{L0S0V0}7.13.11 MEDICINE CAT MEETING

[Whiskers [Archive]]

Finchpaw looked up and met Crowflower's eyes and he found he could not look away. Like always, Crowflower found the right words that got under his skin in the best way possible. With is father or his brother-- sometimes, even Frostpaw-- their words infected. But Crowflower's words were seeds that brought blossoms. New life.

Crowflower's impassioned response to Finchpaw's obvious distress was enough to ignite the spark in him, and reassure him that his crazy, stupid, insane plan was, for all its foolishness, the right thing to do. Finchpaw wasn't as sure as Crowflower that Evil would always lose (he was too skeptical for that), but he knew he had the power to fight back and fight back hard. Even if Finchpaw lost and he was caught and punished, it would have still been for something. He would have healed cats, wouldn't he? He could potentially save lives and interfere with Volepelt's barbaric "leadership."

Briefly, Frostpaw appeared in his mind and he heard her objections. He would be directly controlling fate. He would be interfering with something "bigger" than Volepelt. Getting in the way of what was natural. He didn't know what she would think of him for doing this and he couldn't lie--he wanted her to approve of it-- wanted her to be proud of him. But he also couldn't let his mind dwell on her. Not any longer. Wasn't he his own damn cat, yeah? This was right. He knew this was right. And he was gonna do it.

With steely determination, Finchpaw straightened, pulling away from Crowpaw's tender gesture of support. His eyes glanced up at the half-moon, whose glow was faint tonight; the stars, too, did not shine, only ebbed with a cautious source of light. More than ever, the stars just felt empty.

It would be up to him. Starclan, whether it existed or not, would not help.

"I have this...idea," he began, keeping his voice low, though he knew there was no one around. "I want to set up a den outside Fogclan camp, where I can treat those cats who get punished for their "sins,"" he spat the word. "I want to help heal them and I want you to help me. I won't have enough materials, what with Brightnose keeping the den fully stocked-- and I'm not even a full medicine cat-- two set of paws are better then one, yeah?" Finchpaw looked back at his friend, hopeful again, hopeful though he swore to himself that he was going to remain realistic.

"I know it's a lot to ask of you. I understand if you say no. But I just-- I don't think I can do this alone. I need you, Crowpaw."

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[Glowy]

Crowflower followed his friend's glance skyward, wondering what he was seeking in its starry depths. Was he seeking anything at all? Support? Love? Or was he perhaps sending a look of defiance their way? Either way, the stars blinked on, seemingly indifferent to the feelings of the cats down below. Crowflower's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. What was up there? The stars were up there, for sure, but was it the place of his kithood fantasies? Did cats walk up there in the stars, big as the sky and more powerful than a storm? Or were his parents right, and was it a lifeless place, filled with the cracked up dreams of a few mouse-brained cats and nothing else? Whatever it was, it didn't matter right now, he decided. Finchpaw had snapped out of his brief reverie and was speaking now, nearly whispering, so Crowflower leaned in close. Finchpaw wanted... he wanted to heal the cats that were being punished for their misdeeds. He wanted to bring justice once more to his clan, if not absolute justice then at least a taste of it, and he wanted Crowflower's help. He nodded once, twice, and then looked Finchpaw in the eyes. "Okay." His voice had lost its childish tone and was now grim and determined, much like his face. If Finchpaw needed him to sneak out in the middle of the night and deliver herbs, he would do it. If Finchpaw needed him to help with patients, he would do it. If they were discovered, he would fight until there was no breath left in his body to protect his friend and their patients, but mostly Finchpaw, admittedly. "Just let me know what I can do and I'll do it." [bg=5f8219][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[ambird]

