Cattail Pond

[spade]

Skirting around the muddy bank, wrinkling his nose as the substance squished in between his toes, Kestrelwing was grumbling to himself as usual. Yellow eyes were narrowed on the path ahead and his ear flicked to rid itself of a meandering fly. The frost that had once covered the terrain was now almost all melted away, a result of being warmed by the setting sun. Looming dusk cast long shadows from the cattails, and the sounds of critters could be heard scampering by.

Kestrelwing, however, couldn't be bothered to hunt right now. His mind was racing with so many different thoughts that he found it hard to just slow down and focus on one. Disposing of the rogue body with Fawnsqueak, being tasked with spearheading the coyote battle patrol, his disastrous meeting with Sootflare that still weighed heavy on his mind despite being the oldest event.

What had once seemed like a quite solace on the outside of Clan life had shifted into him becoming an integral part of his home; leading patrols, offering advice. He absolutely hated it, but also relished in the fact that he, out of all cats, was the one doing practically the most for RiverClan. "Your Clanmates are your family... yeah, right. Then why don't they take care of our home, mom?" he hissed quietly, wishing for once that he did believe in StarClan so that he could perhaps hear her reply.

Up ahead the sound of a cattail being brushed passed caught his attention. In an instant his hackles were up and ears back as the gray tabby slipped seamlessly into a crouch. He caught the unfamiliar scent of the feline before he spotted her; a small black molly with splashes of ginger - definitely not someone he recognized.

And, it appeared she had caught wind of him too.

Shouldering his way through the fronds and cattails, Kestrelwing came to stand a fox-length or so away from Vimi, his claws already sliding out and distrust in his gaze. "You better have a good reason for being on RiverClan territory, trespasser," he snarled, lowering his head a bit as he watched her.


// @Snook

[Madelaine]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

Barkfuzz nodded. "And once greenleaf comes around it'll be hot enough to go swimming! I love a good swim in the river." He gave his shoulder a quick lick and pulled a small twig from his matted fur. "I'm sure leafbare is nice when you have a special cat to curl up with though," the tom said bluntly, not really thinking about what he was saying.

Heronflight
***_________***

Heronflight would finally be able to learn how to swim once it was greenleaf. Most cats hated it, but she felt that she would like it. The molly nodded in agreement. "Greenleaf I can actually finally learn how to swim. I haven't been in Riverclan that long, so I never learned how to swim.", she responded. Part of it was a lie. She hadn't been in Riverclan long because she had been dead for quite a while, but her clanmates believed that it was because she was a rogue. That was what everyone was to believe. Only Sootstar knew the truth and he was gone.

[Madelaine]

Originally Posted by Zesty Mango

Blizzardsky was sitting in awkward silence when finally Heronflight broke the silence,” Well, first I’d send out patrols I guess, and do ceremonies, and figure out who I’d pick as my deputy, but then I’d try to make peace with Shadowclan. As long as I’ve known Riverclan has feuded with Shadowclan, raiding their camps, our leaders scorning the Shadowclan leaders every gathering. I know Dawnstar’s unstable, but I’d try to help the clan get along at the gatherings, ya know. I’d be polite to Dawnstar, if Shadowclan was in trouble I’d be certain to be the first clan to offer assistance, at least so that we view Shadowclan like Thunderclan, strong, but we can be nice to them.” he meowed. of course ending that feud that had been going on since the begining of the clans would be much harder than he suspected.

Heronflight
***_________***

Heronflight didn't really care for the idea to become allies with Shadowclan. They had taken over her birth clan. She couldn't say they were her birth clan. No one knew of that. To Riverclan she was a rogue who had joined. She had no one to keep that secret anymore. Only the former leader knew of it. "Its always good to end old feuds, but I'd be too afraid to help them. They might not appreciate the help from my understanding.", she meowed. Maybe she won't help him try to achieve his goal of becoming leader. Heronflight wouldn't say it to his face. No she didn't want to hurt him.

[Aquilex]

Originally Posted by Angelique

Heronflight
***_________***

Heronflight would finally be able to learn how to swim once it was greenleaf. Most cats hated it, but she felt that she would like it. The molly nodded in agreement. "Greenleaf I can actually finally learn how to swim. I haven't been in Riverclan that long, so I never learned how to swim.", she responded. Part of it was a lie. She hadn't been in Riverclan long because she had been dead for quite a while, but her clanmates believed that it was because she was a rogue. That was what everyone was to believe. Only Sootstar knew the truth and he was gone.

"You don't know how to swim?" Barkfuzz meowed inquisitively. His head tilted to the side for a moment in confusion. A RiverClan cat that didn't know how to swim? That wasn't very common.

