an overdue thank you [c]

Brackendawn padded into the medicine den, his blue eyes seeking out the bicolour pelt of SkyClan's resident manifestation of sunshine. The den seemed dingy, sad, which caused him to frown, but didn't surprise him, not with how much loss SkyClan had endured. His tail twitched at the thought, trying to ignore the sadness that overcame him for Thymelight. As if on cue, Thymelight emerged from a corner of the den, and almost crashed into him. "Sorry!" squeaked the warrior, backing up to give her room. "I should have called out." The medicine cat was one of Honeydew's closest friends, and she'd also saved her life and Harespring's too. It was shameful it had taken him so long to seek her out, and to introduce himself. The fact his mentor, and her uncle dying hadn't even kickstarted it. His ears fell backwards, as his skin prickled with humiliation. I'm sorry to drop in so suddenly... I..." This was such a weird way to make a first impression (his moonstone didn't count) "... Being gone... I..." he blinked slowly, shaking his head. "I just wanted to give you the most longest most overdue thank you, and to offer my condolences for Foxtrot." he finally got out, sitting down and curling his bushy tail over his paws "Thank you, Thymelight. Is there anything I can do for you, I owe you so much and I've been a terrible clanmate. Which doesn't reflect well on Honeydew."

Brackendawn blinked in response to Thymelight's question, his remark had been flippant at best, but now that he thought about it, it rang true. Some saw his act of standing against the wolves as brave and honourable, but it was foolish too. If he had the foresight, if he could even have stopped to have thought of the repercussions of his actions. But he never did. There had only been him, and his family and the immediate. A slight tremor ran through him even while he remained rigidly still in thought. Even before the wolves he had not been a good clanmate, in the past sunrises since his return he had spoken to more of his clanmates than he ever had back at the lake, Thymelight among them. To be so disconnected even before SkyClan went to fox dung, it was embarrassing. He couldn't understand why no one else could see that. His tail twitched thoughtfully, and his features remained the same melancholic way they had before. "Thymelight," he mewed, offering her a tired smile "You were a medicine cat almost an entire moon before the wolves attacked and this is my first time properly speaking to you. I was antisocial and stubborn and self absorbed. It shouldn't have taken me so long to realise how mousebrained I am."

"It is the same for most of our clanmates, not just you. I shouldn't have to nearly die to come to my sense." His tail unfurled from around his paws. "Honeydew didn't have to learn anything when it came to being a good clan mate, she just always knew how. I'm sure she's proud of me, but she shouldn't be, I don't deserve special treatment for finally behaving normally. stated Brackendawn honestly. He hated to unload on Thymelight like this, but she had asked, and honesty had served well in getting acquainted with his sister's friends. Hopefully they could become his friends too.

Brackendawn ducked his head, heat creeping up his cheeks at the praise form the medicine cat. He really hadn't done much though, Thymelight shouldn't be giving him so much praise, especially not for the bare minimum.  She said not many cats had changed, but to him it felt like everyone had and he felt the same. Yes, he had matured, but gaining self awareness wasn't the same as Honeydew isolating herself, or Harespring being standoffish. Though, he supposed those could at least be explained. Everything really had been flipped on its head. The lilac warrior let out a long sigh. "It's a sad time if it takes courage to look out for one another." his ears flickered backwards "I've been a way awhile, do you think there's anyone else I should see?... Outside of Honeydew's circle I've already spoken to them. asked Brackendawn