[Fawn]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

While he wasn't completely sure that his presence was at all calming for his friend, he liked to think so, or in the least bit he could be sure in his ability to keep his friend safe until they got back home. That he could be sure of. The questions he had asked Rabbitfluff weren't really at the top of his mind, currently he just wanted them to be back at camp where they were safe from whatever unseen danger that had left his short-tailed friend in the mental state that he was now. Something that could do that to a cat like Rabbitfluff? They were not to be messed with, so it was best to just get out of the firing range as soon as possible.

And if his friend was to answer his questions, he certainly didn't expect them to come right away and was in no way even thinking of rushing Rabbitfluff into answering, he never would. Grousestar was as patient a cat as ever when it came to the cats of his clan, and if it took an eternity for the answer to come to Rabbitfluff, then so be it, he would wait. The best way to help him now was to simply remain calm and sturdy, there wasn't much more that he could do for him, not in unfamiliar and hostile territory. Nodding his head and seeming to stand nearer as the tom pulled himself slowly up to his paws, he could feel his heart straining for his friend. How terribly he wanted to help Rabbitfluff in any way, just so that he wouldn't seem so.. So fragile like this. This wasn't how he normally was and it was terrifying to Grousestar. What had happened to his friend? The only thing that sort of eased his mind was the sound of pure gratefulness that radiated with the simple thank you, something not very often given by the smaller tom. A smile touched the leaders lip, but he said nothing more, there was no reason to point it out, not at a time like this. "Easy does it my friend." Murmured the leader as the other cat seemed to gain their footing, part of him half expecting the other tom to simply fall over.

"I believe you. Lets try to keep a descent pace, but if you have any trouble at all, please let me know. I.. I know I can get going kind of fast sometimes." Flattening his ears a moment in embarrassment, he would let his gaze nervously look over Rabbitfluff again for signs of injury before beginning the walk back home, going the shortest route there was back to Skyclan. He wanted to remain as close to Rabbitfluff's side as the tom would allow him, he felt that his presence might be able to reassure and calm the other cat, or at least he hoped as much and was surprised that, unlike usual, the tom didn't veer away talking about personal space. Half the time Grousestar forgets that cats have personal space, often times bumping into cats and what not, especially when he's excited but.. He couldn't help but notice the change in his friend, only heightening his weariness and worry for the warrior he escorted.

Silence fell now as the two cats began their journey back, nothing but the muffled nearly silent sound of their pawsteps and the echoing call of a bird. The fur along Grousestar's spine prickled uneasily and he wished nothing more than to be able to be back in the comforting territory of Skyclan. In fact, in just the short time since they began moving, he nearly forgot the questions he had asked Rabbitfluff, especially considering he didn't want to push the tom into answering. So when he heard the other cat's voice, he seemed slightly startled, his eyes blinking before his head turned to look over at him as he spoke, ears swiveling at the same time to focus solely on the warrior beside him. The 'who' he was referring to. A Dusk Syndicate member. Was he harassed? Assaulted? He doesn't seem to bear any outward injuries, but then again maybe they're internal. The leader's face seem to grow darker, the corners of his mouth turning down. This Syndicate is growing to be a real problem.
Quickly sweeping his thoughts away, he would focus on his friend with a nod, gently prompting him to continue if he wished, though offering no words, fearful it might put him off in some way and cause him to clam up. The leader's lips further turned down as he heard the hesitance and apprehension of recalling the events, what happened must have been horrendous.
At the name, Grousestar's ears perked up. Hannibal? I've.. Haven't I heard of that name?

There he was, standing there in Skyclan territory, him and Auroraflame confronting two Dusk Syndicate cats shortly after the clan had moved into their territory. One was a black cat with eyes like ice, narrow features and a cocky, infuriating personality and the other a dark grey cat with eyes like fire, features lithe, pristine in a way and a face like stone. They had introduced themselves, Onyx and Hannibal. They claimed that they had been the welcome party for the DS, murdering Skyclan cats mercilessly and without true reason. Hannibal... That was the tom.

Pupils narrowing, Grousestar flattened his ears. What had that tom done to his friend?
"He talked to you about your friends and family.. But.. How did he know about them Rabbitfluff? And what did he say about them? Whatever he said,
it.. It couldn't have been true." Despite his growing anger for the Syndicate, he wouldn't allow it into his voice. No, his voice was gentle, calm, reassuring. He wanted to know the answers to his questions, but wouldn't even think of intimidating Rabbitfluff into answering them.

"Hey, hey... No, nothing's your fault, whatever that monster said, it wasn't true. Give your mind a little rest Rabbit, you're... You're probably still in shock. We can talk more on the matter when we get back okay? But for now, take it easy. Just focus on walking right now, we'll be home, and safe,
before you know it. Trust me."
Deciding to cast his curiosity aside, he determined that Rabbitfluff's safety and mental well being held much more worth than a few answers to some questions. Those could wait.

With a shaky inhale, Rabbitfluff tried to stand a little straighter but ended up releasing the breath of air into a shuddering exhale, his frame seemingly crumbling around him along with his composure. This was going to take a while to recover from, and he realized he shouldn't expect Grousestar to hold his paw through the healing period - would he want that to begin with? Rabbitfluff dropped the thoughts, in no mood for introspection when he could hardly sort himself out in front of said friend. There were more pressing matters, the most important being getting back to SkyClan camp without being stopped, whether they were outsiders or Clan cats. He didn't want to see anyone. Rabbitfluff gave a simple nod in reply to Grousestar's murmur, still feeling out of his element here. It was so vulnerable, and he hated it with every inch of his being because he'd been raised to mask that emotion.

As Grousestar offered to slow down the pace for him if he couldn't keep up--a rather thoughtful gesture in his opinion, he was reminded of the tom's abundance of energy and a reminiscence flashed in the depths of his eyes. "You? Fast?" Rabbitfluff scoffed, voice cracking pathetically. An attempt to reconnect with himself, his usual demeanor, however it did nothing but make him more miserable. Luckily, Grousestar's presence continued to provide the comfort he needed right now, the reassurance they would be fine and reach the camp without issues. He didn't know what he would do from there but returning was half the battle; if he had to guess, there would be many moons of mental turmoil awaiting.

Grousestar's other reassurances had been lost on a panicked mind but he was certain he'd appreciate them later when left alone with his conflicting, intrusive thoughts. His points were valid, but Rabbitfluff couldn't think with reason when he was in a state of distress. "Perhaps you're unaware," impossible, "however I don't have a lot of friends in SkyClan," Rabbitfluff reminded Grousestar, trembling tone dropping to a hushed one, "and we do share a border with them." The paranoia-fueled implication of a SkyClan member, or even former clanmate, giving information to the Dusk Syndicate wasn't quite logical, but it was painfully reflective of how much Rabbitfluff trusted the cats he shared a den with every night.

It occurred to him that what he'd said had been a touch too forward considering who he was speaking to, and with all Grousestar had done for him… "I'm sorry," the words were foreign even to him, causing Rabbitfluff to pause in astonishment and wonder if he'd ever spoken them before. He murmured while trying to maintain an air of formality, "I.. I do believe I was out of line in ..suggesting that." He swallowed down the lump in his throat and raised his troubled eyes to meet Grousestar's for a mere moment, expecting anger or disappointment, but averted them quickly, relieved to see they were approaching the camp.