Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Urgency was in the tom's step, a jittery sort of nervousness that he tried to mask for the sake of his younger companion. Cloudflare and Boulderdash had been on patrol when they came across a tom who claimed to have dire news for Windclan, but when questioned, was firm to only tell their leader and no one else. Vexing the tom, he figured an escort to camp would be the safest way to determine whether or not the cast was true or false. Half expecting the cat to bolt or attack, the stranger did neither, merely complied with the escort, much to Cloudflare's relief. When his paws neared camp right outside the entrance, he instructed Boulderdash to keep an eye on the stranger while his pace hurriedly carried him inside. His copper eyes searched high and low for leadership, and his voice called out. "Badgerstar? Fawnbriar?" He began to pace towards the leaders den, passing the fresh kill pile, and whoever may be there, in the process. He wondered... had Badgerstar returned from patrol yet, or would Fawnbriar be the only one he could turn to?
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Kosmo breathed easy as both cats flanked him on either side. An odd eyed she-cat and a red bicolor tom with rolling swirls on his pelt. Both stank of Windclan, which was fitting, after what he had just witnessed. Not long ago, bordering the windclan border, something interesting had occurred - an occurrence he didn't assume happened frequently on clan lands, and here he was, a messenger delivering the news. Hiding a half smile, Kosmo was silent as they moved towards the protective enclave of Windclan's camp, the smells becoming stronger and more pronounced.
Scents aside he passed some tell tale markers, all of which he lodged away, continuing his escort as if nothing wrong had occurred. He had been non-hostile and compliant so far; his desire was to see where these cats had managed to hide. Wouldn't it just be awful if the cat in question had been someone of importance? With a non-challant flick of his tail, his odd eyes watched as the tom known as Cloudflare moved into the camp to heed his demands. After a moment his ears perked as the sound of names. Badgerstar. Fawnbriar.
As if not to focus too intently on the scene unfolding, he feinted half interest, and turned his head towards his bobbed companion. "Your eyes are beautiful, by the way." He murmured softly as cats began to amass within...
(OOC: Permission for Cloud and Boulder to have been out on patrol)
16
Cloudflare, Boulderdash, Kosmo, Fawnbriar, & Rowanglade. More may join AFTER main plot points are made.
Delivering DIRE NEWS!
Windclan camp
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Boulderdash had been surprised to see a cat waiting for them on the border, demanding to see the cat in charge, saying he had important news. She had cast a glance at Cloudflare, letting the older tom take charge as she had studied the stranger. To be fair, he hadn't appeared much of a threat to her and seemed sincere enough in both his tone and his scent. At least she could detect no deceit.
When Cloudflare decided to give an escort, she flanked the opposite side of the tom as her clanmate began to lead them back to camp. She was curious what the news was because after the new kit had joined the clan, who knew how this dire news would balance things out.
Being told to sit outside at the entrance and keep an eye on their 'visitor', Boulderdash sat down and did just that. Unlike other cats, she didn't care if she was caught just staring at him and studying him. Even though she was ready in case he tried something, she also remained relaxed, blinking calmly at him. "Well, thank you." She mewed in her dreamy drawl, tilting her head as she continued to watch him. "My eyes and my tail are just like yours, although I think your missing part of your tail while I never had one. But we both have different colored eyes- I've only known three other cats than me who have two different colored eyes."
Fawnbriar had just finished the last bite of her meal and was licking the last bits from her whiskers when a voice called out her name and she could hear anxious footsteps approaching. Her tail tip twitched, betraying the uncertainty she could feel looming ever closer. Cloudflare had been sent to the border with Boulderdash to patrol so what was he doing back already? Did something happen to Boulderdash?
"Rowanglade! You may be needed!" Rising to her paws, ready to follow her clanmate to help retrieve Boulderdash if needed, the deputy called out to the clan's medicine cat so she could be present if needed. The chocolate tortoiseshell met Cloudflare as he moved towards the leader's den. "Cloudflare! What's going on? Badgerstar isn't back from his patrol yet. Is Boulderdash hurt?"
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare's thoughts were racing at what possible news this cat brought and what that would spell for Windclan. It was a surprise when they had received a lone kit, apparently Starclan blessed, from their most recent gathering two days ago. Who knew what this event would spell - certainly nothing good.
His steps were interrupted, thankfully, by a familiar chocolate tortie. Immediately Cloudflare perked up. "Fawnbriar!" but paused as he remembered that Blouderdash wasn't beside him. No doubt she was concerned about his patrol mate. He wanted to reassure her, but it was a half measure - an herb to temporarily realive the pain of the next bit.
