RiverClan Floodstone

[~Mothman~]

Puddlekit dhivered at his leaders words. Did Kestralstar really think he was a traitor? Or a spy? He wouldn’t have come back if he was!

[Raven~]

Shinestone

Shinestone gasped aloud. What was Kestrelstar thinking? Yes, ThunderClan had killed Lionstrom. Yes, they had killed Fawnsqueak and Petuniaflame. But not every ThunderClan cat had. Shinestone did believe that some ThunderClan cats deserved to die, but this was just wrong. And what about Shadykit, Silverkit, and Brookkit? What would happen if they went to war now?

Palebrook

Kestrelstar was going mad. He was insane. This was wrong, so wrong. Did he even know what he had just said? That this could mean war? Did vengeance mean this much to him? Palebrook was thoroughly horrified. Kestrelstar was Clan leader. He was supposed to what was best for his warriors. How was this the best thing for his warriors? By doing this, many more of them would certainly die, and for what? It wouldn’t stop anything.

Where was Splashleap? Surely she disagreed. Palebrook scratched the crowd, and saw her gathering apprentices to hunt. Good. That would take their minds off of this disastrous meeting. She padded up to the deputy. “Could I help?” She asked.
gs29513

Frostpaw

Frostpaw smirked. Oh, this was perfect. ThunderClan was going to get what they deserved. Personally, she couldn’t wait to get her claws on a ThunderClan cat and kill them, and make ThunderClan suffer their losses like they were. She sure hoped she would be on a border patrol soon, one specifically on the ThunderClan border.

[Panda1440]

wow..,, that was a lot. He still was getting names down, and didn't particularly know these.. eight new apprentices. "Mistypaw! Birchpaw! , Rainingpaw! Crowpaw! Lightpaw! ,,. Orchidpaw, Fidgetpaw!! When his mentor approached him, he nodded at her- then waited. Kestrelstar hadn't dismissed the meeting- so there must be more.., more to say.. what if- what if it's something bad!? what if I- The tom's thoughts where interrupted by the grey tabby starting to speak. two new kits,, wait-

" If you spot any sign of disloyalty, or suspect any of your Clanmates among us to be sympathetic towards ThunderClan or outsiders, I need to know immediately. I will no longer tolerate any disrespect on RiverClan's name or legacy. " did that mean- Is he going too far? I was once an outsider!! is me.. i- is me being afraid of fighting,, disloyalty? So many thoughts in Saltpaw's head, so so much. Where would I go if I got kicked out!? Then the next sentence..

Another .., ; another death,, he looked down at his own light grey paws. Petiunaflame,, he remembered her warrior ceremony- so soon!!! No wonder Kestrelstar was mad. Everyone should be!! It wasn't right- of course it wasn't!! ThunderClan- they didn't hesitate to kill our clanmates. how- how can i still be afraid of slashing a claw. Turning to Plumstorm;

"Later,, later can you teach me more- ... more battle training.. i'- i'm sorry if I seem weak. I jus- i just,, it was scary. But- As little of a help I would be at my damm skill level.. I wanna try. [ implimm]

[spade]

Yelling and shouting - some who relished in the fact that they would finally get to sink their claws into some ThunderClan pelts, others who were thoroughly against the order. At least a majority were smart enough to keep their mouths shut about it. He'd just deemed that any show of disloyalty or disrespect be reported to him, and already there were a few warriors who wanted to test if Kestrelstar really meant the weight behind such words? Bold.

[ WarriorzFan ]
The first to catch his attention was Quietclaw, the warrior he already had trouble with. Oh boy, it would be wonderful to finally have an excuse to sink his claws into that traitorous toms fur. Calm as a still river, the leader turned, yellow eyes instantly picking out the voice among the crowd. "If you don't want to fight for RiverClan, then why are you here?" he barked towards the tom, shaking his head in a disgusted manner. He hadn't been as outward with his claims as the main attraction had, but Kestrelstar didn't trust the warrior at all anymore.

[ Sky13 - So despite how derranged he is, Kes won't actually kill a Clanmate unless they are threatening him physically or are extremely supporting ThunderClan. Here, he has given Blackrunner the chance to leave on his own accord; if he chooses not to, or tries to attack Kestrelstar, he will then kill him ^^ ]
Next was Blackrunner. He wasn't too familiar with the warrior. But to call his leader a liar? The shadows burned Kestrelstar's heart once more as claws slide from their sheaths. Coming to stand a mere whiskers length away from the mouthy warrior, Kestrelstar chuckled. "I want all of RiverClan to see this as an example of what I do with those who defy their loyalty and dedication to RiverClan!" he called out, giving a lash of his tail behind him.

"Get out of my Clan. Now," he growled in a soft manner, eyes burning into Blackrunner. "You are no longer welcome here. If I see you on the territory after sunrise tomorrow, I will kill you." Darkness oozed from his words as he spoke, daring Blackrunner to say anything else. Down here, with the rest of the Clan, it was clear the crazed look his yellow eyes had. His disheveled pelt, skinny frame with the first one or two ribs subtly peeking out. Eyes sunken and hollow, yet alive with rage.

[poppy]

Rainstorm's eyes were huge with horror. Kestrelstar was going insane, violent and dark. He needed serious help. She wanted to speak up, but if she risked her kits lives... that couldn't happen. Instead, she snarled at Blackrunner, completely disregarding her psycho leader. Imagining her kittens, their faces, those beautiful eyes... it made her do things she never planned on doing. Like encouraging torture. All for her kits to be born into a Clan that they wouldn't be outcasts in.

[WarriorzFan]

Yelling and shouting - some who relished in the fact that they would finally get to sink their claws into some ThunderClan pelts, others who were thoroughly against the order. At least a majority were smart enough to keep their mouths shut about it. He'd just deemed that any show of disloyalty or disrespect be reported to him, and already there were a few warriors who wanted to test if Kestrelstar really meant the weight behind such words? Bold.

[ WarriorzFan ]
The first to catch his attention was Quietclaw, the warrior he already had trouble with. Oh boy, it would be wonderful to finally have an excuse to sink his claws into that traitorous toms fur. Calm as a still river, the leader turned, yellow eyes instantly picking out the voice among the crowd. "If you don't want to fight for RiverClan, then why are you here?" he barked towards the tom, shaking his head in a disgusted manner. He hadn't been as outward with his claims as the main attraction had, but Kestrelstar didn't trust the warrior at all anymore.

[ Sky13 - So despite how derranged he is, Kes won't actually kill a Clanmate unless they are threatening him physically or are extremely supporting ThunderClan. Here, he has given Blackrunner the chance to leave on his own accord; if he chooses not to, or tries to attack Kestrelstar, he will then kill him ^^ ]
Next was Blackrunner. He wasn't too familiar with the warrior. But to call his leader a liar? The shadows burned Kestrelstar's heart once more as claws slide from their sheaths. Coming to stand a mere whiskers length away from the mouthy warrior, Kestrelstar chuckled. "I want all of RiverClan to see this as an example of what I do with those who defy their loyalty and dedication to RiverClan!" he called out, giving a lash of his tail behind him.

"Get out of my Clan. Now," he growled in a soft manner, eyes burning into Blackrunner. "You are no longer welcome here. If I see you on the territory after sunrise tomorrow, I will kill you." Darkness oozed from his words as he spoke, daring Blackrunner to say anything else. Down here, with the rest of the Clan, it was clear the crazed look his yellow eyes had. His disheveled pelt, skinny frame with the first one or two ribs subtly peeking out. Eyes sunken and hollow, yet alive with rage.

"Go, Blackrunner, Leave. He will not listen to reason, so take the best option and go. I might actually come with you. I would rather die of old age than at the hands of a too-far gone socio and psychopath. This doesn't help anything, won't make it stop, and now this... I just won't try to humor Crazystar here. Goodbye. For Now." he said as he strolled out of the place the Streamstone was in.
Sky13

[Astraea]

~As lionspot was leaving she heard kestrelstar yelling. This was a start of the end for him. Maybe all she could do is wait for this so called war to start. But she knew this was the end for riverclan~

[plum]

Plumstorm listens to the remaining stretch of Kestrelstar's announcements, her expression neutral. However, as it draws to a close, she visibly darkens. Turning to Saltpaw, the she-cat nods. "Yeah. I have a feeling a lot of us will be doing that now."
She was relieved that the tom finally seemed to take an interest in at least learning the gist of battle. He was formerly an outsider, and she a ThunderClanner pureblooded. If Saltpaw put up more of a resistance, it probably would have drawn too much negative attention. But she wasn't going to tell the apprentice things he didn't need to know. That was her burden.

Despite the newfound urgency they were all being faced with head-on, the silver cat finds herself raking the crowd of dispersing cats for somebody familiar. An orange pelt, and warm brown eyes. Worry nagged at her heart. That one seemed so sad about the ones important to him disappearing. She didn't know if this was big for him too, or not.
Plumstorm stands in time to witness Kestrelstar exiling a warrior. She hadn't heard the warrior's words but whatever they'd said, must have stricken a nerve. Her attention sweeps from looking for Ottersplash to watching this cat pad out. How uneventful. She was never one to look away from justice.

"Saltpaw, we can head out in a little bit, okay?" she meows to the tom she'd been sitting beside before padding out a little ways to search for the other cat.
[ Panda1440, Ziera (hi i know you said you almost threw ott at plum now im throwing plum at ott if he's present, this is really just to indicate that IF you want, she's openish) ]

[Nixey]

~Reedkit~
She hated the screaming, it filled her ears and caused a pounding in her head. Trying to bring herself to her paws, she had her sight set on the Nursery. Glancing at Bravekit she takes in a breath “we..we should go back to the nursery.”
distant cry in the woods
~Dawnwhisper~
Having just reached the exit to the camp, Dawnwhisper turned their gaze towards Kestrelstar. Their heart could be heard in their ears, they paused for a moment, sucking in a breath to see what was going to happen.

//Dawnwhisper is open for interaction.\\

[Willowfern]

Hawthornmist
___________

No, no!
What in StarClan’s name was going on with Kestrelstar?!
He couldn’t possibly want to kill all of those ThunderClanners?!
Many of them were innocent... like his sister.
He wanted to shout out, but he once again stopped himself, he had to think of Orchidpaw.
If Hawthornmist got himself exiled, Orchidpaw would be left mentorless, so... he held his tongue.

[Willowfern]

Alderfoot
_______

Great StarClan!
Alderfoot had been late to the meeting, but... but she had come soon enough to hear the craziness...
“Kestrelstar is going crazy!” She murmured to herself, “This is awful! Why isn’t Splashleap doing anything?!”
Letting out a deep breath, and knowing she would either die or get exiled for this, she said,
“This is insane, Kestrelstar! You can’t order something against the Warrior Code! I know it’s horrible that Fawnsqueak and Petuniaflame were killed... but it’s not all of ThunderClan’s fault! There are still innocents out there! What if someone spots a brand new apprentice by the border with their mentor? Are we supposed to kill them before they can grow to learn to make a choice?!
StarClan wouldn’t want this! Lionstar and Sootstar wouldn’t want this!
There are still innocent Warriors out there, Kestrelstar, you can’t call them all evil!
Please rethink this horrible order!” Her voice filled with passion, “Please!”

[Astraea]

~Huh what was this? A cat speaking up. She giggled a bit. What an idiot, she had a death wish. Her sun colored eyes looked at kestrelstar than at the idiot who opened her mouth.~ haha ~she quietly laughed.~
Willowfern

[Shade.]

It really wasn't fair. All this would do is lead to more conflict. Lotusheart was all about peace and freedom, she disliked restrictions, but something inside her reminded her of a lesson she'd learned. The leaders should NOT have any loved ones. In fact, if she wanted to be a good cat, she should probably distance herself from those she cared about. Or maybe it wasn't necessary. Her best friend wasn't really around, they hadn't spoken since the coyote attack. Her sister was missing. All her apprentices too. Everyone she'd ever cared about left. But now she knew it was for the best. Because Lotusheart had concluded that having loved ones made you impure, amoral. Once they were killed, you immediately switched to revenge. Kestrelstar was weak, letting grief for his friends consume him. She would never make that mistake herself.
"This is going to make the conflict much worse. Kestrelstar obviously wants war to avenge his personal vendetta, that's for sure, but us everyone else willing to risk getting attacked. Or worse, having the fact that you've killed innocents lay in your conscience. Look at what's happening to ShadowClan when they're blindly following a leader." She spoke in a clear voice. Not a yell. And it was directed more at the clan than at Kestrelstar.

[Sklee]

At first, Amberpaw was shocked. Another death? We should just kill them? But she thought about it more, and came to a reasonable conclusion. They'd just kill more of us. And either way, she would need to stand by Riverclan. This was her home and that wasn't changing, even if it had to. She stood up, ready as she'd ever be to fight. "Frostfeather, let's go all out training tomorrow, ok?"

Nostalgia

[windtail]

silverpaw thought for a moment kill any thunderclan cat they saw she thought to herself but what would happen to the ones who refused to kill when they are told are she thought to herself

[WinterMara]

| White'paw of Riverclan |

While she did pay attention to the importance of the returning cats not being the most loyal, she also was interested in Kestral'star's attitude towards Thunderclan now. Hmm, seems chaos is reigning now, she knew who to not talk to at gatherings, and she didn't mind. Honestly, she was slightly excited for the chance to hopefully kill a Thunderclan cat, of course she'd need more training and to be trusted, but maybe that'd help.

She flicked her ear, and walked from the meeting, her face was oddly expressionless despite her good mood, probably just a new cover-up. If Thunderclan were to mess with Riverclan, then it was on. Who cared about her 'sensible' clanmate's concerns anyway? Leaders word was code if she remembered correctly.

[flat._.chair]

Swiftstripe
bravekit
xe sighed. “yeah, i don’t like all this chaos” and with that, xe dashed to the nursery.

[Rizo]

Rainstorm's eyes were huge with horror. Kestrelstar was going insane, violent and dark. He needed serious help. She wanted to speak up, but if she risked her kits lives... that couldn't happen. Instead, she snarled at Blackrunner, completely disregarding her psycho leader. Imagining her kittens, their faces, those beautiful eyes... it made her do things she never planned on doing. Like encouraging torture. All for her kits to be born into a Clan that they wouldn't be outcasts in.

Wolfsong saw the she-cat's panic and nudged her sister. She and Moonfrost stood and walked over to Rainstorm. They each sat on one side of her and pressed their flanks to her comfortingly.
"Stay calm, Rainstorm," Wolfsong whispered to her, attempting to console her. "No matter what happens next, my sister and I will not allow innocents to be harmed," she continued softly as Moonfrost gave rainstorm a reassuring blink. "Once this is over, we should go speak with Snakeheart. Maybe theres an herb to help," she mused, alluding to that not being the sole reason for speaking to the medicine cat.

-Skyfall-

[Akira]

What in the....?! This was too far, even for Kestrelstar! Reedpaw only stared in horror at the cat he once respected. He had started to accept the cat as leader, only for him to get blood thirsty?! What was wrong with him?! With an angry scowl and one last glare at the leader, Reedpaw turned and stalked back to the apprentices' den, the complete opposite of his normal behavior. Looked like it was time to consider some new options, as disappointing and heartbreaking as it was.

What had RiverClan come to...?

[Tuftdrawsanddoodles]

[Open for interaction]
ThunderClan.. Those weaklings are always ones to let cats die, aren’t they? Icespark held in a snarl, and kept her claws sheathed. Icespark would gladly fight in any war against ThunderClan. Those pathetic mangy things that call themselves cats where terrible. If she saw any ThunderClan cat dare cross the border… She would do as Kestrelstar says and execute them right then and there. Well… Except Woodheart. That’s the one ThunderClan cat you could trust. It’d be terrible for him to end up on the wrong side, or dead for that matter. It would cause her extreme grief for him to be caught near the border and slaughtered. Perhaps she could convince him. Her past convincings had failed, but now she had some more ways to convince him. Icespark nodded to herself. Yes, that’s just what she’ll do, next gathering or if she spots him alone. At a gathering would likely be better, whichever came last. She needed to become a more trusted member of RiverClan. She didn’t get an apprentice, but she could hunt and patrol the borders more. Yes, she could never go a day without patrolling or training, whether it be a hunting or border patrol, or swimming or fighting training. She felt like hunting today. Hopefully the waters would be plentiful today. Now she just needed a cat or two to hunt with. She scanned the camp for any warriors looking willing to go hunting

[im a cat]

@ I draw war cats
[Nightclaw can go for a hunt]

[shaae_26]

Yelling and shouting - some who relished in the fact that they would finally get to sink their claws into some ThunderClan pelts, others who were thoroughly against the order. At least a majority were smart enough to keep their mouths shut about it. He'd just deemed that any show of disloyalty or disrespect be reported to him, and already there were a few warriors who wanted to test if Kestrelstar really meant the weight behind such words? Bold.

[ WarriorzFan ]
The first to catch his attention was Quietclaw, the warrior he already had trouble with. Oh boy, it would be wonderful to finally have an excuse to sink his claws into that traitorous toms fur. Calm as a still river, the leader turned, yellow eyes instantly picking out the voice among the crowd. "If you don't want to fight for RiverClan, then why are you here?" he barked towards the tom, shaking his head in a disgusted manner. He hadn't been as outward with his claims as the main attraction had, but Kestrelstar didn't trust the warrior at all anymore.

[ Sky13 - So despite how derranged he is, Kes won't actually kill a Clanmate unless they are threatening him physically or are extremely supporting ThunderClan. Here, he has given Blackrunner the chance to leave on his own accord; if he chooses not to, or tries to attack Kestrelstar, he will then kill him ^^ ]
Next was Blackrunner. He wasn't too familiar with the warrior. But to call his leader a liar? The shadows burned Kestrelstar's heart once more as claws slide from their sheaths. Coming to stand a mere whiskers length away from the mouthy warrior, Kestrelstar chuckled. "I want all of RiverClan to see this as an example of what I do with those who defy their loyalty and dedication to RiverClan!" he called out, giving a lash of his tail behind him.

"Get out of my Clan. Now," he growled in a soft manner, eyes burning into Blackrunner. "You are no longer welcome here. If I see you on the territory after sunrise tomorrow, I will kill you." Darkness oozed from his words as he spoke, daring Blackrunner to say anything else. Down here, with the rest of the Clan, it was clear the crazed look his yellow eyes had. His disheveled pelt, skinny frame with the first one or two ribs subtly peeking out. Eyes sunken and hollow, yet alive with rage.
"No! Not until my message is heard!" Blackrunner growled. "Don't any of you guys know Thunderclan? Well I do. My father was half Thunderclan half Riverclan, and he was born in Thunderclan. Thunderclan wouldn't kill a cat simply for seeing them on their own side of the border. Which is why I think Kestrelstar is insane for ordering us to do that, because he must've changed to story to defend Petuniaflame's honor. So if I leave, is anyone coming with me?" Blackrunenr growled

[shaae_26]

"Go, Blackrunner, Leave. He will not listen to reason, so take the best option and go. I might actually come with you. I would rather die of old age than at the hands of a too-far gone socio and psychopath. This doesn't help anything, won't make it stop, and now this... I just won't try to humor Crazystar here. Goodbye. For Now." he said as he strolled out of the place the Streamstone was in.
Sky13
Blackrunner smiled gratefully at the tom.

[spade]

So more wanted to join the traitor? That was fine, Kestrelstar had no qualms about driving them all out. Head snapping to Alderfoot and then to Lotusheart, the leader bared his fangs. "You can both join him. You are no longer members of RiverClan," he snapped, giving a lash of his tail. He was done arguing.

[ Powerplay approved by Sky13 As well as Kestrelstar now finding him a threat to RiverClan ]
Malice filled eyes, glinting in the bright sky overhead, focused once more on Blackrunner. This tom... he would not leave on his own, would he? That was fine. The leader flexed his claws, confident in the sharp curve of the talons that were there. In a flash, the leader lunged, one claw striking Blackrunner across the face, scoring through flesh and drawing blood. Using his shoulder, he shoved into the tom, sending him tumbling towards the entrance of camp. "I will not ask again. Leave. And take your filthy supporters with you."

Anger consumed the leader as he glared down at the tom, watching the scarlet blood drip down from where he'd clawed him. Eyes snapped up and locked onto Alderfoot and Lotusheart. "If any of you are spotted on RiverClan territory, you will be killed. If you don't leave now, you will be killed. Either way, you will not be in this camp a moment longer."

There was one more warrior; Quietclaw. But Kestrelstar would deal with him later. Unless he left - oh, what a joy that would be.

// Sky13 Willowfern Shade.

[ heads up this is their warning; if they do continue to defy Kestrelstar by not leaving he will start injuring and/or HR killing them ^^ ]

[littlelove]

Morningpaw watched the commotion wide-eyed and silently as Kestrelstar lashed out at any cat who opposed his words. Her fur stood on end as countless thoughts clouded and swirled through her minds. What was going on? This couldn't be real.

She jumped in her seat as her leader dashed towards her clanmate, her ears folding back further. She wanted to say something but her tongue felt heavy and odd in her mouth, reluctant to say anything close to a grace about Thunderclan after all they'd done to them. So she stayed silent, her frame locked where she sat.

[Willowfern]

Alderfoot
_______

Yup, she’d done it now.
If she didn’t leave, she would be killed, if she ever wanted to return she would be killed.
Well, it was time for Alderfoot to do what she knew best, taking a deep breath, she prepared to unleash her middle-aged fury...
“I will go,” She said, anger boiling, “But know this, Kestrelstar, even if you decide to let me return, I won’t. I will never forget what you have done, and what you are soon to do.
This path you are taking is far from what StarClan has set for you, I once respected you, but now I see how horrible you can be...
I hope you return to the proper path, Kestrelstar, because if you do not...”
Her eyes clouded with worry,
“A lot of innocent cats will die, and it will be all your fault.”
And with that, she swept her tail, lifted her chin, and with all her dignity, she stalked out of the home she’d known her whole life.
Forever.

[Nixey]

~Dawnwhisper~
Shocked, the shecat moved quickly out of the way of Blackrunner as Kestrelstar slammed him towards the exit. Instead of her normally graceful walk, her paws threw up dirt as she rushed towards the other cats.

Reaching them, Dawnwhisper finally dove into the Warriors den. She was prepared to hide there while she thought over everything, her body trembling.

//open for someone following her\\

[im a cat]

NO! Don't! Lightpaw looked frantically at her clan-metes, unable to do anything... Oh no...

Nightclaw looked back when he heard the raised voices. And looked at the cats with mixed feelings, on one paw he understood Kestrelstar's decision but at the same time... they could have hunted for us so others would have more time to train...

[Willowfern]

Hawthornmist
___________

Ah, how could he have forgotten? Blackrunner was half ThunderClan too...
Hawthornmist’s heart went out to the Warrior... but he couldn’t interject, he had an apprentice to train... and he loved RiverClan too much to gamble it all away.
He jumped back as Kestrelstar and Blackrunner went tumbling past him, and he let out a startled yelp.
Oh no, Blackrunner shouldn’t have ignored Kestrelstar... now he was going to get gravely injured...
Or worse.
Alderfoot speaking up was honestly something he didn’t expect... as she had always had this motherly energy, and he’d never seen her as one to risk her life to say a few words...
Lotusheart he half understood, from what he’d seen, she was a bit off most of the time.
The tom didn’t know which was worse, the fact his father and sister’s clan was going to start getting attacked, or the fact that Kestrelstar was falling off the edge, and was headed to the looney-den.

[windtail]

what is happening to riverclan thought bluegaze as she watched the argument go on she looked at her leader maybe something was wrong with him but she wouldnt say anything she didnt want to make him even madder but attacking thunderclan when they cross the border but what if it was just a lost kit or the medican cat she didnt say anything thought

[im a cat]

~Dawnwhisper~
Shocked, the shecat moved quickly out of the way of Blackrunner as Kestrelstar slammed him towards the exit. Instead of her normally graceful walk, her paws threw up dirt as she rushed towards the other cats.

Reaching them, Dawnwhisper finally dove into the Warriors den. She was prepared to hide there while she thought over everything, her body trembling.

//open for someone following her\\

Lightpaw noticed Dawnwhiper rushing into the warriors den. Worried, she followed. "Are you alright?" she mewed, without stepping in to the den.

[Nixey]

Lightpaw noticed Dawnwhiper rushing into the warriors den. Worried, she followed. "Are you alright?" she mewed, without stepping in to the den.
~Dawnwhisper~
Blinking open their eyes, Dawnwhisper looked towards Lightpaw. Sucking in a breath, Dawnwhisper realized they must’ve been acting like a terrified kit. Sitting up, they controlled their trembling, their tail curling around their paws

Gazing at Lightpaw, Dawnwhisper composed themself finally. They realized that a warrior acting this way may cause kits and apprentices to worry. Opening their jaws, they mewed lightly ”I’m fine, Lightpaw, there’s no need to worry.”

[Ziera]

// ~Storm~ | Stormtalon

It clicked into place. Everything, all of it. Kestrelstar's disheveled appearance, Snakeheart, the crackling tension caging them in. Stormtalon's expression (usually walled off with bricks of apathy) faltered. Petuniaflame was...dead? Memories flashed in his mind of the cat who checked to see if he was injured only a moon ago, tone full of concern when she spoke to him despite Stormtalon never giving her a single reason to care. His fatigue disappeared as if it had never been.

