SkyClan it looks as though we abut / first border patrol ?

[Hawkstar]

HAWKSTAR, 62 moons / SKYCLAN LEADER
A long-legged short-furred seal point tortie with one electric-blue eye; heavily scarred
Mentoring ROSEPAW ; mother of STARLITPATH
Prone to corporate attitudes, harsh words, hazing practices ; generally morally dubious
Tagging person here

---

Hawkstar was not one to often lead patrols. It wasn't her first priority, what with Flowercloud and.... Fujimoto.... to pick up that slack. That's what they were there for, anyways: bodies that she could delegate the more boring tasks to while she held training sessions and did the important job of spying on keeping tabs on her adjusting clan. They were the generals to her kingship, with patrols being their rounds meant to do without the crown present.

However, the journey had left them all .... a bit more waylaid than the pointed king would've liked. Her generals lacked the precision she needed in these new lands - lacked the vision she had. Not one other clanner had so much as graced their negligible borders since their arrival.... surely, it was not because they had been so generous as to allow them time to "settle in." No... Hawkstar was not going to wait in isolation, her paws idle and her ears flat to her head as another clan prepared a raid on the territory she had just claimed. No... best go to them first.

.... that is.... if she could pinpoint who "they" were.

It was late into the afternoon by the time the leader slowed to a pause at the edge of some river, the water gurgling happily at her feet, her ears swiveling. Not once did the hard line of her mouth waver, despite the frustration that boiled somewhere in her gut. "Rosepaw, what do you smell out here?" she meowed, one electric blue swinging from shoreline to apprentice: an unpassable test.

@stormcrow @Cherrydawn @Momo @Rosepaw @Fuzzypaw

/ general idea is this is supposed to be peaceful. no skirmishes today ! no posting order.

 

[willowburn]

(☾) her new name still tastes odd in her maw. willowburn has always been willow, brother to smoke and night, mouser, then shipyard dweller. she has never been anything beyond those two syllables, or the occasional familiar nickname. now her name has an addition, something she has been told is important, even crucial, to being a riverclan warrior. it's all odd to the feline. still, she will say that she doesn't mind the name itself. it is pretty enough, tough and fierce seeming while also keeping her heritage intact. smokewreath's is much the same, although the feline has some things to say about the young one's suffixes. so many "kit" names, it's always a mouthful to call them all. pike… pikestar, has made it known that willowburn's kin will one day have warrior names of their own. she just hopes the tomcat will get better at tactful monikers before then (russetfall comes to mind.)

as the smoke feline pads through their new territory, paws smoothing over paths that will one day be familiar, they hum gently to themself. just beyond a break in the trees of her namesake is the river, babbling away despite the chill that permeates the air. sidling gently beneath willow boughs and through drooping reeds, the feline finds the water. their slender head turns, glancing back at their small patrol of other cats. "no ice on the river! that means good fishing today," they calls to their clanmates, eyebrows raised in excitement. flicking their tail, willowburn turns back to the water, bending to lap up sweet, cool liquid.

as she rights herself, peering over to try and glimpse any chance at fish, a small noise on the other side of the river alerts her. willowburn glances up, locking eyes with a stranger. fern on sea-blue, the two felines stare at each other, before the other is joined by several more cats. aware of the colony from the shipyard days, willow scents the air, but these strangers do not smell like the desperation and hunger that the colony cats had. "greetings," she calls, bold, stepping into the open with her tail held high. the rest of her clanmates will join her soon - she need not fear. "who might you be?"

WITH THE ECHOING HYMN ☾ OF MY FELLOW PASSERINE

• // " #87874b"
• 
• WILLOWBURN
  ☾ SHE / THEY. RIVERCLAN WARRIOR. 30 MOONS. PENNED BY LAVS.
  
  
  a lithe black smoke feline with ghost striping and leaf green eyes. long smoky fur dashed through with grey and white adorns her frame, sliced across by darker stripes that frame her face and legs. eyes like sage, brilliantly green, gaze with an intelligent look. she is scarred across the bridge of her angular nose.