"No. Boulderdash is fine. She's waiting outside of camp, but - " Once she had gotten close enough, he lowered his head, his voice a tad lower as he gave her his report. "There's a rogue with us. He claims to have dire news for Windclan. When he tried to question him ourselves, he said what he had to say were for the ears of Badgerstar only." Kosmo hadn't name dropped specifically, but no less wanted to only speak with their leader.
"Can you see if he'll speak to you? Seeing that Badgerstar isn't back from patrol yet?" He bade the she-cat to consider the rogue's request, if it was so important. Or else it had better be with all this fuss... He began to lead her towards the entrance of camp, eyes peeled for the ticked mink stranger.
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
For a clan cat, this one was being extremely accommodating. Kosmo was pleased that his compliment was taken so sincerely, it gave him a moment to collect his thoughts before he allowed himself a moment of pleasure before the inevitable storm.
"Ah, well... You'd be correct." He voiced lightly with a slight chuckle in his throat. If only she knew. "It's a long story - funny, once I look back at it. A tail seems a small thing to be a catayst for how the rest of your life plays out." His whiskers gave a perceptive twitch, sensing movement from beyond windclan's briars, and he straightened, his muscular form deceptive in light of his calling.
"Which are you, Badgerstar or Fawnbriar? I have a message for your leader." He repeated both names he had heard, but suspected that this one seemed less like a badger, and more a fawn. Clan names were sometimes obvious as such. He gave the chocolate tortie his undivided attention, half tail curling neatly over his large, cinnamon darkened paws.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Boulderdash just remained blinking at Kosmo as he replied to her, hearing his chuckle and remained silent as he asked who had come. With a slight sniff, she recognized Fawnbriar to have done so and waited to see what would happen and be said next.
Fawnbriar's ears, though folded, were perked as she listened for Cloudflare's reply, her attention wholly on him. She gave a soft sigh of relief when she said the younger she-cat was alright before blinking as he lowered his voice. Then her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the information. A rogue? Could this be the one that had been talked about at the Gathering then?
"Of course. I'm not fully sure what's taking Badgerstar so long. The others hunting with him came back not too long ago." When he turned to lead her out of camp to where he had left Boulderdash and the stranger.
She had just laid eyes on Boulderdash guarding the stranger when the mink tom straightened himself and demanded to know her identity. It was several long moments before she answered him serenely, though she continued to consider him. "I am Fawnbriar, the deputy of Windclan." She was able to keep her fur from bristling at the demand and thankfully, her folded ears hid the fact that she would be flattening her ears otherwise. However, she kept her expression relaxed but curious. "While our leader, Badgerstar, is currently unavailable to meet with you, I- and with your consent, our medicine cat Rowanglade- will be more than willing to lend you our ears instead."
Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Rowanglade was dozing in the comfort of her nest in the Medicine Den. At a call of her name, however, the she-cat’s ear twitched. A good medicine cat tended to be a rather light sleeper and developed a knack for responding quickly when someone yowled for them.
With a quick stretch and shake Rowanglade made her way out. The only unusual thing was the faint tinge of outsider scent on the breeze. It was too heavy for comfort. Her steps quickened as she made her way to the entrance. Boulderdash and Cloudflare and Fawnbriar and… A rogue.
Rowanglade caught Fawnbriar’s introduction. It was enough to give her enough footing to not ask questions in front of the stranger. She came to a halt beside Fawnbriar with her plumed tail curved behind her like a question-mark.
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Kosmo enjoyed having an audience, and counted the number of cats at his beck and call. These were a few paltry cats, and knew more must reside within but he couldn't help but blink at the commotion behind them. Different faces came into view, first the chocolate tortie with folded ears... next a bushy tailed she-cat who smelled faintly of herbs. Most likely their medicine cat. Good.
He greeted Fawnbriar with a cursory flick of his tail, ears alert but lax as his posture and scent betrayed nothing but a gentleman. His claws would remain sheathed, his glossy pelt smoothed down. He was oddly calm despite the images that flashed behind his eyes at the recollection of what he had seen.
"Pleased to meet you, Fawnbriar, although I wish it were on better terms. I bring grave news of a grave fate that has beheld one of your own." He paused, perhaps, for some dramatic irony as he gave his paw a lick, odd eyes flashing. "It happened not too long ago... north of here by the treeline bordering the herb garden beyond." He found himself momentarily staring in that direction, his eyes not entirely fixating as an ear flicked towards the wing beat of a crow above them.
"A scarred tom, pelt as black as night, was taken by a pair of Two-Legs, before he was packed away into a monster and disappeared down the Thunderpath. There was nothing I could do, but I figured you had the right to know seeing as he smelled of your clan." Who could the unlucky cat be - he wondered mirthfully, his jaws could have smiled, but refrained in the midst of current company. It wouldn't be proper to gloat.
