betweenvalleys

[betweenvalleys]

“The heat was overwhelming, the clouds dark as night… the lightning struck through me and I felt like ice.”

“It felt so.. real. I couldn’t sleep the whole night.. what does it mean?” Heronsmoke pleads, skin beneath the eyes dark and watery. She stopped dead in her tracks as the wind ruffled her short fur, staring wide-eyed at the cat accompanying her: Warmmask. He nods earnestly, taking a step forward and craning his neck to lick the messied fur on the warrior’s side. He offers a warm smile, taking a seat and inviting Heronsmoke to do the same. She did so.

“You have been blessed with a vision, Heronsmoke. What luck!” He purrs, a deep rumble emanating from his softly-striped chest. “It is clear you are in good graces with Starclan- few receive such messages so directly.” He hums, tail tapping against Heronsmoke’s side. She exhales a shaky breath, lifting a paw to rub her exhausted eyes.

“I am thankful for the blessing.” She begins, glancing skyward, where the light of dawn twinkled softly with slowly disappearing stars. “I just.. didn’t think it’d be so frightening. I feel like something bad will happen, Warmmask.” She sighs, turning her head to catch his gaze.

“It is only natural. The weight of such visions is a heavy one to bear.” He murmurs, trailing off quietly to break her eye contact, trading it to stare at the ascending sun. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. Petrichor. Grass. Lightning. Warmth. Blood. Heronsmoke still stares expectantly, breath hitched in her throat.

“Starclan does not distinguish the obvious. It exposes what is hidden from us.” He begins. “We may enter a difficult Greenleaf. Heat and lightning… storms approach. This much is clear, you and I have seen it.” His brows furrow, eyes remaining closed. Warmmask’s tail slides from Heronsmoke’s side, curling around his paws, flicking.

“We must exercise caution as I unravel this. Thank you, Heronsmoke. I shall inform Raggedstar and Russetkestrel swiftly.”

He dips his head, and Heronsmoke nods, looking past his shoulders, out into the grasslands.

...

“Nevermind, sorry…”

Russetkestrel mumbles, head held lower from behind Hollyhockstripe. The pair had spent the entire morning checking the outer borders of the territory, where the paths that monsters roamed converged. The gentleness of dawn had since faded into an aching mid-morning, where darkened clouds dug into the sky like claw marks. The white tom marched in front of her, ear flicking backward at her quiet muttering. He huffs and pauses, turning around momentarily.

“You’re not patrolling with Swanstone, you’re patrolling with me.” He grumbles, narrowing his eyes. “Quiet and keep up.” He turns, leaving Russetkestrel to stare, mouth slightly agape, claws digging in to the hard soil. Her one-sided resentment had been boiling over ever since the fox attack, leaving Russetkestrel to often complain about the noble warrior, much to the chagrin of Cricketleap and the others in the den. The only one who hadn’t heard her pouting yet was Hollyhockstripe, but now he had to deal with it. Russetkestrel huffs, blinks, and begins to follow him into the lower cut brush near the asphalt.

The pair stopped just underneath a small tree, branches swaying with the wind of oncoming rains. Russetkestrel let the scent float into her nostrils, anticipation of petrichor making the hairs on her spine rise. Hollyhockstripe scanned the land below before turning to the deputy, flicking his tail. “The border seems in check. We can return.” He affirms, glancing back down. Russetkestrel nods her head, beginning to turn around.

Something rustles nearby, a flash of red and white. The molly pauses, quickly turning to Hollyhockstripe, bumping his side with her paw. She jerks her head quickly, silent, pointing to the source of the sudden noise. The pair stares, creeping forwards. The grasses rustle again. A tail, long and multicolored, sticks upwards, waving like a banner in the air. Russetkestrel glances at Hollyhockstripe, brows furrowed and bridge of the nose wrinkled.

Without warning, a cat bursts from the grass with a yowl. His bright blue eyes would match the sky on a cloudless Greenleaf, his face sporting red and white split distinctly down the middle. A snarl twists on his maw, ears flattened to his skull as he bounds towards Hollyhockstripe, tackling the tom to the ground. Russetkestrel gasps, freezing in place as the toms tussle for a split second.

