Whispering Wetlands

[Dawneye]

Darkkit walked around very slowly, just wanting to take in her last bit of outside of camp before she stayed in the nursery like she was told. She didn’t want to get in any more trouble, so this would be the last time. @Pepperpot

[Pepperpot]

Originally Posted by Dawneye

Darkkit walked around very slowly, just wanting to take in her last bit of outside of camp before she stayed in the nursery like she was told. She didn’t want to get in any more trouble, so this would be the last time. @Pepperpot

Strike slowly stayed on the border between the two nasty clans, his eyes watching everything at onc-
Waaaait... Strike smelled a kit! Slowly he creeped up on it and-
The kit was in his jaws, yowling and screeching, he smiled, this was a perfect sized kit. Excitedly he left the territory and headed to twolegplace, to The Gathering Of Blood.

[Pluto]

( @bmkmb - rippp lol sorry for the late reply)

Flintfreckle let the apprentice go a little bit and watched his white pelt disappear into the tall, heathery grass. He closed his eyes to breathe in the moorland air before it was interrupted by a loud screeching. Flintfreckle's eyes opened and widened in an instant. Frostpaw! He thought, leaping to his paws. Of course the one time I don't follow is the one time he gets hurt! Flintfreckle sprinte towards the sound of screeching, bursting through a clump of heather, pelt bristling, as the terrible sound ended. Flintfreckle's claws were unsheathed as he launched himself at the back of the harrier, his pelt was prickling, eyes narrowed.
"Are you okay?" He demanded once the bird fell limp and Frostpaw with it. If his apprentice got hurt and it was his fault for not getting there in time, he was going to kill every bird in the forest. "What were you thinking trying to kill a bird bigger than you?! You could've come gotten me and we could've gotten it together. Warriors don't do solo kills when there could be a cleaner kill with their classmates." He realized he was rambling, but that's because he was worried. His gaze lost it's ferocity and was replaced by worry. "I was worried you were being attacked or something." He sighed, his gaze soft. "Let's get you to Coyotesnarl and get the rest of your prey. We're done." Flintfreckle couldn't tell if he was proud or tired of worry so he beckoned his apprentice. "You can carry your harrier and I'll carry the rest. The Clan will eat good tonight." Pride forced it's way into his maw at the end of the sentence, even as he turned around and began walking.

[nocturnal]

@Ombre Party

The white apprentice stared at his mentor, the look in his eyes bordering somewhere between hurt, anger, and confusion. Mostly confusion. "I am fine," Frostpaw stated bluntly. Well, other than the nick and the slight scratch he'd gotten. The tom's confusion only grew as Flintfreckle began to yowl at him. He hadn't known that the bird was a harrier until he got close to it, although even then, when it tried to escape, he hadn't let it go. The apprentice supposed that any harm done was his fault, in that case. But how come no one had told him about the rule against solo kills?! His first mentor had threatened him because he let the hawk go after it attacked him! Was Flintfreckle made because the harrier was damaged, then? Why was his life so inconsistent?

Frostpaw stayed quiet as Flintfreckle's gaze changed again. So... his mentor wasn't mad? The white tom really didn't understand. Any amount of pride he'd felt after defeating the harrier was gone as he gingerly clamped his jaws around the bird and trailed quietly after his mentor. And why Coyotesnarl? Was it the slip of the tongue or because they were closer to the WindClan border?

[Moon Lily]

