Roleplay

Whisperpaw hadn't noticed... well, anything really, since becoming so absorbed in trying to save Starlingpool's life. For the millionth time that day, she had to force herself from thinking about how she might not have succeeded. However, as she turned her gaze (and wrinkled her nose in an astonishingly identical fashion to her mentor, she knew what she had to do next. Hollyeyes was an amazing medicine cat, and she adored every hair on his pelt, but she acknowledged that he had a few - very few - flaws. He'd be too put out by the smell, and the appearance, and the... general untidiness of the broken MarshClan cat.

So despite her own disgusted senses, she stepped forward and mewed quietly, "I can take care of him, Hollyeyes. We've still got some herbs here, and the cobweb patch isn't far. If Maplestar's okay with leaving a warrior or two here to help me with him, I can patch him up a little and we can... bring him back to camp." Then she shot a worried gaze back towards Starlingpool. "But maybe not into the medicine den." Both for her sake, and for Holly's.

-

Starlingpool remained as she was: A limp, furry, bloody noodle. O v O ;;

@wildheart @Draconequis @Feldoras @Peachymoo @Burnmoon @ChibiKittens @TeaLeafves

Silversnow's eyes widened, as the mass of fur that was Brokenstep moved. "What...." She whispered, padding over. Prodding him, she came to the conclusion that he was alive, if only barely.

Silversnow was conflicted. On one hand, she wanted to kill him to avenge Tall-leg's death. On the other, he seemed so....different from the cat that had killed Tall-leg. He was weak, and broken, and...well....

A line popped into her head, a memory from when she was an apprentice and Dapplestar had been teaching her the warrior code. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his or her battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense. Brokenstep may be outside the warrior code, but Silversnow decided that even killing cats outside the warrior code wasn't good. It wasn't what a clan cat did.

She made her decision, and turned away from Brokenstep to face Maplestar. "Whatever you do with Brokenstep, you might want to inform Turtleshell. Or -star. I think she would want to know what happens to him." Silversnow dipped her head in respect. "May Starclan be with you, and may Stormclan prosper under your leadership. We shall meet again in Starclan, I hope."

Silversnow turned away from Maplestar, in the direction which Foxstar left. She didn't even have to try too hard to catch his scent. She shook her head a little, before taking off, her pads making little noise on the fallen snow, taking her to wherever her next destination was.

(We really need to get this up again)

@wildheart @Draconequis @Feldoras @frozenpumpkin @Burnmoon @ChibiKittens @Tealeafves

Copperfur bowed his head in respect to Hollyeyes. "Thank you..." He murmured. The wound still hurt but he knew it would heal soon and he would move on with his life. He turned to Whisperpaw. "I can help with either the transportation of Starlingpool or collecting the herbs." Copperfur said. He flicked his tail. He wanted to get back to camp but he knew the others needed his help.

Copperfur visibly flinched when Brokenstep was pulled out. At least he was alive.... Copperfur felt that it was his fault that Brokenstep got hurt. Maybe the other would be in more peace of he was dead, Brokenstep would never fully recover... That was for sure.

@Peachymoo @TeaLeafves @Burnmoon @Kilauea @frozenpumpkin @CloseEnough @DangitDoodle @dragonfly @Draconequis @Circade @ChibiKittens @Ariathena @FloatingInSpace @Zandelion @Feldoras (Thanks for the kick to the booty Feldoras. I needed it. I'm sorry for my absence guys and I hope you are all still interested in our beautiful work of art we have all created together and enjoyed)

Maplestar's body ached in places she knew would be bruised and battered by morning. The ache was a dull one, throbbing with the steady beat of her heart and reminding her that she wasn't dead yet. She still had worked to do. So as she watched the broken frame of Foxstar limp away she remained voiceless at his accusation of her dreams despite their truth. She wondered what nightmares walked through Foxstar's sleeping world, knowing it couldn't possibly be the work of Starclan that kept the persistent tom alive.

Maplestar turned away once she made sure both Addergaze and Wildfire had followed the tom out of her territory. It wasn't until she saw his pelt disappear and the scent of him start to ease, if however small, that she began to breathe a bit easier. It wasn't until then that the she-cat had noticed she was holding her breath. It was an uneasy feeling, being so out of control of herself and so she forced herself to relax and assess the situation around her. All of her warriors had at least a scratch or two on them, and they would all be feeling the effects of the battle come tomorrow. She didn't like the idea of so many of her warriors being out of commission but she would rest a little easier if she gave them all time to recover.

Glancing over at the pron form of Brokenstep Maplestar couldn't help but curl up her lips and wrinkle her nose at the mess of a cat before her. How the tom survived was beyond her but even still it was out of her moral compass to deny him her assistance. Still. The tom had caused her clan enough pain and was not about to forgive him so readily for it. With the pleading look in Hollyeye's gaze, Maplestar shook her head, still a little unsure of her voice's stability. When she noticed Whisperpaw speak up about helping she couldn't help the frown from stretching across her face. The decision of what to do rested on her shoulders and it left Maplestar questioning her usefulness to her clan. Still, the dream she had seen gave her some hope and maybe a little direction.

