Sootpaw | Duskclan Apprentice | 13 moons | Small, gray tabby tom | Location: Duskclan Territory | Mentions: (Direct) Owlfeather (Indirect) ---

Sootpaw accepted his mentor's answer and had been thoughtfully looking at the trap from a distance when Owlfeather's sudden sneeze caught his attention. As she did her own inspection of the trap, Sootpaw thought back to having heard a few sneezes now and then back in camp. Was she sick? Owlfeather seemed alright, though. Sootpaw would have to make note of it if she kept at it.
He was still thinking on this when the deputy spoke. Sootpaw hesitated before getting any closer to the trap, but with a determined flick of the tail he pushed forward and brushed his coat against the unnatural thing. Once it was scented, Sootpaw drew back from the trap immediately. They were interesting enough to look at, but he didn't trust being so close to something that was meant for capturing things.

"Done and ready to go," he said, walking away from the trap. "Where's the next one supposed to be, anyway?" He had only known where this one was because of how close it was to the camp, but he had yet to encounter the others that had been reported to Blackstar. All he really knew was that they were a bit further away, and he now understood why scenting the traps was a good idea.

Owlfeather|Duskclan|Deputy|36 Moons Old|Siamese She-Cat|Location: Territory|Mention(s) Directly: Sootpaw, Weasleflight|Mention(s) Indirectly: Strange creature

The deputy nodded her head, as Sootpaw finished marking the trap. As she started to walk, the she-cat walked a bit and then looked back to the young tom, "It's quite a bit far, we need to go over this river and then walk for a while. It and another trap is closer to the center of our territory", Owlfeather answered. Turning back, the siamese she-cat looked over the river. Although it had breached its bank, the small river would still be manageable to jump across, some of the rock, normally used to cross, where also still visible. Looking back at Sootpaw and Weasleflight, the deputy gave them a nod, "Be careful", Owlfeather said, she doubted that they would have any problems, but better safe than sorry.
Stepping to the banks of the river, Owlfeather zeroed in on a large rock sticking out of the water in the middle of the river. Readying herself, the deputy took a large leep over the river. Steadily landing on the rock, her back paw got a bit wet, Owlfeather jumped off it again and landed on the other bank. Turning back, she called, "Come on!" to the two toms still landing on the other banks.

Once Sootpaw and Weaselflight made it to the other side of the river, the patrol started to head towards the next traps. After quite a bit of walking, the three finely came close to the first trap. The she-cat slowed a bit, she would let Sootpaw lead the way again. As the young tom came up next to her, Owlfeather said, "This trap is a bit harder to spot, it is hidden in the shadow of a large bush. Make sure to be careful", the mentor advised.
The she-cats eyes wandered over their surroundings, as they went along. As the patrol neered the trap, Owlfeathers fur stood on end. There was a strange scent in the air, the deputies claws slid out as they continued to walk. The smell became stronger and more prevalent, as they neared the trap. The siamese she-cats eyes fell on the trap, she knew where to look since she had visited it before, there was something trapped inside of it. It had fur and looked almost like a cat, Owlfeather growled. Walking forward, the mentor stepped in front of her apprentice. Not really losing her stride, the deputy continued to the trap, "Wealseflight! At my side, Sootpaw stay behind us", the deputy ordered. Her tail was fluffed out and her grey-blue eyes where narrowed at the trap, trying to make out the thing inside of it.

Scorchwing | Warrior of DawnClan | Long-Limbed White & Charcoal Female | Location: Border | Mentions: Falconstrike, Blackstar, Mothpaw, Harepaw [Direct]

Scorchwing leapt up, the overwhelming impulse to be active moving at full speed once more. She snorted at Falconstrike and flicked her tail to tap his hocks, easily keeping up with him as he lead the way. “Rules shmules, we’re grown, I’m sure we can handle ourselves oh wise one.” She purred quietly before becoming silent.

Her eyes darted from each shifting branch and wavering shadow, trying to keep a solid goal on just reaching the border. But each scent she didn’t automatically recognize set her on edge, and each rustling bush became the enemy. Taking a deep breath, she forced her mistrust in the world into the back of her mind and focused solely on Falconstrike. If he didn’t react, then there was nothing to worry about, right?

