Stumbling Steps [O]

Duckpaw was falling behind of the giant group.

They didn't mean to but ever since sunrise, a drowsiness had started to sink into their bones - a familiar but dreaded call to plop onto the ground and sleep the day away. It was annoying enough when it happened in the camp as it made taking patrols troublesome but they could normally push through it when it happened. But now... All they were doing was walking. Walking, walking and more walking. There was no excitement - there was to be no breaks until the sun started to set. So every so slowly, Duckpaw's strength to push through the tiredness was failing as their pace started to slow.

They shuffled along, doing everything in their power to keep their eyes from closing and tripping over their own paws. Beneath the drowsiness was an anger, an annoyance - why did this keep happening to them? Why couldn't they be normal? But the feeling was faint, muted and oh-so far away from having any true effect on them as their paw struck a lose rock, causing them to stumble and barely keep themself upright but it was enough to cause them to come to a stop as they just stared at the ground.

Why did they have to be so useless on days like these...? They couldn't even do the simple thing of walking.

Duckpaw had been so caught up in trying to wiggle free from the fog that was clawing at their mind beckoning them to sleep that they hadn't realized somebody had approached until there was a nose against their shoulder and a soft, concerned voice. Duckpaw jolted - too tired to leap away or let out a surprised yelp but it did work to shake them free just a tad as they raised their head, blinking a few times. Their mouth open to take in a deep breath, nose scrunching up as they turned to look at the cat. They had missed most of what the she-cat had said other than her last two words - which were technically the most important.

Mintglade... She smelled like SkyClan, which meant she could be trusted. They were allies after all. They shook their head - they might have missed what Mintglade had said before her name, it wasn't hard to guess what it had been about. "I'm...Fine," they managed, giving their pelt a shake - using their brief moment of clarity to try to crawl further from the exhaustion that haunted them. Their mouth opened for a heartbeat to fully brush off the warrior but their lie caught in their throat. Finally, their ears slicked back. "Just...Tired. I didn't sleep well or something," they added quickly - a lie but a softer one. They had slept perfectly fine last night which made this whole situation even more infuriating.

Nights where they slept horribly or were assaulted with shadows and noises only they were aware of as they woke up could lead to perfectly fine days...Then there were days like today while despite getting a full night rest, their body craved more...It was worse enough when it happened in the camp but they couldn't even find a time to rest - not when the plan was just to walk and walk until the sun set. If they gave into their bodies demand, they would be left behind. But... Maybe that was to be their fate. Their eyes once again fell to the ground - not out of tiredness this time but despair. They didn't want to be a dead weigh to their Clan but that was all they were, wasn't it? ...They blinked, raising a paw to scrub at their face - feeling a heated prick in the corner of their eyes.

Stars, their exhaustion was bringing out the worst thoughts it seemed.

Duckpaw had been so caught up in chasing away the darker thoughts that they nearly jumped out of their pelt as a nose once again brushed against their side, head snapping to stare at the SkyClan warrior in surprise as she gently offered small kindnesses - and their head turning led to Mintglade getting a solid lick of their cheek. This caused Duckpaw to completely freeze, unsure of what to even make of all of this - they knew that they were allies but... This? It all seemed...

Almost too kind.

They felt the prickle in the corner of their eyes again as they turned their head away.

Their mouth opened, ready to say...Something - they weren't sure but it was caught in their throat as the larger she-cat made an offer - to carry them. Their tail swished, back and forth before finally their voice managed to break through the clog in their throat. "That...That would be really nice," they admitted, shoulders sagging. "I'm just...So tired - I don't know why, I just... A nap would be nice." They weren't sure a nap would be enough - today was feeling like a day where they just wanted to sleep the entire thing away but...A bit would be enough to power through until they stopped for the night, right? They looked up at the warrior, a bit wary - almost fearful that the warrior would decide against the offer at the last heartbeat.

"...M-My name is Duckpaw by the way. Of RiverClan."

"Duckpaw... I will remember that. You're really sweet." She gave a friendly smile, her head tilting to the side as her maw flicked upwards with the joy. If anything, she did her best to appear even kinder and warmer. A friendly face that'd help amongst the storm of the journey they were facing.

Mintglade didn't even consider condemning the apprentice for admitting their weariness, and it wasn't lost on her just how much of a struggle it was to do so. Even for her as an apprentice, she would have rather been as stubborn as the stones of Sunningrocks than to admit that she was exhausted. So for Duckpaw to admit that they needed a rest? That was a strength she would commend. Dipping her head, Mintglade settled onto all four of her paws, pressing her body to the ground to be as low as possible. "Come climb onto my back. Chest by my shoulders, and have your legs drape over top of mine. If you have to, you can dig your front claws into my chest fur-I've got so much, you definitely won't hurt me." A quiet purr rumbled as she tipped her head back to encourage Duckpaw to climb on. "You'll be able to rest. and I'm Mintglade! Happy to help."