[Fae Magic]

Strong muscles rippled under silvery dappled fur as he stalked ahead of the others; keen eyes bright and green staring ahead and ears on alert. Silverburr knew he had to be careful around these woods because of the annoyance with Treeclan wanting to claim these parts as their own. It annoyed the silver dappled tom to no end that TreeClan thinks that this was their territory. Granted, any clan would have that issue that bordered their own so he couldn't be too judging about that. He paused in his strides a moment and straightened himself up; tail signaling his border patrol he led to halt behind him as his paws parted to scent the area. The border line was close and they smelled fainter then he would have liked. They would definitely need to remark those asap. He didn't wish to have to deal with another border fight over these lands as enough blood had been spilled over the many moons for a line that no one could see to block off their territory. Shaking his head Silverburr refocused himself and tipped his chin towards his right to signal his patrol to head that way. 

"I want two of you to go that way and make your way back the way way we came along the border and remark it. The scents are growing too faint for my liking. We will go this way to mark the border line and meet you at the halfway point." he instructed directing his patrol into two parties so they could cover ground more quickly. 

"Call if there is anything to be found or any issues you may run into. We will not be far; be careful." he acted much like a high strung general then he did a young warrior at 30 moons but yet again. The silver dappled tabby was not someone to mess with when he was on duty.

He was known for being a strong character and very dedicated in his jobs even if it meant going hunting or on a border patrol. Silverburr took his position seriously and wanted to show a good example to the younger generation the importance of the rank they would one day receive; as it was their duty to make sure that the clan was safe and sound in the end if they were to all live peacefully and thrive within these forests.  Silverburr took his clan mates aforementioned and led them towards their half of the border towards his left as his indication to the right led his other half of his patrol. He was alert at all times whenever he was out here; alone or not alone it did not matter. His patrol was his responisbility to keep safe just as much as the job they came out here to do and that was something that made him pause suddenly when he scented something off within the air around them. It was not the change in the weather that got him pausing. The air smelled fresh and clean; brimming with new life ready to bloom as the Leaf-Bare gave way to new growth and rebirth of the earth around them as New-Leaf sprang free. No, it was not the scent of the creatures around them that made him pause even if he was hungry and wished to hunt once this time for border patrol was over, as he did not believe going home empty pawed was a wise thing to do even if it was a border patrol. No, it was the scent of another clan nearby that made him take pause and tense with readiness for the encounter. They were close to the borders which meant only one of two things. They were on a border patrol much like himself and refreshing their markers. Or worse case scenerio they were here to trespass and try to steal the lands back from LightningClan which was highly out of the picture!

"Careful, we have company." he spoke to his border patrol as he stepped forward closer to the borders to try and catch sight of the other clan.

TreeClan was near; he could scent them and hear them approaching closer. He had to make sure there would be no problem today. He would have to be careful because even if they were on okay terms for the time being and more relief to come with the New-Leaf blooming which meant more prey to hunt...it did not mean that they would be without concern or threat to deal with. Silverburr stood at the border; head held high and body rigid and ready but not threatening as he awaited the arrivals. He would speak with them if needed to make sure everything was alright. That was his duty. He did not know though that his morning was about to change as soon as those TreeClanners rounded through the trees and it would shatter his reality. 

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

Glacierpaw's nose tweaked at the smell of fresh, wet soil. The snow had begun to melt throughout the whole territory yesterday. He hadn't smelled it for so long, he'd almost forgotten it, but when he'd awoke that morning and scented the air, it struck him with nostalgia so strong he felt kit-like. A full year ago, he'd been born in a loner's den, and her belly had smelled just like this: tree bark, earth, and the best part of all, milk. The silver-ticked tabby sighed heavily. Sometimes he wished he could remember his mother's face or name, instead of just her noises and smell. None of the TreeClan cats knew anything about his parents, just that he'd been found at the furthest border, a place hardly frequented for fear of Demon the big cat-monster.

As the long-legged tom strode between the thinning trees near the clan border, he wondered which hedge he'd been hiding in when that patrol had found him. Now that he was twelve moons old, his kit-memories were fading away, replaced by more recent ones and the hard training of his TreeClan apprenticeship. If he passed his assessment, he would be receiving his warrior name soon, but in looks, he was still rather branch-like instead of a filled-out tree trunk.

Glacierpaw loped ahead of his border patrol as a scout. The four others flanked in V formation through the trees, the experienced ones in back keeping eyes on clanmates ahead as well as any danger. He was eager to show Pumafang he was prepared for his warrior name. He was old enough, and felt he had earned his mentor's trust.

