Thunderglade

[dino.]

It was the scream that drew her in.

Agonized, raw, desperate - piercing Bumblestar's ears even from her position from the border, ricocheting off bare trees to fill the forest. She froze in her tracks as her ears swiveled toward the sound and she lifted her head away from the rodent tracks in the snow to stare. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to decipher the source.

That sounded like...

Without missing a beat, Bumblestar turned on her hind paws and broke into a run, kicking up snow and dirt behind her as she raced through the trees. She wasn't terribly far from the border - distant enough to be unable to hear the first sounds of the fight, close enough to close the gap in just a few minutes without breaking pace. She wouldn't arrive soon enough to catch Bravebird leaving with a body, but the sight of Violetfreckle sprawled out and bloody in the snow made her stumble over her own paws in horror.

"Foxdung," she choked out. "Foxdung, foxdung. Violetfreckle. Can you hear me?" She crouched down next to the warrior, nearly slipping on snow in the process. "Stars damnit, Vi, please."

@vellichor

[vellichor]

•° Violetfreckle °•
Rapid Recovery • Collector • Master Scout

---

It felt nice to sink into the inky blackness, to let the void take her. It felt like she belonged there, like it was where she was always meant to be. If this was what death was, it was... comforting. Warm and secure, like a cocoon that shielded her from her wounds, both physical and emotional. She felt nohing but a quiet sense of peace. This was okay. She wasn't leaving anyone behind, really. Fleckpaw had been a good kid, but surely there were better mentors out there than Violetfreckle. And the rest of ThunderClan, well, they didn't seem to care all that much whether Violetfreckle was there or not. There was the issue of Bumblestar, but... that was just too much to think about right now. The leader would be perfectly fine without her. Yeah. This was okay.

And yet, it was that very same familiar voice that broke through her near-unconsciousness. Asking if Violetfreckle could hear her. A part of her desperately wanted to answer, trying to flicker open her eyelids or open her mouth or even make a sound. But her eyelids were so heavy, her mouth immovable, and even the thought of making the faintest sound was exhausting. The pull of her voice had allowed Violetfreckle to swim upwards toward consciousness for a second before the weight of the world pulled her back down. She was so, so tired. Couldn't she just sleep for a moment?

Just as everything began to fade to black, she heard just a few words, so soft and faint she could probably have convinced herself she made them up. But she didn't want to do that; she didn't want to have made them up. So, she clung to them like a lifeline, allowing them to pull her up, up, and back into her body. Her aching, agonizing body. It was a difficult journey, one that seemed to take seasons upon seasons of struggling. Finally, finally, she was able to open her eyes ever so slightly.

It was so, so bright. She desperately wanted to squeeze her eyes shut once more, but the once comforting pull of darkness now made Violetfreckle afraid. She braved the sun's cruel rays and the bright white of the snow for a few moments before flicking her eyes toward her. That oh-so familiar fluffy face with those trademark scars running down it. Those brilliant green eyes, looking at Violetfreckle with... was that deperation? Fear? She didn't know. StarClan above, the dark lilac tabby had never been good at reading emotions.

With herculean effort, she managed to open her mouth ever so slightly and rasp, ""Bumble... I'm... here." Her throat, still sore from her screeching, seemed to close up as she tried to speak. Violetfreckle had a thousand things to say, but no way to convey any of it. After a long moment, she gave Bumblestar a long blink. Hoping she'd understand.

// @dino. \\

[dino.]

Bumblestar might have collapsed if the outcome of this situation didn't hinge entirely on her. What a frightening thought, to know a life sat in your paws, and to know one wrong move, a second too long of inaction, would have that life spiraling away from you. She bore this responsibility daily as leader, with each and every one of her Clanmates, but it was different when it was just one cat in front of her. It was different when it was Violetfreckle.

Her eyes fluttered shut as Violetfreckle managed words, and she leaned forward to press the top of her head briefly against the other's shoulder. "Thank StarClan," she mumbled. Screw whatever awkwardness had gone down between them the last time they had spoken, this took precedence. Didn't matter she'd been actively avoiding Violetfreckle since; she wouldn't avoid her now. Not even to follow the tracks in the snow and slit a throat wide open and start a war over this.

"You don't- don't talk. Save your energy." Bumblestar pulled her head back, eyes flickering over what injuries she could see. Their severity made her stomach turn. "Can you move? Is it okay if I carry you? We gotta get to Drizzlecloud, she'll help you, she'll- it'll be fine."

It wasn't like her to panic, but she was panicking now. Now, of all times, the least helpful time. She forced herself to take a deep breath in an attempt to steady herself. "You'll be fine."

