#hopcurl

[elementclangen]

Moon 320-Leaf-fall

With leaf-bare right around the corner, a lack of herbs, and their senior healer having a broken bone, ElementClan decides to make peace with StumpyClan.  The war is over.  Although its impacts may be felt as the Clan heads into leaf-bare with almost no herbs.  In honor of their performances during the war, Flailpaw (12) and Scorchpaw (12) are given their warrior names.  Flailpaw is now Flailvalley in honor of his dedication, and Scorchpaw is now Scorchhawk in honor of her fortitude.  Flailvalley doesn’t like the attention and hopes that it will be the last ceremony he ever has.  Minnowpaw (12) is the only one of her siblings who is still an apprentice.  She knew she would end up being the last to be made a warrior.  Hatchswipe (65) comforts her and assures her that she is actually very skilled.  She just spent a lot of her apprenticeship injured.  Kestrelcreek (109) decides to go for a walk with her son.  She wants to explore ElementClan’s whole territory with Hollowminnow (21)!  But then he tells her about the prank he and Copperheart (36) are planning and she gets frustrated with him.  Why can’t he take anything seriously?!  Hollowminnow and Minnowpaw have a friendly chat and he jokes with her about having similar names.  It cheers her up a bit about still being an apprentice.Tanglechirp (67) knows that Bluestripe (95) and Dawnstar (104) used to have a thing for each other and listens as Dawnstar discusses potential mates with Sofanthiel (109).  Tanglechrip is annoyed that his name never came up, and a little bit angry when Bluestripe’s does.  Embershell (38) and Hopcurl (38) are both quite fond of the deputy.  Hopcurl thinks she’s helpful and good at what she does.  Embershell wants to go explore the Twolegplace with her.  Aphidwhisker (17) is still close with Pebbletuft (53) and chats with her about what it’s like to be a healer.  She even helps out in the Healer’s den a little.  Just subtly healing cats.  It won’t hurt, right?

Healer’s den: Bumble (broken bone), Sofanthiel (whitecough), Embershell (frostbite), Dapplemuzzle (bite-wound, torn pelt), Petalfrost (sprain), Copperheart (running nose), Cherviljumble (joint pain)

[elementclangen]

Moon 317-Greenleaf

Flailpaw (9) has recovered from heat exhaustion! Just in time for a war with StumpyClan to begin.  He’s not sure he’s ready to fight.  None of the cats alive have been in a war, and they’re already feeling the impacts.  Sofanthiel (106) is injured in a border skirmish.  After a harsh training session with Aphidwhisker (14) leaves her bruised, Scorchpaw (9) worries that she won’t be able to hold her own in battle.  The injuries make Hopcurl (35) worry about her, and the safety of having an unproven dark-cursed cat train an apprentice.   Embershell (35) is nervous about going into battle.  Hopcurl tries to comfort her.  Croucheye (28) is also nervous about fighting and wonders if the Clan is truly where she belongs.  In another break from tradition, Dawnstar wants Flailpaw only on border patrols from now on, despite water-blessed cats typically never going on them.  He also wants all dark-cursed and star-blessed cats on them.  ElementClan needs to make a show of strength against StumpyClan. But in better news, Hopcurl has come out as nonbinary and uses xey/xem pronouns!  In the Clan, relationships continue to develop.  Kestrelcreek (106) has mostly moved on from the loss of her mates and is flirting with Nettlestripe (86).  She ensnares him with a charming smile.  And Peatfeather (29) has just noticed how beautiful Pebbletuft’s (50) eyes are.  Dawnstar (101) has always been quite fond of Aphidwhisker, but, after hearing her spread rumors about Bluestripe’s (92) incompetence as deputy, he becomes a little less sure about her.  Minnowpaw (9) is also determined to be useful in battle, despite her weak power level.  She tries showing Dawnstar a move using ice (in Greenleaf), but fails so badly that Dawnstar cringes.  Maybe he’ll try and keep the weaker apprentices off the battlefield.  Tanglechirp (64) notices that Mistypaw (9) has been trying his best to be battle-ready while his siblings struggle.  Dapplemuzzle (14) wishes he would pay attention to her instead.  Aphidwhisker is in a bit of a mood this moon and argues with Hatchswipe (62), revealing something embarrassing.  Cinderblockpuddle (236) chats with Dawnstar and Bluestripe.  His head injury is getting worse and he doesn’t know if he’ll survive.  He tells them stories about his life that he would like to be remembered once he passes on.

