High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

**poppy** · #**1091** December 31st, 2023, 09:58 PM

midnightrain sat.

***Moonraven*** · #**1092** December 31st, 2023, 10:09 PM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

As the clan began talking, Twilightstar ignored most of the chattering about Cowtuft's poisoning the herbs. They had no solid evidence that Cowtuft had poisoned the herbs, no witness, only speculations. Twilightstar was only concerned about the facts right now. No matter how you flipped it or looked at it the medicine cat was guilty for indirectly feeding poisoned herbs to their clanmates and killing them. That was set in stone, whether it was a mistake or an accident, cats were dead because of his carelessness.

"How much of the herbs have been poisoned is undetermined at the moment. However, I believe it might be wise to simply scrape most if not all of the herbs and focus on resupplying as best we can. Unless there is a clear way to scent or tell which herbs are poisoned and which are not I'd rather not take any chances." Twilightstar replied to Scorchedfang in a measured tone.

"I do plan to place at least two guards stationed at the medicine den from now on. This can not happen again." Twilightstar told Softsong after her comment.

The leader offered Bravebird a grateful nod of her head at her off to bury their fallen clanmate. "You can take Leafspot whenever thank you." She felt a little bad having Bravebird get stuck burying another one of their clanmates, but the molly offered and Leafspot deserved a burial.

Driftingsoul's voice called for the leader's attention. A thoughtful frown sat on the leader's maw as they went into why they believed Lightningstorm should be held responsible for all of this as well. "I understand what you're saying, but I'm not looking at who poisoned the herbs at the moment. I'm more concerned about the fact they were poisoned under Cowtuft's watching. Lightningstorm does hold some accountability, as she is also a medicine cat of WindClan. However, I don't think she has had half of Cowtuft's experience, Cowtuft also holds seniority, at the end of the day as the eldest medicine cat he holds the most responsibility when it comes to the clan's health and care. At least that's how I look at it. If you wish to help Bravebird bury Leafspot, I'll appreciate it."

When it came to problems in the clan, was it not Twilightstar cats often sought out first, was it not she who tended to have to deal with any backlash when things went wrong in the clan, even though they had Fallownose? He was expected to take over after her, if they wanted to some of the reports they gave to her could as easily be given to Fallownose to deal with.

But as far as Twilightstar was concerned she held seniority and was expected to hold the majority of the responsibility when it came to the Clan. She didn't think anything she'd ever done wrong or considered wrong by the clan had ever correlated to Fallownose's wrong. They were both expected to guide, lead, and take care of the clan, yet Twilightstar bore the majority of the weight of responsibility when it came to the clan. Was that not the same with medicine cats? If lightningstorm was Lightningpaw would they still be willing to have her bear the same accountability as Cowtuft?

As Cowtuft arrived and approached her, she blinked slowly as he "spoke" of his regret and failure and went on to explain that he had brought in the deathberries. The deaths and how each one happened, three moons ago... she was a little surprised that he hadn't figured there might be something wrong with the herbs after cats dropped dead directly after eating them, but what's done was done. There was no going back and no fixing it, there was a certain admiration that bloomed in her chest as the medicine cat decided to take full responsibility over giving an excuse. Having to live with that sense of failure, that guilt, that remorse, Twilightstar knew from experiences no punishment given would ever be as bad as the punishment one inflects on oneself.

Crowtuft spoke next, believing that demotion was simple enough of a punishment. Twilightstar would have agreed, but the more she thought about the cats, the kit, that died, she started wondering, was that enough?

Wolffang spoke up next and she was honestly surprised by his take on this. A temporary demotion after everything that's gone wrong. Perhaps if the deaths were fewer and the mystery solved by Cowtuft, but he remained clueless about everything and has already admitted to bringing in the poison into the clan. There was no way she'd ever allowed him to serve as WindClan's medicine cat again. Despite all the good he's done, this mistake was too big to overlook.

Then he went on saying Lightningstorm should communicate with StarClan... Twilightstar's never been all that fond of StarClan, but now any faith she had in them was gone the moment they decided to speak to ThunderClan about solving a WindClan problem just to get the clan out of the trouble that they started. It felt like the stars were playing favorites. Had WindClan not suffered enough to deserve their aid? StarClan had turned its back on WindClan when an inkling of knowledge could have saved so many lives!!! Any omens or prophecies brought to WindClan from the stars would be taken with a grain of salt from now on. She no longer trusted the ancestors who were supposed to be looking after all of the clans! No playing favorites!

