11-22-2020, 02:55 AM
LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN
Been working to the bone, been burning both ends,
Rhinestonestar had been around for a good, long while. Not as long as many of the elders within the group, nor even some of the warriors, but he wasn't new. Palmclan had been his home for some time, and he had been doing everything he could for it ever since the day he had become an apprentice. It had been an exhausting life, admittedly, but also a fulfilling one. He wouldn't have traded any part of it, not for the entire world, and he still felt that way. He felt that way even now, with a chill embedded deep into his bones that he was fairly sure he would never be free of. The sickness had him in its grip, and he wasn't truly sure he'd ever be able to escape. After all, it had been weeks, and things still hadn't cleared up. This wasn't any simple cold, and deep down, he knew that. He knew that it was killing him, yet he kept silent, not wanting to be a bother on any of those around him. What kind of leader would he have been, if he put the burden on the shoulders of others? No, he needed to worry about himself, as well as the growing clan around him. He couldn't afford to focus on the pain, no matter how heavy his limbs had begun to feel. No matter how much his head had begun to ache every hour of the day, making his head spin. No matter how much he yearned for more rest, even as he worked his paws down to the bone and spent every moment worrying about his friends, and family.
Tirelessly, he had continued to give his life for Palmclan, even if it was now very much more in a literal sense. He hadn't known when exactly it would end up happening, but he knew that he couldn't keep things up for much longer. Not when every coughing fit brought blood with it, and when his vision occasionally blurred so much that he could barely take a step ahead. His ribs were beginning to press against his skin, and he certainly hadn't missed the gazes of worry and anxiety that were often being thrown his way. When he had woken up this morning, he had been able to tell that something was off. His body felt weaker than ever before, and the entire world looked and sounded as though it had been swallowed up by the sea. It was like his ears were full of cotton, and everything just bounced off of him without leaving an impact. He was fairly sure someone had come to wake him up, but he could barely remember, having stirred only slightly when he felt their paw upon his shoulder. Today was the day that everything was going to end, and truthfully? He knew it. It would've been borderline impossible for him not to, as if there was a clock steadily ticking down within his brain, reminding him that he wasn't about to make it to the next morning.
Trying to make them meet before we're hungry again.
Despite knowing that he was going to die, Rhine hadn't decided to go and see Vaas, or tried to tell anyone else. Instead, the tom just pushed himself up on unsteady paws, slipping out of camp without a word to anyone. The snow wet sand shifted beneath his paws, reminding him of why exactly he needed to leave. If he was going to die, then he was at least going to die doing something for the good of his clan. He was going to hunt, and he was going to bring something good. He was going to make sure that his family was well fed, before he was forced to say goodbye to them for the last time. In the past, he might've believed that Starclan would save him, and usher him into another life, but now he knew better. He knew that this would be his last hunt, and that he was going to end up wherever he would end up. Starclan didn't care about him, and frankly, he didn't care about them either. They had not only abandoned him, but they had also abandoned Palmclan, and that was the last straw for him. If they weren't willing to protect the clan, then they didn't deserve their worship – although he kept this opinion mostly to himself.
So it's left, right, left, down, the trail of the dead,
His steps led him into the Twisted Forest, as much as he usually hated it. He knew it to be the prime location for good prey, even if most prey had already started hiding beneath the cold earth. If there was anything good that he could catch, then it would be in the forest. However, it was difficult to push himself forward, not only because of his fear of the forest. Rather, the place still reminded him of Medusa's death. Of the scent of her fear on the air, and the chaotic splashes of blood that had been the only things remaining of her. Even with her eventually return, it was still difficult for him to think about. Every step further into the trees was labored, and not just because of the rattling breath that left his lungs with an ache. He was practically dragging himself forward through the foliage, brushing away leaves and slinking through the trees, his entire body aching. His pale gaze was full of pain, although it brightened when something came into view. A rabbit. A big, plump rabbit, right in the middle of a clearing. Sitting out there, searching for anything that it could eat, it was the perfect target. Immediately, he spring forward, claws out and jaws wide open, although this hunt would not be as easy as he had hoped. Not just because of the sickness slowly eroding his body, either.
