Gathering 2025 Private just wanna tell you that you're really pretty girl ✿ — rowanpaw

[Meadowpaw]

"Stop…." She hissed through her teeth, struggling to keep her face from contorting into full-blown panic. Heat flared in her cheeks as she turned her head sharply away, trying—desperately trying—to pretend her friend wasn't being an absolute menace. Meadowpaw silently thanked StarClan that no one else could see him. He was being ridiculous—sticking his paw through the heads of passing cats, pulling exaggerated faces, flopping dramatically to the ground whenever she so much as glanced in a certain direction.

He wasn't going to stop. Not until she went and said hello to the very pretty, very competent, extremely composed she-cat she'd been stealing glances at since the gathering began. It had become Ragwort's favorite game lately—messing with the living cats around her when she got too comfortable in her shell.

Her eyes flitted across the clearing to where Rowanpaw sat beside her mother, Serpentberry. The red-furred apprentice looked nothing short of beautiful—firelit fur catching the moonlight, cheeks softened in its silver glow. Meadowpaw shrank a little. She's so pretty it's unfair. Rowanpaw wasn't even doing anything, and Meadowpaw could already feel her lungs tightening.

Whatever this feeling was, it was new and strange. She didn't know how to carry it, let alone function normally. It felt all fluttery—like there were dozens of butterflies trying to escape her stomach.

She turned her face away, ears burning. "I guess I could… talk. Apprentice to apprentice. That's all. That's fine... I can do that." Her voice pitched unconvincingly. She inhaled slowly, trying to collect the fragile threads of her confidence.

One more look at Ragwort. He was now pretending to swoon, flopping on the ground like a dying bird. Meadowpaw scowled at him or rather, the ground. Anyone who was watching may have wondered what offensive it committed to earn such a look. "Stars above." She muttered, tail swiping sharply in his direction—not that she could hit him even if she tried.

But she didn't cross the clearing just yet. The apprentice stood for a breath, claws pricking the dirt anxiously. She could be brave about a lot of things but somehow, this—talking to her fellow medicine-cat apprentice, not so much.

Maybe it was the scars that left her discouraged. The way her ears stood ragged in the breeze or patches on her face where fur refused to grow, but most of her mangled leg... She looked so... and Rowan paw was... She didn't like being looked at, not anymore. So she spruced herself up, used flowers to hide her scars. Unfortunately, there was no way to hide her leg, even if she tried.

Still… she wanted to talk to her. Even if just for a moment. Just to stand near her. They shared the same burden, so surely they could talk about that if nothing else. She might even learn something fro mthe other apprentice. Meadowpaw could almost imagine the two of them getting lost in conversation, talking until the dawn broke.

Finally, she urged her paws to move. She limped through the crowd, whispering soft apologies each time she bumped into someone.

Stopping at a respectful distance, Meadowpaw dipped her head toward the red apprentice and her mother. "H-hi again, Ro–Rowanpaw." She purred, her voice warm despite the stammer. "I was thinking… maybe we could talk, i-if you're not busy? About herbs. And… and stuff o-or just whatever you want I mean." A nervous smile curled on her face, but stars she felt like she was about to pass out. Was she really doing this right now?

______________I believe that there is a courage ✿ but its burnin' like ash in the wind_____________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  @rowanpaw
• ​
• Meadow she/her & windclan
  ✿ Three-legged black and red tortoiseshell with green eyes.
  ✿ A light crisp-sounding voice
  ✿ Loves flowers and always has some woven into her fur
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. All others DM.
  ✿ Fur smells floral and mildly sweet.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[rowanpaw]

☆ Rowanpaw is sitting near her mother, who's hovering next to Juniperstar. She's nervous. She can't remember being this on edge since the great battle, but then, this is where they fought. And Shadowclan is here, a constant dark cloud hanging over them, stubborn and cruel. She already disliked most if not all of them, but now, after hearing about what they did to poor Jinglemoon and the other Riverclan cats… she grimaces, still staring down at her own paws. Her leg hurts. The walk from the camp to fourtrees wasn't that bad if she walked, but she'd had to keep pace with everyone else. She could've taken a poppyseed before leaving, but… after what happened with Juniperstar and Stilldream… with the risk of Shadowclan coming to steal their herbs… she didn't want to ask. She'd just be a burden. There were more important things than her leg.

