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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 0:00:02 GMT -5
  RainClan - Senior Warrior - Tom - 42 Moons
Adderstrike stopped to wet his paws and legs in the stream that surrounded Rainclan's island as his fellow warriors made their way into the camp. The water was freezing, though his body and mind were already numb from the frenzy a few moments before. At least I still have my shrew. He thought silently. The sound of trickling water soothed him, and the smell of forest frost warmed him to the core. The shrew clamped in his jaws was cold, just like every other star-forsaken thing in the forest, though the furry creature helped guard his face from the icy gusts. I can't wait to curl up in my nest. Adderstrike thought longingly as another frigid breeze cut through his thin tabby coat. His injuries from the fox fight a few moments before were a constant, dull pain that he had long since accepted. The amber tom turned to push through the reeds and ferns that buffered the island against gelid winds, only to see a gray-brown face and amber eyes blocking his way.
"You got yourself into a tussle back there." The gray-brown tom grinned.
"Quite right, Ashclaw." Adderstrike smiled and nodded, glancing at a deep gash on his clanmate's neck.
"Let's go see Ottersplash together. Two birds in one pounce, eh?" Ashclaw chuckled and turned to walk into camp.
"Looks like wrestling foxes did you in as well." Adderstrike sniffed, padding in after his friend. "We need to think of a better pastime."
The two warriors slipped through the soft undergrowth and entered camp. Adderstrike traipsed towards the fresh kill pile and reluctantly set his shrew among Rainclan's meager rations. I'm kind of hungry. He thought before heading towards the medicine cat's den with Ashclaw at his side. And cold. After a few steps, Ashclaw started talking, a faint admiration glowing in his gaze.
"How did you manage to hold that fox off by yourself? The gray-brown tom smirked. Luck?"
"Luck? Adderstrike glanced sharply at his friend. The shallow believe in luck. The strong believe in cause and effect."
"Really, I'm surprised you weren't carried off to her den in ten seconds."
"I guess I just fight as fierce as I look." Adderstrike smiled.
"Fierce? Don't kid yourself." Ashclaw sniggered.
Adderstrike gave Ashclaw a friendly shove. He quickly realized his mistake as sharp pains gripped his waist like a fox's jaws. The vigorous rush of agony was unanticipated and almost dropped him to the ground, though he just stopped abruptly. I need to- Before he could finish his thought, the amber tabby crouched down and retched, leaving a watery puddle of sour fluid at his paws. Adderstrike's mind was swirling, and pain gnawed ravenously at his entrails. Why does this hurt so bad all of a sudden? He pondered lightheadedly. He looked up expecting to see Ashclaw looking down at him.
The eyes he saw weren't amber, but a deep, golden brown.
Ottersplash?
Liberty for wolves is death to the lambs.
I'm better off
healed
than I ever was
unbroken.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 15:59:29 GMT -5
The silver tabby paced nervously in front of his den, piles of marigold, cobweb, dandelion leaves, horsetail, and poppy seeds lying out of the way but within reach. He had been warned that he'd have several patients coming in, but he didn't have a count of how many or how severe the wounds were; all he knew was that it was a fox attack.
With little else to do but wait, he glanced back to his neat stacks of herbs, hoping what he had would be enough. A slight commotion at the edge of camp brought his head up, and his golden-brown eyes widened at the sight of the warriors returning. Many of them were splattered in blood, and he forced his eyes to scan over each one as they entered.
The medicine cat moved into action when he saw a mottled brown tabby, Adderstrike, nearly collapse, spilling the contents of his stomach onto the camp floor. Ottersplash rushed forward, stopping close to the warrior's side. His eyes raked down Adderstrike's flesh, taking in the deep wounds just before his hind legs. StarClan, that wasn't good. He turned back to see Adderstrike's eyes meet his.
