camp residue | return

Addervenom

Addervenom

TROGLODYTIC
Controlled Burn [WC '24] Unity [WC '23]
Feb 9, 2023
167
33
28
Life doesn't discriminate
Mismatched paws lead the glowering beast back into the folds of windclan's camp. Smoldering amber eyes flit to and fro until he lays eyes upon the freshkill pile where he deposits a young rabbit into its cache. His three day sentence of self exile was up, but he decided to stay outside of camp for a few days longer just to be sure. The twoleg that marked his ear never revealed themselves again, proving the small golden tag latched onto his ear to be non threatening. He was sure the hefty scratch he left upon their arm was enough to keep them far away. His tongue flicks from its ivory cage, rasping over his lips to clear the crimson that stained it.

A few apprentices glance in his direction, eyeing his ear and the moorland prince is quick to turn his scalding gaze upon them. Without hesitation they shrink away, slinking off and away from his hard stare. A scoff blasts from his nose, jaw set as he turns, lashing his tail. Stalking off in another direction he comes to stand within the company of several cats all conversing amongst themselves. "What have I missed?" Adderpaw mutters bluntly. Taking a seat within their company he glances around the circle, seeking answers. ​
Between the sinners and the saints​
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Sunstride is not surprised to see his apprentice returned. He knew of his plans, and the intention to return. At least it was done with a good heart alongside his foolish tongue. He looks to Adderpaw with a glint of approval and a subtle inclination of his head. An urging and a welcome both. Though his mouth is still steely and flat, the warmth in his eyes has not diminished with his choice to keep this mark of loss. Maybe there will come a day when another warrior manages to tear it from him; maybe then he would learn to regret the decision he had made. For now, he is safe and he is here. A capable warrior in the making, and one that Sunstride is glad to be teaching.

He looks to the others that surround him with a slightly raised brow, urging their answer. Though there is much to say, it feels wrong to come from his own tongue. As if he had been responsible for his apprentice's exile or the time he must spend away from his clan. "Perhaps first we should discuss how you're feeling to be back. Will you be able to share such proximity again? Freedom can be a powerful feeling."
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＞ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES REFERENCE 05.28.2023 〙ˊˎ＜
  • ooc: —
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  • SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
    —— cis male, he - him. approx. 40 moons old. lead warrior of windclan + 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 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.
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  • "speech"
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He had recently left prey in the pile himself, taking a moment to sit nearby and evaluate his chores. What had he not done yet today? What should he do next? What was the best way to go about them in the most timely manner? Others often see him sitting there with his head tilted and staring at the ground. They might think he's staring at a bug or spacing out, but his two braincelled brain is actually hard at work.

His ears twitched as he detected movement from his peripheral. Seeing Adderpaw, his expression brightened into a bright and welcoming smile.

"Adderpaw! Welcome back, its good to see you again!" He greeted him cheerfully, not minding the funny thing on his ear at all. He almost felt he should make a point to look at Adderpaw as he is, hearing that his parents wouldn't even look at him. And Morningpaw was ever a slave to spite.... But he wouldn't do that. He looked at Adderpaw without any other intent than to welcome a fellow clanmate back home.

On the topic of news though..... "Well...." He began, thinking of where to start. He looks up at Sunstride briefly as he speaks. "We attacked Shadowclan. I wasn't there...But I hear it didn't go well." He said, smile fading. On the next subject, the Riverclan skirmish, his smile faded completely, replaced with a frown. "Riverclan....Took Cottonpaw hostage. They tried to take her eye, but she was lucky enough to break free and escape. Our warriors fought hard, but had to retreat." He finished.

"Things haven't really been too bright the last few days...." He admits with the shuffling of his paws. "But I'm sure things will turn around soon."

They couldn't keep losing forever, right??​
 
── .∘°°∘. ── He hadn't been present for Adderpaw's dubious decision, but he is keenly aware of the dissenting ripples sent through the clan. Wolfsong can respect obstinance— when it is not foolish, and the apprentice's choice to sport his defeat on display is nothing short of folly. He does not share Sunstride's fondness for Adderpaw, and he rasps his tongue over a golden paw while he engages with him. This grooming continues through Morningpaw's explanation of recent events, and it's only when he finishes that Wolfsong lowers his paw to stare at the returning self-appointed exile.

