Mind Your [Claws] (AbingHoeffer!)

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// @snowykcnomre! Dawnwhisker can't just get away with these things ;D


{Hope is the thing with feathers}

Ratstar stalked across the clearing from her Den, her dappled pelt sleek beneath the midday sun. Her tail was angled upwards behind her and her head was low, ears forward and eyes sharp as she made her way to the Warriors' Den. It was the morning after the last Gathering, and the petite leader had... some words for one of her warriors. On the outside, as always, SunsetClan's leader was calm and steady and her expression was firmly impassable. On the inside, however, an anger boiled in the pit of her stomach.

Reaching the Warriors' Den, Ratstar ducked her head into the entrance and called authoritatively into the dark. "I'm looking for Dawnwhisker," she announced, voice not loud but clear and resounding. "If she is here, or if someone knows of her whereabouts, you are to meet me in the clearing. Immediately." Then the leader stepped back and stood, waiting. If Dawnwhisker was not in the den, she would continue her search elsewhere.

{That perches in the soul}

// Dawnwhisker doesn't need to be in the den if you want her to be somewhere else. Just as long as she eventually comes into camp for this thread =)

[Deleted]

OOC: Dawnwhisker will probably stay the same grouchy cat. And I love that poem It's one of my favorites!

The light brown cat was sleeping in the dark far corner. Her eyes fluttered open when she heard Ratstar mew.
Dawnwhisker's expression was dark. She muttered something under her breath. I wish Ratstar would leave me alone. Can't a cat get some sleep around here? Whatever Ratstar wants, it can wait. Cause I don't care! Dawnwhisker's thought.

She flicked her tail silently. Normally she would've clawed (or attempt to) Ratstar's eyes out by then, but Dawnwhisker's was too tired to do anything of the sort except flick her tail and mutter something rude about Ratstar, under her breath.

Dawnwhisker's decided she would go into the clearing later. First, Ratstar would have to leave so she could get some much needed rest. The light brown she-cat yawned quietly, and tried to go back to sleep.

<And sings the tune without the words>

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// Ooooooh big trouble now.

Another set of eyes also flickered open when they heard Ratstar's call. This set belonged to a cinnamon-pelted tom, whose fiery gaze and sly grin were well known throughout SunsetClan, as well as others. Sandstrike perked his ears and lifted his head as the leader stepped back out into the clearing, his smirk already dutifully in place despite just waking up from his nap. Dawnwhisker? Was that the name he heard? ...wasn't that the cat who spoke out against Briarclaw the night before? The tom, a seasoned warrior and senior among the ranks of SunsetClan, knew most of the others by name and face, and so he took it upon himself to give the Den a brief once-over... and his eyes landed on the light brown pelt of Dawnwhisker, who merely shifted in her place before apparently going back to sleep. Sandstrike quirked his brow. She must be a sound sleeper not to have woken up...

With a yawn of his own, the long-legged warrior got to his paws and padded over to the she-cat, picking his way around the other few, scattered bodies. Standing over her now, her nudged her very gently with one paw and spoke her name. "Dawnwhisker," he prompted, trying to wake her without startling her. "Dawnwhisker, Ratstar is summoning you to the clearing."

[Deleted]

Dawnwhisker could smell Sandstrike before he reached her. She knew he was a seasoned warrior at 61 moons. Besides that, Dawnwhisker didn't know much more about him. She never paid attention to those sort of things. What's the point of learning everything about each other? Eventually, the other cats gonna die. Dawnwhisker wasn't one to be bothered by such notions. It was something she knew and was quite familiar about. While other cats might grieve at the loss of another, Dawnwhisker would scorn the idea of weeping.

The she-cat instantly realized that Sandstrike was heading forwards her, but she still layed there. Dawnwhisker felt Sandstrike's paw trying to wake her up. It worked. Dawnwhisker leaped up and growled. Now Sandstrike? I'll never get some sleep at this rate! The light brown she-cat hissed menacingly. "You can tell Ratstar I'll come when I want to!" Dawnwhisker mewed angrily before laying down again. The furious she-cat sighed.It seemed to her that her clan, SunsetClan had no consideration of a sleeping cat.