Almost instantly, Hollyhockstripe kicks the lean cat off of him with an enraged hiss. Blood dribbles from his snout, a clean mark just missing his eyes. The attacker tumbles into the grass.

“You fight like a kit!”

He screeches before sprinting away towards the thunderpath. Hollyhockstripe huffs, staring down the newcomer as Russetkestrel slinks towards her peer. They watch in silence as the red and white body disappears towards the asphalt expanse, bewildered.

MOON TWO - PART TWO Heronsmoke has a vision. Russetkestrel keeps complaining about Swanstone. Russetkestrel and Hollyhockstripe stumble across a kittypet who immediately turns on them as they approach. The clan has met Blavingad.

[betweenvalleys]

part 2 tomorrow!

moon 2 is written up! expect part 1 this week :)

[betweenvalleys]

“Get this thing off of me, kid.” Spindlespots rasps. The tom lay near the outer grasses of camp, comfortably nestled in a warmer patch of lichen, straw, and dirt. After a moon of loud-mouthed complaining within the healer’s den, Warmmask had begrudgingly allowed the older warrior to escape- as long as he kept the binds around his body tightly wrapped. Paw-flattened moss and spiderwebs decorated his shoulders and back, lightly covering the pale spots of his namesake. A cricket slowly ambled across his spine, clutching each hair with its long appendages.

Hollyhockstripe sat next to him, pupils enlarged as he stared at the large insect, tail flicking back and forth with anticipated energy. The newleaf air had warmed ever so slightly since the previous moon, though it often brought icy breezes once the sun had set. The sun, however, was high in the sky, rays coming and going as large clouds passed by. Spindlespot’s tail flicks, landing against Hollyhockstripe’s side, tapping and tapping with irritation. Get on with it!

Hollyhockstripe huffed, casting a glance to Spindlespots with furrowed brows. He sits up, extending a darkly patched paw towards the glimmering green insect, gently offering a bridge. Without much hesitation, the cricket crawls towards the younger warrior, firmly clutching his paw. The tom stares down, ears flicked forwards, and a small smile appears on his maw. The focus is once again broken as Spindlespots exhales loudly, in apparent relief.

“Thanks, Hollyhock.” He purrs, taking the time to adjust and flop over on his side, wincing slightly.

“That little thing was gonna rip all my hair out, I felt it!” He teases, beginning to shut his eyes, tail smacking the ground. Hollyhockstripe rolls his eyes, leaning back to gently shepherd the cricket onto his own back. The tom walks to the very edge of the camp’s line, moving once again to grab his small companion, who he guides onto a tall strand of wild grass, swaying ever so slightly.

To his relief, the cricket leaps away, onto the grass, then away further into the undergrowth. He returns his attention to Spindlespots, who had immediately fallen asleep as soon as Hollyhockstripe had turned his back. The white and black tom exhales, carefully walking past him into the more open part of the camp’s clearing.

Two cats lay comfortably at the base of the plateau that housed the leader’s den: Raggedstar and Cowboy. Their fur seemed damp, as if just groomed, pushed around by active paws. Hollyhockstripe huffs again and approaches, sitting down next to the pair. One of Raggedstar’s bright eyes cracks open, and a smile appears.

“Hollyhockstripe, come come.” She invites, patting the dirt with her tail. “Rest up from-” She yawns. “-the morning patrol.” Raggedstar purrs, stretching out her body and rolling to the other side. Cowboy’s ear flicks, peering up at the newcomer with a tired expression. She grumbles something underneath her breath, then shifts in her position, getting as comfortable as she can. Her brows furrowed as Hollyhockstripe begins to speak.

“Resting, or just enjoying the sun?” He asks, tucking his paws underneath his body. Raggedstar yawns again, rubbing a paw on her chest.

“Cowboy and I sparred. Gotta shape up those skills, right kittypet?” Raggedstar chuckles, causing Cowboy’s ears to flatten against her head. The bright metal medallion hanging from the white molly’s neck shone in the sun, beaming into the stone with a bright yellow glow. “You’re doing pretty good, Cowboy. Nearly took my eyes out today!”

