how much can you fit under your skin? [c]

Larkpaw

Larkpaw was never happy to get injured, but ever since Wrenpaw of all cats was chosen as medicine cat apprentice, he dreaded going to the medicine den even more. They did not get along well. Larkpaw did not get along well with most cats, but Wrenpaw was a particular thorn in his side. She was so high-and-mighty about everything. Especially since his scuffle with that stupid Pidgeonkit, Larkpaw just knew that Wrenpaw looked down on him and hated him like all the rest. Well that was fine. He hated her, and all of her stupid siblings.

…but he twisted his paw today while on an outing with Rowansong, and Rowansong directed him to the medicine den to get it treated. So that was what he was unfortunately going to have to do.

Larkpaw limped into the medicine den and saw Wrenpaw organizing the herbs. He glanced around but did not immediately see Sandyshell, so it seemed like he really was going to have to talk to her. Larpaw huffed in a way that almost sounded like a snarl and he piped up, “I require healing.”

RiverClan • Apprentice • He/Him • 20 | 60 • #787878

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Wrenpaw, like she did with everything else, had thrown herself into her Medicine Cat training with absolute abandon. Which meant that she’d been spending unprecedented time tucked up inside, her free time spent staring at the herb reserves and repeating the herbs and their uses to herself. She almost didn’t hear the pawsteps at the door,  focused as she was on her sorting and memorizing. “Cobwebs, those are easy to remember… Marigold… infection? Willow leaves, haha, I know a Willow…”

Wrenpaw was knocked out of her distracted thoughts by the sound of a familiar grumpy voice in a snarl. She blinked a couple times then turned her head to look at Larkpaw. She looked around to check for Sandyshell for guidance, but it was just her. She hadn’t even quite realized, she’d been too focused. Ah, well. Looks like she’d have to deal with Mr. Grumpypaws herself.

Coming out of the herb storage, Wrenpaw approached. “Do you now? Well, alright then, what’s the problem?” She says, sniffing him and examining him. Even if she didn’t like Larkpaw very much, he was still her clanmate, and she had a responsibility. She also didn’t really think he deserved to suffer just because he was a jerk sometimes. Noticing how he was favoring one paw, she said, “Is it your paw?” How ironic that Larkpaw would be her first patient. Her heart sped up a little bit. Without Sandyshell here, Wrenpaw would have to do this on her own. She's been paying close attention to Sandyshell's work, but her paws still tingled with nerves, like the first time Poppyshine directed her into a hunt. Except, maybe a little worse. It was easy enough to hurt. It seemed much more overwhelming to heal, there was a significantly larger margin for error.

Larkpaw

Larkpaw’s eyes narrowed when Wrenpaw approached. He swore that she was being sarcastic. He could hear her thoughts like she was yelling them aloud. Oh, you went and got yourself hurt? Your little paw? You can’t even handle a little pain in your paw? It made Larkpaw tremble and took everything in his power not to snap back at her.

“Yes,” he growls. “It twisted during a patrol. It’s not that big of a deal. I don’t have to bother you.” She hated him as much as he hated her. Maybe she would poison him…No, she wouldn’t be stupid enough to do that. But it made Larkpaw suspicious all the same. She was just going to berate him at any moment anyway. He didn’t need poison to feel ill after this interaction.

RiverClan • Apprentice • He/Him • 20 | 60 • #787878

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Larkpaw delivered the information of his injury, even if it came wrapped in growls. Wrenpaw blinked slowly at Larkpaw’s delivery and then gave a wry smile, half teasing, half reassuring. “You’re not bothering me by coming to me with an injury. That’s kind of my whole job now, and you did the right thing. Sprains can get worse if they’re left untreated.” She said, remembering Sandyshell’s words on the matter.

Taking a breath to reassure herself, Wrenpaw moved forward and said, “Let me see the injured paw, please? I need to see how bad the sprain is.” Normally more callous and teasing, Wrenpaw was unusually focused and serious. This was her first time treating someone on her own, and she didn’t want to mess it up.

Larkpaw

Larkpaw huffed and held his paw out in Wrenpaw’s direction. At least out loud she was not being condescending. Being told that he did the right thing by coming to her made the knot in his heart quell just a little bit, but not for terribly long. He watched Wrenpaw, noting how serious she seemed to be. It was a good thing that she was taking her job as medicine cat so seriously, but it was an odd look on her. He added, “It is not a big deal. How bad could a sprain even get?”

RiverClan • Apprentice • He/Him • 20 | 60 • #787878

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“Well, it can go away on its own, sometimes, but you’re living a really active life since you’re doing a lot of hunting and sparring and all that good warrior stuff.” Wrenpaw explained absently as she checked Larkpaw’s paw, checking him just like Sandyshell had taught her, feeling for swelling or heat. It wasn’t too bad, thankfully. “So you’re likely to make it worse. Sometimes you can tear up the muscles worse, leading to more problems, or you can just end up with a paw more likely to sprain again. It’s just better to be careful.” Wrenpaw shrugged and pulled back.

Offering a lopsided smile, Wrenpaw said, “But hey, no sign of that here. Hold on just a sec.” Padding off, Wrenpaw was quick to return from the herb storage with a mouthful of nettle leaves. Setting them aside for later use, Wrenpaw nudged Larkpaw gently with her nose towards a pool in the medicine den. “Here, soak your paw in water for a moment. I’m going to give you a poultice for some swelling and then you’re gonna take the afternoon off and rest in here for a bit. I’ll ask Sandyshell to take a second look just in case when she comes back, but you should be good as new within a couple of days. You'll just have to put up with the company of lil ol' me in the meantime." There goes that familiar twinkle in her eyes, playfulness returning to her expression.

Larkpaw

Larkpaw listened to Wrenpaw’s explanation with a neutral expression. Everything she said was logical, and yet, he felt like she was condescending him. She must have thought she was superior to him; a new medicine cat apprentice, and yet still someone that could beat him. It made his stomach twist and turn. He despised it. It took a lot of his own effort to not snap back at her, and instead move to the pool to dip his paw into.

He could not, however, help the scowl that appeared at the end. “I’m going to have to stay here for a couple of days? For nothing but a sprain?”

RiverClan • Apprentice • He/Him • 20 | 60 • #787878

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