Healer’s den: Sofanthiel (cat bite), Nettlestripe (mangled tail), Cavecatcher (infected mangled tail), Cinderblockpuddle (head damage, headache), Mistypaw (fleas), Scorchpaw (bruises)

[elementclangen]

Moon 306-Leaf-fall

Creekstar (160) is shaken.  Something happened this moon that took her straight back to when she was a kit, almost out of the nursery: a badger attack.  Badgers raid the camp and, when Creekstar sees them, she freezes.  All she can see is Songkit’s broken body falling to the ground.  That leaves the rest of her Clan to jump into battle without her guidance.  Downgaze (87) protects his mother and gets her to safety before leaping back into the fray only to find. . .Sweet Marmalade (91) and Alderflight (62) lying dead in a pool of blood.  Brightmouse (81) is a fury of fire in the center of camp, fighting back against the badgers trying to get into the nursery and at Bluestripe (81).  She manages to take down the badgers attacking her, but not before one deals her a fatal blow.  With this being their first battle, the young warriors are shocked, but are able to rally under Hatchswipe’s (51) instruction to drive back the attack.  Although neither of them are as powerful as a star-blessed cat, Echoarch (24) and Embershell (24) work together to drive the badgers back into Burdockbeam (22) and Boulderflood’s (22) trap.  The two of them collapse a hunk of earth on top of the remaining badgers and kill them.  The battle is won, but at the cost of three lives.  Downgaze is especially shaken.  He just can’t get the image of Sweet Marmalade’s and Alderflight’s bodies out of his mind.  He never even had a chance to confess his love to Alderflight.  And he can’t imagine life without Sweet Marmalade by his side.  They’ve been together for so long, and through so much loss.  He struggles-no, refuses-to accept their deaths.  Sweet Marmalade’s kits huddle together and take comfort in each other.  Echoarch comforts Hatchswipe and reassures her that she’ll see her father again in StarClan.  He cared about her, even if she didn't always feel like it.  Kestrelcreek (95) lies next to Brightmouse’s singed body as the Clan sits vigil for her.  Her world has ended with Brightmouse.  She can’t help her bitterness and rage as Brightmouse’s life is recalled at the vigil and she coldly turns away from Almondback (77) when he offers comfort.  She and Brightmouse had so little time together.  They should have had more.  And Brightmouse should have had more time with their kits, who are only apprentices.  Mitepaw (7) and Hollowpaw (7) are a little less energetic with the loss of their mom.  Hollowpaw can’t even think of any pranks to pull.  And then there’s Bluestripe.  When she sees Brightmouse’s body and realizes that she died protecting her, she screams at the sky, cursing the stars who took her sisters too soon.  Before the senior warriors can bury Brightmouse, Bluestripe lights her sister’s body aflame, giving her a pyre worthy of the greatest heroes.  With the new losses in the Clan, Creekstar is feeling a bit ill.  But, in some much needed good news, Hopcurl (24) has announced that she’s expecting kits.  It looks like Creekstar will have even more great-grandkits.  Downgaze appreciates his kits and grandkits.  He’s also glad that Burdockbeam has toned down her pranking during this time of grief and appreciates how nice she’s being to him.  Greenrapid (62) did not get the memo and still hasn’t grown up.  She complains that Copperheart (22) never does anything helpful and should be more like her sisters.  Because that’s not hurtful at all.  Bumble (83) thinks that pregnancy suits Hopcurl and is jealous of how shiny her pelt looks.  Aphidkit (3) decides to be a pain and asks Bluestripe where kits are from.  She makes up a story about eagles dropping them out of the sky.  It’s a way to get her mind off of Brightmouse, at least.  But the Clan is not done with loss yet.  In another blow to Kestrelcreek, Creekstar and Almondback run into a gang of rogues on patrol.  The two fight bravely but are badly outnumbered, and the rogues had dark-cursed cats with them.  They kill Almondback and take a life from Creekstar, leaving before she is revived.  She now has six lives left.

Healer’s den: Bluestripe (recovering from birth, infected), Petalfrost (claw-wound), Nettlestripe (mangled tail), Hopcurl (pregnant), Kestrelcreek (grief stricken), Downgaze (shock, grief stricken), Hatchswipe (sore), Hollowpaw (stomachache)

New personalities: Skymoon (thoughtful, keen eye, and a fast runner)

[elementclangen]

