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It was late at night, and Jayfeather was rearranging some mallow thrown askew by the apprentices. "Don't be too hard on them, Jayfeather," Briarlight had advised. "We were all young once, and it's the season for refreshing herb stocks, isn't it?" The brunette she-cat's laugh was as sweet as the scent of the soft flowers. That was one of the many things Jayfeather loved about her. Despite everything life threw her way, from falling trees to greencough, Briarlight was the cat who had learned to cope and found her own measure of peace. Jayfeather sighed.
"Don't be upset, Jayfeather, I'll help you clean up," Briarlight meowed, propping herself up with her strong front legs and examining the medicinal plants with consideration. As she reached out to put some roots away, her paw brushed the blind medicine cat's. Jayfeather recoiled with a start. Briarlight was surprised and a little hurt. "What's wrong Jayfeather? Do I smell?"
"No, you don't, you smell really good-- I mean..." The gray tabby trailed off, frustrated with himself. Then he took another breath and let it out, slowly. "How do you manage to keep positive when the world around you is going insane?"
Briarlight regarded her friend with intensity. The deep brown she-cat took her front paw again and gently placed it on Jayfeather's. The sensation between the two was warm, with a slight tingle. "It's way easier to cope when I'm with my Clanmates-- and the cat I love,"