[Deleted]

s p a r r o w s t e p
( TOM. 32 MOONS. WARRIOR. NIGHTCLAN. )

The thing about the camp, Sparrowstep thought absently, was that it was just as dangerous as it was safe, and it certainly wasn't for the faint of heart--or, rather, for those not born into it, as it was his experience that the other clans preferred being exposed to all sorts of things rather than chance it underground.

One way in, one way out, as he was sure some saying went somewhere.

There was also the slipping hazard, of course, especially if rather inexperienced cats got too far out, or if the water got too far in, and he wondered if the other clans ever thought NightClan was too closed off, too withdrawn, before he amused himself with the thought that ah, yes, with the scary dark name they were the evil, strange clan, were they not? He didn't know. Sparrowstep's mind these days tended to be a sticky web of errant thoughts, half-formed and abandoned when he realised how silly they were, or when something else caught his eye, as was wont to happen.

He liked it, though. There was safety here, despite the threat of floods, and he could watch the kits play quietly without having to worry that hostiles would jump out of the non-existent bushes, or that they would be swept into the underbrush soundlessly without anyone releasing they were gone until the trail had gone cold.

(Perhaps, he thought wryly, considerations like these were why the clan thought he worried too much.)

Sighing, Sparrowstep slid the rest of the way into the camp, dropping soundlessly onto the stone ground and letting some of the earlier tension drain from his shoulders, soothed by a familiar site. Patrols were more worrisome than ever these days, but well, that was... well, it was how it was. So long as they stuck to the code they would be fine.

It was his most fervent wish that that be true.

tags: none.
notes: the amazingly awkward first post.

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:ff3300]Strawberryfrost[/smear:3399ff]

~~~~~~~~~

Not long after the worrying tom strode into the camp, a patrol returned from a hunting expedition. At the forefront of the party, a broad-shouldered, powerful she-cat strode, her frame enough to part any sea of cats that might form before them. Behind her and to her right, a much smaller she-cat did her best to keep up. The tortoiseshell she-cat's wide green eyes flicked this way and that, as though she expected the walls to cave in at any moment. The last member of the patrol was a ginger tabby tom who must have been known across the whole camp for his... Bizarre speech tendencies.

Strawberryfrost's ears were pinned to her head in irritation, her jaw locked tightly around the large blackbird and the squirrel she carried. Honestly, she thought that the tom would have shut up once he'd caught enough prey to fill his mouth. But she'd been forced to listen to his rhyming speech pattern the entire way back to camp. It was true, when his rhyming wasn't annoying, it was impressive. But what she found most impressive was his ability to seemingly never stop yammering. At least Echobreeze's stammering voice had been kept quiet by the rhyming.

Sunpulse had fallen silent upon entering the camp, thank StarClan, but the irritation was irreversible. Strawberryfrost kept repeating to herself that it wouldn't be much longer, and then she could be free of these two to go do some training. Though her muscles complained with every step she took, the mottled cream-and-brown tabby would no doubt push herself to the brink of exhaustion. No matter what, she had to be better, she had to get stronger. The trio was about half way through the camp when a flurry of motion caught Strawberryfrost's attention.

Through some strange sequence of events, Echobreeze managed to trip herself and send herself flopping to the ground ungracefully. There was a squeak of pain as her paw twisted slightly and Strawberryfrost couldn't help the groan that escaped her. Setting her prey down, Strawberryfrost padded over to where Sunpulse was chattering worriedly (and in rhyme) to the fallen she-cat. "... Sunpulse, shut up for a second, will you? Help Echobreeze to the medicine cat's den and make sure her paw isn't badly injured. I'll handle the prey." Before the tabby tom could argue, she flicked her tail in the direction of the medicine cat's den and turned her back.

Now, however, as Sunpulse helped Echobreeze out of the middle of camp, Strawberryfrost was left with far more than she could carry. Rather than struggle with it alone, she glanced about for some potential aid. As her gaze landed upon Sparrowstep not far off, she waved her tail before calling out. "Sparrowstep, can you give me a paw?" Her somewhat gruff voice greeted. She wasn't exactly the friendliest of she-cats, but she knew when she needed help to make sure she didn't make a fool of herself.

Featuring [smear:74ffd2]Echobreeze[/smear:ffffff] and [smear:FF0000]Sunpulse[/smear:FFFF00]

[Deleted]

s p a r r o w s t e p
( TOM. 32 MOONS. WARRIOR. NIGHTCLAN. )

The sounds didn't concern him initially. Camp was a busy place, and while Sparrowstep had turned his head to the entrance to see who had arrived when he had first heard them approach, his curiosity had been very swiftly satisfied and he had continued on his way, padding almost absently towards the Warriors' den. It wasn't until he heard a pained noise behind him that he froze, turning his head so quickly the possibility of whiplash because absurdly real.

His mind raced with possibilities. Half-formed words rested on his tongue, threatening to tumble out even as he tried to swallow them, worrying words such aswhat happened? Are you all right? You should be more careful, honestly, everyone knows the rocks can be slippy--but, no, Strawberryfrost had it under control. He could see that clearly, even as he forced his shoulders to relax, and he knew that Strawberryfrost was no-nonsense enough to keep order.

The thought was comforting, oddly enough, or at least comforting enough to banish the lingering worry. He watched as Sunpulse began leading Echobreeze to the medicine cat's den, huffing out a small laugh, and he had made up his mind to move when he heard his name, his ears swivelling towards the sound before his russet-coloured head followed suit, green eyes resting on his clanmate.

"I--yes, of course," he said, standing and padding over fairly quickly, pawsteps silent on the ground. "Your patrol looks like it was more successful than mine," he remarked as he drew near, eyeing the pile of prey at the other warrior's paws. "Though I suppose ours could be considered a success in terms of not being attacked or attacking."

tags: BlooRey DVD
notes: eyyyy socialisation! Sorry if this is short.

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:ff3300]Strawberryfrost[/smear:3399ff]

