Wildheart | Female | Dryclan | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Daringpaw, Finchclaw, Rivermist, Commaclaw {ID} Redfern, everyone

Wildheart tipped her head slightly to the side and smiled, not letting her annoyance show. She would give her life for any one of these cats, she reminded herself. They only wanted to ensure she was safe. “Finchclaw had already indicated that there won’t be a problem with us coming,” the warrior reminded the small group. “I believe I know my own limits.” Directly to Rivermist, she nodded. “I understand your concern; but don’t worry. The clan needs to be fed; I would hunt all day in the height of greenleaf if it meant no one goes hungry.”

Her daughter’s response to Commaclaw made the mother look down at Daringpaw, careful not to let her amusement show on her face. The apprentice was just like her mother. “I know you can care for yourself, Daringpaw,” she said, then looked to Commaclaw. “She may have a bit of a smart mouth, but she isn’t wrong, Commaclaw. Usually, I would be the last to admit this, but my kit isn’t a kit anymore. I have no doubt that if she were forced to stay here, she may decide to go hunt on her own, and then of course I may have to accompany her.”

Though no one mentioned it, there was no way to stop either of them. Redfern was the only authority in the clan, aside from mentors over their apprentices and parents over their kits. If the pair was going to hunt, they were going to hunt.

Daringpaw | Female | Dryclan | Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Wildheart, Finchclaw, Morningpaw, Commaclaw {ID}

The apprentice grinned at Morningpaw, keeping an ear on the conversation going on between the warriors. “‘Course I am!” she answered, enthusiasm in her voice. This was the first thing she would be doing that could keep her mind off of the clan’s recent tragedy, and she was quite excited. Daringpaw swayed slightly, and then picked up Commaclaw’s remark about being a kitsitter. She turned her green-grey gaze to the warrior and sat down again. “Commaclaw, forgive me if I cause offense - or don’t, I mean, that’s you - but please remember that I am not far from becoming a warrior; I may be a little small, but I’m not inexperienced, and if I can’t fend off a bird, I’m a sorry cat indeed,” she said, unintentionally tilting her head in the same way as her mother.

Daringpaw kept her gaze on Commaclaw for another moment, and then looked briefly up at her mother and then to Finchclaw. She knew what her mother was thinking already - if they really tried to stop Wildheart and her daughter from hunting for their clan, the pair would go hunt on their own. She was slightly surprised when this was said out loud, but then she realized that none of the warriors right there had any authority over her mother - and, by extension, her. Only Redfern did, and she felt that the medicine cat had much greater concerns than who went on a hunting patrol.

• [ Finchclaw ] •
Female | 36 Moons | Seychellois Mix | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Rivermist, Morningpaw, Commaclaw, Wildheart, Daringpaw, Boulderclaw

Annoyance flashed in her gaze as first Rivermist and then Commaclaw questioned her. Ears momentarily flattening against her skull and tail lashing, it took a great deal of self-restraint not to snap at her old friend and the other she-cat. A leader must have patience. Dogstar was the gentlest cat Finchclaw had ever known and the whole Clan had loved him for his fair, kindly demeanor. Closing her eyes briefly, she took in a deep breath before addressing the patrol once more. Both Wildheart and Daringpaw spoke up for themselves already, but Finchclaw knew she had to defend her own decision as well.

"I understand you're both only concerned for your Clanmates, but as Wildheart said, she knows her limits. It's better we all stick together," she replied firmly. "As for Morningpaw and Daringpaw, I think you underestimate them Commaclaw, but I suppose it's not surprising. You aren't Clanborn. Perhaps your Clan treated your young cats differently. Neither would be easy pickings for a hawk and we're with them regardless. Any bird would be foolish to attack a group containing this many cats. Besides that, an apprentice's duty is to learn and grow. Our journey is no excuse to shove them aside and treat them like kits. I absolutely refuse to put Morningpaw or Daringpaw's warrior training in jeopardy because you either can't or aren't willing to multi-task. If you cannot hunt and help ensure your Clanmates safety out there maybe you should stay here," she finished, voice surprisingly calm.

She held Commaclaw's gaze for a moment longer before turning away and heading toward the entrance of their shelter, offering a quick greeting to Boulderclaw as she walked. "With all that said, if I notice you're becoming overheated Wildheart, you will return to camp. However, I trust you to know when you need a break," she added over her shoulder. Glancing skyward as she poked her head from beneath the rocky outcropping, the skies above remained clear of any worrying predators as did the sandy landscape stretching ahead of them, and she led the way out into the desert confidently.



