Towards the fire [open, patrol assignments]

[Badgermoon]

In the excitement of the raid on SkyClan and subsequent series of events, Badgermoon had almost forgotten that he was still, technically, just learning the ropes of deputyship. He didn't feel as if he had automatically adjusted to the role oh-so well, as if by magic; rather, it was that he had been reminded that regardless of his title or of the expectations placed upon him, his role in the world was fundamentally unchanged. He would serve WindClan as StarClan willed it - nothing more and nothing less. At this moment, that meant defending Sootstar and advancing her agenda, including her controversial choices; StarClan had sanctioned her leadership and guided her pawsteps, and as far as he was concerned, that was enough. Besides, there wasn't much she had done which he would have disapproved of even if he had the choice to - sure, he would take a catch-more-flies-with-honey approach, but there was no accounting for taste, right? Anyways, as difficult and ultimately tragic the recent days and weeks had been, it had been a helpful reality check for him: what mattered was doing his utmost for the Clan. And not dying while I do it. he thought to himself after a beat, glancing down at the half-healed haze on his chest.

With these thoughts in mind, Badgermoon had settled himself in the middle of their snow-blanketed camp, settling his speckled paws in front of him before calling out: "Tunnelers and tunneler apprentices! We are in need of food, and the snow is making it challenging for our moor-runners to find prey. I would like to send two hunting patrols into the tunnels." he flicked one white-tipped ear and allowed an uncharacteristically solemn expression to appear on his face. "Our kits' and elders' bellies will be empty if you fail, so please try your hardest - as I know you all will. First, I would like Lambcurl, Smokepaw, Nettlepaw, Curlewnose, and Snowshadow to work together in one patrol, and Wormtail, Rainpaw, Kingletcall, Redrumble, Nightmareface, and Icepaw to form a second patrol." he paused, before adding, "Nightmareface and Icepaw, if you are too wounded to hunt, you may be excused from this patrol." it would do no one any good if they ran themselves into the ground. "Lambcurl, please lead the first patrol; Wormtail, please lead the second. Any questions?"

[ @LAMBCURL. @SMOKEPAW @nettlepaw. @curlewnose @Snowshadow @Wormtail @kingletcall @REDRUMBLE @NIGHTMAREFACE @icepaw ! <3
this thread is open to anyone, of course! patrol leaders, if you're comfortable making the patrol thread, please feel free to! if no, i'm happy to make them. good luck hunting! :D ]​

 

[icebreath]

TAGS — Even if they were too injured to attend, Icepaw likely would've jumped at the chance regardless. Being summoned for a patrol is such a welcome return to normalcy; there's an almost uncharacteristic, enthusiastic spring in their step as they approach on quick little paws. "It's okay," they reassure Badgermoon with a shake of their head. "I'm fine."

Normalcy aside, she's always eager to work; tunneling feels like such a special role, one she never takes lightly. And she hadn't realized just how much the clan would rely on her come leafbare! Bellies will be empty if we fail, she repeats grimly to herself. It's a stressful weight to bear, one that sets her heart racing, but at least it's a good motivator. And an honor all the same. Not just anyone can do what she does, as Badgermoon reminds them with his mention of the moor-runners' difficulties.

Her chest wound from the raid, which still aches a bit with each deep breath, is another reminder. A painful one, but once again an honor. If she could be one of the few to manage a success during that travesty of a battle with so few injuries, inept at combat as she is, she can do this.​

 

[SOOTSTAR]

Sootstar feels a tug, she knows she should be out there in the tunnels but alas her leader duties come first. There was much chaos to tend to after the raid on SkyClan, WindClan had once again managed to inflict a massive would onto themselves. Plus with her stomach she’s not even sure if she could fit through the tunnels anymore, she knows one of the paths to exit camp can get quite narrow.

Smokepaw was called to go, she could not go with him so instead she approaches her apprentice. ”Make sure you listen to Lambcurl and try your best. If you give chase on anything be weary of following it into corners, don’t let a rabbit send you to Vulturemask’s den.” She instructs before murmuring a supportI’ve StarClan prayer to him. She knows her apprentice will do just fine.

