𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄 ╱ 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 09.2024

[SUNSTAR]

✧₊⁺ ️️️ ️️╱ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ With the news he had shared at the Gathering still lingering on the back of his mind, it is strange to stand above his clanmates. From this ledge they seem kit-like: small, and in need of guidance. A harsh contrast to the lives they had lost, and those they would still lose. (He feels as bad a leader as a father, in this moment. But he claws at his twisting heart and undoes its knots until he can breathe deeply and settle.)

The call for a meeting typically falls quickly from Sunstar's mouth once he has ascended. From the moment his paws settle at the top, some of his clanmates begin to linger close. Waiting. When his words don't come, there is unease. All he feels content to do is look upon them and memorize their distant faces. How many in StarClan still looked down upon him? Did they blame him for their deaths? Were they happier there than they had been amongst their living kin? Did they not promise an eternity of safety and love? Once their time upon this moorland was finished, they were to be happy. That is not so unlike what was once promised to him.

(Would they let him wander both lands?)

Deliberately, the sun-kissed leader shakes this from his mind. His whole pelt shivers like a dog's before he edges closer, solemn gaze upon his clanmates. The tension begins to dissipate as routine comes back to them. "Let all who are old enough to race the moors gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!" Once they have settled, he turns to look upon wheaten fur, gleaming beneath the midday sun. "Wolfsong, I ask you to speak to the clan: how are our ill faring?"

𝐈 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐒 ╱ ️️️ ( 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝗕𝐀𝐃 𝐃𝐎𝐆 ) ️️️ ️️️ ⌞06.17⌝ 🟒ᨒ

• 

  ✧₊⁺ ️️️ ️️╱ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ OOC. shoutouts will come in my next post! sorry for the break in routine. i wanted to try something new!

  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑. SUNSTRIDE. SUNNVAR.
  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ MASC ️️️ & ️️️ AMAB, ️️️ HE – HIM – HIS.
  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ SECOND LEADER OF ️️️ WINDCLAN.
  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ NINE LIVES: ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆̴͖̻̌͛ ⋆̵̼͈̐̿̓̏͝ ⋆̶̬́̀

• 
  a large chocolate and white rosette tom with seaglass eyes. the first thing many see when looking at sunstar now is not his proud posture or boxy build, but the scarred stump that remains of his front left leg. a wound that would have killed most other cats took one of his lives; not even starclan could repair it.
  
  
  a rogue brought to windclan in a search for greatness, one of sootstar's most loyal warriors turned into her downfall. with a mate and kits to worry about, and now nine lives from starclan with a missing limb, windclan's leader has much to prove.

• "speech"

​

 

[WOLFSONG]

──ᨒ↟↟ᨒ↟ᨒ↟↟ᨒ── He does not feel well when Sunstar calls the clan to gather. It is easy to brush it off as simple fatigue caused by frequent treks between camp and the badger set, as well as attempts to scour for any lungwort defying the still-warm weather. Wolfsong sighs and lifts a paw to briefly scratch at his chin before moving to take his customary position. He can be glad that, for the time being, none of their sick have died; after their recent losses of Bluepool, Lilypaw, and Rattleheart, deaths that could have been avoided if different decisions were made.

Fate, he supposes. It has been too long since he has given its power credence without simply railing against it.

He startles slightly when his mate addresses him, unprepared for the request— and his exhaustion has muddled his senses, it seems. Wolfsong straightens under the burden of their gazes and clears his throat. When he speaks, his usual rasp is perhaps a touch rougher. "Lungwort has been given. Lungwortkit is well on her way to recovery, and the others are sure to follow— with Celandinepaw's help." He blinks, then blinks again. "We have not lost any of our clanmates to yellowcough, stars be praised. But we are not free of it yet; do not..." Wolfsong frowns. "Do not shrug away any sudden aches, coughs, or tightness in your chest."
​

WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 46 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTAR (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: Thanks to Starlingheart and his own pregnancy, he's better prepared for the arrival of kits, but any complications will need a little faith and a lot of luck.
• — ★☆☆☆☆ 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.

​

 

[dimmingsun]

Sunstar decisively calls for another meeting, but unlike the usual, he does not begin immediately. Those ever-expressive eyes scout the quickly gathering crowd beneath the Tallrock — how he manages that while also keeping most of his turmoil hidden is beyond understanding —, and he makes them all wait. Dimmingsun wishes he had someone nearby to exchange a glance with... but Scorchstreak has never been a fan of him, Bluefrost is too far for his thoughts to arrive in time, Periwinklebreeze is even further, and...

Rattleheart and Slateheart's departures from the council, one willing and the other unwilling, turns Sunstar's council into an airy thing. Dimmingsun feels strangely alone.

At last, Sunstar speaks; spares Dimmingsun from dwelling too deep within his thoughts. It scarcely ends well.

