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tenaciousarcadeexpert · 4 months

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list of young actresses of color who deserve to have more recognition and opportunities as actors like Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kathryn Newton, Millie Bobby Brown etc. It would be refreshing to see more of these talented and underrated actresses of color

*Note, the list consists of actors born within the mid 90s-2000s. This might not be a complete list so whoever sees this is welcome to add more actors that I missed. I might update this post from time to time

This list has gotten so long that I have to make a separate one for male actors of color

Rachel Zegler-(she deserved way better than the hate over snow white)

Lana Condor-(aside from x-men apocalypse and the to all the boys trilogy, she hasn't done much blockbusters compared to Noah, despite her being the lead in the latter films)

Dominique Thorne-(She has her Ironheart and deserves more opportunities, both in the mcu and outside)

Halle Bailey

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Lola Tung-(same example with Lana, pretty jarring how her male co-stars are getting work beyond the summer i turned pretty and yet there's nothing from Lola)

Ashley Liao

Megan Suri-(another cast member from Never Have I Ever who also deserves all the opportunites)

Joy Sunday-(Bianca from Wednesday, deserves as much love as Emma Myers)

Iman Vellani-(Ms Marvel/Kamala Khan herself, deserves to have a thriving career and be as big like Tom Holland)

Ayo Edebiri-(2023 was a big year for her, hopefully it continues and she's not overlooked or overshadowed by her white co-stars in The Bear)

Savannah Smith-(Carried the gossip girl reboot, she deserves to have as much recognition as Leighton and Blake did after the original Gossip Girl series)

Madison Reyes-(Julie and the Phantoms deserved better than to be cancelled after one season and with a cliffhanger. Let her star in a musical and or disney film)

Simone Ashley-(One of the main leads in Bridgerton yet Phoebe and Nicola have more upcoming projects than her in Hollywood)

Charithra Chandran

Arsema Thomas

India Amarteifio

Madeleine Madden-(Carried season 2 of The Wheel of Time and if you watched the whole season, you'll understand why)

Moses Ingram-(Did not deserve the hate over the Obi Wan Kenobi series)

Minnie Mills-(She deserved to appear in season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty)

Amrit Kaur

Alyah Chanelle Scott-(it's frustrating that both the main leading ladies of color are overshadowed by Renee Rapp and Pauline, who's related to Timothy)

Letitia Wright-(Pretty jarring how she's been in plenty of mcu projects yet it's easy to count the number of roles she's been in outside the mcu, and has been acting since 2011, longer than Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor Joy and Millie Bobby Brown. Wright has even acted as long as Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams and they've been in more projects than her)

Yasmin Finney-(She's done both Heartstopper and Doctor Who)

Imani Lewis-(First Kill deserved better than being cancelled after one season. Let her do more horror and supernatural themed

Leah Jeffries-(Deserves all the support especially once the Percy Jackson series comes out)

Auli'i Cravahlo

Erin Kellyman-(After the Han Solo film, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Willow, let her appear in more sci-fi and action blockbusters)

Sadly, tumblr has a 30 limit on adding gifs. I definitely missed so many on the list. Anyone is welcome to add more to the list. All of these talented actresses deserve all the love, appreciation and more opportunities and roles

I might do a part 2 which will include male actors

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marbleeater · 4 months

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(forgot to post this here sorry) so hard being the only bravelands fan on earth 💔💔 seriously though it’s so heartbreaking to read a book with so much potential and have absolutely no fan content of it despite how much insane potential there is to make even angstier animatics than the existing wc ones. so many wc fans pass bravelands up because “it can’t be as good as warriors”. like yeah it isn’t. admittedly, it is better. the pacing is better, the characters have some level of depth, it doesn’t just follow one group and their incredibly repetitive “child has a vision of a prophecy and has to save the clans” storyline (I promise I’m a massive warriors fan but come on it’s flawed guys) and dude this book is sooooo much more intense. I haven’t listened to it on audible once without tensing every muscle in my body and tearing up. READ. IT. also sorry for not coloring the lineart I got lazy.

