Barred from Exit (12LG'21)

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettleplume was quiet on his pads as he entered the leader's den without ceremony. He paused only long enough to give Coldstar a brief, familiar head bump to the shoulder in greeting but it was distracted and perhaps a bit fleeting.

"Enjoying your moment of peace I hope." He murmured a bit dryly as he settled onto his haunches though the slight tension in its tip betrayed that this was not a social visit. "I won’t keep you long. I've just come from checking on Cottonbright." It had progressed quickly and Coldstar needed to know what should be done regarding her and the Clan's wellbeing.

"She's developed a cough. It began as something light. I wasn't concerned at first." His whiskers twitched faintly in irritation. "But it's deepened over the last day and could progress to Greencough."

He held Coldstar's gaze evenly.The words was spoken plainly without dramatics. "For now, I've taken her off active duty for the next few days to see how her cough progresses further. I don't want her pushing herself especially not near the nursery or elders' den. We all share the same warren."

He flashed him an exasperated glance. Nettleplume seemed in need of a rest too. "I was thinking...of moving my sick den to the apprentice den for the meantime"

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I identify as a threat. My pronouns are Try/Me.

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Coldstar basked in Nettleplume's affection before turning his attention to the Medicine Cat's concerns. Greencough wasn't anything to scoff at - especially with a nursing queen and kits to worry about. 

"That's a wise choice. I will assign several warriors or elders to assist you in moving what you need out to the apprentice's den." He paused, thinking. "You will tell me if there are any repairs needed? We are getting several new apprentices sooner than later. We may as well do an inspection of the den while we have cats who actually know what they are looking for living in it."

He sensed the stress emanating off Nettle in waves, and rolled slowly, and hooked his paw around on of his front legs. "You look like me." His dreams hadn't been attacking him as badly as of late - he was too tired to dream frankly. But that didn't stop the persistent feeling of unease that prevented sleep. "Sit a moment. Cottonbright will be alright without you at her side constantly."

He smoothed out Nettleplume's long fur. "You have thoughts. Not just about Cottonbright, but other matters as well? Share them."

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettleplume nodded quietly towards Coldstar's suggestions. Elders appreciated feeling useful so maybe he'd enlist a few, including his old mentor. He sighed slightly when Coldstar caught his foreleg though he didn't pull away. The medicine cat settled where he was guided as his leader smoothed the long fur along his shoulder. "You're not wrong. Sleep hasn't been particularily generous."

There was a small pause. If there was any cat who deserved his trust, it was Coldstar. "Last night when I stepped out to gather the tansy I'd left drying…I saw a raven perched along the camp's edge."

Briefly he rested his head along the other cat's spine, chin angled towards him. "I saw one a few suns ago as well. Normally I wouldn't give it a second thought but I can't help but think back to that rogue's offer. " Nettleplume shifted his paws beneath him, shoulders tightening slightly as his plumed tail gave a thoughtful flick.

"The Mad Rogue will be stopped but I just...contemplate the cost." As long as they didn't have another debacle like Stoneclaw.

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I identify as a threat. My pronouns are Try/Me.

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Coldstar continued to smooth put Nettleplume's fur as the medicine cat spoke. He couldn't recall the last time he'd seen him share tounges with anyone. It was a wonder all his fur hadn't turned into one giant rat's nest yet.

"Are you worried about us fighting the Rouge, or about Kosmo?" Both were major concerns of course, but he wasn't sure which one was keeping Nettle awake. "We won't suffer any losses if we are properly prepared. Stoneclaw was stubborn; not a bad quality to have but he should have retired alongside Boldstrike. But, as you know, he refused to do so." A stubborn old tomcat refusing help was hardly Nettleplume's fault. But it did cross Coldstar's mind that he may have been one of the first patients Nettlplume had lost since taking the mantel of lead Medicine cat.

Feeling the coiling of muscle beside him, he tried to coax him to at least stretch out. "If you were any more tense, I would think you'd shatter like ice."

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Nettleplume was grateful for the reprieve, even if that meant knowing that something sooner or later would send him back to the trenches, so to speak. Compared to most in the Clan, the ticked cream tuxedo tom felt withdrawn and oft removed from the rest of his Clanmates. Lonliness was a complaint that needed no herbal remedy, but could have plagued him just as sorely if he was anything less than his usual aloof, cynical self.

Coldstar seemed anything but cold to him and he appreciated it.

