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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 22, 2020 21:39:27 GMT -5
Plot: Shadowpaw (Character 1) is a Shadowclan apprentice. He is malnourished, mistreated, and shows poorly-patched injuries. What's more, despite looking like he's about the age to finish his apprenticeship, he can barely hunt, he has zero fighting skills to show, and he doesn't believe he will ever be competent at any of the necessary skills to be a warrior. His mother has just been murdered by his father who is taking control of Shadowclan and bringing it back to what he saw as the 'glory days' of Shadowclan, news which eventually is revealed by Shadowpaw. The plot begins with Shadowpaw fleeing the camp in the moments following the murder of his mother, Dawnstar, and the takeover of Shadowclan by his father, Nightscar. Depending on the clan you choose, Character 2(your main character, preferably a young warrior) encounters him in peril as he flees the clan, which provides multiple hints that something is wrong in Shadowclan. Character 2 has to save Shadowpaw and force him to come to the safety of Character 2's camp to explain what is going on. She quickly begins to grow a sense of defensiveness of Shadowpaw as the abuses occurring in Shadowclan come to light and even members of her own clan begin suspecting Shadowpaw is a spy, and feeling defensive of him leads to her being an impromptu mentor of his, and slowly towards more than that.
Characters (to be updated as we progress):
Played by Shadowkitten:
Shadowpaw: Ebony black tom-cat with dark green eyes, resembling his father's. Has a healed, small deep scar above his left eye, and a couple semi-healed, larger scars on his pelt. Scrawny, clearly malnourished. Son of Dawnstar and Nightscar. 10 moons(page 3 post 3)
Dawnstar: Mother of Shadowpaw, former leader of Shadowclan. Dead.
Nightscar: Father of Shadowpaw
Ravenfang: Rowan-brown tom-cat with dark, amber eyes and and short fur, with a sleek pelt.
Rainstar: The leader of Thunderclan
Briarkit: Kit of Emberpelt & Thrushsong, Littermate of Seedkit
Emberpelt: Orange-pelted tabby, mother of Seedkit and Briarkit, mate of Thrushsong
Played by Sand: Larchleap: a pale orange tabby she-cat with a white chin & green eyes. Personality - clumsy, forgetful, determined. Has a strong moral compass, admirable. Backstory - Has one littermate by the name of Finchtuft. Parents are Gingernose (mother) and Flamecloud (father).
Mistythroat: The medicine cat of Thunderclan. Has a feathery tail and heterochromia eyes.
Seedkit: Kit of Emberpelt & Thrushsong, Littermate of Briarkit
Thrushsong: Father of Seedkit and Briarkit, mate of Emberpelt
Shadetuft: Warrior of Thunderclan- Mottlepaw: Apprentice of Thunderclan- Nettledust: Warrior of Thunderclan-
Undetermined?: Gingernose: Mother of Larchleap Flamecloud: Father of Larchleap Finchtuft: Littermate of Larchleap
Here's our thread. Will you give me some information about your cat, her clan, etc.? Also, would you use your first post to have your cat out in the territory, to make them meeting easier as Shadowpaw flees? Looking forward to this -Shadow
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Post by Sand on Mar 22, 2020 21:45:22 GMT -5
Sure, I'll edit this post and put her info in here. Is it okay if I ask a question? Is there a preference you have for ShadowClan's territory-- either forest or lake? I think it would help me decide what clan my character will be in ^^. ))
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 22, 2020 21:50:54 GMT -5
Great ^^ thank you And definitely-- I prefer making use of the lake territories. (Its the territory I started reading Warriors in so I've got a special attachment to it) is that okay?
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Post by Sand on Mar 22, 2020 22:18:31 GMT -5
I'm good with the lake! My character's name is Larchleap & she'll be a warrior of ThunderClan. Larchleap - a pale orange tabby she-cat with a white chin & green eyes. personality - clumsy, forgetful, determined. has a strong moral compass, admirable. backstory - Has one littermate by the name of Finchtuft. Parents are Gingernose (mother) and Flamecloud (father). Let me know if you want more info on her.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 23, 2020 3:51:04 GMT -5
Yeah that's great ^^ thank you
IC: It didn't seem like anything around him was real anymore.
From the moment he walked into camp with his mother, he felt the strange aura within the camp. From the way that some of the Shadowclan warriors were gathered about the center of camp, to the sneers and glee that were clear to see in the gazes of the various cats gathered about. He could see the uneasy gazes of Ebonypelt and Tigersprint in the further corners of the camp. He was uncomfortable with the feeling that was coating the camp, but it was only confirmed as his father, Nightscar, stood close to the floor in front of the leader's den, began to approach the two of them. His gaze quickly turned to his mother, about to say something when her mother's dark, morose look made him stand silent, while his father approached.
She didn't look to him, but she quietly spoke out of the corner of her mouth. "Shadowpaw...S-stay behind me..." Her voice had a shake to it that he was not acclimated to, a sign of worry just not common to his mother. It set his fur on edge far more than the weird edge to the camp could.
He could see the nervousness prickling his mother's pelt as Nightscar approached the two of them, while the gazes of the cats gathered around were unmistakably centering towards the three of them. Clutching his breath in his chest, Shadowpaw pulled back a nervous half-step, quickly glancing to his father and then back to his mother. What was happening? Why was Nightscar grinning so wide, while there was this weird sense within the camp?
Nightscar's grin never faltered as he approached Dawnstar and Shadowpaw. "You have failed, again and again, to demonstrate that you have the strength to lead this clan." Nightscar's deep and scratchy voice bellowed over the camp, loud and commanding. Amidst his words, one could almost discern a jovial tone; and paired with his wide grin, one could almost say he was taking pleasure in whatever was taking place here.
"Your warriors no longer trust in you to get done what needs to be done. And most importantly...you have been soiling the true calling of a warrior. To demonstrate one's strength...you spit upon it. Shadowclan is sick of it, and Shadowclan is sick of you."
Shadowpaw's blood froze stiff as he heard what his father was saying. He could easily discern the threat posed within his father's words, and though he felt like the both of them were in danger, he felt his legs frozen to the ground and his mouth refusing to form words.
Dawnstar had a pretty similar reaction as her mate spoke to her of the transgressions she had committed against her clan. She knew what he was talking about--she had been, for the short few moons since she was appointed leader, to better Shadowclan's relationship with the other clans, and to dissolve their reputation of being a deceitful and untrustworthy clan. They loved the shadows and the thrill of a quiet, undetected hunt. If they could take pride in that, there didn't need to be any more fear-inducing attacks upon other clans, or any more grabs for territory.
But there were many who didn't agree, and she was realizing it had been a sentiment growing more strongly than she had thought. She stepped to the side and pressed up close to her son. Shadowpaw was breathing fast, and she could feel the fear surging through him...just as it was through her. "Shadowpaw..." She was muttering under her breath, trying not to be heard by anyone else. "You...you may need to run, far...I...Don't question me. If this..." She cast a quick side glance to look at her son, who was the reason she opened her eyes in the morning. Her ice blue eyes gazed down at him. "I love you, Shadowpaw..." She quietly pressed her pelt against his. "I love you so much." She gulped, turning back to Nightscar to look at him, who's smile had taken on an element of sick, utter enjoyment. He began taking slow pawsteps closer to Dawnstar.
Shadowpaw's gaze fixed upon the eyes of his mother, utterly frozen in fear and confusion, equally filled with fear in this situation and a confused, strange sort of relief as his mother assured him of her love for him. This was going to be fine, right? They were going to be fine. This is going to be okay...
"Your time is over." Nightscar drew closer and left no uncertainty as to what was happening here. Only a couple pawsteps away, he suddenly pushed himself forwards, charging Dawnstar and pulling his claws out as he prepared to strike at the neck of his mate. Dawnstar was more than ready, and she pressed her legs strong into the ground, leaping up into the air and swiftly, yet barely, avoiding the claws which were mere inches from her neck as she evaded Nightscar. She knew immediately that this was a coup, that he was trying to take over and, from the ambivalence of the surrounding cats, enough of them agreed with Nightscar, or were too scared to fight back against the relative consensus, to help her. She knew this wasn't looking favorable to her.
Shadowpaw couldn't have described the absolute terror that was spilling through him as his own father suddenly attacked his mother, swiping directly for his mother. though his everything felt frozen in place, his legs forced him backwards a few pawsteps, while his mother took to reciprocating the attack of his father, trying to tackle the tom-cat as she awkwardly landed on top of him after he dived towards her. The two of them ended up in a combined ball, rolling a short distance together before Shadowpaw, hearing the words of his mother echoing in his head, turned tail and dashed for the entrance they had just entered through.
There was nothing he could do to stop himself looking back and skidding to a halt as he reached the exit of the camp. A couple warriors were rising and beginning to approach him, scowls on their face as they seemed intent to keep him from leaving. But that didn't even enter his mind as his eyes took in his parents.
She was fighting hard, but despite her quick reflex, this whole situation had taken Dawnstar by surprise. She had felt traced of dissent being bred in the clan, but she had not been ready for the severity of it. The ambivalence in her clanmates. Despite struggling and scrabbling against her mate, she found herself beneath his paws before she could take a breath, and as she finally sucked in a breath and prepared to plead with him, to beg him not to go through with this, to ask him why he was doing this...his fangs were closed around her neck.
"NOOOOOO!" Shadowpaw screamed from the entrance to the camp as his father's maw closed around the neck of his mother. It was impossible to process what he saw when he turned back from running, just to see his mother lying upon the floor with teeth in her neck. Moments ago, just seconds ago he was padding alongside her, as she promised him that they would step up his hunting training, despite the fact that she had other things that had been taking her time. Now, Nightscar was lifting his maw, dripping with blood and a wide smile on his face.
