reflect back onto his life from start too now. Even though his life just begun, he felt as if he already lived 100 moons.

As he reached the front of the crowd, he looked up to his leader with confidence. "Of course," the tom spoke with a nod and a beating heart.

シ ooc info

Lyrics - Moth by HELLYEAH
- Mothpaw
- 12 ☾
- Tom, He/Him
- Single, Bisexual

Played by @Dutch

.Pigeonpaw · Nov 4, 2023

—————————————————————⊰𓆰⊱————————————————————
Pigeonkit wanders away from Sunfreckle once the meeting starts, he doesn't wait to see if sleepy Sunshinekit will keep up with him - he is too excited for this new change in his life. Part of him was afraid of being an apprentice, he had seen how the clan had to fight so hard against the rogues and it had been a scary ordeal but another part of him is enthusiastic about learning how to defend ThunderClan like all the warriors had done so then. The blue kitten waddles along until he is right at the front of the group of cats gathering for the clan meeting. Howlingstar does not sound as enthused as she did in prior ones he had overheard, but he can't really blame her at all and he doesn't let it dampen his spirit. Grief was an odd thing, he had never felt a need to grieve yet and from what he could tell he hoped he never did; it just seemed distressing to go through. He'd miss Little Wolf, she had been nice, but she was in StarClan now and from what he knew about StarClan it was a really nice place. Odd how no one wanted to go there all the time, but maybe he just wasn't understanding how it worked. Maybe you needed to earn your way in, he hoped he'd be able to himself someday.
His thoughts are yanked back into focus as the leader speaks, he stares intently at her so hard her black tabby stripes begin to blur and she goes out of focus for him until he blinks through long matted fur and the world grows sharp again. Mousenose gets Sunshinepaw and he finds that hilarious, their elder sister had too much energy for lazy ole' Sunshinepaw. There was no way they'd keep up with her!
And he! HE GETS SPARKWING!
He's turning to find the miniature version of their father only to have him in his face already and the newly named Pigeonpaw squeals in excitement before slamming his head as hard as he can into Sparkwing's nose - from what he'd learned when Sunfreckle tried to teach them how ceremonies worked....this was exactly what was required for him. To assert his dominance.
"YEAH, I'M AN APPRENTICE!" There was another ceremony happening - Toadpaw's name was called - but he was too excited to pay it much mind, dancing around in bumbling steps around his older brother's limbs.

𓆰 —Lullaby, oh something wicked this way come at night 𓆰 —— It's time to let you fly

Pigeonkit
—⊰⋅ Kitten of ThunderClan
—⊰⋅ He/Him
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
—⊰⋅ LH Blue smoke w/white & blue eyes.

HOWLINGSTAR · Nov 5, 2023

They both state their vows and Howlingstar dips her head in acknowledgment. She lifts her gaze to the sky, blinking against the light rain, before stating, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names." Feet heavy with grief, she climbs down the Highrock and approaches the two apprentices who stand side by side. She comes to a stop in front of Toadpaw, granting him a proud smile.

"Toadpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Toadhop." His powerful legs have proven to be an asset in his hunting skills. "StarClan honors your courage and skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." She leans forward to rest her muzzle on his head. She is sure Roeflame is proud of him, and she knows his sister must be looking on from StarClan with a smile on her face. As soon as she feels him lick her shoulder, she pulls away and nods to him, eyes glittering.

Next, she moves to stand in front of Mothpaw and stares at him with the same delight. "Mothpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Mothfur." His bright patches of fur on his ebony pelt are reminiscent of the markings on a moth's wing, of course. "StarClan honors your keen eyes and conviction, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." She repeats the motion, resting her chin on his head and waits for the ceremonial lick. When she steps away, she is proud to lift her voice and cheer with the rest of the clan, "Toadhop! Mothfur!"

As soon as the chanting dies down, she does not return to the Highrock like she normally does. Instead, she looks towards the medicine den. Inside, a crippled apprentice lays. She would have been getting her warrior name today. Howlingstar does not plan on her missing out on it. With a flick of her tail and a nod, she gently asks her clan to part so she may get through. Snowy paws darken with mud as she pads through the crowd and eventually arrives at the mouth of the medicine den. Just inside, she can see young Stormpaw laying in her nest, and the tabby gives Flamewhisker a smile where the mother sits nearby.