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skekteksfurby · 4 months

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Me: Erin Hunter, which one of these is Beetle and which one of these is Thorn?

Erin Hunter: yes

#its so funny bc their descriptions are pretty clear but according to the wiki their designs arw the complete opposite #like Beetle is supposed to resemble a mastiff and Thorn a collie #but then according to the wiki Beetle is the one on the right and Thorn the one on the left lmao #which is like ?????#thorn is explicitly described to look like her mom who is a purebred border #survivor dogs #survivors #erin hunter #tekrim text #idk if this is to blame on the wiki or EH/the publisher fr but either way its funny

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kuzakvanowenshays · 3 months

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L.A. LAW episode 4.14 Ex-Wives and Videotape (1990)

#l.a. law #susan dey #harry hamlin #diana muldaur #corbin bernsen #michele greene #veronica cartwright #carl lumbly #erin gray #courtney thorne smith #season 4 #alan rachins #1990s tv #90s television #90s fashion #david e. kelley #steven bochco

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heathfall · 1 year

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Crown of Thorns (Warriors AU)

(or, one of those AUs I write in @badgerstep's DMs)

Welcome to Crown of Thorns. Apologies if this is a little clunky in formatting-- I rarely-if-ever spell out my AUs for people to see.

Crown of Thorns is an AU/rewrite focusing on what if the "brambles with claws" dream in Sunset (which is what sparked Firestar to give Brambleclaw the deputyhood, despite not having had an apprentice) was actually meant for Thornclaw.

(The dream was described as "Every branch bristled with thorns and, as Leafpool looked closer, she saw that they weren’t thorns at all, but cats’ claws, strong and curved and pointing outward to keep out ThunderClan’s enemies." I misread it as being for Thornclaw when I first read Sunset and was pretty miffed when it was for Brambleclaw, who wasn't even eligible for the deputyhood.)

It also focuses on Brambleclaw realizing how awful he was (to Squirrelflight and everyone in general) in trying to fulfill his ambitions, learning how to break the cycle Tigerstar had him and Hawkfrost in, and re-learning what it means to be a true warrior.

General CWs will include canon-typical deaths and violence, canon-typical Brambleclaw interactions with Squirrelflight, and Tigerstar being abusive to his kids even after he's dead. More CWs will be added and tagged as and where they come up.

Crown of Thorns will run through the end of Sunset (The New Prophecy), likely cover After Sunset: The Right Choice?, and may extend into the Power of Three and beyond if and when I feel like writing it. The tag for it will be #crown of thorns au.

It'll be posted both here and on AO3 (I'm also heathfall there). Not even going to try and promise a consistent upload schedule, because I'm a dual BS/MS in Biology and my finals are in less than a month.

Once again, shoutout to @badgerstep for not only naming this AU but helping work out the bugs and letting me write in his DMs

My asks, comments, and reblogs are open if anyone has any questions!

Omen dream rewrite/starting point under the break point:

Every branch bristled with thorns and, as Leafpool looked closer, she saw that they weren’t thorns at all, but cats’ claws, strong and curved and pointing outward to keep out ThunderClan’s enemies.

Bramble claws! Her initial thought filled her with dread. Brambleclaw was a strong warrior, but he was young, often abrasive and rude, and had not yet had an apprentice. Besides, he met often with Hawkfrost and Tigerstar, training and talking until sunrise. Surely, he would not be the cat StarClan chose to be their deputy, not when it would break the code that guided them.

Leafpool took a closer look at the wall. It rose high and foreboding. A second warrior came to mind. Thorns made of claws. Was Thornclaw the warrior they had chosen? He was often headstrong and an argumentative furball, but he was a loyal member of the Clan and had been for several seasons. Unlike Brambleclaw, he had had several apprentices and had guided the Clan well through the destruction of the forest and the Great Journey, even when Shrewpaw died. The thought of him being deputy drained her dread. He would learn and grow to be a strong deputy.

