#fadingstar story

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Medical Collar (short story)

“What is it?” Fleathistle asked, trying not to seem too anxious as he was led away from his herb garden. He had been neglecting his ferns. They seemed to be wilting more than usual…but he didn’t want to seem rude, and forced his chin up. 

“Here!” Shiverrose exclaimed at last, stopping by an old log. She ducked into it and a moment later, pulled out a circular, collar-like…plants? 

Fleathistle tilted his head curiously. “What is it?”

“Well, you know us medicine cats have been starting to wear these things, given how hard it can be to come across any useful medicine–yourself not included. And I thought ‘you know who could really use one?’ So here you are.”

“But I’m not….” Fleathistle began, then trailed off. Shiverrose was looking at him doubtfully, and to be truthful, he didn’t believe what he was going to say, either. He leaned forward and sniffed at the…what would he call it? Medical collar? 

Whatever the proper term for it would be, the medical collar was very clearly well made. Tough vines looped around four times, holding the structure tight. Fleathistle could see leaves folded perfectly to make pouches all along the inside. “Those must have been hard to make!”

“They were! Twolegs make folding things look so easy. But we got it done!” 

“It looks great! Does yours have this many pouches?”

Shiverrose shook her head. “I figured you would have a tough time deciding which of your herbs to carry with you, and then when you’ve gathered your entire stock, you'd need something to keep them separate. You can do berries in one pouch, leaves in another, or maybe stuff for bellyache in one and stuff for infections in the one next to it.”

“Ooh, that! I’ll do that!” Fleathistle could hardly contain his joy, it was fizzing through his paws and he hardly resisted the urge to bounce on them. His heart swelled with warmth so strong that for a moment it threatened to overwhelm him. It wasn’t only a gift, but it was a symbol: the medicine cats–true medicine cats–were accepting Fleathistle as one of them, even though he never formally trained as one, much as he desired to. 

He reached out a paw, tempted by the soft moss wrapped between the vines. “Ahh!” Quick as a flash, he pulled his injured toe beneath his belly. Blinking at the collar in confusion, he noticed sharp thorns poking from the moss, almost entirely hidden. His heart fell. Had this been a trick? No, he told himself quickly. Shiverrose was his friend. She wouldn’t hurt him, and she certainly wouldn’t have put this all together for an easy thorn-in-the-paw joke.

“Myrtlewing Eye-Out’s idea,” Shiverrose explained. 

“It’ll hurt to wear!”

“I made sure it doesn’t,” Shiverrose promised. "The thorns only poke outward, and the leaves and moss block you from it. It’s only meant to harm anyone that might try to harm you.”

Fleathistle’s ear twitched at that idea. It had been a long time since Hornet–.....since someone tried harming Fleathistle. He didn’t like the thought that it might happen again, but he did appreciate the precaution. He wondered if it was only Myrtlewing’s idea, remembering the mischievous gleam in Fadingstar’s eyes when he watched Shiverrose lead his mate away. His heart swelled further.

“Put it on already!” Shiverrose picked the collar up and raised it over Fleathistle’s head. He flattened his ears so that the thorns wouldn’t catch on them. Sure enough, Shiverrose was right. He didn’t feel thorns poking at his skin at all, in fact, the collar was quite soft, pressing like a mother’s nest where it touched the back of his neck and hanging loosely-but-not-too-loosely by his throat. 

Shiverrose circled around him twice, then nodded in satisfaction. Grabbing the collar between her teeth, she lifted it back off of Fleathistle. “So that’s how you’ll put it on,” she told him. “I suggest putting the herbs in first.”

Fleathistle nodded, paws shifting with the effort to not race around in a frolick. “Thank you! Thanks! Thank you! Tell Myrtlewing I said thanks, too!”

“Ferntuft helped as well,” Shiverrose told him, “he helped gather the vines.”

“Thank you!” Fleathistle couldn’t think of anything else to say, he just had to express his gratitude for as long as he felt it–which may very well be forever.

“Do you want help filling it up?” Shiverrose offered with a twitch of amusement.

“Oh, yes!” Fleathistle replied, and just about took off back to his garden, the ferns only a distant thought in his mind now.

===========

@wills-woodland-warriors I was thinking about the Fleathistle thing your sent earlier...

Fleathistle belongs to Wills, Ferntuft belongs to @elementaldeityoffood

--One reason medical collars are used is because for many, herbs are very very rare to come by in the Dark Forest, especially ones 'healthy' enough to be useful. Fleathistle lives right by the huge garden of them so doesn't need the collar in the same sense that they do, but then again this is more about what the collar represents. Besides, the boy travels.

[ghostwoodsketches]

Nine of my OC’s! I had a lot of fun drawing them all and enjoyed playing around with their designs. 

Very basic character info: 

Tate: my dnd tabaxi rogue gardener who has nearly died to several gelatinous cubes, and has adopted many children—including a talking borzoi named Anthony who is a dog-war veteran who loves cupcakes. Tate has been married twice, and can be described as a middle aged Goblincore clown dad with too many kids. His grandfather is also a chicken named Albert! 

Socks: another dnd tabaxi rogue, because that’s all I can play. She’s tates older sister who grew up on a ship at sea after she left the tabaxi kingdom because, well, why not? She’s my asexual sapphic pirate who has committed multiple war crimes and currently has her own tiny “kingdom” (a town) all consisting of sentient, life-sized ants. Don’t ask… 

Faenala: one of my dragons from the now deactivated game School Of Dragons, based off of the httyd universe where you play a side character who spends their time collecting items and eggs, following the occasional dramatic storyline. I made stories about the characters i made in the game. So Faenala is a Silver Fury who grew up on a small island called Valhallas Hollow, which is inhabited by a shitton of terrible terrors. She’s very sneaky, and grew up around these terrible terrors who she would hunt for and protect. 

NightCanvas: I made his design in a random nightlight dragon batch I was drawing towards the end of July, and liked how he turned out so much that he’s turned into one of my OC’s! He and his sister Pearl tend to travel from seastack to seastack in search of a place to call home. He’s very protective, playful, and has a tendency to dive head first into danger. 

Oscar: is one of the OC’s I’ve drawn the most lately! He’s part of my continued Nightlight Family AU for httyd, and is Toothless’s grandson. He was seperated from his dad, Pouncer, at a young age and has spent most of his time trying to teach himself to live on his own. He’s terrified of everything,  is very skittish and sweet. 

Miks: I’ve been a huge fan of the ps4/5 game Stray since it came out a year ago, and recently decided to make my own StraySona character! I’ve created what his side quest, dialogue, and minor interactions would be like! 

Kallias: She’s one of the main characters in a novel I’ve been writing, which sounds absolutely batshit and weird if I try to explain it. In summary, she’s a genderqueer sapphic whos obsessed with Cryptids.She’s in love with her friend, Daisy. Kallias works at an arcade and has a problem of waking up in different short horror stories every night, only to wake up covered in blood. As you can guess, this makes a relationship difficult. 

CreatureFall: one of my dark forest warrior cat OC’s from clangen, he’s in a bunch of stories that take place after they’ve gone to the DarkForest. He’s the definition of a himbo, and spends his time giving out therapy sessions to the murderers of cat hell.