Sometimes those six feet look tempting, I've gotta confess.
The rabbit heard him. It was a split second reaction, and suddenly the plump creature had bolted, rushing through the clumped together trees of the forest. However, even in his barely alive state, Rhine was stubborn. He refused to give up, running after the rabbit as fast as his legs could carry him. His chest was heaving and the world was spinning around him, feeling as though he was running straight down into his own grave. However, he kept giving chase, his eyes focused solely on the back of the rabbit in front of him, fleeing as fast as its legs could carry it. Occasionally, his jaws grew close to gripping down on the piece of prey, but ultimately he knew that he was fighting a losing battle. It wasn't long before the rabbit was gone, vanishing into the foliage and leaving Rhine standing there, the trees towering around him. The thick flees seemed to close him in, and as he stood there, he realized that he didn't know where he was. His race after the rabbit had brought him too far out, and now, he was lost. Lost to his clan, and ultimately, lost to Starclan as well.
Been working to the bone, been burning both ends,
The ruddy tom turned, ready to try and find his way back, but his body had decided it had enough. His legs gave out beneath him, and his chin cracked as it collided with the ground. The feline yowled in pain, his entire body aching in protest as he laid there, unable to move. It was a couple of seconds before violent coughing began to wrack his body, causing him to shake and tremble. His blood splattered in uneven patterns against the ground, glistening and bold against the vivid green of the forest around him. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he tried to will himself forward, unable to get his limbs to move. He muttered desperately, frustration and agony rolling through his prone form in waves, "No, no, no... please... please... I don't want to die. I wanna go home..." His desperate muttering fell on the deaf ears of the forest, immobile and silent. There was nothing more in response than the rustling of the leaves, and... a sudden crack.
Trying to make them meet before we're hungry again.
Drool dripped steadily down from the jaws of the creature that approached, blue eyes gleaming and dangerous as it stepped closer and closer. The wolf looked unthinking and unfeeling, focused upon Rhinestone solely because it saw something to eat, and nothing more. Sharp fangs were shown off as the canine opened its mouth, a snarl breaking forth and causing a burst of adrenaline to rush through Rhine's form. Even in his exhausted and nearly dead state, the leader was able to stumble to his paws. His body was screaming in protest, but he knew that he couldn't just stay still and let the wolf devour him. Instead, he turned and ran, blood that was formerly just running down his jaws dripping onto the forest floor behind him as he bolted. It was sort of a divine and cruel irony, knowing that he was now the one being violently pursued through the forest. Behind him, he could hear the canine gaining on him, wild howls and barks echoing throughout the forest as he barely managed to dodge snapping jaws. However, he thought he might have a chance. If he could just get back to camp, then he'd have people who could back him up. He could get help, and he could be happy, and he wouldn't have to die in the jaws of a wild and ravenous wolf.
So it's left, right, left, down, the trail of the dead,
Fate was sick, and twisted, and didn't care for Rhinestone's wants, however. It wasn't long before the tom was finally able to break through the trees, but what he saw wasn't the welcome view of his camp. Nor was it the wooden boardwalk, presenting him with another escape. Instead, it was the cliffs, sloping downward in jagged edges that spared no mercy to those that fell down, left to be impaled on the sharp rocks below. Rhine had no way of escaping, with the cliffside going sharply downwards in front of him, and the snarling wolf among the trees behind him. Immediately, he felt himself deflate, the agony returning and the tears returning to his gaze. He looked upwards, knowing that it would only be a matter of moments before the wolf reached him, and his life would come to an end. Up above, the leader could've sworn that he could see stars twinkling in the sky, even though it was only midday. They stared back at him, as if many other souls were just watching, and waiting, seeing if he would prove himself worthy, or end up just another corpse decaying in the dirt. Perhaps to another, their eyes on them would've been inspiring.
