Closed Thread Farmhouse Pharmacy [6TL20]

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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As she followed closely behind Kosmo, the spotted she-cat did her best to hide any nervousness. They were nearing closer and closer to two-leg territory and her pelt prickled with alertness and caution. She trusted Kosmo, and knew he wasn't leading her into some sort of trap, but that didn't mean things couldn't go wrong. She didn't want to end up with the same fate as Badgerstar, disappearing from her clan as nothing more than a memory. She stifled a snort as he attempted to act as though his wound had little affect, but she could see that slight stiffness in his walk. 'There is no need to try act tough. I saw you get injured. Walk normally feather-brain' she smirked, catching up so that she was at his side and could lightly flick his ear with her tail. 

At the mention of other cats, Aspenberry's face light up with curiosity. Would she meet others today? Friends of Kosmo? 'High perch? You mean the top of this two-leg place?' she said while giving the building a not so interested glance. She might not trust the bulding, but she trusted Kosmo so she would go along. With high levels of caution of course. 

She squeezed through after him, doing her best not to touch the sides of the door, not wanting to get the scents of faded two-leg to rub on her pelt. Plus, it didn't look too appealing to touch anyway. Inside was like something Aspenberry would see in a dream. No, even crazier than a dream. It was run-down, decrepit and dirty, but it was something she had never seen before. She looked a little taken aback, but stepped forward, in front of Kosmo, letting her paws get used to the rough ground. Parting her maw to gather more scents, she wandered around the room, doing the best she could to take in the weird shapes and sights. She chose to ignore his comment of him understanding if she turned back. It wasn't meant as a snipe, but she was WindClan's deputy for StarClans sake, a abandoned two-leg dwelling was low on her tier of fears. 

Kosmo made his way up the stairs and she followed after, each paw step meticulously thought out. At the top there was yet again another set of stairs, and a small opening at the top which she assumed was Kosmo's place. She nodded and took the lead, carefully making her way up the smaller steps onto his loft, making room for him once she got up so he could get in as well. 

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo tiptoed carefully as he ascended into the attic above. When he poked his head out he spied the dresser unit that housed his herbs, half closed, as well as the details of his nest that was made out of a vairety of materials. Mainly mouse down as the farmyard had an abundance of such prey, but also bird down as well, and scraps of cloths he had gathered from the house. When grape leaves coudln't be recovered, he used these cloths to carry about bundles of herbs when needed, but otherwise just scent his bed in lavender and mint.

"It's not much, but it serves for my needs." he offered her a hollow smile, distracted as he went over to the drawer and fished out a couple of green leaves. Goldenrod leaves would work well for cleaning out his wound. He allowed her the oppertunity to explore the attic, dusted cobwebs were more prevalent in the far end of the room where a chair still sat covered in a stained white sheet. Around his herbs and his nest though it was more or less cleaned out and tidy as expected of a medicine cat.

He made quick work of chewing through the leafy exterior, coating the mixture on his tongue where he applied it to the wound. It wasn't too deep, but it punctured into his flesh and now would have a greater chance at healing. Tongue still tinged with green, he glanced over at her, and to the greater extent, the Two-Leg place. "Odd, cruel creatures... humans, but they seem to make useful things as long as they are far removed from their creations."

Once he had finished applying his own herb, he continued. "And here... I have something for you." Digging his front leg a little further into the drawer he managed to draw a few sprigs of dried catnip out by his claws. Putting the sprigs down, he half curled onto the floor which seemed to have been dusted recently, and extended out his front legs, stretching and testing his shoulder. "Sorry for interrupting your hunt earlier, but I think the alternative was thrilling, huh?" A bit sad, still, but it was water under the stone.  

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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Aspenberry made her way around the room, letting her whiskers brush against the sides. Each step she took was tenderly placed down. She wasn't scared, just... unsure. 'It's certainly... something' she said with a soft chuckle. It wasn't judgmental, but was said in a way to try indicate that it was certainly different to where she slept. 

