Sleepy Thicket

[dino.]

// @marni @maelstrom @SpiritedWarrior

>Bluebellcrackle<

She merely flicked an ear at Reedwhisker's response, eyes trained on Beansprout and Fawnpaw. The two began to move forward, and though she remained largely confused by Reedwhisker's words (surely the she-cat had seen at least ONE burial??) she replied quietly once again, "I will explain later." Now was not the time.

She countered Fawnpaw's steps forward with a few backwards steps of her own, but she faltered at the look the apprentice tossed her way. She felt her chest tighten with anger, though her expression was kept carefully neutral. Who had made this sweet, innocent, naive young cat think she needed to ask for permission to speak, especially at something like this? She'd find them and she'd personally send them to the darkest depths of the ocean - make sure they'd never come back up again, because how dare they.

Fawnpaw's voice shook the murderous thought from her head and grounded her again - though she had to give herself a mental shake, tell her to focus on the apprentice's words. When she was done, Bluebellcrackle offered up a rare smile.

There she went again with this looks of hers - this time a silent apology. Her brow furrowed for a moment before she glanced up in an attempt to catch Beansprout's attention and give him a grateful nod.

Fawnpaw had cats who cared about her. That was good.

[Captain]

SNOWLEAP
⸻⸻⸻⸻

➣ Watching in silence as various cats stepped forward, said some words, even placed flowers, the tall RiverClan tomcat couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy. Maybe he hadn’t made his words clear enough, but he had expected Fawnpaw to go first and then they all go from there. However, as his clanmates said kind, caring words regarding Skystar, Snowleap allowed himself to stop being such a stick in the mud. He gave a small nod to each cat as they went forward before returning his gaze to young Fawnpaw, now expecting that she would step forward and do her own part for Skystar’s burial. Unfortunately, that would not be the case Reedwhisker stepped forward and started placing dirt in the hole? Huh? Great StarClan, he had told them all to wait until everyone else was ready. Snowleap gritted his teeth together, feeling responsible for this mistake.

Shifting back to the small apprentice, his chest felt heavy as she looked devastated by Reedwhisker’s actions. Goddamnit! This was not how this was supposed to go. If it meant anything, the warrior seemed to immediately realize their mistake and apologized for her wrongdoings, but that didn’t satisfy Snowleap. “Reedwhisker.” He meowed, a certain urgency in his voice, “I said earlier that we would wait until everyone was ready before returning the dirt.” At this point, there was nothing really that could be done. You couldn’t just dig Skystar back up again. That would be terrible and disrespectful beyond words. He hadn’t even really noticed Bluebellcrackle sending him a look beforehand, his partial gaze fixed on the RiverClan warrior. As the leader of their clan now, Snowleap felt in his bones that he had already messed up all of this. Great. First important act as a leader and the oriental tomcat had already screwed everything up. Bluebellcrackle went forward next, paying her respects with a flower and giving Reedwhisker a narrowed look, warning the other she-cat lightly of what she had done wrong.

Beansprout, thankfully, quickly jumped to Fawnpaw’s aid ᅳ figuratively, not literally, mind you ᅳand murmured things to the brown she-cat that he could not hear. Meanwhile, Reedwhisker was still trying to apologize and make up for what happened, saying something quiet to Bluebellcrackle. Finally, what happened next was Fawnpaw’s part of the burial. This was what was supposed to happen before anything else, but of course, that didn’t happen and everything became a mess. He held back a sigh from sounding and instead focused on Fawnpaw as stepped forward, placing the stuffed bear arm in the grave with Skystar. Next, she said some very kind words that made a small, pained smile come to his maw and he nodded approvingly to her little speech. Maybe StarClan had made the right choice for their new medicine cat. Fawnpaw stuck close to Beansprout the whole time and once again, he was thankful for them both. As that was finished, Snowleap turned to look at the crowd of grieving cats. Standing up, he took his own turn to silently walk over to the flowers, pick a few and return to the grave, dropping them and letting them gently fall onto Skystar. It was only fair that the golden tomcat got flowers from his deputy.

With that, he faced his clanmates once more. “Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and beautiful gifts. I know Skystar will appreciate every single detail.” Snowleap remarked with a grateful smile, “May he rest well in StarClan and watch over us from the night sky with the RiverClan leaders before him.” There was a moment of silence before he dipped his head and closed his eye, silently praying out of respect and nothing more. Then the time passed and the RiverClan deputy opened his single eye once more, turning to the grave. It was now time to officially bury Skystar. Yes, this was when it was supposed to be done, but he couldn’t bring himself to snap at Reedwhisker, especially since this was a funeral and Fawnpaw was here. He appreciated Bluebellcrackle for stepping forward and helping him with that regard. Hopefully, his friend would understand his own actions and words. Because he was trying his best to kill the space for a leader here in RiverClan. But it all happened so fast and he had hardly time to prepare himself. So it was a bit overwhelming to say the least. Snowleap breathed one last heavy sigh before beginning to return the dirt to the hole, burying Skystar in the earth as gently and respectfully as possible.