They arrived at the thinnest part of their forest. Here, LightningClan's scent drifted in on the winds floating through the trees. Glacierpaw made a "hmm" sound and peered around a tree that did not conceal his long body well. His tail twitched sharply. His patrol stopped their friendly chats and twitched their tails together in alertness. A fluffy senior warrior trotted up to Glacierpaw.

"There's a LightningClan patrol approaching," he informed Hawkchaser.

The next twenty or so yards of sparse forest were contested territory. If the patrol was heading through the trees, toward TreeClan territory rather than alongside it, it could be an eminent threat. All the snow melted and watered down all the usual marks in this territory. Glacierpaw's nose hardly wrinkled at all. Hawkchaser noticed it instantly, and the mostly white tom sprayed on a knobbly sapling.

"These lines need to be drawn before they get any funny ideas. Glacierpaw, you mark down that way with Stonejaw," the patrol leader ordered. "Form a wall so their patrol knows not to come further than us."

The slender silver tom ducked his head to show he'd understood. He loped out from behind the tree, keeping his wedge-like face directed to the border waiting for someone of LightningClan to come into sight. He came around a bush of light green emerging buds. His long-haired banner of a tail swung high to mark it.

He turned his head and saw a rigid figure standing at the border. Glacierpaw's stony expression did not change, but his quivering tail betrayed his excitement briefly before stilling. His hindquarters wriggled in that playful way before he launched past the hedge into open space, running past the trees and giving a quick mark on their roots. Glacierpaw was not to sort to announce himself boastfully, so he hoped the pungent smell was enough to declare TreeClan's border to the approaching LightningClanners. He took up a rigid stance with his back arched. Stonejaw also took up a marked position some distance away.

It was then that he got a real good look at the one tom standing on the border. Glacierpaw's big ears swung wide in surprise, and his eyes did a double-take. Was that his reflection? Glacierpaw's foreleg lifted up; he stayed fixed on his twin, waiting to watch it move and prove he wasn't seeing a hallucination or a vision from StarClan.

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☇tagged for Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

Silverburr's bright eyes were staring towards the other end of the border were he could see the figures moving through the foliage towards him. His partner had stopped by his flank watching intently to see who would step through the trees and bushes just like Silverburr was but he was unaware of what was about to happen. The silver tom's rigid body couldn't have gotten any more stiff when suddenly a familiar figure bounced from the cover on their side. Familiar not because he had seen this tom before but because the sight that greeted him was...almost an spitting image of the older tom standing on the LightningClan border staring at the smaller tom. What kind of magic was this? The younger tom on the border looked almost identical to Silverburr but that was impossible as he stood on his own side staring right back. He did not move or dare breath; he was so confused to say the least. Was this a joke or was it just...were there other cats who looked like twins like him and this one? He shook his head and blinked again before he tipped his head towards his companion and muttered over his shoulder. 

"Go find the others. There is no threat here I'll be right behind you..." his voice trailed off still staring straight dead at the other tom.

He didn't know what he was going to do when he was finally alone as his clan mate was hesitant to leave him alone confused as much as Silverburr was. But he was given a direct order by the general himself so he left with a concerned look. That seemed to break whatever trance Silverburr had staring at his younger spitting image and instead his green eyes turned towards the younger warrior's companion and his face that was once slack turned hard and professional again as he smoothed his features back to his controlled self. He hated losing his composure and this was seriously something that dug under his skin and he couldn't shake it. 

"Do we have an issue here Hawkchaser?" he spoke; voice deep and authoritative but held no real threat. 

He knew the other warrior from previous gatherings and knew that there probably wouldn't be much of an issue; well besides whatever the heck was going on between him and his doppleganger. Did the other patrol leader even notice the resemblance or even guess what the heck was going on? Silverburr didn't know himself but that young tom across from him piqued his interest and kind of scared him at the same time. One glance at him and Silverburr's world shook. He didn't understand what was going on. He did not mimic the other tom who seemed so skittish and ready to flee at a second glance but instead tried to keep his composure and appearance up for the sake of his clan. He did not want to make LightningClan seem weak or disorganized as he was not one to like to lose control. 

He didn't even wait for an answer from the other tom and instead turned his gaze back towards Glacierpaw. He had not met this tom before so he did not know who this youngling was but the longer he watched him he couldn't help the words that decided to fling from his jaws.

"You don't happen to know a she-cat named Moon by chance would you?" He asked suddenly. He didn't want to even think about the answer that would come. What if this kid over there happened to be Moon's? 

Silverburr didn't dare think too hard on that name though but he just had to know if this kid knew her or not. It was a name he had not remembered or uttered since the day he met her. Crazy to prove himself the silver dappled tom had met a loner one day and there went history. But something about his eyes looked a lot like Moon's despite him looking exactly like Silverburr. 

