“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

Redfern |•| Female |•| Medicine Cat |•| 89 moons |•| Under Rocky Outcropping
Mentions: Tinypaw, Finchclaw

"I," Redfern paused for a moment as if to dwell on the question and dive into her own psyche. Was she alright? Was her previous dream simply a dream? Or had Starclan sent her a prophecy? Was the mission set to fail? Perhaps Tinypaw could give some insight on the dream. "I am well," she finished, giving her apprentice a gentle smile and assuring look. "Actually, I was wondering if you would like to help me with something —" she began, but was cut off by Finchclaw's inquiry. "Yes, we will," she replied optimistically, "And that is an excellent idea! Would you mind gathering everyone and splitting them up into groups? I need to talk to Tinypaw for a moment and I'm afraid it will take some time." If Finchclaw chose to follow the Medicine Cat's request, Redfern would turn back to her small apprentice. Offering a small smile and gesturing away from the group, the molly stood and stepped away from the area, trusting the small Siberian to follow.

|:|



“Great men are not born great, they grow great.”

Fallowpaw |•| Male |•| Apprentice |•| 9 moons |•| Desert
Mentions: OPEN

Trying his best to be silent and stealthy, Fallowpaw crept around a thick shrub and trained his round, green eyes on a jackrabbit's gargantuan ears and lanky form. It nibbled on surrounding grasses, content but simultaneously alert. The apprentice's rough tongue scraped over his nose, refreshing the senses. A fresh wave of meat drifted into his nostrils, making his mouth water and his stomach stir in temptation. Imagining himself dragging in the fresh corpse of the hare filled the headstrong male with determination and confidence. By now, as his confidence outweighed his caution, his steps grew clunky and loud in the sand and he hurried impatiently closer to his quarry. The jackrabbit lifted its head and pricked its ears, straightening its posture as it scanned the area around it. Caught in the open, Fallowpaw did his best to flatten himself in the sand. Still, his camouflage did not work out in his favor. The rabbit fled in the opposite direction, bounding and sprinting into the wilds. Fallowpaw pursued for a moment, but eventually fell to a halt as the prey disappeared. The apprentice swiped at the ground, throwing a cloud of sand into the air.

• [ Finchclaw ] •
Female | 36 Moons | Seychellois Mix | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: Redfern, Morningpaw, Everyone {Directly} / Fallowpaw {Indirectly}

“It’ll be my pleasure Redfern,” Finchclaw called back, leaving the medicine cat to converse with her apprentice in peace. “Alright everyone, gather 'round! It’s time we put ourselves to work,” she meowed loudly, waiting for the other warriors and apprentices to gather around her before continuing. “Adderbite, Ashclaw, Commaclaw and Rivermist you’ll all come with me. We can split off if need-be once we’re out, and we’ll see if we can find that apprentice of yours Adderbite." That rambunctious youngster was certainly in need of a lecture, though she had to admit she likely would have wandered off herself at his age. Speaking of runaway apprentices it looked as if Rivermist had already had a talk with his. “Hornetpaw you can remain here with Heathersong to keep guard over our camp.” The golden tabby looked relieved to be left behind and her tail flicked in amusement. "You'll be attending as well of course," she added to Morningpaw, glad to see her own apprentice seemed eager to begin the day.



• [ Hornetpaw ] •
Masc Nonbinary | 11 Moons | Norwegian Forest Cat Mix | Warrior Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: Rivermist {Directly}

“Of course,” Hornetpaw agreed, dipping his head respectfully to the older tom. The praise that followed sent an odd feeling of accomplishment tumbling over the young cat. Perhaps he could be useful to the Clan after all. The destruction of their old hunting grounds and camp had certainly motivated him to think less about himself and try harder. Finchclaw’s voice summoning several cats for hunting patrols had him feeling a bit faint. His legs still felt sore from his own solo mission and the thought of venturing back out into the heat so soon was about as appealing as licking sand. As the seal and white she-cat mentioned he could stay behind he signed in relief. “Good luck out there,” he added to Rivermist more cheerfully. “I hope you find something.

