Abe<3
For a moment, Ambercreek looked as if she was taken aback. She flicked her ears backward, tilted her head, and twitched her whiskers. And then- something most peculiar happened. A purr started to rise from her chest and she offered the burly warrior a smile. Her lips broke open into a wide laugh and Ambercreek leaned out and touched her nose to Mallowstream's own. Her awkward mom jitters melted away and left something much wiser and warmer behind.
"Forgive me my wary heart," she began softly as the breeze gently whipped the fur around her face. "Since the flood, I've sunk my claws in far too deeply of my children. I worry about them night and day. Sometimes, during patrols I miss my chases because I keep imagining I can hear Bluemoon calling for me..." her eyes darkened a bit. "Or I get the strangest feelings when I'm sleeping and I'll wake up in a panic and start checking the warrior's den just to count all ten of their precious little heads." She blinked hard and pulled her muzzle back from Mallowstream's own. "They're my entire world. Quietwaters, Cedardust, Littlebird, Fernwisp, Peregrinewings, Spottedfern, Lilacstem, Bluemoon, Forestfrost, and Sandsprout are what consumes every waking moment of my day. Every breath in my lungs is for them. Every step I take is dedicated to keeping them safe, sound, and secure. And I almost lost one of them..." tears formed in her eyes. "Quietwaters has always taken on far too much. Even as a kit. He and Forestfrost have always carried the weight of the entire clan on their shoulders. And every burden I owned was borrowed by them. They are all so incredibly wonderful- and different!- my precious little birds. And now I have to watch them grow up and start their own lives and their own families. Bluemoon's litter... and damn it all, I see how Acorntrail looks at Q. And then my sweet Perry. My brave little fireball." She shook her head in wonder.
"She gets her heart from her father, you know? She's got all the spirit and bravery of half of Lionclan. She has more courage in her hind left claw than I have in my entire body. She is ferocious in a way that I will never know. And I have watched her love you since she was an apprentice. And as her brothers and uncles came to me in worry, time and time again I told them that there were worse cats for her to adore. Far worse." Ambercreek offered a friendly, motherly smile. "I mean you no disrespect in the slightest, Mallowstream. In fact- quite the contrary. I welcome you so warmly into my family. With open arms and all the love and hope in the world." A single tear rolled through Ambercreek's cheek fur. "Take care of my darling girl, Mallowstream. Guard her heart with the ferocity that you guard this clan. Protect her. Keep her wild. Keep her free. Keep her brave. And
love her as I do... and you'll have not a flicker of complaint from me- or her brothers. The fire in your eyes tells me that you do... so thus, you'll have no quarrel from me. Or her father." She rasped her tongue over the warrior's tattered ear and smiled again. "Welcome to my crazy family. We're so glad to have you be a part of it."
~
"Yes it's the best!" Meadowkit laughed as she flicked Rootkit with her tail. "Do you want to see one of the moves that I saw Hyenaspots practice the other day?"
"Watching one of our deputies are we?" came the soft voice from a gentle tom. Harbinger lifted his head from the shadows- he'd been tucked away there to avoid the harshness of the sun. Meadowkit nearly squealed when she saw him. She had learned from her parents as soon as she'd opened her eyes that Harbingerstrike was a valued part of the clan. He was just different- without eyes or fur. She had gotten used to him for the most part, but he had startled her and the little squeak escaped her lips before she could stop it. Harbinger flicked one of his big ears when he heard her and tilted his head.
"I'm sorry, Meadowkit! I didn't mean to frighten you."
"How did you know I'm Meadowkit?" she asked, suddenly less wary and more filled with awe. Harbinger laughed and flicked his naked, worm-like tail.
"Your scent of course! And who else is here?..." he inhaled deeply with his mouth open. "Your brother- Dewy- naturally. And is that... Rootkit? And little Whitekit? What manner of cantankerism are you lot up to today?"
"What's contankkkkkorish?" Meadowkit asked, suddenly more interested in the sightless tom than she'd ever been before.
"Oh, cantankerous? It's a silly word. Usually means something is grouchy or mean but it can be mischievous too!" he smiled gently. "So what are we out exploring today? This little hiding spot is my favorite place to nap. Away from the sun. Doesn't get too hot."