Peachfrost exile was brought up next by Softsong. She heard some truth in what the molly was saying, but none of it enough to sway Twilightstar's decision or feelings about exiling Peachfrost. "No," Twilightstar told Softsong without an ounce of regret on her face. "Peachfrost suspicions may have been correct, but what she said was not. No one has any proof or evidence that Cowtuft has or had deliberately coated the herbs in poison. Cowtuft was not sent to WindClan from the Dark Forest, and if she had killed him moons back, WindClan would have suffered worse for it. She was dead set on killing Cowtuft without giving him a chance to even speak for himself? I've heard more than a few cats comment on his execution as he stands trial now, at the time of her exile she was a danger to the medicine cat, there is no wrong to right." She told Softsong with a tip of her head.

"Not to mention, she never voiced a single suspicion against Cowtuft to me or Fallownose. If she was so certain he was a harm to the clan, I would have expected her to speak up rather than let him continue to harm the clan, even if it was just a suspicion. Her anger also extended beyond Cowtuft, regardless of how grief-stricken she was, there are ways to handle things and the way she handled herself was not it. She will remain in exile." No one else has spoken or acted as volatile as Peachfrost had and no one else had been looked at the high ranks with such murderous rage. Twilightstar's life was one thing, but she would not have anyone endanger Fallownose's life over mere emotions and at the time, speculations.

Bravebird's boom voice added to the commotion as she called for Cowtuft's exile, and soon more voices followed after her. Firestorm seemed to regress to a kitten as the truth was revealed. Twilightstar felt for the warrior, but couldn't pay her as many minds as she would have liked, Swiftfire was putting forth a suggestion. She heard what he was saying, but this went beyond mere incompetence. Incompetence is failing patrols, lazying around camp, not indirectly bringing in deathberries, without telling anyone, and causing the deaths of several clanmates.

Fallownose was calling for Cowtuft's death, which didn't surprise her. She expected that from him, but more than a few refuted seemed to believe that exile was the way to go. Leechscar made sure to elaborate on why he believed exile over execution was a more fitting punishment and Bravebird swiftly backed him, believing it far worst to die with no clan to mourn him. Which was a really sad way to go, Twilightstar didn't think she could live through that, but the way Leechscar described the clanmates' deaths was troubling.

The leader stood, raising a paw to silence any other comments. "You have spoken at length about this, and I have heard you. Despite Cowtuft's contributions to the clan, this should not have been overlooked and that poison should never have been brought into the clan without at least my and Fallownose's approval. I don't believe deathberries have any reason to be in a clan. Cats have claws and fangs for a reason, poison should be a last resort. There is more honor dying by tooth and claw than succumbing to poison."

"As we currently have no evidence to support that Cowtuft has done anything with malice intent or purpose, I will not be humoring any words that he purposely poisoned the clan or that he is completely innocent, as he had admitted himself he is not guiltless. His crimes are bringing in a dangerous, poisonous herb into the clan, choosing against informing anyone that such an herb was within the clan, neglecting to properly supervise the herb stock after bringing deathberries, and feeding poisonous herbs to the clan. Whether it was just a large oversight on his part or a big mistake, we lost seven cats, two being mere kittens. This goes beyond mere incompetence and will be punished as just."

"Cowtuft will be stripped of his rank as WindClan's medicine cat and exiled from the clan." Twilightstar would have settled more certainly on execution if there had been solid proof that Cowtuft had been purposely harming the clan, but for now, living in exile would be enough. Some seemed to think that he might be able to return after some time in exile, but they seem to forget aside from Cowtuft's injuries that resulted in disabilities, he also had no training to survive on his own. It was very likely that the few calling for his death would get it. This would most likely be the last time they saw him, and although it killed the leader inside, she could not and would not go back on her word.
#wcmeeting

**bubble[error].** · #**1093** December 31st, 2023, 10:11 PM

*Tigermist gasps*

( NOOOOOOOOOOOOO COWTUFT!!!!? @wolfie (so you see))

GoldenRavenWings · #**1094** December 31st, 2023, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonraven

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

As the clan began talking, Twilightstar ignored most of the chattering about Cowtuft's poisoning the herbs. They had no solid evidence that Cowtuft had poisoned the herbs, no witness, only speculations. Twilightstar was only concerned about the facts right now. No matter how you flipped it or looked at it the medicine cat was guilty for indirectly feeding poisoned herbs to their clanmates and killing them. That was set in stone, whether it was a mistake or an accident, cats were dead because of his carelessness.

