LET THE RAIN FALL / private

[Orangepath]

The medicine den is quiet aside from their breaths as Fireflyglow checks the overworked cracks of his leader's stinging pawpads. Fawnpaw is elsewhere; if she remembers correctly, she would be tending to a moss patrol with a pawful of the older apprentices. Orangestar has known Fireflyglow all of his life. He would, at least, be honest. He would, at least, keep this between them. She doesn't meet his eyes, a guilty shyness prickling at her demeanour.

It has been a quarter moon since her council meeting had gone to shambles, and Orangestar is sure the warriors have noticed her recent change in mannerisms: where she is usually firm but kind, the blunted edge of her words strike ruder. Her patience wears thin. She has become easy to overwhelm, Orangestar surmises, a small huff doing nothing to ease her tension. It would be too easy to blame it on Slatesnarl, the strange distance between her and her mate drawing ever harder to bridge by her inaction. That would also be a lie, one which she discards as soon as the thought is realised. It would be too easy to blame it on Sorrelsong, but Orangestar finds herself unable to shake an awful sense of resignation that the tactless she-cat had spoken with a genuine insight into their Clan.

"I don't know if I can do this much longer." She confesses, meow hushed, in a moment of reckless overwhelm. It has been nearly twelve moons, and I have not been any sort of the leader your father was. Her failures are sorted before her in her mind's eye when she dreams, stolen prey and bloodied paws. The bodies of Oakrumble and Sweetstorm join them now, her failure in seeing a traitor among her warriors. StarClan ... she had considered allowing Kitestorm on her council, given a few more moons. The very thought makes her fur stand on end. Her attention lingers on the leaf gingerly placed on her paw, as if considering it, but the next words from her mouth are not about her treatment:

"Do you think Sorrelsong was right?"

✧ SHOULDER THE SKY

• @Fireflyglow
  
• 
  
  
  ORANGESTAR ✧ penned by wren
  —— she/her, leader of skyclan
  —— a scarred white-and-ginger she-cat with brown eyes. her neutral expression is a faint frown.
  —— mate to slatesnarl ; mentor to budpaw
  
  

​

 

[Fireflyglow]

After the absolute dumpsterfire of a council meeting they had, Fireflyglow wouldn't be surprised if Orangestar needed to take some time to herself. To be criticized and belittled in front of her council like that, cats she was supposed to trust.. Fireflyglow couldn't imagine how his auntie felt. As he finished wrapping the molly's paws up with fresh herb wrappings, Fireflyglow let himself settle down onto his stomach next to the molly. He had known her his whole life, had seen her move up the ranks and earn his father's trust. She was more worthy of this position than any cat in SkyClan was.

The silence was never awkward between them; if anything, it allowed him to think more clearly. He was still angry from earlier, and he certainly didn't want to say anything that wasn't fitting for a medicine cat. I don't know if I can do this much longer. She says in a soft voice, a sense of resignation to her tone as he turned his head so his eyes pointed towards, letting her know he was listening while giving her time to talk about what was causing such a storm in her mind. Fireflyglow knew better than most that the position of Leader was a burdensome role. His tongue rasped over the molly's head, grooming between her ears in an attempt to comfort her. "It must be overwhelming, auntie.. I am sorry. You did not deserve the treatment you received." He whispers softly, letting her know that he understood her.

Do you think Sorrelsong was right? She asks, and Fireflyglow grumbles low in his throat. "Never." He responds nearly immediately, sure of himself and his answer. "I think she has lost her mind, spewing such dung. You are only one cat, Orangestar. You cannot magically make prey more bountiful, nor can you make our warriors better hunters at the click of your claws. Our lack of prey isn't your fault." Fireflyglow grunts, claws digging into the frostbitten ground beneath him. "Start a war over this, and you will be known as war-hungry. Remain peaceful and don't do anything, and you are considered weak. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who disagrees with you. Someone who finds faults in what you do." He scratches his chin, ruffling his fur further before he continues. "If you wish to step away from the mantle of leadership, I will support you. But if you are to do so, you are to do it with your head held high, knowing that you've done the best you can. I will not allow you to step down because some wet-behind-the-ears council member thinks they're justified in their stupid opinion."

He fixes the molly with a stern look, though a shine of admiration managed to make its way as well.​

SKYCLAN MEDICINE CAT ✦ 29 MOONS ✦ CHUNKY, BIG-FOOTED SEAL POINT ✦ TAGS​

 

[Orangepath]

She is quiet through Fireflyglow's reassurance, and grudgingly allows the comforting rasp of the younger tom's tongue between her ears. Some distant part of her notes that he is quite a lot taller than her now, and Orangestar's mind turns briefly to Little Wolf with a re-furrowed brow. However, the immediate and fierce rebuttal that Fireflyglow forces against Orangestar's moment of doubt makes her expression soften with minute softness. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who disagrees with you. Even if it is not her fault that they starve, and no path she takes will make everyone happy, she feels as if she has run out of options. Maybe change, as drastic as this would be, is their best bet.

