(WARNING: This post contains internalized ableism and mentions of abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.)
~ TWISTEDPAW OF WINDCLAN - AFAB SHE/HER ~
Small, skinny black she-cat with a light gray belly and tail-tip, a crooked jaw, a mangled tail, and one blind eye.
It felt as though Twistedpaw's mind had left her body, for surely if she was thinking about what she was doing, she would've run away by now. What business did she - an undersized, underfed, malformed apprentice - have defending a cat under direct fire by the entire Clan? This had nothing to do with her. If anything, Twistedpaw was making her Clanmates' perception of her worse. That was what she'd been afraid of from the beginning, ever since Willowsky had called her a monster and slapped her across the face with an outstretched paw. Judgment for being different. Fear of how others viewed her. She was supposed to cower back, hide herself, only talking to others when she felt a need to branch out a little due to Batglare's encouragement.
But not today.
Not today, when her best friend, the cat who had been there for her since the beginning - the cat I should've spent more time with - was being called on for exile and even death.
Okay, so Twistedpaw had some awareness for what was going on. She was trembling like a leaf, legs shaking like blades of grass caught in a gale. Her stomach roiled with nausea, and tears trickled down her cheeks in a steady stream. Extremely small ears flattened so hard against her round black head that they seemed to disappear; various bits of her mangled tail, including the bulging light gray tip, twitched sporadically.
But something burned fiercely in her chest. Something that refused to let her move away from Cowtuft, to break her position. She had to keep him safe. He was a friend and a good cat, someone close to Twistedpaw, and she found it impossible to paw him over to the rest of the Clan.
It didn't take long for her to get a taste of reality.
It started small. Literally. A little speckled she-kit, Maplekit, started yowling at Twistedpaw. She couldn't help it. She flinched. More tears, hot and unendingly salty, spilled down her round black cheeks. So many cats have died... For a moment, horror swamped her. Then she shook it off. Cowtuft wouldn't have hurt anyone on purpose! They can't blame him for it! It was an accident!
But many were blaming him for it, and Twistedpaw couldn't let him be punished as a result. At least, not in the form of exile or... or death.
She felt even sicker at the thought.
Relief filled her from nose to tail-tip as Maplekit ended up calling for demotion. Thank you, she wanted to say, but mucus was clogging her throat, and she couldn't talk.
Then Leechscar stepped forward. Twistedpaw stared at the massive dark gray tom hopefully, desperation glinting in her clear grayish-blue eye. He was nice. He knew Twistedpaw. Surely he'd defend her.
No. She was wrong.
Twistedpaw's jaw, which she'd carefully tensed so it didn't dangle, unhinged in shock and betrayal as Leechscar clawed her defense into itty bitty pieces. How is execution merciful? She couldn't believe Leechscar would say such things! Was death really viewed as an escape? Sure, Cowtuft would be happy in StarClan, but... He deserves to live! Even Twistedpaw, with how horrible her life had been, hadn't wanted to die. She forced her paws, numbed from the cold, to move so she positioned herself in front of Cowtuft. Then, still going through the motions, she shoved her jaw into place. It was getting stiff due to the chill wind, and a jolt of pain rushed through her as she popped it into a better place.
Why did everyone keep talking about the deaths-? Well, obviously they would talk about the deaths. They were horrible. So horrible. Nobody deserved to die. Leechscar's description only made them feel worse. Twistedpaw couldn't bear it if she slipped away like that, unable to prove her worth to the Clan. It made her afraid. Cowtuft... he did do these things. The thought settled, and she glanced over her shoulder at the fluffy white-and-black tom. For an instant, she felt a sense of shock. Betrayal. At how he could've let this slide. And also... horror. Horror at how she'd stood up for him.
Then it vanished. Cowtuft didn't mean to. He should be demoted, but not cast out! He deserves a home in WindClan!
But her fear was growing that he wouldn't be allowed one.
Twistedpaw turned back to the Clan and forced her eyes to narrow, squaring her skinny shoulders. She would do whatever it took to defend her friend.
Well, many spoke up against death, which was another massive relief. Why did Fallownose even think of something so cruel? He had attacked Willowsky. Twistedpaw suppressed a shudder at the thought, feeling her crooked jaw jiggle. But he had a reason to. Because she'd gone mad. Cowtuft hadn't gone mad. He'd made a mistake.
Yet more were yowling for exile. Twistedpaw's relief evaporated. No! They can't cast him out! She had to do something, anything. But what was she, really? A puny apprentice who had less worth than most others in the Clan?
Doubt filled her mind - and a horrible fear that sat deep in her bones - as Twilightstar began to speak. She's going to exile him. Like Willowsky. The thought was clear-formed, but Twistedpaw's head still spun like a carelessly kicked pebble. Because he poisoned cats. And it wasn't his fault. Like how it wasn't Willowsky's fault she went mad. Or maybe it was her fault a little...? I did it to her, but no one else has-
No no no, this wasn't about her mother. This was about Cowtuft. And something struck Twistedpaw then.
Willowsky hadn't treated others kindly. Cowtuft had. He'd always been there, a firm and steady presence, no sense of cruelty at all. Though Twistedpaw couldn't force herself to blame Willowsky for what she'd done... Cowtuft was more innocent. Sweet, gentle Cowtuft.
This couldn't be happening.
