Haven Springs

[Dust]

[ @FrostyGalaxy ]

Yes! That right there was what CherrySwirl was hoping for! Letting loose and feeling the moment - the others laughter was elating! Identifying WillowWisp's mischievous look, CherrySwirl mirrored with one of her own. There were so many thoughts running through her head as she wondered what Willow would possibly suggest. Almost in a flash, her friend disappeared from view.

"You beat me to it!" She called out in surprise. And she was losing the race now! WillowWisp had absolutely left her in the dust. With a hoot of laughter, Cherry took an unceremonious leap into the spring sending waves of water up in the air. Blowing out through her nose, Cherry resurfaced with strong inhale, her paws kicking and treading the water as she raced to the other side. The warmth of the spring was intoxicating and all Cherry wanted to do was roll over and soak it in. Though she continued forward, cutting through the water like a little ginger otter until she finally reached the other side, placing a paw up on the land.

"MADE IT!" She yowled with excitement, turning to see if her companion had made it over as well. Honestly, Cherry didn't mind if she had won or not, it was all I'm good fun!

[Neptune.]

*-Willowwisp-*
she/her || 28moons || Herbal Knowledge T1
A black stripped tabby with blue/grey eyes and an oriental build. She wears a lavender sprig on her ear.

Willowwisp decided to allow Cherryswirl victory of this round, despite her initial head start. Though so much had been happening lately, it was actually nice to leave camp with a friend and not on a solo patrol hunting for whatever herb she could recognize. Maybe this would be good to do more often.

Paddling up to the other side of the spring only moments behind Cherryswirl, Willow couldn't help but giggle at just how quickly her friend delighted in games that anyone else would say were just for kits or apprentices. There was a time, too, when Willowwisp had just been made a warrior, that she'd wanted for nothing more than to distance herself from all those kit games and nonsense. It hadn't worked, of course, she'd felt more miserable than probably ever when she allowed herself no breaks for fun or relaxation.

"So you did!" Willowwisp responds, smiling wide. "Guess that makes me crow food then." The tabby made sure her voice was exceptionally exasperated, really playing up the dramatics like in the games she had played as a kit.

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[ cherryswirl - @Dust ]

[Dust]

[ @FrostyGalaxy ]

Cherry certainly wouldn't lie to herself... winning the race did feel good. If she were a more competitive feline perhaps she would have boasted about it. But as before, this was all in good fun and one less race meant more time for lovely relaxation. Pushing with her hind legs off the edge of the spring, she slowly waded back towards the center. Her body submerged, all but part of her maw, nose and above, giving the silly impression of a swimming turtle as her eyes nearly shut. Slowly, she began to wade in WillowWisp's direction. Coming up when close-by, CherrySwirl began spitting a small stream of water from her maw, like a feline fountain decoration, upwards into the air. After her impromptu water show, the warrior settled close-by, hardly resisting the pleased smile stretching across her features.

"Ah....." She sighed pleasantly, "Hardly crowfood! You left me in the dust, quick as a rabbit I might add! Had me well surprised - that dive you did was pretty impressive too. Could have mistaked you for a fish heading upstream!" The felines praise, though strange, was very genuine. Her golden eyes rested on the other after a moment. With soft and friendly, though incredibly firm, expression she gently prodded the other with a few questions.

"What have you been up to lately, Willow? Anything fun? Get yourself into any trouble?"

[Neptune.]

*-Willowwisp-*
she/her || 28moons || Herbal Knowledge T1
A black stripped tabby with blue/grey eyes and an oriental build. She wears a lavender sprig on her ear.

"Mmm..." the tabby considers this for a moment. What had she been up to lately? Certainly nothing remarkable or else she would have remembered it more clearly. She supposed lately she'd been more or less just going through the motions of clan life. The battle with WindClan wasn't something she'd been a part of, she'd been out looking for comfrey or lavender, but, unable to find any that Stonepaw could use, she turned up after the battle was done and was met with the carnage. None of their own cats had died, thankfully, but there wasn't a lot to be done otherwise besides try and boost morale.

"I suppose I've more or less been doing the same things as usual? There isn't a camp at the Range to rebuild so I've been trying to check in with every cat where I can..."

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[ cherryswirl - @Dust ]

[Dust]

[ @FrostyGalaxy ]

Cherry smiled softly, closing her eyes as she soaked in the warmth of the spring. She would never understand why the other clans didn't indulge more in swimming.

