Territory EMPRESS OF FIRE | a stranger

[[M|O|M|O]]

{$title} set a few days after the journey's end!

Hindsight 20/20, leaving at the start of Leafbare was a terrible idea.

It was cold, they were consistently hungry, and so far, they had not stumbled upon another soul. The forest was endless, Momo hadn't explored most of it for fear of freezing their bat-sized ears off. Still, there was something almost enjoyable about the discomfort and having to hunt for one's food and build one's shelter. A few hunger-driven mistakes had taught him how to catch the basic things, a few broken nests had taught him where to build - in suffering, he felt himself growing. He just wished growth wasn't so... malnourished... or frigid...

The oriental paused at an old tree stump, nostrils flaring at the new scent occupying it. The cream fur upon his neck stood to attention, and the taste of ash settled within his mouth. Some time ago, the bark had smelled of mildew and pine. Now, there was cat all over it, a scent marker. Stories of rogues immediately crossed the young tom's mind, their brutality towards anything that breathed and spoke as they did. He looked to the snow nearby where broader pawsteps trailed off towards the distance, cautiously, the long-nosed cat snorted.

'I'm so gonna get murdered. Killed. Deaded. Dieded.' Being there first didn't matter, it was survival of the fittest, a battle of strength and cunning that he could not see himself winning. Yet, as he assessed the pawprints, fresh as new grass, the anxiety strangling his heart seemed to renew excited thoughts within his head. Ones where he could learn from the rogues, join the rogues, learn how to survive like a savage wildcat. All he had to do was convince them he was worth keeping around... easy... right?

Momo followed after the pawprints until he saw the back of some cats, his ears twisting in opposite directions. Be strong, be brave, be intimidating, be worthy. "Um... excuse me?" He called out, eyes wide at the sycophancy. His household had taught him many things, but at that moment, he wished all lessons of grace and decorum had been abandoned in favour of talking like a brawler. 'Ok... maybe not bold... maybe... killing them with kindness?' They smiled, praying for the best. 'Please don't kill me... please don't kill me...'. "I just wanted to say that you had lovely eyes."


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[flowercloud]

Um excuse me? The voice caught her ears as she led the patrol onward, having marked their border as Hawkstar requested of the amber point molly. Golden brown ear tips flicked as her broad head turned, facing an interesting- cat behind them and across the border a few foxlengths. He bore a collar upon their neck, yet they smelled and looked like a rogue. Green eyes were bright , welcoming, and a smile threatened to dance across her muzzle. I just wanted to say that you had lovely eyes. Her smile faultered, hesitated as golden brown paws paused. A voice, Crowsight, in the back of her head, reminded her of Crowsights words. Eyes as beautiful as a sparkling rock underneath the rivers stream, as pretty as the new leafs blossoming leaves- She remembered when he actually attempted at being a warrior. Attempted to be there for her, was better than he was. And then he changed. Flowercloud resumed approaching, her tail high behind her before stopping right before the loner. "Why thank you..." She said softly, though decided to make no further comment. She couldn't be wrong to be leery of strangers in these new lands. "What brings you to Skyclans border?" She asks, her voice gentle, honey silken. After a moment, eyes gracing upon the toms slender body, the long furred deputy would sigh. "You... look starving. You are not sick, are you?" She asks, maybe too bluntly. But if he was sick, he needed to leave. That was her decision. Tigerfoot and swallowpaw had too little herbs to tend to strangers.

flowercloud ❀ 28 moons ❀ deputy ❀ she/her ❀ pinterest ❀ deidre

 

[[M|O|M|O]]

Momo watched the stranger's smile falter with their compliment, their heart threatening to pound out of their chest as they wondered if they'd come on too strong. She approached and the lynx point's limbs tensed somewhat under the scrutiny, his face remaining the pinnacle of optimism as he tried to hold back the overwhelming foreboding such silence brought along. The stranger broke the ice with gratitude, immediately, he noticed the way she spoke, soft as silk but with a strange air the tom couldn't quite place a paw on. For a spell, he relaxed, hoping not immediately turning and fleeing had quelled some suspicions of his character. 'I can be brave, see? Please like me.' Then, she sighed, and instinctively, he tilted his head.

"Sick?" He questioned with wide eyes. "No no no, of course not. I am supposed to look like this, kinda hurtful to imply otherwise but hey, that's ok, what's a bit of banter between future friends, eh?" Memories of his parents played out in his head, how slender they had looked compared to the other kittypets they would pretend to like (but then talk badly about behind their backs). They were all cats, but his kin had always been slightly different cats, with wedge-shaped heads and tails like a mouse's. Even the meow was different, more of a honk than something high pitched, but it wasn't a difference Flowercloud seemed to pay any mind to.

With an air of guilt, he wondered why it was the first thing he'd noticed about the stranger.

