PAFP Border ShadowClan WindClan Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze 🌾 Thunderpath patrol

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

{$title} This expanse of tar rumbles now and again with monsters. Do you take the chance of hurrying it across to get a better view of the other side, and to meet our neighbors there, or do you decide to not take the risk?

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

Merrystalk refused to let nerves get the better of any of his patrol. Yes, they'd ended up with one of the frankly more dangerous patrols, but he wasn't a fool. If he showed any nerves, the other cats at his side would feel it too, and he would be remiss to allow it to happen. Instead, the gale guard led the patrol with a smile. He didn't know how a Gale guard might act, so instead he just acted the same, but a little more... Direction? Merry always found himself in that same old mindset of "fake it till you make it", after all.

"Aye, not long to the Thunderpath now." He hummed, the wretched scent of it was hard to mistake. But if they kept their wits about them, all would be fine. He kept a keen eye on the apprentices, too aware he was completely liable for the pair's safety. "Don't get runnin' off now, ya' hear me. Thunderpath ain't no playground. While we're patrolin' the area, I'll show ya' lil fellers how to cross safely." It's not like they would need to very often, but maybe in a pinch, it could be the difference between life and death, and Merry desperately wanted to make sure the apprentices were safe.

The tom sniffed the air, he had been trying to track any stray prey that may have been about. There was a faint track he could pick up, but the stench of the tar overwhelmed it. Especially as the patrol finally made their way to the expanse before them, the barrier between Windclan and Shadowclan. That was one thing he was grateful for, it seemed Shadowclan were amicable to them, so any safety lessons across the Thunderpath hopefully wouldn't be met with hostility. No warrior would want to see an apprentice killed in a preventable accident with a monster.

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• Tagging: @REDVEIL @Hollowmumble @Eclipsepaw @BURRPAW
  OOC - Patrol cats can either agree or be apprehensive to cross the Thunderpath! Just because Merry wants them to cross doesn't mean they have to comply.
  OOC pt 2 - PAFP for Shadowclan cats! Please wait until stated/ shared that non-patrol cats can post, but once it is feel free to come and pester the peaceful patrol :3
• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 27 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[Eclipsepaw]

ECLIPSEPAW // 07 moons // WindClan Apprentice // He/They // #ff9e42
A scruffy long-furred tortoiseshell tom with low white, large ears and sky blue and soft yellow heterochromia eyes
Son of ASTRO and NEBULA, sibling to TWINKLEPAW and COMETPAW
A young cat with a bit of an attitude, sometimes snarky but also loves to explore and fascinated with the stars.

---

Eclipsepaw had followed along behind rather quietly as the group made their way to the thunderpath. When Merrystalk pointed out that it wasn't long now till they reached it the apprentice would lift his head and scent the air-- Instantly regretting it though as he scrunched up his nose at the harsh smell, sticking out his tongue as though he'd had a piece of especially foul tasting prey "Eugh!" The scent only got worse the closer to it the group got too and it was incredibly difficult to smell anything else over the reek of the thunderpath.

"How to cross? ... You mean we're going to touch it?" What if his paws started to stink like it too!? And he could never wash it off? Augh, but knowing how to safely cross one would be wise... He swallowed hard but would eventually dip his head in a nod to Merrystalk to let him know he wasn't about to go running off around the thunderpath but also wanted to know how to cross it safely. It was a scary thought to learn it but he didn't want to show he was afraid!

As the group came upon the path itself Eclipsepaw would scrunch his nose up again, bringing up a paw to rub at it as though it might help block the awful smell. Part of him wished to simply race across so that the patrol was one pawstep closer to being able to head back to camp and he could stop having to smell the awful thunderpath, but the other part knew better then to chance becoming crow-food like that. He'd look to the Gale Guard and the other two older cats for what to do next! He didn't usually like being told what to do but if they really had to cross then he was going to wait for instructions first!

 

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

He chuckled warmly, if not rather sympathetically, for Eclipsepaw. In prospect, most of the barn cats hadn't had to deal with the thunderpath or anything like it, so of course, the little fella found the scent unbearable. "Aye, the thing smells wretched, the monsters don't smell no better."

They stopped some tail lengths from the path, it was in view, but not so close they would be in any danger right now. "While I'd rather ya' lot didn't haveta cross, Shadowclan 're our allies, 'nd if anythin' were to happen 'nd you'd need to cross, I need all've ya' to know how to safely." He looked to Hollow and Red as well as he said this, he wasn't so sure about their experience with monsters, but safety didn't stop to their younger ranks.

