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Post by Hellion on Jan 5, 2019 3:11:24 GMT -5
 [smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F] Sound the bugle now
Play it just for me
As the seasons' change 93 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat
Tail tucked neatly over her paws, Swanfeather watched as Dewfrost disappeared along the path to the medicine cat meeting. The warrior's at her side having promised to watch over her, while the warriors at first weren't keen to leave Swanfeather alone to head back to camp, the aged she-cat insisted. This way she could walk at her own pace, stare at the stars till her hearts content and feel no rush to arrive home. Even with the painful bite of Leafbare attacking each of her aching joints, Swanfeather did not hurry along.
Black paws turned muddy because of partially melted snow, she made no effort to shake the offending sensation of. Instead, she did her best to ignore it and silently wonder how Dewfrost would fair on her own at the meeting. There was a temptation to turn back and try to catch up but the mere thought of it had her hip throbbing. She'd be better off making it back to camp and curling up after a heavy dose of poppyseed.
To some it was amazing that Swanfeather had lasted so long, too many it was a shame. While she hadn't openly discussed it with Dewfrost she had considered retiring to the elder's den but every time the topic came to mind she pushed it away. Idle paws did not suit Swanfeather. She'd likely waste away with boredom if stuck in the elder's den. However, she was openly relying more on Dewfrost to tend to the sick and wounded. Her apprentice had trained well and earned her name through hard work. Swanfeather had clearly become better suited for small tasks, ones that didn't take too much energy or allowed her to take frequent breaks as her joints got stiff. Difficult to admit it, Swanfeather knew her age was going to eventually cause her to be more of a burden. Her hearing had already started to fade. When it first started she considered it another one of StarClan's punishments. Taunt her with the loss of a sense but she remained grateful it was slow. She could make out Dewfrost's words if she focused on her mouth and in other situations, her icy glare was enough to make cats avoid her. Very few spoke to her not that she minded.
Treking quietly along, Swanfeather paused head tilting upward to glance at the moon. The half-circle in the sky basking her in soft light. Reflecting off on her coat, illuminating her in a halo of silver. A contented sigh fell from her as she studied the stars that were able to sparkle beside the moon. She could watch them in all their glory till the sun came up. Count them until she lost track and restart countless more times. While her first and only love had been Frostfang, the moon and stars in Silverpelt took up a special place in her heart.
The moon and stars provided no judgment, did not scorn her or wish her torment. Instead, they shone brightly every night, gave her hope for a better tomorrow. Reminded her that light always lingered in the darkest of spaces. That despite her missed-deeds there was a light within her even if others saw only that darkness. Gazing up to the sky, thought back to Dewfrost. Had her apprentice made it safetly to the Moontree. Would the other medicicne cats questison her absense? Swanfeather decided they wouldn't care and likely agree that it was smart for her to stay back. Not that she'd ever accepted their advice before her own.
Lingering on Dewfrost for a moment, Swanfeather offered a quiet prayer to StarClan. Asked them to give her a pleasent dream and to beg them to let her talk with them freely. She offered up whatever torn threads of her own still exisited. Swanfeather would never utter the words but Dewfrost was her own. She claimed the she-cat as the only good thing in her life. Valued her young apprentice above all others who had come before her. Dewfrost was StarClan's blessing to her despite all the pain she had caused. If Swanfeather could whisper the words to the wind and have them carried to her, she'd encourage Dewfrost to stand proud and never give up. Swanfeather had never considered it until now but it was possible that other clans viewed Dewfrost just as harshly as they viewed her. She could handle the hatred, face it head on and walk away from it but Swanfeather felt a strong pull to protect Dewfrost from it. Not even her love for Bravebird could compare. He was a warrior in his own right, having grown up without her constantly over his shoulder to remind him of some task. It was Dewfrost she nutured in her usual cold manner, it was Dewfrost who despite Swanfeather's icy personality had flourished. That alone had impressed Swanfeather and cemented the she-cat in her life as one of the speical ones. A cat destined for great things.
A cat very much her opposite.
Greatness had never bothered to greet Swanfeather and her efforts to find it ended in destructions. Over ninety-moons old and she was just now coming to terms with it. A lesson not many wanted to learn but plenty were forced to. A cold burst of wind shook her out of her thoughts, prompting her to glance around. Frosty air parted her fur and chilled her to the bone. Shaking her paws to wake them, Swanfeather started her walk again. Just as slowly as before and with a lot less purpose. There remained no rush to get to camp, no bright eyed apprentice to greet her or even a paient to worry herself over. All that waited for her was her now cold nest and a den so full of scents she couldn't sort them out anymore. She had time to spare, a moment to give and heartbeats to wait.
 Remember how I used to be
Now I can't go on
~
There's nothing more for me
Lead me away... or leave me lying heree |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 4:47:22 GMT -5
Believe me I know, I've sunk pretty low,
but whatever I've done you deserved...
