[Fae Magic]

Primrosepetal - 36 moons - Gorgeclan

"My words will either attract a strong mind or offend a weak mind."~Primrosepetal

It was chilly; Leafbare came too quickly and the newly named Gorgeclan was still trying to pick up the pieces and construct their home in the new land. She'd been out here a few times before on patrols and hunting during the construction in camp but all of the hustle and bustle of the activities as warriors and apprentices alike did their duty to re-enforce the walls of dens and check perimeter of the camp. She would have loved to help in camp but it was all too much running around making her feel more claustrophobic than she actually was. She'd jumped at the chance to go hunting instead; she knew Leafbare would not be kind as it never were and during the processing of the current events it would be a miracle to finally just settle down and get into the routine of things. She'd stepped up and asked Brackenstride if she was able to take a partner with her to go hunting while others went about their businesses with the camp or border marking in the territories; like her much in preference of staying out of trouble and not enclosed in camp. 

She had a picking of those from former Treeclan that she knew well that had wanted to be on Brackenstride's half of the duties to join in the territory markings and scouting but instead the cream colored molly chose him. A tom from the formerly known Stoneclan named Squirreltalon that she did not know but had seen around. He was younger than her by several moons; being a young warrior with energy she'd noticed his eagerness to be of help so she decided a more lively company would do better on a colder morning like today. Plus, why not hold out a olive branch and get to know someone who'd be her clan mate right? 

She led the pair of them across camp and through the entrance of camp into the world beyond. Nevermind the fact that the sun was just barely peeking over the trees right now making it harder to see the new terrain underfoot. She used her senses and nose around them. She didn't speak at first as she and the brown and white tom walked. How could she start a conversation with someone she didn't know anything about? Talk about the elephant in the room or something? Like that would be a nice ice breaker. But she had to start somewhere so why not there? Her blue gaze glanced from the corner of her eye at her companion and cleared her throat gently to gain his attention before giving a small smile and a tip of her head as they walked. 

"So, how are you holding up with the merging of the clans? I hope my fellow Treeclanners haven't driven you crazy yet." she laughed lightly and swerved to miss a bush. 

She lead the way towards the thickest part of the territory that she knew; it was her favorite place after all, she loved trees and the thickness of cover while hunting. There was this large tree that reminded her of one in the former Treeclan territory that she loved to rest on during hot days and sit under during Leaffall to watch the leaves rain down on the ground below. She missed her old lands but she knew that they were brought here for a reason. The ground beneath them changed to a soft ground and gnawly roots as the trees became thicker and spread across their paths.

"How are you getting used to the new territory? I hope you didn't have too much trouble during the disaster...You didn't lose anyone I hope?" she looked over at him with a concerned face before looking down at her paws as they walked. 

"I'm sorry, that's a personal question huh? It's been awhile since I've had much interaction with others let alone someone from another clan so...I guess I'm a little rusty huh?" she laughed a little bit before stopping by a large root jutting from the ground and looked up at the tree that it was rooted for. 

"It reminds me of home..." there was a longing in her gaze and a sort of regret in her voice as she looked at the leafless branches of the tree above them. 

Man was she coming off a little bit as too talkative to her new companion? She wasn't lying when she said she wasn't used to interacting with others from another clan. She hardly knew what to say and what she did she didn't often realize would have seemed a little too personal for a first time encounter. For all she knew this young warrior would have thought she was a nutcase! She turned to look at the tom and give him a shy and awkward smile as she said in a joking way with a huff of a laugh. 

"Feel free to tell me to shut up if I'm saying something you don't like or just talk to much."

Word Count: #837 || Tag: Jos || Notes: #sorry if it's a little lame. I'm rusty

~☣~~☣~

[Jos]

Squirreltalon

It had been a very difficult decision, moving to Gorgeclan. Squirreltalon’s heart had been torn in two: one half to Briarsky, the she-cat he had met while the clans were refugees with the Tribe. Every night he went to sleep thinking about when he would get to see her again, and every day was tainted with a heavy sadness of not being able to be with her in that very moment. The other side of his heart belonged to Beetlejaw, his mentor and best friend, who had taken Squirreltalon from a gangly, anxious ball of fluff and encouraged him into the warrior he was now. Beetlejaw was the closest thing to kin he had ever experienced, and that included the actual kin he had in Stoneclan before the earthquake. In Beetlejaw, Squirreltalon had found home.



