Flintfang felt like a terrible, terrible warrior. Here he was, standing among RiverClan’s crowd of cats, sage green gaze flitting between the fights breaking out in every corner. For a relatively young cat, Flintfang felt very tired. He felt as tired as an elder might, and the reason was not because of physical weakness.
Slatewhisker was dead. Of all the things, that had been his first shock. Slatewhisker, RiverClan’s beloved deputy, had only been recently chosen. And now, she’d been slain at the paws of gruesome outsiders.
The silver-furred tom’s sage green gaze couldn’t help but crinkle with concern as two kits arrived at the deputy’s deceased corpse, wailing their heads off and sobbing for their lost mother. It made Flintfang’s entire heart ache for his own, who had died not too long ago.
Considering all the recent deaths in RiverClan, Flintfang should not have been surprised by this one. After all, there had been so many announcements of demise that Flintfang had been terrified of attending Clan meetings after his mother had left this world.
He, Flintfang, the flirtiest tom in a ten-mile radius, with his charming personality and impeccably roguish good looks, was terrified. But not terrified like a coward or a fool. He was utterly, entirely terrified for the sake of RiverClan. It was the hard truth. A Clan needed prosperity, stability, to run, and yet, what was happening here? Just the opposite. RiverClan was losing it’s cats faster than he could blink, and that was not the worst part. First there had been the matter of leads, and then when Snowleap had become Pikestar, the issue had become deputies and medicine cats.
Fawnpaw was a wonderful medicine cat, but sometimes Flintfang thought that maybe too much burden was being placed on the poor apprentice. That was shock number two. Flintfang, watching the commotion from afar, had entirely been expecting Fawnpaw to grieve. And grieve she did. She buried herself briefly into her adoptive brother’s side, and then sought further comfort in another apprentice who Flintfang recognized as Cloudpaw. But then, to his utter shock, she opened her mouth, but not to wail. The young, dainty apprentice opened her mouth to snarl at one of RiverClan’s newest arrivals, Pikestar’s own apprentice, Hawkpaw.
Picking his way over as he weaved effortlessly around the cats crowded in camp, Flintfang was about to step in between Fawnpaw and Hawkpaw when the medicine cat apprentice realized what she’d done, and instantly shut her mouth before sputtering out an apology, looking horrified with herself for the mini outburst. Honestly, Flintfang didn’t blame the teenage apprentice, but still, it was quite startling to hear her raise her voice.
The silver-furred, handsome warrior was slowing his steps when he heard Hawkpaw retort back, and then his sister’s voice jump to Fawnpaw’s defense. Picking up the pace again, Flintfang rested his tail on Silverpaw’s shoulders, silently telling his apprentice to calm down, even if it wasn’t exactly easy. Once at her side, the tom mimicked her movements, bowing his head with respect directed at the fallen deputy. “I’m sorry she had to part from us so soon.” He rumbled, voice low and barely audible.
When he’d stepped back and raised his head once more, the apprentice Cloudpaw suddenly began yelling, anger directed at Pikestar’s apprentice. With a graceful movement, Flintfang found himself positioned between the apprentices, but then, Hawkpaw apologized of his own accord and moved off. “Maybe don’t threaten others in public.” He told the black and white apprentice carefully, aiming his tone to be a gentle prodding, knowing full well that Cloudpaw might lash out at him any moment for butting in. But still, he couldn’t just sit around. When his sister Silverpaw had jumped in, Flintfang couldn’t refrain from leaping forward to protect her from potential harm.
Now, Flintfang wasn’t usually a violent tom, but hearing a warrior pipe up and address Pikestar as if nothing was wrong made Flintfang’s head whip in that direction so harshly it was a surprise he didn’t give himself whiplash. He’d been backing away from Fawnpaw and Cloudpaw when Hollowstorm spoke, and with his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, Flintfang stalked over, appalled by the other warrior’s boldness during this time. Throwing caution to the wind as he ignored his own previous statement to Cloudpaw, Flintfang spoke once more. “Be careful,” The tom with the sage green gaze warned, voice low and deadly. “Or your heart will become just as hollow as your name suggests.”
Reedwhisker had stayed silent and listened in on the many conversations around Slatewhisker's body. True, everyone was grieving, but then Hawkpaw and Fawnpaw got into an argument, and to her surprise, Fawnpaw got angry. That was something no one saw every day (or really, anyday, even with annoying and disrespectful Clanmates. Speaking of annoying and disrespectful Clanmates... Hollowstorm was at it again, offering food to Pikestar and pushing to become deputy when Clanmates were surrounding the deputy's body. You've GOT to be kidding me, Hollowstorm!