As they drew closer and closer to the border, her nose began to twitch. Another scent, but this time it was strong and recognizable. DuskClan never ceased to smell like crowfood. Her ears went forward and her fur bristled, but her attention never left Falconstrike, using him as a filter for her actions. After all, he was the only one who was stable.

She stood at his shoulder, her posture straight and exuding confidence. Their enemies didn’t need to know of her sleepless nights or lack of eating. All they needed to see was a show of teeth and claws. She takes a deep breath, nodding to the older warrior. “Sir yes sir,” she drawls, giving him a smirk as they moved forward.

She studied the three cats that awaited them. All sitting pretty like ducks. She scoffs and glares at the leader, her eyes quickly leaving the two apprentices. She knew she could squash them if she wanted. But at the mention of them going to camp, she growled lowly. “And what makes you think you’d get that honor?” She snapped, tail flicking to and fro. “Just because you brought to little whelps with you doesn’t mean we’ll let you through.” She kept her eyes trained on the DuskClan cats, her olive hues chips of ice. She didn’t trust the one-eyed leader. Anyone or anything could have killed her sister, he’s just the one with motive.

Harepaw | Apprentice of DuskClan | Small, Hickory & Cream Female | Location: Border | Mentions: Blackstar [Direct] Mothpaw, Falconstrike, Scorchwing, Lightsong [Indirect]

Harepaw sighed. Patience is a virtue, huh? She grumbled incoherently and gave him a pathetic glare. “You’re starting to sound like an elder.” She pouts and turns her attention back to the babbling water.

The sound of rustling caught her attention, drawing her eyes from the water and to the oncoming cats that slipped through the green veil. Her ears dropped and she glanced over at Blackstar, anxiousness gripping her gut. She didn’t like not being able to run. The instinct came so naturally it was almost considered cowardice. But how she loved to fight. At least, with Dustpelt she did. It was fun trying to outsmart the tom. But this was different, of course. If this turned bad she wouldn’t be able to fight. This would have consequences, and not the kind she would ever think of bestowing upon herself.

Her eyes darted over to Mothpaw. If it comes to that, she’d make it off with the other apprentice. She’d protect him, it was her duty. She took a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves, paws kneading the soft, damp soil.

Larkclaw || 15 Moons || Female || DawnClan Warrior
Location: DawnClan Camp || Mentions: Umbraclaw, Foxpaw

The nights had started to feel long and restless to her, to the point she has pushed her nest as close to the wall of the warrior’s den as possible to keep from potentially kicking her clanmates in her sleep. While she hadn’t lost kin like so many others in her Clan, Larkclaw still felt unease clinging to her pelt and refusing to let her shake free. Her dreams were swirling with the images of the deceased cats, normally starting off fine and then growing darker the longer they played. For the last few mornings, she had woken with a start as the sun began to climb into the sky. And just like the last few mornings, she went to the quietest corner of camp she could find to tuck her feet under her and just think until the rest of the Clan started moving around.

Once the sounds of several stirring cats reached her ears, Larkclaw stepped out of her shadowy corner and perched herself on a mossy rock that allowed her to look out over the camp more easily. It wasn’t a very tall rock, but it gave her enough of a view to watch the others. The thought of joining a patrol appealed to her, since yesterday she got stuck on guard duty and was around camp all day. Her eyes scanned the cats moving about and finally landed on Gingerstar, Umbraclaw, and Foxpaw. After a bit their leader seemed to dismiss the deputy and her apprentice, and once she was sure they had finished speaking to each other, she stretched out her legs and hopped down from the rock.

“Hello Umbraclaw, Foxpaw,” she said, bowing her head to the deputy and giving Foxpaw a soft smile. “Are you two planning on going out today? My paws are itching to be out of camp for a bit.”

