Frozenstar sat down, curling his tail around his massive paws, "Out here we hunt what we can find and share it with each other. Rabbits are quite common, though." He nudged it once, "Eat what you like," he stood and slid out to give her some privacy, immediately being bombarded by questions from his warriors, "Enough." he finally said, his deep voice enough to quiet them, "She is simply a loner seeking shelter for the night. That is all you need to know. Back to your business," he growled quietly, causing the cats to scatter. He wanted to offer her a permanent position in the Clan, despite not knowing her too well, but he didn't want to scare her off
She bent her head down to eat. In comparison to him, she was much smaller. But it was clear she was very self-reliant.
The two apprentices he had sent out returned. Frozenstar accepted the materials from them and turned, sliding back into his den. Still leaving her with privacy and trying not to bother her, he slid by her and began to make the nest a few tail lengths away from his, lining it with grasses and feathers from the different birds that nested tint eh rocks on their territory
She licked her upper lip free of rabbit blood, "You're the leader?"
Frozenstar looked up and nodded, "Of StoneClan, yes," he said, "There are four Clans out here, TunnelClan, JungleClan, StoneClan, and MeadowClan," there was a slight twinge of sadness when he mentioned MeadowClan, but he quickly moved on, "Each of them have a leader," he explained, trying to gauge her interest so he could perhaps see if she wanted to join
"And… what do you do? You just hang out?" She asked with a bit of snark.
"We hunt, we patrol, we live our daily lives," He shrugged,
She sighed quietly, "This is very different from the neighborhood,"
Frozenstar nodded, "It is," he agreed, standing, "There. Your nest is finished." he bowed his head, "I'll let you alone,"
She stood up, "Where–" Gladiolas spoke, "Where is water?"
Frozenstar looked at her, "If you like I can take you to the pools. Or I can have an apprentice bring you soaked moss
Frozenstar dipped his head, padding out and into the main camp, leading her out of camp. Instead of jumping down to the ground, he turned and leapt up further on the rocky face, disappearing into the fog. His fur fluffed up and eyes narrowed against the vapor as he continued climbing until the rocks flattened out and there were many small pools on the top formed by the water vapor
"This is a while away," she commented, ears flattened to try and warm them. "Isn't it inconvenient?"
Frozenstar shrugged, "I offered to bring you some back," he said, "It helps us stay strong," he crouched by a pool, lapping some up
Gladiolas watched him for a moment. Her ear flicked, passing a thought along before bending to drink as well.
He sated his dry throat and sat up, washing himself while he waited
Her tail kept very close to her body—signs of an uncomfortable feline. Hopefully with exposure to these strangers she would relax. This was a monumental cultural shift, after all.
Frozenstar looked over, "Ready to head back or do you want to stay here awhile longer?" he asked quietly, noticing her nervousness
"I like the fog." She replied. Basically, she wanted to stay, the cover of the mist rought some reassurance.
Frozenstar nodded understandingly, continuing his wash
Gladiolas's eyes sat forward, staring into the indefinite sheet of white fog.
The tom settled down, yawning silently. He had to admit, this was peacefull
"Tell me more about your clan." She murmured.
Frozenstar looked over, shifting so he was facing her, "Well, it's like a family," he admitted, "No matter who you are you're accepted in the Clan. Even if you can't hunt or fight, there's always a place for you in a Clan," he smiled
Gladiolas flicked her faintly ringed tail. "And… no strings attached..?"
Frozenstar shook his head, "Loyalty to your Clan is the only thing that is expected from you here," he said truthfully
She looked at him with blossom-orange eyes. "This is a strange but pleasant thing you have,"
Frozenstar nodded, his normally sharp amber eyes soft, "It is," he said, then looked at her, "You could be a part of it" he offered quietly
Gladiolas looked forward. Flicked her tail again, let it rest over her paws. "If I accept," she looked back at him, "Can I have a sort of… trial run, to see if I like this sort of life or not?"
