sensitive topics pretend the pain away ღ bullying

[whitedawn]

tw. for bullying, verbal, a touch of physical harassment, and anxiety
It had been a primarily rainy day during this newleaf day, with the slight storm stopping just before the sunset, and as such Whitepaw was working while very quietly humming to herself, replacing the elder's moss with some dried moss she had hidden away in a small tunnel to keep dry. She was working diligently, as the elders had bustled off to eat or were dozing nearby. Ever observant, amidst her work, the young ivory molly was listening to the hustle and bustle of the clan when a nearby conversation caught her attention, especially with her name being said.
"She's a weird one isn't she?" The words had come from Badgerpaw, a tuxedo lingering nearby. Whitepaw only ever saw him from a distance and never spoke to him, but knew him as an older apprentice and a moor runner. He was talking with Dawnpaw and Duskpaw, the two apprentices that Whitepaw knew got in trouble for harassing Sunflowerpaw when they were still recovering, even if the older apprentice was fully recovered at this point. Though, with a quick glance, it appeared he was talking more at the duo than with them. "I mean, she's so quiet, I don't think I've heard her actually talk, just whisper. I think the loudest I've heard her been is when Moorpaw beat her up a near moon ago as kits. That was funny." At this point, the tom's voice was loud in her ears, and her movements in nest making have slowed as she anxiously began to listen more than focus on her current chore. It was almost impossible for the young albino to tell if the tom was deliberately speaking louder for her to hear, or if she was focusing too hard on it. "I mean it must get annoying for her mentor and friends, right? Having to talk to her when you can barely hear her." Anxiety bubbled higher and Whitepaw turned her gaze to the moss clenched under her paws. Shaking her head, she tried to begin her nest-making again, trying to ignore the words. Just ignore it. Just ignore it. They would just say something if it bothered them... wouldn't they?
Having forced herself to stop listening, she hadn't been prepared for the next occurrence to happen. Badgerpaw frowned for a quick minute, noticing the albino had stopped listening. Then a smirk curled on his maw. "I'll be back, I wanna try something." He stated, ignoring Dawnpaw and Duskpaw's protests and encouragements to stop. The two had run off as he walked away, with the goal to avoid getting in trouble again.
Weaving the next as she tried to pretend that she wasn't twitching with anxiety, she didn't really focus on the pawsteps approach until a clawed paw stepped on her tail. The shock of pain had caused a sudden squeal to spill from her lips within a few seconds as she turned and pulled her tail away, ducking it between her legs. Badgerpaw laughed, an amused smirk prominent on his face. "Oh, so you are capable of making a sound. Still quiet as a dumb little mouse though." The tom mocked, and her ears pinned back. "Just leave me alone." She whispered, trying to focus back on her chore only for the tom to step in front of her. "What was that? Did you say something, mousey?" He went further with his mocking tone, a growl lightly in his voice, making the pale-hued girl shrink back to make herself smaller.

//tldr; Badgerpaw is an older moor runner apprentice who was purposely talking outloud and rudely about Whitepaw and her quietness, and then purposely stepped on her tail. And is now just further being a jerk.

He is free to powerplay!​

[I'M BREATHING]​

 

[SUNFLOWERMASK]

.°☀ AND IF IT EVER STARTS TO FEEL BAD, LITTLE FANG

---

Sunflowerpaw is fetching more moss for Whitepaw when they stumble upon the two apprentices. They miss the jeers shared between Badgerpaw and the siblings they wish they weren't so familiar with, but they return with dried moss in their maw just in time to witness the older apprentice getting closer and closer to the elders den. For a moment, they wonder if he might be coming to help, but then -- a paw comes down hard on Whitepaw's tail, peeking out from the den's entrance. Claws unsheathed, droplets of blood flecked across the wispy white. A squeal sounds from the elder's den, and the moss falls from Sunflowerpaw's mouth. They're quick to move, limping gait making a beeline for the arcing entrance.

"Oh, so you are capable of making a sound. Still quiet as a dumb little mouse though." Badgerpaw's words confirm what they already knew: this was no accident. And making fun of her for being quiet -- well, Sunflowerpaw has been on the receiving end of that. But now, directed at their friend, they see it for what it is: mousebrained. They like her voice, its softness. Gentle, never harsh.

Unlike some cats.

