Post by Abyss on Sept 3, 2022 12:56:27 GMT -5
Finding and rekindling the clans’ connection with Starclan…..it was a good thing…right? Most of the traditions the clans followed, many of their beliefs, their influences, they had come from Starclan. You would assume that, given how loyal the clans were to Starclan, that their ancestors would be forgiving with their followers, that they would help guide them, that they would seek to help rather than hurt.
And yet…that wasn’t always the case, as she was coming to realize. In her kithood and early Apprenticeship days, Rustfeather had been led to believe that Starclan were saints, that their ancestors were ancient and wise cats who sought to guide the clans and give them wisdom. They sent them messages when they sensed that something bad was going happen, warning them of what dangers were soon to come. They would watch over ceremonies and give their blessing to new Apprentices, new Warriors, a new Deputy, a new Leader, a new Medicine Cat, any form of promotion. They would sometimes appear in your dreams as beautiful beings returned to the state of their prime, with stars dotting their pelts and a shimmery glow in their eyes. They were amazing cats with so much power and influence.
But, in all of her learning about Starclan, there were always doubters. Cats who either didn’t fully trust them, or ones who questioned their messages and methods of communication. And some who didn’t believe in them at all. She never understood. How could cats so wise and powerful and elegant have cats who didn’t believe? How naive she was to ever think that.
Rustfeather had grown over the moons. She knew that Starclan was real, that had never been a doubt in her mind, nor did she think it ever would or could be. But the rest…she knew she had been wrong. She had been taught to see Starclan as higher beings, as creatures who could do no wrong. But in the end, they were just cats. They weren’t different or incapable of doing or being wrong just because they were Starclan. They had strengths and weaknesses, they had virtues and they had flaws, they had a story, just as any regular cat you could meet in the living plane. And, even when all grouped together and making a decision as one, they were capable of making mistakes. And bad choices.
The trek back to camp had been cold, but quiet. The ruddy she-cat’s pawpads were freezing by the time they got back to the Mossy Hollow. But that was the last thing on her mind. As they padded into the camp, her amber eyes barely lifted, walking alongside Shadowchaser towards the medicine den. But when they reached the entrance, she stopped. It was the middle of the night, and half the clan was asleep. Once from Rainclan, Rust was normally someone who slept at night, not having attempted switching it around yet. Though she wanted to sleep, she didn’t want to sleep…here.
“I um…I’m going to stay up for a while…” Her eyes turned away, paws carrying her away from the den. She didn’t really have a destination in mind, at first anyway. But her gaze found the Warriors den. Something ached in her chest, and a coldness different from the travel home settled over her. She almost felt…lonely. She should have been happy. She had gotten her full Medicine Cat name! She wasn’t an Apprentice anymore! Technically. And yet…
Her head turned and she peered over towards the prey pile. As she approached, she searched for something specific, and when she found it, she reached down and grabbed it. But it was not a whole piece of prey, rather, just a feather, plucked from a small bird. She turned again and walked to the Warriors den, hesitantly entering and looking around. When she spotted that familiar white coat in the darkness, tiny paws slowly took her forward, maneuvering around all the nests and sleeping bodies. It felt very strange, being in this den. Besides the fact that she had never actually been in this den before, there was still a part of her that reminisced…she could have belonged in this den. But she didn’t.
She stopped next to Frozensong’s nest, leaning down slowly and gently nudging at the white she-cat with her nose.
RUSTFEATHER
Mistclan Medicine Cat
Amber <3