This was a monster-ride of emotions and contradictions as Twistedpaw tried to sort out Cowtuft's guilt through the parallels to Willowsky, his gentle and caring demeanor, and the seven poisoned bodies that lay buried in the ground.
Then, finally, it clicked.
Cowtuft shouldn't be thrown out. Not like Willowsky.
Because he hadn't hurt anyone on purpose.
No malicious intent lay behind those mismatched eyes.
Twistedpaw looked up at Twilightstar, her own mismatched eyes, blind and seeing alike, wide with desperation. She was fair. She had to understand-
Exile.
Cowtuft was being sentenced to exile.
The world froze.
Twistedpaw's breath came harsh and ragged to her ears. Her heart pounded like the thump of a rabbit's hind legs. A wave of dizziness struck her, so intense it made her sway on her paws.
Exile.
Twilightstar had decided to punish him after all.
No, no, no.
She tried not to vomit.
Cowtuft was whispering in her ear, his gentle, sweet, soft voice trying to tell her it was okay. But it wasn't okay.
This wonderful tom who had always been there for Twistedpaw, a comforting, reassuring presence... was being kicked out.
And she'd never felt so helpless.
She turned to Cowtuft, tears spilling more freely down her face. Before, they'd been the slight trickle of droplets melting off the tips of icicles; now they were as steady as the thundering falls named after the leader who was casting out another cat she loved.
"N-n-n-nooo!" Twistedpaw wailed. She moved, attempting to press against Cowtuft and bury herself in his waves upon waves of fluff. "D-d-don't g-g-go! T-t-twilights-star made a m-mistake..." Snot was running from her distorted nostrils now. She'd never felt more broken. At least, in the present day. "P-p-please... w-we were sup-posed t-to make fl-flower c-crowns t-together... r-r-remember...? And y-you w-would t-teach me th-the paw s-signs..." She began to sob, her distorted voice becoming even worse. "Y-you c-can't leave...!"
Then suddenly, there were cats volunteering to escort Cowtuft to the border. Maybe if Twistedpaw was thinking rationally, she'd let them or offer to go, too, to see her friend off. But not now. I'm not going to let anyone take him! She couldn't.
But before she could defend against them, another warrior, Littleshock, spoke up. She was calling Cowtuft a murderer. Saying it was his fault. And threatening his life. Wanting to track him down like some... like a piece of fresh-kill.
Thankfully, Softsong got to it, but Twistedpaw was so fired up that she couldn't bring herself to let that be the only voice raised in protest. "HOW D-DARE YOU!!!" Spittle flew from her mouth and trickled from the corner of her twisted jaw, but she didn't care. Not one bit. Fire raced through her veins; blood roared in her flattened, invisible ears. "C-COWTUFT ISN'T A M-MURDERER!"
Then something miraculous happened. Twistedpaw stuttered due to fear, usually. A fear of the gazes of others. It had become habit, really.
But now the stutter vanished.
"YOU THINK HE KILLED THEM ON PURPOSE?!" Twistedpaw took a pace forward, glaring violently at the warrior. "YOU'RE WRONG! COWTUFT MADE A MISTAKE, AND YOU WANT TO HUNT HIM LIKE PREY? ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE A GAME OUT OF HIS DEATH? TWILIGHTSTAR SHOULD EXILE YOU INSTEAD, YOU FOX-HEART!" Something stirred in her stomach and whispered in the back of her mind, a feeling that said, Did you really just say that? But Twistedpaw didn't care. Above everything else, she had to keep Cowtuft safe.
"STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" Her voice had risen to a screech as Crowtooth and Poppysong came to take them away. Twistedpaw's head whipped from side to side, claws unsheathing. She'd never realized how long they were, but she'd use them without hesitation against whoever tried to take her away from her friend. The cat who had felt like a father to her.
"HE'S NOT A TRAITOR! HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE EXILED! YOU'RE NOT GONNA TAKE HIM!!!" Every hair on Twistedpaw's pelt stood on end, and she'd taken a defensive stance in front of Cowtuft, glaring around and breathing heavily.
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Some of my characters think or act in ways I disagree with. Please understand that I do not support or condone these thoughts or actions.
Dewsong Pulled Back, Wincing As Badgersnap Looked On In Utter Disbalife. This Cat Had Helped Heal Her Dreadful Wounds, And Before Her Death, His Exile. The Slim Body Of Dewsong Slipped Away From The Crowd, And To The Territory.
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Art Shop!! 3 FREE DRAWINGS FOR NEXT 5 CUSTOMERS https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=73901
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Purrks: Lyebird's Lullaby On Silverpaw [ACTIVE]
GarlicFrog Is GarlicClans Oldest Cat. She Bites.
TheRadioDemon Is Holding Rotthroat Back While Patting Bearskull. blxze Is Patting Silverpaw. *Lunastar* Is Patting Them All
Bravebird
She/her | 41 moons | Beefed Up T3 • One with the Warren
So it would be exile then. Bravebird had flattened her ears against her head when Twilightstar spoke of Peachfrost and how her sister would remain in exile. It tore at her heart like claws, but her leader's word was law and she would follow it dutifully. From where she sat she simply ducked her head and let her gaze fall to Leafspot, waiting a moment before she would eventually get up and, with Driftingsoul's help, move their fallen Clanmate.
