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Post by thistle on May 13, 2024 20:41:45 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw gasped in shock as Cedarstar revealed that Moonpetal had been taken by Prey Maulers. She reached out with her tail to lightly touch Lightpaw and Longpaw in turn, knowing she was their kin. "I'm so sorry..." she murmured.
Oakfall gritted his teeth against his grief. He wanted to volunteer to search for Stormfury's body but knew his strength would likely be needed here to rebuild the camp.
Featherkit pressed against Mistkit and Hazelblaze, whimpering as she saw the grief crash over the Clan like a wave, and how upset her mother was.
All of my cats turned their attention to Cedarstar as he called Sunpaw forward.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 13, 2024 20:59:02 GMT -5
Cedarstar jumped down to Sunpaw when the apprentice stepped forward, but from his exhaustion, he did stumble. "Sunpaw, you showed the courage of a true warrior tonight." He swallowed tightly, tired mind trying to remember the words. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect ShadowClan even at the cost of your life?"
When Sunpaw responded, Cedarstar continued; however, he swallowed tightly as his tired mind tried to remember the words. "By the powers of StarClan, Sunpaw, I give you your full warrior name. From this moment on, you shall be known as Sunfreckle. StarClan honors your courage and your heart, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
Whorlpaw smiled softly at Sunfreckle. Though the evening was hampered by sorrow, she felt happy for the older apprentice. Sunfreckle deserved it after all her hard work and saving Palepaw. She looked to her father, seeing how tired he was, but also how he still wanted to do right by Sunfreckle. To bring some sort of hope in the midst of the downpour. Whorlpaw cheered.
Ratmask did not respond to anything. It resonated in his mind that his kin was gone. His father, his mother, his grandmother, his sisters...they were all gone.
Tumblefoot curled his tail around Burninghope, but he did his best to cheer for Sunfreckle.
Houndthroat flicked his ear in seeming annoyance, but cheered for the new warrior anyway.
Ashrock tried to sound supportive in his cheer, but he just sounded loud.
Kinkfire used the cheer as an excuse to shift her posture, she still felt uncomfortable.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 9:20:10 GMT -5
Leaffrost was too focused on Ratmask to cheer alongside her brother anf other members of the Clan. Her eyes trained on her mate, and she was silent yet supportive. Words wouldn’t change anything, so she found it easier to silently stand beside him. For all he had lost, she was determined then and there to never be another cat he lost.
Goldberry cheered for Sunfreckle, though his voice was strained with grief. He could tell that Crystalsight’s voice was just as wavering as his own, and he pressed a gentle paw to her shoulder to comfort his daughter.
Lightpaw looked at Longpaw with miserable eyes. “What if they’ll come back and get us next? I don’t want to die like that!” She whispered frantically to her brother, more frightened than ever about the prospect of facing prey-maulers, now that they’ve killed their aunt.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 10:24:21 GMT -5
(Gonna give a more people a chance to respond with the ceremony before I continue with Cedar)
Longpaw tried to hide his own fear from his sister. "It's not going to happen," he stated stubbornly. "We're tough now. They won't beat us. We'll beat them like Sunfreckle did."
Rowanpaw cheered for Sunfreckle, but he looked over at his brother with worry that the prey maulers would find them.
Ratmask slowly laid down in his state of shock.
Littlemoon hung her head in grief for Moonpetal, but she cheered for Sunfreckle, she was sure Moonpetal was watching from StarClan now as her apprentice received her warrior name.
Smokestorm watched from over by the nursery, keeping close to Snakesong in case she needed him. He had a hard time cheering as he wondered if he could protect his newborn kits from the prey maulers.
Eaglesight listened from inside the medicine den, he stayed close to Cliffheart.
Closesky tilted his ears back at the announcements of the death, but he cheered sincerely for Sunfreckle.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 10:42:33 GMT -5
Lightpaw looked unsure for a moment before she allowed her brother’s confidence to bolster her. She nodded once, yellow eyes trailing around as she mewed. “We’ll fight them together, right? If we have to? I don’t want to do that without you.” She admitted.
Snakesong curled close around her kits, her eyes gleaming with sadness as she rasped quietly. “I refuse to lose any of them to these prey-maulers. I would rather die ten times over myself then see any of them be taken.” She mewed, voice cold with a very rare moment of seriousness and anger from the timid she-cat.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 10:55:50 GMT -5
Longpaw nodded once. "Of course. From now on, we go everywhere together, alright? That way none can sneak up on us."