Tinypaw | Female | Medicine Cat Apprentice | 10 Moons | Under Rocky Outcropping | Mentions: Redfern (Directly), Finchclaw (Indirectly)

Tinypaw listened with gentle excitement when Redfern asked if she wanted to help - she always wanted to help! It was something she was good at. She feared for a moment that it would be forgotten, however, in wake of Finchclaw's query - obviously, the detail for moving forward would come first. Redfern was very busy, what with being the Clan's de-facto leader in... the absence, let's say, of the previous leader and deputy.

She was glad that it was resolved quickly, though, and her ears pricked when Redfern again turned her attention to her. She was an apprentice, after all, and her mentor asking her for help with something was a great honour for her.
Although the fact it would take some time was rather daunting, she sucked it up and followed Redfern away from the main bulk of the group.

Once they were away (she had to jog to keep up with her mentor, the poor thing), she turned her muzzle to look at Redfern quite eagerly, all the fatigue from before all but forgotten in the wake of something to actually do besides sort reams upon reams of herbs again and again and again.
"Yes, Redfern?" Tinypaw meowed, her voice gentle, ready to listen. "What is it you need?"

Rivermist | Male | Warrior | 36 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Finchclaw [indirectly] Heathersong, Hornetpaw [directly]

The faint glow of pleasure that shone in Hornetpaw's eyes once he was praised made the older tom's whiskers twitch in amusement. Hearing his named being called, the grey-and-white tom angled his head towards the slender cream and black she-cat known as Finchclaw. Seemed as if they were being gathered for a hunting patrol before they set off again, good thing, too. The clan would need feeding and while Hornetpaw's rabbit would take the edge off of hunger, it wouldn't be enough to ready a small band of cats for miles of travel. "I hope so, too." Rivermist replied to his apprentice as he hauled himself to his pillars, his tail rose high in the air in a sign of friendliness at the approach of Heathersong. His expression was pleased as he said, "Thank-you, Heathersong. Hopefully he won't be too rambunctious." Turning back to his apprentice, Rivermist regarded the young tabby with a slightly serious expression. "Try not to get into too much trouble and do me proud. I'll be back soon." He bid them both farewell with a single inclination of his broad head and made his way towards Finchclaw, his gait sure-footed as he stepped through the sandy terrain.



Morningpaw | Female | Apprentice | 8 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Finchclaw [directly] Redfern, Tinypaw [indirectly]

Morningpaw's expression lit up as Finchclaw decided she, too, would be joining the patrol. An excited squeal left her and the young orange tabby she-cat had to take a brief moment to compose herself but the enthusiastic look on her face was not erased. "Thanks, Finchclaw! I'll do my best." She wasn't the best hunter, far from it, but Morningpaw was determined and she didn't give up easily, especially if she knew it would make Finchclaw proud of her. She barely saw Redfern and Tinypaw walk a distance away, her focus was entirely on the upcoming patrol. Maybe there would be something new to learn while they were out? Maybe Morningpaw would stumble across a type of prey she hadn't seen yet? What if they came across danger, would Morningpaw get to see a fight of some sort? She knew it was a little inappropriate to be so giddy, especially since their clan was recovering from such a great devastation but Morningpaw couldn't handle the gloom. At least they were still alive and their little group could continue to make Dryclan thrive - they wouldn't die out just yet, not so easily!

Commaclaw
Female | 43 moons | Warrior
Location: Camp
Mentions: Ashclaw, apprentices [Directly], Redfern, Hornetpaw, Heathersong, Dawnkit [Indirectly]