Moon 295-Leaf-fall

The Clan had a bit of a scare this moon when Creekstar (149) was struck by lightning and lost a life.  It’s a reminder to them all that she’s getting old.  None of them have ever been in a Clan without her as leader.  Creekstar hopes that Dawnfreckle (79) is ready to step up into leadership, because she feels that she’ll be gone within the next twelve moons.  In better news, Kestrelcreek (84) and Almondback’s (66) kits have been made apprentices!  Rimepaw (6) is apprenticed to Cavecatcher (53), just as he had hoped.  Crouchpaw (6) is apprenticed to Alderflight (51) to help her gain some confidence.  Troutpaw (6) is apprenticed to Bluestripe (70), as she did well with her previous apprentice.  Now that Cavecatcher is more mature, Brightmouse (70) has noticed how kind he is.  She corrects his hunting stance and brushes up against him, purring.  Dawnfreckle, as a new deputy, makes sure to spend time with the younger cats in the Clan.  During a break from training, he and Troutpaw play mossball with each other, using his wind powers to play it with a flying mossball.  He also makes some time to share tongues with Hopcurl (13).    The Ground and Sky kits are still feeling a little left out.  Basaltpaw (7) doesn’t get the joke Burdockpaw (11) was telling Boulderpaw (11).  She said it was something only star-blessed cats could understand.  Skypaw (7) was also rude to Alderflight.  Petalpaw (7) and Peatpaw (7) seem to be getting along with the other cats better, though.  Peatpaw and Cavecatcher have become friends and enjoy spending time with each other.  Petalpaw also covers for Rimepaw when she wants a break from training.  Even though  Kestrelcreek isn’t the most senior warrior, she has been in the Clan the longest.  She gathers up the apprentices and tells them about what times were like when she was an apprentice, and all the cats she used to know.  Alderflight and Downgaze (76) are still close friends and are getting closer.  Alderflight thinks it’s amusing how grumpy Downgaze manages to look all the time and teases him about it.

Healer’s den: Greenrapid (grief stricken), Dawnfreckle (running nose), Pebbletuft (small cut), Sofanthiel (running nose), Tanglechirp (fleas), Hatchswipe (sore), Alderflight (stomach ache), Embershell (running nose), Copperpaw (running nose), Rimepaw (scrapes, running nose)

[elementclangen]

Downgaze's Kits' Adult Sprites and the Ground and Sky Kits' Apprentice Sprites

Embershell; Fire-blessed she-cat with a power level of 58 (medium); Adventerous, a good speaker, and a learner of lore

Hopcurl; Water-blessed she-cat with a power level of 70 (medium high); Compassionate and a fast runner

Echoarch; Fire-blessed tom with a power level of 15 (very low); Playful and a great climber

Basaltpaw; Water-blessed tom with a power level of 1 (very low); Ambitious, careful listener, and quick to make peace

Mentor: Sweet Marmalade

Peatpaw; Powerless tom; Loving and splashes in puddles

Mentor: Hatchswipe

Petalpaw; Powerless tom; Troublesome and splashes in puddles

Mentor: Cherviljumble

Skypaw; Wind-blessed she-cat with a power level of 97 (very high); Loving, never sits still, and oddly observant

Mentor: Tanglechirp

[elementclangen]

Moon 294-Leaf-fall

As leaf-fall begins, a plague of minor illnesses and injuries plague the Clan.  Lakepelt (102) is a little overwhelmed with all the cats coming to her asking for help with their soreness, running noses, and stomach aches.  And it doesn’t help that Pebbletuft (27) has a more serious illness and has come down with whitecough.  But, in better news, the Clan has welcomed two new warriors and a new mediator!  Echopaw (12) is now Echoarch, in honor of his heart of gold.  Bluestripe (69) is proud of him, and is proud that Creekstar (148) gave him a name that honors both Echomoor, and Bluestripe’s sister, Archdapple.  Echoarch deserves it.  Emberpaw (12) is named Embershell for her spirit.  Nettlestripe (63) is also proud of his first apprentice.  And Hoppaw (12)  is given the warrior name of Hopcurl in honor of her observance, a useful skill in a mediator.  Something she has observed is that Kestrelcreek (83) and Brightmouse (69) have become mates!  Kestrelcreek is still mates with Almondback (65), but Brightmouse is only mates with her.  Downgaze (75) is proud of his kits and notices that Embershell is being very helpful around camp.  In reality, Embershell misses the structure of being an apprentice and is feeling a little lost.  She turns to her grandma, Creekstar and asks for advice.  Creekstar offers to send her on more patrols and keep her busy.  Sweet Marmalade (79) has never been very close with Creekstar.  He decides to spend some time with the old leader and comes to understand her better.  She’s stressed and worried about her Clan constantly.  She became a leader at a young age with no one to teach her, and it’s all she knows.  She’s doing the best with what she has and has led the Clan through some really hard times.  The Clan also has four new apprentices, as the Ground and Sky kits have turned six moons old.  Skypaw (6) has been apprenticed to Tanglechirp (41) and is hard at work thinking up ways to prevent cats sneaking up on her bad side in battle.  Basaltpaw (6) is apprenticed to Sweet Marmalade, who Creekstar hopes will tone down his ambitious tendencies.  Petalpaw  (6) and Peatpaw (6) are apprenticed to Cherviljumble (99) and Hatchswipe (39) respectively, giving both warriors their first apprentices.  Meanwhile, Crouchkit (5) is excited to get out of the nursery.  Mostly because Copperpaw (10) is big and fluffy and if they’re sharing the same den she’ll have more chances to cuddle and be warm.