Rushwhisker had been watching Swanfeather more and more since the fox attack at the gathering, restless, waiting for the next disaster to strike the valley, a disaster that false medicine cat brought upon them all. But he couldn't just sit back and wait for another tragedy, no, not when he could stop it before it came. And so he watched, waiting also for an opportunity, steeling himself for what he knew must be done, for the cats he loved, for RainClan, for the entire valley. Memories of his dream of Bluejay plagued him, her pretty blue eyes pleading for him to reconsider, her warning that they would never be together if he did this. It was almost enough, almost, and was perhaps why he had not acted sooner.
But when the small patrol left for the moon tree and the medicine cat meeting, Rushwhisker gave them a head start and followed, leaving his sister safely curled up in her nest beside Russethawk. He kept a careful distance, stalking after the group by scent alone, some instinct urging him on. Tonight. It had to be tonight. She couldn't be allowed to live to see another sunrise. Pelt prickling with unease, he pushed away the terrifying thoughts of just what new horror she might bring upon the valley next if she was allowed to live. The StoneClan massacre. RainClan's civil war. The fox attack. What other unthinkable tragedy would she call down on them?
There was too much to risk. There could be no more waiting. Tonight it would end, he would free the valley of the curse of Swanfeather, even if it cost his soul in the process. Finally, at long last, RainClan's festering wounds could begin to heal after she was gone. All senses alert, Rushwhisker paused as the scents of the patrol grew stronger, creeping forward until he was in the sparse shelter of the leaf bare branches of a scraggly bush. Swanfeather was at the border, sitting there all on her own as Dewfrost and her escort when on without her. His ears pricked, watching, waiting, as the other cats disappeared into the night.
The black pointed she-cat slowly began to make her way back toward camp, but didn't seem in any hurry. Better to make sure Dewfrost's patrol was well out of earshot. He had no desire for the young medicine cat to have to witness her mentor's death. As Swanfeather reached the edge of his line of vision he moved slowly after her, casting one last glance back the way Dewfrost had gone. I am sorry for the pain this may cause you. His thoughts flashed back briefly to the scratch he had given her when he'd thought she was her mentor. It seemed so long ago now. She had forgiven him then, but this... this wasn't something that could be forgiven, and he would never ask for it.
Through the slush and mud, Rushwhisker followed the only cat he had ever come to hate. Her pace made it easy to catch up. It would have been so easy to just take her down before she even knew he was there. She didn't deserve an honorable death. But as his claws flexed into the earth, muscles bunched to spring, he hesitated. A freezing wind gusted around them, drew him back up. No. Just because she had no honor didn't mean he had to sink to her level. He did not need to play dirty to win this fight. She was old and a medicine cat while he was an experienced warrior.
Taking a long inhale of the frozen night air, he padded forward on sure paws, circling around until he was clearly in Swanfeather's line of sight before coming to a stop only a few paces away, blocking her path back to RainClan's camp. His gaze was cold as it met hers, his breath billowing from his jaws in a white cloud as he spoke, his voice shattering the leafbare night's silence, “I hope you gave Dewfrost a proper farewell.”
I'm the bad guy, that's fine, it's no fault of mine
and some justice at last will be served. Hellion Fawn Taxx williams
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Post by Hellion on Jan 9, 2019 0:55:04 GMT -5
[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F] I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living 90 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat
Her whisker twitched with the cold and suddenly before her stood Rushwhisker. Stopping mid-stride her eyes narrowed on the tomcat before her hackles rose. She could see the cold hatred in his eyes, his words equally as icy.
Swanfeather lacked a response but the connection was quickly made. His intentions were clear even if he didn't outright say it.
She thought to run, bolt away from him and find shelter in some nook or cranny in the territory. But he was moons younger, if he truly intended to follow through with what she assumed his plan to be, she stood no chance. He'd have her trapped within heartbeats and lost in the wind before a second longer.
There was a sliver of hope that it wasn't his plan, but Swanfeather wasn't about to kid herself. Rushwhisker was perhaps the most vocal about his hatred toward her. He refused her care and rumors spread that he blamed her for all of RainClan's troubles.
They shared that sentiment.
Flinching as she steadied herself on her feet, she swayed slightly despite herself. A pounding in her heart creeping up to thump in her ears. "I'm nervous to die," She mused internally, noticing her body's reaction to the threat in front of her. It was less about the pain, she had been dealing with it for moons. The fear of the unknown is what forced her chest to ache and her heart to race. Would she find herself in StarClan's forest or perhaps lost in the Dark Forest.
A lump grew in her throat at the realization she'd never be able to see Dewfrost again. Their farewell had been fleeting, encouraged to end early so that Dewfrost wouldn't be late to her meeting. From her young apprentice, her thoughts went to Bravebird and their strained relationship. Rushwhisker would be taking away any possibility of fixing it. His actions would hurt more than her body. She hoped that once it was over he'd live with that guilt until it ate him up inside. Only then would he understand her motivation. Finally understand that she already lost so much, in the end, him taking her life would not ease his pain.
Fighting back the urge to beg for mercy that she knew it wouldn't give. Swanfeather shifted her attention away from him and toward the sky again. The stars sparkled back at her as if whispering everything would be okay. Her eyes closed and a chill crept down her spine with the cold air around them. No words came from her, but instead an eerie sense of calm. An acceptance of her fate that was made comfortable knowing the stars still shined and the moon still filled the sky.
