Lightningpaw had already known about Rabbitpaw becoming the new Medicine Cat Apprentice but for some reason hearing Twilightstar made it more real. And while Lightningpaw didn't agree with the decision he would at least not rain on Rabbitpaws parade. Instead he would simply walk away towards the Apprentices den. However, he then just remembered Twilightstar wanted to know what he knew so far. And he almost didn't want to approach her and reveal how little he knew. But he knew Twilightstar wouldn't be upset with him. He waited to see if Twilightstar wanted to talk first. @Oliver (Rabbitpaw mention.) @Moonraven (sorry if I shouldn't post it here didn't know where to post this.)
Dapplebreeze's attendance to the meeting had been more so a means to stay busy than anything else. Much as she hated to admit it, her mind was elsewhere today. Her daughter's illness was feeling ever more similar with each passing day, and even with Lightningstorm's care, she was faltering. The knowledge of how this story ended did not have the senior warrior feeling much better about the whole ordeal. She did not blame the medicine cat. StarClan knew she had been doing everything in her power to keep the queen alive. If anything, the illness had seemed to at the very least be more... manageable for some time. She had almost dared hope. But now she knew. Call it a mother's intuition.
She was going to be burying her darling bird for a second time. Forced to lose her for a third. Of the three kits the lieutenant had birthed and raised, she had lost four... soon to be five. Sometimes the proud molly couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of cruel joke played upon her by StarClan. A way to test her resolve in some way. And she would be lying if she didn't admit to feeling it crumble. Waver. If only slightly. Stars knew she tried to be strong, but if she could change it all. If she could swap places with her darling bird and have StarClan claim her life instead... why, she would trade places in a heartbeat.
Mismatched ears perked up as she heard her name. Oh dear... she'd just missed an apprentice's ceremony, had she not? Shame on her for not paying more attention. And yet, it seemed as if she hadn't been assigned to the new paw to train. It was a reassignment. Of course it was. She was always given the poor darlings who'd had their training neglected in some way... only to have said darlings vanish mere days away from her suggesting an assessment to the leader. Would this one vanish on her as well? Would her streak of nothing but loss resume with Birchpaw as well?
Spotting her newest charge, the patched she-cat raised to her feet, rounded paws moving through the crowd with ease until she reached the yellow eyed tom. Offering a polite smile that couldn't quite reach her emotionally drained eyes, Dapplebreeze dipped her head politely, greeting the apprentice as Twilightstar took a momentary pause within the ceremonies to speak to her own young paw. This had been... Sunpaw's apprentice, if she was not mistaken. Well, before the tom had gone and gotten himself demoted, that was. She wondered just how much training she had gotten already, but decided to wait until later for that conversation. Even though the lilac molly had taken a breather, it would be impolite to make such plans before the meeting was so much as over, after all.
"Greetings, my dear. It seems I am to be your new
mentor. Let's get well acquainted after the meeting, shall we?"
A she-cat padded up to him - he assumed she was Dapplebreeze - and introduced herself. He noticed Twilightstar was done with the meeting and he gave the molly a shy and nervous smile.
"Hello.. I'm Birchpaw." He mewed, touching his nose to hers. "I.. um.. have only done one hunting lesson with Sunburst.. I-I'm not behind am I?"
He shuffled his paws anxiously. He hoped he wasn't behind on training. That would be awful.
Cottonkit felt the relief wash over him. His chest swelled with pride and the last of the tears were quickly blinked away and he noticed a small smile perk the warriors lips. Watching in amazement as Owlpaw bumped noses with the scary warrior.
Something in him burned with determination, he wanted to be just like Owlpaw soon enough, getting a mentor and growing strong. Proving his worth to the clan with all of his might.
”T..Thank you, I’ll definitely ask more questions. I’ll be an a..apprentice in no time.” He shot a beaming smile at them both feeling much more assured that he wasn’t about to be eaten or kicked out of Windclan. He couldn’t wait to tell mama what he’d seen today, his very first clan meeting. Cottonkit hoped that she’d be proud of him.
