#tanglechirp

With leaf-bare right around the corner, a lack of herbs, and their senior healer having a broken bone, ElementClan decides to make peace with StumpyClan.  The war is over.  Although its impacts may be felt as the Clan heads into leaf-bare with almost no herbs.  In honor of their performances during the war, Flailpaw (12) and Scorchpaw (12) are given their warrior names.  Flailpaw is now Flailvalley in honor of his dedication, and Scorchpaw is now Scorchhawk in honor of her fortitude.  Flailvalley doesn’t like the attention and hopes that it will be the last ceremony he ever has.  Minnowpaw (12) is the only one of her siblings who is still an apprentice.  She knew she would end up being the last to be made a warrior.  Hatchswipe (65) comforts her and assures her that she is actually very skilled.  She just spent a lot of her apprenticeship injured.  Kestrelcreek (109) decides to go for a walk with her son.  She wants to explore ElementClan’s whole territory with Hollowminnow (21)!  But then he tells her about the prank he and Copperheart (36) are planning and she gets frustrated with him.  Why can’t he take anything seriously?!  Hollowminnow and Minnowpaw have a friendly chat and he jokes with her about having similar names.  It cheers her up a bit about still being an apprentice.Tanglechirp (67) knows that Bluestripe (95) and Dawnstar (104) used to have a thing for each other and listens as Dawnstar discusses potential mates with Sofanthiel (109).  Tanglechrip is annoyed that his name never came up, and a little bit angry when Bluestripe’s does.  Embershell (38) and Hopcurl (38) are both quite fond of the deputy.  Hopcurl thinks she’s helpful and good at what she does.  Embershell wants to go explore the Twolegplace with her.  Aphidwhisker (17) is still close with Pebbletuft (53) and chats with her about what it’s like to be a healer.  She even helps out in the Healer’s den a little.  Just subtly healing cats.  It won’t hurt, right?

Minnowpaw (14) has finally been made a warrior!  She is given the name of Minnownudge in honor of her intelligence.  Hopcurl (40) is proud of xer last kit to become a warrior, but worries that she’s grown too cold and distant from her siblings.  What happened to xer sweet little girl?  Dawnstar (106) seems to be encouraging the pranksters in the Clan and heckles ChaffinchClan with Burdockbeam (38) at a gathering.  He’s. . .not very mature for a leader, is he?  At least he seeks out wisdom from Cherviljumble (127).  She’s survived a few more harsh leaf-bares than he has.  Anyways, Burdockbeam’s latest pranks include: not telling Croucheye (33) about the feather stuck to her face and taking Tanglechirp’s (69) favorite nesting materials for herself.  Embershell (40) is out of the healer’s den, although she does take some time to chat with Pebbletuft and Flailvalley.  The two older cats really appreciate how hard Flailvalley’s been working lately.  Flailvalley (14) still enjoys going to visit the elder and curls up against Cherviljumble to help her combat the leaf-bare chill.  Meanwhile, Croucheye is a little wary of Pebbletuft (55).  She thinks the healer has been acting strangely lately.  That whole deathberry thing is still concerning. Peatfeather (34) is worried about Petalfrost (34).  He’s just not trying very hard to make friends in the Clan.  Aries (88) gives her advice and tells her to just be there for Petalfrost.  Being consistent is the best thing she can do.  Meanwhile, Petalfrost is developing a small crush on Mitemask (23).  And it looks like she reciprocates.  So, he’s not doing all that badly.  Croucheye watches as her younger sibling seem to constantly fight with each other.  She wishes that they would treasure what they have with each other.  She misses Rimepaw and wishes she were still there.  Along with Almondback and Brightmouse and Troutpaw.

