TO BUILD A HOME (o, watching sunset)

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    Thanks for the memories

    Even though they weren't so great — tags

    Lilypetal settled down in the centre of camp, her blue gaze resting upon the sky. She was greeted by a beautiful sunset, a stunning mixture of pinks, blues, oranges and yellows. The pretty she cat shuffled forwards a little, as if the simple movement would bring her closer to the sky.


    In that moment, she felt calm. She felt as though she could forget about Brindlepaw's death, that she could forget about Brightstar trying to murder her own Clanmate. All she had to do was look up at the sky.


    Perhaps, Lilypetal mused, this was the most beautiful sunset she had ever seen. It made her feel alive, as though her heart was dancing, filled with energy, merely by the simple reflection of the sky's colours in her eyes.


    Then she looked towards the nursery, and it all came rushing back. Brightstar, nudging Cloudwatcher towards the dogs. Lilypetal and the rest of her patrol stopping her. Just the sight of the stupid nursery brought back the horrible reality of WindClan's territory, and so she looked away, gaze resting upon the sunset once more.


    Maybe the easiest thing was to pretend that nothing was wrong. Lilypetal had once been one of the most cheerful and positive cats in the Clan, rivalled by few cats besides Brightstar. But with all of the crap that had gone down in WindClan recently, she had become a whole lot more withdrawn and a lot less friendly. That didn't seem right to Lilypetal. She had a reputation to uphold - she was meant to be one of WindClan's friendliest, kindest, most sociable warriors. Perhaps it was more important than ever that she upheld that title now that Brightstar had lost it.


    Eyes scanning the camp for someone to talk to, someone to be friendly towards, someone to act normal towards, she then found Springleap. Lilypetal didn't know the pretty bi-color molly well, but hey - she was someone. The cream point raised her tail, calling out to Springleap, "Springleap! Come take a look at this sunset. It's really pretty!" She forced out a purr.


    Lilypetal was telling the truth. The sunset truly was beautiful, and she felt a strange sense of euphoria as she looked up at it, as though blissfully oblivious to the darkness which hung over WindClan - oblivious to death, oblivious to betrayal. But Lilypetal knew that the moment that she looked away, she would be faced with reality again. And so she simply stayed, looking at the sky, hoping that Springleap, or anyone for that matter, might keep her company on such a beautiful night.


    CaserDilla


    "Listen to me..."

    ✦ ✧ ✦


    Coldpaw could feel her heart shatter. Oh, what the blind apprentice would do to see one more sunset! You never knew what you had until it was taken from you. Sadly, the white feline had to learn this the hard way. That was how life worked. And for some odd reason, on this specific day, she could not bare that thought. Usually, Ivy was here to make things a little bit better and to make her feel happier. To make her look on the brighter side of things and realize not seeing a sunset was the least of her problems. But he wasn't here, and there was no one to distract her from her own thorny mind. There was no longer anyone to run to at the end of the day. And for the first time in her entire young life, not seeing this sunset made her feel hopeless. And in the same breath, it made her feel angry. What had she done to deserve this? She had been a perfect apprentice! A perfect friend! The best she could be with her abilities and yet this was the hand she was dealt?

    Coldpaw walked up with anger flaring in her nostrils. If she had a tail, the tip of it would be twitching. Windclan was awful! Her leader was awful, her deputy was awful, her mentor was a coward, and everyone around her just left or got hurt! And to make things even worse, she couldn't even see a beautiful sunset? Coldpaw fumed in fury. "You know, it's not considerate to say things like that when I'm around." Coldpaw snapped to Ivypetal as she would approach. Her ears were fastened tightly to her head as she spoke. "I bet it is pretty though. Too bad I can't even remember what it looks like." she said as she would take a seat further away from the feline than she normally would. She was sick and tired of this. She was sick and tired of not being able to be like everyone else! Or have anyone to herself! The thought made her fill with more anger. But really, it was just pain that attacked her. Not rage.


    She wondered if Ivy was looking up at the sunset. If he was, she wished she could see it too just to feel close to him again. Maybe that would make her hurt less on the inside.

    Cherrypaw

    THEY CALL ME HOMEWRECKER, HOMEWRECKER☆

    Sitting just outside the apprentice's den, the red she-cat was drawn to Lilypetals longing and sad eyes. She had heard of her troubles and saw the grief practically seep out of her ears. And yet, there was nothing she could do. She had only been an apprentice for 3 days and had only ever heard the graceful molly's name.


