Rainpaw - 12 Moons - Apprentice - Healthy - Territory - Mentions: Tatteredjaw, Brightheart, Addermask, Risingstorm

Rainpaw let a purr rumble deep her chest as she rubbed her face against Tatteredjaw’s. She paws tingled with the praise from the warrior and she happily trotted at her side as they made their way to the camp. She glanced as a few warriors left camp, but payed them no mind. She assumed they had gone out to patrol or hunt.

As they entered the camp, they were greeted with more undead cats, moaning on about the Terrastar. Her ears flattened against her skull at the rotting stench, watching one of the cats trip over a rock and snap a bone before attempted to crawl around, unfazed. She dipped her head in greeting at Addermask and Risingstorm but stayed quiet as Tatteredjaw inquired about the current situation.

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Addermask - 36 moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Birchheart, Oakpaw, Rainpaw (ID), Risingstorm, Tatteredjaw, OPEN

Addermask kept glancing over at the undead cats, unable to help himself. His claws stayed out, digging into the dirt, and he couldn’t quite get his fur to lay flat. Frustration gnawed at him.

“I doubt Risingstorm knows, Tatteredjaw--he wasn’t born clan. This sort of thing never happened in the twolegplace, I’ll tell you that.” He paused. “Not that I have anything against Risingstorm,” he added, glancing at the silver tabby tom.

“I’d ask you, Birchheart, since you’re the deputy, but unless you’ve been having Starclan dreams, our best bet would probably be asking Oakpaw.” Which wasn’t ideal, but their former medicine cat was now one of the undead--or was. He wasn’t sure where that cat had gotten to, but he was somewhat glad for it.

“My mother was born in Aetherclan,” he added, now unsure of himself. “She mentioned Starclan, the Dark Forest, all of that. I begged her for stories. She never mentioned anything like this. As is, I’d have to assume this isn’t Starclan, so we need to rid ourselves of these beasts, just as if they were foxes or anything else. Is there anywhere we could try to lead them to, away from camp and the vulnerable cats? Get their attention and get them all to follow us somewhere? Over a quarry, or drown them in the lake?” It sounded malicious, but he didn’t actually want to kill them. The problem was, they were already dead. And that was making him forget the territory he had learned when he was still an apprentice here. “Assuming no one thinks that goes against the Warrior Code.”

He glanced over at Rainpaw and sighed. “My apologies too for having your assessment tainted by all of this.” It wasn’t his fault, but the apprentice was looking at him as if he actually knew what he was doing, so he had to try to reassure her.

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Oakpaw - 11 moons - Medicine Cat Apprentice - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Owlpaw, Terrastar (ID), Addermask (ID), open!

Oakpaw curled his tail as Owlpaw confirmed that he was seeing the same things, which told him that this was not a vision, sent just for him. Pricking his ears at the other apprentice's question, he thought this must be a message from the Dark Forest, warning the Clan of an attack on their leader - and who else was there to launch such an attack than AetherClan? "Well, it's obviously some kind of warning, probably something to do with AetherClan." He reasoned, watching Addermask and a few other cats return to camp seeming shaken. "I'm just saying, things like this don't happen when everything is sunshine and rainbows." The skinny tom sneered, keeping his anxiety at bay by trying to focus on what such a sign meant for the Clan. Clearly, some cat had to warn Terrastar. From the sounds of things, that was already being arranged.

"I don't think we have to be scared, though. These cats roam the Dark Forest, and they watch over our Clan, give it power." He explained to Owlpaw, his yellow eyes following the burnt body of Maplestream stumble around camp, and the form of a she-cat struggling its way out of the camp entrance. These cats may have looked bedraggled, but they had a power that made them irresistible to the young tom's imagination. When he died, he would join their ranks, become a master of the dead and the living, just like them. It sent a shiver down his spine.

The medicine cat apprentice was about to open his mouth to speak again, when he was caught off guard by a cat that looked different from all the others. It was clearly not of this world; he could see almost straight through it, and it seemed to have the very stars of the sky in its pelt. He did not recognise the cat, and, looking around, it seemed clear that he was the only one able to see as this strange cat approached him. It was tempting to recoil back or run, but something about this cat's presence kept him rooted to the spot. And then, the older cat spoke.

"Oakpaw, your Clan is young and strong, but it is blind. Without the full training and knowledge of a medicine cat, there can be no care for the sick or injured, and no guidance for your Clanmates. You have no mentor, but, you have me."

With that, the starry tom leaned down and touched his nose to Oakpaw's forehead. The apprentice's fur immediately stood on end, and his jaw hung open as he stared off into the distance. Inside, he could feel a vast array of knowledge being given to him - herbs, treatments and information about wounds and illnesses that he could never have picked up without the guiding paw of a mentor. It left his mind almost overloaded, and it seemed to last for an eternity. He could only see white, but then, darkness.

