What little I know [DovexOPEN] I owe to ignorance.

[glowlynose]

Dovepaw

Ah, blessed sunlight! Dovepaw smiled to herself as she took her official steps out of the medicine den and back into clan life. She was finally healed enough for Brightnose and Finchpaw to release her, and she was loving the day so far. The sun was out and smiling upon her clan. She didn't even care that the brightness of it brought her scars to life, or that Mousenose was gone. Miststar could always assign her a different mentor to complete her training. Admittedly, they wouldn't have much to do, with Dovepaw being so close to warrior proficiency and all. The thought made her heart soar. Dovepaw, the weakling kittypet, coming back in glorious splendor from her injuries and sweeping the clan's paws out from underneath them by becoming a warrior within two moons! Firepaw would get there before her, and probably Frostpaw and Blackpaw as well, but their stories wouldn't be near as dramatic as hers. Yes, she made herself quite proud.

In fact, she was feeling so good that she was actually hungry for once. And there was the fresh-kill pile, just flaunting its bounty at her. Surely nobody would mind if she took something for herself. After all she had just come out of the infirmary, and she fully planned on hunting later, even without a mentor to "help her along." She didn't need help hunting. Tracking always had been her specialty.

Ah, that finch looked simply lovely! So, still grinning wildly, she took the bird in her jaws and settled down in a nice, peaceful place to eat. It was then that she thought of the scars on her shoulders and neck, so she wrapped her tail around herself as best she could.

Tawnywhisker

Tawnywhisker's ears perked up, and she found herself focusing all her attention on a white she-cat apprentice. What was Dovepaw doing? She had not yet hunted for the clan, and yet, there she was, eating her little heart out. And... was that... yes, it was the finch that she had caught earlier! How dare she? That sort of behavior was exactly the kind of thing that Miststar and her Council wanted to eliminate. Though the mottled she-cat was not a member of the Council herself, she felt particularly bound to bring the apprentice's error to the attention of a member. Perhaps Volepelt, or Rowanheart.

Ah, there was Rowanheart now! A surge of jealousy swept through the she-cat at the sight of him. Why had he been chosen for the honor of being a Council Member, and not herself? She had fully supported Miststar, bless her soul, in every decision that she had made. Heck, she'd even argued on her side when they'd thrown Owlstar out, despite her belief in the Code! She supposed that nobody had noticed her efforts, since she wasn't particularly connected with any cat in her clan. Nobody ever noticed anything she did. It absolutely made her blood boil, it did! But for now, she had to control her temper. She was approaching a Council Member, after all. The utmost respect was required.

"Rowanheart," she meowed in greeting, dipping her head as a sign of respect. "I'd like to bring young Dovepaw to your attention. I would have dealt with her behavior myself, but as I am not her mentor and not a member of the Council, I feel that I have little authority to punish her. She has not hunted yet, and look at her, eating! It is inexcusable, despite her injuries."

She felt a pang of pity for the apprentice, however temporary. Perhaps she was simply ignorant of FogClan's new ways. After all, she had been shut up in the medicine den for a moon, and her mentor had disappeared, leaving her with no moral compass. Poor, poor Dovepaw. She had no idea what was coming for her, or even what she had done wrong. Still, she had to learn somehow.

[/center]

[Whiskers]

For the first time in many days, the sun was blessing Fogclan with some warmth and light. Gray skies had plagued the whole forest and much hunting had not gotten done, though a few cats had to brave the showers and suffer through it like true warriors. He had been one of them and had endured the hours and hours of wet fur and shivering bones. He had a bit of a sneeze now, and though he didn't think it was anything serious, Finchpaw had still insisted on prescribing some herbs that would improve his health anyway. Completely unnecessary, yes, and utterly disgusting as well, but Rowanheart had eaten them without complaint, his insides glowing at the notion that his son worried for him.

But because he was fit as a fiddle, and the sun was out and about, he might as well be too. Yet all the patrols were gone and he had lost Frostpaw (again) and because he didn't want to go tracking her down, he was stuck in camp, strolling around listlessly and anxiously. He always was the restless type and he was prone to getting bored quite quickly, as if he was a kit with a tiny attention span. And now he was massively bored, to the point where he wanted to go seek out Reedfoot and take her out hunting. Then at least he could spend some time with a friend.

Before he could go do this though, another she-cat came up to him-- Tawnywhisker. She was a younger warrior (well, younger than him, but most warriors were) and the look in her eyes told him that she was not coming over for a quick chat. She had something to say and that 'something' probably dealt with clan business. It was only now, looking at Tawnywhisker and the way she headed toward him-- with purpose-- that he remembered he was a council member. Instantly, his appearance changed and he sat up to his fullest height, smoothing any confusion away.

