@Shade. @tulle
Jeez, what chaos. Lotuspaw glanced around the clearing, eyes taking in the scene that had unfolded in front of them. Their nerves were calmed and still had that little twitch of being overwhelming it wasn't like they couldn't handle this. Nectarflame seemed to be the center of the subject, talking with .. a lot of cats that you know what? Lotuspaw really didn't care all too much. (They made a small note of Cornpaw and Softpaw but whatever was going on with them was uhm, they're finee!)
Shifting their attention back to Rosepaw and oh jeez, they were immediately reminded of what had set them off. A noise of protest escaped from them as they were pulled into another half-hug, just enough to where Lotuspaw could still read her lips and they focused on that. "You - oh - i'm - " Embarrassment flashed through their pelt and they swallowed it down. "I'm fine! I'm fine, just needed to scream because some people are dumb. Shshsh, it's up to you. We can leave or - " Cindersky placed a paw on their own and the apprentice jerked back out of reflex. The molly didn't seem bad but eeehh, they stared for a moment. Copper eyes meeting gentle blues and Lotuspaw did not trust that smile.
They didn't tear their gaze away just in case Cindersky had more to say. "It's up to you, Rose. I'm sorry for probably scaring you, are you sure you're okay? You don't need to try and like, I don't know, hide that. This stuff is overwhelming and I - aurgh, you know what I mean, " Lotuspaw explained, gesturing for Rosepaw to move into their view and near Cindersky. Ha, they were gonna watch both of their lips. No statements slipping by them now.
Cindersky
What little comfort she could offer in this time, Cindersky would. There wasn't much that really could be done at a time like this aside from sitting close with her Clanmates and making sure they knew she was there for them. Soft blue eyes gazed down at Softpaw, the gray warrior leaning gently against her in a sort of side hug. The young apprentice didn't seem as distraught as Rosepaw on her other side did, but Cindersky knew better than to discredit stirred emotions that rested within.
Softpaw's attempts to reign in Cornpaw failed, and Cindersky watched the young tom as he exploded yet again. He had been on a rather rebellious streak from what she could remember, and Cindersky wondered where his mentor was, or if they were even here. Shouldn't they be reeling him in? Acting in such a way was only a cry for attention she knew. "Cornpaw, why don't you join me, Softpaw, and Rosepaw for a hunt later. I know I would love to see how skilled you are at hunting - maybe you could even teach all of us a thing or two!" There were no false niceties in her voice, only genuine excitement as she nodded and patted the ground before her with a paw.
The next to step up and add their screeching voice to what had been a rather calm conversation (once Nectarflame got her initial outburst out of the way) made Cindersky flatten her ears. Roseshine, another missing one. At this point the ThunderCan warrior held her tongue, instead allowing this to be handled by Dogbark and Aspenstar. Giving them the chance to handle this might just go to show the Clan that they were the right choice, and offer them the first couple steps into rebuilding ThunderClan.
Besides, how would they ever learn if their warriors were always jumping to help solve issues. Cindersky agreed that warriors such as herself should be straddled with more responsibility in keeping the Clan held together, but in moments like this it was a leader and deputy's job to bring those who spoke with venom on their tongue back into the fold.
Her former apprentice stepped forward, and Cindersky felt her breath hitch in her throat. At least he hadn't been among those who had simply left and come back. He spoke of StarClan, of having faith, and yet again pride stirred within her. And he spoke with a true message - today had been about honoring those who had come before. Those who had paid the ultimate warriors sacrifice, in trading their lives for the protection of ThunderClan.
Noticing that Sparrowflight seemed to be consoling another apprentice, Cindersky formulated a plan in her mind. "Sparrowflight," she called to the warrior, who sat just a little ways away from her. "How about after I take care of the kits, we take these apprentices out for some hunting, hmm? Get their legs a good run and their lungs from fresh air?" It was a great idea, at least to her. Distract the kits until they were tired enough to sleep, and then head out for an evening hunt with some of the grieving apprentices.
Her words were cut off by Lotuspaw coming up and clinging to Rosepaw. The two had always seemed close, and gingerly Cindersky slid a paw toward to touch one of Lotuspaw's lightly. This was the apprentice who was deaf, right? She made sure her paw made contact so that the young apprentice knew she would be speaking, waiting for them to turn to see her soft, gentle blue hues and a kind smile.