"Perhaps we should ask our neighbors to weave their trinkets in our pelts as a display of their victories over us," he says coolly. "And reject our fellows' offers to remove them because we are afraid to pinch our skin." ​
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WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN ROGUE TURNED LEAD WARRIOR (MEDICINE CAT IN TRAINING). 35 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC PARENTS. BIO, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.
medicinal expertise med. part ii med. part iii med. part iv
  • — ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge. — ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know— he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
  • — ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel." — ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
  • — ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you. — ☆☆☆☆☆ KITTING: He doesn't remember what it was like to be born. Coincidentally, that is the extent of his familiarity with kitting. At least he won't leave you without moral support.
  • — ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you. — ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.
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Rattleheart had not been around when Adderpaw had initially returned to camp, down in the tunnels as his clanmates fussed and hissed over the twoleg tag that had come to mar the poor apprentice's ear. He certainly had heard the commotion that had come afterwards, however. Warrior and apprentice alike gossiping amongst themselves because Sootstar's son had run off instead of dealing with the tragedy that had been inflicted upon him. Rattleheart himself had declined to participate in such things, figuring there was more to the story than whatever everyone was actually saying. Adderpaw surely had his own reasons for not having the tag torn from his ear, and Rattleheart wasn't going to pry or judge - a sentiment seemingly not shared by his clanmates.

As much of a gossip as he could sometimes be, at least he had the decency to simply watch from afar instead of choosing to mock.

His gaze flits sharply over to Wolfsong, saying nothing but not looking kindly in the lead warrior's direction. He usually held no ill will towards Wolfsong, but he didn't agree with the casual coldness, something made clear by the way he simply ignored the golden feline's words. Instead he chose to follow along with Morningpaw, long tail twitching irritably behind him as he recalled their dual defeats. "It hasn't been the most pleasant time for us, no. But at least Cottonpaw is at home to recover, and Sootstar doesn't intend on letting either clan make fools of us." He hoped, at least. "Not everything has been bad, at least. The wind that had been tormenting us for a couple of days has finally died down, and it isn't threatening to send any more moor runners flying." Had Adderpaw noticed the wind in the time that he had been gone? The badger sett would have offered some protection, but surely he would've been able to hear the howling of the powerful gales.
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[ PENNED BY EO ]​
 

Adderpaw is back and whatever goodwill she has at seeing her nephew return is immediately dampened by the visage of golden yellow plastic glinting in the light from his ear. Disgusting. The dark molly approaches on stiff limbs and strides alongside the two golden pelted toms before narrowing her gaze on Sootstar's son.
She lacks Sunstride and Wolfsong's subtly as well as their penchant for weaving words in such a way as to almost paint a tapestry but what she lacks in her soliloquises she makes up for in being about as blunt as a stone being dropped upon a particularly thick skull. Mintshade was not a cat who minced words and she made her feelings readily apparent and well heard.
"Did you sulk this entire time and still not have the sense to yank that thing off of yourself?! Pathetic, I hope you stay stuck as an apprentice until you learn a little pain is a small price to pay to avoid looking like a two-leg toy left tossed in a field!"
To think her sister gave birth to such a whimpering little kitten, she had seen more bravery from Cottonpaw recently; face torn by enemy claws and still she turned to face a RiverClan apprentice with tenacity. Adderpaw couldn't even handle a torn ear. Weak. Might as well move him back to the nursery at this rate. Well, can't win them all. Suppose it was a good thing Soot had quite the large litter, a better chance for most of them to turn out right. Her acidic gaze flicks towards Rattleheart and she snorts, "Other clans don't need to make us look like fools, Adderpaw is doing that fine on his own! UGH!"
She had half a mind to rip it from his ear right now and her claws unsheathed, dark form leaning forward to her nephew as if genuinely considering notion. It would be quick, he'd probably cry and whine for a day or so but it would be over and that eyesore would be gone.
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[ mobile! ]

