{{ Waiting View

[Lucinda.]

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word

The tiny she-cat giggled quietly to herself as she ran up the bluff. Marigold, marigold, she reminded herself.They were running low on the pretty herb and she'd been sent out to fetch some to replenish their stocks. She loved being out like this, just herself and the open sky. She wasn't exactly introverted but she knew how to appreciate time alone. Lowering her head, Minnowpaw sniffed at the earth in front of her feet and then at the fresh air, hoping to be able to trace the smell of marigold. She was lucky. Following the scent up the bluff, she came to a small patch and bent down, placing her jaw gently around the roots of the plants and extracting it from the earth. She was supposed to bring back two so she repeated the action on the plant beside it and then rose, unable to mask her excitement.

She'd done it, she'd accomplished her task and now she could head back to camp. Or... she could just wander on a bit? Minnowpaw pursed her lips. She wasn't the type to deliberately break rules but nor was she such a goody-goody that she was afraid of doing it. Besides, she'd be only a few minutes. It was such a pretty day... Surely the clan could spare her for a few minutes. She'd catch some prey on the way back to make up for it and appease her conscience. Feeling less guilty now, she snatched up the marigold and ran ahead. It felt so wonderful and free to just run like this was nothing around her but wide open space and a clear blue sky.

The marigold was place gently on the earth as Minnowpaw realized how close she was to the edge of the towering cliff. The anxious, guilty feelings returned. Apprentices weren't really supposed to be up here alone. It was dangerous. But she was being careful. Besides, it wasn't so much of a rule as a general precaution. She could deal with that. If anyone found her here... I'll be fine, she assured herself with a quick roll of the eyes for being so worrisome. She'd flash a smile and apologize and say she'd wanted to enjoy the view. It was pretty up here after all and as long as she was pleasant about it and acted like it wasn't a big deal, it wouldn't be. So she allowed herself to relax, her fur laying flat against back as she settled into a seated position, eyes scanning the landscape below her with an undisguised awe.

Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

[_LUNAR ♥]]

A small breeze blew over the earth as if trying to say something. Its whispering broke the silence, but it was the only sound that could be heard. A rather small brown tabby slowly padded up the hill. The grass blew stiffly against his paws, forcing them to go upward with the slightest tickle. His yellow eyes betrayed the hidden look of happiness. The poor apprentice was never happy, unless he was alone. Nobody wanted to be his friend, nobody would even talk to him. It wasn't fair. If only his sister was still there. Maybe, just maybe, then he would be...No. His head shook slowly.

The breeze ruffled his fur ever so lightly. Dappledpaw knew he shouldn't be this close to that big old cliff. But he didn't care. Not anymore. Nobody would even care if he went plummeting down to the bottom and broke his neck. He didn't even think any cat noticed he had left the camp. Not even his own mentor. Slowly, the apprentice forced himself to sit down. His paws ached a bit, from walking around the whole territory. But there was no way he could satisfy his loneliness and emptiness. He tilted his head back to look up at the sky. A lone, fluffy cloud floated in the middle of the blue sky. "Are you lonely too?" He muttered under his breath.

A scent made Dappledpaw's senses become alert. The odor was that of a cat. One of Airclan. Oh, he would be in trouble if he was caught up here. He jumped to his feet and flickered his worried gaze around. Sniffing again, the apprentice relaxed. It was only Minnowpaw. She couldn't do anything to him. He let the fur lie flat on his neck and slowly padded toward the feline. Why was his fellow apprentice out here too? He let out a low sigh and slowed his pace. His eyes quickly examined the she-cat, but there was nothing weird about her emotions. Next to her lay a pile of marigold. So she was sent here for a reason. But that didn't explain why she was here. Finally, reaching but a fox-length away from her, he meowed, "What are you doing here?"