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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 16:06:25 GMT -5
Yay, Smudge! Even if it's in the past, I'm just happy to see him again. Fang clearly knows his mother enough for her not to have died in childbirth, so that's good. But I'm still heavily worried about her.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 16:06:31 GMT -5
Chapter 21: Now (a bit of it, anyways)
Graystripe wonders if he's gone deaf and blind. As his vision clears, he looks towards the Moonstone, but it's not there. Only a heap of shattered fragments giving off a faint, eerie glow. Graystripe is in disbelief as he realizes lighting just struck and obliterated the Moonstone. Graystripe blames himself, thinking he's not only failed in trying to reach StarClan, but also got the Moonstone destroyed. He wonders if it was StarClan's answer to him, or just a coincidence. He wonders if Firestar is angry with him, or if he's just imagining things. As he leaves the cavern, he wonders what option was worse, that either StarClan still exists but is angry at him, StarClan is just simply gone, or they stopped caring. He doesn't know what to do now, and knows he promised to help Fang. As he reaches the entrance, Fang greets him, asking what happened. Graystripe's spirit is broken. He's failed in his quest to get answers.
Graystripe says it was terrifying, and explains what happened inside. Fang replies that it seems Graystripe made contact with something, but Graystripe is unsure, admitting he has no idea how he's going to help his Clan. Monkeystar pops in and says that she has an idea. Graystripe asks what it is, and Monkeystar says that they know a "wise cat who might have some answers. He lives on a farm not far from here, and he loves to tell long stories." Clawwhistle adds that he knows about the warriors too. Graystripe asks if they mean Barley, and Monkeystar confirms. Graystripe says that Barley is an old friend of his, a very old friend. Graystripe feels comforted in knowing that Barley is still alive, and knows he would love to see him. Graystripe orders them to take him to Barley right away.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 16:10:21 GMT -5
The Moonstone is just... gone? The special place that has been there for generations?! Lightning could've struck it at any time. Why now?
Though, on the plus side, Barley is still alive. And yes, he is very old.
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Post by vectoring34 on Aug 28, 2020 16:12:40 GMT -5
The Moonstone is just... gone? The special place that has been there for generations?! Lightning could've struck it at any time. Why now?
Though, on the plus side, Barley is still alive. And yes, he is very old. Lightning strikes seem to imply a Starclan cat descending upon the world in the TBC books, see the incident with Shadowsight.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 16:45:00 GMT -5
Rest of Chapter 21:
As the travel, Fang is walking alongside Graystripe. He asks Graystripe if he is his father. Graystripe halts, nearing stumbling. Fang says Gremlin never spoke about his father. When he asked questions, she changed the subject. He adds that Gremlin always spoke fondly of Graystripe, and it made Fang wonder if Graystripe was ever "more" than a friend to her. She also told Fang to seek out Graystripe if he ever needed help. Graystripe says that although he'd be proud to call Fang his son, Gremlin and him were never mates, and Fang is crestfallen. Graystripe wonders if he should have lied to him, so Fang would have least have some closure. Fang appreciates Graystripe's honesty, and Graystripe says that after they visit Barley, they'll visit Fang's friends.
As they reach Barley's farm, he recognizes Barley's scent. He enters the barn, and spots Barley curled up in a corner, deeply asleep. Monkeystar and Clawwhistle are enthusiastic about them meeting. Graystripe gets excited and bounds over to Barley, touching his nose to the "old tom's ear". Barley wakes up and at first doesn't believe it's Graystripe, having a blank, then puzzled look on his face. Graystripe reiterates that it's him, and Barley realizes it really is his old friend. Clawwhistle announces that Barley is "super old" and reveals that WarriorClan comes around to check on him, and Barley entertains them with stories. Barley agrees, asking what he could do without WarriorClan watching over him. Monkeystar and Clawwhistle then go play elsewhere in the barn.
