[spade]

Originally Posted by StormQueen

[ @arden ]

Mistypaw swallowed. The leader's rough voice did not go unnoticed by her. She didn't enter the den yet, but just waited outside. "I..." she started, not being able to bring words out of her mouth. She'd just had an empty feeling inside since she heard of Stormtalon's dissapearance. Everyone presuming that he was dead.

To be honest with herself, Mistypaw didn't want to believe that he was dead. However, the apprentice knew that it must be true. Why would Stormtalon wander off, to never return to RiverClan again?

He was such a loyal warrior, Mistypaw knew he wouldn't do that. Or would he? Maybe he had been captured...

"I wanted to talk to you about Stormtalon," Mistypaw meowed, her words coming out as choked. She was really nervous about this approach. Kestrelstar had been good friends with Stormtalon... what if she made him angry?

The she-cat wanted to pace around, let go of her nervousness, but she just stayed in front of Kestrelstar's den as if frozen in place. Mistypaw felt like she couldn't move. Instead, a wave of grief overwhelmed her, taking charge of her. Stormtalon couldn't be gone. He just couldn't be!

[ apologies i thought she had come into the den ]

His ears did not deceive him, for that was certainly Mistypaw's voice. Thorns dug deeper into his heart as Kestrelstar let out a small cough. Not out of sickness, but in an attempt to clear his throat from the horrid dry desert that occupied it. "Come in." Cracked and sore like rough paw pads, his words twisted as they came out to sound raspy. He had to prepare himself for this, he had to figure out a way to face Mistypaw and not completely break down. After all, she was still an apprentice, and he a warrior. A leader, even. There was a certain example that he needed to set - but stars did he know this conversation was going to hurt.

Originally Posted by implimm

Returning to camp was difficult for a plethora of reasons- the prime thorn in the paw here being guilt. Camp was full of cats who knew Stormtalon, and hardly knew Plumstorm. She felt (perhaps wrongly) that she'd be persecuted, accused of letting the tom perish, crucified for her shortcomings as a shield of RiverClan. It felt like eyes would be on her, with Morningpaw in the medicine cat's den and Stormtalon gone... Plumstorm, as far as anybody knew, got away from the whole ordeal easily. She was painfully aware of this. Perhaps she should have stayed away longer. Maybe she and Kestrelstar could have...

With a pang of disappointment, the silvery molly scolds herself inwardly for thinking in such a way. She wasn't keen on facing these demons but at least she had him now. At least she could feel his warmth as they walked back home, and she could focus on the positives that might come of this mess than the negatives she would be facing.

His voice lilts in the murky quiet, and she looks at him. "... Yeah," she whispers, diverting her gaze again quickly. She could have said of course, or made some sort of comment. Naturally she would return to camp. But the way he'd said it, kind of sounded like he was thanking her for being with him, as opposed to letting them both remain individual yet present. She could have followed him back after a spell, or left before him. They could have walked home together but separate. But she returned to the Clan with him. And that was pretty damn significant.

Her gaze sweeps the clearing then, and she wonders how many of her Clanmates were awake. Who was thinking of Stormtalon now? Who was feeling a little peckish? Who was about to get up to use the dirtplace begrudgingly because they were so comfortable in their nest that they'd put it off earlier in exchange for temporary coziness? Blue eyes flash as they flit up to the gray sky. It was chilling to imagine where she'd be if she wasn't found tonight. But...

Gray-dipped paws follow the leader without hesitation. She'd been found, and she didn't really want to go away again just yet. The air between herself and Kestrelstar felt different, charged somehow. And Plumstorm knew he was going to have a hard time. She needed to be with him. Wanted to be.

The tom's den, so apart from everything else, was peaceful. Solitude fell over them after that spell of quiet and excited apprehension, and when Kestrelstar pauses to turn to her and press into her, warmth blossoms like another flower in her chest. His childish giggle draws a smile to her lips and suddenly Plumstorm is holding back a laugh of her own as she lifts her head to his chin in a happy acceptance of his former gesture. The shield continues on to brush her cheek up and across his neck.

His invitation is surprising, but not unwelcome, and before Plumstorm could really think about it at all, she blinks at him, blue eyes round. "Could I?" she asks softly, the hope in her tone nowhere near discreet. Never before had she really felt inclined to spend any length of time in this den. But, if she ever had that'd be a bit... Worrisome. Now, the idea of returning to the warrior's den in silence was disappointing. She didn't feel up to creeping over sleeping Clanmates, settling into a cold nest after everything that happened. And Kestrelstar, alone in his den with no Clanmates snoring or dreaming around him- Wasn't that even worse? "I... Don't want to leave," she finally admits. She'd been doing that a lot today, confessing to things. Being honest. It was new to her, the queen of closed doors and high walls and barbed defenses. Maybe it would be alright though, as long as it was Kestrelstar she was being honest with.

Gentle and soft; a combination so rare in his life that as she brushed her cheek across his neck it sent a trill of shock waves up and down his spine. Tail tip curled at the end and Kestrelstar allowed himself to lean into it more, nose pressed into her fur as his laughter slowly subsided. He had managed to catch a glimpse of her smile - warm, breathtaking - and it filled him with excitement.

A stark contrast of emotions, because just outside this bubble of bliss lay the dark and tangled emotions that would surely come once he fully registered Stormtalon's death. Oh, if only the dark gray tabby could see him now. Signature smirk resting on his face, one brow arched in a look that knew way too much - more than Kestrel felt comfortable of his Clanmates knowing. But the deceased warrior had been much more than that. A confidant, a close friend. Even in their latter days when terse words and ugly emotions had threatened to sever their connection. Regarded with high praise, Kestrel was well aware of the pain that awaited him outside the safety of his plum cocoon.