So the young tom was faced with a decision: leave the tom who had raised him, or leave the she-cat whom he loved. In the end he had chosen to stay with Beetlejaw and the majority of his clanmates. Gorgeclan had similar rocky places to hunt and the stones were comforting, at first. But he regretted it, a little. Not that he would ever tell Beetlejaw this, or he might feel responsible. This had been Squirreltalon’s decision, and his decision alone. No cat would have stopped him going to Galeclan. No cat but himself.



Since arriving in Gorgeclan, Squirreltalon had spent most of his time with Beetlejaw, avoiding contact with other cats as much as possible. He had grown quiet and dreamy, which was very unusual for the orange and white tom. So it was a surprise when Primrosepetal asked him to join her in a hunt. Hadn’t she been a Treeclan warrior? That was the wrong way to think of her. She was his clanmate now, for Starclan’s sake. It made a cat wonder why clans and borders existed, if they could have just combined clans all along. Then no love would be forbidden. It would be celebrated.



Focus.



Squirreltalon agreed to go on a hunt with Primrosepetal, his paws itching to go out in the territory and leave the camp for a bit. Plus, he hadn’t wanted to seem rude, and it would be good for him to do actual warrior things more than once a day. Maybe it would keep his mind off Briarsky.



He liked Primrosepetal. She was friendly and talkative, and her energy lifted his spirits. “You’re not talking too much at all! Usually I’m the one they tell to shut up. I’ll just go on and on and on about anything. I’m trying to learn to listen more, you know what I mean?” he flicked his fluffy tail in a friendly gesture, “The new territory is fine, I suppose. I do miss Stoneclan, just like how I’m sure you miss Treeclan.” He sat at the base of the tree Primrosepetal had found and looked up. “It’s been weird not having everyone I used to know around. I tell you what though, Cloudtail has certainly loosened up. Poor Cloudtail…his brother was Birdstar, you know. I hear their sister was killed as an apprentice. So sad.” He bowed his head for a moment, feeling bad for every time he had made fun of stuffy old Cloudtail. Then he gave himself a shake, “Did all of your kin and friends join you in Gorgeclan? Do you have cats in other clans you miss?”

Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride

Nobody gonna slow me down

571 .:. Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

Primrosepetal - 36 moons - Gorgeclan

"My words will either attract a strong mind or offend a weak mind."~Primrosepetal

It was a relief that her presence was tolerable. Not having much interaction made it hard for Primrosepetal to gauge the perception of others nowadays. She used to pride herself in being empathetic to other's feelings. But so much had changed that lines were blurred and people she once were friends with either left or drifted apart with the new setting of a new home and mourning lost ones; having to deal with others that once were enemies be allies. It was all so much to take in for everyone so she didn't feel too bad that she didn't seem to be comfortable in her zone right now. It'd take time for everyone to get back into a routine. Squirreltalon seemed like a good warrior. Being from the opposite clan didn't give Primrosepetal time to get to know him very well so the fact he seemed friendly enough and not mind her talkative awkwardness was a relief. Maybe he was just surprised that she'd want to pair up with him right? Primrosepetal didn't see the problem; not anymore anyways. Everyone had lost something in the earthquake and at this point joining clans seemed to best option so why hold onto hold grudges and laws that cats of different clans could not be friends? 

She turned her attention back to the other as they sat below the empty branches of the trees as he began to speak. His response was as expected. His claim of missing his homeland was ever present in the minds of everyone still. Primrosepetal thought about it a moment wondering if there were family or friends that hadn't made it and was thankful to say she had not lost anyone. She shook her head to his question.

"I was one of those lucky ones who had not lost someone dear to them. Any friends that I may have possessed I have lost touch with. Even those from the other clans. But that is alright; with the new merge I have more prospects for friendships and connections now that Treeclan and Stoneclan have merged right?" she chuckled a little bit at that but it did not reach her eyes despite her friendly perspective on the conversation.