”Thanks b..big cat! Cottonkit squeaked, he had to tell the other kittens about this brave warrior. Feeling truly emboldened, ready to take on the entire world.
His small tuft of a tail twitched now with excitement as he bobbed away back into the crowd.
Sedgekit hears this. Seeing that it was all a misunderstanding, and Cottonkit was fine and not being bullied by the big other cat; Sedgekit flicks his tail in greeting, stands up, and pads away to the medicine cat den. His sister Whistlekit was waiting for him to give him the news.
Twilightstar couldn't help but bristle both uncomfortable and agitated as she leaped down from the tree and Silverfur walked up to her and demanded to know why she wasn't placed Crowtooth as deputy.
"I see that none of your punishments and the last time you tested me have taught you nothing, Silverfur." Twilightstar hissed warningly. The WindClan leader felt guilty enough for not having her act together enough to settle on a deputy. She didn't need cats rubbing it in her face. Wolffang's death shook something in her badly and she was trying to sort it out while dealing with everyone else's dung.
"I don't have to explain to a kit not even half my age about anything. If you don't like how I do things get the hell out of my clan, Silverfur. Your blatant need to repeatedly challenge authority is not cute, nor funny, it's irritating and disrespectful and I don't need to tolerate it. You're lucky that I didn't exile you on the spot after your insolence in front of Dawnstar. This is your final warning; you challenge me or my furies again and you will find yourself clanless and exiled."
Even though it was wrong, she understood now why Flowerpaw tried ripping this dumbass apart. If Twilightstar were more ruthless like Dawnstar, Silverfur would have lost her tongue the last time she pulled this stunt. The matriarch was done being tolerant and forgiving. She was WindClan's head, the oldest and longest-reigning leader to grace the forest. She was too humble if whelps like Silverfur thought she could get away with speaking to her in such a manner.
"Now get out of my sight before I send you back to the apprentice den indefinitely." Her arrogance knew no bounds, if Silverfur kept poking the bear she'd have no one but herself to blame when dealing with consequences.
The harsh glint in the leader's single eye softens when she turns and notices Lightingpaw nearby. Twilightstar waves her tail beckoning him nearer. The walk was going to have to wait. "Lightningpaw, shall we talk about your training."
@SilverFur. [Silverfur] @Lightningpaw666 [Lightningpaw]
Lightningpaw only vaguely knew Silverfur he knew that she was something of a troublemaker in the Clan he also knew she regularly was being demoted back to Apprentice and that's how he knew her. On more than one occasion she was forced to sleep with the other Apprentices. Lightningpaw rarely interacted with her though. In fact he wasn't as social as many might believe he was content with his little group of friends he had made Vinepaw, Rabbitpaw, and Barleypaw that was. So whatever Twilightstar told Silverfur he was pretty sure she had it coming and wasn't surprised to see his leaders patience running thin with Silverfur. Still Lightningpaw couldn't help but be a bit bewildered at his Leaders reaction. Twilightstar was usually a patient and kind leader at least from what he knew. He greatly respected Twilightstar and if he was honest he felt honored to train under her. So when she asked if they could talk he would nod respectfully and approached. "Yes Twilightstar. I can't say I know much though. Warmsun taught me how to hunt mice and I know you can use the same technique for Voles at least from what the other Apprentices have said. And I know a few basic battle moves I learned from Bravebird before she became my Mentor. And the rest I have attempted to practice by myself." Lightningpaw admitted to Twilightstar how little he really knew it was embarrassing to think he was 9 moons old and knew so little. @Moonraven
| Lightningstorm | 21 Moons - WindClan Medicine Cat Flock Together [Tier 3] - Inactive | Mind Reader - Active | Dreamwalker - Inactive
A hearty giggling fit escaping the lithe calico at the tunneler's words, she couldn't help but raise her paws to her maw, trying to stifle the laughter. Especially considering how much she was in all earnest attempting to flash him a look of utmost offense. One that was failing spectacularly as she could do little more than flash him a smug smirk. The dark warrior had been growing emotional. Almost as if storm clouds couldn't help but loom overhead. It was good to see him riled up. Try as much as she liked, the spotted medic seemed to have problems when it came to handling sad cats. Sorrow was a topic she seemed to not have mastered navigating in life, instead preferring to annoy. Amuse. Anything to turn that frown upside down... or turn the tears into glares, if all else failed. It seemed to be this time it was the latter.