Smokestorm glanced back at Snakesong in the nursery, hearing what she said. His stomach coiled at the thought of losing her, but he didn't have any words to reassure her. He wasn't even sure the Clan would be alright if Cedarstar's patrol couldn't handle the Prey Maulers.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 11:24:09 GMT -5
Longpaw nodded once. "Of course. From now on, we go everywhere together, alright? That way none can sneak up on us." Smokestorm glanced back at Snakesong in the nursery, hearing what she said. His stomach coiled at the thought of losing her, but he didn't have any words to reassure her. He wasn't even sure the Clan would be alright if Cedarstar's patrol couldn't handle the Prey Maulers. “Yes. Okay!” Lightpaw breathed with relief, feeling much better when she was alongside her brother. She looked over at where Ratmask had laid down, their mother worriedly watching over him. While Leaffrost never ever showed sadness of any kind, Lightpaw could tell that she didn’t like that their father was clearly hurting. She looked at her paws sadly. “Papa’s going to be upset for a very long time. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you, Longpaw.” Snakesong looked down as Hiddenkit squirmed, the tom kit squealing hungrily. She carefully guided him to her belly, where he wouldn’t have to push between his siblings to feed. She closed her eyes, taking a few breaths to calm herself.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 11:35:09 GMT -5
Longpaw followed his sister's gaze to their father. He tilted his ears back. So is he going to go back to ignoring us? He thought bitterly. Now that his last sister is dead? He didn't say anything to Lightpaw. He didn't want her to know he didn't trust their father all that much, but he did lean into her to let her know he supported her.
Shykit whimpered when Hiddenkit was moved past her. She tried hiding in her mother's fur.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 12:14:32 GMT -5
Longpaw followed his sister's gaze to their father. He tilted his ears back. So is he going to go back to ignoring us? He thought bitterly. Now that his last sister is dead? He didn't say anything to Lightpaw. He didn't want her to know he didn't trust their father all that much, but he did lean into her to let her know he supported her. Shykit whimpered when Hiddenkit was moved past her. She tried hiding in her mother's fur. Lightpaw watched her father for a moment longer, before she sighed and admitted. “Well. At least Raccoonmask woke up. I was super worried, but I know she’ll pull through… right?” She asked. “It’s alright, little one.” Snakesong’s voice grew gentle and soft once more, nosing Shykit closer and purring loudly to let the rumble soothe her daughter.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 12:30:18 GMT -5
Longpaw nodded to his sister. "Of course she will. We've already lost enough mentors. We won't lose Raccoonmask too."
Shykit eventually settled down.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 12:46:18 GMT -5
Longpaw nodded to his sister. "Of course she will. We've already lost enough mentors. We won't lose Raccoonmask too." Shykit eventually settled down. “Would you be sad if it was Brittlefoot who was caught by prey-maulers?” Lightpaw asked her brother. She knew it was probably insensitive to ask that, and even more insensitive to assume Brittlefoot had zero chance of ever surviving a prey-mauler, but a part of her wanted to know if Longpaw had any kind of connection with his mentor. She was happy with Raccoonmask, and wanted Longpaw to be happy with a mentor who he liked. Maybe they could get Cedarstar to switch him a new one. Snakesong smiled softly at her kits, suddenly mewing to Smokestorm. “They’ll open their eyes soon, maybe tomorrow or the day after. Do you think they’ll have your eyes?”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 13:01:44 GMT -5
Longpaw looked at his sister in surprise at her question. "It's sad if anyone gets caught by the prey maulers. No one deserves that, you know. Not even weak, old Brittlefoot."
Smokestorm flicked his ear. "Uh...I'm not sure. What do my eyes look like? Maybe they'll have your eyes."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 13:11:56 GMT -5
Longpaw looked at his sister in surprise at her question. "It's sad if anyone gets caught by the prey maulers. No one deserves that, you know. Not even weak, old Brittlefoot." Smokestorm flicked his ear. "Uh...I'm not sure. What do my eyes look like? Maybe they'll have your eyes." Lightpaw nodded once, understanding a bit better now. “Yeah, you’re right. I’d be upset even it it was old Brittlefoot instead too. I guess that means we aren’t bad cats then, right?” She asked, inwardly knowing she wasn’t bad like those Dark Forest stories, though sometimes she was scared she’d get haunted in her dreams by them. “Your eyes are the prettiest color I know.” Snakesong mewed softly to her mate, a purr escaping her as she mewed. “They’re a dark blue, they remind me of the sky, right as the sun sets, when it’s that blue before the sky goes black. That one.” She described.