Instead, the uncaring gaze of the stars above filled Rhinestonestar with rage. He knew it was Starclan, and he knew that they were just watching him, unwilling to help and unwilling to care. Even though he knew it would only attract the wolf faster, the feline found himself screaming at the sky above, "Is this what you wanted? IS THIS HOW YOU MEANT FOR IT ALL TO HAPPEN? WAS I JUST A PAWN TO YOU ALL?" The steps of the canine grew ever closer, but Rhinestone continued to scream, tears rolling down his cheeks and blood dripping down from his mouth, "I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY! I don't... I don't know why you abandoned me. I don't know why you abandoned them, but I hope you're fucking happy. Cause this is how I'm going to die. Alone and afraid, all because of YOU! I was a fool to ever think you'd save me. I was a fool to think you'd ever help my clan, when I should've been the one to help them..." His voice trailed off, raw and too hoarse for him to even attempt to scream any longer. Behind him, he heard the wolf emerge from the trees, gleaming with a savagery that he couldn't bear to face.
And only six feet between me and catching my breath.
He wondered, idly, what it would be like once he was dead. Would Starclan welcome him, even as he cursed their name, or would he end up somewhere else? Would he finally just get a chance to rest, as he had longed for, for so long? His mind wandered as the wolf grew closer, drool continuing to drip from its jaws. Rhine only managed to let out a shout as the canine stepped forward, and jaws clamped down onto his neck. Despite his earlier resignation, the feline still thrashed around in vain, shouting and kicking his back limbs against the wolf's neck. It was all for naught, as teeth began to pierce his flesh, and he found blood running freely down his throat. As he stared numbly upwards, he could've sworn that the faint stars were beginning to flicker out of the sky, abandoning him for the last time. Tears stung his eyes and blurred the clouds above, and there was another sickening crack. After that, Rhinestone was gone, merely a limp piece of prey hanging from the jaws of the creature that had caught him. Not only dead because of his downward spiral of health issues, but also because of the cats above that had left him to nothingness.
However, Starclan did not get their final satisfaction. The wolf was not able to just walk off with his body, and leave Palmclan with nothing. Instead, a hunting patrol began to approach the cliffs, a group of various felines and other animals who had gone out to try and catch anything. Their presence startled the wolf, who dropped Rhine's limp body onto the ground, snarling as it turned and fled back into the trees. There was utter silence for a moment, before the patrol emerged from the forest, all of them freezing at the sight before them. Rhinestonestar was unmoving, and one of the members of the patrol let out a wail, the others moving forward to gather him up. They knew that there was nothing more that they could do, most of them in shock as they turned and headed back towards the Palmclan camp. The entire walk back was silent save for the sound of their footsteps against the ground as they grew closer to the sandy incline.
Eventually, the patrol reached camp, and immediately excited eyes were on them. Questions began to swarm them, asking if they had found any prey, but the majority of the patrol was deathly silent. Only the leader of the patrol stepped forward, lowering Rhinestone's body to the ground in the middle of camp. Immediately, the crowd around them recoiled, growing silent in shock and devastation. The leader of the patrol hesitated for a moment before finally cracking his jaws open, letting out a mournful howl, "Palmclan! Rhinestonestar... is dead."
Only six feet between me and getting some rest.
(( 300th post, and rhine's first death + in case you didn't know, this is only temporary as part of the clanwide plot, so rhinestone will be returning in a different body for a big important meeting tmrw. please don't feel the need to match length in order to respond!
TL;DR: rhinestone can feel that the sickness is going to kill him, so he decides to go hunting one last time in order to feel useful before he dies. he finds a big plump rabbit in the forest and ends up chasing it, but ultimately collapses, with a large hungry wolf emerging from the trees. adrenaline kicks in and he flees from the wolf, but ends up getting trapped against the cliff edge, where he screams his frustrations at starclan before the wolf catches and kills him by breaking his neck. ultimately a patrol comes along and finds his body, returning him to camp and announcing his death ))
Rhinestonestar had been around for a good, long while. Not as long as many of the elders within the group, nor even some of the warriors, but he wasn't new. Palmclan had been his home for some time, and he had been doing everything he could for it ever since the day he had become an apprentice. It had been an exhausting life, admittedly, but also a fulfilling one. He wouldn't have traded any part of it, not for the entire world, and he still felt that way. He felt that way even now, with a chill embedded deep into his bones that he was fairly sure he would never be free of. The sickness had him in its grip, and he wasn't truly sure he'd ever be able to escape. After all, it had been weeks, and things still hadn't cleared up. This wasn't any simple cold, and deep down, he knew that. He knew that it was killing him, yet he kept silent, not wanting to be a bother on any of those around him. What kind of leader would he have been, if he put the burden on the shoulders of others? No, he needed to worry about himself, as well as the growing clan around him. He couldn't afford to focus on the pain, no matter how heavy his limbs had begun to feel. No matter how much his head had begun to ache every hour of the day, making his head spin. No matter how much he yearned for more rest, even as he worked his paws down to the bone and spent every moment worrying about his friends, and family.
