Ask to Join The (Not so) Sudden Encounter

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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With a yawn that tipped the dip of his chin, Monty stretched out from an old cushion he was sequestered on. Now that the weather was warming, the older tom found himself less kept behind the doors of the manor house and allowing himself to nap outside.

He kicked out each paw in turn as he stepped from his nest and into the open air outside of the barn, tongue catching the faintest stray of mouse from the morning. He paused to admire day, blinking back sleep from his eyes as he licked at his paw to swipe it over an ear. Then the next.

He barely was finished when the wind brought him a familiar scent from the direction of the moors and he lifted his head. The voice was stolen from him as a large ruddy she-cat followed, and his tail rose in a hesitant, though polite wave. Was this her mother she had spoken before about?

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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"Monty!" Basilflame chirped, curling her tail in the two she-cats' direction to invite her non-clan friend over to them. She had wished for this meeting to happen for a while now and she was happy to finally convince Sunbear to come with her this far. Perhaps it had been a matter of how many times she asked.

Basilflame chose to meet Monty at an in-between, not quite where he had been standing, but not quite by the fence either, an even middle in the strangely flat field. "Monty, this is my mother. Sunbear, this is the friend I've told you about earlier." 

Her tail soon lowered as she met a raised brow from her darker red mother and the corner of her muzzle crookedly curled into a shy muzzle as she turned back to Monty, leaning a little closer to the fawn colored tom's ear as she let a whisper slip from her maw "She means well, don't feel offended if she's a little stone faced."

She then turned to her mother, whispering something into her ear before taking a short step back, hoping the two would at least speak to one another.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Basilflame's whisper wasn't much she didn't already know 'Be nice, he is a friend not a foe' it was obvious that this rogue held no threat. Otherwise Basilflame wouldn't have brought her here. And if she had brought her into an ambush, it would be Basilflame's burden, the burden of betrayal. But Sunbear knew her daughter better than anything, she wouldn't hurt a piece of prey if she didn't have to.

"Yes, I'm Sunbear." The larger of the she-cats replied, giving her chest fur a few licked before her hazel eyes met the stranger's amber eyes that were much less weathered than her own, and yet, still older than Basilflame. An interesting friend to make. "Basilflame speaks of you in passing."

She thought back to Pipertuft for a moment, how her life was ripped from her far too early by a rogue that shared very little to this one from how it seemed. "The most recent escapade was a soft-paws brawl if I remember correctly?"

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty half startled himself at the realization of the introduction. If only he had known Basilflame was coming today he might have had enough motivation to organize the barn a bit, and maybe inquire on the madam of the house. With a flustered sort of bow, he dipped his head.

"Aye, Madam, although I'm not much for brawling even in the worst of times."

The expression came easily to him, but he kept his body language respectful and easy, allowing himself to lax near the distinguished old molly. "Basilflame has been kind enough to encourage me to defend myself, even though I'm not clanborn..." It seemed that the clans were ones of honor and pride, and how could he ever hope to be as strong as her?

"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Sunbear. You’ve raised quite the warrior... and she's a fair friend besides." A half chuckle escaped him before his tail lifted to indicate towards the barn. "You're free to come inside and rest yourselves. There's plenty of hay and a mouse or two scurrying about."

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Basilflame watched the two speak in a quiet, reverent silence that allowed Sunbear and Monty to speak quietly, though her eyes were wide and glimmering like a kit about to hear an engaging story from the best storyteller in the clan. 

She glanced over at her dam who seemed to have a little indifference at meeting the stranger, but she expected no less from her mother, what she went through... if she welcomed Monty with open paws, now that would surprise Basilflame.

At Monty's offer, Basilflame's ears perked, the ginger pointed she-cat glanced over at Sunbear expectantly, but she knew realistically Sunbear would need more of a reason than 'plenty of hay and a mouse or two'.

"I've been in there before Sunbear, though we didn't really hunt anything." She spoke, a look a plead in her eyes, she wanted the two to get along, though she wasn't sure herself why.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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"Are there other cats in this barn?" Sunbear asked dryly, flicking her tail in acknowledgement of Basilflame's plea, though she didn't ignore it entirely, she didn't want to stroll into a possibly dangerous situation without any defenses. "I'm not looking to get ambushed by rogues." she added, her tone flat and firm.

Sunbear steadied her large paws and looked down at Monty, her hazel eyes narrowing at the tom that seemed all too friendly for a rogue. "You comments on my parents do very little. But they've been heard." Sunbear responded, turning to Basilflame, her pleading eyes causing the larger she-cat to let out a quiet sigh.

