#crocusmoon

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusmoon family tree (so far)

Usually I use red to mean who's in the Dark Forest, but in this case it's just who's dead.

(There's no one unseen, the dotted lines just lead to the kits already seen).

Cloverhaven and Thicketleaf are the bio parents of Antler, Prickle, Web, and Flame. Chestnut and Egg are the adoptive fathers (Chestnut dying while they were still kits, Egg joining the Clan when they were apprentices)

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Forest Resident: Crocusmoon

Aliases / Nicknames: Mama, Papa

Gender: bigender (she/he)

Sexuality: asexual, aromantic (queerplatonic open)

Family: Gust (mother), Hush (father), Branchpaw (daughter), Darkecho, Burnetpaw, Oaklight, Cloverhaven (sons), Sunfreckle, Creekpaw, Saffroncreek (adoptive granddaughters), Antlergaze, Pricklenose, Webbeetle, Flameswirl (grandsons), Whirlash, Bonefreckle (adoptive great-granddaughters)

Dark Forest Family: Oaklight, Cloverhaven (sons), Antlergaze, Webbeetle (grandsons), Whirlash (adoptive great-granddaughter)

Other Relations: Darkecho (apprentice), two unnamed apprentices, Bluepelt (mentor), Fringespots (former mentor [briefly]), Frozenfur (groomer)

Clan: ShadowClan

Rank: deputy

Characteristics: stubborn, wants to prove himself, wants to keep his family safe and happy, lonely, charming, enjoys the wet marshes, paraplegic, weak front leg

Murder Motive: protect his family at all costs

Number of Victims: 10

Number of Murders: 9

Murder Method: deliberately sending into dangerous situations

Method of Harm: keeping the secret of his Clanmate's murder

Known Victims: Teaselfleck, Shadeflit, Grackleflicker, several unnamed cats

Victim Profile: Clanmate his son murdered, cats he deemed dangerous to his kits' lives, cats he believed would make his kits' lives worse, his son's mate's affair partner

Cause of Death: buried in ravine collapse

Cautionary Tale: ??

Story: 

Note: Crocusmoon goes by both she/her and he/him pronouns. For this story, Crocus will only be referred to as he/him for readability.

--

He was born on the night of the harshest rainstorm the Clans had experienced in several years.

The forests flooded, dens were carried away. There was no energy to spare on two loners when everything was already so chaotic and dangerous. But the two strangers had a newborn with them. How could they be turned away?

Crocuskit couldn't remember any of this, but he knew the events as clearly as he knew he had four paws. Cats wouldn't shut up about it. Elders telling tales about how StarClan must have been punishing them for sending the rain and then more mouths to feed. Specklestar giving more attention to the Clanborn kits than he did the little outsider. The deputy comparing kits to parasites...

There was no place in camp that he could go to to escape it. Everyone thought that he was a burden.

As he got older and his condition became undeniably apparent, that idea only strengthened. A paraplegic outsider who was only taken into the Clan because he needed the help? Yeah, good luck ever repaying them.

Luckily, Crocuspaw was a stubborn young thing, so when he was apprenticed to the medicine cat, he absolutely refused to do anything. He hated the stink of herbs and hated even more that he would have to care for cats that mistreated him. No, he was going to be a warrior like he always planned, working legs or no working legs.

Fringespots lasted two and a half days before storming into Specklestar's den and demanding a mentorship change.

Crocuspaw felt a little bad--mostly due to the fact that his stunt caused more cats to think he was wasting time--but he was more than ecstatic to be apprenticed to Bluepelt, a warrior!

Bluepelt wasn't soft on him, either. In fact, he pushed Crocuspaw even harder than the other apprentices, challenging him more.

When Crocuspaw thought about giving up, Bluepelt lovingly mocked him, saying that maybe everyone was right and he shouldn't be a warrior. It was enough to re-spark Crocuspaw's anger and have him fighting back with renewed energy.

When Crocuspaw asked Bluepelt if he was good enough, Bluepelt told him to not waste his thoughts on such things. If he wants to be a warrior, then be a warrior, and don't waste time worrying about how good he is--just be good. Be great. Be the best.

And when Crocuspaw couldn't sleep, Bluepelt wouldn't hear his excuses. The only thing that mattered was Crocuspaw's ability to train and become the best warrior he can be. Anything that excuses why he can't are just that--excuses.

His claws were as sharp as his words. It was rare for Crocuspaw to return from a training session without a fresh scratch.

With all of Bluepelt's belief in him, it was hard not to get annoyed with his parents, who seemed to have none. They always rushed to get him food from the fresh-kill pile when he was more than capable of it himself, they called him their sweet little kit and fussed over him. It was like they didn't even see him! They only saw their kit--their weak, defenseless kit. Crocuspaw knew they loved him, he did, but he began to seriously doubt if they respected him.

