Reden and Dawnmist 1x1 rp

Frost wasn't too surprised when Dusk got upset. She knew how he was and she was expecting some sort of reaction. It was either he was going to be upset and run off or insist that they try to leave. She was glad it was the former, it made less of a scene. Also, it provided a narrative to those who were watching them. Frost didn't tell Shadow about her relationship with Brick! She got with his rival? is what cats will be whispering until something else eventful occurs. She looked to Sabrina, "I'll be fine. Honestly, all of my siblings are like that. I'm the exception." She told her. She had been surrounded by well-meaning but sensitive cats since the day she was born, even their father had a tendency to storm off when he was upset. It showed that they cared, something she appreciated, even if she did find it inconvenient. She remembered when she and Dusk argued by the river after she had defended him- he had gotten mad because he thought she was treating him like a kit. He was quick to apologize after she scolded him though. "I'm sure he would be happy to have someone to talk to- I'll be fine, everyone is still distracted so I'll sneak out for a walk while I still can." She told Sabrina calmly, keeping her voice down.

--

Aspenheart nodded, hoping she was right. He didn't know what he would do if they had met such a fate. He looked up to the sky, it was still rather bright out, almost Dusk. "Hopefully he isn't too worried. I wish we could have left him a message or something so he knew we're safe." He said, still looking up. His father was always one to worry, but it had gotten worse ever since their siblinsg left. He couldn't blame him, he loved his children so much that it must have felt like a part of him was torn away that day. "You know, ever since Frostpaw and Duskpaw left, Father has never sat where we used to. He also will just stare out to the water for a long time when he thinks no one is looking. I miss how he was before, when he wasn't so broken." He told his sister quietly, looking down at the water, he couldn't help but wonder how it was so still and clean. "He tried to be like how he was, but you can tell that he is tried and weak. I remember thinking he was the strongest warrior in the forest. I almost started to hate Frostpaw and Duskpaw. I don't, but I almost did." He added, finding himself confessing what he had been holding in since that day. "I just don't understand why Duskpaw wanted to leave so badly. I don't think he even told Frostpaw, she looked so lost- everything she said about wanting to leave was so fake. I wanted to stop them but you and Redclaw supported it so I felt like I had to agree. When I saw Frostpaw after the gather, I felt sick from how angry I was, I wanted to attack Duskpaw so badly, I blamed him for everything. I know that it's Azreal's fault, but part of me blames him still. I just can't understand why he did what he did."

Frost slipped away with relative ease, the alley was buzzing with chatter after Azreal's appearance, apparently, she had gotten on the bad side of many members of the group. She walked down the thunderpath, following the loop they did the first day they arrived, keeping on the sidewalk instead of climbing up. She crossed the thunderpath and found herself going towards a nice area of twoleg nests to avoid the small forest that dogs often roamed with their twolegs. Unlike where the alley was, there were lots of trees and the air smelt a little better. She continued walking for a while, finding herself enjoying this route- she would have to show it to Dusk.

"I wouldn't go that way." A voice called, causing Frost to look up. She saw a tom looking down at her, leaves clinging to his snow white pelt. The blue wrapping around his neck made it clear he was a kitty-pet. He tilted his head as he looked at her for a moment before he jumped down. "There's a dog that way. Radar, he's a nasty one. He's small but he can get under the fence." He explained, looking down the path.

Frost gave the cat a hard look, taking a step away as he spoke, "I suppose you just found that out?" She asked, not sure if she should believe him, but the twigs and leaves provided some evidence that his story may be true.

The tom blinked for a moment confused before looking down at himself, "ah, yeah." he released a small laugh, "I had to climb a tree; I saw you coming so I scrambled down to warn you and must have gotten a branch snagged."

Frost pinned her ears back, he was an odd cat. She had never really seen a true kitty-pet, but he was just like the stories. To be honest, he was prettier than even Briarshine, and his eyes were odd as well. If Aspenheart was here, he probably would be teasing the cat about how he ruined his pretty coat. "I see. Well, thank you." She said quietly, taking another step away, wondering what the cat's motives where.

The tom nodded happily, taking some of the branches out of his coat. "It's not a problem. I'm just glad I could help!" He purred, taking out the last of the leaves absent mindedly, "I'm Jasper by the way." He greeted once his coat was clean, giving her another smile.

