OFTEN &. october 6th meeting

[CHILLEDSTAR.]

DON'T YOU GIVE ME UP, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP​

---

//tw for derealization, dissociation, mentions and talk of death


dying a second time did not make the process easier. it made it... worse. they're stuck in this fucked up out of body feel, not even truly sure that they actually weren't dead. who's to say this wasn't just starclan? who's to say any of this was actually real? it mattered not if someone tried because chilledstar has little reason to believe anyone right now. their vision is blurry, not quite present within their mind. they barely know where or when they're at. but they do know this... lingering in this den was helping no one. they're weak and feeble, and yet they do their best to try and make their way up the slick rock that hangs over the camp, a light drizzle of rain making their body shiver on instinct. they're not even sure if they feel the water droplets, or anything but a sense of dread right now. they don't even realize their body is moving on muscle memory, only to slip and tumble back down with a thud and a wince. no one was around to see that, fortunately for the leader, but they'd have to see starlingheart about the new ache in their paw.

alright. so that's scratched off the list. they cannot climb that rock and gather cats for a meeting. not when this weak. even if they managed to not slip, something told them that their frail body would never make it to the summit. plan b it is. they limped in front of the rock, where their deputy likely would sit, before calling out to the cats amongst the blurry crowd.

"shadowclan. it is t-time for a... for a..."

what was it time for again? their body seemed to trail off, the gentle pitter of droplets upon branches, breezy leaves, and pine needles echoing around them. time for something. important. it's important.

"meeting. time for a meeting."

they nearly croak out, looking out into the gathering crowd. would they be confused about their placement, or would they keep their lingering thoughts to themselves? only the stars knew.

"kits need to be apprentice now. right? that's it. yes. uh. w-who's... where i-is..."

they wheezed, a cough rattling their aching bones. surely this sickness cannot take them again, right?

"wolfkit. ptarmigankit. poppykit. gracekit. fl...flintkit? when did he get out of the medicine cat den? did... it work?"

they're not asking anyone. their thoughts can't be kept back in this state, it seems, and they're just speaking aloud. when they squinted towards the kit, something about him was unsettling. why? what was it about his face that made the leader feel that way?

"you're becoming apprentice today. w-wolf's kitten... no no. wolfkit, now wolfpaw, will be mentored by crowtalon. poppykit– paw. poppy's paw. poppypaw.. the spotted stump shall be your mentor. wait... stumpyspots. yes. that's right. wh-who else is there? gracepaw. your name is now gracekit and your mentor will be... ugh. gracekit. your name is gracepaw and lightfeather shall mentor you. quailkit. no. ptarmigankit. yes. crustedlily. I meant– damn it– lilycrest will be your mentor. flintkit... kit with flint. the warrior who will be your mentor is... is..."

what they're saying is interrupted by a sneeze, a shiver reaching their body yet again. cold, again. they truly must have been dead still. when was it that they came back from that again?

"jawscale. jawscale. scalejaw. please mentor the kit with the eyes."

they point in flintkit's direction. they're barley gonna remember all this, come tomorrow, but when they finally did, they truly were going to be embarrassed. but they weren't done. they shifted to get their weight off their aching paw, tired eyes wide and bleary.

"everyone's dying. halfshade... tornadopaw... they were taken from us too soon. too quickly. the stars are their new home. my new home. ours? we are all dead, aren't we?"

the last sentence is but a whisper. anyone who heard that had to have been super close to them. but their tail only twitches as they continue. two more things... or something like that, and then they could lay down.

"ferndance is being demoted. she's so unbelievably not serious. howlingstar probably is laughing about how kit-like she is and that's... terrible for something. but that means we kind of need lead warriors."

their eyes close and they see nothing. yet somehow, the first scent that hits their nose makes them make a choice. a delusional choice but one they'd have to stick by. one they wouldn't have made otherwise.

"granitepelt. you're a bit of downer but who knows... maybe you'll put it to good use. if you're willing, you can be the next lead warrior. what say you, pelt of stone?"

their eyes are big, and everything is still so blurry. they await his response, and if he says yes, they simply dip their head. they're not feeling good. they need to go lay down.

"great. now, cats that are healthy or not dead. undead. we need more patrols. rotating on a silly little rock. with an increase in rogue activity, we cannot leave the camp unguarded, but we also must make sure to spread our toes out and u-uh... make an effort to show those rogues that shadowclan thrives within the darkness they like to play in. so, if you're healthy enough, raise your paw. or something. "

they sat in wait. they'd make patrols go out right after this, but making sure that there were healthy enough cats to stay and keep an eye on that others within camp.

