#swirltail

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Her Eyes (Short Story)

Miscarriage TW! -Umbranoxs

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Rain crashed against the roof of the medicine den, Swirltail laying on a moss nest covered in rips that she had caused from her anxiety. She came into the den a couple hours ago, not feeling well, and next thing she knew? Kits. Cottoncatcher told her she needed to stay there for the night. She kneaded her claws into the moss again, listening to the roar of distant thunder as she faded in and out of being awake, struggling to really pay attention to anything around her. Was it supposed to be like this?

Next thing she knew, she awoke to mewling and Cottoncatcher, who’s expression made her heart drop. He glanced downwards, and exhaled softly; Speaking the words she prayed she never had to hear.“I’m sorry.. I tried all I could, but.. Only one made it.”

She glanced down, feeling her throat tighten and her body tremor with tears that struggled to fall. Two bodies were still, one squirming and mewling as they snuggled next to her- Their pelt as dark as the stormy sky above. “..May I.. At least name them before they’re buried?” She meowed weakly, voice trembling as she struggled not to sob. “Of course.” Cottoncatcher’s smooth, silver pelt blocked out the light, shadowing over her kits- She gently moved the two stillborns into the sunlight, whispering name ideas softly- Occasionally she’d see Cottoncatcher nod in approval of a name, his bronze eyes littered with mixed emotions; Sympathy, pity? She couldn’t tell nor could she care.

Eventually, the two kits- she settled on the names Dustkit and Joykit for them, -were taken out of the den for burial, and finally she felt herself break. Quiet yet echoing around the den, her sobs filled her ears as she cradled her little survivor in her paws. She forced a small smile at the similarities between them and her friends and family, debating names. So many ideas swirled in her mind- She considered Coalkit after one of her lost friends, but shook her head as she remembered how foolish they all were as apprentices- And his mother was still alive in the elder’s den, it’d be cruel to her to name a kit that looked like him with such a name. Perhaps Nightkit? Was that too basic?

She debated between names for the rest of the day, and through the night. Nobody ever told her naming a single kit would be this tough!Despite this she sighed contently, looking back at her little kit. They were peacefully sleeping next to her, and she finally decided on a name for them; She’d likely discuss it with her clanmates later, to get their opinion. Even if their father couldn’t help her decide, it takes a clan to raise a kit- At least, that’s what she learnt. As she closed her eyes to rest, something in her head prompted her to look at her kit.

And as she turned, her heart dropped again and she froze as a sudden shock hit her, desperately avoiding the instinct to yelp in fear. Their eyes were open, full of curiosity- At least, as open as they could make them, and they were a bright yellow that gleamed in the darkness of the nursery.

The kit had Lunarpaw’s eyes.

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This wasn’t that fun for me to write but here, Swirltail being tormented by the horrors! (I haven’t decided a name for the kit lol)

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--CLIFFHANGER CLIFFHANGER CLIFFHANGER CLIFFHANGER

--OHMYGODWHATISSHEGONNANAMEHER 

Something bad? Something good, hoping it will ward off ‘evil?’

What if she gave the kit a normal name around others but bad names when they’re alone?

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Writing smth about Swirltail and. I had a fun thought

What if the other kits in her litter were stillborn, to really drive the vibe of "Lunarpaw cursed her from beyond the grave" home

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

What if Lunarpaw somehow accidentally enters Karmakit's dreams one night?

She intends to give Swirltail the same nightmares, same old even if they've both grown numb to the pattern of Lunarpaw chasing her through Slateclan, hissing the entire time- but instead of Slateclan territory she finds herself in a field full of butterflies and sees this kit with her eyes, happily chasing bugs- And when they see her, they aren't scared and happily run up to her, asking about her name and gleefully squealing about her eyes and if she knows their mama

I think Lunarpaw would probably be taken very aback by how differently this kit is treated compared to how she was

what if Lunarpaw treats Karmakit as a little sister

and now Swirltail hears her kit talking about the "nice cat that looks like me"

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

"The kit had Lunarpaw's eyes." THE KIT THEMSELVES!!! Not saying their name until the next part of Her Eyes is made but I think it suits the whole vibe of how Swirltail feels, and fits in with the whole "some names are kinda out there in this world but COULD exist in canon" vibe that Rivulet, Slate, Dust and Cherryclan's world has

The child!!

oh, they even have a cheek swirl!

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Karma's Storm (Short Story)

SEQUEL TO “HER EYES”: https://www.tumblr.com/residents-of-the-darkforest/716164524705792000/her-eyes-short-story

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Screams, yowls, and hisses echoed through the camp as Swirltail stood guard in front of the nursery, hissing at any others that dared to get close. After so many deaths caused by Slatestar, he was finally getting what he deserved- And the whole of Slateclan was caught in the crossfire.

Blood splattered in front of her paws. She felt sick.

But she needed to defend herself, her kit, and the other monarchs in the nursery. She swiped at a blue-grey tom rushing by, who yelped and skittered back- She felt a wince of regret as she realized he was clearly an apprentice, but he quietly rushed back into the chaos of battle without a second thought. She stood, ready to attack- But suddenly, something barreled her over- And she yowled in pain as red blood stained her white fur, yellow eyes glaring her down as she choked.

