Too late, too early [p]

[Rani]

Larkthroat
Starclan Queen | She/Her | 25 Moons at death

World Weaver T2 | Previously Windclan

No. NononononoNO!



The thought had been running through Larkthroats head on loop since that witch of a cat had ripped out her throat. It'd been slow healing, if it could even be counted as that as Larkthroat had been forced to crawl her way out of that accursed lake gasping wet and scared from a second death. It'd been like drowning, in her blood, in the lake, in her rage, and that mightve hindered the struggling movements of the queen to haul herself out. Not like she ever knew how to swim anyways.


But still, by the time the molly had struggled to coherency and her paws to look back down on the clans it'd been too late. Horribly horribly too late.
Cowtuft was exiled, blamed for the herbs when Larkthroat knew it was a dark figure that lurked in the clan who did it not him. The clan was shattered, devastated, and Lightningstorm was more so then anyone. The long gone queen didnt even feel betrayed at the clans lack of faith in starclan now, how could they know they were not abandoned when starclan had not been able to stop this betrayal of Cowtuft and the clan.


How could Larkthroat not save her kin.

A sob tore its way out of the mollys throat watching the cow print tom leaving his home, watching the resulting pain from everyone and for a time she just sat there, watching and sobbing as she derided herself for ever thinking she could make a difference. She was just a silly queen who hadnt even reached 30 and her biggest claim to life was a son she never even got to raise, not someone important enough to make a difference.




But.... But she'd be worse then the cats she derided if she gave up. If she went silent on Lightningstorm and let her believe all in starclan turned their back. This.... This wasnt Larkthroats fault but that thunderclan rat's and that she tried to stop Larkthroat was a sign the queen was right.

Giving up wasnt allowed, Larkthroat had to help.




The molly still looked like a wreck still but didnt slow a beat as she rose to her paws and pulled the fabric of the stars to her, shifting to a more isolated place in the night sky to prevent another interruption and snagged the sleeping mind of the medicine cat. She was hardly as put together as the last time, fur frazzled and still slightly damp, and eyes red as her breath shuddered but she still spoke as soon as Lightningstorm seemed able to hear her.
"Its alright! Its alright, youre safe I dont think she can reach us here. I- I am so so sorry I didnt know that'd happen that was.... Im so sorry." Im sorry I couldnt save Cowtuft, Im sorry you got hurt, Im sorry I didnt know how to stop that.


"A-are...... Are you alright?"
The question felt weak, but what else could Larkthroat say?


@Alchemist Kistune

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Lightningstorm |
Flock Together [Tier 3] - Inactive | Mind Reader - Active

---

Stars above, this was all a mess. Not even Firestorm's warmth besides her could stop the nightmares that plagued her. The musk that intermingled with the stench of sweet, rotted poison and cats that were more rats than feline as they hunted her down. She hadn't seen a mink. Was unable to tell what one was at this moment, but that didn't stop Lightningstorm's mind from filling in the blanks. From apparating giant, long, vermin looking shadows that reeked like the Windy Hills had just done so. Like her patients had.

The healer wondered if this would be the death of her. If the first to die at from the wounds of these feral, dangerous creatures would cement her death as well. It had been some time since Cowtuft's exile. Since her mentor's death. For he was dead... make no mistake of that. And yet in all that time the clan had mostly treated her as the outlier she was. It wasn't all, of course. Leechscar's cool reception towards her hadn't warmed in the colloquial way, but the tom had certainly been more attentive. The same could be said about Crowtooth... a cat she had admittedly gained some warmth towards, despite her current distrust of the clan.

For the most part, however... nothing had changed. Not since that day. She felt trapped in a clan of rats, with only the quiet nights spent at her mate's side bringing any respite to her weary mind. She didn't miss the looks of suspicion and disdain her former clanmates sent her way. And it seemed that her subconscious was clinging to these every day negative interactions as well. Disallowing her any sleep. Reminding her that it was her job to suffer. To be hunted. To know that any second could be her last.

It didn't make the feeling of paws on her any more comforting, however. Any less surprising. And as Lightningstorm felt herself dragged, she felt a yowl of defiance escape her, telling the rats to unhand her as she fought back. Stars alive, if all the nights she had spent fighting these terrors could count as battle experience, she might just be as competent as a warrior. Yet another thought that brought her no solace as she instinctively lashed out, words that would have made Cowtuft blush and reprimand her tumbling from her maw unabashedly as she tried to confront her assailants... only to realize there were none.