// activity shout outs !! scalejaw, nettlepaw, siltcloud, applepaw, ashenpaw, granitepelt, fleabounce, frostbite, and starlingheart!! but also, the entirety of shadowclan! yall are doing wonderful!!

// if your cat is available to patrol, please say so in the patrolling channels or reply to this meeting!!

// for anyone confused, chilledstar is very confused and not quite all the way there as a result of their recent death! because of this, they're stumbling over words, and overall not making the most sense but they're trying to!

// also, welcome to the hp team, temporarily, marq with granitepelt! this is a plot related promotion so stay tuned!!!
​

 

[Frostbite]

Frostbite was FREE today. His kits were being apprenticed! He has made sure they each look perfect for their big day. Poppykit got a little extra attention because he was so scared he would lose her, but today was the day. He still worried, and his chest tightened at the thought of his kits going into the territory at a time like this when rogues roamed around like it was nothing. He hoped their mentors would keep them safe.

It becomes evident to him very quick that something is wrong. Chilledstar is just recovering from illness and death, and they....Don't seem quite right. They're a little loopy.

He tilts his head as Chilledstar continues, a coughing fit taking them. Were they okay?

His kits are up, and he gives them the brightest smile he's ever given anyone. Those are his babies growing up. They're gonna be so strong and be such good warriors, he almost wants to cry. But he wont, because he's not going to embarrass his kits. The kits he was so afraid of, that he was terrified of letting down, are thriving and he couldn't possibly love them any more than he does. He cheers their names loud, so they hear him above any other cheers. He wants them to know how proud he is. He cheers for Flintpaw as well, he's not mean enough to cheer everyone elses name and then not his. Besides, Flintpaw has overcome this cursed illness just like Poppypaw, and that is worth celebrating.

He spots each of their mentors in the crowd as well. He internalizes their names for if he needs to.... Deal with any of them. He knows the clan has a problem with abusive mentors at times, and stars help anyone who hurts his kits. He has a good feeling, though. He hopes he doesn't have to make examples out of anyone.

Chilledstar rambles on and he begins to grow concerned again. To address their dead so.... He's not sure of the word. Chilledstar is delirious, not being openly disrespectful or mean on purpose. He begins to wonder if he should take most of this meeting seriously. Would Chilledstar change their mind on anything in this meeting later when they feel better?

Frostbite thinks they should be resting instead, despite how eager he is to be allowed out of the nursery and to see his kits apprenticed.

He listens to Ferndance's demotion and wonders if he should take it seriously too. It's his next string of words that definitely have him questioning the legitimacy of Chilledstar's words. Granitepelt? Really? Disgust boils in his gut, but he does not show it. That Granitepelt was the definition of wet moss, a parasitic worm latched onto their medicine cats side with an iron grip. He's tried to joke with him before and all he got was venom in return.

Not to mention the tom never has anything good to say to anyone, he may as well actually be a snake for all the venom he spits. But Frostbite will go along with it. He's not looking forward to the stone colored cat looking down on them all smugly now that he has a modicum of power. He knows its coming.

Chilledstar goes on to ask for volunteers for patrols. He talks about the rogues on the territory, and he feels his fur prickle. They need to be dealt with. He isn't going to raise his paw, but he will speak up.

"I'm ready to go on patrols again." He raises his voice, straightening his posture. He meets Chilledstar's gaze, even if they aren't focused on him. He just hopes they go take a nap after this.​

 

[DOGFUR]

Dogfur holds respect for Chilledstar, but it is not the same respect he affords to the other leaders. He is certain had he been taken into the ThunderClan fold at the beginning, Howlingstar would have put him in his place several times over. That sort of respect is something out of fear, a feeling of awestruckness. Never once had he doubted, when that wretched ThunderClan cat attempted to lie and seek refugee, that the brown tabby she-cat would ever stand back idly.

He knows Chilledstar acts apathetic to most things. And when he speaks, it is not to volunteer himself or cheer the new apprentices on.

"Chilledstar, that is ri-ri-diculous." Dogfur barked from his place below in ShadowClan's camp. He can feel a hint of pride for his quarter-apprentice being given the label of lead warrior, but to tear down Ferndance—Dogfur's closest friend—he cannot imagine a more sillier thing. And for once his fur is on end to defend the cat he loved most. "Why do you care what Howlingstar thinks? Ferndance is worth far more than a hair of that ThunderClan cat."

