#cavepaw

Moon 7: Leaf-Fall

“And this is what we like to call The Den of Wrens! A lot of them nest specifically in this part of the forest!”

“Woah!”

Both mentor and apprentice were buzzing with excitement. Bravepaw had finally been made an apprentice. And, much to everyone’s shock, was given to Eveningbriar to train. Eveningbriar guessed it was to help improve her self-confidence.

“I’ll have to keep this place in mind. Cavepaw said he absolutely loved wren!”

Eveningbriar freezes in her tracks. “C-C-C-Cavepaw!?”

“Yep! He gets so excited when Warmstar brings one back!”

“Brave, change of plans! Let’s hunt as many wrens as we can!”

“What? But Warmstar said-”

“Yes, yes, we can get you familiar territory later, right now, hunting! Besides, don’t you think Warmstar will be super impressed if you catch something on your first day?”

This gives Bravepaw pause. “Yeah… Yeah! I’m going to be the best apprentice ever!”

Eveningbriar grins. She gives the younger cat an impromptu lesson in bird hunting and soon enough catches a bird!

“I did it! I did it! I’m gonna show this to Warmstar!”

“But first we’ll show it to Cavepaw!”

Meanwhile…

“What.”

“The.”

“Stars.”

The patrol didn’t quite know what they were looking at. They went to check a poorly maintained part of the territory to find a well-lived in badger den. But not by a badger. Definitely not by a badger. Herbs were set off on flat rocks to dry, prey was hidden behind a bush, and the scent of cat flooded the place. A neutral scent. Probably a loner.

“How long do you think they’ve been living here?” Yelloweyes asks, sticking his head down the den.

“Probably moons from the look of it…” Velvetdream replies, sniffing at the prey.

Warmstar is much more concerned about the herbs. “Seems like they’re a skilled herbalist. Most loners don’t know how to use herbs, let alone that drying them makes them last longer…”

A hiss and a yowl rings out though the clearing, and Warmstar whips his head around to see Velvetdream pinned under a calico she-cat.

“Nobody move or the she-cat gets-”

The calico is cut off as Velvetdream flips her off with her back legs, Yelloweyes rushing to pin the hostile cat down.

“Who are you!?” he hisses.

“I should be askin’ you! Rifling through my home, what’re ya? A bunch of rogues? Or some kittypets playing bad cats?”

“She has a point…” Velvetdream murmurs.

Warmstar steps forward. “Listen, we do not want to harm you or your home. I’m sure this is all one big misunderstanding. Can we release you without being afraid you might attack us or make a run for it?”

The she-cat scowls before nodding. “Yeah, sure.”

Warmstar nods at Yelloweyes who gets off the she-cat, still tense.

“Now, how about some introductions?” Warmstar offers. “I’m Warmstar, that’s my deputy Velvetdream, and my warrior Yelloweyes. We’re from MaggotClan. Who are you?”

“Huh? So yer clan cats. Can’t say I ever heard o’ that clan before though. Name’s Primrose, daughter of Canary.”

“Daughter of… oh, I see, I’ve heard of you guys!” Velvetdream turns to her clanmates. “She’s part of a traveling healer colony, they all introduce themselves with their mother’s name, I heard about them in a story.” she explains. 

“Heh, you know yer stuff.” Primrose confirms, impressed. “And I used to be a traveler, had to give it a rest.”

“Why?” Warmstar asks.

The she-cat raises a red, furless paw. “Got frostbite on my paw. Couldn’t keep up with the walking no more.”

Warmstar nods. “I see. And how long have you been here?”

“Almost two leaf-bares now.” she replies.

The patrol goes wide-eyed. “Two leaf-bares!?” Yelloweyes exclaims. “We haven’t even been here for one!”

“I’m sorry, we just made a clan a few moons back and you’re kinda in our territory. We won’t ask you to move as that’s not fair to you, but maybe we can come up with some deal?” Warmstar explains.

“Hm, a clan… Well, I’m gonna be honest with ya, I’m in a rough patch. I ain’t too good at huntin’ or defendin’ myself, courtesy of this paw o’ mine. So how ‘bout we strike a deal?” she suggests. “I’ll be one o’ yer healers in exchange fer someone to hunt for me.”

Warmstar thinks for a moment before speaking. “That can be arranged.”

***

Events

Bravepaw becomes an apprentice and is apprenticed to Eveningbriar!

Eveningbriar realizes their heart always flutters when they think of Cavepaw!

Primrose joins the clan!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 18 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 16 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Primrose: Medium-furred cream & black calico she-cat with pale green eyes and a frostbitten paw | 66 moons | Healer | Shameless | Incredibly Clever| Cis!Fem (she/her) | Aroace

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 13 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yelloweyes: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 16 moons | Warrior | Ambitious | Fast Runner | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningbriar: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 13 moons | Warrior | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Bravepaw: Short-furred brown smoke she-cat with dark blue eyes | 6 moons | Warrior App. | Spontaneous | Steps Lightly & Interested in Clan History | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Straight

***

“All those old enough to pledge their loyalty, please gather under the Leader’s Ledge.”

The clan gathers expectantly, all knowing what is about to happen.

“As you all know, there is an apprentice among our ranks who is long overdue for his warrior ceremony. Yellowpaw, step forward.”

The yellow-eyed tom steps forward, his body language radiating confidence. It was a far cry from the weak-willed tom who Warmstar could barely convince to join them, even with his alternative being almost certain death.

