#wormkit

[cricketclan]

how come the cats that got accessories this moon all have blue eyes jKLGDJSG

also cricketclan is stealing more apprentices

[fledermaus-art]

Murmurs of unease swept through the clan, each cat looking at one another.

Deadfoot grunted, looking toward the clan's medicine cat. "Barkface? What do you think?"

The mentioned tom sat with his paws tucked neatly to himself, studying the three pitiful bundles of fur. "StarClan has not sent me any signs to indicate that this is a poor nor good idea. I say that Tallstar's decision is law."

A sigh of relief escaped the black and white tom's lips upon hearing Barkface's words. At least the clan's medicine cat didn't object to his choice. His glance traveled over each of the cats, studying their expressions. Most of them looked nervous, a deep discomfort on their features at the idea of taking three dogs into their camp.

Self-indulgent AU involving greyhounds in WindClan yippee :3c

[salt-clan]

A bit of a big post because I shouldn't separate them (unlike Butterflyflash, who actually took the three away from Maplemoth...)

Meet Maplemoth (she/her), a warrior of CarnationClan! She joined CarnationClan when it first formed, but her sister, Butterflyflash wasn't allowed in since they saw her as weak. Maplemoth is strict and shameless.

Wormkit (she/her) is a troublesome kit currently in SaltClan. She is also a careful listener.

Owlkit (he/him) is a daydreamer who is interested in the history of SaltClan, where he resides.

Boughkit (he/him) is a polite kit who is interested in history, like his brother.

All three kits were adopted by Speckledtrout after Butterflyflash died. Their biological mother is Maplemoth.

-Numbattery

[elementclangen]

Moon 149-Greenleaf

At long last, Sleepypaw (15) has been made a full Healer.  She is named Sleepyfoot in honor of her serenity.  Steppemimic (32) thinks fondly back to when Sleepyfoot was a kit, running around in the healer's den and following after her mom.  She’s come so far.  Yuccastar (128) has been watching the new kits closely.  It makes Gladepatch (25) nervous.  He tries to distract her by asking her to speak up in a conversation they’re having but it doesn’t work.  She just keeps staring at Creekkit (3).  Does she suspect something?  Fry (56) is not a fan of how close Frostheart (52) is getting to his daughter, Steppemimic.  He got in a spat with her over a piece of fresh-kill, but it was really about him being an overprotective dad.  Peakspots (118) feels like Wildcave (32) is too headstrong of a deputy and brings it up with him, but the two get in a fight.  Wildcave is a different cat than Peakspots.  He’ll be deputy however he likes!  Pigeonspot (18) has noticed that Gladepatch seems to be hiding something.  She knows that plants tend to inch away from an earth-blessed cat when they lie, and they’ve been doing that whenever he’s been talking about his kits.  What is going on?  Amethystdapple (76), on the other paw, is watching the kits with fondness.  She laughs when Featherkit (5) blows a gust of wind at Wormkit (5) from behind, knocking him over.  She knows they’ll grow out of it when they’re apprentices, so she’ll enjoy it while it lasts.  She wonders if Fry  would ever like to have more kits.  Songkit (3)is a bit annoyed at Rabbitkit (5).  The older kit is always rubbing it in his face that he doesn’t have powers and she does.  He really wants to tell her that he actually does have powers.  And light her on fire.  Just a little bit.  But he can’t.  Because Gladepatch says so.  Sigh.  While on a patrol, Fry and Cypressbadger (15) come across a kittypet with her kits.  She introduces herself as Blossom (76) and explains that she fled her twolegs when one of them beat her kit, Rocky (4).  The Clan agrees to take her and her three kits in, and she changes her name to Volcanoblossom.  It turns out that she has an incredibly strong water-blessing, even rivaling that of the deceased Shardfrost.   Her youngest kit, Slipkit (4), is powerless, although with the amount of noise she makes it’s easy to forget.  The scarred Rockykit does have magic, although his water-blessing is very weak.  Her third kit, Whistlekit (4), is on the complete opposite side of the power spectrum.  She has a water-blessing that may be even more powerful than her mother’s.  She’s already flooded the camp, which Chervilcry (128) and Volcanoblossom have to clean up.  She’ll  be a formidable warrior when she’s grown.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Death causes!

