Open to Join Time for Chores

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

The cream tabby tom didn't seem to take his chores as seriously as Heatherpaw did, and it showed in the way he tossed the moss carelessly into Sunbear's nest, although he did pat it down softly. He had respect for the elders of course, he just thought that this was the fastest way to get the nests finished instead of meticulously placing the moss in each place like Heatherpaw was doing.

And thus, he was 'finished' a lot quicker than her, and yet he still waited instead of moving off to do whatever else he was tasked to do, he had already given some prey to Aspenberry and her litter in the nursery, so he didn't have much more to do than to watch Heatherpaw rebuild the nests like they were the most important thing in the whole camp. 

The young tom's ears perked as she asked what they would do nest as she finally finished the deeply boring chore of swapping out the moss in the nests. "Something something... dispose of the old moss... something something... check on elders?" He tilted his head, twitching the tip of his tail as he focused his eyes on his uniquely patterned friend "Something like that?" he asked, glancing over to the elders, in which a dark reddish toned elder, Sunbear, huffed and decided to head on her usual walk, StarClan knows why she's fine going out with a killer out and about.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw’s tail gave a faint flick, somewhere between amusement and disapproval as she watched Berrypaw’s artful method of moss placement. She couldn’t help a little sigh just that blend of fond exasperation reserved for new apprentices.

"Mm, something like that." She replied, gathering up the old moss and bundling it to the side. "Except you forgot the best part."

She paused just long enough for dramatic effect. "Mouse bile."

Heatherpaw straightened with a little grin, swishing her tail like she was psyching them both up for battle. "We're checking the elders for ticks today. Means we get the honor of using that lovely, sour stuff." She wrinkled her nose at the thought, but the teasing light in her eyes didn’t fade. "If you’re quick, you won’t even smell it after the first few breaths! Or maybe that’s just because your nose goes numb."

With a soft laugh, she nosed the bundle of old moss aside and gestured toward the small bile-soaked leaf already waiting near the den entrance. It was a good thing she got it beforepaw. "Come on, Berrypaw. Elders can’t exactly pick their own ticks. Now...who to check first?"

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

"BLEH!" Berrypaw hissed, stretching his tongue out in disgust at even the thought of the nasty smell and even nastier taste "No way!" He protested, fur prickling but not by much he had smelled mouse bile before and intended on avoiding it by any means "I'll use my teeth and bite the ticks off one by one!" He proclaimed, a little bolder now "Now rancid bile needed!" he cheered.

Berrykit looked around the elder's den, his eyes narrowing... who did he get along best with that wouldn't mind him nipping at their fur...

The cream tom shrugged then turn his pale gaze towards Heatherpaw "You can choose who you're gonna poison ticks on, I'll stay away from the vile stuff!" He meowed, more enthusiasm than defiance this time, but his voice still held the determination of someone older and bolder than he should be.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw let out a snort, trying and failing to stifle a laugh at Berrypaw’s dramatic display. "You’ll be tasting tick guts for moons. Trust me, mouse bile’s bad, but that’s worse."

She reached out with one paw and flicked his shoulder lightly, her expression softening into something more encouraging. "Besides, you can’t be afraid of a little bile, Berrypaw. Every apprentice has to go through it - it’s practically a rite of passage!"

Her tail swayed as she eyed the den, weighing her options. "Tell you what. You watch how I do the first one. Then you can give it a try after."

With that, she padded toward the den entrance, ducking her head respectfully before calling softly. "Barleyswipe!" Before spotting the apricot she-cat stretched out in her nest. She shot Berrypaw a quick sideways look. "We're here to help check for ticks." She began the process of meticulously using her tongue to lap aside the various corners of her bony dame.

Then, picking up a piece of moss, Heatherpaw dipped it delicately into the leaf of bile and scrunched her nose at the sharp scent as she spotted a tick. The little bloodsucker never stood a chance. A moment and it dislodged where she quickly disposed of it.

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

Berrypaw pondered for a moment flicking his tail. He was to proud to actually give up on his claim, at least now, so he’d have to think of something better that didn’t involve any gross stuff, and then, the idea came like prey just jumping into his jaws. "I can check for them and you can use the bile!" He announced, trotting in beside Heatherpaw. "Sound good? Good!" He cheered playfully before the tortie had any chance to reply. 