And while he was lifting his maw, Dawnstar was realizing that she was going to die. He was swifter than she had expected given Nightscar's massive size. She underestimated him. She wasn't ready. Oh Starclan. I'm going to bleed out in moments, every life, all seven I have left, and... Horror filled her as she thought of her kit left beside her. Her head lolled back as she felt blood pouring from her neck, and with the slightest bit of relief, she saw him at the entrance to the camp. He obeyed her, as always. The slightest spark of hope lighted within her heart. Run. Get away. There's nothing here for your bright heart.
Her blue eyes lay on him as Shadowpaw stared in terror, in an all-consuming and paralyzing horror at his mother upon the floor of the camp, bleeding out the refuge of life that lay within her. He wanted to cry out, to beg his father to stop, and to beg his mother not to die, to leave him, but it was all futile. And as Shadowclan cats began growing closer to him, he realized, very quickly, that whatever was going to be left after this, he was going to be subject to it.
"No!" He cried out once more, though her eyes were already greying and her body was growing limp. It meant nothing. Tears beginning to pour out of his eyes, he spun about, charging out of the camp with total haste.
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They were after him for at least a minute or more, as he charged across the territory, tears pouring from him, leaving an invisible trail in the ground as he pelted at full speed across the territory. He knew he didn't have a single moment to waste as he felt the warriors behind him; yet after almost two minutes, he felt an absence of their presence, thinking he couldn't hear their pawsteps anymore.
Still, he didn't want to be deceived. He continued pelting through what he assumed was the Shadowclan territory. It wasn't long until he came upon a twolegpath, impossible to mistake, and he finally risked a glance behind his back which lowered his speed.
They had broken off of him at some point, leaving him to run. Beginning to suck in heavy breaths, exhausted from both the sprint and everything that had just happened within a short number of seconds, the apprentice felt his legs growing extraordinarily heavy. He made it across the path, a paranoid measure to make more distance between himself and whoever was following, before he slumped down in between a few trees, and the tears pouring from his eyes began turning into uncontrollable, painful, breath-breaking sobs. His mom was dying. She...she had to be dead.
None of this could be reality.
(Holy martian cows, this ended up huge! I don't usually post this long, but a lot of this is important establishing stuff.)
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Post by Sand on Mar 24, 2020 1:08:23 GMT -5
{{ It's okay! I really enjoyed reading it, it set the tone for the rp :-) ^^. sorry if my posts are kind of short, I was trying to figure out a homework assignment }}
Deep in the well-lit forest that ThunderClan lived in was a patrol of four cats, one being Larchleap, a younger warrior of the clan. Larchleap was in rear of the patrol with Nettledust leading and his apprentice, Mottlepaw, besides him. She had no clue where Shadetuft went, but she assumed the tom had an idea of his own and wandered off. This was a hunting patrol after all, so order wasn't exactly expected for anyone but Mottlepaw. With a flick of her tail and making direct eye contact with Nettledust, the orange tabby slipped away from the patrol.
She quickly parted her maw as she trudged through the forest, bird song ringing in her ears. The warrior's ears twitched in frustration before she was able to focus on her surroundings. The scent of a small blackbird was nearby which she was hesitant on following. She wasn't the best at scrambling up trees for prey, but it would be a good catch for one of the elders or queens. Holding back a sigh, the she-cat slipped through some undergrowth when she heard the blackbird's call again. Maybe the blackbird was a good decision; she didn't need to waste time by wandering around the forest for a certain mouse.
As Larchleap crouched down, her belly carefully held above the undergrowth, she began to stalk the blackbird. Its song had grown quieter and low though she felt uneasy about her hunt. Another scent began to fill her maw and the young warrior came to a halt. ShadowClan? she thought to herself, peering around the tree trunks and ferns nearby. I don't see any cats, but why would they invade ThunderClan territory? She knew she had gone too far to warn Nettledust or his apprentice and she wasn't sure where Shadetuft had wandered off to. Great. If I run into an ambush, I'm a goner, she mused, slowly padding closer to the scent. She could hear uncontrollable sobs now which startled the feline. Without a second thought, she darted past another set of tree trunks before coming upon a small clearing.
Not far from the orange tabby sat an ebony colored tom who appeared scrawny and his pelt hanging to his bones. The warrior knew she had to make a move and control the situation, though she wasn't too keen on that idea. The feline looked too young to be of any danger to her or her clan, but giving up so easily would be foolish. She slipped behind a bramble bush, its leaves shuddering briefly. Larchleap crouched down yet again before springing out of the bush and landing not far from Shadowpaw. Her paws sprawled out from underneath her, splaying across the grass improperly. It was more than an embarrassment, it was humiliating. She quickly leapt to her paws, giving the ShadowClan apprentice a harsh look before it left her face as fast as it appeared.
"Why are you in ThunderClan's territory?" the young warrior asked with a serious tone to her voice. Her green eyes told a different story, one of agitation and slight concern. "You're far from ShadowClan, you know. I think you should head back home if you don't want to get caught by my clanmates. They aren't far from here, so you better watch it."
Larchleap knew she sounded cowardly and insecure, but she was hoping that the young cat would get a move on and leave ThunderClan territory. She didn't want to traipse into her clan's camp and announce she found some scrawny ShadowClan cat in the forest. Hopefully he'll get the message and leave, she thought, still gawking at Shadowpaw.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 24, 2020 1:51:45 GMT -5
(No worries That's not short to me that's usually a long post for me, I just got writing that first one and couldn't stop. Wish that happened more often... x.x) IC: The song of the blackbird, the rustling of the trees around him, and even the rush of a monster, now a fair number of tail lengths away, were drowned to Shadowpaw as he sobbed upon the floor of the Thunderclan territory. On a glance he looked absolutely pathetic, his fur ruffled, his tail drooped and fluffed up as his body seemed to refuse to lift itself from the ground. His whines were those of a young cat, impossible to mistake for anything more than a very recent warrior.
Shadowpaw sucked in a breath and he finally, after almost half a minute of sobbing lone on the ground, was brought to attention by the rustle of bushes just outside the little clearing that lie between these trees. Tears hung in place on his cheekes as he forced his head to lift from the floor. His heart was beginning to pound, and suddenly with his ears perked he began to hear every sound, every bird call, and most importantly, the agitation of the bramble bushes as a cat leaped out from them.
An intense bout of panic immediately gripped his heart as the cat leaped towards him, and he cried out with little more than a begging plea, "No! Please!" as he quickly sprung from the ground, trying to back up from the claws that he was certain were coming for him. Now, he was stood just a couple short tail-lengths from this cat, terror written all over his face with tears slowly making their way down his face.
He choked on a breath for a short moment, coughing quietly as, with wide eyes, he took in the cat in front of him. Her posture was improper and poorly-formed, but Shadowpaw could not discern this from an apprentice's playful batting posture. The scent of Larchleap finally, unmistakably reached him and he realized, with a strange amount of relief replacing the terror on his face, that his clanmates hadn't followed him this far and circled about to catch him.
The relief lie on his face until she began speaking to him, asking why he was within her clan's territory. Feeling a tear approaching once more, he fought to pull it back with a sniffle. He was surprised that she was even speaking to him to this length, warning him of her clanmates and that he needed to get out of the territory. He had expected far less talking and far more attacking for infringing on a clan's border.
His shaky voice opened with a response to her, fighting to avoid his voice cracking as he did so. "I-I know. I...I mean...Uhh...I didn't...I'm sorry, I passed the thunderpath without really thinking..." He was stumbling over nearly every other word, and he refused to even meet her green eyes with his own, looking instead at some place between his own paws and her's. "P-please forgive me. I-I didn't mean to. P-please, don't hurt me. I'll...I'll go..." He took a step back, casting a swift glance up at her and making eye contact for just a couple moments. His dark green eyes, still wide, clearly showed the fear he had of a lone clan cat, a few hair lengths taller than him. His response to her almost seemed abnormal, given that he was breaking the Warrior Code invading their territory. One would think he would be more prepared to encounter a hostile cat here.
He finally flinched after a couple moments too many of eye contact, and took another step back from her. "I'm sorry, I'll g-get out now..." He trailed off, still in place despite his statement, unmoving until she seemed to indicate she wouldn't take the chance to scare him away herself.
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Post by Sand on Mar 24, 2020 2:39:15 GMT -5
{{ it would be nice to be able to get out really long posts like that all the time, so I feel you there! }}
Larchleap wore an expression of shock and confusion when Shadowpaw pleaded with her. She immediately stepped back, mortified that she had scared the young cat so much that he was crying and struck with more terror. She felt awful for causing him pain, but the moment relief appeared, she let out a short sigh. Maybe he's not so scared anymore, she thought, though she was hoping more for in her case than his. If any cat heard of her shortcomings of trying to get rid of a trespasser, she knew her old mentor would have her pelt.
The orange tabby stood still, a blank look in her pale eyes. His shaky response was difficult for her to follow, but she did her best to keep up with him. How didn't this young cat know he trespassed into ThunderClan's territory? How did he come so far and not expect consequences? She didn't dare move yet, in case his cries were a ploy to get her in the open. "No, it's okay! I just don't see how you didn't know you were in ThunderClan's territory," she meowed, realizing that he was still afraid of her. Now wasn't the time to ask stupid questions.
Guilt flowed through Larchleap and her insides which left her unsure how to mend the situation. He was so afraid of her that she knew he wouldn't try to fight back. She was lucky she hadn't attacked the black tom with her claws instead of words. "Wait, you can't go yet!" she blurted out, surprised by her own admission. "Not looking like that at least. I... I can't just let you leave."
