RiverClan Leader's Den

[spade]

StarClan was something that had always mystified Kestrelstar. Despite the lives proving themselves true that he had received back during his leader ceremony, the gray tabby still found it hard to wrap his mind around his dead ancestors. It was easy to picture Duskfall because he didn't connect her with StarClan, despite her belief in them. So whatever this in between place was that Fernpaw spoke of, it baffled him.

The others... Kestrelstar tried to not allow himself to stiffen as the names that Twilightstar had announced ran through his mind; Deadpool. Nettlespark. Fernfrost. All warriors who had served their Clan, who had been loyal down to the very end - the bloody, and brutal end. None of them had survived, their corpse dismissed as nothing more than crow-food.

Bile threatened to rise once more, but this was no time for his mind to wander to the vendetta he held against ShadowClan - and more importantly, Dawnstar.

Wrapping his tail tighter around Fernpaw, Kestrelstar gave the top of his head a quick swipe of his tongue in an attempt to ease the anxiety that bubbled out from him. "You're safe here, Fernpaw. Nothing can get you. You're safe." Reassurance was the only other thing Kestrelstar knew he could offer Fernpaw. There was only so much comfort he could provide; the rest would be delivered once he was back with his own Clan.

As much as Kestrelstar felt his heart begging him to remain in this happy memory for as many moments as he could, the leader knew that WindClan was grieving. They had lost so much, and the RiverClan leader had a sympathetic heart for them.

"I'm sure the only thing Twilightstar needs to know is that you're safe. How about we go on an adventure to find her? You can stick right by my side; no one will harm you when you're with a Clan leader." A smile stretched across Kestrelstar's face, true and genuine. One reserved for the likes of Snakeheart or Duskfall. A rarity that barely saw the light of day, reserved only for those who held a special place in the gray tabby's heart.

"What do you say?"

// @BILL.

[BEAR.]

Fernpaw knew he was safe. Or that he should be safe. But he thought the same Before, and that ..

He didn't want to think further on that right now. His stomach churned uneasily. He almost wanted to hurl, but managed to keep things down. (did he even have anything in him?)

Breathe. Remain calm. For now, he was safe. As secure as one could be when the hungry demons watched from darkness. He didn't feel safe .. but he trusted Fish Dad's judgement; he'd yet to lead him astray.

"Okay," Fernpaw breathed as he looked up at Fish Dad. In better circumstances, he might've beamed up at him and pranced around. Now, he didn't have the energy to try to smile. He was drained, scared, and he wanted to go home. (He needed .. to see..)

Right now, he focused on the Bird Star and the brightness he emitted. Safety. "I.. would like that a lot." He could see Twilightmom, and Wolffang, and Owltalon-- the thought of his mentor made his heart hurt. Nettlespark and Fernfrost might be back at camp, too. He hadn't seen the end of them, and if he came back... maybe Deadpool would come back too. Hope flickered in his heart.

He was going Home.

[ @spade ]

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap -->

The young warrior quickly nodded, darting out of the den. She was confused, how did the young apprentice come back? Was that even possible? She assumed kestrelstar didn't want anyone in the den, as this was his time with fernpaw.

@spade @BILL.

[spade]

That was that. As much as his nest was calling to him, Kestrelstar had to make sure Fernpaw got back home safe. He had hoped for one last night in his den before...

Not right now.

Getting to his paws, the RiverClan leader rested his tail across Fernpaw’s back - not to guide him per say, but let him know that he was there. Right there. Once outside his den, yellow eyes found Nightleap.

”Have Snakeheart and Splashleap meet me at the WindClan border once they’re awake. Speak nothing of this to anyone,” he asked her, hesitating for a moment. A part of him was wondering if he should tell her... No. There was no reason to cause more chaos than necessary; he trusted Splashleap to carry out his request.

With a nod, Kestrelstar headed out of camp with the WindClan apprentice.

// @Kunaiskrill

[Kunaisoul]

Originally Posted by spade

That was that. As much as his nest was calling to him, Kestrelstar had to make sure Fernpaw got back home safe. He had hoped for one last night in his den before...

Not right now.

Getting to his paws, the RiverClan leader rested his tail across Fernpaw’s back - not to guide him per say, but let him know that he was there. Right there. Once outside his den, yellow eyes found Nightleap.

