Evergreen Grotto

[squidz]

~ BRIARSPLASH ~
stocky, large, & fluffy dilute gray tortie she-cat with goldish-green eyes; just a scratch
[ shadowclan enforcer | she-cat | 28 moons | abrasive, standoffish, loyal ]

~

Briarsplash was grateful to see that her patrol had silently and solemnly completed their tasks, waiting for them all with her paws uncomfortably bloody already. The Enforcer wasn't a fan of mutilation herself, but when it came to getting a dire job done for Dawnstar, she was more than willing to do it. So she gave them all a blink and a nod. "Are we ready? Good..."

When it seemed like she'd gotten no opposition, Briarsplash gave a signal with her tail that displayed her about to start the stampede. Silently ordering her party to stay back and prepare to start their mad dash (knowing Sleepysunrise was there to help the other apprentices while she broke off), she slowly slunk forward towards the cave.

Even getting near it made her stomach churn. Briarsplash gritted her teeth, wrinkling her nose against the wave of rotten smells and horrid squeaking she could hear. The sheer number of voices and those beady eyes glinting in the dark sent chills straight down her spine. If she weren't fueled by an angry fire of her own making in the depths of her belly, the Enforcer likely would've recoiled already. But no, she was stronger than that, and forced herself to prove it.

Carrying the mouse in her jaws, she stopped several tail-lengths away from the entrance of the cave, where a lone rat was daring to skitter out. Briar met its eyes, those beady, soulless eyes that only had a few things on its brainless mind: attack. Eat. Kill.

"Come 'n get it," she sneered at the nasty creature before flinging one half of the plump mouse from her jaws, letting it sail in the air and roll to a stop in front of the rat. Immediately the creature jumped back, but then upon registering its feast, let out a delighted squeal. Soon its narrow jaw was buried in the mouse to eat. Then several of its companions were rushing out to join and steal pieces, nipping at each other ruthlessly to get a taste.

Briarsplash dropped the other half where she was standing, backing up slowly to tantalize them. Some of the rats were already looking for more, seeming almost fearless as they started to advance on the much larger feline. "Come on, more where that came from..." she snarled as if to taunt them, closing the gap between the cave and the rest of her Clanmates' bloody work. Once she was confident enough in how many rats were started to filter out and catch onto the trail, she quickly bounded over to the patrol, a gleam in her eye as the adrenaline started pumping. Wherever Tuftedtusk's patrol was, likely hiding in the trees, they could be ready to begin their extermination for whatever rats lagged behind.

"Let's go!" She huffed in her raspy mew, glancing back towards the pack that was slowly growing in unnerving multitudes... oh, stars. This was going to be bloody. And a bit terrifying, though she'd be darned if she showed that. Her eyes flicked to the other Enforcer in the patrol. "Sleepysunrise, you take up the back in case any of them gain on us. On my lead!"

Then she bolted off, rocketing through the trees towards Dawning Woods, where the battle would begin.

[ next briar post in dawning woods ; feel free to respond here too, but not required! ]

[ @Mica - bird | @Estelle -sleepy | @wolfie - guts | @Aroogi - tufted to start your patrol! ]

[Aroogi]

HE/HIM • ENFORCER • 32M • SHADOWCLAN
"A large marbled tabby tom with large, tusk-like teeth."
PURRKS: N/A
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He watched as the rats streamed past after Briarsplash's patrol, sending a quick prayer to StarClan to keep them and her patrol safe. Flicking his tail, he darted forward and followed the rancid scent of the vermin. Once he reaches the cave - he gazed at his patrol.

"Kill every last one you find. Let's go."

With those words, he darted forward and snapped at a lone rat sniffing around the entrance. With a snarl the rat would back up slightly - yet start squeaking defiantly. Then he saw them - eyes in the darkness.

[ @Hushfalls @idia @Morrigan @Omari ]

[goodacacia]

Palepaw
◆ ShadowClan | 7 moons | [61/100]

Palepaw nodded eagerly Rookfire, trying to jog his memories. Wait…what did Mossfreckle say about catmint again? His pale blue eyes stared at the ground for a moment, trying to think back to moments earlier when they were sitting around at camp. What was it? Pale…green and what was the word again…pur…purp…p… oh yeah! “Pale green plant with fluffy purple flowers!”

