It all falls down [p] - Page 3

***Moonraven*** · #21 March 28th, 2025, 05:52 PM

The green gem peered into lapis hues as the medicine revealed more insight about the dark forest cat. Cowmoon? She didn't understand the need for subterfuge, but she assumed there was more to it than mere deceit. It didn't sit well with her that lies were already in play, but Lightningstorm raised a valid point, and her concern stemmed more from the place than the cat. She noted that the she-cat had regained all her memories of the past, but left it at that, just a note.

Her mind drifted to a long-ago chat with Firestorm about Lightingstorm's memory loss. She pondered the situation, somewhat aware of why it felt so 'off.' However, diving into that would completely derail the current topic. Even though curiosity pounded at the door she had locked behind her, demanding to know not only when the she-cat's memories returned but also how she was coping with them. She silenced those questions and flicked her tail while watching Lightingstorm briefly dip into sadness.

Twilightstar was still royally upset regarding Cowtuft's fate; sadness had yet to show its presence. She knew it would sneak up later when she was alone, alone with her thoughts and unable to sleep. She could lick her internal wounds then and there, letting her anger boil away her emotions for the time being. She nodded in appreciation as Lightingstorm confirmed that it was Cowtuft. It was heartwarming to hear that a strong bond, like Cowtuft's and Lightingstorm's, transcended even death and darkness.

Cold, harsh reality swiftly extinguished any residual warmth she felt with Rabbitpaw's next words. He wished to resign? There was a hint of surprise in her green eyes, but nothing more. She kept her troubling thoughts to herself. In truth, this was the last thing any clan leader wanted to hear when potentially throwing their only fully trained medicine cat to the wolves. She thought of her past medicine cats, each unique in their own ways: Mistyfern, Coyotesnarl, Coldamber, Snailswirl, and Peachfrost. She excluded Cowtuft for obvious reasons. Rabbitpaw might be the first she's ever had resign when the pressure started flaring.

Not that it was bad; she was proud that he was strong enough to reach that decision on his own. She'd much prefer a cat to know their limits and step aside when times get tough rather than continue pushing through and breaking down when it mattered most.

“Crowtooth is right; you've made an admirable decision, one that deserves great respect. Few cats your age and much older know how to juggle their limitations. said one of the most hypocritical leaders of today. She glanced at Lightningstorm alongside Rabbitpaw. “I'll respect whatever decision is made.”

Respect, yes; being happy about it was unlikely. This changed her perception of sending the medicine cat plunging into a forest of darkness to reconnect with her former mentor. Call her cold or heartless, but her first thoughts were about how the clan might react to the resignation of their medicine cat apprentice and the potential death of their full cat in pursuit of answers from StarClan.

She may have become too comfortable since WindClan hadn't had a shift in ranks for some time. It wasn't like she hadn't run WindClan alone twice before. She knew they'd be fine and find a new medicine cat apprentice in due time, yet her nerves were frayed as a new stress settled beside the rest. Everything would work out; it always did. Still, she suspected she'd have more gray fur blooming in her muzzle by tomorrow.

Considering she was the one who suggested investigating the dark forest in the first place, backing out now due to the risk of lacking a medicine cat apprentice wasn't an option. She felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of only being unwilling to back out now due to the absence of a replacement for the clan. But the reminder that the clan came first didn't shake off the guilt, though it did bury itself deeper. She could address her moral crisis later. First, she needed to hear how Lightningstorm felt about this resignation, and then they could work from there.
@Alchemist Kitsune @Rani @Dolomedes

***Alchemist Kitsune*** · #22 March 29th, 2025, 02:55 PM

Silence met her words at the beginning, and if it hadn't been for Crowtooth's silent sympathy and Twilightstar's quiet assessment as she'd finished speaking, the Oriental mix would have believed she had stunned them into mental oblivion. The medicine cat wasn't sure what she had expected, but whatever it was, it was certainly more vocal than what had greeted her declarations. It wasn't until Rabbitpaw spoke that she turned her attention to him, knowing he had been too young during the days of Cowtuft's place within WindClan to fully grasp the severity of what she was saying... or so she had assumed. Evidently, judging by what he now said, he might have just been the one shaken most.

