pleasantries and formalities [c]

The last rays of the sun were just dipping the horizon as Nettleweaver made haste to join the next patrol. His stomach was grumbling and the fresh-kill pile was devoid of his favourites, he needed to restock and help his clan while they were at it, Out the corner of his eye though, he caught Leopardstar making a bee-line towards him. He turned to face her, wondering if he was mistaken and she was after a cat behind him, but there no one behind him and her sharp eyes were practically boring into him. The white tom made an effort to stand up a little taller, he could only guess she had found out about the WindClan incident. He almost grinned, maybe she’d come to apologise, one could hope Lilypaw had sang his prayers- he did save her life after all. Somehow, he doubted that, more than likely he was in trouble for not handling it appropriately… Which also wasn’t the case if Lilypaw had been honest. For once there was no way he could have done anything wrong at all, was he about to get the apology he was owed?

“Leopardstar,” he greeted with a dip of his head. Classy and respectful, despite his own feelings ”I assume you’re here to ask me about what happened with Lilyvalley, the WindClanner and myself?”

“Oh, I’m perfectly unharmed. She did not touch me.” the warrior cut in, a slight smugness to his voice. … But, I thank you for the concern. I wouldn’t wish to waste Heatherberry’s time or the clan’s herbs.” added Nettleweaver as smoothly as he could from his less than calculated response. “We were on patrol, and Lilyvalley broke away from the group. Wanting to avoid trouble, I stayed with the main party until I heard a commotion. When I found Lilyvalley she was at the mercy of the WindClanner, I jumped in and ended the fight, but…” he shifted his paws, it was weird. He wasn’t sure how to explain the she-cat he encountered and just how strange he was, and he was afraid he was about to actually support Lilypaw. Nettleweaver steeled himself for what he was about to do. ”I know the clan has certain opinions of me, namely that I often stretch the truth, but I have never lied, and I’m not going to start today. I don’t know what happened at the start, but this WindClan cat wasn’t right in the head. She didn’t speak to me, she was so disturbed. The only sound she made was the most horrific scream I’ve ever heard, she just kept going and going until she was sick. She vomited up blood so dark it was black, she was basically foaming at the mouth. I made sure she left, I almost felt pity for how upset she was. It probably seems far fetched and even more so when I say Lilyvalley did not witness this part, but I’m sure she heard her caterwauls.” he swallowed, and then hesitated, before speaking again “I think the WindClanner was upset I saved LilyValley’s life, i know me and her don’t get along, but if I hadn’t arrived when I did, I doubt Lilyvalley would have returned with the patrol alive. I don’t like her, but I wouldn’t wish harm on her, no matter what my clanmates think or say.”

A pointed ear ticked at Leopardstar’s choice words. It seemed she still deemed him a liar in part, but there was at least some praise for Nettleweaver hidden in her words, enough so that he would cope with her false beliefs of him for the time being. It was a waiting game, after all. Plus, she hoped to see every warrior behave as he had, approval if ever he heard it. It was her high praise that had him inclined to believe the dappled leader’s anguish was for once not directed at him. “I would have no trouble picking her out, I don’t forget faces.” he mewed “But if i did, i’m sure the permanent damage to her voice would give her away. Is there anything else, Leopardstar?”