Wolfsong appears as surprised as any of them. He sits straighter up, collects himself, and Dimmingsun feels a definitive sting of sympathy for the tom. The job of medicine cats is never easy... but it is even harder when one has to deal with the loss of a capable partner and forced to train another, all amdist a bout of sickness. Thank the stars Dimmingsun has been spared from it all... if he had to stay idle and battle loss of breath again, he would certainly go a little bit mad.

"She's doing good, then?" Dimmingsun feels the need to ask, approval and pride glittering within his eye as he regards Wolfsong. "I'm glad you have someone to help you." Guilt does not evade him upon his own words. Cottonsprig should be that someone... but a replacement had been a requirement, and he beams with unbashed pride at his former apprentice's talents.
​

 

[Brackenpaw]

Another meeting, at this point she was expecting some kind of bad news to get thrown their way once again. That seems to be a running theme, reluctantly she gathers alongside clanmates. Eyes looking up at Sunstar standing upon the Tallrock, trying to gauge any particular expression flicker across his face. It seems that so far he doesn’t immediately jump into bad news, a first. Or maybe there is bad news coming and he’s throwing Wolfsong under the metaphorical monster so the medicine cat can face the brunt of a clan's anguish. Or ire. It could be a mix between the two.

Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be the case. Wolfsong for the most part only has good news, she sighs in relief that so many seem to be in recovery. They’re thankful that concerns over Celandinepaw’s capabilities had been misplaced. She hopes that means that everyone will be back to camp, even those that she wasn’t particularly fond of, it was strange without seeing those faces around camp. She had found herself more lonesome these days with her friends kept in the badger set too, it was a little eye opening to her. Despite how much she tried to avoid self realisations like that, it seemed unavoidable at this point.

They glance at Dimmingsun curiously, oh right Celandinepaw had been his apprentice before she joined Wolfsong. Brackenpaw guessed that made sense for him to be enquiring so much about how she was doing. Did he feel lonesome too? Without an apprentice by his side they assumed so. “So things are looking like they’ll be okay?” She understands they’re not free of it yet, that it only takes a few more patients for things to potentially turn to the worst. But for right now she wanted to cling to hope, and that was evident by the timidness in her tone, she was many things but Brackenpaw would not describe themself as timid.

---

‎‎ ‎┌── Im just a dog ⸙ with no bite ──┐‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

• 
  ooc.
  
•  
• Brackenpaw
  ✩ they/she, tunneler apprentice of Windclan, 10 moons (ages on the 22nd)
  ⭃ a lithe and fragile looking calico that looks like they still need to grow into her ears
  ⭃ Speech, thoughts, attacking
  ⭃ NPC x NPC, mentored by Bluefrost
  ⭃ easy to befriend other kits, gradually harder to befriend every rank after that
  ⭃ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ⭃ penned by Juice ↛ @/ouijeejuice on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
  ⭃ All opinions are IC!! Bracken is a little hater
  

​

 

[downyfur]

Most of all, Downyfur wonders how Celandinepaw is doing. Creatures like Sunstar and Wolfsong seemed to have been born with tragedy on their backs, or at the very least with shoulders broad enough to carry it. Their newest medicine cat apprentice was cut from a different cloth, or maybe it was just that the rest of them were cut from stone instead. She's sunshine, if they were to put their paw on it. Light and warm, welcoming too, but that's all there was. Too much time has passed since they last sat down and shared a meal together, but if Wolfsong says she's of substance, then Downyfur would leave her to it.

""Do not shrug away any sudden aches, coughs, or tightness in your chest," Wolfsong advises, and Downyfur tightens their puffy tail around themself. They know he isn't talking about the ephemeral, stubborn tightness of memory, vague ideas of rogues seizing upon their weakness once more, or another thunderous fracture through their skeleton of a clan.

"Praise be to StarClan," they softly echo. There's not much else to say; they're not as optimistic as Dimmingsun, nor as audacious as Brackenpaw despite their sudden bout of timidity. Besides, as far as questions went, these were useless. Wolfsong had clearly implied Celandinepaw's utility, and any leader worth their tongue would find a way to avoid crushing the hope of the youth. Still, Downyfur can't blame them for asking.​

 

[GRAVELSNAP]

➴➴ The past month has been harsh, nearly unbearable. Fleeting, ill-advised contact with his mate has left Gravelsnap feeling hollow, as though they have been emptied of life. They are the moorland, freshly razed by flame. They have grown too attached, they know—the idea of Peri wasting away in that cold, uncaring badger sett makes their chest ache danerously—but they cannot bring themself to stop. They finally know love, and losing it now is better than never having it at all. They only have to cling to the hope that their family, the one they have chosen, will survive this plague for a second time.