"I want you with me when I speak with Twitchbolt." Orangestar decides, searching Fireflyglow's unseeing gaze for answers they may not have. "If he declines, if he cowers from this— help him see reason ... or, StarClan forbid he doesn't ... help me choose a new successor."

An ear pricks, the sound of a returning patrol drawing Orangestar's attention. She half turns, searching for tree-bark fur among the silhouettes. She glimpses it, a small noise of recognition escaping her, Fireflyglow's only warning before Orangestar barks, "Twitchbolt!" with no particular panic, in hopes that he would heed her call and join them within the medicine cat's den.

// @TWITCHBOLT
​

 

[TWITCHSTAR]

Tiredness gripped him following his excursion, bones aching from their work, hunting in the cold; Twitchbolt's eyes flicked around the faces of his patrol, both thankful and a bit ragged-run. There wasn't much time for recovery, though- Orangestar's voice thrust a sharp spear through him, eyes flaring wide. Only a brief shock, that she should summon him- it was normal, he reminded himself. Didn't let it whip him into any frenzy, quieting the thumping of his heart, the worry. No, no... it was normal for the leader and the deputy to talk, to have meetings- they'd had them before, so...

Fireflyglow was there, though- there was a tenseness about the medicine cat that Twitchbolt couldn't ignore. Was he imagining the atmosphere, the squeezing that coiled his stomach, that tightened his fangs? Dithering limbs carried him over, settling to a seat, and feeling a pang of regret instantly. Stars, overstaying his welcome, maybe ... sat here thinking, and his claws flexed in thought from within their sheaths. "Wh- uh, yeah?" Confusion was hard to wipe from his face, and one eye twitched relentlessly, scrunching into a squint from the uncertainty. He couldn't ignore it, couldn't at all, whatever this was pushing pressure into his throat, bringing up shallow breath.

Don't panic. No need for it. Mantra repeated over and over, for- yes, it was probably about Sorrelsong, wasn't it? "What's up?" Voice hushed, low, like ... this was some scandal. Maybe it was, ominous meeting between the deputy, the leader, the medicine cat... come morning, there'd be rumours.​

penned by pin ✧​

 

[Fireflyglow]

Fireflyglow lowered his head in respect to the femme he's grown fond of, a sense of reverence in the way his head dipped and bowed to her. It wasn't just respect- he loved her in a familial, and familiar way; just as he had loved his parents, his siblings, and all of his many niblings. She is more than just his Queen in this moment. Orangestar was like an aunt to him, and so he heeded her every word like it was prayer itself. Some may call him blindly loyal- but what was so horrible about that, when the blind could see the truth in the action of others?

She tells him to speak reason to Twitchbolt, and he nods his agreement. Orangestar might come across as a bit harsh if she is denied once, so perhaps his own gentle touch to the conversation might lead it better. His only flinch came from the shout of Twitchbolt's name from Orangestar's lips, shoulders jumping for a moment before he relaxes once more. The tom joins them promptly, settling down to talk. He can feel the eyes on him, can smell the anxiousness permeating his den of herbs and disease.

"Breathe, my friend." Fireflyglow encourages softly, a small smile upon his darkened muzzle. His tail flicks behind him as he moves to adjust himself, allowing Twitchbolt more room. That, and to move his body to block the doorway of the den. Less to keep them in, more to keep others out. Fawnpaw would be out with his friends right about now. This should be done smoothly.

Turning his head to Orangestar's direction, he gives her a nod to show he is ready.​

SKYCLAN MEDICINE CAT ✦ 29 MOONS ✦ CHUNKY, BIG-FOOTED SEAL POINT ✦ TAGS​

 

[Orangepath]

There is a shuffle, the patter of pawsteps in a gait she has recognised since they were kit-sized, and it is only a heartbeat or seven before Twitchbolt's muzzle peers in to the den. Orangestar gestures him closer with a curl of her tail, until he stands clear of the entryway. Fireflyglow moves subtly as the deputy's attention falls to his leader, blocking the entrance of his den with their thick pelt, and some distant flicker of amusement stirs within Orangestar. She hadn't meant for the medicine cat to block Twitchbolt in until he agreed, but the physical show of solidarity goes appreciated.

In the end, Orangestar stares at Twitchbolt for a long time. Her gaze is thoughtful, sharp, assessing. This is not the deputy she had promoted twelve moons ago. This is not the tom, weary and frightened, who had abandoned her in her moment of need. Over twelve moons, Twitchbolt has changed: he has mentored an apprentice. His patrols are well-thought and consistent. Twitchbolt has grown into the spark of potential she saw within him from the start, and Orangestar is content as she looks upon him. He is her successor.