After her lap of the room, she sat down politely as he went over to treat himself, fishing out some herbs from some sort of two-leg structure. 'I don't think they are cruel.. just odd; and something I want to be nowhere near. They...' she paused, considering whether she should give away this information or not, but she guessed it would cause no harm. 'WindClan's leader was taken by two-legs not that long ago. Stolen and never seen again. I could never let that happen to me or anyone I know.'

Something for her..? She hadn't expected anything, as she had just come along for the fun of it, and what cat wouldn't help another cat in the midst of a battle with a hawk? Kosmo had pushed a few sprigs of catmint towards her, and she looked up at him curiously. 'Catmint. A herb that has both medicinal properties and euphoric ones.' she said, reaching out with a claw to drag the sprigs closer to herself. She obviously had no need to consume them, so she looked up at Kosmo with a little grin. 'Trying to mellow me down are you? Or perhaps the opposite. It can work both ways.'

She laughed a little before bringing her head to the ground, letting her cheek roll into the sprigs. Catmint had nearly instantaneous affects, and it wasn't long before she felt her heart race just a little more. Moving away she laughed. Usually she left the catmint in the safe paws of the medicine cats. For this exact reason. She pushed the sprigs back over to Kosmo. 'No way am I just rolling around in this stuff while you sit here. Your turn'

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 Kosmo's expression was uncharacteristically hard. Again, he spoke, with every note finality as he believed ever word he spoke. "Odd at best. Cruel at worst." Soft his mew may have been, but his odd eyes were as if stones in the dim light of the attic from the dying sunlight shining through from a broken window that led outside. They were petulant gods, carried by the uncertain of their own whimsy. Their thoughts were alien to him, and while he was sure domestic cats could gain some semblance of understanding from them, Kosmo wished to be well away from any who lived. Them and their horrid contraptions.

"Yes... a tragety what happened to Badgerstar. I brought Fawnbriar the news myself as I had seen the kidnapping happen personally. Few touched by humans ever return, I'm afraid." There was a note of sympathy, although behind the thinly veiled formality of his condolences he hid a deeper truth. He hoped that catnip would take the edge off the thought and instead focus on enjoying themselves now that his wound was cleaned. Catmint was indeed a heavy drug that probably was best saved stashed away safe in the deepest cattery nook, but Kosmo kept it close by.

"There are many ways to skin a fish. Think of it as a gift, shared among friends." A warmth returned his his expression as he watched her enjoy herself so openly without the pressure of her clan to interfere with her truest self. He scooted himself forward as she presented the sprigs back to him, and took a tiny nibble while he brushed it along the length of his angled cheeks. Whiskers giving a shudder, the tom glanced at Aspenberry. "There has been no shortage of herbs, so I encourage you to partake in as much - or as little as you'd like. I'll take what I please."

He gave a playful little growl as he slapped a sprig, causing it to explode outwards and dust the floor. Kosmo stared at the leaves, floating like dandelion tufts. "Poof."

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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She snickered as the sprig burst, sending out small dusts of plant around the room, while the faint light that entered the room illuminated the small specks. If she had only wanted a little bit, there was no hope in having that now for tiny pieces of the herb now littered the air. 'If Rowanglade knew I was wasting herbs like this she might kill me..' she muttered, though her tone was filled with laughter. She was a cat after all. Such herb was nearly impossible to resist. Its like it altered her brain.

She had already half guessed that Kosmo may have been the rouge that WindClan's patrol had encountered last moon, but was never certain so his words confirmed her theory. That was a matter of the past now, so she had no reason to dwell on it and let that topic of conversation slide past. With a laugh she took a turn at slapping the sprig, watching as parts fundamentally disintegrated into the air. 'Do you play with this stuff often? Surely it is distracting?' she questioned, getting up and circling around Kosmo with an energy she lacked before. She was still looking at the little specks in the air with wide eyes, pondering something. Probably something small and insignificant. She was ready to pounce at the air when a new voice entered the room. She had been too distracted to hear the arrival of pawsteps.

