RiverClan Leader's Den - Page 166

**vellichor** · #**1651** February 6th, 2023, 05:11 PM

Beansprout

Despite his still-healing injury, beansprout had something that he needed to do. Something that required him to take a trek up to the leader's den. But first, he grabbed a small shrew from off of the prey pile. It wasn't much, but it was winter; one couldn't afford to be picky. The siamese hoped that the small gift would help with what he was going to say.

"Pikestar... may I come in?"

**perseus.** · #**1652** February 6th, 2023, 08:13 PM

☄. *. ⋆ Beetlekit

The tom stumbled up to the leaders den, holding some kind of shell in his mouth as he tried speaking around it, though it came out rather muffled, "POKESTAR! Can I come in? I have somethinf for you!" whatever this was had fallen from the sky so it must be a gift that had to be given to Pokestar! Seeing that is where stars are, everyone in Riverclan knew that! He couldn't sit still as he bounced on his paws as he awaited Pokestar to let him in his den.

@canineantics

**Captain** · #**1653** February 11th, 2023, 12:29 AM

With his little speech now over and done, the lanky RiverClan tomcat would now divert his full attention to whatever Flamebriar had to say. He nodded ever so gently when she revealed to Pikestar that she was once a ShadowClan cat. So was Lynxfall and Shadepaw, as well as Marigoldleap too. These confessions weren’t surprising to him much anymore, but the tall oriental longhair did well to not interrupt his clanmate. There was much more to this story than he was expecting on surface level, evidently enough as Flamebriar warned him upfront about upcoming details. Pikestar continued listening.

Marigoldleap was her daughter? He nodded again, whiskers twitching with intrigue. Pikestar was well aware that the other molly had been a medicine cat once, considering she aided Fawnlight in her training. However, they couldn’t help but blink with surprise as Flamebriar told the RiverClan leader that she was the sister of Icestar. As in, the ShadowClan leader, Icestar? Dawnstar’s mother? Well, now that was certainly a secret that he wasn’t exactly expecting to be told. And that last bit was something that they had already expected, given the circumstances. Pikestar was silent for a couple of seconds, thinking.

"I am not afraid of ShadowClan." He said, peering at the ginger calico molly, "I never have been, nor am I now." Pikestar touched Flamebriar's shoulder gently with the tip of his fluffy tail as an act of reassurance. "You and Marigoldleap are RiverClan cats now, no matter what. Even as Dawnstar's aunt, you are still one of my clanmates and that will never change in my eye." A smarter leader probably would have kicked them out, wanting the rest of his clanmate's safety to come before anything. What would have Skystar done? Or Kestrelstar? Maybe they already had known all along, and he was the fool left in the dark. Regardless, Pikestar gave Flamebriar a small smile. "You are apart of our family now, and if Dawnstar has a problem with that, then I shall handle it." If he were to go to war over such a thing, then so be it, but the ShadowClan had not show any of RiverClan trouble over it.... yet. No matter what would happen, he'd sooner die than kick Flamebriar and Marigoldleap out of his clan. That was certain.

Staring at the empty wall of his den, the lanky RiverClan leader had a clear scowl on his face, the tip of his fluffy tail flicking back and forth in an irritated manner. His thoughts bounced around in his head violently and he couldn’t help but grit his teeth together bitterly. Pikestar, within all the intense haze of his anger, was half-tempted to unsheathe his claws and drag them across the walls in a fiery rage. However, before anything of that sense could occur, a familiar voice sounded at the maw of his den: Deerthroat. Like a switch in his brain, the irritation and hot temper drained from his current expression and body language, melting away to show a casual and calm demeanor that would show anyone that nothing was wrong here. Totally not wrong whatsoever.

“Yes, come in!” Pikestar remarked in an unusually cheery tone, turning his body towards the den’s entrance. He blinked at the blue-gray molly, who was holding a rather tasty-looking trout in her jaws. His mouth watered slightly at the sheer sight. Certainly, Deerthroat couldn’t have known that was one of his favorite types of fish to eat? His stomach grumbled lowly, reminding him that he had forgotten to eat again. How convenient of her to bring him food.