He was tired constantly. From the moment he woke up to the moment he collapsed into his nest, he trained. When he wasn't training with Bluepelt, he was doing exercises with Fringespots and making sure his legs were doing okay.

But it was worth it. Only with a moon delay, he was named a full warrior. The Clan had cheered. They saw him! They saw all the work he had put in! They saw how worthful he was!

More cats saw him, too. The deputy, Frozenfur, began to show an interest in Crocusmoon that had never been there before. Crocusmoon had never felt so happy, or so much....belonging.

He was just as surprised as Fringespots was when the healer told him that he was carrying kits.

He never pictured himself as a parent. Mother, father, otherwise. Maybe sometime down the line, but now? He had only been a warrior for two moons, and now in two more he would be in the nursery with kits suckling at his belly?

He was confused and scared when he heard, and he remained confused and scared right until all five kits were snoring by his side. He was lucky enough not to feel most of the pain, though his inability to move his lower muscles did cause some complications and more than one moment of panic.

At least he had his parents by his side. Frozenfur wasn't there, but....well it was already so crowded.

He didn't come the next day, either. Or the next. Or the next.

Hush would come in and coo over the litter, and Gust would drop by and give advice, but for the most part Crocusmoon was on his own.

And he had absolutely no idea what he was doing.

The kits would yowl, stumble all over the camp, bother tired elders and busy warriors. The only quiet kit was Burnetkit, always glued to his father's side.

Cats whispered. Crocusmoon didn't hear everything they said, but he could see the glances sent his way. The judgement. The pity.

Pity that he was so young and foolish.

Judgement that he was such a bad parent.

Again and again, he asked Frozenfur for help, and again and again he got the same response-- deputy stuff, too busy. Maybe tomorrow.

The only time Frozenfur ever helped out with the kits was when Darkkit snuck out and nearly drowned in a mud-puddle. He scolded Crocusmoon for sleeping when he should have been watching him, not caring how exhausted Crocusmoon was wrangling five kits on his own.

It wouldn't have been so bad if the other parent helped him!

He tried to get help from the ones he trusted most. His parents were happy to pitch in every now and then, but for the most part they encouraged him to raise the kits himself, said every parent needed to learn how to do it on their own. When the kits were happy and polite, Hush and Gust rushed over to play. But the moment the kits became difficult, suddenly Hush was too busy, and Gust would only tell Crocusmoon everything he was doing wrong.

Bluepelt was even worse. He called Crocusmoon stupid for choosing to have kits so soon after becoming a warrior. What was the point of all their hardwork, all the times he made Crocusmoon train until he couldn't stand?

Crocusmoon was beyond frustrated. He didn't want these kits! He never asked for them....But they were the only ones he had. Everyone judged him. Everyone scolded him or pitied him or doubted him. But these kits...they only saw him as their parent, the one to rely on if they are ever hurt, scared, or confused.

He was their rock, and they were his.

The night before their apprenticeship, he made sure to drill into their heads that they can always come to him about anything, and that if at any point something or someone makes them feel bad, not to hesitate to let him know. They are still his kits.

Half a moon into their training, tragedy struck. Frozenfur was 'busy' again, so his apprentice, Branchpaw, went to train on her own, when she was crushed by a fallen branch on her way to the training grounds. Only four days later, Gust carried Burnetpaw--her apprentice--bloodied and torn, into the camp. A fox.

Crocusmoon's blood boiled over, and it took every fibre of his being not to rip his mother apart. But he had to mourn his daughter, and he had to take care of Branchpaw.

His heart broke when Branchpaw, sick and unable to see Crocusmoon, wailed and wailed for his father to come and stop the pain. Crocusmoon had curled around him as tightly as he could, grooming his fur in between reassurances. Branchpaw couldn't feel or hear him, still thinking his father was far away and still calling for him.

When both kits were in the ground, Crocusmoon couldn't help but notice that Frozenfur never once visited the medicine den.

At night, he ran out of the camp and screamed his rage and sorrow until his lungs emptied and his throat burned. He curled his claws into stone so hard that one snapped off.

His kits were his world, his everything. Not one moon after he gave them to someone else to watch, two of his kits died horribly. Ripped apart. Wounded and crying.

He had nightmares of them every night, of Branchpaw struggling beneath a fallen branch, trying to dig her way out until her paws bleed, all while crying and begging for someone to come and help her. He dreamt of Gust leaving Burnetpaw behind when she saw the fox, running to safety and refusing to help as Burnetpaw--little, sweet Burnetpaw--was torn apart.