I dreamed that love would never die |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 13:00:54 GMT -5
Believe me I know, I've sunk pretty low,
but whatever I've done you deserved...
Rushwhisker wasn't sure what he expected from Swanfeather as a response. An argument? A plea? Some sort of final declaration filled with hate? Hate... she had brought so much of it to RainClan. Hatred, pain, loss, betrayal. She had broken the Clan he loved, shattered it into pieces. But once she was gone... once she was gone, perhaps those that remained could at last put the final pieces back into place. RainClan could be whole again.
What Swanfeather gave him was only silence. He watched her, watched her hackles raise as she realized what he meant to do, watched the uncertainty flit over her features. When she looked toward the sky, he couldn't help but wonder if she was sending a prayer to StarClan, wonder just what she could possibly have to say to them. Was she begging them to save her, begging them for mercy in the judgment of her corrupted soul? Was she simply making peace with her fate? His ears pressed flat to his head. It didn't matter. He didn't care. StarClan would judge her however they saw fit. All that mattered was that she would no longer be around to bring further disaster upon RainClan.
His tail lashed behind him as his claws sank into the cold ground, his voice a ragged growl, “I hate you. I hate you for what you've done to RainClan. But I'm not doing this because I hate you, Swanfeather. I'm doing this because RainClan, and StoneClan, and the entire valley deserve justice for everything you've done.” His words seemed loud in the night, but he didn't waste time on speaking further.
With her gaze on the stars, her throat was an easy target, and Rushwhisker darted forward intending to sink his fangs into her neck. It seemed she wasn't going to just give in, however, despite the fact that she had no chance to fend him off. She lashed out but it wasn't difficult to take her to the ground. She was old, weakened by age, and she didn't have a warrior's training. Well, the killing bite would be less messy anyway.
With Swanfeather pinned beneath him, he locked his jaws around the back of her neck and it was over in a heartbeat, her body going limp. He held on for a few moments longer and finally lifted his head look down at the former medicine cat, her blood warm on his chin. His pelt stood on end and his breath caught in his throat. Murderer. He was a murderer now. His dream of Bluejay came back to him, the warning that they could never be together if he did this. There was no going back now, and he wouldn't even if it was possible. It had to be done. For RainClan.
It was a clean kill... not for Swanfeather's sake, but for those that had still cared for her, despite all she'd done. And for himself. He may have made a murderer of himself tonight, but he would not let his hate for this she-cat destroy him completely. Stiffly, he stepped away from her, staring down at her sightless eyes. The fur along his spine rippled uneasily, and he was glad for it. It should never be an easy thing, killing another cat. He was thankful that he felt no pride in this action, not even any real satisfaction. Not in killing her, only in knowing that RainClan was safe from her now.
At long last he turned, padding away, the weight of what he'd done dragging at his paws. The Clan needed to be told.
I'm the bad guy, that's fine, it's no fault of mine
and some justice at last will be served. Hellion
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Post by Hellion on Jan 28, 2019 2:54:44 GMT -5
[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F]
I’m running out of time. I’m running, and my time’s up
Wise up. Eyes up
90 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat
Wetness welled up in her eyes and her head dropped. Catching a glimpse of small droplets falling, warming the cold ground under her paws. Tears? Such a curious thing. She hadn't shed them in so long, not since Frostfang. They kept falling, powerless to stop them Swanfeather felt her throat tighten and her chest cave in on its self. It was one thing to feel helpless but something entirely different to know her death was looming over her. She always imagined her death to be painless and in the back of the medicine cat's den, Dewfrost beside her a gift of poppyseed to ease her into StarClan's forest. She never expected it to be at the claws of Rushwhisker or that he blamed her for everything.
Not that she didn't agree, her own guilt took up a sizeable portion of her daily thoughts. The fear of StarClan's rejection always hung overhead and each night when she curled to sleep without any dream.
Then it happened, too quickly for her to really prepare.
Out of instinct, her eyes went up to stare at him bracing for the impact that was his body against her's. She fought back, it was only natural to try and defend herself. Even if she had accepted her death her will to survive had her claws lashing out. To no success of course. Rushwhisker was far too young and far better trained to be hurt by an aged medicine cat.
He pinned her and she went limp before his teeth met her neck. The energy to fight wasted in her desperate attempt to fend him off. She went from panic to bliss, the bite quick and what little pain she felt was gone just as quickly as she was. However, perhaps the most unsettling thing about her death was that look of bliss on her face. As if Rushwhisker gave her something she didn't know she wanted.
I catch a glimpse of the other side WORDS || @zen || NOTES |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 15:18:54 GMT -5
Rushwhisker didn’t bother cleaning any blood from his pelt before we made his way back to camp. He padded on through the cold night air, reflecting on how this would likely be the last time he ever returned to RainClan’s camp. Even if it was to save them, he had still committed murder. He no longer belonged in RainClan, lest his own sin taint them in Swanfeather’s place. He could only hope they would be free now, free of the bloody past that Swanfeather had tethered them to.