Healer’s den: Dawnstar (whitecough), Bumble (broken bone), Tanglechirp (yellowcough), Dapplemuzzle (bite wound)

FurledClan hasn’t struck back against ElementClan.  Directly.  But. . .an abnormally strong windstorm hit the caverns and blew away all of the herbs.  FurledClan is known for having powerful wind-blessed cats.  Bumble (95) and Pebbletuft (51) are. . .a little worried, to say the least, especially after Cinderblockpuddle (237) dies from head damage.  The Clan is a little shaken by his loss, but they knew he wouldn’t be around for long.  The healers are more worried about Cavecatcher (76), who’s infected tail is not looking great.  And they don’t have the herbs to treat it.  Bluestripe (93) knows that Flailpaw (10) is under a lot of pressure right now and comforts him while picking burrs out of his pelt.  She makes sure he understands that it’s important for him to keep up in his training, though.  Later, as they’re curled up in Bluestripe’s nest, Tanglechirp (65) tells her that he doesn’t think that Flailpaw is being completely honest about how hard he’s working.  While Croucheye (29) may not be a fan of Mistypaw (10), her apprentice, she’s glad that at least Minnowpaw (10) isn’t her apprentice.  The young cat’s constant fretting is annoying.  Dapplemuzzle (15) is impatient to get to fight in a battle and prove herself.  She’s jealous that Mitemask got to fight in a border skirmish when she didn’t.  Mitemask (19) notices that she’s upset and wants to talk with her.  Dapplemuzzle ignores her.

Well, it seems that Bluestripe (101) wasn’t too shaken up over Tanglechirp’s death, because Dawnstar (110) confessed his feelings to her and they have become mates.  Or maybe Bluestripe is coping with his loss by distracting herself.  Either way, their relationship has some. . .interesting parallels to Peakspots and Yuccawillow’s.  Hopefully it ends up better than theirs did.  Longpelt (40) doesn’t seem to understand the whole ‘grieving’ thing and is amused by how grumpy Bluestripe looks all the time. Kestrelcreek (115) really relates to Peatfeather (38), having lost her siblings, and tries to cheer her up by heckling other Clans at the gathering together.   Aries (92) is still a little unsure of how to best help the Clan.  Embershell (44) notices her sulking around camp again, and Peatfeather makes sure to check in on Aries.  Aries hopes that Peatfeather’s brother, Petalfrost, is doing well in StarClan (he is, actually-he’s enjoying exploring the territory).  Bumble (103) seems to suspect that something is going on with Aphidwhisker (23).  She was in the healer’s den the other day, and he stepped on her foot, pretending not to notice.  Dawnstar called a Clan meeting, intending to give a rousing speech, but forgot what he was going to say when he saw Bluestripe watching him.  Hatchswipe (71) is feeling tired.  Life in the Clan has been stressful lately, and all she wants to do is sleep.