Littleshock was ignored except for a glare and a soft snarl tossed her way - did she have no honor?? - but Softsong was already reprimanding the warrior so Brave let it go. "Let's get her body up," she murmured to Driftingsoul as she ducked to get under the body, sliding underneath it and standing up with it on her back. It was heavy, and though her legs shook she remained standing.
A loud screech ripped through the crowd and Brave flattened her ears once more with a disapproving look shot towards the source. Twistedpaw - wasn't that Batglare's apprentice? She could feel for the young she-cat, who was likely too naive or too unprepared for actual Clan life to see the danger that Cowtuft posed. Negligence could kill as much as claws could, that had been made clear; hopefully she would learn that soon.
"Come on." With the two words tossed over to her body burying companion, Bravebird made her way through the crowd with Leafspot on her back. As she neared Cowtuft who stood by the entrance, she paused and lifted her gaze to him. There was a multitude of emotion in her eyes, and words that she wanted to say to him. She wanted to ask why, to demand that he give her a better answer than what he'd already given. The tears that slid down his face and dampened his fur were like thorns in her heart.
Despite being given an opportunity to say something, Brave simply shook her head and turned to exit the camp. There was nothing she could say, not with her throat feeling like barbed wires and every ounce of fight in her drained to her paws.
An offwhite she-cat, with brown, black, dark gray speckles, and blue/green heterochromia.
VC: a light Hungarian + British accent; a purr after every "r."
Maplekit stared at Twistedpaw for a few more moments, before she nodded at the she-cat. Look--Maplekit isn't all that evil and mean. She could feel the apprentice's emotions, especially since tears were streaming down the poor apprentice's cheek. But, she has lost all sense of emotions.
What was even the point?
But, as Maplekit turned to go back to the nursery, Twilightstar had made her call on what to do with Cowtuft. She expected the she-cat to just strip him of his rank, and send him to an isolation den until further notice. She expected no further of that, since Cowtuft was probably the kindest cat she knew (until now), but Twilightstar said something else.
"Cowtuft will be stripped of his rank as WindClan's medicine cat and exiled from the clan."
Exiled from the clan.
..exiled from the clan...
...exiled from the clan...
. . . exiled from the clan . . .
This was the first time in a few days that shock had swept across Maplekit's face.
Cowtuft was exiled?
How interesting.
Before she could say anything else, Twistedpaw burst out in anger, and made Maplekit jump a bit. Wow, she was a bit defensive, wasn't she?
"At least he's not dying." She told Twistedpaw was an attempt to comforting her. "He's just... not going to be herrrre. He'll be out, surrrviving." Oh, there was no point. Twistedpaw was too angry.
After all, Maplekit didn't want to grow up with claw marks on her face,
Littleshock
Alright this was getting ridiculous! Kits were crying, warriors were arguing, and the leader was dealing out exiles faster than a flash of thunder. This was no way for Windclan to live! Leaf bare was much too miserable to have any other drama adding itself into the equation.
"Woah now hang on a sec." The molly started, finally inserting herself into the conversation. "I'm no expert, but isn't exiling our murderous medicine cat here a bit risky? Like... doesn't this just give him free reign to find whatever poisons he wants and stick 'em in our prey? Or even worse, what if he finds his ol' pal Peachfrost and they both come back for revenge? That chick had serious bloodlust in her eyes, and I'm sure this one here is on his way to becoming the same." A nod in Cowtuft's direction, before turning to look to others for approval. Would they agree with her? Praise her for her good ideas? Littleshock tried to look strong and uncaring, but the way her heart thudded in her chest made her think otherwise.
"All I'm sayin' is instead of escorting him off the territory like he is just some lost loner, we treat him like he is! A killer. A... ridiculously large and unnervingly knowledgable killer."How many bodies had gone still due to Cowtuft's negligence? How many more could drop at any second? Her eyes flashed over towards Lightningstorm for a brief moment - fear and apprehension shining within them. And how are we supposed to just trust that this one is truly innocent?
"I guess what I mean is why not let us feel safe in our own home again? Give this guy a days head start, and then he's fair game." Her claws yearned to unsheathe for dramatic affect but, with great restraint, they stayed put. Tensions were high, and she didn't feel like being exiled too. "I have been honing my tracking skills after all." (Open!)
This was certainly the spectacle. Fleckstorm watched it all go down in solemn silence from the edge of the clearing, their ears flicking with each outraged shout that rose above the rest. So this was the cause of those unfortunate deaths. WindClan's own medicine cat, poisoning their Clanmates, whether knowingly or not.
The longer Fleckstorm listened, the more they considered the former. How could Cowtuft not have known? Or at the very least, suspected? He had fooled them all.
Icy blue eyes drifted to Littleshock as their Clanmate spoke out, and Fleckstorm was inclined to agree. Exile was too kind a fate, too merciful for the damage Cowtuft had done. Seven cats, two of which were children... they couldn't recall the last time seven had even been downed in a fight before. Treacherous, truly.
They slunk close to Littleshock, attention locked onto Cowtuft as the cat waited to leave - tempted to give him an escort, but not wanting to become the eighth of his victims. "I'm in agreement," they said in a silky smooth voice. "Fair is fair. He killed seven of us, and I for one am not so certain he won't do it again once he has far less eyes on him. A game would be something to make of it. Settling our hearts and ensuring a proper fate for a killer in the process."
