RiverClan Leader's Den

[Dizerel]

It had been a proper while since Junipersong last had a chat with her dear friend, and seeing with rising tensions around the camp, it would be good to check up on him. She didnt know if he had anyone to reliably talk to when he was stressed, so she wanted to make sure his mental health was in check.

Rumors had spread around the camp of poor Kestrelstar getting overwhelmed with his duties as leader and starting to go crazy, but surely those weren't accurate, right? Afterall, there were a few in the clan who resented him, so most nasty rumors were probably just spread by those cats to make Kes seem less favorable.

Standing in the doorway to the leader's den, even if she wasn't immediately noticeable, the fact that she cast a much larger shadow than most visitors did would probably draw the attention of those inside, as she called out. "Hey, Kestrelstar! I didn't bring food this time but was hoping we could just have another sit-down and chat!" She said cheerily, waving her tail back and forth.

// @spade

[starry]

[ @spade ]

Mistypaw peeked into the leaders den. She really wanted to talk to Kestrelstar, because she had a lot of questions. She supported him, of course. How could ThunderClan just kill their cats off? It wasn't nice. ThunderClan had deserved what Lionstorm had done to them.

The newly made apprentice sighed. Mistypaw had tried to think of this logically, because that was what she always did. But cleverness wouldn't help now. She new Kestrelstar was at a mentally bad state, and she wanted to help him in some way.

Mistypaw wanted to tell him she was on his side, no matter how many cats weren't. That she would always support him. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea, since he seemed stressed, but she wanted to try.

"Kestrelstar? May I come in?" the apprentice asked quietly, not wanting to disturb him in his thoughts or something like that.

Over that, Mistypaw also wanted to thank him. Thank Kestrelstar for giving her Storm as a mentor. She really liked Stormtalon.

[versailles]

@spade //

➸ crabkit

shell collecting was fun, especially with a warrior to help. (being alone was never fun.) and with the shells she had found, crabkit felt pretty proud, having hid some of them away in a spot that she thought was pretty clever. she didn't want anyone stealing her shells! sure, she would give most away to sad warriors, but she didn't want someone she didn't give it to to steal it from her. that was a bit scary when thinking about and made her frown.

but now, holding the white and grey shell she had found, the gingerkit was poking her head into the den and prancing in. she had heard this was the den that kestrelstar stayed in, she wasn't too sure why he got a separate den, but she figured it was because he took care of all the cats here. sadness and stress turns cats fur grey and it falls out! her mothers voice rang in her head and she hummed. kestrelstars fur was already grey, so she wasnt sure if that first part applied to him, but she was sure the last part still would.

"mister fishstar," she called out, voice all high pitched like most kits, but because of the shell, it was very muffled. she took a few more steps into the den, and looked all around, squinting at the darkest corners to make sure there weren't any scary monsters. maybe mister fishstar is a monster, she thought with a tiny gasp, noticing the den itself seemed to be dim even with the light shining in.

crabkit dropped the shell on the ground, "crabkit has a gift for you! momma says gifts are good for sad cats." the last part was quiet, almost a whisper, as she didn't know if the leader wanted to hear that she thought he was sad or not.

[starry]

[ @spade ]

Rainynight padded into Kestrelstar's den. He didn't know what to say. To be honest, he thought Kestrelstar had gone absolutely crazy. The leader had killed a clanmate, and Rainy still had the image in his mind. Quietclaw. A life lost so easily, even though it didn't need to be wasted.

The tom sighed. Rainynight didn't want to end like Quietclaw, but he wanted to speak up nonetheless. He wasn't sure how to do it, but it had to be done. He took a deep breath as he padded into the den. Then, he quickly drew his paws back, remembering that Kestrelstar was still the leader.

"Kestrelstar? May I come in? I have some things on my mind I need to discuss with you." Rainynight asked with caution in his tone. He knew this could be dangerous, and this might be risking his life. But didn't Quietclaw's death need to be kind of avenged, at least? He thought it had to be, no matter what the others thought.