​

 

[Adderfang]

They were adjusting quicker to their new home than he had anticipated.

Peachy and Downy had done good work, ensuring shelter was over their heads. The river ran with fish—so long as it didn't freeze over—and Adder had been scouting out other prey-rich areas, preparing for the worst. Scent borders were beginning to take shape, though much was still to be done.

It was familiar work. He had plenty of experience patrolling and marking territory alongside his father. And when the dusky tom disappeared, leaving him and his siblings to fend for themselves, Adder had remained. Instead of dispersing, he stayed behind, determined to build on what his father left them, rather than abandon it altogether. That decision had eventually led him to Wave, and for that, he thought it the best choice he ever made.

Still, despite their progress, an unease lingered—mostly between himself and Pikestar.

There was a conversation that needed to happen. But Adder had learned the hard way that walking into complicated situations without a plan never worked in his favor. Until he figured out how to approach it, he preferred to just keep his mind busy

That was more or less why he joined Willow and the others on their hunting trip. He trailed behind the dark-furred molly at a steady pace, not as quick-footed but no less eager to reach the river. He hadn't fished so far upstream before. With so many young mouths to feed (seriously—where were they all coming from?), keeping their pile stocked was more important than ever.

As they neared the water, Adder's eyes flicked ahead, immediately noting what Willow did. His pace quickened to a trot, tail flowing behind him, flicking sharply to grab the rest of his clanmates' attention. He slowed as he approached, taking up beside Willow with quiet confidence. She was already asking the right questions, so he listened expectantly.

Yes, who are you? What do you want?

Adder stood ready, ears pricked as he took stock of the strangers. He counted four… five… six in their midst. Too many to get careless. The one-eyed cat at the front was obvious—stone-faced—much like himself. But there were also two younger cats, one of them not much older than his kits. A blue point wearing a twoleg collar and a molly whose pelt split into two distinct shades.

The river would offer some barrier, should things turn hostile. But he was not naive enough to believe that would stop them should they be provoked.

___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  

• 

• Adderfang he/him & riverclan
  𓆟 Chocolate ticked tabby w/ amber eyes. Peppered with scars. Deep gash across the right side of his face exposing one canine slightly. Missing left ear.
  𓆟 Deep gravelly voice that might unsettle others.
  𓆟 Would and will kill a man.
  𓆟 Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. For other powerplays, DM.
  𓆟 Fur smells faintly of river reeds and damp earth.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[stormcrow]

Stormcrow is walking a few steps behind the last cat of the patrol, keeping watch, ears alerted. This was still unfamiliar ground, unfamiliar bushes, with unfamiliar predators lurking. Hawkstar stops at the edge of a river, and Stormcrow approaches her leader, scanning up and down the waterline. She hears something– a rustling that might only be the wind. Still. Hawkstar asks something of her apprentice; a question with no right answer. Stormcrow's whiskers twitch with amusement, glad to no longer need to answer such questions.

Suddenly, the reeds on the other side of the river bend, and a beautiful she-cat steps out into the dim leafbare sun. She calls out to them, and soon another joins her– a rather nasty looking tom. Gnarled. He says nothing.

"We could ask you the same thing," Stormcrow replies.

She does not introduce them; not her job. Hawkstar can do that, if they so please. Stormcrow has no interest in making friends with these strangers. So long as they do not come onto Skyclan land, what and who they are is of no interest to her; and if they do come, her only interest would be in chasing them out.

 

[Fuzzypaw]

The journey had taken a toll on the young tom, his muscles torn and aching as a constant reminder to the trek they had made. Hawkstar had promises of a land for themselves, a land where they could flourish and leave the retched sickness that had swallowed up their last camp, their home. Fuzzypaw didn't really understand still why they had to leave. Hadn't it not been so bad? Hadn't the medicine cats had it all under control? Couldn't they contain it? Perhaps they were just too young - or too ignorant, though not their fault - to notice. But their new camp... it stressed them out, more than the tuxedo feline had expected. The pine forest was dense, dark and quiet... even too quiet for someone like him.