Tirelessly, he had continued to give his life for Palmclan, even if it was now very much more in a literal sense. He hadn't known when exactly it would end up happening, but he knew that he couldn't keep things up for much longer. Not when every coughing fit brought blood with it, and when his vision occasionally blurred so much that he could barely take a step ahead. His ribs were beginning to press against his skin, and he certainly hadn't missed the gazes of worry and anxiety that were often being thrown his way. When he had woken up this morning, he had been able to tell that something was off. His body felt weaker than ever before, and the entire world looked and sounded as though it had been swallowed up by the sea. It was like his ears were full of cotton, and everything just bounced off of him without leaving an impact. He was fairly sure someone had come to wake him up, but he could barely remember, having stirred only slightly when he felt their paw upon his shoulder. Today was the day that everything was going to end, and truthfully? He knew it. It would've been borderline impossible for him not to, as if there was a clock steadily ticking down within his brain, reminding him that he wasn't about to make it to the next morning.
Trying to make them meet before we're hungry again.
Despite knowing that he was going to die, Rhine hadn't decided to go and see Vaas, or tried to tell anyone else. Instead, the tom just pushed himself up on unsteady paws, slipping out of camp without a word to anyone. The snow wet sand shifted beneath his paws, reminding him of why exactly he needed to leave. If he was going to die, then he was at least going to die doing something for the good of his clan. He was going to hunt, and he was going to bring something good. He was going to make sure that his family was well fed, before he was forced to say goodbye to them for the last time. In the past, he might've believed that Starclan would save him, and usher him into another life, but now he knew better. He knew that this would be his last hunt, and that he was going to end up wherever he would end up. Starclan didn't care about him, and frankly, he didn't care about them either. They had not only abandoned him, but they had also abandoned Palmclan, and that was the last straw for him. If they weren't willing to protect the clan, then they didn't deserve their worship – although he kept this opinion mostly to himself.
So it's left, right, left, down, the trail of the dead,
His steps led him into the Twisted Forest, as much as he usually hated it. He knew it to be the prime location for good prey, even if most prey had already started hiding beneath the cold earth. If there was anything good that he could catch, then it would be in the forest. However, it was difficult to push himself forward, not only because of his fear of the forest. Rather, the place still reminded him of Medusa's death. Of the scent of her fear on the air, and the chaotic splashes of blood that had been the only things remaining of her. Even with her eventually return, it was still difficult for him to think about. Every step further into the trees was labored, and not just because of the rattling breath that left his lungs with an ache. He was practically dragging himself forward through the foliage, brushing away leaves and slinking through the trees, his entire body aching. His pale gaze was full of pain, although it brightened when something came into view. A rabbit. A big, plump rabbit, right in the middle of a clearing. Sitting out there, searching for anything that it could eat, it was the perfect target. Immediately, he spring forward, claws out and jaws wide open, although this hunt would not be as easy as he had hoped. Not just because of the sickness slowly eroding his body, either.
Sometimes those six feet look tempting, I've gotta confess.
