Decayingbelladonna's Replies

The rich, honey-shaded land, once basking in the glory of enhancing light and the swirling sparkle that followed was now snuffed out and removed from golden orbs as the moon crept up from its rest, curling its nasty claws against the sun and swiping it from view. Young ferals and old alike had conversated under the warmth of the summer's eye, now wiped away with little more remaining besides ghostly scent and lulling snores that bounced from the stone edges of camp, echoing deep into dens hollowed out much deeper than that of her own.

The lovely maiden was curled dreamily in her warm nest, her gorgeous head lay flat against the rim while cats filled in the nests around her, taking up what space she had and confining her into a tight, curled ball, her thin tail draped only lightly over her elongated muzzle, her eyes only fluttering open to peer at the moon, its chilly breath lapping her cheeks from where she lay, her nest one closest to the entrance where she'd catch light rays in her pelt when she awoke, giving her head a paler color than the entire rest of her pelt.

Yet, her immaculate pelt stayed striking, her pristine rosetted pattern crisp in the veiled shadows of the den, the swirling stripes on her face only enhanging the sight of her large, pale golden orbs, the rims of which seemed graced with warmth, the depths of which sparkling with stars shaded of sunlight. Her peaceful expression soothing to any who passed, her sleek, glossy, velvety pelt draped beautifully over her frame, each rounded muscle outlined beneath her pelt and rippling as she moved, her breath giving way the softest swelling in her chest. Her hazel pelt, mixed with shades of pale fronds and dappled with coal, now twitched as a thick masculine peeled his way in, the aroma that came off his pelt causing Acacialight's eyes to widen open. She furrowed her brow as the brown tabby slumped down not even a whisker away from her muzzle, the extent of his weight sounded when his body forced a loud thud from the Earth as he flopped down half-hazardly, his paws lazy and filthy as he stretched along the length of her nest.

Granted, the tom hadn't touched her, but the intensity she felt from his minor misstep was a lapping flame awakening in her flaring chest.

She shot up right immediately, her gaze growing frozen solid as she glared at him harshly, her lip upturning into a snarl.

"Don't you realize you've clearly blocked my view, mouse-dung for brains?" She lashed out a paw to stab into his gut in an attempt to be granted his attention. Though when he did not budge, Acacialight only snorted in displeasure as she stepped out past him, her long legs creating equally long, graceful strides. She flicked his nose with her tail tip as she left, the fur along her spine twitching irritably. She could imagine already what he'd have said to her had he not instantly passed out, something about how patrols would need to be built come dawn and she'd be the first choice if she decided to stay up all night day dreaming, though she shrugged the thought away. Whatever, you're not the boss of me anyway.

The nimble feline crept along the outskirts of camp, her jaws parting to pick up flowing scents from her clan mates, or any Tourists she could swipe back into their den, though the clearing was empty besides Shallowshrine, an older Tunneler who was drowsily sitting outside his den, his eyes foggy from sleep.

Warmth still seeped from his pelt- she could feel it from where she stood. Reckon Carrionsaunter finally came to bed. I ponder what it may be like to share a den with that insensitive mouse-kit. She flicked an ear, her throat rumbling alongside an echoing purr as it erupted from her chest. She loathed Carrionsaunter nearly as much as the rest of her clanmates did, though of course, her opinion would hold more weight than any's cats on the subject matter, whether she was forced to work alongside him or not. Shuffling her paws towards the fresh kill pile, she pulled a thick vole away between sharp claws, before swiping it back under once the cold stiffness of the body reached her pads. Irritably, she flung a paw upwards, loosely gripping the bramble sheet she pulled it upwards, and with another paw she patted each pelt, searching for the warmest, juiciest prey she could get her paws on. She eagerly sniffed, her eyes only daring to break focus to glance back at Shallowshrine, who not only looked as if he didn't notice her, but also the dreamy, distant look in his eyes spoke volumes. If any cat is awake to stop me, I dare them. I know Shallowshrine is cool, he sneaks prey constantly when no cat is looking. She risked a glance at his sides, swollen as if ill, flooded with nothing but the feast they'd been more than accustomed to. It may be against the code to take prey when you haven't hunted while we're starving, she reasoned. But during the Festival? I doubt they'll miss a thing.

She hooked her claws into the first hint of warmth she'd felt. Near the center of the pile, where most pelts collected and held the heat more evidently, lay a young black hare and a plump mouse, likely caught somewhat earlier in the day due to the onslaught of rigormortis in g the joints. She pulled them out carefully, gentle not to break off a leg or lose some fur, before she carefully tucked them against her belly between her flanks, her tail curling around them as if it made a large difference in hiding them.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladona's eyes peaked opened at the sudden sounds of leaves crunching outside. Though she couldn't smell who it was, she could hear the distant, soft breaths that emitted from the cat. She lifted up to her paws, shaking her head to loosen leaves that had mixed with her thin, shaky fur. The molly took careful, quietly making her way out into the clearer part of the camp. Not far, she spotted a beautiful she-cat, masked by the cover of the cold night. Careful to approach, the molly made her way forward. Her paw-pads barely crested the tip of a dirt lump when she was able to see who was out so late. The molly's tail swung low as she approached with a now, curious yet exhausted expression.

"Acacialight?" The molly meowed softly, "what brings you out at the moon's peak?"

*Acacialight:*

The vibrant pelted maiden, shadows cloaking various of her posture, grew stiff at the sound of approaching pawsteps, her ears swivelling around to meet with the source of the sound, the echoing voice one that was not a comfort, nor a displeasure. She blinked wearily, retreating back slightly as her paw tucked back into it's original position, her whiskers quivering. She blinked her eyes to focus, her sun-glazed orbs baking a sort of warm warning to the molly, before she recognized exactly which pelt was mewling at her.

It was a pretty cat- though of course, no cat could be as breathtaking as her- with thin fur and a soft round head. The feathered tufts of fur that sprung out from her grey pelt turned nearly black in the shade of midnight, her dark stripes causing her pelt to be barely visible to the Bengal. She snorted indiginantly, her throat throbbing as she searched for words. Decayingbelladonna, that was her name. It took the molly several heartbeats to recall. Her bright, vibrant blue eyes glistening in the moonlight, the petals that laced into her fur showering her wake, light petals rested upon the ground that spoke a seamless tale. Her gaze sliced upwards, her brow raising. "And a lovely moon-high it is, thanks." She snorted, her voice laced with her bitter tone. Her tongue felt huge in her mouth after she spoke, as if the fair maiden somehow hadn't said enough. Her cruel tongue-lashing was a common complaint among her clanmates. She however, knew her position better than to lash out at the medicine cats, the few cats that were given her leniency at the end of the long summer day. She blinked subtly, her lashes fluttering as they caught steady light. "I'm just out here checking the pile. Plenty of hunting to be done." She lied, her tone silky as her words flowed from her parted spotted maw, her nostrils flaring in a sniff. *Every cat knows I don't hunt, mouseheart.* She grunted inwardly, yet she figured Decayingbelladonna didn't keep such a catalogue of her clanmates. *At least, not like I do.* She was always aware of which cats came of use to her, and she was fully capable of tricking just about any cat she really set her mind to doing so.

*Sure, it makes me stand out as the perfect example of a clan cat. Not everyone can be me, so they avoid me. As they should.* She wasn't entirely able to convince herself of that, however. Not her immense skill, but rather the reason why cats may avoid her. She always planned living in a clan- after hearing stories as a young kit- where she had the whole clan on her side, every cat was her friend. Though as she aged, she came to realize more and more how few cats really wanted to look after her like a kit. *I deserve the best of treatment.* She reasoned, her brow knot strengthening. *It's not my fault my clanmates dont want to deliver. I don't need them anyway. It would be better having a den entirely to myself, anyway.*

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly took notice of the she-cats odd postures, though it was harder to see, the Bengal stood out amongst the black of the starless night above. So it was, truly, easier to tell unlike her pelt. Though silky smooth, it lay dark and blended with the overarching fracture of the night.

"You seem rather hasty or uneasy, why so, dear dame?"

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight's solid gaze grew cool as the molly tipped her head in question, her words flowing sweetly from her maw in a way that caused her tendons to relax. She felt suddenly at ease, her maw twitching to blurt everything out in that moment, though she tossed her head away and forced herself to bare down into the ground, the fur along her spine tingling. "Uneasy? No, I'm perfectly fine." She meowed through muffled fur, her chest flaring as frosty air consumed her lungs, threatening to chill her to the bone with its sharp, stinging embrace. Her whiskers fizzled as a feeling of defeat washed over her, her tail curling in a curt shape over the back of her spine as she attempted to search for the explanation many moors ahead of her. *I'm just looking...* She'd naively thought *that* excuse had been enough.

She cleared her throat, her soft pale paw butting against her chest as she rose it to swipe the fur along her face sheepishly. "I was... err.. I had a long day, is all." She blinked unceremoniously at the smaller tabby, her pale face illuminated by glittery moondust, her muzzle kissed with stars where her whiskers met her face, flowing out of her muzzle in long, beautiful curls. Her soft expression was unlike that of her other clanmates, her sweet features complimenting fuzzy frame and detailed with stripes as if her pelt had been sewn by Starclan itself. The bright blue embrace of her wave-like gaze sent ripples of suspense down her back, her paws shredding the dirt as she gripped for the solid Earth beneath her. "What are you still doing up?" She meowed after a brief heartbeat of silence, her gaze fixated on the molly ahead. If she could figure out the root cause, she could bat it out so the pretty medicine cat could rest easy, and she could return back to stuffing her maw.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly's tail tapped the dirt softly as she thought for a while. She wanted to say more, but every word she though of choked in her throat. Swallowing down and swelling it. She was speechless. The dark night already made the molly tired, it was hard to even stay awake because of the constant terrors she had before. She thought, sighing.

"Your beauty in the moonlight woke me, very noble of you to make sure everything is well."

*Acacialight:*

The pale Bengal hardened her gaze, before feeling all the pent up tension ease upon hearing the next words to escape her maw. Blinking rapidly, the molly felt lost for words for the first time since she'd been placed in the clan. Some molly, not just any molly but a *medicine cat* molly thought she was beautiful. She knew she was, of course, and she was more than accustomed to being complimented, but hearing those words from *her* maw, her chest ebbed at the compliment, aching to yowl out something sweet in return, though the maiden's inflated ego seemed to be the only aspect holding her back.

She stared down at her paws guiltily, her belly churning with busy bees as she wracked her mind for the words she was desperately looking for. *So are you.* She wanted to breathe, but she swallowed it back. The sleepy look in the molly's eyes caused a warm hesitance in the molly's chest, her paws numb to feeling as she shuffled them anxiously. *She probably doesn't know who she's speaking to, or too tired to fully grasp what her words mean.* The hazel furred maiden sulked at the proposal, her fur itching for some flicker of truth. She didn't want to embarrass her, or make her feel uncomfortable. *What do I say?* "Thank... you." She breathed after a moment, her soft accented tone drifting upon Decayingbelladonna's ears. The soft breeze that loosened the dark molly's pelt feathered and coiled, springing softly back at the lashing air, her marvelous gaze entirely entrancing to the molly. She lowered her shoulders, her tail tip curling. *Noble, huh.* The compliment felt foreign. She'd never been called noble before. Not in passing, never in reference, and definitely not to her face.

The molly flattened her ears tight against her skull. "I'm no noble, however." She whispered, the maiden's soft voice only barely audible through the sound of Shallowshrine in the distance. She swallowed hard. She felt comfort flowing from Decayingbelladonna's soft flowy pelt, the embrace she offered, though likely not to her, invited her over like a young kit searching for a lost mother. She longed to be curled into her fur, she longed to speak on stories previously buried. She lowered her head, her heart thrumming. "I'm the farthest from it, actually. I don't reckon you know why I'm not heir." Her whiskers drooped as she spoke through fragile nodes in her throat, her voice box feeling suddenly absent as her words were cut short. She blinked, praying for a hint of empathy to shine through Decayingbelladonna's gaze, for her pain to be called upon and nursed until she was numb to it.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladona glanced at the molly, lost for words once more. It was true what the molly had said about her, she was truly beautiful. And she's seen her around camp several times. Though her exhaustion was apparent, she felt energetic, wishing for the conversation to last moons if she could help it. Being this close to a dame, even for a moment. Feeling her warm low breaths as she tried so solemnly to stay silent. It intrigued her beyond belief. Her ears tipped forward a bit, drooping over. The flower tucked behind her ear rustled a bit as her ear moved. The molly took a moment, then made a decision. She dipped her head a little, batting at the flower and letting it fall to the ground. Then picking it up in her jaws, lifting back up to look at the she-cat.

"Maybe you are not the heir, but you still hold a special place in the hearts of the cats who admire you." Decayingbelladonna reached over, gently tucking the water behind the dames ear ad it once was to her.

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight's pearl-shade gaze widened as the molly made the gesture, her throat suddenly tight. She settled with baited breaths, each movement she made encapsulating the maiden, her maw dry. She pulled back gently, but eased at her touch as her soft words flooded over her face, drifting softly like a dancing leaf in the wind until they settled into her rounded ears. She felt heat rush through her cheeks, flushing with the sudden flattery. *What is this?* She wondered curiously, though her eyes felt locked in position, dazzling as if she'd been struck over the head. She was completely entranced, her muzzle twitching until it broke into a sweet smile. "Such as yourself?" She guessed, her tone sweet and like that of a song.

