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[moons-of-peachclan]

Allegiances

Last updated 9/21/24 [moon 0]

Leader: Lakestar, male, 78 moons. Strange. Guardian & great navigator.

Heir/Deputy: Thrushshade, female, 22 moons. Lonesome. Learner of lore & great navigator. (Mates with Driftstreak.)

Lead Healer: Dashdawn, female, 101 moons. Reserved. Great singer.

Lead Mediator: Daisyshock, female, 57 moons. Rebellious. Good tunneler.

Hunting Head: Scale-ears, female, 43 moons. Sincere. Team player.

Kitchen Head: Clovenose, male, 96 moons. Arrogant. Steady paws.

Construction Head: Driftstreak, trans male, 60 moons. Cold. Efficiency aficionado & good decorator. (Mates with Thrushshade.)

Educator: None. Unofficially, Thrushshade.

Fadedmask, male, 36 moons. Childish. Great speaker. Mediator.

Seri, female, 117 moons. Cunning. Fast as the wind & sunhigh log.

Laurelfern, female, 101 moons. Trusting. Impressive climber & good sport.

Frostpeak, male, 94 moons. Flexible. Natural intuition.

Goldkit, male, 4 moons. Smug. Good with directions. (Kit of Daisyshock and Batleaf.)

Twilightkit, male, 2 moons. Daring. Quick to help. (Kit of Lakestar and Ghostpounce.)

[moons-of-peachclan]

Prologue - Part 3

[Image ID: Two large text boxes and one small one. The small one in the top left reads "Newleaf - Moon 0." The first big text box reads: Siltroot is too exhausted to visit StarClan and receive his nine lives and dies without them. In the following days, many other cats die from a combination of exhaustion, smoke inhalation, exposure, insufficient nutrition, and illness caused by the above.

The second big text box reads: Ghostpounce, Batleaf, Snowstripe, Drytail, Beetlepelt, Shellflower, Minnowfoot, Thornmuzzle, Heronpaw, Mousefang, Cloudkit, Leafkit, Lilymouth, Amani, and Spiderdrop have died. Lakedapple, Goldkit, and Seri are in shock. End ID.]

Many cats have died. The lead healer scrambles to find who is next in line to be leader. (More below the cut!)

[Image ID: Three cats, two adults and one kitten. Above the first says "++ New Player: Lakedapple. Tom, 78 moons. Strange, guardian, & great navigator." Above the second says "++ New Player: Twilightkit. Tom, 2 moons. Daring, quick to help." Next to the third it says "Dashdawn. Molly, 101 moons. Reserved, great singer. Lead healer."

Lakedapple stands with Twilightkit between his paws and Dashdawn across from him. In the text box, Lakedapple says, "So it's me, then. I'm the leader." End ID.]

It was early in the night when Dashdawn entered the temporary nursery. Lakedapple was curled near the entrance with his paws tucked underneath him and his kit, Twilightkit, safely against his side. For a second Dashdawn thought they were both asleep, but Lakedapple's eyes opened as soon as she stepped inside. He relaxed slightly once he saw her, looking up at the lead healer with tired eyes.

Seri was also in the nursery, a tuft of Amani's fur between her front paws. She was heavily pregnant and sleeping fitfully. Goldkit was laying behind her, in his own nest but still near her body for warmth.

Dashdawn's head lowered with her voice. "Lakedapple... I thought you should know first. Spiderdrop just passed away."

He looked past her more than at her. He was a million miles away-- everyone was. She gave him a moment, and then his eyes focused on her. He looked tired and he sounded it, too. "So it's me, then. I'm the leader."

She shook her head minutely. "Not until you get your lives." A beat passed before she added, "I'm sorry. I know you didn't want this."

Which was an immense understatement. Turtlestar and Siltroot had died, which meant the next best claim was Minnowfoot's, but then they'd died, which meant it passed up the line to some grandfather or other and back down from there to Mousefang, who died. Then it was down to her son Cloudkit, who also died and was too young to inherit anyway-- so back up the line it went to StarClan only knew who else and then to Spiderdrop, his uncle.

And now that Spiderdrop was dead... to him.

"Don't be," he said. "Someone has to do it."

Dashdawn nodded. "Driftstreak and Frostpeak finished a makeshift raft a few days ago, and you're well enough to travel, so we should really go as soon as possible."

Lakedapple looked down at Twilightkit, who was sleeping soundly through the whole conversation. His heart leapt into his throat like a jackrabbit. How could he? What if he didn't come back and left his son an orphan? What if something else got him while he was gone? Ghostpounce would never forgive him for his negligence.

"I can't leave him."

The healer headbutted Lakedapple reassuringly. "It won't be for long. He'll be safe here, Lakedapple." Then, after a long, guilty moment, she said, "We'll leave at first light. I'm sorry."

Lakedapple sat awake like that for a long time, fighting sleep. How could he sleep? He had to protect his family-- this last little piece of it. This last little piece of his mate.

Eventually the moon crawled through the sky and the pre-dawn hours approached. Other cats were stirring and Lakedapple knew he'd have to leave soon or Dashdawn would drag him. He watched his son breathe for a while longer before gently nudging him awake.

"Ba...?" Twilightkit mumbled, his eyes opening groggily. A stab of grief coursed through Lakedapple. He was the mi now, the primary parent-- now that Ghostpounce was dead. It would take both of them a while to adjust to that.

"I have to go for a couple days, Twilightkit," he whispered, wishing with every part of himself that he didn't have to.

Twilightkit yawned and closed his eyes again. He was clearly too tired to really register what was happening, but he still asked, "Mm... Why?"

Lakedapple swallowed hard and tried to sound like he wasn't having one of the worst days of his life. "I'm the leader now. I have to go talk to StarClan."

"Mm... say hi to mi, ok..."

He had to go before he started crying. "I will," he whispered, his voice breaking a little. "Be good, Twilightkit. I love you."

Twilightkit was too sleepy to reply, but he didn't need to. Lakedapple licked the top of his head and picked him up before passing him over to Seri, who was watching the conversation quietly. She looked terrible, but Lakedapple knew she understood; her mate had just died, too.

"I'll take care of him," she said in that odd accent of hers.

Lakedapple dipped his head. "Thank you."

