Acornpaw's Moonstone Journey

It took a few heartbeats for Acornpaw to stir, blinking awake as she lifted her head to see Fawnsh-Fawnshine?!? She was quickly on her paws the moment it truly struck her that the medicine cat was here - she knew what it meant to be awaken by one, and the medicine cat's words as the apprentice hurried from the den after her only confirmed her. Her Moonstone journey! Stars, what an honor... Of course, every apprentice had one but the chance to speak to StarClan itself was... She couldn't believe she would be doing so this very night!

She gave a quick nod of her head at the command to eat the herbs, wasting no time in lapping them up only to wince at the taste that spread over her tongue. She smacked her lips together a few times in a vain effort to rid herself of the taste before she let out a soft huff with a shake of her head, looking up at Fawnshine with a sheepish smile. "Alright, I am ready to go!"

It was breathtaking - being truly past ThunderClan's territory for once and getting a glimpse at both the dark - and smelly, even from their distant - swamp that ShadowClan called home and the wide open moor that WindClan claimed as theirs. Both so different from the forest that she had known her entire life... She did her best not to fall behind as Fawnshine led the path but it was a little hard with how much she wanted to stop and just take in the sights - along with the glimpse of the full night sky that stretched out above them, as it was often covered by branches within their forest.

She jolted to a stop as Fawnshine did - glancing past the medicine cat to stare at the dark opening that yawned before them. Highstones... "Follow you close, got it," she murmured, feeling her fur prickling a little. Getting lost...Was it truly a possibility in there? ...No, she would be fine - just had to have faith in the medicine cat. She took in a deep breath before she followed her into the dark tunnel - her eyes focused intently on the faint shape of Fawnshine's tail as the light faded. Her eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness, but slowly she felt she was getting a bit better at making out the shape of the medicine cat...

Just in time to step into a well-lit room. She blinked a few times to let her eyes adjust once more - taking in the sight of the glowing rock. Her mouth parted in silent awe, taking a few steps forward before the medicine cat spoke. Just...Touch her nose to it? She could do that. She stepped forward, tucking her paws beneath her as she rested next to the stone and did what was ask of her - wincing a little at the cold stone. However, the coldness was soon replaced with the warm beckoning of slumber and she allowed herself to be called by it - closing her eyes as she fell asleep, ready to speak with StarClan.

It was the familiar scene of home that would immediately be there to greet Acornpaw as she stirred in her dreams. The forest of home, but instead of the cold of leafbare, speckled with the warmth of newleaf. Blossoming trees, fresh winds, and a warmth that was no doubt different than the chilly winds that had swept through the forest for the previous season.

Within it, a golden tabby had appeared as well. Not so far off that she'd scare the apprentice from her appearance, but still enough away that young Acornpaw could observe the forest around her without being too distracted. With enough time, she would approach. She had a frame that didn't quite fit the build of any particular Clan, smelling of fish and the plains. She'd come to represent the two clans she had spent her life in, both at once.

"Hi, there! You look like a friend. Acornpaw is your name, yes?" She purred with a friendly tone. Despite having been a mother, there was a youthful vibrance to her. It was like she had the excitement of an apprentice herself, filling the body of a fully-fledged warrior. "I'm Mapleleaf. I was Maplespring when I was in WindClan. But... I admittedly fell in love with a RiverClan warrior and left. That's how I became Mapleleaf!" She explained. It was almost odd how little shame she had in sharing her story, but it was simply what made Mapleleaf... Mapleleaf. What use was there in shame for who you were?

"How have you liked your training? What are you looking forward to the most about being a warrior?"

Acornpaw blinked as she started to take the forest that was suddenly around her - of the beauty of the forest in newleaf that she had never gotten to admire herself just yet. She was faintly aware of another presence but was too taken in by everything to really paid her attention, until she spoke - calling the apprentice's name. Her gaze shot up to stare at the StarClan warrior, taking a few moments to respond. "O-Oh! Yeah, I am Acornpaw," she meowed - before falling silent as the warrior introduced herself. Mapleleaf - once Maplespring of...RiverClan and WindClan? However, what little confusion she had over why this she-cat was talking to her was quickly buried in noting how romantic of a tale she had - leaving her home behind because another cat caught her eye and meant more to her...

A soft wistful sigh escaped her, before Mapleleaf posed a few questions towards her. "Oh! Uh...Well...I didn't really have...Training," she admitted, curling her tail around her paws. "My mentor disappeared shortly after I got my name and I mainly just got by watching the other warriors - thought a few did offer lessons here and there. It was odd but it wasn't bad," she mused. "...As for what I am looking forward to...? Meeting more cats, I think!" she meowed as she straightened up. "I haven't really managed to meet many cats outside of ThunderClan - but once I am a warrior I will have a little more freedom and can patrol the border and maybe even get to make a ton of friends!"

There was a pause, before a sheepish laugh escaped her as she glanced down at her paws. "But...Uh, I think what I amreally looking the most forward to is...Um, finding true love? I've always liked the idea of mates - enjoyed seeing how happy my Clanmates were with each other and just hearing stories about how they fell in love and..." A content sigh escaped her. "I'm hoping I get a story like that today! Romantic and sweet, of finding a charming cat who just makes me feel complete!"

"...Can you tell me about your mate?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she turned back to looking at Mapleleaf. "I mean, they must have been pretty special to you if you left your Clan for them! Maybe it would...Um, help me know what to look for?"