"Bad as me you say, love? Well, how the bloody hell is anyone going to come to your defense and back you up when you just ousted yourself as a proper tyrant? Honestly, if you're going to go gather an angry mob, don't go confessing to the crimes first. Feathers for brains don't suit you, no matter what your name implies," Lightningstorm chirped back once her giggles died down, eyes glinting with mischief as she leaned over to Crowtooth, her cheeky grin growing as she teased.
Alright. Perhaps she had thrown the gauntlet just a tad too far. The she-cat always did have a bit of a sharp tongue, even at her most playful. Inwardly grimacing, she kept her devilish grin well placed upon her features even as she begun retreating, hoping the tom wouldn't think she'd meant any actual offense. Just as she was certain his own words had been nothing more than jesting among friends. Because for a moment, despite her loss of what had once been, she had felt it. Deep down. How easy it was to simply be in good humours with this goofball.
Their moment of play was soon gone, however. The leader back in her perch as she resumed the meeting, catching those who had not been at the gathering up with the latest news. She caught whispers here and there. Of cats wondering how this concerned them in any way, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at them. Of course it mattered. Any problems that slipped away from the other clans could very well land themselves as problems for WindClan. Surely if a cat with only half formed memories and a vague understanding - she was getting better, but stars it was a lot to take in - of interclan politics could grasp such a thing the warriors of the clan could manage as much as well?
Her thoughts on the matter did not dwell there long. Twilightstar continued with grimmer news, and Lightningstorm couldn't help but shake her head empathetically. She didn't know Wolffang. Not really. She might have at some point before, but that was in the past. And there would be no moving forward to fix that any more. Not unless he decided to become a constant StarClan visitor, something she had lacked since his visit. Since the black and white tom that had made her mind scream and her heart ache. But she knew others had been close to him. Had known him well. It could not be easy losing someone you had so many roots planted with to such a violent end. She supposed that was the one benefit to her current predicament. She wasn't invested enough to feel the sting of defeat whenever someone was loss. Yet somehow that left an emptier, solitary feeling than it did bring a glimmer of silver and hope to such grim contemplations of the reality of her situation.
She almost missed it. The announcement she had been waiting for. Large ears perked up as eyes that had grown empty as she retreated into herself lit up once more, her grin again gracing her maw as she turned to look at the cream apprentice who would be taking up residence with her starting today. She noticed some discomfort. Some apprentices looking less than thrilled. Others nervous for their friend. She guessed she couldn't blame them. The path Rabbitpaw now walked was a thankless one. One where he would never shine as the hero of the battle. As the cat who had saved his clan. Because if he did, well... he would only be doing his job. It was brutal. Devastating on the mind. And yet... someone had to do it. Someone with just the right balance of kindness, warmth, and an objective view of the world. Of how it would eat you up and spit you back out if you didn't have the claws to hold on and fight back.
"Glad to have you, Ears. We'll be starting your training come tomorrow, but I'm not expecting you to move in with me right away. Not if you don't want to. I know you've got friends and the like. And 'sides, you're just starting out. No need to overwhelm you, eh love? One step at a time," she purred, giving the younger tom a small wink of encouragement. Yes, it was a tough position. But she had every faith that he would meet the challenge and then some, and she would be with him every step of the way.
Getting up, glad the meeting was over, Lightningstorm halted. An unfamiliar feline stood in her way, her pelt covered in stars as she stared lovingly at her new apprentice. It didn't take a genius to figure out who this was. She had read between the lines well enough. Perhaps she should have been surprised to have seen this apparition. Shocked in some way that a dead cat now walked among them in spirit. And yet it was... soothing. Calming. Just the right amount of celebration in an otherwise bittersweet day. Rabbitpaw hadn't known, had he? How his mother would have felt about his choice? About the path he walked now?
Thank you.