"Do you have multiple hives of bees in your brain, Hollowstorm? Our deputy just died! If you have nothing better to do, I suggest you give Pikestar- give all of us- time to mourn instead of being such a fool where you ignore Clan tradition of sitting vigil for the dead!"
Honestly! Does he not have any sense?! Reedwhisker wanted to shred the tom's ears, but that was no way to act during a time of grief. pushing for a deputy rank just after the deputy died... that's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard.
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Littlepaw was getting a headache from all the fighting and mouse-brain antics. This had to have been by far the worst death simply due to how much everyone was arguing or going against Clan tradition. Skystar's death wasn't even this bad.
"Can we just... get back to mourning?" she asked, looking around at those who were gathered. Hawkpaw had left despite all the insults being thrown in his direction, the only cat being reprimanded now was Hollowstorm. "I'm sure reprimanding Hollowstorm can wait a bit."
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Characters
Crow (Purrks: Heightened Perception, Agatha Kitty, Hulk SMASH, Dreamwalker)
Ravenhawk
Hollowstorm bowed his head to the fallen deputy. “She was a great deputy, Slatewhisker was.” he choked out. “We’ll miss her greatly.” Inwardly he hoped to be deputy, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. He needed an apprentice, after all. He sadly grabbed a piece of prey from the pile. He padded over to Pikestar. “I know you’re grieving, but life must go on. Can you give me an apprentice? It’s long overdue.”
Koipool had enough. Her fur spiked in anger “While yes, we shouldn't spend too much time crying but instead cherish the cats life. YOU, YOU SELFISH, IGNORANT MOUSE-BRAIN! WE JUST LOST SLATEWHISKER AND YOU JUST ASK FOR A APPRENTICE AND TAKE A PIECE OF PREY LIKE IT'S A NORMAL DAY WITHOUT A BIG LOSS?! YOUR THE WORST CAT HERE. GO TO THE DARK FOREST!” She yelled, baring her teeth at the end.
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Fawnpaw
It was hard to make out anything in her dulled state, eyes staring ahead the deputy's dead body. Her heart hammered in her chest as Fawnpaw tried to control her breathing, barely registering the words Darklight spoke to her. Calming, comforting... until they weren't. He had started out by agreeing with her, and then was agreeing with Hawkpaw and.. it made Fawnpaw feel uncomfortable. Subconsciously recognizing this the young medicine cat moved away a little from Darklight, casting him a sorrowful yet disappointed glance, but no words came to her tongue.
Hawkpaw's fierce words slashed into her like claws, and her breath hitched in her throat as he spoke of her fears. Of course he would point them out. Of course he was the one who had killed Slatewhisker, how could he not be? But confronting such a dangerous cat here... Fawnpaw didn't want to put any of her Clanmate's lives on the line, even though eventually she knew he would be subdued.
After awhile he muttered something of an apology but Fawnpaw was already refocusing back onto Slatewhisker, her small body trembling lightly. Ears pressed back against her head she could barely make out Silverpaw exploding in anger, followed shortly by Cloudpaw. She didn't deserve their shields, not after what she had done. Letting her emotions get the better of her in a situation where she had just made it worse for every cat. Squeezing her eyes shut she buried her face into her paws, trying as best she could to quiet her sobs.
Moments passed until she felt cats settle around her slumped form again. Silverpaw beside her, murmuring comforting words. Cloudpaw on her other side, her chin resting on Fawnpaw's shoulder. It was enough to at least keep her from floating high into the clouds, which is where her anxiety threatened to take her in the moment. It allowed her to get ahold of her labored breathing, her squeaky sobs, until they became quiet. Everything was going to be fine. She was going to be fine.
More commotion in the clearing but Fawnpaw was already starting to feel an icy numb settle over her paws. She wanted to block it all out. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole, or at least take away the ache that had settled in her heart. Lifting her head from her paws she just stared solemnly at Slatewhisker. There were no more tears left, no more sadness. Just an eerie cold within her gaze as she remained quiet while warriors yowled back and forth. She wouldn't add to it this time. "I'm sorry," she managed to croak out, though to whom she was apologizing to she wasn't sure.