"Y-you... You're... Oh stars... Just..."

The lithe calico's sides were heaving with effort, the previous run through her nightmarish hellscape combined with her current battle against an enemy that wasn't there leaving her battered. Bruised. Sick. It was a struggle to not divulge what little stomach contents she had as she tried to get up, wiry limbs shaking with the effort. Truth be told, Lightningstorm hadn't the foggiest how she could feel so nauseated in a realm so far away from her physical world. A matter that would have no doubt fascinated her at any other time. And yet now, with Larkthroat's appearance and her own tumultuous thoughts storming about - most of them renewing the hazy, confusing memories of when she'd seen the former queen last - it was the last thing on her mind.

"I'm fine... As fine as... Don't matter... Why? After... After everything. It's all well bloody done now, innit?" the medicine cat finally managed to ask, her gaze tired more so than vile as it landed on the queen's brown.

---

@Rani [Larkthroat]
| Turns out I couldn't even connect yesterday. Lightning and Lark today though! |

[Rani]

Larkthroat
Starclan Queen | She/Her | 25 Moons at death

World Weaver T2 | Previously Windclan

And so the effects of what'd happened rippled in both mind and body. The victims of the brutal attack were shaken and Cowtuft had been blamed for a crime that was not his after yet another dead that shouldve never occurred. The chances that Larkthroat couldve done anything were slim, she'd only meant to warn Lightningstorm that the herbs had been tainted and that her kin had been framed by some shadow in the clan (though who it was would forever be a mystery) but maybe it couldve done something. Now however Cowtuft was disgraced and Lightningstorm was shaken twicefold by an attack and the event and left alone.


For the first time in her life the queen hated the cow print pattern of her own pelt, how it looked dead like her kins did, as she wondered if the similarities in how ragged Larkthroat looked right now reminded her of her mentor.


Because they both looked terrible really.
But still, as always, Lightningstorm deserved answers.



"I-I wanted to apologize to you, for everything that happened even if it shouldnt have. A-and I still want to help."
The queen closed her eyes, pained, but forced herself to hold her gaze with the medicine cat.
"I wasnt lying, I want to help. I want windclan to have starclans support like thunderclan does and to know theyre not abandoned. I-I know I failed before but I'd be a hypocrite if I let it stop me from trying.


I-if you dont wish to talk to me I totally understand after what happened last time, Ill send you back to peaceful dreams and we never have to talk again. However if you'll give me a chance Ive a prophecy to help with the current..... predator situation and a gift with more to follow whenever I can."
All Larkthroat needed was a chance. The queen had never given a prophecy before, had never drawn on that well of power even starclan cats did not understand but she would split the heavens if it was to help her clan and honorary kin in Lightningstorm. She'd been special to the queens nephew, and it meant something.



@Alchemist Kitsune

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Lightningstorm |
Flock Together [Tier 3] - Inactive | Mind Reader - Active

---

Her vision swimming, the apologies of the queen... It all made things seem so surreal for a moment, making her believe that she was looking at Tufty. It was disconcerting. Was she so desperate for safety? For warmth? For a sense of belonging? That she would see him in any cat? Never mind that the looks were... very clearly his. That if it wasn't for the eyes not fitting one could almost mistake the two. Almost. Even in her stupor Lightningstorm knew well enough that he was gone. That he would never return. That he had been exiled, and had quite possibly not been granted a return to the stars upon his death as he so rightfully deserved. Because she held no doubt as to his death, merely doubt at the efficacy of justice when turning to the cats of olden times.

"F-failed..." the medicine cat muttered, her paw on her head as she tried to remember that long gone visit.

It had ended so... abruptly. Lightningstorm had assumed it had all been part of a dream. That she had imagined the whole thing. She'd remember bits and pieces of it. Enough to know that StarClan was floundering for some reason. That they didn't have the strength to help to the degree they normally would. It seemed odd, truly, considering how ThunderClan was obviously favored. But this feline here... this... Larkthroat... that looked so much like him. She was offering to tip the scales. To even the playing field some. Even if she had her doubts as to how useful this would be, as to how long StarClan would keep this promise... she was willing to give it a try. A pessimistic, would be surprised if it sticks try, but a try none the less. She would prefer to be proven wrong than to put her hopes in cats that had let her down time and time again, but nothing would be gained if no venture was ever taken in the first place.

