WATCHING ╱ IN ROSES ´ˎ˗

[SUNNVAR]

There had been a time not so many moons ago that Sunstride would have been grateful to remain away from the Gathering. It was a strange occurrence, to speak kindly with his enemies– temporary peace did not suit him, even still. But he had grown to see it as a chance for information and understanding, to see what truly lies beneath the other warriors' hides. So too it is an opportunity to protect those that went. A band of tunnelers worries him. Should the others not respect StarClan so much as to stay their claws, recent troubles may come back with violence. She should have taken more of them. But the night wears on and those selected depart, Sootstar at its head. He nods to those that depart, and remains there, just outside the exit of their camp, and watches until they are well and truly gone.

This is the delight of their moorland. The flat length of it, filled with faintly rippling grass, allows a line of sight that extends far to the horizon. He could see any that come for them; even if they could see him as well. Beneath this clear sky and its twinkling stars, nothing comes for them. Small, hazy clouds drift in the distance, yet do not blot out the light of the moon. Its clear light shines upon them still, and Sunstride is all the more anxious for it. He sighs softly, but does not comment until approaching pawsteps stir him some. Without looking to see who might join him, he murmurs, "Do you worry for them as I do?"

＞ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES REFERENCE 05.28.2023 〙ˊˎ＜

• ooc: this takes place during the gathering!

• 

• SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
  —— cis male, he - him. approx. 40 moons old. lead warrior of windclan + former rogue.
  —— gay, but somewhat closeted. will not be open about his interests.  single, will be so.
  —— seems comparatively stranger than who he was some moons ago, serious and cool.
  
  sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond its borders, with fur that flames red and deepens to a burnt amber with every whorl and stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of him.

• "speech"

​

 

[HOUNDTHISTLE]

"BECAUSE COWBOY DAN'S A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE COWBOY SCENE"​

---

The one who approaches is perhaps one Sunstride wouldn't be glad to see, but Houndthistle nonetheless makes his way toward the russet tom, lumbering form moving at a comfortable pace before he inhales and sits himself down near the other, single eye looking off toward the horizon where the others had left. His pelt prickles, knowing that the clans currently have their own outnumbered and if they decided to truly damn everything that Starclan said, then Windclan may be in trouble... and the idea of losing anymore clanmates made his stomach knot tight in his gut.

His ears prick at Sunstride's murmur and the large tom nods solemnly. "Always" He responds, voice hollowed and low, ground through the gravel thick in his chest. He inhaled deep, breathing in the night-time scents deep into his lungs before exhaling lowly through his nose. "I'd give anythin' to be there to watch ove'em."

---

"speech"

---

OOC CURRENT STATS INTERACTION RULES

• text
• Physical Health
  
  68%
  ⤷ left eye is blinded, deep bite wound and claw marks in chest, stomach, face, and shoulders. Currently offscreen healing thanks to Wolfsong and Vulturemask
  Mental Health
  
  98%
• 
  Single | Bicurious | Not actively looking | Interested in none currently
  
  Houndthistle is both an easy one to gain the trust of and impossible to gain the trust of. He'll rarely reveal personal information or be vulnerable-if he's even capable of such things-but he will show trust in his willingness to lay his life down. To gain it, he needs evidence that you're loyal and strong, same as him, otherwise he understands he may one day have to come head to head with you.
  
  — will start fights / will not flee / will not show mercy
  — excels at Fighting, Tracking, Following Orders, Intimidation
  — poor at climbing, swimming, stealth, talking, strategy, politics
  — sounds like: deep, gravelled and thick with a sort of country accent / Arthur Morgan
  — smells of iron, leather, and wood
  — speech is #435E75

​

 

[RATTLEHEART]

It's a struggle, watching Sootstar and her chosen group of cats disappear off towards Fourtrees. Normally Rattleheart would remain within the dip in the moors that made up the main camp, giving a cursory nod in the direction of those that had been chosen as they filed out. This time though, she found herself in a similar position to Sunstride, watching the entire group from the outside of camp until they truly vanished from her view. She worried for them all, although she couldn't deny her primary anxiety was focused on Scorchstreak's attendance. It still seemed so soon after welcoming her kits into the world, not to mention her position as a lead warrior making her a prime target for anyone at the gathering that wanted to truly stir up some trouble.

She's tearing up grass between her claws when she hears Sunstride's voice, followed by the low rumble of Houndthistle's. She hopes her own concern isn't written clear as day on her face when she approaches, but she's sure the slight clench to her jaw likely doesn't help. Her own voice is slightly weak when she speaks, hoping her words may bring some comfort to others in the same position as her. "Starclan will watch over them all for us... and failing that, Sootstar will make sure they're all safe. I'm sure of it." Although was she, really? She'd had her doubts about Sootstar's motivations ever since she'd met the other, but she did know at least one thing. Sootstar's pride wound never allow her to suffer another defeat this soon, especially not at the paws of clans meant to be joined together at a peaceful gathering. And that was comfort enough, for now.
​

[ PENNED BY EO ]​

 

[EAGLEPAW.]