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

Glacierpaw was no coward, but seeing the similar-looking tom staring back at him was unnerving. The deer-like apprentice suddenly wanted to kick up his heels and bolt until the reflective image left his mind. He usually didn't mind the presence of other cats. In fact, when he'd been younger, he had hoped to become medicine cat apprentice so that he could help them, but as he grew and trained, the sight and sound of other cats from other Clans became repellant. After all, it'd been drilled into him for the past six moons that all strangers were to be confronted and challenged, or at the very least threatened away by sheer presence.

"Keep up your posture, Glacierpaw. You're doing fine," Stonejaw grunted reassuringly. The large marbled tom nodded over at him. The two males stood off to the side of Hawkchaser and the others. As a deep voice came from the LightningClan side, their ears pricked. Stonejaw looked over at Hawkchaser, but Glacierpaw's eyes did not break from the speaker, his bigger twin.

"Only if our border is questioned, Silverburr," Hawkchaser replied immediately and without malice. The long-haired tom snapped his tail to indicate the direction of TreeClan's declared lines, where the four other members of the patrol were spread out with all eyes on the LightningClanners. The sunset's pinkish light glinted on their shiny eyes, resembling dew-drops amongst the leaves and branches. "TreeClan renews the line."

Glacierpaw tensed as he waited for a reaction from the LightningClan patrol. After the fight with NightClan, the idea of meeting another patrol set him on edge, as if he'd be called to sprint back to camp at a moment's notice to bring Pumafang and back-up.

"Moon?"

The name was echoed between the patrol members thoughtfully, and Hawkchaser tilted his head. "We have a Moonfeather in our Clan, but we have never heard of someone just called Moon." Moon didn't sound like a warrior name.

"Is she a friend of yours?" Glacierpaw finally chirped up, his innate kindness showing through. If they'd lost her around these parts, he'd be worried too, praying to StarClan she didn't meet that lynx.

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☇tagged for Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

Silverburr's gaze narrowed slightly at the other tom as he eyed him at his reply before glancing towards the others and tipped his chin slightly in agreement. Right now, the lines were far from his mind. They were far enough back that it would not be too much of an issues right now. His mind; as strange as it felt to him was not on duty right now as his green orbs trailed back towards the little look alike across the way from him. If the borders had been crossed even a little bit by the other clan while they marked Silverburr left it be for right now. If it became an issue later on others would know about it soon enough but the once collected and general like tom of LightningClan had his mind on other things besides the border lines that border lined crossing or not from each other. He tipped his head towards HawkChaser is agreement to him that everything was fine for right now. He did not care, not right now at least. Maybe in the future the encounter would kick him in the butt later on when he had a clearer mind to think it over but right now his eyes and mind trained solely on that one night and that small look alike across from him. 

He found himself staring back at Glacierpaw when suddenly his younger voice spoke up in answer to the other's question about knowing a molly named Moon. He didn't know Moon. Silverburr did not know if that was a good thing or if the ping in his heart was of something else entirely. It could be relief or disappointment. He couldn't quite tell. His head started shaking from side to side in disagreement to the name spoken. He did not mean MoonFeather. His Moon was a different she-cat entirely. One that he had hoped to bury for the rest of his life without it coming to light of his indiscretions but that was going to be hard whenever he was staring Glacierpaw down from across their border lines. 

"No...I do not mean MoonFeather. It's alright, I was not expecting you too. I was just curious." he straightened up slightly and seemed to blink away his doubt for a moment.

Glacierpaw was not who he thought he was; that gave him a bit of relief there despite his chest still feeling tight, That would go away soon he knew. 

"She was...a long time ago someone I once came across. Not exactly a friend. Just someone I knew for a moment in time." he shook his head and took a deep breath almost to calm himself and chase away unwanted memories or thoughts. 

"I apologize if this encounter has been a bit unusual. I thought he just happened to look like someone I once knew." he glanced between the patrol members and Glacierpaw. "What is your name apprentice? I do not believe I have met you yet and I have met almost everyone within your clan one way or another." he questioned curiously. 

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

"Is that why I get compared to LightningClan a lot?" Glacierpaw whispered to Stonejaw. He remembered the long lithe bodies of Redstar and Owlmind at the Gathering, and gazing now upon the silvery tom and his companions, he wondered why StarClan had a TreeClan patrol find him instead of someone from LightningClan. Maybe it was because LightningClan had plenty of cats like him and didn't need any more. In TreeClan, he stood out.

"Oh... I see," Glacierpaw replied with muted disappointment. Too bad he couldn't help this guy or have the answer he was looking for. He almost asked what she looked like, so they could look for her, but he was sharply reminded of the fact that this was LightningClan they were talking to. Pumafang wouldn't want him taking on another clan's problems for no reason other than the kindness of his heart. He wasn't a medicine cat helping the needy in all places.