“And marigold was the frilly yellow orange ones!” His proudly puffed his chest out with a toothy grin. At least he could confidently say he remembered that one. The pale calico kitten looked at Rookfire before nodding, “You can count on us!”(insert palepaw saluting)

The little furball was so ready to bound off on his new adventure of a herb hunt before another cat appeared, halting him in his steps. He backed away slowly toward Rookfire, almost using him as a shelter but Palepaw’s blue eyes stayed unmoving from this new cat who smelled significantly different.

Is she dangerous? His ears twitched uncomfortably. Palepaw had never met an outsider before, and stories of rogues and loners don’t help with their image either. Even under his fear, the little one was curious. Who was this cat? And where was she from? He wanted to hear about the. outside world and perhaps she could share some.Her friendly tone made her seem less dangerous so Palepaw made a new curious step forwards before responding, “Hi! Nice to meet you!? I like leaves too! They’re so pretty now, I like how they get to change colours from green to red.”

Suddenly Palepaw stopped himself from rambling like this ‘Nutmeg’ was his clanmate. ”Um…you shouldn’t be here. This is our home…”

[ @alec @Starphobia @Rose ]

[alec]

ROOKFIRE
[ he/him | shadowclan medicine cat app | purrks ]
[ #rookMCA24 ]

whereas silentpaw padded off with only a nod to ensure he knew what was going on, palepaw nodded eagerly, reciting the information correctly and earning quiet praise from rookfire, "very well, good lad" before going to disappear into the greenery to collect his share of the patrol. the stark difference between the two apprentices may be off putting for others but rookfire had spent enough time with either of them respectively to have grown to value their unique personalities, even if he would point to palepaw for his favourite out of the two..dont tell silentpaw he thought that though, or else rookfire may have to look for another new imprompto patrol buddy.

all was good and normal until it wasnt, the faint 'woah' had barely reached his ears by the time he had already stepped up to stand close behind palepaw, nudging him to the side slightly as his remaining white tipped ear twitched to lay a bit more snugly to the slope of his head.
"id welcome you get away from the border before i make you" he warned, more of a hiss than the usual neutrality he tended to show to strangers and clanmates alike. perhaps it was because he was with two apprentices and couldnt see if the stranger was alone. while confident he could take more than two cats at once or at least ensure the apprentices get away, he was in no mood to risking any of that happening. stars why couldnt he just be assigned to a patrol and not meet any outsiders, windclanners or even riverclan cats at the border. slowly but surely, he was starting to suspect the outsiders had made a pact to exclusively approach the border when rookfire was close, be that alone, with roachflare or a patrol with two apprentices for stars sake. palepaws initial open friendliness had made whisker brows draw together, cursing whoever had failed to teach the young apprentice stranger danger or even just about border safety overall. looks like flytail had skimmed something very important and like oh so often, it fell back on rookfire in the end. great.

[ @Rose ; @goodacacia ; @Starphobia ]

[Starphobia]

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Silentpaw
Patched tortoiseshell tabby tom with deep blue eyes that look purplish in certain light sources and a short fluffy tail.
He/Him | 8 Moons| + every 1st | ShadowClan Apprentice | Silent
[N/A/100]

Purrks:
Ultimate Predator [Permanently Active] • Agatha Kitty [Permanently Active] • Katty Krueger [INACTIVE]
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.

. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
Silentpaw bristled up when he heard a chipper voice ring across the Evergreen Grotto. What the hell? That didn't sound liek Palepaw. He did not recognise this voice, but it could potentially be one of two cats.

Get it together, Silentpaw. Why the hell would Firepaw be here?!

He whipped around to face the stranger, feeling his heart stop for a second when he noticed the familiar dark russet fur. But no. It wasn't her. It was... Not anyone he recognised, in fact. She did not smell like any of the Clans, either, so she was probably an Outsider. Silentpaw let out a faint, low growl, though he dared not step forward. He turned to Palepaw, to warn the younger apprentice about going up to the stranger-

Aaaaaaaaaaaand there he goes. Silentpaw groaned internally, and if he could facepalm, he would. Was Palepaw never taught not to spark up conversations with random cats?! He felt a twinge of relief when Rookfire stepped up, feeling the need disassociate from the situation. The Medicine Cat Apprentice would handle this. It would be easy, as a ShadowClan cat, to drive out Outsiders.

... But with Silentpaw's previous experience with cheery and stubborn cats, he couldn't help but feel this cat wiuld act the same.