Sticking close to Rainchime, the boy couldn't help the trembling that shook his curls or the chattering of pearly teeth. He wasn't one for confrontation; and he could only expect the worst out of discovering their next-door neighbors. Their fluffy tail snapped back and forth quickly, darting around so much it was as though a mini tornado could appear below their tail. Fuzzypaw usually was anxious, but not to this extent.

The voice of Hawkstar caused them to jump and let out a slight meow, golden eyes glancing to her with embarrassment littered in their gaze. "Um, sorry," they murmured before looking out over the river, chest heavy from the air they had taken in. Blowing it out slowly and softly to try and calm their bouncing nerves, two blurry figures were brought to their attention as they turned their head to Rainchime. "Uhm, Rainchime? Who're they?" He asked with a gulp, the dark gray molly being the first to open her maw and ask the same question that was on all their minds. They chose to stay quiet, as per usual. It wasn't their place to speak up - no, never in a situation like this. Stormcrow's response had his fur prickled on edge, a forced yet friendly smile mustered onto an anxious expression. 'Oh, StarClan, just answer the question!' They thought, hoping it would just be a quick, easy, and kind exchange. No need to make enemies so soon into adjusting to their new camp.

ooc: mentor tag <3! @Rainchime

 

[Cherrydawn]

CHERRY OF SKYCLAN

Curiosity flickered across the chimera's face as she lifted her head, dual-colored eyes wide with wonder. There was so much to see, so much to explore. The sheer vastness of it all was dazzling, almost overwhelming. What would they discover? What secrets did this land hold? But of all the things Cherrydawn had expected… other cats had not been one of them.

They came bounding toward them, bold and unhesitating, their kindness so immediate and unguarded that it made her reel back slightly in surprise. Her gaze darted toward Hawkstar, searching for her reaction, her ear flicking to catch the slightest shift in her stance. Stormcrow spoke up first, carefully neutral. Good. No answers given, none owed. Cherrydawn took in a slow breath, then dipped her head politely. " Good day. " she greeted, her voice measured yet warm.

She wouldn't speak too much. Not yet. Her posture remained open, inviting, but just beneath the surface, a quiet wariness lingered. Who were these cats? Wanderers? Or something more? With an easy step, she moved a bit closer to Stormcrow, offering her a faint, reassuring smile before turning her focus back to the strangers. One tom, scarred and battle-worn, carried himself with a presence that reminded her of Hawkstar. A leader? Or was it the confident molly who had first spoken, her stance unwavering? Cherrydawn kneaded the earth beneath her paws, her unease slight but present. She would wait. Watch. Listen.

Because something told her this meeting was more than just chance.

THROUGH DIRT AND SHADOW I GROW ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— I'm reaching light through the struggle

 

[PIKESTAR]

Staying cooped up in camp would do him no good, even though he technically deserved a good rest after the ordeal he endured when receiving his nine lives. No, he was not counting the journey to and from the Shipyard and Riverclan or getting lost to highstones. If he could go back in time he would prefer to trek miles over nine lives. Aching paws? You better trust that I'll be picking aching paws again and again.

He follows behind Willowburn, a tail swaying side to side in excitement.

"R-really?! Nice. We're gonna eat good today. Wanna make it a competition Willowburn? Whoever catches the most fish wins!"

No punishment or reward is spoken of, as it should be a given between them. While he was in contact more with her brother, considering he looked after the kits... He had his fair share of competing with the two siblings and even if he lost more than half the time (the duo was a force to be reckoned with), he still treasured each moment. Believe it or not he burned the times Smoke gave a small semblance of a smile into memory, and each time he recalled them his heart thrummed with pride. As for Willowburn? Oh, he remembered each time she grumbled and was not at all very gentle like. It was refreshing to see every once and awhile. Still... Willowburn had her way with dishing out the punishment for the loser. I remember you felt so bad for days 'cause it never healed properly. I don't blame you though, we both got a little too into it.