They come meandering over at Sunstar’s call, their dark tail flickering behind them with interest. The leader calls to Wolfsong, ushering the healer to speak up, and Gravelsnap’s gaze turns to golden fur. The medicine cat urges them all to continue reporting any health issues that they notice, and assures them that their clan’s ill have all received the life-saving lungwort. "When will they be well enough to rejoin us?" The warrior speaks up without hesitation, uncaring of whose words they may interrupt. Their nest is cold—empty. They want it filled again.

➼ maybe i’ve done enough

• ooc: —
• 
  GRAVELSNAP ❯❯ they/he, moor runner of windclan
  ⭃ average-sized black and white warrior who seems smaller than he is. speaks rarely and quietly.
  ⭃ mate to periwinklebreeze ; sibling to slateheart
  ⭃ mentoring sheeppaw ; formerly mentored thriftfeather
  ⭃ peaceful and healing powerplay is allowed, but they hate physical contact & will lash out if not close friends / family
  ⭃ penned by foxlore

​

​

 

[milkthorn.]

Since Lungwortkit arrived, and the sickness throughout his clan began to spread, the tom found himself further away- more detached. Since his sisters death, he found himself already fearing attachment; not wanting to see someone he cared about laying bloody, their eyes frozen open with distant fear in them. (He had to blink away these thoughts, this memory.) His paws ached, not fearing of the long journey, but antsy it may have to occur again. Antsy to get a move on while his mind was ahead of the game- it took two moons, two moons before the clans returned.

And before he could think or even hesitate, the tom stood up to see Wolfsong better - to let his voice travel. "I understand they're getting better- but.. must we make this journey again or can you ensure we will survive this? It would not be a hindrance to me, I would rather we survive then find ourselves shit out of luck and It to be too late. I remember the path, Wolfsong." His large paws began to knead the dirt, uneasy, his heart thudding as he remembered the dogs and the first sacrifice he was willing to put to himself to hold the dogs back; the water drowning his lungs before Riverclan selflessly saved the warriors that fell off, the falling of rocks and the way he helped support Icicle fang before Stormywing took over.

It was not an easy journey, but it was fruitful. And he couldn't imagine the position he'd be in if he hadn't been chosen to go. (Or the smugness he felt that he was chosen over Snakehiss.)

​

 

[SUNSTAR]

✧₊⁺ ️️️ ️️╱ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ Wolfsong assures the clan that they will survive, that they will recover, but the voices grow louder with questions — some of which there can be no answer to. He shakes his head at Milkthorn's request, stepping closer towards the edge of the rock. "We know the path to treatment this time. Our sick are safe, and so too will our clan be. We will not need to journey again." If it came to such, he would barter and beg with the other clans. ThunderClan has remained friendly for some moons; even with their silence at the gathering, surely WindClan could rely on them in times of urgency. Surely at least one of the leaders would not stand to see WindClan truly scoured from the land. "Once we are certain that their ailments will not spread, our clanmates will return. Should more of our kits fall ill, bring them to Wolfsong's den."

Today, at least one of the littlest leaves that vulnerable place. Of this, he can be grateful. Only one for now. Too many more in need of one month past; too many not quite prepared. The juxtaposition of memories, the passage of time– for a moment, he is Sunstride again, standing at Sootstar's side as she sends their warriors to the mountain. It had not been kindness then. It still would not be now. "Too many of Rattleheart's litter have fallen ill. Of them, only @bunnykit is to be apprenticed today. When the others have recovered. . ." When, and not if. "They will join us here."

"For now. . . you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forward, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Bunnypaw. @SEDGEPOUNCE will teach you all that you must know of WindClan, and our warrior code. I trust that he will teach you well." Sedgepounce, too, had gone on the journey. Stood for all five of the clans in his search for a cure. In times such as this, it seems appropriate to honor his courage and his knowledge both.

An odd wistfulness lingers upon the warrior until it tears abruptly away. "And while we stand here today, there are those among our apprentices who need another to finish guiding them through their apprenticeship. @Brackenpaw, @Lakepaw., and @SILKENPAW — step forward." Each of them nearing the age of warriorhood now, but none quite there. He looks first to Bluefrost's apprentice, pernicious in her questioning. At times, that is just what WindClan needs. It does not always stir him to confidence in her. "With Bluefrost in the nursery, we will need another tunneler to finish Brackenpaw's training. I feel it only fit that @SCORCHSTREAK is the one to do so. Her knowledge will build upon all that your mentor offered you."

"Lakepaw. With Sparkspirit's disappearance, you too are in need of reassignment." His eyes find Milkthorn even before his mouth follows suit. "@Milkthorn, as another who led our clan through the journey, I trust that you will teach him all that he needs to succeed as a moor runner of our clan. Pass down all that you know to him." So few moons ago he had been an apprentice himself. Yet now they stand as warriors fit to lead another, to guide their next generation into a life better than the one that they had. The thought is as pleasant as it is terrible. (Would it still be WindClan, if it were a safe place?)

