WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[crumbl]

Originally Posted by Larkstripe

@Beyond_Carrot

“It was a large dog...a bit bigger than a fox. It didn’t seem like it belonged to Twolegs...it was lean and had no collar, so I’m assuming it was wild.” Sparkfrost admitted. However rare, there was a bit of trepidation in the warrior’s voice—usually brazen and candid, he couldn’t help but remember how easily the dog had flung him across the moor, as if he weighed no more than a mouse. He stiffened his shoulders and put the thought aside as he padded through the high grass, his cyan eyes bright against the shadows of dusk.

Sagebrook suppressed a small shudder at his description. It didn't sound like a creature she wanted to mix with. She reassured herself by reminding herself that they would be going in prepared, with two warriors, not taken by solitary surprise.

She began to slow as they neared the border, pricking her ears up amid the light evening breeze. "Around where did you see it?" she asked, before noticing a patch of torn-up grass exposing the bare, naked earth. "Is that where you scuffled?"

[ghostwriter]

@Beyond_Carrot

Sparkfrost's claws slid out, into the churned up soil, "Yeah, this is the spot..." he murmured. The young warrior stalked about the border's edge, nose lowered to the ground, eyes narrowed. He suddenly paused, lifting his face to the wind, "I smell something...but it isn't a dog...it smells like...a cat? But not a clan cat...just down the border from here." he explained, glancing at Sagebrook, eyes clouded with confusion.

[crumbl]

Originally Posted by Larkstripe

@Beyond_Carrot

Sparkfrost's claws slid out, into the churned up soil, "Yeah, this is the spot..." he murmured. The young warrior stalked about the border's edge, nose lowered to the ground, eyes narrowed. He suddenly paused, lifting his face to the wind, "I smell something...but it isn't a dog...it smells like...a cat? But not a clan cat...just down the border from here." he explained, glancing at Sagebrook, eyes clouded with confusion.

"You do?" Sagebrook opened her jaws to taste the air, and in a moment she, too, could scent the strange cat-- still very fresh and strong. "A rogue?" she said, puzzled. "That's odd. It seems to be coming from deeper into Clan territory. We should probably go check it out," she continued reluctantly. The dog would have to wait for now. "Most likely it's nothing, but we still need to check." The light gray tabby flicked her tail and bounded a few steps closer to the border. "Coming?"

[ghostwriter]

@Beyond_Carrot

Sparkfrost hesitated. Sagebrook was so driven...the warrior didn't hesitate to jump headfirst into a potentially threatening situation when her clan's safety was on the line. He studied her widened cyan eyes, unintentionally wearing his admiration rather plainly on his features. He blinked for a moment, realizing that he had been staring, and flicked an ear a bit self-consciously.
"Oh...of course." he agreed. What was wrong with him? Sparkfrost drew in a wavering breath and trotted after Sagebrook. The prodigal warrior was typically all business--focused, accurate--he twitched his whiskers and slunk through the high grass, deeper into WindClan territory.
"Hm, its getting stronger..." he remarked, lowering his body and glancing across the moor, where a large, sleek marbled tabby tom was ravenously crunching on the remains of a freshly-killed hare. The cat had one piercing emerald eye, the other, clouded over and viciously scarred.

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by Arie

@elysian

He was watching the entrance to the camp when out of his eye he spotted Snailswirl hurrying across the clearing towards what looked like Twilightstar's den. Deciding to investigate into whatever this was, he stood up and headed over, long legs quickly covering the space and they gently gestured to the younger, clearly distressed cat. "Snailswirl? What's wrong? Do you need any help?" It had to be serious if the medicine cat apprentice was that up and running and Breezefeather was unable to help the cold freezing feeling that was running through his veins. Hadn't there been talk about a white cough? or was it greencough? outbreak in Windclan? Was this the news or was it something less but just as serious? He couldn't help but wonder but he gestured to the younger cat to sit down for a brief moment and take in a few breaths. If they needed help Breezefeather would be totally willing to offer it but he needed to know what it was first.

Snailswirl
________

It was true — the tabby cat was in a rush. In the short few days they had been back, they had been hit with nearly everything. Herb shortages. Greencough outbreak. To say they were stressed was a severe understatement. Compared to this, even with Thornpaw’s injury, RiverClan seemed like StarClan! They barely saw the new deputy. It didn’t even register that he was talking to them until their eyes met the questioning deputy’s. They blinked a few times, collecting their scrambled thoughts. What had they just been asked?? Oh! "Uh, there’s... a lotta things wrong. But mostly Greencough. And I was going to see if Twilightstar would let me make a, an area of sorts?? for the sick? that way it doesn’t spread... The last thing we need is a full scale outbreak." Their eyes darkened even thinking of that.

