(Moonfeather, Swiftstar, Spiderleap)
Moonfeather. The man had not expected a sudden influx of cats (though small in number) to descend upon the forest that he currently saw fit to call home -- prey had been plentiful, clean water was in easy access and there were no other felines to threaten his chosen territory. But now? Oh, he knew everything would change as the new cats seemed to be quite the territorial specimen as they had built barriers up around their homes and patrols sent out each day. And that would not do, not at all. He would either have to drive them out or make nice, and he did not feel like making new enemies on such a pleasant day as this.. And perhaps he was just a little bit curious as to why they had come to 'his' lands and settle here. Maybe it was time to introduce himself; after all, they would happen upon him eventually as both parties went about their days. Swiftstar crept through the moist foliage with Spiderleap at her side. The pair had decided to go fishing on this beautiful day. The new territory was full of life with so many plump fish ready to be eaten, however Swiftstar couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. I wish everyone could have experienced this... She thought back to the great boar attack and winced as she remembered that painful day. The beautiful she-cat gave her head a shake and shifted her focus to the task at hand. As the newly appointed leader, it was her duty to help provide for her dear StormClan. She noticed movement in the water, spotting a fish idly floating in the clear water. She hunkered down, snowy white belly fur just barely touching the grass and lifted her fluffy tail to notify Spiderleap of the unsuspecting fish. Spiderleap follows Swiftstar a footfall or two behind, silently. He never had much to say since the tragedy, which seemed a little unusual for him. This forest still held the novelty of being new, and everything seemed saturated and pleasant, at least. Spiderleap spotted the flash of scales in the river moments after she did, instinctively pressing low to the ground in suit. As his eyes dilated on the fish, he suddenly froze for a different reason. "Someone's here." Moonfeather had fancied himself to stalk the little hunting party from the other side of the river, winding delicately through the reeds until he found the right time to make himself known to the pair -- they seemed focused on deciding to hunt for fish which he supposed made sense in the marshes though he much preferred the thrill of a good chase instead -- That was until the darker pelted of the two seemed a little more keen to his presence, or perhaps he had taken a wrong step? Either way, he had been found out and the man pushed through the reeds to settle his steady sectoral gaze on them that spoke of some amusement. "Good day to you," Moonfeather trilled at once as his sectoral gaze fell on the other man then trailed to the woman alongside him, "And to you." He'd fall into a seated position at the safe distance of waters between them.. All in case they decided to turn hostile. "One wouldn't suppose you're keen on sharing, hm?" Swiftstar had been so consumed by her painful memories and the fish that she hadn't even noticed the other cat. She felt embarrassed but shook it off as she stood, observing the dark grey male from across the river. While he didn't seem hostile, she kept her guard up just in case. "Who are you?" She meowed in a suspicious tone. "This is StormClan's territory, you are trespassing." Spiderleap looks between the stranger and his leader, still crouched to the ground. "Are you asking for help finding something to eat?" he offers, though he was sure the stranger's question was only a sly opener. He lays unmoving as Swiftstar informs the cat of their territory. This tom was surely here long before us, Spiderleap thought nervously.
Moonfeather's gaze slid back to the nervous man before his features cracked with a strangely welcoming smile in spite of the accusation of him trespassing, jovial even. Though one couldn't be quite certain if it were offered to soothe his nerves or if he actually found amusement from all of this. "How amusing of you to assume such!" Moonfeather gathered himself up to wade into the river with the intent on crossing to properly introduce himself, unbothered by the cool water soaking into his fur and causing it to smooth along his decently muscular form. A testament that he was no house cat. "Me, trespassing? I'm afraid you have that backwards." Moonfeather informed the pair as he picked his way across before paws found the wet ground once more, "My name is Moonfeather, a humble wanderer - so claim to this land is only temporary. It won't be long until I'm on my way and you can have this lovely marsh all to yourself."
Swiftstar narrowed her eyes as she watched the tom cat approach them, she was surprised to see the outsider slip into the water with ease. Most cats outside of StormClan avoid swimming, but he didn't. Interesting. Swiftstar sized him up and blinked thoughtfully as he introduced himself. He doesn't seem dangerous. She noticed Spiderleap, he seemed rather tense. The she-cat sat down to show she was relaxed in the presence of this new cat, hoping that it would ease Spiderleap's nerves a bit. "My name is Swiftstar, leader of StormClan." She mewed. "This is Spiderleap, one of StormClan's warriors." Swiftstar dipped her head to Moonfeather to show she meant no hostility toward him. To be honest, she was intrigued. Why did this outsider have a clan name? Swiftstar knew he wasn't from one of the other clans, he smelt completely different. "I apologize, my clan has chosen this territory as our new home. We were unaware that anyone was living here already." She dipped her head once more, fixing her intense green gaze on Moonfeather. "You say you are a wanderer, where are you from?"