"Peaceful dreams... That's a bloody laugh," she muttered, a mirthless laugh escaping her as she finally lifted her head, lapis hues meeting the queen's warm brown tones. "I might be bitter and skeptical. I know what I am. But I have never been too proud to turn my nose at any knowledge that could help."

---

@Rani [Larkthroat]
| You are free to drop this roleplay, no worries! I just feel bad not responding now that I could get a breather to catch up with it. |

[Rani]

Larkthroat
Starclan Queen | She/Her | 25 Moons at death

World Weaver T2 | Previously Windclan

The queen was just so uncertain now, so unable to understand how to help or what to do and hesitant because of it. She wished to help, she was trying to be open and supportive and desperately hoped that was clear.
Because in all honesty Larkthroat was lost in how to read Lightningstorm and what she wanted.

The younger molly was just too closed, too wary and traumatized and too complex for the shorter lived Larkthroat to understand so the medicine cats thoughts were foreign to her.

If there was anything the queen could say to help, to ease her thoughts or clarify things, anything Larkthroat could do at all, she didnt know. She felt as helpless as she always did, stuck in the stars and watching her son being raised an orphan and now watching a bright young soul be stamped down by the crueler aspects of life.


The cow print molly's mouth opened and closed, struggling to come up with words until she just... Gave up and nodded solemnly, eyes sad and ears dipped, offering a softly whispered "Im so sorry the world has done you such wrong." before she begun.


In hindsight delivering a prophecy was not what Larkthroat had expected. She'd done her research and while it seemed some had come from the eyes of the ancestors spying and twisting clearly seen events into riddles and rhymes it had come to her knowledge that some came from places unknown. A power above even the cats that dwelled in the heavens that when tapped into could give glimpses of the future, twisted into riddles that even those delivering it werent clear on.

Touching this felt akin to dying again, the (painless, this time) sensation of your soul leaving your body by powers unknown and far more powerful then you can comprehend. Except where before Larkthroat had woken in starclan, her soul newly her body, now the force rushed in where she was pushed aside to occupy her form.

Larkthroat was beside herself, a passenger as 'her' eyes went pure white and her voice was used to issue words 'Larkthroat' did not say or understand.

"What darkness' depths will bequeath in claws and fang, shadowed dark shall take in turn.
Above wings of decay glide in, below rivers of death churn.
Rid of your rot and clip their wings so moor's peace shall be restored.
Yet blood and demise will defile moor's hearts, so shall be the cost for the abhorred."

It was akin to holding a star in her throat, burning warm and cold and overwhelming and unknowable and un-graspable and that she was burning but not and-
The power left in a rush and the molly gasped, brown flooding back into her eyes as the queen suddenly felt hollowed out and startled that others managed this more regularly, legs shaking as she sat down.


There was silence for a moment, as the cow pattered molly pulled herself together and Lightningstorm likely thought over this prophecy before it was broken by a softly admitted. "I dont think I know what some of that meant." Reflecting some could be deduced, the first line specifically and it was clear that the mink had come from below ground and the solution to them was clear. "I know Twilightstar already has an alliance with shadowclan and this alone proves to me it is the right path. One I do not know you'll even need to step in to guide, and I am glad you are free of that stress at least." Because the other lines brought dire and dark warnings of the future.


Once again, some would already be clear by the time the mink issue was being solved, but not even a clear warning could prevent the heartbreak that'd occur. Fallownose, one of the moors hearts would be defiled and dead, sparking a war that'd rock two clans to their core. There'd be even more trouble beyond that too, and Larkthroat grieved at her inability to do more but talk.


"If theres anything more I can do to help, please tell me. You'll wake with herbs as a gift but if theres anything else please just tell me, even if our time runs short tonight I can come back whenever you call if so much as wanted."
A poppy, full of seeds to use and cobwebs did not a support system make, but the queen could try and wiggle through the medicine cats thick walls to be one if allowed.


@Alchemist Kitsune

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Lightningstorm |
Flock Together [Tier 3] - Inactive | Mind Reader - Active

---

A blink crossed the spotted molly's gaze, almond shaped eyes rounding slightly at the black and white queen's words. An apology. For something Larkthroat had no real control over. No real blame to gather from it. True, she was StarClan. One of the cats that had simply... let it all fester and rot until there was nothing left to salvage. One of the cats who had failed him. But to put the blame solely on her was pointless, more so if what she said was true. If this was simply a task that tended to fall on those who were somehow higher in the stars' hierarchy. In their chain of command. In the clusters of constellations they held for meetings as they gossiped of what ailed the poor souls who had yet to join them, bound to mortal flesh as they trekked the land.

