A Social Predicament

Goosepaw started towards the camp entrance with his fluffy tail a few inches off the ground. He turned to look at the cats wandering around the clearing. The kits were just about ready to turn in for the night. "If-f anyone wants to c-come on a quick dusk patrol, I could use s-s-s-some company!" his stuttering voice called into the night. He was still mulling over the disappearance of his father. He was certainly as good as dead. The apprentice's blue eyes shined with emotion as he tried to shake the thoughts away. He waded into the stream and checked back to see who was coming with him.

Ripplepaw emerged from the apprentice's den, her yellow eyes bright. "I'll come," she stated simply, padding after the grey tom. She didn't know Goosepaw well, but she figured she could use a good patrol. She hadn't been on one in a while, and, well, let's just say she was getting restless.

Stormpaw padded up "Can i come?" she said

(If you're going to come on the patrol, just say she's an apprentice already)

ooc: edited

Dewpelt toddled up to the apprentices, "I will come too, don't want all of you going out by yourselves even though I am sure you can handle it!" She smiled.

Goosepaw smiled warmly, even though a little nervousness shined through. He would be a very attractive young tom if not for the anxiousness and stutter. Everyone said he'd grow out of it, but that day hasn't come around just yet. "Ok-kay. Let's go!" Halfway down the side of the river, he turned to Ripplepaw and Stormpaw. "How are y-y...you?" he choked out as he attempted to relieve his waterlogged tail of dampness.

"I'm okay... i just want to see my father again" she said as she gazed to Windclan territory

"I'm fine," Ripplepaw replied with a lie. Most of her family was dead, how could she be fine? But the others didn't need to know her pain, it would only burden them. This was Ripplepaw's problem, and her problem alone.

Goosepaw nodded. "Reedfang is as g-good as dea-ad. But I'm st-till kick-ck...kicking. I'll move o-on, for the c-clan. Less burden on the r-rest of them." He started marking the usual places, lifting his nose for the scent of intruders. He felt a calm sensation surge through him. No trouble today, thank StarClan... if they're even listening anymore.

OOC: Haha Dewpelt feels like this XD

:

Dewpelt gazed down nervously at the apprentices, "You all seem a little dull, are you all okay?" She said while sniffing for unfamiliar scents.

Goosepaw nodded. "I g-guess I'm ok-kay, just a little upset about R-reedfang. I guess I'm just n-nervous... As usual, of c-c-course. What if m-more twolegs start t-taking us aw-w-way?" He shook the thought away, trying to let his guard down, just for a moment. He thought of his dear Lionpaw and how she'd scorn his anxiety. He took a deep breath.

Ripplepaw followed along silently, not one for idle conversation. She marked where it was needed and stayed a bit behind the others.

Dewpelt sadden as the mentioned the loss of their father, "If any of those twolegs get near us we can't fend them off easily, they are such fragile creatures, they can't even catch a rabbit with one leg." She smiled hoping to ease off the anxiety.