Ooooky, spooky skeletons.... The creepiest, crawliest month of the year coincides with a handful of updates for the site. October heralds the winner of the art raffle, the launch of our DA group and first art contest, OTM winners and new nomination categories, new weather events, additional battle rules and new battle buddy stat, and our monthly plot upate and patrols! For more information, check out the October Announcemets. Have a fun and safe ooky-spooky month everyone!
The Apostles is a warrior cats roleplay based in northern Wisconsin. On Lake Superior, the wild cats have made the Apostle Islands their home. It is on these islands - Rocky Island and South Twin Island - that the clan and tribe cats have lived in a peace and harmony that ebbs and flows with the tide.
But as the tides turn, so does the truce that binds them to one another; and as the water raises, a darkness follows, an evil that will end in bloodshed and violence.
The Redwood clan group concluded their arduous trek by the slapping of heavy paws. The weight buckled their knees against the shore. Collectively, they had: Mousepaw, Rockjaw, and herself. As much as Orchidshade wanted to bask in the reassuring embrace of land- land that was past the sandy banks- she knew they had to continue. The medicine cat wanted to assure this was a day trip only. Mousepaw's back continued to weep and the rest of the crew were not untouched. Immediately at the safety of the shores, Orchidshade submerged and cleaned their wounds. She used the vigorous rasping of her tongue. Despite the plain winces, no one complained.
Even worse, Lichenclan's last strike still echoed on their conscious. I hope the others will last long enough, she mused to herself. The medicine cat's chest hung with a heavier sense of apprehension than before. With a swiveling gaze, Orchidshade counted the party and they headed back onto their toes. Mousepaw still clenched a few stalks of Lungwort between her carnassial molars. Their weathered stalks hung apathetically- they had no awareness of their forbidden presence. This was the presence to return life.
Though, the journey before was different. Minnowstar's screeching rage echoed in their chambers. But then, it was easily drowned by the novelty. It was enticing to travel to distant and new lands where they were introduced to a unique way of life. Now, the journey had grown stale to the medicine cat; It was so sooner replaced by the crimson crashes of war. The tides of Lichen clan were growing more inclement. Meanwhile, what was of Thistleclan? The she-cat's ghostly veil held back the curling of her jowl. It threatened to ascend into a sudden sneer. Orchidshade remembered 1/2 moon. Lichen clan had seized the moon cave Thistleclan remained seemingly indifferent. Yet, when it came to matters of the tribe, which concerned Thistle clan little.... a battle broke on behalf of the conflict that churned inside their leader's slants. Almost instantly, Orchidshade thought back to Loudstorm and Shrewfur. The fact that she did not know their wounds ebbed at her consciousness with a relentless gnaw.
The cats padded towards the mainland. But, her brain was occupied as they continued her journey, luminous eyes centered onto a distant horizon line. The sun descended with a heavy sigh to pull the blankets of silverpelt across the heavens. Still, the thoughts intruded. The night-pelted she-cat narrowed her eyes to recollect each lesson the apprentice had gleaned. She strained to recall her attentiveness and demanded her imagination to relive those very moments- to find some sort of answer. The cool splash of a pool woke Orchidshade from these anxieties. Smallpaw was better than nothing, she determined. It would have to do because there was no changing fate now. They were here.
Orchidshade, stared at Rockjaw. Her brow threaded with the slight scowl that cloaked exhaustion. She was not much of a leader and the combination of this patrol devastated her spirits. Orchidshade would have to be the main source of information, but hopefully, she could rely on Rockjaw. "Please handle the courtesies for me." she mewed dryly. Only he could see the guarded smirk that awkwardly peeled back her visage. The she-cat swallowed and cast a forlorn glance. "Come now", her tail seemed to say, as she bounded towards the tribes' moorland. It came to roll past the trees with its hungry stretch. Tall grasses and rocks spotted the land with colorful bursts of wildflowers. It had grown in beauty and life come new-leaf. Though, this mattered little to Orchidshade.
When they finally arrived at the tribes camp it had only been after passing the many, small islands that dotted their mainland. In particular, one that stood out to Orchidshade was the stone for the sick. Cats mottled the rocks with their hunched, ghastly forms. The occasional coughing fit interrupted the orchestra of sniffling. Some lay in utter exhaustion, others, anxiously kneading into the rock's slate-like surface. Quickly, she hurried them past their curious eyes. There was still the chance now that the sickness could spread.
