#sandfeather

[dawngen]

The walk of shame back to camp was undeniable.

All eyes fixed on Dappleddusk and Oatstar as they nudged their way through one of the hidden entryways into the camp, and Dappleddusk felt it keenly. Her fur felt flea-bitten with how keenly her clanmates stared, though she felt a smidge better knowing she had not only been able to convince Oatstar to return, but also to hold his head high.

Even if it was not what he felt, he had to appear and play the part of the leader he was supposed to be.

Whispers rippled through, and Dappleddusk silenced them with a sweep of her cold yellow stare. She walked with Oatstar until they were at the base of the Great Oak, going to sit in her spot at its roots as he clambered up.

"Cats of DawnClan," Oatstar began, his voice echoing out over the clearing, and drawing back his once dispersed audience. "I... I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly. But StarClan granted me a vision in the forest."

Dappleddusk's ears twitched.

She hadn't expected him to apologize, let alone follow it up with a lie. A bold-faced one that she could see in her doubting peers' expressions, the gaggle of medicine cats whispering in concern in the far back of the group. Beewatcher caught her eye, shooting a worried look.

Dappleddusk glanced back away. Her stomach turned uneasily, like she had eaten crowfood.

"Eagleburn will find redemption in guiding DawnClan," Oatstar declared. Dappleddusk could hear Sandfeather hiss, and saw Sparrowshadow move to console her out of the corner of her eye. She continued to stare ahead, off into the distance beyond the camp.

"StarClan has shown me that while the crime of killing another cat, let alone a clanmate, is an impossible sin, it is one that under these special circumstances can be forgiven if Eagleburn works hard to prove his loyalty to the clan," continued Oatstar, tail tip flicking back and forth. "I won't listen to any protests about this. This was the decree of StarClan--and we shall not defy them."

He knows how to talk big when he feels like this, Dappleddusk thought to herself, and wondered how many times Eagleburn had coached him through past speeches. How much of it was Eagleburn, and how much of it was Oatstar? Was that cat even capable of individual thought?

She felt deafened, numbed to the whispers in the camp and did not try to quiet her clanmates again, and luckily, it did not seem to perturb Oatstar. She imagined he was feeling better knowing Eagleburn would soon be back to clean up his messes.

"Eagleburn will be reinstated at the next light of dawn. If you disagree with this, then..."

Hearing a flicker of hesitance in his voice, Dappleddusk glanced up. She could tell this was off-script, newly thought of, and focused on one particular set of cats. She followed his gaze, and it landed upon Bayspots' kits.

"You are welcome to leave. No warrior that chooses to go will be harmed, but they will not be allowed to return to DawnClan. Not if they can't stand by its decisions."

Like a river waiting to overflow, the camp burst into chaos.

Sandfeather, seemingly about to cool down, yowled her fury, barely held back by Sparrowshadow and Suntuft. Leopardchaser seemed pleased, smug even, but was wisely stepping out of swiping range of Sandfeather as he went to the warriors' den.

In the distance, Dappleddusk caught a glimpse of Brightstorm shrinking back away from her devastated kit, and when she looked away, back to the Great Oak, Oatstar was already clambering down.

"Oatstar, you cannot just--"

"If they want to make decisions, they can make decisions out on their own."

Oatstar cut off her whispered hiss with a sharp murmur back, his ears flat to his skull as he stalked swiftly off to the medicine cats' den before anyone could intercept him.

Shocked, dismayed, and caught in a rare state of uncertainty of what to do, Dappleddusk caught her daughter's eye again, and Beewatcher's gaze seemed to reflect her same internal anxiety.

[softspark-of-shadowclan]

some updated/new references of my oc’s!

in order; Stormstar, Sandfeather, Mousestar, Fernblaze

Still need to get around to remaking other references, but I’m happy with how these look for now.