• [ Hornetpaw ] •
Masc Nonbinary | 11 Moons | Norwegian Forest Cat Mix | Warrior Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Heathersong, Boulderclaw / {ID} Dawnkit

"They certainly do," he agreed with a soft purr, green gaze leaving the medicine cats to once more follow Dawnkit's antics, doing his best to push thoughts of omens and prophecies from his mind. The longer he watched her the more a question that had nagged at him for the past few moons resurfaced, formerly subdued by their troubles. "Do you think...do you think she'll ever become an apprentice?" He whispered. Her limited sight would have certainly been a hindrance for her regardless of their circumstances, but now they didn't even have a leader to give kits their apprentice names or apprentices their warrior names.

"I was hoping I would be a warrior by the time she needed a mentor," he admitted, scuffing at a loose pebble and sending it skittering across the sand. "I know that's a bit silly. I'd still be too young for an apprentice." Any further conversation on the matter was put on hold as Boulderclaw approached. Hornetpaw's ears flicked anxiously and he offered an apprehensive greeting in response. "Good morning Boulderclaw. Did you uh...did you sleep well?" Hornetpaw wasn't quite sure what to think of the bobtailed warrior, but he always seemed fairly insistent on chatting with him from time to time and Hornetpaw saw no reason he shouldn't be friendly in return.

Rivermist | Male | Warrior | 36 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Finchclaw, Morningpaw [indirectly] Commaclaw, Daringpaw, Wildheart [directly]

The tom inclined his head submissively to Finchclaw, making sure she understood he would have no qualms with her decision. He could tell by the annoyance in her bright blue eyes that she she-cat was not pleased with him, but he was confident that such an emotion would fade with time. He turned back towards Wildheart and said calmly, "Very well." Rivermist could understand wanting to hunt and provide but still, he would rather the mother remain in camp; she would do no good for the Clan if she got a heat stroke. As Finchclaw turned away, Rivermist was forced to stepped aside as Morningpaw darted past him, eager to keep up with her mentor. "Come on, then," He meowed, trailing after the two. "I'd hate for her to leave us behind."




Morningpaw | Female | Apprentice | 8 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Finchclaw, Daringpaw [directly] Wildheart, Commaclaw, Rivermist [indirectly]

"Great!" Morningpaw grinned, brushing her smaller physique against the taller apprentice; her stub raised high. At Commaclaw's words, Morningpaw turned towards the warrior, surprised but did not speak up. The conversation regarding Wildheart and Daringpaw went on without her, until Morningpaw's mentor, Finchclaw, spoke up for both of them and the young ginger feline felt a swell of pride. As Finchclaw turned to guide their patrol away from the camp of resting individuals, Morningpaw gently bumped Daringpaw with her shoulder. "Bet I can catch something before you can." She whispered competitively, before darting off after her mentor; breezily stepping past the fatherly figure of Rivermist in her efforts to keep up. "How far are we going?" Morningpaw asked Finchclaw, curious and excited.

((They suck but they're something ))

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

Redfern |•| Female |•| Medicine Cat |•| 89 moons |•| Under Rocky Outcropping
Mentions: Tinypaw

"Perhaps...," Redfern murmured after Tinypaw finished her interpretation, "I just hope it's nothing too serious or Starclan going back on my previous vision." Her mind fluttered back to the vision that had come to her after Dryclan's Tragedy. She remembered the sight of herself leading the masses of Dewclan cats into a dense and expansive forest. And thus was her new destiny: Lead Dryclan to their new home. Surely her deam did not mean that the ones she worshipped had changed their minds? "Thank you for your insight, Tinypaw," the young cat's mentor said, smiling gently, "Can you look for some shrubs and lizard tails for me?," she requested, tilting her head and smiling maternally, "I would go myself, but I should watch camp while everyone else is away hunting."

(Very short, but I needed to shove one out there.)

|:|



“Great men are not born great, they grow great.”

Fallowpaw |•| Male |•| Apprentice |•| 9 moons |•| Desert
Mentions: Eyesore

The hare that had, in fleeing, reduced itself to a speck in the distance morphed into the terrain, effectively disappearing. Replacing it was another vague blot on the horizon. Fallowpaw narrowed his hazel eyes. Did someone just steal his meal? How dare they! For he was the great and noble Fallowpaw— no, Fallowfang! Yes! The great and noble Fallowfang must defeat the thief! With a passionate, high carriage, the apprentice approached the figure quickly. "You stole my meal," he exclaimed accusingly, opening his eyes to find a scarred, gnarled molly with a paw placed on the carcass that lay limp in front of her: the hare that he'd been formerly pursuing. The tabby tom stepped backwards and felt his ears lay flatter against his skull. The female in front of him was lathered in scars, was missing one of her eyes, and no longer possessed either of her ears. Oh... oh. I'm... sorry, he stammered, tensing hard.