As for Adderfang? Well... Things were tense between them. They hadn't spoken really and Pike would prefer that things stood that way for as long as they could. He really did not want to talk about what happened and who did what or who was in the wrong with Adderfang. However, it was kinda difficult when you felt like a mouse being stalked by a snake daily. He swore he could feel Adderfang's heated stare at the back of his neck and while he was used to being stared at for not so good reasons... This was an entirely different level. Please. At this point I'd rather you claw me to death or just say something because the staring is killing me. If it's just another insult please get it over with, I want just one day where I don't feel like a tiny mouse.

Just when he thinks this will be a normal day in which they catch their bounty and return back home without any issue, he notices that Willowburn move away as well as Adderfang's flicked tail. H-huh? Something there? He lacks the same caution that Willow or Adder has when he sees what has caught their interest. Green eyes stare at the other group of cats. Willowburn's question towards the strangers is met with a few short responses. They don't seem like hungry rogues. They look pretty well fed. Maybe they're a small wandering group? We've had cats like that in the Shipyard before. Wouldn't surprise me if the forest's got their wanders too. That one cat is a bit rude though.

And so they just stand there. Just staring in silence.

"ARRRGHHH, Why are you all so serious?"

It does not occur to him that this would be the Skyclan cats first impression of the Riverclan leader.

"It's not like we asked you to give us your kits or something as wild as that,"

he grumbles. It is now that his stomach decides to rumble loudly for everyone to hear. I just wanted some nice salmon. Some nice juicy salmon to catch and eat back home. But now we're stuck here staring at each other. For some reason. In a very leaderlike (not at all) fashion he flops to the ground.

"I-if you're worried about us attacking or uhh something, that's not happening. We're just getting food, that's it really."

As much as he would love for this to continue, he would love it if he had something in his belly first preferably. Hhhhnnnggg. Foood. I want some fishies in my mouth.

 

[willowburn]

(⏾) stars above and waves below! exasperation flickers to life within the smoke feline's chest as the strangers mutter back short quick statements. willowburn tips her head, green gaze wide with incredulity. adder sidles up behind her, quiet bodyguard, looking as disapproving as willow feels. a sigh makes its way from her lungs, fogging the winter air around her. "you could," she will finally call back, answering the pointed cat's statement. another cat calls a seemingly friendly greeting, but the riverclanner is not quite certain the other even means anything by it. "we asked you first, however."

paws crunch behind her and willowburn feels her body tense as pikestar ambles towards the confrontation. he is a smart cat, she tells herself, plastering on a small smile. he won't be foolish around strangers. she is wrong - of course she is. their stars-blessed leader pauses for a moment, then lets out a sigh that seems to sweep across the river. while he makes a good point about the strangers' closed lips, willow cannot help but cringe as he goes on about their lack of threat, then flops down to fish. "pike-" she hisses softly, clenching her jaw. say what you will about her friend - at least he's remained himself after his starclan visions. velvety green eyes meet adderfang's ambers for a moment, one eyebrow raising. then back to the strangers she turns, fixing her expression. "we are cats of riverclan. we call this place home," because if she doesn't introduce them, they're going to get nowhere.

the mottled point who seems to carry herself with a dignity enviable to willow has not yet spoken, and the smoke eyes her, head tipped. "now, care to share your story?"

WITH THE ECHOING HYMN ⏾ OF MY FELLOW PASSERINE

• // " #87874b"
• 
• WILLOWBURN
  ⏾ SHE / THEY. RIVERCLAN WARRIOR. 30 MOONS. PENNED BY LAVS.
  
  
  a lithe black smoke feline with ghost striping and leaf green eyes. long smoky fur dashed through with grey and white adorns her frame, sliced across by darker stripes that frame her face and legs. eyes like sage, brilliantly green, gaze with an intelligent look. she is scarred across the bridge of her angular nose.