[vellichor]

Originally Posted by Beau

[ @Arie @eerie elysian ]

As Weaselskip drew herself upward into a seated position, Heathernose dropped into one as well. She listened with a flick of her ear as the other feline spoke and couldn’t help the smile that broke across her maw at the compliment. She hadn’t spoken overmuch to Weaselskip but she had to remember to strike up more conversations with the other molly- she was so nice!

“I’m glad to hear that your new position is going well! It must be pretty nice having it keep you on your toes what with this long dreary leaf-fall. I don’t know about shining like sunshine but I’m hanging in there! I’m a little confused at the moment and maybe a bit emotional but you just made my day! Maybe even my moon.”

As Heathernose finished speaking, she beamed and laughed lightly, truly feeling just a little bit better because of Weaselskip’s kindness. That all went out the window a moment later when a familiar voice spat her name venomously. Heathernose flattened her ears and swallowed past the lump of anxiety that now lodged itself in her throat. Backing away a bit so her back wasn’t to Thornsprint, Heathernose gave him a tight smile. They hadn’t talked in a while, what had she done to piss him off?

“Oh, hi, Thornsprint. This is Weaselskip.”

Originally Posted by Arie

-- @elysian @Beau --
[sorry it is short]

Oh a sour man didn't have any care in the world that he was interrupting an otherwise extremely pleasant conversation? "Who may this Thornsprint be, Heathernose? since he decided to so rudely interrupt our otherwise pleasant conversation? I must say, Sourpuss, that this angry and stupid face does not suit you. And Heathernose dearie, you can't grow so sullen when he shows up. Kick his ass if he's being an ass, I would recommend." And that was when she shifted herself so, despite the frustration with her born gender, she could at least face this ass with her full fury. And sweet wrapped venom. Tail twitching, the only clearly obvious sign of her frustration but she instead decided to drape it around Heathernose and dragged the other molly closer to her. "Heathernose here is my sister, and if you're being an ass to her... I might just have to be an ass to you. Grow some brain parts or... leave her alone if you would be so kind." The lie was clear but Weaselskip liked it, and if Heathernose picked up on it she would too. The best way of defense was offense was it not? To... some extent.

Thornsprint
________

He felt a certain sense of satisfaction as Heathernose greeted him. As if she knew, even if it was just subconsciously, that he essentially controlled her. Her emotions, her reactions. It almost brought a smile to the alabaster tabby’s face.

That is, until Weaselslip started speaking.

He narrowed his green eyes. The absolute audacity of this cat — she-cat or tom, he was uncertain — was laughable. This ragtag guardian thought they could just spit on him? Well, Weaselflip was sure in for a surprise. "Oh, I can assure you, Weaselflop, I’m not the 'ass' here. And you sure better watch your tongue." He let a bit of a growl deep into his voice and used his tall stature to his advantage. Thornsprint’s gaze shifted to Heathernose. But before he could say, do anything to her, Sneezelflop was dragging her close. Sister, eh? "Well I certainly see the lack of resemblance. Nice try, though. Heathernose, let’s go."

[vellichor]

// marigold collection post [closed]

Snailswirl
________

The patrols were taking too long. Sure, they hadn’t exactly given them much time. But the leaf-bare frosts threatened the last few precious herbs they could get, and Snail needed those herbs. Walking at a brisk pace, their green eyes were peeled for orange, and only orange. After a few minutes, they were near ThunerClan when — aha! A whole bush of them! There were only a few flowers... but still! Excitedly, the tabby picked the largest ones. One... two... three....! Hmm... There! Two more. Five in total.... How to carry them! Oh — leaves. Duh. They were all over this time of year. Grabbing a big, yellowish one, they tried their best to wrap the precious flowers. It was incredibly awkward to carry and took them forever, but Snail arrived at camp with the flowers! Aha! Out of breath, they dumped them into the medicine den. Whew... they sure weren’t going back out there for awhile. That was tiring.

[vellichor]

http://warriorcatsonline.com/forums/...postcount=6096

+ 5 marigold
+ 1 big, dead leaf [if you really wanna add it lmao]

[vellichor]

current herb patrols [sent out 11/21/2020]:

Originally Posted by elysian

Snailswirl
________

With a stressed huff, they exited the medicine den. The herb supply was dangerously low, and it was nearly leaf-bare. They needed... webs. Catmint. Two for that. Marigold. They’d hop on a marigold patrol themself. And maybe one more for good measure. Whew. Okay.