~
"You jabber more than a starling chick, you know that?" Cloverblade chuckled as he guided Fawnstripe along, using his flank to brace her and steer her whichever direction he wanted to go. He paused a few paces down from the dip to Everlove Lake and his coarse pelt shivered with excitement. "Alright, we're nearly there. Don't move the leaf- hold on." He guided her a few more fox lengths downward until their paws began to crunch softly on the frozen foliage around the shore. He stopped her then stepped away.
"Alright, Stripes. Open up."
When Fawnstripe moved the leaf that was covering her eyes, she was met by something quite breathtaking and peculiar. One of the bushes by the lake had lost nearly all its greenery and the places that still had leaves were arranged in such a way that- since they were covered with frost- the shrub looked like a snowy baby deer. Cloverblade's green eyes glittered excitedly as he looked from Fawnstripe to the bush then back again.
"I found it while hunting the other morning and I just knew I had to show you. Look, Stripes! A little snowy fawn..." his expression softened and he exhaled, sending rolls of white smoke spilling from his lips. "It's almost as breathtaking as you are. Do you like it?"
~
"You don't have to say anything at all, really," Rosepetal told him gently as she flicked an ear. She let Ashfox continue talking and stared at him with those soulful eyes of hers. "Sometimes just having someone close to listen to how you feel is more than enough comfort." She blinked back softly unfallen tears from her eyes and gave a small nod. "But you do make a good point for someone who is, as you said, bad at comforting. If I am worried about mother, I should be spending time with her." She flicked an ear thoughtfully once more then pushed to her paws. "I think I'll go visit her now." Her eyes twinkled a bit. "Would you want to come with me? I would so much love to have you both around. We can take her a squirrel. She loves squirrel. And maybe we can hear a story too. I think she has a few you'd like, Ashfox."
~
"Dawnprayer?" Redshade ran the name around in his mouth like fresh water. He sat for a moment, tongue half out of his mouth, trying to remember which one that was. Then she came to him- a pretty quarter-lynx molly with spring green eyes. "Dawnprayer! Peachbell's daughter."
"What about me?" the voice made Redshade's blood run cold. The color drained out of his nose, lips, and gums and he turned to face the speaker. Sure enough, speak of the devil, Dawnprayer had just entered camp with a massive hare hanging from her jaws. She laid the prey at her paws and tilted her head. "Do you need me for something, Redshade? And hi Duckfeather! You're looking quite dapper today."
"That's an impressive catch," Redshade said quickly and nervously. "That hare is bigger than Shadowstar is tall!"
"I wouldn't say that," she laughed. "But thanks! I tracked it all the way from the Grotto and caught it by Goldens Falls."
"No kidding! That's a trek."
"It is. I was winded for sure. My paws are cold." She gave her half tail a lash. "So- what's up? Did you not need me for anything?"
"Uh, no. We were just talking about... uhm, impressive up and coming warriors. It surely isn't something to snuff at to bring back a rabbit that size. It'll feed all the nursery."
"Maybe not. Not with so many new mouths to feed." She offered a smile then grabbed the hare by its scruff. "Talk to you later!" she called over her shoulder as she bounded off toward the nursery.
"She's... perfect," Redshade whispered to his mate. "No strong bloodlines. Just a few here and there. Some cousins. Her father is Ravencrypt. Which means she has some kin in Streamclan through Feralblade. And in Cloudclan- not a lot directly. I think it could work. She's strong, she's pretty, she's young... if she'll say yes. How do you even go about approaching a topic like that?"