Marigoldleap was letting the cats grieving cats grieve, but that stupid apprentice comment that came from Hollowstorm was insulting. She moved towards the cat. No she wasn't going to hurt them. She wasn't all for violence anymore unless she could find that rogue who was killing off her new clanmates. She wasn't going to let that stand. "Are you stupid. These cats are grieving.I'd be surprised if you ever get an apprentice. Pikestar and all of Riverclan just lost their deputy. Now I haven't been here long, but i won't stand for that. If you don't wnat to grieve with the rest of us then leave. Nobody needs a cat like you to be disrepectful, especially after such great loss.", she growled. Was some cats this incompetent? Even some cats in shadowclan would do something like this. Marigoldleap was tired of it!
Gingerfrost almost flinched, though he didn't, at the young cat suddenly screaming, something that seemed to be quite customary this specific kit (Snowkit) and quite frankly Gingerfrost wasn't sure what to do with it. Even less when said kit suddenly latched onto his leg. Staring down at Snowkit, the shield shot Violetfreckle a brief glance - they seemed much more knowledgeable about kits than him - before casting his gaze downwards again. He slightly and awkwardly lifted his leg, the one Snowkit was holding on to, just a bit thinking that maybe he could shake her off... When newly apprenticed Bluebellpaw's voice spoke up softly. Unmoving but his head, the tom turned his gaze to the young apprentice. As she spoke, the tension in his shoulders dropped just a bit, as did his eyes back onto Snowkit. Helping her. He wasn't sure how much 'helping' he was really doing but... Briefly looking back at Bluebellpaw, he gave her an almost unseeable nod, so light it was. But he put his slightly lifted paw back down. He didn't know how to handle this; Snowkit seemed awfully happy for what was happening one moment, and crying her eyes out the next. If there was one thing Gingerfrost didn't know to do besides comforting and handling kits it was dealing with mood swings, let alone ones of Snowkit's degree. But, for the sake of it, he stayed. He'd let Snowkit stay latched onto his leg just this once. The tabby didn't much move otherwise, he didn't want to disturb the kit (maybe she would fall asleep or at least stop screaming or something) but then again, he felt some bit of understanding for them. Perhaps because he knew how this might feel. So silently he remained, one could say grieving in his own way for the lost mother and deputy. Pikestar had since joined and the shield needed but a glance his way to tell the death must be hitting him hard, as it did Blizzardwind and likely many others. His own reaction was maybe lacking, mostly stone faced and unmoving but that was only because the tom was much more reserved in that way. Only this time his expression was just a bit softer and yet a tad more perturbed when he looked to Snowkit and Bluebellpaw.
Until, of course, someone had to disrupt this all. It wasn't loud, but plain disrespectful and although Gingerfrost didn't budge as to not bother Snowkit, he sent a warning glare in Hollowstorm's direction. Marigoldleap and whatstheirname was quick on the case, but of course Hollowstorm had to make it worse. "Not the time." Mousebrain, but the word remained but a breath.
Gingerfrost let the small growled words in the idiot warrior's direction, mainly, although the other one - Fawnleap? - could do with not reacting to the disrespectful antics, at this point it was of little help the shield thought. Maybe no reaction would've left things calm, but who knows. He couldn't even be bothered to explain why right now.
Darklight was getting agitated, Couldn't these mousebrains stop fighting? a Clan mate was dead! and darklight just couldn't believe how disrespectful this Hollowstorm was being and stepped forward "Hollowstorm! Listen to Fawnleap! and if your looking for a fight i'll gladly Claw your ears off for the Disrespect you've show towards both Slatewhisker and Fawnleap! you should learn to show respect towards your clanmates!" they hissed angrily
@forest
@Ares
The sight of the supposedly grouchy older warrior staying still for her sister warmed her grieving heart. Snowkit, despite being the same age as her, was more like her little sister than anything. If not for their personalities, then for the overwhelming rush of protectiveness and love for her. She had always loved Snowkit- being self-proclaimed sister's just ended up making her realize it and brought them closer together.
The happiness and warmth of the thought dropped away as Hollowstorm, Snowkit's original father, stepped forward. Bluebellpaw wasn't sure why, but Hollowstorm never failed to make her nervous, to put it nicely. Disgusted, if you wanted to be literal. She'd never seen the two together, and he never seemed to care too much for her. She stepped a little closer to Gingerfrost, feeling a little protected within the reach of the shield, and watched as he gave his condolences. She almost hisses out loud as he went to go grab a piece of prey. Her mother was dead, his deputy no less, and he doesn't even try to control his appetite?