Death always came for the least deserving. Always.

Shock mingled with anger mingled with wariness as Kestrelstar spiraled before his eyes. Stormtalon barely had time to register these announcements when chaos descended; the eerie smile on their leader's lips contradicted his unhinged tone and permission to kill. Kestrel's words shot a ripple of outrage through his newly empowered clanmates, and Storm smelled blood in the air before their leader drew it.

Stars.

Lowering himself into a state of calm, the sleek-muscled tom turned to Mistypaw, green eyes sharpening into slits. His iron-like tone left no room for discussion. "Leave. Now. Pick out a new nest in the apprentice's den and wait for this to die down." It wasn't for her to see.

Next, Storm scanned the crowd for Brightpaw. Relief poked through the haze of adrenaline when Storm realized the plump, raven-furred tom was nowhere to be seen. Good. Less responsibility meant Stormtalon's mind was free to engage in the current dilemma without distraction. There was a fleeting thought of Bumblestep, a quick stab or doubt, of worry he would do something stupid for principle's sake - but Storm dismissed it.

A quick assessment of the newly dubbed traitors - Lotusheart, Alderfoot (who should really shut the hell up, that speech was ill-timed and idiotic, but oh well. Storm wouldn't interfere with natural selection) and Blackrunner. Quietclaw on thin ice. Stormtalon's claws slid out and punctured the clearing floor. Ears pinned back and gaze piercing, the tom shoved everything down that wouldn't help him function in this moment: the rage, shock, the dull ache in his pulse suspiciously close to pain. Storm was good at this part. Numbing himself had always been easier than it should be; Jaggedstripe drilled the skill into him.

Padding toward the rear of the altercation as Alderfoot left, Stormtalon made it known which side he chose with bared fangs at the exiled cats. A silent support of their leader. The sooner they left the sooner this pandemonium ended...the rest he could sort out later. If Kestrelstar was encouraged to continue by more defiance, he might do irreparable damage in the minds of those who would have supported him full-heartedly.

[WarriorzFan]

So more wanted to join the traitor? That was fine, Kestrelstar had no qualms about driving them all out. Head snapping to Alderfoot and then to Lotusheart, the leader bared his fangs. "You can both join him. You are no longer members of RiverClan," he snapped, giving a lash of his tail. He was done arguing.

[ Powerplay approved by Sky13 As well as Kestrelstar now finding him a threat to RiverClan ]
Malice filled eyes, glinting in the bright sky overhead, focused once more on Blackrunner. This tom... he would not leave on his own, would he? That was fine. The leader flexed his claws, confident in the sharp curve of the talons that were there. In a flash, the leader lunged, one claw striking Blackrunner across the face, scoring through flesh and drawing blood. Using his shoulder, he shoved into the tom, sending him tumbling towards the entrance of camp. "I will not ask again. Leave. And take your filthy supporters with you."

Anger consumed the leader as he glared down at the tom, watching the scarlet blood drip down from where he'd clawed him. Eyes snapped up and locked onto Alderfoot and Lotusheart. "If any of you are spotted on RiverClan territory, you will be killed. If you don't leave now, you will be killed. Either way, you will not be in this camp a moment longer."

There was one more warrior; Quietclaw. But Kestrelstar would deal with him later. Unless he left - oh, what a joy that would be.

// Sky13 Willowfern Shade.

[ heads up this is their warning; if they do continue to defy Kestrelstar by not leaving he will start injuring and/or HR killing them ^^ ]

Quietclaw said: "I know you are going to do something to me. kill me? That's fine. Prove all these "traitors" right then! Prove you are just an ignorant, crazy, evil person who can't be stopped. Go Ahead! Do whatever you want. Prove it to all the cats in the clan even! I'm not gonna leave unless you do anything, but if you do anything, I will. Goodbye, and See you around..Jerkstar!" he said with a huff as he exited. "What a absolute psycho!" he saaid. loud enough for Kes to hear.

[im a cat]

~Dawnwhisper~
Blinking open their eyes, Dawnwhisper looked towards Lightpaw. Sucking in a breath, Dawnwhisper realized they must’ve been acting like a terrified kit. Sitting up, they controlled their trembling, their tail curling around their paws

Gazing at Lightpaw, Dawnwhisper composed themself finally. They realized that a warrior acting this way may cause kits and apprentices to worry. Opening their jaws, they mewed lightly ”I’m fine, Lightpaw, there’s no need to worry.”

Lightpaw looked at them for a moment before nodding. She turned around to walk back to her mentor but hesitated. "You can talk to me if there is something bothering you... there is no shame in being upset" she mewed over her shoulder before padding back to Looncry

[poppy]

[ RiztheHuntress ]

Rainstorm nearly fell over with surprise as she was suddenly flanked by two she-cats. "I appreciate it." She said softly, blinking at each warrior in turn. "But I'll be fine, thank you though." The last thing she needed was cats fussing over her. She had to be strong, for those little lives inside her. Don't worry kits, I'm preparing a wonderful place for you in this Clan.

[spade]

Quietclaw said: "I know you are going to do something to me. kill me? That's fine. Prove all these "traitors" right then! Prove you are just an ignorant, crazy, evil person who can't be stopped. Go Ahead! Do whatever you want. Prove it to all the cats in the clan even! I'm not gonna leave unless you do anything, but if you do anything, I will. Goodbye, and See you around..Jerkstar!" he said with a huff as he exited. "What a absolute psycho!" he saaid. loud enough for Kes to hear.

[ Since the cats were warned in the last post, this HR Kill has been approved ]

The last straw, he could feel it snapping in his mind. Kestrelstar's eyes widen, and a momentary flash of red, shadows tugging at his mind. Wheeling around, the leader darted towards Quietclaw, blocking his exit. Yellow eyes were aglow with rage, and the gray tabby towered over the warrior. "I've been waiting for this day," he whispered, voice like the abyss that plagued his waking moments. Claws were sharp, ready to deliver this warriors apparent death wish.

It all happened in seconds, but the leader felt time slow down. Rearing up on his hind legs, Kestrelstar brought his claws down onto the toms shoulders, pinning him underneath. Claws dug into the warriors shoulders drawing blood, thick and sticky as it coated the RiverClan leaders' forepaws.

Traitor. Traitor. Traitor.

Alarm bells rang in his head, going off like loud sirens. This was a threat. Not only to himself but to RiverClan. And threats were to be exterminated. With a swift bite to the neck, Kestrelstar swooped down and sunk his teeth Quietclaw's neck. The snap was satisfying, as was the rush of blood that followed. A quick death as Kestrelstar lifted his head, staring defiantly around at his Clanmates. "Go against RiverClan, and this will be your fate. I find that you are working with ThunderClan in any way, or that your intent is to bring harm to RiverClan, this will be your fate. Let this be a lesson."

"Stormtalon, make sure Blackrunner and Lotusheart leave. If they don't keep them here until I return." Kestrelstar called over his shoulder. This meeting was done. He was done. Stepping off of Quietclaw's limp body, Kestrelstar stalked out of the camp entrance with a lash of his tail.

// WarriorzFan Ziera

[Nixey]

~Dawnwhisper~
Shock, fear, anger, they all shot through the cat like a arrow. They had been walking out, planning to join their clan members, when they saw Kestrelstar kill Quietclaw.

Their mouth agape, they watched as he called out to the others. He had gone insane, truly, they understood the stress the leader was under, but did it really call for all this? Keeping her mouth shut, she slammed into the crowd of cats.

She didn’t want to put her thoughts out into the world, not yet. So when she saw Lightpaw by Looncry, she murmured a light “thank you for the offer.”

im a cat

[vcrdant]

Ryebelly immediately froze in
shock, staring at the leader with wide eyes. He had never thought that
he would experience it, and a sudden sense of fear hit him. His tail
flicked and he shakily took a step back from the scene. There's
no way, he thought. This is ridiculous... Not only was there
the death of Quietclaw, there was also the fact that Kestrelstar went
so far as to give permission for his warriors to kill ThunderClan cats near
the border. The tom lowered his head, staring as the leader left the
camp, and attempted to calm his nerves. Only then did he realize just
how fast his heart was beating and how tense he was.

[Rizo]

[ Since the cats were warned in the last post, this HR Kill has been approved ]

The last straw, he could feel it snapping in his mind. Kestrelstar's eyes widen, and a momentary flash of red, shadows tugging at his mind. Wheeling around, the leader darted towards Quietclaw, blocking his exit. Yellow eyes were aglow with rage, and the gray tabby towered over the warrior. "I've been waiting for this day," he whispered, voice like the abyss that plagued his waking moments. Claws were sharp, ready to deliver this warriors apparent death wish.

It all happened in seconds, but the leader felt time slow down. Rearing up on his hind legs, Kestrelstar brought his claws down onto the toms shoulders, pinning him underneath. Claws dug into the warriors shoulders drawing blood, thick and sticky as it coated the RiverClan leaders' forepaws.

Traitor. Traitor. Traitor.

Alarm bells rang in his head, going off like loud sirens. This was a threat. Not only to himself but to RiverClan. And threats were to be exterminated. With a swift bite to the neck, Kestrelstar swooped down and sunk his teeth Quietclaw's neck. The snap was satisfying, as was the rush of blood that followed. A quick death as Kestrelstar lifted his head, staring defiantly around at his Clanmates. "Go against RiverClan, and this will be your fate. I find that you are working with ThunderClan in any way, or that your intent is to bring harm to RiverClan, this will be your fate. Let this be a lesson."

"Stormtalon, make sure Blackrunner and Lotusheart leave. If they don't keep them here until I return." Kestrelstar called over his shoulder. This meeting was done. He was done. Stepping off of Quietclaw's limp body, Kestrelstar stalked out of the camp entrance with a lash of his tail.

// WarriorzFan Ziera

Wolfsong forced her fur to lay flat on her shoulders as she watched the events unfold. Moonfrost padded around Rainstorm to stand next to her and layed her dark tail across the silver she-cat's shoulders, trying to comfort her sister.
I'm so glad we sent Rainingpaw away from this... Moonfrost thought as she let out a breath she didnt realize she was holding.

[Piketooth]

Piketooth had stood there, a stern look on his face, no doubt his loyalty to Riverclan was strong, but to straight up murder Thunderclan on any sight? Surely he had heard it wrong, surely this was a mistake. He knew that Riverclans Leader wouldn't be this murderous, have such a thirst for blood?

Sadly, he knew there would be no talking Krestrelstar down, if any other warrior would glance at Piketioth they could see some confliction on his face. Instead Piketooth walked to the edge of the camp walls to the entrance and stand guard, watching the outside of camp with an intense gaze

[Kunaisoul]

“Not petuniaflame!” She hissed, defiance in her voice.. she looked up at kestrelstar.

[Ziera]

// Sky13 | Shade.

Stormtalon watched Quietclaw sign his death warrant with lines showcasing not only his idiocy, but a severe lack of creativity. Jerkstar? Really? Is that what he wanted to go out on? Brainless. Idiots. Everywhere. Could no one read a room? Yes, let's insult the clan leader who happens to have the power to exile (and right now, worse) during a very obvious mental breakdown. Brilliant idea.

He..should have felt something when Kestrelstar went in for the kill. Maybe he'd feel it later, like a bruise on his conscience that would throb after everything was over. Brightpaw would've yelled for their leader to stop; he could already imagine those big blue eyes boring into his pelt, begging him to do something and intervene, but Stormtalon didn't move a claw when it happened. He only stared ahead. Adamant in his decision which he believed would stave off further violence.

And really...if this cat was murdered, it was by the paw of his own impudence; Quietclaw let his tongue wag until Kestrelstar silenced it for good and that was a choice - not Storm's responsibility. Wasn't it?

Quiet died quick while the pungent scent of his blood permeated the air. Storm's features remained cold as stone. The numbness he used as a way to operate under pressure kept him safe from the impact of what he observed, and when the leader gave him an order, he nodded.

As Kestrelstar stalked off to nurse his fraying mind, Stormtalon approached Lotusheart and Blackrunner, dressed in a dangerous calm. The charcoal tabby flicked his tail once. "Don't make this harder than it has to be," he mewed, voice firm. Kits and apprentices and the whole damn clan watched them now. He hoped that at least these two would see sense and just leave. "I'll escort you to the border."

[Shade.]

She knew she had done the right thing. She did not want to be here. To harm cats. But she still wanted to stop the war. Lotusheart turned and started leaving. No one would miss her, nobody liked her. It didn't matter. Lotusheart will be a hero, whether they like it or not. Even if it involved working for the other side...
Ziera

[wolfie]

FrostCat
The blind tom did not say another word to Frostpaw. The dread was becoming more buzzing, more active and swarming around in his thoughts. It overwhelmed Kestrelstar's voice. The way something was so off that Wormbite did not need his eyes to see his leader in such a disturbed state. He focused on the buzz with the way it made him feel as if he wasn't truly existing in that the moment.

Maybe he would throw a glance around the crowd at the mention of possible disloyalty. Picturing his clanmates as traitors made him sick to his stomach. He could handle the chaos that surrounded Riverclan. He thrived in it. Wormbite dipped his head, focusing his gaze to the ground. The buzzing was becoming overwhelming.

His head snapped up at the second announcement. A stoic face faltered.

Petiunaflame. A familiar name, a familiar presence. Gone. It didn't ache the way Wormbite had found about Fawnstream and Lionstorm. He admired them. It was a sad sorrow. This time it burned him to his core. There was familiar admire at her sacrifice and then the complete need to avenge. He was beginning to uproot the grass. He could easily imagine how his claws would sink into the mices' flesh. The sound of their screams. The thought made Wormbite glance around, shuddering. He didn't agree with it. He wasn't a damn brute.
There was no surprise at the uproars of the kill order. Wormbite had to remind himself that he would do anything for Riverclan. The warrior had no issue with dirtying his paws if it meant Riverclan could thrive. Yeah. A small part of him understood how truly terrifying it was that he did not have much.. limits to what he would do. Right?

Lotusheart, Quickclaw, and Blackrunner became dead to him. Quickclaw became dead. In mean that time Wormbite had stood up. Maybe he was purposely standing and blocking the view from Frostpaw as he turned to her. She didn't need to know that. "Get some rest. We'll be sparring tomorrow, " Wormbite meowed, ears swiveling to the sounds of Kestrelstar's orders.

He retreated to the warrior's den. Tired wore heavy on his bones and he did not wish to dwell on this meeting. Wormbite couldn't afford to. Maybe he would pause and see if he could smell someone familiar that would be able to make things quiet. She did not appear.

And if his thoughts swallowed him whole that night no one needed to know.

[starry]

[ Ziera ]

Mistypaw flinched as she watched Quietclaw being killed. Why? Why was Kestrelstar doing this? But she wasn't going to say something against it. She knew he was stressed and everything.

Being stressed enough to kill clanmates must be horrible. Mistypaw sighed. She wanted to get away, but she wasn't sure if she was supposed, or even allowed to. Then, she heard her mentor.

Did he just give her permission to go away, into the apprentices den? She smiled with slight relief, but it wasn't one of those happy smiles. Misty knew that a cat had just died, and she wasn't going to make the better out of it. It was a pretty dire situation.

She looked at Storm. "Okay. I'll leave." Mistypaw meowed, forcing out a formal smile. Then, she padded away into the apprentices den as quickly as she could. Away from all of this trauma, away from all of this death. She now had so many questions, but now wasn't the time to ask them.

[shaae_26]

Alderfoot
_______

Yup, she’d done it now.
If she didn’t leave, she would be killed, if she ever wanted to return she would be killed.
Well, it was time for Alderfoot to do what she knew best, taking a deep breath, she prepared to unleash her middle-aged fury...
“I will go,” She said, anger boiling, “But know this, Kestrelstar, even if you decide to let me return, I won’t. I will never forget what you have done, and what you are soon to do.
This path you are taking is far from what StarClan has set for you, I once respected you, but now I see how horrible you can be...
I hope you return to the proper path, Kestrelstar, because if you do not...”
Her eyes clouded with worry,
“A lot of innocent cats will die, and it will be all your fault.”
And with that, she swept her tail, lifted her chin, and with all her dignity, she stalked out of the home she’d known her whole life.
Forever.
// Sky13 | Shade.

Stormtalon watched Quietclaw sign his death warrant with lines showcasing not only his idiocy, but a severe lack of creativity. Jerkstar? Really? Is that what he wanted to go out on? Brainless. Idiots. Everywhere. Could no one read a room? Yes, let's insult the clan leader who happens to have the power to exile (and right now, worse) during a very obvious mental breakdown. Brilliant idea.

He..should have felt something when Kestrelstar went in for the kill. Maybe he'd feel it later, like a bruise on his conscience that would throb after everything was over. Brightpaw would've yelled for their leader to stop; he could already imagine those big blue eyes boring into his pelt, begging him to do something and intervene, but Stormtalon didn't move a claw when it happened. He only stared ahead. Adamant in his decision which he believed would stave off further violence.

And really...if this cat was murdered, it was by the paw of his own impudence; Quietclaw let his tongue wag until Kestrelstar silenced it for good and that was a choice - not Storm's responsibility. Wasn't it?

Quiet died quick while the pungent scent of his blood permeated the air. Storm's features remained cold as stone. The numbness he used as a way to operate under pressure kept him safe from the impact of what he observed, and when the leader gave him an order, he nodded.

As Kestrelstar stalked off to nurse his fraying mind, Stormtalon approached Lotusheart and Blackrunner, dressed in a dangerous calm. The charcoal tabby flicked his tail once. "Don't make this harder than it has to be," he mewed, voice firm. Kits and apprentices and the whole damn clan watched them now. He hoped that at least these two would see sense and just leave. "I'll escort you to the border."
She knew she had done the right thing. She did not want to be here. To harm cats. But she still wanted to stop the war. Lotusheart turned and started leaving. No one would miss her, nobody liked her. It didn't matter. Lotusheart will be a hero, whether they like it or not. Even if it involved working for the other side...
Ziera
"Alderfoot, are you coming with me?" Blackrunner mewed, trying to sound defiant and strong despite the blackness that threatened to engulf him.

[Ziera]

// Sky13 | Stormtalon

"Possibly, if you catch up to her," Stormtalon said, tone several degrees lower than a river in leaf bare. Perhaps Quietclaw's death had been too distracting for him to see that she padded off already. Well. Now it would become apparent to Blackrunner that he was alone, the last one standing (for now) as Lotusheart just accepted her fate.

Moving in a confident stride, Stormtalon trailed Lotusheart toward the camp entrance. "Out, Blackrunner."

He would not say it again.

---

// implimm | Ottersplash

No. This could NOT be happening again. Just like the last one. Ottersplash looked on slack-jawed with rounded eyes as everything he was afraid of -- all the tension in the air that had him escaping into RiverClan territory daily, just to avoid suffocation -- built to this startling crescendo.

First it was the ache in his heart at the news about Petuniaflame, then panic settled in: Kestrelstar lost it. Otter could hardly believe what he was seeing. Since when did Lotusheart, or Blackrunner, or Alderfoot become cats who fit a traitor's description? Stars. Exiled....one after another.

What could he do about it? Nothing, nothing.

It was all he could manage to snap his head away in time to avoid seeing Kestrelstar's killing blow, although an image of it played on the screen of his mind. Projecting his fears and worse.

He wanted it all to stop.

Then it happened. A silvery flash in his vision had honey-eyes chasing after it. Otter's emotions stalled, because was that...? Plumstorm. It was a...kinda ridiculous thing if Ottersplash thought too hard about it (so good thing he didn't), but he felt an instinctive pull towards her. The ginger tom was moving before he realized his paws started working again - the reflex of a trembling soul searching for closeness.

"Plumstorm....are you okay?"

[plum]

Her powdery blue eyes follow the exiled, but stop on the grisly scene that they had no choice but to watch, those sad few who remained in the clearing. The silver molly stares at the body that once held Quietclaw within it.
His blood pooled in the sand, the debris littering the ground, everything.

Plumstorm swallows hard.

There was something hot and uncomfortable sitting in her belly.

She couldn't concern herself with the fallen warrior or the reason he fell. She couldn't, and wouldn't, because if she looked at Quietclaw again, the bile in her stomach would push its way up her throat.

A voice pulls her out of the tunnel closing in around her, and as the world opens back up again just like that, she sees the tom she had been looking for. Relief swiftly replaces dread, and she hurriedly finishes her pace across Streamstones to greet Ottersplash whiskers away as opposed to foxlengths.

"What kind of question is that," she mews abashedly.

Looking him over, she could see that he was just as shaken. He needed something to pull him out of here, away from this. It would be her, or at least the line would be cast for him to take if he wanted. She wasn't sure where his other friends were, or if he even really wanted to be seen like this. It'd be too exhausting to put up a front so soon.

"Do you want to go on a walk?" Plumstorm proposes slowly, studying Ottersplash's features. After a heartbeat, she flicks her tail towards Saltpaw, who was hopefully where she'd left him. "I want to take him out, too. He's... Been hard to convince when it came to ThunderClan. The both of you need some air."

The silver mau's words were soft. Gentle. She really wanted him to say yes. She needed the space, too. And in hoping so hard, her chest almost ached.
[ Ziera, Panda1440 ]

[AppleCat4]

Kill them on sight? Jaynose’s jaw dropped when she heard her leader speak those words. But… but that’s against the code!
She leapt to her feet, wanting to yowl out a protest. She didn’t, but she was certain that dismay was evident on her face. Kestrelstar has gone mad, she thought.

[Piketooth]

Piketooth had stared at the cats that left the camp as they walked by, feeling sorry for them as they walked past him at the cave entrance. Part of him wanted to leave, to go with them. To leave his crazy leader and his lust for blood, but for some reason he stayed put, wondering if he needed a push in the right direction.
implimm

[Willowfern]

Hawthornmist
___________

No!
Hawthornmist lurched back, fear, surprise, and confusion rushing through him, his eyes widened as Quietclaw’s body dropped to the ground, he gasped.
What was that Kestrelstar had said, anyone working with ThunderClan in any way would meet the same fate as Quietclaw?!
Blood roared in Hawthornmist’s ears,
He was half ThunderClan!
What would happen when Kestrelstar remembered that...
Would he be killed too?

[shaae_26]

// Sky13 | Stormtalon

"Possibly, if you catch up to her," Stormtalon said, tone several degrees lower than a river in leaf bare. Perhaps Quietclaw's death had been too distracting for him to see that she padded off already. Well. Now it would become apparent to Blackrunner that he was alone, the last one standing (for now) as Lotusheart just accepted her fate.

Moving in a confident stride, Stormtalon trailed Lotusheart toward the camp entrance. "Out, Blackrunner."

He would not say it again.

---

// implimm | Ottersplash

No. This could NOT be happening again. Just like the last one. Ottersplash looked on slack-jawed with rounded eyes as everything he was afraid of -- all the tension in the air that had him escaping into RiverClan territory daily, just to avoid suffocation -- built to this startling crescendo.

First it was the ache in his heart at the news about Petuniaflame, then panic settled in: Kestrelstar lost it. Otter could hardly believe what he was seeing. Since when did Lotusheart, or Blackrunner, or Alderfoot become cats who fit a traitor's description? Stars. Exiled....one after another.

What could he do about it? Nothing, nothing.

It was all he could manage to snap his head away in time to avoid seeing Kestrelstar's killing blow, although an image of it played on the screen of his mind. Projecting his fears and worse.

He wanted it all to stop.

Then it happened. A silvery flash in his vision had honey-eyes chasing after it. Otter's emotions stalled, because was that...? Plumstorm. It was a...kinda ridiculous thing if Ottersplash thought too hard about it (so good thing he didn't), but he felt an instinctive pull towards her. The ginger tom was moving before he realized his paws started working again - the reflex of a trembling soul searching for closeness.

"Plumstorm....are you okay?"
Blackrunner shouldered the other tom aside. "I can escort myself out." He growled, and padded calmly out of the camp. Once he reached Riverclan territory, he broke into a spirt, searching for Alderfoot. ( Willowfern )

[gs29513]

windtail ~Storm~ FrostCat
Glad that a few cats at least had made their way over, Splashleap let out a quick purr. Of course you can come! she mewed, reassuring Palebrook her presence was welcome. After all, this was really an excuse to get a few cats out of camp. Specifically the apprentices, who might need something to take their minds off of what was happening, all the fighting within the clan. Which, from the looks of it, was about to get worse. Insulting Kestrelstar at this time really wasn't wise, and yet Quietclaw was doing so anyway?

Splashleap couldn't help but shudder as Kestrelstar leapt forward, pinning the warrior to the ground. It was fairly evident to her what was coming, and she looked away, flinching slightly as the leaders voice, harsh and angry, rang out once more. So Quietclaw was dead, and Lotusheart and Blackfoot were exiled. Yep, definitely time to get out. Fleeing into the territory wasn't the most....noble of things to do now, but it was the one least likely to end with her angering someone. Which she really did NOT want to deal with right now. Nope, bye! Kestrelstar, you made this problem, she was NOT going to fix it. Maybe she could try and pick up later, but not now. Come on, lets go. she mewed, trotting out of camp as quickly as possible. The sooner they were going the better.