The tensions in the Clan have finally come to a head.  First, the lack of herbs claimed another life.  Although Bumble (102) was able to recover from his broken bone, he was unable to save Tanglechirp (72), who died of yellowcough.  Bluestripe (100) mourns the loss of her mate, but takes comfort in her kits.  Dapplemuzzle (22) does her best to support her mother, but isn’t truly grieving herself.  It’s not like Tanglechirp did much to help raise her.  Aphidwhisker (22) is a bit annoyed by Bluestripe’s attention.  She would much rather be spending time plotting against Dawnstar (109) and Boulderflood (41) with Pebbletuft (58).  But the drama in the Clan is not yet done.  Badgers seem to have a grudge against ElementClan, and yet another gang of badgers attack the camp.  Minnownudge (17) and Flailvalley (17) are on guard duty and are enjoying a moment of peace after the war.  Which is interrupted when a badger bursts out of the bushes and kills Minnownudge with a single bite.  Flailvalley freezes and doesn’t do anything as the badgers stream into the grotto.  Nettlestripe (94) sounds the alarm with a burst of flame, but is trampled to death as the badgers stream in.  However, his sacrifice and alarm gives Dawnstar a moment to rally his cats.  He assigns Burdockbeam (41) and Boulderflood to one half of the camp while he and Dapplemuzzle are on the other.  He doesn’t trust Aphidwhisker enough to tell her to do more than guard the healer’s den, and the injured Pebbletuft.  Meanwhile, Hollowminnow (26) and Mitemask (26) end up fighting next to each other.  Mitemask has a sudden sense of dread and tries to warn Hollowminnow about a surprise attack that was coming.  He ignores her and is severely injured.  Mitemask fights over her brother as best she can, but they both perish.  Meanwhile, Scorchhawk (17) and Mistytooth (17) go out to find their brother.  The camp needs his power.  However, a badger blocks their path and kills both of them.  Petalfrost (37) insists on fighting on his own, despite Peatfeather (37) urging him to work with his Clanmates.  But why would he, when they had never truly welcomed him?  He glares at ElementClan as a badger shakes him from its back, breaking his neck.  With so many cats injured or dead, Copperheart (41) takes it upon herself to do something responsible for a change and protect the elder’s den.  However, her lack of practice from her many days goofing off mean that she can’t defend it and both she and Cherviljumble (130) die.  On the other side of camp, Boulderflood and Burdockbeam are being pushed towards the Healer’s den.  Burdockbeam sees her sister and partner in crime fall from across the camp and is momentarily distracted.  It’s enough for a badger to kill her.  Boulderflood is left to mourn both her sisters and try to fend off two badgers at once.  Aphidwhisker watches from the Healer’s den.  She could kill both of the badgers with a touch.  But. . .she glances at Pebbletuft, who shakes her head.  She chooses to do nothing and watches as Boulderflood is slaughtered.  However, a badger surprises her and tosses her aside, killing Pebbletuft.  In the clearing, fighting alongside Bluestripe and Dawnstar, Dapplemuzzle gets tired of watching her clanmates fall.  And of watching her sister do nothing to help.  When a badger pins Peatfeather, she snaps.  She lashes out with her magic and fells three badgers, giving her clanmates a chance to gain the upper hand and officially proving herself.  The day is won, but at the cost of twelve lives. And both of the Clan’s star-blessed cats.  Graysong’s omen about lights being extinguished has come true.

Hatchswipe (70) is distraught at the loss of all three of her sister’s kits.  Her last ties to her littermates are gone.  She tries to hold onto their scents for as long as she can, but even those fade.  Kestrelcreek (114) is shaken by yet another mass death in her Clan.  She, Bluestripe, and Dawnstar are the only cats left of their generation.  She feels so old. Aries notices that her Clan is hurting, but isn’t sure how to help.  She goes on a long walk to try and make sense of her thoughts.  Hatchswipe also spends some time with Hopcurl’s (43) surviving kit.  Flailvalley has just lost all of his littermates.  She’s glad to have a clanmate as kind and considerate as him.  While no living cat knows the extent of Aphidwhisker’s actions (well, inactions), the death of her former apprentice is not a good sign.  Bumble feels like Dawnstar should be doing more to build up the Clan.

The Clan has had good luck with making it through leaf-bare with so few herbs.  But the only working healer, Pebbletuft (56), is grabbed and dropped by an eagle, breaking her leg.  Can the Clan make it through the last stretch of leaf-bare without losing cats?  Thankfully, Hopcurl (41) tossed a snake out of camp before it could bite anyone.  A snakebite would be a sure way to die in these conditions. Tanglechirp (70) is cranky over still being sick and takes it out on Aphidwhisker (20).  He snaps at his daughter when she bumps into him.  It’s an effort for her not to use her powers on him in annoyance. It’s chilly out, and Nettlestripe (92) and Longpelt (37) huddle together, using their fire magic to keep themselves warm.  Petalfrost (35) is also grateful for Longpelt being willing to share her warmth.  He thinks of her as his best friend.  Mitemask (24) has been struggling to connect with her mom, and isn’t very close with Hollowminnow (24)  anymore.  But this moon, she and Kestrelcreek (112) get along better.  Yay!  Even though relations with the other Clans are good, for now, Flailvalley wants to keep his skills sharp and spars with Boulderflood (39).  It’s useful to know how to fight against cats with any power set.  Except dark-cursed ones, but there's not much any cat can do to combat their death touch.  Cherviljumble (128) is acutely aware of being the oldest cat in the Clan.  And she’s not even that old!  So many cats in ElementClan die young.  Too many.  She’s lucky to have made it this far, and likely only did because she joined the Clan when she was already older (91 moons).  Embershell (41) is feeling a little trapped in the Clan.  She doesn’t have anything keeping her there (aside from her littermate) and is daydreaming about all there must be to see outside of the mountains.

