Graypaw's Moonstone Journey

The silvery-gray and white apprentice grumbled a little as a nose pressed against her shoulder, but Birdstar's soft voice finally made her blink open her golden eyes and stretch, yawning widely.

"Highstones?" She was careful to keep her voice down as she blinked up at the Skyclan leader. Graypaw had been bleary-eyed with sleep still, but her aunt's words made her heart race with sudden excitement. She quickly made her way from her nest, leaning down to sniff at the herbs Birdstar had indicated she eat. They smelled... They smelled like she wouldn't like them. She could handle them, though, surely.

Or not. Graypaw fought not to gag as she swallowed the herbs, trying not to choke on the bitter taste of them. Her eyes watered - they were not tears, Graypaw told herself - and she blinked, grimacing as a shudder went through her. Great Starclan... Disgusting. Horrible. Her pelt burned. "I- I'm... ready to go." She squeaked out finally, giving her head a shake. Those were not tears running down her face. Ducking her head, she followed Birdstar, trying to focus on anything else.

---

The bitter taste had finally faded, though Graypaw swore every now and then she could feel it in her throat as they made the trek to highstones. The terrain under their paws became rough as the sky darkened, and she listened to Birdstar, sticking right behind her as they entered the tunnel. Eventually she could make out faint light coming from somewhere in front of Birdstar, steadily growing brighter until they rounded a corner. The apprentice stood next to the Skyclan leader, staring wide-eyed at the bright moonstone for a moment before remembering to do as instructed. She padded forward, curling up and pressing her nose to the moonstone, and though she wasn't overly tired, she fell asleep quickly.

It was a familiar sight that would greet Greypaw as she found herself lulled into the star-bid nap. The forest that she had come to call home would appear around her, but just a few moments longer of studying would reveal that it wasn't all quite the same. Stars littered the landscape, an illusion designed both to feel like home, but also to bring with it the feeling of an ethereal splendor. There was no doubt about it, this was StarClan, but also SkyClan, all at once. Perhaps the familiarity would bring comfort to the young apprentice, or perhaps it would be of fear as she found the unknown. The differences, subtle as they were, were still grand. Just like each and every star that comprised the sky, of each life that made up those in the forest.

Isolation wouldn't find the young molly for long, though, as another feline would soon appear. Whether simply materializing in front of Greypaw, or swirling together in a band of stars, or somehow just simply not existing in one blink and being there the next, there was no mistaking the shape that was now in front of her. It was a cat, one who had a build that had come to be signature of Skyclan's ways. A large frame, only slightly broad, with a fluffy pelt that would be fit for the harshest of leafbare storms. Though, the coloring flecked together in a way that suggested he would best be found in the trees during leaf-fall, when they changed into an array of beautiful colors.

Even if he didn't have a scent to him, signature to all living cats, there was a hint of the herbs that Greypaw had tasted not long before that seemed to cling to his pelt. A smile was gentle upon his maw, the kind eyes falling quickly upon the silvery molly. "Hello there." He greeted, dipping his head as he moved to look to be as little of a threat as he possibly could. Myrtledove understood thoroughly that he could appear intimidating, even without intention. It was simply how he was built. But even then, he was conscious about it to the best of his abilities. He was here to give the near-warrior guidance, not to scare her off.

Graypaw's eyes blinked open to a familiar landscape of rocky forest and tall trees. It wasn't quite the same however, dazzling pinpricks of light flecking seemingly every surface and not just the darkened sky above. Starclan, she realized, knowing she'd closed her eyes to the brightness of the moonstone what felt like only moments ago.

For a few moments she was alone, and then movement out of the corner of her eye drew her attention. A starry shape flickered, and Graypaw's bright golden eyes widened a little as the form of a cat stood in front of her. Solidly built, like so many Skyclanners she knew, with a patchwork pelt of varying shades. Despite the sense of familiarity she found in the muscular build, the tom wasn't someone she had known in life and didn't match the description of anyone she had known, either. Curiosity tugged at Graypaw as she gazed up at him.

"Sooo... You're Starclan, then? Who are you?"