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Post by Justice on Jul 16, 2018 21:36:05 GMT -5
Greenleaf Day 15 -------------------- Something had been bothering him. Something beyond the break of his heart, something that had drug him from it towards the fact that he was medicine cat and something had happened. Aspenpaw had come to him injured, his mother with him despite the fact that he'd thought they'd had some form of falling out. And neither of them told him what had happened. Clearly, the young tom had been in a fight. He knew what claw marks looked like, knew what damage teeth could cause. Someone had tried to seriously injure Aspenpaw, and for some reason the pair of them were trying to keep it quiet. Meaning it was either someone they knew from beyond the clan, or a clanmate that they didn't want to get into trouble. Either way, it couldn't stand. He noticed Lionstar and Gorsetail, probably about to get something to eat, and knew he had to breech the matter with them. Also, and he knew they were likely to be worried, he'd purposefully refused to go to Moon Tree. He always went, even when he didn't want to. This time he'd chosen to stay home and focus on getting back into a proper head space. He had a duty to his clan, and moping over Herondive wasn't helping that duty at all. He loved her, would probably always love her, but he couldn't let his broken heart dictate how he ran his life. So he'd stayed home and tried to piece himself back together. There was that to discuss. And he knew he needed an apprentice, that it was well past time for him to choose someone. Foremost on his mind, however, was the injuries on Aspenpaw and how it seemed he and Moonfeather either couldn't or wouldn't talk to him about it. It couldn't stand. So he left the medicine den and approached the other two toms, ignoring the chatter of camp around him. He hadn't exactly been social recently, after all. "Lionstar, Gorsetail? Could I speak with you both?" Fawn Phoenix |
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Post by Fawn on Jul 20, 2018 20:40:22 GMT -5
Lionstar The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars The invitation to share prey and simply enjoy one another's company was extended to Falconstorm by default, as TreeClan's medicine cat requested to speak with them. "Of course," said Lionstar, one ear rotated to catch any word of protest from his former apprentice, but Gorsetail was in agreement.
There were a pawful of things this could pertain to. Perhaps Falconstorm had had a sign, encouraging to him to take on an apprentice? Though, Lionstar knew, Falconstorm had been cut off from StarClan for a few moons now. Were they ignoring him (and the Clan) even now? Lionstar kept his thoughts to himself, his speculations simmering down until he could focus on what was directly in front of him.
Falconstorm hadn't attended the medicine cat meeting. There was a very real chance this could have something to do with that. Lionstar, out of respect for his mate's foster son and their Clan's only healer, had not told Gorsetail of Falconstorm's disconnection. There was a chance it could be repaired. And if not...
He'd been considering a trip to the Moon Tree himself. Whether or not there was any point in arguing StarClan's aggressive stance on medicine cat relationships, Lionstar wanted to see for himself that frosted white bark and feel the cool touch of moonlight on his fur. It had been a long time since he had shared words with their ancestors.
It was important to keep that connection alive.
Lionstar bypassed the fresh-kill pile, inviting both Gorsetail and Falconstorm into the ancient stump with a beckoning flick of his golden black-ticked tail. The scents inside relaxed him; the moss nest smelled of his mate, Honeysong, with a touch of the wildflower meadow. Lionstar turned, waiting for the two toms to get comfortable before he gave Falconstorm the floor.
