Jaypaw's Moonstone Journey

Thornpaw made her way towards the apprentices den. While walking she wandered if Spiderquill would be upset for carrying his duties. Would he think of her less for potentially botching the sacred ceremony apprentices commit themselves to? "Jaypaw, its time." She whispered into the now hollow den. Groggy or already awake, the medicine cat apprentice gave him time to rise. Meanwhile she went back to the medicine den to fetch the necessary herbs her mentor told her to use for these particular occasions. It took her little time to come back regardless of how the apprentice reacted to her obvious inexperience. "Please, take this." She spoke although her words muffled by what she carried in her teeth. The large, brown tabby approached Jaypaw this time placing down a selection of herbs for him to digest before meeting their ancestors. Bitter tastes, she wondered just how anyone could stomach it. Within no time, the herbs were eaten like they were meant to leaving Thornpaw patiently waiting until the deed was done. "Sorry about that." She apologized, casting a glance in the Moonstone's direction. "We should be ready to leave." Without another word she took on the trial of leading Jaypaw out of camp to the Moonstone.

---

The young apprentice motioned for Jaypaw to come inside the empty cavern with her bushy tail. She felt herself freeze up remembering what exactly went down the last time she came here. Although it didn't take long for her to remember they were here for a reason, that being a certain ceremony taking place. "Be careful, once it starts you can not stop. This might make you tired but should that happen I will be here to help you out. No matter what happens, I'll be here with you from the beginning till the end t escort you back to camp." Thornpaw gave him brief rundown before walking near the stone to curl up, falling asleep soon after she laid herself down.

Sharp gaze fixed upon the imposing outline of the dusky Highstones sprawling before them, Jaypaw's mind remained relatively distant as they gradually drew closer and closer, little mind paid to the gradually shifting landscape that crawled past amidst their purposeful trek. Even as they eventually passed through WindClan's sparse territory, and the seemingly lifeless nest interspersed only with an enthralling web of thunderpaths, his attention remained fixed upon some unknowable point in the distance. In truth, it was just a touch of nerves at the admittedly unpleasant aspect of meeting some strange, all-knowing specter who would presumably give advice that would prove to be arguably true- it also didn't help that he was accompanied only by Thornpaw, who likely had just as much experience with the whole affair as he did. The gentle clinch between Jaypaw's dark brows remained prominent throughout the duration of the journey, characteristic chilly silence only heightening the young tom's austere outpour of disinterest. Carefully keeping close behind his guide's heels as they subsequently ventured deep into the overwhelmingly dark bowels of the Highstones, the unkempt tom's nose was filled with an unpleasant mixture of ancient stone, stale air, and countless scents of the various Clans.

He would certainly never complain about the unpleasant scent of decaying river-foliage during the fall after experiencing this nightmarish mixture.

Heart thudding wildly within his chest- so loud he was practically certain all of WindClan could hear it in the suffocating silence- each breath he inhaled was shaky. Every step taken towards the glittering and ominously smooth outline of the Moonstone was forced, but the continuous presence of Thornpaw aided in the mounting reluctance he was experiencing. How strange, he couldn't help but idly observe as he stiffly followed the young Medicine Cat's quiet instructions, dark shape awash in the frigid light of the looming stone, an awkward shadow inevitably cast as he curled up in the wan light

Inhaling a mouthful of chilly starlight and damp stone, Jaypaw's eyes gradually drifted shut.

-

Soft, sweet stalks of grass brushed against the sensitive skin of Jaypaw's nose, the tickling sensation gently rousing the sleep-fuzzy edges of his unconscious mind. Letting out a short little huff of irritation, he swung his paw protectively across his muzzle in hopes of fending off the pestering vegetation. Twisting and shuffling impatiently, the young tom desperately tried to settle down once more, longing much more for the prospect of a restful sleep rather than a vision quest. Between the innate restlessness he often experienced and the constant demand herald by his training, it felt as though he never got a proper night's sleep. Letting out a rattling, gusty sigh that practically flattened the grass before him, the darkly colored tom's gaze blearily drifted open, eyes practically bleeding reluctance. The soft, ethereal light that composed the unearthly realm before him seemed muted and buttery at first, bathing the rich foliage and undergrowth in deeply colored shadows. The soft hum and chatter of various unseen insects buzzed lightly, softly droning on constantly.

