STRINGS OF FATE 〘 RETURN 〙ˊˎ﹤

[Firefang]

Firepaw is met not with the face she is looking for even if he heart skips a beat with relief before she properly takes in the fact it isn't Icepaw but her more annoying sister, her ears would fold back more if they could but her distaste for her does not override her worry. They were both worried and that makes her feel sick, she wasn't worried like she was though she tells herself she's just worried cause she's a clanmate just another apprentice nothing more. She's about to snap at her to move so she can look around more but those curt words die in the dryness of her throat as Rainpaw asks if she knows and she pauses unsure before shaking her head ❝No, her patrol retreated while ours was still fighting❞ there was little time for the patrols to relay information back to each other in the mad rush to escape with both Riverclan and Skyclan nipping at their heels. ❝Kittypetclan couldn't handle us themselves, they called for backup and got it. We were swarmed.... I think Icepaw's patrol was as well❞ there's a tangible fear there, they didn't stay and fight for long and they had Windclans strongest warriors on the border putting up their best fight and the patrol that went in to steal was made up of the thinner faster warriors not the strongest. She saw how better fed those fish-eaters were on the border patrol, they were massive compared to her much more so with Icepaw. She winces shaking her head before her muzzle crinkles.

❝Well not gonna find her standin' around talkin' go away go look for her! You're her sister aren't ya she'll come runnin' to you before she'll ever even think of me!❞ she snaps at Rainpaw finally their cordiality wasn't meant to last for long but even then the biting edge of her words feels softened. Her ail continues to lash, yeah she'd go to Rainpaw no matter how injured she was they were close like that way more then she ever was with her brothers and she wanted to bet no matter how loud she yelled her name she wouldn't come to her. Who'd blame her? She huffs to herself, but their opinions on each other didn't matter she just wanted her to be alright long as she saw her it'd be fine she wouldn't want anymore then that she knew better then to expect more.

​

( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )

(edited)
December 29, 2022

 

[strawmoon]

Tired. They're tired and the exhaustion rubs on their joints and aches their bones and they're stumbling behind. Their face is on fire but the blood has long since dried, crusted over and left ugly scabs. Oh... a painful reminder of a potential friend lost, of a severed tie that they'd cut right in half. Eyes flutter shut and long ears pin back, they feel sick and they cannot forget the feeling of soft flesh between their claws, the way the blood sprayed, such a stark contrast on the glittering white.

Everything feels like it was underwater and then Elkpaw says something and a growl etches itself across their face. "Don't say that." even Strawpaw knew not to say that. Eyes drift down to their ivory paw now stained a rust red, it makes them shudder in disgust. They want to teeter to Firepaw for any semblance of comfort but their paws are glued to the ground. How cruel the world was, Windclan was ten times weaker now than they had left, was it really worth it? Sunsetbreeze had died and they keep back a choked sob, their face even and blank as they stare to the snow below.

And like Firepaw, Strawpaw hopes Icepaw is okay. Strawpaw hopes Icepaw didn't perish like Sunsetbreeze, her body as limp as his. Another shudder but otherwise besides the dullness in their eyes they look unaffected. How many more have to die for the cause? Starclan doesn't care about us, they had hissed towards the chocolate tom with venom in their voice and now they truly believe it. Windclan had been abandoned by them.​

"speech"​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

Composure was difficult after her dream, she wanted nothing more than to taste blood. That desire only strengthened when she staggers out of the den to see Sunsetbreeze dead and two patrols beaten bloody. News of RiverClan joining the fray washes over her ears, her pupils narrow into slits.

Of course this had happened.
Sootstar was exhausted, she wishes to be done singing mournful and bitter tunes.

"Where are the clutches of catmint?" The blue smoke asks the cats of the patrols.​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/07

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· SOOTSTAR, female — she / her
╰ ‣ 34 moons . pisces. ages on the first
╰ ‣ windclan leader . marsh-born . believes in starclan
╰ ‣ former soldier of the marsh group

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like heather and wet dirt , status — 100%
╰ ‣ blue smoke . scarred chest, difficult to see through fur . green eyes

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ESTJ-A ❝ EXECTUTIVE ❞ , Slytherin, Lawful Evil
╰ ‣ Cunning, brash, fierce, confident, self-reliant, envious & selfish
╰ ‣ finds great difficulty in relating to others . can be cruel, usually shows mercy to those she can find sympathy with
╰ ‣ sole key to her heart is loyalty, if you have her trust, she often shows a completely different side of herself. Aggression tends to manifest from her extreme paranoia
╰ ‣ Appreciates titles such as "miss, m'am" etc

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· SOOT CLAW x PEBBLE BREEZE, sister to Pebblenose
╰ ‣ heterosexual. mate to Weaselclaw
╰ ‣ mother to Windpaw & Sootpaw
╰ ‣ mentor to Smokepaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

​

​

 

[SMOKESTEP]

TAGS — Smokepaw hasn't been able to take his eyes off of Sunsetbreeze the whole way home. He'd seen it for less than a second while he'd sparred against that SkyClan coward, the teeth that had sunk into Sunsetbreeze's neck and bloomed red carnations across the snowy battlefield; the warrior had died and his own opponent hadn't even raised a claw against him. Sure, his jaw stung with the memory of the battering that Snowpaw had inflicted, but what did it matter? He'd gone to war for his clan and now he is coming back almost entirely unscathed. It almost feels like a failing, the way he couldn't convince his opponent to strike him with any meaningful force- of course Snowpaw had been defending SkyClan, but he's home with nothing to show for it. Smokepaw's paws ache as they flex restlessly in the snow, crimson-stained claws sheathing and unsheathing without any rhythm.

