WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[wolfie]

credit to mousepal on tumgir!

MEDICINE CAT DEN REPLIES

===> woo!! apologizes these took so long <3 had to step back and take a bit of an unexpected break but here they aree

@AshCloud67
Cowpaw blinked warmly at the smaller one, smiling. He was not particularly understanding why he was being aa, thanked? It was quite alright, Cowpaw wasn't sure if there was something else needed from him but he never minded a visit. "Do .. you need something.. else?" He gently propped with an inquisitive tone.

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@Rainee
Cowpaw let out a small squeak at the sudden thump against his leg. He stilled, carefully turning around to view at .. er, Rosekit. Right? Right - The medicine cat wasn't particularly sure what she meant by a check-up. He never performed one, actually? Oh stars, Cowpaw nodded slowly. Swallowing nervously, he stepped back. "Righty-so..!"

It would be fine, yes, nothing to worry about. Very unlikely. "On it.. on it.. uhm,,..." he supposed it would be best to check Rosekit's senses. "How.. is the sound.. of my.. voice..? I, is it clear... or... muffled..?" He questioned, nodding. A great start.

<<━━━ ✧♡(◕‿◕✿)━━━━━━━>>

@FlowerBoy
Cowpaw fidgeted with his paws, his floppy ears lowering slightly. Uhm, he was not very sure how to respond to this. At least, Marigoldkit... (right?) wasn't seeking medical help considering he didn't answer Cowpaw's question. A quiet chuckle escapes from the tom, shrugging his shoulders. "Well... dearest apologizes but... I don't quite believe that is.. in my capabilities..? The sky is.. endless but not something.. we can touch.. not even if you climbed the tallest tree.." Cowpaw mused, "But the sky .. is very nice..! Very nice, indeed..! It is home.. to our ancestors.. " His heart warms at the thought, thoughts drifting away.

The medicine cat could never begin to fathom how the other clans did not feel trapped with the looming trees often accompanied in their territory. Windclan's open, rolling fields allowed the sky to touch every nook and cranny. It comforted Cowpaw but in the end, oh gosh, he was biased. It was just a great quality Windclan had.

Oh! Yes, kit, there was a kit. Cowpaw blinked rapidly, looking back down onto Marigoldkit. "I do reassure you... that if I could... I would most definitely help you .. touch the sky!"

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@Kyo
Ohmystars, a kit! A kit wanted to see his duties because they were.. interested??? Slap a beetle on a haystack, Cowpaw was overjoyed. Yes, some kits come in because they are curious or just bored but it is usually a brief period of interest!! Eee!! There was a small issue, Cowpaw had no idea what possible duties he could show Fernkit.

"I am... glad to hear that... but I must confess,.. I don't.. believee there is much.. to see at the moment...? I am going to clean out.. the nests and.. tidy up a bit, but unless someone comes in.. there won't be much.." Cowpaw warned, his ears perking up at the last statement.

Maybe it - it just hit a bit close to home. Carefully, "Why.. so..? I don't believe it's... anything to be embarrassed... about..?"

<<━━━ ✧♡(◕‿◕✿)━━━━━━━>>

@xath
The medicine cat had to confess he had a shocking secret not a lot of his clanmates would guess. Cowpaw was not always fond of silence. He could appreciate it on rainy days or moments before the sun has risen. Silence with a comfortable friend on a calm afternoon but, in the very end, the silence always leaves the tom yearning for something to eventually fill it. Always ironic when Cowpaw was the silence on a cool night-time adventure.

He doesn't question when Shattervenom lowers herself with an apologetic gaze but there is a period of silence. Only briefly before she speaks, asking her question. Now, that .. that question is followed by a long period of silence. Worry flashing through Cowpaw's gaze, his large build stiffening - stunned.

He was too aware of how there were particular situations that despite being dire, Cowpaw would be unable to help. Never for lack of trying, but he couldn't quite ever seem to get a proper source of knowledge which has left him lack luster. Poison is one of these situations. He sucks in a breath, shaking his head in confirmation. If purposed with a situation where a clanmate was poisoned, if was lethal, they would fall to their death and Cowpaw would be helpless.

He doesn't give a proper reply until Shattervenom finishes, providing additional information which - oh, he did wish she had led with that. It wasn't good by any means but golly! Cowpaw was convinced someone had indeed been poison! He reels over how to display what he means before starting.

