A flat, grassy clearing dotted with ferns and surrounded by a tightly woven bramble wall. Three sides drop off into a cliff, though it's not a high enough fall to kill a full-grown warrior and is protected by the bramble wall, making accidents impossible.

Originally Posted by jupiter (Post 1427178) Hazykit sat, looking around the new clearing. Her scruff was still very sore and now stabbed over from her father's attack, but she didn't really know to go to the medicine den (because she didn't know what that was) so she decided to just suffer through it. (open!)

Hawksprint

The brown tabby padded across the clearing with a vole in his mouth, looking for some place to sit down and eat. As he did, he noticed a Hazykit. She looked a bit lost, like she didn't know what to do. She also looked.. injured? The tom padded over to her. "Hey, Hazykit, are you alright? You look pretty beat up" Hawksprint said with concern in his voice. He wondered what had happened to her.

Originally Posted by jupiter (Post 1428092) Looking up as an unfamiliar tomcat padded up to her, Hazykit's fur spiked and she stepped backwards, white azure eyes taking him in, wondering if he was a potential threat. Relaxing slightly as he spoke, the mottled gray and taupe kit shrugged lightly, wincing at the term 'beat up'.   She always looked beat up, this was actually one of her better days. In her opinion, the bruises she had received from her father before she joined the Clan were almost completely faded now, and her bloodied scruff had clotted after a little bit. Now that Fallownose had taken care of her dad, she was ready to start a life without much fear. "I'm alright, I think it's getting better." It wasn't in a place that was visibly accessible to her, but she had a feeling that it was doing better. She appreciated the concern, though. She never got that when she lived in the Dusk Syndicate.

Hawksprint

Hawksprint stood still and didn't follow the kit as she backed away from him a few steps. She seemed scared. He knew she had been in the dusk syndicate before, but other than that he knew nothing about her. "Perhaps we should still take you to see Cowtuft?" He offered the little kit and flicked his tail in the direction of the medicine den. "At the very least, I'm sure he could maybe give you something to ease the pain" The tom added in an attempt to comfort Hazykit.

Originally Posted by jupiter (Post 1428421) The kit's deadpan expression returned after the initial fear went away, and she looked up at him, tipping her head to the side slightly. "It's okay, I'm used to it. It should heal in a week or two, like it did last time." It was still strange to her how... caring these cats were. It was also strange to be able to talk so openly about her injuries and be honest about them, usually she'd be forced lie or make up a diversion. The Bengel-tortie mix settled down into a sitting position, deciding to pretend that she knew who Cowtuft was. She was still learning everyone's names.

Hawksprint

The brown tabby eyed the kit as she sat back down. She seemed to want to wait it out and let it heal on its own, but Hawksprint didn't just want to walk away and let her suffer from it on her own. "Let's get you to the medicine den. Cowtuft can check on you, just to make sure it's nothing too bad" He said, leading the kit across the clearing.

Leopardpaw

Leopardpaw stretched his legs exiting the apprentice's gorse bush, he had napped after returning from his patrol to the ThunderClan border. I wonder what Asterblink and I are doing today? Everything is back to normal now, and I'm ready to start my training finally!

Searching the clearing he spotted Asterblink across the clearing. Loping to reach them, Leopardpaw scrambled to a stop with his lanky legs. His expression was the brightest and most excited it had been in days, since the fire. "Hi Asterblink! What are we doing today? Can we see the new territory? Hunting training? Practicing battle moves?"

@RunningInTheHeather

Leopardpaw

Asterblink's news thrilled Leopardpaw. He rose to his small paws and stifled a purr, ready to bound out of the camp. "I'm ready when you are!"

@RunningInTheHeather (sorry, short post!)

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Fallownose
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The deputy turned his head as someone spoke to him, a grin breaking across his muzzle as he realized it was the outsider who had saved him. And flirted with him. And was currently flirting with him. And he didn't know his name.

"Oh, Stars. I must have gotten caught up in the chaos and forgotten to introduce myself. Unfortunately, my name is nothing as exciting as that. It's Fallownose. I don't suppose yours is Smoothtalker?"