Standing at the base of the Breezerock, they called out.

"WindClan! I’m back from RiverClan. Aand... we have an herb problem. I was informed that we’re low on herbs, and the patrols that Shockholly [ @Rainquail ] sent out never returned. The patrols I’m about to send out will return, or you will answer to myself, Breezefeather, or Twilightstar."

There. With that out of the way, and with their Clanmates aware of just how crucial this was, they would start.

[optional prompt: the smell of fox lingers in the air, though it is stale.]
"Dimtail [ @Jessica1917 ], Nightpaw [ @Cocoa <3 ], Hawkfire [ @MrChristmastheAJ ], Deerpaw [ @RETALIATION ]! I need you four to go to the outskirts to get some catmint. Get as much as you can! Each of you should be able to hold around three to four leaves, if you can find them. Do NOT eat it! Whatever you do. Go as quickly as you can."

[optional prompt: the patrol finds a dead hare, but there is nothing to indicate a predator killed it. could it have been sickness?]
"Falconspirit [ @PhoenixHeart ], Cricketpaw [ @Siren Bliss ], Eldersky [ @implimm ], Lionpaw [ @Mumble ]! I need you four to head to the outskirts for catmint as well. Grab as much as you can find, and as I told the other group do not, at any time, eat it! Go as fast as you can."

"I will lead Stagpaw [ @Arie ] and Robinpaw [ @hope ] to find cobwebs and marigold."

With that, the tabby leapt down to find their two favorite apprentices. As stressed out and worried as they were, maybe those two would make them laugh a bit.

[all patrols are due back DECEMBER 1, though sooner is preferred.]

[Arie]

Current patrols [sent out 17th of November 2020]

Originally Posted by Arie

[Similar to previously, I'll be doing all patrol assignments in here, and expects the reports to be IC in this thread to Breezefeather]

Patrol time, his first assignment of patrols. To say he was somewhat nervous would be an understatement but he had to present a cool and collected front which was exactly what he did as he made his way into the spot where previous deputies had stood and yelled the same patrols over and over.

First, the hunting patrols.

[Prompt; You discover a nest of hibernating bunnies]
"Robinpaw [ @hope ] and Omenscratch [ @Siren Bliss ] I want you two on a hunting patrol, the clan needs to be fed so you better report back with prey, if there is no prey to be found I want a report back on that as well. I would advise you go to up near the training moor, we've not hunted there for a while." The clan hadn't hunted a lot of their territory for a while in truth, and they could ill afford to starve in these times.

[Prompt; You discover a hawk that hunts the same prey as you, what do you do?]
Second hunting patrol, "Honeypelt [ @Pepperkins] I want you to go with Beepaw [ @Rainquail] out into the territory and make sure the prey pile is stocked enough. Cannot let the clan starve this leafbare, so do your best job." With that he shook his head and looked around, dismissing the two hunting patrols

Now time for border patrols.

[Prompt; You discover a stick in the mud and someone gets too excited about it and gets stuck in the mud]
"Snailspark! [ @Bread ] I need you to take out Bushpaw [ @elysian ] and Quailfur Cauliflower [ @Dovey ] down to Sedgewater Valley, the Riverclan border. Check what the fish have been up to and please, do not fall into the water. Make sure our markers are clear and strong and watch out for anything that might need to be reported back." That was one... out of three. He was doing good so far and turning around he begun to assign the next patrol.

[Prompt; Strong Thunderclan scent but... is that badger scent?]
"Nighthollow [ @Willowfern ] I want you to lead a patrol down to the Thunderglade, the border with Thunderclan. Take Puddlesplash [ @Puddle~ ] and Deadpaw [ @gs29513 ] with you. Be aware of any encroaching scents, we don't want anything to happen to our territory right at this moment and report any small detail to me when you return." One last patrol, and that was probably the most important of all.

[Prompt; there is some weird twoleg stuff lying on the ground {a plastic bag} do you decide to investigate?]
"Peonyspirit [ @Starfall ] I need you to take Windpaw [ @Wings ], Harerunner [ @Spoopy Eclipse ] and Cloverspring [ @ChillCat ] down to the Shadowclan border. We need to be aware of what is going on with Shadowclan and this is vital it gets reported back to me. Dismissed."

Done, patrols were done, with that Breezefeather let out a relieved breath and gave a satisfied glance to the gathered patrols.

[ ALL PATROLS ARE DUE 26TH OF NOVEMBER! Reports should be back by then or expect a reprimand from Breezefeather [If you are unable to complete it in time, let me know via VM and I'll allow an extension]
{please do not quote this}