#cypressclangen

[fernclans]

Hello all cats of Cypressclan. How concerned are you for the wellbeing of the cats in Buddingclan aka Flintclan (I think that was the old name)

Pondstar: "All that being said, we have no plans on aiding BuddingClan in the day-to-day. We've passed on their story to the other neighboring clans at a gathering, and currently it has been agreed to leave them be. There are greater things at paw currently than the potential to expand ones territory."

Transcript from the images: "I won't pretend I was one of Magpiestar's biggest fans, but I will admit that his presence at gatherings has been missed, even by me. To be frank, I always thought he was a weak and foolish leader, but his amicability was appreciated. No one wants to live through wartimes, and the peace we shared will not be forgotten. The formation of BuddingClan in FlintClan's wake is a testament to Magpiestar's ability and I feel a greater sense of respect for the old tom now that he's gone." "The way that FlintClan fell was a tragedy unlike what we've seen before in the valley. The wolves have always lived alongside us, just far enough to not impede. There have been incidents before, but nothing like this. Not an entire clan. It's been a heavy weight on us all, not knowthing if they intend on doing this again. CypressClan's camp is well hidden, but we're not so unaware as to think that wolves can't find us."

[fernclans]

MOON 6 ALLEGIANCE OF CYPRESSCLAN

here they are!! the current cast of our neighboring clan, CypressClan! more info about how everyone is doing and what they're up to below the cut!

Pondstar has had a rough go at it the past 6 moons; though having taken Storkpaw as his apprentice two moons ago, their training has been delayed twice -- first from an eagle which had grabbed the tom, taking one of his lives, and second from Storkpaw getting heat stroke. He doesn't seem to be the best with kits or apprentices.

Fernrose invited an abandoned kittypet into the clan, feeling sympathy for the situation he had been put in. Pondstar wasn't the happiest, but wasn't going to argue against a needed set of paws. He's settling in well into his role as deputy in spite of his young age, and the clan remains supportive of Pondstar's choice.

Bitterrumble took Bushpaw as an apprentice after the molly expressed interest in myths and stories from a young age, endeavoring to meet and converse with StarClan cats long gone. Though he was a bit unsure about taking an apprentice so young, he also missed having living company in the healer's den.

Bushpaw was almost held back a moon for sneaking out of camp as a kit, but it was decided against. Sometimes she feels uncertain if she's worthy of being a dedicated clan healer as her main interest was with prophecies and myths than medicine, but she does her best to meet Bitterrumble's standards.

Adam was a shipyard cat for most of his life, but after falling ill, the humans of the docks took him to the woods. Adam feels indebted to Fernrose and Springmallow, who found him and brought him to their camp. Shortly after being abandoned, he was taken again by different humans; after a 3 moon journey, Adam returned to CypressClan, feeling firm in his heart that it's his home.

Springmallow was with Fernrose when he found Adam on the thunderpath, and also with Bitterndrift when she found Cliffstripe after the wolf attack. His life has been pretty low-key so far, and he's started developing a crush on Bitterndrift.

Bitterndrift meanwhile, has had one hell of a half-year. The moon after Cliffstripe's brief stay, she was given Stumpypaw as an apprentice; unfortunately that very same moon, she got one of her legs caught in a human's trap which has prevented her from getting to do much training with him. On top of that, a moon ago she realized she was carrying kits! Very excited to see where this goes

Stumpypaw is honestly a little upset he hasn't been able to train with his assigned mentor, and even moreso after he was bit by a rogue while on a patrol with Springmallow. This moon made up for it slightly by giving him the opportunity to team up with Fernrose in driving a fox away from a small goat carcass.

Storkpaw is going through it internally. She KNOWS how big of an honor it is to be given the LEADER as her mentor, but she can't help but feel uncertainty in becoming a warrior. She worries that she'll let Pondstar down, and feels a heavy amount of weight on her shoulders.

