Something was going on. Every instinct she had screamed it at her. Her gut tightened as she recalled how quickly Pollendrone had changed the subject. Weed could hardly focus on hunting, but with the shortage she tried her best to catch something. However her mind kept drifting to Pollendrone. What was it that the warrior was keeping hidden? We’re they not being fed at all? Was it poisoned meat? The tortoiseshell shook her head. No. Bloodystar would not go that far. He wouldn’t poison his own followers. Most of those cats were in prison simply because of their current marital situation, much like Pollendrone. She was so focused in her thoughts, she barely had time to register the small bird that was pecking at the ground in front of her until it was almost too late. Weed pounced, and after a short dance, managed to take the sparrow down in one quick motion. She gave herself a quick shake. It wasn’t much but it was something. After a short while of looking for more prey, and only catching a small Vole, Weed headed back to where she was meant to meet Pollendrone again.

As she approached the other she-cat, her green eyes narrowed slightly. Something was different about her. Weed knew that Bloodystar ordered the prisoners to only receive half of the rations as a way to ensure that war those not forced into the prisons had enough to eat. But Pollendrone has seemed... thinner. As though she weren’t eating at all. Her whiskers twitched as she looked the creamy colored tortoiseshell over. Something was definitely going on, and it only made the feeling in her gut worse.

Weed had dropped her vole and sparrow down at her paws. "I'm afraid I couldn't catch much either. Sadly Bloodystar was right, there truly is a prey shortage. No doubt a punishment sent down by the Sun God though not for the same reason as he claims." The tortoiseshell did her best to keep her voice level, but she couldn't help but curl her lip a bit. The tortoiseshell was sure that the sun god was punishing the clan because of the actions of their high priest. The former warrior shook her head as she glanced back down at Pollendrone. It had almost appeared as though she were almost asleep when Weed arrived. Now that the she-cat was closer, she took a good look at her clanmate. Her green eyes were almost unreadable as she looked Pollendrone over. She seemed much thinner than the last time she had seen her. "Pollendrone, when was the last time you ate..?"

(yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes here we go!)

Weed had still been bothered by her last encounter with Pollendrone. It had left the tortoiseshell worried, especially since she hadn't seen the she-cat since. She could hardly sleep and had been completely unfocused. It had frustrated the others, but Weed could have cared less about what they thought or said. She needed to see if Pollendrone was alright. The mottled tortoiseshell slid out of the initiate's den and quickly looked around. When she was confident that no one was watching her, she slid to the tunnel and began to make her way towards the prison. A brief feeling of guilt ate away at her stomach. Weed should have tried to bring a bit of food for them, but the pile had gotten so low she knew that someone would notice if she stole a few pieces. The initiate would make up for it somehow. She quietly made her way past the guards and paused for a moment. She swallowed thickly as she searched briefly for the familiar gray pelt of Lionpride, but quickly shook her head. Weed came to see Pollendrone, and if she happened to see Lionpride as well then so be it. The tortoiseshell picked her way through the dark cells, pinning her ears back as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. "Pollendrone?" She called out softly. "Pollendrone, are you here?"

Her ears quickly picked up on the sound of Pollendrone’s voice. Weed carefully picked her way through the cramped den until her nose caught the sent of the other she-cat. Her green eyes narrowed as she saw the silhouette of Pollendrone. “There you are... I must admit, I was beginning to grow worried.” The initiate admitted. “I hadn’t seen nor heard from you since our hunt. In fact I haven’t heard much about the prisoners since then. Is everything alright?” It was an innocent enough question. Her voice had been gentle, and laced with worry. “I would have brought you something to eat, but the fresh-kill pile is beginning to dwindle quickly. They would have noticed if I took more then my share, but I’m sure I can find a way to make up for that...” Weed’s voice trailed off as the faint, metallic scent of blood hit her nose. She immediately froze and lowered her head, squinting in the darkness until her gaze focused on Pollendrone. A short gasp escaped her throat when she saw the claw marks on her cheek. The feeling she had before only grew worse as she inches closer. “Oh... oh, Pollendrone, what’s happened? Whose done this to you?” She questioned, her voice taking a harder edge to it. Not because of anything Pollendrone had done, but because of the sheer audacity that someone would injure the she-cat over what Weed assumes was nothing.

“Calm down?” Weed echoed, almost in disbelief. “How can you possibly expect me to calm down, Pollendrone.” The mottled tortoiseshell’s fur was bristling. “Please, do not lie to me. Not for my sake, and not for yours.” The initiate stated, her voice now taking on a slight tone of begging. “There has been far too many lies passed between the clan for my liking. Let there be no lies between us.” Weed placed her paw over Pollendrone’s as she gazed at her pleadingly. “I want to help. However, I can, whether you want it or not. You shouldn’t be in this position in the first place.” She said. The she-cat could hardly believe that no one has been here to treat the marks on her cheek. They were red and irritated… it wouldn’t be long before they were infected. She was no soothsayer, nor high priestess, but she knew the basics to staving off infection from open wounds. Weed hoped that it was merely the darkness playing tricks on her eyes as she glanced at the marks on Pollendrone’s cheeks. “At least tell me whether they’ve actually treated your cuts.”

The mottled tortoiseshell let out a small snort, and even offered Pollendrone a mischievous smile; something she hadn’t done since the day her sister had left Sunclan. “Let Bloodystar and his loyalists do as they please. I will at least will have done something worth while, not to mention worth it. I am loyal to my clan. Not necessarily the one who leads it. Though… he is lucky that he can hide behind his status as high priest.” Weed snapped as she looked once more at Pollendrone’s cheeks. “The absolute nerve… all because a cat would speak their mind.” The initiate took in a breath before she continued. “I’ll try not to wake him, the Sun God only knows you to need to rest and save your energy, but you cannot let those scratches go untreated and risk infection. I’ll be back soon with something for them, I promise”

Weed let out a soft sigh before she shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s the same as always. Bloodystar is preparing for more weddings...” She commented. “It seems as though he is trying to get through them as fast as possible…” She twitched her whiskers as she looked up at Pollendrone, before briefly glancing towards where Lionpride was sleeping. Soon it would be them at the Ceremony Springs, being united as one soul. Weed straightened up. Now was not the time to think of it. There was nothing she could do about it, and nothing she should do. Pollendrone was a wonderful she-cat, Weed enjoyed her time with her. She was sure that she could make Lionpride happy. The initiate smiled apologetically at her. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I don’t hear much either. Mountain has been putting me to work as he tries to convert me to Bloodystar’s path. I think it’s frustrating him that I’m so set in my stubborn ways.”

Weed couldn't help the loud laugh that escaped her, but the she-cat quickly covered her mouth with her paw. She quickly glanced around to make sure she hadn't disturbed anyone, especially not Lionpride, before she lowered her paw. "Oh, you best believe I will." The mottled tortoiseshell chuckled. "It seems that Bloodystar still struggles with those that oppose him or those that speak out against him. I am curious as to how Brilliantbeacon's wedding will go. That will truly be a show, won't it? I do hope your brother will be alright though. She's definitely a daughter of Littlestar."

"You can ask anything of me, you know this." Weed said gently. She listened carefully, her whiskers twitching occasionally before she slowly nodded. "Of course I will. I won't tell him anything that would make him worry. Or your younger siblings." The tortoiseshell said with a soft smile. "But first, let's get those cheeks tended to. But I promise you, anything you need I will get for you. The both of you." She said glancing towards where Lionpride was sleeping. "All you need to do is let me know"