The next words he utters to her leader brings rage brimming to her surface, and she can feel her usual gift for self-control slipping away. "My mother, your deputy, is dead!" She screeched, anger and pain bringing the words to a sharp edge that she drove into the older tom's fur. "Have you no shame? You're an awful, awful cat, Mr. Hollowstorm! Miss Fawnleap is right!" And with the last of her anger and energy exhausted, she slumped forward a little, leaning her forehead into Gingerfrost, muffling her sobs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SplashyLumi
Koipool had enough. Her fur spiked in anger “While yes, we shouldn't spend too much time crying but instead cherish the cats life. YOU, YOU SELFISH, IGNORANT MOUSE-BRAIN! WE JUST LOST SLATEWHISKER AND YOU JUST ASK FOR A APPRENTICE AND TAKE A PIECE OF PREY LIKE IT'S A NORMAL DAY WITHOUT A BIG LOSS?! YOUR THE WORST CAT HERE. GO TO THE DARK FOREST!” She yelled, baring her teeth at the end.
Fawnleap | Active Warrior And Demigirl | She/They
They hadn’t even expected her clan mates to react. Fawnleap Was Instantly Put Uneasy As One If Her Clanmates Responded To Hollowstorms Challenge. “Darklight,Do Not Play Into His Childish Behavior. None of You Will Fighting On My Watch. I’m Sure Pikestar Wouldn’t Like Three Dead Bodies In His Clearing,Hold You Tongue Please. Koipool-Calm Down Please. I Understand That We Have Lost Slatewhisker,As I’ve Stated;Don’t Play Into His Words. I Do Appreciate You All Coming To My Defense Regardless. But Hollowstorm Is My Problem and maybe Wolfsongs and I’m Taking It Up With Him and Him Alone. Pikestar is free to say something As He Is Leader and A Higher Position Than Me. Now Calm Down.”
Fawnleap swiftly tried to get ahold of the Situation Before it Fell Out Of Control. Good Lord,Was She The Only Adult Here. Gingerfrost- The Warriors Small Comment was Unnecessary. Fawnleap shot the Tom and small glace. They didn’t need extra Drama Right Now.
The Warrior Felt Overwhelmed Already,And Everyone Just Starting To dogpile in Wasnt Helping It Either. “Me and Marigoldleap have it handled,If Hollowstorm Dares To Attack Me,Then It Will Not end Well and Probably In Exile. This Situation Will Be Handled Civilly. Me and Marigoldleap don’t need Children Trying to Step In.” The Russet and Brown Demigirl shot a Look of Support to The Scarred Black Shecat. Marigoldleap had already been a supporter of Fawnleap,She didn’t need anyone more. They Both could Handle one Warrior,Regardless If He Was Now A Threat.
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❝ he thought you made it with all of his malice
but he was caught in carelessness
now the time came for a judgment,
and he pleaded for his life. ❞
Adderscale
[Not mentioning everyone but this is in reaction to Hollowstorm's words]
The slender-looking warrior had just returned from a running trip around the territory - partly to clear his mind like usual, partly to recheck some places just in case - but everything had gone smoothly, and Adderscale happily trotted back with a small bid clenched in his jaws. But as he had approached the camp, an odd ball of something had begun to grow in his belly, and his ears pricked up and his pace picked up some speed. Something was going on, he could feel it.
Then the voices reached him, and Adderscale came through the entrance, half running and hastily tossed the bird onto the freshkill pile before heading for the group of cats gathered. Slatewhisker. He spotted the grey deputy lying in the middle of the crowd. For a few moments, the warrior stood frozen, before his shoulders relaxed a little bit, tired rather than relaxed actually. Couldn't things just stay good for them for a while at least?
Every cat reacted in their own way, some crying out, some raising their voices, some swearing they'd find out who did this - Adderscale noticed the strong reaction and backlash to that statement, but he had to agree, something had to be done about this. But there were also others... He turned to look at Hollowstorm [ @forest ], as well as Koipool's [ @SplashyLumi ] raised voice, and took a few steps towards everyone, but mainly Koipool to get in between them as he raised his tail. "Everyone calm down. I understand that you might have your own ways of greaving - be it trying to make sure something like this doesn't happen again or being here with everyone - but a time and place like this is not when you raise your voices at each other or start fights. For the love of the stars, don't act like kits when your deputy is dead before us."
Hazelspring left the warriors' den with the empty expression he always wore on his face, curious as to all the commotion, and his stone mask cracked a little when he spotted the very much deceased body of their deputy, his only show of shock being slightly raising his eyebrows. What happened?? Was she... Murdered? That seemed to be happening a lot lately.