She woke up at peace with her dream. She had prayed for a sign from StarClan, and she got one. Thornclaw would lead ThunderClan well and serve them loyally and faithfully.

As she left her den, she saw her Clanmates keeping their vigil for Graystripe. There would be no body for the elders to carry away and bury. She wondered if Graystripe would ever find StarClan, so far away from the Clans. She padded quietly to her father's den by the Highledge. It was nearly moonhigh and nearly time to name the new deputy. She had to let him know who StarClan had chosen.

#warriors au #warrior cats #warrior cats au #warriors rewrite #crown of thorns au #leafpool #thornclaw #brambleclaw #thunderclan #warriors #erin hunter warriors #graystripe #sunset #sunset: the right choice #the new prophecy

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fantasticalmysteryacademia · 1 year

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I have this urge to start a lengthy fantasy series and i absolutely abhor the reality that i can't afford that sort of distraction and escapism right now as I have to appear for several determinant examinations in the next three to four months 😫

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themoonwoodmillstory · 7 months

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Erin walked out and she saw none other than Lisa herself, leaning against the wall and clearly anticipating someone.

"Lisa? Not to be rude, but the bar is closed for today."

"Oh, I know. We just really need to talk."

"I'm sorry, but what could we possibly talk about?"

"I only came here to warn you.

"Wait," Erin chuckled sarcastically. "Warn me? It's about Derek, isn't it?"

"Well, it is, but it's serious."

"Are we really going there, Lisa?"

"Oh my god, it's not what you think it is. Just listen to me. Your life is in danger. I don't know how you're gonna take this, but... I think Derek is a bloodthirsty werewolf."

"I've been looking for clues for ages. You know the history of this place. I've read every single book. But I finally know for sure. I go on these late night walks and last night I... I accidentally saw Derek by the lake. He turned into a monster and literally devoured someone."

Lisa continued.

"And it was a woman. I saw her earlier at the bar..."

"He would never do that."

"Trust me, he did. Listen, we're not safe. More specifically, you might be in danger. You could be his next victim! You... we should leave Moonwood Mill before he gets us."

Erin's head started spinning. Lisa went on talking.

"I mean, I don't know about me, but he's clearly interested in you and I'm worried you might be next."

"Back off, Lisa. I've had enough..."

"It's all–"

"I said back off."

And so she did.

"You're a bad liar, Lisa. Just because you can't get over the fact that Derek and I are friends, it doesn't mean you have the right to paint him as a monster."

"No, I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Bullshit."

"If Derek's a monster, then that makes you one, too."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you forget who you are? Let me remind you."

Erin suddenly raised her hand, swung it twice and made some mysterious gesture, causing Lisa to magically transform.

"What is happening? How did you..."

"I've got some tricks up my sleeve."

"You're a witch..."

"Surprise, Lisa."

"You knew all along. And you lied, too. Derek won't like that."

"I don't need to explain myself to you. And do you think he'd be happy to hear about your little scheme?"

"I could go and tell him now."

"Mind your own business, Lisa. It's between me and Derek. Do you really think he'd believe YOU?"

"Pff. Yes?"

"I have to laugh. If I tell him about what you did, he'll never talk to you again. So stay away from me. I think we're done here."