"The Rogue is the obvious threat, but Kosmo's intensions aren't so clear. Does that make him equally threatening, more... or less so? I don't have an answer yet and I don't like admitting that." His cat lips were pursed together, brows furrowing in a manner that made him seem more like his kit-ish self. Then a smile teased along his mouth as his chin dipped over the other tom's shoulder, exchanging tongues again.

Maybe it was so Coldstar couldn't see the darkness that entered his blue eyes as he made an off paw mention of Stoneclaw, his first meaningful patient; one he could have saved if only...He tsked under his breath. Stoneclaw had denied him the practice...Nettleplume was oddly glad of that old fool's death.

"Sorry." He mewed as he pulled back to find his leader's eyes. The expression was lax now and well hidden. Sighing he extended himself out and half laid on his side, hoping to support some of his weight on him. Despite keeping to himself, his coat wasn't a complete disaster at least.

"Once I check up on Cottonbright and get the move out of the way you should give me an escort to the Gorge Edge. It gets a good amount of sunlight so the garlic and basil there should be ready to harvest."

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I identify as a threat. My pronouns are Try/Me.

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Always on the move, always thinking about herbs. Riverclan couldn't ask for a better medicine cat - even to his own detriment. Not that he entirely blamed Nettleplume for that. He was familiar enough with his mentor, and his mentor's mentor to know where the no-nonsense attitude came from. 

"I'm more worried about Kosmo, in the long run." He gave Nettle space to stretch out before continuing. "This Rouge - they commit these acts out of bloodlust and ignorance to how we do things. I doubt it's in any way aware of the clans and our borders."

He tilted his head so his Medicine cat could get to a snare in his coat on the side of his neck - where the snare had scarred him. "But Kosmo knows things he shouldn't and he does whatever he wants with insolence. I don't like it. He claims to be a Medicine Cat! Not just to us - but to Thunderclan as well." He'd first heard of Kosmo through the gathering after all. 

An escort was a good choice. If he was any less busy he'd go along. But he needed to speak with Cinderwisp about the new apprentices - and see if there were any cats that had caught her eye. "Would Goosesong and Nettlesky do?" Neither of them were likely to provide excellent conversation but he doubted Nettle would care. 

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettleplume worked quietly at the snare in Coldstar's fur with all the attention he gave to sorting a pile of herbs. His tongue picked through the tangle near the scar as he rumbled his agreement. Rogues were chaotic, though thankfully predictable in their violent tendancies...Kosmo was different in that regard.

He remained half draped at his side, gaze distant for a heartbeat before the question of escorts pulled him back to the present. "Goosesong and Nettlesky will suffice." His responce came easily enough but he exhaled softly through his nose. Not one to beat around the bush, the medicine cat concluded.

"I would prefer it was you."

He sighed softly. "But...I'm aware you are more than preoccupied with everything else. You aren't some apprentice or humdrum warrior I can drag along..." His blue eyes flicked toward Coldstar, something lighter returning, though it didn't fully mask the underlying tension. "I do look forward to their non-conversation."

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I identify as a threat. My pronouns are Try/Me.

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Coldstar opened his mouth to provide his reasoning - to defend himself from Nettleplume's pouting. But the Medicine Cat came to the same conclusion that he had drawn, although his disappointment was palpable.

"Well-I-" He fumbled with his words for a moment, before closing his mouth and letting out a purr of amusement at himself. "I would also prefer to attend to my medicine cat's desires. Perhaps, if I invited Cinderwisp, we could catch two fish with one strike - or so to speak." 

Was this the most effective use of his time? No. But the Rouge targeted lone cats and seemed to have a special preference for Medicine Cats - whether it be accidental or purposeful was unknown. Cinderwisp and himself could discuss the apprenticeship plans while on the move. And Nettle would be adequately protected. Surely, a win-win scenario. 

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettleplume's ears flicked up at the stumble in Coldstar’s words, the faintest glint of amusement touching his otherwise composed expression. The cream tom witnessed the struggle through it until his new offer landed. More agreeably, he'd admit.

For a moment he said nothing as if mulling his own retort, and then his whiskers twitched. "That's what I like to hear. Solutions over excuses." His voice was a shade of pleasure, small as it was through the dry tenor. Nettleplume was unmistakably pleased.

He shifted closer without hesitation, closing what little space remained between them. His tongue rasped along the fur at Coldstar's scruff. "I won't argue with efficiency." Cinderwisp coming along was a fine comprimise and the she-cat herself was about as tolerable to the tom as they came.

Another pass of his tongue smoothed down the fur he'd already cleaned. "So yes." He leaned back to have a proper look over him, blue eyes narrowed but bright. "I'll accept yout revised judgement."