Raggedstar exclaims with an odd grin. “Claws of yours were longer than I thought. That’s good, girl. That’s good.” She purrs. Hollyhockstripe glances at Cowboy before nodding, starting to feel his body relax. The clouds had begun to slow their movement, where the sky was perfectly situated so that the warm light covered the entire camp, as if approving of their efforts. The three are lulled into a nap underneath the sunshine, soft breezes whisking through camp to ruffle their pelts. The rest of the camp comes alive during the day, moving past the sleeping cats who become sun-basking stones.

...

MOON TWO - PART ONE Hollyhockstripe gets a bug off of Spindlespots' pelt and takes it out of camp. Raggedstar practices fighting strategies with Cowboy. Raggedstar, Cowboy, and Hollyhockstripe took a sunbath together.

[betweenvalleys]

moon 2 is written up! expect part 1 this week :)

[betweenvalleys]

"She's fine, slightly shaken. She’s in my den now, working to get the tar off her paw.”

Warmmask sighs, moving to stretch out on the flat stones that stood as the tallest point in Pitchclan’s camp. The sun now fully painted the sky, washing the thick clouds in warm creams, yellows, and silver. The breezes had subsided, leaving the overarching grasses to sit comfortably in stillness, rustled only by movement of smaller beings, or the occasional cat leaving camp to travel. Warmmask’s focus had settled on the horizon for a brief moment, only to return to the companion relaxing next to him.

“Good, good. What a dramatic girl.” Raggedstar rumbles, smiling cheekily. She flops down against Warmmask’s back, tail flicking back and forth in a way that sent dust scattering below. The leader sighs, drawing a paw over her wiry whiskers and face before tucking it underneath her body. “How’s Spindlespots? A fox couldn’t have done much to him.” She purrs, leaning slightly to glance down at the earth below, where the healer’s den and nursery were tucked underneath the grass and brush. Spindlespots and Russetkestrel would be resting in the cool, underground dens, nestled comfortably in moss-spun nests. She lifts her head back up, returning her gaze to Warmmask, who nods.

“I believe he will be fine.” The healer begins with a sigh. “The fox bit him quite deeply. I’ve bandaged his pelt just behind the shoulder, and need to change it out every few days. Remind me to gather cobwebs tomorrow.” He purrs, lifting his head to look upwards. Raggedstar follows his gaze, curious. The painted clouds had darkened slightly, deepening into grays and blues as they ascended skyward. A small wind passed the pair, flooding their nostrils with the knowing scent of rain. Raggedstar grumbled, losing interest in the movement of weather, instead electing to rotate onto her back to soak up the fleeting moments of sun. “Get cobwebs tomorrow.” She rasps, tucking her paws on her belly, chuckling softly.

Warmmask doesn’t respond, eyes fixed on distant storms.

...

"I’m an idiot.”

Russetkestrel groans into the fur of Cricketleap, who sat stiffly next to the woeful deputy. The pair rested at the very end of the healer’s den, in a small, private tunnel that was often used for quarantining the sick. Instead, it quarantined the complaining from the rest of the clan.

“You are.” Cricketleap says, nodding his head. Russetkestrel quickly lifts her head and huffs, ears flattening to her skull. “You made a mistake and now Spindlespots has to deal with the consequences. But it’s fine.” He added, blinking slowly. His whiskers twitched in the silence between the two, Russetkestrel staring with a disgruntled look- before returning to rest her muzzle in the other warrior’s dark, rosetted fur. His ears flattened, but a quieted purr rumbled in his chest, clearly not fully discontent with the situation. He craned his neck to offer the white and ginger molly a lick between her ears before shifting to settle more comfortably.

Russetkestrel sighed, lifting her head. “At least you’re honest with me.” She mews quietly, looking at the tom’s face with a softened expression. A small soapweed flower was tucked delicately behind his fur, braided with the extreme precision of focused claws. She tilted her head to admire the pawwork, how the leaves wilted downwards and framed the side of Cricketleap’s cheek.

Warmmask gave it to me.” Cricketleap states matter of factly, noticing her curiosity.

“Why?”

“He felt bad that I was put on babysitting duty.”

Russetkestrel gasps and shoves Cricketleap’s shoulder. Cricketleap chuckles, tucking his tail around his body. “No, no. He just thought I would like it. Hollyhockstripe likes it, too. Apparently it attracts butterflies.” He purrs.

