#i feel like discussions of molly tend to get stuck in two camps: | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nellasbookplanet · 18 days

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I've been thinking about Mollymauk, as I'm periodically wont to do, and the fandom discussion about him as a moral compass. Because the interesting thing here is, Molly wasn’t a very moral character. He was an unrepentant scammer. He had no respect for interpersonal boundaries and would deliberately push and break them. Generally, he was an asshole. As far as actually having a strong moral stance I would say Fjord was the standout of early m9, and to some extent Beau.

But here’s the thing: almost all of early m9 thought of themselves as horrible people. Fjord had been bullied so bad growing up that he still dealt with self-hate from it, and now suffered from survivor's guilt to boot. Caleb had killed his own parents. Beau, while she hated her dad, also had internalized self-hate and on some level thought she’d been such a shitty daughter she deserved his treatment. Nott was stuck in a body she considered monstrous. Yasha had survivor's guilt and knew she’d done bad things in her blank spots. Even when they did good, they didn’t think of themselves as good. Most of them were suspicious and asocial and faced the world with the same kind of distrust they expected to be (and were experienced in being) met with. (Jester was an exception, an agent of neither good nor bad but of amoral chaos)

But Molly was different. He was outspoken about loving life and people. He wanted to spread joy, even to people he didnt know or had even met: he slipped coin into people's pockets, hid a silver in a tree just so some stranger would one day be happy to find it. He openly cared for the party early on; was one of the first to step in and help Caleb when he went catatonic in battle. Above all, Molly had rules: where everyone else would agonize over what was the right or wrong or smart thing to do, Molly loudly proclaimed we don't leave people behind, and we leave every place better than we found it.

But the thing about Molly’s rules was, they were largely a cover. While the rest of the m9 thought they were bad even as they did good, Molly thought of himself as good even as he did bad. He scammed people, but made it a good and memorable experience, therefore thinking he gave more than he took. He charmed Nott and Fjord without consent, and when confronted would claim it was to help them. Out of the group, Beau saw through this, not because she was a better person but because she was a cynic. She saw that he caused harm, just as she did, and was personally affronted that he still thought of himself as good and tried to leave people happy, whereas she deliberately left every place worse than she found it.

I see Molly as a moral compass of the group not because he was actually any more moral than them, but because they made him their template. He was joy and brightness and he died trying to save them because it was the right thing to do, and they all chose to honor him by emulating his rules more than Molly himself ever did, because to them it was more than just a cover, backed up by genuine moral thought and discussion rather than small gestures. He taught them that it was possible to be kind of a shit person and still be good, to still love yourself and others. The idealized Molly they created never existed, and finally died for good when they resurrected him in the end and were met with a stranger, who they welcomed with the same love and care they would've expected Molly to show them.

#critical role #cr2 #mollymauk tealeaf #long post #i know we're all thinking about a different dead pc today but this has been on my mind for a while and i wanted to write it out #i feel like discussions of molly tend to get stuck in two camps:#either 'he was a good kind and perfect moral compass' (lol no)#or: 'he was an asshole and you're all delusional' (also no)#molly was as much of an asshole as the rest of the m9 #but he thought of himself as capable of being a good person and doing good things #and that counted for something even if he backed it up with empty gestures and platitudes bc there WAS genuine care in it #and when the m9 chose to emulate it it was no longer empty #nella talks cr

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doritopaw101 · 3 years

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Arc1, book 3: Chapter 6

Icefire took Whitethroat back to Shadowclan territory two days later. Him and Whitethroat had a long overdue talk. It had been cut short but they were getting somewhere.

Tulip-paw still hadn't woken yet. They managed to stop all his bleeding but only time would tell how well it worked. It had been a half-moon since then. Didn't help when Ashpaw started screeching about how his blue eyes were turning purple. Yellowfang quickly shut him up and said it was due to his Shadowclan blood from Blackfoot, Shadowclan cats tend to change color sometime in their lives, Ashpaw just happened to get it early.

