Feelings are fatal {Reintro}

Her mentor. Former mentor? There were some that viewed their mentors as someone they kept for a lifetime. Brindlemist regards Flaxensun as a snake may it's shed skin, something that served a purpose that could now be discarded. Still, Brindlemist prowls from her corner of camp, the sharp edges of her shoulderblades making mountains in her back. Her blue eyes regard Flaxensun carefully. I'm still alive, she thinks, the harshness of her internal voice sharp enough to surprise herself. He had always favored Wolfshine as an apprentice, Brindlemist knew. It wasn't as if it really mattered.

"I've been thinking in circles," It was always Wolfshine, wasn't it? He had to die, and Brindlemist had to be- what? Remorseful? Disappointed? Annoyed? She's been thinking in circles, and surely it is Wolfshine's fault for ruining a good thing. "A hunt will change nothing," And yet, Brindlemist doesn't slink away to ignore Flaxensun. Doesn't jeer at him for offering. Doesn't- demand. She stands, hesitant, completely still if not for the gentle rise and fall of her chest. After a moment, she closes the distance between herself and Flaxensun, sits besides him with her tail folded over her paws, "If you wish to lead this one, I'll allow it. It'll keep me humble."

"Flaxensun, Brindlemist." A familiar motherly voice would touch both of their ears as Firedawn appeared like a mirage before them. Her emerald green gaze would take the two in, in what appeared to be relief? Naïve hope that the two were talking once more as former mentor and apprentice should. But as she drew closer, she could almost taste the tension in the air, and she lightly brushed against her mate in a greeting as she meowed, "Did I hear something about a hunting patrol? I'd love to join if you'll have me."

He's not outright dismissive, but it is clear that Flaxensun just... doesn't care. Brindlemist had never wanted his approval, but she seeks something. He'd always been passionate, seemed so to Brindlemist anyway. She wants him to be extreme about her, whether it be love or hatred, and one of those had always been markedly easier to earn than the other. She wants him to feel strongly about her, as he does everything else. Brindlemist would be lying to herself if she said it didn't sting, just a little. Her face remains impassive, her blue eyes focused on Flaxensun.

"I accept the offer to lead," Brindlemist pointedly ignores the barbs in his offer, briefly considers dismissing Flaxensun from this little hunting expedition. It was within her right now, being head of the patrol and all. If he hadn't wanted Brindlemist to take it, he shouldn't have offered the position, be it a genuine offer or not. If he wanted to spar over feigned politeness and unsubtle slights, Brindlemist would play. He forgets her name. Brindlemist isn't certain if it is truly forgotten or not, wonders if her uncertainty says more about herself or about Flaxensun.

Wolfshine had done the same thing. Called her Brindlepaw.

Heat, sudden and fierce, curls in her gut. Her mouth twitches, opens to reply, shuts. The reaction is shuffled away, back to nothing, and Brindlemist is furious that Flaxensun pulled that from her, that he reminded her of what Wolfshine had done, "I've been thinking in circles," She tells him, a quickness to her monotone voice. Brindlemist isn't sure why she says it again, perhaps a foolish hope that Flaxensun would know her well enough to understand what she means by it when Brindlemist doesn't understand herself, doesn't understand how to get out of this loop.

Firedawn's voice cuts through her mind. Brindlemist flicks an ear in her direction in acknowledgement. Then, a wicked thought settles in her throat, and her focus falls on Firedawn more securely, "Firedawn," She starts, doesn't use her innocent voice because that will make Firedawn suspicious, "Flaxensun offered to let me lead the hunting patrol, and he has forgotten my name," Factual statements, very Brindlemist, "He isn't well enough to come on this patrol. There is something wrong with him, and I would rather not catch whatever it is, or have him wander off and be lost because of another new gap in his memory."

Cautious, careful and watching but never truly caring about the topic at hand the dark creature sat and stared. Her gaze was neutral as always, though slightly darkened by the new death that was placed cleanly on her lap. It made her think, made her wonder who else would perish before she too decided it was time to trad the stars of Silverpelt. Would she even go there? She let Grizzlypaw get mauled by that badger, had simply watched before deciding that perhaps she should do something. She hadn't been able to stop Oliveslip from being killed the only death that truly mattered to her and she cared even less when Wolfshine had died. He hadn't been anything to her, simply just a cat who made one too many mistakes. Slowly she allowed her ears to pull forward as she listened to the conversation. The thought of anything else that proceeded her in the future slowly receding as she decided that she would like to go on this avenue. Blending in, helping. It was all a means to an end and this helped with that as far as she was concerned. So she allowed her willowy form to rise up from the ground she didn't look back at the den that was now just her den.

"Perhaps I should have a look at him, or he could prove he isn't ailing with my company to watch him." Her tone held no real emotional attachment as she blinked slowly, mint hues broke by bright blue that surveyed them. Faces she sort of knew but would never truly get to know. She wished she was here now, perhaps she understood how she felt. Maybe. "Regardless I would like to go as well, although not to hunt. To stock up on...certain things." Her skull inclined slightly as she huntress flexed her claws, the same weapons she had grown so used to using now meant for little more than tearing through plants. It was hard, but she trained herself in secret to keep her warrior prowess when she could. To tear through the flesh of prey every once in a while helped her.

Firedawn would raise a metaphoric eyebrow to her mate as she listened to Brindlemists words, "Is that so? Are you not feeling well, my love?" Her tone was soft, clearly concerned but also with a hint of knowing. Her mate was not one to be above using his sharp tongue to hurt others, but his own former apprentice? Had his sadness really dug so deep? Green eyes would peel away from him at the sound of Crowsleep and she would brush her feathery tail against the medicine cat in gratitude, "Brindlemist is leading this patrol, so as long as she agrees I see no issue in you accompanying us. Flaxensun appeared in good health this morning." Firedawn would look at her mate once more, searching his golden gaze for something that only she would see as she moved to press against him.

tags — He was glad that Flaxensun was beginning to make more an appearance around camp once again, for Firedawn's sake, for the family the pair had formed together. Even if his behaviour seemed a little less than usual Stagheart narrowed that down to recent circumstances: personal losses Flaxensun had been forced to endure, the move, everything under the sun that could be deemed unfortunate. So whatever, it wasn't concerning (not to him, at least) so why not let the former menace join the hunting patrol? Exercise was the best remedy, in terms of mindfulness and mental wellbeing.

"Want an extra paw to help out?" Stagheart offered quietly to Snownight upon approaching the growing group, merely flicking a nicked ear as Firedawn once again spoke up to address her mate. Hunting, searching for herbs - they were almost the same thing.