Weaselflight | DuskClan Warrior | 21 Moons | Tom | The Traps | Newcomer; Sootpaw; Owlfeather

Weaselflight had quickly decided that he would ignore Mothpaw's orders not to go out for the day, but he was very careful to keep his foot elevated whenever they paused and avoid stepping in the mud as much as possible. He trailed behind the mentor and apprentice pair, his terrified eyes scanning left and right anxiously, never ceasing their movement. He fluffed himself up suddenly when they heard some clanging noises in the distance. He could sense his heart getting quicker, and his stomach felt like it was falling into a pit. Brilliant yellow-green eyes sought Owlfeather for instruction, and she quickly took the lead, ordering him to her side.

He bounded forwards as quickly as his three good legs could carry him, his fur now all on end in a frantic attempt to make him appear larger than he was. They came into view, and his heart slammed in his chest when he caught sight of the creature in the trap. The scent of fear was thick, overlaid with a smell that he knew hauntingly faint in his head. It was from the twoleg place, from his kittenhood.

His mouth was slightly parted, and he crouched down with pupils contracted into slits. His claws were out, and he shook faintly from a mix of adrenaline, fear, and interest. "W-w-who a-a-are you?" he stammered frantically, "Why d-d-do you smell like t-t-twoleg place?" His questions were accusatory. If this... very large cat-like thing had come from twolegplace, was it here to trick them? To kill them? He did not want to think about the possibility that this was what had been leaving the massive pawprints around the place... around Cherrysong's body.
Better safe than sorry


---

Gingerstar | DawnClan Leader | 48 Moons | Mollie | Camp | Open

Gingerstar had rested on the branch for awhile before taking a small, sighing breath, and hauling herself up to return to camp. It appeared that Umbraclaw had been managing the patrols and all else, which was helpful beyond belief. Her tail lashed and she approached the depleted freshkill pile, realizing that she had not eaten since the dawn before last. She winced at that. She knew she needed to be taking care of herself to take care of the clan but she'd been so distracted by the deaths that she had neglected to eat. She carefully plucked herself a small mouse from the pile and slipped towards her den, her muscles moving fluidly below her coat.

She hid herself in the shade beneath the announcement root, dropping onto her side and beginning to chew on the small prey item. Maybe it would help her be more focused to have something in her stomach. Her gaze surveyed the camp in silence, tail flicking. She could see Cloudburst resting, her belly now absolutely massive. It made very little sense to Gingerstar how ones skin would allow that to happen, but that may well be just the fact that she herself would never be suited to motherhood. Some were meant for it, and some weren't. She happened to land in the 'weren't' spectrum.
If you ask too many questions, or seek too much approval, nothing ever gets done

⇺ [ Hornetpaw ] ⇻
18 Moons • Male • DawnClan • Medicine Cat Apprentice
Location: Camp • Mentions: Flamepaw, Foxpaw, Umbraclaw, Gingerstar

Hornetpaw watched as Flamepaw tentatively approached Gingerstar, realizing for the first time not all of the ginger apprentice's anxiety had been for her sister. Whatever she had to discuss with their leader, he concluded it wasn’t any of his business and he began to turn back toward the medicine den. He hadn’t seen Ravenblaze since early that morning and worry nagged at him, his eyes darting to the camp entrance. Should he mention his mentor’s absence to Gingerstar, or was he overreacting?

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⇺ [ Falconstrike] ⇻
30 Moons • Male • DawnClan • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: Scorchwing, Lightsong, Blackstar, Harepaw, Mothpaw

Falconstike studied Blackstar as he spoke, as this was the first time he had ever seen the DuskClan leader up close, his own face equally neutral as the black tom requested an audience with Gingerstar. His gaze shifted briefly to Mothpaw and Harepaw as Blackstar mentioned they must also attend, a hint of curiously detectable under his smooth expression. The silence between them lingered as he considered his answer.

Scorchwing offered a snappish retort before he could speak again, and his tail swung to lay across her flank in a calming gesture. “Scorchwing, go back to camp and fetch Gingerstar. Tell her we have visitors.” His tone left no room for argument, and once the charcoal and white she-cat had gone his attention returned to Blackstar. “You can relay your message, but it will be up to Gingerstar whether or not you may enter our camp.”