For a moment it was the verbose calico who found herself lacking in words, the deputy and leader quick to offer their own understanding to the cream tom. Lapis hues studied him carefully, assessing him as for a moment, she could almost see her mentor in his place, his faith unshaken even as the world seemed to crumble around him, left to rot in darkness despite his innocence. She was admittedly... disappointed. And relieved. Sorrowful... and perhaps happier than she probably should have been. The black and white tom that had taken her under his wing had always commented on her storming emotions. Named her after that very mind of hers that never kept still. And yet it had been a long time since she had been so at odds with what she felt the moment Rabbitpaw decided to step down from his place within the clan. The place she had offered him... no, forced upon him, now that she thought about it. Because what else could it have been? Would a cat as gentle as he really have said no to her when she first asked? The question clouded her mind for a moment before she sighed, closing her eyes for a moment of clarity.

She felt a level of guilt. Lightningstorm should have seen this coming. She knew he was anxious when it came to healing. He didn't have confidence in his own skills, not the same way he had when it came to hunting and tunneling. He had been ready then. The wiry she-cat had thought that confidence would translate well when it came to herbs, but he truly was like her old mentor... and now that she could not shake the comparison to the side she couldn't help but think with relief how at least one innocent cat had managed to escape the grasp of the role. She wouldn't keep him here. She would never keep a cat who stumbled and managed to claw his way out in this position. Stars knew only to well how the job had affected her. A once wide eyed, blindly faithful to StarClan she-cat reduced to... whatever she was now. A cat who took the role to save all the lives she could, make sure everyone was heard and cared for, only to realize there was no one to ensure the same for her. A tool for the prosperity of the clan and nothing else. Rabbitpaw deserved better than that.

"Keep you around? What kind of a question is that? You were ready to be a bloody good tunneler before I stole you away from this temper tantrum throwing stinker. Only a moron would throw all tha' away just because you realized this wasn't the path for you. I told you when I took you in, didn't I? That this was a thankless path, the one of the medicine cats. That is was tough, and could wear at you. It's not for every cat, and there's no shame in that. I feel bad for the warriors of WindClan, though. Once Crowtooth gives you your assessment, they'll be lookin' a sorry lot compared to you. You... will be givin' him his assessment, right?" she mewed, finally opening one eye as she side-eyed the deputy.

She would be alone in the den again. Yes, that part was not something she was thrilled about. The tunnels seemed rather oppressive when you knew there was no one around but you and your thoughts. But in the end, she was grateful he had chosen to walk away now, especially if he was beginning to feel the weight of the job falling on him. It wouldn't get easier. It never got easier. It only got lonelier when you realized how separated from the rest of the clan it made you. If anything, she was even gladder than ever that she had encouraged him to keep his friends. He would have someone waiting for him in the communal dens once he left here after this talk. He wasn't leaving his position within the clan. No. He was simply returning home. To the dens where he could rest his head easy at night. Letting her gaze land on his, she nodded, letting him know he had her blessing with no hard feelings. WindClan really would be one warrior stronger with him among their ranks.

@Moonraven [Twilightstar] | @Rani [Crowtooth] | @Dolomedes [Rabbitpaw]

**Dolomedes** · #23 April 16th, 2025, 03:18 PM

Rabbitpaw
#???
@Rani | @Alchemist Kitsune | @Moonraven

Rabbitpaw's ears remained folded back as he shuffled his paws beneath them, the sandy colored fur there getting smeared with the soil that had been loosened from his nervous fidgeting. He hated this. It was everything he has been wanting to say and everyone of the cats that surrounded him seemed to be alright with his want for this decision. They didn't even seem to hate him. It was still so disgustingly wrong to even want this. To put himself above the clan, his duty to heal, it went against everything he has ever promised to everyone. Fallownose, his mother, his siblings, himself. Being completely honest, he just wanted to cry.

Lightningstorm should've been angry, all of them disappointed. Though perhaps this is just that, his curse coming back to play, not something his paranoid kithood made up but a real and tangible thing. After a deep breath he simply looked between all of them, he doesn't deserve to be upset over their acceptance.. it's what Rabbitpaw wanted and he never should've been offered the rank in the first place. What could one even say in this situation? The too-old apprentice managed, voice nearly broken by un shed tears, "Thank you."