Notes;

Stormstar & Sandfeather are the main characters of my oc’s story, if I ever get around to writing it (or making an amv/pmv)

Mousestar is the villain of the story, and disowned Stormstar when she was a kit, while Fernblaze is Stormstars amazing dad

[blueberry-blast]

Some pride avatars for my blogs, since its just a few days till pride month!

In order;

1. Eggtrap for my FNaF AU/blog 2. My gal Sandfeather for my warriors blog 3. And a good ol’ Mangle for my main

[dawngen]

Dappleddusk remained on damage control for the rest of the night, working alongside Beewatcher and the clan's mediators, Hollyclaw and Heatherflower.

The most important cat in need of their attention was obviously Sandfeather, but they squared away any other cats visibly shaken by the day's events to be spoken to individually. Beewatcher herded Sandfeather away to a private corner far from the medicine cats' den where Eagleburn remained, having an apprentice fetch some catmint from their stores.

With everyone delegated and working on their tasks, Dappleddusk found herself slowly padding towards the medicine cats' den. She knew full well Oatstar had been in there since the end of the gathering--she had watched him slip in, and never come back out. She should be avoiding the den, in fact. She should be furious and focusing on other tasks to keep her mind busy.

But she wasn't going to see Oatstar.

She needed to see Eagleburn.

"--I didn't know what else to do."

As she slowly poked in her head, barely missing the apprentice skirting past her on catmint-fetching duty, she heard Oatstar's whisper.

"I understand, you were put into a difficult position," Eagleburn's reassuring, deep voice answered, soothing. Dappleddusk felt her lip curl at the sound of him reassuring that coward, but...

It was all an act, wasn't it?

Eagleburn knew exactly how to play into the tom cat's feelings, making him feel validated, but also further enmeshing them.

"Dappleddusk, you can come over. It's alright."

Foxdung. She forgot how keen his senses were with the absence of his sight.

Oatstar likewise seemed surprised, sitting upright in a shock as his interim deputy slunk forward. Head down, shoulders hunched, tail low, she looked ready to swat at Oatstar, and he shrunk back, no longer confident as he was outside. But she chose to sit, ears flat as her tail wrapped itself over her forepaws.

"So you heard?"

"All of it. A bit too much, actually."

Eagleburn seemed perfectly fine with it all by Dappleddusk's assessment, licking a paw and lifting it to groom his ears.

"I would have given everyone more than the night to settle their feelings, but I know, Oatstar, you were under pressure."

Oatstar looked away, shameful. Good, thought Dappleddusk, resisting the urge to sneer.

"In the morning, before the dawn patrol, let me speak with the clan. Let them address me as they need."

Dappleddusk and Oatstar both looked at Eagleburn in shared surprise.

"Are you a glutton for punishment?" asked Dappleddusk, incredulous. "They'll rip you to shreds!"

"And they won't feel at peace until they have a chance to do so," Eagleburn firmly replied. "Do you think Sandfeather will leave peacefully? Not only that, but if she leaves, you fracture an entire family of good cats who have been nothing but loyal to DawnClan. Sandfeather's grandmother was one of our founders when HillClan fell."

Ugh, he made a good point.

"Then, you are...?"

"I want to open a dialogue, and if Sandfeather, or any others, are not satisfied with that..."

He quieted, flexing his claws into his mossy bed.

"They can speak to me through their actions."

Unable to believe her ears, Dappleddusk stared.

"You're willing to risk getting killed in a fight so they can get over themselves?"

"I killed Bayspots. Even while it was self-defense, it is, as you said Oatstar, a sin and a smear on StarClan's face. How else should I show to Sandfeather that I truly seek redemption and forgiveness for committing the worst possible thing?"

Dappleddusk fell silent, and Oatstar, of course, had no good advice, only shifting nervously. Unfortunately, Eagleburn made a good point. While it was utterly insane, forcing Sandfeather to leave was far from a good idea, along with not letting her work through this anger and letting it simmer. They could see a civil war within their very clan.