Spiderleap stands now, his tail held low, to the side. Still uneasy, but he holds his confidence just fine. "You have a warrior's name. Perhaps you know of the clans here before us?" he asked hopefully. Moonfeather listened simply as the leader explained exactly why they were in these lands and the man nodded as this all seemed reasonable. Ah, so they obviously had to find a new home - as to why would be pried into later if they chose to not give up that information so freely. "Where I'm from is really of no concern, dear Swiftstar. But what I can offer you is a guide of the lands so you start off on the right paws in this new forest. You have found a home, ruins from a clan now past, but I know the lay of the land - where certain prey can be found, where the most useful of herbs grow, and the like." Moonfeather's tail rose in idle gesture of the surrounding territory before it came to a rest over his forepaws as he settled to the ground closer to the cats that regarded him without any suspicion or hostility, his full attention on the leader but taking idle note of the warrior when he spoke. "Streamclan lived here before you, this is not my first time in this forest - but when I returned all the clans had gone without a trace. I was chosen as their medicine cat for a time after sudden illness took Batflight from them and kits were on the way from the leader's mate." With at least exactly 'where' had been skirted with ease, the man regarded the camp not too far away that still had some work needed on it, "I could be persuaded to stay a little longer, if you so wish to have my help." Swiftstar listened carefully to this new information provided by the tom cat. She was still very interested in learning about Moonfeather's past, but perhaps that would have to wait. It made sense that a clan used to live on these lands given the current state of the territory, what with the hints of a camp left behind. She nodded slowly, mulling over Moonfeather's words before speaking, "StormClan has been here for half a moon. Indeed, we are not familiar with this new territory," the she-cat paused, pondering whether or not the tom had ulterior motives. "While I appreciate the offer, I'm curious as to why you would be interested in helping us?" Spiderleap's nose scrunches ever so slightly in doubt. He recites what he understands. "You were taken in as a Streamclan medicine cat after they needed the help... then the whole clan left you behind without a trace? Their medicine cat?" Spiderleap now holds a noticeable suspicion. He side-eyes Swiftstar, trying to get a reading on her thoughts. Moonfeather gave pause as Spiderleap began to try and pry deeper into his history, and the leader questioned him too, but the man had had many a moon to rehearse a clever story for just this ocassion. Though he had not expected it to be a whole new clan - a familiar face, perhaps, but not a new clan. He approached the gently flowing river to study his own reflection in the water's surface for a time before casting a forlorn glance to the pair and he gave a heavy sigh, the first time his bemused personality faltered. "I left to explore other lands after I had trained the leader's daughter into a proper medicine cat, I suppose wanderlust had gotten the better of me once more. And when I returned a moon or two later, they were gone, as if they had never been here in the first place. Perhaps if I had stayed-" Moonfeather hung his head, ears falling back to press to his head as he played up the theatrics to the best of his ability. A specialty of his. "If I had stayed, maybe I could have prevented their disappearance or saved myself from a life of loneliness. So here I have stayed, in hopes of their return. But surely it is a sign, a purpose, that all the moons by myself has lead to this very moment! To be of service to a clan once again." Swiftstar exchanged the side-eye glance with Spiderleap as she heard Moonfeather's story, revealing that she shared the warrior's apprehensions. The she-cat then gazed steadily at Moonfeather as he looked back at the pair, "what an unfortunate story," she mewed - her sweet voice laden with hints of sadness. Swiftstar pondered the validity of the tomcat's story while her gaze trailed off to the forest far past Moonfeather; the she-cat was deep in thought. It was true that StormClan's numbers were the lowest they had ever been, and discovering the best fishing locations would certainly help, but receiving aid from an outsider? Are we really that desperate? "What do you want in return? What could you possibly gain from helping StormClan?" Spiderleap watches the other tom tell this tale, the ends of his lips pursed the more he continues. He says nothing yet, intently waiting for the answer to Swiftstar's question.
Moonfeather seemed to perk up as the pair did not immediately abolish his story even though it had been a bit theatric, but that was just how he was. Case in point, the man rose to round the side of the leader and clap a friendly paw over her shoulder with a hopeful purr. "Nothing more than companionship and to feel the warmth of belonging again, dear Swiftstar." He gave a glance to Spiderleap as he did not seem to offer another word after his prying, "Surely Spiderleap would agree - to serve under such a great leader would be any cat's dream come true."
