the cool rogue [open hunting TC]

While the calico hadn't been up to anything in particular, she was incredibly surprised when Mottlerose's former apprentice called out her name, inviting her on a hunt. The last time she really remembered encountering the tom was during ThunderClan's most recent post-gathering sharing tongues session, and a weird pit of dread had settled like stones at the bottom of a lake since revealing her secret to others. Of course she trusted the deputy, her response had played in her head over and over and had been something she retold to Achelois' tree, overwhelmed with the trust and affection displayed to her that night.

A little dazed, the warrior shook out her fur as she made her way over, suspicion rooting itself within her. Why does he want to go hunting with just me? Is he- No. No, No. Stormsong was just another warrior, and he was basically Mottlerose's son at this point. Besides, his demeanor was nothing but polite and friendly, betraying no negative emotions. Hesitantly, she nodded, a tight smile on her face.

"Okay. You lead the way," She bowed her head to the younger tom, allowing him to guide her to the hunting space.

Running through the forest always gave the molly such a freeing feeling in her chest, immediately alleviating any worries or concerns she may be harbouring in that point of time. Wet leaves brushed past her like they were nothing as she carefully followed in Stormsong's steps, ears firmly pricked for any signs of danger or interference in their patrol. As her patrol mate slowed to a walk, Thistlemask followed suit, heart pounding a little faster in her chest from the run but nothing too extreme.

As she opened her mouth to ask how far away they were from the nest now, the tom began to speak, and she listened in complete silence, both a little shocked at his boldness and struggling to formulate a response. The quiet stretched out for a little too long, the warrior was well aware of this, but stars was she deeply uncomfortable.

"Thank you..?" She said at last, voice uplifting slightly in a confused manner. "For the apology, I mean," Thistlemask threw in hastily, feeling a little bitter being referred to as a rogue, even if it was accompanied by her being called a ThunderClan warrior.

"I would expect you see me as no different. I have been a warrior of ThunderClan for most of my life, and all of yours. This is my home." Her tone was sharp, words concise and slightly snappy due to the intense discomfort and stress the conversation had on her. Nobody was meant to know she was a rogue, and even fewer were ever meant to hear about her involvement in the Forgotten Order's attack on ShadowClan. The knowledge that Stormsong overheard and was aware was enough to make her want to climb up a tree and never return home.

She sighed, shaking her head slightly, stopping completely in her tracks. "Look, if you just wanted to... apologise, or ask questions, or whatever is to come, you could've done this back at camp. So, am I about to keep walking for nothing, or are we actually going to catch something?"

She surprised herself as a growl buried itself deep and quiet in her chest, tail-tip flicking with annoyance and frustration as the tom spoke in a way that she took for belittlement. Thistlemask felt a little embarrassed too, because the tom was right- there wasn't that long in age between them- but remained silent nonetheless as he took off once more. Gritting her teeth and attempting to stifle the rising anger, the calico kept pace, agitation making it hard to move as fluidly as she had moments before.

As he stopped and gestured to where he meant, she snorted, wondering how he intended to make such a jump. Despite this, the warrior did as instructed, rabbit scent hitting her in a thick cloud. "Definitely, maybe even more than that. Looks like they'd struggle to get out of there too-- at least without throwing themselves directly into worse situations."

The agitation felt before faded into amusement, a wry smile making its way onto her face for a brief moment, disappearing as quick as it arrived. "You lead the way, once again, tallest one." Where one might have found humour, Thistlemask's voice was only full of sarcasm, hoping to watch the tom miss the ledge and slip. Not to be seriously hurt; of course, it wasn't a deadly place to reach, but it would be funny for him to experience some level of embarrassment too. The calico sat, curling her tail around her paws, and waited patiently for him to show the path up there.