Healer’s den: Bumble (broken bone), Pebbletuft (broken bone), Tanglechrip (yellowcough), Hatchswipe (sore)

Bluestripe (78) and Tanglechirp (50) have had their kits!  And both of them inherited their mother’s magic.  Aphidkit (0) is already competing with her cousin for attention and Dapplekit (0), named for Archdapple despite their opposite powers, is content to sit quietly and watch her.  Creekstar (157) is determined to make these new dark-cursed kits feel more welcome in the Clan than Echomoor did, apparently, and is thinking of new ways to care for the Clan.  She seems to be regaining confidence in her old age.  Bluestripe doesn’t feel ready to be a mother, even with Tanglechirp at her side (not that he’s very helpful).  Kestrelcreek knows that her sister-in-law isn’t thrilled with how her partnership with Tanglechirp is going.  She listens in on her to make sure she’s doing alright with her new kits.  Bluestripe is annoyed when she catches her and snaps that she’s fine.  Almondback (74) is exhausted from raising his children and can’t wait to take a nap later.  Hollowkit (4) continues to find new ways to get into trouble.  He said he would cover for Downgaze, but, when the time came, he got Downgaze in trouble instead.  He runs off giggling.  Hopcurl (21) seems to be getting on cats’ nerves this moon and got in fights with both Kestrelcreek (92) and Dawnfreckle (87).  Downgaze (84) is spending some time with his granddaughter and shares tongues with Copperheart (19), getting caught up on what’s going on with the young cats in the Clan.  Despite being new to the Clan, Bumble (80) is already proving to be a dedicated healer.  Copperheart tells her grandpaw that she’s noticed him doing his best to get to know their Clanmates.  It seems that Echoarch (21) reciprocates Longpelt’s (17) crush and is admiring her from afar. . .

Crouchpaw (12) has been made a warrior!  She is now named Croucheye in honor of her composure.  She still hasn’t told Creekstar (155) about her visions though.  She’s just not sure that’s what they are, either.  The Clan will also likely continue to grow.  Bluestripe (76) has announced that she is expecting kits.  Tanglechirp (48) is excited to be a dad.  Mostly so that he can do more moral preaching to his kits this time!  Lakepelt (109), knowing that Kestrelcreek (90) had a rough time after kitting last time, makes sure to check in on her.  Kestrelcreek appreciates it and is doing well.  Mitekit (2) has discovered that a great way for her to get attention is to help out around camp.  It makes everyone praise her, including Nettlestripe (70).  Sweet Marmalade (86) has decided to make an effort to make sure that the young cats all feel like an important part of the Clan.  He’s always happy to stop and chat with Petalfrost (13) and pays attention to how hard Peatfeather (13) is working to contribute to the Clan without powers or parents.  Hatchswipe (46) has taken more of a background role in the Clan, lately, but she is still well-liked.  She trusts Pebbletuft (34) with her insecurities over her twisted leg and how it impacts her ability to help out in the Clan, and she spends some time playing with the kits.  She also knows that Brightmouse (76) had a hard time with love, similar to how her and Treepelt did, and seeing her have kits gives her hope that she will find someone, again.  Cats seem to have a habit of trying to sneak Kestrelcreek’s latest litter out of camp, because Aries (67) really wants to take Hollowkit (2) to explore twolegplace. Hollowkit’s been asking and is just so cute!  Why should she resist?  Creekstar has decided to tell the Clan the truth about what happened to Auburnpaw.  Bluestripe listens intently and wonders if any of her kits will be dark-cursed.  She hopes that none of them have to go through what Echomoor and Auburnpaw did.  The Clan also welcomes a much-needed healer to the Clan, a former loner named Bumble (78).  He is also troublesome, which is exactly what the Clan needs right now.