"Tawnywhisker," he greeted her with the obligatory head dip. The she-cat did not waste any time and she launched into her reason for approaching him.

"Rowanheart, I'd like to bring young Dovepaw to your attention. I would have dealt with her behavior myself, but as I am not her mentor and not a member of the Council, I feel that I have little authority to punish her. She has not hunted yet, and look at her, eating! It is inexcusable, despite her injuries."

Rowanheart's ears flicked and he frowned. Dovepaw was always such an obedient apprentice; when Mousenose was in the clan, there were no complaints. However, Dovepaw had made a bit of a ruckus when Miststar overthrew Owlstar. And with her injuries...perhaps Dovepaw was having a hard time adjusting to the fact her warrior ceremony would be delayed and that her mentor was gone.

"Thank you for alerting me of this, Tawnywhisker. I'll go over and talk to her," Rowanheart told the she-cat with a sincere smile. It pleased him that not only the council members were on the look out for bad behavior. She should be rewarded, he thought, or at least recognized for her job well done. "I'm sure Miststar will be pleased she had someone as attentive and loyal as you. I'll make sure to tell her."

Rowanheart left Tawnywhisker and headed toward where Dovepaw lay eating. He was sure she would apologize immediately and then, perhaps, he would take her out hunting and she'd replace the finch she had taken with two more pieces of fresh-kill. Dovepaw was reasonable and, well, sane, unlike Frostpaw, so there shouldn't be any issues.

"Dovepaw," Rowanheart started, "you know that apprentices aren't allowed to eat before they've caught something for their clan. It's against the warrior code, and, therefore, Starclan's Word. You wouldn't want to upset Them now," he informed her in a gentle, but firm voice and then waited for her to apologize. Ah, what a sweet sound that would be!

[/size]

[glowlynose]

Dovepaw

An odd fluttering awoke in Dovepaw's chest, the reason of which she could not fathom, as she stared down at her half-eaten breakfast. It was an odd sort of fluttering, almost like the bird was invading her very soul, but instead of lifting her up, it was frightening her. It was telling her that she needed to get away. Curious, she lifted her eyes from her meal, and immediately lowered her gaze. That was Rowanheart coming to talk to her, probably for eating out of turn. She should have figured that a place like FogClan would cut no slack for the injured. Nope, they had to preserve the sanctity of their grounds by making sure that no sin tarnished the wonderful soil of this StarClan-blessed place.

What a freaking joke.

Hah, and then the tom had the gall to go on and lecture her about StarClan's will, and how she couldn't go upsetting them now, though she wasn't sure how now was different from any other time. What made now so special? Nothing. She was still as weighted down as ever with the lives of her siblings, and even more so, now that her love had disappeared off to who knows where. Everybody she ever cared about was gone, probably dead in a ditch somewhere, so what should she care about what a bunch of kit's tales thought about a STUPID FREAKING BIRD? She certainly didn't.

"Of course, Rowanheart. My mistake." Hold on a minute. What was this? She was actually complying with him? What was going on in her mind didn't correlate with the words that she was speaking. "May I finish the prey first, at least? I was planning on hunting, but my journey in the medicine den left me kind of shot as far as energy went. It would be a horrible waste not to finish it, anyway."

Ah, curses be to her compliant nature! Miststar could probably order her to dance on hot coals for the sake of her entertainment and she wouldn't be able to refuse. Mousenose had rubbed off on her. She used to be able to do anything as a kit, and now she had somehow managed to inherit some of his frightened nature. Suppose it happens when two souls rely on each other for strength. When one them leaves, the other is shot stone dead.

[/center]

[Whiskers]

Rowanheart smiled wide when he heard Dovepaw admit her failure, acknowledge the sin that had seized her and clouded her judgment. It was a pleasure, having such a fine young she-cat in Fogclan, as well as a comfort. True, she was not perfect, but no one was, save beloved Miststar and Starclan Themselves. But by and by, Dovepaw would learn how to defend herself against the grubby claws of sin and she, too, would be a shining example of excellence that Fogclan would be proud of. It was unfortunate that she had made this little mistake, but Dovepaw was remorseful and that was what mattered.

