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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 17, 2011 11:21:20 GMT -5
The swampy earth squelched beneath the tom's paws with every step, but he barely noticed. Getting his fur wet was the least of the cat's concerns, and he figured he would have to be mousebrained to expect much else. Living in RiverClan never allowed for complaints. Cats woke up with damp fur, spent the day wading in streams and walking in bogs, and went to sleep wet. It was the way of the Clan, and Ottertail hardly considered it in any way arduous. He liked the cool feeling of water seeping in between his toes, even if he disliked mud getting caught up in his fur.
"What's that scent in the air?"[/i] Ottertail turned slightly when he noticed the smell, his imagination conjuring up the image of one of his friends, Bluebell. Her keen azure eyes sparkled as she gazed out over the lake, searching.
"It smells sort of like fox, I think. But different." Ottertail mused, trying to think of what that difference was.
"A fox is a fox, no matter what other stink clings to it. You should report this to Brackenstar." Tangledpath glanced at him from the corner of his eye, his expression dubious. Ottertail looked at his friend and frowned.
"But how can I tell Brackenstar that I scented a fox when I can't be sure it really is one?"
"Hmm... Well, I don't see what else it can be."[/i] Tanglepath meowed with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Maybe this has to do with the sickness?"[/i] Bluebell exclaimed suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Ottertail asked, turning to the she-cat. When it was bright out, her white pelt always seemed to sparkle as if stars were embedded in the very roots of her fur. She tipped her head to him.
"Cats are getting sick, right? Maybe that fox is sick, too? Or maybe that's the source of the sickness?"
"Hmm... Maybe you're right. I guess I should report to Brackenstar..." Ottertail stared out across the lake for a heartbeat longer. He had wanted to just go on a hunting patrol to escape being assigned to a group. But he supposed he'd have to go back now.
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Post by flameh on Jul 17, 2011 11:27:40 GMT -5
A ginger tabby she-cat padded through the muddy territory. She hated the days after rain, the mud in her paws made it hard to do much. She knew she'd be in her den, picking mud out of her paws for a long time when she got back to camp.
Flameheart was about to head back, empty pawed, but she caught the scent of a clanmate. She caught sight of Ottertail and headed towards him. "Hello Ottertail" she mewed, a smile on her maw.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 17, 2011 11:31:24 GMT -5
Ottertail flinched when he heard the sound of a real voice - not the voice of one of his friends. They seemed to fade from his sight when Flameheart called out to him, and he tried not to feel grieved at their passing. He turned, noticing the medicine cat carrying herbs. She must have been stocking up. He realized.
"Hi, Flameheart," he said. "How has the herb hunting been?" He asked, motioning with a flick of his tail towards the plants she held in her mouth.
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Post by flameh on Jul 17, 2011 12:12:07 GMT -5
"Not so great" Flameheart replied. "With all the rain lately, the mud has swallowed up most of the plants" she said. "It's not good, I need more herbs to treat the sickness going through camp" she added. She thought of all the cats that have been coming to her den lately, all suffering from some mysterious illness, she didn't know how to treat.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 17, 2011 12:14:12 GMT -5
Ottertail inclined his head slightly.
"Maybe you should tell her about the fox." Bluebell suggested. He considered for a moment and then nodded to his left.
"There seems to be a fox-scent up that way, but it smells sort of funny. I think maybe we aren't the only creatures being affected by this sickness." He meowed. He wondered where herbs could grow around these parts. Did all of them get swallowed up by mud?
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Post by flameh on Jul 17, 2011 23:13:47 GMT -5
Flameheart listened as Ottertail spoke. She turned to face that way, getting a whiff of the scent he was talking about. "It smells like the sick cats" she mewed. "Maybe its spread the disease around the territory" she added.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 17, 2011 23:33:29 GMT -5
"Maybe." Ottertail agreed solemnly. He glanced about him, still wondering about the herbs.