"How much of the herbs have been poisoned is undetermined at the moment. However, I believe it might be wise to simply scrape most if not all of the herbs and focus on resupplying as best we can. Unless there is a clear way to scent or tell which herbs are poisoned and which are not I'd rather not take any chances." Twilightstar replied to Scorchedfang in a measured tone.

"I do plan to place at least two guards stationed at the medicine den from now on. This can not happen again." Twilightstar told Softsong after her comment.

The leader offered Bravebird a grateful nod of her head at her off to bury their fallen clanmate. "You can take Leafspot whenever thank you." She felt a little bad having Bravebird get stuck burying another one of their clanmates, but the molly offered and Leafspot deserved a burial.

Driftingsoul's voice called for the leader's attention. A thoughtful frown sat on the leader's maw as they went into why they believed Lightningstorm should be held responsible for all of this as well. "I understand what you're saying, but I'm not looking at who poisoned the herbs at the moment. I'm more concerned about the fact they were poisoned under Cowtuft's watching. Lightningstorm does hold some accountability, as she is also a medicine cat of WindClan. However, I don't think she has had half of Cowtuft's experience, Cowtuft also holds seniority, at the end of the day as the eldest medicine cat he holds the most responsibility when it comes to the clan's health and care. At least that's how I look at it. If you wish to help Bravebird bury Leafspot, I'll appreciate it."

When it came to problems in the clan, was it not Twilightstar cats often sought out first, was it not she who tended to have to deal with any backlash when things went wrong in the clan, even though they had Fallownose? He was expected to take over after her, if they wanted to some of the reports they gave to her could as easily be given to Fallownose to deal with.

But as far as Twilightstar was concerned she held seniority and was expected to hold the majority of the responsibility when it came to the Clan. She didn't think anything she'd ever done wrong or considered wrong by the clan had ever correlated to Fallownose's wrong. They were both expected to guide, lead, and take care of the clan, yet Twilightstar bore the majority of the weight of responsibility when it came to the clan. Was that not the same with medicine cats? If lightningstorm was Lightningpaw would they still be willing to have her bear the same accountability as Cowtuft?

As Cowtuft arrived and approached her, she blinked slowly as he "spoke" of his regret and failure and went on to explain that he had brought in the deathberries. The deaths and how each one happened, three moons ago... she was a little surprised that he hadn't figured there might be something wrong with the herbs after cats dropped dead directly after eating them, but what's done was done. There was no going back and no fixing it, there was a certain admiration that bloomed in her chest as the medicine cat decided to take full responsibility over giving an excuse. Having to live with that sense of failure, that guilt, that remorse, Twilightstar knew from experiences no punishment given would ever be as bad as the punishment one inflects on oneself.

Crowtuft spoke next, believing that demotion was simple enough of a punishment. Twilightstar would have agreed, but the more she thought about the cats, the kit, that died, she started wondering, was that enough?

Wolffang spoke up next and she was honestly surprised by his take on this. A temporary demotion after everything that's gone wrong. Perhaps if the deaths were fewer and the mystery solved by Cowtuft, but he remained clueless about everything and has already admitted to bringing in the poison into the clan. There was no way she'd ever allowed him to serve as WindClan's medicine cat again. Despite all the good he's done, this mistake was too big to overlook.

Then he went on saying Lightningstorm should communicate with StarClan... Twilightstar's never been all that fond of StarClan, but now any faith she had in them was gone the moment they decided to speak to ThunderClan about solving a WindClan problem just to get the clan out of the trouble that they started. It felt like the stars were playing favorites. Had WindClan not suffered enough to deserve their aid? StarClan had turned its back on WindClan when an inkling of knowledge could have saved so many lives!!! Any omens or prophecies brought to WindClan from the stars would be taken with a grain of salt from now on. She no longer trusted the ancestors who were supposed to be looking after all of the clans! No playing favorites!