"If we are to be honest...I feel like the merge is for the best sure but...four clans lost not only members of their clans; some....leaders and higher ups that we still mourn. But we all lost our home too. Perhaps, I am simply too tired that the prospect of having even merged clans seems so ridiculous. Why can't we all just get along and merge together into one big group instead of just merging into 3 instead of 4 clans you know?" she frowned slightly and looked down at her paws.

"It makes it harder on others who have befriended or beloved others from another clan that did not merge together to allow their connection to bloom...I only say this because it's the same old thing that's happened before even when the clans still stood as 4 instead of 3 so why not just...erase the line you know?" she shrugged and looked up at Squirreltalon with a small smile and an apologetic look. 

"I'm just speaking out of term I guess. Silly brain coming up with ridiculous thoughts from stress I guess. What about you? Do you have new friends that came with the merge?" she asked quick to change the subject away from her scattered thoughts afraid that perhaps she crossed a line; gossiping like this with a former stoneclanner. Conspiracies being spoken with someone she didn't now could cause more damage than casual conversation.

Word Count: #000 || Tag: Jos || Notes: #sorry for the wait

~☣~~☣~

[Jos]

Squirreltalon

Squirreltalon nodded, somewhat absently, to what Primrosepetal was saying. In fact he agreed with most everything she said, with a few exceptions. “I think that one mega-clan would be too much, too many cats. But perhaps if the clan borders weren’t such hard borders—like, if some cat was born in Stoneclan but really wanted to live in Lightningclan for example, they could just go do that. It’s a simple solution, I think. Not that I’m any good for leadership, of course, and now that I think of it I can see how it could make things uncomfortable. How would clans know who was loyal and who was not, if cats could just decide to change clans at will? There would have to be some sort of ceremony…one leader would have to absolve the cat of their duties to their original clan, and the other would have to accept them into the new clan and have them take the warrior oath again.”



The ginger tom plucked at the ground with his claws as he spoke. It would solve so many problems, having soft borders, but it would cause many more. The warrior code would have to be rewritten, and Starclan probably would not like that at all. Then again, why should dead cats living in paradise get to decide what the living should do? He could imagine that many Starclan warriors had forgotten the hardships of life in the Clans, whether they would admit it or not. He intended on forgetting when he went to Starclan. To forget and lounge in the sun all the rest of his days, surrounded by all the cats he loved in the world. Why would any cat want to bother with the real-world when they could relax instead? The living should govern themselves…to a degree.


But all this was scandalous thinking. No cat would ever agree with him, and this scenario would never happen anyways. It was all wishful thinking. Just like being able to be with Briarsky. The thought of her made his heart ache.



“I made a friend. She was a member of Lightningclan…Briarsky.” He began to purr, but choked it out with a cough, “Ahem. She was fun. I was very disappointed that we weren’t in the same clan. I might have joined her but…I couldn’t leave Beetlejaw. He has been better than kin to me and, between you and me, my littermates are not very easy to get along with. So…he’s all I have, in a way. I love him. But...”

But I also love Briarsky, he thought miserably. “Oh, nevermind.” It was clear that he was lovestruck, and if Primrosepetal was watchful, she could see it by the longing in his eyes and the way his tail lay like a dead snake behind him.

Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down

465 Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

[googlefont="Bitter"]

PRIMROSEPETAL

For a young tom Squirreltalon seemed to hold much on his shoulders; that much the cream ginger tabby could see. He was betrayed by his own feelings and the conflict in his eyes and posture gave him away that there was more on his mind then he allowed words to say. He wasn't really good with words either but he tried at least; something about the way he spewed about the borders and clan joining issues made her perk up a little bit and her eyes turned to look at him from where they had moments ago been staring at the tree. The intricate pattern of the bark changing into the patterns of the warrior's irises as her blue met his orbs. He didn't seem to want to look at her as he talked about the borders and it made her wonder why he felt the way he had about it. A soft hum left her throat as she nodded politely as he spoke.

