camp That'll leave a mark (Soaking)

[Badgermoon]

The raid on RiverClan had been a success, in Badgermoon's eyes. As they had learned from the Gathering, Juniperfrost's death had been avenged in the most basic of ways: a RiverClan warrior had died. A tragedy, certainly, but at least he had died the way a warrior ought to: in battle. Besides, he never would have been in harm's way in the first place if it were not for Hyacinthbreath; it was easy to lay the blame on her for her transgressions. As far as he was concerned, Heathclaw had simply facilitated the murder that Hyacinthbreath had perpetuated unto her Clanmate. Anyway, that was in the past, now, and Clearsight surely hunted with StarClan now, where all Clan disputes dissipated into a starlit mist. What was not in the past was his bloodied, bruised body - not a surprise after a raid, but still something to contend with. I really should value my own skin more. thought the bicolor tom ruefully, as he made his way gingerly out of the camp. His destination was, of course, the Sun-Warmed Pool: as newleaf crept over the moor and the sun's rays grew warmer, he could think of no better place to rest and ease his aches and pains. I'll be all scar tissue, no fur by the time I'm an elder. If I even make it that far.

The deputy drew up close enough to the water to find it free of other cats, and he waded in without a moment's hesitation, groaning softly in appreciation as the warm water lapped over his wounds and soothed his sore muscles. Badgermoon eased himself onto his side and rested his head at the water's edge, staring dreamily off into the late afternoon sky. Perhaps a passerby might find him there, lightly dozing. Said passerby might even notice that he drooled in his sleep.​

 

[TIGERFROST]

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Every part of his body hurt. His wounds stung, healing as they were, crusted over with herbal poultices and dried blood. Tigerfrost felt as if he could hardly move, but he did not have the patience to simply lay in a nest all day. So, he had decided to head out of camp, if only for a relaxing walk through the tall grass. He didn't intend to hunt or patrol, because he knew that too much exercise might cause him to start bleeding again, and he didn't want to deal with Vulturemask's irritation if that should happen. Tigerfrost's paws lead him through the windswept grassland as his mind wanders in silent thought.

It takes several moments before he realizes where he has ended up. The sun-warmed pool. Tigerfrost then notes that he is no longer alone. The battered figure of WindClan's deputy is there as well, soaking in the heated waters. Badgermoon appears to be asleep, so Tigerfrost says nothing, though he does make the quiet decision to join the other tom in the relaxing pool. Carefully, Tigerfrost draws close to the edge, before stepping into the rippling water. Normally, he'd avoid getting wet, but the deputy seemed so soothed by the lapping pond that Tigerfrost can't help but want to try it for himself. So... he does just that. He sinks into the water and is shocked to discover just how nice it feels against his aching body. Perhaps Tigerfrost would fall asleep as well, but for now, he simply rests in pleasant silence.​

 

[WOLFSONG]

──⇌•〘 INFO 〙 None of them left RiverClan unscathed, but Wolfsong hopes no one expected that they would— it would be deeply naive. He has fared better than many of his clanmates, though, Gravelpaw and Badgermoon among them. Most of his wounds will heal relatively quickly; only the claw mark on his shoulder will take more time.

I should have seen it for the omen it was when he said his name was Hound. What good fortune has a dog ever brought me?

He finds Tigerfrost and Badgermoon relaxing in soothing waters, the latter asleep while the former seems awake still. Wolfsong nods to his fellow Lead before quietly slipping into the pool. He makes his way over to their deputy, stretching out next to Badgermoon, curling against his back and resting his chin on his unsubmerged shoulder.
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[GRAVELSNAP]

They understand, now, that despite the bitter cold, their fight against SkyClan was kit’s play. The SkyClanner they had faced them was going, inexperienced, weak. The dark-furred RiverClan apprentice was not holding back, unafraid to take their life. And he had nearly taken their eye—in return for his own, of course. Gravelpaw hopes the wound was deep enough to cost the river-rat his sight.

