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Clover was tired. Why did the medics feel the need to poke and prod her so many times a night? She was fine! Bruised, but fine, really! No breaks, which was a miracle in and of itself, and aside from her stiffness and general aches, she was rather fine.

The mist huffed unhappily on her sheltered perch, and tossed a glare at the back of the head of the retreating medic. She'd been brought in by Chase and Vinch, two male Sentinels, only a few hours ago, but she was itching to get back to work. When you spent as long as she did dealing with tens of tens of little wild parus, you got used to being constantly moving about. This sitting and waiting...this passive recovery was driving her mad!

Despite the storm long since passing, there was no refuge from the aftereffects of the storm. The entire clan was busy with new reports. Gatherers, Artisans, even bards where sent back to gather food for those in need or the overworked medics who had to pick up on the many broken limbs and damages that various Sentinels has suffered. Sly of course was on full duty, working more than his typical overtime to gather food. It was nothing off Sly’s back, wanting something to divert his time and energy, though most Sentinels where using whatever free time to go back to their territories and fix up their homes. If anything, Sly liked the needed distraction. He felt unneeded if he was too idle and felt he wasn’t being used enough and despite being tired, he didn’t want to stop. It didn’t help that he happened upon something rather troubling after the storm, but he was letting his mind drift to that as little as he could, instead drilling his mind with thoughts of hunting, amounts of food, and the long list of Sentinel’s he would be providing food for.
Even though he liked the work, it didn’t do anything for his already sunny disposition. Cranky, irritable, and tired, he was more quick to snap at others, too busy to get his dosage of abuse verbal conversation and having no time to enjoy it if he did. He didn’t even have much time to dive back into deep thought, now more just doing everything automatically, running on autopilot alone. What irked him more was that he had to deliver his catches, as the gatherers for the matron where also hunting and trying to build up the reserves that where lost during the storm. Still, if there was one group that was busy, the medics where.
Sly clutted a cat of Mus, another catch that would be soon gone for him to go out again. The long flights and hunting where never good or as enjoyed as they use to be. He often tried to hunt so that he could pass by the area being guarded by the Elites. The Shadow was dying to be involved more and the fact he was being told to get back to work kept him in the realization that he was a hunter of lower class to the Elites.
Moody, Sly landed at the medic’s landing, shaking off a few feathers. He had just now started to get his sheen back from nights ago but he didn’t have the time to preen as obsessively as he usually did. Stepping, he started to make his way to the entrance, entering with a half glance for the Medic. He had things to do, but as usual, the medics where occupied by the injured and the caring assemblage that wasted time dotting over the injured rather than helping the clan by working.
Flashing a quick glance, he looked for the medic, seeing the back of one Sentinel who was jittering like a basket of hyper Parus. It annoyed Sly’s already thin-fused attitude. Looking over, his eyes scanned about, but did a quick halt and backing up to see a color of plumage had only started to see as familiar. “Clover?” He said, astonished to see that the Sentinel was in the Medic’s care and from her ruffled appearance, it looked like she suffered the storm more than most.

"I'm good, much more worried about you. I think I oughta be the hero from now on, ok? Me and Chase were together but then we got separated since things are getting so crazy everywhere. We were both supposed to go look for more people that mighta been lost. I tried to stay close in my searching so I could keep trying to get in to see you." Vinch nodded at his explanation; it was true! There seemed to be so many people running everywhere to either find people or go hunting. Even the crafters and artisans were out there getting food for the Clan.

Vinch then near got bowled over so Clover could see...another male! Vinch narrowed his eyes to size up the other male. It didn't bode well for Vinch. Why was Vinch always smaller than other males. Curse being a Deep Woods. Totally not cool to be smaller than the ladies AND the competition!

VInch was jerked out of his jealously by Clover's apparent discomfort. "Clover! What happened? Are you ok? Maybe you should settle back down." He tried to urge her back to the position she was in before. Vinch had no idea what could be wrong and just hoped things weren't getting any worse. "Do you want me to go get the medic?"

Vinch's jealousy was lost on Clover, she was so distracted by the noise and aches. She managed to get her head back from under her wing just as both males urged her to sit. Without comment she obeyed, lidding her eyes and taking a deep breah. "Nothing's wrong...I just heard a noise. It was so loud, it hurt my head. Didn't either of you hear it?" She made a face as the noise started up again for a second or two.

"Keep the medics out for a bit." She added. "They've been hovering enough to make a dragonfly jealous, overbearing, stuffy lot that they are. I know it's their job, but I can't take much more of it." It was clear she was frustrated with not being able to move about as she usually would.