Healer’s Den: Pebbletuft (whitecough), Petalpaw (claw wound), Greenrapid (grief stricken), Dawnfreckle (running nose), Lakepelt (sore), Aries (stomach ache), Sofanthiel (running nose), Tanglechirp (fleas), Hatchswipe (sore), Alderflight (stomach ache), Copperpaw (running nose)

[elementclangen]

Moon 345-Leaf-bare

Kestrelcreek (134) has had her kits!  And based on Aries (111) presence in the nursery after their birth, she is probably their other parent.  One of the kits, Rainkit (0), is powerless like Kestrelcreek and the other, Silverkit (0), inherited Aries’ water-blessing.  Except somehow his power level is almost as strong as Flailvalley’s (37).  Where did that come from?  Kestrelcreek isn’t sure, but she loves both of her kits, regardless of their power level.  While Dawnstar (129) moves into the nursery, Croucheye (56) has also announced that she is expecting kits.  It looks like her kits will be in the nursery with their uncles.  That won’t be weird at all.  Tansypaw (15) has also become a full healer!  Bumble still remembers when she was just a kit, playing around in the healer’s den and asking endless questions about everything under the sun.  She is named Tansyspike in honor of her gallantry.  Tansyspike’s eyes gleam as she asks why Bumble chose the name for her.  Bumble (122) chuckles softly and tells her it’s for the way her healing skills have ‘spiked’ despite her weak earth-blessing.  Blizzardfur (15) can’t help but feel like he’s Bumble’s least favorite.  And, on top of that, now his mom has more kits!  It’s hard not to feel like he wasn’t enough for her.  Aries bumps heads with him, reassuring him that she still loves him.  Despite everything, Blizzardfur is happy to be a healer.  He didn’t really have a choice in the matter, but, if he had, he thinks he would have chosen this life anyways.  Dawnstar is still worried about how Aphidwhisker’s (42) been acting and is making sure to keep an eye on her.  The mediators are feeling a little silly this moon.  Hopcurl (63) plays a prank on xer co-worker, making Aries laugh.  Kimberlystrike (34) is still adjusting to Clan life.  She doesn’t seem to understand the importance of every piece of fresh-kill and is playing with her food.

Healer’s den: Dawnstar (pregnant), Croucheye (pregnant), Kestrelcreek (recovering from birth), Aries (running nose)

New personalities: Tansyspike (Adventerous and clever)

[elementclangen]

Moon 343-Leaf-fall

Kestrelcreek (132) has announced that she is expecting kits!  She’s excited to have new children, but Croucheye (54) is a little apprehensive about having new siblings, especially with her mother so old.  And after having lost all her other siblings.  She doesn’t know if she, or Kestrelcreek, can handle that loss again.  Meanwhile, Embershell (61) and Aries (109) are thinking about cats that died too soon.  Aries wishes that she could have spent more time with Copperheart, and Embershell hopes that Mistytooth is doing well in StarClan.  Mistytooth also feels like he was gone too soon, and wishes he were still alive.  Flailvalley (35) could use some support.  On a lighter note, Blizzardpaw (13) has been made a full healer!  He is now named Blizzardfur, in honor of his composure.  He’s a little bit proud of beating his sister to his full name.  Tansypaw (13) isn’t focused on that.  She’s checking up on her patients and making sure that Embershell is doing alright with the water in her lungs.  Hopcurl (61) has noticed that Ryeeagle (13) is always one of the first to volunteer for difficult tasks.  Xey wonder if he is trying to stumble onto an opportunity to prove himself.  He isn’t, really.  He just likes doing things.  There seems to be a bit of tension growing between Dapplemuzzle (40) and Bumble (120).  The healer overhears Dapplemuzzle telling jokes about her and the two get in a small argument about it.  Dawnstar (127) doesn’t notice.  He’s too busy imparting his wisdom on Sofanthiel (132).  He loves that she listens to him.  On patrol, Dapplemuzzle and Aspenthud (13) find a sick kittypet named Kimberlystrike (32) who they bring back to camp.  She has a medium high strength water-blessing. 