Still, he knew he was perhaps more slender than he should be - pickings were slim for one who didn't know the difference between a squirrel's tail and its teeth. "Anyways, um," he rolled his shoulders, recalling she had asked something beforehand that he hadn't had the chance to answer. "I've been liv— exploring these woods for a while, learning how to hunt and fight like all great rogues. I would love a teacher, if you would have me. I know my way around a conversation and I can climb real well, I could maybe hunt some things for you? Or if you're maybe the steal-y type, I can find out who owns the best land for grub?" He couldn't imagine rogues having any sort of structure, or morals, really, even if their name was a curious one. SkyClan, ideas of a melancholy morning and beautiful nights, of balance and unity. It was probably deceptive, mom would've definitely said it was deception.

But Flowercloud hadn't killed him yet, nor insulted him intentionally - that was two things she'd already been wrong about. Testing his luck, they mewed, "Is there... a hazing process?"


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[SWALLOWPAW]

blue eyes dart back and forth between the conversing adults. swallowpaw stands awkwardly, unsure on how to deal with the arrival of potential fresh meat. in the gorge, no one wanted to join for obvious reasons, but here, they're surrounded by a lush forest… stars, she already feels nauseous over the imaginary hoard of loners demanding a spot in.

her gaze settles on the shiny collar. a kittypet accessory, but he doesn't smell like the benevolent tigger. she decides not to verbally question it, but her nonexistent brows still furrow. there's nothing off putting about the lanky feline, his sentences drag on, but he feels genuine in asking for a place. leafbare would be the most common season for cats at the border.

"there's, um… room for you. in skyclan. we allow joiners, what's your name?" she speaks up, tail-tip flicking back and forth. an small, bashful smile pulls at her muzzle. "we could use the extra paws. and you're pretty… non-threatening." hopefully the stranger doesn't take offense to that, swallowpaw's never accepted a joiner before. she tries to ignore the question about their hazing process... because honestly, she doesn't want to lie or even scare away this cat. this stranger has no idea he's the first skyclanner in their new home.

ʚɞ

 

[flowercloud]

Flowercloud noticed slightly now, probably late, he was nervous, and gently, she let her shoulders loosen- instinctively trying to seem less than what she was. Perhaps, it would help this stranger slightly relax. Her paws lifted to her chest, ears flattening as she realized, and the Oriental explained, so embarrassed she ducked her head. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I have seen..." She trailed off, shaking her pointed face and glad he couldn't see the heat rise to her ears in the emotions she felt. "That wasn't fair of me. But I have a clan to protect," she began kneading her paws into the grass as she tried to explain awkwardly.

But she noted, that she liked his determination, his playfulness- and she hoped to herself it wasn't a guise. Though, she was a bit untrustful, and that wasn't his fault. She listened intently, ears perking forward at his interest of learning, the eagerness he offered. Oh yes, Hawkstar would get a kick out of him, she was sure. "I don't think there's a hazing process..." She was unsure though, with Hawkstar now taking lead, so she lay uncertain instead. "But you must prove and show loyalty... you would learn the warrior code, learn to fight and hunt for your clan. Retain respect for those around you, we'll go over it all..." She didn't want to flood the other with a bunch of things, but if he could accept the basic ideas of what's expected of him, then she was sure to take him to Hawkstar for her word.

"My name is Flowercloud, I am the deputy of Skyclan. I shall take you to our leader, for her word, but as far as I'm concerned, I think you'll fit in great." A gentle smile crossed her features, her eyes a bit brighter, hopeful. "From there... You'll shadow others to learn our ways- and never be afraid to ask any questions." She reassured gently.

Her head turned to Swallowpaw, nudging her gently. "You're doing great, by the way, kiddo..." She murmured softly, hoping to ease the other. Then her green eyes turned to her apprentice, thoughtful.

"Sorrelpaw, why don't you and Swallowpaw run ahead to camp and alert Hawkstar I'm coming with a newcomer? Fujimoto can you go with them, please? And thank you." She requested gently, feeling weird, just weird even still giving commands to others. But nonetheless it was her job. One she had to get used to.

@sorrelpaw @Fujimoto
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[fitzgerald]

When Fitzgerald had been assigned to a routine border patrol — as unsettling as the move had been, he can't deny the sense of comfort a simple patrol brings him, something that he has acquired lots of time for without the need to go back to his Twolegs now —, he hadn't expected to bear witness to a stranger flirting with the Clan deputy.

She deals with it as gracefully as Fitzegerald expects from her. The name Flowercloud alone may paint a picture of a pristine perfect she-cat who is mild-mannered and unnecessarily polite, but she sidesteps the odd obtrusion and gets right to business. He slots in line beside her and roams the unfamiliar cat's features without a single worry in the world. That collar upon the slender neck sparks hope within Fitzgerald's chest.

We're famous, Fitzgerald thinks. Why else would a rando chime in with such a request?

"So you're not all skin and bone?"

Fitzgerald says. The light-hearted tone will surely tell the stranger that it's not meant as an insult, though Fitzgerald doesn't really mind either way.

"We climb trees. Like, a lot. And we are no thieves!"

