shifting colors, shifting streams [closed]

Dacepaw stood beside a tall and strong warrior, [NPC], her little mottled paws working at the ground as her characteristic storm-like purr thundered from her chest. She was to go on the sun-high patrol to go check and mark the RiverClan border. With the nights getting colder, frosts were starting to become more common. Apparently it wouldn't be long now until the river started to freeze in places and perhaps even freeze over completely; it was important to make sure the borders remained well-marked during that time. Dacepaw thought it odd, herself. Why would RiverClan cross the river in leaf-bare? That's dangerous, she thought incredulously, but regardless she was always glad for a chance to go by the border. It had been a while since she'd seen or scented her mother along the edges of the river. Maybe today would be the day!

The thick-furred tortoiseshell continued to wriggled even as [NPC] sighed, rolling their eyes and muttering about being on a patrol with Hailpaw. Dacepaw trilled, "I'm excited; we share a den but I've never gotten to talk to her." [NPC] mumbled again and then spotted the pale she-cat approaching, turning their face away and trying to act casual. Dacepaw's tail flung upwards with welcome. "Hi! Are you ready?" she purred excitedly as the warrior-aged she-cat arrived.

Hailpaw found Dacepaw... odd, to say the least. The younger she-cat resembled her mother a little too closely for Hailpaw to feel comfortable in her presence. No, Dacepaw was distinctively different in terms of appearance. What she did have, however, was Dappleshine's kindness. Was "kindness" truly the right word, or should Hailpaw have used "naivety"? The former RiverClanner always seemed to be full of joy. Watching her was like watching a bubble drift through the sky; it was beautiful in its iridescence, and as it floated along, it seemed as if nothing could ever bring it down. The sight must have entertained many a young cat by the river's side. However, bubbles were as fragile as fleeting daydreams. Even if no one chased after them, they would eventually burst on their own. Perhaps using such an analogy on Dacepaw was harsh, but Hailpaw had a hard time seeing her denmate in any other light. Life had taught her to be skeptical of beautiful dreams. Similar to Dacepaw and to her old self, the white-furred apprentice often appeared cheery and carefree; the difference was that her smiles never reached her eyes. Hailpaw was certain that Dacepaw must have gone through great difficulties to have become a ThunderClan warrior, yet the latter continued to live so wholeheartedly. Her presence in ThunderClan camp was like life-giving sunlight. If not with "odd," how else should Hailpaw have described such an existence?

That day, the two of them had been assigned to the same sun-high patrol. Hailpaw tried to muster up as much enthusiasm about it as she could, but she still found herself lacking. At last, when she realized she could dally no longer, the white apprentice hauled herself to the camp exit to meet her patrolmates. Dacepaw's greeting was as dazzling as the sun's rays, and Hailpaw had to fight the temptation to look away for a few moments. Already, she was beginning to feel her heart cramp with that uncomfortable sensation. Hostility she could stand, hatred she could take; she would always have a little something to give back in such cases. But such open friendliness was something she struggled with. Annoyance at her own helplessness mounted within her. "Hey." She forced herself to respond, punctuating her words with a casual tail flick. "Sorry to keep you two waiting. Let's be off, shall we?"

Dacepaw wasn't particularly thrown off by the pretty white she-cat's much more understated response; most cats were less verbally enthusiastic than she was. Hailpaw apologized for being late, and as Dacepaw trilled excitedly, "It's okay!", the warrior accompanying them said in a barely concealed growl, "It's about time." Dacepaw missed the irritated comment, and she looked expectantly to the leader of their patrol, mewing, "We're ready when you are, [NPC]!" Unable to be too prickly in such a bright presence, the warrior let out a disgruntled breath and turned to lead the way.

The small patrol made their way through the forest towards the RiverClan border. Dacepaw always felt a little bit strange whenever she ended up near there after her relationship with Torrentstar had suffered such a bitter falling-out. Honeytongue had been receptive, of course, but it wasn't right to ask any RiverClan cat to risk their reputation for Dacepaw. She was extra careful now. The river had just begun to hum in the distant trees when Dacepaw heard it; she took a deep breath, but the musty forest air still hid the river scent this far away. "What do you think of the river, Hailpaw?" she asked, and she added quickly, "I used to love it - my momma taught me to swim, so I could see all kinds of pretty rocks."