[Hellion]

Starlingcry

and i tired to hold these secrets inside of me
my mind's like a deadly disease

"Starlingcry! Come quick," It was Coalmask's voice that called to her. Dismissing the gathered apprentices to their daily chores, she joined up with her son who led her toward a scrawny she-cat. A pair of kits at her paws. Icy eyes narrowed as took stock of the queen.

"Why are you here?" Her tone was cold, the she-cat flinched but didn't back down.

"I'm Clover and these are my kits Blue and Shade. We come seeking help in their father's clan," Her voice sounded weak and each word seemed like a struggle to make out.

"Who is their father?"

"Blackjaw is --"

"Blackjaw died three days ago," Starlingcry replied, skeptical of Clover's claim. Until she noted the kit she assumed to be Shade having the very same markings as Blackjaw. The dead tom was not known for having many friends and finding out the truth would be impossible. Forced to accept the she-cat's word, she glanced toward Coalmask. "Get Darkstar," The tom-cat took off leaving Starlingcry with the mother and kits near the entrance to the camp.

Thank you," Clover meowed, trying to force a smile.

"Don't thank me yet, it hasn't been decided if you three will stay or not,"

"You have to let us stay! They are kits from NightClan!" Clover protested, body shaking from exhaustion.

"They weren't born within our nursery," She reminded coldly eyes shifting to look at the kits huddled together for warmth. "I believe that they are Blackjaw's kits, but that is all I can say before talking to Darkstar," Starlingcry's words weren't any more comforting but they did seem to ease the queen for a moment.

i'm meaner than my demons. i'm bigger than these bones.

@zen | background image | control | table by phoenix

[Deleted]

Sharing tongues with Thornscar, Darkstar was drawn from the quiet moment with her sister when Coalmask appeared looking rather urgent. The quick explanation of the situation had Darkstar's gaze hardening at the idea that one of her Clanmates had betrayed them by taking a mate outside the Clan. Fortunately for Blackjaw, he was dead.

Following after Coalmask, she padded out of the tunnel leading into camp and out into the frigid leaf-bare world above to find Starlingcry waiting with the loner queen. Her two tiny kits looked as though they were not even weaned yet. Darkstorm's tail lashed once at the stupidity of bringing kits into the world during this harsh leaf-bare. Even with an entire Clan hunting nightly, some cats went to sleep hungry, without so much as a mouse tail all night.

“Are you Darkstar? Please… if you turn us away we'll die! These kits have NightClan blood, surely that means something to you.” Her hollow, hungry eyes were desperate and pleading.

Silently, she studied the kits. One did look remarkably like Blackjaw. And how else would she know to claim him as their father? “These kits have the blood of a traitor,” she growled, and Clover shrank back, curling her tail over them protectively. Part of her wanted to turn them away, let them be reunited with their father if StarClan would have them. Yet the warrior code did demand mercy for kits. Her ears twitched uncertainly. Three more mouths to feed, mouths that could not help to catch what they consumed.

Clover trembled, clearly putting all her effort into remaining upright instead of collapsing into the snow. Each rib was clearly visible through her thin pelt. Darkstar hissed quietly in frustration, causing the queen to flinch. “Coalmask, help her take her kits inside while I speak with Starlingcry.” She met Clover's hopeful gaze with a hard stare, “For now, you may stay the night. After I've spoken with my deputy, I'll let you know if you will be allowed to stay longer.”

Letting Clover and Coalmask take the kits into camp first to be settled in the nursery for the night, she then led the way to her den so she and Starlingcry could discuss the situation further. She turned to the older she-cat once they were alone, conflicted, “I do not often seek advice, Starlingcry, but on this…. NightClan must come first… but even so I have no desire to send kits to their deaths, regardless whose blood they carry.” She cast a glance out of the den, at the Clan in general, “Yet letting them stay means more of NightClan goes hungry at the end of each night, and all for the sake of a traitor's kits. So then… what is your opinion?” For once, Darkstar had not immediately made up her mind and was open to suggestion rather than forcing an argument.

