ThunderClan: Life Before 2023's Sinkhole

[wolfie]

@Jayvines || this is totally not late for legal reasons. dunno what u mean Why did Asterdance never seem to have luck when it came to hunting patrols? Seriously! Never, never, EVER did they go their way. Perhaps they were cursed. Something about sneaking out when they were little just made the whole damn forest frustrated with them. Just like Sparrowflight was going to be. Another thing Asterdance was dreading when they dropped off the muskrat they had caught. What a flippin' stinker this creature was. They just hoped Crowpaw had fun and got experience.

Looking around for the deputy, their tail twitch at the sight of her. Man. MAN!!! Asterdance could not stand to disappoint. This was worse than that time with Jaystride. Maybe, maybe if they looked guilty enough about it, Sparrowflight wouldn't notice. Slowly, very slowly, they begun to approach her. A nervous smile danced across their lips, an apologetic aura in their round eyes. All familiar. "Hey..." Asterdance mewed, shifting their paws around.

"Soo, uh, patrolll!! Had some difficulties with Ravenpaw and Crowpaw, but not sure what like, actually happened there? I don't think it was anything to worry about. There was some more delay, 'cause of uh, me, sorry. Again! Nothing to worry about. After that we just went to like this pond area, I caught a muskrat. Dude, dude, " They grinned, a sudden spark alighting at recalling the memory. "They are so, WEIRD!! They're like, a big fat mouse. So big. I didn't think they would fight back, they're super weird. I love it. I don't think I ever really had an encounter with them. Have you?" Asterdance questioned, it had been fun and well worth the risk in their opinion. They weren't sure about the taste but, it could definitely feed two cats. So long.

Almost like they had forgotten for a moment, Asterdance reeled back. "Crowpaw and Cinderstar were great! She's super good at handling apprentices. It's kinda neat. So, YEAH!! An interesting start, but it went smoothly. Even with that whole muskrat thing, I don't think I have to see Rosepaw or somethin'. It's not, bad, " They mewed, looking down to a visible scratch. Meh. No reason to waste herbs. Not on them, at least.

They quickly looked back up to see what Sparrowflight had to say.

[Weekend-Wondering]

Featherskies continued her grooming,
that is, until she head her name. Her
ears pricked up, and her gaze darted
to Cinderstar.
She was mentoring her first apprentice!
Featherskies’s expression was still
calm, though it did brighten.
“I will do my Very best to make her
into the warrior that one day, no bout
she will be.”
She spoke, and looked around, for
Bluepaw. It wasn’t long until she spotted
the apprentice and gave a friendly smile.
{ @~Fierce~ }

[Jayvines]

~ Sparrowflight ~

Hustling back into camp, Sparrowflight had just barely managed to make it over to the base of the Thunderwillow before Brightpath and her hunting patrol padded in. Attempting to smooth down her fur from her race back through the forest with a few quick licks, the tan molly's ears flicked up attentively as she praised the two apprentices she had led.

"I'm glad to hear Thunderclan's youth have been successful," she replied with a brief grin. "Keep up the good work, and thank you for guiding them along."

[ @zenosaurus ]

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However, the good news of Brightpath's successful hunting venture was interrupted by Copperfire careening back into camp shouting about... Dustclaw's body? Briefly, the confusion and alarm that had her fluffing up her fur was marred by sorrow. While Dustclaw had been exiled, and for good reason, their death was an unexpected side-effect of that.

"It is... Unfortunate that they met such an end," Sparrowflight stated as a frown creased her muzzle. "But this confirms the current threat of unsavory rogues about the area. Take another warrior, one of his kin if there are any left in the clan, with you back to the border and bury the body on our side of the border. He may not deserve a place under Willow's Rise, but we can allow him a burial within our territory."

A death was concerning, no matter the individual. If rogues were acting this brutal amongst those not within the clans, how would they treat those that were?

[ @MaryTheCrow feel free to take a warrior of your choosing back to the border to bury the body ]

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Another call of her name turned her attention to... Batblood? Green eyes flicked around to the clearing behind him, and her lips pressed together as he finished his report. What was going on with Roosterflame? The tom had been enthusiastic to go, but his potentially distractible nature was beginning to be a problem; this was the second time his patrol hadn't been reported in by him.

"Thank you Batblood," she stated, quickly turning her attention back to the younger warrior with a small grin. "I'll see how the two littermates do on their next patrol. Perhaps they will manage to surpass our expectations when working together."

[ @Spotty ]

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Finally she could take a breath. Settling down onto her haunches with a huff, Sparrowflight began to groom a few loose bits of debris from her pelt. Only one patrol left to report back and they were running a bit on the late side. However, with their late start due to the two young apprentice's having to be convinced apart she supposed she could let it slide.

It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Cinderstar was on the patrol. Nope. It definitely wasn't because she'd have no idea how she would enforce her usual punishments on one of the few cats that ranked above her. Absolutely not.

Finally, the telltale sign of the boisterous young warrior she placed in charge of this patrol appeared; and with a rather large muskrat to boot! A brief flash of a smile appeared on her muzzle before Sparrowflight schooled her features back into a more neutral expression. Asterdance was thorough in her explanation, and the deputy waited for them to fully finish before speaking up.

"While you are a touch on the late side..." she began, before pausing dramatically (rather forebodingly if she did say so herself). After she felt the silence had drawn out enough to make the younger cat squirm a little, Sparrowflight broke back into a grin. "My patrol also fell a bit behind today, so I will let it slide just this once. Thank you for your contribution to the prey pile, and I agree; muskrats are certainly odd looking creatures."

Briefly her eyes flicked to the small injury with a knowing look.

"Do get that scratch at least cleaned out by Sundust. Trust me when I say, little injuries can quickly evolve into bigger problems if you don't."