The young warrior let out a sigh, glancing away from Shadowpaw when he took another step back. "You're no in shape to go back to your clan," the tabby told him. She wasn't sure if she was going to regret her actions or not, but Larchleap felt like she had no choice. She did her best to sound sincere and approachable before meowing again. "I don't think my leader or medicine cat would mind if we patch you up. By the looks of it, you kind of need it. So, will you come with me?"
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 24, 2020 2:56:50 GMT -5
( For real!! It is too rare that the keys just flow under my fingers. )
Larchleap shifted the tone very suddenly as she indicated that he shouldn't worry about the transgression, simply stating that she was trying to figure why he was on Thunderclan's side. Her voice didn't seem to hold malice, at least in his ears, and it took him off guard for several seconds as he listened to her speaking.
But his fear returned instantly as she stated that he could not leave yet. It was a trap, her change of tone, saying it was okay. Now, she was going to rush him, to lay punishment for crossing the border. Oh Starclan, please forgive me being a mouse-brain as always, for crossing the border when I shouldn't have...Please let this cat show me mercy...
His thoughts coincided with a flinch as he visibly stiffened and made himself smaller in place, a visceral reaction that seemed more fit to a warrior bracing for an attack than a cat conversing with another clan's warrior.
But Larchleap changed the tone of this conversation yet again, leaving Shadowpaw in a puzzlement in between fear, confusion, and doubt. I'm not...in shape...to go back...? The question in his mind left uncertainty in his brain, and he once more managed to lift his gaze to look up at Larchleap as she asked if he would be willing to come back with her, to her camp, in order to be patched up. A flabbergasted, wide-mouthed look took Shadowpaw's face as she made this offer. It didn't make a lick of sense to him.
It took him several moments to be able to conjure an answer for her. Before responding, he had been rapidly trying to decide whether this was a trap to get him deep in the territory where she would have no issue dominating him in battle with her clanmates close by, or if this was some sort of genuine extension of kindness that he had never heard of before from the other clans.
"W-well, I...deserved these wounds for failing to catch prey, so I'm not allowed to get them patched up." He was thinking quick on his paws, trying to mouse a way out of this situation.
Shadowpaw didn't know that what he was describing was against the Warrior Code. He also didn't know that he was providing an indication that something wasn't right within his own clan. "B-but thank you so much. Y-you have been so kind...' He bowed his head low to the ground between them, trying to display deference as he slowly began taking another step back to take his leave. He definitely could not return to Shadowclan...but he had to find somewhere to go, and now he couldn't head through this territory. "I'm s-sorry for wasting your time..."
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Post by Sand on Mar 25, 2020 1:49:30 GMT -5
{{ right? if only writing was as easy as it sounds sometimes. sorry for the late response ^^ }}
Larchleap, to say the least, wasn't the best at negotiating a situation, especially when she was changing her tone so often that she could see Shadowpaw's confusion. She knew it was mousebrained of her to continue to change her mind aloud, but she wasn't sure how else to offer the young cat a safe place to stay. I'm lucky I'm not a mentor, she thought, imagining how terrible of a mentor she would be. She wasn't prepared for such a commitment anyways when she could barely get a trespasser out of their territory.
The young ThunderClan warrior stared at the black tom as he wore a wide mouth, appearing flabbergasted by her proposition. Was it really that bad? Or was it just plain stupid? She knew it was both, though it appeared that Shadowpaw was beyond confused now. As she waited for a response, the orange tabby couldn't help but wonder if Nettledust was looking for her. I hope to StarClan he hasn't caught on to my scent! If he saw me talking to this cat, he would tell our deputy immediately, she thought, shuddering at the thought of being caught. I might be breaking a rule or two, but it's for a good reason. I hope they will understand that.
Now it was Larchleap who was baffled by Shadowpaw's response. Deserving wounds? What kind of clan did he come from? This didn't fit the ShadowClan she saw several moons ago at the last Gathering when Dawnstar announced changes to the once eerie clan. She gave a look of perplexity before shaking her head at the apprentice. "Deserving wounds? That isn't how it works. At least not with the Warrior Code," she mewed blatantly. "I don't know who told you that, but they must have their head so far up a wasp's nest! It makes no sense."
Unsure of what to do or say, the tabby wondered if Shadowpaw was just a loner who got caught in ShadowClan's territory and headed into ThunderClan without realizing it. That can't be, he smells like ShadowClan. I know I'm not wrong! she thought before her green eyes lit up in shock. He was going to leave, after all she had offered? Had she wasted her time trying to save the young tom? "Wait, please! You're not wasting my time," Larchleap meowed, hesitantly taking a step further. Her green eyes shone, pleading for acceptance. "You can't go back there. If you come with me, I can help you; ThunderClan can help you. I promise if you trust me, I can take you to my camp, where it's safe."
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 25, 2020 2:37:15 GMT -5
(Mmhmm x.x No worries, no apologies necessary!)
Shadowpaw halted in his step as she suddenly told him that he was simply wrong, and he had to gaze up towards her once more to realize she was completely serious. His partially agape mouth perhaps betrayed that this was shocking to him--another sign that something strange was going on in Shadowclan.
The apprentice flinched as Larchleap told him whoever gave him that information was essentially a mouse-brain. He conjured a quick image of the inescapable rage that Nightscar would unleash on him if he ever dared say something remotely similar to that. His emotions laid too clearly on his face and his response was taking longer than was comfortable. But nonetheless, it seemed a face that this cat believed some wrong form of the Code, particularly the rule about prey.
Larchleap commanded his attention to her once again as she literally pleaded with him not to leave, to allow her to help him out. Wide-eyed, staring at the slowly approaching Thunderclan warrior, Shadowpaw felt a hundred conflicting thoughts and a hundred and one emotions boiling together in his mind. His tears, finally brought to a full stop were drying into his cheeks, and he had to stare at Larchleap, trying to process and evaluate her plea. Was she being sincere? Did she really want to help him? Was her clan even going to? Is it even going to mean anything if I go there? My mom is... He couldn't even manage to say the word in his head.
Pain filled his face as his absent gaze refocused on Larchleap. "You can't go back there. I can help you." It was a very strange thing for him to hear. I can help you. His mouth hung partially open for a pawful of seconds, as he, to his own bewilderment, felt that he had faith in the promise she was making. Her tone had completely turned around in a short time, which a cat could say was a sign of deception, but...something in just how insistent she was without being threatening, the visible plea in her eyes...He couldn't think too far into the future right now, what this might lead to...he just needed help.
He closed his mouth and gave a slow nod of his head as their green eyes continued holding each other's attention. After a couple seconds of silence, Shadowpaw sucked in a breath slowly, and then began taking a couple quiet, gentle steps towards her.
Standing face to face, near the center of the Thunderclan camp, were two cats. Ravenfang, the clan deputy, stood with a scolding look resting upon his face as he gazed down towards Leafpaw. His adopted daughter. Currently, arguing with him about why she wasn't on the hunting patrol.
"Why do I have to sit here in camp when my best friend is out there hunting? I want to hunt with her!"
"Leafpaw, the elder's need their nests checked and ticks cracked occasionally. This isn't a debate."
"But why do I have to do it when Mottlepaw gets to go hunting with Larchleap? You know I'm the faster apprentice! Why am I picking ticks?"
"You'll be picking ticks for the next three days if you keep arguing about who gets what duty, Leafpaw. Is that what you want?" Ravenfang, in reality, understood. Leafpaw had clung to Larchleap since he carried her in as a kit. When he found her stranded in their territory, with no discernible clan scents, he couldn't abandon her to the elements, and the kitten didn't take more than a quarter-moon to pick the cat she would pester her whole life. So, it made sense that she would want to be out there hunting. But the apprentices had to share duties, and that was that.
"No, I want to hunt with my friend!" Leafpaw complained. "Ugh! You're so mean to me." She turned away and began padding to Ravenfang's right, towards the elder's den. As she passed, she felt Ravenfang's tail brushing the side of her pelt in farewell, as a 'love you,' or something like that. She knew he would do it to see if he really struck a nerve with her or not, and she wasn't irritated enough to avoid his touch. Approaching the elder's den, she sighed with annoyance and prepared to get to work.
Ravenfang quietly sighed as he heard the distancing of his daughter's steps. He looked up towards the lit sky above them, gazing into the invisible Silverpelt for a few moments before returning to gaze to the clan around him. He felt his head drifting towards the realm of want, and he needed to be focused. Leaf-fall was approaching its end quicker than it should have been, and they needed to be preparing and stockpiling. He could think of the cats he missed later.
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Post by Sand on Mar 25, 2020 22:43:27 GMT -5
Larchleap didn't understand why Shadowpaw wore so many of his emotions on his face. They changed and twisted in ways she had never seen before. Was this what every ShadowClan apprentice was like or was there something else at play here? She knew the way Shadowpaw was reacting to her wasn't normal, but maybe he was just anxious. Of course, she didn't believe that. No one would.
At least she had made progress with the ShadowClan tom even though it felt like it took forever to coax him. Once he gave her a nod of approval, the orange tabby flicked her tail forward towards ThunderClan's camp. She wanted to make sure Shadowpaw knew where she was taking him. "I promise everything will be okay," she reassured him before padding off. Then, realization hit her; she didn't know his name. Mousebrain! You didn't even think to ask for his name.
While padding alongside Shadowpaw, the tabby glanced over at him a few times before breaking the silence. "My name's Larchleap," she mewed, introducing herself. "What's your name?"