Frost glanced to a leaf that remained on his tail, nodding at it to let him know. "Frost."

Jasper's ears perked up at he spun around to grab the leaf, struggling to catch his tail for a moment before he finally managed to free it from his pelt. He looked at Frost with an embarrassed look, his ears feeling hot. "R-right, Frost. It's suits you."

Frost gave him a cold look, of course it did.

"You're pelt kind of looks like when the first frost happens, you know? Like when all the leaves all still colourful. It's pretty." He added with a purr, sitting back down again. "Anyways, Frost, if you ever come down this way again, I live it that house over there. I can see if Radar is out from my window, so just come by and I'll let you know if it's safe."

"why would I even bother to come this way if I have to ask if it's safe." Giving him a confused look, is a house a twoleg nest? It must be.

"You were smiling while you were walking, you seemed really happy to see the trees." He explained sharply, his cleverness catching her off guard.

Frost's ears pinned back, "I won't be able to for a while anyways. It's fine." She said flatly, turning away, what an odd cat, why in Starclan would she believe him?


Jasper gave her a smile, feeling some pity. It really did seem like she was tasting her last bit of freedom from how sad her eyes looked. "If you want, you can always come hide in my garden." He offered, taking a moment to realize how that must seem to her, he was quick to add, "I won't be able to join you so you will get some alone time. It's just a friendly offer, I won't even know you're there." He jumping back on the fence. "It's the blue house, the garden has a small pond- just don't eat the fish." He told her, sitting down as Frost started to walk away.

Frost started to walk away quickly, what was up with this cat? Was he mouse-brained. She kept walking but eventually paused, "thanks." She mumbled, looking back to see him smiling at her again. She shook her head and walked back the way she came. That cat was just asking for trouble.

--

Aspenheart reared his head back, "I wasn't avoiding you, Morningstream." He told her quickly, his tail flicking from side to side as he spoke. "I was trying to train so that I could get stronger. The day they left, I promised myself that I would become leader one day, that way nothing like this ever happens again. Azreal should have been told to leave long ago, we should have never been neglected by our own mother. I also wanted to catch up with all of you. You have always been good at being a medicine cat- you're kind, empathetic and wise; Duskpaw has always been bigger than me and a great hunter- I never could keep up with him when we hunted together; and Frostpaw was always smart and good at fighting. I feel like I was just kind of there. I was chatty and got distracted all of the time. I never thought to take things seriously even though I hated to lose. When they left, I realized I needed to be better- not just for our family but for the clan." He told her passionate, watching as the water turned a bright orange as the sun lowered, it was almost time. "I want to be someone that I can be proud to be."

(Frost returned home, both bewildered and mad that her walk was ruined)

Aspenheart jumped up when he hear Morningstream, it had been such a long time that he was starting to get worried. "How was it?" He asked as she walked past him, a panicked expression appearing on his face. "No, wait, what's wrong?" He asked as he raced after her, his ears pinned back. "Are they okay? Did you see them?" He asked her, keeping up with her pace as he talked. He couldn't help but worry that she was given a warning instead of an answer. He looked to the distance, toward Isletclan past the forest. Begging Starclan to have mercy on his family and clan. He trusted Morningstream, he had to, but part of him wanted her to try again, maybe they would help her if she showed how desperate they are. He looked down to his sister as they raced back to camp, "whatever happens, I'm here with you okay? You're not alone."

--

Silvermist paced desperately in the clearing, the sun was rising but there was no sign of his kits. Owlwing had said that Morningstream was sleeping yesterday when he went to give her prey and Redclaw had told him that Aspenheart was on patrol. He woke up when the patrol arrived, but Oakpelt said Aspenheart was never out. He had been lied to, what in Starclan was happening. Did they leave the clan? He saw Owlwing emerge from his den, noticing that the tom also seemed nervous.

Owlwing sighed as he tried to think of what was Morningstream doing. Did she fall asleep? He shook his head, no, he knew her. She would never be so neglectful, she also would never disappear without telling him. He went to the clearing, ears pinned back, Silvermist was angry, he could tell. He couldn't stay quiet any longer though, he was worried something had happened. He hadn't slep a wink, waiting for Morningstream to come home. "I lied." He admitted, shifting as Silvermist stared at him with widened eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"Sorry? My kits are gone!" Silvermist shouted, taking a step forward, "did you plan this with Redclaw?"