[Abyssopelagic]

Palepaw slowly made her way to Kestrelstar's den, her slow going both by the injury in her shoulder and her reluctance to actually have to make this report. She stopped just outside the entrance, allowing herself a moment to gather her thoughts, breathing deeply before pushing in.
"Kestrelstar," she called the moment her head was under the roof, eyes scanning for the tabby in question.
I have a report to bring in, about one of the kits from the nursery." And myself.
She gave herself a moment for her eye to adjust to the lighting in the room and to find a spot to shuffle her way to to sit.
"I found Petuniakit at Lionsbeach, being mauled by a gull. I was.... able to kill it and prevent further harm to her. She's currently with Snakeheart being patched up."
She hadn't told Blizzardsky yet. She didn't want a scene to be made before she had a chance to come to Kestrelstar. She just.... knew it would be better for everyone involved if she came to him first. Perhaps she was worried he'd make a scene about it, maybe she was worried she'd have lost the confidence needed to tell the truth or had been cajoled into lying.
She didn't really know, this had just felt like the safer course of action to her.

@spade

[~Kitty~]

@spade
WillowSong slowly entered the den. “I have some information about thunderclap” she meowed.

[Fae]

Lionspot walked into the den. Watching Kestrelstar. I have information. I saw reedpaw betray riverclan and tell thunderclan warriors of our plan and border rules. she smiled. She like snitching on others. She like watching them get in trouble.
@spade

[spade]

Originally Posted by Dizerel

It had been a proper while since Junipersong last had a chat with her dear friend, and seeing with rising tensions around the camp, it would be good to check up on him. She didnt know if he had anyone to reliably talk to when he was stressed, so she wanted to make sure his mental health was in check.

Rumors had spread around the camp of poor Kestrelstar getting overwhelmed with his duties as leader and starting to go crazy, but surely those weren't accurate, right? Afterall, there were a few in the clan who resented him, so most nasty rumors were probably just spread by those cats to make Kes seem less favorable.

Standing in the doorway to the leader's den, even if she wasn't immediately noticeable, the fact that she cast a much larger shadow than most visitors did would probably draw the attention of those inside, as she called out. "Hey, Kestrelstar! I didn't bring food this time but was hoping we could just have another sit-down and chat!" She said cheerily, waving her tail back and forth.

// @spade

If den walls could talk, the ones that surrounded Kestrelstar right now would be screaming. Agony ripped through the tom as he furiously dug in the corner of his den, sending dirt and soil flying out behind him. Claws were curved and hooked, and the leader ignored the snags that caused drops of scarlet to stain his fur. "Traitors, all of them," he gasped, sucking in air like a vacuum and trapping it in his puffed out chest. Dig. Dig. Dig. More dirt, the pile behind him growing.

So entranced by his current task, Kestrelstar failed to noticed the figure that stood in the entrance to his den. A friend, a close confidant, a cat he hadn't talked to in awhile. Finally, her voice got his attention, and like a startled bird Kestrelstar's head snapped up. Warning bells rang in his head as he turned, muscles tense and claws out. Ready to go on the offensive, the leader advanced forward, eyes wild. Until he realized who it was.

"Junipersong-" Air rushed from his lungs as it was evicted from his chest, his frame deflating as the realization that this wasn't an intruder. Adrenaline seeped out of him as the gray tabby turned, retreating back to his hole. Not quite done yet. Curving his paws once more the leader set to work before stopping again. That was rude. He was leader still, despite the shadows that plagued his mind. "What did you want to talk about?" It was robotic and forced, but at least it provided him a break. Turning, Kestrelstar looked at Junipersong again, studying her as if he was trying to crack a code.

Originally Posted by ~Storm~

[ @spade ]

Mistypaw peeked into the leaders den. She really wanted to talk to Kestrelstar, because she had a lot of questions. She supported him, of course. How could ThunderClan just kill their cats off? It wasn't nice. ThunderClan had deserved what Lionstorm had done to them.