Aloemist- Falling into Cactus + Fire ant nest

Anteloperipple

Ashkit- Blunt force trauma + murdered

​Avery- caught in snare trap

Begonialeaf- old age

Bella-May- Fire

Blightfrond- rattlesnake bite

Bluedaisy- decapitated by motorcycle

Brightsway- executed

Bristleblaze- murdered + rabies complications

Brittlebite- executed

Brokentongue- drowned

Brokenwhistle- murdered

Buckhackle- killed by coyotes

Buntinghoot- murdered

Cam- murdered + drowned in bog

Campionpaw- moose

Cherrykit- dehydration

Cherrystar- greencough

Chickadeewhistle- old age

Cody- hit by car

Creekpaw- murdered

Crowstar- murdered + drowned

Cryfeather- malnutrition + drowned

Cypresspaw- Moose

Daleablaze- murdered (poisoned

Dahliabreeze- murdered (eviscerated)

Downstar- carried off by hawk

Droughtstar- old age

Ducklingkit- greencough

Eggstep- executed

Fireweaver- murdered

Flowerstar- killed by rogues

Frondecho- murdered (throat torn out)

Ginsengbloom- childbirth

Gorsebriar- blood loss

Hawkwhistle- fox

Haypad (Haywild)

Heronclaw- lightning

Hillfeather- murdered

Hiverose- stung to death by wasps

Hollowhiss- dog

Hollylion- heart attack

Hoppaw- fell off cliff

Houndtooth- impaled

Ivyburble- complications from Rubber Jaw syndrome and hypocalcemia

Ivyspots- hit by car

Jackdawecho- murdered (eviscerated

Jacky- old age

Lamb- fire

Lampreypelt- murdered

Larchbee- stress, heart failure

Laureldawn- unknown

Lilywater- childbirth

Lionclaw- murdered (shoved into a woodchipper)

Loachhowl- murdered

Lola- murdered (garotted with collar)

Lupinefrost- unknown

Madderblossom- childbirth

Magpiepaw (Magpieshine)

Mallowpelt- FSE (Felins spongiform encephalopathy)

Mangleface- hit by car

Moonshadow- starvation

Morningleaf- murdered

Mousespots- brain tumor

Mousethistle- anemia

Nettlefoot- murdered

Nudge- old age

Ospreyhope- complications from Raspy lungs

Palestone- suicide (poisoning)

Peanutfur- murdered (blood loss)

Perchpaw (Perchclaw)- adder bite

Pikespot- murdered (poison)

Possumpuddle- old age

Pumpkinpatch- dehydration

Redjay- blood poisoning

Rosykit- fox

Runningripple- poisoned + suicide

Russetblossom- drowned

Sandfoot- old age

Shallowsong- unknown

Shrikepaw- drowned + murdered

Shrikesquall- murdered

Smokeroot- fell off cliff + murdered (poisoned)

Smokestar- old age

Snowfoot- drowned + head trauma

Sootpaw- wasting disease

Sparrowfreckle- wolves

Squirrelstar- old age

Stonepaw (Stonefern)- rock to head

Streamfleck- blood loss + murdered

Stubs- fire

Stumppaw- murdered (neck broken)

Sunnyshiver- drowned in flood

Swantail- murdered (decapitated

Tadpolemask- murdered

Tanagerwing- greencough

Tarspots- blood loss

Tartail- murdered

Tawnypuddle- old age

Vireopaw (Vireosong)- executed

Waxfeather- firework

Whistler- smoke inhalation

Wildpaw (Haywild)- murdered

Whimbrelshade- murdered

Willowruffle- infection (whitecough)

Wordweaver- unknown

Wolfhaze- complications of Feline cognitive dysfunction

Wormkit- murdered

Yewpool - absorbed

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

A common sight in the Steamlands

it's even better when you remember there's no prey in the Dark Forest so where did he get that thing?

[powerade]

design wormkit. wormweed. powerviolence. tearydrop

ideas on them r like. wormkit was named after wormweed. powerviolence used to be a kittypet and named themself. tearydrop is really angry.

[warriorcatsobsession]

Another warrior cats oc that i randomly made up just now

This is Wormwiggle. They were found by a WindClan patrol who found a giant monster that was sleeping, and inside they found a pretty big looking kit inside of a trap. They brought them back to the Clan camp, and proceeded to name them "Wormkit" because their new mother thinks that their spots look like worms.