Hawkchaser and Stonejaw shared a glance with each other behind Glacierpaw's back as Silverburr spoke. He looked over at his patrol leader to see if it was okay for introductions. Usually, his own mentor was the sort for an aggressive challenge, but Hawkchaser was more restrained. "That's Silverburr, boy. He's not a bad warrior. You can answer him." The senior warrior nodded at the dappled tom standing across from them with a tinge of respect.

Settling out of his defensive posture, the tall apprentice's green eyes swung back onto Silverburr, taking him in from ear to tail. "My name is Glacierpaw, apprentice of Pumafang," he announced with pride. "I've only been to one Gathering. That's... probably why we haven't met." He'd hung around RainClan apprentices last time he went and hadn't spared many glances to anybody that wasn't in a position of power. "We haven't fought each other... yet." He dipped his head in an attempt to be nice, but his stone-like expression had not cracked a smile even once this whole encounter. One could see the healing bite marks and scratches on his ears. Despite still being an apprentice, he'd already seen war.

"Glacierpaw's the fastest apprentice in our Clan. TreeClan's movin' on up in the speed department, I'd say. You LightningClanners better watch out," Stonejaw grinned in good-natured competitiveness.

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☇tagged for Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

Silverburr watched the interactions carefully with a keen eye. He was respectful enough not to use his good hearing to be able to listen in on what the younger tom had spoken to the warrior across from him and instead chose to relax his stance as the encounter was not at all threatening. They were on each of their territories borders and nothing to worry about unless provoked. Granted, this of course was no gathering and both parties still had to be on their guard at all times but Silverburr did not see a reason to feel threatened by the others across the border from him even when he was one and them many compared. The silver dappled tabby settled his butt down and watched interested now as he watched their interactions; green gaze flickering from one warrior to the next wondering what they thought about this. Naturally, it was not something common to meet your territory border neighbor and have a random conversation over the lines about the weather like they were doing right now. (of course not about the weather though). 

Silverburr frowned wondering why the youngest of the group seemed so disappointed in his response and tipped his head in question giving HawkChaser and StoneJaw a look of confusion and a bit of concern. Was he crossing some kind of social line that he should not cross like the borders they were protecting? He was not in tune when it came to how to act around other clan warriors; heck he didn't even know how to act around his own clan mates unless it was to lead a patrol or train someone. He was not mean of course or socially awkward he just didn't pick up on cues very well as his mind was never on pleasantries like that and instead on dedicated his actions towards helping his clan and others thrive without actually interacting much. He worried that he may have said something to offend the others and searched their physical language to see if there was any tension to be held to go by. 

At the introduction from the other warrior Silverburr tipped his head in return to them in confirmation. He knew the older warriors by reputation and passing comments during Gatherings but never by real conversation. Neither clan seemed too keen on getting to know know another warrior from another clan due to loyalties and duty. Why make friends with other clans when one day they may face in battle? Blinking the LightningClan warrior gave the smaller tom a small smile in greeting hoping to put him at ease a bit.

"Don't worry I hope to Starclan that we continue to be civil together and not give each other reason to fight. Although, I do not mind a good battle." he confessed with a small smile. 

Silverburr was a warrior through and through and he had loved leading others into risky times; a thing he loved to be in control over as he was much needed for their safety. But that was another side of him entirely. At the mention of Glacierpaw being one of their fastest clan mates Silverburr narrowed his eyes slightly in thought and eyed the smaller tom. Did he really want to try and race him? was it an invitation? The silver warrior did like a good challenge. 

"Is that an invitation StoneJaw? You do know I don't back down from a good challenge no matter what kind." he smirked back at the warrior.

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

The other tom's voice sounded different than his clanmates' voices. Glacierpaw looked from the other LightningClanners to Silverburr, and he wondered if they sounded like him. Now that Silverburr opened his mouth, Glacierpaw got over his unease of him. They might have looked alike, but beyond that, it was no scary weird double-vision. There were brown tabbies everywhere, after all, so why would silver tabbies be too different. Glacierpaw tilted his head to check out the spots on Silverburr's pelt. Maybe that was how the LightningClanner got his name.

The tom's remark earned a collective humming reply of agreement, but nothing more revealing than that, in case it gave LightningClan false impressions toward any lean other than neutrality. By now, the TreeClan marks had begun to set in, and the scent of their boundary was renewed.