Owlwing looked at him confused, shaking his head, "Kits? They're both gone?" Owlwing looked around the clearing, what happened to them? It didn't make sense for them to just vanish. "Maybe they went to moonstone... but wh-"

"Why would they do that? Why would they go without telling anyone?" Silvermist questioned desperately, "Owlwing, I know you have been hiding something from me. At first I thought it was about Azreal but I know you, I know that you have been sneaking out of camp, you hardly slept for moons."

"I've been trading herbs." Whispers surrounded the two toms as cats emerged from their dens to watch, Owlwing's ears pinned back; if he had to admit to one secret, that was the best one to let go of. He pawed at the ground in front of himself "I've been sneaking out to trade herbs wi-"

"You're lying. You always paw at the ground when you're lying." Silvermist looked up at Owlwing, ^{because he's a short king}, and shook his head. "It's about my kits. I know it is. I know that you know something. You've avoided talking about Frostpaw and Duskpaw for moons and now you are lying about where Morningstream is."

Owlwing looked around the camp, Oakpelt had gotten Moonstar and Briarshine was watching from the nursery with Shadowtail not far away. He looked back to Silvermist, his heart ached seeing the silver tabby like this. He wanted to tell him it would all be better, that he would fix this if it would make him smile, but he couldn't, nothing could make this better. "I-I was helping them. I was healing Frostpaw, Morningstream took over so she's probably with them."

Silvermist started at him, he felt so many emotions as he stared at the cat. Suddenly, he pinned Owlwing to the ground with a heavy thud. "You knew where they were? You were healing my daughter and you never told me? Why? Why didn't you bring them home to me? Why!"

Owlwing looked up at Silvermist surprised, his amber eyes watering as he felt the silver tom's tears fall onto his chest. "I wanted to. I wanted to so badly" He admitted, his face twisting with emotion. "I wanted nothing more than to bring them back and be happy again but I knew Starclan had other plans. I couldn't ruin their destiny, I wanted to but as much as I hate it, I have a duty that I must uphold." Owlwing told Silvermist, his voice almost a whisper

"What? What do you mean happy again? You chose to leave my kits out there by themselves! Why? Because you're made that I begged you to bring in an outsider? I made a dumb mistake but you are punishing my kits for it!"

Owlwing shook his head, "I hated Azreal for taking you from me; but I never hated those kits. I love them. So don't say that I'm punishing them. I'm not. I love them so much, it hurts. They are part of you, how could I ever hate them?"

"What are you saying?" Silvermist asked with wide eyes, stepping away from Owlwing, shaking his head. Was everything a lie? Was no one telling him the truth.... What was happening.

Owlwing slowly sat up, to his surprise, it was Oakpelt who came to help him. He looked at the deputy in shock, he had been expecting the clan to attack him the moment those words had left him. He stared at Silvermist, who was looking at him with wide blue eyes. "I'm so sorry. I- I never meant to..."

Owlwing's eyes widened when he saw the siblings, his ears pinning back. Hurt filled his expression for a momennt before he gathered himself, shifting slightly to fix his posture, "yes." He answered flatly. Looking away from Silvermist in shame. "It would have been inappropriate to tell anyone, even now. I had wished to keep this to myself. I'm afraid I had let my emotions get the better of me."

Aspenheart watched with a confused look, "isn't that against the code?" He asked, blurting it out without a thought, he winced and glanced to Silvermist, who looked angrier than he had ever seen; and he was staring not at Owlwing, but at them. He swallowed hard, looking to Morningstream. They were dead, deader than dead.

Owlwing look to the ground before raising his eyes and opening his mouth to speak, but Oakpelt stepped in front of him. "That's enough, Owlwing is still this clan's medicine cat. He is to be respected." He told Aspenheart, which caused Owlwing to look at the dark brown tom in shock. The medicine cat had been expecting Oakpelt to be the one most opposed to his feelings.

