Cedarpaw followed her mentor, worried for the young apprentice. She looked back at the also worried Wasppaw, but then retrained her focus to Amberpaw. Maybe it was the trout... It definitely didn't smell that great.
Maplefang smiled at all the other clan members, and rubbed against Cougarheart not too long after he arrived. However, she also noticed the camp became a smellier-like food was rotting-and, a couple of cats ate the crowfood, including Echosong of all cats! She frowned, worrying...Then became even more worried, as she felt the birth was starting to happen. But, there were no nests in the Nursery. Why hadn't she remembered to tell someone to make a nest?! "I-I think it's happening. I don't think I can give birth in a nest, but, I would appreciate it if someone would make one after the kitting's done." Then, she quickly ran into the nursery.
"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."
Wasppaw dipped his head dutifully to the medicine cat. He felt a sense of responsibility settle on him, but he welcomed it eagerly. This was a chance to redeem himself of the mishap this morning. Of course, he wouldn't have wanted the opportunity to require Amberpaw getting sick. He glanced at the fresh kill pile again, and noticed the perch she had caught that morning. His nose crinkled in disgust but he approached it anyway. It was sort of sad, he thought, that the perch she had been so proud of had gone to waste. It was completely spoiled now. Wasppaw leaned down, intending to pick it up, but recoiled in a fit of dry heaving. He gagged on the pungent odor, hating himself for allowing it to fill his lungs.
Suddenly, a cry called out from the nursery. Wasppaw, panicked by the noise, became a mess of bristled fur and wide eyes. He saw Echosong emerge from the medicine cat den and slowly trudge her way toward the source of the sound. He noticed a familiar look on her face and felt his heart flutter. Was everybody getting sick?
Awful smell or not, the perch had to be disposed of. If it was left in camp, others might risk getting ill too. Wasppaw steadied himself. He leaned down again and the rotten smell of fish hit his nostrils. He fought against the bile rising in his throat and carefully grasped it in his mouth. He tried his hardest to hold his breath and keep his tongue from touching the greasy scales. Then he broke out into the awkwardest of runs, trying to get out of the camp as quickly as he could so he could get it all over with. The fish flopped madly against his chest as he bounded outside of the camp, a terrifying smacking sound that would surely haunt his dreams tonight. (Wasppaw exits)
Dewdapple raised her head as she assessed the camp around her. Maplefang was pregnant? Well...why that fact surprised her she had no idea. Some cats would just twine around anyone for a little attention. And the way that Cougarheart was carrying on around her? Well...
At least they now knew what 'important clan business' he had been up to as of late.
She was about to call the apprentices off with her when she noticed the strange look on her apprentice's face. She frowned. "Amberpaw?" She asked. Despite the fact that her usual methods of training were paws off at best, there was a tinge of worry in the she-cat's voice. Her apprentice was ill...that was clear, even without Echosong's assessment.
"Go with her - now! We'll worry about other things later." She ordered, making sure that her apprentice followed the Medicine Cat into the den. The number of able-bodied cats was dropping rapidly, as far as she was concerned - and before she could even turn around she noticed that Wasppaw was leaving too - a wreched-smelling piece of prey in his jaws.
Great. So long as the little fool didn't get himself sick too. Their fresh kill pile had gone from heaping to pathetic in a matter of moments. She sighed, and flicked her tail at Cottonbreeze.
"If you want to follow, then please, do...let's see if we can't get any good food in here before we all run for the Gathering."
Without waiting for the other she-cat's reply, she quickly turned tail and padded from the camp, following the yellow apprentice to make sure the young tom wouldn't set his paws in any trouble. Because somebody had to.
When Pearlstar strode out of her den, the first thing she expected was not…this. Instantly, the lingering smell of rotten food and sickness hit her nostrils, causing her to recoil back in surprise. She angled her head to the direction of the freshkill pile, and then towards the cats currently in camp. Did the food rot in the sunlight, without any of them noticing? She knew it could be difficult to tell the difference, since fish usually had a strong smell, but she’d thought it would have been obvious. Though she had no idea how many cats had gotten sick, and which ones. She frowned, and quickly made her way down the center of the camp.
