RiverClan Medicine Cat's Den - Page 198

**Pitou** · #**1971** August 20th, 2022, 03:03 AM

**Doeheart & Heronkit**

@birdie [Sorry this took like a week to get to! It's been a hectic irl week ><]

The frantic mother burst through the medicine cat den entrance, unconcerned with announcing her presence or requesting entry. With her small grey and white kit dangling from her jaws, cycling through fits of tensed seizing followed by periods of limpness, Doeheart scanned the den until her amber eyes found Fawnpaw. Setting Heronkit protectively between her front paws, Doeheart quickly delved into a frantic explanation, "Fawnpaw! Please, I don't know what to do. I can't...I can't lose her. She...Heronkit has had little episodes like this before but they've always just gone away on their own, they pass, they always do, but this one...It keeps hitting her and...and she's not waking up! Please help her, please." An intense guilt suddenly gripped her lungs, driving the breath from her. Have I allowed this to happen? Should I have I brought her to a medicine cat sooner? Could this have been avoided if only I'd said something sooner? She'd had no medicine cat to turn to before Fawnpaw was appointed, and even then, Fawnpaw was only just an apprentice and a brand new medicine cat with no formal training. A wave of nausea overtook her. Was her kit to die because Snakeheart had disappeared and she couldn't be bothered to track somebody down to figure out what was plaguing her daughter?

**poppy** · #**1972** August 21st, 2022, 12:54 PM

Birdpaw very sneakily ninjas into the medicine den, and dropped a bundle of pretty yellow flowers onto Fawnpaw's empty nest. She knew that her friend was very tired because of everything, so maybe the flowers would help! But she also didn't want to bother anyone, so she darted out of the den, a little less stealthily, and ran back to the clearing.

(just so the flowers are here, no reaction post/reply needed

)

**taillow** · #**1973** August 21st, 2022, 05:23 PM

Fawnpaw
Another... death? Her head felt light and her blood turned cold but Fawnpaw forced herself to stay upright. Focused. Black dots around her vision were ignored as she came to sit to the side of Lilycreek and gently laid her tail across the grieving mothers back. "I'm so sorry, Lilycreek." What the young medicine cat wouldn't give to reach up into the stars and pull Sproutkit back down to where he belonged.

A gentle nose touch to the she-cat's shoulder before Fawnpaw padded towards the back of her stores, quickly retrieving a poppy seed before returning. "If you'd like, you can sleep in here tonight? You sort of get used to the herbal smell after awhile," Fawnpaw chuckled lightly in an attempt to make her Clanmate feel better. "I'm positive... that StarClan welcomed him as the warrior I know he would've become." Sliding the poppy seed over, the brown-furred she-cat's gaze softened a bit. "Here. This is a poppy seed, and it usually helps with physical pain, but... it also helps cats sleep, I think. Maybe it can help with the nightmares?"

[-1 poppy seed]

Fawnpaw
Hornetpaw? That was the ShadowClan apprentice she had met at the gathering. Had he tried to attack Nightpaw, which was why Reedwhisker had to save her? It seemed puzzling to the young medicine cat considering how nice him and his brother had been to her at the last gathering. "I'm sorry to hear about that." Not only the run in with Hornetpaw, but how she seemed to be forgetting her training. Was that because of a head injury? Fawnpaw couldn't smell one. Maybe she'd ask Pikestar about it later.

"I don't think you'd get in trouble for your mentor not teaching you," the medicine cat offered with a reassuring grin. "Pikestar is pretty good about training and making sure the apprentices are well prepared. I'm sure if you talked to him about it he'd see that your training was looked at?" Oh no. It was clear to Fawnpaw the tears that formed in Nightpaw's eyes and she lifted her tail to rest it gently onto the she-cat's back. "Have you tried perhaps doing what was taught over and over again? Maybe if you spend a bit after each lesson going over everything multiple times, it'll help it stick more. That's what I do with the herbs I learn."

Fawnpaw
Gratitude had settled into her heart, in competition with the numbness that had also made its home there. At least now she had herbs to use - marigold, which she now knew helped with wounds and infection according to Reedpaw. Quite a bit too, as she sorted the herbs into a section in the herb storage and making sure they were neat and organized.