"What's on your mind, Falconstorm?" Golden eyes rested on the medicine cat's face, benign and attentive. I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king |
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| We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Jul 23, 2018 20:18:42 GMT -5
Gorsetail Deputy of TreeClan i wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight The sound of approaching pawsteps had the deputy turning to identify the newcomer, and he offered Falconstorm a friendly smile, flicking an ear in faint surprise, as the tom asked to speak with them both. Nodding in agreement with Lionstar’s words – “Certainly.” – Gorsetail fell into step beside the other two toms as they began to cross camp. Given the responsibilities that each of them had, it was not an unusual sight to see one or all three of them striding around camp looking somewhat frazzled and exhausted, but over the course of the past few moons, Falconstorm had seemed to slowly become increasingly so. As a testament to his ability, his performance as their only healer never suffered for it. Unable to forget the circumstances of Bluejay’s passing, the tabby deputy had admittedly been nursing growing concern for the other tom, though he had not yet acted on it. Friendly though they were, Gorsetail and Falconstorm had never quite been friends, a reality that had the former hesitating when it came to figuring out how to approach the latter. Perhaps, then, it was also with some relief that he considered the pale-furred tom; the burden of starting that conversation had potentially been removed from his shoulders by the medicine cat himself. But at the same time, it was also highly likely that he wanted to talk about something else entirely. Indeed, that was the question, wasn't it. Gorsetail's curiosity was piqued as he tried to imagine what type of information Falconstorm would want to - or perhaps be obligated to - share with both of them. Maybe a dream from StarClan? Signs from their ancestors were rare, prophecies even rarer, but neither were unheard of. The deputy found himself frowning slightly as worry began to coil in his gut. Perhaps the medicine cat came with a warning from StarClan, news of a dire threat that loomed in the near future and would ruin the pleasant peace that they had enjoyed thus far. Both NightClan and LightningClan had been fairly quiet, and though he had attributed that to the respective clans working to recover from the harsh leaf-bare and build up their stores to survive the next, perhaps something more insidious was happening instead? Perhaps they-- He cut his train of thought off right there. This was nothing more than unfounded speculation, he reminded himself sternly as they ducked into Lionstar's den. There was no need to get worked up about an event when he had no evidence that it would come to pass. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Gorsetail sat down off to the side of the little hollow, tail wrapped around his paws. An ear flicked and he turned to the medicine cat as Lionstar invited Falconstorm to begin. |
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Post by Justice on Jul 23, 2018 22:11:53 GMT -5
He only dipped his head and followed the other two toms. He noted, with some amusement, how TreeClan's leadership was made up of decently sized toms. None of them were small, and it drew his thoughts from darker things because he was happy for that. A big tom could protect far better than a small scrawny one, though smaller cats tended to be faster in the leanest times. His thoughts remained there so as to improve his dour mood until they set paw in the leader's den. Being surrounded by the scent of the she-cat who had reared him as a mother soothed him a significant amount. If he wasn't so proud, he'd probably ask if she'd sleep a few nights in the medicine den so that he'd feel better. He really just felt like he needed the comfort, and she was family. Perhaps making a pile of the cats closest to him would help the healing process, but that was for later. Now, he had the attention of the other two leading cats of TreeClan, and things needed to be said. "First off I wish to apologize to both of you for my recent melancholy. While I haven't failed or been lax in my duties as medicine cat I haven't exactly been social to the clan either. I will open with no I do not wish to speak of it, but as Lionstar knows what's going on I don't mind if you tell Gorsetail." he sighed and sat, curling his fluffy tail around his paws. "On to the point then." He looked between the two, serious and focused completely on the task at paw for the first time since he'd ended things with Herondive. "Aspenpaw was attacked by another cat. He came in with his mother, and they either can't or won't talk about what happened. There were claw marks, bite marks, I know what it looks like when someone is attacked by another cat. Why they'd hide the truth I don't know, but something is going on." Fawn Phoenix |
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Post by Fawn on Jul 25, 2018 4:14:24 GMT -5
Lionstar The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars As if a sudden peel of thunder had sounded through the ancient stump, Lionstar's attention became hyper-alert. Aspenpaw was attacked? It did not matter if it was one of his own beloved kits, or the kits of someone else; Lionstar felt most sharply, the suffering of TreeClan's youth. From the distant days of Duskpaw's death at the merciless claws of a badger, to Berrythorn's wounded return to the Clan after a miraculous encounter with Demon... Lionstar saw their scars and smelled their blood and he wanted to shield them from it.
