ThunderClan Medicine Cat's Den

[Rani]

Mudhound
Thunderclan Hornet | They/them | 40 Moons
Bilingual T3 | Flock Together T3 | Rapid Recovery | Killer Aptitude T3

There was yelling outside, the sharp snap of words in a tone Mudhound was familiar with, even if they couldnt hear the content. That the anger wasnt purely at them didnt help, especially knowing it was aimed at their puppy instead. The anger, the hate Bumblestar carried so easy in her core wasnt one Mudhound shared, not ever, not at anyone, even their worst enemy. So even if the damage was done to themself and those they cared about knowing that it was done by a cat they were certain had no ill intents made it all the more complex.


Death and pain was in this den, not that Mudhound noticed. Dragonflycliff was dying, dead, Hollowpaw was caving under the pressure, Treetiger was tasked with a duty ill fitting for her, and Spiderthroat was left to solely carry a burden that should be shared by many.


Later Mudhound would be upset by their inaction, that they werent powering through and helping. But for now they didnt even know what was going on around them. They had Violetfreckle, they had Vivivivivivi and that was what they were focusing on, a thin high and desperate sound ripping out around sobs as the grey tabby reassured she at least wasnt going, wasnt upset.


"Y'r gonn' be ok. I-Im gonna make sure- It'll be good an' soft an' happy an' none of this I-I. mmmMMmm- E-elder flower an' honey for your throat, I-I'll get some soon. Burnet for strength, I can chew up prey real small an' honey will make it go down easy. S-soak the herbs, damp not wet, s-so-" The desperate rambling, honest but stuttering, bargaining, didnt really help with the sobbing and eventually the words cut off to gasping. The tripod just needed to make sure Violetfreckle stayed with them, and maybe if they were better, more helpful then they were for Bumblestar (shouldve done more done MORE) their sister-by-love wouldnt hate them like their sister did. Or at least how Mudhound precised Bumblestar to now hate them, reeling and unknowing why they'd earned her anger when they'd only tried to be a good sibling.


Maybe Treetiger was listening to the ramble and would pick up on bits but it didnt really matter if she acted or not. Even not fully healed Mudhound had set themself on Violetfreckles care and would do it regardless.
It was how they hung on, and they needed a ledge to cling too as the sobbing ripped painful through not healed lungs, tears soaking onto Violetfreckles pelt before being groomed off as the hornet set her pelt to rights even as they trembled. Probably a sort of compulsive behavior, but it was helpful in the moment, though the increasingly improve state of Violetfreckles pelt only highlighted her poor body condition.




The sobbing cut off with Bumblestars return, not out of relief or anything good of course. More because the tripod flinched at the thud of otter the leader had brought hitting the ground, forcing down the sobbing to silence as they hid their face in Violetfreckles pelt. They still didnt know, didnt understand what made Bumblestar angry and was desperate for it to not occur again, hence stifling the ugly noises to their own detriment.


Still, their shoulders were shaking in silent sobs as the smaller cats head hit their shoulder, a muffled "M s-sorry. I-I dunno what I-... I-I w-wont do it again I p-promise-" A shuddering inhale that wheezed at the end, a single watery golden eye peaking out from grey fur, swimming in confusion and desperation. "I dont-" know, understand, all of it.


And yet when Bumblestar collapsed Mudhound's large tail still swung out to cusion their siblings head from impacting the ground, a pillow that lingered pressed against her even if the tripod didnt risk reaching out to draw their sister back into the cuddle pile again just yet. Though they wanted.


@dino. @vellichor @Starfall @SuspiciousMindz

[vellichor]

•° Violetfreckle °•
Rapid Recovery • Collector • Lucky Duck T3 • Bewitched

---

Truthfully, Violetfreckle was barely present. Between the ringing of her ears, the way her vision blurred, and being smothered by an extremely upset Mudhound, it all felt so far away. She had missed it all until the thud of otter meat hit the ground and jolted her back to reality. As if on cue, her stomach growled and Vi moved toward the piece of meat — until Bumblestar fell again. With a strangled cry, she abandoned her pursuit of food and tried in vain to crawl toward her mate. It didn’t work, of course, partially because she was all but squashed by Mudhound and mostly because of her leg.