Originally Posted by Arie

Walking along with his little daughter, his little love... It made the pain slightly easier for Breezefeather to carry, to have someone who he helped but who also aided him...The feeling of emptiness was slowly, ever so slowly, being replaced with a small bit of hope, of a fire that was slowly starting to warm up, to kindle the dormant embers that laid there in his chest. Every step they look, it was a step in the right direction, it was a step towards where the light of tunnel was shining. It didn't matter much how long the path was to the light, what mattered was the simple fact that they were on their way and making progress. A little step to many might not seem significant but when you've been down in the dark it was....And this step with Iris... it was just the steps he needed in order to finally start the road of full recovery. To learn how to be able to work around the issues in his head, with his body with everything. Leaning against Iris provided stability, provided him with the feeling of support that someone was there was he to fall apart... His beloved foster daughter who'd done so much for him. He had to repay her somewhat...But that would not be now... Every step along the border created a relief for the silver tom. He may have gained strength back and begun the road to recovery with Cornkit back in Windclan, but here....here they'd torn out the infection, and now all there was left was healing the open wound, it was healing and closing it making sure not a part of the rot remained... and that would take the longest. But with the help from Iris and his beloved Daisy and the ridiculous but lovable Cornkit... He would be able to make it, he would find the way back and that set up a determined look in his green eyes. Listening to Iris speak he calmed down, hearing Daisy was alright that she was recovering and an unknown weight was lifted off his shoulders. It helped... It was so good to hear that she was alright. But also Iris... She'd said some quite emotional things and maybe... maybe he could help her with that? Still continuing his slow walk he opened his mouth and then slowly began to ask, "Are you doing well though, Little Love. I assume not everyone is fan of the medicine cat and that with all these injuries and injured... it'll be hard to get any good rest and privacy. Just know... that you're helping me, but I can help you too... if you ever need it."

Irisflame could see his progress as she spoke, the awakening glimmer on his face. He may have been broken, tried too often, taken advantage of one too many times... But he was here. And he was still standing faster than the rest of them. And what a magical thing to watch indeed. She felt a pure escape from the depths of her throat, the sound thrumming steadily through the gathering darkness. This was the latest that they'd stayed out. The moon shine down soon them, rising to its rightful place in the sky. The stars seemed like followers beside the ivory crescent. Almost like them. The world seemed to move on beside them, even when they'd suffered so much. It didn't matter how many strategies they'd face. How many more matches they'd have to fight. It didn't matter that she'd been neglected too many times to count and that he was a broken shard of his former self. It mattered none to them. But they'd show them. After all, the moon shine the brightest in darkness. Perhaps if they embraced their fears, their past, their weakness, they'd be as majestic as the moon. She though about this for a moment longer and feeling Breezefeather at her shoulder, grey pelt breathing softly, it made a smile alighten inside of her. They were survivors. Warriors. True warriors. Her blue grey pelt felt a little lighter, and her indigo orbs grew brighter than ever before. She felt that in this moment that she could do anything. More than anything. Her fear and hopes and dreams stood by her like soldiers, her loss no longer confined to the darkness. Embracing it... it felt good. She remembered Slatecloud, her dark tabby pelt, who'd disappeared too soon. Stonenettle, the angry tom she'd thought would be a father disappointing her. Jaycall, a light lost to darkness. Tallmarsh, a mentor of hers who wasn't as great as she'd thought. Bearpaw and Mistyfern, who she'd barely known, whisking themselves away. And finally, Thunderhowl. The brilliant, grumpy jerkish tom. I hope you found what you're looking for... As many as had been lost, even more had come. The medicine cats. Nettlespark. Breezy, Daisy. Cindy. Echokit. All of her fellow Shadowclanners. They...welcomed her. They'd come. Not left.
"Well, everyone loves me, that's for sure. After the battle it was all chaos. It was like they expected me to use magic or something. I love being a medicine cat, but it's super stressful. Not everyone appreciates my care. Sometimes I give up, or in. I work too hard. It...hurts, sometimes. But it's also my favourite thing in the world. Seeing those faces light up when I'm done...it's amazing."

