poppy seeds. [open x stork]

[Pyro]

HaHA! Alone at last. Storkflower was hardpressed to supress a cackle of delight as finally, finally there was no Cinderpaw to chase him away from the only thing that chased away the biting pain in his leg. On the one paw, he could understand her concern. It had been he that taught her, when they were going over herbs, the various side-effects of the painkillers and milk-aids they had on paw almost year-round. Herbs like poppy seed and catnip were highly addictive when taken in too large amounts...and well, it took a large amount to soothe those leg joints, especially when it was cold. And seeing as it was leafbare, well yes, it was cold. Only the instincts of a medicine cat kept him from wolfing down all they had. Storkflower couldn't depleet their entire supply. Not when some other cat might need it. Most likely an elder, seeing as there had been no sign of trouble from the other borders (MeadowClan had its own problems he heard, and of course, FogClan had taken PineClan's attention aay from Stream), and by default, no battles. Having had his morning dose of the self-prescribed painkiller, and still no Cinderpaw in sight (he'd given her instructions to find any early-blooming herbs and mark their location so they could be aware of the plants' progress), the medicine cat settled in to tally the rest of their stock. Though it was still cold, they were nearing the end of leafbare he felt, for their supply of herbs, tapped only by some late-kitting queens, elders, and an isolated greencough incident, was almost half gone. It was lucky they had such a small clan. Even with only minor cases to deal with, having no way to replenish the stock of herbs without killing off new plants was more than a little trying for Storkflower. After all, he had no one to turn to for advice in the matter, and hell, who knew if the herbs he had chosen and the amounts that he had been given were right? Certainly, no one had dropped dead yet, but all that could mean was that he was lucky. Perhaps he could swallow his pride enough to ask Crowflower for help. The newst PineClan medicine cat was nearly as young as he was, but hadn't he had his mentor for the full duration of his training? Maybe he'd be willing to...hell's bells he couldn't ask. He'd just have to train himself and rely on his instincts. That's what he came away with from Badgernose's mentorship: trust your instincts. A rustle near the front of the medicine cat den alerted Storkflower of a visitor, and most likely, a patient. Because really, who went to him for a chat? "You might as well come on back and s-save me a few trips from s-storage." [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=141414][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] OOC: Continued from Bah! Boredom. BIC: Kitewhisker, having left his silver and black companion, tottered over to the medicine cat den in the hopes that Storkflower or his apprentice what's-her-name had returned. Healing balm, that's what I needed, for my pads. Oh, how cracked they are! Perhaps they might even get infected... A sudden worry occurred to him as he began to poke his head in - what if supplies were too short in this frigid weather? - but before he could even open his mouth, the younger black and white tom opened his. "O-of course." He said, confused, wincing slightly as he ducked into the hollow log. "I'm glad to see you're alive, Storkflower. I was worried. Is Cinderpaw well, too? I haven't seen her in any danger lately...but I could be wrong." The elder added uncertainly. At least it was a bit warmer in the quiet shadows of the old, dust-smelling log, with only a few spots of light dappling the floor from holes in the old wood. He lay down, paws tucked under his chest and his thin tail wrapped around his aged body, and looked at the medicine cat. "I have need of some balm for my pads, but...are you low on supplies? Should I go without in case there is illness, and you need all you have?" Normally, Kitewhisker wouldn't have been bothered - cats were fated to get sick either way. But the discussion with Frostfur...no, Frostpelt - had made him more thoughtful. He was still an elder, and he needed balm sooner or later - but...perhaps he should simply try looking into the future now. Yes. That's a good idea. He shut his eyes, trying to look beyond the present and into the future. This look would be difficult since he was not centered on a certain cat. The Clan would appear as a shadowy mass...he strained, focusing on the medicine den, sensing the future emotions within it...and there was nothing. That has never happened before, he thought, surprised, and opened his eyes again. Does it mean...does it mean we will all be dead? Oh, please, not that. Anything but that! He longed to warn Storkflower...but no. It would do him no good to tell him. I do not want to lay such a burden on his shoulders. Poor thing looks stressed enough, he thought sympathetically as he looked at the medicine cat again.