Cinderpaw dashed back in, not caring for whatever they were talking about. Sometimes she had to stop being snoopy. And whatever those two wanted to deal with, she had nothing to do with it. So, why bother? Instead, she could listen in on the medicine cats. They obviously would be talking about something, right? Well....Storkflower was worrying about whatever and Brightnose didn't seem to be too incredibly social, but what else was to stop them? Plus, when they all had first arrived, the Fogclan medicine cat had basically yowled out that something was up. Her mentor hadn't been that interested in what she had to say, but maybe it was big? Excitedly, she padded in a bit slower, deciding to listen in to what they were saying. The two were farther up ahead, so she stayed back a few tail lengths. Cinderpaw tilted her ears toward the two, and listened in. "So, Storkflower, how's the watermint in StreamClan? The mist helps nurture it in FogClan, but how does it grow in your territory with a direct source? Is it better in fast-running water or stagnant sources?" Herbs? Herbs! Of everything that they could be talk about from one another's Clans, Brightnose was gabbing about herbs! That was....not what she expected. Well she guessed they were medicine cats. And....herbs were what they used to heal. She sighed and back-tracked. Time to figure out each cat. Nothing better to do, and tensions had been high pretty much since they all had arrived. Why had she even assumed everyone would be on good terms? There she had gone again...assuming. Well. The easiest....and hardest at the same time, was Storkflower. Easy because he was her mentor, and she should understand him. But she realized, that she really didn't. He seemed in a rush, wanting this visit to be finished as soon as possible. What she wanted to now was why? Was it the cats themselves? Cinderpaw didn't want to believe that that was it. He had been slightly cold, but addressed them all humbly. Or...that's how you're supposed to be. Diplomatic but friendly. But Finchpaw and Crowflower were friends. So, obviously that was allowed. And they weren't warriors, so they would never see one another in battle. Maybe he was anxious about talking to Starclan? If he was, then why would he be? She shook her head, deciding to stop. Whatever was wrong with her mentor, Storkflower could deal with his problems himself. Even if that did sound mean. Cinderpaw couldn't get into other cat's businesses as much as she did. Now...if he really started to get all weird, then and only then would she get snoopy. Knowing her, that would be sooner than later. Brightnose and Finchpaw were mentor and apprentice as well. But, they had their own problems with their crazy Clan-mates. Brightnose didn't seem that social, but that could be a number of reasons. She did, however, want to discuss something with Storkflower. But, he'd shot her down. Now, they changed the subject to herbs. Reasonable. Finchpaw may be talking about whatever was wrong with Fogclan with Crowflower. Probably was. Eh. She'd leave that alone. They may both be apprentices....but the medicine cats' didn't seem to be the friend-making types. Great. Cinderpaw sighed, pawing at the ground. Being quiet and just sitting there was just so boring. But what other option did she have? The sooner they went to have dreams the better. Then Cinderpaw could at least feel like she was being remotely productive. [bg=2f1e0e][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Poi]

[bg=f2f2e5][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] Mottledpaw raced through Meadowclan territory, panting as she approached the border. Over and over again she ran through what she would tell the other Medicine Cats in her head. Not that it was all that difficult to explain, most of them understand a birthing queen's difficulties, but she was anxious about doing something wrong. A brisk shake of her oddly colored head led to her ears being pricked. She picked up someone speaking, but couldn't make out the words. She wasn't one to snoop about in secret, so she quickly decided she would just show herself. As she approached, she heard some of what Finchpaw was saying. "I want to set up a den outside Fogclan camp, where I can treat those cats who get punished for their "sins." I want to help heal them and I want you to help me. I won't have enough materials, what with Brightnose keeping the den fully stocked-- and I'm not even a full medicine cat-- two set of paws are better then one, yeah? I know it's a lot to ask of you. I understand if you say no. But I just-- I don't think I can do this alone. I need you, Crowpaw." She froze at the word "sins." The disgust in his voice was obvious. She continued on, but her gait had slowed to a pace she had seen warriors match when stalking prey. Intent on Crowflower's response, Mottledpaw rotated her ears to point in the two toms' direction. "Okay. Just let me know what I can do and I'll do it." She commended the inexperienced medicine cat for his mercy and willingness. Knowing only slightly what was going on in Fogclan, the she-cat stepped forward. Before giving anyone a chance to ask where she had come from and why she was late, she spluttered a few words very ungracefully. "I'm willing to help if you need me," the words came out rushed, no matter how hard she had tried to make herself appear bold and confident. "Well great, now I look like a total idiot," she tried to remain as calm as possible, her eyes pinned on Crowflowerr and Finchpaw. Hopefully they wouldn't find her to be a threat. She had no intention of narking on anyone, but they didn't know that. She had only met them once, the moon before, on her first trip to the moon glade. And it's a good thing, otherwise she wouldn't have known her way there, and would have needed to stay back with the grouchy queens in the nursery. Mottledpaw hoped she had made a good first impression, because she needed their trust. Thinking Speaking

[Pyro]