Dewsong Sawed Her Tail, The Beautiful She-Cat Seemed To Be Embaressed? No, Why Would She Be? She Ignored That, Bird Wouldn't Press Anything Out Of Her. You Cold? You Look Cold. Bird Mewed, Her Long Tail Swiped Around To Keep The Smaller She-Cat Warm.
Sunnyspark smiled as the she-cat` wrapped her tail around her. "Thanks its so much warmer!"
[/QUOTE] No Problem! I Hate Seeing Others Struggling In This Harsh Season. Bird Purred, This Cat Carried A Comforting Scent For Dewsong.
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Purrks: Lyebird's Lullaby On Silverpaw [ACTIVE]
GarlicFrog Is GarlicClans Oldest Cat. She Bites.
TheRadioDemon Is Holding Rotthroat Back While Patting Bearskull. blxze Is Patting Silverpaw. *Lunastar* Is Patting Them All
*-Lichenpaw-* 106/100
she/her || 11moons small and scruffy calico with one blinding eye
There are punishments worse than death, Lichenpaw knows, and to lose your home, your status as not only medicine cat but a clan cat in general is... it's worse than just being killed here and now. Lichenpaw can't even begin to imagine the feeling of isolation, of fear and regret and sorrow and guilt... she feels sick. This can't be happening, Cowtuft (she'd refuse to call him anything else. He is and always has been 'Cowtuft' to her. Simple as that.) isn't about to lose his home and his friends over a mistake. A mistake that could've been easily prevented, yes, should have been easily prevented, but a mistake nonetheless.
And then... and then cats start talking about hunting him. For sport. For nothing but the thrill of the chase, for fun, for the arrogant pride of wanting to know they are the only cats who have truly vanquished a great evil, a big threat. They're only looking for glory. For retribution. It's revolting. Lichenpaw can hardly stand knowing these cats belong to her own clan. It's vile.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU?!" She can't help they way she screams it out, but if she isn't loud about it no one will listen to her, no one will take her seriously if she isn't angry. Hell, she's not sure anyone will take her seriously even when she is angry given how fast they resorted to... stars, she wants to throw up just thinking about it. "IS IT NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU THAT HE'S LOSING HIS HOME? HIS FRIENDS? HIS FAMILY? THAT HE'S LOSING EVERYTHING HE HAS? AND NOW YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING BEYOND DISGUSTING AND HUNT HIM DOWN FOR FUN? FOR PRIDE OR GLORY?" As she speaks she moves to stand next to Twistedpaw, one of the only other cats actually willing to stand against the vile idea so far, and unsheathes her own claws, teeth bared.
If anyone deserves to be killed it's all of them. They're nothing but a bunch of monsters.
"YOU'RE CRUEL FOR THAT!! HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST SUCH A THING? NONE OF YOU ARE GOING TO LAY A SINGLE CLAW ON HIM! HE WAS NEGLIGENT, YES, BUT COWTUFT DOESN'T DESERVE TO LIVE LIKE A HUNTED ANIMAL!! IF YOU'D ACTUALLY DO SUCH A THING AS THAT GO LIVE WITH SHADOWCLAN INSTEAD! IM SURE THEY'D LOVE IDEAS THAT WREAK OF THE DARK FOREST LIKE HUNTING A CAT FOR SPORT!!"
She's panting now from the effort of all that yelling. It's exhausting being this angry but she has to keep going this way. They're not getting past her. She'll form a protective shield around Cowtuft all by herself if she has to. She'll walk with him until he's far away from WindClan, from the batch of traitors who live among them. She'll make sure he's safe all on her own. He won't be hunted. He won't have to live the rest of his life like that. As long as Lichenpaw lives she will not let that happen.
~ WOLFFANG OF WINDCLAN - AMAB HE/HIM - BEEFED UP TIER 1 ~
Large, muscular, dappled gray tom with light cream-gray fluff on the front of his neck and chest; amber eyes.
Like most serious situations in WindClan, it seemed the situation was devolving into a monster fire.
It didn't take long for Wolffang to get the confirmation he needed that Cowtuft, indeed, had brought deathberries into the camp. The warrior's fury only tripled. Long, sharp claws dug into the earth, frost crackling and water springing up to soak his paw pads. But they were numb, so he didn't notice. His single ear flattened, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. How could anyone - especially a medicine cat - do something so featherbrained? Yes, there was no sympathy left for Cowtuft. Now he understood why Bravebird had stared at him like that. This wasn't a case of a medicine cat failing to notice supplies poisoned by a traitor; this was a case of a medicine cat who had hidden poison from his Clanmates, for what reason Wolffang didn't know, and allowed it to spread to his stores. Seven WindClan cats had died. Seven. And now that Wolffang knew Cowtuft was truly responsible, he wanted to rip all that fluff off his oversized body.
Though Wolffang knew to keep a check on his rage. Fallownose, apparently, didn't. He respected the deputy, he did. But killing Cowtuft? Execution is a method only used for cats who are intentionally dangerous to the Clan. Cowtuft won't be once he's out of WindClan. Still, Wolffang couldn't help flexing his claws. He deserves nothing less than exile.
