Smoke rises away from the vine

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
11 Moons
He/Him
The earth was cool beneath Vinesmokes’ paws as he moved through the endless dark. His claws scraped the familiar texture of hard-packed soil, and he could feel the weight of the world pressing above him. Tunneling came naturally, didn’t it? It was what he was born for. What should have been as easy as breathing. But tonight, it was different. The walls of the tunnel seemed to close in tighter than they ever had before. He inhaled sharply, the scent of damp earth filling his lungs, but it felt wrong — stale, suffocating. His paws faltered as shadows deeper than the dark around him writhed at the edges of his vision. "You'll never be strong enough," a voice whispered, so quiet it could have been the wind through an unseen crack. "No one trusts you." "Owlpaw didn’t trust you."

Vinesmokes' chest tightened, the weight of those words far heavier than any tunnel could ever be. No, that’s not true, he told himself, but the doubt clung like mud. The tunnel stretched longer and darker. His heartbeat roared in his ears as he tried to push forward, but with every step, his paws sank deeper.
He looked over his shoulder. "Owlpaw?" His voice was hoarse, desperate. "Are you there?" A soft laugh echoed — familiar and hollow. And there she was. Owlpaw’s silhouette, just out of reach, her amber eyes gleaming like stars. She was smiling. Relief and dread warred in Vinesmokes' chest as he surged forward. "I’m sorry! I wasn’t fast enough. I should have —" "
You couldn’t save me." The ground beneath Vinesmokes collapsed. He plunged downward, his claws scraping for purchase, heart hammering with panic. All around him, the tunnel dissolved into empty air, a chasm that swallowed him whole. The darkness parted like mist. Before him stood a cat whose pelt shimmered with the glow of StarClan — sleek, ethereal, his eyes deep pools of calm. He moved with the grace of a gentle stream but carried the strength of stone beneath the earth. “Who are you?”

@SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Blazingstar]
Former Leader of WindClan
Worldweaver T2

There wasn't much a reasoning for why Blazingstar appeared where he did, when he did. However, this feeling of energy was strong and foreboding and there wasn't anything to stop it from literally falling out of the sky at him. It was a nightmare, but instead of the Dark Forest drawing the warrior in, StarClan had pulled him aside. It sucked Blazingstar in as guidance was being requested or suggested before they'd lose their way. It left him in the middle of an empty reality. The place they walk when it came to dreams.

It was still a surprise and while Blazingstar was great at hiding this, internally, he was speechless. It'd been a long time since he'd come across a dark dream. One of no landscape. He would have to change that. Whatever this dark place was, wherever they were, he had to play it cool. In his time, the tunnels weren't explored yet, so naturally he wouldn't know what this was.

First, he purposely lit himself brighter. A fiery glow against the darkness that swallowed both Vinesmoke and him in this dream. His golden gaze was cool, relaxed, hoping to ease the tension that was threatening to make his fur spike. There was no need to accidentally spook the warrior. However, it appeared this one wasn't new to this sort of thing, getting straight to the point. That was good, it meant he could skip the whole long talk about where they were and why. Honestly, Blazingstar often didn't know why they'd appear until they started talking and telling their story.

"I'm Blazingstar. A leader before Twilightstar. She was a young warrior in my times. Vinesmoke, right? I've seen your ceremony..."

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
12 Moons
He/Him

Vinesmoke blinked in surprise as Blazingstar's words echoed through the dark, unfamiliar place. The fiery glow of the former leader’s form cut through the endless void, and for a moment, Vinesmoke was momentarily distracted from the weight of his own worries. "You… saw my warrior ceremony?" Vinesmoke asked, his voice thick with disbelief, a mix of pride and discomfort. The words felt surreal, the idea that Blazingstar—someone from a time long past—had witnessed such a personal milestone. His chest tightened, a swirl of emotions—pride in that moment, yes, but also a sudden unease. It was strange to have such a personal moment, something he had worked for his whole life, known by a cat from another time. His blue eyes dropped to the ground, as he mentally stepped back into the memory. That day had been one of the happiest of his life, standing before his clanmates, feeling the weight of his new title, proud to have earned his place. But now, in this strange place, with Blazingstar’s distant gaze upon him, it felt almost irrelevant. The warrior ceremony felt like a lifetime ago, something distant, a life he barely recognized now. Is that still me?