She turned around to see a pure white she-cat, and she walked up to her with a curious gaze. 'Hello' she said with a brief nod, before turning back to Kosmo. 'This one of your denmates?' She said, sliding the catnip over to the newcomer. 'Kosmo and I are just messing around with some catmint. Here, do what you want with it' she offered, before her normal polite attitude kicked in. 'Sorry, I am Aspenberry. Kosmo over there invited me over. I hope that's okay. Just here for a little tour and exploration, and to hang with a friend of course'

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 Giving the sprig an affectionate chuff, Kosmo leaned back onto his good shoulder, allowing the movement to stretch out his injury. The muscle beneath the fur was a bit sore, but the catmint was a relieving aide. Poppy may have been his herb of choice to soothe and settle his nerves, but catmint was equally thrilling in its own way. "Hmph. As if herbs last forever. What's the point of preserving an abundance if they aren't used? Throwing away molded herbs is the waste, Aspenberry, not using it." His lecture was tinted by the edge of the catmint, and his smile teased lightly at her.

His odd eyes were attracted by the soft padding up the attic stairs, and his face turned to acknowledge the small white she-cat. "Ah! The Great Mouser returns!" There was no jest in his voice, and was sincerely impressed by how efficient a hunter Ghost had been. She had kept him fed, at least, and there was plenty to go around - and free of the green-curse. He patted the ground beside, inviting her to join them while Aspenberry was already circling around, touched by the intrigue of the magical herb.

He inclined his chin. "Yes, this is Ghost. She's one of the offspring of the head of the household here. They've made me feel very welcome since I arrived here." He wryly at Ghost, eyes flicking towards the offered sprig while his own still rolled in his paws, and he rubbed his other cheek against it. His thoughts wandered towards the spotted she-cat's turn of phrase, and let out a small purr that rumbled against his chest. Perhaps it was the catmint, but even though he was feeling pleasantly better, he still wanted to lounge for the sake of his puncture wound.

"How was your day?" He returned to Ghost, a polite way to include the she-cat in the conversation while also preparing her to hear the absolute thrilling experience they just had. It wasn't a competition... but they had her beat.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Yes, a warrior from WindClan' she replied with a small sheepish grin, hoping WindClan had cause to grief to this cat in the past. She purposely left out that she was, in fact, very much the deputy of WindClan, but that was information she felt that did not need to be shared. Information that would stay with her, and her only. 

She now headed over to Ghost, giving her the same friendly circling she had done to Kosmo, but giving her a little extra space as they were still technically strangers. 'I feel bad for you. I don't think I could cope living with Kosmo. He's a little... odd don't you think?' she said with a smirk. She was clearly joking but she found it funny anyway. She settled down in a spot between both cats, carefully pawing her own small sprig of catmint towards her before gingerly biting the edge. It didn't exactly taste very nice, but it was hard not to stop.

'How exactly did you meet? A chance encounter or have you known each other since kithood?' she wanted to ask more questions. Aspenberry always has questions but she held her tongue, intead resting her chin on her paws while glancing at the two cats curiously. She was in their home, so she would leave majority of the conversation up to them. 

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 Kosmo reduced himself to his components, just allowing the quiet moments be moments that were shared between the two she-cats as they made each other their acquaintance. It was only natural that these barn cats would have something to say towards a clan cat, although that wasn't his business. Instead, he inhaled the scented fumes of their combined activity. Aspenberry's paws shuffled around the dust, and Kosmo lounged where he had tucked himself.

Yet he felt the pain in his shoulder diminish slightly, causing him to take advantage of his calm state where he rolled over onto his back, curling into himself where his chin nearly touched the length of his ringed tail, however meager it was. "A dog, huh?" He mused lightly, more to himself. Dogs could be dangerous creature, capable of inflicting grievous wounds - Not to mention they came in all shapes and sizes. They were about as unpredictable as the masters they served.

"I don't think I'm that disagreeable - or odd!" Came his dramatically enhanced response. What did Kosmo think about two she-cats gossiping about him? His whiskers creased as he smiled up at them, each cat either sideways or upside down. The extra flair to his voice he hoped was indication that he wasn't offended by her jest. His expression shifted, odd eyes ghosting between the two as he half turned his head so they didn't seem so off skelter in his vision.