After some time in silence, Snowleap managed to bury the clan leader completely, patting the ground with his front paws. He realized then that he had actually done this before. Birdpaw. The RiverClan tomcat had buried her all by himself that day that she had been killed. His brain had blocked out the memory this whole time. But, now was definitely not the time for that. This was Skystar’s burial, not anyone else’s. Once the grave was finished, Snowleap stepped back and sat back down. It felt wrong to just immediately head back to camp after that, so he silently waited, giving the party time to grieve a little more. Once cats started to walk back home, then so would he. He would be the last to head back if he could do so. It was only fitting, after all.

⸻⸻⸻⸻

 

@marni @maelstrom @SpiritedWarrior
@silentstalk @Estelle @Spotty @~Fierce~ @Atticus

[SpiritWolf_yt]

splashstripe dipped his head to show respect and to return your welcome, as the greiving was still in the midst of everyone he sighed with sadness, he kept his head down but closed his eyes" may starclan guide you" he said quietly again, he lifted his head and looked at snowleap then looked to the sky hoping skystar found her way up there

[SpiritedWarrior]

And there it was. Snowleap was not happy with Reedwhisker. Once Fawnpaw placed her gift in the dirt, the dark brown she-cat walked to be next to Snowleap, dipping her head in apology and promise to make it up somehow. Snowleap had said all he wanted to say. She had to have heard what he said, right?? The burying process was to be done after everyone had done their part and grieved. She could have sworn Beansprout had placed a little bit of dirt in the grave before Reedwhisker had gone! Maybe she was just seeing things. As the dark brown tom went to pay his respects, Reedwhisker couldn’t do anything but watch. But that didn’t matter now, what’s done was done. She felt like she had disrespected her Clanmates somehow- she never intended to, but that she’d have to explain to Snowleap. Snowleap didn’t say much, but the she-cat didn’t question it. When the Tom had stepped back, Reedwhisker sat down to pay her final respects. She’d only leave if one of her Clanmates began to. Reedwhisker couldn’t bare to seem like the rudest cat in RiverClan.

“May he rest in StarClan…” she murmured softly.

[~Fierce~]

~Slatewhisker~
Slatewhisker's blue eyes watched as Reedwhisker placed a pile of dirt in Skystar's grave and her body stiffened. She wasn't sure and couldn't read Snowleap's mind, but she was pretty sure that he had wanted for everyone to say their goodbyes before dropping dirt in the grave. And there was still Fawnpaw who hadn't said her goodbye. She had seen the molly's distraught back at camp and her stuffed bear arm. It would be surprising if she hadn't wanted to say goodbye. Sure enough, she saw the look on Fawnpaw's face and watched as she got closer to Beansprout. This brought another wave of silent tears. God, these deaths were ruining them so much it was torture at this point.

She was about to try and fix the problem but Bluebellcrackle beat her to it. So instead, she stayed silent and watched, her body ready in case another bad thing happened. It couldn't get worse though, could it? They must be at the bottom of the pit in bad things that they couldn't sink any deeper. Unless it was a bottomless pit. Then they would be falling forever, experiencing bad things over and over again, each one worse than the last. And the worst thing was, it would get easier over time. You would become numb to it and feel no pain, just an endless numbness, falling for eternity. She shook her head to clear her head. Right now it wasn't the time.

She turned her head to Snowleap as he spoke and despite the situation, she was glad for the distraction from her overthinking. She couldn't deal with it sometimes but she had to, if she wanted to help, if she wanted to feel happy and have good times. She bowed her head and closed her eyes in a silent goodbye to Skystar, wishing him safe travels and an endless life of happiness. A life better than the one he had down here. One day, everything would be happy again. She had to believe that. Or else, how would she keep going?

When she heard the sound of earth shifting, she looked up and watched as Snowleap buried Skystar. It was supposed to be different, each one of the cats gathered here placing a pile of dirt in the grave, but this felt right at the moment. She had the urge to go help but she stayed where she was. If Snowleap needed help, he would ask for it, she was sure of it. Once Snowleap finished, she watched the grave, her tears still running and her mind going through all the memories she had of Skystar, whether she interacted with him or not. All of them. Skystar would not be forgotten. Not by her.

[vellichor]

// @marni @zenosaurus

beansprout // he/him

the only thing keeping him together right now was the small, steady presence at his side. he needed to stay together to just get her through this, and then he could shatter into a million pieces silently. she didn't need to worry about him. no cat ever did. he would be fine alone, just like the star cats wanted.

it was all over now, and there was nothing to do but stare. try not to cry. he had already soaked up more attention than he deserved today. he couldn't steal the spotlight again for his own selfish emotions. he tried to give a grateful look to snowleap, but he thought it ended up more emotional than thankful. so, he opted to utter a soft, "thank you for this." just in case the message hadn't gotten through.

and now, it was time to go. time to move on without skystar. his heart was heavy, his eyes watery, and his paws numb. but he nudged fawnpaw gently and asked, "are you ready to go?"

