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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 0:24:05 GMT -5
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. The sun was beginning to rise, giving the evergreens around her shape and texture in the usual rosy pink and peach glow of morning. Faint shadows began to stretch broadly across the needle-ridden forest floor, and the fresh scent of dew and night began to evaporate by each passing minute, replaced by a warm, marshy perfume. The sunrise is beautiful. Pinewhisker thought, sitting calmly by the Ambush Pond, scarcely a stone's throw from camp. She needed to decompress. Moving the sick cats and settling them in the quarantine zone plus the usual hunting and border patrols left the ginger she-cat worn very thin. Every waking minute she spent helping, whether hunting for prey for her clanmates, or herbs for Shadowpaw and Smokefur. They need every bit of help they can get, especially with Smokefur being so sick. Pinewhisker sighed, curling her fluffy crimson tail around her paws. Her pelt itched, the patrols where finishing up, and everyone was going to sleep for the day, but she felt this impending doom. There's still so much to be done, I don't know how I'm going to be able to sleep. The she-cat just stared, watching as day-life left their nests, burrows, and dens. Birdsong began to coo among the pine branches and the skies above, while the earth prey scuttled from tree to tree in search of their morning meals.
Pinewhisker knew it was time to get rest, but she couldn't help but feeling uncomfortable. Nothing seemed more welcoming than curling up in the dark warrior's den, a soft, clean nest waiting for her, but the new weight of leadership rested heavily upon her shoulders, and her conscience wasn't cleansed nearly as easily as it was when responsibility was just the routine work of an average warrior. It hasn't been long since Redcloud's death, and although Pinewhisker hadn't faltered in leadership since her deputy ceremony, she couldn't help but feeling helpless. She didn't dare show her concern or weaknesses publicly, but the greencough epidemic has already claimed lives, and the reality that she didn't know how to help the ones she loved? That wasn't something she was willing to accept easily, which is why she had spent every waking moment working: except for now. Now, Pinewhisker was assessing the situation; her situation. She knew she was overworking herself, and without these moments of peace and tranquility, the ginger tabby would drive herself into the ground. She decided to take it easy last night for patrols, but it had only made her more restless and ill. Pinewhisker knew if she kept going at this rate, she'd be with the sick cats in the Pineneedle Clearing. The crimson furred cat stared off into the dimly lit territory, her green gaze searching the woods for an answer to Nightclan's problems, but no solution presented itself beneath the fresh, damp boughs of cedar and pine. She turned and scratched at the stump of a fallen tree, sharpening her claws and stretching.
I guess I better get to sleep. She muttered to herself, turning back towards camp. At least I'm not the only one who's stumped here.
48 Moons - Deputy - NightClan PIneWhisKEr
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Post by Fawn on May 20, 2017 9:46:47 GMT -5
24 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan. No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
Pinewhisker looked about as tired as she felt. Hollystorm approached on silent, panther steps, maneuvering around the trickier vegetation of the ambush pond with natural grace. Her mother, Ghostlight, had been relocated to the pineneedle clearing; this, on top of Redcloud's death, was enough to quell the usual strength burning in her chest like a flame.
Hollystorm's gaze was still proud, edged with a sharpness from her parents, but the voice she spoke with held little of this fire. "Thornflame found raccoon droppings near the edge of our territory," Hollystorm drew level with their new deputy. She was several moons younger, but didn't fumble around and show deference like a warrior fresh out of the apprentices' den. Pinewhisker was still, in Hollystorm's eyes, untested. And, a residual loyalty to Redcloud prevented her from being supportive of Dimstar's choice without proof.
"Just leftovers from the raccoons that killed Redcloud," this statement was finished with grim finality. If it weren't for what they'd found, Hollystorm would have preferred to bury the matter entirely. The raccoons were not a problem any more; Dimstar had seen to that. But news was news, even if it was stale, and nothing to worry about.
The territory was unfamiliar by daylight; noisier, for one thing. It almost had a false sense of cheerfulness that Hollystorm found herself vehemently disagreeing with. She much preferred their pine forests at night; there were no falsehoods there. It was as wild and dangerous and beautiful and serene as it looked. Not this parody of some cheery little forest where nothing bad ever happened.
Watching the birds flit in and out of the trees, carrying bits of twigs and moss to build their nests with, questions began to gather in her mind like rain water in a gulch. Why did Dimstar choose her? Why not Starlingcry? Starlingcry was an excellent warrior, and the mother to Dimstar's three kits: Ashpaw, Sootpaw and Coalpaw.