Wanted to question the harshness of life, that would allow cats who were not yet adults to be maimed and mauled and broken without prejudice.
Anger flared beneath his fur like a heatwave, and he struggled to keep his voice civil, thoughts roiling with all the aggressive undertows of a storm-thrashed sea. "Do you know who might have done this?" Was it a NightClan retaliation? What cowardice. Attacking an apprentice to the point where Falconstorm - even in the midst of his melancholy - had felt concerned enough to approach them about it.
Or, perhaps, it was not NightClan but a rogue? An old, black shadow that Lionstar could not quite shake. The golden tom's pulse thrummed, and his paws itched with the need to do something. He could tolerate a feeling of vulnerability in himself, but in the Clan? That was unacceptable. Lionstar shared a look with his deputy, trusting Gorsetail to read the fearful accusation that lurked there. Grayowl.
"I wish I knew why they haven't come forward to either me or Gorsetail," Lionstar said more quietly, wondering what was going through the queen's head. There had been drama, lately, centered around Aspenpaw finally learning the truth of his parentage... But why would Moonfeather hold her tongue? After all this time, did she still feel as if she didn't belong? Did she believe she could not trust him? Lionstar's heart ached at the thought.
She was as much part of TreeClan as her kits were. But if she did not believe this... Was it too late to change her mind?
There was so much to think about, so many possibilities, that Lionstar gave his ears a quick flick, pulling himself back to the present. "How badly was he injured?" I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
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| We are born with a DNA blueprint into a world of scenario and circumstance we don't control |
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Co-Captain
INVENTORY
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Post by Phoenix on Jul 31, 2018 22:49:14 GMT -5
Gorsetail Deputy of TreeClan i wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight Not quite sure what to say, the tabby tom accepted Falconstorm’s apology with a quiet nod, his twitching tail tip the only sign of his growing interest as the medicine cat continued speaking. Something other than what had caused his despondent mood had been affecting the medicine cat? Green eyes glanced curiously between the white and brown tom and their golden figurehead. Whatever it was, clearly the matter had not been any of his business, but while he did not begrudge either of the other two toms for keeping him out of the loop when it clearly did not affect him, it was still a little awkward being the only one in their present group who remained uninformed. He looked back at Falconstorm again, unable to stop himself from worrying even as he was promised an eventual answer. Perhaps something was wrong with his health? Gorsetail was no more a medicine cat than the next warrior, but he didn’t think the other tom looked any more tired than usual… Before he could give it any further thought, the tone of the conversation changed dramatically. Attacked? A sharp breath. “When?” He could feel the blood draining from his face, leaving in its wake cold and twisting dread. He thought back to the last time he had seen Aspenpaw. It had been the other day, and the other tom hadn’t seemed any worse for wear, though it wasn’t as though a quick pass by was any substitute for a thorough examination. Still, the idea that a fellow clan mate could have potentially been sporting bite and claw marks for a few days and he hadn’t noticed made him uneasy. And as for the attack itself… It wasn’t impervious, but TreeClan’s forest had always seemed more like a sanctuary than a battlefield; to have someone, an apprentice no less, attacked by another cat on their own land was alarming, and he did not like the implications. If it had occurred on the border, then perhaps a rogue or a neighboring patrol was responsible, but if was deep in the territory, then either someone had made it a lot further than they should have undetected or a clan mate was responsible. A shiver ran down his spine. Lionstar was the first to voice the obvious question, and Gorsetail glanced at him as he asked it, knowing exactly who was on both of their minds. “Do you know if anyone was with him when it happened?” The deputy asked after a moment, nodding along to Lionstar’s comments. If she accompanied him to see Falconstorm, Moonfeather might have been. That the warrior was keeping quiet had him frowning to himself as he tried to think of reasons why she might want to keep the knowledge of the attack to herself. She was a strong she-cat who would do anything for her kits, so he couldn’t help but wonder if her silence was a reflection on the clan. Did she not feel as though she could come forward with whatever the problem was? “Or if he might have told anyone anything?” But even as he asked that question, he mentally acknowledged how unlikely that was. If Moonfeather was keeping quiet, then her son probably was as well. He glanced at the leader again. This all seemed very strange; he didn't like it. |
