WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[gravekeeper.]

Ashpaw nodded. “Yes!” She purred, gazing into her mentor’s eyes.
@~SilverShine~

[Orion]

Still no sign of Patchpaw anywhere. Shattervenom circled back to the prey pile for the second time with more prey, twitchy and distracted, mottled fur fuzzed slightly in agitation. She dropped her lean rabbit and fat grouse next to the other freshly caught prey on the pile and turned to find the deputy--unwilling to wait another moment. @NinjaBloss


(12 + 2 = 14)

[Orion]

|| Shattervenom | @Fenixwolf @NinjaBloss ||
♦ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴍᴏᴛᴛʟᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴡʜɪᴛᴇ | ᴘᴀʟᴇ ɢʀᴇʏ ᴇʏᴇs, sᴇɢᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ʜᴇᴛᴇʀᴏᴄʜʀᴏᴍɪᴀ ♦
【 sʜᴇ/ᴛʜᴇʏ 】
★ ᴍᴇɴᴛᴏʀ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴜsʜʀᴏᴏᴍᴘᴀᴡ ★
↠ ᴡɪɴᴅᴄʟᴀɴ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ ↞

━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦━◦○◦� �◦○◦━◦○◦━

Although there was still plenty of daylight left to complete the hunting patrol, Shattervenom could no longer stand the cold dread seeping into every cell of her lithe body. She had given Patchpaw more than enough time to report—to show her hide and prove that she wasn’t missing or sleeping in a bush somewhere—yet the warrior had already killed three things for the prey pile without ever glimpsing the apprentice’s pastel pelt once. Given the lives recently lost in WindClan, Shatter felt as though she were treading the fine edge of a knife: panic on one side, fury on the other. For the first time in the pale-faced soldier’s life, she wanted to claw someone… she hoped that she could whip out a good tongue-lashing upon Patchpaw later, because that would mean that Patchpaw was still alive and not hurt or worse.

Suppressing a shiver of heated fear, Shattervenom strode toward WindClan’s deputy, flagging him down with her long tail. Once she’d gained his attention, the tall fighter lowered her alto voice to a taut, quiet murmur, her claws drawing sharp lines in the dirt. “Fallownose, a word?” She swallowed dryly, scanning the camp clearing for perhaps the twentieth time since dropping her prey off. “I’m sorry for bothering you… I wasn’t sure what to do. Patchpaw never caught up with me for the patrol, and I haven’t seen her anywhere, but I didn’t want to raise a panic by shouting for her in camp…”

Perhaps if Shattervenom had been more confident, more extroverted, there wouldn’t be an issue; she could’ve simply screamed for Patchpaw until her voice scraped hoarse and solved the problem immediately. But the awkward warrior shied away from causing an unnecessary scene… she didn’t know how to bring up her worry without sparking a clan-wide hysteria. Hopefully Fallownose had advice—or better yet, a search party plan. “I didn’t scent clan blood while hunting, nor any signs of a struggle around Sky Glade… has anyone else seen her recently? I just… I wasn’t sure… I want to know that she’s okay.”

A gusty exhale rattled her lungs on its way out. Shattervenom glanced shamefully at Fallownose, ducking her head slightly in embarrassment.

[*longfire*]

" i'll take you on a territory tour or would you like to begin training on battle or hunting lessons" he asked wanting to know what ashpaw wanted to start first
@Ashcloud of WindClan

[shaae_26]

Hawknight chanted the new warriors name, but cut off when Twilightstar moved on to the deceased. He dipped his head solemnly in respect for them, even though he didn't really know any of the cats.

[sock]

Waspkit ran in circles around the nursery babbling something nobody could understand.