It would be showing too much favoritism, to elect his own mate for the position. And, there was the simple truth that Starlingcry could have another litter after this greencough mess; Dimstar seemed to care about numbers. Figures. NightClan would need a boost in size if greencough claimed any more lives. Hollystorm's thoughts came full circle to Dimstar's most notorious decree; the breeding regulations.
"What do you think of the breeding rules?" Hollystorm asked. Pinewhisker was a she-cat. She might be able to see the indignation Dimstar's absurd ruling had caused; she didn't appreciate needing to get approval should she choose a tom Dimstar didn't like.
It was as if she had a second, bossier father figure in her life that was even harder to please. Blackwolf could be enough of a headache.
Let me show you my true colors It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 351 Words Tags: @jet Thread link for reference! Breeding Regulations [Clan Announcement]
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 12:26:59 GMT -5
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. The crimson cat was vaguely surprised to see Hollystorm greet her just as the troubled deputy was heading back to camp. Well, hardly greet. Pinewhisker thought to herself, digesting the news that the younger warrior so formally presented. The raccoons aren't going to be trouble any more, I'll make sure of that. The ginger tabby thought to herself, mewing a quick thanks to the black cat before her. There were a few moments of silence between the two, but it was hardly awkward. Pinewhisker was thoughtful, always pondering the next step. And the next step takes me closer to my nest. She thought, with spirits sorely dampened from the torrent of sorrow and stress that seemed to have overcome all of Nightclan.
Pinewhisker's ears perked as Hollystorm slipped out a question. Breeding regulations? Her feelings about Dimstar sacrificing the happiness of the clan for purity and perfection? She hated them. Although her heart constantly told her the insanity of Dimstar's mating plans for Nightclan, the she-cat chose her words wisely, as to be sure not to contradict the well-wishes of her leader. She supported Dimstar. He was strong and impassive, though she couldn't say she would make the same decisions as him if she were leader; but she wasn't leader. Pinewhisker was deputy. Her loyalty to him and the strength of her morals were at a sensitive equilibrium, and Pinewhisker wouldn't dare upset the balance unless necessary. Her duty was to her clanmates, and the least she could do is have a reasonable conversation with Hollystorm, she-cat to she-cat. Pinewhisker smiled softly, attempting to break the ice between them. Hollystorm seemed reticent.
"What do I think? I think Dimstar is doing his best to turn Nightclan into the most powerful clan in the forest. His intentions are good, but I also know this." She hesitated, fern green gaze focused on something in the distance as she reached into herself, trying to finish her thoughts. "I know that Dimstar is willing to sacrifice love and happiness for quality and strength, and whether one believes it to be right or wrong doesn't change the fact that the regulations exist."
Pinewhisker stood still and collected, but her amiable nature bled through, showing blatantly in the ginger cat's supple posture and kind expression. Despite her friendly tendencies, there was an admirable, fiery vigor burning deep in the crimson cat's eyes, a flame that had only recently come alight.
48 Moons - Deputy - NightClan PIneWhisKEr
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Post by Fawn on May 21, 2017 8:17:25 GMT -5
24 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan. No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
Hollystorm knew a 'diplomatic answer' when she heard one. The black warrioress nearly snorted, both pleased and amused to hear precisely what she would've said if she'd been in Pinewhisker's position. It was important to keep up a good relationship with Dimstar; the Clan's new deputy couldn't openly refute a regulation that had come into place before she'd even been made deputy...
"That was the safe answer. Here's a better question. What do you think of the regulations, as a she-cat?" Not as NightClan's deputy. Hollystorm wasn't a gossip; if anything, she heard plenty of things well worth repeating, but it had been of little interest to her to spread around rumors and second-hand stories. Served no purpose. Her training with Starlingcry, and the seriousness she had to confront her warriorhood with, offered little room for nonsense.
No, if there was any kind of 'nonsense' Hollystorm allowed herself to enjoy these days, it was those quiet moments with Sunpulse. Their teasing. Their games. He was her own little piece of sunshine, to enjoy when no one else was looking. Even if her interests in Sunpulse - a tom that Dimstar didn't particularly see the value of - hadn't been chiefmost on her mind when she'd first heard the regulations announcement, Hollystorm would've rebelled anyway.