Orchidshade could not tell if the Tribe had improved since her last visit. She had delivered both catnip and the knowledge to accompany it. But, this was far from enough to fight this epidemic. Yellow-cough had come to own their bodies with its relentless grasp. It was one that submerged the unfortunate soul to drown beneath the waters of their delicate airways while their throats stayed ablaze.
They crept passed with solemn steps and headed into the dipping moors towards the high rock. The high rock was one of the few monuments that Orchidshade had grown familiar with. She padded down the ravine and headed for the distant, weathered rocks. However, they had not reached their destination before greeted by the deep cocoa pelt of Hemlock. He appeared to be doing well, his coat shiny and tail on a curious, but welcoming alert.
"Go with him and stay clear of the sick." Orchidshade mewed to Mousepaw with a phlegmatic mew. "Meet us back when the moon has reached silverpelt's apex." she added before parting with the she-cat. Hopefully it would not take long to find the tribes leaders. None of which Orchidshade found herself much acquainted with. Those whose hierarchy Orchidshade still led to fully comprehend. She would ask them this time. Depleted from her initial quest of knowledge, Orchidshade hoped to earn something to justify their investment beyond flexing a strong moral conscious.
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to make many ripples" -Mother Teresa
The tribe leader had been exiting the den of a sick member when the scent of the clans floated passed his nose. He paused taking in a deep breath then relaxed some. It was those of the Redwoodclan, but it mixed with pines, one he was not familiar with. Had they been accompanied by one of the other clans he had heard briefly about from Hemlock? He frowned then turned calling for one of the near by stone guards to gather Talon and a prey-hunter to go find Sunrise. He made his way back to the Tribe stone and sat waiting patiently, though the tip of of his tail twitched ever so slightly.
As the clan group crested the hill, he was not surprised to see Hemlock's black fur among them. He nodded his approval as Orchidshade ushered their youngest member off with the to-be. He watched them go and frowned seeing the bright gashes on the young she-cat's back. So they had been attacked. He turned his yellow gaze back to the medicine cat and the large form beside her. This one, just like the young cat that had just gone with Hemlock, was not one that had traveled with her before, but he still bore the forest scent of the Redwoodclan. "Greetings, Orchidshade," he said with a polite dip of his head as he stood, "It is good to see you again. I have sent for Talon and Sunrise, my head Prey Hunter and Stone Guard, so that we may all speak together. My den is plenty big to hold everyone i believe. Not used to seeing so many cats the size of our Talon so often."
He smiled some at the brown tabby then turned and led them into his den. It was a bit dimmer, but the small gaps between the stones that made his den let in enough light for everyone to see properly. The scent of fresh herbs hung faintly in the air as he had managed to recently find some on his last morning walk. It still wasn't what they needed to fight this illness that had taken over the tribe. He motioned for Orchidshade and the other cat to get settled and turned slightly hearing Sunrise's voice outside his den. His heart fluttered some and an involuntary purr left his jaws momentarily before he cut it off quickly.
"Come on in, Sunrise," he called out to her and was pleased to see the silver form of Talon with her as well, "Ah perfect. i was hoping you two would be found quickly. Come make yourselves comfortable. I have a feeling we have a lot to discuss with our visitors." He moved over and settled beside the medicine cat and seemed to relax a bit more once Sunrise picked a spot on his other side. He was glad his two Head members were here. Last time these clan cats had some his head had spun with all the information they had provided to him. It would be nice to have extra ears to catch something he might miss. "I saw the wounds on your young one," he mewed quietly, "Were you attacked on your way here?"
Word Count: 530 Tags: maxxwolfiedemonkaz Notes: let the information sharing begin
"...and that pissed me off, so I turned to look him in the eye, and I said, 'I don't care that I'm not a guard, I can fu-- huh?"
There were many ponds under the Tribe's care, but one of them seemed to be more tucked away in its own little microsom of it's own, as if passing through the bullrushes took one away from the mainland and into a world that consisted of it's still surface and the foliage around it. Sunrise and Talon could sometimes be found here, talking Tribe business, or indulging in whatever activity the current air presented.