As he waited for a response, he glanced up and lifted his tail to wave Twiligtstar over. "Since you've stayed this long, I hope it's not too presumptuous to assume you would like to stay? Twilightstar would surely like to know either way."

@BEAR. @Moonraven

https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184
| Lightningpaw |

It was a rare thing for Lightningpaw to emerge from the medicine cat's den for anything other than checking in on patients. The incident with Smalls had convinced her that maybe a patrol around the dens every now and then might be a good idea though, what with everyone evidently being so stuck in their own lives they were blind to whatever was happening right besides them at any given moment. A sigh escaped the young apprentice, knowing far too well how judgmental she was being. A lot had happened since she had become a medicine cat apprentice. A lot. It made sense for some cats to simply still be in shock over the events that had transpired. But surely cats would notice something like a queen giving birth in the middle of the clearing no matter how big their shock was, right?

No wait... What was that last part? Almond shaped eyes growing wide as her head swiveled back towards what sight she was certain she'd imagined, the lithe calico took one dark paw towards her eyes, rubbing them slightly before turning to gawk again at the mostly ginger tortoiseshell queen birthing in the clearing. You see? This is what she meant! How had no one reacted to this?!

Her slowly honing healer instincts kicking in, the medicine cat rushed to the queen's side, her ears flat against her head as she realized that at least one kit had been born already. In the open. Stars above, this was a mess! A quick look at the tabby let her know who it was. Leafpelt, the newest nursery queen... and she wasn't looking very good from a glance. Medically speaking. Her breathing seemed to be labored, and everything about her was weak. Turning towards the closest feline in the clearing, she glared, spitting out instructions in an instant. She was in no mood for arguments. Someone should have noticed Leafpelt sooner, for star's sake! Darkness take her... she was this close to shredding someone's ears.

"You there! Go to the medicine cat's den! Tell Cowtuft we have an emergency with a weak queen, fast! I need... Oh stars... I need burnet, and anything else that might help with strength, quickly!"

Burnet. She'd been using a lot of that lately, trying to improve Milkpaw's breathing problem. She'd come to the conclusion that it was useless for what ailed her friend, but she knew for certain it would help this queen gather up her strength. Turning her attention to the young kit, she quickly swiped a tongue over it, trying to ensure it was alive and healthy. Where there any more kits coming? Lightningpaw had no idea! She hadn't had any type of experience with a pregnant queen before! Awkwardly, the lithe calico attempted to place her paw on the weakened queen's belly, trying to feel for any other kits kicking or writhing within.

"Hang in there. You hear me, Leafpelt? Got one kit here waiting for ya. Now, help's coming, alright love? I need you to focus on me, can you do that? For your kit," Lightningpaw mewed, her voice even despite the nervous flurry of emotions going through her, storming deep within. There was no blood present, which was good but... was she to late to safe her? She just didn't know.

-

| Open for anyone who wants to be the receiver of Lightningpaw's ire in this post. :soloballoon: |

@Light000 [Leafpelt]
| If I could please get a healing form posted for Leafpelt at the WindClan Healing thread so I could know what Lightning is dealing with that would help a lot! |

