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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 12:05:39 GMT -5
Ashrock stopped at the deputy's call, but he lashed his tail in annoyance. He wouldn't look at Cloudscar. "What?!"
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 12:13:50 GMT -5
Stormfury nodded, "I think Featherkit." He said softly, licking the light grey she-cat on the top of her head. He looked over at the other two kits and then back at his mate. "Your turn" he said with a soft smile.
Featherkit squirmed as she was groomed, letting out a soft squeak.
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 12:18:33 GMT -5
Cloudscar paused a tail-length or so from Ashrock. "I doubt that Stormfury thanked you for what you did today, but I wanted to thank you myself. It takes a kind and selfless cat to put their own needs aside for others.....especially others that you may not like. If you hadn't stepped up to the task who knows what would have happened to Cherryvine." He paused for a moment. "Thank you Ashrock."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 12:24:45 GMT -5
"No!" Ashrock lashed his tail. He slowly shook his head, his claws scraping at the ground. "No. Don't thank me. You shouldn't be thanking me! I shouldn't have been in there in the first place! I'm not a bloody medicine cat!" His shoulders trembled when a haggard sigh broke from his throat. He sat down, tail laying still in his deflation. "I'm not."
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 12:25:47 GMT -5
Palepaw grit his teeth. He really didn't want anyone else to know about this. All he had been doing was practicing a kick and now his foot was stuck! "Try again." Palepaw looked back at his sisters. He'd endure the pain. He had too. When Whorlpaw hesitated, Palepaw insisted. "Again!" "Are you my clanmate, though?" Closesky paused his attacks and glared at him. "Because right now, you're just taking up space. You're taking up prey! You're supposed to be a senior warrior, Bumbleskip! A cat all the young ones can look too and you're moping about like a kit who lost their beetle! You willingly let me drag you out of camp, which tells me you don't even care about being here. You say you can't leave because of your kits, but you don't actually care! A cat who doesn't care doesn't deserve the life after death. You can wander in your pity and self-depreciation for as long as you want, just do it away from ShadowClan. The Clan has been through enough, they don't need your mood spoiling the hope for tomorrow." Duskpaw sighed taking her place back up at Palepaw's hip, "Alright, but let us know if we're really hurting you Palepaw. I don't want you in the medicine cat den with an injury!" Bumbleskip closed his eyes and curled into a ball on the ground, blocking out the sounds of Closesky's berating. He couldn't take it anymore, he will just stay here until he wasn't here anymore.
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 12:28:16 GMT -5
Cherryvine nuzzled the tiny she-cat, purring quietly as she murmured a hello to Featherkit. Gazing upon their other daughter Cherryvine hummed for a moment before turning back to her mate. "I would like to honor Softmist and Mistyflower as well. They've been gone for quite some time now, but they helped raise me too. What do you think about Mistkit?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 12:33:24 GMT -5
“How can creatures so clumsy and stupid cause so much damage?” Spiderfang hissed, her ears falling as the sight of ash and old, fading soot etched into her mind again. “A fire of all things. I hate fires. I hate them. Stupid, wretched twolegs...All they have taken from us.” She thought then of Onyxtip, of her mother and father, all burned in flames, and the grief she felt turned right into cold anger. She would not mourn with cries, but she would certainly do what she could to never let another one happen. “The less twolegs around, the better. I might just take a bit of their leg if I see one.” She grunted. Mouseclaw ran his tail along her back in comfort, "They took a lot from us, but I'm sure some of their own died too. As much as I dislike them, I don't think the fire was on purpose. I don't understand twoleg monsters but it seems like something went horribly wrong with one of them."
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 12:36:23 GMT -5
Cloudscar sat down as well, feeling sympathetic to the younger tom. "You're right, you're not a medicine cat. You have no desire to be here, and you wish things were different. However, that doesn't change the fact that when the time came, and the clan needed you, you were willing to put all of that aside for the sake of someone else." He looked up and around the clan for a moment before he continued, still looking into the rest of the camp. "Sometimes, Ashrock, we make mistakes. However, it's my belief that it's how we learn from those mistakes, and how we better ourselves afterwards that really matters. You've taken an undesirable situation and found a way to make it beneficial for ShadowClan....even if you didn't want to. I think that's admirable."