A breath. "And Silkenpaw–" The warrior hesitates sharply, his words settling upon his tongue like jagged knives that sear the tender flesh. He looks on her, knowing there is safety in her own sightless eyes. Though his clanmates will see his expression (all of the uncertainty, the wariness), the apprentice at least does not. "Though I know that you seek a life above the moors, your skills suit the tunnels in a way that I and my council cannot ignore. You will finish your training beneath @STOATSPOT's guidance. I know that you will excel here."

If he left it there, perhaps this meeting would have ended on a high note. Instead, the weight of the air only grows heavier on his shoulders. His claws dig subtly into stone until the itching crack reaches his ears and Sunstar forces them to subside. Glacial eyes sweep the crowd until they land upon Buck. A loner, by all accounts. A stranger who they nursed to life twice over: both times, against the leader's sour judgement. He had spoken aloud that he wished to remain here. The open warmth that Sunstar had once held for the barn cats has soured in recent moons. With sickness and poor health, he does not see anything good in training another stranger.

Yet for all that he had cost, there is something to be said for his hope of giving back. And so his hesitation gives way to a firm voice: "And though you are no apprentice, @BUCK, step forward." Unlike the way that he would greet a newly named warrior, he remains upon the rock this time. "You have chosen to remain among WindClan, and so you shall be trained as one. From this day forward, I name you Buckfire. @SCORCHSTORM will teach you the ways of our clan. Until she has deemed you ready, you will follow her lead in all things." It may turn out well. He holds hope for that despite the weight of unease.

To wash it from his mouth, he finishes. "There is one thing more before I allow you to speak once more of our sick, or what we may do. @MARIGOLD, please step forward." Again, he does not leave his post. At least there is something softer about his eyes now. Celandinepaw's littermate had already finished training. There is no need for concern. "You have spent your time among our clan learning our ways. You have trained hard to understand our code, and as such, I commend you to StarClan as a warrior of our clan. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to defend this clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

He waits only briefly for her confirmation before his mouth parts to a faint, glimmering smile. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I name you Marigoldstem. The clan honors your generosity and friendliness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan."

𝐈 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐌 𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐒 ╱ ️️️ ( 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝗕𝐀𝐃 𝐃𝐎𝐆 ) ️️️ ️️️ ⌞06.17⌝ 🟒ᨒ

• 

  ✧₊⁺ ️️️ ️️╱ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ OOC. —
  

  

  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑. SUNSTRIDE. SUNNVAR.
  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ MASC ️️️ & ️️️ AMAB, ️️️ HE – HIM – HIS.
  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ SECOND LEADER OF ️️️ WINDCLAN.
  ᯓ✧ ️️️ ️️ ️️️ NINE LIVES: ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆ ️️️ ⋆̴͖̻̌͛ ⋆̵̼͈̐̿̓̏͝ ⋆̶̬́̀

• 
  a large chocolate and white rosette tom with seaglass eyes. the first thing many see when looking at sunstar now is not his proud posture or boxy build, but the scarred stump that remains of his front left leg. a wound that would have killed most other cats took one of his lives; not even starclan could repair it.
  
  
  a rogue brought to windclan in a search for greatness, one of sootstar's most loyal warriors turned into her downfall. with a mate and kits to worry about, and now nine lives from starclan with a missing limb, windclan's leader has much to prove.

• "speech"

​

 

[BUCKFIRE]

It seemed that, for once, Buck had made a good decision by listening to what somebody else told him. Determination and stubbornness had nearly kept Buck from dragging his malaise-stricken hide to the Badger Set, but thankfully the other WindClanners had practically given him no choice. He knows that they were just trying to prevent him from spreading the illness in the air, but by doing so, they might have very well kept the deathly knell from ringing out. Such a fact is something that Buck would not admit to easily; it's a tough bone to swallow, after all.

The black tabby was here now standing alive and in good health thanks to Wolfsong. He stands quietly, glancing in the golden healer's direction as he gives a mostly propitious update to the clan about the state of the virulent disease's hold on their ranks. A collective sigh of relief sweeps over WindClan as it appears that lungwort is working its magic and that their ranks will be repleted in no time. One solicitous cat brings up the question of a "journey", though, which piques Buck's interest. What was he talking about? He wonders if he's been to wherever this was; Buck has traveled a good bit from lands wild and torrid to the cracks and crevices of the slums.

