mystic moonshine [medicine gathering]

[LYRIC ']

The sky was clear, a sunset filled with orange, blue, gold and red splashed across the sky. The half moon was already visible, and StarClan was calling their medicine cats to them.

instructions }}
Medicine cats must post first. If you play a medicine apprentice, you may post right after your mentor posts. This will last for two days, until the gathering begins. If this meeting ends before then, so be it.

[Soul]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,346,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Firethornmain.png] Running. Faster, faster! The wind running through his fur a joyfilled dream it was not. A nightmare had consumed the orange tom again. His brother. A beast. Chasing Firethorn. Chasing himm off a cliff, or into a corner where he'd be burtially mauled by the massive jaw of the monster. He could, almost, never escape it. The impending doom brought upon him by his murderous brother. Constantly living in the shadow of IT. It. The dream trailed off. Firethorn's eyes opened with a jolt. Nothing had required his attention today so he spent the day being lazy. The herbs where already in a neat order and everything had been cleaned out. His blue eyes scanned the empty den. It was getting darker outside and then it dawned on him. He needed to go to the moonpool! Alarm shot through his head. How could he let that slip his mind! He mustered the strength to lift his already sore boy from the dry ground. The orange tom hurried out of the medicine den. He needed to leave! Where could his apprentice be though. He needed to come along! Firethorn sighed, he walked to the camp enterance and waitednfornhis apprentice to spot him.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[---e v e n i n g]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,328,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Aspenpawmain.png] post--others--thinking--speaking Aspenpaw grumbled, his tail twitching back and forth with quick and sudden movement as he pawed the herbs at his feet. So this is..? he wracked his brain trying to remember, It's..it's..oh come on, I know this! It looks like a fern...but what looks like a fern that isn't a fern?! He sighed, Keh! I ju- I just don't, his paw uncovered something underneath the fuzzy fern-like object. Brushing away the dirt, a tiny speckle of white flowers peaked out at him, reaching for the morning sun. Chervil, he growled, and then tossed it to the side. He didn't get it --why did he have to become the medicine cat apprentice? Why couldn't have some more capable, no, not more capable, more willing cat have been chosen? Why him? Why? Did StarClan want to break his will, from the moment he was born, he had felt the leader's blood in him, the cunning ability to lead a clan, not be stuck giving pointless advise! It was so unfair. He slammed his paw into the ground, barely making a dent. I could've been a great warrior, we need more warriors, not a stupid medicine cat! he hissed. I'm not blind, I'm not disabled am I? I am perfectly capable of doing normal training . . . so why? He sighed, he knew the answer to that --because he was the chosen one for StarClan, he was to be the 'next amazing medicine cat' Keh! A medicine cat couldn't fight battles when he wanted to could he? It was all useless junk. Aspenpaw scowled into the darkness of the den, his eyes shaded. But fine, if being a medicine cat is what I need to be, so be it, but I won't give up on hunting and training like a real warrior --you just watch, StarClan, I will become a warrior --a warrior and a medicine cat! I know I can do both. A new fire flared in his eyes. Yes, why couldn't he do both? He should be skilled like a regular apprentice, like he had thought before, he wasn't really disabled in anyway, all he needed was willpower, right? He sheathed and unsheathed his claws erratically, shredding what left he had of the herbs below his paws. Cursing himself, he looked toward the chervil that he had dirtied earlier --it was no longer good. His paws moved heavily out into the outdoors, the sun meeting his eyes like a dagger. Gee, he really hadn't been outside of the den in a while. Squinting, Aspenpaw cast his glance, around the clearing. Warriors and apprentices that were still left in camp hustled about to do their duties, even the elders were out chatting comfortably in the sun. The sun. Its golden rays showered him with despair and courage. He would try, he would fight, medicine cat or not. It wouldn't be his fault right if he broke the 'medicine cat code' he was the one who was forced to be a medicine cat! He stomped over the fresh kill pile, still in a winder. Calming himself a bit, he chose a nice fat rabbit and started gnawing on its leg. After finishing the meal, he straightened out his fur and whiskers, trying to look a bit less crazy, and was about to stroll back into the medicine cat den when he remember the ruined herbs. "Oh, Foxdung, Firethorn is going to kill me!" Wheeling around, he quickly made up his mind to go out looking for some herbs --maybe he would make it in time before he woke up. Tough luck he muttered to himself. His paws moved quickly as he led himself out of camp, bumping rudely into a pretty calico, apparently on her way out herself. Embarrassed, he dropped his head and shoved forward, ignoring the glare that she cast him as he trekked out of camp once again. It was late, and he quickly led himself to where he had left the herbs. After a quick look, he decided that there were no more ready enough to pick. He narrowed his eyes and shoved his way back to camp, angered by the fact that he had made this trip for nothing. He had spent all day gathering zero herbs! Urg. Pitiful. As he padded to the camp entrance, he noticed a flame-coloured tom padding back and forth, looking nervous. Sighing, he padded up to his mentor. Hi, Firethorn, I'm late, I know --no herbs or anything. Stupid herbs aren't growing. Do we need to go out again? I was out all day!