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⇺ [ Redeye ] ⇻
36 Moons • Male • DuskClan • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: Dustpelt, Vulturepaw

“The Twolegplace it is,” Redeye muttered, steering the small patrol in the direction of his old hunting grounds. An odd sensation always washed over him whenever he neared the large dens and picket fences that marked Twoleg territory. There wasn’t any sense of longing, but it always brought up memories of how different his life had once been. Dustpelt’s explanation for Blackstar’s decision had his ears swirling toward the other tom, listening with a resigned expression. “Suppose you’re right.” He left Vulturepaw's question unanswered, assuming Duspelt would do so in his place.

Blackstar|Leader of Duskclan|One eyed Black Tom|Location: Border|Mentions: Harepaw, Mothpaw, Falconstrike, Scorchwing

As Scorchwing spoke, Blackstar turned his eyes on the she-cat, the yellow shine seeming to assess her as it swiveled over her face. She was one of the cats who had been at the River Rocks. He did not however let the words cause a rise, instead he twitched his tail tip, before looking away with the faintest air of I'm unimpressed. Quietly he inhaled, holding the breath for a beat before exhaling slowly as the Dawnclan warriors talked.
"This may be matters that are time sensitive. If you'd rather drag your leader and medicine-cat from their camp, so be it but I can assure you if something were to happen, its far more likely to happen at our border, than in the saftey of your own territory." His tone was mild, but it was clear Blackstars patience was being tested. Still, he lowered himself back onto his haunches, even if his muzzle wrinkled slightly in annoyance.
"Harepaw, Mothpaw. Thank you for you're patience." He mewed to the younger cats, the tip of his tail swishing slightly. At the very least, he wasn't worried about either of the two trying to cause a problem. The same couldn't be said for the warriors opposite him, but even Blackstar had noticed the faint flicker of curiosity in the other one-eyed toms face.

Dustpelt|Warrior of Duskclan|Leggy Calico Tom|Location: Duskclan Territory|Mentions: Redeye, Vulturepaw
Dustpelt wished he could say something to ease Redeyes seeming worries, but at Vulturepaws comment he turned his attention to the small cat with a good natured hmph.
"You know, me and Weaselflight do occasionally do different things." His voice was grumpy, but a teasing sparkle glinted in his eyes.
"Now, enough what ifs and what haves." He bounded forward a few paces, looking cheerful
"Ifs a nice day, the two-legs are noisy, and we have a mystery to solve on out paws." With that he trotted onward, slower than he normally would to compensate for being in a patrol, but with enough energy to hopefully inspire some vigor in the other two.
For a while they patrolled, skirting the odd two-leg nest site where a few could be heard, sitting outside their small temporary nests. Dustpelt shook his head as they did so. As they neared one of the wide trails which came from the grounds that snaked across the territory near the river however, he slowed, jaws parting slightly, then his ears rotating rapidly.
"Do you guys hear that?" He lowered himself slightly, suddenly on high alert, but with an excited twitch of his tail.

Event for Redeye, Vulturepaw, Dustpelt
Looking through the foliage onto the Campsite, you can hear the soft hum of a two-leg monster near. As it quiets two two-legs get out, one carrying a bucket that carries a mouthwatering aroma. They begin to walk into the woods, not seeming to notice the cats but heading into the woods, half on the path but half towards where one of the closer traps is known to be.

Owlfeather|Duskclan|Deputy|36 Moons Old|Siamese She-Cat|Location: territory|Mention(s) Directly: Serval|Mention(s) Indirectly: Weasleflight, Sootpaw

The deputy gave a growl, as the strange cat spoke. Was it really a cat? It was large, larger than any cat Owlfeather had ever seen before. The she-cat twitches her ear, as Weasleflight asked his hesitant questions. That was right, the thing did smell a lot like two-legs. After the tom was done speaking, Owlfeather asked another question. "What are you?", the deputy asked, stepping closer to the thing. Its paws where large, far bigger than any other cats and its pelt was black. As she walked around it, the she-cat noted the things fangs, as it opened its mouth. This thing, cat, looked strong, it could be a danger. "Why should we help you?", the siamese cat asked, stopping in front of the large cats face. Owlfeather looked into the cats eyes, she wanted to look at its eyes when it answered. The she-cat always found it easier to tell the truth in someone's words, when she looked into their eyes./p>

