Rereading Into the Wild and once again being struck by how…odd, I guess, the Firestar x Spottedleaf ship is, writing-wise.
It just feels like it was never properly developed, as if some major character scene got cut from the story at some point. Yes, there are some subtle hints that Firepaw has a bit of a crush, and he is understandably upset when Spottedleaf is killed…but none of it is anywhere near the nigh-obsessive infatuation referenced in later books, particularly Firestar’s Quest. And I’ll keep looking as I continue the reread, but so far I’ve found Zero hints that Spottedleaf returned Firepaw’s feelings while alive. The whole mutual yearning idea seems more retconned in by later books than something that was properly present from the beginning.
idk, I just feel like even a short scene where Lionheart or Whitestorm pulls Firepaw aside and are like “hey I’ve noticed you making eyes at Spottedleaf; you need to know that medicine cats can’t take mates” and having Firepaw internally wrestle with that for just a little bit would’ve worked wonders if the authors wanted to go with this ship. I think it would also make Spottedleaf’s death shortly after more complex and impactful. On the one hand Firepaw no longer has to struggle with overcoming a potential forbidden romance and the issues that come with it, but on the other hand his grief is more raw and intense. but i digress ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
…….oh and speaking of weird Warriors ships, Gray Wing is one of my favorite DotC characters but man every time he goes off on how he “loved Storm too” it’s just like bruuhhhhh no you didn’t lol. You barely knew her. You weren’t “in love” with her, you just thought she was hot smh lol
Gray Wing is considered all of Silverpelt, with the stars and constellations that represent every cat making up his fur. In WindClan, kits often believe that rain is just dewdrops being shaken from his pelt, and some cats even believe that the moon itself is his gaze.
Similarly, there’s an old belief that the moor’s winds are caused by Windstar racing across the sky. Strong gusts are believed to be the result of Gorsestar running beside her.
There is also the myth that the many moths that flutter through the territory are messengers of Moth Flight, sent to whisper advice to the current medicine cat.
In the past, WindClan actively practiced Gray Wing’s idea of kindness and friendship. They fought only when necessary, and would offer aid to other Clans when possible.
Tallstar was especially fond of the tradition, but it was mostly forgotten during Onestar’s reign, since he believed the ideology sounded too much like Firestar’s way of doing things.
Unsurprisingly, this aided in WindClan’s turn in reputation, as they are now known for being harsh and antagonizing ThunderClan.
Crowfeather and Nightcloud are the only cats who can remember the old tradition, and they’ve been trying to reintroduce it since the change in leadership. Fortunately, Harestar is very open to the idea.
Guys, I’m all for the idea that the Clans have constellations that they believe are the forms of the first leaders, and that certain stars are specific heroes.
But I am even more for the idea that all of that is true, except that Gray Wing was so loved that the Clans said no, he’s not a simple star. He’s all of Silverpelt.
All the stars and constellations make up his fur because without him, the first leaders wouldn’t have been brought together and the Clans never would have existed.
When the friends and family he left behind looked up at the sky, all they could see was him and his love for them, and they wanted every Clan cat after them to see that too.
For the Clans, the brightest star in the sky is thought to be Gray Wing. He may not have been a leader, but he was an important figure to all of the Clans in their beginning. From what the stories about him detail, it only makes sense that he became such a beautiful star.
Whewww that’s a lot of cats! I tried to stay away from repeats but what can I say, I love Sandstorm and her kids!!
Also was challenged to try and pick some less popular relationships and since I have so many favorites, I think they still qualify even if they’re not at the very top of my list. Right????? Because listen, it would just be full of FireFamily…
Join One Eye’s cult of babygirl and you have license to beat the shit out of Clear Sky and get a sick eye tattoo that 100% won’t give u an infection and kill u prommy!! ❌️
