THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES — patrols

[SNAKEHISS]

The newly-named deputy's heart pounds loudly in his chest as he approaches the spot where Sunstride usually called for patrols — or used to, anyway. He was gone. Many were gone. WindClan seemed so small now. As much as Snakehiss wanted to curl up in his nest and turn away from the world, and fully process what has happened, he has new paws to fill. He was expected to direct his clan as their deputy. Briefly, he thinks of Badgermoon as well, though forcefully brushes the mental images of the black and white tom out of his head. They had been traitors. Would they all be expecting him to follow suit?

No, no. He can't think those things. Snakehiss had earned his place. He had worked so hard for it, and they would listen to him. They would have to listen to him. "Gather for patrols, you lot! Quickly, now." The tom meows aloud, attempting to adopt an authoritative tone. It felt strange upon his tongue, but... it was also welcomed. He had always had a habit of bossing his clanmates around without any real jurisdiction, and now it was acceptable to do so.

Abiding by Sootstar's wishes, Snakehiss commands, "Hollowcreek, you along with Rumblerain and Dustwhisker will follow the scent of those traitorous rats before it grows stale. If you find anything, report back at once." They must have gone somewhere, especially altogether, to seek refuge and lick their wounds, but where? Snakehiss has a sneaking suspicion that it mustn't be far, so he's curious as to what the warriors will find. He tries not to think of his father, who had fled at the scene of the fight. He was a smart tom, surely he had found somewhere to hide away from the others instead of waiting around like a sitting duck.

Now, onto the typical patrols. He did not overthink the organization of these too much, as he was used to the former deputies handing them out on the regular. "Sootspot, you have the dawn patrol to RiverClan. You will take Downypaw, Marmotbite and Ebonylight to mark our borders and nothing beyond that." They have obviously taken a hit to their numbers. The other clans cannot be let onto their vulnerability, so no skirmishes were to be encouraged today. They had enough injuries as it is.

Next, he searches for the next group's participants, combing through the crowd of cats for some fitting picks. "The dawn patrol to ShadowClan shall be led by Shalestripe. Harbingermoon, Mocking-grin, and Juncopaw will accompany you. Remain vigilant and keep your wits about you. They know what's happened to those kits." Snakehiss narrows his eyes. Those damned kits had caused problems in WindClan as it was, they didn't need to be confronting ShadowClan about it now if they could help it.

What now? Snakehiss pauses for a moment, hesitating as he scours his mind for any recollection of any other patrols to distribute. Then, he remembers how Sunstride had emphasized more hunting patrols in preparation for leafbare. He supposes that it isn't a bad idea to continue. "All of you should be bringing back prey should you manage to catch any. Leafbare is here and we must keep our stomachs full. On that note — I want on a hunting patrol. Gooseberry, take Peonypaw and Harrierstripe. Cottonpaw, you may accompany them and replenish your herb supply." Snakehiss eyes his betrothed, viridian stare resting on her for a moment. Wolfsong was here no longer and she would have to shoulder the burden of a medicine cat on her own, even if her training was not yet completed. A deputy and a medicine cat they were, just as Sunstride and Wolfsong had been.

Lastly was his own patrol to ThunderClan. There wouldn't be any issues, hopefully, as long as those cocky forest-dwellers avoided pushing their buttons. "I will lead the patrol to ThunderClan. Nightmareface, Bluefrost, Thornrunner — you three will be with me." Snakehiss meows with a nod to the cats mentioned.

"... Have you all got that?" Snakehiss asks, again trying to act more confident than he was, though internally he really did seek the validation of his clanmates. Was he understood? Had he done things right? Was he a promising new deputy, one who would outshine the likes of his predecessors? He searches their gazes, hoping that things will commencely smoothly without issue.

₊ ⋆ * ⊹ ₊ ☾ —— 𝙞 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚

• REBEL SCENT PATROL: @hollowcreek with @RUMBLERAIN @DUSTWHISKER (they will be able to track down the trail, but no attacks are to be launched yet!)
  
  RIVERCLAN DAWN PATROL: @SOOTSPOT with @downypaw @Marmotbite. @Ebonylight.
  
  SHADOWCLAN PATROL: @SHALESTRIPE with @HARBINGERMOON @MOCKING-GRIN @juncopaw
  
  HUNTING PATROL: @Gooseberry with @PEONYPAW @HARRIERSTRIPE @cottonpaw
  
  THUNDERCLAN PATROL: snakehiss with @NIGHTMAREFACE @BLUEFROST @THORNRUNNER

• 

• 

  ✰ SNAKEHISS
  —— he/him; deputy of windclan
  —— bisexual; single; not looking
  —— long-limbed black tom with green eyes, a small white chest patch, and a notable bite mark on his right foreleg
  —— "speech", thoughts, attack
  —— link to full tags; @ on discord for plots.
  —— penned by beatles

​

 

[Gooseberry]

Gooseberry comes to the call of the new deputy with haste. Snakehiss was not exactly the cat that came to mind first when he thinks of who to appoint into Sunstride’s old position next, but he accepted it nonetheless. He was young and full of spunk, he’s sure he will fill the paws of the role with time.

