|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 11:59:52 GMT -5
(I'm readyyyy!) Flarestorm rested on one of the high ledges in camp, his paws sore from the long hunting patrol he had gone on earlier. Poppyclaw would pitch a fit over Pondpaw, but he himself was more than welcoming of the newcomer. It made things more interesting. Flarestorm paused though, as he noticed a figure slipping out of camp. Concern crossed his muzzle as he saw the familiar pelt of his mate. What was she doing? Quickly leaping down the ledges, Flarestorm slipped right out of camp, trailing after her. He picked up his speed until he could see her again, calling out. "Oi! Briarpatch! Wait up!" Briarpatch blinked in surprise as Flarestorm trotted towards her, she had not heard the tom following, "Oh hello Flarestorm. I was just going to relax near the cliffs. I couldn't stand it in camp anymore. Would you care to join me?" she asked, her smile more forced than she would have liked. His prescence did calm her significantly though, and she hoped he would tag along. |
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 12:21:05 GMT -5
(I'm readyyyy!) Flarestorm rested on one of the high ledges in camp, his paws sore from the long hunting patrol he had gone on earlier. Poppyclaw would pitch a fit over Pondpaw, but he himself was more than welcoming of the newcomer. It made things more interesting. Flarestorm paused though, as he noticed a figure slipping out of camp. Concern crossed his muzzle as he saw the familiar pelt of his mate. What was she doing? Quickly leaping down the ledges, Flarestorm slipped right out of camp, trailing after her. He picked up his speed until he could see her again, calling out. "Oi! Briarpatch! Wait up!" Briarpatch blinked in surprise as Flarestorm trotted towards her, she had not heard the tom following, "Oh hello Flarestorm. I was just going to relax near the cliffs. I couldn't stand it in camp anymore. Would you care to join me?" she asked, her smile more forced than she would have liked. His prescence did calm her significantly though, and she hoped he would tag along. "Of course I'll join you." Flarestorm nodded, brushing close to her before he asked airily. "Was it the whole new joiner thing? I think she'll do fine, if given the chance, you know? Or, is it something entirely different?" He asked, curious but concerned for his mate, especially when she was pregnant and the last thing he wanted was for her to be stressed in any capacity. |
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 13:07:09 GMT -5
Poppyclaw gave his apprentice a stern look, but soon chose to relax. Specklepaw had a point, and Poppyclaw himself was not one to dally about. If anything, he appreciated her desire to get right to the work. So, he positioned himself right below a large boulder that jutted out from the ground. He nodded. "First step is finding a high ground. In battle, this may be a boulder, a snad mound, or a tree stump. Anything to get you up and over your opponent. The second step is to land and balance on their back. Before we even get to the move, you will perfect your balance. Do you understand?" He ordered. "Well, don't jinx it." Wingpaw warned, though his voice was casual and airy. "I've heard stories of leaders who have only lasted a single moon, not even that, and they just disappear. Like... what was his name. Oh! Blazestar. Yeah, that story's wild! Where do you think he disappeared to before he could even come back from the Moonstone to lead Riverclan?" He asked. Specklepaw fought the urge to roll her eyes, she respected Poppyclaw, but why did he have to be so serious all the time? Forcing herself forward she nodded at her mentor, "I've been balancing on the ledges in camp since I was a little kit, what do you want to see me do first?" Springpaw blinked, she had forgotten the stories her parents had told her of Blazestar, "My father said he was a great cat. It's a shame he never got to be leader. Do you even think he got his lives from Starclan?" |
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 13:17:39 GMT -5
"Of course I'll join you." Flarestorm nodded, brushing close to her before he asked airily. "Was it the whole new joiner thing? I think she'll do fine, if given the chance, you know? Or, is it something entirely different?" He asked, curious but concerned for his mate, especially when she was pregnant and the last thing he wanted was for her to be stressed in any capacity. Briarpatch shook her head as she began to walk slowly toward the cliffs again, "No, our clan could use some new blood. I don't mind new members, especially young ones. I still can't get Emberpaw's haunted look and Spiritstar's lifeless body out of my head. I see it every time I close my eyes." she whispered, unable to meet his gaze. |
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 13:26:54 GMT -5
"You did everything a cat could in this situation." Flarestorm assured, leaning down to nudge her muzzle gently with his. The aloof tom spoke with a rare seriousness, gentle but honest. "It's gonna be hard to not see those things in your mind, but we have to remind ourselves that both Spiritstar and Emberpaw are here with us, and your apprentice has always loved you, she wouldn't want you to be hurting if she could help it."