"I will be .. honest with you.. No. In the case something does happen.. currently in this moment.. I would truly be at a loss.. My best guess... is we would need to try and get the poisoned victim to .. vomit what they had ate... before it can cause true effects but.. it is only a guess - and time limits do occur..." Cowpaw explains slowly, using his large paws to explain.

"Thank you... for bringing this up with me... truly.. I was unaware.. this was something that could.. very well happen.. no matter how small the chance... I will see to ask Snakeheart or.. someone, at least, .. on what to do.. Perhaps there is a herb.. to absorb the toxins.." He could only wish. He hopes his answer appeases Shattervenom but, she did imply she had more questions. Cowpaw awaits patiently.

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@Rabbiteye @Breezestarfire
Oh. That - that was quite a lot of blood. Maybe, maybe it looks worse than it seems but... Cowpaw is stricken with shock before he jumps into action properly. What in the Starclan could have happened? He couldn't understand why an apprentice was this injured badly, was it.. oh gosh, was it foxes? There was a strong smell of infection - even by the sight one could tell with the inflammation.

It wasn't long before Cowpaw returned with a bundle of herbs, approaching Scalepaw with a worried caution. He tilts his head to the side, offering a smile to him - he did appear to be frightened, Cowpaw couldn't blame him. However, the backleg worried him the most.

He offered a poppy seed to Scalepaw before leaning in closer. He grabbed the marigold and chewed it into a pulp, placing the poultice onto his paw. Never the nice taste, never. Cowpaw lathered Scalepaw's infected wounds along with his backleg. He wrapped the infected wounds in cobwebs but paused when it came to Scalepaw's leg.

A worried noise and Cowpaw pulled back, disappearing into his storage once more. He came with a large pile of, stuff. Mainly moss and things that could make a small pile. He set the items down before wrapping Scalepaw's leg in cobwebs. A little extra just in case. He pushed the pile closer to Scalepaw - more importantly near his hurt leg. "Can.. you please... put your leg on top of this? ..I believe.. it would.. be best to have it stretched properly... " Cowpaw shakily signs, standing up.

He turns to Rabbiteye, taking a steadying breath. "Do.. you mind explaining what... happened..? Please..?" He gestures.

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@Shade.
Your friend walks into your den crying and the punchline is...! Wait, your friend walks into your den crying? Cowpaw taps his paws on the ground when Turtlepaw approaches, no gestures that could be made into a proper meaning - only the display of concern.

The medicine cat's taps only increased in pace because he promptly darted in to grab his dearest cobwebs and marigold at the sight of blood. It seemed nothing to be serious but, but! How? Why? Cowpaw makes a worried hmrgh, making his way back to his friend. Who did not seem to be very here in this moment. Another louder hmrgh escapes from Cowpaw, his tail flickering back and forth.

"I'm going ..to treat your wounds.." He warns with a few fast-paced gestures. Cowpaw was unsure if his warning was needed but stars, it was never good to suddenly touch someone if they are a bit.. hm.

Luckily, it doesn't take long for Cowpaw to chew the marigold up - cover Turtlepaw's wounds in it and then cover said wounds with cobwebs. His tail curls around himself, "What.. happened..? If you wish to talk..? We - we can hold it off for .. later, or, just.. when you are comfortable.."

[MockingRabbit]

@x gostie - @Breezestarfire
Rabbiteye dipped his head. "I- I went to visit the Star Cave and- and he followed me. I had no idea he was there. He fell onto a thunderpath and was hit by a monster. I dragged him back on a twoleg pelt."

[Shade.]

Originally Posted by xath

|| Shattervenom | @Shade. ||

Turtlepaw's excitement was downright adorable. Shattervenom found herself quietly observing the boy as he bounced back and forth from flower to flower, most of the blooms bobbing far above his head. It amazed the tall warrior that the apprentice had fallen behind on his training... the art of hunting usually came first--much earlier than battle moves or the nuances of inter-clan diplomacy. Stonefire acted as Turtlepaw's mentor, right? Had something happened to him?