"A-adderstrike, c-can you m-move?" Ottersplash silently cursed the shakiness of his voice. He glanced down to the puddle of vomit at Adderstrike's paws and knew he didn't want him anywhere near it. If he could get him into a nest, or nearer to his den, or even just a few steps away, he could get the warrior to lie down and begin to treat the wounds on his flanks.
Ottersplash glanced around at the cats gathering around, catching sight of an apprentice watching with wide eyes. "Frogpaw!" he called out. The apprentice squeaked and darted over, eyes impossibly huge. Ottersplash forced himself to speak slowly, trying to portray calm to the younger cat. "Fetch me some m-moss soaked in water, q-quickly." He suppressed a wince at his stutter, and the young tom ran off to do as requested.
He turned back to Adderstrike. "I'd like to g-get you c-closer to my den, if you can. When F-frogpaw comes back, I'll w-wash some of the b-blood from you and g-get a c-closer look at your injuries." He crouched closer to the warrior, prepared to offer a shoulder to lean on if he needed it, keeping his eyes on Adderstrike's face the entire time.
@jet
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 22:16:52 GMT -5
RainClan - Senior Warrior - Tom - 42 Moons
"A-adderstrike, c-can you m-move?"
Ottersplash's voice was unsteady, and for the first time in many, many moons, Adderstrike felt scared. He turned his impassive gaze to his paws, hoping the world would stop whirling. It..it can't be that bad...right? He tried convincing himself. It seemed as though the night grew terribly static, and though it was still quite cold outside, the tabby tom grew uncomfortably hot. Despite his optimism, a grim realization of what was happening to him sparked an intense bout of panic, and his heart started beating quicker than the pattering paws of fleeing prey. He stayed crouching for a couple moments, paralyzed, and looking more pathetic than the shrew he caught earlier with his ruffled fur, damp with blood and melted snow.
"I'd like to g-get you c-closer to my den, if you can. When F-frogpaw comes back, I'll w-wash some of the b-blood from you and g-get a c-closer look at your injuries."
Ottersplash's words made him want to curl up in his own vomit. I really don't want to move. He thought grievously. I just want to sink into nothingness. If he could moan, he would have done it then, though the brown tabby had his jaws clenched tight enough to snap spines. I'm not going to cry like a kit. Adderstrike noticed Ottersplash pressing close to him, and although the warmth of another's body was almost comforting, the medicine cat's act of kindness sparked a burning defiance in Adderstrike. I have legs. He sniffed. And I don't want anyone thinking that I need help walking. With overpowering reluctance, the brown tom tentatively stretched his front paws out, though this time, he was prepared to face the tormenting pains. Prepared as I'll ever be. He grumbled to himself.
"I'm not dead yet." Adderstrike hissed weakly to Ottersplash. But I will be if I don't get a move on. He thought eerily.
The brown tabby tackled the distance in spurts, moving a couple steps before pausing for a break. Ashclaw had stepped back to give Ottersplash room to care for his patient, though Adderstrike was unaware of anything other than the gaping entrance of the medicine den, now only a few cat-lengths away. I really regret facing that fox. Adderstrike thought to himself, his pace slowing as his legs grew weaker and his vision blurred. I could have just fled, then I'd still be alive by the end of the night. The tom started breathing through his mouth, fetid breath escaping his jaws like smoke from a raging fire. Regret stabbed his heart sharper than a porcupine quill, though Adderstrike was growing more faint by the minute. He halted in front of the den, crouched and panting like a dying elder. But now I'm probably going to die. Something between a moan and a growl escaped from the depths of his throat. The last few steps into the medicine den, Adderstrike leaned heavily on Ottersplash.
Please... His throat grew tight with terror. Please don't let me die.
Liberty for wolves is death to the lambs.
I'm better off
healed
than I ever was
unbroken.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 13:05:07 GMT -5
Ottersplash grimaced as Adderstrike began to crawl forward, refusing his offered support. "I'm not dead yet." The medicine cat resisted the urge to back away and leave the tom alone, though, instead remaining by his side in case he changed his mind. The trek to his den was a slow one, and he let his patient set the pace.
