Curious Waiting

[mudeyes]

Quick pawsteps envelop the quiet air, quick and careful. A head is lifted above the tall grass, wide, moss green eyes glinting in the sunset. The Abyssinian mix eyed the area. He was a loner, stubborn, but in need of shelter and a meal. He'd do with anything.

He opened his mouth to taste the air, nostrils opening and closing quickly as he sniffed the scents. Dust Clan. Seeing no patrols, he knew someone would find him. He was to hungry to go in the territory and be fought out. He knew there would be a sunset patrol soon anyways. He had watched this territory before. Their strange ways made him curious.

Laying down slowly, he placed one paw over the other regally and waited, the sun inching down every moment.

[Sabrestar]

ooc| It's Duskclan. Lol. XD

Ic|
"Report your business here, rougue."
There was a soft order, raking the wind with a sense of icey danger and threatening vitality. Thunder rumbled in the near off distance, heat crawling like worms, bending the landscape with waves of hot air. The atmosphere was breathless. Tempers were short and volatile. Clouds began their slow descent across the sky, breaking over the setting, crimson sun - casting long, bloody rays of light down across the sea of wheat and dried grass.

A blur of black and silvery blue -
a flash of fiery, silver-beryl eyes -
A rush of wind -

And the Duskclan leader dropped from the solitary island of trees arched over the middle of the Field, and within a heartbeat, was a foot away from the loner.
Her flawless face was a picture of expressionless cold, despite this late spring heat. Her coat, shimmering with a just-groomed clean, was a sleek, black tinted steelblue, stretched over a small frame, so small that she made the male look massive. But there were muscles beneath that beautiful coat of hers - yes, writhing like snakes, smooth but steely upon her graceful, elegant legs. Silver eyes were edged with a certain wariness, but within those depths of ice, there was a glint of mockery.

[mudeyes]

ooc: xD Typo! lol

The loner looked at the small she-cat with murky green eyes, the depths of them lifeless, yet full of pride at the same moment in time.

"My name is Moonpelt. Most know me as Wesley, but I hope to go by the Warrior name if joining your clan. I have been watching you for some weeks now. From a distance. I am in need of food and good shelter, and I know you can provide. I promise my skill and complete loyalty to you and the clan. Do not turn me down." He said his last sentence, not as a threat. He said it calmly, almost as if he'd practiced this speech. His muscles ripped when he sat up, lumbering over the small cat.

His face was expressionless, calm, subdued. he expected nothing from her but an answer. His fur rustled in a breeze, but he did not move from his position. Eyes half open, he looked down on her in quiet.

[frosteye]

Another figure watched the two cats from a distance, black and white paws placed at the boundary into this foreign territory. He had just recently left his own newfound home to venture, seemingly boldly, into the rest of the land. Now, he stood upon a small boulder that peaked above the tall grasses, though he was still a safe distance away. His approach had been soundless, and now he watched with a faint, idle curiosity. His keen, yet tattered ears were pricked, listening to their words with ease.

At the rogue's last comment he exhaled in what could've been a faint chuckle. Despite his tone of voice the demand for acceptance was rather bold, and he would be a fool to underestimate the leader of Duskclan. However, he didn't seem to be concerned with the fact that he was nearly on another's territory, and his icey-blue eyes flickered dimly in the dying light, locked upon the two figures before him.

[mudeyes]

Wesley's ears twitched nervously. Somebody was watching. Staring off into the distance, he saw the black and white pawed cat. Something told him, an inside sense, that this one was not part of the Clan. He knew nothing for sure, but Wesley's instinct told him he was right.

"May I also ask if HE is apart of your territory?" He inquired, blinking slowly an quietly.

[frosteye]

Frosteye merely chuckled at the question coming from the cat. Though he was a distance away his keen ears caught every word, and he continued to watch. He wondered faintly why this Wesley even bothered asking if he was already trusting his instincts.
He wondered to himself though, why he tred so daringly to another's territory when he already belonged to another one. He felt no fear inside him for some strange reason as he looked upon this unfamiliar cats. Ahh well, his curiosity would just get the best of him.