"... Very well," Dappleddusk sighed. "I will do whatever I can to help."

Eagleburn's whiskers twitched, letting out a short purr.

"Thank you, Dappleddusk. Oatstar, are you okay with this?"

"Of course."

Dappleddusk loathed how quick he was to agree, glancing over at him. Oatstar's eyes were wholly on Eagleburn, however.

"Whatever you need."

Nodding, Eagleburn yawned.

"For now, both of you should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."

[dawngen]

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the Great Oak!"

Slipping out from the medicine cats' den, trying to avoid the yellow-glare of Dappleddusk, Brightstorm looked up to direction of the Great Oak. Oatstar was climbing to the thick branch that gave the perfect vantage point over the clearing--and, Brightstorm noted to herself, with more skill than previous attempts--and the uneasy clan cats already milling about making way over.

The long fingers of dawn had begun to stretch out over the camp, signaling the end of the vigil. Her three kits all still sat silent near Bayspots, the only to look in her direction being Frostspots. Her copper eyes narrowed in gentle disappointment, likely let down by her mother avoiding her own mate for the entirety of the vigil, and she could not bear to meet her gaze for too much long.

"With the rise of the sun, we wish Bayspots a smooth journey to StarClan, and honor her time here with the clan," Oatstar said, and for a beat, Brightstorm could see her mother in him. While many doubted his leadership abilities and whether Darkstar had made the right choice, it was clear he had paid attention to how she addressed the clan.

"Sparrowshadow, Frostspots, Sandfeather--will you help the elders in burying Bayspots?"

The three siblings nodded, with Frostspots glancing again in Brightstorm's direction, while the other two focused wholly on Bayspots. It was strange seeing her so still when in life, she had been so active.

Was she truly in StarClan? Was she looking down upon them in disappointment for what they did to her?

"Now, I know everyone is worried about Eagleburn..."

"The murderer?" hissed Sandfeather, resulting in a ripple of murmurs through the collective of cats.

In a moment of rare assertiveness, Oatstar stomped his forepaw against the branch he stood upon.

"Would you accuse Bayspots the same if she returned with Eagleburn's body?" snapped Oatstar, and Sandfeather recoiled, ears flattening. "All we know is that they both fought. We can't change the outcome."

Letting the cats settle, Oatstar soon continued, "Eagleburn has been nothing but a trustworthy warrior and deputy to this clan. He has never demonstrated any ulterior motives, never has been caught breaking the warrior code, and has always been loyal. Is there any cat willing to deny this?"

Silence controlled the crowd, and Brightstorm, even in the heart of it, felt her skin crawl beneath her fur. She felt as though all eyes were stuck to her, knowing that there had to be more, knowing that she had to know something. The fact they were right bothered her that much more.

"After speaking with Beewatcher and Dappleddusk, we've all agreed that Eagleburn will be relieved of his duties as deputy until he has fully healed, and until we can decide what exactly caused Bayspots to lash out. We understand that everyone is on edge, so he'll be staying in the medicine cats' den under their watch."

Another wave of whispers coursed through the group until Oatstar lifted his tail.

"If anyone has questions, please talk to me, Dappleddusk, or Beewatcher. For now, lets focus on saying goodbye to Bayspots."

Adjourning the meeting with a wave of his tail, Oatstar leaped down to join the elders and warriors in bidding Bayspots a final farewell before she was taken to the burial grounds. Brightstorm, feeling rooted to the spot, only managed to rise when realizing how many curious eyes were upon her. They were surely wondering why she was so reclusive, what she had heard when she had visited Eagleburn, and bowing her head, she hurried to say her farewells to Bayspots.

"This is real, isn't it, Mama?"

Sparrowshadow met her with sorrowful eyes, ears drooping in grief.

"I keep hoping it's a dream."

"I know, my love, I know," Brightstorm murmured, headbutting her son gently and rubbing their cheeks together. "I'm sorry I did not sit with you--I... I was struggling. I'll go with you to the burial place."

