It.... Rhiannon felt herself futilily digging claws into the pavement as she watched the inferno that was her home for most her life. Her husband was in there, her baby, her little white Snowdrop was in there and she curled around Ginger like she was the one named Snakeheart, clinging to reassure herself she had something. The whine of pain and heartbreak in her throat felt like agony, her heat scorched watering eyes felt like agony, her smoke charred lungs felt like agony, her barely even bleeding burn marred chest felt like agony. And every moment only felt worse as hope felt more and more childish against a force of nature cats had no hope against.
All Rhiannon could do was curl around her kitten, trying to shield the horrible sights from Ginger with her body and force down her building wails as her world burned.
It was Casket, Rushwater as he'd been increasingly reclaiming, that broke her out of the ringing horror that'd overtaken her senses, the tom blocking out the savage orange glow that'd be hypnotizing the queen like some vile magician. He- he was right, she couldnt linger, not with Ginger to think of and not with the pain rapidly waning her strength as the horror waned her mental faculties. The tom didnt linger, sprinting into the blaze and Rhiannon sent up a desperate prayer to the stars her ancestors did not dwell in that he'd find the two left within and get out safe. However she didnt stick around to watch.
"R-right. Youre so strong darling Im so proud of you. W-well get to the park and it'll be safe, once your Papa is out he'll fix everything. I-I dont think I can carry you so youre going to have to be strong and walk with me. I know you can do it, I believe in you baby."
It was only like four blocks, a trek the kittens had made before easily but in the current situation even for the full grown queen it felt like a horrible odyssey. Twolegs were still running everywhere, fearing for their life just as much as the cats did, rogues and kittypet neighbors alike injured scattered and alone each in their personal hell. Between that there was the few twolegs fighting back against the fires, some slowly starting to gain ground with their water spraying monsters and strange clothing that protected them from the blaze, allowing them to enter the burning homes and retrieve the people trapped inside.
It was a riot of colors and sounds and pain, and so the two could find themself lost easily on a path they'd taken several times. Sometimes Rhiannon needed Gingers help, stinging eyes too blurry to determine the right path in the changed landscape, and sometimes the queen was forced to pick up the molly and bolt across a high traffic or ashen landscape, uncaring of the ember scorching her paws. She couldnt carry the older kitten long however, and the sight of the unburned park and bridge was a relief.
"Eaglepaw!" Thready, weak from the smoke "Eaglepaw! Over here we-" They were there, they were safe, please help, I cant carry on. So many things unsaid as Rhiannons legs finally gave out beneath her, collapsing to the ground as the wound on the untested soft house cat overwhelmed her, strength gone now that she was assured Ginger was to safety and the molly consciousness fled, leaving her in blackness.
Re: In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]
Mudslide
He/him
Beast of Bounty
Mudslide nodded and turned to go to the back of the nest.Ill meet up with y’all soon just stay close” he says while running off near the back he heard the roar of the flames and grimaced since when did he add rising into flames to save twolegs to his application.He finally got to the back of the house and looked around looking for a way in he spotted a open window by a trash can he decided to hop onto the trash can then into the house.He grunted with effort as he hefted his large frame into the house once he was inside he instantly felt the heat he knew he had to be quick he rushed around trying to see through the smoke before long he spotted a lump on the ground it was a uprighter he got right in front of the creature and meowed right into their ear “GET UP” he meowed while coughing he didn’t have long…
As he watched Mudslide disappear behind his house, regret immediately began to set in. His pelt prickled as unease swam in his stomach. But his pads still blazed with pain. There was no way he could go in. All he could do was sit and wait. Please please please let them be ok!"I should have gone in shouldn't I? I really am a miserable traitor. Must I always be putting other cats at risk?" He muttered this to himself, his green eyes still trained on his home. His burning crumbling home. He couldn't look away. Adrenaline was wearying off and horror was setting in. Had he really been about to fall asleep just a few moments ago? It all felt like a lifetime away. Everything except this moment felt like a lifetime away. Was he even really here? How could this be real?
