[duckie]

Sootflare
__________

The warrior smiled back as Fawnsqueak appeared at the camp entrance and made his over to join. He was eager as anyone else to make his way home but found himself caught up with Shimmeringpaw's question. ...Stay back? Had he misspoken? Or had she simply misunderstood? He didn't mean for them to stay behind, only for them to walk and talk. Away from the group. He nodded briefly - affirming Wormpaw's own assurance.

"Nobody is staying behind, Shimmeringpaw." he meowed,"We'll just be... stepping off to the side on the way." Hopefully, that would settle the molly but if not, a little firmness never hurt anyone, "This is a talk Wormpaw and I need to have - alone. I imagine you're capable of walking home without being right by each other's sides, yes?"

With that - an upward tilt of the head, a raised brow and a challenging look in the eye - A nonverbal dare for her to challenge his authority. If this soon-to-be warrior had any sense she would start walking and keep her distance instead of trying to listen in. He didn't wait for a reply or protest, simply guided Wormpaw a couple of lengths away as they began their trek home.

"So, Wormpaw," he began gently, "Would you care to explain to be your behavior back in camp?" While Sootflare could understand wanting a quick exit to a situation like that, choosing to be indecisive involving the wellbeing of an already struggling clan was a dangerous move, "I want to understand why you thought it better to... to leave a potential threat in the paws of WindClan. As opposed to making sure the case was clear - that Dirtfur was - is a danger?"

[ @Shimm @x ghostie @Dipper ]