Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Darkcloud and Harekit sat quietly.

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Her mind was quiet, stifled like the sun behind those clouds above, almost as if she'd grabbed those very clouds and stuffed them into her ears, filling her thoughts with fluff and nothingness. She wouldn't quite call this day a lazy one, but she was near it. The fog in her head weighed her paws down; every step took a particular drive to make it happen. Even so, she didn't find herself bothered. Many days have come and gone like this, and many more will continue to do so. It was just a fact of leaf-bare, where the days waned on like sap down the side of a pine: slowly, slowly.

The mindless wandering that took her from her den, resting off late-night endeavors, didn't take long, not more than a minute, but it felt like it'd taken moons. Bitterbane shuddered off the chill clinging to her pelt with humidity and quietly observed the open area. She could see the condensation running mistily down the tree root walls if she stared hard enough. The conclusion that it'd previously rained at some point before she woke came to her mind, gently. Blinking steadily, she tore her gaze from the camp walls and the fringe of shrubs, then hazily studied the figure of an apprentice.

Palepaw, if she recalled her calico clanmate's name correctly. As she worked her way through her waking conscience, she noticed the apprentice's mentor wasn't nearby. Small details filtered through the clouds, on their own time. Sorely, Bitterbane missed the days of her not-so-far youth when she could jump awake, alert without a delay; however, she was content to stumble through the day aimlessly until she eventually remembered her intentions. It wouldn't take long, she was sure, nor were they pressing matters, if her shoddy half-memory served her well (enough).

When the warrior shuffled past Palepaw, she paused and greeted her, quietly to fit the overcast weather. "Good afternoon. How goes?" Bitterbane canted her pale head slightly left in interest, black ears fluttering at the tips as some stirring breeze disturbed them. It didn't ever hurt her to stop once in a while to say hello to ShadowClan's hard-working apprentices; she knew all too well how easy it was to overlook and disregard them. Besides, Bitterbane wouldn't want to become one of the haggard warriors who sneered at the next generation.

@celeste

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

She shuffled a half-step back from the apprentice to provide an adequate space between them as the younger cat got to her paws. A wry smile crossed Bitterbane's face and she nodded to confirm that, yes, she was called that name. She momentarily marveled at the awkwardness packed into that pause. At least she knew that this apprentice was doing alright, though she could always be lying to cover up something, like a perceived weakness or dark secret... But the longer she questioned it, the more Bitterbane realized she shouldn't be so critical. She ought to be more casual; she had no reason to believe that Palepaw would lie over something so simple.

After all, Palepaw was quick to move on from the greeting. Taken aback, Bitterbane abashedly smiled at the earnest questioning (or begging) from the apprentice. It took her mind a moment to catch up and consider what Palepaw was asking of her, but when it finally registered, Bitterbane resolutely nodded. "Yeah, we could," she responded. "The weather's made all my moss soddy anyway," Bitterbane added, a note of sorrow touching her tone. She didn't quite enjoy arranging her nest with new moss, but she'd rather wake up next time less groggily. Besides, she doubted she could resist those big eyes. They could melt even the iciest of hearts, and Bitterbane was willing to bet her spot in the den on that claim.

She admired the...volition, was it? or responsibility of the apprentice. Perhaps it was the cold state of being cooped up with little much to do that motivated Palepaw to do chores. She would do the same and has done the same, if she were an apprentice.

Bitterbane arched her spine and stretched out her sores. "Let's get a move on, then," she encouraged as she, ironically, walked leisurely to the path out of the camp. Likely unfortunately for Palepaw, the warrior wasn't raring for something to do, not nearly as much. Still. "Might be lucky to find some moss that isn't soggy." A surprise yawn cut off Bitterbane's explanation. Internally groaning, she made her paws pick up the pace and glanced over at Palepaw, sure that the apprentice would be following along eagerly, considering that this was her suggestion. With hope laced in her words, the warrior remarked, "But we can try anyways." It didn't hurt to try, did it?

She just hoped that the weather didn't get any colder because she couldn't bring herself to have some apprentice running about after her with her teeth chattering and tail shaking. The weather should be getting warmer anytime now, or so she thought, but today seemed especially miserable. Bitterbane sniffed sympathetically and fixed her eyes on Palepaw, keen eyes watching for any sign of freezing despite their walking.

@celeste - was thinking your next post would be somewhere in the territory - your pick (:

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Re: ShadowClan Clearing
 

Re: ShadowClan Clearing