Looking once more at the weakened form of Brokenstep, Maplestar made up her mind. "Do what you can for him here Whisperpaw. When Wildfire gets back I will send him to tell Turtlestar of her brothers predicament." Maplestar's amber green eyes shot to Hollyeyes. "After you have checked him out of course. I know the tom needs rest but there is still too much to do before we let down our guard." Maplestar noticed the bloodied mess of Starlingpool close by and frowned again, this time with worry. Her eyes were full of sorrow as she blamed this whole mess on herself and partially on Foxstar. She should have protected her clanmates better, but nothing would change the past and as she walked up to the still warrior she dipped her nose down to graze the other she-cat's ear. Maplestar wasn't one for outwardly affection, but she hoped that the little action would give the warrior strength to pull through, even if she was unconscious and couldn't feel it.

Looking backup to Hollyeyes she watched her medicine cat closely and knew despite his perfectionist ways that he would know what to do. "I will help carry her back to camp. Brightleap, if you are strong enough I would like your help here please. As for Brokenstep, I refused to allow him into the heart of our clan and so I will not house him in our camp. You may tend to his wounds here if you so wish Whisperpaw, but the only moving he will be doing is going away from this place." Maplestar knew her words were harsh and she wondered if it was the right decision, but her stubbornness was getting the best of her in this complex time. There was still so much to do in just such a short time and Maplestar said nothing as Silversnow walked away in the same direction as Foxstar had when. It wasn't until the she-cat was almost out of sight that Maplestar spoke up once more, "Thank you for your help Silversnow. But just know, you are now a loner and as such not permitted on this land without an escort. You will hold no favoritism in my eyes, and I wish you the best of luck in your revenge."

"Copperfur, please help Whisperpaw as best you can until Wildfire and Addergaze get back. If you are able to, and Hollyeyes approves, I would like for you to go and fetch Turtlestar. Maybe she can help fix this mess."

@wildheart @feldoras @frozenpumpkin @peachymoo

Hollyeyes' mouth opened slightly in protest as he watched his apprentice approach the repulsive mass of flesh, struggling between his duty as a mentor and his own senses screaming at him to back away. Hollyeyes fought it, he fought it incredibly hard, but he took another look at Brokenstep and he let Whisperpaw do what she had to do.

Hollyeyes turned to his leader and nodded at her proposal to carry Starlingpool. The white and orange tom steadied his gaze and meowed loudly so that all could hear,

"I will be back to camp shortly. If Starlingpool starts bleeding again do whatever you can and I... Tch, I suppose I'll fix it when I get back."

The medicine cat padded over to Whisperpaw, taking careful notice not to touch Brokenstep as he murmured,

"Whisperpaw, in the event that Brokenstep doesn't look like he is going to recover... We may have to put him out of his misery."

@Burnmoon @frozenpumpkin

Maplestar heard Hollyeyes's words about taking Brokenstep out of his misery and turned away. Death was something that each of them dealt with every day and no cat knew it better than she but when it came to another cats death; that was a different matter. She knew it must be hard for Whisperpaw to understand giving up on a patient, but sometimes it was better to let nature takes it course and hope Starclan was there to carry their spirit on. Although she was leader and the working of her clan was something she needed to know about at all times, Maplestar felt like she was invading on some sort of silent conversation.

She didn't want to invade on the mentor and apprentice, and so she turned away and made her way towards Starlingpool once more. She sat beside her warrior, looking down with worry and an intense stare that if she had turned it onto another, would take their breath away. She was angry; furious - at herself. This damage was her fault and although she had lost a life Maplestar felt as if it were not punishment enough for the harm that had happened here.

@Draconequis @Feldoras @wildheart

Wildfire darted after Foxstar, adamant to run the tom across the land if he had to. He had no idea what the other had meant about a warning - for all they knew, the warning had been about Foxstar's threat. Wildfire huffed, whatever it was, he was not going to let something like this happen twice.

The ragged rogue had mentioned his Clan being back as well. An impossible and preposterous thing to assume, given his doings. MarshClan would never rally behind such a tyrant.

They flew through the forest, dodging roots and branches portruding out like claws waiting to rake at them. Through the dark he could only see the whitw of Foxstars tailtip as a guide to see where the other was, but the sounds of the heavy tom manuevering through unknown terrain gave Wildfire a second sight on where he was. The noise Foxstar made would ensure no hunting patrols would find any food here tonight.

Addergaze had joined him in the chase, the younger tom noticed. While he kept all eyes and ears trained on the trespasser, Wildfire could still sense his Clanmate right by his flank. His presence soothed Wildfire's anger for Foxstar, and gave him ease to know he had someone with him incase Foxstar got too uncooperative.

When they neared the border, Wildfire slowed and came to stop, pantinf a little. The white beacon disappeared, and it took all the black tom could to not follow. They were told to go until only the border, and all they could do was hope Foxstar never returned.

