Private Thread By The Sea (River) (10LS21)

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsongs whiskers twitched as he padded alongside Merryaster. She had been a Warrior for a little while now and he hadn't had much chance to get close to her with all her new duties. He had to get his plan back on track.

His flicked toward the young she-cat as she spoke. He took in her words and thought about it. A few rocks? Try Riverclans territory. Every rock, every crack, and every blade of grass was important. He had to find a way to convey that to her without coming across to harsh. 

"Well. Those rocks belong to Riverclan. Stealing from the clan deserves some kind of recompense." He paused for a moment to gauge her reaction before quickly adding in earnestly, "However it would be better done without spilling blood."He didn't truly believe that. Any cat who crossed Riverclan should receive the harshest of punishments. That's the way it would be when he was leader.

His tail brushed lightly across Merryasters flank, "Hopefully it will be a quiet patrol though."

Even the smallest pebble can make ripples that change the course of the stream.

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Greypebbles fell in beside Smallbird as she had begun talking. It was nice just to walk in silence for a while, it hadn't felt heavy or gained a need to be filled, it just... was. But even when Smallbird had spoke, he didn't feel upset that the peaceful silence had been broken, just happy to hear her voice through the trees.

"Maybe Kestrelswipe was planning something peaceful, putting us on the same patrol." He answered, lowering his bobbed tail to a comfortable height. His paw pressed on a sun-warmed stone and glanced around, he remembered a few moons ago... having a conversation here at Sunningrocks and making sense out of the shapes in the clouds, he forgot exactly why but enjoyed the time none-the-less.

Though the soothing peace of the patrol rippled and faded into something a little more stressful. RiverClan cats, eyeing Sunningrocks again. They haven't made a move to claim it in quite a while, or at least, in recent memory.

The fur along his shoulders bristled with caution and the fur on his tail spiked as if trying to challenge a rabbit for claim on who had the fuzziest tail. He didn't raise his hackles, he didn't want to fight, but the stress was evident in his rigid posture and the sudden stop in his pawsteps.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merryaster blinked at Ashsong’s words then let out a soft, rueful exhale and shivered when she felt his tail on her. "Sunningrocks may be ours...but every blade of grass isn't worth a life." She snorted, inhaling the scent of ThunderClan across the river. "How do you really feel about them, Ashsong? Are you speaking as a warrior or as a tom who wants to be feared?"

She gave a small, tight smile. "I’d rather not spill blood over old stones. RiverClan holds grudges like leafbare holds a cough...but the best way to learn your enemy’s weaknesses is to be kind enough that they show them to you."

Merryaster straightened her tail to wave along to her neighbors. "Good morning!" The greeting warm but measured, maybe even friendly enough to unsettle.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong nodded at the young she-cats words and let out what sounded like an amused mrow, "That is very true and quite a mature way to look at things. How do I truly feel?" He paused for a moment, thinking. He couldn't tell her the truth but he needed to say something. "I... I don't want to be feared. At least not by Riverclan. I want what belongs to us however I do believe there are better ways of going about it than a bloodbath." 

He stopped in his tracks at the sight of the Thunderclan cats in the distance. Anger swelled within him but he maintained a calm facade. He nodded towards the enemy cats and called out, "Yes. The weather is quite nice. How fares Thunderclan this moon?" Maybe Merryaster was right and feigning kindness was a good way to get what you wanted. He would have to remember that.

Even the smallest pebble can make ripples that change the course of the stream.

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🌑•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles’ agitation didn’t eb away from a simple friendly greeting, he knew better than to trust a friendly voice of a cat he didn’t know. Especially a cat of RiverClan. Though lest he was being rude, he flicked his tail to return a greeting, albeit a bit more rigid.

Then, the more slender warrior swooped in with a question about ThunderClan. "ThunderClan is alive and well." He stated, now lowering his tail once more as he instinctively moved in front of his sister who was only just above his size by a kitstep. "The affairs of ThunderClan will be announced at the gathering." He added, his voice quiet but firm.

Greypebbles glanced back at Smallbird, pushing closer to her to offer both comfort and protection. If a fight broke out and the warriors darted across the river, Greypebbles would rather take the blows for his sister. "On a border patrol?" He asked, trying to seem friendly, but also trying his best to make it clear that the RiverClan cats weren’t welcome across.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merryaster’s whiskers twitched, but she didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the ThunderClan cats’ awkwardness. In fact, her smirk was entirely polite and self assured. "Seems manners aren’t lost between our Clans after all..." She meowed quietly to Ashsong.

