Username: ☁Lady Raincloud☁
Cat Name: Forestfire
Clan: Lighthouse Rank: Recruit
Gender: tom
Age: tbd
Prompt:Forestfire blinked as dead leaves were dropped in front of him. "This is what you'll be looking for in the greenhouse." The physician rasped. "Smell it."
Forestfire boredly complied, taking in the stale scent of the leaf. "Kay... now how do you expect me to get in the greenhouse? Humans don't just leave things open so cats like me can waltz in."
"We've been watching her." Swanpaw said excitedly. "She goes out every morning and for a time the door is open. If your careful, you can sneak in."
Chickenpoppy added. "You should be hidden if she comes back in; but don't let her lock you in."
That said, the group bid him farewell, and he left.
The longer he walked, the more numb his paws became, and the more hungry he got.
He finally reached the place and jumped on top of the fence. The lady was a few feet way, talking with a man. The greenhouse door was still shut.
Their conversation seemed to go on forever.
He waited on the fence. As they kept talking and the door remained shut, he caught the traces of prey scent wafting past. Looking behind him, he noticed a mouse only a few tail lengths down the path.
It didn't take him catch it and jump back up. Seeing the greenhouse door was open, he smirked as he jumped off the fence and trotted silently into the greenhouse. He was shocked by the air; it was warm. The only trace of the cold was coming from the door.
As the woman passed him he jumped for cover, placing the mouse down. She headed with a hose for some plants. She was still talking with the man. They didn't hear him. Unfortunately, however, the woman stood over the one plant he wanted, watering each in turn.
"Aw come on, woman, move." Forestfire muttered to himself. He heard the man close the door and come in after her. His fur raised on his spine and he retreated back to his mouse, deciding to eat while he waited.
Their conversation went on forever. He was confident in the fact they wouldn't stop anytime soon and open the door, and the place was warm, so he lay down where he sat and took a nap.
He awoke because he heard a sound. He jolted up, noticing the woman removing his cover carefully. Letting out a hiss he jumped for the side, he headed for the door- it was open again- and dashed out, the humans watching after him as he scrabbled back over the fence.
The journey back seemed shorter, since he was rested and fed, but he felt disoriented. He wasn't sure how long he slept- the sun was in the wrong direction, and the breezed seemed to accuse him of oversleeping, of the herbs left behind.
He was met at the entrance by Emberbright, who gave him a dark look and let him pass without a word.
"What's happened?"
"Where were you?!" Came an angry growl. It was Grebethroat, her tail waving. He puffed instinctively.
"Uh, trying to get that plant. Sorry I didn't get it, those humans-"
"We don't need it anymore." Swanpaw said softly, her head drooping. "Perhaps it was even too late when we sent you, but..."
Forestfire then acknowledged what the small crowd in camp was covering in their midst.
Between them, Sugarcane lay dead. The tomcat looked small and insignificant in death. Forestfire hadn't really been aware of how bad he was getting. Perhaps, if he'd come with the herbs Sugarcane needed earlier, he'd still be alive.
