Apples [p]

[Nettlepaw]

 Thornfrost @beast43

I limped into the den, shoulder starting to bleed heavily once more, I spit blood away from my lips as it dripped down from my eye that felt like it might have been swelling to the size of an apple.  I frowned as I plopped down, trying to look around to find a medicine cat.  "Hello?"

[Thornfrost]

He wasn't holding his breath in the hopes of a medicine cat actually being around. He was holding his breath however to staunch the pain of walking on a dislocated shoulder. In truth perhaps he was lucky that it was the same one he had injured with Ashmy so many moons ago, and not the other. Taking a seat beside Nettlepaw, he dipped his head to take a look at her face.

"How are you feeling?"

[Deleted]

KEEP YOUR WEAPONS AIMED here comes the chilling face

Thornfrost Nettlepaw -- --

My blue eyes widened when as Nettlepaw and Thornfrost both limped into Brightflame's den. With my heart in my throat, I rushed myself over to them, eyes wide with worry. Pushing my way through the den, I saw Thornfrost sitting next to my daughter. Her face...was swollen and bloody. I don't even think I could breathe anymore. Luckily, it didn't look as if...a certain creature had gotton to her. No matter, I still hustled to her, paws shaking. "Nettlepaw! A-are you alright? What happened?" I asked before I realized that I was too close. Right, Nettlepaw didn't even like me. I swallowed nervously and pulled away, distancing myself from her. I'm sure she didn't want me to even be miles near her. She probably wanted me to be far away. A small apology was mumbled to her. My gaze drifted to Thornfrost, slightly returning to normal than stay wide. Concern for my friend spilled over me as I saw how awkwardly he held himself. "Did you get hurt as well? Are you okay?" I asked him, worrying my lip. My eyes shifted from my daughter to my friend, practically cringing on the inside. They got wounded and I wasn't even there to help them. With a small sigh, I let loose the breath I didn't realize I was holding in, sitting back on my haunches.

_{embers of ct}

[Nettlepaw]

I grinned lightly at Thornfrost, his voice was always soothing to me. It made me happier in rough times.  I looked over to see Skyfire trotting up through my one good eye.  I huffed at him.  I wasn't unhappy that he cared enough to actually check what happened.  "You know, you're pretty bad at this father thing.  If you care, than at least try.  You shouldn't scoot away."  I turned to hide my face in Thornfrost's direction, riddled with embarrassment.  I cough a little, the taste of copper tinged blood touched my tongue.  I sighed and pressed myself closer to Thornfrost.  "I'm p-perfectly fine."

[Thornfrost]

Thornfrost was surprised when Skyfire hustled in, though not as much so when he began fretting like an overprotective nature. Where had he seen this before?

He was fine with the attention on Nettlepaw, she needed it, but of course Skyfire had to seek refuge in him instead. Waving his good paw, Thornfrost snorted. "Of course I'm not hurt, take care of your daughter stupid. She was incredibly brave." He snuck a sideways glance at Nettlepaw, noticing her slightly deject aura. She shuffled closer to him and while Thornfrost accepted her weight against his uninjured shoulder, he kept himself from wrapping his tail around her smaller form. It was Skyfire that needed to be comforting her, even if Nettlepaw or Skyfire couldn't admit it themselves.

Looking up at Skyfire he smiled slightly. "She fought off a hawk. Takes after her father in guts."

[Deleted]

KEEP YOUR WEAPONS AIMED here comes the chilling face

bleh blehh blehhh

I hated it when she shuffled to Thornfrost for support or comfort. Something in me dug itself up asmy eyes shifted between the two. Why did she automatically seek comfort from...Thornfrost? It hurt, like she just swiped her own claws across my face. And of course, it triggered something else. I tried not to show how much their seemingly close relationship bothered me; except for the fact that the hairs along my back and neck rose. Was it platonic, fatherly, or something else? Any of the options made me a bit sick; the fact that Nettlepaw insisted on reminding me that I was not cut out for this stuff made my stomach flip. Guts? Is that what they called it? Then, she inherited that from her mother. I was someone that they would call stupid. Stupidity wasn't what Nettlepaw had. Thornfrost made a statement about me taking care of her. How? How could I when she didn't even accept me, or seem to want my help and concern. I stared at the wall behind the two. "Seems like you're already doing a good job at that," I shifted my blue gaze to my friend. It had come out colder than intended. What'd I say? I'm a natural at this "stupidity" stuff.

_{embers of ct}

[Brightflame]

"Takes after her father in guts? More like rashness. As I recall we met after you got your 'wings clipped by a monster'?" Brightflame asked with an amused smirk, licking a paw. Yawning, Brightflame emerged from the herb cleft covered in leaves. A kit had torn through the den earlier that day and Brightflame had been reorganizing for hours. After seeing the young apprentice, however, his mood changed, and he hurried forward, thoroughly examining her. "Tell me what happened, in detail, leave nothing out. Would you like some water? You can't have a poppy seed until after. You may have to stay here for the night. Thornfrost, get some water, I'm sure you remember how." Brightflame spewed out quickly. His command to Thornfrost was a reference to his help with Falconwing many moons ago. There was also a newcomer in the den, or...no, just one he hadn't seen for a while, and he looked up at him briefly, "Could you help Thornfrost with the water? I need to wash off these cuts before I can treat them." He circled the apprentice thoughtfully, muttering herbs and combinations he might need and then shaking his head and restarting.

[Thornfrost]

Chuckling dryly at the memory, Thornfrost half-shrugged, taking care not to involve his injured shoulder. "I can't fault your memory, but Nettlepaw is Skyfire's, not mine, and Skyfire is most certainly gutsy and rash." Standing at the medicine cats beckon, though he half wished the uninjured Skyfire had been sent instead, Thornfrost limped over to the little den's water source, smiling down at it in fond memory. He could leave the retelling of events to Nettlepaw, he decided, and focused on soaking up some of the water with a collection of moss.

He raised his head as Brightflame spoke again, surprise crossing his gaze. "Brightflame, this is Skyfire, Falconwing's brother," he introduced. He had been certain that Brightflame would know Skyfire already, considering the past between Falcon and Bright. Limping back with the moss he placed it as Nettlepaw's feet.