[Bane]

[[Excuse the slight language xD]]

Like a mouse, the shadowed tom stalked through the wheat stems, being careful not to move single stem that might give away his position. He barely ever let himself be seen, it was a danger and any attacking predator would be able to attack with ease. When they didn't know where their target was, however, then it became more difficult. The tom followed the clan leader's scent trail, in need of reporting to her of the loner at the Abandoned Tractor, until infront of him was the small, sleek she-cat known as Sabrestar. Bane paused for a moment, noticing her with a loner. But there was another reason for his pause - with his single working eye, he spotted a flash of white, and had looked to see another cat. As a rush of wind howled around the tom's ears, it took with it the scent of an unknown clan. Bane was yet unsure what clan scent, but either way it wasn't DuskClan. And nor was he a rogue.

Still keeping himself unseen, stepping through the stalks of wheat with ease, and keeping his scent downwind at all times, Bane stalked around Sabrestar and the loner, who had called himself Moonpelt. He stalked easily around, not a single wheat stem moving to give away his existance. When there was the possibility that his scent might waft over to the other cats, Bane waited until the wind died down or blew in the opposite direction. And in no time the dark tom was behind the boulder with which the foolish cat was sat upon, his stench making Bane's nose curl with disgust. Bane lowered his hind legs, and swiftly leapt, the muscles which flexed underneath his smooth pelt using all their strength - which was a lot, as Bane was large compared to others - to push the tom off the boulder he smuggly sat upon, and pin him onto the ground, claws unsheathed and teeth glinting in the late night sun. That was his hopes, anyway. If he was ignorant enough to sit upon a boulder where anybody would be able to see him in territory besides his own, he deserved whatever he got.

"Hello, kitty,"

Bane said in a deathly calm voice, threatening the tom to speak or move. Each paw was aimed to push down against his shoulders so it would be difficult to struggle. Bane's gaze was almost uncaring, his pupils slitted but other than than looking bored.

"Didn't your mummy ever tell you not to go out after dark?"

A small smirk curled the corners of the tom's rims. Bane had inherited a slight scent of DuskClan already, but still his old scent of rogue was there - Bane was gonna make sure it stayed, to act as a second threat to any cats. It could be there to say "I've lived the hard life, so f**k off before I kill you." In the dark light the tom's scars showed well, yet another threat to the cats of this damn forest.[/size]

[frosteye]

Frosteye smiled inwardly at the seemingly soundless approach of the Duskclan warrior. The combonation of his tattered, but still highly sensitive ears, and his equally keen sense of smell (and perhaps some other sense) told him of Bane's presence. However, on the outside he seemed oblivious, completely unaware of his presence. That was how he liked it to be kept. He felt the tom's presence approach, felt it come behind him. Then, with speed equal to his attacker's, he whirled around, skillfully, but barely, dodging Bane's seemingly unseen attack.
He was cutting it rather close.
Frosteye had felt the warrior's claws skim by a hairsbreath from him, and as Bane landed empty pawed on the ground he slided down to the ground a meter or two from the attacker. Even now, the dark grey tom's posture was neither aggressive nor submissive, infact he seemed to be quite how he was before Bane had even approached. However, he kept a proper distance from the Duskclan warrior, well enough away to be fully prepared for any other attack. Such hostility. He was a newcomer to the land merely observing this other clan from a proper distance, sitting on the borderline. And here came this attacker without warning. At Bane's words the corners of Frosteye's mouth were pulled back ever so slightly in what might have been considered a smile if one looked close enough.
I suppose not.
He answered simply, almost too simply. His tone was so calm, so ordinary, almost to the point of mockery, as if he hadn't been attacked at all. He knew he was pushing his luck though, and at the same time he couldn't help his curiosity. Ah well, he was always up for a bit of excitement.

(hahah, I compliment your skills Bane, and my my what an evil character hahah, he's awesome though ^^ Frosteye's just a silly kitty isn't he >_>;; )

[Bane]

[[I'll wait for Sabre to post :3]][/size]

[frosteye]

(heh, sounds good. She better post soon though, it's been 5 days since she has on this board )

[Sabrestar]

oOc| Sorry for the delay. Finals. ):

Ic|
"No, as a matter of fact, he is not part of my Clan."