"But medicine cat's can't have mates. He has been treating Silvermist's kits better than the rest of the clan because of his feelings- he even wasted herbs on a traitor." Shadowtail spoke up, getting a harsh hush from Briarshine. The black and white tom looked to his mate then to Morningstream and Aspenheart. "I know this isn't your fault, but the clan can't have a medicine cat that runs off to help cats that left. They made their choice. What about my kits? What if they get hurt or sick and both medicine cat's are gone?"

Owlwing snarled at the tom, "I always performed my duties, I never steal from the clan, I've never taken a mate. I treat each cat the same. We happened to have found Frostpaw and Duskpaw- because we happened to go a different way to moonstone. As a medicine cat, I am to heal all cats in need, regardless of their loyalties. I do not take part in petty clan conflict!" He told the tom, standing up but Oakpelt once again blocked him. "If I had left Frostpaw to die, you would be sitting there calling me a heartless fox! I know the choice I made was the right one."

"That's enough, Shadowtail has the right to be concerned." Oakpelt pleaded, looking to Moonstar, who looked shocked still. "Everyone is to return to their duties until those in question have been dealt with!" He ordered, causing most cats to pause for a moment, clearly wanting to see this unfold. "This matter will be dealt with privately, an announcement will be made later." He looked to the three youngest cats in the clearing, silently ordering them to go to the willow tree.

Aspenheart shifted and looked down at Morningstream, "what have we done?" He asked with a panicked whisper as he stood, nudging Morningstream to follow Oakpelt. "Father will never forgive us and our ranks will be stripped because of this. You have to say something!"

Aspenheart was surpsied that Moonstar was being so understanding, he could see that Oakpelt had expected some sort of punishment, he felt relieved when Morningstream answered so calmly. She had really matured since they were kits.

"Moonstar, if I may interject." Oakpelt spoke up, his voice calm but it held a sternness, "I understand that Morningstream and Aspenheart left in service of the clan, but I believe their method was unacceptable. They are no longer apprentices. They need to show that they understand the weight that their ranks carry, especially to the rest of the clan. I would like to have Aspenheart take on apprentice duties for a moon and Redclaw- half a moon , the clan needs to be confident in equal treatment. We have been too lenient. As for Morningstream, I believe that should be up to you and Owlwing." He told her, speaking in a low voice but still loud enough for everyone to hear. He knew that he may seem harsh, but they could not treat this cats like kits anymore. Shadowtail's concerns were valid regarding their special treatment.

"I agree." Silvermist spoke up, glancing to his kits, "I understand that you two had good intentions, but leaving the clan without saying anything, making Redclaw feel the need to lie on your behalf, it's not acceptable. You are adults with responsibilities. You need to understand that." He told them, surprisingly calm. He never wanted to punish his kits for doing what they felt was right, but he felt he had been too soft and forgiven. "As your father, I expect you to apologize to everyone this affected, including myself and Owlwing." He glanced to Owlwing for a moment but quickly looked away, he couldn't find himself forgiving his friend yet. He felt betrayed. "I am disappointed in your actions, Owlwing, but I know that you felt what you were doing was for the clan. Still, I don't think I can forgive you for some time."

Owlwing nodded, " I owe an apology as well. To everyone. I understand that it will take time for everyone to trust me again." He looked to Morningstream. "Morningstream, I would like to have you take on my responsibilities as head medicine cat for a moon. I will take on all of your duties as secondary medicine cat (apprentice I guess?). I feel that it would be an adequate punishment for both of us." He looked to Moonstar, "I assume that you agree to that? I will act as head medicine cat at the next gathering of course to keep Forestclan unaware of our clans...issues. I would suggest myself taking on warrior duties but I would be more of a hinderance to the clan. This will help Morningstream realize her responsibilities, and also be temporarily cause me to be stripped of my rank until I have earned it back." He shifted, feeling the tension in the air. He normally could deal with such situations well but this was different. "I would also like to be present when Morningstream discusses what she saw at moonstone." He looked at Morningstream for a moment. Where his suspensions correct? Had all of this been the will of Starclan?

Oakpelt recoiled slightly at Moonstar's glare, dipping his head respectively. He tried to refrain from over stepping, but in a such a situation, he couldn't help but worry that she would feel the need to go soft on the kits. Frostpaw had been her apprentice after all. He decided it would be best to stay quiet until everything was dealt with. Moonstar seemed no longer shocked and more ready to properly deal with the situation.