To Icepaw Sootstar would give a prideful smile, what a lovely warrior that apprentice was going to turn into. So eager to help her clan even when she herself has fallen onto hard times. Now that was a good trait of a warrior. ​

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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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[rainpaw]

Rainpaw came hustling over only a few heartbeats after Icepaw, ears angled toward Badgermoon. She hadn't been able to settle down since the raid patrols had left for SkyClan and, frankly, she was happy to be given some work to do. Maybe it would burn off the tension that had collected in her body, evident in the sharp twitch of her tail and the rigidness of her posture. But then again, Badgermoon was putting pressure on them to find food for the clan, so maybe this was not a great tension-burning activity. Tunneling had always felt important, since it was only able to be done by a select few, but in the warmer months she hadn't realized just how important it was.

Either way, she had no complaints about serving the kits and elders of the clan, nor many about the patrol she got placed on. The only downside was that she wouldn't be on the same patrol as Curlewnose, but Rainpaw would live. Wormtail came across as nice to her, and clearly had knowledge of the tunnels, what with his knowing about truffles and all. She hadn't gone in the tunnels with Kingletcall or Redrumble before, and didn't know them well, and although Nightmareface drooled everywhere, she seemed like a good warrior. Icepaw seemed to like her as a mentor, anyway. She glanced over her pale-furred littermate, who was eager to head down to the tunnels, too. She did seem like she was healing well, so Rainpaw didn't pester her with an "Are you sure you're okay?" and instead just didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what to say, after their viewpoints over recent happenings clashed so strongly.

She let her focus drift away from Icepaw, casting a glance back to Smokepaw and Sootstar. Sootstar was speaking to him, warning him to be careful with rabbits. It was a little funny to Rainpaw, considering Smokepaw had laughed at Firepaw's joke about Rainpaw being bested by one. Well, it seemed to Rainpaw that Sootstar herself thought Smokepaw was at risk of being bested by one, too. Rainpaw couldn't stop herself from chirping, "Yeah, if you don't watch out, you might end up with a wicked scar." Amusement flickered across her features before a harder look fell over them. She wanted to joke with her... friend, but, well, it was the clashing viewpoints thing again, plus Sootstar's presence making her a bit nervous. ​

 

[Firefang]

❝Aww the little Tunnelers are actually doing work❞ Firepaw would jest padding her way over to Icepaw and Rainpaw, it’s not as harshly spoken as usual. Aimed at them more then well the competent Tunnelers. It’s still softened at the edges, she doesn’t envy their job truly she was always uncomfortable in those tight squeezes and back when she was still training she’d still been pretty small. If she went down some of the tunnels now she’s sure shed get stuck, not that she really wanted to best leave those decrepit places for the dirt patrol. She can’t help but laugh at Rainpaw’s comment a boisterous gruff sound she doesn’t hold any of her breath back ❝Wicked? Yeah keep calling it that, maybe one day we’ll think that little rabbit wound is impressive. In your dreams anyway!❞ she teases in the ear of the other molly before she lowers herself down to sit. Looking back to the rest of the Tunnelers and shrugging.

❝Well anyway, just wanted to come over and say good luck. The Moor-Runners are rootin’ on ya so try not to get your asses beat by our prey❞
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( PLACE ME IN MY CASKET TONIGHT ; BECAUSE IM ALREADY DYING INSIDE )

 

[curlewnose]

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

Curlew sat up straight and leapt to his paws, scrabbling across the snow towards Badgermoon. He’d known that the time for tunnel-specific hunts would be coming soon, though he was surprised at the tom’s choice to separate him from Rainpaw. "We’ll do our best, Badgermoon," he said, nodding to the larger cat. Maybe if he could impress the deputy, he could talk to him again about how he felt.
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✦ ★ ✦​

 

[Juniperfrost]