Healer’s den: Hopcurl (whitecough), Embershell (water in lungs),  Kestrelcreek (pregnant)

[elementclangen]

Moon 340-Greenleaf

Spirits are high in the Clan as it coasts into greenleaf.  For the first time since Bumble (117) has been in the Clan, the Healer’s den is empty! The head healer celebrates the occasion by coming out as a trans she-cat!  Go Bumble!   Bumble has noticed that Blizzardpaw (10) is feeling lonely and spends some time hanging out with him in the healer’s den.  She hopes that he knows that he’s valued.  Bumble wonders if Aries (106) feels the same way she does and spends some time eavesdropping on her.  The only thing she overhears is Aries complaining to Hopcurl (58) about how she wishes her clanmates would just solve their own problems.  Hatchswipe (85) spends some time with her old friend Kestrelcreek (129), catching up on the news.  Embershell (58) and Hopcurl are also doing some bonding time.  The littermates spend some time sparring and exchanging stories about their kithood.  They miss their parents and Echoarch, but they are so glad to have each other.  Some cats aren’t so lucky.  Like Ryepaw (10), who wonders if he’ll ever see Gravelkit again in StarClan.  Do dark-cursed cats even go to StarClan?  Hopcurl comforts him and reassures him that yes, dark-cursed cats do.  Her grandmother and great-great grandfather were dark-cursed and are both in StarClan. !  Most of the time, Sofanthiel (129) tries not to dwell on her kittypet past.  But, every now and then, she wonders what happened to the twolegs who abandoned her.  She doesn’t wish them ill.  Them doing that led to her joining the Clan, which is one of the best things that ever happened to her.

Healer’s den: EMPTY!!!!!!!!! (first time!)

[elementclangen]

Moon 337-Newleaf

It seems that Dawnstar’s (121) positive manifestation worked because things are looking up for ElementClan.  Prey is running well for the first time in moons and Bumble (114) is finally healed, although he does have a scar from his broken jaw.  Blizzardpaw’s (7) strong earth-blessing came in handy for healing that.  Bumble is back to feeling like his old, troublesome self and starts an argument between Ryepaw (7) and Flailvalley (29).  Because having a dark-cursed and a very powerful water-blessed cat fighting is totally a good idea.  The two of them both have pretty good control over their magic, though, so nothing bad happens.  They both just get a little damp.  Ryepaw is pretty close to his mother and saves a piece of fresh-kill that he knows is Sofanthiel’s (126) favorite.  Blizzardpaw has known he was destined to be a healer ever since he was very young, but he can’t help but daydream about what being a warrior would have been like.  Especially a warrior in LionClan.  That would have been so cool.   It’s a little weird for Aspenpaw (7) being the only warrior apprentice out of his siblings, so he asks Hatchswipe (82) for advice.  He talks about how it doesn’t help that Flailvalley always looks so stressed.  It’s hard to trust anything he says.  Hatchswipe carefully doesn’t mention the fact that she was startled by an owl the previous night.  Dapplemuzzle (34) came into deputy-ship at a challenging time, but Hatchswipe is actually impressed with how well she’s doing.  Hatchswipe has served under five different deputies now, and Dapplemuzzle (34) is one of the best she’s had.  With Pebbletuft and Bluestripe gone, Aphidwhisker isn’t used to cats actually taking care of her, so she’s surprised when Hopcurl (55) is thoughtful.  She doesn’t really know how to respond to xem.

Healer’s den: Tansypaw (running nose), Aphidwhisker (running nose)

Bumble got a scar

[elementclangen]

Moon 336-Newleaf

Sofanthiel (125) and Aries’ (102) kits have been apprenticed!  Ryekit (6) is a little nervous about becoming an apprentice.  Especially without Gravelkit at his side.  But Sofanthiel coaches him through it and he is apprenticed to Dapplemuzzle (33), giving the deputy her first apprentice.  Aspenpaw (6)  has been apprenticed to Flailvalley (28), also giving the young warrior his first apprentice.  Flailvalley is nervous about it, but Aspenpaw trusts that StarClan will guide him to being a great warrior.  And Tansypaw (6) and Blizzardpaw (6) have both been made healer apprentices, of course  They are much needed and Bumble (113) is glad to have the help around the den.  However, Bumble gave Tansypaw some oak leaves as a present, making Blizzardpaw jealous.  What a great start to their career together. Dawnstar (120) knows that the Clan has been going through a rough patch and gives a particularly rousing speech at the kits’ apprentice ceremony to cheer cats up.  It’s newleaf!  A time for new beginnings.  Hopefully good ones.  Despite being a healer apprentice, Blizzardpaw feels like it’s important for him to know how to hunt. He spends some time with Dapplemuzzle and Ryepaw learning the basics.  After Gravelkit’s death, Hatchswipe (81) is thinking about another kit who died.  She wonders how Chasmkit is doing in StarClan.  Blizzardpaw is pretty sure he had a vision, where he saw two shadowed cats attacking each other where a glowing cat watched in glee.  He and Tansypaw discuss what it could mean. As the only two fire-blessed cats in the Clan, Longpelt (50) and Embershell (54) stick together, and Longpelt appreciates it when Embershell asks how he’s doing.  Despite not even being mates, Aphidwhisker (33) is jealous when she catches Hopcurl (54) staring at another cat.  Hopcurl is actually just staring off into space, thinking about xer mediating sessions. And the fact that Aries has zero interest in doing much actually mediating lately.  Aries feels like Dapplemuzzle is too uptight and convinces her to help pull a prank on a clanmate

