[chaoticcrow]

Frondleaf was stalking through the forest as the sun sank down on the horizon. She had decided to get an early start on her hunting since she woke up earlier than normal. She was preparing to attack a rabbit when she heard a rustling nearby and then saw a tail disappear behind a nearby tree. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the scents around her. There was only the scent of Shadowclan nearby, so she decided to see who was out and about. As she got closer, she realized the medicine cat was making her way through the forest.

"Dusklight? What are you doing out here alone?" Frondleaf mewed with a bit of concern. Usually, medicine cats at least had their apprentice with them, or so she thought. She made her way to the tortoiseshell cat's side. "Should I accompany you? I can help you find herbs if that is why you're out here, or I can just carry them for you?" She was really biting back the urge to take over. She was sure the medicine cat knew more than her about herbs, but she could definitely learn a thing or two while out here!

[viv]

dusklight

she/her ○ shadowclan ○ medicine cat

won't you come and dance in the dark with me?
show me what you are; i am desperate to know

Voices addled Dusklight's dreams.

There wasn't a time in her life where she didn't feel like Starclan was trying to reach her while she slept, but very rarely were they ever clear. Such was the case tonight-- blurry, star-streaked faces passed her by and their whispers failed to reach her ears. She strained and she strained to hear them, or to see someone a little clearer, but not to any avail. Even when she called out to them, her voice felt very small like her throat had been stuffed full of the soft things that lined her nest.

They did give her one clear message this day, though. When she woke up, breath heavy and eyes bleary, the scent of blood was thick in her nose. Death, she considered this one as-- death through battle. Grievous wounds. I need to prepare. I have to prevent it.

Her herb stores were alright for day-to-day life, but if she was going to deal with the aftermath of a battle, she'd need more of the necessities. Dock leaves for scratches and bites, chervil in case any of the wounds went sour. Cobwebs to staunch bleeding and keep poultices in place. More comfrey was always good to have. She set out right as the sun started to sink below the pine trees that encircled camp.

The scent of blood still lingered in her nose a half-hour later when she found black, gnarled roots sticking out of the ground. Someone had taken the leaves, but hadn't taken the time to dig them out. They'd have to be washed anyway, so Dusklight didn't mind dirtying her paws for this herb-run. She unsheathed her claws and began scrabbling at the dirt to loosen them. She hadn't scented a clan mate nearby-- perhaps she was downwind, or perhaps she was too distracted, but Starclan's omen faded from her nose once Frondleaf was suddenly by her side.

"Frondleaf," she spoke with some surprise. Thank the stars she found me here, and not on the border, Dusklight thought with an inward grimace, pulling her paws from the dirt and shaking her fur out. "Ahh, yes-- I'm looking for some extra herbs."

Her broad head gestured to the half-unearthed root. "Could you help me get this comfrey out?" She asked. "Ahh, if you could help get everything back to camp, too, that would help. I have to find some cobwebs, too, and they're difficult to carry back with other herbs." She'd tried it before as an apprentice. Snowthistle almost flayed her before tasking her with delicately separating the leaves from the webbing without wasting too much of either. Never again.

Dusklight returned to digging out the stubborn root, hopefully with Frondleaf's help, this time. "What are you doing out alone?" She asked, not unkindly.