private RECKLESS BATTERY BURNS [♱] MOSSPOOL

It's easy to find her. It was easy to find them all; cats that she still hardly knew the names of, at least had faces that stuck out like a torn claw amidst the nobodies milling about the gathering. Nobodies, and somebodies— And there were cats like Iciclefang, like Ferngill, like Mosspaw.

Sharpshadow notes belatedly, that many of her cats of interest happened to be from RiverClan. Sharpshadow wonders where this affinity for fish - eaters has risen from. And then she wonders at herself, because " affinity " was way too strong of a word. She simply cannot forget that young cats that seem to thrive beneath RiverClan's rule, despite their leader— or former leader, she should say, missing the gangly, form of Cicadastar, typically writhing eel - like amongst the crowd. The perfect little soldiers, all of them, even Ferngill, who cracked his smile as if he were someone that ought to be proud of themselves.

A wince. Too close.

If not for him, Sharpshadow would've made her way to Mosspaw sooner. And here he is now, approaching spider - like, A ShadowClanner in name and in looks. He feels bigger than he did before, even though he'd stopped growing nearly three seasons ago. Silver eyes narrow upon her, incessant as they had been when they were nestled at the base of the mountains still. He feels that he may afford to preen, this night. Now— he had the benefit of a name. Sharpshadow's smile is all teeth. " Happy to be home, Mosspaw? " he forgoes pleasantries, because Mosspaw was not someone he'd consider himself on pleasant terms with. She is someone to bother. Sharpshadow hopes that things have been perfectly miserable in RiverClan since their return; someway, somehow.
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  • ooc: @Mosspool >:)
  • ( OF THE THINGS I'VE GOT IN MY BRAIN ) SHARPSHADOW: Formerly mentored by Smogmaw
    ♱ he / she , no pref , dislikes gender neutral language ; fine with gendered terms
    ♱ currently 17 moons old as of 11.12.23 / ages every 8th

    dark smoke feline that stands at an above average height. Easily identifiable by her namesake – an unruly mat of fur, destined to be cluttered by inconsistencies between chimera halves. Burdened with a broken tail, often lying dead behind her in the dirt.

    Anxious, antisocial, paranoid. Sharpshadow has not known peace for a single time in his life, and lives anticipating inevitable dangers to the detriment of herself and others. scraping together some higher purpose— making somewhat of an effort to be " likeable "
    heavy ic opinions! he's irrational and mean </3
 
𓆝 . ° ✦ Though she had been seeking out her companions from the journey, Mosspool's ear still flicked as she spotted Sharppaw. She may have owed him her life, but she was not altogether certain she liked him. Their last conversation had not been altogether pleasant, and she could not help but worry that this one would be the same.

"It is Mosspool now," she corrected, as cool and calm as the waters she had been named for. "And yes, I am. As are you, I should hope?"

It would not be prudent to mention that her return had not gone how she had envisioned it. There had been none of the celebrations that she had envisioned would greet her, only desperate relief. Her clan had been more ravaged rogues and sickness than she had expected, and even their illustrious leader - may he rest well in the stars - had not been spared. Better to turn the question around rather than go into any detail. Even if her response was the truth, it was a more complicated truth than she would like to admit.

Besides, Mosspool thought as she glanced toward the Shadowclanner curiously, it would be interesting to know if she still held to the terrible things she had suggested on their journey now that they were all home safe. Surely, now that all his fearful possibilities had been disproved, he would see the error of his ways?

Then again, perhaps that was too optimistic.
 ° .  . ° 
  • ooc:
  • challenge-3-moss-png.1191
    MOSSPOOL — SHE/HER・ 12 MOONS ・ WARRIOR & RIVERCLAN ・ PENNED BY @empyrean !
    Longhair black tabby with deep green eyes. Mosspaw is a very tall molly, standing a head above most cats her age. She has a slim, willowy physique with subtle musculature built up from a lifetime of constant training that lends itself well to swimming and running. Long, thick brown fur falls over her form with tabby patterning across it. Her eyes are a vibrant green, and shine with a bright intelligence and confidence.
 
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It is Mosspool now.

All to tatters. Sharpshadow can't show her shock. She can't, she can't, she can't.

Sharpshadow freezes pretty conspicuously— but he's fine. He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to forget not every apprentice was as pathetic as him. He certainly wouldn't forget tha tmost apprentices only remain as such for less than a season. He ought to congratulate her, but he would not. He'd like to make his eyes into the sort of weapon that Smogmaw fashions— all unbidden judgement and the weight of a superior within those eyes. Before he had even been anyone, she had hated him for those eyes. If Sharpshadow had to be hated at all, she would like to be hated in that very same way.

Sharpshadow's answer is awkward, in the end. As she should hope. " Maybe, " said with a pinched frown. It'd be an overstatement to say— but she would not say she wasn't... relieved. And really, the reveal should've been grander. The unveiling of a warrior name; what he's always wanted, what Chilledstar would be announces to everyone within the next few moments...

But it seems puny, now. Something mentioned only to one - up what Mosspool had already had. Or perhaps it wasn't even a big deal for her, and that is why she could correct her so... casually. A mistake is what it was, talking to her. " It's Sharpshadow now, " he tells her, even though she did not ask. For too long, he lingers. Teeth press to rubber - black of her lips.

