[ credit to redshiftreign ]

Moving deeper into the conifer forests that dominate ShadowClan's territory, the soil becomes thinner and rocky. The dense pine canopy gives way to a small clearing, roots gnarling through the hard ground around the outskirts. Sunbeams cascade, painting the forest floor in Moss flourishes in the humid shade. In patches where the soil runs the deepest, many herbs poke through the short grasses and drink in the sunlight.

Some herbs that grow better in shade dot the ground around the ridge, which near its center gives way to a large nook infested with moss and ivy. Though the cave might have once gone deeper, old rockslides block off what were once paths deep into the earth. Though not very deep, the grotto can be used as a shelter. A thin stream splits on the lip of the cave, spraying mist out over the plants below. The occasional small rodent can be found poking around the underbrush, attracted by the lush greenery that dominates this idyllic corner of ShadowClan.

Lostspark
She/Her | Purrks Overlook

Trailing after her apprentice, gait measured, each pawstep placed with caution in this new, unfamiliar territory, this bountiful haven, Lostspark remained mostly silent. Her clouded amber gaze took in their surroundings with rapt attention, not missing a single detail as she mentally mapped out where they were going. It wouldn't do for them to get attacked, and whether she'd admit it or not - actually, scratch that, Lostspark would admit that she was willing to protect Rookpaw from danger. This was her apprentice, her Clanmate, and there was no way in hell Lostspark was letting her get injured.

She needed one warrior apprentice to actually make it to warriorhood, at least. Eveningpaw and Hollowpaw had disappeared on her.

It probably seemed scarily creepy how accurate her pawsteps were in this uncharted terrain, especially since she was supposedly a 'blind' cat, but Lostspark paid no mind to pretending this time around. She was wary of this territory and what it could hide, so the fickle subject of keeping up appearances did not matter in this moment.

Nodding at Rookpaw's words, the lithe grey feline found her steps quickening as she picked up the scent trail. . . of a cat. A ShadowClan cat, of all things, one who was neither enforcer nor highranking. A low snarl rumbling in her throat, the scarred feline pivoted slightly to the right, changing course to emerge from the underbrush, stalking up to Silverpaw.

"Silverpaw." She snapped, her tone stern and biting. "Have you got bees for brains? What part of Dawnstar's announcement on not leaving camp without an Enforcer or a highrank not get through to you?"

[ @alec - Rookpaw / @Aolani - Dizzycloud / @glitch - Silverpaw ]

Lostspark
She/Her | Purrks Overlook

Aaaaaand of course Silverpaw had disappeared off to somewhere. She hoped he liked being Silverkit. Sighing, the ShadowClanner turned to her apprentice. "Well, let's get our chervil-hunting started. Can map out Evergreen Grotto as well while we're at it."

[ @alec - Rookpaw / @Aolani - Yellowtwist | iiii think you offered yellow to be with them. ]

Lostspark
She/Her | Purrks Overlook

Gaze flitting to Rookpaw as they wandered around . . . presumably with Yellowtwist, though skies knew where he was, and the last thing Lostspark wanted to do was get herself in trouble after scolding someone else for being out here without three cats. She sighed, slightly put-off. "No, greencough hasn't been a big problem for us, at least not that I've seen so far." Shrugging, the former medic inclined her head.

"Anyway, we'd best collect whatever chervil we can here and then head back. It seems like Yellowtwist doesn't care to aid us today." Hmph. Now she would hold this grudge (probably not, but the thought was enticing) like when he'd thrown a rock at her head.