its all the [s a m e]

[Chainrust]

Chainrust had been welcomed by open arms back into his clan. He still felt uneasy, much like an outsider, even though this was almost his entire life before his trauma. He always sat in the shade of the Ridge Point when Sunsetfire announced things, and it had become a common spot when Chainrust wanted to relax. Though he had taken up the spot of Deputy once more, and he'd taken up his usual spot in the shade, just in the crook of the Ridge Point at ground level, he still couldn't help looking at the Clan as if he was sitting on a hill, watching the activities of the average life.

So many things had changed since the war. So many deaths, even births, and many had changed since that time. Chainrust knew he had. He had grown even more quiet and reserved, even more antisocial. He hardly even knew how to talk to his best friend anymore, not sure what to say or how to say it.

He sighed, letting his breath explode into the dust below his muzzle where he lay crouched in the shade, his paws tucked under him and his tail curled snugly against his flank. Ears leaned back, he opened his sage eyes so they reflected like mirrors in the oncoming darkness.

He had filled out slightly since his return. He was able to eat more, he was able to move more, and at least try to keep up with the Clan. Don't get him wrong, this place was still home to him. Just home after a long time gone.
He'd changed homes so many times in his life, always moving, always a nomad. And Stealthclan had been his home for the longest. But if Chainrust knew anything, it was that you could get used to anything.

[whitewhisker]

(OoC: Apologies about being in 'two places at once' but no one's replied to my post in StealthClan camp, and I kinda got bored waiting.. shoo me if I'm not wanted! =) )

Riverheart had been sat at the entrance to camp for some time. Not a lot was going on. She'd heard whispers of dreadful wars and many deaths in all the Clans, it appeared she'd joined at a bad time.
Looking about the camp in the afternoon light, she noticed a solitary tomcat sprawled comfortably under the Ridge Point, he appeared to be gazing around camp in the same way as her.
'Good afternoon. My name's Riverheart, I'm kinda new..' she meowed cheerily, walking up to him, 'How are you? What's your name?'
She sat down about a tail-length away from him, ears flicked forwards in a friendly fashion, and a politely curious expression spread across her pretty face.

Riverheart had often wondered if Clan life would suit her, and although she was enjoying it so far, it was a tad on the quiet side..

[whitewhisker]

(OoC: Just to let you know, I still want to RP with you if you're not busy some time.. =] )

[Onyxdart]

((I never could resist RPing Ivory. But Jay's gonna have to make a comeback some time too!))

It was nice and quiet. Quiet, that was all well and good, but it was boring. And coyotes, they don't do well with boring. Or, maybe some do. Ivoryshard was not one of those. So when it was quiet, he was usually somewhere causing problems for someone. But never big problems. He'd never cause big problems.

He scented both Chainrust and some new kid from way off, long before he could see them. He would have heard them, with his big ears, but they really weren't making much noise, at first. The new kid asked Chainrust something, and Ivoryshard trotted that direction to make friends. And to say hi to Chainrust. He was elated that the deputy had come back. Ivory didn't like it when people left.

He approached slowly, and upwind, so that hopefully no one would be unduly surprised by his arrival, but you could never tell with the new ones. After all, he was a little unusual. He made something of a racket as he padded up, as well, because things that want to eat you don't make a racket, and if he was loud, well, it meant he didn't want to eat you. Or that was the logic in the coyote's head.

"Howdy!" he woofed, wagging his brush tail in slow circles. He made a snorting chuffing sort of noise as Chainrust, which was apparently his version of a friendly hello.

"Hiya, kinda new kid- Riverheart," he said after greeting Chainrust. Then he lay down on his belly and sprawled half over on his side in the dust, tail thumping the ground still.

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[Chainrust]

Having fallen into a silent reserve, Chainrust closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the dying sun cover him even in the shade. Still, even before Chainrust's alleged death, few ever approached the introverted deputy, and even fewer approached to greet and chat. It made the antisocial deputy uneasy, conversation did.

He had heard pawsteps approach, but he had assumed the cat they belonged to would simply pass by without conflict. But, instead, they paused. To look, or stare? Or perhaps the cat's attention had been caught by something else entirely. Either way, Chainrust was not expecting the she-cat to suddenly speak.

His eyes opened quickly. It took him a moment to adjust back. He was... Yes, he was here in Stealthclan. He finally turned to look at the friendly she-cat with sage eyes wide, his cheek pressed against his paw. He was a rusty brown in color, long and lanky in build, average in everything except for the livid scar that ran across his forehead, nearing his left eye.

He couldn't respond much, he was in a bit of shock. Clearly this she-cat was new, for it was almost an unwritten rule that cats didn't come to converse with the deputy, even though he hadn't intended it to be that way. Finally, he cleared his throat, ears rotating. 'Afternoon, er, Riverheart He said gruffly, but it was clear that was how he spoke. He really wasn't a mean or unkind cat. My name is Chainrust, the Stealthclan Deputy He said quietly, looking about. A small flicker of recognition crossed his mind as Ivoryshard happily trotted across the dusty clearing. Most cats grew uneasy with the coyote around, but if ever there was a member that Chainrust had grown fond of in the clan, it was the canine. He didn't know much about the rest of the clan anyways.

I am... Good, yes? Yes, I am good. And how are you? He inquired, flicking his tail in mild greeting as Ivoryshard sat down.

[whitewhisker]

Cool evening air surrounded the sheltered clearing within StealthClans thorny camp. The sun was mid-way in the sky, preparing to set over the ridge in a few short hours time. A congregation of midge flies had gathered to see the day out and were currently buzzing, uninvited, around the faces of those cats sat in the camp, lounging around in the warm orange glow.

A single cat had taken his seat beneath the ridge point to bask in the last of the suns rays. He had been joined shortly afterwards by a young she, a newcomer to the Clan, going by the name of Riverheart. Her minimal knowledge of the Clan members meant that she had unwittingly chosen to start a conversation with none other than StealthClan's deputy - a typically unsociable tom called Chainrust. As the rusty red tom spoke she could tell he was uncomfortable but far from backing off and leaving him and his privacy alone she became ever more curious of this strange feline. How many other Clan deputies were there that did no enjoy the presence of others? Surely as a potential successor to the leadership a deputy should be.. well, a good leader - comfortable around his or her Clan mates, a natural speaker? Riverheart settled down onto her forepaws, tucking them under her chest to keep them warm and cosy. She plainly intended to continue her lighthearted chitchat.

She was quite disconcerted when the scent of canine hit her nose but Sunsetfire had told her previously of the coyote that roamed the territory. She took her lead from the old deputy who said and did nothing, obviously the creature was no threat to the Clan. The she-cat remained sitting down but her eyes flicked to and fro around the clearing until the canine came into view, tail wagging. She was startled at the fact that it could speak cat and so - rather rudely if you ask me - did not reply straight away to either Chainrust or the coyote. She blinked at them both for a few short seconds before finding her voice.

'I'm good thankyou' she smiled, turning to the canine, 'Hi! What's your name? I've never met a coyote before' she stated bluntly, trying her best to be confident even though her instincts were screaming at her to run. She'd heard many stories of dog attacks on cats from the travellers she'd met at her previous home.

'So uh, anything exciting going on around here then?' she meowed, attempting to break the awkward silence that had fallen between the three.