He couldn't help but scrutinize every little thing Hickoryfoot and Boragedapple did, tagging along with Darkpaw as often as he could, just to make sure he had an eye on all his kits at all times.

Luckily, the rest of their apprenticeship went on without incident. Darkecho, Oaklight, and Cloverhaven all became excellent warriors.

Crocusmoon kept them from harm, but it's harder to keep them safe from their own thoughts. All he could do was let them sigh into his fur and reassure them that they were doing fine.

Then Gust padded into the camp, carrying Cloverhaven across her back. They had been attacked, again. And Gust had gotten away. Again.

Cloverhaven would live, but would forever walk with a mangled, twisted leg.

His mother is hurting his kits. His mother is ruining their lives. His mother is killing them.

He loved her, he did. Or at least, he once did...but his kits had to come first, and clearly they are safer without Gust around.

He blamed her for breaking his family, and demanded that she never, ever, interact with him or his kits ever again. They are no longer family.

A constant sense of dread loomed over Crocusmoon. Everywhere he looked, he saw potential danger. If he was on patrol with his kits, he would never let them confront anything that could hurt them--no matter how much it frustrated them.

But when Crocusmoon fell ill with whitecough, he couldn't look after them. Cloverhaven and Darkecho patrolled together, and only one of them made it back to camp.

Cloverhaven avoided his father, and when Crocusmoon found out why--that Cloverhaven thought that he would blame him like he blamed Gust, his heart broke. He reassured Cloverhaven that Darkecho's death was an accident, and it was not his fault. The conversation made him think of his mother....maybe it was time they talked, and move forward together. He missed her.

He never got himself to make a move in time, though. Thinking and rethinking about what he should say and how and when, days passed by without him saying a word to Gust, until she was found cold in her nest.

All the anger he had held vanished instantly. He ran to his mother's body and held onto it like he would die if he let go, burying his muzzle into her fur and sobbing that he loves her and begging her not to go yet.

Hush told him that maybe it was better not to get attached. Crocusmoon disagreed, his kits were everything.

With anyone else, though, he kept his distance. He couldn't help but notice Goldfur avoiding him after he rejected the other cat's advances. Not that he cared all that much.

Crocusmoon woke up one morning to cats wailing. Frozenfur had gone off on an early morning solo patrol and had been found dead with his neck snapped. Must have slipped on ice. Not long after, Oaklight padded into camp with a fresh wound. Crocusmoon didn't make the connection then, only mourned for someone he had once cared about, and checked on Oaklight's bite-mark over and over.

He wasn't expecting to be named the new deputy, but he wasn't complaining! It was all he had ever wanted for the longest time. Even better, now he had control over what patrols his kits went on. He could protect them. He could keep them safe.

When cats informed him of dangers in the territory, he made sure to send out anyone that wasn't his kin.

He never deliberately put anyone in danger for the sake of putting them in danger. He never intentionally caused someone harm...not yet, anyway.

Then Teaselfleck died, and Cloverhaven confessed to Crocusmoon that he had been the one to do it.

Crocusmoon had to keep his kit safe. He reassured Cloverhaven that everything was alright. What was done was done, no one had to know.

Things were falling apart. Cloverhaven's crime, Oaklight's constant joint pain, and Cloverhaven also had a new mate join the Clan only to be sneered at by Clanmates.

Crocusmoon remembered his own kithood, how hard it was. This Clan would make Cloverhaven's life miserable for the crime of loving someone not born in the Clan.

He didn't mean to kill them, not consciously. He only sent them on the most dangerous patrols in low numbers that could be considered vulnerable.

It wasn't something to feel guilt over. It had to be done. The same went for keeping Cloverhaven's secret, so when Cloverhaven once again went to him about his guilt and wanting to confess, Crocusmoon pressed him not to. What would it do? It would only give the Clan one less warrior and a reason to be suspicious of everyone around them. No, Teaselfleck's death was ruled an accident, and that's exactly what everyone will think. Why renew someone's grief?

His health deteriorated, though not by any externally visible means. His left front leg had grown weak from pulling himself around all his life. Even so, he wouldn't stop to focus on himself or give himself a break. Darkecho died the last time he wasn't paying attention. No, all his focus had to be on his family and keeping them safe.

He noticed Grackleflicker getting a little too violent in an argument with Oaklight...

Cloverhaven came up to Crocusmoon one day, but it was good news this time! His mate, Thicketleaf, was expecting kits!

When Webkit, Antlerkit, Pricklekit, and Flamekit were born, Crocusmoon was over the moon! They had mounds of moss and the nursery was triple reinforced--Crocusmoon made sure of that.

He promised he would always keep them safe and happy.