”Have Snakeheart and Splashleap meet me at the WindClan border once they’re awake. Speak nothing of this to anyone,” he asked her, hesitating for a moment. A part of him was wondering if he should tell her... No. There was no reason to cause more chaos than necessary; he trusted Splashleap to carry out his request.

With a nod, Kestrelstar headed out of camp with the WindClan apprentice.

// @Kunaiskrill

Nightleap -->

She nodded. she darted out, but then she poked her head back in. "Do you need me to assist you?" She asked, looking to him. "I thought i-i'd ask.."

[Zero]

- @spade @Ziera

Iris wasn't quite in tune with her keen senses, being so young, but she certainly wasn't dumb. Green eyes gained a sharpness quite similar to those her brothers took on sometimes at Kestrel's reply, sensing something wasn't quite normal about it, but not really pinpointing the snark completely. She was also partially annoyed at the rest of her spiel being ignored but gave no other indication of being upset.

Being a kitten, however, she quickly gave up on thinking further about it, looking on as the two toms conversed about some side character. She stared hard at Stormtalon, watching the way he looked when he spoke, listening to which words he chose to speak. She was beginning to wonder how she hadn't noticed it before: he was quite similar to both their mother and father - a perfect mix if you'd say. He looked like a darker version of Silverfish, but his mannerisms were kinda similar to Swampstone's.

Her jaws parted suddenly in a huge yawn, feeling antsy and tired - likely wanting to find a cool place to take a nap. It was clear she was becoming bored of the adult talk and that the long journey of the day was finally catching up to her. She'd have to learn more about clan life at a later time despite her initial excitement.

[Dizerel]

Something was eating at Junipersong. It had been eating at her since the last time she was here in the Leader's den. Gazing into the empty den, Kestrelstar being absent. He was off, perhaps going to get guidance at the starcave, or just off to contemplate on his own. No matter the case, her life felt... empty. And it wasn't just the last twinge of residual romantic interest she had in him.

Even though she was the one that ended up getting injured, she felt as if she had betrayed her friend. She felt so conflicted choosing between what she believed in and her relationship with one of her dearest friends. Maybe if she had been wiser, she could have found a solution that appeased both. And no, that still didn't mean giving into her dark thoughts, which were plaguing her constantly since that day.

If she didn't do something, she was going to go crazy! But how could she do anything while he was gone? She probably spent a good half of a day just pacing in the clearing near his den, Finally, an idea popped into her head.

It was a long journey out to the beach. But it was worth it, in her eyes. She wasn't good at hunting, and Kes knew that, so hopefully it would make this gift a little more special. It took her until long into the night to finally find and then catch a crab. Prey that they had shared before during a special occasion. Trudging back towards the camp afterwards. She only made it halfway before passing out from the exhaustion. Come morning when she woke up out in the wild, she resumed her trek back. Arriving at camp, and bringing the crab right into Kestrelstar's den, to leave it there as a present. But.... the crab wouldn't last for long on its own. She had no idea how long he would be out.

So, she just set right back out to the beach. She would just keep going out, catching more crabs, going through the incredibly arduous process of dragging them all the way back to camp, and leaving them in the den. Its the whole reason crab was such a treat. You had to walk out such a far way to even be able to catch them, and you sort of had to eat them on the spot, since the weight of their shell made it extra painful to bring back to camp. It would take someone truly dedicated to bring a crab back. It would take someone stupid to bring back more than one.

The only time she ever ate was if one of the crabs she had left in the den spoiled. Eating the sour meat, to her own detriment. It was just her poor lack of self preservation kicking in. Snakeheart would have her ear if he knew she was doing this.

But she had to do it. She had to break the unbearable torment she suffered. Her normally lazy lifestyle left her with too much time to think. She slimmed up over the time spent doing this. Losing some of the fat that helped make her such a beefstick, and in the process, sharpened her hunting skills a bit more. All in the name of.... well she wasn't quite sure. She didn't know what the purpose of all this was. She guessed she just wanted Kes to feel welcomed when he got back. That he shouldn't beat himself up over what happened. Even though doing all of this was in a way Junipersong's way of beating herself up.

[Madelaine]

-->Petuniapaw

The white apprentice padded into the leader's den, a flower crown in her jaws. She scented the air and the scent of the leader was a little old. Maybe he slept outside? There were days when she herself wanted to, but her mentor or father would kill her. She padded forward towards his nest. Part of wanted to see if it was comfortable, but she was respectful.

