Coneflower (C)

Restless sleep came fitfully to Basilbloom as she lay in her makeshift nest, the steady breathing of all but one cat both soothed and disturbed her.  Thrushnose's snuffling breaths were clear; the she-cat had whitecough, though she seemed slow to admit it.  That fact, along with her other worries, confirmed in her what she needed to do.  The day had been full of frights, many more than she had wanted.  Twolegplace was a brutal environment, especially this winter; all living creatures besides kittypets and house dogs seemed to be starving, desperate to cling onto life.  Despite their troubles though, Basilbloom knew that she could have no sympathy, nor even be neutral to them.  They were here on a mission, one that she founded and encouraged...and the results, no matter what they were, would hang on her shoulders for the rest of her days.  Her stomach turned as the she-cat's tired amber eyes found Timbersun, his bite marks wrapped in cobwebs, and pulled leg awkwardly placed so as not to aggravate it.  The jolly tom's injuries tore at not only her heart but her conscience, and despite anyone saying otherwise, she considered it her fault.  I brought him here, away from his home and his family.  I didn't control the dog, but I know that if it wasn't for me he wouldn't be hurt.  However, though it might sound masochistic, blaming herself built a fire within Basilbloom, and as she closed her eyes once more she was determined.  We'll find the flower as quickly as we possibly can, even if it takes everything I have to give.  As she drifted off, the tortoiseshell she-cat's body relaxed.

However, when she next opened her eyes it felt as if every fur on her pelt was standing on end.

She was in formless darkness, no landmarks or lights to guide her way.  She herself even felt faint, muddled, and mixed in with the mystery until she couldn't even tell which was which.  She panted, her chest tightened and she felt her stomach roll; tears appeared in her eyes and she curled into a ball, whimpering like a kit.  It was as if her worries about this journey in their purest form had materialized before her eyes.  A single desperate cry found its way out of her lips; "Please, where do I go?!"  It was then that she scented it...the flower.  Opening her eyes and lifting her nose, Basilbloom walked through the dream towards the source of the lovely sweet aroma, the burry image of the purple flower once more appearing in the darkness.  She ran forward, trying to get it, but as soon as her paw touched its delicate petal she awoke with paws outstretched and skin prickling.  It was very early morning, the sun had barely begun to rise.  Light snow was falling, just enough to dust her pelt with a silvery tint.  However, as Basilbloom blinked and adjusted to the light, she realized something.

She could still smell the flower.

Jolting up from her nest, she ignored her pounding head and limbs that swayed with exhaustion and lifted her nose to the sky, stumbling towards the hole in the fence that separated her and the patrol from the outside world.  Poking her head out, she sniffed once more and realized that the scent trail was leading her further into Twolegplace.  Astonished, she unsheathed a claw and quickly poked herself, wincing at the very real pain.  I'm not still dreaming...this is real!  I need to follow it!  Looking back, she considered waking someone to go with her.  However, it seemed the possibility of success had made her temporarily fearless.  Slipping away from the Twoleg nest, Basilbloom set off at a trot, following the scent just as one would a prey trail.  She didn't know how close or far it was, but all she knew was that this was the moment she had prayed for.  An answer.  Through the twisting alleyways she went, passing under dark windows and alongside sleeping monsters until she turned a corner and gasped, the she-cat's amber eyes as big as full moons.

Laying before her, the light of the morning sun illuminating its features, was the field from her dream.  Or, as Beechfang had called it, a garden.  Stretches of short green grass ran alongside mini Thunderpaths, though they seemed to be made of a different kind of stone.  In the distance, she could see an odd Twoleg structure she couldn't begin to understand, as well as a small frozen pond on which a few sleepy ducks stood.  What she noticed first though was a large area on one side, partially fenced off with shiny Twoleg material.  Inside though she could see many, many plants, so many kinds that she couldn't even count.  Tall flower stems, low-growing leafy bushes...that was the place.  That was where the flower was, it had to be!  She took a few hesitant steps forward, before shaking her head.  I need to get the others.  They'll be missing me soon...and I want to share the discovery alongside them.  She realized now that the flower's scent had faded, she had found her destination, but she followed her own scent trail back through Twolegplace with confidence until the old Twoleg nest came into view.

Dashing through the fence hole she skidded to a halt, the smile on her face brighter than it had ever been before in her life.  "Everyone, wake up!  Wake up!  I found the flower, or at least where it is!  I had a dream where I could catch the flower's scent, and when I woke up I could smell it in the waking world.  I followed the trail and...oh, come see!  It's just as it was in my dream, it has to be in that garden!  It has to be!"  Her words were rambling and overly exciting, her lungs crying for breath she refused to give them.  She met the gaze of each cat as they woke, eyes expressing more than even her words could say.  I did it.  This could be the end of our journey!