It only took two moons for him to break it, when Chestnutember--Cloverhaven's other mate and the second father of the kits--caught greencough. The kits were devastated. Crocusmoon wanted nothing more than to take all their pain and hurt and bury it far, far away.

Oaklight earning a mangled leg from what should have been an easy patrol only worsened his feelings. Crocusmoon became increasingly obsessed with making sure his family was okay.

He overheard cats complain about Shadeflit, who always seemed distracted on patrols. Rolling in the grass, sniffing the flowers...distractedness like that could get someone hurt. Crocusmoon couldn't let that happen.

Every little thing worried him. Every blade of grass out of place, every movement in the sky. There was danger everywhere. Crocusmoon also panicked when his kin had an argument. He would think of Gust, and worry that the family would be torn apart. No one should disagree. They all needed to be happy and healthy and together.

Crocusmoon was beyond relieved when all his kin made it to warriorhood. That happiness faded quickly after he saw Oaklight's mate meeting with another cat. That vile thing was going to break his son's heart! Crocusmoon would make sure she didn't. You can't be caught cheating if your affair partner isn't around to tempt you. He would have killed Oaklight's mate as well, but he chose to spare his son that grief.

All his life, Crocusmoon gave all his strength to proving himself, then gave all his strength to his family.

When the ravine collapsed and there was only enough cover for one cat, Crocusmoon made sure Antlergaze got it.

Additional Information: 

--Sunfreckle, Creekpaw, Saffroncreek, Whirlash, and Bonefreckle were all born after Crocusmoon died.

--Crocus became leader in-game, but I decided he would die as deputy because the name is better, and also I didn't want the story to get longer than it already was.

--Taken from Lifegen but some events were changed. Here's the full post

--Crocusmoon was created communly. Read the post here!

--Hickoryfoot and Boragedapple were the other mentors of his kits.

--Base by RuissStore on DeviantArt

(Crocus is not a pallas cat, again I just like the design and it fits the character really well!)

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusmoon design!

Not a paraplegic cat, but I like how much it suits Crocus otherwise!

Base by RuissStore on DeviantArt

(Crocus is not a pallas cat, again I just like the design and it fits the character really well!)

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusstar 7 (one of my favourites so far)

Moon 160

Webbeetle recovered!

Oaklight gives Brushkit to Webbeetle to watch while the parents rest, despite Webbeetle's protests--it's about time Web does something productive.

Saffroncreek lashes her tail in anger after noticing Flyslip looking at Oaklight funny.

Antlergaze confesses to Crocusstar that he has a mate outside the Clan who he misses. Crocusstar decides to find Voleneedle herself with Antlergaze. They succeed, and Antlergaze pours his heart out. Voleneedle has decided to join the Clan!

On the way back, lightning strikes the ground and they are blocked by fire. Antlergaze pushes through to save Crocusstar, but gets badly burned in the process, and Crocusstar lost a life. Once Crocusstar wakes up, she and Voleneedle work together to carry Antlergaze back to camp.

Antlergaze is curled up asleep. Oaklight sleeps beside him, swearing not to leave his side until he's better.

.

.

.

Moon 161

Oaklight catches Webbeetle taking more than his share of food--much more.

Antlergaze wanted to catch Voleneedle's favourite food, but he's still a bit sick and isn't able to catch anything. Oaklight reassures him that he will get better.

Tansyfog seeks out Oaklight after having a nightmare.

Tansyfog patrols with Whirlash and Violetsnow, and the patrol talks about ghost stories.

Oaklight shares a piece of fresh-kill with Voleneedle.

Oaklight was convinced a Clanmate was lying about something, though they weren't.

Iceweb accidentally hurt Webbeetle during a fight between them.

Antlergaze overthinks something he said to a Clanmate.

Flyslip is baffled by something Saffroncreek said about religion.

Saffroncreek has a lot of fun with Tansyfog!

.

.

.

Moon 162

Oaklight sends Saffroncreek and Flyslip on a patrol together, hoping to get them to get along. It goes wrong when a dog attacks and Saffroncreek is injured, causing her to hate Flyslip--who was unscathed--more.

Antlergaze recovered from his burns, but his weakened immune system caused him to catch greencough.

Oaklight had a very cross conversation with Tansyfog.

Webbeetle hears Rook crying over something everyone downplayed the severity of and offers to hear him out.

Grayburr keeps asking Webbeetle if he trusts him.

A Clanmate tells Cloud that Webbeetle's stories are better.

Recently, Nook seems like the only cat that can make Webbeetle wheeze with laughter.

Waterstripe and Saffroncreek snuck out of camp together.

.

.

.

Moon 163

Lightning struck the camp, killing a kit. It causes everyone to either lose faith in their ancestors or question their motives.