She then turned back to Monty, flexing their claws before returning them to their sheaths "We'll follow, but if there are others with claws ready, you will gain more than a few enemies, much more." Her tone wasn't harsh but it was hard and firm. Carrying the words of a deep seated promise.

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty’s ears twitched, and gave a courteous dip of his chin. Of course she'd be suspicious, but Monty wanted to reassure her.

"Ghost and Madam Gnome are up at the house proper. Not sure about the healer fellow...He usually is out and about. I’m the only soul keeping to the barn this afternoon. You have nothing to worry about my claws, not unless you're a mouse."

He turned into the barn and led the way. "Plenty of room to rest yourself..." His kinked tail indicated towards the slump of dry hay and crackling of heather, where a small brown cushion lay with a slathering of fawn fur.

"I can give you the tour if you like as long as you two don’t mind the mess of a barn cat's home." He could almost hear the scuttling of furry feet like a dinner bell for his stomach.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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To Basilflame's surprise, Sunbear had expected! Basilflame had been in the barn before, granted there was no other visitors at the time... no cat would know if there were others, or... who this Ghost and Madam Gnome were. If the two wished to greet them, the could. Basilflame never refused a friendship or an ally if it was offered.

When Monty led the way, Basilflame bounded forward, she had seemingly done this quite a few times when visiting Monty. A few more times than should be considered appropriate for a mentor, she knew she would have to focus more on Cedarpaw.

And after this day she would. But for now, she was sure that Berrypaw and Cedarpaw were in good paws in the camp. That was all the comfort she needed.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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The tall, muscled molly followed the two at the rear with narrowed eyes, her legs stiffened, muscles coiling in case she needed to make a leap for her life, Basilflame is younger, if she needed to run she would. But knowing her daughter, she would be too proud to leave Sunbear and lose two lives instead of saving one, that was just Basilflame.

"My daughter here did drag me across the territory after my walk, at least I'm limber" Sunbear replied, moving with the purpose of a cat that has had reason to move for her whole life... and for the most part, she had. But she was older now, her bones weighed a little heavier. "Makes me think this was more planned than this senior warrior lets on."

She placed her words with pride, it was an honor to be considered so close to be given such a rank. However Basilflame's indifferent expression caused a gentle flick in her ear. However, it did not bring forth words on it, if Basilflame wanted to, she would talk about it. "And... Monty was it? There's no need to address me with your reverence. I don't need it."

Her statement seemed matter-of-fact but the look in her kin's eyes showed that her daughter didn't believe a word. Oh well, can't convince everyone.

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty led the way deeper into the barn, the warmth of straw and wood welcome for any traveler, or so he hoped. "Sunbear it is then." Easy enough correction, even if he did enjoy a good title every now and then.

He motioned with his kinked tail toward the left where a cluster of old bales created a sort of nook. On top was a ratty looking cushion that seen better days. "That there’s my nest..." He padded a bit further his pawsteps soft but sure. "Sometimes the pigeons nest up there, but they’re harmless so long as you don’t startle them. They make for occasional good eatin' too."

The tom came to a stop near the back, disheveled door. "And that’s about it. The inside of the manor interior is mighty fine, finer than this here shed, but it does enough for me." His voice softened as he glanced back toward Basilflame and Sunbear, a flicker of warmth lighting his eyes as he lowered himself into a proper loaf.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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The barn had a fresh scent about it, the soft shuffling of mice in the dried wheat meeting Basilflame's ears and her gaze flicked over to the scuffling, the mouse seemed to not have spotted the three cats when they had entered. The flame point she-cat turned her gaze to her dame, her mouth curling into a shy grin.

"Care to make the first catch, Sunbear?" She asked, more-so offered. Though she was offering something that didn't quite belong to her, Basilflame was sure that Monty wouldn't mind. The two were friendly enough. "After all, you can't eat what you don't catch." she prompted lightly, though it didn't seem forceful, just light encouragement.

Sunbear's agreement brought a rumbling purr out of her maw as she sat down beside Monty, mimicking his calm loaf, however her fur made it seem larger and a little more comfortable. "So," she began, her hazel eyes flicking over to the fawn tom's amber ones, "what do you think of Sunbear? ...So far." she asked softly.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Sunbear had decided that it was too good of a day to waste easy prey, she hadn't really gotten the chance to pounce on a piece of prey in a while. After all the apprentices and warriors mostly just brought the stuff from the pile to her, and for the great majority of the time, it wasn't as fresh as the newly caught stuff. She would be mouse-brained not to take the chance.