He'd walked in step with Firepaw on the way home, and now he is similarly wordless and somber as he stills at her side. She was wounded, too; not as badly as Snowspark or Galeforce but still bleeding, spilling small cherry rivulets into the snow. He'd seen cats dogpile on her, and what had he done to help? Nothing. Not that she needed it, obviously, but as his dull amber gaze rips away from Sunsetbreeze, he can't help but wonder what could have been- what guilt could have been inflicted. She barks for Icepaw and Smokepaw remembers where he is; what has happened. He blinks hard and finally casts his gaze around camp, trying to figure out who they had and who they were missing.

Around him, his clanmates fall into tense, hushed conversation, but he can't bring himself to join. Smokepaw simply stares at Rainpaw as she and his littermate converse, ears twitching with halfhearted attention. His adrenaline is fading. He's exhausted, but even that exhaustion surely can't compare to that of Galeforce's or Snowspark's or even his sister's. Smokepaw's posture droops- but then Sootstar finally appears, and he corrects himself again, not wanting to appear weak before his mentor. She looks furious, but she only asks of the catmint, and he can provide no answer. Still, he stands at attention, blinking weariness out of his eyes as much as possible.​

​

 

[Galeforce]

↞ RACE THE WINDS

The tabby was blind to Weaselclaw's approach, it wasn't until the words reached his ears that he came to realise that someone was addressing him. What happened? Surely that was entirely clear; Sunsetbreeze had paid the ultimate price for the decisions made by others. He drew his head round slowly so he could lock his chilling glower on the older warrior. "We were ill prepared for SkyClan battle tactics. A warrior leapt down from the trees and... they were aiming for me, but Sunsetbreeze moved to intercept and died. He did something noble before passing, which is more than what can be said for this entire FARCE! I HOPE THOSE FUCKING HERBS WERE WORTH IT!" His sights clocked the familiar dark pelt of their leader and he made a point of baring his teeth in her direction as all the emotions within built up.

"Sunsetbreeze didn't need to die, but we've isolated ourselves from all the clans behind the utter insanity and prideful boasting that's been drummed into us since birth! I loved Sunsetbreeze... but he'll never get to know how I felt, and I blame you, Sootstar! I blame YOU!" The tears came rolling forth by that point as all the anger, and grief, and stress boiled to the surface. He was shaking from the strain of it all. He just wanted to lash out at that point, to let the world know the anguish that lay in his shattered heart.

//IC opinions.
Sorry, he's incredibly broken after everything
​

 

[Badgermoon]

Each step taking him and his patrol away from the territory of the kittypets made Badgermoon's pelt prickle: he wanted to keep fighting, truth be told. The loss of a warrior stung, badly, and knowing that he had wounded but not killed his opponent was infuriating. It had been time to retreat, he knew that. SkyClan had called in reinforcements and their patrol had certainly fulfilled its purpose. Nevertheless, he resented that he could not continue warring with Orangeblossom, resented that he could not lay waste to the entire Clan of Twoleg pets. As he walked - slowly, painfully, with blood and snow turning his coat into a disgusting mixture of weepy pink and damp black - he was able to wrestle the part of him which had been unleashed during the raid back into its corner. He was almost glad for the long, silent trek through the snow, almost glad to have the pain in his shoulder, cheek, and chest to dwell on; he knew he needed to pull that dark lust back from the forefront of his mind. That way madness lies.

Badgermoon had no limp as he entered camp with his Clanmates, though his weariness and pain were evident, as were his wounds: a set of clawmarks on one shoulder, a deep gash decorating one cheek and - last and worst - a matted mass of blood and flesh visible on his chest which had been Orangeblossom's retaliation for his damage to her leg. The deputy ran his yellow eyes over the WindClanners which had gathered around the two patrols and was about to approach Sootstar to update her on what had occurred when Galeforce's agonized yowls split through the low murmur and the endless voice of the wind. The tabby's grief was obviously intense, and Badgermoon understood that though the loss of Sunsetbreeze was a loss for every WindClanner, it was more acutely painful for Galeforce. Grief, moreover, was maddening, and he understood the impulse to scream and tear and make someone, anyone, pay for what you were feeling - but he was duty-bound to ensure that someone was not Sootstar.

"Galeforce." the black-and-white tom spoke quietly. "That's enough. If anyone is to blame, it's me." he wasn't just trying to appease his Clanmate, either - he did feel distinctly at fault for the loss of a warrior. It was his patrol, his Clan, his duty: ergo, it was his lost warrior. "That was my patrol and my warrior, and I lost him. I'm sorry." Badgermoon reached out one paw, and attempted to lay it on top of Galeforce's as the other tom began to cry. "He hunts with StarClan, now, and he went there with honor. Trust that you will see each other again, and trust that he now knows and reciprocates your love." that their ancestors were watching over them was perhaps his greatest solace, and he hoped it would bring Galeforce some comfort. If not, hopefully being addressed by someone who had been directly responsible would take the warrior's anger away from Sootstar.​

 

[TIGERFROST]

Tags and Information

---

The chatter goes on, until the outburst splits the bitter air. Teeth like venom click together, snap into a bared formation as hellish eyes flicker toward Galeforce. But he was grieving, wasn't he? Heart shattered and ruined, mind filled with nothing but dread. Still, Tigerfrost is unkind, as frosty as the snow that speckles his muscular frame. He does not snap as Badgermoon takes the blame, merely chooses to recompose himself, to avoid causing any more grief than what already frayed the minds of his fellow WindClanners.