A good battle? Glacierpaw tilted his head to the opposite side this time. He'd have to ask Stonejaw what that was. Pumafang had never talked about a battle being good before. The big fight Glacierpaw had experienced was in the comfort of his own camp. There hadn't been a damn thing good about that. One of Glacierpaw's scarred ears flicked. "I will hold to my duty," the apprentice spoke with a rather foreign formality. One of the TreeClan patrol burst out in an awkward chuckle at the straight-edge rookie, but Glacierpaw straightened at Stonejaw's praise. The dark gray tom's large ears perked, giving him a jackal's profile, and he tried to look cool and tough in the presence of the LightningClan warriors. His clanmate had just complimented him in front of them. He suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to prove it. No anxiety, it was all pride. He'd earned that much. He was no longer locked in the tall castle of TreeClan's nursery, bent at the knee to a fussy old queen's finicky orders. He could be himself, live for himself, be proud of himself. He did not mind existing for TreeClan, but he existed as Glacierpaw too, and Timberfrost would never let him forget that.

Although Silverburr addressed Stonejaw, Glacierpaw spoke up. "I will take it." The leggy tom rose to full height. Behind him, Stonejaw chuckled and grinned widely. "Hey, hey, hey, hear that?"

Staying on his side of the border, Glacierpaw moved around a tree into an open space. The Open Woods was not a straight-shot like the meadows of LightningClan, but it was far easier than the zigzag forests Glacierpaw had trained in all his apprenticeship. A slalom like this would be fun. "The big mossy rock where the stream ends? We'll race there and back," the apprentice suggested. He waited for Silverburr to accept and get ready.

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☇tagged for Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

SilverBurr couldn't help but stare down the apprentice ahead of him; this encounter was rather odd and he was not used to be on good terms with a border patrol. This seemed more like friends seeing each other out and about more then two different border patrols meeting up by chance during their rounds. Granted, SilverBurr didn't act like his usual self as his usual stride was faltered by the fact that he was staring down a mini version of himself across the waters as if he was staring into his own reflection. He swore this Glacierpaw looked like SilverBurr when he was his age. It was uncanny to say the least and raised more questions then the older warrior was willing to delve into at this moment. He honestly would need to have a sit down with someone to talk this through. He didn't want to dig too deep into his past because of his fear for judgment but he knew once he laid eyes on the TreeClan apprentice that he would not be forgetting him anytime soon. And as they chatted across the way the silver dappled tom knew for a fact that this was a rather unusual encounter and not very easily forgotten. Maybe, one day soon when the next gathering came they would be among them. The LightningClanner would definitely be seeking out the TreeClan warriors later during that time to discuss some stuff and hopefully get information about Glacierpaw that probably wasn't best to discuss over the border lines. Shaking his thoughts away his attention was returned whenever the younger tom spoke up and he had to pause a moment to remember what the heck they were talking about again before he finally spoke up with an amused glint in his eyes and a carefree tone. 

"Oh I do not doubt that GlacierPaw. Everyone should be proud of their position and strength within the clan. I was just saying I hope that we never meet in battle someday. I don't particularly like war to be honest." he glanced at the others older who knew him.

No one likes war between clans. But those who knew the right cats and him particularly should well know that even if he does not like war he would never hesitate to unsheathe his claws for the sake and safety of his clan and loved ones. A good warrior and a good leader; whether an actual leader of a clan or a leader figure to a group of patrols; they should never want ill will but should always be ready and prepared for it on all accounts. SIlverBurr had that drilled into his head as an apprentice whenever he started becoming serious about his training. Never seek out trouble unless you are willing to deal with it like an adult. Never seek out war unless you are willing to lay down your life for the cause. In his opinion most of the strife they have had has been meaningless and pointless but he has kept his mouth shut on the matter as his leader knew best when it came to the well being of his clan. 

At the apprentice's voice speaking up again SilverBurr gave a smirk and turned to look towards the direction he had designated for the run. Oh he enjoyed a good challenge and he had sent his patrol away; he wouldn't get into too much trouble he presumed if he decided to indulge a little when it came to his neighbors. He wouldn't mind taking a good run although looking over at Glacierpaw and sizing him up he figured the young apprentice was not exaggerating when it came to him being one of the fastest in his clan. That's good. SilverBurr wouldn't want anything else then a good challenge to match his speed. Although, he was not technically the fastest in his own clan he was well known for being a good runner due to his lanky light weight frame and long legs that would carry him long distances. He had to remind himself not to get too pride hurt if he did not win. This was a fun race; he just hoped the young apprentice wouldn't think he was better then him if the older warrior did lose. If anything SilverBurr hated gloating. 

"Alright, I agree." he finally spoke up and turned to face the direction they were to be racing.

He rolled his shoulders back a little to relax himself before nodding towards the apprentice with a playful smirk that told him he was ready. 