    But yet, she longed to take her pain away, it was so much torture having to watch a fellow clan-mate in such despair. She padded over, sitting down next Lilypetal. She looked up at her with admiring eyes "It's almost like starclan is trying to give us hope" she mewed softly, her voice comforting and reserved.


    You know, it's not considerate to say things like that when I'm around, the snapping words of a fed-up apprentice pricked Cherrypaws ears. Ah, this had to be Coldpaw, the visionless med cat apprentice. Cherrypaw vaguely remembered meeting her when she collapsed on the moor."Well, you aren't missing much" she tried to console the unfamiliar she-cat, "It's just a stinky old sky, there are much more valuable things in life" she mewed playfully.


    Truth be told, she admired the strange "clans" very much, especially how each cat seemed to play their part. Cherrypaw felt strongly that "medicine cats" should receive more praise and power than leaders, but she seemed to be alone in that opinion.

    Reference

    ☆ Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?☆

    Info — Springleap | Female | Warrior | 36 moons | WindClan | Interaction: —


    The rage that had resided in her soul that had been so explosive when she heard the news of Brightstar, had now doused into a flickering flame of anger. She was still so mad, so disgusted with the way Brightstar had attempted to slaughter her own clan mates. She had finally rid herself if the dried blood upon her fur, watching as her sins washed away in the stream that ran through the moorland. Now she lay by the medicine den, cleaning her chocolate and white fur back into pristine condition. The sun had began to set along the western side of the earth, entering it's nightly rest so the moon could propser. Pink hues with soft golden rays swathed the sky, the shadows from the clouds now a deep blue. It surely was a sight to see. A sight Springleap shouldn't have to see alone.


    Springleap! Come look at the sunset!


    A friendly voice had snapped the Oriental from her gazing, her vibrant hazel gaze catching sight of the cream point who waved at her. It was Lilypetal. Springleap smiled at the senior warrior, trotting forward with an kind of grace only a WindClan warrior could have. "Hey, Lilypetal!" She purred, settling beside her and wrapping her plumy chocolate tail around her paws. She had remembered their first encounter, when she had laid beside her to watch the clouds. Those were so much simpler times compared to now. "So, how are you doing?" The slender warrior asked, her vibrant gaze darkening with concern. She knew Brightstar was Lilypetal's sister and from what she could see, they were always close. Watching someone you love turn into the complete stranger knowing you couldn't do anything about it had to be heart wrenching. Before she could get a response from Lilypetal, Coldpaw had interrupted with bitter response.

    Springleap turned towards the young molly, her hazel eyes slightly narrowed. What was her deal? Coldpaw was never this sensitive. But, given Ivybind's leaving and how close they were, she could understand. Instead of being just as rude, the slender warrior held her tongue. Pick and choose your battles, she thought with a heavy sigh. Cherrypaw had come up as well, taking in the sights like the rest of them. She bid her a smile, greeting the new apprentice with a dip of her head. "Coldpaw," The Oriental began, touching her alabaster fur with her plumy tail. "I know you can't see it, but I know you can imagine it. You can feel it's warmth just like the rest of us." She stroked the apprentice's soft fur with her tail, realizing how hard it must be for Coldpaw.

    Thanks for the memories

    Even though they weren't so great — tags

    While a smile appeared on the pretty molly's face upon seeing Coldpaw approach, the creamy warrior flinched as the apprentice snapped at her. She understood why Coldpaw was behaving such a way - of course, it had to hurt that she couldn't see the sunset, and as well as that, the young she cat had to be under a lot of stress with everything that was happening in WindClan at the moment. Briefly, the molly opened her jaws to make a harsh comment in return, but then shut them again. She wasn't meant to be rude - that wasn't a part of her personality.


    Lilypetal was relieved when Cherrypaw appeared, shortly followed by Springleap. All she had to do now was act like the normal, positive, cheerful Lilypetal - if she acted this way, perhaps she would be able to bring the real Lilypetal back again. "I'm sorry, Coldpaw..." she sighed softly, her tone sympathetic. "Springleap and Cherrypaw are right, though. You should carry on sitting with us anyway - you'll enjoy yourself!" She spoke cheerfully, trying to ignore how painful it was to speak in such a way. But this had to be better than letting her emotions out. Lilypetal would never forgive herself if she snapped at Coldpaw, a friend who meant a lot to her.