Her story had been interrupted by one of the team, with one of Talon's guards close at hand. Usually, she'd shoo off whoever it was, as she was engaged in a conversation, but since a certain fishing lesson, she had stopped shooting the messengers, and started following them.
"Creek needs to speak with you" had taken on a bit of a new meaning. All the way back to the Tribe Stone, her mood lightened with each step. As they neared their stoneteller's den, she scented out the strange smell of cats from across the water.
The last time they were here, they had seen firsthand the unenviable state of their universe, as a case of redcough caused Swoop to leave it. Their leaser had vowed to return as they left their knowledge of catmint and crossed over the now torn curtain between the tribe and the rest of world, and since then, some things had changed.
No longer was survival in the forefront of each cat's mind. Since Redwoodclan's first visit, they had fallen in love, faced down danger, grew themselves into better people, and returned to fighting amongst themselves about their own issues. All this was starting to look like life as normal, even though the tribe still faced a large epidemic.
This was a sign that they were getting stronger, and as they did, they found themselves able to start asking questions about trust. A fair few of her tribemates harbored inhibitions, which were not unwarranted. Laxness and open mindedness were hallmarks of the tribe, but even they knew on some level there was no such thing as a free mouse. Creek was accepting a vast amount of help from cats they knew little about. The concern about the bill at the end of the feast was valid, and some among them wondered if that cost would outweigh the damage done by the sickness.
It seemed like part of her duties as of late had been to try to persuade her friends and family that they posed more of a boon than a threat to the tribe. She wanted to support Creek in his decisions, but even as in her own mind, wariness didn't seem to take flight.
It was the black healer she trusted. As for the rest of the world, she would have to jump in...cautiously.
Th faint smell of wounds met her nose as they approached the entrance, almost as if to refute her optimism.
"Come on in, Sunrise!"
At the sound of his cadence, she brightened again and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"You asked for her, and here she is. What can Sunrise do for you?" she asked with flair, bursting into the den.
The smell of wounds melded with the scent of lavender, and she turned to face the visiting medicine cat.
"Hey! Welcome back, Orchidshade, it's good to finally meet you. Not just the to be the recipient of your life-saving deliveries."
Talon filed in, and she took a seat, quite close to the marbled body of her leader.
In his usual good-natured fashion, Rockjaw was tempted many times to speak during their journey. It would have brought him great joy to lighten the mood with words of confidence or reassurance. Yet he realized as soon as he had caught up to his companions that opening his maw would only be a hindrance for this tiny patrol. Mousepaw and Orchidshade's own mouths were stuffed full of the life-giving herbs they had fought so hard to obtain and protect.
As such, he was uncharacteristically silent during their trek. His injuries were light compared to Mousepaw's, but even after Orchidshade had tended to all their wounds, his brow remained furrowed, head still throbbing. The tom's optimism seemed to be challenged with each tired step. Had he not taken this battle seriously enough? Could he have done better, done more?
He closed his weary eyes and smiled, shutting his mind to those doubts. Why dwell on what could have been? They were here now -- safe and alive. Instead, he focused on their surroundings -- equal parts alien and familiar. He recognized some of the plants that grew in RedwoodClan territory -- catmint, dock, and marigold. Yet some were not, like the flaming red cardinal flowers that reared into the dark sky. Though he was no medicine cat, the bright colors surprised him, lifting his spirits.
As they passed by a refreshing pool, the dark she-cat's request took him by surprise -- so long had they walked in the stillness of the coming night. "Oh! Courtesies. Of course." With that exchange, he picked up the pace, carrying his tail a little higher. What an honor to be RedwoodClan's spokescat!
As the trio passed through the next island, Rockjaw struggled to keep his protruding chin up. There were so many thin forms, wheezing into the cool night, despite the crispness of the air. As much as he wanted to offer comfort to these poor souls, he stayed close to his companions, jaw set firmly. It won't be long now. You'll all be better soon.
The tribe already knew Orchidshade, of course -- before he could step forward as the leader for their group, a small black tom greeted her. Mousepaw departed with the youngster, and Rockjaw continued on with Orchidshade. A mottled black and white tom was equally amicable in his welcoming.
Why would ThistleClan ever think that these friendly cats could be a threat?