The whole clan was on edge from the attack, more so when Bluestar went rapid when she heard about Nightshade and especially Tiger-roar. Her reaction did nothing to help and only made the panic worse. Raveneye noticed their niece, Sunnypaw be on edge at every given moment and refused to leave camp.

Icefire would try to calm them but he had his own problems. He was having one of his episodes, he had nicked his injured leg on patrol and had been in the sun. Raveneye did their best to help but all they could do was let Icefire lean on them and let it happen.

"It's worst then it usually is" Cherrycloud muttered

"I know, they'll pull through, he always does"

The white tom was curled in a ball, holding his tail for dear life. Raveneye squeezed some wet moss into his mouth and watched in slight relief as Icefire lapped it up.

"I'm glad Brackenfur has taken to the messenger role well enough"

"Agreed, we needed it anyway"

"Stork-kit could work well with it"

"I suppose"

"Daughter, Raveneye" she never called her son or kit, it was for Dustpelt, Fogtail, and Chestnutclaw. Chestnutclaw was always such a kiss up to her. Not like her new litters were much better. Chivestalk and Chestnutclaw seemed to be in a contest for Robinwing's love, not like Dustpelt helped.

"Robinwing" they never really called her mother. Cherrycloud just shrugged, she pulled Badgerkit and Stork-kit closer to her belly. Robinwing went crazy when Cherrycloud named her son Stork-. Raveneye didn't understand but Cherrycloud seemed to know and he wasn't about to ask and get on their bad side.

"What are you doing?" she growled

"Laying with my mate and my sister?" they replied, glancing at Cherrycloud who returned it then turned to glare at the brown molly.

"A mate that can't stop lifting his tail" she sneered "He has a taste for fish I see"

"We're poly, we've discussed things you'd never do considering your love life" they snapped back. They truly didn't care about who Icefire was with, the white tom always kept him in the loop and he'd be a fool to say that some of the toms Icefire's with aren't attractive and he wasn't getting his own share.

Robinwing burned her mateship with Fuzzypelt and Rosetail to the ground moons ago, Patchpelt didn't care and why she was with Featherears, Raveneye still didn't know.

Robwing scoffed at him "At least I have respect in this clan, unlike you two but especially him"

"He should have respect considering he's one of Thunderclan best fighters and showen he's willing to kill for his clan" Cherrycloud growled

"All the while he's whimpering like a lost kitten" her amber eyes shimmered with disgust "I don't know why he's deputy" Robinwing drawled "He's barley doing anything, Leopardstorm or Miststrike should be deputy"

Raveneye felt their fur rise "Too bad, Bluestar made the decision and she's the only one to change it" They could feel Icefire shudder "He'll be back to his regular self soon, piss off"

"At least his kits are useful" she sighed "We shouldn't bother with these kinds of cats"

Raveneye felt their claws unsheathe, these cats she was talking about were: Snowkit, Cinderfreeze Nettlemist, and Icefire. Cats who had their own issues but did well for themselves in the clan in Raveneye's opinion. They all had their own limitations but were still contributing to the clan in some way or form.

"These cats have more good in their bodies than you ever will" Raveneye hissed

"Keep telling yourself that, neither them nor you two could match up to me"

"Good, it be horrifying if they did" Raveneye laughed

As they watched their mother walk away they knew one thing, her time in this world was numbered.

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Time was barley a passing thought at this point. The clan was dying, either of sickness or starvation. Thymeroot's cure ran out quick and Shadowclan didn't have the herbs that Thunderclan. Whitethroat and Littlecloud were too nervous to cross Thunderclan territory again considering the hostility. Flyswat stole enough herbs for Marshstar and a few others, they managed to live another day.

Whitethroat felt his bones crack as he woke. 'Damn I'm getting old' he thought grimly.

