Marching Forward and Moving On (New RiverClan Camp Discovery)

[Fish]

 

Originally Posted by paedyn

Primrosepaw

Fast Learner Tier 3 - 36 / 100

Trick of the Eye [ Inactive ]

Primrosepaw's emerald eyes flicked between Dusklion and her mentor, Adderstrike, before she dipped her head respectfully to Dusklion. "I didn't mean to suggest you would lead us somewhere unsafe, Dusklion," she meowed, her voice steady but respectful. "I just wanted to be sure that all angles are considered, especially when it comes to the younger ones."

She exchanged a quick glance with Adderstrike, seeking reassurance from her mentor. "Setting up barriers sounds like a good plan," she continued, her tone becoming more confident. "I'd be happy to help with that if needed. I know how important it is to create a secure environment for everyone, especially in a new location."

[ @Fish // // @occultation // @taillow - wow dusklion just be mean to her. it was only a suggestion ]

Originally Posted by taillow

Dusklion - RiverClan Deputy

A chuckle left her at Willowtail's offer of giving her the first big fish. "Nah, save it for the queens 'n kits - 'M sure the little furballs would love to hear the story of how you managed to catch the biggest fish in the entire stream!" Anticipation at the thought of being able to fish again - it was an integral part of RiverClan and she was glad that the idea for the camp they had in mind would be near lots of water sources.

Her question about going on patrols once they settled into their new camp was met with a nod and a flick of her ear as Dusklion glanced ahead at her brother. "Yeah. I plan on sendin' 'em out once we get settled to make sure the scent markers staff fresh." She was glad to have volunteers already for it; organizing patrols could sometimes be a headache with how many cats the Clan had.

With the growing group, the dark tabby wondered if her brother would send any of them home - but it seemed like they were all coming along. Part of her was worried that by taking so many cats it would be harder to get things done, but she didn't see the need to voice that unless it became an issue. Flicking her tail in farewell to Willowtail and trotting up ahead to flank Fades, she glanced behind them at the group of cats. There was obvious discontent at the mention of a cliffside camp.

Looking at Adds and Primrosepaw first [ @Fish @paedyn ] Dusklion blinked. "We wouldn't lead the Clan somewhere dangerous - that's why were scoutin' first," the deputy couldn't help but let some of the annoyance she felt at the suggestion seep into her tone as Adds and her apprentice were the first to speak up about it. "If we can find a place that steadily leads up to an area near the cliffs 'n is safe enough without any steep drops, I don't see how kits would be in danger. 'Sides, 'm sure whatever we do find'll need to be set up - barriers 'n such - if there aren't any."

Gaze shifting to Willowtail [ @ChromeSilver_Hwaa ], she added, "Huntin' isn't meant to be around camp, 'n if we can climb up to it we can climb down to it. We're not lettin' go of all our territory, just the parts where the stink of the other Clans likely won't ever come out." The last part was said with a snort of amusement and a flick of her tail as she faced forward, letting the salty ocean breeze hit her face.

More cats started to whine about the dangers of falling off and Dusklion was glad she was at the front so she could roll her eyes without any of them seeing. The amount of faith the Clan seemed to have in them was obvious; none. "You'd think we're leadin' 'em to their deaths or somethin' instead of a new camp that the other Clans don't know about 'n can't wreck like the old one," she muttered, quietly so that only her brother could hear her. Part of the idea of having a camp near the cliff was the steady structure of rock that could be used to make dens, and make it harder for enemies, if stars forbid they were ever invaded again, to destroy and dismantle.

"...Have you heard from anyone in StarClan since we returned?" Dusklion was curious about this as they continued along, keeping her voice low still for just Fades to hear. Her blue eyes glanced around as they continued, senses alert for any signs of danger. Just as she spoke though, the sound of a twig snapping drew her attention. Immediately on alert, she flicked her tail to signal to her brother. "Gonna check that out..." And just like that she slipped away from the group through the undergrowth, pulling herself free of them and bounding towards where she thought she had heard the sound.

There was... nothing there. Even as Dusklion peered around, slowing her pace. Despite seeing nothing she... didn't feel alone.