The rabbit heard him. It was a split second reaction, and suddenly the plump creature had bolted, rushing through the clumped together trees of the forest. However, even in his barely alive state, Rhine was stubborn. He refused to give up, running after the rabbit as fast as his legs could carry him. His chest was heaving and the world was spinning around him, feeling as though he was running straight down into his own grave. However, he kept giving chase, his eyes focused solely on the back of the rabbit in front of him, fleeing as fast as its legs could carry it. Occasionally, his jaws grew close to gripping down on the piece of prey, but ultimately he knew that he was fighting a losing battle. It wasn't long before the rabbit was gone, vanishing into the foliage and leaving Rhine standing there, the trees towering around him. The thick flees seemed to close him in, and as he stood there, he realized that he didn't know where he was. His race after the rabbit had brought him too far out, and now, he was lost. Lost to his clan, and ultimately, lost to Starclan as well.
Been working to the bone, been burning both ends,
The ruddy tom turned, ready to try and find his way back, but his body had decided it had enough. His legs gave out beneath him, and his chin cracked as it collided with the ground. The feline yowled in pain, his entire body aching in protest as he laid there, unable to move. It was a couple of seconds before violent coughing began to wrack his body, causing him to shake and tremble. His blood splattered in uneven patterns against the ground, glistening and bold against the vivid green of the forest around him. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he tried to will himself forward, unable to get his limbs to move. He muttered desperately, frustration and agony rolling through his prone form in waves, "No, no, no... please... please... I don't want to die. I wanna go home..." His desperate muttering fell on the deaf ears of the forest, immobile and silent. There was nothing more in response than the rustling of the leaves, and... a sudden crack.
Trying to make them meet before we're hungry again.
Drool dripped steadily down from the jaws of the creature that approached, blue eyes gleaming and dangerous as it stepped closer and closer. The wolf looked unthinking and unfeeling, focused upon Rhinestone solely because it saw something to eat, and nothing more. Sharp fangs were shown off as the canine opened its mouth, a snarl breaking forth and causing a burst of adrenaline to rush through Rhine's form. Even in his exhausted and nearly dead state, the leader was able to stumble to his paws. His body was screaming in protest, but he knew that he couldn't just stay still and let the wolf devour him. Instead, he turned and ran, blood that was formerly just running down his jaws dripping onto the forest floor behind him as he bolted. It was sort of a divine and cruel irony, knowing that he was now the one being violently pursued through the forest. Behind him, he could hear the canine gaining on him, wild howls and barks echoing throughout the forest as he barely managed to dodge snapping jaws. However, he thought he might have a chance. If he could just get back to camp, then he'd have people who could back him up. He could get help, and he could be happy, and he wouldn't have to die in the jaws of a wild and ravenous wolf.
So it's left, right, left, down, the trail of the dead,
Fate was sick, and twisted, and didn't care for Rhinestone's wants, however. It wasn't long before the tom was finally able to break through the trees, but what he saw wasn't the welcome view of his camp. Nor was it the wooden boardwalk, presenting him with another escape. Instead, it was the cliffs, sloping downward in jagged edges that spared no mercy to those that fell down, left to be impaled on the sharp rocks below. Rhine had no way of escaping, with the cliffside going sharply downwards in front of him, and the snarling wolf among the trees behind him. Immediately, he felt himself deflate, the agony returning and the tears returning to his gaze. He looked upwards, knowing that it would only be a matter of moments before the wolf reached him, and his life would come to an end. Up above, the leader could've sworn that he could see stars twinkling in the sky, even though it was only midday. They stared back at him, as if many other souls were just watching, and waiting, seeing if he would prove himself worthy, or end up just another corpse decaying in the dirt. Perhaps to another, their eyes on them would've been inspiring.
Instead, the uncaring gaze of the stars above filled Rhinestonestar with rage. He knew it was Starclan, and he knew that they were just watching him, unwilling to help and unwilling to care. Even though he knew it would only attract the wolf faster, the feline found himself screaming at the sky above, "Is this what you wanted? IS THIS HOW YOU MEANT FOR IT ALL TO HAPPEN? WAS I JUST A PAWN TO YOU ALL?" The steps of the canine grew ever closer, but Rhinestone continued to scream, tears rolling down his cheeks and blood dripping down from his mouth, "I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY! I don't... I don't know why you abandoned me. I don't know why you abandoned them, but I hope you're fucking happy. Cause this is how I'm going to die. Alone and afraid, all because of YOU! I was a fool to ever think you'd save me. I was a fool to think you'd ever help my clan, when I should've been the one to help them..." His voice trailed off, raw and too hoarse for him to even attempt to scream any longer. Behind him, he heard the wolf emerge from the trees, gleaming with a savagery that he couldn't bear to face.