Aspenpaw glanced to Morningstream before nodding and slowly walked away, watching Silvermist who walked ahead of him. his chest was hurting again, he could tell his father was mad and he couldn't blame him. He remembered how angry he was when he had found out about his siblings. "I'm sorry." He said quietly, not sure if the silver tabby could even hear him. To his surprise, his father stopped walking and turned to look at him.

"Apologize to everyone else first, then I will accept your apology." He told his son, his tone was distant, but he couldn't feel fully angry at his kits. Still, he wanted them to grow to become respectable cats; he felt that he needed to be more strict, the world will not baby them as he had. "You need to realize that your actions can affect others, even if they seem harmless."

Aspenheart nodded, finding him respecting his father even more.

--

Owlwing listened to Morningstream with perked ears, fully attentive When Moonstar address him, he nodded. "It wasn't as clear to me. It was a feeling that they were not to return, moonstone provided me with no answers when I went last so I thought it was best to stay quiet. I would be lying if I said I was scared that Morningstream and Aspenheart would leave as well if I said anything- though I understand that was not my right to stop them." He didn't look at Morningstream as he spoke, he was completely focused on his role as medicine cat. Right now, he could not let his emotions take hold. "I believe that it also contributed to Duskpaw wanting to leave in the first place. Hence why I did little to prevent them from leaving. It was an instinctive feeling that it was what needed to be done. I believe it would be best for us to leave them be. We no longer have a part to play in their destiny."

Owlwing dipped his head, "I understand." He said quietly before leaving, he glanced over and walked towards the two requested cats. "Moonstar requested you both." He told them, he took a moment to glance over both cats, seeming a bit relieved that they didn't seem angry with him. However, he followed Morningstream's gaze to their father, looking back at her with a frown. "He has never abandoned you two. He has always been sensitive, your siblings leaving was hard on him and I think he blamed himself." he shifted and glanced between the two cats, wondering if he had any right to say any of this. Silvermist had always been kind, often taking on more than he should, sacrificing his own happiness for others. He even took on the role of Redclaw's father. "Please understand that he has spent all this time not knowing is Frostpaw and Duskpaw were safe or even alive. He has been mourning. I know he has been distant, but..." The tan cat trailed off, looking at his paws. "Just, go talk to Moonstar. I'm sorry." He dipped his head again and backed away, turning to indicate that this conversation was done.

Aspenheart looked to Morningstream and nodded, able understand how their father feels. He also assumed the worst, but instead it drove him to be better. "Let's go." Aspenheart urged his sister, giving her a nudge, hoping she would agree to leave this conversation as it is.

He paused to when he past Oakpelt who was sitting a respectable distance away from the den, "thank you for defending me." He said quietly.

Oakpelt shook his head, "you did nothing wrong and followed the code. I was simply doing my duty as deputy. Though you don't see it, the clan still respects you. They were just surprised and reactive." The deputy responded, seeming unbothered by being dismissed early. Owlwing always found the cat hard to read- though his loyalty to the clan was clear and he always acted fair.

--

Silverminst nodded, "I understand. I'll discuss this with Moonstar; you shouldn't be punished for a mistake." He told the younger warrior, feeling guilty for his assumption. He looked over to the den, wondering what was truly happening. He decided to stay and wait. He knew Morningstream would not tell him everything, but he needed to at least know that his kits were safe, all of them. He couldn't help but think about what could have happened to Aspenheart and Morningstream while they traveled; what if they had gotten injured or killed. His claws gripped the earth, starclan help him, why was he such a failure of a father? He wondered if they could ever forgive him.

Silvermist nodded, giving the tom a small smile before he glanced to Owlwing, who was wandering around, apologizing to any cat he could. The silver tom sighed and looked to his paws before looking back to Redclaw, "you should go update Quietstorm, I'm sure she's worried." He told the tom, he was sure that the warrior queen was worried sick about he son being called to a meeting with Moonstar. "I'll make sure it is sorted out." He added, giving the tom a nudge. He turned to look to Owlwing again, who noticed him and gave a polite nod. Silvermist gave the tom a small smile, he couldn't find himself hating the tom, even if he was hiding his kits form him. Silvermist had to admit that he felt much better now that he knew they were okay. He had thought them to be dead for so long, it was a weight off of his chest. Still, why didn't starclan answer him when he asked...he would never know.