[Raven~]

FrostCat
The blind tom did not say another word to Frostpaw. The dread was becoming more buzzing, more active and swarming around in his thoughts. It overwhelmed Kestrelstar's voice. The way something was so off that Wormbite did not need his eyes to see his leader in such a disturbed state. He focused on the buzz with the way it made him feel as if he wasn't truly existing in that the moment.

Maybe he would throw a glance around the crowd at the mention of possible disloyalty. Picturing his clanmates as traitors made him sick to his stomach. He could handle the chaos that surrounded Riverclan. He thrived in it. Wormbite dipped his head, focusing his gaze to the ground. The buzzing was becoming overwhelming.

His head snapped up at the second announcement. A stoic face faltered.

Petiunaflame. A familiar name, a familiar presence. Gone. It didn't ache the way Wormbite had found about Fawnstream and Lionstorm. He admired them. It was a sad sorrow. This time it burned him to his core. There was familiar admire at her sacrifice and then the complete need to avenge. He was beginning to uproot the grass. He could easily imagine how his claws would sink into the mices' flesh. The sound of their screams. The thought made Wormbite glance around, shuddering. He didn't agree with it. He wasn't a damn brute.
There was no surprise at the uproars of the kill order. Wormbite had to remind himself that he would do anything for Riverclan. The warrior had no issue with dirtying his paws if it meant Riverclan could thrive. Yeah. A small part of him understood how truly terrifying it was that he did not have much.. limits to what he would do. Right?

Lotusheart, Quickclaw, and Blackrunner became dead to him. Quickclaw became dead. In mean that time Wormbite had stood up. Maybe he was purposely standing and blocking the view from Frostpaw as he turned to her. She didn't need to know that. "Get some rest. We'll be sparring tomorrow, " Wormbite meowed, ears swiveling to the sounds of Kestrelstar's orders.

He retreated to the warrior's den. Tired wore heavy on his bones and he did not wish to dwell on this meeting. Wormbite couldn't afford to. Maybe he would pause and see if he could smell someone familiar that would be able to make things quiet. She did not appear.

And if his thoughts swallowed him whole that night no one needed to know.

Frostpaw didn’t know who Wormbite was trying to fool. She could see Kestrelstar killing Quietclaw. Which made sense. What if she was a spy? You could never be too careful.

She frowned when Wormbite refused to train her today. Ugh. She needed to learn how to fight so she could kill some ThunderClan cats, just like Kestrelstar! Tomorrow had better come quick.

[Raven~]

Palebrook’s eyes widened as Queitclaw’s body hit the ground, and it was hard not to screech. What was Kestrelstar doing? This was insane! She hurried after Splashleap, her belly churning. Queitclaw had been half ThunderClan, but she still did not deserve to die. It was wrong! Palebrook murmured to Splashleap, “Can’t you do anything? This is madness!”
gs29513 ~Storm~ windtail

[windtail]

crowpaw stared at queitclaws body what was happening he thought and look quickly at splashleap and palebrook to see if they were leaving to go train yet
FrostCat ~Storm~ gs29513

[littlelove]

Morningpaw swallowed a scream as her blue eyes bored into the corpse of Quietclaw. It felt like everything in her world had collapsed in a second, and Quietclaw's corpse was much more than the body of a warrior; It was the sign of changing tides dyed crimson and the bodies of so many more to follow.

She squeezed her eyes shut as she turned away. Her thoughts churned like the paws of a monster, with a single, constant thought; I wish this wasn't real.

Standing up, Morningpaw realized she had no more reason to stay in the clearing, unless she wanted to stare at the fallen body of her clanmate again. She decided to hole herself up in the apprentices' den. No isolation would stop the dread from pulling her downwards, though.

[Panda1440]

What- wow. he really did it. the ca- the poor cat that was once alive, once full of breath. was dead,, in a pool of blood. The tom quickly looked away. He had made a mistake. Saltpaw knew now he shouldn't have joined RC,, this was - it's t- too unbearably mu- much. Away from wars, need to fight. should i ,, should I run away? He still had no idea how to get to the edge of RC territory. Or at least,,.. didn't remember.

Looking up to where the silver molly and Ottersplash where standing, he stood up from the sitting position. pawing closer, he heard his mentor latest sentence. Making the conclusion that they where going somewhere, he nodded a little. The worried look on the tom's face was still set in stone though. Oh. maybe. Maybe this walk would be good. i still can't say anything that would m- make them think,, I can't be exiled. my- my friends are here. [ implimm @/Ziera]

[carmen]

Bristletail felt the tear widening. She could see it stretching through the clearing, ripping towards her, threatening to send everything she loved into its eternal abyss. Her clan, her clanmates, her leader. She could see it in his eyes, Kestralstar was losing it. In his first two moons as leader, he had lost four clanmates. It was understandable at least. Inheriting a clan from a leader who never got blessed by starclan, losing half the clan. Riverclan was a mess. And there was nothing she could do to help it.

He didn't trust them? He didn't trust those who left and returned. She would never help Thunderclan, though she couldn't speak for Dusksong. Riverclan came first. Riverclan always came first. Fight to kill? Fight to kill? That was bad. Really bad. She wouldn''t do it, but she knew others who might. Why was this happening. War was coming to the clans. The tensions between Shadowclan and Windclan weren't to be ignored. If it came to two on two, there was no telling what the result would be.

[_Riverblossom_]

Sandflower padded out to the rock looking up to the leader

[Ziera]

// implimm | Panda1440 - affection pp approved :nuggle:

Relief pooled inside his chest when Plumstorm moved to greet Ottersplash, almost like she’d been waiting for him. An unspoken feeling fluttered inside the ginger warrior. Instinct brought Otter to Plumstorm without his thoughts’ approval because something deeper in him said yes, this is where I last felt safe, and instead of shove that away he smiled at her. Weakly, but he did it.

“You’re right. Dumb question. Sorry.”

Her invitation hung in the air between them like a lifeline. Escape. Ottersplash noticed how his paws still shook, so he pressed them firmly to the ground to hide their instability. His amber eyes followed Plum’s indication of Saltpaw. Her apprentice…right?

He appreciated Plumstorm’s reading of the situation, of her looking out for him as well as Salt, even though she didn’t look all that okay herself. …He had a sneaking suspicion she’d be more okay if he said yes and stayed close. Was that assuming too much? Was he projecting?

Ottersplash didn’t think about it: he just gave in and closed the distance between them. Gently pressing the pink of his nose to Plumstorm’s cheek, the tom moved, still trembling as his side brushed hers in a show of comfort he couldn’t stuff into words, orange fur mingling with grey. “Yeah. Yeah, I’d love to.” Ottersplash couldn’t remove the note of gratitude in his voice if he tried.

Smiling at Saltpaw and coming off a little surer this time, Ottersplash turned and padded for the camp entrance. Not looking at Quietclaw’s corpse.

[spade]

Exhausted.

As Kestrelstar climbed his way up onto the Streamstone, that was the overwhelming feeling crashing down on him. Paws begging to rest, wounds that had been healed by Snakeheart throbbing with every movement. Dull were his yellow eyes, and gone was the fire of battle, the inferno of rage he’d had. Now, he just looked tired.

Those that knew him well would know that something was off. Something appeared... almost regretful? Briefly, the leader turned his head towards the sky, searching as his heart often did for the glimmer of stars. It was dusk, and soon the sun would be disappearing. Was his mother up there? Kestrelstar felt guilt pierce his heart as he imagined what she would say. How disappointed she would be in her little bird...

”All of RiverClan, kits and elders alike. Gather beneath the Streamstone, please.” Please? As Kestrelstar gave the call, he realized he had never been once for niceties before. But this meeting... it was different. He stood on the rock, waiting for his Clan - his Clan - to gather.

There were many things to talk about.

gs29513 Rani Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Lavender’fur Ziera Shade. implimm Silverfur & Co hope FrostCat poppy. shaded shadow Tiabirb x ghostie AppleCat4 Quickpaw Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress @OhZeeWolf liz Kunaiskrill Sacred vcrdant xbatx Piketooth I draw war cats Socks Stardust~ Swiftstripe floofy Pheasantflight Twilight Wing Meeklein HoneyFlame im a cat ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: Skycloud ~Fox~ Beetlenose duskfire1 Dipper Rippleshade Serendibite WarriorzFan Fizzypinkratjuice ~Kitty~ coffeebeans Thunderstrike Fivier Rainquail Angelique Fawnhearted feather lily littlelove Sklee windtail Roseleader Riverfly Kyrieknight Celeste Topaztaill WinterRabbit5350 Rxmulus Peril Caramel Bramblefire01 rosetherosey Riverfly

[Shade.]

Lizardfrost, still rather beat up, joined the meeting. She wanted to see what the next course of action was.

[Nixey]

~Dawnwhisper~
They slinked their way towards Streamstone at the beckon of their leader. Taking a soft breath they sat down.

~Reedkit~
Bounding over, Reedkits steps seemed almost more like she was bouncing. Though, upon seeing Kestrelstar she sat down and stared up at the leader with a worried look.

[Kunaisoul]

nightleap

She watched.

[Silverfur & Co]

Snowstripe hearing this call soounding alot different from the normal calls she padded over to the streamstone she had afew claw marks on her tiger pelt but not near as noticable. She looks up to him.

Featherkit heard this call and was shocked that kits could attend this meeting she was getting used to her clan life but she looked at him and stood proud she liked sir Kestrelstar alot and looked up to him and wanted to be a great leader like him.

[Mercury]

- Frozenkit -

Poking his head out of the nursery, the little tom blinked. Kits could come to the meeting too? That was- interesting, and strange. The downy, white-furred kit padded out, glancing around. Cats were starting to gather. His apprentice ceremony wasn’t here yet, so why was he invited in the first place? This didn’t make sense. With a harrumph, Frozenkit pushed his way to the front of the crowd, head raised in an air of self-importance. He was going to figure out what this was about no matter what.

- Cricketpaw -

A Clan meeting - without Reedpaw. Something hollow in Cricketpaw’s stomach knew things were really wrong. She hadn’t seen him return from the raid, and she was terrified of what that may mean. Was he- no, he couldn’t have joined StarClan’s ranks! That would be- absurd! Reedpaw was kind, and brave, and, well- Cricketpaw knew her brother could hold his own against anyone in ThunderClan! But when the patrol trudged back, and he wasn’t among their ranks- that had sent Cricketpaw’s thought spiraling in directions she really didn’t want to revisit now. As she padded out of the apprentices’ den, settling near the back of the crowd, she could only hope this meeting would reveal what had gone down - and where her only brother had disappeared to.

- Briarpaw -

Another Clan meeting - hopefully with news about the attack. Briarpaw, frustratingly, hadn’t spoken to her mentor since the return of the battle party. She had no details, and no idea who died. Striding over to the clearing from a small meal of a pair of minnows, the calico she-cat sat, closer to the front of the crowd than she would normally be. She wanted to know what happened - why Kestrelstar wasn’t summoning the Clan in triumph - where the heck Ottersplash was, so he could tell her where he’d been this entire time.


The trio of cats wanted answers. They had no idea what had occurred that fateful battle, but they were determined to find out.

[Lavender'fur]

;Hawkwhisker;

The white warrior approached the Streamstone. His ears pricked at the Meeting Call. Kestrelstar had never said please... this was obviously important. Different.

He sat down.

[furrensic]

➸ crabkit 🦀

poking her head out of the nursery, crabkit glanced around at the cats - lots looked bad - and scampered out of the den, making a bee-line straight for the streamstone



➸ daisybird

the call of kestrelstar made the queen frown, almost tripping over an overly excited ginger kit just to peer out of the nursery. just as she expected, most cats were injured. they'd done something dumb, something that could ruin her kits lives in the future. with a small huff, the tired queen decided to sit right outside the nursery. she could hear from here, so it'd be fine.



➸ moonmoth

one ear gave a small twitch and moonmoth turned it's head, glancing up at the sky. the sun would be setting soon - why was a meeting being called so late in the evening? it's gaze landed on the injured warriors, then kestrelstar and it shuddered lightly, growing nervous and feeling a small pit form in its stomach.

with a quiet sigh, the tri-colored cat stood up, slinking over to the streamstone and taking a seat. it's long tail wrapped around its paws, moonmoth decided to keep its eyes trained on the ground.

[gs29513]

Exhaustion weighed heavily on Splashleap, the burnet and fish from the morning long since out of her system. But she made her way over to the Streamstone anyway, careful in her usage of her right front limb. The paw and shoulder which she had cleaned and slapped cobwebs on still stung, but she wasn't about to go and bother Snakeheart. There were other cats much more wounded, and they didn't have an infinite supply of herbs. The pain was, in fact, welcome at times. It gave her something to focus on, something to pull forward in the queue of thoughts to block out what she REALLY should be thinking about. What she was probably going to try to avoid until the day she died. Kestrelstar seemed.....different, to say the least, and she shot a worried glance at him quickly before looking around to see who had come.

[windtail]

silverpaw walked over to the streamstone to here what the leader had to say

crowpaw walked and sat down at the streamstone with the other cats that were aready there and wondered what kestrelstar was going to say

[im a cat]

Nightclaw got up and stretched before walking to the Streamstone. What could it be about this time?

Lightpaw looked up as she heard her leader call. She smiled as she remembered the last clan meting, when she'd become an apprentice, perhaps she'd get some more den mates this meting.

[shaded shadow]

rainingpaw walked over to the streamstone and wonder what kestrelstar was going to say

sootfang had just walked into camp when he heard kestrelstars call and set down the prey he had just cought and walked to sit with the other cats under the streamstone

[littlelove]

Haunted.
That's how Morningpaw pegged the atmosphere of the clearing as she exited from the medicine den. She was happy to heal as a helper rather than claw somebody's eyes out in battle, but... watching the hallowed eyes of her clanmates made her feel as if she hadn't done enough.
Silently, she took a seat beneath the Streamstone.

[~Fierce~]

~Streampelt~
Streampelt's green eyes were glazed over as he padded over to the Streamstone. He was tired from the battle and he wanted to get some sleep but that would have to come after the meeting. He sat down at the back of the crowd gathering at the Streamstones and it took all his strength to keep his eyes open.

~Fiercepaw~
Fiercepaw padded over to the Streamstone, her paws dragging a bit as she walked. She didn't bother fighting to sit at the front, instead just sitting in the middle of the group of cats at the Streamstone.

~Shykit~
Shykit poked her head out of the nursery and she wondered why there were a lot of cats that seemed tired, some even hurt. She sat outside the entrance to the nursery, her blue eyes scanning the crowd, taking in all the sleepy and hurt clanmates.

[Glitch_Candle]

Vinepaw, tired as she was, tried her best to walk over to the meeting

[Topaz]

~Redpaw~

The apprentice’s head lifted as he heard Kestrelstar’s voice echo across camp. Redpaw sat up and stretched, before leaving his nest. It seemed the clan was back.

You should have been with them! You should have fought!
We both know what would of happened. I don’t have much battle training!

The russet tom timidly approached the meeting, ducking if anyone looked in his direction. He chose a spot, hidden behind a few tall cats.

[Singing Jay]

Lilyfrost sat down by the streamstone and looked up at Kestrelstar, a bit nervelessly, at the last meting her leader had encouraged to kill any Thunderclan cats that came near the border and then the raid had happened and... She sighed, worry tugging at her heart.

Goldenpaw padded over and wrapped her tail over her darker paws. She didn't care about who would become apprentices or warriors... The fur on her neck bristled a little. Well, as long as it wasn't Webpaw... She twitched her tail and tried to convince her self it didn't mater, she only wanted to know about anything Thunderclan had done...

[Madelaine]

Brightpaw padded over to the streamstone and sat down. He was still pretty exhausted as well from the battle, but everyone was. It had been his very first real battle and he was proud of what he had done for his clan.

Petunkiakit padded out of the nursery. She knew she shouldn't, bit she wanted to be here. Everyone looked beat up. The kit was getting bigger by the day and much more restless. She made her way near the front and sat down. She wanted to hear her leader loud and clear.

[WinterMara]

| Whitepaw, The Ambitious Actress of Riverclan |

Please, did he seriously just say please? Oh she wanted to burst out laughing on the spot, what was he, a kit now? To think he actually was seeming to be a good leader, wanting to rip into some Thunderclan pelts, she went to the Streamstone anyway, just, trying to ignore the urge to chuckle.

[Egasl]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit padded warily into the clearing. Was she supposed to be here. She heard Kestrelstar call for kits, but she was still skeptical. The clumsily made her way over to the streamstone, and sat staring blindly ahead, unsure where to look.

[Rani]

The burden of a medicine cat was one that hit in the calm after a storm.

When the chaos of battle reigned and claws and fangs flew it was often calm and still for a medicine cat, exempt from battle as they were and so untouchable sitting in the centre of a hurricane of bloodshed that all the clan but them was caught in. After though... After was different. After was a mad frantic scramble to try and drag those drowned by the storm to land, to fix the damages done while those less scathed finally got a moment to rest. It was a battle all its own in a way and Snakeheart want even done (he was never done) even as Kestrelstar called a meeting. Kestrelstar who'd..... Snakeheart didnt even want to think about it, the implication, the proof of a cat rising from the dead..... Too much to consider for right now.

The medicine cats head was heavy as he padded out from his den paws caked with his clanmates blood still wet and tacky and remnants of herb salve around his mouth from having chewed the plants to a paste. Most of the chaos had passed but this would be a long night and even now he couldnt sit and rest. Bundle of sweet smelling flowers in mouth Snakeheart padded through the crowds to the base of the streamstone where the bodies lay. Olivenose and Ottersplash, of course two of the happiest cats of the clan were the ones thunderclan had ended up killing, of course they were the cost. Both cats never really had the heart for fighting and both cats would be dearly missed. Leaning down the tom started cleaning the bodies washing away the blood and hiding any injuries he could with their fur until they almost looked as if they could be sleeping if not for the scent of death. A scent that rapidly disappeared as the flowers were rubbed along their pelts and tucked around them until Snakehearts work was done would he be expected to pray for them? To plead with starclan for their safe passage? The tom looked up at the sky and the stars his clanmates so worshiped reflecting that even if it felt odd and strange to pray to cats he didnt believe in if he was asked he would. If nothing else it might bring some comfort to the clan.

[Abyssopelagic]

Coming in with the inflow of cats returning from the raid against ThunderClan, Palepaw was more than eager to turn in for the night and just go into a light coma. As many times as she'd trained with Berryscorch, as many days as she'd spent preparing herself for the inevitability of battle and the strains that came with it, no one had prepared her for the emotional toll it took.
She could ignore the burning in her limbs, she'd pushed herself harder in practice; she could ignore the stinging aches of the few cuts she had, she'd been in more danger from her wounds from the gull she'd saved Petuniakit from. It wasn't the physical aspect she'd prepared herself for for so long that were bothering her.
No one had prepared her for the way this had effected her emotionally, mentally. She hasn't stopped thinking about Tawnybird's warning or the screams as she'd snapped his leg. She hadn't stopped thinking about the apprentice she'd mauled, how defeated and broken she looked, dejected and humiliated.
And she wasn't sure how she was going to deal with this and she hated how weak and vulnerable she felt. Battle was supposed to bring honor in knowing you were defending your Clan, your clanmates. She didn't know what she was supposed to do with this guilt.
Numbly, she found herself seated amongst her clanmates, gazing up at Kestrelstar on the stones, something akin to resentment burning in her belly and regretting every emotion she felt.

[Raven~]

Shinestone
Shinestone padded out of the nursery, tail drooping. Graystorm had left her. After everything, he had just left her. He had left his Clan for her. Then left her, too. Without even saying goodbye. It had really shooken her to the core. Even her beautiful kits couldn't cheer her up. Not even bright little Silverkit. So Shinestone really didn't care about this meeting. She just wanted it to be over.

Palebrook

Palebrook sat in the middle of the crowd, waiting for Kestrelstar to speak. His 'please' had really confused her. He had been acting so much like Dawnstar lately - what had happened? Was it all just a ploy, or did he change? And if he did, what had caused it? Palebrook intended to find out.

Frostpaw

Frostpaw walked into the crowd, yawning. So bored. She was just about to find Wormbite when Kestrelstar called the meeting. Stupid meetings.

[plum]

The sick feeling sat heavy and thick and slimy in her gut. The dead were laid out in the clearing for all to see, for all to gawk at or cry for or shun. Cats who lived before this raid, cats who returned home no longer breathing, forevermore motionless. Ottersplash laid there at Snakeheart's paws, smaller than he ever seemed before. Smaller than he seemed at the last meeting. Smaller than they had both been, together on Lionsbeach.

It felt like everybody would know the moment she slipped into view. Plumstorm, the one that went into battle and never fought. Plumstorm, the one who talked and played at being what she ultimately wasn't. A liar, a cheater, a coward. She'd run from the raid, never looking back, and surely these cats would know.

But the shame burning within the she-cat wouldn't summon forth an onslaught of angry Clanmates. No one knew- No one would pick her out from the crowd. yet as she scanned the clearing from the sidelines, she could identify the ones Snakeheart had chosen. Or was it Kestrelstar who picked them out?

She approaches the Streamstone slowly, keeping her head low, and her eyes off of... the bodies their medicine cat was tending. She wasn't there when the tom was killed. She wasn't with the rest of the Clan as they fought, and for that much, the bitter bile of resentment for herself boiled and popped and spat inside of her like hot grease. Maybe he'd be sitting somewhere today, had she have been beside him to fight off his killer. Plumstorm didn't want to face the product of her own fear enacted.

Looking for Saltpaw, the bile in her belly turns hollow. All around her, a Clan unfamiliar rose to the summons of a leader leading them down a path no one promised, a path no one expected. Cold, dull blue eyes climb up to Kestrelstar, and the warrior's throat begins to sear. Suddenly, she felt like yowling up at him- "This is what becomes of us because of you!"

But she wouldn't. She couldn't.

Swallowing before the air in her throat could become any thicker, Plumstorm swivels her head back to the medicine cat. He looked dejected, and well should he be. Padding over to him, the she-cat fights a sudden urge to shove a paw towards him to drag her claws over his face.

"Snakeheart," she murmurs. "You don't look miserable enough."
[ Rani ]

[carmen]

~Dusksong~
Dusksong panted as she walked into camp. The battle had drained her, drained her energy. She had blood on her fur, but it wasn't hers. She had done nothing. She had been ready to fight, but hadn't everyone was so focused, so locked in combat, that she couldn't find a way in. There were no openings in the battle. Dusksong had gone in to help her clan and left without anything to prove. She might as well go back to being lazy and slothful. What other options were there for cats like her?

~Bristletail~
Bristletail padded back into camp slowly, trout and salmon sticking out of her mouth. Suddenly stopping, she dropped the fish. Was that the coppery scent of blood? She picked up the fish and trotted quickly into camp. Dropping her prey on the fresh-kill pile, she turned around to embrace the blood. And she found it soon enough. As Kestrelstar called out for a meeting, she absorbed the information. She had missed the battle. As Kestrelstar sat down on the Streamstone, she noticed something strange. Kestrelstar looked different, as though the constant anger in his gaze had dissipated. Had he finally seen that his clan needed them to be their leader, rather than an avenger?

[Socks]

// Rootgaze

Her paws were shaking, claws still unsheathed and stained with the poison Snakeheart had covered them with. Rootgaze didn't even know the name of the warrior she'd left like... that. She didn't want to think about what she had done because she knew it was the right thing to do, even if the smell of blood didn't leave her.

She was very grateful for Kestrelstar calling a meeting because that meant a distraction from the panicked words that had been repeating since her battle. She hadn't taken the time to clean off her paws, she'd have to go to the river after her leader finished speaking.

[Sklee]

Amberpaw walked over and sat down. What was going to happen now?

[wolfie]

Wormbite knew this meeting was coming. It was part of the reason he took a detour. He had hoped to miss it but ah, the moment he arrived at the camp? Kestrelstar called for a meeting. A quiet sigh came from the warrior as he joined his clanmates. Water still dripping from his short pelt. Wormbite wasn't sure how to feel about the leader at this point. To an extent he could understand his reasoning. He had agreed with it for the most part. It still didn't remove the fact Ottersplash and Olivernose were dead. So for now, Wormbite would just listen.

[vcrdant]

Rising to his paws, Ryebelly padded to the Streamstone and sat, neatly curling his tail around his paws. He kept his head high, he stared at the RiverClan leader. The tom felt somewhat proud at the clan’s efforts during the battle, but anxiety still pierced his heart.

[Willowfern]

Hawthornmist
___________


Paws smelling of dandelion, Hawthornmist padded over to the Streamstone and looked up at Kestrelstar.
He wondered how the battle had gone, he had heard snippets from the cats being treated, but he wanted to know the whole story.

[Rani]

It was a sort of horrible familiarity this situation.
Two bodies under the streamstone dead by the claws of thunderclan, the medicine cat dealing with the corpses, and Kestrelstar on top addressing those who remained. It was as familiar as how the dead felt, the cold fur unwarmed by life and the terrifying scent of death barely covered by the sweetness of the flowers. How many bodies had he faced in his short lifetime? How many clanmates had the medicine cat had to bury? And how many more would follow in an endless stream of loss that just didnt end.