"But first, before we cross." He outstretched a paw in front of Eclipse and Burr, he could smell it already, before the rumbling came as they were down wind to the beast. "Dya feel that rumblin'?" It was a pointed question, and just on cue, the ground began to rumble, the yawning roar of a monster rushing along the thunderpath. Even Merry's fur stood on end, his experience with monsters was limited, but it was more than enough to know the signs. "Brace yerselfs, this is gonna get loud 'nd damn nasty smellin' fast."

The Gale guard braced himself; he had made sure the lot of them were disguised still by stray bushes at the path's side, so if the monster was one of the cruel sorts, his patrol would be safe. The roar grew louder until finally crossing their vision was the huge, shining beast, pelt red like fresh blood. Merry braced himself, still keeping the apprentices back. Its cry was painfully loud as it soared past on rounded paws, the vile scent of it clinging to the air in plumes of smoke that even made the tom grimace.

"That-" Merrystalk hummed, trying to settle his stomach. "That is why I need to teach you the signs of a monster. Deadly beasts they 're. Though they're peaceful as long as ya' don't get in their path." He moved his paw from before the apprentices, pressing a gentle nose to the top of each of their heads in a reassuring gesture. "Remember, ya' don't gotta cross yet if yer too worried."

He walked further towards the Thunderpath, stopping at the edge of the tar. He peered each way, there was no rumbling, so they would be fine to talk longer. "Most monsters 're loud, 'nd you can feel them runnin' before you see 'em. But some make no noise at all, so when ya' cross the path, yer check either side first." He motioned everyone to come closer if they wished to. "See, ain't nothin. When you don't see, hear, or feel one, ya' make a run fer it." He clicked his tongue.

It was simpler to explain with one of the beasts having crossed their path. He knew there would still be apprehension to cross, so he made an offer. "I can cross first before the rest 'f y'all to prove the tar ain't gonna hurt you neither."

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 27 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[REDVEIL]

Redveil swore he could feel the impending monster path. Almost like how a sore throat often predicts future ailments. Each pawstep felt louder than the last as he followed Merrystalk. He knew it was natural to dread the unknown, but not knowing the potential outcomes made his throat wobble fretfully. Merrystalk addressed them all thoughtfully and with a much needed warning. Nodding in silent agreement, he passed the feline an understanding look. Only for it to freeze at the mention of crossing. Quickly, he looked away, hoping his distress wasn't nearly as evident as he felt it.

Their main goal was to successfully secure the border, keep themselves safe, and interact amicably. Not that he knew much of the Shadowclanners, but his fear of the Thunderpath far outweighed his concern for other clans. The red and black tom smelled it well before spotting the oddly flattened and inky snake like track. Redveil hadn't been subjected to its wrath, but he knew of the monsters that raced over it. How they held two legs in their bellies and their many moons spent within the confines of webbed dens.

Thankfully, he was here now, at the side of barn dwellers turned clan cats. A place he would much prefer to be, even if his entire being wanted to run for the hills. Trying to ease his nerves, the ebony feline peeked around and took note of the group's position. Healing wound between a scab and a scar, reminding him of his disadvantage. Sticking out like sore paw pads within the sparse grass lining the abhorrently stinking stretch of path. They weren't close, but at the mention of the rumble. It was difficult for the warrior to ignore his thundering heart rate. Ears flicking anxiously side to side as he peered across the way. Cross it? There was a growing sound, and he could hardly smell anything outside of the monster. Instinctively, he took a step backwards just as Eclipsepaw squared them all with an expectant look.

Awkwardly, he looked away from the youth. Pulling his attention over to Merrystalk. Mentally preparing and physically bending low to the earth. Redveil wasn't going to pretend like he knew a single thing about safely crossing. For now, he would do his best to stay silent and hidden. Ears flattened as the red beast belted past them. It took every fiber of his pelt to stay in one piece as it howled away into the distance. Merrystalk's voice broke the silence as his heart rate tried to even out. Despite his act of bravery, the tom's limbs were liquid. He could neither move nor talk as his nerves fizzled. Seeing the tortie offer itself up as an example made his throat tighten with guilt.

At last, his frozen frame unbuckled, and his tense joints moved. His legs shook with each step as he stood at the side of the Thunderpath. Staring down the tar with heated but flimsy determination. "I-I'll go with you. I trust you." He stammered out, locking onto his clanmate with a firm expression. They needed to make a good point to the youth. Redveil also needed to conquer his fear and utilize this time as a means to learn. No cat was ever too old to pick up an advantage in this crazy world.​