SWEET MERCY \ vigil for the dead

[BERRYHEART]

Tufts' body laid cradled with rosemary, ready to be buried. In moonlight he would be bathed one last time, before his soul would be forever separate from his body- one in the depths of the earth, one in the sequinned span of Silverpelt. Berryheart knew this burial would be particularly important for his mother- a friend lost, something one grew used to with age but surely never became easier. Especially when the culprit was not the sands of time, but was instead some cruel, viral force that seemed intent on reopening their wounds until the bleeding never stopped.

Berryheart's prayers had always been private, but he would offer something for the Clan to cling to. He was their link to StarClan, after all... "I hope you have found peace, greeted by so many of our Clanmates." It was all he could think to say. Recent losses of a cruelly-slaughtered apprentice, of elders and once-strong warriors, of two mentors... it would all sting, all of it such recent memory. Berryheart knew it would not get easier, though. At least they had this farewell, and every other, for solace.

\ vigil specifically for owlear but for remembering all who have died in the last month!​

PENNED BY PIN ☾​

 

[BURNSTORM]

Death was a part of life. He had learned that at too young of an age. Every cat who lived in the forest often did. Their lives were fraught with danger, it was to be expected that some would meet an early death. But it didn't make it any easier. He does not know much about Owlear admittedly and selfishly he thinks that at least that makes it easier for him to mourn his passing.

He comes to stand by his uncles side, golden eyes that are usually filled with so much fire, so much energy, remain muted as he lays his eyes on the body in front of them. "May you find good hunting in the stars" he murmurs, his voice soft and hushed. Sometimes, he wonders about his own death. Would he die in the throes of a battle? Would he live to an old age and live out the rest of his life in retirement? or would he die a quiet death at the hands of an unseen enemy like Owlear had? The latter terrifies him.

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OOC NOTES . ✦ . CHARACTER INFO

• ooc : — ​
• 
  

  

  
  

  ➵ he / him
  ➵ thunderclan lead warrior
  ➵ single ; crushing on roeflame
  
  - - Burnstorm is a hot headed tom who, above all, loves his clan and his family. He cares deeply and passionately for those closest to him and is one of the most loyal friends a cat could have. Because of his half-kitttypet heritage, Burnstorm is always hard at work, believing that he has to put in twice the amount of effort a normal cat does in order to prove himself as a worthy clan member
  ↪ ISTJ-T 'the logistican'
  
  - - a large, black furred tom with golden eyes
  ↪ toyhouse [ ✦ ]
  
  ➵ skilled fighter and decent hunter
  ​

 

[Flycatcher]

Death is something of an old friend to Flycatcher. It has touched his life many times, taking his parents, sisters, daughters, and countless friends and clanmates from him. It has touched the lives of many of his clanmates too.

The deputy would come to stand with Berryheart and Burnstorm, his head bowed solemnly at the sight of the now departed Owlear. He was an old tom it was true but he did not deserve to die from the horrid yellowcough. None of those who had lost their lives had. Flycatcher hoped that the cats on the journey would bring back the herbs needed to endure this horrid sickness. "May you walk in peace with StarClan, Owlear," Flycatcher spoke softly, looking at the old tom who had mentored his daughter. ​

 

[RACCOONSTRIPE]

Raccoonstripe sits beside his nephew's hulking dark shape, eyes trained on Owlear's lavender-threaded pelt. He thinks of Stormpaw, journeying blithely, never knowing her mentor has met a cruel fate at the paws of the illness she seeks to defeat. He draws his tail closer to his paws, anger beginning to simmer in his belly. He never wants to mourn a Clanmate—none of them do—but Owlear deserved an honorable death. He deserved to go out with a clear mind, defending his Clan to his last breath.

He feels their Clanmates are being stolen from them. When he speaks, it's grim. "You deserved better." Raccoonstripe's claws shift against the camp floor. "I hope StarClan treats you well."

ooc ✧ 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺

•  
•  
• 

  — raccoon . raccoonstripe
  — he/him ; lead warrior of thunderclan
  — heteroflexible ; single
  — long-haired black tabby with white and dark brown eyes
  — "speech", thoughts, attack
  — penned by Marquette
  — chibi by Rai

​

 

[Honeydapple]

It hurt to know just how fragile all of their lives all truly were. When she joined the cats sitting somberly around Owlear, she felt at a loss. Sometimes, Honeydapple wished to take away the pain of it all, and bury it where none could see. Alas, this was not reality, and they were all suffering together

She didn't have a great track record for staying level in vigil circumstances. However, with the amount of death and fear, she'd finally grown more numb. Still, she allowed the tears to burn harshly at the corners of her eyes. Soft huffs billowed from her chest as the pointed feline did her best to calm down.

Taking a few more moments she allowed herself to be at a loss. Getting through the throat tight with grief being the most difficult.

Of course, she hadn't been close to Owlear, but he was still a clanmate. A cat she had seen live and breathe around her for moons. Now he was nothing but memories and starlight.

Sighing to herself the dappled molly bowed her head and prayed dutifully. "Thank you for being with us in body and may you rest easy in spirit." Leaning back she idly gazed to the side. Expression downtrodden and conflicted with the emotions of loss.​

 

[GRIZZLYJAW]

✦ Grizzlyjaw sits beside Honeydapple and his eyes focusing on the body of the deceased warrior that lay before them with lavender coating his pelt, both of his feathered ears perked forward wondering how many more clanmates yellowcough would claim before the journeying cats returned. His expression does not change from the stony, stoic one that he held currently even if his gaze softened for a heartbeat seeing Honeydapple and the rest of his clanmates slightly saddened by the death of Owlear. He curls his tail over his paws carefully listening to everyone's farewell wishes to the deceased cat and he presses his ears against his skull.

They lift up once more when he finally parts his jaws to speak "May you rest well and never feel pain within Starclan." It is a soft mumble that slips from him and he closes his eyes briefly as he dips his head in respect and sits upright afterwards and remains silent.

✦ HE'S A POOL-SHOOTIN' SON OF A GUN

• 
  ✦ 50 moons old
  ✦ thunderclan warrior
  ✦ bisexual demiromantic, mates w/honeydapple
  ✦ "speech", thoughts, attacking
  ✦ difficult in combat; relies on brute strength, street smarts, and his large size
  ✦ peaceful powerplay allowed
  ✦ penned by bosstaurus

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