Off to the side, almost slipping by unnoticed, was Ivypaw. Another apprentice that should have been shielded from all of this. "Ivypaw," she called out softly, nodding her head to where she was sitting now with Rosepaw, Lotuspaw, Softpaw, Cornpaw, Sparrowflight, and Tulippaw. "Come join us."
Giving her younger sister a light lick on the ear to try and bring some comfort back into the young apprentice, Sparrowflight made a move to stand back up before her ears flicked over towards Cindersky then Nectarflame as her name was called out. A hunt huh? That could be a good way to get the energy out of some of these apprentices and/or bring their focus back to creating a better Thunderclan instead of wallowing in the sins of the past. She opened her jaws to call out her answer, that she'd love to join them on a hunt and help out before she abruptly closed them again. She wasn't the only cat she should be thinking about.
"What do you think Tulippaw?" she mused, a hint of encouragement lining her words. "If your mentor hasn't taught you to hunt yet, I'd be more then happy to help you get started and I'm sure Cindersky and the other apprentices would as well!"
While she would thoroughly enjoy helping to lead a hunt with this gaggle of apprentices, Sparrowflight would leave her participation up to her sister; she had just committed to escorting her away from this raucous scene, so she wouldn't go back on her word if Tulippaw still just wanted to leave and find some peace and quiet.
Rosepaw was glad that Lotuspaw was calming down. She knew she was very bad at comforting people. Her pessimism often got in the way of any empathy she had. Besides, Lotuspaw tended to be responsible for the rest of them. They handled this stuff. She was doing her best, although her best wasn't good enough.
She looked around nervously. So many cats. She felt claustrophobic and kind of threatened. She tried keeping a calm face. "Yeah, um, I think we should go now, Lotuspaw. We can, we um...You...you can stay here if you want, but we gave our thanksalready. Don't you have a mentor to train with? Or I could help you with something. No guarantee I'd be useful though." she said with a sad smile. She didn't want to sound like she was being mean to her sibling but she also didn't want to be near them and suffocate them in her aura of bad luck.
Cindersky
From where she sat with the apprentices crowded around her, Cindersky lifted her head to catch Nectarflame's gaze. Even at odds, she still held respect for the molly in standing up and speaking out. It was evident in blue hues that blinked towards her, lingering before falling down to the apprentices once more. They were her priority right now, making sure they were alright. Everything else could wait. Especially the shock she felt that Honeyfoot had actually listened to her and calmed down.
As Cornpaw joined them - that was now Rosepaw, Tulippaw, Ivypaw, and Lotuspaw surrounding her now - Cindersky beamed down at all of them. Lotuspaw had jumped a bit when she reached out her paw, but the spotted gray warrior didn't take it personally. Instead she made sure she was facing the young apprentice. "You can both come hunting with Sparrowflight and I. How about it? I bet you'll catch the most out of everyone, Rosepaw!" Her heart ached for the young she-cat who thought this had all been her fault. All Cindersky could hope for was that she could convince her otherwise.
Blue hues moved back to Sparrowflight once more, waiting for her to received an answer from Tulippaw. She would have the kits to handle first, and then she could take them all out hunting alongside the other ThunderClan warrior. This day would turn around if she had anything to say about it.
When the event had started she hadn't expected to be dragged into hunting afterwards, well she hadn't seen any of this coming, no one had, but it sounded fun to get away a little, even if she'd barely been outside the camp at all. And her older sister's offering sounded nice. Tulippaw's mentor didn't seem like a bad cat but she hadn't received any training from them yet.
It seemed though fate (and Rosepaw and Cindersky) made the choice for her and she nodded slightly to Sparrowflight (or where she hoped her sister was) and smiled. "It sounds fun, and I might need some training in hunting" because fighting wasn't gonna be something she excelled in.
She moved her ears a little and took in the scents around her, counting who all she could find to join them. Rosepaw, maybe Cindersky if she would come, Cronpaw she didn't want with but he might come (he seemed to love attention anyway), Lotuspaw could come for all that she cared, and according to Cindersky Ivypaw would join as well. Was that all, she hadn't missed anyone had she?
She stood up and searched around one more time before nodding to her sister once more, signaling she was ready.
It was a beautiful thing, watching the cats realize how much someone meant to them. Saying thank you, the way someone´s face lit up when someone said that they were appreciated. It made Aspenstar smile, how it seemed to make cats happy and more tranquil. Many cats gave their thanks to her, which she didn't feel like she deserved. Maybe once she had done better, had lifted the Clan high up and helped it flourish, and done all things possible to keep the Clan happy. Then she would allow herself to accept thanks. Praise. But not now, and probably not for a while.