Originally Posted by Alchemist Kitsune (Post 1432044) https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184 | Lightningpaw | It was a rare thing for Lightningpaw to emerge from the medicine cat's den for anything other than checking in on patients. The incident with Smalls had convinced her that maybe a patrol around the dens every now and then might be a good idea though, what with everyone evidently being so stuck in their own lives they were blind to whatever was happening right besides them at any given moment. A sigh escaped the young apprentice, knowing far too well how judgmental she was being. A lot had happened since she had become a medicine cat apprentice. A lot. It made sense for some cats to simply still be in shock over the events that had transpired. But surely cats would notice something like a queen giving birth in the middle of the clearing no matter how big their shock No wait... What was that last part? Almond shaped eyes growing wide as her head swiveled back towards what sight she was certain she'd imagined, the lithe calico took one dark paw towards her eyes, rubbing them slightly before turning to gawk again at the mostly ginger tortoiseshell queen birthing in the clearing. You see? This is what she meant! How had no one reacted to this?! Her slowly honing healer instincts kicking in, the medicine cat rushed to the queen's side, her ears flat against her head as she realized that at least one kit had been born already. In the open. Stars above, this was a mess! A quick look at the tabby let her know who it was. Leafpelt, the newest nursery queen... and she wasn't looking very good from a glance. Medically speaking. Her breathing seemed to be labored, and everything about her was weak. Turning towards the closest feline in the clearing, she glared, spitting out instructions in an instant. She was in no mood for arguments. Someone should have noticed Leafpelt sooner, for star's sake! Darkness take her... she was this close to shredding someone's ears. "You there! Go to the medicine cat's den! Tell Cowtuft we have an emergency with a weak queen, fast! I need... Oh stars... I need burnet, and anything else that might help with strength, quickly!" Burnet. She'd been using a lot of that lately, trying to improve Milkpaw's breathing problem. She'd come to the conclusion that it was useless for what ailed her friend, but she knew for certain it would help this queen gather up her strength. Turning her attention to the young kit, she quickly swiped a tongue over it, trying to ensure it was alive and healthy. Where there any more kits coming? Lightningpaw had no idea! She hadn't had any type of experience with a pregnant queen before! Awkwardly, the lithe calico attempted to place her paw on the weakened queen's belly, trying to feel for any other kits kicking or writhing within. "Hang in there. You hear me, Leafpelt? Got one kit here waiting for ya. Now, help's coming, alright love? I need you to focus on me, can you do that? For your kit," Lightningpaw mewed, her voice even despite the nervous flurry of emotions going through her, storming deep within. There was no blood present, which was good but... was she to late to safe her? She just didn't know. - | Open for anyone who wants to be the receiver of Lightningpaw's ire in this post. :soloballoon: | @Light000 [Leafpelt] | If I could please get a healing form posted for Leafpelt at the WindClan Healing thread so I could know what Lightning is dealing with that would help a lot! |

https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184
| Lightningpaw |

The help she had asked for had... not arrived. It was not arriving. This queen was kitting in the middle of the clearing and not a single warrior was raising a paw to help? Anger fueling her as she wondered when WindClan had grown so thoughtless, the young apprentice helped the queen deliver her second kit. It was a little tom, mewling weakly... but mewling nonetheless. With concern for the frail queen, Lightningpaw made to place the pale furred kit next to his littermate only to realize... he was gone. Her first time helping a queen deliver kits, and the first of the two was already dead.

Large ears flattened as the wind got knocked out of her. The lithe calico took a sharp breath, feeling a wave of panic wash over her. Alright... Focus. The first kit had been born before she had gotten here. Maybe now, since she could bring this one to be with his mother quicker, he would be alright? She still needed to tend to Leafpelt as well. The queen was weaker than even Gingerheart had been after her own kitting, and her mother had been lit on fire halfway through.

Unwilling to wait any longer for anyone in the clearing to react, Lightningpaw cautiously placed the pale, mewling tom besides the queen, nuzzling it gently, coaxing it to feed. He still needed to be cleaned, but she needed to prioritize the mother. There were no nursing queens in the nursery. One had died in the fire, and her mother had pulled another vanishing act. This kit might die without proper treatment, but it would be a certainty if she allowed Leafpelt to perish first. Turning to the queen, the medicine cat apprentice's gaze softened. Her anger was not meant toward the queen. She was trying her hardest, after all.

"You have a lovely tom right here with you. I'll be right back. I'm bringing you some burnet to chew on. It will make you feel good as new, I promise," she mewed in a rushed tone, giving the two one final looksee before bounding off in search of the precious herb that would give the weakened queen the boost of strength she so desperately needed.

