Ashpaw felt like running to the apprentices' den to hide. But why? she thought. The medicine cat's apprentice isn't even an apprentice!
She could feel the bitterness taking over her. She saw her brother with the tail of her eye.
At his words, she only nodded her head in approval. It wasn't that. She hadn't even noticed that her mentor now had two apprentices.
But after all, why was she so upset?? She hadn't even said she wanted to be a medicine apprentice. And when is he going to see how bad I am in combat? Will Foxstrike only keep the other apprentice? What will happen to me?
A warm tear ran down her muzzle as she he was snuggling next to Featherpaw.
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Featherpaw let out a squeak of surprise at Ashpaw's embrace. "I- Is something the matter?" he asked his sister. The blue-grey tom gave her a lick around her ear. "It'll be okay, I promise," he reassured her. "Whatever you might be upset about, I'll be there for you."
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"Do you and Barley have kits?" - Bella
Miss Grandmama was hosting a meeting, something that appeared to happen rather periodically, and she was... Late. Though Sleepykit did not make it a point to be on time for such events, it was only when she noticed some of Cougarbite's children and other kits leaving the nursery to attend these meetings that she came to realise that it might actually be important to be present during such gathering of the clan. Even from her little spot within the nursery, just outside, she could recognise the familiar form of her mother sitting with... The other one.
It was quite strange, actually. Freshly awoken from a nap, the young kitten barely caught the last on Miss Grandmama's announcement when she left the nursery, looking puzzled. Mama was sitting with a large, dark feline to whom was cuddled close an older kitten she was unfamiliar with. And with quite the start, many seemed to have decided to come to crowd her mama today.
Sleepykit, not particularly acquainted with most of these cats, was uncertain how to feel about this. There was something involving her mama gaining - no, becoming - something new (an apprentice? Of medicine?) and although the term 'apprentice' for a cat of such status as herself confused the kitten, it seemed to be of much importance. And as such Sleepykit had to handle this with delicacy.
But a child she still was, and uncertain about all this attention her mama was getting, she shuffled in closer trying to press close against her mama - in some ways, seeking comfort and love. She didn't get to see her mama all that often, and every second spent with her was dearly cherished. "Mama, what does this mean?"
Pipping up gently, though lightly prodding her side to gain the grey feline's attention, she hoped to get some clarity from her mama's answers.
[ @Rose @Dark @poppy - belatedly sliding Sleepy in here ]
Wait, wasn't Larkfire one of the Enforcers? Oh well.
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"Tomatoes are in the same family as some of the world's deadliest poisons. That just goes to show how rebellious tomatoes are." "What about how the apple can fall far from the tree?" "No, sometimes the tomato falls from the plant."
[Hawkbite]
Enforcer
Shadow Fiend | Just a Scratch | Agatha Kitty
The Enforcer smiled at the announcement, Starrywisp was the perfect name for his, now, former apprentice. He'd chant the new warrior's name before quieting down as Dawnstar continued. New apprentices, new member, all good things, but. . . Larkfire as medicine cat apprentice? His gaze would turn to search for the lithe feline, settling on her besides Darkfall. He'd blink a couple times before turning to look at Dawnstar again. He wasn't quite sure why the leader and medicine cat decided on Larkfire, but if that's what they wanted then he wouldn't question it aloud. Honestly, the tom was hoping to see a future deputy or commander from her. Nonetheless, Hawkbite would congratulate her with the rest of the clan and wait for the leader to continue or dismiss them.
The senior queen lifted her muzzle and called. "Dawnstar, with all due respect. I accept your decision but hasn't she had kits?"
Rosecougar let out a soft, condescending giggle as some rando questioned Dawnstar's choice of medicine cat. That was Rose's darling bestie, Lark! (Lark just didn't know it and would never know it because now that Rose knew that Lark had babies she would avoid the molly like the plague just in case children and committed relationships was contagious, just to be safe) "What the hell does that have to do with anything, girlie?" She snorted out softly, pretty face scrunched up as she spoke. "Literally nothing, I'll tell you! Elmshadow has like a gajillion kids and he still does a great job as medicine cat, and it's not like it's against the rules or anything." Sounded to her like *somebody* was jealous, but maybe that was just her. Rosecougar delicately groomed herself, pointedly turning up her nose at the older cat.
Once her father responded to her and allowed her to sit by him and his... mate(?), the kit relaxed her vise-like grip on his leg, instead fidgeting by poking his toes with her littler paw, staring at how BIG his paws were, attempting to push back the skin and fur on his paw to examine his claws. How long were they? Would her claws be that big? Would she be as big as Daddy one day?
