The Impious War [Open to RC]

The sun rose on a day that was strangely warm for leaf-bare. Snow had somewhat turned to slush and fell off the pine tree branches in sheets. It was about the only movement stirring on this part of the forest as Falconmoon waited in the branches above. He could have easily been mistaken for a clump of snow if not for the occasional movement as he shifted his weight. His eyes had been mainly scanning for Perchstar on a patrol, but he also had low hopes of seeing her. A leader this close to beginning a war would likely not venture too close to the borders. If Perchstar was executed, well that would likely halt the war altogether. Alas, Falconmoon was trying a new approach to solving this issue, one without violence at all ideally.

A kestrel flew nearby, chattering it's hardly intimidating territorial cry. As Falconmoon watched it flutter past, it had a small grasshopper in it's talons. He wasn't one to think any old thing was a sign from Starclan, but it seemed like every time he saw a bird so close lately... Movement by the river drew his attention from the kestrel. A Riverclan patrol, but alas, Perchstar was not spotted amongst them. Disappointment caused the warrior to frown, as he had words that he specifically had waiting in the winds for her and her alone. Still... he wasn't about to let this opportunity go to waste. Nestled between Falconmoon's paws was a quail, freshly dispatched but untouched.

"Good morning, Riverclan." He called down from the trees in a genuinely friendly voice. His eyes were soft without being pleading. His muscles were loose and relaxed as he sat on his perch and his fur remained as naturally fluffy as ever. Not flat against his body like skinny jeans nor fluffed out to the maximum for intimidation. "What pleasant weather we're having. Is this a good time to catch fish? I debated trying my paw at it." Falconmoon spoke to them as if they were nothing more than friendly neighbors to each other. He hoped against hope that this would be enough to get them to stop and keep their attention. He didn't care if he made a fool of himself. Impressing the enemy wasn't his goal anyway... He gathered the quail up in his mouth and hopped down several branches to be closer to the ground, but stopped short of actually reaching it.

He set the quail back down on the branch, absolutely positive the patrol had seen that he had it. Now he waited for their response, eyeing them carefully. Every muscle twitch, every eye flick... he drank in every bit of information he could glean from them.

Littlepaw's nose was to the ground, sniffing about for the precious herbs buried beneath roots and tucked away in hidden alcoves. It was easy to get lost in the endeavor, especially as he buried himself in the duties of his position instead of thinking about the last moon's events. Leaving the medicine cat's den meant fresh air and the constant exploration of a territory he now got to understand as their real home. Despite the unseasonable warmth, the medicine cat had taken to wearing his hare pelt around. Something about it made him feel more safe and comfortable in the midst of mounting tensions.

It was a particularly interesting patch of moss that had caught the young tom's attention and left him a few steps behind Willowwisp as the pair of them roamed the territory. The companionship of a warrior put him far more at ease wandering the territory, especially with Skyclan just a boundary away. Feelings of unease constantly churned in his stomach since Perchstar had announced to the clan Beechfang's return. He couldn't help but wonder if their clan would ever be safe with a clan nearby whose allegiance to the code seemed as fleeting as a rogue's. These things were at the very back of his mind as he inhaled the earthy scent. The smell of natural plants had become a sense of calm for Littlepaw and he felt his shoulders relax.

Voices caused his head gaze to pull away from the spongy plant and he pushed his way through the undergrowth, nearly running into Willowwisp's tail as he did. Mismatched eyes blinked slowly as he digested the circumstances. There was another cat there and a brief taste of the air made his blood run cold. Littlepaw pressed close to the warrior and meowed softly, "We should go home."

Falconmoon was pleasantly surprised that the other Riverclan warrior seemed so open to talk despite everything. That was good at least. The apprentice, understandably, and wisely, wanted to return to camp. He would be gentle in his approach regardless, but now he realized he needed to have a more encouraging demeanor if he was to win over the cautious apprentice as well. Not a problem. Not something he hadn't done before, albeit before his intentions were always for sinister and selfish reasons. He never tried to be genuinely... decent when more or less trying to persuade others to his cause.

Perhaps that was the difference between persuasion and manipulation... persuading benefitted both sides while manipulation only benefitted one.

"Well why not the interest in fish? Why not try to understand another clan by participating in their culture? That includes food. I'll tell you what. If I catch a fish, I'll throw this quail over to your side. That way, we're trading food instead of stealing."

He hopped down to the ground, abandoning the last branch, quail in mouth. He plopped it on the bank beside him and hunkered down at the edge of the water, more than likely not doing anything correctly. He didn't care. That wasn't the point of this meeting.

"I'm Falconmoon, by the way. If nothing else... you'll get a good laugh out of an idiot Skyclanner trying to catch a fish." Falconmoon wiggled his shoulders like he was going to pounce on something, and a few rear wiggles as if to calibrate a jump. Then stillness. How did Riverclanner's even see fish passed the glare on the water? He stared at the water for a few heartbeats, hoping for some kind of sign as to what in the world he needed to do.

He... would have to get wet wouldn't he? His tail twitched at the thought. Oh river... how I hate thou... He thought bitterly to himself, remembering the two times this very same river tried to kill him. He dipped a paw experimently into the water. Yep. Just as cold and horrible now as it was the last two times. He took a deep breath. For the clan. He thought to himself. He started forward, and as an afterthought... For both clans.

He gasped as the shock of the cold water rushed up to his belly. Carefully wading through the most shallow parts of the river, he stopped behind a rock and waited, using it as cover. He waited, wondering if he was actually going to snag a fish this way at all.

Not even going to bother rolling the dice because there is no way. So.... Falconmoon attempted to catch a live fish. He was Unsuccessful. -5SP

If there was a fish nearby... it was hiding very well. If only he could get a flash of their bellies or something...

"If you have any kind of advice you're allowed to share... That would be cool." He said with a feigned sheepish smile. He'd try and break the ice this way... but then there would be real business to attend to. He hoped it was worth it... because by the Stars this water was cold and uncomfortable.

Sprucebark caught up to the patrol and watched a while at the skyclanner trying to fish. He gave a side glance to Falconmoon... wasnt this the cat he had saved from the river moons ago.

It totally was. Had he learned nothing? Still playing with water after all that?

Sprucebark watched a little longer... if nothing else it was interesting to see another clan trying to fish. At least their prey would be safe it appeared.

"It helps to not pour the water all over yourself." he commented sitting by his patrol mates.

"but you have in the past gotten yourself quite into the river if I recall" he mused a bit unusually playful for his usual much more formal self. Perhaps seeing a cat splash theyselvs while 'fishing' was enough to lighten his mood.


"It's good to see you again Falconmoon. But swear to stars if you fall in I am not going in after you again"