#toadjump

[starlittigers]

I just want to love Toadjump pleas-

@wc-grassroots

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

will birchspark ever forgive toadjump?

Forgive? No.

Will the two ever become close again? Maybe, but some sort of event or development would need to occur for that to happen, because even if Birch does accept what happened and wishes to move on from it, he is too prideful to ever do anything about it (he won’t even admit it to himself, instead internally repeating how much Toad sucks)

Maybe Toadjump is on the verge of dying again and Birch is terrified and it’s enough for him to put the past—and all the pain and suffering from it—in the past. Maybe he almost died because he risked his safety to help someone else, and Birch is reminded of the selfless, caring apprentice he once loved.

In any case, it won’t be easy or smooth, and it definitely won’t be quick.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Is RoseStar from Toad and Birch's story in the Dark Forest after he sent his Clanmates to die in battle?

Yes, but not for that reason!

(info for those curious, he started a war with ThunderClan, even though Birchspark--the medicine cat--strongly advised against it. Birchspark also practically shouted at him not to send cats with disabilities that would make them vulnerable, but he didn't listen and sent them anyway, leading to their deaths. He never fought in a battle himself, just sent cats to do it for him).

While he's a pos, nothing he did here was against the code. He should listen to his healers, but he doesn't have to follow what they say. He's the leader, his word is law. There's nothing that says he can't start a war, or that he can't send a cat to fight that war while he stays back safe in his den.

What actually sent him to the Dark Forest was something not mentioned in Toadjump and Birchspark's profiles because it was irrelevant: he cheated on his mate with a cat from another Clan for at least half of their relationship (he's old, so a long time). It's possible the cat he was with was from ThunderClan and broke up with him, and in anger, he started the war.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Reunion

Toadjump coughed up the blood that had soaked into his tongue–not his, his assailant’s, who had slammed a paw into his throat to make him release his bite, leaving him wheezing for breath.

He was backed into a corner, rocks too tall and too steep to climb on his other side. He could only face his opponent, a silver-tabby tom, and attempt to fight back, a difficult task given his lack of battle-training, so when the assailant leapt, he didn’t know to dodge or to rear back and grapple, and was shoved to the ground.

Toadjump would have opened his mouth to apologize if his face weren’t being pushed into the mud. How was he supposed to know the she-cat he was flirting with had a very-overly-protective mate?

Teeth pressed into his throat. He struggled, kicking vainly and grunting desperately as he tried and failed to stand. With great effort, he cracked his mouth open in an effort to plead. Mud rushed into his jaws and he shook with spluttering coughs. 

The teeth dug deeper. Amidst his fear, Toadjump wondered if the mud flowing down his throat would pour through the punctures made by the silver-tabby.

Then the weight was off and Toadjump could stand. His legs shook and he collapsed back down, sitting. The eye closest to the ground was shut tight, stinging from the slime that had gotten into it, and he hacked, vomiting. His head swung–dizzying him–and he saw a sight he never would have dared hope to see again.

His mentor, his idol, his friend, beating the silver-tabby with such ferociousness, it made the latter look like a half-trained apprentice fighting in their first battle.

Birchspark was saying something–some threats, surely–but Toadjump’s ears were ringing too much to hear. His tense shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment. It would have been nice to hear what Birchspark was saying to defend him, though the fact that Birchspark was here at all was enough to make him leap for joy. Just seeing his mentor again was enough, but a StarClan cat had come here, to the Dark Forest, for him! Had he forgiven him after all? Had StarClan allowed him to join them?

The silver-tabby ran off. Birchspark spit after him, and turned around and–

Oh.

His eyes.

He was not StarClan.

But when did he…?

Toadjump stood again, slowly this time, and cracked a smile. “Birch! Thank you! I thought I was dead and–”

Claws raked his cheek. The mud splashed as he fell, again. 

Birchspark pressed his face close to Toadjump, who quickly realized that his former mentor’s wide-eyed fury was not directed at his apprentice’s attacker. “If anyone gets the pleasure of killing you, it’ll be me,” he promised. “I should rip off your skin for what you’ve done, but that’d be too merciful. You killed eight cats, you should suffer eight deaths, but I suppose since no one would ever choose someone like you as leader–too late now anyway–then I guess toes will have to do. Do you want it done all at once, or day-by-day? Maybe moon-by-moon–no, however long it takes you to recover. Then I’ll come back and do it again. How’s that sound?”

Toadjump swallowed, pressing himself low and away. “Not ideal.”