"No, no... Nothing like that. I made my way north to this farm to check up on its health. The land - that is... After I found out that your clan forest was cursed with some affliction, green poisoning mush in stomachs. I was relieved, that, in meeting these esteemed cats, found out that it hadn't reached here.." He heaved another breath, casting aside the dour mood even if the topic may have still been fresh in haunting the clans. "But prey runs freely here, and plentiful - as is the herbs in the garden. That's a nice bonus. Aspenberry, why don't you tell Ghost what manner of creature we tangled with."

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Close enough to a badger, but instead one that comes from the domain of the sky. A ferocious hawk attempting to take the life of our dear Kosmo here in vengeance of its own loved one'. She wasn't much of a storyteller, but the two cats she now gathered with seemed in the mood for something with a little flair, so why not ramp up the story a little? 

'I had just been out hunting when I heard an absolutely awful squawking noise. Any prey nearby was scared away, so I thought I may as well go out to check what it was, plus I was a little concerned too. That's when I came across this guy face to face with a hawk... Kosmo why did you put this on me, surely you can use your fancy words and weirdness to make us seem cool?' She was laughing now, her crooked tail tip flitting just a little. 'Catmint fuzzes the brain. Can't even think properly let alone recall our previous events. Either Kosmo can tell the whole thing, or I'll cut it short and say - hawk did not come out victorious. Look at feather-brain's shoulder. A wound from our brave efforts, and a memory of a sorrowful battle'

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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It began artful enough, whether or not it was due to the influence of the catmint was another story. It was always interesting to study the effects on each individual cat. This was much an experiment than it was a healing session and relaxing after a stressful situation.

He snickered a bit at her description, although relented to taking over once Aspenberry had enough of the theater. He rolled onto his other side, fixing the white she cat with a bleary stare, unblinking. "Defied, the hawk swooped in with catching claws and butting beak, but Kosmo, so nimble and strong was he that he merely got pecked once. A wound like that couldn't keep such a cat down, not when he could barely even feel a thing! With the efforts of both cats, one high one low, both struck at the outsmarted hawk until nothing but its memory remained. We stashed the body in a low bush in the garden. I figured Aspenberry could take it with her so she can work on her storytelling." Winking at the spotted she-cat in passing, he gave the area around his shoulder a tentative lick, careful not to disturb the poultice there.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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A quiet purr rumbled from the she-cat's throat as Ghost said she prefered her story telling. In Aspenberry's opinion, she didn't do much other than add a few extra words in, but if Ghost liked it, that was all that mattered. She had been out for a while now, and the itching thought at the back of her mind to go check up on WindClan was managing to push through the cloudy fog that the catmint create in her mind.

'I have duties I must attend to, but perhaps we will cross paths again, and we can find our own hawk to hunt. Thank you both for your hospitality' She offered, while giving Ghost a friendly head bump. She turned to Kosmo, waving her tail. 'And you; I hope next time I see you we are both in a more fortunate, injury-less position.' Her tone was warm and lighthearted. She really did hope she would get to see these two again, particularly Kosmo. They were a nice refresher from the stressors of clan life. 

'I will be off! Let the memory of our gathering stay preserved in your mind, and perhaps I might even make an appearance in your dreams tonight!' she said with a wink, smiling at both cats. 'Farewell!'

She turned to leave, but seemed to get frozen for a second before she whisked back around, giving each cat a boop on the nose with her own. Fairly odd, but not exactly unexpected for a cat like Aspenberry under the influence of none other than catmint.

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 Even in his catmint addled, or aided, state, Kosmo noticed that he didn't exactly get a head bump in farewell, only a tail wave. It didn't show on the lines of his face though, disguised by another cheek rub against the tickle of herb in his paws. Still, he watched her as she made her departure words. "Of course you can't stay longer, even if you may wish." Her clan would be wondering where their clanmate was by now and he didn't want to tempt any more to investigate her whereabouts.

"I'm sure Ghost and I can manage without you." He nearly whispered. It was nice not to fly solo for once, and it reminded him of an age old clan that had yet to be revived. He couldn't help but give an airy chuckle at her determined statement. Following her pawsteps into his dreams... perhaps. He'd have to meditate on it, and perhaps her scent could be there waiting for their next meeting. He half rolled over, front feet poised in front of him. Maybe proper for one so under the influence, but his smile caught the she-cat in repose as their noses touched, if briefly.