Graystripe introduces Fang to Barley. Graystripe thinks to himself that although most cats probably looked "super old" to Clawwhistle, this isn't the case with Barley. Barley's eyes are now clouded, and his pelt is run with gray. Barley is aware of Graystripe's scrutiny, and admits that his joints don't work as well as they used to, and his ear hurts sometimes. His sight has weakened as well, so he hardly leaves the barn. Graystripe feels sad about this, asking if that's why Barley is still here, after so long. Barley replies that it's his home, and he's lucky to have twolegs who care for him. A female twoleg then comes in, and puts some drops in Barley's ear from a small object. When she leaves, Barley tells Graystripe that when she does that, his ear doesn't hurt as much anymore. Graystripe changes the subject, asking if they can hunt. Barley says they can help themselves. Graystripe then gets Monkeystar and Clawwhistle to show him their hunting crouches, thinking to himself that it's like having apprentices, and it's making him feel young again. After Monkeystar catches some prey, Graystripe begins to tell her to thank StarClan, but realizes that maybe teaching her the warrior code isn't the best of ideas right now. He admits he wants to teach WarriorClan the honour in StarClan, but wonders if Flipclaw's words about living without StarClan had been right. He can't imagine living in a Clan like that.
Monkeystar takes her prey to Barley, and Fang has caught something too. As they eat, Graystripe remarks to Barley that it's just like old times when they visited Barley on their trips to the Moonstone. Barley nods, but his eyes are filled with sorrow and says that there's another cat who needs to be there with them. Graystripe knows it's Ravenpaw, and tells Barley that the SkyClna cats told him of how Ravenpaw died in the gorge, and says Barley must miss him. Barley says "Every day, every heartbeat. But it's easier now. I know my time is near, and whatever path Ravenpaw spirit walks, soon I will walk beside him." Graystripe thinks that he hopes Barley does too, and knows that he misses Ravenpaw too. Barley changes the subject and asks Graystripe what's even brought him here. Graystripe explains that things are bad by the lake, and that StarClan seems to have abandoned them, and how he traveled to the Moonstone to try and make contact. Barley asks if he did, and Graystripe says he tried, and explains how the Moonstone got blown up. Barley, puzzled, says he's never tried to understand StarClan, but asks if it was a sign, and if it was, asks what it means. Graystripe says that StarClan is angry and not interested in helping, or they're not listening at all and the lightning was just a coincidence. Graystripe says that Barley is wise, and asks what he thinks. Barley is amused that Graystripe thinks he's wise, but says that from his understanding, the signs make more sense after you sleep on it. Graystripe agrees, and decides to go to sleep. As they settle down, Fang asks Barley if he knows his mother. Barley confirms he did, and says she was a wonderful cat. He goes on to say that she was part of a harsh violent Clan, but she had a good heart and loved her brother very much, but she loved her kits more than anything else. Fang is happy with Barley's praise. Although Graystripe has a full belly and is comfortable, it takes him a long time to fall asleep.
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Post by Batchaser on Aug 28, 2020 16:50:19 GMT -5
Rest of Chapter 21:
As the travel, Fang is walking alongside Graystripe. He asks Graystripe if he is his father. Graystripe halts, nearing stumbling. Fang says Gremlin never spoke about his father. When he asked questions, she changed the subject. He adds that Gremlin always spoke fondly of Graystripe, and it made Fang wonder if Graystripe was ever "more" than a friend to her. She also told Fang to seek out Graystripe if he ever needed help. Graystripe says that although he'd be proud to call Fang his son, Gremlin and him were never mates, and Fang is crestfallen. Graystripe wonders if he should have lied to him, so Fang would have least have some closure. Fang appreciates Graystripe's honesty, and Graystripe says that after they visit Barley, they'll visit Fang's friends.
