border LEAVIN' WITH A FAT LIP ✦ SKYCLAN PATROL

LIONGAZE

LIONGAZE

you are the light.
Early Frost Participant [Sitewide Event '24] Easter Event [Sky '24]
Mar 3, 2024
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The chocolate torbie point's fangs sink into the gray fur of a mouse, the extraction of life satisfying to him as he makes another successful catch. Lionpaw feels lucky today as not one but two pieces of fresh-kill dangle from his splotched maw; he likes to think that he's becoming quite a skilled hunter but deep down he knows that it must have been sheer luck. The edge of the pine forest seemed to be one of the best hunting grounds from what he'd found. He would have to track over here more often... that is, when a ThunderClan patrol isn't nearby.

However, as if on cue, the sound of pawsteps rustles the leaf litter several lengths ahead. Lionpaw stiffens momentarily, teeth gently securing the prey in his jaws, shining blue eyes scanning the vicinity until a few pelts come into sight. If Lionpaw were by himself, he would have dipped away the moment he heard them. He silently curses himself for still being an apprentice, tethered to his Crowsight's side at all times and unable to depart until he did.

So, the boy twitches a whisker and silently watches as the opposing patrol goes about their duties. They have not noticed him yet, it seems.

𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 ✹ . + ˚ · 𝐀 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐘
​
 
// @RACCOONSTRIPE

Scarletpaw pads along the SkyClan border, her ears twitching with the occasional snap of a twig or rustle of leaves. The presence of her mentor, walking just ahead of her, does little to soothe the restless energy crackling beneath her pelt. She didn't get a good night's sleep last night, plagued with more nightmares of the uprising, of Skyclaw's fall, of Lightstrike's death, and as a result she's been on edge all day. And now, with her mind half-focused on the border patrol, she craves something to take the pressure off.

When she catches a glimpse of movement ahead - a dark shape moving between the undergrowth - her eyes narrow. A SkyClan apprentice, crouched low with fresh-kill hanging from his jaws. Scarletpaw's heart pounds faster, and her instincts kick in. That's ThunderClan territory he's too close to, She tells herself, though the apprentice hasn't crossed any line. But it's enough to stoke the embers of her frustration. She darts forward, moving ahead of Raccoonstripe with a sharp, purposeful stride, tail high and lips curled slightly. How careless.

"Hey!" The brown and orange she-cat's voice rings out as she stops a fox-length away from the other apprentice, her blue-and-orange eyes fixed on him. "Think you're slick, sneaking around this close to our border?" Her tone is biting, almost rehearsed in its sharpness, a defense mechanism she's grown used to. She knows she's not supposed to start anything, not when Raccoonstripe is around. But she can't help it.

She paces a half-circle around him so as to stay on her side of the border, her gaze flicking to the fresh-kill in Lionpaw's mouth. Lucky catch? She doubts it. "You must think pretty highly of yourself if you're hunting that close to us," She says, eyes narrowing. The accusation hangs in the air, but she doesn't care whether he's guilty or not - she just wants a reaction. Something to prove she's still in control.

The apprentice knows she shouldn't be picking a fight, but there's a certain satisfaction in prodding others - especially SkyClan kittypet-lovers. She keeps her head high, waiting to see how Lionpaw will respond.
​
 
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She and Scarletpaw didn't exactly have the best track record. No one was thinking that the girls were anything resembling friends; in fact, after their little spar, most would probably describe them as enemies. Rivals at best. Unfortunately, Squirrelpaw didn't get to choose when she was stuck with the grumpy tortoiseshell, and these days it seemed to be more often than not. Today they were saddled together on a border patrol, and Squirrelpaw was doing her absolute best to stay as far away from the other apprentice as possible.

Lionpaw, however, she liked. His stoic demeanor was charming, and she liked how shy he seemed to get when she'd paid attention to him the last time they'd met. She found herself always hoping to bump into him again whenever she was near this part of the territory, and today it seemed she would have that chance. A bright smile immediately lit up her face when his presence on the other side of the border caught her attention, and she bounded away from her mentor to greet him. "Lionpaw! It's nice to see you again." she purred warmly.

