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Post by ~Blossom~ on Dec 10, 2008 15:14:16 GMT -7
It was dark. The smell of herbs filled a small space. They were easily distinguishable. Juniper, tansy, poppy seed, marigold, and watermint. Each had their own special scent, and all of them combined created a completely unique scent that was absolutely pleasing to the nose. That was the only pleasing thing about the atmosphere.
The air was filled with tension. It flew over everything and left a trail of agitation in it's wake. Fear overpowered the apprehension and left the strong, disgusting smell behind. Anyone within a million fox lengths would be able to detect the overpowering stench.
It was cold. Nothing could change or stop that no matter how one wished. The cold only made it worse. It only increased the fear, the apprehension, the anxiety; the smell of illness.
The ill scent was the only thing that was more detectable than the fear, for sickness was on every corner in the medicine den. With so many cats that housed the disease of greencough, it was hard not to smell the heavy aura of affliction.
The medicine den was filled with many different colored warriors, apprentices, kits, queens, and elders. Even the leader had come down with whitecough. Jasminebreeze wasn't sure if there was a single cat in the Clan that wasn't sick. But no, surely.... surely it was only her imagination when many more cats came flooding into the medicine den. "No!" Yowled the brown and white tabby she-cat. She ran over and started making mossy nests for the afflicted cats. Jasminebreeze wasn't sure how long she would be able to keep this up before she too was infected with the deadly disease.
Jasminebreeze began to cough. No! Not now!She begged StarClan. Not yet! All of FireClan will be wiped out if I become sick. No, StarClan! NO!!! She was screaming in her mind because her throat was so dry she could not utter a word. A weak cry echoed through the den. "Water!" It called. The begging was easily discernable through the small voice. Jasminebreeze struggled to her paws and tottered over to where the voice was coming from.
It was a kit. Small, innocent. A little ginger kit who didn't deserve to die. "No...." Jasminebreeze tried to whisper, but nothing came out. "Water! It asked again. As the sick Jasminebreeze tried to go get the kit some water, she saw its eyes roll back in it's head as the last breath left it's lungs and left it's body limp.
All at once, it was quiet. Not even the sound of breathing floated through the den. Jasminebreeze pricked her ears wearily and tried to listen. When she detected nothing, she strained herself. Forcing her excellent hearing to pick up something.
Nothing. No breathing, or shifting, or crying in need of something. "No." Jasminebreeze tried to whisper again. But once again, she couldn't. She hurried to around, to the other cats, panic lending speed to her limbs. No breath, no heartbeat. All the cats were dead. Jasminebreeze began coughing again. And again. And again. She couldn't stop. Her legs grew weak and she collapsed. Her breathing grew heavy, and then stopped. Jasminebreeze slowly faded away......
The FireClan medicine cat jerked awake. What a nightmare. She was shaking. It was the middle of the night. Not quite moonset, but there were still many hours before morning. Knowing she wouldn't be able to return to sleep, Jasminebreeze trotted out of the medicine den and sat down in the middle of the clearing, trying to convince herself it was only a dream.....
Muse: It's okay
Word count: 589
Character: Jasminebreeze; FireClan medicine cat
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Dec 10, 2008 21:23:46 GMT -7
Gingerpaw
The cold breeze flitted through the camp, tickling Gingerpaw's belly fur and tugging at her whiskers. The breeze wafted the scent of mouse into her nostrils, and she tried again not to gulp down the morsel she held in her jaws. This is for Jasminebreeze. she reminded herself sternly. With renewed intensity she marched herself over to the medicine den, stumbling a little in the dark. This mouse she held was a kind of peace offering. She knew she had made Jasminebreeze angry today when she refused to help with the herb store, and she new she shouldn't have shouted at her so much. Icestar had already berated the young apprentice for such kit-like behavior and had sentenced her to a moon of cleaning out the elder's den. Maybe this would soften Jasminebreeze and Icestar up a bit.
Gingerpaw halted slowly outside the den, listening to hear if she was awake. She sure hoped she wasn't. Her plan was just to lay the mouse at the mouth of the den, then go off to sleep again. A groan flickered through her as she heard stirring and muffled whispers. She must be awake. She thought gloomily. She stepped cautiously into the den, "Jasminbreeze?" she breathed around the mouse she was carrying.
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Post by ~Blossom~ on Dec 11, 2008 14:52:37 GMT -7
A small ripple of fear shimmied down Jasminebreeze's spine as she once again recalled the dream. The fear and hopelessness she had felt as, all at once, her Clanmates died around her. StarClan take care of us. She thought desperately.
The familiar voice of one irritating apprentice wafted through the medicine clearing. "Jasminebreeze?" It asked quietly. The medicine cat's ears pricked up and twitched. She jumped to her paws as quickly as gravity would allow and started frantically sorting herbs while trying to keep the fur on her neck flat. She couldn't let the young apprentice see how much her nightmare had startled her. She couldn't let the ginger she-cat realize how panicky her medicine cat was.