“What happened here?” She asked, her mature voice ringing out and golden eyes scanning the faces of her clanmates. If cats were getting sick, this was a serious matter. She glanced over at Cougarheart. The leader needed to find what the situation was, and make some decisions around here after she heard the story. This was something that shouldn't have happened and could not afford to have again, not even once.
Echosong padded weakly out of her den, and straight up to Pearlstar. She needed to ask for some help from a warrior, since Cedarpaw didn't seem to be around. She needed some herbs, both for herself and to help Amberpaw. Her last bit of Chervil had gone to the apprentice, and now the medicine cat had to find something for herself. "Pearlstar, some food rotted, and Amberpaw and myself ate it. I'm sorry, but there wasn't much good food in the clan, and I was hungry. I've tried to treat Amberpaw, and she does look a little better, but I have nothing for myself, nor for any other cat in case this happens again. Could you assign a warrior to help me find some new herbs?" Echosong pleaded with Pearlstar. All of a sudden, she remembered that the gathering was to be held very soon. What if Nestclan brought up their marking of Pebble Beach? Echosong would definitely have to tell Pearlstar about it.
Cottonbreeze's eyes flickered to the scene in the center of the camp. She knew now that the fresh-kill pile was severely depleted, filling with rotten crowfood. It was good that the healthy warriors and apprentices were hunting. Maybe they could get the clan back to full strength soon. Cottonbreeze's eyes darkened as she took in the haggard form of Echosong, desperately pleading for a warrior to help her. There and then, she decided that if no one would help the medicine cat, she would. After all, Cedarpaw was not fully trained yet, and they couldn't lose Echosong now! But she waited for Pearlstar's decision.
(Just a note that I also role-play Echosong and if there is no one available Cottonbreeze can do it but I would rather not have to double up. I'm quite interested in this though (Since I truthfully am just randomly throwing herbs at Echosong and Amberpaw... Maybe I'll try yarrow))
(-Cedarpaw enters from the medicine cat den-) "Echosong!" Cedarpaw yowled, looking around camp for her. Then, she saw her beside Pearlstar, and raced over. "What exactly am I looking for, Echosong?" Cedarpaw asked politely.
Cougar heart's eyes widened as Maplefang rushed to the nursery. "I have to go everyone. I'm sorry Pearlstar, we'll have to talk later." He told his leader as he rushed to the nursery. (Cougarheart exits to nursery)
Echosong raised a metaphorical eyebrow at the deputy. She had already been to the nursery, and frankly didn't appreciate Cougarheart assuming that she hadn't. But she understood the feelings of a parent, and so let it go. Turning to her apprentice, she sighed softly. "You aren't really looking for anything. I don't think chervil works too well so I suppose you just try to use your intuition."
(It's sorta trial and error now so just find something that you think would work in the warrior cats book. Maybe yarrow or watermint? Hopefully it hasn't been too long for yarrow. cougarheart the timeline is a little messed up now)
Dewdapple reappeared in camp hoping that Wasppaw would have the decency to wash himself off in the stream first. Surprise surprise, Cougarheart was nowhere to be found - but that was probably due to the small mews she could hear from the nursery. At least Pearlstar was there, she nodded her head to the white she-cat.
"We're dealing with it." She stated simply. "Can we help with anything else?" Then, seeing Echosong, she made a beeline for the Medicine cat - who was looking a little ill herself.
"I have free paws." She stated. Truth be told hunting for herbs would be better than dealing with Apprentices, even if she had promised Wasppaw. "How's Amberpaw?" She asked as well...knowing it was proper to see how the young she-cat was fairing.
Cedarpaw nodded and headed out of camp. She was determined to bring back something, even if it took her a night. She had to get something, or more than just one herb. (-Cedarpaw Exits-) Cedarpaw had slowed to a jog, looking around carefully or anything she might find.