Suddenly his head shot up again in glee. "I'd be happy to teach you!" he purred eagerly. "Swimming is a blast!"

[ophelia]

// @Starfall

Leopardfire pounced, paws landing squarely on a water vole, and purred lightly. He turned to check on other tom, who was exploring the options on the other side on the pond bank. Should he say something? He couldn't think of anything to say, so he went back to his work.

A few minutes later, he had a decent catch, which he scooped up in his maw and trotted over to Rowanmist with. "C'hrawn icksh grshing shrate!" he said, mouth full. Rowanmist would understand that, right? Yeah.

He turned off, worry starting to build in his stomach. They had to hurry, or they wouldn't make it back in time...

[crumbl]

Originally Posted by spade

Skirting around the muddy bank, wrinkling his nose as the substance squished in between his toes, Kestrelwing was grumbling to himself as usual. Yellow eyes were narrowed on the path ahead and his ear flicked to rid itself of a meandering fly. The frost that had once covered the terrain was now almost all melted away, a result of being warmed by the setting sun. Looming dusk cast long shadows from the cattails, and the sounds of critters could be heard scampering by.

Kestrelwing, however, couldn't be bothered to hunt right now. His mind was racing with so many different thoughts that he found it hard to just slow down and focus on one. Disposing of the rogue body with Fawnsqueak, being tasked with spearheading the coyote battle patrol, his disastrous meeting with Sootflare that still weighed heavy on his mind despite being the oldest event.

What had once seemed like a quite solace on the outside of Clan life had shifted into him becoming an integral part of his home; leading patrols, offering advice. He absolutely hated it, but also relished in the fact that he, out of all cats, was the one doing practically the most for RiverClan. "Your Clanmates are your family... yeah, right. Then why don't they take care of our home, mom?" he hissed quietly, wishing for once that he did believe in StarClan so that he could perhaps hear her reply.

Up ahead the sound of a cattail being brushed passed caught his attention. In an instant his hackles were up and ears back as the gray tabby slipped seamlessly into a crouch. He caught the unfamiliar scent of the feline before he spotted her; a small black molly with splashes of ginger - definitely not someone he recognized.

And, it appeared she had caught wind of him too.

Shouldering his way through the fronds and cattails, Kestrelwing came to stand a fox-length or so away from Vimi, his claws already sliding out and distrust in his gaze. "You better have a good reason for being on RiverClan territory, trespasser," he snarled, lowering his head a bit as he watched her.


// @Snook

Well, she'd been right about one thing. The cat was certainly hostile, though she couldn't tell whether or not it was more so than usual. He seemed confident. But also troubled. Would that make him touchy or sympathetic? Cats were so hard to understand. Sucking in a deep breath, she blurted out the explanation she'd memorized, eyes darting around the pond, anywhere but at the cat himself.

"I- I want to join RiverClan. I'll be loyal and as helpful as I can, especially since Sootstar is gone. And your deputy. At least, that's what Louis told me. That you're kind of in t-turmoil? Even though that's not why I want to join. I've w-wanted to join even before all that. Because..."

She bit her lip, trying to slow down. She was rambling. Keep it simple, Vimi. Cats don't understand you when you talk like... you. Her claws slid in and out of the peaty ground as she struggled to keep her cool.

"I want to join because serving a group would give me a purpose, better than just lazing around with my housefolk. Cats aren't born to be cooped up like that. Logically, you should accept my offer, because it will be more of a benefit than a burden to your group. I can catch more prey than I eat. So you should take me to your camp..."

No, no, no! She always said the wrong things. This was going all wrong. She'd planned this out and now all she could do was prattle. Blood pounded in her ears and her voice fell to a mumble as she reiterated her basic desire.

"I want to join RiverClan."

(*sorry if this is incomprehensible, i wrote it at like 2 am-)

[spade]

As he watched her through narrowed eyes, it became increasingly obvious that her whole speech was planned - at least some of it. She seemed nervous and scatterbrained, two traits that Kestrelwing absolutely loathed. Did this kitty-pet really think she had what it took to be a Clan warrior? Behind him, his tail lashed in frustration.

He opened his mouth to follow up with a clipped retort when Vimi mentioned Sootflare and Stormcall. Instantly, he froze. How did this outsider know what was going on in RiverClan? Was she actually from another Clan who had heard the news in passing? No, that wouldn't explain the unfamiliar scent on her. "We are not in turmoil, kitty-pet," he spat, advancing on her though sliding his claws back in.

A scoffing laugh at the next part of her speech. He should just take her back to camp, huh? No, that wasn't how it worked. If anything, this kitty-pet was going to prove herself first. "I don't have to accept anything from you," he snarled, standing tall and staring her down. "You reek of fear and the way your claws are sliding in and out tells me you don't have much control over your emotions."

