KEEP MY HEAD IN PLACE -- sootstar

[RUMBLERAIN]

𝐵𝐸𝑇𝑊𝐸𝐸𝑁 𝑊𝐻𝐴𝑇 𝐼𝑆 𝐿𝑂𝑆𝑇 𝐹𝑂𝑅𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑅 ✧ 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍

• @SOOTSTAR
• 
  
  — rumblepaw | tags
  — they/them ; moor-runner apprentice of windclan. mentored by brindlecloud.
  — lanky black-and-white point with blue eyes. butterfly accessory.
  — "speech" ; thoughts
  — art by mercibun
  — penned by mercibun. @ me in any official tabbytales discord for plots.
  
  

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Dark clouds swirl overhead, laden with heavy rain and threatening to break any moment now. Rumblepaw's tail twitches nervously as they glance up at it. Rain doesn't scare them, but they don't want their pelt to get soaked and then cold, unable to warm back up because of the leafbare frost on the horizon. Outlook Rock stands lonely, currently abandoned between guard patrols; Brindlecloud is somewhere among the tall grasses, out of earshot to a murmur but close enough that he'd be able to come quickly if something went wrong.

The grasses part around a familiar figure and Rumblepaw's head dips instinctively out of respect for the moor-queen. When they look back up Sootstar is still there, an ear-length shorter than them now but imposing all the same, and that familiar dread begins to settle back in.

"You wanted to see me?" They query, a characteristic quaver in their meow. Are they in trouble? Would this be about their final assessment? Were they going to get kicked out of the Clan for being a failure? They swear they'd been improving. Even if it had only been within two moons or so, they'd been improving! And they were good, and listened to instructions ... pleas sit heavy on their tongue-tip as Rumblepaw awaits their leader's words, tensed as if expecting a blow.

​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

She looks up to meet the blue gaze of the apprentice, ”Yes. Come in.”

Perhaps this was a conversation ought to be had with Brindlecloud present, but to say she was displeased with the warrior in this moment would be an understatement. It’s in Sootstar’s belief they’ve failed as both a mentor and warrior of WindClan, the moment Rumblepaw had been placed into proper paws they had began to suceed with flying colors. It was difficult not to place full blame on them, difficult to give them credit for their apprentice’s recent success.

”I’ve decided you’re ready to be a warrior.” She watches to see the tension release from their shoulders, a held breath to be let go. ”Your performance as of late has tremendously improved, I think we can both agree it is because I failed to place you into the right paws.” ’Because Brindlecloud failed.’ ”You display the qualities I look for in a warrior. Next meeting you will be given your full name.”

☾ INFO BATTLE

• 
  » Soot ․ Sootstar
  » WindClan Leader
  » She/her ․ Mate to Weaselclaw
  » Tiny blue smoke she-cat with green eyes.
  » "Speech" ․ thoughts ․ attack
  
• 
  » A high-stamina foe who can be difficult to hit.
  » Excels in quick, short moves.
  » Fights to kill and maim
  » Fatal attack of choice is an underbelly dive.
  » May powerplay minor harm. Can powerplay healing

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