"Is that you volunteering to go in the tunnels to work, Firepaw? It certainly sounds like it." One often held their commentary when wishing others good luck. While he himself was not particularly interested in the aspect of tunneler life and even often looked down upon the cats at times, he understood the necessity and he was more than happy to pass the duties to someone else; he couldn't even fit in the damn tunnels let alone be able to work or hunt in them but Firepaw was still growing, they might be able to wedge her in there. "When they bring back prey-" Not if. When. "-I suppose you'll be passing on it then, won't you?" The blue ticked tom honed in on the smaller she-cat with an icy blue narrow of his eyes, while he had no real fondness for any cat-Icepaw had proven herself once already in her task of obtaining herbs from SkyClan during the skirmish and he'd hear no nonsense directed at her. Rainpaw, mouth as she was, had not impressed him yet but Curlewnose seemed fine enough-they would eventually figure out what was expected of them in time.
A careful nod was given to the cats present as he continued on about his tasks. Maybe the area near the gorge would have something today...
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[SNAILSTRIDE]

On paw steps too peppy for WindClan's current environment, the classic tabby strutted closer, finding an empty spot to stand next to Rainpaw. They'd normally be gone by now, finding a spot to sleep out on the moors that sheltered them from both the weather and their mentor's ire, but they'd slept in. Straining a smile, their sapphire eyes flittered over the tunnelers, a little sad they couldn't be among them. They'd figured out recently that the tunnels were decidedly too narrow for the apprentice to be comfortable in, heck, they'd hit their head so many times they were sure they'd gotten a concussion! Firepaw or Smokepaw would likely tell him that that headache had come from simply thinking too hard, and with the memory still fresh in their mind, they eyed the latter sibling briefly before turning their fluffy head towards Firepaw. About to say something, Juniperfrost got his words out before the apprentice could, and consequently, their gaze withered from his friend until they were gawking at the ground instead. He leaned into Rainpaw slightly, at first for comfort, and then to reassure her instead. "Fire's just jealous." They whispered. "Your scar's cool as heck."

Any old mouse brain could get hurt by a cat, but it took a badass to get decked in the face by a rabbit and not end up with a broken head. They didn't know how accurate that statement was, but it felt right to believe - any justification that worked in making Rainpaw's injury a point of pride would be repeated over and over by the apprentice. Gaining a burst of courage, the ashen feline eventually tilted his head upwards again, offering a toothy grin toward the tunnelers. "Good luck! Don't die!"





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[icebreath]

TAGS — Icepaw smiles at her sister by way of greeting and then subtly watches as their leader speaks with Smokepaw, tail lashing idly while she waits for her assigned patrol to assemble. What's it like, being her apprentice? Her friend's so lucky to have such an honor! Not that she doesn't appreciate her own mentor, especially considering how stressful it must be to train under the leader of any clan! Icepaw can imagine the performance anxiety that would doubtlessly plague her.

She's so caught up in her thoughts that she almost misses Sootstar's gaze as it rests on her. A jolt accompanies the eventual realization and her fellow apprentices' pointed conversation fades quickly to the background — Sootstar's smiling. At her! All the little molly can do for a moment is look up at her with a deer-in-headlights expression before they remember to smile back, enthusiasm clear on their grey-toned face.

Firepaw's being obnoxious as usual when she zones back in; Icepaw regards her with judgment in her pale gaze but keeps her mouth shut, knowing better among this many warriors as well as Sootstar herself. Not that she'd have much to say without their looming, collective presence. I'm not gonna let this get my mood down. Everyone's counting on her. Sootstar's counting on her! I bet she's expecting big things from me. She must be so proud of Icepaw for her performance in the raid; if she can keep doing her duties well, she'll just keep garnering her favor!

Juniperfrost's rebuke is a satisfying one, and once again looks at the dark-furred apprentice with subtle smugness — but only after Juniperfrost has moved on. She doesn't want him to consider her immature. "Thanks, guys," she mews in reply to both Firepaw and Snailpaw (even if the former's wish was backhanded). The latter's eagerness is a far more welcome attitude.
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