She gently curled her tail tip over her paws, bowing her head so that the molly was more eye-level with herself, her belly twisting into knots. She let out a subtle purr, the sound echoing off the internals of her throat as her vocal chords thrummed with the gentle tune. The maiden could hardly search for any words to follow that up with, her ears twisting and turning ever which way, the flower, that now rested peacefully behind her ear, shuffling with the movement. "Tell me, what sort of flower is this? It's just... They're so breath-taking." Her sweeping gaze scanned the dark pelted molly's fur until they rested upon the various petals- similar to that of the one she wore- entwined within her tail. She broke her gaze once more to stare somewhat desperately at the molly, as if she was meant to read her thoughts on her next words rather than for her to have to speak them. *Just like you.*

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly smiled softly, she didn't speak at the moment, yet it was apparent her tone would be soft and gentle. It was always hard for her to have that approach, despite the demurer, every cat decided she was one to discard. It was false, most of it at least. Maybe thats why she became a medicine cat, at least every cat is sort of forced to see you and smile at you every morning's rise? Regardless, Decayingbelladonna was lost in thought. The swirled into a storm, thundering down like lightning bolts strucking the earth with mighty force. She barely even acknowledged that Acacialight spoke, it was only after she noticed the dame's silence that she realized she must of asked a question. The molly was speechless for a moment, and the clouds started to evaporate.

"O-Oh-" She tried to think of what Acacialight asked. Her tail dipped upward as the thought came back into orbit. "That's a white rose, comments your pelt doesnt it?"

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight felt her chest sting as the molly seemed lost in thought, her mind numbing itself as she shut out any possibility of believing any sort of solution. The maiden was sure she hadn't, her confidence badger-proof. Her neck craned as she brushed the fur along her side back with her tail, her quizzical expression only deepening when she opened her maw. Suddenly, her face felt hot. She'd made the molly uncomfortable.. Had she read the signs she believed she was reading incorrectly?

She was positive she hadn't, though the look on her perfect face spoke volumes. *Not again.* She buried her face into her chest fur, desperately licking away the shame.

"Yes... It's stunning." She had forgotten the flower by now, the only thoughts that penetrated into her thick skull were passing lectures, shame, and insults pointed at herself. She wasn't sure why she was like this, *or why I'd even assume such a thing so quickly! I'm such an arrogant furball.* "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off strong like that. You are beautiful, I mean- you're not... Wait, that's not..." She stammered out at last, her words suddenly drying up in her maw. *Now she thinks I'm even more of a mousebrain.* She shuffled her paws anxiously, gingerly pulling a piece of prey out from where she'd rested her belly on it, the warmth flooding the air nearly the instant it was snapped free, the scents that bathed over her tongue- which lay subtly open- was enough for saliva to begin to bubble at her lips. Yet she tucked it back, rather holding up the smaller piece of prey to her, a token of a genuine apology. "Forgive me for being such a mousebrain. I appreciate your kindness, today just *really* hasn't been *my* day."

She bowed her head, gently laying the dark vole on the dusty ground. Tucking her nose underneath it, she softly rolled it towards her, eyes held up and in a state of somewhat pleading, only resumed once she pulled up once more to her full height, her ears pinned back as heat scorched each tip of fur on her pelt. "We can eat... And maybe see the sunrise, if you'd like. I admit I wasn't coming here just to check, I was a little hungry and threatened with dawn patrols earlier, you know... Clan cat, sorta thing." She shrugged as the words left her maw, her claw hooking the black pelt beneath her as she pulled it up to her maw for a sniff. It wasn't anywhere near as plump and delectable as the scent that formed from the vole, though she wasn't sure she had room to complain, or ask for it back for that matter. *She deserves a delicious meal anyway, for how I must've made her feel.*

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly glanced at the she, she almost was confused for a moment. She didn't understand the sudden movements the dame took in that action. Though, after she tipped her head downward to look at the vole, she sort of figured why.

*I've been deep in thought again, haven't I?*

Decayingbelladonna watched the prey, oh how much she'd give to smell like she used to. She was young, and beautiful, yet she could never get to understand the scents of the wilderness like she once was fascinated with. It made her upset, in a way. How in one conversation, she was unable to speak properly. Be normal. A hideous thing about her she could never remove. It was the molly's fault, it was her fault. You have so many tell you that it is and you believe it. She shook her head, her left ear crooked forward a bit.

*No, stop.*

She told herself. After all, she wasn't to pour her saddened heart out onto the beautiful dame such as Acacialight. It was her job regardless, so act the part. A part of her sympathized with the molly. She tended to see the good in everyone, even a cat like the she in front of her had her empathy. Decaying knew the stories, she knew exactly what she said, and what she meant. She gave a soft smile to the dame, she truly was one of nature's beautiful creations.

"I appreciate your cunningness, Acacialight." She said, then paused. *Maybe that's the wrong words..* She shuffled a bit trying to think of a way to fix her comment.

"I-In a, y'know, uhm- nice way- I just-" The molly shook her head. *Get to the point, dear starclan!* She fixed her posture, to stand proud and tall.

"I'd love to watch the sunrise with you. I appreciate your honesty." The molly smiled.

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight's gaze seemed to leak honey where she sat, her pupils dilating as they fixated once more on the molly, holding her breath with a heavy inward gasp as the last words escaped her. She blinked a genuine, sweet look towards the smaller molly, her brow furrowing with the intensity. *Should I say something?* She pondered earnestly. The maiden had never once felt so awkward in her own pelt, as if it was stretched over a mold that did not belong.

She felt she'd worsened the situation with the question, or perhaps her outward flirts were shot down for another reason. *Not all cats like the same gender.* She had to remind herself. What came so readily to her was foreign to other cats, and she felt alienated for that reason. She could recall coming out to her mother, words she felt she'd have to regret, but the molly had shown her nothing but love and support. Every mention of kits was halted around her, *though, I've never been opposed to raising some,* and she was strongly supported by the leader, up to the point of confrontation with any cats who may have had their own opinions on her personal life. That was one thing she couldn't spite the dappled leader for. *She's always been very supportive.* She flattened her ears solid against her rounded skull, her nape rising as she bristled with the swarming reminder. *But, she refused to make me heir. I worked my whole life for that, and she refused. She said I was "too careless."* She flexed her claws into the hare beneath her dark paws, her muscles tensing as she pulsed with the reignited rage, similar to that of how she'd looked upon learning of what had happened on the patrol. *Dawnstar will regret not making me heir, I'll make sure she does.* She flicked her tail as the molly spoke once more, another kind comment.

She stiffened, her mind suddenly lost. *Does she like me or not? Is she okay with me flirting with her or does she like toms? Am I too young, is she just being kind?* Her shoulders hunched as she bowed her head, a soft smile parting her maw. She listened intently while she stuttered awkwardly herself, suddenly feeling the brush of warm fur the realization had brought her. *We're both just as awkward as one another, I'm in good company.* She let out a gentle purr, the snowy petals behind her ear itching the base, it was something she'd have to get used to. She loved the flower, and she loved that another cat gave it to her out of their own decisions, their own opinion of her. She felt it special, and despite the itch that formed under it, she allowed it to rest where it'd been planted, her whiskers fizzling with the joy. Once the molly had accepted, Acacialight grew giddy. She nodded, her eyes shining with the thrill.

"I know a spot, unless you had an idea...?" She spoke, her neck craning as she lowered her head to pluck up the hare. She pictured the Origin of Spring, a territory that was basked in the most intense of sunlight.

The territory was one of the highest a cat could manage, with several steps leading to various stone two-leg statues. The stones were commonly warm, with the long grass holding a great, comfortable settlement for any cat that held the interest. The territory held a large, beautiful sky stretched above with a pastel pallette, the sun nearly centered directly above it, as if it was Silkstar's eye looking down upon those who lay there. The sunset would be stunning from there, she was sure. They'd feel the first heartbeats of warmth from the rising sun.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna nodded.

"Lead the way cap!" She said, smiling. It almost stung when she realized how awkward that must've sounded. The molly was never really that good at conversations, they made her stomach turn. But watching the dame in front of her, her thoughts couldn't swirl harder. She was special, no other cat she'd seen have a 180 just because they're talking to a beat-up molly just as herself. She was fascinated. All she wanted was to spend more and more time with the dame. See how soft her fur had compared to the earth below. Explore what treasures the she-cat had locked up in her brain. It all made her excited, as she could connect with a cat so well to achieve those goals. But.. Decayingbelladonna's eyes drifted to the side as the molly's expression grew darker.

"I... Would love to but.. I shouldn't be leaving camp at the moment...." She trailed off, like all she wished to accomplish was to wilt and decay just in front of her. Like she was standing on treacherous thorns waiting to swallow her whole. It almost made the molly upset in a way. Now her shot was ruined. She looked back at the dame.

"And, your job as Sentinel may be more important then, y'know, recklessly going out with a medicine cat.."

*Acacialight:*

The fair maiden swallowed back an echoing purr as the molly meowed aloud to her, the edges of Decayingbelladonna's maw twitching upwards in a smile with the words, before she halted, her expression reading as thoughtful to the maiden, her posture held steady as her smile seemed to falter. She studied her companion's expression with an intense passion, her whiskers twitching against the warm body as she awaited.

*Oh. She probably means for me to "lead the way" like she just said.* She hadn't realized she'd been sitting, staring back at the smaller feline, the limp hare only loosely stuck between her sharp fangs, her teeth careful not to pierce the flesh. Yet the warmth that flooded her maw caused her jaws to water and lock, as if ready to tear the prey apart. She stood, tail curling up high over her back, and she began to pad towards the exit, only to hesitate once the molly spoke once more. She hesitated, her body tensing in place as she pondered upon the words. She spun around, eyes wide with surprise. She attempted to speak, forgetting about the hare for several heartbeats until it flopped down infront of her, shocking her.

She jumped in reaction to the thud that sounded, her ears twitching against her head. *Embarrassing.*

"Why not?" She meowed hastily, her soft voice full of genuine curiosity. "You're a mental medicine cat, aren't you? Just tell them you're looking for herbs or something. If some cat has a mental breakdown I'm sure Halfdusk can take care of it." She was back closer to her now, cuffing the rabbit back towards her with a large paw. "Hm. I guess if you can't we can stay here, the sunrise isn't as pretty here, though." She shrugged, her tone hinting to her own disappointment. She'd wished to eat outside camp, somewhere warm and comfortable and *far* from the stuffy dens full of pelts. She could easily avoid them, as a Sentinel, she didn't seem to be able to wrap her head around other cats being forced to stay where they are. She snorted in reply to her last sentence, giving her a warm smile. "My job *is* to go out with medicine cats. I'm the bulk that protects your brains, pretty kitty. They won't be looking for me just yet." She gave her a mischevious grin, her eyes glittery with a playful intention. Her tail tip curled to and fro, her paws kneading the ground excitedly. "I promise, if you get in any trouble I'll take the punishment for both of us, *if* I don't lie us out of it. I won't let you get in any trouble."

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly's off look crooked quickly to a small smile. She was happy that this dame in front of her would listen. And wanted to stay in her company. It made her pleased. Pleased to know that a cat wished for her touch, for her company. She looked off to the side for a moment, then nodded.

"Aaaaa okay. I'm up for an adventure!" She said finally. It made her paws tingle with excitement as she got to understand the idea. After all, she'd deal with the consequences later.

*Acacialight:*

The maiden's honey-palette gaze grew glossy as she excitedly drew back up her hare, her chest flaring as she puffed it out, clearly impressed with herself. She sunk her jaws in tight around it's neck, the small, limp body swaying with the movement, small fuzzy ears drooping. She sniffed through the pelt, her nostrils flaring. She nodded energetically at her companion, her gaze soft and inviting as she waited for the molly to pad after her, the thickness of her fur swarming around Decayingbelladonna as she shifted, her pretty blue eyes striking Acacialight as if she'd only just laid her eyes upon them. The presence of the medicine cat was like a warm fluffy tail wrapped around her body, comforting her and offering the security she once lacked. Her mind stung with piercing claws at the thought of her previous assumption, and how likely it may be that she had prodded in a spot that shouldn't have been touched. She swivelled her head to gaze at her once more, delivering a silent promise. I'll make it up to you, Decayingbelladonna. I promise.

As she nosed her way towards the camp exit, the scents of the moors far beyond began to wash over her face, plastering her whiskers against her cheeks and buffeting her soft fur. The maiden took a few tranquil steps forward, her tail tip flicking with indication for her clanmate to follow. She had to bow her head once she met the arcway that was formed, her ears sunken back as she travelled quickly through the passage way, the walls build of twined grass and heather, decorated now with various flowers picked specifically for the Festival. Acacialight's gaze was locked with the various petals, ranging in color, size, and shape- very much representative of the varying cats, their backgrounds, pelt color, all that nonsense. She tore her gaze away, ducking her head low as she reached the end of the tunnel, her body craned to fit now able to stretch to her full height once more, the scents the moor carried lapping her fur with a welcome, chilly breeze. She glanced over her shoulder as she awaited Decayingbelladonna to wriggle through, her fur matching the shadows that clung to the tunnel entrance, her petals the only visible part of her pelt before she too blinked upon the everlasting stretch of territory. She curled her tail ecstatically, her whiskers twitching. It's a great night for an adventure. She mused inwardly. Nice and cold, the air is tranquil, and the sky is clear. Her gaze travelled to the bright moon above, shimmering with its breath-taking beauty, the pale light bathing her pelt as she padded onwards, her whiskers brushing tall grass as she moved, her haunches held high behind her.

She'd felt revitalized upon seeing the moors in their glory, it felt like she'd spent moons in camp away from the overarching freedom that clung to the land just outside of it. She too had a giddiness about her upon seeing them, each blink as if it were her first. She took in a steady breath, the various scents cooling her lungs and numbing her nerves, her fit of worry passing through her in waves, forgotten now by the muscled Bengal. She flexed her paws as the land grew unsteady, her sharpened fangs sinking deep and allowing the warm-blooded prey to leak its precious fluids onto an impatient tongue, reinvigorating her with strength without even tasting it's flesh. She steadily padded along the winding paths, her nostrils flaring as she attempted to pick them apart, careful not to tread the wrong way.