​

 

[GRANITEPELT]

◇────────────【☆】★【☆】────────────◇​

XXXXXChilledstar does not seem fit to leave their nest, much less hold a Clan meeting, but Granitepelt obeys their call with the rest of his Clanmates. He watches with faint interest as the black feline babbles and shrinks away from any perceived light—is this what the sickness took from cats? Their very sense of being? Tornadopaw had still seemed lucid enough, though perhaps that had been her downfall. Had she been as delusional as their Clan leader seems to be, he might have spared her foolish excuse for a life.

XXXXXGranitepelt’s ear twitches as he hears his son’s name change. Flintpaw at last will join his siblings in the apprentice’s den. Green eyes flick through the crowd to where his mate sits with their son—no doubt his marble-gray fur is sleek and shining from her attentive grooming. His son is assigned to train under Scalejaw, who is a formidable enough warrior. Granitepelt would have preferred to train his own kit in truth, but he’ll simply have to make sure the dark she-cat does nothing to jeopardize his son’s potential. Frostbite’s kits follow, and Granitepelt tunes out the names of their mentors.

XXXXXUntil he hears it. Poppypaw, the little crimson-flecked she-cat is now called.

XXXXXHis teeth gnash, and he has to look away.

XXXXXHad Chilledstar not began their tangent about Ferndance, Granitepelt may have left the meeting altogether. His pelt is prickling, as though the little blue-eyed apprentice is staring him down—which he doubts, he does, but he can’t force himself to check. He looks with faint surprise at Chilledstar as they denounce Ferndance and relegate her to warrior again, but he can’t say he’s surprised. The tawny she-cat has no discipline at all; like Flickerfire before her, Granitepelt had always wondered just what reason there would have been for the odd she-cat on a leader’s council.

XXXXXChilledstar’s next words cause Granitepelt’s ears to flick forward. Through the back-pawed compliment and half-chewed insult, there’s potential—there’s power. The ebony-pelted leader names Granitepelt to fill Ferndance and Sabletuft’s empty places on their council. He could not have been more surprised if one of the other cats had sprouted wings and begun to fly, and a hint of that will show in his oft-scowling expression. After a moment, it will smooth over as he dips his head to their stumbling leader. “I will make you and ShadowClan proud, Chilledstar.” He owes his fealty to another Clan leader, one with more power in her paws and an iron will, but the gesture has warmed him some all the same.

XXXXXHe looks in Dogfur’s direction, the strange cat who had seen him to warriorhood. Granitepelt does not detest him the way he would have otherwise, but his defense of Ferndance has his lip tugging. “Appearances count for a lot,” is all he says. Were Dogfur any other cat, he would have enacted his new authority and attempted to silence them, but the tortoiseshell has the rare benefit of being on Granitepelt’s neutral side.

─────────​

​

 

[FERNDANCE]

It was difficult for the Lead Warrior to remain interested in the meeting as the black cat's words towards her were cawed out for the entire clan to hear. Promotions, ceremonies, all faded into obscurity as she repeated Chilledstar's words over and over again until they felt numb to her. 'Ferndance is being demoted. She's so unbelievably not serious. Howlingstar probably is laughing about how kit-like she is and that's... terrible for something.'"Oh dear..." her ears fell back, wondering where this sudden vitriol had come from. It was so foreign she wasn't even sure if it was Chilledstar speaking or some StarClan ghost, a little whimper escaped the cinnamon tabby as she felt the bond of friendship between them sever. Mama had always been clear on how to deal with betrayal, you would have to smush them and crush them and do whatever you could until the bad feelings go away. Except, Ferndance didn't know how that would help, the feelings weren't bad, they were empty, as if Chilledstar had ripped them out of her very heart and soul. She'd never been kitlike, she'd just been her best and beautiful self, hadn't she? Was she expected to rip her happiness away to be the best ShadowClanner she could be?

No, Dogfur said. Emerald eyes turn to her friend, perhaps not surprised he had stood by her side, but certainly alarmed he had done so so openly. Her soft gaze seems to soften further, wistful stare warming at the way that Dogfur rallied against Chilledstar for the mean words. Smogmaw had left his clanmates to die against ThunderClan, Granitepelt made the tabby's skin crawl with discomfort, it was her who would've saved Chilledstar if they needed it, not the Deputy, not the last Lead, her. But, perhaps Chilledstar didn't want saving, perhaps they wanted to wallow in the swamps until the grief sunk them to the bottom. She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. "It's ok, Dogfur," she reassured her friend, nodding in eternal gratitude for the tortoiseshell's support. "The only one Howlingstar laughing at is the one near the rock, and if that bothers them so much, they can deal with it themselves now. I'm retired," she smiled. Her rank may have been gone, her trust in Chilledstar may have been shattered, but at least she still had Dogfur and ShadowClan, and she didn't need some shiny role to take them on as many adventures as she could.

