camp warrior of the mind ♜ return

[Rookfeather]

Today is the day, unburdened of his shackles and free to once again step paw out into the marshlands he had been itching to rejoin. Rookpaw had not been a difficult patient for the Medicine Cat, quiet and cheerful and doing as bid his entire stay without much protest but there was no denying the longing look in each orange eye as his gaze strayed more and more to the mouth of the den with each passing day. The black smoke sighed, stifling it with a paw over his maw at times to smother the fog of breath that made each exhalation a public affair, his claws ached to sink into prey and conquer a new opponent but he had bit back his desires for the betterment of himself. It wouldn't do to make his injuries worse given he had already been run through claws and tooth so much so that it put him out this long. The rogues who had wandered onto their territory had been delivered a very poignant message that day, delivered to them rightfully by his own actions and though they had taken their payment in blood and flesh for safe passage it had not been his more frail and quiet clanmate over himself. He was glad really, Lilacpaw was safe and he had done his sworn duty to protect ShadowClan. The only downside was the entire stint in the herb scented den that made his nose tickle daily. It was a wonder he didn't spend his days sneezing.

Rookpaw stepped outside the den, torn ear flicked as he adjusted to the new sounds so vibrant now that he was free to move through the territory once more. His steps were briefly uncertain before he developed his stride, adjusting to no longer having a tail to help keep his balance; but it had been a worthwhile sacrifice. Rather a tail than a clanmate or their precious food. The black smoke smiled as his gaze darted around, chest puffed out to show off his new scar and attitude no different than when he had been put into the den in the first place; bold and confident. If anything the entire ordeal had bolstered his own beliefs more aggressively, that he didn't die was a sign StarClan was still here watching over them even if it seemed otherwise. Turning to the first cat he saw he offered a chipper greeting, "Morning! Is there a hunting patrol going out soon?" He needed to get back in action or he was going to burst at the seams.


[Ooc: Rookpaw is returning to his apprentice duties after being stuck in the medicine cat den for several months due to the severity of his injuries!]
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[ROOSTERSTRUT]

Roosterstrut couldn't say that he had ever stayed for an extended period of time in the medicine quarters. The worst he's ever suffered was the occasional cut or twisted ankle from playing too rough as a youth. He couldn't imagine flinging himself into the eyes of death at such a tender age; he had been too scarred by his father's death, too timid to leap into danger. Rookpaw, on the other hand, had put his duty toward his clan first and foremost and had cost multiple moons off of his training for the sake of a clanmate. Now that was admirable.

Truth be told, the orange tabby had largely forgotten about the injured youth until he made his presence known, inquiring about the morning's hunting patrol. Olive green hues brighten with delight, noticing how eager Rookpaw looks to start the day. The rogue attack had been a scary situation and thank the stars that he turned out to be alright. "Hey, Rookpaw! Nice to see you out and about." Roosterstrut purred with a flick of his tail. "There should be one heading out soon. Excited to finally be out of the medicine den?" It must have been stuffy in there, nostrils overwhelmed with the scent of herbal remedies and flowers. He's sure that the apprentice couldn't wait to sink his teeth into a fresh kill.​

— * ✰. ooc information recent events * ✰. —

• 
  
• 
  ✰ ROOSTERSTRUT
  —— amab, uses he/him pronouns. seventeen moons old. warrior of shadowclan.
  —— laid-back young adult who utilizes humor and fun in order to distract from serious matters. he is a decent warrior, though he hesitates to take risks.
  —— link to tags. @ on discord for plots.
  
  roosterstrut is a vibrant orange tabby tom with pale green eyes. he stands at a height ever so slightly above the average. his fur is long and whispy and his tail is especially reminiscent of a rooster's. he sports a signature, goofy smirk and a mischievous glint in his eye.
• 
  —— led a failed hunting patrol on thunderclan territory, resulting in a skirmish

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[Starlingheart]

Starlingheart worried and fretted over her clanmates, particularly the injured ones, like an overly concerned mother. Before leaving the medicine cats den Rookpaw had been thoroughly looked over, his healed injuries checked and rechecked until she was satisfied he was ready, but still she worries. Her brother's own wounds flash in her mind, her failure haunting her nightmares. If not for Granitepaw, who was now a permanent fixture in her den, she would have been up at all hours of the night. She still found she woke up randomly, gasping from nightmares she can only vaguely remember in the morning, but seeing his pale form snoozing away in his own nest gave her peace enough to lull herself back to sleep.