But she should've known the peace couldn't last. A startling cry in her den had her turning around to spot Doeheart and... oh. Oh stars. At her paws was a little kit who was making rapid, sudden movements before going still. Weedkit.. One name resonated in her mind and for a moment her paws were frozen on the ground. She felt unable to move, unable to speak, unable to breathe. A dreadful feeling turned her blood to ice chips, scraping against her veins.

It only lasted a second or two before Fawnpaw was rushing over, crouching down so that she was eye level to Heronkit as she pressed her nose gently into the kits fur. There was no scent to her fur, no blood, no wound that she could clearly see. "Hi Heronkit, it's me, Fawnpaw," she purred as lighthearted as she could manage, fighting off a wave of panic that threatened to rise over her. "Can you here me, little warrior? It's going to be okay. I promise." What herbs would fix this? Were there any that could??

With frantic movements that were trying to be controlled, Fawnpaw drew her tongue over Heronkit's head as she tried to rouse the kit. Her paws remained close by, brushing the paws of the kit before her. "Just open your eyes, Heronkit. I can show you around the den, and let you smell some pretty flowers that were left for me; you can even take one back to the nursery with you." Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced up towards Doeheart briefly before looking back at the young kit.

**sol.** · #**1974** August 21st, 2022, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdie

Fawnpaw
Another... death? Her head felt light and her blood turned cold but Fawnpaw forced herself to stay upright. Focused. Black dots around her vision were ignored as she came to sit to the side of Lilycreek and gently laid her tail across the grieving mothers back. "I'm so sorry, Lilycreek." What the young medicine cat wouldn't give to reach up into the stars and pull Sproutkit back down to where he belonged.

A gentle nose touch to the she-cat's shoulder before Fawnpaw padded towards the back of her stores, quickly retrieving a poppy seed before returning. "If you'd like, you can sleep in here tonight? You sort of get used to the herbal smell after awhile," Fawnpaw chuckled lightly in an attempt to make her Clanmate feel better. "I'm positive... that StarClan welcomed him as the warrior I know he would've become." Sliding the poppy seed over, the brown-furred she-cat's gaze softened a bit. "Here. This is a poppy seed, and it usually helps with physical pain, but... it also helps cats sleep, I think. Maybe it can help with the nightmares?"

[-1 poppy seed]

Fawnpaw
Hornetpaw? That was the ShadowClan apprentice she had met at the gathering. Had he tried to attack Nightpaw, which was why Reedwhisker had to save her? It seemed puzzling to the young medicine cat considering how nice him and his brother had been to her at the last gathering. "I'm sorry to hear about that." Not only the run in with Hornetpaw, but how she seemed to be forgetting her training. Was that because of a head injury? Fawnpaw couldn't smell one. Maybe she'd ask Pikestar about it later.

"I don't think you'd get in trouble for your mentor not teaching you," the medicine cat offered with a reassuring grin. "Pikestar is pretty good about training and making sure the apprentices are well prepared. I'm sure if you talked to him about it he'd see that your training was looked at?" Oh no. It was clear to Fawnpaw the tears that formed in Nightpaw's eyes and she lifted her tail to rest it gently onto the she-cat's back. "Have you tried perhaps doing what was taught over and over again? Maybe if you spend a bit after each lesson going over everything multiple times, it'll help it stick more. That's what I do with the herbs I learn."

Fawnpaw
Gratitude had settled into her heart, in competition with the numbness that had also made its home there. At least now she had herbs to use - marigold, which she now knew helped with wounds and infection according to Reedpaw. Quite a bit too, as she sorted the herbs into a section in the herb storage and making sure they were neat and organized.

But she should've known the peace couldn't last. A startling cry in her den had her turning around to spot Doeheart and... oh. Oh stars. At her paws was a little kit who was making rapid, sudden movements before going still. Weedkit.. One name resonated in her mind and for a moment her paws were frozen on the ground. She felt unable to move, unable to speak, unable to breathe. A dreadful feeling turned her blood to ice chips, scraping against her veins.