As he tried to get up, he felt the hold of the cat night to him pull him close. He licked the cat's head softly.

"Crowcloud"

"Where are you going?" The black molly murmured

"Just patrolling, I did say I would patrol tonight"

Crowcloud nuzzled his neck, brushing against his neck fluff "Stay safe, love"

Crowcloud and Pineshadow fit in great with clan society without the pressure of Brokenstar. Pineshadow proved to be a very capable fighter and Crowcloud was a great addition to the nursery and a great help around camp.

He had fun decorating Crowcloud's ear and pelt with crow and raven feathers. He bonded with Crowcloud quicker than he thought. They became mates and it had been bliss before the disease came. Crowcloud was great with raising the baby crows under her care, it was easier to find any good prey at this point. They shared the pain of losing children: Hollylock-paw died first from eating rats, Garlicpaw died next from a coughing fit that left her in so much pain, she asked for death and Blossomhaze gave it to her. Darkpaw shared the same fate. Whitethroat had licked their heads as they took their last breathes.

He did his best to make sure Foxtrot and Buzzardwing lived, made sure Darkhollow didn't overwork herself when she became pregnant with Duskthorn and Boulder's kits when Amberfoot broke it off with him, maybe that was why his leg still hurt when it really shouldn't.

He padded into the clearing, cats either sleeping or grooming each other. He looked up and felt himself stiffen, the tom he hated and privately feared was sitting on the deputy rock, Mossclaw. He was chatting with Jaggedtooth and Toadpelt.

Mossclaw turned his head and locked eyes with Whitethroat. He smirked at him. Whitethroat bared his fangs but his limbs wouldn't work. Mossclaw padded forward, his tail held high. Whitethroat wanted to yell or attack him but his body wouldn't move.

Badgerfang sunk his teeth in Mossclaw's neck. He tossed Mossclaw to the side as Dawncloud nudged him out of his trance.

"Are you okay?" she asked, she carried the scent of sunflowers.

"Y..Yeah"

Badgerfang was standing above Mossclaw, his long fangs bared "Stay the fuck away from him if you know what's good for you" he spat on Mossclaw

"Badgerfang, what's going on here?"

Badgerfang sighed "Nothing, Tigerclaw"

The large two-colored tabby stood tall and mighty, Nightshade and Nightwhisper at his side. They came to camp a half-moon ago, bringing prey and helping with patrols. Marshstar knew why Nightshade and Tigerclaw were exiled but she and everyone else knew they needed as much help as they could get at the moment. The tabby took the name -claw as a sign of change for him, Whitethroat didn't know how he felt about it but he knew his clan wasn't in the position to complain.

Along with them, Tigerclaw and Nightshade brought some of Brokentail's followers and some rouges as well. Tigerclaw said they had changed in their exile and if they gave problems, to talk to him and Nightshade.

Of course Mudfoot was not allowed anywhere near, Palecloud, Lizardfang, Muddytail, and Muddedkit. Barkfoot wasn't allowed near any of his kits. Dewflare was a whole issue altogether though she mostly stuck with Tigerclaw and Nightshade.

The rouges were nice enough, at least they pulled their weight. As an over-seer, Whitethroat taught them the ways of Shadowclan life, either said than done with them honestly. Nightwhisper was quiet but a good fighter. Socks was decent and knew how to hunt at least. Wildfur was well-rounded where he didn't need to much. Crowcloud brought her younger brother Striker into the clan and he earned the name Strikerclaw.

He had a feeling Tigerclaw and Nightshade looked down on him for his injury but if they did, they didn't express it.

"Keep him away from Whitethroat and Houndbelly" Dawncloud hissed "As well as Batwhisker and Burdockpaw"

"I've done nothing" Mossclaw snarled trying to get up but was slammed down by Badgerfang

"You didn't even visit Hollylockpaw or Darkpaw in their final times" Dawncloud spat "You said you loved them and wanted to change but you lied like the fox-heart you are"

"They were weak, they don't deserve-" Whitethroat screeched and lunged at Mossclaw. The brown tom hadn't expected it. It became a blur to Whitethroat. It seemed to pass over shortly when he was dragged away by Batwhisker.