-

@Light000 [Leafpelt]

Originally Posted by Alchemist Kitsune (Post 1432497) https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184 | Lightningpaw | The help she had asked for had... not arrived. It was not arriving. This queen was kitting in the middle of the clearing and not a single warrior was raising a paw to help? Anger fueling her as she wondered when WindClan had grown so thoughtless, the young apprentice helped the queen deliver her second kit. It was a little tom, mewling weakly... but mewling nonetheless. With concern for the frail queen, Lightningpaw made to place the pale furred kit next to his littermate only to realize... he was gone. Her first time helping a queen deliver kits, and the first of the two was already dead. Large ears flattened as the wind got knocked out of her. The lithe calico took a sharp breath, feeling a wave of panic wash over her. Alright... Focus. The first kit had been born before she had gotten here. Maybe now, since she could bring this one to be with his mother quicker, he would be alright? She still needed to tend to Leafpelt as well. The queen was weaker than even Gingerheart had been after her own kitting, and her mother had been lit on fire halfway through. Unwilling to wait any longer for anyone in the clearing to react, Lightningpaw cautiously placed the pale, mewling tom besides the queen, nuzzling it gently, coaxing it to feed. He still needed to be cleaned, but she needed to prioritize the mother. There were no nursing queens in the nursery. One had died in the fire, and her mother had pulled another vanishing act. This kit might die without proper treatment, but it would be a certainty if she allowed Leafpelt to perish first. Turning to the queen, the medicine cat apprentice's gaze softened. Her anger was not meant toward the queen. She was trying her hardest, after all. "You have a lovely tom right here with you. I'll be right back. I'm bringing you some burnet to chew on. It will make you feel good as new, I promise," she mewed in a rushed tone, giving the two one final looksee before bounding off in search of the precious herb that would give the weakened queen the boost of strength she so desperately needed. - @Light000 [Leafpelt]

https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184
| Lightningpaw |

Exciting the medicine cat's den with a burnet leaf tightly clutched in her maw, Lightningpaw rushed back to Leafpelt, glad to see the queen was tending to her remaining kit... no... kits. There was a third now, and like the first, it seemed to be a stillborn. Large ears flattened against her head at the sight. It was one thing to see a body still, void of life after some had been had. But to see one that had never even had a chance at taking a breath? It was heartbreaking... and here there was not one, but two. Littermates. Together in death.

Gulping down the bubbling emotions threatening to rise, the lithe calico approached the older queen, dropping the burnet besides her before giving her a dip of her head. What did one say to a situation like this? Did one celebrate the life of the remaining kit, grateful that at least one of them had made it? Did one mourn the ones that had not? She opted for the third option. To do neither. She... couldn't afford it. Would she break down like this, every time a kit did not make it? Every time a patient could not be saved? These two weren't her first bodies, and they wouldn't be her last. She had to focus on her task. It was the only thing she could do.

"Here. This should help. I know you might not want to hear this... but we should move you along to the nursery as soon as you are able to. Kits... a kit so young should not be out here, even with company," Lightningpaw mewed in a soft voice, trying to not let her urgency leek callously through. It would be a shame for this little one to die from the elements... or worse, become a hawk's meal.

-

@Light000 [Leafpelt]

Originally Posted by Alchemist Kitsune (Post 1432759) https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184 | Lightningpaw | Exciting the medicine cat's den with a burnet leaf tightly clutched in her maw, Lightningpaw rushed back to Leafpelt, glad to see the queen was tending to her remaining kit... no... kits. There was a third now, and like the first, it seemed to be a stillborn. Large ears flattened against her head at the sight. It was one thing to see a body still, void of life after some had been had. But to see one that had never even had a chance at taking a breath? It was heartbreaking... and here there was not one, but two. Littermates. Together in death. Gulping down the bubbling emotions threatening to rise, the lithe calico approached the older queen, dropping the burnet besides her before giving her a dip of her head. What did one say to a situation like this? Did one celebrate the life of the remaining kit, grateful that at least one of them had made it? Did one mourn the ones that had not? She opted for the third option. To do neither. She... couldn't afford it. Would she break down like this, every time a kit did not make it? Every time a patient could not be saved? These two weren't her first bodies, and they wouldn't be her last. She had to focus on her task. It was the only thing she could do. "Here. This should help. I know you might not want to hear this... but we should move you along to the nursery as soon as you are able to. Kits... a kit so young should not be out here, even with company," Lightningpaw mewed in a soft voice, trying to not let her urgency leek callously through. It would be a shame for this little one to die from the elements... or worse, become a hawk's meal. - @Light000 [Leafpelt]