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Moon Lily

Irisflame could see his progress as she spoke, the awakening glimmer on his face. He may have been broken, tried too often, taken advantage of one too many times... But he was here. And he was still standing faster than the rest of them. And what a magical thing to watch indeed. She felt a pure escape from the depths of her throat, the sound thrumming steadily through the gathering darkness. This was the latest that they'd stayed out. The moon shine down soon them, rising to its rightful place in the sky. The stars seemed like followers beside the ivory crescent. Almost like them. The world seemed to move on beside them, even when they'd suffered so much. It didn't matter how many strategies they'd face. How many more matches they'd have to fight. It didn't matter that she'd been neglected too many times to count and that he was a broken shard of his former self. It mattered none to them. But they'd show them. After all, the moon shine the brightest in darkness. Perhaps if they embraced their fears, their past, their weakness, they'd be as majestic as the moon. She though about this for a moment longer and feeling Breezefeather at her shoulder, grey pelt breathing softly, it made a smile alighten inside of her. They were survivors. Warriors. True warriors. Her blue grey pelt felt a little lighter, and her indigo orbs grew brighter than ever before. She felt that in this moment that she could do anything. More than anything. Her fear and hopes and dreams stood by her like soldiers, her loss no longer confined to the darkness. Embracing it... it felt good. She remembered Slatecloud, her dark tabby pelt, who'd disappeared too soon. Stonenettle, the angry tom she'd thought would be a father disappointing her. Jaycall, a light lost to darkness. Tallmarsh, a mentor of hers who wasn't as great as she'd thought. Bearpaw and Mistyfern, who she'd barely known, whisking themselves away. And finally, Thunderhowl. The brilliant, grumpy jerkish tom. I hope you found what you're looking for... As many as had been lost, even more had come. The medicine cats. Nettlespark. Breezy, Daisy. Cindy. Echokit. All of her fellow Shadowclanners. They...welcomed her. They'd come. Not left.
"Well, everyone loves me, that's for sure. After the battle it was all chaos. It was like they expected me to use magic or something. I love being a medicine cat, but it's super stressful. Not everyone appreciates my care. Sometimes I give up, or in. I work too hard. It...hurts, sometimes. But it's also my favourite thing in the world. Seeing those faces light up when I'm done...it's amazing."

{Think we're rounding up in the next 2-3 replies :3 <3 We can't keep using similes lol}

This was peaceful.. This was progress. The star covered sky made Breezefeather's silver fur stand out like moonlight. It was just... peaceful, like the grass that wavered in the breeze, like the oaks constant roots... Steady like the pine trees needles and comforting like the warmth of the sun on a cold day. The evening breeze that ran through his fur, the coldness of it rivalled against the comforting warmth from the grey furred feline on his other side. Progress was again being made with every step. The wound was closing by each step, every word aiding the healing of his broken mind. Which wasn't as broken as it had been... The guilt was out, the feeling of emptiness being replaced by love... The void was still gasping, trying to get anything to cling on to... but there was nothing left. But it. It still remained, it would still surface despite everything he tried to do... Because if he parted with the Void he would part with the living world too. Because depression wasn't something that would just go away, the feeling of self-hate and self-guilt and loss would never full disappear... But this was a step and a big one towards turning the tide of a never ending battle to his side. A battle that would get easier some days and harder order days, a battle that would never stop... something that kept pulsing and breathing despite the fact that it would forever remain unseen, the pain only showing in the gateways to the soul. Every step hurt, but every step was progress. The stars shining down made him pause for a moment and look up. His family was residing among the stars, looking down at him and staring at the steps he'd taken and those he would take... Considering his resent outburst it was to be expected that this would hurt... that he would break down, remembering his family resting in the skies... But now it was just a solemn acceptance of it that rested in his chest.. They were up there and he was down here and it made sense... For now. Sitting down, he rested his head against Irisflame's. His dearest daughter. She would never replace what he'd lost but she was there to watch it heal, to use her soothing words to help him through the darkest picture.. She was dealing with stress and everything that being so very young and placed in a position that she was... Resting against her, he lifted his head and slowly began grooming her ears and the spot on her face between the ears. It was something he remembered doing to Bunnypaw too... and now those thoughts, though they may sting, it was no longer a heart wrenching, heartbreaking guilt that riddled him. "Thank you for sharing this Little Love. I can see the passion for your patients shining right through your eyes it is so very apparent. And those who do not appreciate it, they do. They're just not willing to show it. Remember you're in Shadowclan little love, were strength is more valuable above any other thing. But I know it hurts. I know it does. When despite everything you try, they never see the hard work that actually going into it." Another deep breath as he started his washing again, but breaking off every now and then to continue his speech. "But you're doing it because you love it. There will always be death, there will always be sorrow, these are basics things in life such as jerks and arrogant brats are too. I do not like death... I've experienced too much, but as I told my apprentice, we're warriors for a reason... Killing is not an answer but sometimes there is...." he broke off to collect his thoughts for a second. "there will be a moment where it is kill or be killed... It'll come for everyone of us. If you kill someone, you're taking away a father, a son, a daughter, a mother, a mate from someone else... But if you do not you're causing the same damage to those you know."

