Insufferable

Insufferable. A perfect word to describe being an elder, Specklefur knew it as soon as she started contemplating it and she was more than right. She guessed that there were some perks to being one, like getting the best piece on the pile and being able to bask in the best spot. And being the only elder was the best, she didn't have to compete with any other cat for the best pieces or best sunlight spots to bask in. But that did nothing to quench her almost sour mood, well, it was worse than when she was a warrior that was for sure.
So when she heard a shuffling of paws just a little ways away from her and seeming to get louder she was quick to bare her teeth and growl.

She could have made either of her apprentices do it, but she decided that it was too cruel a thing to do to them. Neither Rookpaw or Mothpaw deserved Specklefur's wrath, so Robinflight dutifully picked a plump chaffinch from the diminishing fresh-kill pile and brought it to the irritable old she-cat. Don't growl at me. I don't have to do this. She thought with a quiet huff. The calico dropped the prey a short distance from Specklefur and humored her with a deep, respectful dip of the head. "I've brought you something to eat." She meowed, still a foxlength away. She didn't dare approach the old badger; she was crazier than a dog with fleas. Instead she nudged the bird a little closer with her nose and stepped back, remembering her sister's stories of rough mentoring and random bouts of rage.

Echostrike heard the growling of her old mentor in the elders den, and immediately rushed to her. "Woah woah Specklefur, calm down." she muttered, but still was nicer than her usual self. After what had happened at Sunningrocks, she felt closer to the she-cat and more protective.

"Oh I had nooo idea! Get out!" She snapped, her teeth flaring as she be-grudgingly pulled the chaffinch towards her, glaring up at the she-cat before whipping her gaze to Echostrike. Specklefur was more forgiving around Echostrike at times but right now she would not be spared. "Don't tell me to calm down Echostrike! Take Robinflight and leave!" She screeched, her tail lashing with unforeseen rage.

Giving a cross look, she heavily sat her rump down with a huff. Being just as stubborn as the she-cat. She couldn't let her be alone all the time, it wasn't good for her health. Instead, she brought of a different topic. "Want to hear about Beanpaw's and Darkpaw's training?"

The calico's ears flattened against her head and her eyes narrowed into a glare. She followed her sister's cue and sat down with a flick of her ears. Robinflight figured that if she dealt with this elder now, she wouldn't have to later. Or ever again. Good thing the sickness season is coming along. The she-cat thought before she could stop any more dark thoughts. Robinflight attentively looked at Echostrike so she could listen to her progress with Specklefur's kits. Maybe that would douse her fiery temper?

Ears flickering Specklefur narrowed her eyes before nodding at Echostrike. Whipping her head around to Robinflight she bared her teeth once more, squaring her shoulders and tucking her paws under her and pushing herself up just a little as she barked out another order. "Leave! I do not want you here!" She screeched, leaning towards the she-cat a bit as she hissed.

"Oh but she has helped." she mewed, quickly.

OOC: sick.

The calico's head pulled back as Specklefur leaned forward and hissed threateningly. Was everything this old she-cat did nonsensical? She shook her head slowly at Echostrike, giving up the pointless attempt at decency, and then stood up on her small white paws. "If you would be set on being alone all of your days, then I won't argue." She mewed with ice in her usually neutral voice. I have no business with cats who can't find self-control. "Good health to you." She bid to Specklefur in a short farewell and then flicked Echostrike's shoulder as she padded away to find her apprentices for training.

"I don't care that she has helped, the fact that a cat I have not trained and do not know well has aided in my kittens apprenticeship is even worse! Oh, and for the fact that 'if' I end up alone for the rest of my days, I don't care!" She bristled, snarling at her own apprentice. "Do not let her do it again, if another cat is to take up their training it will be Spottedstar or another cat I have mentored, no other cat. Do I make myself clear?" She snarled, lowering herself back down into a more comfortable position. Turning away angrily, "You were saying? Oh and if you do it again I will personally ask Spottedstar to mentor them." She threatened.

Echostrike gave her own growl back "She hasn't touched them or trained them, just had her apprentice battle with them."

OOC: Busy