The newly made apprentice sighed. Mistypaw had tried to think of this logically, because that was what she always did. But cleverness wouldn't help now. She new Kestrelstar was at a mentally bad state, and she wanted to help him in some way.

Mistypaw wanted to tell him she was on his side, no matter how many cats weren't. That she would always support him. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea, since he seemed stressed, but she wanted to try.

"Kestrelstar? May I come in?" the apprentice asked quietly, not wanting to disturb him in his thoughts or something like that.

Over that, Mistypaw also wanted to thank him. Thank Kestrelstar for giving her Storm as a mentor. She really liked Stormtalon.

Bees. Bees buzzing in his brain, that would explain the terrible headache that Kestrelstar had been experiencing for the past couple days now. With the murder of Quietclaw, and the loss of Alderfoot, Blackrunner, and Lotusheart, the leader was an absolute wreck. He had killed a Clanmate. A traitorous Clanmate, but a Clanmate all the same. Why? Because he got mouthy? Every time the tabby tried to recall the details it only served to fan the flames of his anger. All rational thought was driven out of the window and lost in the winds of upcoming war.

Whiskers twitched as the leader sat in his den, muttering under his breath to himself. Plans, he had to make plans. The first step in retribution was complete, but it wouldn't be enough. Sure, it would hurt ThunderClan, he Kestrelstar wanted them to writher in agony. Feel the despair and hopelessness that he was feeling. A territory grab? Perhaps. But which piece of land? Something plentiful, to cut their source of herbs off. That would certainly deliver a blow.

Mistypaw's voice at the entrance of his den startled him, shoulders jumping with shock. He had to remind himself it was just an apprentice; a pure, untainted mind. One of RiverClan's young that was impressionable. "What is... how can I... what do you need?" His voice was scratchy as he turned his eyes to look at Mistypaw. Below him his feel shuffled back and forth, tail tip twitching as if he was about to get up and dart out of the den.

Originally Posted by finnzel

@spade //

➸ crabkit

shell collecting was fun, especially with a warrior to help. (being alone was never fun.) and with the shells she had found, crabkit felt pretty proud, having hid some of them away in a spot that she thought was pretty clever. she didn't want anyone stealing her shells! sure, she would give most away to sad warriors, but she didn't want someone she didn't give it to to steal it from her. that was a bit scary when thinking about and made her frown.

but now, holding the white and grey shell she had found, the gingerkit was poking her head into the den and prancing in. she had heard this was the den that kestrelstar stayed in, she wasn't too sure why he got a separate den, but she figured it was because he took care of all the cats here. sadness and stress turns cats fur grey and it falls out! her mothers voice rang in her head and she hummed. kestrelstars fur was already grey, so she wasnt sure if that first part applied to him, but she was sure the last part still would.

"mister fishstar," she called out, voice all high pitched like most kits, but because of the shell, it was very muffled. she took a few more steps into the den, and looked all around, squinting at the darkest corners to make sure there weren't any scary monsters. maybe mister fishstar is a monster, she thought with a tiny gasp, noticing the den itself seemed to be dim even with the light shining in.

crabkit dropped the shell on the ground, "crabkit has a gift for you! momma says gifts are good for sad cats." the last part was quiet, almost a whisper, as she didn't know if the leader wanted to hear that she thought he was sad or not.

[ i thoroughly apologize for kestrel ;w; ]

What day was it? Was it light outside? Dark? Night time? It sure felt like it, with the exhaustion that weighed heavy on Kestrelstar's shoulders. All the time wanted to do was slip into a blissful sleep, one untouched by the dark claws that now controlled his actions. The leader was fully aware of the path he was on - shadows sticking to his fur, their tendrils working their way into the cracks of his mind. Taking hold, poisoning every thought, every action, every word spoken out of his mouth.