Jasminebreeze cleared her throat, hoping to keep out all traces of anxiety. "Come in, Gingerpaw." She called, hoping not to sound too shaken. The FireClan meddie cat continued to sort herbs, Marigold in this pile... Oh, and the watermint goes here... The smell of the herbs brought back memories of her nightmare but she had to force herself not to vomit. In order to keep her tranquil image, she would need to continue her duties like nothing was wrong. Juniper goes over here and the poppy head belongs here...... Tansy, tansy? There were no golden flowers or yellow-green leaves where they usually belonged. Is the tansy gone already? Jasminebreeze knew that tansy was good for healing wounds and they had none. What if a fight were to arise. It was leaf bare and they couldn't risk it.
Suddenly, Jasminebreeze remembered her guest. She could hear the faint breathing of the apprentice so Jasminebreeze knew she had not gone away. "Are you coming in, Gingerpaw?"
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Dec 12, 2008 18:26:31 GMT -7
Gingerpaw hesitated at the door. Something was wrong. She couldn't put her paw on it, but Jasminebreeze seemed flustered. It was apparent she was trying to hide it, so Gingerpaw shook the thoughts away and proceeded into the den. *ahem* She cleared her throat, plopping the limp mouse down at her paws. "Um," she started, embarrassment flooding her as she attempted to swallow her pride. You can do this. Just say you're sorry, give her the mouse, and then go back to the den. She thought. An inward conflict then ensued. Pride was a big issue for Gingerpaw. She was a very proud cat, hating to admit she's wrong in any situation. Usually, because she thought things through and was a very intelligent young cat [though a little wayward], she usually was right. Arguments were a favorite of hers, and she was good with them. But when she had been IN the wrong[no arguments involved, just her being stubborn], there was no win or lose, just the steps to admitting you're wrong. She sighed, "um, here." she managed, averting her bright green eyes from the medicine cat.
Gingerpaw looked around the den a little, still avoiding eye contact with Jasminebreeze. The scents and sounds and sights of the medicine den brought back difficult memories for Gingerpaw. This was where her brother, Flamepaw, had died. He had been infected with greencough late last leaf-bare, and had been confined in this small, musty den for over a moon. He had shown signs of recovery, and was even able to go out on a hunting trip. But then, it happened. When he had come back from his first hunting mission after being quarantined, he collapsed in a heap of ragged coughs which only lasted a minute or so. To Gingerpaw, it seemed like a decade. Finally, his pale ginger coat lay still, and her brother would never hunt again. Gingerpaw knew Jasminebreeze felt awful, and she also knew that she, Gingerpaw, didn't make it easy on Jasminebreeze. Gingerpaw found a certain resentment towards the medicine cat for StarClan knows why, and always found it difficult not to argue with her, or point out when she made a mistake. She couldn't help herself.
Gingerpaw finally met Jasminebreeze's eye. "I uh, caught this for you. I, um, hope you like it." she said lamely.
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Post by ~Blossom~ on Dec 16, 2008 15:11:58 GMT -7
Jasminebreeze waited for her guest to enter, secretly hoping she would go away so that the medicine cat would be able to worry over her dream and/or what it meant. But no, Jasminebreeze heard Gingerpaw clear her throat. So, being a good host, Jasminebreeze spun around.
I knew I smelled mouse! The small red apprentice held the lifeless grayish-brown body delciately between her sharp teeth. The tempting scent filled the medicine den, overpowering the scents of herbs and chasing away memories from the medicine cat's dream. Before she knew it, Jasminebreeze heard her stomach growl. The apprentice dropped the mouse at her paws and, averting her eyes, said, "um, here."
Greatfullness washed through Jasminebreeze. The prey was for her. The tempting aroma of the unusually plump mouse for leaf-bare danced in her nose and made her mouth water.
Gingerpaw looked up and their eyes met. "I uh, caught this for you. I um, hope you like it." Her tone revealed embarrassment, and Jasminebreeze thought back to their quarral earlier that day. A peace offering! Wow, that phrase even sounded corny in her head, but, that's what it was.
"Thank you." Sighed Jasminebreeze as she bent down to pick it up. She sat it in front of her and took the first juicy bite. It sang with all the flavor of the forest and the white and brown she-cat felt as though she had never eaten a better mouse.
She stepped back after the first bite and surveyed the apprentice. Gingerpaw was not slim, she was skinny. It was to be expected, after all, it was leaf-bare, but Jasminebreeze could do something about it. And she was obliged if not grateful to do so.
"Your turning into a fine hunter, Gingerpaw." She said kindly. "This is the juicest mouse I've seen in a long while, it was very nice of you to bring it to me." She paused a moment, wondering how the proud apprentice would take to her offer, but said anyway, "Would you like a bite?"
