Something Different [Flaming/Bright]

[Deleted]

Maplefrost stepped into the medicine den silently, tail-tip trailing on the ground. He thought he'd been doing well for a while. However, these days he could hardly even look at the empty nest in his den, or the nursery for that matter. It was too painful to think about. As much as he'd like to pretend otherwise... the half-blind calico was definitely not over the deaths of Shadefrost and Redstorm. On the contrary, he'd slowly slipped into depression.

Part of him wanted to ask Flamingthorn and Brightflame if there was anything they could do. Now that he was in their den, though, he couldn't actually work up the nerve to ask for help. Since turning around and walking out would seem weird, Maplefrost cleared his throat hesitantly and called out to the medicine cats.

"Hey, uh... my joints are hurting because of all the cold weather," he lamely half-lied.

[Brightflame]

There had been too many deaths the past month. Too many, and he knew most of them well! One had been his own son for that matter, the last semblance of family he had. However, it was his job to keep anyone else from dying if he could, and luckily so far there had been no major sickness in the clan. Hopefully it would stay this way, knock on wood and all that.

The voice in the den startled him out of his thoughts, and he jumped, hitting his head on one of the shelves. Ungh...coming, coming! He called, shaking off the pain and rushing into the main den where he saw... Maple...? He narrowed his eyes, sniffing the cat thoroughly, Are you SURE it's just joint pain from the cold? Can't take any chances with greencough. Your eyes are dull as well...

Bright tilted his head a bit but ran to fetch Maplefrost some poppy seeds, which he gave over. These will help the pain...you...seem like you came for more than just that, however. Do you need to talk? His tail came to rest gently on Maple's front paw, It's alright to feel upset and lonely, you should talk about it, though. Don't let your emotions overwhelm you.

[Deleted]

If the old cat was honest with himself, he would've preferred to see Flamingthorn. The younger medicine cat didn't tend to pry too much, and might've been oblivious to his real problem. But it seemed that luck was not on his side that day (when was it ever?). Then again, maybe things would be better this way...

"Um... yeah. I'm pretty sure." Brightflame was a lot sharper than he gave him credit for. The calico elder lapped up the tiny black seeds; he'd never been a fan of the taste of herbs, but these weren't as bad as most. At least they'd help the dull ache in his legs; that had been bothering him for a while.

Maplefrost sat down with a huff when the IceClan meddie spoke again. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do," he meowed after a hesitation. "Both of my parents are gone, my only brother's been missing for seasons, most of my kits don't even bother to visit me... Is it really worth it?"

It wasn't entirely true that his father was dead, but Maplefrost had always hated Hawktalon/Hawkstar. He would've much preferred if the RockClanner had died instead of his mother.

[Flamingthorn]

(so sorry for being this late)

Flamingthorn poked his head around the corner and dropped everything he had. Well all he had was what pathetic excuse of a marigold plant he had found and everything else was frozen or dead. He heard his friend beg and he felt his heart sink. The deaths had impacted him too. Why did so many die? How worthy were we, the cats of this world of this life? It was another reminder of how short this life was. Something he had not grown to appreciate. They left our world to pass over to our ancestors for a reason Maplefrost. Death may take our friends from us for noe, but later on we will reunite with them. That is the odd thing about death. With that note he had little more to say.

[Deleted]

The old cat stiffened when he noticed Flamingthorn. "CloudClan doesn't deserve to have them," he muttered darkly. "Don't you remember? Our ancestors once forced us to send our friends to fight to the death. And you still look up to them?" Maplefrost bared his teeth in a snarl, but his anger was hollow. He couldn't really work up the energy for much of anything right now. However, he knew one thing - when he died, he didn't want to join CloudClan. Maybe there were other spirit-groups out there that would accept him…

Brightflame & Flamingthorn

[Flamingthorn]

I imagine it's at least warm in Iceclan. Besides, I imagine they had their reasons and although things like that happened before I became a clan cat, they spread like wildfire in my neck of the woods. Why do I believe? In death, I gain immortality. That's why. The dead achieve knowledge that we can only dream of. He wanted to help his friend, but he didn't know how. He shot a smile and a soft purr, hoping that would at least ease the current situation.