As they reach Barley's farm, he recognizes Barley's scent. He enters the barn, and spots Barley curled up in a corner, deeply asleep. Monkeystar and Clawwhistle are enthusiastic about them meeting. Graystripe gets excited and bounds over to Barley, touching his nose to the "old tom's ear". Barley wakes up and at first doesn't believe it's Graystripe, having a blank, then puzzled look on his face. Graystripe reiterates that it's him, and Barley realizes it really is his old friend. Clawwhistle announces that Barley is "super old" and reveals that WarriorClan comes around to check on him, and Barley entertains them with stories. Barley agrees, asking what he could do without WarriorClan watching over him. Monkeystar and Clawwhistle then go play elsewhere in the barn.
Graystripe introduces Fang to Barley. Graystripe thinks to himself that although most cats probably looked "super old" to Clawwhistle, this isn't the case with Barley. Barley's eyes are now clouded, and his pelt is run with gray. Barley is aware of Graystripe's scrutiny, and admits that his joints don't work as well as they used to, and his ear hurts sometimes. His sight has weakened as well, so he hardly leaves the barn. Graystripe feels sad about this, asking if that's why Barley is still here, after so long. Barley replies that it's his home, and he's lucky to have twolegs who care for him. A female twoleg then comes in, and puts some drops in Barley's ear from a small object. When she leaves, Barley tells Graystripe that when she does that, his ear doesn't hurt as much anymore. Graystripe changes the subject, asking if they can hunt. Barley says they can help themselves. Graystripe then gets Monkeystar and Clawwhistle to show him their hunting crouches, thinking to himself that it's like having apprentices, and it's making him feel young again. After Monkeystar catches some prey, Graystripe begins to tell her to thank StarClan, but realizes that maybe teaching her the warrior code isn't the best of ideas right now. He admits he wants to teach WarriorClan the honour in StarClan, but wonders if Flipclaw's words about living without StarClan had been right. He can't imagine living in a Clan like that.
Monkeystar takes her prey to Barley, and Fang has caught something too. As they eat, Graystripe remarks to Barley that it's just like old times when they visited Barley on their trips to the Moonstone. Barley nods, but his eyes are filled with sorrow and says that there's another cat who needs to be there with them. Graystripe knows it's Ravenpaw, and tells Barley that the SkyClna cats told him of how Ravenpaw died in the gorge, and says Barley must miss him. Barley says "Every day, every heartbeat. But it's easier now. I know my time is near, and whatever path Ravenpaw spirit walks, soon I will walk beside him." Graystripe thinks that he hopes Barley does too, and knows that he misses Ravenpaw too. Barley changes the subject and asks Graystripe what's even brought him here. Graystripe explains that things are bad by the lake, and that StarClan seems to have abandoned them, and how he traveled to the Moonstone to try and make contact. Barley asks if he did, and Graystripe says he tried, and explains how the Moonstone got blown up. Barley, puzzled, says he's never tried to understand StarClan, but asks if it was a sign, and if it was, asks what it means. Graystripe says that StarClan is angry and not interested in helping, or they're not listening at all and the lightning was just a coincidence. Graystripe says that Barley is wise, and asks what he thinks. Barley is amused that Graystripe thinks he's wise, but says that from his understanding, the signs make more sense after you sleep on it. Graystripe agrees, and decides to go to sleep. As they settle down, Fang asks Barley if he knows his mother. Barley confirms he did, and says she was a wonderful cat. He goes on to say that she was part of a harsh violent Clan, but she had a good heart and loved her brother very much, but she loved her kits more than anything else. Fang is happy with Barley's praise. Although Graystripe has a full belly and is comfortable, it takes him a long time to fall asleep. The quote about Ravenpaw really got me. I like how even though he’s gone, they still keep the ship alive.