But then he caught a glimpse of the cat next to him. He turned his head and Katie came into view. Worry for the young molly forced his mind out of its slurry. There would be time for that later. There always was. He flicked his fluffy tail and put it around her, trying to comfort her. Duck couldn't imagine the amount of stress he had caused this stranger. Especially in the state he was in now. What a mess I am. He would need to apologize to her later. Now was the time for action. "We should back up a little. When that brown cat gets back, we'll go to the bridge together." He meowed softly. It was the first string of words he had managed to speak without being in a complete panic. Maybe that was a good sign?
Re: In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]
Not in her worst nightmares had Snowdrop ever experienced such writhing, burning-hot pain eating away at the delicate skin of her face and taking her very sight from her, lacerations doomed to stay. Her wailing cries were interrupted only by painful coughing fits, chest heaving for the liberation of air; but both fire and pain refused.
Dark soot stained white-patterned fur as the kitten had fallen to the burning ground, fur singing away beneath flame and embers of the same source. The burning silence felt so loud – the cracking of the wooden structures and broken music box were so loud, the screams outside the house were so loud. All her senses stood on edge, overwhelmed, the world around her feeling as though it were spinning, smoke and flames all that was there to touch.
And yet, through the deafening fears of what was to come, a single voice stood out. Her mind was too panicked, too overwhelmed to process what he said, but she heard him. Her papa, his voice reached the canals of her ears, a beacon of safety and hope Snowdrop could only earn for. Broken words and screams cut through the smoke, broken attempts at calling for her papa in syllables she could barely control as the sobs and coughs left her maw, hoping to the spirits that guide his paws he would come to her, that he would find her.
Time felt as fleeting as it was cruel, never ending and all too slow as the world around her went up in flames and crumbled in its wake, her a victim sure to follow – when a yank of her scruff alerted her to the single sense different from an experience of near death. Any scent was overtaken by smoke, any sound drowned out by raging fires and any sight broken by the large burning wound that littered her face; and yet, somehow she knew it was her Nathaniel, her father. Desperate mewls for his comfort was all she could muster when even her tears had run dry in wake of the fire despite her pained and fearful wails, the smoke-scented and suffocating world slowly growing distant as her grip on reality began to slip away, only vaguely aware of another voice sounding from within the apartment.
Sometimes in times of crisis and complete disaster even when things seemed hopeless you could find the certainty that you'd get out, that youd survive even against the odds stacked against you. It was an odd feeling, one that defied logic reality and all your senses that told you this was the end of you, of this, of all you knew and cared for. It wasnt defiance, or hope but a forgone conclusion you just knew as if looking at the present in hindsight.
Snakeheart had experienced this several times, facing down Kestrelstar, his brother's first death even though he'd at the time not believed resurrection possible. He'd faced it in hopeless cases, patients in his paws who should have died but had lived despite logic dictating Snakehearts skills and circumstances to not be sufficient. The once medicine cat had faced it, staring down the horrors of war and co current loss of all stability and help the 8 moon old child, last high rank standing, shouldve had. He'd known he'd survive, make it through and that this would not be the end, even if he'd not known how.
Nathaniel hadnt felt this way, had no need to but once again the russet tom was Snakeheart, capable of far more then him and feeling it once again.
This was not the end, and for once he knew why. Snakeheart had his kitten and her life in his jaws and it did not matter how hot the world burned, they would not die.
The world was on fire with no escape and yet Snakeheart moved, head tucked low so the hanging Snowdrop could be tucked against his chest, sheltering her from the worst. Without thinking the tom weaved around the flames, bounding away from the Snowdrops cat bed, bursting into flame behind it and leaped over a fallen beam at the moment its flamed banked lowest, providing a route. Perhaps later he'd wonder how, look at the sky and think on which fallen friend was guiding his paws away from a horrible death that'd reunite them but for now he was focused, two sharp green eyes carving through the fire even as his russet fur blended into the flames.
