[Ziera]

// @Rani

Snakeheart was a fascinating cat up close. Stormtalon rarely saw so much emotion and logic bound together in one package; usually cats specialized in one or the other. Even as a lingering hiss slithered around Snake’s sizable fangs and his body coiled with rage, the medicine cat accepted Storm’s profile of him without so much as a flinch. Huh. Volatile and self-aware.

Storm’s features remained carefully impassive as he followed the russet tom’s hints. Was Snake thinking it was some sort of planned-out charade? Really?

“They didn’t know each other. Junipsersong isn’t exactly subtle. If there was any familiarity between them, I would have noticed.” As far as the content of their conversation --“They talked about peace. The burdock they split sat half In RiverClan territory, half in ThunderClan. I allowed it.” Snake could probably guess why Stormtalon made that call; one clump of Burdock root wasn’t worth a skirmish when at the time, he didn’t know Whitewolf was alone.

“This little bit of information is interesting, if true,” Storm continued, ear flicking. “Whitewolf claimed her trip to the border alone was about breathing in RiverClan scent.” Rain, she said. It smelled like rain. “Apparently ThunderClan calls our scent ‘enemy.’ Her words.” That part should anger him, but it didn’t. Storm only felt bitter vindication of his choice to support Kestrelstar over their high and mighty peacemaker clanmates.

Still.

Storm eyed Snakeheart, wary. Despite getting off on a very wrong paw with her, Stormtalon wasn’t trying to dunk Junipersong in hot water; it was more like making sure she didn’t hurt herself, send Kestrelstar into a spiraling rage or cause early war. You know.

“We’re talking about Junipersong,” Stormtalon mewed simply. Wasn’t that an explanation in itself? He sincerely doubted she had the capacity to premeditate anything, let alone betrayal. “I know this wasn’t planned and you know it too. She’s kind, the annoying sort who chases butterflies and wants to believe everyone is good, right? Well you and I know that world is fantasy.” Peace wasn’t ‘getting along’ and pretending everything was fine. It was getting justice. “My recommendation is to pull her from all Thunderclan border patrols. Keep her busy somewhere else.”

Then again. Snakeheart was under no obligation to care what Stormtalon thought. It wouldn’t hurt his feelings if the medicine cat decided to go another route.

Fixing Snakeheart with a look, Stormtalon mewed: “This was my patrol. You’re angry—rightfully so. I shared my concerns about Junipsersong, but I take full responsibility for my clanmates.”