[Wingnettle]

Originally Posted by XFR0G_L0veRX

She looked up to see MilkKit- no MilkPAW

"Congrats on being an apprentice," she meowed "And I'm alright right now" She meowed, with a sweet and gentle smile.
@Wingnettle

(Sorry I couldn't get back sooner)

Milkpaw (he/him)
Creamy-white short fur and green eyes


❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ⚘ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

"Great, I'll leave you rest and come back soon, then." He dipped his head politely and turned to step out of the nursery, but not before giving the tiny furballs a warm, affectionate smile. Milkpaw had grown used to listen to older apprentices complaining often about ordinary tasks like bringing moss and fresh kill or changing the nest for elders and queens, but he actually found it very enjoyable. Not that he missed the nursery, of course, which was always busy and noisy with kits, but the room was always filled with warmth and here Milkpaw didn't have any fear of making mistakes. He liked the relaxing atmosphere, and sincerely hoped that the camp would always be like that.

The creamy apprentice nodded a farewell to Hollowmist, then padded out of the heather walls and sunlight hit him again, giving his light pelt a bright yellowish tone and forcing him to narrow his eyes against the strong rays. Without turning back, he headed toward the warrior den in hope to find Deertrot.

[ @WhitesilverQueen @Quietheart @Softspoken @HopeFeather @Gay'Fluff ]

[vellichor]

gorsekit snuggled up in the nursery, tucking his nose under his tail contentedly.

[Rose]

Berrypaw
Post Count: 5/100

Berrypaw tried. She really did try to stifle a small giggle and listen patiently when Snowypaw began talking about his nose, of all things, and then went on to try and backtrack his words, flailing his paws around like a fish out of water. That was when she really did laugh, a full-fledged giggle bursting unceremoniously from her mouth, and then the apprentice’s paws self-consciously flew up to cover her own muzzle. But the situation was so funny because now she was trying to take back her own actions, and through the pent-up chortles, Berrypaw almost didn’t hear Snowypaw’s mumbled words. About him not being good enough for anything. Almost instantly, her expression sobered again. Blazing skies, she was probably being so rude! Laughing at his face like this, even if she hadn’t been laughing at him, exactly. She noticed his ears suddenly droop, and Berrypaw suddenly felt like the worst apprentice ever. Not only was she behind on duties, but she was also making her denmates feel bad about themselves.

When Snowypaw turned his blue gaze away to focus on Twilightstar’s next words, Berrypaw was entirely sure she had hurt his feelings. And to her absolute shame, all he could muster was a mere whisper for the new warrior, undoubtedly because she had offended him so. Turning her face towards the Breezerock as well, Berrypaw let out her own whisper to congratulate the former apprentice. “Congratulations Lilyheart!” She called softly, and then awkwardly turned back to Snowypaw. If she didn’t squeeze in an apology right now, she’d be too ashamed to approach him or anxious for the judgement to do so later. Besides, Berrypaw wished to have a clean slate. She did not want to be on anyone’s bad side. “L- Listen- I’m ssorry about… Laughing at you.” She mumbled, hunching her shoulders and ducking her head to look at the ground. “I’m sure your mentor is really proud of you.”

And then, without warning, Berrypaw whipped back around to look at her leader. If her already pale, freckled face could drain of color, that was what happened when Berrypaw heard the announcement of the deaths of three cats. Two warriors and an apprentice. While Berrypaw had not known too well who Rosepaw or Ravencloud were, she at least had witnessed, and had heard the race Redspeckle had organized. She hadn’t taken part in it, due to being too shy to participate, but Redspeckle had seemed so healthy at the time. What had happened to xem? Her heart twisted further in her chest upon recalling the apprentice who’d died. An apprentice had died. It reminded her how vulnerable they all really were. Life was not all fun and games. And she was wasting her own life away, doing what? Practically next to nothing. Just that fact alone made her heart and mind feel laden with guilt.

It was quite a surprise when, instead of ending the meeting on this note, Twilightstar went on to talk about bullying going on between… the apprentices? Berrypaw had noticed no such thing, so she was immensely surprised when Frostpaw, one of her denmates, stepped up to address Twilightstar. The young apprentice began speaking, accusing a cat- Badgerpaw, the cat who’d been made an apprentice the same day as her and Snowypaw-, and portraying herself and Tulippaw as the innocent. Now, Berrypaw didn’t have an opinion on any of this, but when Frostpaw called herself the most perfect cat, Berrypaw felt that as if it was an entirely direct barb. Did… Apprentices have to be perfect? The eggshell-colored she-cat turned to Snowypaw once again, wondering what he thought about all this, but the larger apprentice was already looking somewhere else. Upon following his gaze, she spotted Badgerpaw a little ways away, the subject of Snowypaw’s smile.