Russetkestrel lifts a brow. “Like the butterfly he and Swanstone spent all of last week trying to save?”

“Like that one.” Cricketleap smiles fondly.

Russetkestrel shrugs her shoulders and huffs. “I can’t believe that he’s kinder to bugs than the rest of us.” She pauses. “And I can’t believe Swanstone went along with it! Those two make no sense, they’re cold then they’re warm, holier than thou complainers.”

Cricketleap frowns. “You are the complainer. Swanstone saved your hide, too. I wouldn’t speak poorly of him or Hollyhockstripe.” His eyes narrow, and he turns his back to Russetkestrel, resting his chin on his paws. He sighs, tail flicking. Sunlight manages to filter to the far end of the den, making the haze and dust that floated through the underground air glitter in its light. It settles on their pelts, the whispers of warmth lulling both to sleep.

Russetkestrel huffs again, rolling her eyes. Something tugs at her chest while the light tugs at her eyes. A small sigh escapes her maw before she tucks her head, covering it with her claws, forming into a tight knit ball against Cricketleap’s side.

...

MOON ONE - PART TWO

Warmmask and Raggedstar enjoy each other’s company.

Russetkestrel often goes to Cricketleap for guidance.

Hollyhockstripe and Swanstone take care of an injured butterfly, nurturing it until it can fly again.

[betweenvalleys]

part 2 will be posted tomorrow! 👀👀

second part of the first moon will be done this week! the semester started so i've been busy, but i promise, i've not forgotten about the blog already LOL

[betweenvalleys]

an update: had a particularly rough week before this, so the second part of the moon will hopefully come out later this week. i apologize for the delay, and i hope that future moons are more consistent! i have 40 moons worth of drama with notes....

second part of the first moon will be done this week! the semester started so i've been busy, but i promise, i've not forgotten about the blog already LOL

[betweenvalleys]

second part of the first moon will be done this week! the semester started so i've been busy, but i promise, i've not forgotten about the blog already LOL

[betweenvalleys]

Not to get too meta but I think the reason Hollyhockstripe has the stripe suffix because he is striped under the white. I noticed that the game sometimes gives suffixes based on patterning without taking into consideration if said pattern is covered up by white or not. I had a cat named Graveldapple who technically had a bengal pattern but was white all over except for her tail. I call it whiteout curse lol

also likely! i imagine this is what hollyhock looks like under all that white fur... mostly more white!

[betweenvalleys]

I gotta know, is there a secret meaning behind Hollyhockstripe's name that Raggedstar thought of (if Raggedstar was the one to name him) because... well.. he has no stripes!

this was something i almost changed when i originally started the clan! i thought it odd his suffix was "-stripe", but i thought it sounded nice, so it stuck.

perhaps hollyhockstripe's pelt has become whiter as he's aged- both of his (and swanstone's) parents were striped tabby cats. raggedstar is a troublesome cat: either she thought the name would be funny, or wanted to honor his late father, stonestripe, despite the obvious... lack of stripes.

[betweenvalleys]

“Rise and shine!”

A voice, crisp and charming, sounded from the entrance of the warrior’s den. The song of the bobolink and larks alongside the sudden call roused the inhabitants of the den, who shifted around with quieted grumbles. Slowly, some of the lighter sleepers began to stir: Hollyhockstripe, Spindlespots, and Swanstone each moved at their own pace, nose bridges wrinkled with the irritation of being awoken much earlier than expected. Towards the back of the underground den slept four more warriors, tight knit tabby bodies of black, brown, white, and ginger.

Swanstone was first to fully rise. A yawn escaped his large maw, working to blink the sleep from his eyes. He carefully padded around the other warriors to join Heronsmoke, the molly at the top of the entrance. Behind her, an orange masked tom chuckled, offering a nod to the white tom in greeting.

“You are up early, Warmmask. I thought you were unyielding to Heronsmoke’s habits.”

The orange tom chuckled again, casting a glance to the smoke molly who had sat down with a huff. “Ah, Swanstone. You know I cannot resist an early morning patrol with you all. It is this time that is best for travel.” He purrs, bumping heads with Heronsmoke. Swanstone huffed, swiping a paw over his own head to adjust the fur flattened from sleep.

