Border Page |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁|

Earthstar flicked his tail. Even though the cat that appeared before Alder remained unclear, he felt in his heart that this was a sign from StarClan. "I understand. I was merely curious if a specific cat appeared before you. Regardless, aside from the vision..." he glanced at the stream. "Have you ever swam before?"

Salmonsplash perked his ears hopefully. If Earthstar was asking if Alder could swim, did that mean he was thinking about letting him join?

Earthstar blinked in recognition. Alder had answered all of his questions - and passed with flying colors. This loner had a vision of a starry cat, already knew how to heal at least basic wounds, and was familiar with swimming. The leader couldn't fathom this encounter being mere coincidence. Is this cat StarClan's response to our woes? There's only one way to find out the truth. He took a breath and straightened his posture. "I'll be honest with you, Alder. Not many cats are fit to be in RiverClan. Our way of life differs greatly even among the other four Clans, much less the life of a loner. And yet... you seem to be a perfect fit for our current situation. I don't believe that you stumbling across Ivymask and Salmonsplash that day was a coincidence - and I believe that you feel the same way. Therefore..." he mewed, gaze flickering between him and his two Clanmates, "Would you like to join RiverClan?"

Yes! Salmonsplash rejoiced internally, though he remembered that Alder would have to accept Earthstar's offer. Oh, I hope he accepts! This is such an unusual opportunity!

Alder’s heart leapt as he glanced between the gathered cats. And as he looked on, he recognized a new feeling, a sense of surety flooding him. This… was where he was meant to be. And he’d work hard to prove it.

“Yes,” he replied with wide eyes. “If you’ll have me, yes I would love to help your clan. I can’t explain it, but I have no doubt this is where I’m meant to be.”

"We're happy to have you, Alder. Let's head to camp and report the news." Earthstar spoke, a hint of relief in his voice that he accepted the offer. He flicked his ear, wondering how the rest of the Clan would handle a loner becoming a medicine cat. RiverClan had a leader in Rain, and look who took advantage of that to sow darkness. I must watch carefully for any malice in my Clanmates' reactions. Not that Alder would be receiving his medicine cat name right away; Earthstar would see to it personally that he makes the journey to the Moonstone and speaks with StarClan. There, they would learn the truth of his vision.

"I'm so glad. We'll be sure to show you around when we get to camp!" Salmonsplash mewed happily, waving his tail.

boop

(Shadowclan and Riverclan do not share a border!)

Bluewhisker brushed through the wet ferns, dying back now as leaf-bare quickly approached. Her jaws were parted slightly to taste for prey scent among the wet smells of the forest as the patrol approached the edge of the forest by the Sunningrocks.

Sprucetail nodded lightly to Silverfox's signal, though his eyes peered curiously out towards Sunningrocks, and then unhappily at the river. Starclan, it looked like a torrent right now. The flooding covered the stepping stones, though it had not overcome the banks on the Thunderclan side. Sprucetail did give a slight startle as he swore he scented Hickoryshade's scent, fresh around here. But... she hadn't been on patrol to this border recently. Was she out hunting by herself? That would explain the plump prey she had brought back the other day.

Cloudysky stayed near the back of the patrol, following everyone's gaze toward sunningrocks with a sigh. He could practically see the mice scurrying over the rocks over there just because it wasn't their territory right now. Lightningstar surely must have a plan to take it back soon. He split off from the others, heading along the border in search of prey along the treeline.

Making quick work catching the shrew Silverfox had been stalking after, she started making her way back in the general direction of the rest of the patrol. Spotting Sprucetail, she blinked in surprise when she saw him carrying a fish, "Did... did you catch that?" She asked, impressed slightly by the size of the fish.

“You kidding?” Sprucetail placed the fish down, giving an awkward shuffle of his paws at the sudden attention. “I uhm. Can’t fish to save my life. The river did the hunting for me, and this fish must have been flooded up onto the shore during a wave. It was already dead when I found it, but not long enough to become crowfood. It’s basically fresh kill.” He averted his eyes.

“Uh. I know it’s not the usual prey but… look how fat it is! No wonder Riverclan looks like they’re thick as rocks, if their rivers are bursting with prey this fat.”

Cloudysky rounded back to the patrol, his tail swishing angrily as he came back empty pawed. He stopped as he noticed the fish at Sprucetail's feet. "Did that fall from the sky?" he mewed, in a rare quip.

"It could feed the whole nursery." Silverfox mewed, suddenly remembering the recent tragedy that had happened with Laceheart with a heavy heart, "I'm sure the queens would really appreciate it." She added, blinking at Sprucetail briefly before scenting the air again. "Um, I think I can smell a squirrel over that way. I'll go after it." Silverfox said, nodding towards the tree line closer to the border of Sunningrocks. The fresh-kill pile had been depleted by at least half of the prey that had been caught from the twolegplace, so they were going to have to catch more than just a couple pieces of prey.

Sprucetail watched Silverfox go for a moment, noticing the way the rain seemed to flow off her pelt. He quickly shook the odd thought away, not wanting to look weird. Instead, he idly wondered if he could find another fish like this. Or at least, a water vole or two. Burying the fish quickly, he started padding back down towards the flooded riverbank.