The stream came into view, a familiar pelt in the moonlight sitting sentinel over the quiet camp. His ears twitched, wishing Bitternwing would not have been the first cat he came across just now, but little could be done about that. She wouldn’t understand, perhaps less than some of the others.
”Rushwhisker? What are-... what happened, are you okay? What….”
He could see her processing everything her senses were telling her. He was covered in Swanfeather’s scent, splashes of dark blood marring the white of his coat.
A horrified look passed over her pretty features, her voice a quiet, strained whisper, ”What have you done?”
“What needed to be done,” he replied, his voice strong with conviction as he padded past her. His steps did not falter as he moved forward, toward the river stone, and leaped up onto it without a second thought. He raised his voice then, breaking the quiet that pervaded the sleeping camp, “Swanfeather is dead!” He stood there, waiting for the camp to rouse, his tail flicking back and forth. He would yield the stone to Silverstar, but until the leader appeared he remained where he was.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 16:52:37 GMT -5
LIBERTY FOR WOLVES IS DEATH TO THE LAMBS Adderstrike SENIOR WARRIOR | RAINCLAN | 66 MOONS Adderstrike's green-tinted eyes took in Rushwhisker's form as the younger tom strutted into camp, pale light of night shedding light on his late-night ventures. Blood trickled from his chin down his chest, and his declaration confirmed Adderstrike's suspicion: cat blood. Who would have thought he had it in him? Adderstrike mused, the elderly tom's features indifferent. Swanfeather was the clan's medicine cat. It wasn't practical to murder someone so valuable to the clan's wellbeing - that was where Rushwhisker had found the greatest fault.
The brown tabby tom admired Rushwhisker's resolve in the matter, though his tactics were less than ideal. There were ways to destroy someone without being caught - without being punished for what they deserved. Adderstrike lay awake in the shadows of camp, digesting the ex-deputy's news in silence. Cats started melting from the dens, meowing in dismay at Rushwhisker's words.
Silverstar will surely exile him. Adderstrike knew the young leader wouldn't fight fire with fire: the silver tom was far too righteous.
"What a disappointment." The brown tom muttered as he hung around the perimeter of camp in solitude.
Of all the cat's Rushwhisker could have killed, it had to be one of their own? Not to mention Rainclan's most experienced medicine cat. Adderstrike pulled himself to his paws and slunk towards the camp entrance, the wails and gasps of his clanmates just crickets in the night as the brown tabby waited for Silverstar's appearance.
There was a burning desire within the elderly tom to see just how Rainclan's leader would react to such news, though he had a hunch.
Word Count: 280 | Tags: xxx |
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Post by Justice on Jan 31, 2019 21:42:48 GMT -5
He'd had a bad feeling for a few days now, the sense of dread and of StarClan moving in ways he didn't understand. Something was about to happen, and at the time when at least one of his medicine cats was away from camp. Swanfeather was still here, but the aged she-cat didn't get around as well as she once had and he was concerned for her health as well. If another outbreak happened could Swanfeather still keep up with the tide or would she succumb to it as well? It was a terrifying thought. And then the world crashed in on him. Lilygleam came running up to him, eyes wide and a grim look over her features. He didn't question what had happened at first, knowing full well that she'd explain on the way. He ran towards camp, having gone down to the river to enjoy the quiet night before he'd been summoned. He ran, long legs eating up the trail and feeling his stomach drop as he learned what had happened. When he entered camp many eyes went to him, and he heard the whispered demands. Kill him. Revenge, life for a life. The hard words called over and over and ones he ignored. RainClan was not going to devolve into the chaos it had been in during the war and in the moons following. But this...it couldn't go unpunished. Silverstar took in Rushwhisker's appearance, the blood scent on him. He felt sorrow for the passing of their medicine cat, and moreso for the daughter that would come home to discover her mentor had died and the cat responsible still lived. "What a mess." He spoke softly, clearing his throat as the clan went silent around him. "Hear me, all of you." He came to stand in front of Rushwhisker, letting them see as well as hear him. "Vengeance is never the answer, and answering hatred with hatred only breeds further hatred. I hear you calling for his life, and I know many of you are wondering what will happen now. Swanfeather is dead, we must send her off properly as befitting a member of RainClan. It is the last thing we can do for her, and we will attend vigil as her spirit passes forward to wherever it is she will go." He didn't argue the semantics of rather or not their lost medicine cat would go to StarClan or not. That wasn't for him to decide, just as it wasn't for him to truly pass judgement on the tom before him. Not the permanent type of judgement anyway. He leveled the blue of his eyes on the offending tom, sighing sadly. "I can't begin to understand what drove you to this decision, but you have made your choice. Therefore..." He took a deep breath and stood himself up straight, addressing both Rushwhisker and the clan at large. "You are no longer welcome in RainClan, you have betrayed the trust of this clan and taken the life of one of our own, an unforgivable crime. I declare you a rogue, banished from this clan and these lands from here on forward. You will leave now, get as far away from this territory as you wish and don't return. Should you dare to come to RainClan's territory again, you will be treated as anyone that doesn't belong." Attacked and chased from the lands with all due force. Silverstar stayed as he was, but looked to his clanmates. "He is not to be touched or attacked as he leaves. It is not for us to decide if he lives or dies, but for StarClan to sort when his time comes in whatever way it comes. Say your goodbyes if you want. You have to moonrise tomorrow to get out of this territory. For your sake, I hope you never return." He stepped into the crowd, feeling sick at heart. "Lilygleam, take two warriors and await Dewfrost's return from Moon Tree. Make sure she makes it home. Brookfall and Ferngaze with me. We have a clanmate to bring home." Taxx [Ferngaze mention] Fawn [Brookfall mention] @zen Hellion |
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STAFF
INVENTORY
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Post by Amber on Feb 1, 2019 0:19:56 GMT -5
The white she-cat had been sitting out under the stars, a strange unease tickling at her pelt and preventing sleep from coming. So she sat, bushy tail curling over her paws, head tilted back and eyes on the sky above. She sensed rather than heard somecat cross the stream, and her eyes drifted downward.