"I can see where you are going with this Squirreltalon. I too often wonder what it would be like if clans could just...get along together without the concern of fighting over lands and prey to survive when at the end of the day we are breath the same air and need the same essence of life to survive. Of course, if we look at it like that then that'd have to apply to the predator too because they live and breath the same as us and often hunt us and our prey for food to survive. I'd like to think at the end of the day regardless of issues among the clans that when it comes down to it we'd stand side by side to fight off something or another that threatened us...But, we can't." she said softly and looked away from the warrior; her eyes suddenly sad as she remembered a memory of a former clan mate that no longer walked among them that she'd experienced that would have fit this topic.

taking a breath she continued a little more somber. "Unfortunately, that's not how the world works; life isn't always fair and ties to family and bonds of friends will forever be tested. There are too many of us to share just one opinion for peace Squirreltalon. I once knew this clan mate of mine. A cold and distant tom who I'd found out had a father in another clan who wished to try and make things work but because of the clans and because of how that son was raised...he didn't want anything to do with the other clan or his biological father. No one knew about them...I just happened to overhear and see as they met at the borders by chance a few times. In instances like that I always prayed that the laws would just change so that biological families and friends could just BE." she sighed and looked over at the ginger tom. She understood where he was coming from but in her eyes as things progressed there was not much they could do on that topic. They were just warriors; but if enough of them took a stance on the same view someday perhaps that law could change but that was a not something she had high hopes for.

When the tom began speaking of meeting a friend at the molly's questioning she perked up and turned to look at him a little more keenly. He seemed...happier when he talked about this friend and she fought to try and see if she could remember that name but fell short. She hadn't met a Briarsky on any of the gatherings prior she'd been to but that name did tickle something in the back of her mind she just couldn't quiet place why it bothered her so much. Humming knowingly she hid a smile with a paw as she swiped at her whiskers to hide her enjoyment of the topic. He seemed awfully fond of this so called friend of his and she wondered perhaps if it went more beyond just admiration in times of trouble they'd bonded over in the Tribe. She could understand that loyalty was important and it often got in the way of true happiness. But something didn't sit well with her as he spoke. He just seemed to disappointed at the same time that he seemed torn as he spoke and whether her words would make a definite change for him or not was probably nothing but she still would like to say her peace; something she was awfully good at in making enemies from past experiences.

"Well, if you look at it this way. Loyalty stems from respect from one cat to another. Trust and respect that is. Someone may trust you to protect them and to keep secrets; to be there for you but on a flip side that same person could respect you but not agree with your motives or understand where you are coming from. Respect doesn't mean understanding but it doesn't always mean that respect is needed. At the end of the day if someone or something makes you happy and it will not in the future harm yourself or those around you then there should never be an excuse to hold back from living your best life." she laughed lightly and shook her head.

"I'm not saying go running off to Galeclan to be with your friend unless that's what will truly make your happy. But, in the transition of the clans merging together I don't think it's too late to change your mind. I've known a few who have chosen to take away from their birth clan in favor of going with those they bonded with. There is no shame in there. Personally, I say screw the warrior code; for right now at least. Once everything settles and leaders are formed and deputies settled into their new roles then it'll be too late." she looked over at him and gave him a motherly smile. "If you find your loyalty, your peace, and your happiness with another clan then isn't it worth the risk to chase after it?" she said softly before rising to her paws and bent down to stretch.

"Silly me has always been just a romantic. I'm such a sop. Never could reel in one of my own but it doesn't stop me from trying to help others." she shrugged and looked down the path they were needing to go to continue their patrol. "Tomorrow is never promised. So live the brightened, happiest, and most fulfilling life you can with being surrounded by those you cherish most. Sometimes a new entrance cannot be revealed until you leave the dark den you hid yourself in for protection." she threw a look over at the younger warrior and gave him a knowing wink. "Others will understand if they truly love you. Those who love you will only want what makes you happy. Come on, I think we should head back onto our path. Look at me sitting here babbling on about everything under the sun while we are supposed to be busy." she laughed light heartedly as she began leading the way again down the path past the large tree. She did not wish to sway the younger warrior one way or another. But after listening to him talk and seeing the way he acted she knew that perhaps his heart lay elsewhere. She was not one to judge. She'd learned long ago that at the end of the day no one opinion mattered more then your own self. Whether the tom needed to hear that or not to give him that extra push; he should never be ashamed to follow or listen to what his heart is telling him.

"This is Primrose speaking." And this is Primrose thinking.

Gorgeclan Warrior

Abyss

1,309 WC | Jos | sorry for so much chatter!