It was a terrible time to raise a litter, however. How cruel would it be of her, to bring kits into the world with all this sickness going around? And if not Sunpulse's, then whose? Hollystorm wasn't as sentimental as some other NightClan cats. Her own mentor, Starlingcry, had paired up with Dimstar out of what looked like mutual interest, not affection. Her parents had gotten lucky; Hollystorm had heard the stories of their initial courtship. It had been all fun and games, just shameless flirting, neither one tied down - until Ghostlight got pregnant.
Rather than just gloat over the fact, Blackwolf, the infamous warrior and long-time bachelor, had settled down. There was love there, even if he wouldn't admit to it (too soppy a concept for her tough-as-claws father), but neither one had sought it out.
Hollystorm had always assumed her romantic relationships would go the same way; have a litter with someone she could tolerate more than the others, and settle into natural parental roles. But Sunpulse had... changed that. She didn't dare share her plans with the ginger warrior, but they were there, in the back of her thoughts like the certainty that summer followed spring.
Let me show you my true colors It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 418 Words Tags: @jet BlooRey DVD (Sunpulse mention!)
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2017 22:55:01 GMT -5
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. She knew Hollystorm wouldn't be content with such a politic answer, but Pinewhisker still wasn't fully settled in her new position as deputy; she couldn't afford to let her defiance against some of Dimstar's implemented plans show, at least not to less than trustworthy cats. But Hollystorm is trustworthy and loyal. The ginger she-cat pondered, shifting her weight not out of nervousness, but out of contemplation. The black she-cat was known to be as intelligent and no-nonsense as her parents, and Pinewhisker felt comfortable vesting trust in the cat before her, despite how short and formal their encounters have been in the past. Pinewhisker knew of Hollystorm, she knew of every cat she shared camp with, but her relationship with the black she-cat was, well, underdeveloped. Hollystorm definitely wasn't a gossip, but the crimson cat usually conversed with the more senior warriors on her free time.
Pinewhisker did want to talk with the younger warrior. It would be a great opportunity for her to understand the mindset of the younger generations, and perhaps have a bit more casual conversation with Hollystorm than they've shared in the past. Although, just as she was readying a response, the soft patter of pawsteps on pine needles stole the ginger she-cat's attention. Nightwhisper and Dustspot slid from the shadows and headed towards camp for the day, passing nearby. We are rather close to camp. I trust Hollystorm, though there may be some things said that are definitely not for prying ears. Pinewhisker thought, gazing back at the black warrior.
"Would you care to take a walk? I was thinking of offering some water to the sick cats before I turned in for the day. I've collected a couple turtle shells that we could carry it in; they hold so much more water than moss." She paused, gauging if she should continue, or whether Hollystorm was definitely not interested. Well, she did start asking me the complicated questions. Pinewhisker pointed out. But that doesn't mean she wants to spend whatever precious few hours of sleep she has wandering around the territory. Pinewhisker decided to finish her reasoning anyway. If she wants to come or not, that's up to her. I'm going. I don't want to talk so openly this close to camp.
"The Pineneedle Clearing is so far away from the influents at the Rainclan border. Our clanmates are incessantly needing water over there." She paused. "The shells are buried over by the border, so it'll give us time to talk. That is, if you're still interested."
The last thing she wanted is to make Hollystorm feel obligated to come with her. If the black she-cat wanted to know how the new deputy felt about some of the political decisions Dimstar has made and may make in the future, now was her chance. Pinewhisker could care less whether or not the she-cat came with her, but she did favor the idea of company at the border. It was dawn, so the other clans were stirring and most likely already out on morning patrols. Pinewhisker turned towards the Rainclan border, staring off through the dimly lit pines.
"It might be a good opportunity to see how the dayclanners are faring."
She murmured it to herself, but every word was loud and distinct enough for Hollystorm to hear. Yes, it would be good to check up on our neighbors. It would take too much time to cut across and hit the Treeclan border, but Rainclan may show themselves. She thought to herself, turning back to face Hollystorm nonchalantly.
"So, what do you want to do?"
48 Moons - Deputy - NightClan PIneWhisKEr
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Post by Fawn on May 24, 2017 11:49:55 GMT -5
24 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan. No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
Pinewhisker's resourcefulness drew an approving look from Hollystorm, her green eyes following the ginger-furred deputy as she organized the rest of her night. She's clever... Hollystorm's mother, Ghostlight, was one of the cats hit hardest by greencough, so it was without hesitation that Hollystorm answered "Yes. My mother will be needing water."
More than that, Ghostlight needed herbs...
Or was she now beyond Smokefur's ability to heal her? Hollystorm had heard from her uncle Spiriteye that Ghostlight's kitting had been messy, and Ghostlight had nearly died as a result. But the sharp-tongued she-cat had gotten lucky. Whata about now?