Healer’s den: Bumble (broken jaw), Sofanthiel (whitecough), Kestrelcreek (whitecough), Dawnstar (malnourished), Tansypaw (running nose)

Meta: Tansypaw became a healer apprentice all on her own. Good for her.

[elementclangen]

Moon 333-Leaf-bare

Croucheye (44), still thinking about her bonding time with her mother, goes on a long walk in the territory.  She thinks about all Kestrelcreek (132) has seen and done, all the cats she’s loved and lost, and resolves to do something to give back to her mother.  She deserves it, after all she’s given to the Clan.  Meanwhile, Ryekit (3) asks Dawnstar (117) a question about using his dark-cursed abilities.  What’s it like, draining the life from another cat?  He’s a little scared of what that aspect of his power means.  Dawnstar stutters.  He’s never killed a cat with his magic.  Bluestripe (108) might be a better option.  The deputy in question is checking in with Sofanthiel, giving any advice she can on raising a dark-cursed cat.  She’s probably a pretty good source of information, considering she’s a mother to two dark-cursed cats and dark-cursed herself.  Sofanthiel (122) also feels like Embershell (51) isn’t living up to her potential.  Her mind always seems to be somewhere else, instead of in her Clan.  Ryekit and Blizzardkit (3) spend some time playing together, racing each other across the clearing.  Ryekit’s wind magic does give him a bit of an advantage, though.  Aspenkit (3) is excited to start learning how to fight and challenges Hatchswipe (78) to spar with him.  Hatchswipe obliges, letting the kit win.  Aries (99) is actually finding parenting to be a bit boring.  She’s impatient to get back to mediating.  Maybe she’ll even sabotage a couple of cats, just to make things interesting.   Bumble is annoyed with Hatchswipe.  He can hear her snoring even from the healer’s den! Hopcurl (51) seems to be developing a bit of a crush on Aphidwhisker (30).  Xey joke around with her about the other Clans and thinks that Aphidwhisker’s eyes are very pretty.  Aphidwhisker is determined to work her way back into Dawnstar’s good graces and gives some advice to him.  Which he, of course, doesn’t heed.  He’s feeling quite sassy today.

Healer’s den: Bluestripe (greencough), Aries (greencough), Longpelt (mangled tail), Ryekit (stomachache)

New personalities: Blizzardkit (shy, never sits still)

[elementclangen]

Moon 332-Leaf-fall

It turns out that Petalfrost was right.  No one in the Clan truly cared about him or his siblings.  Because, although Peatfeather was kind and brilliant, no one in the Clan truly mourns her loss.  They didn’t really know her.  Life continues as normal.  Kestrelcreek (121) is really enjoying being the Clan’s grandma.  She checks in on Ryekit (2) about how he’s doing since his dark-curse was discovered.  He’s doing alright.  The Clan has come a long ways since Creekstar was born.  Kestrelcreek also takes some time to help her daughter work through the loss of her younger siblings.  Croucheye (43) wishes that they had worked out their differences, and Kestrelcreek does too.  She promises that she will always take care of her daughter.  While cats accept Ryekit, Dawnstar (116) is making jokes about how weak Gravelkit (2) is for not having powers.  Bluestripe (107) doesn’t notice this, and just purrs as Dawnstar jokes around with her.  Sofanthiel (121) is feeling better after kitting and is spending some more time with her and Aries’ (98) kits.  Tansykit (2) is amused by how grumpy she always looks.  Flailvalley (24) just cannot catch a break.  Bumble (109) was unable to save his tail and amputated it.  Losing a limb is hard.  It reminds him of losing his siblings.  Bumble helps him bury his tail, hoping that the ritual brings him closure to the trauma of losing it.  Flailvalley really looks up to Longpelt (46).  He admires how the older cat maintains such control over his fire-blessing and is excited to go on patrol with him.  Maybe he can give him some tips!  Interestingly, both Dawnstar and Dapplemuzzle (29) had a nightmare about the rushing river nearby.  With the cavern’s history of floods, that can’t be a good sign.  Hopcurl (50) and Aries are exhausted from mediating so many arguments.  The two of them team up to try and develop new conflict resolution strategies.  Flailvalley also wonders if he would be better suited as a mediator and is talking with Aries.  He doesn’t think Dawnstar would be thrilled with his ‘strongest’ warrior getting out of action, but a cat can dream.