Amber eyes watched as the strange creature once again took down its prey. Like the times before, Commaclaw quickly intervened, scaring it away with a single bat of her paw before chomping the little cricket with a single bite. This had been going on for a few hours now. The tarantula would sit and wait for a lizard or bug or, at least once, a small bird. It would strike, bite, and begin to drag it back into its hole. This would be halted by a cat paw to its many-eyed face and it would scamper away and watch silently as the cat once again stole its food. Its spidery patience seemed to be growing thin, however. Instead of dodging the paws it had begun rising up and hissing. Commaclaw let it. Her stomach wasn't full yet, though she must have stolen as many meals as she had toes. Once again, the tarantula picked a spot between rocks and waited. Commaclaw waited too, watching silently as a rather plump lizard wandered by. Quick as a flash, the spider struck. Commaclaw waited for the lizard to stiffen and raised her paw, preparing to bat the hairy critter again. It dropped the lizard and rose up, hissing, its fangs flexing. Commaclaw lost her patience with the creature. If it wouldn't give her its breakfast then it would become breakfast. She darted towards it. It lowered itself to dodge out of the way. Before it could rise again, Commaclaw's paw was brought down again and again until the spider was significantly squished. She spent a while pulling it apart and inspecting it. She'd only ever seen smaller spiders before. She gave its leg a sniff and, deciding it was safe, set about chomping into her catch. She had to admit, it didn't taste half bad.
With her stomach full of spider, she picked up the lizard and made her way back to camp. There was no point stuffing herself, and even less in letting it become crowfood. She glanced around their temporary lodgings. One of the apprentices, Hornetpaw if she wasn't mistaken, had brought food to their remaining queen and kit. That made things trickier. She'd usually give her clan-catch to them, but now she had to make decisions. Giving it to Redfern made the most sense, she was their leader and would need a full stomach to lead. But their apprentices were still young, they couldn't go as long without food. Her eyes caught the large form of Ashclaw pacing on an outcrop. Perhaps him? Her head tilted before deciding the adults could catch their own prey. She approached the small gathering of cats and placed the lizard down.
Commaclaw wasn't the most tactful of cats. She had a particularly blunt way of putting things. "You apprentices shouldn't hunt on an empty stomach," she said flatly. "You'll be too eager and make more mistakes."
With that, she turned and headed towards an outcrop of rocks. Her powerful body made short work of the climb and she quickly joined Ashclaw at the top. They were similar in a lot of ways, a stubborn mindset, brutal honesty, but a softness and loyalty for their clan that went unmatched. As such, she enjoyed his company. She didn't have to change herself for him and she didn't have to listen to others complain about her bluntness. Had he been a she-cat they might have been mates. But as things were, she preferred their strange almost-friendship. She even knew about his little phobia.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, waiting for him to look over. Once he did, she grinned mischievously. "Ashclaw, I think I've got something in my teeth, can you check?" Her mouth opened wider, revealing her breakfast's hairy spider leg caught between her fangs.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

Redfern |•| Female |•| Medicine Cat |•| 89 moons |•| Under Rocky Outcropping
Mentions: Tinypaw

As usual, Redfern delighted in her apprentice's ever-present enthusiasm to help with any situation and listened to Tinypaw's quick footsteps in the sand behind her. She slowed, finally halting once they were a good distance away. She sat, laying her thick tail over her paws and listened as the young Siberian spoke. "I was hoping that you could help me decipher a... dream I had," she replied. "I was walking on a branch high off the ground. I felt bark," she paused, taking a moment to find her next words. It was likely that Tinypaw, like most other Dryclan cats, had not experienced bark or heard the definition of such an exotic material. "The hard, rough stuff covering trees. I can't influence my movement; I can only walk forward. The heat and the sand come back for a moment but then they disappear again. the My claws, which had been unsheathed before, retract and leave me to rely on balance alone. The wind blows but I don't lose my balance. Then the branch gets thinner and thinner until it... began to crack. I... fell."

[Short, but the class period's about to end.]

Tinypaw | Female | Medicine Cat Apprentice | 10 Moons | Under Rocky Outcropping | Mentions: Redfern (Directly)

She listened to this description of Redfern's dream with quiet intrigue. The description of bark was strange to her - it sounded like it would scratch her paws, and would generally be uncomfortable to walk on - and the trees, the height... It fascinated her. She had to remind herself that this was likely an important vision, if Redfern were so worried about it, and not just a story from some travelled elder. Tinypaw furrowed her brow and watched Redfern as she continued to speak. That flash of familiarity amongst the weird tree-skin, then a falling sensation after assurance of safety by the wind. It was strange. It was... definitely strange.

She didn't question whether it was just a dream or not. Intuition told her that a medicine cat would not bother her apprentice over something so simple as a 'weird dream' if it didn't hold some kind of spiritual meaning.

"Could it say," she suggested, "something about reaching a new height, but in an area unfamiliar to you? That you'll face - or rather, the cat the dream is about will face - trials about it, but will not be swayed in their ascent until some event causes their eventual downfall? Perhaps," she added with a bemused breath, ears tilting slightly backward, though she was obviously getting quite into her own insight, "it could signify something about how you, as medicine cat, were thrust into a leadership role you were never expected nor told to take - after all, medicine cats are supposed to be impartial to Clan politics! - and it's - dare I say, unfamiliar to you, but then obviously if this is correct, then..."