"Don't go too hard on this old fool if he doesn't win okay? Just remember, this is just for fun." he was partly serious and partly joking as again, he hated gloating and he didn't want to never live down the fact he lost a short race to an apprentice. 

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

"Oh, I see," Glacierpaw replied thoughtfully. The straightforward tom still took things literally, for better or worse, and often accepted things at face value. He was glad Silverburr explained himself further. He didn't like war either, but Pumafang had taught him that might was right. A strong, battle-ready Clan didn't often find itself in war unless it went looking for it. Any enemy would think twice about freely attacking a prepared opponent. Perhaps deep down that was why he was so excited to show these LightningClanners what he could do. Like Stonejaw said, it would give their neighbor some competition. Any warmongers would think twice about their so-called advantages; he didn't mind revealing his ability.

"Don't dally once you've marked it, Glacierpaw. We need to be going back," Hawkchaser called at his back, and Glacierpaw nodded without looking behind him.

The sinuous apprentice pranced from paw to paw, but there was little to warm up since he'd been at a trot on the patrol. As Silverburr spoke, approaching the starting line parallel to him, Glacierpaw's moon-like eyes glinted and his ears wiggled in amusement. Old fool? He hardly looked like an elder. "I'll give you a headstart then," he replied earnestly.

Behind them, Stonejaw called a countdown and boomed out "GO!"

Glacierpaw's hindlegs kicked off the ground, sending a twig flying behind him. He started off in first gear, the kind of steady run he used when chasing other apprentices in a game of hide-and-seek. It was no fun when you crossed fox-lengths in two bounds where others took four. When the fresh marks started to become less pungent on the wind, he accelerated into second gear. Glacierpaw lowered his head, angled his ears, and dropped his tail until the speckled tom resembled the great Cheetah in all elders' tales. His front paws hit the ground one at a time, pushing him ahead, and inertia swung his hindlegs forward to propel him off the dirt. His bounds devoured the earth in front of him, cutting around bushes without pause and taking advantage of any open straightaways he could find. His muscles rippled under his silky pelt. His claws unsheathed at each down-pull. He felt them dig into the soil. He winced whenever one bent weirdly despite his training strengthening his nails on his clan's big trees.

In his runs, he tended to forget everything else around him, focusing only on the terrain and his trajectory, so he didn't pause to look over at the LightningClan side for Silverburr. He felt the ground get wetter and more stony underfoot. Leaping over a set of upraised tree roots, Glacierpaw sailed unexpectedly over the edge of a small hill sloping downward. He kept his footing in the bed of dead leaves under his landing. As the creek bed came within sight, he scrambled, hoping he'd run fast enough to utterly outpace Silverburr and leave him hanging. His green eyes widened at the sight of the mossy rock ahead.

Glacierpaw leapt at the boulder. His front paws dug into the top while his hindpaws hit the sides. As he kicked off, he left TreeClan's mark midair to indicate their border with LightningClan. His body curled and twisted into the turn, and he sprang off the big stone and landed with a crunch of dead leaves. He spied a rabbit bolt away from him in the opposite direction and briefly wished he could hunt it, but then his eyes met Silverburr's and his hunger was forced aside with a mind on the race. Glacierpaw bolted back the way he'd come, faster this time since he could smell his way back toward his Clanmates and the return point. Faster, faster! He moved into third gear and floored it with his fluffy tail balancing him around each turn.

He was not known for allowing his face to show an expression, but out here in the freeing emptiness of the Open Woods, the ends of his mouth were actually ticked up, showing sharp teeth. Running had made him smile.

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☇tagged for Fae Magic
google has a really cool dice roller widget so i was able to roll 3 d20s and screenshot my results. The total was 48 so if Silverburr gets higher than that, he wins in your post! :)

[Fae Magic]

Having a chase with the TreeClan apprentice was something SilverBurr was not expecting; honestly the entire day seemed to be going off it's hinges and out of order. How was he supposed to know that in mere hours after waking up and having to go on a patrol to mark the borders was he supposed to find a TreeClan patrol and find something out that brought back memories of his younger more foolish self? But, he could not find it in himself to care right now or act like he should as a warrior of his clan should. An encounter like this brought back memories of his younger self...regrets and wishes of past that he could not bring back. The dappled tom settled his stance ready to launch himself across the way; eyes scanning the path ahead without looking towards his opponent. He was a quick runner no doubt as his long spindly legs were rather good at eating up the ground beneath them but it wasn't a common thing to be matched with someone who literally looked like you. Legs and all included. Something inside of the older warrior geared up for a good race. Another part of him, a part that he was not familiar with took over his competitive side. If this younger tom was someone from his past...then he wanted to find that out even if it meant he lost. 