He didnt even acknowledge Plumstorms approach for a time, eyes vacant and empty and hollow paw idly stroking over Olivenoses head in a motion she might find comforting had she been alive. It was too late, far too late for the comfort to help for anything to help but he just couldnt stop the motion in some vain futile attempt to make things better. He couldnt do anything right now but Snakeheart could just never do nothing his drive didnt allow it. So he just kept moving his paw cheeks wet with tears that no longer fell. He had nothing left to give, nothing left to cry, no energy to wail and rage at the loss and the hurt the clan must be feeling.

Still eventually he was forced to become aware of Plumstorm head turning up dazedly as he blinked for a moment before his mind processed the words. "Plumstorm." the toms voice was quieter and more emotionally empty than one would think possible looking back down to where his paw was still moving gently across Olivenoses head. "Isnt that the way things generally go? No matter how prepared you think you are, no matter how much you try to prevent suffering, no matter how hard you work to save everyone, and no matter how much you hurt for those you fail it's never enough. Theres no amount of misery one can feel to bring back the lost and heal the hurt. Eventually it just becomes so much you stop feeling or simply cant feel it all I guess..... Are you unharmed at least? If the reason you've approached me is that you need healing I can go get some herbs now." Snakeheart let out a rough flat and hollow chuckle at that slumping as he sat the weight of his duty just too much right now. "I spent so many frantic hours trying to make sure everyone is alright in the wake of that and yet everywhere I turn theres just more... Always more."

implimm

[Courage]

Riverstripe ran over to the Streamstone at Kestrelstars summons.

[Nostalgia]

Frostfeather
Frostfeather came forth from the warriors den, she had been dealing with a bad stomach ache for the past two moons so her movements were sluggish.

She settled in the back waiting for the meeting to start.

-Milkkit-
Milkkit ran out besides Sunkit, his tail twitching in both excitement and worry.

“Hey!” He offered as he sat down besides his friend.

[poppy]

- Blizzardwind

He was quite surprised with the sudden change of personality with Kestrelstar, what had happened to crazy, bloodthirsty psychopath- not that he missed him, but it seemed so unexpected, maybe the blood-loss and death sprouted some new brain cells in the leaders brain, a long shot, but realistic in some other worldly dimension.

Rising to his paws, Blizzardwind padded slowly over to the Streamstone, a small frown on his face. This oughta be good.



- Flintkit

Wait, kits were allowed at this meeting? Flintkit followed his mother outside, but then turned off path and scampered past Daisybird with a small, excited giggle. Sitting down near some random cat, he looked up at Kestrlstar with wide, eager, idolizing eyes.

One day, he would be calling cats to a meeting. One day, he would be the great Flintstar! And just like Kestrelstar, he would be strong, but maybe not as tired as that. Flintkit would take good naps so he would be awake enough to be awesome!

[Ziera]

// open

Ironically, Stormtalon found himself carrying bodies alongside Sparrowskip for the second time in one day. Perhaps that should count for something. After they deposited Olivenose and Ottersplash (the scent of cold death springing off them), Snakeheart approached the fallen and Stormtalon took a spot to the side, emerald eyes flitting up to meet Kestrelstar's. The tabby's expression was cold and unreadable. Numbness set in and something worse, something Storm would have to explore in his head after this meeting, because stars it was strong. Its pulse thrummed alongside his. He simply waited for Kestrel to proceed.

[duCky]

Rushpaw

Rushpaw padded over and sat near the back, trying to hide himself in the crowd. He really didn't want to go to this meeting, but he knew he had to. He wasn't going to risk getting punished this early.

[spade]

From atop the Streamstone, with nowhere to hide, Kestrelstar saw it all.

He saw Daisybird and her tired expression; it didn't take a genius to understand she was disappointed in him. Splashleap, who offered him a worried look. Briefly, his mind wandered to perhaps stepping down, letting her take the mantle. She was a favorite among the Clan, and despite her ferocious anger in the battle she had shown herself to be more level-headed then he. Streampelt and Morningpaw, who both looked as if Dark Forest warriors were haunting them in this current moment.

In the crowd, yellow eyes picked out Snakeheart. The cat who had been by his side from the very beginning. Something akin to guilt tugged at Kestrelstar's heart. Olivenose... and Ottersplash. He'd caused that grief to befall Snakeheart, his brother.

Their deaths... would forever be on his paws. Scarlet blood stained themm now, and no amount of water could wash it away.

Plumstorm's gaze was hard to ignore. Blue eyes burned into his fur, and his ears went back a bit. It was deserved. Every emotion that swirled within her and the rest of RiverClan was valid. The leader almost wished she would scream at him, claw his ears.

How could he let himself and RiverClan fall so far?

"As many of you are aware, for the past couple moons ThunderClan has been pushing at our boundaries. Their warriors have been stealing prey, attacking our patrols, and have even killed two of our own. After all of this, I decided it was time to act. To strike back. And we did."

A break as Kestrelstar's gaze swept across his Clan. How would they react to this? What if they called for his resignation?

"We have succeeded in taking Firefly Cove, and a battle did break out in the ThunderClan camp. RiverClan, you all fought valiantly against ThunderClan, and as I stand here today I finally understand the true strength we possess. I understand my role as a Clan leader - as a cat that many of you look to for guidance. I was... blinded, by my own need for vengeance." Stars, it was hard for him to keep his gaze up. To keep himself up. Shoulders were sumped a bit, and Kestrelstar just wanted to lie down.

Clearing his throat, he continued. "The raid should never have happened. The fighting... We lost two honorable warriors today. Olivenose and Ottersplash were loyal, kind, and hardworking. They will be honored tonight for their sacrifice, and their memory will never be forgotten."

He paused briefly once more to swallow a lump in his throat. The shadows that had clouded his vision at the last meeting were weak, drawn back. But Olivenose and Ottersplash, two cats who hadn't even wanted to be apartof any fighting, deserved a moment of silence - they deserved more than that, even.

"When I took over leadership for RiverClan, I was a different cat. I was full of rage, and grief, and a hatred for a Clan that had taken advantage of our kindness in the past. Action deserved to be taken, but never this far. I failed you all as a leader in that aspect, and... I'm sorry." The guilt hung heavy in his throat, stomach, to the ends of his tail and down to the tips of his paws. It was all over, scrubbing his pelt clean almost.

Looking up at the sky, the leader let out a soft sigh. "I want RiverClan to be strong. I want RiverClan to be a force to be reckoned with. But not at the price of anymore of our Clanmates. You deserve better. I understand that I have to be better." Lowering his gaze, Kestrelstar fell silent once more, allowing a moment for those to say what they wished, if they had anything to say.

gs29513 Rani Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Lavender’fur Shade. implimm Silverfur & Co hope FrostCat Ziera shaded shadow Tiabirb x ghostie AppleCat4 Quickpaw Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress liz Kunaiskrill vcrdant I draw war cats Socks Nixey poppy. Pheasantflight Willowfern Singing Jay im a cat ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: ~Fox~ Beetlenose DuskFire01 Dipper Serendibite WarriorzFan ~Kitty~ coffeebeans Gervayi Snowpelt1111 Cobra xXSharptailXx Jayden seeingstars Clovershade Fivier Waterheart Stardust~ Skycloud Songwing Thunderstrike Rainquail Angelique littlelove Sklee windtail Riverfly Rippleshade Celeste Topaztaill WinterRabbit5350 Jackpot Sky13 _Riverblossom_ Egasl Fierce distant cry in the woods ~Berry~ finnzel

[~Sayonara~]

Silvercloud's ears flicked and he lowered his head, it was true what Kestrelstar said. Lives from both clans had been lost over something that could've been settled peacefully. There was no taking it back now though and what was done was done. Silvercloud just hoped Kestrelstar stuck to his promise.

[Egasl]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit jumped as she heard Milkkit speak.

“Oh, hey.” She turned her blind gaze to him. She the heard her leader begin to speak and she tried to pick out where she was hearing his voice as he went on about some battle.... Sunkit didn’t know there had been a fight. And two had died?? She felt her stomach gurgle. She hated the feeling of fighting with another cat.

Sunkit stalked forward a little, completely forgetting about Milkkit. She need to hear what her leader said.

She then tripped over a warriors tail.

“S-sorry.” She mustered. She hated that she wasn’t able to see. It would be so much easier just to open her eyes and... well... see.
Nostalgia

[~Fierce~]

~Streampelt~
Streampelt felt pity for the leader. Kestrelstar had done his best but in a wrong way. Streampelt cleared his throat before looking towards Kestrelstar. "You are probably expecting all of us to be mad at you, to charge at you and take you down from your position. I'm sure some of our more ... violent cats would love to do that but I believe most of the clan follow my views. You did well, Kestrelstar, and there is no reason for you to feel guilty. You did what you thought was right and I won't blame you. You became leader when all this rivalry happened and you don't deserve that burden on your shoulders. I, and maybe along with a few cats of Riverclan, forgive you for your mistakes and hope that you will strive to lead this clan to it's potential that it has." He meowed, his words and voice calm. His words were true to him, though he wasn't sure if they were true to the others.

~Fiercepaw~
Fiercepaw nodded at Streampelt's words. She felt bad for Kestrelstar as well and he didn't deserve this.

~Shykit~
Shykit admired her father's words and she padded over to her father, wrapping her body around her father's legs.

[Topaz]

~Redpaw~

His ears pricked. Ottersplash? He had heard that name before. Weren’t they a friend of Firesweep, Redpaw’s former mentor?
Redpaw lowered his gaze to his paws, as he listened to Kestrelstar go on, asking for forgiveness and saying he was truly sorry. As the apprentice kept listening, he wandered what would of happened if they hadn’t attacked...

[Silverfur & Co]

Snowstripe looked at him and shakes her head nodding. "That is okay we all make mistakes. Hope you have learned something from this." Usually Snowstripe didnt say a word but she wanted to make sure Kes knew that she cared for him even if he felt like he was a bad leader.

Featherkit mews "We are strong we are mighty.. Riverclan will not bow to others." she mews fluffing and smiling at him stnading proudly.

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap looked up ."you dont have to be sorry." she said to him. "you just needed time to realize. you're a great leader.. only focusing on the wellfare of you're clan."

[WinterMara]

| Whitepaw, The Ambitious Actress of Riverclan |

Oh blah blah blah he felt regret for being why so many cats died, agh. Who cared if Riverclan died in the process, Thunderclan totally deserved their pelts to be shredded, and they'd make good practice for apprentices. To be honest, everything she knew about this drama was, essentially just hear-say for her, but who cared.

You can't just cause a war, and then act all sorry when it has bad consequences on you, grow up Kestralkit.

[I feel the need to state that especially on that last line, it is just White's opinion, and definitely not my own, I actually respect Kestralstar for his realization that he messed up big time in this whole war.

[Singing Jay]

Lilyfrost felt a mixture of relief and respect flow through her, respect for her leader for being breve enough to tell this and relief that perhaps the fighting would stop soon...

Goldenpaw blinked calmly at her leader, different emotions bubbling inside her but she let none come to the surface.

[poppy]

- Flintkit

Flintkit blinked, then bounced to his paws. "Don't worry Kestrelstar, we forgive you!" He yowled. "Everyoe makes mistakes!"


- Blizzardwind

Hmph. At least the cat felt bad about what he had done.

[shaded shadow]

sootfang lisend to what kestrelstar said and thought to himself at lest he isnt blinded by rage anymore

rainingpaw sat for a moment at lest he feels bad for what he has done she thought looking at the bodies of the dead cat she didnt know any of them but they had been clanmates

[shaae_26]

Firepaw smiled at his leader. He was changing

[Nostalgia]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit jumped as she heard Milkkit speak.

“Oh, hey.” She turned her blind gaze to him. She the heard her leader begin to speak and she tried to pick out where she was hearing his voice as he went on about some battle.... Sunkit didn’t know there had been a fight. And two had died?? She felt her stomach gurgle. She hated the feeling of fighting with another cat.

Sunkit stalked forward a little, completely forgetting about Milkkit. She need to hear what her leader said.

She then tripped over a warriors tail.

“S-sorry.” She mustered. She hated that she wasn’t able to see. It would be so much easier just to open her eyes and... well... see.
Nostalgia

Milkkit stifled a giggle as Sunkit tripped. He got to his paws and padded over, offering his shoulder to help the kit back up.

“Slow down! Where you going ?” He whispered, trying to not disturb the meeting.

Milkkit wasn’t really sure what was going on, his attention span was a bit short so he had already forgot what the meeting was about.

[Nixey]

~Dawnwhisper~
They felt a pang of pity for the Riverclan leader as he spoke. Taking a soft breath, Dawnwhisper turned their gaze up towards Kestrelstar “im sure some cats are angered and upset with you Kestrelstar, I know I was terrified, but you made a mistake,” pausing, Dawnwhisper’s gaze flickered for a moment before they spoke again “and..you’re owning up to that, we all make mistakes, but not all of us are willing to admit that we did,” a wave of relief washed over them as they finished speaking.
poppy.
(In case you want Blizz to react to Dawn :heartbounce:)
~Reedkit~
She listened to what the leader had to say, to what her clan mates had to say. Nodding in agreement, she blinked her round eyes up towards her leader.

[Egasl]

Milkkit stifled a giggle as Sunkit tripped. He got to his paws and padded over, offering his shoulder to help the kit back up.

“Slow down! Where you going ?” He whispered, trying to not disturb the meeting.

Milkkit wasn’t really sure what was going on, his attention span was a bit short so he had already forgot what the meeting was about.

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit jumped, yet again, when Milkkit spoke.

“Oh, I just thought we could get a bit closer so I can hear Kestrelstar better....” She said hesitantly. She went a bit closer. “Maybe.. over.. h-” She suddenly hit something hard, “Ow!” She yelped, shaking her head to get rid of the stinging.

//she hit her head on the streamstone btw\\

[Zero]

- Ziera

Iriskit spotted her brother and padded over to him as Kestrelstar went on about the recent events between them and ThunderClan. She didn't quite understand what was going on, only half-listening as she caught sight of the limp bodies of Olivenose and Ottersplash to the side. The kitten was uncertain if she recognized them or not but really didn't want to look too hard. She was just glad Stormtalon wasn't among them - he couldn't leave her too.

She swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat and instead turned to the tom beside her. That cold expression seemed angry to her but it was honestly hard for her to read him at the moment. She settled down beside him, pressing herself into his side, offering a hesitant and uncertain smile. Something was telling her to comfort him... and she didn't question it. She just hoped her presence was enough.

[Nostalgia]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit jumped, yet again, when Milkkit spoke.

“Oh, I just thought we could get a bit closer so I can hear Kestrelstar better....” She said hesitantly. She went a bit closer. “Maybe.. over.. h-” She suddenly hit something hard, “Ow!” She yelped, shaking her head to get rid of the stinging.

//she hit her head on the streamstone btw\\

Milkkit shook his head and sighed as he followed Sunkit. The silly molly moved to fast for her own good.

“Hey don’t forget to use your nose when you move! If you get to excited and move without thinking you’ll hit something just like that!”

He gently sniffed Sunkit to inspect her bump from the impact. After deciding image was fine he gave her a quick encouraging lick over the ears and rested his tail on her shoulders.

“Come on, I’ll guide you a bit closer,” he purred.

[Egasl]

Milkkit shook his head and sighed as he followed Sunkit. The silly molly moved to fast for her own good.

“Hey don’t forget to use your nose when you move! If you get to excited and move without thinking you’ll hit something just like that!”

He gently sniffed Sunkit to inspect her bump from the impact. After deciding image was fine he gave her a quick encouraging lick over the ears and rested his tail on her shoulders.

“Come on, I’ll guide you a bit closer,” he purred.

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit sighed. She was grateful for Milkkit, but was she ever going to be able to do things on her own? She felt hopeless as Milkkit guided her to a better place to sit. Hopefully she’ll be able to hear their leaders words. She’d begun to look up to Kestrelstar. He wasn’t all that bad, even though she’d never spoken to him one on one.

She returned her attention back to Milkkits tail on her back.

[littlelove]

Morningpaw was shaking. Shaking from rage as she stared at the decrepit bodies of her clanmates, because of the words Kestrelstar was spouting. It was the first time she'd ever been seething like this, her claws ripping up dirt and her eyes shooting a burning glare to the leader in the stead of his speech, but here she was.

Too little, too late for him to learn that his warriors weren't dispensable. The dead lying before the crowd were proof of that, and so was the warrior who's neck he sunk his teeth into as he made to leave Riverclan forever. The clan should be angry. Yet, as Kestrelstar gave his apology, most of the words she heard were that of her clanmates forgiving him. And she was stunned.

This promise that could very well be empty if the leader's past brutality was anything to go by was just being... accepted? It was strange for Morningpaw to not forgive, yet all she felt gripping her body was anger. Ottersplash and Olivenose had just paid for their lives following him blindly; who was to say they weren't only the first?

Morningpaw didn't want to grow into this 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation. She didn't want to have to decide between being gored on the battlefield for a leader who could hardly stick to his words or have to defect from the clan altogether. Above all, she wished she was little again. She much prefered the uncertainty of staring up at an empty Streamstone with Smokepaw in lieu of Sootstar's absence than... whatever this was.

She swallowed whatever she wanted to scream towards Kestrelstar, however. Her gaze met the leader once again and she gave him a weak smile.

[open!]

[Sklee]

Amberpaw was quiet. She'd done nothing but pace in a clearing. She had no right to say anything.

[marshy]

Sparrowskip
____________

Bringing those bodies to the streamstone felt a bit weird to Sparrowskip as he thought it would've been better to bury them but who was he to be challenging decisions right now? He was tired, Snakeheart was tired and everyone was tired. He just wanted to get this over with. He tuned out most of the meeting as all the thoughts going through his head seemed to block out any words that were being said. As he tried his best to listen, there wasn't really anything that he could respond or really think about his opinion on as he was gone for a big chunk of it and he was missing a lot of info. He kept himself quiet throughout the whole thing, silently agreeing with Kestrelstar's sentiment on wanting RiverClan to be strong and nothing more.

[Rani]

Plumstorm didnt really have any time to respond before Kestrelstar started, voice ringing out from the Streamstone. Snakeheart personally didnt shift his gaze up to the leader, eyes locked on the sweep of Ottersplash's fur that just seemed wrong without the soft movements of breathing under it, though his ears flicked towards his bond brother to hear him better. Kestrelstar had lost a life today, properly died and come back in a way Snakeheart had thought impossible and it'd scared the hell out of the younger tom. The medicine cat didnt believe in starclan or all that fantastical nonsense in the slightest, he'd really thought he'd lost the tabby for good when his corpse was carried in by Stormtalon after the battle. Snakeheart still really didnt know what he thought about the whole nine lives thing but he knew two things for certain, he was incredibly thankful for it, and that like it or not he was breaking in to Kestrelstars den tonight and sleeping there just to reassure himself that his brother was still breathing.

The words out of the grey tabbys mouth seemed standard for a time, relaying what'd occurred tonight to those who hadnt been part of the chaos, given those who fought for their clan the praise they deserved and explaining what thunderclan had done to push the conflict this far. What came next was far more shocking to hear and the medicine cats head snapped around to gaze up at the cat addressing the clan eyes wide. Kestrelstar was.... Apologising? Granted that alone wasnt out of character, for all his brashness the leader was able to admit wrongdoings but to apologise for this? Snakeheart knew he fully believed that thunderclan deserved what they got and needed to pay for the deaths of the riverclan cats they caused so this was... Different. Maybe the deaths, the injuries and the loss of one of his own lives had changed his view.

The lanky tom didnt mind that, he didnt exactly fully support a raid of thunderclans camp and when the group left Snakeheart had hoped it would remain a precaution to take the force just as the poison claws he'd devised was a precaution to try and give their warriors an edge should the worst come, potentially saving their lives. Yes Snakeheart would support Kestrelstar through anything and didnt regret the claws even now but added care rarely went amiss.

What he objected to was the idea that the blame fell squarely (and only) on Kestrelstar for things going as they did and now did Snakeheart find the energy to speak.

"Kestrelstar the way things went down today was regrettable and tragic and yes it was taken too far but the action itself was justified. Thunderclan needed to be fought, they needed to be confronted in the only language they understood and it was them that pushed us to the point of attack like this.
For moons now thunderclan had taken advantage of our kindness with no reparation, led predators into our territory, insulted us, stolen prey, injured clanmates, and even killed so many of our own. We gave them chances and warnings so many times from Lionstorm warning Buckstar at the gathering to you doing the same at the next gathering with Eveningstar, we told them to stop in front off all the clans and that we would not be tested and they ignored it. Then when we were finally pushed too far by another death you me and Splashleap yet again went to meet with Eveningstar and some of thunderclans warriors on the border to stop this madness and hopefully cease the conflict that was harming our clan.

It had no effect. Thunderclan made it clear they didnt respect us and would continue to attack and take, even when we gave them the chance to settle this with peace despite the lives they'd already taken from us. Who knows, there is the very real potential that had action not been taken they might have tried to do worse. Tonight went too far and that will echo but the responsibility for inciting an attack falls on thunderclan, not you.

Take your regret and grief for how this has hurt our clan tonight and use it Kestrelstar but do not forget that even with vengeance motivating your steps it was your love for this clan that powered that. It's your strength. Learn from this and be better not just because the clan deserves it, as Olivenose and Ottersplash had deserved it, but also because it is your duty as a leader."

The toms voice fell softer quieter as his gaze shifted down from his leader once again fixing on the two bodies he sat between, paw reaching out to wipe away some blood that marred Ottersplash's pelt.
"It is the unspoken task that as a high rank you will never stop working to better yourself for your clan as well as keeping the clan strong but I have full faith you will do so now and in the future."
Snakeheart took in a deep breath rallying himself and putting on his usual strong front he bore for his clan that'd slipped in the wake of the battle turning now to address the clan.

"And Riverclan is strong tonight has only proven that further. To everyone that worked tonight for the good of the clan whether by healing, guarding or fighting alongside you kin and friends I am proud of you. You all are strong true warriors who I will scream to the heaven is my clan with pride. We will recover from this and I swear as I always have to do everything in my power to help with that. Take heart and I know Im generally not the best cat for this task but if anyone needs to talk with me about anything do, I shall try and be more open."
Effort expended and sudden strength done the medicine cat slumped once more looking down at the bodies and wrapping up with a final word.
"I will hold vigil for Olivenose and Ottersplash after the meeting and give them some final rites, should anyone wish to pay their respects you can do so then before they are laid to rest in the sleepy thicket."


gs29513 spade Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Lavender’fur Shade. implimm Silverfur & Co hope FrostCat Ziera shaded shadow Tiabirb x ghostie AppleCat4 Quickpaw Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress liz Kunaiskrill vcrdant I draw war cats Socks Nixey poppy. Pheasantflight Willowfern Singing Jay im a cat ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: ~Fox~ Beetlenose DuskFire01 Dipper Serendibite WarriorzFan ~Kitty~ coffeebeans Gervayi Snowpelt1111 Cobra xXSharptailXx Jayden seeingstars Clovershade Fivier Waterheart Stardust~ Skycloud Songwing Thunderstrike Rainquail Angelique littlelove Sklee windtail Riverfly Rippleshade Celeste Topaztaill WinterRabbit5350 Jackpot Sky13 _Riverblossom_ Egasl Fierce distant cry in the woods ~Berry~ finnzel

[Fawn]

↭ Frozenberry 🃏
Frozenberry had been passing through, taking the welcome distraction of a Clan meeting to slip from their holed-up state in the warriors' den, but their pawsteps slowed upon catching a few well-timed words from Kestrelstar and the aura of his clanmates.

Pausing, their head cocked, and they listened. (a mistake. but it seems they, as a clan, were apparently making a lot of those lately.) Self-reflection, self-serving. Frozenberry bit the inside of their cheek, hard. A knot settled in their throat. Sick again. Seemed like a private rumination the flock should be experiencing rather than crucifying for, and their responses to Kestrelstar were worthier of criticism than the guy's stilted celebrity-style apology.

The wild part was that it sounded genuine. Frozenberry didn't doubt him. Just had doubts about the rest, and the quick turnaround. (Fickle. They were too, so.) It spurred their distrust of authority and leadership to see the same displays of Lionstar but inverted, instead of glory bringing them shame. And the Clan was utterly compliant in the ordeal, either "forgiving" him or adding vitriol into the mix despite they themselves having a hand in the perpetrating.

made them.. less of a freak, weirdly. to be wrong and warped was commonplace here, they wouldn't see the ill-effects if it stared them in the face. Bright and blurry memories caused them to flinch, wincing back from the sensation that couldn't be escaped, was internal. and it was gone again. shapes without names disappeared from behind their eyes, the intense grainy static gone as fast as it'd consumed them.

Frozenberry hadn't noticed they were shaking in place.

Just as distant from their goal as when they'd hesitated to examine their situation, but still hoped they'd managed to maintain the cover of being in the background. guilt theater, like a staged performer-audience interaction. it was too clean to be real; they imagined a moment like this as raw and vulnerable, yet what they were treated to could only be described as watery, sanitized. Pitifest sorrowtime, shouldn't have done thisandthat and surface revelations that had to have been brewing before they decided to comply with the somehow-egregious act of raiding. Everyone had changed their minds in the span of a blink.

kestrel the martyr, arranged sadness. nobody else had to be retrospective if they could just point a paw. misery's blackhole. couldn't just, do that. go raid a clan, and then be oops or ready to whip out the bad kestrel paddle. The body count was pretty much how these things went, the only enigmatic bit was why they weren't among them. Who might have known they were going to lose cats? (bring in a death-accountant prior to the fight.) How could such violence have been foreseen? (ask the airhead sky cats eager to provide insight and judgment.) Frozenberry inwardly scolded themselves—not as if they'd lifted a toebean to stop it (or even made violent contact with a ThunderClanner), but they weren't running their tongue in a smear campaign to impress clanmates or prove their own morality either.