"What sort of herbs are you looking for?" He asked finally, glancing back at Flameheart with an expression of earnestness on his face. He wanted to be of some use, even though he often felt as though it would never do any good.
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Post by flameh on Jul 17, 2011 23:45:29 GMT -5
Flameheart smiled at Ottertails earnest expression. "I need marigold, poppy seeds, juniper berries and tansey" she mewed. It was all the basic herbs that could help with pain and stomach sickness.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 17, 2011 23:50:00 GMT -5
Ottertail tried to remember what those herbs were like. I wish I paid more attention when I got that shoulder wound on that patrol last moon... He thought with an inward sigh.
"Try the hill over there," Bluebell prompted suddenly. He looked up and saw her sparkling form as she gestured to a slope near the distant border of the territory, "There should be some marigold, at least, if not juniper as well."[/i]
"Why don't we try up there? Maybe it's not so wet." He suggested, motioning to the place that Bluebell had pointed out.
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Post by flameh on Jul 18, 2011 0:14:20 GMT -5
Flameheart noticed where Ottertail was gesturing and smiled. "Thats a great idea" she mewed. She hadn't thought of checking the slope, she had given up already, since almost the whole territory was swamped in mud.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 18, 2011 0:18:31 GMT -5
"Well, I can come and help you carry any herbs you find if you like." He offered, wondering if Flameheart would care if he tagged along. Most of his Clanmates disliked being around him, since he was so socially awkward, but Ottertail really just wanted to have a friend. Maybe Flameheart won't think I'm a failure, since she doesn't really judge by the same standards as everyone else? He thought.
"Hmph, it's a waste of time running after plants if you ask me."[/i] Tanglepath muttered.
"That shows what you know."[/i] Bluebell said smugly.
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Post by flameh on Jul 18, 2011 0:24:04 GMT -5
"That would be wonderful" she mewed. She was glad that Ottertail offered to join her, she really enjoyed his company. She smiled at him before heading towards the slope in search of herbs.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 18, 2011 0:26:56 GMT -5
Ottertail smiled hesitantly back and followed her up the slope. The trees started to grow there, and he could see a lot of plants near the bases of the trunks.
"How did you know about this place?" He asked Bluebell under his breath, so that Flameheart wouldn't hear.
"I used to spend a lot of time here,"[/i] she replied cheerfully. Tanglepath snorted.
"Right."[/b] Bluebell gave him a look and then shook her head, padding forward to walk alongside Flameheart, almost as if she were leading the three other cats.
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 21:58:21 GMT -5
Flameheart noticed the plants growing at the base of the trees and smiled. "This is perfect" she mewed. She moved towards the yellow flowered plant known as marigold and began picking them carefully. She was glad that Ottertail suggested the area, it had a lot of useful herbs in it.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 22:08:08 GMT -5
Ottertail glanced at Flameheart and smiled. He was glad that the place had plenty of the herbs she had wanted. Glancing at Bluebell, he smiled at her and nodded gratefully. Bluebell's eyes shone.
"I miss walking these old paths," she meowed suddenly with a soft sigh. "Don't you, Tangledpath?"[/b]
"Hardly,"[/i] the tom replied. "I prefer the river myself."[/i]
"Do you want me to carry anything?" Ottertail asked. He wondered why Bluebell and Tangledpath weren't disappearing. They usually did around his Clanmates. Maybe they like Flameheart...? She thought. I can't blame them.
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 22:18:07 GMT -5
"That would be great" Flameheart responded. "But could you help me gather some more herbs first?" she asked. She knew she needed to at least gather the juniper berries and poppy seeds that were growing. Sadly, there didn't seem to be any tansy in sight, but she still had some left at the den.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 22:22:24 GMT -5
Ottertail nodded. He looked around, wondering where he could find juniper berries.