She trailed off.

"Then you could eventually fail in this endeavour," Tinypaw whispered under her breath, having to spit out this sentence for the taboo of it. "But," she continued more brightly, "I could be completely wrong!"

Wildheart | Female | Dryclan | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Daringpaw, Finchclaw {ID} Redfern, everyone

Wildheart was awake. Energy hummed through the large she-cat, the energy of early morning. She preferred to hunt early or late in the day, avoiding the times when the sun was highest and hottest. Her thick coat made it difficult to not overheat, but she managed, and would rather get a little too hot than let the clan go hungry. As the rest of the clan roused, except for those like her who had already been out and about, she was returning, a hare clamped in her jaws, which she dropped in the middle area of their makeshift camp, for anyone to take. It seemed that the kit and “queen” in the clan had already been fed, so apprentices should likely go next, then Redfern, then warriors.

She heard the call for hunting patrols, and despite that she had just returned from hunting, Wildheart padded over to Finchclaw. “Daringpaw and I will hunt,” she said, not leaving it as a question. Everyone here knew that she would hunt herself into the ground to provide. It was unimportant that she had just returned. As if summoned by her name, Daringpaw wandered over to her mother and the rest of the patrol.

Daringpaw | Female | Dryclan | Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Wildheart, Finchclaw {ID}

Daringpaw was sleeping, but eventually, the sounds of others waking and the sun’s heat woke her. It was surprising that her mother leaving hadn’t. They’d spent the night near each other, both ignoring the heat in favor of being close and having constant reassurance that they were both alive. When she did wake, she was hungry, and took a couple bites from the hare Wildheart had dropped, leaving most of it for the others.

Hunting patrols were being discussed, but the apprentice was happy to listen from a distance, enjoying the sounds of the clan. It was all nice, hearing apprentices talking and patrols being planned. Mourning was heavy over the group, and so any semblance of normality was music to her ears. As she was volunteered to hunt, Daringpaw trotted over, brushing gently against her mother’s side. Though now she was old enough that she was usually more independent, her desire for physical affection could not be looked down upon given the current circumstances. “Hunting? I love hunting,” the apprentice meowed.

• [ Finchclaw ] •
Female | 36 Moons | Seychellois Mix | Warrior
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Rivermist, Morningpaw, Ashclaw, Commaclaw, Adderbite, Wildheart, Daringpaw / {ID} Redfern

Rivermist was the first to answer her call, confident strides bringing the gray and white tom to her side in a matter of seconds. Finchclaw purred in greeting, glad to have the level-headed warrior with her. She and Rivermist had grown up and trained together all their lives. She considered him one of her closest friends, his presence always reassuring and comforting. Morningpaw's enthusiastic response and posture had her whiskers twitching in amusement. "Did you really think I'd leave you behind?" She teased, nudging the younger she-cat gently with her shoulder.

As she waited for the other cats to gather around her Finchclaw's patience dissipated, annoyance gleaming within her eyes as she watched Commaclaw slide up beside Ashclaw after depositing a lizard beneath the overhang. "Ashclaw, Commaclaw, if you're done having a chat please come join the patrol," she yowled, her voice carrying across to the other two cats. Finchclaw was rather infamous for her volume when speaking and it appeared tragedy had done little to dull her infamous vocals. As she waited for her Clanmates to take notice of her second summoning, Finchclaw reflected on how good it felt to be in charge.

Growing up, she had always imagined herself becoming deputy someday, and then leader once the time came. Often she would assume the role of leader whenever she and the other kits her age had played during her nursery days. Her father had tried to discourage these ambitions, seemingly almost uncomfortable with Finchclaw’s desire to lead, but it was always there, a part of her that couldn’t be quelled. ’Someday Dryclan will need a new leader,’ she thought to herself, bright blue gaze lifting to the skies hidden beyond the slab of rock shielding them from the sun. ’If I prove myself capable perhaps Redfern and StarClan will take notice.’

Her thoughts were interrupted as Wildheart and her daughter approached, Wildheart announcing she would be joining the patrol. Finchclaw paused before answering, concerned the large she-cat’s thick pelt would prove hindering in the growing heat, but eventually she concluded that Wildheart should know her own limits and at the first sign of overheating she would drag the taller warrior back to camp by force if needed. “Perfect. We could certainly use you. Looks like Adderbite and Ashclaw aren’t feeling up to a patrol.”