And Sabrestar, standing still on stiff, elegant legs, watched the performance with a cold, almost cruel satisfaction:
The cold, icey mock of Frosteye-
The vain attack of Bane-

Then, the Duskclan leader intervened. Moving with practiced ease and agility, Sabrestar moved with a blur of black and icey blue eyes; her movement was sure-footed. Whenever she strikes, she rarely misses.
However, the feline did not strike - she merely landed a hairdsbreath away from Forsteye's nose, long whiskers flicking, snake-like tail stiff above her back. Her beautiful face - however cruel - curled into the same, stoicly soft smile that was seen upon Frosteye's lips.

"Why are you here? You are part of Stoneclan - and you have lingered far too long to be patrolling your borders. Are you here to spy, Warrior?"

Sabrestar spoke with the air of a commander - but not a haughty one. Her clever, emotionless eyes flashed like steel in the mid-morn sun, paws stepped lightly upon the earth, soft on the ground - incase she needed to jump away from a surprise ambush.

The Clanleader tilted her head to her right.

"Be careful of what you say. It can cause you, or your clan, some fierce consequences."

[frosteye]

Frosteye's eyes glinted sharply, his ears flicking as the Duskclan Leader approached. His cold blue eyes laid upon Sabrestar with a different feel than the gaze he had given the attacking Bane. Though he was wary, he did not do so much as flinch even as the Leader landed a hairsbreath from him. He merely returned her gaze, though his eyes now held no contempt, anger or hostility. It almost seemed empty, ever so calm, too calm. However, his face held a subtle respect for Sabrestar, knowing that she was not leader for nothing, and he wasn't too keen on finding out why she was the leader of this Clan.
Nothing in Frosteye's stance told that he was about to attack a Clan Leader, and indeed he knew it would be a foolish move. He simply stood, unmoving, still and solemn as the clan he represented. His eyes met hers unflinchingly as he spoke in a voice as calm and smooth as the rest of his stance.
It is true that I am not simply patrolling. However, I am no spy, and I ask my curiosity to be forgiven, for that was all that lead me to your borders.
He said softly, simply, that same slght note of respect in his fluid voice. His ear gave a flick as he continued.
I thank you for not being as judgmental as your Clan member here...though I suppose 'tis traits such as quick judgement that good clan leaders neglect to have.
He said with an ever so slight glint of amusement in his eyes as he glanced briefly to Bane.
Of course, if your Leadership wishes, I will be on my way.

[mudeyes]

ooc//: It's okay, Saberstar! =3

Wesley growled to himself slightly. They were getting off the topic because of this other clan warrior. His fur bristled slowly, and a low yowl began to rumble in his throught, but he kept it as less aduible as possible. He was not going to let his short temper get him out of a home.

Slinking over to the confrontation, he sat tall, eyes glinting with amusement. They seemed to glimmer the words "Busted" into the other cats blue eyes. A small grin felt his way onto his lips, sharp, shining teeth glowing in the sunset. He said nothing, for he was not a part of the clan, and had no right. but, he knew his bodily movements could send signals to the other cat. Tail swishing, he said

"You may think I'm iggnorant, but I didn't just walk onto enemy territory."[/size]

[Bane]

Bane landed, and stood, padding slowly closer to the protuding bastard, before Sabrestar came over. Bane stood a little way behind her, in respect he guessed, though why he didn't know.. His eyes kept on the StoneClan warrior, in a calm that was almost deadly. His claws flexed onto the ground, wanting to rip the flesh he had missed last time. He refused to let Frosteye's words annoy him - he would teach him not to mock little Baney ever again in time. But now didn't seem the right time. The shadowed tom gave a short snort, his tattered ear flicking and his tail twitching in irritation.

"They say curiosity killed the cat,"

Bane commented, a sly grin forming on his facade. Maybe this tom had never learnt that lesson? Well, hopefully Bane would let it be learnt. However, Sabrestar might see it differently, and in the end it was her say that counted.... unfortunately. Bane kept his deathly calm gaze fixed on the idiot in front of him, though directed his words to his new leader.

"I say we kill him. He's too much of an idiot to be kept alive if he thinks he can intrude in such a fashion, and for us to forgive him that easily. Besides, how do we know he isn't lying?"