Birchspark grimaced with disgust. “You’d be too vulnerable. Just look at you now, weak and pathetic. Eight toes less and you’re surely a goner, and I can’t beat the shit out of that, can I?” Turning, he began to walk away.

“Why are you here?” Toadjump called after him before he could stop himself. “Your eyes, they’re…You killed someone.” When? Why? Birchspark had almost killed Toadjump after he found out his apprentice was a murderer, and he was one also?

“Rosestar,” was the only answer he gave.

“Wait!” Toadjump tried to run after, only to slip and crash into the mud yet again. “Can we talk? Please?”

Birchspark stopped, ears flat. “I trusted you. If you ever breathe a word to me again, I will break your jaw.”

Then he was off, leaving Toadjump to watch after him, the mud soaking into his pelt and feeling colder than ice.

=========================================

--I think that went well.

--Birch's threats, as angry as he is, were empty. He cares about Toad too much to torture him (a huge step above beating. It's too calculated and cruel).

--Please keep in mind that I'm writing a novel at the same time as this, and I'm saving all my best writing for that. These stuff are far more rushed and way more "just write it without worrying about the quality" because if it wasn't, I would always be too self-critical to publish it.

--Thanks again to @starfalcon555 for suggesting the names for Birchspark and Toadjump!

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Im all in tell me how BirchSpark-ToadJump's dynamic changed

Birch:

As mentioned, Birch thought that Toad was a great medic and cat. Toad was dedicated to caring for every cat that came into their den. He had a great heart, and Birch had a lot of trust in him.

When Birch found out what Toad was doing, he was furious.

Obviously, he was enraged at the crimes themself, how he hurt--how he killed their Clanmates, the cats that trusted them with their lives, how they swore to StarClan and to their Clan that they would heal and protect them only for his own apprentice to turn around and betray them, and did so by targeting the cats most vulnerable.

He was also furious at the betrayal against him. Birch trusted him. Birch took him as his apprentice. Birch gave him his name. Birch asked him to his face if he would heal and care for and protect their Clanmates no matter the cost, and he believed it when Toad said yes.

To think it was all happening right under his nose! That's why he's angry at himself, too. For ever allowing Toadjump to become a medic (even though there was no sign anything bad would come of it). For not seeing it when Toad began to change. For not listening to his gut when it told him that something was wrong. For punishing and berating Toadjump because he thought those cats died because Toadjump failed by mistake, and he should have known that it wasn't. He feels guilty he didn't protect them when he was RIGHT THERE EVERY TIME. He's pissed at himself for allowing himself to get so attached. If he wasn't, then it wouldn't hurt him so much.

He's angry at everyone, really. At StarClan for speaking in riddles instead of telling him right-out what was going on. He was even angry at the victims for ever stepping into the medicine den, though he knows that's not fair (Toad went out of his way to make some of them sick anyway).

It was briefly mentioned in the profile post, but Birch beat the hell out of Toadjump when he found out (as to why no one noticed, they likely weren't in camp. Maybe he saw Toad stuff poison in some food?). He beat Toad unconscious and then some, and if he didn't love Toad so much, he would have killed him, or drag him to camp so that Rosestar could do it.

But...even after all he now knew, after all Toad had done, when the red cloud faded and Birch looked at Toad laying on the ground, all he could see was the wide-eyed, heart-bigger-than-his-head apprentice that always wanted to do the right thing. Was it Birch who failed him?

He told himself it was for the Clan. If they knew, they would panic, and they would distrust all medics and let their wounds go unhealed. He wouldn't tell anyone what Toad was doing and kept him under strict watch.

After that, he became exceptionally cold towards Toad. He was never what you would call a comforting mentor, but any warmness he provided even on his worst days were completely gone. He treated Toad exactly like he was--a murderer, a traitor.

Maybe things would have been differently if they had lasted after he killed Rosestar, but the camp was invaded right after, and Birch died in the battle.

Toad:

Things didn't change for Toad all that much. He still admires and looks up to Birch, and it absolutely guts him that his beloved mentor thinks--knows?--that he's horrible and disgusting and worse than the dirt beneath his paws.

He doesn't hold Birch beating him against him. He thanked him for not killing him.

Both hated the tension in their den, the loss of whatever good was between them.

When Birch died, Toad was devastated. He promised him that he would never harm another Clanmate again (not because he believes he shouldn't, but for Birchspark's sake). He would always serve and heal, and he did until that storm.

=============================

Now, as for them in the Dark Forest....I'm not sure just yet. They died at different times and likely different places. They will meet up at some point, but under what circumstances and what happens after is tbd.