#the sims 4 #ts4 #ts4 gameplay #sims 4 maxis match #moonwood mill #sims 4 werewolves #the moon children #erin boswell #lisa thorne

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semper-legens · 9 days

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32. Leif and Thorn: Forget Me Not, by Erin Ptah

Owned: Yes Page count: 187 My summary: Things are going weird for Thorn Estragon. Amid an outbreak of the Whispers, he's dealing with a crowd of people wanting to break into the Embassy and looking after his bed-ridden friend who really shouldn't get the Whispers right now. But juggling all of that is not his problem anymore. The Woman in Black is on the case, and on the case, and on the case…yep, that's right, it's a time loop. My rating: 5/5 My commentary:

New Leif and Thorn day! At least, I'm writing this on the day the book arrived on my doorstep. Given the queue, it's probably been about a week before you're reading this. Anyway, Leif and Thorn! People who've been around these parts for a while will know that it's one of my favourite webcomics, I'm actually currently doing a full reread at the minute, and I have gotten each of the print copies of the books as they come out since I started reading. And as a webcomic, you too can go and read it for free right now! Check the link at the start of this paragraph! Anyway, this covers the arcs from Ø is for Øverwritten to Final Rest, but is mostly dealing with the Time Loop plot. Let's go!

It's a sign of a good ensemble piece, I think, that this volume is mostly about people who are not title characters Leif and Thorn, and for me to barely notice it beside a little bit of lampshading. Okay, granted, future Thorn does show up and is a major character, but the main arcs covered in this volume are from Mulberry and Rowan. More on Rowan later, but who the hell is Mulberry? Turns out the Woman In Black is Leif and Thorn's time-travelling future daughter here on a mission to keep a particular Big Bad Thing from happening (Kale getting the Whispers) and is stuck looping around one particular day in order to achieve that goal. Which sounds a lot sillier on paper than it does when it shows up! Poor Mulberry shows a lot of pluck and grit here - she's trying her hardest to put everything back together and avoid all of the family drama stuff while still being very much affected by, you know, seeing her dad and also her dad (and maybe probably also her dad) as younger people. Her almost gleeful throwing herself through this loop, trying options over and over again and even skipping bits so that she can figure out all of the puzzle pieces is really interesting and relatable - she's almost approaching gamer girl status in how she approaches the time loops, it's really interesting. That Mulberry has a connection to the people she's observing adds a good angle, she's not able to detach herself entirely from the characters because she's related to some of them! I fucking love time loops, man.

The other main story here is the Rowan/Archie one, where Thorn's knight Rowan goes on a date with showrunner of an NCIS-style show Archie. They get in some Peril from a dark magical girl, we get more of Team Thorn's magical girl Atarangi and her system, and that's all very well and good but what I want to talk about is virginity! Specifically, Rowan is very much into casual sex and one-night stands, we know this as a character trait of his at this point. Archie, however, is self-described as a thirty eight year old virgin who's not necessarily asexual or aromantic, but hasn't had a lot of experience with romance and sex. And the way they negotiate that is really interesting! There's conflict there, but it's not triggering or anything to me as a sex-repulsed ace - they have their own feelings about it, but ultimately deal with it in a very adult and very reasonable way. It's something that you see so rarely in fiction and I have to commend it for being a really engaging look at sexuality and asexuality (if that's what's actually going on with Archie) from a different angle.

Next up, a summer camp where things are most definitely about to go wrong at all…

#Leif and Thorn #Erin Ptah #bookblr #book blog #book blogger #5

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abigailmthomasauthor · 3 months

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Death is but an illusion… 💀🖤

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wander-wren · 1 year

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i think the moment that cemented me as a swiftpaw stan forever was, funnily enough, AFTER i’d decided to write swiftpaw’s chance. i was planning and i went to check how old he was when he died and-

18 moons.

and like i KNEW he was overdue for his assessment but i didn’t know it was by like half a year??? he was an apprentice for a YEAR. fandom tends to portray him as a hotheaded little kid, and he was young, but he was a whole entire adult being kept a ‘paw completely arbitrarily and do you see how my worldview shifted—

like he was 100% in the right actually. cant even blame him. what the hell else was he supposed to do??

