A Normal Morning [open]

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The moment the tom stepped out of his den, he was blinded by the onslaught of bright light. He was not surprised by this sudden invasion of sun, rather he was disappointed for not remembering the startle that awaited him the moment he stepped out of his den.  It was not the first time this had occurred to him. It wasn't even the second.

The tom slowly blinked, scattering the white flashes before his eyes. Moosestar referred to a squint as he continued a slow walk out of his den. The light could ruin his eye-sight, but it would not make him stumble. As his green eyes sluggishly adjusted to the morning dawn, the tom gingerly sat upon the hardened ground. He wrapped his tail around his own brown tabby paws and took a few moments to admire the beauty of the clan around him.  Only moments ago, he had complained about the silence of the world around him, but now nothing seemed more perfect. Moosestar inhaled deeply, trying to catch the fleeting moments of peace before the clan awoke. 

Instead of this deep breath being clam and collecting, it triggered a not so peaceful effect. The tom's face contorted as the smallest itch came from within himself. Then, in a grand fashion, the massive cat sneezed. If the clan had been sleeping, now they were most certainly awake. Moosestar frantically jumped to his paws, ready to return to his den, where he could hide from the grumbling complaints of his peers.

Well, nards. 

A gentle voice stopped him where he stood. Moosestar silently recounted a number of curses that would leave his own father speechless and turned to face whoever had caught him in this awkward moment. 

Swallowflight. Moosestar relaxed, relieving the tension in his shoulders. The calico tom before him was someone Moosestar believed that he could trust. The larger tom resumed his sitting position, but turned himself to face Swallowflight. 

"I could say the same to you. Were you collecting herbs?" the tom was genuinely curious as to what his peer was doing so early. It also bothered him greatly that his peer was up so early. "You'll have to forgive my lack of knowledge on your position. In fact, I don't think we have actually spoken in quite a while. It's peculiar that we find such a time to converse." 

Moosestar chastised himself. He should be the one taking the time to talk to his clanmates. If anything, the world he envisioned included clanmates that trusted one another. If there was no conversation or previous encounters, there was no trust. 

"You know," the tom regretted this train of thought, but had to continue. "this is a bit random. Actually, its quite random, but,  both our names involve birds. Or at least, mine did. I was Moosefeather, and you are Swallowflight.. and I don't know why I think of such things."

So much for having clanmates that trusted you. His own medicine cat probably thought he was insane. Moosestar shifted his huge paws, his tail loosening its grip.

---

Fat snowflakes had begun to fall from the sky. They swirled slowly in the air, as if they were dancing in the sky, the final dance become they became compact on the ground. Green eyes followed the snowflakes, curious by their delicate form. It was not the first time Moosestar had seen or experienced snow, but it never ceased to amaze him. The snow did not bother him at all, as his long fur protected him from most of the chilling cold. 

"No, on second thought, everything must be dead or dying. Not a great herb if its shriveled up." The tom chuckled, his white breath twisting from a cloud to encircle his head like a wreath. He followed it progress, and then proceeded to blow another breath of air, easily entertained by its trail as it reached for the sky. "Personally, I've never experienced the benefits of waking up early to stroll. Perhaps it's something I should try."

Moosestar wasn't sure if a medicine cat should be close with the leader. He had never truly focused on that relationship. But now that the opportunity was in front of him, the tom desired to become closer friends with the only cat that might understand the pressure he underwent. And maybe that was what Swallowflight needed as well. "Yes, we really should. Maybe we both need someone to consult, and not just in formal matters."

The other tom's voice was incredibly soft as he neared the end of each sentence. Almost as if the medicine cat was afraid of completing the sentences presented to him. Moosestar began to question him about it, but shut his mouth quickly. 

He raised an eyebrow curiously at the medicine cats saying. Another laugh escaped him. "What a strange saying, but I like it. Where did you learn it?"