[Moon Lily]

Originally Posted by Arie

{Think we're rounding up in the next 2-3 replies :3 <3 We can't keep using similes lol}

This was peaceful.. This was progress. The star covered sky made Breezefeather's silver fur stand out like moonlight. It was just... peaceful, like the grass that wavered in the breeze, like the oaks constant roots... Steady like the pine trees needles and comforting like the warmth of the sun on a cold day. The evening breeze that ran through his fur, the coldness of it rivalled against the comforting warmth from the grey furred feline on his other side. Progress was again being made with every step. The wound was closing by each step, every word aiding the healing of his broken mind. Which wasn't as broken as it had been... The guilt was out, the feeling of emptiness being replaced by love... The void was still gasping, trying to get anything to cling on to... but there was nothing left. But it. It still remained, it would still surface despite everything he tried to do... Because if he parted with the Void he would part with the living world too. Because depression wasn't something that would just go away, the feeling of self-hate and self-guilt and loss would never full disappear... But this was a step and a big one towards turning the tide of a never ending battle to his side. A battle that would get easier some days and harder order days, a battle that would never stop... something that kept pulsing and breathing despite the fact that it would forever remain unseen, the pain only showing in the gateways to the soul. Every step hurt, but every step was progress. The stars shining down made him pause for a moment and look up. His family was residing among the stars, looking down at him and staring at the steps he'd taken and those he would take... Considering his resent outburst it was to be expected that this would hurt... that he would break down, remembering his family resting in the skies... But now it was just a solemn acceptance of it that rested in his chest.. They were up there and he was down here and it made sense... For now. Sitting down, he rested his head against Irisflame's. His dearest daughter. She would never replace what he'd lost but she was there to watch it heal, to use her soothing words to help him through the darkest picture.. She was dealing with stress and everything that being so very young and placed in a position that she was... Resting against her, he lifted his head and slowly began grooming her ears and the spot on her face between the ears. It was something he remembered doing to Bunnypaw too... and now those thoughts, though they may sting, it was no longer a heart wrenching, heartbreaking guilt that riddled him. "Thank you for sharing this Little Love. I can see the passion for your patients shining right through your eyes it is so very apparent. And those who do not appreciate it, they do. They're just not willing to show it. Remember you're in Shadowclan little love, were strength is more valuable above any other thing. But I know it hurts. I know it does. When despite everything you try, they never see the hard work that actually going into it." Another deep breath as he started his washing again, but breaking off every now and then to continue his speech. "But you're doing it because you love it. There will always be death, there will always be sorrow, these are basics things in life such as jerks and arrogant brats are too. I do not like death... I've experienced too much, but as I told my apprentice, we're warriors for a reason... Killing is not an answer but sometimes there is...." he broke off to collect his thoughts for a second. "there will be a moment where it is kill or be killed... It'll come for everyone of us. If you kill someone, you're taking away a father, a son, a daughter, a mother, a mate from someone else... But if you do not you're causing the same damage to those you know."