His muscles tensed and his body grew ready; eyes focused straight ahead so he didn't get too distracted by the mirrored sight next to him along the water's edges. He took a breath and relaxed his mind before he heard the TreeClanner's shout of Go! and the paws of the younger tom ahead already bolting away from the invisible starter line. SilverBurr gave chase; legs pushing hard off the ground and surging him ahead. He liked the feel of the wind in his fur and watching the ground and landscapes around him rush past in a blur. Scents and sounds blurred together such as much as his vision before he refocused and happened to glance over just in time to see the other side and side with him. He grinned to himself but decided to let the other win. He was in fact a fast runner and if they could keep up with each other that meant they were equally matched. The only thing was Glacierpaw had more of an advantage of physical energy surging through him. SilverBurr only had that kind of energy when he needed it most. This little race for fun was not considered a good use of his store of energy so he let himself drop back a bit just before the finish line and let the other win. Whether they would have tied or some of them would have won did not matter. What mattered to SilverBurr was that the other tom seemed rather happy and pumped up...and alone out of earshot from his clan mates. That gave the other the opportunity he was looking for and hoped to Starclan that he did not screw this up or scare the other away. 

"That was a good race Glacierpaw. Looks like your younger sprite is a bit more energetic then mine." he chuckled as he caught up and skidded to a halt. 

He glanced behind him over towards the group of cats a bit away and gulped; he needed to ask his questions and fast before the other figured out what was going on and met up with them. 

"Not to scare you Glacierpaw and I do not mean any harm by coming off this way...but I need to know honestly...You said you don't know anyone named Moon besides Moonfeather. I know it's not the cat I'm looking for...but, who's your parents?" he questioned softly trying to keep his voice lowered. 

"Because I know you see it too...I know you know something is off about this..." he gestured between himself and the younger apprentice with a flick of his tail. "I'm not saying anything is up...because I don't know myself but...Do you remember anything from your kithood?...or did you grow up in Treeclan all your life?" he questioned.

If he was Moon's son...would Glacierpaw have been old enough to remember before he was taken to TreeClan or was he found new born without memory or old enough to be able to remember anything?

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

By the time he saw the hedges and beckoning grasses and the stream was far behind once more, Glacierpaw could feel the burden on his chest and muscles. While exhilarating, it had a toll of its own, and Glacierpaw knew that he would be sleeping soundly next to Asterpaw once he returned from the patrol. He decided to ease up on the throttle and downshifted to save the strain on his joints. He saw Silverburr stop, so he slowed up, breathing heavily through slightly parted jaws.

As the other tom spoke, Glacierpaw's smile faded, though not in reaction to anything Silverburr said. The young silver tabby was known for his glacier-like face: stoic, stalwart, and icy. "Mm, I suppose so," he replied with a shrug. His expressions had been stamped out of him at a young age--his foster mother Mistylight considered anything but obedient demureness to be defiance--but he was coming out of his shell slowly but surely. Having friends helped bring his expressions to the forefront.

He moved to rejoin his clanmates when Silverburr interfered, speaking up quickly before Glacierpaw had a chance to challenge him on it. The speckled tom drew himself to full height and curled his long fluffy tail over his paws. His starry eyes squinted as he assessed Silverburr's motives. What did a LightningClan cat care about who he was? "That's bold to say," he remarked. I know you know something is off about this... True, but it seemed to bother Silverburr more than it did Glacierpaw. The young apprentice had simply put it out of his mind under the assumption there was more than one silver tabby in the world.

Letting out the breath he'd been holding, Glacierpaw looked over in the direction of his clanmates first before turning back on Silverburr to respond. "Well..." He ran his tongue over his teeth as he tried to remember anything from before he met Lionstar and the queen who would volunteer to take him. "I don't know who my parents are," he replied finally. "A patrol found me in a nest around here, but this is Demon's territory. You know, the lynx?" He gestured to the foothills that threw the woods in shadow the further into TreeClan territory one went. "The cats who'd been on that patrol told me they looked for any others, but couldn't find anyone. If my parents were loners, they moved on. Another clan's trespass would've been reported to Lionstar." Glacierpaw had been just weaned when he had joined Mistylight's nest, but that'd been so long ago, the fragments of memory were gone. Maybe if he smelled his birth mother's milk and belly, the memories might come back, but Glacierpaw didn't feel the need to seek her out.

"What is it to you? You're too old to have been part of that litter found by a LightningClan patrol instead." Glacierpaw frowned in confusion, looking Silverburr up and down.