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Bisexual
barley
Bramblestar Hater
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Post by barley on Aug 28, 2020 16:50:32 GMT -5
“Every day, every heartbeat. But it's easier now. I know my time is near, and whatever path Ravenpaw spirit walks, soon I will walk beside him." brb gonna cry
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#a3c5e6
Name Colour
𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵
Warrior Fanatic
All hail me, the flower-flushing queen of Prague
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Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Aug 28, 2020 16:55:39 GMT -5
Aw, Barley... Also, WarriorClan is my new favorite group. They're just so adorable, and it's sweet how they go to check on Barley and that he tells them stories
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Post by ᏞᎪᎠᎽ Ꮎf fᎪᏁᎠᎾms ミ☆ on Aug 28, 2020 17:00:56 GMT -5
IM CRYING OVER BARLEY SHUT UP
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 17:01:47 GMT -5
Barley! I'll admit, I don't actually know if he's supposed to be older than Mistystar or younger. But whatever the case is, it is sad to see him like this. I've always liked Barley, but I think his time is almost here. When we saw him in DN, he didn't seem that bad off. But now. His black-and-white pelt is flecked with gray, which makes sense for a black-furred cat. His joints no longer work and his ear sometimes hurt which the Twolegs help with. I hope he'll be reunited with Ravenpaw soon.
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Post by Batchaser on Aug 28, 2020 17:06:26 GMT -5
Because of the closure on multiple characters (Barley, Smudge, Stormfur and his kits, and Graystripe himself), I have a feeling this will be the last arc of the series. It leads me to believe that the purpose of this book was to get answers and see the last of characters who wouldn’t have been featured in TBC.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2020 17:08:07 GMT -5
Because of the closure on multiple characters (Barley, Smudge, Stormfur and his kits, and Graystripe himself), I have a feeling this will be the last arc of the series. It leads me to believe that the purpose of this book was to get answers and see the last of characters who wouldn’t have been featured in TBC. No, there was a thread where OP was emailing the publishers. There will be another arc I believe
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Post by Fernstep on Aug 28, 2020 17:09:49 GMT -5
Barley better die in this book he better die in this book he b
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 17:14:02 GMT -5
Also, Barley seemed to know Gremlin pretty well. I wonder if they met before Barley left BloodClan. That or he'll also be in the past scenes. I wouldn't mind that.
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Post by Jaysnow on Aug 28, 2020 17:16:42 GMT -5
Totally knew it that the unnamed rogue searching for Graystripe was Gremlin's kit.
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 17:21:41 GMT -5
Chapter 22: Then
Graystripe hopes that visiting Gremlin isn't a trap, as twolegplace is crawling with BloodClan now. He knows that although he isn't ThunderClan's real leader, they would be weakened without him. After waiting a bit, Gremlin appears, and Graystripe notes that she must be very near to kitting. Gremlin asks if he's decided, and Graystripe says he has, and explains the decision reached by him and ThunderClan. Gremlin admits she hoped she and Scraps were getting permanent admission into ThunderClan. Graystripe says he can't speak for Firestar, but thinks that every cat seems to want him to. He knows cats like Cinderpelt and Firestar would be more accepting of them, he still doesn't think the rest of the Clan will. Gremlin admits that it sounds fair, and promises that she and Scraps will do whatever it takes to prove themselves as ThunderClan cats. Graystripe says they will be warriors, and Gremlin says she likes the thought of being called a warrior; and she thinks Scraps will too.
Gremlin informs Graystripe of BloodClan's plan: Fury is going to have them attack in two days when the sun clears the top of the trees. Fury wants to wait until ThunderClan sends out their border and hunting patrols, so the Clan is weakened. Then, BloodClan will attack, going for the heart of ThunderClan and scattering the patrols with nowhere to retreat. She adds in that Graystripe can't just not send out patrols, as they need to defend and hunt, and if they changed up their routine, Fury would know some cat betrayed her. Gremlin asks if Graystripe trusts her, and after some thought, Graystripe says he does. Gremlin is relieved, and gives him more advice. She begins with telling him that he'll want to pay special attention to a ginger cat called Brick, and the chapter ends with Graystripe listening, hoping he won't be responsible for the end of ThunderClan.
