RiverClan Leader's Den

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap -->

She walked into the den. She carried a sunflower. "Kestrelstar?" she said. "I heard about Storm.. And I wanted to say, I know the pain you must be feeling. I just wanted to say that i'll stand by your side, and always be here in riverclan. I also brought you a sunflower, from that sunflower field I found when we were patrolling.. I was an apprentice." she said. "Anway, I hope you feel better." she said.
@arden

[starry]

[ @arden ]

Mistypaw padded towards the entrance of Kestrelstar's den, her paws being barely able to move. She had become very solemn now that she knew of Stormtalon's death. He couldn't be dead. He just couldn't be. He had honestly all this time felt like a father to her, and she was not ready to let go. Definitely not. "Kestrelstar?" the apprentice whispered, for the first time in long opening her mouth to speak again.

[spade]

Originally Posted by poppy.

Unaware of the potential irritation she was causing her buddy, the small ragdoll perched on the edge of her nest, her light stature and minimal weight preventing the edge of the nest to collapse. So good. Making an effort to seem as mature as possible, the apprentice took a deep breath, but as she summoned her courage to speak, her throat felt dry and her confession failed to come. She didn't want to lose her new home, because the woods would be so lonely... But Kestrel was her best buddy, he would never chase her out. What was she thinking? Silly Birdpaw. She should have realized he wouldn't kick her out.

''I um... I keep hearing things about StarClan. Fernmother, a long time ago, before she left, told me that it was basically where dead Clan cats died. If... if they believed. If they didn't believe in the Starcats, they would just disappear. And... And I don't believe. I don't know how.'' Her eyes felt wet, and she wiped her face to dry it. ''And I haven't told anyone this, because I'm worried about them not liking me anymore, but I don't believe in the Starcats. I'm... I'm really super sorry, Kestrel.''

Now he knew, and now she could stop lying to everyone. But what if he was angry? What if he chased her out? ''If... if you want me to leave, that's ok.'' Was it? No, but she didn't want to be a bother. ''I just wanna say goodbye to Silvernight and Reedbuddy and Plummy first...''

The hesitation that clogged Birdpaw was too obvious to miss, and Kestrelstar found himself frowning slightly. What had happened? Memories of the night he had found her, and she had spoken something to the effect of her mother coming to search for her. Had that happened? Had there been an outsider close to the nursery and not a single warrior had alerted him? Fire raged underneath his pelt as the leader fought to keep it flattened.

But no... it seemed that her concern stemmed from something completely different.

So, Birdpaw didn't believe in StarClan? He could at least understand - especially from a young cats' point of view. Hell, Kestrel himself didn't really believe in them. They were there, but they were nothing more than memories, than twinkly shining stars that blanketed the sky. They had given him his lives; nothing more, and nothing less. He hadn't ever really concerned himself with what his Clanmates believed or thought to be true, nor had he ever divulged his true beliefs with anyone outside of Snakeheart.

Heaving a soft sigh, Kestrelstar attempted to give her a soft smile. "It's a hard, and complex topic for young apprentices to understand. You grew up during the first few moons of life not surrounded by a Clan; belief doesn't usually come natural to those who do so." Stars, where was he going with this? At first he had felt connected to what he was speaking - now it was as if a tree had wedged himself back against a rock. "I'm not going to kick you out of the Clan for not believing. Being trained as a warrior calls for your loyalty to RiverClan, not StarClan." There, hopefully that would help settle her.

Originally Posted by Dizerel

Though, talking about Fierce did pull at the heartstrings a little bit for the big molly. Fierceroar had a time they were missing for a while, recently. And knowing that her former apprentice was missing made Junipersong pretty somber. After moving on from apprenticeship, the mentor and former apprentice hadn't done much together, and the thought of never having seen Fierce again made Junipersong regret not spending more time with each other. Hopefully she could change that for the future, if given the opportunity. She didn't want to dwell on it too much, though. She should focus on the here and now.