Webbeetle is hoping for an opportunity to slip back to his nest.

Antlergaze stood up for a second and felt light-headed.

With the sky cloudy, Antlergaze wonders if StarClan is watching over them. He thinks of Pinekit...

Tansyfog has dreams about Whirlash getting hurt, and promises that he'll keep her safe.

Crocusstar spends time with the Clan's kits, making sure to get to know their personalities for when they become apprentices.

Rook can hear the truth in Oaklight's words when he talks about protecting others.

Antlergaze won't tell the Clan what has him so upset with Deepcall.

Saffroncreek's leg has become infected.

Saffroncreek talks to the kits, doing her best to distract them from what they saw.

.

.

.

Moon 164

Another kit was killed, this time by sickness.

Beechsplash flirts with Oaklight, who is flustered.

Oaklight goes on a patrol with Beechsplash and Beechsplash's mate, Squirrelfreckle. Squirrel finds a rock that matches Oaklight's eyes, and the patrol then goes on to find rocks to match everyone.

Oaklight realizes how unproductive he had been, but he doesn't feel bad. In fact, he feels...good. He curls in his nest that night, holding onto the pebble that was given to him.

Oaklight likes the way Whirlash laughs.

Nook ensnares Webbeetle with a charming smile.

Nook and Webbeetle became mates!

Antlergaze recovered!

The infection in Saffroncreek's wound has abated!

For once, the world doesn't seem so bleek.

.

.

.

Moon 165

Oaklight compliments Squirrelfleck's pelt. Squirrelfleck becomes flustered, and Oaklight is surprised he managed to affect the unshakeable Squirrelfleck.

Beechsplash has gotten greencough. Oaklight feels his heart shatter. He knew he shouldn't have trusted that things would get better!

Saffroncreek doesn't want to get her Clanmates sick too.

Webbeetle is afraid of losing Oaklight, who has become like a father to him.

Oaklight's bad leg is particularly sore this moon. How lucky...

Fennelnewt's friend doesn't trust Saffroncreek.

Saffroncreek confronted Aphid about his bad attitude, but that only caused Aphid to act up more.

Cloud thinsk she can tell Saffroncreek something important.

Whirlash accidentally hurt Ketsl during a training session that turned into a real fight.

Tansyfog gives Deepcall a gift.

.

.

.

Moon 166

Beechsplash died of greencough. Oaklight curses the Stars. For so long, he held onto his feelings, refusing to get hurt again after losing so many dear to him. Now once he finally opened up, the cat he cared for died.

Oaklight doesn't let himself grieve, instead continues work as usual, checking on Clanmates--including Squirrelfreckle.

Crocusstar has gotten an infection.

Crocusstar is talking to herself.

Antlergaze worries about the snow, worried he'll get lost in the territory if it blocks everything.

Whirlash effortlessly finds the softest patches of snow. Even when she walks on the crunchier parts, she somehow manages to walk effortlessly.

Saffroncreek wants to change things for the better.

Oaklight chases a loner off the territory. He gets a bit rough, chasing them over the border and tackling them, about to slash down when the loner begs for forgiveness....

On patrol, Antlergaze finds a loner's corpse. He assumed it died from the cold, but when he moves it to bury, he notices blood.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusstar ---6

.

Moon 152

Tansypaw feels a sense of dread.

Whirlash doesn't seem to care about the cold, sitting and brooding as if the snow wasn't there.

Saffroncreek has gotten yellowcough. Waterstripe lays with her.

Antlergaze cleans the clearing of snow.

Antlergaze mourns a dead bug he found.

Webbeetle believes in being straightforward, even if others think he lacks tact.

Crocusstar names Splashpaw a warrior named Splashclover, though his eagerness to fight has her worried.

Clanmates go to Crocusstar for advice.

Luchasaurus just realized how beautiful Oaklight's eyes are.

.

.

.

Moon 153

A Clanmate died of frostbite.

Crocusstar almost lost a life.

Crocusstar tries to get Oaklight to lighten up.

Luchasaurus wants to share prey with Oaklight.

Oaklight helps around camp, inspecting every inch of every den, then inspects the camp wall, then the nests, then the prey-pile, then...

Webbeetle notices he hasn't seen a star since the storm two nights ago.

Saffroncreek feels confined.

Whirlash tackles Oaklight out of nowhere, pushing him out of the way of a falling brush. She simply tells him "you're welcome" before walking away.

Antlergaze recovered.

Emberwave is motivated by Antlergaze's big smile.

.

.

.

Moon 154

Mossmask was crushed by a tree.

Oaklight is relieved leaf-bare is finally over.

