[ti]Open[/ti]Silence is Golden

[coppercrow]

It was well past sunhigh by the time Goosespring returned to camp. She’d spent the morning out hunting, as was her habit. Hunting was one of the few things she was actually good at, so she might as use her skills. Besides, the forest was peaceful, and the camp was usually anything but.

Almost dragging the plump squirrel clutched in her jaws, the she-cat made her way down into the rocky hole where the camp lay. Entering the camp proper, she paused for a moment. Even through the aroma of fresh-kill, she could smell the familiar scents of her clanmates all around her. With a sense of accomplishment, she walked over to the fresh-kill pile and dropped her squirrel amongst the prey already there. It was by far the biggest piece of fresh-kill there. For once she’d managed to do something right.

Job complete, she glanced around the camp. Though she was sure there were other cats around – certainly the kits and elders weren’t going anywhere – it seemed quiet. Realising she was effectively alone, the she-cat relaxed. As much as she hated to admit it, sometimes she found her clanmates a bit much for her. Spying a patch of dappled sunlight near the warrior’s den, she decided to take a well-deserved nap before the camp got any busier.

Flopping down in the sunshine, she stretched slowly, enjoying the warmth beginning to sink into her pale tabby pelt. The heat made her feel slow and lazy. It was a warm day for Newleaf, and she was determined to make the most of it. Leafbare had been long and unpleasant, and she was glad that it’d be many moons before she felt that sort of cold again. Purring quietly, she extended white mittened paws in front of her. She felt terribly indulgent lazing around like this, but hadn’t she earned it?

Yawning, she lay her head down on her outstretched legs, eyes half closed. The quiet wouldn’t last for long but for the moment she’d enjoy it.

[Miss Tactical]

The brown tabby tom padded into camp, with Hickorynose and Waveflower. The three of them had been on a recent border patrol. Since the rogue attack, patrols were more frequent to ensure the safety of the kits, young apprentices and elders. Then of course Hickorynose had reported MistClan rather close to the border near the creek. No the scents didn't cross but of course it was too close for their liking. His large paws thumped across the clearing making a thundering noise, he wasn't the lightest on his paws but then again he wasn't meant for hunting and tracking but he wouldn't be the first to admit it.

The heat hit his darker pelt and suddenly he felt drowsy. He wasn't one to really be lazy, always volunteering for patrols and helping the apprentices train in battles. He didn't have an apprentice of his own so attending the extra training not only helped him, but helped them out as well. Sometimes mentors needed a break too so he didn't mind. Today however, it was just something about the warmth hitting his fur that made him want to stretch out and rest his muscles. He was hard working and deserved it didn't he?

His eyes trailed the clearing looking for a good sunning spot, however it was currently occupied. He shifted his weight uncomfortably clearly unsure if he should approach. Sure there was plenty of space but...after contemplating for a few moments he forced himself over, walking on heavy paws, his larger frame stood in the light, casting a shadow over the sunning she-cat. He lifted a paw gently prodding her and his head tilted to the side. "Not to interrupt....but mind if I take this spot right here? I wanted to stretch out...enjoy the sun." He mewed pointing to a spot a few feet over.

[coppercrow]

Even with her eyes closed, Goosespring heard the patrol return to camp. Ears twitching, she listened to the sound of their pawsteps. She inhaled, breathing in the new scents, and recognised three of her fellow warriors. From the size of the group she guessed they’d been patrolling the border. ’Better them than me,’ she thought. Border patrols had been the worst part of her apprenticeship. She’d dreaded them. Honestly, she’d even preferred cleaning out the elders’ bedding to patrols. Her mentor had yelled at her several times for dragging her paws whenever she was assigned to one. It wasn’t that she minded patrolling, exactly. She mightn’t be the best fighter, but she wasn’t a coward. No, what she’d hated was trying to talk to her fellow patrollers. There was always one cat who wanted to chat the whole time. She’d lost count of how many times she’d embarrassed herself, tripping over her words or just freezing up. Even thinking about those patrols made her die a little inside.

