camp you want me. sulking

Oct 15, 2023
72
12
8
CW Mentions of prey mutilation, blood, and violence

Damnit. Damnit! His teeth ground together at a high frequency, squeaking and clacking viciously. The walk had eased his flames. Rest gave him time to recoup, but Wolfsong's look re-ignited it. It seemed word of his rash decision had already spread like wildfire across the clan. Causing his gut to twist with humility and rage as they patched his wounds up. Thankfully, he came out of the scrap, mostly unharmed other than a few nasty scratches. Not to mention the display had ruffled Sunstride enough to shout something that seemed more and more common these last few moons. A distant snarl echoed in his mind as several eyes stared with dismay into Harbingermoon's mind. What does that fleabag know, anyway? Spitting at the ground, he slunk from the Medicine Den with his dark pelt reeking of herbs and earth.

Shuffling to the prey pile, he sat a few rabbit hops away and began to clean his dirty pelt with vigor. Working out the caked dirt and leaf litter that clung to him after being pushed to the ground. Another heavy flash of red crossed his vision as he growled, nibbling away a particularly stubborn stick. Pulling it loose, he tossed it with unnecessary force and winced as his quick movement caused a scab to crack and bleed a touch. Staining a spot on his neck a pale pink. Near his wit's end, he ignored the stain and awkwardly twisted and marched to the fresh kill pile. Snatching a small rabbit and bringing it to the opposite side of the clearing. Rump faces the gathering cats, moving about their usual early morning duties.

Front half ruthlessly ripping into the small critter and taking greedy gulps of every savory piece. His mind whirled to life with several fantasies leaning towards sneaking into Riverclan and slitting that brute's throat in his nest. Black claws blinded the smug one and coiled the frown into a cry of pain. Each lovely display flickering by his internal judgment and gaining rapid approval. The brutal thoughts slowed his vicious eating to mellow chewing as his orange eyes wandered off into daydreamland.

OOC
Feeling bruised emotionally after getting smacked around by a much larger Riverclanner - Harbinger is seeking sympathy points. Not directly, of course, he'd never stoop so low. (sarcasm) However, he will be embellishing and lying to spare himself the humility. Feel free to have your loyalist hype him up or your non-loyalist shun him for being so rash.
 

❀༉˖° "It's not going to run away from you anymore, you know," came the soft-spoken comment along the wind.

Peonypaw had noticed Harbingermoon's antics, the fury that drove him forward- the engulfing kind to be more precise. He could only fathom the fraction of the emotions the warrior must be feeling; at least partially responsible for the mission's failure, because being present meant he was responsible enough. It was an odd feeling to have hoped for the newly appointed RiverClan leader's demise, but Peonypaw washed it away with the knowledge that he had just been wanting his Clanmates to succeed. Now they'll be getting frogs croaking their glee at the border.

Mistakes were a part of life. Some bigger than others with their consequences, but they were mistakes nevertheless.

He approached Harbingermoon with a bit of apprehension, unsure if he was welcome. "I can help you clean your fur." The offer was a peace offering of sorts; between the two of them so that Peonypaw wouldn't be at danger of getting his nose ripped off, and between Harbingermoon himself and the turmoil. It happened. It sucked. Forget it.

And perhaps-

Maybe next time.
°
 
Azaleafrost watches Harbingermoon absolutely annihilate a piece of prey with little to no emotion. Why cant he have a tantrum in a less messy manner? Besides, he misbehaved at a gathering. He got disciplined. She realizes though, that discipline does not come to these cats. Its only for those deemed lesser than them. So she decides that seeing this tantrum is actually pretty great.

She wants to rub it in, even if things are a lot more..... Precarious.

But when has she ever cared about the feelings of others, aside from her friends?

"Tantrums are usually unbecoming." She says flatly, no sympathy to be found. She does not care for Sootstar's favorites. They seem to mostly be made of cats she didn't like in the first place anyways.

She only gives Peonypaw a cursory glance as he offers to clean Harbingermoon's fur. She holds back a scoff. What, Harbingermoon couldn't clean himself? He's a big tom, he can do it. But she supposes a teeny bit of coddling will calm this unsightly tantrum.