A wry thought that the tom wasnt capable of thinking would posit that perhaps thats how he avoided all flames despite how by now the entire house was consumed, few islands of wood free from the char. The fire mistook the toms fur for one of their own, and so did not set him alight, thinking him already so.
A foolish thought perhaps, but if not for his certainty the idea of survival was foolish too.
Especially given how the islands of untouched space were rapidly becoming consumed, falling to the blaze, and trapping the healer and his kit like a rat in a maze. But ah, the hero was here, and Snakeheart did not doubt he wouldnt come for a single second. Rushwater was jaded, mangled and at times isolated, but never anything but exceptional. It was an irony Snakeheart had found endearing when he'd discovered it, how good the other toms heart was despite all, good in a way duty bound Snakeheart couldnt manage (though Nathaniel had learned to be) despite how much Rushwater had been through. Strange though it may be this had slotted the warrior in a space in Snakehearts heart that Rhiannon had never quite managed, that awareness that had he any chance, Rushwater would come for him.
It was a thought that'd developed without proof, and now was proven today.
Racing through the burn to the warrior Snakeheart pressed to his side, focusing on Snowdrop for a moment as he trusted him to find an exit, taking advantage of the damp to fight back the heat and sooth Snowdrops wounds for just a moment. He couldnt help his kitten here, doubted he could help her entirely given how her wounds were, but as long as she wasnt dead all could be recovered from. Not healed perhaps, but recovered from.
Through the kittens scruff the lithe tom looked up, eyes catching what Rushwater had noticed that he didnt before and muttered. "It wont work for long but it just needs to work for now. Clear the way for me champion, your fur will quench what little flames have formed enough for me to go. Im on your tail." Legs already bunching to leap but mindful of the fire licking at the trios salvation.
When Rushwater did leap however thered be no hesitation or fear of that fire, even as it singed his whiskers, and Snakeheart would follow with the faith that the warrior would lead him and his precious daughter to safety. And the cool night air the two would leap into, smokey but free of the burning heat, would feel the same as diving into rushing rapids the two toms were raised in and knew as safety that few else did.
Compared to the house returning to the park would be easy, though a task Snakeheart would leave to Rushwater to lead, resolve waning as the cost of their salvation from the fire started to sink in. Much was saved tonight sure, but much was lost in turn.
Re: In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]
rushwater had never been more certain that he would make it through the day. even during otherwise innocuous days, dominated by monotonous patrols he was eternally plagued with anxiety and dread. not then. not in that moment.
in fact, he didn't feel much of anything. his brain was a monotonous hum, dull and constant like a metal pipe struck hard and reverberating.
springing through the window, fur quenching the few flames that dared lick at him, paw-pads scorched and smothering ashes and ember alike that had settled on the ground, he landed harshly and turned first to make sure Nathaniel was quick in tow. champion. heh. the ash-soaked grass was still damn, not taking to flame as well as dry housing. he lead the way along the narrow side yard with purpose and authority, pace brisk but not unforgiving as he checked once again for the healer at his heel, the small bundle of fur in his jaws their precious cargo. like a convoy, or maybe a storm, he rolled and each pawstep fell like thunder.
snowdrop would live. rushwater, for some reason- (call it intuition. deep seated, bloody, learnt intuition) -was certain of that. snowdrop would live, nathaniel would live. rhiannon would live and so too would ginger.
they had to. they simply had to. there was no other option. there were no others.
with heavy steps and a fire burning inside hot enough to threaten the ones blazing on either side of the scorching asphalt that carved the one safe path. he tread the steps he had taken before, a raspy and smoke-scorched breath escaping him. it was hot out here, even without the fire, and with his pelt all but dry now and possibly singed in scarce patches. he laughed. laughed. breathy, raspy, deep and low like a rolling chuckle. as if this were some cosmic joke played on him as comeuppance for his sins. his tail lashed behind him, and he ducked under the fallen power-line he had crossed to get here, the angle enough to just drop one's head to avoid the flames.
the buildings tapered off, pavement becoming brick of the small boulevard around the park. the fire would not scorch beyond this point. hopefully. he didn't see much for it to burn, and unless a wayward branch fell a little too far, he didn't foresee so much as a blade being scorched.
though, admittedly, he wasn't all that versed in fire.
his pawpads had never felt more cracked and dried, quite possibly scorched and very soon to be bleeding. once they crossed the masonry threshold between pavement and grass, he let out a sigh he didn't know he had been holding and turned to nate.