But then Rowanheart's good mood plummeted. Dovepaw's apology had started off well, but it had gone downhill, taking his smile with it, along with his pride in the young apprentice. Was she so hungry that she would really continue to disobey Starclan's Word and the Warrior Code by finishing her sin-stained piece of fresh-kill? The thought was shocking. She had been in the medicine den recovering and therefore, her food had been handed to her. She should be well-fed and energized, much more so than anyone else in the clan. It was not hunger that was, therefore, motivating her to continue eating and spiting Starclan. It was a hidden wickedness that had almost-- almost-- fooled Rowanheart. Clearly there was a gluttonous spirit in Dovepaw, a demon that made her think she was above the rules. He would have to make it clear that she was not and he would chase the demon from her body before it did anymore damage to her young soul. Rowanheart sighed. It hurt him to punish young cats, but it must be done.

"Dovepaw, I am ashamed that you'd keep on eating, despite your knowledge of the rules. To do so is to spit in Starclan's face. That piece of prey is tainted by your sinful actions. It must be buried immediately; it is no better than crowfood now," Rowanheart told the young apprentice, his eyes stony, though his heart ached for Dovepaw's soul.

"As for you, you will have to publicly confess how you failed to comply to the Warrior code by indulging yourself instead of hunting for your clan. Laziness and gluttony will not be taken lightly, Dovepaw. I suggest you reflect on your actions and prepare for the confession."

[/size]

[glowlynose]

Dovepaw

Dovepaw couldn't believe what she was hearing. One moment, Rowanheart was being completely reasonable and sane, and the next moment, he was a total bigot! "To do so is to spit in StarClan's face." Psh, whatever. The young she-cat honestly couldn't care less if StarClan was angry with her, because they had no power. All they could do was send medicine cats dreams. She'd learned that during her recovery. StarClan could only hold as much sway over a cat as the cat allowed them to, and, unfortunately for her, her clan chose to put StarClan in the spot of highest power.

There wasn't a free thinker in her clan, that she knew of, other than Frostpaw. How very sad. Dovepaw was starting to get there, little by little, but it would take her a while to get to where Frostpaw was. As much as she didn't want to admit it, the she-cat sort of idolized the fiery apprentice. She wasn't bound by fear of losing her "good reputation". Frostpaw was just who she was and didn't offer any apologies. They weren't expected from her.

In any case, back to Rowanheart. It didn't matter that he was an experienced warrior, or that he was a member of Mistpelt's Council, he was acting like a bigoted kit and it did not make her happy. Couldn't he see how his faith was robbing him of his mind, how his servitude of Mistpelt's every whim was going to get him into trouble some day? Angry defiance burning in her eyes, she took one last bite of her food, stood up, and looked the ginger tom in the eyes.

"If you want it buried, you can bury it. I'm not going to. After all, it is 'tainted prey'. How dare anybody touch it, when it spits in StarClan's face?" What was she doing? She was ruining every good idea Rowanheart had about her! How could she? What would her parents, the cats who had drilled manners into her young and malleable mind, think of her behavior right now?

She didn't care.

"As for the confession, I see no reason for it. Nobody is going to care that I had something to eat after not eating for a day and a half, honestly." She was this close to refusing to confess, when she was cut off by a sharp reprimand from Tawnywhisker, who had walked over after hearing the tone of Dovepaw's voice.

Tawnywhisker

After Rowanheart had told her that he would talk to Mistpelt, it had been all Tawnywhisker could do to remain conscious. After the initial shock had passed over, it had taken all her willpower to act sane. Finally, somebody had noticed her. Somebody had noticed her faithful service. It was more than she could have ever dreamed of. She had a shot at fulfilling her dreams!

She watched with reverence in her eyes, instead of jealousy, as Rowanheart went to do his duty and reprimand the apprentice for eating. But then, all of a sudden, things didn't seem to be going to well. Rowanheart visibly stiffened, and his tone became cold. The same thing happened with Dovepaw, who was now standing up to deliver her ultimatum. How dare she? She was a mere apprentice, and Rowanheart a Council Member! This disrespect could not be tolerated.

"Dovepaw!" Tawnywhisker cried in shock after padding over to the squabbling cats. "How dare you show such blatant disrespect to Rowanheart? He is one of StarClan's chosen, a Member of Miststar's Council! You will apologize to him for you speech, and you will do what he asks and give a public confession." It gave her the utmost pleasure to see Dovepaw cowed before StarClan's wrath. The white she-cat looked at the ground, as if ashamed at her actions, which she rightfully should be.

Tawnywhisker addressed Rowanheart now, dipping her head in a gesture of respect. "Forgive me for interfering, Rowanheart, but it seemed necessary." If it had been appropriate, the warrior would have prostrated herself before Rowanheart, the ultimate submission to his authority, but they were nearly equals, so she didn't. Besides, Rowanheart would have been angry if she'd done that. So she settled for dipping her head and apologizing.