Things were changing in the clan, and she was still figuring out where she belonged in it. It was hard when she hated....Just about everyone, honestly. Perhaps she'll talk to Wolfsong or Mintshade and see what wisdom they have. Regardless of where she ends up though, her attitude is not changing.​
 
After a long outing of hunting, Slatetooth was less than pleased to see Harbringermoon mutilating the piece of prey that someone likely worked hard on catching. What is it with these lunatics and tearing up creatures that were already did. Disrespectful, he thought with a curled lip of disgust.

The tom's rear facing the crowd did little to ward off attention; it wasn't long before Azaleafrost and Peonypaw were speaking to him, one belittling and one comforting. Tantrums are usually unbecoming, said Azaleafrost, and Slatetooth couldn't help but agree. It was Harbringermoon's fault that he started a fight under the full moon truce, and subsequently his own fault that he got humbled and scolded like a kit. "Especially a tantrum over his own mistake," he grumbled in return, careful not to speak too loudly in fear of earning ire of such a bloodthirsty tom. "Best he get over it before he makes a fool of himself - of us - again."




"Speech"

describe the way the sun hit
a tree you saw when you were ten
 


Unsurprisingly, Rattleheart hadn't been called along to be part of the group going to the gathering. That particular realization had been a frustration in the moment, Sootstar's clear favoritism enough to leave him downright speechless at times. Eventually he had gotten over it though, content to simply enjoy the time without some of their leader's most loyal sycophants. That had all been dashed when the group had returned fairly early - evidently things hadn't gone well, if the look on Sunstride's face was anything to go by - and with gossip to share. Not directly to him, considering how many of them hated his guts, but it didn't take particularly long for word of any memorable incident to spread throughout Windclan as a whole.

He'd had a hearty cackle at Harbingermoon's expense when he'd initially heard about what had happened, but this? This was just a pitiful display, the other's sulking somehow further bringing down the already tensed environment of camp. Peonypaw seemed to be offering an olive branch, and Rattleheart considered going over and telling him not to bother, but... no. Peonypaw was his apprentice, but he was also his own cat. He could choose how he dealt with things like this, as long as it didn't seem like he was putting himself in danger. And as big of a kit as the other tunneler was being, one couldn't really imagine him attacking one of their own clan's apprentices.

Instead Rattleheart focused his attention on Azaleafrost and Slatetooth, rolling his eyes as he nodded along with their words. "He's acting as if he didn't just face the consequences of his own harebrained actions. From what I've heard, he'll be lucky if he learns from this before a Riverclanner decides to do even worse." Even when it came to Sootstar's loyalists, Rattleheart didn't believe in them being murdered. But if Harbingermoon intentionally decided to pick fights with Riverclan and ended up paying the ultimate price for it... well, wouldn't he only have himself to blame? At least then they wouldn't have to worry about him destroying prey.
[ PENNED BY EO ]
 

"Don't listen to them. They're flea-brained fools who've never made a mistake themselves. The lot of you aren't all high and mighty you know." Jumping to the defense of a fellow loyalist (despite not being on close terms with them) was something she would not hesitate to do. Everyone makes mistakes at times, and sure it could be embarrassing. Carefully licking the fur on her shoulder, her attention would return to the tom, daggers shooting in the direction of her alleged clanmates, daring them to speak further.

 
( ) "I don't recall any of you being there. So interesting that to speak like you know exactly what happened!" A cold, almost cruel laugh. Hollowcreek seemingly appeared from behind Harbingermoon like a shadow emerged from the wall, his posture straight to add height in his stance. A half-lidded stare looked over those speaking against his friend with clear distaste and if he had any more of a tail it would be lashing like a whip against the air.

"None of you were there as another Gathering came where WindClan was the tail-end of everyones mouth. A scapegoat to all their misery. How long is this Clan supposed to be the forests villain and take their horrid behavior lying down?" Hollowcreek scoffed as he felt his chest fill with smoking clouds.