"Stop it." Words that crack through frost like a clap of thunder. "SkyClan is to blame. SkyClan killed Sunsetbreeze. Not you. Not Sootstar. SkyClan did it. Taking the life of another is a choice. That enemy warrior was aiming to kill." Eyes level harshly upon Badgermoon. Though the chimera is harsh, it is his way of support. The deputy was not to blame, and the words that tear past his fangs make that clear. With his composure regained, his expression maintains a stony neutrality, as those flaming eyes dance back toward Galeforce, before sweeping across the rest of the crowd.

"Sunsetbreeze died as a proud warrior of WindClan. He died trying to save those that he loved and cared about. He died a hero." He does not care for speeches, will not waste breath in giving one, but there was honor is such a noble sacrifice, and his appreciation echoes throughout his voice. "We should all be so lucky." A passing comment, meant for no particular ears but his own, but audible nonetheless. Tigerfrost was a beast of warfare, an aspect of bloodshed. He would not regret the battle, for he knew that the intention behind it was a necessary one. All cats knew the risk of such a fight. Sunsetbreeze knew the risk.

Such was the way of a Warrior's life.​

 

[Dandelionwish]

"We should all be so LUCKY?!" He shrieks, infuriated, tattered, the patrol had come back and his worst fears confirmed-so many cats injured the scent of blood so thick you could cut it. He counts down the herbs he might need in his head and worries it's not enough. It is not lucky that spared them, luck was nonsense as was wishful thinking; they had come out by the skin of their teeth by the looks of it and for what? He scans the cats gathered carrying herbs, fleeting recognition crossing his maw as he realizes in horror they have nothing to show for this bloodshed at all. Not even more than two doses of catmint and what looks like just lavender.
His mismatched gaze falls on the bloodied body of one of his clanmates, the despair hangs so heavy over the cat's present he is briefly blinded by it as if it were a tangible veil but as he closes his eyes and opens them once more with clarity to finally realize who lay fallen. Sunsetbreeze.
Sunstride's patrol is there placing down their herbs, he can already tell at a glance it's not enough-not even worth the entire affair. Meaningless. Nothing. She sent them to a slaughter. Dandelionwish staggers over toward the fallen warrior but stops just short, catches the fury burning in the other's eyes and does not risk losing his head to the violent grief.

"No…no no…." It's a pitiful protest against fate, what had already happened was beyond even his paws and he knew he had not a patient but a body to bury being brought into the camp. A cat was gone and for what, he wished desperately he had not said a word of his burden but the act of carrying it alone had finally broken him that night; if only any other cat had heard his wails outside the brutes who followed their leader with blind loyalty and stupidity. Brielfy he raises his gaze to Galeforce, fear for the other's words cross his expression and he wants to offer any kind of apology he can but his sorrow is drowned out in fire. Rage. Dandelionwish whirls around, sucks in a breath through his teeth. Prepared to martyr himself they don't turn on a grieving man.

"This shouldn't have happened…we shouldn't have done this! Why-why did YOU SEND THEM OUT THERE?!" He's turning to find Sootstar wherever she might be in the gathered cats, whatever restraint he'd held before, whatever sensibilities he had left to tolerate her; they are all gone. He feels suddenly unburdened, light as air, and he bares his teeth. He spots her and stalks over, stiff limbed and towering; burning sepia fires, broken earth.
"You would have NEVER wanted me to ask for help to begin with! You'd have allowed us all to die for the sake of your own FRAGILE PRIDE!" Dandelionwish's accent is as gone as his inhibitions; he's spitting and frothing mad, claws unsheathed as if preparing to attack at any moment but he remains firmly rooted to his spot. Along the ridge of his back his fur has risen into distinct spikes, every flower has thorns somewhere, he needed to dig deep for his own.

"And for WHAT! TWO SPRIGS OF CATMINT! You may have saved two lives and sacrificed another! Our suffering, our struggles, they are all BECAUSE OF YOU! The other medicine cats do not trust me BECAUSE OF YOU! The other clans despise us BECAUSE OF YOU! I'm untrained because YOU SENT MY MENTOR AWAY! You alienated us from any chance at having allies, you remorselessly tossed aside whatever goodwill we could have in favor of strength! But where is our strength now, Sootstar?! WHERE IS IT!? DEAD ON THE GROUND! THAT'S WHERE! You treat your clan like possessions! Soldiers you can replace with the next generation! How many bodies will it take before you're satisfied?!"
If only they had pushed back against ShadowClan a little, let Honeytwist stay long enough he was not left lost as he was. If only he had been more vocal of his opposition to her to his fellow healers, but the fear of it getting back to her had been so strong, if only. If only.
Wishful thinking got no one anywhere, he could not longer hope and dream for the change he wanted and he was no longer strong enough to stand against her alone; little by little she had claimed her loyalties with the barest pretenses of sympathy and sent the rest into exile if they did not leave themselves.

​

 

[curlewnose]

"leave those snails alone, they've got problems of their own"​

He had been waiting in the same spot he had prayed. Curlew didn't know how to calm his anxious mind except by offering his worries to Starclan. Let them come home, let them come home, let them come home. And, occasionally, unbidden let him come home.