Stormfury smiled and nodded. He knew Cloudscar had been close to Mistyflower before her death, and he knew that he had much to thank the departed she-cat for as well. "Mistkit is perfect." He said, nuzzling his daughter lightly. Then he turned to the final tom. "What about Pinekit for the final tom?" He asked, glancing back at Cherryvine. It was a strong ShadowClan name, and his brown fur reminded Stormfury of the pines he had gotten used to stalking prey under after his arrival in ShadowClan.
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 12:40:59 GMT -5
Mistkit squeaked at her father's touch, clumsily batting out a paw towards his nose.
Cherryvine purred, her heart filling with pride and love for her mate and kits. "Pinekit is a wonderful name." The she-cat let out a yawn. Leaning over, she rested her head on Stormfury's shoulder. "Take in the peace and quiet with them now. We'll have a lot of visitors over the next few days. After that, they're going to be zooming around camp themselves."
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 12:42:54 GMT -5
Stormfury nodded, and gave his mate a lick on the cheek. "That's fine with me...I want the whole forest to know how perfect they are." He said, soothingly stroking his mate with his tail. "You get some rest my love....you've earned it."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 12:45:16 GMT -5
Palepaw nodded. "I'll let you know."
"I'll help push this time too." Whorlpaw stepped up beside her sister.
Closesky let out a sigh at the way Bumbleskip responded. The younger tom really forgot what it meant to stand up for himself, didn't he? Closesky sat down and started cleaning his paws.
Ashrock still wouldn't look at Cloudscar. As much as he hated it, he couldn't leave Cherryvine without some guidance--even if it was his. He had heard the horror stories of kittings, she needed someone just in case... "Right. Well, you'd be the only one," Ashrock replied dryly. He didn't want to admit he was grateful for the deputy's words. The only ones who said anything kind to him anymore were Coalpaw and Stonesong.
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Post by Icefire15 on Mar 29, 2021 12:50:46 GMT -5
Snowdance had set her herbs down with a sigh when Ashrock had snapped at her and was about to respond when he stormed off. Giving a shake of her head, she turned to Coalpaw, “What’s happened now?” She asked tiredly. The medicine cat was ready to curl up in her nest already, but she doubted she would get any rest anytime soon.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 29, 2021 12:53:38 GMT -5
“How can creatures so clumsy and stupid cause so much damage?” Spiderfang hissed, her ears falling as the sight of ash and old, fading soot etched into her mind again. “A fire of all things. I hate fires. I hate them. Stupid, wretched twolegs...All they have taken from us.” She thought then of Onyxtip, of her mother and father, all burned in flames, and the grief she felt turned right into cold anger. She would not mourn with cries, but she would certainly do what she could to never let another one happen. “The less twolegs around, the better. I might just take a bit of their leg if I see one.” She grunted. Mouseclaw ran his tail along her back in comfort, "They took a lot from us, but I'm sure some of their own died too. As much as I dislike them, I don't think the fire was on purpose. I don't understand twoleg monsters but it seems like something went horribly wrong with one of them." “Perhaps then they’ll know what it feels like then.” Spiderfang growled, though she allowed Mouseclaw to run his tail along her flank. “If they can’t control their monsters, then they have only themselves to blame.” She grumbled.
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 12:57:01 GMT -5
Cloudscar shrugged, still watching the camp. "ShadowClan cats don't forgive and forget easily." he admitted. "But, in my opinion, everyone is worth a second...or third chance." His attention turned back to the nursery as he spoke, his thoughts lingering on some far off memory before his eyes came back to Ashrock. "You're not the first cat in this clan to make mistakes, and I highly doubt you will be the last. Just keep doing what you think is right...and the clan will come around."
