as the sky grows further away (open)

OOC: This topic is open for SkyClan cats to join after verychuu and xaandiir post!

Another morning, another dawn patrol. Greenleaf had reached its peak--as had its heat. If it weren't for the sun hiding behind Highstones at night, it would be practically unbearable just to wake up in the morning. As it was, the slight coolness of the breeze eddying off of the river was the only think keeping Perchstar stable as she made her way through the territory. Patrolling by the border of the river was, at least, somewhat easier than just padding through the vast sunbaked territory and searching for land prey. How did the other Clans stand it without water to cool themselves off? The usual dizziness beset the leader, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the gentle sound of the current rolling over smooth pebbles and silt. Once more she glanced behind her at her patrolmates. Two apprentices: one she knew very well, and one she knew very little. Both were likely nearing the completion of their apprenticeships. Her daughter, Willowpaw, was of course a cat that she was always glad to spend more time with. The silver tabby had been quiet so far this morning, but so had Perchstar. Dawn patrols normally called for a lull to fall over the participating cats, listening only to quiet river sounds and distant birdsong from the SkyClan forests across the border. The silence between them, however, was a comfortable one. She was less certain about Bubblepaw. Not because she had any reason to dislike the apprentice; she simply did not know much about her. All she knew was that she was the apprentice of another one of her daughters, Mistwalker, and that she had participated in the apprentice tournament a while back and done fairly well. Perhaps she could get to know her better on this patrol. For now, though, they were getting very close to the point of the border with SkyClan. As usual, Perchstar couldn't help but peer over into the thickly packed trees, some tiny part of her hoping to run into Birdstar.

Perchstar couldn't help but feel a subtle glow of pride when she heard Willowpaw's voice pipe up over the comfortable silence. The leader herself had taken ages to learn how to engage in small-talk, and certainly had not been adequate at it during her apprenticeship. But be it due to a more straightforward personality, better support from her siblings, or kinder surroundings, Willowpaw had blossomed. The query was simple, but a good conversation-starter. Bubblepaw responded enthusiastically in kind. It caused another gentle twinge to her heart when the other apprentice mentioned that Mistwalker was a wonderful mentor. Her daughters were both such amazing cats... she loved them more than anything. They, Tinyshadow, and Wrenpaw were her pride and joy. Joy... what an odd concept. How strange that the idea of happiness had escaped her for so long, and yet she found herself closest to it when she spent time with her kits.

She would have been content to simply continue walking at the head of the patrol, listening to Willowpaw and Bubblepaw exchange pleasant conversation, but it seemed that they were not the only cats patrolling this morning. Just as sunlight filtered through the oak trees on the other side of the riverbend, the shadows of two cats crossed the RiverClan patrol's path. The first was a tom, a warrior that Perchstar did not recognize, save that she might have spotted his face once or twice at Gatherings. He was limping and appeared somewhat injured, yet his greeting was warm and welcoming. Briefly Perchstar considered the irony of the fact that their Clans had been at each others' throats what seemed like mere moons ago. However, she didn't have long to contemplate. The second figure was far more recognizable. It appeared that the cat she always found herself subconsciously wanting to run into across the border had answered her silent summons at last. Birdstar stood on the other end of the river, dipping her head in a familiar gesture.

Perchstar did not smile. It was rare that her face made any expression other than the neutral presence that she had been affecting for so long it had become part of her. However, there was an openness to the way that the leader halted her pace and swept to the side. Her ice-blue eyes seemed less cold than usual as she offered the SkyClan cats a slow blink. "Greetings," she responded, tone straightforward as ever. "Yes, RiverClan fares well. Greenleaf has been good to us. What of SkyClan? And... how are you? I feel that we seldom get to talk, being busy as we are, but it is always good to share your company." Though the words felt sparse compared to the bright way that the other tom had greeted them, they carried a sincerity that spoke volumes. Perchstar had recently realized that she truly did enjoy spending time with Birdstar, though they rarely saw much of each other except at Gatherings. It took a moment to remember that others were there. She glanced down at Willowpaw and Bubblepaw. Some part of her wished to introduce her daughter--likely the same part that had been proud of the conversation earlier. However, she knew that it would be best and politest for them to introduce themselves. She nodded at the two, indicating that they were free to do so.