He can clearly see the anxiety Snakehiss is showing when he assigns where the rest of the true members of WindClan will go, but he still manages to get his point across well. Gooseberry dips his head when he’s assigned to lead a hunting patrol, happy to have something to do (and cats to command). “Understood. We will head out shortly.”​

 

[BLUEFROST]

Snakehiss is but a shadow of the figure Sunstride had imposed while ordering patrols. Where the great maned former deputy had walked with confidence, Snakehiss seems to understand the enormity of the pawprints he must fill now. Bluefrost feels strange, seeing him give orders. She remembers an apprentice with a foul mouth, a bitter tongue, slinking about camp and giving her and her littermates fevered looks from narrow green eyes. This cat is not him—and she watches, as he speaks, his confidence unfurl like a banner. It comes naturally to him, she thinks idly.

His command is for her to join his patrol to ThunderClan’s border. Of course, illusions must be maintained. WindClan had bled it’s weight in warriors, but the other Clans must not know it and must not think them weaker. She inclines her head, murmuring, “As you wish. I will be prepared.”

, ”​

​

 

[HARBINGERMOON]

☾ Irritation is written cleanly across the Tunneler's features. His head now lacking an additional ear, shoulder baring a fresh wound, and his tail a patch work mess. Cottonpaw had warned him not to strain himself but he didn't care what some paw' had to say. This battle had been victorious but at the cost of his comforts. Something he had been willing to give up from the start. Hearing his name the feline peers over his shoulder.

Exhaustion dripping from him as he begrudgingly obeys. For a change he was fed up and quiet. Lacking his usual vigor to complain or sneer. Today he would do the task and go home. Nothing more and nothing less. Once Snakehiss concludes his task the ebony tom nods his agreement. "On it." Without hesitation he seeks out Shalestripe. Ready to get the day over with. ☽​

 

[SOOTSPOT]

Staring at the Deputy, Sootspot could feel the bile rising in his throat and the Tunneler had to will himself to keep his tail flat against the empty earth. It was a bitter feeling, knowing that WindClan's future was now in Snakehiss' paws, knowing that his mentor had been a treacherous cat and his actions had not inspired confidence in the tom. The thought briefly crossed his mind, if his mother could not see his greatness, then would it be better to have a treacherous Deputy with moons of experience over a Cottonpaw's bad choice? He closed his eyes at the sound of his duty, steeling himself against the protests that threatened to spill from his muzzle. An ear twitched, sounds of affirmation for the nervous black cat who had too much to learn. 'He doesn't deserve it, it should be me.' His eyes fluttered open innocuously, a smile drifting upon his muzzle. "Very well, let us hope their threats towards Downypaw were empty before."


​

 

[DUSTWHISKER]

Where a traitor once stood now stands one of his peers, and while envy still sinks its fangs into Dustwhisker — at the thought of Snakehiss being deputy, the thought of his counciless rank, when it was him who drew blood in the moor's civil war — the tunneler still heeds the night-furred tom's call and gathers for the next wave of patrols.

While he'd not been granted a slot within Sootstar's patrols in the last round, he finds himself within Snakehiss' chosen, an important task given to him and the patrol he's listed within: follow the rebels' scent. Find them.

A swift nod is given to the new deputy before a saffron gaze darts to look toward Hollowcreek, his patrol's leader, and to Rumblerain after. " Got it, " he affirms. Awaiting further instructions from Hollowcreek, Dustwhisker is ready to set off nonetheless, prepared to track down the traitors; to sink his claws into another. ​

✦ ABOUT

• 

  DUSTKIT ‣ DUSTPAW ‣ DUSTWHISKER
  ── Loyalist Tunneler of WindClan
  
  ── Breezecurl x Stormtalon
  ── AMAB; He/Him
  ── A black tabby/black chimera with dull yellow eyes.
  ── Mentored by Breezecurl
  ── "Speech"; Attack​

​

 

[Ebonylight.]

*+:｡.｡ It was an odd sight, seeing ebony-clad fur instead of the usual painfully bright golden of their former deputy. As though the night had swallowed the day - Ebonylight couldn't say she hated it. The warrioress would approach with her devilish smile, ears perked as she hoped for her name to be one of the ones called despite her current situation. In the meantime, she watches the younger tom spout his commands, holding himself high but stiff, confident but fragile. She doesn't know Snakeblink well, but anyone can see he's as high-strung as a branch pulled taut, begging to either snap in two or whip a pelt bloody once freed. Ebonylight's eyes glow as she imagines the latter. She hopes she'll have given birth by then - she doesn't think she can handle witnessing another battle she can't take part in!
Her eyes crinkle up as her name is finally called. Ebonylight, a patrol member, carefully warned to not cause trouble. It's a good thing Snakehiss doesn't ask for verbal promises. She missed out on one fight, she's got energy to expel! Glancing around, her eyes fall on Sootspot, her patrol leader, the Queen's very own brood. Fun. Perhaps she can find a way to get to know the tom, see what being raised under the Empress was like.
In the meantime though, Ebonylight would turn her attention to Snakeblink. "Loud and clear, you did great Snakeblink" she purrs with an amicable wink. She can't imagine being deputy is a difficult job - just spout out names for random tasks and you're good for the day. But that's not to say she has any interest in leadership - not in the least. So while she doesn't understand - or care to understand - Snakeblink's hunger for approval, she does know a cat who needs a pat on the back. If it means adding some levity to this dreary clan and perhaps earning herself some points with the powers that be, she is happy to be the one to shower the feline with praise.

