Almond shaped eyes opened abruptly as the young calico woke up, her nightmare having finished almost as quickly as it had begun. They had sprung up on her so... suddenly. It had been a nice, uneventful night, too. Cuddled to her mother as she'd been. A cold breeze ruffling her short fur - the kit fluff now almost fully gone, replaced by a smoother coat as time passed - the kit raised her head, realizing she was alone in the nest.
Large ears perked up in confusion. It had been a while since her mother had gotten up before her. It had been a while, actually, since she had seen her nest without Gingerheart in it, come to think of it. A small guilt began to bubble in the young molly's stomach, knowing full well she had noticed this earlier, she had just ignored it because it was so... convenient. To have her mother always there. To drive her nightmares away and allow for a peaceful, good night's rest. But... this wasn't her mother. Not really. It was an almost empty husk, and one Lightningkit had been facilitating for her own benefit.
First Featherfoot, and now momma... No wonder StarClan keeps sending me nightmares.
Throat feeling oddly dry, Lightningkit gulped before getting up, stretching her wiry frame before heading out, shaking herself properly before taking a deep breath, a confident, expert bound in her every step. She didn't know what she was going to be doing today. She had gotten a good night's rest, one of the first proper ones since her talk to Cowpaw. She didn't know if the medicine cat had gone to Juniper's Rest but... she trusted him. He had no reason to lie, not when he had seemed so honest in his promise to her. Still, that gave her some level of energy she had not had in moons, and she had every intention to use it up. Starting with-
Dainty paws stopped at the sight of a familiar, russet pelt. Blue eyes blinking out the little sun in the near freezing temperature - she had no idea if it really was near freezing, but she was quickly learning her pelt was not made for these conditions - Lightningkit caught her mother's yellow hues, noticing the worried look they carried. Ears drooping slightly, the calico wondered for only a moment what had her mother so down, her mind quickly landing on a logical conclusion. Her littermates had disappeared so long ago... Angry Raykit and brave - mouse brained, the term was mouse brained - Sorrelkit. Gone. Alongside with him. Him he could do without, but he knew her mother must miss him... for some reason.
And that was without even taking into account her wonderful uncle, Squirrelear. One of her favorite cats in all of WindClan, vanished without a trace as well. Why? Why had all of these cats gone? Left Gingerheart's side when she was nothing but a beacon of wonderfulness. Adventure and knowledge always went paw in paw when her mother was involved, especially after Lightningkit had aged some. Gained some independence that left her with the permission to dip her toe in more trouble... even if the calico herself had been the one to turn a bit more reluctant to such things. Too tired to think about adventures, and too scared to sleep.
Today, however, with her mother out and about, she had a chance to take care of her today! See what troubled her mind. Maybe even take her mind off things with a quest! Perhaps a walk out of camp? Okay... maybe that wouldn't happen. But Lightningkit was four moons old. More than old enough to go out of camp with her mother... right? Only one way to find out!
"Momma, momma!" the calico mewed, calling out to Gingerheart as she approached. Once besides the russet queen, the small kit purred, rubbing herself against her mother's flank affectionately. "What are we doing today? Did you already eat? You know, we can totally have some fresh kill and then we can go out hunting. I won't make a peep," Lightningkit added, her voice gaining a singsong-y tune to it at her last few words, mischief glinting in her eyes as she gave her mother a cheeky little grin.
Sheepgrowl cleaned the Elders' den. She would swap out the nests for fresh ones, replacing the moss. She cleaned the corners from dust and tidied up the mostly-empty place.
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dis needs to be updated ...look away ...
⌦ .｡.:*☆ @Alchemist Kitsune The splotched tom briefly wondered what the time was as tiredness seem to ebb at Lightningkit. He could feel his own panic begun to simmer, comforted by the simple fact he believed he made .. something. At least helped somehow. That was all Cowpaw truly desired.
He did not know what was swirling about inside her mind and he stayed silent, tail brushing against the molly as a comforting gesture. Back and forth. He always had enjoyed this when he was small, riddled with anxieties. (Eyes begun to flash with concern when her ears had started to droop but mentioning Starclan could hear her seemed to have been the right choice. )
And to Cowpaw's ultimate surprise, before he knew it, forepaws were wrapping around his large arm and the sweetest purr came from Lightningkit. He might as well had died right then and there. If anything came to harm this little one, he would be!! Be!! Very!! Very angry!! He would not stand for it.
He returned her purr with one of his own. A low and steady rumble, he could feel his own sleepiness begun to poke at him. Emotions... always took a lot out of him. He felt them so intensely, and he always felt others' emotions just as intense.
Cowpaw smiled softly at her gratitude, "Always.." He replied and his voice was filled with promise. He listened to her talk to Starclan and stayed silent, letting his rumble quiet down to not disrupt. The look of determination in her eyes; he smiled brighter. It was contagious.