@vellichor

[Snips]

Originally Posted by Wingnettle

Blackscar | he/him
Silver Tongue: active


Warning: gore (prey)

The black and brown scarred tom had entered the clan territories with a mud-plastered coat to disguise his scent, and was now making his way to the border between his old clan and the forest-living cats, Thunderclan. His whiskers twitched in excitement as he thought of the dead cats that were observing him from the sky. The Covenant had granted him his wish, but what would they think now of it? "Will you regret your choice, Starclan?" He murmured to the sky while giggling softly, sinking his well-sharped claws into the soft earth covered by foliage.

Oh, how sweet it was to be back.

He couldn't remember how many moons he'd been dead, but who cared? He could now walk among the living cats. Eat and fight like any other warrior here. This is what I wished, for so much time... He contemplated with a sneer on his scarred face. How ironic was that he had been born with a star on his forehead, and then met such a cruel and undeserved end. But this was the chance to start all over again. And I don't need the Dark Forest anymore. I. am. FREE!

He run with exhilaration, slashing at every prey he came in sight, taking down a pheasant first and then a huge rat. He licked the ferrous, warm blood from his lips and sunk his teeth in the flesh of the two pieces of prey before heading as quick as possible toward Thunderglade. Oh, old, old Thunderglade. I am finally back.

Blackscar turned left and right, glancing around without any anxiety for some clan cat who might run into him while he did his work. Not that it'd bother him, because he knew he could slain every cat who came in his way. But no one appeared. A shame, he thought.
Before crossing the border with Thunderclan, the dark-furred tom rolled himself into gorse and heather from the Windclan moorland and made sure to do the same with the pheasant, too. He then opened his mouth to pluck the bird's body, and left a path of brown and white feathers that started in Windclan and ended over the Thunderclan's border. He chose a good spot sheltered by blackberry bushes and consumed the pheasant, tearing what remained of the bird apart and leaving as much blood on the trail as he could. A few flowers from early-blooming gorse bushes, too. The perfect touch to a lovely crime scene. Why not.
He smiled at his work, licking his lips again and again as he enjoyed the warm bird's taste on his tongue. Or was it something else? Could vengeance have a taste on its own? Blackscar wondered with slight curiosity.

When he was done, he rolled into the mud that smelled musty and humid like the ancient forest Thunderclan lived in. He then shook his pelt from the foliage and retrieved the huge rat, but didn't open the prey's flesh until he was at least some minutes away from the scene of crime that Windclan had left on Thunderclan territory.
When he was away enough, he used his fangs to destroy the rodent's body and spread its blood from the Thunderclan border to the moorland, pleased that the blood trail was easily staining the short, wilting grass of the moor. It was far too easy.

The bones and leftovers of the piece of prey were left in a small crevice hidden by a few shrugs. Let's see if these clan patrols manage to solve this little hide-and-seek, shall we?
He threw some dirt over the rat and then left as quickly as possible, careful not to leave any sign of his passage in the way.

Before leaving the clan territories, he turned back and stared at the moorland for a few seconds. He remembered the exact point where the camp was located, but it wasn't visible from that position. However, he kept staying still in silence for a few moments.

Let's see how you'll handle this... Twilightstar.

Forestivy padded through Thunderglade, enjoying the peace and quiet. Suddenly she halted. WindClan. Over the border. How dare they!

[vellichor]

•° Violetfreckle °•
Rapid Recovery • Collector • Master Scout

---

Olive green eyes dared to blink once, then twice, their pupils narrowed to tiny slits against the endless onslaught of light. There was so much to process. The pain in her body alone seemed unbearable. Thankfully, adrenaline appeared to shield Violetfreckle from feeling the worst effects of it. This did mean she barely felt it when Bumblestar butted her head against her uninjured shoulder. She did see it, and was acutely aware of every detail of the moment.

She couldn't take it all in -- literally, there was just so so much all at once that it was impossible to register any feelings about anything. Bumblestar's words seemed delayed, as Violetfreckle watched the other cat open her mouth but heard her concerned voice seconds after. Move? It had been one hell of a chore to even open her mouth. Yet, the warrior furrowed her brow and tried. She reached for the muscles in her paw, starting small. And there it was, the tiniest of twitches. She could still move. Then, the other front paw. Then her forelegs, and hind paws and hind legs. All moving, trying their best to get Violetfreckle to turn onto her stomach and try to stand.

Unfortunately, that didn't quite work out. All the effort of moving to an upright position had come with a cost; the blood, which had slowed to a faint trickle, was now back a bit quicker than before, spilling onto the not-quite white snow beneath her. She felt light-headed and nearly fell back over, losing all her progress. Thank StarClan, she didn't, managing to stay on her belly. She looked up at Bumblestar and shook her head.

