Windows down on the open road (Patrol assignments)

Patrols, patrols, the never-ending sequence of patrols. Things seemed to be happening so quickly that as soon as he turned around, and it was already time to send WindClanners to the borders again. That was fine by him, though - he liked this part of his job. In fact, he liked pretty much all parts of his job - it beat the hell out of tick-plucking, den-cleaning, or tunneling, after all. The broad-shouldered tomcat made his way out into the center of camp, opting to stand below the Tallrock and ignoring the twinges of discomfort from his torn stomach. He hadn't learned the damn RiverClanner's name who had managed to strike him in his gut, but he comforted himself by remembering the sensation of his teeth sinking through their fur. Mm...crunchy...oh, right. Patrols.

"Gather 'round for your patrol assignments, please." he called out into the morning stillness - it was phrased as a request, but there was a note of firmness in his voice which indicated that it was, in fact, an instruction. "Tigerfrost, please Snailpaw, Sootchaser, Cottonpaw, and Icebreath to patrol our border with ThunderClan." he felt good about that party - loyal warriors and apprentices all, and he hoped that Snailpaw's inclusion would be seen as a sign of faith in the young cat. "Wolfsong, please take Windstrider and Gravelpaw to patrol near the Horseplace...the Twolegs have been quiet. Let's make sure there's nothing going on over there we need to be aware of. I want Sunstride to lead a patrol with Clambite, Adderpaw, and Mintshade along the ShadowClan border. Be careful around the Thunderpath, and remember that ShadowClan has decided they no longer wish to be our allies. That doesn't mean we need to start anything, though...just that we should all be watchful." his face darkened as he mentioned Chilledstar's recent declaration; the thought of it stung. The audacity.

"I myself will be taking Snakepaw, Firefang, Bluepool, and Harrierpaw to the RiverClan border." quite frankly, he didn't trust anyone else - not right now. It was too...delicate. "Tunnelers, I'd like you to take stock of the tunnels and identity any weak points: waterlogged areas due to the coming of newleaf, areas where other creatures may have interfered, root growth, stuff like that." just because he never went down there - and, indeed, could not - didn't mean he didn't think about the tunnels' integrity and potentially tasty contents. Speaking of tasty..."Bring back prey, too, if you can. Sootstar, please take Redrumble, Curlewnose, and Lambcurl." Sootstar was perhaps the most overqualified patrol leader ever, but that couldn't be helped. "Warriors, feel free to bring your apprentices even if I haven't mentioned them here. Oh, and if anyone is too rough out there and reopens their wounds, I'll feed you to Vulturemask."

[ @TIGERFROST @SNAILPAW @SOOTCHASER @cottonpaw @icebreath : to Thunder!
@WOLFSONG @WINDSTRIDER @GRAVELPAW : to the Horseplace!
@SUNSTRIDE @Clambite @Adderpaw @Mintshade : to Shadow!
@SNAKEPAW @Firefang @Bluepool @HARRIERPAW : to River with Badgermoon!
@SOOTSTAR @REDRUMBLE @curlewnose @LAMBCURL. : tunneler-specific patrol to check for weak points & hunt for prey! ]
 
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The deputy’s call for patrols grabs their attention, drawing them away from their strategy-rocks. With a sigh, the apprentice sweeps a paw across their pebbles, set up in an approximation of a battle against ShadowClan. They’re a bit upset that they’re interrupted—WindClan was winning. But they drag themself to their paws anyway, limping their way over to where Badgermoon announces the patrols.

They’re partnered with Wolfsong and Windstrider, two of their favorite clanmates. They look around, searching for familiar blue-patched fur, for a single blue eye. And the three of them are going to the horseplace, a corner of the territory that they don’t find themself in often. With a nod, they set off in the direction of Wolfsong, hoping that the tom is also searching for them.

// small cheering for their 100th post
[ DEATH OF A DREAM ]
 
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Ah, finally! After days of rest and healing, it seems Tigerfrost has finally convinced Badgermoon that he's well enough to travel again, for good or for bad. He hurts, of course. Every part of him aches. But... he would be alright. ThunderClan wasn't exactly hostile toward WindClan, so Tigerfrost is certain that he won't strain his healing injuries too badly. He keeps his chin and tail up, and despite the stinging ache of his wounds, any cat peering at him now would never be able to guess the amount of pain that the Lead Warrior was in.

He gathers his patrol with a lash of his tail, "Alright, come on. Let's hop to it." Tigerfrost speaks thunderously, awaiting the rest of his patrol to gather near him, before he leads them out of camp.
 