"This way."[/i] Bluebell called, padding into the bushes. Without a word, Ottertail walked after her. She led him into a dense bit of growth. Brambles tugged at his pelt, but he continued. He emerged into a tiny clearing, where there was a small bush. Bluebell stood beside it, her sparkling eyes looking at him happily.
"Thanks, Bluebell!" Ottertail said, stooping and bitting off a whole branch of berries. He crawled back to where he'd left Flameheart, carrying the berries with him.
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 22:26:15 GMT -5
Flameheart smiled as she watched him pad off in search of juniper berries. She turned back to the task at hand and started harvesting some poppy seeds. She was thankful for the company that Ottertail provided, but her feelings for the tom were starting to go beyond friendship.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 22:32:46 GMT -5
Ottertail watched as Flameheart gathered some berries. She really was beautiful. The way her soft fur seemed to shine in the light, the kind expression on her face that was there even when she was alone. Ottertail felt his heartbeat stutter in his chest. What am I thinking?! She's a medicine cat for StarClan's sake! Ottertail scolded himself.
"I think she's pretty."[/i] Bluebell said, padding up to his shoulder.
"I think you're a mousebrain, Bluebell."[/i] Tangledpath growled. Ottertail sighed. This was a first. He'd never wished to be away from his friends before.
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 22:49:29 GMT -5
Flameheart was finally content with the amount of herbs she collected. There would be enough to last until the mud dried up, and hopefully some plants would still be growing. She turned to face Ottertail, and was momentarily overwhelmed by his handsomeness. "Thanks again for all your help" she mewed, with a bright smile on her maw.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 22:51:59 GMT -5
Ottertail looked over at Flameheart, almost surprised that she spoke. He registered her words after a moment and then smiled.
"Oh, no problem." He meowed. "Anytime."
"Stop flirting and pick up the stupid leaves."[/i] Tangledpath snarled.
"You two really would make a cute couple."[/i]
"Stop encouraging him, Bluebell!"
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 22:58:46 GMT -5
Flameheart wondered what went on in Ottertail's mind, he seemed to get lost in it a lot. She just shrugged it off and bent down to grab the bundle of poppy seeds. "Ready?" she mumbled through the leaves in her jaw.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 23:02:48 GMT -5
Ottertail smiled and nodded. He scooped up the rest of the leaves in his teeth, careful not to bite down too hard. They tasted foul in his mouth, and he couldn't wait to be rid of them.
"After you." He said clumsily, his voice muffled by his bundle of herbs.
"Home again home again..."[/i] Tangledpath meowed sarcastically.
"Stop being such a sourpuss. Live a little, Tangledpath."[/i] Bluebell mewed cheerfully. Tangledpath snorted.
"That's a rather dubious statement coming from you, Bluebell."[/i] Ottertail watched as a sad expression crossed over Bluebell's face. He wished he could ask her what she was thinking about, but with Flameheart that close he couldn't. Maybe later. He thought, turning his attention back to the only real cat around him.
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 23:20:21 GMT -5
Flameheart smiled awkwardly around the leaves. She turned and padded carefully down the slope. She groaned inwardly when she felt her paws meet the mud again. She slowly made her way back towards camp.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 23:37:22 GMT -5
Ottertail hardly noticed the mud. He was too busy watching Flameheart, studying the way her fur moved as she walked, the way her tail twitched back and forth in irritation. Everything she did seemed so special and significant.
"You should ask her to share a meal with you when you get back to camp."[/i] Bluebell suggested, lengthening her stride so that she walked side by side with Ottertail. Tangledpath remained behind them. Ottertail heard his friend sniff at the she-cat's comment.
"I thought I told you not to encourage him."[/i] Bluebell tipped her head to the side slightly and smiled.
"I would have thought you'd encourage him, Tangledpath."[/i] Ottertail noticed the two cats share a long look.
"And you of all cats should know why I can't."[/i] The tom replied finally. Ottertail frowned, wondering how figments of his imagination could have secrets that he didn't know or couldn't even begin to imagine.
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