“I doubt that Hollyhock and Spindlespots share the same feelings.” Swanstone says, voice warm. He turns his attention to the den’s entrance, where the two aforementioned cats had begun to fully wake up. Hollyhockstripe dragged himself towards the group, dipping his head to Heronsmoke and Warmmask before settling next to Swanstone. Spindlespots soon joined them, bumping his head against Heronsmoke’s forehead before settling next to Warmmask. Pleased with the group of warriors she had collected, Heronsmoke purred, lifting to her feet and addressing the group once more.

“Good morning!” She chirped, tail flicking with excited energy. “Thank you for joining Warmmask and I… I know that you like your sleep, but the Dandelionclan border needs to be checked again.”

“We checked it two days ago.” Hollyhockstripe grumbled, bringing a paw to his muzzle. Spindlespots nodded his head in agreement, eyes wide. “Why don’t we patrol somewhere else? Maybe near the Saffronclan border? That’s always fun, right?” He posed, a small smile on his maw. Heronsmoke shook her head, casting a glance to Swanstone.

“Raggedstar said that the border isn’t clear enough.” She says, shrugging her shoulders. Beyond the small group of warriors slept the leader, comfortably snug in her underground den. Despite being concerned with the strength of the clan’s territory, Raggedstar did not stir, instead delegating matters to her loyal clanmates. After all, the Newleaf air proved chilly in the hours of dawn, and few cats would be willing to brave the gusts that often sent the sky-reaching grasses swirling like a sea of green. A small breeze swept through the camp, prickling the fur of those not endowed with thick coats.

“Well, let us be off, then. It is better not to challenge Raggedstar’s judgement.” Swanstone claims, offering a small nod to Heronsmoke. With a smile, Heronsmoke turned with her tail lifted, like a banner for a military procession. Warmmask and Swanstone joined her flanks, Spindlespots in the middle, and Hollyhockstripe behind, quietly muttering some grievances.

…

As the voices of the small patrol faded, one warrior remaining in the warmth of the den began to rouse. The scruffy ginger and white head of Russetkestrel popped up from her curled up position, a yawn escaping her. Her eyes squinted as a light haze slowly permeated through the entrance of the den, signaling to those who preferred light over sound that it was soon time to wake.

She glanced at the others: Nightingaleheart, Cricketleap, and Cowboy, the kittypet who had joined the clan a moon ago. She had adjusted well, despite her offstandish nature– for whatever reason, she and Nightingaleheart had become fast friends. The pair laid next to each other while Cricketleap slept soundly in the far corner, face covered by his dark paws.

It’s no use to wake them. Russetkestrel thought, rising to her paws and maneuvering around their sleeping bodies.

Her claws dug into the dirt that covered the hard ground of camp and breathed deeply, taking in the scents around her. Songbirds flitted just beyond the outskirts of Pitchclan’s camp, moving between tall grass and bending wildflowers that rustled with every few passing breezes. After a few peaceful moments, Russetkestrel peeled off towards the far end of camp, where the undergrowth had been parted by the patrolling party. Their scents lingered in her nostrils, offering an easy to follow trail.

Russetkestrel didn’t feel the need to mark the border like the others did. Her mother simply liked to keep her warriors busy, allegiances strong, as a proud leader should. Russetkestrel simply wanted to follow the only awake bodies of Pitchclan, and so, she did, creeping through the prairielands of Pitchclan’s territory in perfect silence.

...

“Shit, shit, shit..”

This is bad. Russetkestrel hisses, leaning back to lick the fur around her trapped paw that was firmly planted in one of the many small pools of tar that surrounded The Pitch.

She had become trapped just before the Dandelionclan border, where the earth gave way between two hills. The valley was alight with the glow of the sun, the song of the insects and birds a bright chorus. The molly’s ears were pinned to the back of her skull, movement of the body beginning to become erratic with growing fear.

It was common knowledge to avoid the tar when not visiting for ceremony, but somehow, the deputy had found herself partially stuck in one. If Raggedstar were here, she would never hear the end of it. So it was up to Russetkestrel to quietly escape and tell no soul.