Hopefully Dovepaw would take the hint and do the same.

[/center]

[Cloud of Diamonds]

The calico had been deeply absorbed in cataloging her herbs for several minutes - it had been a while since she and Finchpaw had cleaned the stock out together. Dust and mold had taken ahold of some, but luckily at least one specimen of almost plant had still survived. The only thing that would have to go completely was the poppy seeds, and there weren't many of those left after treating Dovepaw anyway...

Speaking of the white apprentice, wasn't that her voice? Right outside her den, too? And angry...cocking a gold and black ear, the now frowning Brightnose made out the mews of Rowanheart and Tawnywhisker as well. They seemed to be reprimanding her of something, and harshly, too. This was strange in the extreme. And perhaps slightly undeserved, too. True, disobedience should not go unpunished, but what could the recently healed FogClanner have possibly done? She had been in the medicine den until not a few minutes ago. Her curiosity got the better of the she-cat and she decided to step outside and see things for herself.

She was immediately greeted by what seemed like an almost blinding glare after so much time in the dim medicine den. However, she adjusted within half a minute or so.

"What seems to be the problem?" She asked lightly, perhaps too lightly for a situation where two senior warriors were glaring at apprentice who...had been eating from the look of it. Was that what all the fuss was about? There seemed to be nothing else possible. She blinked in confusion, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. What was wrong with that? Dovepaw hadn't eaten today; she should, especially right after recovering from serious wounds and so she could have the strength to serve her Clan again.

For some reason, she felt compassion toward the little she-cat and a want to defend her. True, she had recently introduced to the world of emotions again. Still, this surprised her. Then she remembered. It was Dovepaw who had supported her when Miststar - that strange and mad feline - had overthrown their rightful ruler. She owed her a debt of loyalty.

Not only did it make sense, her emotions seemed to decree that it was the right thing to do. How very pleasing.

Unfortunately, this would not be easy. Rowanheart's wrath was upon the white apprentice, and being the dim if devoted sort of cat he was, he would be hard to argue sense with. Also, he was a Council member. Problems, problems.

But nothing she couldn't do, she thought with a hidden smile. Nothing she couldn't do at all.

[Whiskers]

Rowanheart's ears burned with every blasphemous word that Dovepaw dared to utter in his presence. In Starclan's presence at that! It was hard to comprehend such sin in what he had originally thought of as a good, lovely being. But now that his rose-colored glasses had been ripped away, he saw. He truly saw. He gazed at Dovepaw, and through Dovepaw to Fogclan, and he saw the truth. Miststar was completely right when she had said Fogclan was tainted. He had always felt it, but had faintly hoped it was not as bad as what he suspected. He could not pretend anymore. Fogclan was in such an absymal state half of Rowanheart wanted to take Finchpaw and run for it, before the tendrils of sin could take his son and suffocate him.

And it was all Frostpaw's fault. This was one thing that Rowanheart was sure of. It was not his opinion-- it was fact. Frostpaw had dragged the dirt in with her. Every day she walked through camp, she left a trail, like a stinking skunk. And every night she slumbered and her wicked dreams crept through the clan. And they were leeches, and all those around her succumbed to them and could not escape.

He would eradicate her. Soon enough. First, he had to deal with Dovepaw. He looked down at her, eyes hard and no longer forgiving. She was like a little Frostpaw in the making, complete with cold, white fur.

His heard turned when Tawnywhisker intervened. Her wise words calmed him, reminded him that the clan was not lost. There was hope, a glimmer of gold in each cat (except for Frostpaw), and in some cats, that glimmer shone bright enough to chase away the leeches of sin. Tawnywhisker had a strong light in her, and a good heart. He was liking her more and more with every minute.

"Do not apologize, Tawnywhisker. You're right-- it was necessary. And these young sinners need as many good examples as they can get. Thank you for your help."

Then Brightnose arrived, which was also a comfort to Rowanheart, as she was a medicine cat and therefore a devout servant of Starclan, as well as the mentor of his son. Rowanheart smiled and dipped his head, inviting Brightnose warmly.

"No problem; it's been taken care of. Young Dovepaw was breaking the rule, eating a piece of fresh-kill before she has hunted. And by the new decree of Miststar, she shouldn't be eating until the entire clan is fed first. Apprentices last, you see. But she is aware of her sin and she will be confessing her horrible deed publicly. I'll alert Miststar shortly of this."

[/size]