~
Acorntrail braced himself for the immediate rejection he had been dreading for so long. And then... it didn't come. Not quite. The tom's eyes stretched wide in disbelief and his tail fluffed out in shock. "What did you just say to me?" he twitched an ear. "
Hate you? Stars in Silverpelt, Quietwaters- I could never hate you." The tom blinked away his initial shock and his eyes started to thaw into something warm and deep and unfaltering. "Do you have any idea how long I've had feelings for you? Quietwaters, I knew when you were an apprentice that there was something about you I couldn't shake. I spent seasons dodging declarations during Anlach. I couldn't ever think of another if there was even a chance I could be with you. And I knew if I got to know you- on any level whatsoever- that I would love you completely and entirely. As I do now..." he took a shaky breath. "I see how you guard your family. You are the pillar they all lean on. Your sisters, your brothers, even your mother. You hold their hearts and best wishes and their secrets in your paws. I see that. I see how you give your all to this clan. So many speak the oath of the Warrior Code but you have it written in blood across your pelt- seared into your flesh. You would die for every kit and every elder. There isn't a soul inside the Valley whom you wouldn't protect. Do you understand- or can you even comprehend in any manner- how incredibly noble that is?" Acorntrail was nearly feverish now with thin, gossamer tears kissing the edges of his eyelids. "How can I still want you?... How can I not, Q? When the water came crashing into my lungs and the dam came down- all I saw was you. Not myself or my body or my pain or my fear. Just
you. There was a moment down there, in the muck and the mud, when I felt myself slipping away. My father, Spectorhowl, came to me. He told me I could go. And I asked him if you'd be coming too. He told me that your time in the Valley wasn't done. And I asked to stay... to stay with you. I knew it would be hard. And shameful. And painful. And yes, perhaps in vain, but I
chose to stay, Q. Because even if I was in agony- any moment spent on this earth with you is worth it.
You are worth entire galaxies of precious, perfect things. I... I would love, and be honored, to show you that." Some of the passion briefly fled from Acorntrail's eyes and he steeled his jaw. "But if you don't feel the same way, I do understand. And I would be just as fortunate and proud to call you my friend- my best friend- forever. But know that, no matter what you choose or where you stand- in this life or the next- I am entirely, completely, and hopelessly... yours. In any way you'll have me. If not until the end of your life, then until the end of mine." Tears fell from his eyes and Acorntrail wiped them away. "It's your call, Quietwaters. I will love you and support you whatever decision you make. Because I know that no decision you pull from your strong heart could ever be wrong."
~
"We have no doubt in us that you will, young one. Mind my words. And good luck. We are proud of you." Goldenstar blinked her sapphire eyes at him then turned on her paws and disappeared into the crowd- leaving room for the next to take her place. And the ground shook like thunder under his paws.
Aldershade bounded forward from the back row with stars in his pelt and glory in his eyes. He stopped in front of Morningheart and offered the tom his famous, warm smile. He gave a nod of his head.
"It's good to see you again, my friend. Are you ready?" When Morningheart told him he was, Aldershade cleared his throat. "With this life, I give you compassion... may no kit ever be too small, or any elder too old. All lives in the Valley are precious. Cherish them all." He pressed his nose to Morningheart's own and closed his eyes.
(Do you want to do one of yours next? <3)
Mikah<3
"I need Whisper Time. Absolutely." Once Citrtineshard and Risingsun were away from Bluepaw and Fallenfire, Citrineshard took a deep shuttered breath. She reached out and took Risingsun's Spirit Stone and looped it through the string of her own. Then she sat her paws back down on the earth and looked steadily into his eyes. Her voice came without her lips moving and without a word passing between them. But he heard her. And she could hear him.
What I am about to tell you, Risingsun, I have told not a single soul alive. You must promise me... it has to be between us. Even Fallenfire cannot know. Especially not him. Please.
Once the promise was made, Citrineshard's eyes wavered as her voice came again.
I was there the day that Crowshade died. I was hunting, by the river... and I saw him up by the waterfall where so many of Goldenstar's kin are buried. He was walking with... with...
Tears formed in Citrineshard's eyes and her breathing became heavy and uneven.
Shadowstar. And I saw them quarrel. And then father... wasn't... father anymore. I saw something else- someone else- standing where he stood. And he pushed Crowshade off the falls. I... dragged his body out of the river and he told me, in his dying breath... that our father isn't our father anymore. Crowshade's spirit has been following me since his passing. Warning me. Telling me more and more about the imposter who is puppeteering our father's body. It's Talcshade, Risingsun! The tom who killed our grandfather and slaughtered so many Gem Warriors. Crowshade wasn't his first victim. He killed Spellfaith too because she figured it out. And Aunt Rosy... and others... But there's more!... something... something he doesn't know...