It only lasted a second or two before Fawnpaw was rushing over, crouching down so that she was eye level to Heronkit as she pressed her nose gently into the kits fur. There was no scent to her fur, no blood, no wound that she could clearly see. "Hi Heronkit, it's me, Fawnpaw," she purred as lighthearted as she could manage, fighting off a wave of panic that threatened to rise over her. "Can you here me, little warrior? It's going to be okay. I promise." What herbs would fix this? Were there any that could??

With frantic movements that were trying to be controlled, Fawnpaw drew her tongue over Heronkit's head as she tried to rouse the kit. Her paws remained close by, brushing the paws of the kit before her. "Just open your eyes, Heronkit. I can show you around the den, and let you smell some pretty flowers that were left for me; you can even take one back to the nursery with you." Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced up towards Doeheart briefly before looking back at the young kit.

She took the poppy seed. "Thank you. For your condolences and for the seed. Though, I think I just need someone to talk to. If I may be so bold, and if you have the time to spare, will you talk with me? I find it keeps my mind busy." She popped the seed in her mouth. She'd had this before, she thinks to herself. The taste of the seed brings her back to her apprentice days, where she would go into the medicine cat's den for her injuries after training.

She paused. "To be honest, I haven't been in here since Kestrelstar's time."

**Juniperbean** · #**1975** August 22nd, 2022, 10:51 PM

Nightpaw turned to fawnpaw “I tried doing My training more, I try my best with everything but Im only given deaths of my friends and some hating me for it. I also have been given these nightmares and they never stop, I cant even get near water because I almost drowned twice because of my father not wanting me, same with my mother and sibilings… thats why none of them are here… T-Thats w-why im here” she said as her voice grew more and more shakey.. “H-How do I get this pain to stop, I dont like this at all… H-how d-do I…” she said as she stopped, tears dropped as she started to shake.

(Sorry with this late reply) @birdie )

**occultation** · #**1976** August 24th, 2022, 03:10 PM

Slatestripe lumbered into the medicine cat’s den. His stomach felt like it was twisting itself into knots and pounding against his sides. He really shouldn’t have eaten as much prey as he did. He should’ve just had Littlepaw choose something smaller, or take it to the elders or something. He just hoped Fawnpaw had something that could help him. He’d spent the whole night tossing and turning, probably earning the ire of most of the warriors around him.

( @birdie )

**Pitou** · #**1977** August 25th, 2022, 01:28 PM

**Doeheart**

@birdie

Panic rose in Doeheart's chest. Fawnpaw was doing what she could but that didn't appear to be anything at all though the queen had to admit that the young cat's words were soothing to whatever degree Doeheart's panic would allow in. The lilac queen couldn't help cycling through everything that she herself could've done differently. She'd spent so much energy worrying about Sleethound, was this Starclan's way of punishing her for her forbidden relationship with the former, now exiled, Thunderclan tom? Or were the kits being punished for being bought into Riverclan? She couldn't accept that Starclan would be so cruel to cast out orphans and punish them for finding a home within Doeheart's litter. She was pulled from her self-loathing by a movement, more deliberate than the erratic spasms, from the little grey she-kit. The worried queen joined Fawnpaw, crouching beside Heornkit, burying her nose in the kit's fur.

**Heronkit**

[It occurred to me that I'm going to keep her very temporarily blinded]

Darkness. She'd been in the nursery, escaping the nest, ready to explore the outside world. Then it was dark and everything felt different. She slowly became aware of a distant voice, it was talking to her. A confusing tangy scent bombarded her senses as her smelling came back all at once. Under it she distantly made out a familiar scent that conjured memories of warmth and comfort but she couldn't seem to place anything. The rhythmic strokes on her head and paws grounded her tentatively but the confusion of her surroundings was sending her into a small panic. She tried to lift her head but the darkness was consuming and dizzying. Why won't my eyes open?? She reched out with a paw and felt cats around her. "I...Where...where am I?" she squeaked out.