Their ears catch her whispered words as they move, in time with Badgerpaw as he steps in front of her. She'd been trying to ignore him, they realize with a pang in their chest. They know exactly how well that works. But they're not going to stand by this time, not when Whitepaw is the one targeted. She shrinks back, and they draw forwards nudging her shoulder lightly with their head to get her attention. They press their side softly against hers then; grounding, comfort, not alone. It's a rare act for the apprentice, usually disinclined to physical touch. They try to catch Whitepaw's eye, offer a small, "'S alright," quiet enough for only her to hear.

More comfort can wait til later, though. Badgerpaw laughs, starts to speak again -- more barbs, they're sure. They're little more than another target to him, words just as quiet as her own and far more rarely spoken. They won't stand for that this time, though.

When Badgerpaw speaks, they're quick to intterupt. "She said," It's toneless, flat, and much louder than their previous words. Their eyes turn to Badgerpaw's, golden-sun locking him in an intense stare. They press a little closer to Whitepaw. "T' leave her alone." Their voice edges into a harsh and snarling tone, claws slipping from their sheathes as their fur bristles, all threat. They do not move from Whitepaw's side, staring the older apprentice down in challenge.

---

IT'S EASY TO EXPLAIN 'CAUSE THIS WORLD'S NOT TAME .°☀

⟪ OOC ⟫ ⟪ INFO ⟫ ⟪ REF ⟫

• //​
• SUNFLOWERPAW named by their half-brother vulturemask after his friend and mentor.
  — they/them, 5 moons. semiverbal.
  — windclan apprentice, mentored by wolfsong.
  — reserved yet loyal, distrusts most.
  
  primary character, high activity. penned by saturnid.​
• 

​

 

[Addervenom]

Life doesn't discriminate

The moorland prince shakes, releasing previous rain that held down his flaxen striped coat. Sunstride's meticulous training upon the hills was over for the day, leaving the boy tired as he walked his way into camp. Near vermilion eyes search the camp for a place to lounge and rest. His aching limbs carry him forward when he notices an older apprentice speaking obnoxiously loud. Adderpaw is unfazed at first, ignoring the belittlement of some poor soul until he begins to put the pieces together. By then the tuxedo took it upon themselves to step upon Whitepaw's tail, causing the girl to cry out all for the sake of show and a good laugh. He further invaded her space, antagonizing her and it was at this point Adderpaw felt his lips curl and ears peel back. How dare this peasant bother his friend? How dare he touch her?

Anger flared to life instantly within the boy, thick and nearly tangible with the way his hackles danced. With renewed strength, Adderpaw tore across camp, practically a blur as he relentlessly threw himself at the older apprentice. With breakneck force he tackled him to the ground, rolling tail over paw with wild, wide eyes. Claws slip from their sheathes as the pair go back and forth exchanging blows while they tussle. All of Sunstride's advice advances to the forefront of his mind as he kicked and swat at the older boy, bombarding him. Badgerpaw makes the mistake of fumbling, allowing Adderpaw to hover over the boy with one paw pressed heavily against their face. Teeth gritting as the fight comes to an end with heavy breaths he leans forward. "Apologize." When the answer did not come fast enough Adderpaw simply pushed harder, claws threatening to prick his face like they had Whitepaw's tail "Now." ​

Between the sinners and the saints​

​

​

​

​

 

[Spiderbloom]

"If you want to hear someone scream......."

Spiderbloom loomed over Badgerpaw, her voice cold. She had been outside the nursery enjoying the sun and the cool breeze. She didn't want to cry her whole pregnancy. She wanted to enjoy herself, be happy for once. And she was, for a bit. She was quite happy laying there in the sun, listening to the cats around her as they went about their day. Unfortunately her mood was soured when she heard Whitepaw cry out. That brings us to where she stands now, glowering down at the apprentice as Adderpaw pinned him down.

"We have plenty of enemies to choose from." She continued. "Bullying your clanmates accomplishes nothing but weakened bonds."

She looked to Adderpaw with a smile. You fuckin get his ass, kid. He wasn't even her kit, and she was proud of him. "Very good, Adderpaw."

She didn't forget Sunflowerpaw either. "You too, Sunflowerpaw."

She looked to Whitepaw, next. "You have good friends." She said. "But someday you'll have to stand up for yourself. I have every confidence that you'll do well, though."

She was once a quiet little thing beset by scorn everywhere she looked....And she turned out fine!

............
..................................

