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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 7, 2024 10:25:53 GMT -5
Littlemoon glanced at Mouseclaw at his comment, but didn't say anything. She took one more scan of the area. "I'm not seeing anymore. Let's get what you found back quickly." Whorlpaw wrinkled her nose. "I don't know. I hope not because I don't want things to get so bad we need one, but it could be cool training with apprentices from other Clans. Father never talked much about his days at highstones." Mouseclaw nodded as he carefully picked up the herb and headed back to camp as fast as his legs would carry him. He was going to need a long nap after all this excitement. Duskpaw swiped a paw blindly into a small hollow, making a face when her paw hit a gooey piece of algae. "Maybe it was uneventful for the most part. I know for a while we had Skyclan cats living in our camp with us. That would be strange wouldn't it? If Warblerpaw and Flyingpaw were in our camp with us?" Littlemoon hurried after the older warrior. Whorlpaw softly smiled. "If Warblerpaw was here, Palepaw would get so competitive with him." She looked off toward the medicine den. "But it would be an experience, you know? A story we could tell to younger cats if we make it being elders."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 7, 2024 10:29:32 GMT -5
Cedarstar swallowed tightly. He didn't look at anyone as he headed to the Clan Rock. The medicine den beneath the rock, twisted his stomach. He hoped Palepaw would pull through. He wanted nothing more than to be at his son's side, but he left the Clan in the dark long enough. With a deep breath, he jumped on Clan Rock and faced the Clan. "Let all those old enough to stalk the night gather beneath Clan Rock for a meeting!"
(If anyone has anything they want added to the Clan News, just let me know!)
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Post by Willow on May 7, 2024 11:18:09 GMT -5
"That's what littermates are for!" Spottedpaw grinned. Though his face faltered as he remembered the two tiny kits they had once shared a nest with. "Do you ever think about what our other littermates would have been like? If there were four of us training together?" "I imagine it's the same way Lionscorch and Leaffrost feel about their brother and sister in their litter who aren't here either." Rustlepaw mewed softly, her expression soft with a deep empathy that she inherited from her father. "I like to think they're all together, in Starclan. But if I had to imagine, they'd probably be very brave, and maybe good fighters like our parents. I bet they would look very nice, even if I couldn't ever see them." She decided. Spottedpaw smiled softly, imagining the four of them gossiping into the night in the apprentices den. He hoped one day they would meet in the fields of Starclan. "I know it doesn't matter much to you Rustlepaw, but you're a very pretty she-cat. Your fur is darker than our parent's but you have the same pattern in your fur as Mama. Your fur color though actually matches Lionscorch's more. It's perfect for blending into the night and shadows of our territory. I have the opposite. My fur is mostly white. I stand out in the night like a raven call overhead." he mewed, trying his best to describe it in ways that she would understand.
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Post by Willow on May 7, 2024 11:21:40 GMT -5
Duskpaw stood taller as she finally found a good swath of cobwebs from the inside of a tree stump. "We'll make it to elderhood. I'll make sure of it. Palepaw too." she whispered solemnly. "Do you think this is enough for now? I don't want to take too long."
Mouseclaw burst back into the camp as Cedarstar called the meeting, dipping his head to the leader on the tall rock as he went straight for the medicine cat den, his bundle of horsetail still clamped tight in his jaws.
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Post by Willow on May 7, 2024 11:25:37 GMT -5
Starrylight wrapped herself around Palepaw the best that she could between her pregnant belly and her son's wounds. Her eyes drooped with fatigue as she tried to keep watch.
Hazelblaze nosed at the kits gently, "You may come sit with me in the gathering, but you must behave okay? Cedarstar has a lot of important things to say."
Mistkit nodded to Hazelblaze, glancing toward the nursery to see if Cherryvine would appear. Her frown deepened when only her brother's poked their heads out of the nursery, their mother no where to be seen.
Falcontalon settled at the back of the gathering with a heavy sigh, Pearlkit had come to settle at his feet.
Thistlestalk pushed the pile of branches he had been using to patch up the elder's den to the side before he trotted over to join the crowd.