#swiftpaw #warrior cats #i mean NOT go fight dogs maybe but he didnt know #everyone thought it was One Animal #also!!!! brightheart’s two littermates were already full warriors!!!#i think the erins forgot bright and thorn were bracken and cinder’s littermates #so she was probably close to swift’s age #i would be livid too if a younger kid graduated before me purely by virtue of being an atheist #this isnt a bluestar hate post tho dont get me wrong girl was going through some shit #i dont excuse her actions but i understand them #there were a LOT of other adults around that didn’t intervene tho

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glimmerofawesome · 2 years

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rifty115 · 1 year

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Erin Thorn my beloved (he is my most tortured oc and will never be happy again.)

#outlast oc #outlast #outlast trials #oc #Erin Thorn #the outlast trials #outlastsona

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loreofbooks · 5 months

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whydoiwrite · 2 years

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I mean, Becky’s goal was good, but did you see Kelli Hubly’s psycho eyes because she was soooo freakin’ happy, and Erin McLeod’s smirk because even she knows?

#becky sauerbrunn #kelli hubly #erin mcleod #portland thorns #orlando pride #pay up

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frogcat7-2 · 29 days

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The fun part is that up to this moment I thought that the Bravelands baboons were Chacma Baboons, 'couse I always imagine that they where smaller and cinda scrawnyer. Buuuuut then looking for a good reference I faid out that Chacma baboons don't live in forests :')

Soooo, I had to change him middle-linart to a Olive Baboon XD

#design #my art #erin hunter #bravelands #T h o r n #Thorn Middleleaf #Thorn Bravelands #Bravelands erin hunter #baboon #olive baboon #Can u tell this is my first time drawing a proper baboon full body?#'couse I can't really XD #Brightforest Troop #fav. character #Bravelands

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heathfall · 5 months

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Leafpool's Sacrifice (Crown of Thorns AU)

Three kits are born on a cold winter's day to ThunderClan's only healer. Choices, once made, are followed through. Replaces Leafpool's Wish in the Crown of Thorns AU.

Relationships:

Brackenfur/Sorreltail (Warriors)

Crowfeather/Leafpool (Warriors)

Characters:

Leafpool (Warriors)

Squirrelflight (Warriors)

Brackenfur (Warriors)

Sorreltail (Warriors)

Rainwhisker (Warriors) (minor)

Jayfeather (Warriors)

Hollyleaf (Warriors)

Lionblaze (Warriors)

(you can click on the link below, or the text is also underneath the "read more")

The first snow of the season fell over the ThunderClan camp, beginning to stick on the ground. The wind blew gently, promising warmer weather on the horizon, but for now, the chill settled over the camp.

Sorreltail's kits came bounding out of the nursery, squealing in delight as the snowflakes hit their noses. Sorreltail herself came padding out of the nursery to watch them, but was pushed past by Berrykit, Mousekit, and Hazelkit. Despite being nearly apprentice age, they too couldn't hide their excitement about the snow.

Over by the apprentice's den, Birchpaw was looking up at the snow. He had seen snow before, though he was younger then, back in the old forest. Beside him, Whitewing bounced about in the snow, trying to get him to join her.

Leafpool sat at the entrance of the medicine cat's den hunched over her paws. The snow frightened her, knowing she'd have to go out in it and have her kits, but she knew she couldn't wait any longer, not if she wanted to hide it from the Clan.

Sorreltail looked over at her and flicked her ears. On receiving an ear flick back, she murmured something to her kits, who bounded over to Brackenfur, and padded over to the medicine cat's den. "Come with me on a walk, Leafpool," she said. "I've been cooped up in the nursery so long. I want to see how the snow looks on the new territory."

"That's a great idea," Leafpool said, putting on a jovial tone. "I need to harvest some herbs before the frost kills them, anyway." The two made their way out of the camp, Sorreltail's kits shouting a goodbye as they passed them.

When they had made it a safe distance out of camp, Sorreltail turned to Leafpool. "How will Squirrelflight know when and where to find us?" she murmured. Squirrelflight was out hunting solo somewhere on the territory.