Was Snowypaw avoiding her gaze? Or was he genuinely trying to make Badgerpaw feel better? Hesitating, Berrypaw tried conveying her apology once again. “I’m really sorry… I, uh, sorry… I shouldn’t have laughed at you.”

[ @Alchemist Kitsune - Snowypaw | Don’t worry about it! I should be apologizing about the length of this now /lh ]

[TheNyanCatMinecart]

~ TULIPPAW OF WINDCLAN ~

Tulippaw hadn't bothered to go to the meeting. Part of her wondered if she should've - after all, who knew what kind of juicy gossip might be revealed? - but her mind was on other things. Such as training. And keeping up a good public image. A conversation with Twilightstar was looming on the horizon after Messypeltpaw went blabbing like a crykit to her for a really stupid reason, but Tulippaw had plenty of things to say when the time came. She had a good reason and defense that wouldn't get her into trouble. Also, surely the leader would go light on such a beautiful, smart, perfect, responsible apprentice. Tulippaw was expecting the leader to approach her and Frostpaw, take them aside, and talk with them. Her reputation wouldn't be tarnished by a whiny, dung-brained apprentice.

She happened to be walking by the meeting, pausing once to check over her incredibly sleek and soft pelt for any blemishes - which there weren't, of course, but she always had to be certain! - when she overheard Twilightstar talking about something relating to not tolerating bullying. Tulippaw was willing to continue walking by when she overheard her name. And Frostpaw's. She froze, one paw in the air, then quickly put it down as an unconscious part of her brain warned her that she couldn't look ridiculous when so many cats were most likely looking away. But pure shock was coursing through her, as well as offense and surprise. Twilightstar had called her out in public? She'd expected to be taken aside, but this? Why would the leader do something like this? She was humiliated! And everyone was going to take it the wrong way! Her reputation was at stake, and all because of a stupid messy apprentice taking some well-deserved criticism the wrong way.

Unfortunately, Frostpaw spoke before her. She said it was not bullying and that they were perfect - true - and that Badgerpaw had made everything up - not true. Frostpaw was a close friend of hers, but Tulippaw was going to show how responsible she was by admitting the truth - and also making her and Frostpaw not seem like the villains. The slender calico padded forward until she was right by the base of the Breezerock with Twilightstar's words buzzing in her ears. Letting off steam and finding a way to vent after the horrible disappearances of her family and friends, and with all this oppression of being unable to speak her mind, would result in punishment? Doing horrible camp chores and being demoted to a kit? Tulippaw would never be able to deal with that.

"With all due respect, Twilightstar," Tulippaw meowed, dipping her round head, "there is something I must say. Yes, it is true that we criticized Badgerpaw. However, he took it the wrong way entirely. Frostpaw and I were just a bit upset at the state of his pelt, and I made a harmless joke of having him wash off in the river. Badgerpaw got overly paranoid and thought of it as a threat - how, I still don't know. It scared him so much that he spun up a whole tale of us 'threatening' him when that wasn't our intent in the slightest. He even threatened to hit me! I apologize that he took it the wrong way, and I will be more careful with my words in the future. Me and Frostpaw." Her words were earnest and genuine; it clearly sounded like she meant them. Tulippaw wasn't lying. Badgerpaw had taken some mild and 100% deserved teasing about his pelt to the extreme, thinking that he was being threatened. Badgerpaw was the problem, not Tulippaw and Frostpaw.

Tulippaw just hoped that Badgerpaw hadn't poisoned his mentor's mind. But surely she had to see how responsible she was being? Hopefully, Frostpaw would follow along. Because, unlike her friend, she was telling the truth. The entire Clan will see how responsible and innocent I am, Tulippaw thought, awaiting Twilightstar's response. Yes, the leader had jumped off of the Breezerock, but she was still here. I'll have to be careful with what I say in the future - and with my reputation. I can't let it be tarnished, especially not by a messy lump of a cat.

@Moonraven @SplashyLumi