"Vinch, when you do see Chase, give him my thanks, would you? I don't know if they'll let me out of here any time soon." She grumbled. A wave of dizzyness hit her and she wobbled a little, nearly toppling sideways. Rather than hit the ground, she managed a lurch, instead propping herself a moment against Sly's side. "Ah, sorry.."

"Chaaase!" Vinch couldn't help but be happy to see him. "Now our trio's complete! So Chase: new plan. We gotta glare at Clover until she is guilted into taking it easy." Vinch glares in a hilarious way at Clover.

Even though Vinch was acting jovial, he was very worried. He couldn't stop thinking about the Shadow's words. Was Clover's health worse than it seems? Almost losing Clover once was bad enough, Vinch didn't want her to...he didn't even want to think of the worse.

Vinch wanted to help, but he can't do anything of use, really. He wasn't a Medic, or a Hunter. He couldn't even protect Clover the first time! The only skill Vinch has is entertaining, so he figures that the least he can do for Clover is keep her spirits up until she gets better.

Clover looked up when Chase joined them, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth. Of course, Sly butted in as usual, and she gave him a gentle nudge with one wing. "It's alright Sly, these two helped me during the storm. I don't know if you've met, but this is Chase," She nodded to the other shadow, "And this is Vinch." She mock-glared back, before swatting the deepwoods with her other wing.

"I'm fine, really Chase. If I needed anything, I'm sure the medics would be on me in a moment. I'm rather tired of them, to be frank." She settled into her perch, perhaps caving into the 'relax-glare'. "I really would rather get back to work than lay about, but I suppose I'd do little good as I am." She took a deep sighing breath and slowly shut her eyes, focusing a moment on ignoring a particularly strong thrum of her bones. Stupid tree, bruising her thusly. "At least I'm not dizzy any more..."

She slipped into silence ringed by her friends. Worn out as she was it was a surprise she wasn't sleeping already (and that the medics hadn't drugged her into it). High above a little parus flitted into view, and it came down straight away, nuzzling and bobbing up to Clover. She smiled at it, and gave it a quick n** of approval. "Ah...Sharp. You made it at least then." The parus bobbed in response. "Do go find the others, and tell them I'm alright. If there are any injuries, fly off to a medic to see to them. Only if they aren't busy with other sentinels of course. Our lot are tough...though if some can't last the wait, I suppose it's for the better. Strong will out, as it goes. A sad loss, but perhaps a needed one."

The songbird bobbed again, then dipped in turn to the males, and twice to Sly before shooting back into the sky. Clover watched him go, then ducked down as a medic wandered by. "Don't let them see me!"

Vinch bristled with anger at Sly's patronizing words. Vinch doubted Sly was a Medic, or he'd be treating Clover or with another patient. So who was he to say that Vinch and Chase shouldn't be around, they were just as knowledgeable as Sly! "And she needs hypocrites around just as much," he mumbled angrily.

"I'm not entertaining MYSELF," Vinch said louder. "I'm entertaining Clover. What good is it if she has people around telling her how bad it is? When you're upset, worried or scared, you feel worse. When you're happy and laughing, you feel better. So what's the best way to wait out injury? With friends that will keep your mind off things." Vinch decided that no other explanation was necessary, especially when a little Parus flew in. He instead chose to forget about Sly. Immature or not, he wasn't gonna let some random Sentinel stop him from making Clover feel happier.

Vinch responded to the Parus' little bow, "Hey, little one," then turned to Clover with a smile. "That was one of your Parus? Can I go visit them sometime? I totally wanna see 'em all. And hear them. They are Clover's Glorious Choir, right?" Vinch was grinning now, trying to keep his spirits up even in the pressured surroundings.

Clover was struggling to keep herself upright, and with a frown she recalled something the medic had made her drink. It had been unpleasant, and now feeling as woozy as she did, she realized it was likely something to make her sleep. Well. Wasn't that just peachy. She was partly grateful though. Her sides ached, her knees quaked...sleeping would likely be best for her in the long run. But should couldn't nod off with guests here!

Come over sometime indeed." She nodded to Vinch. "You're welcome as well, Chase. Though I'll be sending out a few ranks for an upcoming..." She paused, thinking hard (only because she was so tired) on this information. Wasn't it a secret? Hmm..."An upcoming event. We'll be away in the near-middle of the deep woods a little...once I get out of here that is. Perhaps later though."

Clover smiled around at Sly. How nice he was concerned for his friend, this Fjord fellow! Poor addled bird. She fluffed and yawned, burrowing down into her feathers. "M'sorry. Medics...drugged me..." She mumbled, budging closer to the males for more warmth. "I'll stay away though...stay...awa.." Was that snore? No, surely not!