"She will." She had always known how Leafpool was feeling and when to come find her. Leafpool just hoped she was paying attention.

The snow continued to fall over the camp. The ThunderClan cats had almost settled into a quiet peace when Squirrelflight came bounding through the thorn tunnel, breathing heavily. "Brackenfur! Brackenfur!" she shouted. All heads turned to look at her. "Come quick! Sorreltail is having kits!"

Brackenfur swung into action. He directed his kits toward the elder's den, waving his tail apologetically at Mousefur, and came trotting toward Squirrelflight. She took off towards the territory with him following close behind.

"Did you have to shout it quite so loud?" he grumbled after they were clear of the tunnel.

"I wanted to make sure that the kits' lineage was never in question," she said.

"Yes, but did everyone in the entire Clan have to hear it? Now everyone will think that-"

"What's done is done," she said. "Now, let's focus on finding Leaf and Sorreltail." She put her head up, scenting the air. "I believe they went towards WindClan." She weaved her way onto a deer path.

"WindClan? But why would they-?"

"Would you rather them have gone towards ShadowClan? Or toward the lake where everyone could see them?"

"I suppose." Brackenfur had nearly caught up to her. Squirrelflight slowed down, walking with him side by side. She shut her eyes, trying to picture where they had gone. The thought of a nearly-rotten stump came to mind.

"I think I know where they are!" she said, running ahead once more.

"Squirrelflight, wait-" She was already bounding away. Brackenfur trotted after her as they crossed the border marking the end of the Clan territories.

In front of them was a large, nearly-rotted stump. Squirrelflight peeked her head into the hollow by its roots. Leafpool and Sorreltail laid on either side of it. Between them were three kits.

"You're right on time," Leafpool purred, though her eyes were sorrowful.

"Is Brackenfur with you?" Sorreltail asked.

"He's right here." Squirrelflight stepped to the side to let Brackenfur peek in as well.

"I'll make sure no one is approaching," he said, settling down just outside. Squirrelflight pushed further in.

"Look at them," she cooed, looking down at the kits. "They're adorable."

"You can lick one clean, if you want," Leafpool said. Squirrelflight delicately plucked up the one closest to her, a small black she-cat, and began to lick her fur dry.

"Bracken, my love?" Sorreltail called. Brackenfur poked his head back in. "Leafpool and I were discussing names, and we think we've decided on the first one."

"That's lovely," Brackenfur said. His face was stony, and he had only looked at Sorreltail, not the kits sitting beside her.

Sorreltail nudged one of the kits, a golden tabby tom who was already attempting to yowl defiantly. "This one is Thornkit."

Brackenfur at last looked down at the kits. His gaze softened. "What do you think?" Sorreltail asked.

"That's a wonderful name," he said softly, his voice cracking as he slipped into the hollow. He laid beside his mate, giving Thornkit a lick before looking at the other two. "They're wonderful kits."

"May I name one?" Leafpool asked softly. Her eyes were mournful as she looked down at the kits.

"Of course," Sorreltail purred. Leafpool nudged the grey tabby tom with her nose, who squeaked at the cold touch.

"Featherkit."

"Oh, like Feathertail!" Squirrelflight said. "He is grey like her."

Leafpool winced, almost unnoticeably, but Squirrelflight could feel the pain pang off her. "Yes, like Feathertail."

Squirrelflight looked down at the black she-kit squirming by her paws. "While we're honoring those we've lost, I think I have a name for her. Shrewkit." The memory of her friend, one of the many cats they had lost in the old forest, still caused her heart to ache.

"That sounds like a lovely name, Squirrelflight," Sorreltail purred. "Leafpool, what do you think?"

"It's good," Leafpool said, sounding a little numb.

"I know it's hard," Sorreltail said. "I can't imagine what you're feeling right now. Brackenfur and I will love them as fiercely as we love our first four. They will never know that they weren't born to us. And they will love you too."

