Mope [Patchpaw]

OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

Owltalon was tired of this. Ever since Seabird's death his apprentice, Patchpaw, has been moping about. His paws make such effort just to move; his head droops; his tail drags. Sooner or later he'll be just a lifeless blob; living in the past. Eyes set with determination he popped his head into the apprentice's den. As expected Patchpaw laid in an untouched mess. His fur had lost it's sheen; he wheezed and coughed. This tom was way past grief. Prodding his side Owltalon growled sharply, "Get up, your making a mockery out of yourself. More importantly your making a mockery of me."

Owltalon was a good mentor. Perhaps that's why Riverstar had chosen him to take over what Seabird had started. This tom had potential; he could make an exceedingly well warrior. His brother, Tigerpaw was already surpassing him in training. Due to this depression Patchpaw had fallen so far behind it was unbelievable and it was making Owltalon look like a poor mentor. Another harsh shove he attempted to move this lump.

"We're training now, no complaints." As soon as his apprentice stirred they were going straight out into the forest. There wouldn't even be time for breakfast. First they'll practice his hunting technique. By noon-high they'll return to camp with their fresh-kill. Perhaps if he has proven himself he'll get some lunch. Afterwards it's straight back out to the forest for some battle training. And if all goes well, well--Hopefully by the end of this day Patchpaw will be grooming himself again. Maybe that shimmering gleam in his eyes will return. No not maybe. It will happen. Owltalon was sure of it.

PATCHPAW
Melancholy men of all others are most witty.

A harsh call roused Patchpaw from his sleep. Cold seeped back into his fur, mornings were still cold now-a-days, but the chill wore off as the day drew on. Hoisting his dull tabby body up, he trudged into the light of the sun. Blinded, his paws carried him after his mentor and into the open air. It was nice to get out every once in a while, but it wasn't as fun anymore...
Ever since Seabird had passed, nothing seemed fun anymore, not even learning the ways of the warrior code, which was VERY odd for this brainiac cat. Quickly stretching at the foot of the entrance, a groan escaped his mouth. I guess it is nice to run again...Jogging after Owltalon, things were somewhat happier now that it was newleaf, the air sweet with the scent of flowers, and lush with prey. With a deep breath he padded on, waiting for his slow, dull training to start.

OWLTALON
I fight for what I believe in.

He's still mute. Owltalon was puzzled with the apprentice's attitude towards Seabird's death. Rainflight was her sister and yet she was brighter than the sun. She had come to accept the fact that they won't be able to be together in the world. Was there more to it? Owtalon studied his apprentice. He was a fairly large tom, not quite to his stature, but big. Patchpaw had been well-muscled, now he was a bit sluggish. He did have a moon or so off moping in the apprentice's den. Snorting he decided to get to the bottom of this. It was obvious Patchpaw wouldn't be able to achieve anything with this behavior. Easily he outran his apprentice, with a grunt he spun on the back of his heels. Placing him directly in front of the jogging apprentice. Narrowing his eyes he gestured for Patchpaw to halt.

"She's resting in Starclan now, she's at peace." he meowed gruffly, unsure of how to go about this. Clearing his throat he meowed a bit more confident, "Seabird wouldn't want you to be upset for the rest of your life." Narrowing his eyes he ran through the many possibilities to why Patchpaw was so disturbed; depressed over her death. Patchpaw was merely seven moons when his mentor had been killed. They only had one moon togehter before she met her untimely death. Had he been in love?

He raised his brows; Seabird hadn't been ugly. In fact she was fairly attractive. Had this she-cat been Patchpaw's first love? He studied the tom once more; it was the only logical reason for any cat to spiral into such a dark depression. Owltalon himself could only imagine what life on earth would be without Rainflight. Utter hell. He'd probably take his own life just to be with her; he loved her that much.

Eyes set on figuring out this predicament, he questioned quietly,
"Were you in love with her?"