Open to Join Cold As Ice, Yet Warm As The Sun

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw slipped back into camp, her steps slower than usual as the weight of the mole in her jaws felt heavier than it should. She caught sight of Lilyriver near the elders’ den, her sleek white fur glowing in the afternoon light. The elder fur was as pale as fresh snowfall. Cottonbright was more approachable though. Merrypaw hesitated for a moment, her paws freezing as a small knot of uncertainty tightened in her chest.

Was the mole enough? Would she be fickle and want something almost impossible to obtain - like a river fish? The elder’s gaze, sharp and unyielding, seemed to see everything, and Merrypaw swallowed down a flicker of doubt before slowly padding toward her.

She approached with quiet steps and stopped herself a couple of tail-lengths away. Setting the soft, skinny mole down, she mewed. “Hello, Lilyriver. Would you want this mole I just caught?” Merrypaw said softly, her voice dipping into a respectful murmur. She flicked her gaze to the mole and then back up to the elder’s half-blind eye, unsure if she should meet it or look away.

Merrypaw couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being measured somehow.“If you don’t want it, that’s fine too."Otterwhisker or Ebonyflare could desire the fresh kill as well, but Lilyriver was the first elder she saw and didn't want to pick favorites.

I am shaped by the trials I refuse to surrender to.

✧✦✧༄༅:･ﾟ🕊️･ﾟ:༅༅༄✧✦✧

Lilyriver’s sharp gaze swept over Merrypaw as the apprentice approached, her half-blind eye narrowing slightly in thought. The mole at her paws wasn’t exactly the most impressive catch, but the effort wasn’t lost on her at least it was there, and she could appreciate that. Her sleek white fur rippled as she shifted, settling more comfortably where she sat, her posture as commanding as ever.

For a moment, she said nothing, merely observing Merrypaw’s hesitation, the uncertainty practically radiating off her. She let the silence stretch on, watching as the young cat fidgeted nervously. It amused her, how easily some of the newer generation could be unnerved by a sharp gaze and a sharper tongue.

Lilyriver finally leaned down, sniffing the mole before sitting back up, her expression unreadable. She wasn’t in the mood to be difficult today, and prey was prey, no matter how small. After a brief pause, she glanced back at Merrypaw, one brow raising slightly.

"Don’t look so worried" she said dryly, her tone laced with amusement. A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth as she added, "The only thing in this clan I bite is prey."

She gave a small nod toward the mole, signalling her acceptance, though she wasn’t about to lavish the apprentice with praise. Merrypaw would have to work for that, just like any other cat in the clan.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

When Lilyriver finally leaned down to sniff the mole, Merrypaw held her breath, waiting for some kind of reaction. It felt like an eternity before the elder sat back up, her posture as stiff as ever, but with a hint of amusement flickering behind her sharp gaze. Merrypaw’s eyes widened slightly at the smirk that tugged at Lilyriver’s mouth.

Merrypaw blinked, a flush of warmth rising to her cheeks as her tension ebbed just slightly. Lilyriver’s words, though laced with amusement, were enough to ease the apprehension swirling in her chest. The apprentice flicked her tail, offering a sheepish smile as she dipped her head in acknowledgement.

"Thanks-!" The she-cat exhaled through her nose, her gaze flicking back to the mole, relief flooding through her when Lilyriver gave a small nod of acceptance. Even though there was no praise, the fact that Lilyriver had taken the mole at all felt like a small victory. She couldn’t help but glance back at the elder, her smile lingering as she mewed. "Even if you did bite a cat in this clan - your secret would be safe with me. After all, you probably don't bite without a good reason." Same rules for keeping your claws sheathed too.

I am shaped by the trials I refuse to surrender to.

✧✦✧༄༅:･ﾟ🕊️･ﾟ:༅༅༄✧✦✧

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw perked up at Lilyriver’s rare glint of approval. She was surprised that her little act of bravery had been noticed - maybe even appreciated. Merrypaw let out a soft purr, her gaze brightening. “Well, I’d be too embarrassed to bring something as lousy as a stick.”

When Ebonyflare approached, Merrypaw straightened, dipping her head in greeting. His presence was quieter, more reserved, but the ripple of his ruddy black pelt and his steady amber gaze commanded a respect of its own. She was aware of his cough but sensed he’d prefer it not be mentioned. Instead, she met his blank expression with a small respectful nod. "Hello, Ebonyflare!"