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 13:11:59 GMT -5
Falcontalon cheered loudly for Sunfreckle, the tom's graying muzzle held high in the air as he tried to fight past the grief of his lost clanmates. Sunfreckle deserved her moment.
Cherryvine's tail tapped beside her, anxious to go out and look for Stomrfury. Perhaps he had survived? Maybe he was stuck somewhere. They needed to hurry! She did not call for the new warrior at all.
Spottedpaw cheered half-heartedly for Sunfreckle. He hoped one day when he and Rustlepaw earned their names their ceremony wouldn't be so downtrodden.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 13:26:03 GMT -5
Longpaw shrugged in response to his sister. "Depends on who you ask on if we're bad cats or not."
"Oh! uh..." Smokestorm tilted his head, not sure how to respond to his mate's compliment. "Th-thank you. Y-Yours are pretty too, you know. Pretty like, uh..." He blinked at Snakesong, unable to come up with a comparison as he wasn't the greatest at flirting. "You know...pretty like, uh, pretty...things..."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 13:28:52 GMT -5
Falcontalon cheered loudly for Sunfreckle, the tom's graying muzzle held high in the air as he tried to fight past the grief of his lost clanmates. Sunfreckle deserved her moment. Cherryvine's tail tapped beside her, anxious to go out and look for Stomrfury. Perhaps he had survived? Maybe he was stuck somewhere. They needed to hurry! She did not call for the new warrior at all. Spottedpaw cheered half-heartedly for Sunfreckle. He hoped one day when he and Rustlepaw earned their names their ceremony wouldn't be so downtrodden. “Oh Sunfreckle…” Rustlepaw murmured softly after she had cheered for the new Warrior. She mewed to her brother, clearly saddened. “I knew I hadn’t scented Moonpetal at all when we got back. I guess I had hoped that she just hid very well in Camp.” She mourned.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 14:41:47 GMT -5
Longpaw shrugged in response to his sister. "Depends on who you ask on if we're bad cats or not." "Oh! uh..." Smokestorm tilted his head, not sure how to respond to his mate's compliment. "Th-thank you. Y-Yours are pretty too, you know. Pretty like, uh..." He blinked at Snakesong, unable to come up with a comparison as he wasn't the greatest at flirting. "You know...pretty like, uh, pretty...things..." Lightpaw puffed her fur up with a hint of indignation. “Whoever calls us bad cats is a lizard-brain anyway. We work hard and are smart and clever!” She exclaimed, though she meant more that Longpaw was smart and clever. She was nice though! Snakesong giggled shyly at the awkward compliment, her eyes glowing as she mewed. “You think my eyes are pretty? I can’t see them, but apparently they look like my brother’s, but, thank you.” She averted her eyes shyly. “It’s so odd, to be called pretty, when before it was only ever the opposite. I’m sorry, I probably look like I’m flustered out of my pelt.”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 15:01:37 GMT -5
Longpaw glanced at his sister and smirked. "You're absolutely right."
Smokestorm chuckled. "And I'm not flustered?" He got up and moved closer to Snakesong, though he steered clear of the kits. "You'll always be beautiful to me, Snakesong."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 15:10:11 GMT -5
Longpaw glanced at his sister and smirked. "You're absolutely right." Smokestorm chuckled. "And I'm not flustered?" He got up and moved closer to Snakesong, though he steered clear of the kits. "You'll always be beautiful to me, Snakesong." “Yeah! I am right, aren’t I?” Lightpaw lifted her head, determined once more as she looked at her brother. “So long as we’re together, nothing’ll stop us! No matter what anyone says, Shadowclan will one day tell stories about us!” She decided. Snakesong’s fur warmed immensely, though she touched her muzzle to Smokestorm’s as he came closer. “If I’m beautiful, then you’re ethereal. Everything about you makes me feel lucky to be yours. And our kits!” She looked down at them again, the love in her eyes immense. “They’re the most perfect things ever.”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 15:15:48 GMT -5
When the cheers died down, Cedarstar jumped back up on Clan Rock. "Congratulations, Sunfreckle." Cedarstar nodded to the new warrior. He looked to the Clan, unsure how they would take this next bit of information. "As many of you are probably wondering, I did not make it to the moonstone. The prey maulers that took Moonpetal away are using the Mothermouth as their den."
Longpaw grinned at his sister. He liked the idea of the Clan telling stories about them. However, Cedarstar's next words caught him off guard. "Did he say prey maulers are at the moonstone?"