When Meadowpaw appears next to her, she startles slightly, blinking up at her in surprise. She'd been too caught up in her own world to notice anyone approaching.

"Oh, hi Meadow!" She says, offering a somewhat weak smile.

She throws a glance at her mother and Juniperstar, then turns back to Meadowpaw. "Yeah, of course we can talk. How… How have you been? Did you make the journey okay?"

She studies Meadow's face for a moment. "You're not in any pain, right…? I… I hurt my leg too, once– obviously not as bad as you, but– I fell out of a tree and it– it still hurts sometimes. Like when I make long journeys." She shakes her head, and her cheeks heat up for a moment so she looks away. "Sorry… you probably don't want to talk about it, right? But– lamb's ear… lamb's ear is good for aches, it gives you strength. Although I don't know if it grows in Windclan territory… I could bring you some on the next half moon if you want."

☆ ROWANPAW. 14 moons
mentored by serpentberry,
adopted daughter of serpentberry and thornstar
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc -

 

[Meadowpaw]

Rowanpaw looked tired but that wasn't surprising. It was late and they'd all had to leave their territories to get there. "Oh—yes! I've been learning a lot lately and It's, um… not too far, thankfully." Truth be told, she'd made the journey once before. Last time she was with Swiftwatcher. Traveling was a bit more of a hassle now, and she was still getting used to things, but she got by. Meadowpaw would rather be tired and have sore paws than stay at camp while everyone else went out.

She inched a little closer and sat, tail curling neatly over her stump, and let her gaze settle softly on Rowanpaw. Her brows scrunch softly with worry. "That must've been some fall." She used to climb trees too, before the barnfire—but she'd never fallen. Rowanpaw's limp wasn't obvious like hers, but some injuries couldn't be seen. "A little tired, but going on a little adventure with everyone was really fun, so I don't mind." Since it was something she didn't get to do much of anymore, so she enjoyed it when she could.

She smiled sheepishly. "N-no, it's okay if you ask." It wasn't her favorite topic—but how could she avoid talking about her leg when it was so hard to miss. At least Rowanpaw didn't stare. Kits staring was one thing, but her clanmates still stared sometimes, and strangers... They didn't mean harm. She knew it looked gnarly. She knew that, but the gawking still bothered her even moons after the fire.

Her ears perked at the mention of something new. "Lamb's ear? I haven't heard of that one before." Then again, she was still learning. Rowanpaw had been a medicine-cat apprentice longer than her, so she knew more too. "Though when I was still having a hard time getting around, Gladebloom would give me daisy leaf to help with my strength. The pains too."

ThunderClan sure was lucky to have her. Not only was Rowanpaw pretty, she was so kind too. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd love that!" That warm, queasy feeling was relentless, fluttering around in her belly.

"Maybe we could trade? If you already have daisy leaf in ThunderClan, I could bring something else." There had to be herbs unique to the prairie that she could share in return. Plus, it meant they would have something to talk about again next time.

______________I believe that there is a courage ✿ but its burnin' like ash in the wind_____________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
• ​
• Meadow she/her & windclan
  ✿ Three-legged black and red tortoiseshell with green eyes.
  ✿ A light crisp-sounding voice
  ✿ Loves flowers and always has some woven into her fur
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. All others DM.
  ✿ Fur smells floral and mildly sweet.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[rowanpaw]

☆ Rowanpaw practically beams as Meadowpaw settles down beside her– perhaps she did need to get out of the medicine cat den more. She forgot how nice it was talking to cats. The only cat she really spoke to these days was her mother and mentor, and while she loved Serpentberry, there was more to the world than herbs and poultices, and sometimes she forgot that.