They're much bigger than their Clanmates, and they meow a little weirdly, but they're a good hunter, great at digging tunnels, and is very loyal to the Clan, so WindClan doesn't mind! (Every other Clans are worried tho)

[phenixthechangling]

If there's a COTL ship that you would really love for a fan child of, don't hesitate to leave a comment or submit a question into the ask box. I don't know many of the ships, so I'm willing to experiment.

Stay safe, everyone!

[wc-confessions]

Everyone's saying that split clan jobs are great but I can't help but say a big old yikes to that. It can be a generally good idea if you erase all the problems that come with the idea. To do that, you have to take a deeper look at Tallstar's Revenge to see how awful an idea it could be. Cats were very much at odds with each other. Tallstar constantly got bullied by Shrewclaw from literally birth as 'Wormkit' and his dad legitimately couldn't handle the idea of him being a moorrunner and not a tunneler. Not only that but all the tunnelers seemed very upset that two tunneler mates talked it over with Heatherstar and made their kid a moorrunner.

So in theory, yes it can be a good idea and it'll be your stories to do as you please, but realistically, it would divide the clan very much.

‎

[cricketclan]

hehe kitty time

[canon-notcanon-warriorcats]

Okay time for opinions on warrior names :) Top five prefixes you want to see used for the first time, top five prefixes you want to be reused, top five prefixes not used and you hope never are, and top five prefixes you pray to StarClan the Erins forget about Su's no-longer-canon prefixes can go under never used or reused depending on how you want to look at them Bonus, include suffixes (doesn't have to be five, as many as you want if you do)

i want them to use bear- i don't care if there has never been a bear in the series before, they've used like pear-, cherry-, olive-, apple, otter-, and wolf- before and when the fuck have any of those ever been mentioned in the books, except i think wolves were seen like once in like one paragraph or something i dunno

oh, and also beaver- because they know what beavers are now, i think dovewing and tigerheart should name one of their kits beaverkit, i mean that's how they literally met was on the journey to find the beavers, or petalfur should have, brackenpelt should be beaverpelt, or sedgewhisker should have, featherpelt could have been beaverpelt, or larkwing could have been beaverwing

and raccoon-, skunk-, opossum-, let's get more of a variety of animal names tbh, dragonfly-, caterpillar-, bat-, bug-, ladybug-, mosquito-, chaffinch-, butterfly-, mockingbird-, cardinal-, groundhog-, sheep-, cow-, horse-, firefly-, pig-, chicken-, rooster-, boar-, cocoon- (i dunno if that counts as an animal, i think it should), more specific bird species, etc

also egg-, i want them to use egg-

OH and like, temperature names or adjectives like warm-, chilly-, chill-, frosty-, dewy-, cloudy-, breezy-, clouded-, windy-, stormy-, etc

also dandelion- and other flower names

also purple-, pink-, and orange, they've never used those colors for names before

i'm not doing ones they haven't used that i don't want them to use because honestly i don't think there are any that i would dislike them using, like MAYBE worm- i guess because that was specifically used as an insult towards tallstar when he was a kit so that'd be weird to actually name a kit wormkit

ones i want them to bring back: running- PLEASE bring back running- and like other verb and adverb prefixes like swift-, bring back wolf- and vixen- PLEASE, and also badger- and otter-

this has never technically been a prefix before, but there was that character shivering rose and like FUCK THAT'S SUCH A GOOD NAME, please i want them to use shiver- or shivering- as a prefix

we also haven't really had morning- or dawn- in a while, i like those names

they also don't use color names really anymore since like ambermoon, or technically violetshine though she was named after the flower, and graysky and graypaw, bring blue-, red-, black-, yellow-, silver-, and white- back, and also they've used green- and brown- like ONCE each, bring those back too

ones i don't want them to use anymore: so there aren't really any prefixes that i don't want them to use ever again but like... stop naming cats wrenflight and robinwing, please we have enough wrenflights and robinwings, technically they've only named two cats wrenflight, but like i was looking forward to finding out what wrenpaw's warrior name was gonna be, and when i found out it was wrenflight i was so disappointed like erins PLEASE wrenflight is literally tallstar's sister and onestar's mother, you KNEW you already used that name before and you had JUST given two characters such cool and creative names with kitescratch and turtlecrawl and now you're deciding to go back

actually that's a lie, i want them to name one more character robinwing, but they have to be shadowclan so there can have been a robinwing in every clan, we need the whole set

sorry i ignored the list 5 rule, i had way more ideas than i thought lol

[basicclangenblog]