“Yellowpaw, the clan recognizes the great perseverance it took for you to get to this point. From now on, you leave your paws behind and wear your claws with pride. You are now Yelloweyes.”

The clan chants his new name, rushing to congratulate him.

A few days later

“Cavepaw!”

“Oh, hey, Warmstar, come in!” Cavepaw steps back so the leader can enter. “Need something?”

“Nah, just wanted to spend time with you! It’s been ages!”

Cavepaw sighs. “Yeah, it’s been a hot minute…” Ever since Yelloweyes had gotten injured and Warmstar had officially become leader, it had been some time since the two had spent some quality time together.

The two spent their time catching up, swapping stories and reminiscing, but something had been bugging Cavepaw for a bit now. Warmstar’s delusions had begun to worsen, with his ‘demon’ being an almost constant presence. Not only that, but whenever Cavepaw entered his den, it reeked of blood. He had even gone snooping once while Warmstar was on patrol and found some bones with odd symbols on them. But just as he was about to ask, she came in.

“Clavepaw, Clavepaw, Clavepaw!”

It was Bravekit, back with another bundle of ‘herbs’. 

“Oh, err, hey Bravekit.” Warmstar greeted, “Whatcha doing?”

Bravekit spits the flowers out of her mouth. “I’m delivering herbs!”

Warmstar narrows his eyes in confusion. “Those aren’t-”

Cavepaw whips his tail against Warmstar’s mouth and gives him a warning glare. “Just put them in the usual corner!”

Warmstar turns to see that in the corner closest to his nest is a small pile of random, non-medicinal flowers.

“Okie-Dokie! I’ll even sort them for you Cavepaw, cuz that’s what good warriors do!” Bravekit squeaks.

“Thanks, Brave.” Cavepaw says with a smile. 

“Err, what’s going on?” Warmstar asks.

“She just started giving me random flowers for no reason, saying it was a ‘warrior's duty’. I don’t mind it though. It keeps her out of the warriors’ fur and gives me some pretty decoration.” Cavepaw explains.

Warmstar nods in understanding, amused. The two continue their chat with Bravekit occasionally interjecting with her own quips and demands that Cavepaw lick the knots out of her fur. Though Cavepaw wants to bring up Warmstar’s hallucinations with him, he strays from the heavy topic with Bravekit in earshot. Eventually, Velvetdream pops by the den. 

“Warm, Cave… Brave?”

“Hi!!!”

Velvetdream nods her head politely. “May I borrow Warmstar for a bit?”

“Yes, of course.” Cavepaw replies. “Catch you later?”

“Sure thing, Cave.”

“Baiiiii!!!”

Leader and deputy pad out into camp, quickly rushing into the leader’s den atop the ledge where they know they won’t be disturbed.

“Has something happened?”

Velvetdream sighs. “I took Eveningpaw out on patrol today.”

“Yes, and?”

“And while we were at the BeetleClan border we came across some kits. Must’ve snuck out of camp. We were going to wait with them until someone came to get them, and if no one did, bring them to the camp themselves. But a patrol came and before we could explain ourselves decided that we were some rogues who had stolen the kits. They were exceptionally hostile.”

“Oh dear…” This was not part of the plan. He had expected to have at least a few more moons before any confrontations with the other clans. MaggotClan did not have nearly enough power to be called an established clan. If the other clan’s learned about them, especially through the lens of them being some lawless rogues who wanted to corrupt some poor kits, war would be inevitable.

“Make sure that everyone lays low for a while. Try to keep off the clan borders. It’ll be fine. I’ll handle it.”

Later that night

Blood.

Bones.

Words.

“Please, I need help. Just buy us some time, just a few moons.”

“...”

“Please! I’m begging!”

“Dgy caesbbovc.

Yxo rkbo.

Mkd'c lvyyn.”

***

Events

Yelloweyes becomes a warrior!

Cavepaw and Warmstar enjoy each other’s company!

Bravekit gathers flowers around camp and brings them to the healer’s den!

Bravekit shares tongues with Cavepaw!

Velvetdream and Eveningpaw come across two BeetleClan kits! However, they are chased away after a misunderstanding, lowering relations with BeetleClan!

***

Characters

Warmstar: Medium-furred light brown tabby tom with violet eyes and a reddish-brown paw print on his forehead | 16 moons | Leader (9 lives) | Charismatic | Good Decorator | Cis!Male (he/him) | Aroace

Velvetdream: Medium-furred light brown she-cat with copper eyes | 14 moons | Deputy | Reserved | Dog-Whisperer & Masterful Storyteller | Trans!Fem (she/her) | Lesbian

Cavepaw: Medium-furred unusually spotted gray tom with cyan eyes | 11 moons | Healer App. | Bouncy | Incredibly Knowledgeable| Cis!Male (he/him) | Bi

Yelloweyes: Medium-furred speckled dark brown and white tom with yellow eyes and a scar at the base of his tail| 14 moons | Warrior | Ambitious | Fast Runner | Cis!Male (he/him) | Gay

Eveningpaw: Medium-furred black/Golden-brown mottled she-cat with gray eyes| 11 moons | Warrior App. | Insecure | Great Singer | Cis!Fem (she/her) | Pan

Bravekit: Short-furred brown smoke she-kit with dark blue eyes | 4 moons | Kit | Attention-Seeker | Steps Lightly | Cis!Fem (she/her) | ???

???: ??? | ??? | Demon | ??? | ??? | ??? (she/it)| ???

***

Bravekit... Never change.

Cavepaw; Powerless tom; Nervous and a good kitsitter