Open to Join Rider on the Storm (19TL20)

There are heroes and then there are legends,
heroes get remembered but legends never die.

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Savagefox’s red and white face inched out from the space between the fallen log of the elder’s den and stared across the Fresh-kill pile to where they’d thought movements had sounded. Yes. Their milk-sister with the fascinating coat of marbled spots and black like no one they’d ever seen before.

They burst from their hiding spot in a flurry of movement, long strides clearing the space in front of the Elder’s Den in just a few leaps. With a bound they leapt the Fresh-kill pile and skidded to a stop alongside Leopardrose with ears forward and tail slightly fluffed.

”Hi Spots.”

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The rustling of leaves alerted the clearing of Greypebbles exiting the warriors den, dipping towards the fresh kill pile to investigate what prey he may eat after the queens and elders were fed. Eying a sweet plump finch, but he knew he wouldn't be guaranteed a finch or any plump prey for that matter, so he left it be and a brown body with blooming spots caught his eyes, he was quick to leap over to the familiar face, flicking his bobbed tail and sitting beside his friend.

Could he call her a friend? He was certainly more comfortable around her than he was with a large majority of the clan at this stage. And they got on well when Greypebbles visited her and Bravesong in the medicine den when he was free of duties and had the time, still that was many moons ago now. "Leopardrose, how are you? Well I hope-" His open greeting was cut short by an anxious silence which was caused by Savagefox's approach. Greypebbles murmured something almost incomprehensible, sounding like a greeting of some sort to the ginger and white warrior.

Savagefox being there simply seemed to clamp his mouth shut like it was stuck together with sticky honey, but it wasn't abnormal for Greypebbles to do that, if he was placed in a situation with a cat he may have been less than comfortable with, he would clamp his jaws shut and not open them unless to express something of importance, or respond to a statement or question directed at himself. He supposed that was just how he was, or how he was always going to be.

Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
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Leopardrose had just begun to finish clearing through the ruffled fur on her shoulder before the rustling of leaves drew her attention, and she turned to see Greypebbles making his way toward them. His approach was measured, and as he settled beside her, Leopardrose felt a bit of her earlier tension ease. Greypebbles had always been a steady presence, someone she found herself comfortable with even if their interactions had been few and far between. "Greypebbles! How are- "

- When a blur of red and white fur shot out from between the elder's den. She barely had time to register the movement before Savagefox skidded to a halt beside her, their eyes bright with excitement. The nickname "Spots" earned a soft, amused huff from her, though she kept her expression composed, airy. She couldn't let him see the shudder of surprise at his abrupt entrance, or how the unease seemed to compound.

"Hello, Savage." She greeted, her tone light but with an careful edge. She was still trying to shake off the lingering thoughts from earlier, and Savagefox’s sudden arrival wasn’t helping her settle...But the anxious silence that followed her greeting extended. She flicked her tail lightly, brushing Greypebble's side in a gentle, reassuring gesture before turning her gaze back to Savagefox.

Greypebbles seemed to be tense, and she wondered if Savagefox’s arrival had affected him as much as he affected her. Still, the grey tom's company was appreciated, she couldn't say the same for Savagefox. It paid to not garner the ticked red and white tom's attention and had fought it since kithood.

A distraction was a distraction, and Leopardrose kept herself alert as if she expected Savagefox to leap at her at any moment. "I was just thinking about heading out again... A bit of dusk hunting to take the edge off." As much as she wanted to pad away, she knew better than to turn her back on her would be sibling, especially now that Greypebbles could be caught in the crossfire. She wouldn't abandon the grey warrior so she stood where she was.