[ @occultation @dino. [ no rush on goose since my phone a friend is still in process LOL ]

[ gentle reminder that dusklion's opinions are IC and do not reflect my own; please do not take them as such ]

Adderstrike
Determined ⋆ Loyal ⋆ Lawful Good ⋆ She/Her ⋆ Killer Aptitude T3
“One day I’ll be the greatest warrior of all the clans!”

"Dusklion, me and you know both well enough that kits will do ANYTHING to get themselves into trouble and with a cliff near us I can see some kits getting the bright idea that they think they will show how cool and capable they are by trying to climb down. 'Fadin' Dusk' gonna make me warrior after dis!' or something of the likes." Adderstrike rolled her eyes at the thought of kits who acted like that. Kits could be very stupid at times and they needed to prepare for it. "I think just some in case learning would be good if we can't find somewhere as gradual as a slope as we could wish for or its steep enough a kit won't get hurt going down but is too small to get back up without the knowledge of how to climb well. I don't think we are going to set up anywhere dangerous just better to be safe than sorry I suppose." Adderstrike sighed the last bit out hoping that she would be understood as more leaning to be cautious of the future than thinking that they were being lead to a death trap. If they choose to live in the mountains **instead of return back 'home' climbing lessons would be something that Adderstrike would be gunning hard for everyone but maybe some basics for kiddos would be a good idea. With that Adderstrike glanced over to Primrosepaw with a soft smile. She neglected to give her apprentice much attention during this discussion, hopefully this supporting each other ideas would alleviate this feeling?

[Marigoldwhisper]

 

Originally Posted by ace.

Floodsight
◆ she/her | 21 moons | Mind Reader ; Beefed Up T1 ; empty slot

After giving herself a stretch, Floodsight had joined the others. The silverish cream warrior felt stiff from sitting around too much. Yes, she was already one of the lucky bunch that got to leave a couple times already, hunting and patrolling, but it really wasn't enough. The abandoned twoleg den was far too small for the amount of cats that were constantly talking, moving and shuffling about. It was almost suffocating. She wanted out. Out in the open where the air was fresh and river ran.

They were going to finally find a camp, but one that is not theirs. And the suggestion and aim Fadingstar had gave was a... cliffside? What are we...SkyClan? Floodsight resisted a sigh. As long as there's water, they should be alright. But then again, their time in the mountains surely had taught them to adapt...adapt and survive. Rather than joining the bunch that got scolded by Dusklion, Floodsight kept a calm and neutral face. She'll trust the leader on this decision and pray that they'll be led to a home that is safe, away from harm.

In the distance, was another cat who seemed visibly scared, perhaps also nervous about their new camp. Briskly, Floodsight had made her way over and caught up with Deerspark, slowly matched his pace careful not to spook the other warrior. "Worried?"

[Deerspark]
He, Him\Warrior\26 moons\Riverclan
"Da da da we're dead-"

Purrks: One With The Warren [ACTIVE]
· · ─────── ·· ─────── ·

- - -

Maybe he was thinking too hard. Ha, how deathly unusual of him. Ha, him? Overthinking?! Never in his twenty-six moons of living has he every furiously cried himself to sleep over false possibilities and odd chances that his mind made for him. As fun as it was to dissect things and find a situations in's and out's, it was also an anxiety inducing experience when said cat was steadily losing their grip. Deerspark honestly wasn't sure why he was here, volunteering, but what else could he do? He was a good fighter and strategizer, but never somecat who could charm a crowd. Maybe one cat he could charm, but he hadn't done that in moons. He'd forgotten the structure of a nice flowing conversation, but he never forgot the lifespan of his favorite moths (or day span rather).

Deerspark himself began to zone out, though he was cautious enough to not fall over or anything. So, when Floodsight suddenly addressed him, the lengthy tom felt his thin fur spike. His sage eyes turned to the other warrior and they were glossy with bewilderment. Worried? If she meant worried did she mean worried about how in the world rabbits possibly survived anywhere outside the forest kind of worried? Yes, his mind did wander to that. How? He couldn't remember. But, he could assume that Floodsight was referring to the territory move.