Tears were streaming down Citrineshard's face and she was nearly hyperventilating.
Father's spirit isn't gone. Talcshade thinks that he's in some purgatory place called the Gray Wood. But he isn't! Shadowstar is in Berylclan, Risingsun. We must journey to the land of our ancestors... or our father will be lost forever. And Talcshade will continue to take the souls of others until he's satisfied, and Crowshade fears he will never be full...
Citrineshard gasped for breath and dug her claws into the ground, looking away but not breaking the connection of their Spirit Stones so that her brother could speak to her freely.
I'm so scared, Risingsun... I'm just so, so afraid... I-I had to tell someone else... just in case he finds out... just in case he kills me too...
~
(What can I say? It's what I do.
)
Cricket was nearly vibrating with excitement, but as soon as her father took on his serious tone, she straightened right up. Cricket's tail stuck straight into the air and she lifted her head high and pricked her ears to listen. "Sir, yes sir! I can spot all the things! Tell me and I'll be on the case!"
Hyenaspots watched them warmly, ignoring the pesky pang of envy that welled in her chest for her own desire to be a mother. But Lyra and herself had separated moons ago and she hadn't the heart to try again. And she wasn't in the head space to raise a litter on her own. And who would sire them?... She focused her attention back at the adoring father and kit before her and she chuckled.
~
(Literally they are DEADLY.)
"OKAY but have you seen how big my mom is and how little my dad is? But they're friggin' adorable!" She gushed dreamily. "And they're still so in love. Did you see that Riversand brought Emmy an entire branch covered in roses for Anlach? It's so tragically romantic- it makes my stomach ache." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I think we could have something cute like that... I think I'll go talk to him once you've helped me groom the knots out of my fur." When Setta responded to her comment about Tinderspark, the lynx warrior groaned. "Okay but Tinderspark is different. He's grounded and he's got so much drama on his back. To be carrying that much and still be so kind and gentle... that says something, Rose. Maybe you should flirt with him a little and see if you can test the waters. He's not bad looking either- I'm just saying!"
~
Without meaning to, Creekflower fell over into a spell of giggles. She cupped her mouth with her paw then bolted to her feet. She began jumping around Treeheart like a lovestruck yearling and fluffed her tail up to twice its usual size. "Oh, Treeheart! Treeheart this is absolute amazing news! Oh, this is just the blessing our little family needs. We've had so much loss, Treeheart, so much loss. Witheredleaf, Brackenrose, dad-" her eyes darkened when she mentioned Aldershade- "Crowshade wasn't kin to you but he might as well have been. And poor Shadowstar hasn't been the same in moons. Losing his sister really just did something to him. Grief is a monster with teeth as sharp as glass, Treeheart. And it will eat and eat and eat until there's nothing left. But this? This is a blessing." She pressed her nose against her sister-in-law's own as tears welled in her eyes. "Starclan is smiling on you, Treeheart. I'm so happy for you. I will go with you to the medicine cats, if you'd like."
~
"Losing your parents in any manner is blisteringly painful in a way that is so hard to cope with. It's hard to put into words..." Stella nodded slowly. "Mistystorm and Foxtrot love you with everything they have. And what's amazing about that is that true love like that doesn't die. It lingers. It stays around us all the time. In your fur, in your tears, in your laugh. It clings to you like fresh snow." She smiled softly. "When I think of the horrors my father has committed and the shame he brought to us- I remember that he was the family I was given. But he is not the family I
chose." She dipped her head toward Tawny as she played with their older sons. "This is the family I chose. Tawnyshine, you, Foxtrot, Mistystorm- all your fantastic brothers and sisters... you are my family. And the webs of love that have been woven between us will prevail. Long after even you and I are just bones and dust, my darling. I know it's hard and scary... but don't dwell on grief that hasn't yet come to pass. Misty and Foxx are still walking around and filled with so much life and mirth. Don't mourn the living. Enjoy what time we have. You'll see." She leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed happily. "I'm excited for this meeting. I can't wait to see Yarrowseed. I miss my brother so deeply. You remind me a lot of him. I feel like if we existed in the same clan, you'd be the best of friends."
