[patroclus]

@Duskflight

Larkbelly could nearly feel the excitement radiating off the apprentice in short burst that would have been infectious on any other cat. Yet, the stoic medicine cat simple shifted his paws slightly in response, his green eyes narrowed in deep thought. As he listened to Lichenpaw’s response, he couldn’t help but notice the genuine tone. The certainty. Larkbelly had struggled with his place in Dayclan for much of his life, never truly accepting his duty as medicine cat and constantly lingering on ‘what-ifs’. The very thought of some cat actually wanting his position to the point where they believed it was their destiny surprised him. Larkbelly turned his full attention to Lichenpaw at that, his gaze filled with near wonderment. What did that feel like? To know one’s purpose in life? Larkbelly wanted to ask, wanted Lichenpaw to become his mentor of sorts. However, he held his tongue. He wouldn’t ask. Not today. This day was not meant for his own questions, but for Lichenpaw’s first day as a medicine cat apprentice, one that the tom seemed to have been dreaming about for much of his life. “Then let’s get to work.” He responded simply, his usual gruff tone returning. The medicine cat was still uncertain about his new apprentice, as he had not had much experience with the other tom. The most interaction he had had was while they had collected herbs not too long ago. Before they discovered Cloudsky. Before Swiftpaw. It certainly felt like a lifetime away from this moment and Larkbelly couldn’t help but feel a slight ache in his bones. When was the last time he slept? Of course he had had the dream with Dewspirit with Starclan, yet could that really be counted as rest? His visits to Starclan often left him weary and confused, despite his experience with the dreams. It was always quite jarring to return from such dreams and back to the waking world, to leave behind his fallen clan mates once again to serve the living. A part of him longed to be with his ancestors, to be among the stars. Yet another part wished to leave this place and never return, to find a quiet place with a big cave and curl up forever. But, Larkbelly had work to do. As Larkbelly swung to his paws and made quick work of the dust beneath his paws, he couldn’t help feel as though he were leading Lichenpaw to his doom. The medicine cat den swallowed him up, surrounding him by the crushing and nearly suffocating chill. Could he protect Lichenpaw from what lay creeping in the forest around them? He hadn’t been able to save Swiftpaw from her untimely death and the thought lingered for longer than he liked. His gaze drifted back towards Lichenpaw, so excited and sure of himself. Larkbelly vowed to keep his eye on this one and protect him with all he had.