[I agree! But I love them too much... I'm going to make my reply a little shorter than usual so that we can slowly end it <3]

With Breezefeather and the moon by her side, Irisflame was unstoppable. The world was never going to stop moving. There would never be a break where everyone acknowledged you. There were cats, creatures in the world who didn't even know she existed. And they were suffering just as much, somewhere out there. She had to stop expecting such. After all, her life was a mere moment compared to the many hundreds of years that she'd been and would be gone. It seemed so calming and yet so scary to think about, such an idea. But it was almost reassuring to know that what she did wouldn't affect everycat. That she could be herself and everything would be fine. Feeling guilt and anguish slowly deep out of her, she could feel her foster father's own pelt growing more relaxed, the tension in him somewhere deeper instead. She wanted so badly to fix him. How easy it would be if healing was just a simple command. But it was much, much more complex than that. And that was why life was such a mystery, she supposed. Things came and went, and events took place that were unexplainable. Some scars would heal, others wouldn't. Such as the ones that had wracked both of their hearts so deeply. Battle scars that would scab, but if picked at enough would bleed out just as much as the day they got them. Emotion as raw as the earth itself. Sadness felt like a fact of lufe, which was true in one way or another. It would always be there, some sort of loss, no matter the outcome.
As Breezefeather settled, Irisflame did so herself. His lapping felt so soothing, and she was tempted to whisk herself off to dreamland there and then. But her indigo orbs remained as alert as they'd always been, her ears erect as she listened to his words. They seemed wiser and older than she'd usually heard from the tom, which describes the evening perfectly.
"I realize that. I'd always admired it when talking to each of them, their strength so bright in their souls. It might be tough love, but it's love in the least. And I'm grateful for that." She mewed, voice growing distant as she glanced back in the direction of her camp. She could imagine them all now, safely bundled up or the night, "I love them all so much. They've given me more than Thunderclan ever could have done. It's almost dissapointing, knowing that. My maggot father, the cruelty of it all. But each of them, down to the most angry of them all, I love. And I know it." She murmured, leaning into his licks. It was calming, the gentle movements. They reminded her that she was safe and warm, and loved herself. She loved, love.
"Part of it is that factor. I'd never want to kill... Or be put in the situation where not doing so was just as bad. Life and death are such complicated things. Fiddle with one, it hits back with the other. There are families in each clan, strong bonds. And it hurts to see...It hurts to see cats out there not even considering it. It may be a fact of life, but good riddance. Shame on the mighty circle!" She yelled into the night sky, the sound of her raised voice setting her anger free.

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Moon Lily

[I agree! But I love them too much... I'm going to make my reply a little shorter than usual so that we can slowly end it <3]

With Breezefeather and the moon by her side, Irisflame was unstoppable. The world was never going to stop moving. There would never be a break where everyone acknowledged you. There were cats, creatures in the world who didn't even know she existed. And they were suffering just as much, somewhere out there. She had to stop expecting such. After all, her life was a mere moment compared to the many hundreds of years that she'd been and would be gone. It seemed so calming and yet so scary to think about, such an idea. But it was almost reassuring to know that what she did wouldn't affect everycat. That she could be herself and everything would be fine. Feeling guilt and anguish slowly deep out of her, she could feel her foster father's own pelt growing more relaxed, the tension in him somewhere deeper instead. She wanted so badly to fix him. How easy it would be if healing was just a simple command. But it was much, much more complex than that. And that was why life was such a mystery, she supposed. Things came and went, and events took place that were unexplainable. Some scars would heal, others wouldn't. Such as the ones that had wracked both of their hearts so deeply. Battle scars that would scab, but if picked at enough would bleed out just as much as the day they got them. Emotion as raw as the earth itself. Sadness felt like a fact of lufe, which was true in one way or another. It would always be there, some sort of loss, no matter the outcome.
As Breezefeather settled, Irisflame did so herself. His lapping felt so soothing, and she was tempted to whisk herself off to dreamland there and then. But her indigo orbs remained as alert as they'd always been, her ears erect as she listened to his words. They seemed wiser and older than she'd usually heard from the tom, which describes the evening perfectly.
"I realize that. I'd always admired it when talking to each of them, their strength so bright in their souls. It might be tough love, but it's love in the least. And I'm grateful for that." She mewed, voice growing distant as she glanced back in the direction of her camp. She could imagine them all now, safely bundled up or the night, "I love them all so much. They've given me more than Thunderclan ever could have done. It's almost dissapointing, knowing that. My maggot father, the cruelty of it all. But each of them, down to the most angry of them all, I love. And I know it." She murmured, leaning into his licks. It was calming, the gentle movements. They reminded her that she was safe and warm, and loved herself. She loved, love.
"Part of it is that factor. I'd never want to kill... Or be put in the situation where not doing so was just as bad. Life and death are such complicated things. Fiddle with one, it hits back with the other. There are families in each clan, strong bonds. And it hurts to see...It hurts to see cats out there not even considering it. It may be a fact of life, but good riddance. Shame on the mighty circle!" She yelled into the night sky, the sound of her raised voice setting her anger free.