The dark gray and black tom weaved through the crowd, ignoring the wails of grief by pressing his ears against his head. He never liked being around an emotional cat, nevermind a clearing full of emotions, but he needed to be respectful... Unlike some cats.
Hazelspring looked up, and his deadpan stare burned towards Hollowstorm. What a disappointment of a warrior... Who was the cat who had been stuck training him? He almost felt a pang of pity... Almost. Right now, the small tom felt more annoyed than anything, but he said nothing. Instead, he walked over to where the arguing was happening, though slowed down when he saw Adderscale attempt to neutralize the rising tension. Not wanting to intrude but unwilling to let the clearing get more emotional and wild, Hazelspring sat beside Koipool, in case they decided to get physical, and merely stared emptily at Hollowstorm, his face emotionless.
Flarepaw watched at the dead deputy with a sad expression. It wasn't fair! Why should she be the one to die? She was nice... But he looked up as he heard his mentor speak, and something burned in his eyes. ''Yeah! Adderscale's right, you need to spot being so disrespectful to Slatewhisker'' he mewed.
Adderscale
[Not mentioning everyone but this is in reaction to Hollowstorm's words]
The slender-looking warrior had just returned from a running trip around the territory - partly to clear his mind like usual, partly to recheck some places just in case - but everything had gone smoothly, and Adderscale happily trotted back with a small bid clenched in his jaws. But as he had approached the camp, an odd ball of something had begun to grow in his belly, and his ears pricked up and his pace picked up some speed. Something was going on, he could feel it.
Then the voices reached him, and Adderscale came through the entrance, half running and hastily tossed the bird onto the freshkill pile before heading for the group of cats gathered. Slatewhisker. He spotted the grey deputy lying in the middle of the crowd. For a few moments, the warrior stood frozen, before his shoulders relaxed a little bit, tired rather than relaxed actually. Couldn't things just stay good for them for a while at least?
Every cat reacted in their own way, some crying out, some raising their voices, some swearing they'd find out who did this - Adderscale noticed the strong reaction and backlash to that statement, but he had to agree, something had to be done about this. But there were also others... He turned to look at Hollowstorm [ @forest ], as well as Koipool's [ @SplashyLumi ] raised voice, and took a few steps towards everyone, but mainly Koipool to get in between them as he raised his tail. "Everyone calm down. I understand that you might have your own ways of greaving - be it trying to make sure something like this doesn't happen again or being here with everyone - but a time and place like this is not when you raise your voices at each other or start fights. For the love of the stars, don't act like kits when your deputy is dead before us."
Koipool just nodded “Yes, apologies Adderscale.” Turning away to calm down, the orange/white molly sighed.
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They hadn’t even expected her clan mates to react. Fawnleap Was Instantly Put Uneasy As One If Her Clanmates Responded To Hollowstorms Challenge. “Darklight,Do Not Play Into His Childish Behavior. None of You Will Fighting On My Watch. I’m Sure Pikestar Wouldn’t Like Three Dead Bodies In His Clearing,Hold You Tongue Please. Koipool-Calm Down Please. I Understand That We Have Lost Slatewhisker,As I’ve Stated;Don’t Play Into His Words. I Do Appreciate You All Coming To My Defense Regardless. But Hollowstorm Is My Problem and maybe Wolfsongs and I’m Taking It Up With Him and Him Alone. Pikestar is free to say something As He Is Leader and A Higher Position Than Me. Now Calm Down.”
Fawnleap swiftly tried to get ahold of the Situation Before it Fell Out Of Control. Good Lord,Was She The Only Adult Here. Gingerfrost- The Warriors Small Comment was Unnecessary. Fawnleap shot the Tom and small glace. They didn’t need extra Drama Right Now.
The Warrior Felt Overwhelmed Already,And Everyone Just Starting To dogpile in Wasnt Helping It Either. “Me and Marigoldleap have it handled,If Hollowstorm Dares To Attack Me,Then It Will Not end Well and Probably In Exile. This Situation Will Be Handled Civilly. Me and Marigoldleap don’t need Children Trying to Step In.” The Russet and Brown Demigirl shot a Look of Support to The Scarred Black Shecat. Marigoldleap had already been a supporter of Fawnleap,She didn’t need anyone more. They Both could Handle one Warrior,Regardless If He Was Now A Threat.
Koipool just shuffled her paws “Apologies, I let my anger the best of me.”
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Re: RiverClan Clearing
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