Seeking Acceptance

[whitewhisker]

A shrill call echoed about the gully as the setting sun cast dark shadows over the damp, moss covered walls.
The cry echoed again. Shrieking.. warning.

A darker shadow swept across the rocks, staying close to the wall and clinging to the floor like stench to a badger. Silent pads trod a careful path across the mountain territory, every hurried pawstep cautious and almost.. expectant. It was unwise to travel through unknown teritory uninvited, especially alone - it was miraculous that the intruder had not been spotted by anyone, or anything else. The young she-cat stopped suddenly in her tracks. Ears pricked, eyes wide, as the birds alarm call rang through the gully once more.
She hurried on, eager to reach her destination before dark - she did not want to trespass for another night. Darkness loomed threateningly over the great rocks as the silver cat emerged from the mountains. Setting a fast pace, she streaked across the wide expanse of grass as fast as her young legs could carry her.
Moonlight shone down into the valley, making the she-cats beautiful silver pelt shimmer as though she were one of StarClan themselves. Grassy plains changed to cold sand as the cat moved closer to her goal, the yellowing sands muffling her pawsteps expertly.

Without warning, a mass of brambles sprung out of the darkness to meet her - and the silver cat became entangled all too easily.
'Just what I need!' she thought irritably, pushing with her forelegs and scrabbling with her hindlegs to try and wriggle free from the tearing spikes. With massive effort and much tugging of fur, she pulled herself free. Now, she was set the task of trying to find a way through the maze of brambles and thorns before her, risking more fur being pulled out, and more time being wasted. After much thought, the silver she-cat decided she liked the way her fur was for now, and would tackle the brambles the following morning. On this note, Riverheart curled into a tight ball under a small overhang of thorns, and began to wash herself to sleep...

[Sunsetfire]

There are those who think
That life has nothing left to chance.
A host of holy horrors
to direct our aimless dance.

A planet of playthings.

.x.

There was much to consider, now that Chainrust and Cavekit had returned. It saddened the golden leader that his mate hadn’t come along with his son, but little Cavekit had gone through hell and back and, now, his boy was finally home. There had been no ill word concerning Chainrust taking over his deputy position again either, a fact that pleased the patrolling tom greatly, even as he stopped to make sure Stealthclan’s border scent was as clear and strong as ever.

The bird’s alarm call captured Sunsetfire’s attention, however, and he quietly padded off in that general direction – fire-amber eyes catching sight of the little bird swooping and chittering over the one same spot. As he approached, however, it took a sudden rocket skywards and fluttered off – the prospect of another foe perhaps too much for it?

Sunsetfire did not allow his attention to waver for long, almost idly he headed towards that certain spot – scenting feline almost as clear as day. However, instead of encroaching into the overhang to chase out the intruder, he settled into a comfortable sit outside, leaning just so that he could try to peek and see the she-cat. She looked to potentially be slowly dozing off, so the kindly leader kept his voice calm and low, “Hello there stranger, you’re on Stealthclan territory currently. Even if you do not wish to remain, allow me to extend a paw in hospitality and offer you a warm, and safer, den within the camp.”

Never turn a needy feline away, it was something that he had enforced since the beginning, whether they chose to stay and remain within the clan or not.

.x.

We dance on the
S t r i n g o f p o w e r s

We cannot perceive.
“The stars aren’t aligned
Or the Gods are malign.”

blame
is better to give
than receive.

[whitewhisker]

Riverheart woke with a start.

For a moment she thought she had been caught by a hostile clan patrol, but then she realised that the tom had said Stealthclan - she was on Stealthclan territory..
Flushing with embarrassment, the silver feline crept out from her makeshift den, dipping her head respectfully to the clan cat and mumbling to her feet, 'Erm, hello s-sir... I'm really sorry, about being on your territory and that, it's just, well, I had to sleep, and, well, are you from Stealthclan?.. I was, erm, kind of hoping that I could tag along, I, I mean find a home here and all... I've been alone so long.. I can hunt!' she burst out, 'I can hunt really well and fish and stuff, I'd be good too! I just want a home sir, I just want friends...' she tailed off, looking up hesitantly, fearing that her sudden outbursts had been too much. Being young, she had not yet learned to be concise, or get to the point.

She glanced up again warily... she fancied the tom was judging her, sizing her up..

[Sunsetfire]

There are those who think
That life has nothing left to chance.
A host of holy horrors
to direct our aimless dance.

A planet of playthings.

.x.

Ah, oops. He truly hadn’t meant to wake the she-cat suddenly, nor for her somewhat embarrassed reaction. Sunsetfire blinked a few times and tilted his head, listening to the words that simply spilled from the young she-cat’s mouth. My, so much in one breath. Was he from Stealthclan? That question just nearly brought a chuckle from the golden tom; he had created Stealthclan. Of course, he didn’t expect for the rogue to know that, at least not straight off, so he found a gap between her words to put in his own sentence, “My name in Sunsetfire; I am the leader of Stealthclan.”

“A home? Friends? If that is what you wish, miss, then we can surely provide those things. My only requirement is loyalty – to myself, as well to your fellow clan mates.” It was really a simple request, a potential hunter and new warrior for his clan couldn’t be turned cruelly away. Besides, she seemed harmless enough, young enough still that she didn’t know yet how to cap her words, yet old enough to be skilled, said as of yet rather then shown, in hunting and fishing.

Flicking his white-tipped tail once, Sunsetfire patiently awaited her reply.

.x.

We dance on the
S t r i n g o f p o w e r s

We cannot perceive.
“The stars aren’t aligned
Or the Gods are malign.”

blame
is better to give
than receive.

[whitewhisker]

Riverheart stared somewhat rudely at the golden cat in front of her - Stealth Clans leader had just offered her a home! She could not believe her ears!
Realising what she was doing, she quickly closed her mouth and looked down, dipping her head again as she spoke;
'I will be loyal, sir. To you and the rest of the clan. I promise.' She spoke clearly and confidently now, eager to prove herself to the tom-cat.

Her head held high, embarrassment forgotten, she looked calmly back at Sunsetfire, and yet, inside her head - she was positively screaming with excitement..

[Sunsetfire]

There are those who think
That life has nothing left to chance.
A host of holy horrors
to direct our aimless dance.

A planet of playthings.

.x.

And…now he was being stared at like he had sprouted another head. Sunsetfire took it all in stride, simply allowing for his words to sink into the she-cat. It didn’t take low, however, and soon she was speaking again, pledging her loyalty to him and the clan. “Might to by some chance get your name?” There was laughter in the tom’s voice, not the mocking kind at all but a general good-natured one that was contagious.

“I’ll show you the way to camp. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to anyone; they’re all good cats. Oh. And just a forewarning…Stealthclan does have a coyote in residence. Don’t pay him any mind, or fear him at all…he’s harmless.” Sunsetfire rose to his paws and headed for the brambles, flicking his tail for the she-cat to follow.

ooc ;; I’d say this thread is just about [he may need her name x333] done; feel free to post anywhere in Stealthclan from here on out<33

.x.

We dance on the
S t r i n g o f p o w e r s

We cannot perceive.
“The stars aren’t aligned
Or the Gods are malign.”

blame
is better to give
than receive.

[whitewhisker]

Riverheart stood and followed behind the golden cat, 'My name's Riverheart sir' she said, nervously licking her chest as she walked. She wanted to make a good impression on her new clan mates.

OoC: Woo! Ta very much! ^^