we press onward | zc meeting

[Dusk]

Losses were to be predicted and expected on this journey. The path cats took were treacherous, unknown, and misfortune would no doubt strike time and time again as the four clans travelled together. The thoughts were far from comforting, but they were all Havocstar had to tell himself as he pressed through the throng of cats gathered in the dank cavern that served as their “home”. How long had it been since they settled down here to rest? A few days, perhaps. And a few days since Infernochaser had failed to return from exploring the unknown passages in search of some hidden source of prey. He could have forbidden the ambitious young she-cat from traversing the passages. What did a Zephyrclan warrior know about steep slopes and poor terrain. He should have forbidden his deputy from travelling alone. Now she was gone. Lost in a rockfall, fallen into a steep crack, any number of fates were possible. Fact of the matter was Infernochaser had to be presumed dead. Zephyrclan needed a deputy on this journey.

The brown tabby stepped neatly around a puddle, letting ochre eyes wander and flit between the familiar pelts of his clanmates, spots here and there mingled with less familiar faces. There was Duneshade chatting eagerly to a petite silver-gray she-cat – oh, what was her name – Splashmist. Patches of apprentices discussing Starclan knows what… Oh yes, they were blending together. The lines between clans blurred without set boundaries. The leader could foresee trouble arising when the time came for the clans to split once more into their respective groups. Not to mention the trouble of Celestialclan’s lack of hierarchy besides Fawndance. These things, though, weren’t Havocstar’s problem. His job was to worry first and foremost for the sake of his extended family. All else came after.

His gaze settled on a pale orange pelt, long-limbed and handsome, Runningfox. The warrior’s return had been a shock to all of the clan. He could recall the tom’s haggard and abrupt appearance, leaning on the shoulder of Orioleflash; the sadness of catching the young male up on events. Now, at least, he seemed to have regained what strength he’d lost. And he certainly wasn’t the playful, carefree warrior that he’d been before. Runningfox had the qualities of a leader now. Wizened by hardships, he’d handled the challenges of journeying better than others. The qualities of strength had always been there, but buried and waiting for the right turn of events to unearth them. Just as has been the case with Ripplesurf. The old male smiled fondly at the memory of his old companion. Gone now to Starclan. And Stormtrick had gone not long after. Runningfox was the strongest connection he had to the now dead warriors.

“Let the warriors and apprentices of Zephyrclan gather for a clan meeting,” he mewed suddenly, forcing himself not to flinch as his voice echoed off the dripping cavern walls. It felt odd, addressing cats without a high point, but the cavern lacked much besides a few short rocks that were only just elevated from the rest of the ground. Also strange: performing this ceremony in the company of cats from other clans. They made do with what they had, though. ”Infernochaser has failed to return from her exploration. We are forced to assume the worst in light of our current situation. We've a past of delayed ceremonies, something which cannot go on; especially not now.” The words, though they felt thick on his tongue, came with surprising ease. The leader hoped he wouldn’t have to make many announcements like this one. "Though the wait may seemed to brief, I've made my new choice." He hesitated, confirming inwardly that the decision he was making was a good one, and steeled his gaze to meet the eyes of his chosen warrior. ”I say these words before Starclan, so that they might approve of my decision… Runningfox will be the new deputy of Zephyrclan,” his tone rang with finality, and he stood, waiting, eyes trained solely upon his chosen deputy.

[aero ❥]

drip, drip, drip The sound of water would usually send the tom scrambling for cover, but strange enough he was under cover. He should have been huddling in the driest corner he could find, shivering with distaste for the entire place. But Runningfox had learned to take control of his phobia, and though he would never enjoy water like he used to, hiding from it just wasn't reality. The orange tabby had come to terms with this back just before they left Vertigoclan's mountainous terrace. It had been raining, and the clans were preparing for the travel to the caves the scouts had found. Like most of his time there, the warrior had been cooped up in a den trying to mentally escape. He hardly got the chance when a black and white tom had barged in ordering everyone to get out - it was time to leave. Not yet surely... But around him the many cats were rising and pushing past out into the stormy weather. Sighing, the pale tabby followed suite and gingerly emerged into the gale. Whipped with icy vengeance of the storm, the tabby sluggishly plowed through the deepening mud towards the Vertigo camp entrance. Single-file through the thistles, the pines swayed and blew; groaning of the ancient giants the voice of every cat's fear.