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Post by Justice on Oct 13, 2018 19:05:29 GMT -5
"Badly enough. He spent a few days in the medicine den while I watched the wounds for infection. I was unfortunately gone to Moon Tree on the day it happened so I didn't even know until I got back the day after. By then Moonfeather had put cobwebs on everything and was fussing over him and exhausted with worry. I had to calm her, take care of him, and try and figure out what happened when they weren't telling me anything. At the time I chalked it up to shock and didn't press too hard, but even after he left my den I had no idea what had happened. They just didn't say anything. I think someone may have threatened to kill him if she revealed what happened." His tail tipped against the ground, knowing he should have brought this up sooner and dreading the reaction he was going to get. "This entire thing happened in newleaf, while I was away to the meeting with the other medicine cats." He dropped his head. "I thought I could get them to open up to me if I didn't involve anyone else, but its come to the point that I'm really concerned. Aspenpaw's belly was ripped open. He could have bled out before I got back and his mother is refusing to tell me what happened. She's not close to me, but she does seem more comfortable with the two of you, so maybe you'll have better luck." Falconstorm knew he should have dealt with this and gone to the leader and his deputy far sooner than this, but he'd been so depressed that time slipped away from him quickly. "I thought I could handle it, and I was wrong. I'm sorry." His tail stopped tapping the ground. "I was selfish about it and put their safety below my need to have something to occupy my time with that wasn't my severe melancholy. Now Moonfeather avoids me and I still have no idea who attacked Aspenpaw." But there were further questions and he needed to stay on task. Had anyone been with him when he'd been attacked? Had someone seen what had happened outside the two involved? He wasn't even sure that Moonfeather was actually involved, it sounded more like she had no idea and was just trying to protect Aspenpaw from further harm. "Honeysong told me she had seen Amberwing going out hunting around the same time Aspenpaw was away from camp, but she came back before Moonfeather and Aspenpaw and wasn't really harmed. And Moonfeather gave the impression that whatever had happened she'd arrived after the damage had been done." Phoenix Fawn |
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Post by Fawn on Oct 25, 2018 19:51:23 GMT -5
Lionstar The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars 'Aspenpaw's belly was ripped open. He could have bled out before I got back and his mother is refusing to tell me what happened.'
Lionstar did not mask his horror; he heard Falconstorm's apologies, but couldn't receive them quite yet. Visions of a young cat bleeding to death was occupying his mind, filling every inch with dread and outrage. This couldn't be allowed to happen on TreeClan soil; this was home. A safe haven from the other dangers of the forest. If something was here that shouldn't be, he'd chase it out himself.
Catching his breath back, Lionstar's composure returned with the subtle tightening of his jaw. "This could have been handled better, but what's done is done. Our only of getting to the bottom of this is to talk to Aspenpaw and Moonfeather." But would they be willing to talk? The truth, from Lionstar's perspective, seemed to be scaring them into silence. Moonfeather was uncomfortable around toms. Though he believed they were on decent terms, the delicacy of the situation had him hesitating. Maybe he was the wrong cat to question her? He could think of no cat more comforting than Honeysong. Maybe the soothing voice of a fellow queen would coax Moonfeather into talking? If she knew what had happened, that is.
He longer to be in two places at once - with Moonfeather and with Aspenpaw, but this impractical.
"I think it would be best if you spoke to Aspenpaw," he addressed Gorsetail with a hard gaze. Clearly unsettled by these events. "I fear I might intimidate him even more. Talk to Amberwing too, if you think it helpful. I'll speak with Moonfeather."
StarClan, he was going to shred the creature that had done this.
I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king |
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