keep your business to yourself [C]

Hollowgrove… had she ever done anything to earn Silverhawk’s attention? He didn’t think so. She’d passed like a shadow through the peripherals of his life, and he’d paid her birth and growth no mind. She was of little import to him. Now especially, he cared little for meeting her. To undertake this patrol proved to be a difficult task. His thoughts warred between taking the opportunity this presented to him, putting on his best face to charm and impress, and… simply not caring to. There was no point to it anymore. His adolescent convincement that the entirety of the Clan hated him had returned with force. All his efforts of charm had done him no good before; had lead him only back into the depths of despair. At least now he had Hawkmist and Bubblebeam, but even then--who was to say they wouldn’t turn on him, too? Everyone would, one day.

Silverhawk squeezed his eyes tight. He sighed low from his chest, raised his head, and slowly let his eyes open again to the sound of approaching pawsteps. The tall, dark-pelted warrior he’d been waiting for. Silverhawk got quickly to his paws. He did not bow his head in greeting as Hollowgrove approached; all he offered was a curt flick of his tail. ”Finally,” he muttered to himself before tossing his head. ”If you’re finally ready, we can go.” Though he phrased it as an option, Silverhawk did not wait for her assent before disappearing out of camp. He was ready to have this charade over with.