"Normally, we start by assessing your hunting crouch," Shattervenom answered; warmth bloomed in her tone at the eagerness Turtlepaw displayed--she just wanted to ruffle the fur on his little head. "However, since we're also trying to accomplish a goal for Fallownose within a time limit, I think we need to accelerate your skills. I'm going to try and examine your crouch and your stalk in one exercise... sound good?"

Grey eyes watched Turtlepaw's face to note his reaction. If they had all the time in the world, she'd certainly spend it going over each specific point of Turtle's technique: from the set of his frame when he crouched to the way he distributed weight on his paws while actively stalking his prey. Unfortunately this was going to be a bit of a hunting speed run--and Shatter hoped she helped more than she hurt.

Long legs carried her over a small rise in the topography, wind brushing against her mottled fur. Ahead, a fallen log lay across the earth like a bridge to nowhere; time and many small insect mouths had eaten away at its core, leaving it mostly hollow... a tunnel just wide enough for an apprentice to creep through, if he made himself small. Shattervenom thumped the outer bark with a firm paw--creating an empty thunk where she struck. "I can't fit in here--but you can. I want you to crawl through the log as carefully as you can. You'll have to fold yourself down to pass through, but if you hold your body correctly, you shouldn't get any debris on your back or belly." She trotted toward the opposite end of the log, sitting down and wrapping her tail delicately around her paws. "I'll inspect you when you crawl out to see if you got any dirt on your fur. Once you're able to exit without a speck on your pelt, we'll move onto pouncing."

Once more, the warrior awaited any of Turtlepaw's questions with a tolerant expression and listening ears. Then she parted her lips to add another layer to the challenge. "While you crawl through the log, I'll be listening to you move... and you'll feel me strike the outside if I catch any sounds. That means being careful and light on those feet. Any questions?"

Shatter knew that the boy had no issues with traversing the tunnels, and so did not anticipate any problems with the current exercise. In fact, the warrior rather looked forward to seeing how Turtlepaw tackled the challenge...

Turtlepaw was currently nose-deep in a fragrant patch of flowers when Shattervenom began speaking. He lifted his head and his ears shot up attentively. He didn't understand much of what was said but Turtlepaw loved helping out and bringing back food was useful. He nodded cheerfully, curious to see what he had to do.

Okay, now Turtlepaw was a little worried. Shattervenom was so nice to him and he didn't want to disappoint her but that exercise seemed kind of scary and hard. He remembered how disappointed his littermate had been when Turtlepaw couldn't fight back the way he was supposed to. (Turtlepaw was just really afraid of hurting someone) His mother encouraged him to be himself but all her compliments only made him feel even more like he was going to disappoint her. Did that even matter now, when both of them were missing?

"Um, okay! I'm going to do my betht. But, um, I'm thorry if it turnth out I'm bad at thith." he replied apologetically and turned towards the log. The fluffy apprentice spread his paws out and wobbled in a bit awkwardly. It was dark in here. Turtlepaw liked running and was good with big, sweeping motions but the confining space of the log he felt rather clumsy. Nevertheless, he straightened out his tail and di his best to creep carefully.

[Orion]

|| Shattervenom | @Shade. ||

Anxiety thinned Turtlepaw's tone and tightened his expression in a way that made Shattervenom's chest squeeze. She hadn't intended to alarm the boy; this exercise was meant to be as fun and novel as it was efficient, giving something for Turtle to accomplish beyond hey, just show me a crouch. Her brow pinched slightly, the best Shatter could do at displaying dismay. Careful not to loom over the lad, she leaned in slightly to try and comfort him before taking her position. "Hey. Even if you don't get it the first time, it's okay. It's just practice. Practice is for mistakes."

The warrior stated this last part firmly, her jaw set and her stony eyes serious. If Turtlepaw had a habit of putting himself down or fearing failure, she'd do her best to crush that impulse the way someone might go after a stubborn weed. "Think of the tunnels... this log is basically a long, straight tunnel. There's are a few holes along its length if you need to squeeze out for any reason, okay? Look for the spots of light." An understated smile paired with an encouraging tone. Shattervenom hoped Turtlepaw wouldn't be scared of disappointing her--or scared of the challenge in general. "If you hear me tap the log because I heard you, just keep going while trying to stifle the sound you make. And if you have questions or need to pause, call out."