Her tailtip thumps against the floor of the den, rhythmic.

"My time as leader is close to an end." She states, as if she hadn't just let them sit in silence for a full three minutes of human time. Her voice carries a familiar, matter-of-fact authority; the same tone one might use to describe the clear sky, or the state of a border marker. "I will not be leaving SkyClan, if you will have me as a warrior once more. Are you able - willing - to step up in my stead?"

✧ SHOULDER THE SKY

•  
• 
  
  
  ORANGESTAR ✧ penned by wren
  —— she/her, leader of skyclan
  —— a scarred white-and-ginger she-cat with brown eyes. her neutral expression is a faint frown.
  —— mate to slatesnarl ; mentor to budpaw
  
  

​

 

[TWITCHSTAR]

"I am," barked defensively Fireflyglow's way; it was not lingering annoyance, only the sparking of an emotion, given so little to work with. The medicine cat's body moved to shadow the light spilling through the den's entrance, and Twitchbolt's jaw tensed. What, had he- done something so awful they didn't want the Clan to overhear? Or, well- it didn't have to be his fault, he supposed. Paws itched at the earth, vaguely frantic, namesake spasming exaggerated by the stress. Orangestar gave little but vague amusement, and silence.

A stupid amount of silence, really. Twitchbolt's jaw creaked more and more open as the quiet stretched on, eyelid fluttering wildly. What, what? Was she- allergic to giving him answers for anything, ever? Anything just... straightforwardly, without this... fanfare... agonising, he'd end up shattering his teeth to pieces and spitting them out onto the floor. And that wouldn't be very becoming of a deputy, would it?

Vagueness fled, somewhat. Contemplation was replaced with an answer, vague as it was. My time as leader has come to an end. "What?" The silence gave way to some level of thought, really... that she hadn't just stupidly blurted it out. Wasn't... rushing into it, or whatever. Re-joining as a warrior, giving up the crown without dying, without otherwise being scorned- was that even possible?

That wasn't the question he was being asked, though- that would come later, once he was able to give his affirmation. And his voice was not void of edge when he said, plainly: "I'm not... that fickle." It shoved out of him more aggressively than he would have liked. A terse sigh left him. What, what? Not even a reason, just... something mystical, like this fate was ordained. At least he had a say in it...

"I said I could, moons ago. I haven't changed my mind. If- if..." And he could have lurched, actually admitting it- actually speaking it into existence. "If this is what's... if this is what has to happen, then yes. Of course." It should be obvious. It should be. After all these moons, it still wasn't.

His eyes began to sting with their wideness. "What- how do you even..." Her lives- she'd died, once, twice, thrice... several times. Lots. How, how... did it work? Did StarClan strike her down however many times it took her to tick down to one? Did they take them all away, Orangestar technically having lived out the one life she had as a warrior already? She seemed... convinced that she could be a warrior again.

But he would. No matter how, he would be SkyClan's leader. And for now he chose not to think too hard about it, lest he faint from the pressure.​

penned by pin ✧​

 

[Orangepath]

I'm not that ... fickle. Twitchbolt's retort earns a huff from Orangestar, the exhale half in relief and half of something not quite a purr. Her eyes dart across his muzzle, searching critically for an agreement her deputy gives in readiness, reaffirming his vow and forging hope anew in his leader.

"Good." She closes her eyes for a moment, relishing the feeling of weight slipping from her shoulders. The exhaustion digs its claws back into her countenance when she regards him once more, but in that instant she seems more content than she has in a very long time.

"I don't know." She responds, the blunted edge of her words striking against the assumption of his unspoken question. Orangestar doesn't do something as ordinary as raise her shoulders in a shrug, but the tilt of her head implies something similar. She speaks the truth, unaware of whether or not she would be allowed to leave StarClan with the mortality of a warrior once more. "It is possible StarClan will strike me down and I won't wake up."

Orangestar glances upwards, as if expecting a bolt to descend from the sky right in that very moment. She sounds weary as she continues:

"With that in mind ... The half moon meeting. Once that has passed, we will go." That would give them time to set their affairs in order. Her eyes wander then, finally settling once more upon Fireflyglow. A half-beat too long, the remembrance that they cannot see her gaze, precludes a meow of, "Fireflyglow. Will you and Fawnpaw make your way back as planned, or remain there to wait for us? SkyClan can't survive without its medicine cats, but ... Dawnglare was there when I received my lives."

✧ SHOULDER THE SKY

•  
• 
  
  
  ORANGESTAR ✧ penned by wren
  —— she/her, leader of skyclan
  —— a scarred white-and-ginger she-cat with brown eyes. her neutral expression is a faint frown.
  —— mate to slatesnarl ; mentor to budpaw
  
  

​