After a brief moment she stopped struggling and just… listened. Leaned down to grab the meat again and took a bite. The flesh was tough, chewy, vaguely fishy… spirits above, it tasted like the blood of her family. Like death itself. She forced it down, trying not to immediately vomit it back up. Violetfreckle needed food. She didn’t have a choice. She kept gnawing at the otter meat with a strange expression on her face—somewhere between disgusted, horrified, angry, spiteful. Despite that, she was listening. She gave Mudhound a quick headbutt too, just so they knew she wasn’t ignoring them. At least, not on purpose.

// @Rani @dino. @Starfall @SuspiciousMindz (she doesn’t know treetiger’s back in the den but still) \\

[dino.]

The flinching. Oh, she'd screwed up royally this time. "No, Mud, y'didn't... you didn't do anything wrong. Don't apologize. 'S my fault for snapping." For once the crying wasn't aggravating but gutting. She let herself be pulled back into the cuddle pile with another weak, quiet stream of apologies

Out Treetiger went. Back in she came. Bumblestar didn't want to know what the fresh bout of snarling in the clearing was about, and she was barely paying attention to it, anyway. For the first time in a very, very long time, she suddenly felt very small as Spiderthroat approached.

There was a moment's pause. The words stuck to her tongue and became jumbled before she met his eyes and managed to get them out. "Y'know, I never wanted this." A strained gesture with her bleeding forepaw. "Didn't want to be leader. Didn't want to be the one in charge. Only took it 'cause no one else was capable... 'n no one else became capable in damn near two season cycles I spent at the head of things. Spent this whole time puttin' everything I had into makin' sure we didn't set ourselves on fire again, worried I'd never be able to trust someone else to take my place, but..." She swallowed, glanced around the medicine den. "But it seems like you had a good handle on things while I was out."

She found herself pressing closer to Violetfreckle, subconsciously seeking comfort.

"I don't wanna leave you at the head of everything when it all seems to be comin' down again, but if it's fine with you - if you think you can handle everything from here on out, keep my Clan going - I'm pullin' back on leadership. I don't want this position anymore. I don't want to be deputy. I won't usurp Risingstorm's position as Head Hornet, so I'll just join the others on the team, so I can still help out when I'm better. But I'm not enough right now to keep leading, not like this. I can't control myself. I can barely walk. I can't make 'em wait on me. They won't have to wait on you." Yes, he was covered in his own blood like he always seemed to be, but the recovery his wounds needed would be nowhere near the time hers would require.

A deep breath in as her tail curled around her bony flank. "If it isn't what you want, that's fine. I get it, probably more than anyone, 'n I can find another solution. Just figured I had to ask instead of, y'know, dumping it on you at random. Disappearing, or giving up, like everyone else."

[ @Starfall @vellichor @Rani @SuspiciousMindz ]

[Starfall]

Spiderthroat
He/Him || ThunderClan Deputy
Beefed Up Tier III || Just a Scratch || Hulk SMASH
@dino. ; @SuspiciousMindz ; @Rani ; @vellichor

He heard Treetiger, and it made his chest hurt. She wasn't his kid, she wasn't one of the barnacles that stuck to his side that he'd grown attatched to. That being said, she was one of his soft spots. If she needed something, he'd get it. If she had a request, it would always be granted. But here he was, chipping away at her trust. His ears flattened somewhat, guilt eating away at him.

But before he could immediately turn to Treetiger, Bumblestar spoke up.

His jaw tightened, tail resting flat against the med den ground. Spiderthroat, in this instance, realized just how tired he was. His legs ached, chest ached, his bites, cuts and blunt force pains singed. He was tired.