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

what type of dynamic do ToadJump and BirchSpark have? Is it more than apprentice-mentor?

Toadjump admires Birchspark. He sees him as a father-figure, but doesn't see him as a father, if that makes sense. He's his role-model and he really looks up to him (even when Birch can be mean or insulting)

Birchspark does not see Toad as a son or a son-figure, but he does see him as someone who occasionally needs guidance. Toad was his apprentice and he will always see him as his apprentice, not to mean he thinks Toad will always know less or will need to keep learning--he believes Toad is a great medic and even greater cat (though he will never say that out loud). At least...he did--but to mean that he will always see him as a young kid to take under his wing. He's his apprentice and his friend, basically.

The revelation of Toad being a murderer complicated things, though

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Had to add them (new quotes were added to the generator!)

[residences-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Forest Residences: Toadjump & Birchspark

Toadjump

Aliases / Nicknames: Kitten, Fluff-for-Brains, various creative insults by Birchspark

Gender: tom

Sexuality: bisexual (formerly heterosexual + questioning)

Family: unnamed mother, unnamed father, unnamed brother

Other Relations: Birchspark (mentor)

Clan: ShadowClan

Rank: medicine cat

Characteristics: gets lost in daydreams, paranoid, cares too much, goofy

Murder Motive: to protect his Clanmates, mercy

Number of Victims: 8

Number of Murders: 8

Murder Method: neglecting, poisoning

Known Victims: Poppysparrow, Eaglestripe, Dustburn, Mossback, Palevole, Snowdapple, Larkclaw, Bramblesong

Victim Profile: cats who were better off dead, cats who hurt their Clanmates, cats he believed were hurting their Clanmates, cats he believed the Clan was better without

Cause of Death: fell into the ravine during a harsh storm, blunt-force trauma

Cautionary Tale: ??

Story:

Toadjump had always wanted to be a medicine cat.  

It wasn't that he found fighting scary, which...okay maybe he did a little bit. Mostly, though, he wanted to help his Clanmates. Not just from injuries inflicted in battle, but from sickness, infection, any and all ailments that only a trained healer was capable of, well, healing.

He wasn't the biggest fan of all the sneezing or puss or all that gross stuff (who was)? But seeing a cat's relief as they felt better and the joy of their loved ones when his patient left the medicine den made everything worth it.

There was simply nothing better than working yourself to the bone to save someone and have it work, and you can see with your own eyes what a difference you made and how worth it all those sleepless nights were.

It's terrible when you can't save someone.

But maybe with Poppysparrow it was better that way.

Her mate had died before she could tell him that she was expecting. Then, an unfortunate case of food poisoning meant that none of those kits--none of the only piece of Nettleheart she had left--were born alive. Poppysparrow was too out of it to realize it, luckily. As sad as that luck is.

Her parents had died long ago. She was a recluse, few good friends.

Toadjump didn't consciously make the decision not to save her. He convinced himself that he collected the wrong herbs because he wasn't paying attention, that he really couldn't hear her struggling to breathe.

The moment she was dead, though, it hit him: he let her die. Guilt ate at him, until the next Half-Moon meeting when he saw Poppysparrow rolling around in the lush StarClan grass, Nettleheart by her side and her four little kits purring at his. She was happy, more happy than she ever would have been had he saved her. No, he did save her.

He saved Eaglestripe, too.

Dustburn wasn't about to die, but there was something deeply wrong with the way he interacted with Kitepaw, so he made sure to save the young she-cat.

That one really changed things for Toadjump. Before, he had allowed already sick cats to die. He did it for them, because death would be kinder. Dustburn wasn't too sick. Toadjump had to do more than just neglect him. Nothing would have been better for Dustburn. But...they were better for Kitepaw. And if Dustburn was like that in public, he couldn't begin to imagine what he said to her in private.

Kitepaw wasn't relieved. She was sad. She didn't understand. It was still the right thing to do.

Mossback was hurting his apprentice. Batpaw always came in with a new bruise or scratch. Even Birchspark's threats to tear Mossback's ears off and shove them up his tail if he didn't shape up weren't enough to make it stop. Mossback's death was, though.

Palevole was verbally abusive to his mate.

Snowdapple was impulsive. It was because of her that many of her Clanmates got into border fights because she couldn't take an insult without beating the one who said it. Hillnose almost died because of her.

Larkclaw was the same. He encouraged his Clanmates to never take anything lying down, to chase prey across the border because it's rightfully theirs.

Both of them would have gotten their Clanmates killed.