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Post by vectoring34 on Aug 28, 2020 17:24:49 GMT -5
Wow, Brick getting mentioned? That's surprising.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 28, 2020 17:25:08 GMT -5
Oh gosh, I haven’t heard that name in a l o n g time!
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#a3c5e6
Name Colour
𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵
Warrior Fanatic
All hail me, the flower-flushing queen of Prague
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Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Aug 28, 2020 17:25:32 GMT -5
I really was not expecting to see or even hear about Brick ever again, assuming it's the same one from TRoS. Amazing he was remembered at all.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 17:29:07 GMT -5
Brick? We've only ever seen that cat in TROS, so that's a surprising cat to add to this book. I mean it could be someone else, but even then, it's still a BloodClan cat.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 17:32:25 GMT -5
Actually going on the wiki: Brick is noted be a pale coloured cat in the manga, yet Vicky thinks he was a dark ginger tom with amber eyes. This Brick is noted to be ginger. Even if he's actually pale ginger instead of dark ginger, that hints even further that it's supposed to be the same cat.
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Post by Jaysnow on Aug 28, 2020 17:33:19 GMT -5
Because of the closure on multiple characters (Barley, Smudge, Stormfur and his kits, and Graystripe himself), I have a feeling this will be the last arc of the series. It leads me to believe that the purpose of this book was to get answers and see the last of characters who wouldn’t have been featured in TBC. No, there was a thread where OP was emailing the publishers. There will be another arc I believe (Sorry Thunder this is unrelated to GV but I wanted to respond to this) I'm the OP you speak of, and an eighth arc isn't confirmed yet. The editor said he was hopeful, there isn't any confirmed yet though. They're working on the last TBC book right now (and the Leopardstar book) and have yet to plan anything after that.
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Post by ~Ƈαммι-`ღ´- on Aug 28, 2020 17:48:54 GMT -5
BARLEYYYY has to be the oldest cat in Warriors canon now, oh my lordSo they’re bringing in Brick from TRoS? Very cool ouo Also they’re just trying to demonize Assfur every chance they get, aren’t they.
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Post by fireflylanes on Aug 28, 2020 17:54:46 GMT -5
my favorite part has to be them basically completely spoiling who the impostor is lmao... also do we ever get a dad for graystripe? lol
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Post by Hollyfall on Aug 28, 2020 17:55:17 GMT -5
Chapter 23: Now
Graystripe wakes up, and spends the day sharing stories with Barley and remembering Gremlin's courage. Fang gets impatient and admits that although he likes hearing the praise about his mother, he asks if either of them know how she even died. He reveals that Gremlin died in the same nest he escaped from. Graystripe is shocked, and says that he thought once she would be happy as a warrior, but he hoped she was happy where she ended up, and he tries to push away the "horrific images that invaded his mind". Fang says she was at first. The female twoleg Gremlin was with was good to her, and she had another kittypet; a she-cat named Petunia. Then Gremlin had her litter. It consisted of three kits, including Fang. The twoleg gave Fang's littermates to other twolegs but he still saw them around occasionally. After that, the three of them lived happily with the twoleg for many seasons. Fang goes on to say that the twoleg got sick, and she began to forget to feed them for several days. She stopped letting them go outside. She then started bringing more cats, toms and she-cats, and some of the she-cats had kits. The den eventually got full of them. Graystripe wonders if this female twoleg was trying to start a Clan. And if she was, why wasn't she feeding them?