​

 

[✧ Siltcloud.]

◇​◇ I FOUND A MARTYR - HE TOLD ME THAT I'D NEVER ◇◇​

---

siltcloud & 16 moons & female & she/her & shadowclan warrior ​

---

There is nobody for siltcloud to sit with. Green eyes blink slowly at the revelation completely missing the spectacle chilledstar begins to make of themselves. Poppypaw and loampelt are dead - lilacfur is soon to follow, certainly She frowns, gaze hardening, before she slinks over to her brother's side - a place she'd once felt she belonged. It feels hollow now - all her efforts to escape his shadow wasted.

Things do not get any better. No, as she watches she feels only disgust - stars, has chilledstar always been like this? Or was this simply shadowclans curse come to take them at east? Cursed - cursed, all of thm. Her nephew joins his siblings in the den, and poppypaw too - god, it hurts. Ears flatten for a moment, pelt brushing closer to his anxiously - she want's to chew her claws, but for now she settles for digging them deep into the earth.

And then things finally go right - head snaps up, turning to look at her brother - he's lead warrior. His efforts paid off, his greatness finally seen - a fox amungst the mice, ready to lead them to slaughter in the night. She find's she doesn't even mind - not now, not any more. "Congratulations," she says, and for once her words are loud - steady and warm and genuine.

They were born to be powerful, their bloodline, and if she has to be the serpent in the shadows to his blinding light - well, so be it.

— with his educated eyes and his head between my thighs ♙

• Actions && "Speech," && ' Thoughts/Quotes '
  
  ooc: —
  tw/cw: —
  
• 
  — A dust hued cinnamon tabby with white markings and sage green eyes. Her fur is dull and unkept, her figure frail and slight, and she most notably has five toes upon each of her four paw. With the death of loampelt, something within siltcloud seems to have changed - no longer is she as soft-spoken as before, instead easily snapping at her clanmates and throwing herself into training her apprentice.
  
  — physically medium && mentally hard
  — non-violent powerplay allowed && healing powerplay allowed && minor injury powerplay not-allowed
  — please attack using [b][color=#ddadaf]action here[/color][/b] and tag account

 

[Ptarmiganpaw]

Ptarmigankit was anxious about this day. He's been groomed to perfection and he FEELS perfect on the outside, but on the inside....He's afraid. What if he's not good enough? Everything seems so daunting suddenly, he wants to hide in Frostbite's fur and pretend he was actually a loose clump of his fathers fur as the tom had joked before.

He wanted to be a good warrior, but now that it was time to start training, he felt so overwhelmed.... He hardly even acknowledges the state of Chilledstar, just wanting to get through this moment. He is assigned to Lilycrest, another cat who's fluffy and large like his father. He wonders if he'll be big and fluffy too, for a moment. Wracked by nervousness, Ptarmigankit approaches Lilycrest on shaky paws to look up at him through the fur that covers his minty green eyes that peak through it. He reaches his nose out to meet with Lilycrests.

"U-um....I hope we can work well together!" He pipes up quietly.

He is Ptarmiganpaw now. A new chapter is beginning. He doesn't even hear the rest of the meeting, gripped by thoughts of whats to come. He'll pick up bits and pieces from everyone else as he goes about his days now, he supposes. He hears names being spoken, but everything is so drowned out, he cant focus on any of it.

He just hopes he doesn't mess up. He hopes he can be a good apprentice.​

 

[Skunktail]

He sat next to Frostbite, noting the white warrior's concerns but not commenting - Chilledstar seemed mostly aware though how much of that was just going with the motions and habit he wasn't sure of and he raised his head up alongside his pale friend in reply, "I'll go on patrol as well if need be."

