at last [open!]

After countless sunrises spent dealing with lack of prey, herbs, and those wretched dogs, RiverClan finally seemed to be free from the clutches of bad luck and those wishing to do them harm. So it seemed, at least. Given the horrid luck she’d experienced throughout her life, she wouldn’t be surprised if, when she woke up the next morning, there was an entirely new host of problems for her to deal with. But for today, at least, she was free from worry- the river was once again theirs, and they had enough prey to last the day. Tail and chin held high, she padded to the camp exit and patiently waited for someone to join her for the morning patrol now that they were able to do them with no interruptions from dogs or twolegs.

"Time to get a move on you lazy furball..." Robinpatch muttered to himself as he slowly sat up in his nest and then carefully arose onto his paws. He could practically hear his bones groaning in protest. He wasn't as young as he used to be but by Starclan he wasn't going to retire until he was forced to by the stars themselves. If he was able to breathe without hurting, he was good enough to work. Speaking of work...

The large warrior hummed as he stretched his limbs in an attempt to wake them up. He needed to be alert and ready to perform his duties at all times. He couldn't afford to fall behind. Even after his arrival back to Riverclan a few moons back, he still had a lot to catch up on. Luckily, he had clanmates for that. They've been a big help and he was more than grateful for them.

Green eyes scanned the camp as his paws trudged along. They landed on tha familiar form of his dear sister. An early riser as ever she was. She seemed much more at ease. Honestly, they all were. The twolegs and their mangy mutts had disappeared and their territory was once again theirs. That nightmare was over and it was finally time to enjoy all that they'd gained back.

"Mornin' Ivy. Mind if I join you for this patrol?" he asked the she-cat as he took a seat next to her, shoulder brushing against hers in a comfortable way. He still seeked affection after being deprived of that leisure for so long. He adored his sister and never stopped worrying about if she ate enough or if she wasn't sleeping a healthy amount. She was his last remaining family member, the last capsule of a past he'd been forced to leave behind. He needed her more than she probably realized.

Dewlight woke as the sun peeked over the horizon, blinking the sleep from her eyes as she quickly groomed herself for the morning patrol. The dogs and twolegs were gone, thank the stars, and she hoped it stayed that way. As she padded out of the warrior den, she saw Ivystar and Robinpatch waiting by the entrance, and hurried over to join them. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting!" She mewed warmly, feeling lighter than she had the last several moons. Maybe, just maybe, things would be okay after all.

With an almost genuine smile painted onto her maw, Ivystar nodded to her brother, mewing, "Of course, Robin. It's been a while." She remarked with a sigh. Eyes following the movement of an approaching warrior, Ivystar offered the sweet she-cat a smile as well. "You're perfectly alright, Dewlight. It's a beautiful morning for a patrol. Let's get going, then?" Lifting herself onto all fours, she allowed herself a quick stretch before turning to face the exit to camp and padding out of it, reveling in the scent of willow bark and the nearby streams- and, of course, the lack the smell of mangy dogs. "I figure we can do a bit of hunting. The queens and elders will be grateful for the return of fish, if we're able to catch any."