/To Temper the Storm/

[hawK]

A small brown she-cat padded along through the forest. The scents wreathed around her, and she breathed them in. Mouse, bird, squirrel, tree, air, sky, water, other cats. But most of all, hope. Freedom.

Temperance allowed herself another moment of revelry, then compartmentalized away the feelings. Food and shelter were her main concerns now; rationally, one could enjoy feelings after one had maintained survival. Instead of catching something in the forest, Temperance strayed onto the moor, where she scented rabbit. After bringing one down, she settled in the lee of a hill to eat away from the wind.

The same wind brought her scent to another cat, a ginger tom who was hunting alone. This cat immediately bristled at the scent of another. Approaching the intruder, he let out a warning hiss. "What are you doing on WindClan territory?" Redstorm growled. Temperance jerked, not having heard him approach, and whirled to face him with her own hackles raised. She forced herself to relax, thinking that, rationally, any cat could be calmly talked down. "I apologize. I wasn't aware I was on the territory of anyone."

Redstorm shook his head. "There are scent markers. You must have noticed them." He felt strangely compelled by this shecat who didn't seem to be afraid of him. The loner shook her head. "I wasn't looking for anything like that, I am just attempting to survive. I can leave, if you want." Even though her tone was reasonable, something in her manner indicated that she was reluctant to leave the moor.

The WindClan deputy nodded and stepped forward. "Look for the markers this time, and remember where they are. Don't come back." Temperance nodded and padded away in the direction she came. She wasn't good at reading cats, and she didn't fully catch the contradiction in his tone when he spoke the last three words.

[Rainy]

(I was gonna add another cat to the patrol, then i saw hunting alone, lol. I see what's gonna happen here... a bit like silvery and basil, eh?)

[hawK]

(Feel free, someone can come behind him. Yeah, I guess; I've decided Redstorm is enough like Booth to shove them together.)

[Rainy]

(lol okay. i'll make this awkwardness...)
'Who was that, Redstorm? For a moment there, I didn't think you were gonna make her leave," meowed a voice. Briarstar stepped around a gorse bush, and padded up to his deputy. His tone was playful of course, but he looked only the slightest bit curious. "Did you know her or something?"

(Hmmm maybe Silverpaw can confess her secret to redy later... he might understand.)

[hawK]

(I'm sure he would.)

Redstorm flicked his ears at Briarstar's approach. "I don't know her, but she was so calm. Normally when I come at a rogue, bristled and ready for battle, they turn tail and run. She just talked me down; it caught me off guard." His voice was puzzled and confused, and he turned to face his leader. "Don't worry, it won't happen again," he said more resolutely.

[Rainy]

"I'm not worried or anything. She does sound a bit odd, but then again, not all cats are the same. Come down, please, you're acting like I'm accusing you of something," he meowed, looking a bit worried. "I didn't mean it, you know."

[hawK]

Redstorm nodded. "Okay." He was still a bit shaken; he had always been the most fearsome and the strongest out of his litter, and losing his fear-inspiring abilities like this was a bit disconcerting.

[Rainy]

Briarstar looked away. He wasn't sure why the red tom was so upset, and he wasn't sure what to say. "So... how's the fishing business coming for you?"

[hawK]

Redstorm barked a short laugh. "Bluewater has insisted on teaching me, so apparently I'm at the level of a 7 moon old RiverClan apprentice."

[Rainy]

Briarstar purred. "Wow. Well, you're probably better than me. She didn't insist, but I am grateful for the help. My method of self-teaching wasn't going so well... she didn't tell me what level I'm at. How disappointing.."

[hawK]

Redstorm laughed. "My sister's a very mellow cat, but she's blunt and she says it like it is. If she didn't tell you, she probably cares about you enough not to hurt your feelings."

[Rainy]

Briarstar was surprised. "Like me? She barely knows me - I barely know her!' he exclaimed, his neck fur rising a bit.

[hawK]

Redstorm shrugged. "She knows what she wants. I could be wrong, but she's my baby sister. I'd keep an eye out if I were you."

[Rainy]

"An eye out for what?" Briarstar purred. "You make it sound like she's trying to kill me in my sleep, not like me. But I'll trust you, Redstorm. I will take you're advice and... be on guard," he mewed dramatically, green eyes twinkling with amusement.

[hawK]

Redstorm chuckled. "Bluewater is a little strange sometimes. She gets these funny ideas into her head, and once they're in, it's hard to get them out again. I'd be on watch for anything she does."