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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Oct 15, 2020 22:32:46 GMT -5
Ashwhisker let out a purr of amusement, blinking at Dogpaw in a friendly manner to take the sting off of his denmate's words. He knew that Brackensnap was only being snappy because he was worried, about their Clanmates, and the future of the Clan. As he watched the apprentice's tail retreat, he heard Brackensnap's mew and nodded. "Alright then." He meowed, but as he went in for a bite, his shoulders shook with a coarse, barking cough. It was the cough that had plagued Ashwhisker for the majority of his elder years. No medicine cat had been able to cure it, so Ashwhisker had simply learned to live with it. The coughs had gotten deceptively worse however, and Ashwhisker was acutely aware of the fact, however much he denied it. Thankfully, this cough left as soon as it came, and the old tom ignored it, continuing to take a bite of the rabbit instead.
"You're right." Tigerpaw mewed, brightening at the thought that her mentor was still alive. She let out a soft sigh of relief as she settled down outside the apprentice's den. It felt good to have a moment to finally relax. Soon after, the warm delicious smell of fresh-kill flooded her nostrils as Dogpaw arrived with several mice. She let out a rusty purr, not realizing she had been starving. "Is it really okay to eat this?" She asked the WindClan apprentices politely, and then proceeded to dig in once she received a nod of affirmation from Beechpaw.
Beechpaw saw that there was enough mice for the other three apprentices to share, and he nodded. He turned back to the fresh-kill pile and took only a small vole for himself, before loping back to join the other apprentices. He was well aware that there were many more mouths to feed now, and he didn't want to take too much for himself. He dropped the vole down and settled down beside Whisperpaw, ready to eat. It was a strange experience, eating beside apprentices from other Clans, but it was also kind of exciting. They would never get to do something like this at a Gathering.
Duststorm felt a pang of sympathy as he saw how distressed the queen looked. It was tough enough to deal with such an ordeal while pregnant, without also worrying about her mate. He would have liked to give her a comforting touch with his tail, but he wouldn't know how she would have reacted to such an action from a cat of a different Clan. Instead, he settled for a sympathetic purr. "I'm not going to lie to you." He meowed. "A lot of cats are dead. I saw many of my own clanmates perish, and the bodies of cats from other Clans as well." He paused, rasping his tongue over his lips as he realized his throat had gone dry at the realization of what he was about to say next. "This fire was so vicious it took our leader, deputy, and medicine cat. I think...I think the Clans are all but destroyed. We're all that's left." He didn't want to believe it. But it had been hanging like a dark spider above all of their heads. Some cat had to say it.
Blizzardtail nodded solemnly in response. He knew that once Duskstar made up her mind like this, there was no changing it. "Very well. In that case, I'll stay with you." He meowed. Even if he couldn't convince her to come back with him, he could at least provide what little comfort he could by spending the night at her side. Additionally, if by StarClan's good grace some cat did stumble out of the forest that night, he could help Duskstar carry them back to the WindClan camp. Before Duskstar could argue, the white tom padded toward the outcropping she had indicated. He bunched his muscles and leaped on top, crouching upon it for a better vantage point, and curling his tail around his paws. By now, the ash had finally settled, and the forest was dark and eerily quiet, with only the acrid smell of smoke to remind them of the tragedy that had just come to pass.
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Post by Wildfire* - 🦉 on Oct 16, 2020 19:33:02 GMT -5
Brackensnap gazed at his friend in concern. Ashwhisker's cough was worse than it was this morning. More than likely from the smoke in the air. He hoped that Dewlight would be back to look after the tom. Even though nothing was helping with the elder's cough, herbs did usually help the pain. Brackensnap wondered if he should bug that ShadowClan cat about herbs for his friend but decided not to. It was late, and the other clan cats needed rest. Even he wasn't cruel enough to hassle them now after the fire. Stepping up to the rabbit, the elder began to share it with his friend.
Whisperpaw yawned heavily next to her friend. Now that they were safe and their bellies full, the apprentice's adrenaline was running off. And she was beginning to get very sleepy. The she-cat swayed lightly on her paws and she got up and padded to a pile of moss in the corner. Although not the cleanest, the she-cat set about making a nest for herself and Tigerpaw. Turning back to the WindClan apprentices, she smiled softly at the as she laid down. "Thank you for helping my clan. And Quailcall. I hope we won't be bothering you for too long."
Dogpaw quickly scarfed down his mouse before blinking in surprise at the ThunderClan apprentice. It was know that WindClan and ThunderClan didn't have the best relationships, not since the great Firestar was their leader. Still, they never really cared to acknowledge one another except at gatherings. Nice things were not often and fights still broke out along the border. This was nice. Strange, but nice.