"Mossclaw, you're bothering everyone here, why don't you stay away?" Tigerclaw mewed, his voice as soft as feathers

Mossclaw looked shocked but realized he was very much outnumbered. Jaggedtooth lead him away, to the furthest parts of camp.

As if things couldn't get worse.

Blossomhaze was dragging Blazefang out of the medicine den and behind her Palecloud was dragging Brownwhisker.

Whitethroat watched Brownwhisker and Blazefang's bodies as they were being picked apart by crows and coyotes. The coyotes and Shadowclan had a silent agreement of the circle of life.

Viperfang and Goldenmint were heartbroken and Wetfoot and Littlecloud seemed to shut down. Viperfang made sure Jaggedtooth was no where near Blazefang's body. They had taken the former deputy's fangs and claws and they were passed to her kits.

"You'd think it would make you vomit but it just makes you feel nothing"

"Shadowclan is like that Nightwhisper, you get used to it" Whitethroat stated "Brokenstar beat that into our heads perfectly"

"Your uncle was lovely wasn't he" Nightwhisper said sarcastically

"So lovely" he replied

That caused them both to laugh.

He turned away, not wanting to look at the graveyard anymore. He didn't expect any other creatures around but he had been proven wrong. He tripped and fell into a pond.

"Whitethroat, you okay?"

"Yes"

He didn't care much for his fur, it had the typical dirt from living in the marshy pine forest territory that Shadowclan resided in.

"What tripped me?"

Nightwhisper didn't reply for a moment then he gasped "a fox"

He looked over at what had tripped him and his eyes widen, a vixen was caught in a trap. Her head seemed to barely be attached to her body.

Nightwhisper moved the vixen's back leg, revealing a fox kit.

"Fuck"

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Dogpaw coughed violently, the pain in her side was almost unbearable.

"Tragic"

Dogpaw whimpered "I..I'm s..sorry"

Vixentail scoffed and turned away "Go back to camp, you can't be a disappoint there, deal with the nursery"

Dogpaw was all too happy to run back to camp. She tried to do a diving trick Vixentail told her to do but all it left her was almost drowning and a sore side. Her mentor was not pleased when she was apprenticed to her, she knew why. Her auncle Mistyfoot wanted to mentor her.

As soon as she got into camp, she went to find her papa, not dad or mother. She loved Stonefur and Skyeyes dearly, he treated her well unlike Blackclaw did, Blackpaw was the favorite.

Riverclan had a lot of dens around, cats could have their own personal dens. It was usually for senior warriors but it's been trimmed down to if you want it, you can. Most cats wanted to stay in one area with their kin but others liked space.

She knew who shared a den with who: Mudfur shared his den with Graypool, Morningriver, Swanlight, Reedtail, Condorwing, and Lakewillow the new kits would join them soon. Suneyes shared her den with Blackclaw, Grasswhisker, Vixentail, Flarepaw, Whirlpaw, and Shinepaw. Whiteclaw shared his den with Greenflower, Silveryide, Silverstream, and Graystripe along with Silverstream and Greenflower's apprentice-aged kits. Leopardclaw only shared her den with Mistyfoot and Mudbelly. Stormstar shared the leader's den with Voleclaw, Sootwhisker, Hailpaw, Mosspaw, and Shellpaw.

Of course there were some cats who lived alone such as Rippleclaw, Sedgecreek, and Dawnscale.

Why did Dogpaw know this? Because Vixentail liked to make her clean all the dens often when she failed a task, of course she never finished all of them had to have her siblings help her finish at least one.