"I, Howlingstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has done what no apprentice has done before. She risked her life, and gave her ability to walk, on a perilous quest, one she took to ensure her clanmates would survive. I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." She levels the girl with a burning look, one that is lit with pride and care for the young she-cat. Though she may not run and fight in battles again, she will still get the opportunity to make the vow every warrior must. "Stormpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend you clan, even at the cost of your life?"

// the third warrior ceremony! @STORMPAW

GENTLESTORM · Nov 5, 2023

I SEE A SONG OF PAST ROMANCE — Hailstorm ambles over with both ears pricked forward and his eyes sweeping across the cats that were gathered, normally, he would've sought out a familiar dark pelt to sit next to but with her absence he finds himself sitting at the back of the crowd. The large sepia tom still being able to listen in on the kittens being promoted to apprentices, a few apprentices to warriors, and his dull gaze lifted ever so slightly at the mention of Stormpaw remembering that she's within the medicine den due to her more serious and potentially permanent injuries. His usually warm eyes still holding a little sadness to them yet it ebbs away at the mention of the molly getting her own warrior name today like the others. He believes she has earned it and she'd set an example for future warriors or that's what he thinks anyways.

He chants the names of the newly named apprentices and warriors with the rest of his clanmates it lacks the usual enthusiasm and spirit that he had normally for these meetings but it seems that he's falling a bit short. Nobody could really blame him though his eyes focus on Howlingstar and he admires her, how she can hold herself together in front of her clanmates despite having lost Little Wolf. She's stronger than he'll ever be, a soft breath leaving his maw.

✦ I SEE THE SACRIFICE OF MAN; I SEE PORTRAYALS OF BETRAYALS

✦ longhaired blue sepia tom w/low white and brown eyes
✦ amab he/him ; other pronouns used towards him will confuse him
✦ 49 moons old
✦ bisexual demiromantic; mates with ~~little wolf~~
✦ "speech", thoughts, attacking
✦ semi-difficult in combat; relies on strength, his large size, and wits
✦ peaceful powerplay allowed

BURNSTORM · Nov 6, 2023

Burnstorm's apprentice should have been made a warrior at this meeting. His golden eyes search the crowd for the brown furred tom and if he were to find him he would search his face. Did he feel bitter about the fact that he was being held back? Did he wish he was standing there with Mothpaw and Toadpaw? Perhaps next moon he would be but today he was not ready and that was okay. Not everyone became a warrior at twelve moons, or eleven like he had. If Falconpaw was not ready it did not mean he was less because of it. If anything, Burnstorm thinks that being held back will make him better.

He hopes that Flycatcher and Flamewhisker do not begrudge him this, but when he looks upon the fire-touched she cat he can see that her thoughts lay mostly with the tortoiseshell who lays in the medicine cats den, her back legs rendered useless. An unfortunate fate, to be certain. Pain twists in his chest when he thinks of it, when he thinks of how his mother would have felt about such a thing. If she were here she would press herself against Flamewhiskers side in comfort, she would visit Stormpaw in the medicine cats den every single day. When he thinks about it, his claws curl into the soft earth. He should have gone on that journey, he could have protected them. All of them.

Numb, he calls the names of the new warriors along with everyone else but it feels hollow, like he is just going through the motions. His interest is piqued, however, when Howlingstar calls for Stormpaw, and like many others, his gaze flickers to the medicine cats den to look for that familiar blue and orange pelt.

STORMFEATHER · Nov 7, 2023

She can hear the meeting continue without her from her nest in the medicine cat den. Stormpaw feels her body sink deeper into the moss and feathery mass that makes up her bed and her whole life now. She tells herself to be grateful to be alive, but the reality of her helplessness sets in and she does truly think she will never earn her warrior name.

No other cat had gotten as gravely injured as her. No other cat would impose such a heavy burden on the Clan. She was in the prime of her life but reduced to the capacity of an elder. She's quiet when Flamewhisker and her family visits. She does not know what to say. Stormpaw rests her chin on her paws, listening for her brother's name in the ceremonies. When it does not come, she is shocked to say the least, but does not say anything. There is almost a fear of speaking evil into the world by mentioning it. Stormpaw learns what it means to be lucky or unlucky.

And then, suddenly, dragging herself out of those thoughts, she sees Howlingstar part the way toward her resting place. Stormpaw blinks in surprise and looks up, blue eyes threatening to water. Stormpaw's mouth falls open uselessly and when Howlingstar speaks, her heart breaks.

No greater gift could be given to the young she-cat than the look of pride in her leader's eyes. For so long she had chased that level of respect, and she had been certain she would loose it all with her condition.