Before the dappled gray tom could voice his opinions, multiple other cats did, fighting against exile. And there was one in particular who caught his attention. Twistedpaw. The Ashfeather look-alike, potential reincarnation. She'd bolted across the clearing to stand protectively before Cowtuft, terrified but holding her head high, defending him. Wolffang had to admire the strength of her morale. It was something he'd never seen in Ashfeather. She deserves this second chance, to be strong. To be herself.
But all the same, this faith was misplaced. Twistedpaw shared Ashfeather's unfortunate... softness. Too defensive of the guilty. Wolffang's amber eyes narrowed. This is more than a "mistake." Seven cats died because Cowtuft brought poison into his den and let it taint the herbs. His personality doesn't matter. Actions do. Twilightstar had had good reason for demoting Wolffang back in the day. He had made mistakes. Failed to be present for his Clan. But even then, amid his emotional turmoil, he had never, ever done anything this vile. Are there things I should've been punished for? Yes. But I never would've poisoned seven of my Clanmates like this. It was a truly despicable crime, accidental it may be.
One of the Clan's youngest members, Maplekit, rebuked Twistedpaw for her words. Wolffang couldn't help respecting her - well, until she called for demotion. He had, but that was before he knew the truth. Leechscar also went against the apprentice's claim. Wolffang's eyebrows rose. Leechscar had always been so protective of Ashfeather; he'd expected the unruly warrior to try defending her. But then he reminded himself that Leechscar was strict and smart with a healthy dose of disrespectful and rude. He wouldn't try to back Twistedpaw up, no matter what she said or thought. What if Leopardsong was defending him? he wondered with a jolt. Cowtuft, I mean. Would I humiliate her in front of the whole Clan?
He shook himself. I'd still say what I thought was best. But I wouldn't insult her. The argument would be against her words, not her.
Intrusive thought aside, Wolffang wasn't quite sure what to make of the rest of Leechscar's statement. Would death really be more merciful? He'd be... wherever StarClan would send him. If he was exiled, he'd live with the shame of it, unable to contact his kin, friends, and Clanmates. But death - regardless of whether Cowtuft went to StarClan or the Dark Forest - wasn't a mercy. Getting forced off the real world, no matter how dire the circumstances, was more of a punishment than exile.
More cats spoke, including Deadmoon. Wolffang glanced at his brown tabby sister and nodded. She was clever.
Then Twilightstar responded to the whole situation, refuting claims of treason and arriving at the conclusion of exile. Wolffang nodded in agreement. Some cats reacted in shock, gasping despite their calls to throw him out or even kill him. Unless those were the ones who'd called for demotion? Then there were others offering to escort Cowtuft to the Outskirts. Cowtuft himself looked like he was breaking down, but he seemed to accept his punishment. I see there's some honor left in him. Humility, more like it. He should feel ashamed for what he'd done.
The warrior Littleshock stepped forward, malicious intent dripping from her voice as she asked Twilightstar for permission to hunt him down. Wolffang glared at her. The longing, so clear in her voice, made his blood boil. "We're warriors, not rogues," he growled, though Softsong beat him to a more thorough tongue-lashing. Wolffang knew how to deal those. He'd overseen more failed patrols than most other cats had in a long lifetime. He still wasn't quite sure how to feel about that.
Another voice exploded, and Wolffang turned, shock rippling through him. It was Twistedpaw again, absolutely exploding on everybody. It was the last thing he'd expected from her, that's for sure. But, once more, her spirit was misplaced. What connection does she have with him? he wondered. An unwanted trickle of sympathy slithered into his frustration and displeasure. Did he help her through some tough times? Or is she simply defending someone she views as innocent? From what he knew about the meek apprentice, he doubted she'd do this for a random cat. But who knew?
Then another apprentice - Lichenpaw - sprang forward and also began to explode on Littleshock and everyone else. Wolffang waited for the voices to die down, then lifted his head, yowling in a commanding and authoritative tone.
"WindClan, listen! The punishment is fair as it is. When I called for demotion, it was because I thought someone else had poisoned Cowtuft's herb stores and he'd failed to realize it. Now that I've learned it was Cowtuft's fault for the poison being here in the first place - and his negligence in the deaths of seven of us, including two kits - I have no sympathy. Exile is only deserved. Cowtuft will be unable to return home, and once his parting is announced at the Gathering, I'm sure no Clan will take in someone so careless. However, execution is too harsh a punishment, as I do believe death is worse than living. Did Cowtuft intentionally make his Clanmates fall ill? No. Execution would be for an intentioned murderer, not a careless one. And to even think of hunting him for sport would make us no better than a band of lawless rogues. The warrior code says not to kill if not required, and in this case, it isn't required. With Cowtuft out of the medicine den - and our Clan - he is no threat to us. Let him wander away from his home and all that he's known as punishment for the seven innocent lives lost due to his carelessness."
Wolffang, still with a confident but not cocky, authoritative air, stalked over to Twistedpaw, who glared up at him with mismatched eyes.
~ TWISTEDPAW OF WINDCLAN - AFAB SHE/HER ~
Small, skinny black she-cat with a light gray belly and tail-tip, a crooked jaw, a mangled tail, and one blind eye.
Everyone felt like an enemy.
An enemy who would haul Cowtuft away just as they had her mother.
Though one cat deserved it and the other didn't.
One cat had been driven mad, and the other had made a mistake.
