The kittypet stuck on the stepping stones was no longer staring at the rushing river,
good. However, it was a bit strange to be stared at instead. Not that wasn't stared at before, but there was something was off in the way this kittypet stared at him.
Are they nervous? Maybe they're trying to be calm first? Before asking for help? Or maybe they don't want help? Some cats are like that too. What leaves the maw of the stranger in front of him is a name.
"Geronimo?"
He raises a paw to rub at his neck, head tilted to the side.
"Am I reminding you of someone you know? I don't know any Geronimo. Uhhhh, do you need help? Or do you want to try and cross by yourself?"
The stranger doesn't answer. Instead there is a faint shift in their expression and the glimmer in their eyes fade for a bit. The leader can surmise that it was due to whoever this Geronimo was. He could understand the grief in not finding a friend, especially when someone reminded you of them. There was simply an ache that settled in your bones until slumber called for you.
An ear flicks at the sound of Willowburn's voice. If the stranger wasn't too keen on talking, then he would return his attention to her and the kittypet she was questioning. He saw no reason in stopping her. Even if these cats wanted to join their clan, he and everyone who lived within it needed to know the reason. Especially with Leafbare approaching soon. Things had been improving, but to add two mouths to feed? Grown cats who required some guidance in their way of life meant less catpower in finding resources. Thankfully the silver stranger readily answered. Apparently the two were siblings. He wouldn't have been able to assume as such given how vastly different they looked.
Well... I've seen some siblings that don't look alike around, so it shouldn't be surprising. Although, it wouldn't be right to assume everyone is related until told.
Kuhli. That is the name of the cat stuck on the stepping stones. He looks back at the light furred kittypet and squints.
"Are you sure Kuhli is a fan of ponds? They seem... Scared of the water."
Granted, ponds were somewhat different from rivers. Ponds didn't have raging currents, but the principal was more or less the same. They were both bodies of water and you could swim in it. At the moment he was unsure of whether or not the statement was true, considering the silver tabby was the only one who crossed so far.
You sure you two don't want to try a different clan? Actually... What clan would even take you two in? He is snapped out of his thoughts by a loud voice.
When he turns to the source, it is the silver tabby. This time they bear a smirk. They call him their little brother. His heart should be pounding against his chest in sheer joy from the news, but it's not. Even as he moves closer to the silver tabby, he has no particular feeling for them. He does not full a tug in his soul toward them or Kuhli, who would also be his older sibling. Instead of answering his sibling, he turns to Willowburn.
"What do you think? Are they telling the truth? Even if they aren't, do you think we should take the risk in letting them join us? We might have to teach them a lot of things, but I guess they can help around camp while the rest of us go off and continue with our patrol."
The line of inquiry might be concerning as he is the leader of Riverclan himself. He is the one who makes the final call, but there was nothing wrong in asking of others opinions. After all, they are part of this clan. He wouldn't want to cause too much strain on the clan with everything going. However, it would do them some good to have a few extra paws in the camp. Especially with the kits.
He looks back his supposed sibling and sighs.
"To be honest, I don't remember my family. What they look like or their names. I know we all lived together at one point in our lives before we each had our own twolegs, but that's about it."
He is unsure of what the pair of kittypets will make of this information. Frankly, he doesn't particularly care if they were lying. These cats want to join their ranks. That's the most important thing at paw here. Although... He would prefer it if they would come clean about it. However, as he stares deeply at the silver tabby in front of him...
It's hard to deny it. It's like looking into my own face without the scars. The resemblance is there. Kuhli, not so much. "We do look frightening alike. I doubt a stranger would look this much alike, so I can't entirely dismiss your words. Either way, you want to join Riverclan, right? Or at least try it out from what I'm getting. Just letting you know, if you decide you don't like it and leave, then you won't be allowed back into our clan. I can't speak for the other clans, some would've chased you off or killed you for entering their territory. What I do know is none of us would be happy about time wasted. Leafbare is coming and we can't afford to waste resources on cats who may leave as soon as the snow falls."
It may sound as though he is trying to scare the pair off, but that is far from it. He is being reasonable. Perhaps, even a little too kind. Who knows what Shadowclan or Skyclan would have done to them? Thunderclan was only an issue if they had run into Owlbark. He would trust Loonstar wouldn't kill the pair, but he couldn't be certain these two would be unscathed. Windclan? Dustystar never seemed like a violent leader. If anything she would send them away.
"Are you absolutely sure you both want to join?"
While he gives his sibling a time to think about it, he tilts his head to Kuhli.
THEY'RE STILL STUCK THERE?!
Judging by how his other sibling has not moved an inch, he throws out the idea of asking Kuhli if they need help again. They would get nowhere quickly. Instead, he marches off to his stuck sibling and gracefully leaps across the stones till he reaches Kuhli.
"Why'd you want to join a clan with a river, if you're scared of them? I'll help you cross. You're scared of falling in right? Well I can follow you while you jump and I'll be ready to save you if you fall in."
It's the only warning he gives Kulhi before he dives into the river. When he resurfaces he swims to the stone Kulhi is standing on. A wet paw touches the stone.
"See? Everything will be fine. Let's go one stone at a time."
The process is painfully slow. With every stone Kuhli looks for him and he is there, each time smiling with reassurance. Eventually, Kulhi reaches the last stone and practically runs from the river and to Brook's side.
Pikestar himself exits the river and shakes himself to the best of his ability to get rid of some water. At camp he'll have to dry himself off, but there are more important matters to discuss. He rejoins the group.
"So have you two decided yet? Clan life isn't easy."
