Larkpaw's Moonstone Journey

It had been so very long since Heatherberry had gotten to lead an apprentice to Highstones for their Moonstone. Her spirits were not high, but she was still relieved to see ShadowClan continue as normal.

Leading Larkpaw through the tight tunnels of Mothermouth, she turned to look at her sisters apprentice with her one remaining olive eye, purposefully making sure it's sickening gleam could not be seen by her. "Get as comfortable as you can and place your nose to the stone. I will be here when you wake." She gave a reassuring smile, graying tail flicking against the cold stone.

Hazeflight had not expected Larkpaw to practically jump into her, but that's what she got for standing out of sight and far too close to the apprentice. A gentle laugh escaped the warrior's maw revealing her otherworldly presence to Larkpaw. "Careful," she chided padding to the younger cat's side. Warm blue eyes met Larkpaw's excited yellow eyes. Despite Hazeflight's own feelings of discontent within StarClan and her own actions in life, she was always happy to guide young cats on there way to warriorhood, or leadership in her son's case. It helped ease her guilt as a mentor and a mother, and so when StarClan called on her she came willingly, shimmering paws moving with great haste to where she was needed.

Hazeflight offered Larkpaw a soft smile. "Larkpaw," she said dipping her head "How do you feel?" an odd question to ask, but waking up in StarCLan could be scary, the last apprentice that had come to her had not been a StarClan fan by any stretch of the imagination. Larkpaw though, she wasn't hiding the excitement she felt. It was good to see someone so happy, and excited. The forest needed more joy after what Hazeflight had seen occur over the past several moons. 'My name is Hazeflight, though I doubt you know who I am. Shall we walk? If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, I may not have all the answers you seek, but I will do my best." she purred, flicking her tail against Larkpaw's side lightheartedly.

Larkpaw's enthusiasm earned a chuckle from Hazeflight. "Come on then," she motioned with her tail for the apprentice to follow her through the flowing grass. Everything about StarClan was otherworldly, its beauty especially, even after many moons amongst the stars and fireflies Hazeflight was still in awe. Eternal and ethereal the stars were, and now she walked among them, guiding cats where they needed to go, telling them what they needed to hear - or what she hoped was correct. The stars were caught in her shimmering translucent pelt, Hazeflight supposed they were one and the same in a way. Not that she felt she belonged in StarClan, nor the honour of engaging with such young cats considering how she had been a terrible mother, and neglectful of Flamestrike. Still for whatever reason that StarClan had to send her here, she would take it. It was so refreshing to have company.

The apprentice showed no hesitation in her questions, firing them off in rapid succession. The silver warrior opened her mouth to speak, but before she could answer Larkpaw was shooting her another one. Hazeflighht shook her head. "Are you done?" she mewed looking at the sandy apprentice her eyes twinkling in amusement. There was a brief silence, and so she took that as a yes. "to answer your first question, I don't know how I know your name. StarClan grants you knowledge for somethings, but mostly I am clueless to their ways - which is strange to say considering how long I've been apart of StarClan. For your second question... StarClan is fine..." Pretty, but fine. Maybe even torturous, but even dead Hazeflight wouldn't wish to invoke thier wrath, or be sent away to the dark forest. Her time here already felt borrowed, she was in no hurry to wrap it up. Especially without fixing things with Flamestrike... which she would... hopefully... maybe... someday...

She was getting off track, moving forward through the swaying fronds, but not uttering a word. Another sign to StarClan that maybe a cat as troubled as Hazeflight still was shouldn't be given this responsibility. "Sorry... Where were we?" Her blue eyes swept over the moorish landscape, for a landmark to head to, but it was all the same. Wildflower, and grass, and fireflies. She turned her attention back to Larkpaw "If I wanted to, but I don't much anymore. I still care for my clan, but my descendants live on elsewhere - in ThunderClan and outside of the clans. I care for my family more. It is good that StarClan allows me to see them, though I can't interfere. The answer to your next question is the same as before... I like it fine." Hazeflight took a deep breath "Oh StarClan so many questions, and none about how I can help you. I don't think I've met a cat that asks so many questions!" she teased bumping her shoulder against Larkpaw's.