Petuniapaw sat down right near it to wait to see if Kestrelstar would walk in at any moment. After a while, he never showed up. Part of her wanted to keep the flower crown until he got back, but she didn't have anywhere to store it. Petuniapaw placed the flower crown down on his nest and made her way out of the den.

// @spade; (just mentioning, so you see the post) \\

[spade]

Originally Posted by Ziera

// @Zero | @spade

Despite the accusatory question and her dumfounded stare, Stormtalon chose not to acknowledge Iris just then. Of course he didn’t tell her. What was the benefit? Processing this tide-changing news alongside a chatty kitten the entire way home from cattail pond? Stars no. If the revelation of his identity was abrupt for Iris, then good. Let it be a taste of her own medicine.

Grim pity congealed in his chest. My mom is gonna come back to get me. Obviously. When hedgehogs fly. Stormtalon’s mouth took on a sardonic curve as Kestrelstar’s ‘assurance’ reached his ears, the callousness of it complimenting his own spiteful nature. Shattering Iris' illusions of Silverfish as a caring, dutiful mother who never abandoned her children to pursue her own selfish dreams might have to wait a couple moons.

Then Kestrel straightened to ask something even more amusing. Would a kit sister obliterate Stormtalon’s work ethic in the blink of an eye and leave Mistypaw neglected? Who knew the guy was a comedian.

“If I thought so, I wouldn’t ask.” Storm never left a job half done; he was quite addicted to competence. The tom’s voice adopted a bit of a challenge, a bantering edge as green eyes struck gold. “And here I thought you enjoyed assigning me random kits to babysit.”

Originally Posted by Zero

- @spade @Ziera

Iris wasn't quite in tune with her keen senses, being so young, but she certainly wasn't dumb. Green eyes gained a sharpness quite similar to those her brothers took on sometimes at Kestrel's reply, sensing something wasn't quite normal about it, but not really pinpointing the snark completely. She was also partially annoyed at the rest of her spiel being ignored but gave no other indication of being upset.

Being a kitten, however, she quickly gave up on thinking further about it, looking on as the two toms conversed about some side character. She stared hard at Stormtalon, watching the way he looked when he spoke, listening to which words he chose to speak. She was beginning to wonder how she hadn't noticed it before: he was quite similar to both their mother and father - a perfect mix if you'd say. He looked like a darker version of Silverfish, but his mannerisms were kinda similar to Swampstone's.

Her jaws parted suddenly in a huge yawn, feeling antsy and tired - likely wanting to find a cool place to take a nap. It was clear she was becoming bored of the adult talk and that the long journey of the day was finally catching up to her. She'd have to learn more about clan life at a later time despite her initial excitement.

[ prior to kes' leave ]

Ears perked at the slight tone of sarcasm in Stormtalon's response, though Kestrelstar gave no actual acknowledgement to it. If the warrior said it wouldn't affect his duties, the leader would believe him... for now. Keeping an eye on the little kit would do for now, as only time would tell what sort of asset she would be to the Clan.

Shifting his attention to Iriskit now, Kestrelstar let out a puff of air. "Fair enough. Your name from now on will be Iriskit. Do as Stormtalon tells you, and don't step a paw out of line." Rising to his paws, the leader gave them both a dismissive nod. As he was turning around to slink back towards his nest, a thought occured to him.

"Oh, and Iriskit?" he added, casting her a look over his shoulder, "take a good look around this den if you'd like. It's the last time you'll be in here for quite awhile - kits who simply barge in don't last long here." The "threat" would reach the kit, but the look that Kestrelstar tossed Stormtalon after gave away the nonviolent nature of it, the joke of it.

With a flick of his tail the tabby leader turned again to head towards his nest.

// @Ziera @Zero

[Dizerel]

Inside the den, a monument to several days, if not weeks worth of work all from one cat. A pile, a rather strange pile.

Crabs.

Thats right, crabs.

Very many crabs. Piled together.

A crab pile.

Why was there a crab pile there? Few would know. Though it might be a little bit more obvious for Kestrelstar upon his return. It was a symbol. A rare delicacy, one that he shared with someone, someone who truly loved Kestrelstar, and this was their way of grieving while he was gone, possibly lost forever. But now, he had returned. And the fruits of the labor?

Crab.

// @spade