"i thought i'd lost you. with-" his voice cracked. he needed water. indigo eyes cast briefly over to the pond. he swallowed down the dryness, steeling his gaze on the healer. "with riverclan gone, you, your kits, rhiannon, eagle- you're my clan."
a crack in the wall. a chink in his armour. another bend. another break.
rushwater steeled himself like he was forged in the core of a dying star. he might as well had been, with how hot riverclan was burning up before it fizzled out. a dying star. he was shed in the supernova, just another amalgamate of star-steel and heavy metal.
his gaze held for a long moment, the sentiment clear despite his inability to properly say it. then, with all the fire of a dying man (which was none), he turned to look towards the bridge for a long heartbeat, impassable.
"i'll go make sure no one needs my help out there. stay safe, Nate. Snowdrop looks. . . rough. you and Eagle take care of Rhiannon, Snowdrop and Ginger. I'll be back."
safe. what a hard thing to be out here. rushwater had never been a pious man, but he uttered a silent prayer.
wordlessly, the stoic sleuth turned to streak back onto the fray.
Re: In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]
Ginger
Kittypet
The warmth in Rhiannon's words wormed it's way into Ginger's fearful heart but why did it make the tears more desperate to spill? Papa and Snowdrop would be ok...everthing would be bettter again, wouldn't it? She had to hang onto to that hope with her life. They would not reach safety unless they made it to Eagle do she could accept walking. With a small nod of determination she paced by her mother's side as they took off, ignoring the pain that came with every step she took.
The journey was difficult. She had to squint against the glare of the unnatural lights and bright glow of fire and brave the loud screams of both monstors and twolegs. Her paws hurt so much but she just...she had to carry on. Pointing out the way when Rhiannon couldn't even if she wasn't so sure herself. She prayed for her and her mother's lives whenever they had to bolt across a thunderpath. All the fear that raged throuh her had to be stomached so they could be saved.
After what appeared as an eternity, they made it. The lush park still untouched and the bridge a symbol of shelter. Clinging to Rhiannon like a burr, Ginger felt like she could breath again...until her mother suddenly stopped mid sentence and fell to the floor. Panic took over her again at this new, horror filled sight. A shriek erupted from her charred throat and she quickly started sobbing again. What was wrong?! They'd made it hadn't they?! Weren't they safe now!? All she wanted was some peace in this storm of chaos, pain and fire but all she could do...was scream for someone to save them. "Help! Please...help!" It was agony to shout those words but she needed someone to hear. She needed Eagle to hear. Anyone to hear.
It.... Rhiannon felt herself futilily digging claws into the pavement as she watched the inferno that was her home for most her life. Her husband was in there, her baby, her little white Snowdrop was in there and she curled around Ginger like she was the one named Snakeheart, clinging to reassure herself she had something. The whine of pain and heartbreak in her throat felt like agony, her heat scorched watering eyes felt like agony, her smoke charred lungs felt like agony, her barely even bleeding burn marred chest felt like agony. And every moment only felt worse as hope felt more and more childish against a force of nature cats had no hope against.
All Rhiannon could do was curl around her kitten, trying to shield the horrible sights from Ginger with her body and force down her building wails as her world burned.
It was Casket, Rushwater as he'd been increasingly reclaiming, that broke her out of the ringing horror that'd overtaken her senses, the tom blocking out the savage orange glow that'd be hypnotizing the queen like some vile magician. He- he was right, she couldnt linger, not with Ginger to think of and not with the pain rapidly waning her strength as the horror waned her mental faculties. The tom didnt linger, sprinting into the blaze and Rhiannon sent up a desperate prayer to the stars her ancestors did not dwell in that he'd find the two left within and get out safe. However she didnt stick around to watch.