Toadjump didn't like killing them. He preferred being a healer, the protector, the saver. If there was another solution, he would find it. That's how it was at first, at least. The more time went by, the more he saw death as the only option. The less it mattered to him that everyone was saved, and the more it mattered that the good cats were.

His reasons became less excusable as he became paranoid. He had to protect his Clan, he had to. He had to watch out for anything that could harm them, and he had to take care of it before something small became something catastrophic.

Bramblesong claimed that Goosepaw tripped into some thorns. Toadjump waited for it to only happen a second time before he dealt with it. It didn't matter that Goosepaw backed the story (could have been threatened) or that it was wildly out of character for Bramblesong to hurt an apprentice (it could have been a mask).

But Toadjump didn't work alone. It was only a matter of time before his mentor caught on.

Birchspark

Aliases / Nicknames: Gloomey-goose, Birchbite, Grump, Scariest-Tom-in-All-four-Clans

Gender: tom

Sexuality: heterosexual, greyromantic

Family: unnamed mother, unnamed father, unnamed sister, unnamed former mate

Other Relations: unnamed warrior mentor, unnamed medicine cat mentor, Toadjump (apprentice), Beecurl (best friend)

Clan: ShadowClan

Rank: warrior (formerly), medicine cat

Characteristics: lonely, short-tempered, creative with insults, gives harsh truths, internally cares deeply about others, externally callous

Murder Motive: to protect his Clanmates (with the added bonus of vengeance)

Number of Victims: 1

Number of Murders: 5

Murder Method: poisoning

Known Victims: Rosestar (5 lives)

Victim Profile: the one who sent his best friend to die, the one who was killing cats

Cause of Death: killed in battle while defending the herb store

Cautionary Tale: ??

Story:

He was the Clan's best healer and the meanest cat in the forest. He always had an insult ready to go, the target of most of them being the cat he (unfortunately) spent the most time with: Toadjump.

Toadjump liked to joke that they were the perfect team. Toadjump had good nest-side manner and rapport, and Birchspark wasn't afraid of telling cats harsh truths if it meant keeping them healthy. That's what Birchspark was sure he was going to say, anyway. His glare didn't allow Toadjump to finish.

He was always prickly, but when he found out what Toadjump was doing, he was furious, both at the tom and at himself for not putting a stop to it sooner.

He gave Toadjump a good beating for it, and had he not cared so much for him (which he would never admit to), he would have killed him. The only reason he allowed Toadjump to stay in the medicine den was so that he could keep an eye on him. He kept Toadjump on a short leash, always looking over his shoulder when Toadjump had to do even the simplest tasks.

Birchspark allowed Toadjump to explain himself after most of the shock wore off, of course with the threat that if he didn't watch his words carefully, Birchspark would rip his tongue out.

He conceded that he didn't hate that cats like Dustburn or Mossback were dead, and Poppysparrow was better off in StarClan with her loved ones. But it doesn't matter. They're healers, that's their job. To heal. Toadjump could have taken it to Rosestar and if Rosestar didn't listen, talk to him again. Take his concerns to the potential victim's family, explain the situation to them. Heck, beat the ever loving dirt out of the abuser and then put stinging nettle on their wounds when you heal them, but don't murder.

Then Rosestar started a war against ThunderClan, one Birchspark warned him numerous times against. Then he sent Beecurl and Sandwing, cats with disabilities that would make them vulnerable, into battle, despite Birchspark practically shouting in his face not to. Then Beecurl and Sandywing died. Then Rosestar sent out another battle patrol. Then another. Then another. Another Clanmate fell. An innocent apprentice in ThunderClan, too.

Rosestar wouldn't stop. His pride wouldn't let him. ThunderClan wouldn't give in. Their only hope was for Rosestar to die, but the bastard never fought himself, just gleefully sent others to die for him.

It had to be done.

It came too late, though.

ThunderClan was invading.

Additional Information:

--Dustburn wasn't saying anything outright disgusting. He was more acting like Dustpelt did with Fernpaw, so okay enough that most cats don't think about it.

--Didn't have space to include, but Birchspark's backstory included a mean father and a sister who died when they were young warriors, which made him switch over to being a healer.

He and Beecurl were best friends as apprentices. His former mate also happens to be Beecurl's littermate.

--Birchspark would have noticed earlier if his view of Toad wasn't so clouded. Murder was very, very out of character for Toad for a number of reasons (morally, he's too squeamish, doesn't have the guts). For a while, Birch thought that any death that didn't make sense as just "bad luck" was Toadjump being incompetent, which he did lecture Toadjump a lot for.

--Names suggested by @starfalcon555 ! Thanks!