camp One-X // Prompt

[Marigoldpaw]

If there is one thing Marigoldpaw has proved to be bad at, it’s working with others. If he didn’t have any precedent with them beforehand (such as Sunfreckle’s kids), he tends to come off as cold, and as such, others his age were likely to avoid him. It does bother him to some degree, but usually his depression turns to a sizzling anger. He just huffs and pretends like everything is okay to avoid hurting anyone else, or himself.

It should come to no surprise that, one day, he ends up doing all his tasks alone. He was supposed to pair up with a couple other apprentices to collect moss for the elder’s den, but they quickly lost interest, and he was left to his own devices. He had half a mind to yell at them about how mouse-brained they were acting, but he just grunted and kept his eyes on the task. At least he wouldn’t be the one getting in trouble.

As he drags a good amount of moss to camp, he has to stop and take a break for a brief moment. He doesn’t want to waste any time, but he’s only so strong yet. He takes a hard breath, before giving a low growl out of frustration. But this needed to be done, so he picked it up again, continuing to haul it along. Eventually, he runs into another cat, and his eyes narrow warily at them, wondering what they’ll say.

// OOC :

Spoiler: Prompt

- Marigoldpaw is one of the more diligent and dutiful apprentices of the clan and somehow has ended up shouldering all the work of the others who have left him behind for the day.

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[Flycatcher]

Flycatcher was sure when he had tasked some of the apprentices with gathering moss for the elder's den he hadn't anticipated two of them shirking their duties. He had already known Marigoldpaw had been left on his own when he found Molepaw and Curlypaw lounging in camp, lazily playing with a discarded moss ball. He had reprimanded them for abandoning Marigoldpaw and their shared duties and sent them off to do something else for the day, closely watched by their mentors.

With those two dealt with Flycatcher waited for the other apprentice to return, hoping to have a small word with him when he was free. At the very least he knew Marigoldpaw wouldn't have just dropped his duties so quickly in favour of relaxing. Marigoldpaw had proven to be a capable and efficient apprentice when it came to doing tasks he might have been assigned. Eventually, the young cat does return, hauling a good amount of moss with him. "Sorry for interrupting you, Marigoldpaw," Flycatcher was quick to apologise once he spotted the apprentice staring up at him warily. "I wanted to commend you on continuing with your duties when Molepaw and Curlypaw left you." The deputy paused before looking around, his green eyes scanning the freshkill pile momentarily. "Once you've finished with the moss you can go and help yourself to the biggest piece of prey you can find. I think you've earned it."​

 

[BURNSTORM]

When he had been an apprentice, Burnstorm had worked hard. Often, he did tasks he hadn't been asked to do. He felt if his paws were not constantly in motion, someone would come along and make a comment about his kittypet blood making him lazy, he felt as if he always had something to prove. Sometimes, he still felt that way but the feeling was made less by the fact that he was a lead warrior now. His hard work had payed off, and he had been recognized not for who his father was, but for his own merits.

Marigoldpaw reminds him of himself when he was younger, a hard worker, diligent in his duties even when the other apprentices that were meant to be helping him abandoned him. A good work ethic like that was something that ThunderClan needed more of, in his opinion. Leaf-bare was here and soon, every cat would need to be giving it their all if they were to make it through.

"What an honor" he says as he comes to stand next to his former mentor, dipping his head in greeting as he did "But one that is well deserved. Enjoy your meal Marigoldpaw" his words are genuine and he smiles at the younger cat encouragingly. Hard work should be rewarded and he is gad his mentor is ensuring it is. Surely, that would teach Curlypaw and Molepaw to shirk their duties.

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[Marigoldpaw]

Marigoldpaw’s expression immediately lightens as Flycatcher explains himself. He knows he has a bad habit of giving off the wrong first impression, so he tries his best to remain calm as he awaits what kind of judgement the deputy will give him. Thankfully, he is super understanding, realizing that the other two were the issue and not him. He really thought they’d lie or he would get reprimanded for not trying harder to get them back to work, but he’s instead praised.

It feels…amazing, but almost wrong, in a way. It’s hard for him to not immediately come to the conclusion that he’s the one at fault, though he’s clearly not in this situation. He tries his best to push that instinct down, and gives a shocked reaction when he’s told he can pick out the biggest piece of prey he can find in the pile to eat tonight for his hard work. “R-Really…?” Marigoldpaw stammers, flabbergasted. Was what he did really that exceptional?

It must be, if Burnstorm’s added compliments are anything to go by. He really was just doing what he thought was appropriate, but it feels nice to be seen nonetheless. Marigoldpaw’s smile warms up further. “Thank you both. I wanna be the best apprentice I can be, so don’t expect this to be a one time thing! Not that I want to be left with all the work, but you know what I mean.”​

 

[Flycatcher]

Marigoldpaw seems notably surprised at the reward. Burnstorm is also there, commending the young apprentice for his efforts. Flycatche finally smiles warmly when Marigoldpaw accepts the approval and the offer of the largest piece of prey. "An apprentice who actually enjoys their duties is certainly a surprise but not an unpleasant one," Flycatcher responded with a chuckle. "Keep up the hard work, Marigoldpaw. With leafbare certain to get worse from here, we will need all the help we can get if the clan is to endure. Just make sure not to over-exert yourself too." Flycatcher was no stranger to overworking himself on occasion. With how many responsibilities a deputy was supposed to uphold, it was a given he'd be overworked at times.​