Eventually, the two arrived. The territory that seemed to stretch on endlessly was almost fully visible from here, the Violet Stretch fuzzy with distance not far off, the height of it arching with an impressive stature. The golden blades that made up the ground now cloaked with shadows were chilled without sunlight to warm them, their gentle sway halted when Acacialight stomped them out with her pads.

Large stones made up the territory, most of which were flat and sharp where they joined at the lip, though not enough to cause harm unless hit against it with some amount of force, the edges turned blunt from nature working it's magic. The stone pathway was parted by soft grass between them, bristling similar to fur against the stones, tucked delicately around as if they'd belonged there for centuries, their color washed with soft weathering, giving detail to the stones likely once planted by the Upwalkers that padded her before them. Speaking of such, there was a stone carved out in the shape of one, a molly Upwalker, from what it seemed to her. Acacialight had only been with her Upwalkers until she was weaned off milk, but she'd been taught the basics of them by her mother- Dawnstar- while they waited. She told her how she could tell them apart through their appearance alone, though scent would always give the most accurate reading, as at times Upwalkers chose to do strange things to their appearance that the felines did not quite understand. Their owner looked similar to the statue, and that was the only reason she was able to guess that she may have been a dame. She blinked up at it curiously, her gaze scanning the long form of hair growing from the base of her skull, her eyes closed and her arms wrapped around her figure, of which was sported with larger two-legs visible beneath a flowing figure of clothing, the word Upwalkers used to describe the bright colored fabric they wore. She flicked her tail curiously, her gaze slicing the territory as she studied it for a settlement position. Once she'd found one- a spot directly on the stones backed by grass, higher up on the hill- she padded over to it carefully, wincing at the chill that crept into her pads. She settled, letting the hare fall softly in front of her, and immediately she began to tear it apart, gentle as to not rip it too far open, her claws slicing through the flesh with relative ease. She blinked kindly at Decayingbelladonna once she'd caught up, her whiskers twitching.

"Isn't it gorgeous here? The Upwalker statue is weird- I don't know why we have so many in our territory." She was referring to the Beacon of Repose, a gorgeous territory known for its old, overgrown Upwalker structure and the various statues that were housed there. She figured at one point the stones were used by them, though she couldn't see any reason to besides sun-bathing. She shrugged at the thought, her tail patting the large stone, beckoning over the older molly.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly glanced around, her deep blue eyes glistening the harmonizing drifting moon. She watched as Acacialight made her way down, and onto the large stone. She nodded silently, acknowledging the gesture and smiling softly. Putting her front paws up, then hauling herself upward onto it. And sitting down beside the dame.

"It truly is." She nudged the she-cat. "Good thinking!"

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight's maw parted with the smile that crested against her cheek, the light of her eyes shimmering as she gazed upon the soft molly, her ears pulled straight forward to indicate her direct interest to what she may have to say. Twitching her tail, she sunk her muzzle into the flesh once more, pulling away and lightly blotting her mouth with a soft paw before she chewed thoughtfully, allowing the flavors to roll upon her tongue. *Not as warm as it was back in camp.* She glanced down, her brow furrowed. *Oh well, it's still fresh. Rather that over any stale scrap.* Still, her disappointment shown on her face. She flicked her ears back against her head, her gaze trailing upwards towards the partially shaded moon above, slowly creeping back down where it belonged.

She took another heavy breath in, the cool breeze intoxicating in that moment, as she felt her pelt warmed by the touch of Decayingbelladonna's flank alone. Her warmth was radiant, much like her smile. At least in the maiden's eyes, that was. She glanced back at her companion, glancing at her paws in search of the prey she'd tossed her. When it ceased to be present, Acacialight reared her head back dramatically, looking up at Decayingbelladonna, her expression bewildered. "Did you leave your prey back in camp?" Her eyes grew into slits, her tail tip curling. *I sure as hell hope not.* She thought frostily, her claws hooking into the flesh of the body of her own meal. *I* stole *that for me, for* my *efforts, and I gave it as an apology.* She cursed at herself violently internally, her lip curling as she twisted her head back around. *If she didn't want it she could've just said so.* She was frustrated at best, to say the least. She slowly let her shoulder fur drop, her gaze rounding once more. *I wasn't supposed to have it in the first place, it wasn't my prey to give.* She had no reason to really be mad at the medicine cat, she'd been the idiotic one. She found she could rationalize her thoughts somewhat easier when accompanied by the very cat that declined her gift, and that helped warm her two. She let out a soft sigh before pushing a flank of the hare towards her.

"Here." She meowed, her tone softer now. She blinked with apology at her for her reaction, *and any unfortunate emotions I showed on my face.* She shuffled her paws awkwardly after that, steadying one just long enough for her to sink her jaws into the hare before she began to roll her pad against it, her expression firm. "Do you think Starclan is proud of us?" She muttered, her voice barely audible. "Like, for the Festival and the feast and all that."

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly looked at the Dame, her eyes glistering in the scapping lights of the morrow that seeped through its dimlight cousin. She could read the she-cat's expressions quite well. In a way, it almost confused her that so much was shown in a short period of speech. She glanced downward, then put her paw on the molly's.

"Don't fret yourself, before we left, I gave it to the elders. I'm not exactly too hungry at the moment, so I believe that was a good choice." Though, when the molly tried to offer her the prey, she declined. Softly pushing it back toward her. The molly smiled, nudging the she with her shoulders.

"C'mon, cheer up! Moping like that won't let your beautiful coat compliment the morning dew." The molly looked forward, off toward the approaching sun starting to rise.

"I think that even though some of us aren't clan-born, Starclan still takes us in like kits under a sparrow's gentle wings." Her eyes glanced over at the she-cat.

"I wouldn't ever doubt they'd think otherwise of us." The molly meowed.

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight stared back for a brief few heartbeats, her tail tip twitching before the molly pressed her soft paw against the maiden's own, causing her to flinch and pull away. She flattened her ears to her skull, tucking her paw back over her mound of flesh as she rolled her tongue in her mouth, swallowing back a complex display of varying lashings from her tongue. She knew it would do her no good, especially since the molly she was ruffled at was a medicine cat. She hooked her claws and battered her pride with hooked internal fangs, tearing apart her ego as she allowed herself to flatten. *Elders, hmph.* She shot a seething glare at the molly from where she lay, the fur along her pelt prickling.

*Any cat with an ounce of a brain in their skull would've noticed Sunlit Prairies doesn't* have *Elders.* She fastened her jaws into her prey and ripped away at it violently, her teeth gnashing as she harshly chewed, the stringy flesh no longer succulent to the maiden, it's life-fluids now held no taste, and it felt like scarlet raindrops against her tongue. She lapped at her muzzle, pushing away the prey with a jutting prod. She scowled at her comment, each lapping feeling she'd felt in the moments prior whisked away by her intrusive disinterest in her offerings. It was the upmost disrespect in the maiden's world, she'd never taken kindly to such reactions. *If any other cat would've said that to me, I'd have torn their pelt off by their ears and draped it over my nest to curl up in.* She flicked her tail in a reluctant reply, her whiskers fizzling. She refused to face her now, her ears pinned back against her skull. She hardly listened as Decayingbelladonna went on, her voice dancing along the wind and laying unwelcome in her elongated ears. The honey-pallete pelt bristled as she swung her head around, her eyes sharp as she'd spoke once more. *Starclan takes to us like hatchlings. Sure, and hedgehogs can fly.* She couldn't stomp out the festering doubt that threatened consumption, it felt cold and vile as it rose to meet her tongue. She hooked her claws against the stone, scraping it harshly.

"How can you be so sure?" She muttered half to herself. Her ears screwed harder against her head and she slammed her eyes shut. "If Starclan was so welcoming of us..." She shot up her head, looking at the medicine cat with interest dancing in her shimmery gaze once more, the former fury whisked away at new opportunity. "Have they spoken to you?" She blinked up at her hopefully. The molly was entirely unaware that only Nurses spoke to Starclan, meaning the only cat that had any right to speak on their behalf was Lavendersnow. All that Decayingbelladonna would know is the same as the leader, and the rest of the clan. *They're pleased with us.* She could recall the Nurse meowing, her face gave nothing away then. *She's always made me so uncomfortable, that one.* She couldn't suppress a shiver at the thought of the snowshoe Nurse. *She always has this dead look in her eye as if she'd rather be anywhere but here. I've never once seen that cat smile, Starclan forbid she comes across as even remotely friendly.* She'd never been able to place a paw on exactly what rubbed her fur backwards about the former loner, but it was a hard feeling to suppress. *She's unlike any cat I've met before, and likely will stay that way until she's dead.* She didn't want to see anything happen to the pretty snowshoe, obviously. What would the clan even *do* without their Nurse? Lavendersnow had the most skilled paws in the clan, and was the only cat capable *or even allowed* to speak with Starclan. She gazed up at the moon, her eyes rounded curiously. The full moon would be tomorrow, meaning Lavendersnow would make her moonly trip to share tongues with their ancestors. Acacialight kneaded her paws against the stone excitedly, her ear tips growing chilly as a light breeze lapped them around, her breath coming in shallow inhales as she attempted to picture their ancestors now, starry muzzles ever so close to her flesh own.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna looked off to the side, a bit awkwardly. The molly had a few issues surrounding how she ate, and it was hard for her to just do it normally. So yeah, she lied to the she-cat. In reality, the molly had put it back in the pile for a cat who wanted and deserved it. She glanced over at the dame when she asked questions.

"Even though I don't speak with them, they show their pride bright enough for those whom cannot see to be gifted with sight." She said, trying to put it in the best perspective possible for the molly next to her.

*Acacialight:*

Acacialight tipped her head to one side at her companion's reply, her flower scent wafting towards her as the sun rose overhead. She kicked out excitedly with a hind paw, accidentally jabbing the molly in the side as she rose to attention, her eyes glittering with excitement. She'd never want to show it to any cat, especially not one she wanted to gain the respects of, but her whiskers shivered excitedly at the bright pluming rays that grew overhead, igniting the brewing collection of cloads and bubbling at the seam of a crisp shimmery sun, the beam of which nearly striking her vision. The molly was gaping, her jaw outstretched with amazement. It was unlike anything she'd seen before, and her gittiness seemed to overflow as she purred abruptly, her tail churning beside her.

"It's gorgeous, as if Starclan sent it themselves!" The maiden howled, her voice pooling over the stones that brimmed with the morning light. Soft dew sparkled among them, dappling the pale golden blades that danced between the cracks. Her eyes dazzled with amazement, her dappled pale-brown face turning paler in the waking light. Her lashes caught the sun as she fluttered them, her gaze returning to her companion. The molly's thick pelt was outlined in plumes against her small frame, her darker accents highlighted even in the bright light, her white whiskers snowy as if glowing out of her muzzle. Her eyes were like a sparkling ocean expanse, depths of waves- both emotional and reflective- shone with dazzling familiarity. She smiled deeply, her eyes glossy with the glory.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna watched the sun rise, she didn't say much, just watching it. She almost basked in it's beauty, and she also watched Acacialight, the molly whom laid next to her. The molly smiled, looking back toward the fading dawn that flushed in ahead of them. The molly didn't exact know how to say anything to be honest, it was quite alright for her, and she was excited to see what the day and the festival would bring. Her tail tapped the grass almost in rhythm, and she felt rather happy to see what would happen.

*Acacialight:*

The amber furred molly gleamed at the sight, her tail tip curling to brush against Decayingbelladonna's own. She blinked kindly at the other molly, her cheeks upturning in her own grin. She nodded at her, her mind skimming topics to break the seemingly everlasting silence. She didn't know what was itching in her pelt to make her *wish* to listen to more of what Decayingbelladonna may have to share, but the thought intrigued her regardless. She leaned forward, her mind festering as she fought with possible answers, overturning them as they spiraled wildly in her mind.

"So, you do this sort of thing often?" She asked after what felt to her like a lifetime. She blinked earnestly, hoping she'd take her words the right way. "Ask a molly to come watch the sunrise with you, that is." She dared not add a snide comment about how the feline must find the event romantic, given the previous experience with a similar comment. "It must be pretty lonely, being a medicine cat." She had plenty of questions that fell short when they dried out on her tongue. *What do you do when there's no cats to treat for extended periods of time? Eventually you're so stocked up on herbs you can't fit anymore, do you just grow lazy in your den?* She tipped her head as theu swarmed her, lapping her muzzle as it twitched in response. *Especially as a Mental Medicine Cat. I doubt many cats need mental help that often...* Her mind then plastered with a similar face she'd seen ducking in and out of the den frequently. Sometimes she held flowers in her maw, other times she would seemingly wake there, travel to pick up prey, then return. The pale peach-toned face was recognizable in an instant.

*Not the Physical Medicine Cat, but that younger apprentice Tarragonglaze and I knew.* The cat that struck her mind was Petalpaw. She wasn't exactly *close* with the pretty flame-point, but she remembered she'd missed her fair share of training sessions when she was being cared for by the Mental Medicine Cats. Apparently the molly had been going there since she'd been a tiny kit, but she'd never thought much of it beyond what festered within the den. Whatever business she was up to had nothing to do with Acacialight, that was for sure.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly gazed over at the dame

*Do I do this often?*

She repeated the question in her mind, glancing forward. Decayingbelladonna had to think about that, wondering what she'd reply with as she didn't even know herself. Most days, she'd sit alone in the den, of course there was the sudden visits by Petalpaw but that cat didn't really spike her as company. After Acacia continued, she simply shook her head.

