Camp WindClan TAP RACK AND CLEAN | MEADOWPAW

[Gladebloom Gladebloom]

It had been about two or three moons since WindClan formed from the ashes of the barn. Everything had settled, and with the discovery of more clans that sprouted (or had been there before), she realized that she'd need more paws to help with her work. Dealing with the majority of the barn's wounded and then having StarClan bless her as a medicine cat soon led to the realization that she would require an apprentice, just like the warriors, but one with healing paws. Gladebloom watched and studied those who may be interested, but too many were ready to butt heads like bitter bulls or seemed uninterested in dabbling in medicine—well, all except one cat. A small girl ravaged by the flames who lost loved ones and part of herself in the fire, yet her eyes always lit up whenever she visited or heard her talk about herbs; a curious mind always greedy for more knowledge. It reminded her a lot of her younger days, and the chocolate tabby quickly grew fond of Meadowpaw's company during their little interactions. The prospect of Meadowpaw becoming WindClan's first medicine cat apprentice is a strong possibility in her book, yet she waits as the days turn into another moon, yet none show potential like the calico. It seemed as if Meadowpaw was destined to be her apprentice, and she wouldn't delay anymore; thus, she sought out the apprentice that day.

"Meadowpaw,"

she greets with a small smile as she finally finds her target.

"I've been thinking..."

There's a small pause as she watches her for a moment before continuing.

"I'd like to have you as my apprentice, if you wish to accept."

Gladebloom wouldn't mind if the other declined because it seemed like a stressful job or it wasn't her destined path, but she felt as though there was no reason to not ask.

@Meadowpaw

 

[Meadowpaw]

Meadowpaw turned at the sound of her name, ears flicking to attention. Her expression lit up at the sight of Gladebloom, and she offered a warm smile. Over the moons, she'd grown fond of the medicine cat—respected her, even admired the way she worked so tirelessly to take care of everyone.

During her own time recovering in the medicine den, Meadowpaw had watched her closely, soaking in every bit of knowledge Gladebloom was willing to share. It was also comforting to spend time with someone who understood the beauty of flowers and herbs the way she did. Helping Gladebloom never felt like a chore. If anything, it felt like a small way to repay the care she'd received—and a small part in keeping the cats she loved healthy.

That said, never did Meadowpaw think it would become more than that.

Her smile slipped, tilting into surprise. "M-me?" She had always loved plants, but it wasn't until WindClan was born from the ashes of the fire that she realized they could be more than just beautiful. What Gladebloom did fascinated her—not just the knowledge of herbs, but the strength it took to wield that knowledge in the face of sickness and injury. A medicine cat didn't just know how to about a herbs uses—they witnessed pain, loss, and fear, and carried the weight of that responsibility. It was her recovery that led to those realizations.

After the fire, she could hardly look at herself. The parts of her so badly burned they would never be the same… She hated what the flames did. Meadowpaw tried to hide it whenever possible, as if it wasn't the most obvious part about her now. Kits and adults alike couldn't help but stare, and while she understood—having done the same when she met Deadwood for the first time—it still filled her with shame. Worse still was Mama, who would now not look at her at all.

She'd felt useless for so long. A burden that those she loved now had to carry. They would tell her otherwise, but she cannot help how she feels. She helped in small ways but its never enough. She played small parts to fill a larger desire that couldn't be satiated by replacing bedding and tending their garden.

Meadowpaw wanted to be there for her family—for WindClan—no matter what. Now by some luck... Gladebloom was offering her the chance to do just that.

She was scared... just like she had been leaving the medicine-den for the first time after the fire. But she'd be brave then, and she would try to be brave now. "I—I would really like that," She whispered, voice shaking with something between nerves and awe. "Getting to be your apprentice… thinking about it makes me happy. I've enjoyed learnin' what I have from you so far. I'd be honored to learn more."

Her tail curled around her paws, trying to hold herself steady as emotions welled up in her chest. She hesitated, heart fluttering in her chest.

She shifted, tail curling around her paws, trying to contain the rush of emotions. "But... I know it's not as simple as knowing what herbs do what." She hopes—dearly—that it's not a choice that was made only because of her injury. Because she's thought to be broken and can do nothing else. She lifted her eyes to meet Gladebloom's. "Do you really think I can be a medicine cat?"

__________summer melts into a snowscape ✿ tell your heart to mend___________

• "speech" - thoughts
  

• 

• Meadow she/her & riverclan
  ✿ Three-legged black and red tortoiseshell with green eyes.
  ✿ 9 moons
  ✿ Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. All others DM.
  ✿ Fur smells floral and mildly sweet.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[Gladebloom Gladebloom]

As Meadowpaw is taken aback, a soft smile slides across her lips and wrinkles the corner of her eyes.

"If not you, then who else?"

The medicine cat would muse softly in response, as the answer wasn't obvious from the start. The young calico perfectly portrayed the qualities that she believed a medicine cat needed: empathy, patience, honesty, and compassion.

"None would be a better fit besides you,"

Gladebloom would respond earnestly as she lets out a small giggle. She was an intelligent and bright-minded girl that always wished for the best for everyone regardless if they were friend, family, clanmate, or someone else. Despite everything that threatened to hold Meadowpaw back and continued to knock her down, the young calico continued to get up and look forward to the sunrise the next day. It had taken progress and dealing with her confidence being doomed from her injury, yet she was doing better as the months passed.

"Would it?"

The medicine cat would ponder softly while using her plumed tail to comfortingly pat the calico's back.

"I don't think I could ever find a better apprentice than you."

She admits as she glances around the camp with a drifting gaze to her den before coming back to her soon-to-be apprentice.

"You're passionate about learning, and the different prospects about herbalism mixed with your kind heart make you a perfect medicine cat."

In an attempt to give Meadowpaw more self-confidence, Gladebloom would respond by raising her head and gently lifting her chin with the tip of her tail.

"You can be whatever your heart desires as long as you give the effort towards it."

She would state with a bright, comforting smile as her tail settled down by her side. She was correct; being a medicine cat involved more than just understanding the properties of plants; it also involved knowing how to use them appropriately, developing treatments for them, and having the guts and compassion to do so.

"The hardest part about being a medicine cat is to believe in yourself,"

she answers after a second as she puts a paw to her heart.

"There will be times when you want to just flee from the stress, the blood, and the wounded, but you must understand that you are the only one who can assist them."

A gentle hum follows as she closes her eyes in thought before continuing.

"I don't think anyone in WindClan is better at that than you. Despite everything that has happened to you and the ease with which you could have fled, you persevered until you conquered it all. I wouldn't want any other apprentice besides you, Meadowpaw."