Poppyclaw nodded his approval. "You're going to start from the side, and launch yourself off this boulder, right onto my back. Do it as many times as you need until you feel your balance is perfect. I can handle it, so don't be afraid to land roughly if you need to." He squared his body into position below the boulder, having already taught her a bouncing spring off surfaces before. Now, they were adding a cat's back into the landing options.
"Who knows. It sounds pretty awful, to get nine lives, only to vanish into thin air. If he lost them all at once, yeesh, that's just awful. Or, worse, he pigeoned out and ran away from his job like a coward." Wingpaw puffed, bluntly speaking. He shook his head. "At least Earthstar was there to do his job for him. But, we'll never know until we get to Starclan ourselves, huh?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 16:55:46 GMT -5
Briarpatch settled near the edge of the cliff, much further from the edge than she would have sat several moons ago. Her tail curled protectively over her belly. "I know they're safe and I keep telling myself that. I'm glad I didn't see it with my own eyes. I don't think the nightmares would ever stop. I think it just scares me, knowing that some day our kits could do something similar." She frowned as a ripple of pain shot through her belly. The same ones she had felt several sunrises ago. They had been nothing the first time, so she decided to ignore it once again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 16:59:00 GMT -5
Specklepaw scampered over to the boulder, bracing herself for the first leap. She soared easily through the air toward the boulder. She did her best to bounce off of it towards Poppyclaw, but her aim was sloppy, her paw swiped her mentor's shoulder and she landed beside him instead. She grumbled, already frustrated.
Springpaw's eyes widened as she thought more about Blazestar, "Do you think he would have gotten to keep his lives if he ran away? Only clan leaders get 9 lives, think about what cats from other places would think of that. Blazestar would be some kind of miracle."
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 17:18:30 GMT -5
Flarestorm nodded in understanding. “As laid back as I am, I’d be just as prickled if Bloodrime had ever done that when I was training him.” He admitted. He softened at her next words. “Oh, Briarpatch, we won’t ket anything happen to our kits. We’ll make sure they know to keep away from dangerous stuff like that. We’re the best at knowing stupid stuff, yeah?”
Poppyclaw released a faint grunt, remaining in his position as he nodded once. “Again. Nobody gets it on their first try, not me, and not you, but repetition is the key. We’ll make a nimble leaper out of you in no time.” He promised, trying to sound both stern and helpful.
Wingpaw blinked in thought. “Woah. Yeah, that would be pretty crazy! Ohh, someone should probably explain that to Pondpaw soon.” He clicked his tongue, before he offered. “Oh! Maybe he became a kittypet.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 17:58:45 GMT -5
Briarpatch gave a quick laugh, nodding slowly. "I suppose you're right. If anyone knows stupid show off behavior, it's the two of us yes? I just hope our kits don't hear any stories of our younger sunrises." she mewed with a knowing smile. Another wave of pain overtook her again, this one much stronger than the last. The pain made her tense in on herself, a gasp escaping her.
Specklepaw continued to grumble but took her spot again near the boulder. She leapt up again, her aim better as she bounced off the rock and toward Poppyclaw. Her leap was a bit overshot though, and she landed clumsily on Poppyclaw's shoulder before tumbling off to the side. She landed hard on her side with an "oof."
Springpaw wrinkled her nose at the thought, thinking about the cats she had seen when she had gone on one of the hunting patrols with Thunderclan. "That sounds so boring, and letting twolegs touch you? Gross! I hope he didn't become a kittypet. That would be such a lame ending to the story."
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 18:09:29 GMT -5
"Oh Starclan, can you imagine what we'll have to tell-" Flarestorm snorted with humor, beginning his response, only to tense up and startle at her sudden gasp of pain. He fretted quickly. "Briarpatch? What's wrong? Did you step on something? Are you hurt?" He asked quickly, circling her to stand right at her side.