"I... wouldn't say so, no."

The molly replied. Though the question burned at the back of her brain like a wildfire's destruction.

*Lonely, huh?*

She thought. It was an awkward word for her, of course it was lonely. Lonely to sit in silence as the distant cries of moor-runner's returning with apprentices roared. As they created an uproar outside of laughter and joy. How she had longed to be out there with them, oh how she longed to not feel like she was a burden. She couldn't shake that thought. That she was a burden. One in which the clan shoved in a den and called a mental medicine cat, as if they didn't know what to do with her and thought she'd just be useless to let leave, so they put her into a position in which they didn't even need. She paused in her thoughts.

*No, that's wrong.* The clan did need a cat to help with the mental issues here. Why they asked her was a different question. The molly held her head low, her expression coming off rather dark.

*I'm always twisting what happens in reality to my will.*

She thought to herself.

*Why must I manipulate everything like this?*

The molly daunted herself, cursing herself under her breath. What a screw-up they put up for a medicine cat.

*Acacialight:*

The molly gazed hopefully at her companion, though when she grew to shelter her thoughts the molly bowed her head in acknowledgement, her ears sloped against her skull. *I see.* It must not be easy to speak on, especially not when you've become accustomed to it. Acacialight found herself padding after her thoughts, though the sensation was benign and foreign to her- she still seemed to find herself lost in the confines of her wide expanse of a mind.

She drew in a deep breath, allowing the cool air to flood her lungs until she felt as if her limbs burned with energy. *Especially if you're not a clan born cat...* Much like herself, she noted. *It must be easy to become lost trying to search for companionship in your clanmates.* She noted the petals planted on her tail, tipping her head curiously. *I never noticed, I wonder if that's where Petalpaw had the idea, she has a supply of herbs to suit her needs attached to her at all times.* She nearly purred at the realization. *Even if not for decoration i can't say its not pretty. What a genius idea.* She seemed easily impressed by realizations she came to by simply observing other cats. It felt new to her, an inviting option, She gazed fondly at the medicine cat, wondering if she'd guessed several truths about her based on observation alone. She lapped her chest fur anxiously at the thought. *I must give away a forest worth of secrets if it can be that easy to find something out. Great Starclan.* Her mind warped self consciously.

"Well... If it ever *does* get lonely, you can always find me." She meowed gently, her words falling off her maw almost uncomfortably. *I don't mean it in a weird way, I promise!* "Like... For company, I guess. I'm not one for patrols anyway." She rolled her paw against the warming stone, she suddenly felt her belly fur tingle as the sun bathed over her. She blinked hopefully at the molly, her brows raised with anticipation.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna's eyes glistened a bit as she snapped out of whatever thoughts swirled through her head at the moment, she looked toward the dame. What a pretty dame she was. The fact she could now see the full glistening of the sunlight rays streaming down on the amber pelt she held, it felt as if Starclan themselves were blessing the dame, as if bowing down to her, shoning her with beauty in it's light. It made the molly's cheeks a little pink, how beautiful the dame looked in the sunlight. It was almost like she was an entirely different cat in the bathing of sunlight. It almost confused her, and she glanced downward.

*A dame whom speaks to me with honey under her tone, and amber shards in her pelt.*

The molly thought to herself, then smiled softly.

*What a wonderful she-cat.* The storm clouds that phased through her mind evaporated as the rays of sunlight gapped through them. Her mind felt clear. And hot. It felt so warm. She wished this moment could last forever, to have a dame care about her was a sensation above what she had ever felt before. It was new to her, and yet, she loved it. She loved every moment of it. She truly wished that she knew more. She wanted to know everything she could. Just to talk with Acacialight for longer. Just to feel her warm fur touch the midnight of her own. What a beautiful feeling it would be. What a feeling it would be to just lay her head down on the coat that shined so bright. To feel it's warmth. To feel the dame's warmth. She wanted it so bad. A temptation she wished could last. Yet she refrained, and simply smiled.

"I would love that..." She replied.

*Acacialight:*

The maiden gazed upon her companion with baited breath, her whiskers twitching as she awaited a reply. She had her legs tucked close against her now, her chest fluttering with soft breaths she took in, her tail tip churning ever which way in indication of her interest. Her honey-glass eyes shone like the burning sun ahead of the mollies, the dappled accents along her face burning like a deep-hued flame. Her lashes caught light and winked with a soft flash, her muzzle curving deep in a genuine smile. The maiden was unable to keep her cheeks from flushing while gazing upon her softer companion, the true extent of her beauty most striking at dawn, her pelt lain against her pelt like a silky gloss. The plume of her fur had the maiden entranced, her midnight hue almost silver where it captured sun. Her stripes were radiant, nearly glowing.

She looked like a Starclan cat, at least in her eyes. She purred subtly, her shimmering gaze igniting with feeling. *You're like a real... angel.* She nearly gasped, only to swallow back the breath. She cursed herself upon realization, her head lowering as her gaze dropped to her paws. *Maybe I shouldn't. I don't want to make her uncomfortable.. I just want to be friends, if anything.* She glanced up as she murmured in reply. *Decayingbelladonna, I hope I won't make you regret this.* Her eyes turned glassy once more as she purred, rubbing against the molly as she slowly stretched, bounding away. The rabbit was forgotten now, at least by her.

"I look forward to it!" She meowed over her shoulder, breaking into a slow trot. "Tell you what, if you see me around camp and I'm not being yowled at, shoot me a purr! I'll come keep you company... Gotta run, though." She shot the molly a bright, cheeky smile as she swished her tail in departure.

"Dawnstar will have my pelt if she notices I'm not back by the time she calls on patrols. Loved this though! Have a good rest of your morning!" With that, she trotted off, clearly in no rush if the molly intended to pad after her. She purred to herself as she went, her tail tip curling as she skipped away.

### Scene with Littleflame and Bayblossom

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna padded into the medicine den. Since she was already out previously with Acacialight, the molly had taken the time to gather some sweet herbs and restock them in the den, just since she was out there anyways. She returned and put them down where they held herbs at. She glanced around to see if Lavendersnow was there, though it didn't look as if she was as the molly glanced around the den and saw no trace of the dame.

A part of her was happy that Lavendersnow wasn't in that day, especially since the two didn't exactly get too much along. Regarding her own behavior and mannerisms when she spoke to other cats. She tapped her tail a bit against the moss.

*Oh well.*

The molly thought as she padded over to a moss bedding and dropped down exhaustedly. She had been up before she met Acacia outside, so she didn't get much sleep prior to the sun's rise. Decayingbelladonna rested her head down onto her paws, the flower petals in her tail swayed a bit as it curled around her body.

*Time to get my beauty sleep.*

She said, as if to joke to her own self, though, she didn't really find it that funny she supposed. Her eyelids fell heavy and closed, leaving her vision to go dark and her vivid dreams to thrive.

*Littleflame:*

He cheerfully padded into the medicine den, his muddy, yet somewhat white paws ungracefully tripping over his own tail, a bundle of vibrant purple flowers in his jaws. His face was stretched in a smile that shined like the sun at dawn, one that not even clouds could hide. He peeked in, before mumbling with his mouth full,

"Hello? Anyoneee here?" His amber eyes were wide, almost kit-like.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna's ear tipped a bit, then both flattened down onto the top of her skull. She lifted her head up at the tom-cat whom just entered. The molly stretched out her paws a bit before lifting to them and sitting down, her tail curling over her paws, dropping a few petals that stray from them.

*I suppose rest was too good to be true.*

The molly thought in a soft tone through her head, though she wasn't disappointed, she was rather sad she had to miss out on the good rest she'd be able to take. She shook her head and signed to herself, then gave a smile toward the den's entrance.

"Salutations my clanmate friend! What's the reason for your visit today?"

The molly asked curiously with a tilt of her head, her ears curled and straightened back upward.

*Littleflame:*

He plopped the bundle of little blooms down, taking a deep breath of air to take in the tangy scents of the medicine den, before speaking.

"I found some nice-smelling flowers, I thought you mental medicine cats could use them!" He tipped his head, looking dopey - almost kit-like. "I thought i'd help you and the Nurses out by gathering herbs for you all, I know you guys must be busy helping!" He chirped, pushing the stack of fragrant flowers forward with a muddy paw. He glanced down at the dirt, before beginning to rather impulsively clean the caked, dried dirt.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly glanced at them and smiled, nodding gently to Littleflame.

"Appreciate it!"

She lifted to her paws and padded over, gently taking them and setting them with the other herbs, then coming back to the tom. She tilted her head slightly once more.

"Anything else you'll be needing today?"

She asked, tapping her tail against the moss that covered the earth below her paws. The molly's mind started to swirl though, even if she gave off a friendly demure, she started to think about the interaction with Acacialight just earlier.

Was she too harsh on her? No, it wasn't her doing right? Did she even say good stuff to the dame? Maybe that's why she was so awkward at times. She hadn't had the time to process the interaction until now, which made her uneasy. Even though her mind's thoughts thundered down like lightening in a storm, she tried her best to come off as friendly to the tom, after all, it was her job.

*Littleflame:*

He lifted his head from his grooming.

"No problem!" He beamed, before his soft tone grew worried. "Yeah- Would you mind talking to Bayblossom for me?" His pelt fluffed up with anxiety as he mentioned his sisters name. "I keep trying to get her to change for the better, but she's. ." He trailed off, sighing. ''She's being her stubborn self. She doesn't seem to understand what Mudmoss and I have done for her." Littleflame shrugged, before flashing his bright smile once again. "Glad to help, though! Let me know if you want anymore herbs or something, i'm glad to help!"

*Decayingbelladonna:*

"Huh? Oh! Sure, send her in if you'd like!"

She responded, giving a quick flick of her tail and a gentle smile. The storm didn't die down though, and even if she didn't want to necessarily be with a clanmate whom also had problems at the moment, she still just smiled simply. It was fine, she'd just get through the session and get some sleep. That's all she needed right? Some sleep should cure it. The insomnia was worse last night regardless, who was she kidding. She wouldn't be able to sleep, just be able to rest her eyes. It's fine. It's all fine. She shuffled with her paws, tilting her head downward a bit.

*Littleflame:*

He nodded, his anxiety seeming to melt away as the cat agreed.

"I'll try to convince her! Thank you. Decayingbelladonna, it means a lot to me!" He hurried out of the den to tell his silver littermate about the news, this time his tail tripping him completely. He stood, shook sand from his pelt, added another, "Thanks!" and padded out into the main clearing.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna waved her tail a bit, then padded over to the mossy bedding she was laying on before. Giving a soft, exhausted sigh as she plopped down onto the bedding and rolled over onto her back. Lifting her paws up into the air and staring at them.

*What a tiring start to a day.*

She thought, but it was whatever. She had to see the cat Littleflame wished her to see later on. Hopefully she'd have more energy then, but she had no guarentee. Her paws bent a bit.

*Oh well. Fake it to your make it I suppose.*

The molly thought to herself with a sigh, bending per paws back downward and rolling back onto her belly with a humph.

*Bayblossom:*

She padded into the den, taking care not to trample anything that seemed to be an herb.

"Er- hi there?" She blinked her eyes a few times, trying to think of better words to use. "Littleflame sent me," she started.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladona flipped her paws over, quickly lifting to her paws. Making sure they didn't dig too much into the dirt. She looked at the dame silently, glancing down then up. Silently starting to watch her.

*She's gorgeous.*

The molly thought, clenching her teeth a bit. She wasn't really sure if she wanted to do this right now, but it was her job, so she had no choice. She sighed silently to herself, tilting her head a bit away from the she-cat. Shuffling with the dirt as she tried to think about the imagery Bayblossom gave to her mind. After she was able to envision the feline in front of her well enough, she looked back at her and softly smiled.

"Hello! You must be Bayblossom, correct? Lovely to meet you! I'm Crow- D-.. Decayingbelladonna if you didn't already know, hah!"

The molly stuttered a bit, regaining her sentence to make sure it was proper. Silently cursing herself as she messed up her name.

*Bayblossom:*

She snickered a bit.

"That's me. Littleflame keeps going on about you and the other mental medicine cats. Oh, I helped get this for Decayingbelladonna! Oh, I've been looking for this for-" She mimicked her brother, cutting herself short. "You probably get what I mean, he's quite talkative." *Actually, your the one talking too much right now,* The thought floated into her mind, but she pushed it away.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

"Oh."

Her expression darkened a bit, then lightened once more.

"I see. Well he's quite a help y'know! I wouldn't say it's bad they come in here once and a while."

The molly smiled, tapping her tail to the ground a bit. A part of her felt a bit disturbed everytime her new name was spoken. It's been moons now and she still found it distasteful. It was like everytime it was said, it brought up the horrible memory of her sister's passing. But, it was whatever. It was who she was now, so she had to just take the spoon with a grain of salt. She swallowed her instinctive design and smiled awkwardly.

"What is it that you came in here for exactly?" She asked, trying very hard to not have an ounce of rudeness in her tone.

*Bayblossom:*

"Everyones been claiming I have the 'wrong' opinion on an event that happened to me a few moons ago, so I guess that."

She seemed half-regretful, half-irritated when she mentioned the words 'wrong opinion.' She lifted her gaze from her paws. "So, I suppose that's why Littleflame made me go here."

*Decayingbelladonna:*

"Ah, hah. I see. Do you wanna... talk about it or?"

She said, she seemed a bit rusty today. Probably the anxiety, but whatever. Her tail tipped upward a bit, some of the petals faltering out of it and landing peacefully onto the moss below her paws.