Racoonmask raised her head, eyes bleary as she awoke again. This time, she couldn't find the strength to get up again. She had expended all her energy fighting with Ashrock and Goldberry.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 7, 2024 11:41:15 GMT -5
Duskpaw stood taller as she finally found a good swath of cobwebs from the inside of a tree stump. "We'll make it to elderhood. I'll make sure of it. Palepaw too." she whispered solemnly. "Do you think this is enough for now? I don't want to take too long." Mouseclaw burst back into the camp as Cedarstar called the meeting, dipping his head to the leader on the tall rock as he went straight for the medicine cat den, his bundle of horsetail still clamped tight in his jaws. Whorlpaw nodded. "I think that's about how much Snowdance put on one of Cliffheart's wounds. Surely that has to be enough." She took a few steps toward camp. "Let's hurry." Littlemoon didn't want to crowd up the medicine den. She waited for someone to come out before slipping in with her herbs.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 7, 2024 12:16:19 GMT -5
Cardinalblaze watched Cedarstar move up to start to address the Clan. He padded a bit awkwardly towards the rock, before reminding himself to act accordingly and not cower like a kit. As exhausted as he was, he needed to be ready for when the Clan heard the tragic news of Moonpetal’s death. His eyes drooped, but he turned and sat below the leader in his new spot, watching the Clan.
Rustlepaw smiled softly at Spottedpaw’s words. She didn’t know what the colors looked like, but she could understand the connotations that came with them. She supposed she did sound like a Shadowclan cat, perhaps like a shadow. She purred, before she was interrupted. Perking up, she turned to face Cedarstar’s direction.
Honeycrest placed down the material he was building with, turning to listen to Cedarstar.
Lynxdapple looked up at the leader, not liking the expression on his face.
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Post by Willow on May 7, 2024 12:31:40 GMT -5
Duskpaw dashed back to camp with Whorlpaw at her side. She glanced at her sister as if suddenly realizing they weren't young apprentices anymore. They'd be nearing their warrior ceremony soon. The thought gave her an extra burst of energy, picking up speed toward the camp. Palepaw would earn his warrior name too. He had to.
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Post by Icefire15 on May 7, 2024 17:20:02 GMT -5
Snowdance looked up when Mouseclaw and Littlemoon returned with the horsetail and motioned with her tail, "Place it over there, thank you." She mewed, pointing at the neat pile of herbs that she had sitting close to her.
Leopardshadow looked up from where she was sitting with Beekit, flicking her tail for Vulturekit and Skullkit to stop their game and to join her. "You can continue your game once the meeting is over, just sit still for now." She mewed to them.
Skullkit had just managed to catch the mossball when Cedarstar called the meeting and hurried back over to his mother with it still in his jaws.
Poppyflame joined Thistlestalk and sat down next to her mate, letting her fur brush against his lightly.
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 7, 2024 18:22:23 GMT -5
((When 🌙Moonpower🌙 gets back online after the ceremony can someone tag me so we can do Pantherkit? Thanks!))
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Post by thistle on May 7, 2024 19:11:50 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw paused collecting some of the moss that had been drying and looked towards the Clanrock, her ears twitching with interest.
Featherkit nodded, snuggling close to Hazelblaze.
Oakfall looked up from where he had been weaving in new den material.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 7, 2024 19:21:31 GMT -5
((When 🌙Moonpower🌙 gets back online after the ceremony can someone tag me so we can do Pantherkit? Thanks!)) (Yeah, I'll let you know!) Talltalon paused as they approached the camp entrance. He flicked his ears. "Cedarstar's just called a meeting. Carry your prey with you in, we'll make sure he can see that you're not coming in empty-pawed." He offered, pushing his way into the camp. "Stick close to me for now, Pantherkit."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 7, 2024 19:23:02 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw paused collecting some of the moss that had been drying and looked towards the Clanrock, her ears twitching with interest. Featherkit nodded, snuggling close to Hazelblaze. Oakfall looked up from where he had been weaving in new den material. "Oh! A Clan meeting!" Lightpaw exclaimed, dropping her moss in favor of scampering out to get a better view of Cedarstar. She blinked at Fuzzypaw, wondering if she would stay near the den or come closer too. Waspflame padded slowly to Oakfall's side, his voice low and deep as he mewed. "There's bound to be alot for him to say, seeing the state of the Moonstone patrol when we returned to camp..."
