H-huh? Why not? You saved Russet. Why shouldn't I mention it? It didn't appear as if she was mad about his words, so he figured it was just best to let it be and nod. She believed in him and that meant more than he could ever put into words. However, the sweet moment was cut short.
To say his worst nightmare became true was an understatement. The moment Bay questioned him if he been there, the courage he had fades. Green eyes can't meet her mismatched ones.
N-n-no, he wants to say. In fact, the admission nearly leaves his throat before she hits with an even more challenging question to answer. Oh, how he wants to grip her shoulders and shake her and scream in frustration that he just learned this not even a day ago! However, he knows how crazy it is to hear that he's never been there and the whole reason why he even knows this place is because of some strange star pelted cat in his dreams. To be honest, they would immediately disregard his prior statement and they'd be stuck here. Trying to figure out what to do. Oh, how he hated lying to them, but it needed to be done. When all this was said and done and if they actually made it to Riverclam's ancestral home where they were promised a bounty, he would explain everything to them. What the starry cat told him and what was their destiny. And if then had any reservations then, well... He didn't know. He would deal with that when the time came. For now he would take a pawstep back from Bay.
When Pine's voice interrupts them, he is eternally grateful. Internally his soul left to skip over to the older tom and given them a big kiss on the cheek from pure gratitude because he was saved from answering Bay at all. Although, his fantasy is shortly lived when Pine snaps him back into reality with genuine concerns. Even though all of them could rush off, they needed to keep the kits and the injured in mind. And for them who weren't visited by a starry cat that promised a bounty, he couldn't blame them for being more reserved about putting all their fish in a basket. He will not take this wisdom for granted.
"Y-yeah. You're right. I'll take a few and we'll try to come back as fast as we can."
Pine is a reliable tom and a caring. That much is evident from his suggestion. While his concern for kits could come from the very fact that he has his own, he voices his concern over those who are too injured to fight off threats such as stray dogs.
A small voice catches his attention and he is startled by Torrentpaw's enthusiasm. He hadn't considered the opinions of the younger cats within the yard. The flicking of Torrent's tail and the gleam in his eye sparked something within him. The young tom was correct in being younger than most of them. By many moons, which in that vein meant he was underestimated as well. He had no doubts that Torrent despite his youth wanted to help them in their quest. While the exact reasons why he wanted to come eluded him, Pike concluded the most important thing. He would grow into a fine adult. A fine warrior, with a spirit unmatched to any within this group. All he needed was some experience from others, adults to guide him.
Before he could say yes to the young tom, Adder voices his opinion. A resounding no. It's as if a record scratches and all Pike can do is sit and awkwardly listen in silence as he listens to Adder chew into Torrent for valid reasons while hearing Smoke's agreeance in making sure the kits and injured were safe and sound. Matters are made worse when Pine decides to lecture his own son, telling the boy harshly (out of love) that he was not allowed to go on the patrol. He isn't able to cut in and try and tell Pine maybe Torrent gets the idea when Smoke tells him that he has to get a move on. They're just wasting time at this point.
He's right. We just have to get a move on. He nods in response. Within the many moons of knowing Smoke, talking meant less than actions.
Anyhow, thankfully Torrent doesn't put too much of fuss when he is denied the chance on going the journey. He seems to take in stride, showing his spirit all the while.
You're lucky Pine. Having such a wonderful son. It's for the best that he isn't allowed to think further, as Adder once again provides suggestions on how they should proceed. He wonders why Seabriar hadn't chosen the chocolate ticked tabby because his ideas are superb. They are reasonable and have logical reasons behind them. If anything he feels a bit of a burden to rely on Adder so much.
There's a lot I can learn from him. He has lots of smart ideas.
Though, being under Adder's expectant gaze was unnerving for sure.
I... I actually don't know the way. Not really, Seabriar only told me a general direction to go to get to that island thing. He doesn't know how far the twoleg place is from the shipyard, and how much farther from the twoleg place was the place there were meant to be. And he doesn't know the dangers they would face on their journey to even get into the forest.
I was about to let Torrent come with us too. Thankfully, Adder and the others put a stop to it. Yeah, that definitely wouldn't have been my smartest moment. Without a doubt he has much to learn and consider if he was to become this Pikestar that Seabriar wanted for whatever reason.
That's why I asked if he even had the right cat... I still can't trust if that weirdo was actually real or if my mind's just messing with me. Still... We have to take the chance.
"I agree with your plan, Adder. We should rest before he long trip and... Spend some time with our friends and family, since we won't see them for awhile."
Goodbyes seemed a little too grim. He understood that was not Adder's intent, but saying their goodbyes felt an awfully like they were willfully walking to their deaths. If everything went swimmingly, then they would all return after finding somewhere new that they could call home.
"Adder and Bay, I know you're not taking no for an answer. And I'm not going to stop either of you. I just want to say thank you."
Their reasons are not for him and he knows it, but it would be foolish not to thank them for deciding to take the risk in coming with him. They could have stayed behind and they knew it. However they needed more than this.
That is why he scans the group. Some have already decided to stay behind and take care of the injured and the kits. Lichen being the most current volunteer. While they are not risking their lives in heading to unknown territory, they have an equally if not heftier responsibility. Kits were no joke for one. Especially Shark, who he can't blame from running off unhappy with their decision to leave. As for the injured? Taking care of them? None of them had medical experience. It was a different horror to watch your friends in family in pain, not being able to help them in the way they needed.
A Healer will come to me, but how long will that take? How many more cats will die before then? Smoke is right. We can't keep wasting time. Early morning just like Adder said. Thoughts swarmed his mind as he opened his maw to address the group. "Willow, Peachy, and Downy... I would like it if you could join the scouting patrol too. If you decide not to, I won't force you to. If you decide to come then be ready by first light."
A couple of moments of silence pass before the silver tom awkwardly pipes up once more,
"I think... We're done now? W-we, have, uh, an idea and a plan. So the cats on patrol can go rest now and spend time with their loved ones, and everyone else can rest too. You may not go on the patrol, but I'd say staying here and looking after each other is even harder. Anyway, uhm. Yeah! It's time to go!"
And with that the silver tom awkwardly pads away knowing that was possibly the worst way to end a discussion.
// and Pike is out! Feel free to conversations with each other about what was discussed or planning for those who are stayed behind.