"R-right. Youre so strong darling Im so proud of you. W-well get to the park and it'll be safe, once your Papa is out he'll fix everything. I-I dont think I can carry you so youre going to have to be strong and walk with me. I know you can do it, I believe in you baby."
It was only like four blocks, a trek the kittens had made before easily but in the current situation even for the full grown queen it felt like a horrible odyssey. Twolegs were still running everywhere, fearing for their life just as much as the cats did, rogues and kittypet neighbors alike injured scattered and alone each in their personal hell. Between that there was the few twolegs fighting back against the fires, some slowly starting to gain ground with their water spraying monsters and strange clothing that protected them from the blaze, allowing them to enter the burning homes and retrieve the people trapped inside.
It was a riot of colors and sounds and pain, and so the two could find themself lost easily on a path they'd taken several times. Sometimes Rhiannon needed Gingers help, stinging eyes too blurry to determine the right path in the changed landscape, and sometimes the queen was forced to pick up the molly and bolt across a high traffic or ashen landscape, uncaring of the ember scorching her paws. She couldnt carry the older kitten long however, and the sight of the unburned park and bridge was a relief.
"Eaglepaw!" Thready, weak from the smoke "Eaglepaw! Over here we-" They were there, they were safe, please help, I cant carry on. So many things unsaid as Rhiannons legs finally gave out beneath her, collapsing to the ground as the wound on the untested soft house cat overwhelmed her, strength gone now that she was assured Ginger was to safety and the molly consciousness fled, leaving her in blackness.
The warmth in Rhiannon's words wormed it's way into Ginger's fearful heart but why did it make the tears more desperate to spill? Papa and Snowdrop would be ok...everthing would be bettter again, wouldn't it? She had to hang onto to that hope with her life. They would not reach safety unless they made it to Eagle do she could accept walking. With a small nod of determination she paced by her mother's side as they took off, ignoring the pain that came with every step she took.
The journey was difficult. She had to squint against the glare of the unnatural lights and bright glow of fire and brave the loud screams of both monstors and twolegs. Her paws hurt so much but she just...she had to carry on. Pointing out the way when Rhiannon couldn't even if she wasn't so sure herself. She prayed for her and her mother's lives whenever they had to bolt across a thunderpath. All the fear that raged throuh her had to be stomached so they could be saved.
After what appeared as an eternity, they made it. The lush park still untouched and the bridge a symbol of shelter. Clinging to Rhiannon like a burr, Ginger felt like she could breath again...until her mother suddenly stopped mid sentence and fell to the floor. Panic took over her again at this new, horror filled sight. A shriek erupted from her charred throat and she quickly started sobbing again. What was wrong?! They'd made it hadn't they?! Weren't they safe now!? All she wanted was some peace in this storm of chaos, pain and fire but all she could do...was scream for someone to save them. "Help! Please...help!" It was agony to shout those words but she needed someone to hear. She needed Eagle to hear. Anyone to hear.
Eaglepaw
Outsider
she/her | 10 moons
[Golden and white tuxedo tabby with green eyes and a heavily scarred face] Purrks: Dreamwalker, Herbal Knowledge T2
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Star ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Rhiannon - @/Rani ] [Ginger - @/Morrigan ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Too fast. The flames were spreading too fast for the bulky, striped Twolegs to handle. Eaglepaw watched in horrified fascination as long snakes with glinting copper heads reared up in the Twoleg's paws--how in StarClan did they manage to tame snakes that large?--and spouted what appeared to be torrents of water onto the Twoleg dens. Wherever the water hit the flames went down, but it just seemed like for each fire put out, another one started.
For a moment, Eaglepaw was not at the Caduceus Place. For a moment, she was back in the forest, watching the trees burn before her very eyes. The flames danced in slow motion, drawn out with each heartbeat as they reached gracefully towards her. Heat rolled over her in waves, Eaglepaw was able to do nothing but watch in blank terror.