Thank StarClan, she didn’t have to go on border patrols so often now. As a warrior her skills as a hunter had been recognised. Small mercies, now she spent most days hunting for her clan instead. It made sense - better to make use of a warrior’s skills rather than forcing them into an ill-suited role. Some warriors just weren’t good at border patrols. ’Just like some aren’t cut out to be hunters’, she mused at the sound of loud pawsteps crossing the clearing. Honestly it sounded like a twoleg was crashing through camp. Cracking one eye open she saw it was Mudjaw. The young warrior might be a great fighter but he wouldn’t be catching squirrels anytime soon.

She’d just closed her eyes again when she realised those heavy footsteps were heading towards her. She tried not to tense despite her sudden anxiety. There was no need to panic over nothing. This was just an especially pleasant spot to sun oneself. The tom probably just wanted to take a nap in the sun. It didn’t mean he’d want to talk to her. She could just lie here and pretend to still be asleep and avoid the potential awkwardness. No need for her to embarrass herself yet again-

The gentle prod to her side came as such a shock that her head shot up in alarm. She blinked owlishly at the tabby warrior as he spoke. It was such a simple question, but she found herself struggling to reply. As it so often happened, her tongue heavy, unable to form words. She swallowed, feeling a prickle of embarrassment as she paused for longer than was polite in her search for words.

“Oh…um…y-yes that, that would be fine,” she stammered, avoiding eye contact. Her tail twitched agitatedly, broadcasting her anxiety. “There’s p-plenty of space. To stretch out, I mean.” Mortified, she prayed to StarClan that the ground would open up and swallow her. Why was she such a mess?

[Miss Tactical]

Mudjaw circled around trying to figure out the best position to lay in. After a few moments he decided a few paw lengths away had some decent sun. He laid down, and the sun started to hit his dark pelt, his muscles relaxed and the brown tom kneaded the air with his paws as he started to relax. He had been on a lot of border patrols lately all volunteered of course. He did three or four a day, he wanted to make sure that there were no rogues running around. There was something about them that made his blood boil. How dare they have the nerve to walk all over their territory liked they owned the place. He curled his lip slightly just thinking about it. He would do his best to make sure they didn't come near them ever again. After a few moments of silence he let out a loud sigh with purpose trying to grab the she-cats attention.


"Been on any patrols lately?" He opened one eye to peer at the she-cat before closing it again. He didn't mind silence he supposed. There was a lot going on and a lot to think about, but he also enjoyed small conversation as well. Getting to know your clan mates was important after all these were cats that you would fight alongside with one day. He felt a knot form in his stomach perhaps....sooner than later. "There's been a lot of things going on the past few moons huh." He mewed trying to start a conversation.

[coppercrow]

The tabby she-cat watched out of the corner of her eye as Mudjaw settled down into a sunny spot close by. 'Guess he wasn't put off by the stuttering,' she thought with a touch of bewilderment. More often than not, her whole 'failure to talk normally' put her clanmates off. She wasn't used to them not caring. Feel off balance from the exchange, she shifted slightly, then forced herself to settle back down. The warmth of the sun sunk into her pelt, and she let out a small purr. The heat soothed her frazzled nerves, damping down her anxiety. She was still acutely aware of the tom’s proximity, but her desire to stay in the sunshine outweighed any desire to move. Besides, surely the worst was behind her now? 

Just as she was beginning to relax, Goosespring heard a loud sigh. Oh no. Maybe he was annoyed by her after all? Her ears twitched, flattening slightly at the thought. Then she tried not to gape when the other warrior actually started talking to her. Hadn’t she put him off, what with all her awkwardness? 'Well, obviously not, given that he's speaking to me,' she thought. And it sounded like the other warrior was trying to be friendly. To her. Trying to push past her anxiety, she took a deep breath. And another. Then, she paused. It was difficult, but she did her best to compose her scattered thoughts into a comprehensible form. It probably took her longer than was normal but better a slow reply than a fast but incoherent one.

“N-not really,” she replied. Then she realised how that sounded and added hurriedly, “I, I meant about going on patrols. N-not that it hasn’t been kind of, kind of crazy around here.” Closing her mouth, Goosespring felt like an idiot. So much for not letting her anxiety get the better of her. This was a mess. Still, it was too late to stop now. As much as she was embarrassed, Mudjaw had tried to start a conversation with her. She might as well press on with this disaster. “I…I spend more time hunting than p-patrolling,” she mewed hesitantly, “someone needs to feed the clan, r-right?”