Before the expatriate could ask, Sunstar interjects by claiming that a trek would not be necessary. The rosetted leader quickly moves on, commencing official ceremonies of sorts. Buck had been given a brief rundown about meetings, how kits were apprenticed to individual mentors and apprentices were granted their full names upon reaching maturity. He had wondered if he would ever receive one of those fancy clan names and it appeared that today would be the day. Unexpected yet taken in stride, Buck steps forth when requested, molten orange eyes lighting up in anticipation as sunbeams coruscate in his gaze.

Sunstar's deep aquamarine hues pierce his own and for a moment, something in his chest seizes. Buck is not a tom who is easily shaken from his rooted paws, but the lionized and authoritative presence of the leader is unlike anything he's ever experienced before. Something about the way the large male stands tall upon his perch, addressing him as a king would and knighting him even as he had no obligation to be as remotely xenial as he was... It strikes an unidentifiable cord within him. It's humbling, in a sense.

Regardless of this peculiar feeling, a flash of a fulgent smile radiates from Buck's lips upon being crowned his new title: Buckfire. The tom liked it. It was a touch bittersweet, giving up his old name, but he would welcome this genesis of a new life. Besides, he wouldn't stop anyone from simply calling him Buck if they wanted to.

Scorchstorm would be his mentor of sorts as well; he had briefly talked to the warrior in the Badger Set. He did not know her particularly well but hopefully she would have a lot to teach him. There is no ulterior motive for Buckfire's newfound loyalty. The former loner simply wishes to do what's right — give repayment where it was due. And how much would really be enough? WindClan had saved his life. Would Buckfire remain here for the rest of his? That is a question he truly does not know the answer to at this time. "Understood." The black tabby accepts this task—training as a warrior—with a dutiful nod.

Lastly, Sunstar names a new warrior — Marigoldstem. Buckfire flashes the former barncat a half-grin. That would be him one day, a full warrior of WindClan, trained and seasoned and everything. If he could do it then why couldn't Buckfire? He'd gladly prove them all wrong about him.

𝐈 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 ✹ . + ˚ · 　 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋

• 

• 

  a new warrior of windclan, buckfire is thirty-one moons. he is a ruggedly handsome tom, sporting lean muscle and a slightly taller-than-average stature. there is a nick in his left ear as well as a small scratch on his right lip. he smells of cotton grass and gorse.　✦

​

 

[SCORCHSTORM]

She is recovered enough to attend. Her paws itch for it; in the badger sett she had felt as though her bones were singing to leave, fervent and aflame. She cannot believe that, as a kitten, she'd ever had a desire to be a tunneler. Between the journey's rockslide and her now-abandoned sick-nest, she is repleted with time spent underground. Never again, thank you very much.

It is a delicious prize, then, to be back upon the windswept moor topside. Not to mention the bittersweet joy of standing before Sunstar once more; of coming when he calls. Scorchstorm cannot dig a pit deep enough to bury her shame for her failed hunt from before — for endangering her patrol, her brother, her leader for the sake of preserving her own ego. She had failed to see her own limits. For that, she thinks, she is quite sorry. But, maybe not sorry enough; in the blackest pits of her heart, some querulous, withering limb flaps about in protest. She had not done enough, she should have known that the rabbit had been a falsehood and pushed past it, she should have hunted until she did drop dead, not just close-to. It takes too long to put the thought out of its misery.

She sits somewhere near Downyfur, not out of any familiarity with the plush-furred warrior but out of coincidence, though she sometimes wonders if she ought to have tried harder to make herself familiar with them. Her ears twitch as Wolfsong discusses the state of the ill — the state of the cats that she is only very recently not among — and then it is Sunstar's turn to speak, doling out the usual announcements. It is only when he mentions Rattleheart's name that she bites her lip hard enough to draw small vermilion petals.

Rattleheart had died so that her children could begin to follow suit. All but one of them ill, all of them undoubtedly suffering; the mere mention of her aunt is enough to bring tears to her eyes. To think that only Bunnykit is able to be apprenticed now... it does not seem fair. Maybe if that damned RiverClanner had had the sense to keep her apprentice close, maybe if Roepaw had never existed at all, then Rattleheart's children would all be apprenticed today, with their mother to watch over them. Scorchstorm's expression twists into a frown so dark it becomes tenebrous. Still, she will cheer for her cousin: "Bunnypaw!" Sedgepounce would be a good mentor to her, she knows. He had done well on the journey, and he had survived the impossible. Surely he would instill that tenacity of life in Rattleheart's kit where Rattleheart could not.

And then the reassignments, and then a new kind of announcement: Buck's renaming into Buckfire. It is an apt name, she thinks, one that suits him considering his loquacious tongue and warm personality. They have not talked extensively, but... she likes him enough, she thinks. Enough that when Sunstar deems her his warden, she cannot find a reason to protest.