​

 

[Adderfang]

The longer he stood there, the deeper his scowl etched into his face. He could approve of a little posturing to set an impression—especially with outsiders—but this? This was getting ridiculous.

Then Pike trotted up, far too casual for anyone's liking. A twitch settled under Adderfang's eye. When did that start? Was it the cause of some sickness? Should he ask Jingle about it? Maybe… Not that it mattered right now.

Suppressing a sigh, he shared a glance with Willowburn. Yes, this was the cat they called their leader. The same one who had led them to their new home. And yet, Adderfang didn't know what to do with him anymore. Or how to handle their relationship as stormy as it was right now.

But then, Wave's words drifted back to him.

"He's gonna need someone at his side with a good head on his shoulders. Ye can be that fer him. Be a friend an' a voice of reason."

The tension in his shoulders eased just a fraction. The twitch under his eye stilled. He needed to be patient with Pike—needed to be a voice of reason like she said. Damn it really wouldn't be easy but… he would try, for her.

Besides, has Wave ever been wrong? Adderfang searched his memory, but nothing flowed to the surface. Either she was always right, or he had been wrong more times than he could count.

Now how was he supposed to handle this? If he tried whispering anything to Pike, the tom would probably jump sky-high—straight into the river, knowing him. Not a good look, especially in front of cats that may decide to attack them. Would've been better for Pike to address them, but for now he thought it better someone else do most of the talking…
He glanced between Pike and Willow. She was level-headed, far more than he could be in moments like these. Maybe she could hold ground for them, but as things were, they weren't moving.

But one thing was clear—starting with hostility wasn't going to help them. A fight wouldn't do them any good. They didn't have time to be nursing wounds, not with so many still recovering. There was nothing to be gained from fighting today.

"This is going nowhere," He remarked dryly. His tail lashed behind him, curling over his back before settling. "There's not enough light in the day for this and I'm sure we would both rather be doing anything else. I'm Adder—" He caught himself, fumbling over the name still unfamiliar on his tongue. He would never get used to that. "Adderfang," He quickly revised himself. "This is Willowburn. And Pikestar." He gestured to each of them.

Adderfang does not linger, nor does the tone of his voice change much. "As it has been said, we are RiverClan. These waters and what's beyond them have been claimed by us." Expectations and boundaries set. He would prefer that they remember them.

He didn't soften the words. He saw no reason to. But his next came slower, measured. "Pikestar has… made a point. There is no need for conflict."

___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  

• 

• Adderfang he/him & riverclan
  𓆟 Chocolate ticked tabby w/ amber eyes. Peppered with scars. Deep gash across the right side of his face exposing one canine slightly. Missing left ear.
  𓆟 Deep gravelly voice that might unsettle others.
  𓆟 Would and will kill a man.
  𓆟 Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. For other powerplays, DM.
  𓆟 Fur smells faintly of river reeds and damp earth.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[Hawkstar]

HAWKSTAR, 62 moons / SKYCLAN LEADER
A long-legged short-furred seal point tortie with one electric-blue eye; heavily scarred
Mentoring ROSEPAW ; mother of STARLITPATH
Prone to corporate attitudes, harsh words, hazing practices ; generally morally dubious
Tagging person here

---

Hawkstar's expression twisted from concern to curiosity to incredulous as these.... RiverClanners gathered one after the other. Her tail flicks lazily at Stormcrow and Fuzzypaw, both as unhelpful as the cats in front of them, of whom decide that subtle jabs and insults count as meaningful conversation. How uncouth, certainly not any civilized way to speak to another clan's emissary mission. Her eye switches from Adderfang - mm.... - to Willowburn to - "Pikestar?"

This 'unserious' thing was the leader of one of the ancient clans she had grown up dreaming about, so much so that she packed up her entire clan to join? This one? Not... at least the one that greeted them before spitting out careless inanities? Hawkstar could barely keep from whirling on her heel and storming back to their own camp to spit at Dovecloud or Batwing to come deal with these imbeciles - at least then she wouldn't have to hear their fishy complaining. "I suppose our little patrol has turned up something important after all. My name is Hawkstar, leader of SkyClan," she tilts her head back to the shade of the pines that bordered her side of the river. "these are my warriors, and we have claim over the pines. Our border ends here." she sets her paw hard down on the earth, "we have no use of your waters, just your ... cordiality."

