[Hellion]

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

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

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

"I am going with Adderstrike and Ferngaze to collect some herbs. Once you finish sorting those herbs get yourself something to drink and eat,"[/fontt] She didn't bother waiting for Dewpaw to agree or disagree. She trusted her apprentice to old enough to occupy her time. Exiting her den without another word, the black pointed she-cat flicked her tail to gain the attention of the named warriors. They nodded in greeting but did not offer words, not that Swanfeather minded. Turning toward the camp entrance the she-cat of elder age left the camp with enough poppy seed in her system to drug a small kit.

As the poppy seed kicked in her paws ached less as she walked. The well-worn path providing an added comfort. Her nose caught the fading scents of Nightwhisker and Adderstrike, she had little faith that they would protect her. In fact, in the days since Crowblaze's death, Swanfeather showed little concern about her own well being. If a fox wanted to make a meal out of her then so be it. Dewpaw was technically fully trained, Swanfeather was letting her pride get the better of her by keeping her an apprentice for a bit longer. Another medicine cat could name Dewpaw if something were to happen to her before the next meeting.

Caught up in her thoughts, Swanfeather paused as her paws met the bank of the wooded cove. Her mission to gather borage. There had been an increase of upset stomach and her supply had gotten low, not that it was a major concern. There were plenty of other herbs to use but borage was useful for a variety of things. Careful in her pawsteps, Swanfeather eased herself along the known areas where the herb grew. She relied on her nose, her eyes not doing so well up close. Busy as she was, her ears remained perked and alert for anything going on around.

I dreamed that love would never die

WORDS || Taxx || NOTES

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Ferngaze had been picked for this task, she hadn't offered, and yet that mattered not one way or the other. She was waiting with Adderstrike for the old medicine cat to appear, pricked ears catching the murmur of her voice but unable to hear what she was saying. Her appearance from the den was their cue to begin, and the young she-cat fell back to the rear, watching out behind while Adderstrike took point.

The three made their way to the Cove, and then the medicine cat turned aside to begin her search for the herbs she'd come out for. Breaking off, Ferngaze kept on the move, scouting the area carefully to make sure no threats lurked nearby. The older tom continued to pace, eyes and ears peeled, but after she was sure there were no immediate dangers, Ferngaze approached Swanfeather, watching her for a moment before stepping forward.

"What are you looking for?" she asked, the hint of curiosity in her voice despite the cool tone. She'd never forgotten Rushwhisker's tale of the medicine cat's betrayal, and every time she looked at the she-cat- Dewpaw's mentor and the caretaker of the whole of RainClan- not since then had Ferngaze felt comfortable with her. Something else her old mentor had said came back- for her to ask Swanfeather for her side of the story- and now was as good a time as any, right?

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Hellion

[Hellion]

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

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

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

Managing to collect a small pile of borage leaves, Swanfeather almost missed Ferngaze's altogether. Turning away from her herbs, the black pointed she-cat settled the young warrior with an icy blue stare.

There was a small level of familiarity with Ferngaze because of her sister. She could see shared features. In the other she-cat's eyes, she could see a flicker of something akin to curiosity.

Registering her question, Swanfeather glanced down at the gathered herb with mild interest. "Borage leaves currently. Useful for queens and upset stomachs. I'll need to seek out some watermint for fleas," She explained to the warrior, as she sat. "It would be more interesting for you to go fishing with Adderstrike then watch over me like a riverhawk," She told her bluntly, paying no mind to politeness.

I dreamed that love would never die

WORDS || Taxx || short~

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

The names of the herbs meant nothing to Ferngaze. Early in her apprenticeship, Dewpaw had thrown those names around, as well as their uses, and while she'd been attentive and encouraging, they simply had had no place in Ferngaze's education and she'd forgotten them nearly as quickly as her sister had spouted them. Her interest wasn't actually in the herbs, anyway.