Allegiances

Morning-Dove Clan

Leader: Creststar - a grey tabby she-cat

Deputy: Lightdew - a white and golden tom

Medicine Cat: Softwhisker - a long-furred golden ticked tom

Warriors:

Websprout - a long-furred speckled pale grey and white tom

Paleleap - a golden brown tabby and white tom

Ravendawn - a long-furred black smoke she-cat

Creekdaisy - a grey tabby she-cat

Lakeclash - a black ticked she-cat

Bubblingfoot - a dark brown tabby and white tom

Apprentices

Queens and Kits

Bubblingfoot, caring for Moosekit (a grew tabby and white tom) and Wormkit (a brown tabby and white she-cat)

Roach - a ginger tabby and white she-cat, caring for Milkkit (a brown tabby and white tome), Antkit (a white she-cat), Bogkit (a white and brown tabby tom), Fernkit (a white and masked ginger tabby tom), and Kestrelkit (a golden tabby and white tom)

Elders

Wisteriadrift - a long-furred dorsal-striped grey tom

Glowing-Fish Clan

Leader: Piperstar - a dorsal-striped pale grey tom

Deputy: Stempelt - a long-furred dark brown she-cat

Medicine Cat: Scorchleaf - a long-furred black tabby tom

Mediator: Brightdapple - an unusually dappled pale and white tom

Warriors:

Lilacmimic - a long-furred white and sorsal striped black point she-cat

Chirpflame - an unusually dappled cream and white she-cat

Hushnoise - a long-furred unusually spotted black and white she-cat

Hyacinthrain - a speckled dark ginger and white she-cat

Squirrelwing - an unusually spotted pale she-cat

Yewrun - a silver ticked tom

Elio - a pale she-cat with a cyan bell collar

Apprentices:

Queens and Kits

Cats Outside the Clan

Fern

[elementclangen]

Moon 146-Newleaf

Cressfreckle (62) has been upping his investigation of Yuccastar (125).  He’s been eavesdropping on her (which is a lot harder for a powerless cat than one with wind powers) and been seeing if any other cats in the Clan share his dislike of their leader.  He knows that Gladepatch (22) does, but highly doubts that Peakspots (115) and Chervilcry (125) do.  Mothecho probably would have, if she hadn’t been taken by twolegs.  Maybe his former apprentice Cypressbadger (12)?  Moorleg (58), despite being kind of annoying with her crush on him, may also end up on his side.  Maybe Pigeonspot (15) too.  Moorleg has noticed that Cressfreckle likes spending time with the kits, and so she has taken to doing so as well.  She has a great time getting into a mock battle with Rabbitkit (2).  Chasingskip (58) is looking out for her surviving kits and asks Sleepypaw (12) if there are any herbs she should look out for while on patrol later.    Steppemimic (29) has been stressed with training an apprentice and needs some more downtime.  Wildcave (29) offers to take Sleepypaw out for a patrol, which his sister appreciates.  And that gives Steppemimic a chance to hang out with Pigeonspot.  She’s the only cat that can make her laugh and its fascinating to see what an earth-blessed warrior gets up to.  Meanwhile in the elder’s den, Strawberrytrail (134) doesn’t want to take her herbs and gets in a fight with Sleepypaw.  After the fight, she ignores the Healer apprentice. Sleepypaw is also feeling ignored by her mentor and feels like Steppemimic has been shoving her off onto other cats. In the nursery, Wormkit (2) absolutely adores his sisters and hopes that Featherkit (2) will be his friend forever.  And it looks like they’ll be getting some new companions. While on a patrol, Conegoat (29) and Gladepatch find a pair of kittens next to their dead parent.  While investigating them, Gladepatch notices that one is clearly emanating. . .darkness.  And the plants around her are dead.  A dark-cursed cat!  And the other. . .well, the signs around him are fainter, but they’re there.  Two dark-cursed kittens.  Gladepatch remembers what happened to his brother and father because of their magic, and begs Conegoat to keep it a secret. He tells her that Yuccastar actually killed his brother because of his magic.  Conegoat is shocked, but agrees to keep the secret.  They take the two kittens back to camp.  The girl is named Creekkit (0) and the boy is named Songkit (0), after Yellowcreek and Graysong.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