Antlergaze is curious about the other Clans.

Antlergaze is annoyed with Webbeetle, who's sharing embarrassing stories about their kithood.

Webbeetle tells Oaklight puns.

Saffroncreek wants to go on a journey, but currently she can barely leave her nest.

Tansypaw can't wait to go back to training as soon as the sun rises.

Tansypaw bonds with his mentor.

Crocusstar lost a life after being caught in an ambush.

Webbeetle's ear was torn.

.

.

.

Moon 155

Tansypaw is distracted during training, and keeps glancing at the border. When Deepcall pushes him, he confesses that he spoke to a kittypet and isn't sure if it was wrong to be friendly with a cat not from their Clan. Deepcall tells him that so long as he is willing to fight the kittypet if it trespasses, he can be friendly with them.

Whirlash's leg was mangled by a dog.

Saffroncreek recovered. She went into the forest to enjoy the fresh air, and smelled blood. Following it, she came across a bleeding, scared young cat. She brought her back to camp. Bracken, now Brackenpaw, has joined the Clan!

Tansypaw has a headache and a stomachache :(

Oaklight and Bella finds comfort in each other's company after something happened.

Bella found a nice rock for Oaklight to sharpen his claws on.

Antlergaze and Needlespider both bring flowers to the same Clanmate's grave.

Antlergaze is delighted to be working with Tansypaw.

Webbeetle's ear has healed.

Tansypaw gives advice to Webbeetle. It's not good advice, but Webbeetle appreciates it.

Aspenfur can't help but smile when around Webbeetle.

.

.

.

Moon 156

Tansypaw learns how to climb trees.

Saffroncreek brought Crocusstar some dry bedding.

Brackenpaw asks Crocusstar about her duties.

Oaklight sighs at the mere mention of Shadeflit.

Chestnutfleck insulted Oaklight behind his back, thinking Oaklight couldn't hear it.

Webbeetle prays he isn't on patrol with Mossdaisy.

Tansypaw recovered.

Violetsnow sends a Clanmate to help Tansypaw with something he's struggling with.

.

.

.

Moon 157

Oaklight seems to put everyone at ease.

Webbeetle likes the feather stuck to his fur.

Antlergaze nervously glances around the camp.

Antlergaze worries that the Clan thinks he's a trouble-maker after a Clanmate asks him if he wants to hunt in another Clan's territory.

Saffroncreek wishes cats would dedicate time to something more important than work work work.

Whirlash is feeling restless.

Crocusstar tries to talk to Whirlash, but she simply says "not now."

Waterstripe and Saffroncreek splash each other with water.

Tansypaw feels motivated, even though he has a headache and stomachache again.

Tansypaw glares into the distance.

Deepcall is frustrated with how long it takes Tansypaw to learn to gather moss. He gives up and returns to camp, planning to talk to Crocusstar about it.

Webbeetle was bitten by a dog.

Antlergaze is caught in an ambush, but manages to make it back to camp. He yowls a warning to everyone, and Oaklight quickly gathers a patrol to chase the other cats off.

Whirlash tries to meet someone on the border...

.

.

.

Moon 158

Tansypaw wants to visit the elders to hear a story.

When Deepcall takes Tansypaw out training, Tansypaw decides he wants a challenge--wanting to prove himself after the moss mishap. He play-bows in front of Deepcall and dares him to make it difficult. He's happy when he sees the gleam of approval in Deepcall's eyes.

Nightmares of losing Crocusstar haunts Oaklight's dreams.

Crocusstar gathers feathers from a pruning bird above the camp and uses them to soften the nests of the elders.

Mushroomdapple and Crocusstar take a nap together.

Oaklight always makes sure to stop and think before assuming the worst of his Clanmates.

Tadpolecrawl is wowed by how bravely Webbeetle fought the other day (even if it was against a spider that was scaring the kits).

Strikejay drew a symbol on the sand that Webbeetle made sure not to mess up.

Splashclover had a good dream about Webbeetle.

Antlergaze chased a kittypet out of the territory.

The Clan has noticed how close Daffodildew and Antlergaze have become.

.

.

.

Moon 159

Oaklight feels alone in his struggles.

Saffroncreek is itching to explore the land beyond the Clan territory.

Saffroncreek sits at the edge of the camp, starring daggers at Flyslip.

Webbeetle chases a fly around camp, nearly crashing into Willowcry.

Crocusstar is sad she can't spend time with all her descendants at once.

While Oaklight and Crocusstar are in a meeting, Crocusstar asks him how he's doing when they're done discussing everything important. Oaklight tries to focus on work, but Crocusstar doesn't let him, grooming his fur and allowing him to relax for once.

Oaklight thanks Stonefur for the pain relief.