Swiftstar narrowed her eyes at Moonfeather as he approached, pondering the tom's words. The she-cat couldn't make a decision yet, she would have to consider how useful this outsider would be to StormClan. Swiftstar stayed silent for a little while, considering the events that had transpired and how her clan suffered. She let out a long sigh and only then did she realize she had been holding her breath. She looked at the ground, sorrow plaguing her green eyes. "StormClan has suffered a great loss..." Her voice trailed off as she remembered her mother and her clan mates that were now gone. "We need more cats in the clan... there are no kits on the way and no apprentices in training," Swiftstar quietly voiced her thoughts for the two cats before lifting her head and glancing wistfully at Spiderleap. "Generally I would not allow an outsider to join our clan," she paused, letting out another long sigh. "But these are trying times; we have found ourselves in a unique situation that may require unique solutions." Spiderleap's tail swished harshly with irritation as Moonfeather made contact with Swiftstar's shoulder. He listens to her reasoning and appreciated her thoughtfulness on the matter. Spiderleap lets out a low hum to himself. "I guess it makes sense.. Until you're off on your next adventure."
Moonfeather gave a half-smile to Spiderleap as the man quite obviously sensed the lack of trust from the other, a twinge of irritation tugging at him as he removed his paw from Swiftstar's shoulder and he pushed the thought aside in assurance that he could gain Spiderleap's favor later through *personal bonding time*. Couldn't be losing his patience over one doubting cat. "Trying times, indeed. So tell me, did other cats join you on your journey here or is it more dire than it first appeared?" Swiftstar. "Many didn't make it." She mewed curtly, resting her silken tail thoughtfully across her milky white paws. She didn't wish to talk about the journey they had taken with this stranger. "I suppose we should take any help we can get." Her voice was authoritative and serious, unlike the sweet tone she normally fostered. The she-cat's eyes fixed on Moonfeather, her pupils narrow slits. "I will allow your stay in StormClan's camp for now. You will rest in the warrior's den with Spiderleap. We will be keeping a very close eye on you." It was clear that Swiftstar had very little trust in Moonfeather. "You will abide by the clan's rules or face the consequences of being exiled." Spiderleap's head snapped to look at his leader beseechingly after she declared the rooming arrangements. Had there been more warriors to share the strange company with, he wouldn't have minded as much. "As it turns out, I believe it's my turn for night watch this evening..." Not that there was much of a queue.. "If you can gather the bedding, you'll have the space to yourself tonight." Moonfeather. "I am no stranger to the rules of clan life, I assure you. It'll be as if I was kitted into Stormclan." Moonfeather assured the leader but knew, too, that it would take some time before he would be fully accepted into their fold as one of their own. And of course he wasn't about to tell these cats that he had been exiled once before, by the former residing clans, rather than the wanderlust that he had told them -- but he was quite certain they didn't need to know that bit of detail in his history. It had been nothing more than just a cruel joke played by Starclan, rejecting him after all.. And he wasn't bitter about it at all, no, not one bit. Luckily, Spiderleap broke him from the thoughts of his past and the man turned from them with the intent to head to camp with only a look over his shoulder to be sure this would be the best course of action. "Quite gracious of you, Spiderleap. Why don't we all head to camp and I'll get my arrangements seen to, I'm sure you've had enough of me for one night." Swiftstar acknowledged Spiderleap and rose to her paws, beckoning the warrior to follow her for a quick sidebar. "I understand that this isn't ideal, but I don't trust him being alone in our camp," she explained quietly once she was out of Moonfeather's earshot, "I know I can rely on you to watch him, you are a courageous warrior. This is just temporary until we know that he is devoted to StormClan." Swiftstar met Spiderleap's eyes with her own, "I'm trusting you with this important task." She mewed softly, nudging him tenderly with her paw. Spiderleap also rises, gladly lingering behind at Swiftstar's motion. He listens to her with his head bowed close to her's, then nods agreeably. "I will keep watch inside the camp tonight." He straightens, finally producing a smile, or at least an attempted one. "Shall we?" Moonfeather satisfied with at least being allowed to stay in their camp, Moonfeather followed along back to camp while the other two whispered to each other in hushed voices about him behind his back. Blissfully unaware of the distrust, yessiree!
Swiftstar dipped her head, "I'm grateful. Thank you, Spiderleap." She jogged past Moonfeather, she had no desire for him to be the first of the trio to enter the campgrounds; the last thing Swiftstar wanted was to confuse her already traumatized clan. The she-cat sighed, desperately hoping that she made the right decision.
Swiftstar. The night was beginning to fall as the trio made their way into StormClan's camp with Swiftstar guiding them. Her green gaze met her clan's perplexed glimpses as she padded into the campgrounds with Moonfeather and Spiderleap following her; she dipped her head to each cat, offering reassurance and indicating that she would explain everything as she approached the large tree stump that resided on the far side of camp. Swiftstar leapt upon the stump with grace and ease - her velvety grey pelt looked silver in the moonlight. She sat down and rested her tail over her paws before raising her voice, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Tallstump for a Clan meeting." Spiderleap follows the two on the short walk back home before splitting off at the camp entrance. He seats himself at the back of the forming crowd, ears sharp for Swiftstar's voice. He was curious if she had other announcements besides the obvious. Moonfeather had settled off to the side with Swiftstar calling the rest of her clan to gather in the camp for a little meeting about his arrival, something he didn't find to be too needed but he wasn't going to argue with Swiftstar on this matter. Moonfeather idly took note of the faces he'd be seeing more of in the small throng of cats. He would certainly be chatting up some of these followers to gauage them more personally.