~
"Applekit! Oh, I adore Applekit. I like it for the orange, fluffy lad." Peartree purred happily. "Oh, oh, oh! For the one that has the half folded ear- what about Kiwi?" She paused and whistled, at which caused the playing kittens to immediately come bouncing over.
"Yes, Momma?" mused a pastel and brown she-cat with a long tail and one folded ear. Her sister- a pink she-cat with longer legs than the rest- had a folded ear as well but was sleeker featured.
"Your Mother and I were discussing names for you and we were thinking about fruits. For you." She gestured to the soft-spoken orange and white tom. "What do you think about 'Applekit'?
"Apple!" gasped the pastel and brown molly. "Oh, I think Apple is a fine name for you, brother! Do you like it?"
~
(Yooo, you know who I forgot about?...)
"Tumblemoss!" Mistletoemelody raced through the forest, white fog rolling from her lips as she scanned the trees for her son. Her massive paws crunched through the frozen ground as if it were blankets of fragile bird bones. She leaped over a bush and swiveled her ears backward. "Tumblemoss, where are you?! Gemma's kits are coming!"
{{ - Everkit(Everlight): a deep hued, orange tabby with evergreen eyes. Her ears are stained dark orange, as is her muzzle. Her fur is dappled with red and black. Her legs, starting just below her shoulder and ending just before her white paws, are dark brown. Her underbelly, tip of her long tail, and the rimming on her eyes are white as well. Though she's nowhere near as bulky as most lynx are known to be, she does fit in height wise as probably one of the tallest of her siblings. Another lynx-like trait would be the tufts on her large ears. Other than that, the Berylclan is obviously, especially in the wedged face and long, dark whiskers. || Tumblemoss and Jewelsprite's kit. ||
- Ravenkit(Ravenvow): a broad, thick furred she-cat with a base fur that's pitch black. Black fur, black whiskers, black pawpads and nose. Though the darkness isn't her only visible trait. She has large, tufted ears and a little bobbed tail, along with blood red, tabby-lynx markings across her dark form, which match the streaks down her cheeks that seem like she'd cried bloody tears. Her face is still wedged like a typical Berylclan cat, and her eyes glow a fiery molten hue like her mother. If you look closely, past the lynx patterns, you could probably see marks of a dark, dark brown hue that seem like giant leopard spots that have meshed and melted together. Despite clearly having very clear lynx blood, she's not as tall as you'd expect, which will forever infuriate her. || Tumblemoss and Jewelsprite's kit. ||
~Daykit(Daylily)- a pretty and dainty she-cat with a base coat of cream but her pelt is splashed with large patches of pinky peach. The sunset-like hues cover her front legs and both of her ears. It heavily dapples her face, flanks, tail, and hind legs but not her paws. The toes on all of her paws are a slightly darker color that nearly looks lilac. Daylily has soft lavender eyes. She is very much like the flower she was named after. She is softspoken, delicate, and extremely sensitive. She is very tightknit with her family and is extremely proud of her Berylclan lineage. Daylily absolutely adores being by herself and spends a lot of her time out in the forest and especially in the tall grasses of the marsh. She can lay for hours on her back just watching the tall stalks of wheat and cattails swaying back and forth. She has a little collection of odd things- including a flute made from a river reed that she keeps in her nest. She is known to play it from time to time to comfort herself and the sound is something quite beautiful. Daylily, despite being a beautiful molly, doesn't have a shred of self-confidence- no matter how hard her parents have tried to instill it in her. Currantglade and Ravenvow have tried too. It's of little use. Sadly. || Sibling to Currantglade and Ravenvow. From Tumblemoss and Jewelsprite's first litter. || Heterosexual. || Goldenstar. ||
~Currantkit(Currantglade)- a heavyset, awkward, clumsy, but oddly charming she-cat who got all of her father's best and worst qualities. She is a deep, almost burnt red color with darker stripes and markings. She has thick, shaggy, coarse fur- especially around her neck and throat. Her tail is long and wiry. She really isn't that attractive but she's nice and funny so it works for her. She has her maternal bloodline's molten eyes. || Tumblemoss and Jewelsprite's kit. || }}
Mikah and Abe<3"It happened so quickly- I'm sorry! I would have come sooner," Cypressprayer said over her shoulder to Eagleoak, Sparrowtalon, and Umberpatch as she led the toms quickly into the medicine cat's den.