[Miss Tactical]

Mudjaw listened intently to the she-cat speak. He picked up on her stuttering but chose to dismiss it. No cat was perfect even he had his own flaws, such as diving head first into battle. my injuries could have been lessened had I just waited for a command or had a plan... Mudjaw was headstrong and dove into things without thinking sometimes. He was impulsive and very dedicated to his clan mates. Despite almost losing his life he was able to chase the rogues off with the help of Roseblaze and others. He guessed that if it was his time StarClan would have taken him so he was blessed just to live another day. After getting lost in thought for a few moments her words broke his train of thought. Never do patrols?'

““N-not really,”I, I meant about going on patrols. N-not that it hasn’t been kind of, kind of crazy around here.” Mudjaws tail swept around him. "Is there a reason why you choose not to?" he mewed curiously. Sure every cat had their reason. The reason why he didn't join hunting patrols often was because quite frankly he was bad at it. Sure he could catch a mouse or a vole, heck maybe even a shrew but when it came to rabbits and birds he was absolutely no good. He left that to those who were more agile than he was, which didn't take very much he wasn't the most graceful cat in the forest, he wasn't ashamed to admit that.

I…I spend more time hunting than p-patrolling,someone needs to feed the clan, r-right?” As the she-cat continued he got his answer. She was one of the better hunters then, someone who made up for others slack in the skill such as himself. He nodded acknowledging her words. "You do what's best for the skills you have. You would laugh at me if you saw me hunting, which is why I do border patrols. I look like a fish flopping out of water." He mused with a twitch of his whiskers. He pictured himself dropping into a hunting crouch and catching a mouse, and the first thing he thought of was a floppy fish....that was right on point.

[coppercrow]

Goosespring relaxed slightly as she saw how intently the other warrior was listening to her. It was nice for a change, to have someone actually pay attention to what she was saying. She wasn’t exactly used to it. So often other cats equated her speech to incompetence, despite it being far from true. She was just as much a warrior as any other cat in this clan, but it was rare for her to actually be acknowledged as such.

You do what's best for the skills you have. You would laugh at me if you saw me hunting, which is why I do border patrols. I look like a fish flopping out of water." Despite herself, she chuckled slightly at the vivid image. No wonder Mudjaw went on border patrols if his hunting skills were that bad! Like he said, you had to do what’s best for your skills. “From what I’ve h-heard, you c-certainly make up for it with your f-fighting ability,” she mewed. “Not many apprentices get their warrior name so early.” Her whiskers twitched slightly. “Or such a, such a fitting one. I-I guess we, we were both lucky in that regard.” Goosespring had always been proud of her name and it’s recognition of her skills.

[Miss Tactical]

“From what I’ve h-heard, you c-certainly make up for it with your f-fighting ability,” . “Not many apprentices get their warrior name so early.” “Or such a, such a fitting one. I-I guess we, we were both lucky in that regard.” Mudjaw frowned, yes he had received his warrior name early but it was at a cost that and during the gathering he had killed his first cat. His tail twitched nervously, he was more than certain word got around, but in his defense he was defending a clan mate. "Yes but at a cost...everything is at a cost these days, nothing is straight forward." He gave his whiskers a slight twitch, yes Goosesprings name was rather fitting she was a great hunter. That made sense.

He contemplated inviting her to go on a patrol, to show her what she was missing. Border patrols, sure they were a lot of work, but you were able to wander freely as long as you did what you were sent to do and came back. "I can show ya what your missing Goosespring." He mewed. Mudjaw looked past her stuttering, if it was one thing he would do, perhaps break the she-cat out of her shell and get her more comfortable with those around her. "To wander freely is nice sometimes, do what you need to do, but after your free for the entire afternoon. Hunting can be a lot of hit and misses sometimes." If you didn't catch a mouse or anything you were stuck until you came back with SOMETHING. It took Mudjaw hours...hours he could have spent just wandering around.