But so was she, and she'd reached the end of all the steam she had built up within her.

A little Apprentice who was there when Cindersky tried denying him re-entry back into ThunderClan. Back when it wasn't worth fighting over. A little grumpy apprentice who stood nearby the bengal, a little grumpy warrior who was handed deputy on a silver platter by a Leader who's paw was already out the door. A little leader who had to step up when their leader had gone missing during a sink hole. A leader who held strong for more seasons than all the other leaders they burned through combined.

Instinctively he took steps towards Bumblestar. As she spoke, he'd gotten closer.

A leader, who powered through her reserves, who was running on steam as opposed to fire like she was before. A leader who gave it her all and beyond.

As hornet who would continue to give her all for her clan.

As long as Bumblestar didn't pull away, Spiderthroat would aim to gently bump his head against hers. A soft whisper from the otherwise rugged tom. Something so out of character, something only one cat in all the life he'd lived has experienced.

"You fought hard. It's time for you to rest." he whispered. Only she should be able to hear it. Only she should be able to react to it.

He lingered for a moment, before picking himself up, standing straight. "Go tell the rest of the idiots you won." he didn't nessecarilly mean the otters. But. Most would probably interprate it as such. Winning, for her in this case, was living. She was a little apprentice, handed something far too big, and lived. Exceeded those before her with flying colors. A warrior destined to die, lived more fruitfully than those he knew.

As she may have gotten ready, or perhaps even gotten up to leave, or maybe talk to her mate and sibling. Spiderthroat immediately turned towards his former Apprentice.

If she didn't move, if she didn't reject, the deputy would pull her in for a hug. A hug that helped hide the world away, a hug that , according to Asterdance apparently, felt safe. He wanted her to feel safe, hugging wasn't his thing, but he felt a need to ensure her wishes were respected.

"Because, out of everyone in this Clan that was awake, you are the one I trust the most." he said in a hushed tone.

Spiderthroat sat there for a moment, before pulling himself back up once more. He really needed a bath. "But, in this very second. You can say no. You can say you don't want to and I'll pull you out of this position so fast it was like you were never a Medicine Cat." he explained, tone serious, expression soft.

He was tired, and this lot were getting most of his emotions at this point.

"I value how safe the Clan feels, but I also care more about how comfortable you feel." he ended.

[sylvia26]

︻⋆︻⋆︻⋆︻⋆︻
NightWatcher
︼⋆︼⋆︼⋆︼⋆︼
Tom|37 moons old|ThunderClan Warrior|Ultimate Predator - Not Active
✧ ˚ · "A true warrior fights for his clan".✧ ˚ · .
»»-------¤-------««

»»-------¤-------««

-ˏˋ the tom stumbled into the medicine cat den, his chest leaking blood, it looked...well...bad "h-hello?" he croaked out, unsure of which medicine cat was here, everything has been happening too fast and It was hard to keep up..."help- my throat- its...bleeding..." he choked out as he coughed up some blood, his ears flattened as he just collapsed on the ground and heavily sighed...not something he needed happening..at least rosemouse was...gone.. ˊˎ

@SuspiciousMindz [hereee]

[dino.]

Clearly, Bumblestar had been waiting for disdain that would never come. Her shoulders sagged and she let her eyes flutter shut as she leaned her head against his. Rare from him, rare from her, a moment she savored until it was over. Then she drew back.

"Y'know I won't be resting for long," she rasped. It never did stay for long, did it? Brief moments of peace shattered by illness and grief, or war and threats to their borders. Rest was something she had never been good at in the first place and had then completely forgotten how to indulge in the second she had claimed her place among ThunderClan's highest. Even now, she was only staying down because she physically couldn't do anything else.

"First thing tomorrow, I'll call everyone up. Think I... overdid it today." Waking up from the longest "sleep" of her life, finding out the medicine cat she'd personally endorsed had enforced her death and the death of her patrol, going after him the second she could stand... it was more than just draining and she was thirsty and hungry and exhausted. She could take the night to get her strength back, and then she would break the news.