Smokestorm sheepishly chuckled, but his face looked concern when he looked at the kits. He knew he wasn't fit to be a father. Yet, he tilted his head in a thought. "Did Cedarstar get told about them? He's making announcements now."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 15:46:23 GMT -5
“They’re at Mothermouth?!” Spiderfang exclaimed, her eyes wide. She lashed her tail sharply. “How did we not notice before? This makes it a problem for every Clan, we can’t let them take hold of the Moonstone!”
“Cedarstar…” Lynxdapple called up suddenly, his eyes surprisingly inquisitive as he mewed with deep concern. “The last time the Moonstone was occupied by a group outside of Starclan, the Dark Forest prevented communication between us and Starclan.” He paused, glancing at the elders and Senior Warriors, before he continued, voice louder. “Could that also disrupt Starclan’s communication to us now, even if it’s not cats who are trying to claim it?”
Goldberry blinked in surprise at his brother’s words, before it suddenly seemed to make sense. He turned to look at the medicine den, wondering if Snowdance wasn’t receiving the signs she could have been, had the prey-maulers not been at the Moonstone.
“Not the Moonstone!” Lightpaw squeaked with disdain and shock, ears falling flat.
“Oh shoot!” Snakesong whispered, her eyes wide and guilty. “I haven’t even thought about telling him yet! I was trying to get them all settled in the nursery.”
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 15:58:49 GMT -5
Mistkit seemed deeply disturbed by this news, her head swiveling toward the medicine cat den with wide eyes. What did Snowdance have to say about this? She had recently received a vision from them had she not? Maybe their connection was fine.
Mouseclaw's shoulders sagged from where he sat beside Spiderfang. The tom was utterly exhausted after carrying Raccoonmask back and then going out to look for the herbs. "This isn't good at all. They'll have all the clans territory surrounded before we know it."
Thistlestalk's tail went to rest over Poppyflame's shoulders as he looked at her nervously. What kind of world were their kits being born into.
Cherryvine laughed humorlessly. "Fantastic. So Stormfury's spirit may not even have made it to Starclan! What else could go wrong? Are there 18 badgers outside the camp entrance right now?"
Hailkit inched away from Cherryvine with his ears flat. The cat standing beside him was basically a stranger. Where was his gentle mother who coddled him?
Spottedpaw scooted a bit closer to Rustlepaw as the chaos broke out around them. "This is terrible. Cedarstar should have waited to do Sunfreckle's ceremony."
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Post by thistle on May 14, 2024 16:11:14 GMT -5
Fuzzypaw cheered for Sunfreckle, the positive young cat trying to give the new warrior the welcome she deserved. She was disturbed to hear that the Prey Maulers had taken the Moonstone.
Featherkit flinched away from Cherryvine's anger.
Oakfall's fur bristled with the news of the Prey Maulers.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 16:15:09 GMT -5
Cedarstar took a deep breath. He just felt heavy, but tried to speak calmly. He started with Cherryvine. "I doubt the Moonstone being occupied has stopped Stormfury's spirit from reaching StarClan. The moonstone is for communicating with StarClan, not for bringing our dead to." He looked over at Lynxdapple. "I don't know," he mewed honestly. "I cannot go to the Moonstone to speak with StarClan while the prey maulers, but I would hope they could commune with us without need of the Moonstone." He looked to the elders. "When the Dark Forest overtook the moonstone, did StarClan still communicate with us?"
Closesky furrowed his brow and thought about his son's question. The Dark Forest taking the Moonstone was right before ShadowClan and WindClan formed their alliance. He remembered Northstar mentioning that Moonstar had been captured during that battle and a Lonespirit's soul had been lost. "I believe so," he looked to Falcontalon for the former deputy's thoughts. "Northstar mentioned knowing a few things that were happening in StarClan at the time."
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Post by Willow on May 14, 2024 17:14:53 GMT -5
Hazelblaze looked at Cherryvine, her eyes searching her sister's eyes for a shred of her previous self. Her ears lowered as she was met with a gaze that she was familiar with. The defeated empty one that Bumbleskip had until recently. She nudged Featherkit and Hailkit closer to her side as they flinched away from their mother. "It's alright, everything will be okay." she whispered to them.
Falcontalon flicked his ear looking unsure, he had been young during Adderclan. The memories were foggy. "I think Closesky is correct, they were able to communicate somewhat but their connection was weak. They could send small signs but not full visions or visits."