Faithdance and Stemfish are enjoying their retirement; between all of the commotion with their clanmates and the twos inclination for prophecies and omens, they have much to chat about around camp. I love them both dearly.

next cypressclan update will be on moon 18! :3

[fernclans]

ADAM! how’s life in cypressclan right now, and what do you think about the buddingclan situation?

Adam: "They're all very young, I've heard. I worry they may be in over their heads. Winter is on its way, and their territory feels its grasp most."

Transcript: "Hectic!"

"Bitterndrift had her kits! All five of them are healthy and growing. I don't think any of us were shocked when Springmallow showed up in the nursery shortly after. It was a surprise to them both, but I'm sure they'll figure it out."

"I joined CypressClan shortly after the fall of FlintClan, so I can't say I know much about them beyond the ginger lad who stayed with us briefly. Hope he's doing alright now."

"I admire their resilience, BuddingClan. I only hope their ambition doesn't get the better of them."

[fernclans]

MOON 03. (cont.)

(tw; (unintentional) misgendering, injury/death suggestion, trauma)

Starring: Cliffpaw (BuddingClan), Bitterndrift (CypressClan), Springmallow (CypressClan), Bitterrumble (CypressClan) Mentions: Pondstar (CypressClan), Magpiestar (FlintClan)

“You don’t have to stay by the kids' side all day, you know?” A black bengal cat chided as he stepped through the rocky opening of the CypressClan healers’ den, a chaffinch hanging from his jaws.

“You say that, but I was the one who convinced Pondstar to let Bitterrumble treat her. She’s my responsibility until she can go back to her own Clan.” The ginger and white molly places her tail softly across Cliffpaw’s back, a soft expression crossing her usually stern face.

The tomcat pads forward a bit and places the bird about a tail-length from Bitterndrift and the apprentice. “She’s been out for a few days now… is Bitterrumble sure she’ll wake up?” His copper eyes show concern as they go from the wounded stranger to his clanmate.

A dusty brown tomcat emerges from one of the dark tunnels that branched from further within the cave opening, carrying an assortment of herbs with him which he promptly takes to another corner of his den, one with a bit more light, and proceeds to use a stone to grind them slowly into a paste. “She’s still in shock,” he muses while he works. “If she wakes from this, which is still an if Bitterndrift, it’ll still be within StarClan’s paws whether or not she’ll survive for long after.”

The ginger molly shrinks somewhat at the healer’s words, making room for him when he approaches with the herbaceous paste. “It’s hard to say if she’s ingesting any of these, but I’d rather waste a few herbs than not try treatment.” He mutters while opening Cliffpaw’s muzzle with one paw and using the other to coat his tongue with the poultice, grimacing after a moment of thought. “Don’t tell Pondstar I said that one, right? I can’t say he’d be the happiest if he found out I was using so many resources on some apprentice from FlintClan.” The two warriors agree, knowing that in spite of Bitterrumble’s lighthearted chuckle, Pondstar would, in fact, not be pleased.

“Do her dressings need to be changed yet?” Bitterndrift chirps, bending down to sniff at the treated wrappings, the overpowering scent of horsetail and garlic makes it impossible to glean much information.

Bitterrumble shakes his head. “Not until sundown, though now that you mention it, I should get a head-start on what I’ll need to wash the bite out again. Springmallow, would you mind accompanying me?”

“Oh- sure thing! I’ll catch you later then, Bitterndrift-- and don’t forget to eat that bird I brought you!” The black and grey tom brushes against the other warrior affectionately as he passes, leaving alongside the healer.

“Right-- be safe! Keep your nose to the wind!” Bitterndrift called after her clanmates as they left, slouching in her posture only when she was sure they were out of sight.

A few moments pass before she addresses the bird her clanmate had brought her; she knew it was best she ate, but having done so little but watch over a cat she’d never even met before, she found herself without much of an appetite.

A sense of calm returns to the den, broken by a sudden gasp, and a sputtering cough. Bitterndrift jumps when the cat beside her begins to convulse, eyes widening with worry when her immediate thought was the cat beside her choking on whatever it was Bitterrumble had just recently administered. “Hey, hey, you’re okay.” She tried to soothe, placing her tail across the other protectively again.