Ryelight's eyes widened in shock as her jaw dropped. The fear that was hanging low in her belly suddenly gave an awful lurch and was in her throat. She barred her teeth and looked away from the ThunderClan cat before taking several deep breaths to steady herself. It was still several heartbeats before she could look at the clan tom. "All that's left? You...you think that everything we have worked for, everything our ancestors worked for, is gone?" Shocked rippled among her pelt. "What are we going to do? How will each of the clans survive?"
Duskstar didn't know where to roll her eyes at the tom or purr in thanks. It was a great relief that the tom had made it out with them. Part of her wanted to send him back with the other SkyClan cats to watch out for them. Yet another part longed for the comfort of another cat. Giving one last look to the forest, the SkyClan leader made her way over to the rocks and jumped up beside the tom. Laying down, she placed her head on her paws and watched the waves on the lake crash into the shore. It would be a long night.
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Oct 19, 2020 1:35:20 GMT -5
Beechpaw shared a glance with Dogpaw, clearly sharing his sentiments. Then, the exhaustion of the day seemed to finally catch up to him, and his shoulders sagged. Let the warriors decide which cats are friends and which are enemies. We're just apprentices. He decided. He padded to his own nest, painfully aware of how few WindClan apprentices were left. At the very least, having other apprentices in the den, regardless of their Clan, was comforting. "You're welcome, Whisperpaw. I hope all of our Clanmates are still safe." He meowed in drowsy reply, curling his tail over his nose.
Tigerpaw was already half asleep on her paws, and only let out a drowsy murmur in response, curling up beside Whisperpaw. Since she had been apprenticed, she had only slept beside her mentor, and sleeping next to other apprentices felt strange. It was the last thought she had before sleep overcame her. It had been a long day.
Duststorm slowly shook his head, the queen's questions heavy and overwhelming with uncertainty. Certainly, things looked stark, but he couldn't help but think that there was still a future for them. "I don't know, Ryelight. I don't know." He meowed solemnly. He took a deep rumbling breath to steady himself before speaking once more. "I for one believe Wrenstar is out there, and I hope Hedgestar is too. But there's nothing more we can do for tonight. It's late; let's get some rest. Tomorrow, I'm sure we'll have a clearer picture of what's ahead for us." He meowed. Dipping his head to the queen, he padded out into the clearing. He didn't want to discuss the subject anymore. It was far too distressing for an already harrowing night, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was growing tired as well. He spotted Whisperpaw and Tigerpaw by the apprentice's den. With Quailcall in the nursery, they were his only clanmates, and he didn't want to be alone that night in a strange camp. He padded over to join them, curling up beside them. They were young, but they were brave. He would protect them. He would protect all of ThunderClan.
As time dragged on and no cats appeared - Duskstar and Blizzardtail included - Leafstar had to concede that nothing more could be done that night. Finally, she decided to go to sleep. Rather than locate her clanmates, the RiverClan leader found a small sheltered alcove and curled up underneath. She wanted to be alone tonight, as she felt she had failed her Clan, and every one of her Clanmates who were still out there. As her eyes closed and she sank into rest, her last thought was one of conviction. She would do everything she could to save her Clan, and to honor the memory of the Clanmates they had lost. RiverClan would not end here.
(Would you like to timeskip to the morning with your next post?)
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Post by Wildfire* - 🦉 on Oct 21, 2020 9:55:43 GMT -5
(Sure! I can do that!)
Duskstar woke pressed tightly against Blizzardtail. She blinked at the brightness around her, wondering what had happened to her den and why Blizzardtail was there. The events from the next day came rushing back as she suddenly jerked up. Blinking rapidly to clear away the sleep, she stumbled out of the shelter of the rock and looked at the forest around. Her throat immediately seized up. There wasn't much left of the territories when it came to green. The hillside where she was standing was scorched and smoke stained. The forest was nothing but ashes and burnt trees. She could see a few patches of color, but even the leaves left on some of the trees looked orange and brown. Duskstar's heart sank. If there were any survivors, they would be badly hurt or far away.
Rumbledsong slowly woke up to hunger pangs in his stomach. The tom had had a rough night, finding it hard to stay asleep. His hunger finally got to the best of him as he slowly stepped away from Goldenheart. He signed and glanced around the camp. He figured he should talk to Rabbitleap about hunting in WindClan territory. The all needed something.
Troutsplash was pacing near the camp entrance. The tom hadn't slept well without the sounds of running water nearby. He was waiting near the entrance of the camp, hoping that the SkyClan cats out there would bring good news. He really wanted something good to happen.
Whisperpaw was having another nightmare. Her dreams were plagued all night with fire and smoke, trees crashing all around her, and the yowls of her clanmates' fear. She kicked out in her sleep, sending moss flying through the air. Her paws flailed around. Whisperpaw's breathing became harsh and panicked as her dream continued.