It is never a common occurrence for him to be flooded with something akin to Clan pride, but it happens now. Is he really that gone from who he had been in their original home? He doesn't want to think about it. He just wants to poke this cat until Hawkstar arrives and turns any and all attempts at fun down.

"What's your name?"

 

[Teaselpaw]

TEASELPAW

Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you

Teaselpaw watched with wide eyes as their mother spoke to the stranger, their fur prickling slightly with curiosity and protectiveness. The stranger was complimenting Flowercloud, and while Teaselpaw agreed with the praise, they couldn't help but feel a little on edge. If this stranger did anything to upset their mother… well, Teaselpaw wasn't sure what they'd do yet, but they were certain they'd figure something out. They just needed to think about it.

Their tail flicked nervously as they stayed a few pawsteps behind, quietly listening to the conversation. Not sick, that was good news. That meant Tigerfoot and Swallowpaw wouldn't have to keep an eye on him. Future friends? Teaselpaw's ears perked at the words. The stranger said "future friends," which sounded like a good thing, but how could they know that for sure? They'd only just met. Still, they wanted to believe it.

At the mention of a "hazing process," confusion crossed Teaselpaw's face. What was that? They glanced over at Swallowpaw, their head tilting slightly. SkyClan was growing, sure, but there was a lot about this new situation that Teaselpaw didn't quite understand... Especially with this new cat. If Hawkstar agreed to their presence, would that be enough for everyone? They listened as their mother called for Swallowpaw, Sorrelpaw and Fujimoto and asked them to turn back to camp to warn Hawkstar she would return home with a visitor.

As the conversation continued, Teaselpaw made their decision. They weren't about to let their mother be alone with this stranger, not with the way their fur still buzzed with caution. Sure, Fitz was here, but… that didn't mean Teaselpaw could sit back. They pressed closer to Flowercloud, their eyes still wide with uncertainty. They wouldn't let her face anything alone.

Puffing out their fur with a slight noise, Teaselpaw looked up at their mother, giving her a determined glance. Fitz was right, they thought firmly. They weren't thieves. They were good cats. Honest cats.

Teaselpaw scrunched their nose and puffed out their chest, an effort to appear braver than they felt. Finally, their gaze shifted back to the stranger. What was their name?

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[[M|O|M|O]]

There's room for you in SkyClan.

Momo turned to the young cat that spoke, blinking at the authority of which she confirmed he could join. Her shyness was lost upon him, for his heart flapped like the wings of a frantic bird, desperately trying to navigate the new situation he was in. They needed the help, which was good, but then they called him non-threatening which was... technically good (he doubted acting the bully would've gotten him anywhere with wildcats) but still felt like a claw wound to his ego. "Oh... thank you!" He tried to brush it off, about to answer with his name when he heard Flowercloud speak again. Instead of butting in, he chose to listen, relieved at least that he didn't come across as totally pathetic. Whether he'd intended to or not, he'd managed to swerve someone's expectations for the better. "No harm done... we all have... clans... to protect. I think, haha." Behind his smile, he felt his brain begin to freeze: what was a clan?

Flowercloud seemed to explain some aspects of it, aspects he nodded along to and promised he would pay attention to when he did not feel like his skin was melting off. He could show loyalty, he could learn to hunt and fight (probably), if things didn't work out, then he could just leave with the knowledge he'd learned... if he was able to keep himself out of trouble. Yet, as it stood now, he didn't want to leave. Where would he go, if not back to the Twolegplace with his tail between his legs? To parents that would have a field day telling him he was cursed for having bonded with tick-ridden cats? Another question broke him out of his stupor, someone asked him his name, more than once. "Ah I'm sorry, where are my manners? My name is Momo. It's nice to meet you all."

Flowercloud concluded, telling him it was ok to ask questions and, at that moment, he couldn't quite admit he had too many. "Ok, thank you, you all seem lovely," he smiled a beaming smile. They were suspiciously lovely, each one seemed bound by a code of honour he'd never expected stray cats to be bound by, aside from their ragged pelts there was seldom a sense of wilderness to any of them. He waited with bated breath for the reveal that they were cannibals or had fleas or something, but the more the fore-cat spoke, the more he felt at ease. Tension bundled in his shoulders began to leave, his tail began to coil towards the midday sky with confidence.

Then, Fitzgerald mentioned his appearance again and he turned his head so swiftly that it was a miracle his neck didn't snap. "Nope, I was just born this way. I guess I am a little hungry, but who isn't hungry for something in this grand old life?" Deflection, hypotheticals, the admittance of some guilt but not all - never was he to play his full paw lest he wishes to reap the consequences of honesty. He almost felt lucky the other talked about something less personal instead - though, the insulted tone in which he did so caused Momo to bow his head in a placating gesture. "Oh... so you're tree climbers, not thieves. That's... quite the distinction, how did you come to climb trees so much?" A side-eyed glance to a silent stranger, similar in age to Swallowpaw (children, not similar in age at all). Without a deeper look, he interpreted their quiet as impatience, and mewed,

"Or is that a question for another moon?"




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