When Adderstrike let out a strangled noise, Ottersplash stepped even closer, taking the majority of the heavier tom's weight onto his narrow shoulders. When they finally reached his den, Ottersplash gently lowered Adderstrike into one of the spare nests. Moments later, Frogpaw appeared at his side, a bundle of wet moss in his jaws.
He took the moss from Frogpaw, nodding his thanks, and moved to Adderstrike's flanks. "This may hurt a bit," he mumbled around the bundle in his jaws. The medicine cat tightened his hold on the moss, squeezing water onto the blood-soaked fur. He moved carefully to gently pat at the wound with the moss, washing away dried blood and revealing the deep red gouges beneath.
Once the wounds were cleaned enough to get a good look, he put the moss aside. A small shudder ran down his spine. "I'll be right back." He ducked outside his den and stepped over to where he had laid out his herbs. Frogpaw had followed him, and for that he was grateful. He handed the apprentice a pile of cobwebs, picking up marigold and dandelion before darting back into his den. He dropped the herbs near Adderstrike's nest and pushed a dandelion leaf toward the warrior's mouth.
"Eat this. It'll help with the pain." He waited to see if the warrior followed his instructions before turning deeper into his den. He grabbed a large dock leaf and returned to his patient's side, setting the leaf down and taking the marigold into his mouth. He chewed the yellow flowers and green leaves into a pulp before spitting it onto the leaf, grabbing more flowers to repeat the process. Once he had a suitable amount, he scooped a bit up with his paw and moved closer. "This might sting..." he murmured. With gentle paws, he rubbed the poultice into the gashes at the warrior's flanks.
Once all of the wounds had been covered, he held his paw out to Frogpaw, who handed over the cobwebs in silence. Ottersplash pressed the white fibers into Adderstrike's hindquarters, holding in the poultice and setting up a way to stop the bleeding. With the wounds sufficiently covered, Ottersplash turned to Frogpaw. "Thank you, Frogpaw. You've done well." He dismissed the apprentice with a gentle flick of his tail to his side, then turned his attention back to his patient. "How's the pain, Adderstrike? I can give you poppy if you want to sleep." He looked at his patient with gentle eyes, speaking softly and surprisingly steadily and waited for the warrior's reply.
@jet |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2017 1:00:31 GMT -5
RainClan - Senior Warrior - Tom - 42 Moons
While Ottersplash worked diligently on Adderstrike's injuries, the wounded warrior just laid quietly in his nest, motionless. I'll be okay. I just have to do exactly what Ottersplash says. Adderstrike thought wearily. He knows best. Thus the amber tabby rested and ate whatever herbs his healer sent his way without question. His chin was rested on the edge of the nest, and as the tom gazed dully into the darkness at the back of the den, he couldn't help but wishing for a painless, undisturbed sleep. He felt drawn to the back of the cave, away from the light of the stars. He felt his heart flutter. Adderstrike's fears have long since dissolved, though he still reserved a blistering contempt towards death. I'm not going to die though. He growled to himself. Stop acting like a fool. Ottersplash is here.
Time seemed to drift by sluggishly, like slow-moving clouds on a lazy summer night. The light hurts my head. He thought grumpily as moonlight filtered through the entrance, bathing the sensitive and hardworking Ottersplash in a pallid glow. But at least he can see what he's doing. Adderstrike mumbled faintly to himself. The brown tabby wasn't quite sure what life felt like without the piercing pains in his gut. It was as though life before the fox fight was a dream, and a hope for healing was just too surreal for him to acknowledge or accept in the night's cold luminosity. His focus was scattered, and he wanted to drift off into a deep sleep, though as he closed his hazel-green eyes, Ottersplash's words cut through the black, damp den, slightly sharpening Adderstrike's center of attention.