[/justify][/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[kay]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,322,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Finchclawmain-1.png] The sun was still high in the sky, showing no signs of giving way to the rulers of the night. Finchclaw padded into camp, his satchel lying across his shoulder and rubbing against his ginger fur with each step he took. His gaze flicked about camp, watching some of his Clanmates eat, play, or just chat, too hot to do anything in the heat of the green- leaf afternoon. Not only was the flaming ball good for making warriors loiter about camp, it was also good for something else; drying herbs. The medicine cat continued toward his den, not breaking his long, rather unhurried strides. He had the whole day to complete his task, he was in no hurry at all. Reaching the den, the rather small tom slipped into the hole with ease, something a full-grown warrior or any of his siblings wouldn't be able to do so easily. That's a thing about being this small I guess.. Finchclaw grinned as his eartips brushed against the cool earth that surrounded the tunnel. The earthy tunnel widened, both in height and in width. The ginger tom made for the puddle of water right behind the cave, thirstily lapping at the cool liquid as soon as his muzzle brushed against it. Having finished drinking and feeling refreshed, Finchclaw gently lowered the satchel before slipping out of the vine strap. The tom flexed his shoulders, glad that the weight had gone from them. 'Till the next herb hunting session. The flame pelted medicine cat told his shoulders with another of his maniacal grins. "Who ever talks to themself or their shoulders?" the tom asked with a perplexed frown, a grin spreading across his handsome features as the words left his maw. "Apparently, I do." he chuckled, setting to work to roll the herbs together to make his carrying it easier. When he was done, the medicine cat skillfully bundled a bundle of herbs underneath his chin, pinning it to his chest securely before taking another bundle in his jaws. He then made his way back up the tunnel into fresh air. Once outside, he began to draw leaf by leaf and place then into orderly lines for drying. After the tom had finished, he dealt with a cough and aching bones (an elder obviously). He then began taking the herbs in, the sun had finally given way to darkness. Today being the day of the Medicine Cat Gathering, hence Finchclaw's impatience for night to come, the GoldenClan medicine cat began to wash himself as he waited for his cream and brown apprentice. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - tagged; all the meddies notes; pretty short, done from an iPod so I'm sorry.. muse; 7/10 word count; four two six words

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[rhapsie]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,332,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Pebblepawmain.png] It wasn't that she was shirking her duties by taking a walk outside camp. In fact, she was doing just the opposite, she was showing great potential as a medicine cat by accompanying several other apprentices to keep an eye on them. They were a rambunctious lot, and when they asked Pebblepaw if she wanted to come on a walk with them, she felt that she should tag along with them not only for the company, but also out of a strange sense of duty. If they got hurt, after all, they'd need someone who knew what they were doing. So with her little satchel slung over her shoulder, filled with only the most important herbs that she would need in an emergency, she'd padded off out of camp with the other apprentices. It was frowned upon for apprentices to leave camp without warriors with them, to keep an eye on them, but a couple of apprentices in the group were on the verge of turning thirteen moons, and therefore were almost warriors. With that in mind, she didn't feel like she was going against her 'goody two shoes' image that she wanted to uphold, because that's really the kind of she-cat she was. Polite, mild mannered and generally good-hearted. That's why she showed such interest in becoming a medicine cat at an early age, because she'd wanted to cure cats rather than wound them, which is what she inevitably would have to do if she became a warrior like her peers. When the group returned an hour or two later, with a spring in their step and smiles on their faces, it was as if they hadn't even been missed. Although to be honest, it was so warm the warriors seemed to be in a dozy trance-like state, therefore they would hardly be able to notice anything. Pebblepaw herself felt rather sleepy, so she excused herself and left the other apprentices to play amongst themselves or simply rest after their 'expedition' and instead of going to the medicine cat den, where she knew Finchclaw would be - she could hear the coughs of an elderly cat, so he was probably seeing a patient - she didn't want to get underpaw whilst he was busy, so instead she went to the warrior den to see her parents, and spend some time with them. It turns out that Newtpaw had had the same idea in mind, because he was already in the den with them, and the family had a little catch up session, Newtpaw bragging about all the things he was learning from his mentor and Pebblepaw trying - and succeeding - to outdo him with her own knowledge by spouting the names and uses of all the herbs she had gathered over her time as an apprentice under Finchclaw, and all the things that he had taught her. Nothing like a bit of healthy sibling rivalry, as it was all in good jest after all. By the time she looked over her shoulder at the camp, it was getting dark, and as she poked out of the den, she saw Finchclaw make his way to the entrance of camp. And that's when she remembered what was so important about today. The medicine cat gathering! Of course! After a chaste, but loving goodbye to her family, she hurried over to her mentor and almost barreled into him in all her excitement. "Hey Finchclaw! Are you ready? Can we go now? Pleaaaase? I'm really excited, this will be my first meeting EVER! Let's go let's go let's go!" It was odd for the rather reserved young apprentice to show such excitement and enthusiasm, but if there was one cat she could loosen up around, it was her mentor. Words, 623. Tagged, Finchclaw. Notes, Yay, let's get this thread moving! (:

