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Post by Cloud of Diamonds on Sept 23, 2009 20:37:52 GMT -5
The warm sun of greenleaf filtered through the forest of FogClan.
The medicine cat, Brightnose, and her apprentice Finchpaw, were walking in the direction of the StreamClan border. Each seemed in a neutral state, minds only on what herbs they were going to gather.
How untrue this was.
Brightnose's thoughts were whirling in her mind as she walked slowly among the trees. Finchpaw. From almost the very time he'd become an apprentice, she'd felt like he was hiding something. Most of the time she didn't give much thought to this; many cats probably had secrets they were unwilling to share. But still, sometimes she had a dim sense that it was more than just a secret, it was something the tom did not want discovered by his mentor at all costs. The logical part of her snorted at this, but a small emotional part of her thought she might, just might, be right. And this puzzled her. If Finchpaw was anxious about something, why not confide in her? She was his mentor, after all. But then, perhaps it was a family matter, something between him and Firepaw or Rowanheart. In which case it was none of her business. Finchpaw could certainly be trusted to sort out matters with his own kin. The calico's thoughts filled her head as she padded in front of the ginger-and-white apprentice.
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Post by Whiskers on Sept 27, 2009 9:52:20 GMT -5
Finchpaw felt he was getting more paranoid by the second. His eyes darted from his mentor to the floor every few moments, his mind speeding ahead, trying to pinpoint her reasons for coming out to collect herbs with him. It was a request that was unheard of-- collecting herbs was a one-cat job, something he was especially good at. (He did it enough to know the forest like the back of his paw). And it was smarter to leave a medicine cat in the camp just in case.
So why hadn't Brightnose recognized this? What if a badger came barreling in and decided to claw up some warriors and they were both temporarily unavailable because they were out? Well, those warriors would die and it would be all Brightnose's fault for not staying in camp and--
He was just making excuses now. He knew the clan would be fine, he just didn't want Brightnose there. She had to have an ulterior motive for getting him out here, all alone. So paranoid, Finchpaw grit his teeth together, disgusted with his thoughts. What if, I dunno, she just wants to be with her own apprentice? Get a grip and stop griping like you're two moons old.
"So," he was the first to break the silence, his voice surprisingly small and childish. He was blatantly nervous. "What are we looking for?"
What a beautiful, interesting conversation starter. [/size] |
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Post by Cloud of Diamonds on Sept 27, 2009 13:43:14 GMT -5
The tri-colored she-cat started, them cursed herself. I really must work on my absentmindedness, she thought. It could be the death of me. The medicine cat stopped and turned her head back towards Finchpaw. "We're looking for oak leaves, mainly, but any other herbs you find would be welcome, because I want to get them all dried in case leaf-fall comes early, and we won't be able to pick many more." Brightnose tried to shake her lurking feelings of suspicion out of her head. They were distracting her from doing her duty, for StarClan's sake! I must be getting old, that I would make up such silly fantasies like that, the FogClanner thought. But even logic couldn't sway the small nudge in her brain that made her think the ginger tom had a secret.
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Post by Whiskers on Sept 27, 2009 14:07:07 GMT -5
Oak leaves. Oak leaves were for...
Oh he didn't even care enough to try and remember. He knew that somewhere in his brain the answer was there, but he had his mentor to ask. Laziness was becoming a habit with Finchpaw. He never actually did collect herbs, (just said he did ) and whenever he was in the den, he never studied. He could only remember the herbs that he prescribed the most. Poppy seeds for pain, and to calm nerves, mouse bile to remove ticks, goldenrod soothed aching joints. His customers were most always elders. The last time he had actually healed a cut-- a minor scrape-- was two moons ago. Perhaps he had rubbed something-or-other on a cat's split pad, but it was such a mundane event that he didn't bother to recall the cat's name.
Finchpaw's eyes darted back to Brightnose's face for the tenth time that afternoon, his eyes searching for the passion he lacked. If he could only steal some from her, for just a day, and have his mind enlightened, set on fire. But no, that passion for medicine was something that Brightnose could never teach him.
