hear it echoing (open to thunderclan cats)

Perchstar did not often dislike cats. She was fond of few, had respect for her Clanmates, and tolerated most other cats. She hated even fewer cats than she liked: Beechfang, Bloodstrike, Batsong, and the Dark Forest cats. Shrikestar and Nightstar were currently battling for a place on that list. However, never before had Perchstar truly disliked one of her Clanmates. She hadn't even felt strong negative feelings toward Twistpool... everything he said had been right, after all, even if he was a grumpier old codger than her own mentor had been. Dislike was not an expression that the leader was familiar with. And yet, she found herself feeling it toward her current patrolling companion.

Larkpaw. It was infinitely odd to her that such annoyance resurfaced every time she lay eyes on the sour-faced apprentice. He was only an apprentice. He was far younger than her; disliking someone at such an important age of their life, especially the age at which she herself had been the most vulnerable, was not something she enjoyed. But after he had invaded her space as a kit, thrown around her most sacred objects, and demanded that she drown in her deepest nightmarish memories, she was not at all inclined to feel positively towards him. Perhaps that was why she had been avoiding him so strenuously. It was difficult, given that her apprentice, Rookpaw, was his sibling. But he had not made any efforts to seek him out. She felt his glares any time they crossed paths, though she never gave him the satisfaction of changing her neutral expression. She ought to give him a second chance. She ought to be kind to him. But she could not stop the bitter taste in the back of her throat whenever she saw him. And now Poppyshine--who for all her many blessings, seemed to believe that it may be as easy for others to forgive as it was for her--assigned them to a patrol together.

Most of the way it had been silent. At least this was a patrol on the border of ThunderClan, their soon-to-be-allies, rather than a hostile WindClan border. She did not have to worry about being attacked. However, Perchstar did have to try her hardest to slow down so that he could keep up, rather than following her instinctual desire to pace as quickly as possible and get this patrol over with. Her inner emotions stayed just that: inner. Despite it all, she refused to be unkind to an apprentice who had not committed some gravely serious sin. Infringing on her privacy and accidentally throwing her trauma in her face was not a breach of the code, even if it was a breach of kindness and common sense. But she would not hold it against him. As much as she desired to. She would not. And so the walk passed in relative silence as they approached Sunningrocks.

Acornstem padded along the border, a tail-length away from the edge of the river. It wasn't often that she patrolled the borders - she had found a fondness for hunting most of all and tended to assign herself to that...But she also couldn't deny that she wanted the chance to speak with more cats outside of ThunderClan which was why she had assigned herself to a border patrol today. Her ears were perked, thought her eyes were focused straight ahead until a noise caught her ear - the sound of something moving quickly. She came to a stop as a small pebble flew into view before disappear into the undergrowth - glancing up to see that at Sunningrocks was...

"Oh, Perchstar!" she chirped, eyes widening in surprise but also joy at a chance to speak with the leader. Her paws remained rooted in place - she wasn't going to risk moving towards the border even in her excitement. Her eyes also fell onto the apprentice that was with the leader, blinking before she smiled softly. "And hello there! Sorry, just excited for the chance to speak with you both - Acornstem, at your service," she added with a dip of her head. "I haven't gotten the chance to speak to many RiverClan cats and that is something I hope to change. I hope things have been faring well for you, Perchstar."

Close behind Acornstem trailed a young - but rather large - apprentice. He was cloaked like fire: an ombre of amber and orange with red swirls across his back, and pale cream at his extremities. A pair of amber eyes glowed like two embers shooting from the roaring flames of his coat. The private expression he wore hid the fire that also burned inside his body - a fierce blaze of loyalty to Thunderclan and passion for all that was just.

As Amberpaw had not met any clan cat outside of Thunderclan yet, he had been a bit excited when assigned to Acornstem's border patrol. He wasn't necessarily keen on befriending an outsider, but he just wanted to see what they were like. Of course, he had heard stories, but he had found that real life was quite a bit different than the elder's tales.

It wasn't long after he saw a stone fly by that a rancid scent filled his nose - fish. The apprentice's eyes instinctually narrowed as he glanced over at Sunningrocks and saw two strangers - both sleek and shiny, clearly built for the water. One was a bit smaller than the other, perhaps and apprentice like himself. As Acornstem began speaking to them, Amberpaw's eyes widened. Perchstar! That was the leader of Riverclan! He gawked at the older Riverclan cat in disbelief. Despite his amazement, Amberpaw remained silent close by Acornstem's flank.

Perchstar blinked at the sound of a moving pebble, turning to see what had caused it--but even as she began the movement, something else caught her eye. Two forms across the Sunningrocks border. A friendly she-cat who looked almost like a large squirrel smiled warmly at her and offered greetings. At her side, an apprentice hid shyly away, an awestruck look crossing his face when the warrior spoke the leader's name. Acornstem, as she called herself. Something about her enthusiasm reminded Perchstar of a younger Poppyshine. She dipped her head respectfully in return. Though her face remained impassive, her voice and words were polite. "Greetings, Acornstem. It's nice to meet you. I am doing well. How fares our sister Clan--and yourself?"

Belatedly she remembered the petulant apprentice tagging along behind her. Well--this would be a good chance for Larkpaw to learn border etiquette, especially with their hopefully soon-to-be allies. She couldn't help but wish it was Rookpaw or Owlpaw or one of her kits instead... but hopefully he knew to keep his manners with other Clans, at least. Perchstar looked at Larkpaw, silently wishing that his glare would not be directed at either of the ThunderClan cats, and gave him an indicative nod. "You should introduce yourself. I believe that you and that tom may be of similar age." Perhaps that would influence the silent ThunderClan apprentice to offer his own name and greetings, as well.