    It was hard for Lilypetal to hold back a complaint upon hearing Cherrypaw's words. StarClan were trying to give them hope? It was StarClan who had abandoned the Clans for moons! But still, Lilypetal forced herself to give the red molly a smile. "Maybe you're right... and even if that's not the case, we'll be fine with or without StarClan!" Her blue gaze flicked back up towards the sky as she spoke, as if not only addressing Cherrypaw but StarClan themselves. Lilypetal had looked up to StarClan once, but it was becoming more and more difficult for her to do so, as WindClan just seemed to fall apart more and more with not a single intervention from StarClan. StarClan were meant to protect the Clans, to guide their paws, but Lilypetal couldn't remember the last time that her starry ancestors had done something useful. I hope that they're taking care of Brindlepaw, at least. The creamy warrior still hadn't gotten over Brindlepaw's death, and still believed that it was her fault.


    "How are you doing?" Springleap had asked her. It was impossible for Lilypetal to answer that honestly, and so she simply gave the older warrior a smile, resting her tail upon Springleap's shoulder. "Me? I'm fine! Sure, things are pretty crazy right now, but I know that we can get through them." Although Lilypetal continued to smile, there was an unusual darkness in her eyes, betraying that she didn't truly believe what she was saying. The cream point gazed at Springleap for a few more moments before looking back up at the sky, feeling warm and safe as she admired the stunning colours of the sunset.


    "Listen to me..."

    Reference

    ☆ Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?☆

    Info — Springleap | Female | Warrior | 36 moons | WindClan | Interaction: —


    A soft tail rested upon the slender shoulders of the Oriental, causing a soft smile to bless her angular maw. Lilypetal was always such a good friend to her when she had joined. She was always so caring, so energetic and optimistic. It was so hard for Springleap to stay in a bad mood when her clan mate was around, though now something was off about this. This situation was different from the cloud watching. Lilypetal seemed happy to the eye with her contagious smile, but a darkness resided inside her. No doubt it had to do with her sister, Brightstar. After receiving her nine lives, she came back from the Moonstone a different feline than before. She became cruel, and now Lilypetal was torn. Springleap pressed herself against her friend for silent comfort, wrapping her plumy tail around the senior warrior's fore leg.

    "You know...it's okay to not be alright, Lilypetal. I know you're worried about Brightstar, we all are. I remember when I came to WindClan after my Two-Legs left me. She was so welcoming and friendly, just like you are. I honestly envy you two. I hope we find out what's happened soon." Her tail wrapped tighter around the senior warrior's foreleg as she spoke, watching the sun settle in for the evening.

    Thanks for the memories

    Even though they weren't so great — tags

    Lilypetal sighed softly. She was trying her best to keep up her cheerful facade, but there was something about Springleap's soothing voice that made her want to let all of her emotions out. She was a good friend - a good friend that she couldn't allow herself to push away. The cream point could feel Springleap's tail around her foreleg, and she relaxed a little at the Oriental's touch.


    Lilypetal hesitated for a moment, before gently resting her head upon the older warrior's shoulder. She wouldn't usually do such a thing, but the sight of the stunning sunset, dazzling before her eyes, had calmed her just a little. The cream point adored beautiful things - beautiful things, such as the sky above her.


    "I'm fine!" she insisted, continuing to lie. "Yeah, this whole Brightstar issue is preeeetty crazy, but WindClan have faced problems before, and we've gotten through those!" Lilypetal didn't believe a word that she was saying. What if Brightstar never goes back to normal? What if she tries to hurt someone again? What if she succeeds? What will happen to her kits? She had so many worries swirling around her head, it made her feel sick. The best thing that Lilypetal could do right now was keep her head on her friend's shoulder and her eyes facing the sky.


    "All we have to do is figure out what's wrong with Brightstar, and then work out how to make her better." Lilypetal was trying to reassure herself as much as anyone else. Maybe things really would be that easy - but they probably wouldn't. She still couldn't help but feel as though it was her fault Brightstar's personality had changed. Perhaps she had done something wrong, or hadn't been there for her sister enough. Duckstar had just died and she had just become leader - she must have been grieving a lot, while under a lot of pressure too. I should have spoken to her more...