• [ Hornetpaw ] •
Masc Nonbinary | 11 Moons | Norwegian Forest Cat Mix | Warrior Apprentice
Location: Temporary Camp | Mentions: {D} Rivermist, Heathersong / {ID} Dawnkit, Redfern, Tinypaw

“I won’t let you down,” Hornetpaw promised as Rivermist departed, green gaze trailing after his mentor as the older tom halted close to Finchclaw. The Clan hadn’t seen much trouble since the flood, but he couldn’t help worrying every time a Clan member left the cover of the shelter for the open desert. “May StarClan keep you all safe…” he murmured softly, preparing to turn and sit near the edge of the overhang to keep watch when the sound of scuffling paws had an ear twitching, his eyes tracking the sound.

Watching as Dawnkit bounced around the hare, a small smile crossed his muzzle. He was rather fond of the little she-kit and glad to see she could still find time to act like a kit despite current circumstances. “I think it’s great you’re looking after her,” he commented to Heathersong, his attention returning to the ruddy she-cat beside him. “She’ll need support more than ever now.” The soft murmuring of Redfern and Tinypaw had him glancing their way briefly, wondering what they must be discussing that required they seperate themselves from the rest of them. “I hope they haven’t received a bad omen,” he fretted. “That’s the last thing we need.”



• Eyesore •
Female | 43 Moons | American Burmese Mix | Rogue
Location: Desert | Mentions: {ID} Fallowpaw

The steady burn of the sun across her back went ignored as the scarred she-cat crept forward, her pawsteps silent and single blue eye trained on the jackrabbit racing straight toward her. Her mottled pelt blended well with the surrounding sagebrush and Eyesore bunched her muscles as she waited for the fleeing leporidae to venture closer, her presence unnoticed by the frightened creature. Something else was chasing it, but caution nor fear stilled the she-cat’s movements.

With deadly precision she pounced, the rabbit’s startled shriek cut short as her teeth plunged into its throat. Releasing the frail corpse, it slumped to the ground, forever still, and Eyesore licked the blood from her lips. Her gaze searched the sandy landscape stretching for miles ahead of her, a faint brown and black striped shape in the distance confirming she had captured another predator’s intended target.

She could tell even from afar the stranger was another cat and rested on her haunches, expecting he would soon approach, either outraged or hopeful she would be willing to share. A paw was placed on the rabbit’s motionless side, her stub of a tail twitching as she waited.

Rivermist | Male | Warrior | 36 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Hornetpaw, Daringpaw [indirectly] Finchclaw, Wildheart [directly]

The grey-and-white tom came to a pause at the she-cat's side, acknowledging the familiarity and fondness that glowed in Finchclaw's bright blue eyes with an affectionate glance but otherwise, Rivermist remained characteristically quiet. He was pleased to be chosen for the patrol, to provide for one's clan was always a great honor and besides that, the combination of grief and sadness that seemed to trail behind their small troop like a mist had him growing restless. Hunting was a good outlet for such negative emotions and it also provided the clan with the necessary protein they needed to keep going. Hopefully, they would stumble across freshwater soon. The desert was vast, dry and a wasteland of death. Life was harsh and not uncommonly so. There wasn't much competition as not many species could survive in such a climate but the land wasn't without it's predators. At Finchclaw's yowl, Rivermist found himself grimacing, the noise had been sudden and not overly welcome but it was to be expected as Finchclaw wasn't the most patient of cats. "Close to my ear, as per usual." The tom said dryly, casting a pointed glance in the dark-pointed she-cat's direction. Still, he could see that she practically glowed with the power of giving out orders. Rivermist could vaguely remember the days in the nursery, when Finchclaw often demanded to be the clan leader in their kittenhood games, it seemed such dreams had never quite left her. Rivermist was yanked from his thoughts upon the approach of Wildheart, a fellow warrior and her daughter, Daringpaw. Upon the female's announcement, Rivermist found his tail flicking with his disapproval. Wildheart had just come back from a hunt and doubted her thick fur would be as kind to her in the heat as a shorter coat would. She was a fine hunter and a good warrior but she needed to rest and would make the best use of her time in helping Hornetpaw guard the camp. Rivermist half expected Finchclaw to agree but, to his surprise, it was just the opposite. Switching his weight from paw to paw, Rivermist tore his gaze away from Finchclaw and addressed Wildheart. "Are you sure? I doubt it's comfortable under all that fur. Finchclaw and I will be fine on our own, if needed." He spoke calmly and kindly, hoping not to offend but concerned nevertheless.



