[Rowan]

• she/her • 16 moons • riverclan/apprentice •
the collector
—> this character may express themes of depression, grieving, ptsd, and self-hate

The sudden call rang out across the clearing, sharp and steady, and CrowPaw froze mid-step like a leaf caught in the wind. Her ears flicked toward the highledge as her heart gave a soft thump against her ribs. A meeting. Her paws shifted awkwardly beneath her, claws kneading the earth before she dared to move.

She didn't rush to join the gathering crowd. Instead, she lingered at the edge, her gaze flicking up just once toward the speaker before darting quickly back to the ground. There were too many eyes, too many voices mixing together like a rising current. It wasn’t the kind of attention she ever wanted. She sat down quietly near the back, curling her tail around her paws, shoulders hunched slightly as if trying to disappear into herself.

Her blue eyes scanned the crowd without lifting her head. She wasn’t looking for anyone in particular—just grounding herself in the familiar shapes of her Clanmates. That helped. A little. Of course, she wouldn’t mind Berrys or Raccs.

As the chatter slowly settled into silence, CrowPaw remained still, almost statue-like except for the tip of her tail which flicked nervously now and then. Her chest rose and fell with quiet, controlled breaths, and she tried to steady the tremble in her limbs.

└> . . . OPEN