“I didn’t expect that,” Vinesmoke murmured, his voice quieter now. “I didn’t think you'd know about that day, or... that you'd be here at all. This place, this... it's hard to understand.” His tail flicked, trying to shake off the strange discomfort rising within him. “But you’re here for a reason, I suppose.” But the fleeting surprise of Blazingstar’s recognition quickly faded, replaced by the gnawing ache that had been building in his chest for moons. His mind shifted quickly to Coldpaw, full of hope, flashing in his thoughts. The young apprentice’s trust had always been something he tried to nurture, but lately, it felt like it was slipping through his paws. “I don’t think Coldpaw likes me,” Vinesmoke admitted quietly, his voice tight with frustration and doubt. “I’ve tried to reach out to her, but it feels like I’m just not what she wants in a mentor. She doesn’t trust me—she doesn’t even seem to care. And I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.” He swallowed hard, the words tasting bitter. “Maybe I’m not what she needs. Maybe I’m just not good enough for her.” The self-doubt lingered in his voice, heavy and persistent.

But there was something else—something deeper. A grief that had never really faded, still raw and aching. The loss of Owlpaw, his friend, the one he couldn’t save. Vinesmoke’s heart ached as his thoughts turned to the young she-cat. Her bright, eager eyes. The promise she had shown. The way she had looked up to him with such trust. I should have protected her. That guilt, that failure, still weighed on him, like a shadow that never left. He hadn’t been able to keep his promise to her. “Sometimes, I still hear her voice,” Vinesmoke murmured, his voice quieter now, as though speaking too loudly would make the grief feel more real. "Owlpaw... I couldn’t save her. I couldn’t protect her. And I keep hearing her, feeling like she’s still waiting for me to fix it—to save her. But I couldn’t. I didn’t. I failed her." His voice wavered, the words feeling sharp and painful as they left him. “And now… Coldpaw. I’m supposed to protect her, to guide her, but what if I fail her too?” His eyes squeezed shut for a moment, the guilt and sorrow rising within him until it felt like he might drown in it.

He opened his eyes again, his blue gaze full of confusion and pain, looking up at Blazingstar. “I don’t know how to move forward, Blazingstar. I don’t know how to be what Coldpaw needs when I can’t even fix myself. I don’t know how to let go of the guilt. How do I stop failing them both?” His voice cracked slightly, but he pushed on. “How do I fix this..how do I fix myself?”

@SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Blazingstar]
Former Leader of WindClan
Worldweaver T2

Blazingstar listened, cautiously flicking his tail in thought as Vinesmoke laid it all out on him. The former leader didn't mind. In fact, it brought out a type of empathy that he hadn't felt in... seasons. It dug out deep, dark, memories that he thought he'd buried. It brought out the trauma that he thought he'd resolved and the torment that he inflicted on his friends and family of the time. So much had happened to him, over that one death. He couldn't change any of it now. He could learn and share his knowledge about it. He could use it to help others, like the warrior before him.

"Oh, Vinesmoke..." Blazingstar would finally speak, a sense of grief echoing off his voice as Blazingstar rose to his paws and waved his tail. Within a blink, the scenery around them changed. Blazingstar had brought them to the side of a road. No living cat knew where this was. The territory surrounding this place would be different, too. A WindClan territory that Vinesmoke wouldn't know, but it was the one Blazingstar lived in as an apprentice. The times when Dapplestar was ruling the clan. The times before they moved towards the ocean. Ancient times.

Blazingstar turned to stare at the road, his tail dropped to the ground as he stared at one particular spot. "I can understand your worries. I didn't lose an apprentice, per say, but I lost a mentor here," the large tom spoke solemnly. "I raced across that Thunderpath after a rabbit but stopped right in the middle. My mentor was screaming. I didn't understand why until I heard the rumbling. All I saw where those lights charging towards me. My mentor was moving so fast... he s- shoved me out of the w- way..." his voice cracked. "He didn't return home... I killed him. I couldn't save him."