Healer’s den: Bluestripe (greencough), Longpelt (mangled tail), Aries (recovering from birth), Sofanthiel (recovering from birth), Dawnstar (stomachache)

Flailvalley lost his tail.

[elementclangen]

Moon 330-Leaf-fall

Aries (96) and Sofanthiel (119) have had their kits!  Sofanthiel felt the need to go away from the Clan to have her kits and did so secretly.  The birth was stressful and she lost a lot of blood. Sofanthiel had two kits and their other parent is unknown, although there are rumors that they’re half-Clan.  One of the kits, Gravelkit (0), is powerless like her mom.  The other, Ryekit (0), is dark-cursed.  Maybe Sofanthiel suspected that one of her kits would be dark-cursed and that’s why she felt the need to have them in secret.  She knows that Dawnstar (114) would accept Ryekit, but she’s worried about the rest of the Clan.  She’s heard stories about the struggles that Dawnstar and Bluestripe (105) faced as kits and doesn’t want her kit to have to go through that.  She decides to keep his powers a secret.  With hiding a dark-cursed kit, Sofanthiel is stressed.  Dapplemuzzle brought up how glad she is to be proven, and Sofanthiel worried that it was a jab at her keeping Ryekit’s magic a secret.  She snaps at Dapplemuzzle (27).  Hopcurl (48) is also feeling a little suspicious of Ryekit, who Sofanthiel is trying to pass off as powerless.  Xey think  that he’s been messing up the bedding in the nursery.  In reality, his magic has been draining the fresh stalks and Sofanthiel has been hiding it.  Hopcurl tries to bring his behavior up to him, but Sofanthiel distracts xem with something else. Aries had three kits and Hopcurl bets that they’re half-Clan.  Xey know that Aries has been spending a lot of time around StumpyClan, lately.  Two of the kits are earth-blessed, which Bumble (107) is grateful for; he needs some help around the healer’s den.  The noisy Tansykit (0) inherited Aries’ weakness in her earth-blessing, but Blizzardkit’s (0) earth-blessing is surprisingly powerful.  He’s already making a wall of thorns around the nest to keep other cats out.  The third kit, Aspenkit (0), inherited his mother’s water-blessing, although it’s much stronger than hers. Still not super powerful, but powerful enough that the nursery is damp.  Kestrelcreek (119) has been feeling her age lately, and has decided to join the Elder’s den.  She’s seen a lot in her life and is ready to retire.  In other news, Longpelt (44) has come out as a trans tom!  Go him!  Kestrelcreek shares some stories about her brother, Tumbleswoop, who was also trans.  It’s nice to talk about him.  Hatchswipe (75) has noticed that Flailvalley (22) is stressed and chats quietly with him while they’re on camp guard duty.

Healer’s den: Flailvalley (mangled tail), Aries (recovering from birth), Sofanthiel (recovering from birth, blood loss, shock)

[elementclangen]

Moon 329-Greenleaf

Well, it seems like the Clan shouldn’t have been worried about Aries’ (95) kittypet roots influencing her loyalties.  Instead, they should have been worried about Dapplemuzzle (26)!  She was seen taking food from a Twoleg!  Scandalous.  Dawnstar (113) is thrilled that Bluestripe (104) is finally his mate.  The two were caught enjoying a midnight stroll by Aphidwhisker (26).  She was not thrilled to see her mom and leader being all gross and in love.  With Aries expecting kits, Hopcurl (47) is having to take on more of the mediator duties.  That includes mediating the relationship between Sofanthiel (118) and Kestrelcreek (188).  Xey will do it, but xey’re not a fan of Sofanthiel.  Croucheye (40) continues to get along with Sofanthiel and is surprised by her being thoughtful.  Embershell (47) has been a bit bored around camp lately and has taken to helping out Bumble (106) in the healer’s den.  Bumble appreciates her efforts, although he was a little nervous about having a fire-blessed cat around his precious herb supply.  Aphidwhisker thinks that she had a dream from StarClan and tells Bumble about it.  Bumble can’t make sense of it.  Maybe it’s not actually from StarClan. . .

Healer’s den: Flailvalley (mangled tail), Aries (pregnant), Sofanthiel (pregnant)

Meta: This isn't really relevant, but there was the potential for a cute poly throuple going on. But then I realized that two of the cats were actually cousins. Dapplemuzzle had romantic like for Croucheye and Peatfeather, Croucheye liked Peatfeather and Dapplemuzzle, and Peatfeather liked Dapplemuzzle and Croucheye. However, Brightmouse was Kestrelcreek's mate, making Croucheye and Dapplemuzzle technically first cousins. Croucheye isn't directly related to Brightmouse and I never had Brightmouse officially adopt Croucheye but. . .yeah. I just decided to ignore it. Instead, let's focus on the fact that Embershell has a tiny amount of romantic like for Croucheye! Could we have some non-tragic lesbians coming up? In this Clan, not likely.