When he opened his eyes again, he could feel his face pressed against the dirt. Lifting himself slowly into a sitting position, he felt groggy and disorientated - but strangely, it also felt good. Casting a glance around the camp again, the starry tom was gone, though everything else seemed just as it was a few moments ago. Under his fur, he felt his face start to burn with embarrassment. What a fool he must have looked, sitting there like a daydreaming cat and then falling to the ground..

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Birchheart - 25 Moons - Deputy - Healthy - Territory - Mentions: Tatteredjaw, Addermask, Risingstorm, Rainpaw, Dark Forest Cats ID, Open!

Birchheart nodded back at her friend. “Tatteredjaw is right, Rainpaw. I’m pleased to tell you that you have passed your assessment, and I will discuss the details of your warrior ceremony with Terrastar when he returns!” Birchheart purred at Rainpaw. She swished her tail back and forth as she listened to her clanmates talk. “Addermask!” She yelled at him, “Just because Risingstorm was not clan borne does not make him any less of a warrior! And let me remind you that he chose this life. He IS a warrior.” She finished, sizing him up.

“I think you are a great warrior, Risingstorm.” Birchheart added, to make her friend feel better. She listened intently to the rest of Addermask’s sentence. “I have not had any visions lately, so maybe the best idea is to ask Oakpaw.” Birchheart sighed. “I’ll discuss the presence of the Dark Forest Cats with Terrastar when he returns, though, maybe it’s not a bad sign? I mean, I have more of a faith in the Dark Forest than I do with StarClan, so maybe it’s not all bad?” Birchheart spoke, her kind and gentle voice his the fear in her soul. Her mother always told her to watch for “dark cats” but she never knew what she meant by it. ‘Maybe I should go see her, of she’s still alive’ she thought to herself.

“Let’s just head back for now, I know we’re all pretty tired. I will ask Oakpaw if he’s has any visions lately, but I really can’t do anything until Terrastar returns.” She ordered. Birchheart then began to lead the small group of cats back to their camp. The whole forest smelled of rotten skin, and reeked of death. Once she entered the camp, she plucked a vole out of the fresh kill pile, and moved to a secluded part of the camp, wishing to be alone with her thoughts.

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Rainpaw - 12 Moons - Apprentice - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Tatteredjaw, Brightheart, Addermask, Risingstorm, Oakpaw

Rainpaw smiled at Brightheart, grateful for such kind clanmates. She then turned to Addermask and responded, “It’s alright,” she mewed, “I’d rather the clan be safe first.” Here ceremony didn’t matter nearly as much as the issue at hand, but she new Brightheart would make sure to alert Terrastar of the situation so they could find a way to fix it quickly.

Brightheart excused herself, so they gray she-cat turned her attention to Oakpaw. She listened to his take on what was happening before she noticed his eyes rolling back into his skull. The apprentice landed face-first into the dirt, and a wave of panic prompted her to approach him as he woke up.

“Are you alright?” She asked the tom, looking back at the other cats for help, “What was that about?”

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Addermask - 36 moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Oakpaw, Owlpaw (ID), Birchheart (ID), Terrastar (ID)

As if to confuse him further, Oakpaw suddenly collapsed where he was by the apprentice den. Addermask let out a frustrated sigh as he finally spotted Maplestream again, wandering almost aimlessly and muttering, and he wound around her and the few other undead cats in camp to go to the young tom’s side. Once he was close, the medicine cat apprentice was back on his paws, seemingly embarrassed. Addermask couldn’t blame him. He was sure to a loner or rogue, it would look like the tom had fainted in fright. But in Addermask’s few moons here, he had noticed the young tom was anything but skittish, more so brave. Also eclectic, going by the number of dead leaves he often left in his silky brown fur, but medicine cats were allowed to be eccentric.

Addermask crouched down next to the smaller tomcat, trying to get down on his level, and sighed again. “I assume you aren’t scared, so what was that? Did you have a vision? Do you know what Birchheart should do, in helping the clan while Terrastar is away?”

Addermask glanced over at Owlpaw and attempted to look calm for the other apprentice’s benefit, even if he was anything but.

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From Discord on 11/11:

Risingstorm - 27 Moons - Warrior - Healthy - Terraclan Camp

He stood still, eyes distant; did all of what preceded truly just happen? He could hardly believe it, and nor did most of the surrounding cats, it seemed. His heart tightened at the thought of those cats outside of the camp, longing to know their statuses. Making a deep sigh, he slowly sheathed his claws as he gazed upon Stonefell, eyes shimmering with concern for the she-cat. He was ready to use his body as a shield for her if the ancient, dark tom were to attack. Thankfully, though, it needn't come to that today.