With a sigh that turned into a groan, she sank back down into the cuddle pile.

[ @Starfall @Rani @vellichor ]

[SuspiciousMindz]

​
[Treetiger] | Entity
​ThunderClan Medicine Cat | ThunderClan Entity
Silver Tongue T1 | Monkey's Paw [active] | Worldweaver T2 | Nightmare Fuel T2
​{ #PopularMonster }

It must've been strange, watching a cat exit and enter a den a couple times. She could feel the eyes on her when she reentered and as her eyes caught sight of the affection Spiderthroat showed Bumblestar, her tail lashed once. There was a jealousy in her chest that she had to try to mask, and it was hard. She wanted that bond. She wanted to feel appreciated by Spiderthroat, but she'd lived many moons being his literal shadow. Well, until the kits took his attention. She hated them. The family bond they shared with him. She never had such a thing. No kin here. Maybe one friend. The only cat she'd been able to feel appreciated by was S/parrowpelt and sometimes she couldn't tell it was just out of pity.

The thoughts spiraled until his pawsteps approached her again. Her green eyes shifted from the wall to the deputy -- now leader -- as he grew rapidly closer. Then... WHAT THE HELL?! Forelegs wrapped around her, and she fought the urge to violently recoil and bite him.

She froze, side eyeing the tom from her position. What was this? It was oddly... comforting? It was like being held by her mother when she was kit. When was the last time she'd felt the warm touch from someone? It had to have been seasons at this point... easily. Her apprentice ceremony if she recalled correctly.

The overwhelming situation and the soft tone of someone she looked up to had created a well of water at the corners of her eyes. Treetiger felt something damp run down her cheek. Am I crying? She stared forward, simply sitting in the embrace. For a moment, she even leaned into his chest, feeling his wispy fur tickle her nose and the steady sound of a heartbeat. The sight and scent of blood didn't bother her. Not in this moment; a moment she wouldn't forget.

Spiderthroat did care.
Spiderthroat acknowledged her.

"I- I'll be okay... I won't let you down..." she'd speak softly once he pulled away. Her eyes would lift to look at him, giving him a slow, affectionate blink.

A promise.

How could she hate him after that?
She couldn't say no to that.

@Starfall | @dino. | @Rani | @vellichor [spider made her cry! the audacity!]

[Rani]

Mudhound
Thunderclan Hornet | They/them | 40 Moons
Bilingual T3 | Flock Together T3 | Rapid Recovery | Killer Aptitude T3

Though the shaking and the sobbing started to taper off with the gentle reassurances, with the soft affection and not harsh words, there was still a shade of uncertainty in the tripods eyes as they stopped hiding in Violetfreckle, uncurling just a bit to let Bumblestar join the cat knot. Even if their sister still said it wasnt their fault they didnt get why it'd occurred at all, Mudhound just not getting being angry at a cat to the point of snapping, especially when it was not the cats fault.


But.... Well if family who apologized and genuinely meant it didnt deserve forgiveness then no one did. And everyone who was trying to be better deserved it.


So slowly, ready to draw back if she displayed any unhappiness, the tripod leaned in to rasp a tongue over their sisters ears, steadily working their way all over to set her pelt to right. A clean clear pelt was a sign of health and helped make a cat good, thats what Granny always said and Mudhound always felt better when clean (expect when mud covered, they preferred that to clean). So they were cleaning Bumblestar, gentle purring slowly ramping up as they werent pushed away. Their sister needed care too, like Violetfreckle, but the tripod wasnt quite as sure how to help her. Burnet for sure but what else other then food water and more rest? Rest the leader wouldnt take, though maybe she would.


