RiverClan Clearing

[SpiritedWarrior]

Hawkpaw was genuinely wanting to kill whoever it was that allowed death to take a hold of Slatewhisker. Yes, he loves to kill, he doesn’t care if any cat dies, but what Fawnpaw spat out at him had made him furious.

“I may not have a heart like yours, Fawnpaw, but I do still have one,” he growled, though there wasn’t much of a menacing tone due to so many cats being around. “Anyone who says different is a fool!”

Although he was having an outburst of anger that didn’t involve slitting a cats’ throat, he sure wished he could slit Fawnpaw’s. And everyone else’s that was present during this slight argument.

“Going out and finding who murdered our deputy is my way of grieving, whether you like it or not!” He hissed. That was half a lie. Going out and killing whoever was behind Slatewhisker’s death was an act of revenge. An act of keeping the Clans for himself to take over. He was unaware of his claws being unsheathed at the moment, all he could do was pin his ears back and stand up straighter. He was well aware of the actions he couldn’t do at the moment, but he will do everything he could to keep the Clanmates that knew his secret quiet. You’re very lucky you’re being guarded by two cats. Otherwise you’d have already been dead at my feet!

“Forgive me, Fawnpaw, but I can’t help but wonder if you think I’m the one behind this death,” there. He was going to make Fawnpaw even more worried, no matter if her Clanmates were by her side or not. “Beings that I still carry my outsider scent, and your little outburst just now…” the tom narrowed his eyes, threatening the she-cat to say something about what he told her. “I’m not the cat you think I am, I am not the cat who killed the deputy!” I get why she thinks I’m the one who did this, but she doesn’t recognize the scent on Slatewhisker. She can’t face the fact I didn’t kill their precious and pathetic deputy. How embarrassing… and an outburst like that in front of the entire Clan? She’ll be dead when I’m a warrior. My top priority is making sure whoever murdered Slatewhisker is dead though. Nightpaw is unconscious, Fawnpaw’s alive and getting close to spilling my secret, but she can wait.

And then came her apology. Well, that was… embarrassing. Not something he expected out of the she-cat though… interesting, to say the least. A memory of his father played in his mind. Hawkpaw was Thorn, and he was being scolded by his father for being a fool and risking telling his mother that his father was training him to be a murderer. A killer. A monster. He only felt one type of grief in his life: watching his father murder his mother and then get killed on the thunderpath. And that was… when he was seven moons old. For the first time in his life, he was holding back tears, and only when the time was right, he dipped his head and let a few tears drop so he was acting like he was grieving the RiverClan deputy.

“I get your anger. You’re grieving too,” he finally spoke after moments of silence and contemplating his past. “Sorry for lashing out at you.”

When he looked up, he saw Fawnpaw’s terrified gaze travel from Cloudpaw to Beansprout. No doubt she was terrified of being such a fool and terrified of him. Terrified and wanting protection from everything that was happening at the moment. Terrified of being killed. Just like he was feeling when his father had clawed him to no end during his scolding.

“I’ll leave this mourning alone, I did not know Slatewhisker for as long as you all have,” the tom spoke once more after collecting his thoughts and then departed the grieving party, heading to the apprentice’s den in a walk/trot. I have to destroy whoever killed their deputy. I have to kill. Just like my father taught me.

[occultation]

Slatestripe had been in the clearing when he heard the news of Slatewhisker’s death. To say he was shocked was a gross understatement. Slatewhisker had only been deputy for two moons. How in StarClan’s name could…

His thoughts ended in an overwhelming feeling of grief. He hadn’t known Slatewhisker, but the deputy had committed a loyal life to RiverClan. Slatestripe slowly made his way over to the cat’s body as cats drifted around the clearing.

It almost didn’t feel real. Like he was having some nightmare, sent from the Dark Forest to taunt him about his ambitions for the deputyship. He wanted to be deputy, but not at such an early cost of Slatewhisker’s life. The… former… deputy had so much left to give.

Slatestripe decided to sit back quietly to give those who were closer to Slatewhisker their space to grieve. He bowed his head respectfully, praying that StarClan would watch over them all.