And just like that, one raised voice full of distaste, shattered the warm feeling inside her.
Her eyes, seconds later glazed with content, sharpened with icy sternness. Nectarflame. She hadn't hardly heard of the she-cat, and now here she was, spouting off in the middle of something that was supposed to be a peaceful time. A time to give back. And now, cats were angry. Shouting. But sadly, most things were true, what Nectarflame. If only the warrior had brought it up in private. Or during a meeting, for StarClan's sake. Not here or now! A time where cats let their walls down to honor those in their lives. And now everyone was fighting.
Standing up, eyes blazing but trying to suppress her anger, Aspenstar clenched her teeth. ''You claim to want what is best for ThunderClan, and yet you seem to be tearing it apart at a time where we're attempting to pay our respects. Moments ago, cats were happy. Cats were coming together, and now, they are yelling. Crying. Leaving. Because of your words.'' Her voice rose slightly on the end, and she paused to try and calm herself.
''Your words are true about patrols. They haven't been done. But I can assure that they will be done. Things will be better, and then you can stop interrupting peaceful events. I would have been more willing t answer had you brought it up at any other time. Privately, during a meeting, any time other than going out of your way to hurt the Clan at it's heart. Your opinions are welcome, as well are anyone, but.... but sometimes it is not the right time nor place.'' Her lips almost curled back, but she paused, allowing herself to once again, to relax.
Her eyes glimmered with a sick feeling of anger. Sadness, too. How could someone who claimed to care for ThunderClan do something like this to their Clanmates. She believed Nectarflame was good at heart, but this would have to stop. She would be nice this time, but next time more disciplinary action would be taken. And the warrior´s accusations... that Aspenstar was looking for compliments and praise, absolutely ridiculous. If she wanted praise, she would go about it more directly. She didn´t deserve praise, and yet everyone seemed to think that she did, or that she thought that she did. She didn´t, she wasn´t worthy of it yet. ¨You insult me to assume that I called this for the purpose to get myself attention and adoration. I wouldn´t dream of doing anything, because I don´t deserve the praise nor need it to continue on. I appreciate those who did thank me, because everyone needs a little confirmation that they are appreciated once and awhile, but I definitely did not some in here thinking I deserve or expect any recognition. I simply know that I have multiple cats to pay my respects to, and I know that others do as well, and knew that this would be a good way to bring the Clan together. Little did I know that it would turn out like this, or I simply wouldn´t have bothered, because now cats are arguing and feeling unwelcome and unloved.¨
Looking around, she saw cats that she hadn't seen in a while. Those named by Nectarflame. She sighed. ''They will be dealt with, thank you.'' Her voice was soft, bitter as she finished her reply to the disruptive warrior.
She saw Larkwing standing up for herself, and she felt anger. The she-cat was nervous already, she didn´t need to have to justify herself to anyone other than Dogbark or Aspenstar. Nectarflame had no place to do this. She had to feel safe in ThunderClan, and one cannot feel safe if they´re being personally attacked in public.
Her attention was drawn away from the queen and set upon another. Only this one was the mother-to-be, Honeyfoot. Wasn´t that the same cat who came into her den a while ago, about salt in the steam or something like that? And now she was threatening her Clanmates and saying that she would leave and take the kits with her? Fur bristling slightly as the leader looked down at the she-cat, she watched as others handled the situation, not wanting to break in while the situation was being resolved without her interference.
Finally, it was solved, and cats were leaving. She had other plans for the vent, other things to say and different things to do, but the morale was low and the cats... they probably weren´t emotionally able to handle any more. So, she decided to close it. ¨Just... just because this event is over, does not mean that you are not able to still give thanks to those in your life. Every day, you can say thank you, or instead of saying it, show them. I know this time hasn´t ended the way we planned, but everything will be fine, so long as cats learn the appropriate time to speak. I urge you all to instead of tear each other down, threaten them, make them feel unwelcome, give them a feeling of joy. A smile, a thank you, a compliment. Big or small, whatever you do may make someones day. Please be kind. This event is over.¨
Turning away from her gathered Clanmates, after giving those still gathered a grateful and warm smile and nod, she slipped into her den, sitting stiffly onto her nest, teeth clenched and jaw set firmly. That was an absolute disaster. She appreciated feedback, and cat´s opinions were always welcome, but they needed to pick their moments.
Re: Giving Thanks [ThC Event for all]