“Karma’s cruel, isn’t it.” Hissed a voice she knew too well. Lunarpaw.

She awoke with a jolt, gasping for air as those same yellow eyes stared her down curiously. She nearly jumped away, but calmed quickly as she recognized that black, gray and white pelt. Lunarpaw was just a nightmare, living in her dreams to haunt her. The distant thump of rain helped soothe her mind as she held her kit close, grooming their fur softly. “Why are you awake, Little Blackbird? It’s barely dawn.” “There’s a river in the camp!” They happily mewed, and Swirltail got up. “There’s- What?” She blinked, baffled as Cottoncatcher suddenly hurried into the den, picking them up by their scruff. “What they mean to say is that the camp is flooding and we need to go.” “WHAT!?” She stood up shakily, as her kit happily squealed. “Karmakit, you’re awfully happy despite this.” Cottoncatcher joked as Swirltail desperately hurried after the two, seeing clanmates making their way to higher ground. First there’s a war that leaves the camp a wreckage, now this- Starclan must’ve been feeling particularly spiteful recently. She sighed as she glanced down at the streams flooding camp, shuddering as the rain grew stronger. “Cotton, can I hold them?” She mewed as Karmakit giggled at the rain, batting at it with a paw like it was a new toy. She loved her kit, but Starclan were they weird.

She supposed she wouldn’t have it any other way though.. She did wish their eyes weren’t so big and bright- No, no time to think about that.

Cottoncatcher placed Karmakit down, and just as quickly Swirltail picked them up. “I can walk!” They squeaked, and Swirltail narrowed her eyes. “Well, I didn’t see you complaining when Cottoncatcher was carrying you.” She said, and Cottoncatcher chuckled with a smile. “Maybe they just prefer me.~” He teased, and Swirltail rolled her eyes- But she couldn’t hide the smile on her face. “Yeah, okay herb-breath.” “Oh, my feelings! You’re so cruel to your brother, Swirls!” He put a paw dramatically on his head, and Swirltail held back laughter. “If you make me laugh, I’m going to drop Karmakit and if I drop them into the flood it’s your fault.” She said, and Karmakit squeaked. “I could swim!” “No you couldn’t.” The two spoke at once.

Despite her carefulness, however, she couldn’t help but feel like there were whispers in her ears- Bad, bad whispers. “Drop them.” Whispered a voice that reminded her too much of Coalpaw’s, “Get revenge. Lunarpaw can’t come back if she dies again.” ‘They aren’t Lunarpaw,’ She thought with a low growl, looking down at the floodwaters.‘I’m not killing an innocent kit because of my own paranoia and foolish choices as an apprentice. If they’re Lunarpaw reborn, then I know not to let mistakes repeat themselves. And by Starclan itself, if you’re going to haunt me too about this, you’re no better than Lunarpaw!’ She thought with a glare up at the sky, before settling down as Cottoncatcher put a paw on her shoulder. “You okay? You’re looking.. Kinda angry at the sky.” He asked, as she made a forced giggle. “Oh, y’know, just being.. Mad at the storm.” “I don’t believe that for a second, but I won’t pry.” He hummed, heading forwards. “Cottoncatcher!” The three heard his name be called by Sunray, and he blinked. “Well, someone slipped and hurt their paw. I’ll be back.” Cottoncatcher hurried off, and for a second Swirltail thought she heard a growl disappear into the winds- But decided it was nothing and continued on, Karmakit happily mewing about the rain and how Cottoncatcher’s job must be fun. Swirltail’s eyes were narrowed as the rain became heavier- She knew now she needed to keep her kit safe from judgement, lest the past repeat itself- And someone else experiences her mistakes.

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NAME REVEAAAAL!!! And some fun facts! -Umbranoxs-The Blue-Grey Tom in Swirl’s dream is actually Rhythmpaw! He wanted to avenge Glowingshadow, so he came along to the battle. Wolveshowl, Shadedview and Shutterpaw were there too, but not mentioned

-Cotton and Swirl are not blood siblings, but after Swirl’s parents broke up Swirl’s mother ended up becoming mates with Cotton’s adoptive mother- Who also happened to be the medicine cat.Cotton also has actually taken one of Slatestar’s lives but that’s a story for another day.

-“Little Blackbird” is Swirl’s nickname for Karmakit. She’s struggling so hard to be a good mom but she’s trying her best.

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--not how I thought the story would progress, but so happy it was different! Good on Swirl for trying to be a good mom

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Speedran a drawing of Swirltail cause I imagine her being more of a pinkish sorta brown

This woman is tormented by the horrors (Lunarpaw)

YYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Trying to connect my ocs slightly-

Lemonfin is pretty close to Sunray and Larkwhisper, his father dying when they were still mourning Beampaw and kinda just becoming like.. A son figure to them. He was a lonely, confused kid after Glowingshadow and Citrustrail died, and went to them because they were nice and kind of reminded him of his dad but a lot nicer.

Sunray and Larkwhisper believe he should definitely become deputy of Slateclan now that Slatestar is gone and Lemon's just "you guys are a lot better for that role ple a se-"

Also Brewpaw has bitten Swirltail's tail once during a gathering because they thought it looked tasty

.....dude