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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 18:52:17 GMT -5
Pantherkit felt warmth spread into her face at all the stares but refused to bow her head, or even look away from Cederstar. Instead she raised her head to meet the faces, letting their eyes run over her fur. If I am going to join, I will belong here just like any other cat. They will be my... family. The thought felt strange, looking over all these whiskered faces and knowing that they would be something like kin to her.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 18:52:59 GMT -5
(*Gasps* my Closesky post got deleted :0 )
Closesky smiled lightly at the young she-cat by Talltalon. He was always welcoming of new apprentices.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 18:54:22 GMT -5
Talltalon stood up, the shock of Moonpetal's death making his fur bristle a bit. He forced himself to calm down though, now realizing that Pantherkit was more needed than ever to make up for the loss of life from Stormfury and Moonpetal. He mewed firmly. "Pantherkit demonstrated exceptional hunting talent when instructed to catch our kinds of prey. She was able to catch two frogs consecutively, and pick up on training advice on the first or second attempt after being taught it. She's naturally inclined to our way of life compared to any other Clan, if she had to join one, and she's shown great determination to not become like the cats who abandoned her before." He nodded to the frogs that Pantherkit was carrying, before he continued.
"Coming from me, you all know I would never say this easily, but I do believe that Pantherkit has the capacity to be beneficial to Shadowclan, and not a burden." He decided, looking firmly at Houndthroat and at any other cat that remarked. He then flicked his ears at Nightstalker's words, agreeing with her immensely. She had the right head on her shoulders.
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 18:57:08 GMT -5
Spottedpaw hummed, considering Rustlepaw's words. "I guess you're right. Didn't Cedarstar make Vixenflame and Hazelblaze warriors right after the fire too?" He glanced over to see Pantherkit, giving the new apprentice a shy smile. "New denmate I guess."
Mouseclaw touched his nose to Spiderfang's shoulder, agreeing with Cedarstar. "We must rest first, then we will fight. We will never win when we are spread thin like this."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 19:02:51 GMT -5
Cedarstar blinked slowly as he studied Pantherkit's reaction and heeded Talltalon's words. It did surprise him that Talltalon supported the she-cat. "Pantherkit, do you understand that when you join a Clan, when you join ShadowClan, it is for life. You live and die by the code we will teach you and you will standby and support your clanmates until the day you are welcomed into StarClan?"
Houndthroat rolled his eyes and looked away from Talltalon and Pantherkit.
Littlemoon glanced up at Cedarstar, she wondered if this Pantherkit even knew what StarClan was.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 19:04:08 GMT -5
Spottedpaw hummed, considering Rustlepaw's words. "I guess you're right. Didn't Cedarstar make Vixenflame and Hazelblaze warriors right after the fire too?" He glanced over to see Pantherkit, giving the new apprentice a shy smile. "New denmate I guess." Mouseclaw touched his nose to Spiderfang's shoulder, agreeing with Cedarstar. "We must rest first, then we will fight. We will never win when we are spread thin like this." "He did. Hazelblaze, Vixenflame, Burninghope and Waspstrike all were brave in the Fire, and thanks to them, Snowdance is still here with us, and many of our Clanmates survived, even if... many others did not." Rustlepaw nodded, recalling the memory, and recalling how their Clanmates had described the four then apprentices' valiant bravery in the flames. "In darkness, there is always a way to make light." She recited. Spiderfang finally relented to Cedarstar with a stiff bow of her head. She would never disobey her leader's orders, even if she was itching to sink her claws into a prey-mauler. She looked at Mouseclaw, sighing heavily. "I always hated this part. Waiting to recover, before the big strike."
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 19:11:22 GMT -5
Pantherkit gently set down her frogs on the ground so she could speak clearly. Her deep blue eye looked calm as she stared up into Cederstar's own eyes. "Yes, I do. I will stand by Shadowclan, and support it and my clanmates until the day I die." All the words she were speaking were true, and just by listening you could tell that she truly believed in every word.
