With all due respect [c]

The star-less night sky hung above her. It was early morning, and most cats weren't awake yet. Except, the ones who didn't need sleep. Comfreypaw watched Dark Forest cats walk amongst her camp, acting as if they belonged. Vile. The apprentice herself couldn't sleep, too much was on her mind. And so, with tired eyes she spectated her 'Clanmates.' The molly became increasingly anxious and aggravated with almost every breath. She needed to distract herself. The she-cat focused on eating the mouse she had caught a few hours ago, trying not to give thought to her troubles. She was failing.

Comfreypaw's whiskers twitched. Her eyes flicked up from her meal and glanced at the pair of Dark Forest vermin walking nearby. The tip of her tail began to tap. Tap, tap, tap. Seeing them enter the warrior's den, Dayquill's den, caused her skin to crawl. Then her angry gaze caught one ghoul taking two whole squirrels from the fresh-kill pile. She had to choke down a growl. Comfreypaw shook herself, and continued her anxious fidgeting. Tap, tap, tap.

I can't start a fight, I just can't! As much as she wanted to go and bite one's face, she'd be dead before her jaw was even opened. These weren't just some bad cats with poor morals, these were killers!

But I have to do.. something, she stressed, This can't be the rest of our lives.

Before she could hesitate, Comfreypaw sprung to her feet and directed herself towards the Highrock. She made her paw steps quick and purposeful. She couldn't allow herself to put it off any longer. The molly pushed through the lichen curtain, only then realizing he would probably be asleep. He'd just have to wake up then. She needed to to talk to Stoatstar.

"Are you awake, Sir?"

"Hm?" Stoatstar's head raised slightly. He hadn't been asleep. Most nights he spent staring at the motionless grey stone, peering at it, as if the action would eventually reveal some great truth. Thunderclan's leader was a mess. From the glazed over look of his eyes, to the disheveled appearance of his fur, the little tom hardly looked the part. Recent circumstances hadn't prevented him from doing his duties to serve the clan but he rarely interacted with any cat, withdrawing in the most extreme manner.

It was odd to see some cat addressing him now. Only a pair of well-meaning apprentices had breached the silent sanctuary. His whiskers twitched at the thought that there was any sort of peace to be found in this maddening emptiness. Even though containing himself to this den seemed to be the least condemning course of action and prevented him from having to face other cats, it meant he was left alone with his thoughts more often than not. Eventually, he would blackout from exhaustion. Never quite getting enough rest but seemingly all that was needed to get by.

Through the clinging tendrils of permanent exhaustion, Stoatstar managed to recognize the voice of Comfreypaw. It was odd she wasn't warrior yet. He wanted to make her a warrior but he wasn't sure that his own apprentice was trained up enough - it had been a while since they had a session. Briefly, the tom wondered if she resented him yet. The idea made his tail flicker slightly as he meowed lowly, "Yes. What is it?"