It had snuck up on the tom the past few moons, the warm feeling in his stomach he got each time the bicolored deputy was near. Each time he pushed the thought away, returned to the tunnels and walked until his pulse was back to normal, but he wasn't sure how long he could do that. And now this raid, led by Badgermoon…

The ruckus entering camp snapped him from his thoughts and prayers. They were home. Curlew sprang to his paws, stumbling through the snow as fast as he could, scanning the faces entering camp. He looked for his tunnelers, noting their faces as they entered and pacing while he waited for the rest to trickle in. With even more anxiety bubbling in his chest, he looked for the deputy.

There he was, wide shoulders carrying fresh claw marks and a gash across his face and his chest ripped to shreds. Curlew wanted to run to the tunnels right then, to walk until his paws were numb and his stomach settled.

Then he heard Galeforce's screams, and he knew he could never run to the tunnels again.

"Badgermoon!" Curlew cried, shoving through the snow until he was at the tom's side. "You need to go to the medicine den right now! Look at you, you're all torn up and bleeding." He paused, his brain finally catching up to his mouth. "I know you have things to do and people to look after. I'm just glad that you're home." The blue-and-white tom blushed, and waited for his deputy's response.
​

✦ ★ ✦​

 

[Irispath]

He felt the loss of Sunsetbreeze. He remembered when he was an apprentice. When he finally told everyone he was a tom. A strong and loyal warrior.

One that didn't deserve to die.

He couldn't offer any words to Galeforce. Words weren't going to make it better. He simply wept in silence for his fallen clanmate.

But his grief turned to horror as Dandelionwish snapped. He knew it was coming, but he hoped it wouldn't.

And now, he was going to pay for it.

Yewberry felt sick. Not Dandelionwish- he... He couldn't let anyone hurts him. He had to do something. But what? With so many of Sootstars loyalists around, he couldn't possibly protect him...

"D-dandy...."

He wasn't ready to witness what was going to happen, now that Dandelionwish had spoken against Sootstar.
​

 

[VULTUREMASK]

Chaos that was what he had walked into. A patrol broken and bloody, a dead body at their paws. Sunsetbreeze had fallen at the claws of a skyclanner. Just like anybody else he was effected by this loss. Vulturemask had never liked the former kittypet from the moment they had joined here. Still that didn't mean he had wished for them to die. He could acknowledge them at least this much that he had worked hard to become a warrior of this clan no matter how annoying they could be at times with their bossy attitude. Lately he had even realised his hatred for kittypets had only been a...distraction to not let anyone know about the same blood that runs through his own veins. To place his hatred on something else rather then dealing with the real problem. Change of heart maybe. Still he couldn' bring himself to care having known all along this raid would have ended up into some sort of disaster which is why he had keept his head low to let Sootstar send some of their warriors and apprentice into slaughter. That was her call to make and maybe something good would come out of it all. They where in a dire situation, difficult decisions was doomned to be made.

Vulturemask could have stayed like that, silent and passive to what had happened if not Dandelionwish had snapped to break and do something as dangerous like blaming all of this on Sootstar. To get up in her face and challenge her like that. In that moment was when he started to care, to feel worried not only for his friends well being but now also his safety.. No. Not even Sootstar would do anything so cruel to harm a fur straw on their medicine cats body.

He was quick to move himself forward trying to reach his friend before Sootstar would have a chance to react....


​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

Badgermoon's sympathy for why Galeforce said what he said is compassionate and honorable. Unfortunately Sootstar does not share the condolences, emotion is no excuse for disrespect or blasphemy.

Badgermoon defends her and in the same paw Tigerfrost defends the deputy. The tabby was right, Badgermoon was not at fault for Sunsetbreeze's death, a leader could not save all of their clan-mates, a lesson the deputy may have to learn. Yet Sootstar would not take the blame neither, if Sunsetbreeze had not died fighting odds are with their current situation he would have died choking on his own blood with black cough. Teeth remain on tongue to keep herself from speaking, to keep herself from escalating the situation.

Then Dandelionwish reveals himself, it was like watching a monster crash- she could see the medicine cat spiral right before her eyes. He stood against her, not with her, and the image of weeds infesting camp cloud her thoughts. The blue smoke stares at him with monster ocs blankness, ears taking in all his screeches and hisses.

I did not send them, it was their idea her inner-voice deflects the claim, she would not take blame. It had not been her choice. She had listened to her clan-mates and instructed them based on their desires to spill blood for their clan. It was not her fault. The masked Tom isn't wrong either, she would've never granted him permission to request aid because it was foolish to do so. Their image was ruined, their greatest enemies knew them as weak now. Perhaps SkyClan would've listened to their intimidation had the medicine cat not revealed to the clans WindClan warriors were desperate.

If anyone was to blame for this it was Dandelionwish, weed and divider of WindClan. StarClan frowns upon him. Sootstar refrains from casting her damning judgement upon him no longer.

"I dreamed this night of an empty, soulless camp. Not a warrior or suckling kit was to be found. All there was to lay eyes on was dandelion, the weed had infested every inch of camp like the plague we currently suffer from. StarClan has warned me, and it's blatant to see that the corruption referred to you." Eyes narrow and her tail points to the sky. She knows this will send a shockwave throughout camp, there will be angry cats, but who are they to go against the word of the gods? How could you be a warrior and not listen to their judgement? They would all be oath breakers.