"Hi Barleyswipe!" Berrypaw greeted as he begun sifting through the old she-cat’s fur in search of the tiny blood sucking insects. 

He sniffed around for a short while before finding somethin, a small dark bug clinging Barleyswipe’s flesh. "Found a tick! Or… maybe it’s a flea… I’ve not done this before." He called out, voice trailing off as he admitted he hadn’t really had to do elder duty before. "Heatherpaw can you come over and check?"

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw’s whiskers twitched with amusement and she only managed a dry "How generous of you." before the younger apprentice was already digging through Barleyswipe’s fur.

Barleyswipe herself gave a low, rumbling sound that was somewhere between a purr and a grumble. "Hmph. Better not be a flea." She muttered, shifting her weight with a faint huff. "If I’ve got fleas, I’m blaming your paws for bringing them in here, Berrypaw." Her tone was light, but her narrow green eyes cracked open just enough to peer over her shoulder at them both.

Heatherpaw ducked her head to hide a small laugh, padding over to inspect. "Don’t worry, Barleyswipe no fleas today. Just a small tick." She assured gently, leaning closer to examine the spot.

With practiced care she dipped the moss into the mouse bile again, wrinkling her nose as the sharp scent hit her then dabbed the spot where the tick clung. A few heartbeats later it loosened its hold and she disposed of it.

"There." Heatherpaw said with quiet satisfaction, giving the spot a light grooming lick to soothe the elders skin. "Nothing to worry about."

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

"If I've got fleas that means everyone in the apprentice den has 'em. Can't just blame me." Berrypaw spat back in an equally light tone, giving Heatherpaw a light flick with his creamy-brown tail. "Wouldn't that be something, a whole den of flea-bitten apprentices! We'd drive our mentor's up the camp wall!" he joked with the fellow apprentice, puffing out his chest in pride of his own humor.

Berrypaw shuffled away when Heatherpaw grabbed the bile soaked moss, wrinkling his snout and poking his tongue out in somewhat mock disgust. "Yuck! Heatherpaw, you've got the bile stench!" he exclaimed, but the laughter beneath his claim wasn't very good at being hidden. "Now you've gotta... uh. Whatcha do when you smell like bile?"

The young tom's question came genuine and curious now, though part of him hoped that Heatherpaw would continue the little game he was playing, twitching his tail in anticipation for what Heatherpaw would say or... do.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherpaw froze mid motion, her ears flicking back at Berrypaw’s words. The laughter that had been bubbling in her chest faltered, replaced by a faint uncertain frown.

"Oh…" She murmured, glancing down at her paws. It didn't seem like much had gotten on her, but Berrypaw made it seem like it was a lot. She gave one paw a small flick, then wrinkled her nose. "Maybe just a little..." Her voice came out quieter, stripped of the playful tone she’d carried before.

Barleyswipe’s amused rumble filled the silence, but Heatherpaw didn’t meet her eyes. She gave a small, self conscious shuffle tucking her tail closer. "It's just part of our tasks. I'll probably wash it off somewhere..." she said, trying for a weak laugh that didn’t quite land. Barleyswipe's tail landed on her shoulder and her eyes confirmed it.

She dipped her head focusing instead on picking up the moss to avoid looking at Berrypaw. "Anyway at least the tick is gone. That’s what matters." There was only a faint wilt of embarrassment that lingered as she started cleaning up the work area, shoulders a bit tenser than before.

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

By the time the words left and Heatherpaw lowered her head, Berrypaw felt guilt swell in his chest and immediately flattened his head, moving closer to Heatherpaw swiftly. "No no no no no! I didn't mean it like that!" Berrypaw winced "Beewhisker and I joke like that all the time! I didn't think! I'm sorry Heatherpaw!" his apology was loud, desperate but true, his furrowed brows wrinkling his face slightly.

"See! I'll prove you don't smell bad! You smell amazing see!" He exclaimed before nuzzling against Heatherpaw's slurred shoulder, taking in her scent. He had certainly exagerated, she smelt like her namesake, fresh, sweet heather. Before he could realize, Berrypaw's posture softened and a purr rumbled in his throat. "See?" His voice was softer this time, vibrating with the purr. "You smell good! Amazing even!"

There was a moment of stillness, a moment that made Berrypaw think that Heatherpaw was ignoring him. So he glanced up at her, brows still furrowed with guilt but softer now "It's the bile that smells like fox-dung, not you."