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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 14:59:39 GMT -5
Warblerpaw clamped his jaws shut against a growl, but it rumbled in his throat. He secretly, guiltily, felt himself agreeing with Emberpaw.
This is her fault! If it weren't for her mouse-brained idea...
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Post by Willow on Apr 4, 2023 15:23:21 GMT -5
Skyflight dropped down to a ledge letting out a small shriek as she watched Spiritstar's body disappear under the water. "Faster! Faster!" she murmured to herself, halfway down the cliff's face. She looked down, surprised to see Quickwing had navigated almost to the bottom of the cliff already. "Quickwing! She went underwater! We'll have to pull her out!"
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Post by Willow on Apr 4, 2023 17:29:48 GMT -5
A bodiless whisper sounded in Emberpaw's ear, the voice seeming oddly familiar. Cold seeped around her. "If you were a stronger cat, this wouldn't have happened, you could have climbed back up without help." The deep voice sneered. "Briarpatch isn't training you well enough. Meet me in your dreams kit. I'll make you strong." As soon as it came, the voice and the cold sensation vanished.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 4, 2023 17:35:19 GMT -5
Emberpaw jumped a bit as she swore she heard a voice just then. The words rang clearly in her ears, a wave of raw guilt washing over her. Whether it was her internal thoughts or not, they were right. She wasn't strong enough to reach the top, and if she had, none of this would have happened. Spiritstar lost a life because of her, she killed her own leader! She hitched her breath, before falling silent.
Jadefeather noticed Emberpaw's sudden jump, but chalked it up to her still being in shock. Luckily, the camp was very close. She looked at Warblerpaw and Emberpaw. "I'll tell the Clan. You both don't need to be here when I do, I want you to go right to Lavendersky and Spiderbite for the shock, I... it will be okay, it will." She breathed as assuring as she could, before she began to push her way quickly into camp.
Starlingdust, stationed right at the camp entrance, brightened with relief when she saw Jadefeather, and exclaimed delightedly. "Emberpaw's back! They did it! Thank Starclan you guys are alright, you-" She cut off suddenly as Jadefeather's panicked and sullied expression made her body go cold.
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 17:47:33 GMT -5
Warblerpaw felt a cold numbness creeping up his limbs, starkly juxtaposing the hot anger he felt in his throat that was eclipsing his fear. He shot a scathing glare at Emberpaw before quickly shoving past te camp entrance, making a bee-line for the medicine den.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 4, 2023 17:56:47 GMT -5
Warblerpaw felt a cold numbness creeping up his limbs, starkly juxtaposing the hot anger he felt in his throat that was eclipsing his fear. He shot a scathing glare at Emberpaw before quickly shoving past te camp entrance, making a bee-line for the medicine den. Emberpaw’s ears fell deeply at Warblerpaw’s glare, though she couldn’t find it in herself to blame him. Spiritstar was his mother, and she had just… She choked up, refusing to look at any of her clanmates as she stumbled shakily to the medicine den. |
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 4, 2023 18:22:05 GMT -5
Quickwing looked up when she heard Skyflight yell down to her. She hasn’t realized she had scurried down the cliff face so fast. She reached the bottom well before her clanmates. “I got her!” She yelled back. “Just get to the bank so you can help me pull her out!” She called back to her clan mate. She finished the climb and hurried down to the river, running down the bank as far as she could, trying to see Spiritstar. There! She spotted a flash of fur under the churning water. She took a breath before jumping in, gasping at the sudden cold of the water.
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Post by Willow on Apr 4, 2023 18:44:16 GMT -5
Skyflight's paws hit the foot of the cliff as Quickwing splashed into the water, she ran as fast as she could to the bank, ready to help Quickwing pull Spiritstar out of the water. "I'm here Quickwing, do you need me to come in too?" Her fur stood on end as she looked at the swirling water of the river. She was a Skyclan cat! She didn't know how to swim.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 4, 2023 18:49:32 GMT -5
Quickwing fought against the current, moving through the water. She knew vaguely how to swim, having only done it once or twice previously. She ignored the feeling of the water in her fur. “No I got her! Just be ready on the bank!” She called before going under. She swim awkwardly towards Spiritstar’s body.