[Image ID: A dark gray background with stars. Lakedapple stands on the right with text underneath that says "Level up! Lakedapple -> Lakestar. Deputy -> Leader." On the left is a Dark Forest cat who is labeled with "++ New Player. Sootdapple. Tom, 28 moons (in life). Flexible, brave pathfinder, & natural intuition." Sootdapple says, "I give you this life for courage. And in your predecessor's absence... I welcome you as Lakestar. Good luck, brother. You're gonna need it." End ID.]

Lakedapple and Dashdawn filled up on prey and traveling herbs before they left. Then, they took the new raft across the thicker part of the river and to the southern bank. This ancient forest had been neutral territory for as long as any history had recorded it-- this forest and everything in it belonged to StarClan.

Dashdawn led the silent journey to the mouth of the Cave of Eternal Night. They weren't forbidden from speaking until they entered, but this was such a somber journey-- and the two cats involved so introverted-- that neither of them had much interest in chatter.

It had been many moons since Lakedapple had seen the entrance of the cave. It was like the earth itself was yawning, pointed teeth and all. Dashdawn paused before they crossed the threshold and began to follow the small stream.

"Stay close," she said softly, "and remember: you can never speak of what you see here or what is said to you. Not even I may learn of it."

Lakedapple nodded, and then the two of them began their descent.

There was light to see by for a while, but all too soon there was nothing to guide them but the wet, cold stone beneath them, the lazy stream to their right, and Dashdawn's memory. Lakedapple knew that there was no deeper darkness than this place, the place where night always lived and the sun never penetrated. It was so dark that if you tried to concentrate on it, you'd almost go mad.

The sound of Dashdawn's pawsteps and the occasional brush of her tail against his whiskers kept him from slipping or straying-- not that there was very far to stray. After what felt like days but could have only been hours, the stream quieted and Dashdawn stopped.

They were at the pool now. They would sleep here for the night and meet StarClan once the sun had risen up above-- until then, their ancestors would be absent from this place.

Lakedapple was exhausted. He'd never had a more dreamless sleep, and when he woke, there was no direction whatsoever. It was as though all he'd ever known was darkness... until he felt Dashdawn's tail brush against his face and he strained his eyes to look.

To what had to be the north of them, there was the thinnest sliver of light, just enough to make the darkness have meaning again. Dashdawn rose and Lakedapple rose with her.

The two of them carefully scaled the flowstone as the stars returned to the Cave of Eternal Night. They glowed all around them, reflecting off of the water or perhaps becoming unique instances. It was a difficult climb, especially since Lakedapple didn't want to dig his claws into this holy stone, but then they were at the small pool at the top.

There was just enough light to see by, like on a new moon. The two of them waded into the deepest point of the pool, where the water lapped at their bellies.

Lakedapple nodded. Dashdawn placed her paws on his shoulders, he took a deep breath, and then she pushed him under.

He realized immediately that the breath had been a bad idea and released it. The faster this was over with, the better-- but he couldn't make himself breathe in, and when he started to run out of air, he started to panic. He thrashed wildly and surely his claws grazed Dashdawn, but she held him firm until he finally sucked in water, felt his head go light, and then it all went black.

Until the stars rushed in to greet him.

Five cats stood in a semicircle around him, all of their pelts threaded with stars. His eyes were wide with shock as he looked at all of their faces-- but he didn't have much time to gawk before Shrubquiver was clearing her throat to get his attention.

He looked at her, stronger than he'd last seen her but not much younger. "With this life," she rumbled, "I give you trust in your own instincts. Know what experience has taught you-- do not blindly trust reason." She touched her nose to his, and pain tore through him-- when it faded, what he imagined must have been the ache of ancient bones was the last to fade.

Next was Batleaf, an old friend. The tom's ears twitched forward and his tail crooked to the left before he sat back on his haunches and made a series of quick gestures with his paws. Lakedapple was always a little slow with pawspeak, but he seemed to understand it better here as Batleaf said, "I give you this life for determination. With it, you will receive the strength to keep going, even if others think you don't have what it takes."

Batleaf touched his nose and the noises Lakedapple hadn't even noticed faded to nothing as the pain rocked through him. All he could hear was his own blood rushing in his ears-- and with it, the certainty that as long as that sound kept echoing through his skull, he could put one paw in front of the other, no matter the odds.

Then it was Snowstripe. Lakedapple hadn't known Snowstripe well, but he was still glad to see him here. "With this life, I give you stability," he said, stepping forward to touch their noses together. This pain was a stiff one, like wind trying to blow him over but his limbs locking firm. Lakedapple instinctively dug his claws in as it washed over him. When his ears stopped ringing, Snowstripe said, "You'll do fine as leader, Lakedapple. Don't worry."

And then... "Ghostpounce," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Her eyes were flinty as she stepped forward. He knew that look-- she was doing everything she could not to fall apart. "With this life, I give you unity," she said in a voice like she was using every ounce of willpower not to cry. "Teamwork makes the dream work." She touched her nose to his and the agony that ripped through him wasn't only physical. It was emotional, too-- grief doubled over. This would be the last time for a very, very long time that he would touch his nose to hers, and that was a pain that didn't fade away.

Flarefur was next, looking remarkably more alive than he ever had when he'd actually been alive. He gave a shy smile and said, "You're almost done. I'm certain of it. And with that, I give you this life for certainty, so that you will always know your place in the world and what you're supposed to do with it." The ache of this life was a cold one, like one big bruise, or maybe a fever. His stomach turned but he stood strong.

When Lakedapple opened his eyes again, the StarClan cats were gone. Panic suddenly rose in him like the water he'd choked on-- was that all? Where was Turtlestar? Was he going to be stuck here forever?

Then, a familiar scent reached his nose. Lakedapple's head snapped around to Sootdapple, bathed in shadow. Shock, horror, and grief clawed through him better than any enemy warrior.

"Surprised to see me?" Sootdapple asked, a sly grin on his muzzle.

Out of all the thoughts running through his mind, for some reason the one Lakedapple settled on was, "Where's Turtlestar...?"

Sootdapple shrugged. "Off hiding from her shame." Then, his smile returned, but a touch less sinister. "This clan will do well under your leadership, brother. I give you this life for courage-- and lieu of your predecessor... I welcome you as Lakestar."

He touched his nose to Lakedapple's-- Lakestar's-- before he had time to react. This life didn't hurt at all; it just filled him with vigor and made his heart start beating.

"Good luck, brother!" he called, already sounding far away.

