Private Camp SkyClan The greener grass grows where the wildfires fertilise || Swallowbreeze

[Ptarmigankit Ptarmigankit]

———————————— You're not meant to sing along, it isn't that kind of song. ✦

For the endless, undying kindness of these cats, a kindness she would never forget, Ptarmigankit still found herself... On the outside. It wasn't by anyone's fault; she knew she was loved by the clan. Doted on by the caretakers, entertained by the warriors and council, treated like friends by the apprentices and kittens. But even the kindness cats couldn't settle the unweildy nausea that curled in her stomach when there were too many cats about.

The tiny kitten always steeled herself, putting on a brave face when she was bombarded with questions or dragged along to play by the other kittens. And as much as she found Starlingtrails's three sweet and Skykit full of energy and life, sometimes it was too much for Ptarmigan to handle. Everyone here was warm and bright in one way or another, even cats like Stormcrow, whose way with words always seemed sharp; she was still a steady and strong presence. But, sometimes, all Ptarmigankit wanted was a little peace.

And there was seldom any place they had found that brought them as much as the medicine cat den. The first place they found Skyclan, and there in one of the few cats the kitten trusted implicitly, for her role in finally healing Ptarmigan of the illness that had struck them their whole life, and understood the delicate balance of existence that could be teetered with the usage of plans.

The rich scent of herbs filled Ptarmigan's lungs, which alone made the knot in their stomach relax, just a little. Where most found the kittens' fascination with plants unfortunate, having carried a debt unreasonable for someone her age, she was still enamoured with them. How they'd been used to save her, used to help the injured and aching, used to keep queens and kits healthy.

Tentatively, the kitten stepped within. She knew she wasn't unwelcome, but they didn't want to cause a disturbance. "Swallowbreeze?..." They called out softly; they didn't particularly want to be corralled away if someone noticed she had snuck out of the nursery. But, then again, it was more likely the other kitties were up to something as always; she should surely be fine. It didn't take long for their tired eyes to fall on the medicine cat, who seemed hard at work over some herbs. "Ah, good sunhigh!" She purred, a greeting she picked up from about the camp.

The kitten wandered over, eyes glittering curiously as her eyes flickered from the shelves to the herbs at Swallow's paws. It was just a momentary realisation, but the shelves that once towered overhead were no longer so far away; even so, she still couldn't reach, but something akin to pride burned in her chest.

Even so, she cast her gaze up at the medicine cat. "What are you doing?" While Ptarmigan was adept at finding and identifying plants, knowing the bare minimum when it came to pain relief and attending to wounds, most things were new and rather enchanting to her. They usually weren't ones to pry, but Swallowbreeze had proven to be a cat Ptarmigan didn't shy away from pestering a little. Brighnose and Flowercloud had served to join the medicine cat in that "honour".

——— Now you're lying face down.

You blend into the background. ———

• @SWALLOWBREEZE
• 
  Ptarmigankit
  ✦—Skyclan Kitten | 4 moons
  ✦—They/She/He
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A long-haired sealpoint kitten with tired amber eyes.
  #94e4ae