Mudhound listened, silent but a supportive presence as the smaller molly talked. They'd never known the reason for their sisters drive to be leader, to always push herself to the point of pain, but now it made a sort of sense. Fear of the past repeating, lack of trust constantly supported by events, it must have been overwhelming. But that was the thing, Mudhound didnt want thunderclan to suffer but if this way kept hurting their loved ones the tripod didnt want it.


Quietly the hornet mumbled between grooming, audible but gentle. "You dont have to be some amazing leader or leader at all to be loved. Thunderclan has survived before you and will survive after yanno, this burden doesnt have to be yours and shouldntve been yours alone. Youve done more then enough, you deserve to rest sis- you need to take care of yourself more, this has been killing you for awhile....." It was obvious now that they knew what they were seeing, the quiet hidden struggle, the decline and a part of the tripod hated themself for missing it in their recovery from the sickness.
Bumblestar might not have been stricken or fallen from the plague, but a part of her had fallen then with the dead.


Mudhound had missed their sister suffering, but no more.


Letting out a low unhappy rumble at Bumblestar- no break's comment as they finished setting her pelt to right the tripod laid their heavy head on her back, pinning her again. "No you are resting. No pushing yourself after the meeting, I say so, or me and Violetfreckle start doing stupid things like you do and pushing ourselves too soon to follow your stubborn butt out on stupid hunting trips or training you dont need to be doing." A huff and a pointed look. "The clan looks after eachother and helps the wounded and you are wounded, like us." Mentally, physically, it didnt matter if the tripod had to sit on their sister to get her to take care of herself and not push to hard they would and they werent beyond leveraging their own recovery to get Bumblebreak to chill out for once.


If the ex leader was gonna ignore her limits to do work she wasnt needed for so would Mudhound and no doubt Violetfreckle and it'd end well for no one.


"Sleep now, meeting tomorrow." the tripod demanded, eyelids drooping as they let themself go slack around the two mollies, prohibiting escape. "Then we're gonna do nothing but eat and relax and talk and make flower crowns and rest and if you say no Im gonna get Treetiger and Spiderstar to order you too." Because they'd bet money Spider-dude was on board with this plan after everything. Thunderclan and the ex leader especially was overdue a break.


@dino. @vellichor @Starfall @SuspiciousMindz

[Starfall]

Spiderthroat
He/Him || ThunderClan Deputy
Beefed Up Tier III || Just a Scratch || Hulk SMASH
@SuspiciousMindz ; @dino.

The calico let out a snort at Bumblestar’s retort from where he was hugging Treetiger. Resting his chin on her head, keeping her face hidden from the trio behind her. They didn’t need to see her tears. ”Just take it easy as much as you can, I’ll take the reins from here. he said in response to Bumblestar.

With that he turned his attention back to Treetiger. ”Kid if you need to step down you won’t be letting me down. At all. You’ve worked well an hard. I won’t be disappointed in you in the slightest if you said you didn’t want to. You have an out, you will always have an out.” he explained, making sure she realized he truthfully meant every word he was saying.

Gaze serious as she looked at him. ”You aren’t my kid, but you’re just as important. Tell me how yuo’re feelin and I’ll make sure I can get it done…within reason.” he snorted at the end.

Slowly, surely and slowly, he went to go slump down in a nearby nest. Speaking of kits, his should be making their way in here any second now. All things considered, especially with Cicadapaw on his tail about getting healed.

 

@crow. @Dreamingstars @Fish @Idiotic.Bean101 @Moondew @Pepperkins @Rowan @SillyLittleCherry @sleepyyjax @Star @Zero @Dolomedes

[Fish]

It had been way too long since he got to have time with his favorite dad in the world. Spiderold! Now that everything was starting to hopefully calm down, Fleapaw slowly sneaked into the den knowning he wouldn't be interrupting much now. Slowly he inched over before he could try and bap on his father's tail tip. He was trying his best to be sneaky but Spider had been around the block once or twice... "Gosh!, whoever has this tail must be super awesome cool." He said breaking his silence finally

@Starfall