But it would be worth it. ThunderClan would finally pay. Lionstorm would be proud of him. He would be proud of him, right? Craning his neck to stare at the top of the den, Kestrelstar wondered if, wherever the golden tom was now, he was looking down with approval.

I will make RiverClan strong again. I will continue what your leadership started.

Tapping paws at the entrance of his den caught his attention, and the leader's head snapped down to glare at whoever was causing the intrusion. He wanted to sleep. He didn't care what time of day it was outside; he was leader and he deserved to sleep. "Why the hell are you out of the nursery?" came the low snarl as he gathered himself to his paws, sweeping across the den as he headed towards the kit. The shells were merely an afterthought, a blip, and while the leader registered them he was more irritated with the nuisance of a hairball in his den.

Originally Posted by ~Storm~

[ @spade ]

Rainynight padded into Kestrelstar's den. He didn't know what to say. To be honest, he thought Kestrelstar had gone absolutely crazy. The leader had killed a clanmate, and Rainy still had the image in his mind. Quietclaw. A life lost so easily, even though it didn't need to be wasted.

The tom sighed. Rainynight didn't want to end like Quietclaw, but he wanted to speak up nonetheless. He wasn't sure how to do it, but it had to be done. He took a deep breath as he padded into the den. Then, he quickly drew his paws back, remembering that Kestrelstar was still the leader.

"Kestrelstar? May I come in? I have some things on my mind I need to discuss with you." Rainynight asked with caution in his tone. He knew this could be dangerous, and this might be risking his life. But didn't Quietclaw's death need to be kind of avenged, at least? He thought it had to be, no matter what the others thought.

There was much to do - plans had to be made and the strike had to be fresh, while tensions were still boiling and anger was ripe in the hearts of his Clanmates. In his den now, Kestrelstar paced, tail lashing behind him as yellow eyes were narrowed in thought. The list of those who had left were fresh in his mind as well, and the leader made a note to scour the territory later to make sure they had all left.

Despite his chaotic display of power at the meeting, cats still felt the need to seek him out. Hearing Rainynight at the entrance of the den, Kestrelstar let out an irritated half-growl half-sigh. "If I say no will that stop you?" the leader muttered with a glare tossed in the warriors direction. "What do you want?"

Originally Posted by Rainquail

Palepaw slowly made her way to Kestrelstar's den, her slow going both by the injury in her shoulder and her reluctance to actually have to make this report. She stopped just outside the entrance, allowing herself a moment to gather her thoughts, breathing deeply before pushing in.
"Kestrelstar," she called the moment her head was under the roof, eyes scanning for the tabby in question.
I have a report to bring in, about one of the kits from the nursery." And myself.
She gave herself a moment for her eye to adjust to the lighting in the room and to find a spot to shuffle her way to to sit.
"I found Petuniakit at Lionsbeach, being mauled by a gull. I was.... able to kill it and prevent further harm to her. She's currently with Snakeheart being patched up."
She hadn't told Blizzardsky yet. She didn't want a scene to be made before she had a chance to come to Kestrelstar. She just.... knew it would be better for everyone involved if she came to him first. Perhaps she was worried he'd make a scene about it, maybe she was worried she'd have lost the confidence needed to tell the truth or had been cajoled into lying.
She didn't really know, this had just felt like the safer course of action to her.

@spade

To be quite honest, Kestrelstar had been wondering for some time when the first report of Blizzardsky's kits misbehaving would come in. It had taken a lot longer than he initially had assumed, but it was there nonetheless. And at a time when the leader had little patience left.

Stifling a yawn the gray tabby lifted his head from where he laying down in his nest. Dazed and groggy, it was hard to make out exactly who was at the entrance to his den. A smaller figure - one of his apprentices? Upon getting up and peering closer, it was. Palepaw. A moment of guilt shot through him as he realized they had not yet trained once. Too much worrying being done about ThunderClan and RiverClan's next move.

