[spade]

Originally Posted by Dizerel

She could feel her heart breaking. She saw it in him. The narcissistic, power hungry glare that often was used by all sorts of abusers. Rulers, leaders, and loved ones alike. Fear may be a good way to control people, but its still abuse, and hurts a relationship more than helps it, even if you are trying to scare someone into doing something good. Seeing it in his eyes was just shocking. Had all that power really gone to his head? Was he becoming one of the corrupt leaders, like told from the stories that elders pass down?

She felt like she was partially responsible for it. Her naïve nature leaving her vulnerable to this abuse, and instead of putting the blame on the abuser, it was all on herself. Even worse is that now she was determined to fix him, but she had no idea where to start. It was hard to think when her heart was pounding out of her chest, backed into a corner by him. Logic didn't work as good as it usually did when one was afraid.

Worst of all, she really wanted to speak out. To tell him to calm down. Think straight. Realize what he is doing is harmful to everyone around him and even himself. But the words wouldn't come to her mouth. She just stood there, mouth open, looking dumbfounded as much as she did frightened.

The mention of Petuniaflame really struck at her heartstrings. The pain from that loss was still recent. But what hurt even more was the loss of Kestrelstar. Him losing his sanity like this. She could barely even recognize him with how he was acting. Then it struck her. Exactly what to say. "No harm will come to us. But what is the price for that? What have you lost along the way?"

She didn't stop there. Standing all the way up again so that she was towering over him. No longer cowering against the wall, her whiskers mere inches from his. Even with her boost in confidence, her eyes still looked watery. "What have you become? I used to love you. I don't know who you are anymore. But I am with you. The real Kes that I know and love. The one that I know is deep down inside you. But I have no allegiance to this... thing that you have become. Its already so hard for me, trying to tell myself not to love you because I know you would be better with someone else but even then.... I want my friend back."

Holding back tears, standing proud in front of him. If wanting her best friend back was heresy then she would die for it.

(Power play permission to attack her)

[ Powerplay has been approved! ]

The wildfire that raged inside of Kestrelstar's chest only grew and expanded, charring whatever feeling or emotion that had been left over. In its wake were the ashes of anger, of a need for vengeance. Yellow eyes were ablaze as he stared at Junipersong, lips curled back into a snarl as she spoke. Before him was not the friend who had stuck by his side, but yet another doubter. Another disloyal RiverClan warrior who couldn't see past their own nose to what ThunderClan - and the entire forest - was doing to RiverClan.

With her standing tall, hovering over him, Kestrelstar felt his anger rise to a fever pitch. A challenge to his authority was what it was. It was a shock to him, her confession of love, but not enough to cause him to falter in his steps. "If you have no allegiances to me, you have no allegiance to RiverClan. That makes you a traitor like the rest of them," he growled, ears going back as his eyes narrowed. A hunter, focusing in on his prey.

It took everything for the leader to restrain himself from slashing a claw across her face. Drawing blood from a traitor that refused to shed hers in protection of her Clan. To honor the commitment she had made during her warrior ceremony.

Suddenly, the rising tides felt like too much.

It was only a second, but the leader lashed a claw out, scoring it across Junipersong's muzzle. The satisfaction of claws ripping through fur and flesh exhilarated him, and his own mouth contorted into a sadistic grin. "Get out of my den before I shred you," he spat, the fur along his back rising with each word as his unsheathed claw hung in the air, scarlet drops dripping from it.

Originally Posted by Riverfly

Ivywing stepped back a bit in surprise. "I-I'm sorry, me and Willowvine just thought it would be a good idea to tell you..." She meowed, still inching back. @spade

Kestrelstar couldn't stop the roll of his yellow eyes, his frustration rising to a fever pitch. A headache was soon on its way, and the gray tabby waved a paw towards the entrance of his den. "Well, it's not. I'm the Clan's leader, and if you haven't noticed I'm trying to stop the squirrels across the border from slaughtering us all. So why don't you go back to your little family and enjoy what little time you probably have left with them." His words were bitter and sharp as he turned his head, obviously done with this conversation.

Originally Posted by Ziera

// @spade | @Zero

Stormtalon’s half-ear swerved toward Iris’ grumbling mew. “After,” he said with a dismissive flick of his tail. If all went well, Iris would have plenty of time to play with the RiverClan kits.

Call him soft-hearted, call him whatever, but no: Stormtalon wouldn’t leave her to fend for herself. He wouldn’t leave any kit to that sort of fate; ever since Silverfish abandoned her family, the blood of a protector ran in Stormtalon’s veins. It didn’t matter what happened to him, didn’t matter that finding Iris shook the tom’s foundation, pulled ghosts from his past to live again; Storm would deal with it and ensure Iris was safe and cared for to the best of his ability. It was that simple.