[Pyro]

Kitewhisker. Kitewhisker, Kitewhisker, Kitewhisker. Although Storkflower could not claim to know much about the elder (aside from what everyone said about his supposed lack of sanity), he could recall a few times as a kit when the elder had told him stories of the clans prior to the journey. Those were, if anything, good memories, as he could recall enjoying the tales. So, with only those as a reference, he was already prepping himself to be respectful toward the tom. In any case, Kitewhisker was an elder. He deserved respect regardless of the opinions that fluttered around concerning him. Besides that, he was probably in for something basic. Something Storkflower could handle. He hadn't seen Cinderpaw in any danger? That was an...odd thing to say. Storkflower shrugged. "She's so bubbly, I doubt she has many enemies. A friend even to the friendless, one could s-say. And there haven't been any badger or fox sightings...I figured it would be good for her to learn to find herbs when they are just beginning to grow. She knows the areas and need only mark their location." Damn, always those s's. He was moderately pleased with his explanation to Kitewhisker for her absence. Just trying to get rid of her oh no... "Well considering I hold the herbs back for elders and kit, Kitewhisker, I think I can manage to spare a balm for your pads." It was, in the face of a threat like mass-sickness, a petty thing to aid, but then...well, they weren't in the face of mass-illness. Not to say they couldn't have an epidemic at any moment, but with newleaf on its way Storkflower believed the balm would not be missed. And how would it look if he denied an elder that comfort? Probably worse than when he turned warriors away for nicks and bruises. Storkflower grabbed a few herbs from the various diminished piles that covered the 'storage space': sage root and chervil. With a small bit of hesitation, he chewed them up in his mouth before spitting the 'mixture' back out on a nearby rock. He beckoned for Kitewhisker to come closer, and then instructed the elder to roll over so that he could work the medicine into his pads. "You'll have to s-stay here for just a bit-not the whole day of course, but just long enough so that you don't walk off the balm." So confident. So sure. But it was only cracked pads. He should be confident. A sad thing indeed if, though half-trained, he could treat something like cracked damn pads. "I can leave you alone to rest if you want. [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=141414][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Huh. Kitewhisker tried to listen to the young tom's words, but was paying more attention to how he smelled than to what he spoke. Storkflower's scent was so diverse - it had such subtle herb-scents mixed in. Spicy, tangy, sweet, bitter - he swore he could almost smell some of the textures, even. It was like a cornucopia of delight for his nose. Mmm... Oh dear, he'd completely missed the words about Cinderpaw, and they might've been important. Fool! He scolded himself. His head cocked to the side, one ear flattened and the other pricked in his slight confusion at the tone of the tall tom's words. Well...all right. I guess it's okay, then. I was just trying to be considerate. Then he watched in fascination as the tom snatched mysterious piles of crinkled leaves and roots, chewing them. He rolled over at the medicine cat's command, lowering himself on his aching joints to delicately lie on the floor, and turned, pads obligingly facing upward. He'd known a few basic remedies from his days as a rogue, but the extent of what Storkflower must know was mind-boggling. I hope he doesn't accidentally poison someone one day, he thought, shuddering. Oh! Yes. "I understand." He mewed, lime green eyes placid. "You don't have to go, though of course you can if you want - I'll not disturb your work." With that, he closed his eyes, trying to rest in the somewhat awkward position.

[Pyro]

"Oh know, there's still a lot to do before Cinderpaw gets back." Not really. But he didn't exactly relish the thought of a brisk walk around the camp. The lanky tom went back over to a corner to continue reviewing his stock of herbs. Next to no honey, no surprise there...only bit of juniper and yarrow...Ratnose and he would have to put medicinal experiments to a halt until newleaf truly arrived...plenty of marigold but it was all dried up to the point of being nearly useless. He'd have to be better about keeping the supplies moist. If only there was a freaking stream that ran through the store room. Hell, then he could just grow whatever he needed. Foolishness. He was no twoleg farmer to be growing plants. "If you're up to it, do you have any interesting s-stories to tell? I heard you talking about the journey a while back to a couple of apprentices." Anything to keep him from clawing his ears off out of boredom. He'd managed to review the supplies twice and was not keen on doing it a third time. There truly was nothing to do when there were no patients to tend to, no apprentice to train, and no herbs to collect. He settled himself on the floor of the den rather stiffly, making sure not to lay on his bad leg. "It's been a few moons though s-since I've heard a g-good s-story. The kits are starting to learn I don't take well to ill-conceived fibs." Where was all this civilness coming from? But of course, when had Storkflower ever had cause to be rude to an elder? They tended to be the 'suffer in silence' types more often than not, and he couldn't recall a time when an elder made fun of his stutter or lack of any real skills. [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=141414][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Cinderpaw...though his mind was beginning to relax and slip into unconsciousness, he knew he had to remember to keep an eye on the bubbly young gray she-cat. Perhaps she might be at a disadvantage, if a storm truly did come... However, his ears pricked when the medicine cat said he would like a story, and his mouth curled up in a yellow-toothed grin as his pale green eyes opened once more. Perhaps this was a good answer to the shadowy future. Maybe if I tell a story...if I give Storkflower hope from his sufferings, whatever they are (for all cats suffer somehow)...maybe it won't happen. Kits. He had to smile, even at the other black-and-white tom's derogatory tone. "I have many stories, though how interesting they are depends on the listener. I've told my own story today, so I'm a bit bored of that, but I have plenty of others. I could tell you about the ancient Clans of giant cats and of the Journey, like you mentioned. I could also relate folk stories from around here, if you like that sort of thing. I know it's not the usual way, but..." He shrugged as much as he could with one of his shoulders bent outward. Perhaps some cats might find it odd that he'd tell stories not related to Clan ways, but he'd always found them just as fascinating as the other ones. The Wanderer's Ballad...The Lovers' Ashes...The Fox and the Crow...all the stories that had been his only company growing up. His front leg was getting kind of stiff, though. "Um...may I lay my paw down now?" The balm's smell was less sharp than it had been a minute or so ago, so perhaps it had sunk into his pad enough.