[plum]

Why she couldn't just have found Saltpaw and sat with him, the molly couldn't answer. She'd wanted to avoid Ottersplash, keep him out of her sight. Yet she stood before Snakeheart, staring at him coldly as he answered her. Words, words, words.

Plumstorm didn't care about it. She didn't care for anything he said, anything Kestrelstar would say, nor anyone else.

Or so she thought.

Kestrelstar speaks, and a quiet befalls the Clan who pauses to listen. The silver cat herself turns to stare up at their oh so benevolent and proud leader. Shameless, glorious Kestrelstar. He apologizes, standing before them all a broken tom. He pitied himself- She pitied herself at the worst of times, too. But now was a sorry time for "sorry," wasn't it. Apologizing after acting poorly, without showing signs of change especially, was a hollow, fruitless lie. A vacuous promise only fools could bet their faith in.

Plumstorm was not short on faith, but as mews of support and stupid kindness rise up in a headache-inducing drone, irritation sparks denial, and she throws back her head and laughs. This was rich.

But it didn't stop there, oh no. Beside her, Snakeheart decides to add his own self-pitying, sad dialogue. They blamed themselves, could only hope to do better. It was deserved, but wrong. They would be better- had to be better! For the Clan!

"You make me sick," she growls in a sidelong sneer directed towards the mourning medicine cat.

Lifting her head, Plumstorm fixes their virtuous leader under another frosty look. "You lose a battle you think you'll win and suddenly, you're going to change for the better?" the she-cat questions. "Oh, come on, Kestrelstar."

Stepping closer, the warrior looks around at the cats who'd spoken up, cheering him. "How about you change first, and then try to apologize! You're a sad, sorry excuse of a cat, and unfit to stand there claiming to know the best for RiverClan. How about you tell the truth for once- What you did, what your wisest decisions earned you! ThunderClan did those things and more- sure! How about you stop pretending we were always the victims though- Tell them about how you took Stormtalon and I onto ThunderClan territory to kill whoever we saw, the day it was storming! You were so deep in grief then, I'm sure of it."

As she bites the words out, images flash through her mind of the day- The sound of the rain beating the muddy forest floor, how it'd seeped into her fur. The scent of blood, the wails. Her claws unsheathe and curl into the ground. Tail lashing, Plumstorm shakes her head solemnly, then laughs again.

"I bet I can ask a few cats here today to speak up for you and how regretful you are!" Whipping about, the warrior's eyes fly across the clearing- The first one she spots is- "Sparrowskip," the cat spits. She pinpoints her partner in crime next. "Stormtalon." But how could she forget Wormbite? She spots that one as well. "Wormbite." She had seen the others among the gathered cats as well, momentarily glancing over them without dragging them out by the scruffs of their necks.

With a crooked grin, she returns her fired look to Kestrelstar. "And if those cats say you're a fine, sad, deserving leader- What about when you were returning home after the raid? Yeah- I saw that. I was there." She'd begun speaking before, and couldn't bring herself to stop. Anger, resentment, shame, sorrow- All of these things and more stacked up and spilled out. This cat didn't deserve his Clan's forgiveness until they knew.

"StarClan took your life for what you did to us, what you did to those two lying with that snake of a cat." Her voice had fallen to a monotonous, tired bark by now.

"Ask the Clan how much forgiveness a murderer who killed his own innocent Clanmates deserves instead of asking if they could forgive a simple mistake. Ask me if I can get back that cat I was before you had me do these things for you- Just for you to stand here and listen to these idiots forgive you for dung you never even had the heart to tell them- What about me?! What about the cats sitting here right this very heartbeat who don't have a band of dumb, brainwashed minnows telling us we'll be okay?!"

Plumstorm was growing weary, as surely so many of them were. Her head droops. "I didn't strive to become what you made of me." And if this was what Kestrelstar wanted, StarClan would show her a different path. Her tone was sorrowful, softer than all of her former shouting. A storm, reduced to mist.

Her paws had been soiled- bloodied, poisoned. For her Clan. A Clan she'd never found a true anchor in. Lionstorm bequeathed to her a home. But now, what did this warrior have to show for it?

[ disclaimer: plumstorm has not verbally mentioned anything of the poisoned claws. no cat should know of that! ]
[ :Grimmlin:, Rani, Ziera, x ghostie ]

[Socks]

// implimm // Rootgaze

The leader who had so confidently led her into battle today and the medicine cat who gave her the chance to choose which ThunderClan warrior deserved their death in this battle were apologizing. Which parts were mistakes? Was it simply thought to be such because they had lost two warriors in the raid, or were Rootgaze's poisoned claws a mistake? Was watching the poisoned she-cat bleed out beneath her a mistake?

RiverClan wasn't to blame for this, Kestrelstar led them to the squirrel's camp peacefully for repayment. The she-cat leapt on her first, that she-cat had intended to kill her, she wouldn't have died like that if she hadn't been so brash!

Her life up until now she hadn't questioned the words of leaders or medicine cats, StarClan chose them because they knew they were right for the job. She wanted to believe in Kestrelstar, but she didn't want him telling her he'd made a mistake.

"This wasn't Kestrelstar's fault! ThunderClan was acting outside the warrior code!" But was poisoning that she-cat part of the code? "We can't have doubts right now, what's done is done! Like it or not Kestrelstar is our leader and Snakeheart is our medicine cat!" Her words were intended to be a response to Plumstorm's statements, but she felt more like she was reassuring herself.

Only a handful knew what she'd done today, but when would ThunderClan figure out they'd used poison? How mad would they be to find something like that out? Would they show up to kill her as revenge? "Maybe you regret some things but just forget about that! I doubt ThunderClan is gonna say 'oh well' if we tell them we made a mistake. StarClan didn't take Kestrelstar's life, ThunderClan did! As far as I'm concerned StarClan is still fine with Kestrelstar and Snakeheart in the places they are. We couldn't have been in the wrong!" Her last sentence was directed towards the high ranks since they couldn't just be turning around on their word, Rootgaze did what she did because they told her it was the right thing to do. If they go back now then she is nothing but a filthy murder, just like those squirrels.

[Shade.]

Lizardfrost was observing the meeting quietly. She regret what she'd done out there, in all honesty. No, not tge battle, that was part if warrior life. An inconvenience, a tradition. But tge fact that she'd killed someone. This went against tge acceptable. It wasn't forbidden, but it was dishonorable.
"I agree, this conflict has gone in for too long, we have to focus on ourselves now. If anything, Ottersplash and Olivenose were the price for Geckosprout and Whitewolf." she said. It was weird, Lizardfrost rarely expressed an opinion openly.

[furrensic]

poppy. Shade. //

➸ daisybird

it seemed to the queen that kestrelstar was only saying he'd change for the better because he lost a battle he thought he'd win - a battle that made the clan lose two loved, honorable warriors - she wondered if he'd say the same thing if he'd won the battle. her ears flattened against her head, her eyes narrowed slightly up at kestrelstar. the deaths of olivenose and ottersplash were on his paws - along with the possibly deaths of any thunderclanners that died, or the trauma that both clans suffered.

most cats seemed to be forgiving him, and among that voice, daisybird heard flintkit and hurried over to her son. "shush, flintkit..please." she whispered, placing a paw in front of him. her children...they didn't need to be around corpses. "honey, why don't you go back to the nursery?" she suggested, glancing down at the kit.

her ear gave a small twitch when snakeheart spoke up, turning her narrowed gaze towards the young tom before it softened slightly when falling on plumstorm. someone who wasn't accepting kestrelstars apology - a cat who was angry at his actions - she was glad to hear it, though not quite listening as her attention quickly landed on lizardfrost.

"those were four warriors who didn't need to die!" she snapped, tail lashing as she glared at the warrior. "you all raided the camp, didn't you? what about the kits that could've seen those deaths? their trauma is on your paws - all of you who fought!" as she said that, she let her eyes land on the injured cats in the group before looking back to lizardfrost with an accusatory look. "and if any of you hurt one, that's also on your paws and you'd be a disgrace to the clans." at this point, she wouldn't be surprised if an idiotic apprentice ended up hurting a kit if they were big for their age.

[kingly]

Cloudynight silently watched from the shadows, slightly embarrassed he was a touch too far late. Oops. Not to mention he had went against orders and attacked stupid Thistleass.

[Jay.]

Looncry || Open

Looncry struggled to get to his feet
from his nest in the medicine den.
But he managed to get as far as the
enterance before he collapsed from
exhaustion. Was he going to be like this forever?

He managed to poke his head out
of the den and pick up on most that
was happenening. "No." He
looked at the area around the
meeting and saw two motionless
heaps. And he couldn't mistaken
who it was lying there. "Ottersplash-"

[dino.]

// Open

>Tumblepaw<
He hadn't gone to fight. Hadn't even stayed behind in Firefly Cove, he'd stayed in camp because he hadn't had a lick of training and as a result wasn't fit to fight in the slightest. At first he'd regretted it - regretted not being able to support his Clan, his mentor, his leader.

But now, as he crouched at the back of the crowd, watching Kestrelstar with wide eyes, he thought that maybe, just maybe, he'd gotten lucky. ThunderClan hadn't pulled their punches, evidence clear in the bodies that lay in the clearing. But neither had RiverClan, if Kestrelstar's speech was any proof of that. He was certain ThunderClan cats had died in the battle, and now, only when RiverClan's own warriors were killed, was Kestrelstar regretting all of this.

Kestrelstar had killed them, hadn't he? RiverClan and ThunderClan alike - every death was on his paws.

Tumblepaw's ears flattened and his gaze narrowed. Tyrant, definition: a cruel and oppressive ruler. Perhaps not to RiverClan, but most certainly to ThunderClan.

His leader was a tyrant.

[starry]

For Papaya

Mistypaw sighed. It was good that Kestrelstar had apologized, but what did that bring? Nonetheless, she did support him. He was the leader!

She moved to the back of the crowd, just as she noticed Tumblepaw. He seemed... worried, or something like that. Mistypaw could not completely determine it.

"Are you okay?"

[dino.]

// Stardust~

>Tumblepaw<
He jumped, shaken from his inner thoughts by an unexpected voice, and turned to peer at the speaker. Mistypaw - an apprentice he recognized but had never spoken to, as far as he could remember. He searched her gaze a moment longer before sighing softly and shaking his head. "Not really," he admitted. "But neither is... neither is any of this."

[starry]

For Papaya

Mistypaw sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, she agreed. The battle with ThunderClan. The death of Quietclaw. It all traumatized her. She had thought being an apprentice as joyful and had expected to learn much. But all she was learning was aboit death. It might be okay to know about, it helped Mistypaw prepare for the time when she died. However, the topic bothered her.
This was because her belief in StarClan was really low. If she died would she simply be gone? Turning her gaze back to Tumblepaw. She nodded slowly in response to his words
"I know. I'm not sure if we should even be facing these topics yet. And these deaths, they are horrible. Especially the death that happened somewhere around the place we are right now. "
Mistypaw certainly hoped he understood that she meant the death of Quietclaw. She really did not want to go into detail.

[poppy]

[ finnzel ]

Flintkit let out a small huff, irritated. "Mommy, I need to know about this stuff!" He squeaked, squeezing between her legs and sitting in front of her, his elfish ears out and pointed at Kestrelstar.

It was a part of life, cats died.

It wasn't Flintkit's favorite part of life, but he couldn't change it.

There was so much sadness and anger, he almost listened to his mother and went back in the nursery. But he couldn't, not now. He wanted- no, needed to know what was happening. Eavesdropping on the queens wasn't gonna work for much longer, they started to talk quieter when he was around.

[gs29513]

Splashleap wasn't sure if she was expected to say anything or not. Snakeheart was certainly voicing his opinion in favor of Kestrelstar quite loudly, but the medicine cat had never been shy about sharing what he thought. After all, he was the most senior of the high ranks, if the youngest, and most of the clan seemed to like him. Kestrelstar was the leader, he HAD to say what he thought. He made policy for the clan after all! Splashleap had always thought of the deputy as more of the supporting cast, making sure things ran smoothly day to day but not involved in big decisions that made cats possibly hate you. Ha.

That was definitely not the case, everyone expected you to either agree with the leader if they agreed with them, or disagree if they disagreed. The deputy was expected to mirror each warrior's opinion by that particular warrior. Something that was physically impossible. So Splashleap's first instinct was to stay quiet, and let everyone deal with it among themselves without making enemies. Stay diplomatic and neutral and not get involved. But when you were expected as a matter of course to be part of clan politics, you had to say SOMETHING! So, she did. If a bit shakily.

Those of you who are....um...yowling on and saying that Kestrelstar is evil. Ok, that definitely sounded more confident than last time, but nowhere near as respectable as the toms. He did...he gave every cat of fighting age a choice. If they wished....if they wanted to participate in the raid they could and pause to take a deep breath, this was just as bad as she remembered it being if they didn't......they didn't have to. Going to Thunderclan's camp was as much collective as it was ordered. So she hadn't collapse yet! Maybe this was going alright! Knock on wood of course.

Perhaps we all allowed our desire to avenge our.....beloved warriors cloud our judgement. But it can not be denied that....that Thunderclan deserved punishment for what they did. And...and we have done that. Now we can...breath. She wasn't good at this, STARS she hated this, but she had to voice her opinion somehow and TRY to calm everybody down. We can heal and mourn our fallen clanmates, and become.....stronger, a force no one will want to attack. But....but we need unity. If we all.....work together we can make things safer.......less violent.

For Kestrelstar's short reign had been undoubtedly violent. Beginning with Fawnsqueak, ending with Ottersplash. This isn't going to.....disappear overnight. But we should learn from...our mistakes. That had certainly gone on a bit longer than she had intended it too, but Splashleap felt fairly confident that her bit was over now, and selfconciously licking her chest fur shrunk back into the shadow of the Streamstone a bit more. That was her speaking for the moon, maybe she would say something next moon. Maybe.
Rani spade Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Lavender’fur Shade. implimm Silverfur & Co hope FrostCat Ziera shaded shadow Tiabirb x ghostie AppleCat4 Quickpaw Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress liz Kunaiskrill vcrdant I draw war cats Socks Nixey poppy. Pheasantflight Willowfern Singing Jay im a cat ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: ~Fox~ Beetlenose DuskFire01 Dipper Serendibite WarriorzFan ~Kitty~ coffeebeans Gervayi Snowpelt1111 Cobra xXSharptailXx Jayden seeingstars Clovershade Fivier Waterheart Stardust~ Skycloud Songwing Thunderstrike Rainquail Angelique littlelove Sklee windtail Riverfly Rippleshade Celeste Topaztaill WinterRabbit5350 Jackpot Sky13 _Riverblossom_ Egasl Fierce distant cry in the woods ~Berry~ finnzel

[Silverfur & Co]

Snowstripe sighs and smiles nodding in agreement she didn't say he was evil she said mistakes happen

[WarriorzFan]

“Hey, Kestrel, I am going to say this because no one else will...Since your all for the better and changed now, do you feel bad about murdering Quietclaw?” Pikefluff said curiously.
spade

[Astraea]

Lionspot sighed.All those words are fake it was all just lies to make the clan feel better about themselves. It was annoying she couldnt take it anymore.So lionspot got up and started walking away.


{Open for a hr to stop her.}

[Glitch_Candle]

gs29513 Vinepaw walks up to Splash. "wow, I didn't know you could speak publicly that well. Better get used to it eh?"

[wolfie]

implimm @/spade gs29513 Shade.
How are you supposed to feel when your watch a cat crumble in his own self-guilt? When he had the audacity to apologize and reason his actions with grief? It didn't change the fact Ottersplash and Olivenose were still close by. Wormbite would never hear Ottersplash's voice again. He wouldn't ever get to have a proper conversation with Olivenose. Perhaps if the warrior was younger and still believed his clanmates could do no wrong he wouldn't have blinked an eye at forgiving Kestrelstar.

Expect Wormbite was still burning in a tired rage. Every part of him down to his very core demanded he do something. Kestrelstar admitted he wronged Riverclan and yet his own very clanmates were forgiving him. He sunk closer and closer to the ground, claws digging into the dirt. His fur was bristling while it dripped with water. On top of that? Kestrelstar was putting the blame on himself and Wormbite knew damn well he entered that fight with an intent to kill.

Maybe he would have stayed quiet. Prying gazes peered at him at the mention of his name while Plumstorm talked. It was a rude reminder on why Wormbite disliked crowds. Words were beginning to slip away and the only thing that snapped him awake was Lizardfrost's statement. Then he couldn't stop himself. He sat up to his full height, towering over mostly anyone who was near. "You're not a deserving leader. You acted far beyond just for Riverclan. You exiled your clanmates and killed one and if you apologize again I will drag you off the Streamstone. You need to shut up and prove you'll do what you're saying. Be better because Thunderclan will get their revenge now that they can justify it in their fishbrains, " Wormbite took a moment of pause, "I'm not denying you the chance of growth. Thunderclan did need to learn from their consquences. You're just not deserving of forgiveness yet but you're not deserving of taking all the guilt from the raid, " His blind gaze swept over towards his clanmates. He loved every single one of them but Riverclan was a unity.

"..Splashleap isn't wrong. You act on your own accord. We entered the raid willingly and have blood on our paws for it just as much Kestrelstar. His other actions? He did them and he'll pay for them one way or another. Just as we will, " Wormbite would make sure he paid for his own. He wasn't done -- not yet. He stood up, taking a step towards Lizardfrost. She was familiar to where it wasn't as hard to pinpoint her scent in the crowd. "And Ottersplash and Olivenose weren't the price of anything. They were good warriors who didn't deserve what happened to them. They should still be here, " He seethed, Ottersplash died fighting for something he didn't believe in. Whitewolf had a choice. She sealed her own fate.

If Lizardfrost wanted to reply Wormbite didn't bother to listen. He wasn't entirely sure if he was in the right state to not do something reckless. Instead he dragged himself away and retreated back to his seat.

[Sklee]

Amberpaw nodded, quietly listening. Pretty much everyone important seemed to agree. It was too much, but it was necessary. That was good to hear. Hopefully they could have peace for a bit.

[Fawn]

↭ Frozenberry 🃏
riverclan never had been good at brevity. frozenberry flipped their mind's vinyl onto side b. they blinked, wishing they could shake the internal feeling of static growing heavier with the uproar of their clanmates. .refract.

[Ziera]

// Zero

Kestrel must’ve acquired a taste for spicy clan meetings as he was two for two in triggering streamstone pandemonium. Unfortunately for him, Storm wouldn’t lift a claw to quell it. Not this time.

Stormtalon vaguely registered Iriskit pushing her way to his side. Though the bodies were visible…let her see, he thought. This was their reality, and it might get worse in the coming moons. Iris needed to dig deep and handle it. Storm refused to sugarcoat the world’s edges for his siblings anymore...look where that got Bright. Still. The tom’s tabby marked tail curled around his little sister in a silent show of support; even if he tossed her in the deep end Stormtalon would always be close by, ready to hold her up again if she went under.

But back to politics.

Streampelt’s contribution drew a derisive laugh from Storm's lips. Did what you thought was right? Patchpaw might beg to differ. No reason for you to feel guilty? As if their sins weren’t bared for all to see. But it was the last part that really tickled him: ‘you don’t deserve that burden on your shoulders.’

Honestly. If someone could cite where it said in the StarClan-manual-for-everything that life was fair (it never was and never would be), or that cats got what they deserved (ah yes, Olive and Otter, well-known RiverClan deviants), Stormtalon would swear off sarcasm forever. Kestrel didn’t deserve the burden? Oh boo hoo. Time to get over it like the rest of them.

One after another absolved Kestrelstar: Snowstripe. Nightleap. Dawnwhisper. Too many. Even Snakeheart added his own thoughts—speech as brief as his ever were—‘regrettable’ this, ‘sorry BUT’ that. Regurgitating what was already regurgitated and spitting it back out again for the masses...it was truly a talent. Stormtalon might share a base connection with Snakeheart, kindred values, but this? No. The same poison he slathered on the claws of RiverClan cats poisoned his words now, left them empty and void.

…and then Plumstorm. She tore into their leader so savagely with her words, Stormtalon wondered if he just witnessed the loss of Kestrel’s next life. He’d be lying if he said they didn’t cut into him second-paw. Plum called out Storm's name, outed the despicable acts they committed together under cover of darkness, ensured everyone in RiverClan knew who they really were. Including the innocent bundle of grey fur tucked into his side. Would Iris think him a monster? He might've felt something stronger if he hadn't already exhausted his mental limits. Stormtalon could only stare at Plumstorm from across the clearing, weary. Listening as she called him to testify against Kestrel; he said nothing.

StarClan took your life for what you did to us. Stormtalon’s tail started flicking back and forth, an unusual sign of restlessness. He believed in the ‘StarClan gives extra lives’ business since he was there when Kestrelstar’s heart stopped and started up again, sure. Still didn't make dead star cats liable for everything. That was giving them way too much credit; Kestrelstar lost a life protecting him.

At first, when the battle was fresh and blood still pounded in his ears, Storm had been confused about why the bird-brain would do it. After some time…some clarity, he thought to himself: who did Kestrel really save? Perhaps ‘obedient guard dog’ was the answer. It was the only thing that made sense to Stormtalon.

Rootgaze's voice interrupted his thoughts. She was a believer about to lose her foundation, one who might have to start relying on her own critical thinking from now on. Better late than never. More shared their thoughts: Lizardfrost (questionable sanity), Daisybird, Splashleap. Wormbite. Stars—this was endless torture. He’d almost rather face off with Sweetsong again than stay here. After it traveled around their clanmates, Stormtalon set his lime-green gaze back on Kestrelstar. Deciding that if ONE more useless cat went off on some useless tangent, he would leave and be done with this headache.

He…needed to get Iriskit out of here.

[dino.]

// Stardust~

>Tumblepaw<
Tumblepaw winced, tail twitching uncomfortably. Quietclaw, the tom that had stood up against Kestrelstar and gotten his throat torn out for it. "Maybe Quietclaw was right," he whispered hoarsely. "And everyone else who left in his stead, maybe they had the right idea." Could they have known what would happen in the near future? That their leader would lead an attack that would end in the deaths of however-too-many cats, and then try to fix it all with a poorly coordinated speech? 'Sorry' wasn't enough to bring the dead back to life. Anyone with common sense would know that and refuse forgiveness.

Tumblepaw hadn't exactly been looking forward to the life of a warrior as a kit, but these recent bloody events had only further turned him away from the appeal.

[spade]

[ i apologize in advanced on how short this meeting is!
ceremonies will be done at the next meeting called ]

Kestrelstar was unsure of what to expect following his words - and it seemed as though the Clan itself was unsure of what direction to go in also.

A few cats spoke up in regards to forgiving him - something he didn't want, nor feel like he deserved. He had blood on his paws, the crimson stain still fresh on his fur. Just as ThunderClan warriors had stalked into RiverClan territory, so had he with his own band of vigilantes.

Streampelt, Snowstripe, Dawnwhisper, even his former apprentice, Nightleap. They all shared their sentiment of forgiving Kestrelstar - but were they right to do so? A life had been taken from him, and the tabby was almost positive if his mother were still alive she would be disappointed. Shame and guilt washed over him, and he let out a low growl in response to it.

He didn't deserve his Clan's forgiveness. He didn't deserve anything... Maybe once he proved himself through actions... what a hypocrite he had become.

When Snakeheart spoke up, Kestrelstar's head snapped over to the tom. His brother, his family. The cat who had stuck by his side through it all. Who knew of his struggles, both public and private. The cat who, despite everything, would follow him to the ends of the outskirts and back again. The loyalty the medicine cat had with him - loyalty that was reciprocated - now felt like a thorn in Kestrelstar's side. He didn't deserve it.

His mouth was dry, throat scratchy. The leader didn't trust himself to speak just yet, knowing that the lump he'd tried hard to rid himself of would betray his words.

And among the crowd, a face he'd seen briefly in fighting - Frozenberry. Frozenberry. Ears cast downward, muscles tense. Yellow eyes searched their face for any sign of emotion, be what it may. The way his heart lurched, the way he wished he could bury his face into their shoulder and breathe in the familiar scent of safety he felt with them. Where had they been? Why hadn't they come to say hello? Were they, too, scared of the monster that Kestrelstar had become?

That's what he was, a monster.

"I didn't strive to become what you made of me."

Plumstorm. The warrior who Lionstorm had taken under his wing. The warrior who, perhaps it hurt most to let down. Kestrelstar's gaze shifted to her as she spoke. Her words rang clear and true, and despite the razor sharp edge they had, the way they cut into his fur was numb. Numb and cold and not at all different from the pain he was already feeling.

"Plumstorm is right." Despite the hoarseness of Kestrelstar's voice, the leader stepped forward to continue. "I led a patrol to ThunderClan territory after we learned of the death of Petuniaflame. After meeting Eveningstar at the border and watching him disrespect my warnings. We... killed three ThunderClanners that day."