[elementclangen]

Moon 325-Newleaf

The tensions in the Clan have finally come to a head.  First, the lack of herbs claimed another life.  Although Bumble (102) was able to recover from his broken bone, he was unable to save Tanglechirp (72), who died of yellowcough.  Bluestripe (100) mourns the loss of her mate, but takes comfort in her kits.  Dapplemuzzle (22) does her best to support her mother, but isn’t truly grieving herself.  It’s not like Tanglechirp did much to help raise her.  Aphidwhisker (22) is a bit annoyed by Bluestripe’s attention.  She would much rather be spending time plotting against Dawnstar (109) and Boulderflood (41) with Pebbletuft (58).  But the drama in the Clan is not yet done.  Badgers seem to have a grudge against ElementClan, and yet another gang of badgers attack the camp.  Minnownudge (17) and Flailvalley (17) are on guard duty and are enjoying a moment of peace after the war.  Which is interrupted when a badger bursts out of the bushes and kills Minnownudge with a single bite.  Flailvalley freezes and doesn’t do anything as the badgers stream into the grotto.  Nettlestripe (94) sounds the alarm with a burst of flame, but is trampled to death as the badgers stream in.  However, his sacrifice and alarm gives Dawnstar a moment to rally his cats.  He assigns Burdockbeam (41) and Boulderflood to one half of the camp while he and Dapplemuzzle are on the other.  He doesn’t trust Aphidwhisker enough to tell her to do more than guard the healer’s den, and the injured Pebbletuft.  Meanwhile, Hollowminnow (26) and Mitemask (26) end up fighting next to each other.  Mitemask has a sudden sense of dread and tries to warn Hollowminnow about a surprise attack that was coming.  He ignores her and is severely injured.  Mitemask fights over her brother as best she can, but they both perish.  Meanwhile, Scorchhawk (17) and Mistytooth (17) go out to find their brother.  The camp needs his power.  However, a badger blocks their path and kills both of them.  Petalfrost (37) insists on fighting on his own, despite Peatfeather (37) urging him to work with his Clanmates.  But why would he, when they had never truly welcomed him?  He glares at ElementClan as a badger shakes him from its back, breaking his neck.  With so many cats injured or dead, Copperheart (41) takes it upon herself to do something responsible for a change and protect the elder’s den.  However, her lack of practice from her many days goofing off mean that she can’t defend it and both she and Cherviljumble (130) die.  On the other side of camp, Boulderflood and Burdockbeam are being pushed towards the Healer’s den.  Burdockbeam sees her sister and partner in crime fall from across the camp and is momentarily distracted.  It’s enough for a badger to kill her.  Boulderflood is left to mourn both her sisters and try to fend off two badgers at once.  Aphidwhisker watches from the Healer’s den.  She could kill both of the badgers with a touch.  But. . .she glances at Pebbletuft, who shakes her head.  She chooses to do nothing and watches as Boulderflood is slaughtered.  However, a badger surprises her and tosses her aside, killing Pebbletuft.  In the clearing, fighting alongside Bluestripe and Dawnstar, Dapplemuzzle gets tired of watching her clanmates fall.  And of watching her sister do nothing to help.  When a badger pins Peatfeather, she snaps.  She lashes out with her magic and fells three badgers, giving her clanmates a chance to gain the upper hand and officially proving herself.  The day is won, but at the cost of twelve lives. And both of the Clan’s star-blessed cats.  Graysong’s omen about lights being extinguished has come true.

Hatchswipe (70) is distraught at the loss of all three of her sister’s kits.  Her last ties to her littermates are gone.  She tries to hold onto their scents for as long as she can, but even those fade.  Kestrelcreek (114) is shaken by yet another mass death in her Clan.  She, Bluestripe, and Dawnstar are the only cats left of their generation.  She feels so old. Aries notices that her Clan is hurting, but isn’t sure how to help.  She goes on a long walk to try and make sense of her thoughts.  Hatchswipe also spends some time with Hopcurl’s (43) surviving kit.  Flailvalley has just lost all of his littermates.  She’s glad to have a clanmate as kind and considerate as him.  While no living cat knows the extent of Aphidwhisker’s actions (well, inactions), the death of her former apprentice is not a good sign.  Bumble feels like Dawnstar should be doing more to build up the Clan.

Healer’s den: Hatchswipe (grief stricken), Kestrelcreek (shock), Sofanthiel (stomachache)