[Pyro]

"Hm? Oh yes, you can lay your paw down now." he replied, distracted. Had the marigold pile always been so small? Oh pft. Of course it had. Depleted stock remember, Storkflower? But enough about that. No third review. No. Third. Review. If a third review of the herb stock was absolutely necessary he'd have his apprentice do it. It'd be good for her. Get her used to differentiating between all the different smells....Although, truth be told, he could use the practice himself. But again, enough about that. Kitewhisker wanted to know what sort of story to tell. "I'm up for anything, although, I don't really know any of the local s-stories." Storkflower glanced at the elder's paw as Kitewhisker laid it down. He'd probably have to reapply it in a few hours, just to make sure the healing stuck. He could remember Badgernose giving cats several treatments for infections, so the same would probably apply for cracked pads, especially when a cat was prone to them. Prone or not, a second treatment wouldn't hurt in any case. "You just tell whatever story you'd like and I'll listen. It'll be like I was a kit again." the medicine cat allowed a small smile to brighten his face. Those days when he'd first settled into Streamclan as a kit were happy ones. Funny, how the bad memories were easiest to remember though. Storkflower couldn't say whether the good memories made the bad ones seem worse, or if the bad memories made the happy times seem all the more precious. Perhaps it was both. [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

Grateful, the old tom laid his trembling limb down, resting it gingerly on the ground. He sniffed it to make sure the balm had sunk it; indeed it had.

His white whiskers poofed out slightly as Storkflower said he'd prefer a local story. How curious; he'd never told them to anyone, not even Dovepaw and Stonepaw. Of course, most of them were a bit dark or mature for that pair...

It would be good to tell them to an adult who could understand without having to water it down for a young cat. I like kits and apprentices, but it's nice having an audience you don't have to censor for.

Whatever story? Hmm. I think the best out of the three I thought of before is the Wanderer's Ballad. Except it's supposed to be sung. Ah well.

"Well, if you don't have a preference I'll tell the Wanderer's Ballad. It's a curious tale; the main character does not have a name; they are only referred to as 'she' for much of it. Traditionally it's supposed to be sung but I'm afraid I don't have much of a voice anymore. Still, I can recall all the verses, I think."

He took a deep breath and began.

"She is one but she is many
She is many she is one
She was there before we came
She will be here when we're done.

Faces watch as bodies die
Their spirits rise into the sky
Where she greets them on their way
But lives to walk another day

She is still but she is moving
She is moving she is still
She was dead when she was born
She was born to save and kill."

He paused for a moment, swallowing to regain some moisture. Unlike other stories, this one was told in a verse form, the refrain based on the paradoxes of the Wanderer. In truth, he'd never really understood it - but it was interesting to puzzle over, and to wonder who had made it up in the first place. It also required emphasis on certain words and different kinds of narration while recounting separate verses.

This is truly the art of storytelling, the tuxedo tom mused to himself.