Okay. Maybe she didn't. But it would be different for Whitepaw, she was sure.
​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

ㅤ

SOOTSTAR

WindClan Leader
☆☆★★★★★★★

---

HP:​

██████████

Loves:

Hates:

​

Green eyes absorbed the scene from her typical perch atop Tallrock. It's difficult to gauge what she was thinking, but silently she did watch the scene unfold and as Badgerpaw prodded at Whitepaw she does not budge. It was evident Whitepaw was going to have to learn how to take care of herself, shrinking and having to have other apprentices defend her wasn’t going to teach many not to take jabs at her. Besides, this would only teach Whitepaw that weakness is okay because she’ll have her friends to back her up, but one day out of camp she will not.

”Enough Adderpaw.” Sootstar barks at her son upon descending from the Tallrock, having enough of the scene. ”Badgerpaw, get.” To the bully in question she flicks her tail dismissively at him, certain that if he really wanted to the older moor runner could’ve given her son a stern lesson for leaping at him. Once the NPC bully hopefully listened to her order her eyes turn sharply to the cowering Whitepaw, ”You will need to learn how to defend yourself. Other cats cannot fight your battles for you.” Especially not her son… his temper was already an issue waiting to explode.

​

 

[HEATHCLAW.]

Heath himself had grown up on his lonesome. Infighting wasn't somethin' he'd had to deal with at such a ripe age, besides the prodding of his own littermates. Crawling over each other for the first bite of hare was all it had been. Strange, to grow up in a place where you even had the chance to talk ill of a groupmate. The sky was big enough, he supposed.

No, it was closer to the mutterings amongst rogues, bodies brought together only for the sake of food and shelter, no real comradery between them. Any stranger may come and mouth off; nip at your sides and never quit until you nipped right back. The youth of WindClan are more noble than that, though. It brings a brief softness to Heathclaw's face to see them step in for the kit he's always known to be soft-spoken.

WindClan hunt in a delicate balance, though, not so far away from a snapping band of rogues. Far enough for him to not regret coming just yet, though. Still, they could easily fall into it if given the chance. Adderpaw is a prime example of that.

Heathclaw would not parent Sootstar's young. That business was all her own, and one she was unafraid to go through with in her way. Despite all they say, her madness was built on a very real foundation. Would that day where WindClan turned teeth on each other ever come true, Sootstar would certainly be some brand of right.

"Up and at 'em," he tells Whitepaw. He doesn't leave much room for codling words, but there's some softness in the way he speaks. He'd nudge the small apprentice with a paw, and a hazeled stare would spare his agreement. She's right. Though he wouldn't bother sayin' it out loud. "Next time someone creeps up on ya, lash out with your legs as hard as ya can." He hopes the image of her giving a bitter apprentice the what for is as exciting an image to her as it is to him.

Were his tail still attached, he'd've been sure to flick it against her side. He offers a steady nod in its stead. "Come find me if you ever need, Whitepaw."

OOC INFORMATION

• —
  
• — HEATHCLAW: he / him; cisgender male, 43 moons. moor - runner of windclan.
  — bisexual with no clear preference. single.
  — low, rumbling voice with a noticeable, but not overbearing southern drawl.
  — goes with the tides. if loyalty is what will benefit him, so be it. independent but amicable.
  
  — for windclan – a tall and broad chocolate tabby tom with half a tail. Smattered with smaller scars, the most obvious being a sharp cut across his lower jaw and eye, that of which is half-blind. Sharp-jawed with an intense hazeled stare; lost most of his tail due to an incident when he was younger.

​

 

[SUNNVAR]

His tail flicks. When he speaks, he knows it will be in quiet opposition to their leader’s words— he will not utter them lightly. For just a few seconds longer, Sunstride studies his apprentice’s strengths of attack, where his paws had landed wrong. Like Heathclaw, he had grown in a world far different than this. Unlike him, it had not been such a lonely world. There were times that they could rely only upon another. It was not a clanmate’s weakness that you must fear, but the fraying of bonds between those who you must trust to have your back. Adderpaw has Whitepaw’s— the warrior will not forget this moment.

Though it is held carefully from Sootstar’s line of sight, there is a glitter of approval in glacial eyes. "It is moments such as this that make a traitor," is what he says, in a careful kind of lilt. "WindClan must be above all else a united front, lest our enemies see the weakness within our ranks. Remember this, Adderpaw. If nothing else." Though he does not speak further, nor issue any demands to his apprentice, he does rest curious eyes upon the apprentice that had found himself so thoroughly disadvantaged. Would he apologize still?