Electric blue flashes across Pikestar's black-and-silver face, as if daring him to challenge her on the terms she had generously set. "And conflict is the last thing I am concerned about. I have overseen the training of every cat here, and each of them is more than capable. So long as our borders are respected, I see no reason to make a show of how well they excelled in their assessments. A reasonable agreement, don't you think?"

 

[PIKESTAR]

The moment Willowburn hisses at him, he whines

"Aww come on!"

At the very least, he keeps silent as Willowburn says who they are and inquire about who the strangers are. Who they are at this point is of little concern to him. All he wants is for their exchange to be over, everyone going their own merry way so they could finally fish in peace.

Adderfang shares similar sentiments and for once one he cheers internally. What he was not prepared for was an introduction of his own name. Pikestar? Oh, wait. That's me. I'm still not used to it. I still think it's a funny name. His head lifts and green gazes at the scarred tom with a undiscernible expression. Even as his name has long passed from Adder's maw, his gaze has not faltered. I see. That's what I'm supposed to do. Even though I never really said what's ours, but I'll go along with it. We haven't explored around too much either. Ugh, I still want to go fish or something though. Would it bad to just fish? Like, right now?

When he is addressed again, he rises to his paws and looks to the strangers. The air surrounding him has changed. His attention would be drawn to Hawkstar when she addresses herself along with the name of her group. He tilts his head to what she claims is her domain for only a moment before returning his attention to her. What she says next causes his whiskers to twitch in irritation. However, he manages to still his tongue and listen on to what she has to say no matter how much his blood boils as she goes on. Their eyes remain locked. While he is foolish, he does not miss Hawkstar's clear aggression.

Silence passes between them. To Hawkstar, this might have been a victory. However, the words that left Pikestar's maw were cold.

"Why are you threatening us?"

Whoever wanted to speak would be cut off as he continued,

"I'm pretty sure you're supposed to be nice when making an agreement. All I hear is I want this. I want that. If you don't give me what I want, then I'll send my warriors to fight you. The agreement you speak of is unreasonable, considering we haven't listed our terms. After all, an agreement is mutual between both groups."

If any of his clanmates had thought he completely lost his mind and was challenging Hawkstar and her clan to battle, he would not fault them. He wasn't exactly stepping down and rolling over (with some dignity). This certainly wasn't the time to be meeting another leaders challenge, especially when he couldn't hold his own in a fight. Not to mention plenty of their friends were still recovering from their injuries. However, he refused to let this Skyclan leader bully them or speak with an air arrogance. As if he along with his friends were nothing but dirt beneath their paws.

"We don't have any use for your pines either, so don't get your paws in a twist. Riverclan has no intention of fighting Skyclan. I will inform the clan of our unfriendly neighbor and their borders. As for Riverclan's terms we will demand the same. Skyclan will respect our borders."

You shouldn't have any issue with that. In the end, you get to keep your pines and don't have to worry about us trying to take them. Not that we would've liked the pines anyway. We prefer our river after all. He smiles towards Hawkstar,

"I would have loved it if we could've exchanged gifts and learned about each other nicely. But, it seems like we can't. I was hoping talking to another leader would be nice... I guess, it's nice to meet you Hawkstar."

 

[Spookii]

SPOOKY

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Spooky trailed after the group, his wide eyes darting around as his ears remained pinned back, alert to every sound. It was just supposed to be a hunting trip, a chance to learn, he wanted to learn. He wanted to be good at hunting, to know how to fish properly. The walk had been long, his paws ached, but he bit his tongue. He needed to keep up. Other apprentices probably did this all the time, right? If he learned quickly, it wouldn't be so hard next time.

But then they found the other patrol, and suddenly, this trip felt much less safe.