But of course, Scarletpaw was also along to ruin the pleasant encounter. The dark-furred molly immediately went into attack mode, shouting at the mottled Skyclanner and charging forward to confront him. The blue torbie rolled her eyes as hard as was physically possible, huffing in annoyance as she watched the outrageous display. "Geez Scarletpaw, I think you're overreacting a bit. He hasn't done anything wrong," she pointed out sharply, even though everything inside her wanted to scream MOUSEBRAIN. The warriors amongst them wouldn't look kindly on her taking the side of a Skyclan apprentice over one of their own, however, so she didn't intervene yet.
‎‎ooc ♥ info
  • [ mentor tag @Lightflower ]
  • jre5mPI.jpeg
    Click to expand...
  • ADzwRhe.png
    SQUIRRELPAW ♥ she/her, apprentice of thunderclan, 9 moons
    ⭃     lh blue torbie with high white and green eyes // slender but fluffy
    ⭃ single, bisexual, crushing on no one // flamestar x flycatcher
    ⭃ sister to bugpaw, ravenpaw, sunpaw, falconheart and stormfeather
    ⭃ mentored by lightflower // adoptive sister to sparrowpaw
    ⭃ peaceful powerplay permitted // underline and tag when attacking
    ⭃ penned by limerence ↛ @limericks. on discord, dm for plots
 
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He hadn't initially noticed the fluffy, cream-colored apprentice's proximity to their border, or if he had, he'd been prepared to dismiss it. His mind is on other things, more important things, things like failure and fate, things like being cheated. When Scarletpaw's accusatory voice rises and catches his attention, Raccoonstripe's gaze snaps toward the cat she's confronting.

Perhaps in another life, Raccoonstripe would have attempted to curb Scarletpaw's aggression. Perhaps if things had gone differently, if he'd had the rank to exert such an authoritative ruling, he would have. But the tabby smirks. He comes to stand behind Scarletpaw, and his eyes gleam with wildfire.

"Planning your next move, SkyClan? My apprentice is right." He sounds amused, but there's a strangled anger somewhere behind the smile he wears. "You're awfully close."

Squirrelpaw, StarClan knows why, is quick to try and diffuse the situation. Lightflower's influence, he's sure — and again, perhaps if he were in a different headspace, he'd have followed suit. But today... today he wants to see what will happen if they push.

『 out of character. 』 ✧･ﾟ:* 『 about. 』
  • ooc: —
  • 74327127_amPwOaY4eGaGkj8.png
  • Raccoon . Raccoonstripe, he/him w/ masculine terms.
    — "speech", thoughts, attack
    — 46 moons old, ages realistically on the 5th.
    — mentored by n/a ; mentoring Thistlepaw ; previously mentored Wildheart, Moonwhisper
    — thunderclan lead warrior. gray wolf x howlingstar, gen 2.
    — currently mated to Nightbird.
    — penned by Marquette.

    lh black tabby with white and dark brown eyes. charismatic, charming, calculating, ambitious, shallow, manipulative.

​
 
〔✦〕It's always tense, walking alongside the SkyClan border. All his mind wanders to is if his stale scent will be caught here ( alongside Hawkspine's as the two goofed around together ); it was a scary thought - but Roaringsun was certain they both hid it well enough. They were friends who hung out at the border when they could, and there was nothing wrong with that, surely.

Scarletpaw's voice rings heavy in the air, and snaps him out of his nerves. The accusation looms above them and the SkyClanner, and the warrior snaps his teeth. Great, just what he needed. I should add my voice to Squirrelpaw's. Try to diffuse before something bad happens. And he does just that - approaching them with confident steps. "It's fine, they haven't trespassed." He shoots a sympathetic glance at their neighbors, but Raccoonstripe's words are quick to tick him off and sour his expression. What is he sounding so smug for?