A paw slapped at the floor nearby. "Get out of here." He bade her farewell in turn, without any spite in his voice. Only jest and a chuckle as he watched her leave. Perhaps he should take to distracting himself through other means... Maybe salvage what was left of the catmint, reorganize his stash. "Don't forget the hawk."

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 Kosmo's chin inclined, nodding more than once towards the ghostly white she-cat who had such a fitting name. Aspenberry certain was interesting for sure, and he allowed those thoughts to play in his mind, bouncing from one corner to the next. Sniffling the catmint spores that still danced in the air, he regarded her with a sideways leer of approval.

"Windclan, yes. Bordering the farmhouse into the southern moors beyond." He explained, the edges of his maw curling. Ghost was right to suspect that Kosmo might not be so inviting towards them, much less host one in his own den. With a languid lick of his paw, he continued. "Some of them are, some of them aren't. They are like a hive of bees, sometimes it's all about the approach, even if I have been stung at one point or another. One bee alone may not pose such a threat, but together in their hive they need to be respected."

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 It was obvious that Ghost fought hard to understand some of the dynamics of clan life, but Kosmo was more than willing to try and explain it to her and perhaps get to know her a bit better. "They've been in this forest for generations and generations, so they are very protective of it. Very set in their ways."

Kosmo began to gather up the used up sprigs, shuffling the dust with a paw as he tried to neaten to area in which they are indulged. His shoulder was a bit stiff, but that was to be expected after the harrowing encounter with the falcon that was felled. He continued to scoot the debris towards the cracked attic window, making a note to dispose of them before he padded back to his stores across the room.

"Without it I wouldn't be alive today. I've done everything in my power to carry on the skill of my mentor so that I may help others. Besides... herbs are interesting and versatile, as you've seen. I think every cat should have some knowledge of the world they live in, why not take advantage of it?"

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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Kosmo's ears flicked slightly as Ghost's question settled in the air. For a moment, his gaze drifted away, as if searching for something in the distance, or perhaps in the depths of his memories. When he finally spoke, there was a subtle shift in his tone, a careful deliberation behind his words.

"My mentor..." He began, his voice soft yet firm. "Was someone very special. She wasn’t your typical cat. Strong, wise, and fiercely independent. She knew more about herbs and the world than anyone I’ve ever met or will again. She wasn’t born to the life she ended up living, but she embraced it with a kind of grace that few could match."

Kosmo paused, the memory of Stoneheart bringing a shadow of something deeper to his eyes. "She found me when I was at my weakest, and she taught me how to survive as no cat does. To use the herbs of the land, sure, but a few... other things as well."

He glanced at Ghost, his odd, mismatched eyes searching hers as if investigating the depths of her soul. "She had her secrets, and some of those she passed down to me. But there are things I keep to myself, things I’m not ready to share, even with someone as curious as you."

She had been more than a mentor. She was a guide, and in some ways, she still was. He flicked his tail, the gesture casual, yet carrying a certain finality. "But that’s enough about the past, for now. What matters is the present, and what we make of it." 

Survival demands caution, but greatness requires daring
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 Kosmo watched Ghost with a steady gaze, noting her slight shift in posture. He could sense her defiance, the unspoken challenge in her stance. A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes, but he didn’t press further. He had said enough, and perhaps, in time, she would come to understand him better—or perhaps not. Either way, it wasn’t something he felt the need to rush.

When she mentioned taking a nap, Kosmo nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Rest well, Ghost." His tone was light, almost as if he were talking to an old friend rather than someone who had just walked into his life. As she turned to leave, he added. "And as for the stranger… Time will tell. Sometimes, the unknown can bring about unexpected opportunities."

Kosmo’s gaze lingered on Ghost for a moment longer before he turned his attention back the dreary attic that was temporarily his base and the herbs that had been opened for heir purposes and made his way over to them. He took a deep breath, letting the scent of herbs fill his lungs, grounding him in the present. Steeling him for another day.