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Post by Willow on Apr 4, 2023 18:53:12 GMT -5
Skyflight sighed in relief as Quickwing yowled that she didn't need to join her in the water. She paced anxiously on the bank waiting for the other she-cat's head to reappear above the currant.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Apr 4, 2023 21:00:17 GMT -5
(*Leaves Spiritstar's body to you guys, because I can't do anything with it til she gets back into it* XD)
Spiderbite stood up when the warriors returned with the apprentices. He looked from one cat to another in frantic assessing of injuries, but when Warblerpaw stormed his direction, Spiderbite cut across his path. "Are you hurt?"
~~~~
Spiritstar buckled over. Coughs ravaged her throat as she tried to suck in a breath, but all she felt was water in lungs. Tears leaked from here eyes and her chest began to burn. She turned pleading eyes to Eaglecry, but the tom just sat here. He looked on with a sympathetic gaze and Spiritstar almost felt like cursing his name. Why was this happening? What did he mean by evil acting up? She wanted to ask her questions, but she couldn't breathe! Was StarClan punishing her?
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 21:05:12 GMT -5
Warblerpaw pulled up short, almost bowling the medicine cat over. He shook his head as if shaking off water.
"No, I-" Warblerpaw stuttered out. Moments ago he'd been ready to snap his teeth in Emberpaw's face with rage, but now his heart was hammering in his chest and the blood rushed in his ears like a raging river current. He felt himself shaking and beginning to pant with quick, heavy breaths. "S-Spiritstar...!"
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Apr 4, 2023 21:07:28 GMT -5
Spiderbite's eyes narrowed. He flicked his gaze to the patrol, realizing that Spiritstar wasn't a part of it. "Come with me." Spiderbite walked around Warblerpaw, using his tail to guide him toward the medicine den. "Whatever happened, it'll be alright, Warblerpaw."
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 21:12:37 GMT -5
Warblerpaw grit his teeth as the normally prickly Spiderbite gently guided him into the shadows of the medicine den. Usually, the young tom maintained an air of confidence, nonchalance, and cool serenity, but right now he felt all of his emotions whirling out of his control.
"H-how," he growled out, stopping as he tried to collect himself. "How many lives does my mother have left?" He said the last part near-silently, knowing that Spiderbite likely wouldn't tell him, even if he did know.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Apr 4, 2023 21:18:15 GMT -5
Spiderbite paused when Warblerpaw did. He took a deep breath as if considering his answer. "Well...I just recently became a full medicine cat. I'm not sure how the whole 'sense a leader's lives' thing works, yet." He looked Warblerpaw in the eye. "What I can tell you is that I was a kit when AdderClan fell. I knew of Spiritstar when she was still a medicine cat and I watched from the nursery when she walked into camp as a leader for the very first time. It wasn't long after I was made medicine cat apprentice." Spiderbite looked up to the camp cliff. "She lost her first life in the fire. I didn't sense it, but Lavendersky did. After that," Spiderbite shrugged and looked at Warblerpaw. "Am I right to assume--based on how you're failing to hold yourself together--that she just lost another one just now?"
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 21:23:19 GMT -5
Warblerpaw couldn't dam his emotions any longer and looked up at Spiderbite with wide, vulnerable eyes.
"I-I don't know. She looked broken, she -" he choked back a whimper, flattening his ears and trying to wipe the image of his mother's body at the bottom of the cliff from his mind. He felt pathetic, weak, to be shaking like a lead this way. He was the son of the leader, the nephew of one of the most feared cats in recent history, and here he was, whimpering like a kit.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Apr 4, 2023 21:28:44 GMT -5
Spiderbite stole a glance around the camp. He knew Warblerpaw's pride, so for the apprentice's sake, he guided him into the medicine den. "Spiritstar's been broken before, you know." Spiderbite sat near the den entrance so he could keep an eye out for anyone coming. "From what Lavendersky told me, she's fallen from Jagged Drop before." He huffed. "You also know she used to be a medicine cat, right? That means she more than some ordinary cat. Even if she did lose a life, Spiritstar has plenty left. She'll come back to you, Warblerpaw."
