Mintpaw's Moonstone Journey (closed)

Picking up a small bundle of traveling herbs from the medicine cat den that Oceanlight had set out for him, Tinylegs padded back to the camp entrance where Mintpaw waited for him. Today, he would take his granddaughter to the Moonstone.

Setting down the herbs at Mintpaws's paws, Tinylegs looked up to the apprentice. "Eat these. They're not very yummy, but they'll help you on the journey," he mewed reassuringly. Leaning down, he scooped up his portion into his little muzzle and chewed away, trying not to show his disgust towards the bitter tasting plants. Even though he'd eaten them a few times before, their taste was still just as revolting as the first time.

Trying to swallow down what was left in his mouth as fast as possible, the small white and grey tom looked to the apprentice once more. "Ready to go?"

OOC: So, so sorry!

Mintpaw grumbled and dragged her feet towards the camp entrance, yawning every step of the way. 'Why on earth do we have to leave so early? Doesn't Tinylegs know anything about sleeping in?'
Mintpaw sighed heavily, her whiskers twitching. However, any cat that knew her well would be able to tell how excited she was. There was a bright gleam in Mintpaw's murky green eyes, and despite all the differences the small apprentice had from her mother and sister, the spirit of adventure was strong in her veins.

The small tabby made a face as Tinylegs approached, carrying a bundle of herbs with a scent so strong, Mintpaw was certain an apprentice in Shadowclan was probably smelling them right now.
'Wait a minute...' Mintpaw sat down beside the herbs and looked at Tinylegs, disgust evident on her face. "I-I have to e-eat those things?" She squeaked, her nose wrinkling as her grandfather quickly and fearlessly swallowed his portion of the strange-smelling herbs.
"U-ugh..." Mintpaw shuddered and nosed the herbs. She paused for a moment, and then quickly swallowed them. "Ugh! G-gross..."
She shuddered again and got to her feet, sticking her tongue out. 'this had better be worth it... She thought to herself, nodding in answer to Tinyleg's question. "S-sure! I c-can't wait t-to see the M-moonstone!" She squeaked, a little bit of excitement returning to her, now that the worst part was over.

OOC: you're good!

IC: Chuckling at his granddaughter's distaste towards the gross herbs, he watched as she gobbled them up. "See, that wasn't so bad," he laughed. With that, the little tom trotted out of the camp and into the lightly wooded forest, heading in the direction of Highstones. "I'm glad to hear that you're excited," he mewed with a smile as the two walked side by side.

Mintpaw grinned and jumped alongside him, skipping every so often. "Y-yes, I can't wait t-to get there. I wonder w-who'll talk to m-me. Maybe C-Cherrymist or e-even one of my ot-ther siblings!"

OOC: sorry
depression sucks

OOC: you good ;; and ak, sorry for the late reply. also sorry about the shortness ><

IC: Continuing to walk on, Tinylegs purred at her excitement. "I bet you'll talk to just the right cat," he mewed with a smile, keeping a steady pace, even with his shorter legs.

OOC: You're fine!
Mintpaw nodded, suddenly quiet. 'Maybe.'

-TIMESKIP-

The sky was a bright bloody red, and the sun hung halfheartedly in the sky, just above the horizon. They had arrived at Highstones, but only just in time thanks to Mintpaw's easily distracted nature. At the moment, the little apprentice was following a butterfly, completely enraptured.
However, the little creature flitted away. With a huff, Mintpaw looked towards her grandfather. "Is it time?" She squeaked happily.

OOC: oof, sorry for the wait ;;

IC: "It sure is," Tinylegs replied with a smile as the two cats reached Mothermouth. With that, he stepped into the passage and began to lead the way downward where Mintpaw would meet with StarClan.

Walking down the dark tunnel, it wasn't very difficult for Tinylegs to make his way through the cramped space, seeing that he was small enough that he didn't exactly need to crouch down. Able to feel Mintpaw right behind him, he kept a steady pace, and soon enough, the two of them reached the Moonstone.

Lifting his jaw, the little tom took in the comforting, damp scent of the cave and sat down near the entrance that lead back through the tunnel. "Touch the Moonstone whenever you're ready. I'll be waiting here for you," he mewed with a smile, though he doubted Mintpaw could really see him through the darkness.

