Herbs And Claws[C]

Herbs were becoming rather scarce as cats began to grow sick and frail from lack of food, her main concern still being the new batch of kits. Sloshing alongside the increasing amount of muddy puddles, Heatherberry held her precious herbs carefully between her teeth. If any of these leaves were to get wet after being plucked, they were begin to rot. Her attention was focused fully on the ground below her, careful not to step too rashly in case a puddle was deeper than it looked; a memory of her first time in ShadowClan territory as a kit flashed through her head, sending a shiver down her spine.

It didn't take long at all for the concertation to break, a secondary set of footprints forming in front of her, dark red mixing in with the mud and pine. Her eyes followed them to a ginger-furred tom up ahead, seemingly unbothered by the trail of blood he was leaving behind. This cat held a slight ThunderClan scent, though she couldn't recall ever seeing a cat like this at the last gathering. Not that ThunderClan wasn't known for their ginger pelts. Against her better judgment, she called out to him. "Excuse me! Do you need help? Are you lost?"

"Maybe?" The medicine cat looked mildly annoyed by that answer; it was a simple yes or no question, but rogues certainly liked to play their little games, didn't they? Green eyes scanned the tom carefully. his flinch after trying to lick his wounded side not escaping her. It was naive of her to think this way, but perhaps he was here because he couldn't leave? "...Come here. Let me have a good look at you." Her voice was soft, yet stern. The tone of a well-practiced medicine cat who dealt with all walks of life. Either he would deny her, or he would listen. She wouldn't make him. "I have herbs to spare, but not many."

It was amusing to watch the rogue go through so many emotions, only to finally reach one that was filled with curiosity. She laughed silently, though her guard was still up; you never know what sort of strangers wander the forest even when they shouldn't. Making sure the chewed alder bark she had gathered was on spread nice and evenly and finishing with some cobwebs, she finally answered him. "Alder bark. Sometimes used for toothache, but more commonly used to prevent infection in wounds. Leave the cobwebs on there for a few days or let them fall off on their own. They'll help keep everything in place."

Giving a once-over to make sure that was the most serious of wounds taken care of, she backed away. "Now how did these wounds come to be, hm? Don't worry; I'm no snitch. Just want to make sure it's nothing on ShadowClan territory." Oh, she should probably share her name, shouldn't she? There was no harm in sharing ones name. It wasn't like anyone would ever take it to use as their own, right? "My name is Heatherberry, by the way."

Ooc: mobile >:/

Ajex nodded, shifting his paws to allow the medicine cat to apply the medicine more easily. "Alder bark, huh?" He muttered, repeating the new information to himself. He supposed knowing how to heal infected wounds were nice, though he doubted he'd have time to gather some leaves now that Leafbare was coming.

"Oh, I had a brilliant fight with a ThunderClan warrior. These wounds are the results of a new lesson and a mark of my hard work!" The tom proudly declared, head held high despite the many wounds that littered his body. It was almost as if he truly believed that a fight with another cat was the greatest encounter one could have with a stranger.

The tabby paused as the she-cat introduced herself. Heatherberry was, from his knowledge of the Clans, a beautiful name. He personally agreed with whoever was the cat that decided such a name fitted the medicine cat, but he didn't say it out loud. "And my name's Ajex," he returned, his smile growing wider.

Heatherberry winced at that declaration, a twinge of panic making her heart skip a beat. If anyone found out she had just healed a rouge who laid claws on neighboring clan cat, she would be in a world of trouble. Hopefully this would stay between her and StarClan, but perhaps that was too much to hope for. "Is th-that so...? Well, I'm glad you learned a lesson from it, at least." She could feel her fur dampen slightly from the sweat of knowing something she didn't need - or want - to know. Ignorance truly was bliss in moments like this. Unfortunately for her, Ajex shared his adventures. "Maybe don't do that for a while? At least to let your wounds heal. And don't tell me anything further, alright? You're going to get me in some serious trouble, Ajex." She shook her fluffy black pelt out in an attempt to shake off the anxiety. "Is there anything else that hurts? If not, it may be wise to leave before a patrol finds you."

Heatherberry blinked. He wanted to... What now? "Ajex, I just told you..." The ShadowClan molly hadn't fought since the Rat Swarm, and before that had never met claws with anything bigger than a mouse or bird since she was a warrior. Besides, she had JUST told the tom that he shouldn't be fighting until his wounds had healed! Had he even been listening to her? His tone was serious, though. "If you absolutely promise to not utter a word of my using herbs on you instead of my own clanmates, then I guess... I can spare some time for a spar." Her own tone was more wary. She was battle trained, but there was a reason she was a medicine cat and not a warrior now. StarClan had thought her of better use picking berries instead of drawing blood.

"Then prepare yourself..." It was very unlikely she would triumph, but she would humor him anyway.

Heatherberry used Jumping Strike on Ajex, dealing (8+3) 11 damage and using 7 SP.

Heatherberry:
50/50 HP
113/120 SP (-7)

Ajex:
49/60 HP (-11)
130/130 SP

The member 'Copperbeanz' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 3

She could already feel that her opponent was so much stronger than she would ever be, but it was hard not to try and put in her all when the young tom seemd so excited to spar. Much as she disliked the idea of his wounds reopening after she had already used herbs not meant for an outsider. The guilt would still cling to her, but that would be saved for another time. Using her back feet to kick at his underbelly, the ShadowClan medicine cat flung the tom off of her. Getting to her paws, she braced for yet another blow.

Heatherberry successfully used Duck and Twist, dealing 7 damage and using 5 SP.

Heatherberry: no longer pinned
42/50 HP
108/120 SP (-5)

Ajex:
42/60 HP (7)
115/130 SP

The member 'Flybot' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 5