Hypothetically Speaking.. ((For Beetlepaw))

It had barely been a moon since Redpaw met Pepper, a local loner living in the abandoned barn just to the north. The apprentice had caught her on WindClan territory looking for herbs. Seeing that the loner was no threat to the Clan and was in dire need of help, she escorted the cat off of the moorlands and back to her own home. Having visited Pepper recently, seeing the still pitiful condition of the she-cat's health and living situation concerned Redpaw. Now that she considered Pepper a friend, she felt the need to do something to help her. Redpaw stood before the Medicine Cat's den and nervously poked her nose through the entrance. "Uhh...Beetlepaw?" she mewed. "May I ask you about something?"

Beetlepaw's tail went up in greeting to the apprentice, without even turning to her. He placed down the small twig smeared in mouse bile with a grimace, and for a moment, the presence of Redpaw made him grin inwardly. The dark tomcat bounded up to a small pool her had carefully constructed by occasionaly leaving snow in the small hole. Beetlelaw washed his paws while peeking over his slim shoulder at the ginger apprentice. "Redpaw, hey. What is it? Is there something up with the kits? Another fisure in the nursery wall?" the medicine cat apprentice thoughts with a shiver. The memory of Blazekit's frostbitten body brought sadness to him. He could have done something, if he were more careful...

Redpaw entered Beetlepaw's den, the smell of what seemed like dozens of different strange herbs assaulting the young she-cat's sensitive nostrils. She dipped her head low to the ground in a respectful gesture. There was something about both Leaders and Medicine Cats that elicited awe out of Redpaw. Their connection to StarClan was at the same time unnerving and comforting. She quickly reassured the Medicine Cat apprentice, "No, no. The nursery is fine. We made sure it's all patched up, like you instructed. A kit shouldn't die again of the cold this leaf-bare." She took a deep breath, half reflecting on the sad day she had discovered the death of her littermate and half nervously planning how to phrase her question. Once she had breathed out shakily, she began, "Hypothetically speaking....if you had met a lame, under-fed cat that wasn't WindClan on WindClan territory and found out he or she mostly has to live on his or her own, but can't hunt very well, what would you do to help him or her? Are there any herbs that might be especially helpful for said cat? Y'know....just out of curiosity....hypothetically?" Redpaw swallowed nervously. She understood that there was potential risk in being found out if this ever got back to their leader. The repercussions for being too friendly with an outsider in the eyes of Ashstar could have serious consequences, but Redpaw was the kind of cat who couldn't stand idly by and let another suffer, especially a friend, even if that friend wasn't in her birth clan.

((okay, lol, that sounded derpier than I ever expected XD))

Beetlepaw waved his tail with a mocking smile at Redpaw's respectous gewture, feeling himself flattered, overhwelmed, and maybe a bit saddedned by the imminent distance that was put between him and other apprentices, as his rank raised him above them on an uncomfortable pillar of expectances. "Glad to hear it." he meowed, about to ask what she had come from, if it weren't for her question coming right away. He blinked at her in genuine puzzlement, settling down to study the russet she-cat with strong and piercing eyes. Whether something was or was not wrong, the question was definitely weird. Beetlepaw decided to let her continue, but not without adding a note of sarcasm. "No, Redpaw, I am not taking an apprentice." he joked quietly. "Bjt indeed, your hyphotesis is mildly interesting. Of course, I would firstly give some strenght herbs... and in this weather, hmm..." he said, longing his pauses on purpuouse to keep Redpaw hanging.

OoC: Heehee... ;)

Redpaw's anxiousness was put a little at ease by Beetlepaw's mild teasing. At least our Medicine Cat has a sense of humor. She tried to wait as patiently as she could while the tom answered her thoughtfully. "Strength herbs." the she-cat repeated, "Such as...?" Redpaw hoped whatever they were they were easy to find and identify.

Beetlelaw twitched his whiskers, silencing the eager apprentice with a hard look. "Well, you could begin with parsley, uhmm... oh and some marigold." he meowed, in his head strgguling to stiffle his laughter. Those were no strenght herbs, and Beetlepaw wondered whether the she-cat was going to do something with those herbs at all.

(bewareeeeeeeee)

OoC: Yikes! Don't make Redpaw kill her! lol

Redpaw nodded her head solemnly, feeling somewhat chastened by the Medicine Cat's stern look. She listened with complete trust, oblivious to his deception. Parsley and Marigold.... the apprentice repeated internally as the tom spoke, memorizing their names with the intention of memorizing their smell and appearance next. She glanced around the den, trying to catch site of the different piles of herbs. "Beetlepaw, one last request: do you mind showing me what they look and smell like?" If I take up any more of his time, he's either going to think I'm up to something or am just one very odd annoyance. She added hastily, "Just for...y'know...curiosity's sake. One can never learn too much."