"Better." Poppyclaw commented firmly, nodding his head. He waited a moment to allow her to recover, knowing that a bruised pride stung more when a cat tried to pick you up by the scruff. Instead, he adjusted himself once more and flicked his tail. "Don't put too much force into your jump. You want to time when you use your hind legs. Leap higher, not farther, and you'll make your mark." He instructed. "Again."
"Imagine, you just get nine lives after being one of the key Warriors to end the worst battle the Clans have ever seen, and you run off and become a kittypet instead." Wingpaw grimaced dramatically. "Let's make a pact to never, ever, become kittypets. Sound good?" He asked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 18:31:42 GMT -5
Briarpatch grit her teeth as another wave of pain occurred. "I think something is wrong, with the kits." She tried to stand, wanting to go back to camp only to collapse again, landing heavily on her side. "I keep getting these waves of pain through my belly. Please Flarestorm, go get Lavendersky or Spiderbite."
Specklepaw stood, shaking the dirt out of her fur and licking her chest in embarrassment. At least they were training alone today. She stormed back over to the boulder, giving herself a moment to calm down. "Again and again and again and again," she whispered voice thick with frustration. She took a step back, giving herself a running start this time toward the boulder. She stopped on top of the boulder this time, giving a moment of recovery before leaping on top of Poppyclaw. She wobbled, her claws digging into his fur before she straightened out, steady.
Springpaw nodded eagerly, "Of course Wingpaw. I won't ever leave Skyclan. This is our home! Our parents fought hard for us to be safe from Adderclan and have the lives we do now. I won't let their sacrifice go to waste." she mewed in a rare moment of sincerity.
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 18:43:18 GMT -5
"What?!" Flarestorm exclaimed, panicked at the realization that she had been hiding this pain for Starclan knows how long, but above all, at the way she collapsed upon the ground. His voice grew with desperation as he exclaimed. "I-I can't just leave you out here alone out of camp! I-... Briarpatch, I could carry you, or-" He knew that wouldn't work, but he wasn't sure what he should do.
"Much better. You've reached my back." Poppyclaw smirked, before the smile quickly flattened out once more to his usual neutral face. Instead, he nodded. "That one you just did? Now, all you need to do is repeat it until you won't even need your claws to balance out. But, you're excelling quickly, and that's promising." He complimented, before he grunted. "Once more."
"That's true." Wingpaw nodded, catching onto her seriousness and admitting. "I'd never want to leave my mother alone here. She's already lost enough, she doesn't need to lose me too. So. I'll have my fun, but I won't let anything knock me down!" He promised.
|
|
|
|
Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 6, 2023 19:16:16 GMT -5
(*Slides in* Hello?)
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 19:22:18 GMT -5
(Hi Moon! Either Flarestorm, or Withermist and Frostlight will run back to camp to get Spiderbite in a few moments here.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 19:24:07 GMT -5
Briarpatch shook her head, eyes screwing shut as another wave shot through her, now coming quicker than before. "We don't have time. Something is really wrong Flarestorm. I need them now." She forced her eyes back open wide as she pleaded with her mate. "I don't want you to leave me here either, but I need our kits to be okay. Please go.. please."
Springpaw glanced over to the entrance of camp where she knew Shadespots was on guard duty. The young she-cat nodded, knowing her parents had spoken of everything that Wingpaw's mother had been through. "I'm glad you have your mother and your siblings to lean on. I don't know what I would do without my parents and Flyingpaw. Twigpaw and I don't always get along, but I still love him too." She looked unsure as her gaze flickered back to Wingpaw, "Do you ever miss your father?" she asked quietly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 19:34:32 GMT -5
"I... okay. Okay, just. Please, please, hold out, I'll go as fast as I can. You'll be okay, I promise!" Flarestorm tried to reassure her, desperately scrambling to turn around and dash frantically through the territory. He lifted his voice, shouting as he ran towards camp. "Help! Help, please!"
Wingpaw shook his head lightly, an accepting yet faintly sad look crossing his face. "I didn't know him much, he died when I was super young. But I know him through what mom says about him, and he sounds like the coolest dad a cat could have. He'd have to be pretty special, to impress my mom." He smirked, hoping inwardly that his father could see him now, even if he was in Starclan. "I guess it's better than knowing him so well that losing him would feel like losing a part of me, you know?"
|
|
|
|
Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 6, 2023 19:35:00 GMT -5
(SOunds good!)