Junipersong took a good look around the den. Seeing what all Kes had done to the place. She remembered he was incessantly digging before when he had gone crazy. Wondering if that had a purpose and if it was visible. Also seeing if there were signs of any cats she would recognize. Any herbs from Snakeheart, perhaps? Or fresh kill brought in by anyone she knew? It was always interesting to ponder the lives that others had when you weren't looking. Though that might also be considered snooping.

She could sense his unease at the mention of Dawnstar. But it was an important thing to consider. Everyone had an issue with the corrupt leader, and even someone as empathetic as Junipersong understood that Dawnstar was, for the most part, evil and should be removed from leadership. However there is one thing that irks the big molly. "You know. Everyone is so insistent on removing Dawnstar from power or killing her. Do you think anyone has even tried to get to know her? To make things NOT about combat or killing and actually try to become friends? Maybe they have and I'm a mouse-brain but someone who grows up thinking that the whole world is against them is... well... going to try and fight the whole world."

And keep in mind, Junipersong would be the first to slit Dawnstar's throat if the Shadowclan leader tried to harm any of Junipersong's friends. Beneath Juni's soft exterior was a fiend just itching for a chance to go wild. A fiend that she didn't like. She kept it repressed, few knew about it, cause she chooses to be better than that. But it had its uses. Namely in protecting those she loved. Looking straight at Kestrelstar, remembering everything they have been through. She would not hesitate for a single second to claw and bite her way through every single cat in the other 3 clans if it meant protecting him.

Starting to make her way towards the exit. Sensing that it would be best to stop the conversation here for now, while everything was in good spirits. "Any time. If you need someone to talk to, no questions asked, you come and find me and I will drop everything I am doing. You got it?" She smiled. And if there was nothing else, she would take her leave.

Not under the radar was the way her gaze flickered around his den. Kestrelstar couldn't help but follow it, tracing over every little crevice and indent. He had spent many sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, the walls. Memorizing their patterns and the way that when the moon was close to full, light flickered in through the entrance and illuminated shadows against the back of the den. Though for the most part it was pretty barren. Save for a collection of a few things that Petuniapaw had brought him while he had been away.

Dawnstar was mentioned again and Kestrelstar felt himself stiffen. "I think... cats like Dawnstar turned away from any path of light a long while ago. Cats... they don't change unless they want to. Even if someone talks to them." Power hungry, driven solely by vengeance. No one had been able to talk Kestrel out of his violent rampage - not Snakeheart, nor Plumstorm or Stormtalon, not even Junipersong. He hadn't saw that he needed to change until his own actions came roaring in his face. Perhaps Dawnstar was the same.

Her leave to the den exit brought him back and Kestrelstar dipped his head. "Understood," he purred with a smile, a light flickering in the depths of his yellow gaze as he watched his friend leave.

Originally Posted by Kunaiskrill

Nightleap -->

She walked into the den. She carried a sunflower. "Kestrelstar?" she said. "I heard about Storm.. And I wanted to say, I know the pain you must be feeling. I just wanted to say that i'll stand by your side, and always be here in riverclan. I also brought you a sunflower, from that sunflower field I found when we were patrolling.. I was an apprentice." she said. "Anway, I hope you feel better." she said.
@arden

Dark. Everything that surrounded him was dark. The two nests that had now since occupied his den - one smelling of bitter herbs and the other of a particularly sweet scent - were empty as their occupants went about their daily life. Except Kestrelstar, who lifted his head from where it had been resting on his paws. His fur was ungroomed, eyes hollow, as he stared at Nightleap. He wanted to snarl at her, to tell her to get away, but his throat was dry.

So instead, he resorted to simply staring at her with slightly narrowed eyes, muscles tense. His yellow gaze dropped from her face to the sunflower she had brought him. Huh. He didn't recall whatever patrol she spoke of, and only gave a snort. "So you picked the sunflower, and now it will die." Dead panned. Matter-of-fact. Uncharacteristically depressed, even for Kestrel.

After a long moment, he looked back up at Nightleap. "...You know my pain. Ha." She knew what it was like to have her best friend ripped away? To not be able to apologize for all the things she had said out of spite; out of anger? Kestrel's claws dug into the ground to steady himself as he rose to shaky paws. Slowly, stiffly, he padded over to the sunflower and examined it. It was... disugsting. "Take it back." No emotion on his face, the anger having subsided. He didn't even look at Nightleap as he turned back around and padded back to his nest, slowly sinking back down into it.