Her tail flipped the other way, swishing through the grass as Swanfeather spoke, dismissing her to go fish with Adderstrike; Ferngaze's blue eyes narrowed. "But I trust Adderstrike," she replied, the tip of her tail now flicking back and forth without pause. "I know I can rely on him. I'm not so sure about you." Blunt and bold; the young she-cat knew she could get in trouble for so openly questioning the Clan's medicine cat, but really, someone else should have done so before. After everything she'd done, how did Silverstar just let her come and go as she pleased? Was he not worried about what she might do?

Ferngaze was, and she had no trouble making that obvious to Swanfeather.

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Hellion  williams (dewpaw mention)

[Hellion]

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

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

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

If youth had been on her side, Swanfeather would have bristled and lash out with a growl. maybe even strike the she-cat with a shealthed call before shaming the young warrior. But as her grey-features painfully displayed, she had little strength to do so. Instead her eyes narrowed and her lip curled back. Annoyed at the balant disrespect, Swanfeather let her tail flick back and forth rapidly, a snake waiting to strike.

"You do not need to trust me. I am in service to the Clan not to one warrior who's claws are too big for her brain. Your duty is to RainClan as is mine, that should be enough," She added her voice dripping with anger that focused on Ferngaze.

"I ought to have you punished for that statement but it would not be worth the effort to upset Dewpaw or bother Silverstar," She added, pulling a heavy statement the moment she could. "Consider my abiltiy to ignore this as a lesson in wisdom. Learn your place Ferngaze, you may be the daughter of a leader but all cats are equal in StarClan's eyes. Her words were curt, refusing to back down as her eyes remained narrowed.

I dreamed that love would never die

WORDS || Taxx || NOTES

[Taxx]

Ferngaze

of RainClan

Ferngaze was a bit surprised at her own daring, really. It wasn't exactly in her nature to say such things, to outright question the integrity of her medicine cat- but why shouldn't she? Nobody else had, barring Ashflight and Rushwhisker- perhaps a few others, who knew the part Swanfeather had played in the war that had divided RainClan and caused so much grief and death.

She blinked as the older she-cat bared her teeth in a show of irritation, but she didn't move. Didn't back down. "I think I could do without your wisdoms," she replied, her own tail flicking at the old cat's gall. "I know my place: I am a loyal warrior of RainClan. My birth does not change that, so kindly do not try to throw my father's rank in my face. I'm well aware it offers me no special privileges."

All cats were equal? No, that was wrong. Most were equal- a cat who did something extraordinary was hailed as a hero and sometimes even remembered seasons after their death in the stories told about them- and some, the ones who had evil in their hearts were told as tales to frighten kits. "Not all cats," Ferngaze responded, her tone calm as ever. "If they were, there would not be a Dark Forest. Tell me, Swanfeather, are you so certain, after all the pain you've caused, that you won't end up there?"

STEADY AS THE RIVER RUNS

Made By Fawn || Hellion

[Hellion]

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

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

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

The continued disrespect only fueled Swanfeather anger. She couldn't place where Ferngaze had learned such a horrid trait. Blame could easily be placed on her mentor former Rushwhisker, a warrior known to dislike Swanfeather with every hair on his body.

Elderly as she was, Swanfeather wasn't going to sit idle and allow such words to be spat about her or toward her. While she doubted Ferngaze used her connection to two high ranks within the clans to her advantage, Swanfeather was going to ignore it for the sake of her own pride.

Snarling once more at the mention of the dark forest, Swanfeather rose a forepaw up and gaze a quick swipe to the she-cat's cheek. The fact she made contact was simply because it came out of nowhere, few expected a medicine cat to be violent.

"Never speak to me again! You are nothing but a foolish kit who know's nothing of StarClan's Will. But I pray you do, I pray you learn the hard way through pain and suffering," Her voice lowered, her words sounding like a curse. Swanfeather's blue eyes were narrowed, lacking any sign of remorse. It seemed that her lack of strength was the only thing holding her back from attacking Ferngaze on the spot.

Not bothering to wait around for a reply, Swanfeather gathered her herbs and left. Leaving and heading for camp, anger flowing off of her in waves.

I dreamed that love would never die

WORDS || Taxx || NOTES