two worlds [c]

Thymelight had decided to head out to the opposite side of the territory to search for herbs. She didn't want to go anywhere near the Fallen Oak or the river since tensions with ThunderClan and RiverClan were so high, and so she found herself near Highpine on a cool Leaf-bare afternoon. ShadowClan wasn't a Clan that she was too familiar with, but at least they hadn't just fought a war against them... so she supposed that was the bare minimum. The medicine cat couldn't help but curiously glance over toward ShadowClan's marsh from where she stood on SkyClan's territory. She couldn't make out much of the details from where she was, but she had always been interested in the different types of terrains that the Clans lived in. She knew that different types of frogs and toads wandered around ShadowClan's territory and were hunted by them for food, and although she had never tasted a frog, she was sure they had to taste somewhat good for the Clan to rely on them. Thymelight blinked quickly once she realized that she had been distracted. How embarrassing would that be for her if a ShadowClan border patrol stumbled upon her and assumed the worst?

Thymelight blinked in surprise as a greeting reached her ears. She flinched for a moment as she locked eyes with the pelt of a black fox, but stopped once she realized that a cat was underneath. She peered at the garment curiously, but didn't stop to stare for too long. She couldn't quite tell who the ShadowClan cat before her was, although the voice seemed to be vaguely familiar as one that she had heard from a Gathering. A leader, perhaps? She desperately wracked her brain in an attempt to remember the name of the ShadowClan leader. Ah, yes. Leopardstar.

"Oh, greetings. My apologies if I seemed suspicious." Thymelight politely dipped her head as well.
She stared out toward the marsh before once again giving the leader's fox pelt a look. It was scary upon first glance, but she supposed that was exactly what it was supposed to do. "Forgive me for inquiring, but your pelt is beautiful. I've never seen a cat wear anything like that before. Is there a certain purpose for it?"
She silently hoped that she didn't sound like she was searching for private ShadowClan information. It was often difficult for her to tell which Clan customs were a secret and which were fine to be shared with others.

"Stars, where are my manners? My name is Thymelight, by the way."

Thymelight took the warning of the marsh's dangers to heart. Even though she had the ability to travel through territories with no repercussions, she still wasn't a fan of simply strolling onto another Clan's land without asking unless it was an emergency or she was escorting an apprentice to the Moonstone. It was just a matter of courtesy. "I appreciate the warning. I try not to cross borders without permission or probable cause just to avoid any misunderstandings." She explained respectfully.

She listened silently as Leopardstar explained the reasoning behind her pelt. How interesting... now this was a ShadowClan custom that she had no idea existed up until now. She supposed that it was impossible to know everything about the individual cultures of each Clan since her business was supposed to remain in SkyClan alone, but it was impossible to not be curious. "Wow... I'm always so interested when I learn about the other Clan's traditions. Not that my own Clan isn't interesting, Thymelight quickly corrected herself with wide eyes, "but I think learning about new things is important. I suppose other cats would find it to be scary or odd, but I think it's admirable. I haven't faced a predator in combat in moons, thank the stars, but I know that defeating them is no easy feat."

Thymelight's ears flattened against her head as Leopardstar recalled the past. On top of individual cultures and traditions, all of the other Clans also had their own traumas and hardships. She had already known that, but it was different to actually learn about the specifics instead of simply assuming something vague. Would she have been able to act strong in a situation like that? She was just glad to hear that SkyClan had offered up some sort of hospitality to ShadowClan in their time of need, and it made her feel a soft burst of pride for her Clan in the moment. "I'm happy to hear that you were offered shelter. No Clan deserves to be left to fend for themselves alone when disaster strikes.

It made her think of when the Clans traveled together beyond the mountains for the purpose of survival.
"I know that the moons that the Clans spent abroad was nowhere near easy. Between the mysterious sickness and the strange creatures that drove us out, we certainly weren't given a break, but there is strength in numbers. I don't think anyone would have survived if we all would've gone our separate ways instead of making the trip as one." She knew that the attitudes that the Clans had toward each other weren't always the most peaceful, even during the journey, but sometimes difficult things needed to be done in order to live.