"It sure was," Rowanpaw says, nose wrinkles as she recalls the unpleasant memory– not just the fall, but the dream she'd had, and the battle that had followed. The death of the grey tom at the paws of her brother. "It was during the last leaf bare… before Thunderclan even existed. I'd gone out hunting and– I was so hungry. It drove me into hunting in the trees, but… I lost my footing, a piece of loose bark fell, and down I went." She flicks her ear, the one carrying the only visual proof left of it, and runs a paw over it automatically. "My brother carried me back here and Serpentberry and Cicadabuzz helped me, but… I don't think it ever healed right. It hurts when it's cold, and when I over exert myself. I was lucky Serpentberry decided to take me on as an apprentice… this way I can still be helpful. At least that's what I think." She had dreamed of being a warrior, sure, but it was a childish sort of dream she'd had when her leg was still healing. She's more useful like this. She can do more good. "If you want to tell me what happened, I'll be happy to listen. I've found that… saying things out loud helps."

"It doesn't?" she says, her smile returning. "Alright, I'll be sure to bring some next half moon!" Her tail flicks back and forth, eager to learn. "Daisy leaf… the really bitter one, right?" She makes a slight grimace, eyes still smiling. "I hope Gladebloom gave you some honey with that. And we do have it in Thunderclan, although I think we're running pretty low… but… oh, I heard about one– I haven't been able to find it in the forest, but maybe it'll be on the prairie? It's tall and purple, and it's supposed to smell wonderful. I can't remember what it's called though…"

☆ ROWANPAW. 14 moons
mentored by serpentberry,
adopted daughter of serpentberry and thornstar
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc -

 

[Meadowpaw]

As she listens, her gaze softens, muddled with emotion. Meadowpaw had only ever heard bits and pieces about how ThunderClan came to be. She knew it hadn't been easy for them—just like it hadn't been easy for WindClan. "That's how I feel too…" After losing her leg, everything had changed. She couldn't climb anymore, couldn't hunt or fight. She had to relearn how to walk and balance. After all of that, she'd thrown herself into finding ways to be useful, no matter how small. It never felt like enough. Everyone had to take care of her, and she still couldn't go anywhere on her own. But now—now as Gladebloom's apprentice—it felt like there was finally a place for her. She wasn't just a burden anymore. There was a part for her to play that no one else could and she needed that.

"I know how hard that must've been though, to get this far. The calico gives a small smile. "But I think you're more than helpful." Meadowpaw added, "Especially after you brought all the medicine-cats together at the half-moon. I'm still in awe of you and Swallowpaw, really. Bringing everyone together like that so we can help one another is amazing." You are amazing.

To her, it's clear what Serpentberry had seen in Rowanpaw. Her injury didn't define her—her strength did. She didn't give up. She'd found a new path and walked it. The more Meadowpaw learned, the more she found herself admiring her. "Sure, I don't mind...." There is a pause. Meadowpaw takes a second to gather what little courage she has. "I just haven't really talked about it much, but you're right."

"I don't know what you've heard about WindClan, but we all used to live in this big barn." Home. Or it used to be. "It caught fire while we were sleeping. One of my friends ,couldn't get out and I went back for him and… got trapped." Her eyes dropped, watching a blade of grass sway in the breeze. The memory surged behind her eyes—flickering flames. She still felt it sometimes, phantom fire licking at her fur, leaving her tongue dry with ash.

Her wounds healed, but it seemed the rest of her, still had some healing to do. She shook her head, lashes fluttering. The calico forces a small smile despite the weight curling in her chest. "S-sorry, it's a little fuzzy still. I got hurt pretty bad, as you can see. I don't really remember much after that—just… waking up somewhere outside. My sister pulled me out."

She let the mood lighten with the change of topic. "Yeah, daisy leaf is real gross." Meadowpaw giggled. "We didn't have honey then, but Gladebloom used heather. The nectar's sweet and way easier to get than dealing with bees." Honestly, with so few trees on the prairie, beehives weren't easy to come by anyway. Not that she missed being stung.