He questioned, though he really wanted to kill him because he's managed to get away from Bane's attack hardly scratched, had mocked him and shown no respect, yet held respect for Sabrestar. Bane knew it was probably because Sabre was leader, but still, shouldn't he respect other clan members also? Wasn't that was this code thing these clan cats followed said? Of course, it was utter rubbish, but Bane might upset a few people if he showed that he didn't respect their laws. Bane's attention was caught as the tom Sabrestar had been talking to walked up. With an emotionless expression, the ex-rogue looked him up and down. It was a surprise for Bane to even think this, but he looked fairly decent. The warrior gave a half-assed nod in his direction in greeting.

"Atleast some cats around here have sense. I'm Bane, by the way,"

He introduced himself in a non-interested tone. Returning back to Sabrestar, the tom decided not to let the intrusion of the idiot deter from the reason he had come here. Attention focused on Sabrestar - though occasionally he flicked a dangerous glare in Frosteye's direction - he reported to her the information she had sent him to retrieve.

"I met that tom by the tractor. His name is Bloodstorm, and he's a lazy bugger. He wants part of this clan just to cure his apathy it seems - though he didn't sound too interested. If it was my choice he would be dead by now for idiocity[it is a word! xD], but it's your choice what to do with him."[/size]

[Sabrestar]

"It is quick judgement that allows Duskclan survival, Stoneclanner. From what I can see so far, you are too curious for your own self-control. You are lucky I came. Bane would have sliced open that soft-cheeked smile of yours by now."

She flicked her muzzle sharply towards Bane, a flicker of bemusement glinting like fire within her cold, silver eyes. Then, she smiled. A wide, devious smile that would send many a cat's fur prickling along the spine. She tipped her head to her right, lifting a paw to groom her long, elegant whiskers.
"No, stay for a little while. After all, you were curious - I cannot blame you, for I am curious as well. Tell me, Warrior, how your clan is coming along. Are your Warriors well-fed, are your apprentices strong? Is your leader sharp-witted, is she impatient, is she curious like you?"
Sabrestar flicked her steely gaze upon her Warrior, Bane - lip curling at his unintellectual suggestions.
"You are not thinking, Bane. For one, he is not intruding. Take a look at where our borders line - his paws have not set across them."
She lowered her paw, touching the scent-lined boundary in which she herself had laid freshly just this morning. Indeed, Forsteye's paws lay on the otherside of the invisible line.
"If he is lying, we will kill him."
Sabrestar's threat was true - she never told an unfufilled threat. Her omnious words were unhesitant, and whoever was listening could see that Sabrestar was not lying.
She nodded her head in Wesley's direction, lifting a paw and gesturing to her left, silently telling him to settle on her left side right in front of the boundary line seperating Stoneclan from Duskclan. She turned, flicking her tail to her right - telling Bane to settle on the other side of her, again, right in front of the boundary line. Although the Duskclan Warriors did not completely surround Frosteye, they could easily overwhelm him if they attacked.

"So I am asking you now - and do not lie to me, tom. How is your clan, how do you fare?"

Sabrestar was clever. She was using her wits. Instead of straightly accusing Frosteye, she decided to turn things around - use him as a source. Whether he was stupid enough to answer or not, Sabrestar didn't care. Besides, if she wished, she could have her Warriors physically squeeze out answers from him. This information is useful, she could use it for future days. Frosteye wasn't stupid. But a mouse can irritate a cat just as easily as a cat can irritate a tiger.

[frosteye]

Frosteye stood silently, his paws planted firmly, neither his expression nor his posture giving anything away. Yet, in the presence of two Duskclan cats (one being the Leader) he still, suprisingly, seemed to show no fear. His tail waved ever so slowly from side to side behind him, his crystaline eyes flicking occasionally from the Duskclan leader to Bane, and occasionally casting a brief glance towards the Loner, though his attention was mainly on the Duskclan cats.
He smiled softly to himself at Bane's eager words, the smile never fully fading. He had no doubt that Bane was a skilled fighter, but it was foolish to think that he was so easy to get rid of. Of course he would never fight against a Clan Leader.
I feel truly blessed that you have arrived, my dear.
He said softly with eyes upon Sabrestar, though it was hard to tell whether he was being sarcastic or not, for a slightly bemused tone rang under his voice. At her questions he smiled to himself, watching the Duskclan leader. His eyes glinted like diamond, taking in every subtle feature, reading every movement however faint it was. Ahh yes, she was clever. That's what made her Leader. But he was not one to fall for games....of course he loved playing along with them.
My Clan and Leader are doing excellently...thank you for asking.
His voice was simple, sincere, yet empty, devoid of any decietful or truthful toungue, for they were just words. He seemed to give nothing away. Of course, if it were the truth then it was the truth, nothing had been accomplished. He would have no reason to hide the fact that his clan was thriving.