{Goodbye for now uwu, I'll miss them. Just gotta have a good idea for their next encounter}

Breezefeather let out a soft, small laugh at her yell. It was the first time he'd laughed in a such a long while and he felt happy now. He felt relief washing through his body at the laugh, that escaped him and he couldn't help the smile that glittered on his muzzle. Despite the hell they'd gone through in order to arrive to this place of free spirited freedom, it'd all been worth it in the end. This getting to just laugh at his daughter's comments about the sky, about this circle of hell and misery and the horrible life that they'd both had to experience lightened it. They were underneath the sky of their ancestors, encased in the moonlight that it brought along with it and it just made the silver tom feel better. They'd truly torn out the infection... it had been hard but so very effective and with every laugh he felt the wound closing and he could not help but laugh again. He felt so very relieved despite the fact that they'd been discussing such dreary subjects and he just curled his tail around Irisflame once again and felt his chest expand as he kept on laughing a little bit. Only soft laughs, but they were laughs nonetheless. "Yes, Little Love. Let the world burn down around as we dance in the embers that it leaves behind." His tail flicked happily and in between his small soft humming laugh, purr slipped out. It was incredible how hard it was to purr and laugh at the same time. "Thank you so much for everything you've done Little Love. If there is ever anything you need from me... Trust me i'll be here for you, as you've been here for me." With that he closed his eyes, drawing Irisflame in for a last hug... He would still come back to the borders for his time with Iris... but he would no longer be completely broken. He would instead be threading the path that lead towards redemption towards the light. He would no longer be burden by the constant guilt that had ravaged him, despite it still remaining but it was dormant for now... But he was on the right path. And he would continue up this path, these steps. He'd been two steps from hell, and he was now on the stairway to heaven. He would hopefully continue this way. But then he rose and caressed Irisflame one last time, lingering and then rubbed his cheek against hers, imprinting one last time before dragging himself away. "I'll miss you, Little Love. To next we meet, and stay safe... And tell Daisy that I miss her so very much but that she must stay vigilant. A time will come." With that the silver tom turned around and slowly began making his way to the higher moors where he would hopefully spend the night, it was too late to return to camp anyhow.

[Moon Lily]

Originally Posted by Arie

{Goodbye for now uwu, I'll miss them. Just gotta have a good idea for their next encounter}

Breezefeather let out a soft, small laugh at her yell. It was the first time he'd laughed in a such a long while and he felt happy now. He felt relief washing through his body at the laugh, that escaped him and he couldn't help the smile that glittered on his muzzle. Despite the hell they'd gone through in order to arrive to this place of free spirited freedom, it'd all been worth it in the end. This getting to just laugh at his daughter's comments about the sky, about this circle of hell and misery and the horrible life that they'd both had to experience lightened it. They were underneath the sky of their ancestors, encased in the moonlight that it brought along with it and it just made the silver tom feel better. They'd truly torn out the infection... it had been hard but so very effective and with every laugh he felt the wound closing and he could not help but laugh again. He felt so very relieved despite the fact that they'd been discussing such dreary subjects and he just curled his tail around Irisflame once again and felt his chest expand as he kept on laughing a little bit. Only soft laughs, but they were laughs nonetheless. "Yes, Little Love. Let the world burn down around as we dance in the embers that it leaves behind." His tail flicked happily and in between his small soft humming laugh, purr slipped out. It was incredible how hard it was to purr and laugh at the same time. "Thank you so much for everything you've done Little Love. If there is ever anything you need from me... Trust me i'll be here for you, as you've been here for me." With that he closed his eyes, drawing Irisflame in for a last hug... He would still come back to the borders for his time with Iris... but he would no longer be completely broken. He would instead be threading the path that lead towards redemption towards the light. He would no longer be burden by the constant guilt that had ravaged him, despite it still remaining but it was dormant for now... But he was on the right path. And he would continue up this path, these steps. He'd been two steps from hell, and he was now on the stairway to heaven. He would hopefully continue this way. But then he rose and caressed Irisflame one last time, lingering and then rubbed his cheek against hers, imprinting one last time before dragging himself away. "I'll miss you, Little Love. To next we meet, and stay safe... And tell Daisy that I miss her so very much but that she must stay vigilant. A time will come." With that the silver tom turned around and slowly began making his way to the higher moors where he would hopefully spend the night, it was too late to return to camp anyhow.