Of course, he had been warned of the humans before they had seen him harvesting herbs in the barnyard garden from eyes unseen. Twas only a shame the black cat had not been so fortunate. Kosmo paused again, eying the cats in case any of them had any questions, but was more or less content with his delivery.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Fawnbriar listened, intrigued by what Kosmo might have to say. He had her utmost attention at the moment and had to keep from being impatient when the stranger paused to lick for forepaw. The area described was around where Badgerstar had taken his hunting patrol earlier. So what had happened to make his patrol return but not him? And how had this stranger known who he had been?
Her question was answered moments later, as the mink tom described Badgerstar perfectly and she felt the meal she had just had starting to sit heavily in her belly as he continued. Two-legs took him?! They ambushed him and bundled him into a monster and left?! But why? What would two-legs have wanted with him?
Her tail flicked and her fur did start to bristle slightly but not from aggression. She tried to keep her voice as calm and steady as it had been moments before. She didn't want to sound spooke dor hostile or even accusatory. She just had questions to try and understand the situation better and to verify that he had indeed seen what he had. "Why would the two-legs want to ambush and steal one of the clan cats, much less a Windclan cat? Do you speak Two-leg? Did you perhaps hear and understand anything?"
Glancing at Cloudflare and Boulderdash, the latter sitting with her two-colored eyes widened slightly in horror, Fawnbriar's gaze flickered to Rowanglade's to see what the medicine cat's might be.
Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Rowanglade’s eyes narrowed to blue slits as she watched the tom for a long moment. The wind stilled for a long moment, clouds drifting lazily in the sky. The piercing call of a crow cut through before the wind picked up again. She could not trust this one.
”Thank you for the news, Loner.” Her voice was cold, something unusual for the she-cat. She knew a press for caution when she felt it. Rowanglade ignored the ongoing questioning of the deputy. ”Leave information about where I might find if you if I have more questions with Fawnbriar.” She dismissed the tom with a wave of her plumed tail before turning to call over her shoulder in a carrying voice.
”Piperpaw! We’re going to Highstones!” Then Rowanglade turned back to Fawnbriar and continued in a conversational tone of voice. ”I will seek answers. I leaving seeing this one out and keeping things calm in your capable jaws.”
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
As the medicine cat came into view, and after he went into his tirade, Kosmo couldn't help but be drawn to the she-cat's cold blue depths of her eyes. Staring certainly wasn't a good look, but the off eyed tom kept her gaze - locked, devolving into soft, gentle animosity as he searched within those depths. There was suspicion there, perhaps a hatred for the unknown, and he felt himself smoldering underneath her gaze, his pelt pricking slightly. He had nearly forgotten he was being spoken to, and he blinked away, exhaling softly in the process.
"I don't speak Two-Leg." The tom spat over his tongue, a bit more harshly than he intended. The idea was ludicrous to him. Humans were far removed from the animal kingdom and to him, they had lost all voice or meaning. "I can't guess their intentions, but their scent has been growing stronger from across the river to the south too. And their monsters..." He paused to observe the two medicine cats move their way towards Highstones to confirm what he had seen. Of Badgerstar's horrible fate.
"Large. Boxy. Certainly more unusual than the monsters kept by the Two-Legs in Whitehart. Those are just some of my observations. The forest seems to be hiding many mysteries, huh?" He mused more lightly, humming a note of musical thought out loud. He wondered if the killings had reached even here on the moors. The Two-Legs had to be connected somehow or else the animals wouldn't be so tense and fearful.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Piperpaw had not developed the same 'knack' for paying attention, so when her name was yowled across the camp she nearly jumped out of her skin. Hastily putting the herbs she had been sorting back in storage - messily but she would deal with that when she got back - she scrambled outside.
She noticeably paused at the entrance on the den, her ears slightly flattened with anxiety over why she had been called. The strange sight that greeted her did nothing to explain what was going on.
There was a strange tom in the camp, clearly here on purpose because Fawnbriar and her brother hadn't removed the other half of his already stumpy tail. She shot Cloudflare a look that could only be described as bewildered - clearly having missed the entire conversation that led to this point- and started after Rowanglade, who already had a head start on her.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
FALLKIT
A fresh-kill pile was something Fallkit's family had never made before, but it gave off a mix of delicious smells. He was surprised more of the prey carcasses weren't rotting as he poked around with the red-and-brown she-cat named Brightmaple. He still didn't know her, but she was supposed to be his mother now? He hadn't quite figured it out yet; he was still lonely over the loss of his birth mother, and then the loss of his littermates. There were no other kits his age in this large group they called a clan, and his name had been shortened and changed. Overall, he felt pretty mopey as he took small bites of a mouse from the pile.