Cottonpaw had offered to bring her brother meals whilst he rested in his self exile - even volunteered Bluepaw to help as well - but never followed through with her suggestion. Be it because their mother would rather Adderpaw learn a lesson from his stubbornness, or because she was admittedly preoccupied in the days following - as many of the cats there have no issue telling her brother. "Morningpaw...!" The grey furred girl stage whispers, eyebrows furrowing as she wishes the note about herself could've been foregone, even if for a moment. He would've seen her face, either slathered with unknown herbs or sporting a fresh, possibly still weeping, scar. He would've asked questions. She simply wishes she had time to greet Adderpaw as a sister, and not a passive burden.

(She is not blind to the pride some of her Clanmates hold for her, due to her insistance on sticking around and fighting. However she is also not blind to her own follies and mistakes, both of which caused the whole excursion to occur.)

Regardless Cottonpaw lets out a sigh, ears folded against her head as Rattleheart tries to soothe the situation. As much as a few of them try to distract from the yellow piece in Adderpaw's ear, she selfishly thanks the few that target it with frustration and coy coolness. She would rather not make this about herself - and frankly, she's tired of seeing the twoleg piece, too. Apples don't fall far from trees.

"Has your ear healed around it?" She knows too little about healing (despite being a resident patient twice over) but his ear most certainly looks less swollen compared to over a week ago.​
 



How many times now had she contemplated ripping the thing out herself? To just get it over with and let the poor boy hate her for the rest of his life. At least he would no longer be reduced to this pathetic image that stands before her. "Do you know what he reminds me of, sister?" she asks as she comes to stand next to her shade colored kin. "He looks like the cows out to pasture in horseplace. Just another twoleg thing" it's a cold statement, to compare her kin to the likes of cattle, but if it helps him see how ridiculous this while thing is then it was worth it. She has to wonder at this point, does Adderpaw truly wish to be ridiculed for the rest of his life for something a quick nick would take care of? She knows what she would choose if put in this situation. What any other, normal, reasonable cat would choose.

Her yellow eyes drift down to look at her niece as she speaks. Now that was what an apprentice should be! Cottonpaw was shaping up to be a brave young she cat, a worthy warrior in many senses. Bluepool cannot help but wonder how her and Adderpaw had grown so different, despite being raised the same. A coward afraid of a little notch in his ear! It's hard to believe they were related at all.

// Ic opinions sorry about her ;-;

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SOOTSTAR ♀​
Sootstar had been expecting to see the tag removed from Adderpaw’s ear. Yet he walks into camp today with it still dangling. A mother should be rejoicing at her son’s return, but the smoke feels nothing but embarrassment and shame. Adderpaw had been shaping into a fine young Tom, and now he looks like nothing but a twolegs toy… Everyone in the entire camp saw it, her sisters, her council, and surely her children saw it.

Where had she failed with him?

Sootstar decides this will not do. If Adderpaw meets her gaze it is full of disapproval and disgust. Without a word she heads for her camp, unable to gaze upon the tabby further.
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Badgermoon had been there when Adderpaw had first returned with his ... gift ... from the Twolegs. The ensuing debacle had made the deputy frustrated with multiple Clanmates in multiple different ways - most of all because no one seemed to be grateful that Adderpaw had returned safely from an encounter with those strange, upright monsters. I should've known his return would be just as colorful. thought Badgermoon dourly, watching as Adderpaw's aunts - and Wolfsong - tore into him, and his mother left with a look of disgust on her face. The boy is being foolish, but there's no need to be cruel, is there?