"How's the pain, Adderstrike? I can give you poppy if you want to sleep."
Adderstrike opened his eyes and slightly tilted his head in Ottersplash's direction, glancing at him in surprise. He's done? The tabby tom thought questioningly. Already? Adderstrike realized, embarrassingly, that he was just staring at Ottersplash for several moments. Well, do I want poppy seeds? I don't know. I mean, I already took something for pain. Would it be weak to ask for more? A peaceful sleep sounds pretty good to me, but what about the other warriors? What if they need poppy seeds? How many does Ottersplash have? I don't want to take from his stores if I don't need it. I mean, I would like some, yes. But no. Because...what about Stormstar? What about Ashclaw? Adderstrike closed his eyes and buried his face in his paws. He asked me a very simple question. The tom thought guiltily. And I can't even answer it.
"If you have enough..." Adderstrike mumbled tiredly through his paws. If you have enough? What am I thinking. Of course he has enough. The tabby thought uncomfortably to himself, sighing.
"Thank you, Ottersplash. I don't know what Rainclan would do without you."
Liberty for wolves is death to the lambs.
I'm better off
healed
than I ever was
unbroken.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2017 1:25:29 GMT -5
Ottersplash watched with wide golden-brown eyes as Adderstrike stared dumbly at him. The warrior seemed more out of it than the medicine cat had originally thought, but he wouldn't rescind his offer of poppy. As he watched, he could practically see the gears trying to turn through Adderstrike's pain-muddled mind. Ottersplash waited with the patience of a medicine cat.
When Adderstrike buried his head into his paws, the medicine cat's ears shot forward in worry, until the small voice reached him. "If you have enough..." Ottersplash gave a small smile the warrior couldn't see, at once touched and slightly exasperated by Adderstrike's concern for the others who might need the herbs.
"Of course I have enough. Poppy is easy enough to find," he murmured soothingly. The silver tabby turned deeper into his den. He hadn't taken out all his supply when he prepared his stacks outside the den, so he still had a small pile of everything within reach. He carefully separated one seed from the rest and licked his paw to pick it up, hobbling back to his patient's side on three paws. He deposited the seed near Adderstrike's paws, where his face was still buried, and spoke softly. "Here. Eat this and sleep." He waited to ensure the warrior did as requested. "I'll be back to check on you again soon. Just rest." He slipped out of the den on silent paws, just knowing that he'd have more patients to tend to.
@jet |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2017 8:16:48 GMT -5
RainClan - Senior Warrior - Tom - 42 Moons
"Of course I have enough. Poppy is easy enough to find,"
Adderstrike felt a rush of relief. He felt guilty and uncomfortable asking for it in such a vulnerable state. But that's when you ask for that kind of stuff, when you're hurt. He concluded, his paws still resting over his closed eyes like sap on a tree, slowly falling lower and lower as time weighed on.
"Here. Eat this and sleep."
The brown tabby tom could feel Ottersplash's paws set the poppy seed just a mouse-length from his runny nose. Adderstrike let his paws slide down his face, revealing an inscrutable green-tinged gaze, and after slowly reaching forward and licking up the poppy seed, he shrunk back in his nest with a sigh. That'll be better. The tabby tom thought contently.
"I'll be back to check on you again soon. Just rest."
Ottersplash's words comforted Adderstrike, but he was too exhausted to reply. Thank you. He thought silently, hoping his medicine cat would understand. The amber tabby's eyelids drooped as he lay curled in his nest. herbs and cobwebs plastered on his flanks. It smells so nice in here. He thought wistfully, remembering his kithood days with Cherryrose in the medicine den. Some might have found the fragrance of herbs overpowering and dizzying, though the scent lulled Adderstrike into complete relaxation, and eventually, his breath's slowed into rhythmic wheezes.
Adderstrike was finally asleep.
Liberty for wolves is death to the lambs.
I'm better off
healed
than I ever was
unbroken.
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