﹥ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES INFORMATION 〙ˊˎ﹤

• ooc: —
• SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
  —— cis male, he - him. thirty-six moons old. lead warrior of windclan and former rogue.
  —— gay, but somewhat closeted. will not be open about his interests.  single, will be so.
  —— seems comparatively stranger than who he was some moons ago, serious and cool.
  
  sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond its borders, with fur that flames red at its base and deepens to a burnt amber with every whorl and stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of him.
• "speech"

​

 

[Addervenom]

Life doesn't discriminate

Sootstar's voice echoes throughout the clearing, sharp and commanding as she descends her throne. The words are like an iron chain, shackling the boy's movements to prevent further harm. "Consider yourself lucky..." He hisses low within the other apprentices ear. His mother's intervention would be this tom's saving grace, for Adderpaw would not disobey the moorland queen. Mushing against the older boy's face with an ivory paw he takes a reluctant step back, amber glare acidic and scathing in nature.

His brawl with Badgerpaw happened so fast that he nearly missed the praise soaring from Spiderbloom's lips. She approved of his actions while Sunstride held a fleeting glint of approval not missed by him. Sootstar however did not necessarily chastise him, but the blue smoke made it clear he was not permitted to fight for Whitepaw. It left the prince in a conflicted state as brows pinch together thoughtfully. His gaze rips from the bully to his ivory friend, listening idly as several advise her on the importance of standing up for one's self. But internally he is torn. Friends looked out for one another, did they not? The day Whitepaw forged their friendship he made a silent oath to be her sword and shield, promising to cut down those that pestered her. But his mother voices otherwise and Adderpaw finds himself caught within a stalemate.

The beginnings of Sunstride's lecture pulls him from his mental prison, amber eyes trailing up to meet icy blue. Traitors were born of moments like this? His attention shifts, side eyeing the tuxedo tom. "Yes, Sunstride." Of course a traitor would work to dismantle the wellbeing of those around them. Creating rifts within the overall peace of the clan. ​

Between the sinners and the saints​

​

​

​

​

 

[whitedawn]

Sunflowerpaw had been quick to join the ivory femme's side in her defense, a gesture that was deeply appreciated. The sneering tuxedo had gone to speak further, to release more harsh barbs and yet he was cut off by a smaller blur that tackled him off his paws. "Adderpaw!" Whitepaw had let out a startled squeak, watching the two as they rolled and tussled for mere moments before the moorland prince was the one on top, dagger-sharp claws threatening to dig into the older tom's face as Adder let out growled demand for him to apologize. The tom was silent, a sneer ever present on his face, and seemed likely he was going to hold on to his pride. At that time, Spiderbloom approached with cold hisses on her lips towards the tom, along with praises for both Sunflowerpaw and Adderpaw, and some parting advice for her. The words made her ears pin back, a slight frown on the young albino's face. "Right..." It was a fact of life in this clan that often seemed quick to go to violence and ask questions later. She had so much love for both Sunflowerpaw and Adderpaw, but they both wouldn't always be there for her. A disgruntled growl broke her thoughts and she focused back on Badgerpaw.

The tom had a twisted response, and he was adamant about not apologizing. Yet, there was the threat of the Moorland prince digging his claws into his face. Thankfully, the Queen of Moors had arrived and pulled the chain of her bloodthirsty son off of him. He sent the younger tom a sneer in response to the hissed words but held his tongue. He had enough sense not to harass one of the leader's beloved children, especially in front of her. Moor warriors joined, in the form of Heathclaw and Sunstride, though it is the lead warrior's expectant gaze and his apprentice's acidic glare that made the words unwittingly spill from his lips. "Sorry, whatever." It was grumbled and lacked all genuine feeling, but it was enough for the brief moment for the young moor runner to duck off.

The presence of Sootstar's words rang true, and Whitepaw found herself shrinking at the Moorland Queen's words. "Yes ma'am." It was a whispered response, but one she felt required to give. Her ears drooped, and she spared a glance to meet the gaze of Heathclaw, a warrior she had never spoken to, yet seemed to offer her kindness. She gave a timid smile and nodded at his sudden offer, unexpected as it was. She saw Sunstride approach and felt the bubbling of guilt in her chest. Adderpaw hadn't gotten in trouble for this, had he? Having missed the glimmer in the tom's eyes, she listed as he merely gave advice toward Adderpaw. She met Adderpaw's gaze, even if the tom seemed lost in thought, and gave him a soft grateful smile, and lightly nudged Sunflowerpaw's shoulder. Whitepaw will always have the burning gratefulness for them as she does now, even if her mood was sullen by the lectures. Perhaps one day, she'd no longer need them. But she hoped one day, she could come to their defense just as they'd come to hers.​

[I'M BREATHING]​