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 13:01:10 GMT -5
Cherryvine let out another yawn, closing her eyes and curling tight around the kits, "I suspect Hazelblaze, Vixenflame and Cloudscar will want to come see them soon. Perhaps even Bumbleskip if he can get the bees out of his brain." she murmured, "If they peek their heads in tell them they are welcome to come visit."
(Soft Storm for Cherry and their kits only. We stan )
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 13:02:33 GMT -5
Duskpaw waited until Whorlpaw was ready before counting down, "Three, two, one, push!" she called, placing her weight back onto her brother. "Come on Palepaw, we can do this!"
When Bumbleskip no longer felt any attacks, he weakly looked up at Closesky in confusion. "What now? I still don't know what you want from me."
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Post by Willow on Mar 29, 2021 13:04:00 GMT -5
Mouseclaw nodded, "I am by no means defending them. It's their own fault for their losses and our clanmates and kin did not deserve to die. But, I do not think we were the only ones suffering." As they approached the carrionplace he stopped, letting Spiderfang take a look at the now wrecked dump.
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 13:08:51 GMT -5
Stormfury nodded, suddenly unsure of all the visitors. Would they want to see him? Maybe he should stay for Cloudscar's visit, but respectfully bow out for the others. After all, he wasn't sure how Cherryvine's family felt that she had chosen a former rabbit chaser has her mate. He continued to stroke Cherryvine's flank with his tail, purring deeply at her and the kits.
((He's a softy at heart lol))
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 29, 2021 13:15:05 GMT -5
Mouseclaw nodded, "I am by no means defending them. It's their own fault for their losses and our clanmates and kin did not deserve to die. But, I do not think we were the only ones suffering." As they approached the carrionplace he stopped, letting Spiderfang take a look at the now wrecked dump. “...You always had a softer heart...” Spiderfang sighed softly. It was what had drawn her to him, admittedly. Even against her harshest barbs and when her heart had been encased in stone, he had held her in a kind regard, loved her in ways she had forgotten. His compassion, even for twolegs, was something she could not fault him for. She shook her head, focusing on Carrionplace as she frowned. “Starclan...Look at those monsters. I’ve seen those kinds before, but never that many.” She looked suddenly towards a few massive, fat, yellow monsters with jaws that extended from its face. “Look. It doesn’t eat the Carrion. It just...moves it.”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 13:41:08 GMT -5
Cloudscar shrugged, still watching the camp. "ShadowClan cats don't forgive and forget easily." he admitted. "But, in my opinion, everyone is worth a second...or third chance." His attention turned back to the nursery as he spoke, his thoughts lingering on some far off memory before his eyes came back to Ashrock. "You're not the first cat in this clan to make mistakes, and I highly doubt you will be the last. Just keep doing what you think is right...and the clan will come around." "It's not the Clan that needs to come around." Ashrock finally looked back at the deputy. His expression was damped and almost...miserable. "Some mistakes just can't be forgiven, alright? Cliffheart served Dark Forest in the AdderClan war and yet the clan forgives him. Songbreeze got that tom killed because she tangled with the dark forest and yet the Clan forgives her. Goldberry actually got possessed and killed his clanmates and yet he's walking around camp like nothing happened! Roseleaf cheated on Falcontalon and she was even forgiven! But StarClan forbid anyone put a little bit of poppy seeds in the deputy's prey! This whole clan is full of screw-ups and sinners and yet I'm the only one who can't be forgiven?!" Ashrock looked away and shook his head. "Forget it. It isn't like you can understand. You haven't done anything wrong."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 13:43:50 GMT -5
Duskpaw waited until Whorlpaw was ready before counting down, "Three, two, one, push!" she called, placing her weight back onto her brother. "Come on Palepaw, we can do this!" When Bumbleskip no longer felt any attacks, he weakly looked up at Closesky in confusion. "What now? I still don't know what you want from me." Palepaw tensed at the strain in his leg when both his sisters pushed against him. He leaned forward and pulled with all his might to get his foot uncaught. The bark of the tree pinched against his paw, but he endured it. Just a little more. He could feel it giving. Just a little more-- "Oof!" Palepaw's foot popped free and he fell forward, Whorlpaw letting out a yelp as she fell on top of him. Closesky ignored him and continued to clean his paw.