She poked her head into her father's den "Papa?" As far as she knew, Stonefur only shared his den with Skyeyes and Mosspelt. It was the only reason why she knew Stonefur fathered Dawnkit.

She saw her father asleep, cuddling with Skyeyes. Stonefur had cobwebs over his shoulder and muzzle.

"P..papa?"

Stonefur opened one eye "Pup?"

"Yeah, are you okay?"

Stonefur sighed "I'm okay, just a dispute with some otters, someone was taking their share of fish and they got mad, I got in the middle and-"

"Got scratched up when he should've left Blackclaw to deal with it" Skyeyes cut in, her tail lashing

"Is it dealt with though?" Dogpaw asked

"Yeah" Stonefur mewed "Me and Willowheart smoothed it over"

Dogpaw sighed with relief

"Silverstream wanted to talk with you" Skyeyes mewed, "He's by the Starlit ponds"

"Is this true or an excuse for me to leave to give you two privacy?" she chuckled

"You're too smart" Skyeyes returned the chuckle "But no, Silverstream wanted to see you and your siblings, something to do with fish and flowers"

"Got it, have fun" she purred padding out of the den

"She's something" she heard Skyeyes say

"Just like her grandmother" Stonefur replied

Dogpaw jumped between the ponds, water droplets flicking from her fur as she leaped. She caught the scent of Shadepelt, Blackpaw, Pikepaw, and Coalpaw nearby. She hadn't spent time with them in a while and it would be fun to do something with them and a cat she admired and wanted to do anything she could to make up for causing his blindness.

She spotted her brothers and sisters huddled together, it looked like they were planning something.

"Hey-"

Coalpaw put her tail over her mouth "Shush" she pointed her ears in the opposite direction "Listen"

Dogpaw was confused but obeyed. She rested beside her sister and leaned forward.

"As much I applaud you wanting to check on apprentices and royalty, what do you want from me Leopardclaw?"

"I wish to apologize to you for my words against you Silverstream" Leoaprdclaw replied

'What' Dogpaw thought 'that doesn't seem right, Leopardclaw would never apologize if she could help it'

"I realize from my father, Swanlight and my own reflection that I was wrong about you and shouldn't treat you like that because of something you can't control"

Silverstream was silent

"I've actually began to see you in a new light in fact"

A small squeak escaped Silverstream "W..What?"

"What is going on?" Dogpaw whisper yelled

"We don't know" Blackpaw replied

"Shut it and watch" Shadepelt hissed "I trust my mentor, it's Leopardclaw I don't trust"

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Icefire sighed, he felt Raveneye and Embereyes groom him.

"How're you feeling?" Thymeroot asked

"Better"

"Better that you could make a trip to the moonstone"

"Yes" he mewed "I want to be there for Maplepaw"

"I want you to be careful" Thymeroot advised "No heroics, I don't want to have to reset your leg"

Icefire snorted "Got it"

"Get your herbs" Yellowfang cut in "You'll need to be there before dark"

"I can't wait" Maplepaw yowled "I hope to see Snowstrike"

"You'll see who Starclan wants you to see Maplepaw" Icefire mewed

"I hope it's Thunderstar" Rosepaw boasted.

"I want Thunderstar" Bearpaw countered

"Relax" Smokyclaw rolled her eyes

"Apprentices" Yellowfang rasped "Out with you all"

Icefire chuckled "They're just excited is all"

"Excited doesn't mean tear up the den" Yellowfang retorted "Out with you all"

They all piled out near the entrance of camp. He hoped the group wasn't too large as to not cause trouble with Windclan or Shadowclan.

It was him, Maplepaw, Smokyclaw, Bearpaw, Rosepaw, Dustpelt, Aspenpaw and Chestnutclaw. Shrikepaw was due for battle training and Sunnypaw still wasn't comfortable leaving camp and Frostbite didn't mind. Chestnutclaw was grooming her a lot before they left.

Leopardstorm and Miststrike saw them out "May Starclan light your path"

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