It takes everything in her not to cry.

"I-I do." She speaks up, as loud as she can.

☾₊ ⊹ sing for the laughter, sing for the tear

STORMPAW of THUNDERCLAN
— LH FEMALE TORBIE WITH HIGH WHITE (CARRYING DILUTE) a small and slight creature with patches of black tabby and red tabby fur and bright blue eyes. her facial features are round, obscured by a heavy feathering of fur around her cheeks. smells of oak wood and basil, her voice has a rough, raspy edge to it that sometimes peaks into higher pitches, and her gait is described as firm and solid.

— born to flycatcher and flamewhisker and raised alongside her brother falconpaw, stormpaw was always hyper-aware of an expectation of excellence hanging over her. she fails to excel at hunting, the skill her parents are most known for, and struggles with a severe identity crisis revolving around her obsession with thunderclan as the savior of the clans. she finds herself lost without meaning when she tries to detach herself from thunderclan as a whole, and uses a religious fervor in starclan to distract herself from her mental crisis.

HOWLINGSTAR · Nov 7, 2023

Howlingstar's stoic expression is broken only by the smile that spreads across her muzzle as Stormpaw looks up at her with glossy eyes and states her vow. The strength and emotion of her words nearly makes the old woman want to tear up, too. But her voice remains clear as she lifts her chin and says, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Stormpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Stormfeather, for as a bird can trust its wings, a clanmate can always have their trust in you. StarClan honors your reliability and boldness, your loyalty and honor, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Folding back her ears, the stout tabby bends her head down to rest it on the she-cat's. While there, she murmurs, "You have done well, Stormfeather. ThunderClan will always be proud of you." Though she may not be able to hunt and fight like the rest of the warriors, she has the courage and heart of one. Now, she bears a name to reflect that.

Howlingstar steps back and smiles down at her, eventually joining in the rest of the cheers. "Stormfeather! Stormfeather!" She looks once more towards Flamewhisker, hoping to catch her eye with a smile, before she turns and makes her way back towards the Highrock. But she stops halfway there, near a group of warriors, and looks around at the crowd again. "Before we are done, I have one more announcement to make. I have heard all about the journey from Flamewhisker and Nightbird, who both bravely led our clanmates to the mountains and back. I am so thankful for the both of them, and lucky to have them on my council serving as lead warriors. But I have heard of another on the journey who proved himself without a doubt to have the qualities a lead warrior should have. Batwing-" She shifts her gaze to him, where he sits in front of her. She tips her chin up. "Will you serve as a lead warrior of ThunderClan on my council?"

// AYEEE CONGRATS @batwing

FALCONHEART · Nov 7, 2023

Falconpaw knows that he should have been made a warrior at this meeting. He should be getting his new name alongside Mothpaw and Toadpaw—and Stormpaw. His expression falls flat for the barest moment, but the tabby tom quickly schools it back into a smile, glancing around the crowd of gathered clanmates. Are they looking at him, wondering why he isn’t up there, too? Do they all think that he isn’t good enough? Are his parents disappointed in him? Is Burnstorm disappointed? He shrinks back a step, eyes cast down to his pale paws.

He shrinks, curling into himself like a withering flower. Envy fills his chest, heavy and uncomfortable. He shouldn’t be jealous of his sister as Howlingstar speaks of her achievements, her bravery. He should be grateful that the calico returned alive. He straightens to his full height once more, trying to seem unbothered, but Falconpaw has never been good at disguising his emotions. Even as he smiles and cheers, he looks downcast. "Stormfeather! Stormfeather!" He calls his sister’s new name eagerly, trying to lock those thoughts of jealousy behind a wall in his mind. He’s happy for her, and he’s relieved that she’s even still here to receive a warrior name. Stormfeather is a pretty name for her; he hopes that she likes it. He hopes that he’ll have a name just as good… someday.

[ find me way out there ]

batwing · Nov 8, 2023

.i'll be your calm, —————————

————————— before the storm!.

▵ ———————— ◮ ———————— ▵

Too much had happened. Stuff that made him feel sick to his stomach, others that made him burst with pride. He settled down near Hailstorm as the meeting was called, inhaling softly as he processed information. Little Wolf's death. Stormpaw's legs. Those who died before they could make it to the camp with the cure. Leopardtongue had been his focus for most of the past few days as it could be, his new kits at the forefront of his mind.