Her gaze lingers on Sunstar, wide-eyed and alert, as though he would revoke the privilege. He has reason to, she thinks; she does not want this assignment out of pity (the memory of her blubbering to him rises hot and ashamed in her ears), and her confidence has been wounded by her illness and failures. But no retraction comes. Buck — Buckfire — is hers to chisel into a worthy WindClanner. Finally, she looks to him, face set in square-jawed anticipation.

"I look forward to teaching you," she meows, and means it. It is not what she pictured for herself — that lies in the apprentice's den still, black and golden-eyed — but it is a worthy endeavor. Finally, as Sunstar names their most recent warrior, Scorchstorm turns back to him. "Marigoldstem!" she cheers, because StarClan, they could all use it.

𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍’𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 ✧

• ooc. im abusing liquid time a bit to have her be here for buck assignment FORGIVE ME!
  
• SCORCHSTORM —— warrior of windclan, mentored by sunstar & badgermoon . scorchstreak x badgermoon . littermate to rumblerain, frostwind, and luckypaw ✦ penned by meghan
  
  ✦ a broad-shouldered tortoiseshell with low white and dual-toned amber eyes. extremely loyal to sunstar and her family, and enjoys a deep connection to the moorlands
  ✦ demigirl / she they pronouns / lesbian / 17 moons & ages every 1st
  ✦ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / underline & tag account when attacking
  —— will start fights / will not flee / may show mercy. fights honorably and with great ferocity. can tank a few hits, but is not the sturdiest cat in windclan. starts fights with the intention of finishing them permanently, but will not aim to maim or kill obviously young cats
  
  ✦ "speech", thoughts, all opinions are in character
  ✦ full biography — msg on discord for plots — toyhouse
  

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[SCORCHSTREAK]

༄༄ Her leader’s call brings Scorchstreak padding over, a tense expression on her face. It is a marked difference from the looks of a few clanmates who greet such a meeting with nothing but jovial attitudes. These meetings usually do bring good tidings, whether new apprentices or new warriors, but they also bring announcements of the clan’s ever-unpleasant circumstances. WindClan’s failures should be on display now more than ever, with so many ill or gone. All of Rattleheart’s litter is ill, besides poor Bunnykit who faces an apprenticeship ceremony without the comfort of siblings on each side. Scorchstorm, Periwinklebreeze… both had laid near death in the badger set, far away from home. It has been a year now since the treacherous journey into the mountains—and now, those who had gone on the journey are not safe. The deputy can only wonder whether she will be next to fall.

Sunstar stands resplendent over them all, but he does not appear so glowing as he once had. Fulgent edges of his pelt have become dimmed, their shine dulled by months of hardship with seemingly no end. He first calls for his mate to update the clan, and it is a comfort to hear Wolfsong confirm that their losses through this plague are minimal—for while they have yet to lose a clanmate to yellowcough this time around, they have still lost Cottonsprig to some unknown fate. Milkthorn asks whether there will be another journey, and golden eyes narrow. The deputy knows that she would be the first to volunteer for a second round, though she cannot fight off the dread that fills her when she thinks of another trek into the mountains. She would not survive another trip, she suspects, yet it does not change her conviction. For her clan, she would do it again. Thankfully, Sunstar confirms that a second journey will not be necessary, and the tunneler nods her agreement. They have the cure readily in their paws, now. It has been administered already.

Sunstar turns his attention to Bunnykit, and the sudden downturn in Scorchstreak’s mood is marked with a golden-eyed glare in the direction of Wolfsong’s den, as though her misplaced anger toward Lungwortkit can be communicated in such a way. Still, she puts on a tight smile as her kin is apprenticed to Sedgepounce—a trustworthy warrior, one who had gone on the journey and returned stronger for his efforts. "Bunnypaw!" Her voice rises in a cheer, dulled voice gaining a bit of pride at last.

Apprentices are assigned to new mentors, and cats are made into warriors. Scorchstreak watches impassively, her only input a series of slow blinks until the leader is finished speaking. "Marigoldstem," she cheers, her voice stiff and unenthusiastic even as she calls out the new warrior’s name. The newly-joined barn cats have earned their places within the clan, but they have yet to earn the deputy’s respect or trust. Then, in a murmur she adds, "Buckfire." The tom is made to shadow her daughter, sharing the same name as herself, and Scorchstreak’s gaze shifts to glance in the younger calico’s direction. Scorchstorm will straighten him out, she is certain. In no time he will surely be a capable clanmate, one who is worthy of trusting—perhaps even one who throws away embellished words and speaks truth, one who claws his way into her good graces through hard work rather than flattery. She will keep a close eye on him, especially given his close proximity to her daughter.

