[squidz]

| BERRYSHINE |

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

[ riverclan medicine cat | she-cat | 20 moons | timid, kind, hardworking ]

—

"Oh, no no... y-you didn't mess up a thing," the medicine cat assured, eyes crinkled into a warm smile. One of the last things she wanted was for her patients to feel like burdens; it was her job to cater to them, after all. Berryshine was happy to pause whenever with whatever to help a cat in need.

The reaction to being told she did the right thing didn't escape the medic's eye, though Berry thought maybe she was still just a bit shaky from the splinter. Still, it seemed like Gladepaw was feeling comfortable here all things considered, and that was great to see.

When the apprentice commented that she wasn't sure if she could remember all of it, Berryshine let out a soft purr of amusement. "I-It certainly isn't for everyone, but y-you know what? I thought the same thing as you, w-when I first started. All it takes is time a-and practice, like most good things," the medicine cat reasoned with an encouraging glance. "Like you said, y-you keep practicing until it feels right? T-That's how a lot of my job is. It took a long time to g-get here, and even then, I have to refresh m-my memory sometimes. You never stop learning a-and honing in your skills, you know? Even Owlstar has to spar to s-stay in shape."

Then, Gladepaw asked if it ever got easier. Berryshine nodded, her expression soft and understanding. "Oh, yes, a-absolutely... there were times w-where I was convinced that I'd never get a technique down. But in time, y-you get better, older, stronger... and hopefully wiser," she mewed with a little chuckle. Her skinny tail then reached up, resting in a comforting gesture on Gladepaw's shoulder. "I've felt t-the same as you, plenty of times. But I-I've learned that you just have to keep at it, a-and don't worry about comparing yourself to the others... you'll become a warrior in y-your own time, at your own pace. Some cats get things faster t-than others, but that doesn't mean they'll be better warriors i-in the end. Your heart is just as important, i-if not more, than your skill."

[ @iliri - sounded just fine to me! :3 ]