|
Posted by mivirie on Aug 10, 2023 23:54:07 GMT
PoppyClan Healer New-Leaf was just arriving, though the Clans' proximity to the mountains sometimes led to unpredictable transitions between seasons. PoppyClan territory was beautiful in the frost, though Echomask was a bit biased in this opinion; after all, they matched. Though her tolerance of the cold was lacking due to her short, fluffy coat, her admiration was not. Leaf-Bare signaled a renewal, a time for everything to reset, and StarClan knows they need it. With the loss of Astermoon, Echomask felt like her mind had been running on eternal overdrive for the last couple seasons; she in particular desperately needed this reset, the chance to bloom in the time that followed. It was finally here. Early this morning, the molly had seen a brief, but strong vision of the three Healers in the Garden. Even after so many moons of whispers, visions, and signals, the feeling was overwhelming, lasting past the time it took to explain it to her leader and deputy. Her sister, Shadowtuft, had accompanied her to the border between FogClan and PoppyClan, nuzzing Echomask as she stepped into the other Clan’s territory earlier that day. This was how Echomask came to led the other Clans’ Healers, Minnowstream of FogClan and Hollowchime of RidgeClan further into PoppyClan territory, stepping cautiously and giving ample warnings to them behind her using her tail. She would have loved to travel by leaping through at least some of the trees, which avoided certain more annoying plants, but she feared that at least Minnowstream would have difficulty keeping up. Shadowtuft would have also frowned upon her giving up a safe path such as that to another Clans’ cats, especially RidgeClan who may be able to use it, but to Echomask they were Healers. The rules were different. As she ducked beneath a particularly low hanging branch, little buds just beginning to form on the ends of the sticks, her cheek fur grazed the tips of thorns stretching just out of place. Pausing, she signaled to the others to stop as well as she carefully adjusted the growing plant back into place and on track. Her ears flicked back and forth, listening to the wind streaming through the treetops and distant windchimes in the Garden. Content, the molly walked forward again, guiding the two to PoppyClan’s Garden. As they stepped into the circular Garden, the early morning light glinted into Echomask’s eyes, and the wind greeted them. No matter the season, the Garden was full of herbs and plants for the Clan. Now, the white and gray molly could spot heather, crocus, and snowdrops, just for a start. “Well, here we are. Take what you need, or, well, you know…” Echomask trailed off. It felt odd for her to tell them what to do, given she’d been a Healer for the least amount of time. She shrugged to herself, wandering off to collect herbs, catching sight of an early growth dock plant. Her tail waved excitedly as she sniffed at it before turning to see what the other Healers were doing.
|
|
|
Posted by littlewing on Aug 11, 2023 1:41:17 GMT
H O L L O W C H I M E
Ridgeclan healer
It has been some ten or so moons since Hollowchime assumed her position as the only healer of Ridgeclan, yet she still found herself barely acquainted with Poppyclan’s territory. Yes, they had the best selection of herbs and yes, they grew here no matter the season, but for some reason, she just rarely wandered in. A mix of hesitance to be caught by a routine patrol and a strong preference to stay in the familiar kept her harvests along the jagged slopes she called home. Rules were more unspoken for healers— explicit permission was never given to Hollowchime to intrude on Poppy grounds, though it was also implied that they could go wherever they needed to. Leaf-Bare always seemed to hit her clan harder than the others and her medicinal supply had been strained for a while. Rough weather bred rough Ridge cats, so she was lucky to have barely needed to tap into her supply, save for the occasional goldenrod or tansy. Nevertheless, Hollowchime was grateful for the invite from Echomask. She had greeted her with a small dip of the head and followed along quietly. The path they took was lush, new growth gushing out of every nook and cranny in the forest floor. A sign of the prosperity to come. Hollowchime hoped for a peaceful season just like the last New-Leaf— the warmer weather brought plenty of prey and kit-births, and also the extra energy to cause unnecessary conflict. She was too young to have experienced any major fights in her lifetime, only hearing the about the ones her late mentor had recalled soberly. As they approached their destination, Hollowchime noticed how their agrestal route soon transformed into well-worn path beneath them, the dirt flattened by countless paw-steps. Poppyclan took great care of their garden, or so she had heard. Echomask’s soft voice drew her attention, Hollowchime giving yet another nod in response. She cleared her throat before meowing a “Thank you.” Much like a kit entering the apprentice’s den for the first time, she awkwardly mulled around, taking only a few steps forward to look at the plant in front of her and then taking another inelegant set of steps to the side. She looked down. Burnet. That would’ve been useful in the Leaf-Fall, but she didn’t need it anymore. And to the left was heather. She didn’t need that either; if a cat complained and asked for a bit of sweetness to their poultice, she’d just reach into their mouth and stuff the medicine right in (then call them a kittypet right after). She looked to the right, spotting chamomile. Hollowchime’s eyes brightened up, slowly growing more comfortable as she immersed herself in her work. Chamomile would be useful for some of the elders, and it was rarely, if ever found in Ridgeclan. She settled just short of the delicate white flowers, nudging them with her nose and searching for ripe blossoms.
|
|
|
Posted by STRAY on Aug 13, 2023 6:43:45 GMT
MINNOWSTREAM It was always a treat to be able to bathe in PoppyClan's sun, and even more so to roam their Garden at one’s leisure. The misty forest was usually too shaded by the canopy to reliably grow some essential herbs close to camp, and the plants that preferred dry areas were always scarce. Minnowstream had had the pleasure of visiting a few times before and enjoyed it every time. So, of course he went along with the PoppyClan healer when she showed up. The wind had told him to expect as much anyway.
The walk was mostly alright—perhaps a bit annoying, even, Minnowstream thought as he plucked a pawful of burrs out of his tail—but nothing he hadn’t encountered in the past. It probably would have been better had he gotten more sleep. Instead, he had lagged behind the two mollies, stifling yawns the whole way. His own size wasn't much help. As they entered the Garden, he took the opportunity to stretch, a soft purr escaping him as the strengthening sunlight warmed his pelt. He listened to Echomask welcome them in with slight amusement and simply dipped his head in thanks as the healers dispersed.
FogClan weathered Leaf-bare just fine. Or as fine as the Clans can, anyway. The forest insulated its inhabitants from harsh frost-winds, and their thick fur was good at keeping things out. Still, there were a few stubborn coughs that lingered in camp, so maybe he could find some tansy, or perhaps lovage and bright-eye… He picked off a large ivy leaf nearby in case he needed it. Although he thought himself far too young to be teaching any cat herbalism, he mused about how helpful it'd be to have an apprentice to help him carry things.
As Minnowstream poked around the variety of plants in the Garden, a little spider caught his attention. It looked up to him with big eyes and waved two of its front legs as if in a hello. Then it turned to sneak up on a nearby fly, wiggled its hindquarters as if calculating its jump, and pounced upon its prey. Minnowstream trilled to himself and shook his head, continuing with his search. Spiderpaw’s training session must be going particularly well.
When he looked up, he happened to catch Echomask's gaze. He blinked at her with casual friendliness and waved his tail in acknowledgement, briefly setting down his ivy leaf to speak.
"Thank you kindly again for having us. I could take you to the wetland sometime to get some herbs there, if you'd like. Lots of watermint this year. Goes for you, too, Hollowchime," he added, glancing at the RidgeClan healer.
|
|