FennelBones: born in cat hell, he’s a very charismatic disaster who is constantly trying to make friends with the wrong people, which lands him in a lot of trouble. He’s the son of my favourite warriors oc, FleaThistle, and his cottagecore husband FadingStar (who belongs to @liberhoe) 

taglist: @residents-of-the-darkforest @ambitiousauthor @chaos-n-bees @starfalcon555 @elementaldeityoffood)

[wills-woodland-warriors]

Fools Puddles | short story part three (final) 

FleaThistle woke up with half his body soaked and, the mud falling off of him in clumps. His body stung and ached, and he had a jolt of panic as he remembered. 

“RaspberryKit?” He called out, paws scrambling in the think water to stand up. 

“Papa!” The cry was cut off by a ‘shh’ sound, and FleaThistle’s looked up at the top of the pit where his kit was. 

HornetLeg was sitting behind him, his paw on the small kits tail. Scratches ran down RaspberryKit’s tiny body, his eyes blown wide in fear. 

“What are you doing here,” FleaThistle glared at his former mentor, trying to keep his voice steady. 

“Don’t you want to spend time with me?” At FleaThistle’s snarl, he shook his head and continued, “Tsk. I thought since you took my kit, id take yours.” 

Panic and anger ran through FleaThistle, and his claws were unsheathed in the water. He couldn’t get up the pit in time to reach HornetLeg before he hurt RaspberryKit. 

GremlinFrost had gone for help, and from the sound of bubbling puddles they couldn’t be that far from them. Someone would find them. 

“You left TawnyKit in a pit, she nearly drowned!”

“Mistakes happen,” HornetLeg groomed his ear, not a care in the world for the shaking kitten at his paws. 

“Mistakes? She’s your daughter. She’s three moons old, for stars sake. She couldn’t even swim,” he shook his head, baffled at the toms words. 

He rolled his eyes, digging his claws into the kits tail until he heard a yelp. 

FleaThistle bit his tongue, his whole body tense and ready to leap up at any point. He shifted, and was reminded of the injured leg that was tainting the water red. 

“Why are you doing this?” FleaThistle shook his head, voice more resigned. He couldn’t make HornetLeg mad. 

“Because you took everything from me. My reputation, my life, my kit,” HornetLeg hissed, eyes narrowed and cold. 

FleaThistle felt lightheaded, and planted his paws in the mud so he didn’t sway. “Are you kidding me. Are you kidding me,” he laughed awkwardly, strained. 

HornetLeg simply stared at him hatefully. 

“You hurt me so many times, you beat me regularly, you ruined my life and friendships. You made the clan hate me, and for what? So you could have an apprentice you didn’t have to train?” 

HornetLeg opened his mouth, but FleaThistle continued on. 

“So that you couldn’t have any responsibilities. You ruined my life, and you ruined TawnyKit’s as well. And I found a family, I found peace here. Now you want to hurt my kit?” 

He could hear his heart beat, and his blood felt hot as he stood up to his mentor for the first time. 

RaspberryKit blinked between the two, his ears pinned down and nose twitching in anxiety. His bottom lip was swollen, as if it had been scratched. 

FleaThistle heard paw steps, and voices carried away by the wind. HornetLeg heard them as well, stepping off of the kits tail and backing away as he gave a low and long hiss. 

FleaThistle couldn’t see what he was so afraid of, but he heard pawsteps and then FadingStar was leaping into the pit, splashing water everywhere as he slammed into him. 

“You’re okay!” He breathed a sigh of relief, burying his head in FleaThistle’s shoulder. His breath was warm against his skin, a stark contrast to his cold fur. 

FleaThistle smiled, licking his mates cheek. 

At the top of the pit, BrownMouse was grooming RaspberryKit and whispering gently to him. He nudged the kit, turning him away from the fighting behind him. 

FleaThistle heard hissing and spitting, and yowls as claws were raked through skin. He heard MyrtleWing and AlderStar arguing over who should kill him, and JackDaw snapping at them both to “stop their fox snouted whines” before he killed them both. 

FadingStar finally released him as the cries stopped, and stepped back as AlderStar appeared at the ledge, his golden-yellow legs stained with blood. 

FadingStar supported FleaThistle, pushing him up carefully so that he didn’t hurt his leg. AlderStar pulled him up by the scruff. 

RaspberryKit ran to his feet, asking if he was okay. He reassured him, licking at the messy fur. 

He was a little banged up, mostly with small scratches that would heal in a couple days. 

Lightheaded, FleaThistle sent small thanks to LilyDawn under his breath.  

Beside them, out of the kits view, he could see a glimpse of a mangled body, and of JackDaw stepping away from it, blood dripping from his muzzle. 

As he stepped back, a light weight draped across his shoulders as JackDawFoot pressed against his side, head resting on FleaThistle’s back, the fluff obscuring his vision in a half-hug. 

“I’m glad you’re okay,” the tom said quietly, barely above a whisper. 

“Thanks, dad,” FleaThistle swayed on his feet, exhaustion setting in as he leaned against his family. 

His eyes drifted closed, blinking slowly as he watched RaspberryKit attempt to stand on BrownMouse’s head. 

______ 

I’m exhausted so I have no clue if this is even coherent but there’s a squirrel in my wall screaming at my cat for the past several hours and I tried lol 

BrownMouse, FleaThistle, LilyDawn and HornetLeg belong to myself. 

RaspberryKit  is co-owed by myself and the lovely @liberhoe, who owns FadingStar 

JackDawFoot, AlderStar and MyrtleWing belong to @residents-of-the-darkforest 

[sparkinsidewrites]

sparkinside master list

Blacking the Looking Glass {Adam Carson/Davey Havok}

Sometimes its easier to hide than to face who we truly are. Caught between honesty and fear, Davey is forced to make a choice.

Culpabilité {Adam Carson/Davey Havok; Adam Carson/OFC; AU}

A glimpse into a life shattered. (warnings: character death; grief; alcohol abuse; depression)

Échec Et Mat {Adam Carson/Davey Havok; NSFW}

He may have lost the battle, but there wasn't a chance in hell he'd forfeit the war.  

Hearts in Pain {Adam Carson/Hunter Burgan; Adam Carson/OFC; AU}

The choices we make have long reaching consequences, whether we choose to face them or not. (warnings: cheating/extramarital affair)

Brave {Adam Carson/Davey Havok; AU}

Truth has a funny way of coming out. Especially at four in the morning.

The House Wins {Hunter Burgan/Jade Puget; NSFW; AU}

You don't have to be alone to be lonely, you might as well give in.

Reflections {Adam Carson/Hunter Burgan}

In the dark, its easy to look back on our choices and wonder where everything went so horribly astray.

Coffee Date {Adam Carson/Jade Puget; Fluff}

It really should not have been this complicated. It was just a simple question. Any idiot could do it. So why was he having such a rough time with it?

Désastre {Adam Carson/Jade Puget; Fluff}

Sometimes the worst possible outcome can have the best possible results.

