Stingerpaw avoided Vortexcurl’s vigil. Thon didn’t even know him that well, and it’s risky to use thons magic without a Guide by thons side, but thon at least has to try.

Thon pressed thons paws against the grass, creating a faint blue glow. In front of thon, a single star seemingly fell from the sky, and once it landed, Vortexcurl’s ghost appeared. It took a huge toll on Stingerpaw’s energy to summon the spirit, though. Thon has to make this count.

“Do you know what led to that injury? The one that killed you?”

“…Branches fell. They crushed me. I heard pawsteps before they fell, like some cats were running away. Mudthrift told me our deaths were far from accidents. They were not bad luck… they were murder.”

“Murder? By who?”

“Basically an entire Clan. They call themselves “Guardians of The Stars…” and they want to kill cats like you… and Skuashriek… for having this magic.”

“I don’t understand… why would they-“

“STINGERPAW!”

Doodle’s voice rang out, causing Stingerpaw to lose focus and Vortexcurl’s spirit to disappear. Clementine followed close behind, and surprisingly, Doodle didn’t object.

“You idiot! I was talking with Vortexcurl, and you interrupted me! His death was a murder and I’m gonna find out the killers!”

Doodle stepped forward, face uncomfortably close to Stingerpaw’s. “It’s not safe. You’re going to get yourself killed! You’re an apprentice! Vortexcurl was a warrior!”

“WHAT IF I’M NOT LIKE THAT MOUSE-BRAIN? I CAN AVOID MURDER! THE GHOSTS CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO!”

Doodle and Clementine just stared at thon, Doodle looking unamused.

“If you believe you don’t need to be trained by living cats, then so be it. Now, My Mate and I will be at camp, and I’ll expect you to be here by next morning, alright?”

Stingerpaw looked baffled… Doodle’s mate? Clementine? Didn’t she hate him just a few days ago? Also, why is she acting like thons mentor? Thon eventually snapped out of it, though.

“…Alright.”

What was thought to be an accident proved to be something more: Vortexcurl’s death was a murder at the paws of [REDACTED].

There was no big announcement to the Clan, but everyone noticed how close Doodle and Clementine have been lately… it seems they have become mates!

(Stingerpaw: A long-furred chubby orange she-cat with a darker stripe down thons back (C-class Esper (can see ghosts), Pronouns: thon/thon/thons/thonself))

(Doodle: A short-furred, mostly black tortie she-cat with a white face, paws, and chest and orange cheeks and tail tip)

(Clementine: A short-furred dark grey and white tom wearing a blue harness on his back)

(Vortexcurl: A medium-furred white and striped orange tom (PC: Body Biter))

Oh. Hi. I… I thought I was alone. But I guess not. Whatever. My name’s Stingerpaw, and I only needed one friend. She looks and acts a little strange, but no one has questioned her. So I haven’t.

She told me about… Lightclan. But that doesn’t sound right. There were only 3 leaders on the tree during the gatherings. Never a fourth. So that’s why I’m here, traveling on the beach, avoiding the sharp stones until my paws hit the grass.

I’m starting to wonder if my friend was a little mouse-brained. I don’t see a camp here. Just grass, flowers, and the occasional tree or bush or den spanning across thousands of tail-lengths. Maybe I should…

“I’m telling you, I sensed it! This could be our shot!”

Sensed..? That molly really can’t say “smelled” like a normal cat? I decided to hide in a bush to have a better look.

There were two cats. A ginger and what I think Bulbclan calls a “tuxedo,” wherever that term came from. And why are there herbs around her paws? She’s… not even sniffing. How is she-

“Crevasserise, get over here! I swear I’m not going crazy again!”

She’s getting way too close for my comfort, but if I move, I’ll blow it! Why did my friend lead me here? Can I even call her that now?

The strange cat poked her head into the bushes, and me, really not liking being around more than one cat at a time, swiped at her. Unfortunately, her groans of pain alerted the other cat, who approached as well.

“Back. Off.” I managed to muster. Stars, my threat almost sounded like I was choking on a prey bone and trying to keep it silent! At least, I think that’s what it sounded like.

The “tuxedo” just smiled despite her minor bleeding. “Hey, do you know where your Clan is? This is Lightclan territory.”

Stars, I wanted to claw her so bad, I’ll make her into my own bedding! But… that voice of hers. I relaxed without even realizing that I was relaxing. What kind of…

“Sorry. A stupid friend decided to lead me here. Why did she even-“

“What does your friend look like?”

“Oh, she’s fluffy. Her pelt’s kinda like water. You know how you can see through water but kind of not at the same time?”

The “tuxedo” turned to the other cat and whispered something in his ear. What, am I going to be chastised for doing this? Probably. I’m still an apprentice, stars damn it! The other cat nodded and then spoke to me.

“Hey… how much do you like Bulbclan?”

“Not at all. I could do a better job leading than DIRTSTAR! But I don’t really see how you’d be much bet-“

The “tuxedo” undid the herbs on one of her paws, and mist came spilling out of the cracks between her pads. I should have ran… I was taught to run or fight or do anything… but… I was mesmerized. I must have agreed to go with these strange cats, because… the next thing I knew: I had a new home.

Apparently I’m the only apprentice in this Clan, and my mentor’s the deputy. I guess it could be worse. Even though I don’t understand what’s going on.

Stingerpaw has joined the Clan.

Magic is returning…

Skuashriek has enough energy for the day again.

(Stingerpaw: A long-furred chubby orange she-cat with a darker stripe down thons back (C-class Esper (can see ghosts), Pronouns: thon/thon/thons/thonself))

(Crevasserise: A short-furred orange rosette tom)

(Skuashriek: A long-furred black and white she-cat with mist gathering at her paws (B-class Guide, PC: Lunar Shifter))