Cougarheart proudly padded into camp. He had nothing to place in the fresh kill pile, but he was proud anyways. He pads over to the group surrounding Maplefang. The large tom stands beside her; his pelt brushing against hers. He'd let her tell them who the father was...If they hadn't guessed already.
Wasppaw strolled into camp after Dewdapple and Amberpaw, trying to avoid the gaze of the latter. He didn't think he could confront his own miserable behavior back at the Timberland Basin right now -- he hoped he could get away with never having to. Maybe they'd all forgive him without him needing to apologize. He believed that would be too uncomfortable for him; admitting he was wrong was not a skill Wasppaw had mastered yet.
Thankfully, the Clan's attention was swept up in Maplefang's news. Wasppaw could not hide his shock. Ever unobservant, he hadn't noticed anything remarkable about her. He couldn't form a intelligible thing to say, though he felt some sort of congratulation was the expected response. Looking around, he tried to think of something coherent (and not weird) to say but was immediately distracted by the trout Cougarheart had caught. Having not caught anything nor eaten anything the others had caught, Wasppaw was consumed by hunger. He quickly forgot Maplefang's announcement and instead took advantage of the moment to take his share of the trout. He didn't think he'd be embarrassed to eat when he hadn't caught anything himself -- as long as nobody saw him, of course. He took a few test nibbles and cast an uncertain glance around him. Feeling satisfied by no objections, he helped himself to a hearty portion of the trout. He unknowingly let a few "mmm's" loose as he did, which made all his efforts to go unnoticed pointless.
When Cougarheart strode into camp and stood by Maplefang proudly, Wasppaw thought it was very strange. He did not connect the two; it was all a mystery to him. They seemed to be good friends, though. Huh.
Echosong smiled as Cougarheart stood by Maplefang. She had not seen that coming. Then again, she hadn't interacted much with either of them, so she would have no clues. Shifting her gaze to the newest arrival in camp, she tilted her head in question at Wasppaw. He looked off. Quite miserable in fact. Like an apprentice in trouble. Surmising that that was probably just what had happened, Echosong choose to ignore it. Surely some other cat would see it and chastise him, if he hadn't already been scolded. Leaving the joyful celebrations, she padded off, eager to go for a walk and shake off some of the nervous energy.
-exit-
(It's alright Cedarpaw! Also I'll have her mark the Pebble Beach and be mildly irritated by the NestClan scent. If anyone wants to tag along they can. I won't have her report it since it isn't in character for her and besides, the land was neutral.)
Feeling her belly grumble, she realized she hadn't eaten in a long time. So, Amberpaw made her way towards the fresh-kill pile. Looking around, she noticed that Wasppaw had grabbed his share and was eating. With a bright smile, she figured she would do the same. Lowering her head, she grabbed a piece of the trout and trotted over to Wasppaw's side. Looking at him with bright amber and gold shining eyes she asked, "Can I join you?"
Cedarpaw looked over towards the two other apprentices, Wasppaw and Amberpaw, who were eating some fresh-kill. Then she noticed that she too, was hungry. But was it really the right thing to do? To just go and eat? She was starving, but she was sure the others hadn't eaten yet. Cedarpaw made the decision that she would grab her own mouse to nibble on.
Echosong eyed the prey in the fresh-kill pile. It didn't look appetising at all, most of them being close to crow-food. Sinking her jaws into the last share of trout, she winced at the taste. It would go bad soon, she was sure of it. Well, they had to do what they had to do. Quickly finishing up her meal, she made a quick mental note to ask a warrior to hunt a little more. The fresh-kill pile was scarily low for Newleaf. Deciding to try and collect some more herbs, she left the camp.
(Echosong, you are my mentor) Cedarpaw looked back over to the two apprentices. She decided to walk over and talk to them. "Hi Wasppaw, hey Amberpaw." Cedarpaw said in cheerful voice. "Is the trout good?" She asked, eyeing the trout. It definitely didn't look it.
Echosong returned to camp after a futile herb-gathering trip. She gently smiled as she saw her apprentice, Cedarpaw, speaking to some other apprentices. She would start training with the apprentices as soon as the apprentice wanted. Thus far, it wasn't very exciting. There weren't many herbs discovered, and the medicine cats would have to experiment a little. It should be interesting... Cedarpaw was what one would call an unconventional apprentice. She was the size of Echosong already, although that didn't exactly mean much since Echosong was a tiny cat. In any case, she was an unnaturally good hunter for a medicine cat. Echosong looked forward to teaching what little botany she knew.
(Also since Echosong ate the last piece of the trout it technically wouldn't be there for Cedarpaw to comment on.)
(Oh, well.... Then I'll somewhat change it, don't mind me asking about the trout in my previous post) Cedarpaw looked to the two apprentices, hoping to befriend them. Other than her own mentor, she didn't really have many friends. "How was the hunt?" Cedarpaw asked, although, she already knew that it didn't go as well as everyone hoped.