---

Hellion

[Hellion]

Drawn away at Darkstar’s request. Starlingcry watched for a brief moment as queen and kits were ushered into the nursery. Coalmaak offering Clover a shoulder to lean on.

Once in Darkstar’s den, Starlingcry attention returned to her. Tail neatly tucked over her paws to savor all warmth. While surprised Darkstar was asking for advice, Starlingcry did not let it show on her face. After a moment she replied.

“As a former queen I know the feeling of wanting to keep kits warm and safe. She must be truly desperate to drag them StarClan knows now far to find us and the one does look like Blackjaw. Leaving little doubt to blood. I suggest we let them stay the night, let them eat and let a queen nurse the kits. Clover might not have enough for two. Then tomorrow we send her hunting. We can allow the kits the safety and security of a warm nursery and what ever the nursing queens can spare but no more. She will have to hunt for herself and will not share in our freshkill pile,” Starlingcry suggestion came for an appreciation for kits and their potential.

Yes, they were born out of the clan to a loner queen no less but still they had some NightClan blood. A connection that could be used to their advantage. More kits meant more apprentices then warrior. If allowed to stay they would be indebted to NightClan and defend it to their last breath.

“We care for the kits and tolerate the queen, until they are weaned and possibly named apprentices. Then she can leave or be forced out.” Starlingcry words seemed final. A clear plan drawn into the earth.

---

Written on my phone might be wonky but I had to get it up while I had muse
@zen

[Deleted]

Compromise was not something that Darkstar excelled at. In the dark tortoiseshell’s mind, things were always very black and white. This instance was no different. Before Starlingcry began speaking, there were but two options she could see. Ruthlessly defend NightClan in this difficult leaf-bare by sending kits to die, or risk the entire Clan’s safety by allowing them all to stay. So when Starlingcry offered a middle ground, Darkstar considered it silently for a moment.

The prospect of the kits remaining in the Clan after they were old enough to fend for themselves left a bad taste in her mouth seeing that they were half-Clan… but at least they had no other Clan to divide their loyalties, only the life of a loner waited them if they did not devote themselves to their father’s Clan with everything they were. Any friendships they cultivated would be lost if they chose to follow their mother instead. Still, a parent was a difficult thing to turn your back on. Only time would tell which path they would take.

Unless she removed the choice.

Her burning gaze settled on Starlingcry, “I agree that the kits should be allowed to stay. As I said, I have no desire to send kits to their deaths. But our queens can care for them just fine without Clover,” her gaze narrowed slightly, “If she is not even able to provide milk for them properly, then what is the purpose of letting her stay?” It mattered not to her whether the queen lived or died. And the kits would be too young to remember her if they sent her away now. There would be nothing to divide their loyalty. And if she tried to return for them, she would be met with the same hostility as any trespasser. As far as Darkstar was concerned, if NightClan was saving their lives, their lives belonged to the Clan.

---

Hellion More like #Icestar xD

[Hellion]

A plan grew gradually like ripples on ambush pond.

“We can’t be known as kit stealers, we should offer her a choice. Allow her to hunt and provide for the Clan that has taken her in. When it proves too much for her, and it will, I’ll make sure of that. She will leave. We’ll forbid her kits to leave, we can chase her away if needed. We don’t need rumors spreading that don’t benefit us. Being marked kit-stealers will only hurt the Clan,” Starlingcry’s words were careful. She had no qualms about allowing rumors to spread that benefited the clan. Plenty of them were half-truths presented in a dramatic light. This plan kept the collective paws of the Clan clean while riding themselves of an unwanted guest.

“I will ensure her life here is worse then life as a loner. She will run in five days, if not perhaps we reconsider. But until then we wait her out,” Calm as if talking about the weather, the slight random twitch to her tail the only movement as she waited for Darkstar’s reply.



[written using phone, @zen
I didn’t want to leave this thread undone even if things don’t work out ]