Giving Asterdance a final grin and a flick of her tail in dismissal, Sparrowflight rose to her paws and padded off to the camp enterance. There were a few cats she needed to locate who had fallen short today, and hopefully they would all reappear unscathed.

[ @x ghostie ]

[SplashyLumi]

Fireflyheart heard the announcements before raising his voice “No, Flamepaw should be assigned a mentor otherwise they won't become a warrior then die young. " He said, disagreeing with his leader.

[SpiritedWarrior]

Flamepaw heard what Fireflyheart had said, but she had to disagree with the warriors statement. I accepted my punishment, I’ll find a warrior to train me soon enough. Cinderstar’s right, I need to be more responsible if I am to become a warrior!

She wanted to tell the tom that his comment was unnecessary, but she was too embarrassed and ashamed of arguing with Nectarflame in front of the entire Clan. Typically, she wouldn’t care, but since Cinderstar addressed it, Flamepaw knew it was wrong. I just can’t help my hot-headiness!

[Dirtfur]

Originally Posted by SpiritedWarrior

Flamepaw chuckled at Blazingkit’s attempt and gave his butt end the support it needed to make a full jump. Looking down, it seemed like Vinekit had disappeared. Probably got distracted or something… typical kit thing. she guessed and slowly rose to her paws, careful to not let Blazingkit fall to the ground.

“Ready?” She asked with a flick of her tail, knowing the kit wouldn’t be able to see much else.

Blazing kit hissed, “I don’t need your help!”

Although the apprentice slowly rose back up on her paws, the kit let go and thumped onto the ground, letting out a grunt. Mumbling fiercely, he got back up and glared at Flamepaw.

“I guess.” He moved his head away and rubbed his front paws against the nursery floor as if embarrassed or upset at Flamepaw, but didn’t want to show it.

[SpiritedWarrior]

Originally Posted by Dirtfur

Blazing kit hissed, “I don’t need your help!”

Although the apprentice slowly rose back up on her paws, the kit let go and thumped onto the ground, letting out a grunt. Mumbling fiercely, he got back up and glared at Flamepaw.

“I guess.” He moved his head away and rubbed his front paws against the nursery floor as if embarrassed or upset at Flamepaw, but didn’t want to show it.

Looking down in alarm, both from his comment and his fall, Flamepaw assessed Blazingkit to see if there were any injuries he may have sustained. Seeing as there were none, she breathed a sigh of relief and watched as he mumbled and shuffled his paws. Is he okay? she thought with worry and bent down again to talk with the tom.

"Are you okay, Blazingkit? Do you want to try again?" she asked.

[Ian]

Hazelkit jumped slightly at Juniperkit's outburst, not realizing that Stormpaw had followed them away from Cinderstar. "Yea, you don't have to keep an eye on us. You already ruined sneaking out, so it's not like we'd be able to do it again," she grumbled, scuffing a paw against the ground in annoyance. She had just wanted to have fun with Juniperkit, but now everyone would be watching and ensuring they stayed in camp! And since Cinderstar had suggested she learn something from a warrior, she was absolutely not going to do that. That would be conceding defeat, and Hazelkit did not lose!

@RobinfeatherThe1st @silentstalk

[Dirtfur]

Originally Posted by SpiritedWarrior

Looking down in alarm, both from his comment and his fall, Flamepaw assessed Blazingkit to see if there were any injuries he may have sustained. Seeing as there were none, she breathed a sigh of relief and watched as he mumbled and shuffled his paws. Is he okay? she thought with worry and bent down again to talk with the tom.

"Are you okay, Blazingkit? Do you want to try again?" she asked.

“Mind your own beeswax!” Blazingkit growled, “and of course I do! I can take you down…soon!” The kit glared. Hatred and envy formed in his eyes. It was not fair! She took pity on him and helped him! That’s not what being a warrior is about, he should be able to do all by himself! If he doesn’t, then it is not impressive; how could his brother be in awe if Blazigkit couldn’t impress him?

The brown young kit shook his head and crouched down and glared even more at Flamepaw. Without a warning, he leapt and aimed for her tail, tiny claws extended.

[SpiritedWarrior]

Originally Posted by Dirtfur

“Mind your own beeswax!” Blazingkit growled, “and of course I do! I can take you down…soon!” The kit glared. Hatred and envy formed in his eyes. It was not fair! She took pity on him and helped him! That’s not what being a warrior is about, he should be able to do all by himself! If he doesn’t, then it is not impressive; how could his brother be in awe if Blazigkit couldn’t impress him?

The brown young kit shook his head and crouched down and glared even more at Flamepaw. Without a warning, he leapt and aimed for her tail, tiny claws extended.

Flamepaw widened her eyes at the young tom, unsure of what to say to keep him from being angry. He reminds me of, well... me. Unfortunately. she sighed and stifled a laugh when he said he'd take her down 'soon' and glared at her. Uh huh. Sure, Blazingkit... sure... she purred in amusement. She waited for the young tom to clamber onto her back again, but was only met with his tiny claws on her tail. Luckily, her tail was fluffy, so he didn't do that much damage. All Flamepaw had to do was grab his scruff and lift him up slightly to unhook his claws. My fur gets tangled easily... especially in my tail. I don't want him to get stuck and have to drag him around in the dirt.

And so that's what she did. Or at least tried to do. She got up and craned her neck over to be behind the tom rather than him being behind her and attempted to wrap her jaws around his small scruff.

"Please don't go for my tail with your claws out..." she began to mumble. "While it is a sensitive spot on all cats, it's not worth getting your claws in my long fur. You don't want me to drag you all the way to Sundust and Rosepaw, do you? It'd be quite embarrassing!"