Lonely {Adam Carson/Hunter Burgan; AU}

Friends for years, Adam Carson and Hunter Burgan had faced college, med school, and the real world. But can one night and one impulsive action change everything.

Some Days I Wish I Didn’t Have A Tongue {Adam Carson/Hunter Burgan; AU}

The truth has a funny way of coming about. Sequel/Companion piece to 'Lonely'

We’re Recording {Hunter Burgan/Jade Puget; NSFW}

Jade decides Hunter has been working far too hard, especially on Christmas, and drops in to offer a much needed distraction.

When You Catch Fire {Davey Havok/Hunter Burgan}

You can only push someone so far before everything falls apart. Written with Chaosti. 

Minutiae {Adam Carson/OFC}

Adam finds himself musing one night on tour.  

Promise {Hunter Burgan/OFC}

Memories fill their home and wading through them is harder than she ever could have imagined. (warnings: major character death; grief; loss)

Snow Day {Hunter Burgan/Female Reader; NSFW}

Playing in the snow.  

I’m Good For Nothing Will You Love Me Just The Same? {Hunter Burgan/Female Reader; Hunter Burgan/Smith Puget; NSFW}

The trails and tribulations of a complicated friendship

Patience {Davey Havok/Jade Puget; NSFW}

A test in patience makes for a fun morning.

The Last Time {Adam Carson/Davey Havok; NSFW}

He always swore it would be the last time. So why does he keep finding himself back here?

Anymore  {Adam Carson/Jade Puget; Adam Carson/OFC}

There are two sides to every story. Companion to ‘The Embrace’

Tell Tale Signs {Adam Carson/Davey Havok}

Endings are never easy.  

Rhythm {Adam Carson/Davey Havok}

Some times all it takes is the right incentive.

Deconstructing Gods {Adam Carson/Davey Havok; Davey Havok/Jade Puget}

You can only push someone so far.

Truth or Consequence {Adam Carson/Hunter Burgan; NSFW}

The truth is he’d always been a coward. (warnings: cheating/extramarital affair)

A collection of vignettes featuring various pairings. (warnings: cheating, alcohol abuse, domestic violence, death)

One  Two  Three  Four  Five  Six  Seven  Eight�� Nine  Ten  Eleven  Twelve

Davey is the sole witness to a brutal murder. Adam Carson is the agent assigned to protect him. When the lines between duty and love blur, trouble is the only outcome. Written with Havoksangel. (warnings: murder, violence, sexual assault) Complete

One  Two  Three  Four  Five  Six  Seven  Eight  Nine  Ten  Eleven  Twelve  Thirteen  Fourteen  Fifteen  

{Adam Carson/OFC; Adam Carson/Davey Havok} Faith and fear are two of the strongest forces in our lives. Adam had never questioned himself or his beliefs. But what happens when he stumbles across his greatest temptation in the eyes of another man? Written with Havoksangel. (warnings: cheating) Complete

One  Two  Three  Four  Five  Six  Seven  Eight  Nine  Ten  Eleven  Twelve  Thirteen  Fourteen  Fifteen  Sixteen  Seventeen  Eighteen

{Adam Carson/Davey Havok} Creating a balance between what was and what is strains the ever twisted relationship between Adam, Aubrey, and Davey. Sequel to The Devil Inside. Written with Havoksangel. Complete

One  Two  Three  Four  Five  Six  Seven  Eight  Nine

{Adam Carson/OFC} There are always lines, always limits, and learning when to cross them, when to risk it all can be the hardest lesson to learn. In-Complete

One  Two

{Adam Carson/Jade Puget; Character Study} There were several things Jade had always been sure of and his relationship with Adam had always been one of them. But people and situations change and most times no one is prepared for the fallout. Complete

Prologue |  I. Implosion | II. The Fallout | III. Half-Life | IV. Pieces | V. Recovery  

{Adam Carson/OFC; Hunter Burgan/Jade Puget; Davey Havok}  In a time of devestating war and destruction, five young children witnessed their world come crashing down before them. Twenty years later, they have risen above the chaos to lead their once war-torn land, Allyria, into an era of peace. But the serenity they have brought may only be the calm before the storm as a powerful force from beyond their kingdom threatens to tear their world, their kingdom and their lives apart. Can they rise above the wreckage or will Allyria fall into the darkness building steadily on the horizon? Written with FadingStar. (warnings - Graphic depictions of violence, death) In-Complete

Prelude:12 | Prelude:21 | One

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Three Mounds (short story)

Proteafang heard Tawnytrot pad toward her from behind, but couldn’t bring herself to look or twitch an ear in acknowledgement. Even as her mate settled beside her, her gaze never left from the three tiny mounds at her paws. 

“How are the kits?” she asked after a moment of silence. 

“Sleeping, at last,” Tawnytrot told her in a quiet voice. “Fadingstar is looking after them with Gorseheart.”

“Good,” Proteafang said absently. 

Tawnytrot followed her gaze to the mounds. She didn’t say anything because there was nothing she could say. Instead, she pressed closer against Proteafang, rubbing her cheek along Proteafang’s chin. 

“I didn’t name them,” Proteafang began. “Should I?” The three kits had been stillborn, born dead. Proteafang hadn’t wanted to name them then, lest her loss become more real, but now guilt was pricking at her heart in a whirlwind of grief her body struggled to contain. She trembled now, but Tawnytrot’s firm paw over hers was the only way for her to know, her mind so clouded. 

The only way she could clear it even a little bit was to return to the graves Fleathistle had dug for them and stare at the dirt. 

If she named the kits, maybe, someway they can live on, wherever they are. She knew of the possibility that they were nowhere, after all, no one knew what happened to cats who died twice, or of kits born in the Afterlife who die, but she shoved that idea away. She didn’t want to believe it. If she, someone who was never alive could be born to two dead cats and grow to have her own kits, then surely life can go on. 

“I should never have had kits,” she cracked suddenly. “We already had Ashykit and Woodcarderkit. It was selfish to want more with my health. How could I have ever thought it would be okay?”

“Don’t blame yourself!” Tawnytrot pressed somehow closer, flattening Proteafang’s fur on her side. “They were blessed. That’s all we could do.”

“If I hadn’t…they wouldn’t be dead.”

“They wouldn’t be alive, either. Maybe they’re alive somewhere. That’s better than never existing at all.” Proteafang wasn’t sure if that was true, but she was too tired to argue. “And we wouldn’t have Trillkit or Cardinalkit,” Tawnytrot added.

Fresh guilt washed over Proteafang. She hadn’t meant to sound like she regretted having her living sons, the only survivors of their litter. A tugging feeling pulled her to her paws. As if in seconds, she wanted to race back to where she had left their kits. Tawnytrot seemed to sense this, and with a final glance at the little mounds, joined her as they returned to their waiting family.

===========================

--:(

--Considering Proteafang is an unblessed Dark Kit, it is likely her pregnancy won’t be entirely healthy. She had a litter of five kits, but only Caridnal and Trill survived.

@wills-woodland-warriors

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Alderstar looked around the clearing and took a deep breath.

Most of the parent groups were in attendance, though Fadingstar had to stay back at his den with a collicky kitten.

“Alright, is everyone here?” He asked.