{open!}

[Spotty]

Stagfrost rested a bit while waiting for his death-plot to contiune.

[Spotty]

Crowkit
[Open, but for the sake of your own safety I recommend you dont touch crow rn ]

Another day, another one of chaos and cats buzzing around the camp. Usually, Crowkit didn't bother, but today the colossal kit two had dragged themselves outside, picking a quiet spot and closing her eyes somewhat - enough to close herself off without being completely blind. She had expected this day to drag on like usual, with the patrols being sent out, maybe another cat losing their head over another stupid matter, or some kits causing trouble, but she was used to that. Not that the universe allowed her even the uncomfortable yet safe familiarity of the usual camp life, and Crowkit could almost feel the raised voices tearing into her skin as yet another thing shook up Riverclan.

Eyes now fully closing in order to keep out what she would, the dark-furred kit still has no choice bat to listen. Another death it seemed, but the name of this deceased cat was... different. Not unusual, 'slate' and 'whisker' were normals parts of a name, but it rang a faint bell somewhere in the mists of Crowkit's mind. In some way or another, that cat had been important to Riverclan, and then the word made its way from her clanmates' mouths to her ears. Deputy. Slatewhisker had been the deputy. It hardly made Crowkit care more about them, but at least the silent question had been answered.

But though she could hear more commotion containing everything from painful outcries and sorrowful goodbyes to some fighting even - of course, some cats would find this a suburb time to start arguing - Crowkit's eyes remained shut, and her before almost relaxed posture had stiffed; shoulders rising as she drew back her head and pinned her ears, her tail moving like a large, black snake behind her. She didn't react to what her clanmates did, just sat there, closed off and defensive.

[Spotty]

Slumberpaw

This job for today was finished seeing as everyone in camp seemed calm, and he was too tired to start looking for more nice rocks around camp, so the long-furred cat simply curled up in his nest for a nap while waiting for him to be required somewhere. But when commotion once again started up outside he raised his head and tried to blink away his sleepiness. What was happening now? It had been quite a while since he had heard so much happening outside, so many voices, scared and worried, even greaving voices. Worry rose up like a nervous little cloud inside Slumberpaw's stomach as he stood up and hurried outside. But his paws skidded to a complete halt just before he reached the entrance as he picked up what was going on. No. No, no, no. Another dead cat? So soon? Skies and clouds, can't we have a few weeks of peace even?

During the last meeting, so many recent deaths and injuries had been announced that Pikestar had stopped taking in outsides completely, but still another cat had died. The fact that Slatewhisker had been deputy didn't really change how sad Slumberpaw was, since no matter her rank it had still been a cat, a clanmate, a deputy-clanmates, sure, but one with a life worth no more or less than a kit or elders'. But Slumberpaw understood what his clanmates felt, losing a deputy was still bigger, scarier.

The fluffy apprentice had seen where all the other cats were looking, and purposefully avoided even glancing there as he padded outside. It was better not to look unless he needed to, since seeing anything badly mangled wouldn't be good for him. He took comfort in the fact that if Slatewhisker had died too horrible of a death it would have shown on her body, and in that case, Pikestar wouldn't have allowed younger kits outside at all. Slumberpaw was still adamant not to let any kits too near the body, since that wasn't something kittens should be exposed to, but also he didn't want to look himself. He didn't need to stand and look at death when there were places where he was needed more.

The two pools of light blue gazed over camp, making sure no one was doing too badly at least. But sadly many cats seemed to be unwell, which of course was expected. Fawnpaw was reacting awfully strongly, and Slumberpaw tilted his head a little, but with her being the medicine cat, she already had support around her. He didn't want to add when it wasn't needed as much, and kept checking up on cats. One did seem to need a little comfort, and quietly like a silver and white cloud the apprentice weaved among his clanmates, murmuring his hushed regards along with the ceremonial "May you find good hunting and company in Starclan." towards it as he passed the departed deputy's body, but still according to look at it. His eyes found Pikestar again and though the leader already had a cat by his side, Slumberpaw's long and soft-furred tail still reached out to gently brush over the shoulders and he took a seat beside the leader. Not your fault, not anyone's fault, don't be sorry. He usually had a way to make cats calm down, so he hoped it would work now to, but he still offered a careful bump of his head on the Pikestar's shoulder, since he couldn't really reach much higher.