Drawing back, the warrior stood alongside the log--exuding nothing but support for the apprentice currently in her care. She'd have to be extra gentle with this gentle boy... hopefully he would find a spark of confidence as they worked together and bloom from there.

[Shade.]

@x ghostie

Turtlepaw's vision focused on Cowpaw, stomping anxiously in front of him. For a moment, he thought he was still alone, still outside of himself when he saw the eyes, until he remembered they had the same eyes. He let Cowpaw dress his wounds, untightening his muscles slightly as the marigold soothed his wounds. His mind was clearing up now, and having someone to focus on was helping him not freak out. Eventually, the young tom is all patched up. He sighs, careful not to disrupt the cobwebs.
"Um, I, uh, it's fine. I'm fine. Well, um...I'm sorry if I worried you. I just...I ran out to look for my mom and my brother and...it was probably a misunderstanding. Maybe...maybe I startled someone and they...well...perhaps I was on someone's territory and they decided I meant them harm." he explained, muffled by the cobwebs on his muzzle. That's what happened, right?

[Shade.]

@xath

Turtlepaw was happy to hear Shattervenom's reassuring words. They reminded him of his mom, a little bit. He hoped she wouldn't disappear...like his mom did. Speakin-er, thinking of which, he needed to find her. And Raypaw. They were both gone but surely they couldn't be that far? Maybe they just got caught up in...something.

The floofy apprentice did his best to stay quiet. His spine felt unpleasantly clenched as the attempted not to brush his fur against anything, a very hard task considering Turtlepaw was 90% fur. His paws were spread out weirdly and, to be honest, he felt kind of like a spider. Maybe that'd be his warrior name: Turtlespider!

Now kind of air-headed and distracted, Turtlepaw was less careful.

[Orion]

|| Shattervenom | @Shade. ||

As Turtlepaw folded himself into the log—floofy fur and all—Shattervenom watched with bated breath. She wanted so much for the boy to do well... and even if he didn't, for him to recover quickly and keep trying—not to give up. Her ears pricked and she walked calmly alongside the fallen trunk, listening carefully for the telltale scrape of paws on mulch or the bump of his body swaying into a solid surface...

There. Approximately four of Shatter's tail-lengths into the tunnel. Turtle's imagination or nervousness must've distracted him; Shattervenom had caught a soft thump as his body made contact with the log's interior. The warrior gave the outer wood a firm but non-violent tap with her paw and raised her voice to be heard clearly: tone professional but not harsh. "Stay focused in there. Pay attention to what your whiskers are telling you... if they're brushing against something, you are too. Nice and centered."

The white-splashed warrior continued to walk alongside the dead tree, head held near the bark to better pick up any of Turtle's motions. He was doing better than his anxiety might lead him to believe; the plushness of his fur would help lend something of a cushion while traversing the landscape—an advantage that he could learn to harness. Shattervenom only had to tap the log twice more to alert her charge to his (very minor) mistakes until she reached the log's opposite end. Here she waited for him with a relaxed posture and praise ready on her tongue. Not many cats would've been as receptive to Turtlepaw regarding such unorthodox training!

[Shade.]

@xath

Eek! Turtlepaw was startled out of his thoughts by the tap and the voice of Shattervenom. he let out a squeak and jumped up, bonking his head on the log. Not enough to hurt though.

"Uh, will keep that in mint. Th-thorry." he replied and tried his best to focus. Whiskers twitching slightly, the fluffy apprentice crept further towards the end of the log, as quietly as he could. Eventually, the light became visible and he quickly slunk out the log.

"Wath that okay?" he asked.

[OceanBlueBoi]

Originally Posted by Starlily

Emberkit

Emberkit laughed and bounded after Rabbitkit, eager to help him collect the flowers. She opened her mouth to enjoy the fragrant smell of them better, watching as a clump of them swayed in the breeze. “Hey! Rabbitkit! I found some really pretty ones!” She called, inspecting the pretty, light blue flowers. She looked up to see Rabbitkit running towards the entrance. “Hey! Wait for me!” She scrabbled her claws against the dirt as she tried to run after him, falling once, but getting back to her feet. She was a bit hesitant as they neared the camp entrance. “Maybe we should go back into camp? We might get in trouble for being so close to the entrance.” She said, a slight tone of hesitance in her voice.