Fang says that one day, Gremlin began to cough. He knew she needed help, but their twoleg was "too far gone" to see that. He tried to get the twoleg to help, but the twoleg didn't understand. The twoleg's clothes were filthy, she got skinny because she kept forgetting to eat. The den reeked of rotting twoleg food. Since the twoleg kept bringing in cats, the den was crowded and their litterboxes never got cleaned, nor were they given food. Gremlin kept getting worse until she died, but before she did, she told Fang to find a way out. He promised her he would do that, and since he's escaped, he isn't sure he's able to uphold that promise to her. But he thinks he can because he knows of the promise Graystripe made Gremlin. Graystripe says he will, and admits he knows it's taking a long time. He begins to tell Fang to be patient, but Fang says that he doesn't think Graystripe understands how bad it is in there, and with every day they waste, another cat could die in the den. Graystripe thinks to himself that he's failed to reach StarClan at the Moonstone, but he can surely do this one task without their guidance. Graystripe suggests spending one more night in the barn to plan up a strategy, but Fang says he's leaving, with or without Graystripe. Graystripe tells him no, and gives him a compromise. Graystripe promises he'll leave with him at dawn and won't leave him until they free every cat. As he finished, Graystripe knows that the word promise means something between him and Fang. Fang agrees, but if Graystripe for some reason changes his mind, he's leaving without him.
At dawn the next day, Graystripe wakes up early and talks to Barley. Graystripe admits he's still turning things over in his head. "I traveled so far to get to the Moonstone, but what I found there only made me more confused and upset. I miss ThunderClan, but I'm not sure I have a place there anymore. Especially now that I'm nearing the end of my life. I'm just so weary...Giving up seems more and more like the wisest choice."
Barley responds with amusement. "If you're old, what does that make me? Ancient!" . He then says that to him, Graystripe is still a fairly young cat with a lot of life left. Graystripe admits he might be right, but asks if it really matters since he doesn't even know where to go or what to do.
I really like what Barley says here in response to Graystripe: "I know that the life of a warrior isn't always easy. You don't always get what you want when you want it, but you keep on going, helping others along the way if you can. You know Graystripe, you don't need any cat, living or dead, to tell you what feels right in your gut. If you think it over for yourself, the right answer will be clear."
Graystripe ponders Barley's words and looks at Fang, knowing that Fang has suffered so much, but refused to give up. Graystripe asks himself how he can give up, since Millie told him in his dream that he has to go on. Graystripe then thinks that since his first scare at the Moonstone, he sees at least the next few steps of his path before him, clear as day.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2020 18:01:06 GMT -5
Oh noo. Cat hoarding is terrible.
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Post by *Faith* on Aug 28, 2020 18:04:30 GMT -5
No, poor Gremlin. At least Fang's other littermates didn't suffer the same fate. And I wonder what happened to Scraps. But, still. Poor Gremlin, Fang and Petunia. And everyone else. I was so hoping Gremlin would be alright. Also, what happened to this Twoleg. She was friendly and kind and all three cats lived happily for many seasons. Then she becomes sick and too far gone, while just randomly bringing more cats in.
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Post by ~Ƈαммι-`ღ´- on Aug 28, 2020 18:10:44 GMT -5
Oh noo. Cat hoarding is terrible. Yea... it sounds like the Twoleg may not have been entirely to blame tho. Possible forgetfulness and later hoarding makes me wonder if she has dementia or Alzheimer’s and it causes her to not only forget to care for the cats, but to sometimes forget she even has cats? Or some sort of severe depression or other mental illness could be at play. It’s making me sad to think about it
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Post by 🔥Firestar🔥 on Aug 28, 2020 18:29:44 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new to the forum! I quickly signed up so i can just say; this is what i call good writing. Its bringing so many memories and the characters are so well-written. Especially, i love it how they're wrapping up what happened to characters we had left behind; Smudge, Millie, Barley, ThunderClan during Greystripe's leadership, the old forest... Also WarriorClan is just adorable.
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Post by ~Ƈαммι-`ღ´- on Aug 28, 2020 18:40:48 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new to the forum! I quickly signed up so i can just say; this is what i call good writing. Its bringing so many memories and the characters are so well-written. Especially, i love it how they're wrapping up what happened to characters we had left behind; Smudge, Millie, Barley, ThunderClan during Greystripe's leadership, the old forest... Also WarriorClan is just adorable. Agreed, and welcome to WCRP!
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