"Sootdapple, wait--"

With a laugh, he added, "You're gonna need it!"

...

and then Lakestar was coughing his lungs up on the bank of the shallow pool, Dashdawn vigorously licking his fur the wrong way to get some warmth back into him.

They sat there for a long while so Lakestar could catch his breath, and then it was time to go back.

[moons-of-peachclan]

Prologue - Part 2

[Image ID: Shrubquiver, New Player Driftstreak (a reddish shorthair cat with blue eyes), and Siltroot stand beside New Player Downyvine (a dark gray rosetted longhair with golden eyes) and Turtlestar. Turtlestar says, "Downyvine is right. We have to cross. We don't have any other options." End ID.]

Despite being weak from smoke inhalation and exhaustion, Turtlestar decides that the Clan will swim for one of the near islands in the river. Shrubquiver, Bramblesong, and Divepaw drown before reaching the nearest island. Turtlestar also drowns, but not before heroically sacrificing all of her remaining lives to rescue as many clanmates as she can.

Smoke blazed dark behind them as they reached the riverbank. The cats of PeachClan were dirty, coughing, and exhausted-- they'd come a very long way in a very short amount of time. Dashdawn was trying to tend to everyone as best she could while the gathered cats caught their breath on the sandy riverbank.

The two near islands loomed ominously behind them. The sun would be setting soon and they had their backs against a wall: PeachClan cats were not strong swimmers.

Shrubquiver, Driftstreak, Siltroot, and Downyvine were gathered a small ways away from the rest of the clan to advise Turtlestar on what to do next.

"We can't stay out here in the open," Driftstreak said. "We don't have the time, energy, or equipment to build dens and we don't have enough fit warriors to defend us. Plus, we have kits too young to handle the exposure."

Downyvine nodded firmly. "He's right. Besides, every predator that survived the fire will be roaming this riverbank just like we are."

Shrubquiver's ears angled back. The ancient molly was already having to sit for this conversation, and her lungs ached something fierce. "We'll never make it across." Her voice was rough with smoke already. "We're weak, and we're not strong enough swimmers."

Turtlestar's heart ached as she looked out over her clanmates and then back at the islands. It wasn't so far, and the river was low and slow... but Shrubquiver was right. The water was cold, the smoke was thick, the Clan was exhausted, and a cat like Shrubquiver couldn't have swam that distance even in perfect health.

"And we don't have the time to make a raft," Turtlestar said more than asked. Driftstreak shook his head anyway.

"Nor the supplies."

Turtlestar glanced at Siltroot, her brother. His eyes softened when he saw the look she was giving him. Under his breath he said, "To the end of the line, sister. Always."

She turned back to the gathered advisors, but in particular Shrubquiver. "I'm sorry," she said, and she meant it. "Downyvine is right. We have to cross-- we don't have any other options."

The ancient molly's eyes hardened. Turtlestar nearly expected her to refuse or rebel or gather up any who would follow her and march to MarshClan territory, but she dipped her head and said, "The leader's word is law."

"I swear on all the lives I have remaining, I will make sure every single cat gets across."

Downyvine laid her tail gently on Turtlestar's back. Her tone was kind but the words were not when she said, "Don't make promises like that when you can't keep them."

Turtlestar was determined, though. She would personally make sure every last one of her clanmates got across-- or she would die trying.

[moons-of-peachclan]

Moon 2 - Just a day in the life :] Also: Podfur being a surrogate daughter to the Kite/Silt sisters

first prev next recent

i love kitehiss i sure hope nothing bad ever happens to her

[moons-of-peachclan]

wh. why is the cat speaking german

lmao this one won't get answered IC because it's a lore question, but: Seri isn't speaking German any more than the rest of the cats are speaking English! the clan cats are speaking a language called Rivermew and Seri is speaking a different one that i haven't named. however, purely by coincidence, the humans in this area probably have a high concentration of German Catholic & Amish immigrants, just because that's how it went in this area in the real world.

[moons-of-peachclan]

Moon 26: Interlude Part 2, pg. 2

Im back Baybeeee

I have managed to shorten this interlude down so there is only one post left to go! then we are back to normal, far more manageable moon updates!

(Also I forgot to add the little note for who the new guy is... It's Littlepaw of Singingclan! he is 7moons and Bigpaw's brother!)

Whisperingclan Master Post | Previous Update | Next Update

[moons-of-peachclan]

Moon 28: GREAT DAYS

PREVIOUS l NEXT

[moons-of-peachclan]

loss and gain. plus embermoose!

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[moons-of-peachclan]

Moon 17: So yeah! This happened!

(Sidenote for Cedar's kits, they're meant to be 4-5 weeks/1 moon old already - so they're weaned from needing milk)

Also, also baby refs:

[moons-of-peachclan]

RippleClan: Moon 65

Clammask gives birth to three healthy mollies not long after Halibutdusk gets greencough. Worried, Clammask decides to name them early.

[Image ID: With Halibutdusk in the background sporting + CONDITION: GREENCOUGH under them, Clammask faces three newborn kits; one red tabby, one white tabby, one black tabby. Under the red tabby, it says NEW PLAYER: POTTERYKIT, 0, FEMALE, SELF-CONSCIOUS. The white kit says NEW PLAYER: MOONKIT, 0, FEMALE, QUIET. Lastly, the black kit says NEW PLAYER: VERVAINKIT, 0, FEMALE, FEARLESS. Under Clammask, it says - CONDITION: PREGNANT, + CONDITION: RECOVERING FROM BIRTH.]

Somehow, giving birth to three kits was more exhausting than five. Perhaps it was all the stress of recent moons; Scrubmask’s death, three of Clammask’s four kits coming down with food poisoning, casually seeing Halibutdusk only to become pregnant… that was a lot for one molly to handle! Add in the fact that the moon did not shine over the Clans on the first day of autumn’s third moon when Clammask felt a familiar pain in her gut, and Halibutdusk was stuck in the quarantine den with a loud case of greencough, how could she not be stressed?

This kitting was shorter, thank StarClan. It was still nightfall when Clammask cleaned off her last little kit and helped her snuggle up to her belly. Oilstripe, Tallowkit, and Slushkit had vacated the nursery for a while to give Clammask room to kit, but Lemmy, her belly fat against her thin frame, still slept inside, dreams undisturbed by the new life born to the Clan. The only other cat in the nursery was Troutpool (Clammask simply couldn’t ask her own son to help deliver her kits, it felt so strange!). 

