- Dec 21, 2023
- 121
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Badgerstripe had taken to tending to the medicine cat residents. Two of her closest friends reside inside, and Gentlestorm could use all the help he could get. She cleans, maintains nests, and keeps the patients company; it's the least she can do while she can no longer patrol or hunt efficiently. But of all cats within, there is one in particular that remains untouched and invisible.
Badgerstripe was displeased with any cat who sided with Skyclaw and was granted the mercy to stay. She had yet to really trust Fallowbite again, even if she made the right choice in the end - stars, even her own apprentice was not spared her anger. But Wrathhowl brings a whole new level of discomfort to her. Ever since she learned the culprits behind Pebblestep's death, an image that still stains her mind red, she almost wished she had let Stormywing kill him.
It was his fault that Sleekserpent had acted so wickedly, wasn't it?
For days, she had simply willed the pathetic-looking warrior out of sight and mind. But now, as these revelations course through her mind particularly strongly today, she finds she can no longer contain it. Badgerstripe makes her way over to Wrathhowl pointedly, lugging with her a wad of fresh moss to change his bedding. All good and innocent; to any other, she is simply doing her self-assigned chores. To some, perhaps she is finally seeing forgiveness.
They could not be any further from the truth.
She works at his nest silently at first while a savage anger simmers underneath. A keen eye flicks over to him, examining his face. He looks so pitiful now, so small, so pacified; is that how Pebblestep looked when he convinced Sleekserpent to help kill him? In her umbrage, Badgerstripe tugs a tad too harshly on a bit of bedding, accidentally snagging a bit of the injured warrior's fur with it. She leans her muzzle down close to his ear, as if to apologize. But her words come scathing and venomous.
" Sleekserpent was with you when you and Smokefur killed Pebblestep. You snakes couldn't keep your corruption to yourself? " Nevermind that Wrathhowl was - still is, in her eyes - a mere apprentice, while the former was a grown warrior. If she could see Sleekserpent for anything other than what he was at death, an unapologetic killer, she would. If she could absolve him of guilt, find the hopeful truth that he was coerced or manipulated or forced, she would go to the ends of the earth. Tears ebb at her eyes, and Badgerstripe blinks them away. " My kits will grow without a father, all thanks to you and your crooked traitor friends. "
I could have turned him around. I could have convinced him, she thinks pitifully. He could have listened. Why didn't he listen? Was their hold on him that strong? How could it be Sleekserpent's fault? How could she forsake her and their kits so willingly? She wouldn't - there had to be a reason, a threat, something that forced their paws.. because they wouldn't abandon her for this cause, wouldn't they? And she stares that threatening force in his scarred face now, disgust and hatred and raw grief written plain on her face. If only he could see it.
BADGERSTRIPE ( she/her )
Badgerstripe was displeased with any cat who sided with Skyclaw and was granted the mercy to stay. She had yet to really trust Fallowbite again, even if she made the right choice in the end - stars, even her own apprentice was not spared her anger. But Wrathhowl brings a whole new level of discomfort to her. Ever since she learned the culprits behind Pebblestep's death, an image that still stains her mind red, she almost wished she had let Stormywing kill him.
It was his fault that Sleekserpent had acted so wickedly, wasn't it?
For days, she had simply willed the pathetic-looking warrior out of sight and mind. But now, as these revelations course through her mind particularly strongly today, she finds she can no longer contain it. Badgerstripe makes her way over to Wrathhowl pointedly, lugging with her a wad of fresh moss to change his bedding. All good and innocent; to any other, she is simply doing her self-assigned chores. To some, perhaps she is finally seeing forgiveness.
They could not be any further from the truth.
She works at his nest silently at first while a savage anger simmers underneath. A keen eye flicks over to him, examining his face. He looks so pitiful now, so small, so pacified; is that how Pebblestep looked when he convinced Sleekserpent to help kill him? In her umbrage, Badgerstripe tugs a tad too harshly on a bit of bedding, accidentally snagging a bit of the injured warrior's fur with it. She leans her muzzle down close to his ear, as if to apologize. But her words come scathing and venomous.
" Sleekserpent was with you when you and Smokefur killed Pebblestep. You snakes couldn't keep your corruption to yourself? " Nevermind that Wrathhowl was - still is, in her eyes - a mere apprentice, while the former was a grown warrior. If she could see Sleekserpent for anything other than what he was at death, an unapologetic killer, she would. If she could absolve him of guilt, find the hopeful truth that he was coerced or manipulated or forced, she would go to the ends of the earth. Tears ebb at her eyes, and Badgerstripe blinks them away. " My kits will grow without a father, all thanks to you and your crooked traitor friends. "
I could have turned him around. I could have convinced him, she thinks pitifully. He could have listened. Why didn't he listen? Was their hold on him that strong? How could it be Sleekserpent's fault? How could she forsake her and their kits so willingly? She wouldn't - there had to be a reason, a threat, something that forced their paws.. because they wouldn't abandon her for this cause, wouldn't they? And she stares that threatening force in his scarred face now, disgust and hatred and raw grief written plain on her face. If only he could see it.
( ooc ) @WRATHHOWL obligatory ic opinions <3