Then she turned her attention back to the opposite shore, her voice rising just enough to carry over the sound of the river. "If only every border meet were this civil, hm? You two seem jumpy and for good reason, I’d guess." Her teal eyes narrowed slightly, not in suspicion, but in measured curiosity. "All of the Clans have had their share of trouble lately with that bold, bloodthirsty rogue."

Her words were steady and posture purposeful. "Wouldn’t mind knowing if you've caught scent or sight of that murderer. Every Clan deserves a fair warning."

A subtle flick of her tail signaled to Ashsong that this wasn’t bravado, but strategy! A shared danger and commonality could build bridges.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong’s eyes swept over the riverbank, noting the ripple of the water and the faint pawprints in the mud. He flicked a glance at Merryaster, a faint, approving smile touching his lips.

“You always notice the details most of us would miss,” he said softly, letting his words linger just for her.

Then he turned toward the ThunderClan cats, voice steady and even. “It’s wise for all of us to stay alert. Even small signs can matter when it comes to keeping our clans safe.”

Even the smallest pebble can make ripples that change the course of the stream.

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🌑•∙∙ ──── ⋙

Greypebbles was still defensive, the mention of the murderer hardening his eyes, but his fur lowered, even if it was slightly. Regardless of the friendly conversation, he still stood between Smallbird and the RiverClanners... in case things went downhill, and StarClan knows that can happen fast.

"Th-ThunderClan hasn't seen anything for a while... no deaths or rogue scents to speak of." He hesitated before he had spoken, but the words held truth, not the nobility or stern authority of a clan leader, but a hard certainty. "I'm sure we can all hope it stays that way." He added, casting a glance at his sister, something more encouraging than his usual anxiety before darting back to the RiverClan cats. 

The tension was thick with moons of rivalry, it planted a heavy stone in Greypebbles' chest, both clans seemed to have some sort of personal claim to the Sunningrocks, they had been ThunderClan's for moons, at least for as long as he can recall in recent memory. But the hunger and ambition of RiverClan wouldn't surprise him if they turned and launched an attack. But for now, there was a peace, at least with the kinder tabby warrior.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merryaster caught the subtle shift in Ashsong’s tone but she didn’t acknowledge it outwardly. Now wasn’t the place for tangled meanings. Not with ThunderClan watching. Her attention remained on Greypebbles and his sister.

They didn't seem like they were here to posture. They were holding the line out of duty not ThunderClan pride.

"No sign is still news worth sharing." she replied, voice gentler now. "We’ve been forced to tighten defenses in our patrols." Her thoughts flashed briefly to the drowned Alderfly caught between the frost in the stones on the bank. From what she remembered about the past Gathering, a warrior named Cottonlily met her end similarly.

She continued to pad parallel along the bank with her partner, only sparing a few moments to pointedly mark a shrub here, a branch there... casting RiverClan scent against the bank as they patrolled, but a part of her wished for those sunny stones against her fur.

Would it be worth the cost of lives and RiverClan legacy? She couldn't say for certain - but if there was a way to mitigate injuries she'd find it.

There’s always something to do.
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It never ceased to amaze Smallbird how her brother was able to maintain a cool front at times like this. She was stressed beyond belief with the encounter and the reminder of the murderer. She nodded along to his assertion that there had been no deaths or scents to speak of. Her tail was twitching furiously with the anxiety she felt. She felt a little more reassured with Greypebbles’ glance. At least if something did happen, he was here to support her.

Smallbird relaxed even further at the words from the female Riverclan warrior. It was one thing for her brother to be reassuring, and a completely another thing for a stranger from another clan. Maybe she had allowed her anxiety to warp her perspective of this encounter. So often there were stories of clashes and hostilities between Riverclan and Thunderclan. Not to mention their current proximity to the much disputed Sunning Rocks.

”I suppose that’s true,” she meowed shakily. Smallbird was unsure how to proceed. Should she continue the conversation? Or should she just focus on the patrol? The tabby she-cat was completely unsure of herself and her movements showed as such. She kept glancing across the river to the Riverclanners and then toward Greypebbles. She moved a few paces toward the next marking point then glanced around again, opening her mouth to say something then ultimately closing it without a word. Eventually Smallbird simply looked toward Greypebbles with a helpless expression, hoping for some sort of guidance from the tom.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong dipped his head in agreement with Merryaster’s words, his gaze steady on the two ThunderClan cats across the river.

