One Sunny Day [c]

Stormdance

Stormdance had gone out on a hunting patrol, eager to return to normal warrior duties after everything. He was feeling better bit by bit, helped by the comfort of his friends, Brookstone especially, but anxiety still lingered. His guilt wasn’t quite as overpowering, but he worried, worried for his clan and all the troubles they have had as of late. He kept praying that Starclan would give them guidance or assistance. This couldn’t last forever, but in the meantime, how many cats would get hurt, or worse, before they could deal with this incursion of predators on their territory?

With all that was on his mind, he was grateful for any distraction he could get his paws on. Hunting had always been a calming activity for him, and now was no different. The cat leading his patrol sent him on ahead to check for prey in Sunningrocks, under strict orders to call for help if he needed it. Swimming proved to be more difficult than it was before with his leg, especially with the river so volatile, so it took him an embarrassingly long time to get to the other side of the river. At least he didn’t get swept away. Rowanpaw would’ve never let him hear the end of it if it was Stormdance that couldn’t hold his own in the water.

Stormdance shook out the water from his fur as he padded into Sunningrocks. He hadn’t spent a lot of time here in all his time as a warrior, other than occasional border patrols. He was always a little nervous about the possibility of snakes, something he paranoidly checked for any sign of as he settled down. So far though, it seemed everything was alright. For now.

Before he could even think about hunting, the swim had winded Stormdance in a big way. With a sigh, he settled down onto one of the big, sunwarmed rocks, catching his breath. The hunting patrol would be going on for a while, and it would be better to get his strength back than to try to push himself. But stars, it’s annoying to not have his normal levels of stamina and strength. At least it’s a nice sunny day, with none of the rains as of late to be seen. Just sun that soaked into Stormdance’s gray fur, chasing at the ice-cold grip of anxiety over his chest and making him feel sleepy.

He turned his attention with interest to the Thunderclan border. Sunningrocks is the closest he gets to the Thunderclan border, or any other border, really, with the river usually providing a physical barrier between Riverclan territory and the other clans. The smell of Thunderclan wafts from the border. Idly he wondered if Shadowclan had left by now, or if Thunderclan had had any of the struggles with predators Riverclan seemed unable to escape. He wondered how they were handling a shift in leadership, remembering from the gathering that it was Mottlerose who was now in charge. Perhaps she had already gotten her nine lives. He was so young when Perchstar became leader that he has trouble remembering a time in which she wasn’t in charge of Riverclan, leading them forward with her comforting neutral voice and even temper.

Stormdance

Stormdance was startled when another cat appeared, and not just any cat, the very Thunderclan leader he had been musing about. His eyes widened a bit and he sat up, not wanting to give off an impression of laziness to another clan, and dipped his head in a respectful greeting. He hesitated, uncertain for a moment. But the border was muddled here, and there were no tensions between his clan and Thunderclan. As long as she stayed to her side of the border, there wasn’t any harm in it. And besides, Stormdance didn’t want to be the one to potentially upset that balance between their clans.

“Good day, ma’am.” He greeted softly, feeling more than a little nervous speaking to another clan's leader, friendly as she was. He didn’t know many in Thunderclan except the general names of the high ranking cats there. He had spent most gatherings he’s attended sticking close to the cats that he knew, or finding Blazefang to speak with, which meant he hadn’t personally spoken to any Thunderclan cats before. “Go ahead,” He said with a nod towards the rocks on the Thunderclan border.

“It’s a nice day for it.” He offered something of a shy smile, trying to keep his nerves at bay so he didn’t give off a poor impression of Riverclan. Deciding it was only polite to introduce himself, he said, “My name is Stormdance. It’s good to meet you in person. I trust all is well in Thunderclan?” He asked.