Smothered in its cradle [CLANWIDE EVENT]

[Undertaker]

He lets the uncovering tension drain from his body after getting confirmation that his mother will be staying in camp. He blamed the natural disaster for his concern and honed in on his order. So basically they were digging up the grass and dirt and don't get burnt. Great sounded easy, or well it did until Twilightstar assigned a bunch of apprentices to the team.

Leehcscar had nothing against the younger cats, but every warrior worried about how well they'd perform under pressure and the lack of experience. He wouldn't argue about it, not the time or the place. He looked over at Crowtooth the deputy as he warned them again about keeping away from the flames, especially the apprentices. He would have growled about the tom being a worrywart if Leechscar hadn't been concerned about the same things.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll be fine." He huffed grumpily, "Worry about coming back safe yourself." Crowtooth wasn't his favorite cat but he wasn't his least favorite either. He was easy to get along with and Leechscar respected him well enough. His concern for the tom's well-being stemmed primarily from his mother. He could only imagine what state she'd be in if she lost another deputy or Crowtooth in general. She'd never forgive herself.

Whisperinghive, Lightningpaw, Bouncepaw, and Vinepaw were all quick to join them, but he spotted no sign of Ashcloud anywhere. They should have been gone already! Ansty, Leechscar scanned the crowd until his green eyes rested on the smaller fury. "Dapplebreeze, if you're not assigned to something important, take a run with me," Leechscar called the lieutenant as if they were going on a casual stroll.

"Whisperinghive [ @ChaosBringer. ] and Lightningpaw [ @Lightningpaw666 ]. You two will head to Windy Hills, locate the spotter and the fire, and start digging up the grass and dirt a cat-length away from the flames. Dapplebreeze [ @Alchemist Kitsune ] and Vinepaw [ @Tallstar ], you'll take the fire by the Sky Glade, the same orders as Whisperinghive and Lightningpaw. Since your spotters have done their jobs, you can have them help with creating the trenches. And for StarClan's sake, make sure you keep your distances from the flame, I'll make sure you'll never get set on an important job like this again if any of you get burnt." Leechscar warned them. Leechscar had no worries about Dapplebreeze other than throwing herself into the fire to rescue some other idiot. The rest if they can't follow orders, they shouldn't be out in the line of duty.

"Bouncepaw [ @Badwolf ], you're coming with me. We'll take care of the fire in the territory. We're heading out, if you have any questions ask them before we split up." Leechscar told them before leading the group out of camp. They needed to have the ground dug up before Crowtooth and his company arrived.

[Luna16]

Fleetpaw jumped when he heard his name called, rushing over. Fear gave speed to his paws, he felt like his pelt was crawling with ants and an uncomfortable heat. Fleetpaw’s eyes were widened with fear, but he nodded at Lightningstorm’s instructions, looking at his patrol. Digging, he didn’t have much experience with digging. But he would do his best! Now was not the time to flee, he needed to do his best for the clan that saved him!

[ @Alchemist Kitsune - Lightningstorm & Snowybreeze]
​​[ @Moonraven - Dustbunny]

[Luna16]

Heathernose looked up from watching her kits when Lionscar was summoned, fear gripping her heart. She rose to her paws and padded over to her mate, touching her nose to his. “Please be careful, my love.” She murmured. She was proud for her mate to play a role in protecting the clan now, but she couldn’t help being worried for his safety too. “I have faith in you. You will protect us all and come home safely.” She added, licking her mate on the cheek and gazing at him fondly before returning to her kits.

[ @FadingWhispers - Lionscar]

Daffodilpaw took her rest by a source of water, lapping up some water before she heard that Bouncepaw was summoned. She lifted her head, searching her clanmates for her brother. She waved to her brother, too exhausted now to move. “You better come back, Bounce!” She called to him, stifling a cough before bending to drink more of the water. Her throat was dry, but not necessarily from the fire as it was small when she saw it. More so from running as hard as she did. Daffodilpaw prided herself on being a fast runner, but she had never run like that before. Her pelt was a mess, but she’d deal with that later.

[ @Badwolf - Bouncepaw]
[OPEN]

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Deputy | He/him | 51 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

It was uplifting and gut wrenching in turn to see the clan rally in such a dire time. Windclan had been ravaged by fire before, the clan had full reason to be terrified, melting down at the idea of loosing another camp, another home, another territory to a fire that was so much like the one that'd claimed so many lives earlier this year. Instead they were rallying, and everyone called was facing their fear unwavering despite its obvious presence.



Crowtooth was terrified of them not returning should they return victorious at all. That his clanmates bravery and faith in him would kill them, but also felt more determined then ever to make sure they didnt.




There was always one downer and among all the cats that did show and step up, one didnt. Nightfall. Crowtooth had given him chance, but not choice as in this time when one was called on they came, to step up and prove himself and nothing. It was... Enraging. Twitching as the fire fighters already worked to set out, wasting precious moments waiting for that cat eventually the tom gave up with a growled "If someone finds Nightfall @Wingnettle tell him that he better work his hide off in camp fer a bare CHANCE at not facin' my whole wrath fer this." What was the point of having a Nightfall as a warrior if he let down the clan at so critical of a time.