~~~~~~~~~

Some cats might think it odd that Strawberryfrost was able to claim order like she had. After all, Echobreeze was a senior warrior, and had about 20 moons on her. But the timid tortoiseshell put up no fight whenever Strawberryfrost stepped forward. The mottled she-cat was best described as no-nonsense, having been taught by the strict, demanding, but efficient Hollowcry. She functioned with military-like precision, doing what was demanded of her by the Clan, and then immediately going off in search of something to better herself. There was a brief moment for the broad-shouldered she-cat where she thought Sparrowstep might refuse.

The tom cat did, after all, have a few moons on her as well. Her ordering him around could be seen as disrespect if he chose to view it that way. A flick of her ear was the only sign of her relief as Sparrowstep agreed to help her. She was mere moments from bending down to collect some of the prey when the tom continued speaking. Staring at him evenly, she figured he at least deserved a response from her; it was best not to continuously come off as disrespectful towards a Clanmate, even if you didn't mean it that way.

She dipped her head in a brief nod. "StarClan did show their favour today, whether through a successful hunt, or our safe return. We can only hope the same continues into the Leafbare moons approaching." Stooping down to collect her two pieces of prey, as well as Echobreeze's piece, she waited for the tom to pick up the two remaining carcasses before leading the way. Her large paws moved confidently, albeit a little stiffly, across the familiar ground. Still unsure just how Echobreeze had managed to trip herself in the centre of camp, Strawberryfrost found herself not needing to look where she was going when in camp.

The ground hadn't changed much since she'd been born here. She could move over it with ease. Echobreeze had been a part of NightClan for longer than she had. Surely the tortoiseshell should have been just as confident, if not more so, when it came to NightClan's camp. With a silent sigh, she dismissed the thought, figuring Echobreeze was too concerned being scared of her own shadoe to pay her surroundings much heed. Finally, the freshkill pile was before her. With a strong toss of her head, she placed her three carcasses on the top.

Stepping back to allow Sparrowstep to dispose of his load, she paused before her retreat. Again, she figured he deserved a sign of respect. Once the tom was free of his carcasses, she dipped her head again. "I appreciate your help, Sparrowstep. If I can be of service at any point, please don't hesitate to inform me."

@oli