Ask to Join Comfrey for Comfort

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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 Taking another deep breath, he relished in the herbal scent. It wasn't everyday that he could make the whole camp smell so fragrant. Others may not share his own liking for the flavors that herbs provided, but they were a necessity and the scent was a bonus. It kept all but the most persistent buzzing insects away too. Herbs had many blessings, and some could still be unlocked through experimentation and diligence. Having the freedom to work on his own projects now made the wait worth it - and after discovering the green mush tucked away in poisoned prey bellies made him believe he had the potential for great things.

"Hello, Coldgaze." He said simply, a greeting rather deadpan on his voice, but not without interest as his blue eyes dropped towards the large deputy. He crossed one paw other the other, leaning against the smooth bark of the willow tree. he may have been tired, but it seemed Coldgaze had just returned from patrolling and seemed a bit out of sorts too. "It's been slow going, but good, in that regard. Why don't you come up here with me. Mind the comfrey." There seemed a bit more...authority in his voice, or rather Nettleplume didn't bother tiptoing around those older than him as he had done when he was a kit. Starclan had ordained him, much like Coldgaze, so in his eyes they were more equal now.

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettleplume eyes assessed the deputy as he heeded his invitation. Perhaps it was merely the nature of his studious behavior and his rather unsocial shamelessness when it came to staring down others. He did not have to apologize if he made others uncomfortable or have to worry about how others might take to him on territorial border patrols. He more or less operated solo unless it was with Willowfrost, but even she did less and less of the duties assigned to them and merely acted as a figure in which he could rely on for guidance.

"Comfrey is..." he could feel the ends of his pelt prickle with irritation, an unrationed, even protective reaction to Coldgaze inspecting the drying herbs. They were starting to become a bit brittle and Nettleplume held his breath as he sniffed at it. Exhaling slowly, his coat fell smooth again and briefly looked away. Sometimes trusting was harder than clawing bark off of new-leaf aspen.

He was a good medicine cat, for his age especially, but didn't correct or confirm the affirmation by the amused deputy. "Comfrey is a robust plant used for aiding healing when applied directly to wounds or broken bones. The roots, that is. The leaves are mainly used to relieve nausea or still coughs. Or help any digestive issue that could cause blood in stool or vomit." He offered the other tom a small smile, hoping the knowledge would be appreciated and that nothing of the sort happened to Coldgaze.

"It's a strong herb, and too much can waste away a cat if used for a continual amount of time." Nettleplume hoped that he wouldn't use all of the herbs in his posession, but it was better than to have and not to need than need and not to have.

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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 Nettleplume watched as Coldgaze carefully replaced the comfrey, his ears twitching slightly at the mention of the green mush. The deputy had drawn an apt comparison, though one Nettleplume wished he hadn’t made. The last thing he wanted was to dwell on the possibility of a different kind of danger at what exactly that green much could have been made out of and if it could be reproduced.

“Indeed, herbs can be as much a curse as a cure if used unwisely.” Nettleplume agreed, though his gaze drifted beyond the drying leaves, a distant look entering his pale blue eyes. “But you wanted to speak of my time at Moonstone, yes?” His tone was quiet, almost introspective, as if he were speaking more to himself than to Coldgaze. 

He shifted slightly, the smooth bark of the willow root providing a comforting texture beneath his paws. 

“The day before, settling in for a vision that would decide my purpose here...” Nettleplume hesitated, choosing his words with care. It was not every day that he divulged the sacred experiences granted to him by Starclan, especially not so soon after they occurred. But there was a connection between them now, both chosen by forces greater than themselves and he wanted to let the tom knew who he had seen.

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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 Nettleplume couldn’t help the faint flicker of a smile at Coldgaze's light-hearted remark, though his expression remained thoughtful. "Starclan help me." He had always appreciated the deputy’s earnestness, the way he seemed to carry the weight of StarClan's presence with reverence that few others did. It made sharing this moment feel a bit more sacred.

“Yes, beyond just that.” Nettleplume replied, his voice carrying a singular note of fondness for the other tom. He shifted his position, straightening slightly as if to better convey the gravity of his words. “I saw a starry multitude of cats. Duckfeather was with Whisperingdove - the medicine cat before Willowfrost.

The names hung in the air for a moment, the significance of them not lost on Nettleplume. He searched Coldgaze’s gaze, gauging his reaction, before continuing. “They were there, acknowledging me, and it felt as if StarClan themselves were approving of my path, of my place here. Duckfeather told me not to blame myself for her death.

Nettleplume’s pale blue eyes softened, and his voice grew quieter, more introspective. “All the green-death stricken cats were there. Splashpelt was there too, at peace... It’s a comfort, knowing that even though they’re gone, they still guide us. They’re still… here, in a way. I think that’s what StarClan wanted me to remember - no matter how heavy our burdens, we’re never truly alone.”

He let out a slow breath, the weight of the vision still settling within him.“So yes, Coldgaze, StarClan gave me a purpose. But more than that, they gave me the assurance that they are with us in every decision we make, in every path we choose.”He glanced back at Coldgaze, offering a small, genuine smile.“And perhaps, in the company we keep.”

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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 Nettleplume felt the gentle weight of Coldgaze leaning into him, sensing the complex emotions behind the gesture. He had always admired the deputy’s quiet strength and dedication to the clan, but seeing this vulnerable side was something new.

Hearing Coldgaze’s breath catch at the mention of Splashpelt didn’t go unnoticed, and Nettleplume allowed a brief pause, offering the tom space to process it all. He knew what it was like to carry the burden of loss, especially when it was tied to what felt like preventable mistakes.

When Coldgaze headbutted him in the side, Nettleplume blinked in surprise. The deputy’s words, though rushed, were filled with sincerity, and Nettleplume could feel the depth of Coldgaze’s care. He listened quietly, allowing the tom to speak without interruption. The admission of doubt, the creeping vulnerability, struck a chord within Nettleplume.

“You don’t need to be ordained by StarClan to have a purpose.” The newly named medicine cat fully turned towards the larger deputy. “You’ve already proven yourself more than capable as a deputy. StarClan’s guidance is important, yes, but it’s not the only thing that defines us.”

Nettleplume’s tail rested lightly against Coldgaze’s flank, a gesture of comfort. “Purpose doesn’t always come with clear answers. It’s found in the choices we make, the cats we care for, and the way we serve our clan. You’ve been doing that long before any sign from StarClan, Coldgaze.”

He offered the tom a knowing look, one that conveyed the weight of their shared experiences. Starclan doesn't just hand out destinies like herbs.

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬

Nettleplume felt a warmth spread through him as Coldgaze leaned in, the gentle grooming behind his ears a rare and intimate gesture. It was a moment of quiet connection, something deeper than the usual exchanges of duty and responsibility that defined their roles in the clan. For a heartbeat, the weight of their burdens seemed to lift, and the medicine cat resolved into silence.

As Coldgaze spoke, Nettleplume listened, the deputy's words resonating with a truth that settled deep within him. The world around them was full of uncertainties, but here, in this moment, there was clarity. He met Coldgaze’s gaze, his pale blue eyes momentarily softening with understanding - appreciation.

“Thank you, Coldgaze.” Voice low with a note of sincerity, the cream ticked tom continued. “We may not always have the answers, but we have our clan - and each other..”

He allowed a small, genuine smile to touch his lips, feeling the weight of their conversation slowly begin to fade. The scent of comfrey and the gentle rustling of leaves overhead seemed to carry away the lingering doubts and fears, leaving behind a sense of some semblance of peace.