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 14:34:33 GMT -5
Cloudscar flicked his tail, unsure of how to comfort the tom further without risking his own secrets. "You may be surprised Ashrock. I had plenty of time to make my own mistakes before you were born." He didn't say more, but hung on his last sentence for a beat before moving on. "It took time for the clan to come around and forgive any of the cats you just mentioned, and I'm sure most of the clan still has an issue with at least one of them. The difference is they've had time. They've had time for the clan to move on, time for someone else to mess up, time to forgive and forget. You haven't had that kind of time yet."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 14:39:04 GMT -5
"No, I've just been stuck in the medicine den for multiple seasons!" Ashrock scoffed. "It doesn't matter. I should just get used to it. It's not like I'm leaving it any time soon."
(Technically...Poor Ash has been stuck in the medicine den since 2018...He was in there before North died and she died January 2019........)
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 29, 2021 14:46:43 GMT -5
(W o w that long, huh? Yeesh, Coalpaw’s way behind then lol. Which is just fine, I like him taking longer if it means he prefers Ashrock’s mentoring over everyone else’s.)
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 14:53:35 GMT -5
(Yeah......)
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 14:58:32 GMT -5
Cloudscar let out a small sigh, making a mental note to talk to Cedarstar about Ashrock later. He didn't tell Ashrock of his intention, knowing that would only make things worse. "I'm sorry Ashrock, I'm sure it hasn't been easy for you." He stood and turned back to the younger tom. "I'm sure you want to rest, you've had a pretty eventful morning."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Mar 29, 2021 15:00:57 GMT -5
"Whatever." Ashrock turned from the deputy. He got up and walked away.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 29, 2021 15:03:25 GMT -5
Ashrock growled in annoyance when Stormfury scattered the pile he was sweeping back all over the den. "She's not here! Can't you see that?!" Smokestorm nodded in agreement. "Do you think ShadowClan will ever feel like that again? I mean...with..." he idly motioned toward the leader's den. "ShadowClan had blind warriors before." Cedarstar moved to the side of the clearing and turned around to watch her. There was no reason ShadowClan couldn't have blind warriors again. He didn't address her first four words...since he didn't actually believe them. "Feel the air. How it opens up to the clearing, there are not as many trees here and the breeze isn't as contained." “With Cedarstar?” Snakesong mewed softly, before she flinched at her own words, feeling guilty again. It was hard not to compare them, even when she knew they were different. “I...I...I don’t know. I think Cedarstar’s a dedicated cat, and that he’s doing his best but...I don’t think anyone could ever be like her. I don’t think the clan will ever be the same as it was.” “Oh. Yes. One of those Warriors was Ratmask’s father, right?” Rustlepaw asked, recalling her big sister’s praises of her mate and of his father’s bravery. That was who Longkit was named after. Rustlepaw wished he had been alive, to understand the world the way she did. Even so, she felt delighted to be good enough to be Cedarstar’s apprentice. She lifted her head, sighing with relief as she felt nothing but open air on her face. “It’s true! I can feel more wind here!...I could maybe use that to find which trees are blocking it the most?” She offered.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 29, 2021 15:05:58 GMT -5
Coalpaw shifted silently at the entrance of the medicine den, having overheard some snippits of words. His father’s name, and a few others, but that was all he could hear. That, and Ashrock’s strained voice. He was clearly upset, and Coalpaw wished more than anything that he knew what he could do to make him feel better. He scooted away quickly from the den, retreating back towards the center of camp before his mentor could catch eye of him.
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Post by Firebelly on Mar 29, 2021 15:09:57 GMT -5
Cloudscar let out a small sigh and padded back towards the nursery. Would it be strange for him to be among the first visitors to his son's kits? No, right? He was the deputy...he should check on the clan's newest members? But he hadn't checked on other kits so shortly after they were born. He flattened his ears and sat a couple tail-lengths away from the nursery, conflicted.
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