Frozensong was on her paws in seconds as she registered Rushwhisker, and blood, and her pale green eyes widened. It took her only moments to cross the camp. "Meow!" She was too loud, her eyes too bright, as she sniffed at her former mentor, seeking out injuries. But before she could thoroughly check him over, he was striding across camp, leaving her behind. "Meow!" She was louder, padding after him, begging him to 'stop', to 'wait', to 'explain', but he pressed on. The deaf warrioress halted at the base of river stone, watching in confusion as he announced something she couldn't hear.
Cats started emerging from their dens, and the energy in the air shifted. Frozensong shuffled her weight over her paws, the discomfort from earlier in the night making her fur begin to rise. She shifted from paw to paw. Everyone seemed to be waiting, but it didn't seem like it was a good thing coming. Unconsciously, she began to chitter nervously, soft, quiet sounds dropping from her mouth. Huge eyes, pupils blown wide, darted around the camp, taking in the faces of her Clanmates, seeing a mix of anger, confusion, and sorrow on their faces, leaving her wondering what happened.
Silverstar's entrance parted the RainClan cats, and Frozensong quieted as he came face to face with Rushwhisker. It was one of the rare times she hated that she didn't know what was going on. It was obvious to her that everyone had an extra piece of information she could never have. Typically, the easygoing feline wasn't bothered by it, but this time was different. This was a serious, possibly bad situation, involving someone she held very dear to her heart.
Several cats seemed upset by whatever it was Silverstar had decreed, but Frozensong had her gaze fixed on Rushwhisker. Her tail curled over her back in a questioning gesture, flipping left and right before settling. "Meow!" she cried. She fixed her eyes on her mentor and lifted her forepaw, drawing it straight down. She repeated the motion twice more in quick succession, a sense of urgency in her movements. "Meow!" 'Pay attention to me, now!' Her gaze was one of worry laced with fear, and she was trying hard to get Rushwhisker's attention and to understand what was happening.
"Meow!"
@zen |
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Post by Taxx on Feb 1, 2019 20:26:20 GMT -5
Ferngaze of RainClan "Swanfeather is dead!"
Jerked from her doze, Ferngaze lifted her head, eyes briefly meeting Storkleg's across the warriors' den; other cats were streaming past, drawn into the clearing by the call that rang through the camp. She had recognized Rushwhisker's voice instantly, but it wasn't until she left the den and got a look at him that she realized exactly how the old cat had died. The young she-cat's heart squeezed, and the split-second flicker of satisfaction at the news of the traitor's death was crushed by confusion. What was he doing, standing up there and announcing this to the entire Clan?
Ashflight was there; Ferngaze padded to the she-cat's side, her eyes wide as she whispered beneath the muttering from the rest of the Clan. "Did you know he was going to do this?" StarClan, she couldn't hate him for doing it, but... this? He had to know what was going to happen.
Silverstar had to do it. But for all that she knew that, it didn't make her feel any differently as he did. She couldn't hate her father for punishing Rushwhisker for this, and she couldn't hate Rushwhisker for ridding RainClan of a cat who'd caused her own Clan so much pain... Claws sunk into the ground as her ears folded back, blue eyes falling to stare at her paws as she heard Silverstar utter the words that turned Rushwhisker into an outcast.
She was surprised to hear her father call her- to help carry Swanfeather home. She didn't quite bother to hide the distaste in a curl of her lip, but she rose all the same, giving Ashflight a flick of her tail as she left the older sitting there. In a bound, Ferngaze pushed her way toward the River Stone, front paws resting on it as she spoke, eyes wide, voice pleading, with Frozensong's meows punctuating her request. "Please don't leave yet! I need to talk to you!"