Sleep came fitfully for Beechfang as it so often did, and she found herself flinched awake, the remnants of the nightmare that had plagued her drifting away before she could recall anything more than a loud clap of thunder and flash of lightning. She'd been having that nightmare more than usual recently... Stupid Cloverheart, stupid Bearflower. She lay in her nest, quietly determined to slow her racing heart, though it would be a few moments more before she'd be able to flatten her fur.

Her wide eye glared up at the faint stars above, breath puffing in a visible cloud in front of her face as she lay in her nest. Beechfang's ears twitched at the sound of movement, and her head lifted, lips curling before she realized who the movement was from. Basilbloom... Already running her maw before anyone could stop her. Beechfang took in her words, skeptical as ever, then stood with a sigh. She could make out Thrushnose's raspy breathing as well, whitecough, she knew. Hopefully the Thunderclanner's condition would improve.

Right... I didn't need sleep anyways. She thought, "Come on, then, let's see if it's there." And then we can go home.

Duskflight rested himself on a moss bed, remaining in a deep sleep— only to suddenly jolt awake at Basilbloom's cry. Or rather, a cry of excitement and joy. One that he hadn't expected so soon. He let out a brief yawn of drowsiness, using his paw to rub the tiredness away from his face. The tom shook himself awake, stood up, and grinned. This might be their chance! "Where do you think it is, Basilbloom?" He asked, whiskers twitching in curiosity. Duskflight sniffed the air, though he couldn't exactly pinpoint where the special herb was... after all, he was no expert in herbs. He'd try his best to help, though. Beechfang also seemed awake. Although she looked doubtful, Beechfang gave it a chance, and for that he was encouraged to continue the search for the herb.

Thrushnose had never known rest to make a problem worse before, yet that was exactly what had happened. After falling into her nest at the same time as her patrolmates, she’d woken up hours later to cough not once or twice, but for minutes, long enough that her eyes had watered and she’d hauled herself outside until she could breathe again. What little sleep she’d gotten since then was punctuated with smears of color and sound. And, of course, more coughing. Hanging her muzzle over the side of her nest, Thrushnose gave an irritated sniff. She’d never been one to handle sickness gracefully—and she was sick. No point in denying it now. Each breath she took felt like rocks scraping across her throat.

Even so… Her gaze drifted to the brown tabby across their makeshift camp, cobwebs plastered over his pelt. Timbersun, that was it. Something about the sight of him in that dog’s mouth had made his name stick in her head at last. Sick or not, she didn’t envy him in the slightest.

She’d nearly begun to drift off again when thundering pawsteps pulled her back. Thrushnose raised her head, eyes bleary. Basilbloom was standing just past the fence, words pouring out of her in an unbroken, nonsensical string. Flower. What flower? As Basilbloom rambled on, the world slowly pieced itself back together. That mystery herb, the supposed reason they’d gone to uncharted territory in the dead of leaf-bare, she’d…found it? In a dream? Beechfang and the ShadowClan warrior were getting up. After a brief struggle with the moss clinging to her legs, Thrushnose followed suit, her hazy eyes fixed on Basilbloom. Granted, she couldn’t smell much of anything at the moment, but—she wanted to be there. To see if this was more than a wild goose chase and, the grounded part of her mind insisted, to have allies in case the dog came back.

Restless.. That is what his sleep was. Every so often he found himself waking up, eyes staring at the top of the shelter they were in. No matter how hard he tried to push it away, he couldn't help the bad feeling swirling in his gut. Something was wrong.. He didn't know what but the feeling of dread he had, something was of with Thunderclan.. He could just tell.

The tom didn't bother to move right away when Basilbloom had stood up causing a commotion about knowing where the flower was. His mind still on the bad feeling he got.. If something was truly wrong, Starclan would have called him home wouldn't they? Surely this feeling was false, or just a sign of him missing home. The large white tom let out a sigh, before pushing himself to his paws. His green eyes dull from lack of sleep.

The tom stepped up beside Beechfang, finding comfort in her company, despite saying nothing.

Timbersun... Hadn't been well, in the very least. He had refused to move after being dropped by the dog. He could remember it's hungry and ruthless eyes clearly. His head still hurt from being shaken, and his bite wounds around his torso still stung, his mind seemed to buzz out all pain in his leg.

His eyes, now open, awoken from his light rest from the pain that jabbed into his sides. Was it worth it? Thrushnose, that Thunderclan cat, had gotten sick, just for a herb. Hopefully it magically heals everything and then we can go home or.. something.. He wasn't fully awake yet, so he was startled a bit when Basilbloom started yowling.

He raised his head quickly. He would've jumped to his paws but... He looked to his leg. He definitely didn't want to feel the pain, at least, not yet. "That's amazing Basilbloom! I would help search but..." He signalled to his leg, trailing off. Ouch. His torso didn't like being wiggled all that much.