Peachfrost exile was brought up next by Softsong. She heard some truth in what the molly was saying, but none of it enough to sway Twilightstar's decision or feelings about exiling Peachfrost. "No," Twilightstar told Softsong without an ounce of regret on her face. "Peachfrost suspicions may have been correct, but what she said was not. No one has any proof or evidence that Cowtuft has or had deliberately coated the herbs in poison. Cowtuft was not sent to WindClan from the Dark Forest, and if she had killed him moons back, WindClan would have suffered worse for it. She was dead set on killing Cowtuft without giving him a chance to even speak for himself? I've heard more than a few cats comment on his execution as he stands trial now, at the time of her exile she was a danger to the medicine cat, there is no wrong to right." She told Softsong with a tip of her head.

"Not to mention, she never voiced a single suspicion against Cowtuft to me or Fallownose. If she was so certain he was a harm to the clan, I would have expected her to speak up rather than let him continue to harm the clan, even if it was just a suspicion. Her anger also extended beyond Cowtuft, regardless of how grief-stricken she was, there are ways to handle things and the way she handled herself was not it. She will remain in exile." No one else has spoken or acted as volatile as Peachfrost had and no one else had been looked at the high ranks with such murderous rage. Twilightstar's life was one thing, but she would not have anyone endanger Fallownose's life over mere emotions and at the time, speculations.

Bravebird's boom voice added to the commotion as she called for Cowtuft's exile, and soon more voices followed after her. Firestorm seemed to regress to a kitten as the truth was revealed. Twilightstar felt for the warrior, but couldn't pay her as many minds as she would have liked, Swiftfire was putting forth a suggestion. She heard what he was saying, but this went beyond mere incompetence. Incompetence is failing patrols, lazying around camp, not indirectly bringing in deathberries, without telling anyone, and causing the deaths of several clanmates.

Fallownose was calling for Cowtuft's death, which didn't surprise her. She expected that from him, but more than a few refuted seemed to believe that exile was the way to go. Leechscar made sure to elaborate on why he believed exile over execution was a more fitting punishment and Bravebird swiftly backed him, believing it far worst to die with no clan to mourn him. Which was a really sad way to go, Twilightstar didn't think she could live through that, but the way Leechscar described the clanmates' deaths was troubling.

The leader stood, raising a paw to silence any other comments. "You have spoken at length about this, and I have heard you. Despite Cowtuft's contributions to the clan, this should not have been overlooked and that poison should never have been brought into the clan without at least my and Fallownose's approval. I don't believe deathberries have any reason to be in a clan. Cats have claws and fangs for a reason, poison should be a last resort. There is more honor dying by tooth and claw than succumbing to poison."

"As we currently have no evidence to support that Cowtuft has done anything with malice intent or purpose, I will not be humoring any words that he purposely poisoned the clan or that he is completely innocent, as he had admitted himself he is not guiltless. His crimes are bringing in a dangerous, poisonous herb into the clan, choosing against informing anyone that such an herb was within the clan, neglecting to properly supervise the herb stock after bringing deathberries, and feeding poisonous herbs to the clan. Whether it was just a large oversight on his part or a big mistake, we lost seven cats, two being mere kittens. This goes beyond mere incompetence and will be punished as just."

"Cowtuft will be stripped of his rank as WindClan's medicine cat and exiled from the clan." Twilightstar would have settled more certainly on execution if there had been solid proof that Cowtuft had been purposely harming the clan, but for now, living in exile would be enough. Some seemed to think that he might be able to return after some time in exile, but they seem to forget aside from Cowtuft's injuries that resulted in disabilities, he also had no training to survive on his own. It was very likely that the few calling for his death would get it. This would most likely be the last time they saw him, and although it killed the leader inside, she could not and would not go back on her word.
#wcmeeting

(POOR COWTUFT!)
Mistyfalls gasped.

***Alchemist Kitsune*** · #**1095** December 31st, 2023, 10:37 PM

| Snowybreeze |
Heightened Perception [Smell] - Active | Rapid Recovery - Inactive

Apologies soon escaped Whisperingpaw, and Snowybreeze nodded, lowering his head as he tried to give the apprentice a comforting nuzzle. He wouldn't let the tom go through this alone. Berryfrost would not have left him to his own devices. It was the least he could do for his mate. Ensure that her apprentice was taken care of. That they felt like they belonged. There would be an answer to this. There would be justice, he was sure. Maybe it was all just a big mistake. Just a misunderstanding. It was all he could hold on to. All that was keeping him from that uncomfortable, hot flame that seemed to festering in his stomach. It was a feeling he'd only experienced once before, and he had hated it then. He refused to let it consume him now.