Had Ghostlight used up all of her luck?
Rather than dwell on the negatives, Hollystorm let her attention realign with the conversation at hand. The breeding regulations; she could see now that Pinewhisker was a shrewd, diplomatic she-cat. She knew better than to share her opinions so close to camp; NightClan cats were stealthy and cautious. They came by it as naturally as RainClan cats learned to swim. Secrets were hard to keep in a Clan that prided itself on shadowy pelts and sharp ears.
Hollystorm herself had overheard plenty of things that hadn't been meant for her to hear.
Let me show you my true colors It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 198 Words Tags: @jet
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2017 2:57:04 GMT -5
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. Pinewhisker was grateful that there would be two shells of water going to their sick clanmates as opposed to only one. The ginger she-cat could have notified Dimstar of her daylight endeavors with Hollystorm, though she saw no need. The she-cat's tiredness was a constant, dull ache in both body and mind, an unremitting reminder of her current state. We won't be long. She told herself, confident that her legs would carry her swiftly and surely to the border, then to the Pineneedle Clearing, and eventually her nest in the warrior's den. It'll make for a long night, but I'm fine with that. Pinewhisker thought, turning towards the black she-cat with a renewed exuberance.
"Perfect." Her voice was soft and light as she started towards where she had buried the shells for safekeeping. "Let's go."
The light strengthened to a fierce, golden glow, trickling through the pine branches like flaxen rain. There was not enough energy pent up for anything more than a hurried walk, though that hardly seemed to bother Pinewhisker. It left for more opportunity to talk. What were we talking about again? Oh yes, the breeding regulations...Pinewhisker pondered briefly, casting a shadowed glance over at Hollystorm. A grim topic, but I'm not going to ignore the fact that she asked the question in the first place.
"Hollystorm." She started. "We all know Dimstar is a powerful and collected leader, and though his lack of sympathy may be an asset during interactions with other clans, making a move as bold as his breeding regulations has compromised the privacy of many cats within Nightclan. In my opinion, security is of much greater importance than privacy, but when it comes down to my morals, I would refute Dimstar's motives of attaining superiority." Pinewhisker paused. "His dreams of supremacy should not outweigh one's right to privacy and freedom, despite his good intentions."
This was all true in her mind at the moment, though she couldn't help but thinking...Is it selfish of her clanmates to choose their own happiness over the ascendancy of Nightclan?
"I'm sure you have an opinion on the matter at hand as well?" Pinewhisker hinted sincerely, continuing her brisk pace towards the Rainclan border.
48 Moons - Deputy - NightClan PIneWhisKEr
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Post by Fawn on May 28, 2017 22:09:35 GMT -5
24 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan. No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
Pinewhisker had more eloquence than both of her parents, Hollystorm realized with a mixture of respect and irritation. She loved her parents as much as any cat -- well, 'loving' was not the word she would use to describe her relationship with her father - but was old enough now to know that Blackwolf wasn't exactly a fountain of wisdom.
Hollystorm kept pace with their deputy, her black ears swiveled to catch every word, the single white spot on the back of one of her ears visible only if she turned her head away. "As a matter of fact, I do," said Hollystorm, and there was an edge to her words that indicated she had a lot to say on the subject. "I want a strong NightClan. I respect Dimstar's intentions, but he went about them all wrong. The only way you can guarantee success is through training and hard-work, not making sure two approved cats have a litter together."
It was crazy to try to predict how good or how skillful a kit would be just based on their parents. Her own were a prime example; Ghostlight was a great fighter, talented hunter. Blackwolf was a borderline infamous warrior, with decent hunting skills and enough scars to prove how well he excelled in battle.
However, her brother Bonetail couldn't have been more different. He was lazy and belligerent, sarcastic and unhelpful at best. There was nothing wrong with him, he was just too lazy to get off his tail and do anything that could be described as 'work'. Hollystorm's tail twitched, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully, critical. "He kicked a hornet's nest. NightClan cats are proud, and we fight when we don't like how things are going. Greencough has been a big distraction, but once that's gone, everyone's going to remember Dimstar's little rules."
Hollystorm rolled her eyes, unafraid to show what she thought of all this to the deputy. They weren't speaking as 'warrior and deputy', they were speaking as... equals. Friends, if she could get away with the label.