As her potential New Mama reacted to Fallen's question, the young calico blinked her large azure eyes at the molly, forehead wrinkling at her... confused response. If you could call it that. Had Papa not told Lark about Fallen and her siblings? Was he embarrassed? Had he not wanted them and didn't tell anyone because he was embarrassed to be their dad? Was he going to leave them somewhere, because as far as she knew, she didn't have any other parents for him to pawn her and her siblings off to- and Mama wouldn't want them back, would she? The little cat turned her head to look at her father, a strange knot growing in her stomach.
"I-is.... is she okay with being my mama f-forever?" She mumbled shyly, dropping her gaze and instead placing a little white paw on his large, ebony colored paw, avoiding eye contact with both cats. If she was only going to be her mama for as long as Fallen was there, then if Fallen never left did that mean that she was her mama forever or just as long as she wanted to? "So I'll have two moms!" She added quickly, tail flicking anxiously. She couldn't forget about Heron. She would never ever ever forget about her mom.
Suddenly, before her Daddy could respond to her, the big scary cat atop the rock spoke again and then the cats around her (who had already seemed big and scary before) erupted into loud cheers that sent the little calico into a brief state of panic, and as her father brought his tail around her, she reached for it and attempted to cling to the tail, heart pounding and her eyes widening.
Only when the cheering died down did she calm down, and the multi-colored kit glanced over as BigScaryLady looked at her Maybe-New-Mom. Medicine Cat apprentice?
Fallen was slightly ashamed to admit that she had no idea what that was, so she just silently stared at the cats that rushed over to congratulate Larkfire, eyes moving to look at her Dad as he did the same. When he moved she moved as well, a little shadow, scampering to stand beside him, as if she would die if she wasn't inches away from her parent at one time (especially with all these strangers around). Fallenkit watched wordlessly as a younger kit who she was unfamiliar with but seemed to be Larkfire's daughter (so did that mean this was her new sister? so she would have to share her dad with someone else? so she would have to be the sucky big sister for someone else?) cuddled up with Larkfire and asked a question that was very prominent in Fallen's own mind. What did this mean?
"What's a medicine apprentice cat?" She asked her father timidly. What was that? And obviously it was good, if everyone kept coming over, but Fallen was just... lost. As usual.
Rosecougar let out a soft, condescending giggle as some rando questioned Dawnstar's choice of medicine cat. That was Rose's darling bestie, Lark! (Lark just didn't know it and would never know it because now that Rose knew that Lark had babies she would avoid the molly like the plague just in case children and committed relationships was contagious, just to be safe) "What the hell does that have to do with anything, girlie?" She snorted out softly, pretty face scrunched up as she spoke. "Literally nothing, I'll tell you! Elmshadow has like a gajillion kids and he still does a great job as medicine cat, and it's not like it's against the rules or anything." Sounded to her like *somebody* was jealous, but maybe that was just her. Rosecougar delicately groomed herself, pointedly turning up her nose at the older cat.
Mothcloud decided to ignore the younger feline's annoying input, she kept her unflinching gaze on her leader, waiting for her response. Considering the feline's words she did sound a bit jealous. Mothcloud wrapped her tail around Drowsykit, Twistedkit, Tinykit, and Spiritkit. Drawing them to her other side where Nettlekit was already resting. Once the kits were settled in between her and her mate, she whispered to Iceclaw only for him to hear. "I swear, can these young warriors get any more annoying?" As she leaned back a slight glimmer of amusement threatened to cover the annoyance in her deep, sky blue eyes.
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Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
"Yay Starry! Starrywisp! A pretty name!" Shadowkit cheered for the new warrior with a high pitch tone. One day she would be in the same position as Starry. Oh that actually scared her.
Shadowpaw nodded her head when she was told her mentor was going to be. Sweetbriar. She sounded like a nice cat and it comforted the new apprentice. So Shadowpaw walked down to meet her mentor. "Hello Sweetbriar, I can't wait to start training with you." She said formally and sat prim and proper in front of her mentor.
Sweetbriar
She/Her | The Siren Lyrebird's Lullaby Purrk
"Great." Sweetbriar muttered with a huff, squinting at Shadowpaw as the kit ...okay fine, apprentice, walked over to her. 'At least one of us is excited', Sweetbriar huffed mentally, and then raised her eyebrows at Shadowpaw. "You're my apprentice?" She asked dryly, even though the answer was obvious.