Shaking his head, the tabby focused on Creek, nodding politely. Judging by the way he carried himself, Rockjaw understood at once that the speckled tom must be the equivalent of their leader. Their titles were a mystery to him -- two deputies? For all his wonderment, he tried to contain his questions -- at least until everyone was present. But until then, at the very least, he could say hello! His entire frame trembled with eagerness to share and learn.
"Sunrise, was it? Hi there ma'am," he chimed in as the flame-colored molly took her place next to Creek. "I'm Rockjaw, warrior of RedwoodClan. Pleasure to meet ya. And I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name, sir..." An awkward chuckle followed, then a courteous pause to allow Creek the opportunity to introduce himself as well. When that was all said and done -- with Rockjaw grinning at the interesting complexities of the tribe's naming conventions -- he made to answer Creek's question. "Yeah, ThistleClan tried to give us a good wallopin' on our way over, but we made it in one piece. Us and the herbs, all here, all safe. Nothin' to worry about."
Post by wolfiedemon on Aug 22, 2020 7:44:47 GMT -6
Talon could be seen sitting near the den he shared with Maple. With the help of the cats from the Clan called Redwood, she was doing much better. This brought some relief to his troubled mind. There was alot of things on it as of late, but that was one thing he could stop thinking about. With so many cats still getting over the sickness, the patrols that he had sent out were mainly of cats in teams of two or three. This wasn't bad, but he was sending out the same cats just about in each group. They needed a break. Talon himself had just gotten back and was hoping to atleast rest for a bit when he was informed that Creek needed to see him.
Talon rose and made his way to the leaders den. As he did, he saw Sunrise as well not that far ahead of him. He bowed his head in greeting to Creek before entering the den to see that the cat that had helped save his Tribe was there as well. Along with another... what was the title? Warrior. "Orchidshade, good to see you again." He said in greeting as he made himself comfortable on the other side of Creek. He decided to make himself comfortable by laying in a half crouch. With his size, he didn't want to tower over them, intimidate them. As he did, he listened to the cat named Rockjaw explain that they were in a fight but they still managed to make it to them in one piece. "Glad to hear that they didn't delay you too much Rockjaw." He then realized he never introduced himself. "I'm Talon, the Head of the Stone Guards."
"Hello,Talon. Hello...,Sunrise." The she-cat murmured, swiveling back to see the form of one familiar and one novel figure. Orchidshade remembered Talon with ease. He was unmistakable even to those with a fleeting memory. The tom's massive feathery build was larger than that even, of the average Redwood clanner. Beside him, a bursting ball of fiery orange boisterously laughed in confidence. In some ways, though not physical, she appeared just as large. Physically, though she was long and lean, her muscles attested with their rippling movements which flexed along her streamlined form-she was not a force to be reckoned with, and Orchidshade found herself at the very least, developing a sense of respect based on her groomed physique.
In some ways, the she-cat reminded her of the Redwood clan deputy, but after further inspection, this cat who called herself...Sunrise? appeared humorous and chatty. Orchidshade's tiny corners frowned. No. They were too different- she was probably just associating the names and familiar orange glow. Orchidshade snuck another peek at the newcomer, whose hazel stare sparked with an equivocal livelihood to her bold and rowdy echoes. It was dangerous to make so many connections between the clan and tribe. Their only universal factor should be.... that they were all patients. In that way, stars did not discriminate. Orchidshade ruminated in these judgments, eyeing them both with an unwavering, wide-eyed leer.
Thankfully, Rockjaw took the lead, and Orchidshade was quickly liberated from the courtesies of explaining their encounter with Thistle clan. Even still, her chest felt tight, the walls clenching from the vibrant greetings of these newfound faces. Every whisker twitch cascaded a ripple of unease beneath her night-cloaked pelt. Orchidshade excused herself from being pressed between her patrol, and the foreign tribe cats. With the slithering maneuver of a serpent, she made her way towards the outskirts to awkwardly huddle in the mollifying shadows. Her eyes fluttered in a gentle sigh, her body squatty and crunched into its littlest form. Beneath the rock, towering and stretching to disappeared into its own edges where the base lay flat, he she-cat felt comfortable. It was certainly quieter. The acoustics trapped beneath the corners and fell flat against the spongy mosses.
After the small talk had reached its close, which was, thankfully in good time, Orchidshade shuffled forward the stalks of lungwort. She waited for an opportunistic silence.