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Dec 28, 2008 14:09:23 GMT -7
Gignerpaw scuffed her paws. "Um, th- th-thanks." She mewed, embarrassed. Her whole life she had fought and pushed to be accepted. This was the first real compliment any older cat had given her, and she couldn't even say thank you without stammering. She really felt like an idiot now. Just get out of here before something else happens! she told herself sternly. But somethign was holding her back. She wasn't quite sure what, but something was bothering her medicine cat. She couldn't be sure, but she thought that Jasminebreeze might need someone to talk to. It felt absurd and very out of character, but Gingerpaw dared to ask, "Um, Jasminebreeze? Is there something wrong? Anything you need to talk about? I noticed you seemed a little out of sorts when I came in."
[sorry for such a short post, but I have lots of stuff to do since I was gone for so long. I feel so so bad:( ]
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Post by ~Blossom~ on Dec 31, 2008 6:58:32 GMT -7
Gingerpaw looked embarrassed. She scuffed her paws against the floor of the medicine den. Jasminebreeze stayed calm--well, as calm as possible. So when Gingerpaw asked if there was something wrong, it shocked the brown and white tabby greatly.
"Oh, um.... just a nightmare." Jasminebreeze answered, it was her turn to be embarrassed now. "Nothing to worry about, regular medicine cat fears; her entire Clan dying around her, you know. Nothing she could do about it." The words poured out of her mouth before she could stop them. Like crimson blood from a deep wound, they spilled from her muzzle without hesitation. Why did I do that?
The FireClan medicine cat was disappointed with her self-control. What's wrong with you? Medicine cats get omens and prophocy's. Gingerpaw is going to think that StarClan is condemning us all to death!
"But, of course, it's just a nightmare." Jasminebreeze finished.
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Dec 31, 2008 10:15:46 GMT -7
Gingerpaw was curious, as she usually was. "What exactly happened?" She mewed. Curiosity was the dominant emotion in Gingerpaw's mind, not even a trace of fear lacing her thoughts. "Maybe it was a sign for something we should look out for or be prepared for." she mused. She hadn't meant to say it out loud, but again her mouth was running away from her head. She shouldn't be giving a medicine cat advice! She was an apprentice! And a bad one at that. One that always seemed to stick her nose into trouble and never had the greatest attitude about punishments or authority. Gingerpaw clamped her jaws shut, embarrassment spilling over her again. "Oops, sorry." she mumbled, not sure if it was loud enough for her medicine cat to hear.
The morning light was just beginning to peek over the horizon, bathing the camp in a soft, pastel glow. The warms beams of light touched the cold, hard ground, glistening off of the drifts of snow that had fallen during the night. Gingerpaw purred slightly as the warm sun tickled her fur, making her pelt glow like fire. The heat was enough to calm her, and ease a bit of the tension that had been hovering in the air around Jasminebreeze and herself.
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Post by ~Blossom~ on Dec 31, 2008 12:21:52 GMT -7
Jasminebreeze chuckled. In spite of the large scare she had, she couldn't help admiring the bold apprentice for her curiosity and outspokeness. "Well," Jasminebreeze said, finally beggining to calm, "more and more cats filtered into my den, then they all died of something I could not cure, then I died, and then I woke up." She said. The white and brown tabby could hardly believe she was revealing her dream to an apprentice, but, she had, and Gingerpaw could help.
"I don't think we have anything to worry about, I don't think it was a message from StarClan or anything. But just in case, why don't you come and help me replenish my herb store. Or do you have some training to do today?" Jasminebreeze hoped that the ginger apprentice could help. It would be nice to have some extra paws every once in a while.
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Jan 8, 2009 19:44:56 GMT -7
Gingerpaw's eyes grew wide. "That sounds pretty serious." she mewed. A cold breeze buffeted her fur, and she fluffed up her scruff for extra warmth. Despite her efforts, she still shivered with cold. "I'd love to help you. It looks like we won't have a lot of time to gather the herbs before the frost kills them all." She said matter-of-factly. Her thoughts flashed to all the other clans, namely WaterClan where her sister, Goldpaw, resided. Alarm and worry crossed her features for a minute when she thought about it. I wonder if we can drop by there on our way. See if she's doing alright. She thought wearily. "I haven't been assigned a mentor yet since Brambletail died. So I have tons of time to spare." she said thoughtfully.
Gingerpaw remembered something Hawkear had said today. Something about DarkClan. She just couldn't quite remember exactly what it was. . . . .
"Oh!" She suddenly exclaimed. "Do you think we could stop by the DarkClan border possibly?" she suggested. "I heard Hawkear mention something about their territory being absolutely covered in snow. I may not be a medicine cat but I know that snow probably isn't a a good environment for herbs to grow so. . . " She trailed off, leaving the decision up to Jasminebreeze.