The tension in the air was thick, like mist clinging to the riverbanks before dawn. Willowburn had been kind, offering her greetings and asking for names, but Adderfang had remained silent. He often did, Spooky had noticed that, but he didn't seem bad. Just... grumpy. Maybe even a little kind in his own way. He was nice to his kits, at least. Then Pikestar spoke, his voice breaking through the uneasy quiet. Spooky jumped slightly, his fur bristling, before quickly stepping forward to settle behind his leader. His tail twitched anxiously as he peered at the SkyClan cats. SkyClan... Did that mean they came from the sky? Like how RiverClan stayed near the water?

" Hello. " he piped up softly, making himself as small as possible. His mouth opened to introduce himself, but doubt crept in. Spookypaw? Spooky? He hesitated before blurting out. " I am from RiverClan. "

His ears burned. That was dumb. Even Pikestar spoke better than that. He shrank down further, his voice turning even quieter. " W-We can still talk... talk nicely... I mean... it's, uh... " His gaze darted to the sky, then the river, grasping for anything useful to say. " ...A great day for fishing... " The words barely left his mouth before he regretted them. Did SkyClan even fish? Hawkstar had just told them they didn't need RiverClan's waters.

Yeah... no. Definitely should've stayed quiet.

═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════

 

[Hawkstar]

HAWKSTAR, 62 moons / SKYCLAN LEADER
A long-legged short-furred seal point tortie with one electric-blue eye; heavily scarred
Mentoring ROSEPAW ; mother of STARLITPATH
Prone to corporate attitudes, harsh words, hazing practices ; generally morally dubious
Tagging PIKESTAR, ROSEPAW

---

Stars above, he sounds like Flowercloud. Gifts and gaffing... a fool given confidence by a title. "No one on our side of the river had a mind towards violence, and yet you and your warrior made sure to let us know how you did not plan on attacking us. How curious to state something like that so willingly, so readily, and yet we are deemed unfriendly?" Hawkstar let out a tut-tut sound, no more impressed by this leader than she was by the kittypets she was meant to house as a show of Coffeestar's lasting will. "I will be sure to grovel next time to seem more appealing to your sensibilities, Pikestar."

Another miniscule squeak of a voice pulls the pointed king's attention down. A white kit had addressed her (them?), its little fur all puffed out, blue eyes big and wide, just a frog's eye bigger than Downykit was. Great StarClan, was RiverClan allowing their fresh apprentices to field train days after leaving the nursery? Her hand had been forced by their lack of resources, prompting a journey that threw most of her apprentices into accelerated learning paths - what was RiverClan's excuse? Still... Hawkstar was never one to be cruel to kits, even when faced with the stupidity of their superiors. She offers the little thing a smile, even as she turns away from the "warriors" alongside its side of the river. "Perhaps another day, little warrior, under bluer skies and warmer temperatures. But for now -" she raises one scarred brow to the RiverClan warriors, "we stay at the impasse given to us. SkyClan, to me."

She flicks her tail again for her own entourage to follow her back to their woods, away from the RiverClan border and their accusations, away so that they could not hear the hiss exhaled through clenched teeth. "Fish-stench," Hawkstar offered to Rosepaw once the RiverClanners behind were well out of earshot. "The correct answer to my question was fish-stench. Keep to our side of the river and you'll not have to suffer through it again."

/ exit

 

[Rosepaw]

Oh, I can't stop feeling I want her love ♡

The chocolate tom's nose wrinkles as they arrive to the area, Hawkstar's question making him want to gag at the idea of scenting more thoroughly but before he can even have the chance to answer other cats arrive, their pelts clinging with a salty tinge that has his whiskers twitching as he puts forth his best effort not to dry heave in response. It was most foul, the water of the river scent clinging to their pelts and filling the area with a tang like carrion left in the sun. The tabby stiffens, head held high as he regards the cats who call themselves RiverClan. So THIS was one of the other clans? They had lived so far from them that he almost forgot the journey brought them alongside the four once more as they had in the tales he heard from Snowveil and the other elders. The tabby who they called Pikestar did not seem particularly intimidating, he didn't have the same regal air that Rosepaw's mentor Hawkstar had nor did he seem to carry himself with any grace like his mother did. If that was their leader then he didn't have much worry on border disputes now - he could take him. Probably anyways. The signal to leave rises and he turns quickly, pivoting on his pale paws to follow along after the one-eyed monarch, catching the hiss uttered under her breath to signify her displeasure, "Fish stench." He agrees, nodding, they were nothing but a bunch of fish eating ruffians.