[[Acro.]]

Sandstrike, a bit startled by the she-cat's abrupt shift from "apparently sleeping" to "entirely awake," took a step back, his ears reaching forward and his tail curling curiously. Well then... at least she was up now.

Hissing and bristling, but up, none the less.

"You can tell Ratstar I'll come when I want to!"

...oh? The long-legged warrior quirked his brow at Dawnwhisker, expression steadily cool and easy--casual. A sharp contrast to Dawnwhisker's high-energy tension. "No need to get your tail in a knot," he remarked with a shrug, flicking his own tail in dismissal of the she-cat's unwarranted attitude. "And given how... eagerly you jumped at the news, it seems to me like you "want" to go and see Ratstar right now." In the shadow of the den, Sandstrike's naturally blazing eyes landed pointedly onto Dawnwhisker's, the fire behind them rolling temperately in the darkness.

Yes. Yes, it seemed to him like Dawnwhisker just couldn't wait to oblige her leader with some of her time, even if that time was entirely precious.

[Deleted]

Dawnwhisker rested for a little bit but found that she couldn`t sleep very well. May as well see what our rude leader wants. The grumpy she-cat thought. She walked out of the warriors den and into the clearing. Dawnwhisker slinked in the shadow before going up to 'rude' Ratstar.

Dawnwhisker looked around she didn`t see Ratstar so she stepped out of the shadows and layed down. It was fairly comfy. but way too bright! "Whose idea was it to have a bright orb in the sky?" She muttered.

[[Acro.]]

ooc:// @snowykcnomre! Sorry for my absence--just started a second real-life job that I am adjusting to c: but I definitely want to keep going with this thread!
Also, it's fine this time, but just for future reference: remember to be careful with your posts and time-skipping, because Sandstrike made a direct comment to Dawnwhisker but you went ahead and skipped past it as though it never happened, essentially leaving him there and assuming he wouldn't try to wake her up again =) Need to watch out for those details!


{And sings the tune without the words}

No sooner had Dawnwhisker made herself comfortable in the sunny clearing than Ratstar was striding out of her den for the second time that afternoon. Her tail was angled sharply, her head low and eyes icy cold despite the warm day. She made a beeline for the basking warrior, her petite frame clearing a path across camp, other cats naturally moving out of her way--it was obvious she had someplace to be.

And that place was with Dawnwhisker.

"Dawnwhisker," she stated firmly, reaching the other she-cat's side, voice calm but oozing authority. Her tail lashed once, waiting for the warrior to give her appropriate attention.

{And never stops, at all}

Not far off, lounging in the shade, Sandstrike was stretched with a half-eaten fish between his paws. He was smirking devilishly, eyes watching the scene play out in the clearing. Some entertainment with his meal--how wonderful. He'd told Ratstar all about Dawnwhisker's reaction, when she'd been told she had been summoned by the Leader... so this was sure to prove worth watching.

[Deleted]

Dawnwhisker preferred being alone. She wasn't very good around other cats. but Dawnwhisker had lived her whole life in SunsetClan so there was no leaving now for Dawnwhisker.

And all I wanted was some rest. Dawnwhisker glanced at Ratstar warily. She watched Ratstar with a pair of fiery eyes. She sat up upright and flicked her tail irrativily. "What now?" Dawnwhisker curtly mewed.

[[Acro.]]

{And sweetest in the gale is heard}

"What now?" came Dawnwhisker's less-than-patient reply. Ratstar's eyes narrowed, though she maintained her steady outward expression.