Still, he couldn't help but think of the looming threat of the coyotes. They would need all the paws they could with that. And then there was the fact of his own heritage. Many moons ago, Lionstorm had allowed him to stay in the Clan despite his outsider heritage. Who would he be if he didn't extend the same curtesy to this stranger?

"Can you fight?" he asked coolly, waiting for her response.


// @Snook

[crumbl]

Originally Posted by spade

As he watched her through narrowed eyes, it became increasingly obvious that her whole speech was planned - at least some of it. She seemed nervous and scatterbrained, two traits that Kestrelwing absolutely loathed. Did this kitty-pet really think she had what it took to be a Clan warrior? Behind him, his tail lashed in frustration.

He opened his mouth to follow up with a clipped retort when Vimi mentioned Sootflare and Stormcall. Instantly, he froze. How did this outsider know what was going on in RiverClan? Was she actually from another Clan who had heard the news in passing? No, that wouldn't explain the unfamiliar scent on her. "We are not in turmoil, kitty-pet," he spat, advancing on her though sliding his claws back in.

A scoffing laugh at the next part of her speech. He should just take her back to camp, huh? No, that wasn't how it worked. If anything, this kitty-pet was going to prove herself first. "I don't have to accept anything from you," he snarled, standing tall and staring her down. "You reek of fear and the way your claws are sliding in and out tells me you don't have much control over your emotions."

Still, he couldn't help but think of the looming threat of the coyotes. They would need all the paws they could with that. And then there was the fact of his own heritage. Many moons ago, Lionstorm had allowed him to stay in the Clan despite his outsider heritage. Who would he be if he didn't extend the same curtesy to this stranger?

"Can you fight?" he asked coolly, waiting for her response.


// @Snook

Control over her emotions? No, he had it all wrong. She wasn't afraid. Just... no, maybe she was afraid. Were anxiety and fear the same thing? She couldn't tell. Was she really that easy to read? She'd have to make a note of that. Study how other cats responded to her stress.

She realized she'd been quiet too long. Could she fight? She bit her lip. No. But she wasn't about to leave without joining the Clan. Practically, a lie would probably be a very bad decision in the long term. But Louis had said she had to listen to her heart sometimes. Ignore the practical side of things. Was this what he meant? She was so confused. So many thoughts. She was being quiet again. That was a sign of hesitation. Weakness. And the other cat was displaying dominance over her, which meant weakness would be her undoing...

"Yes," she blurted, pushing herself out of her head. "Yes, I can most definitely fight. I am an expert at that. At fighting."

That would convince him. She had stated it as a fact, and facts were impossible to ignore. I would feel optimistic if my body wasn't under the pressure to flee. Fight-or-flight. Adrenaline. I wonder why that is? There's no immediate physical danger to me. Though perhaps my brain has been oriented to simply interpret other cats as a threat. Interesting. Most likely because cats are never comfortable around me and that leads to hostility. And hostile adrenaline is a direct physical threat.

[spade]

Did this cat think she was dealing with an apprentice instead of an experienced RiverClan warrior? Kestrelwing let out a snort, quickly picking up on the anxiety. "An expert, hmm? Well then, you would be up for a little mock battle then, correct? Just to demonstrate this "expert" fighting strategy of yours?" There was a hint of a challenge in his voice, and though he felt hunger rip at his belly and exhaustion weigh on his shoulders, depending on how this molly responded to his challenge would determine his next steps.

Despite his generalized anger and hatred towards outsiders, Kestrelwing couldn't ignore the fact that his heritage was intertwined with theirs. That he had once been them - though never physically on the outskirts of the Clans, but emotionally and mentally (which could be just as strong).

Perhaps he would need to get a second opinion from Lionstorm... No, he could do this. He could make these decisions, and leaving it up to another cat, even if that cat was a former leader, didn't sit well with him. He had to be the judge of character her, factually and impartial. He wouldn't let his own emotions dictate how this meeting went.


// @Snook

[Madelaine]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

"You don't know how to swim?" Barkfuzz meowed inquisitively. His head tilted to the side for a moment in confusion. A RiverClan cat that didn't know how to swim? That wasn't very common.

Suddenly his head shot up again in glee. "I'd be happy to teach you!" he purred eagerly. "Swimming is a blast!"

Heronflight looked at him with a shake of her head. She never really had the time to learn. She hunted everyday to make sure her clan got fed. It always came first before learning how to swim. "I haven't really had the time. I'm always out hunting.", she meowed. Heronflight felt a little weird that she didn't know how to swim. She had always admired the water. Her eyes brightened when he said he could teach her.

"I would love that.", she purred back.