"They're close but that's not wrong, they're in their own territory." He reaffirms, raising an eyebrow at the lead warrior. Was he trying to cause a scene and start a fight? "They haven't stolen anything." Roaringsun affirms, and he believed it to be true. Their scent hadn't strayed to their side of the border. Without thinking, he added: "Unlike the patrol you led into their territory to hunt."
u9a4dSL.png

I took a little journey to the unknown ( Ive come back changed, I can feel it in my bones ) //
  • ooc.
  • ROARINGSUN —— warrior of thunderclan , mentor to none . npc x npc . littermate to npcs ✦ penned by nocthymia
    ✦ male / he/him / 13 moons & ages every 14ᵗʰ
    ✦ single / orientation & poly or mono / open/closed to romance
    ✦ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / underline & tag account when attacking
    —— combat details here / battle notes

    ✦ "speech", 'thoughts', all opinions are in character
    ✦ tags — msg on discord (hypmic) for plots — toyhouse
  • reference image here
    a longhaired flame sepia with low white and amber-brown eyes.
    Click to expand...
​
 
Attention drawn away from the main patrol lingering across the way, Lionpaw's azure gaze fixes onto a familiar torbie apprentice who was making her way over, Squirrelpaw. The molly had been kind to him the first time they'd met, making casual chit-chat and even complimenting his eyes ( which, by far, made her the nicest ThunderClanner he'd ever met ). Admittedly, he is relieved that it's her greeting him and not the likes of Burnstorm or any of the other nasty warriors who openly disliked SkyClan. Through muffled lips, the boy begins to reply, "Hi—" when they are abruptly interrupted.

"Hey!"

The sharp voice surprises Lionpaw, causing the trainee to flinch suddenly and recoil, the cream-colored fur along his spine bristling out of sheer instinct. The ThunderClanner—seeming to be an apprentice who was a bit younger than him—starts flinging accusations his way. He was "slick", lingering as close as he was to the border and was apparently arrogant to do so.

Genuinely flustered by the onslaught of verbal attacks being thrown his way, Lionpaw drops his pieces of prey onto the ground and scrambles to save his hide, "I wasn't tryin' to-" Then a tall black tabby comes to stand near the apprentice, voicing his agreement and staring him down as if he's at the ready to take action if Lionpaw so much as tried defending himself. That was Raccoonstripe, one of ThunderClan's lead warriors.

The chocolate torbie point's immediate intuition is to tuck his tail in between his legs and show respect to a warrior no matter where they hailed from. Maybe Lionpaw would be better off ignoring them and hurrying back to Crowsight so the patrol could quickly vacate the vicinity. But, today, something inside the soft-spoken apprentice took the wheel and made a sharp, unexpected turn, "She is not right. I'm on SkyClan's side of the border."

Thankfully, one of the oak-dwellers possessed some common sense. The flame-colored tom challenges the present authority boldly, even so much as bringing up the time when a ThunderClan patrol had stolen prey from SkyClan. Lionpaw had nearly forgotten about the occurrence; he had been a kit then. And Raccoonstripe himself had led that patrol? What... what a hypocrite! Lionpaw's pupils narrow, flicking toward the black tabby to gauge a reaction. What would he say to that?

𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 ✹ . + ˚ · 𝐀 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐘
​
 
Last edited:
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His own eyes narrow as he watches the Skyclan apprentice try and defend themselves, the mouse that once hung limp in their jaws now thrown to the ground before his paws. Shaking his head, he emerges from the underbrush, halting beside Scarletpaw and Squirrelpaw. "Not many cats would appreciate you hunting so close to their borders. Regardless of whether or not you actually crossed the border." A low warning to Lionpaw, he makes no further moves to question whether he was actually in the wrong in this situation.
​
SOMEBODY WAKE ME FROM THIS NIGHTMARE ⋆ ★ ⋆ ITS NOT THE REAL ME
  • ooc. —​
  • depositphotos_267303112-stock-photo-glorious-red-tabby-maine-coon.jpg
    Click to expand...
  • SPARKPAW
    ↪ sparkpaw / cisgender male (he/him)
    ↪ 08 moons / ages one month on the 17th
    ↪ thunderclan apprentice
    ↪ lh red tabby
    ↪ peaceful && healing actions may be powerplayed !! / attack in underline & @/account
    ↪ tags / toyhouse / penned by halimede
    ​
 