"I know, but-" Leafpool's ears drooped.

"Let's get some rest," she said. "Brackenfur and Squirrelflight are here, they can catch us a mouse or two, and we can move them once you feel better in the morning."

The next morning arose crisp, clear, and cold. The snow was beginning to melt, but the grass still crunched under foot with the morning frost.

Brackenfur pranced back and forth as they prepared to leave. It was obvious he was eager to get back to ThunderClan.

"I'm sure they figured morning patrol out fine," he said to Squirrelflight as she exited the hollow. "But it's not becoming of me as the deputy to leave the Clan alone like that."

"Your mate just had kits," Squirrelflight said. "I'm sure they'll give you some leniency." She felt another pang of sorrow emanate off Leafpool. She wanted to comfort her sister, but how? This was the only way the kits could stay in ThunderClan without her getting punished. "Do you reckon Cloudtail went on patrol this morning?" she asked, trying to lighten the air.

Brackenfur snorted. "That great lump? Only if Brightheart shoved him out of his nest. I doubt he could hear anyone calling him with the way he snores."

"I'm excited to get back and see Rainwhisker," Sorreltail said. "He's been telling me about all the patrols he's been on since I haven't been able to come with him." She stretched. "Leafpool, are you ready to go?"

"I-" Leafpool was standing, but she stared down sadly at the kits.

"Leafpool?" Sorreltail flanked her, allowing her to lean on her. Squirrelflight took her other side, pressing against Leafpool as well.

"I know this is the right thing to do, but- StarClan- why does it have to be so hard?"

Sorreltail nudged her. "I know. It will get easier with time, I'm sure. Besides, I'm sure they'll be all up in your fur, causing chaos in the medicine cat den soon enough."

Leafpool snorted. "I'm sure it looks like a storm has blown through it," she said. "I can only hope Brightheart has kept an eye on it." She sighed. "Okay, I'm ready to go." She took Featherkit by his scruff, causing him to squeal with anger. Brackenfur and Sorreltail took Thornkit and Shrewkit, and the group set off together with Squirrelflight leading the way.

It was approaching sun-high when they made it back to the thorn tunnel. They had stopped a few times to rest and to let the kits nurse, and at one point Leafpool had handed Shrewkit off to Squirrelflight to pluck a few stems of parsley, which she ate. The camp was busy sharing tongues when they strode in.

"Sorreltail and Brackenfur are back!" Longtail shouted from his spot eating a mouse, hearing them first. "Squirrelflight and Leafpool are with them."

"Mama and Papa are home!" Molekit squealed next, he and his siblings barrelling toward the tunnel. Sorreltail and Brackenfur barely intercepted them before they went darting into the forest.

"I guess you had fun celebrating the deputyhood after all, eh, Brackenfur?" Rainwhisker said, coming up to the two and taking Thornkit from him. Brackenfur glared.

"Don't say something so crass in front of the kits," he said.

"They won't remember it. They're what, a day and a half old now?"

"Not those kits, you mouse-brain. Poppy, Honey, Mole, and Cinder."

Rainwhisker glanced down at his nieces and nephews. "Oh. Whoops." He handed Thornkit back to Brackenfur and slunk embarrassedly over to Squirrelflight, not making eye contact with Sorreltail, who mrrowed softly with amusement.

Poppykit stood in front of Sorreltail, nearly causing her to trip over her. "Mama?" she said in a small voice.

"Yes, dear?" Sorreltail's voice was muffled by the kit in her mouth.

"Do you love us less now that you have new kits?"

"No, of course not," Sorreltail said, setting Shrewkit down on her paws and bending down to be nose to nose with Poppykit. "Why would you ask that?"

"Berrykit said that you would. He said you had replaced us."

"That's not true at all, dear one. I have plenty of room to love all seven of you, just like I did when there was only you four. Don't worry about what bossypaws Berrykit says. I'll talk to Daisy about it." She touched her nose to Poppykit's forehead. Placated, Poppykit trotted back over to her siblings.

