[Hellion]

[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F]

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living

75 Moons || Disgraced Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat

I accept your choice of new apprentice. Go ahead and give her the news, she can start her training now," Stormstar explained to Swanfeather with a dip of his head. "I'll call her forth tonight to become an offical apprentice," Stormstar added and it was Swanfeather's turn to nod in agreement. The two shared a parting glance before the she-cat left.

Exiting Stormstar's den, Swanfeather made her way toward the nursery. Having spoken with Stormstar for the better part of the morning, it was the time the black pointed she-cat gave the younger she-cat some news.

Entering the warm den, Swanfeather was careful to pick around Lotuswhisker and her sleeping brood before landing her icy blue eyes on Dewkit. Clearing her throat she brought attention to herself.

"Dewkit, please come with me. I have some very important things to talk to you about,"She meowed with a direct and even tone, flicking her tail before exiting the nursery. Expecting the she-cat to follow after her.

I dreamed that love would never die

201 || williams || Yay!!

[williams]

dewkit,

The day was crawling along for the young cat, though Dewkit didn’t mind it. She knew her simple days were almost done. Her apprenticeship was coming soon, she could feel it! Something about the day suggested a change in her world. Instead of rolling out of the nursery with questions for the dawn patrol as she had done the past few days, Dewkit had stayed behind. She wanted to savor the morning. Sleep stuck around her eyes like frost and she was not going to shake it off in favor for curling closer to her sister and mother. Time slowed as she napped through the morning undisturbed by the activity just outside the den.
Then the action pulled itself into the den, calling to Dewkit. She looked up at the she-cat, Swanfeather, that had entered. Curiosity pulled her out of her nest, steps sure as she followed the medicine cat outside. Her words for once were paused, unsure what was going to happen and not wanting to ruin the moment with unnecessary speech.

Hellion

173

excite!!

[Hellion]

[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F]

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living

75 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat

Once she saw that Dewkit was indeed following her, Swanfeather led the she-cat back to her den. The state of the medicine cat's den was barren. Swanfeather had cleared out everything since the greenleaf epedemic and the subsequent retiring of Ottersplash. Using it as an excuse to start fresh, Swanfeather hadn't even rebuilt her nest. Clearly her task got in the way of basic comforts.

Flicking her tail to halt the she-cat from following her any further, Swanfeather turned to face her. Carefully she sat down, tail tucking over her paws as Swanfeather again settled her icy gaze on Dewkit.

"As you may know I've recently taken back full medicine cat status. Ottersplash is no longer able to carry out his duties. Which means I need a new apprentice," Swanfeather began, her voice even and void of too much emotion. This was more of a diplomatic exchange than an actual friendly conversation.

"I have decided to offer you the role as medicine cat apprentice, you will be highly regarded as a healer and spiritual connection for RainClan," She went on to explain. Mentally chiding herself that she let slip that it was her choice Dewkit be chosen and not StarClan's will. No knew that Swanfeather didn't have a connection anymore to StarClan, her dreams at Moon Tree were empty and filled with endless mist. Their way of showing her how far she had strayed from their laws.

"If you agree, Stormstar will call you before the Clan and I will name you my apprentice. Come the next half-moon you will be apprenticed again before the other medicine cats and get to meet StarClan." Once finished, Swanfeather waited for Dewkit to reply, expecting a few questions before a formal answer.

I dreamed that love would never die

WORDS || williams || NOTES

[williams]

dewkit,

Their path took them to the medicine cat’s den, Dewkit’s ears perking up in interest. The den itself was rather empty, no nests for comfort, few herbs along the wall. Even Swanfeather herself had lost the strong scent of the earth that had drawn Dewkit to her in the first place. Change was here, she felt it, an itch starting in her chest. Dewkit settled herself down in front of Swanfeather at her request, still silent and waiting patiently.

Then came the offer, flooring the she-kit. Me! A medicine cat! An image flashed in her mind of her older, tending to a cat’s wound, the den’s air warm and comforting with mingling smells of flowers and herbs. Dewkit looked up at Swanfeather. “I’d train with you?” She asked, now letting herself speak. “Would we travel to other clans to learn too? Would I get to still see my sister?” The last question escaped before she could hold it in. It was no secret to anyone that knew her family that Dewkit loved her sister, and stuck with her always. Being a medicine cat would mean they wouldn’t train together. Her heart felt heavy at that thought. She wouldn’t get to sleep by her sister in the apprentice den, joking about toms or what they caught with their mentors.

“Will I make my family proud?” Came her final question. Helping her clan was always the first thought, but Dewkit thought of her mom, Echoshade, staring sadly at the den’s walls. She still missed the Treeclan kits. Maybe, Dewkit thought, I can find an herb that will heal her heart. I don’t need to fight Treeclan for taking away my brothers! I can help her here instead.