Let me show you my true colors It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 339ish Tags: @jet
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 11:13:14 GMT -5
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. It did slightly comfort Pinewhisker to know that her fellow warrior had similar opinions about Dimstar's regulations, but Hollystorm's finishing statements sent an icy chill down the ginger she-cat's spine. How Hollystorm blatantly and fearlessly hinted at a Nightclan insurrection against Dimstar? Rainclan's civil war had recently resolved, leaving their cats split and sensitive. Would Nightclan follow that same path? Pinewhisker wanted to cringe, though the black she-cat really reinforced the deputy's belief on how precious of an equilibrium a leader must maintain between charisma and conscientiousness.
Pinewhisker had always supported a more democratic approach to leadership, though she understood such complications. No one would ever agree on one thing, and the unsettling imbalance of majority versus minority was uncomfortable on a scale in which everyone felt like they had the rights to dictate with an iron fist. All the clans need respectable leaders who rule firmly, yet diplomatically. Well, if I ever become leader in this lifetime, I know Hollystorm would embrace the end of Dimstar's legacy with open paws. Pinewhisker thought to herself, trudging through a particularly marshy and wet stretch of land, leaving her paws coated in slimy water. She was hardly phased by the wetness, but the coldness of it did induce a shiver of surprise.
Pinewhisker nodded respectfully, a partial response to the black she-cat's prudent opinions. Hollystorm was intelligent and logical. How did her brother end up so...lazy? Hollystorm is driven and sharp, but Bonetail... Pinewhisker pondered, smiling faintly. It was funny how polar opposite the two warriors were characteristically. It's not fair to compare the two. They both do their duties, even if one is more reluctant than the other. The ginger she-cat glanced Hollystorm's way, after clearing a fallen, rotting tree with an effortless leap.
"Your prudence is admirable, but would Nightclan really rebel against Dimstar? Would we so willingly throw ourselves into social tumult over personal rights, against a leader we have recognized to be a strong face of our clan? Rainclan was foolish to fall into such a selfish chaos. They were scattered and weak for a long time, and I believe their loyalties are still muddled. Such an occurrence is not easily forgotten. Even with Rainclan as one again, each cat bears the mental and emotional scars of the civil war. At least, those in that clan old enough to tell the tale."
Pinewhisker couldn't help but weigh the pros and cons of defying Dimstar, of breaking the warrior code. The clan would be divided and vulnerable if invasion of any kind set in. The deputy stared onward, morning light seeping softly through the needle-laden branches. She wasn't considering it in the slightest, but it wasn't about her. She couldn't control the thoughts and actions of the youth, of her peers, and of those her elder, nor would she want to... The older Pinewhisker became, the more she realized how contradicting the warrior code could be; how contradicting life could be. The ginger she-cat's thoughts darkened, an uncomfortable question causing her shoulders to stoop ever so slightly.
Would Starclan really let mutiny poison Nightclan too, after such a violent outbreak of greencough?
48 Moons - Deputy - NightClan PIneWhisKEr
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Post by Fawn on Jun 14, 2017 23:56:33 GMT -5
24 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan. No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
"We're not RainClan," Hollystorm replied. Her stance and feelings on that were strong. "We do not have the same weaknesses that they do, nor are we prey hiding in the bushes, too afraid to speak up to Dimstar. The Code says his word is law, but that doesn't mean his word can't be challenged."
They couldn't outright break it without consequences, but there was enough room in the Code to allow concerned parties to speak up if they wanted to. Hollystorm wanted to. However, she did not want her words to be like a drop of rain in the ambush pond -causing barely a ripple and with nothing to come of it. "NightClan is full of strong cats with strong opinions." Hollystorm's tail flicked through the air down near her heels. "I believe we wouldn't let NightClan fall into chaos over a disagreement, no matter how big."
They had a reputation to uphold. NightClan stood alone. NightClan stood strong. NightClan, most of all, did not crumble from within. Ravenstar's untimely death had shaken them to their foundation, but they had not buckled under. Instead, they had endured, adjusted, and carried on like normal. Until another surprise had been presented before them; Dimstar's regulations.
"If I have one question for Dimstar," said Hollystorm, "It's about punishment. How is he going to reprimand the cats who break his little rule? What will happen to the kits who are the result of that?" How far would Dimstar go for a 'strong, invincible NightClan'?
Maybe this was only the beginning. The next step would be weeding out the weaker kits from the strong. Hollystorm prayed that wasn't so, but her faith in Dimstar waxed and waned like the moon. It wasn't often full.
Let me show you my true colors It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 295 Words Tags: @jet Notes: We can wrap this up soon if you'd like~
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