An uproar was sure to follow, and Kestrelstar fought with the expressions on his face. Every fiber of him screamed to defend himself, to growl at his Clanmates and shut them all out. How could any of them even know an ounce of the pain he'd been through? The nightmares? The sleepless nights? Watching their father abandoned them, and their mother die before their eyes?

How could any of them even come close to knowing what that felt like?

A few cats jumped to his defense after the storm - Rootgaze, Lizardfrost - even his deputy Splashleap. My, how she would make a much more fit leader for RiverClan. She was poised, knew what they wanted to hear... She was unburdened by nightmares, unplagued by expectations that had seemed to be placed on Kestrelstar since the day he was born.

Still, there were a few seemed to agree with Plumstorm - Daisybird, the tired queen that for a moment reminded Kestrelstar of his own mother. Kestrelstar's eyes drifted through the crowd of faces, landing momentarily on Tumblepaw. His apprentice. And the look of sheer disappointment and... fear.

It was enough to drive the sharpest knife right through the leader's heart.

At Pikefluff's question and Wormbite's accusation about the warrior that had been killed and those who had been exiled, Kestrelstar felt his stomach twist into knots. For a moment, he let out another growl - a knee-jerk reaction whenever he thought of those who'd turn away from RiverClan in the midst of war - but they were right. He had... killed a warrior. A Clanmate. The Clan he loved so much, that he worked so hard to protect... he tore apart from the inside out.

On top of the Streamstone Kestrelstar tried to step forward again, only to stumble a bit. His breath hitched in his throat, and suddenly his pelt was hot. Sparks of static shot through his veins as if ants were crawling around under his fur.

Get down getdowngetdown.

Rapid fire heartbeat, comparable to hummingbird wings. Bile coating his throat as it rose from the depths of a shattered stomach. Voices screaming in his head, yowling to be heard over the other.

Run. Run. Run!.

"I..I'm sorry," he blurted out again, for once looking small and vulnerable. He appeared more as a kit than a leader, with his ears back and belly brushing the Streamstone. Was the ground spinning below him? "You're all... all right. I'll do better. I-" A pause as Kestrelstar fought to remain in control of the contents of his stomach - a bit of bile and a whole lot of nothing.

"The vigil for Oli-olivenose and Ottersplaaaash will be held tonight." Stars, his voice was only getting worse.

Before he even got the words out, the leader was leaping down from the Streamstone, landing unevenly as his injured paw took the brunt of the fall. A hiss of pain, but Kestrelstar ignored it as he gave a dismissive wave of his tail, slipping inside to his den.

THE MEETING HAS BEEN DISMISSED.

gs29513 spade Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Lavender’fur Shade. implimm Silverfur & Co hope FrostCat Ziera shaded shadow Tiabirb x ghostie AppleCat4 Quickpaw Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress liz Kunaiskrill vcrdant I draw war cats Socks Nixey poppy. Pheasantflight Willowfern Singing Jay im a cat ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: ~Fox~ Beetlenose DuskFire01 Dipper Serendibite WarriorzFan ~Kitty~ coffeebeans Gervayi Snowpelt1111 Cobra xXSharptailXx Jayden seeingstars Clovershade Fivier Waterheart Stardust~ Skycloud Songwing Thunderstrike Rainquail Angelique littlelove Sklee windtail Riverfly Rippleshade Celeste Topaztaill WinterRabbit5350 Jackpot Sky13 _Riverblossom_ Egasl Fierce distant cry in the woods ~Berry~ finnzel

[Courage]

Riverstripe padded back to the warriors den.

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap walked up to kestrelstar. “Dont feel bad.” She looked to him. “Know this: you’re trying. You are a good leader.. and a good friend. Dont feel bad.” She looked to him
spade

[furrensic]

poppy. //

➸ daisybird

daisybird let out a huff, shaking her head. "no, you dont, flintkit. you're still young, you're a kit." she said with growing irritation, her attention being brought back to kestrelstar. he shouldn't have let his anger blind him - now more riverclanners and thunderclanners were dead. thunderclan would want revenge eventually, and if they raided the camp like riverclan had done to them, she wasn't sure what she'd do.

she watched the leader leap off of the rock, sighing and looking back down at her son."come on, flintkit. we're going back to the nursery, you shouldn't be around all of this." she murmured before standing up and making her way to the nursery, tail flicking for the kit to follow.

[Glitch_Candle]

All Vinepaw could do was give Kestrelstar a star of sorrow. He was heartbroken, she knew that. She was moved.

( spade is it ok if Vinepaw comes into kes's den after this, saying how she was moved by him actually feeling things, and had no idea what he'd gone through. Either way, this is the turning point in Vine's plot I wanted, for something to move her so much she wouldn't have a temper issue.)

[windtail]

Bluegaze stared at kestrelstar for a moment then turned and walked back into the nursery

Silverpaw walked to the apprentice den and went inside

[gs29513]

Hmm, ok, that had not gone incredibly well. At least no one had aimed anything at her in particular, Splashleap didn't think she had said anything particularly inflammatory. Which was good, because it definitely seemed like most cats were leaning the way of complete forgiveness, at least those that spoke, or were ready to murder the leader. But she supposed it was always the ones who spoke the loudest that had their voices heard. Always had been, always would be. Taking one, worried look at Kestrelstar's retreating back, she spun and made her way towards Snakeheart's den. She really should get her paw looked at.

[Rani]

It had seemed at first that cats might understand the plight of their leader and even if a great many did not forgive now, they might later when Kestrelstar backed up his words by actions. He always did after all and Snakeheart ever loyal would support him in this endeavour even as he did his best to support the clan as well. The weight of everyone on his shoulders never wavered but at least it was a burden he was used to. What he wasnt used to was hostility from cats whos thoughts he belived aligned with his own.

Eyes flying wide at Plumstorms sudden anger and venom the tom flinched back at her anger suddenly aware how easily she could harm him. He never expected this, viewing Plumstorm as an ally but now it was clear what the enemy must see of her, a vicious capable cat with motive. And Snakeheart was a non combat trained medicine cat who obviously was a target of her fury if not the primary one. The medicine cat flinched back edging back until Stormtalon, who was sitting close by, was at his back and side a sort of defence (however futile it may be) should things come to worst.

At least among the crowd there were still cats that had loyalty and attempting to catch the eye of Rootgaze as she spoke he gave a solum nod in agreement of her words. A reassuring gaze, a hint of a broken smile of pride in her, support for her claims (what was one more lie among many to protect his clanmates he'd give a thousand if thats what it took).
Then Splashleap spoke and Snakeheart was reminded of why he'd advocated so hard for the hesitant molly to get her rank, she was reasonable ever reasonable seeing and bringing up points the medicine cat hadnt even seen and suddenly he wished to tell her so. Not the time though, later. She was compassionate too about this and quickly brought a little hope to Snakehearts battered mind even as Wormbites words hit sharp and true.

Stormtalon at his back remained silent. Snakeheart didnt know what to think about it and for a moment a dark thought hit sending an involuntary shiver through him the warrior was sure to feel. Was another cat he viewed as an ally going to turn like Plumstorm did? Was he wrong about someone else he trusted? Suddenly all Snakeheart wanted so desperately was to turn back the clock to those happy moons as a kit filled with joy and siblings and a mother. He had none of that now and for what.

There was no strength that could make this ok everything just seemed to be falling appart and so too was Kestrelstar. Snakeheart lead out a distressed near inaudible whine at the toms obviously rapidly declining state leaning forward just slightly in want to go bounding up the stone to find out what was wrong even as duty rooted his paws. And suddenly all too fast the tom was gone retreating into his den and the clan broke up from the meeting.

He wanted to go bolting after his brother, he should go follow Splashleap into the medicine cat den and tend to the cats that remained there and still required treatment, he needed to stay and lead the cats in paying respect to the fallen. And so heart breaking in his chest he staying taking in a deep breath and pealing away from the bitter sweet comfort of sitting next to Stormtalon.

"All those who wish to pay their respects to Olivenose and Ottersplash gather and do so now and I will give them their final rites, words, and blessing to journey safe to starclan. For now we honour their lives and the wonderful cats they were."

It was the least (only thing) that could be done for them now.


Ziera spade gs29513 implimm Socks
(Mentioning people snake mentioned though you dont need to react to this post)

[_Riverblossom_]

As Kestrelstar spoke while everyone was feeling regret she was feeling hope.She believed that Kestrelstar was a good cat.If he wasn't he wouldn't have saved in the forest.So she lifted her chin up proud to be called a riverclan cat.

[beechstorm]

beechstorm was hurt.BAD. in the recent battel with the cats of the dark forest he had not the time to visit

[dino.]

// Rani

>Tumblepaw<
His eyes widened further as Kestrelstar continued and he felt his heart flutter in his chest. Three. Three ThunderClan cats, including Eveningstar, and not including however many had died in the raid. Five cats at least, if one combined the RiverClan lives lost during the battle. Six, if you counted Quietclaw.

Six cats had died as a result of Kestrelstar's actions. Six. How many more would follow?

A shaky breath left him as he rose to his paws and moved over to Snakeheart for the vigil. He wasn't close to these warriors but they deserved to be honored. They'd sacrificed their lives for a cause led by a cruel and unjust leader.

They didn't just deserve to be honored, Tumblepaw mused - they deserved an apology. But he wasn't fit to give them one.

[Egasl]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit broke away from Milkkit as soon as Kestrelstar hopped down down from the streamstone.

He couldn’t give up, not now.

“Kesterlstar! Kestrelstar!” Sunkit called as she ran towards a scent she assumed was Kestrelstar’ da was a sweet fishy smell. It was nice.
“Kestrelstar, please. You can’t just give up.” the young she-cat whined. She didn’t know if she was facing the clan leader or not, but she hoped she had heard him. He scent was strong here. She was sure he heard her.
Nostalgia

[Zero]

- Ziera

It was only once pressed into her brother's side that Iriskit began to pay attention to the meeting going on around them - just as Kestrelstar began to apologize. She knew that a fight had gone down between their clan and ThunderClan, no doubt noticing that her own brother had been injured as well as numerous clanmates, two of which didn't make it out. Though, the kitten had been blind to many of the reasons for such a conflict to exist in the first place as she was too young to pay attention to such things. It almost seemed right to her then, that Kestrelstar was apologizing for taking such violent actions.

Her wide green eyes turned to Snakeheart next, as the medicine cat spoke up. It was here she learned more about what ThunderClan had done. Still, it was news to her, causing her stomach to twist painfully within her. Why would ThunderClan act that way? Weren't they cats just like them? It was at that moment she wondered briefly if she should really be here at this meeting listening to all of this, her gaze flitting to her brother. This was really not helping her firsthand confusion about all these turns of events.

Plumstorm's growl caused her ears to tilt back, drawing her gaze as she ripped into Kestrelstar angrily. It was quite the change of pace from those around them that had already accepted Kestrelstar's apology.
"Tell them about how you took Stormtalon and I onto ThunderClan territory to kill whoever we saw, the day it was storming!"
The world swam for a moment. Had she heard that correctly? Stormtalon... as in her brother?

There could be no way! That was what first came to her, her faith in Stormtalon too strong. There was no way the only family she had here could do such a thing. Sure, he was quite the character, but he wasn't a murderer. Iriskit would know if he was! It angered her. How dare this she-cat try to drag his name through the mud?? The kitten resisted the urge to jump to her brother's defense immediately, knowing he could handle it... needing him to handle it.

But the seconds continued to tick by as she waited for Stormtalon to jump to his own defense, deny those words. And as she faithfully waited and looked up at tom she was pressed into... there it was. Doubt. He didn't deny it.

The rest of the cats around them were forgotten as she pulled away from his side as if she'd been shocked. She couldn't think here, there was too much going on, too many other cats, too much information swimming in her young head. So, the kitten did the only thing she could do: run.

[Ziera]

// Rani | Zero

Amidst the din, sudden movement caught Stormtalon’s attention, drew it onto Snakeheart’s recoiling figure. It surprised him. After everything, this is what struck terror in the medicine cat’s heart? The intensity of his reaction seemed like overkill on the surface; you’d have thought Plumstorm threatened to skin Snakeheart alive by the way he flinched from her conviction. Still. Cats with bottled secrets projected their fears anywhere and everywhere regardless of reason, seized by panic at the slightest of noises.

For Snakeheart to shrink away after sending clanmates into battle with poison-coated talons…it was pathetic. Pitiful, even. Yet in Snake’s moment of frenzied panic, Storm was the chosen makeshift safe haven, and he allowed it.

Something inside him refused to push Snake away. With some analysis, Stormtalon realized why: despite that loud voice, steaming temper, seething vitriol…you’re just a kid, aren’t you? Too young - as young as Bright had been. Caught in a storm others should have weathered for him. Not crying about it, not complaining he didn't deserve it, but trying.

“Steady,” Stormtalon murmured so only Snake heard, feeling the medicine cat shiver but paying it no mind. “If the demons come for you I'll make sure they take me first.” No pity in his voice. No condescension - a tiny bit of grim humor. You’re an idiot, but you’re not the only one, so take a breath and collect yourself. My claws are stained too.

Snakeheart confirmed he was deserving of the faith Storm placed in him. Once again the tom stepped up, did what he needed to do, faced the same monsters that snapped at Kestrel's retreating heels.

Warmth disappeared. Distracted by more abrupt motion, this time closer to him. Stormtalon turned in time to see Iriskit rip herself from his side. The kit's face was a mess of contradictions and so overwhelmed that the first thing to break through Storm’s numbness was a tinge of pain.

She saw him for what he was. “Iris—” Stormtalon started, innate protectiveness surging while Iriskit looked at him like he was the thing she needed protection from, but it was too late. She was gone. Pelted off in the opposite direction.

...He didn’t have the strength to follow, stuffed to the brim with emptiness. Paws like stones. He was just…drained. The heavy weight of his exhaustion made Stormtalon surprised he didn’t sink through the earth.

Silverfish. His father. Those two poor scraps of fur who never got to breathe at all—Brightpaw…Bumble…now Iris. Stars. For the first time in his life Storm might be truly alone. The realization caught him like strong, swelling tides, dragged him out to sea beyond the point of no return. He would drown out here. He deserved to.

But…not yet. Not where cats could see; the grey tabby denied them the satisfaction. Bracing himself for the pain it would cause his shoulders, Storm approached the bodies of his fallen clanmates, offering silent support of the vigil Snakeheart meant to hold. Like the young medicine cat, the charcoal warrior could put off tending to himself. He owed the dead this much.

[Raven~]

Shinestone
Shinestone frowned. What was wrong with Kestrelstar? He was losing it for sure. First he became a psychopath, then he became self-conscious? What in the world was happening to their leader? Splashleap had to intervene - and fast. Shinestone took a deep breath, then walked out of camp. Her kits could wait, and she still had to find Graystorm. Maybe he could help with this new problem.

Palebrook
Palebrook winced. She could see that Kestrelstar was breaking apart, from the inside. Palebrook watched in smypathy as he stumbled off the Streamstone, twisting his paw. She took a step foward to her leader, bust hesitated. Now she had no idea how Kestrelstar would react, and it made her fearful. Best to leave him alone, to let him look after himself. Palebrook couldn't help but feel that he deserved this. So she went to the warriors' den, sighing. RiverClan was such a mess.

[poppy]

[ finnzel ]
- Flintkit

Flintkit stood up, muttering mutinously. "But I wanna stay!" There was nothing to stay for, he just wanted to argue. Seeing there was no point, he stalked after his mother, casting a glance back at the corpses.

They were so still, why were they frozen? They smelled funny to. He had recognized the two cats from seeing them around camp, but they looked different now. Cold, lifeless lumps of fur. It wasn't right.

Running faster to catch up with his mother, he realized that she was right- he didn't want to be around this. It felt weird, strange.

[carmen]

spade gs29513

Bristletail looked from Snakeheart to Splashleap to Kestrelstar, a small sad smile splayed across her features. Life was changing. The tides were tugging at the shores, doing its best to constantly change the shorelines. Once the trio of high ranks had finished speaking, she walked over to Splashleap and began to speak. "Listen, Splashleap, I'm sure you must have heard this already," she took a breath and stopped. That was too good of a point, was it too late to walk away?

"Probably too much, but you did well out there. You brought up points that would have been ignored without you speaking up. You acted like a true deputy." She nodded with approval at Splashleap before turning away. Not that it really mattered.

Now, on to the next matter. Bristletail stepped over to her next acquaintance, the next person she felt needed congratulations. The cream she-cat stepped over to Kestrelstar and sat down, waiting for him to finish speaking with the other cats around him. Was it her right to tell him what was on her mind when the leader was swarmed with this much forgiveness, that much hate. but it was too late to turn back.

"Kestrelstar. I'm not going to pretend I know what is going through your mind. You've had the worst start of any leader I've lived through. But it's not your fault," she added quickly. "You came into power at the beginning of a war, you had to show our clan that we could pull through, and it did. But there is one thing." How to say this. "I think you have changed, but I'm not sure. I was scared, Kestrelstar. You were so bent on revenge that I thought we were going to die. I thought that our endless border skirmishes and battles with Thunderclan would just keep going. An endless cycle of vengeance to go on until no one was left." Bristletail locked eyes with the grey tabby. "How do I know it won't happen again?"

[spade]

[ continuing this meeting to complete the ceremonies that were suppose to happen!
thank you all for your patience! to all the cats who approached Kestrelstar - he fled into his den so he did not hear them! ^^ ]


As Kestrelstar exited his den, the static that had softened to a dull buzz started to pick up. Beneath him, his legs were a bit shaky, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. None of that could interfere. There were ceremonies to get done, ones that had been put off far too long. A few days had passed since the last meeting - hopefully it would go over more smoothly.

After all, all the leader could do to prove that he wasn't blinded by shadows anymore was by acting as if he wasn't.

"All those old enough to swim, gather beneath the Streamstone for a Clan meeting."

The gray tabby took a seat, flexing his foreleg that was missing the toes as he waited for his call to gather the masses. It was annoying to say the least, though Kestrelstar did his best to mask the pain and irritation behind a stoic, unreadable mask.

gs29513 Rani Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Lavender’fur Ziera Shade. implimm Silverfur & Co hope FrostCat poppy. shaded shadow Tiabirb x ghostie AppleCat4 Quickpaw Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress @OhZeeWolf liz Kunaiskrill Sacred vcrdant xbatx Piketooth I draw war cats Socks Stardust~ Swiftstripe floofy Pheasantflight Twilight Wing @Meeklein HoneyFlame im a cat ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: Skycloud ~Fox~ Beetlenose duskfire1 Dipper Rippleshade Serendibite WarriorzFan Fizzypinkratjuice ~Kitty~ coffeebeans Thunderstrike Fivier Rainquail Angelique Fawnhearted feather lily littlelove Sklee windtail Roseleader Riverfly Kyrieknight Celeste Topaztaill WinterRabbit5350 Rxmulus Peril Caramel Bramblefire01 rosetherosey Riverfly

[~Fierce~]

~Streampelt~
Streampelt was eating a fish in the clearing when he looked up to watch Kestrelstar head towards the Streamstone. Streampelt was already up and heading over when Kestrelstar yowled the regular meeting words. He sat down where everyone else would be gathered.

~Fiercepaw~
Fiercepaw was taking a light snooze in the apprentices den when Kestrelstar's words woke her. She took her time to stretch and groom her fur before heading out and padding towards the Streamstone. She picked a spot where she would be in front of the crowd gathered.

~Shykit~
Shykit was doing her usual in the nursery when she heard the leader's words. She had learned throughout time that his name was Kestrelstar and that a meeting was happening. She padded quietly out of the nursery and went to sit where she had sat some time ago, next to the Streamstone. She liked this particular spot.

[WinterMara]

| Whitepaw, The Ambitious Actress In Training of Riverclan |

Not again!

Can Whitepaw ever catch a break, she needed it! All the 'stress' was getting put on her, not her own stress, the stress of others from the war, she hated it, why were they so upset, it was stupid, sure some cats died, but they were weak and pathetic, obviously.

They should be like terrifying pirhanas, not some meek little goldfish who can be killed in a swipe. Whatever, just let the other cats be themselves, it allows them to be a bit easier to take advantage of, and dear Starclan she 'needed' it.

Her ego had just taken her over more and more, and she could admit that, she also didn't care. Who needed empathy, no one got anything out of it, when she tried to help Brighttalon, all she got was scolding, hmph, maybe he wasn't as good as she remembered.

Maybe no one was.

| Prepare for the edge with any of her posts LOL |

[Nixey]

~Dawnwhisper~
Slinking their way to Streamstone, Dawnwhisper looked up towards Kestrelstar wondering what was going to happen next.
~Reedkit~
The little cream colored kit bounced over towards the streamstone. Her excitement had been dulled since the last meeting, so she just plopped down on her haunches.

[Raven~]

Shinestone
Another meeting? Wow. She was leaving her just to often, and this was just getting annoying. This time, Shinestone stayed in the shadows of the nursery's entrance. Her kits were all she had left. She refused to leave them, too.

Palebrook
Palebrook timidly went into the clearing, nervous on how this would play out. She stayed in the back, not willing to go any farther. There were so many ways this could play out, and not many of them God. She didn't want to be close to Kestrelstar if he went insane again and killed another of their Clanmates.

Frostpaw
Frostpaw strode as close to the Streamstone as she cared, which was pretty close. She wanted to hear exactly what Kestrelstar said, word for word. Would it be wishful thinking of she thought Kestrelstar might make her a warrior?

[Silverfur & Co]

Snowstripe pads over to the streamstone and looks up at Kestrelstar and looks at him smiling. She purs and looks at the little kit coming to the stone.


Featherkit heard the call and came running she didnt really know how to swim but looked at kes anyway.

[shaded shadow]

rainingpaw walked out of the apprentice den whats happening now she though

sootfang walked over to sit with the others and waited for what kestrelstar was going to say

[windtail]

silverpaw walked quietly out of the apprentice den and sat with the others and wondered what kestrelstar was going to say

bluegaze walked out of the den and sat down with the other cats another meeting she thought to herself i wonder what its going to be about

[vcrdant]

Ryebelly lifted his head,
directing his attention towards the RiverClan leader. Rising to his paws,
the tom padded to the Streamstone in anticipation. He came to a stop
near the back of the crowd, sitting down and curling his tail around his
front paws.

[Ziera]

//

Stormtalon learned that grief hit in waves. It might charge at him with powerful bursts or wear him down with slow, ebbing currents, while other times the sea would stay infuriatingly still. A fantasy of clear skies until clouds rolled in once more.

Today happened to be one of those more stable days. When Kestrelstar called for a clan meeting, something Storm didn't know whether to expect any time soon, he found the strength to approach streamstone (padding gingerly, mindful of his torn shoulders.) Green eyes met gold; Stormtalon sheltered in the safety of impassiveness.

[Madelaine]

Petuniakit padded out of the nursery with excitement. This would be the day that she became an apprentice. The white mollies fur was all messed up and sticking up everywhere. Her mother had slightly gone insane and hadn't done it yet. Hopefully she'd watch hee ceremony. It was exciting.

// Zesty Mango; want him to make her look presentable? \\

[Abyssopelagic]

Palepaw trots back to the Streamstone, unsure if she wants to pretend to be a person that day, but deciding it would be best for her emotional health to find some way to distract herself from her thoughts. She sits wherever there is room for herself.

[Mango]

Petuniakit padded out of the nursery with excitement. This would be the day that she became an apprentice. The white mollies fur was all messed up and sticking up everywhere. Her mother had slightly gone insane and hadn't done it yet. Hopefully she'd watch hee ceremony. It was exciting.

// Zesty Mango; want him to make her look presentable? \\
(sorry it’s a literal book)

Blizzardsky wasn’t the most attentive warrior. Frankly, he had no idea this daughter was ready to become an apprentice. So he didn’t know her ceremony was about to happen, he only came because it was something he was suppose to do. He glanced at Petuniakit and casually licked her fur a few times. She normally looked neat and groomed, but frankly Heronflight had been acting weird lately. Frankly he assumed she was cheating on him, but he was too polite to spy on her to find out he figured she’d end things when she was ready to admit it. Poor man had been let down too much to realize it was insanity. He figured she was basically implying that he was on his own raising his children. He’d never admit it outloud, but Petuniakit was his favorite. He still needed to gift Frozenberry with Frozenkit, he felt it was the only way to repay for moving on from them when he believed they were dead. It was the least he could do was give Frozenberry the child he named after him. Shatteredkit was well boring frankly. The others had run off, he was upset about it, but he was still protective of his Petuniakit. He grinned stupidly at her as he attempted (not that well) to fix her fur, he had never groomed fur before, his fur was never well groomed, and he never had anyone to groom before. So this was his first time, so it wasn’t the best attempt

[Sklee]

Amberpaw ran over.

[wolfie]

Kestrelstar's voice rang out throughout the camp and a quiet sigh escaped from the oriental. As much as Wormbite was convinced it wouldn't be as chaotic as the last -- there was still a buzz under his paws. If only for the fact it felt wrong to willingly not attend a meeting. He soon joined the crowd, hunched over and cloudy gaze fixated on his own paws.