"WindClan has been repeatedly ridiculed and slandered since Sootstar proved her power. How dare her warrior decide that those who insult us would no longer do so without retaliation." He flicked the dirt off his paw, retaining his cool with a bitter mutter toward Berrysnap. "Not like Sunstride would bother."
( I SEE YOUR COLLARBONE ; AND WANNA LOSE CONTROL )
 
CW Mentions of prey mutilation and blood

Flashes of the past colored the Warrior's mind like the Riverclanner's marks staining his pelt. The smell of marsh and emptiness, an overwhelming sense of abandonment. A thrill of winning and proving himself. The highs of taking control and the lows of scrutiny and being thrown to the streets. This isn't our first go-around, so stop being such an emotional wreck. His claws flexed impatiently at the daunting reminder of his past life. Pulled from his imagination, all the temperatures beneath the tom's pelt rose as cats began to buzz about. Crafting a scene similar to a moth attracted to a flame. Of course, the minute I want any peace. The first to arrive was a paw he hadn't known well, and her remark made him pause mid-chew.

Alas, a dry barking laugh was the answer. Calm down, you've got this. Turning his head to the side, they eyed Peonypaw critically. The observation came back with thoughtful intent, and he dropped his guard a touch. Despite said deflation, the Tunneler's voice held its usual air of gruffness. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm good." Pulling away from the youth, he cast a half-hearted smile in appreciation. Masking his true thoughts mildly. Go away already. They weren't so careless as to chase off a kind gesture, but he wasn't in the mood to be touched. Harbingermoon couldn't allow the flames within to continue bellowing out or his resolve to slip away. Hollowcreek and Berrysnap's resounding defense kicked the splotched feline into action.

Blinking gratefully at them both and pushing down the surprise of the she-cat's sudden support. It was time for damage control, and one way or another, the tuxedo refused to continue being made a joke. Even if that meant lying through his fangs to the ends of the earth. In no time at all, the pause was broken, as he gave the small crowd a neutral look. Holding his teeth tightly together and begrudgingly listening. Don't be a fool. Let them be foolish. You've got an audience of sympathizers. Use it. Instead of entertaining it right away, he chose to sit up straighter. Don't answer anyone directly. Inky paws pushed the remnants forward while his voice dipped low and bitterly to address the remarks. "So quick to judge, hm?" Idly, he plucked off a tuft of brown fur and dropped it, watching curiously as it fell.

Just like this little rabbit. I can destroy them bit by bit. All in the name of Sootstar or some star beings. An idea bloomed pleasantly across his back and chest. He didn't mind sharing credit if it took heat off his hide. Quietly, they cherry-picked small bits of meat with his other paw. Wrapping up the last few bites, he stopped to clean away the marred remains on his chest and face. Putting on an air of cool and collected that had not been present prior. Think about this carefully. Don't give these cowards what they're looking for. Throwing glances in between as he settled. His head lolled towards the opposite side as he drawled out. "No one cares to ask why it happened and always jumps at the first chance to scrutinize." He used the brief cleaning session to gather himself.

Boosting Harbingermoon's deflated confidence towards something more volatile. Even if my methods are unconventional, I will win. These goody-two-paws will crumble at my claws in due time. His mind fell back to the right place and, like a switch, their demeanor began to improve. Pulling the stops, he allowed minimal emotion to infiltrate his verbiage. Scooting closer to his much larger companion's side, he stood proudly and aimed to gently run his tail against Hollowcreek's shoulder. Their ears were no longer lowered, and his tail comfortably swayed.

Happy to play off the spiels already provided. "Especially in situations they weren't there for." The jab is clear as the moon on a starless night despite the saddened warbling. "Damn me for having the gall to defend the honor of my leader and clan." Their expression churned as words were mournfully ground out. "It's such a scornful thing to make an effort, isn't it?" Still, the dark feline meowed robotically with theatrical remorse. "I'll admit blame for making a hasty move, but I will not feel shame. My claws have always been for Windclan." His eyes continued to glimmer with emotion as he buried the magma in his gut.

As Sunstride has done, just say your pretty words and be done with it."We cannot solve some things with words alone, and that joke of a gathering proved it." Had the damned fish brain laid and died there like he was supposed to, we wouldn't be here. Slowly, he roused back to his paws and turned to face the naysayers. He gave a finite huff as he stood taller. Harbingermoon's familiar grin made a damning return and burrowed snarl lines across his maw. I'm better than any of you yellow-bellied leeches. He upturned his nose defiantly as he stared down both Azaleafrost, Rattleheart, and Slatetooth. "Anything else, or do you plan on following me to the dirtplace?" Absently, their bulbous tail lowered as his body began the motion of exiting.

OOC
All opinions are strictly IC!