"Brackenpaw," she says at last, turning to her newly-assigned apprentice. Bluefrost’s training has certainly imprinted some measure of capability upon the young calico, and Scorchstreak finds herself intrigued. What does Brackenpaw know, and how much do they still have to learn? "I will teach you all that I know." It is a vow, not a statement of hope. She will teach Brackenpaw everything that fills her own head, each instinct and technique built up over her years of living.

every love that i touch ☽♰☾ falls to ruin

• ooc: —
• 
• SCORCHSTREAK ❯❯ she/they, deputy (tunneler) of windclan
  ༄ small, slim flame-streaked calico with fiery golden eyes. stoic and stern, ferociously protective of her clanmates. rarely seen aboveground.
  ༄ mate to bluepool ; sibling to rattleheart & rabbitclaw
  ༄ mentor to bilberrypaw ; previously mentored pinkshine
  ༄ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted, but may react aggressively
  ༄ penned by foxlore

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[SEDGEPOUNCE]

The Journey. Sedgepounce's huddled within the murmuring crowd when Milkthorn speaks up. It sends a jolt through him—Wolfsong is rasping and exhausted, but he's confident nonetheless. He hadn't even considered...His mind flutters to another perilous, distant trek. Would he go again? Of course. But would those far-off mountains revel in such largesse again, on the cusp of Leafbare no less?

Sunstar, in complaisant and grizzled wisdom, declines that frightful request and reels in his thoughts. There'd be no need. They are replete with lungwort, and soon the sick would be healed. Things are simple this time.

Until then, they have to wait. Rattleheart's surviving litter suffers regardless of treatment. He aches for her. Rattleheart was nothing to him if not kind. He didn't deserve to die, and his kits don't deserve this, either. She has to be able to see them all the way up in the sky. He wonders...he wonders if they feel powerless, so far away.

At least one of their children is well enough for promotion, and Bunnypaw's gonna—what? Sedgepounce blinks stupidly up at Sunstar. He's not—he hasn't even thought about having an apprentice. Not since he was an apprentice himself, wondering what the future would look like when he was older. For moons he's been floating through a stagnant, unchanging life; stuck, indifferent, disheartened. To be a mentor, now...A tentative spark of optimism ignites within him, and Sedge's face cracks in a genuine, bright smile.

"'S you and me, huh kiddo?" Sedgepounce nudges Bunnypaw with an arm once he's found her in the crowd. He's grinning like an idiot, nervous and ecstatic all at once. He'll teach her all he knows. He'll be a good mentor. It's all he can do to try. "Buckfire! Marigoldstem!"
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[Marigoldstem]

-ˋˏ ༻༺ ˎˊ-

Meetings were still deemed as unknown to the cream tabby, she confidently believed that she rapidly understood the customs of the clan and how to hunt for them, how to fight for them. Yet this was still new, an aspect that he didn’t quite have the perfect grasp on. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the purpose of them, he thought he did at least- it seemed to be a very important moment, one that marks milestones and that fosters kinship within the clan. There was an idle curiosity to the tradition, wondering how long it has been upheld for since he wasn’t one to look too deep into WindClan’s bloodied past. She knew it was time to gather with her clanmates when Sunstar roared the call to action that happened every moon, it was quite easy to be so yielding to such a commanding presence.

She watches with interest as a kitten is called upon, dubbed Bunnypaw now and assigned to Sedgepounce. He recalls the interaction the pair had when Bunnypaw was looking for her siblings in an act of refuge from an incoming storm. Sedgepounce had been a little blunt from what he could hear, not that it was truly his place to comment on dynamics such as this. The interaction did stick with him though, so he couldn’t help but feel curiosity seep into common sense. hopefully the get along his tail flicks in thought, wishing the best for the pair. Other apprentices are called for reassignment, he didn’t have a particularly strong concern for any of the pairings, not too familiar with dynamics to pass any judgement.

“Bunnypaw!” She cheers jovially, noticing that it seemed commonplace to celebrate those who reach these milestones. Wanting to blend seamlessly with those she calls clanmates Marigold could only jump at the chance to join in this form of festivity. A cream ear flicks at the mention of Buck, gaze seeking out the tom as he’s called upon. Not an apprentice but assigned a mentor anyways, she had a similar experience so it was good to know that it was a common practice. He still looks a little sick, poor darlin’ there’s sympathy for him, standing strong yet weakened by the illness that had plagued him for a period. It was peculiar to see him carry a serious demeanour, he wasn’t particularly garrulous by any means yet Marigold thought that Buck or rather Buckfire now marched by a particularly chipper beat. “Buckfire!” She cheers once more, no less excited for him then she was for Bunnypaw. However, she is unable to linger on any thoughts she had afterwards as they're promptly eclipsed by the mention of her own name.

