Pumapaw's Moonstone Journey

Scorchfang waited patiently by the entrance of the camp, repeatedly drawing his tongue over his lips to rid himself of the awfully bitter taste of Morningpaw's strengthening herb mixture. No matter how many times he ate them, no matter who prepared them, he would never get used to the taste. He knew that the newest medicine cat apprentice after Silentpaw's unfortunate -- and still heavily depressing -- death wasn't ready yet to take on the apprentices' journeys to Highstones to speak with StarClan at the Moonstone, and he knew he would have to show her the ropes sooner rather than later as he had done for Silentpaw, so for now he would have to continue picking up the slack. Not that he minded, he thoroughly enjoyed gathering insight on an apprentice's training status and the satisfactory levels of their mentors. It was always good feedback that he could apply to his apprentice-naming ceremonies.

Pumapaw padded out the apprentice den, her fur ruffled as she had just woken up. She yawned loudly, then begun to quickly groom herself, before joining Scorchfang. Her amber eyes gazed disdainfully at the bundle of herbs, then at Scorchfang who didn't seem to enjoy the herbs either. "Who are they for?" she mewed inquisitively.

”They’re for you, I’m afraid,” Scorchfang meowed with a sympathetic smile. ”They’re strengthening herbs for the journey. They don’t taste good at all, so be sure to get them down quickly, alright?”

"Oh." Pumapaw nudged the herbs, unsure of what to do. She didn't want to leav camp as much anymore, not since her scuffle with the raccoon. Her paw reached up and brushed the area underneath her eye, a tinge of regret prickled in her mind, if only she'd paid attention, if only she'd been more patience. Pumapaw placed her paw down and scooped up the herbs, sniffing them before quickly eating. The paste was bitter and unpleasant, one Pumapaw would be glad not to taste for a long time.

Scorchfang gave Pumapaw an encouraging nuzzle once she devoured the herbs. "There you go. Don't worry, the taste will go away once we hit the Thunderpath. Well, uh, hopefully we won't actually hit it, but you know what I mean." With a sheepish grin at the distasteful joke, he began leading the way out of camp.

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TIME SKIP

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It had taken a better part of the entire day, but Scorchfang and Pumapaw finally reached Highstones as the sun was beginning to set in the distance. Still having enough time for his favorite part of the journey -- training reflection -- he settled down on a flat rock and looked over at the apprentice. "Before we head in, I'm going to ask you what I've asked countless other apprentices before you. I like to keep track of the satisfaction of apprentices in their training and the performances of their mentors. So, do you feel you've been taught everything you need to know to become a ShadowClan warrior in your turn? Do you feel your mentor was a good fit for you?"

The taste was going to be with her for that long?! Pumapaw glanced at Scorchfang, letting out a small laugh, although she really didn't like the sound of the Thunderpath.

~~~

The journey was long, and Pumapaw was almost glad she'd eaten the herbs. Scorchfang had been right, and the taste had soon faded from her mouth, after they hit the Thunderpath. The russet apprentice stopped when the deputy did, eyes widening as she gazed upon the Mothermouth. When Scorchfang began to speak, Pumapaw turned her attention back to him. "Violetshine trained me well." she mewed "The raccoon would of probably done far worse damage to me if I'd had a different mentor."

(OOC: Please forgive me for such the late reply!)

"I'm glad to know my own mentor has taught you so well," Scorchfang purred. "Well, it seems the moon's about to come out. It is time." Standing up again, he led Pumapaw into the cave, and it didn't take long at all until they reached the large room in Highstones, just before the Moonstone ignited into a harsh, cold light. He turned to the apprentice. "Here we are, at the Moonstone. Now, to speak with StarClan, you need just touch your nose to the stone's surface, and you'll be whisked away into their hunting grounds in your dreams. I'll be here waiting for you for when you awake."

Pumapaw nodded, following the tom into the cave. She lifted her paw to shield herself from the blinding of the light of the mmonstone. Once here eyes adjusted she heeded the tom's words, touching her nose to its smooth surface. Almost instantly, her eyes fluttered shut.

She awoke in StarClan's meadow. So this is what it's like for Lichenmask, she mused to herself, tail twitch in anticipation of the events that would follow.