Kestrel’s comment had the tabby’s brows arching. “No, it involves something else.” A little deadpan snark. He shared a mutual respect with Kestrelstar that might border on friendliness, although Storm didn’t know if he liked hearing sass from anyone other than Snakeheart. Oh well.

“This is Iris,” Stormtalon continued, and this time, he looked down at the kit in question. She didn’t know their connection yet because he never said his name. Storm briefly considered whether Iris would overreact, maybe throw a tantrum because how dare she be related to such a boring character?

It was still all so...strange. Suppressing his thoughts felt like trying to stuff them into a tiny box; they kept leaking out the sides. “I’m asking you to accept her as a full-fledged member of RiverClan—under my supervision.” A pause as Storm debated about saying everything in front of Iris. Hell…what does it matter? “I have some reason to believe we share the same mother - Silverfish, a deserter from moons ago.” Twenty-two, to be exact. “I’m confident I can turn Iris into a productive member of the clan.”

Now Stormtalon went quiet, waiting for the penny to drop.

Originally Posted by Zero

- @spade || @Ziera

Iris watched Kestrelstar curiously as her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the den, wondering about the cat that led all of RiverClan. She had a basic understanding of clan dynamics from her parents, but definitely had quite a few questions about the leadership role. But, that'd have to wait until later - she was too distracted as she took in the den around them. It was kinda like back home in here!

It was Kestrelstar's greeting that really caught her full attention, her gaze snapping back from where it had been staring curiously at Kestrelstar's nest. There was only one, which was totally weird to her. She had been wondering if it was kinda lonely, sleeping in this den all alone. But, that'd have to wait now.

Stormtalon. As in Storm, her brother? The kitten's gaze fell back to the tom who had brought her from the territory. He confirmed her suspicions moments later as Iris stared, slack-jawed. "You didn't tell me?" She questioned, not really knowing what to think about that quite yet. Did this mean he hadn't been happy to meet her? But, she'd been so excited. The she-kit definitely didn't understand how much of a shock it was to suddenly learn you have a sister through the mother that had abandoned you moons ago.

That would have to wait, though, because she thought back to what Storm had been saying originally. She could always grill Stormtalon later, anyways. "Full member?" She mewed suddenly, popping up. "No- no, my mom is gonna come back to get me." Her gaze returned to Kestrelstar. "I just wanted to meet my brothers, and learn a little bit more about my heritage!" She assured him.

Though, had her mom mentioned when exactly she'd be coming back? Iris had been so consumed with excitement at the prospect of such a trip that she'd either ignored when her mom had said anything about that or she hadn't said anything at all. But, obviously, she'd just missed that part! Her mother wouldn't have left her here without saying anything... right? There was no way that could happen, that wasn't the kind of cat her mother was.

"I can pull my weight in the meantime! I'm plenty productive already-" A side-eye at her brother. "Mom tells me I'm really good at chores." A tiny lie - but with good intentions!

The little quip from Stormtalon caused a wide eyed look from Kestrelstar, and something resembling a laughing snort came from his nose. Prickly, this one. Reminded him a bit of Snakeheart - perhaps that's why he found himself taking a certain liking to the warrior. The leader didn't bother to comment on it though, since there seemed to be other important matters at paw Stormtalon wanted to discuss.

Yellow eyes traveled from his Clanmmate down to the tiny kit. Iris. What a peculiar name - then again, all those who were born outside the Clans had unique names, and Kestrelstar found it rather tiring trying to keep up. "A little sibling, hmm?" Inquisitive eyes studied the scrap of fur, ears pricking at the mention of Silverfish. He faintly recalled such a warrior, back when he was an apprentice. At the time, he hadn't really paid any mind to it.

Apparently this wasn't only news to Kestrelstar, but to the young kit as well. Tsk. Stormtalon. Not explaining the reasoning behind finding this kit might've prove to become a thorn in his side, but it wasn't the gray tabby's place to judge. "Oh yes, I'm certain your mother will come back for you at any moment," the leader replied with the smallest hint of snarkk that might've flown right over the kitten's head, but would definitely be detected by Stormtalon.

Lifting his head and straightening up, Kestrelstar glanced to Stormtalon. "Will this interfere with your training of Mistypaw?" he questioned, his tone taking on that of a more serious nature. Clanborn can first - if this would cause any disruption to the apprentices' training, Kestrelstar would have to select a queen to perhaps take watch over the young kit.