Her crouch wasn't as good as it used to be, and the soft grunt that Sunbear failed to hold in could have scared the mouse, but it didn't. Instead, she crept forward, careful of anything that could shift and make noise when she stepped on them. As silent as a still night in green-leaf.

And then, after a few heartbeats, a pounce, far from perfect, but it was efficient enough to land on the rodent and dispatch it with a strong bite to the neck. She then brought it over to the other two cats, placing it between them. "One of you two have it, Berrypaw brought me and Barleyswipe a rabbit this morning" she offered before finding her place a short distance away to just simply admire the view.

However, she was ever observant of the world around her. Her ears consistently perked for any sign of an ambush or any flicker of movement that would mean they would be caught and attacked. She hoped Basilflame wasn't mouse-brained enough to send her to an attack, but if they didn't get attacked now, they probably wouldn't. Perhaps she should just enjoy the view...

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty watched Sunbear’s hunt with a attentive, appreciative calm of a cat moons less in age. He respected the she-cat and was sure to give her space as she took to the barn in her own way. The older molly didn’t move like Basilflame but there was purpose in every shift of muscle.

When she landed her strike Monty’s whiskers lifted in admiration. He wanted to compliment her, but thought against it as Basilflame caught his attention with a question. "She's got a certain sort of presence to her... And I can see where you got your nerve. I don't think she's one to trust lightly, but I'd be proud of earning that."

When Sunbear placed the mouse between them and padded off to her own space, Monty waited a moment before speaking, his low hum lifting from his lips. "Thanks for giving me a chance. More than I would expect anyway." LIke the true gentleman he was, he tugged the mouse closer before tearing free the hide from the flesh, fluff and fur tracking in his claws before he presenting the tenderest morsels to Basilflame.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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"She doesn't have a lot of cats that taught her trust was given with ease. I've heard things, stuff she never really told me... but from what I've heard, there was a time she felt she couldn't trust her own kin." Basilflame replied, her tone weak and creaking with a ache of knowing her own kin could have been treated so awfully, how any cat could have been treated so awfully.

But still, she ate her offered meal with a thanks to her mother as she moved to her own spot that she made herself comfortable in. Part of her was just glad her mother hadn't chosen to rip Monty's ears for his audacity. However she admired it. "She may be a little hard to get along with, she doesn't really... react to much, like she's seen everything before and is, from a lack of better words, immune to a lot of things?" she whispered, though she did notice a flick of Sunbear's ear, though her mother didn't say anything to stop her from speaking.

When Basilflame finished her share, she moved it with her paws, nudging it flick by flick towards the pale tom-cat. She glanced at him, then at the prey, then back to Monty, her intention was clear, or as clear as she could make it without speaking. "I've had my share, it's yours now."

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Once again, Basilflame was chatting up cats she probably shouldn't, although, Basilflame seemed genuinely happy to speak about Sunbear for a reason that only StarClan really knows. She spoke like she knew everything but in giving her daughter the benefit of the doubt, she wasn't wrong. Scarletsight and her brothers had eaten away at her trust just through her apprenticeship alone. A piece of her was glad to be out of their lives, but a part of Sunbear still wondered what would have happened if her brothers didn't hold such a kit-like grudge on her.

When she spotted and caught Monty's jargon with her ears she nodded her head, not exactly in appreciation, but acknowledgment. "Don't get too used to it, Monty. I don't give my trust as easy as that mouse." She replied dryly, clicking her tongue to make a tsk sound as she glanced at the horizon. "Remember that."

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty accepted the nudged mouse with an appreciative flick of his ear as Basilflame finished her share. He kept his posture relaxed and took a slow bite and let the warmth of the barn and the simple act of sharing prey ease the moment. Sunbear’s dry warning drew the faintest huff of a laugh from him.

"I wouldn’t expect anything easy from either of you." He replied lightly, unperturbed. He finished his half with practiced neatness, then licked a paw and drew it over his cheek once, twice then glanced toward Basilflame.

"How ‘bout I return the hospitality. Barn’s got plenty to offer." The sepia tom rose smoothly to his paws and padded to a shadowed corner where the old boards bowed inward. A faint chittering sounded from within yet Monty only waited, still as stone.

Then with a sudden, sharp tap of his forepaw against the side of the hole the mouse darted out in confusion. Monty’s paw came down clean and swift pinning the creature before dispatching it in a sole respectful bite.