Cottonpaw abandons her busywork as soon as Badgermoon calls out to them all. It would be her first patrol, should she be lucky enough to be sorted onto one. And - she is! The first one, in fact! A burst of pride and excitement is hardly contained within her chest as she hops from paw to paw. Her older brother will be joining them, too, as well as Tigerfrost and Snailpaw. Icebreath, of course, is a given - they're her mentor, after all. She judges Badgermoon's patrol skills and gives him a good 'ole A+ for this group.

She lingers by for a little longer in an attempt to be sure that each of her siblings are also being assigned patrols. Adderpaw and Harrierpaw are named for the other border patrols (she notes how she's being sent to the likely nicest Clan of the three - and she hopes her brothers can hold their tongues when necessary.) Moorpaw and Bluepaw aren't vocalized, but their mentors are. Windstrider would surely bring Moorpaw to the horseplace and show her around there while they investigate, and Sootstar wouldn't dare leave her daughter behind as they go to the tunnels.

Again, she feels a tinge of envy. And again, she pushes it away, using Tigerfrost's urging as a means to. She hops closer to the tom and looks out for her mentor, keeping close to their side as the troop carries out of camp.​
 
Life doesn't discriminate
Finally, his very first patrol. He's waited months for this day, and now it was finally here. Adderpaw strides forward at the very mention of his name, coming to gather around those also being assigned to their respective groups. Quietly he listens, expression darkening as he hears the borders he would be sent to patrol. Shadowclan. The fools his mother spoke of. A low huff flutters through his nose, idiots the lot of them. Who in their right mind would turn down a clan as blessed as windclan? "Their loss..." Adderpaw mutters, shaking out his coat as he turns to face his siblings. "Good luck out there, tell what what happened once you come back." He adds, wishing them well with a wave of his tail before turning again in search of Sunstride.
Between the sinners and the saints
 
He is not so far from Adderpaw that it would take long to find him. His gaze has sought the apprentice as soon as their names were first uttered from the deputy's tongue. To return to their norm brings a great deal of comfort to the lead warrior's heart– though they may not undo all of their wounds from that forsaken battlefield, it is well enough that they can step past them. The warrior nudges his apprentice with one gentle paw, calling him closer and away from his siblings, though there is a gleam of pride at his search for knowledge. Though it would not be long until he saw each border for himself, to remain aware of all that happened around the clan would only serve him well. "We must be aware of ourselves as we come to ShadowClan's border. I will tell you more as we approach." Sunstride does not call much attention to himself with the low rumble of his voice, and it is in sharp contrast to when he turns his gaze away from the eager youth.

"We leave as soon as we are gathered!" he calls, bright gaze seeking out the others on his patrol. Only once he has found Mintshade does he cease his watchfulness, nodding the molly closer. "I can gues you will bring Azaleapaw with you?"
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  • ooc: interacting with @Mintshade and adder!
  • SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
    —— cis male, he - him. thirty-six moons old. lead warrior of windclan and 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 at its base 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"
 
Alas, she's missed out on patrols. Redtail doesn't find herself as sad as one might assume she'd be, simply offering a nonchalant shrug to any of her Clanmates whose eyes strayed in her direction. Perhaps she'd find herself hunting, or something of the like to fill her time instead. An inviting breeze blows across the moors today, after all ... Yes, that might be nice.

"Be careful~" She croons to those chosen to go out. Between their recent conflicts with ShadowClan and RiverClan, who knew what trouble might await their warriors.
 

Patrols, patrols, it was her least favorite thing to do and stars above did she dread them everyday. Of course, it was important. She knew that, any fool with sense knew the borders were their priority at all times, second only to being fed but she despised the boring walk, the boring chatter, the irritating presence of the other clans they may have to interact with although briefly. Mintshade didn't care for the entire affair, didn't want to be cordial or polite to what she deemed her enemies but sure. Sure, she'd go with Sunlegs and keep him company, she was sure she was more pleasant to have around than golden boy anyways; certainly more charming too. Her crooked smile spread as she watched the spotted tom approach, equally crooked tail twitching behind her.
"Oh sure, sure! Can bring the brat with-she could use the experience!" Mint green eyes sought for the apprentice around them, wondering where the little blue molly had run off too. Ex-kittypets sure were a pain to keep up with, this one hadn't run away yet though.
"Azaleapaw! We're GOING ON PATROL!" The dark scruffy she-cat huffed, not seeing an immediate appearance and taking offense, "NOW!"

[Ooc]
- Apprentice tag: @Azaleapaw
 

"I'm coming!" She called back to Mintshade as she hurried over. She tried not to snap, and did exceptionally well this time. She had overheard the assignments as she was cleaning the nursery a bit, and once she made the finishing touches on a nest,she rushed over to her mentor.

She hoped they caught someone trespassing. She wanted to bite someone.

Well. She always did, but it was more acceptable if it was an enemy.

She looked up at her mentor. "I'm ready." She said.

She was almost eager to see what kind of banter awaited them at the border.