Cowtuft stomped his paws, and the white furred tom looked up, sky blue eyes focused on the gestures offered in explanation. He wasn't in the right angle. Could barely make out what the medicine cat - murderer - said. What was the medicine cat talking about? Something about deaths. Yes, cats had died... and judging by the younger healer's reaction, whatever he was signing was... terrifying. Horrible. Was it all real, then? Thank goodness he hadn't worded any comfort at Whisperingpaw. That would have made him a liar... at least if his gut reaction to this whole thing was correct.

A familiar voice called out. Wolffang was speaking, and his words provided some level of comfort. It was even. Level headed. Spoke reasonably. No more violence for the healer... even if he had evidently done something dreadful to his beloved and the rest of his victims. He blinked gratefully at the gray warrior for his wisdom. His heart did not allow him to agree with it, so he remained quiet. Refusing to allow his emotions to get the better of him. He had spoken enough as it was.

Even as he looked on at the events unfurling before him, Snowybreeze heard another's voice. Broad head swiveling, he caught sight of Stempaw, Whisperingpaw's... friend? Most likely. The young tom seemed to be intent on taking Whisperingpaw away. Remove him from the situation. He was... a good friend. Yes. Whisperingpaw need not be here. Hearing and seeing the horrors that were being discussed here today. Gently, he removed his tail from around Berryfrost's former charge, dipping his head at him. A silent agreeance for him to leave. To find shelter with a loved one. It was a gift forsaken him now, he would never deny another it's warm embrace. Not after realizing how cold life was once it was nowhere to be found again.

It was the leader's words that brought him back from his dark thoughts. Cowtuft's fate had been decided. It seemed the leader was more aligned with Berryfrost's kind, giving heart than either of her parents had been. They had both been... so quick to wish for blood. Killing a cat. How did it come so easy to them? Having done so once in his life for the sake of his clan, to defend the clan from an intruder who refused to leave... Gratefully, it would be exile - not the execution he deserved - that fell upon him. Perhaps it was for the best. His negligence would no longer affect anyone else ever again.

@ChaosBringer. [Whisperingpaw]

**Fish** · #**1096** December 31st, 2023, 10:40 PM

It was a fate better than death in Spottedpaw's mind. He could learn to survive out there and he could make new friends. Cats out of the clans made friends with each other they weren't incapable of it and neither was Cowtuft. She wished for the best for him but she wouldn't go out to try and seek him out. This was his fate, he choose to bring the berries in here and this is what he got. What she was more concerned about was what Firestorm would do and she slowly started to walk to her.
@Dark

***Rani*** · #**1097** December 31st, 2023, 10:55 PM

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler | He/him | 43 Moons
Power Card: Cold Gust

Execution death murder. Fault blame guilt. Despair grief rage.
Crowtooth understood it but it still caused the tom to heave a gag, fighting down a sick feeling as he kept his face buried in Bravebirds pelt. If he stayed like this he could almost believe the only thing to see was white and grey fur, and the only thing to hear was her breathing in his ear.

The comforts were shallow though.

This, all this just went against everything Crowtooth held core in his life and the toms thoughts were spiraling trying to cope. Murder was for the other clans, not his clanmates- the tom was always way to lenient on his clanmates in comparison to others (especially the high ranks with the long trodden habit of revelation). The calls for death for Cowtuft while understandable just werent ones he could comprehend, support, or cope with.
Then there was the news on starclan. What were cats talking about, was starclan not talking to windclan? The idea was akin to the ground dropping out from below Crowtooth. Was it because Cowtuft wasnt doing his duty well enough or was there something else, starclan couldnt abandon them now.

It was just too much, even for a tom as strong as Crowtooth and he sheltered from this all like a kit hiding from something scary.

With few minor movements. Bravebirds vitriol earned a visible flinch, the toms large body rocking even as he remained pressed against her. As said before, it was understandable to Crowtooth for her to hold the opinion just incomprehensible and painful to the tunneler.
Then Wolffang and Fallownose, which earned a flicked ear of attention if not a look for the respect Crowtooth had for them and another flinch at the rage in their voices. It just wasnt right, not the actions but that rage directed at Cowtuft.

It was Cowtuft, kind sweet mellow present COWTUFT and nothing made sense. Nothing was right. The world was wrong and horrible and the thought of windclan raising claws for another death tonight had the tom heaving another gag and whispering an apology to Bravebird as he tried to practice his breathing exercises. Of course deep breaths and holds could only do so much right now, and his wheezing was twice as loud as usual and audible to all with a noticeable pained tinge.