SUBMITTERS' CHARACTERS

Aloemist, Anteloperipple, Ashkit, ​Avery, Begonialeaf, Bella-May, Blightfrond, Bluedaisy, Bristleblaze, Brittlebite, Brokentongue, Brokenwhistle, Buckhackle, Buntinghoot, Cam, Campionpaw, Cherrykit, Cherrystar, Chickadeewhistle, Cody, Cookie + Nightfoot (joke submissions), Creekpaw, Crowstar, Cryfeather, Cypresspaw, Dahliahbreeze, Downstar, Droughtstar, Ducklingkit, Duskfoot, Eggstep, Fireweaver, Flowerstar, Frondecho, Geckopad, Ginsengbloom, Gorsebriar, Hawkwhistle, Haypad (Haywild), Heronclaw, Hillfeather, Hiverose, Hollowhiss, Hollylion, Hoppaw, Houndtooth, Ivyburble, Ivyspots, Jackdawecho, Jacky, Lamb, Lampreypelt, Larchbee, Laureldawn, Lilacstar, Lilywater, Lionclaw, Loachhowl, Lola, Lupinefrost, Madderblossom, Magpiepaw (Magpieshine), Mallowpelt, Mangleface, Moonshadow, Morningleaf, Mousespots, Mousethistle, Nettlefoot, Nudge, Ospreyhope, Palestone, Peanutfur, Perchpaw (Perchclaw), Pikespot, Possumpuddle, Pumpkinpatch, Redjay, Redshade, Rosykit, Runningripple, Russetblossom, Sandfoot, Scooter, Shallowsong, Shrikepaw, Shrikesquall, Smokeroot, Smokestar, Snowfoot, Sootpaw, Sparrowfreckle, Stonepaw (Stonefern), Streamfleck, Stubs, Stumpypaw, Sunnyshiver, Swantail, Tadpolemask, Tanagerwing, Tarspots, Tartail, Tawnypuddle, Vireopaw (Vireosong), Waxfeather, Whistler, Wildpaw (Haywild), Whimbrelshade, Willowruffle, Wordweaver, Wolfhaze, Woodstar, Wormkit, and Yewpool belong to @ambitiousauthor​

Adderstar, Bristletail, and Burrcurl belong to @boogurl405

Cherrythorn and Nightleaf belong to @brokentranstar​

Brightshade, Bubblelight, Cinderkit, Feathercloud, Flutterwhisper, Marrowpaw, Meadowstar, Mousenose, Orchidsmoke, Peachpaw, Spiderbite, Stormkit, and Wispkit belong to @bvnny-skvllz

Mothblaze belongs to @​​chillcatcryptid

Needlewhisker belongs to @chromaenthusiast​

Axolotlpaw, Hiddensnake, Mantisstar, and Novice belong to @cosmosnaught​

Ashflower, Doesong, Ferntuft, Flamebuck, Gusttalon, Oakstep, Sootspots, Sparktail, Sparrowpaw, and Wetwhisker belong to @elementaldeityoffood​

Roachpelt belongs to @fly-whiskers​

Blackstar, Breezefleck, Cavestar, Chasmmoor, Claudrat, Fathomcry, Fogscar, Gingerstamp, Glaremouse, Goldenrue, Hollowhusk, Limpetsong, Mousecrawl, Orangefluff, Palepaw, Pinestar, Redtree, Rimewhisker, Ripperclaw, Silentbrook, and Snipvoice belong to @frightnightindustries​

Mallow belongs to @​heartshapedpinksunglasses

Beargrowl, Daysoul, Goldenstar, Magpieleap, Marigoldsnake, Raceglint, Spiritstring, Spotgrowl, Springsoul​​, and Stardust belong to @indigo-flighty-falls

Belladonashade, Brokencry, Crowfang, Darkrose, Ferntangle, Minnowscale, Mintnettle, Rainsong, and Snowthicket belong to ​@jackisbored​