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Post by Willow on Apr 4, 2023 21:30:19 GMT -5
Look at Spider being a softie )
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 21:37:41 GMT -5
Warblerpaw crouched, carefully beginning to try to control his breathing. "I know," he said. "I know."
He was silent, breathing and shaking until he could feel the ground beneath his paws again and hear the birds in the trees. Spriderbite was right - Spiritstar had survived worse, and she was made leader for a reason. Even if he didn't fully believe StarClan was all-powerful the way some cats did, he understood that she was a leader because of them and would come back because of them. He sent a rare and silent thank you to them before looking up at Spiderbite.
"Thanks," he whispered quietly, feeling embarrassment worming its way under his pelt. "But that's two lives in as many moons," he said, frowning.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Apr 4, 2023 21:44:57 GMT -5
Spiderbite simply watched Warblerpaw. He flicked his tail over his paws. He huffed. "You make it sound like she's going to just drop dead. We don't know what's going to happen, Warblerpaw. Spiritstar could lose another life tomorrow. You or I could die tomorrow or we could all live until Skystar Tree falls from the cliff. You're fretting over something you can't control and the more you do that, the more herbs I'll have to waste calming you down. Be thankful your mother is the leader of SkyClan with nine lives and leave it at that. Imagine if Jadefeather was in Spiritstar's place? Or Splashecho? Nightfur? They wouldn't come back like Spiritstar would. That's the reason a leader has nine lives, after all."
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 22:08:48 GMT -5
Warblerpaw's ears flattened as embarrassment washed over him anew. Spiderbite was right; he was probably reacting a little excessively. With his visit to the Dark Forest so fresh in his mind, his head had been whirling with thoughts of not being able to tell his mother that her sister was sorry and that she missed her alongside his worry and fear with seeing his mother fall.
Trying to regain some kernel of normal, he cracked a shaky and lopsided smile. He knew Spiderbite was being kind to him, in his own way. "No need for herbs," he said honestly, feeling his heart beginning to slow. "Thank you, again," he whispered. "You really did earn your full name."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Apr 4, 2023 22:17:50 GMT -5
Spiderbite held his head a little higher at Warblerpaw's compliment. "Not wasting my herbs is thanks enough." He motioned to the den entrance. "You should get back out there. I'm sure Spiritstar will want to see you okay when she returns."
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Post by thistle on Apr 4, 2023 22:22:13 GMT -5
"Heard loud and clear, med cat," Warblerpaw said, rising to still-unsteady paws before padding toward the entrance. He paused, a shadow crossing his face. "...I'll send Emberpaw over."
He stalked over to the white apprentice, looking at her with cold green eyes before nodding to the medicine den behind him and growling out a simple, "Your turn."
( headed to bed for the night! can't wait to see how the plot thickens >:3c )
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Post by bluewonder on Apr 5, 2023 9:37:29 GMT -5
(Sorry for the slow reply! Work has been busy. I missed an entire leader death!! And apprentice ~drama~! I love it! )
Bumblepaw rolled her eyes as Flyingpaw boasted about having almost climbed the camp cliff. "I've never seen a cat so proud to have squirrels for parents! Next thing you know, you'll be boasting about all the bees in your brain!" She sneered, glancing over at Wingpaw for support. Her eyes were soon caught by the sight of her fellow apprentices, back from their troubled outing. "They're back!" She jumped to her paws. "I can't wait to see the thrashing Spiritstar gives them!" She flicked her tail in smug excitement, when she suddenly noticed the expression on Emberpaw and Warblerpaw's faces. Where was Spiritstar anyway? And the other warriors? Her tail dropped slightly as a small amount of apprehension entered her chest.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Apr 5, 2023 9:41:10 GMT -5
Quickwing’s paws churned under the water. She was by no means a strong swimmer but she had to get to Spiritstar’s body! After a few moments she made it, grabbing the scruff in her mouth. Her mouth filled with water, choking her but she had to fight through it. She pulled Spiritstar up to the surface, head popping back out of the water. She coughed, jaw still clamped on her scruff. She kicked out, slowly making her way to the river bank.