Spiderbite sat rather proudly in the medicine den. All the little crevices of the den were well organized and stocked full. I'm ready for anything. He nodded to himself. Now that he was a full medicine cat, he had to be prepared at all times. Yet, his paws tingled with anxiousness at the message StarClan had given him at the Moonstone. "Darkness is brewing. It's hold is strong. One by one, the trees will tremble. Roots may not be strong enough. Spirits disheartened. SkyClan must be quick." Eaglecry's words repeated in his mind. SkyClan must be quick how? For what? He lashed his tail. "What did he mean?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 19:44:41 GMT -5
Briarpatch whimpered as she watched Flarestorm's form disappear into the distance. Prayers to Starclan fell continuously from her mouth as she waited for him to return. Their kits would be okay, they will be okay. She had to believe.
Springpaw nodded, a reflective look crossing her face. She couldn't imagine losing one of her parents now, but knew it was a possibility every day. "That makes sense. I'm sure he must be proud of you and your siblings, watching down on you from Starclan. Sorry for asking so suddenly, Twigpaw always says I don't think about what I say before I say it." she replied sheepishly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 19:53:53 GMT -5
"Lavendersky! Spiderbite! Help, we need help!" Flarestorm shouted loudly as he skidded through the camp entrance, apologizing breathlessly to Shadespots as he bolted past her. His panic was clear, which was rare for the usually composed and aloof tom. There was no lazy snark to him now, and instead a raw desperation filled his voice. "Please, Briarpatch! She's out near the cliffs, and- and she's in pain, I think- The kits!" He tried to explain.
Withermist abruptly flinched beside Frostlight, a low and unhappy groan croaking deep from his chest. He pressed his paw so hard against his belly, that blood began to well from where his claws dug into his fur. He stood to his paws then, shaking his head sharply back and forth before he sighed. "Wrong. That's wrong. They're not ready, it's missing it's... wrong." He muttered to himself, abruptly beginning to move along the walls of the camp.
"No need to apologize. I'm the exact same way. In fact, I like that you're curious and not afraid to hide it. I don't mind a question like that. It's something that happened, you know? Sometimes it's good to talk about it." Wingpaw assured, only to whip his head around as he heard Flarestorm careen into camp.
|
|
|
|
Post by Icefire15 on Aug 6, 2023 19:57:13 GMT -5
Frostlight turned her head sharply to look at Withermist when he suddenly groaned and blinked in surprise when she saw blood, “H-hey! What’s wrong? Where are you going?” She cried after him, hurrying to follow him.
|
|
|
|
Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 6, 2023 20:00:53 GMT -5
Spiderbite looked sharply to the den entrance when he heard his name called. Briarpatch? Cliffs? KITS? Spiderbite grit his teeth and glanced at the tallies he had in a log. She was supposed to be due yet! He snatched herbs from the stores and darted out of the den. In his rush, the herb stocks blew everywhere.
Spiderbite ran over to Flarestorm. His mouth was full of herbs, but his eyes demanded to be taken to Briarpatch.
|
|
|
|
Post by Foxstar26 on Aug 6, 2023 20:11:41 GMT -5
What’s up)
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 20:11:58 GMT -5
"Starclan, I'll never complain about you biting my ears off again, Spiderbite!" Flarestorm praised, before he turned tail and darted right back out of the camp entrance before any cat could stop him. In his wake, the startled calls and cries of their clanmates began to fill the camp.
"What in Starclan was she doing out of camp?!" Jadefeather exclaimed, worry clear in her eyes as she startled at the implication of Flarestorm's words.
"What is wrong with today specifically?" Redspring breathed, bewildered at the new news. She watched as Spiritstar quickly turned away from Whitesun, eyes widening with horror as her past medicine cat training kicked up in her mind. Out of camp and so early, having kits in those conditions were highly fatal.
Withermist knocked into the camp wall a few times as he slid past it, as though unable to hear Frostlight's calls behind him. He pushed his way through the dirtplace tunnel, before squeezing out the smaller back entrance of camp. He groaned low and deep again, a tang of something dark and rusted coming on his tongue, though nothing was there. With pain came anger, sadness, panic, and Withermist wondered why he kept feeling these things, when bad things happened. It wasn't fair. And yet, something deep in him seemed to seemed to whisper that it was supposed to be this way. He rasped, words mumbling out incoherently as he stumbled right into the woods.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 20:17:04 GMT -5
Briarpatch dug her claws into the ground, panting as pain overtook her once more. She placed her paw on her stomach, she would do this for them.