The head cleric carefully examined the three mollies at Clammask’s side while the golden molly caught her breath. The first was red with markings that reminded Clammask of her father. The second-born kit was white, with pale gray rosettes along her back. Although she was still slick from birth, Clammask could tell she would be long-furred in the future. The youngest looked so much like Drumtooth that Clammask was taken aback for a moment.

“They all look very healthy,” Troutpool said, stepping back. She placed her dirty bowl (once full of strengthening medicine for the kitting) and the broken stick Clammask bit into a basket at the den’s edge. “I don’t notice any deformed limbs or other issues. I… I won’t try to predict their future this time.” Clammask licked each kit’s head. None of them looked like her lost golden daughter. Perhaps that was for the best. “Do you still want me to perform that ceremony we discussed?”

“It would make me feel better,” Clammask sighed. Troutpool nodded and stuck her face into her basket. She took out a tiny jar; the gouges carved in for teeth holds left little room on the inside. She peeled off the thin leather lid trapping the contents. The jar was full of dirt. Troutpool sprinkled a bit of dirt over each kitten’s back. Each was too caught up in the shock of being alive, mewing and nursing, to really care.

“Dustfur, Celestial of the Newborn,” Troutpool prayed, setting the jar at Clammask’s head, “you taught the Clans not to mourn the stillborn and those taken before they even got a chance to see the faces of their kin. You were the one who revealed to us how StarClan accompanies litters on their way to the Clans and return to Silverpelt when their time is done. One of Clammask’s kits was one of these StarClan guardians. We do not know what awaits these kits in the coming quarter moon, but we ask you, give them souls of their own. Allow them to grow into strong and proud individuals who will make RippleClan proud. Do not taunt Clammask once more by taking a kit away. Allow them all to live, Dustfur. Give us your celestial blessing.” The ritual done, Troutpool licked the dirt off the kittens, sneering at the taste. 

“If one of your daughters is a StarClan warrior,” Troutpool explained, “performing this ritual so soon after their birth may allow them to become cats of their own, rather than a protector for the others.” Clammask nudged her little mollies back to her belly, purring as they cried outrage at yet another grooming. “When you feel strong enough, we can move you to a fresh nest and get rid of all this dirty moss. Do you need anything else?”

“Maybe a leather pelt over my back?” Clammask asked. “It’s a cold night.”

“I’ll also have Mosspounce build a fire outside the den when he wakes up,” Troutpool promised with a nod. She touched noses with Clammask and trotted off. 

With a few moments alone in the nursery, Clammask stared at her daughters. Halibutdusk’s daughters too. Scrubmask wasn’t one to hold grudges, Clammask doubted she would be mad at her for finding another mate. But was she right for Halibutdusk? Her feelings for them were not a perfect match to her relationship with Scrubmask. Perhaps it was because she grew up alongside Halibutdusk, shared every heartbreak and celebration alongside them. Scrubmask was a whirlwind that pulled Clammask into a new life, a new family. Halibutdusk had just… always been there. They were the ocean, forever licking the shore, something whose absence Clammask could not imagine.

She prayed she would not have to live in that absence soon.

“I’ll warn you now,” Troutpool said, entering the den with a stitched-up pelt thrown across her back, “your sons are chomping at my tail to see you.” Troutpool threw the pelt over Clammask’s haunches.

“Send them in,” Clammask purred.

“We can come in? Finally!” Honeybuzz and Splashtuft shoved their way into the nursery, bumping shoulders to get a better look at their new siblings. Leathermask and Drumtooth lingered behind them, trying to catch a glimpse from the side. Honeybuzz and Splashtuft almost knocked Troutpool over.

“Is that all of them?” Leathermask gasped, squirming between his two boisterous brothers.

“They’re all mollies,” Clammask purred. “How funny is that?”

“Big brothers for little sisters,” Drumtooth hummed, finally managing to get into the den by shoving Splashtuft’s big flank to the side.

“I don’t suppose you can let me out?” Troutpool chuckled, slipping her basket around her neck.

“Sorry, Troutpool,” Splashtuft chirped. He moved to the side and knocked Drumtooth against the den wall. Troutpool left before she became the next victim of the litter’s excitement.

“How do you feel, Mom?” Honeybuzz asked. His clerical eye studied Clammask’s messy nest and the newborn shine on his sisters’ pelts.

“Very tired,” Clammask admitted, “but very happy. And I'm a little nervous if I’m honest.” Clammask nuzzled her daughters once more. “I want to do something, but I’m afraid you may judge me a little, Honeybuzz. I know I should wait to name them, like Scrubmask and I waited to name you four, but I don’t want to do that this time around. I want them to have names now.” Clammask was right; the enthusiasm in Honeybuzz’s face froze as he tried not to let it drop.

“Don’t do that,” Drumtooth huffed, appearing on the other side of the pack and shoving Honeybuzz’s shoulder.

“If you want,” Clammask sighed, “you can help name your sisters. We can keep it between the five of us for now.” 

“Really?” Leathermask gasped softly. “Honeybuzz, let’s name the red kit first!” Honeybuzz squirmed a bit, but joined his brown-furred brother in study of their red-colored sister.

“Could we call her Redkit?” Honeybuzz suggested.

“That’s such a boring name,” Splashtuft scoffed. Clammask couldn’t help but laugh at that. He looked so much like Scrubmask in that moment.

“Troutpool left something behind,” Leathermask pointed out. The small jar with the ritual dust still sat at Clammask’s head. “Huh. The jar is the same color as the red kit’s fur. What if we called her Potterykit?”

“I approve,” Clammask purred. “Let your other brothers name the white molly.” Drumtooth squirmed closer to Splashtuft and they turned their gaze to the long-furred kitten.

“I want to name her Moonkit,” Drumtooth said.

“But our Clan’s guide is called Moonpaw,” Honeybuzz reminded him. “That feels… wrong, in a way.”

“StarClan isn’t going to ban the use of a prefix for the rest of history just because of one cat,” Splashtuft scoffed. “I like it, Drumtooth. Potterykit and Moonkit.”

“But what in the world do we call the last kitten?” Leathermask sighed. All four brothers leaned so close to the black molly, they were practically touching Clammask’s belly.

“I can’t think of a single good name for her,” Splashtuft muttered.

“Nightkit?” Leathermask suggested.

