[squidz]

| BERRYSHINE |

small & nimble dark brown she-cat with darker flecks and light, leafy-green eyes | the collector | dreamwalker |

[ riverclan medicine cat | she-cat | 19 moons | timid, kind, hardworking ]

—

The congratulations from Jayfrost ached her heart; the poor tom looked so incredibly tired, broken, and... sad. But she gave him a thankful dip of her head, eyes shining from the praise. 'I knew you'd do well'... those words would rattle in her ears for awhile. It was... nice, to think of another cat who'd had faith in her.

Jayfrost's story, however, only made her heart twist more. She couldn't imagine how terrifying it must've been, to have been dragged into the water by the otter and then have everything go dark. Berryshine was lucky to say she'd never been in such a dire situation before, and could tell by the haunted look in Jay's face that it was nothing to gloss over easily. Waking up in a Twoleg cage... she shuddered at the thought. Those creatures were more unpredictable than any other prey or predators the Clans encountered.

She wanted to ask all about it; now wasn't the time, but all of her mind was occupied with imaginings of what it possibly could've been like to have been locked up with Twolegs for so many moons.

Big cage, digging a tunnel... stars, Jayfrost must've been so lost and disoriented. Green eyes softened in sympathy as she nodded along to show she was listening. The small brown molly stepped forward to gently touch her tail to his shoulder in a comforting gesture. It was clear that the medicine cat believed him wholeheartedly.

"By the stars, Jayfrost... t-that all must've been so scary. I'm so glad y-you're alright after all that," Berryshine murmured earnestly. "To make it back here... you're strong. B-But you look so exhausted..." It was a comment of a healer, not anything condescending; in fact, she was worried and wanted to treat him right here and now, but knew it'd be useless until they got back home. She didn't have all her herbs and supplies here, and it would be far less comfy rather than the plushy moss nests in her den.

Home. Owlstar still had to make the final call. But she had a strong feeling as to what her leader would decide. As she waited for the final verdict, Berryshine was inspecting the pink pelt on Jayfrost merely with her gaze, looking at it with kit-like curiosity. She'd never seen such a thing. Could she... touch it?

Eh, probably best to wait until she could help treat the lost Clanmate. Focus, Berry!

[ @Marigoldwhisper - Owlstar | @alec - Jayfrost ]