Springpaw's ears went back, eyes wide as she heard Flarestorm's calls. "I hope Briarpatch is okay, she hasn't even moved to the nursery yet! Do you think the kits are coming now?"
Shadespots gasped, itching to move from her post to go help the young queen. She closed her eyes, sending a quick prayer to Starclan for her clanmates.
Specklepaw repeated the jump several times before she was able to land on Poppyclaw's shoulders confidently. She huffed as she jumped down from her mentor's back, turning to face him. "Are we done yet?" she complained, her tail swishing behind her.
|
|
|
|
Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 6, 2023 20:18:28 GMT -5
Spiderbite glared at the tom and raced after him. He'd rip Flarestorm a new one right now if he wasn't holding the herbs. Briarpatch? Out of camp? WHAT were they thinking?!
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 20:38:08 GMT -5
"She's here, back here!" Flarestorm called back to Spiderbite, knowing the tom couldn't respond, but trusting him to be right behind him. He gasped with both panic and relief when he saw Briarpatch's flank moving up and down. He rushed close to her, breathing so heavily that he could hardly speak.
"Spiderbite... I got... he's..." He stammered, before he swallowed. "You're okay! I'm right here, not going anywhere!"
"It has to be." Wingpaw squeaked, looking bewildered, before he responded with just as much blunt honesty. "She must have gone for a walk, I bet she didn't think they'd be coming, I can't blame her." His ears fell. "They've got to be okay, they've got to."
"For now, yes. I can tell you've got it down now." Poppyclaw nodded, though his ears flicked as he swore he heard a familiar shout in the distance. What was his brother up to now? He sighed, but quickly nodded. "Practice it more with other materials to leap from, but we can head back now."
|
|
|
|
Post by Icefire15 on Aug 6, 2023 20:47:58 GMT -5
Frostlight followed after Withermist, worry for her friend rushing through her. She had never seen Withermist act like this before and just wanted to make sure he would be alright.
|
|
|
|
Post by Willow on Aug 6, 2023 20:57:12 GMT -5
Briarpatch felt relief wash over her as she took in the sight of Flarestorm and Spiderbite. "Spiderbite, the kits. They will be okay right?" she asked, her voice small.
Springpaw let Wingpaw's conviction comfort her and she gave a small nod. "I'm sure she'll be back at camp with them soon then. I do love seeing the new kits. I bet they will be even tinier than normal." she said, voice light as she tried to change the subject away from what could go wrong.
Specklepaw perked up at the release from training, "I'll practice with Basilpaw or Wingpaw. Promise Poppyclaw." she called over her shoulder as she began the walk back to camp. Not much caring if her mentor followed after her or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 6, 2023 21:02:32 GMT -5
Spiderbite rushed to Briarpatch's side, partly shoving Flarestorm out of the way as he did. He sniffed the queen over to assess her condition and ears pinned back. This wasn't good. "You need to breath, Briarpatch. Focus on breathing." He laid his paw gently on her stomach. There's multiple kits, Spiderbite glanced to catch Briarpatch's respiratory rate when he realized Flarestorm was just standing there. "What are you still doing here?! Water, Flarestorm! Get water and a thick stick. Find cobwebs or moss. Don't be useless!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Moonblazer on Aug 6, 2023 21:10:24 GMT -5
“I bet they’ll be super cute.” Wingpaw nodded his agreement, calming his worry as best as he could with optimism. “Spiderbite’s prickly, but he sure is talented, so they’ll have to be fine!”
“Right! Yes, I’ve got it!” Flarestorm startled, trying not to panic even more as Spiderbite thankfully gave him a task to focus on instead. He darted towards one of the tree roots, clawing desperately at the moss there before he promised to be right back, fear making his heart race.
“Why why why.” Withermist rumbled, rasping out as he finally seemed to realize Frostlight was there. He heaved a breath as he padded right through the territory, as though something was dragging him there. “They’ll live, but… will they really live?” He asked, shaking his head quickly. “Why do I feel this?”
|
|
