punishments give new opportunities

[Ian]

When he hears about Flashpaw being attacked on the patrol he lead, Slytiger is devastated. Logically, he knows there is no way he could have predicted the other warrior's actions, but he still hates himself for allowing the apprentice to be injured on his watch. Still, there is no time to feel sorry for himself. He searches for Mistlewhisker, padding over once as his gaze lands on her. Slytiger needs to get the punishment over with so he can be there for Dawnstar and their kits. Their kits. He's still not over the fact that he and Dawnstar are having kits. Fogpaw is going to have little siblings! But now is not the time to be thinking of such things. He dips his head demurely to the deputy, a rarely-seen serious expression on his face. "Mistlewhisker. I heard what happened with Flashpaw. I was... unaware that scum could not be trusted, but it does not excuse what happened. I will accept whatever punishment you or Dawnstar has deemed necessary."

Slytiger hopes it will not be a long one. He wants to be there when his kits are born. He wants to help Dawnstar pick names for them. He wants to be a good father. But he also has to be a good warrior, and that means acknowledging mistakes and accepting the consequences. Whatever is expected of him, he will go above and beyond. Slytiger knows Dawnstar is pissed—it's impossible she isn't. He owes her more than what he has been giving her lately, so he vows to himself that this punishment will be the start of a new era.

@Mica

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 43 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Beefed Up T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
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[Slytiger - @Ian ]
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She was convinced Slytiger had gone missing. The tom, while rather flighty, had never struck Mistlewhisker as someone who would just disappear. Even though she hardly knew the tom, she found that she liked his energy. If Dawnstar took him as a mate, then Mistlewhisker would give him the benefit of the doubt.

Not this time.

Slytiger had royally messed up, and Mistlewhisker was not looking forward to enacting the punishment for failing to complete a patrol plus losing an apprentice. But here he was, in front of her, with an uncharacteristically serious look on his face. At least he knew the severity of the situation. That made this even harder for Mistlewhisker. But the deputy remained impassive as Slytiger finished and dipped his head.

"Beetlejuice has disappeared off the face of the forest, it seems. I half thought you did, too." The deputy studied him. There was no use in beating around the bush. "As per the punishment rules, you are exiled for the next half moon. If you are seen in camp or in ShadowClan territory within that time-frame, it will be kill on sight." This was the consequence, and it would be delivered. However... "Though I must say..." Mistlewhisker met Slytiger's eyes with her own and lowered her voice. "Congratulations on your kits." Her eye sparkled knowingly. "Do us all a favor and don't die before you come back." Mistlewhisker did not want to be responsible for the death of her leader's mate. A slight glimmer of amusement sat in her eye. "Those kits deserve to grow up with their father."

As Slytiger turned, Mistlewhisker spotted a small burr on his shoulder. She reached forward with a claw and tugged it off unceremoniously, flicking it into the bushes. He would undoubtedly get more during his time as a loner, but one less burr is good enough.

[ #micasummerbingo2024 ]

[Ian]

The punishment is not a surprise, but the congratulations is. A gratitude filled smile flits across face. "Thank you, and I will. I won't return empty-pawed either." He above all knows that doing so would be a death-sentence. Dawnstar is not only his leader, but his mate. He disappointed her and the thought stings him. Slytiger will right his wrongs no matter the cost.

The tugging of the sand-burr is acknowledged with a thankful twitch of his ears before he disappears from camp. Slytiger takes the shortest route possible. He plans on getting started with his gift as soon as possible.

@Mica [you don't have to reply but just so you know he officially gone!]