Nightstalker studied the young cat. Certainly she seemed capable enough, if she could bring back food even with a messed up eye. And from experience Nightstalker knew how terrifying it could be to go in front of cats you didn't know and ask to stay. But at least she didn't stray away from the stares. Poor thing. I really do hope that Cederstar will let her stay, if not just long enough to have her eye fixed. But deep inside she knew that her leader wouldn't send a starving young one away. He's proven that before.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 19:25:44 GMT -5
Cedarstar blinked in approval of the young she-cat's words. He nodded to a place below the Clan Rock. "Step forward then, Pantherkit."
Houndthroat leaned over to Lilywhisper and whispered. "If she's a rogue, then why is she called Pantherkit?"
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 19:35:58 GMT -5
Pantherkit tried to ignore the whispers as she walked over to where Cedarstar beconed, her one eye burning with something like pride. She was really going to find her home here, in this dark and unwelcoming territory full of cats who hunt at the dead of night. Once she got there she stopped, ear twitching slightly in nerves. I hope Talltalon will make sure my frogs are okay for now...
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Post by thistle on May 14, 2024 19:41:50 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw blinked curiously at Pantherkit, feeling drawn towards the other cat with a story so much like her own; brought into ShadowClan following a disaster. For Fuzzypaw, the Great Fire, and for Pantherkit, the recent flood. She was a little shocked to see the raw wound where the young she-cat's eye should have been.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 19:56:29 GMT -5
Lilywhisper leaned over to whisper curiously to Houndthroat. "I'm not sure. I noticed that too. She doesn't smell like any of the other Clans... maybe her parents knew about the Clans, tried to imitate the names?" She offered. Maybe her parents had been Clan cats from another Clan? She didn't know, but she was neither happy nor unhappy as she watched Pantherkit step forward.
Spiderfang watched, having spoken to Pantherkit before she was tested, and finding her to be both a pain in the tail and a refreshing source of wit and determination that she appreciated in another cat. If Pantherkit proved herself, she could see her fitting in better than most.
Waspflame seemed a bit unsure about this new cat, though he chalked it up to his more prickly personality. It took alot for him to trust some of his own Clanmates, let alone a cat he knew nothing about. He watched silently.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 20:00:16 GMT -5
Cedarstar watched Pantherkit calmly. "From this moment on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Pantherpaw." He looked to the crowd. "Talltalon, you've proven capable of guiding this young she-cat with your instruction. I trust you'll turn her into a fine ShadowClan warrior."
Houndthroat scoffed. "That's dumb for outsiders to do," he whispered. "If she didn't come here, her name would've been Pantherkit all her life. I would've at least changed it to Panther if I was her."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 20:07:34 GMT -5
Talltalon didn't seem surprised by Cedarstar's decision. If anything, the tom was internally relieved that he could continue to train Pantherkit. She had been surprisingly easy to mesh with just when hunting for a little bit. With enough resolve and work, and Talltalon knew he had plenty of that, he was confident he could train Pantherpaw into a Shadowclan Warrior. He padded towards her, lowering his head and mewing gruffly. "Touch your nose to mine. It signifies that you accept me as your mentor, and that I promise to teach you all I know." He explained to her.
"Big shocker there." Spiderfang smirked, mewing to Mouseclaw as she watched Talltalon accept his new apprentice. If anyone could whip her up quickly into shape, it was the stern tom.
Vulturekit watched with a hint of both wonder and envy, mewing to Skullkit and Leopardshadow. "Does that mean papa's going to spend all his time with Panterpaw instead of us?" He asked, not liking the idea, even if he knew that was what mentors did, and that his father would always be a hardworking Warrior.
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 20:09:41 GMT -5
Pantherpaw felt her chest swell as he spoke, her only eye now blazing. “Thank you. I promise to do my best.” Then she looked between Cedarstar and Talltalon, unsure of where to go.