That didn't stop the cats surrounding her from being willing to exile them both.
Twistedpaw had never felt this passionate, this enraged, but she had to protect her Cowtuft. The only cat besides her mother who felt like family. True family.
The first cat who trotted up was Maplekit. Twistedpaw turned toward her, but with no impulse to attack. A kit couldn't take someone as big as Cowtuft away. For a moment, Twistedpaw imagined herself in a garden of yellow flowers, leaning against that massive, fluffy body for support as her mangled tail rocked her from side to side, paws lifted above the ground to fashion yellow petals together. Now that would never happen.
It will, she told herself firmly, embracing the denial. It has to. Because I won't let them take him.
Maplekit spoke words that were supposed to be comforting, but they fell on deaf ears. Twistedpaw shook her head, tensing her crooked jaw as an afterthought so it didn't flop as much. "I don't care," she meowed stubbornly. "Cowtuft has to be here. He can't be kicked out."
Then another apprentice came forward. Lichenpaw. Twistedpaw knew the names, but she'd never talked to most of these cats before. Yet Lichenpaw stood by Twistedpaw's shoulder, defending Cowtuft. Tears of relief streamed down the black she-cat's cheeks. Someone was helping her. Surely there'd be more. Some cats were shocked when he was exiled. They can help us! Hope began to blossom in her chest. We can make flower crowns, and I can do the paw signs, and we'll be happy.
A familiar, authoritative voice rumbled over the crowd. Twistedpaw's heart sank. Wolffang. She respected and trusted the large, muscular warrior, she really did. But now he was calling for Cowtuft's exile, too. And heading her way. Twistedpaw immediately took a defensive stance. Cowtuft was bigger than Wolffang, but Wolffang was a strong, buff guy. He could take Cowtuft away. A growl rumbled from Twistedpaw's throat, slightly distorted like the rest of the noises that came out of her throat, nose, or mouth. It was a sound she'd never heard before. I've never used it until now, she realized with a jolt.
Wolffang looked down at Twistedpaw, his amber eyes narrowed. "Twistedpaw," he meowed. "Move aside." He wasn't concerned about Lichenpaw, as the other she-cat only seemed to be there to defend against Littleshock.
Twistedpaw shook her head fervently. "No," she growled. No way was she moving aside.
Wolffang suppressed a sigh. This wasn't going to be easy. "Twistedpaw, I know you care about him. But Twilightstar has sentenced Cowtuft to exile, and he must be taken away." He paused for a moment, then added, "You can go with the cats escorting him away. But he can't stay here." His voice was firm but not harsh.
Twistedpaw shook her head again. "No. He's staying here. I'm staying here." He couldn't help noticing that her stutter had gone.
He took a deep breath. Then he meowed, "You can't. Twistedpaw, come on." The dappled gray tom leaned forward and opened his jaws, about to gently grab the apprentice's scruff and move her out of the way.
Twistedpaw saw those gaping jaws, the gleaming teeth. They didn't move with the harshness that Willowsky's had, the intent to harm. She knew now that regular cats didn't punish their young that way. But it still sent shock through her - not because of the past, but because she knew that grip was meant to move her aside. She didn't think; she reacted. "NO!!!" she shrieked, flashing a clawed paw at Wolffang's face.
Wolffang hadn't been expecting it. He'd thought Twistedpaw would duck away, not outright attack. That was why the blow landed on his cheek. He jerked his head back as a sting bloomed across his face, barely managing to wield off the impulsive reaction to swipe back. Something warm and sticky soaked his fur, and a metallic scent wormed its way into his nose. A dark red droplet dripped to the ground. He was bleeding.
Twistedpaw glared at Wolffang, panting and trembling. Emotions, so many emotions, had forced her into overdrive. She hardly registered the blood staining his cheek, dripping on the ground, clinging to her claws. She just had to get them all away. And it had worked, for the time being, as Wolffang had taken a step back and looked rather shocked, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself.
Wolffang, in fact, was so shocked he couldn't react - other than resisting the instinct to launch a counterstrike. It was completely out of the blue. And it presented a whole other problem: How to get the furious apprentice away from Cowtuft without hurting her.
After everything he'd done to Ashfeather, the last thing he wanted to do was cause Twistedpaw pain.
__________________
Some of my characters think or act in ways I disagree with. Please understand that I do not support or condone these thoughts or actions.
~ WOLFFANG OF WINDCLAN - AMAB HE/HIM - BEEFED UP TIER 1 ~
Large, muscular, dappled gray tom with light cream-gray fluff on the front of his neck and chest; amber eyes.
Like most serious situations in WindClan, it seemed the situation was devolving into a monster fire.
It didn't take long for Wolffang to get the confirmation he needed that Cowtuft, indeed, had brought deathberries into the camp. The warrior's fury only tripled. Long, sharp claws dug into the earth, frost crackling and water springing up to soak his paw pads. But they were numb, so he didn't notice. His single ear flattened, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. How could anyone - especially a medicine cat - do something so featherbrained? Yes, there was no sympathy left for Cowtuft. Now he understood why Bravebird had stared at him like that. This wasn't a case of a medicine cat failing to notice supplies poisoned by a traitor; this was a case of a medicine cat who had hidden poison from his Clanmates, for what reason Wolffang didn't know, and allowed it to spread to his stores. Seven WindClan cats had died. Seven. And now that Wolffang knew Cowtuft was truly responsible, he wanted to rip all that fluff off his oversized body.