[Rani]

The past days had been filled with frustration grief exhaustion and the slightest tingle of longing tentative and damaged hope in equal measures. For all the fury the clan had displayed for the deaths of Ottersplash and Olivenose there'd been few cats who came up and payed respect and that had made the medicine cat bitterly mad at the hypocrisy for the cats that claimed the high ranks didnt care enough about the clan and didnt even treat them right in death. To make matters more frustrating Kestrelstar had been avoiding him after his breakdown on the streamstone even when Snakeheart had finally found the time to finally tend to his brother after treating the more wounded clan and burying the bodies. The young tom could understand the leader acting like this towards some of the more hostile clanmates while he did his best to recover but not his own bond brother! In truth Snakeheart was very very worries and stressed about the tabby with the knowledge it was his duty to ensure his help and yet he still couldnt do anything.... He'd ambush Kestrelstar after this meeting and not take no for an answer, hopefully this meeting being called was a good sign anyway.

For all the bad things there was a silver lining at least, for all Snakeheart had a new paranoia about his own clanmates not knowing who was a single step from going from trusted ally to a ticking time bomb and who was safe one cat had reassured him. Stormtalon, who Snakeheart spotted in the crowd, had been kind and reassuring in a way the young medicine cat had ever seen from another tom. Some of the mollies in his life had stepped up to protect him, Foxblaze and Coldamber for the most part, but all the older toms had either not cared in the slightest or believed the medicine cats strong mask and didnt think it necessary. Except Stormtalon. What'd occurred at the last meeting was new and foreign and made Snakeheart feel like a kit again in a way he didnt for once hate. It was strange and Snakeheart was purposefully suppressing those thoughts as he was for the fact that Kestrelstar actually had nine lives.

Still it was telling how the medicine cat made his way through the crowd to plant himself at the warriors side rather than his normal spot in front of and beside the streamstone, close enough for their fur to brush.
Ziera

[Mercury]

- Briarpaw -

It felt like ages since the young she-cat had seen Ottersplash. The tom had tried his hardest to train her, to be there for her, and now he was- gone. There was an overwhelming guilt settling in Briarpaw's stomach, and it left her physically sick. She was a failure to her mentor. What would happen now, without him? Would she be issued a replacement? Paws trembled as the apprentice padded out into the clearing at Kestrelstar's call. She didn't want a new mentor.

All the same... she wasn't sure if she would want Ottersplash back if she could have him.

It wasn't as if she didn't like the playful tom, but- sometimes, she had felt as if he were hiding something - as if he didn't trust her to slip the mask off and explain what was going on. She had never prodded him for an answer - he was her mentor, and he was entitled to his own secrets. She could never fathom what it might be.

It didn't matter. He was dead - slain at the paws of ThunderClan, and as the tricolored she-cat sat down, gaze trained on her leader, she could only hope this would go by quickly. She didn't want to be sad. Everything was better when she was, admittedly, more naïve. Ironically, any semblance of childhood innocence had been ripped to shreds. This was the real world, and things didn't always go your way. Briarpaw just had to remember that, and she was set. It was fine. She was... fine.

[Courage]

Riverstripe padded over to the Streamstone at the sound of her leader calling Riverclan.

[gs29513]

Splashleap was worried, to say the least. While most cats seemed to be on the way to recovery, Kestrelstar's time spent alone as a hermit in his den did little for the process of forgiveness she had hoped would progress. it didn't look great that, instead of doing anything, he was hiding away and letting her and Snakeheart take care of things. Not that she begrudged him the time alone, she liked the fact that there had been little time for idle thoughts. Idle time was her enemy nowadays, and even when she was resting her mind was forcibly occupied by other topics.

One of these was the mentor problem. Riverclan needed more warriors, both for battle and for the simple fact that they had a lot of kits that needed feeding. She had a few ideas, of course, that she might implement, but for now she had to focus on the meeting. Shaking out her fur, Splashleap trotted towards the Streamstone taking a seat in the front. Hopefully Kestrelstar would be positive and not cause more controversy. While he supported him, more trouble would only make things harder for the clan going forward.

[Egasl]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit bounded into the clearing. She had previously tried to speak to Kestrelstar but he must’ve not heard her. She was very glad he had decided to get back up on the giant rock. She had heard him call from a space in the shade in which she had been lying. She knew this was it! Her apprentice ceremony. He had no idea who her mentor would be but whoever it was she hoped they would be able to teach her warrior skills even though she was completely blind.

Sunkit sighed as she remembered her unfortunate disability. She had notice shortly after her diagnosis that she wasn’t able to hear thing she would have been expected to hear. Like cats walking up to her or other trying to speak with her. She hoped it wasn’t anything permanent.

Sunkit sat down in the front of the crowd so she’d he able to hear her leader loud and clear. This ceremony was for her after all.

// Nostalgia just in case you wanna have Milkkit interact with her

Open to all other wise \\

[Rani]

Hmm a meeting a meeting what about in these quiet days after such pain? For all Sunsetbloom had no guilt for her decision to stay behind and guard ever wary about the more defenceless cats that found it wise not to go with the more war ready party the unhappiness with herself for at least trying to prevent some of the horrific injuries her clan mates returned with lingered. She’d do better next time in an internal promise to use her strength to help and defend in a way riverclan had used their kindness and wisdom to give her a home and a being the ex kitty pet once lost. Part of being better was being aware too and though the warrior usually didn’t attend meetings, the format just not good for her short and whispy attention, she padded over and sat down this time praying this would come with some joy.

[spade]

Gazing down at his Clan as they gathered below, Kestrelstar knew that a majority of them were still skeptical. Still nervous. Expecting claws and teeth to come out at any moment. The leader didn’t have the strength anymore to fight each and every accusative thought about who he was or what he stood for - he was just plain tired. And too much time had passed between the last ceremonies that had been completed.

”I have a few things to announce,” he began, clearing his voice after to make sure it would hold steady for what he wanted to say, ”but first, there are a few ceremonies that are overdue.”

Yellow eyes swept through the crowd. He spotted a few of the cats already who would be pointed out at today’s meeting; hopefully the rest showed up at their names.

”Sunkit [ Egasl ], Milkkit [ Nostalgia ], Reedkit [ Nixey ], Bravekit [ distant cry in the woods ], Petuniakit [ Angelique ], Finkit [ seeingstars ], and Featherkit [ Silverfur & Co ]. Step forward.”

Oh stars, wasn’t Petuniakit one of Blizzardsky’s kits? Briefly the Clan leader’s eyes spotted the white warrior next to his daughter. He’d have to be careful with her mentor, less he wanted to hear a screaming father in his den after the meeting.

[Madelaine]

Petuniakit grumbled when her father tried to groom her. She hated being babied, especially since she woild eb an apprentice soon. "I gotta go.", she meowed to her father. The molly moved away when she heard hee name get called. Her whiskers began to twitch with excitement. It was finally time!

// Zesty Mango; \\

[Nixey]

~Reedkit~
Bouncing forward, Reedkit peered up excitedly at Kestrelstar. Glancing around, her blue eyes searched Bravekit so she could stand by xem.
distant cry in the woods

[poppy]

Blizzardwind watched the kits step forward, wondering if he might get an apprentice. Hopefully not, he quite enjoyed his free time, and didn't want a kit squealing at him day and night.

But, on the other paw, he would be able to train a good warrior, not the pathetic little whiners that everyone else trained.

[Egasl]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit perked up as her name was called. She giggled as she got to her paws. Sunkit had no knowledge of what happened in an apprentice ceremony, not only because she was blind, but because she had never attended one. She hopped so close to the stream stone that her nose was almost touching the cool rock.
She had also heard Milkkit’s name, so she sniffed the air to see if he had shown up. Nothing yet though.

[flat._.chair]

~Reedkit~
Bouncing forward, Reedkit peered up excitedly at Kestrelstar. Glancing around, her blue eyes searched Bravekit so she could stand by xem.
distant cry in the woods

[§]bravekit[§]
quickly padding beside the she, bravekit looked a bit shocked; galncing at reedkit, xe sighed.

[Earthworm]

brightsky


brightsky peered up at the stream stone, then back down at the kits who had walked to it. brightsky had given interest to the young bravekit; a loyal and eager apprentice was good. snapping back to reality, brightsky focused onto the leader.

[Silverfur & Co]

Featherkit stepped forward looking at Kestrelstar smiling and nods looking at him she looked great. Thanks to Cloudynight her adoptive father. She looked to Kestrelstar and stood proud.


Snowstripe looked at the one called Featherkit she was worried about this little ball of fur becoming an apprrentice she seemed to have alot of energy but maybe that energy was something that they needed.

[WinterMara]

| Whitepaw, The Ambitious Actress In Training of Riverclan |

Yawnnnnn...

Boring, just another batch of kits who will never become warriors, she was interested in seeing who their mentors were though, would they be good? Would they be Rumblingstorm? Who knew, wait, was she feeling over-protective, agh she's not even a warrior yet!

Although, maybe she should become one soon, she could train an apprentice and help them avoid the life she has now, not the ego part, Starclan no! The part with terrible mentors, obviously, she got scratched by one of them for crying out loud!

[seeingstars]

Gazing down at his Clan as they gathered below, Kestrelstar knew that a majority of them were still skeptical. Still nervous. Expecting claws and teeth to come out at any moment. The leader didn’t have the strength anymore to fight each and every accusative thought about who he was or what he stood for - he was just plain tired. And too much time had passed between the last ceremonies that had been completed.

”I have a few things to announce,” he began, clearing his voice after to make sure it would hold steady for what he wanted to say, ”but first, there are a few ceremonies that are overdue.”

Yellow eyes swept through the crowd. He spotted a few of the cats already who would be pointed out at today’s meeting; hopefully the rest showed up at their names.

”Sunkit [ Egasl ], Milkkit [ Nostalgia ], Reedkit [ Nixey ], Bravekit [ distant cry in the woods ], Petuniakit [ Angelique ], Finkit [ seeingstars ], and Featherkit [ Silverfur & Co ]. Step forward.”

Oh stars, wasn’t Petuniakit one of Blizzardsky’s kits? Briefly the Clan leader’s eyes spotted the white warrior next to his daughter. He’d have to be careful with her mentor, less he wanted to hear a screaming father in his den after the meeting.

Finkit bounded up wide-eyed. It was finally time!! The small tom was so excited to finally be apprenticed. He looked up at Kestrelstar excitedly bouncing from paw to paw as he waited for the leader's next words.

[~Sayonara~]

Honeypaw ran out and smiles happily, going to sit next to Finkit.
"Look at that! We'll be sharing a den again soon! Hopefully I get to train with you!"
seeingstars

[Mango]

Angelique

Blizzardsky’s eyes went wide as he realized she was becoming an apprentice, he hadn’t been keeping track of time, it felt like yesterday her eyes opened and now she was becoming an apprentice. So without a second thought he tried to come forward to rushing to attempt to groom her fur better coming forward himself some as well trying to fix her fur so it would look perfect, he anxiously glanced around trying to spot Heronflight. She was suppose to be there. Suddenly he stopped trying to fix her fur and went sprinting towards the nursery whisper shouting as to not ruin the ceremony,” Heronflight come quick!” hopefully she’d be entering camp soon at least. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to force Frozenkit and uhh Shatteredkit to watch the ceremony, but he figured he’d let them enjoy kithood without being jealous. Heronflight better arrive. He kind of froze finally between the ceremony area and the nursery, desperate to see Heronflight show up for their daughters ceremony. It broke his heart when he became an apprentice and his dad didn’t show up, speaking of which what happened to his dad.

[shaae_26]

Firepaw gatherd at his leaders call

[Nostalgia]

~ Sunkit ~

Sunkit perked up as her name was called. She giggled as she got to her paws. Sunkit had no knowledge of what happened in an apprentice ceremony, not only because she was blind, but because she had never attended one. She hopped so close to the stream stone that her nose was almost touching the cool rock.
She had also heard Milkkit’s name, so she sniffed the air to see if he had shown up. Nothing yet though.

Milkkit padded up, his heart racing. His paws carried him to Sunkits side, silently running his tail across her back to let her know he was there.

“It’s happening!” He whispered excitedly.

[Madelaine]

Heronflight was inside the nursery, staring at the collection of fur that she had. Her eyes showed insanity. Her concussion was still healing, so it would be a while before she fully came back. A yowl was heard and she padded out. Apprentice? Her fur child was going to be an apprentice?

She ran out real quick and stood beside her. She didn't want her to become an apprentice yet. Heronflight wanted to shove Petuniakit back, so she didn't get to become one.

// Zesty Mango; \\

[spade]

Ah, so all the kits had shown up. For a moment, Kestrelstar gazed down at them. They were about to embark on training to become RiverClan warriors. Normally, he wasn’t one for speeches wasted on those who had yet to show potential, but with tensions high and times more turbulent than he could remember, the leader gave a nod to all the kits.

”You all have reached the age to begin your warrior training. Becoming a RiverClan warrior is no easy task - you will be taught in the ways of hunting and fighting for your Clan. You will learn what it means to serve and protect your Clan, and in the process you will discover who you are. I hope that each of you,” the leader paused, making sure to look each kit in the eye, ”work hard, and listen to your mentors. They are skilled warriors who have defended RiverClan with their life; their knowledge is invaluable.”

With that, Kestrelstar straightened up more, lifting his tail as he began the assignments.

”Sunkit [ Egasl ] from this day forward you will be known as Sunpaw. Your mentor will be Wolfsong [ RiztheHuntress ].”

“Milkkit [ Nostalgia ] until you complete your training you will be known as Milkpaw. I’m leaving your training to Splashleap [ gs29513 ]. Learn all you can from her.” Kestrelstar hadn’t spoken to Splashleap about this, and hoped she would be up for the task.

”Reedkit [ Nixey ] you shall be known as Reedpaw,” his breath caught in his throat momentarily as he recalled the former Reedpaw, who he had thrown out after being attacked by the apprentice in the raid - but now was no time to dwell on that. ”Your mentor shall be Hawthornmist
[ Willowfern ].”

“Bravekit [ distant cry in the woods ] you are now Bravepaw. I believe that my former apprentice, Nightleap [ Kunaiskrill ] will do well with your training.”

“Petuniakit [ Angelique ] until your training is complete you will be known as Petuniapaw. Your mentor will be Blizzardwind [ poppy. ].”

“Finkit [ seeingstars ] you are now Finpaw. I’m entrusting your training to Dogheart
[ coffeebeans ]. Train well.”

“Featherkit [ Silverfur & Co ] until your training is complete you shall be Featherpaw. Your mentor shall be Goldenbranch [ -Ash- ]”

As he finished speaking, Kestrelstar gave the new apprentices a moment to find their mentors and meet them. It was a good day in RiverClan; there were a few reassignments after this, and then two new warriors to be made.

”For a few apprentices,” Kestrelstar continued, ”your mentors have found that their loyalties lie outside of RiverClan. Though I have searched the territory for them, there is no trace. But your training will not be delayed.” Glancing down, the leader cleared his throat once more.

”Goldenpaw [ Singing Jay ] your new mentor will be Driftbreeze [ liz ].”

”Baypaw [ Puddle~ ] your new mentor is Dusksong [ Pheasantflight ].”

“Silverpaw [ windtail ] your new mentor is Rippleflight [ I draw war cats ].”

“Whitepaw [ WinterRabbit5350 ] your new mentor is Moonmoth [ finnzel ].”

For the last one, her mentor hadn’t necessarily gone missing, but she had expressed interest in being trained by a different one. ”Webpaw [ Zesty Mango ] you have expressed interest in continuing your training with a new mentor. From now on, your training will be handled by Cloudwhisker
[ Stardust~ ].”

With that done and sorted, Kestrelstar added lastly, ”If any training gets stalled or halted, you are to let me know. You all are future warriors of RiverClan, nothing should get in the way of that.” Stepping back, the leader fell silent for another moment before he would move on.

[windtail]

silverpaw walked over to rippleflight another mentor she thought to herself this must be the 3rd new one i have gotton.
I draw war cats

[Silverfur & Co]

Ah, so all the kits had shown up. For a moment, Kestrelstar gazed down at them. They were about to embark on training to become RiverClan warriors. Normally, he wasn’t one for speeches wasted on those who had yet to show potential, but with tensions high and times more turbulent than he could remember, the leader gave a nod to all the kits.

”You all have reached the age to begin your warrior training. Becoming a RiverClan warrior is no easy task - you will be taught in the ways of hunting and fighting for your Clan. You will learn what it means to serve and protect your Clan, and in the process you will discover who you are. I hope that each of you,” the leader paused, making sure to look each kit in the eye, ”work hard, and listen to your mentors. They are skilled warriors who have defended RiverClan with their life; their knowledge is invaluable.”

With that, Kestrelstar straightened up more, lifting his tail as he began the assignments.

”Sunkit [ @Egasl (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14424) ] from this day forward you will be known as Sunpaw. Your mentor will be Wolfsong [ @RiztheHuntress (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14352) ].”

“Milkkit [ @Nostalgia (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14300) ] until you complete your training you will be known as Milkpaw. I’m leaving your training to Splashleap [ @gs29513 (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=12246) ]. Learn all you can from her.” Kestrelstar hadn’t spoken to Splashleap about this, and hoped she would be up for the task.

”Reedkit [ @Nixey (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14359) ] you shall be known as Reedpaw,” his breath caught in his throat momentarily as he recalled the former Reedpaw, who he had thrown out after being attacked by the apprentice in the raid - but now was no time to dwell on that. ”Your mentor shall be Hawthornmist
[ @Willowfern (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=11930) ].”

“Bravekit [ @distant cry in the woods (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14200) ] you are now Bravepaw. I believe that my former apprentice, Nightleap [ @Kunaiskrill (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=13828) ] will do well with your training.”

“Petuniakit [ @Angelique (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=8218) ] until your training is complete you will be known as Petuniapaw. Your mentor will be Blizzardwind [ @poppy. (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=13586) ].”

“Finkit [ @seeingstars (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14588) ] you are now Finpaw. I’m entrusting your training to Dogheart
[ @coffeebeans (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14457) ]. Train well.”

“Featherkit [ @Silverfur & Co (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=167) ] until your training is complete you shall be Featherpaw. Your mentor shall be Goldenbranch [ @-Ash- (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=12321) ]”

As he finished speaking, Kestrelstar gave the new apprentices a moment to find their mentors and meet them. It was a good day in RiverClan; there were a few reassignments after this, and then two new warriors to be made.

”For a few apprentices,” Kestrelstar continued, ”your mentors have found that their loyalties lie outside of RiverClan. Though I have searched the territory for them, there is no trace. But your training will not be delayed.” Glancing down, the leader cleared his throat once more.

”Goldenpaw [ @Singing Jay (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14314) ] your new mentor will be Driftbreeze [ @liz (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14380) ].”

”Baypaw [ @Puddle~ (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=11813) ] your new mentor is Dusksong [ @Pheasantflight (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14087) ].”

“Silverpaw [ @windtail (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14156) ] your new mentor is Rippleflight [ @I draw war cats (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=14446) ].”

“Whitepaw [ @WinterRabbit5350 (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=13443) ] your new mentor is Moonmoth [ @finnzel (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=9054) ].”

For the last one, her mentor hadn’t necessarily gone missing, but she had expressed interest in being trained by a different one. ”Webpaw [ @Zesty Mango (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=136) ] you have expressed interest in continuing your training with a new mentor. From now on, your training will be handled by Cloudwhisker
[ @Stardust~ (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=13736) ].”

With that done and sorted, Kestrelstar added lastly, ”If any training gets stalled or halted, you are to let me know. You all are future warriors of RiverClan, nothing should get in the way of that.” Stepping back, the leader fell silent for another moment before he would move on.




Featherkit no now featherpaw looks around for her mentor Goldenbranch. She was happy to be a warrior apprentice.

[Nixey]

~Reedpaw~
The cream colored apprentice bounced happily on her paws. Nudging Braveki—Bravepaw for a moment with a whisper of ”we can talk later,” before bouncing up towards Hawthornmist. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she paused and stared up at her mentor with awe “wait..I know you!” coming out in a soft purr, her excitement only seemed to grow as she couldn’t help but keep bouncing. Though, if the older cat bumped noses with Reedpaw, she’d finally seem to settle down a bit.
Willowfern distant cry in the woods

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap walked over to her new apprentice. "Hey, bravepaw! im nightleap. I'll be you're mentor" she smiled.
distant cry in the woods

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap walked over to her new apprentice. "Hey, bravepaw! im nightleap. I'll be you're mentor" she smiled.
distant cry in the woods

[Singing Jay]

liz
Finally! Goldnepaw thought and got up when her
name was called, her ears pricked but they lowered into
a frown when she heard who her new mentor’s name.
The name was unfamiliar to her and she couldn’t figure
out if it was a good or bad thing… Oh well, she didn’t
have mush of a choice in the matter and having a mentor
she didn’t know was better then having no mentor at all,
she just hopped this one would actually train her and not
just disappear like her last one.
Goldenpaw stood up and looked around for the cat who
would be teaching her.

[Egasl]

~ Sunpaw ~

Sunk-, Sunpaw nearly jumped out of her skin as her name was called. She had no idea who Wolfsong was. How was she going to find her new mentor if she doesn't know his scent or where he is.... Sunpaw stayed next to Milkk-, Milkpaw as she waited patiently for her mentor to introduce themselves. Hopefully they're not too uncomfortable teaching a blind apprentice....

Nostalgia
RiztheHuntress

[Tuftdrawsanddoodles]

silverpaw walked over to rippleflight another mentor she thought to herself this must be the 3rd new one i have gotton.
I draw war cats
[Rippleflight]
Rippleflight padded over and touched noses with Silverpaw, smiling with the new responsibility, “I promise, Silverpaw, I won’t disappoint you as a mentor” She meowed, proud to have an apprentice, and proud that Kestrelstar found her suited for one.


[Icespark ~ Open for interaction
Icespark nearly sighed. More apprentices that hadn’t gone to her. She needed to be deputy, she’d show that ThunderClan wouldn’t beat them. Her eyes glistened a bit at the thought of teaching thate scum called ThunderClan a painful lesson. Oh well. I guess there’ll always be more cats needing apprentices She figured

[flat._.chair]

Nightleap walked over to her new apprentice. "Hey, bravepaw! im nightleap. I'll be you're mentor" she smiled.
distant cry in the woods


{-+-brave-paw-+-}

//sorry for late reply!\\

bravepaw nodded. “when do we start training?”

[windtail]

Rippleflight padded over and touched noses with Silverpaw, smiling with the new responsibility, “I promise, Silverpaw, I won’t disappoint you as a mentor” She meowed, proud to have an apprentice, and proud that Kestrelstar found her suited for one.

silverpaw smiled w w ww when c cc can w ww we ss start t tt training she asked.
I draw war cats

[Willowfern]

~Reedpaw~
The cream colored apprentice bounced happily on her paws. Nudging Braveki—Bravepaw for a moment with a whisper of ”we can talk later,” before bouncing up towards Hawthornmist. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she paused and stared up at her mentor with awe “wait..I know you!” coming out in a soft purr, her excitement only seemed to grow as she couldn’t help but keep bouncing. Though, if the older cat bumped noses with Reedpaw, she’d finally seem to settle down a bit.
Willowfern distant cry in the woods

Hawthornmist
___________

The tom nodded,
"Yes, and I hope you'll enjoy being my apprentice," He gently touched noses with her, briefly recalling doing the same with his other apprentice, Orchidpaw, who had not shown up for any training whatsoever, and in his mind didn't care that he was supposed to be teaching, not searching up and down for his lost apprentice.
Pushing worries that Reedpaw would be the same he murmured,
"I'll take you for a tour once this meeting ends, does that sound good?"

[Nixey]

Hawthornmist
___________

The tom nodded,
"Yes, and I hope you'll enjoy being my apprentice," He gently touched noses with her, briefly recalling doing the same with his other apprentice, Orchidpaw, who had not shown up for any training whatsoever, and in his mind didn't care that he was supposed to be teaching, not searching up and down for his lost apprentice.
Pushing worries that Reedpaw would be the same he murmured,
"I'll take you for a tour once this meeting ends, does that sound good?"
~Reedpaw~
After Hawthornmist had touched noises with the newly made apprentice, she plopped down on her haunches beside him with a nod. Excitement seemed to tingle in her paws as she had to force herself to stay sitting and wait for the end of the meeting. Patience wasn’t one of her virtues when excited.

[WinterMara]

| Whitepaw, The Ambitious Actress In Training of Riverclan |

Oh finally, her mentor re-assignment came, she was HAPPY. Well, somewhat happy, she didn't know this cat, not the slightest, but then again, why should she care, she just took mental notes of EVERY CAT brought up in that meeting, mostly to, well, be over-protective of the new apprentices, even if she never talked to them or cared for them, she didn't want a repeat of her second mentor.

Speaking of which, back on track, she silently scanned the area for Moonmoth, where was this cat? She was too lazy to actually approach them, and actually, didn't even know who this cat was, welp, guess not all of Whitepaw's laziness had gone, guess someone has to do her job for her once more.

| finnzel [Warning, Whitepaw is a brat, in every sense of the word, and has also been mistreated by her previous mentor [although she doesn't admit it for her own, kind of twisted reasons],so prepare for a few issues with her.]

[Madelaine]

Petuniapaw was in pure excitement. Now she would be able to show her worth. The molly looked around for Blizzardwind. Hey wait a minute. He had the same prefix as her father. That was exciting. The newly made apprentice searched around to find him. "Blizzardwind!", she called to let him know which one she was.

