GRAVELPELT.
warrior of thunderclan?
He hadn't returned to camp last night. It all had felt too much to attempt to handle at that moment, his whole world having just been flipped upside down. Last night, he'd realized, could very well be his last peaceful night. So even it had been cold, he'd wandered for a while before settling down between the roots of a tree and just existing.
And then, when the sun started rising, he stretched away any stiffness and set out for camp to share the news with everyone else before they could notice their leader's sudden absence.
After walking through the camp entrance he took a moment to brace himself, unable to meet anyone else's eye, before stumbling to the High Branch and forcing himself to hop up like he owned the place. Which now, he supposed, he really did. Once ThunderClan had been updated on the situation and he'd had a moment to talk to Peachblossom, he supposed he'd be sent off to receive his nine lives. Would StarClan give him them all, when Wildstar hadn't even lost her own yet?
A thought to worry about another time no doubt, as now that he was looking down upon everyone, it was shockingly hard to breathe. "Th-ThunderClan," he called out pitifully, voice wavering. "Please, everyone, gather below me." This was news that affected everyone, from the newest kit to the oldest elder. He could already hear everyone murmuring as they surprisingly heeded his request.
GRAVELPELT.
warrior of thunderclan?
With red eyes widened from their usual lazy droop, Gravelpelt looked upon Doepaw and felt his heart sink with more sudden realizations. Not only would he have all these headstrong warriors suddenly looking to him for guidance and answers, but also apprentices and even kits- young, impressionable souls who wouldn't know better about the world until they were told or learned the hard way. It was going to be up to him to provide a safe, stable environment for parents to properly raise their young in. Seeing Moosestomp in the crowds, thinking of his brother's kits that Gravelpelt so cherished, the mottled brown warrior suddenly felt light-headed. Why me indeed, he couldn't help but think.
"Yes, Wildstar told me all of this last night. As I said, she woke me for a walk in the direction of RiverClan's border. Once we reached the border, she told me StarClan had sent her visions of other cats she needed to go help, and she believed they had told her that I should be in charge during- during her absence." If only he could give everyone a timeline, but they were just as in the dark as he was. If only he had more to share, to put worries at ease a bit more, even if the situation was rather hopeless. "Go to RiverClan's border, where you can pick up Wildstar's scent trail and follow it, if you don't believe me." He looked towards Cinderfern as he said this, eyes back to their perpetual tired droop.
He felt a headache coming on as Heavyroar spoke, as Peachblossom spoke, as Hazelpaw spoke, reaching deep within himself to find that tireless patience he so often prided himself on. Heavyroar was worried about his position in the Clan, something he'd dedicated his whole life towards. Peachblossom had been close to Wildstar, and as she openly said, had always wanted the leader position herself, even if StarClan had other plans for her. Hazelpaw, likely above all else, was worried about her mother. None of them were trying to purposefully be hard about the situation.
"I will venture to the Mooncave with Peachblossom tonight," he repeated, a tinge of a sigh to his tone. "I will speak to StarClan and report immediately back to all of you on what our ancestors have to say. If they want me to lead, well-" Gravelpelt allowed a subdued grimace onto his features, glancing away from everybody as the possibilities flitted through his mind. ThunderClan was likely about to go through growing paints, without a doubt. "And if they don't accept me, if they name someone else, I will step aside. Until that point, I will honor Wildstar's wishes with belief in her words strengthening my heart."
With a grunt, he hopped from the High Branch onto the slushy ground below. "Now, I'm going to prepare myself for the journey to ensure we all get an answer in a timely fashion," he explained. For a moment he hesitated, gaze flitting from the Warriors' Den, to the Leader's Den, to the camp entrance, before he started slinking towards the last option. Occupying Wildstar's den at the moment would be too soon and bold, and the Warriors' Den would not offer enough privacy.