"Alright then. Listen, kid. Your job is simple. Don't break the rules. Now hush, I wanna listen to the meeting. You can go find an apprentice to talk to, come to me for training after the meet's over." That should do it, probably. Eh, Sweetbriar was no prissy.
| Silverlark |
Shadow Fiend - Inactive | Just a Scratch - Inactive | Beefed Up [Tier 3] - Inactive
The open mouthed grin on the warrior's maw faltered for a moment as the leader called out Starry's warrior name because... wisp?! Um... hello?! Had he been the only cat who'd have the living daylights struck out by this cat?! She was anything but wispy. The muscular enforcer narrowed his eyes, a moment of clarity passing through that rarely exercised muscle between his ears. Unless... of course, the leader meant that everyone Starry struck down became nothing more than a wisp. In which case... yeah no, that was totally fitting, yep yep. Actually, more than fitting! Plus, now he could brag about how he had survived one of her deadly, wisp creating strikes. Victory!
"Starrywisp! Starrywisp!" Silverlark called out gleefully, having come to terms with his friend's warrior name now and thinking it worthy of celebration.
Pink tongue dragging itself across his scarred muzzle, the silver throated feline soon quieted as Dawnstar continued with her news, rounded ears perked, his eyes much more focused and clear now despite his still messy fur tattling his recently sleeping state. Once more, he found himself cheering on, for not one, but two new apprentices! Huzzah! Maybe these guys would be friends with Cloves, yep. Oh! Oh oh oh! And one of them was even named Pumpkinpaw! Hmmm... Was this the Pumpkin Cloves had wanted to avoid before? Gasp. Maybe she was clay- clara... was one of those future seeing cats. Maybe... maybe she was in the wrong line of apprenticeship, heh heh!
Unfortunately for Silverlark, the enforcer didn't find himself celebrating for long, his brow slowly settling into a disappointed scowl. It seemed his precious little sister was having the same luck with mentors as he had. Nothing but disappointment after disappointment for her. Bah! No matter. He'd take her out training. Properly prepare her for her assessment! He was sure Risingpaw would love to have some quality fun time, anyways. With all the work he'd been doing lately, he had to admit that he had barely been able to scrape time for his usual morning chirp to get her to be rising and shining. Maybe a good outing would be nice. Once they made absopositively certain that the lynxes were gone, of course. Ain't no lynx eating his sis. Nope.
Deep in thought as he was, the young tom almost found himself missing the last - very important - bit of news shared by the colossal molly. Something about... Larkfire? Auntie Larky? What? Another slow, mismatched blinked crossed the warrior's befuddled face, trying to make sense of what Dawnstar had said when... Wait. What?! No way!
Turning his head around in an instant, Silverlark searched for the enforcer he so looked up to, betrayal clear in his verdant hues. A sentiment that only deepened when he realized the petite molly was happily accompanied by a kit he was admittedly not familiar with - not the problem, anyways, kits were always fun fun - and Cougarbite, Shadefrost's apprentice before himself, and one who had taken far too well to the horrible tom's overall behavior... at least judging by his own bullying nature. True, the tom had no say in who the molly spent time with - would never even think about it - but considering just how... absent they had both been from each other's lives, he couldn't help this feeling of... abandonment from the former enforcer. Come to think of it... he had never even been welcomed as a warrior by her. Had never been welcomed as an enforcer. Maybe... maybe she just didn't care?
Shifting his attention back to the leader - unwilling to keep feeding the light heartache he felt at the sight of the former enforcer - he wondered if it was his fault. He had technically stayed away after she gave birth. Unwilling to pass on his family's curse. There had been so much loss in his family already, he didn't dare get close and have his Auntie- no... Larkfire lose her whole family because of him as well. But then... he had been named warrior before that had happened. Perhaps... perhaps she just didn't think it was her problem anymore? She had played along when he was younger, indulged him in the views of a familial life that they simply did not share. And now that she had a real family of her own? He had no place there.
Silverlark shut his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. All of this would have been fine if she had just told him. Come to him and let him know in earnest that they were no longer anything more than fellow enforcers. He would have understood... but to have her join forces with him. With his detestable grandfather? With the tom who had not only all but abandoned the family he viewed as worthless, but refused to save them as well! Who had been putting views and ideas on Risingpaw's head about what he viewed as worthy, attempting to squash any and all unique thought and expression that dared pass through her head?! Maybe this was it? Her own way of telling him that she was done with worthless cats... cats like him.
A snort of derision escaped the stocky warrior as he opened his eyes again, a cold glint of disillusion in his normally festive, warm gaze. Unaware of how strongly he currently resembled the very tom that was causing his grief. Because he hated how his first mentor's lesson seemed to be coming back to him. How emotions were meaningless... only holding you down. Making you see things that weren't there. Trusting cats that could not be trusted. Because in the end, you could only trust yourself. He supposed he should thank Larkfire for the conclusion to this lesson. How it was time to grow up and put kittenish notions to rest. Bury them up as he had everything else.
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Lightningstorm is WindClan's current medicine cat.
She has a semi-closed den policy.
Re: The Shadowledge
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