"Dandelionwish is a weed that seeks to destroy all that WindClan has built. If we let him fester our clan will be over by the time new-leaf arrives as the vision showed. I thought Dandelionwish could be a good, loyal, and faithful medicine cat of WindClan, but what can you expect out of a cat who was mentored by the bitter and disloyal Honeytwist?" It was a shame, really, he had been molded to walk this path. If only she could go back and deny their former medicine cat the gratification of brainwashing WindClan's young future medicine cat. "I trust in StarClan's infinite wisdom, they would not have showed me this if it was not true. I am devoted to them, you will never find me not heeding their advice. From this moment forward @VULTUREMASK is our new medicine cat, Dandelionwish is nothing, he is a prisoner and will be guarded by my most trusted warriors. He is to train our new medicine cat until he has the knowledge needed to heal and keep WindClan safe." It seemed like a spur of the moment decision, but it was calculated.

It was leaf-bare and they were still sick and injured. She couldn't throw Dandelionwish away as much as she wanted to- but she could replace him. Vulturemask is loyal and has been obedient to Sootstar, even if he needs a leash put on him she believes she can keep him in line, mold him to suit The clan's needs. Aside from that Vulturemask and Dandelionwish have never quarreled, it'll be easier to get a new medicine cat trained if Dandelionwish doesn't hate their guts.

"Once Vulturemask's training is finished you will be sent away. You are not a WindClanner anymore and you no longer carry any freedom here. The faster you train our new medicine cat the faster you will be set free." What was being free? Was it being released to loner lands or was it getting your throat slit so you can go meet the cats who called you out for your treachery? It was up for interpretation, but getting her claws bloody sounded pretty good right now. "Now, heal my clan-mates and tomorrow begin to train Vulturemask. @TIGERFROST you will guard him tonight, make sure he heals every last cat who needs it. Do not let him out of your sights." ​

---

Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/07

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· SOOTSTAR, female — she / her
╰ ‣ 34 moons . pisces. ages on the first
╰ ‣ windclan leader . marsh-born . believes in starclan
╰ ‣ former soldier of the marsh group

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like heather and wet dirt , status — 100%
╰ ‣ blue smoke . scarred chest, difficult to see through fur . green eyes

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ESTJ-A ❝ EXECTUTIVE ❞ , Slytherin, Lawful Evil
╰ ‣ Cunning, brash, fierce, confident, self-reliant, envious & selfish
╰ ‣ finds great difficulty in relating to others . can be cruel, usually shows mercy to those she can find sympathy with
╰ ‣ sole key to her heart is loyalty, if you have her trust, she often shows a completely different side of herself. Aggression tends to manifest from her extreme paranoia
╰ ‣ Appreciates titles such as "miss, m'am" etc

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· SOOT CLAW x PEBBLE BREEZE, sister to Pebblenose
╰ ‣ heterosexual. mate to Weaselclaw
╰ ‣ mother to Windpaw & Sootpaw
╰ ‣ mentor to Smokepaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

​

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[Coyotecrest]

I won't apologize for being who I am

As more cats filtered in and Sunsetbreeze was laid before them the boy's eyes trailed over the fallen warrior. He personally felt nothing over the dark tom's death, he didn't know him. Yet the death was an ever present reminder of just how fragile life truly is. After all, that could have been him laying upon the ground after the utter fail of a raid this was. The boy grimaces as Galeforce began shouting his grievances, blaming Sootstar for all of this. And personally he did not blame wailing warrior, was he wrong? Coyote certainly did not think so. He might not have been skilled in war or politics but even he could see that the pitiful amount of catmint they gained was certainly not worth the brutal consequences.

Tigerfrost exclaims this was Skyclan's fault and while yes, a skyclanner did kill Sunsetbreeze, the tom would still be alive if they never attacked skyclan to begin with. Coyotepaw grits his teeth, tail lashing at the words falling from the battered warrior's mouth, continuing to backup Sootstar. "But Sootstar ordered the patrols." He interjects with simmering fury. "Sunsetbreeze would still be here if decisions weren't made so hastily. Skyclan was minding their own business, we invaded them!" We. We. It was salt further rubbed into the wound of his pride to be lumped into this. Dandelionwish approaches, shouting and placing further blame upon the mooreland queen and Coyotepaw glances in the sepia tom's direction. "This shouldn't have happened..." No, it shouldn't have and the cream colored tabby gave a curt not in agreement.

But the medic continues further, listing off failure after failure at the expense of their leader. Mint green eyes dart between Dandelionwish and Sootstar as tension mounts and the young apprentice feels a twinge of anxiety beginning to creep into his belly. Yewberry does exactly what he is thinking, calling out to the southern accented feline in hopes to somewhat temper his anger. But it was too late as Sootstar casts her judgment and Dandelionwish is condemned to the rank of prisioner. The boy's ears fall flat and his maw parts hesitantly before gathering himself to actually speak. "W..what? But he didn't do anything." He sputtered in confusion. ​

Tryna throw shade on me say a lot 'bout you​

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[Periwinklebreeze.]

IS IT OVER YET - CAN I OPEN MY EYES?
periwinklepaw | 05 months | demi-boy | he/they | physically easy (pacifist) | mentally easy | attack in bold #ccccff

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Any relief he had previously felt at the patrols return quickly sours.

The boy can only stare in abject horror as a body is dragged forth, as his clanmates begin to yell and scream and fight amongst each other, pointing fingers and blame at one another. Words fall upon deaf ears as he stares, and stares, eyes wide and pupils dilated, almost unseeing. Bile rises in his throat - for a moment, it's not Sunsetbreeze but Wisteriapaw lying there And then the vision is gone, and he feels twice as guilty as before - regardless of the fact he hardly knew the other tom, they were still a clanmate and they are still very much dead. Somebody died because skyclan couldn't do the right thing and help them. Somebody died because windclan is a name spat upon by the other clans.