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OOC COMMENTS

☇tagged for Fae Magic

[Fae Magic]

He knew this was crazy. He knew he was overstepping his bounds when it came to speaking to this younger tom. He knew if something came out of this he could be in so much trouble. He just hoped that it didn't involve a battle between the LightningClan and TreeClan cats. Granted, he didn't think they would have a battle over something like that when they had better things to fight over then finding out there was an unknown son of a tom from another clan living among them. But Silverburr needed to know for himself; to put himself at ease again. For many moons he had kept it a secret and many a moon he had stopped himself from thinking about what happened in his past and move on. It shouldn't have bothered him as much as it did but now that he stared at the miniture version of himself he knew he couldn't just ignore this. 

The look of truimph the in the younger tom's eyes faded and his facial expression blanked when they finally faced each other after the race. His questions caught him off gaurd he could tell but Glacierpaw answered them if a bit hesitantly to Silverburr's almost desperate questions. This tom needed to know if Glacierpaw was who he thought he was... Did Silverburr have a son? That's what the main objective was here to reveal. Something that the older warrior desperately wanted to find out. Not that he was opposed of course to having a family...he just never imagined he would ever have one period. His ears perked up catching the words that were slowly being spoken and his eyes riveted on the smaller tom as he listened. 

So, Glacierpaw was found as a young kit in TreeClan's territory. Silverburr filed that back into his mind for later. That was two things now that started to add up. One, Glacierpaw looked like he could be Silverburr's smaller imitation and two, the tom had been found as a kit in the territory of TreeClan without much memory as it seemed but without family. That couldn't be just any stroke of luck to match together so well could it? Granted, Silverburr knew it could have just been nothing at all and he had some wishful tihnking but yet again it seemed too good to be true. His next words made the tom want to blurt out his next thoughts. Of course he was too old to be in the litter that Glacierpaw was in. But he wasn't too old to have sired it himself. He opened his jaws to say something to the lines of that before he snapped them shut suddenly as he heard the voices and pawsteps of the TreeClan patrol. He froze a moment and his eyes stared into Glacierpaw with such an intensity and desperation that it was almost heartbreaking. You could tell just by the look on his face that he seemed to be struggling with himself to not say what was on his mind and to keep silent. How much it hurt by the shimmer in his eyes that he wanted to find out the truth. What truth, the younger tom didn't know Silverburr knew that for certain but he couldn't say anything or else he would cause tension and maybe even a fight over the border with what he wanted to say. 

Clearing his throat he straightened himself up and looked away from the tom. Trying to keep a more professional posture and facial expression instead of the desperate and sad looking warrior that he had been moments before. No need for the others to get involved. It was messy enough as it was. When the others got close enough he gave a small smirk and tipped his head towards the apprentice while never looking away from the other party. 

"You werer right, he is a quick one. Beat me by a hair." he agreed praising the other. "Keep up his training. He's definitely a determined fellow." he forced a chuckle before stsepping back. 

"I appreciate the encounter. It's been rather enjoyable actually. As odd as that may be. I hope to see you at the next gathering where we may talk some more." he offered tipping his head towards the group. 

"I should be on my way though, my own patrol will wonder why I am taking so long and may be concerned something went wrong here. Have a good day guys." he spoke up before turning on his tail and made his way back down the borderline towards his camp. A million or two questions in his mind and a sinking rock in the pit of his stomach.

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

Glacierpaw wasn't sure what to make of this Silverburr, but unfortunately he was a dense fellow and didn't often speculate past face value. He felt bad for the poor tom's distress over trying to find this she-cat, but he couldn't exactly care about what problems a LightningClanner had. Pumafang would probably tell him off.

"Glacierpaw, I said don't dally," Hawkchaser grunted all of a sudden. Glacierpaw turned to see the larger tom striding in between two saplings. Hawkchaser gave Silverburr a suspicious glance, but as he didn't see evidence of fighting or intimidation, he didn't press it further. Glacierpaw felt Hawkchaser's tail drape across his back.

"I'll ask--!" he tried calling out to Silverburr's back, but quick as lightning, the other silveret dashed away, joining up with his own clanmates on their side of the border and leaving the TreeClanners to their marks. Glacierpaw sighed out loud. "Nevermind."

"What was that about? Anything I need to report to Lionstar?" Hawkchaser asked in concern.

Glacierpaw slipped out from under Hawkchaser's tail and turned in the direction of home, flicking his tail-tip. "No. I won the race, and then he asked a second time if anybody else knew that loner he mentioned earlier."

"I wonder what he was hiding if he didn't want his clanmates to overhear," Hawkchaser replied, but the slender tom shook his head, having no idea. Hawkchaser tsked. "Probably a tail-chasing indiscretion. Hmph, LightningClanners these days. Let's go, everyone!" The TreeClan patrol leader called out to the others.

An indiscretion? Glacierpaw wondered what that word meant as they headed back to camp.

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OOC COMMENTS

☇just a quick ending post on my end to wrap it up