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[Soul]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,346,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Firethornmain.png] Firethorn waited at the enterance for Aspenpaw to show up. His tail twitched with annoyance. Where could he be! His mind flooded with memories of his dreams at the moonpool. Many of them unpleasent, due to leaf-bare, but some came out good. No cat knows the dreams he's had. He always stuck to the code: no cat should speak of their dreams. It may be an odd rule, but he listened anyways. This was all he had left anyways. His job. His position in the clan. He had an apprentice who wanted to be a warrior, no friends really, and he scared most kits anyways so any future friend he may have gotten are nowgoing to avoid him. His social awkwardness bothered him at times. No one seemed to even try to reach out either. He'd just be in his orange pelt of a shell. Nothing any cat could ever do would make him come out, and this all happened because of HIM. The though of 'him' made Firethorn's fur almost stand on end. He shivered. How could someone think he could do the same things as that monster. The Cat that lurked in his nightmares. Stealing his sleep bit by bit. His bones ached and his pelt felt like just falling off his body. Leaving him bare and exposed. His mind wandered from nightmare to nightmare. Filling his head with a tragic scene over and over. Each time two younger warriors died at the Blood drenched claws or jaws of him. IT. Firethorn's blue gaze burned into the side of camp. His body motionless as the nightmare became day dreams. Images of a beast, bursting into camp to tear two innocent warriors to pieces. His shook the thoughts from his head and refocused his gaze on where his apprentice could be. As Aspenpaw finally showed up, he started talking about herbs. "Herbs? No time to be looking for those today. We need to leave. Tonight we meet at the moonpool."