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 7, 2024 20:06:27 GMT -5
((When 🌙Moonpower🌙 gets back online after the ceremony can someone tag me so we can do Pantherkit? Thanks!)) (Yeah, I'll let you know!) Talltalon paused as they approached the camp entrance. He flicked his ears. "Cedarstar's just called a meeting. Carry your prey with you in, we'll make sure he can see that you're not coming in empty-pawed." He offered, pushing his way into the camp. "Stick close to me for now, Pantherkit." Pantherkit followed him, her one eye darting around at the assembled cats as she gripped the prey even harder in her teeth. There was an air of sadness in the camp and she wondered what it was about. There was a flood earlier... maybe something to do with that? She stuck close to Talltalon as they walked and hoped that Cedarstar would be even mildly impressed with her catches.
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Post by thistle on May 8, 2024 19:40:13 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw padded closer to join Lightpaw a few paces away from the den.
Oakfall barely suppressed a sigh, his golden eyes dimmed by the sadness hanging over the camp. "These next few days will be hard," he murmured, letting his pelt brush Waspflame's; to comfort himself or the other tom, he didn't know. "But we'll be fine! We have to be."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 8, 2024 19:56:53 GMT -5
Waspflame didn’t mind the closeness. If anything, he was a bit glad to know that Oakfall came to his side for comfort, intending to or not. He glanced at the older tom, eyes unreadable as he mewed lightly. “We always find a way. At least, that’s what the more optimistic cats say.”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 9, 2024 19:16:33 GMT -5
Cedarstar tilted his ears back when the Clan gathered. He still wasn't used to calling meetings and this one had his heart heavy. "Thank you all," he mewed steadily. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when the floods came, but it seems you were all in good paws." He looked over at Cardinalblaze and gave a nod of thanks. "Well done looking after the Clan."
Houndthroat rolled his eyes and refused to look at Cardinalblaze.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 9, 2024 19:29:27 GMT -5
Cedarstar tilted his ears back when the Clan gathered. He still wasn't used to calling meetings and this one had his heart heavy. "Thank you all," he mewed steadily. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when the floods came, but it seems you were all in good paws." He looked over at Cardinalblaze and gave a nod of thanks. "Well done looking after the Clan." Houndthroat rolled his eyes and refused to look at Cardinalblaze. Cardinalblaze looked up quickly at Cedarstar, not expecting to be addressed. He glanced at the Clan with a hint of a fluster, though his heartache sombered him up enough to allow him to take the praise with a controlled nod. He mewed quickly. "The Clan moved quickly and knew exactly what to do. Thanks to everyone, and Lynxdapple's warning, we got everyone out in time." He quieted after that, silently reminding himself that Stormfury had not made it home. Lilywhisper looked at Houndthroat, noticing his eyeroll. She shuffled a bit closer to him, silently providing her support for the conflicting emotions he must be feeling.
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Post by Willow on May 9, 2024 19:35:44 GMT -5
Raccoonmask looked down at her paws, glaring slightly at them as her brother spoke. "Everyone did not get out in time." she hissed quietly under her breath.
Falcontalon stood straighter, nodding with approval toward Cardinalblaze.
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Post by Frozen on May 9, 2024 21:44:30 GMT -5
Shortcloud sat close to Brittlefoot, wearily looking up at Cedarstar. She knew now that the storm had died down that the Clan had not survived unscathed.
Sandflower pressed close to Lynxdapple and purred weakly. If it weren't for him, they would be in much worse shape.
Cinderspeck's eyes drooped with exhaustion. He was drained from escaping camp and taking refuge in the tree. Seeing Hazelblaze comfort the kits stirred warmth within him, motivating him to listen to Cedarstar's report.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 10, 2024 18:47:18 GMT -5
Shortcloud sat close to Brittlefoot, wearily looking up at Cedarstar. She knew now that the storm had died down that the Clan had not survived unscathed. Sandflower pressed close to Lynxdapple and purred weakly. If it weren't for him, they would be in much worse shape. Cinderspeck's eyes drooped with exhaustion. He was drained from escaping camp and taking refuge in the tree. Seeing Hazelblaze comfort the kits stirred warmth within him, motivating him to listen to Cedarstar's report. "I can tell that this is going to be heavy. Look at Cedarstar's face..." Brittlefoot mewed quietly to Shortcloud, the joy of his sister's kitting sobered by the fact that Stormfury was likely dead, and that Cedarstar looked like that wasn't the only announcement to be made. He sighed, his kinked tail wrapping around Shortcloud's side. Lynxdapple pressed close to his taller mate, her fur warming his soaked pelt as he mewed. "Anyone would have done it just as well." He murmured to her, trying to be humble.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 13, 2024 18:42:22 GMT -5
Cedarstar nodded back to his deputy, but he feel great about the looks swapped between his clanmates. He flicked his ear twice. How was he going to say this? How does he tell the Clan Stormfury and Moonpetal were dead? He was sure they all knew about Stormfury, but now he had to remind them and relay that Moonpetal got mauled by Prey Maulers?