"I'd assume so, since you visited?" She asked. Almost to re-instate it. She truly wondered if this she-cat came in here willingly or was forced. The molly almost wanted to giggle a bit at it. Decayingbelladonna was always fond of the fact when her sibling and her were merely kits they'd have little kin fights all the time. Usually it was the strong dame of a sister she had that constantly whined and didn't want to do anything. She smiled a bit, the memories she fonded most. She was alone now, but at least she once had that satisfaction she long craves.

*Bayblossom:*

She faintly nodded.

"When I was younger—“ She broke off. “Scratch that, makes me feel old. Uhh— When I was about 13 moons, i’d say, my and my brothers went hunting. Just me, Littleflame, and Mudmoss. Well, I guess we bugged a hawk a bit too much with our chatter, ‘cause it. .” She paused for a moment, lifting a front paw to a small mark on her shoulder. “It attacked me, and when it was just about ready to send me to Starclan, Mudmoss jumped infront of me and took the blow. I always say he’s foolish for doing that, and everyone gets all mad about me saying that.” She huffed. “I still think he shouldn’t have done that.”

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly listened, tilting her head a bit.

"If you've repressed the feelings and don't have a problem with everything. Then I don't exactly..."

She wavered her paw around in a confused motion.

"-see what's troublesome?"

Decayingbelladonna looked rather confused, as it was odd for a she-cat to just waltz on in, tell a truamatic story, then be like "yeah no I'm also fine lmao hah" Her whiskers twitched a bit, she started to get distracted by the dame's pelt.

*Her markings are... stunning.*

She thought, glancing up at her eyes, which glistened like a cold breeze storming through winter's arrival. Just looking into them gave her a shiver. What a beautiful sight it was.

*Bayblossom:*

Bayblossom curled her tail around her paws.

"Everyone believes I should be blaming myself, and not Mudmoss, for his death, and that i'm selfish for not doing so." She awkwardly explained. "Even- ha! Even Littleflame has been trying to make me see this 'correctly.' I just don't understand what's bad in believing the truth." She sighed. "I'm probably just wasting your time with this,"

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly shook her head softly.

"i don't see a problem with it. It's likely your way of coping, and that's why you believe it's right."

Decayingebelladonna explained, her tail froffing from side to side. The petals continued to slip from it like a rejecting embrace.

"But of course you're not wasting my time!" She chriped up.

"I enjoy getting to have this connection level with another."

*Bayblossom:*

She smiled - a small serene gesture.

"I guess you must be right." She stood, giving the she-cats shoulder a grateful touch with her tail. "Thank you for trying to help, though." Bayblossom padded out of the medicine den, beginning to look for her brother. She couldn't wait to see his face when she told him she had been right all along!

### Interaction with Smokestone

*Smokestone:*

Smokestone padded into the den, standing in the entrance way, Turing her head as she glanced around at the interior, slowly and cautiously padding into the den. Her tail laid low, ears pinning back. She stood still near the entrance.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna had been deep in sleep, drifting helplessly off into her own mind. Her dreams had become rather vivid tonight. Oranges and yellows swirling through forming sunsets that drifted off into an ocean of fears and solemnful uproars.

It thundered down, storming violently. Crackling with might force as it put its paws down to the earth. The grass swayed in orchards and plains. The small blades were being chewed by ants in which seemed small to compare. Skidding across the padded dirt that sustained the earth with its warmth.

The trees got striked, faltering and slipping under its rough bark. Cracking it open and pulling it apart like a simple twig.

All of it came crashing down onto the molly whom stayed in the middle. Of which washing waves crashed down and destroyed all touched. Decaying all stone. Wilting all flowers. A storm swirled with purples and reds. Rushing through every last living things. All decaying away with lifeless bodies. Decayingbelladonna struck in the middle of destruction. The center of attention.

*Smokestone:*

Smokestone settled her gaze on the weakly built she-cat laying in a moss bed off to the corner of the den. Smokestone padded forward, toward the sleeping cat. Smokestone stood there for a moment to consider her options; wait for DecayingBelladonna to awaken form her slumber or awake her for her own “selfish” reasons. *Eh, maybe I should wait.* her mind hummed as she turned and padded back toward the entrance but she stopped. *but-* she thought as she glanced back at Decayingbelladonna. Smokestone shook her head. *Don’t be selfish, you mousebrain. Leave the den, come back later.* her mind hissed. She directed her gaze back toward the entrance walking up to it, about to step out.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The mollys paws twitched for a moment.

*crack.*

Twitching again

*crackle.*

And again.

*CRACK.*

Her ears twitched forward, zurting her head up with force. Her face soaked with cold sweat, leaving herself frozen. Her paws twitching, and trembling. It still felt like she was in the dream. Like she had been the center of it. She lifted to her paws quickly, shaking her head from side to side.

Her vision slurred and blurred by the movement of the dilating iris'. She had been longing for safety, glancing around, looking as if for somecat to clutch onto. To hold. To see it was all okay. But it was false. She was alone. She was utterly alone. Her tail twitched downward, her head jerking to stare at the entrance of the den. Her spiked up fur started to rest down. And her wavered eyes stripped down to spread tears and sadness were clogged. She showed no fear in the moment. Clutching the dirt beneath her paw pads.

The molly sat down, her fur laying down peacefully.

"Ah.. Hello. Did you need something?" She asked, baring a soft smile. She's worry about it later.

*Smokestone:*

Smokestone’s ears perked, her right ear turning to face Decayingbelladonna, her head lifting and turning to face the she-cat as well. Her tail dropped down lower, almost touching the ground. Smokestone turned to face the she-cat, dipping her head quickly as a greeting and nodded reluctantly. Smokestone started to feel guilty in a way. Had she awoken to sleeping she-cat? Even if she did, she wouldn’t know what she did that made it happen. She brushed those thoughts aside as she cleared her head to recall what she came to speak to Decayingbelladonna about.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna looked at her, tilting her head.

"Are you alright?"

She asked, her tail twitched. She buried all fears and such she had once been engulfed in via her nightmares. Her left ear tilted a bit, awaiting a reply.

"Hello-?"

She asked, a partial bit of impatience in her tone.

*Smokestone:*

Smokestone’s face bared a pained expression, her chin lowered toward her neck, head pulled back. She opened her maw keeping it slightly a gap for a moment then closed it. She certainly hoped Decayingbelladonna would catch the hint. If she did it would make things a lot easier on her. Smokestone lifted her chin slightly, glancing down her muzzle at Decayingbelladonna, in no way trying to look menacing or “superior.” In truth, she stood there quite awkwardly, eventually sitting down in front of the she-cat, her tail laying neatly over her paws. Smokestone shuffled her paws, ears nearly flat against her skull.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly tilted her head a bit.

"Oh, if you'd like you can dig out what you'd like to say." Her tail brushed over some dirt, flattening it down so it was a visible surface. She smiled a bit, closing her eyes. Her expression radiating the coming sun she had seen earlier, glimmering like the moonlight that covered her pelt. She looked sift to touch.

*Smokestone:*

Smokestone glanced from Decayingbelladonna then down at the smoothened piece of earth. She lifted a paw, unsheathing her claws. In thick, messy lines, she drew a small image of two cats yowling and hissing at each other. One large, muscular one, the other one smaller and lean, with a silhouette that matched Smokestone’s own silhouette. She lifted her paw away form the image, letting it down, a paw steps distance away. She glanced from the image, then at Decayingbelladona. In a way, Smokestone’s unsure, saddened expression resembled that of a hurt kit.

### Scene with Lavendersnow, Sharpsun, Petalpaw, and Dawnstar.

*Setting: Medicine den.*

*Petalpaw:*

Petalpaw didn't seem to hear what the tom said, her eyes shown how dizzy she was, her eyes dilated and fixed on nothing. She was light when picked up, no more than a kit, but she lashed out violently with sharp claws when lifted, a low growl in her throat. After he began to pad off, though, she seemed to lose what little courage she had to fight. Her hind legs dragged against the forest floor, her tail laid between them, her eyes locked open as if she might have been dead. The herbs she'd collected dispersed while they were dragged, blood trickling from her wounds and dripping scarlet against the Earth. She hadn't made a sound since she'd come to, and that stayed true the whole way home. As much as she might've wanted to fight him off, to insist she could walk herself, she was clearly kidding herself. Even if she wanted to speak, she was so dazed she couldn't. Dropping her head, her weight grew heavier as she eased herself down, making the travel back the same as padding home with a dead clan mate, her body pitiful in comparison to the quick, pretty cat she had been only a few moments before.

As they entered camp, Lavendersnow's eyes locked with Sharpsun, and the molly hurried over, grabbing Petalpaw from him and beckoning him towards the medicine den, her expression locked and irritable. Once inside, she dropped Petalpaw down gently, her paws tucking under her head as she carefully let it lay against the rim of a soft heather and moss nest. Her paws lay out the side pitifully, until nosed in alongside her ruffled tail. As soon as she had been lain down, Lavendersnow rounded on the tom. "What happened to her? Did you two get attacked?" Her ears flat as she thrust her head forward, sniffing the wounds on the back of his head, shoulders, neck, as well as his flank. She swiped at the tufts of fur that barely clung to him, slapping it down directly infront of him as she narrowed her eyes, her lip curling. "You hurt her, and she hurt you. I see *exactly* what happened here." She scornfully whipped around, shooting the tom a warning glare over her shoulder, before she softly began to nose around Petalpaw's pelt. She barely reacted to her touch, and when Lavendersnow grabbed her scruff to drag her towards the light of the den, a low moan escaped her, though not much more. As delicate as a mother Lavendersnow leaned the molly's head directly in the light, her pad soaking with the blood that stained the back of her skull.

She dipped her head low enough to view, and carefully with her other paw she pried open Petalpaw's eyes. She pulled her head back, before pulling her back into it, her gaze locked on the pupils of the molly, which didn't retract like they normally would. Lavendersnow's tail bushed out, and after softly laying her back in her nest, she whipped around and grabbed Sharpsun roughly by the scruff, tugging him away from the small apprentice so she could confront him without her overhearing. While the two departed briefly, Petalpaw limply lay in her nest, her head rolling from side to side, before lolling back down again. She reached around desperately, before her body eased once more. From the back of the den her ears swivelled towards the sound of Lavendersnow snarling.

*Lavendersnow:*

Lavendersnow had barely entered the clearing after sorting the herbs from her trip to Silkstar's Fall with Blizzardclaw when the strong scent of fresh blood wafted towards her from the arcway. She stood frozen, her paws embedded into the Earth as she stared expectantly. She was surprised when a tear seemed to rip in her heart at the limp form of Petalpaw, who's body was trailing behind her, blood soaked her fur. She leapt immediately into action, her mind swelling with dread as she yanked the flame-point's scruff from the fluffy tom that held her. He, too was wounded, blood dribbled from open slices on his body and fur was torn away, exposing bare skin beneath it. She swished her tail at him in indication for the tom to follow. She'd have preffered to have a clean nest for such a heavily wounded cat, though the newer of the options would do either way. She pushed away one nest that crinkled under-paw, selecting the softest nest she could for the soft little scrap of fur she'd be treating. While she sniffed over her pelt, tucking her legs in and fixing her gaze on her face, Lavendersnow placed a paw harshly on her chest, digging into her ribs before she shook her.

Petalpaw blinked at her weakly, before her head faltered, sounding a soft thump as it fell back down. Her body stiffened. *She musn't sleep, it'll kill her.* She prodded her cheek to rouse her again, before she whipped around and yanked the tom away by his scruff, her teeth gentle not to wound him further, though the force indicated she was urgently trying to pull him away. As soon as he stepped off she rounded on him, hissing furiously until her entire body was bushed out so far she hit her head on the roof of the den. She stood rigid for a moment, her teeth gnashing as frustration welled within her.

"You flea-brain, what happened?" She flexed her claws into the Earth to stop herself from raking her claws down the tom's face. "I know for a *fact* those wounds came from her paws, and that lump of fur could've only been hurt by you, so spit it out. And you'd better pray to Silkstar's frigid grave that you had a good reason for it." Her tail was lashing viciously, her expression twisted until unbridled rage spoke in soundless waves. She kept glancing back over his shoulder at the apprentice, who looked like little more than a kit now. She couldn't suppress a snarl that escaped from deep within her throat. She couldn't be more offended if a cat had walked up and swiped her muzzle.

*Petalpaw has never put a whisker wrong,* she pictured the countless times the bubbly apprentice had helped her collect herbs, and the various times she'd spent having to listen to her mental medicine cat sessions while she spilled her heart out, bleeding and ugly, all over her medicine den floor. She'd grown so used to having her there that she often regarded her a partial medicine cat, and harming one was the biggest insult to Starclan a cat could make. If it didn't place his sorry hide in the Dark Forest, Lavendersnow promised him, albeit silently, that she'd drag him there herself. She scored the ground with sharp claws, the massive molly glaring eye to eye with the Norwegian Forest Cat. Nothing he did could intimidate her, and her rage would be protected at all costs due to her rank alone. *I can say as I please, and do as I please. This cat better bow his head and kiss my paws, lest I line my nest with his fur.* Her pelt rippled ominously, her muscles evident through her pelt as she flexed them, as if preparing to strike. Her tail lashed coldly behind her, the azure orbs in her skull narrowing sharply, pupils nothing more but void slits as she tracked his movements. "Well?"

*Sharpsun:*

Sharpsun's tail twitched.

"The apprentice here asked me to take then out to train. And that's what happened."

He said, his whiskers pricking.

"However it was under my knowledge that she'd go sporadic and completely feral toward myself."

He said, shaking his head, scraps of fur that were loose swept onto the ground. She had gotten him pretty good after all.