With a softened partial gaze, he could only sit there and watch the young molly as she stepped into his den. So familiar with the display, the large oriental tomcat could feel she was holding back a flood of emotions, crackling and threatening to burst at any moment. She looked up at him in mere silence, and Pikestar shared the aching pain that occupied both their hearts. The numbingly causal way he asked her how she was felt fake, like a mask to cover the hurricane of emotions they were both so desperately trying to hide. However, the moment Silverpaw opened her maw to speak, it was like all the trapped feelings within her soul now spilled out instead of words like she had wanted. Heavy teardrops rolled down her cheeks and the tall RiverClan leader then felt like a thorny vine was squeezing his heart mercilessly. It did not take much for her to run to him, abandoning all attempt to hide what both wanted.

Upon instinct, Pikestar lifted his front paws, opening them up to catch her as the silver-furred tabby as she crashed into him. Emotional cries immediately could be heard from his daughter, and the long-furred tomcat wrapped his much larger paws around her. Stars above, he wished he could do something, anything, to protect her from the cruel nature of this world―even if that included himself. “Hush now,” They murmured in a gentle tone, attempting to sooth her woes, “It wasn't your fault, and it was terrible of me to ever think it was.” Pikestar was disgusted with the cat he had become through becoming a clan leader, and he would do anything to take back the heartless things he had done. He fell silent as she would apologize over, and over, and over again for leaving him behind, for leaving her siblings behind, for leaving Fawnlight behind. Shaking his head, it was all he could muster to shoo away such words. She had nothing she needed to be sorry for and he saw now the selfishness of his mind for the way he had responded to her death orginally.

After awhile of this, her sobbing would cease and she would step back, breaking the two of them apart. Silverpaw would the tell him about her mother, who had been up there in StarClan when she had been there. Despite everything, they had not spoken one word to one another. Pikestar blinked at the apprentice, seeing the shame that overtook the young she-cat as she gazed down at her paws. "She would not have been happy, no, but not at you." They remarked quietly, "What happened to you was the fault of a heartless ShadowClan cat, and nothing more." Trespassing did not warrant death, and it had taken him far too long to understand that. He lifted his right paw and rested it on her shoulder ever so gently. "I could only imagine what you've been through, Silverpaw, but I am glad that you're back home where you belong." Pikestar said, smiling softly at her.

Swiftly turning his head to see the familiar sight of Bluebellcrackle in the mouth of his den, Pikestar nodded. “Of course. Come on inside, and sit wherever you’d like.” He remarked, sitting down towards the back of his den and resting his bushy tail over his front paws, “I am sure a lot has happened since you’ve been gone. I’m here for you.” Pikestar wasn't a smart cat by any means, but he could definitely tell that something awful had happened to his friend, though he'd never assume unless heard from her own mouth. He hadn't noticed it before, during the meeting, and perhaps that had been an ignorant mistake on his own part, but the Lord of the Waters wanted to do his best to console the marbled molly in any way possible.

Laying on the floor of his den, the large oriental tomcat stared up at the ceiling, lost in thoughts that made him feel like he was just drifting through that endless black void. There was a look of sorrow written across his expression as his partial gaze flickered around at invisible pictures that drew themselves on the walls of his empty, bare den. It made him feel sick and he felt like a heavy rock was just sitting in the base of his chest. Pikestar’s stomach groaned with a pain that he did little to soothe. Days seemed to pass them by in an endless session as they waited for things to get better, for the pain to stop and this awful dread in his soul to fade. By the moon, the least that Pikestar was asking for was for his body and mind to become used to it, numb even. But it never did. He still kept hurting, and he still kept feeling. How did other cats do it? Oh what the Lord of the Waters wouldn't do to know that freeing secret.

At the sound of a voice, Pikestar flinched with surprise as he was violently sent crashing back to the cold truth of reality. He then quickly sat up, brushing his big front paws over himself to make his fur look somewhat presentable. The familiar scent of Raccoonpelt wafted through his senses, accompanied by squirrel. "Yes, yes... Come in." He remarked, having his back somewhat facing his den's entrance, "What... do you need? Is everything alright?"

Lifting his head off his paws, the dark-furred tomcat’s partial gaze rested on the light cream-furred molly as she padded into his den. “Yes, Mossdew, what is it?” He meowed, easing himself quietly into a sitting position. The tall RiverClan leader wished cats would stop strolling into his personal space without being invited in, but Pikestar knew better than to complain over such a stupid thing, and kept his mouth firmly shut about that. Despite this, he tilted his head to the side with a curious twinkle in his one blue eye. “Is everything alright?” His bushy tail swished across the den floor behind him.