He stayed still, ears perked and strained, listening until he could not hear no more trace of Foxstars departure. All the same, Wildfire did not move still, thoughts racing through his head - of Foxstar and his parting words, MarshClan and their predicament, his own Clan and their safety, Maplestar and--

"Let's go," he said, voice low and tired. But a buzz tingled through him, remembering Maplestar caked in her blood and weak from losing a life. If they were under a threat, he had to be by her - had to make sure she was safe, had to be there to keep her from harm.

With a last glance to the darkness, Wildfire dashed back to the clearing. He jumped and slid through the underbrush, as if he were a ghost and manuevered with ease. The trip back seemed to take longer, and it felt like a moon before he finally burst back into the open. Wildfire scanned the clearing frantically, thinking the worst, but calmed down when everything had been left the same.

He spotted Maplestar, tired and ragged, but ultimately fine. The sight of her alright made Wildfire want to cry, and it took all he could to not run to her.

Instead, he bounded up to her.

"Are you okay?" Wildfire fussed, wanting to check for himself her wounds, but saw Starlingpool on the ground. His stomach dropped, a cold shiver running up his spine and down his limbs. The she-cat looked...wrong, laying there so unmotionless. He felt a sense of dread looking at his friends' body, and it took what he had to look instead at Maplestar.

He knew she was blaming herself. "It's not your fault," he murmured, touchinf his muzzle to her ear. Wildfire wanted to say it waa Foxstar's, but that wouldn't help anyone. Starlingpool was a strong warrior, he knew she wouldn't bend over so easily.

@Feldoras @Peachymoo @TeaLeafves @Feldoras @Ariathena @frozenpumpkin @Wildheart @Burnmoon
(YAAAY ITS ALIVE XD)

Addergaze relaxed his body as Foxstar's scent faded slowly. The anger was still there. The frustration at not being able to save his leader from losing a life... the guilt.. it was his fault. If he hadn't been fooling around near the Thunderpath, maybe Maplestar would have never lost her life. Not only that, but he had hurt himself, not even in a proper battle! He wanted nothing more than to sink his claws into something. He reached up and clawed the tree again, it didn't help. Nothing would help. Because of him, their leader had lost a life. Addergaze was disappointed in himself. He had done nothing to prove himself to Maplestar... absolutely nothing. He would be an outcast forever. it was his punishment. He hadn't been good enough, he hadn't been strong enough... again...

But then another thought drifted across his mind. Where there was death there would always be death. If he hadn't have leaped towards the Thunderpath.. maybe Brightleap would be dead. Was Brightleap's life worth more than Maplestar's lives? Addergaze felt a twinge of guilt. Yes? No? He couldn't answer the question. All life was sacred.. one life shouldn't pay for another.

Addergaze forced his raised hackles down. He was a disappointment to the clan. He would simply have to step up his game, do more for the clan to prove himself again. And this time.. he wouldn't fail. If he failed, he wasn't worthy of his clan. He would leave them. They wouldn't even care or notice he had gone. Galestar had shown so much confidence in Addergaze. and here Addergaze had let his leader down, his best friend. He heaved a sigh and glanced again at Wildfire. They had sat here for long enough. Just as he was about to speak, the cool voice of Wildfire rasped.

"Let's go." The tom rasped as if his life had been drained from his body.

Addergaze watched the tom dash away, and narrowed his eyes at the clearing. he scraped up the earth near the border with his hind claws again and followed after WIldfire. The whole time he followed Wildfire, his mind spun with chaos. What if Foxstar had somehow tricked them? What if something else horrible happened, and they were attacked by something on the way home. He doubled his speed. He was not about to let something happen to Maplestar again. That would be too much. he would have failed her twice.

The faint light in Addergaze's eyes faded and they became cold and harsh. They became so dull they seemed like the eyes of a dead cat. He focused his bone chilling stare on Maplestar. He would await her direction, whatever it may be, and he would take whatever punishment she saw fit. If she did not give him a punishment, he would force on upon himself. It was only natural.

@Burnmoon @Wildheart @Frozenpumpkin

Seeing his leader give orders again was like a breath of fresh air. There was order and rules to give him support. He needed that. It kept him running. He bowed his head towards Maplestar as if to say 'Yes, of course. Anything to help." Maybe this could take his mind off of Starlingpool for a little while. Why was he rising close to the point of hysterics when she fell? Was it because he didn't like seeing a clanmate in such weakness? Well... This was true but he felt like something else was driving him too.... Copperfur shook his head. He probably was overthinking things like usual.

He glided towards Whisperpaw and the mangled body of the cat that lay in front of her. "How may I be of assistance?" He asked in his usual, icy voice. He still felt like this cat's commotion was his fault. Even though he urged him to stay away from the Thunderpath, Copperfur's chasing pushed him that way.

He glanced towards Hollyeyes for his second order. "As Maplestar said, she would like me to fetch Maplestar once Addergaze and Wildfire return. They are here now. Am in proper shape to get her?" He was slightly uneasy about this mission because it involved going into another clan's territory but Maplestar asked him directly, it was an honor. "I'll still help out Whisperpaw for a little until she feels more at ease..."