Sorreltail picked Shrewkit up once more. "Let's get you settled in the nursery," Leafpool said. "I'm sure the- your kits are chilly."

"I'm sure," Sorreltail said. "But a mouse and my warm nest will make us all feel better." She flicked an ear. "Rainwhisker," she said, addressing her brother, who was still trying to hide his face from her, "could you bring me a mouse, please? I'm looking forward to hearing how the patrols went while we were gone."

"I think you have a story to tell me," he said, darting off to get a mouse. Sorreltail, Leafpool, and Brackenfur made their way to the nursery. Squirrelflight broke off from the group and went into the medicine cat's den.

"Oh, look at your kits!" Daisy cooed. "Your paws are going to be full once they get a little bigger, but for now you should be okay. I wish mine were still that small. They'd get in a lot less trouble that way."

"Speaking of trouble, have you heard what Berrykit has been saying?" Sorreltail set the kits down on the soft moss, telling Daisy the story as she kneaded a comfortable spot in the nest.

"Oh, that troublemaker," she said, sighing. "I'll go get him and make him apologize to her. Let me know if you're needing anything or you're feeling sore." She darted out into the camp, shouting Berrykit's name.

"I'll be over later," Brackenfur said, licking Sorreltail's face. "I'm going to go talk to Firestar and see if I missed anything while we were gone." He gave each kit a soft lick as well, then exited the nursery, leaving Sorreltail and Leafpool alone.

"Well, this is it, I suppose," Leafpool said. "You're settled in in the nursery with your new litter of kits. You don't need any herbs?"

"I don't think so," Sorreltail said. Leafpool turned to leave, unable to bear looking at the kits anymore. "Leafpool." She glanced over her shoulder. "Thank you. For trusting me. I've promised I'll keep your secret, but I also promise that it- they- will never be a burden on me. I meant what I said to Poppykit: I have room in my heart for all seven of my kits."

"Thank you, Sorreltail. I'll leave you to rest." She exited the nursery just as Rainwhisker came trotting in, a plump field mouse hanging from his jaws.

She entered the medicine cat den, heart heavy. Squirrelflight was already in there, pretending to be engrossed in the piles of herb that sat alongside the edge.

"Leafpool!" she meowed, a touch too cheerily. "I'm glad Sorreltail is settling in nicely."

"I didn't tell her something," Leafpool said.

"You can go back and tell her," Squirrelflight said. Leafpool shook her head. She knew her sister couldn't understand.

"I can't tell her this," she said. "It would change the way she looked at the kits forever. I can't do that to her or them."

"About their father?" Squirrelflight asked. "Surely she has some idea that-"

"Not about their father," Leafpool said firmly. "It's something else. When I first found out that I was expecting, I asked StarClan as to what I should do. I was going to leave them on the WindClan border, or-" she hesitated. "But StarClan told me that their destinies were written long ago, before our own births and even before the existence of the Clans. Apparently Firestar knows too. There's fated to be three kits, kin of his kin, that will hold the power of the stars in their paws."

"Power of the stars?" Squirrelflight echoed. "What does that even mean?"

"I don't know. Whatever it is- those kits hold power beyond what we- or even StarClan can comprehend."

"Does it have to be them?" Squirrelflight asked.

"Who else could it be? You have no kits, and Whitepaw seems to be unaffected."

"I suppose so. Why won't you tell her?"

"I want them to be raised like any other ThunderClan cat," she said. "I don't want them to grow up thinking they're any different. You and I know what it was like growing up as the leader's daughters. Imagine growing up as the leader's grandkits, and cats of prophecy, no less."

"I suppose you're right," Squirrelflight said.

"Keep this a secret among us two," Leafpool said. "I don't want anyone hearing about this."

"Hearing about what?" Squirrelflight said. "You have my word."

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