But she would still entertain their curiosity, how often would she get to ask such questions? Hazeflight knew she had more than likely been just as pestilent to her StarClan cat with her attitude as an apprentice. Maybe even worse, running off exploring, chasing fireflies. She had been just as excited and curious, burning with questions, that now she didn't even remember what she'd asked, just that it had been a lot. "There are cats here from every clan, I think there are even some cats without a clan here... StarClan is the same for everyone. AS for if we get along... I keep to myself, but I have no quarrels with any clans. It is all a personal thing if you get along or don't, and if you don't get along just keep away, I guess. Oh, I do try and stay away from SkyClan, but again that's just me. There's cats there that are less than happy with me." shrugged Hazeflight. Finally done with the questions she allowed her shoulders and posture to relax a bit, before straightening back up to continue her task. "Now... are there any questions you have not about StarClan that I can answer?" the bengal waited hoping that she didn't regret opening herself up to another assault of questions... which of course she would answer as required.

"So did I." meowed Hazeflight. Perhaps too much, the nrashness of youth had not been without consequence, in fact all her issues really stemmed from her wild disregard for borders, and her urge to see everything for herself. If Hazeflight could help prevent Larkpaw from making those mistakes then this would be a moonstone well done. "But... " The words faltered on her tongue, feeling guilt and hypocrisy swirl inside her. The twinkle in her eyes vanished as she became more solemn, darker. "The rules exist for a reason. I didn't follow them, crossing borders, leaving the territory and going places forbidden to apprentices... All to fuel my thirst for adventure and independence, I believed myself to be this incredible hunter and fighter, but I was barely older than a kit." Hazeflight shook her head, her throat closing in as she remembered Eaglepaw and Moonpaw, how it was her fault. How there was nothing she could have done to save them. "I was untouchable." a deep inhale, steading herself for the cold truth.

"The friends that I dragged along with me were not." Cold blue eyes turned to meet Larkpaw's yellow eyes, a fierce determination behind them. "I cannot stop you from seeking trouble out, I know at your age I would have ignored anyone who tried to tell me otherwise, but I wish someone had tried to stop me. My friends and family joined StarClan early, and my actions caused great harm to the entire forest. I would hate for you to end up like me." meowed the bengal she-cat solemnly.

"You will learn much from the cats around you, listen to them, often they know better than you do. You will naturally find adventures and experience, but seeking them out only brings trouble. It is a bummer, and not what you want to hear, but take it from me it is the truth." Hazeflight let the words hang in the air, unsure of how to move forward with the uncomfortable tension in the air.

Hazeflight shook her head. “The past is the past, you can only try and avoid it.” The disappointment and sadness that overcame Larkpaw was unnoticed, and Hazeflight pressed her side to their’s. Had she been too harsh? too honest? ruined the excitement of a moonstone trip? Hazefllight terrible, even if she was only doing what she had been asked to do. She just wanted Larkpaw to be safe. Far too many young cats had joined StarClan lately, Hazeflight wouldn’t be responsible for another one. “I didn’t mean to come across so harsh, it is still good to be adventurous and to explore… Just ask a warrior to economy you or be more sensible than I was.” Hazeflight laughed, hoping to lighten the mood. “Is there anything else you want to ask? We don’t have much longer.” Already Hazeflight could feel that tugging feeling that wanted to part the two. Larkpaw would be waking soon.

Lifting her head to the sound of Larkpaw's voice, she gave an empty and tired smile. Perhaps she hoped to for even a sliver of sleep to come to here while she waited for the young she-cat to wake... Unfortunately, only waking nightmares were to be had. "Yes, my dear? Are you all ready to go?" She shuffled to stand, preparing for the two to make the long journey back before sunrise, but her head tilted in a welcoming manner. If there were any questions for her, she was willing to answer.