"I have been informed that when I summoned you earlier, you intentionally ignored me. Is this true?" Of course it was true. The leader knew it was true--the cat who told her would never lie. She just wanted to see if Dawnwhisker was going to fess up or deny everything. The petite feline watched the other she-cat carefully, meeting her gaze without reservation. Yes, Dawnwhisker had a fire in her eyes...

but it was hardly enough to burn a cat like Ratstar--a cat who had walked through flames, shielded by her icy front.

No, no Ratstar felt zero intimidation from the larger warrior sitting before her. She was just another petty trouble-maker that needed some... correcting.

{And sore must be the storm}

[Deleted]

"I have been informed that when I summoned you earlier, you intentionally ignored me. Is this true?"

Dawnwhisker glared at Ratstar. She hated being interrogated which was what Ratstar was doing. Dawnwhisker did not plan on cooperating however and decided to be as unimformative as possible.

"What would it be to you?" Dawnwhisker hautily mewed.

Dawnwhisker wasn`t exactly thinking straight. Still very annoyed with Briarclaw, Dawnwhisker was not going to show any respect to most cats for some time. Fiercly protective over her clan`s reputation, she was burning with fury when the TalonClan accused all the other clans, including SunsetClan, for kidnapping Pebblestar.

[[Acro.]]

{That could abash the little bird}

"What would it be to you?"

Ratstar pulled her whiskers back, the tip of her tail twitching. Okay then. So this was basically a confession, but still an intention to be obstinate. Normally, at this point, the leader would invite the warrior into her Den so they could have some privacy during this... sensitive moment, but Ratstar doubted Dawnwhisker would comply. And so, the she-cat would be receiving her punishment in the clearing, where any might overhear. "Dawnwhisker," the leader began, voice firm with cold authority. "The behavior you displayed toward TalonClan's Deputy at our most recent Gathering was deplorable, and it has also been brought to my attention that you have attacked a Clanmate--Hailsong--without cause. These instances, added to your blatant disregard for my authority, leave me no choice but to issue severe punishment." She paused here, giving her words just a brief moment to sink in. Dawnwhisker needed to realize there were things she simply could not get away with. "If you have anything to say about what you've done, now is your only chance."

{That kept so many warm}

[Deleted]

"The behavior you displayed toward TalonClan's Deputy at our most recent Gathering was deplorable, and it has also been brought to my attention that you have attacked a Clanmate--Hailsong--without cause. These instances, added to your blatant disregard for my authority, leave me no choice but to issue severe punishment."

Dawnwhisker glared at Ratstar even more icily. So now she was being punished. Severly punished. One might become worried at those words. but it seemed Dawnwhisker wasn`t. In fact, only those fiery eyes betrayed her fear. but it was still there, much to Dawnwhisker`s annoyance. A feeling of severe pain and hunger vibrated through her body. Images of a terrible snowstorm filled her head. Would Ratstar banish her? If Ratstar did, what would Dawnwhisker do? She probably could survive on her own, but she loved her niece dearly and she had become quite attached to her clan in general.

"If you have anything to say about what you've done, now is your only chance."

Dawnwhisker snapped out of her fears. "Briarclaw shouldn`t have accused the clans of something she had no proof of," Dawnwhisker stated,

[[Acro.]]

{I've heard it in the chillest land}

"Briarclaw shouldn`t have accused the clans of something she had no proof of."

An okay point, but still not an acceptable excuse for her behavior.

