border PLEASE DON'T LET THEM SEE ME ｡:ﾟ.°✧ joining (lost)

[lostkit]

dirt-stained paws rustled through undergrowth, too light to make much of a sound to all but the most attentive listeners yet too crass to be those of one softened by experience. the cream-pelted kit had never had to traverse such densely-packed vegetation, which was probably her first sign that she was well and truly lost, but she had been forced to scurry into the pine-covered marshland after one too close of a call with a bird's talons out in the open. mama had told her to wait just at the edge for her, that she'd be back by sundown, but that had been four sunrises ago, and her protesting stomach and the bitter cold had forced her from the rendezvous the day before. disoriented by hunger and hydration, she stumbled up to a small puddle nestled between the massive roots of a tree, lapping up what she could before settling down to rest a little.

in the early hours of the morning, the sun's rays had yet to penetrate the undergrowth, and the roots were a welcome reprieve from the sodden ground. as the she-kit relaxed into the embrace of the tree, her nose twitched as she caught a strong, almost familiar scent. break forgotten, she stumbled to her legs again, circling the tree once before pinpointing her target. a scent marker -- from another cat! maybe they would know where her mama was, or maybe they'd at least give her some food. most of the other cats she'd met when she lived with mama hadn't been too nice about sharing food, but some of them had been, and surely in a forest like this one they'd have lots of food, not like the junkyard she had grown up next to.

ears perking in hope, the kit trotted a few steps further past the scent markers, then paused. maybe that would be rude, if she just marched in? and she wanted to make a good impression, because if she was nice then maybe they'd be nice back. and the scents, while stronger than anything surrounding with an undertone that read of being frequently visited, didn't smell like they had been immediately refreshed -- so maybe whoever had left them would come back, and then she could greet them like a proper guest, instead of being rude and trespassing. yes, she had waited this long, she could wait longer. just a little.

but maybe, while she waited, they wouldn't mind if she took a nap -- the sun's rays through dissipating fog were quite dreamy, after all, and the slightly warmer air was helping her relax... yes, surely they wouldn't mind...

｡:ﾟ.°✧ PLEASE DONT LET THEM SEE ME

• ooc. hullo! *drops a marshmallow at the door*
• 

  LOSTKIT (she/her) is a four moon old shadowclan kit with shorthair cream tabby fur with low white and blue-green eyes. she is the gen1 daughter of two rogue npc's.
  
  TAGS. penned by riyue. dm me on discord (xriyue) for plots.​

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[BURDOCKTAIL]

It seems the marsh is a magnet for lost kittens.

Burdocktail nearly steps on one while checking the border; the pungent smell of the markers, coupled with his own daydreaming of doing something more exciting than walking along an invisible line, makes him inattentive to his surroundings. If it wasn't for their quick maneuvering when their carpal whiskers brush against something, they surely would've squashed the poor little thing right under their feet.

He stumbles slightly to the side before regaining his footing. Amber eyes lock onto the culprit of his blunder; a young she-kit, curled up as if the ShadowClan border was the perfect spot for a nap. Burdocktail blinks once, twice, then shakes tbemselves out of their stupor.

"Well, 'ello there," the warrior says. Another potential mouth to feed. Just what ShadowClan needs in the middle of leaf-bare. Not to mention the arguments that could transpire over whether or not to keep the poor thing. Their fur threatens to stand on end just thinking about it.

Swallowing down the bitterness on his tongue, he puts on a smile. "Where're your parents, kiddo?"

Burdocktail glances over their shoulder. Where's the rest of his patrol? Ternstar is going to need to know about this. But even with his inner misgivings about the kit, he couldn't just leave her alone. Not when there's predators that'd make a quick meal out of her. What would StarClan think of them, then?

make me feel alive 𑁍ࠬܓ INFO

• ooc: text
• 
  ■■■■■■■ ✶ burdocktail. warrior of shadowclan ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ་༘࿐⋆｡𖦹°⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
  𖤓 ㅤafab nonbinary, he/they | bisexual, single
  𖤓ㅤ 36 moons old | ages every 1st
  𖤓ㅤ original marsh group member | mentoring none
  𖤓ㅤ lh tortoiseshell smoke/tortoiseshell chimera
  𖤓ㅤ npc xx npc | close with ???
  𖤓ㅤ written by nico, ic opinions | tags‎

​

 

[MARBLEPAW]

Her horsetail stock is low, and when Burdocktail announces he's going to the border, Marblepaw is quick to tag along. It's a good place to check for the bristling plant, and she could tell the rest of the warriors to keep their eyes — or, rather, their noses — peeled for it. She isn't far from the smoke-streaked warrior's flank when she hears their mew, thick with surprise. "Well, 'ello there." Marblepaw swishes her tail through the air. "I'm guessing you aren't greeting the horsetail," she jokes, weaving closer.

