Raggedpaw's Moonstone Journey

"Raggedpaw, it's time to go!"  Once again, Leopardclaw was taking another apprentice up to the Moonstone.  Today it was Raggedpaw's turn; the younger tom had been a rogue who had joined the clan fairly recently, deciding to give up the wandering ways of a loner and taking a clan name.  Hopefully this trip would give both of the rogue-born cats a chance to get to know each other a bit better.  Dropping the herbs at his paws, the golden spotted tabby waited for the tom to appear.

Raggedpaw padded up to the deputy, dipping his head in greeting. "Hey, Leopardclaw." He licked the herbs and cringed at the taste. "These are horrible." he shook out his fur, that was looking much less ragged.

Leopardclaw huffed in agreement, and purred; "Gross as they may be, you'll be grateful for them once we get going.  They're traveling herbs, they give you strength and endurance, and quell your hunger."  Sitting down on the frosty ground, Leopardclaw gave his ears a quick groom as he waiting for Raggedpaw to finish the herbs, so that they could head out.

Raggedpaw finished the herbs and gave a nod to the deputy. "You lead the way." he said politely, waiting for the deputy to lead.

(ooc: Do you want Ragged and Leo to have a conversation or smth?  I feel like they could be pretty good friends; if you don't want to do a get-to-know-you here though maybe we could do one some other time? C:)

Leopardclaw quickly finished washing his ears - no longer avoiding the ragged tear left by Rockthorn like he had in his youth - and stood to his paws, nodding back at Raggedpaw.  With a whisk of his tail, the golden spotted tabby led the way out of the gorse tunnel and out into the thick snowdrifts that filled the forest.  The tom's ears flattened a bit in annoyance; these trips were a lot more tiring when you had to wade through an endless lake of snowflakes to get to your destination.

(ooc; not here please, I'm eager for his warrior name. But yes, a topic for sure!!)

Raggedpaw followed the deputy quietly, flicking snowflakes off his face left and right.

Finally, after their long trek across the moorland of WindClan, the Twoleg territory where no clan scent marker had ever been placed, and the bare fields that bordered the base of the destination, the two forest cats had managed to scale Highstones and now stood before the pitch-black cave opening of Mothermouth.  Due to the snow, their arrival had been delayed a bit; the moon was already rising high in the frosty night sky.  "Come on, hurry."  Leopardclaw didn't hesitate as he stepped into the darkness of the tunnel, beckoning Raggedpaw to follow after him.

Raggedpaw followed behind, in silence.

(occ: sorry for my slowness, and the short post)

Leopardclaw traversed the tunnels with ease, and before long the two cats emerged into the dim light of the Moonstone cavern; the moon has not yet risen, so the crystal only sparkled faintly for now.  They did not have to wait very long though, and in a bright flash the stone ignited, washing the cave in piercing white light.  With a wave of his tail, the golden spotted deputy meowed to Raggedpaw; "Lay down beside the Moonstone, and touch your nose to it's surface.  Soon, StarClan will draw you into sleep."