He wanted to make a good first impression, and carried it over to Basilflame before dropping it at her paws. "Fresh as it gets." He purred.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Monty’s hunting technique didn’t startle Basilflame, nor did it really impress her. However that wasn’t something to cause shame, it was simply that the clans had a more vast array of tactics, luring the prey being one of the many. Nether-the-less she smiled that encouraging smile of hers when he brought the fresh-kill back to her.

"Straight from the hunter’s mouth. Nothing’s fresher than that!" She agreed, casting a glance at her mother, who seemed to have moved to lounge on a stray block of hay. Though she wasn’t sure how comfortable that might be, given that she had previously brought up, to Breezewing that her nest wasn’t made with as much care… albeit other nests made by Berrypaw had been similar. 

Basilflame thanked her friend with a purr before meticulously ripping at the brown fur that seemed to nearly blend in completely with the artificial wooden ground. It was like the trees had been shaved and placed in even lines across the ground, StarClan knows why twolegs decided it that way, the natural ground was much more comfortable.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Sunbear had decided that the bale of hay that was messily cubed would seem a little more comfortable than the ground. Proven correct by the surprising softness as her weight pressed into the dried wheat, it seemed bound by a twine of some sort, but Sunbear wouldn’t be able to tell any cat what it was made of for certain.

The old she-cat didn’t sleep, but she curled up upon herself to watch from her newfound perch, observing as Monty made the smooth kill, nodding ever so slightly in what could have been both acknowledgement and approval before eyeing as he brought it over to Basilflame. As much as she found this meeting a little strange to say the least, she couldn’t deny that Monty and Basilflame seemed close, she was glad Basilflame had someone that wasn’t just a denmate in her clan at least.

She didn’t say much more, but she was watching, listening, as if she was waiting, daring a cat to ambush her. Even if that moment would never come, there was no harm in a little preparation.

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty settled again his tail curling around his paws as Basilflame began working through the mouse. He noted Sunbear’s perch and her real lack of real rest. That alone told him she wasn't going to let her guard down. Being an older cat set in her ways he couldn't fault her.

"If you two are stayin’ a bit there’s a few things we could do. Barn’s got more than mice." He tipped his chin toward the rafters where pigeons nested among the beams. A gentle coo drifted down from above.

"Could teach you how to get up there..." His gaze shifted toward the far wall where a loose board left a cat-sized gap leading outside. "Or I could see if the Madam is in. Take you up to the house proper." He left two paths for the she-cat to choose, or not. It wasn't mean to pressure either. If Sunbear wanted to leave he wouldn't stop her or Basilflame either.

They could come and go as they pleased.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Basilflame paused mid-bite, lifting her head to glance between Monty and her mother. Her eyes softened with that usual quiet warmth she carried, a spark of gratitude flickering there at the tom's easy generosity. "You've already been kind enough to let us rest here." She mewed gently, her voice calm and sincere. "I wouldn't want to take advantage of your hospitality." Still, her gaze followed where he gestured, the rafters and the loose board leading to the outside, curiosity flickering despite herself.

"The pigeons sound lovely." She admitted after a beat, a small smile tugged at her muzzle. "I've never hunted one that high before. WindClan doesn't see many of those, with all the open fields." There was a quiet lightness in her tone now, a touch of amusement. "Though I think my mother might prefer to enjoy the peace rather than climbing rafters."

Her tail curled neatly around her paws, and she dipped her head in appreciation once more. "Thank you for offering, though. It's... nice, being welcomed somewhere that isn't home." Her tone carried genuine fondness, gentle, steady and polite, as if every word were chosen to keep things balanced and kind.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

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Sunbear gave a low, quiet snort from where she lounged across the hay bale, her tail flicking lazily over the edge. "Hmph. The day you get me climbing rafters is the day the moon turns green." Her tone was dry as sunbaked earth, though there was the faintest glimmer amusement beneath it. The old she-cat didn't bother lifting her head, just half-opened one hazel eye to glance toward Monty. "But you go on, show Basilflame the ropes if she's so inclined. She's lighter on her paws than I am these days."

She stretched one paw forward with a quiet groan, settling deeper into the hay with a soft huff. The warmth of it, the smell of straw and old wood, it reminded her faintly of kithood in the ShadowClan nursery somehow... unsure how, though she'd never admit it aloud.