**!0P055UM!** · #**1978** August 25th, 2022, 01:35 PM

Ferretkit poked his head in the den for a moment, purring slightly at the smells before shaking his head. He was here for.. for.. something. He couldnt remember the name at the moment. Gazing around he looked for Fawnpaw. He didn't want to mess anything up. "Fawnpaw?" He mewed, looking for the medicine cat.
@birdie

**taillow** · #**1979** August 26th, 2022, 12:55 AM

Fawnpaw
A soft smile spread across her face as she kept her tail moving in a soothing sweeping motion across the grieving mother's back. "I can certainly do that," she offered in a quiet tone. The black fuzzies were fading away now, the medicine cat getting better at quelling them now. Blue eyes watched as she lapped up the poppy seed, knowing it would help with sleep if anything.

Listening intently, Fawnpaw blinked. Kestrelstar - she'd heard that name before, but hadn't ever known the former leader of RiverClan. He had been before her time. "What was he like as a leader?" she asked, half to try to take Lilycreek's mind off of Sproutkit and half because she was genuinely curious. She had not gotten to hear any elder stories as a kit, but Fawnpaw loved hearing stories about her home and the cats who had occupied it before she had come into the world.

Fawnpaw
With each word spoken by Nightpaw, Fawnpaw felt her concern and empathy grow and deepen. There had been quite a lot of death lately, and hard times where RiverClan was concerned. Maybe she could talk with Pikestar about holding some sort of event to take every cats mind off it. The medicine cat couldn't stifle a surprised squeak that left her at the 'almost drowning' part, along with the piece of information about her family. "I don't think any cat could hate you, Nightpaw, and if they do... well, then that's their problem, not yours." Hopefully she wouldn't ever see that - she'd have a few choice words for those cats.

As Nightpaw seemed to break down before her very eyes, Fawnpaw scooted closer and touched her nose lightly to the she-cats shoulder, just as she usually did for her family. "I'm so sorry that you've had to shoulder all of this," she murmured as she returned her round, concerned eyes to her patient. "I never knew my biological father, and my mother went missing a few moons back. My siblings... I don't know where they went either. But I know that RiverClan still loves me, just as I am sure they still love you, too." A warm smile. "Sometimes, you need to cry out all of the tears to make room for a heart full of smiles. It's okay to feel bad, so long as you remember all of the reasons to feel good. Like... fish! And pretty clouds, and colorful flowers..." Hopefully some of this was helping, as Fawnpaw really wanted to do what she could to chase away the demons that seemed to plague her former denmate.

Fawnpaw
Lifting her head from where she had been busy reciting herbs under her breath to memorize them and their uses, Fawnpaw noticed Slatestripe padding into her den looking rather flustered. "Hello, Mr. Slatestripe! What's the matter?" Gingerly, the medicine cat padded forward to meet him halfway, her nose already twitching to catch any sign of illness or wounds. When she couldn't detect anything outside, her blue eyes rested on the warriors face as she waited to hear what could possibly be

Fawnpaw
It hurt a lot to know that despite StarClan putting her in this position, there was little to nothing Fawnpaw could do for the seizing kit before her. She fought to remain grounded, there before the kit continuously licking the top of her head, urging her to wake up. Moons felt as though they had passed before the kit began to lie still, and eventually move around - but this time with normal movements. A breath of relief left the brown-furred she-cat as she gave one last comforting lick over the head. "You're safe, Heronkit. It's me, Fawnpaw. You're in the medicine den, and your mom is here with you."

...Why weren't her eyes opening? With a soft, encouraging smile, Fawnpaw aimed to touch her nose as gently as she could to the kits. "You can open your eyes now. Its over. You're safe."

Fawnpaw
Sitting by her nest taking a moment to groom her fur free of any moss. She was working on a rather stubborn tuft of fur near her shoulder when a voice alerted her to a visitor. Lifting her head, Fawnpaw let out a smile and tried to push her worries down. "Hello, Ferretkit. Is everything alright?" Stars, please don't let another kit be hurt as she got to her paws and padded over.

[ Make sure to fill out a healing form so I know what's wrong and can have Fawnpaw react accordingly! ]

**occultation** · #**1980** August 26th, 2022, 01:59 AM

Slatestripe was relieved that Fawnpaw didn’t seem to be busy. A part of him hoped that he’d be allowed to spend some time staying in the medicine den, but he doubted it. “I ate way more prey last night than I should’ve,” he admitted sheepishly. “I’ve had a bad stomach ache pretty much all night. I’m hoping you’ve got something to help me out.”

( @birdie )