Then she backed away, pelt rippling as she stared at him for a moment longer before turning and padding after her father and uncle, to fetch their old medicine cat's body. STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS |
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Post by Fawn on Feb 2, 2019 18:20:29 GMT -5
Hope when you take that jump A cry of death shattered the half-moon night. Russethawk had rose, one of many limbs on a tangled beast of confusion. The sight of Rushwhisker covered in blood pitched the ruddy warrior's stomach against his throat - first with worry for the tom he'd trained to warriorhood, then with growing horror. That wasn't Rushwhisker's blood.
"Rushwhisker! What have you done? Rushwhisker have you lost your mind?" No sooner were the words out of his mouth than, in a rare display of rudeness, Russethawk pushed through the crowd, desperate to reach the river stone. Cries of hate, confusion, joy and fear flooded Russethawk's ears, but he stubbornly drowned them out, nearly to the river stone.
He didn't know what he'd do when he reached Rushwhisker, he just knew his paws drove him forward - until Silverstar arrived, calling order without having to raise his voice. Russethawk skidded to a stop, near enough that he could hear the desperate, confused mewing of Frozensong. His heart went out to the deaf she-cat, unable to hear but able to smell blood and see the atmosphere of the whole clan.
Russethawk squeezed his eyes shut, claws furrowing the soft soil under paw as Silverstar spoke the words they all knew were coming. I should have stopped him. I should have tried to talk to him more. He's not in his right mind. "Silverstar, please!" but he clamped his mouth shut, eyes stinging with frustration and heartache. He had no right to bargain for Rushwhisker.
A line had been crossed. No apology could fix it.
Russethawk wordlessly found Ashflight, helplessness panging around inside his chest like loose stones. Why would Rushwhisker give this up? Ashflight, Frozensong, RainClan... He looked at the newly declared rogue, speechless and desperate for answers. The look of conviction, of acceptance in Rushwhisker's eyes chilled him worse than the blood. StarClan, he really has lost his mind. You don't fear the fall RainClan || 69 Moons || Tom Russethawk @zen Amber || 312 Words || Notes I can feel you on my lips all the time But I just wanna feel you in my heart and on my mind "Wait," Lotuswhisker hissed in the dark, using her tail to trap Falconheart and Swanscreech from exiting the warrior's den. She could not stop Owlpaw from getting in the middle of things, but her mate, Gullswoop, had already left - and she trusted him to keep their daughter safe. A loud protest rose from her second daughter, and Lotuswhisker hushed her, the firmness of her tone hiding the tremble in her voice.
She'd heard cries like that before. When the Clan had first split itself in half. Ironic that, even indirectly, Swanfeather was still causing trouble and stirring up discontent within the camp, even in death. Lotuswhisker's tail curled tight to her body once she was certain Swanscreech and Falconheart would not leave her side. The blood in the air was most certainly Swanfeather's - but would that stay the case?
She truly believed there was no cat present that would try to avenge Swanfeather, except for maybe Bravebird, but that was no guarantee arguments wouldn't erupt. Cheers from those who had despised her, and retorts from those who understood that Swanfeather had been - despite everything - still a Clanmate deserving of respect.
"Neither of you are to leave until Gullswoop gets back," Lotuswhisker touched each of her kits on the ear, chest tight. "Or the camp quiets down again."
"You didn't name me after her, did you?" Swanscreech whispered, accusatory and horrified.
Lotuswhisker frantically shook her head. "Of course not. We named you Swankit because of how your father and I met. But that's a story for another time."
The long-coated she-cat fell quiet, and Lotuswhisker could see the points of Swanscreech's teeth as she grimaced.
There was no telling if Swanscreech would be the only cat to make that assumption tonight, and Lotuswhisker prayed to StarClan some sense would return to her Clanmates soon. The time of bloodshed and division had to be over.
It had to. 60 Moons | Senior Warrior | RainClan Lotuswhisker |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2019 18:32:54 GMT -5
Piketooth of RainClan This is the world we live in and these are the hands we're given "Swanfeather is dead!"
Piketooth raised his head from his nest blearily as the reality of Rushwhisker's words truly sunk in. Slinking out of his nest into the confusion of the main camp, he saw the blood - Swanfeather's blood - matting Rushwhisker's pelt. He knew what must have happened. Her scent was all over him.
He had no qualms with his dislike of Swanfeather - his father had given his last life for her, only for her to bring the Clan into disrepute - but no cat deserved to die in such an untoward manner - especially not a medicine cat. For all her faults, and they were legion, StarClan had seen fit to give her the skills and the knowledge to protect the Clan from harm.
Thank StarClan Dewfrost had her full name before she was killed.
Dewfrost... She'd be heartbroken.
Piketooth heard Silverstar's judgement and was entirely in agreement with it.
Killing a cat in cold blood... Nothing could ever justify such a thing.