The two passed the area where Larchleap had originally agreed to meet up with Nettledust, Shadetuft, and Mottlepaw. She lifted her nose to the air, checking for their scent. She couldn't scent either cat which meant they had already left or went off in a different direction. I'm sure they are somewhere around here, she thought and trudged towards the camp. The thoughts of consequences due to her actions began to swarm her mind. I bet I'll end up cleaning out the elder's den and their pelts for two moons. I just hope this ShadowClan cat is worth it.
Now that they were close to the camp, the young warrior came to a halt. Should she head in and warn Ravenfang? She knew he was set to stay in camp with his apprentice, Leafpaw, but that could give Shadowpaw the chance to take off. Weighing her options, she turned towards the black tomcat. "Follow me," she told him as they entered a thorn tunnel. She quickly turned around as she remembered something. "There might be a lot of commotion going on, but lots of cats are in camp today. If you feel uncomfortable, you can hide behind me. No one will harm you, I promise."
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 25, 2020 23:22:00 GMT -5
Shadowpaw seemed a bit stunned as she promised him that it was going to be okay. It was such a strange thing to hear from this cat he didn't even know, but perhaps that was what made it so strangely...helpful to hear. He didn't respond verbally, but the fact that he continued alongside her might have said enough about what it did for him. As she glanced his way and introduced herself, he turned his head to meet her gaze for a moment. "I...I'm Shadowpaw..." He murmured quietly, managing to croak the words out from his throat, which was sore from crying.
To a young warrior, the name probably wasn't super well-known, but it might have a slight familiarity, in that he was the son of the leader of Shadowclan. He kept following along, feeling ants crawling about his pelt as he got closer and closer to the Thunderclan camp, even though she had promised that they were going to help him.
He sucked in a deep breath as they drew dangerously close to the entrance of the camp. If he was going to back out, it would be now--though Larchleap seemed to sense this as she turned about to face him again, trying to reassure him once more. No one will harm you. It was such a lofty promise that felt so uncertain to him, his doubt displaying clearly on his face.
At first, nothing seemed out of the normal as Larchleap entered the camp--the deputy was about to nod at her when a cat came padding in behind her. A sense of concern began rising in his throat, but as his gaze hovered on the stranger for a short time, his eyes widened and he realized exactly who it was; his appearance was unmistakable and he looked to be just the right age. S-Shadowpaw? What in Starclan are you doing here?
Ravenfang began approaching slowly, the first cat to directly respond to the entrance of the two cats. He continued staring at Shadowpaw for a few long seconds, noticing the cat flinch under his gaze as if he expected something bad to happen to him as soon as the deputy got close.
His mouth opened wider at Shadowpaw's immediate reaction, trying to figure why he was here and what was wrong. He looked....terrible. He had many scars and he looked horribly fed. His gaze turned to meet Larchleap's gaze and his eyes revealed the question that he was having a tough time forming in his throat.
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Post by Sand on Mar 26, 2020 0:22:58 GMT -5
Shadowpaw... Larchleap mused, wondering where she had heard his name before. It was slightly familiar to her, but she couldn't put a paw on it. She was forgetful, after all, and it didn't help the situation when she needed to know who he was. "It's nice to meet you, Shadowpaw," she meowed quietly, a pang of sadness rising the feline's chest. She felt terrible for the young tom, especially with the state he was in. Hopefully her clan was willing to help him out, even if it were just for a few sunrises.
It was as clear as day to her that he was doubtful in her promise, though she couldn't blame him. Even she, being as positive as she was, would doubt her own promise too. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, she noticed Ravenfang approaching them slowly. She wasn't sure why the deputy was staring at Shadowpaw for so long, but it didn't mean anything to her. The tabby still stood besides the black tom before her green gaze met Ravenfang's.
She didn't know what to say, there really wasn't enough words to fill the empty air. What was she supposed to say anyways? 'I found an intruder in our territory and decided to bring him home?' or 'This is Shadowpaw of ShadowClan, he's not in great shape so I thought we could help him out without asking for any permission!' Neither answer were acceptable and Larchleap knew that very well. Her gaze fell to her paws, then met Ravenfang's again before she decided to speak.
"This is Shadowpaw of ShadowClan. I found him near the border when I was hunting," she explained carefully. "At first I didn't know who he was, so I told him to leave but... I realized I couldn't let him go because of..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at the apprentice briefly. The reason was pretty obvious. "Anyways, it took me a bit to get him to come with me, but we're here now. I think he needs us, Ravenfang. He can't leave, look at him! Is there any way the medicine cat can help him? It doesn't seem like he is healthy."
The orange tabby's eyes were wide and pleading with anguish. She was praying to StarClan that Ravenfang would allow Shadowpaw to see the medicine cat. If he didn't, she wasn't sure what the deputy would decide. She just hoped it wouldn't be escorting the young tom back to the borders, left to suffer and figure out things on his own.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 26, 2020 0:54:22 GMT -5
It was hard for Shadowpaw to place where his feelings were at the moment, drawing close to the camp while Larchleap commented that it was good to meet him. It was such a strange thing for a cat to say. "T-thanks...y-you...too..?" Though everything in his mind was in doubt, she had seemed genuine enough thus far to elicit a slight pleasantry from him, even though he was oblivious to just how normal such a thing was to a cat like Larchleap.
Shadowpaw was extremely uncomfortable with the intense gaze of Ravenfang on him amid this silence, as more faces slowly began noticing their entrance to the camp. Shadowpaw didn't look up from the ground when Larchleap began speaking, but he at least heard her saying just what she had promised minutes earlier. She was asking Ravenfang to help him.
Ravenfang listened very closely, his eyes fixed on Larchleap with an intensity that would make a kit's pelt prickle while she explained how she encountered the cat. He grimaced as Larchleap indicated the state that Shadowpaw was in; malnourished, injured...scared. He looked the apprentice over again, shaking his head slightly. These weren't training wounds, or thorn scars. These were intentional; it was easy to see with a quick glance over them. They were caw length, almost all of them. The one over his eye at least seemed well healed, and was smaller than the rest, but it was particularly noticeable.
Ravenfang's eyes looked back to Larchleap and he finally opened his mouth to speak, sensing how anxious Larchleap was about the decision that she made. "Something is clearly wrong," He murmured grimly. "Okay, Larchleap. We can talk more about this later, but let's at least get these wounds patched properly. Take him to the medicine cat's den. I'll get Rainstar. And can you get Shadowpaw a thrush, or something, please? I don't think he's eaten in..." He shook his head again as he trailed off. Dawnstar, what in the name of Starclan are you doing?
Shadowpaw finally looked up at Ravenfang as the deputy asked Larchleap to get him help, and the deputy could see the shock in the apprentice's eyes. Their eyes locked, and the deputy could not help but feel a sense of bewilderment as Dawnstar's son looked so confused at the prospect of having his wounds patched.
Dawnstar...you couldn't have done this...right?
Ravenfang turned about quickly and hurried towards the leader's den. It seemed Rainstar was already stirring at the commotion at the front of the camp, and he was quickly ascending the peak and at Rainstar's side. "Rainstar, it's...It's Dawnstar's kit. I mean, Dawnstar's..." He trailed off, gulping. He needed to speak carefully. Many cats were awake and around. "Shadowpaw. And he...he looks awful. He's awfully malnourished and it looks like he's been in fights. Real ones." His gaze turned back to Larchleap and Shadowpaw. "I...I can't believe Dawnstar has let this happen. I...I can't believe that she would let this happen. I mean..." He was beginning to ramble, the deputy put into a place of minor shock from seeing the cat this way. Rainstar, of course, knew why he was so impacted, but this was no time to speak of such a thing. The two of them began descending from the leader's peak, approaching the medicine cat's den.
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Post by Sand on Mar 26, 2020 1:33:04 GMT -5
Larchleap wasn't sure why Shadowpaw found her greeting to be odd, but then again, this entire situation was odd and beyond confusing. She felt her orange pelt prickle as if thorns were being weaved throughout and she gave Ravenfang an uneasy look. She didn't understand why the deputy was so fixated on her, though she tried her best to ignore the gravity of it. She hadn't looked over Shadowpaw's scars so intently, but she knew they were detrimental and unusual. "Of course, Ravenfang! I'll make sure I find him the best thrush in the fresh kill pile," she meowed, nodding her head at his demands. "Come, Shadowpaw. I will take you to our medicine cat."
With a flick of her tail, she beckoned the black tom to follow her. She wasn't looking forward to the deputy's talk later on, but she knew, deep down, it was impossible to avoid. The thoughts of consequences and what would happen to Shadowpaw burned in her mind. Letting out a tense sigh, she led him to the medicine cat's den, which was a crevice in the stone hollow wall. "Mistythroat?" she called into the cave. "I've brought someone with me! He needs his wounds patched up."
The sound of a young, peppy voice startled Mistythroat, who had been organizing herbs. "Come in," he mewed tepidly, drowned in his work. "Who needs wounds patched up now?"
The medicine cat turned towards the entrance of his den, spotting Larchleap and Shadowpaw. The sight of Shadowpaw was... something he hadn't seen in a long time. Though he was older, he knew how to hide shock and emotion from his heterochromia eyes. "Please take a seat wherever you feel comfortable," he instructed, his long, feathery tail flicking behind him. He realized that the ShadowClan's apprentice state would take a lot more than he first thought. "I can take care of him now, Larchleap. Thank you for bringing him to me."
Larchleap nodded and bowed her head in thanks to Mistythroat. "You're welcome. Rainstar and Ravenfang should be here soon," she mewed. The young warrior made way for the den's entrance in hunt for the fresh kill pile.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 26, 2020 2:05:15 GMT -5
Shadowpaw almost couldn't believe this was actually happening--Larchleap had promised him help, the deputy had asked Larchleap to take him to the medicine cat's den, she did so, and now another cat, Mistythroat, was asking him to be seated where he liked. He stared out after Larchleap as she left to get him prey, still standing awkwardly in the den. Every moment had felt unreal since he saw the death of his mother, and this was making everything around him feel even less a part of reality. Am I about to wake from some sort of cruel dream? P-please let me wake up. I...i just want to see my mom...
