rivulets (open!)

After their run-in with Klaus, Aoife, and the Forgotten Order, Thistle had oh-so-conveniently forgotten about the warning they received about the Clan cats. Dangerous, unpredictable cats...although, didn't all cats have that ability, to be dangerous and unpredictable? As it stood, Thistle considered themself fully neutral. They had no sway one way or another about the Order or the Clans, they just had to satisfy their craving for more knowledge. They had to see a Clan cat for themself, speak to them, learn more.

The spiky-furred molly giggled to themself as they walked. "One of these days, I'm going to get myself into some serious trouble," they mused out loud, talking to no one but themself. But, as their former mentor Songbird always said, it was the duty of an Ambassador to learn what they could and extend kindness and civility to all cats. Thistle whispered that last part, smiling fondly at the memory. Songbird said that a lot.

As they wandered, the scents changed. It went from roguish, sandy, rubble and earth, to...what was that, reeds? Pondwater? They knew the scent of water, as there was a small stream back home in the Circle. But this felt different, they could feel it right down to their paws. The landscape was changing as well, flattening out, becoming wetter. Soon enough, Thistle found themself along the bank of a river, the reeds and cattails growing thick.

How delightful! They could see the water running underneath the bits of ice, and even small fish darting in and out. It looked unsafe to cross by paw, so they paused only to lap up some of the cool water before continuing on their way. Could it be that a Clan lived near here? It was certainly a lovely place to live!

Thistle flinched as another cat suddenly appeared from behind some brush. They gave a sheepish grin; it was their fault for not being more careful and checking their surroundings. It seemed now, they had indeed gotten themself into trouble. The molly before them was stony-faced but didn't seem particularly threatening at the moment, just...diplomatic. So this is RiverClan! they thought, lowering to a sitting position with their tail tucked around their paws.

"No, no business here at the moment!" they chirped, their tone friendly. "I am simply passing through, and will be on my way shortly. You have a lovely territory, by the way! I bet it's beautiful in Newleaf." Thistle inclined their head, giving the gray-and-white molly a once-over. "My name is Thistle, what's yours? I mean no harm to you or your Clan, I am simply a traveler looking for knowledge."