back in my day... [c]

"Mallowpaw!" meowed Brackendawn trotting across camp to intercept the apprentice. '"Want some help with your chores?" His eyes fell to the moss pile at his feet. To think literally only yesterday he had been freed from the duty of changing beds... He just couldn't keep away from the smell of sour moss... His nose scrunched at the thought, already he was wishing he could retract his offer. "Honeydew said I should get to know you better so I thought we could hang out, even if this is a kind of lame hangout..." his voice trailed off maybe he shouldn't have mentioned Honeydew's part in this, he actually did want to get to know Mallowpaw better. He only knew the tom as a kit, but clearly he wasn't one anymore. "I also wanted to congratulate you on becoming an apprentice finally... Congrats!" added Brackendaw shuffling his paws. This was embarrassingly lame, he use to be so cool and Mallowpaw knew that too. Their literal first meeting he had brought down an owl with Honeydew's help, even if it was reckless it was a lot cooler than... This. He felt like one of those elders that kept talking about 'back in my day..' but had no clue about the present. Things would get better though, he reminded himself. He would get to know all his clanmates properly again, and he wouldn't have to do stinking chores in the process either.

A warm smile graced Brackendawn's features. His paws idly followed Mallowpaw, content to help when indicated. The young tom was all smiles and kind words, like Honeydew. His sister seemed to attract a like minded crowd he began to realise, who knew SkyClan had so many gentle cats. It was strange when he thought of his home and the cats that were his clan mates it was cats like Sunfire, Shatteredsky, Wolfstar and his father he thought of. They weren't cruel cats or unkind, but they were warriors, committed to their duty. They weren't as emotionally available as Honeydew's friends. Perhaps the surplus of such stoic cats is what led Wolfstar to her choice of Honeydew as deputy. Perhaps the future of SkyClan would be more gentle. Brackendawn allowed that thought to settle, mouth turning upwards fondly at the idea.

Mallowpaw pawed the rolled moss to the older tom, who dribbled it towards the elders den. "Thanks, Mallowpaw!" he purred at the tom's praise. It was nice how happy everyone was for him, it brought a pink hue to his cheeks, and did well to comfort his doubts. "You can put your nest near mine, it's next Honeydew and Yewshade And Bubblebeam's. You guys are all friends, so that should be fine." The brindled tom paused outside the elder's den, tail twitching. "There's lots to do as a warrior, and I get the feeling there'll be way more apprentices to do this.  I doubt you'll get the chance to change the bedding even if you wanted to once you get your name."

Mallowpaw sure was chipper, almost tooth achingly so, but it was better than whatever Yewshade was. That was a mystery within itself, and he didn't want to be overbearing and interrogate his sister about her friends, but... He was odd. Brackendawn dismissed his grievances with a flick of his tail, raising his eyebrows as the grey tom spoke. "You'll definitely stay their favourite if you suck up them like that." he snorted, though he was serious. Mallowpaw was also odd, his happiness unnerving. Surely no cats intentions were always this pure? Brackendawn was nice, or nicer, but this was sickening. Last time he'd been this nice he'd been trying to wind his grandma up into making him a warrior. It probably would have worked had the wolves not attacked, but Mallowpaw seemed far too genuine. "I hope whichever cat you meet gives you good advice." He probably should have mentioned his own moonstone, but... he held it close to his heart, he didn't need anyone knowing about the moment between himself and his mother. They weren't entitled to it, and they didn't deserve it. "I believe you, but keep your snoring down. I like my beauty sleep."

"I think I'll let you sleep..." Brackendawn mewed, fixing his eyes on a particularly sparkly bug. "Dawn patrols throw me right into the action... Help me wake up... Get me pumped, and I suppose the sunrise is alright..." Blue eyes followed the beetle as it continued its path. As it took flight, he finally returned his attention mostly to Mallowpaw. "I'm not from StarClan, but I can tell you there's no magic answer to that question. You just have to figure it out on your own..." a butterfly flitted past "... What works best... Sometimes nothing works."