After Lightningkit had finished, he spoke quietly. "Would.. you like for me to... lead you back to the nursery..?" And then a pause, "And I understand.. if you would like not to talk about it... but you mentioned something.. plaguing you..? When you have rested.. and it does not have to be tomorrow or the day.. after that.. whenever you wish.. would you be up to discussing it..? I.. may be able to help, " Cowpaw offered, he wasn't entirely sure, but he had.. an idea. An idea on what she was referring to.
Clearly his throat softly, "Either way.. please know.. if you ever need to talk to someone.. as I know some things can be awfully hard in this.. life of ours.. I am here... to listen.."
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⌦ .｡.:*☆ @estelle. @~Silvershine~ [ risingkit is no longer being roleplayed btw !! ]
Ah! It appeared Brightkit did have something to say. Cowpaw blinked in surprise at the question. Certainly, what one could consider a headscratcher. "I.. we do not raise.. spiders.. but.. I think you may be on to something?" He confessed, lifting a paw to touch his chin in thought. He did not know much about spiders or well, really what .. they did at all besides their webs were useful. Perhaps, if he gave them a comfortable spot, they would not leave and would build a web! For him to harvest! It would also be clean, much better than discarded cobwebs, surely? "We will have to test that out.. " Cowpaw mumbled, primarily to himself. "I shall attempt.. and bring back results.. ! After.. after this, though, of course..!" He chirped.
Huh. It appeared Risingkit had wandered off. His eyebrows furrowed together. Well, alright then. He could attend an official lesson later, if he so desired. Waiting a few brief periods of time to see if Littlekit had anything to ask, he nodded his head and moved onto poppy flowers.
Pushing a poppy flower forward. It was slightly withered; the cold weather having taken its effect on it. Nonetheless, that did not matter. "This.. is a poppy flower.. it grows best... in new-leaf and green-leaf... but, the thing is we are not... focused on the actual flower... " Cowpaw shifted the flower around to have the poppyhead face forward, showing the bountiful seeds. "What is important.. are the seeds inside the poppyhead.. which can be kept year-round... and there is plenty, one can shake the flower to get the loose ones.. or dig their paw in and retrieve them... I prefer the first one... if I am able to do so.. it makes less of a mess..." He explained, leaning back to let his words sink in. He gave an example by shaking a few seeds lose and letting the two observe them up close.
"The poppy seeds are used.. to soothe one's pain.. they are to be eaten.. but one must be careful. Only a few should be ate.. less you deal with dire effects.. One is typically what I would give for a minor wound or for someone small.. like a kit..! If someone is bigger or has a more severe wounds.. I may give them two.. three is only for intense wounds... and for warriors.. Besides soothing pain, it can also soothe shock or distress... and make someone sleepy."
Cowpaw was kicking his paws in the air, mindlessly thinking over how he simply did not have his full name. He felt rather experienced enough. Truly, he was a man of patience. He tried to be. It's just, how.. how? How was he the only medicine cat without his full name? Cowpaw was the senior medicine cat! Uh, maybe. It was a mystery if Sundust or him was. Still, still!! He knew so many herbs and techniques, seventeen in total. "AaaaAA!!" Cowpaw squealed, burying his face into his mossy nest before letting out a quiet scream.
Everyone knew his name was taking long. He wasn't trying to!! He just, well, he didn't really have anyone guiding him on this path of his. Starclan was. Silent.
He sighed aggressively, rolling back over to his back. Maybe his mom had been right.
Unable to ponder any longer, a kit popped into his den. Another visitor. Maybe he was going stir-crazy. "Hi, hi!" Cowpaw piped up, ah. He hoped. He hoped this little one hadn't.. seen... you know what! If he did not think about it, it didn't happen.
This.. reaction was not surprising. Did not change Cowpaw from thinking otherwise, only solidifying the fact. He offered a sympathetic look, nodding his head up and down. He was positive at this point. He too had his own share of anxiety but, he's found ways. "Positive..!"
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⌦ .｡.:*☆ @Alchemist Kitsune @TheNyanCatMinecart @Moonraven
Cowpaw had never known a cat as cruel as Willowsky. Having been witness to her cruelties, he could not help but feel a burning ... anger directed towards her. Dislike. There was sympathy, no reason to her actions. In her own mind, he supposed she saw her own actions as right. Nothing could offer reason or excuse to what Willowsky had done. She had left scars on her own daughter both physically and mentally. Cowpaw could still hear Twistedpaw's desperate cries. After all the Queen had done, she had still wanted for her mother to be .. happy.