Lying in a thrown together nest made of cotton fluff and feather down, Milkflower lifted her head groggily when the toms entered. She smiled softly at them and moved her tail. Tucked into her belly and eagerly suckling fresh, warm milk- there were four newborn kittens.
Umberpatch stopped in his tracks as tears glossed his eyes. "Oh, Milly! They're beautiful... brilliantly done..." he nuzzled her affectionately then looked at Cypressprayer with concern in his eyes. "No problems this time?"
"Not one bit of trouble. She had them all in under ten minutes."
"I'm a professional now, boys," she chuckled as she sleepily laid her head on Eagleoak's forepaw. "A-Aren't they beautiful?... What names should we give them?" she winced when one of the kittens bit her and she rolled her eyes. "I know it doesn't quite make sense... but the bl-black she-cat... I want her name to be Dovekit. Something about it just seems right for her. What do you think?"
---
{{ ~Dovekit(Dovechime)- a firecracker this one, Dovechime is... a bit of an oddball. She takes a lot after her uncle, Obsidianspire, when it comes to physical traits and attitude. I won't tell you that she's mean- because she isn't. She can just be... eh... difficult. She is known to be a hothead and can fly off the handle at any moment- something that made her quite difficult to train and even harder to raise. She has definitely been one to give her parents a run for their money- Stars bless their souls. Dovechime- Chimes- is a pretty thing and she's all about how she looks. She has charcoal gray fur so dark it's nearly black and darker classic tabby markings along her flanks, shoulders, and hips. She has soot black paws, ear-tips, and tail, as well as black eyeliner. Her nose, ears, lips, and paw pads are also charcoal gray and she has long, dark whiskers. Her fur is soft and velvety like her mothers' and she has a few random white specks in her tail fur, chest fur, cheek fur, along her back, and one on her nose. Her eyes are miscolored- the left is amber and the right is blue. Dovechime can come off as incredibly arrogant... and don't get me wrong, she is definitely a fan of herself, but not the point of being blind to her faults. Chimes can be overly critical of herself and tends to over-analyze everything she does because she's always wanting to be better. She loves being alone but doesn't mind at all good company if it's someone she feels like she can have an intellectual conversation with. Dovechime partially got her name from a birthmark she has on her forehead- a single white blaze between her eyes. || Litter-mate to Lyricfaith and Sunwater. Half-sibling of: Dandelionroot, Briartalon, Alderfall, Rosequill, Sageleaf, Smokefern, and Honeypatch. Daughter of Umberpatch and Milkflower for Sparrowtalon and Eagleoak. || Spirit Stone: Black Diamond. || Bisexual- prefers she-cats. || Goldenstar. ||
-Lyrickit(Lyricfaith)- a pretty thing, the reason for her name being quite clear. Her fur is medium-length yet thick, a creamy white with dark brown marbled patterns. She has a baby pink nose and ears along with big hazel eyes. One thing she does quite obviously get from her dear dad Umberpatch is that one of her eyes is partially blind, the same one as him. || Litter-mate to Dovechime and Sunwater. Half-sibling of: Dandelionroot, Briartalon, Alderfall, Rosequill, Sageleaf, Smokefern, and Honeypatch. Daughter of Umberpatch and Milkflower for Sparrowtalon and Eagleoak. || Spirit Stone: Fire Opal. || Treeheart. ||
Sunkit(Sunwater)- she-kit. || Litter-mate to Lyricfaith and Dovechime. Half-sibling of: Dandelionroot, Briartalon, Alderfall, Rosequill, Sageleaf, Smokefern, and Honeypatch. Daughter of Umberpatch and Milkflower for Sparrowtalon and Eagleoak. || Spirit Stone:... || cowbird. || }}