--

Aspenheart flinched at Morningstream's reaction to Owlwing's words, though he was not surprised, the she-cat always had a bit of a spark and she had taken Silvermist's emotional distance poorly. He remembered that those two had always been very close, he wondered if her being separated from them early caused their father to make her a priority for his love and attention. Aspenheart nudged her again as the entered Moonstar's den. He sat down and allowed her to explain. If he did, he would just mess up. She was more aware of the facts than he was.

The dark tabby almost smiled when Moonstar revealed she just wanted an apology. He nodded, "okay." he said, his voice cracking slightly when he spoke. He followed his sister and took his seat, looking out to the clan. Judging by their faces, it seemed that Owlwing had already extended his apologies but Aspenheart couldn't be sure. The medicine cat did seem much more relaxed at least. After his sister was done, Aspenheart stood, "I am also sorry. I promise to make it up to everyone. I want to be a warrior all of you can be proud of." He said, making sure his voice didn't crack this time.

Silvermist stepped forward to give Morningstream a nudge but when she suddenly turned he froze up. He stared at her as she walked away, he sat down. He took a deep breath, he wanted to chase after her, but he felt he shouldn't, she didn't seem like she wanted to talk. He looked over to Redclaw, remembering his promise. After a moment, he stood and walked to Oakpelt, communicating the misunderstanding to the deputy.

"Father." Aspenheart said as he approached, noticing the two toms were done talking, he felt nervous but Silvermist's expression was more said than angry. "I'm sorry. We weren't trying to hurt you like we did." He explained, trying his best to sound mature, but it was difficult.

Silvermist nodded, "thank you. I know, just, you can't run off like that. What if something happened to you?" He told his son, giving the tom a nudge. "Now, go to your duties, I can't spoil you like when you were a kit." He told his son, giving him a weak smile, purring when he received a nudge back. He watched as his son walked away, seeming determined to earn the clan's trust back. Silvermist watched him before looking to Owlwing, who was lingering nearby. "Please, go talk to Morningstream. I think she needs you more than she needs me."

Owlwing nodded, "of course." He said quietly, leaving to follow Morningstream to the medicine cat den. He sat down by her nest, looking down at him. "Would you like to talk?" He asked, his tone not differing from how it usually was.

--

Frost awoke to an empty den. She was quick to get up and look around, panick setting in for a moment. She wondered where her brother was. He always waited for her in the morning. She exited the crate and leaped down, finding the scent of Dusk mixing with Sabrina's... That's right, she was going to be unable to regularly meet with them now. As if her realization acted as a summon, two cat's approached her. A solid gray tom and a brown and white tabby she-cat. She looked up at both of them, scarred pelts indicated that they were experienced fighters. She reconized them as two cats there were often around Brick and Henry.

"We have been told to guard you until Brick comes back." The she-cat explained, seeming very uninterested in the ordeal. Clearly she did not think highly of Frost.

More like watch me. Frost thought, but she hid it with a smile. "I see, thank you!" She mewed happily, trying her best to hide her irritation. "I'm Frost!"

"I'm Haven," the she-cat said, looking around, her tone was laced with boredom and irritation. "This is Toby." She added, lifting her chin to her companion.

Owlwing shifted and cleared his voice, glancing down at her. Of course he knew that she loved him, and he was glad to hear it, but he was unsure of how to respond. It felt wrong to say it back, perhaps it was due to his position as medicine cat. He was content to love them, watch them grow and guide them, but he couldn't help but feel that saying it for a second time was unbecoming of him. Instead, his tail briefly brushed her back in a slight hug, and he leaned his head down to look at her. "I'm your medicine cat." He told her, though affection was clear in his expression, he was glad that she saw him as her father figure, but Shadowtail had been right about his concerns. Owlwing always prioritized the siblings, something at was unbecoming of him as medicine cat. She and her siblings need to recognize that, they will never be a true family. Even if Silvermist suddenly held affections for him, it was a relation Owlwing would never want. He was determined to do his job well, and some of that included him pulling away when he wished he didn't have to. "I care for you and your siblings very much." He added, giving her a smile; saying that he loved her too without saying the words out loud.. When he felt she was okay, or as okay as she could be, he pulled away and gathered her some chamomile. "It's fine, honestly that cat reacted better than expected, my pride has been hurt more than anything. here, eat this." He explained, giving her the herb, "and no, your father does not hate me. He is mad that I made you two lie to him and that I hide where your siblings are, furious actually."