Nodding, Sparrowshadow seemed satisfied and ready to forgive Brightstorm for her absence, while her other kits studied her with expressions she could not decipher. Sandfeather turned her head away as she approached, and Frostspots could only offer a solemn look, and Brightstorm took a pawstep back, accepting that both she-cats needed room.

"Let's go," said Oatstar, and with a nod, the cats, joined by three of the clan's elders, gently lifted Bayspots up, and moved in unison to take her to her final resting place.

I'm sorry, Bayspots, Brightstorm thought, gently pressing her nose against her flank. But... maybe Eagleburn was right. Maybe this was for the better.

[dawngen]

"Bayspots?!"

The deafening wail of Brightstorm's anguished cry alerted the entirety of the camp. Suntuft poked out her head from the nursery to investigate, while warriors beginning their day turned away from their fresh-kill and grooming to look. Paws planted in the center of camp, frozen to the packed earth, Brightstorm could not begin to believe what she saw.

"Eagleburn, what happened?!"

Black fur slick with blood, and mouth full of Bayspots's fur as he dragged her in by the scruff, with a tenderness he did not particularly care to part unto the she-cat, he set her down softly upon the camp floor. Immediately did Brightstorm swarm them, her heart cleaving in two at the sight. Her Bayspots, her beloved Bayspots--

The ground gave way beneath her, and were it not for Eagleburn's strong, sturdy shoulder suddenly against her flank to hold her steady, Brightstorm would have collapsed.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, giving her a soothing lick to the ear, but Brightstorm was numb to it. Her eyes were transfixed to Bayspots, struggling to parse that this was reality, and not just a bad dream.

"What's going on?"

Dappleddusk trotted out, followed by Oatstar and Beewatcher. The medicine cat pulled herself by both to check on Bayspots, flashing a grim look to Dappleddusk.

"I don't know if it is wise for me to discuss it out here," quietly Eagleburn suggested, head turning in the direction of Oatstar's scent.

"If this may be a danger to the rest of us, we should know!" yowled a warrior in the growing crowd, and a chorus of meows rose in agreement. Beewatcher shifted focus to check on Eagleburn's injuries, glancing elsewhere again, but this time at Oatstar.

Their leader looked terrified, unable to mask his fear as he looked between the bloodied body of Bayspots, and how ravaged Eagleburn looked, fresh wounds still dripping onto the dry, cold earth.

"Oatstar, this is your decision," prompted Beewatcher quietly, and he quickly shook himself out. Had he not known better, he would have almost sworn that Eagleburn's blind eyes were looking coldly upon him.

"It's okay, Eagleburn," meowed Oatstar, voice lifting to feign confidence and strength, when in reality, his legs felt feather-weak. "I think it'll be better you explain what happened. Otherwise rumors might spread."

Eagleburn, quiet for a long moment, finally bowed his head in obedient acknowledgement.

"... Bayspots tried to take my life."

A gasp rippled through the gathered cats. For the first time, Brightstorm's head whipped back up, eyes blown wide as she looked at Eagleburn in shock.

"She lured me out into the woods under the pretense of discussion, and attacked me. I had only intended to knock her out and bring her back, but I..."

Eagleburn lowered his head, ears flattening. The clan was like quiet chaos--whispers of shock rippled throughout, news spreading like wildfire even to the elders' den. Some apprentices were gently shooed away from older warriors, trying to spare them the gruesome sight. But from the crowd, three cats emerged.

"You murderer!"

Sandfeather's devastated shriek split the camp in two, parting ways like a shifting tide as she rushed forward. Before she could reach Eagleburn her siblings, Sparrowshadow and Frostspots, cut her off, blocking her way to the deputy. Eagleburn stood firm, unshaken by the attempt.

"You killed her! Why would you kill her?!" Sandfeather sobbed, and Eagleburn dipped his head.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, and finally did Brightstorm find her paws, joining her kits in consoling Sandfeather. "I didn't want to, I..."