But they aren’t the only one with wounds. Tigerfrost, Wolfsong, and Badgermoon were all there as well—though the apprentice hadn’t spotted any of them after the initial fighting began. They limp their way over to where the trio rests in the water, lifting his non-injured eyebrow at the sight of them. Badgermoon is asleep, hopefully not dead, and Wolfsong’s head rests on the deputy’s shoulder. Tigerfrost might also be asleep, they aren’t sure. They hobble their way awkwardly into the water as well, settling well away from the others. The water isn’t bad, is actually pretty nice, but the feeling of it on their fresh wounds hurts. Bad idea.
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[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]​

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[Badgermoon]

Yellow eyes slid slowly open to discover that, while he slept, a small party of cats had joined him in his soaking. His immediate urge was to straighten up, try to look professional and dignified, but Wolfsong's golden head was heavy and soft on his shoulder, and Tigerfrost looked as if his rough edges and anger had been smoothed over for once - Gravelpaw had even settled in, albeit a distance from the rest. Badgermoon allowed himself to relax and remain where he was, though he did twist his head and try to idly groom the lead warrior's burnished ears. They were all battered, all wearied, and all here together - why not share tongues and try to heal as a Clan? Why not permit this moment of softness, of togetherness, to last a little longer?​

 

[Firefang]

It could've been mush worse. She was wounded yes but she'll take a sore torn ear over a mangled paw or missing eye - and of course death itself though she had no doubt at all she'd make it out fine. Those river-rats were only good at swimming and engorging their fat tummies on fish not fighting, they got their asses kicked but she still wasn't satisfied. Juniperfrost hadn't been avenged his killer still lived on but she knows it wouldn't be the last battle - not would it be Riverclan’s last fatality at their claws. There’d be plenty of clashes to come and she was itching to get her claws dirty again.

Right now there was peace for as long as wounds needed to heal. Things would get better slowly, soon kits would be born and apprentices would be made something she eagerly awaited. Prey was more plentiful, though she still gripes that the wind was still too chilly for her taste! She’d been out, still actively on a hunt but has gotten sidetracked by the scents of her clanmates in the direction of the sun-warmed pool. She isn’t resistant to the desire to snoop so her paws lead her over to the gentle sound of the pool.

Her head tilts as she takes in the sight of the warriors and Gravelpaw both at the edge of the lapping water and within it. She has no desire herself to jump in, leave swimming to the River-rats she was happy keeping her paws dry. Her brow quirks quizzically, and a remark comes easy off her tongue ❝Wow guess Riverclanners insanity is infectious❞ she chuckles ❝You’re gonna hate bein’ wet when that wind hits ya❞ sadly for them Firefang has always had a talent for breaking moments of peace - she had always been completely unaware of that fact.​

( ✦ )

 

[Azaleafrost]

She carried herself differently ever since the battle. Confident, tall. She let her tail stand tall instead of near dragging. She was proud of herself. Proud to have fought until the call to retreat and proud to have battered that apprentice as much as she did.

She wasn't without her wounds, though. They stung, but mostly it was the bite on her paw that hindered her most. She had to be careful on it, or simply walk on three legs. She had seen Wolfsong head out this way and decided to follow him. He was the nicest adult she knew, and she enjoyed his company.

And maybe soaking her paw would make it feel better too.

She joined the others at the pool, groaning in her mind as she saw Firefang. She ignored her existence completely, sitting at the waters edge near Wolfsong and letting her paw rest in the shallow water.

She wouldn't close her eyes around those present, she didn't trust them enough. She simply observed the rippling water, watching the light sparkle on it's surface.
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[SNAKEHISS]

❪ TAGS ❫ — The raid may have been deemed a success in eyes of others, but Snakepaw still wasn't satisfied. Hyacinthbreath still lives; she had even attended the gathering, opening her despicable maw in order to slander Sootstar's name! It was frustrating that not a single WindClanner could manage to slice her throat open, and perhaps even more so that he couldn't sink his claws into the murderer herself. He could have been hailed a hero, the best apprentice in the clan! Instead, he and Sparkpaw had been cornered by a fishy-breathed warrior. Nothing major had come of the fight, just some bruises and scratches. They stung like hell and the bruises hurt to put pressure on, but after a day or so of whining and dramatics from the apprentice, he decided that camp was stuffy and he needed to get out into the territory.