Ferndance's demotion was not a surprise after her display prior with ThunderClan, though he was a little surprised by the circumstances of it. Really, she should've been demoted then and there on the spot in front of Howlingstar herself but he wasn't leader and that wasn't his place to comment on. Granitepelt's promotion though earned a raised eyebrow before he heard the fawn molly lamenting and whining in the aftermath.
"I suppose you don't just disrespect other clan leaders, you disrespect you own. They are clearly sick and delusional." Skunktail's head shakes and he rolls his eyes to Ferndance's little quip as if that didn't just prove the point. Sick or not though, he agreed that she was hardly suiting to the position and though he wasn't too fond of Granitepelt at least he knew how to keep quiet and act like a proper warrior; even if it was a front to hide how much of an absolute thorn in the nest he was. Frankly, he preferred that over this embarrassing excuse of a she-cat.
His sister's mate was not offered a congratulations though, he wasn't going to lie and pretend he had any fondness for him but he offered no protest either. Perhaps tomorrow Chilledstar would awaken with some better sense and just demote him again proper. Did they really need lead warriors? If they weren't breaking the warrior code with their crossclan nonsense they were acting like embarassments. He flicked his tail and rose to make his way to wherever his apprentice was to gather her up for a possible patrol.
​

 

[scalejaw]

—————————————————【 she/her | menacing 】————————————————

【◈】 A meeting. It has barely been enough time for Chilledstar to be on their feet, much less be calling a meeting. Steady eyes watched him settle next to the stone- where Smogmaw's righteous ass would have been were he here- and call a meeting. Wraith like and silent, she picks herself up and pads closer. Ears twitched and orange eyes were narrowed, slowly settling down. Smoke pelt dips in against the shadow, and she finds herself comfortable- but the words coming from Chilled's muzzle, their disposition, causes her fur to prickle uncomfortably all over again.

News, promotions, demotions, death. She expects nothing less, considering the past pawful of days. She tunes out most of the apprentice-mentor pairings, her ears in disbelief of the stuttered phrases until her name- well, a version of it. Before Chilledstar could get her name correct, she spoke, tone even and carrying. "Scalejaw, not Jawscale." She watched the leader warily for a moment later, before turning towards Flintkit- now Flintpaw. Her nose touched his briefly. The feeling of eyes upon the pelt came from another cat who was to be called, unbeknownst to most of them.

Orange vision shifted and turned towards Granitepelt, akin to glowing coals as she held the look in return. His promotion was given, and she didn't consider it entirely unwise. She shared thoughts similar to Skunktail- she was a friend to most, Ferndance included, but in this dire time, silly attitudes were not going to protect them. As she settled down next to her new apprentice, words ungiven to them, sharp murmurs spread across camp about the demotion-promotion news. "I'm fit to patrol." Scalejaw called, ignoring the rabble momentarily. "Anything you need." She breathed the last part softly, considering it was an admission for her best friend who seriously needed to rest, not the new pebble on court.

"yuh"

[penned by dallas].

​

 

[Starlingheart]

It is clear to anyone watching that Chilledstar is not well and she cannot help but frown as they take to the usual meeting spot. She wishes they would stay in their den, just delay the meeting, but if they would insist on straining themselves in such a way there was not much she could do about it. Chilledstar was their leader, after all. She watches silently from her place near her sons side, eyes gleaming with as much worry for their leader as they were with pride for her son. She had groomed his pelt to perfection just before the ceremony, for despite the botched words it was still an important day for him. He would finally be joining his brother and his sister, would finally be starting his training. "You'll do great, my love" she whispers to him softly when his name is called and he is made to step forward and touch noses with his new mentor. Tears spring to her eyes as she watches him go, she would miss his presence and the presence of all her other kits by her side, but it is not fully goodbye. Every night, she would still set aside time for a meal with them, to catch up on their days and their training. Starlingheart was determined to still be a part of their lives even in their coming adult hood.

Chilledstar's words are strange, but so far everything has gone just about the way she has expected. Mentors are assigned and news is shared. It is what comes next that is a surprise. Ferndance is demoted and in her place her mate is asked to step up. A purr jumps to her throat and as she watches, Granitepelt steps forward and accepts. Murmurs of surprise and dissent spring up but she chooses to ignore them. It was no secret that her mate was not well liked by many of the clan, but she loved him and she was happy for him.

She would tell him her congratulations later but for now she waits. It was her opinion that the dusty brown molly should have been demoted long ago. First when she had disrespected a leader to her face and embarrassed all of ShadowClan and then again when she had not taken Chilledstar's council meeting seriously and had suggested they just kill the cats who lay ill in her den. No, this was a long time coming and it was her opinion that her mates promotion was well deserved.