"Good Nurse Lavandersnow, do hear out my word of pleasure. This dame perhaps have turned savage in the heat of battle, and her actions should be accounted by myself if not her."

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna was watching from another area of the den. A part of her really wanted to ask what happened to the scrapped tom and the dainty broken apprentice. A training session gone wrong? Perhaps something else. Feral, huh?

It sounded like lies slipping under his tone. Dark musty lies. Mud seeped through his fur, tainting his mind with pollution.

How awful a sentinel could be to harm a little thing like that. It seemed cruel.

The other reason being the presence of the nurse. She never really liked Lavender. She guessed it was probably just because she felt useless beneath her paws. Quavering like a kit faced to a fox. Like she was a small morsel not even daring to face her. She was too ashamed. Plus, she never really was on the spectrum of being overly religious like the rest of the clan. If Starclan truly sent its wishes, she lost hope in them.

*Lavendersnow:*

Lavendersnow's expression fell in almost an instant. She listened cooly, her maw flat lines, untwitching as she listened with perked ears. As he'd finished, she lashed her tail in dismissal, and her fur rippled along her spine.

"You can't be serious." She stared at the small lump of fur hunched in her nest, her gaze darting back to him and back again. *He's more injured than she is, but still.* Her claws worked the Earth beneath her pads, viciously she rippled her muzzle up in a growl. "I don't appreciate how you've described this apprentice." She jerked her head towards the small crumpled molly. "Savage? Feral? Are you sure we're on about the same cat? Petalpaw has never even thought of lifting a claw to even a butterfly, let alone a full-grown cat." She snapped, her eyes blazing in her fury. She seemed to notice Decayingbelladonna, and she shot her a glance over her shoulder. Twitching her ears, she jerked her muzzle towards where Petalpaw lay, her tail bristling as she lashed it.

"Decayingbelladonna, grab your patient and drag her to your side of the den. Keep her awake, whatever you do. I'll be over there to treat her momentarily." She jerked her muzzle towards the mental medicine cat's side, where various flowers, much like the ones that Petalpaw usually wore, stached in deep pockets in the wall, dug out by the ancient Nurses before them. She twitched her ears before turning her attention back to Sharpsun. "What *you're* going to do is clean your own wounds. I'll treat you when I get back. I think you ought to explain what *actually* happened to Dawnstar." There was a warning in her growl, and she did not linger. She swept her head aside, and brushed past the tom, her tail flicking irritably in her wake.

*Sharpsun:*

The tom's eyes narrowed as he watched her pad past him, his tail twitched slightly as the tom thought. He wondered how Dawnstar would actually react to an apprentice going off rails from training. The tom wasn't lying either. Petal did in fact decide it was no longer a training session, and almost pushed it to murder if that's what it would of took. And it wasn't like the tom hurt her awfully, he didn't want his mane getting ripped piece by piece by a she-cat whom lost her temper.

He promptly sat against some of the moss bedding, starting to groom his left paw. Closing his eyes as the silver taste left his parting maw.

*She was good though.* He thought, with almost certainty.

This apprentice had spunk.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

The molly's eyes drifted downward to the beaten up she-cat whom was in front of her. She glanced up at Lavender, softly nodding. She didn't want to question the words of the Nurse, so she did as she was told. Padding forward and gently picking Petalpaw up with her jaws, and padding over to the bloomed flowers and soft moss bedding spread out on her side of the den.

Her frosted blue eyes glimmered as she gently put the dame down and fetched some flowers, ones in which she'd seen Petalpaw with previously. She padded back, neatly dropping them down and using a vine to knot them around one of Petalpaw's front-legs. With that, the molly gave a soft, reassuring smile. Though, underneath she didn't really know if the apprentice even would be okay.

"There, pretty aren't they?" She asked, doing as the Nurse had requested in keeping Petalpaw awake. By placing the flowers gently on the forelimb, she had hoped Petalpaw would almost forget the horrid sorrow Decayingbelladonna assumed she had been consumed by. Perhaps it would be a way to distract her, long enough to keep the young apprentice awake so that they could treat her.

And simply, as a gift from one she-cat to another.

*Petalpaw:*

The flame-point molly coiled in her nest as it was dragged from one side of the den to the next, her tail twitching and her eyes round with pain. She winced when she rose her head to gaze at the cat who'd moved her, though her gaze was so fuzzy she wasn't sure *who* had really moved her. She flinched when she felt something tickling her paw, and she slowly lowered her head to sniff at it. Her senses nearly immediately waned as the aroma of the sweet flower numbed some of the pain spiking through her head, and the molly curled her tail up to run her nose down it, only to let out a soft whimper, her paws searching her tail weakly, gripping for the medication she once carried.

She flattened her ears, a small croak in her maw as she opened it carefully, her dilated gaze scanning the mental medicine cat helplessly. "I saw something horrible." She was shivering in her nest, her fur pricked all along her pelt. She was trying to meet Decayingbelladonna's gaze, but her head was wavering harshly. She leaned out a paw to grab Decayingbelladonna's paw, holding it close to her for a moment. She relished in the warmth of her pad between her own for a moment, before she let go and bowed her head. "I'm so so worried..." Her whiskers were drooping, and her ears flattened against her skull. Her head was pounding miserably, and she flinched away from light that flitted towards her nest from the roof, her belly tightening into knots as she tried to fight away the bile that rose in her throat. She felt so cold and her wounds ached miserably, but the pounding in her head, similar to paws beating against a path, numbed the rest of her sliced body.

She blinked up at the mental medicine cat, as if begging her- *willing her*- to understand. She writhed in her nest, covering her eyes with her paws as she sunk back down, her tail coiled up against her flank while she breathed in the scented herb, the small amount of relief it gave her a blessing. She sucked the air in harshly, she was desperate for relief. A few heartbeats later, Lavendersnow stalked back in, her tail lashing and her expression unreadable. She plucked an herb from her storage and dropped it in front of Petalpaw, who weakly looked up when Lavendersnow lay her thick, dark-brown tail over her back. "Eat it, it's watermint. Do you remember what it does?" She blinked warmly at the apprentice, her voice gentle, though edged with the rough lap of her own tone. Petalpaw looked up at her, a question in her gaze, before she leaned down and lapped up the plant, stem and all. "Oh, no no... Not the stem." Lavendersnow gripped the stem from between Petalpaw's lips and pulled it out, the molly was staring at her in vivid confusion, unsure of what she'd done wrong.

*Lavendersnow:*

The snowshoe had quickly padded off, nosing her way into the den hollowed out of the high-rock, her maw split to consume the air that clung to the vines, her ears twitching irritably as she recognized the scent was faint. She did a lap around camp, stopping to inquiry few cats before moving along, her paws itched to return in case Petalpaw grew ill in the time she was away. *Not that I want to clean up apprentice sick off my den floor or anything.* Finding Dawnstar could wait, clearly the molly had gone out on her own lone patrol, and she wasn't about to waste precious daylight darting along the territory searching for her. What ever punishment the two cats in her den would recieve would half to wait. She hurried back to her patient, her head swishing the vines that covered the medicine den as she nosed her way in. She blinked at Sharpsun first, who was following her instruction. She padded to where Petalpaw had been seperated from the tom, her maw ajar to catch the scent of the herb wrapped around the apprentice's foreleg.

She rose a brow at Decayingbelladonna as she met her, her whiskers twitching, she spoke low enough that neither Sharpsun or Petalpaw could hear. Not that it looked like the small flame-point was trying, Lavendersnow realized. The young cat had covered her eyes and was letting out small whimpers, her tail bushed out in fear. She leaned forward and mewed into Decayingbelladonna's ear.

"I believe she has a concussion. Her eyes wouldn't fix to the light shone in it, and she seemed dazed and confused." She pulled away, her maw twitching as she forced a deep frown. "Did she say anything while I was away?" She eyed the apprentice again, though she was still tucked tightly around herself. *Is she scared of Decayingbelladonna, or me?* She couldn't understand what would set the apprentice off so much in the den. Had Sharpsun scared her that badly? She shot the tom a harsh glare as she padded back towards her storage, her tail flicking in warning as she grabbed a plentiful bundle of herbs, her maw full when she returned to Petalpaw's side, dropping the stock at her paws. She lowered herself into a crouch, soothingly lapping the back of her head, the metallic taste of her blood washing over her tongue like a sour flavor, causing her muzzle to scrunch up. It had been a long time since she'd seen a nasty impact wound like this. She froze as the apprentice stirred, her gaze locking with Decayingbelladonna once more.

"Please believe me." She whimpered simply, so quietly Lavendersnow hardly could hear. The Nurse rose her muzzle to Decayingbelladonna, blinking at her curiously.

"What does she mean by that?" She leaned closer, trying to listen if the apprentice had anything more to say, but she was staring pleadingly at the mental medicine cat, her fur prickling. "Ask her about it." She willed the molly, her ears twitching with her own desire to be informed. She was awake now, and actively talking. So perhaps she hadn't been injured as badly as she originally thought. She winced less when lapped now, the watermint must've eased her pain enough to have them treated. She worked while she awaited what on whatever Petalpaw was talking about, her ears open towards the young cat.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna looked at the apprentice, her whiskers twitching.

*What was she trying to say?*

Her eyes dulled partially, looking at Petalpaw. Her whimpers scared Decayingebelladona harshly, she felt horrid that the she-cat was enduring such pain.

When Lavender asked, she shook her head and sighed silently. Steeping down, and putting her paw on Petal's softly.

"Hey... Sh sh.. It's alright.."

She whispered to Petalpaw, her tone held honey under its tone. She tried her best to keep herself calm, for the apprentices sake.

"What can you remember..?"

She asked, trying not to urge her to speak fast.

"Take your time, of course."

The molly reminded her, making sure to have Petal not strain herself.

*Petalpaw:*

Petalpaw writhed in her nest, splaying back out until she was facing Decayingbelladonna clearly. Her head was smeared with poultice, and Lavendersnow had barely begun placing a leaf wrapping when she abruptly sat up. Lavendersnow flicked her flank impatiently with her fluffy tail, before steadying her once more.

"I'm not confused, Lavendersnow. I was just a little dizzy." She winced away, her tail flicking softly. She held Lavendersnow's gaze clearly for a moment before breaking away. *Whatever she gave me helped clear it up a little. I never forgot, though.* She was twitching her whiskers anxiously, ducking under Lavendersnow's touch once more. She felt the molly poke her ear irritably. She shrugged her away, she'd always told Halfdusk everything, and she was comfortable with the mental medicine cats. She believed if any cat could make sense of it, she could.

"I think I saw something that wasn't meant for me." She squeaked. Lavendersnow's whiskers twitched at her ear, and she looked back at her anxiously. "It was scary, I remember what happened clearly." She urged, her paws kneading the nest anxiously. "I attacked Sharpsun because he upset me... Long story short I lost, he grabbed me and smacked me against a tree and I blacked out. But I immediately went somewhere else, one second I was in the forest the next I was in the moors... I thought I was dead." Words were tumbling out of her mouth fluidly, her words urging and her breath quickening as she went through the story. She was staring up anxiously now, looking at both Decayingbelladonna and Lavendersnow. She shrunk beneath her pelt to see Lavendersnow frozen solid, her eyes locked on her pelt. "What else did you see, Petalpaw?" Lavendersnow spoke slowly, her eyes watching every twitch of her face. *Oh, Silkstar!*

She felt her heart thrumming in her chest. *What does it mean that I saw a sign from Starclan? That cat looked kinda mad before I woke up again..* She was swallowing rapidly, locking her eyes desperately with Decayingbelladonna. *Please believe me, please...* She winced as she felt the burning of Lavendersnow's gaze against her pelt. *Please, please! It could be danger, we could be in trouble!*

"I saw... I saw a meadow of young flower buds, many different kinds." She was trying to control her breath between the words, but they tumbled out of her so fast she was shivering again. "They bloomed right before my eyes... It was so beautiful. I thought maybe I had died." She looked sheepishly to where Sharpsun was lapping his wounds, before tearing her gaze away, stifling a sigh. "But while I was sniffing them a flower died. But it just turned black and shriveled up, it was horrible. It spread to the next flower and the next, before the whole field was a big black scar." She was mewing faster and faster, and she tried to speed up her words, only to run out of air. She rested her head, taking in the scent of the herb. She felt Lavendersnow begin to work on her again, her paws nosey.

"Is that all?" Lavendersnow mused, she could feel her whiskers again. *Why is she like that?* She couldn't feel more frustrated if Lavendersnow teased her with prey. *Doesn't she believe me?*

It was one thing for her to not believe her, another thing entirely for her to twitch her whiskers in *amusement!* She felt sick. *I mean it, though.* She had to mention the Starclan cat. Maybe Lavendersnow would know who she was talking about?

"No! I saw a cat on the moors, too. It was a molly, I could see easily through her pelt, she was little more than a shadow." She pictured the graceful, slick black molly again. Her grey-blue eyes had made her freeze in terror. "She came up to me, she sounded like a leader-"

"She *spoke* to you?" Lavendersnow's voice was taut with disbelief. Petalpaw shrank away visibly. She nodded when the molly stared at her in waiting. She blinked miserably at Decayingbelladonna as Lavendersnow snorted in dismissal. She blinked at her anxiously. *She believes me, doesn't she?*

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna looked at the apprentice in almost pity. Though she pushed the feeling down to her scruff. She hated feeling like this when others showed her pity. Now seeing almost a cat like herself receive pity scents in the air, it made her almost saddened. She looked at Petalpaw with almost a sorry expression. She didn't know what to respond with. She didn't want her to feel pitied like she was useless.