Sure enough, Burdocktail's wide golden eyes settle on a scrap of fur curled into the pine needles. Marblepaw's muzzle creases into a frown. Another lost kit? Stars, it's too cold out here for someone so young... Marblepaw lowers her face and sniffs at the she-kit as Burdocktail questions her.

"Are you feeling okay, little one? Are you hurt anywhere?" Her eyes flash as she remembers the badger, chased further into the marsh from the Thunderpath. She gives Burdocktail a beseeching look. "It's not safe to leave her out here. We need to take her back to camp." The little she-kit is only fortunate she hadn't stumbled across something hungrier than a ShadowClan patrol.

… ❞​

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[FERNDANCE]

She was convinced that she looked better out of spite. There was a plumpness to her haunches once only reserved for the better moons, a shimmer to her smile that seemed to radiate the energy of her beloved above, a twinkle in the eye that suggested life not yet snuffed out. And yet, staring down at another kitten, one she would've so often moved to coddle by now, there was a numbness to the idea of doing anything. Her mouth dried and her blinks were as rapid as a rabbit's turns, almost blank as she tried to break down each one of Burdocktail and Marblepaw's words.

She knew she looked fine, she knew many parts of her felt fine - so why was it, in the face of challenge, her head was being held underwater?

"She's old enough to be an apprentice..." Ferndance's head tilted, not quite disapproving, but confused. She blinked again and pictured Chilledstar's sneering face sending her children to the den apprentice's den too young. She remembered Mirestar's promise that it would never happen again, she remembered... remembered how ShadowClan may not be the safest place for a wandering child after all. Her head tilted towards Marblepaw. "Just kidding~"

Then, her attention was back upon the young stranger. "I'm Ferndance, we're totally not killers, I promise you."


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[Ternstar.]

TELL YOU YOU'RE THE GREATEST
BUT ONCE YOU TURN, THEY HATE US ​

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Ternstar ♛ 24 Moons ♛ Female ♛ She/Her ♛ Leader of Shadowclan

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★★★★★★★★★

—— Ternstar relishes in her newfound freedoms — with Moltface to watch her kits, the wueen is free to roam; to return to duties just as every other. She strolls leasurely - never quite stopping her gaze from flitting about, half-searching for any unfortunate prey that might stray across their path as paws tread through lingering snow, but for the most part relaxed by the knowledge they are simpmy here to mark borders.

Burdocktail strays ahead, and voice reaches her ears before she emerges to find them, face blank and brow raised questioningly before she spots the child. " Another one? "

They ask of parents, and she hums lazily, tail flicking - she's seen this sort of thing enough that she knows the answer, but its as good an idea as any to ask. If theyre lucky, they can send her away - shuffle her off in the paws of her parents with a warning to stay out. But she doubts it. Even experiencing motherhood forsthand has not yet curbed her belief that parents - that blood cannot be trusted. That they will abandon their burdens at their earliest need. Ternstar is the exception, not the rule.

" Not anymore, " she murmurs, darting a galne to Ferndance. Six moons now - a code, and one the molly doesnt disagree with. Three extra moons to fill their bellies, to learn and grow without knowing the hunger that ravages shadowclan. "Do you have a name, little one? " she asks, head tipping. They cant keep calling it - her, mind corrects - 'kiddo' and 'little one' forever. It'd get to confusing in the end, to have a face without a name.

━ actions & " speech, " & 'thoughts/quotes' ━

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E V E R Y B O D Y - W A N T S - T O - B E - M Y - E N E M Y

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[lostkit]

the she-kit is tired to the bone, tired enough that the tremors of an approaching presence almost aren't enough to stir her, but adrenaline levels still high, the kit blinks awake -- right as a shadow falls over her threateningly before stopping. the cream-colored kit squeals, fur bristling as she springs up but is still frozen in place. luckily, the older cat doesn't seem aggressive, had just side-stepped and was blinking right back at her with confusion. blue-green eyes meet yellow with equal parts confusion and caution, and the kitten gives a hesitant little sniff, realizing that this tom smelled...not the same, but quite similar to the scent markings she had parked herself just outside of.

"Well, 'ello there. Where're your parents, kiddo?"

the tom has a somewhat forced smile (well, maybe that was just how he smiled) that made the kit hesitant, but, well, the worst thing that could happen is that she just gets chased away again, right? and he hadn't outright attacked her, so maybe that was a good sign. "hi," she greets shyly, trying give a wobbly smile back through her nervousness, though it drops at his question. "mm, i'm not sure... mama said she'd be right back, but it's been four days, and i don't know anymore," she said, drooping a little. maybe they only wanted to talk to adults? would they chase her out because she was just an annoying little kit alone?

rustling undergrowth and pawsteps clue her into the approach of more cats, three of them. the kitten's eyes widen at their approach, curling into herself a little bit. they didn't seem aggressive really, just a bit wary at her presence, which she was choosing to interpret as, well, a not not good thing. in fact, the wiry fawn tabby even seems concerned about her, asking about her wellbeing -- "Are you feeling okay, little one? Are you hurt anywhere? It's not safe to leave her out here. We need to take her back to camp."