Scarletfeather padded into the WindClan medicine cat's den. She sniffed at the herbs, thankful that they didn't seem to have any smoke stains on them. Dewlight was a little low on some herbs. She felt she should go out and get them so that when other cats returned, they had plenty to treat them. The she-cat flicked her tail as she thought. With Duststorm's permission, she would take Tigerpaw with her to collect as much as possible.
Rabbitleap slowly woke up to a growling stomach. He blinked slowly, unused to the fact there was no one else in the den with him. He lay there for just a moment, taking it all in. None of his clanmates had returned. Hedgestar wasn't there. Dewlight hadn't returned. Fawnstep...Rabbitleap ground his teeth together in pain. His mate had never returned either. His gut twisted painfully. He wasn't hungry anymore.
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Oct 21, 2020 22:38:30 GMT -5
When Blizzardtail awoke, his muscles felt stiff and weary, as if he had barely gotten any sleep at all. He blinked blearily and slowly rose to his paws. The smoke had finally cleared, but his pelt was covered in ashes, and as he stood, they cascaded from his fur like sand. Shaking out his pelt, he padded over to join Duskstar, overlooking the forest. He already knew the expression on her face. "We need to get back, Duskstar." He coaxed gently. "Rumbledsong and Goldenheart will be getting worried for us, and...we should talk about what SkyClan is going to do next." His blue gaze was full of sympathy battling pain, but they were clear. If his clan needed him to be a rock, then he would be.
Goldenheart's fur prickled as she slept, until some ash landed on her nose. She snuffled, then sneezed, eyes snapping open. For a second, the she-cat looked around wildly, thoroughly confused as to where she was, until the events of the previous night came flooding back to her. The young she-cat sighed and looked down, trying to control the boiling emotions as she thought about all her fallen clanmates. Then, something suddenly occurred to her and her head snapped back up, eyes wide in alarm and concern. "Duskstar and Blizzardtail didn't come back?" She mewed.
Leafstar had awoken after only a few hours, unable to maintain restful sleep when her thoughts were full of flames and the screeches of terrified, dying cats. The young RiverClan leader now sat at the edge of the camp, her eyes red-rimmed as she took in the desolate scene before her. She spotted Troutsplash, and padded up to the warrior. "You should get something to eat." She meowed, though she wasn't very hungry herself. "We don't know when we'll next find prey." She glanced at the now middling WindClan fresh-kill pile, only a few stale pieces left now that cats from five clans had been taking from it. Looks like no cat knows. She thought, silently deciding not to take any for herself.
Beechpaw sat just outside the apprentice den, sharing a pigeon with Dogpaw. There just wasn't enough prey to go around for each cat to have a piece, and his stomach still rumbled, but there was nothing to be done. Rustling at the entrance signaled Firepaw had awoken, and the RiverClan apprentice padded outside. She looked oddly subdued, as if what had happened to her clan had more of an effect on her than she was letting on. "Do you want some?" Beechpaw offered, pushing some of the pigeon towards her, knowing that she hadn't eaten the night before, but Firepaw shook her head. Despite the fierce hunger clawing at her, she wouldn't deprive them of any more food. "I just wanted to say...thank you, for helping us. And I'm sorry about your Clanmates." She dipped her head in gratitude. "I'll hunt for you later, but I think I should see if Leafstar needs me for anything." She meowed, before turning to pad over to her Clan leader. Beechpaw exchanged a bemused look with Dogpaw at the russet apprentice's change of attitude. "Hedgehogs must have learned how to fly." He commented.
Duststorm was dreaming, that the forest was back to normal. He padded through the undergrowth, eyes wide in relief. The fire must have been a dream after all. The sound of a mouse stirring caught his attention, and he sank into a hunting crouch, but before he could spring, a branch poked him sharply in the side. "Ow!" He muttered, only for the branch to poke him again. His eyes fluttered open, and he took a few seconds to orient himself, until he realized what had been poking him wasn't a branch, but a paw. Whisperpaw's paw. "Whisperpaw?" He mewed softly, gently nosing the apprentice who was curled up close beside him. When she didn't respond, he prodded her with a paw. "Whisperpaw, wake up! You're dreaming!"
Tigerpaw was one of the few cats who had managed to get some rest, so completely exhausted from medicine duties on top of the escape that she didn't even have the chance to think about what had occurred until she awoke the next morning. She was currently in the nursery, checking on the queens. Thankfully, Snowflight seemed no worse for wear after a good night's rest, and both Cloudkit and Vixenkit seemed completely unfazed. Shellfur and her kits, as well as Ryelight had remained in the nursery, and would have suffered no ill effects either. However, she was most worried about Quailcall. She had brought the queen a pulp of juniper berries and ragwort to keep her strength up, but she still wanted Scarletfeather's opinion.
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Post by ~Skyblaze~ on Nov 3, 2020 0:14:25 GMT -5
(Just checking in on this, hope all is well!)
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