[Sabrestar]

Sabrestar knew he wasn't lying. Besides, why wouldn't his clan be living well if this tom looked so well nourished, so strong, so sleek and quick-witted? Frosteye impressed the Duskclan leader. It was too bad he belonged to Stoneclan though.
Oh well.
She'll just have to kill him one day.
But not now. Maybe soon, maybe later, it all depends. Sabrestar didn't care. In fact, she could care less. Frosteye was formidable, yes, but his loyalty lied elsewhere.
Suddenly, harshly snapping from her former relaxed state, the feline slipped to her right, lunging forward - headbutting Frosteye in the chest. Hard.
She drew back before he could touch her, safely behind her border line. Sabrestar was wise. She knew that if Frosteye stepped over the border, she could sick her Warriors on him. So. Boundaries can be handy once in a while. x)
Her eyes, emotionless yet hard with a steamed, controlled edge, seemed to burn a hole through Frosteye's forehead. She didn't shift her gaze once, she didn't move. She just stood, tail stiff, legs held in an authoritive posture. Her lip curled, revealing pearly white fangs.
Sabrestar unsheathed her infamous claws. Yes, infamous. They were an insane 5 inches long, digging into the hard, sandy soil beneath the withering, dry grass. The hard, dusty skin of the ground cracked beneath the undeniable force of the nails, crumpling, sinking the claws into the soft soil underneath.
"If you want to live through your years,"
Sabrestar hissed, her voice soft - dangerously soft,
"Then do not call me dear. Leave me. Now."

[mudeyes]

Wesley took his place and watched the confrontation attentively, eyes gazing at the confident warrior. What was wrong with him? Was he sick in the mind? He growled quietly to himself, and then waited patiently. He wanted to get right back on track with his meeting with Sabrestar.

He would take down the cat if told to do so. He'd make a mess of him. If he didn't die right then and their, it wouldn't take long until he did. Wesley's fur bristled at the the thought. he said nothing. He had no right to say anything to the warrior. For he wasn't one. No. Not yet.[/color]

[frosteye]

Frosteye's gaze never left the Clan Leader, even through her sudden attack. It didn't even appear that he would've attempted to dodge or attack in return, he simply let it happen. However, his face remained set in stone, and he stumbled backwards, but kept his footing. He took the attack, and that was it. Frosteye was solid as stone, and his expression did not change.
Fair enough.
Was all he said, watching Sabrestar for a moment longer, his eyes empty of fear or regret or anger. Cold and empty. Like ice, like crystal. That was who he was. Then slowly, with fluid motions, he dipped his head in a slight nod of dismission. He then turned, not so his back was to the three warriors, but so he was parallel to the boundary. Then he began on his way, as if nothing had happened at all. Maybe he was sick in the head? Maybe not. He slowly drew away from the border with every step, yet never fully turned his back on the three. He was a rather strange cat.

(it has been fun you all, and I appologize for the short post. Tomorrow morning I am leaving to go to Japan for 6 weeks ._. I love being here but I'll hardly be able to get on at all :/ *le sadness* well, adios.)

[Bane]

Bane gave a small growl as he took his position beside his leader like Sabrestar wanted. How he longed to the be where she was, giving this bastard something to think about, or something to remind not to be so foolish. But he was the henchman, Sabrestar's follower for now. His eyes narrowed as the StoneClan warrior was pushed, and he smirked when he made no attempt to dodge or attack again. Good, atleast he had some sense. When he finally left, the large tom's wild claws raked the earth beneath him, and he grunted.

"Idiot."

Was all he muttered, before turning and padding back the way he had come. He had come here to tell Sabrestar about the loner at the Tractor, and he had done so. There was no reason for him to hang about any longer.

Bane leapt swiftly into the stems of wheat, and it was almost as if he hadn't been there at all.[/size]