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Post by ρυяє on Jul 19, 2011 11:13:56 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader moved to the spot he was signaled to, moving slowly inside the cramped quarters so as not to hurt his paw any further. He smiled slightly to himself as he saw Flameheart bustle through her things. He knew he couldn't fool the medicine cat, she had been there when he had been named leader, and she had tended to him more than once. No, Flameheart was one of the few cats that knew him best.
And, weren't medicine cat's able to tell how many lives their leader had? Brackenstar sighed, yeah, they surely could. He turned his head to look at the cat that had accompanied him since this morning, and saw the anguish in her visage. His eyes softened as he took in her distress. "Icepetal, you should get your wounds treated, too.." He said softly in his raspy voice.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 19, 2011 16:01:37 GMT -5
Icepetal shook her head.
"All I have are some bumps and bruises and a few small cuts," she meowed, "You're more important." She nodded, as if trying to reinforce her words. It was true that she wasn't quite as badly injured as Brackenstar, even if her shoulder pained her a bit and the fox had cut a long scratch in her flank. All Icepetal cared about was Brackenstar at the moment, so those wounds seemed trivial at best.
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Post by flameh on Jul 21, 2011 12:28:15 GMT -5
Flameheart padded back over to the two cats in her den, her jaw full of herbs. She carefully placed the herbs on the ground. She looked over Brackenstar, searching for any other major wounds, but noticed only some scratches. She looked down at the paw with bloody cobewbs sticking to it. She didn't want to take them off but knew she had to. "This is going to hurt" she warned before gripping the cobwebs in her teeth and pulling.
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Post by ρυяє on Jul 21, 2011 12:48:51 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
Brackenstar hissed as Flameheart pulled the cobwebs off his paw, but he didn't move. The pain was nothing compared to what he had suffered before, but the jolt of his injured paw sent pain shooting up his limb.
He searched for something to occupy his mind with as the medicine cat tended to his paw, and his amber eyes came to rest on the other she-cat. "Very well, Iceptal." He mewed, keeping his paw still as Flameheart did her business. "But you're next, so don't go too far."
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 21, 2011 18:49:05 GMT -5
Icepetal met her leader's gaze, her eyes shining.
"Don't worry," she mewed softly, "I'm not going anywhere." She watched him closely, wondering if he was in pain. Her pretty amber eyes hid some secret expression, masked mostly by her serene face. The she-cat's long tail flicked languidly by her side as she waited for Flameheart to finish treating Brackenstar.
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Post by flameh on Jul 24, 2011 19:22:52 GMT -5
Flameheart spit out the dirty cobwebs and looked up for a moment. She caught the glances they were sending each other and smiled. She could see the blossoming of love between them. Thoughts of a certain tom invaded her mind, but she forced them out, concentrating on her patient.
She bent down and grabbed some marigold, chewing it into a poultice. She carfully supported the paw with her own before applying the poultice. She then grabbed the cobwebs and carefully wound them around the paw. "There that should be good for today, but I'll need to see you back in the morning" she mewed.
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Post by ρυяє on Jul 24, 2011 19:32:26 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
His gaze shifted from Icepetal back to Flameheart again as he watched her chew marigold and then proceed in smoothing it over his paw and wounding it back in clean cobwebs. This was going to cause some trouble in the days to come. He wouldn't be able to hunt properly or go out in long patrols. What if they were attacked? He'd just have to fight without that one paw, then.
"Thank you, Flameheart." Brackenstar said, nodding his head as he stood up. "I'll make sure to come here again in the morning, then." Moving out of the way, the leader went to stand near the entrance. "Now, Icepetal, you're up. Then we can go have something to eat."
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 24, 2011 21:54:50 GMT -5
Icepetal dipped her head to her leader. Then, with the smallest of sighs, she approached Flameheart and sat down to be assessed. She hoped it wouldn't take long. The thought of sharing a meal with Brackenstar sent her heart fluttering. I wonder if Brambletail is back form patrol...? Icepetal thought nervously. She couldn't imagine what her brother would think of her. She'd never felt very close to her Clanmates, and had never imagined feeling comfortable - let alone pleased - in Brackenstar's company. Things change so quickly. She thought, looking at Brackenstar with a smile on her face.
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Post by flameh on Aug 14, 2011 12:30:50 GMT -5
"And you have to keep off of your paw for a couple days, so no patrols" Flameheart mewed to Brackenstar.
She turned her focus back to Icepetal. She quickly checked over the she-cat and noticed some small scrapes that would heal on their own and a gash along her side, that would need attention.
Flameheart slipped back to her stores to fetch some more marigold and a few more cobwebs. Poppyseeds would be good too she thought to herself as she grabbed the herbs.