“How many black cats in history have been named Nightkit?” Drumtooth said. “Don’t we want our sister to stand out?”

“Stormkit, Butterflykit, Oysterkit…” Honeybuzz muttered. “Hootkit?”

“Hootkit?” Splashtuft laughed. “Do you want apprentices to make fun of her at Gatherings?”

“Hear me out, hear me out,” Drumtooth said, his soft voice catching his brothers’ attention. “Vervainkit.”

“But vervain is purple,” Splashtuft said.

“And drums are brown,” Drumtooth pointed out. “Vervains are pretty flowers. Something about their color reminds me of her.”

“Potterykit, Moonkit, and Vervainkit,” Clammask declared. She leaned over and nuzzled all of her kits, toms and mollies, newborn and adult. “Welcome to the family.” All four toms purred deeply.

“Do you think Halibutdusk will be upset that we named the kits without them?” Drumtooth wondered. 

“To be fair,” Splashtuft chuckled, pulling back, “we don’t have to tell them.”

“I know you all said you were happy for me,” Clammask said, shuffling tighter around the newborns, “but I want to be sure here. They aren’t a replacement for Scrubmask. I wasn’t trying to do that.”

“We know, Mom,” Honeybuzz promised. “We’ll still love the kits. We’re happy to have little sisters to care for.” Clammask’s purrs took over her entire body. Her sons gathered around her and groomed her tired pelt as she soaked in the joy.

(Clammask: 59, female, caretaker, righteous, lore master, good teacher)

(Halibutdusk: 57, nonbinary (they/them), warrior, gloomy, masterful storyteller, clever)

(Troutpool: 26, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense)

(Honeybuzz: 13, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

(Splashtuft: 13, male, historian, adventurous, fast runner, student of art)

(Leathermask: 13, male, warrior, nervous, great speaker, good fighter)

(Drumtooth: 13, trans male, caretaker, loyal, great hunter, clever)

(Potterykit: 0, female, kit, self-conscious)

(Moonkit: 0, female, kit, quiet)

(Vervainkit: 0, female, kit, fearless)

Lavendertwist works with the AshClan historians to make a proper record of the Rippling Ashes (Darkkick, Weedfoot, and Paleseed) and their exploits in the Dark Forest.

[Image ID: Lavendertwist and Splashtuft face a black rosette apprentice. Under her, it says NEW PLAYER: MITEPAW, 7, FEMALE, INSECURE, QUICK TO MAKE PEACE.]

---

“It’s hard to believe our former leader would grow to hate us so much…” sighed Minkshine, an AshClan historian. She and two other historians, Blackmist and Comfreytoe, sat along the AshClan border while Lavendertwist and Splashtuft lounged on their side, sharing tongues with their forest counterparts. It was sunhigh, after all, and if the group was going to spend most of the day describing the official story of the Rippling Ashes, Lavendertwist and Splashtuft were going to relax.

“When you’re stuck in your ways like he was,” Lavendertwist sighed, “friends can quickly become enemies.”

“So Autumnstar used his Dark Forest powers to curse AshClan…” Blackmist muttered, grooming Splashtuft’s long fur as he spoke. “So many of our friends and family died because of him… their names have to be recorded in the story. All of them.”

“Ah, name memorization,” Lavendertwist chuckled, squirming. “My old nemesis.”

“I can handle that,” Splashtuft chirped. “Start listing out names, Blackmist.”

“Actually,” Comfreytoe groaned, glancing back into the trees of AshClan, “we’re still waiting on someone. She should be here before we continue.”

“Who’s our special guest?” Lavendertwist asked, leaves crunching underneath him as he rolled onto his back. 

“Someone who needs a fresh start,” Comfreytoe sighed.

“It’s still hard to believe Eelstar and Barkfur agreed to this,” Blackmist muttered, letting Splashtuft take a turn grooming him, “but if Mitepaw can find some peace from it, so be it.”

“Mitepaw?” Lavendertwist hummed.

“I’m here!” a young voice gulped. While Lavendertwist heard the cat crunching leaves under her paws and panting, he only saw her once she stood in front of a pale bush. She was one of the blackest cats Lavendertwist had ever seen, with even blacket rosette markings. Pale yellow eyes bounced between Lavendertwist and Splashtuft. Bouldersong, one of AshClan’s caretakers, joined the small apprentice.

“RippleClan,” Bouldersong purred, placing his tail on the apprentice’s back, “I would like you to meet Mitepaw. She would like to join your Clan.”

“What?” Splashtuft gasped, sitting up so quickly that his head smacked Blackmist’s jaw. 

“Both of her parents died as a result of the chronic frostbite that kept infecting our older Clanmates,” Minkshine explained as Mitepaw rubbed a paw deep into the leaf litter. “She’s struggled in our Clan ever since. We believe that in order to give her a fresh start, she needs to leave our home for another. Since RippleClan’s developed a reputation for accepting wayward apprentices, we thought she would fit in well with you.”

“Eelstar is letting one of his apprentices join RippleClan?” Lavendertwist scoffed. “I thought he hated us.”

“His opinions are more nuanced than you’d think,” Comfreytoe insisted. “Mitepaw is an artisan apprentice. She has a knack for woodwork and should take to your Clan’s crafts well.”

“You really want to join us, Mitepaw?” Splashtuft asked. He risked crossing the border to approach the small apprentice. Since no one clawed his ears off, he kept going. “This isn’t a decision you can take back.” Mitepaw hesitated, words getting caught in her mouth. She looked at her Clanmates, as though waiting for someone to snap at her. She swallowed hard.

“I don’t like AshClan,” Mitepaw said. “Everyone is grieving. It makes it hard to breathe. I don’t want to grow up in a Clan that’s carrying such hurt with them.” The AshClan historians grew lost as Mitepaw explained herself. No one countered her claim.

“I’m sure Downstar will welcome you, then,” Splashtuft purred, touching noses with Mitepaw.

“You can always talk to your old Clanmates at Gatherings, Mitepaw,” Bouldersong sighed. “I hope RippleClan will be better for you than we have been.” Bouldersong licked Mitepaw’s ear. The young apprentice purred softly. She left Bouldersong’s side and joined Splashtuft.

“So you’ll take her to your camp when we’re finished here?” Minkshine asked.

“Absolutely,” Lavendertwist promised as Splashtuft led Mitepaw across the border. “We have just the mentor for her.” 