The molly glanced downward, her mind wandered like a storm. Swarming once again. Though she snapped out of it once Petalpaw explained the rest, she looked at the apprentice in almost awe.

*What?*

She thought, glancing over at Lavendersnow's expression. She then glanced back to Petalpaw. The molly indeed believed every word, understanding the horror put into it. She's had issues like that before with Starclan. They toyed with her like a little squeaky toy for a kittypet.

"I... O-Of course I do..!" Decayingbelladonna replied with urgency. Though she almost thought she noticed Lavender's expression darken a bit. Her tone went to a mutter, ans her ears flopped over a bit.

"Just.... Seems..."

She closed her eyes and tilted her head a bit away. She'd try to give her honest opinion, but under Lavendersnow, her anxiety made her fur raise along her spine with anxiousness.

*Lavendersnow:*

Lavendersnow's eyes were blazing radiantly, her eyes locked with Petalpaw's minimal form. She tucked her tail over her maw, her ears twitching in a warning. She lowered her maw to the young apprentice's ear, her voice a low growl as not to be overheard by Decayingbelladonna, her eyes were narrow slits in the dark molly's direction.

"You understand the consequences of using your voice on behalf of Starclan." She snarled, her lip curling as she caught Decayingbelladonna's eye. She removed her tail and leaned back up, gazing down at Petalpaw, she didn't wince at the molly's pitifully desperate expression, her eyes glossy while she stared back at the snowshoe.

"Ill take them, I don't care who I scare. They scared me to send me this message!" Her voice was hesitant, she was holding something back. Lavendersnow had heard enough already, however. *This isn't how Starclan has* ever *comnunicated with me.* She was flicking her tail venomously over her back. *And not only that, she* admitted *to attacking Sharpsun?* She'd call the tom over if Petalpaw wasn't squeaking such nonsense. She glanced towards the poppy seeds she'd brought over, toying with them underpaw. *She clearly isn't well...* "She spoke to me, like I said. She said... 'There is a toxin among the flower buds, the petals will wilt if it is left to fester. The toxin must be purged before the storm.'"

Lavendersnow felt her claws flex into the floor of the den, shooting Decayingbelladonna a warning glare, the two locked eyes briefly, before Decayingbelladonna faltered. She snorted. *Of course* you're *taken in by this.* She glared at Petalpaw fiercely. *You directly undermine my word by speaking on my behalf.* She willed her to understand while she stood so tall over her it seemed she may swipe at her. She allowed her pelt to stop prickling, and she flicked her tail crossly.

"I don't think-"

"I don't think that sign was *for you* Petalpaw." She meowed simply, her azure eyes rounding on Petalpaw when the apprentice whipped around, her maw ajar as if to defend herself.

"But-"

"I said *enough.* I've heard plenty already. You did not see some *sign,* and you're not some little prophet apprentice that sees special signs from our ancestors." Her voice was rough, her tone decided in conversation, giving no room for Petalpaw to interject. She winced visibly as if lashed by a strike. Petalpaw was blinking miserably, appalled that Lavendersnow could speak to her this way, the Nurse curled her lip.

"You see Starclan tonight?" Petalpaw was mewing softly. Lavendersnow narrowed her eyes. "Ask them, then. See what they say to you."

"You know Starclan does not give clear answers. You know as much as any cat in this clan that's the case." Lavendersnow flicked her tail in dismissal. "I won't have an *apprentice* telling me what to do, thanks." She curled her lip in disdain. "What are you trying to *do* anyway?" She was seemingly carrying thorns in her tongue, her words were laced with toxins. "Scare your clanmates?" She fluttered her lashes when Petalpaw rose once more to defend herself, Lavendersnow gnashed her teeth to silence her.

"I was-"

"You *were* trying to scare your clan mates after a successful festival." She rose her head defiantly. "Well, I've heard plenty. Enough with your made up apprentice tales, and attacking a clanmate, making up visions of ruin future? Do you have any idea just how stressed out Dawnstar gets when hearing about visions? You'll make her lose her fur. I will hear nothing more of this." Her teeth glinted between her lips in warning, and she stalked away, her tail lashing. "And I suppose, Sharpsun... You were right. She confessed, making her look all the more crazy for what she's spewing." She spoke with her mew full of scorn, her gaze not shifting to give Petalpaw even a moment to defend herself, she could imagine her trying to disappear into her nest out of shame. She nodded towards the tom, settling instead next to him. She had no desire to treat a cat who spoke nonsensically.

*Sharpsun:*

Sharpsun glanced over at the Nurse who sat next to him.

"Finally come to your senses that the apprentice is a bit wild?"

He asked with almost a smirk and arrogance in his tone. He didn't really care what the apprentice had done, but the fact he could see that the Nurse agreed was a sight to see.

"She got me pretty good, huh?"

He chuckled a bit, then batted at his ear. Silently rolling his eyes.

"Not to mention that dame is a complete blabbermouth, wouldn't stop talking even when she was terrified."

His eyes crested toward the Nurse, his tail twitched.

"And you."

He began with a prick of his whiskers.

"Didn't know you'd be so harsh, hm?"

Sharpsun smiled.

"Seems like you're not as nice as you are said to be. But, that's alright."

The tom glanced forward.

"Doesn't bother me."

*Petalpaw:*

The flame-point barely had a chance to prepare herself for the awful lashing she'd recieve from Lavendersnow, let alone how quickly she was silenced, dismissed, and then padded over and left behind like spoiled prey. She felt exposed, she felt afraid. Her belly felt like a gaping hole was ripped open into it, her gut twisted miserably. Her heart dropped into it, until it felt like it was now exposed over the Earth. She cowered in her nest, her breaths so faint she wasn't positive she was breathing. She doesn't believe me. The thought was like a sharp thorn in her chest. Her eyes rounded painfully, and she looked now at Decayingbelladonna as Lavendersnow abandoned her patient, padding towards where Sharpsun sat, too far from ear-shot to hear whatever horrible things she had to say about her now.

Shoulders sagging, she scanned her gaze desperately, feeling immediately comforted by the sparkle in it's depths. *She does believe me.* She almost felt like she could collapse, utterly numb with relief.

"I'm not crazy." She insisted with a whimper. "I saw a black cat with blue-grey eyes. She had very sleek fur that tufted where it met open air. She had a very long, thick tail, and she had long fur... But it was very light on her pelt and draped over her frame like a shadow, rather than fur fluffing to meet her cheeks." She was scraping together all the details she could on the cat she'd seen.

"She had really defined cheek-bones, and she sounded like a leader. She looked as if she wasn't seeing me at first... But when she did she disappeared into a conspiracy of ravens, her fur opening into feathers. They flew towards me and I was back in the forest... That's when I started to feel dizzy." She was edged so close to Decayingbelladonna now that her whiskers brushed the molly's chest fur. Pain was wracking through her due to how she stretched, but she ignored it. This was so much more important.

She shot a glance back towards Lavendersnow, returning while she stared anxiously back, her whole body shuttered as if the truth had been hard to reveal. Lavendersnow's outburst at it had her crouched like she'd been struck while already down, her eyes wide as she glanced back and forth, horrified she'd speak her mind again. She felt her belly fizz with her swelling nausea. She has to ask them when she visits today, but she just thinks I'm a fox-dung brain kit. She blinked anxiously at Decayingbelladonna, relieved that she was here. She sunk closer to her warm fur, the glitter in her eyes and her belief shone onto her fur like the first ray of sunlight in newleaf. She stretched her neck to greet it fondly.

"You believe me. What do you think?" She blinked up anxiously at her now. "I told you everything I know. She had stars in her pelt, the black cat- and she must be old if she was transparent- thats how Starclan cats work, right?"Her voice was little more than a miniature mew. She was desperate for Decayingbelladonna's support. If Lavendersnow doesn't believe me, she needs to.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladonna's eyes dimed, almost faltering.

"I.."

They glanced over, focused on Lavender whom was far away now. Talking to the tom, probably about Petalpaw. her tail twitched as she watched the nurse, almost in a fit she wanted to do something. Though, words didn't describe it. And she'd prefer not to describe it. The nurse was holy to everycat. If she broke that reality, she'd be shun worse then she already is.

Her ears flopped a bit, she glanced away from the nurse, but not at Petalpaw.

*What's the use.*

She thought.

*Even if I agree, Lavendersnow will still not do anything about it.*

Decayingbelladonna's whiskers pricked, she now felt rather upset.

*She sees a poor kit who has clearly seen some things that are really important to the clan, and yet, she walks away and turns her tail toward her.* The molly silently stomped her paw. *How could a cat be so cruel?*

Her left ear twitched up as she glanced over at Petalpaw.

*Oh, right.*

She shook her head, clearing her inner thoughts and dropping down onto her haunches to meet Petalpaw's eyes.

"Of course I believe you."

She said, her voice low in a whisper.

"And it's really, really bad from what I can tell."

The molly took a settle glance over at Lavender, then looked back toward Petalpaw.

"But Lavendersnow won't help you in this. We'll need to take to Dawnstar.."

She murmured low enough for only the two of them to hear. The last thing she wanted was Lavendersnow on her tail for conspiring with the apprentice.

*Lavendersnow:*

Lavendersnow flicked her tail in harsh dismissal as she headed from her den, retreating quickly to drag back Dawnstar, who now blinked wildly towards Petalpaw's nest on the far right side of the den. She audibly gasped and rushed over, amber eyes swimming with horror. She flushed at the feeling of seeing the molly distressed, she couldn't help it. She kneaded her paws excitedly as she awaited her harsh scolding of the apprentice. She hadn't agreed with what Sharpsun had said at all, but she *did* clearly see the obsurdity of her claims. *How bold.* She gnashed her teeth internally at the young, curly-cheeked molly. *I'm sure Starclan will thank you while we nip your pelt off.* She flicked her tail in dismissal, facing Sharpsun once more. Her dark gaze narrowed as the masculine threw remarks at her, of which she only shrugged off, her expression impartial.

"No need to celebrate, I still don't think you're off the hook." She shot a warning glance towards Dawnstar, who had her head bowed as she sniffed anxiously at Petalpaw's head, her tail bushed out in the shock. The den was huge, but with the massive Bengal as well as the two huge Nurse and Sentinel that resided in here, she couldn't help but swell in how crowded it felt. It didn't help either that Sharpsun's breath was turned sour with Petalpaw's blood, and Dawnstar's terror was thickening the air. She flattened her ears, frustration heating her ears. *I can't wait until this is all over so I can have my den back to myself.*

She shot her head back around upon hearing what Sharpsun had to say next. She curled her lip in a sneer while she lathered a pre-made poultice on his wounds, her claws pricking the outer lip of his wounds while she did so. "You'd better watch your tongue, before I claw it out of your mouth and use it to dress your wounds." She jerked her head forward before he could speak. "You're lucky you're even being *given* treatment. If I was the leader of this clan? I'd refuse you help and send you back to your den with fur still flying from your pelt. You should be *groveling* at my paws for wasting my time." She spoke in rapid spats, her brow furrowed intensely as she erupted the words from her chest. Her tail still was lashing rapidly as well, she seemingly was already ready to begin the lashing of a lifetime to the next cat that opened their maw at her, she was bristling furiously. Just then, it seemed the perfect time for Dawnstar to jerk her head around, catching Lavendersnow's eye. Her voice was piercing in her mind as she spoke, she had to grit her teeth to keep herself from hissing furiously.

"Lavendersnow, what is this about an omen?"

*Dawnstar:*

Dawnstar's mind was reeling as she padded into the medicine den, her eyes widening with stark dismay as she spotted the limp form of a tiny, pale peach apprentice. Her heart all but shattered when she weakly stirred, her gaze fixed anxiously on Decayingbelladonna, who looked just as anxious and stressed as the young apprentice. She padded forward, her paws were shaking horribly. She lowered herself to the ground, her legs stretching out as she knelt down. She scanned Petalpaw softly, before her gaze flitted to Decayingbelladonna, her eyes wide with distress. "How is she, and what happened?" She'd listen intently for her reply, nodding as she took the information in. She looked back towards Petalpaw, who was staring at the mental medicine cat as if she'd just spat in her prey, her brow furrowed intensely.

She scanned Decayingbelladonna again, her eyes widening at the mention of the omen, the description she gave was brief, amd she nodded with each word, her gaze scanning the young cat's features briefly. She rose her head, her ears twitching with intent. *I suppose her injury can wait, since Lavendersnow seems more concerned about this "omen."* She spun around until she was facing Lavendersnow clearly, her tail curling up curiously.

"What is this about an omen?" She blinked earnestly at the molly, her tone soft yet pitched. Her tail tip was quivering curiously, curled at the tip like a question sign. She had little room to breathe before the molly spun around, her fur ruffled to it's full extent and her eyes blazing. Dawnstar gripped the ground, swallowing briefly. *Is my own Nurse about to attack me?* She was dumb-founded. What had she done wrong? She couldn't place a paw on it. She inched forward, her maw opening to reply, but Lavendersnow interjected immediately.