Slipping back through the many reeds that made up the camp’s entrance, the long-furred oriental longhair’s gaze soon caught the sight of young Mintpaw, who was standing in the mouth of his den. Pikestar breathed a short sigh and then padded over at a brisk canter, uttering a light 'mrrp' to alert her of his sudden presence. He had no intention of giving the white-and-gray molly an unnecessary scare. “Apologies for my absence, I was out doing a quick round of the borders.” Pikestar remarked casually, “Come inside.” With that, the RiverClan leader stepped past her and into the emptiness of his den.

Heading towards the back of his den, Pikestar turned swiftly on his paws and then sat down, facing Mintpaw with a neutral expression. "Now then," He said, lifting his right paw and drawing his tongue over it, "What is it you wish to talk to me about?" After saying that, the large oriental tomcat would quietly wash his face, smoothing down any unkept fur upon his head. It was important for Pikestar to do something when sitting completely still like this.

**ophelia** · #**1654** February 12th, 2023, 12:56 PM

[ @canineantics ]
beastflame
--------
The massive grey tabby tom padded to the leader's den, exasperated. This was not how he'd been wanting his day to go. It was supposed to be calm. Quiet. Peaceful. He'd been out hunting on his own when the interruption occurred. And now he was stuck in this position. It felt silly to him, having to report the threat of minks to Pikestar. But the two she-cats were in no condition whatsoever to make a report, and it needed to be done as soon as possible before other cats encountered the same issue.

His large frame filled the entrance to the den as he stopped to await permission to enter. "Pikestar," called reluctantly, jaw sore from carrying Mintpaw across the entire territory. "May I come in? I need to report a...threat on the territory." Stars, this was dumb.

**dino.** · #**1655** February 12th, 2023, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canineantics

Swiftly turning his head to see the familiar sight of Bluebellcrackle in the mouth of his den, Pikestar nodded. “Of course. Come on inside, and sit wherever you’d like.” He remarked, sitting down towards the back of his den and resting his bushy tail over his front paws, “I am sure a lot has happened since you’ve been gone. I’m here for you.” Pikestar wasn't a smart cat by any means, but he could definitely tell that something awful had happened to his friend, though he'd never assume unless heard from her own mouth. He hadn't noticed it before, during the meeting, and perhaps that had been an ignorant mistake on his own part, but the Lord of the Waters wanted to do his best to console the marbled molly in any way possible.

bluebellcrackle === >

She crept in, and the spot she took up was slightly closer to the center of the den than it usually was, as if being just a little bit closer to Pikestar—the cat who called her things like 'friend', who made her feel like maybe she wasn't as alone as she thought—would help at all.

Her voice caught in her throat, and she couldn't look Pikestar in the eyes. As if making that contact would reveal everything in her head and in her heart. She wished she had a tail to wrap around herself; the ball of fluff attached to her rump could only twitch in a futile attempt to do just that.

"My... mother," she said quietly, after a long pause. "She didn't make it. She's gone."

**Celestial_Sky** · #**1656** February 12th, 2023, 08:15 PM

Tidepaw took a deep breath and passed over to the entrance to Pikestar’s den. I hope he’s not busy… She paused to think, as if second guessing her decision, before mewing a small greeting. A questioning sound that let the leader know she was there. The apprentice picked her ears for an answering meow from inside the den. What if he turns me away? Tidepaw couldn’t help but wonder. No, Pikestar is occasionally stern, but very fair. And my cause for being here is a reasonable one.
@canineantics

***longfire*** · #**1657** February 15th, 2023, 08:09 AM

Bluestone looked back to see if shasha was following"let me do the talking, if the leader asks something of you then you can talk" Bluestone said softly as he poked his head in"Pikestar may i speak to you for a moment" he asked as he went further in the tom looked back at shasha flicking his tail for her to come in with him the tom gazed back at the leader, his good eye locked on pikestar
@canineantics @Sp00k3z

**Spookez.** · #**1658** February 15th, 2023, 08:15 AM

"Im still thirsty." Shasha said, clicking her tongue once more. She didn't care who Pikestar was, she just wanted water. And she would be the best kitty ever to get it. She stood straight and had a straight face, having a good posture in case the leader disapproved of her because of how unformal she was.