(Lavendertwist: 31, male, historian, playful, great singer, good storyteller)

(Splashtuft: 13, male, historian, adventurous, fast runner, student of art)

(Mitepaw: 7, female, artisan apprentice, insecure, quick to make peace)

[Image ID: Rapidleaf, Asterpaw, and Elmsprout stand behind Mitepaw as she listens to Rattlepelt say, “It will be better for you to live in a Clan that is loyal to its members. You’ve escaped a rotten place, Mitepaw.”]

Later that day, as RippleClan buzzed with sunset activity, Mitepaw took in the sights of her new home. The shipwreck was so tall! Despite the late autumn cold, the sand felt warm from the sun. Even the air felt lighter in RippleClan! This was the right choice, Mitepaw was certain of it. There was a glimmer in everyone’s eyes as they surrounded her following her new apprentice ceremony. She soaked it all in as she stood beside her strange and famous new mentor; Rattlepelt. 

“Mitepaw!” A long-furred gray molly made her way to the front of the crowd of unfamiliar faces. A brown molly and a silver tom followed close behind.

“Hello,” Mitepaw chirped softly, bowing to the strangers. 

“No need to bow to your Clanmates in this Clan!” the silver molly said. “You’ve probably heard about me. I’m Elmsprout.”

“Oh, Eelstar’s daughter,” Mitepaw gasped. She took Elmsprout in a second time; she could see Eelstar’s color in Elmsprout’s darker tints. “Your father’s told the kits about you.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” Elmsprout chuckled. “He and I have… an awkward relationship. I wanted to make sure I could talk to you after your ceremony, because I’ve been where you are. We all have. We’re a bit of a Clan-within-a-Clan, you could say. We’ve all left our original Clans to join RippleClan. This is Rapidleaf and Asterpaw.”

“I’ll show you how to adapt to life in RippleClan,” Asterpaw promised, raising his tail high.

“Leaving my Clan was hard for me as well,” Rapidleaf said with a nod. “Like you, staying in LynxClan would have been too painful. RippleClan has built itself on second chances. Elmsprout befriended me as we both recovered from a bought of food poisoning a few moons ago, and we’ve both looked after Asterpaw since his arrival. If you need help, we promise to look after you, too.” 

“That’s…” Mitepaw purred, her whole body rippling, “that’s amazing!”

“It will be better for you to live in a Clan that is loyal to its members.” Oh, right! Rattlepelt was still standing there! She was so unlike any other cat Mitepaw had ever seen. Who else would have the courage to wear a fox pelt? She looked more like a fearsome warrior than the talented artisan Lavendertwist and Splashtuft made her out to be on the walk to RippleClan. “You’ve escaped a rotten place, Mitepaw.”

“I’m excited to learn under you, Artisan Rattlepelt,” Mitepaw said, bowing once more.

“Mitepaw, we don’t bow here!” Elmsprout laughed.

“Leave her be,” Rattlepelt scoffed. “If she wants to bow and use honorable titles, let her. It’s nice to be respected. Now Mitepaw, how would you like to learn the intricacies of leather-making from a master?” Mitepaw’s eyes sparkled. Learn to craft a leather pelt with the quality and skill of Rattlepelt’s fox fur? Learning in a Clan so bright and welcoming, under a mentor that was clearly wise and strong and clever, better than her old mentor in every way?

“Yes please!”

(Mitepaw: 7, female, artisan apprentice, insecure, quick to make peace)

(Elmsprout: 32, female, caretaker, charismatic, helpful insight)

(Rapidleaf: 84, female, warrior, lonesome, prophecy interpreter)

(Asterpaw: 12, male, caretaker apprentice, thoughtful, has lots of ideas)

(Rattlepelt: 48, female, artisan, bloodthirsty, leather artist)

Tallowkit reminds himself it will all be okay while Slushkit chews on a stick.

[Image ID: Tallowkit says “She won’t choke, she won’t choke…” as he watches Slushkit. Under Tallowkit, it says + NEW SKILL: SPLASHES IN PUDDLES. Under Slushkit, it says + NEW SKILL: QUICK WITTED.]

(Tallowkit: 1, male, kit, skittish, splashes in puddles)

(Slushkit: 1, female, kit, polite, quick witted)

Scaleripple and Tempestshade officially become mates.

[Image ID: Scaleripple and Tempestshade face each other. Under Scaleripple, it says + MATE: TEMPESTSHADE. Under Tempestshade, it says + MATE: SCALERIPPLE.]

---

Scaleripple couldn’t help but be in awe of Troutpool and Honeybuzz’s skill. When he had found Tempestshade half a moon prior, leg encased in a shimmering silver jaw, he had been certain it would have to come off. Yet there they were, half a moon later and still possessing four legs, even if one was so bandaged and slathered in ointment that it could hardly be called a leg. Honeybuzz had changed the bandages not so long ago, but Scaleripple could already see dots of blood leaking through. Not that Troutpool and Honeybuzz would notice; no, when Scaleripple visited Tempestshade that day, the Clan had a bit more exciting news to swallow.

“Our instincts are never more controlling than when a queen is kitting,” Troutpool explained to Mosspounce, waiting eagerly outside the den as she and Honeybuzz collected a few supplies into a basket. “Lemmy will know what to do with her kits, but she’ll need spiritual and emotional support. We’ll be with her the entire time, Mosspounce.”

“Are you sure Tempestshade can’t join us?” Mosspounce groaned, glancing around Troutpool to Tempestshade, whose nest sat in a quiet, warm corner of the medicine den. Scaleripple sat beside her, ice-faced and observant. “I want my kits to meet all of their kin.”

“Mosspounce, your kits won’t be able to meet anyone for a while,” Honeybuzz laughed. He slipped the basket around his neck. “They’re born with their eyes and ears shut. They’ll get to meet Tempestshade in the future, don’t worry.”

“But I wanna meet them,” Tempestshade whined. They laid sprawled across the nest, mangled leg carefully frozen on the edge. Their dark green eyes lacked some of their usual sparkle, devoured by the pain.

“You will, I promise,” Mosspounce said. Honeybuzz joined Mosspounce outside the den and the two trotted to the nursery. Troutpool, however, lingered, eyes wandering to Scaleripple.

“Will you be okay while we help Lemmy?” Troutpool asked.