His flinch was unexplained, other than possibly from the apprentice staring at Larchleap who had left the den. His gaze slowly drifted to look up at the medicine cat, who seemed to be evaluating him. He wasn't certain if he was supposed to really be seated wherever he liked, so he slowly placed himself on a nest which was close to the medicine cat. He opened his mouth slowly, like he was ready to say something, but in this moment entered Rainstar, followed by Ravenfang, and his attention was taken away.
Ravenfang peered out of the den, making certain that Larchleap was getting a piece of fresh-kill for Shadowpaw. He nodded slightly with approval when he saw the generous piece that she had selected, and he turned back and sat down near the entrance of the den, trying to stay out of the way.
Rainstar sat down slowly near Shadowpaw, who was staring at her with wide eyes. "I recognize you, little one. Though...you aren't so little anymore." It had been moons since the gathering he was allowed to attend; the only one, as far as Rainstar knew. "Do you recognize me? It's okay if you don't." Shadowpaw tilted his head a bit before nodding slightly. "I...I think so." Rainstar nodded slowly in response to the apprentice, before sizing up the state he was in. She was especially alarmed by just how poorly he was fed. Ravenfang was not exaggerating in the least. His scrawny skin was hugging his bones and would have been worse if it weren't for some of the muscle he had managed to build, through some means. Without eating right, it didn't seem logical.
"Can we get him some prey? Ravenfang?"
"Larchleap is coming with something." Realizing he hadn't mentioned the warrior, he cleared his throat. "She found him on the territory, and she persuaded him to come here to be patched up, at least." He turned back again to see if Larchleap had arrived.
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Post by Sand on Mar 26, 2020 23:01:38 GMT -5
Larchleap dashed across the camp to the fresh kill pile, determined to grab the largest thrush she could find for Shadowpaw. She hoped he would like it since it seemed like he hadn't ate a proper meal in moons. As she nosed through the pile of prey, she noticed a plump, brown and white thrush. Finally! she thought, enthusiasm causing her to purr quietly.
In the meantime, Mistythroat was busy tending to Shadowpaw. He examined the apprentice's wounds, wincing internally at the looks of them. They looked as if they were inflicted by another cat. Some were partially healed or fully healed, like the one crossing his eye, but most hadn't changed since they were imposed on the young tom's body. He was scrawnier than the medicine cat thought he was and he noticed the appearance of his bones. It was unexpected, to see something like this especially when Dawnstar had been working to improve ShadowClan. How could this happen to such a young cat? Surely Dawnstar didn't inflict these on her own kit, the white tom thought.
He turned to grab a set of herbs, containing chervil, goldenrod, and horsetail. The medicine cat chewed up the herbs, their faint stench growing weak. He then spit them out and used his paws along with his maw to create a poultice. Once he was done, Mistythroat began to apply the poultice to Shadowpaw's largest wound. "It may sting a bit," he warned the apprentice. His gaze was fixated on his work as he worked his way from the large wound to a smaller one. "If it continues to sting or hurt after I'm done, I can give you something for the pain."
The orange tabby scooped the thrush up with her maw before darting back to the medicine cat's den where Rainstar and Ravenfang were with Shadowpaw and Mistythroat. She stood outside the den, not far from Ravenfang. "I have some prey for him!" she announced cheerfully. The thrush dangled from her mouth.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 27, 2020 0:08:07 GMT -5
The situation was alarming for a couple different reasons. Firstly, the cat who had promised him help had left the den, and now he was alone with several cats he didn't know well, or didn't know at all, sizing him up and probably deciding what to do with him. Secondly, the medicine cat was rapidly beginning to sorting herbs and using some sort of magic to make them into a paste. When Mistythroat was preparing to apply the poultice to his wounds, he felt the instinctive urge to speak up in response. "W-wait, I have to suffer my w-"
The apprentice was cut off as Mistythroat didn't leave him enough time to get his words out, applying the herbs to his wounds to treat them for real. Shadowpaw yelped in pained surprise as the poultice began emitting a painful stinging sensation which was impossible for him to ignore. His words were stifled by the pain, and as he struggled to catch his breath, his poorly healed wounds protesting its application, he gritted his teeth and tried to regain his senses.Ravenfang's gaze hardened on Shadowpaw as he began speaking in protest before Mistythroat applied the poultice to his numerous wounds. You have to suffer? He wanted to spit the words out, to leave them trampled in the dirt, as ridiculous as they were, but he could see how sensitive and panicked the Shadowclan apprentice was, and he knew he needed to withhold any sense of hostility whatsoever.
Ravenfang sighed quietly in relief and turned as Larchleap cheerfully announced that she had brought food for Shadowpaw. "Please," Ravenfang beckoned to the Shadowclan tom with his tail, then turned to back to Shadowpaw. "Shadowpaw, please eat this thrush. You look like you haven't been eating enough."
Shadowpaw stared down at the thrush as Larchleap placed it in front of him. His body's instantaneous reaction was a famished growl of desire, as it sensed the sustenance that it had been so lacking. He gulped, trying to resist the urge to descend and ravenously consume the fresh-kill as Ravenfang asked him to do so. In the back of his mind, yowls and swipes of claws were playing over and over, reminding him what he was supposed to do.
Shadowpaw nervously looked up at Ravenfang, nervous to make eye contact with the deputy and say anything the slightest bit in contradiction with him; but he had to obey the Code. He would be absolutely useless and worthless otherwise.
"I...I can't eat. I haven't caught my clan three pieces of prey." He anxiously murmured the misinterpretation of the Warrior Code with an almost fanatical belief, and fear, wobbling through in the orbs of his eyes as he nervously looked between Ravenfang and Larchleap.Rainstar quietly sucked in a breath into her chest as Shadowpaw revealed some sort of misguided measurement of the expectation he was held to. This was it--something was direly wrong. If the apprentice and kitten of Dawnstar herself was speaking to the Warrior Code in total confidence, yet complete wrongness, something was truly not right, and they needed to reach him and get his help to understand what was happening.
The leader of Thunderclan slowly lowered herself into a sitting position in front of Shadowpaw. She stared into his eyes for a few long moments, feeling the certainty that Shadowpaw's scared and anxious words were spoken with. "Shadowpaw...this is not the Warrior Code. We do not starve any cat, no matter their struggles. We help each other, so that we may better serve one another, and not being fed because you have not caught..." She exhaled the breath she was holding in her chest. "No cat in any of the four clans need catch three pieces of prey in order to eat what they need to survive, Shadowpaw."
There was a silence in the den for a while as Shadowpaw processed what the leader was saying. His eyes were wide and his mouth was agape, like this were shocking to him and he didn't quite believe the lie that Rainstar was spinning in front of him. He truly did not seem to understand that Rainstar was dispelling the false interpretation of the Warrior Code which had been given to him.
"Shadowpaw...Has Dawnstar not...Has your mother, the kind-hearted leader of Shadowclan, not taught you the ways of the warrior?" She directly asked the apprentice, calling upon him being the son of the Shadowclan leader, trying to get at the heart of why he was citing this awful version of the Warrior Code.Shadowpaw felt like a thorn was being jabbed into his heart as Rainstar's question played into his ears. It was hard to think further back than a short number of minutes ago, when he sat at the edge of the Shadowclan territory bordering Riverclan with his mother, as she told him a story of a cat who jumped into a river to save the cat she loved. "If you remember anything, Shadowpaw, remember that...there will be a cat who will be willing to do anything for you, and you need to be ready to do anything for them, too." The words seemed so insignificant now that she was gone, and as he gaze drifted down to his paws and the apprentice sniffled to hold back the approaching tears, he felt the gaze of Rainstar peering down upon him.
Rainstar gulped, feeling a change in demeanor within the apprentice, beginning to sense an aura of sadness to the tom-cat as he sniffled and began staring down at his paws. His reaction was leaving her feeling...uncomfortable about what might be going on in Shadowclan. "Shadowpaw...Please, little one. Is Dawnstar not waiting for you in your camp? Can I come to ask what is happening, why you are so poorly fed?" Rainstar's voice dripped with concern and her heart was starting to bleed with empathy for the apprentice who seemed to be holding some sort of personal torture within himself, at such a young number of moons.
Shadowpaw couldn't hold it anymore. The leader of Thunderclan kept saying his mother's name, and now she was asking to speak with her, to check in with what was going on...He couldn't hold it back anymore, and much like when he collapsed upon the very edge of the Thunderclan territory, he began sobbing quietly, pathetically, as he raised his head quickly, his gaze snapping into contact with Rainstar's. "My mom is...is d...dead!" Shadowpaw yowled something of an answer, before breaking down into his own sobbing as he practically fell at Rainstar's paws while he lsot control over his emotions once more.
It was like a tree falling upon him as Ravenfang heard the apprentice yowl what had happened in Shadowclan. He staggered backwards, his mouth dropping fully open as his body half-fell backwards, stumbling a couple pawsteps before he fell onto his butt, staring, dumbfounded, at the apprentice. Now, he was wide-eyed and left in utter, shocked silence.
His heart cracked apart hearing what Shadowpaw said. They didn't have a claw of proof to show for what he was saying, but Shadowpaw's reaction was enough for Ravenfang to believe every word, and he felt himself choking on words as he tried, as the deputy was meant to, to say something, anything, in response. To be comforting, to be helpful, whatever it was. No, none of it would come, and he was left in place, almost silent, barely breathing, stunned.