The tom allowed an easy smile to stretch onto his maw, a genuine one. "Is it... That. Obvious?" He chuckled airlessly before rubbing the back of his forepaw with his muzzle. He assumed they'd be walking more now, but honestly, Deerspark had no idea what had happened while he was mindlessly thinking himself into circles. But it was an interesting question. Floodsight had a right to think he was worried, but he wasn't. The cats that made up his whole world already went up and left without him, not even a goodbye. Now that they were gone, Riverclan was just another place to Deerspark. His house, but not his home. Sure, maybe his viewpoint would actually change if he took a chance to talk to other cats for once, but he was terribly bad at talking (go figure). Plus, Deerspark was all for new environments, especially if it distracted him from what could've been.

The warrior stared of into space as he thought, leaving uncomfortable air between him and Floodsight. It took him one awkward glance in her direction to realize she was still there. "Ack... Sorry. I uh. Zoned out. But uh. I'm okay... Not worried. Erm, could be fun?"

[occultation]

( @taillow @dino. @Concorde )

[ The rest of the Clan should continue on with what they've been doing! When it's time for everyone else to move on to the next stage of this roleplay, I'll tag all participants and make a formal event post ]

Fadingstar felt annoyance creep through his pelt as cats began questioning his choice to look for a cliffside camp. Did they think he and the rest of the high ranks were stupid? Was successfully leading them through two of the hardest moons in RiverClan's history not enough to prove that they knew what they were doing?

He looked behind him to grumble about them not being mouse-brains, but Dusklion beat him to it. He wanted to add his two mice tails, but before he could she suddenly darted off into the distance.

Fadingstar's ears perked up immediately; either she was being reckless again and chasing after nothing significant, or there was something out there that needed addressing. Head swiveling around to find Duskleaf, his eyes eventually settled on the Head Lionheart.

"Duskleaf!" he called, voice sharp and loud. "Keep the group here for a moment while I go see what Dusklion's after. Anyone causes you any trouble, send them home."

With that, the black-and-orange tom took off after Dusklion. She'd better not be getting herself into some kind of trouble again!

Just before he caught up with her, a sudden chill overcame him. It had his pawsteps slowing significantly, a sense of dread filling him. Was this somehow connected to his poisoning? He'd felt chills from that... but he was healed now, wasn't he? Poison didn't work like that... right?

Accompanying the dread was an irresistible pull in a specific direction, further away from where the group was. Out toward the further parts of Rugged Range, not far from the edges of RiverClan's current territory. Where the cliffs turned more inviting, the ground going from rock to (mostly) grass.

What was going on?

By now he'd reached Dusklion, although his eyes were fixed on some unseen point in the distance. It almost felt as if he were looking into another pair of eyes out there, except unlike his own, these eyes were distinctly not of this plane.

"I feel... something," he said quietly, his voice sounding displaced. "I can't... turn my paws away from it."

[ace.]

 

Originally Posted by Marigoldwhisper

[Deerspark]
He, Him\Warrior\26 moons\Riverclan
"Da da da we're dead-"

Purrks: One With The Warren [ACTIVE]
· · ─────── ·· ─────── ·

- - -

Maybe he was thinking too hard. Ha, how deathly unusual of him. Ha, him? Overthinking?! Never in his twenty-six moons of living has he every furiously cried himself to sleep over false possibilities and odd chances that his mind made for him. As fun as it was to dissect things and find a situations in's and out's, it was also an anxiety inducing experience when said cat was steadily losing their grip. Deerspark honestly wasn't sure why he was here, volunteering, but what else could he do? He was a good fighter and strategizer, but never somecat who could charm a crowd. Maybe one cat he could charm, but he hadn't done that in moons. He'd forgotten the structure of a nice flowing conversation, but he never forgot the lifespan of his favorite moths (or day span rather).