Hellion

285

notes

[Hellion]

[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F]

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living

75 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat

Swanfeather waited with the tip of her tail twitching. She wasn't nervous, but she did feel the prickle of uneasiness. What of Dewkit had no interest in becoming a medicine cat. Even if she didn't full understand what it meant now, she would be walking a lonely path. One was littered with lost causes and failed efforts. For a moment Swanfeather doubted her choice, was the young she-cat before her ready for such a task? Realizing that if Ottersplash was strong enough then Dewkit would be too. Push away the uncertianty, Swanfeather didn't let it show on her face.

Expecting a few questions from Dewkit, the elderly she-cat let her speak them all before preparing any sort of reply. "Yes, you will train with me. Your training will be longer than most it will take awhile for you to earn your full medicine cat name. Even then you will still be under my supervision. Training to become a healer isn't easy and it will take dedication. You will eventually be the final line between life and death. It will never be an easy life," Swanfeather explained, careful to be blunt. The last thing she wanted was for Dewkit to agree to this path and decided half-way through that she wanted to quit. Doubt was typical especially in young cats, but Swanfeather couldn't afford to keep training new cats. Dewkit would need to be her replacement.

Continue to form replies to her other questions, Swanfeather decided to keep them short and sweet. "You will be able to visit other medicine cats and in times of herb shortage, you will be escorted to ask for extras from other Clans. As for seeing your sister you still will but you both will be on very different paths. She will not be able to relate to you nor will you with her," Swanfeather added, realizing she was probably scaring the she-cat away. Yet she didn't change her wording.

Dewkit's final question came as a surprise. It normally was tom-kits that talked about pride, but that Swanfeather was being judgemental. In fact, she was a little impressed with Dewkit's choice of words. "I think you will, it is an honorable path to walk. There are many warriors but only two medicine cats in each clan."She answered, a faded memory of her mother praising her for becoming a medicine cat. That memory shifted into Frostfang hinting he wanted a family with her, which lead to Swanfeather preparing to leave it but that path was destroyed, leaving Swanfeather with no choice but to stay. Perhaps Dewkit would have an easier time. Swanfeather silently prayed that the young she-cat would have it easy. RainClan had been through enough already.

I dreamed that love would never die

480ish|| @william || NOTES

[williams]

dewkit,

Swanfeather's responses washed over Dewkit like a stray wave from the river, sobering in its coldness. Every opportunity to learn how to swim was dangerous for a young cat. While older cats could feel the current in the river, their kits could not, and a stray current underneath could pull the cat under and away from their parents or mentor. Yet, the river gave Rainclan life through fish, protection. It was an important balance. And once the cat could swim, they were limitless.

"I think you will, it is an honorable path to walk. There are many warriors but only two medicine cats in each clan." came the medicine cat's finally reply, sending a shiver down the little she-kit's spine. Thoughts of growing up beside her sister grew faded as she sat and thought. Swanfeather was right of course. If she chose this path, she wouldn't relate to her sister anymore. She couldn't joke about toms or go hunting together to perfect their skills. Their days of tumbling together were  at an end. The feeling in her gut was right. She would need to focus on being a healer. With a nod, Dewkit stood up, trying to appear as big as she could at her age, matching Swanfeather's blue gaze with her own blues. She would make them proud, she would make herself proud. She would make Swanfeather proud to have chosen her.

"I accept, Swanfeather."

Hellion

239

notes

[Hellion]

[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F]

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living

75 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat

A forced smile came across Swanfeather's maw. She was glade that Dewkit had accepted her offer, but so many had before her. Would Dewkit become one of the many failed apprentices? That thought and many others swirled in Swanfeathr's head, but the she-cat forced them away with a flick of her ear. Dewkit was different, she'd be the one to replace Swanfeather or better yet hold the Clan together until StarClan chose someone else. Either way, Dewkit would be the last apprentice Swanfeather ever had. Her greying muzzle and tender joints vouched for that narriative as well. Swanfeathr didn't have that many moon left in her. Aging wasn't kind to the bitter she-cat.

"I'll notify Stormstar and your ceremony will be tonight," Swanfeather told her, rising to her paws, feeling her tail touch the ceiling of her now shared den.

"I'll give you until sunhigh to tell your sister and who ever else you wish to tell. Then join me to help me gather new moss for the den. Swanfeather's words were direct but not harsh. The last thing Swanfeather wanted was to scare away the she-cat before her training even offically started. Flicking her tail as a sign of dismissal, the black pointe she-cat waited for the she-cat to leave before doing the same.

I dreamed that love would never die

250ish || williams || finished, ceremony is left unrp'd