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 18:20:43 GMT -5
Mistkit seemed deeply disturbed by this news, her head swiveling toward the medicine cat den with wide eyes. What did Snowdance have to say about this? She had recently received a vision from them had she not? Maybe their connection was fine. Mouseclaw's shoulders sagged from where he sat beside Spiderfang. The tom was utterly exhausted after carrying Raccoonmask back and then going out to look for the herbs. "This isn't good at all. They'll have all the clans territory surrounded before we know it." Thistlestalk's tail went to rest over Poppyflame's shoulders as he looked at her nervously. What kind of world were their kits being born into. Cherryvine laughed humorlessly. "Fantastic. So Stormfury's spirit may not even have made it to Starclan! What else could go wrong? Are there 18 badgers outside the camp entrance right now?" Hailkit inched away from Cherryvine with his ears flat. The cat standing beside him was basically a stranger. Where was his gentle mother who coddled him? Spottedpaw scooted a bit closer to Rustlepaw as the chaos broke out around them. "This is terrible. Cedarstar should have waited to do Sunfreckle's ceremony." "This is what we've trained for. We have to fight!" Spiderfang lashed her tail, her body blazing with adrenaline as her claws extended. They needed to do something, espeically if the Moonstone was being taken by those creatures! They had killed one too many of her Clanmates for Spiderfang to take it sitting down. She looked at Mouseclaw. Rustlepaw shook her head quickly, knowing Cedarstar too well for her to agree. "No. Sunfreckle deserved to be recognized for her actions. A light in the center of darkness still shines enough to help us see the path forward. Moonpetal may have been lost, but Sunfreckle is still here, and she saved Palepaw's life. Cedarstar needed to recognize that, he needed to." She assured firmly, but with full confidence in her mentor.
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Post by Moonblazer on May 14, 2024 18:23:41 GMT -5
Ravenshadow We'll be making Pantherkit an apprentice pretty soon here, just wanna tag you!)
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 18:26:14 GMT -5
(kk!)
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on May 14, 2024 18:45:17 GMT -5
Cedarstar nodded gratefully to the elders, but his stomach twisted. He wanted to speak with StarClan about their prophecy and his dreams. He wanted answers to what was going on. How was he supposed to get them now? "Sounds like StarClan can still be with us even with the Moonstone occupied. Snowdane, please keep an eye out for any visions or signs StarClan might send." Cedarstar looked sternly at Spiderfang. "What the Clan needs now is to recuperate. We do not have the strength to face the Prey Maulers. Once we're back at full strength, then we'll see to clearing out the moonstone. Since prey maulers are at the moonstone, we would be wise to call upon the other Clans to aid us in chasing them off. I won't lose anymore warriors." He lashed his tail to signal the end of the discussion. Cedarstar stood up to end the meeting, but he spotted Talltalon with Pantherkit at the back of the crowd. Cedarstar sighed. "One more thing. Talltalon's patrol discovered that young cat in the territory." He motioned to Pantherkit so the whole Clan could turn their heads and look at her. He wanted to see how she reacted with all eyes on her. "She wishes to join the Clan, but I won't welcome an outsider that can't help feed the Clan. Talltalon, how did she do on your hunting test?"
Ashrock pinned his ears back. An outsider? Now of all times? He lashed his tail in annoyance and stood up to get a look at the little shecat.
Kinkfire huffed and rolled her eyes, knowing Cedarstar was all talk to seem tough in front of the outsider. A little runt like her? He wouldn't possibly turn her away.
Houndthroat bared his tooth at Pantherkit. "Seriously? We don't need another mouth to feed. Look how scrawny she is."
Littlemoon quietly observed Pantherkit.
Rowanpaw looked over at Pantherkit and frowned. "She looks our age," he muttered to his brother. "Guess she'll be staying in the apprentice den if Cedarstar lets her stay."
Tumblefoot shot a friendly smile at Pantherkit, having once been an outsider as well.
Frogleap leaned around his mate to get a look at Pantherkit. She didn't look like much of a hunter.
Closesky
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Post by Ravenshadow on May 14, 2024 18:47:02 GMT -5
Nightstalker sighed deeply as the news of Stormfury and Moonpetal's death reached her ears. It seemed like every couple of moons there was a new death now... and this news of their spirits not being able to reach Starclan worried her. She cleaned her claws absentmindedly as she thought, her dark purple eyes wandering around the camp. Days like these were the worst. Recent floods, deaths, and the never-ending lack of food all contributed to the rise of emotions and lack of strength. Quietly she stood up, eyes meeting with Cederstar's. "Their deaths will not be in vain," she said in a low voice. "Should they have been standing next to us now, they would have wanted their deaths and our grief to make ourselves stronger. We have to keep our chins up." After she spoke she sat down again, eyes downcast. Personally she had never known Moonpetal too well, but she had fun conversations with Stormfury and his death quickly caused a wave of guilt to wash over her. I should have been there. I should have helped protect him...
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