"Have you told our resident idiot father yet?" Kestrelstar grumbled, not looking forward to doing such a thing. Hopefully that was a duty he could simply pass off to Snakeheart and keep his paws clean of it.

Originally Posted by OliveFlower

@spade
WillowSong slowly entered the den. “I have some information about thunderclap” she meowed.

The days following the meeting had ticked by without much to report. No other exiles or deaths, which Kestrelstar supposed was a good thing. However each day that passed the leader grew more and more wary of his Clan. The numbers of those he felt as though were completely trustworthy were dwindling down into single digits and the tom was constantly checking over his shoulder. Paranoia ate away at him, and a few of his ribs now showed due to the lack of prey eaten.

Finally, it seemed, a warrior was at the entrance of his den with news other than personal matters. At the mention of ThunderClan information, Kestrelstar hurried quickly over to Willowsong, yellow eyes wide and practically begging. "What is it, Willowsong?" he demanded, tail waving behind him as all of his attention was focuseed on her.

Originally Posted by ~Fox~

Lionspot walked into the den. Watching Kestrelstar. I have information. I saw reedpaw betray riverclan and tell thunderclan warriors of our plan and border rules. she smiled. She like snitching on others. She like watching them get in trouble.
@spade

Another day, another report of a traitor to the Clan. Kestrelstar was thrilled that cats were actually taking him seriously and reporting traitors of RiverClan. Yellow eyes gleamed with interest and like a snake, the leader slunk over to Lionspot, claws already out and digging into the soil.

"Where was this? At the border?" the leader asked, already starting to pace in front of Lionspot. His brain instantly flashed to Reedpaw; the apprentice who had been pretty quiet - at least until now. Kestrelstar hadn't any issues with him, but this one... this was big.

Did the cats not listen to him? The RiverClan leader couldn't help but scoff though. If RiverClan cats thought that warning ThunderClan was going to do anything, they obviously hadn't listened to his meeting. "It doesn't matter as much. I told Eveningstar myself that ThunderClan cats would be slaughtered if they were caught near the border. But Reedpaw's obvious display of disloyalty needs to be dealt with." It was too soon after Quietclaw. Too soon after Blackrunner, Alderfoot, and Lotusheart.

Did he really have it in him to kill an apprentice?

[Fae]

Lionspot stepped back. Kestrelstar was way to close to comfort. She didn't even like riverclan. Why was she telling on reedpaw. He was only an apprentice he didn't know any better. What had she done. She looked at her paws. It was... She reflected to herself. Why was she even here. She knew if reedpaw was exiled or killed it would be her fault. Had she finally had emotions. What was this feeling. Why was she sad. He betrayed riverclan. But at the same time she couldn't help but feel like she was out of her own head. This wasn't like her.
@spade

[versailles]

@spade
its more than fine!! poor kes ;0; //

➸ crabkit

eyes finally catching the leader in the dim den, that glare that was sent her way made her hesitate before taking another step forward, pushing the shell along with her paw. "you are in here!" she gasped, mouth dropping into an 'o' shape before it quickly formed into a wide smile. the smile dropped in an instant once she heard the snarl, backing up a bit as kestrelstar made his way over. (he seemed a bit snappy in some moments when he had found her, but she didn't remember him being like this.)

crabkit blinked, frowning slightly and her brows furrowed. "you said a bad word!" she said, shaking her head in disappointment. was it also not known that words like those were bad, in clans? either way, she simply shook her head and didn't add anything onto that sentence, because she had a feeling that she should probably just leave it at that.

she outstretched a paw, pushing the shell closer to the tabby. "crabkit got you this! it's grey and white, like a fish, mister fishstar." she bit back a small comment on how he shouldn't sound so mean, because her mother would probably be very angry if someone spoke to her like that. "crabkit's not in the nursery because she doesn't wanna be! the river-camp is a lot bigger, there are more things to find." she explained. the most she could find in the nursery were some moss balls, sticks, and some rocks. the camp was way more exciting.