Blinking away the stubborn traces of drowsiness, Jaypaw lazily inhaled the sweet air, his whiskers and fur gently stirred by the warm breeze. Irritating over his disrupted sleep dissipating somewhat, his interest was now drawn to the prospect of simply observing his surroundings. Resting his chin heavily upon his forepaw, the dark-furred tom contentedly gazed out at his unfortunately familiar surroundings. The lands before him seemed entirely familiar, yet entirely new- almost as though it was emerging from somewhere deep and forgotten within the depths of his drowsy mind.

Luscious reeds and ferns seemed to unfold around him endlessly, filling the air with countless enticing scents. The soft earth before him gradually sloped down into a pool, the pebble-flecked shore gently giving way to waters as smooth and still as glass. Even despite the short distance that yawned between Jaypaw and the surprisingly large pool, it was easy to see that the waters were crystal clear- even despite the occasional stray gusty breeze. The longer he gazed at the incredibly inviting pool before it, the more fervently his satisfied grogginess bled away. In these coming moments, it was easier to recall his apprehension with the whole ordeal, an undercurrent of surprise blossoming low and hot in his belly. It wasn't as though he outright doubted the stories he heard in regards to Moonstone journeys, but it would be a lie to say that he hadn't just anticipated a strange dream or two, perhaps featuring a familiar face as well. Awkward and irritable, Jaypaw couldn't help but turn a scrutinizing eye upon the unfolding landscape.

"Hello..?"

It felt like moons since Jaysong had been able to speak with an apprentice. Clearly, she wasn't quite favored by the rest of the ancestors- that much she could understand. She'd given them every reason to doubt her faith and goodwill. She felt as if she'd made it up to them, but there would always be those who doubted her, who felt as if she wasn't worthy to walk among the stars. As she stalked towards Jaypaw, a twinge of guilt trickled through her. Perhaps if the ancestors were right, she'd be letting this tom down. Any expectations he had would be crushed with her arrival- he wouldn't know that, but it would stick with her for moons afterward. If she was unable to give this tom the advice that he needed, what would happen? Would she ever be trusted to speak with another apprentice?

With a brief shake of her head, she padded onward and made herself known to the young apprentice near her. "Beautiful, isn't it?" She mewed softly, which was slightly out of character for the usually spunky she-cat. Truth be told, she had no idea what she was doing, and she didn't want to mess this up. "I always doubted everything I was told about StarClan. In some ways I was right, I suppose, but at least they were right about how strikingly magnificent it can be at times. If you know where to look, that is. I think this spot is overrated." With a tilt of her head, the she-cat turned around. "Follow me," Slowly, she began padding away from the pool where the tom had settled, waiting for him to join her.

A fiery tendril of alarm surged down the curved length of the spine, the singular warning that abruptly transitioned the slumbering portion of the brain directly into a semblance of awareness; bodily systems rearing up at the realization of danger. The sudden constriction of his muscles resulted in a violent jerk on behalf of Jaypaw, dark coat prickling and hackling as he whirled around to face the shimmering stranger who had evidently appeared alongside him, going unseen despite his previous awareness of their surroundings. Something dark lingered within the molten depths of his golden gaze, a rapidly dilating and expanding pupil the singular revelation that the young tom was desperately attempting to gather his wits as he peered closely at Jaysong for several heartbeats, evidently startled into an uncharacteristic silence.

Well- he did summon her, one way or another.

"I wasn't doubting anything," Jaypaw eventually seethed, purposefully drawing a distinction between himself and the molly currently trembling and whirling before him, ears heating at the lingering dousing of shock currently circulating through his system, "I was just surprised at how... normal it all looks." Weight gently pitching back onto the curved arch of the heel, he remained idly shifting in the initial aftermath of Jaysong's quiet departure, reflective dark gaze carefully fixed upon the starry outline of the stranger currently slowly trekking away from the evidently familiar outskirts of the pool. The warm ethereal air, heavy with the musky spice of perpetually blossoming foliage, was disrupted by his hasty movements to follow- his hurried steps taken in pursuit of Jaysong kicking up a storm of countless strange scents, each equal parts familiar yet entirely unknown. Somewhere in the distance, the faint remnants of birdsong hung heavily against the soft outline of the bright sky.

Sharp features knitting together into a thin mimicry of a faint frown, Jaypaw couldn't help but cast a curious glance in the direction of Jaysong as he eventually caught up to her side, "am I allowed to ask your name, or does that violate some sort of unspoken decorum?"