camp When we were kids in the backyard - open, daydreaming.

[milkthorn.]

fast, four hundred on the dash
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Memories flooded the toms head, images of his sister playing with him. Milkstar, and his loyal deputy BlossomLeaf. They would race across the camp, their forms laughing in shouting of giggles, pretending that a patrol entering camp was a band of foxes invading them. "Windclan, attack!" His screech would echo, giggling as the patrol responded according to their own deciders. But those days as a kit seemed long gone, his chin resting on his white paw, and a grimace on his face.

He acknowledged the fact that his sister would rather ignore him. Fall into their parents controlling nature, and sending softened glares, as if just keeping the image for them. They were fowl, and so badly, he just wanted someone to care for him. Be proud of him. He remembered Badgermoons recent praise during training with Dewmist as what seemed to him like a vicious battle, was not as quickly won as he hoped. That praise though, it filled his heart with pride, yet Badgermoon was not his parent. And that, is why he believed it just wasn't enough.

His eyelids half closed, his tail flicking behind him. As they were named to apprentices, they ran to her, licked her head and congratulated her. But even then, nothing came his way. He understood, he'd rather be a trouble maker, than to carry the weight of being a respectable apprentice. It was boring to be plain and simple. But he wished their was an inbetween. He wanted a family one day, he had decided on that. Children and a mate that, well, cared about him and he could return that care. He just wanted to be accepted, but it was not that easy for the apprentice.

He wanted to be a strong warrior of Windclan, and he was working hard for it, but was it seen? Would one day, he be able to be accepted into Sootstars ranks of council that he desperately wished to be apart of? Though, they were unspoken daydreams. Sootstar scared the living shit out of him. How could he gain the mollies trust, if not by being that upstanding windclan warrior. Not even harmless pranks were tolerated it seemed, and the idea of being sent back to the nursery was enough for the apprentice to simply lay here instead of striving to have that fun, even late in the day as now. The sunset basked over the camp, and his icey hues would watch others in almost... envy.

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thought speech​

 

[WOLFSONG]

── .∘°°∘. ── Dazzlepaw had a sister who seemed to earn their parents' affection far more readily than Dazzlepaw himself. Wolfsong has not had reason to interact with the remains of the family after Dazzlepaw's loss in the tunnels, but he does wonder, on occasion, whether they miss him, if his death has sparked a regret that will not extinguish until they are gone from this world as well. Ultimately, it is not his business; he will not poke and prod clanmates to grieve openly, and certainly not on the behalf of someone no doubt in StarClan, far removed from approval most of all.

Perhaps Wolfsong would be more inclined to do so if Dazzlepaw weren't such an ass while he was alive. Wolfsong knows he may have done so as a cry for attention, but he and Sunstride had given him that and found it unwanted. He has resolved that he will not raise his children to be so neglected they misbehave for even negative attention.

They are quite active in his belly at the moment, and he finds himself walking idly through camp to quiet them, introducing them to a world they will know soon. It is then that he notices Milkpaw, with a rather telltale green quality to his stare, directed at passersby. "What cloud has stolen your thoughts?" He asks, knowing better this time than to insinuate the apprentice faces some emotional toil.
​

WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 36 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTRIDE (07/05/2023). BIOGRAPHY, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.

medicinal expertise med. part ii med. part iii med. part iv

• — ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge. — ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know— he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
• — ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel." — ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
• — ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you. — ☆☆☆☆☆ KITTING: He doesn't remember what it was like to be born. Coincidentally, that is the extent of his familiarity with kitting. At least he won't leave you without moral support.
• — ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you. — ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.

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[SUNNVAR]

Like Wolfsong, Sunstride finds a lesson in the apprentices around them. The error of their ways becomes his guidance; their mistakes, the ones he will not make. Each sunrise their kittens grow ever-closer, and the anxiety he feels has not begun to fade. Worrisome and nibbling, it bleeds his insides in shades of melancholic blue and snaps of violent, sickening green. It has begun to knot and tangle. Distance assuages his worries some. He is less bothered by the possibilities when he understands that he is in many ways, far better already than some others within this camp. Even without the knowledge of Milkpaw's upbringing, the warrior has certainly seen its results.

A tumultuous youth who did not seem capable of settling. One who was precocious, and thought highly of himself. Like Wolfsong, he will not see his children raised in such a manner. In fact, if there is anything they may do to settle it in this one as well– he does not step in as he once had, but sees fit to intervene nonetheless. Not with an offering of kindness, however. "There is always work to be done, should you find your mind and paws in need of occupation."

＞ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES ╱ REFERENCE ╱ 07.10.2023 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚𝘖𝘔𝘌 𝘈𝘚 𝘓𝘐𝘍𝘌 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘗𝘖𝘐𝘚𝘖𝘕 〙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, monogamous. mate to wolfsong from 07.05.2023.  npc x npc, no larger family.
  —— has recently regained some of his earlier lightness, but maintains his steady facade.
  