When Rowanpaw described the purple plant, she knew it right away. "Lavender!" She unwilts, green eyes sparkling with fresh enthusiasm. Being able to talk about flowers will never cease to make her happy. "Oh, it really does smell lovely! Lavender also has this calming effect too. Kinda hard to describe, but it's soothing. There's a field not far from camp where it grows. I'll bring a bunch next time."

Meadowpaw perks up, quickly tacking onto the conversation. "Oh! And while we're talking about flowers. I've been meaning to ask you somethin'." She leans forward, anticipation on her tongue. "Do you have a favorite flower?"

______________I believe that there is a courage ✿ but its burnin' like ash in the wind_____________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
• ​
• Meadow she/her & windclan
  ✿ Three-legged black and red tortoiseshell with green eyes.
  ✿ A light crisp-sounding voice
  ✿ Loves flowers and always has some woven into her fur
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. All others DM.
  ✿ Fur smells floral and mildly sweet.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[rowanpaw]

☆ Rowanpaw listens attentively as Meadowpaw speaks, her tail still flicking excitedly behind her.

"Lavender…" she repeats, feeling the word in her mouth, unfamiliar but nice. "What a beautiful name. And its effects sound useful too… perhaps it would make for a good addition to a poultice for better sleep…?" She wonders aloud, brow slightly furrowed. "Oh! That would be lovely, if you don't mind…" She smiles gently at Meadowpaw.

At the sudden question, she pauses. She's never thought about that before. Her favorite flower… When she was still a kit, though some might say she still was, she had never had time to stop and notice any particular flowers. With her mother sick and her brother a kit himself, it wasn't something she had time to think about. At that time, they were just useless herbs. A somewhat sad expression takes over her face- if she'd known what she knows now, perhaps she could've saved her birth mother. She frowns, then shakes her head.

"I've never thought about it," she admits, a bit embarrassed for some reason. It felt like yet another thing she'd missed out on somehow, a part of youth that had slipped through her paws like water without her realizing it, without her even knowing she was missing out on something. She shuffles her paws, looking down. "I don't know. Maybe… it'll be lavender?" She tries to crack a smile, but isn't sure how convincing it is, and looks up at Meadow again. "What about you?"

☆ ROWANPAW. 14 moons
mentored by serpentberry,
adopted daughter of serpentberry and thornstar
peaceful powerplay allowed
ooc -

 

[Meadowpaw]

She made a quiet note to gather plenty of lavender for Rowanpaw. Just talking with her now, she was sure the other apprentice would love it—and lucky for her, there was no shortage of it on the prairie.

When the question was reflected back to her, Meadowpaw was caught off guard. She probably should've expected that. "I'm not sure..." She wrinkles her nose, gaze shifting upward in thought. "There's just so many beautiful flowers, and WindClan has a lot of them. It's hard to pick just one."

But she couldn't leave Rowanpaw hanging. "Ummm we have a flower garden in camp so I guess, if I had to choose from there, maybe… ragwort?" Not only was it the name of her best friend, but it was a flower that held a special place in her heart as one of the very first flowers she ever sowed into their garden.

"It's one of the first once we planted, and It's really a tough. Grows anywhere, no matter how rough the ground is. Also it's used for strength too, so I always thought that was kind of ironic." She sneaks a glance at the other apprentice. Was she being weird? Talking too much? Did she have anything on her face? All of a sudden, it kinda felt like it.

"Sorry, I'm rambling. We can talk about something else if you want! Like—if there's something you're really into or excited about." Honestly Rowanpaw could've been talking about anything ahd she would listen. Though maybe she also just wanted to know some of the things the other apprentice liked.

______________I believe that there is a courage ✿ but its burnin' like ash in the wind_____________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
• ​
• Meadow she/her & windclan
  ✿ Three-legged black and red tortoiseshell with green eyes.
  ✿ A light crisp-sounding voice
  ✿ Loves flowers and always has some woven into her fur
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. All others DM.
  ✿ Fur smells floral and mildly sweet.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​