Berrykit(Brokenkit/Lightkit), Butternut Squash (Shatteredbreeze), Copperpurr, Fadingstar, Ferretrunner, Foxflake, and Frostswan belong to @liberhoe

Beampaw, Butterflywing, Cedarstar/whisper, Glowingshadow/Cosine, Kindlepaw, Lunarpaw, Omentstar, and Sharkstar belong to @meowstival​​

Angelpaw, Batear, Darkbrush, Milkdud, Riverrush, Skullmoon, Treatpaw, Trickpaw, Whispkit, Whiteear, and Yippeepaw (joke submission) belong to @ribbonzregretz ​

Frostedjay belongs to @skyereadsandcommitsartcrimes

Loststar belongs to @soulofangst​

Applecreek, Ashwhisper, Badgerkit, Birchflight, Cloudface, Cricketclaw, Cypresskit, Dewfall, Eelpaw, Foxfire, Frostwish, Ghostwatcher, Hollygorse, Lightningspring, Lighttail, Lilacheart, Morningsky, Motheyes, Needlepaw, Nightkit, Oakberry, Pebblekit, Pigeonfang, Pinedusk, Rookstorm, Sablefleck, Shademask, Snailstar, Tawnymoon, Tigerkit, Tinker Bell, Waspkit, and Webstripe belong to @starfalcon555​

Brindlepaw, Carcasspelt, Clawbranch, Darkscar, Feathers, Giantstar, Honeyflower, Lemurgaze, Ricetail, Sparrowface, and Spottedstone (Oleandor) belong to @sunshadesfrozensky​

Antleaves, Plumbee, and Runningbird belong to @sweetbirdydreams

Palemist and Shiverpaw belong to @the-bumbling-berry

Leopardshadow/star belongs to @the-crypid-moth

Buzzardstar, Cherrytail, and Icewing belong to @themainblogofsp20

F​leckthorn belongs to @vhs-warriors

Adalind (joke submission), Berrystar, Brownmouse, Cloudfang, Coyotetuft, Creaturefall, Crunchsnow, Fidgetguts, Fishkit, Fleathistle, Frostkit, Fungichomp, Goblingsnap, Goldfishfur, Gremlinfrost, Hollowstar, Hollykit, Honeypudding, Honeysuckle, Isopodbrain, Jellykit, Laughingmoss, Lioncatch, Molekit, Nightstar, Patchspring, Pinenutkit, Quickstar, Roseclaw, Shrikepollen, Smokefleck, Tawnykit, Timberstone, Turtlestepper, Whiteheart, and Wolfstar belong to @wills-woodland-warriors​​​​​​

​​​​​​MY CHARACTERS:

Alderstar, Antlerrose, Applefoot, Applepaw, Aspenroot, Badgerthistle, Basiltooth, Batlight, Batroot, Berryfreckle, Berrygaze, Berrytalon, Blackdawn, Blackstar, Bluerain, Bumblemurmur, Bunnysplash, Burrowsand, Bursnout, Buzzhop, Clawbear, Cloudpaw, Cloverfox, Cricketfur, Cypressbriar, Daisysong, Danglingmoss, Dappleflint, Deadcall, Doveflame, Doverose, Eaglebloom, Emberdawn, Fallenfire, Fennelbur, Ferndoe, Fernpaw, Firetooth, Fishoat, Flickerpine, Flipperkit, Flowerstone, Frostcoat, Fulvouspine, Furzeflower, Gorseheart, Grousemane, Haremaw, Harriernose, Hawk, Hawkjay, Heronclaw, Hillminnow, Hootpetal, Horsejaw, Inkspots, Ivoryburn, Jackdawfoot, Jaggedbriar, Jaydust, Kiteburn, Leenile, Leopardshade, Loosestar, Lovagecreek, Mallardgleam, Marshtuft, Martenstep, Midgespring, Mothbloom, Mottlecry, Mouseshell, Mud Tail, Myrtlewing, Nettledeer, Orangebelly, Oreo, Owlear, Parsleyleaf, Petalsand, Piercelight, Piercetree, Pipitfeather (shared with Ambitious), Pitchfang, Poppyhill, Primroseflower, Quivering Branch, Raggedrunner, Ratbirch, Redbeetle, Redbloom, Robinmask, Rosefrost, Roseneedle, Rubbelwood, Sageleaf, Sagepool, Salviathaw, Shadewillow, Shellgrass, Shiverberry, Shiverrose, Shrikeface, Skunkspots, Smalljump, Snailbush, Snakewhisker, Snipgaze, Snooktail, Snowfringe, Snowwing, Sootsight, Sparrowfall, Speckletalon, Spikerose, Sprucepaw, Stoatspeck, Stonesun, Stormshell, Stormwolf, Streamrose, Sunchive, Talonpaw, Tanglestar, Tuskkit, Volenight, Walruskit, Warblermoon, Wavefur, Weaseltoe, Weedfoot, Whistlekit, Whistletooth, and Whitestar