Before she could express any sort of remark regarding her visitor's apology, however, the air took on a tenser nature. A prophesy. And not one that would fair well for the clan, if she had to guess. Lightningstorm's tail lashed out behind her as she licked her whiskers, nerves getting the better of her despite herself. These messages were rarely important. So many of them led towards nothing, after all. And yet... only a fool would ignore them. Best stay on her toes than become complacent. It would be stupid to not gain the upper paw if such could be attained from the knowledge gained from them... assuming one could make ends meet from them. Stars alive, this one was just as confounding as the rest, wasn't it? Still... not all was as odd in its rambling as it might first seem.

"I think you're well right," the calico mewed, her nose wrinkling as she tapped her chin with dainty, white dipped toes. "The rest is... foreboding at best, innit? Still, good to know that at least some good comes from one of these messages for once."

Lightningstorm remained silent for a few seconds, her mind trying to make sense of what was said. Wings of decay above rivers of rot? The minks did not fly, nor were they at the RiverClan border, making her feel as though this would be something to watch out for after the minks were taken care of. Perhaps? Or was it something to watch out for now that might interfere with their plans to overtake the minks? These messages could be... problematic to decipher, and judging from Larkthroat's confession, it might just be that StarClan themselves weren't sure of their own messages all the time. That certainly explained why it seemed like they were talking out of their arses half the time! Yet that made the promise of blood and demise defiling the moors no easier to digest the longer she pondered.

"You've done more than any other has done for me for more than a few seasons' pass. I wouldn't ask for more," she mewed in earnest, her gaze meeting the queen's, concern having replaced ire in the prophesy's wake. Despite herself, she smiled. A lonesome, sad, half hearted attempt, a light hint of bitterness in it. "Thank you. For the herbs. And the heads up. If you hear anything else at all, I wouldn't mind the visit. Even if it's just... to let me know nothing seems to be brewing in the stars, you know?"

Stars... why was it so hard? So awkward? To just tell her that she was free to visit whenever she wanted? Was she so starved for socialization? For a friendly face? For the closest she would get to seeing her mentor again? Lightningstorm wasn't sure, and she could feel the embarrassment go down to her very toes. But she would bear it. By the stars she would bear it... if only to make the nights more bearable once in a spotted moon.

---

@Rani [Larkthroat]

[Rani]

Larkthroat
Starclan Queen | She/Her | 25 Moons at death

World Weaver T2 | Previously Windclan

It was a good thing to be taken seriously about the danger the warning she'd delivered posed and not blamed instead. Honestly Larkthroat would not have blamed her for shooting the messenger with how many times the medicine cat had been burned but it didnt mean that she'd wanted it.


Instead however Lightningstorms better nature was shining through and she was taking it seriously as a prediction that could be used to mitigate death. Because death seemed to be coming if Larkthroats prophecy was as truthful as it seemed to be. "To be forwarned is to be forearmed in the words of the elders of my time. Though it do with it was easier interpreted to put proper defenses in place.... If I can glean more information Ill come to you on another night." For tonight though all that could be done had been, and the rest was in the paws of the living alone.




The queen smiled at kinder words, pleased that something good had come of this and hopeful more could come in the future and she nodded, promising that "Now that I know how to do this if danger looms for windclan Ill be sure to utilize it again. The herbs too, Ill leave my scent on them so you know not to be afeared of any herbs that just appear in your den if they smell like me.

And please, even if its just to talk to someone you dont have to be strong in front of due to my... Distance, from the clan feel free to reach out. My son certainly cant (not his fault but still) so I'd enjoy the company."

....Had larkthroat admitted to her relations to Lightningstorm actually? That she was kin of Cowtuft and mother of Crowtooth? ....Did it matter even if she had though, given her actions mattered more then her blood relations. Perhaps not, so the molly left it for now as a topic for another time.


For now she only smiled softly, starting to unravel the dreams and wishing Lightingstorm well with a "For now though Ill leave you with as peaceful dreams as possible right now and let you rest until morning. Farewell Lightningstorm, Im sure we'll see eachother again." before letting the dream fade to mist.


Though perhaps she shouldve warned of the personal dangers coming to Lightningstorm instead of the ones to the clan, not that the queen couldve done anything in the end.


@Alchemist Kitsune