She padded back to Icepetal and placed the herbs at her paws. She picked up the marigold and chewed it into a poultice before placing it on the long gash. She then quickly wrapped it in cobwebs. "There that should help, but I want you to come back tomorrow morning as well" she mewed. "And here's some poppy seeds to handle any pain" she added, pushing a small bundle towards Icepetal.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 12:40:23 GMT -5
Icepetal remained still as Flameheart tended to her wound. The poultice stung a little, but Icepetal was used to sharp pricks of pain, so she didn't react. Glancing down at the seeds, Icepetal wondered if it would be a good idea to eat them. Wouldn't they make her sleepy if she ate too many? That's what she'd been told before, by her mother. Using her claw, Icepetal removed two of the seeds and licked them up. That would be all she needed - at least she thought so. Then she nodded at Flameheart and turned to Brackenstar.
"Can we go now?" She asked hopefully.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 13:10:36 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader nodded at Flameheart, keeping her instructions in mind. "I'll have someone else take care of the patrols, then." He mewed, watching tranquilly with clear amber eyes as the medicine cat tended Icepetal.
His tail flicked peacefully behind him, and as she gulped down two poppy seeds, he stood up, balancing his weight on three paws. "Yes, we may go now." Brackenstar answered Icepetal, standing aside so she could go out of the den first.
He turned his head back to his medicine cat, and dipped it in appreciation. "Thank you for your ministrations, Flameheart. I'll have a warrior bring you some fresh fish in a while."
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 13:14:18 GMT -5
Icepetal smiled at Brackenstar. She turned and dipped her head to Flameheart respectfully before padding out into the open clearing. Standing with her head raised, Icepetal looked about her at her Clanmates, the thick brush that surrounded RiverClan's camp, the shimmering pile of fish that lay in the center of the clearing. The she-cat felt an intense satisfaction with her life. Everything was perfect now. She had her family, friends, a Clan to be proud of, and now she had Brackenstar, too. She was convinced that nothing could make her happier. Glancing over at the camp entrance, Icepetal wondered where her brother was. Then she turned her attention back to the medicine den, waiting for Brackenstar to join her.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 13:23:40 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader followed Icepetal out of the den, scrunching his eyes slightly as the sun hit him directly in the face. The camp was bright and active, warriors going in and out of it back from any task they were doing, or just departing to complete one. The nursery was quiet, and the smell of fresh moss and milk wafted to him as a soft breeze washed over the camp. It gave him a deep sense of tranquility, and he knew all was well.
He turned to look at Icepetal, and the mere sight of her made his heart soar a little higher. Dipping his head a bit, he lovingly flicked her ear with his tongue before padding ahead to the fresh-kill pile. The silvery scales of the fish blinking at him from afar and making his stomach clench in hunger. "Let's go get something to eat."
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 13:27:13 GMT -5
Icepetal purred when she felt Brackenstar's caress. His presence was so comforting to her, who had known little true friendship in her life. Looking into his eyes, she had almost forgotten her hunger. But it returned at the mention of food, and her eyes flickered as she smiled and glanced at the fresh-kill pile.
"That sounds like a good idea," she meowed cheerfully. The entire camp seemed tranquil and yet unmistakably alive, a quality that suited Icepetal. She loved the quiet bustle of warriors throughout the clearing, the squealing of kits, the scolding of queens, the squabbling of elders and apprentices. It was home.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 13:41:19 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
~~~~
He dipped his head and bit at the side of a plump Herring, the scent of it filling his senses as he chewed. He was lying down, his meal between his front paws, and his hind legs next to his sides. His tail was still behind him, curling occasionally as he savored the glorious taste of fish.
He was careful not to get the cobwebs dirty. He didn't want Flameheart scolding at him as if he were a kit for getting his bandages ruined when she had just fixed them for him a few minutes ago. He smiled slightly at himself. He still thought like a young warrior, his age becoming apparent for him once again.
Brackenstar hadn't thought about it for moons. Managing a clan kept him busy enough to have his mind deviating into such a topic. Yes, he was young; the youngest of all the other leaders. He hadn't thought about it before, perhaps because he didn't really care, but now he wondered; did the other clan leaders belittled him because of his age? Did his own clan do that? He shook his head. By StarClan he was being ridiculous. He hadn't given them any reason to think that, and he had always let his actions speak for him. He'd been specially careful of that.
The leader dipped his head again and took another bite. This time, the Herring didn't please his senses as much.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 13:49:20 GMT -5
Icepetal pulled a pike from the pile and carried it over to where Brackenstar sat. Curling up to her meal, she took a small bite, keeping the prey in place with her small white paws. Looking around her as she chewed, Icepetal wondered at how she'd become so used to the camp, and to the taste of fish. She'd grown up on mice and squirrel, but had quickly come to like the taste of the river on her tongue. Glancing at the camp entrance again, Icepetal was surprised when she saw Brambletail padding through it with his patrol. They were carrying loads of fish with them, their pelts dripping still. As her brother took a look around, Icepetal glanced down at her paws self-consciously, wondering if he would spot her eating with their leader.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 14:13:33 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
Amber eyes fixated on the returning hunting patrol he had sent out earlier that morning before going out himself, and he dipped his head just slight in greeting, as he had his mouth full.