Cedarstar cleared his throat. He didn't have any clever way to relay the news. No tender words to lay it on gently or cool demeanor to show he wasn't scared of what happened. All he had was the truth. "My heart is heavy," he admitted in a dampened tone. "Palepaw is gravely injured and two warriors are dead this night. Cardinalblaze told me how Stormfury sacrified himself for Raccoonmask." He found the she-cat in the crowd. "He was a true ShadowClan warrior. I'm sorry you witnessed it, but I'm thankful you're still alive, Raccoonmask. And, Cherryvine..." Cedarstar looked to nursery to locate the queen. His ears fell back. All her kits and they would grow up without a father. He'd never wish that on any kit. "I have no words. With the waters died down, we must send a patrol to bring Stormfury's body home. He deserves a proper vigil as a ShadowClan warrior. Stormfury had my back when I was undeserving of it. I would lead the search, but I cannot lead my kit. Will any of the Clan volunteer to find him?"
Ashrock laid his tail on Raccoonmask's side as an indication that she was not allowed to go.
Ratmask could not take his narrowed eyes off Cedarstar. The leader mentioned two warriors were lost. If Stormfury was one, who was the other? What little fur he had began to bristle. He realized he hadn't seen Moonpetal come back yet.
Whorlpaw pushed to the front of the crowd. "I want to go," she looked up at her father with watery eyes. "Stormfury was my mentor. I have to go!"
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Post by Willow on May 13, 2024 19:07:04 GMT -5
Cherryvine ducked out of the nursery entrance where she had been lingering in the shadows of the den. She made eye contact with the leader, her face leaden with sorrow. "I will go. Don't you dare try to stop me Cedarstar. The other queens and my sisters can keep an eye on my kits."
Hazelblaze dipped her head, pulling Featherkit and Mistkit closer to her. "I promise to watch over them while you're gone."
Duskpaw frowned at her sister, knowing how much her heart must be hurting with Palepaw injured and her mentor gone. She would stay and keep an eye on her brother and mother while the patrol was gone.
Thistlestalk's ear twitched, he tilted his head whispering to Poppyflame. "Did he saw two?"
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Post by Moonblazer on May 13, 2024 19:37:37 GMT -5
“I promised I would search for Stormfury, no matter what.” Cardinalblaze mewed up to Cedarstar, looking once at Cherryvine with a knowing glance, and then at Whorlpaw, before he mewed. “I wouldn’t like to break that promise.”
“Cedarstar, you said two Warriors.” Lionscorch called up bluntly to the leader, his orange eyes glowing with unease and grief. “Have… have we lost a second Clanmate?” He asked, trying to count who was missing.
Leaffrost felt an odd feeling in her belly, before her searching eyes noticed the missing cat. Her body grew cold with odd sensations, and she slowly looked at Ratmask with a broken expression, paws shuffling against the ground as she mewed weakly. “Ratmask…”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 13, 2024 19:53:40 GMT -5
Cedarstar was hesitant to let his daughter go, but had he been in her place, he would've demanded to go as well. He nodded to Whorlpaw and then to Cherryvine. "I wouldn't try to stop you," he mewed calmly. With a glance at Cardinalblaze, Cedarstar opened his mouth to ask for at least one more volunteer, but Lionscorch's question quieted his lips. Cedarstar sighed and opened his mouth to speak again.
"Where is she?" Ratmask shouted from the crowd. He stood up with his lips pulled back. "Where's Moonpetal? That's who you mean, isn't it? Why didn't she come back with you? Did you leave her out there?"
Cedarstar visibly flinched at Ratmask's outburst. All he felt was tired and the raged pain in Ratmask's eyes clawed his heart with guilt. "Ratmask--"
Ratmask lashed his tail like a whip. "Where's my sister, Cedarstar? Did you leave her out there to die just to save your own son?"