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Apprentices of The Place of No Stars (short story)

It was hard to believe that this was happening. 

Jackdawfoot hadn’t been a father since he was alive, and he left when all of his daughters were adults. Then suddenly, he had a mate again, became a father again, and now, his fluffy chest puffing out in pride, was watching his kits receive their apprentice names again.

The ceremony wasn’t like that of a regular Clan. Not everyone in the Dark Forest was going to show up, but all the important cats were here, kin to Redkit, Blackkit and Mudkit, and Wormkit’s adoptive parents, and of course, the parents themselves. As well, there were the mentors, making it no real surprise who they would be. There was also Fungichomp, the main caretaker of the ‘Daycare,’ as well as some onlookers.

Jackdawfoot and Ferndoe had discussed long and hard about who they wanted to train their precious son and daughter. They initially wanted to train them themselves, knowing they could protect them and keep them safe, but decided that what Mudkit and Blackkit needed was help from someone they didn’t already know to bring them out of their shells. ‘Daycare’ could only do so much.

Beside him, Wordweaver made a noise–something of a purr. Or maybe a word, because it made Daisysong chuckle. 

Jackdawfoot couldn’t pin down why exactly Wordweaver was here. Was it because Wormkit was her kin? Because Redkit was the kit of her kin? Could it be because Blackkit had been the first voice her mate heard when she arrived in the Dark Forest? Because Ferndoe, Blackkit’s mother, was a good friend of Daisysong’s? Or perhaps it was for their son, Mellowpaw, seated between his mothers’ legs, chattering on about how he wanted to show the new apprentices that ‘realy cool training grove.’

Jackdawfoot hoped it was somewhere safe.

At least Wormkit was doing better. Jackdawfoot still wasn’t too fond of the kit, and he had made his request to keep him away from his kits clear to Fungichomp, but he was still a kit, and Jackdawfoot had to acknowledge how much better Wormkit was doing. He, reportedly, didn’t get in half as much trouble as he usually did these days, and once even helped another kit find their lost pinecone.

He wasn’t all the way better just yet. He still had his moments, but that was why he was beginning training. Jackdawfoot knew that his mothers agreed that the ‘Daycare’ and themselves had helped Wormkit as much as they could, and now he needed one-on-one attention. 

Training would have begun earlier, as well as Mudkit’s and Blackkit’s, if they had not met Redkit. They met because of their parents’ connection, bonding so well that Blackkit cried about not getting to become an apprentice alongside his friend. It wasn’t about a difference in age, more of a difference in readiness.

Ready. His kits were ready. A pang stabbed Jackdawfoot’s chest. He wanted Blackkit and Mudkit to remain as they were, small and able to fit in his paws or climb over his back. He didn’t want them to grow. He didn’t even know that they could.

“Welcome, everyone,” Alderstar spoke up from where he stood on a tall, jagged stone, cutting into Jackdawfoot’s thoughts. Jackdawfoot couldn’t suppress an amused grin. Being Alderstar’s friend, he had found it funny that so many looked to the golden leader for advice and ceremonies, as if he hadn’t also been a serial killer. Alderstar had never forced a meeting or respect. Perhaps that was why he always seemed to get it.

“This moon, we welcome four young cats into our ranks of warriors. They will learn skills the Clans were frightened of teaching. They will be taught lessons in sonderness and survival, fighting not for cats who would have asked them to give their life for the greater good, but for themselves, their own worth, and their own loved ones. Redkit, step forward.”