But all my dreaming is not enough...

Rosepaw

— Apprentice of SkyClan
— He/Him
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
— Chocolate Sepia Tabby w/low white & blue eyes.
#ef6c71

 

[stormcrow]

She has to bite back a snort of laughter– this bumbling idiot of a tom is the leader of Riverclan? They can't be serious, surely? He continues to run his mouth, and Stormcrow has half the mind to jump over the river and test if he really does have nine lives right then and there. What stops her is her leader, calm and cool as she speaks. Her demands are reasonable; she ignores the vague threat of Pikestar's words, in his feigned kindness. We're not going to attack you. They bloody better not.

He speaks as if he's only just been thrust into the seat of leader, still naive like a kit. Gifts? Being nice? Had he ever tried to bargain for anything before? He finishes speaking and a smaller voice squeaks up, a little thing, looking barely old enough to have left the nursery den. What strange cats indeed. Her leader speaks again, and Stormcrow turns to her, listening. Again, she has to bite back her amusement. She's called to Hawkstar's side, and she follows dutifully. Hawkstar gives Rosepaw the answer, and the young apprentice agrees.

"I cannot believe someone like him is the leader of one of the clans," Stormcrow meows, shaking her head. "Are we sure this is the real Riverclan, and not a bunch of fools playing pretend, imitating the real thing from what they heard as nursery tales?"

 

[Adderfang]

He remained silent as the exchange between Hawkstar and Pikestar unfolded. Adder could tell just by how the scarred leader spoke that she had moons of experience over Pikestar. He expected Pike to roll over, show his belly, let himself be walked all over… but that… didn't happen. It was odd—watching him stand his ground, meeting the SkyClan leader's sharp words with an edge of his own, even if it was dulled by comparison.

What is the feeling that juts into his ribs? Is it… pride? Adderfang supposes that's close. Perhaps it's even similar to the feeling he got watching one of his kits take their first paddle in the ocean—that first slap of a paw against water as they tested their strength. But he doesn't let that blind him.

Exchanging verbal blows with Hawkstar might not be the wisest course, especially when his offer of gifts and shared information was so idealistic. That, at least, was something Adderfang expected from him. Unsurprisingly, it is not well received by the other leader.

It takes far more restraint than it should have to keep his mouth shut. Especially as their civility is met with petty insults. Fish stench? How childish.

The insults flung their way cause his glare to sharpen into a fine point. The warmth of his amber eyes are swallowed by something cold, an iciness enough to freeze the river mid-flow.

The tom crouches and marks the ground where he stands, tail wriggling as he leaves a message of his own. Then, just as deliberately, he rakes his hind paws back through the dirt.

He did not waste another second glaring after them. There was nothing else to be gained. With a huff through his nose, he turned back the way they came, tail snapping sharply behind him. "Let's go." He says firmly. "We've wasted enough time today as it is." There was a discussion to be had, preferably far from earshot of their newfound neighbors.

- Exit Adderfang -​

___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  

• 

• Adderfang he/him & riverclan
  𓆟 Chocolate ticked tabby w/ amber eyes. Peppered with scars. Deep gash across the right side of his face exposing one canine slightly. Missing left ear.
  𓆟 Deep gravelly voice that might unsettle others.
  𓆟 Would and will kill a man.
  𓆟 Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. For other powerplays, DM.
  𓆟 Fur smells faintly of river reeds and damp earth.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​