"What is your report on the illness?" she mewed. "And Maple? Maple, was one of your cats with yellow cough. This herb, lungwart is for her and the like. I'm sure you know to look for sore throats and raspy voices." she continued, her eerie stare indefinitely locked on Creek. Orchidshade still did not quite understand his position but did comprehend that he was the primary caretaker of the tribe.
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to make many ripples" -Mother Teresa
Creek was quiet and patient as the newer member from the clan explained that another clan had tried to stop them on their way over. He frowned slightly his spotted ear flicking slightly in worry. Hemlock had mentioned one hostile clan, but two? And from the sounds of it there were only three across the sandbar. Were these clan cats so close minded as to ignore other who might need help?
He didn't have much time to dwell on it as the small black she-cat turned her attention to him as asked him of the well-being of the tribe, mentioning Maple specifically. He wasn't sure what it was about the clan's medicine cat, but she unnerved him. It wasn't exactly fear, but the tribe leader felt like if she really wanted to scar him up there would be no doubt she would be able to do it, and she would probably do it without hesitation. Realizing he had stalled some he shifted and cleared his throat.
"Those who had minor symptoms seem to be doing better than the last time you were here," he started to explain, his voice not as shaky as he had anticipated on it being, "for them is seemed like a couple days of rest did them some good. Those that were worse off, Maple included have improved but they are still too weak to be joining the ranks of our tribe members yet. The spread has slowed considerably, but sometimes there is a spread. We've managed to isolate those sick in dens close to my own while healthier cats have taken residence in outer dens."
He paused in his assessment and looked at the lugwort the medicine cat had brought in and carefully pulled it toward him, sniffing it lightly. He was hoping perhaps they called it something else and it was a plant hidden somewhere secret on the island. Sadly he didn't recognize the scent and was disappointed in the small amount they had managed to produce. It would help no doubt, but he would have to be careful with amounts until they could get some more.
"This plant...is it why that clan attacked you on the way here?" he asked lifting his head again his ear flicking again as he thought, "I don't want your members or my own to cause more strife or tension among the other clans, but my members need this remedy. Have we done something to provoke this anger from the other clans?"
"Well, would you look at that! He called me Ma'am! Take notes, toms, we've got a real gentleman on our paws, aha. Nice to meet you too, Rockjaw."
After her exuberant reaction to her greeting, Sunrise exhaled small column of air from her nostrils. On the inside, it was a large sigh of relief. The previous encounter with the the clans, the first encounter with the tribe had ever had with the outside world, was marked by death, tears, disease, and dis-ease about their situation. As far as first impressions went, it was the worst imaginable. Now, here in a den becoming more familiar, she sat beside her trusted confidant's, representing more than a ragtag band of ill-fated naturalists. Today, they were once more on the receiving end of help, but at the very least, they were standing, talking, and trading pleasantries. Here, the help was being formally accepted, as the Tribe of Floating Stones.
"Yeah, Thistleclan....nothing to worry about."
This bit of information was closer to the disquieting feelings of the first visit, and it was backed up by their appearance. While they presented themselves much in the same way, there could be no hiding the recent marks of battle that adorned them. Their demeanor was friendly, but there were the subtle oscillations and winces of the face that reveal the discomfort of their wounds. There was a scent among them as well that was engrained in their wounds, a faint smell of pine mixed in with the blood.
"Well, maybe you can rest up for a moment, have Creek look you over and maybe I can catch you all something nice."
The black healer issued her greeting to her, and then was silent for awhile. Her words seemed to hang for a moment, as if there was something else on the healer's mind...a hang up she had gotten from toms over the moons, but never another she-cat. She returned her look with a tiny smirk, and then she peeled into the familiar shadows of a den purposed for medicine. Sunrise figured she must have been the introverted sort, reserved in speech, preferring to let their actions talk. In this way, she had already said so much.
"I'd better shut up before we scare her off."
A grander silence came over them, and Orchidshade used the opportunity to turn the conversation to more pressing matters.
"I don't want...anger for the other clans?"
She nodded her head in agreement with Creek's assistance.
"Right. The impression I got from Hemlock when he talked about his visit to your island, was that you all aren't exactly...like-minded about whether or not you want to kill us or help us. We're pretty peaceful here...we'd like to keep it that way."