OOC: Fine, again!

IC:
Mintpaw shivered, but stared bravely ahead as she stepped into the dark tunnel. The small apprentice closed her eyes- they were useless in the tunnel -and instead felt her way through the unfamiliar path with her whiskers.
After what seemed like forever, Mintpaw felt a prick of brightness fight it's way through her sealed eyes. She stopped walking, her ears and fur pricked. Trembling, she opened her eyes.
Tinyleg's words never reached her. Enraptured by the dazzling stone, she took step forward, her paw shaking. Faint whispers seemed to emit from within the Moonstone, although Mintpaw wasn't sure they were real. She wasn't sure any of this was real. The butterfly she had been chasing earlier was now a distant memory, although it had happened only minutes before.
Without thinking, Mintpaw took several steps forward. The small tabby held her breath, as if she didn't dare to leave any trace of her presence on the stone. With a quick glance back into the shadows behind her, Mintpaw leaned forward, her face lit by the shining stone, and gently touched it with her nose.
It was cold- Ice cold. With a shudder, Mintpaw turned, trying to find her grandfather.
She let out a small squeak and wheeled around once more. The cave, the moonstone, Tinylegs... it was all gone. She was in a completely new place.
Her claws gripped the ground beneath her and she crouched, her ears flat. "Where am I..." She whispered. She knew there was nobody there to answer the question, but when alone, it is always nice to take comfort in one's own voice.

The endless fields of StarClan's territory rippled as a soft breeze rustled between the blades of grass, bringing to light many scents.  Soft, fertile soil, the cold scent of a starlit winter night...and a floral scent that seemed to stand above the rest.  Before Mintpaw's eyes, the shimmer of starlight flicked in the air in front of the brown tabby apprentice, and formed into a shape.  A cat's shape.  

Her eyes shone a beautiful murky green as she gazed down at the she-cat, pure love apparent in her bright gaze.  Though her patched gray and white pelt had become solid, the sparkle of stars still illuminated her fur with a ethereal light.  With an excited twitch of her ears, Pansyface's eyes squinted mirthfully as she broke into a wide smile, a hint of dewdrop-like tears forming in the corners of her eyes.  "Oh Mintpaw, my precious little petal...I'm so happy to see you!"

Mintpaw's ears twitched- a fashion she'd dutifully copied from Rippedsky -and her murky green eyes widened. "O-oh... um... W-who a-a-are...?"
The she-cat above her was beautiful, and her question died even as she said it. How many times had seen this stranger's expressions in her own sister?
"M-momma?" Mintpaw took a small, unsteady step forward. She recognized those eyes.
With a small gasp, Mintpaw rushed forward, burying her face in her mother's fur. She had imagined this moment many times, but the rush of emotion she felt was unexpected and welcome. Tears leaked from Mintpaw's eyes. She had a mother.
OOC: junk n' stuff

(occ: sorry that I forgot about this, if you want to keep it going here ya go!)

For the first time since she had died, Pansyface felt truly alive.  The tears spilled freely from her forest-shaded eyes, and she wrapped Mintpaw in a tight embrace, curling her tail around her daughter and resting her chin on the top of her head.  Her chest fluttered as she sobbed, her whole body quivering with a joy she had never gotten to experience in life.  At least I get to have...this moment.

After a moment though, Pansyface pulled away and began to cover Mintpaw's face in a barrage of affectionate licks, cleaning away the tears.  "Let's not cry my dear, this is a happy time."  Her voice still held it's usual laughing tone as she wiped away her own tears with a shimmering forepaw, and gazed down proudly at her daughter.  "You've grown so much, it's hard to believe that you once fit in the crook of my belly!"  Laughing slightly, the she-cat suddenly flopped down onto her belly and tucked her paws underneath her body in a casual way.  "Tell me, how is everything?  Are you making friends, how about your training?  Is Rippedsky being too strict with you?  I told him not to, he better not be keeping you cooped up in camp!"  Though her words were accusatory, the she-cat's tone rang with fond affection for her old friend.  She wanted to keep rambling, keep asking questions, but stopped herself so that Mintpaw had time to answer.