friends on the other side [private]

[ghostwriter]

Sweetberry bounded through the lush hunting grounds of StarClan, his feathery tail streaming behind him. Fireflies blinked amidst the silvery ferns, the moss cool and cushy beneath his paws. The once beloved ShadowClan warrior was on yet another subterfuge mission—to circumvent the influence of the Dark Forest.
The thought of those traitorous flea-pelts manipulating conflicted young cats made him sick, and from what he was told, Russetpaw could be described as an at risk individual. Sweetberry had pulled murderers from the brink before, his belief that all cats possessed good traits motivating him.
He stepped into a shadowed clearing, encircled by towering pines. If the apprentice was going to dream tonight, this is where he would encounter him.
@Paradise

[ophelia]

@ghostwriter

Russetpaw had barely fallen asleep in his den when he felt cold air on his pelt. He narrowed his eyes and spotted through them a surrounding that was beginning to feel quite familiar. He had wandered through the Dark Forest several times alone, and for a meeting with Dawnstar. This time, however, felt different. Lighter, and less lonely. He was already upright when he opened his eyes, but he didn't pause to question the logic. Instead, he stepped forward in a stalk-like manner. Here in the Dark Forest, he knew better than to draw too much attention to himself.

Suddenly, the WindClan tom froze, bristling slightly. There was a long-haired tom sitting in the clearing he had just emerged to find. He flattened his ears slightly and glared. "You're a StarClan cat," he said in an accusatory tone, and realized he must be on the border between the Dark Forest and StarClan. That was why it felt so different.

[ghostwriter]

@Paradise

Sweetberry immediately perked up, amber eyes bright, “Yes indeed! I am...super dead. And have been for quite some time. I’m Sweetberry...I was a ShadowClan warrior a very long time ago. I know who you are of course, Russetpaw.” He studied the apprentice, tilting his head to the side, “Obviously you were expecting someone else.” He remarked coolly, almost playfully.

[ophelia]

Russetpaw sat a little ways away from the strange cat and watched him warily. A ShadowClan cat. He must know about the murder of Chickadeepaw. He wasn't all that surprised that the cat knew his name. Afterall, he was from StarClan.
"Look," he meowed irritably, "I'm flattered and all, but not really feeling up for a discussion." The last thing he wanted to do was talk about it.
He looked at the cat suspiciously. "Why would I be expecting someone?" Did Sweetberry know something he didn't?
@ghostwriter

[ghostwriter]

@Paradise

Sweetberry chuffed softly in amusement, flopping down on the cool moss and all but lounging, tail flicking lazily, “Oh, I think you are, but we’ll get to that. Just so you know, I’m not here to make accusations or condemn you or anything like that.” He waved a paw dismissively, “That just isn’t my style. But it seems to me you’re expecting someone to jump out of the undergrowth and claw your ears off.” He remarked. This cat was cagey—Sweetberry would let him jump to his own conclusions and keep his tone light.
“Dark Forest cats can be pretty ruthless even to their own acolytes, huh?”

[ophelia]

Russetpaw glared down at the cat. Who did he think he was? He didn't really care what this cat was here to do. The only reason he was staying here was because he'd never met a StarClan cat before. If all of them were as arrogant as this one, he was thouroughly disappointed.
"I'm always prepared for an attack," he snarled. Just as he should be. In the clans, it was always a good idea to be on your guard, no matter where you were. "I'm in the Dark Forest, aren't I? Would you prefer I bounce around like a kit?" He considered his next question. "I wouldn't know," he said gruffly. He'd never actually met a Dark Forest cat, only other cats that were alive and sometimes came here, just like him.
@ghostwriter

[ghostwriter]

@Paradise

Sweetberry tilted his head to the side. This cat was an angry one for sure. He sighed softly, his voice lowered and regretful.
“It can be tempting, though...they promise their students power and prowess...but never tell them of the cost. Listen, I know you are a talented cat...and you have the potential to one day be a respected warrior. I have no business judging you based on past mistakes...that isn’t why I’m here...I’m here to warn you. The Dark Forest is a dangerous place. Don’t waste your potential on them.” He explained, almost pleadingly, his amber eyes wide and earnest.
“ShadowClan cats have always been proud and ambitious...even when I was alive...but too much of a good thing can cloud your judgment. I do not believe your destiny is to have bloody paws and a mind heavy with regret.”

[ophelia]

Why was he telling him this? "You're talking like I'm purposely coming here. I can't control it," he informed Sweetberry darkly. "I come here whether I like it or not." He wasn't really sure why he did, but he didn't mind it. It was quiet, and a nice break from his insane clanmates.
He scoffed when the older tom told him what he believed was to be his destiny. "You'd be the only one who thinks that." And maybe Foxpaw. Anyone else who knew him even the slightest was either afraid or wary of him. It was part of why he was looking forward to becoming a warrior.
@ghostwriter

[ghostwriter]

@Paradise

Sweetberry huffed, “Pff, listen—I know I’m goofy looking, and I have a girl’s name—I know you were thinking it—but in my day I once fought off three RiverClan warriors with a twisted paw and won. I know a talented cat when I see one, there’s no need to be modest.” He quipped, rising from the moss and shaking little emerald filaments from his feathery pelt, “Cats like Dawnstar, Icestar and the like...they don’t wish to help you, they wish to control you. And I don’t believe you’re the sort who would appreciate being controlled.” Sweetberry observed, “I know your clanmates may be irritating...but do not be tempted to turn your back on them. They have good intentions, for the most part...the Dark Forest wants you as another pawn who never questions orders. That doesn’t exactly seem like your style.”

[ophelia]

Russet knew he was talented, he didn't need some dead cat to tell him that. He hadn't actually been thinking Sweetberry was a she-cat's name, only that it was odd for a ShadowClan cat. No need to make that correction though.
He recognized the name Icestar, but he'd been pretty young when she was in charge. Sweetberry obviously knew he'd seen Dawnstar. Why couldn't these cats say what they meant? Then again, that was one trait he'd expected from StarClan cats. Everone said they spoke in riddles.
"You don't have to be worried about me, although your concern is appreciated," he said dryly. "If I'm going to ally myself with anyone, you can be sure it'll be for my own benefit, not their's." He prided himself in his manipulative ways. There was no way he was going to let other cats misle him. Still, the tom's words put him slightly on edge, which was more than he wanted to admit.
@ghostwriter