    Despite everything, a smile, a genuine one, appeared on her maw at Springleap's words. "She was so welcoming and friendly, just like you are." It meant a lot to Lilypetal that her friend had described her in such a way, especially as she had been feeling pretty bad about herself recently. But could she ever be genuinely welcoming and friendly again, or would she have to continue to fake, acting like happy Lilypetal while refusing to show her real feelings? The pretty molly murmured quietly, "Thank you..." her light blue gaze landing briefly on Springleap, softening a little as she watched the Oriental for a moment before looking back up at the sky.


    "Listen to me..."

    ✦ ✧ ✦


    Those around her were right. She shouldn't be so snappish, they didn't mean any harm and she could feel the setting sun wrapping around her. The heat began to die down in her heart as did the temperature with the sun. And for just a moment, Coldpaw let her guard down and would react with a slight purr to the light brushes of her feline companions. She felt bad for being so rude, but she just couldn't find as much happiness as usual here recently. "Yeah... I guess you all are right..." Coldpaw said with a shrug as she settled down into the grass. "I'm okay... I guess, just lonely. I don't care much about the Brightstar stuff- I just wish Ivy wouldn't have been dragged into this disaster." the alabaster girl said with a monotone.

    Cherrypaw

    THEY CALL ME HOMEWRECKER, HOMEWRECKER☆

    The deep flame furred apprentice shook her head sadly. In all her wisdom and days with her housefolk, she never guessed that these wildcats would have it so tough. Their own "leader" trying to harm and dwindle her own "clan", it just didn't make sense. If any of these cats had even an ounce of common sense surely they would flee? But they stayed, bound by the "warrior code" and fierce determination to "figure this out".


    "Now why do we need to figure it out?" Cherrypaw thought out loud, her question one of genuine confusion."Isn't there something in the code to drive out unfit leaders? surely this one is rather cruel" she shivered, remembering the menacing twinkle in the unruly leader's eyes when she was discovered on the moor.


    Unaware of how out of place she was speaking for an apprentice, Cherrypaw continued "There's something evil within that leader of yours, what cat in their right mind would kill their own housefo- clan!" she stuttered at the end, realizing why she felt so passionate about this. She had been tricked and hurt before, by someone in much more authority.

    Thanks for the memories

    Even though they weren't so great — tags

    Lilypetal felt her fur prickle with annoyance as Coldpaw explained that she, 'didn't care much about the Brightstar stuff.' Lilypetal understood that Coldpaw wasn't as close to the leader as she was, but surely she still had to care for her! Trying to avoid lashing out at the younger molly, Lilypetal simply gave the firm response of, "Well, this Brightstar stuff does matter. If we can figure out what's wrong with Brightstar and make her better, maybe Ivy will come back." She understood that Coldpaw was probably missing Ivy a lot - she seemed to be quite close to him. But the way Lilypetal saw it, Ivy wasn't very likely to come back until the situation with Brightstar was sorted. I'm worried about him too, and I'm not even that close with Ivy. Coldpaw must feel terrible.


    It was Cherrypaw's words that pushed Lilypetal further and further into the frustration she had already began to feel after hearing Coldpaw's response, and her tail began to swish a little, though she wasn't even aware of it. "We aren't driving her out. WindClan needs a leader," she insisted. Lilypetal knew that the argument that she had made probably wasn't very convincing - WindClan had a deputy, after all. And so, trying to sound more convincing, the cream point continued, "Besides, there's only one cat in WindClan who has nine lives, and that's Brightstar. If we drive her out and make Blacknight leader, he would be leading the Clan with just one life." At least, that was how she thought it worked - StarClan were far too complicated for Lilypetal's liking.


    Lilypetal knew that she had already made her point, but she couldn't stop words tumbling out of her mouth. She felt as though, despite everything, she had to defend her sister. She couldn't let anybody think that exile of all things was a good idea. "Where Brightstar is right now, she isn't causing any problems - we have warriors watching her constantly, after all," she licked one of her small, delicate paws, drawing it over an ear. "Besides, she's pregnant. She needs somewhere safe to give birth and raise her kits. We would be even worse than her if we drove out a pregnant queen." Mentioning Brightstar's kits caused the cream point's belly to twinge uncomfortably. What happens if Brightstar is still acting like this by the time her kits are born? What if she treats them badly?


    Lilypetal now grew silent, having said what she wanted to. She believed she had made a good point - hopefully now, Coldpaw and Cherrypaw would change their opinions. Lilypetal continued to gaze at the sky, trying to calm herself down after allowing so many words to leave her mouth.


    //ic opinions! <3


    "Listen to me..."