RiverClan Clearing

[BEAR.]

After returning to camp with Halfstone, Lionstar paused. "Thank you, Halfstone. I know that might have seem a little unnecessary for you to be there but I don't trust Icebrains to not try something." In the event she did, at least Halfstone would have a chance to get out of there and alert the Clan. "Why don't you get something to eat real quick, if you're hungry? Take a break."

[ @Rainquail ]

But his mind was elsewhere, back on Icestar and her injuries and the scent of blood in the camp. It bothered him. Had Icestar.. attacked someone? Gotten in a fight? He knew WindClan reclaimed their territory, or tried too-- but ThunderClan had broken off the alliance.. hmmm...

"Fawnsqueak [ @Dipper]! Thistlestep! I need to speak to you both for a moment."

To assuage his concerns, he quickly decided he wanted to do a quick check up on the other two Clans. Just..

Just in case. Lionstar didn't want his hard work wrecked by some toad.

[Fawn]

Fawnsqueak hurried over at Lionstar's call, slowing to gauge what this assignment might be. If it was just Thistlestep and himself, he was tempted to go with patrol.. a specialized patrol, this wasn't the ordinary patrol sendout.

His nose wrinkled. "You kind of smell..." Fawnsqueak pondered for a moment on how to phrase this nicely. Usually, he wouldn't be so considerate with Lionstar but with Thistlestep present, he might be more touchy. Finally, he finished with a tentative, "Like ShadowClan."

@BILL.

[BEAR.]

Lionstar grinned at his favorite Fawn when he approached, waving his tail. "Yes, you are correct." As Thistlestep joined in, he continued. "There was a trespassing ShadowClan apprentice in our camp, so Halfstone and I escorted him home. Simple enough..

"But, while we were there I noticed Icestar seems to have some recent injuries. Along with some of her cats. The place reeked like blood." He lowered his voice more. "I'm worried those frog-lickers did something to another Clan."

Thistlestep tipped his head to a side. "So you want to check it out?"

"Well, I want you two to check it out. Whatever happened.. if anything, it's over and done with. You shouldn't be in danger, at least. Besides, Fawn-- you get around the Clans quite a bit, they won't mind you popping in to check on things!" Probably. "I was thinking.. for time's sake, you both can go out. One to ThunderClan, one to WindClan. What do you say?"

[ @Dipper ]

[MEAT ANGELS]

@Arie

Doefeather poked at the prey in the prey pile, feeling lost. Ugh, I can't get her off my mind!

[Fawn]

The fur along Fawnsqueak's back bristled at the thought of an apprentice of another allegiance in their camp, glad Lionstar had taken care of the issue... well, only to discover another potential issue. "I wouldn't really be surprised if that's just how Icestar trains now," he mumbled, scuffing a paw on the ground.

Neither ThunderClan or WindClan were their allies, and they didn't owe them this wellness check. However, Fawnsqueak's personal curiosity was pushing him toward letting this slide without question because he wanted to learn of ShadowClan's possible antics too. He tilted his head to the side after everything was explained. "You sure you don't want to come with?" Traveling without company tended to make for a long evening, but he understood responsibility beckoned.

"I guess I can go to ThunderClan," he offered, then hesitated. "Wait, do you want us to go.. like, right this moment?"

@BILL.

[BEAR.]

"It definitely could just be training!" Lionstar agreed whole-heartedly. "But.. I also know she'd have a fox-dung reason to harass either Clan, with the broken alliance and WindClan trying to reclaim their lost territory." Icebrains was as shady as it came. No honor in that one, only hatred and edge.

At Fawnsqueak's question he shook his head. "No, I.. would like to but it might be best to do this quickly. Pairs slow things down, besides.." Lionstar moved to press his muzzle against Fawn's. "Who else would kick ShadowClan trespassers out while you're gone?" It was a light teasing, albeit with a hint of sadness because he did genuinely want to go. With Fawn. But.. if something did happen, it might be best if he stayed with the Clan to keep an eye on things.

"The sooner the better. I would prefer to find out while the wounds are fresh, rather than.. wait."

--

Thistlestep couldn't say he was pleased to be going, but he was a little curious to see if anything did happen. It was likely Lionstar was blowing this out of proportion but on the off chance.. "I guess I'll head to WindClan." At least some of their cats owed him one. He never did tell Lionstar about the border incident with that weird apprentice. "Are you ready to go Fawn?"

[ @Dipper ]

[Fawn]

Fawnsqueak jerked back with an awkward laugh when Lionstar tried to nuzzle him, quickly peering around the clearing to scan for any witnesses to that affectionate gesture. "Yeah, exactly," he agreed, half-listening since he was still too distracted by recollecting himself. "You're the best, uh, ShadowClan-hunting friend that I could ask for." Keyword, friend. Because they were friends, despite that stupid misunderstanding.

He cleared his throat to move on from that, a deep breath for composure's sake.

"Okay, ThunderClan it is. I'll.. head over there and make sure everything's fine." Honestly, he wasn't expecting much would come of this since there were countless reasons why Icestar and company would be sporting wounds that had nothing to do with the other Clans. The doubts didn't matter, as this journey would nevertheless yield insight into the well-being of everybody. With a belated nod of confirmation and shaky smile, he said, "I'm ready."

Fawnsqueak didn't waste a moment. He scuttled from the camp but did shoot a last fleeting glance at it from the entrance, waving his puff of a tail in goodbye.

@BILL.

 

[BEAR.]

Lionstar scowled when Fawn rejected his NUZZLE, HIS NUZZLE!!! But he wiped the look of discontent away quickly, acting like it didn't bother him in the slightest. it so did. "I'll see you soon, sugar..." they would need to talk about that later.

Thistlestep didn't wait a second longer, a little uncomfortable with the attempt of affection toward his brother, and he left to head to WindClan.

[ @Dipper ]

[Sweetie]

Mentoring was sure tiring, especially with an apprentice who had so much energy...thank Starclan that Shimmeringpool was young. Before letting Berrypaw bound away to where ever her heart desired the warrior gave a sweet and short goodbye.
Exhaustion hit every part of her body as she gracefully laid down in a sunny spot. She just wanted to stay there forever. Closing her light blue eyes the molly listened to the buzzing and active clan life around her.

@Dipper

[Fawn]

Fawnsqueak spotted Shimmeringpool in the clearing and supposed this would be as good of a time as any, uncertain of how many opportunities would arise now that she'd earned her title and an apprentice. Approaching, he was cautious and kept his distance, amiable in the smile that flickered on his features. "Um, hard at work..?" he started and inwardly cursed himself for that stupid opener. Yeah, he should've just kept his mouth shut.

@Shimm