Hazelrah

The Rise of WillowClan

Stonefall: WillowClan Camp

Interacting with:@The Elvenqueen & @PrankFox & @savannahssu

Finally, one of the stranger cats spoke, the skinny black tom lowering himself in a submissive stance as he did so. Stonefall relaxed a little bit as he spoke. Clearly, the three cats had faced a terrible time and had stumbled upon WillowClan’s camp in their hasty attempt to survive, which was something that Stonefall could understand.

At one point, all of the Clan cats had once been out on their own, in some form or another. So it stood to reason that these three were as well.

”I’m sorry to hear that you’ve faced such a tough time with those raccoons,” he meowed, his voice softening a little. He wasn’t ready to tell them about how few they were right now, though, because even though he trusted them, that was Clan business.

Not theirs.

”We can empty out a den for you to rest in. You can stay in our Nursery, and rest for the night, and we’ll keep guard of the camp to be sure no raccoons follow you. Duskwing, take guard at the camp entrance, please. I’ll watch over the Nursery so that our guests can rest safely,” he finished, gesturing towards the Nursery for the stranger cats, so that they would know that’s where they could go.

And he padded over to Spidernose, leaning into meow quietly in her ear, rubbing his side against her a little, ”I need them to think we’re together so I can talk to you in private,” he meowed softly, giving her a little lick on her neck, wishing that he was doing this for real, hoping that maybe in the future he could. ”I want you to guard the Warrior’s den tonight, but from the inside entrance. Honeypaw and Moosepaw are in there and I want them to feel safe. Okay?” and he pulled back, touching his nose to her flank once more.

”You ready to go to the Nursery?” he asked the stranger cats, directing his question to Felix, who seemed to be the primary speaker for the group.

The Rise of WillowClan

Stonefall: WillowClan Camp

Interacting with:@The Elvenqueen & @PrankFox & @savannahssu

Stonefall felt anxiety coursing through him, because these cats weren’t answering his questions and it was really starting to stress him out. And while Spidernose’s plan made sense, he also didn’t want anyone leaving right now.

They were stronger together.

Besides, at the thought of Spidernose going out on her own, of Spidernose being alone where there was potential danger did...something to his insides he didn’t have time to think about. Something twisty and panicky.

”No, we’re all going to stay here,” he meowed softly to Spidernose, gently touching her side with his tail-tip, trying to reassure her in this small way. And he kenw Duskwing was trying to help, and he hadn’t been deputy for very long, but her advice and thoughts made him feel a little inadequate -- which was something he’d been struggling with for awhile anyhow -- and he tried hard not to visibly bristle.

She was just trying to help.

”No WillowClan Warriors are leaving until these strangers start answering my questions,” he called out a little louder, bracing his paws a little wider, standing up to his tallest height. He was strong, and his pale green eyes were fierce and protective right now, unwilling to let his Clan suffer.

Fernstar had trusted him.

He wouldn’t let her down.

”So I need you to start answering my questions,” he meowed to the stranger cats, his voice a little darker, a little more savage. ”Where did you come from? Where were the raccoons? If we know that, we can make a plan,” he finished, his body unmoving, his eyes focused.

The Rise of WillowClan

just posted!!! again I'm so sorry, things have been chaotic in my life. But I'll be more online from now on so things should start rolling again :) thanks y'all for your patience with me!!!

The Rise of WillowClan

Stonefall: WillowClan Camp

Interacting with:@The Elvenqueen & @PrankFox

Something definitely wasn’t right here.

These strangers were claiming that raccoons had chased them, but none of the patrols had noticed any signs of raccoons over the last few days, and Stonefall would have made a note of that type of sighting.

Spidernose, thankfully, had stepped up beside him and Stonefall was working very hard to keep his tail from lashing in agitation, trying not to betray any emotion to the stranger cats, grateful that Spidernose mentioned that she hadn’t scented raccoons.

Which didn’t mean there weren’t any.

But...he hadn’t scented any either, and he’d just been out on patrol earlier today to make sure Fernstar’s path was safe. And so when Spidernose offered to wake Duskwing, he was about to accept her offer when the other warrior appeared, much to Stonefall’s relief.

He listened to Duskwing, light green eyes bright and alert, ears perked up for any possible sounds of raccoons beyond the camp.

”I’m sorry to hear that you’ve come across trouble,” he meowed to the stranger cat, concerned and still unsure what to believe. ”My name is Stonefall, and I am the Deputy here. I want to help you...where were the raccoons? Do you remember where you lost them?” he finished carefully, trying to see if there were any distinct landmarks that would help him see if the camp was in any immediate danger, or if the stranger cats had successfully lost the raccoons.

If there were any raccoons at all, he couldn’t help but think to himself, because something about both him and Spidernose not having scented any, and none of the early patrols having encountered any, just didn’t sit quite right with him.

The Rise of WillowClan

so sorry everyone, I was hoping to get a post out this weekend but I'm not sure I can, I will FOR SURE have one out tomorrow at the latest if I don't get one out tonight :( so sorry, I appreciate y'alls patience!!!

The Rise of WillowClan

Hey @Hazelrah where you at? Spidernose can't post without you! Also @PrankFox Sunfur is talking to a wall right now xD

@savannahssu

ahhhhhh so sorry I’ve been swamped with IRL stuff including a death in the family, I’ll post this week I absolutely promise!!! I’m so sorry!!!!

The Rise of WillowClan

I'm still here! @savannahssu glad to know you're doing okay :3

The Rise of WillowClan

@Hazelrah Thanks for being patient. The last 2 weeks have been awful and I've been overwhelmed with severing a relationship, figuring out my living situation in light of that decision, and battling my depression. I will get a post up probably within the next few days. If anyone else wants to post in between that's totally fine too!

@savannahssu

no worries at all and please don't feel any rush or pressure. I just wanted to check in with everyone <3 I'm so sorry things have been hard and am sending lots of support and love from afar! <3

The Rise of WillowClan

just saying I'm still here! I was waiting to respond until @savannahssu posts a response to what Stonefall asked, unless people think I should respond now? I don't want to be posting too often! just lmk!

The Rise of WillowClan

Hope everyone had a good New Years!! I have had A Day today, so just popping in to say I haven't forgotten, I'm gonna get to this one tomorrow when I can tackle it first thing and give it the proper attention, super excited to see the plot moving forward

Also I have skim read posts and excuse me while I gush about how sweet Stonefall is. Hazel stop I am shipping them so hard rn

@The Elvenqueen

I WILL NOT STOP THEY ARE TOO CUTE :D