Ashfall rested fitfully, as she did most nights. Timbersun was injured, that Thunderclan cat was ill... and she had to wonder if this herb wasn't just some myth... the result of a dream about nothing. Not that she didn't trust Basilbloom, she was a medicine cat, and she seemed nice enough, but there wasn't much hope left in her anymore. Suddenly, she was awoken by the sound of voices. It didn't take her long to get to her paws, eye watching them all carefully. If Basilbloom really thought she knew where this herb was, then they should find it.

"Timber, you stay here. We won't be gone long, promise." Giving him a small smile, she approached Basilbloom, quietly sitting down as she waited for them to move. She couldn't help but lose her smile as she spotted Beechfang once again, but that was ok. They'd find this herb, then they'd all go separate ways and she wouldn't have to see her aunt again for a long while.

For once, Cloverheart had managed to sleep somewhat peacefully. She didn't spend the night rolling in her nest, didn't spend the night wandering away from the group to explore Twolegplace– despite how much she would've loved to, she supposed she could be grateful just to sleep. No blood-soaked dreams plagued her, and even Thrushnose's fitful breathing and weak coughing didn't disturb her. Then ShadowClan's medicine cat came bursting forward, shouting about her flower, and Cloverheart nearly shot out of the nest as she was startled awake. Briefly, her ears lowered, irritated to have been woken up like that, but her expression softened as she groggily came around. "Where are we headed, then?" She hummed, jaws parting in a yawn. 'We' might have been an understatement– they'd be short at least two. Thrushnose was struggling to her paws, but something told Cloverheart she wouldn't last very long wandering around. Sighing, the medicine cat drifted near Ebonyhaze, not wanting to wander too close to Basilbloom; or more specifically, too close to Beechfang and Dovefrost, who had crowded near her.

The sound of Basilbloom's voice was more than enough to wake him from his light slumber. He hadn't allowed sleep to take him too firmly, worries about safety swirling in his head and keeping him restless. Timbersun was injured, and while the dog had been chased off, he didn't know if it would be back.

Thrushnose wasn't looking 100% either he noted, his gaze flicking toward her as she attempted to rise to her paws with all the rest. Should she really come along? He opened his maw to speak, but nipped his tongue instead. He wasn't a medicine cat, he didn't have the authority to say. Hopefully, the flower would be able to help. It was important enough for Starclan to be sending dreams to Basilbloom, it had to help at least one of the two cats.

He offered a small smile to Cloverheart as he wandered close before turning his attention back to the Shadowclan medicine cat. "Is it somewhere close?" he asked. He didn't want to sound like he was rushing something so essential, but deep down he was excited to find out about this new herb. Was this how it felt for the first medicine cats when they found and tested the herbs they used today? Did Starclan guide them too or were they blind in that they did? It was all so fascinating to think about.

Despite the unfamiliar nest, Muddythorn still slept just as deeply as ever, taking some time to rouse at Basilbloom's call. However, once one eye was open and he'd registered what was happening in the waking world, he was quick to his feet. This was what the whole journey had been for, and now they were making proper progress. It would be better to be searching with every member of the party at full strength, but with Thrushnose and Timbersun still recovering, that wouldn't be possible. Hopefully, if this herb was all that had been promised, they would be healthy enough to make it home without too much trouble.

"Well let's get going now then!" He said biting back yawn, despite his excitement.

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As her fellow patrolmates awoke, Basilbloom wondered if she should've been a bit quieter with her announcement.  The energy and excitement rushing through her veins however disagreed, and as everyone came up to her with questions and comments her voice remained loud and quick.  "There's a huge garden nearby, made by Twolegs I think.  It's in the middle of this big field, one that I saw in my dream!  It's not far away either!"  She was about to rush out again, the full force of cats behind her and ready to search, when she remembered Timbersun.  Glancing sympathetically at the brown tabby tom, she knew that him going with them would only irritate his injuries, especially his leg.  She then looked at Thrushnose, the kind she-cat up and ready to go, but Basilbloom could see the tell-tale signs of whitecough on her face and in her coughs.  She thought for a moment and approached the ThunderClan warrior to rest her tail-tip on her shoulder.  "Thrushnose, would you mind staying here and keeping Timbersun safe?"  And yourself, Basilbloom wanted to add, but she had a feeling the light brown tabby warrior already knew the limits of her capabilities.