Now who could take his place and quickly? Windclan was short on choices at this point, every available paw already working and Crowtooth was set on wanting warriors for such a dangerous role but those he felt could handle it were all busy. Lichenpaw was only an exception due to her age being that of a warrior and her only waiting on a meeting to get her name. The tom scanned the clearing and squeezed his eyes shut at the only real choice he felt he had.
They could do it, but they were young and if they got hurt Crowtooth would never forgive himself.


"Birchpaw @Aroogi I hate ta put this on ya but I 'ave faith in ya. Yer replacin' Nightfall fer his failure, Ill swap up groups so yer wit' me an' I can keep ya safe so be brave. Ya can do this. We're wastin' no time an' gettin' ta the falls, now."
Please starclan let this turn out alright, for Birchpaw and for all of them because he had no more time left to think if this was the right decision. With that Crowtooth turned and lead the fire fighters out to the falls, telling Twilightstar @Moonraven over his shoulder
"If circumstances change we'll send a runner ta inform ya if the fires have stopped or if ya need ta start the evac. Dont wait fer us, if the worst comes we'll do our best ta meet yall at the falls." though it was no guarantee that if the worst came they'd be able to meet at all.

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Dapplebreeze |
72 Moons - WindClan Fury Lieutenant
Agatha Kitty - Active | Silver Tongue - Active | Killer Aptitude [Tier 3] - Inactive

---

The fury had remained mostly silent, taking in the small interactions around camp, grateful when Leechscar took care of some... troublemakers before Batglare or herself had to get involved. Motherly and kind as most cats perceived her to be, the molly had little tolerance for fully grown warriors endangering the clan and making absolutely fools of themselves by virtue of being incapable of following orders. Of listening. Of acting like a clan caught aught to. For all of Leechscar's evident distaste in having to handle the situation, it would definitely be better for those involved this way in the long term.

Things were getting done, and in truth, Dapplebreeze was beginning to feel on edge. While she refused to outwardly show it, all furies were out doing something or other except for her. Was she meant to stay in the camp and provide morale in some way? Surely there was something for her to do? For a moment, it seemed there was as the medicine cat glanced in her direction, and the patched warrior stood in an instant, ready to attend the call. She was told to wait, and so she outwardly relaxed, uncertain of what task awaited her.

Her apprentice returned from her task as she looked at the leader and medic chatting away, and she swiftly turned an assessing, critical eye over her darling sapling. Sniffing him over to ensure he was alright. The former queen had no doubt that Hawkfur would not place the youngsters in danger, but Birchpaw was a clan cat through and through. He gave his all for the clan, and she couldn't help but worry. And of course, even his first few words cemented this, a small, proud smile tugging at her maw despite the heavy tension in the air.

"Oh you did splendid, my darling. I am very proud. I'm afraid, however, that now all we can do is await further command. I understand the frustration, but it's best to not act rashly and be ready for action if need be during such times," she mewed softly, her tone approving as she attempted to fuss over the fur on top of the tom's head in her quest to ensure there was nothing wrong with the youngster.

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she heard her name called, mismatched ears perked as she turned her attention to Leechscar entirely. His words were calm. As if he were asking for little more than a stroll. The perfect tone to take, if one asked her. The calmer those attempting to quell the situation before it got out of paw were the better. A level head promoted swifter responses and more affirmative actions from those around them. With a nod, she took a step forward before pausing momentarily, giving Birchpaw a small, apologetic look as she left.

"Sky Glade? Absolutely. Vinepaw, dear. Let us make haste. The sooner we can work on those trenches, the more chances we give the clan. Quickly now," she mewed, her voice faltering only lightly as she noticed Crowtooth calling on her own apprentice on a separate patrol.

Dark blue hues landed only momentarily on Birchpaw as he was called, hoping to catch his eye as she puffed up with pride. It was silent but clear. She had every faith in him that he would emerge victorious... even if she worried about him. How could she not, after having taken him under her wing? After having lost two of her previous kittens to the last inferno WindClan had faced... Breaking contact, unwilling to show these wavering thoughts or let them consume her, she turned to Vinepaw instead, nodding to the young tom as she turned towards the clan's entrance, ready to lead the way.

---

@Undertaker [Leechscar] | @Aroogi [Birchpaw] | @Tallstar [Vinepaw]

[Badwolf]

[Bouncepaw]
Apprentice|8 moons|Windclan

· · ─────── ·· ─────── · ·

Bouncepaw doesn't have any questions. Well, he does, for example, how to dig a trench, or how would that put out the fire, but he doubted Leechscar could give him a good explanation. It just seemed smarter to copy the warrior and follow his orders, and hopefully things would turn out fine.

"I will." Bouncepaw meows to Daffodilpaw before he sets out with the group. Was his sister coughing? He hoped she was okay. Starclan knew the fire had to be put out quick.

He waves his tail goodbye to Vinepaw and Lightningpaw as the group separates.

Tags:
@Luna16 /Daffodilpaw
@Tallstar /Vinepaw
@Undertaker /Leechscar