His pain was nothing though. Not really. Not when Cowtuft was just damned and had to be suffering beyond words.

Twilightstars speech had drawn a single eye from where it was hidden and though it shined with grief it held approval within. Forever was too long in the tunnelers mind, but between that and death it was far preferable. Firm but kind as one could be, though the rage still present in cats caused a zing of fear to race up Crowtooths back.

The skunk striped tom peeled himself off of Bravebird, not worried about her actions despite her anger knowing she'd be dedicated to her task of laying Leafspot to rest, and stepped forward.

"Twilightstar- I volunteer ta escort Cowtuf- Cow," The rasped stutter brought a gulp to the toms throat, the correction painful in its contents. "ta the outskirts border. Ta make sure he make 't there safely." Grey and brown eyes closed as he forced himself to continue "An' ta make sure he don' come back."
It was the only kindness Crowtooth could offer Cow now.
Crowtooth was too loyal to Twilightstars dictation to ever disobey even if the action wasnt one he liked (though he did in a way agree with this one) and his lack of true anger with Cow would assure he wouldnt take vengeance beyond what was ruled.

Besides if Cow didnt comply the large tom was probably one of the only cats big enough to drag him, even if Cow was slightly bigger then him Crowtooths build would allow it. Though if it came to that the tom might actually cry and the thought of doing so in front of the clan was not acceptable.

All he could do now was hope the offer was accepted, and that Cow somehow understood it wasnt made in hate or ill intent. It was simply all Crowtooth could do now.

@tallulah @wolfie @Moonraven

**RavensCall** · #**1098** December 31st, 2023, 11:03 PM

Beetlecrest overheard the announcement of Cowtuft's exile/demotion, sighing in disappointment. So... our arguments to protect him from Peachfrost... were for nothing...? He shook their head sadly and remained quiet.

**Saki** · #**1099** December 31st, 2023, 11:13 PM

Dandelionfreckle paused. Cowtuft, was, leaving? Her mouth went dry with a sweet bitterness. She felt different when Cowtuft was now exiled than the others. I mean, he was a medicine cat, he was starclan chosen for the stars sake! You can't exile a cat of the stars, can you? But then again the leaders word is the code, so, she could not object. She knew her place. No matter how she felt.

She lowered her head softly. Mouth dry, feeling guilty for some reason. Like she could have prevented such an occourance- Though she was helpless, as helpless as the stars in the night sky. Helpless as the moon against the flowing force of night and day. She sat and watched the stars for the rest of her time, by the warriros den. Thinking. She didn't notice any more things as she sat.

**MangofDoom** · #**1100** January 1st, 2024, 12:00 AM

╔ Poppysong ═ ✱
╚ windclan warrior║nb they/them║20 moons║tags; @Rani @Moonraven @wolfie

═ ═ ═

Poppysong’s head goes light. Cowtuft is leaving? A guilty smile darkens their face before they shake their head. No, even if this does them good, they shouldn’t be so glad about such a terrible fate. A fate Poppysong would trade for death any day.

The tightness around their heart loosens when they glance at the medicine cat den. Maybe… maybe they can get their leg fixed? Maybe… no. They will wait. They will wait until it is certain, despite how certain their own heart is.

But, again, Cowtuft… There are so many so certain they shouldn’t go like this. Poppysong shakes their head. Cowtuft has done a lot for the clan…

‘Didn’t I start the argument?’ Poppysong realizes with a start. A sick feeling rises in their throat. ‘Didn’t that cause the medicine cat’s exile-?’

“I, too, volunteer to escort Cowtuft,” Poppysong speaks up, their voice shaking so badly they have to cough afterwards. They glance at Crowtooth and offer another guilty smile.

Then, they turn their gaze to Cowtuft themself. Poppysong’s tail is still, a rare sight for the adventerous warrior. Their dead serious face betrays little, but their eyes seem to be shining with tears and inner conflict.

Poppysong has always strived to protect and defend their clan, and so has Cowtuft. But the knowledge that Cowtuft killed so many.. including children… even inadvertently… it made them dizzy with fear. The same fear fueling their conviction to hide their leg injruy. Their injured leg stands like the rest, but slightly bent, and twitching.

They turn their eyes back to Twilightstar, a bit more unsure about everything, but still just as certain that they want to accompany them.