​

OOC NOTES . ✦ . CHARACTER INFO

• ooc : — ​
• 
  

  
  ➵ she / her
  ➵ shadowclan medicine cat
  ➵ mates with Granitepelt
  
  

  

  - - a small, black furred she-cat with green eyes
  ↪ toyhouse [ ✦ ]
  
  - - Starlingheart is the reclusive and anxious medicine cat of shadowclan. She tries her best to always be kind and to wear her heart on her sleeve but life has not always dealt her the best hand. Still, she does her best to remain optimistic and faithful to starclan even in the face of her clans cynicism. Because of her stutter, which is starting to improve as she gets older and gains more confidence in herself, she tries to speak as little as possible. Her quiet demeanor has granted her a valuable skill, however, the ability to listen. She prefers to hang back in the shadows and observe over being in the spotlight and because of this she has learned to pick up on things quickly. It is what she can attribute her quick skills as a medicine cat to, the ability to retain information, the ability to learn swiftly. Despite the way life has gone for her, she believes that there is good in everyone she meets. Because of this she trusts easily and therefor is easy to manipulate.
  ↪ INFJ-T 'the advocate'
  
  ➵ skilled medicine cat ; not very good at anything else
  ➵ BRIARSTAR X AMBER; sister to pitchstar, nightswarm, chittertongue, skunktail, and lilacfur; mother to nettlekit, ghostkit and flintkit
  ​

 

[STUMPYSPOTS]

STUMPYSPOTS​

Good StarClan… this was so much worse than she had thought. It was like it wasn’t even Chilledstar who stood up there. The feline who hosted the meeting hardly appeared to know what was going on- couldn’t recall who needed ceremonies, their names, by StarClan’s good graces they had just referred to her as Spotted Stump. She screws her muzzle but turns to Poppypaw. Her dual-colored eyes glow with warmth, she’s failed every apprentice of hers in the past but not this one. Poppypaw would do well under her care. She touches her nose to theirs. ”Oh- I’m very excited. I’ll show ya ‘round the territory right after this meeting. It’ll be fun.” The round molly promises them. After that she settles herself back down to listen to the remainder of the announcements. Ferndance’s demotion comes as a shock- they’re replaced by Granitepelt in the lead warrior position. Stumpyspots likes the young gray tom and thinks he’ll do well but… they needed Ferndance right now as an older warrior to guide the clan. Yes, the she-cat was a complete goof and had her moments, but still as a warrior Stumpyspots had always respected her. She gives Ferndance a sympathetic look, but it seems to disappear when she insults Chilledstar. Skunktail gives her a proper tongue lashing, Stumpyspots decides not to give it further attention. ”I’m able to patrol wherever I’m needed. Poppypaw can give a helping paw too.” It’d make for a good introductory oppertunity to whatever patroling they may be selected for.

*.☽ INFO BATTLE

• 
  » Halfmaw . Stumpyspots
  » ShadowClan Warrior
  » She/her ․ Twice Widowed
  » Calico she-cat with rounded features.
  » ”speech”․ thoughts ․ attack
  
• 
  » A heavy hitting foe capable of standing her ground
  » Excels in slow, but powerful blows and kicks.
  » Fights to defend and protect
  » May powerplay minor harm. Can powerplay healing

​

 

[FLINTWISH]

It is with baited breath that Flintkit waits beneath tallrock, his white-tufted tail curled neatly around his white-dipped paws. He's finally well again (and there are eyes on him; he can feel them like ticks on his pelt) and so it must be his turn to be apprenticed. He shook off his illness as he shakes the rain out of his fur, and now he is well, and he can hunt and fight for his Clan and he can make Granitepelt proud of him again. Chilledstar will apprentice him in this meeting with all of the grace and honor he'd missed out on last month. He'd be better than Ghostpaw and Nettlepaw both– he's sure of it.

But Chilledstar is disappointing him the moment they step into view. They can't scale the tallrock; they can hardly get their words off their tongue. Maybe he should have sympathy– but what Flintkit sees is an embarrassment. They had lost a life to yellowcough (and it was his fault; it was his fault!), but even restored they could not put themselves back together? They could not recover, like Flintkit had? Was he stronger, more adept than even his own leader? His two-tone gaze slides towards Granitepelt, trying to gauge a reaction from his father, to see what he might think; but he sees only an impassive stare, so Flintkit retrains his attention on the night-pelted moggy.

They scrutinize him. When did he get out of the medicine cat den? Did it work? He feels stalactites prickling at the nape of his stony neck. Flintkit's stomach churns with indignation. Was he so unnoticeable? Or was Chilledstar still just speaking in a stupor? Or was it that he looked like Granitepelt– a fact many other ShadowClanners seemed to hate?

