Username: ArithMedic
Cat Name: Obsidianecho
Gender: Shecat
Rank: Medicine Cat
Clan: LotusclanAge: 60 moons
Prompt:50 moons ago
Obsidanpaw paused at the sound of footsteps behind her, a guilty expression creeping onto her face as she turned to meet the eyes of her leader amidst the darkness of the night.
"Just what are you doing, Obsidianpaw?" Pearlstar asked, no hint of mirth on her face, only a disapproving stare that made ice close around Obsidianpaw's heart.
She swallowed, her mouth becoming dry, and tried to appear calm with her answer. "I- I was just headed to the dirtplace!" That was the most plausible of the excuses she'd come up with, but Pearlstar narrowed her eyes at the apprentice and Obsidianpaw knew that it has been unbelievable.
Pearlstar flicked her ears in an irritated. "I'm not a kit, you know. The dirtplace is that way," She pointed to the Northern side of the camp, "and
that way is the Junkplace." The second time she pointed East, the direction that Obsidianpaw had been headed in.
Obsidianpaw tried to make something up about liking to take walks around the camp but she could barely get a few words out before Pearlstar interrupted her, tail lashing furiously at the frankly insulting attempt.
"Medicine Cats, even apprentice ones, do not belong at the Junkplace. And they especially do not go there to fraternize with
rogues."
Oh mouse-pellets, Obsidianpaw swore internally. She thought she'd seen someone follow her last time but had dismissed the thought because she couldn't find them. Medicine Cat apprentices in Middleclan aren't trained in tracking, something she was currently cursing the founding cats for. She knew she shouldn't be meeting with Diamond, but he knew so many fascinating things from the world beyond the clan and, well, she had to admit that she kind of liked breaking the rules. The exhilaration was almost worth her current predicament.
Obsidianpaw did her best not to show her feelings on her face. "Fraternizing with rogues? Everyone knows that's not allowed. What would ever make you think that?!" She tried to play it off, hoping that she could reduce the severity of the situation.
Pearlstar closed her eyes and took a deep breath, opening them again to show barely controlled rage. "Your den. Now."
45 moons ago
Obsidianecho pranced gleefully around the 'den' Diamond had created. "I finally have my medicine cat name!" She repeated for what might as well have been the 400th time.
Diamond rolled his eyes at her with a smile. "I still don't understand this whole naming thing, but I'm happy for you." He told her, a glint in his eye that Obsidianecho couldn't quite read.
She stopped and squinted at him. "Wait a second, wasn't your initiation to the Junkplace- I mean, Junkyard Cats coming up soon? You've been really worried about it, but you didn't mention it yet today." She questioned him, a spark of understanding beginning to burn in her head. Diamond started to answer with a smirk when it finally hit her. "You already had it! You already had it and you didn't tell me!" She accused him, hurt that he'd hidden from her.
Diamond shook his head and the mirth dropped from his face. "No, that's not it at all! I was only initiated yesterday and I was going to tell you, but I didn't want to take over your excitement to share my news. I thought I'd let you get all of your energy out first." He stepped over and nuzzled her cheek, and she nuzzled him back.
"I can be excited for both of us, you know." Obsidianecho mumbled into his fur.
30 moons ago
Obsidianecho walked out of Pearlstar's den, doing her best to look as absolutely normal as possible. She hated using Starclan's name for her own benefit, but she knew Pearlstar barely believed in Starclan anymore and she'd stop caring as soon as Obsidianecho mentioned them. A visit to the Moon Pool was the only way that she'd be able to excuse a 3-moon absence, it was a 3 day trek both ways and it wouldn't be unreasonable to stay there for some time to "re-establish her connection to Starclan", especially since Halfwater was still around to keep up with the normal medicine cat duties.
Obsidianecho's condition was not obvious yet, but it would be soon and then there was always the question of what to do once the kits were born. She decided that would would visit the Moon Pool first, and then she would rendezvous with Diamond and see what he wanted to do.
After she arrived at the Moon Pool, she was exhausted and laid down next to the pool. As she feel asleep, she realized her nose was touching the water. She dreamt of voices and glowing figures, both indistinct and at a distance, almost as if she was eavesdropping on someone else's dream. When she awoke, she saw a cat with metallic-colored tabby markings wading through the pool.
The cat introduced herself as Evermist, with no memories of her past but some sort of duty given to her from what Obsidianecho identified as Starclan. Evermist also agreed to stay with Obsidianecho for the duration of her pregnancy, citing that it felt like that was part of her duty.
29 moons ago
Evermist stood by Obsidianecho's side, consoling her as she mourned. They had been crossing the Thunder Path by the Junkplace when a Monster came screaming by out of nowhere. Evermist and Obsidianecho got across safely, but Diamond didn't.
27 moons ago
Obsidianecho held back her sorrow as she turned her back on her surviving kit, Steel, who stood beside Diamond's brother Ruby and his mate Queenie. While she had considered running away with Diamond to raise their kits, it would be better for her and the kits if she returned to Middleclan without them. Evermist reassured her that they'd be able to return and perhaps one day, the kits could be brought into the clan.
Today
Obsidianecho is startled out of her memories by the gentle flick of Everstar's tail on her back. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I got distracted!" As Obsidianecho turns, she meets Everstar's eyes which are always deep and full of mystery, but now show clear signs of sorrow.
"Do you regret it?" Everstar asks, looking past Obsidianecho to the kits playing outside the Medicine Cat Den.
Obsidianecho doesn't have to ask for context, they both know what the question means. "Never." Her heart aches as she speaks, but there were always going to be sacrifices to be made to get where they are now. None of Lotusclan's older cats were without scars, even if they were invisible.
[1086 words]