______________________________________
Mossdew slowly looked up. "I would like to request a Movement to the nursery. " She said first, slow. "Because well- im expecting. "

@canineantics

**Captain** · #**1659** February 16th, 2023, 01:26 AM

Laying comfortably on his left side in his soft moss nest, the dark-gray tomcat jerked awake at the sound of someone’s voice. Oh, fishsticks, how long had he been asleep for? Pikestar had just wanted to rest his eyes for a moment, not fall completely asleep. What time even was it? The large oriental longhair rolled onto his stomach and then sat up, his drowsy partial gaze sliding over to the mouth of his den. “Yes, you may come in.” He said, his words being followed by a loud yawn escaping his jaws. From where he was sitting, Pikestar could now recognize the familiar small shape of young Beetlekit, who was holding something in his mouth. They uttered a softened ‘mrrp’ of curiosity, wondering what he had. It wasn't often that he was brought gifts that weren't a piece of prey. "What's that you got there, Beetlebug?" They remarked with a light-hearted chuckle, hoping he won't mind a nickname of his own.

Staring intently down at the ground, the tall dark-furred clan leader was fully immersed in a small game of mossball with himself. With his right paw, he’d smack a tiny self-made ball of moss over to his left and repeat the process―back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Pikestar tended to get bored in this empty space that he called his den, and was aiming to find more ways to entertain himself in those moments that he had with himself. However, a gentle voice soon broke his concentration, making the oriental longhair flinch with surprise and smack the mossball towards his nest. Nothing to see here!

But wait... was that? "Beansprout?" Pikestar mewed, looking towards the maw of his den with immediate curiosity. And sure enough, there he was. The siamese tomcat was standing right outside his den, with a shrew along with him. "By the moon... Come in, come in." They exclaimed before ushering the RiverClan warrior in with one paw, "What.. How.. Where have you been?" Judging by his injuries, Beansprout had obviously been through quite an adventure. It was a miracle that he had returned home. Pikestar turned his body towards the small tomcat and rested his gray tail over his front paws.

Drawing his rough tongue over his chest fur in quick and sporadic licks, Pikestar lifted his head once he heard the sound of another cat from outside his den. Scenting the air, the large oriental tomcat recognized the smell of Tidepaw, one of RiverClan’s apprentices. “Come in.” He said with a quiet, casual tone. Easing himself into a laid down position, Pikestar tucked his paws neatly underneath his bushy chest fluff before settling into a relaxed loafing pose.

Dread overwhelmed the large oriental tomcat’s heart like an infectious disease that had no cure. It seemed like things were getting worse and worse like they were when he first became leader, but somehow this felt even more worse than that ever did. Pikestar felt like he was choking and suffocating every single day in this position, left to rot endlessly in this empty cage that he called his den. He never should have agreed to become a shield all those moons ago under Kestrelstar, nor a deputy under Skystar. Then, perhaps, things would’ve turned out better. He’d be happier maybe, he’d be able to smile without forcing it anymore, he wouldn’t have to feel so painfully alone while surrounded by his own clanmates. Yet they kept trudging on, for everyone else's sake.

The sound of Beastflame’s voice broke him from his thoughts, and the tall RiverClan leader took a breath before answering. “Yes, come in.” They dryly remarked, feeling like a hardened lump was keeping them from saying anything else. A threat on the territory? Pikestar could feel his own heart thumping roughly within him. Were the rogue attacks starting back up again? Or perhaps another clan here to take advantage of RiverClan when they were weak?

Ah. Pikestar nodded his head to the molly’s words, forcing a small smile to come to his tired expression. “Congratulations on your future little ones.” He remarked, white whiskers twitching as he spoke, “You’re free to move into the nursery whenever you’d like. Is there anything else?” They often didn't make these conversations this brief, but there were many things for him to do and he was exhausted. Hopefully, Mossdew would understand.

As the marbled she-cat crept into his barren den, Pikestar watched her with his one good eye, feeling the grief that clung to his friend’s pelt as she sat down somewhat close to where he was sitting. No matter what, she wouldn’t give him a lick of eye-contact, and the two of them would sit there together in silence for what felt like hours. The large oriental longhair was patient however, extremely, and gave Bluebellcrackle all the time she’d need to tell him what she was going through. His heart felt like it was being strangled, clenched in a tight fist, every passing second. He knew nothing good was coming.

