Dealing with Death [Vigil]

[shiny]

And the day had started out so well, too. Hollynight had slept well with normal warrior dreams, no message from StarClan to predict doom and gloom. There was enough fresh-kill for everybody to have one soggy piece of prey, since all the prey were adapted to live in watery conditions. The dens, despite the weather's best attempts, were all dry from daily hard labor to keep all leaks to a minimum.

So yes, the day had started out wonderful. And then Frostlion had come into camp with the lifeless form of Whispersong draped across his back like some morbid second pelt and the illusion of peace had been shattered. Almost as shattered as the bones in Whispersong's body. Yikes. If not for the stench of the thunderpath that lingered on her pelt, Hollynight would have thought she'd tangoed with a tree and the tree won.

Not that she'd ever say it out loud. She was straightforward and mean, but she wasn't cruel. Frostlion and Snowfeather had suffered a shock and her tactless ways weren't what they needed. Instead Hollynight carried bits of thyme over to them. "Here. Thyme, to deal with the shock. Normally I'd also give poppy seeds, but given..." She glanced over at Whispersong's body, laid out peacefully and smelling of rosemary to hide the scent of death. "... I don't think either of you want to sleep right now."

Near

[Near]

 

"Thank you, Hollynight," the tom murmured, his voice kept low in respect for the fallen young warrior. He dipped his head in acknowledgement of the herbs, but let them rest between him and the calico she-cat who hadn't uttered a word since they'd carried Whispersong back into camp. "Take some first Snowfeather." He prompted gently, brushing his shoulder up against hers in silent comfort. 

The she-cat still didn't say anything, or really made any sign of recognition of his presence. She merely stared ahead, her light green eyes fixed on her sister. Frostlion knew what was going on inside her. What was swirling in her head. Knew it all too well and he truly didn't wish it on her. She'd suffered loss before--her parents, her brother; but she had had Whispersong with her back then. Now? Now she truly was alone. "Your clan is still here." He reminded her, his voice soft but he didn't touch her again. "Still here with you."

Again Snowfeather didn't move, didn't utter a sound, and the tom turned a worried glance toward the medicine cat. He didn't expect a comforting word from the feisty she-cat, but perhaps she could offer Snowfeather something he could not, albeit he didn't know what. After a quick glance back at remaining sibling, Frostlion sighed and took half of the thyme into his maw. Chewing carefully he stood and padded a few steps toward the medicine cat, swallowing before addressing her. "Hollynight, a word..."

He didn't wait for her to respond. Moons of being in a place of authority within the clan were still engrained in him and so he turned from the gathering vigil at the center of the camp. "I thank you for your help in dressing Whispersong with the rosemary. It seemed to apeace Snowfeather somewhat. But I've got to ask. Did you find anything strange with Whispersong's remains?" Frostlion's tone had been growing with urgency. Barely noticeable to the untrained ear, his tone of voice could still seem calm and compose albeit a little clipped with grief. Still, there was something gnawing at him in the back of his mind. Something he felt he needed to confirm with the medicine cat. "It seems odd to me that she was alone on the Thunderpath. She wasn't the type to venture out alone. Much less without her sister." The tom sighed, his twitching whiskers the only sign of his growing discomfort. "What I mean to say is, was this really caused by one of the Thunderpath monsters, or should we be looking somewhere else?"

shiny

[☀Eternal☀]

I will never let you fall I'll stand up with you forever I'll be there for you through it all Even if saving you sends me to heaven

Ashfoot of ShadowClan My true love The pain was devastating…. agonizing. Enough so that drawing air into his lungs reminded him of the time he'd been burried in an abandoned badger burrow as an apprentice. He felt trapped. Unable to breathe as he ran. Yet...he was still able to do so. The padding of his paws thudding in his ears as he tried in desperation to grip the muddy sludge with his weakened grip. Grunting he slid for what seemed like the thousandth time. His body sliding across the marshy earth with a sickening slurp. "Fox-dung!" His voice rasped out painfully as he picked himself back up. The day had started out perfectly. Normal for once and nothing even seemed amiss. He'd gone hunting after helping pad the nursery with more leaves. The ever present rain meant the dens had needed padding. Of course now that the task was finished it was time to gather some food. So he'd gone out in search of some prey. None of that mattered anymore though. For right as he'd been about to pounce a cat had burst into the area. Gasping and panting the words spilling from the cat's mouth had barely registered before Ashfoot bolted. No! It wasn't right. It was some stupid cruel joke. Ashfoot pushed himself to move faster. The scent of camp wafting through his nostrils. He couldn't even remember the cat's name now. Were they apprentice? Warrior? It didn't matter. "Hollynight!" His yowl cut off abruptly as he skidded to a halt. His throat closed as the world spun. Air seemed unable to fill his drowning lungs as his green eyes landed on the scene before him. A panicked wave of darkness engulfed him as he stumbled forward. Oh StarClan no...no no no no. The pray shattered through his subconscious. Any moment now Whispersong was going to get up. She was going to laugh. To press her fluffy pelt against his own. His green eyes wracked over her twisted body. He began to shake. Move! Get up!....get up, get up, get up! She wasn't going to move. Ashfoot began to shake and with sickening determination he tried to keep his grip on the swaying earth. "Whispersong," The soft noise of sorrow that escaped his contorted mouth left him without any knowledge. Slowly he dropped his body down next to the broken she-cat. Trying desperately to search out her familiar and comforting scent beneath the herbs...and the thunderpath. His head swirled and he became vaguely aware that Snowfeather was near by. His heart broke further. What was she going to do without her sister? What was he going to do without his love?? "I love you," He moaned softly. Pressing his nose softly against her pelt. Tears stung his eyes as he tried to breathe in her lingering scent. Finding it finally. Lingering but gone quickly. He needed to keep himself under control. To stay silent, very silent. Why he wasn't entirely sure but it seemed better then falling apart completely. Though he was hiding it badly. His body shook as he buried his face in her soft pelt. He didn't want Snowfeather to see his tears. For some reason he felt he didn't have as much right as her to be in pain. My whole heart

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