- Nov 27, 2023
- 145
- 25
- 28
[CW - blood & death]
Words cannot explain the heartbreak that brings Slateheart to his knees at the sight of Blizzardpaw's body.
Her pristine pelt is stained wine red; she had been gravely wounded, by a DuskClanner as Slateheart was told. Now, her wounds are dressed and closed as if it could heal her. Whether or not Wolfsong would have allowed his presence, Slateheart fusses over the boy's fur, ignoring the metallic taste of blood on his tongue as he flattens her cowlicks, carefully picks out knots (as if it would hurt her if he yanked), and gently draws a comforting tongue on her forehead. Akin to a mother making her kitten presentable for their apprentice ceremony, Slateheart presents Blizzardpaw - Lilypaw - for her last.
He is placed in the center of camp, where Cygnetstare and Nightingalecry were recently rested as well. Adorned with sprigs of lavender that matched his pink gaze, forever closed. It is a queen's duty to prepare a cat for vigil and lead their send off - but Slateheart insisted. Though, of course, he does not reject the help and the right to mourn for others, he ensures that he takes the center stage for this one. He would not miss it for the world.
Slateheart sits hunched over the apprentice with closed eyes for quite some time. He gathers his strength, his wisdom, his parting words - and then lifts his head to the sky, where the stars can hear them. Lilypaw. Lilypaw. Lilypaw. Her name does not leave his head - there is no room for error. " StarClan welcomes a new apprentice tonight. Lilypaw.. WindClan's spring flower, our sprout of hope. She would have made a fine tunneler. " A few moments of silence, and then Slateheart bends his head again, touching his nose to the lost apprentice's ear.
His voice wavers now, and while it is meant for the star-pelted cat before him, it remains loud enough to be heard by all. " You are my child.. my little sibling.. my friend.. " he begins - his voice cracks, and he coughs lightly to clear it. Slateheart keeps going. " You are my kin in more than labels can define. I will not forget you. "
Slateheart remembers the fateful day he found Lilypaw. A kit of pure white on the brink of death - StarClan had granted him a chance at life. There was guilt, of taking him from his mother and siblings that perished during that storm - but never did he regret bringing him home, nourishing him, teaching him. Blizzardkit he had named her - after the blizzard that gave her to WindClan, a symbol of hope and fate after all felt lost. He never thought just how cruel the name could be. Slateheart should have known that she disliked the name. Just as he should have spent more time with her. He should have been there in her last moments. There are a billion things Slateheart could have done to prevent the pain that plagues his heart now. But that is the power of hindsight, isn't it?
" Lilypaw.. it is a better name of hope than I have given you. Wear it proudly, my friend. May you find your kin amongst the stars.. " She must know how sorry he is - that her name was a reminder of her loss, that they have been too busy for each other in the past moon. It bears no repeating. He would rather this vigil center her new life in StarClan's hunting grounds rather than his remorse. As Slateheart's lips curl up into a small, heartbroken smile, he tastes the tears that slowly trickle down his cheek, tears he did not know were there. " Go in grace, Lilypaw. Make new friends, see the wonders of the world and the living through wise new eyes.. I hope to see you again one day. "
Slateheart sits in silence for several moments, letting his head hang down, careful to let his tears hit the grass beneath so they don't seep into Lilypaw's pristine, groomed fur. His shoulders shake with each quiet sob - it is a new sorrow, one he can only attribute to the pain of losing his mother. After a short time, he finally gains his bearings and glances over his shoulder to the surrounding cats. " If you would like to share tongues with Lilypaw one last time .. please, join me. "
SLATEHEART ( he/him )
Words cannot explain the heartbreak that brings Slateheart to his knees at the sight of Blizzardpaw's body.
Her pristine pelt is stained wine red; she had been gravely wounded, by a DuskClanner as Slateheart was told. Now, her wounds are dressed and closed as if it could heal her. Whether or not Wolfsong would have allowed his presence, Slateheart fusses over the boy's fur, ignoring the metallic taste of blood on his tongue as he flattens her cowlicks, carefully picks out knots (as if it would hurt her if he yanked), and gently draws a comforting tongue on her forehead. Akin to a mother making her kitten presentable for their apprentice ceremony, Slateheart presents Blizzardpaw - Lilypaw - for her last.
He is placed in the center of camp, where Cygnetstare and Nightingalecry were recently rested as well. Adorned with sprigs of lavender that matched his pink gaze, forever closed. It is a queen's duty to prepare a cat for vigil and lead their send off - but Slateheart insisted. Though, of course, he does not reject the help and the right to mourn for others, he ensures that he takes the center stage for this one. He would not miss it for the world.
Slateheart sits hunched over the apprentice with closed eyes for quite some time. He gathers his strength, his wisdom, his parting words - and then lifts his head to the sky, where the stars can hear them. Lilypaw. Lilypaw. Lilypaw. Her name does not leave his head - there is no room for error. " StarClan welcomes a new apprentice tonight. Lilypaw.. WindClan's spring flower, our sprout of hope. She would have made a fine tunneler. " A few moments of silence, and then Slateheart bends his head again, touching his nose to the lost apprentice's ear.
His voice wavers now, and while it is meant for the star-pelted cat before him, it remains loud enough to be heard by all. " You are my child.. my little sibling.. my friend.. " he begins - his voice cracks, and he coughs lightly to clear it. Slateheart keeps going. " You are my kin in more than labels can define. I will not forget you. "
Slateheart remembers the fateful day he found Lilypaw. A kit of pure white on the brink of death - StarClan had granted him a chance at life. There was guilt, of taking him from his mother and siblings that perished during that storm - but never did he regret bringing him home, nourishing him, teaching him. Blizzardkit he had named her - after the blizzard that gave her to WindClan, a symbol of hope and fate after all felt lost. He never thought just how cruel the name could be. Slateheart should have known that she disliked the name. Just as he should have spent more time with her. He should have been there in her last moments. There are a billion things Slateheart could have done to prevent the pain that plagues his heart now. But that is the power of hindsight, isn't it?
" Lilypaw.. it is a better name of hope than I have given you. Wear it proudly, my friend. May you find your kin amongst the stars.. " She must know how sorry he is - that her name was a reminder of her loss, that they have been too busy for each other in the past moon. It bears no repeating. He would rather this vigil center her new life in StarClan's hunting grounds rather than his remorse. As Slateheart's lips curl up into a small, heartbroken smile, he tastes the tears that slowly trickle down his cheek, tears he did not know were there. " Go in grace, Lilypaw. Make new friends, see the wonders of the world and the living through wise new eyes.. I hope to see you again one day. "
Slateheart sits in silence for several moments, letting his head hang down, careful to let his tears hit the grass beneath so they don't seep into Lilypaw's pristine, groomed fur. His shoulders shake with each quiet sob - it is a new sorrow, one he can only attribute to the pain of losing his mother. After a short time, he finally gains his bearings and glances over his shoulder to the surrounding cats. " If you would like to share tongues with Lilypaw one last time .. please, join me. "
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