“RiverClan keeps a close eye on the current, both the rivers, and the one that runs through the forest,” he said quietly. “No sign of trouble is something we can all be grateful for. I’d rather report a calm day than another loss.”

He marked the base of a willow branch, his movements deliberate, measured. “Still, vigilance is the price of peace. The river’s moods change quickly this time of year.” His eyes flicked to Merryaster for a heartbeat, the faintest flicker of warmth in his expression. “But RiverClan adapts. Always has.”

Straightening, he gave a polite nod toward Smallbird and Greypebbles. “We’ll keep watch from our side."

Even the smallest pebble can make ripples that change the course of the stream.

⋘ ──── ∙∙•🌑•∙∙ ──── ⋙

The air seemed unusually less tense as RiverClan cats shared that they hadn't experienced anything over the past few days. It was wishful thinking for Greypebbles to hope that the rogue had moved on, that she had gotten bored of the bloodshed and move onto some other cats or even to another land entirely. But Greypebbles had a feeling that all this wasn't over yet and the rogue was simply waiting for her chance to strike again when they were least expecting her.

But Greypebbles knew better than to be unprepared, too many deaths had happened lately, this tortoiseshell rogue had given ThunderClan, every clan, reason and time to prepare... to expect the unexpected, and to know what was coming. He was sure that they would get a higher paw on her... at least he thought he was.

"ThunderClan stands and remains like the most ancient of oaks. If the rogue does come back, ThunderClan will be strong in the face of adversity." He answered finally. Greypebbles' whiskers twitched, the corners of his mouth quirking into a fleeting, but encouraging grin. 

Greypebbles then returned polite nod given to them by Ashsong, what kind of example of diplomacy would he be setting if he didn't return the respect he was being given... or perhaps it might have been pity... "And ThunderClan will do the same."

The grey warrior then turned his neutral colored gaze towards his sister, the patrol had been caught up for long enough... at least he thought so. "I think we're losing daylight. Should we do a round of hunting to see if we can catch anything before getting back to camp? Maybe Gingerthrash or Orchidflame could appreciate something plump." he suggested, he wasn't incredibly sure if the more arrogant of the two he mentioned would take nicely to being catered to, but it was worth a shot.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merryaster slowed her steps as Greypebbles spoke, the subtle shift in his posture registering before his words did. The way he uttered his conviction drew the striped mink she-cats attention.

"Steady paws hold just as firm as sharp teeth." She meowed, ton even. She didn’t smile... not quite. RiverClan and ThunderClan rarely exchanged anything but barbs over Sunningrocks but today… the air felt less volatile. 

When he mentioned returning to hunt she glanced to Ashsong. That was their cue as much as theirs. "That’s wise. We’ll finish this stretch and double back to camp."

Her gaze returned to the pair across the river. The grey she-cat was still seemingly fretting and the tom wary, but steady. She dipped her head between warriors then turned to continue downstream. Expression composed... but her thoughts noticeably alert.

There’s always something to do.
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Smallbird had no clue how to react to the Riverclan tom’s words. In many ways they didn’t seem to be words that she ought to reply to anyway. Still, guilt wracked the she-cat’s heart. She hated feeling like she should say something but couldn’t think of anything to say. Smallbird blinked in surprise and appraised her brother curiously at his own reply to the Riverclanners. He sounded so wise. So mature. For a moment the mental image of Greypebbles standing on the Highrock as leader of the clan flashed in her mind. Truthfully, she had no clue whether her brother even aspired to such a position, but she certainly believed that he had it in him to lead should the responsibility fall into his paws.

The tabby she-cat blinked out of her thoughts when Greypebbles addressed her directly. ”That might be best,” she purred, grateful for the guidance. ”The clan would never say no to more food and it gives us something to do on the way back.” Smallbird allowed herself a small smile. She liked hunting far more than border patrols. She didn’t fear doing something wrong when hunting. Hunting was simple and a mistake simply lost food. Not good, true, but far more preferable to a clan war because of a mistake in a border encounter.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong fell into step beside Merryaster, matching her pace as though it came naturally. He didn’t spare the ThunderClan cats a single glance.

“Steady paws,” he murmured, “but it was your steadiness that kept that civil.”
The warmth beneath the words was subtle, but unmistakable.

When she gave their plan, he nodded.
“A sound call. Coldstar will want your eye on this, you catch what others miss.”

He followed her downstream, voice lowering just a touch.
“RiverClan’s better off with you leading this stretch.”

He kept his gaze forward, wholly focused on her and the path ahead.