slowly, slowly {open && herb gathering}

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    Her eye cast a reluctant look upon the herb stores. A snowy winter had not been kind to the precious plants, and neither had the recent dog attack. They were running low on goldrenrod, comfrey, cobwebs, not to mention thyme and marigold. Embertail sighed softly, before she stepped out of the medicine den, her tail raised. "If anyone is healthy enough, I'd love to have some help looking for herbs." She mewed, raising her demure voice a few levels so that she would be heard.

    [center][fancypost=background: transparent; width: 50%][align=justify][size=8]Iris's ears twitched as they caught the sound of the new medicine cat's call for those "healthy enough." Unlike some of the others, the apprentice had escaped the scene unharmed, as instead of participating in the battle against the ravenous canines, Iris had hidden within the camp walls like a coward. The only skill the stocky black feline possessed was that of scavenging; she couldn't hunt adequately nor could she stand a chance in combat against dogs. She was embarrassed, but she would make herself of use today. She padded over to Embertail and nodded her head before meowing, [b]"I can help."

    At Embertail's call, Ratkit scrambled to his paws and bounded over excitedly. "Hey, can I help too?" Yes, he knew kittens weren't allowed outside of camp but he hoped maybe the medicine cat would make an exception for him if he asked nicely. He kept thinking about sneaking out, but so far he'd been too afraid to actually do it alone.

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    [size=8]Smokepaw let out a quiet huff, his warm breath creating a small, white cloud in the frigid air. Leaf-bare, or rather winter as he had overheard his twolegs calling it, had been a bit harsh the past few days. The prey seemed to be hibernating now, storing away their food for spring or stuffing their bellies until the temperature rose, leaving the clans to pick off the unlucky ones who didn't receive the memo of winter's arrival. He wasn't one to be up and about with how cold it was, rather staying curled up in the cozy luxury of his nest. Today was different though, today Smokepaw was very restless for reasons he wasn't fully sure about. Every muscle was burning with a strain he wasn't certain from what, every sound and scent went unnoticed, every twitched movement was caught by his lightning blue orbs. Embertail's timid voice rang in his ears, causing his head to shoot up and he stumbled on his paws. He managed to catch his balance, the tips of his ears growing warm from mild embarrassment as he hoped no one saw his little trip. The calico needed assistance with gathering herbs? He supposed he could help... He had nothing else better to do, might as well make himself useful.


    "I-I'll help, Embertail... Um, if three is... isn't too many?" Smokepaw's meek voice sounded, avoiding his eyes from landing on the medicine cat. He cleared his throat and swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly becoming dry. Oh, he hoped he wouldn't mess anything up and further embarrass himself.

    She regarded Iris with a soft purr, nodding. "Yes, thank you." When Ratkit offered his services, she smiled and crouched down. "You're still too young to leave camp just yet, you know. Snakestar would get me in a lot of trouble, and so would your mother." The medicine cat carefully looked to Smokepaw next. Such a meek apprentice. She could understand, though. A kind smile dashed across her muzzle. "No, three would be just enough. Thank you, Smokepaw."

    "Aw c'monnnnn...." Ratkit whined, pouting and staring up at Embertail with the most potently adorable baby-doll eyes he could muster. "Mom n' Snakestar don't haf'ta know! Pleeeeease? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease Embertail?"