Thieves like Us [C]

Given their assignments for the day, most patrols had long departed from camp for the day, paws well-versed in their territory leading them exactly where they needed to be. Daypaw, however, was falling behind; the warriors that followed ahead of them were sure in their path, never wavering for a moment. So confident that they could carry on a conversation while they walked! The golden tom was still trying to wrap his head around the scope of their land, awed by the sight of it. He kept his nose down and his ears pricked, too afraid of missing something crucial to force engagement with his patrolmates.

It wasn't long before the patrol split in half, two senior warriors padding off to hunt together, waving their tails in good-bye and good luck as they left. It left Daypaw standing at the top of a small hill, with a great tree looming overhead to cast its shadow, and a warrior he'd hardly spoken to at his side. At the very least, he knew her name, and he knew where he was from listening to Minnowfin divy out the day's work. Still, he felt wholly lost here, standing in the Owl Tree's shade. The sun's warmth didn't quite touch his fur here, and a breeze made him shiver with cold.

Now that they were alone, it would have been rude of him not to speak. Daypaw cleared his throat, looking at the gray she-cat. As he looked her over, he nearly blurted out a callous what happened to your paw?, simple curiosity sparking the question. He caught himself quickly, fumbling against the swift-dying sounds of attempted speech, then just sighed, teeth chattering. A forced cough, and he tried instead, "Mi- Mintpool, right? How are you? Well, I mean, no one's– hah, I guess no one's good right now... Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Should we move? Are you doing well?" Daypaw twitched, frowning at his clumsy speech, but he swallowed back any further apologies. He just smiled, lop-sided and meek, and quietly prayed Mintpool wouldn't turn tail and leave him to hunt by himself.