WHEN A HEARTBREAK, NO IT DON'T BREAKEVEN​

---

"yes."

they flattened their ears on their head as they walked over, looking at the warriors with a blink. eaglepaw didn't exactly trust that they wouldn't be okay. with all the trouble that windclan so liked to cause... who was to say that the other clans wouldn't retaliate? eaglepaw wouldn't have even blamed them. still... they were only following orders. they didn't deserve to be hurt. they didn't deserve any more pain than they were given. they prayed to the stars that they would have some mercy.

"i hope that they're gonna... come back okay."

there is a certain level of worry in their chest. they can't help but feel scared but they can't do anything. everyone that is going to the gathering is gone. starclan, please watch over them. they truly are not bad cats.
​

 

[WEASELCLAW]

Weaselclaw sits beside Sunstride, distant gaze trained on the sinking moon. Had he heard his spotted co-lead warrior’s thoughts, he’d have readily agreed. His mate and one of his kits are in attendance with a bunch of tunnelers, and although he knows they’re well-trained, none of them have tasted the battle the moor runners have. After the last moon—after Sootstar dying to a ShadowClan warrior’s claws, after Cottonpaw being cut up by RiverClan cats—he feels they could not have afforded such a small Gathering party.

He wishes, more than anything, that he could have gone with them—if only to ensure their safety.

The tabby listens to his Clanmates ponder. Sunstride and he are clearly thinking similar thoughts, for he asks those gathered if they worry as he does. Weaselclaw murmurs, “Sootstar is capable, but I don’t trust the rest of them. Someday they may all descend upon WindClan together… and then what?” It’s a fear he wouldn’t have uttered in previous moons, for as Rattleheart says, StarClan had been there to guide him.

Now, he flinches in the face of their cursed name. StarClan has harmed his kits. StarClan has killed his mate and abandoned her in darkness upon her death. StarClan. StarClan.

He doesn’t realize he’s gnashing his teeth together until the chatter dies. Houndthistle and Eaglepaw, too, have confirmed Sunstride’s worries. He adds, because he feels he should, “I doubt that will happen, though. I doubt they would… defy StarClan.”

It tastes sour on his tongue as he says it.
​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

 

[GRAVELSNAP]

Settling beside Houndthistle—and of course, beside the others as well, but none of them are as comfortable to him as his mentor—the young warrior frowns at the thought of his clanmates going to the gathering without him. He didn’t particularly enjoy the gathering he’d gone to, the one right after Smogmaw had trespassed, had threatened Sootstar with promise of a coordinated attack to wipe WindClan out. That tense night lingers in their memory often, especially on nights when they find themself unable to sleep. The others around them discuss their fears for the gathering, but Weaselclaw makes a good point. Would the other clans defy StarClan so?

Yes. Yes, they would. ThunderClan and SkyClan have been ankle-deep in the mud of the first rule of the warrior code for months. ShadowClan has trespassed time and time again. RiverClan not only trespassed, but dragged Juniperfrost across the border to beat him until he joined the stars. "The other clans don’t care for StarClan’s will," they say, their teeth gritted, bared in a snarl, "not like Sootstar does." Their leader had only just returned from a fight in which she was killed. But StarClan brought her back. StarClan put their faith in the blue-furred queen, and they picked her broken body off the ground and set her back upon her feet. Back upon her throne.

StarClan didn’t do the same for Briarstar. Or Pitchstar. Or Emberstar. They allow their comment to hang in the air, but they hope that Sootstar and StarClan will defend their warriors at the gathering.​

[ you put the fun into dysfunction ]​

​

 

[SUNNVAR]

He is far from alone in his worries. That is both a comfort and a concern. The first to join him brings a swell of conflict within his chest that the others are quick to soothe away. His awkward shifting astride the hulking tomcat is quick to change into irritation, and then acceptance. Though he may not consider him a close friend, Rattleheart's sudden presence brings peace. It was their own sibling that had gone to this gathering, after all. If there is anyone to be worried for her, it was Rattleheart. He blinks at the smaller feline in silent sympathy, though he cannot speak on StarClan's strength in this moment. Their ancestors are familiar upon his shoulders at this point, yet distant even still. They do not care for him as they might for the others. They do not know his blood the way they know the taste of those who had fought in their great battle. It had also been StarClan's will that they lose their fights, that their leader should return to camp limping with death upon her heels.

It is not as helpful as they might have hoped, and even still Sunstride nods along his understanding and acceptance. StarClan would protect her. Even if it did not fend off the other clans, even if it offered them the same boons and suffering that WindClan received– they must know what they are doing. He sighs slowly and uncomfortably, gently shaking his head. "All we may do is stand guard here and hope that they will return soon. And that those who went remain on their guard." He stands and flicks his tail to the entirety of the group. "Come, we may as well make our rounds nearest to camp while we are out. I do not trust them not to attack here, while our strength is distracted."

＞ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES REFERENCE 05.28.2023 〙ˊˎ＜

• ooc: —

• 

• SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
  —— cis male, he - him. approx. 40 moons old. lead warrior of windclan + former rogue.
  —— gay, but somewhat closeted. will not be open about his interests.  single, will be so.
  —— seems comparatively stranger than who he was some moons ago, serious and cool.
  
  sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond its borders, with fur that flames red and deepens to a burnt amber with every whorl and stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of him.

• "speech"

​