Deerspark himself began to zone out, though he was cautious enough to not fall over or anything. So, when Floodsight suddenly addressed him, the lengthy tom felt his thin fur spike. His sage eyes turned to the other warrior and they were glossy with bewilderment. Worried? If she meant worried did she mean worried about how in the world rabbits possibly survived anywhere outside the forest kind of worried? Yes, his mind did wander to that. How? He couldn't remember. But, he could assume that Floodsight was referring to the territory move.

The tom allowed an easy smile to stretch onto his maw, a genuine one. "Is it... That. Obvious?" He chuckled airlessly before rubbing the back of his forepaw with his muzzle. He assumed they'd be walking more now, but honestly, Deerspark had no idea what had happened while he was mindlessly thinking himself into circles. But it was an interesting question. Floodsight had a right to think he was worried, but he wasn't. The cats that made up his whole world already went up and left without him, not even a goodbye. Now that they were gone, Riverclan was just another place to Deerspark. His house, but not his home. Sure, maybe his viewpoint would actually change if he took a chance to talk to other cats for once, but he was terribly bad at talking (go figure). Plus, Deerspark was all for new environments, especially if it distracted him from what could've been.

The warrior stared of into space as he thought, leaving uncomfortable air between him and Floodsight. It took him one awkward glance in her direction to realize she was still there. "Ack... Sorry. I uh. Zoned out. But uh. I'm okay... Not worried. Erm, could be fun?"

Floodsight
✦ she/her | 21 moons | Mind Reader ; Beefed Up T1 ; empty slot

A little surprised herself, the tom's fur had spiked up and now, he's turned to her, all bewildered and shocked. Maybe she'd been a little too quiet on the approach. Afterall, she'd been the type to sort of slip in to a conversation and right out as soon as she's done. But never did she think her being quiet may have shock someone else.

Perhaps she was...too quiet. Right on character.

'Is it that obvious?' Now what could she say. Yes? No? Perhaps? Oh now she's done it. It was too much to expect a normal conversation from Floodsight with strangers. Maybe she's just not cut out for it. It would take all the rivers to dry up, leaves to fall and sun to set in the east before Floodsight could manage a proper small talk. Sure, instruction and reports were easy to make. They were objective answer like snow is cold, the summer heat burns and prey's been running dry. 'But was it that obvious...?' That took a little more in Floodsight to have answered. It only took one subjective question to tear at her mind. It was an internal struggle, but on the outside, she just looked flat...nonchalant. Silent.

So was it obvious?

"No. You look like you have...lots of thought. Some are worried." This was an understatement. These cats were loud enough to the point where she could almost hear every doubtful worrisome conversation that went on. There was a long pause before Deerspark had continued. With a raised eyebrow, Floodsight looked slightly confused, but she guessed it could be understandable, but she'd rather hear the reasoning behind it, "Fun?"

That wasn't the word she would used to describe this occasion, but if that what he thinks; then sure, it could be fun.

[kittycatburmise]

Irisfrost

A cliff camp. Fadingstar's choice of location made sense- it would be difficult for the other clans to attack RiverClan from there, if they could even find them. They wouldn't be expecting their new camp to be there. But on the other hand, tradition. RiverClan had always lived by the waterway they were named after. That was part of their identity, that was what made them different from the other clans. Yes, they wren't giving up their entire culture, but this was the first step. In seasons' time, who knew what parts they would lose? Would they still swim and fish?

But the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, even if Irisfrost didn't like the idea of settling in the cliffs. So she kept quiet as she padded alongside the group, on the search for a good spot. She could feel the rough stone under her paws, and she kept an eye on the ground to make sure she didn't trip over a loose pebble and possibly fall. The callouses that had formed on her paws in the mountains shielded them from the rugged terrain; Irisfrost had thought they would soon disappear, but they wouldn't if they made camp here. Another change in their culture; their kits and grandkits would grow up with hardened paws and marvel at the softness of their ancestors' ones.

[dino.]

He'd been a bit dramatic, sure... but what the hell else was going to snag their attentions? Little else seemed to work these days. Call it what you will, but Goosefury was being resourceful. Maybe he should have somehow mimicked the effects of the poison. An experiment for another time. But for now, he would turn to his next best option: a reminder of their past, their former glory, the thing to reduce the other three Clans to something as insignificant as mosquitos. Perhaps the constant shadow of their last truly great leader would push them into action again, away from of all this... sitting about.