He could see that Brambletail was among them, but he didn't say anything as he slowly stood up from where he had been resting, his Herring half-eaten. He swallowed what remained in his jaws and looked over what the patrol had brought. "It seems that you have brought enough to feed the whole clan twice today. Well done, you may go eat now." Brackenstar mewed, looking gladly at the very much increased fresh-kill pile. |
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 14:18:45 GMT -5
Brambletail set his catch on the pile. Dipping his head to his Clanmates, he turned to find his sister and was shocked to see her eating next to Brackenstar. He said nothing when Brackenstar got up and commented on their catch, only dipped his head respectively. He picked up a fish from the pile, wondering if Icepetal would want him to sit with her or not. Deciding against it, he made his way over to their usual eating place and sat down alone.
Icepetal watched Brambletail, feeling dismayed. Why couldn't he eat with her, like always? She glanced at Brackenstar and wondered if her brother was angry that she was eating with their leader. Or maybe he's just confused? Icepetal looked back down at her prey and tried to muster up the will to eat, but she didn't feel hungry anymore.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 14:30:40 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader sat back down next to Icepetal after the hunting patrol had disbanded to eat. Turning to look at her, he found her gaze fixed on her brother, and he followed it. He was sitting alone, at the spot where he had seen both of them share a meal more than once.
He turned to look at the she-cat again, and saw her eying her food. He knew that brother and sister were very close, by StarClan, he'd been having to keep an eye on them both when they had arrived. Now he trusted them; perhaps Icepetal more than Brambletail, but he still trusted them.
Brackenstar nudged his mate's delicate white shoulder gently with his nose and signaled toward her brother. "You can go with him. I have a feeling words must be shared between you two." He said softly, looking passively at her.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 14:33:51 GMT -5
Icepetal glanced at Brackenstar, feeling sheepish. Brambletail always said that she was easy to read, and it must be true. Glancing over at her brother, she saw him look away, as if he'd been watching her, too.
"He's just surprised, I'm sure," she meowed. "I can always talk to him later." Looking back at Brackenstar, she smiled. Even if her brother was troubled, she wanted to spend more time with her mate. She would explain it all, but now she just wanted to be with Brackenstar.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 14:42:49 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
Brackenstar turned to look at the warrior again and back at Icepetal, a tinge of worry clouding his amber eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was to come between the two siblings. He knew how hard it was to feel connected to something, and he didn't want her to lose that connection.
He gave a small sigh, and nodded. Still, it was her decision, and he couldn't help but feel a tiny sense of victory that Icepetal had chosen to spend her time with him rather than her brother. Did that make him a terrible leader? At the moment he didn't care, but he still made sure not to display much affection to her when they were in her brother's view. Instead, he dipped his head again and took a bite out of his meal.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 14:46:28 GMT -5
Icepetal looked at Brackenstar and wondered what he was thinking about. There was something about his expression that she couldn't quite recognize. Being a leader, she supposed, meant that a cat had to hide what they thought and felt from their Clanmates. She wished he wouldn't hide things from her, though. Glancing back down at her fish, she took another bite and felt a twinge of happiness, despite the trouble she sensed between herself and her brother. She'd never felt love before, and it was too wonderful to allow her to be gloomy for long.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 14:56:34 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader licked his lips as he finished his Herring, sitting up awkwardly as he balanced himself on his injured paw so he could dig a small hole to bury the remains of his meal. It stung quite a bit, but he wouldn't allow it to remain unburied and then have someone come along and step on it. By StarClan, the queens would have his fur if the kits got injured.
He wobbled a bit, pushing his weight back on his hind paws as he kept parting the earth. Putting down his good paw, Brackenstar let his weight fall on it and he let out a small sigh of relief as he lifted his injured paw. He then dipped his head and picked up the fish's bone by the tail, and let them drop into the small pitch.
He began covering it back up with his tail since he wasn't about to try leaning on his wounded paw again.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 14, 2011 15:00:33 GMT -5
Icepetal glanced over at Brackenstar and saw that he was trying to bury his prey. He was using his tail, since it seemed his paw was giving him trouble. Reaching over, Icepetal pushed the remainder of the dirt onto the fish's remains, patting them gently. She smiled at Brackenstar and then finished off her fish with a few bites. Digging a shallow hole, she shoved the bones inside it, then covered it up. Then, turning to Brackenstar, she smiled again. It seemed to be all she could do - being around Brackenstar just made her want to smile like a moonstruck kitten.
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Post by ρυяє on Aug 14, 2011 20:11:06 GMT -5
[Brackenstar]
The leader noticed a small white paw enter his field of vision as he concentrated on his task. He looked up to see Icepetal finish covering the hole he had made, and smiled thankfully at her. He sat quietly as she dug her on and buried the remains of her pray, her pretty white paws turning a bit brown with the earth.
He noticed her smile at him again, an an answering smile tugged at the corners of his muzzle. Brackenstar ran his bushy tail over her paws, dusting them off a bit. Then he bent his head and began cleaning them himself for her. Ha, the things he did for her...
The leader straightened up, not a shred of dignity lost in what he had just done, as he looked charmingly down at the pretty she-cat. "Care to rest for a while now?" He invited. |
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