He hears galeforces cries, hears badgermoons consoling words, dangerous words - how will their leader retaliate? He wonders if Sunsetbreeze won't be the only one to lose a life today. Tigerfrosts attempt at mediation goes over his head, for his attention is already elsewhere - upon the ringing of his ears, the shortness of his breath, the tension coiled and taught within long limbs. So much has gone wrong in so little a time - is starclan cursing them? Is leafbare just... always like this?

He feels dizzy. Wobbly on his feet, world spinning, it takes longer than it should for him to recognize dandelionwish's voice ringing out into the camp. As the words ring through his head, echoing almost, he can't help but agree. His head bobs absently without realizing it, trapped within his own mind as he is. But he's learned long ago that saying the truth doesn't make any difference - only leads to more violence, more suffering. It does not matter who says it, does not matter how it is explained to the blue tinted molly. Sootstar will not listen - will not change. Visions of his mother flash before him, of her questioning her once blind faith in their leader only to be met with disgust and disdain, to be struck down and discarded. Visions of the many exiles and limbs ripped from bodies he's witnessed haunt him even now. She's ascended far past any reasoning - a terrible troublesome queen sitting upon a throne of bones and bodies and bloodshed.

He wonders, almost absently, if even starclan has the power to steer her paws away from this path of death anymore.

Head snaps to the side, as the reality of the situation sinks in, but before he can so much as think to move, to say anything, he can see that it's to late. Standing face to face, chest to chest, the closest thing to a father figure the boy has ever known is standing off against their leader - a cat he respects and fears and hates in equal measures. A cat he knows the other cannot, will not, stand a chance against. It does not matter in the boys mind that Sootstar is the smaller one, her mere presence is overwhelming enough to have him utterly terrified for the older tom. What use is a medicine cat in a battle of claws and teeth. This won't end well.

He wants to do something, anything really. But he feels suck, as though his feet have grown roots deep down into the earth, keeping him trapped and held in place. He can only watch as Vulturemask surges forwards, stepping in, doing what he so desperately wishes he could.

Sootstars words come as a shock, clear gaze flitting back and forth anxiously as though he cannot decide who to believe. For all her questionable choices, he's never seen sootstar lie - certainly not about starclan of all things. Words tumble about his mind - a fleeting, panicked jumble of unintelligible thoughts and emotions, no, wait, dandy... hpw- why? no, and he feels as though the earth has collapsed underpaw. Another shock - another crack in his soul, as suddenly it's Vulutremask against dandy - the strong, lonely boy who Peri can only find good thoughts for is replacing the kind, genuine tom he cares so much. Vulturemask is now the medicine cat.It is.... unthinkable. When he sees the older boy, he thinks of fierceness, of fangs and teeth and claws. He feels only the overwhelming sense of trust and protection But he does not, in any way, think he's fit to heal.

Dandy is to be held captive- trapped, imprisoned. Reduced to nothing, nobody. He thinks eh feels his heart break, a terrible shooting pain within the confines of his ribcage almost sending him tumbling tp the snowpacked earth in surprise. Dandelionwish will be exiled - will leave him, just like everyone else. There is nothing more terrifying in the boys mind, then being sent away - left clanless and helpless against the harsh world outside the territories. Lips quiver, eyes watering, and yet he's frozen in place, in time.

There is nothing left to do, nothing to say. Anything he tried wouldn't be enough - could not alive the heaviness of his heart, explain the emotions running through his mind. No apology could ever be enough, no argument ever put a stop to this madness. Even if he could find the right words he does not think he could speak, for his tongue has turned to ice, frozen and heavy within his mouth. "i-" he finally says, stumbling forwards and surprising even himself, blinking as though shocked. Perhaps, he thinks, he's a bit hysterical. "i c-c-can help-?" his voice warbles and wavers, uncertain - but he doesn't want to leave danndelionwish, doesn't want to leave vulturemask. Doesn't want to be alone with his thoughts.

Why does everyone always leave me? he thinks, and though he knows it is not the toms fault - after all starclan had sent the sign, so this had always been out of their paws - he finds himself hating the medicine cat just a bit. Why couldn't they just stay quiet, like he did? Why did they all have to leave.

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[Dandelionwish]

How many times did he have to explain to cats that dandelions were not weeds, they were medicinal, useful, beautiful. He knows immediately that Sootstar is so blinded in her own ways she could not see a true sign for what it was; not a warning, but push onto a different path. Another lifetime and he could have guided her, a little older and he might have stilled her claws, but in this moment he was a just old enough healer with no power in a clan of savage fools; the few good cats here would die, be chased out or be warped beyond comprehension. It was a losing battle and he had only lit a fire that might hurt them.

Dandelionwish's claws sheath, unsheathe, there is a deliberate resistance in his shoulders as he fights the impulse to cut her down. She's pregnant, her kits didn't deserve this and he did not want to spill the same blood she so often did herself; it would make him no better than the moorland tyrant.
He hears the voices of his clanmates, panic thrums in his chest. If they protest, if they fight, they'll be killed. He knows the only thing sparring his life right now is his skills in medicine, something no one else in the clan has; the rest of them were expendable.
"Coyotepaw, keep your mouth shut!" He whirls, his anger redirecting since he can do nothing to the ashen she-cat that would not cause the others more suffering. The sepia point realizes he is caught in a trap now, the blizzard is too strong for him to go and if he leaves without the clan having a trained healer they will all die. Anyone who spoke up now would pay for it. The ground below him feels like ice that would crack and give at the slightest weight, he shifts his steps back and turns to shoot Vulturemask a glance as the dark tom reaches his side.