"This young apprentice has been dragged in here after being unable to defend herself in a battle *she* caused by attacking an older, more experienced, and most of all stronger clanmate." Her words flew out of her maw eagerly, Dawnstar had to catch a breath and stiffen her limbs to keep herself grounded, as well as keep up. "She has gone on to your mental medicine cat about how she's scared about something she saw, and she goes on this whole spiel about some omen she saw, or prophecy or whatever. However- as the sole interpretor *for* these signs and visions, I do not believe in the legitimacy of any of these claims, and for each of the reason following. One;"

Dawnstar was astonished that she hasn't run out of air. She was talking so quickly she almost thought the molly might've rehearsed this specific statement. Her eyes widened in her own shock, and slight admiration at her dedication. "This apprentice speaks of a Starclan cat *padding up to her and speaking.* When was the last time a Starclan cat has *spoken* to you in a vision? The only ones I've gotten have been purely silent. Do you disagree with my word on behalf of my interpretations of the sign from Starclan? Second; the way she described the blackness, how did you describe it again, Petalpaw?" She flicked her gaze back to the molly, who looked traumatized by her speech. She went on without waiting even a heartbeat for her to reply. "'Like the sky and sun were consumed as well?' Doesn't that sound a *lot* like succumbing to the head trauma you *clearly* possess? And finally," Petalpaw had rubbed the back of her head with small snow-toed paws before blinking at her in dismay. Dawnstar flicked her tail crossly. "I think I've heard just about enough-"

"No! Finally!" Lavendersnow was screeching now, her yowl splitting through the air while the molly tried to force herself to be heard. She looked about ready to turn frenzied with her boiling rage, but Dawnstar willed it. She walked forward, her gaze authoritative as she rose her head tall over her, she hoped her posture alone was enough to have her back down. The molly only flexed her shoulders and raised to meet her, sharp teeth glinting in the light of the den. Dawnstar's gaze sharpened.

"You will watch how you *speak* in the presence of your leader." She spoke with a thick, rich tone that egged her on. She *dared* the Nurse to step out of line. *Show them why they fear you.* She dared her. Lavendersnow held her gaze stubbornly for a few moments more, before she backed down, dropping her gaze first and padding back away.

She flicked her tail towards Decayingbelladonna and Petalpaw, her head rose tall still, her ears danced between the fern swaths packed into the roof. "Now, tell me more on this omen you saw. You say a Starclan cat spoke with you? How would you describe her, from Petalpaw's words." She looked from Petalpaw to Decayingbelladonna, her gaze willing the mental medicine cat to speak. *Petalpaw looks nothing more like a petrified kit.* She ached to rest her muzzle on the young cat's head. She looked stressed out from how Lavendersnow was lashing out at her, her eyes rounded and pleading as she begged Decayingbelladonna to speak for her. Again, before she had a moment to speak, Lavendersnow's voice piped up from the side of the den, her tone matter-of-fact and sour.

"Black, like a shadow. Sunken cheeks due to high cheek bones, pale blue-grey eyes." She could be heard calling without facing the trio. Dawnstar flicked her ear passively.

"Thank you... Lavendersnow." She gritted her teeth. *She's such a pain in my behind.* She was a tail-length away from running up to her to claw her ears off, but seemingly she thought better of it. She glanced back to Petalpaw, her paw tipping thoughtfully. "That kinda sounds like... Ravenstar? I only think I've heard of her from old tales, I've never seen her myself." She guessed wildly, her tail tip churning. Her pelt twitched as Lavendersnow's voice sounded again. *I'm going to rip my own ears off momentarily, on second matter.*

"Don't you know what you could be *doing* by trying to interpret a false omen? You're considering playing with a sinner in the eyes of Starclan this close to leafbare? Do you want to lose all our kits?" Dawnstar's expression shone her clear distaste. Her tone caused her fur to bush wildly, and she was tapping her unsheathed claws against the edge of her nest. She lowered her head, she wanted answers from Decayingbelladonna, *not* her Nurse.

"Come with me. Allow us to discuss this somewhere a tad more quiet?" She shot Lavendersnow a warning glare, but the molly wasn't facing them. She kept her maw busy as the Bengal led the way from the den, her shoulder supporting Petalpaw as they padded away. She never took her eyes of the snowshoe, who returned it right back at her with malice. Dawnstar lapped her chest fur before padding quickly away, her tail tip churning in her wake.

*Decayingbelladonna:*

Decayingbelladona's eyes watched Lavendersnow as they passed by, she dragged her paws along, her tail leaving a trail of petals that faltered out of it. Her eyes lost the spark she had earlier, replaced by a dullness. When she passed by Lavender snow, a new feeling arose in her. She had wanted to do something unspeakable to that molly. No remorse. A cat who can just leave behind a helpless kit in pain was too criminal to be injust. Her eyes closed as she padded.

*The molly paused, leaving Dawnstar to keep going. Her eyes peered downward at her paws, her pupils narrowing.*

*"How dare you ever think that this is tolerable."*

*She said, her eyes formed a glare at Lavendersnow, barely regarding the toms presence.*

*"What?"*

*Lavender replied, glaring back at the molly.*

*"What did you say to me?"*

*Her paws had quavered underneath those words, they buried at the back of her mind like a toy stuck in it's box. It was melting. Twisting. Creaking. Desperately clinging out for a ping of sympathy.*

*"You're talking quite touch for a cat who believes in a liar like the apprentice you cradle in your paws."*

*Lavender told her before she had a chance to reply.*

*"You better get down on your paws and beg that Starclan forgives such injustice that you've caused."*

*Lavendersnow glared at the molly. "To believe one like that you make is a fool." The dame lifted to her paws, "I'll be waiting for you to come to your senses and crawl back to me like the kit you are. Do what your pathetic job requires you to do and do just that. Stop getting in the way of the professional cats who actually make a difference to this camp. Do what you have been. Slip poison under your tone like a flower. Afterall, that's all you've been doing, isn't it? It seems to have worked." The dame gave a small chuckle at her own words. "It's worked for your kin in the past, hasn't it?" She tipped her tail forward, starting to pad to the storage. "Go, pretend you're something special. I'll be waiting for when you get onto your paws and beg for Starclan's forgiveness."* *Decayingbelladonna's eyes widened with surprise, for how could a cat be cruel as to insult not only their leader, but also insult the very cat that has been stopping the other cats in the clan from going completely insane. Her nose bridge scrunched up in disgust, her two more prominent fangs briefly gapping onto her jaw. She didn't care anymore. Her claws flexed as her haunches lowered.*

***"I'll make you eat those words!!"** She scowled as she sprang at the Nurse, with one blow, getting a large bite onto the back of her scruff and crushing down with all of the strength she could. Tugging and ripping out chunks of fur and flesh. The nurse tried to beg, but mercy wasn't to bless her this day. She knocked Lavendersnow onto her backside with belly exposed and lifted her paw up. Blood dripped down her soaked muzzle and she launched her claws down at the front part of Lavender's scruff. There was a cackled gurgle of screeching and whining until it went silent. Her world went black.* There was a muffled voice for a moment, she felt dazed, glancing down at her paws in blurry vision. Her ears held a faint noise, a ringing that hummed in her eardrums. It felt like a dream in the moment. She felt light, almost weak in the sense of her brain. Her body was seeming to shake, her gaze faltering upward in a messy manner as she couldn't look straight. The walls were stone, and moss, giving little blotches of brown everywhere. Greens and browns. Was she in the medicine den still? Her eyes gave up on her, she blinked helplessly as she looked around her peripheral vision. There was a blotch of flame-point colors, and a a big blotch of gray-brown. Big blobs that clouded her vision. She blinked, her eyelids falling, and failing to work properly.

Finally, her gaze started to sparkle again, her eyes were still hazy and cloudy, yet she could make out certain markings.

*That's not..*

The talking got louder and almost clearer, the sound of a flower was said.

**Belladonna?**

The bigger splotch seemed to be speaking. She could now make out faint stripes along the cat's body. And other other cat as well, seemed smaller in comparison. The ringing stopped finally, and the muffled voices became clear at once. Her eyes shot wide open as she seemed to slip from the fantasy she played out in her mind. Her gaze glancing around the den hastily, Dawnstar and Petalpaw there. She shook her head.

"Decaying, could you repeat what you said before?"

Dawnstar asked her, she blinked confused. Glancing down at her paws. They were clear as the day that opposed her pelt, her gaze tripped over to Dawnstar.

"What..?"

She finally mumbled after everything became clear. She was in the leader's den, she had followed Dawnstar and Petalpaw. They were to talk about the omen, right? She glanced down.

*That felt... so real.*

Her whisker's pricked anxiously, she felt cold sweat go down the side of her muzzle and back. Which was spiked up.

*How could I..*

She gulped harshly, the saliva feeling like a jagged stone being swallowed.

*How could I ever imagine something like that...*

She felt dazed still, like she didn't even wake from that vivid daydream. Hallucination? She didn't know. She tipped her ears upward at Dawnstar's voice again, repeating the question. Her mind reset in the moment. She shuffled with her paws.

"O-Oh, erm. P-...Petal described it like almost a nightmare.... *I think*...I- I-I don't know.."

The molly stuttered, mumbling under her usual sweet tone. She had been completely drained, she was aware in the moment, but was anxious. What was that? How could she ever think of harming a cat like that?

*Petalpaw:*

Slowly, Petalpaw realized, blinking. The sight of the clan began to help ease her vision. She blinked rapidly as fur brushed past her on either side, and she opened her jaws to intake the scent. Her belly recoiled as she swung away from the sunlight, it was burning her eyes and made her coil with a wave of nausea. Dawnstar noticed, though. She'd dropped her muzzle and was speaking so softly she had to brush her head against the Bengal's leg to hear her. Her fur felt so warm against her, and she stumbled back into her warm side, which was ready to take it. She sunk into it, inhaling her scent. Dawnstar lapped her head softly, and Petalpaw eased as if in the presence of her mother again. Her eyes watered with heavy waves of feeling. Her tongue felt warm and gentle, like small kisses planted on her skin. She ached to curl up against her and hide away in the curve of her belly, much like she may have done as a young suckling kit. She couldn't help it, the burning pain in her head felt like it was made worse by everything. She was helpless, she needed to be codled. As she was slowly led away to the leader's den, she sunk briefly as Dawnstar padded away, dragging her nest over with a quick sweep against the sandy floor before she felt it bump her ankles.

She shivered as Dawnstar supported her again, settling into the nest just beside her and allowing her to curl into her flank, her body weak with exhaustion. She felt Dawnstar crane her neck as Decayingbelladonna's paws padded against the floor, her ears swivelling around to listen. As much as she wanted to help explain, she was more interested in falling asleep, finally comfortable against another warm pelt. The feeling of her feathery fur was such a comfort, Petalpaw thought she may be melting. She pressed her cheek against it, curling up her head on the molly's flank and shuffling her paws under her head, supporting her gently. She flicked her tail over as well to comfort her, as Dawnstar began speaking. Her voice was like honey, too. She noted with a pang of longing. She's so nice to me for being just my leader. She won't be as nice to me after all this is over, though. And I tell her again how I really got myself hurt. She wondered how Sharpsun was holding up, back there with Lavendersnow.

"Decaying, go over what you told me again, in all the detail Petalpaw described."

Petalpaw flicked her ears. *I never liked that molly, I've always had a really bad feeling about her.* Maybe this is it*. She got so fed up with me that she stopped treating me.* She felt the stinging in her chest much lighter than she usually did, maybe the pain was easing her anxieties a bit. *I can't believe that. She just walked away! What if my wounds get infected and she still doesn't want to treat me?* She sulked down miserably.

*Oh, Silkstar. She's going to send me to Starclan after all, isn't she? It wasn't enough that I almost got dear Dawnstar attacked. Now I'm forced to perish, too?* She felt despair swelling through her like waves. She buried her head, the risk of failure setting off something in the back of her head. Her pelt began to swell with haunting numbing, her paws turning cold. *What's that matter? What use is a hallucinating apprentice, anyway?* The voice was back, she flinched away from it, but it taunted her further. *That's right, curl up right into mama's belly like you always do. How do you still drink milk at 10 moons old? I'm not-! What?* She flattened her ears. *I'm just scared... Scared of what? Dying?* The voice was gawking at her again. She felt her body rush with swells of sadness, she almost crumpled under it, but the sound of Dawnstar's voice kept her head above the waves of despair. She fought against them, like paddling a heavy current.

"Decayingbelladonna, could you repeat what you said before?"

Petalpaw flinched at the sound of Decayingbelladonna. The molly sounded confused, as if she'd also been dazed. Petalpaw furled around in the nest, kneeing the ground repeatedly until she was spun around in an angle to look towards the mental medicine cat, her round blue eyes widening.

"O-Oh, erm. P-...Petal described it like almost a nightmare... I think... I-I-I don't know.."

Petalpaw's eyes widened and they ran dark with her despair. She was begging her now, with wide, horrified eyes as she pulled her paws up as high as she could reach, trying to pad towards the molly to get her attention.

"Please." She pleaded desperately. She was shivering harshly, her tail trembling with her terror. After what just happened with Lavendersnow, and now this? *She doesn't believe me after all. I guess maybe I will be exiled.*

She looked back at Dawnstar, half expecting to see the molly's eyes rage-fire yellow and glaring at her sharply, but her gaze was softened by thought.

"Lavendersnow mentioned a Starclan cat, yes? Ravenstar, is how she sounded. The black cat with grey-blue eyes and defined cheek bones. I remember hearing stories about her when I first visited the clan. She was sleek and had a pluming tail like black smoke, yes?" Dawnstar meowed thoughtfully, as if speaking her mind aloud. Petalpaw nodded, her eyes dazzling with hope. *She believes me! She won't send me away!* But still she wasn't sure she could muster the strength. She willed the other two mollies to continue the discussion without her, her gaze radiant. There wasn't much else to add, but she thought maybe one last detail was important. Or at least, she thought it was.

"Her name is Ravenstar? Her body turned into ravens and flapped their wings all over me before I was sent back. That was right after she recognized I wasn't..." She faltered, her head bowing and her chin quivering. She bit her tongue when it slipped between her canine and her upper lip, it chattered once, blood spurting into her mouth. She winced, rubbing at her chin painfully. "...wasn't who she thought I was... I guess." She looked down at her paws helplessly*. Oh Silkstar, please give me strength! If ever I needed you, it's now!*