A lot had happened. He tuned back into the meeting to lift his voice in chant of those receiving their warriors names- Stormfeather. Toadhop. Mothfur. He'd sear these new names into his mind, hope he never forgot them. He wouldn't, actually. His clan was so very important to him. Then Howlingstar is moving back towards Highrock, certainly for more mundane announcements, but her paws stopped before him. Vision lifted towards Hailstorm in brief confusion, then up towards Howlingstar.

But I have heard of another on the journey who proved himself without a doubt to have the qualities a lead warrior should have. His heart stopped, thudding in his chest. Little Wolf's death. The hunger in the far-off tangled forest. Flamewhisker breaking down over Stormp- Stormfeather's injury. The fox. Howlingstar is looking at him, words moving through her mouth, things he thought he'd never hear, something that he thought he would never be able to accomplish.

Will you serve as a lead warrior of ThunderClan on my council?

His heart thudded, blood rushing in his ears. And slowly, his head dipped in respect, eyes squeezing shut. "I- Yes. Of course- I'd be honored to serve on your council." Batwing responded, lifting his vision towards her. And tenatively, a smile split on his lips- first at her, then at Hailstorm, then finally towards the medicine den. Past the gorse, he could almost imagine his father standing proud over the camp.

"speech"

Flycatcher · Nov 8, 2023

There is a bittersweet tinge to this meeting. Sadness from the losses ThunderClan has so recently endured, but happiness too at having reclaimed their rightful home and to have the journey cats back with them. From his usual place upon the rock below Howlingstar, Flycatcher listens and watches as she begins. There are new apprentics named in the shape of Pigeonpaw and Sunshinepaw, and Flycatcher can't help show his amusement at them being given to their older siblings to mentor. Although the choice was funny on the surface, Flycatcher was sure they'd make fine mentors for their younger siblings, especially given who their own mentors were.

After the apprentices comes the naming of new warriors. Toadhop and Mothfur are given their names first, and Flycatcher is proud of the two young warriors as he cheers their names out loud. And then, Howlingstar does something surprising. Instead of retaking her place on the Highrock after bestowing their names, she walks towards the medicine den, and though she does not verbalise her intentions Flycatcher knows in his heart what she is doing. He knows that his daughter was receiving her warrior name. He waits quietly before the cheers singing out a new name begin to sound. Stormfeather. Flycatcher can't help but find himself teary-eyed. "Stormfeather! Stormfeather!" He cries out, his voice one of the loudest. He has no doubt in his heart that all of their family are proud of her. From himself and Flamewhisker, to Falconpaw, and her cousins.

As Howlingstar moves away from the medicine den, she stops before a crowd of warriors, making another announcement before she retakes her position on the rock. She asks if Batwing would serve on her council, stating that he had many qualities that would be perfect for a lead warrior. Flycatcher was pleased when he accepted the position, certain that the tom would make a fine addition to the council and looked forward to serving with him.

TOADHOP · Nov 10, 2023

He's been waiting for this moment for so long now. Toadpaw can't believe it's in front of him now, in the form of the brown tabby leader stood before him, speaking of the power of StarClan, of fallen cats, his sister.

Are you listening, Ragwortpaw? he wonders again, wonders if she's proud of him for making it this far.

His mother, only a brief thought in the vague memory of warmth and nothing more, nothing comparable to the exile he'd learned her to be — would that version of him be proud of him? She made Roeflame bring him here for a reason; for safety, he supposes... he hopes. Surely, the only image of him he has, that of the only memory of being in her proximity, would find some pride in him finally getting his name.

He doesn't want to dwell on her much longer, doesn't want his rogue-pathed mother to be what he's thinking of as he gains his warrior name.

Instead, he thinks of the oak forest he calls home, thinks of Roeflame, and — as he's called by his apprentice name for the last time — he thinks of his promise to defend this clan until the day he too is star-bound.

Toadhop. He tests the new name in his mind and revels in the foreign sound of it; the lack of a paw held onto for too long. A weight is pressed atop his head, one that pulls him back out of his thoughts to remember that his warrior ceremony is not yet completed. A cerulean gaze blinks, before swiftly licking the leader's shoulder. As Howlingstar pulls away to move on to Mothpaw's ceremony, he nods back to her, a silent thank you shared with his leader.

Roeflame's apprentice becomes Mothfur beside him, and Toadhop points a congratulatory smile at him as their new names are echoed throughout the camp. After the chants die down, the new warrior assumes this is where the meeting will end, but Howlingstar doesn't dismiss them, instead moving toward the medicine den.