Mist crept across the grass, swirling thickly around the two warriors' paws, thick, dense, and nearly suffocating as it engulfed their sight and denied them vision of the path back to their Clanmates, their voices silenced. The impenetrable fog clung to Fadingstar and Dusklion's forms, seeping so deep beneath their skin it would feel as if it were chilling them down to their core and laying their very souls bare.

And then it parted with a flourish; a ghostly, scarred warrior, single green eye shining brighter than the rest of him, phased through the gap. He looked to Fadingstar, then to Dusklion, and with a swish of his tail sent the fog careening toward them. From it rose the wobbly form of a towering spire, misty and translucent, but present all the same - a guiding light for a Clan in dire need of it.

"Under Lion's Watch, you will find the path home." Goosefury's mouth did not open, but the words floated through the fog with an otherworldly lilt and a sense of grim finality. He turned his single green eye on Dusklion, something akin to pride gleaming like starlight within its depths. "And you may yet restore our Clan to its rightful renown."

Then a gust of wind like those that might sweep over the cliffs blustered through the image, scattering it, the fog, and Goosefury's form into nothingness, as if nothing had ever been there at all.

[ @occultation @taillow ]

[taillow]

Dusklion - RiverClan Deputy

So her brother had followed her. She spared him a glance; so he felt it too? Peering back towards the odd landscape the deputy watched as mist crept towards them. She looked down at it, instinct telling her to back up despite her paws remaining rooted to the spot. "What the..." she murmured, looking back up with a slightly concerned expression. Dusklion could feel it - something was watching them. It wasn't long before the fog completely engulfed them -

And yet, Dusklion felt calm. Whatever fear or trepidation had been in her heart was cleared out and replaced by a foreign feeling. Still that did not stop the way it crept underneath her fur and chilled her to the bone. She couldn't move her paws still but that didn't matter; the deputy was transfixed on the spot ahead, a spot where it looked like...

When it parted, the deputy knew now why she didn't feel any terror or fear. Standing before them was Fury, and the sight of him immediately made her straighten up. She parted her jaws to greet him, already moving to duck her head deep in respect, when more fog was sent their way. It billowed up before them and melted away to reveal a tall spire stretching up from the ground. Run down and obvious reclaimed by the environment around it, Dusklion stared in awe.

"Under Lion's Watch, you will find the path home."

...Lion's Watch...

...Lion...storm?

Twisting her head this way and that the deputy searched for the golden tabby, her heart thumping rapidly in her chest. Was he watching them? Did he... did he know of her? The possibility was almost enough to knock the wind from her and lay her sideways on the ground in shock. Upon looking for him she glanced at her brother, wondering if he, too, understood the magnitude of those words.

Eventually she looked back to Fury - and was surprised to meet his gaze. There was... was that pride? It felt like a claw straight to her heart and tears started to sting her eyes. Was he... proud of her? Her whiskers quivered as she stared back at him, not sure what to say or do. Before she could even link though a gust of wind swept through and the scene around them - including Fury - was gone.

. . .

"...The cliffs... That's where Lionstorm was buried. I remember Fluffs tellin' me about it." She mostly murmured to herself, recalling the story Fluffs had told her of Lionstorm. Looking now to her brother her blue eyes were wide with renewed hope and excitement. "That thing that Fury showed us - that has to be some sort of landmarker for the new camp - it has to be! 'N if his words are right... I know where those cliffs are!" Lionstorm's cliffs. She could barely contain the excitement in her paws as she turned to start heading back. "C'mon! We gotta lead the Clan there!"

Lionstorm, if you're watchin', I swear I'll do whatever it takes to make you proud!

[ @dino. @occultation ]

[occultation]

( @dino. @taillow

[ Thank you for the help dino!! /genpos ]

Before he had a chance to say anything, fog was enveloping them. A strange figure came from the fog and began to speak, talking of how they'd find home under "Lion's Watch". What was that supposed to mean?

