[squidz]

| BERRYSHINE |

small & nimble dark brown she-cat with darker flecks and light, leafy-green eyes | the collector | dreamwalker |

[ riverclan medicine cat | she-cat | 17 moons | timid, kind, hardworking ]

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Originally Posted by Luna16

Whisperingpaw blinked and looked up at the sound of approaching pawsteps, her eyes widening slightly when she saw Berryshine approaching. Did she do something wrong?? The pale gray she-cat dipped her head respectfully in return. “H-Hello Ms. Berryshine.” She mewed, unable to disguise the awe and excitement from her bright green eyes. She didn’t know why Berryshine was approaching her, it didn’t seem like she was in trouble or anything so…

She…she wants to know how I’m doing? Whispy blinked, this time in surprise. Did she…look that lonely? “O-Oh..I’m okay.” That…felt like a lie. And she didn’t like that. But what was she supposed to say? ‘I miss my friend and I’m having an existential crisis about my purpose’? Yeah. That’ll go over well.

The apprentice shuffled her paws timidly, wrapping her tail around them to try to hold them in place. “I’m…just lost in thought.” She admitted, feel a little less guilty about giving this explanation. “I have a…um…tendency to overthink things.” Like her reason for being. She glanced up at Berryshine bashfully, unsure of what other words to say. But then words just tumbled out of her mouth. “I-I um…I really loved the first aid course you had earlier.” She purred, gaze flickering from Berryshine to her paws.

“I really…like learning about the different herbs.” She explained with a soft, slightly flustered chuckle. “There’s so much! I-It’s truly amazing…how you remember all of it.” Okay Whispy, now you’re fangirling. She gave her chest a few licks to try and detract from her…silliness. Trying to calm her nerves some too.

Berryshine nodded as Whisperingpaw said she was doing alright, though the medicine cat got the sense that there was at least something weighing on the apprentice's mind. She wouldn't pry, though the flicker of concern in her gaze was like a silent question.

Thankfully, Whisperingpaw seemed to keep going without too much of a push from Berryshine. Green eyes softened in empathy, nodding with a chuckle and a sigh. "I can relate to that," she mused, giving the apprentice a sympathetic flick of her tail. Overthinking could've been Berry's true medicine cat name, though she was glad it wasn't all of who she was. Sometimes thinking of every possibility paid off as a medic, when you had to get creative or consider all consequences... other times, it could be paralyzing. But she was working on it, day by day.

Berryshine did brighten, however, when the pale-coated apprentice went on to say she'd enjoyed the first aid course; the medicine cat purred, maw lifting into a small smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," she purred, sounding pleased. It was nice to get positive feedback; with the wealth of information that she had to remember and try to teach, the herbalist could only hope that she'd done an alright job. Even if only one cat had retained something, that was a good start.

The small brown molly could also sense how nervous Whisperingpaw was, and her heart ached — it reminded her of herself, in a way, and Berryshine didn't want the apprentice to feel nervous around her. Her voice was soft and warm as she spoke, giving Whisperingpaw a reassuring look. "I-It's by the grace of StarClan, really, that I'm able to. It's a h-hard job, I won't lie, but... very rewarding, too. To devote my life to h-healing my Clanmates, searching for new knowledge... it's something worthwhile. Besides, I do enjoy learning a-about herbs and remedies, believe it or not," she added with a faint chuckle. Not every cat was like that; it reminded her of someone like Salamanderpaw who'd looked absolutely bored when poking at the leaves.

"Speaking of... i-it's a lovely day. Newleaf is nearly here," the medicine cat mused, tilting up her head to glance at the sky. "I'll have to go for a quick trip and see i-if any new growth as surfaced; some of my stores are getting low." Her gaze lowered back down to Whisperingpaw with a soft smile. "If you're not busy, you're welcome to come with."