Curiosity leads his eyes and ears as he leans forward to listen to Howlingstar's words. Another warrior ceremony, for Stormpaw this time — whose homecoming was forged in injuries Toadhop can't even begin to grasp, her legs rendered inoperable. Still, she made it home - still, she deserves this too.

"Stormfeather! Stormfeather!" he chants with the crowd, louder this time than his last call. It doesn't dawn on him until later that her littermate now takes Toadhop's former spot in the apprentice den — that Falconpaw had been held back from receiving his name.

Still, the meeting isn't over, as Howlingstar returns to address the journey, to call on another council member in the form of Batwing. Though he only knows the warrior in passing, Toadhop can look at him as a strong warrior and as he accepts Howlingstar's offer, he expects to look at him as a strong lead warrior too.

WOLFWIND · Nov 10, 2023

There's a lot to talk about, this time around.

Wolfwind gathers herself, tail splaying itself comfortably around white paws. There's a sparkle of hope in her eyes— maybe more than a sparkle, as Howlingstar announces that the Lungwort is doing it job. It better for all the trouble they went through to get it... ( And then, just saying trouble was an understatement, wasn't it? ) She thanks StarClan. She thanks Little Wolf.

It seems that today is the day the siblings of her own apprentice catches up with the other two. Wolfwind looks on, eyes glinting with a hint of surprise when she hears that Mousenose is given an apprentice. It seems like she herself had only just become a warrior a few sunrises ago, but of course, Wolfwind knew that must be impossible, with the moons of yellowcough outbreak that seemed to stretch on. Mousenose had lived through that all, and Wolfwind can't help but wonder...

It's a funny feeling she gets, when Sparkwing is given his own apprentice. Pride. Fear. More pride. Oh, StarClan bless that apprentice. Sparkwing's screeching is about the easiest thing to pick out of a crowd of all time, but she finds herself wanting to screech right along side him, so she can't be damned to scold him for it. It's her, she decides then and there, who must scream for them the loudest. I was taught by the best, she hears him scream, and her heart swells. " Damn right! " she shouts above the crowd. " Sunshinepaw! Pigeonpaw! " And then, " Toadhop! Mothfur! " ThunderClan grew stronger still, no need to fret.

And Stormpaw. Oh, dear Stormpaw. " Stormfeather! " Wolfwind joins the clan in their noise, smile wider than it's been in moons.

A note of surprise then, as Howlingstar takes a final step, jaws parting to welcome another cat to her ever - growing council. " Batwing! " She could not blame her. For everything the journeying cats went through...

She wonders if Little Wolf would've been in a similar place, had she returned with rest.

Wolfwind cheers for her. For Batwing. For ThunderClan. They were doin' just fine.

OOC ✨ 10.25.2023 BET MY MONEY ON A STUPID HORSE, I LOST THAT

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[ SO I RAN OUT TO THE TRACK TO GET MY CASH BACK ] WOLFWIND THUNDERCLAN LEAD WARRIOR! MENTOR 2 EMBERPAW; KIN 2 MANY.
—— SHE / HER, CONFUSED BY BUT NOT OPPOSED TO THE USE OF OTHERS
—— CURRENTLY 23 MOONS OLD. AGES EVERY 1ST.

FRIEND TO MANY! UPBEAT AND UPFRONT. MOVES THROUGH LIFE WITH AN UPBEAT EXTERIOR AND BRIGHT EYES. MAKE NO MISTAKE! TAKES HER JOB VERY SERIOUSLY. THERE'S IMPORTANCE IN SAFETY, RECKLESSNESS ONLY GETS YOU SO FAR. ONCE A FOOL, BUT NO LONGER

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freckleflame · Nov 12, 2023

this somberness is different than the rest. there is a relief amongst them, growing further palpable as howlingstar annoucnes that the lungwort is working. a breath falls from small porcelain teeth, split - mawed as if — as if she’d not expected it to work. not truly. it seemed too good to be true after the hell theyd faced, like something spun from kits tales she’d heard long ago, nestled in the nursery with sunfreckle and.. little wolf. she feels the loss like an absent limb, like a body prepared for burial. she wonders, briefly, if it would have been easier to comprehend if she’d been brought back. unrealistic, she knows. ginger paws take her to her spot amidst the crowd, already bustling with activity and shouting still muffled in her ears. they were home. safe, healing. her siblings are to receive their mentors. she settles heavily aside wolfwind, lifts a leg to scratch her ear and — sparkwing and mousenose.