The message was mouthed as she met the star cat's eyes, gratitude clear in the medicine cat's own lapis hues. She didn't have any memories of her own family. Of her own friends. If she'd ever had any. But she knew without a shadow of a doubt that knowing someone loved her and cared for her so much that they would be willing to move the stars and the sky to the side for just long enough to be here for her on the day she made such an important decision that would change the course of her life would cement that decision. Let her move forward without regrets. She only hoped the apparition would accomplish as much for her new charge. Lift any doubts he might have otherwise clung to away. This life was hard enough without such baggage weighing you down. Of that much she was certain without doubt.
The she-cat lazily observed the meeting, not too bothered by anything Twilightstar was saying. Cats were getting told off for quite basic things really, an apprentice ceremony, nothing all that interesting. Well, until she heard her own name called. So, Twilightstar thought her old bones were fit to train an apprentice? She couldn't help but agree! She felt sprightly in her so called 'old age'. An apprentice was more than welcome. She gazed out across the clearing, wondering if Spottedpaw was nearby.
Twilightstar gave the apprentice her full attention as he told her about his training. He was behind, but honestly, at nine moons it wasn't that bad. He wasn't that old and if they worked hard on his training they should be able to get it done before he gets to that embarrassing age to continue being called an apprentice.
"Alright, so you have some battle training and you know how to hunt. That's good. Have you completely been around the territory? Any patrols you've been on too? I'll have to teach you how to properly hunt rabbits." She mused, twitching her tail. "You're not that far behind we'll get you caught up and ready for warriorhood in no time." She promised.
@Lightningpaw666 [Lightingpaw]
The she-cat lazily observed the meeting, not too bothered by anything Twilightstar was saying. Cats were getting told off for quite basic things really, an apprentice ceremony, nothing all that interesting. Well, until she heard her own name called. So, Twilightstar thought her old bones were fit to train an apprentice? She couldn't help but agree! She felt sprightly in her so called 'old age'. An apprentice was more than welcome. She gazed out across the clearing, wondering if Spottedpaw was nearby.
Spottedpaw heard that she was getting a new mentor. She would miss Poppy but like many cats that she tried to befriend they vanished from her life without a trace. Maybe this time it would be different, maybe she could make a lasting friendship with this mentor. So she looked around for a little bit till she found the cat that owned the name.
"Hello Buttercuptwist, its an honor to apprenticeship under your tutelage. I promise to be a quick learner. Please don't take my higher in moon age and lacking of a warrior's name as any indication of that not being true." Spottedpaw said before bowing her head. "I would like to restart my education if that is fine with you. Its a storied reason why and I don't want to get into it at the meeting spot if that's fine with you."
Spottedpaw heard that she was getting a new mentor. She would miss Poppy but like many cats that she tried to befriend they vanished from her life without a trace. Maybe this time it would be different, maybe she could make a lasting friendship with this mentor. So she looked around for a little bit till she found the cat that owned the name.
"Hello Buttercuptwist, its an honor to apprenticeship under your tutelage. I promise to be a quick learner. Please don't take my higher in moon age and lacking of a warrior's name as any indication of that not being true." Spottedpaw said before bowing her head. "I would like to restart my education if that is fine with you. Its a storied reason why and I don't want to get into it at the meeting spot if that's fine with you."
Buttercuptwist
75 moons - she/her
Spottedpaw spoke extremely formally - she wasn't too sure what to make of it. Never mind - she was a social butterfly, she was sure she could get along with any cat if she tried hard enough. "Of course," She dipped her head politely. Spottedpaw had assured her that she'd be a quick learner - to be honest, she wasn't bothered either way, she hoped the apprentice wasn't too nervous. Buttercuptwist was never one to be judgemental. "Shall we head out into the territory?" She turned around, feathered tail waving out behind her. "I can give you a tour, if you haven't had one already? Maybe we can cover some hunting knowledge, too?" The she-cat mewled, her usual overly casual tone a bit lacking as she mirrored that of Spottedpaw. Her reason for restarting education was interesting to Buttercuptwist - maybe she'd tell her more about it once they were out training?
Re: WindClan Galewood