[ @canineantics - open for more cats who might need to be comforted a little bit ]

[Moxie Foxy]

Originally Posted by Cherry~

Slatestripe had been in the clearing when he heard the news of Slatewhisker’s death. To say he was shocked was a gross understatement. Slatewhisker had only been deputy for two moons. How in StarClan’s name could…

His thoughts ended in an overwhelming feeling of grief. He hadn’t known Slatewhisker, but the deputy had committed a loyal life to RiverClan. Slatestripe slowly made his way over to the cat’s body as cats drifted around the clearing.

It almost didn’t feel real. Like he was having some nightmare, sent from the Dark Forest to taunt him about his ambitions for the deputyship. He wanted to be deputy, but not at such an early cost of Slatewhisker’s life. The… former… deputy had so much left to give.

Slatestripe decided to sit back quietly to give those who were closer to Slatewhisker their space to grieve. He bowed his head respectfully, praying that StarClan would watch over them all.

{open!}

Darklight paddled over "you Ok Slatestripes.... this is so sudden isn't it... hard to believe a fine warrior like him is gone now... gone to soon"

[puppeteer]

Silverpaw

She had been trying to reassure and comfort Fawnpaw when he spoke. Hawkpaw. She felt her hackles raise and her soft, sad smile turn into a snarl. But, before she could say anything, Fawnpaw did. The reaction the gentle medicine cat had was astounding. She had never seen her react this way. It was startling, but also kind of... awesome. But Hawkpaw had to speak again. This made Silverpaw angry. The way he disrespected the medicine cat infuriated her. The silver she-cat stood, and stalked her way over to Hawkpaw.

"Don't you dare disrespect her. You may be an outsider, but I hope you're mother still taught you to respect those above you." She snarled, thrusting her face into his. "I don't care where you came from or who you are, but if you ever disrespect my friend again, I'll shred you personally. And if you dare to accuse her of such things again, you better pray to StarClan to come save you." With a lash of her tail, she stalked back over to where Fawnpaw and Cloudpaw were, an angry look in her eyes.

She didn't feel sorry at all. "Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong." The silver molly mewed to her, hoping in some way she could reassure the she-cat beside her. Her amber eyes flicked between Hawkpaw and Fawnpaw again, waiting to see how the tom would react. She touched her nose to Slatewhiskers cold fur, tears forming again. "Safe hunting, friend. We'll meet again, won't we?"

{ @birdie @SpiritedWarrior @canineantics - Cloudpaw mention }

[Captain]

CLOUDPAW
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

➣ As soon as she sat down beside Fawnpaw, the fluffy black-and-white molly was a little surprised when the young medicine cat almost immediately pressed her forehead into her shoulder. For a moment, all of the uneasy sickly feelings that churned inside of Cloudpaw's stomach seemed to fade away, at least for a little bit, and a voice whispered to the RiverClan apprentice. “Everything is going to be okay.” It said to her, despite the morbid circumstances. Even as they all mourned the loss of their beloved deputy, Cloudpaw had a strange sense of hope that they would get through this as a clan. That RiverClan would prevail and honor Slatewhisker, but not lose themselves in the process. After a few seconds, the young she-cat allowed herself to turn and look at Fawnpaw, who had already been trying to catch her gaze. The two of them looked at one another in a silent understanding. However, like a cruel claw slicing through them, the moment soon ended, rather abruptly, as Hawkpaw spoke up, which seemed to take all of Fawnpaw’s attention. It only got worse from then on.