Crocusstar scolds Whirlash for something trivial.

Oaklight brushes against Slightwhisp while correcting his stance and looks away with a purr.

Saffroncreek keeps avoiding eye contact with Rabbitgaze.

Saffroncreek daydreams about Flyslip being exiled.

Deepcall gives Tansypaw a friendly nudge as he is called up to Crocusstar.

Tansypaw is named Tansyfog!

Tansyfog

New Traits: adventurous, unnatural senses

Deepcall influenced him to be more likely to use his teeth and claws over words and dwell on things. Deepcall helped him become better at noticing small details.

Tansyfog was honoured for his observation.

.

Tansyfog feels a sense of dread.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusmoon/star's son and deputy!

I imagine he's a bit of a tragic character. His priority is keeping his Clan and family safe. He never rests, always working to serve the Clan. If he's not patrolling or hunting or sending out patrols, he's checking every leaf of every den to make sure it's secure, he's checking the camp wall for weak spots and reinforcing it, he's checking the prey-pile for any spoiled food, he's checking with the medicine cat to make sure the herb store is well stocked, he also checks with them to see if anyone has been feeling sick recently, he's checking in with mentors and apprentices to see how they are, he's considering who should mentor who, he's thinking about leaf-bare and anything that could hurt the Clan and the best way to go about those issues, on and on.

He has insomnia and when he does manage to sleep, it'll be because he pushed himself so far and his body just collapses wherever he happens to be.

The tragic part is that he does all of that only to end up in the Dark Forest anyway, and it'll likely be as a result of this obsession / need to protect his family and Clan.

Bonus: he's gay because in-game he has only ever been mates with / interested in males.

He has lost:

--both of his mates

--all of his siblings (4)

--both of his children, one being an apprentice at death

--one parent (though so far I feel he's definitely the one who killed Frozenfur. I'm thinking he put two and two together with what happened to Crocus).

----

BASE BY Mimikkrow ON DEVIANTART

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusstar -- 5

Moon 143

Tesora was swept away by a flood.

Oaklight helps around camp in between his duties.

Saffroncreek's bone was broken by a dog.

Oaklight and Crocusstar have a long meaningful talk.

.

.

.

Moon 144

Crocusstar sat all night at a Clanmate's vigil.

When Oaklight sees Deepcall is exhausted, he tells him to get some rest, and replaces him on the patrol (as if Oak doesn't also need rest).

Saffroncreek considers bending the rules a bit...just this once.

Oaklight thinks Whirlash is a good candidate for a mentor.

Bonefreckle lives up to her name and collects the bones of prey.

Crocusstar is always happy to be around Strikejay.

Oaklight wonders if StarClan is really watching.

Crookedswirl hopes they'll be assigned to Oaklight's patrol.

Oaklight calms Crookedswirl's nerves.

Goldfur and Antlergaze always sit far away from one another.

Waterstripe and Oaklight always find out something new whenever they're together

.

.

.

Moon 145

Whirlash and Violetsnow found a single kit and adopted it.

Tansykit

Gender: male

Trait: passionate

.

Violethowl brings Crocusstar herbs for a headache.

Crocusstar thinks about how lucky she is to have Antlergaze in her life.

Rabbitgaze asks Oaklight in advice regarding apprentices.

Webbeetle scoffed loudly at one of Bluepelt's suggestions.

Saffroncreek and Mossmask bring each other prey.

Bonefreckle's leg is doing better.

Crocusstar offered a kittypet a place in the Clan. Jellybean joined the Clan.

Oaklight chased off a small dog.

Antlergaze finds pawprints in the territory leading from another Clan territory.

Webbeetle finds a loner and her kits and brings them all to the Clan. Tiger, Splashkit, and Oakkit joined the Clan.

Bonefreckle was killed by a badger.

Needlespider is hit particularly hard by Bonefreckle's death.

Saffroncreek wants to go on a journey...just to get out of here.

Antlergaze is thinking of her life choices.

.

.

.

Moon 146

Webbeetle chases a butterfly.

Webbeetle thinks that leadership standard is slipping after another leader made a fool of themself.

Tansykit is gloomy.

Oaklight has a strange dream, and goes on a walk to clear his head. Fennelnewt sees him leaving and joins him.

Oaklight listenes to Violetsnow's story.

Violethowl and Antlergaze smile more at each other one day.

Webbeetle often goes to Violethowl for guidance.

Tansykit and Saffroncreek argue about something.

Saffroncreek feels unsettled by the way Tansykit looks at her.

.

.

.

Moon 147

Crocusstar and Oaklight discuss something important.

Tansykit refuses to take his nap.

Whirlash wants to spend time alone today.