[Me too! Until next time- with Daisy too]

Irisflame could feel his laughter like fresh tickles in her own throat, the bubbling feeling blooming inside of her. The sorrow may have seemed endless, and so did the world, but it felt as if they were the only two cats that had found the secret of laughing at it. The wound gave a disapproving sigh, the branches of nearby trees like paws eager to whip them back into place. But the wind was too feeble to stop them, and the branches too high to reach. They were protected from the many elements that fought to stop them, the many efforts that life seemed to be barreling down upon them. But she'd had enough of this sadness, the feeling of limited freedom. The sorrow of loss and the pain of darkness. So why not learn to laugh at the place that had tortured them so? Her features broke out into a wide grin, the beam bright enough to carry her heavy heart right on through. Her maw eventually opened to the ring of laughter, the sweet, honeyed sound that plagued them so. It was contagious, so it was hard to avoid. And who would want to, anyway?
"We'll dance in those embers as long as we feel like. I'm done with being controlled by the world!" She exclaimed, dark blue gaze glittering with triumph. She was quite happy with the result of finding this courage within herself. As the laughs faded to soft purrs, she handover at him, a soft smile remaining on her maw.
"Pops, I'll always come to you. There's no one I trust more to 'dance in the ashes of the world'." She teased softly, voice lilting with sudden fatigue. It had been quite a while past sunset, and she was just about ready to pass out. She doubted that the guards would bother her- she was considered crazy enough as a medicine cat anyway. As she leaned into his embrace, she rested her maw on his shoulder in reassuring gesture, eyes shut in content. His breathing didn't seem as troubled as it had before, the dark cloud that often hung around him half gone. He seemed better, lighter in a way. She couldn't describe it. Making sure to soak in every aspect of this moment, she breathed in slowly, as if reminding herself to do so. She didn't know when she'd next see Breezefeather, and she was hoping it wouldn't be too long. Cats had no idea how many feelings she needed too let out.
"And you stay well, Pops. Make sure to find yourself a local therapist, would ya? Coyotesnarl might be a grump, but he's a softie at heart." She was talking from experience. He may have been an edgy dude, but he was one of her closest friends, and probably the closest out of the medicine cats, "I'll tell Daisy. See you soon, I hope." She mewed, stepping back to washer tail in a final farewell. A wistful smile on her face, she turned, vanishing into the thick pine forest.

[dionysus]

@Zero / @Fuzzy

Heathernose greeted both her apprentice and the other warrior with a warm smile. She hadn’t had an apprentice for long and this would be the first patrol she took Quiverpaw on. The tortoiseshell was looking forward to teaching her; maybe after the patrol they could set out for a lesson. “Hello Quiverpaw, Silentwhisper, let’s head out!”

With that, the molly slipped through the camp entrance and into the territory, heading straight for the border. The walk was uneventful and short and they soon reached their destination. Turning to Silentwhisper, Heathernose said, “I’d like to take some time to teach Quiverpaw, so you can go on and start marking since I doubt you need a lesson.” The light hearted joke at the end of her statement made Heathernose wonder, though, if Quiverpaw even needed this lesson. The tortoiseshell warrior had no idea what her apprentice already knew, so first order of business was to ask, “alright, Quiverpaw, can you tell me what you’ve already learned? That way I won’t give you any boring lessons that you’ve already had!”