"You're absolutely right, Stonefell," he concurred with the she-cat. "I wish I could join you, but I agree; the camp is too few protected. The best of luck to you, Stonefell, and please hurry back if you need any help. We'll await any news you can return with, my fellow warrior." He nodded his head in a final acknowledgement before she hurried on her way. "Take care, please."


_____________________________________________________________________________

From today in regards to previous posts (will be concise, unfortunately, in order to try and play catch-up):

Risingstorm - 27 Moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Birchheart, Addermask, Tatteredjaw, Rainpaw ID

Before his parting lips could respond to the inquiry Tatteredjaw directed toward him, Addermask stepped in. Although he truly didn't know the answer to the events that had just transpired, other than meeting Birchheart's "father" previously, the swiftness and conclusiveness of his statement irked him, as if a nerve was struck. Although he wrapped up his interjection with seemingly no hard feelings toward himself, he couldn't stop his ears from being momentarily drawn backward. "I wasn't clanborn, but I'm not from twolegplace," he spoke up with a flat voice, tail lashing with his peeved feelings.

No hard feelings had been made, yet the usually passive tom found himself unable to withhold feeling annoyed by the comment; perhaps he took it as a slight? Regardless, his feelings were soothed near instantaneously when Birchheart stepped in for his status. Risingstorm could understand where Addermask's perspective could come from, as far as cats being clanborn or not. He also didn't believe his credibility was being questioned, but more so his knowledge. "Thanks, Birchheart," he mumbled, expressing his gratefulness for her own interjection.

Feeling slightly left out, Risingstorm gazed down at his flexing paws as he waited for a moment where he could involve himself once more.

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Sootheart - 13 moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: OPEN


She is thirsty. That is all Sootheart can think about. Her mouth is uncomfortably sticky, her body trying and failing to keep her mouth moist. The grey warrior frowns as she looks around. She had heard that a group of cats were going to search for water, but then the strange cats and skele-prey happened. Life in the wild is exciting, but there is such a thing as too much. Moving around to defend the nursery had only made her more thirsty.

The ex-kittypet can't help but think back to her life with her housefolk. There was always water in the blue plastic bowl in the kitchen. The water tasted nasty, but it kept her hydrated. Just thinking about water seems to dry out her mouth more. She is very close to whining and Sootheart does not want to make that kind of impression with the clan. She is still kind of new to Terraclan and hasn't proven herself yet. Sootheart straightens up and decides to try to find the group that is supposed to go find water. Maybe she can help them so they can set out soon. She is so thirsty.

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Terrastar - 39 Moons - Terraclan Leader - Injured - Terraclan Territory - Mentions: Oakpaw, Risingstorm, Open!

Terrastar felt more relaxed once camp was in view, though distressed when he heard the groan of a dead cat. He felt a lump rise in his throat and he fought hard to hold back a wail of pain. He could recognise Maplestream's voice even when distorted by death and burnt vocal chords. Swallowing back his grief, he pushed into the camp, limping determinedly over to the medicine cat den. "Oakpaw! I need you!" He called, scanning camp quickly for Risingstorm. "Risingstorm! You too!" He demanded, then disappeared inside to let the medicine cat tend to his injuries. He had realised that his clanmates desperately needed water, and waiting for a patrol to find a source would take too long. Long ago he had heard a kittypet talk about how twolegs always provided for cats, so he thought that they could sneak into twolegplace in order to get some easy water. With their warriors' thirsts quenched, Aetherclan would be easy to beat.

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Stonefell - 21 moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Risingstorm, Terrastar, Ratpelt, OPEN

Once Terrastar was safe in Terraclan's camp, Stonefell let out a sigh of relief. Her chest swelled with pride at her leader complimenting her actions on the way to camp. Even still, Stonefell knew she couldn't dwell on it. The clan was still in peril, what with the limited water, Aetherclan, and the few undead cats still hobbling about. Keeping on guard, the grey shecat watched as Terrastar cried out for the medicine cat and Risingstorm. Good... he was going to be fine.

With a twitch of her nose, Stonefell watched the sad body of Maplestream crawl about the camp. Exhaling swiftly, Stonefell nudged Ratpelt. "Help me with Maplestream's body. This shouldn't be how he is remembered."

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Ratpelt - 13 - warrior - Healthy - camp/western territory - Mentions: Stonefell OPEN

Ratpelt stares down the undead cat with un easy feeling. 'That's a dead cat. But alive. Richi got no time for this' he thinks before spinning quickly and pacing away from the area. His stomach churns as his brain processes what had just occurred. He looks around to see that he's just pacing in a circle near a thunder path. A bright idea comes to his mind. 'No way that these cats are undead!! They're just kitty pets that are trying to scare us!' he snorts at the idea before his ears pull back and he looks around the area he's in. 'I need me some catnip'.