[starry]

Oh no. She was late. Robinpaw carried flowers in her maw, which were the complete reason she was late. She'd stopped to pick some, because she knew that she needed to add her personal mark to Skystar's grave. Although the grave was already done, she scooped up some dirt and pressed it onto the grave. Then, she used her claws to poke small holes into the dirt she had added. She gently placed the flowers into the little holes, taking a deep breath before sitting in front of Skystar's grave. Tears kept on falling from her bright blue eyes, and she pressed her forehead into the ground, letting grief soak her up.

"You were the best brother one could ever have," she whispered. The words only made her sob more. "You were a strong leader. Everyone has their flaws, and I'm sure that no one will take your mistakes too seriously. No matter them, you were always amazing, a great cat to be related to. I'll miss you, Skystar."

She would stay here, cry for the rest of the day maybe. But she wouldn't leave, because she couldn't let Skystar go.

[SpiritedWarrior]

Originally Posted by starry

Oh no. She was late. Robinpaw carried flowers in her maw, which were the complete reason she was late. She'd stopped to pick some, because she knew that she needed to add her personal mark to Skystar's grave. Although the grave was already done, she scooped up some dirt and pressed it onto the grave. Then, she used her claws to poke small holes into the dirt she had added. She gently placed the flowers into the little holes, taking a deep breath before sitting in front of Skystar's grave. Tears kept on falling from her bright blue eyes, and she pressed her forehead into the ground, letting grief soak her up.

"You were the best brother one could ever have," she whispered. The words only made her sob more. "You were a strong leader. Everyone has their flaws, and I'm sure that no one will take your mistakes too seriously. No matter them, you were always amazing, a great cat to be related to. I'll miss you, Skystar."

She would stay here, cry for the rest of the day maybe. But she wouldn't leave, because she couldn't let Skystar go.

Littlepaw noted how Snowleap had called a meeting and surveyed the clearing. Robinpaw's not here! she widened her eyes with realization and ran out of the camp as fast as she could. There was only one spot she could think of her being: by her brother's grave. Since she has no idea how to get there, she followed her denmate's scent to the best of her ability.

"Robinpaw! Are you here?!" she yowled, calling for Skystar's sister. "There's a meeting going on you can't miss!"

[starry]

 

Originally Posted by SpiritedWarrior

Littlepaw noted how Snowleap had called a meeting and surveyed the clearing. Robinpaw's not here! she widened her eyes with realization and ran out of the camp as fast as she could. There was only one spot she could think of her being: by her brother's grave. Since she has no idea how to get there, she followed her edentate's scent to the best of her ability.

"Robinpaw! Are you here?!" she yowled, calling for Skystar's sister. "There's a meeting going on you can't miss!"

Robinpaw's eyes widened in surprise as a slightly familiar voice came to her attention. Littlepaw. With a sigh, she took one last look at the grave, deciding that she could come back later. She used her tail to wipe the majority of her tears away, hoping that her eyes did not look red from all the crying. A meeting, then... Yep. She guessed that was important.
"Coming!" she called, padding towards the source of Littlepaw's voice. She didn't know what she was supposed to do, but thanking Littlepaw and then going back to camp seemed like the best idea.

"Thank you for alerting me. I feel like this meeting is going to be really important, it would have sucked to miss it." Robinpaw briefly dipped her head to her denmate, swallowing the grief. Then she started making her way back to camp, ready to attend the meeting.
Littlepaw was really nice. Maybe the two could become friends in the future.

[SpiritedWarrior]

Originally Posted by starry

 

Robinpaw's eyes widened in surprise as a slightly familiar voice came to her attention. Littlepaw. With a sigh, she took one last look at the grave, deciding that she could come back later. She used her tail to wipe the majority of her tears away, hoping that her eyes did not look red from all the crying. A meeting, then... Yep. She guessed that was important.
"Coming!" she called, padding towards the source of Littlepaw's voice. She didn't know what she was supposed to do, but thanking Littlepaw and then going back to camp seemed like the best idea.

"Thank you for alerting me. I feel like this meeting is going to be really important, it would have sucked to miss it." Robinpaw briefly dipped her head to her denmate, swallowing the grief. Then she started making her way back to camp, ready to attend the meeting.
Littlepaw was really nice. Maybe the two could become friends in the future.

As Robinpaw got into view, Littlepaw let a sigh of relief escape her. I did go the right way! she purred confidently. Robinpaw had begun to speak, bringing Littlepaw back to the present. Right, they had to get back now before the meeting was carried any further.

"You're welcome! I think it is too, but I don't know all that's going to happen," she perked her ears and dipped her head in return. An idea to cheer her denmate came to mind and she chirped. "Want to race back?"