Morningpaw | Female | Apprentice | 8 moons | Temporary Camp | Mentions: Finchclaw [directly] Redfern, Tinypaw [indirectly]

Morningpaw released a thick purr, barely able to keep still as she thought about all the possible prey that could catch while on the hunting patrol. She greeted Rivermist as he arrived at their side but the warrior merely gave her a kind look and a slight inclination of his head; no matter, Morningpaw was not offended. At her mentor's loud voice, the young ginger tabby winced almost in unison to the grey-and-white tom's grimace. "Maybe they're busy?" Morningpaw offered. She didn't much care who joined their patrol, she just wanted to be gone. As Wildheart and Daringpaw approached, Morningpaw stepped forward a little and shot Daringpaw a bright, positive grin, distancing herself from the warrior's conversation to speak with some cat around her own age. "Hey, Daringpaw. Are you joining the patrol, too?"

Commaclaw
Female | 43 moons | Warrior
Location: Camp
Mentions: Finchclaw, Ashclaw

Commaclaw turned her head at Finchclaw's yowl. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Once again the warrior was playing leader. Wasn't a medicine cat the highest rank after a deputy? Or was Redfern shirking responsibility? It didn't matter much, these cats and their codes and hierarchies were confusing enough already. She spat the tarantula leg at Ashclaw and bounded down the hill, slowing as she approached the group. Her ear flicked as she passed by Finchclaw. How that cat was in command she'd never know. If she were back hom- she stopped that thought. She wasn't in her old clan, and for good reason. This was her home now, and she wouldn't infect it with the past. She sat quietly as Wildheart and her kit approached. Her eyes narrowed as Finchclaw accepted the help. It seemed she wasn't the only one wary of this as Rivermist quickly spoke up, insisting that the warriors would be fine by themselves.
Commaclaw nodded in agreement. "The apprentices shouldn't push themselves, especially not here. The birds are already eyeing off the smaller adults. We can't hunt and play kitsitter."

Boulderclaw |•| Male |•| Warrior |•| 29 moons |•| Temporary Camp
Mentions: Heathersong, Dawnkit, Hornetpaw, Finchclaw

In the night before, Boulderclaw had been unable to sleep despite his own body's ache for slumber. His mind continued to buzz from the most recent tragedy. It wasn't the first and surely won't be the last, but it clung to him more than he thought. He'd stayed up in the cold night air much longer than he should have before his body finally won in it's demands. His late night insomnia led to unwillingly sleeping in the next morning. By the time he awoke from the nothingness of slumber, the rest of the camp was already up and about, though sluggish from grief.

Heaving himself from where he'd been sleeping, muscles ached in protest. During the flood, he'd tried grabbing at bobbing felines, managing to snag a few, slipping in only to scramble right back out. Everyone was stressed from the panicked terror only be soon followed by their long journey. It was only a matter of time before it caught up with them. Scanning his surroundings quickly, he noted the gathering group, not sure what they intended to do, though assumed it may be a hunting patrol of some kind. The food supply was none and they could only survive on an empty stomach for so long. On the thought of food, he noticed the smell of something recently killed, leading his gaze to Heathersong and company. At their feet was a rabbit that would satisfy a few clan members at least, even if not fully. The fact they had first picks at the meal was a bit relieving, glad there was at least some sort of order among the small group still.

Heavy paws sauntered towards the makeshift queen, but the large male's head was held high with a soft smile resting on his maw. The grieving held heavy in the air around the camp and he felt no need to add to the weight of it all. "Morning ladies." He called to Heathersong, Finchclaw and even Dawnkit. His voice rang clear as usual, after a slight pause he added "And Hornetpaw." The edges of the grey tom's mouth curled up more into a smirk. Out of all the clan cats, he tended to enjoy joking with and teasing Hornetpaw the most. Boulderclaw was determined to befriend the quiet apprentice though his approach may come off a bit brash at times.