Ashrock's pelt twitched with annoyance. "Let him speak, frog-brain, so all of us can find out what happened."
Cedarstar flicked his tail in a single signal for Ashrock to shut up. He met Ratmask's eyes. He didn't want to go into the horrifying details of the she-cat's death, but the Clan needed to know. "Moonpetal was taken by the Prey Maulers that attacked us at the moonstone. She's with StarClan now."
Ratmask's jaw dropped. He took a step back and felt as if flood waters slammed into him. Prey Maulers took her? His breath quickened at the horrifying thought. The way they destroy prey...oh Moonpetal... He stumbled in balance. No cat deserved that fate.
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 13, 2024 20:09:27 GMT -5
Pantherkit stood with Talltalon as she listened to the leader speak. Two cats had died it appeared. She shifted uncomfortably on her paws, ear twitching. It felt strange seeing into this grief and misery. Somewhere inside she felt bad but... she had never known these cats and didn't really feel an obligation to grieve their deaths. It was sad, sure, however they had no connection to herself and therefor their deaths didn't really resonate with her. She huffed quietly as the thoughts entered her mind, and immediately felt disgusted with herself. Just because you didn't know them doesn't mean you get to be a fox-heart. At least try; they were still real cats with lives that are now over. Just the same as Mama and maybe Viperkit.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 13, 2024 20:11:49 GMT -5
“Ratmask!” Leaffrost whispered, moving to stabilize him as best as she could. She could tell that he was struck, and feeling horrible emotions. While she knew she couldn’t feel them, she knew her instincts to protect and love her mate in his anguish were stronger than anything. She closed her eyes, mewing once. “Oh, Ratmask…”
“Moonpetal was…” Lightpaw trailed off, her energy and optimism crashing down as she felt a hollow sense of anguish. Moonpetal had always been so kind to her and Longpaw. She was the best aunt ever, and now… She thought of the prey-maulers, how horribly and scary they were, and Lightpaw suddenly felt her eyes well up with tears as her breath hitched.
“No!” Lynxdapple called out in horror as Brittlefoot gave a quiet and terse curse in grief. Burninghope gasped softly, pressing close to Tumblefoot at the awful news.
“Those wretched monsters!” Spiderfang snarled fiercely, anger glowing in her eyes. “Now they’ve taken one of our own?! There has to be a way to stop them!”
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Post by Willow on May 13, 2024 20:12:29 GMT -5
Bumbleskip stood, the tom looking uncomfortable as he addressed the crowd. "A whole pack of the prey-maulers attacked us. Cedarstar and I followed them in attempt to save Moonpetal but was too late. There were too many. When we returned to where he had thought we'd left the apprentices safe in a tree, that was where we found Palepaw gravely injured being protected by Sunpaw. I'm sorry Ratmask."
Cherryvine looked surprised to see her father look so clear headed, she scoffed ears flattening back against her head. "Of course you would be a hero now." she grumbled under her breath.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 13, 2024 20:23:57 GMT -5
Longpaw swallowed tightly. He slowly moved through the crowd to sit next to his sister. "That could've been us," he whispered quietly to her. They had snuck out of camp to try and prove themselves but ran into the Prey Maulers. Cedarstar had to guide them away to save them. "It could've been Cedarstar too."
Cedarstar looked at Spiderfang. "There will be a time to figure out how to handle the Prey Maulers, but now is a time for the Clan to recover. We need to be at our best if we're to drive them out of the forest." He glanced at Bumbleskip. "Bumbleskip speaks true," he lifted his voice. "It's thanks to Sunpaw's bravery that Palepaw has a chance to survive their encounter with the Prey Maulers. For that, she has more than earned her right to become a warrior." He nodded in gratitude to the apprentice. "In wake of these tragedies, ShadowClan still finds a way to rise. Sunpaw, please step forward."
(Since Vixen may not be on in a while, I'm just going to do a quick ceremony.)
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Post by Willow on May 13, 2024 20:35:19 GMT -5
Duskpaw blinked as she watched Sunpaw step forward, a ceremony now? She gave the other apprentice a weak smile before glancing back at the medicine cat den. With Sunpaw earning her name, they were the oldest apprentices in the den now. The words didn't feel so sweet with Palepaw lying unconscious, unaware of the news.
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