"Ah, that's why you wanted me to come along. Extra set of paws," small talk spilled from his mouth naturally and he was calm and indifferent now that the conversation was in a safe zone. "We should pick up some extra juniper berries. One of the elders was complaining of stomach pains. Probably ate a bad squirrel..."
He trailed off when a thought hopped into his mind. "Brightnose... maybe...maybe after we collect herbs we could practice hunting?" Finchpaw's nose quivered, making eye contact with Brightnose for the first time today. If she'd just let him try to catch one tiny mouse, it would make his day. Firepaw was always bragging about his catch... he really wanted his turn now. [/size] |
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Post by Cloud of Diamonds on Sept 27, 2009 18:50:01 GMT -5
The calico she-cat nodded. "Indeed, your help is useful, Finchpaw, though I also enjoy your company. As for juniper berries, I know a bush by the StreamClan border that has berries in the plenty, we'll go in that general direction as we gather other herbs. And of course we can hunt when we've gathered enough herbs, though we'll need to make two trips afterwards. I rather enjoy hunting myself." This being said, the tri-colored medicine cat turned and began to pad slowly in the direction of the fish-eating Clan's border. A fly landed on her shoulder, and she shook it off with a twitch of her thin-furred shoulder. Brightnose was slightly anxious about her thin pelt; normally it was as thick as a tree trunk, but since it was hot her fur was scanty. But greenleaf won't last forever, she told herself, so I hope it grows back soon. Brightnose stopped for a second to quickly bend down and grasp two oak leaves in her mouth. Looking around, noticed there was a huge oak tree not two badgerlengths off. Wonderful, thought the FogClanner, now we'll have plenty of the things. No cat will get infected this leaf-fall. She cast a glance at the tabby apprentice beside her to see how he was doing.
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Post by Whiskers on Oct 1, 2009 17:50:37 GMT -5
Finchpaw's face lit up with an eager smile, a new found joy in his movements as he skipped to the left, his eyes darting around for herbs. Nimble and quick, his paws slid easily through the undergrowth with nary a noise, though this skill was hardly needed when one was only "hunting for herbs." Soon, though, he'd be hunting real creatures and that's why this apprentice was suddenly more excited than usual. He'd finally be hunting with a warrior-- okay, not a warrior, it was only Brightnose, and she was better than nothing-- at his side. Someone who could critique him. It was possible that Finchpaw might actually learn something today that wasn't related to the exciting world of herbal remedies.
He did not stray too far from Brightnose as he scanned the forest floor. With his muzzle outstretched, it took all of Finchpaw's self restraint to ignore the musk of the prey that scurried around him. Picking out a few choice herbs, he daintily took them in his mouth. His eyes narrowed in concentration-- he didn't want to bite down on the herbs, that would definitely invoke a lecturing from his mentor. The taste of them was enough to cause a gag reflex in any other cat, but now the taste was more familiar than his own brother's scent. Cats would think him weird, but he had grown to find herbs strangely sweet, though the smell still perturbed him to this day.
He set the herbs down as soon as he found Brightnose again and then cleared his throat to catch her attention and bring it to him. "Brightnose, do you want anything else? I could probably run and find some marigold if you want. If not I'll take these back to the camp." his words were rushed, and he was wiggling his toes impatiently. Impatient? That was not a trait that Brightnose saw often in Finchpaw, but Finchpaw wasn't paying attention to cover up his childish behavior. All he could smell were mice, all he could hear were the rustling of wings. [/size] |
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Post by Cloud of Diamonds on Oct 3, 2009 10:23:23 GMT -5
Brightnose turned her head to look at the plants her apprentice had gathered. There weren't a lot, but there were enough and besides, they could easily restock again soon. The frosts were far enough away that she didn't have to worry about it yet. And besides, Finchpaw seemed positively delighted at the chance of hunting. See? She told herself. He's just like any other apprentice, except possibly a bit smarter and a medicine cat in training. "No, those herbs should be sufficient, but if you see marigold on your way back, you could take a stalk or two. I think we both have enough now, and we'll be able to get more plants again soon anyway. If you can carry my herbs and yours, then you can leave them in the medicine den, come back, and we'll hunt for a bit. I will wait here for you." The FogClan she-cat smiled. This would a good chance to see how Finchpaw's other skills were coming along.