Acornstem's gaze flickered away from the two RiverClan cats to look at Amberpaw, giving him a gentle, reassuring smile as he chose to remain silent at her side. As the leader spoke, her gaze flickered back with a nod of her head. "ThunderClan is going well - there has been trouble of late, of course but we are recovering well under Mottlestar's guidance." There was a pause however, her expression shifting as she tried to think of if it would be something worth mentioning here or waiting for Mottlestar to announce it at the Gathering. ...No, she knew of the planned hopeful alliance with RiverClan, it wouldn't do to hide such information from Perchstar. She would be careful with what she shared of the events itself, however but...

"As for me...There has been a change within ThunderClan recently - the exact details of the events I will leave for Mottlestar to decide what to share with the Clans upon the next Gathering, but Darkspirit is no longer our deputy and..." A soft sigh escaped her, giving the two a small smile. "I have been named deputy in his stead. It was not an easy change, but I accept my new role with grace and eagerly look forward to getting to know your Clanmates for the well-being of both of our Clans prospering," she added, before she turned to acknowledged the RiverClan apprentice - Larkpaw, as he revealed with a grumble. "Its an honor to meet you, Larkpaw," she meowed with a dip of her head before she glanced at Amberpaw with a smile. "Go on, I'll let you introduce yourself. Don't worry, there won't be any trouble here."

Amberpaw quickly regained his composure, washing his amazement over with a private, unreadable expression. As Perchstar and Acornstem chatted, Amberpaw studied the Riverclaners with those watchful amber eyes of his. The younger one clearly did not want to be there. He even seemed annoyed at the Thunderclanners, based off his scowling and tail lashing. And then the young one reluctantly introduced himself - Larkpaw. Do all Riverclan apprentices have this much attitude? Amberpaw thought, deciding he would get bashed in the head by his mother if she ever caught him acting like Larkpaw. The ginger tom wanted nothing to do with the black and white Riverclan apprentice, but Amberpaw hid his disliking well.

Encouraged by Acornstem, the young cat stepped forward from the security of her side and gave each Riverclanner a nod. Then, in that deep, rumbling voice of his, he said, "Greetings, Perchstar. Larkpaw. My name is Amberpaw. It is a pleasure to meet the both of you." His tone was both calm and sincere, contrasting the burst of excited awe that he had dispelled from before. He also wasn't as enthusiastic as Acornstem...he preferred letting his anxious spirit rest under a soft, mellow nature. Keeping a politely reserved face, Amberpaw stepped back to his original spot.

Perchstar was a little bit annoyed--though not surprised--by Larkpaw's unenthused reaction. However, she kept her own feelings safe, choosing instead to give him a slightly disapproving blink for his grumbling, but a nod in acknowledgement that he did follow her instructions to the letter, if nothing else. Her attention was thankfully drawn from the surly apprentice by Acornstem's words. The bubbly she-cat reminded her still further of Poppyshine, due to her ability to speak eloquently of important things when necessary, despite (or perhaps because of) her personality. Hearing that ThunderClan was doing all right made her feel a little reassured. She did catch the sidelong glance that the other warrior gave across the territory. What else could have happened to ThunderClan in the meantime? Was it fallout from their other problems... or something else entirely? Poor Mottlestar. It must have been a lot to deal with.

The next words drew her out of her thoughts completely. Darkspirit demoted... and Acornstem, the she-cat before her, as Mottlestar's new deputy. It took only a moment for her to think of how to react. Though her first instinct was to feel bad that such a kind she-cat had been given so much responsibility to deal with, especially seeing how Poppyshine had nearly worked herself to death, she also thought of Mottlestar. She thought of how weary the leader had been and how much assistance she needed. She thought of Darkspirit's gaffes and how he never truly seemed to be comfortable in his own pelt. No, a cat like Acornstem was a good choice. Perchstar considered herself to be skilled at judging cats, even though first impressions were not always accurate. She felt sure enough of herself to believe that Mottlestar's judgements could also be trusted.

"Felicitations," Perchstar said sincerely. "I am sorry to hear of ThunderClan's troubles, but I suspect that if Mottlestar needs my help, she will ask. Any request will be heard. In the meantime, I congratulate you on your new position. It is a lot of work--as I am sure you have discovered already--but it comes with its own joys and rewards. If you ever find yourself overwhelmed, I recommend speaking to my deputy Poppyshine at the next Gathering. I believe you two could be good friends. Your personalities are very similar, and she may be able to offer you some advice." Perhaps she was oversharing. The RiverClan leader cut herself off smoothly, then turned to the strikingly orange apprentice. Amberpaw, as he called himself softly, seeming to put away the wonder from earlier. "Greetings," she told him, offering a nod. "It is nice to meet you, Amberpaw." Larkpaw could conduct himself properly, she hoped. She shouldn't have to stare over his shoulder. She would give him a chance to swim in the waters of inter-Clan relations on his own. She assumed he might like that better than her prodding him for yet another reaction. The gray and white she-cat then looked up again, meeting Acornstem's gaze. "I hope our Clans can continue to work in good company with each other. I wish Mottlestar good health, and the clear vision with which she has led ThunderClan so far."