Once everything was settled, Basilbloom waved her tail and exited through the hole in the fence, taking her place at the head of the group as she followed her own scent trail back towards the garden.  The sun was rising higher in the sky, flooding the streets with light, but it was still quite early.  Hopefully, once they got to the garden they could search undetected; it was leaf-bare after all, it was unlikely Twolegs would be coming by to tend their plants and pick their flowers.  Around sleeping monsters and across Thunderpaths they went until Basilbloom turned down the last alley, and the grand field lay before her once more.  She paused for a moment, letting the others take in their surroundings before she led them towards the garden.  It was surrounded by shiny Twoleg mesh, guarding the plants inside, but Basilbloom quickly noticed a dug-out space beneath the fence, likely made by a rabbit looking for a juicy snack.  "We can get in through here!"  Unsheathing her claws, Basilbloom helped dig the space a little deeper for the bigger cats to squeeze through before crawling under herself, feeling the edges of the mesh brush against her back.  Once she was through, Basilbloom took in the sights inside the garden for the first time...and realized just how big it was!  Rows and rows of plants, some familiar, some very unknown.  She couldn't see her mystery flower at first glance, but she trusted the feeling that was coursing through her racing heart; it was here.  It had to be.

Glancing back at her companions once they had made it through the fence, she meowed; "Let's spread out and look everywhere we can!  If you find anything that might be the flower, yowl for me.  Remember, it's a purple-pink flower around the size of a marigold.  It has a large seed head that sticks out above the petals.  It looked like they grow together in clumps, and it has a sweet honey-like scent."  It seemed a pitiful amount of clues to go on when spoken out loud, but Basilbloom knew that if she saw the flower she would recognize it instantly.  It felt like her very destiny itself was tied to this plant, like they were kindred spirits.  Today, she knew they would finally be brought together.  "Okay, let's start looking!"  Padding towards the first row, the first plant that came to her attention was a few very tall flower stems with drooping empty seedheads, their petals gone for the season.  She had never seen a flower like it before, but she knew it was way too big to be her flower.

The member 'RainyHeart' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Effect Dice' : 5

Excitement radiated off of Basilbloom's pelt as she spoke, and despite her sour mood at being woken up so suddenly, Cloverheart couldn't help but feel a rush of thrill down her spine. If the mystery flower really was out there waiting for them, chances are they would find it today... it was an exciting thought. With a bit of griping about the cold, Cloverheart got fully to her paws, giving Timbersun and Thrushnose a sorry look before ducking through the fence in pursuit of Basilbloom.

The walk there wasn't terrible– it had Cloverheart huffing by the time they'd reached the wall of silver vines, but it was manageable. On the other side lay a wide stretch of flowers, nearly comparable to WindClan's territory but much less... rugged. Distantly, she wondered what this place would look like in new-leaf. As pretty as it would be, I don't think I want to come back so soon. Her brow furrowed at the thought, then she shook it away and crawled under the mesh. It was a hassle, dragging herself awkwardly through the The Dark Forest and hissing when she folded a leg too far, but least she made it to the other side without getting caught in the wire.

Almost as soon as she set paw on the other side, Cloverheart split from the group, walking opposite where Basilbloom had headed to range up what looked like would've been a gorgeous row of flowers. All of it was dead, and the most useful thing she could find were old cobbwebs, likely long abandoned with the cold. Snorting, she pressed on, nose to the snow in search of something more useful.

The member 'downfive' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Effect Dice' : 1

Beechfang said little as the rest of the patrol woke around her, coming to stand before Basilbloon. Cloverheart had the good sense to stay out of clawing distance at least, though Beechfang was glad to have Dovefrost and Muddythorn by her side. Without a word, she followed after Basilbloon, eye turning to take in their surroundings. The area was familiar to her, but that didn't mean she would let down her guard, either.

The hollowed-out space beneath the fence was going to be a tight fit for Beechfang, and she eyed it less than pleased as Basilbloom squeezed her way through. Beyond lay the great garden, and the fight of it made Beechfang's hackles rise instinctively. Reluctantly she forced her fur to lay flat, then pushed forward, gazing through the gaps in the mesh to the grass beyond. Fences like these were unpleasant to climb and the tops were full of sharp, jagged edges that would cut up her paws. That left going beneath. The mesh bit into her skin as she squeezed under it, taking a few strands of silvery fur with it. Beechfang hissed softly in annoyance, but the torn fur was superficial and didn't truly hurt.

Basilbloom had described what they were looking for, and Beechfang set about searching.

Cloverheart seemed to have little luck, and Beechfang snorted softly to herself. How fitting for the Riverclanner to be less than useful.

Beechfang quietly prowled around the field, sharp gaze seeking something purple that resembled what Basilbloom had described. A flash of brilliant color stood out sharply against the grass, and Beechfang approached, sniffing warily at the plant.

"Basilbloom!" She called, trying to keep her voice level, though even Beechfang had to admit that she was a little excited by the find. "This seems like what you described, what do you think?" They didn't know what the plant could be used for, and Beechfang clung to her initial skepticism. She didn't want to get her hopes up to be wrong, especially when this had been brought on by visions from starclan. She still had trouble believing that they would ever be helpful, after everything she'd personally experienced.