Saffroncreek gives some advice to Aspenfur.

Saffroncreek insists she's fine.

Antlergaze wonders what Emberwave is up to.

Antlergaze absolutely avoids getting wet, even by the smallest puddle.

Crocusstar thinks that if he doesn't let himself feel anything, he won't get hurt. Oaklight tells him that he's not so heartless. Crocusstar laughs it off, of course he wasn't serious!

To boost morale, Crocusstar suggest the Clan plays a game. Her team won!

Crocusstar asked Mulberrytoe if he trusts him.

Oaklight doesn't like the way Mossdaisy interacts with Clanmates.

.

.

.

Moon 148

Bluepelt died of age. The Clan mourns his loss.

Crocusstar pretends to be busy. It's hard to do anything productive when her heart had shattered once again.

Oaklight thinks about his life choices.

Saffroncreek had recovered, but is still sore. Now that she can go back to patrols, she wishes she can stay in her nest.

Crocusstar notices how hard it is for Whirlash to make small talk.

Tansykit wants a badger ride. Whirlash doesn't want to hear about badgers...

Crocusstar consults with Oaklight about possible mentors for the kits.

Crocusstar spends time bonding with several Clanmates.

Oaklight takes a rare break to spar with Graybur--doesn't count as a break if he's still technically training himself, right?

Webbeetle says that Fennelnewt smells weird (Web that is so fucking rude).

Violetsnow didn't put a lot of thought into an answer to Webbeetle's question.

Luchasaurus snuggled up against Webbeetle :].

The whole Clan has noticed how close Antlergaze and Shadeflit are lately.

Antlergaze thinks Shadeflit was nice to him one day.

Antlergaze accidentally hit Plumheart on the face with his tail, but didn't notice.

Whirlash went on a moonlit walk with Violetsnow one night.

Tansykit is smiling big!

Saffroncreek will forever have a weak leg in addition to her twisted leg.

.

.

.

Moon 149

A Clanmate has died.

Tansykit is telling everyone that he's not a baby. He's FOUR moons old!! That's ancient!

Saffroncreek doesn't want to go on dusk patrol. It hurts to walk...Crocusstar tries to comfort her, but she snaps. At least Crocusstar can't feel her legs. Crocusstar tries to explain she still gets sore and hurt on other parts of her body, but Saffroncreek doesn't listen, not wanting to be coddled.

Whirlash can't find Mossdaisy anywhere.

Oaklight sees Whirlash sneaking out in the middle of the night.

Webbeetle told Antlergaze there are ants all over his pelt, and now Antlergaze is freaking out.

Webbeetle bounces around the territory.

Webbeetle does some weird dance.

Crocusstar works extra hard this moon, clearing up misunderstandings between Clanmates and sending cats on patrol to give Oaklight a break.

Antlergaze tells the kits stories about their fallen Clanmates.

Webbeetle always notices that Oakpaw takes the best food for herself.

Antlergaze supports Fennelnewt.

Antlergaze asks each apprentice how they're doing, remembering how tough it had been for him.

Saffroncreek and Waterstripe play during a patrol.

Saffroncreek and Waterstripe became mates!

Frostspeckle is developing a crush on Whirlash.

Oaklight has gotten whitecough.

.

.

.

Moon 150

Oaklight recovered.

Oaklight hissed at a small dog, scaring it off.

Antlergaze's leg was mangled by a dog.

Violetsnow and Whirlash go over the border to catch a rabbit, and luckily go unnoticed.

Saffroncreek was seen talking to a kittypet.

Whirlash is staring off into space.

Whirlash asks to patrol with Needlespider.

Crocusstar gets Tansykit a pebble.

Crocusstar got Oaklight his favourite food.

.

.

.

Moon 151

Sickness took the lives of two Clanmates.

Crocusstar feels bitterseet thinking of how old her kit and family is getting.

Oaklight had a nightmare.

Oaklight refuses Antlergaze switching patrols. Antlergaze apologizes, feeling embarrassed.

Webbeetle complains about being sent on dawn patrol.

Webbeetle narrates his amazing skills at catching snowflakes.

Saffroncreek wants to be left alone.

Saffroncreek looks around to make sure no one is watching, then slips out of camp.

Tansykit has become an apprentice!

Tansypaw

New Traits: adventurous, oddly observant

Mentor: Deepcall

.

Tansypaw hopes to have an easy training session.

Crocusstar enlists Goldfur's thoughts on a recent controversial decision for the Clan.

Willowcry knows Antlergaze fake-laughed at her joke.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Crocusmoon/star's other grandson / Webbeetle's brother

His crimes is also currently unknown, but we will see!

----

Base by Queessiant on DeviantArt