wide blinking, blinding eyes. pigeonpaw to sparkwing, sunshinepaw to mousenose. her leg still lifted halfway to her skull, the tortoiseshell freezes for all of three seconds. a brief, hard tensing of muscles beneath her coat, a pulse at the jaw, ” spuh —“ sparkwing, she starts, dumbly as cheer erupts around her. wrong words, wrong words! her foot plops to the ground, ramrod straight suddenly. ss — , ”sspigeonpaw! sunshineki — paw! stars alive.. “ muttered quiet at the end, a bristle of frustration at her shoulders born only of her own embarrassment. she hoped, prayed the noise around drowned her loud mistakes ; sparkwing. sparkwing had gotten an apprentice before her. mousenose, too, but she could have sworn she’d witnessed her brother swallow a butterfly while at least once — what did that mean?

she mulls it over as toadhop and mothfur receive their names, shifts uncomfortably in her spot. eyes follow as howlingstar descends and plods towards the medicine den, curls her tail around her paws and ducks her head. so gravely injured. so immobile, broken. the journeyers had stayed back to assist her and in her darkest thoughts, the molly couldn’t help but wonder why. her legs.. a life in the elders den, she could only assume it. the mollys throat bobs hard on a swallow, murmuring along as batwing joins howlingstar’s ever - growing council. rewards from the journey, for coming back with breath still in his lungs — for coming back at all. she should be happy. she should be.

𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙼𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝙼𝙴 𝚂𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙴 -`☀︎´- 𝘗𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘌 𝘚𝘛𝘈𝘠 𝘍𝘖𝘙 𝘈 𝘞𝘏𝘐𝘓𝘌 𝘕𝘖𝘞

i.
𖦹 . LESBIAN. SINGLE, CRUSHES EASILY. SMELLS LIKE SUN - WARMED OAK. FOURTEEN MOONS. NAMED A WARRIOR 8 / 3 / 2023. MENTORED UNDER WOLFWIND, PENNED BY ANTLERS !!!
f. she / her, daughter of sunfreckle and rabbitnose. large cream - ribboned tortoiseshell with seaglass eyes. fire - forged, smoldering ; shades of vibrant russet, dousing swathes of shadow and interwoven with ribbons pale cream come to drape like licks of flame over a well - toned form.

in warriorhood she has grown to full, hulking height ; unspecified maine coon heritage born of sunfreckle's kittypet background shows itself in large, round paws and tufted, long - furred toes set upon thick, tabby - splotched limbs. freckleflame is broad shouldered and square - jawed, wild cheek fur like the blazing edges of a red sun — a hulking, thick - furred thunderclan warrior, forever blaze - kissed. a characteristic lack of personal space leads her to a slouching, touchy posture, often inclined to lean or bump against her peers, all while bearing a wide, bright - eyed grin.

~~———~~ ˙⋆ — prone to bouts of explosive emotion. all opinions are solely in - character and during these times, often untrue or said only in anger.

ROEFLAME . · Nov 12, 2023

ROEFLAME — I fell in love with the fire long ago.

Roeflame sits tall among the crowd, eyes alight with anticipation. Her apprentice would be graduating this meeting, and stars knew Mothpaw had earned it.
The newest apprentices are named first, Sunshinepaw and Pigeonpaw, and dutifully Roeflame chants their names alongside the wave.
Finally Mothpaw is called alongside Toadpaw, and a prideful grin breaks along the tabby warriors maw.
About damn time! She thinks crudely, sparing a moment to shoot her brothers now former mentor a disapproving squint.
Mothfur and Toadhop, fine names for the two new warriors.
"Mothfur! Toadhop!" The young warrior herself calls, her voice far too loud against her clanmates, but the small she-cat was unapologetic for her large presence, always had been.
Batwing is called forward once the chanting had faded, and Roeflame in all her high spirits is happy for her clanmate.
"Batwing!"

"speech"

camp IT'S LIKE I'M WASTING YOUR HONOR // 11/3 MEETING

Mother Wolf

Brave little spark

how a real queen behaves °✩₊

STAR-GIFTED

8 . 13 . 2024

Heal your frays

Oh, run along home now - ✧

Mother Wolf

༄.𖥔 ݁ ˖ WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

If I could hold you for a minute

μῆνιν, ἄειδε θεὰ!

Mother Wolf

“a hero at heart”

6/9/23 - 3/16/24

come fly with me

STAR-GIFTED

4/21/2024 ⤾ THE GREAT PROTECTOR

ain’t no sunshine

V I R A G O

Heal your frays