*+:｡.｡ Updated 12/6/23

• 
  
• 
  
  
  
  GENERAL:
  ☆ Ebonylight
  ☆ DFAB— He/They/She — Pansexual
  ☆ 16 moons — Ages 1 moon every month real-time
  ☆ Mentored by X
  ☆ Windclan — Moor-runner (Loyalist)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  COMBAT:
  ☆ Physically hard | mentally hard
  ☆ Attack in bold black
  
  injuries: None currently
  ☆ Currently 1 moon pregnant!

​

 

[SHALESTRIPE]

Shalestripe has always found Snakehiss a bit pathetic. The black and white tom struggles to cut a shadow in the earth like Sunstride had with ease; though the golden tom was a damn traitor, the viperous tabby can't help but miss him. He was certainly stronger than the little yellow thing calling out patrols now. He commanded respect just by being, while Snakehiss... hm. Still, Shalestripe ambles forward when his name is called, scruffy tail flicking with pleasure as the mite assigns him patrol leader.

"Patrol leader.... Well, ain't that fancy?" he purrs, a thick lake of grease. Caution-yellow eyes flick over the crowd for his wards. Harbingermoon is at his side almost instantly, and Shalestripe is pleased by this; now they just need to get the kit and Mocking-grin and they'd be set. Alligator teeth glint in the harsh winter sun as the warrior grins. He glances to the other cats on his patrol, rumbling, "let's go have some fun."

𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑, 𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 ✧ 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐀𝐋!

• 
  
  — shale . shalestripe
  — he / him ; windclan moor-runner ; mentoring none
  — short-haired black smoke tabby tom with high white and amber eyes
  — "speech" ; thoughts
  — headshot by me, chibi by moonacre
  — penned by meghan; all opinions are IC!

​

 

[✧ Marmotbite.]

♢​♢ THE BEST MISTAKE YOU EVER MADE ♢♢​

---

marmotbite & 13 moons & female & she/her & windclan tunneler ​

---

Ears twitch as name is called - every inch of fur upon her pale figure raising at the sound of snakehiss's voce. She's never liked the tom much - and now, to see him as deputy? No - he is not strong... he's weak. He is simply there because he has bowed to those more dangerous than himself. Like she has - it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, green and orange gaze flickering as she considers, for a moment, if she should just... levae. Would her patrol mates notice, she wonders, if she just up and left? She's always been a quiet presence within the clan after all - minding her own business. "alrigh' then," she murmurs instead, accented voice lilting.

— it sounds so fuckin' beautiful when you say my name ♡

• Actions && "Speech," && ' Thoughts/Quotes '
  
  ooc: —
  tw/cw: —
  
• 
  — a shockingly tiny she-cat with pale blue and cream ticked tabby fur, save for a single patch covering her right eye that is brown instead, and mismatched green-orange eyes. she has heavy scarring along the entirety of her left side, from her face all the way down her chest, belly, and flank; which has been there since kithood. she is a twitchy little thing, known for her bad attitude and an unfortunate habit of biting when startled.
  
  — physically medium && mentally medium
  — non-violent powerplay allowed && healing powerplay allowed && minor injury powerplay not-allowed
  — please attack using [b][color=#9ab973]action here[/color][/b] and tag account

 

[downyfur]

RiverClan...again? Downypaw casts their gaze uncertainly towards Sootspot, wondering if there were more hidden politics at play here. Neither Sootspot nor Snakehiss were particularly savory characters in the WindClan cast, but they hadn't seen any evidence of direction antagonization or obvious simpering between the two. Maybe it was just best for the experienced ones to go. Downypaw wouldn't call themself experienced, but they'd certainly felt something change after their first incursion with the river-runners. Of course, they'd felt many things change over the course of the past few sunrises.

The way Sootspot stiffens, the way everyone's eyes are sharper upon the new deputy—the little details are lost on them as they fade back into duty. Their mentor's words, though, pierce the veil with a thin wave of chill. Blue eyes flick towards him, nerves drawing tight their lower lids. The son of Sootstar had chased them into the tunnels so they wouldn't be hurt. He couldn't let RiverClan do anything to them now. "Yes," they breathe.​

 

[BERRYSNAP]

She couldn't help but feel annoyed that she hadn't been personally selected to participate in a patrol. She wanted in on the action, and she wasn't entirely sure of how she could ensure that she earned that right. Regardless, she would work tirelessly to ensure that whatever it took, the next time around she would be part of a patrol herself. The lashing of her tail would be accompanied by a soft hiss of annoyance before she turned to leave in search of something she could do in the meantime.
​