“Yeah, what’s this about?” Bristleblaze mewed. Alderstar could barely see Avery peeking out from behind him.

“Well, seeing as there are so many adoptions happening, I thought that we should gather as parents to set some criteria for who can be adopted.”

A chorus of approving noises rose from the crowd.

“Feel free to pitch in ideas.” Myrtlewing hinted.

Daisysong spoke up, little Mellowkit snoozing on his mother’s paws. “Anyone who has Webstripe as a birth father?” Her voice quavered, but she relaxed when approval surged through the group.

Alderstar nodded and smiled. “Great suggestion, Daisy. Anyone else?”

Bristleblaze half-raised a paw. “No one over apprentice age?” He suggested. Alderstar nodded.

“What about any Dark kit that doesn’t already have competent parents?” Someone called.

“In that case, Dahlia’s are up for grabs.” Someone else replied dryly.

“Say that to my face!” Dahliabreeze’s voice floated over the crowd, and Alderstar could vaguely hear Swantail and Cam trying to calm their mate.

Alderstar sighed.

“So, so far, anyone under twelve moons old who does not already have a competent caregiver is up for adoption. Does that sound fair?”

Sounds of agreement rippled around the group, and, with that, the meeting adjourned.

=====================

ASDFDSAKLSDJSK

--gotta love any time the Dark Forest comes together to act like an actual Clan Alder's such a good leader

--Bristle move we can't see your husband!!

--Daisy you're doing amazing sweetie. YES drag Web's ass

--yes, bitch, say that to her face!

--what if Hoot was expecting at this point and that partly inspired Alder to have this meeting

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Rabbit Rhymes (short story)

“‘What do hawks sit on?’ Frog asked. ‘hawks sit on hot rocks!’”

“Ouch!” Honeykit piped in, giggling.

“Yes, ouch!” Fungichomp agreed with a purr, his gaze warm on the kit between his paws. “What animal do you think is next?”

Honeykit thought for a moment, her chin shifting to the side and her eyes looking to its corners. “Rabbit ‘cos they have big legs!”

“Rabbits have big legs?”

“Yeah!”

“Do they sit on something big?”

Honeykit nodded. “Uh-huh. They have big legs and they sit on big things because they have big legs.”

Fungichomp smiled as he searched in his mind for something that rhymes with ‘rabbit.’ “‘Hawks sit on hot rocks–yeouch!--and rabbits sit on....maggots!’” 

“Not maggots!” Honeykit giggled. 

“‘That doesn’t sound very comfortable,’ said the frog,” Fungichomp went on, “‘it’s not about being comfortable,’ said the mouse, ‘it’s about doing the right thing.’”

Honeykit shifted. Fungichomp waited until she was settled before continuing. “‘What do foxes sit on?’” He lowered his head. “What do you think foxes sit on?”

“It has to rhyme!” Honeykit pointed out enthusiastically. 

“Yes, it has to rhyme,” Fungichomp agreed. “Can you think of what rhymes with ‘fox?’”

Honeykit tilted her head so high in thought, she was practically looking at the leaves in the trees above them. “Uhuhuh! Hawk!”

“You’re right, hawk and fox do rhyme.” Sort of. “Do you think foxes sit on hawks?”

“Hawks won’t like it!”

Fungichomp gasped. “You’re right again! You’re so smart. Do you want to pick something else for foxes to sit on?”

Honeykit nodded vigorously. Then she giggled triumphantly. “Phlox!”

“That’s a big word!” Fungichomp responded, genuinely surprised. 

“Fadingstar saided it and I like it,” Honeykit explained.

“I like it too! Phlox! Phlox! Phlox!”

Honeykit laughed more fully, eyes narrowed in her joy. Fungichomp felt just as warm. Of all the tasks he had in the Daycare, taking care of kits one-on-one were by far his favourite of them all. They continued on until the story finished, Honeykit bursting out in laughter–again–at the ending. 

Fungichomp waited until she was fully asleep, head flopped on his foreleg, then slowly stood up. Gently, he took her by the scruff and into the napping den, where she was placed onto her nest with only a wriggling toe of protest. Her fathers should be picking her up soon. Rookstorm had gotten into a tussle with Applefoot, and both toms had gotten sick from infected wounds–because of those, sickness follows cats here, too–and Aspenroot had to train his apprentice, so Kiteburn took their litter here until they could set things back in order.

Not for the first time, in fact, it happened every time he blinked at a kit, he was glad that he decided to make the Daycare–though he would forever be furious that he needed to. But before that anger could settle any deeper than a passing thought, Mellowkit rushed toward him. “I found a ant!” he announced loudly. 

“Why don’t you show me?” Fungichomp suggested, and followed the little tom across the small clearing.

=============================

--A NICE story? Written by me? And not of the same characters I write about all the time? What is happening????

Lol yeah I got inspired because I’m working at a Daycare. I’m still just starting, so I don’t know how right the speech is (mainly for Fungi’s responses), but I think it’s pretty okay.

--Surely not all stories parents tell their kits are warnings. Some can just be goofy fun! This is a very slightly edited version of Frog On A Log.

--Fungi belongs to @wills-woodland-warriors

Honeykit/flower was named and designed by @starfalcon555 who also owns Rookstorm

Mellowkit/tooth belongs to @ambitiousauthor at this point in time, he only has a single mama, so she probably uses the Daycare often for support.

This would also make Mellowkit and Honeykit least five moons of the same age.

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Added some more tags, so here's the full version now!

TAGS

BASICS

Notdf --> posts that are not related to the Dark Forest

|

Notdfoc --> posts that relate to the Dark Forest, but not ocs of this blog (ex. a reblog)

|

Notmyoc --> reblogs of other people's Dark Forest ocs, but not ones submitted to this blog.

SUBMISSIONS

Dark Forest Submission --> Dark Forest characters submitted by others

Dark Forest Profile --> Dark Forest characters submitted by others as well as created by myself

FAMILIES AND THEIR STORIES

Cave Poly --> posts about Rosefrost, Loonfur, and/or Fallenfire

Cave Family --> posts about the three above and/or their kin/adoptive family

|

Duck Family --> posts about Fulvouspine, Mallardgleam, and their family with duck-related names

|

Eye-out Poly --> posts about Myrtlewing, Hootpetal, Alderstar, and/or Grousemane

Eye-out Family --> posts about the four above and/or their kin/adoptive family

Eye-Out Story --> short stories relating to the Eye-Out family

Birds of Prey Family: Buzzardblaze (also of the Eye-Out family), Pheasentdust, and their kits)

Thorn Family: Dustsong (also of the Eye-Out family) and his kits

|

Minnow Poly --> posts about Creaturefall, Goldenfishfur, and/or Snakewhisker

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Riverbed Family --> Cloverfox, Tinker Bell, Oreo, and their family

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Tunnel Poly --> posts about Gorseheart, Foxfire, Emberdawn, and/or Birchflight

Tunnel Family --> posts about the four above and/or their kin/adoptive family

Tunnel Story/Tunnel Family Story --> short stories relating to the Tunnel family

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Spice Family: Pepperfeather, Saltstone, and their family

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Sprout Family --> Fleathistle, Fadingstar, and/or their adoptive or biological kin

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Wooden Teeth Family --> Houndtooth, Bella-May, Stubs, Whistler, Lamb, and Redjay. They are the ancestors of Myrtlewing of the Eye-Out family

Wooden Teeth Story --> stories about the cats in the Wooden Teeth Family

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STORIES

Dark tales / Dark Forest tales / wc Dark tales --> stories

(in addition, there are “[character name] story” for specific characters--that also goes for art of them, only replace story with “art”. Example: 'Alderstar story,' 'Alderstar art.')

|

(Chapter stories, in chronological order)

Eye-Out Prequel (-1): Dawn of Decay---> stories about Houndtooth and Bella-May, and how they came together.