  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"

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[PEONYBREEZE]

✿ — Peonypaw all but drags himself over the sandy floor of camp, neck kept at a low level as if stalking prey. Lately his posture had gotten worse, a vast contrast to the neat way he always carried himself with just a few moons prior. At the very least his usual frown still sits upon his face without intent of leaving anytime soon.

His eyes narrow as he glances this way and that way, really only to avoid bumping into someone and cause a fuss as a result. That's how he meets Milkpaw's own, and Peonypaw is no stranger to that faraway, distracted look.

Of course, the adults are quick to jump on to that. Peonypaw snorts at Sunstride's comment without any further addition.

"What? What is it?" Peonypaw opts to address Milkpaw directly. Maybe the only answer he'd get is a haphazard oh, nothing, nothing, but the possibility of Milkpaw actually saying what's got him looking so damn mad is too good to pass up.
​

 

[Badgermoon]

On the one hand, Badgermoon understood the need for time to oneself: time to think, even if thinking wasn't necessarily his strong suit. Sometimes one just needed to sit and dwell on things. He himself did much of his pondering at night, staring up at Silverpelt, praying that he still held StarClan's favor. On the other...the sight of an apprentice simply lounging about made his paws itch. Or, at least, it usually did. Milkpaw was a bit of a special case - his mentor's ornery temperament granted him a certain amount of leeway, at least in Badgermoon's eyes. The bright-coats of WindClan had already prodded somewhat at the young tom, and Peonypaw had joined them with a degree of slumped sluggishness that surprised him. Not wishing to crowd Milkpaw - but finding that his curiosity demanded to be sated - the deputy opted to linger nearby, cleaning the backs of his white-tipped ears in attentive silence. The fading light made the black swathes of his coat gleam and accentuated his yellow eyes, which flicked between his own paws and the little group around Milkpaw.​

 

[milkthorn.]

fast, four hundred on the dash
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Wolfsong approached first. A small smile met his lips as he lifted his head. He liked the tom, even if there was few interactions with him. A tinge of worry did often pass through the boy as this sickness threatened the pregnant tom and he consistently worked through it. But he was strong, and he seemed smart. Smarter than the apprentice at least. Moons of knowledge reached that head of his though. He didnt understand the distaste some of the apprentices had for him, however. He was unique, different. And perhaps that was why. He didn't know, and didn't care enough to press for answers. Everyone had their opinion. His mouth would open, before snapping shut as Sunstride approached.

His gaze bore into him, telling him there was more to do. A grimace reached the pale toms face, teeth gritting to prevent the words he wished he could say. He was never good thinking about his words or actions, and his outbursts were common. But the nursery punishment took a toll on the boy. He was trying. He had trained until past sun high. He had went on a patrol, and then returned to help the queens. Which he wasn't even asked to. What did Sunstride expect him to do this late in the day? He just wanted to rest.

But it wasn't enough. His confidence sprung because there was no one but himself who had to believe in him. As much as he wanted others to believe in him too. He wanted them to see him as... something. And maybe it wouldn't change over night, but even as he tried so hard, the glares, the whispered words, it would make some beaten down. But those feelings he shoved back down. There was no winning. And he accepted this. "I am only trying to rest after a long day of doing what i need to do to be, one day, a successful warrior. I understand you may not have seen it, and i do not need to repeat my actions of the day to feel i deserve a few minutes of rest." He had moved to his haunches at this point, paws pushing up as the stocky apprentice decided these words were the best that he could muster. And if Sunstride took it out of context, thats his own damned fault. At least, for once he had decided to think before he spoke. "But if you really want to hear them, i suppose i wouldn't have a choice."

Peonypaw approached next, looking intent with wolfsong on what the boy was thinking about. "I was.. well, imagining myself with a family. What the future could possibly hold." He would skip the part about feeling as though it would make him feel better to have someone care about him. He was mopey, but he was not trying to take others pity on him. Complaining did no justice. "Wondering the possibilities and probabilities of what it means to make this good warrior that i strive to be one day." To be accepted, to be looked up to, to not be looked down upon as he was now. because right now, im not where i want to be.

He felt he was justified enough. But maybe, maybe he was just not doing enough. Maybe Sunstride was right. Perhaps- no he must not fall into the trap of the mind. He was doing enough, his paws were sore, just as everyone had said to do. Or so he heard. So many worked till their paws were sore. Flexing them, his gaze dropping to them, no longer as small as they once were. His body was growing, and he had to let his mind grow too. And though he still felt like a child at heart.. to act as one was... looked down on.

He felt miserable, but he'd just have to continue pretending everything was just fine. So his gaze lightened, and hed look up to the two he actually cared to talk to. "Do you guys think of the future and what is to be?"

​

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thought speech​