"i'm ok!" the kitten is quick to reassure. she's not a liability even if she's young. "an owl almost got me, but i got away. i'm just a little lost... and thirsty... and maybe a little hungry..." she'd scavenged what she could, but the landscape outside the forest had been quite barren. she tried to look as pitiful as she could, a sad quiver to her whisker (which really, wasn't that hard), but not too pitiful that they would throw her out. she's pretty satisfied with the balance she strikes, but then the next she-cat speaks and her expression is replaced by pure confusion.

"She's old enough to be an apprentice... Just kidding~"

the kit's nose scrunches up, tilting her head slightly, not sure how to respond. she's saved from having to when the cat continues, though the words don't exactly alleviate her concerns. "I'm Ferndance, we're totally not killers, I promise you." what a weird thing to say, but she supposed that was reassuring. she nodded trustingly, opening her mouth to say something lame like "ok great!", but is thankfully rescued by the words of the last cat, who had a strange aura of confidence and power that had the kit straightening up in response.

"Another one? Do you have a name, little one?"

well, that didn't sound promising. did they get dumped kits all the time? was she just another in a long string of disappointments? "i'm lost," she blurts, suddenly feeling like she has to rationalize her presence, before realizing she had been asked a question. "er - no - sorry - that's not my name - mama didn't give me a name. said that was for grown-ups. but i'm really mature, i promise! i was just hoping, well, it seemed like there were a lot of you from the scent markers, so i was hoping maybe you'd know where to get water... or food... or if you guys have any leftovers!" she rushed out. "and i'm really good at, at cleaning, and keeping watch, so maybe i can pay you back?"

｡:ﾟ.°✧ PLEASE DONT LET THEM SEE ME

• ooc. anyone is free to name her lostkit, or i'll assume an npc has done so/it's caught on ^-^
• 

  LOSTKIT (she/her) is a four moon old shadowclan kit with shorthair cream tabby fur with low white and blue-green eyes. she is the gen1 daughter of two rogue npc's.
  
  TAGS. penned by riyue. dm me on discord (xriyue) for plots.​

​

 

[BURDOCKTAIL]

His clanmates aren't far behind. Marblepaw jokes that he couldn't be talking to the horsetail, to which he glances down to the foliage at his paws. "Oh, is that what this stuff is?" They chuckle, pawing at the plants. "'Fraid not." If only. ShadowClan's taken in enough stray kits.

But Marblepaw is right. They couldn't just leave her out here. Burdocktail nods, solemnity falling over them like a shroud.

The kit explains how her mother never returned. So she was either abandoned, or her mother was killed. Somehow, it seems to always be the same story. Abandoned or orphaned. There's the urge to heave a sigh which he stifles under a faux cough. "Right."

Ferndance's serial killer comment has him faking a laugh. Of course Ferndance would choose the least helpful thing to say. The laugh they let out sounds strained. "Yeah, we're definitely not murderers." Did that sound convincing enough? "I swear."

As if on cue, Ternstar appears sharing the exact same sentiment as Burdocktail. Another one, indeed. They decide against saying that aloud, though, not wanting to upset the kit. Instead, he settles for dipping his head to Ternstar in greeting.

The kit introduces herself as Lost. "Lost?" Burdocktail echoed before he could stop himself, incredulous. Who names their kit Lost?

However, the misunderstanding is quickly rectified. They couldn't help but let out an embarrassed laugh once the kit corrected herself, ducking their head to groom the fur on their chest. Of course her name isn't Lost. It was rather foolish of him to believe so.

"No name, huh?" Sympathy flickers within. Not naming a kit is… unfathomable. Everyone deserves a name. I'm beginnin' to have an idea of what happened to her mother. "Well, that's unfortunate. Maybe one of our own can give ya a proper name. That is…" He glances to Ternstar. "If she's allowed to stay?" They doubt that Ternstar would turn away a defenseless kitten, but they don't want to step on any toes and cause an issue.

make me feel alive 𑁍ࠬܓ INFO

• ooc: text
• 
  ■■■■■■■ ✶ burdocktail. warrior of shadowclan ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ་༘࿐⋆｡𖦹°⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
  𖤓 ㅤafab nonbinary, he/they | bisexual, single
  𖤓ㅤ 36 moons old | ages every 1st
  𖤓ㅤ original marsh group member | mentoring none
  𖤓ㅤ lh tortoiseshell smoke/tortoiseshell chimera
  𖤓ㅤ npc xx npc | close with ???
  𖤓ㅤ written by nico, ic opinions | tags‎

​