Though Wolffang knew to keep a check on his rage. Fallownose, apparently, didn't. He respected the deputy, he did. But killing Cowtuft? Execution is a method only used for cats who are intentionally dangerous to the Clan. Cowtuft won't be once he's out of WindClan. Still, Wolffang couldn't help flexing his claws. He deserves nothing less than exile.
Before the dappled gray tom could voice his opinions, multiple other cats did, fighting against exile. And there was one in particular who caught his attention. Twistedpaw. The Ashfeather look-alike, potential reincarnation. She'd bolted across the clearing to stand protectively before Cowtuft, terrified but holding her head high, defending him. Wolffang had to admire the strength of her morale. It was something he'd never seen in Ashfeather. She deserves this second chance, to be strong. To be herself.
But all the same, this faith was misplaced. Twistedpaw shared Ashfeather's unfortunate... softness. Too defensive of the guilty. Wolffang's amber eyes narrowed. This is more than a "mistake." Seven cats died because Cowtuft brought poison into his den and let it taint the herbs. His personality doesn't matter. Actions do. Twilightstar had had good reason for demoting Wolffang back in the day. He had made mistakes. Failed to be present for his Clan. But even then, amid his emotional turmoil, he had never, ever done anything this vile. Are there things I should've been punished for? Yes. But I never would've poisoned seven of my Clanmates like this. It was a truly despicable crime, accidental it may be.
One of the Clan's youngest members, Maplekit, rebuked Twistedpaw for her words. Wolffang couldn't help respecting her - well, until she called for demotion. He had, but that was before he knew the truth. Leechscar also went against the apprentice's claim. Wolffang's eyebrows rose. Leechscar had always been so protective of Ashfeather; he'd expected the unruly warrior to try defending her. But then he reminded himself that Leechscar was strict and smart with a healthy dose of disrespectful and rude. He wouldn't try to back Twistedpaw up, no matter what she said or thought. What if Leopardsong was defending him? he wondered with a jolt. Cowtuft, I mean. Would I humiliate her in front of the whole Clan?
He shook himself. I'd still say what I thought was best. But I wouldn't insult her. The argument would be against her words, not her.
Intrusive thought aside, Wolffang wasn't quite sure what to make of the rest of Leechscar's statement. Would death really be more merciful? He'd be... wherever StarClan would send him. If he was exiled, he'd live with the shame of it, unable to contact his kin, friends, and Clanmates. But death - regardless of whether Cowtuft went to StarClan or the Dark Forest - wasn't a mercy. Getting forced off the real world, no matter how dire the circumstances, was more of a punishment than exile.
More cats spoke, including Deadmoon. Wolffang glanced at his brown tabby sister and nodded. She was clever.
Then Twilightstar responded to the whole situation, refuting claims of treason and arriving at the conclusion of exile. Wolffang nodded in agreement. Some cats reacted in shock, gasping despite their calls to throw him out or even kill him. Unless those were the ones who'd called for demotion? Then there were others offering to escort Cowtuft to the Outskirts. Cowtuft himself looked like he was breaking down, but he seemed to accept his punishment. I see there's some honor left in him. Humility, more like it. He should feel ashamed for what he'd done.
The warrior Littleshock stepped forward, malicious intent dripping from her voice as she asked Twilightstar for permission to hunt him down. Wolffang glared at her. The longing, so clear in her voice, made his blood boil. "We're warriors, not rogues," he growled, though Softsong beat him to a more thorough tongue-lashing. Wolffang knew how to deal those. He'd overseen more failed patrols than most other cats had in a long lifetime. He still wasn't quite sure how to feel about that.
Another voice exploded, and Wolffang turned, shock rippling through him. It was Twistedpaw again, absolutely exploding on everybody. It was the last thing he'd expected from her, that's for sure. But, once more, her spirit was misplaced. What connection does she have with him? he wondered. An unwanted trickle of sympathy slithered into his frustration and displeasure. Did he help her through some tough times? Or is she simply defending someone she views as innocent? From what he knew about the meek apprentice, he doubted she'd do this for a random cat. But who knew?
Then another apprentice - Lichenpaw - sprang forward and also began to explode on Littleshock and everyone else. Wolffang waited for the voices to die down, then lifted his head, yowling in a commanding and authoritative tone.
"WindClan, listen! The punishment is fair as it is. When I called for demotion, it was because I thought someone else had poisoned Cowtuft's herb stores and he'd failed to realize it. Now that I've learned it was Cowtuft's fault for the poison being here in the first place - and his negligence in the deaths of seven of us, including two kits - I have no sympathy. Exile is only deserved. Cowtuft will be unable to return home, and once his parting is announced at the Gathering, I'm sure no Clan will take in someone so careless. However, execution is too harsh a punishment, as I do believe death is worse than living. Did Cowtuft intentionally make his Clanmates fall ill? No. Execution would be for an intentioned murderer, not a careless one. And to even think of hunting him for sport would make us no better than a band of lawless rogues. The warrior code says not to kill if not required, and in this case, it isn't required. With Cowtuft out of the medicine den - and our Clan - he is no threat to us. Let him wander away from his home and all that he's known as punishment for the seven innocent lives lost due to his carelessness."