Nightstalker tried in vain to hide the smile that was creeping onto her lips. A new member of the clan was always exciting, especially for one that seemed well fitted for this way of life. At Houndthroat’s griping she rolled her eyes. “I’m guessing that her parents would have changed it as she grew, just like here. I know sometimes the kittypets will do that. Even if they have no desire to join the clans, sometimes if a parent looks up to a clan they will try to follow that way of life. Of course circumstances like that are rare, but not impossible.” She swiped a paw over her ear as she watched Pantherpaw. She seemed pleased enough, and Nightstalker felt glad to see her happy.
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 20:12:46 GMT -5
"He'll teach her well." Mouseclaw assured. "He deserves another apprentice after what happened to Ravenpaw."
Spottedpaw snickered as Rustlepaw recited the words from all those moons ago, "You remember everything don't you?"
Duskpaw kept glancing toward the medicine cat den, hoping the ceremony would be over soon so she could go check on Palepaw again. It felt wrong to be in the crowd out here without him and their mother.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 20:35:29 GMT -5
Cedarstar jumped down from Clan Rock. He noticed Pantherpaw's lost expression. "Those are few of ShadowClan's apprentices." He motioned to where Spottedpaw, Rustlepaw, Rowanpaw, and Duskpaw sat. "They can show you where the apprentice den is." He looked to his deputy. "Cardinalblaze, take your patrol and bring Stormfury home."
Whorlpaw scampered over to Cardinalblaze, ready to go look for her mentor.
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 20:39:33 GMT -5
Cherryvine nodded to Hazelblaze, "Keep them safe for me." she mewed, her voice strained. She glanced at each of her kits once before padding over to Cardinalblaze, nodding as Whorlpaw bounded over as well. "We'll find him."
Spottedpaw nudged Rustlepaw, "Should we go say Hi to Pantherpaw?"
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 20:43:12 GMT -5
Cardinalblaze dipped his head deeply to his leader. "We'll find him. We'll search every corner if we need to." He looked at Whorlpaw and Cherryvine then, his eyes heavy yet unwavering in his promise to them. "Let's go quickly. I remember exactly where Mouseclaw found Raccoonmask, Houndthroat, and Lilywhisper. We can start the search there and head downstream." He decided.
"Ravenpaw's fate was a tragedy. I can understand his feeling intently. My first two apprentices passed before they could earn their names." Spiderfang nodded in agreement, silently missing Burntpaw and Raccoonpaw. "You don't forget them, any of your apprentices."
"I remember as much as I can when Cedarstar tells me." Rustlepaw's whiskers twitched with a hint of humor, before she swiveled her head towards the scent of Pantherpaw. She smiled in her direction, though her sightless eyes gave no visual of her. "Pantherpaw seems like a good fit here. I like her determination."
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 20:46:25 GMT -5
Pantherkit looked nervously at the apprentices. They looked to be her age, and it scared her slightly. What if they were like Viper? What if they didn't like her? She pushed those thoughts out of her mind however, glancing up at Talltalon for approval to go over. "Can I go to them?"
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 20:47:13 GMT -5
Whorlpaw nodded curtly to Cardinalblaze and hurried after him. Her heart beat worriedly for her mentor.
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Post by thistle on May 14, 2024 20:53:48 GMT -5
Featherkit watched forlornly as Cherryvine followed the patrol. After a moment of silence, she whispered, "...She didn't even say good-bye."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 20:53:51 GMT -5
"Go on then. Those four have good heads on their shoulders. They'll be civil." Talltalon nodded, his tail flicking lightly for her to go ahead and introduce herself. He wanted her to get used to her denmates early, and learn about basic Clan duties faster by hearing about them from them. He could already see Spottedpaw and Rustlepaw giving Pantherpaw inviting and friendly looks.