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Post by Willow on Apr 5, 2023 9:43:40 GMT -5
Skyflight crouched straining to reach toward Quickwing. She grabbed the other warrior’s scruff the second she was close enough, pulling with all her might to haul the warrior and their leader to the bank.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 5, 2023 10:33:27 GMT -5
"Heard loud and clear, med cat," Warblerpaw said, rising to still-unsteady paws before padding toward the entrance. He paused, a shadow crossing his face. "...I'll send Emberpaw over." He stalked over to the white apprentice, looking at her with cold green eyes before nodding to the medicine den behind him and growling out a simple, "Your turn." ( headed to bed for the night! can't wait to see how the plot thickens >:3c ) Emberpaw’s ears were flat against her head. For a moment, she wanted to open her jaws and desperately apologize, but she felt the words clog in her throat. She stiffened at his clear growl, and clicked her jaws shut, rushing past him with shaky pawsteps as she made her way into the medicine den. Guilt swarmed her, and she tried to hold back her hitched breaths. |
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 5, 2023 10:39:00 GMT -5
“If Flyingpaw’s parents are squirrels, than what does that make mine?” Wingpaw snorted with laughter, preparing to tease Bumblepaw with banter, only to blink with confusion and concern when he noticed Warblerpaw and Emberpaw rushed to the medicine den. He swallowed. “Uh… that… doesn’t look good…”
Poppyclaw turned quickly from Basilpaw and Specklepaw, padding over to Jadefeather with a stern yet calming voice, wanting to ground the shaken she-cat. “Jadefeather. What happened? Where is the rest of the patrol?”
“Spiritstar…” Jadefeather swallowed down her nerves, and lifted her chin to let her words be heard clearly to the cats that began to surround her. “Spiritstar has fallen from Jagged Drop, and… and she has lost a life. Quickwing, Skyflight and Firefang are with her, and they will return shortly… they will.” She said the last words with a hint of force, assuring herself as much as her clanmates.
“What?!” Redspring exclaimed with shock, Frostyfoot bristled with horror at her side.
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Post by Willow on Apr 5, 2023 11:10:23 GMT -5
Briarpatch gasped as she heard Jadefeather’s speech, she buried her head in Flarestorm’s shoulder, her entire body shaking. “No.. no, this is my fault I should have been training Emberpaw more. Maybe she thought I was neglecting her.”
Sparrowstrike’s ears flattened as he heard the news, he pulled Springpaw closer to his side. Thankful that his daughter was safe. He just hoped his sister and the others would return safely as well.
Twigpaw looked at Splashecho, wanting to see how his mother would react to the news.
Specklepaw’s eyes widened, she looked at Basilpaw in horror. “Spiritstar must have a lot of lives left though right?” She whispered.
Ashfeather looked down at his paws, mourning Spiritstar’s lost life. He shifted anxiously from side to side, hoping the patrol would return to quickly with their leader.
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Post by Moonblazer on Apr 5, 2023 11:22:07 GMT -5
“Hey, hey, no.” Flarestorm shook his head, comforting his mate with a soothing voice, though his fur bristled with shock at the news. “This isn’t your fault. Something like that, that can’t be anybody’s fault, Spiritstar’s been climbing for moons, and seeing as Emberpaw made it back… then she must have saved her.” He realized, admiring and mourning his leader’s courage.
“She’s not lost alot of lives as long as she’s been leader.” Lichengaze padded forwards to try and help assure the Clan. “Starclan revives leaders from death no matter how brutal, if she did fall, then surely she will return with the patrol, just as Jadefeather said.”
“If Emberpaw wasn’t sneaking out of camp, then Spiritstar wouldn’t have fallen at all!” Dewcloud exclaimed, her voice surprisingly sharp as her emotions clouded her senses for a moment, worry for her leader sharp in her eyes.
“Apprentices sneak out all the time, this time just happened to result in a big accident.” Dreamlily argued softly with the other she-cat, shaking her head quickly. “She looked miserable, she couldn’t have pushed Spiritstar off.” She defended the younger she-cat.
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