Sunstar calls for her to step forward, she had to admit that he felt a tad self-concious at the feeling of eyes on him but she wouldn’t make a fool of himself but not listening. Smiling pleasantly she raised her head to meet his eye, while the leader of the moors carried himself in an immutable manner with that deathly serious expression that he seemed to wear as a signature in moments such as this. She had to admit that he wasn’t as scared in this moment as he originally thought he’d be. Would she give her life for the clan? Defend it and uphold it’s code? She didn’t have to think long about the answer “I do!” In her mind despite the initial worry over her family at the barn she had felt the experience here as a clan cat has been worthwhile.

The attitude shifts after her confirmation, it’s small enough but the benignant glimmer in his eye is a softened enough blow to affirm her choices. Confident that she had been correct in saying that she would, and he meant it, finding himself more than happy to uphold the code and do whatever it took to keep the clan safe. Marigoldstem, she beams at the name, finding it novel. It would take some getting used to but hearing the murmur of celebration made it feel right to be assigned this new identity, a quiet “thank you” is given. She didn’t want to speak further, unsure if he is even meant to in the first but there was so much to be grateful for in this moment.
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[Brackenpaw]

There’s no call for a journey, that the path is clear and the methods are in place. It brings the calico apprentice peace, it sounded propitious in their mind. Even if he was just faking confidence for the sake he was carrying it flawlessly. The mention of ill kits was still never pleasant to hear, even if there was an action plan. Her frown had only deepend at the mention of them but she kept her tongue stilled. She wasn't complaisant by any means but she didn’t feel the urge to protest against the transition from the discussion of the sick to the sole member of Rattleheart’s brood who will be graduating today.

The tunneler apprentice attempts to muster some other expression other than irritation or that stifling neutrality at the sight of the newest apprentice, some form of rejoice needed to happen. She hoped that the fulgent brightness of the stars would only grow more splendid as another joins their ranks despite all the strife against her. “Bunnypaw” she joins her clanmates in cheer, at least there was some form of positivity to foster. Of course, in her unending vehement attitude that Sunstar or the stars themself had something out for her that didn’t last. She’s the first of the apprentices called up, far too young to be named warrior so they could tell that this meant reassignment.

To hear it was Scorchstreak of all cats was some form of sour joke, querulous protests formed on her tongue at the thought of this pairing but she isn’t afforded time to vocalise them. Sure, Scorchstreak is a competent tunneler but to be assigned to the deputy, it felt like an antithesis to all they stood for. Did she not make it clear enough that she didn’t enjoy the company of Sunstar’s council? Sure it had become less volatile on her end as she grew but this was really testing the limits to just how much she had mellowed out about this. This genesis is one marked with a bitter resentment, there was enough of a forethought that this is how things had started with Bluefrost as well and now Brackenpaw against her vocal protests considered the queen to be somewhat of an important figure to her.

There was some kind of lingering thought that this may happen with her new mentor too, no matter how much the idea caused her scowl to deepen. It could be worse, she could have been given an incompetent warrior, at least there was confidence that Scorchstreak wouldn’t be lacking in that regard. Lakepaw and Silkenpaw seem to be given satisfactory mentors as well, they didn’t particularly care how the others felt about their mentors, at least she tells herself that as she does silently hope that they’re happy with them. “Buckfire, Marigoldstem” She chants the names of the newest given a warrior name, one earning it and one not. There’s no particular passion in their meows of celebration but they weren’t unhappy with this turn out, as far as they were concerned this wasn’t an issue for her.

“Scorchstreak” she replies, scrutiny and displeasure oozing in her tone. They still turn to look at her new mentor, trying to dissect if the tunneler held any opinions on this pairing in her eyes. As always, she seems unreadable to them, with an exaggerated exhale she nods at the vow. “I’ll do my best as your apprentice” there is truth to that, it’s a vow of her own. The spitfire attitude that she carries may not diminish but actively trying to sabotage their training with her sometimes noxious attitude would not be productive. So they made peace, remembering the Scorchstreak who indulged her in stories of a bloodied WindClan, she wasn’t entirely pleasant to be around but the deputy had shown that she listens to Brackenpaw and is already willing to be educational, which is enough for them. Maybe a deeper bond can be formed but in this moment that's the furthest thing from her thoughts.

---

‎‎ ‎┌── Im just a dog ⸙ with no bite ──┐‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

• 
  ooc.
  
•  
• Brackenpaw
  ✩ they/she, tunneler apprentice of Windclan, 10 moons (ages on the 22nd)
  ⭃ a lithe and fragile looking calico that looks like they still need to grow into her ears
  ⭃ Speech, thoughts, attacking
  ⭃ NPC x NPC, mentored by Scorchstreak | Formally mentored by Bluefrost
  ⭃ easy to befriend other kits, gradually harder to befriend every rank after that
  ⭃ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
  ⭃ penned by Juice ↛ @/ouijeejuice on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
  ⭃ All opinions are IC!! Bracken is a little hater
  

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