Originally Posted by Ghostly Stars

[ @arden ]

Mistypaw padded towards the entrance of Kestrelstar's den, her paws being barely able to move. She had become very solemn now that she knew of Stormtalon's death. He couldn't be dead. He just couldn't be. He had honestly all this time felt like a father to her, and she was not ready to let go. Definitely not. "Kestrelstar?" the apprentice whispered, for the first time in long opening her mouth to speak again.

Dread had filled every inch of him at the mere thought of facing Stormtalon's apprentice. Kestrelstar had put everything he could between himself and actually delivering the news - but he wasn't naïve enough to think he'd be the first to tell her. It would be evident enough in the absence of the dark gray tabby's presence. Always a face seen around camp, now whispers on the breath of those who still spoke of him.

And of course, those whispers had reached Mistypaw, if her voice at the entrance of his den was any indication.

Shrouded in shadows close to the back, the RiverClan leader swung his head around to look at her. Fear. Shock. Disbelief. All written clearly for him to see, and all striking him deep like some unimaginable pain that was, suddenly, all too real "Mistypaw..." His voice was rough, a representation of the desert that had extended its grip up his throat. What could he even begin to say to her? He had lost his kithood best friend, and she her mentor... Not lost on him was how close the two of them had grown. Swallowing, Kestrelstar remained silent, standing still before her.

- - - - -

Moons had felt as though they had slipped by in passing by the time Kestrelstar had made it back to camp with Plumstorm. Snow had stopped descending from the sky but somewhere between them getting up and reaching the entrance he had pressed his side against hers. For warmth, yes, but also the need to be close to her. A spark of hope had flickered within him that not all was lost, and right now her presence was keeping the dark thoughts at bay in his mind. Stormtalon was dead. Gone. Carried off by - no, Plumstorm. She was here. She was next to him.

"Thank you for coming back with me," he whispered to her, yellow eyes flickering around the still camp. Not a single set of paws were awake and a hushed silence had fallen over them as they both had stepped into the walls of the RiverClan camp clearing. As much as Kestrelstar wanted to believe that all of his Clan was, in fact, sleeping, he knew better than to negate all the night owls that seemed to be among them. And right now, whatever this... thing was, with Plumstorm, he didn't want other eyes on it.

He took a moment to glance at her - beautiful sparkling blue eyes, a gray pelt turned into a silvery fire under the wash of moonlight. A smile traced his features as he padded towards his den in hopes that she would follow him here. If she went into the warriors' den now, it would certainly awake those light sleepers, and he figured she wouldn't want the questions. So without words he flicked his tail for her to follow him.

As he ducked into the entrance of his den, Kestrelstar wasted no time in turning to face her. His muscles relaxed as he curved his head down in an attempt to press it against Plumstorm's. A soft giggle came from him, as if all the adrenaline he had felt piling up from the trek back to camp was finally crashing over him. An odd reaction, especially to be coming from Kestrel, but the tom felt as though his mind was clouded over. Breathing in her scent was like honey and chamomile; relaxing and calming. He needed her in order to not think about Stormtalon - he could grieve tomorrow. But for right now, the presence of her was enough. "Will you stay with me tonight?" A hushed question, yellow eyes opening and fixated on the molly that was beside him. Unaware of any onlookers in his den.

// @implimm @Rani [figure snake can react to this he he he]

[starry]

[ @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!

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap -->

She pinned back her ears. I know this is hard for him. After.. Stormtalon died. "I do, know your pain." He said. I once felt the same way.. after.. Marrowheart died. "I'll leave it here. Because.." she looked at him. "I have a feeling, when this is all over.." she pinned back her ears. I can't stand to see him like this. She left and left the sunflower at the door.

@arden

[plum]

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.

[dino.]

// @#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?"

[marshall]

// @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."

[ThePiffle]

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. (This is him in trouble with Kestrelstar for meeting up with Silverspot.)

@#rev @Papaya

[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! ]