Leader and Kin [closed]

Padding back into camp from a hunting patrol, Tinystar looked around the camp and let out a content sigh. So far, besides the occasional prioritization of his position, clan life since he'd become leader had been pretty peaceful. SkyClan was continuing to grow and prosper, prey was plentiful, and there hadn't been any drama with the neighboring clans. Everything was going pretty good, and Tinystar always made sure to thank StarClan for blessing his clan.

Making his way over to the freshkill pile, the abnormally small leader dropped his squirrel and bird onto the pile and a shiver was sent up his spine as a sudden chilly breeze ruffled his pelt. With his new duties, he hadn't really been thinking about Leaffall and was surprised to see that it seemed as though the cold season was going to be upon the clans quicker than he'd imagined.

Hearing his name called, Tinystar turned his head to see his granddaughter, Amberpaw, sitting just a foxlength or so away from him. The she-cat had just recently become the medicine cat apprentice, and so far, it looked as though she was doing good in helping Mintwhisker around the medicine cat den. He couldn't have been more proud to work and serve besides his kin, and with a purr emitting from deep in his throat, the stout white and grey tom grabbed a mouse from the pile and made his way over to the she-cat.

Setting down his little snack and sitting down besides Amberpaw, Tinystar continued to purr. "Of course, I'd love to," he mewed with a wide, happy smile on his muzzle. Laying down, he took a bite of the mouse, enjoying the sweet taste that flooded over his senses.

"So, how has your training with Mintwhisker been going?" he asked after licking his muzzle to rid himself of any lingering blood from the hunt he'd just gone on.

Barely noticing that Amberpaw almost slipped in telling him about what StarClan had told her, he was glad to hear that she was enjoying being medicine cat apprentice. Leaning down, Tinystar finished off his mouse in a few more bites and took a moment to lick the blood from his maw. "That's good. I'm glad to hear that she's doing good in teaching you the ways of being a medicine cat," the small leader mewed, a smile still on his muzzle. "SkyClan is blessed to have cats like you and her as our medicine cats," he chuckled, proud of the two she-cats. While he wasn't a medicine cat, he had enough knowledge to know that learning everything about herbs and medicines was no easy task and he personally admired them for remembering all of that information and being able to save lives like they did.

"How are you doing in learning about all of the herbs?" he asked, turning to the she-cat. He didn't want to seem nosy, but he figured that he'd might as well assess how the apprentice was doing while they were both together. Besides, this way he could get an insight on other things that Mintwhisker might've left out if he'd asked her about Amberpaw's progress.

"Just be patient and keep working hard and you'll get there," Tinystar chuckled. Lifting a front paw, he began to lick it, removing any small tufts of russet squirrel fur from between his pawpads. Taking a few moments to focus on that paw, he moved onto the next, his ears swiveling in the direction of his granddaughter when she began to speak again.

"Wow, I'm very impressed. I don't think I could ever memorize all of that," he mewed in a surprised tone, looking back up to Amberpaw. "And yes, with a bit more time and practice, you'll be the perfect medicine cat in no time," the small leader purred.

OOC: oof sorry for the shortness ;;

ooc: we all have short posts every so often! all is well <3

Amberpaw couldn't help but beam at her leader and grandfather, feeling warmth spread through her to slowly ease her social awkwardness. She didn't know Tinystar very well, but she realized that she was in the perfect position to learn more about him; as both kin and authorities of the Clan, Amberpaw would have ample opportunity to get to know him better. The golden tabby scuffed a paw and dipped her head bashfully when the white and gray tom showed surprise and pleasure at all the things she had to learn.

The medicine cat apprentice looked at her leader and mewed, modestly but genuinely, "Oh, I don't know about perfect. I'm not sure we can do that. We can always learn more, can't we?" Amberpaw flushed again at how formal she was being, but she had to admit it was true. She didn't know as much as Tinystar or Mintwhisker yet, but she had a feeling that there were others who knew things they didn't - and that meant they all had more to learn.

Amberpaw shook herself and stood, trying to muster some of her more kit-like enthusiasm. She didn't want every conversation with Tinystar to be formalities and wisdom and mysteries. She wanted to learn more about him! "It's a beautiful leaf-fall, isn't it?" she asked, then added, "My first, of course. But I love all the colors."

Purring at her humbleness, Amberpaw was clearly the best choice of a medicine cat that SkyClan could've chosen. Turning his blue gaze to Amberpaw, who had suddenly stood up, Tinystar nodded his head in agreement. "I agree. Leaffall, though it brings hardships after, is for sure one of the prettiest seasons, though all of them have their beauties," the small leader chuckled in reply, watching as red and orange leaves fell from the trees above. If only the clans could've just been stuck with the weather and not the hard hunting season that followed.

Amberpaw gazed back into her leader's bright blue eyes for a moment before following his vision up to the trees that were raining color on them. She understood what he meant; already she had learned from Mintwhisker that leaf-bare meant little prey and even fewer herbs. What they collected and stored these past seasons and during leaf-fall would be all that they had to work with until new blooms matured in the spring. The she-cat paced and asked, "Do you have a favourite season?"

Thinking about her question, Tinylegs pondered through his thoughts for a few moments. Each season was magical in it's own way and were all very unique, but he easily decided that Newleaf was his favorite. "I like Newleaf the most, mostly because it's a time for the clan to grow and begin to flourish after the tough Leafbare," he purred, thinking of all of the the kits and prey that became abundant around that time of year. "Seasons are a true wonder," the small leader added softly, watching as more leaves fell from the trees above.

Amberpaw waited with interest as the leader considered her question. She perked her ears when Tinystar replied, and she nodded. She hadn't seen a newleaf yet, but she knew it was excellent for the medicine cats as well because the herbs they needed bloomed and flourished then. Amberpaw nodded in agreement at his final soft comment and watched the trees with him, and for a moment she felt no need to say more. She had learned a lot about him in this short conversation, even if it didn't seem like much had been said.

ooc; I'm not really sure what else they could talk about, but I'm really glad they have met and talked so we have a base relationship to build off of. <3

Looking back to Amberpaw, Tinylegs let out a sigh and stood up. Leaning down, he gave his short legs a stretch, simultaneously letting out a yawn. "Well, I'd better get back to my leader duties. Those patrols won't originize themselves," he chuckled. Giving a curt dip of his head to the medicine cat apprentice, he then proceeded to shake his pelt from leaves that had clung onto it from laying down for so long. "It was nice chatting with you and I wish you the best of luck on your training," the small white and grey leader finished. With that, he made his way towards the camp entrance, where warriors began to gather for the next patrol assignments. Amberpaw was for sure a bright young cat, and he couldn't wait to see how she grew as a medicine cat.