At the front of the crowd in the line of kits, Redkit visibly shook. From nerves or excitement, Jackdawfoot couldn’t be sure. All the same, she obliged. 

“With request of your father–my son, your dad, and Fungichomp, your mentor shall be Hootpetal. I know her as a strong and compassionate warrior, and trust that she will protect you and allow you to thrive in ways that will thrill you.”

Redkit’s tail flicked. She was clearly much happier now, touching noses with her grandmother with a little chirp, before settling down next to her. Hootpetal turned to Perchclaw on her other side. “I’m so proud of you!” she exclaimed, licking at his ear.

“Mom!” Perchclaw complained, ducking away, but try as he might, he couldn’t hide the grin.

“Wormkit, step forward.”

Jackdawfoot held his breath. He scanned the crowd, wondering which of them would receive the kit. 

“With request of your mothers and Fungichomp, your mentor shall be Snowwing. He is a passive, skillful warrior, whom I expect will pass on everything you need to know.”

Jackdawfoot heard the hint in his words. It wasn’t just about skills in fighting, but in other things Wormkit needed a lesson or two about. But it had been stated in a kind way, disguised as to not embarrass or anger the kit.

He realized that Snowwing, Wormkit’s adoptive brother, was probably the best choice anyone could have made. He visited his mothers often and likely met Wormkit before, but not so much that that could soften his lectures for Wormkit. Too, he really was passive, always having a resting bored face and never feeling bothered enough to fight. He was the kind of cat that would respond to an insult with “well, I don’t think that,” and move on. It would certainly help to focus Wormkit on his duties, and on not trying to hurt someone’s feelings once he figures that that is an impossible thing to do.

“Mudkit,” Alderstar spoke again. Jackdawfoot and Ferndoe both straightened as high as they could. “With request of your parents and Fungichomp,”--Jackdawfoot and Ferndoe exchanged a nervous glance. He hoped their choice was the right one– “your mentor shall be Hawkjay. A clever convergent thinker, I trust her to keep you safe and teach you well.”

Jackdawfoot narrowed his eye, paying close attention to Hawkjay’s and Mudkit’s actions as they touched noses. Mudkit’s ears were flat, but that was to be expected. Hawkjay bent down carefully to reach her, blue eyes warm. “I look forward to getting to know you,” she said in a low voice so that only Mudkit, and the parents close by, could hear. 

Jackdawfoot relaxed.

“Blackkit,” Alderstar went on. “With request of your parents and Fungichomp,”--the nerves returned– “your mentor shall be Lovagecreek. A warrior with a big heart is something of interest in a place like this, and I trust that he will use it to make you feel safe and happy to the best of his ability, until you are able to do so on your own.”

On your own. The pang pricked deeper. Blackkit and Mudkit weren’t just becoming apprentices, they were growing up–growing apart from him. He forced his muzzle straight and not quivering as Alderstar finished. “We welcome you as apprentices of the Place of No Stars!”

To a Clan cat, to Starclan, maybe even to kittypets, that would have felt like a thing to be ashamed of. But Alderstar managed to speak as if it was an honour only the best of cats get to experience. Maybe it actually was. 

“Redpaw!”

“Mudpaw!”

“Blackpaw!”

“Wormpaw!”

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

--Daycare in quotations because it’s Jackdaw’s POV and he doesn’t know where the name came from and doesn’t know what to make of it.

--Jackdawfoot doesn’t know about the water incident with Wormkit/paw.

--I was going to give Mud and Black to mentors that weren’t my characters, since Red and Worm already were, but then realized that Lovage and Hawk haven’t been seen in a while.

--Snowwing is the kind of person to respond to “I think you look like shit” with “okay. I don’t think that.” and his opinion on the matter is the only one he should care about, so it doesn’t bother him.

--The ceremonious words are a little different than that of the Clans (and also with some shade). While the Clans view importance in the group (protect this Clan even at the cost of your life), the Dark Forest views it in the individual. 

As well, because they’re in Hell, they do need to know extra fighting skills that are more....violent than Clan cats would have learned, in order to stay safe. I don’t know how much hunting they would learn, considering there’s no food, but there’s probably lessons in other things that wouldn’t have been taught to living cats (like sonder).

-- @ambitiousauthor