Last Edit: Oct 9, 2015 16:02:50 GMT -6 by Deleted: I accidently pressed post while typing
Amberpaw poked her head out of the Medicine cat den. She had been there for a day or so. She was still sick it seemed, with a few pains here and there, but it was nothing compared to her previous waves of pain. She perked her dark ginger ears trying to listen in. The she-cat hated not being able to to anything to help. Knowing very well that if she tried to help she would be sent back to the den. So, Amberpaw crouched at the entrance of the den.
Poor Echosong. Noting the female’s feeble shape, Pearlstar could tell Echosong was sick just by looking at her. After all, she‘d seen many sick cats over the moons. She had nodded respectively towards her. “Certainly.” Normally, the leader would offer up her own services to the medicine cat. However, she had matters of her own to address.
She was relieved when Dewdapple stated a willingness to help. “Thank you, Dewdapple.” She meowed gratefully to the spotted she-cat. “Please lend Echosong your paws.” There was so many things that needed to be done in camp, and it sent a shiver down her spine to realize none of it was organized. It was a big help that Dewdapple was able to help their medicine cat, since she knew she could trust her skill. The gathering had bad timing, Pearlstar thought grimly.
While the sickness affected some of their clan, Pearlstar would have no choice but to limit the amount of warriors she took. She could only hope that the other clans didn’t grow suspicious, or get any ideas of their small numbers. The white leader swept her golden gaze across the scattered group of cats, and tried to figure out who she could afford to leave with her. She had to make this decision, and quickly. The full moon was upon them, and they were out of time. With a lash of her tail, she raised her voice so all cats could hear.
“I want some hunting done tonight. I don’t care who does it, as long as we have something for the sick and nursing queens. If they still feel like eating, that is. At least Maplefang might appreciate a good meal.” Seeing as Maplefang was no where to be seen, and Cougarheart had ran into the nursery, Pearlstar had easily put two-and-two together. She wasn't a blind kit; she was aware of the birthing. The leader then glanced over to a lingering form, softening her voice. “Cottonbreeze. Will you accompany me to the gathering? We’ve spent too much time - Creekclan will be showing up at our borders any minute now. We may be able to find Wasppaw on our way there, if we hurry. But I do not know that Cougarheart intends to come to the gathering tonight.”
Pearlstar heard tiny mews coming from the nursery, and her whiskers twitched graciously at the sound. The chorus of the new generation showed a sliver of light over the unfortunate events. She was afraid her greeting of the kits would have to wait, but knowing they were there allowed the leader maintain some measure of composure. “Thank Starclan we have some good news to share.“ She murmured, then looked expectantly over at Cottonbreeze with a weary sigh. “In any case, we must attend the meeting. It will bring disgrace upon us if we are late. Are you ready?“ She would prefer Cougarheart to come with them to the Brightrock as well. It was tradition to bring the clan deputy, after all. But Pearlstar would forgive it if he chose to remain in the nursery. That would also bring more protection to the vulnerable clan. In any case, they could delay no longer.
(Hey guys! Time's up on us, so I went ahead and chose @cottonbreeze and @waspwhisker to join the gathering, if they are able to. Additionally, @cougarheart is welcome to come.)
Echosong smiled softly at Dewdapple. In truth, she didn't really need herbs now that Cedarpaw had decided to turn up, but surely something to build up strength would help. Maybe more lamb's ear? "Thanks Dewdapple. But since Cedarpaw has appeared, we don't actually have to go out that far for herbs. I think we'll just hang around for lamb's ear. It's pretty common." The she-cat padded softly up to Pearlstar. The leader had to be informed of Nestclan. She shuddered to think what would happen if Pearlstar was confronted with it. "Pearlstar, there is something I must tell you. Some days ago, I found Nestclan markings on Pebble Beach. I remarked the land and didn't think to bring it up since it wasn't technically ours. But I think it would be a good idea to inform you in case some clan brings it up."