The tom turned to look at the other, his golden eyes showing nothing but regret and grief. "That moment had haunted me to this day. My mentor did reach out moons and moons later, gave me a life even, but time heals all wounds, Vinesmoke. You can't dwell on the past, trust me. I learned the hard way. I missed so much, and I didn't connect with my next mentor or several other cats that really tried to be there. I regret that. I doubted myself as a warrior, then deputy, and I doubted my leadership until I learned something. Fight for what you have right now."

A blink and Blazingstar's eyes lit up with a determined fire. "You'll have to live with your guilt, just as many cats you know do. It's hard, but you CAN do it. You can't change what happened, Vinesmoke, so protect Coldpaw and train her well. Sometimes you can't talk sense into cats, so your actions must speak for you. Prove to her and yourself that you can learn from this experience, that you can excel and not let this mistake happen again. Time heals all wounds..." he repeated himself. "But your actions to make up for your loss will scream louder than anything you could ever verbally get out." He blinked with slight affection towards the warrior.

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
12 Moons
He/Him
Vinesmoke stood quietly as Blazingstar spoke, his heart heavy with each word. The leader’s story, raw and honest, made him feel less alone in his own guilt. There was a deep, painful understanding in Blazingstar’s voice, and Vinesmoke could feel the weight of it in his chest. “You... you really understand,” Vinesmoke said, his voice rough with emotion. “I didn’t think anyone could, but hearing you, it’s like... like you’ve been through the same thing. I’ve been carrying this guilt, thinking it was something I had to deal with alone, that I couldn’t change what happened. But you’re right.” He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “I can’t change it. But I can move forward. I can do better.”

Vinesmoke met Blazingstar’s gaze, a flicker of something resolute behind his eyes. “I’ll be there for Coldpaw. I’ll train her the right way, and I’ll make sure she knows she can trust me. I won’t let my past mistakes keep me from being the mentor she needs.” The air around them felt less heavy now, though the weight of the conversation still lingered between them. Vinesmoke stood tall, feeling a little lighter, a little more sure of himself. "Thank you, Blazingstar. For showing me that... that it's not about the past. It's about what I do from here on out."Vinesmoke hesitated for a moment, his eyes lowering to the ground as if weighing his next words carefully. When he spoke again, his voice was steady but earnest. "Blazingstar, I... I’ve been thinking," he began, lifting his gaze to meet the former leader’s. "There’s so much history, so much that’s been lost, forgotten by my clanmates over the seasons. And I wonder if there’s more that could help me... help Coldpaw. More that I could pass down to her. The way you’ve seen things, lived through things—there are lessons in that, things that could’ve been lost to time."

Vinesmoke’s expression softened slightly. "I want to be a mentor who can give Coldpaw everything I’ve learned, not just what Dustbunny taught me. Things that might’ve been forgotten or overlooked. Could you... could you teach me those things? The old ways? Things that maybe even WindClan has forgotten?"

@SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Blazingstar]
Former Leader of WindClan
Worldweaver T2

A softness would overtake the expression on his face. Carefully, the tabby would reach out with his tail, resting it on Vinesmokes shoulders and offering a comforting smile. For once, he was able to help someone and it really felt like he helped. Hopefully the warrior would actually abide by the lesson taught. Maybe he'd even bring the former leaders' name into conversation, help retain the little faith cats had left in their ancestors. Remind Twilightstar that he was still around and willing to help.

When his tail drew away from Vinesmoke, the scenery shifted to the moors. They were standing atop of a hill overlooking the grassy landscape. Flowers peeked out in random spots and a breeze flowed gently across the vegetation. It was a place away from the Thunderpath. Still an unknown territory to Vinesmoke, but breathtaking nonetheless. As Blazingstar sat down, looking over his long-lost home, he took in Vinesmoke's words and let his tail tip twitch with thought.

Were their traditions and stories truly getting lost now? Their history was unknown to the younger generations? He canted his head towards Vinesmoke, before gesturing out over the scene. "Depends on what you want to know. I have stories and life experiences that most cats wouldn't know about. I can recall us finding SkyClan and the day they merged into RiverClan."