Amusingly, Roaringsun thinks to diffuse the situation by tossing gasoline over open flame. The young warrior — barely out of the apprentice's den — boldly squares up to Raccoonstripe, and the tabby's smile broadens across his muzzle like he's woken up to a beautiful new day. "Who was your mentor, Roaringsun? Which cat do I have to thank for teaching you it's appropriate to question your superiors at the borders of an enemy Clan?" He bares his teeth — just a hint, just a glimmer. "Still wet behind the ears. I'll give you this one. When we get back to camp, see to it the elders are free of ticks. You can make sure the apprentices have a much-needed break for the next three days."

He will not suffer such blatant disrespect, not in front of his own patrol and certainly not in front of some SkyClan apprentice. And what's worse, Roaringsun's insolence has emboldened the mottled-faced tom. He feels vindicated, now, in squaring up to Raccoonstripe, in insisting he's in the right.

Raccoonstripe's expression loses its faux amusement. The tabby says, "Scarletpaw, ensure he does not trespass. If you scent even a whisker over our border, I want you to teach him a lesson he won't soon forget." His stare is dark and furious. "SkyClan has to learn some lessons over and over again, but we're happy to teach them, aren't we?"

He twists the tip of his tail, inviting the patrol to begin to move along. But if any of the younger cats choose to linger, he won't stop them... though he will be taking note. Squirrelpaw especially seems to be overly friendly with their pine-dwelling neighbors... and Roaringsun had been awfully quick to come to their defense, hadn't he?

Raccoonstripe notices, and he moves on. For now.

『 out of character. 』 ✧･ﾟ:* 『 about. 』
  • ooc: —
  • 74327127_amPwOaY4eGaGkj8.png
  • Raccoon . Raccoonstripe, he/him w/ masculine terms.
    — "speech", thoughts, attack
    — 46 moons old, ages realistically on the 5th.
    — mentored by n/a ; mentoring Thistlepaw ; previously mentored Wildheart, Moonwhisper
    — thunderclan lead warrior. gray wolf x howlingstar, gen 2.
    — currently mated to Nightbird.
    — penned by Marquette.

    lh black tabby with white and dark brown eyes. charismatic, charming, calculating, ambitious, shallow, manipulative.

​
 
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Reactions: Scarletdust
〔✦〕He regrets speaking aloud the moment the words slip out. His mouth snaps shut when Raccoonstripe wastes no time in tearing at him - but StarClan, he would be lying if he said he doesn't want to speak up again, to challenge his superior in front of everyone. His claws flex and grip into the dirt beneath, his neck fur bristling as the lead warrior acts as if his mentors are to blame for his behavior. "Sorry, Raccoonstripe." Is muttered through gritted teeth, he still doesn't think he did anything wrong in challenging the black tabby tom, reminding him of his own code-breaking before he accused someone else of doing just the same like he's above them.

The words he wants to utter die in his throat. It's not right. for Raccoonstripe to be instigating conflict like this, for no good reason. Would you rather I question you in front of your mate and kits? Roaringsun is annoyed, now - at himself for the trouble he's causing, and at Raccoonstripe for acting like a douchebag.

Acting like this just because Flamestar didn't pick him for deputy! He huffs, following after the patrol from a tail-length away, keeping his distance. Yeah, I'm sure Flamestar would love for her deputy to start fights with the other Clans for no good reason!


u9a4dSL.png

I took a little journey to the unknown ( Ive come back changed, I can feel it in my bones ) //
  • ooc.
  • ROARINGSUN —— warrior of thunderclan , mentor to none . npc x npc . littermate to npcs ✦ penned by nocthymia
    ✦ male / he/him / 13 moons & ages every 14ᵗʰ
    ✦ single / orientation & poly or mono / open/closed to romance
    ✦ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / underline & tag account when attacking
    —— combat details here / battle notes

    ✦ "speech", 'thoughts', all opinions are in character
    ✦ tags — msg on discord (hypmic) for plots — toyhouse
  • reference image here
    a longhaired flame sepia with low white and amber-brown eyes.
    Click to expand...
​
 

Scarletpaw's pulse quickens as the situation escalates, her fur bristling with a mix of excitement and simmering anger. Lionpaw's retort doesn't surprise her - though it irritates her more than she expected. She had wanted him to squirm, maybe apologize or back off, but instead, he's standing his ground. The nerve.