Once the tunnel was passed, the single line became a stream of three to four cats at a time, occasional shoving and hissing fraying already strung nerves and tensions. An abrupt bout of claustrophobia shook Runningfox to his roots as if he was a tree himself. He couldn't take all the soaked pelts against his own on every side. Stumbling from the mass, he ignored the questioning looks drilling into his shivering skin, and instead pressed close to the trunk of a rough tree. He was wet. He was cold. He was beginning to get hungry. All of these things made him want to yowl to the heavens for mercy - until he hit a revelation. Something happened, no one can say what. It was a bout of ashes that found a way to burn again, and set a blaze to his spirit. To his determination, and to his tolerance. The rest of the clans' travel he had regained his strength, his good outlook, and his cunning moral to influence and lead. A true gift from the stars.

And now, sharing tongues with another warrior the large tomcat was changed. He hadn't lost his charm - true - but he had gained so much more. He had nobility, respect, and a more directed passion than he ever did before. He still had things to learn, opportunities to grow. But he was a greater warrior than moons' past undoubtedly. “Let the warriors and apprentices of Zephyrclan gather for a clan meeting,” The echoing call of his leader stopped him mid-lick, saffron eyes glancing up to obtain Havocstar in their glowing depths. The spiky furred tom had been part of his life longer than most other cats, since he had been a dear friend of his father's. Nodding to the warrior he had been grooming Runningfox stood in one fluid motion with a push of his long leg, padding closer with light foot-falls to the older tabby tom. I wonder if this meeting is about news on Infernochaser. The deputy had gone missing on solo exploration of the endless caves, and all of Zephyrclan was hoping for some sign of her.

”Infernochaser has failed to return from her exploration. We are forced to assume the worst in light of our current situation. We've a past of delayed ceremonies, something which cannot go on; especially not now.” A few low gasps from the gathered cats sent murmurs spreading like wild fire. "Though the wait may seemed to brief, I've made my new choice." An anticipating hush fell over the cavern. ”I say these words before Starclan, so that they might approve of my decision… Runningfox will be the new deputy of Zephyrclan.” Like bulbs his yellow eyes lit with welcomed shock, surprised twitch of his tail the only movement he made. The pale tabby hadn't expected it truthfully, it hadn't been long since he'd recovered both his physical and mental well-being. Holding Havocstar's stare, the new deputy stood with a appreciative nod. The world seemed to sway, congratulating meows heard from a distance. His head was swimming with emotion, realization, and honor. I'll follow in his footsteps. The thought almost sent tears springing to his eyes, but for the sake of his new reputation the tabby held himself fast. He was referring to his father, though deputy only a short time was cherished.

Calmly striding up to the leader's side, Runningfox faced his clan-mates. "I never thought - and I'm sure most of you thought the same - that I would never exceed past that young warrior I was." Leave it up to him to lighten the mood of the moment. "But let me assure you that's never been further behind me." A seriousness enveloped the speaker's words. "My father, Ripplesurf, was the deputy of this clan not so long ago. And though sadly his time was short he couldn't have done better at his role." The handsome tom threw a sideways glance at Havocstar when mentioning his passed kin. "I promise you I'll follow in his footsteps, and tread ground further into the future than he was able. Zephyrclan will finish the journey together, and when all is settled the kin of our kin will look back on us and know we've done them proud." His devotion seethed out of every word, fervor pulsing through his veins with every heartbeat. Runningfox was sure of it - this was his destiny.