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Post by Moonblazer on Jun 23, 2024 22:17:22 GMT -5
Foxrose was nearly silent in her darting, the familiar paths through the dark forest easy for her to follow. She did make one change though, flicking her tail against the foliage just barely to keep him chasing. She smiled to herself, thrilled with the chase, but also relieved that Yarrowcloud would have another familiar face to talk to. His anguish struck her. It was impossible not to be, seeing as he had been such a dear friend when they had grown up together, been apprentices together, everything. Yes, this would be a grand gift. Once she reached the tangled walls of thorns and thistles that began her path to her secret grove, she stood still beside the entrance opening, her muzzle curled with a playful smile as she waited for Warblerwind to approach closer. Waving her tail invitingly, she darted into the opening. Yarrowcloud’s head shot up from his resting spot in the soft black sand of the hollow. He could hear Foxrose’s quiet pawsteps, but more importantly, much louder approaching ones. He bristled, the spirit jumping to his paws and preparing to strike at whoever was threatening or chasing Foxrose. Splinters of blackened bark showered down from the trees as Warblerwind sailed through them, his paws barely touching one branch before he jumped for another. Despite himself, his blood ran hot with the thrill of racing through the trees, the aching familiarity of it focusing his senses. He half-jumped, half-slithered from the last tree to the forest floor, shouldering his way into the thicket behind Foxrose. His jaws parted for some barbed comment, but he stopped short at the sight before him. Before him stood the spirit of a formidable cat, so different to the elder he'd seen at Gatherings. His mouth opened and closed uselessly, and he found himself struck dumb by the sight of Yarrowcloud restored to his former glory. Yarrowcloud had lunged forwards the moment that Foxrose had skittered to his side, aiming to catch the intruder with large claws, only to stop at the last second before his claws could connect. Thumping down and skidding to a halt, the large tom widened his black-rimmed eyes, the blue in the center like a round pool. Releasing a breath full of adrenaline, he gaped. “Warblerpaw?!” “Warblerwind, now.” Foxrose reminded with a little giggle, brushing at Yarrowcloud’s side as she whispered. “I brought you another friend.” “What are- you shouldn’t be here.” Yarrowcloud stammered, before his voice hardened with a soft concern. Powerful, yet clearly caring for the younger tom’s wellbeing. “What are you doing here?!”
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Post by thistle on Jun 30, 2024 18:01:27 GMT -5
Warblerwind faltered a moment longer before dipping his head in respect to Yarrowcloud, feeling out of his depth and flustered. "It's a long story, and not one I'm sure I want to share right now," he answered vaguely. There was no way Yarrowcloud had heard about Spiritstar's death or Warblerwind's own involvement in the whole debacle, and if he could help it, it would stay that way. "What about you? The Clans are in an uproar about your death. Why can't you get out of here? Why were you here in the first place?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Jun 30, 2024 18:18:49 GMT -5
Warblerwind faltered a moment longer before dipping his head in respect to Yarrowcloud, feeling out of his depth and flustered. "It's a long story, and not one I'm sure I want to share right now," he answered vaguely. There was no way Yarrowcloud had heard about Spiritstar's death or Warblerwind's own involvement in the whole debacle, and if he could help it, it would stay that way. "What about you? The Clans are in an uproar about your death. Why can't you get out of here? Why were you here in the first place?" For a moment, Yarrowcloud eyed the young tom with a questioning look, before the sky blue irises flashed and softened. A gentler tone came from him now as he flattened his fur, shaking his head. “I’m stuck here because I was killed here. Starclan can’t reach here unless a connection so strong is made that they can wake you up. My sister has that connection, but I didn’t. My father- Wrenflight- he knew this and planned around it, ambushed me and Peachdapple and took my life in the process. But I’d do it again to keep Silentflare away from him.” Yarrowcloud growled protectively, before he continued. “Upside is that I’m back at my best! My eye is clear again, and my leg works. Even my tail’s back. They won’t get me so easily now.” He promised, tail lashing, before he looked at Warblerwind and warned. “You shouldn’t be here. You don’t have to tell me why, but if you’re tempted by what the Dark Forest offers, don’t. It’s all lies and manipulation. You’re a whole lot better than that.” He assured firmly.
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Post by thistle on Jun 30, 2024 18:56:00 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm aware of their pitiful offerings," Warblerwind snarled, fierce suddenly as his claws curled into the dead forest floor and his eyes flashed in the gloom. "And I won't be taking even a bit."
Controlling himself, he cleared his throat and made an effort to force his fur flat, though it still twitched along his spine. "You...can't wake up," he ventured carefully. "Your body is gone. So what now?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Jun 30, 2024 19:08:13 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm aware of their pitiful offerings," Warblerwind snarled, fierce suddenly as his claws curled into the dead forest floor and his eyes flashed in the gloom. "And I won't be taking even a bit." Controlling himself, he cleared his throat and made an effort to force his fur flat, though it still twitched along his spine. "You...can't wake up," he ventured carefully. "Your body is gone. So what now?" “I see…” Yarrowcloud viewed Warblerwind’s response with a flash of understanding in his eyes. Clearly, Warblerwind had been deeply wronged by something, or someone, here in the Dark Forest. Something had happened, and Yarrowcloud could only assume it was related to his unfortunate kinship with Robinstar. He had always pitied Robinstar’s kits, and Spiritstar’s. Cliffheart’s too, to be tied to such a stain, such a bloody legacy. Luckily, he could see that Warblerwind had not fallen prey to them as Jaguar had. “What now is to regroup and lay low until I can plan what to do next. I can’t dwell on my circumstances getting here, but I sure can spend my lifetime here keeping Wrenflight’s claws away from my brother, and from Thunderclan. I’ll kill him a second time if I need to, now that he thinks I’m the one running from him. He’ll underestimate what I can do.” Yarrowcloud promised, determined and steady. Rather than anger, there was a fierce protectiveness and love he held that drove him for the sake of Thunderclan. “Lightningstar still lives. I’m still loyal to my leader and mentor, and my kin still are in danger thanks to my father. So I’ll keep fighting like I did when I was alive.”
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