[/b] The orange tom turned to leave motioning for his apprentice to follow along.
[/center]
[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[---e v e n i n g]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,328,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Aspenpawmain.png] post--others--thinking--speaking Aspenpaw stood in the center of camp, his eyes full of wonder. His eyes darted around, resting on each cat individually. His fur prickled wit excitement, yet deep regret. StarClan, why can't I be a warrior? he thought to himself, Why must I become a medicine cat with all of its yucky and unpleasant smelling herbs? With that thought, his paws felt heavy, and his whiskers drooped down, and then twitched up again as he remembered where he was. Herbs? No time to be looking for those today. We need to leave. Tonight we meet at the moonpool. A new fire shown in his eyes as swallowed down the fear, regret, excitement, and nervous tensions. Alright fine, whatever Firethorn, he grumbled. He raised his head to meet Firethorn's. He blinked, slowly, and one paw reached out to step toward the fiery tom. He hated it, Firethorn knew he did; but you couldn't change the word of StarClan, especially not something as important as this. Paws full of led, but head high and strong, he let his paws lead him toward his mentor. It was time for the infamous Medicine Cat Gathering.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[`Fahrenheit]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,343,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/2Brindlefootmain-2.png] Brindlefoot's head jerked up. Her paws stopped cold on the herb stacks, and she felt her heart lurch in fear and reproach. Whipping her body around to face the exit to the medicine cat's den, her amber eyes soaked in the orange and red light that filtered into her den. The rise of dusk was upon BrookClan — upon everyone, really — and casted the den's gut in shadows. The medicine cat had been inside sorting through herbs, very much without the muse to do anything too productive but knowing she had to do something, but she'd lost track of time. Hurriedly pushing the herb stacks back into their respective places (and not at all minding to do it neatly and efficiently), Brindlefoot began looking around her for her apprentice. She dug up her fragile memory for shards — for splinters — of recollection that detailed where Mintpaw may have gone. She couldn't remember having ever sent her out. Clenching her jaw, Brindlefoot stared out into the flame-colored light breaking through the den's entrance. A moment of contemplative silence... the tortoiseshell she-cat launched out of the den and burst into the camp, the sights of her comrades meeting her eyes and only assisting to make her more dismayed. But, taking her tail and kinking it, she composed herself as best she could. And that consisted of sauntering rather jauntily toward the center of the hollow. She looked around. No little apprentice. Frowning, she had the mind to raid all of the dens and interrogate the warriors for her charge's whereabouts. Then wasn't the time to be missing, really, and if Mintpaw didn't show her little hindquarters soon the two of them would be in big trouble. Looking up toward the sky, she spotted a very pale but very prominent half moon. It made her jump a bit, her muzzle contorted into a grimace and her fur on end. The horizon was steadily losing its golden lining, the gradient changing from crimson to a dusty blue-purple. It was getting later and later. In fact, as Brindlefoot pricked her ears, she could hear the cicadas beginning their nighttime rhapsody of buzzing and whirring. That was basically the last straw for the medicine cat. She and Mintpaw had to be getting their little selves up to the Moonpool soon or else they would miss their monthly meeting with StarClan, and goodness knows how prissy the ancestors get when they're late. Looking toward the exit of the camp, Brindlefoot felt compelled to barrel out with a sharp call for her apprentice and leave it at that, but she knew she couldn't pull a stunt like that with her particular student. So, she had to make a huge fit. It was really the only option. "Mintpaw! Where in StarClan's name are you? Do you have any idea what time it is?" Brindlefoot was so loud that she figured she was getting a lot of stares and skittish jumpers, but she didn't bother to gauge her clanmates' reactions. She needed her apprentice now. "Mintpaw! I swear on my whiskers and BrookClan itself that if you don't come out now I'll tell everyone about that time when you sniffed a herb too hard and got it shoved up your nostril, however possible that is. I swear, Mintpaw, I'll do it!" Mintpaw had never done such a thing so far as Brindlefoot could remember, but hey, whatever tactics worked. "Mintpaw!" She was being so animated and was just so flustered that she was bouncing when she spoke. "Mintpaw! StarClan forsake it, Mintpaw! Mintpaw, Mintpaw, Mintpaw, Mintpaw, Mintpaw!"

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]

[LYRIC ']

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,357,true]

[atrb=background,http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm141/Spottedbelly/Mintpawmain.png] "There, that should make you feel better," Mintpaw mewed rather sweetly as she finished up treating the elders for their aching joints. Brindlefoot hadn't sent her in there, but at the time her mentor was sorting herbs and Mintpaw really hadn't had anything else to do. 'Good riddance. I don't know how much longer I could've lasted!' came the raspy voice of an elder she-cat, silver-and-black in color, and that looked like she could pass on to StarClan any night now. "Well, if you need anything else, feel free to send an apprentice after me," Mintpaw mewed sweetly again. She didn't talk much, but whenever she did it was always polite and considerate words. Her ears flattened when she began hearing a ruckus from the camp, a voice unmistakably belonging to her mentor Brindlefoot. Her eyes were drawn to the den entrance, where she immediately noticed the orange and yellow sky lingering above. How in StarClan's name did she not notice how late it was becoming? Brindlefoot will have my tail for not coming to get her... was her thoughts upon scurrying out of the elder's den, the warm red light penetrating her pure white pelt and probably blinding anyone that happened to look at her. Mintpaw scurried over to her dark tortoiseshell mentor, who was rather frantic at the time, low to the ground as if to seem submissive and apologetic which she was. "I am so sorry Brindlefoot. I should've come to get you," she mewed quietly before standing up straight to face her mentor. "It'll be dark soon... Shall we get a move on it to the meeting?" she meowed, yet as calm as only Mintpaw could be under such heavy pressure to be somewhere in time. WORD COUNT: 288 COMMENTS: Shortness. :I MUSE: Bad.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table]