Tinypaw | Female | Medicine Cat Apprentice | 10 Moons | Under Rocky Outcropping | Mentions: Redfern (Directly)

Tinypaw considered this first point sullenly and her ears fell backward against her head. Once a vision was given, surely it couldn't be revoked? That's would be callous of Starclan, and Tinypaw knew Starclan somewhat well. After all, she met them once!

This melancholy was quickly forgotten when Redfern gave her request. Her ears pricked up again and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Shrubs and lizard tails!" she cooed, before stopping . "Oh- I had a question, Redfern, by the way. Only quick."

Boulderclaw |•| Male |•| Warrior |•| 29 moons |•| Temporary Camp
Mentions: Dawnkit, Hornetpaw, Heathersong

There was a bit of relief in constants when so much had changed. Dawnkit still skittered about with the energy of any little bundle of fur. The clan could learn a thing or two from her in his opinion. No hardship could put a hamper on her mood or enthusiasm it seemed and it just what was needed, now more than ever. He nodded at the ever so familiar nervous greeting from Hornetpaw and though he held the same expression, it still managed to appear different. His smile looked heavy and worn, eyes lifeless, and for a moment, the Goliath looked as frail as an elder. "I slept like I was in a snake's nest." He saw no reason to lie, but didn't bother Hornetpaw or Heathersong with the grueling details. "Though I assume most of us slept like that if at all."

Boulderclaw's gaze shifted down towards Dawnkit again, batting at a defenseless beetle. Her antics seemed much more pleasant than wallowing with the older clan mates over lost loved ones, that was a pain for another day, he thought to himself. He shifted back on his hind haunches a moment, lowering in a slight crouch and bounding up with all four legs, landing beside Dawnkit, he tried to push her small frame gently, hoping she'd play with him instead of the beetle. "Come on, I'm much more fun than a silly 'ole beetle. Bet you can't beat me."

Commaclaw
Female | 43 moons | Warrior
Location: Camp
Mentions: Finchclaw, Eyesore [Indirectly]

As Finchclaw explained her view, Commaclaw listened quietly. They didn't agree, but she had a point. Wildheart knew her limit and they'd keep an eye on her as is. She was almost ready to agree when Finchclaw's comment cut through her. Though her fur didn't so much as sway in the wind, her insides boiled and bristled. What would Finchclaw know of her clan and their ways? If that foxdirt had been born in her clan she wouldn't have lived long enough to become a "paw". She almost opened her mouth to say as such, but a flash of a memory silenced her. Mottled ginger and chocolate mottled further by- She blinked slowly, taking a long breath, calming herself as much as she could. She left her clan to stop thinking about them. She had to put that in the past. But while her inhales quelled the worst of the flames, that anger still burnt like embers in her gut.

It took her a moment to realise the other cats had begun to leave for the patrols. She rose from her haunches and followed after the cats. She couldn't help the way her eyes narrowed at Finchclaw. If she wanted to know what Commaclaw's clan was like, she'd find out, one way or another.

Wildheart | Female | Dryclan | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp/Desert | Mentions: {D} Daringpaw, Finchclaw, Rivermist, Commaclaw {ID} Redfern, everyone

Their dispute settled, Wildheart padded after Finchclaw, quickening her pace ever so slightly to walk side-by-side with the other warrior and allowing her daughter to speak to whomever she’d like. While they travelled together, while they searched for prey it was reasonable to speak, however briefly. The she-cat considered bringing up her suspicions of Finchclaw’s eventual desire to be the leader (she would support her friend, but couldn’t silence the part of her that suggested she could also be a great leader, however hard she might try), and she thought of the way Commaclaw had clearly taken offence at the statement about her previous lifestyle, but their companion was too close to speak of that without being overheard. A moment of comfortable silence passed.
Then, voice low, Wildheart spoke: “I . . . I feel like I need to explain why I insisted on coming,” she began, and then fell silent once more, apparently having trouble finding the right way to make Finchclaw understand. “It’s just that we’ve already been through so much, and if I stop, I may be just . . . overtaken by grief.”
Her piece spoken, she began tracking in earnest, as the farther they got from their temporary camp, the more likely it was they that would manage to find prey.

Daringpaw | Female | Dryclan | Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp/Desert | Mentions: {D} Wildheart, Finchclaw, Morningpaw, Commaclaw {ID}

((OK here’s the deal. I’m tired, I’ve been trying to think of what to write for two days, and I know tate’s waiting on me. So I’m gonna write a very short bit of what she’s up to, because I can’t think of a full post right now.))
Daringpaw smiled as her mother eventually got her way, as she often did, and the patrol left. She followed quietly, on the lookout for any sort of prey.

