It had taken her quite some time, and a few steps of near-heartbreak, to be ready for her moonstone. In fact, she'd spent the entire day near Heatherberry's den. She never went in to disturb the medicine cat and all of her hard work, but she did want to be nearby for when it was time. After all, her mentor had given her the day off in celebration. There would have been many ways she could have spent it, but, this was simply the way she'd chosen. Her afternoon had only a brief change when she hunted down her sister Juniperpaw to help decorate her fur. After all, she wanted to be pretty for StarClan! Little feathers hid tucked behind her ears, and flowers peppered her pelt in other places, all by her sister's design.
Hollowpaw couldn't help the full-body wiggle of excitement as Heatherberry placed the bundle at her paws, and she didn't waste any time eating them. The bitterness definitely jumped at her tongue, but she could notice the honey. All of her focus went onto its sweetness, and there was only ever a slight scrunch of her nose. "Thank you, miss Heatherberry." She purred in response, and was ready to set out.
Her paws were somewhat tired from where they had to go, but not nearly as bad as they would have been had she not gotten the traveling herbs. It only made her appreciate Heatherberry that much more! Going into the tunnels, it was oddly easy for her to navigate. Being so acclimated to the darkness gave her slight confidence with being unable to see every step she made, especially as her mostly-onyx pelt was more than happy to blend into the shadows. There had been a moment she grew nervous -- so she reached out, taking the very tip of Heatherberry's tail gently into her maw for guidance. Hopefully the medicine cat didn't mind.
The moment they were in the cave, though, Hollowpaw's mouth dropped open in awe. It was a sight that was certainly unique, and one she now understood why was sacred. But that awe quickly became replaced by anxiety. "Miss Heatherberry... do you think... I look presentable enough for StarClan? I know Juniperpaw did a good job but... will they like me?" The anxiety had her hopping from paw to paw as she approached the stone, and her ears went back just slightly. But it was Heatherberry coming to her side that brought her some reassurance, and she breathed. "You're right... StarClan will like me because I follow the code, and have worked hard. ... I hope my feathers come with me to say hi to StarClan! I want to give my StarClan cat one!" She beamed, and gave the medicine cat a quick and friendly headbutt to her shoulder before settling in. Hollowpaw wasn't one to talk all that much, but around Heatherberry? She felt extremely comfortable.
That comfort lulled her to a gentle sleep as she was next to the stone, eventually lowing her head and pressing her nose against its cool surface.______________________________________