She walks up to her former patient, leaning forward to give his pelt a quick sniff. His wounds had not gotten infected but still she can't help but show concern. Satisfied when she finds nothing she pulls away "O-open your wounds and I-I'll s-s-siiick I'll sick Granite-Granitep-paaww on you" she says, her voice light and playful, accentuated by a small laugh, but the look in her bright green eyes indicates that she's serious

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[Tornadopaw]

If you don't like me, that's your problem

Tornadopaw comes to stand somewhat near the group, pace slowing as her gaze fell upon Rookpaw. "Back to your duties so soon, huh?" The laperm questions rhetorically in her usual gruff tone. She couldn't blame him. Starlingheart was beautiful company, but staying confined in one place for so long would drive her crazy. Her attention trails toward Rooster, nodding her head to indicate that she'd wish to tag along too. "Hopefully we'll come across some prey while we're out." It was a halfhearted wish, there seemed to be nothing frequenting the swamps most days. Although she did not voice her concern aloud, Tornadopaw wondered how well he would fair with the majority of his tail missing.​

When I let it bother me, that's my problem​

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[CHILLEDSTAR.]

DON'T YOU GIVE ME UP, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP​

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too excited. rookpaw was way too excited to be back to his duties ( though they needed all the able paws they could get ) even though it would inevitably be a disappointment. it was very unlikely they'd catch anything and they'd go hungry as they had been. their ears flicked back as they stood from where they laid, stretching out with a yawn, lazily smacking their tongue against the roof of their mouth a few times. they rubbed their muzzle before walking over, twitching their tail tip behind them.

"you are more than welcome to join the next patrol."

they wouldn't burst his bubble. maybe that attitude was what they needed to catch something.
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[Rookfeather]

Roosterstrut greets him and he is cheered by the older tom's good attitude and welcoming, his stub of a tail flicking behind him like a rabbit flashing a warning signal, "Very excited! I'm looking forward to being able to move again!"
But no sooner did he breath the words did Starlingheart approach and offer a warning, chiding him to keep his head and not go further injuring himself. The following threat was met with perhaps a little too loud of a gasp in horror.
"Oh-no, please...have mercy on me. Not Granitepaw!" Rookpaw had no real opinion on his fellow apprentice other than the acknowledgement that Granitepaw was a little on the prickly side. Alright, a LOT on the prickly side-it seemed he only really had much affection if at all for Starlingheart herself and the smoke tom couldn't blame him. She was a lovely cat, friendly and caring and very pretty; who wouldn't be prepared to fight at a moment's notice for their medicine cat?
Tornadopaw's question brings a smile to his maw, pale whiskers twitching as he resists the urge to pretend to limp around as if wanting to return to the healer's den. Charming company or no, he was not going to be burdened by mortality a second time anytime soon.
"Rejoice gladly, for I am returned to continue serving my clan!" His bravado pitched, a forced baritone to emphasize his eagerness even if it was a touch overexagerrated. The other apprentice's almost despondent remark of hoping for prey makes him realize how downhearted his clan had become in his absence. "Hope is for fools, we WILL find prey because there is no other option! StarClan won't punish us for trying as hard as we do."
Orange eyes flit over to the deputy at the permission given to go off on the patrol and he glanced eagerly to the edge of camp as he awaited the call for it.
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[SHARPSHADOW]

† It's unmistakable. The bravado, puff of the chest. Sharppaw watches, owl-eyed, as Rookpaw steps from Starlingheart's den, chin held high in his triumph.

Despite it all, broken and bedridden, he speaks with that same enthusiasm. Slashed across his chest, he presents it like a trophy. And his words are still strange. He talks like the sort of mentor any apprentice would hate. "Haven't they, already?" dully, Sharppaw comments. Denial, it sounds like. Born in a world where everything was scarce, did they really have to make it worse?

Not important. Not important. They had been kind enough to leave him living. Sharppaw's nearly jealous, and yet, she's relieved all the same. Even if the tides continued to change, at least, he could keep his brother.

It's a wonder, who Starlingheart could and could not save.

Crooked tail, splayed uneven, flicks across Rookpaw's flank. The rest of the words escape her, and so she says nothing. Relief shines bright in her eyes.​