[korok]

header & divider by @/Marigoldwhisper

A shocked blink flashed across Brokenstream’s face as Berryshine yelled at everyone to move. She yelled. He didn’t know the timid she-cat was capable of such a thing. Though, he supposed, that made her an even better medicine cat than he believed she already was. The importance of getting to a patient…her clanmate…her…friend. Gods, this was awful…

Another wailing pierced the air. The Lionheart froze as Cobwebfern approached. No, no, no, no. She can’t panic. If everyone had panics, he’ll- no, he can’t think like that. He needs to be strong.

Owltalon arrives. She snaps at an apprentice that clearly lacks the ability to understand “time and place”. Which apprentice was it? Brokenstream doesn’t even know. Everything feels like a blur. Two leaders- gone too soon. What cruel fated plan did StarClan have in mind for RiverClan? Was losing Fadingstar? Their own territory? Not enough? He swallows, but his throat feels dry. Why? Why? Why? Why?

No, hold it together, Brokenstream. You need to hold it together. His stomach churned. He felt sick. This wasn’t right. This shouldn’t have happened. But he forced his fur flat and did his best to keep a calm, collected expression. He forcefully tore his gaze away from Stormstar’s limp body, eyes sweeping around the clearing. He spotted his apprentice, Soaringpaw. Her expression was…unreadable to him. He spotted countless other clan mates weeping. Some apprentices gossiping. Stars…

He slowly turned back to Owltalon, expression filled with grief despite all his doing to try and hide it. ”Owltalon…” He croaked, but he struggled to get the words out. For a moment, he gently rested his tail on the she-cat’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort her…or was it to be comforted? He wasn’t really sure right now. ”I’m sorry.” He managed to choke out, glancing over at Berryshine as well. ”RiverClan is stronger from what foundation Stormstar has built for us.” ‘Had built for us.’ He wouldn’t dare say that out loud. He couldn’t. It would mean…this was real. Really real. Was RiverClan really prepared for so much change in such a short amount of time? They had to be. ”She is watching us from StarClan now…she’ll still guide us from there, I’m sure.” The words were meant to be comforting, but it didn’t dull the grief in his tone.

( @Marigoldwhisper | @squidz - last part was directed at berries too whoops wasn’t clear | @Minku - for soaring mention )