A deep conversation with a stranger
ft Heronstar of @juniper-clan
I'd imagine Python and Heron would get along well in another universe, two cats thrust into crippling responsibility at such a young age while dealing with the grief of losing a loved one; needing to be strong for everyone but themselves. Said responsibility doesn't easily foster friendship, though, now does it? Strangers will have to do
okay.. I know we're only like 5 moons in, but I think I'm going to start up another Clangen blog (YALL I'M SORRY JUST HEAR ME OUT)
So I started Quakes of Cragclan as a sort of experimental blog to try out different things on Tumblr, and I'm so incredibly appreciative of the support I've received on it, and for the experience I've gained through the process of doing it. The reason I would like to start another blog though is because I'm developing a save currently based on a much more cohesive plan, and I want to try out different formatting, time period, and just generally take what I've learned from the first and improve. I had a lot of new ideas barely even that long after starting, and also gained so much more inspiration from other members of the community (some examples being @aphidclan-clangen, @rise-of-littleclan, and @barrenclan (YOU GUYS ROCK)). I have an idea for this one that I REALLY LIKE, and a much more cohesive idea as to how it starts and ends hopefully.. This blog had a constructed beginning, some vague character ideas, and absolutely no plan as to how it would end (oops), but I learned from that mistake, and I really want to show it!!!
I don't know what the page quality will look like, but I plan to do a lot more in-depth moons and probably more multi-part posts. all in all, I'm SERIOUSLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT IF I FOLLOW THROUGH!!!
I'll probably still post to Quakes of Cragclan OCCASIONALLY, but I imagine actually continuing it for a long time will be a challenge for me. So yeah, my focus will probably shift.
Thank you to those who did read, and to EVERYONE WHO NOTED MY POSTS I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
I'll link the page if/when I make it and pin it to the top of the page, but uhh I'm running out of writing power so THANK YOU ALL I LOVE YOU GUYS SHJSLAJFGLSA I HOPE I DONT DISAPPOINT YOU GUYS WITH WHATS COMING MWAH KISSES YUO ON THE FOREHEAD BYEEEE!!!!!!
LeapClan cats are a determined, loyal, and scrappy bunch. Often riddled with scars from their neighbors and mortal enemies, DiveClan, LeapClan felines focus much of their efforts to battle and strategy. Their small numbers are an attribute to how far they'll go for their clan, finding that dying in battle is of the utmost highest honor, and many of their numbers have fallen under those circumstances.
Even if LeapClan's values seem barbaric, they pride themselves on their community and kinship with each other. Their scars show their love for each other and for their home.
What a shame it couldn't save them.
Pythonback twitches and shifts in his nest, one the young warrior has had for moons now but still feels foreign and stiff to him. Unable to sleep, the spindly tom gazes lazily out the entrance to the Warriors den as he has for hours, watching the moon's slow trek across the deep, twinkling sky and musing about how cold and barren the camp looks during the night. His father, Echoglare slept soundly a pace behind him, but he could hear Fennelpeak moving in his nest, the russet-furred deputy has been under a lot of stress recently and Pythonback felt a pang of sympathy for the overworked tom.
Amber eyes dart again to the clearing where a familiar pelt stalked into camp. With a few bleary blinks Pythonback recognized Jumpfang's sandy dappled pelt as he made his way to the apprentice's den. The young warrior's eyes narrowed in confusion; What could Jumpfang need from Buzzardpaw at this hour? He wondered speculatively. Maybe a night hunting lesson? The older warrior was known to be stuffy and strict with his training regiments, so it wasn't completely out of the blue. What was stranger though, was the tom exiting and all three smaller forms of LeapClan's apprentices following behind him. From the distance it was hard to tell, but from the puffed pelts and anxious glances around camp, the apprentices seemed scared of something.
At this Pythonback stood, trying to be as quiet as possible to not wake the warriors around him, and padded out of the den. As he breached the archway into the clearing Jumpfang's gaze met his, and the toms ears briefly fell flat against his head before flicking back upwards alertly.
"Jumpfang.. What's happening?" Pythonback asked as he approached. The older tom glanced behind him into the warriors den then met Pythonback's gaze, hissing out a quick hush. He seemed irritated, which was only accentuated by his rapidly flicking tail.
Jumpfang grumbled as his gaze flicked from the cream warrior to the trio of apprentices and then back. "Pythonback, you need to take the apprentices deep into the territory, now. Quickly, go." He shoved the apprentices towards him with his tail and narrowed his eyes at Pythonback expectantly.
Pythonback froze momentarily, taking in the urgency in Jumpfang's tone before nodding and ushering the apprentices towards him. This is how I can prove myself, I'll keep them safe from… From whatever is happening.
As the group of four rushed out of camp through a rear exit, Pythonback spared a final glance to Jumpfang, who hadn't yet moved, staring the group down as they left. It sent a prickle down Pythonback's spine as he again turned and fled camp with the apprentices.
It wasn't long after the small group fled camp that yowls of alarm rang in the distance, and not long after that yowls of fear and pain. Pythonback's stomach flipped on itself but he pressed forward, keeping the apprentices in front of him to catch them when they stumbled or tripped. Finally, deep into the territory as Jumpfang instructed, the group came to a slow stop. The cries were so distant they were barely perceivable, and after a minute halted altogether. The trio of apprentices collapsed in a heap, curling against each other. Lilacpaw pressed into her brother, Bluepaw, comfortingly as he curled into a ball, the younger Buzzardpaw doing the same against Lilacpaw's flank. Pythonback hesitated as he glanced around, Should I go back? I think they're safe here… The tom hunched over and eased his labored breathing. Yes, I'll… I'll go back and help. Just need to catch my breath.
In the commotion of everyone settling, the nearing thrum of pawsteps goes unnoticed.
The Seer of Night shall be Buzzardpaw
Of youth and heart and willful spirit
Of love and loss and holy merit
Of dead prophecy consumed by a hungry maw
This glimpse of mind torn from tooth and claw
Buzzardpaw mentioned that Jumpfang warned them about the monster that attacked the clans... Does she know anything else about the situation, like how Jumpfang knew about the monster?