--

Frost's ears perked up when Mara arrive, she had never felt happy to see the she-cat before but right now she was a blessing. She looked to the two guards beside her, who now both seemed more irritated than before.

"What is it Mara?" Toby asked, stepping forward. His voice was deep but not as deep as Frost had expected. The tom seemed to almost be squaring up against the smaller, black she- cat. "Don't you have something better to do?" He added dismissively, his tail flicking back and forth.

Frost looked back and forth between the three cats. The two guards seemed to dislike Mara, which made sense with what Frost had seen so far. The group seemed to not respect Mara at all- she was just another cat. However, the Toby didn't seem to have any intention on actually acting on his non-verbal threats. His body wasn't ready, he was making himself big, sure, but so did kits when they were bullying other's. The tom had no bite...was it because Mara was Henry's daughter? Frost smiled slightly, more of a smirked, and bounded over to Mara, nudging her aggressively; though due to her small size, it hardly made Mara budge. "Mara! There you are!" She purred loudly, as she looked up at the dark cat. "I've hardly seen you, have you been busy?" She added, now giving Mara a look, almost a glare; do this for me and I will help you out. Frost looked to Haven and Toby. "I'm going to go with Mara." She told them with a smile.

"No, you're not. Brick ordered us to watch you." Haven said sharply, steeping close to grab Frost by the scruff, but to her surprise, the pale cat dodged away, now fully pressed into Mara. Haven couldn't help but glare at Mara, what a pain. "Mara can't protect you."

Frost shook her head. "I want to be with Mara." She argued, biting her tongue to make her eyes water. She looked up to Mara, then back to the two cats who stared at her awkwardly. "I'll go talk to Brick then."

"No, no! Don't do that!" Toby said quickly, ears pinning back.

Aspenheart gave Redclaw a saddened smile, he felt a little lost to be perfectly honest. He had expected maybe a slight scolding, but not for his life to become like an elder's tale. "I'm fine, I guess." He told his friend, looking down at the pile of moss that was in front of him, it felt odd to go back to apprentice tasks so soon after becoming a warrior. The dark tabby looked back to his friend, "I heard father tell Oakpelt what happened, sorry you got drag into this because of me. I'm glad you aren't being punished though. Boy, Oakpelt can be really strict. He's so quiet that I never knew he could be like that." He mewed, trying to sound funny but it was half-hearted at best. He couldn't help but feel weird about Owlwing confessing his feelings; Aspenheart could never see himself feeling the need to declare his love for a cat like that. "That's was weird. Owlwing being in love with my father. I can't seem to wrap my head around it." He eventually admitted. It wasn't the fact that Owlwing was a male that even bothered him, it was just that it was...well...Owlwing. Grouchy, stern and snarky Owlwing that would threaten to put mouse bile in you food if you ever crossed him. "I don't think Father is mad though, about that at least. I'm surprised her didn't rip my tail of-...I mean, you know. Get super upset with me."

--

Frost felt herself relax when Mara seemed to agree to go along with her plan. She thanked Starclan that the black she-cat wasn't too mouse-brained to catch on. The pale she-cat trotted like a kit beside her, listen to Haven and Toby argue before eventually the sounds of the alley were so distant that she could hardly make any of the sounds out over the roaring of the twolegs and monsters that traveled nearby. When the two cats were at a good distance away, she went to her usual walk, her eyes focused on the path ahead of them; her ears shifted as she made sure to be aware of any recognizable voices, namely Brick, who would likely cause problems if they were to be seen. The small cat looked up to Mara for a brief moment before looking back to the area ahead of them, "you have my thanks." She said formally, her tone how it was when she was speaking in private. It felt like a great relief in her throat, as if she had her first sip of water after a moon-long drought. "I hadn't expected you to be so co-operative, you don't like your brother?" She added, deciding to take the chance to pry into the alley cat's family problems.