Raccoonstripe's harsh words toward Roaringsun barely register; her focus remains on the SkyClan apprentice. Her mentor's command echoes in her mind - ensure he does not trespass, and if he does, teach him a lesson. Her claws unsheathe obediently, sinking into the earth. For a fleeting moment, the thought of chasing Lionpaw off, of making him regret ever coming this close to the border, tempts her.

But there's a part of her - a small, quiet voice - reminding her that this isn't about Lionpaw at all. It never was. He's just a convenient target for the frustration boiling inside her, and her mentor's eagerness to push the situation only stokes the fire. For a heartbeat, she catches Squirrelpaw's eye, the disapproving glare there unmistakable. Scarletpaw feels a flicker of shame but quickly buries it.

With a cold glance toward Lionpaw, she steps closer to the border, her tail flicking behind her. "You're lucky you're still on your side," She growls, her voice low. "But don't get too comfortable." She hesitates before adding, "SkyClan might think they're safe to try a stunt like your friends pulled earlier this moon, but ThunderClan is always watching."

With that, the brown and orange apprentice takes a step back, her muscles still taut with unspent energy. She glances at Raccoonstripe before following in his lead, while keeping an ear perked in case Lionpaw tries anything.
​
 
The situation escalated quickly, as it always seems to these days. The arrival of Raccoonstripe would normally bring relief, but the girl had seen the anger in his eyes and the way he loomed over Scarletpaw as she went off on her rampage. Of course, instead of trying to temper the aggression of his apprentice, their lead warrior egged her on.

Tension boiled to the surface as the shouting continued; Roaringsun boldly challenging Raccoonstripe, Lionpaw biting back in defense of himself, and Squirrelpaw felt her anxiety rise. Her paws shuffled uncomfortably, wanting to intervene on behalf of her new friend, but admittedly nervous about the stern look that was leveled on her by her superior. Raccoonstripe was the last cat she wanted to piss off in his current mood.

She casts Lionpaw a sympathetic look as Raccoonstripe finally stormed away, her shoulders relaxing slightly as he took the negativity with him. Scarletpaw lingered for another moment to issue one more threat, and Squirrelpaw turned a narrow-eyed glare on her denmate. "You're just as close to the border as he is, mousebrain. He didn't do anything so leave him alone." She might not be willing to take on the wrath of the grumpy lead warrior who had just exited the scene, but Scarletpaw was begging for a fight, and her paws itched to give it to her. Her tail lashed as the other molly finally walked away, and she audibly exhaled.

Turning back to the poor Skyclanner who had apparently chosen the wrong day to stop by, Squirrelpaw shuffled slightly closer, concern evident in her emerald gaze. "Are you okay? That was awful, I'm sorry about them." The apology was hushed but sincere. She recognized subconsciously that most of her clanmates would look poorly on her for caring more about an outsider in this situation, but she didn't care. Her clanmates had behaved badly today.
‎‎ooc ✶ info
  • jre5mPI.jpeg
    Click to expand...
  • ADzwRhe.png
    SQUIRRELPAW ✶ she/her, apprentice of thunderclan, 9 moons
    ⭃     lh blue torbie with low white and green eyes // slender but fluffy
    ⭃ single, bisexual, crushing on no one // flamestar x flycatcher
    ⭃ sister to bugpaw, ravenpaw, sunpaw, falconheart and stormfeather
    ⭃ mentored by lightflower // adoptive sister to sparrowpaw
    ⭃ peaceful powerplay permitted // underline and tag when attacking
    ⭃ penned by limerence ↛ @limericks. on discord, dm for plots
 
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