“I won’t die,” Scaleripple growled. He laid in a loaf against Tempestshade’s nest, ignoring Troutpool’s gaze. Tempestshade chuckled, a soft, almost feverish sound. Troutpool shuffled her paws about.

“I didn’t want to have that vision,” Troutpool gulped. “I thought revealing it would spare Tempestshade a guilty verdict and protect RippleClan. I wouldn’t use StarClan to hurt them.”

“Did I say that’s what you did?” Scaleripple scoffed, daring to look up, even if Troutpool’s awkward expression made his skin hurt. “You don’t need to explain yourself. You just have to live with making Tempestshade a living omen of death.” Troutpool bowed her head low, closing her eyes. She followed her former apprentice and Mosspounce to the nursery, where Scaleripple could already hear Lemmy panting with the effort of her kitting.

“You showed her,” Tempestshade mumbled, purring. Scaleripple stared at Tempestshade. Why were they seemingly the only cats who truly understood the other? Scaleripple’s family loved him, he was certain of that, but did they know him like Tempestshade? Did they understand the strange way he worked, which separated him from everyone else? And did anyone else in the Clan dare to face the blunt of Tempestshade’s curse just to spend time with them? Did they appreciate their youthfulness, their honesty, their loyalty? From everything Scaleripple knew, two cats who were as close as he was to Tempestshade could only be called one thing.

“Tempestshade, are we mates?” he asked. Tempestshade cocked their head. A little life came back to their eyes.

“Haven’t we been mates since the summer?” they laughed. Oh. Well then.

“Maybe so,” Scaleripple purred. He rested his head on the edge of Tempestshade’s nest, a whisker length from their nose. Tempestshade hummed happily. They stretched and quickly touched noses with Scaleripple.

For once, Scaleripple didn’t mind.

(Scaleripple: 18, male, warrior, lonesome, formidable fighter)

(Troutpool: 26, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense)

(Mosspounce: 26, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Honeybuzz: 13, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

(Tempestshade: 26, nonbinary (they/them), caretaker, childish, incredible cook)

Mosspounce wants to be a father with different motivations than his own, and feels proud when Lemmy delivers four healthy kits.

[Image ID: Lemmy and Mosspounce watch four newborn kits; a tortoiseshell, a black molly, a silver molly, and a gray tabby. Under Lemmy, it says - CONDITION: PREGNANT, + CONDITION: RECOVERING FROM BIRTH. The tortoiseshell says NEW PLAYER: WEEVILKIT, 0, FEMALE, BULLYING. The black molly says NEW PLAYER: RAVENKIT, 0, FEMALE, SWEET. The silver kit says NEW PLAYER: SILVERKIT, 0, FEMALE, DAYDREAMER. Finally, the gray tabby says NEW PLAYER: WOLFKIT, 0, FEMALE, POLITE.]

(Mosspounce: 26, male, caretaker, adventurous, talented fire-starter)

(Lemmy: 41, female, codekeeper, cold, deep StarClan bond)

(Weevilkit: 0, female, kit, bullying)

(Ravenkit: 0, female, kit, sweet)

(Silverkit: 0, female, kit, daydreamer)

(Wolfkit: 0, female, kit, polite)

Downstar is almost intimidated by the knowledge Asterpaw has gained in his short time in RippleClan and confidently names him Asterblaze.

[Image ID: Asterpaw, now Asterblaze, is an adult! Under him, it says LEVEL UP! ASTERPAW -> ASTERBLAZE, HAS LOTS OF IDEAS -> CONSTANTLY FIDDLING WITH TOOLS.]

(Asterblaze: 12, male, caretaker, thoughtful, constantly fiddling with tools)

While Troutpool and Honeybuzz are on patrol, Troutpool sees strange shimmers in the distance. They encounter a kittypet who grew up with old stories of RippleClan and wanted to raise her kits in the wild. Troutpool and Honeybuzz help welcome five more kits to the nursery.

[Image ID: Troutpool and Honeybuzz approach a brown and white molly and five kits; one light brown, two red, and two brown, all with white markings. Undee the mother, it says NEW PLAYER: HARVEST, 53, FEMALE, NERVOUS, GOOD FIGHTER. Under the light brown kit, it says NEW PLAYER: ANCHOVYKIT, 0, MALE, CHARMING. Under the upper red kit, it says NEW PLAYER: CURRENTKIT, 0, MALE, POLITE. The second red kit says NEW PLAYER: ROBINKIT, 0, MALE, UNRULY. The first dark brown cat in the upper corner says NEW PLAYER: YARROWKIT, 0, FEMALE, NOISY. The last brown kit says NEW PLAYER: BILLOWKIT, 0, MALE, BOSSY.]

(Troutpool: 26, female, cleric, insecure, ghost sense)

(Honeybuzz: 13, male, cleric, daring, constantly fiddling with tools)

(Harvest: 53, female, queen, nervous, good fighter)

(Anchovykit: 0, male, kit, charming)

(Currentkit: 0, male, kit, polite)

(Robinkit: 0, male, kit, unruly)

(Yarrowkit: 0, female, kit, noisy)

(Billowkit: 0, male, kit, bossy)

[moons-of-peachclan]

Loudclan - Moon 29: Part 1

Summer rolls across the valley territories with a vengeance. The sparse mountain territory of Loudclan offers little reprieve from the ever present sun that beats down on the cats. While most patrols rush back to camp to take shelter in the caves during the midday hours, young warriors itch for a chance to prove themselves, and evidence of trespassers provides just that for Fiercestripe's patrol.

A fight breaks out between the patrol and the farm cats. Though the clan-cats are highly trained fighters, save for Fiercestripe they are untested in battle, and are outnumbered more than 2:1. There will certainly be losses.

[clangen: *takes everyone's favorite characters, throws them in a blender, and sets it to liquefy* me: *twirls my little metaphorical evil mustache* ahh, yes, just as I planned... For real though, I am so glad to finally get this moon (half of it at least) out to you guys! It is definitely the biggest and most time and skill intensive moon so far and I had a ton of fun drawing it! Unfortunately, that means that the second part is going to take a similarly long while to finish, but I hope that the quality of them makes up for the wait! I hope you guys all enjoy! If you're a little lost as to who the farm cats are check out this pmv and this family tree]

[moons-of-peachclan]

Prologue - Part 1

[Image ID: Several pixel-art cats on a peach-colored background with a textbox at the bottom. The speaker is Dashdawn, who says, "Seri?! What's wrong? Take a breath, I can't understand you!"