Cottonbreeze padded into camp with her mouth full of the perch. It was certainly a good catch for the day, and it would feed some cats in the clan. Setting it down on the fresh-kill pile, she stared hard at it before deciding to take a share of the kill for herself. She knew that the clan wasn't starving, so what was the point in starving herself, just to watch the kill rot. Filling her jaws with the fish, she quickly finished off her meal and cleaned her whiskers. Maybe she could see just how many cats were around at this time.
Amberpaw had finished her piece of the trout, licking her lips. She hadn't noticed the odd and nasty taste of the trout because of how hungry she was. Her deep amber eyes began to raise as she noticed someone had approached Wasppaw and her. Looking up she noticed it was Cedarpaw, and Amberpaw released a purr. "Hello Cedarpaw!"
Before Amberpaw had the chance to continue with the conversation, Echosong joined in to speak with Cedarpaw. Remaining in silence, Amberpaw became aware that she wasn't feeling the best. Her stomach was causing a feeling of disgust, as she if she was about to vomit. The white and ginger she-cat shook her head trying to dispose of the feelings.
Her attention then returned to Cedarpaw as she spoke once more. This time, Amberpaw's ear went down. The hunt was a delicate topic around Wasppaw. Not wanting to go into detail she tried to keep it vague, "It went well." Amberpaw said with a cheerful smile. Then, the she-cat tried to rise to her paws and quickly fell back down. "Ow!" Amberpaw said she she cringed. Now her stomach was screaming and send waves of pain. They were short and brief but they hurt.
Echo song's eyes quickly flicked to Amberpaw as she tried to stand, but fell to the ground, screaming. Tail swishing in distress, she quickly looked over the apprentice, noting how she seemed to be curling up around her stomach. Something was wrong, very wrong, and she didn't have the herbs to treat it. Well, this would be her first real challenge then. "What's wrong Amberpaw? Have you eaten something strange lately?" Echosong asked with a note of concern in her voice. Gesturing to her apprentice to help her, she tried to help Amberpaw walk to the Medicine Cat's Den. She would definitely be able to better treat the cat there.
-exit to den if Amberpaw agrees to follow-
(I am actually going to have to go soon so if you don't mind I'll do medicine cat stuff tomorrow.)
Amberpaw looked at Echosong with a pained expression. Eat something? Then it clicked, the odd tasting trout and now her stomach. Amberpaw had eaten a trout that should have been on it's way out. As much as she didn't want to burden Echosong with trouble she knew she couldn't just pass this by. Amberpaw rose to her paws once more, doing her best to ignore the stinging pain. The she-cat didn't want to make a scene and tried not to rely on Cedarpaw to much for help.
Amberpaw made her way to the Medicine cat den, following Echosong.
Wasppaw had nodded at Amberpaw's request to join him, but kept quiet as Cedarpaw asked about their hunt. Instead, his attention was fully on the fresh-kill pile. Swiping his tongue over his lips, he mused that it was good for him to eat when he did. The fish that they had caught this morning was beginning to stink; it would be time to hunt again soon. Wasppaw figured he might have a chance to redeem himself if he was allowed to go on a nighttime hunt. He looked up at the moon rising in the darkening sky. The warm red glow that had lingered on the horizon was gone now -- it was more night than day.
"Ow!"
Wasppaw was startled by the sudden sound, flipping around to face Amberpaw. His expression darkened with concern as the she-cat fell to the ground. He dropped to her side and nudged her shoulder. "What happened? What's wrong?"
Wasppaw noticed Echosong for the first time, though the medicine cat's present did little to relieve the worry flooding his face. The older she-cat mentioned something about eating and Wasppaw glanced over his shoulder at the fresh-kill pile. Understanding what might have happened, he looked up at Echosong. Certainly she knew what to do, right? "W-We have to do something! What should we do?" he said, voice tight and uncertain. He wanted to help Amberpaw, who was curled in agony at his paws; whatever task he'd be set to, he'd do it if it meant it would stop the pain. Determination set in his face over the worry as he watched as Amberpaw followed the medicine cat. He'd hate waiting; maybe he should follow? But he might be in the way. Shuffling his paws anxiously, he tried to murmur reassuringly to Amberpaw as she passed by. "Don't worry Amberpaw, it'll be okay."
Echosong sighed softly as Wasppaw spoke. It was admirable, his concern for his friend and denmate. In truth, she had no comforting words to offer him. She wasn't entirely sure if she had the right herbs to help Amberpaw, nor the correct way to administer those herbs. She settled for the next best thing. "Wasppaw, she'll be alright, okay? You just stay here, and do your apprentice duties. Hunt for the clan, and remember that now you're hunting for Amberpaw too." That said, she left, heading to her den with the sick cat and her apprentice.