into the mist [open]

Okay, it was go time, time to move, time to react. She was going to tear her way right through those puddles and show them who’s boss, and then take on whatever prey decided to get in her way. Littlerain was pumped and ready. Lowered to the ground at the edges of the marsh, rear and tails high and her chest against the ground, the she-cat closed one eyes and focused ahead. Brightscar was off doing who knew what, and both Rosestar and Neritefang were probably doing leaderly things. So that left her focused forward, and on this road alone. She sucked in a deep breath and nodded. It was their loss.

There was one solid path she knew through the marsh, and that was her goal, to avoid as much water as possible. Mud was unavoidable and didn’t matter that much in the scheme of things. But getting across free of tripping into a puddle was an achievement. She was ready though. All she needed was a sign. For a few, long moments, she stood still as a rock, gaze ahead, and the silence of the mist pressing in against her. That was all the peace lasted though before she threw waiting to the wind, and launched herself forward, arching her back into a bouncing start before stretching out, and charging.

Long, quick strides threw her forward with speed, straight into the first dry patch of marsh, and she sped her way over without hesitation. Despite the mist and the heavy air, she didn’t slow down. Trees were visible enough, and as they appeared she dodged, focused more than anything on the ground below. Water was what she wanted to avoid. Of course it didn’t stop the mud from splashed up onto her long fur and tangling itself there. She paid it no mind and just moved faster. Land to land, bounce to bounce, she followed the track well and focused as her chest heaved and the crisp morning air settled in her lung.

It couldn’t last forever though, and eventually, on the edge of a dry path where only water remained, she skidded to a haul, splashing a wave of mud up free of the ground. Heaving in a breath, Littlerain huffed. Of course it had to end like that. Somewhere at the back of her mind, she was reminded she did need to breathe too, but the she-cat dismissed it, and stood to give her pelt a shake. But, maybe it was for the best, as within the mist, another scent reached her nose. Crowpaw. Ears pricking, the she-cat didn’t wait to catch her breath, just turned in the tom’s direction. Sure enough, the black-pelted cat was easy enough to spot in the gray air.

“You’re out early for a youngin’,” she chirped loudly toward the medicine cat apprentice, the mud giving her cream and blue pelt another shade to the mix and she padded over, still trying to gulp in breaths. “Is Sparrowpelt workin’ you hard or are you off on your own accord?”

She could remember when she was an apprentice, like it was only a moon back. All the early training sessions, pestering Brightscar out of his nest whenever possible. Sneaking out much earlier than normal and tugging the nearest cat along with her. Occasionally that was a younger Rosestar, sometimes Neritefang. Always a cat though to explore the darkened atmosphere of the marshes. Much of that urge had never left really, but these days she was just as content to race along on her own, as she was beside Brightscar or one of her old friends. Yet, how often did she see any other cat do it these days?

Crowpaw seemed to consider her question for a long moment, and Littlerain immediately found her paws itching to move. So, she took to circling him, each step a bounce forward, and amber eyes not moving from her small black form. “A bit of both. I’m looking for horsetail.” She paused in her movements to tilt her head at the tom, eyes blinking. Horsetail? Which one was that? Was it the small- “It’s a tall green herb, with sort of feathery leaves, and not much of a scent. I’m sure it’s around here somewhere.” Oh. Right. Littlerain gave a nod of her head, and immediately started her trotting again, however this time turning her gaze to the wider audience.

“If you’re busy, I’ll leave you to it.” Please, when was she ever too busy for an apprentice? Especially one that seemed a little lost out there looking for his green feathery thing. “Nah, nah, I was just stirring up the mud to mess up everyone else’s day. I’ll help you find your Horse thingy.” The tortoiseshell she-cat gave a dramatic lash of her tail, long fur puffing up against the morning air. “Horsetail, even. Sounds more like a cat than a herb. Who even named these things?” Padding forward, her gaze scanned the undergrowth, ears pricked up straight. “Don’t answer that, I mean, unless you’ve got an answer for me. I’m not here to quiz you on your history though.”

Lowering her head, Littlerain squeezed one eye shut, and studied the plants low to the ground, peering around the mist as much as possible. Who sent their apprentice out in this weather to find herbs? What if he’d gone and got himself hurt in all the fog? Apprentices were too young and precious for such things. They needed to be handled with care in that regard. Maybe that was just the mother in her talking though. She was half-way through looping Crowpaw again, when something caught her eye. Green, feathery. Not the usual sort of plant. Was that it? “What about that one? It’s got a bit of a scent on it though.”