And only six feet between me and catching my breath.
He wondered, idly, what it would be like once he was dead. Would Starclan welcome him, even as he cursed their name, or would he end up somewhere else? Would he finally just get a chance to rest, as he had longed for, for so long? His mind wandered as the wolf grew closer, drool continuing to drip from its jaws. Rhine only managed to let out a shout as the canine stepped forward, and jaws clamped down onto his neck. Despite his earlier resignation, the feline still thrashed around in vain, shouting and kicking his back limbs against the wolf's neck. It was all for naught, as teeth began to pierce his flesh, and he found blood running freely down his throat. As he stared numbly upwards, he could've sworn that the faint stars were beginning to flicker out of the sky, abandoning him for the last time. Tears stung his eyes and blurred the clouds above, and there was another sickening crack. After that, Rhinestone was gone, merely a limp piece of prey hanging from the jaws of the creature that had caught him. Not only dead because of his downward spiral of health issues, but also because of the cats above that had left him to nothingness.
However, Starclan did not get their final satisfaction. The wolf was not able to just walk off with his body, and leave Palmclan with nothing. Instead, a hunting patrol began to approach the cliffs, a group of various felines and other animals who had gone out to try and catch anything. Their presence startled the wolf, who dropped Rhine's limp body onto the ground, snarling as it turned and fled back into the trees. There was utter silence for a moment, before the patrol emerged from the forest, all of them freezing at the sight before them. Rhinestonestar was unmoving, and one of the members of the patrol let out a wail, the others moving forward to gather him up. They knew that there was nothing more that they could do, most of them in shock as they turned and headed back towards the Palmclan camp. The entire walk back was silent save for the sound of their footsteps against the ground as they grew closer to the sandy incline.
Eventually, the patrol reached camp, and immediately excited eyes were on them. Questions began to swarm them, asking if they had found any prey, but the majority of the patrol was deathly silent. Only the leader of the patrol stepped forward, lowering Rhinestone's body to the ground in the middle of camp. Immediately, the crowd around them recoiled, growing silent in shock and devastation. The leader of the patrol hesitated for a moment before finally cracking his jaws open, letting out a mournful howl, "Palmclan! Rhinestonestar... is dead."
Only six feet between me and getting some rest.
(( 300th post, and rhine's first death + in case you didn't know, this is only temporary as part of the clanwide plot, so rhinestone will be returning in a different body for a big important meeting tmrw. please don't feel the need to match length in order to respond!
TL;DR: rhinestone can feel that the sickness is going to kill him, so he decides to go hunting one last time in order to feel useful before he dies. he finds a big plump rabbit in the forest and ends up chasing it, but ultimately collapses, with a large hungry wolf emerging from the trees. adrenaline kicks in and he flees from the wolf, but ends up getting trapped against the cliff edge, where he screams his frustrations at starclan before the wolf catches and kills him by breaking his neck. ultimately a patrol comes along and finds his body, returning him to camp and announcing his death ))
NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY
— Reggan
[table][tr][td][/td]
[td][/td]
[td][/td][/tr][/table]
( LEGATE ♡ THYLACINE ♡ ½ OF SUGARSTONE )
[td][/td]
[td][/td][/tr][/table]
( LEGATE ♡ THYLACINE ♡ ½ OF SUGARSTONE )
![[Image: a.gif]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/523947345566629911/524378771198050323/a.gif)
![[Image: d9gfyxw-23bc4c94-795f-43b1-8302-2fd9e785e593.png]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/da03c55d-3b97-4d44-92c0-7486f873ed00/d9gfyxw-23bc4c94-795f-43b1-8302-2fd9e785e593.png)
![[Image: Ufxnwlgih4-BC.gif]](https://i.ibb.co/Z1TCTf8/Ufxnwlgih4-BC.gif)
![[Image: jGD2qw5.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/jGD2qw5.gif)