{ @Rose - @alec - @goodacacia }
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[Omari]

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Midnightpath
Shadowclan
She/her
Purrks: Silver Tongue(active) & Hulk Smash(inactive)

Their time had come, and Midnightpath followed Tuftedtusk into the cave, her fur beginning to bristle at the scent that the rats carried and left within the place that they called home. Without wasting much time any longer, she darted in just behind her patrol leader, swivelling around to his other side to dive for a rat near the front of the mass of eyes within the shadows. She swooped up a rat between her jaws, a sickening crunch following shortly after before she tossed the vermin elsewhere.

[ @Aroogi @idia @Hushfalls @Morrigan ]

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[idia]

SQUIRRELRISE
she/her. 16 moons. small, scarred russet molly with brown markings and yellow eyes.
[ chill of death, hulk SMASH ]

the fur along squirrelrise's spine bristled as tuftedtusk suddenly hurried forward. quickly, she follows the enforcer into the cave, nose wrinkling at the strong scent of rats. suppressing a shudder at the beady little eyes within the shadows, she takes a deep breath. just pretend you're hunting, she reassures herself. she swiftly picks out a rat, she darts towards it and kills the vermin with a quick bite, internally cringing at the loud crunch.

[ @Aroogi @Omari @Hushfalls @Morrigan ]

[Rose]

She/Her | Purrk(s): N/A

Oh dear. These cats didn't seem too impressed with her, did they-- oh! Wait! Nutmeg took that back! Ears that had started to droop perked back up with excitement as the smallest of the cats seemed to accept her presence. At least, initially. "Oh, oh! You read my mind! I love when leaves change color! It's the prettiest!" Had she said that already? She didn't know! She was too excited to think straight!

That was, until the dilute calico's words quieted, turning hesitant? Uncertain? "Wait... why not? I know!" She said eagerly, nodding enthusiastically. "This is your home! See, I'm outside-!" Nutmeg cut off and jolted slightly in fear as the other cat spoke up. The tall, looming, scary one. Instinctively, she took a step back, swallowing audibly. "...Ta..tada..?" Nutmeg offered weakly, voice wobbling with slight terror. Uh oh.

Her gaze darted between the three cats, for a moment locking on to the dark blue of the third. A jolt of familiarity raked it's claws down her spine, dissipating as quickly as it'd come. In truth, it wasn't even much of a feeling, for Nutmeg wasn't even made aware of it. More of a blend between a premonition and Nutmeg's writer's liberty.

"I reckon... no on the sharing names, then?" A sheepish smile. Good heavens, the seven-moon-old's countenance was already brightening again. "My name isn't Nutmeg!" She declared, and then shot the tall, dark-furred cat a nervous glance. "A-and also I'm very much staying over here. Um. Far away from your special line that musn't be crossed. Border. I meant border. You don't need to make me do anything." The russet she-cat hopped back and forth on her paws, and then took two steps back for good measure. You know, to run. Just in case.

She had some sensibility. Probably.

[ @goodacacia - Palepaw / @alec - Rookfire / @Starphobia - Silentpaw ]

[goodacacia]

Palepaw
◆ ShadowClan | 7 moons | [62/100]

'Oh! Were they that close to the borders?' His pale blue eyes opened wide staring back and forth between Silentpaw's hesitant movements and the disappointment on Rookfire's face. It seemed like both of them knew, except him. He'd yet to learn, but seeing as it is, Palepaw would be in for a scolding later. The diluted calico kitten shuffled back and forth, embarrassed, before returning his gaze to this new cat with flame like pelt. Nutmeg...not Nutmeg?

He peaked and glance between the ruffles of Rookfire's fur and legs, curious to what was going to happen. She didn't look like much of a danger...she acts like a normal apprentice and seems to be...what they call a kittypet. Right? But she had no collar. Palepaw just stared curiously. His mouth fell open, wanting to talk but decided against it.

[ @alec @Starphobia @Rose ]

[Morrigan]

Quietpaw
Shadowclan apprentice
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)

Quietpaw swiftly followed the rest of her patrol as they dive into the cave, sharp talons leaving their sheaths. The stench of rats filling her nostrils made her wince a bit, but the eagerness for blood overpowered any hesitation that might linger. Like a snake, she swiftly hooked a wayward rat with her claws, pulling it towards her and flinging it in the air for a second before snapping her jaws around it's body with a loud crunch and a cut off squeal. Satisfaction filled her at the kill as she licked the remaining blood off her chops. Maybe this would be fun.

@Aroogi @Omari @idia @Hushfalls