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Post by Whiskers on Oct 3, 2009 14:06:45 GMT -5
Finchpaw knelt down and collected the herbs into his mouth again, before straightening up and nodding a farewell toward Brightnose. He'd be back shortly of course. Finchpaw would never idle in camp when Brightnose was actually giving him permission to hunt.
He took off in the opposite direction, scurrying through the forest with the agility and enthusiasm of a squirrel, and therefore arriving at the camp in record time. Fogclan camp wasn't very busy today. It seemed deserted, with most of the clearing empty. He could spot a growing group of cats in the corner of the camp, and Finchpaw instantly recognized the fur of his own brother. Making trouble with Frostpaw, I see. The mousebrain, his thoughts were irritated though he didn't know why he was so bothered by this little event. It wasn't a surprise. With a little huff, he walked away from the scene and then delivered the herbs to their proper place before leaving camp altogether. Firepaw would reap what he sowed. It wasn't Finchpaw's job to help him.
It was, however, his job to hurry on back to Brightnose. Finchpaw didn't want to keep his lovely mentor waiting did he? Nope! With a spontaneous laugh, he sped back to where he had come from and arrived at Brightnose's side in no time.
"All done Brightnose." [/size] |
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Post by Cloud of Diamonds on Oct 3, 2009 14:18:19 GMT -5
Brightnose almost laughed at the enthusiasm of the eager tom. Back between one blink and the other, he was. Of course, she didn't begrudge his enthusiasm for wanting to hunt, as he got to do it so rarely. However, she did hope he didn't find gathering herbs exceedingly dull. After all, he'd wanted to be a medicine cat apprentice, or so she'd thought when Rowanheart had rushed into her den and said that one of his sons was interested in taking the path of a healer. But had Finchpaw really wanted it, or was it merely his father's zealous request? Trying to clear her head of such thoughts, she replied, "Well then, shall we hunt? I'm going to try over there by that bramble patch." She added. Dropping into the slink she'd learned long ago through practice and effort, the medicine cat padded softly along the forest floor, gold-and-black ears alert for the noises of prey.
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Post by Whiskers on Oct 3, 2009 15:41:20 GMT -5
ooc// oh good, she's finally catching on. xD I was wondering when she's notice that Finchpaw is actually /happy/ for a change. :3
bic//
Finchpaw's eyes stayed on Brightnose, despite her dismissing him to his own hunting tribulations. Of course, he did want to hunt, but he had asked Brightnose more so he could learn from her. She had been a loner not so long ago, and it showed as she crouched and stalked forward, perfectly balanced and beautiful. That was something he loved about hunting; it was fluid and natural, a careful ballet between predator and prey.
Immediately, he mimicked her position, falling onto his toes, trembling as his weight shifted. Equal distribution to all four legs, so you're perfectly still, perfectly poised...
He chuckled. Overthinking it, buddy. Finchpaw stopped his brain short. Hunting wasn't about thinking, no, he had to finally give himself up to nothing but instinct. Memories of his kit-hood flooded back, when he was care-free, weightless, and thought nothing of his secrets. That was the mindset he had to be in.
Catching the scent of a mouse, Finchpaw reacted instantaneously, with a pounce and a deep, sudden bite to the neck of the poor animal. He had the dead mouse dangling in his jaws before he even knew he had moved. And not a thought had passed through his mind.
This feeling... was exhilarating. He had to do it again. [/size] |
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We have a cbox again and we're opening the place up as a closed, members only rp