[Ziera]

// @littlelove | @implimm

Amusement pricked through Stormtalon’s chilly demeanor at the sight of Morningpaw regarding the pools like a fascinated kit. She was beyond warrior age now, some might say too old to tap into this pure sort of wonder, but. Well. The battle-worn tom refused to gatekeep who was eligible for curiosity.

In fact, as further conversation bounced between the she-cats (regarding the rugged range, a place he did not miss), Stormtalon assessed the springs again. This time he didn’t scrutinize it through the lens of a strategist or warrior. The concise cost-benefit analysis written in his thoughts melted slowly into the sights, sounds, and warmth enveloping them, and Storm tried to just…look at it. Drink in the sight not to quench thirst, but to savor the taste. After several moments of this, calm bloomed in the tabby’s being like a flower in the sunshine; tension he didn’t realize had knotted under his scarred back eased away.

...Brightpaw would’ve loved it here.

And then one sound sent ice back into his blood. Owl. Storm snapped to attention like a dislocated shoulder in its socket. His green gaze narrowed, moving in tandem with Plumstorm’s, and sure enough—a massive bird dipped through the air with ease, landed on an ugly, gnarled limb of a tree too close for comfort. Just like that Stormtalon’s guard was completely resurrected. He’d only seen an owl once before in his apprentice days, but ever since then, their haunting calls echoed in his ears. He loathed the unsettling tick of their movements…every unnatural angle. Judging by the shield’s shift in energy (and that poor excuse of a joke) she agreed.

“Morningpaw,” Stormtalon mewed at a low volume, locking his gaze on the owl. “Stay close to us.” He didn’t care if the order was taken as condescending by the almost-warrior. Had they been too noisy in their approach? Was the bird fixated on them, or some other furry creature with a skittering heartbeat? Storm wasn’t entirely sure. He made himself still as possible when the owl piped up once more, showing off an impressive wingspan while its scythe-like talons punctured alder bark. To Plumstorm, he added: “You and I happen to be on every dung list. Perhaps it would be wise to cut this outing short.”