Wolffang, still with a confident but not cocky, authoritative air, stalked over to Twistedpaw, who glared up at him with mismatched eyes.
~ TWISTEDPAW OF WINDCLAN - AFAB SHE/HER ~
Small, skinny black she-cat with a light gray belly and tail-tip, a crooked jaw, a mangled tail, and one blind eye.
Everyone felt like an enemy.
An enemy who would haul Cowtuft away just as they had her mother.
Though one cat deserved it and the other didn't.
One cat had been driven mad, and the other had made a mistake.
That didn't stop the cats surrounding her from being willing to exile them both.
Twistedpaw had never felt this passionate, this enraged, but she had to protect her Cowtuft. The only cat besides her mother who felt like family. True family.
The first cat who trotted up was Maplekit. Twistedpaw turned toward her, but with no impulse to attack. A kit couldn't take someone as big as Cowtuft away. For a moment, Twistedpaw imagined herself in a garden of yellow flowers, leaning against that massive, fluffy body for support as her mangled tail rocked her from side to side, paws lifted above the ground to fashion yellow petals together. Now that would never happen.
It will, she told herself firmly, embracing the denial. It has to. Because I won't let them take him.
Maplekit spoke words that were supposed to be comforting, but they fell on deaf ears. Twistedpaw shook her head, tensing her crooked jaw as an afterthought so it didn't flop as much. "I don't care," she meowed stubbornly. "Cowtuft has to be here. He can't be kicked out."
Then another apprentice came forward. Lichenpaw. Twistedpaw knew the names, but she'd never talked to most of these cats before. Yet Lichenpaw stood by Twistedpaw's shoulder, defending Cowtuft. Tears of relief streamed down the black she-cat's cheeks. Someone was helping her. Surely there'd be more. Some cats were shocked when he was exiled. They can help us! Hope began to blossom in her chest. We can make flower crowns, and I can do the paw signs, and we'll be happy.
A familiar, authoritative voice rumbled over the crowd. Twistedpaw's heart sank. Wolffang. She respected and trusted the large, muscular warrior, she really did. But now he was calling for Cowtuft's exile, too. And heading her way. Twistedpaw immediately took a defensive stance. Cowtuft was bigger than Wolffang, but Wolffang was a strong, buff guy. He could take Cowtuft away. A growl rumbled from Twistedpaw's throat, slightly distorted like the rest of the noises that came out of her throat, nose, or mouth. It was a sound she'd never heard before. I've never used it until now, she realized with a jolt.
Wolffang looked down at Twistedpaw, his amber eyes narrowed. "Twistedpaw," he meowed. "Move aside." He wasn't concerned about Lichenpaw, as the other she-cat only seemed to be there to defend against Littleshock.
Twistedpaw shook her head fervently. "No," she growled. No way was she moving aside.
Wolffang suppressed a sigh. This wasn't going to be easy. "Twistedpaw, I know you care about him. But Twilightstar has sentenced Cowtuft to exile, and he must be taken away." He paused for a moment, then added, "You can go with the cats escorting him away. But he can't stay here." His voice was firm but not harsh.
Twistedpaw shook her head again. "No. He's staying here. I'm staying here." He couldn't help noticing that her stutter had gone.
He took a deep breath. Then he meowed, "You can't. Twistedpaw, come on." The dappled gray tom leaned forward and opened his jaws, about to gently grab the apprentice's scruff and move her out of the way.
Twistedpaw saw those gaping jaws, the gleaming teeth. They didn't move with the harshness that Willowsky's had, the intent to harm. She knew now that regular cats didn't punish their young that way. But it still sent shock through her - not because of the past, but because she knew that grip was meant to move her aside. She didn't think; she reacted. "NO!!!" she shrieked, flashing a clawed paw at Wolffang's face.
Wolffang hadn't been expecting it. He'd thought Twistedpaw would duck away, not outright attack. That was why the blow landed on his cheek. He jerked his head back as a sting bloomed across his face, barely managing to wield off the impulsive reaction to swipe back. Something warm and sticky soaked his fur, and a metallic scent wormed its way into his nose. A dark red droplet dripped to the ground. He was bleeding.
Twistedpaw glared at Wolffang, panting and trembling. Emotions, so many emotions, had forced her into overdrive. She hardly registered the blood staining his cheek, dripping on the ground, clinging to her claws. She just had to get them all away. And it had worked, for the time being, as Wolffang had taken a step back and looked rather shocked, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself.
Wolffang, in fact, was so shocked he couldn't react - other than resisting the instinct to launch a counterstrike. It was completely out of the blue. And it presented a whole other problem: How to get the furious apprentice away from Cowtuft without hurting her.
After everything he'd done to Ashfeather, the last thing he wanted to do was cause Twistedpaw pain.
Fogpaw got in between Wolffang and TwistedPaw, "Twistedpaw calm down and please think reasonably, I know Cowtuft's exile is hard to take but you must understand as Twilightstar said he may have not purposely poisoned them but he overlooked the poisoned herbs and didn't tell nobody about them and then gave them to the clan and I know it hurts to just have him exiled but until we find the one responsible for this, this is what has to be done." She said calmly "So please" she says trying to give her a comforting hug, "Just take a deep breath and relax, everything will be okay, alright?"
Re: WindClan Clearing