Gorsedaisy’s Nightmare --> posts that mention the time of Gorsedaisy, the medicine cat before Myrtle’s mentor, and the horrors she experienced.

Eye-Out Prequel (0): Sciamachy --> the experiences of Redjay's direct family following his death and revelation as a murderer

Eye-Out 1: Sprouting Thorns --> posts that mention the Eye-Out poly or family while they were still alive, or mention the background characters that had been alive. The beginning of Alderstar's and Myrtlewing's relationship and crimes.

Eye-Out 2: Crown of Thorns --> Alderstar's time as leader, a direct continuation of Sprouting Thorns.

Rainstar’s Burden --> posts that mention what happened during this time (the leader after Alder), or mention background characters or what happened after.

Eye-Out 3: Days of Rot --> the Eye-Out family and poly in the Dark Forest. Partially takes place at the same time as Rainstar's Burden, and extends past Gorseheart's Silence and Dead Dream.

Gorseheart’s Silence --> posts that mention Gorseheart’s time alive.

Dead Dream --> stories about Shallowfig of the Eye-Out family and his mate, Banshee's kits.

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Because Tumblr is messed up, if it doesn’t appear in the search bar, try the specific search bar that’s on my blog (the magnifying glass icon).

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

TAGS

BASICS

Notdf --> posts that are not related to the Dark Forest

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Notdfoc --> posts that relate to the Dark Forest, but not ocs of this blog (ex. a reblog)

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Notmyoc --> reblogs of other people's Dark Forest ocs, but not ones submitted to this blog.

SUBMISSIONS

Dark Forest Submission --> Dark Forest characters submitted by others

Dark Forest Profile --> Dark Forest characters submitted by others as well as created by myself

FAMILIES AND THEIR STORIES

Cave Poly --> posts about Rosefrost, Loonfur, and/or Fallenfire

Cave Family --> posts about the three above and/or their kin/adoptive family

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Duck Family --> posts about Fulvouspine, Mallardgleam, and their family with duck-related names

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Eye-out Poly --> posts about Myrtlewing, Hootpetal, Alderstar, and/or Grousemane

Eye-out Family --> posts about the four above and/or their kin/adoptive family

Eye-Out Story --> short stories relating to the Eye-Out family

Birds of Prey Family: Buzzardblaze (also of the Eye-Out family), Pheasentdust, and their kits)

Thorn Family: Dustsong (also of the Eye-Out family) and his kits

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Minnow Poly --> posts about Creaturefall, Goldenfishfur, and/or Snakewhisker

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Riverbed Family --> Cloverfox, Tinker Bell, Oreo, and their family

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Tunnel Poly --> posts about Gorseheart, Foxfire, Emberdawn, and/or Birchflight

Tunnel Family --> posts about the four above and/or their kin/adoptive family

Tunnel Story/Tunnel Family Story --> short stories relating to the Tunnel family

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Spice Family: Pepperfeather, Saltstone, and their family

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Sprout Family --> Fleathistle, Fadingstar, and/or their adoptive or biological kin

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Wooden Teeth Family --> Houndtooth, Bella-May, Stubs, Whistler, Lamb, and Redjay. They are the ancestors of Myrtlewing of the Eye-Out family

Wooden Teeth Story --> stories about the cats in the Wooden Teeth Family

|

STORIES

Dark tales / Dark Forest tales / wc Dark tales --> stories

(in addition, there are “[character name] story” for specific characters--that also goes for art of them, only replace story with “art”. Example: 'Alderstar story,' 'Alderstar art.')

|

(Chapter stories, in chronological order)

Eye-Out Prequel (-1): Dawn of Decay---> stories about Houndtooth and Bella-May, and how they came together.

Gorsedaisy’s Nightmare --> posts that mention the time of Gorsedaisy, the medicine cat before Myrtle’s mentor, and the horrors she experienced.

Eye-Out Prequel (0): Sciamachy --> the experiences of Redjay's direct family following his death and revelation as a murderer

Eye-Out 1: Sprouting Thorns --> posts that mention the Eye-Out poly or family while they were still alive, or mention the background characters that had been alive. The beginning of Alderstar's and Myrtlewing's relationship and crimes.

Eye-Out 2: Crown of Thorns --> Alderstar's time as leader, a direct continuation of Sprouting Thorns.

Rainstar’s Burden --> posts that mention what happened during this time (the leader after Alder), or mention background characters or what happened after.

Eye-Out 3: Days of Rot --> the Eye-Out family and poly in the Dark Forest. Partially takes place at the same time as Rainstar's Burden, and extends past Gorseheart's Silence and Dead Dream.

Gorseheart’s Silence --> posts that mention Gorseheart’s time alive.

Dead Dream --> stories about Shallowfig of the Eye-Out family and his mate, Banshee's kits.

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.

Because Tumblr is messed up, if it doesn’t appear in the search bar, try the specific search bar that’s on my blog (the magnifying glass icon).

[wills-woodland-warriors]

Garden Day

FleaThistle huffed, shaking the seeds off of his paw pad and into the small hole he’d dug. 

He sat back, stretching out his shoulders and for a brief moment he tried to imagine that the sun was still here, that this was just another time building a garden after sneaking away from camp. 

Opening his eyes, the mangled shadowed branches above swayed slightly in the wind, with small wispy clouds covering one of the red moons. 

The dim light shun down on his garden, making the poppies look almost as if they were glowing. 

Convincing cats to let them pick through their fur to find stray seeds was quite a challenge, but with the help of some friends they ended up with a good pile of seeds. 

MottleCry was kind enough to help them gather organs, and he’d even convinced GoblinSnap and GremlinFrost to help! 

Even if the two were a bit concerning in the ways they got them.. 

Picking through his fur, he thought of all the people who had helped him with the garden.   

MouseSpots was another friend who helped out, along with BasilTooth and Ferndoe. 

As soon as FleaThistle found the small, speck-like poppy seeds he knew that he had to grow her some flowers. Depending on how many they can grow, she might even be able to give the newest residents some as welcoming gifts! 

It was kind of weird, being so excited while in hell. FleaThistle had expected to be killed again within the first few minutes, but most of the cats here were relatively nice. 

He’d been so scared, so anxious when he had arrived. Frozen in the spot, he had squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the pain. 

But none of them hurt him, and now he’s here. Building a garden with some amazing friends. 

Especially FadingStar. He was so cool. He listened and even took interest in his plants, and was the one to suggest starting a garden. 