She'd be fine. But would she? The thought of not being fine... where it had evoked a strange sense of peace before, it now lit a fire beneath her, prompting her to try. Not to stand, but to speak. "I'll be... fine." she rasped. Another long, slow blink. "...Help, please?" Maybe she would have hated the way her voice cracked at the end if she were able to think. But Violetfreckle only wanted to live right now, and worry later.

// @dino. \\

[Mica]

Originally Posted by Wingnettle

Blackscar | he/him
Silver Tongue: active


Warning: gore (prey)

The black and brown scarred tom had entered the clan territories with a mud-plastered coat to disguise his scent, and was now making his way to the border between his old clan and the forest-living cats, Thunderclan. His whiskers twitched in excitement as he thought of the dead cats that were observing him from the sky. The Covenant had granted him his wish, but what would they think now of it? "Will you regret your choice, Starclan?" He murmured to the sky while giggling softly, sinking his well-sharped claws into the soft earth covered by foliage.

Oh, how sweet it was to be back.

He couldn't remember how many moons he'd been dead, but who cared? He could now walk among the living cats. Eat and fight like any other warrior here. This is what I wished, for so much time... He contemplated with a sneer on his scarred face. How ironic was that he had been born with a star on his forehead, and then met such a cruel and undeserved end. But this was the chance to start all over again. And I don't need the Dark Forest anymore. I. am. FREE!

He run with exhilaration, slashing at every prey he came in sight, taking down a pheasant first and then a huge rat. He licked the ferrous, warm blood from his lips and sunk his teeth in the flesh of the two pieces of prey before heading as quick as possible toward Thunderglade. Oh, old, old Thunderglade. I am finally back.

Blackscar turned left and right, glancing around without any anxiety for some clan cat who might run into him while he did his work. Not that it'd bother him, because he knew he could slain every cat who came in his way. But no one appeared. A shame, he thought.
Before crossing the border with Thunderclan, the dark-furred tom rolled himself into gorse and heather from the Windclan moorland and made sure to do the same with the pheasant, too. He then opened his mouth to pluck the bird's body, and left a path of brown and white feathers that started in Windclan and ended over the Thunderclan's border. He chose a good spot sheltered by blackberry bushes and consumed the pheasant, tearing what remained of the bird apart and leaving as much blood on the trail as he could. A few flowers from early-blooming gorse bushes, too. The perfect touch to a lovely crime scene. Why not.
He smiled at his work, licking his lips again and again as he enjoyed the warm bird's taste on his tongue. Or was it something else? Could vengeance have a taste on its own? Blackscar wondered with slight curiosity.

When he was done, he rolled into the mud that smelled musty and humid like the ancient forest Thunderclan lived in. He then shook his pelt from the foliage and retrieved the huge rat, but didn't open the prey's flesh until he was at least some minutes away from the scene of crime that Windclan had left on Thunderclan territory.
When he was away enough, he used his fangs to destroy the rodent's body and spread its blood from the Thunderclan border to the moorland, pleased that the blood trail was easily staining the short, wilting grass of the moor. It was far too easy.

The bones and leftovers of the piece of prey were left in a small crevice hidden by a few shrugs. Let's see if these clan patrols manage to solve this little hide-and-seek, shall we?
He threw some dirt over the rat and then left as quickly as possible, careful not to leave any sign of his passage in the way.

Before leaving the clan territories, he turned back and stared at the moorland for a few seconds. He remembered the exact point where the camp was located, but it wasn't visible from that position. However, he kept staying still in silence for a few moments.

Let's see how you'll handle this... Twilightstar.

Hawkfur [he/him, warrior, 45 moons]
[Deep russet tuxedo tabby with blue eyes]
---------------
[Bravebird - @tallulah ] [Silverpaw - @Estelle ]
---------------
Hawkfur was hoping that today's patrol would be simple. Running from camp all the way to the Thunderglade had stressed his healing lungs, and he had to work extra hard to hide the wheezing that was likely to occur. He didn't want the apprentice at his side to think him an old codger ready for the elder's den. He wasn't even half the age of some warriors! The Thunderglade was dangerous, especially with tensions so high between the clans. Hawkfur was eternally grateful to Bravevbird for volunteering to go with him and Silverpaw, so they could keep Twilightstar's order of at least two warriors per patrol there.

Scenting the border markers had him a little concerned. Something felt off. He signaled for Bravebird and Silverpaw to remain close, following the off-scents closer to the border. There was no way Thunderclan had breached the border, was there? He cast an anxious glance at Bravebird, knowing the warrior's recent history with ThunderClan. He didn't want her flying off the handle, even though he trusted her perhaps more than any other WindClan warrior. He kept walking along the border until the scent lead to a patch of shrubs a ways from the border.

