Guard Duty [Tagged]

[Zaperex]

I've been worried all my life
of falling backwards, falling backwards

Brookpaw

WillowClan | Female | 9 Moons

Sandshrew said she'd come to get her at the warmest part of the day. Now that she thought about it though, it'd be best if they went earlier. She still had to sort the herbs after, for one... Thankfully, the young warrior's pale, spotted pelt wasn't difficult to find. "Sandshrew! Can we go, um, now?" she asked, her raised voice causing some heads to turn in her direction. She pretended it didn't bother her. She had to be better than that.

To distract herself, she recited the herbs they needed to harvest today. Borage, coltsfoot, dock. Mallow leaves--best harvested at sunhigh. Aside from dock, all these plants were found around the lake. She really was glad that she'd have a guard--just in case they ran into anyone from the other Clans. She didn't think they kept up with WillowClan royalty, but they at least knew that she was her Clan's medicine cat apprentice. Which meant they wouldn't bother her, maybe? Or not. There was a good chance they wouldn't run into anyone at all, she reminded herself. At least FireClan would be going back to their old camp soon. She was glad since she'd be making plenty of more trips out in new-leaf.

Tag: Stags

[Stags]

Sandshrew :: WillowClan Female

---

Sandshrew was actually grooming her fur. Yes, she thought that if she was going to spend time with a Royal she better present herself more clean. She spent a good hour grooming all if the dirt our of her spotted pelt. Barely had she finished when Brookpaw's voice rose above the others.



Jumping slightly she turned to where the medicine cat apprentice sat. Did she miss their meeting time? The warrior glanced up to the sun. No, she hadn't missed it. Sandshrew stood, and trotted over to the younger cat. With a dip of her head she had paid her respects.



"Of course, hopefully it isn't too cold. Do you know where we need to look first?" Politely, the she-cat started to pad to the forest, careful of her speed.

---

OoC:

Wordcount- 130
Tags- Zaperex

[Zaperex]

I've been worried all my life
of falling backwards, falling backwards

Brookpaw

WillowClan | Female | 9 Moons

Sandshrew was much neater than when Brookpaw last saw her, though she knew it'd be rude to comment on it. She was fortunate to have short fur, far easier to maintain than Brookpaw's. On the other paw, the cold had barely factored into Brookpaw's thoughts. The days, mornings especially, were still cool, yet she barely felt it. "Let's try to walk in the sun," she suggested. "I know the way; you can just follow me," she said, beckoning the younger warrior with a flick of her tail. Was that too bossy? No, it was stupid to doubt herself on such a small thing.

They set out, and as Brookpaw promised, she tried to steer clear of the trees. They'd have to go into the shade soon, though. Dock wasn't too hard to find, but it grew a bit deeper into the forest. It was a plant she was very familiar with from the beginnings of her training. 

In a small burst of confidence, she turned to her guard to strike up a bit of conversation. "How is it, being a warrior?" she asked. Grateful as she was to have been chosen as Ashcloud's successor, she couldn't help but imagine what her life would be like if she'd become a warrior apprentice like the rest of her siblings. She hadn't talked to them in a long time. What were they learning, she wondered. Were they already great fighters and hunters? She thought so; her siblings were talented, vibrant cats.

Tag: Stags

[Stags]

Sandshrew :: WillowClan Female

---

Sandshrew gratefully allowed the medicine cat apprentice to pass, thinking nothing of her comments. As a warrior, a non-Royal warrior, she was quite used to being bossed around. Quietly she padded the smaller, longer furred she-cat. She didn't want to be too annoying and asking her questions, so instead she enjoyed the sunlight on her fur. She didn't even notice Brookpaw was intentionally trying to avoid the forest.

She grinned a little as Brookpaw spoke. "I enjoy being a warrior, honestly." Sandshrew replied, a little curious. "You get a lot of exercise and such.  Which is fine by me, I get angsty when I'm cooped up in one spot too long." She paused. She wanted to say 'and not digging' but she didn't want to seem so obsessive with her passion. Brookpaw was aware of it at this point. "What about being a medicine cat apprentice? I hope you get to stretch your paws enough."

---

OoC:

Wordcount- 163
Tags- Zaperex

[Zaperex]

I've been worried all my life
of falling backwards, falling backwards

Brookpaw

WillowClan | Female | 9 Moons

Sandshrew did look like the active type. "It sounds nice," Brookpaw commented sincerely. She had greatly enjoyed playfighting and pretending to be warriors as a kit, when she worked up the nerve to participate. It had been one of the few areas where she felt she had a chance of rivaling her littermates--perhaps it ran in their blood. 

 As for her... "I didn't get to go out a lot during leaf-bare... there were a lot of patients to watch, and it wasn't as if much was growing. I guess I'll make up for it this season," she said with a gentle smile. There was no way to avoid going into the forest now; she hoped Sandshrew wouldn't mind. Her eyes began to scan the forest floor, seeking the shape of dock leaves. Her nose sought out its tangy scent--instead, an even sharper scent caught her nose. Brookpaw stopped. It wasn't what she'd come out for, but there was no reason not to... "Sandshrew, you like to dig... right?" she asked hesitantly, keeping her eyes to the ground. Why else would she have been coated in dirt? StarClan, if that wasn't correct, she'd die of embarrassment.

Tag: Stags

[Stags]

Sandshrew :: WillowClan Female

---

Sandshrew threw Brookpaw a gentle smile back and continued to follow her into the forest. It was much chillier in the forested area, but she really couldn't complain. She was used to the leaf-bare, as it had taken up most of her memorable life.

As they entered the forest it was clear Brookpaw was searching hard. Instinctually, she began to walk softer, as if they were hunting. She was being kind of silly, she realized, after a few steps because you couldn't hear herbs. She continued walking like that anyway. Perhaps she would be able to scent a piece of prey while she was out here.

Sandshrew's ears perked. She could have sworn she told Brookpaw she liked to dig, but she didn't say anything. "Yeah! I love digging. Where do you need me to dig?" Sandshrew joined next to Brookpaw, standing at her side. "Just paw the exact location." Her heart thudded. Finally, her random and mostly useless skill was making use.

---

OoC:
Wordcount- 165
Tags- Zaperex

[Zaperex]

I've been worried all my life
of falling backwards, falling backwards

Brookpaw

WillowClan | Female | 9 Moons

Internally, Brookpaw gave a sigh of relief. She took cautious steps closer to the scent's origin,  double checking this was the right plant. Too early for flowers, but the waxy leaves, tall stems, and scent were enough to judge by. She tapped the base of the plant lightly with her small paw. "Can you dig the root out all in one piece? It can go pretty deep," she warned. Forgive me for asking--no, too meek. "So--how did you get into digging? That's not something you usually learn as a warrior, is it?" 

She circled around the plant to the other side, trying to guess how long it'd take for them to dig out the entire root. It was taller than them both. Was this even feasible? It might be more efficient to break it into pieces... that was okay to do with burdock, she was... almost certain. Brookpaw chose to remain quiet, keeping a watchful eye on Sandshrew's progress. It wouldn't be too late to change her mind later, if need be. 

Tag: Stags