A wing and a prayer [open]

He hadn’t seen a hawk for all of leafbare. And then, just like lightning, he had spotted one overhead as he spoke to a Batsong of the winds.

Covered in goose feathers, the small sandy tom ran after the bird of prey, crossing Thunderpaths and the wilds to keep pace. The bird was close enough where Talon could see the striation on the guard feathers, and see the cream underbelly of the hawk. They approached a massive pine tree, where the hawk made a beautiful cry as it flew to the higher branches.

Newleaf’s pale sun shone off of it, making the bird appear to be blazing as it perched, making eye contact with him. At least he thought the bird was, he couldn’t tell from the distance.

“Whoa…”

When he opened his mouth, a strange scent wafted inside. What was going on here?

He swiveled his head around, scenting more. It wasn’t the pine tree, or the hawk, or prey… this was someone’s territory.

“Who owns this place?” Talon mewed, almost to himself, completely in awe. They had to be good if the hawks lived here. Right?

He heard paw steps in the distance. Foxdung, what if they find me?

Talon grimaced. He was clearly in someone else’s territory, he couldn’t even argue that. The small sandy tom wasn’t a great fighter either, which only made him feel worse. But if they smelled him, they would follow him, so was there a point to walk away from the hawks?

The hawks must have brought him here for a reason, just like when they took his father away. Talon didn’t know if he believed in fate, but he believed that the birds had sacred energy to be protected, and hawks were the door to that energy.

The tom pursed his lips. The paw steps were getting closer. Should he run, should he stay?

Talon looked up, frozen in place. He was by all accounts not scary whatsoever. A ten moon old short dainty tom covered in goose feathers.

“Hello? Where am I?”

With the harsh cold weather slipping away and warmth beginning to take its place, the prey began filling the terrain once again.  Ashstorm assumed that all other animals were just as pleased as she was for the nice longer days starting to come.  The grey she-cat decided to go hunting today, even though the food pile was starting to rise greatly compared to the months covered in snow.  It always felt relaxing and easy.  It was something she could never unlearn.  Something that seemed almost as natural to her as breathing.

Once she got out pretty far in Skyclan's territory, she noticed an unusual scent.  It seemed like another cat.  This was strange to her, considering most other cats she had seen recently have been ghosts.

She followed the peculiar smell until the image of the cat immerged.  She towered over him with her tall, strong build.  He also seemed... young.  Not like a kit, but not a full-grown warrior either.  She was also fairly certain that this was not a Dark Forest cat.

She stood still giving him a moment to speak.  He seemed confused, and she was willing to give him answers if that is what he wanted.

"Hello," She replied, her voice its normal kind yet loud tone.  "This is Skyclan territory."  She paused a moment, pondering whether to give more information or ask questions.  She ended up choosing the latter.  "What is your name?  And what brings you to Skyclan?"

“SkyClan…”

That was where Morningstar was from, but Talon slipped away from the Forgotten Order. He slipped quietly along borders, catching squirrels in Twolegplace to stay fed.

He looked up at the she-cat, just registering that she asked a question.

“Talon, my name is Talon. The hawks brought me here.”

He looked up at the tree in wonder, seeing birds of all kinds flying around. Talon imitated some of their songs, a grin on his face.

Ashstorm waited for the other cat to respond to her question.  When he said that the hawks brought him, she was confused.  What the stars did that mean?  Her best guess was hunting.  She nodded her head slightly.

"I am Ashstorm.  The deputy of Skyclan."  She said kindly, knowing he did not ask but she still felt the need to meet this new rogue.  "Where are you from?"