Cardinalblaze pushed out of the camp entrance, glancing back as he broke into a quick trot through the territory. He mewed. "Keep your muzzles sharp. The flood-waters will have washed away many scents, but some might remain if we track intensely." He blinked the nerves away, focusing on fulfilling his promise. They needed to find Stormfury, whether he was dead or alive.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 20:55:48 GMT -5
Whorlpaw pinned her ears back in determination as she followed after the deputy. She always felt Duskpaw was the better tracker of her siblings, but she was going to give it her best. She eyed the debris in the forest for any signs of Stormfury's fur.
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 21:04:00 GMT -5
Pantherkit nodded, making a beeline for her frogs before going to the apprentices. “Hello,” she said nervously. “I’m Pantherpaw, as you know, and Cedarstar told me to go over and talk to you. But uhm… do you know where I can put my frogs?” As she spoke her stomach let out a loud yowl of hunger. She had forgotten about not having eaten due to the excitement of being accepted into the clan and named, but now her belly ached more than ever. She refused to ask for food however. If she was going to eat anything, she would catch it herself.
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 21:04:51 GMT -5
Cherryvine padded alongside the patrol, her shoulders tight as she scanned the territory. Her first time back on a patrol was supposed to be moons from now with Stormfury by her side. Maybe even one of their kits as a new apprentice. The thought made her ears go flat as she scented the air. The flood could go to the dark forest, she won't rest until she finds him.
Spottedpaw followed Rustlepaw's lead and made his way over to Pantherpaw. "Hi!" he mewed with a smile, only looking slightly nervous to meet their new clanmate. "My name is Spottedpaw, this is my sister Rustlepaw. You can put your frogs over there on the fresh kill pile, but sounds like you should take one of them for yourself." he said, with a laugh.
Duskpaw waved her tail in greeting to Pantherpaw before she turned, slipping into the medicine cat den without another word.
Mistkit watched Cherryvine disappear through the entrance before she turned to look at Featherkit. "She doesn't mean to be like this I don't think. She loves us."
Hailkit's tail flicked, he looked down at his paws. "Doesn't feel like it right now."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 21:07:01 GMT -5
Cedarstar slipped into the medicine den after Cardinalblaze left and Pantherpaw headed to the other apprentices. He flicked his ear twice seeing that Duskpaw beat him in here and it saddened him that Palepaw appeared to have not moved. "Any change?" He asked Starrylight.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 21:10:36 GMT -5
"Spottedpaw's right." Rustlepaw mewed kindly to Pantherpaw as she scented the frogs. She motioned towards the direction of the small prey pile, where the prey they had carried back from the border trek was now once again in a damp yet manageable pile. "One of those frogs should be all yours. You hunted more than one, so it's only right now that you've likely fed one of the Queens." She nodded. She could hear Pantherpaw's rumbling stomach, and it made her feel empathy for the she-cat.
Cardinalblaze led the two she-cats silently along the territory, sticking close to the banks of one of the few streams that flowed through camp. Flood water was still draining, making the stream fuller than usual, but it was no longer washing over the banks and around them in a big wave. He grit his teeth, only scenting soggy grass and water so far.
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 21:15:43 GMT -5
Duskpaw padded forward to press her face into Cedarstar's chest as he entered the den, "He looks horrible Dad." she sniffled.
Starrylight shook her head, her tail gently stroking Palepaw's uninjured flank as he slept. "No, not much. He stirred a little once, but he hasn't woken at all."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 21:15:48 GMT -5
(gtg for the night! I'll be on tomorrow!)
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 21:20:07 GMT -5
(Night Blazer!)
Cedarstar's heart broke when Duskpaw pressed against him and for a moment he lost his voice. He tried so hard to keep Palepaw safe when he realized the Prey Maulers were there, but still they got to him. Cedarstar licked Duskpaw's head, trying to offer reassurance. First Cliffheart, now Palepaw. Who would be next to get gravely injured by the beasts stalking their woods? Cedarstar cleared his throat to finally find his voice. "He's going to be okay," he whispered. "He's made it this long. He'll pull through."
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