The small sprouts struggled to grow in the damp and murky depths of the dark forest, but after some trial and error they had a bit of plant diversity, although they did have a lot of mushrooms… 

FleaThistle stretched, shaking the dirt from his pelt as he carefully stepped around the sprouts. 

MottleCry’s extra long claws were a huge help once he’d convinced the pale Tom, and he made small rows for them. 

FleaThistle crouched, leaping over a patch of moss with small spot-like white flowers in it, his paws slipping in the mud.

Sliding into a tree, he quietly tried to unpeel himself from the bark, looking up to a very confused FadingStar. 

“I left you for five minutes, what happened?” FadingStar said through a mouthful of rocks, the words muffled and distorted. 

“Trees.” FleaThistle blinked blankly, giving his chest fluff an awkward lick as he tried not to laugh. 

It was a pitiful attempt, broken by JackDawFoot rounding the corner with a pelt full of random leaves and twigs he’d gotten stuck in his fur while helping them. 

JackDaw looked at them blankly, with FleaThistle’s forearms still wrapped around the tree in an almost-embrace, and FadingStar trying to talk around a mouthful of rocks. 

FleaThistle tried to smile at JackDaw, but the absolutely massive Tom just shook his head slowly and walked over to help them as FadingStar choked on a pebble. 

FleaThistle gave a very happy little chirp as he properly detached from the tree, bouncing over to pick through JackDaw’s fluff for seeds.    

He dug through the soft, wispy grey-brown strands, tilting his head down so as not to have the fur tickle his muzzle, as he gently pawed through his fur, careful not to pull. 

They had found most of the seeds buried in JackDaws pelt so far, and in TurtleStepper’s herb pouch where he puts the dried herbs used for his asthma. 

Poking out of the fluff to look at the others, with them laughing and talking as if this were a normal day outside of camp, mingling between patrols, it was growing easy to feel at ease here. 

And maybe the dark forest wasn’t as bad as he thought. 

______ 

The garden is surrounded by pebbles that TurtleStepper collects

FernDoe spends a lot of time looking at the budding flowers. 

LoonFur has tried to pour blood on the seedlings in an attempt to “make them stronger” and FleaThistle didn’t have the heart to tell her no so he made a small patch for her to take care of a few small mushrooms, which are the hardiest ones he could find.

Jackdaw just walks by the garden once a day or so and just. Shakes a ton of seeds from his pelt. TurtleStepper has 100% had an asthma attack from this and been banned from getting too close to the garden 

While picking through jackdaws fur for seeds, FleaThistle just goes off about how pretty FadingStar is and jackdaw is just sitting there, fur over his eyes so he can’t even see, as a tiny ass sarcastic fleaball of a cat pokes his head out of his fur to talk about his crush.

FleaThistle keeps the first flower he ever grew in his nest

StumpPaw and FleaThistle have “gardening night” where once a week they teach everyone who’s interested how to properly care for a plant. 

Each cat gets there own sprout to take care of 

FadingStar belongs to @liberhoe 

MouseSpots belongs to @ambitiousauthor

JackDawFoot, FernDoe, BasilTooth, LoonFur, MottleCry belong to @residents-of-the-darkforest-of-the-darkforest 

FleaThistle, GoblinSnap, GremlinFrost belong to myself. 

[wills-woodland-warriors]

The Pit Tw: Drowning 

TawnyKit kicked at the dirt with her small white paw, huffing as she laid down on the flattened dirt. She could still feel the phantom touches of bugs crawling on her, and the scratches on her shoulder burned. 

Dada had said that they would heal. But it’s been who-knows-how long and they still dripped and stung. 

In a blink of an eye the sky flashed above and a loud crackle sounded through the darkened sky. 

It began to spit, washing mud off of her fur and causing her paws to sink. 

She curled up around her paws, head ducked under her paws to stay dry. 

 - 

She couldn’t breathe. 

Her lungs ached and her ears rang as she struggled against the surface, the water far above her head and causing her to have to swim desperately to stay afloat in the pit. 

Her paws scraped at the walls, trying to grab onto something, anything. 

She gasped for breath with every sip of the waves, and tried to hook her claws into the mud. It slipped out of her claws, dropping her down into the water and knocking her head against the ground as another boom of thunder sounded. 

She was going to die a second time. 

Her whole body burned with straining muscles and she felt bile rising in her throat as she screamed into the storm, begging for anyone to notice her. 

Maybe her dada was right, maybe she was meant to die out here.

A strike of lightning lit up the top of the pit, revealing a cats figure shadowed by the rain. 

For a brief moment she thought it was her father, and she wasn’t sure if she was meant to be terrified or relieved. 

Nonetheless, the strange cat pulled her out by the scruff, and for the first time in many moons she felt grass. 

Her joy was covered by a fit of coughs racking her chest, her fur so cold the white spots might as well have been LeafBare snow. 

The cat nudged her, and she flinched away in instinct. They picked her up, and as she hung limply in the strangers jaws, her head spun and she cried out for her family. 

 - 

She looked so much like HornetLeg. She was so small, and mud covered. Her already thin fur clung to her pelt leaving the ridges of her ribs exposed. 

LoonFur stood awkwardly at the entrance of the den, and FleaThistle gave her a warm look. 

“Thank you for leading me to her. If you hadn’t heard the cries and ran for help I think she would have died,” 

LoonFur gave him a quick smile, saying she was glad she could help, and ducked out of the den to head back to her own before the mud became too steep. 

FleaThistle leaned down and began to lick the kit clean, ignoring his own dirty fur. 

After he’d groomed her, he padded the moss around her small body to keep her warm. 

He ducked out of the den, blinking against the strong rain pouring into his eyes. It was  difficult to get to JackDaw and FernDoe’s den in the storm, his paws slipping and the muddy water going up to his shoulders at times. 

He glanced up at the trees when he heard a branch crack, and saw GremlinFrost’s small frame staring down at him. 

“FleaThistle? What are you doing out?” 

FleaThistle hauled himself onto a tree stump just out of the mud so that he could stand without sinking. 

“I need to talk to FadingStar,” He panted, blinking back tears as the mud stung the cuts on his torso. 

“In this storm? Head back home, I’ll get him for you,” the blue eyed tom shook his head, and his voice sounded far too old for his age. He was barely an apprentice, and FleaThistle’s heart ached, wondering if he was alone out here. 

 - 

She woke up in a small den, thin, twig like roots from a tree stump poking out of the walls and brushing her fur. 

TawnyKit whimpered, lifting her head as she pulled herself into a sitting position. 

“Oh, good, you’re awake,” a small, brown-grey tom poked his head up, carrying a mouthful of leaves.  

TawnyKit blinked, tagging in the sight of cuts lacing down his fur, chunks of flesh held on with poultices and bandages. 

His ear was almost completely missing, more so a stump. Despite his injuries, somehow she felt calm. His eyes were warm. Kind. 

He looked  though, almost fearful. 

“Who are you?” She coughed, her voice hoarse.

“My name is FleaThistle! And.. and you are?” 

“TawnyKit,” she chirped, tucking her tail over her paws as she shivered, her fur still slightly damp. 