Twilightstar yawned while arching her back and stretching as she noticed Fallownose calling her over. The leader had been resting at the base of the Galewood, but was more than happy to get up and see what he wanted. After she shook off some stray leaves that had fallen on her pelt, she makes her way across the clearing and takes a seat, single eye roaming over the stranger still within her camp with inquisitive curiosity.

This tom was pretty quiet and kept mostly to himself unless it involved interacting with her deputy. His burns and wounds seemed to be healing all right if he was out and about instead of stuck in Cowtuft's medicine den. She didn't bother with a proper introduction, assuming the tom could put two and two together. "I never did get to express my gratitude for saving Fallownose and for fighting a battle that was not even yours. So thank you for that." The she-cat gave a respectful bow of her head after she spoke. For a tom who wasn't a clan cat, he had the makings of an honorable warrior.

Up close, there was something about the tom that she couldn't place as if she's seen him before. It was a weird feeling. "If you want to stay, you're welcome too." It's not like she could turn him away without a good enough reason either way. Plus, Fallownose seemed quite fond of the loner. She'd be delighted if his endeavors turned out better than hers had. Although, she supposed she could just be looking into it too deeply. On the off chance that she wasn't though, Twilightstar was invested in Fallownose's happiness with hopes that his paws didn't trail in her tragic paw steps.
@BEAR. @Lillian

https://warriorcatsonline.com/forums...ictureid=39184
| Lightningpaw |

An odd numbness coursed through Lightningpaw's body as Leafpelt got up, nonchalantly taking hold of her remaining kit, leaving the others behind. There had been no emotion. No attempt to see if they were alright. Simple practicality. It made sense, really. She had been told to leave for the nursery, and yet... the apprentice was certain she would have argued. Yelled at her. Berated her for not saving her other two kits' lives. Was that it, then? Was that life? You just... left the ones who didn't make it in the past?

Lightningpaw understood Leafpelt had a point in not spending her waning energy on hopeless endeavors... and yet. She could not help herself. Dainty paws scooped up the lifeless body of the third kit, her raspy tongue passing over it urgently, paws poking and prodding, toes being inserted into closed maws as she tried to coax it back to life. The apprentice's adrenaline was dissipating. The queen had survived. She would have to let Cowtuft know what had happened. Give a proper report. Let the medicine cat check the queen. Perhaps there had been an underlying health issue that had caused this? Maybe it had been the stress of the attack and the fire. Even age could account for it, she supposed.

None of it explained why her vision was so blurry, however. Why there was a wetness becoming more and more evident as it streamed down her face, going down to her trembling paws as she struggled to keep a hold of kits who would never cry out for their mother. Staring down with ever increasing difficulty at the small bundles of fur left behind at her feet, Lightningpaw turned her gaze on her shaking paws as they seemed to fade in and out of focus. Jaw becoming set, the lithe calico attempted to allow her mask to settle once more, only to feel it crumbling the more she fought to restore it. Soon there would be nothing left. She knew this the moment she felt her lower lip quiver, her face slowly sinking to her forepaws in misery. She had faced death before. But not like this. Never like this.

Her mind desperately tried to make a list. A schedule. Sort out what needed to be done. Talk to Cowtuft so he could check Leafpelt. Talk to Twilightstar so she could go give the young kits a proper burial; they deserved as much. Yet all she could manage was shaking shoulders and muffled sobs as apologies stumbled from her maw. She had failed them. Again. What use was she as a medicine cat if she would lose her patients before they'd had a chance to breath for the first time.