[Its probably best if we do something with WaterClan and DarkClan, seeing as you are already in the other thread. Maybe if they head over to WaterClan and suggest that Featherwhisker go see to DarkClan? just a few suggestions]
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Post by ~Blossom~ on Jan 12, 2009 15:06:34 GMT -7
Wow! Gingerpaw had a ton of ideas. Stopping by DarkClan border was just one. Soon, everyone's territory will be covered with snow, we better get going right away.
"Well," Jasminebreeze began. "I think it's best if we start in our territory. I think we'll need to tell Icestar if we're going to the other territories as well. First, we can check by the stream, there should be some watermint growing there and not far away is a huge clump of catmint, which we'll need before it begins to snow. And," Jasminebreeze hurried to check her herb store, "tansy, juniperberry, coltsfoot or horsetail, and poppyseeds. We should be able to find all that not far from the stream. Come on!"
Motioning with her tail, Jasminebreeze indicated that Gingerpaw should follow her. They stepped out into the clearing where the sun was showing on the horizon. A few other cats were out, but Jasminebreeze and her apprentice-helper were on a mission, so she didn't stop to chat.
She led the way straight over to her leader's den. "Icestar?" she called. "Are you awake?"
[Yea, that makes since. We should head over to WaterClan, pick up Featherwhisker, and check on DarkClan cause I know they're not doing too well. Anyway, sorry for the sucky post, I don't have much muse today. I spent it all up writing a story earlier.]
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Jan 22, 2009 19:32:30 GMT -7
Gingerpaw listened intently to the medicine cat. Her thoughts roamed to WaterClan, where her sister, Goldpaw would be. Maybe she would see her? Probably not. But she could always hope right? Gingerpaw shook herself and heaved to her paws. "Alright I'm coming." She said rather grumpily. She darted out the den and followed Jasminebreeze to Icestar's den. Gignerpaw knew Icestar was still angry with her, so she hung back. "Um, is it ok if I just, well, wait out here?" she said, agitated. She plopped herself down on the hard, caked earth, looking around her at the camp.
---------------
.Icestar.
Icestar was curled tightly into a thick, white mass of fur, her nose snuggled deep within her tail. Her pink ears twitched as she heard voices outside. Her eyes flew open as she recognized the voice of Jasminebreeze, her medicine cat. She sighed deeply, wishing she could get more sleep. But she knew it must be important, so she slowly rose to her paws. Now that her nose was free, she could detect two scents: Jasminebreeze and Gingerpaw. Icestar groaned inwardly. She really hoped Gingerpaw hadn't done something else to upset the FireClan medicine cat. Icestar's mismatched eyes scanned the entrance to her den. "Come in Jasminebreeze." she said, a bit of impatience tinging her voice. "What did Gingerpaw get herself into this time?" she whispered to herself. What am I going to do with that apprentice?
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Post by ~Blossom~ on Jan 23, 2009 15:27:53 GMT -7
Gingerpaw wanted to wait outside. Probably nervous because of what happened earlier. When Gingerpaw had refused to help with the herb store earlier, things had gone a little a stray. Out of control and things like that. Poor Gingerpaw had to clean out the elders den for a whole moon.
Icestar called her in, blaming Gingerpaw for something she didn't do. "Gingerpaw didn't do anything." Jasminebreeze said, walking in. Icestar looked sleepy. "Sorry if I disturbed you, but Gingerpaw and I are wanting to go herb hunting, we are afraid that the other territories will be covered in snow so we were hoping to take herbs to the other Clans as well." Jasminebreeze finished, taking short breaths because she had finished in a rush. Out of breath, she waited for her answer.
{Ooc. Sorry, no muse today.}
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Post by .x.Icestar.x.Winterleaf.x. on Jan 24, 2009 10:32:42 GMT -7
Icetsra's mismatched eyes blinked in surprise. "Oh, sorry. I just assumed that she might have. . . nevermind." Icestar tried to focus her thoughts. So, Gingerpaw was trying to help? Well, this sounded good. Maybe all those moons of punishment had paid off after all. "Well, that sounds like a fine idea. Why don't you start with WaterClan?" She brought her voice to a low whisper. "Gingerpaw might appreciate it." Icestar wondered how much of Gingerpaw's secret should be revealed to the new medicine cat. Before Jasminebreeze, Goldentail had been medicine cat. Goldentail knew everything about young Gingerpaw, Flamepaw, Silverpw, and Goldpaw. The prophecy that had entwined them all inot the dark hatred of Deathstar's heart. But now he was gone, and Icestar was sure he hadn't told his apprentice of the Dark Times. "You'd better hurry, Icestar warned, feeling the harsh, cold breeze filtering through the entrance of her den.
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