The leader was so focused on the first part that he missed the second part that was directed toward Dusklion (thankfully, because it being directed only toward her would've pissed him off- in his mind he was just as capable as she of leading RiverClan back to glory).

He did catch the tall, shapely rock structure protruding from the mist. It definitely hadn't been there before, so it was some sort of... conjuring, then, from the beyond.

And then it was over, just as quickly as it started.

Dusklion began speaking of where Lionstorm had been buried, and how the rock structure they were shown must be what would mark their new camp. She wanted to go back to the Clan, but he shook his head. "Then we'd just waste time arguing with everyone, and I doubt half of them would believe us anyways. Most cats don't have faith in the spirits anymore. I remember hearing about that place a while ago; let's go! Once we find it, we can give them something concrete and real to believe in."

His face bright with excitement, he took off in the direction of where Lionstorm had been buried. It didn't take long for him to see the top of the rock structure, looming before...

There it was.

The grass lead up a decent incline before tapering off to a flat area. It was surrounded by incredibly tall rocks that separated the flat area from the sea below. A strong sea wind buffeted his fur, but it felt nothing but beautiful. They were still a decent ways from Lionstorm's grave, but the rock structure was there. He could still see the top of the rock structure directly across- it seemed to be in the sea? That was strange. He'd have to investigate further.

For now, this was enough.

He continued to get closer, but stopped in his tracks about a tree-length away, his blood running cold.

Several dogs, a little larger than foxes, prowled around the area. None of them had noticed Fadingstar, but he dove to the ground just in case.

Glancing toward Dusklion, he whispered, "That has to be it. It's the perfect spot. Far from where our previous camps were, just beyond our furthest border. Big rocks we could keep important dens in, so they can't be destroyed anymore. It has to be it. I know there's dogs, but... dammit, why would that spirit lead us here if it wasn't the right place?"

[taillow]

Dusklion - RiverClan Deputy

Her excitement faltered a bit as Fades shook his head, replaced by confusion. "We can't just... leave 'em there...?" She twisted back to look over her shoulder. From what she knew, most of the Clan or at least most of the Clanmates she spoke to still looked to StarClan for guidance. She was confused why they would argue, and turned back to look at her brother once again to explain this - that the Clan had followed them three days to the mountains and though there had been some grumbling, they had still done it. "I don't wanna just leave 'em in the dark - the Clan should be with us when we-"

...But no, he was already taking off.

With a growl of frustration the deputy glanced back once more towards where the Clan was, not having a good feeling about just leaving them alone and sharing this with them - especially when she figured that by telling them StarClan was leading them to a camp, it might reignite the faith in those who didn't believe as heavily.

But she knew she'd get her ears boxed for going against an order so against her better judgement she turned and bounded after her leader. Eventually she caught up to where he stopped, jaw already parted to deliver her explanation, when the scene before her caught her eye. "Woah..." There it was, just like Fury had described. Well, the part that wasn't concealed by rocks. This was it. These were the cliffs...Her eye, of course, was drawn to the top of them where Lions grave was, alongside his mate Fawnsqueak. "We found it..."

Refocusing on the flatter part of land that had a steady grassy incline, Dusklion noticed the issue right as her brother did and flattened herself. Dogs. Of course. Irritation sparked through her fur though as Fades referred to Fury as 'that spirit' and she shot him a look. "That's Goosefury, mouse-brain, not just some 'spirit'." Had Bites taught him nothing of the former Lionheart?? "You're lucky I don't feed you to those dogs right now for sayin' some dung like that." Of course her tone was joking... sort of...

Looking back to the dogs, Dusklion's expression settled into one of determination. "It's gotta be a test from Lions himself. Why else?" A lash of her tail as a grin crept onto her face. "'Sides, we've handled dogs before. Fluffs taught me how to tackle bigger enemies, 'n we both held our own just fine when they came through the old camp." Slowly the deputy began to creep away until she was sure she could stand without being spotted. "We need to warn the Clan though. 'N send any apprentices without trainin' back to the den."

[ @occultation ]