Another smile curved across his face as her voice reaches him, a question that reveals once more a side of Plumstorm he had not known of. Creating just enough space so that he could gaze into her eyes - a sea he could swim in forever - Kestrel's grin widens. "Then don't leave. Stay." Simple answer for a simply question, but he knew all too well that it wasn't "simple". Nothing ever was with Plumstorm, and that was perhaps what he found himself enjoying the most. A cat who spoke her mind, who wasn't afraid of the fallout. Someone who matched him step for step - a budding romance he had not been aware of until he had almost lost it.

Exhaling a rush of air he leaned into her once more, pressing his forehead against hers. Static shocks of electricity seemed to flow through the current between them as he hesitated. Then, gingerly, Kestrel leaned forward to touch his nose to hers. Still unaware of any onlookers, not realizing his brother sat waiting for him just a few fox-lengths away. Right now it was all Plumstorm. Sweet scent, soft fur, a place for him to maybe, finally land.

Originally Posted by Papaya

// @#rev, @arden

>Goosefury<

A heavily scarred face emerged into view as Goosefury stepped into Kestrelstar's den. He'd last been in here, what, only a few sunrises ago? Kestrelstar had privately promoted him to the rank of Shield then, and now, just a few sunrises later, he was back, this time to report a mishap caused by an idiot who didn't understand what being a part of RiverClan meant. Man, did time fly.

"Sparrowskip and I have something to report," he announced, taking a seat next to the den's entrance. "Sparrowskip, if you will?"

Originally Posted by #rev

// @Papaya @arden

Sparrowskip
____________

Sparrowskip nodded to Goosefury as he turned to Kestrelstar. "We caught Horsetail meeting that traitor Silverspot by the WindClan border. It was worse enough the first time it happened, but this time he was spouting some nonsense about love being a gift or some crap, I'm pretty sure he was a bit delusional" Sparrowskip got that Horsetail was in love and that he himself had never been in love and blah blah blah but he didn't give a rats ass about that considering what Silverspot had done. "We gave him a choice of staying here and going with Silverspot, and the last bit of common sense in him had him decide to stay here in RiverClan. Although I think some sort of border restriction might be needed to make sure he doesn't go back on his word."

Originally Posted by InsertCoolNameHere

Horsetail sat, with his head down, he was ashamed, he knew he had to stay with the clan. His sunken eyes looked up, his fur was dull and matted and his body was emaciated. "I am sorry, okay, I just thought..." he looked away, "I just thought...nevermind." Horsetail shifted his weight, he looked at Kesterlstar, "This isn't how I pictured my life, I just love her, but I know my loyalties lie with the clan," he stood up straighter, "My kit, and my apprentice," he stamped his foot. As soon as he was done speaking he slumped back down into the same position he was in. He watched Kestrelstar with a dull look in his normally vibrant blue eyes.

@#rev @Papaya

Really, the only times that Kestrelstar had left the comfort and safety of his den were to call for patrols and patrol the territory himself. Other than that, the shadows had become his new home. His nest was slightly messy, as was his fur. Ribs were not showing yet but his fur had lost some of its shine. Perhaps he'd fix it later - if the energy supplied itself for it. But for now, the leader simply turned his dull gaze onto Sparrowskip and Goosefury, who appeared to be leading Horsetail with him.

Ears moved forward to catch Sparrowskip's report, his expression remaining unreadable. Horsetail. Meeting Silverspot. Traitor. Yellow eyes narrowed just slightly as they jumped over to the tom in question. He recalled Silverspot; he had not exiled her, but when the outsiders had been removed she had chosen to go with them. Which was fine by him - the last thing he needed in RiverClan was a pair of spies who divulged camp information.

After having zoned out for a bit, Kestrel reeled himself back to to catch the tail-end of Horsetail's speech. Something about love, and his place in RiverClan. Honestly, Kestrelstar didn't think he could care less. But it had to be dealt with. Turning himself so that he was now facing the trio, he looked back at the shields. Even under the cloud of grief he offered them a dip of his head. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Dull, flat, but at least he'd spoken it.

Looking at Horsetail, he let out a sigh. "How quickly you have forgotten the vow you made at your warrior ceremony to meet a traitor not once, but twice - a traitor who left her kit and Clan behind for absolutely nothing." Bitter resentment ate at his words as yellow eyes continued to narrow. Sparrowskip was right; border restriction was needed, but he had something else in mind. "For the next half moon you are confined to camp and will be known as Horsepaw. I expect elders' and queens' bedding changed, prey brought to them, and the camp kept tidy - as well as any request a warrior has for you. Sparrowskip will be your unofficial mentor. Prove to him that your loyalties really lie with RiverClan, and once the moon is up I'll think about restoring your warrior status." Honestly, he didn't care if it was a harsh punishment.

"Pebblepaw will continue her training with any warriors willing to take it up in the meantime. But you are not to leave camp for any reason." Another cough to clear his throat as Kestrelstar let out a sigh, looking at the trio. "If that's all, you can leave." More dull, monotone words as the leader began to manuever himself back into his nest.

[ @/InsertCoolNameHere so this is how the demotion will work: horsetail is demoted to an apprentice for half a moon (it can be shortened to one week real time). he'll need at least two posts of him changing the elders and queens bedding, two posts of him bringing them prey, and two posts of him cleaning up around camp. once those are done and a week has passed, feel free to have horsepaw let sparrowskip know to alert kestrelstar, or horse is welcome to seek kestrelstar out in his den himself. if you have any questions just let me know! ]