Noticeably, Cloudpaw could feel the RiverClan medicine cat’s anger, her hackles rising and her eyes showing a fire that she had never seen before as she stared at Hawkpaw like he had just spit on Slatewhisker’s body. Her voice was laced with venom as she lost her temper, remarking how they should be grieving and not looking to end another life. Cloudpaw agreed, sticking close to her friend, staying relatively calm… that was, until Hawkpaw growled and hissed at her. Immediately, the black-and-white apprentice’s head snapped around to lock onto the tomcat. “Don’t you dare hiss at her, you heartless asshole!” The RiverClan molly practically roared, her lips peeling back into a snarl as she rose to her paws, her tail lashing behind her as she looked at Hawkpaw with murder in her eyes. This was an apprentice who had trained in the Dark Forest, been trained how to deliver a killing blow to another living cat, and right now, Cloudpaw wanted to unleash the fury of every cat in this forest upon this cat, who was supposed to be her own clanmate. “I’ll rip out your throat if you ever talk like that to her again.” She growled slowly, obviously threatening Hawkpaw without a second thought, rage bubbling hot in her veins. In the heat of it all, another cat budded in: Silverpaw. In a way, she seemed as angry as Cloudpaw was for the disrespect that Hawkpaw had shown Fawnpaw. The black-and-white molly regretted nothing. Letting all those chained-up emotions within her be let out, even if just for a short while.

The whole event soon calmed down though, as Fawnpaw and Hawkpaw meowed their apologies for lashing out. Cloudpaw wouldn’t dare apologize for anything. Neither would Silverpaw, the two apprentices seeming to have a shared understanding of protecting RiverClan’s medicine cat. She looked to Fawnpaw then, seeing her look at Beansprout and then at her with a look of terror. Not because of what Hawkpaw did, nor what she and Silverpaw did, but for what she herself did. That made Cloudpaw’s wildfire within her chest simmer and her fur laid flat on her back. The brown-furred healer soon curled in on herself and only looked at Slatewhisker. Cloudpaw silently sank down to the ground too, resting her tail around Fawnpaw gently as she rested her chin on the medicine cat’s shoulder. The anger slowly trickled out of Cloudpaw and she allowed herself to return to grieving.

< @SpiritedWarrior @cloudy sky @birdie | open for reactions, etc. >
( I'm working on Pikestar's reaction rn, but have this in the meantime, ahaha. )

[jay]

hollowstorm
he/him



Hollowstorm bowed his head to the fallen deputy. “She was a great deputy, Slatewhisker was.” he choked out. “We’ll miss her greatly.” Inwardly he hoped to be deputy, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. He needed an apprentice, after all. He sadly grabbed a piece of prey from the pile. He padded over to Pikestar. “I know you’re grieving, but life must go on. Send out hunting patrols, mark the borders.”

@canineantics



This was edited because soon after his apprentice was submitted to the allegiances, so yeah.

[Fade]

Originally Posted by forest

hollowstorm
he/him



Hollowstorm bowed his head to the fallen deputy. “She was a great deputy, Slatewhisker was.” he choked out. “We’ll miss her greatly.” Inwardly he hoped to be deputy, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. He needed an apprentice, after all. He sadly grabbed a piece of prey from the pile. He padded over to Pikestar. “I know you’re grieving, but life must go on. Can you give me an apprentice? It’s long overdue.”

@canineantics

Fawnleap | Active Warrior and Demigirl | She/They

“You are sick. We have had this problem for a while- You will be speaking to me. I cannot stand you Hollowstorm! How dare you ask such a random and irrelevant question while we are in the middle of Such A Situation.” The Warrior said slowly in The Tomcats ear. Fawnleap made quite the entrance but she didn’t care. Hollowstorm wanted an apprentice so badly that he Just Had To Ask It In The Middle of A Grieving Clan. The russets and Brown and White Demigirl Stepped into the spot Right Next To the Warrior. She didn’t give a damn on What Pikestar was going to say. He was a sick cat,He was disgusting! Hollow storm was vile! Fawnleaps pale yellow eyes were glued on Hollowstorm,She was Freaking Pissed! Hollowstorm had overreacted at the meeting and now this. Fawnleap was done! “I want you to apologize To Everyone here,Including Slatewhisker.”