"Let's not debate morals out here."

Beewatcher's stern voice cut off any further heated debate. The young she-cat was a commanding presence, and as Sandfeather was soothed with licks and purrs from her siblings and remaining parent, the medicine cat pushed way between the groups.

"I have looked over Bayspots's body, and Eagleburn as well. His story lines up. She has black fur in between her claws, just as he has gray in his own. And by the patterns of bite and claws marks on his body..."

Eagleburn held still as she lifted a demonstrating paw, gliding it over the visible marks on his chest, neck, and shoulders.

"She was trying to go for a killing bite. Without her here with us to tell her story, there's no use throwing accusations."

The crowd quieted under Beewatcher's stern eyes, and Dappleddusk strode up, providing her daughter with the additional support of her fierce presence.

"I have one request," Eagleburn said, and all turned to him, curious.

"I would like Dappleddusk to serve as interim deputy while I prove my innocence. If that is okay with you, Oatstar."

Oatstar, hesitating, quickly nodded, not seemingly delighted to have his deputy swapped out, but seeing no good reason to argue otherwise.

"That is fine. Dappleddusk, do you agree?"

While still displaying an outwardly stern and severe mask, it wasn't too difficult to see that Dappleddusk was surprised, but likewise preening under the fact she had been chosen for such an important role.

"Of course," she meowed. "Anything for the clan."

Oatstar nodded his confirmation, and finding his voice, he waved his tail.

"Eagleburn, you will stay in the medicine cats' den for the time being while we sort this out. Brightstorm, are you in good enough condition to help prepare Bayspots's vigil...?"

Flank warmed by Suntuft's arrival, Brightstorm found the strength to nod.

"Okay. While we don't know if Bayspots really did attack Eagleburn without any other witnesses, she still deserves a proper vigil. StarClan will be her final judgment."

The camp was silent, save for Sandfeather's crying. It seemed the chaos of the moment had passed as shock overtook everything. Could such a loyal warrior have turned against their own deputy? And why would she have done such a thing?

Eagleburn knew what questions ran through all of their minds, but he had to play his part carefully. To reveal everything here and now could be a dangerous play, and for the time being, he softly meowed to Beewatcher that he was ready to follow her to the medicine cats' den.

Like a prisoner of war, DawnClan's deputy was led away by Beewatcher and Dappleddusk, the other medicine cats watching curiously from the maw of the den.

Her world flipped upside down, Brightstorm could barely hear the words of condolences and comfort spared to her by her clanmates. Her mind was a whirling mess, and the only one who could bring answers to all of these questions was being guarded in the medicine cats' den.

[dawngen]

brightbay's first litter! sandfeather, sparrowshadow, and frostspots are an interesting and dynamic trio, i'd love to see how they view and cope with the current family drama, especially frostspots- poor gal 😭😭

another favorite would be eagleburn's apprentice, leopardpaw. they were cute and could also give an interesting perspective!

love your work once again! 💖💖💖

i was gonna doodle the whole gang, but one cat after years of no drawing was enough.

definitely will be including more of the ole family drama!! sandfeather is giving me protective sister energy right now.

she's a very grumpy kitty.

leopardpaw is also a favorite! i should write their warrior ceremony, as they got their name in game! honestly think he even has kittens now of his own... the game is much farther ahead in its canon than i am on the blog :')

[softspark-of-shadowclan]

A few references for an animation using my ocs

The first 3 are the different changes of Sandfeather, from an apprentice, to after being attacked by a magpie (which havent attacked anyone in the warriors universe before, despite being territorial birds that they have caught before?), and her after she healed.

The other ref is for a newer character, Prickletail. He’s Sandfeathers mentor, and may look prickly with his weird crinkly tail, but hes a big old softy who did what he could to help Sandfeather after her injury, and help train her with her now restricted eyesight.