A textbox at the top of the screen reads "Newleaf - Moon 0"

Several cats are identified. The two most important are the largest in the middle, a black shorthair with dark blue eyes and a longhair gray cat with dark green eyes. Text beneath them reads "++ New Player: Dashdawn" and "++ New Player: Seri" respectively. Other cats gathered around them include:

Turtlestar, a longhair cream and black tortoiseshell; Ghostpounce, a shorthair black and red tortoiseshell; Batleaf, a longhair gray tabby; Laurelfern, a shorthair white cat; Shrubquiver, a brown shorthair elder; Siltroot, a brown and white tabby shorthar; Spiderdrop, a gray longhair with rosettes; and Amani, a cream longhair. End ID.]

A strange cat runs into camp, panicked and speaking a language nobody understands...

The gray longhaired molly ran past Siltroot and Spiderdrop and into camp before anyone could stop her. She was visibly distressed and began shouting quickly in a language nobody understood. Cats emerged from their dens all across camp and several of the warriors approached her apprehensively. This was an outsider and therefore needed to be removed, but she was clearly panicking and smelled like a queen-- nobody was willing to bring claws to her just yet, but Siltroot seemed to be considering it before the head healer, Dashdawn, emerged to investigate the commotion.

Dashdawn's eyes widened and she quickly rushed across the camp. "Seri!" she called, and the stranger's eyes locked onto her. "Seri, what's wrong?"

"Die Bäuerin! Feuer, ihr müsst geht--"

Shrubquiver narrowed her eyes from outside the elder's den. "Dashdawn, who is this cat and why does she know where our--"

The healer ignored her, continuing in a soothing tone, "Slow down, take a breath. I can't understand you, Seri!"

Turtlestar's ears twitched back as well. "Dashdawn, who is this cat?"

The fur along Dashdawn's spine spiked up. "Clearly this is not the time!" she snapped, startling everyone-- their healer was not a sharp-tongued cat, and to hear her raise her voice even slightly was shocking. "She's a mouser I know, but obviously she's upset!"

The clan started to argue amongst themselves when another outsider ran into camp after her, breathing heavily. He stumbled on his paws and nearly fell, leaning against Seri and translating for her: "You need to evacuate your camp!"

There was a sudden roar of noise as the camp protested. How dare this outsider come and tell them what they needed to do?! PeachClan had lived here for as long as anyone could remember, there was no threat that could make them leave.

He pressed on, shouting to be heard above the crowd while the pregnant molly caught her breath next to him. "The no-tails are about to burn the meadow! You need to GO, NOW!"

Shrubquiver's fur stood on end. "Why should we trust you?! For all we know you want to steal our--"

"SHUT UP!" Dashdawn cried, and the camp fell dead silent. Nobody had ever heard her actually yell before. "I trust them!" she declared, and her voice was strong despite the tears rising to her eyes.

There was no further argument on the matter. Every cat immediately turned to evacuating, gathering their kits and their valuables as quickly as they could while Dashdawn herded Seri and her mate-- who she knew was called Amani-- into the healer's den to help her grab all the herbs they could carry.

Everything essential was gathered in record time, and the camp was once more gathered in the clearing. "We should go for the tunnels," Laurelfern said, but Ghostpounce shook her head.

"No. You'll suffocate in the tunnels in a prairie fire, especially with a group."

Turtlestar nodded firmly. "Go for the river. We'll figure out what to do from there. Let's move!"

The cats of PeachClan hurried away from their camp with Seri and Amani mixed among them...

but there was already smoke on the horizon.

[moons-of-peachclan]

A new game begins...

[Image ID: A menu screen reading "Moons of PeachClan" in all-caps red text on a peach-colored background. Three buttons read PLAY, OPTIONS, and QUIT. A cursor hovers over "PLAY." End ID.]

[Image ID: A screen that says "Select File" at the top in red text on a peach-colored background. Four menu buttons read FernClan, MarshClan, RainClan, and New Game. The cursor hovers over New Game, displaying the following information in a textbox on the right:

Leader: Turtlestar. Deputy: Siltroot. Head Healer: Dashdawn. Head Mediator: Daisyshock. Hunting Head: Downyvine. Kitchen Head: Featherbreeze. Con. Head: Driftstreak. Educator: Scrubquiver. On a new line it says 30 cats, Newleaf, Prologue. End ID.]

[moons-of-peachclan]

Welcome to PeachClan!!!

[Allegiances] - Last updated never

Thanks for checking us out :-) This is a text-based clangen blog utilizing free to use assets and the ever-helpful input of a few friends of mine. Primarily inspired by @rippleclan, @loudclan-clangen, @bonefall’s worldbuilding, and @splinterclan

The following content warning tags are used on this blog as needed: animal death, animal cruelty, natural disasters, fire, violence, child abuse, child neglect, drowning, ableism, xenophobia, unhealthy relationship dynamics, emotional abuse, physical abuse.

If any content not listed here appears in a post and you would like it tagged, please submit an ask and I’ll add it going forward.

Basic setting info beneath the cut!

Moons of PeachClan takes place in a fictional version of the Ohio River Valley sometime in the 1700s. Some liberties are taken with geography, geology, and history.

The four clans in this setting are FernClan, RainClan, MarshClan, and PeachClan.

The ranks of Leader, Lead Healer, and Lead Mediator are hereditary and are passed to the respective leader’s oldest child or next of kin in the event of their death. Succession drama is entirely possible and very likely. Additionally, each clan also has a “council” of non-hereditary high positions which includes an Educator, a Head of Hunting, a Kitchen Head, and a Construction Head who select their own successors. There may be only one of each High Position at a time and no single cat may hold more than one position.

No more than 3 healers and 5 mediators total are allowed in the clan at any given time for population control.

Biological kits usually get precedence in inheritance purely for drama reasons; I believe that adopted children are equal members of their families in every way.

Romantic interactions with former mentors and kits with cats who are not their mates are always on for drama. Allow kits without a second parent and increase same sex adoption are toggled on and off at my discretion to help control the population.

Additionally, mass extinction events are always on.

As for me: hi! You can call me Sylas. I use he/him pronouns. I am a full time college student with a job and several physical and mental health conditions, so updates will probably be sporadic. As a personal boundary, please do not send me private messages if you are a minor.