Pigeonpounce's Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony

Poppystar was... well, she was Poppystar now. Pigeonpounce knew what that meant. Several things, really—like that RiverClan was formally moving on, and that they were now under a new era, and that... she was going to become their medicine cat. Even tired as she was, she understood immediately when Poppystar came to wake her. She put up no fuss about dragging herself to the medicine den, though she did grimace and spit over the bitter taste of the traveling herbs. She'd forgotten how bad they were. And now she was expected to take them every time an apprentice made their way to the Moonstone? ...Eugh.

But this wasn't the time to deliberate or worry over her future. It was coming and there was no more running away or cowering from it. When they were both ready, Pigeonpounce gathered herself and followed her former mentor out of camp. The walk was quiet and long. There was plenty of time to think, though Pigeonpounce did her best not to do that. If she let herself think, stars forbid it, she might turn and run away afterall. She didn't want Poppystar to think she was that big of a coward.

Eventually, the towering peaks of Highstones came into view. Pigeonpounce let out a breath but she did not feel her tension leave. It would be clinging until she went to sleep, it seemed. She followed Poppystar up the small mountain until they got to the half-familiar cavern entrance at the top. It wasn't long before the cold, cramped passages led them to the glowing quarter that held the illustrious Moonstone. This is it, she thought, tail curling up against her flank. She looked at Poppystar and nodded along to her instructions. She closed her eyes through the ceremonial words before looking to Poppystar again, just in time to meet the press of her nose. “Thanks,” she murmured with a weary smile. Then it was time to settle down on the chilly stone floor, take a final brerath, and press her nose against the Moonstone.

Sleep tugged her away in but a heartbeat, cold and wavelike as it washed over her. When Pigeonpounce was able to blink again, she found herself in StarClan's imitation of RiverClan again. A breath of relief left her. No wrong turn had led her to Starlingflare. As she'd done before, Pigeonpounce began to turn around in search, and it wasn't long before she caught sight of Cloverheart heading her way. Her tail lifted in greeting.

“Well?” The old medicine cat said. Her voice was growing more familiar to Pigeonpounce's ears. “How do you feel? Any better about your new position?”

Pigeonpounce's paws shuffled and she found she couldn't meet Cloverheart's eyes. She looked askance, toward the starlit river, and sighed. “Uhm... honestly, n-no. Not really.” She could feel Cloverheart's stare leveled on her. It made her fur prickle with the feeling of being judged. StarClan was going to revoke the appointment they'd given her because of her cowardice. Was that a good thing, or was Pigeonpounce afraid of that eventuality? When did sorting out her wants and needs become so difficult?

“It's difficult to get used to,” Cloverheart said eventually. Pigeonpounce turned her head slightly to look at her from the corner of her eye. “I was a warrior apprentice before I took up medicine. I was dramatic then, as all apprentices ar... I thought I'd never be a warrior because I failed a few hunts. But herbs, I had a natural talent for. When Dennis, my mentor, took me under his guidance, I thrived.” Cloverheart stepped closer. She stretched up and gently rested her chin atop Pigeonpounce's head. “You will have no mentor to guide you, but there are those in your Clan that know enough about herbs to get you by. You may be able to find help in the other Clans' medicine cats, as well—remember, medicine cats are bound to an oath to heal and to help. We are not bound by the same politics that many others are.”

Pigeonpounce pressed up into Cloverheart's touched, nodding against the weight of her chin. She squeezed her eyes shut tight and let out a shaky sigh. Cloverheart's name had become something of a legend among the Clan, though not necessarily for her aptitude as a medicine cat... but regardless. The few left that had known her spoke of her as beloved. She said herself the role found her better than warriorhood. Maybe, just like her, Pigeonpounce would finally find her stride and feel useful, feel good, once she settled into medicine. Or maybe she would only prove worse at it and her Clanmates would wither and die at her paws. There would be no telling until moons, seasons from now. The thought made her heart start to race. She could be the greatest failure RiverClan had ever seen.

“Or,” Cloverheart's voice cut through her thoughts as she pulled away, “you could be the greatest success RiverClan's ever seen.” Pigeonpounce felt her ears heat up a little with embarrassment. Could StarClan read all of their thoughts, all the time? She couldn't dissect that now, not unless she wanted to pass out here in the realm of the stars. “Believe in yourself some. StarClan believes in you. And StarClan will be by your side, watching over you, always. Even when we're a useless, frustrating lot.” Cloverheart barked a laugh and smiled. “I don't have to tell you StarClan accepts you. Now, go. Return to your Clan, and grow.”

Pigeonpounce opened her mouth, but she did not have time to respond before the world was being pulled away from her. She awoke with a gasp at the suddenness of it. Pale dawn light streamed in through the gap in the cavern's roof. Pigeonpounce blinked hazily up toward it before stretching out all her limbs and looking for Poppystar. When she was sure the she-cat was awake, she got to her paws and said, “I saw Cloverheart again.” Pigeonpounce shook her fur out, yawned, then blinked tiredly. [color=#20AED4]“'N' 'M ready to go back whenever you are.”