Ah crap. Storkflower felt a pang of guilt at Brightnose's words. He hadn't meant to offend her. He just couldn't for the life of him find a reason for why FogClan's problems were StreamClan's. The tom supposed it couldn't hurt to know what was going on in other clans...and of course, he knew better than anyone what good it did to keep things all bottled up. Didn't exactly do him a world of good. "You're hardly on your deathbed, Brightnose. If you're an old cat, then I'm a kit." Well. He did sort of feel like a kit with the onset of his promotion. He couldn't act like one though...or could he? What was it that made him think that as medicine cat he had to be srs bsns? Crowflower seemed as cheery as ever, although something had seemed a bit off about him this particular night. The job of a medicine cat was to heal, advise, and warn the clan. He was shaky on the healing part, didn't fancy himself much of an adviser...It hit Storkflower then that FogClan's problems may just concern StreamClan. Hadn't he just told himself that Miststar and Volepelt gave him a bad feeling? If he wasn't going to actively seek a relationship or advice from StarClan, then the least he could do was find out for himself what dangers might lie on the horizon. What was happening in FogClan could be nothing. But if it wasn't, he'd probably be sorry he'd brushed off Brightnose when she'd given him the perfect opportunity to get the heads-up for StreamClan. He drew a little closer to whisper in her ear. "If you want to talk about what I think you want to talk about, then I'm serious about later. I haven't forgotten what you said that one day." Storkflower twitched an ear at Brightnose's sudden question. Watermint? Well that was one way to change the subject. It took him a few seconds to dredge up what the plant was (and thankfully what it did came along with it), and just a moment longer to remember the places he'd gone to retrieve it. "It's been fairing well....B-Badgernose...had been worried it might not be as plentiful this year because of that early drought, but it seems to have bounced back relatively quickly. I'm not sure what her opinion might have been, but I've been finding watermint more in stagnant water or slower areas of the stream. I can only assume that the faster waters don't allow it to take root." The medicine cat glanced around behind him for Cinderpaw. This was a conversation she should probably hear. It would certainly benefit her. He was surprised to see her dashing back from around where Finchpaw and Crowflower had stopped. Exactly how many cats did it take to get rid of a splinter, for StarClan's sake? He waited for her to catch up before he limped back to walk with Brightnose. [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

She smiled. It wasn't a bland smile, an empty smile, an automatic facial expression, one facade among many. It wasn't a pasted look, practiced for patients. It was a true, hesitant, reluctant expression that started as a twitch at the corners of her mouth and spread to her entire face, lifting her whiskers, relaxing her features, putting an energy and warmth into her eyes that hadn't been there for so many moons. It was a smile that was almost ashamed of itself, so new and uncertain it was, but still, it was there. Her tricolored face soon faded back into her normal blank expression, yet there was a new purpose and feeling in her posture, her step, her now-twitching tail, the set of her ears as she listened to the chirping of crickets and smelled the freshness of the grass and the fishy, watery scent of Storkflower beside her. "I'm older than I look." The FogClanner answered, and while it might not be true physically, it was true mentally. She'd always felt older than her age, and the takeover had made her feel like she was ready to retire, sometimes. Then her expression changed again - her hazel eyes grew more focused, her mouth drawn and grim, yet her shoulders tensed in excitement. Maybe he was taking her seriously, after all. Still, she must be sensible. Again she eased the intent from her expression and said lightly, "Ah well, thank you for humoring a she-cat, however old she may be. I appreciate it, and I'm glad to see your memory has not waned, though I do realize my words are low on your list of priorities, and rightfully. Still, if you truly wish for information, it is here." The calico inclined her head, hoping she would understand that she had gotten over her foolish offense at his original disinterest and had remembered that, logically, why should he care? Yet if he really was interested, she would tell him. Though of less importance, she was equally interested in his words on the watermint, and she was relieved to be her old self again. Change was certainly important, but dealing with it provided many challenges...she still wasn't sure how she felt about smiling...truly...again. She hadn't even done it for Finchpaw...why for Storkflower? But she could ponder that later. "Ahhhh. You know, I've often wondered if there isn't water underground, too. It might explain why marshes are the way they are (as well as the abundance of life there), and how some plants still survive despite droughts. Mmm, fast-flowing water probably gives it less chance to grow because of the pressure from the current." She nodded sagely. It was good to discuss such matters - Finchpaw was far better at his herbs now, but he wasn't really...interested. It was wonderful to discuss such matters with someone who actually cared. "This may seem like a strange question...but have you ever wondered HOW herbs cure things? Or even how we know? What made cats so long ago decide 'I think I'll try a bite of this and maybe it'll help me?' They could have died...yet, their experiments made so much good possible." The calico mused, hoping Storkflower would understand her curiosity. [bg=090806][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]