"I like to think their muddied history and bloodlines is what makes them so unstable. Makes them stand out from the rest of the Clans. They haven't seemed to be able to hold a singular leader for very long since SkyClan merged. Their traditions were conflicting, and it shows all these generations later, even if they don't even know it anymore," Blazingstar murmured, starting to ramble on to Vinesmoke. A little scoff would escape him, a smirk followed, then he continued to reminisce. "I can recall the Evil Era, when StarClan had to fight to prove they're still here. It feels like we're coming onto another one, Vinesmoke. I'm fearful for our future. Cats are forgetting we're here to help, they're turning to darker resources," Blazingstar thought back to Crowtooth. The tom hadn't even known his power came from the Dark Forest. It made him wonder what else the Dark Forest had their paws on.

Blazingstar could feel their time would come to a close soon. Dreams only lasted so long. He'd cast Vinesmoke a more solemn look. "I can teach you, Vinesmoke. I can tell you our history. I can guide you when you need, just reach out to me. Don't let forget we're here. Don't let your apprentice stray too far from us either. Your clanmates... we need your support just as much as you need ours. That's the biggest lesson you can retain right now," Blazingstar spoke.

A light sparked back in his eyes as he shifted on his paws a little. "I'm sorry for rambling. It's been a long time since I've... gotten to actually speak on personal terms with someone," he'd scoff to himself, letting a sigh escape him after. "When you have specific questions, come back. Call out for me, okay?" Blazingstar would blink slowly, an affectionate one.

"Also, keep an eye on my kin for me. They get themselves into some trouble, I'm sure you've seen them around," he chuckled lightly. "Firestorm, L/ittlepaw, and Windpaw," he named them, his head turning to overlook the moors again. He could feel himself losing grip on this dream, but he'd at least share a few more moments listening to Vinesmoke and enjoying the view with someone that might actually appreciate it.

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke
[feel free to end the rp in the next post! we can use this thread for future dream rps unless you want to continue on with a different dream. i'm down for whatever, whenever!]

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
12 moons
He/Him
Vinesmoke stood before Blazingstar, his heart full of a new sense of purpose, the warrior’s words sinking deep into his soul. The connection to StarClan, once distant and uncertain, now felt like something real and tangible. He could feel Blazingstar’s care and guidance wrapped around him like a cloak, and for the first time, he truly believed in the strength of his ancestors.

His gaze softened as he met Blazingstar’s eyes, his tail flicking thoughtfully. "Blazingstar," he began, his voice steady but filled with resolve, "I understand now. I believe in StarClan. I believe in what you've shared with me. If there’s anything I can do—any message you need me to carry, any way I can help—I want to be more than just a listener. I want to make sure your words, your lessons, aren’t forgotten. I’ll carry them forward, but I also want to know: is there anything more I can do? Anything I can do for you, for StarClan?"

He stepped forward slightly, his posture firm with determination. "I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll carry your stories, guide my Clanmates, and I won’t let them forget. Just tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll make sure it happens. I won’t let your legacy fade away." Vinesmoke’s tail swished gently behind him, his eyes reflecting the quiet confidence of someone ready to take on the responsibility placed before him. “I won’t forget, Blazingstar. I’ll make sure your legacy lives on.”

@SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Blazingstar]
Former Leader of WindClan
Worldweaver T2

Blazingstar smiled gently, leaning forward and setting his nose to Vinesmoke's head. A gesture of appreciation. When he leaned back again to study the tom, he could tell the dream would be fading soon. Vinesmoke was slowly disappearing back to the waking world. Time really does fly in these dreams, but he was sure the warrior would be back soon. "Right now, you're doing great, kid. Just keep up the work and keep providing to your clan, that's all we can ask for," he chuckled lightly, swishing his tail.

Things were changing here in StarClan. When they met again, he might have to ask for help, but he'd have to wait and see what was going on with the Wardens and Starcave. Something was wrong [the starcave hadn't collapsed yet]. He didn't let those fears show as he studied Vinesmoke carefully. "You're doing great..." the words would echo as Vinesmoke was shot back into the waking world.

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke
[we can use this thread or start a new dream in another thread whenever you want. with the starcave falling, vine might find it hard to reach out to him, but i think he's smart enough to link the starcave falling to being unable/hard to visit stc again]