"Silverstar, i'll stand vigil for Swanfeather. I may not have liked her. But she was a member of this Clan, and for that I will do what needs to be done."
use them and let's start trying to make it a place worth living in |
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Post by neversky on Feb 2, 2019 23:08:04 GMT -5
[nospaces] 
falconheart
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He could taste sour in his mouth as he drifted softly to sleep, something in the back of his mind told Falconheart to stay awake but he was too tired to listen. His long-furred sibling and mother lay close by him in the warrior’s den, he could feel the heaviness of the night push his eyelids down, slipping from consciousness, barely whisked away when he felt the quick stirring of his mother, the faraway screams of what sounded like a cat. [break][break]
Green eyes opened quickly, as he saw Lotuswhisker staring outside Falconheart’s head snapped to attention and he sat straight up, ears twitching to gather information from the clamor outside. From the entrance he could see other cats waking up, wandering out of dens. The scent of blood was approaching, causing a rise out of the three warriors in the den. Just as Swanscreech and Falconheart were about to rise and investigate Lotuswhisker stopped them in their tracks. His eyes flicked to his sister as their mother stopped her protest, Falconheart could see the outline of Swanscreech’s frustration dimly lit by the moon as Silverstar walked past the warrior’s den, his coat lit up by stars. [break][break]
"Neither of you are to leave until Gullswoop gets back," [break]
Falconheart’s brow furrowed, he opened his mouth to protest but Swanscreech spoke ahead of him.[break]
He wasn’t paying attention to their conversation, but padded softly forward to meet the shoulder of his mother and peer outside into the camp clearing. From his position he saw Rushwhisker, a dark stain covered his mouth and chest, and Silverstar’s voice radiated across the camp. It wasn’t until Falconheart saw Swanfeather’s limp body in the distance that he realized what happened. [break][break]
His jaw dropped open subconsciously and he fell to a sit, not able to believe his eyes. Through all the dangers the forest creates for them Falconheart never thought his own clanmates would pose a threat as well. Rushwhisker’s hatred for Swanfeather was known even to a green warrior like Falconheart, but he now felt fear rip across his pelt. Rainclanners were enemies to each other in the past but it seemed to the tom like those days may not be over.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2019 23:59:27 GMT -5
Ashflight woke from her place beside Russethawk with a start. Her brother’s voice, calling something about Swanfeather…. Dead? She pushed out of the den with Russethawk, but stopped just as outside as she spotted her brother on the river stone, blood matting his fur. Ferngaze paused beside her and she shook her head at the younger she-cat’s question, “No, I....” She knew Rushwhisker hated the medicine cat. She had similar feelings herself. Conversations from moons ago about Swanfeather bringing a curse from StarClan down upon them came back to her, and how she had laughed him off, telling him not to be so dramatic. Swanfeather was horrible but a curse was just ridiculous. He hadn’t talked much about the medicine since. She had thought maybe he was gaining a grudging tolerance for her. He was always far more forgiving than she was. She had never imagined he was capable of this. Rushwhisker snorted disdainfully at Silverstar’s words, his words a sarcastic growl, “If betraying the trust of this Clan was such a crime, I would never have had to do this in the first place. No cat has betrayed RainClan more than Swanfeather.” His tail lashed once behind him, but Frozensong’s confused mews finally reached him now that Silverstar had largely silenced the rest of the Clan. His words of course hadn’t reached his deaf former apprentice. His gaze softened as he looked down at her, a pained expression crossing his features at the thought of leaving her here. He would never be able to explain why properly to her. Rushwhisker bowed his head slightly, taking a deep breath. It had to be done. Ashflight would watch over her when he was gone. He lifted his head again as Russethawk called out, sounding very much like he wanted to plead for him to stay, but his former mentor cut himself off. No one needed to plead his case. He didn’t want to stay here any longer. He couldn’t. He felt as if he carried what remained of the bloody civil war with him in Swanfeather’s absence. He had to leave, had to take it with him to give RainClan the freedom he had sacrificed his soul to grant them. As Silverstar called the Clan to order, Ashflight's pale gaze turned icy as the leader called for her brother’s exile. She spat. So Swanfeather could split the Clan in two and be welcomed home for a proper burial, but her brother got exiled for ridding the Clan of a traitor in their midst? Her pelt bristled and she pushed forward after Ferngaze left her side. Ferngaze pushed forward, begging him not to leave yet. He was uncertain if he should agree or not. He managed a small, sad smile for her, “I will wait for you if they let me.” With that he leaped down from the stone and Ashflight stepped forward to push her nose into the matted fur at his neck. “This isn’t fair. You shouldn’t have to leave!” she growled angrily. He shook his head, “RainClan hasn’t been my home for moons, Ashflight. I… I don’t know where that is anymore.” “What are you talking about? I’m here. Ferngaze is here. Frozensong, Russethawk… we’re your home.” “It doesn’t matter. Silverstar’s word is law,” his voice took on a mocking tone and he met his sister’s eyes, “I have given up everything for RainClan, Ashflight. Everything. Family. Love. Happiness. … My soul. I have nothing left to give. I’m tired…. This is my final sacrifice. I’m sorry I have to leave you. Keep an eye on Frozensong for me.” She hissed in frustration and turned to bury her face in Russethawk’s thick fur, her claws digging into the frozen ground beneath her, pleading, “Talk some sense into him!” Rushwhisker turned away from the two to pad over to Frozensong where she was trying to get his attention, resting his head atop hers and forcing out a rough purr, hoping it might calm her down. I’m sorry I have to leave you most of all. He took a half step back to rasp his tongue between her ears, doing his best to comfort her.
