Ask to Join Bones Between Them

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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Palestar spotted Quailfeather and the day's work showed on him. Her eyes paused on the thrush he was plucking and stopped nearby a fox length away. It would be good to interact a bit with her warriors, especially one with an apprentice.

"You've been productive today." Her voice seemed to carry the same even tone it always did. Her odd colored eyes blinked around the briar wall, having noticed Duskmante working diligently as well today checking for weak points. Everything seemed to be accounted for.

Palestar cleared her throat, realizing the pause. "How are you holding up, Quailfeather?" There was purpose behind her small talk. If one of her warriors was beginning to wear himself thin she intended to know before it became a problem.

If you believe you can, that’s enough to try.

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Quailfeather's ears immediately perked at the dull but sturdy hum of Palestar's voice and almost on instinct, gave a curt little dip of his head to her. "I haven't overdone myself... if you need anything from me." Quailfeather found a little bit of self depricating humor in it. So quick to serve, so quick to do whatever Palestar said. Only after he answered her did he realize how utterly silly it was. "It's... not that I thought you would, but... uhm, if you need something done, I'm a call away." He let free a soft, albeit a little nervous chuckle and a faint tilt of his head.

Palestar had always held her place above him, usually physically when meetings were called and gatherings were called, but figuratively too... she was a leader and he was a warrior bound to his duty by loyalty to her. A little... yes-cat like, is a thought that crossed him. 

With a dismissive shake of his head at his own words, he let out a sigh, Palestar had asked a question, it had almost flown over him when he spoke, but he heard it. "Sorry... I'm holding up well, thank you Palestar."

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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Palestar's ears twitched as the tom gave his answer...answers. Her expression was largely unchanged, but a single brow slowly rose at the quirk in his speech. The eagerness with which Quailfeather offered himself was hardly surprising... loyalty was a virtue but a warrior who unappreciated rest wasn't a useful warrior.

"That's good." She inhaled slowly and paused to switch her muzzle around to swipe her shoulder smooth. "Be sure to treat yourself well." Once her pelt was in an acceptable place again, she continued. "More importantly how has your mentoring been going? You've had enough time with Swamppaw now that you should have a fair measure of her strengths and shortcomings."

Palestar had trained two apprentices in near succession and enjoyed the peace and quiet where she could."I want to know what you've observed."

If you believe you can, that’s enough to try.

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Ah, so that's why she approached him. "Swamppaw's doing great! She's come out of her shell quite a bit despite Muddypaw's change in location. Her hunting and defense are impeccable so far." He purred, flicking his tail as he dug into the bird, he would offer for Palestar to partake, but surely there were more businesses to attend to, he couldn't possibly imagine what being leader was like. "We're working on her temper." 

He added it with a curl of his tail around himself and a perking of his ears. "There's a few things Eaglecry taught me about managing temperament, I might try to see if Swamppaw is perceptive to them next time we go out." The report wasn't exactly eloquent but it got the point across, hopefully that was all he needed. It wasn't about Palestar being proud of him or anything, there was enough cats for that. This was a report to his leader. Assuming she was checking the status of her warriors.

With a glance to the apprentices' den, Quailfeather smiled as Swamppaw's shape was in subtle view, she seemed to have simmered down a little from their lesson on duck-catching the other day. It wasn't a disaster, there were things to learn on both ends, but it... could have gone better. Quailfeather then turned his gaze toward Palestar and smiled warmly. "Swamppaw is progressing well. For her age and experience."

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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The report was simple but there was enough in it, just enough to matter. Palestar eyed his thrush, deciding against pestering him for a bite. "Impeccable seems a bit generous." She remarked bluntly. "But if you've seen enough to call her defense strong, I'll take note of it. Temprament, though...is worth watching."

She chuckled then, striped ear flicking. "I was not always particularly skilled at tempering mine either. Honeyglow had the unenviable task of teaching me that strength without restraint is merely another weakness."

She had been both determined and impatient and too willing to meet every challenge head on. Youth had a way to burn hot. She nodded to herself, finding her gaze shifting to the fresh kill pile. While her appetite demanded a large portion a mouse would satisfy... Clearing her throat, she hooked the mouse with a claw.

"Perhaps Swamppaw will need a similar lesson. You know her better than I do. But don't try to temper the fire out of her entirely... Teach her where to direct it. If Eaglecry gives you something useful to draw from you can use that too." She hoped that Quailfeather taught Swamppaw was she needed, not merely what just happened to work in the moment.

If you believe you can, that’s enough to try.

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"I will, Palestar." Quailfeather promised with a nod before taking a tender bite from his de-feathered thrush. Part of him also wondered if Emberdust thought he was doing well, sure she doesn't have as high expectations as Palestar. But there was reason to Palestar's expectations and she had clearly chosen him for a reason, he just wasn't sure what that reason was. He had visits to pay.

After swallowing the mouthful of bird Quailfeather spoke again. "She'll be a fine warrior yet." Quailfeather promised, giving the prey blood on his maw a quick clean before leaning in for another bite. It would have been nice to share his prey with someone, but Palestar's palette seemed to crave something a little less... avian. 

Quailfeather watched to see if Palestar would return to sit beside him after she grabbed her mouse. He didn't bet on it, but it would have been nice to have some company. But contrary to that, he always seems to seek her approval the more she hung around him, worried he would embarrass himself, he bit into his thrush again to drown out the invitation in prey.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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Palestar gave a small nod satisfied enough with the answer. "I'm sure she will." Provided he gave her reason to become one. She watched Quailfeather tuck into his meal, no immediate concern to press him with and she had other matters demanding consideration.

"I'll take this to my den." Her head turned toward the rocky rise. "There are a few things I need to think over before dusk." She was already thinking about the details that could become larger problems if neglected. A leader's work was rarely finished even in a peaceful camp.

She gave him one final look. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Quailfeather." With that, she turned toward her den, mouse secured between her jaws and thoughts already elsewhere.

[Pale Exit]