Rise; the Tribe of the Falling Skies

Doepaw stood awkwardly outside the apprentice’s den in the new camp. Her second morning of being back. Being home. She had been rushed into the den the night before, and hadn’t really had the chance to look around at the camp that had been set up in her absence. Ashpaw- no, Ashdawn - padded over.

“So, a tour is in order I believe?” the calico mewed. Doepaw nodded, and Ashdawn turned away to begin to lead her through the camp.

“Obviously, the apprentice den. We’ve got two apprentices right now, not including you. Featherpaw and Stagpaw. Featherpaw wants to be a healer once their entrant-apprentice period is over. Stagpaw wants to be their guard. It’s very sweet.” Doepaw followed, stepping shoulder to shoulder with Ashdawn.

“So, you’re a warrior now?” Doepaw mewed, looking at the smaller cat.

“First warrior made by Blizzardstar.” He nodded, his tone slightly harsher than normal.

“Right, Blizzardstar. That’ll take some time getting used to.” Ashdawn turned away as Doeleap spoke, not acknowledging her comment.

“Here is the Warriors’ den. There are more of us now, Honeyheart made it, but she’s out on dawn patrol, and Runninglight made it too. A surprising number of cats made it. You’ll meet them all later, though.” Ashdawn was being distant, and Doepaw knew why; he felt betrayed.
“I- is Roseskip here?” Doepaw gently questioned after her mother.

“She left, right after you did. We haven’t heard from her since.” Ashdawn looked at her. “I’m sorry.”

Doepaw softly nodded. “I kind of expected that.” He nodded in response, not pushing the subject.

“Nursery.” He stated, nodding to the next den, similar to the Warrior and Apprentices’ dens, it was made of a hollowed bush, covered it moss and leaves to keep out the rain and cold.

“Are there any kits currently?”

“Rainkit is still in there, but they’ll be made an Apprentice soon.” Doepaw nodded at Ashdawn’s response.

“Elder’s den,” again, the same style of den. “Just Wolfcloud in there now.” Doepaw followed as Ashdawn walked towards the only tree in camp. He nodded up to a hollow several catlengths up the tree. “That’s Blizzardstar’s den. Instead of jumping up to the ledge, you’ll have to make it up to his branch.” Ashdawn nodded to the first branch up the tree, which immerged next to the hollow of Blizzardstar’s den.

“It’s oddly similar to the old camp, and yet so alien…” Doepaw murmured.

“Well, you missed the discussions about the setup, so…” Ashdawn muttered under his breath, before shaking his head and turning to the large fallen log that lay next to the tree.

“This, uh, this’ll be your den, as a healer.” Doepaw could help but step into the log. It was large, large enough for two nests to lie side by side and have room for a cat to walk either side without anyone having to move. Naturally occuring shelves lay in the wooden walls, a small amount of herbs lying in these divits. Rot didn’t seem to be an issue, and it seemed waterproof. Several nests lay at the back end of the den. One, she noted, was laid out the way she had once told Ashdawn was her favourite, lined with soft feathers, with high walls. Doepaw could feel a smile growing on her face as she turned to Ashdawn.

“It’s perfect.” She mewed, and his ears twisted back in gentle embarrassment. 

“I’m glad you like it.”