He couldn't imagine what he'd do if someone threatened to injure one of kits, even if it meant they bore an unfortunate reminder of a past failing. Perhaps he just needs more time. "Enough, please." the black-and-white tom finally interjected after Bluepool fell silent, focusing his golden gaze on Sunstride and his rather contentious apprentice. "Adderpaw, Sunstride, are you ready to continue your training?" he asked in a brisk voice, brows raising.​
 
Adderpaw has no chance to reply before the vultures descend, but it would be a lie to say that he does not share their thoughts. As pointless as they were, this was the weight that his apprentice must bear. Whether or not he was prepared for it, whether or not he wanted it– the tag in his ear marked him, and always would. Sunstride does not come to his rescue as the other warriors' words nip at him. Instead, he watches the young tabby with a curious weight– will he react harshly? Will he lash out at them? Perhaps it would be best that way. To prove his strength and his place here, to show them that he is undiminished. They will not have the opportunity to see. Badgermoon interrupts readily, asking after the youth's training. His head tilts some.

"We have not stopped. It seemed to go against reason to allow his training to wane. If his ear is to be made a target, within this clan and without, he should have the strength to defend himself." It is perhaps gently pointed, though Sunstride does not speak out against the deputy directly. The gentlest voices of this crowd do not escape him. Should Badgermoon take this apprentice's mistake upon his shoulders, he should be prepared to bear its brunt at his side. Sunstride will teach him to carry it, but he will not be a shield.
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＞ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES REFERENCE 05.28.2023 〙ˊˎ＜
  • ooc: —
  • considering.png
    Click to expand...
  • SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
    —— cis male, he - him. approx. 40 moons old. lead warrior of windclan + 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 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.
    Click to expand...
  • "speech"
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Life doesn't discriminate
Sunstride is the first to greet him and he meets his mentor's gaze with a level stare of his own, listening as the tom questions how he feels to be back. The inquiry felt irrelevant. It didn't matter how he felt, the deal he made was that he would leave and return if he was not pursued by two legs. No trampling twolegs came, therefore windclan was more than safe. "Feelings don't matter." He mutters briskly, turning his attention upon Morningpaw as they begin to fill him in. The boy's brows lift a tad, subtly surprised that windclan, of all clans, fell against the likes of shadowclan. A clan known for scrounging half alive through mounds of carrion just to stay alive. He was disgusted by the news to say the least.

The news of Cottonpaw being held hostage by riverclan causes his hackles to instantly flare. Off white fur bristling and standing erect the further his fellow apprentice delved into the story. Not only had the putrid fish eaters attempted to maim his sister, windclan also lost against them as well. "What?" The rhetorical question is spoken with a low hiss pushing past grit fangs. How could they manage to lose two battles in a row? Where was starclan's grace? Their guidance? How could they allow such a thing to occur when they revere them so fervently. He cranes his neck in order to seek out his blue tinged sibling, annoyed by Wolfsong's prattling but decides to ignore the tom entirely rather than open his mouth. Respect to your superiors. This teaching has been deeply rooted and grounded since he was a kit. Despite Adderpaw's desire to rake his claws over the one eyed tom's ears he continues his search for Cottonpaw.

Rattleheart chimes in next, offering more insight on the situation that quells some of his urge to seek out his littermate. She still had her eye. "Sootstar doesn't intend on letting either clan make fools of us" Adderpaw casts a sidelong glance in the warrior's direction, gifting the tom with a curt nod. "It would be quite unlike her to let either clan think they can continue to have their way with us." He wondered when his mother would launch some sort of retaliation against either group. A dark mass assembles within the corner of his visage signaling the approach of Mintshade as she spits venom from her lips. The muscles along his jaw tense and ripple as he clenches his teeth behind chocolate lips, holding his tongue to keep from verbally ripping into his aunt and landing himself in trouble for mouthing off.

But his gaze, however, screams what he refuses to say. "I wish you would." He does not move when she stands looming, edging closer with flexing claws, his posture still loose and unbothered. Liquid fire bores into acidic green, unwavering whilst meeting her condescending stare. Should she try anything he'd smack her arm away faster than she thought him capable of. It is not until his sister reveals herself that he decided to slowly peel his attention away from their fuming aunt. "Doesn't matter. How is your eye?" Adderpaw asks with a lash of his tail as Bluepool compares him to the likes of cattle. He was determined to keep the tag out of pure spite now. A gnawing urge formed within him to prove that just because the 'scar' he bore looked different from others it would not hinder him.