The sensation of her touch seemed to startle the apprentice, the tabby jolting away from her and falling over onto his side. “Who are you? What do you want with me? Am I dead?” He continued to hack and wheeze while he strained to open his remaining good eye to get a look at his assailant? Savior?

“I’m sorry I scared you-- my name is Bitterndrift, w-”

“I’m… I’m alive then?” His breathing begins to slow, if only just.

“You’re alive… Er-”

“Then I need to get back to my clanmates-- they have to be worried sick about me- and there’s no way Amberpaw has been ab-” In a hurry of movements, Cliffpaw picks himself up only to fall over once more into the mossy nest beneath him.

“We can bring you back to your clanmates as soon as you’re stable-- you’re from FlintClan, right?” She wants to ask about the fate of the clan; they hadn’t been present at the gatherings in moons, surely something must have happened to them-- but she fights against this impulse, not wanting to overwhelm someone who was already experiencing so much. “You shouldn’t move around so much, I’m not a healer, I don’t know how healed your wound is. If you started bleeding again, there’s not a lot I’d be able to do to help you.”

Cliffpaw is silent again for a while, allowing himself to stay collapsed in the nest and fully absorb the situation. “Are you sure I’m not dead?”

“Not dead yet.”

“Okay. That’s good.” He moves slowly this time, wincing as he sits up to get a better look at the warrior. “How long have I been here? I’m in CypressClan, right? What happened after I-” He could feel his stomach sink all over again.

“You’ve been in CypressClan for two days now. After you were bit, Springmallow and I rushed you back here to our camp. Pondstar isn’t the most hospitable to outsiders, but with your precarious situation, even he wasn’t going to turn you away.” Even if that “situation” simply meant wanting information on FlintClan’s status… “Could I please get your name?”

“My name is Cliffpaw-- I was Magpiestar’s apprentice.”

“I take that to mean Magpiestar is no longer with us?”

Cliffpaw clenches his jaw, turning his head away from Bitterndrift.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry. FlintClan hasn’t shown up to a gathering in moons now, everyone has been wondering-”

“There’s only four of us now.”

Bitterndrift’s previously composed demeanor drops, if only for a moment. “I beg your pardon?”

“The wolves. They found us. I… I blinded one of them when we were escaping to The Moonlit Caverns… I…” Cliffpaw’s remaining eye store hard at his paws. “It found me.”

“I’m… I’m very sorry to hear that.” There were a lot of words which could be said to express how one feels when brought with such news, but none which could compare to the feelings of those who had gone through it. Another worry courses through Bitterndrift, one she refrains from voicing.

The distant sound of voices made for a welcome reprieve, Bitterndrift nudging the bird over to Cliffpaw. “Here, you should eat this. I’ll tell the others you're awake, is there anything else you’d like me to say to them?”

The tabby is pensive for a while, looking at the chaffinch. He’d never had to do this before, not on his own. For some reason, this almost made him more nervous than speaking about his encounters with the wolves. “Could you also tell them that I’m a tom? I could kind of hear you earlier, but I wasn’t able to move yet.”

“Oh-!” Bitterndrift seems caught off-guard for a moment, before giving the other a soft nod. “Of course I can, Cliffpaw. I’m sorry about earlier.”

Before waiting for a reply, the ginger warrior goes to greet her clanmates outside the den.

while we're in CypressClan for a detour, anyone have questions for our newly introduced cats? next update and we'll be back in BuddingClan to see what everyone's been up to! : 3

[fernclans]

Bitterndrift, what's your favorite thing about CypressClan? And, if you care/dare to share, your least favorite thing?

[fernclans]

Bitterndrift, would you like to give us a crash course on your Clan? A "Top Five Things YOU Should Know About CypressClan!" type of thing!

[fernclans]

Pondstar, what prompted you to pick such a young deputy? They must've done something quite astounding!

"To put it simply, I trust him not just with my life, but with everyone's."