Tigerfrost is assigned to watch him, he still feels rebellion burning in his chest but they do have hurt cats. Cats who needed aid, a vigil to hold. The young tom inhales, holds the cold for a moment before exhaling it.
"If you're to follow then keep up with me and stay out of my way." He snaps at the white masked tom, tail lashes as he turns and leans a shoulder into Vulturemask's side to nudge him into following. He was now on a time limit and once his skills were passed down he was no longer under the shield that guarded him before.
He was going to die.

He knew a threat when he heard it. He wasn't stupid. Sootstar was not going to let him just leave. Perwinklepaw approaches, hesitant, horrified, his voice breaking, Dandelionwish can only nod mutely in agreement for the apprentice to join them; in another life...maybe he would've made the lad his own apprentice proper, when the clan was safer when he felt he could afford to teach another.

He stops midstep, glances back to the gray she-cat, "StarClan makes mistakes. You're one of them." Chocolate paws pivot, push him onward still, "If you're injured in the battle get in the den now, I'm not asking." He didn't need an order to tend to his clanmates, he woud do so because he cared for them even if the tyrant didn't..

//out
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[TIGERFROST]

Tags and Information

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There is further argument, but nothing compared to the outrage displayed by their trusted medicine cat. Flaming vision snaps to him, alight with a spiteful fury. Was it not his mewling about catmint that set this all into motion? So much senseless blame, tossed upon the shoulders of those who need not carry such a burden. SkyClan was the cause and the effect, the problem and the consequence. But that did not mean that Dandelionwish was free from the bloodied paws. The attack against SkyClan had been for him, and for the sickly who lay dying without the herbs they needed. Tigerfrost regrets none of it. WindClan could not have anticipated RiverClan's intervention.

For a moment, Tigerfrost is left with uncertain words. He disagrees with the medicine cat entirely, wants to snap at him with a venom curled tongue. Only the fact that this was the one in charge of their health does the chimera keep his words in check. So many were in need of Dandelionwish's herbs and knowledge... yet, Sootstar speaks again, and shock clouds a heart and mind as Tigerfrost is left staring. Suddenly, he finds his eyes grow bitter, finds his fangs click into a bared display of stained incisors. He strides toward the former medicine cat with that frosty expression, no hint of sympathy to be found upon his bloodied maw. Sootstar had been clear. StarClan had sent her an omen, a dream, warning her of the former medicine cat's treachery. She had been given nine lives, she had been given rule over WindClan as a whole. Only a fool would question such things.

"StarClan has spoken." His only words, cold as the ice, as he stalks toward Dandelionwish upon dutiful paws. He would stay out of the other tom's way, as directed. Tigerfrost was no healer, knew nothing of the care of others. But nonetheless, he would watch, observe their captive to insure that the deeds were done. The former healer's parting words are filled with poison, but Tigerfrost merely scoffs aloud, "If StarClan believed they had made a mistake, they would not have sent Sootstar a warning about you." The chimera points out simply. Who was he to question the spirits? None of them had the right, not even the former medicine cat.

He follows Dandelionwish out of the clearing and into the den, where he would find a spot out of the way, but still well within view of the former medicine cat. He would offer Vulturemask a congratulations later.

[out too]​

 

[Galeforce]

↞ RACE THE WINDS

If looks could kill then Badgermoon would have dropped dead in that second with the way in which Galeforce looked at him. No longer were these the days of laughing and joking beneath the gorse bushes, in that moment Galeforce did not view the deputy as any friend of his. When the paw reached out to touch him he aimed to strike it away with claws outstretched and a hiss ripping forth from his aching throat. "Don't fucking touch me! You're just her underling, like all the others she's positioned around her. How could it be your fault when you can't even think for yourself?"

Tigerfrost's words only serve to stoke the flames of rebellion now blazing up within his heart. "SkyClan were only defending their home, the same as any clan would. I don't blame my enemy, not anymore. They didn't make the first strike." He couldn't bring himself to remain angry with the likes of Mountainheart. Besides, he had left the warrior with something to remember him by all the same.

He was ready to spout more but then Dandelionwish began to speak. Whatever outrage and hatred he had been building against the medicine cat seemed to fade into something more akin to that of twisted respect. Clearly he was not alone in his disloyalty, or in his desire for change. Maybe a new dawn was perched on the horizon...

But his hopes were dashed.

Sootstar's verdict sent a chill through him and he found himself staring wide eyed in a state of shock. Overwhelmed... he felt overwhelmed. He listened, but all he felt was further anguish and pain. All he longed to do was scream out, to find comfort in the fur of another... but who did he even have left? Enemies all around, allies now hidden and choked out among the prickly thorns, forced to hide away from the light of day. They needed someone to be the beacon to guide them forth, to make them strong enough to rise up one day.

"A weed? A dandelion is a beautiful flower, it is resilient and stands proud even on the toughest moorland! You are afraid of it." Galeforce growls as he flexes his claws into the ground beneath him. For what he says he knows that he could very easily join Sunsetbreeze in StarClan. At least there they could be together again. "I think... I think StarClan picked you so you can be a warning. One that we'll warn our kits about in their bedtime stories."


//IC opinions! Also willing to accept IC consequences.

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[Irispath]

He held his breath the entire time Sootstar spoke. Don't hurt him. Don't you dare. Yewberry trembled. Something was breaking inside.