" Your sick have recovered... smoothly? " asked with a slight leer. The future Mosspaw— Mosspool (Annoying)— had seen have been one of sunshine and roses; no casualties to be seen. Sharpshadow would like to prove her wrong. Sharpshadow would like her clan not to be the only one with the most gruesome of welcome parties, acknowledging only to Smogmaw— It was all Smogmaw. Annoyed prickling along her back, because, of course.
EpC61GT.png

  • 6jDzawf.png

  • ( OF THE THINGS I'VE GOT IN MY BRAIN ) SHARPSHADOW: Formerly mentored by Smogmaw
    ♱ he / she , no pref , dislikes gender neutral language ; fine with gendered terms
    ♱ currently 17 moons old as of 11.12.23 / ages every 8th

    dark smoke feline that stands at an above average height. Easily identifiable by her namesake – an unruly mat of fur, destined to be cluttered by inconsistencies between chimera halves. Burdened with a broken tail, often lying dead behind her in the dirt.

    Anxious, antisocial, paranoid. Sharpshadow has not known peace for a single time in his life, and lives anticipating inevitable dangers to the detriment of herself and others. scraping together some higher purpose— making somewhat of an effort to be " likeable "
    heavy ic opinions! he's irrational and mean </3
 
𓆝 . ° ✦ Mosspool tilted her head questioningly as Sharpshadow froze, but did not comment. While she had certainly desired to get a reaction of of her, surprise had not been what she was looking for. It should have been apparent enough to him on the journey that she was fairly close to coming of age for her warrior ceremony.

Instead, she decided to focus on his response. "That is not much of an answer." It was fine with her if he did not wish to share the details, but she was not going to pretend his response had satisfied her. It would be a lie to say she wasn't at least curious why he was so indecisive.

"Congratulations." Mosspool responded smoothly with a dip of her head as Sharpshadow revealed her new name, offering her the respect that a new warrior was due. Hopefully the Shadowclanner would take notes on how he should have reacted to her.

" Your sick have recovered... smoothly? "

A shadow fell across her face, even as she tried to conceal it. "Most of those ill have recovered, yes. Those that did not are with Starclan now." A frown. Even to her, the words felt a cold consolation to Iciclefang and Fernpaw who had lost a sibling, and poor respect to her leader. "Though we still miss them dearly." Mosspool added eventually, dipping her head in respect for the fallen. Once again, she could not help but think how fortunate she had been to not lose any of her own family. Almost too much so to be mere fortune. Even her youngest siblings had all survived. It would be blasphemy to think that she had been blessed with protection from the stars when so many good warriors, and even Cicadastar himself, had fallen. And yet, sometimes she could not help but wonder...
 ° .  . ° 
  • ooc:
  • challenge-3-moss-png.1191
    MOSSPOOL — SHE/HER・ 12 MOONS ・ WARRIOR & RIVERCLAN ・ PENNED BY @empyrean !
    Longhair black tabby with deep green eyes. Mosspaw is a very tall molly, standing a head above most cats her age. She has a slim, willowy physique with subtle musculature built up from a lifetime of constant training that lends itself well to swimming and running. Long, thick brown fur falls over her form with tabby patterning across it. Her eyes are a vibrant green, and shine with a bright intelligence and confidence.
 
Her eyes narrow upon her fellow warrior. A sliver of annoyance is held within her sniff. He would give her as much of an answer as he so pleased. What did he owe to a RiverClanner? Especially a stuck - up, annoying one like Mosspool? He does not dignify her with a response— He owes her nothing.

He doesn't expect to be congratulated— but she should've. Perfect, is what Mosspool is convinced she was. Only someone less than would meet such news with silence, isn't that right? ( scraping at the floor ) Sharpshadow does not sneer, does not glower, even though that is really what he would like to do. He reacts how he typically reacts to compliments, with an awkward non - answer and paws rooted in place. The fur along his neck lifts into silver - tinged quills, but that's hardly new at all.

There, she catches Mosspool with a less - than - perfect face. Is it in lieu of, or in spite of the cause that Sharpshadow is rapt with this face of hers. It probably... no— definitely made her a bad person. But ShadowClan has never been full of honorable souls. Condolences are clumsy. Simply, " Sure. " And despite herself, after a pause she would follow her lead, dipping her head in respect for the dead. In this moment, she realizes she had never done such a thing for her clans own dead. What did that make her? She keeps her head bowed a little longer, for them. " ShadowClan lost some, " he tells her. " They probably went elsewhere, you know? "

ShadowClan were not the only ones with dead. There was suffering on all ends. Sharpshadow needed it to be true. Evidently, Mosspool needed just the opposite. It's a strange standoff, them standing with heads bowed.

So it continues, the trend of cats outside her own clan making her do stupid things.

" I do not see Cicadastar amongst you, " he'd observe when he lifts his head, the edge to his voice more - or - less gone. And then, a nagging question. Inappropriate, probably, but apparently she cannot resist the urge to push buttons. " ...Is it everything you dreamed? "
EpC61GT.png

  • 6jDzawf.png

  • ( OF THE THINGS I'VE GOT IN MY BRAIN ) SHARPSHADOW: Formerly mentored by Smogmaw
    ♱ he / she , no pref , dislikes gender neutral language ; fine with gendered terms
    ♱ currently 17 moons old as of 11.12.23 / ages every 8th

    dark smoke feline that stands at an above average height. Easily identifiable by her namesake – an unruly mat of fur, destined to be cluttered by inconsistencies between chimera halves. Burdened with a broken tail, often lying dead behind her in the dirt.

    Anxious, antisocial, paranoid. Sharpshadow has not known peace for a single time in his life, and lives anticipating inevitable dangers to the detriment of herself and others. scraping together some higher purpose— making somewhat of an effort to be " likeable "
    heavy ic opinions! he's irrational and mean </3
 
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