Rabbitkit

Rabbitkit slowed to a trot, eyes fixed on the purple flower while he studied its appearance. It looked very different from the bulbous yellow petals lining the rest of the camp. With his nose pressed to one of the many bell-shaped blossoms along the length of the plant he inhaled deeply. His roundish ears flicked with surprise. The flowers weren't nearly as enticing as the rest of the plants in camp, but beneath their woodsy scent he eventually found a subtle hint of that familiar sweet.

He glanced back at Emberkit as she grew nearer and beamed.

"Look at this one!"

Rabbitkit began knawing on the stock of the plant, eventually freeing it from its from place. Holding it between his teeth he stuck it out for his new friend to smell.

Once he had realized what she had said he took a heartbeat to take in his surroundings. He had been too focused on starting his own pretty things collection that he hadn't realized how close they had come to the camp entrance. He'd never seen the camp from here.

A small sense of forbodding crept into Rabbitkit's stomach at the she kit's words. He watched quietly as if waiting for confirmation that this place was really as dangerous as cats made it out to be. He'd heard stories of a cat attacked by a fox beyond the walls of their camp. If it were close enough to be concerned wouldn't the warriors be taking care of it by now?

Rabbitkit was relieved at the thought. He took a tentative step forward towards the entrance to camp. He could makeout swaths of purples, blues and pinks lining the inside of the tunnel and leading out into the moor beyond. Rabbitkit began to wonder what other pretty things he could find beyond the safety of their sandy hollow.

"If there were any dangers the warriors would take care of it!" Rabbitkit mewed confidently, partly trying to convince himself. "Imagine what kinds of pretty things exist outside of the camp! Things we could never even imagine!"

//if you don't mind I'm gonna tag rabbit's mom just so she/he knows what's going on if she/he wants to interact!

@Slushh | Sunflight

[Cove]

Originally Posted by OceanBlueBoi

Rabbitkit

Rabbitkit slowed to a trot, eyes fixed on the purple flower while he studied its appearance. It looked very different from the bulbous yellow petals lining the rest of the camp. With his nose pressed to one of the many bell-shaped blossoms along the length of the plant he inhaled deeply. His roundish ears flicked with surprise. The flowers weren't nearly as enticing as the rest of the plants in camp, but beneath their woodsy scent he eventually found a subtle hint of that familiar sweet.

He glanced back at Emberkit as she grew nearer and beamed.

"Look at this one!"

Rabbitkit began knawing on the stock of the plant, eventually freeing it from its from place. Holding it between his teeth he stuck it out for his new friend to smell.

Once he had realized what she had said he took a heartbeat to take in his surroundings. He had been too focused on starting his own pretty things collection that he hadn't realized how close they had come to the camp entrance. He'd never seen the camp from here.

A small sense of forbodding crept into Rabbitkit's stomach at the she kit's words. He watched quietly as if waiting for confirmation that this place was really as dangerous as cats made it out to be. He'd heard stories of a cat attacked by a fox beyond the walls of their camp. If it were close enough to be concerned wouldn't the warriors be taking care of it by now?

Rabbitkit was relieved at the thought. He took a tentative step forward towards the entrance to camp. He could makeout swaths of purples, blues and pinks lining the inside of the tunnel and leading out into the moor beyond. Rabbitkit began to wonder what other pretty things he could find beyond the safety of their sandy hollow.

"If there were any dangers the warriors would take care of it!" Rabbitkit mewed confidently, partly trying to convince himself. "Imagine what kinds of pretty things exist outside of the camp! Things we could never even imagine!"

//if you don't mind I'm gonna tag rabbit's mom just so she/he knows what's going on if she/he wants to interact!

@Slushh | Sunflight

Sunflight closed her eyes, her ears pricked as she supervised her kit- rabbitkit. She had been taking care of him for a few moons now and she found him very enjoyable.

She was just about to doze off until she opened her eyes.
Her heart stopped.
Rabbitkit and emberkit was not there.
She stood up, scanning around the camp frantically. Her breath shallowed. Where could Rabbitkit be?!

She suddenly found him near the camp entrance. She exhaled. He was safe.
Or was he?
She knew he shouldn’t be in the tunnel so she should act fast before he went out.

“Rabbitkit!” she yowled.”you come here right now!”