A growl immediately ripped from his throat when he scented the unmistakable pine and mossy scent of ThunderClan. It didn't take him long to spot the dried trail of blood leading directly from the border all the way to the scene as well. "ThunderClan." He snarled. "Looks like they dragged prey over the border." He peered at the rat carcass, nose wrinkling from the carrion-scent. "I don't understand. Why would ThunderClan eat a rat on WindClan territory that they caught on ThunderClan territory? Usually it's the other way around." He looked at Bravebird, wondering if she had any ideas.

[gs29513]

If nothing else Mintpaw seemed sensible about the dangers of crossing borders, and willing to listen when told not to do so. One would think this was the bare minimum for sense required as a clan cat, but one would be thinking wrong. Even foolish warriors crossed borders sometimes, so drilling it into the apprentices was absolutely necessary, at least in Deadmoon's mind. They were generally the most foolish, the least likely to apologize if caught, and least able to defend themselves. So all in all, a bad combination. But Mintpaw seemed on the right track, and Deadmoon tossed a quick Glad to hear it! in glow's direction.

With Thunderclan seemingly covered, and Mintpaw not spouting questions like Duckpaw had, Deadmoon swung her gaze along the border before asking Ready to move on? She was ready to get their session of running around done with, but it was possible that her apprentice had other things in mind. If glow was tired and needed a break, or had more questions, Deadmoon didn't want to rush glow along. Better to get all of the introductory business done at once, she thought. @Partypooper

[Snivellus]

Mintpaw decided that glow didn't had any questions that should be asked. Glow nodded at Deadmoon. ''Ready'' Glow said in a quiet meow.
@gs29513

[dino.]

Originally Posted by vellichor

•° Violetfreckle °•
Rapid Recovery • Collector • Master Scout

---

Olive green eyes dared to blink once, then twice, their pupils narrowed to tiny slits against the endless onslaught of light. There was so much to process. The pain in her body alone seemed unbearable. Thankfully, adrenaline appeared to shield Violetfreckle from feeling the worst effects of it. This did mean she barely felt it when Bumblestar butted her head against her uninjured shoulder. She did see it, and was acutely aware of every detail of the moment.

She couldn't take it all in -- literally, there was just so so much all at once that it was impossible to register any feelings about anything. Bumblestar's words seemed delayed, as Violetfreckle watched the other cat open her mouth but heard her concerned voice seconds after. Move? It had been one hell of a chore to even open her mouth. Yet, the warrior furrowed her brow and tried. She reached for the muscles in her paw, starting small. And there it was, the tiniest of twitches. She could still move. Then, the other front paw. Then her forelegs, and hind paws and hind legs. All moving, trying their best to get Violetfreckle to turn onto her stomach and try to stand.

Unfortunately, that didn't quite work out. All the effort of moving to an upright position had come with a cost; the blood, which had slowed to a faint trickle, was now back a bit quicker than before, spilling onto the not-quite white snow beneath her. She felt light-headed and nearly fell back over, losing all her progress. Thank StarClan, she didn't, managing to stay on her belly. She looked up at Bumblestar and shook her head.

She'd be fine. But would she? The thought of not being fine... where it had evoked a strange sense of peace before, it now lit a fire beneath her, prompting her to try. Not to stand, but to speak. "I'll be... fine." she rasped. Another long, slow blink. "...Help, please?" Maybe she would have hated the way her voice cracked at the end if she were able to think. But Violetfreckle only wanted to live right now, and worry later.

// @dino. \\

Bumblestar jerked forward as if to catch Violetfreckle when the other slumped back to the ground. The sudden quick flow of blood was more than just a little bit concerning. "Y-yeah, see? There you go, perfectly fine." A bold-faced lie; she was far from 'perfectly fine', and if Bumblestar couldn't get her to Drizzlecloud, things could turn south fast.

"I've got you, yeah, just- don't fall off." She moved to maneuver Violetfreckle over her shoulders and back for easier transport. She done it before, with the foxes - this would be quicker than trying to hobble alongside her all the way back to camp.

[vellichor]

•° Violetfreckle °•
Rapid Recovery • Collector • Master Scout

---

Violetfreckle didn't miss the slight stutter in Bumblestar's words. If she were any more aware, it may have even freaked her out a bit. Bumblestar was a confident, outwardly self-assured cat. If even she felt visibly nervous, and if Violetfreckle had the energy to connect the dots, she would have declared herself doomed. As the leader hoisted her onto her shoulders, Violetfreckle felt an odd sense of déjà vu. Except instead of talking, she knew she had to preserve all the energy she could to just stay alive.

As soon as she lay rested atop the other cat's back, she felt her eyelids grow heavy. A part of her yearned to close them, to give in to sleep and preserve more energy. But the louder part yelled at her to stay awake at all costs. And she couldn't just... sit quietly. She had to focus on something. So it seemed talking was in fact on the itinerary, and Violetfreckle would start with two slow, raspy words.

"I'm... sorry."

// @dino. \\