• [ Finchclaw ] •
Female | 36 Moons | Seychellois Mix | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp - Desert | Mentions: {D} Wildheart, Daringpaw, Commaclaw, Rivermist, Morningpaw, Buckpaw / {ID} Fallowpaw

“Not too far,” Finchclaw replied to her apprentice as the small patrol left the safety of their temporary camp, the heat of the sun scorching her back. “Far enough to pick up some prey, but we don’t want to risk getting lost or wandering too far from the rest of the group.” She glanced over her shoulder, curious to see if Commaclaw had followed or decided to stay behind. There was clear anger in her gaze and Finchclaw frowned. What was her problem now?

The sight of Buckpaw edging nearer to the camp entrance immediately redirected her focus and had her pausing in her tracks abruptly. “Buckpaw! You should know better than to wander off by yourself. It’s too dangerous for a cat to be out here alone! Get back in there and help guard the camp!” She yowled back, sleek pelt slightly ruffled. Fallowpaw was already missing. The last thing they needed was another foolhardy apprentice deciding to frolick off on some solo hunting mission.

“Alright gang, this is as much a hunting party as a search party. Fallowpaw still hasn’t returned to camp and we should keep an eye out for him.” Seconds later Wildheart was at her side, earnestly explaining her insistent attendance. “I understand,” Finchclaw replied softly, leaning closer to the larger she-cat in a brief moment of comfort. “We’ve all lost so much…” Memories of her failed attempt to save her kit sister flooded her mind, causing her body to quiver. She’d lost everyone she called kin. The cats who raised her. Her birth father and his new family...She had nearly drowned trying to recuse Crowkit and it still hadn’t been enough to save her.

Finchclaw gave herself a good shake, as if the movement would banish the horrible memories. This wasn’t about her. “You just remember you are all the kin Daringpaw has now. She needs you to be healthy and set a good example for her. Don’t push yourself too hard, alright?” It wasn’t long before camp was only a blur on the horizon and once more Finchclaw came to halt. “Alright, let’s start looking for prey. We should be far enough from camp now. Spread out over the area, but don't venture too far away from the rest of us in case someone needs help.”

Gazing down at Morningpaw, she motioned her muzzle to a copse of sagebrush close-by. "Why don't you see what you can find in there? I'll join you in a moment." Waiting until Morningpaw's orange pelt disappeared into the nearby greenery, she took a deep breath before padding toward Commaclaw. She wasn't sure she really wanted to make up with the calico she-cat just yet, but it seemed important, especially after her talk with Wildheart. "Hey..." she started, unsure where to begin. "Listen, things got a little heated earlier and I know I could have handled things better. I can tell what I said offended you and I want you to know I didn't mean it the way you probably think."

Pausing, she scuffed a pebble across the dusty ground, watching it roll away. Damn, apologizing was difficult... "I just meant that our cultures aren't the same. You're used to a different way of life and training. I should have been more patient with you, I know you were just concerned for Wildheart and Daringpaw's well-being out here. We're clanmates now Commaclaw, and we've already lost so much. I don't want there to be any lingering animosity between us when there is so much at stake."



• [ Hornetpaw ] •
Masc Nonbinary | 11 Moons | Norwegian Forest Cat Mix | Warrior Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Heathersong, Dawnkit, Boulderclaw, Buckpaw / {ID} Daringpaw, Morningpaw, Redfern, Tinypaw

Hornetpaw fell silent as Heathersong admitted she didn't know what Dawnkit's future held. He watched the kit as she scampered after a beetle, Boulderclaw inviting her to come after him instead. The warrior had seemed exhausted and yet still found it in him to entertain the Clan's youngest member. That brought a small smile to Hornetpaw's muzzle. "Even if she isn't officially given her apprentice name, we can still teach her everything she needs to know along the journey. Morningpaw, Daringpaw and even my training weren't put on hold. Why should hers?"

His ears twitched as Finchclaw's outraged yowl drifted back to the camp, and he spotted Buckpaw lingering near the entrance. Wincing, he approached the other apprentice with a sympathetic expression. "I'm sure she didn't mean to yell," he encouraged, hoping Buckpaw wasn't too put off by the scolding. "Maybe once Redfern is done discussing...whatever she's discussing with Tinypaw she'll have something specific for us to do while we wait for the hunting patrol to return," he added optimistically.