The tom—FleaThistle—nodded, placing a few leaves in front of her. They were a bit crunchy, but she ate them anyway. 

“Do you remember what happened?” He asked gently, sitting down in the nest next to her. 

At the back of the den, two small brown toms were curled up, snoring lightly. Their nest was decorated with pebbles and feathers, and FleaThistle gave them a warm look before turning back to her. 

“I remember drowning. And someone pulled me out,” she sniffed, her pelt prickling and ears flattening at the memory. 

“Well.. that was me. Do you know if your parents are here?” 

“My dad, HornetLeg. My clan said he was a bad cat,” 

FleaThistle froze, before shivering and leaning over to smooth his pelt down. He took a few deep breathes. 

“I’m sorry sweetie, but he’s not here anymore.” 

She nodded, pressing her paws into the moss bed to ground herself. 

“I can take care of you, if you’d like. My husband and I spoke about it and we’d be happy to,” His voice was soft, gentle. 

TawnyKit thought for a few moments, looking around the comfortable den, and into FleaThistle’s kind eyes. She’d be safe here. 

“I’d like that,” 

———

I’d love to know what anyone thinks of this! 

LoonFur, JackDawFoot, and FernDoe belong to @residents-of-the-darkforest 

FadingStar belongs to @liberhoe 

StumpPaw belongs to @ambitiousauthor 

HornetLeg, FleaThistle, TawnyKit, GremlinFrost are my characters 

[wills-woodland-warriors]

The Blessing | Short story

FleaThistle gazed down at the small kittens nestled at IvySpots’ belly. 

The smell was rancid, stinging his nose. He pursed his lips, saying his goodbyes to the two mollies before leaving the queens den. 

On his way back home, his head kept spinning. Why didn’t his kits have that smell? Why weren’t they skeletal? 

Well, PoppyKit is a bit small, but that’s about it. Was something wrong with their kits. 

He jumped over a small pothole in the dirt, and looped around the garden on his way back to his own den. 

Lost in thought, FleaThistle’s paws lead him to the border of starclan. They were unable to step over the border unless you get were at the tunnel. 

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a flash of orange behind a bush in starclan. 

Small stars drifted up from the orange pelt, fading into the pale purple blue sky. The blue star grass swayed softly in the fields, and FleaThistle wondered what it was like over there. 

He continued walking, and flinched when a cat jumped out of the bush. 

“FleaThistle! Finally!” The unfamiliar—wait, no. He recognized that voice, that pelt. 

Images of potholes filled with organs flashed through his mind, and he shook his head as his heart sped up, beating so hard he could have sworn he was on the thunder path. 

LilyDawn stepped up to the border, close enough they could touch noses if the border wasn’t there. 

“Lily? I’m… I’m so sorry for what I did..” FleaThistle’s eyes watered, and he swallowed before resting his tail on his paws as he dug at the ground. 

“Hey, It’s okay, I’m sorry too. Don’t cry,” She smiled warmly at him, her own eyes tearing. “I missed you,” 

FleaThistle nodded, head feeling light. 

Amongst the sparkling fields behind her, a few cats stood at the top of the hill. 

They shouted something down to LilyDawn, but was carried away by the wind. Even though they couldn’t hear, she grimaced. 

“I have to go, but I missed you, 

“Oh! I almost forgot! How are the kits? I put a small blessing on them, so they shouldn’t be sickly—“ 

“You what?” FleaThistle’s lower lip trembled as his mouth fell open, but LilyDawn didn’t seem to notice. 

“—but anyway, I hope we can speak soon! Sorry, my moms calling me, bye Fleaball!”  

She jumped away, running up the hills.

His eyes glistened as his mind spun, and his paws carried himself back to his den, ducking under the Spanish moss combing through his fur. 

FleaThistle paused in the doorway, seeing his mate curled up around their week old kits. 

So small, so innocent, so… normal. Alive, almost. Did LilyDawn do that? She had always been startouched, but the idea that she could—would—do something like this after what he did to her. 

Fox breath against his neck, the lily petals and ginger fur in his paws. The blood trails surrounding him, the metallic scent filling his nose.  

He took a few deeps breaths, walking over with numb and sore paws as he curled up around his family. 

Whatever LilyDawn had done, she’d kept his kits safe, and he would be forever grateful for that. 

________

Basically, LilyDawn was a medince apprentice and had a good connection to starclan. When she found out FadingStar and FleaThistle were having kits, she put a blessing on them so that the kits would be like how they appear in life. 

LilyDawn is one of FleaThistle’s victims! He was killed by a fox shortly after he mercy killed her. 

AmaranthKit, PoppyKit, RaspberryKit and RosewoodKit are co-created by myself and @liberhoe 

IvySpots belongs to @ambitiousauthor 

FleaThistle and LilyDawn belong to myself. 

(Tag list: @residents-of-the-dark-forest @ambitiousauthor @liberhoe) 

[wills-woodland-warriors]

short story

Smile. Thank your ancestors. Smile. Watch over apprentices. Repeat. 

She was so tired of it. So, LilyDawn left. 

She left the starry fields of endless hunting, with a rich, plump vole in her jaws and a pep in her step. 

She breathed in the warm scent of starclan one last time before ducking into the tunnel. 

The roots brushed her back and dirt clung to her ears, but she was finally in the dark forest. 

Her joy was short lived as the cold earth soaked up through her paws, chilling her through the bone and more than any leafbare could have. 

As she stepped farther into the forest the vole shook, its limbs cracking as its flesh peeled off of its body, falling into her mouth. 

She spat, recoiling as the fur clung to her tongue. The vole landed in the dirt, it’s flesh almost blackened with rot. 

She’d had that in her mouth!? 

Not a care in the world of who heard her, LilyDawn shrieked in disgust as the voles limbs twitched even in death. 

_______

-the vole was killed as she passed through the tunnel to the dark forest, so the thing kinda.. zombified, per lack of a better word. It’s limbs spasmed and it’s skin and flesh peeled off in chunks. It’s brain swelled and blew up all over LilyDawn

-she just wanted to bring the fadingflea kits a gift

-FadingStar is scared half to death when she shows up looking horrified and covered in mouse brains

[wills-woodland-warriors]

Changes 

BrownMouse breathed in the familiar scent of herbs, clearing his throat as he tried to ignore the warmth radiating off of FleaThistle’s flank. 

He was, if he said so himself, fairly observant. And it didn’t take much to see how in love FleaThistle was with FadingStar. 

It was upsetting, of course, to come here and find the love of his life having moved on. Maybe he moved on a long time ago. 

BrownMouse flicked his tail, he wasn’t sure if he even wanted to know. 

 * 

He shuffled under the fern, the thin leaves tickling his ears. It was, admittedly, not his best moment. He had overheard FleaThistle and FadingStar talking, and from a distance it almost sounded like they were arguing. 

BrownMouse’ protective instincts had, unfortunately, kicked in, and now he was hiding under a bush because it would be far to awkward to come out and admit he’d been following them. 

FleaThistle laughed while he was with FadingStar. A true, full laugh that he hasn’t heard in a long time. 

