Open Border The Rustclaws SkyClan hi-diddly-ho, neighborinos ㄨ EXPANDING BORDERS

[MELINOE]

{$title} the rustclaws have ventured close to the skyclan border (unknowingly for the most part) looking to expand their own territory

​

The wind bit harder the farther they walked—like claws dragging across skin. Melinoe grit her teeth and hunched into it, bulky shoulders drawn tight against the morning chill.

The trees ahead thickened into a veil of wild pine, looming like a guardian just a short distance from their kingdom of rust and filth. Breath curled from her nose as she halted, gaze fixed on the tree line.

Everyone's favorite wrinkled dictator wants to expand their borders. More hunting grounds for her growing collection of half-starved misfits. Shouldn't be mentioned that hunger wouldn't be a problem if she would stop taking in so many useless fucking kits and crippled strays. Oh but fuck it what does she know about starving to death because some soft heart couldn't say no to a bunch of pleading strays?

So yeah. Nonna wants—Nonna gets. Mel declined that old bat's proposal, but that didn't stop the major from dumping work in their lap at every opportunity.

Well, Mel knew something they didn't. There were eyes in the stretch of woods ahead—she'd nearly been caught the last time. That was a juicy slice of info she hadn't seen a point in sharing with her new 'family'—because why give them somethin' extra to worry about? Melinoe hadn't been out there since before she joined, and they had a hard enough time just keeping fat on their ribs.

Honestly it didn't even fucking matter, they were about to find out. She raised her chin, glancing back at the patrol. "When we get up here, you all can what you want for all I care, but for fucks sake lets try not to take all day." It was early as fuck and that soft pillow in her crate was calling her home.

Hopefully, Granny's patchwork crew could handle themselves. They weren't nearly as scarred up as she was, but that wasn't surprising. They were scrawny strays that couldn't hardly afford a fight. Still, they were a lot tougher than they originally gave them credit for. She'd seen some of 'em fight. If it came to a scrap, these scraps would put up a hell of one.

Melinoe resumed their path, tail flicking over her back. When the evergreen scent pressed strongly around them, she hated the patrol. "Hold it." Her voice sliced through the quiet. She stopped a ways from the treeline, nostrils flaring, slitted eyes boring into the trees for a moment before turning to the patrol. "Here's fine, lets get it marked."

@Gaia @Rachet @Rivet @Socket @Minty

SHE/THEY ⊹ RUSTCLAWS ⊹ SOLDIER

 

[Gaia]

Gaia had been walking just behind the patrol, her pawsteps deliberate, unhurried, like she had all the time in the world and no intention of wasting any of it. The wind whipped at her pale fur, but she didn't flinch. She simply narrowed her eyes and pressed forward, sharp gaze on Melinoe's back as the younger cat trudged ahead like she was daring the trees to come at her. She listened to Mel's little speech without blinking. Her face didn't move, but one ear swiveled in irritation. Do what you want was not a directive Gaia particularly respected, but it wasn't worth the energy to counter. Not yet.

Instead, she stopped a few tail-lengths back from the treeline when Melinoe barked the order. The others moved around, waiting for someone else to move first. Gaia said nothing, she rarely did when silence worked just as well. She had hoped to find catmint. Take some of it with her to add to her little garden and keep flourishing... However, catmint wasn't easy to find. Her paws brushed low through an underbrush. The scent was wrong, bitterer, sharper. Not catmint. But something caught her eye all the same: a splash of gold between two split stones.

She paused, crouched low, and brushed the leaves aside with one careful paw. Marigold. Fresh. Unbitten. Not what she came for, but just as useful in the right circumstances. Gaia let a small breath escape her nose, approval, maybe. Fate had a way of offering what you didn't ask for, if you were quiet enough to notice. She pulled the herbs free with gentle precision, bundling the stems beneath her chin before rising to her full height again. Something had caught her interest... Another scent, one unlike theirs.

Returning to the patrol, she didn't look at Melinoe, but her voice cut through the space just the same. " There's an odd scent here. Other cats. " Calm. Plain. But very much not unaware.

IRON WILL AND FIRE EYES ☆ I'M READY TO FACE THE FIGHT

• "speech"
  

• 

• GAIA she/her, rustclaw, sixty-seven moons.
  ☆ a fawn point with low white, brown eyes / lean and graceful
  ☆ field medic
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / always tag @lionharted
  ☆ penned by lionharted↛ LionheartedPhoenix on discord, feel free to dm for plots / click for toyhou.se