There was some sort of commotion happening at the camp's entrance, with cats going back and forth to and from it, but he barely noticed. He was focused more on how the mouse was tasting. Solid food was still new to him, but it tasted good! One of the new things recently that wasn't frightening or sad. His blue eyes brightened a bit at the pleasant surprise.
The tension by the entrance seemed to rise, and Fallkit looked over to see what was going on. As a brown cat called for another one, he peeked his head over to get a better angle on the situation, knowing he wouldn't be able to stray too far from Brightmaple. Squinting at the cluster of cats, he spotted a strange...vaguely familiar mink coat, and a pair of odd eyes.
With a gasp, Fallkit immediately forgot his mouse, leaping to his feet. "It's him!" he exclaimed, starting to bound over. "It's him! I know him!"
Fawnbriar was glad that her ears were folded because she didn't want the strange tom to see her flattening them in further discomfort as he spat his reply to her. Her copper eyes narrowed a fraction but she remained silent, her tail giving a single tap of irritation.
She sent a glance towards Rowanglade as the medicine cat replied to the loner's news, the tone brisk and cold, before calling to her apprentice. Copper eyes locked with blue as the older she-cat informed Fawnbriar what she was about to do.
Nodding to Rowanglade, Fawnbriar turned her head to Kosmo, attempting to sound casual yet brisk. "Like Rowanglade said, thank you for the information." She dipped her head lightly in a gesture of thanks. "Cloudflare and Boulderdash will see you safely back to where you arrived. I hope that we can find you there again if Rowanglade were to have more questions for you." It was a statement as much as a question. Then she addressed Cloudflare and Boulderdash. "Please escort the loner back to where you found him on the border. Boulderdash, once you've done that, will you find Pinestep's hunting patrol and return. I want the patrols back in camp as soon as possible and I think Pinestep's was the last currently out."
Brightmaple had followed the small tom from the nursery when he said he was hungry. She purred at the thought the little scrap was hungry- that meant they were growing! And an eating, growing kit was a healthy kit in her eyes. It also meant he wasn't too upset to eat, which was a relief to her. She knew she wasn't his mother and that he didn't have any siblings, which must be hard after having both, but she was put in charge of caring for little Fallkit and so she did so.
Folded ears twitched as she noticed Cloudflare enter camp and make his way over to where Fawnbriar had been eating. There was a brief exchange before the deputy called for Rowanglade in a sharp voice. It was then she scented a stranger's scent and Fallkit making a move towards the entrance of camp.
Alarmed, she sprang to her paws and scooped Fallkit up, currently oblivious to his squeaking as she swiftly retreated back into the nursery with the little pointed tom. She didn't know what the exchange was about or if there was more than one stranger, but the fact that the deputy was calling for the medicine cat was not a good sign.
Once in the safety of the nursery, she set Fallkit down and gave him a few brisk licks between the ears as she attempted to soothe him. "Don't worry, sweet Fallkit. The loners outside the camp won't be allowed to enter it. You're safe in here."
Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Kosmo adjusted himself in the moments leading up to their exchange. For whatever reason they seemed certain he may have more information to tell - and he contemplated letting them know more, but withheld a few details still. If they desired more, they would have to seek him out. He couldn't be in all places at once, after all. "I'll linger until nightfall, after that you'll have to seek out my scent yourselves. It shouldn't be too hard. Be well, Windclan." His voice was soft and aloof, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement before his eyes lifted - and fell upon the small pointed shape of a familiar sight as a red and brown she-cat scooped him up in her jaws and carted him away from the rucus. So it would seem that he was chosen by Windclan. He savored the yet wildness of his scent for a moment longer before he turned to follow Boulderdash an Cloudflare back to the border, whiskers twitching over the smile on his face.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare listened in raft attention as the loner spoke his claims, praying to whatever starry cat above that it was untrue. How could Badgerstar get himself in a situation where he could be ambushed by something so noisy and uncomely as Two-Legs? He watched, mouth still partially agape as both medicine cats made their way towards Highstones, Piperpaw in a tizzy as he shot her a gentle, reproaching look. Hopefully they'd arrive back with answers soon.
"Alright, let's go." He mouthed towards Kosmo, who had seemed to return to his pleasant self. He waited for Boulderdash to flank the tom before they began their escort and return the tom to outside of their lands. It was bad enough he insisted he be brought to camp, and Cloudflare was eager to never see this tom again. Something about him caused his pelt to stiffen on edge, and few things unnerved him. Maybe it was the weight of his news, maybe their was something in his eyes - either way, his tail twitched behind him, showing his wariness. Both warriors would be back soon - and hopefully Rowanglade, Piperpaw, and Pinestep's patrol.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettlepaw, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat's Apprentice
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