Sootstar finally makes an appearance along the outskirts of his vision although she fails to approach. His tail lashes again, gut twisting at the disappointment and disgust oozing from her gaze. He would make her see that he was still strong despite how he looked. Badgermon calls off the constant verbal assault and prompts a question that Sunstride swiftly answers. "Nothing has changed." It was only everyone around him that has. ​
Between the sinners and the saints​
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Arriving late to the gathered group was something the albino couldn't help, having just returned with her mentor. Spotting the familiar pelt of her friend, the small femme perked up and bounded over after telling her mentor. "You're back." She trilled softly, a small purr barely leaving her. She was fortunate to have missed the venomous words hissed, not that she likely would've acknowledged them. Though there was a bit of tension in the air, wasn't there? "Did you sleep well? Or eaten yet?" She asked, curiously tilting her head to the side as her tail swished. Honestly, she was simply relieved the tom returned to camp safely.​
[I'M BREATHING]​
 
Bluepaw had followed at Sootstar’s heels, as usual, and upon seeing her brother back in camp she feels a strange emotion flush through her. It’s identical to her mother’s—shame. Adderpaw insists on bringing shame to their family by refusing to let the thing be cut from his ear, and she can feel the rage radiating from Sootstar beside her. She waits, wondering if their mother will speak to Adderpaw, and is not surprised when she instead chooses to whip around and walk the other direction.

Perhaps she would have scolded him with her aunts, with Wolfsong, but Badgermoon tells everyone to be quiet, so she does not. It would not be appropriate to go against the deputy’s orders. Regardless, she flicks her green gaze to Adderpaw and says, “You’ve upset Sootstar.” She’s stating the obvious—he knows he’s upset her, he knows their father is angry with him, that his mentor is displeased, but he continues to be defiant. She just can’t understand it. She’d have let Sootstar claw her ear to shreds in a heartbeat.

After fixing him with her cold stare, she turns to give Cottonpaw a look before rising to her paws and trailing after Sootstar.

// out
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[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​
 
( ♬ ) The return of Adderpaw was something of a joyous to the bi-colored warrior, though the others seemed not too pleased. Cloudedsky arrives late, passing by Sootstar with Bluepaw trailing behind her as usual. Patched paws halt, craning her neck to watch them leave with lightly furrowed brows. Was she like that at that age? Always following her mother around? An ashen tail flicks when she tries to think back, and a faint image burned into her brain of her and Sootspot both following in step behind their mother with curiosity sparkling in their gaze. Guess so, she confirms it to herself before returning a glowing gaze back to her half-sibling.
She moves graciously over the sandy dip, pink lips twitched upwards into a small smile that she does not hide when she approaches the pale tabby. "Adderpaw." A quiet greeting, grateful to see him still alive and well—that no lumbering Two-Legs had come to nab him. Her eyes trail over the vibrant yellow piece that is now attached to his ear and her smile falters, melting into a frown. She remembers the quips of Sootstar and Weaselclaw, the angered howls of both of her aunts while she merely sat by and said nothing. What could she say? Anything she would have said would've had them turning their ire upon her and stars only knew that was the last thing she wanted. "I'm glad to see you're still with us." Too bad it seems like hardly anyone else is. Cloudedsky could partially understand why they were so upset, for the apprentice now bore a mark and it could be seen so easily; just as easily as the cattle that Bluepool had compared him to. It would be a nightmare to hunt with, would it not? She also doesn't understand why he hadn't agreed on them tearing it out to rid himself from the foreign object once and for all, but losing an ear would've made her want to think of it further, at least. Was Adderpaw just going to live with it forever now? She had a hard time believing so. A nicked ear was a lot more soothing to look at than that. Still, it wasn't her choice to make. It was Adderpaw's, and his defiance on the matter was pretty entertaining to watch.

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( You should see me in a crown ; I'm gonna run this nothing town )
 
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