Trio Time (CLOSED)

Alderbloom stretched out, padding out into the camp. The dark ginger tom had lived an interesting life, with the things he had gone through to get to where he is today. He wasn’t the same cat who murdered that she-cat - stars, how long had it been? The Flood, the Righteous Few, and Asylum, he had experienced them all. At that moment, he felt afraid of his age, his frailty. He had to accept the fact that he was old, which he never really was able to do even after retiring. The dark ginger tom sat down, staring at his paws.

It was nothing but an irrational fear, though. Deep down, he knew it. He could still move fine, he was still walking around every day, and if the clan needed it, he could still physically contribute to the fresh-kill pile. There’s nothing wrong with me right now. In fact, he was older and wiser than when he was a warrior. When he killed that WindClan cat. After all, he knew better now. And he would never, ever, kill again. He was blessed by StarClan to have a second chance, and he would make the most of it.

Cloverpaw inhaled, the potent scent of the herbs between her teeth flooding her senses. This was her first real 'assignment' as a medicine cat, and even though it was simple, something nagged in the back of her head that she would mess it up somehow. Dennis had just asked her to check on Alderbloom, asked her what herbs she might need– Maybe... Daisy? Comfrey? –an answer that had been met with enthusiastic praise and sending her on her way.

Still, she didn't feel quite right. Maybe the last stretch of her warrior apprenticeship had left its mark of insecurity on her, but she didn't feel like she was ready to do this alone. Dennis trusted her, Ivystar trusted her, but she couldn't seem to trust herself.

Sighing, she scanned camp for friendly faces, eventually spotting Yarrowpaw. He would make great company for the check up. Jogging over, she briefly set her herbs down, flicking his shoulder with her tail. "Hey, can you come with me to check on Alderbloom? I'm... nervous." She scuffed the earth and dropped her gaze as she finished the sentence, but just as quickly as her expression had fallen she was standing back up straight, smiling wide. She could do this! Picking up the plants again, she made her way towards the elder's den.

Seeing Alderbloom outside, she came to a halt, offering him a warm smile. "Hi! I'm– we're –here to check on you? See if you're in any pain?" Cloverpaw's mew was slightly muffled by the herbs, and there was a note of anxiety to it, but she made an effort to hold herself tall and try to sound as confident as she could.

Yarrowpaw smiles at Cloverpaw's request. He almost feels guilty about it, but he loves it when she comes to him when she's nervous. It makes him feel powerful, her protector. Her bodyguard. Silent and strong.

Standing up on his stubby legs, Yarrowpaw follows Cloverpaw to the elder's den, odd eyes searching for Alderbloom, who was just outside of the den. Perfect.

Yarrowpaw let out a rough laugh at Cloverpaw's awkwardness- she wasn't usually like this, it was him who was the awkward one. He knew she was nervous; this was her first time acting as RiverClan's medicine cat, after all.

Oh, RiverClan. Though it never felt like home to him, Yarrowpaw had many memories here, burning in his mind as his mother's words replayed in his head. Did he really wish to leave this place, a place he's come to know as home for so many moons? He's already decided, already set in his ways- already preparing to tell everyone who loved him- but it still stung when he thought about it, leaving.

Yarrowpaw shakes his head. He has to focus on the present as it unfolds itself to him, not the past or the future. He has to enjoy his time with his best friend before that time runs out.

"We're Yarrowpaw and Cloverpaw!" Yarrowpaw mouths, hoping Alderbloom catches on that Yarrowpaw can't speak. "Well, I'm Yarrowpaw. She's Cloverpaw."

Stars, Yarrowpaw hopes Alderbloom doesn't think he's the medicine cat here. He doesn't want to look like an idiot.

Alderbloom smiled at the two cats who appeared to check him up. The ginger tom didn't know how to communicate with the deaf tom, but he could definitely see the young apprentice's enthusiasm. Turning to Cloverpaw, the elder stretched out his paws. "Ah, hey there Cloverpaw. And Yarrowpaw. It's nice to see you both." Yarrowpaw did seem to be able to communicate with other cats in the clan, and he may be able to understand what Alderbloom just said by reading the ginger tom's lips. Perhaps he could try that with Yarrowpaw when the tom mouthed words again.

"Nothing really hurts right now," Alderbloom said, giving Cloverpaw a smile. "But I guess I'd like some company. How's training going with Dennis?" He didn't want to offend Yarrowpaw by not speaking to him, so Alderbloom decided to compliment the white tom. "You seem strong and determined, but at the same time calm enough to not make rash decisions. You'll be a great warrior for us someday." It wasn't much, but the dark ginger tom thought that it was at least nice to tell him that he would be great.

Shuffling closer, Cloverpaw gave Yarrowpaw a look before setting the herbs down. She was honestly kind of disappointed Alderbloom was doing alright today– she had been so excited to get the herbs right, so excited to be doing this on their own. She had the rest of her life to do things like this, at least. ...but still, she really wanted to be able to treat someone!

Sitting down gingerly, she wrapped her tail around her paws, giving the bundle of plants a quick nod. "Okay! Glad you're okay. They're here if you decide you want them, though. They'll help," she purred warmly, offering a bright smile. If nothing else, they could always sit around with him like this. They didn't have much else to do, so making sure the elder's weren't lonely was about as good as anything.

"It's going really good! I like Dennis a lot," Cloverpaw's voice was bright, and she straightened herself out to try and make her small frame look taller. "He says I'm really good, and I like it a lot more than all that fighting stuff." She snorted a laugh, turning towards her best friend.

The scar that split him made her shudder, but she steeled herself quickly. It was a nasty reminder of his fight against the hawk, and as much as it horrified her it made her swell with pride, too. Half-maimed by a hawk, and he had survived it, come out even stronger for it. "Yeah, he'll be pretty great, won't he?" Cloverpaw hummed absent-mindedly, grinning to herself.

Yarrowpaw couldn't help but giggle a little at Cloverpaw's disappointment. He knew she wanted some excuse to examine Alderbloom, so excited for her first mission as medicine cat, yet the elder brushed her off, saying he was fine. He probably was, really, but Yarrowpaw wanted Cloverpaw to enjoy her first mission, make it feel like it meant something.

He'll have to make it work.

"Cloverpaw she- she needs to examine you! Just to make sure you're okay! It's a precaution. Yes. Precaution." Yarrowpaw stumbled through his words, still inwardly cringing at Alderbloom's compliment. It stung like a wasp, being told he'll make a good RiverClan warrior, when he's only sunrises away from sneaking away to another clan.

God it stung. Would he have been a good RiverClan warrior, if he stayed?

Probably. He would have made Ivystar proud.

Yarrowpaw caught Cloverpaw staring at him- or his scar, he couldn't tell- which made him feel a bit nervous. Under her gaze, he felt so free, so loved, but so scrutinized all the same; was she looking at him with love or with disgust? Did she hate his scar, how he's turned out, or was she proud of him? He couldn't tell; he was so talented at reading faces, but Cloverpaw's... was such a different story.

He shook his head, focusing instead on salvaging Cloverpaw's mission. "Just, like.. check your joints! Yeah. Your joints." He was beginning to get a little uncomfortable.