"Barn's fine by me." She added after a moment, her tone softening ever so slightly. "Quiet. Dry. Don't get that much out on the moor." Her ear twitched as she flicked her tail in Basilflame's direction. "If she wants to climb or chat with your... Madam," she said the word like she wasn't quite sure what to make of it, "I'll be here. Keeping an eye on things"

And with that, she closed her eyes again, though the subtle tilt of her whiskers hinted at contentment she wouldn't admit to anyone but her daughter.

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty’s ears flicked once in acknowledgment to the old she-cat's decision. He simply accepted her choice and rose to his paws. "Alright then. Basilflame, if you’re willing..."

He crossed the barn floor to a bowed wooden shelf built into the wall, the boards sagging slightly beneath old weight. With a practiced hop he landed atop it, claws finding purchase without scraping. He paused only long enough to look back and make sure she was following and flashed her an easy smile. "Let's see the roof."

From the shelf, he shifted his weight and sprang to a broken window sill. His paws settled neatly, kinked tail lifted for counterbalance. "Watch out here where its narrow."

Once Basilflame joined him, he tilted his head upward toward the rafters. Thick beams crossed beneath the barn’s roof. He leaped and caught the beam with his front paws first, then pulled up the rest of the way. He made room for her beside him as he motioned towards the hole that lead outside.

It wouldn't take another leap or even a hop, he merely padded across the beam to the hole and pulled himself through with only his kinked tail motioning her forward. A peaceful view would greet them, so high, it seemed, above the ground where the scent of pigeon was much stronger.

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Basilflame's claws scraped unevenly against each platform as she jumped, not quite used to the leaping and pouncing needed to climb up here. However, to her surprise, after the first few bounds, she had begun to find a way to hook her claws into the flatter wood without slipping. Bark-less trees were harder to grip, but the view was more than worth the voyage.

The scent of pigeon drifted closer and stronger now, a faint cooing echoed from within the rafters and Basilflame let out an amused purr, her whiskers curved to accommodate the smile she was gaining with each passing moment. "The pigeons, that sound they make. It's the cutest thing." She whispered gently, letting out a soft trill in a fruitless attempt of mimicry.

"They smell delicious as well, I would have thought they would have launched themselves out by now. Most birds on the territory take action quicker than this." She purred, curling her tail around her paws as she watched the fat grey birds perch where they were comfortable. They were much like Basilflame and Monty... in their own way.

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty settled beside her, eyes half lidded as he followed her gaze to the cluster of birds. The pigeons preened and murmured to one another, softly coo cooing. The scent of their down and feather oil was thick here. Simple creatures, content creatures.

They don’t bother fleeing unless we rush them." Monty murmured, voice low so as not to disturb the nesting quiet. He angled his head toward Basilflame then. "If you’re still hungry, I can show you how to hunt one down." Exhaling softly, he inched across to her to brush his chin over her flank.

"Or..." The wind brushed their fur gently this high up. "We can save it. Could be something to come back for."

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

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Basilflame’s whiskers curved into a soft grin at his offer. While she enjoyed the art of the hunt, the mouse and the shared piece of prey filled her belly enough to last her the rest of the day. But since she was being offered a reason to return in the future, she wanted to take it instead of wasting the chance on prey she wouldn’t eat.

"I think one and a half mice would fill my belly for now. But any excuse to see a friend again is something I’d be more than happy to take" she trilled, shifting her body so sit a little more comfortable beside Monty. Her hazel eyes moved to the view, the sunlight warm and hungry, but at the same time giving, giving life to the plants that their prey feed on. It was beautiful.

The golden yellow light reflected against the clear, shiny material that protected the farmhouse as well as some pieces of the barn, what a cat familiarized with it would know as glass or windows. The reflected light landed onto Basilflame’s creamy and ginger colored pelt, warming it to the point of rousing a purr from her chest. 

Basilflame's mind then flicked back to Sunbear. She must feel rather left out… The senior warrior furrowed her brows. They’ve spent quite a bit of time here and it was high time that she would be returning soon anyway. "But… as much as I love being in your company. I should think WindClan will be expecting us back sometime soon."

Basilflame then stood, turning her gaze towards her friend again, the kindness in her gaze remained unfaltering. "Care to guide me back down?"

A little bit of elegance never goes out of style
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Monty dipped his head, the fur along his cheek warming at her words. He could understand if he needed to return to her territory. She had duty braided in her very bones. He gave her a thoughtful nod.

He rose, careful in his steps along the worn beam. Then he led the way back down the rafters, moving with the ease to guide her back where her mother was warming herself. "When the wind carries you north again, I'll be here!" He meowed just for her.

He hoped his friend would return. He'd be waiting.