[Pyro]

Storkflower listened intently, captivated by the trance-like rhythm to the...what had Kitewhisker called it? Ballad? The Wanderer's Ballad. He'd never heard anything of its like before, not even when he traveled with his father. Of course, his father hadn't left much time for what he called 'silly stories' and 'frivolous pursuits', those things being anything that did not have to do with converting lost souls to the violent religion of Raashako. The verses were so...melancholy. They spoke of an adventure to come, but already Storkflower could see that the main character, whoever she might be, was not in for happy times. Perhaps she would be successful. Perhaps she would blunder about as he did, trying to live up to not entirely unfounded expectations. Then again, as she was 'born to save and kill', perhaps she would not have such a rough time at it. If only he was born to heal. Then he might not find his time as a medicine cat so trying. Once more finding himself lost in his thoughts, it took Storkflower a minute to realize that Kitewhisker had stopped speaking. Inwardly, the medicine cat laughed at his incompetence. He'd always fancied himself a good listener, but unfortunately he was as plagued with daydreams and a poor attention span as ever. Always willing to listen yes...but it would certainly be good if he could actually listen for any length of time without drifting off. "That c-can't be all there is to the s-story." he said abruptly and just a tad bit too gruffly, perhaps, for the present company. "Surely there's more." There had to be. Kitewhisker had only just finished describing the main character. Unless Storkflower had been out of it for so long that he'd missed the entirety of the Wanderer's Ballad. Speaking [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

"What? Oh, of course not! There are many verses, but I'm glad you're enjoying it." The old tom smiled; he hadn't been sure how well the medicine cat would take to the unconventional old tune.

"Hmm, what did the wanderer do - oh, no not what she did, how she was born and died..."That's right. The beginning of the world.

"Sun's hot rays
Moon's cold light
Born on cusp of day and night

Torn from world's womb alive
Stillborn corpse now gulping breath
A fresh new creature hid away.

Thus she slept, and woke to see
As ghost made flesh
She was now free."

Finished the elder softly. Yet still it was only the beginning. He felt the need to add a little explanation."It was never agreed what exactly the Wanderer was 'free' from, but I believe it describes her as the first creature born when the universe was perfectly in balance. It seems her 'parent' was the world itself and by dying and being reborn as a physical being she was liberated to be a singular entity."

Yawning slightly, he checked his pads. They felt much more moist than before; the black and white tom seemed to know his stuff. The marvelous smells of the den still wafted around him.

[Pyro]

So it was a creation story. Badgernose had never mentioned anything like that being in the Starclan lore. Come to think of it, his father had never mentioned one either. It was odd to think that the creation of an entire world could be condensed into a ballad, no matter how long it was. The medicine cat was loathe to stop Kitewhisker to question him on the subject though. Once more the elder launched into the haunting melody, his listener as rapt with attention as he'd been when Kitewhisker began the story. The aged tuxedo tom might have cursed his voice as being unsuited to the ballad, but in many ways it enhanced the telling. The tale had an ancient flavor to it, and an older voice was well-suited to the telling. "S-s-so she was free to experience life?" That was quite the opportunity. To be the first creature to breathe, discover, name...to be the first creature to experience loneliness and death. "She was alone then in the venture? There was no one to share the life with?" Storkflower couldn't imagine being...truly alone. Sure, he didn't have many friends besides Ratnose, but at least he had the clan around him. The Wanderer, it seemed, had been born into the world alone. Speaking [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=141414][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] He nodded. "The world had been there before, but it was not alive; I believe the phrase I've heard used was 'matrix of creation'? Don't much know what it means but sounds lovely." After a bit of thought the elder added: "I think so. She was released from the world's womb to exist on her own. How or why is not known, but I fancy it was part of some grand plan, even if it would - well. I don't want to give spoilers." The tuxedo tom attempted to smile mysteriously. Kitewhisker licked a paw as he pondered the question and rubbed behind his ear. "Hmm. I think so. It's never explicitly stated but it's believed she was the first creature born. As to what exactly she was, no one knows. Well, assuming she existed." He shrugged. The tom enjoyed the story but didn't think it had many grains of truth in it, if any. Thinking a bit and swallowing to moisten his throat, the tom launched into the next verses: "She spoke, her voice a calling cry Spread through earth and spread through sky Crawlers, swimmers, runners, all Rose up from earth in life's first thrall She wandered long and wandered far Blessed the births and watched the deaths Aided creatures small and large Alas such good deeds could not last." He paused, and continued in a more solemn voice. "World's resentment cursed them all And it the Wanderer destroyed Only a spirit floating high Apart from all her life and joy." Thus the tale had come full circle. The Wanderer became merely a guide for the dead. The StreamClan elder bowed his head; though it was only a story, he somehow always felt a sense of loss at the end, as if the lonely creature described had been real after all.