Then she heard her name. Eaglepaw turned to see Dusklion calling at her from beyond the blaze. The she-cat blinked slowly, as if in a trance, unable to speak.
Then the vision shattered, and Eaglepaw was left staring at an unfamiliar queen carrying a small russet kit. She felt her insides twist painfully as though she had been flung at great speeds and reeled, gasping for air through the acrid scent of burning homes. What... what was that? Dusklion? A shriek ripped Eaglepaw's attention from the swimming torrent of thoughts in her head. Oh stars! Eaglepaw skidded to the queen's side moments after the smaller cat slumped. The acrid scent of smoke flooded her mouth as she got close to the queen and kit and she gagged. Soot covered both of them, but this close Eaglepaw recognized the pelt of Rhiannon, Nathaniel's mate. So this was... Ginger, based on the coloring. Fear gripped Eaglepaw's heart as she realized she didn't see Snowdrop anywhere. Eaglepaw spared a single glance at the burning dens, pleading with the stars to let Rushwater find Nathaniel and Snowdrop safely.
Then Eaglepaw's brain kicked in.
The golden tabby turned to the smoke-stricken Ginger, leaning down. "Okay little one. I'm going to carry your Mama. Can you make it to the bridge?" Once the little kit gave her assent, Eaglepaw hoisted Rhiannon up over her shoulders with a grunt. Then she made her way carefully down the bank and laid Rhiannon down next to her awaiting daughter. Then she got to work.
Comfrey. Honey. Moss and water. Marigold for anything actively bleeding. Cobwebs. Eaglepaw felt bad for using Nathaniel's herb stores without his express permission, but she feared that if she waited for Nathaniel to return, permanent, preventable damage would occur. The herb stores were agonizingly small. There was no comfrey here. Panic arced through Eaglepaw's chest. Though while in RiverClan, Eaglepaw's reaction would have been to spiral into her own head while searching for the right herbs, Caduceus Place Eaglepaw managed to keep her anxiety in check. She took a deep breath, focusing on the coolness of the den and the sharp, pleasant scent of herbs. Right. Eaglepaw grabbed several marigold and cobwebs. She left the poppy seeds and chamomile--Rhiannon was already unconscious and she imagined Ginger wouldn't be far behind once the adrenaline wore off.
[Eaglepaw gained +2 marigold and +3 cobwebs!]
She ferried everything over to where Ginger and Rhiannon lay before making a last trip to the den. Eaglepaw pulled moss from the underside of the bridge, striding to the stream and dipping the pieces into the water.
[Eaglepaw gained +3 wet moss!]
She started with Ginger, coming up to the molly and setting the moss down. "Okay, Ginger. Open your mouth--this'll make you feel better." Once Ginger did so, Eaglepaw trickled some of the water into the kit's mouth. Once she was done, Eaglepaw brought the still damp moss over to Ginger's singed pawpads. "Keep your paws on this. I'm going to help your Mama now." She gave the kit what she hoped was a reassuring smile before moving to Rhiannon.
[Eaglepaw used 1 wet moss!]
Rhiannon was... much worse. It looked like the queen had several burns along her shoulders, angry red skin devoid of fur. Marigold would help with the burns to keep them clean, but comfrey was needed if they were going to heal effectively. For now, Eaglepaw grabbed another moss and let the water trickle over the red skin to clear away soot and singed fur. Then she scooped up a marigold, chewing it quickly before applying it to the worst part of the burn and covering it with a cobweb.
[Eaglepaw used 1 wet moss, 1 marigold, 1 cobweb!]
Okay. That would have to do for now. With her last wet piece of moss, Eaglepaw gently cleaned off Rhiannon's face so the queen could breathe easier as she slept. Then she went over to Ginger and tentatively did the same. "Once your dad and my dad get back, we're going to get everything sorted, okay?" Once Nathaniel was back and could heal--stars she hoped he was okay enough to heal--she could run and get comfrey and more cobwebs. "Does anything else hurt?"
Re: In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]
katie
]
Re: In Our Homes We'll Burn [ EVENT - OPEN TO ALL ]