His eyes were beginning to water at the fact the small ki - apprentice. Apprentice. Must be in so much pain at this moment. At her own ceremony. Before Cowpaw entered into the den, he desperately wiped away at them and took a deep breath. Right. He needed to treat Twistedpaw's wounds and attempt his best to cheer her up! (... He did not like the fact she was still called Twistedpaw. It was an awfully rude name but, he felt she wouldn't be too keen to change it..)
Heading into his den, he dipped his head in greeting. Flashing a bright smile, while forced, in an attempt that it would comfort her in some ways. He ducked into his herb storage, grabbing cobwebs. Her wounds weren't deep enough to worry, but he did grab a poppy seed. It may help her distress.
Entering back in, Cowpaw glanced between the two warriors and Twistedpaw. Mmm. He wasn't sure if she could read gestures, and while he would like to help her take her mind off of things, ... he could already feel that block in his throat stopping him from doing so. After Batglare had finished what .. what he had been doing? He shuffled closer, setting down his herbs.
Cowpaw gently pressed the cobwebs against Twistedpaw's wounds, offering an apologetic smile. After cleaning the general area, he wrapped the scratches in a clean patch of cobwebs. There was nothing he could for her tail, unfortunately. With the way it was shaped, a splint was impossible. He nosed the poppy seed to her.
"Proud.. of you .." Cowpaw gestured, "You are all.. big now.. I remember when you were just.. itty bitty.. " She, she was still, very,, very itty bitty. Worryingly so. "How.. about .. when the weather warms up.. we try making flower crowns together.. to celebrate..? Would that be fun..?" He offered, pausing. "You are going need to .. clean your wounds.. though.. and watch over your tail... if it starts to bother you.. please let me know.."
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dis needs to be updated ...look away ...
Last edited by wolfie; January 22nd, 2023 at 04:26 AM.
It appeared Littlekit would be staying. Alrighty then! Shifting his gaze towards Snowkit, he pondered over her question. "Scent.. and texture.. is a way to help you find what you may be looking at but... in general, unless you are positive something is safe.. best not to eat it.. In cases such as poison ivy.. there is an unpleasant scent.. some say.. but, you can always ask one of your clanmates.. in help identifying a plant.. or an animal.. " Cowpaw explained, he wasn't the best cat to be asking as he himself wasn't blind but, he did believe scent and texture was a way? "Ah.. also.. sounds..? When it comes to animals.." He added on.
The gentle giant noted how Flutteringkit reacted to Snowkit's question, scooting away. He frowned, narrowing his eyes. He would not make judgement but, he would be keeping an eye on her. After Willowsky, Cowpaw would not tolerate any discrimination in Windclan. At least the small ones could be taught.
He could not have dwelled long as there Wolfkit was. Attempting to eat his toes. Blink. Blink. A laugh escaped from Cowpaw, "My.. my toes..?" He questioned, raising a small eyebrow. "No.. no eating.. you will become very sick.. Wolfkit..! They are only to look at.. and if you do attempt so.. I will stop you.." He lowered his voice, "and tickle you!!" His eyes light and tone playful, he pulled back with another chuckle. Wiggling his paw beans, "Would you settle for my tail.. instead..? I need my toes.. to work.." He explained, waving his feathery tail back and forth. Very tempting, yes.
Right. "While you decide.. let's move on to herbs.. alrighty..? I will be showing you guys.. poppy flowers and cobwebs.." He chirped, pushing the red flower for them to see.
"This.. is a poppy flower.. as mentioned.. it grows best... in new-leaf and green-leaf... but, the thing is we are not... focused on the actual flower... " Cowpaw shifted the flower around to have the poppyhead face forward, showing the bountiful seeds. "What is important.. are the seeds inside the poppyhead.. which can be kept year-round... and there is plenty, one can shake the flower to get the loose ones.. or dig their paw in and retrieve them... I prefer the first one... if I am able to do so.. it makes less of a mess..." He explained, leaning back to let his words sink in. He gave an example by shaking a few seeds lose and letting the two observe them up close.
"The poppy seeds are used.. to soothe one's pain.. they are to be eaten.. but one must be careful. Only a few should be ate.. less you deal with dire effects.. One is typically what I would give for a minor wound or for someone small.. like a kit..! If someone is bigger or has a more severe wounds.. I may give them two.. three is only for intense wounds... and for warriors.. Besides soothing pain, it can also soothe shock or distress... and make someone sleepy."
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dis needs to be updated ...look away ...
Snowkit listened to what Cowpaw was saying. Scent and Texture is a way to help me know what I’m looking for? I’ll make sure to remember that. She giggled when Wolfkit said he was going to eat Cowpaw’s toes. “Cowpaw has big toes! I hear the big paws go step step step. There’s no way you’d be able to eat them!” She squeaked. She noticed that Cowpaw had moved on and talked about herbs now. Poppy seeds… “What does the flower smell like?” Snowkit asked.
Re: WindClan Warriors' Den