Aspenheart nodded slightly, "for the most part. They were pretty beat up, last I saw them." He admitted, pawing at the moss to gather a decent chuck to replace some bedding in the elders' den. The tom sighed, thinking back to that day, he still regretted what he had said to Duskpaw. He looked to Redclaw again, "I got really upset at Duskpaw and yelled at my sisters. I wished I could go and apologize for what I said but I can't." The tabby gathered the large ball of moss, picking it up in his jaws. Luckily, having already completed his apprenticeship, tasks like this were easy. His blue eyes remained down for a moment before he gave Redclaw a forced smile, part of it hidden in the mass of green locked in his jaws. He hadn't meant to bug his friend with all of this, but he had found himself admitting more than he had expected. Luckily, he knew Redclaw would always have his back, he was glad that he finally felt like he could tell him the truth. "I'll go change the elder's bedding, but maybe we can go hunting later and talk?" He suggested, his voice extremely muffled from the moss.

--

Frost glanced to Mara, unsurprised by the answer but unsure of how truthful it was. Mara could be just trying to place herself between the siblings. The pale cat looked back ahead, "many were." she said simply. She was being truthful, both herself and brother were extremely caught off guard. "You sound surprised. Is there something I should be concerned about?" She looked around, her eyes falling onto the path she took yesterday, he briefly thought of that odd cat she had met; though she could not recall his name. Her mind quickly drifted to the trees and bushes that lined the path. It was a refreshing change from the dingy twoleg nests that surrounded the alley. "Let's go this way." She said, not really suggesting, it was on the line of being an order. Without waiting for Mara's answer, she made her way towards the forested path. The green place, where dogs often roamed, had trees that lined up like twolegs nest, everything felt so fake. Here though, it felt much more like the forest. She felt herself relax slightly, pleased with her decision.

Frost glanced over to the taller cat with a hint of curiosity in her pale eyes, it seemed that Mara really didn't know much about her family. It was somewhat of a shame, Frost had been hoping to get some information while they walked but unfortunately, it seemed that there was none to be had. "May I ask why he is respected more in the alley than you are? If he is mouse-brained, then why do cats obey him without question? I'm sure he can be intimidating but any large tom could be." She asked, looking up to the fence for a brief moment. The white cat wasn't there, but she was not too worried about the dog. She was sure that she and Mara were quicker than a kitty pet if the dog was outside. Still, her paws tensed at the thought, it irritated her that she was doubting her own abilities. As they neared the area she was warn about, she glanced around. The scent of dog was stale, the twoleg nest was closed tight. She could see a worn down area under the fence that was now packed with dirt. The dog must have dug a hole before, but the twolegs must have covered it. Frost felt her shoulders relax as she looked back ahead of them. She looked back to Mara as she awaited her response. Perhaps the alley was more complicated than she and Dusk believed it to be. Previously, she thought it was all based off strength but Toby seemed to obey Haven who looked much smaller and weaker than he did. Then both cats listened to Mara, who she had though to be the bottom of the hierarchy. She missed the simplicities of clan life.

(sorry this took so long!!)

Frost shook her head quickly, "no, I was just curious about the area." She said, looking ahead again. She thought for a moment, clearly Mara was no longer interested in Brick, though that wasn't much of an issue. After all, she seemed to know very little from what she was saying. Part of her was curious about what Mara meant by refusing to act like her family. Henry and Brick both used fear to keep their power- she suspected they were both somewhat intelligent but not forward thinking. Often they failed to see the bigger picture. Frost and Bricking being declared mates was a prime example. Henry's eagerness to force Dusk to remain loyal now gave Frost easy access to the inner circle. Frost decided it was best to change the subject. "So, Mara, did you grow up here?" She asked, looking straight ahead now. She knew very little about Mara, other than her being Henry's daughter. It would be good to gather whatever she could about the black she-cat, after all, she played a large role in forcing the siblings to join the group. "I know very little about you; less than I had originally thought to be honest. I had been expecting you and Shadow to be rather close."