"Hopefully this brings a bit of excitement to your usual then," Her head lowered back towards the warm water, all but her head submerged in the water, "- hopefully we go home soon... I'm tired of waking up with pebbles in my pelt. It looks like the water from the flooding is pulling back a bit, but when the snow starts coming in, who knows." The feline trailed on idly, her voice dripping with relaxation. "Have you been able to check in with everyone you wanted? That's actually a really nice idea, Willow."

[Neptune.]

*-Willowwisp-*
she/her || 28moons || Herbal Knowledge T1
A black stripped tabby with blue/grey eyes and an oriental build. She wears a lavender sprig on her ear.

"No," Willowwisp admitted a little regretfully, "there's been so much going on that it's been hard to get to everyone. But they seem to be holding up physically, at least." And it was true, any injuries sustained were seen to and taken care of and healing well at least physically. Mentally, Willowwisp wasn't too sure. Sometimes that subject was harder to broach and many cats would be unwilling to speak of mental pain or anguish felt. She didn't like to pry too hard, thinking herself a safe enough place that they could come to her if they wished.

"I haven't checked in with you, yet either," the tabby warrior pointed out after letting a moment of silence lapse. "How have you been holding up?"

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[ cherryswirl - @Dust ]

[Dust]

[ @FrostyGalaxy ]

A silence permeated the air as Cherry slowly began to float through the water, sending gentle ripples outwards. She seemed to be lost in thought as she swam in a small circle.

"Hmmm..." The feline hummed aloud, "It's lovely having you check in on me. It's been a while since anyone has asked," CherrySwirl turned an appreciative gaze back to the other, "I've been just fine, honestly! I've been trying to keep everyone else's spirits up during this time... the fight... the flood and everything with BeanStar... Its a lot isn't it? I thought it would be better to try and sow the seeds of hope. Like I said earlier, theres beauty and excitement everywhere you look!" A purr rumbled in her throat. For the moment, this was true. Cherry's stress levels had come down significantly since then.

"Isn't it nice to have a positive impact on the clan?"

[Neptune.]

*-Willowwisp-*
she/her || 28moons || Herbal Knowledge T1
A black stripped tabby with blue/grey eyes and an oriental build. She wears a lavender sprig on her ear.

"It is," Willowwisp agreed, though, privately, she doubted her own impact on the clan was even that big. A part of her hoped it was and that, should she die or disappear, cats would mourn her loss and feel her absence. She wasn't sure how true that was, though, and had no plans of finding out any time soon, so she let the though be. "Im certain the Clan would feel your loss for moons if you were to ever vanish," Willow said with an affectionate purr in her voice. If Cherry were to somehow disappear, Willow wasn't sure she'd get out of her nest for days.

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[ cherryswirl - @Dust ]

[Dust]

[ @FrostyGalaxy ]

"Just can't live without me, can you?" CherrySwirl called out with glee, closing her eyes as her entire body sunk back in the liquid gold. Hopefully WillowWisp would be able to pick up on the clear sarcasm dripping from her tone. Though, just in case she didn't... Cherry opened her eyes quickly, flashing the other an obviously appreciative and playful stare. Truthfully, she had never considered what her loss would entail for the clan... more importantly, what that grief could mean for those she was close to. What would Willow do? ...CinnamonSwirl? What about Dunepaw.. or Fishpaw? The ginger feline blinked a few times, fighting back a few emotional tears. Instead, she dunked her face into the spring to hide the rising emotion, coming back up with a soft smile as she shook her head,

"Same to you, Willow... You silly, silly salmon!" Cherry let out a breathy laugh, "I would be so worried... so sad if you went missing... or what if you were hurt?" She stared intently at her friend, the water dripping from her whiskers and chin. "I'd have to go looking for you myself or I couldn't allow myself to sleep!"

[Neptune.]

*-Willowwisp-*
she/her || 28moons || Herbal Knowledge T1
A black stripped tabby with blue/grey eyes and an oriental build. She wears a lavender sprig on her ear.

An awkward, pleased embarrassment flooded Willowwisp's chest, and she felt a surge of gratitude for her friend. Knowing some cat wouldn't sleep until she was home safe was both a very kind thing to hear, but also something that made her feel a little guilty. Was she deserving of such a rescue? Of such sorrow and lack of care for ones self in the event of her absence.

Diving quickly into the spring in an attempt to rid the guilt from her pelt, Willowwisp resurfaced with a smile. "Well, don't worry, I have no plans of vanishing any time soon."

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[ cherryswirl - @Dust ]