The boy's jaw clenches; his black lips can hardly resist curling around pearly teeth. His peers receive similar treatment, but it brings him no comfort. Flintkit's apprenticeship was supposed to be grand; perfect; at the very least, it was supposed to be lucid. But by the time Chilledstar gets to him, his tail is prickled and lashing, and his pelt bubbles with simmering anger. It's not fair. He'd suffered so long and this is his reward? At least Starlingheart can bring him some semblance of comfort– her gentle coo urges him forwards and he touches his nose to Scalejaw's without a word. The kit with the eyes. His ears pin, silent, tumult rippling through him. But, well, at least he is Flintpaw now, right?

Scalejaw volunteers them for a patrol, and Flintpaw curls his tail around his paws, his eagerness subliming into quiet, ruminating resentment. If yellowcough had not doomed his path to warriorhood, then Chilledstar certainly had– and he would be sure not to forget that.​

 

[TAZ STORAGE UNIT]

Having arrived after Skunktail, the warrior was dismayed not to spot the familiar tuft of his friend. His visible frown etched itself on the ragdoll's mauve muzzle as he settled before Chilledstar. Focusing in on the meeting it seemed he would only be further displeased. This wasn't the leader they'd all seen rise with the sun and command the moon to rest. He had never seen them in such an uncanny state before.

Blue eyes stared critically at the bumbling cat as they warbled nonsensically through the meeting. What a shame. His mind miserably growled, but Lilycrest's muzzle remained dutifully silent. Chilledstar had done the tom a great service by allowing him to remain in ShadowClan's ranks, and he owed Briarstar his life.

That, and of course, his friend, whom he cherished more than his own skin, lived here. If it meant he could always wake up next to Nightswarm's side, he would tear down droves of fools in the name of ShadowClan. Without a doubt, he would continue to obey, even if it meant squashing his own protesting thoughts as well. Sane or not.

Still, all feelings swayed with the wind, and each of their paws itched with annoyance. Alas, something of interest brought his eyes back into focus. Through the mesh of words, he was able to gather that he'd been assigned an apprentice. It was a weird sensation, witnessing that in the leader's verbatim, they deemed him well-equipped to train ShadowClan's youth.

Lilycrest granted himself a moment of pride, cheeks rounding with pleased sensations and added fluff to his pelt. Yet, he struggled to decipher which kit would be his new subordinate. Gradually, his eyes landed on the small scrap shakily making way to him, impressing the ragdoll with their initiative to make the first move. Rolling the strange child's name through his thoughts once more before acknowledging their approach.

Knowing that kittens took time before they expressed their traits, Lilycrest was determined to mold and mend them into the greatest warrior ShadowClan had ever seen, no matter the cost.

Standing on all fours, he looked down at Ptarmiganpaw. Straining their neck, he touched their nose to the kit's briefly and stepped back, allowing a rare smile to rest on their face as he nodded with approval. "I believe we will. I have high expectations of you, Ptarmiganpaw." A fire had been lit, and Lilycrest aimed to kindle that flame exhaustively. For now, they would go easy, but come the next full moon, it was all paws in.

Once their moment came to a close, he settled down, tuning back into Chilledstar's scrambled announcements. Shock registered across the pointed feline at Ferndance's demotion. Well, that was a surprise... Blinking it away, he cast Granitepelt an indifferent expression as he meowed. "I can patrol as well with my apprentice. It would be a good opportunity for the paws'." Silently, he prayed this meeting would have a swift end.​

​

 

[CHILLEDSTAR.]

DON'T YOU GIVE ME UP, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP​

---

the leader might have had more of a response to everyone had they been truly present. they're not. they have a one track mind. patrols, so they can go take a nap. or something. they're not even sure they're awake. or alive.

"okay. scalejaw. take flintpaw, skunktail, briarpaw, ferndance and honeypaw and go patrol windclan border. granitepelt. with applepaw, ribbitleap, fleabounce and scorchedpaw, you can go to thunderclan. stumpyspots you can patrol the lands at night with poppypaw, frostbite, sabletuft, maggotpaw, and ghostpaw. geckoscreech, take sparrowpaw, lilycrest, ptarmiganpaw, and ashenpaw on a hunting patrol. okay? okay. good. bye."

they turn away, limping to their den without another word to anyone else. maybe it would have been better for them to have been dead.
​

 

[scalejaw]

—————————————————【 she/her | menacing 】————————————————

【◈】 The distaste was near palpable off of her apprentice's pelt. Her head tilted towards him, but she didn't mention anything. Now was far from the time, she reckoned. Vision shifted back towards their leader, ears perking up softly. The announcement for leaders came shortly after Lilycrest spoke, and honestly, she was surprised that Chilledstar even managed to keep all of their names together to make a cohesive patrol schedule.