Snapping, like a twig under too much pressure.

Fire burned inside. A spark lit to dry wood, exploding into a furious wildfire.

His mouth opened. Everything that held him back, anxiety, fear, it wasn't there. It was like....He was free.

"Dandelionwish has worked tirelessly to keep this clan healthy..... And this is how you repay him? After all he's done for us?" He said to Sootstar coldly, an uncharacteristic fire burning in sunset amber eyes.

He curled a lip.

" A dandelion is a beautiful flower." He says. "Soot, on the other hand... Is all that remains after a forest fire. A symbol of desolation." He hissed.

He knew his time was up the moment he spoke out. He wasn't sorry.

He was sorry to Echolight. To his kits. He would have to say goodbye, if he had the chance. But for right now, he felt not a shred of remorse for what he had said.

He was stunned with himself. He met Sootstars gaze with no fear. None. This freedom he felt.....

He wasn't letting go.

"Your pride will be your downfall."
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[VULTUREMASK]

He took his words back...this was not chaos he had ended up in but a disaster and he somehow got dragged into it all when their leader spoke out to dethrone Dandelionwish from his rank, the position. If that not on its own had send a shiver down to his very core...no, if it only had been that. In fact he might have been happy over this news for this heavy responsibility to finally be lifted from his friends shoulders if it not was for one small little thing. Dandelionwish was no longer one of them. Not only had he lost his position but also his membership here. That was what shook his very soul and his eyes went into disbelief. Vulturemask stood beside his friend as this news got delivered and out of all things that was being said what came to completely spin his world out of balance was that his name got called out to replace them to become the new medicine cat of windclan.

" What....?...huh..." He looked like a deer caught in the headlight. How could anybody not have been if placed in his fur right now?. This was absurd, this was insane. How could Sootstar even think for a second that he would be fitted for this position that he would replace his friend!. Cold surface break briefly and inside his orange orbs lay a confusing panic. For a split second yes there was panic in his gaze and maybe anger too. How was he suppose to even comprehand his emotions right now?. Disaster, disaster...

Anger was ready to be outleashed, to fore up inside of him when this news had been slow to settle in, to speak out and outburst that Sootstar most for sure be insane!. But...in the next second three faces plopped up inside of his head. The faces of his siblings. Flarekit, Dreamkit and Sunflowerkit. His three small sparkling lights he had grown so attached too. He would hate to have to leave them, to danger his own place in this clan by refusing Sootstar and cursing the stars name. They needed him, or maybe he was the one who needed them. So much he had sacrificed to bring them here, to give them a safe home to live in... Oh, the sacrificed he had been willing to make, to claim. Now was time to live to prove his words had been more then empty words.

So instead of speaking, to do something he would regret later he clenched his teeth down and said nothing. Thoughts was spinning in his head, unable to in that very moment think out a reasonable respond or reaction so he ended up emotionless. His gaze harden. It was in that moment he felt Dandelionwish come in to lean himself against his shoulder. That made his ears perk up and he cast a glance down at them, realising what they where doing...Oh, what he felt for them...how heartbroken he felt. What was he suppose to do?. Perhaps...he could reason with Sootstar after she had calmned down...

Defeated by everything that went down in this rollercoaster show... his head most likely suffered the biggest blow of them all he would submit to follow along with Dandelionwish as he stared down at the ground as he walked, thinking...and thinking. For a split second he cast a side glance to Periwinklepaw as he saw the devastation in their gaze. Hadn't that poor thing suffered through enough already?. Later...he had to...fuck...fuck him, fuck everything. Fuck starclan.

Fuck his life.

and fuck Tigerfrost. He wanted his head on a pile for speaking to Dandy like that.

// out!! poor vult is really having a inner panic attack right now xD




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[Juniperfrost]

Normally he would have been just as vocal as Tigerfrost, snapping demands for cats to obey their leader and fall silently in line. These blasphemous words flying through the air do not seem to touch him, his gaze fixated on the motionless red tabby on the ground; redder now still than before. For the first time in a long time Juniperfrost's expression shifts from its usually cold neutrality, brows furrow and nose wrinkles and for a second he looks crushed before it softens into something more quietly morose.
They had butted heads so terribly when he was mentor to the vibrant colored feline, Sunsetpaw had been an ex-kittypet and a rebellious fool who never listened and often talked back but in time and with training he had become a proper soldier befitting WindClan. His first apprentice when they found their home, died nobly in battle seeking aid for his sick clanmates. There was not a more fitting end for a warrior, but he still feels the pinprick of loss knitting his expression tight; the blood on his back drying, the member of Hyacinthbreath's foolish face snarling into his. She was pathetic, disrespectful and a traitor. If any cat deserved to die in that battle it was the ex-WindClan turned RiverClan bitch who left her clanmates to suffer out of some misguided idea of what it meant to be a warrior. Apprentice coddling, brat. Sunsetbreeze deserved better than to die to some kittypet clan acting holier than thou.

Finally he raises his gaze up, perpetual frown tightening in a rage when he realized what he had missed in his quiet stupid of grief. They were all loud idiots, placing blame where blame did not deserve to fall; they had every right to retaliate to SkyClan denying them aid out of some petty dispute, they should have killed all of them. These weak idiots didn't understand that the strong survived by stepping upon those who could not.
"You will mind your tongues!" His hackles are raised, ice eyes hardened, "You will stop this disrespect or you can leave and see how the elements take you! If you want to die you may choose my claws or the storm."


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