Lilyriver’s tail flick invited her to sit, and Merrypaw didn’t hesitate this time. Padding over to settle beside the elder, she could feel her heart thumping with a mix of pride and excitement. She hadn’t expected this kind of acceptance so soon. “A little bit of cold won't get to me. Its more sad that the river freezes over.”

"I hope Otterwhisker has been settling well in the Elder's Den since moving from the nursery. She's probably a bit relieved, honestly, after trying to wrangle us all like a school of flopping bluegill for six moons..."

I am shaped by the trials I refuse to surrender to.

✧✦✧༄༅:･ﾟ🕊️･ﾟ:༅༅༄✧✦✧

Lilyriver used her one good eye to watch Merrypaw's enthusiasm with a slight nod, a rare and approving glint in her eye. She might have admitted it outright, but see the young apprentice's spirit and determination did strike a chord on her. Her memory wondered to when she had been an apprentice, she had trained hard, harder than she probably should have, but she didn't give herself a reason to slow down... always on the move Lilypaw was.

"No cat is accusing you of being as soft as newleaf moss, Merrypaw" she said with a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth, her voice carrying an edge of playfulness to it. "The river may freeze but you don't have to. Keep showing them what you're made of." she cooed, having recieved those exact words from her old mentor... perhaps she was thinking back further than she thought.

When Ebonyflare chimed in, Lilyriver glanced his way, a flicker of silent understanding passing between them. In truth, she agreed with him more than she'd let on. "You're not wrong Ebonyflare" she replied, her tone softening as she carefully chose her words.

"Cats theses days need to remember there's more to loyalty than just showing up. Actions are what speak for themselves. And not to put offence on your family Ebonyflare, but Bloomfire could use a few good lessons on manners"

A warm smile crossed her face as Ebonyflare praised Merrypaw's mother. Lilyriver had noticed that Otterwhisker had missed her brood as well, it made Lilyriver wonder what it would be like to have a litter of her own to build into the cats of tomorrow. "Otterwhisker did her duty with pride. It's a shame some cats don't appreciate the trials that brought them here" she added, a faint hint of nostalgia in her voice.

She leaned closer to Merrypaw, her tone steady but encouraging. "If you carry on like this, you'll do more than make her proud. You'll be a cat that others look up to, one day at least" she meowed, her voice a whisper, but it was certain, that's what counted.

Her eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and empathy, one of the few moments where her sharp demeanor softened. "Keep doing what you’re doing, Merrypaw. We could use more cats like you."

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw’s heart swelled as she listened to the elders, her gaze flicking between Ebonyflare and Lilyriver. Their words were like warmth against the leaf-bare chill, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter. Ebonyflare’s blunt praise, though brief had hit its mark, and hearing Lilyriver’s encouragement meant even more than she could have imagined.

It was all a bit much at once. Praise wasn't just so easily given - which had to mean that Merrypaw was actually worthy of such praise?

A little shyness crept into her voice as she sat down on her haunches. “Thank you, both of you... I’ll keep trying to make you and Otterwhisker proud.” Her eyes sparkled with determination as she glanced at Ebonyflare, as she added. “It isn't easy with so many siblings to stand out, but then, isn't all of RiverClan my family? I'll do my best to make sure everyone keeps up. Even Bloomfire.”

Settling herself comfortably beside them, Merrypaw felt a rare, quiet pride blooming in her chest. "Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything - or if it's something I can't provide, I'm sure I can bother Coldgaze."

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw’s whiskers twitched with a hint of exasperation as Ebonyflare spoke of Bloomfire. If she cared about RiverClan, she certainly had a strange way of showing it. Bloomfire's sharpness sometimes felt more like spite than genuine concern for the Clan. Still, Merrypaw wasn’t about to argue with Ebonyflare on the matter; there was wisdom in what he said, even if it didn’t quite match her own views.

Ebonyflare's words about standing out also struck a chord. She lowered her gaze thoughtfully, processing his advice. Just do your job, huh? It seemed simple enough in theory, though she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that just 'doing her job' would never be enough to truly serve her Clan.

“I’m not after the spotlight... I just want to be the kind of warrior RiverClan can rely on.” She lifted her chin, determination flashing in her teal gaze as she continued. “If it means learning from everyone here, then I’ll gladly take whatever advice or guidance you and Lilyriver have to offer." Humming under her breath, her ears flicked momentarily against her skull at the thought of Bloomfire again, not wanting to be under her ire. It wasn't like she could just avoid her either...