"I'll get it done." She announced towards Chilledstar, head dipping towards the leader. She ignored the urge to laugh at how they dismissed the meeting. "Okay. Goodbye." Scalejaw murmured in response. She looked down at Flintpaw, her ears perking gently. "Guess we're going to get your training started today." Scalejaw said to him with a tiny chin nod, before pushing to her paws and turning her orange vision amongst the crowd.

"Those with me, get yourself together and meet me outside of camp. We'll be heading out shortly." Scalejaw stated firmly, before turning to make sure she was ready as well.

// patrol thread will be linked shortly!

"yuh"

[penned by dallas].

​

 

[STUMPYSPOTS]

STUMPYSPOTS​

Quite the patrol she was tasked with, but she was up to it with no worry. With hefty paws she rises and dips her head to the black and white feline, ”Alrightly, I’ll get ‘er done.” She promises, grateful that unlike the other patrols they had until night to prepare. In the meantime, she could take Poppypaw to the apprentice’s den to get their nest settled. ”I’ll take ya on that patrol tonight, fer now, lets get you comfy in the apprentice’s den. Did you have yer own nest in the nursery ya wanna use?” She meows to her apprentice.

*.☽ INFO BATTLE

• 
  » Halfmaw . Stumpyspots
  » ShadowClan Warrior
  » She/her ․ Twice Widowed
  » Calico she-cat with rounded features.
  » ”speech”․ thoughts ․ attack
  
• 
  » A heavy hitting foe capable of standing her ground
  » Excels in slow, but powerful blows and kicks.
  » Fights to defend and protect
  » May powerplay minor harm. Can powerplay healing

​

 

[POPPYGLOW]

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 One would think that a day as ceremonious as this one would feel different in the soul. Poppypaw was not the type of cat to concern themself much with collecting attention and praise, but with the way the 'apprentice ceremony' was spoken about around her, she thought it would not be so vacuous an occasion.

They receive their name alongside their siblings and her star-kissed friend, Flintpaw, and for this, she brushes upon some of the excitement that is expected of her. Poppypaw purrs, thinking to themself how blessed they all were to be bound in name together. They do not know why Chilledstar speaks in riddles today, but they dutifully touch noses with not-the-Spotted-Stump-but-Stumpyspots and stare curiously at her kind, round face. She promises to show them around the territory and Poppypaw is pleased. Chilledstar tasks them with the honored position of night watchmen, and Poppypaw finds much comfort in this being the beginning task of their service to Shadowclan. "There is much to be seen..." She says this with the monotoned glee that Stumpyspots will surely soon become used to. They feel compelled to share their assurance of good fortune, so they add helpfully, "The stars will be watching closely tonight."

The tortoiseshell is asking them if they have a nest of their own they would like to bring to the apprentice's den and Poppypaw's brow furrows with thought. "There was no nest that belonged to Poppykit," they say finally, tasting their former name and noting its now-abandonedness with a vague sense of nostalgia, "We will make a new one..." It would be weaved with the same divine force that bound 'paw' to their name. The kitten had spent the better part of their childhood in the recovery ward, fighting away death in the form of injury and then illness. The periods they did spend alongside the healthy kittens—in infancy and in the few days since their discharge from the medicine den—were within the nest they shared with Frostbite. This nest will be her first physical belonging.

PRESENT DAY... ⭑☾༺♰༻☽⭒ ...PRESENT TIME! ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

• OOC:
• 
• 
  — poppykit - poppypaw
  — agender they/she. 4mo apprentice of shadowclan
  — ??? ; child.
  — a tiny, fluffy white and dark red tabby cat with pale, wraithlike blue eyes
  — smells like mushrooms, dust, and foggy night air
  — sounds like lain iwakura, with a flat yet childlike high-pitched tone
  — “speech”, thoughts, attack, 'poppypaw'
  — icon by mercurial, fullbody and pixel headshot by dejavu
  — penned by eezy
• disclaimer: poppypaw is not always operating completely within reality! they are affected by some delusions and may see, hear, react to, and interact with things that are not actually there. most notably, she will believe herself to have interactions with starclan as a whole and specifically, the deceased shadowclan apprentice Poppypaw. these are not reflective of ic reality and are not real interactions with starclan or deceased characters! this is not an attempt at powerplaying, godmodding, or metagaming.

​