[Jos]

Squirreltalon

Squirreltalon had given himself away: he could tell that Primrosepetal knew. Well, he wasn’t exactly a very subtle cat. He knew that. The young warrior plucked at the ground beneath his claws as he thought, the confusion and conflict taking over. Was he disloyal if he changed his mind on wanting to be in Gorgeclan? Would Beetlejaw hate him forever?


“Well…why can’t we? I don’t get it, Primrosepetal. We have the same amount of land, the same amount of cats…we manage fine with borders, why can’t we manage without them? I doesn’t make sense. Sometimes it feels like cats want to cause problems just to cause problems! Most of the time our battles don’t make any sense. It’s all pride and greed.”

He took a deep breath and sighed it out, trying to keep his voice calm. “No...I know you’re right, and the clans will never get rid of the borders but I just wish it didn’t have to be so stern all the time. I mean, think about how that kit could have known his kin if the idea of having half-clan blood didn’t make some cats so upset. Clan blood doesn’t exist, it’s not real, it’s just another way to keep us separated from each other.”



Squirreltalon did appreciate Primrosepetal’s patience with him. He blinked appreciatively at her as she spoke, the motherly glance she gave him filling him with warmth and her words filled him with hope. “Yeah. You’re right. It was just something I needed to get off my chest, I guess. Thanks for listening to me go off about it, Primrosepetal… you won’t tell any cat that I said these things, will you? I love being a Warrior. I’m just frustrated about it right now. You know?”

Ain't nothin' gonna break-a my stride

Nobody gonna slow me down

Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

[googlefont="Bitter"]

PRIMROSEPETAL

He was still young but full of dreams and hopes for the future; regardless of where his paws led him Primrosepetal just hoped he followed his heart. With everything that had happened with the earthquake and having to gain a new homeland things were still uncertain for them all but she would never fully forgive herself if she did not do her part in trying to at least make sure that before it was too late that her clanmate was right where they wanted...or more so were needed to be. If that meant having Squirreltalon leave Gorgeclan in favor of going to be with his 'friend' Briarsky in Galeclan then so be it. A clan is only as strong as its members and to have strong members they needed to be happy and content in their lives. The ginger molly could tell the tom was not where he needed to be. He just needed to figure that out himself right now to decide where he would like to lead himself. Leaving didn't always mean loss of trust or respect from others; other people would eventually get over it but he'd regret not going if that is truly where his heart lay. He just needed to see that for himself.

Drawing to her feet she looked over at the young warrior wondering if this would be one of the few times or the last that she would see him. They did not know each other prior to this and it seems that perhaps she would lose yet another potential friend to another shift in reality. But that was okay; as long as she knew happiness was being achieved. "The clans have been here a very long time...traditions don't die very easily thus such rules don't either sadly for us. I had hoped...that perhaps the laws would change or be added on to allow some sort of freedom for us as we try to reside in a new land but I did not have high hopes for such a thing to happen. Just...take your chance where you can get it Squirreltalon and follow the path your heart takes you regardless of what others think or may say. As long as you know the truth, it'll turn out okay." she smiled as they began to walk again.

A little laugh left her at his request not to tell anyone about what they talked about and she shook her head with an amused glint in her gaze. "Honestly, there isn't much to tell. It is not my business to spread yours around camp like that. They will eventually hear or know about it when you decide to take action." she shrugged her shoulders glancing over at him. "Your secret is safe with me." she promised. She knew needing to vent to someone and she hoped that Squirreltalon would remember her words; if he did leave for Galeclan she hoped he would not forget her words at all and keep being true to himself even if the pair never see or speak to each other again, and if it came to it that they parted ways and said goodbye she prayed Galeclan had someone that the younger warrior could confide in.

Humming lightly to herself she nodded absently. "You're a good warrior Squirreltalon; don't let yourself stray from what you believe in." she sighed softly in reply as they walked; life would test everyone at some point in turn. It was their choice on whether or not they made the right choice. She would miss getting the chance to know him but she knew following one path wasn't easy and often pulled people away from each other. It was okay though, life happens that way for a reason.

"This is Primrose speaking." And this is Primrose thinking.

Gorgeclan Warrior

Abyss

627WC | Jos | NOTES: We can finish it here