And then his friend would finally speak, answering all his dreaded questions that loomed in his head. She's gone. Her mother was dead, after all this time, after all the hope that Pikestar had for her to pull through. It was futile. Tears would collect in the corner of his eye, which surprised him. Why was he the one crying? Why now? His heart screamed silently from within his ribcage with an indescribable pain for his dear friend. "I'm..." He stumbled over saying such a simple phrase, the tears disappearing into the thick fur on his cheek, "...I'm so sorry, Bluebellcrackle." Pikestar wanted to hug her, so so badly, but he didn't know if she wanted physical comfort. So the tall oriental did the only thing he could do now: open his arms to offer a hug to his companion.

Humming nonchalantly within the confines of his den, the slender dark-furred tomcat was soon greeted with the ever familiar face of Bluestone popping through the mouth of his den. “Of course, come on in.” He remarked with a warm smile, ushering the other one-eyed tomcat inside where he was sitting. Before Pikestar could think to say anything, however, he’d soon notice another cat behind him. He did not recognize this stranger, whose scent was not of RiverClan, as they said something about being thirsty. “And, um, who might you be?” Pikestar meowed, his partial gaze flickering between his warrior and this outsider. “I do hope you’ve come into my den as a friend, and not as a foe.” He half-chuckled, turning to face them.

**Celestial_Sky** · #**1660** February 16th, 2023, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canineantics

Laying comfortably on his left side in his soft moss nest, the dark-gray tomcat jerked awake at the sound of someone’s voice. Oh, fishsticks, how long had he been asleep for? Pikestar had just wanted to rest his eyes for a moment, not fall completely asleep. What time even was it? The large oriental longhair rolled onto his stomach and then sat up, his drowsy partial gaze sliding over to the mouth of his den. “Yes, you may come in.” He said, his words being followed by a loud yawn escaping his jaws. From where he was sitting, Pikestar could now recognize the familiar small shape of young Beetlekit, who was holding something in his mouth. They uttered a softened ‘mrrp’ of curiosity, wondering what he had. It wasn't often that he was brought gifts that weren't a piece of prey. "What's that you got there, Beetlebug?" They remarked with a light-hearted chuckle, hoping he won't mind a nickname of his own.

Staring intently down at the ground, the tall dark-furred clan leader was fully immersed in a small game of mossball with himself. With his right paw, he’d smack a tiny self-made ball of moss over to his left and repeat the process―back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Pikestar tended to get bored in this empty space that he called his den, and was aiming to find more ways to entertain himself in those moments that he had with himself. However, a gentle voice soon broke his concentration, making the oriental longhair flinch with surprise and smack the mossball towards his nest. Nothing to see here!

But wait... was that? "Beansprout?" Pikestar mewed, looking towards the maw of his den with immediate curiosity. And sure enough, there he was. The siamese tomcat was standing right outside his den, with a shrew along with him. "By the moon... Come in, come in." They exclaimed before ushering the RiverClan warrior in with one paw, "What.. How.. Where have you been?" Judging by his injuries, Beansprout had obviously been through quite an adventure. It was a miracle that he had returned home. Pikestar turned his body towards the small tomcat and rested his gray tail over his front paws.

Drawing his rough tongue over his chest fur in quick and sporadic licks, Pikestar lifted his head once he heard the sound of another cat from outside his den. Scenting the air, the large oriental tomcat recognized the smell of Tidepaw, one of RiverClan’s apprentices. “Come in.” He said with a quiet, casual tone. Easing himself into a laid down position, Pikestar tucked his paws neatly underneath his bushy chest fluff before settling into a relaxed loafing pose.

:Tidepaw:
The apprentice felt a rush of relief. Although Pikestar usually welcomed everyone with something to say into his den, it was her first time to have a moment alone with him. Tidepaw had never had something to complain or chat about, therefore, first time jitters. "Good afternoon, Pikestar." The brown tabby dipped her head in respect. After about two moments of this, she picked her head back up again, ready to get straight to the point of her coming. "Just recently my mentor, Hollowhowl, went missing, and I never finished my apprentice training. I have come to ask for assistance in finding a new one." Tidepaw attempted to make her voice calm and even.