// poppy.; \\

[kingly]

seeingstars

The warrior stepped up to the streamstone, searching for Finkit so they could touch noses. And to think he was the little guy's mentor after eating grass seeds as they watched. Embarrassing.

[Tuftdrawsanddoodles]

silverpaw smiled w w ww when c cc can w ww we ss start t tt training she asked.
I draw war cats

“We could start right now” Rippleflight suggested, “We do hunting training to restore the fresh-kill pile a bit, especially after the recent battle” She wasn’t really used to having an apprentice, but she hoped she was doing her best

[Kunaisoul]

{-+-brave-paw-+-}

//sorry for late reply!\\

bravepaw nodded. “when do we start training?”

“Whenever you want.” She nodded. “I was kestrelstar’s apprentice, so I can show you a cool spot where he used to take me training.” She smiled.

[windtail]

“We could start right now” Rippleflight suggested, “We do hunting training to restore the fresh-kill pile a bit, especially after the recent battle” She wasn’t really used to having an apprentice, but she hoped she was doing her best

o o o ok said silverpaw exitaly
I draw war cats

[Tuftdrawsanddoodles]

o o o ok said silverpaw exitaly
I draw war cats

“Maybe afterwards we could do some fighting training as well too” Rippleflight meowed

[Nostalgia]

Milkpaw bounced in place in excitement as their leader named his mentor.

Splashleap?! He was going to be mentored by the deputy!?

Sucking in a breath he glanced around the clearing until he spotted his mentor. The tom leaned down to tell his Sunpaw that he was going to go greet his mentor when he spotted the look on her face.

Perhaps I should help her find her mentor first he thought as his gaze returned to the cats before him until he found Wolfsong.

"Why dont we go greet our mentors together? Maybe they would let us train or go explore the territory in a group" Milkpaw suggested as he softly pressed his shoulder against Sunpaw to steer her towards her mentor.

He tried to catch his mentor's eye to let her know that he would be there in a second.

RiztheHuntress Egasl gs29513

[seeingstars]

seeingstars

The warrior stepped up to the streamstone, searching for Finkit so they could touch noses. And to think he was the little guy's mentor after eating grass seeds as they watched. Embarrassing.


Finpaw bounced over, his tail waving behind him excitedly "Dogheart! You're my mentor!" He said excitedly. Stretching up to touch his nose to the Dogheart's.

[starry]

Zesty Mango

To be honest with himself, Cloudwhisker wasn't exactly sure what to think. He had an apprentice now? He didn't want to do something wrong in Webpaw's training, so he strolled right over. "Hello, Webpaw. I'm Cloudwhisker, and I guess we will be completing your training together?"

[flat._.chair]

“Whenever you want.” She nodded. “I was kestrelstar’s apprentice, so I can show you a cool spot where he used to take me training.” She smiled.


{-+-brave-paw-+-}

bravepaw gasped. “woah! if kestrelstar taught you, you must be really good at fighting-“ xe paused “sorry, i get excited. -could we start after the meeting? if that’s alright”

[Kunaisoul]

{-+-brave-paw-+-}

bravepaw gasped. “woah! if kestrelstar taught you, you must be really good at fighting-“ xe paused “sorry, i get excited. -could we start after the meeting? if that’s alright”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I can show you the secret move kestrelstar taught me.” She whispered to the xe.

[Mango]

Zesty Mango

To be honest with himself, Cloudwhisker wasn't exactly sure what to think. He had an apprentice now? He didn't want to do something wrong in Webpaw's training, so he strolled right over. "Hello, Webpaw. I'm Cloudwhisker, and I guess we will be completing your training together?"

Webpaw decided to go a bit easy on Cloudwhisker at first,” Yeah seems we will be, as long as you train me, I’ll keep you. I’ve done some training already, I can swim and fish.” she meowed not mentioning that she got the broken tail from going to the Thunderclan attack without any battle training. No need to give that away.

[flat._.chair]

“Of course.” She smiled. “I can show you the secret move kestrelstar taught me.” She whispered to the xe.


//once again, sorry i was late\\

{-+-brave-paw-+-}

bravepaw gasped. “brightsky already taught me a hunting crouch, and how to catch a fish- well- how to motion—“ bravepaw paused before adding “—and how loyalty comes first”

[starry]

Webpaw decided to go a bit easy on Cloudwhisker at first,” Yeah seems we will be, as long as you train me, I’ll keep you. I’ve done some training already, I can swim and fish.” she meowed not mentioning that she got the broken tail from going to the Thunderclan attack without any battle training. No need to give that away.
"Okay," Cloudwhisker replied. It was good that Webpaw knew a few things already, since swimming and fishing were both important for being in RiverClan. "That sounds good. We can start training after the meeting, if you'd like." He decided to give the apprentice the choice - it seemed to be more free.

[Mango]

"Okay," Cloudwhisker replied. It was good that Webpaw knew a few things already, since swimming and fishing were both important for being in RiverClan. "That sounds good. We can start training after the meeting, if you'd like." He decided to give the apprentice the choice - it seemed to be more free.
Webpaw wanted to start training now, but decided to be polite and wait the rest of the gathering,” Yes. That will work with me.” she meowed, she wasn’t giving her mentor a chance to fail on her like the last one. She was stubborn on that much.

[starry]

Webpaw wanted to start training now, but decided to be polite and wait the rest of the gathering,” Yes. That will work with me.” she meowed, she wasn’t giving her mentor a chance to fail on her like the last one. She was stubborn on that much.
"Alright, great," Cloudwhisker meowed in reply, then remained with Webpaw, but waited for what Kestrelstar had to say next.

[poppy]

[ Angelique ]

Great. He did get an apprentice. The old warrior stood up, and looked around Petuniapaw. There she was. Raising his fluffy silver tail somewhat reluctantly, he nodded to her. "The training isn't going to be easy, I will not baby you." He said shortly, his slate blue eyes passing over her as he tried to determine how much of a lost cause she was.

Eh, he could work with this, a little more enthusiasm than he was used to, though.

[Kunaisoul]

//once again, sorry i was late\\

{-+-brave-paw-+-}

bravepaw gasped. “brightsky already taught me a hunting crouch, and how to catch a fish- well- how to motion—“ bravepaw paused before adding “—and how loyalty comes first”
"Brightsky is a wise cat." nightleap smiled. "Now, when the meeting is over we can set out." Nightleap pranced around to get her mind straight.

[spade]

It seemed as though the mentors and apprentices were getting along well. Kestrelstar took note of how they all interacted, incase changes needed to be made. For now though, things seemed to be doing well.

"We also have two apprentices who showed great courage and skill in the recent battle," the leader continued, taking a brief pause over the battle part, but not too long that it would call to any cries of disarray. Yes, the raid had been unnecessary but that didn't matter - both of these cats had shown how they were more than ready to receive their warrior names. "I have watched these two quite closely, and I know that they are ready to be welcomed as full and true RiverClan warriors."

Yellow gaze swept over the crowd until he spotted the two cats he was looking for.

"Palepaw [ Rainquail ] and Brightpaw [ Angelique ]. Please step forward."

[Abyssopelagic]

Palepaw is pulled from her thoughts as her name is called for. She stares at Kestrelstar from atop his spot on the Streamstone for a moment, piecing together what she missed. If she was being called forward, that could only mean....
Finally.
She would finally be receiving her warrior name. After all this time, after everything that's been done, she was finally being given the rank she'd been fulfilling the responsibilities for for so long.
She briefly searches the crowd for Brightpaw before she steps forward, skirting past her clanmates to stand closer to the front, not quite daring to pull away from the security she felt to be surrounded by her clanmates.
Perhaps this would be close enough.

[Madelaine]

Brightpaw heard his name and stepped forward. This was finally it. He was going to be a warrior of Riverclan. He loved this clan with all his heart and had proved his loyalty over and over again. He would continue doing that as a warrior. Brightpaw took one glance at Palepaw abd dipped his head.

[Ziera]

// Rani

It wasn’t every day Snakeheart split from his usual spot during clan meetings to join the warriors—not that Stormtalon was even really sitting with the warriors. More like on the edge of their group. A visual depiction of his outsider status or an attempt to avoid conversation, no one would know.

He…just barely avoided stiffening when the medicine cat’s fur got close enough to graze his, wondering distantly at how Snake’s proximity didn’t strike him with an urgent need for space. Then again. Maybe it was unsurprising, given what they went through; Stormtalon came to know this sharp-tongued tom better than he ever intended.

Instead of acknowledging any of the above, Stormtalon fixed his gaze on their leader while ceremonies commenced. To Snake he murmured: “Kestrel seems…better.” An understatement, really; Kestrelstar’s last public appearance went over like hell. As it should have.

Kits with new names, mentors greeting them, reassignments…odd how it was just business as usual. Like the raid didn’t happen. Stormtalon observed absent-mindedly -- at least until Kestrel called up two apprentices to receive their warrior names. Palepaw—a feline he respected once upon a time, but now couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge beyond affirming someone of her skill deserved warrior status—and…Brightpaw.

It infuriated Stormtalon that his heart skipped a beat when the name was called because no. Kestrel didn’t mean his Brightpaw. It wasn't a soft-bodied, raven-furred tom who nodded, but a blue-eyed ginger one instead, decked out with youthful determination and air in his lungs.

Your brother is in the ground; you put him there yourself. All at once the charcoal tabby's demeanor shifted. Stormtalon’s features hardened into stone as he waited for the meeting to conclude, suddenly convinced it couldn’t be soon enough.

[Mango]

Webpaw growled softly. What about me I fought in that battle I deserve to be a warrior she thought not dwelling on the fact she got her ass handed to her by a warrior going easy and broke her tail.

[gs29513]

RiztheHuntress Egasl Nostalgia
Well, that was decidedly unexpected. Her eyebrows quirking as Kestrelstar announced she would be training Milkpaw, a bit of a funny name but she shouldn't really judge, and she sought out their gaze. At the very least they seemed to be a considerate cat, nudging their nervous looking friend towards their own mentor. They did flash her a quick glance though, a bit of acknowledgement that she quickly returned, nodding her head slightly. She didn't have much to go on obviously, but so far she definitely liked Milkpaw. Hopefully this first impression would be correct.

Heading in the same direction as her apprentice and her friend, presumably towards the friend's mentor, the deputy tried to think of what they should do first. A territory tour obviously, but then what? Hunting was vital, but if Thunderclan decided to launch a counter attack she wanted her apprentice well prepared! And they would have to practice land hunting of course, they should make some use of their new territory. All in all it was a bit overwhelming, doing it wrongly would only undermine what little respect she retained. At least it would keep her busy though. And away from the Thunderclan border, she didn't want to risk meeting that cat again.

[Madelaine]

-->Petuniapaw

Finally there he was. She was starting to think he didn't exist. As Blizzardwind started talking she wasn't all surprised. He better not go easy on her. Then she wouldn't be a great warrior if he went easy. "You better not. I want to be the best warrior in Riverclan. I want to shred the cats that killed my aunt.", Petuniapaw meowed.

// poppy.; \\

[Rani]

One would think that after the last meeting and the bodies that'd been laying overwhelmingly and all consumingly right there in front of the streamstone this kind of lightness was impossible but here and now cats were happy.... Usually when Snakeheart was surprised it was by horrible events and bad things, this good change was a welcome one. It was nice for once he was comfortable and felt safe sitting next to Stormtalon, the clan was happy, and even Kestrelstar seemed to be doing well. Was all his worrying post battle about his bond brothers state and how things were going to go simply emotions brought by the raid? Were they just heightened with the deaths? He hoped so he really did but the medicine cat had learned often and hard that dropping your guard would end in disaster and with his duties, death. Hope for the best prepare for the worst and ambush the leader after this.

Snakeheart let out a low hum as his ears flicked to pick up Stormtalons muttered comment before replying with his own soft reply. "Its a relief to see isnt it even if youre mad at him. He's been avoiding me the past few days and that was as worrying as it was infuriating especially after his..... Specific injuries but at least I know now hes healing now. Still going to shred his ears but its good to see." Snakeheart didnt know where Stormtalon stood on the whole 'Kestrelstar is a evil murder' to 'Kestrelstar did nothing wrong' spectrum but surely he could be happy to see a clanmate doing better when they were previously suffering. The young tom hoped it was more then that though, he liked Stormtalon, he loved his brother, and he didnt want those emotions to be ripped and strained by the potential conflict of a moral disagreement. He wanted to push that little ever dwindling circle of cats he viewed as family and could count on to support him and eachother out even if by one cat. Until he knew where they stood though best to keep the moral topic neutral.

Snakeheart let out a tired sigh drooping before he restrengthened himself and set his shoulders strongly muttering low and solemn. "Lets only hope it stays that way though and things keep calm and unified. He's going to move on to more serious matters after this mark my words. Kestrelstar always does this, does the nice ceremony stuff and lets those moving forward in life get their spotlight before he delves deeper. I just hope it doesnt go like last meeting." Not much else he could do here but hope, for all the power he had as a medicine cat right now he had no more control over this then a kit.

With little warning Stormtalon tensed and went cold and for a moment Snakeheart just looked at him confused as he tried to pinpoint why. It took a second before clicking in a sobering reminder. Stormtalon had lost a brother recently, Brightpaw and while when Snakeheart arrived he was already gone (too late to do anything, too late to help) he'd offered to bury the apprentice so the warrior didnt have to bear the burden of that. Stormtalon had refused. The tom hesitated for a moment before, in a move like the warrior had pulled last meeting, used his body to press up against the larger toms in a reassuring bracing manner tail curled around to bracket the tabby lightly as he softly whispered. "I understand. I knew her for but one moon and shes been gone for most of my life but I cannot hear the name Vixenkit without the ache feeling new. You dont have to tell me anything but I do understand." Stormtalon could take strength in his weight or escape the loose comfort if he felt trapped whenever he wished but Snakeheart offered it regardless.

@Ziera (http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=12625)

[Rizo]

RiztheHuntress Egasl Nostalgia
Well, that was decidedly unexpected. Her eyebrows quirking as Kestrelstar announced she would be training Milkpaw, a bit of a funny name but she shouldn't really judge, and she sought out their gaze. At the very least they seemed to be a considerate cat, nudging their nervous looking friend towards their own mentor. They did flash her a quick glance though, a bit of acknowledgement that she quickly returned, nodding her head slightly. She didn't have much to go on obviously, but so far she definitely liked Milkpaw. Hopefully this first impression would be correct.

Heading in the same direction as her apprentice and her friend, presumably towards the friend's mentor, the deputy tried to think of what they should do first. A territory tour obviously, but then what? Hunting was vital, but if Thunderclan decided to launch a counter attack she wanted her apprentice well prepared! And they would have to practice land hunting of course, they should make some use of their new territory. All in all it was a bit overwhelming, doing it wrongly would only undermine what little respect she retained. At least it would keep her busy though. And away from the Thunderclan border, she didn't want to risk meeting that cat again.

Wolfsong's ears perked as she heard her name called. She turned excitedly to her sister. "Moonfrost, did you hear that? We can mentor our apprentices together!" she purred excitedly. Moonfrost butted her dark tabby head against Wolfsong's shoulder, pushing her sister excitedly to go greet her new apprentice.

Wolfsong stepped forward and approached the newly dubbed apprentices. She blinked warmly down at Sunpaw and Milkpaw.
"Hello Sunpaw. I am Wolfsong. I'm excited to work with you." She pressed her silver tabby nose to the apprentice's head and dipped her tail in greeting to Splashleap as Milkpaw approached the deputy.
"Come and sit with Moonfrost and I, Sunpaw. Later we'll introduce you to Rainingpaw, Moonfrost's apprentice."

Egasl Nostalgia gs29513

[Egasl]

Wolfsong's ears perked as she heard her name called. She turned excitedly to her sister. "Moonfrost, did you hear that? We can mentor our apprentices together!" she purred excitedly. Moonfrost butted her dark tabby head against Wolfsong's shoulder, pushing her sister excitedly to go greet her new apprentice.

Wolfsong stepped forward and approached the newly dubbed apprentices. She blinked warmly down at Sunpaw and Milkpaw.
"Hello Sunpaw. I am Wolfsong. I'm excited to work with you." She pressed her silver tabby nose to the apprentice's head and dipped her tail in greeting to Splashleap as Milkpaw approached the deputy.
"Come and sit with Moonfrost and I, Sunpaw. Later we'll introduce you to Rainingpaw, Moonfrost's apprentice."

Egasl Nostalgia gs29513



~ Sunpaw ~

Sunpaw blinked, blindly at the she-cat as her mentors nose touched hers. Sunpaw sniffed at Wolfsong, trying to memorize her scent. This was going to be harder than she thought. She wiggled her tail with a bit of excitement, however, she was an apprentice finally. Maybe it was tough for all the new apprentices.

Sunpaw dug her little claws into the soft dirt underneath her. She had no idea where this Moonfrost was. She hoped her mentor had enough decency to guide her there.

Nostalgia
gs29513

[spade]

The two soon to be warriors were now before him, beneath the Streamstone, and for a moment Kestrelstar watched them. Two new warriors in the Clan. The last two warriors that had been made were Plumstorm and Spiderstorm - both of which he has tributes to their late mentor, Lionstorm. A pang of grief struck his heart at how fast things had changed since then.

Deciding to not dwell on it any further - and definitely not seek out the piercing gaze of Plumstorm if she was here - Kestrelstar leapt down from the Streamstone, standing before the two.

”Palepaw, Brightpaw, do you both swear to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend RiverClan, even at the cost of your life?”

Rainquail Angelique

[Madelaine]

Brightpaw listened as teh meeting continued. There was a lump in his throat. He had to say something and he would. "Bright do.", he meowed, his mouth dry, bit he meant it.

[Rizo]

~ Sunpaw ~

Sunpaw blinked, blindly at the she-cat as her mentors nose touched hers. Sunpaw sniffed at Wolfsong, trying to memorize her scent. This was going to be harder than she thought. She wiggled her tail with a bit of excitement, however, she was an apprentice finally. Maybe it was tough for all the new apprentices.

Sunpaw dug her little claws into the soft dirt underneath her. She had no idea where this Moonfrost was. She hoped her mentor had enough decency to guide her there.

Nostalgia
gs29513

Wolfsong studied Sunpaw for a moment before understanding. She carefully lay her tail on her shoulder and purred. "This way, I'll introduce you," she mewed, leading Sunpaw back to where she had left Moonfrost sitting.

Moonfrost let out a hoarse, barely audible purr as the pair approached. She carefully reached her muzzle forward to let Sunpaw catch her scent before giving the apprentice a rasp over the ear with her tongue in greeting.

"Sunpaw, this is my sister Moonfrost. She is Rainingpaw's mentor. We'll be working with them a lot," Wolfsong mewed as she returned to her seat next to Moonfrost.

[Abyssopelagic]

Palepaw glanced at Brightoaw before focusing on Kestrelstar again as he spoke.
She wanted her oath to mean something, to be more than an 'I do', and yet nothing came to mind. No matter how much she wanted to add flair to her promise, she couldn't make herself think of anything.
She shoved the thought to the side as Brightpaw managed to speak up before she did. With his own promise out of the way, she had no more time to contemplate how she would say it.
"With everything I am, I do so promise."
spade

[spade]

Hearing both cats speak their oath, their vow, Kestrelstar couldn't help but feel pride. RiverClan was thriving. Despite everything, despite the deaths that plagued his leadership like a hawk's shadow, despite ThunderClan more than likely planning retaliation, life moved on. New warriors, who were an excellent addition to the Clan, always marked points of strength.

Each of their oaths had been made to fit them, each forgoing the tradition, simple answer in favor of one that represented them better.

"Then by my power as Clan leader, I give you your warrior names. Palepaw [ Rainquail ], from this moment on you shall be known as Palehound. We honor your devotion and candor, and welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." He'd taken a bit to pick out her name, wanting it to be a display of both her loyalty and ferociousness, yet the softer, compassionate side Kestrelstar had gotten a glimpse into when she had saved Petuniapaw from the seagulls down at Lionsbeach.

Without another word, the leader reached forward and briefly rested his chin on the top of her head. "Congratulations," he breathed so that just she could hear, before backing away.

Swinging his gaze over to Brightpaw, the leader couldn't fight the tiniest of smiles. He recalled when the young cat had come seeking shelter in RiverClan. He'd been Fizzlepaw then, a young, scared apprentice who had left ThunderClan. He had trained well to get to this point, and Kestrelstar let it show in his eyes the pride he felt.

"Brightpaw [ Angelique ], from this moment on your shall be known as Brightdream. We honor your perseverance and bravery, and welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Briefly again, he rested his chin atop Brightdream's head before moving away.

Yellow eyes shone with a momentary flash of hope as he allowed a moment for the Clan to call the new names and welcome Palehound and Brightdream.

gs29513 Rani Papaya Puddle~ Zesty Mango Rockfall Dizerel Shade. implimm hope FrostCat Ziera shaded shadow x ghostie AppleCat4 Jay. Nostalgia RiztheHuntress Kunaiskrill vcrdant Socks Nixey poppy. I draw war cats Pheasantflight Willowfern Singing Jay ~Fierceclaw~ :Grimmlin: ~Fox~ duskfire1 Dipper Serendibite WarriorzFan coffeebeans Snowpelt1111 Cobra Stardust~ Thunderstrike finnzel Cxndy_Fatal North Vessel @{Lynx heart} beechstorm kalor WINGSOFFIRE ~Kitty~ Fern QueenCocaHead Jayden Khaoticbean CalmCracker IcedTea -Ash- TheDragonLordOfPunz O.N.L.Y-H.U.M.A.N Jackson.L littlelove Sklee windtail Rippleflight Celeste Topaz WinterRabbit5350 im a cat Gigi AverinPax Sky13 Egasl Silverfur & Co distant cry in the woods seeingstars _Riverblossom_ Finch’Claw Beetlenose feather lily liz

[Egasl]

Wolfsong studied Sunpaw for a moment before understanding. She carefully lay her tail on her shoulder and purred. "This way, I'll introduce you," she mewed, leading Sunpaw back to where she had left Moonfrost sitting.

Moonfrost let out a hoarse, barely audible purr as the pair approached. She carefully reached her muzzle forward to let Sunpaw catch her scent before giving the apprentice a rasp over the ear with her tongue in greeting.

"Sunpaw, this is my sister Moonfrost. She is Rainingpaw's mentor. We'll be working with them a lot," Wolfsong mewed as she returned to her seat next to Moonfrost.



~ Sunpaw ~

Sunpaw smiled up at her mentor. She waved her tail as if telling Milkpaw that she’ll be okay.

Sunpaw had no idea who Rainingpaw was, but she hoped they would get along. She really did want to do some of her training with Milkpaw though. He was very very kind to her and showed her how to do many things and still be blind.

Sunpaw sniffed at Moonfrost, taking in her scent. She seemed nice enough. Sunpaw carefully made her way over to sit beside her new mentor.

Sunpaw’s blind gaze returned to the clan meeting. Two apprentices we’re getting their warrior names today. It was an exciting event. She could hardly believe she was one step closer to becoming a warrior! Hopefully her training will be somewhat easy.

“Palehound! Brightdream!” Sunpaw chanted along with her clan.

[Willowfern]

Hawthornmist
___________

"Palehound! Brightdream! Palehound! Brightdream!" The tom cried, happiness filling him and causing him to forget the darkness that had been groping at the edge of his vision for the past couple moons,
"Congratulations!" He added.
If only Pinewatch was here, if only she had stayed in RiverClan, if only she realized how much better RiverClan was than ThunderClan, they would be celebrating these new warriors together.
But now Hawthornmist was alone, utterly alone.

[WinterMara]

| Whitepaw of Riverclan | [Sorry don't havem otivatio nto do a long post so, this is going to seem a bit messy-

' 'Palehound, Brightdream...' '

it was halfhearted, as to be expected from Whitepaw, there wasn't really winning with this apprentice was there, she didn't care, enver would.

[shaded shadow]

palehound, brightdream, palehound, brightdream! said sootfang as he called out the new warriors names.

[Silverfur & Co]

Feahterpaw chanted "palehound brightdream palehound brightdream."



Snowstripe did the same as the young apprentice and chanted the new names and smiled at the both of them. "Palehound brightdream Palehound Brightdream." she chanted loudly

[Jackson.L]

"Palehound! Brightdream! Palehound! Brightdream! Icefall chanted. The melancholic feeling rooted deep in her heart formed a barrier of other emotions, even that of excitement for the new generation of warriors to strengthen her clan. But she fortified her voice to put every bit of congratulatory and genuine well-wishes she could muster into her voice as she welcomed the new warriors. Her problems did not take away from the hard work it took for these two young cats to make it to this point.

[Raven~]

"Palehound! Brightdream! Palehound! Brightdream!" Shinestone and Palebrook changed, joining their Clanmates' cheers. Frostpaw meowed, "Palehound. Brightdream. Yay." She didn't feel like cheering. Unless it was her. Then Frostpaw would cheer, loud and clear.

[duskfire1]

"Palehound! Brightdream! Palehound! Brightdream!" Shallowstep yowled. Celebrating new warriors was incredibly important especially at the position were in at the moment. He thought brightly.