It was sweet, and it was tender. It made BrownMouse’ heart ache with milkweed-soft jealousy. 

But if FadingStar makes him this happy, his comfortable, then there wasn’t a path in the stars where he would ever interfere with their relationship. 

Watching as FleaThistle balanced the seventh flower on top of Fadingstar’s head, the latter wobbling slightly as he tried not to drop them all, he had to resist the urge to chuckle. 

His tail swished on the other side of the bush, and he realized far too late that pawsteps were approaching. 

“What are you doing?” The soft meow broke him from his thoughts, and BrownMouse scurried backwards out of the bush. 

“I- uhm..” 

QuickStar let out a quiet chuckle, causing BrownMouse’ ears to pin back in embarrassment. 

“Relax, kid, I’m not going to tell anyone about your cat watching hobby. Just try to pick a bush that doesn’t cause rashes, alright?” QuickStar sat down, the silver tom picking a feather out from his claws. 

BrownMouse felt his face heat up, and he nodded quickly before running off. 

——— 

FadingStar belongs to @liberhoe 

BrownMouse, QuickStar and FleaThistle belong to me! 

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Kits info

(for the pinned post)

--Dark kits are kits born in the Dark Forest to Dark Forest warriors.

--They cannot survive outside  of the Dark Forest

--They smell like every stage of decomposition mashed together. This would mean that they smell like a combination of:--rotting flesh--feces--mothball-like--rotten eggs--rotten cabageand garlic-like!also a hint of ‘rotten meat with fruit undertones’

--They are nursed by Ivyspots and Scaleears, since they died while still nursing and therefore has milk (and their mother faded). Other kits who were not abandoned are cared for by those who gave birth to them.

--They are described in one story as: These scraps of fur were far too thin, skeletons with skin clinging to the bones for dear life and fur hung like wet leaves hanging by tendrils. Their faces were sunken in like an adipocere, and as Poppyhill listened, she realized the sound wasn’t how she had remembered it. It wasn’t the soft, soothing murmur that lulled a tired mother to sleep. It was rasping, like a tired scream, exhausted from having to make its way through the throat.

--They are as delicate as normal kits, but x100

--They reside within a makeshift nursery made out of mud. There are holes around for different heat temperatures (think how termites open holes when it’s too hot in order to make it cooler, and cover holes when it’s too cold in order to make it warmer)-- all except for the den entrance for the adults, which always stays open

--Due to the extensive care they need, there is at least always two cats with them. Ivyspots is one, and the other is anyone who wants to care for them + who is trusted (most often, they are parents)

--Fadingstar and Fleathistle are trying to make herbs that could help keep them safe.

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Forest Resident: Fadingstar 

Aliases / Nicknames: Dense-fur, Mama’s boy, Star Traitor, Sweet Boy 

Gender: trans tom

Sexuality: bisexual

Family: Sweetbreeze(mother), Hollyfallow(mother), Lovekit, Wishkit (sisters)

Other Relations: Ferretstar(mentor), unnamed apprentice 

Clan: Skyclan

Rank: leader

Characteristics: Sacrificing, rejected by Starclan, ADHD 

Number of Victims: 20 

Number of Murders: 20

Murder Method: burying alive 

Known Victims: Ferretrunner, several unnamed warriors

Cause of Death: Insomnia-induced heart failure 

Cautionary Tale: prophecies may warn us of what is to come, but don’t let possible futures of despair lead you to believe that someone destined to walk the wrong path is beyond savour. 

Story:

When he was born, he was named after his affliction, Fading kitten syndrome.

He spent day and night in the medicine den; nobody thought he’d actually survive. But he did, shocking everyone. His mothers wanted to change his name, but Fadingkit wouldn’t let them. To him, it was a trophy. 

His kithood was relatively normal aside from two things. Because of his sickness, he was a bit frailer than his clanmates. And he could never sit still or remember things. He ended up being apprenticed to Ferretstar, who openly admonished him for mistakes and things he couldn’t control. 

Not only that, but strange cats would appear to him in dreams. 

They never spoke, only ever staring at him with disdain. Ferretstar did everything to make his life hell. From making him hunt during blizzards and hailstorms to making Fadingpaw eat dead-last, he had it rough. Thank Starclan for his moms, though. They fought for him whenever they saw Ferretstar mistreating him.

He was named Fadinglight at 18 moons. His mothers sat with him throughout his vigil, making sure he wasn’t bothered. The dreams got worse after Ferretstar retired and the new leader made Fadinglight his deputy. 

All was well until he was cornered by Ferretrunner. He panicked, slashing him across the face. Both were shocked. But Fadinglight knew that if word got out, he would be shunned. So he leapt, gaining the advantage thanks to Ferretrunner still being taken aback. The two rolled down a small hill. Fadinglight must’ve gotten lucky since the tumble ended up cracking Ferretrunner’s neck. 

At first he was horrified, but eventually he managed to convince himself that it was necessary. He managed to get used to deputyship with the help of his moms. Starclan wouldn’t accept him. When he went for his nine lives, there were no cats there to greet him. It was silent and cold. 

Fadinglight tried to find someone, anyone, to give him his lives, but the place was empty. Despite the lack of visible spirits, he felt watched. When he came to, he noticed the medicine cat missing. His blood began to freeze. He was scared. He couldn’t sleep. Every night he grew more paranoid and frantic, trying to figure out why they hadn’t come to him. 

And that’s when his first intentional kill occurred. 

It started as an accident, but the opportunity was perfect. Fadingstar bit into his Clanmate’s body, leaving them unable to move while he dug. maybe he hadn’t proven his worth yet. Maybe the Stars wanted to see his devotion! His heart swelled at the thought of being accepted by them. 

As he shoveled dirt onto his Clanmate, he smiled. Starclan would have to accept him now!! And when nothing changed, it devastated him. One of his moms, Hollyfallow, managed to break through to him. She was devastated to hear about how Starclan was acting toward him as well as sickened by his murderous actions. 

She tried to talk him out of his theories, but to no avail. cat after cat, day after day, moon after moon. One became five, five became fifteen, fifteen became nineteen. Nothing ever changed. And every time Fadingstar was rejected, he grew more desperate. 

One of his mothers held an intervention of sorts for him. She addressed his rapidly declining mental health, but by that point, he couldn’t pay attention. His fur was matted and his eyes sunken in. Fadingstar barely left his den, almost always dissociating. He couldn't focus on anything but his own worth. He knew he wasn't being a good leader, but how could he be when Starclan wanted nothing to do with him?

It was only a matter of time until his heart gave out. He died at the gravesite of his victims, looking more like a lump than a cat.

Additional Information:

--Submission by @liberhoe​

--Base by miranimates on DeviantArt

--His mothers used a donor to have him. The donor was Ferretrunner. 

--Ferretrunner had gotten a prophecy about Fadingkit on the night he was born.

 --His mothers loved him despite his spiral, and still try to find him near the border of the Dark Forest.

-- Fadingstar genuinely feels bad about killing his victims. He placed flowers on their graves often and has even sought them out to try to apologize.

--Gotta love it when Starclan gives warnings about someone who might become evil, inevitably leading to them becoming evil. Way to go