nine lives [C]

Birdstar

It took a while for the newly-named leader to properly exit the cavern once she awoke. Birdstar had gotten to her paws, wandered partway through the tunnel, but she found herself pausing in the dark space just to relax. Her mind and her heart spun with the emotions of her ceremony, and her body protested against moving so much yet, muscles still stiff from laying oddly– or rigor mortis. But however groggily, she crawled out of Mothermouth, greeted with the chill bite of a cold breeze. The sky was dark, but the stars were starting to fade, pink just starting to bloom on the horizon. She had been at the Moonstone for the full night. If only it had actually been restful– walking back to Fourtrees sounded like a drag now, and repeating the day prior was not in her interests. So, she would wait a little while at Highstones, until she felt fully awake and prepared to go.

Or... that would be easy, if two other Clans didn't scatter the rocks on either side of her. Birdstar looked between each of the separate groups, ears lowering as she realized how out of place she felt. It didn't help that she couldn't remember acknowledging, or even really seeing, either of the Clans when she arrived at Highstones. As her gaze swept over Highstones, her attention fell on Nightstar, not far from her. She didn't know him well, but Birdstar at least assumed their Clans were on good terms, and she did not see Shrikestar about anywhere. Gingerly, she padded over, clearing her throat softly to get the tom's attention. Her voice was raspy, but not harsh, when she spoke, "Good morning, Nightstar. Would it be... intruding on ShadowClan, at all, if I spent part of the morning here?" It felt a bit silly to ask. It'd be quite the stance if Nightstar drove her out of Highstones for 'intrusion,' but Birdstar doubted he would. It was just good to be courteous, wasn't it.