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Stonefell - 21 moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Terrastar, Ratpelt, Oakpaw, OPEN

Stonefell flicked her tail as the curly-furred tom turned tail and left the camp once again. As warriors, they had a clan to protect. It was their duty—did he not care about that?

Biting back a growl, the grey shecat eyed the living corpse of Maplestream and shook her head. Stonefell, in an attempt to keep her composure, trotted towards the medicine cat den to ask her leader for advice.

"Terrastar," she meowed, "what will we do with Maplestream and the other undead cats? Ratpelt has left the camp to go on another 'walk'."

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Sootheart - 13 moons - Warrior - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Terrastar, Risingstorm, Oakpaw, Stonefell (all indirectly)


Sootheart realizes too late that trying to find the group when she doesn't even know who it consists of is impossible. She huffs. Now what? Her ears perk when she sees Terrastar limping into camp. Her eyes grow big as she takes in the wounds littering his body. She wants to ask what happened but he's already headed to the medicine den, calling for Risingstorm and Oakpaw.

Curiosity gets the best of the young warrior and she sneaks to the medicine den, crouched by the entrance to eavesdrop. Maybe they will talk about getting water? She hopes so. She flinches a little when Stonefell walks past, but settles again when the other she doesn't seem to notice her. Now, back to eavesdropping.

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Oakpaw - 11 moons - Medicine Cat Apprentice - Healthy - Camp - Mentions: Rainpaw, Addermask, Owlpaw (indirectly), Terrastar, open!

Oakpaw puffed up his fur as Rainpaw and Addermask came to check on him, and he also glanced over at Owlpaw, wondering if he had seen too. He had never had a vision like that before, and he would have preferred it to happen away from prying eyes. Still, the cats around him seemed more intent on comforting him than mocking him. After all, who would dare upset the only medicine cat in the Clan? He sat up straight and even developed a small smile, giving Rainpaw and Addermask a reassuring nod.

"Yes, I'm fine. And no, Addermask, I'm not scared. I just had a vision of some cat I'd never seen before. He seemed to have the very stars in his pelt, and he told me that while our Clan may be young, it is strong."

Of course, there were important details that he was leaving out, but that was intentional. He wanted to make it look like he had done the hard work of learning the techniques and extensive knowledge of a medicine cat himself, not had it given to him by some mysterious spirit cat.

As he was about to answer Addermask's last question, he noticed Terrastar limp into camp with a nasty shoulder injury, and he was quick to get up and wave his tail at those cats he had been talking to before as he made his way towards the medicine cat den. A few dead leaves wafted out of his long fur as he followed their leader inside, and once there, he took a closer look at the scratches on Terrastar's shoulder. Using his newly revealed knowledge, he turned and picked out some goldenrod, chewing it into a poultice so it was ready to be used. He then began to clean Terrastar's wounds thoroughly with his tongue, thinking with a small frown how nice it would be to have more water to help with the cleaning, or at least to take some nasty tastes out of his mouth. Once he had finished cleaning the wound, he picked up some cobwebs from the herb store and pressed them carefully into it, before also applying the poultice of goldenrod to encourage healing.

"I'm a talented medicine cat, aren't I?" He asked, to encourage conversation, but he was keen to seek out the leader's praise with every opportunity he got. "Though...Terrastar, how did you get these wounds?"

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Rainpaw - 12 Moons - Apprentice - Healthy - Camp/Western Territory - Mentions: Oakpaw, Ratpelt

Rainpaw exhaled in releif as Oakpaw assured them that he was alright. He may be the most important cat in the clan, after all.

Her ears perked that the mention of Oakpaw’s vision from Starclan. She was about to ask more questions about the vision, but Terrastar had suddenly limped into camp, littered in wounds, and being supported by Stonefell. He immediately called for Oakpaw and Risingstorm and disappeared into the medicine cat den.

Panic swirled in her chest. The strange white cat must have been right about Fernstar attacking Terrastar and the two clans were definitely not on good terms. The idea of a war briefly enteried her head before she became distracted by a certain curly-furred tom exiting the camp.

Rainpaw let out a small huff in annoyance. Didn’t he know that the territory was still full of undead cats? She padded quickly after him, intending to drag him back to camp where they should be awaiting orders from Terrastar.

She found Ratpelt net the thunder path and crinkled her nose at the bitter scent that the monsters gave off. Was he overconfident in his abilities to protect himself or just plain mouse-brained? “Hey,” she warned stepping between him and the silent black strip, “You really shouldn’t be out here by yourself, especially when there are undead cats walking around.”

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