Rainstar's head pulled back and she stiffened up as Shadowpaw yowled the truth at her. She had to take a couple of moments to process what he had said, before he collapsed in front of her without another word. The leader of Thunderclan stared down at him in a stunned silence herself. This news was...about as far from normal as the leader of a clan could receive. She wasn't even ready for it herself.
Rainstar tried to regain her composure, knowing she needed to try to say something to comfort Shadowpaw in some way. It almost felt useless--how did someone comfort a cat who had just lost his mother? Any thought of Shadowpaw potentially being a spy was out of Rainstar's mind as the cat, broken down at her paws, sobbed into the floor with poultice still stinging his wounds.
She turned back slowly and looked towards Larchleap, gazing towards the warrior for a few moments without saying anything. Though her gaze revealed little, the leader couldn't help but wonder how in Starclan the warrior had managed to intercept the apprentice in such a....a moment of utter desperation.
Her gaze continued to Ravenfang as she quickly realized that he wasn't going to be taking this well at all. When her eyes rested on him, she saw just how blank he seemed to have gone. Her fur was starting to fluff up as she felt the utter awfulness of the situation and the need to comfort Shadowpaw. Yet, Ravenfang looked like he was close to losing it, and she knew she needed to get him to step out, at least for a moment. "Larchleap," She called quietly. "Please." She flicked her tail towards the broken apprentice.
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Post by Sand on Mar 27, 2020 0:56:08 GMT -5
Mistythroat was beyond stunned by Shadowpaw's words. Suffer from his wounds? This doesn't sound like Dawnstar's ShadowClan, he realized, coming to a halt with his work. Half of the wounds were covered in the poultice he had created, but hearing the yelps of pain caused him to stop. He quickly worked to find another herb, hurrying back and forth from his storage. He then went back to applying the poultice, trying to not do a poor job of it, but it was difficult with all the commotion going on. Shadowpaw wouldn't eat and Rainstar was pressing him for answers-- now wasn't the time to be doing his job. He didn't have much of a choice, really, with how terrible of a state the ShadowClan apprentice was in.
Larchleap made sure to drop the thrush at Shadowpaw's feet and took a step back. She stood behind Ravenfang as Rainstar got closer to the apprentice. She was curious as to what all of the leader's questions were going to lead to. Was there something major going on in ShadowClan? She didn't remember much of the clan having troubles for Dawnstar had been an important leader as she was growing up. Hearing him yowl that his mother was dead, the orange tabby took a step back just as everyone else reacted.
Mistythroat wore a face of sorrow and began to comfort the young tom with his long, feathery tail. He murmured a few, inaudible words to Shadowpaw while he applied the last of the poultice. He applied cobwebs to cover them and some dandelion to relieve a bit of pain. He also had some poppy seeds sitting nearby for the pain, but with all the grief and shock that was taking place in the den, it didn't seem to be enough. He had a job to do, and right now it wasn't comforting Shadowpaw as much as he wished he could. Hopefully the dandelion would do its best for the time being. When he saw Rainstar look at Ravenfang, who was in a horrid state, then Larchleap, he stepped back. "Go ahead," he whispered, pushing the poppy seeds aside.
Unsure of how to express anything but despair and misery, Larchleap stared wide eyed at Rainstar. She noticed Ravenfang could barely keep it together and it probably wasn't best for him to be in the medicine cat's den with Shadowpaw. Still, everyone in the den was an emotional mess and there wasn't much to be done but comfort each other. "I'll do what I can, Rainstar," she mewed, dipping her head.
The orange tabby made her way over to the black tomcat. She curled her thin frame around his scrawny one, licking the top of his head gently. Her tail rested upon his back and she began to caress him. Poor Shadowpaw... she thought, wondering how she didn't see it before. All of the signs of grief were there when she encountered him in the forest. Yet none of it registered with her... she was too concerned about her clan and his physical state to think about his emotional one. She felt foolish but most of all, concerned. I hope you will be okay, Shadowpaw. We'll get you through this.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 27, 2020 1:35:57 GMT -5
For the few older cats within the den, it was likely the worst kept secret.
Rainstar urged Ravenfang out of the den non-verbally, first trying to guide him with her tail, then drawing close to her deputy and beginning to push at him with some force. The deputy gulped with his gaze lingering on Shadowpaw, before he acquiesced to the leader and began to be ushered out of the den like a kit. Honestly, Rainstar did not blame him, and probably wouldn't have even placed responsibility at his paws if he had snapped at her for this. The news was stunning to all of them. Dawnstar was dead. How this could have happened...
It was their worst kept secret. They had done a better job of keeping it from the young cats' ears, but anyone who had been present and attentive twenty or something moons in the past almost certainly suspected that Ravenfang and Dawnstar had been in love. It was almost a feature of Thunderclan history, straying out of the boundaries of one's own clan to find love, and the judgement laid on him had been light; but in the end, Dawnstar had chosen another.
So as she ushered the deputy out, beginning to usher him less and beginning to gently press against his side in as much of an attempt to be comforting as possible, Rainstar couldn't judge his reaction at all.
Leafpaw was just as happy to exit the elder's den as the elders were to see her go. None of them seemed to enjoy her presence and she didn't enjoy cracking ticks off of them in the slightest. As she exited the den with a sigh of release, she was almost scared out of her pelt by a yowl sounding from the medicine cat's den, from a voice that she couldn't place.
It was a short time, the apprentice still and staring in shock at the apprentice's den, before she began seeing Ravenfang slowly emerging from the den, closely followed by Rainstar. Neither of them looked particularly happy, and as they drew slowly away from the den she could see Rainstar whispering to the deputy quietly as she walked close alongside him.
Her mouth slightly agape at the sudden outburst, and trying to figure out what was going on, she turned back to the medicine cat's den. It didn't look like Ravenfang was going to be too receptive to her, even though she wanted to approach and ask what was wrong, all traces of their argument shortly before gone from her memory.
She approached carefully, feeling her heart beginning to beat more quickly. As she drew closer, she began hearing quiet sobbing from the inside of the den, leaving her to begin to feel far more nervous about what was going on. Is some cat injured?!? Did some cat...die? She finally reached the entrance, carefully peering in and taking stock of the inside of the den.
While Shadowpaw couldn't respond any more to the herbs being applied to his pelt, it now feeling so trivial compared to the emotions stabbing at his heart, he felt himself reacting viscerally as the strange she-cat, having taken him from the territory to this den, drew close to him. He felt like he needed to run, to escape from all of the cats and the gazes which he felt like were staring down and burning holes through him. Everything was making his fur crawl with ants, not least of which was how much rage was awaiting him when his father discovered how much of the Code he was breaking.
Yet, Shadowpaw went stiff and still as the she-cat came closer than he expected, curling around and contacting him directly for the first time. His sobs didn't stop, but quieted for a moment, as he felt a wave of confusion as she began to lick the top of his head, settling the ruffled, yet thankfully uninjured fur. Further still, he found himself struggling to understand what was happening as she began caressing his back with her tail. He felt so much contact from this cat that he barely knew, more contact in moments than he was used to in a day, and it didn't come with any of the hostility or reservation that he was used to.
He knew what Nightscar would say if he saw anything close to him sobbing like this. "No crying." He mumbled quietly to himself as he felt the caress of her tail, and the tongue on his head. "I'm not weak. Get ahold of yourself." he mumbled more quietly, more to himself than anyone else, to remind himself of one of the critical rules that had been taught to him--but even his own words seemed lacking in belief. Whether he didn't believe the words, or didn't believe that he wasn't weak, wasn't clear. Still, it sounded so antithetical to the code.
He was stiff and not necessarily falling into the comforting gestures Larchleap was extending to him, but if she knew him she would have understood that not scurrying away from her approach was something good in itself, likely borne from her strange turn-around, out in the territory, to compassion and empathy for him.
Shadowpaw seemed to be composing himself as much as a cat could in these circumstances. He began slowly turning his head under the grooming of her tongue, until his eyes were peering down at her paws and his neck wouldn't let him twist any further. "I'm s-sorry, I shouldn't have...Out there...I should have left...just let me..." He sucked in a breath into his lungs. Nightscar was going to be furious with him for fleeing, and the scent of Thunderclan cats on his pelt wasn't going to make anything better. He hated the idea of going back, to face the body of his mother, but it was going to be worse if he stayed out longer and was found by a Shadowclan cat.
"P-please just let me go. T-thank you for t-the...herbs..." He gulped, still not trying to look up into the gaze of Larchleap.
Leafpaw felt her nervousness completely replaced with uncertainty and concern as she saw the sobbing, scrawny and hurt tom-cat in the den eventually turn to her friend, and begin quietly speaking to her. She couldn't make out every quiet word, but she leaned into the entrance of the den, probably making herself known in the process to at least the medicine cat, to hear better. Her eyes widened as she realized that, through some manner, he had clearly arrived here from another clan. This was confirmed by a scent clearly distinct from Thunderclan's, though she couldn't exactly place it and didn't exactly mind it as the warriors usually spoke of other scents.
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Post by Sand on Mar 29, 2020 3:24:57 GMT -5
Larchleap : accompanied by Shadowpaw, medicine cat's den
Larchleap continued to comfort Shadowpaw. She was surprised that the apprentice hadn't flinched away from her touch like how he refused to follow her back to ThunderClan when they met at the border. As her pink tongue ruffled his fur, her ears twitched as she heard soft murmurs. She couldn't make out what the ShadowClan apprentice was saying, so she kept quiet and let him be. I can't imagine what it's like to lose your mother, she thought wistfully. I wouldn't be able to imagine my life without Gingernose. Many thoughts trickled into the she-cat's mind and left her to wonder what would happen to Shadowpaw once his wounds would heal. Will Rainstar send him back to ShadowClan? I hope she doesn't... it doesn't sound safe over there.