Sootpaw | Duskclan Apprentice | 13 moons | Small, gray tabby tom | Location: Duskclan Territory | Mentions: (Direct) Serval (Indirect) Owlfeather, Weaselflight

Sootpaw had held back a few grumbles along the way to the next trap, especially when they had to jump across the river, but all annoyance evaporated when Owlfeather again gave him the opportunity to treck ahead. Sootpaw again went ahead of the two warriors, taking more care to pay attention to his surroundings as per his mentor's instructions. Indeed, this trap wasn't as easy to find as the last. As Sootpaw moved forward, a very odd scent became apparent, and just as he was about to ask about it, Weaselflight and Owlfeather had rushed in front of him.
Was it a Two-leg, come to terrorize them again?! No, it seemed not. Looking past the two warriors, Sootpaw could make out the hidden trap... and the large creature within.

Sootpaw stared at the cat-like thing in awe. Not even the elders had told him about anything like this! Could this really be a cat, or some odd Two-leg pet? Sootpaw listened to the strange "cat's" request for help, it's voice strange to the tom's ears. If it really was a Two-leg pet, it didn't make much sense to him that it would be in one of these traps. Once Weaselflight and Owlfeather had spoken to it, Sootpaw risked his own question. "Where did you even come from?" The apprentice tried to get a better look, moving to stand beside Weaselflight rather than behind he and Owlfeather.

⇺ [ Falconstrike] ⇻
30 Moons • Male • DawnClan • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: Scorchwing, Lightsong, Blackstar, Harepaw, Mothpaw, Gingerstar

Falconstrike seemed to consider Blackstar’s words, barely contained amusement at the rival leader’s irritation with being held up lighting his gaze. It was a difficult situation, but he supposed there was some truth to this argument. Gingerstar might be disgruntled if he brought an enemy patrol into the heart of their camp, but he could imagine she would be equally displeased with being called out to the border. “Very well,” he conceded. “Follow us.”

Instructing Lightsong to move to one side of the patrol while he walked on their other, he began leading the way back to camp. At the very least Scorchwing could warn Gingerstar ahead of time she would be receiving unwanted guests. “A leader and two apprentices. Bit of a peculiar patrol,” he commented, glancing over Harepaw and Mothpaw as they walked. “I hope you aren’t expecting a warm welcome.”

Before long they neared the camp entrance and he pulled ahead to enter the clearing first, immediately seeking out Gingerstar and Ravenblaze since it appeared they were who these cats were here to see. The medicine cat’s pale coat, usually standing out against their environment, was nowhere to be found, but his eye soon settled on Gingerstar. “There she is. Best of luck with whatever it is you’re here for. You flea bags will need it,” he commented wryly before stepping aside.

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⇺ [ Redeye ] ⇻
36 Moons • Male • DuskClan • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: Dustpelt, Vulturepaw

The soft rumble of a monster filled his ears just as Dustpelt spoke and Redeye’s eyes narrowed, mirroring Dustpelt’s movements. Creeping forward through the tall grass and peering through the brush, he watched the monster crawl to a halt before silencing itself, a pair of Twolegs hopping out if its belly. A sickeningly sweet scent drifted toward the hidden cats, emitting from a bucket the twolegs carried between them.

As they moved down a nearby path Redeye’s suspicions grew. “They’re heading to one of the traps. We should follow them,” he grunted. “Be careful to remain out of sight. The last thing we need is their attention on us,” he muttered, eyeing Vulturepaw especially and praying the young cat was up to the task before quietly following after the retreating Twolegs. 'What are they up to now?'

•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:•☾☼☽•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:•

Event For: Owlfeather, Weaselflight, Sootpaw

The tall feline fought against the panic threatening to overwhelm him as a slew of questions was aimed his way. The Twolegs could arrive at any moment and every second wasted ensuring these cats he was no threat could diminish his chances of escaping. He struggled to keep up with their inquiries, amber gaze switching from each face as a new voice joined the conversation. Though they were both felinekind his species spoke a language all their own and he sometimes still had difficulties understanding cats.