Russetkestrel strains, trying to lift her paw from the dark sludge. She bites and licks at the stained fur, awkwardly twisting herself like a snakelike contortionist. Her hind paw lifts ever so slightly, and she releases an exhale in relief.

The relief is not long lasting, of course.

A snap of a twig forces the cat’s ears to swivel, her attention drawn from the dire situation of the tar. A new face sits partially concealed in the grass and hay, familiar and canine. Russetkestrel hisses, the fur along her spine puffing up immediately. Oh, go away…

Russetkestrel growled and hissed, swearing at the newcomer with great intensity. The fox took a step forward, then another, slow and calculated.

“Get away!” She yowled, heart beating in her ears. She swats with outstretched claws, trying not to fall and have another paw become trapped in the tar. The fox advances, brown eyes shining with the daylight. Go away, go away! Her mind screams. She wasn’t going to die like this, surely…? She shut her eyes tightly, still swatting and sputtering.

Then, a yowl, hissing, a yelp, a thud. Immediately Russetkestrel opened her eyes, greeted by a new, fortunate sight.

“Spindlespots!” She cried out to the warrior, who had latched onto the neck of the large fox with great ferocity. The large, rosetted tom dug his fangs into the muscle of the canine, who swung around on gracile limbs in rage. Heronsmoke and Swanstone burst from the brush, racing over to Russetkestrel.

“What happened?” Swanstone yowled, immediately moving to lift Russetkestrel by her scruff. Heronsmoke attempted to work the trapped paw from the tar, often lifting her head to watch Spindlespots attack the fox. Warmmask and Hollyhockstripe had now joined the scene, the former running to attend to the deputy while the latter circled the battling pair.

“Lift her, quickly.” Warmmask rasped, usually calm voice quivering slightly. “The fur on her paw will regrow. We must leave as soon as we can.”

With a jerk of his head, Swanstone lifted Russetkestrel out of the tar, her paw a deep black. The group turned their attention back to Spindlespots, who let out a hiss of pain. The fox darted away, the songbirds and insects silent in the aftermath. Blood was smeared across the older tom’s shoulder, clear bite marks interrupting his tabby pattern. Warmmask darted over to him, quickly exchanged quiet words, then returned to Russetkestrel.

“We’ll discuss this at camp. Let us take our leave.”

Russetkestrel cast a glance to Spindlespots, who smiled softly at her through gritted fangs. Her head hung low in embarrassment as she was guided back to camp, flanked by Swanstone and Hollyhockstripe. The patrol silently proceeded, allowing the song of smaller beings to fill the absence of words.

...

MOON ONE - PART ONE

Russetkestrel fell into a tar pond, but escaped.

Spindlespots saved Russetkestrel from a fox, but was hurt.

Heronsmoke wakes Spindlespots, Warmmask, Hollyhockstripe, and Swanstone up early for morning stretches and patrol.

[betweenvalleys]

A-Z fanart (part final)

THE END! zinniaspirit would be alone, so I decided to pick random cats, some I already knew and followed and others I discovered recently.

Zinniaspirit is from @sapling-clangen and the name in Portuguese is "Espírito de Zinia"

Daisypaw is from @whistleclangen and the name in Portuguese is "Pata de Margarida"

Halfpelt is from @cutieclangen and the name in Portuguese is "Pele em Meia" or "Meia Pele"

Squirrelpaw is from @spiderclangen and the name in Portuguese is "Pata de Esquilo"

Russetkestrel is from @betweenvalleys and the name in Portuguese is "Peneireiro avermelhado"

Pachirisu is from @sporeclan and the name in Portuguese is the same

[betweenvalleys]

butterflyswirl

a white and light golden classic tabby tom with long eyelashes.

senior warrior

nervous

good mediator

[betweenvalleys]

this first moon is gonna be a read! prepare your reading glasses! should be posted this upcoming saturday.

[betweenvalleys]

nightingaleheart

a warm brown ticked tabby tom.

new warrior

compassionate

great hunter

mentored by russetkestrel

[betweenvalleys]

hollyhockstripe

a white and black splotched tom.

warrior

cold

loves insects

good climber & valuable insight

younger sibling to swanstone

[betweenvalleys]

cricketleap

a dark gray bengal tom.

warrior

vengeful

good hunter & great teacher