WB | Mistclan | First Impressions

The stresses of running a clan had settled in on the founding pair. Elderstar became especially moody, barely keeping up with her share of patrols and hunting. She'd taken the evening hunting patrol alone, and had returned to camp empty-pawed. Determined to meet her quota, she'd volunteered to accompany Hawkfeather on his morning border patrol, in hopes of catching something along the way. Besides, they'd been so busy lately, Elderstar thought it only fitting that she make extra time for her mate- after all, he'd done so much in getting them here, been so loyal and steadfast a friend and lover. He needed to know she still cared for him as deeply as she had when they'd first begun their journey.

"You could've slept, El." Hawkfeather murmured for the third time that morning, the pair walking side-by-side through the grass along the stream's banks. "I could've handled this alone. It's just the waterway today."

"And miss out on the morning graze? You always get the good hunting hours for yourself. Share!" She swiped a paw at his shoulder and he chuffed good-naturedly. "Besides, when was the last time we got to just... walk and talk together?" Her tone dipped and she brushed against him, ducking her head under his chin and enjoying the warmth of his thick coat.

A rumbled purr told her he'd missed it too, their quiet moments together. Their pace slowed, until they stopped, whiskers brushing in a tender moment.

They likely would've forgotten their patrol entirely if not for a rustle of movement ahead. Both cats swung their heads to look, ears upright, alert. More movement, subtle, and then a scent carried by the warm air. Cat.

...Grassclan?

"Intruder..!" Elderstar hissed, temper flaring as she darted away from her mate and towards the stranger.

"Elderp--" Hawkfeather hesitated, then lurched after her. "Elderstar, wait!"

The pair erupted from the grass upon a white stranger, a travel-worn tom who puffed his tail and scuttled back against the muddy bank, yowling in surprise. Hawkfeather regarded the stranger with stern curiousity, but Elderstar was spitting a fit.

"GRASSCLAN! This is Willowclan territory! Mistclan's lands! How dare you intrude!?" She screeched, teeth bared and claws out, curled fur ruffled along her arched back and lashing tail. "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"

"I'm not Grassclan! I'm not! I've left them, I swear! Mercy!" The cat yowled back pitifully, frightened, tired and too hungry to fight.

"Who are you? Why've you left your clan?" Hawkfeather spoke quietly, effectively shushing his furious mate and leader.

"I'm Whitesky. There were too many cats in the clan that took me in. I volunteered to rehome. I promise, I'm unaffiliated now, I swear!"

Elderstar wasn't convinced.

"Spy! Liar! You've just come to scope out Mistclan while it's fresh! You've come to take advantage!" She hissed, paranoia fueling her fury.

"No! No, never! I didn't even know this was a subclan's place! I thought it free passage! I'm sorry!" Whitesky winced as Elderstar swiped the grass between them. "I'm sorry!"

"Elderstar, peace. I think he's telling the truth." Hawkfeather murmured, pressing his nose into his mate's shoulder, purring to sooth her. She continued to huff, but her posture relaxed. Neither took notice of Whitesky's flinch when Hawkfeather addressed them.

"Well, if you're not here to cause trouble, then leave." Elderstar huffed, turning her nose up at the crouching white cat.

"El, wait, reconsider a moment." Hawkfeather leaned to whisper into Elder's ear, and the two exchanged a hard stare, arguing in silence. Finally, she sighed and turned on her heel, tail lashing again. "No harm in asking, Elderstar."

"You ask. I'm going hunting. If this desserter steps out of line even a hair, send him packing."

"Her." Whitesky muttered into her paws, ears pinned and gaze downcast. Both clan cats stopped and looked down, confused and surprised.

"What?" Came Elderstar's bitter retort.

"I'm not a tom. Stop calling me like one." Whitesky asserted, sitting up finally, not seeming to mind the mud that clung to her pretty white coat.

"You--" Elderstar began, but Hawkfeather pushed between the pair to cut her off.

"Apologies, Whitesky. We made an assumption." The white cat nodded, grateful for the apology. Hawkfeather continued despite his mate's angry stare. "Listen, Mistclan's new. It's just the two of us here at the moment." He ignored Elderstar's hiss of warning on his nape. "You said your clan had too many cats. We've so few, you'd be a welcome extra set of paws, if you'd like to give my mate and I another shot at first impressions." He offered a flashy smile, tail twitching tentatively. Whitesky regarded him carefully, then turned to meet eyes with Elderstar, who'd managed to calm herself to a simmer.

"Will she kill me?" Whitesky asked, only half joking.

"Maybe not." Hawkfeather replied, also only half joking.

"Probably." Elderstar hissed, hopefully joking.

The three sat in uneasy silence for a moment before Whitesky sighed and brushed her paws in the dirt nervously.

"Okay, but only because I'm tired, and you guys look like you could use a paw." Whitesky tried to ignore the flash of excitement in Hawkfeather's smile as the true tom stood and purred his gratitude. Elderstar, at least, didn't look as sour as expected over the acceptance. Despite her temper, she knew better than to turn away cats now of all times.

"Come with us, then. We'll swing back to camp so you can settle in. This way." Hawkfeather turned to lead the trio back to camp, but Elderstar brushed past him, tail and nose evenly high as she took the lead. The less grumpy pair walked a little slower as they went.

"Is she usually so angry?" Whitesky whispered, eyeing her new leader with a wince. Hawkfeather laughed.

"Only when she's not had her beauty sleep. Don't worry. She'll be more than happy to have you around once you start bringing in freshkill, and she gets to sleep again." Whitesky made a quiet 'oh' in understanding, and the two fell into easy smalltalk as they followed the angry she-cat back to camp...