Swiftstar watched her clan gather beneath the Tallstump, resting her gaze upon Moonfeather momentarily. The she-cat inhaled sharply before she spoke, "We are all aware of the fact that StormClan has suffered greatly these past few moons," her voice was heavy with sorrow as she recalled the recent events that had transpired. "Our numbers have never been lower. We need more cats in our clan if we are to survive in this new territory. For this reason, I have decided that StormClan will take in an outsider." Swiftstar paused, observing the reactions of her clan. "I know that this may come as a shock to most of you, but Moonfeather is familiar with this new territory and he can help us make this strange place a home." She gestured Moonfeather with her tail, encouraging him to make an introduction. Spiderleap watches the reaction of the clan closely, his eyes sweeping the crowd. Some seemed hesitant, as expected. He flicks both his ears and sits back on his haunches. With how low their population is currently, gathering outsiders may be the only way to regrow the clan. There were no kits to expect or enough mating pairs to rely on the clan-born as they've always done. This is the only way.
Moonfeather. "Good day to you, dear Stormclan. Allow me to introduce myself - Moonfeather, former Medicine Cat of Streamclan. As a gesture of good will, I propose the aid of helping you settle into the lands you have so boldly claimed, I would hate nothing more than for a senseless end to come to Stormclan should you not be well prepared for the seasons to come." The man addressed the clan with a flourish of his tail as he streaked across the camp and settled at the base of Tallstump in reflection of Swiftstar that sat above. "I would, as well, like to reqest that I become something of an emissary to Stormclan for a short time and see as to how the other clans are faring.. With an escort, of course." His gaze rested on Spiderleap as if he were speaking directly to him. Swiftstar listened to Moonfeather's words, gazing upon her clan to observe their differing expressions. It was very apparent that getting them to accept this stranger in their clan would be no easy feat, however, having this aid could prove beneficial for StormClan in the long run. She flicked her tail with indignance as Moonfeather finished speaking, she glared down at him as if to say don't push your luck. "For now, we will focus on how Moonfeather can help us within the clan. He will help us find plentiful hunting spots and where to find the freshest herbs within our territory," she declared. "Later on, we can discuss his other uses."
Spiderleap's tail wished and eyes squinted as he focused on what Moonfeather was saying. An emissary? Perhaps it would be benefital to offer a check-in to the other clans, given what they've all been thorough together. A step to garner more unity in this new chapter of their lives, even. Spiderleap hoped that Moonfeather was trustworthy enough for such a role. He was sure they would eventually be able to get by on their own, but couldn't deny the help was needed. Moonfeather. The decision to wait came as no dismay to the man, he knew having more freedom amongst the clans would not come so easy - a testament to the test of just how little Swiftstar trusted him thus far. He would work on proving himself to the leader, then. But he had been right to assume that Stormclan would be one the most viable candidates to accept him into their ranks with little to no struggle as their numbers were not strong with no kits on the way to fill out their roster. His old home, no less! Perhaps cats more accustom to the waters were more open-minded? Moonfeather rose from his spot beneath Tallstump, "Now then, if introductions are quite done for the day.. I will bid you all a goodnight." Rather than wait on the in-clan gathering to come to a close and be subject to more speculation amongst the cats, he at once made his way back across the clearing to head for the warriors den. "We will meet in the morning, Swiftstar." He called behind him before disappearing beyond their sights. Swiftstar was slightly bothered by the fact that Moonfeather didn't wait for her to formally close the meeting before he withdrew to the warriors' den. The she-cat dipped her head, her steady green gaze piercing through the shadows as dusk fell upon StormClan's camp. She lingered, prepared to answer any questions her clan had.
Spiderleap. As the meeting came to an end and the clan cats dispersed, Spiderleap walked to base of Tallstump where Swiftstar remained, first asking permission to join her and share thoughts. "Perhaps it would be good of us to check in on our neighbors," he begins. "We mustn't boast our acquirement of a loner or place too much reliance on him, whom has yet to prove loyalty. But suggesting such collaboration next moon-high may be a good step forwards for us. We are all trying to recover." He lingered for a few beats uncomfortably before standing to retire to his night shift. "Goodnight, Swiftstar." Swiftstar did not respond to Spiderleap's suggestion. She watched the tom disappear as his sable pelt melted into the night that had fallen. After her remaining clan members dispersed and nestled into their dens, Swiftstar retired to hers, reflecting on the day she had just had as she drifted to sleep.