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Post by tor on Apr 9, 2024 13:34:34 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/5jdDtKc/hawthorn~jpg In recent moons, since the first time Lotusfire sent an uncomfortable prickle down their spine, Hawthorntail waited until they were sure the medicine cat had left their den before slipping inside to find something for their cracked, dry paws. Today was no different. They watched Lotusfire's bushy tail disappear from camp, choked back any curiosity about where the medicine cat might be going on a snowy day like today, then hurried to grab what they wanted before Lotusfire returned. The medicine cat's den was a barrage of scents against their sensitive nose. Hawthorntail scrunched up their face to brace for the assault, though it did little to help. Late leaf-bare was the easiest time for them, when most of the supplies had gone or were dried up, and still the pungent kick of bright herbs made their eyes water, enough to obscure their vision until they nearly walked right into- "Spottedpaw," they said by way of apology, taking a step back when they realized how close they were standing to the medicine cat apprentice. Once there was more space between them, Hawthorntail found the sense to say, "sorry," matching their words with an apologetic smile. "I should watch where I'm going."Unlike Lotusfire, Spottedpaw was pleasant company in the medicine cat's den. They were sure she'd be pleasant no matter where they bumped into her, it was just far more likely to find her here. "Do you have something for cracked paw pads?" They asked, switching to sign as they turned their attention to the walls of poultices and other supplies. "I'm dry." |
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Post by spotted on Apr 17, 2024 19:29:18 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/mXYtx0r/spottedpawava~png While the calico was a kit of leaf-bare, the bright-hearted molly couldn't help but feel the cold in her bones as snow cloaked the landscape around them. Her winter coat did well to keep in what warmth she could muster, but as Lotusfire finally permitted her to sleep within the medicine den she couldn't help but feel merely… tolerated, not welcome, by her mentor. They had made it clear she had a long time to go when it came to earning her medicine cat name, and she was expecting as much - even as the cats she shared the nursery with were earning their warrior names. A medicine cat apprentice trained far longer than a warrior or even a weaver. But they did permit her the privilege of permanent residence within the Skytree’s embrace. So perhaps that was a start? Still, both healers slept against opposite sides of the den. She missed having the ambient heat of other cats around her when her nest was in the apprentice tree, and even in the colder months she dared not make a proposal to Lotusfire that it might be warmer for them both if their nests were side by side - largely in fear of the medicine cat calling her want for warmth and companionship childish. Ever since sleeping and working in the same space for long hours, she noticed Lotusfire took ample opportunities to leave the den - to get away from her, she thought. Especially when they couldn't send her away on an errand - however necessary or not. This morning was no different. The large gray cat’s looming presence wasn't the only thing that motivated her to rise and busy herself however, and she took a moment to stretch and groom herself before attempting to leave the den and check on the elders in the den nearby. Before she could leave however she caught sight of Hawthorntail, the both of them halting before a collision. “It’s alright,” she tried to reassure the historian with a soft smile and nod as they apologized. Her tail then flicked in thought at the historian’s request. Not at all uncommon in the winter months. “Yes,” she signed back, “How dry? Cracked?” Her mother had taught her some sign as a kit, especially when she began spending more time with the elders. But Brightfeather was far better at it than she was, and with medicine cat training taking up a majority of her time in her apprenticeship, her vocabulary was incredibly basic - but she itched to practice. |
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Post by tor on Apr 22, 2024 17:01:37 GMT -6
#s://i~ibb~co/5jdDtKc/hawthorn~jpg Hawthorntail raised their foot to examine their paw pads when Spottedpaw asked for further clarification. The pink skin was wrinkled and speckled with dry flakes, but not yet cracked. It wouldn't be long, given how often they were out in the cold, and the frequency they dipped their paws in water to clean themself after working on the Stonemark. "Almost cracked," they signed after checking a second paw and finding it much in the same way. "Do you have extra supplies I can take for my apprentices? I'm sure their paws are similar." Maybe they didn't spent quite as much time as Hawthorntail did by the Stonemark, but this was a cold leaf-bare. Colder than the last few, so the Stonemark told them. Out of the corner of their eye, they caught movement near the den's entrance. They stared, willing the disturbance be anyone else besides Lotusfire, then relaxed when they realized it was just a weaver repairing part of the den. "How is your training going?" They asked, signing slowly so Spottedpaw could follow. "Are things going well with Lotusfire? I always thought it must be awkward when the medicine cat apprentice starts to get older." Spottedpaw was nearly too old to be a -paw anymore, though they knew it would be many moons more till she got a medicine cat name. |
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