Ratstar flicked her tail, voice cool and steady. "That may be so," she began, tone formal. "but Briarclaw was panicked and fearing for her leader. She was a desperate cat--we should not blame her for trying." No, no Ratstar had not been insulted or even minorly offended by TalonClan's Deputy's subtle accusation. It was fair, and it was natural. "Dawnwhisker," she began again after a momentary pause, addressing her warrior with all of the authority that came with the leadership osition. "For your behavior against Briarclaw, you have hereby lost any and all privileges allowing you to attend future Gatherings. You are to remain in camp on the nights of the full moon, until I lift this restriction from you." If she couldn't show respect at a Gathering, then Dawnwhisker would not be attending them. Ratstar went on. "For attacking Hailsong without just cause, you have shown me that you have forgotten what it means to uphold an honorable warrior name. From today forward, you are again to be known as Dawnpaw. I will announce this officially during our next Ceremony, and it will remain in effect until you have proven to me that you are again walking a virtuous path." A brief pause, and then, finally, "And for your blatant disregard of my authority... you will be assisting with both the early morning and late evening patrols for the next moon. If I learn that you have gone against or disregard any of these decrees, then I will issue further punishment." And if that continued... well, then SunsetClan had no place for a cat like Dawnwhisker. but Ratstar sincerely hoped the other she-cat understood the weight of her actions and knew not to push her luck any further. In that next moment, Ratstar fell silent, giving Dawnwhisker--or, rather, Dawnpaw an opportunity to understand these punishments and react.

{And on the strangest sea}

ooc:// These punishments are very real, and they should all be played out accordingly in your future threads with Dawnwhisker--now Dawnpaw--until they are officially lifted again by me =)

[Deleted]

OOC: Ooooo! Dawny`s gonna love these punishments (especially the second punishment).

"For your behavior against Briarclaw, you have hereby lost any and all privileges allowing you to attend future Gatherings. You are to remain in camp on the nights of the full moon, until I lift this restriction from you."

"That`s not... too bad. It could be worse," Dawnwhisker mewed, trying to keep a rare cheerful attitude. Dawnwhisker shifted her weight side to side nervously. "I`ve got a feeling there`s something next..." Dawnwhisker thought.

"For attacking Hailsong without just cause, you have shown me that you have forgotten what it means to uphold an honorable warrior name. From today forward, you are again to be known as Dawnpaw. I will announce this officially during our next Ceremony, and it will remain in effect until you have proven to me that you are again walking a virtuous path,"

Dawnpaw nearly jumped out of her pelt at the next punishment... She couldn`t believe her ears! "W-w-what?!" Dawnpaw studdered.

"And for your blatant disregard of my authority... you will be assisting with both the early morning and late evening patrols for the next moon. If I learn that you have gone against or disregard any of these decrees, then I will issue further punishment."

"Ugh! I`ll never be able to keep up with that many patrols!" Dawnpaw thought inwardly.

Going over her punishments, only one of them was that bad. Dawnwhisker, Dawnpaw`s pride was hurt terribly. Dawnpaw remembered feeling so proud when she had earned her warrior name. "Where will I sleep? In the warriors den or the apprentice`s den?" Dawnpaw mewed, trying to keep her voice calm and cool. This time, none of her shamed feelings showed.

[[Acro.]]

{but never, in extremity}

Ratstar stood, ready for backlash--ready for Dawnpaw to rear with her temper and throw a fit. but what the leader expected never came, and instead she was met with a stony, "Where will I sleep? In the warriors' den or the apprentices' den?"

The leader's whiskers reached forward in subtle curiosity, admittedly surprised by the other she-cat's unexpectedly subdued reaction. Ratstar's tail-tip twitched, and a twang of sympathy fluttered in her chest. As stern as Ratstar might seem most days, she was, in fact, a cat of great compassion. She did not like that these punishments needed to be issued... but the plain truth was that they were needed, and she was the only cat for the job. When she replied, a sliver of that hard edge left Ratstar's tone. "You may continue to sleep with the other warriors," she explained coolly with a nod, and then her tone again hardened as she continued with the warning: "but, Dawnpaw, understand this: if these behaviors of yours continue, that privilege will be next to go." And Dawnpaw would be returning to the Apprentice's den before she had time to regret her actions.

The leader hesitated, and then her voice lost a noticeable portion of its authority--Ratstar almost sounded more like a regular cat; almost like just another warrior. "Dawnpaw, show me you are better than the cat I've seen." Ratstar wanted her Clan--all of her Clan, whom she would die for--to succeed and achieve their potentials. That went for all cats... including troublemakers like Dawnwhisker.

{It asked a crumb of me}