Snakepaw hadn't exactly asked for permission to exit camp, as Badgermoon had gone out on his own and Sootstar was rarely seen anywhere nowadays. The youth had slunk past the others and ducked swiftly out. If a warrior caught him, he could say that his parents gave him permission.

He swears he could hear Firefang's voice nearby, and like the nosy tom he is, he slithers through the moorland until he comes across quite a sight — a group of cats, including his mentor, soaking in the sun-warmed pool. Snakepaw observes for a moment, sneering at how they willingly immersed themselves in the water. He didn't particularly like Firefang, but he had to agree with her on this one. "How do you all find getting wet enjoyable?" Snakepaw announces his presence, standing to his paws and casting a critical glance toward the pool itself. Yuck; as if he'd share a bath with his clanmates. It was bad enough that some of them reeked naturally, but stewing in filth and getting it sopping wet all over one's pelt sounded even more unappealing.​

 

[Whitehowl]

"It feels nice." Came a graveled, hushed voice from the left of Snakepaw. He glides through the moorland grass, letting the budding heather and stalks tickle at his flanks while the wind billows around them. He'd not been battered with fresh wounds and bruises like Badgermoon or Tigerfrost, his fur protecting his skin mostly from the claws of RiverClan from the other night. Some warrior he made quick do of, but they did engrave a nick below his right eye. Luckily he had moved or else he'd have suffered the chance of becoming blind. Hyacinthbreath still resides over the border, still breathes and Juniperfrost was forever gone. The mettalic tang of his blood-scent still felt present on the back of his throat. It stirred white iron within his chest, blooming throughout his body and singing his skin. It's a shame he was gone. A good warrior he was, till the every end.
Realizing his still-stance, Whitehowl huffs through his nose before entering into the warming pool, grunting as he slips further into the depths that causes ripples in his wake. Badgermoon was drifted off into slumber with Wolfsong settled alongside him. Whitehowl lowers himself gradually, sighing in content as lukewarm water passes over his flank and leaves him half submerged. Scorching orange gaze settles upon the younger felines, his gaze forever settled into a natural scowl as he watches them. "It's warm." The tom rumbles, flicking his now drenched blue tail and slinging droplets of water towards Firefang and Snakepaw.
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[ Wind's Howling ]​

 

[TIGERFROST]

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Well... it seemed peace as bound to be shattered, right? It always was. Wolfsong was the third to arrive, but he's quiet, nosing up to Badgermoon to share tongues. Then there's Gravelpaw, as they, too, join the warriors in the warm water of the shallow pond. The scent of the congregating WindClanners was bound to draw even more eyes, so Tigerfrost is not surprised when Firefang's scent washes over his nose, closely followed by Azaleapaw and Snakepaw.

"Careful." His half open, flaming eyes flicker between Firefang and Snakepaw, and if one was daring enough, they might even be able to detect a rare hint of amusement within his tone, "I might just drag you both in. You're certainly within range." After all, if they were just going to stand around and complain about the water, then why not give them something to actually complain about? Tigerfrost is only half joking, it seems.

It was quite uncommon for him, of all cats, to tease and joke around with his clan-mates. He had to admit though... he was feeling pretty good, despite his wounds. Hyacinthbreath still lived, a problem to be corrected at a later date, for certain, but WindClan had still been victorious, tearing through RiverClan in their own camp. Better still, WindClan had not suffered a single casualty.

Everything had worked out in their favor, as if the stars above had been watching over them all. Of course they had been, the Lead Warrior thinks. WindClan was the closest to StarClan for a reason.

An ear flicks with acknowledgement as Whitehowl joins them in the water, and Tigerfrost nods his agreement. It was warm, and surprisingly soothing. As long as he didn't have to actually swim, of course. Thankfully, this pool was very shallow. He watches as the other warrior flicks a tail full of water droplets toward the two complaining WindClan cats still on the bank. The chimera's maw shifts with an amused smirk, but it is gone in nearly an instant.​