But what would it be like if the clan took in another cat, with ties to ShadowClan? She couldn't think of a single cat that had come from another clan and was adopted into ThunderClan. Even then, what would their clanmates think of it? Would they believe Shadowpaw was a spy from ShadowClan, looking for information? There was no way any ThunderClan warrior would fall for that, right? She was suddenly ripped from her thoughts as the black tom moved underneath her and began meowing.
"Don't be sorry, Shadowpaw. You didn't do anything wrong, coming with me was the best decision you could have made," the orange tabby meowed reassuringly. She let out a disheartened sigh. "I don't think you can leave, at least not without anyone going with you. It's too dangerous."
She was unsure why the apprentice wanted to head back home, especially with everything that Rainstar and the others in the medicine cat den knew. She pulled herself away from Shadowpaw slowly, glancing down at him. There was lots that she didn't understand about him and the things he was saying. It made her wonder if Rainstar or Ravenfang felt the same too unless there was more to Shadowpaw's story than he was telling.
Mistythroat : accompanied by Leafpaw, medicine cat's den
While Larchleap spent time comforting Shadowpaw, Mistythroat observed for a few moments. Like all older members of the clan, he knew of Ravenfang's undying love for Dawnstar. It must have been heart breaking and soul crushing for the deputy, but there wasn't much that he could do but offer support and herbs. Without Dawnstar leading ShadowClan, the white tom realized that her deputy would now be in charge. He could only hope that ShadowClan's deputy wouldn't continue to lead the clan astray because if they did, there would be no coming back. The next Gathering would be a sight to see.
The medicine cat's gaze hardened when he noticed Leafpaw peering inside the den. Leafpaw? What's she doing here? he mused, carefully padding around Larchleap and Shadowpaw. He soon appeared in front of the apprentice with a slightly harsh yet questioning gaze. "Leafpaw, do you need something?" he whispered, making sure Shadowpaw or Larchleap couldn't hear him. There was no need to make a scene out of the situation. He knew if Ravenfang caught his apprentice sleuthing about, the consequences wouldn't be light. "Or are you here to snoop around?"
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 29, 2020 3:49:33 GMT -5
The deputy's daughter couldn't help but flinch at the harshness of the medicine cat's tone as she simply showed some curiosity for whatever was going on here. Her gaze hardened as he managed to prickle her pelt a bit, and her irritation dripped into her voice somewhat.
"I'm just trying to figure out if my friend is okay," She quietly grunted, having to fight the urge to hiss at the cat who was much her senior. "Sorry for worrying about Larchleap, I guess..." There was cutting sarcasm in her voice and she seemed to be forgetting any semblance of respect for the medicine cat. Her gaze drifted past him and settled back on the two cats behind him as she tried to peek over Mistythroat's shoulder.
Shadowpaw was still under the warrior as she spoke to him, clearly not gearing up to make a daring escape attempt; but he seemed to stiffen as she told him that he wasn't going to be able to go. She was saying it was too dangerous for him to go back, but she just didn't understand the situation in Shadowclan. "N-no, it's...L-look, you..." He murmured a little more loudly, beginning to crane his neck up to look up at her as he offered her a response.
It wasn't Larchleap's fault for not knowing, but he did--if Nightscar...if his father was willing to do this to his mother, what was he going to do to another clan of cats he didn't care a whisker about? "Y-you don't...I have to go...or y-you'll be in danger..." Shadowpaw could feel in his gut that Nightscar would be seizing Shadowclan as his own by the end of the night, and he shuddered as he thought of what his father might do to get Shadowpaw back at his paws. "Your clan..."
it was important to note that there was no threatening note within his voice; he meant no hostility. With his begging to her continuing, his eyes pleading for his release, as if he were a captive, the tom-cat simply seemed to believe there was something that would be dangerous to them if he stayed.
Leafpaw finally caught some of what was being said between her friend and this stranger, and her eyes were left wide as she struggled to see the newcomer behind the obstructing medicine cat. She was getting ready to call out to her friend, to ask if she was okay, when she felt a tail on her back.
Ravenfang's head was all in a twist, and the leader had to leave him in a corner of camp where she could get to him soon. The most pressing issue was the grief-stricken kitten who had just lost his mother, and as she approached the medicine cat's den again, she gave a heavy sigh as she saw none other than Leafpaw gazing into the den. Shoving all past and future thoughts to the back of her mind, she approached and placed her tail on the apprentice's back as she drew into the entrance. Frowning, she saw that the Shadowclan apprentice hadn't taken a single bite of the prey.
"Leafpaw...will you please try to find some moss for Shadowpaw?" She asked the apprentice as she stood in front of the den, offsetting Mistythroat's objective to keep the apprentice out of trouble. "I think he will need a nest tonight." She watched as Leafpaw's eyes widened up at her for a few seconds, before she nodded quickly and hurried off to exit the camp and search for moss.
Rainstar sighed quietly. The curious cat meant no harm, but Shadowpaw needed no more sensory overload. She drew into the den, looking down at the uneaten prey, before looking up and seeing Larchleap curled around the Shadowclan apprentice and treating him like a lost kit with her attention. Though he needed to eat, Rainstar couldn't be frustrated at Shadowpaw for not eating, or Larchleap for not yet making him eat.
Still, he did need to eat. He looked like he would collapse in the next day if he didn't get some food into his body. "What is wrong? He needs to eat." She stated firmly, looking evenly between the two cats.
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Post by Sand on Mar 29, 2020 22:38:13 GMT -5
Mistythroat knew Leafpaw was curious, but the moment irritation dripped into her voice, he was not pleased with the apprentice's behavior. For being Ravenfang's adopted kit, you would think she would have a shred of respect, he thought, trying his best to not roll his eyes.
"Larchleap is doing fine, Leafpaw," he mewed firmly, growing a bit miffed with the apprentice's behavior and tone. Clearly she wasn't willing to give the medicine cat the respect he had earned over many seasons. "It's okay for you to worry about her, but she's busy right now. Maybe later you can speak with her."
Larchleap was taken back as Shadowpaw didn't try escaping from underneath her which she had half expected. Maybe she didn't understand the brunt of his situation, but at least he was now looking at her and trying to give an explanation. As she wanted to cut him off while speaking, the orange tabby bit her tongue in response. "Shadowpaw..." she mumbled as she fell quiet quickly.
"Danger?" she meowed, lifting her head up and moving away from the black tomcat slowly. What does he mean by that? What's so dangerous in ShadowClan that he needs to go back? It doesn't make any sense, she thought. She stared at him, stunned by his explanation. ThunderClan too? I don't understand! "What do you mean, Shadowpaw?" the tabby inquired. "I don't understand."
As soon as Rainstar entered the den, the young warrior was sitting still as a statue and fell silent. What was she going to tell Rainstar? There weren't enough words to explain what she did and didn't understand about Shadowpaw's situation. Larchleap couldn't find the strength to stand up, so she moved away yet again from the ShadowClan apprenitce. "I... He keeps going on about it being dangerous to stay in ThunderClan, Rainstar," she told the leader. "I-I know he needs to eat, but... I don't understand why he wants to leave and go back to ShadowClan. E-Especially with him in the state he's in... It wouldn't be right..."
Mistythroat was thankful for Rainstar's presence. It relieved him of Leafpaw's nosiness, at least for now. Once the apprentice took off to get moss for Shadowpaw's new nest, the white tomcat stepped away from his den. He knew Rainstar could handle the plight at paw and she didn't need him for it. After all, it seemed more like a leader and deputy matter than a medicine cat one.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 29, 2020 23:57:58 GMT -5
Rainstar took in a slow breath as Larchleap reported what the Shadowclan apprentice was saying. This wasn't good--Shadowpaw had apparently run from his clan, but he was realizing the threat that would be rising in his clan. That could only mean one thing.
She stepped closer to the two of them, looking at Shadowpaw as he was practically held in place by Larchleap. "Shadowpaw..." Rainstar gave a quiet sigh as she assumed the worst. "Nightscar did this to her? To you?" She quietly murmured. She clearly knew more than Larchleap did about what was going on in Shadowclan.
Shadowpaw's eyes widened as the leader called what had happened. It didn't make any sense for the foreign leader to have that sort of sense of what was going on, but...she did. She called it. His lips parted slightly with the intention to respond, but he struggled to even say what his father had done out loud. He had to settle for a simple nod.
Rainstar's shoulders sagged a little, and her eyes saddened. Oh, Starclan... She shut her eyes, shaking her head as she thought about a Nightstar leading Shadowclan. The leader visibly shuddered in front of the apprentice and the warrior. "I..." She slowly opened her eyes, fixing them onto Shadowpaw's wide, green eyes. "I'm so sorry, Shadowpaw." She kept eye contact with him for a few long moments, trying to process what this would all mean for them.
She turned her gaze towards Larchleap again. "Nightscar is...his father." She quietly sighed. The air hung between them for awhile, Shadowpaw hurting and scared silent, Rainstar plotting the possibilities of what this could mean. She slowly turned her gaze back to him, letting the silence hold as Larchleap's words repeated in her head. "Shadowpaw." She quietly called out to him. She needed him to understand that he would be safe here. "Nightscar...your father...He is going to take over Shadowclan. He will kill anybody who protests his coup. And when he has his paws on you, without your mother to protect you from his worse instincts..." Rainstar again demonstrated that she knew a strange amount about Nightscar, and Shadowclan for being the leader of Thunderclan.