“I am Shadow That Walks Beside You, Shadow for short. Smell like Twoleg because came from Twoleg's place. Kept us in cage. Treat us...treat us like things to keep. But we are not meant to be kept,” he began, chin raising and voice gaining a proud note. “We escape. Came to wildlands where we belong.” He paused once Owlfeather asked what he was, appearing momentarily confused. “What am I? Feline like you, but a different kind. They call us Serval.”

Peering down at the Siamese she-cat, he could see he would have to do a lot of convincing should he have any hopes of being released. “Please, cat,” he pleaded earnestly, voice wavering as he stared directly into her eyes. “Can’t go back to cage, and...and sister needs me! Hurt. Sister needs me to keep her safe, and help rescue kits. Twolegs kept kits,” he growled, only just barely keeping his dark pelt from bristling. “Selfish things. They stole sister’s kits. We must get them back before it becomes too late.”

Gingerstar | DawnClan Leader | 48 Moons | Mollie | Camp | Flamepaw; Blackstar; Harepaw; Mothpaw; Falconstrike; Scorchwing; Lightsong

Gingerstar's gaze snapped to Flamepaw when the little mollie asked her question. She blinked, her luminescent eyes puzzled for a moment before she remembered the conversation from a few days ago when she had left to follow the medicine cats on their little expedition. She took a shallow breath and nodded. "After the recent deaths I'd almost forgotten," she admitted mildly, one of the very very few times she was ever mild mannered, "But when Mousefur died it became apparent that we would need a new Messenger."

She flicked her tail. "I have yet to speak with Scorchwing on this but I believe it may be beneficial to you and the clan to begin training you for this position. It would be a long and arduous process, and if you are not up for the task we can always-"

She broke off. Her gaze flashed towards the camp entrance and she rose onto her feet, assuming a posture of distaste. "Flamepaw you are dismissed." Her voice was cold. She was of course locking gazes with the one eyed leader of DuskClan. She spoke without turning to any of the other cats in the group, her brows furrowed with irritation.

"Blackstar. What, pray tell, has brought you into hostile territory with two..." her gaze flicked over the two other unfamiliar cats, and she sneered, continuing, "kits." She hoped that her tone made it very clear to them that she had little patience for their intrusion and that she was certainly not going to welcome any of the three into the DawnClan camp. Her ears were solidly upright, her body held in a position of harsh dominance. She did not even have Umbraclaw present for moral support. She did not like this one bit.
If you ask too many questions, or seek too much approval, nothing ever gets done


---

Weaselflight | DuskClan Warrior | 21 Moons | Tom | The Traps | Shadow that Walks Beside You; Sootpaw; Owlfeather

Weaselflight's body maintained it's tense position. He could sense that the other cat- serval? was having difficulties speaking, and though it was not for the same reasons as himself he had a sympathy for the cat he would not have been likely to have otherwise. He crept forwards with extreme caution, rearing onto his hind legs next to the trap and pressing his forepaws against the icy metal. His breath shook as he stared in at Shadow's massive form. His name was funny, not done in a way he had ever heard before.

His eyes searched the other creature's own with a strange sort of peace, and then he dropped down onto his four paws, backing up. "Did you hurt any cats like us?" he asked rapidly, his heart beginning to pound again, now faster and faster than before. The twolegs were coming. He needed to deduce if this cat was a threat because if he wasn't they needed to get them out of this trap... and fast. The strong smell of the serval was one he had only smelled lacing the streets faintly from his kittenhood, he had certainly never seen one before but all the same it was a kinship he couldn't shake.

His gaze began to hunt around the metal frame as he waited for Shadow to speak, either denying his involvement in Cherrysong's death or confirming that he was more of a danger than Weaselflight seemed to think. There was no doubt that he could do a lot of damage, I mean he was a massive cat with massive claws and massive fangs. But that being said, it didn't mean he had to use them. He seemed civilized enough.
Better safe than sorry