• Eyesore •
Female | 43 Moons | American Burmese Mix | Rogue
Location: Desert | Mentions: {D} Fallowpaw

As expected the young tom approached filled to the brim with bravado, every pawstep self-assured. Eyesore watched with veiled mirth as that confidence withered the closer he ventured. She was never what any cat presumed they would be confronting until they saw her up close. "Is that so?" She inquired, her voice only holding the slightest hint of amusement. "It looks to me as if you lost your intended meal long before I happened upon it." The youngster offered an anxious apology and her stubbed tail twitched in acknowledgment, her paw leaving the carcass. "You were with those travelling cats before," she observed, single blue eye narrowing suspiciously. "Why are you not with them now?"

Commaclaw
Female | 43 moons | Warrior
Location: Camp
Mentions: Finchclaw [Directly]

Commaclaw's eyes were set ahead as the patrol headed further out to the desert. The hardened dirt felt like stone beneath her paws. She stopped for a moment, flexing her claws against it, leaving little marks in the ground. She'd never really felt earth like this. Her home had been rough black or smooth grey stone. She'd been a Paw before she saw her first plant. A tiny green sprout jutting out between the gaps in the stone. Out here, everything was different. The black stone stretches were few and far between, but plants were everywhere, even out here in the desert. She glanced up towards the patrol again just in time to see Finchclaw walking over. Her ears folded back instinctively, but Finchclaw's posture seemed... uncomfortable.

"Hey... listen..."

Commaclaw's eyes narrowed with suspicion. She'd guessed this would come. Her arrival had been during a stressful enough time as is, but questioning a clancat no doubt came with consequences. She'd be asked to leave, maybe even forced to. If it came to force, could she blind Finchclaw before turning tail? Her claws tensed, digging up the dirt. She prepared to spit venomous words, to fight for a home that no longer wanted her. It wouldn't be the first time she'd done so.
But instead of banishment, Finchclaw offered an apology. It stopped Commaclaw in her tracks, her anger suddenly replaced by confusion. Her silence was taken as cue to continue and so Finchclaw did. And for the first time in moons, Commaclaw heard the phrase clanmate directed at her without a hint of spite. She suddenly understood Finchclaw's discomfort. Apologising wasn't easy. And it wasn't just Finchclaw who had to apologise here, she knew that. She took a breath, as if the fresh air would replace that coiled grudge in her gut. It didn't. But it helped.

"No, you were right. I'm not Clanborn. I never will be. I could live to a hundred moons and die here an old molly and I would be buried an outsider." A laugh escaped her like a hiccup. "You lost so much during this and I didn't. I had no stakes in your clan... but I want stakes. I want to feel like I have something lose here because right now I have nothing." She turned to watch the other patrol cats. "You lost a sister during the flood. Crowkit, right? Some of the kits were saying they missed her. I lost a sister too, long before all this. Cloudkit. You were right in how my clan was different. Dryclan grieved for Crowkit. My clan laughed and named her 'Mouse'." Her muzzle scrunched in anger as she grit her teeth at the memory. She let it fade before continuing. "We're similar. We want to protect what we can lose. I want to keep it somewhere safe, under kind and watchful eyes. You want to see it grow enough that it can become the protector." Her eyes fell on Daringpaw. "I suppose the point to this is, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have poisoned your intentions."

Rivermist | Male | Warrior | 36 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: The Patrol [indirectly]

The grey-and-white tom followed the she-cat out into the desert, the sand crunching lightly underneath his paw pads, thick from travel and the grains that burned underneath them in response to the sun's merciless assault. Just behind her apprentice, Morningpaw, Rivermist trekked sure-footedly through the terrain. The land in which they called home certainly looked barren, miles upon miles of dust and sand stretching as far as the eye could see, the occasional vegetation here and there. Once Finchclaw paused, Rivermist's pale nose twitched as he inhaled the air; he could see hazy waves rising from the heated ground and the sight was nothing new. In Dryclan's territory, rain was a blessing and heat was the norm. Twitching his triangular ears, the tom would slowly break away from the patrol, his round eyes searching as he attempted to search for something in which to hunt.




Morningpaw | Female | Apprentice | 8 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Finchclaw [Directly]

Having bounded happily at her mentor's side, Morningpaw didn't let the heat bother her; her tail raised high in the sky like the outcrop in which the clan cat's sheltered. The apprentice pivoted her head and glanced towards the brush once Finchclaw pointed it out and with an obedient nod, the ginger youngster replied, "Sure thing!" and visibly had to reign herself in to keep from running towards the sagebrush at full speed, possibly frightening anything that possibly lingered in or around it. Morningpaw paused a little ways' away from the sagebrush, squinting in order to see about the bush properly, her ears straining in order to attempt to catch wind of sound and her nose working to catch any scents of possible prey.