Taxx Fawn Amber |
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INVENTORY
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Post by williams on Feb 14, 2019 1:46:50 GMT -5
dewfrost, [ accompaniment, meant to run out before the end of the words] "I already know." was Dewfrost's greeting for the small gathering of Rainclan's warriors that stood at the border for her. Her words garnered no space to respond, eyes sweeping over the cats to keep it that way, as if she was examining an unwanted pest in her herbs. In her eyes, they were the pest, invading her quiet, selfish moment to connect with Starclan to bring her news Swanfeather herself had already delivered. They were the pest she was sworn to protect with her entire heart. The pest she wanted to protect, despite the feelings that stormed in this moment. She kept her head down as they walked, eyes pointedly watching the earth move as they traveled. She didn't want to speak to any of the warriors, to her sister, about this. They all knew what had happened, and their concern for her brought bile to her mouth. It took conscious effort to not grind her teeth together as the circle closed entirely around her. They just wanted to protect her, though she had never been Rushwhisker's target. She wanted to shout at them to leave her alone instead. She wanted to go home, to Frostfang, to Swanfeather and every paw step took her further away. Dewfrost was wrung out, tears shed for her mentor done entirely in her head, the ghosts of them burning her cheeks. Over her head, the three warriors caught her original guards up on the issue, gossip halted by a brisk "Quiet" from Dewfrost, tone and cadence a mirror to Swanfeather's demanding tone. She had enough to think about without their voices interrupting her thoughts. Dewfrost had spent the walk to Rainclan's lands thinking of what she would say to Rushwhisker when their paths crossed, assuming they would. She would stand tall, make her mentor proud with harsh words that would cut him down to size. She wanted him to feel the pain she felt at this moment. "Starclan's forests will never be your home now." She'd proclaim, her spiritual skills breathing truth into the words. "So the war continues, I hope you are satisfied with your choice." She'd sneer, hoping the guilt would eat him as all-consuming as maggots ate their food. Nothing felt right, but she tasted the blood on her tongue at wanting to lash out. Her mentor was gone, and more importantly, Rainclan lost a medicine cat. While Swanfeather was old, her knowledge was still vast, still important. Dewfrost had taken most of the duties for daily work, but having that presence beside her gave her a confidence that the future could be bright. There was a hope that had bloomed in her belly when she first stepped into the position, overgrowing its small container till Dewfrost's entire being was filled with the hope for redemption for her mentor and Rainclan. The bridge to Starclan was restored, the clan had moved on-- so she thought. Doubt rained across the garden in her chest, wilting the petals, frost crackling along their fibers. Had they really moved on? Could Starclan really accept a medicine cat's murder, despite her past, as just? Dewfrost knew her mentor was not a saint. Her trips with Frostfang through memories showed her that very clearly. Perhaps Rainclan deserved to lose a medicine cat, after what they had done. A chill clung to her fur, and Dewfrost's shoulders hunched reflexively to protect herself against it. Ice settled through her veins, a steady pulse of grief with each heartbeat. Focusing back on the soil, it became familiar. The ground dappled with paw steps, deep groves caused by cats walking over it every day. Dewfrost's eyes flicked up. The party had reached Rainclan's camp. The warrior ahead pushed through the barrier, a wall to block the medicine cat from whatever was left in camp. She let him lead the way inside. She froze right inside the entrance. Blue eyes scanned the gathered cats, no outward emotion in their depths. They stopped on Rushwhisker, ice pulsing down her spine at seeing him. He still had her blood in his mouth, a look to his eyes like he had won despite the consequences. Rainclan, in his mind, was now safe. A memory flickered over her vision, two opposing cats standing as if they were carved from stone across a camp swarming around them like rapids. Teeth and words snapped and angry sparks filled the air. A memory of Frostfang's hit too, watching Swanfeather mold and scrape away at the foundations of a clan until even now, distrust for the unknown weighed them down. When she blinked, the cats of her memory had frozen stiff, watching her party enter the camp. Breath suspended, waiting with anxiety for the future and unabashed curiosity at watching the events unfold. What would Swanfeather's apprentice say to this? What words of wisdom-- no, what words of heartache and desperation would she fill the space with? How had Swanfeather poisoned the next generation? And in that moment, Dewfrost knew. There was nothing she could say. No decree that would right any of the wrongs that occurred today, yesterday, between Rainclan's past generations; between Rushwhisker and Swanfeather. What her mentor had done had seeped into Rainclan's soils and Rushwhisker had taken it as a personal vendetta against his heart to remove the poison through bloodshed. Despite Swanfeather coming back and passing on her skills. Despite those in the wrong being banished. Despite the work Dewfrost had done to rebuild Rainclan's bridge to their ancestors. It had been a kitten's optimism to think her words, her actions, would change anything. So Dewfrost looked Rushwhisker right in his eyes and said nothing. Her paws melted, the ice around her shifting its shell as Rainclan's remaining medicine cat brushed past him, past her clan and returned to her den. |
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