She shook her head. "And I won't send you back to him." She watched as Shadowpaw's wide eyes grew less large and he pulled back from the leader, though he couldn't move much given Larchleap was wrapped around him. She looked at Larchleap again. "Larchleap, I know you don't understand what is happening, but your gut instinct was right. It is good you brought him here...and I need you to make sure he is fed and safe. He will be staying here for a bit, where it is safe for him."
He grew panicked rather quickly after the leader finished speaking. He tried to jump up out of Larchleap and her coil of attempted comfort, with limited success as he tripped and stumbled to his side. "No! I have to go back!" He cried aloud as he took in both Rainstar and Larchleap. He hadn't been ready to escape from Larchleap when their conversation was quiet and relatively calm, but faced with the prospect of being held here, he felt the panic setting in and the threat of his father looming over him.
Still, he was certain he wasn't going to get past the two of them if he made a run for it. "P-Please!" he cried. "My father isn't ever going to let me remain here! I have to go back to him before...before he gets..." He was breathing rapidly, glancing with panic between both of them.
Rainstar inhaled a breath and released it quietly. Nightscar clearly had a firm pawhold on the mind of his son, because Shadowpaw seemed more eager to get back to the awful tom-cat when safety was staring him in the face. It left her struggling a bit for words.
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Post by Sand on Mar 30, 2020 1:15:54 GMT -5
With all that was going on between Rainstar and Shadowpaw, Larchleap just sat still without uttering a word. It was clear to her that Rainstar knew a lot about ShadowClan along with Shadowpaw and Dawnstar, but she couldn't figure out why. Not that it mattered much right now, of course. She was more concerned for the well-being of Shadowpaw, who she hardly knew, and ThunderClan's.
When Rainstar mentioned that Nightscar, the tom who killed Shadowpaw's mother was also his father, the orange tabby's mouth was agape. She could feel a sharp, cold chill run down her spine. What kind of father kills their son's mother...? she wondered, feeling nauseated with the subject. She couldn't imagine what it was like for Shadowpaw, to see his mother die before his eyes. She wasn't even sure what to say because a simple "I'm sorry" wouldn't suffice.
She didn't dare speak as the ThunderClan described what Nightscar had in mind. She was right, sending Shadowpaw back was not a plausible idea for them anymore. He would end up injured or worse-- dead. The tabby felt a lump form in her throat and gulped it back, glancing at Rainstar. "I'll try my best, Rainstar," she meowed, determined to make sure the black tom would eat. "I promise."
It was a large promise to make, but Larchleap was willing to risk it. Now that she knew some of the apprentice's story, she wasn't going to fail him. She let out a grunt when Shadowpaw tripped and stumbled away, listening to his cries. She didn't know what to say or do anymore for he was too focused on leaving ThunderClan.
"Shadowpaw, you can't go. Nightscar isn't here," the young warrior mewed, resting her striped tail on his shoulder gently. "We need you to eat something, please. If you don't eat, you won't feel well. Please, Shadowpaw. Eat."
Larchleap kept the thrush between her paws before nosing it towards the ShadowClan apprentice. He had to eat and so far, she didn't think it was going to happen. There was no other way to get him to eat unless by force and in her opinion, that would be a terrible idea. All they needed was for Shadowpaw to take one bite. Just one bite would be considered a success for her.
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 30, 2020 1:43:35 GMT -5
Shadowpaw was simply left with a sustained sense of confusion conflicting with the panic screaming within him to get out of there, to run back, to ask his father why, to beg him not to be angered that he fled, while the two cats insisted he remain here and stay safe. Rainstar didn't sound like she was going to be compromising about him leaving, but Larchleap again took a step closer to him and replaced her tail, this time upon his shoulder as she again pleaded with him to eat, shifting the conversation from leaving or not leaving to simply having some food to sustain himself.
He didn't miss her promising to keep him fed and safe, something that, until just a little earlier, he could only trust one cat to ever do. Now here was a complete stranger who met him only minutes after the death of his caretaker, promising to go as far as to feed and shelter him from harm. It was so confusing to him, but he had seen the way she was impacted by hearing his father had killed his mother, and everything she had said up until now was giving him the sense that she was really concerned about his state--not that he believed he deserved to be any healthier than the hard-working Shadowclan warriors from home.
He gulped nervously as she nosed the thrush towards him. This...this is breaking the Code...Errr...The...Or the... He tried to process what he knew about the cold in context of the conversation they had just been having. He didn't know what to believe. My mom fed me a lot when she wasn't supposed to, but she was the leader. She said it was okay.
Yet here was another leader saying it was okay for him to eat this and a warrior pleading with him to do so. And if he needed more weight towards making the decision to eat, as he stared at the prey his stomach let him know with an informative noise what it thought he should do.
Gulping a second time, his gaze shifting from the prey, to Larchleap and back, he gave a quick nod in response to her and then bent downwards to take a bite of the prey. He didn't mean to take as large a bite as he did, but it was down his throat before he realized, and his instincts took over and demanded he eat more even when his head was already telling him he was making the wrong choice and breaking the Code. He couldn't stop himself now, practically hovering over the dead thrush as he ravenously ate it up, barely taking time to breath in between swallowing and taking more of it in his jaws.
It was more than obvious that Shadowpaw was starved of food and though she should have been happy he was eating something, she couldn't erase the sour and bitter look on her face. Dawnstar...How could you let this happen? It was Nightscar's fault, completely, for the crime of murdering his mate, but this...Shadowpaw being in this condition... How could you let him get this bad? Though she didn't notice it her claws with sinking into the ground as she struggled to understand the late benevolent leader's choices.
He totally devoured the prey, leaving none of the piece of fresh kill untouched. He took a panting breath as he realized he had almost starved his lungs of oxygen in the process of un-starving his stomach, and as he caught his breath he lifted his head to look at the two cats without backing from the prey. There was shame creeping into his eyes and his ears flattened back. He had made the choice to devour it, they had encouraged him to eat it, and yet he couldn't help but feel claws scratching at his mind, telling him he was doing something wrong. His guilty eyes traveled over to Larchleap, and then back down to the prey in between his paws. "I...I shouldn't have..." He trailed off, trying to justify his shame to himself even though they both seemed to want him to eat.
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Post by Sand on Mar 31, 2020 2:15:12 GMT -5
Larchleap was beyond grateful that Shadowpaw had finally decided to eat. It had taken multiple cats to tell him it was okay to eat, yet he refused to until Rainstar had finally asked. Maybe there was a connection between Rainstar and Dawnstar both being a feline of power which made Shadowpaw think that eating was acceptable. Whatever it was, it didn't matter much to the orange tabby. She was just thankful that he took a bite.
Soon enough, each bite turned into another and then it was gone. The thrush had been devoured and gone to a place where it was most needed. The young warrior let out a heavy sigh as if she had been holding her breath in for a long time. She glanced at Rainstar momentarily before returning her attention to the black tom. He looked shameful with his ears flattened back. She knew she shouldn't feel guilty for making him eat, but what was she supposed to do? Let him starve? That in itself wasn't right.
"Shadowpaw, it's okay to eat. You're supposed to eat," she mewed softly. "Especially when you're hungry and when Rainstar asks you to. Being starved is not okay."
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Post by Shadowkit on Mar 31, 2020 11:31:09 GMT -5
Shadowpaw's attention was fixed on Larchleap as she took it to again try to convince him that it was not a crime for him to eat right now. He knew that he was starved, but he had been for so long that it seemed normal and it was strange for him to hear that he was not supposed to be.
Larchleap had taken it almost upon herself to get him to eat, and he wondered why she was so vocal about what was okay and what wasn't. He gulped, having to settle for a silent prayer to Starclan that he wouldn't face retirbution for the meal.
"Then..." Shadowpaw felt a mixture of curiosity and fear as he started speaking; but they had been saying so much about how things didn't seem right in Shadowclan, when it was all he knew, that he had to know what why they thought it was so wrong over there. "...why am I? When a cat doesn't contribute, he doesn't get to steal other cats' contribution to the clan," He circled back to the Warrior Code, whatever version he had learned despite already hearing the rule he had been taught was wrong. Of course, it was all he knew; what he had grown up and suffered under. It would take more than telling him it was wrong. He needed to be shown.
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Post by Sand on Apr 1, 2020 0:27:35 GMT -5
As vocal as she was, Larchleap wasn't sure how else to tell Shadowpaw that it was okay to eat. She didn't know how to put it into words correctly and she had tried her best. For now, the weight of Shadowpaw's starvation slipped off of her shoulders. As long as he was willing to eat again, then she would be glad to fetch some prey for him.
The orange tabby listened attentively to the black tom's explanation of the Warrior Code. She couldn't help but stare at him with concern and a touch of sadness. What kind of clan is ShadowClan? I can't believe that is their definition of the Warrior Code, she thought, trying not to gape as he spoke. I know it was Dawnstar's ShadowClan at one time, but maybe like Rainstar said, Nightscar succeeded with his coup.
She knew reality was slowly setting in for her, though it would take a few sunsets or more to digest it. Larchleap settled down with her tail curled around her paws, looking down at Shadowpaw. "Shadowpaw, that isn't our Warrior Code," she informed him before continuing. "At least not the one that we follow here in ThunderClan. Our Warrior Code allows every cat to eat, no matter what even if they didn't contribute to the fresh kill pile today. We all deserve a meal because we need our strength to serve our clan."
Larchleap came to a pause, wondering if there was another way to explain to Shadowpaw how the Warrior Code actually worked. "Maybe when you're feeling better and healed, I can show you the rest of our camp," she offered. "And if you get to stay in ThunderClan, your mentor can teach you the real Warrior Code too."
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