Intruder At Dawn // OPEN!

[PHARAOH]

Dawn light was just peaking over the horizon as Pharaoh made her way into ShadowClan territory. She didn't know that was where she was, of course - but she had come here to find the Clans, and she was already confident that she was close. For days now she'd been hearing chatter among the other cats she passed that there was a large group of cats in this area - so the young kittypet-turned-loner was sure that any moment now she'd find the Clans her father had told her so much about. Though, to be honest, she wasn't sure what exactly she was expecting to find. All she knew was that she was finally here - though it had taken nearly two moons and she looked worse for wear from her life as a loner. 

At least outwardly, however, that kittypet softness she'd been born into was gone, even in spite of the occasional Twoleg handouts she'd had to survive off of - one good outcome of her thoroughly miserable and half-starved last two moons. Despite how lean she might look, however, she was still a kit and a kittypet in skill - untrained and as of yet truly unready for warrior life. Still, the powerful muscles that had already begun to show beneath her pelt said something, she thought, and she wasn't going to take no for an answer - even if she had to go to every Clan (had her father said there were four? five?) before one would take her.

For once, in spite of her usual calmness, she allowed herself to be taken over by a rush of kit-like wonder as she stared around at the tall pines that stretched upwards all around her. "Wow," she breathed, blinking owlishly as she took in her surroundings. The loner peered up through the pines, trying to see the sky; it was hard to make out through the dense treetops overhead, and her blue eyes grew wider still as she realized just how high up they went. She was learning every day that the world was bigger than she'd ever dreamed - and certainly bigger than her parents had ever told her - but never before had she seen trees like this.

Then a scent abruptly hit her nostrils as the wind changed direction, and Pharaoh jumped, whipping her head around to try and find the cat the scent belonged to. It was definitely cat scent - she knew that much - but she wasn't skilled enough to make out much else, especially since so much of her life had been spent in or around the Twolegplace, where scents were always so muddled. She knew one thing, though - if what her father had told her was right, then these cats might not be so happy to find an intruder in their territory.

Thinking quickly, the little she-cat forced her fur to lie flat and sank down onto her haunches. If she was to be discovered, she wanted to look as unassuming as possible, and she couldn't think of any better way than to simply sit down and wait for whoever was coming to approach - even if she did feel rather silly in doing so.

[✗ Featherpaw ✗]

Once again, the medicine cat apprentice was out scouting for whatever she could find. Herbs were very rare at this time of season, meaning she had to get them faster than usual. That was more so due to the cold weather and how fast it was approaching this year. She hadn't been able to start prepping early, and now, well, it felt almost too late. Still, she had to do what she could - her purpose was to help the clan in ways that warriors couldn't and finding herbs, well that was a start. Her bright green eyes skimmed through the unusually dark forest. She had been used to the darkness that her home clan held as their territory, but in the winter, with the sun mostly hidden behind snow-clouds, it got much darker, even with the trees losing their leaves. She had grown used to it over the moons, but this was her first real time seeing so much snow on the ground, making it much darker. Still, she had to be brave. She had to do what she could for the Clan.

Right now, most of her work was done and she was heading back to camp. In her mouth, she held carefully some tansy, poppy seeds, and juniper berries. They had been hard to find and had taken her almost all day, but she had found them and hopefully her mentor would be proud of her. As the wind picked up and blew her way, she stopped abruptly, her tail bobbing as though to warn cats behind her of danger - even though there were no cats, it was still a natural thing to do. It was hard to scent over her herbs, but because she was a medicine cat, her nose had to be strong anyway. She had caught a whiff of another cat somewhere on the territory. By the scent - she was a female, like Featherpaw. Feeling the need to approach rather than let the cat move further into the land toward the camp, she turned in the direction, her head and tail held high to take authority from the stranger that wandered her lands.

It wasn't long with her fast steps that she finally caught sight of the other cat. She was careful to stay in the shadows of the trees, knowing her scent would easily be masked by all the herbs she carried as well as her natural, sweet scent from being in the medicine cat den all the time. It was fitting, always being a ghost among the other clan cats. She could have made an awesome hunter, but her passion laid with healing, not killing. For a few moments, she studied the intruder. The other cat seemed startled, obviously smelling the gray and white apprentice from where she was. But, instead of running away, the cat hid her nervousness and sat back on her haunches, waiting, watching. The medicine apprentice cocked her head, still studying the stranger. She was a brown tabby, holding more colors than the most cats that Featherpaw had seen, though they shared the same striking green eyes and were around the same size and age. There was no way this cat could be any older than the medicine apprentice. So, why had she come so far into Shadowclan land?

The apprentice put down her herbs, scratching some muddy snow to hide them from scavengers and then puffed up her fur to make herself bigger. By the scent of the intruder, she was somewhere between a kittypet and a loner, nothing compared to the apprentice. Even though she was a medicine cat, they were all required to know basic battle moves, for this cat, she could assume she had none. Her tail raised erect behind her, swishing threateningly. It wasn't normal for the gray cat to be dominant, but she made this territory home, and this loner/kittypet, whatever she was, was trespassing and maybe even stealing prey. She felt her fur bristle with actual rage and her lips curled along her muzzle. Without hesitation, she flew forward, hissing and growling, moving full speed at the brown tabby. She unsheathed her claws and leaped from about two tail lengths away, aiming to knock the tabby over and place an unsheathed paw on her throat, pressing down to keep her under control. If she was successful, her the next part was hostile and threatening, her sickly sweet scent of herbs surrounding the two of them.

"You are trespassing on Shadowclan territory! Give me one could reason I shouldn't rip your throat out and leave your body for the crows!!"

Her voice was strong, her sweet accent gone. And this was exactly why she was a Shadowclan cat. Able to snap from sweet to hostile in less than three seconds flat.

Tags: PHARAOH
Notes: Who knew little Feather could be so scary??

[PHARAOH]

Pharaoh blinked with mild shock as she spotted the gray-and-white tabby hurtling toward her - though the other cat didn't look to be very much bigger than her, probably not much older. The loner's first instinct was to dodge or to fight back - she'd always been the one who played the roughest among her littermates, and she had often had a problem with keeping her claws sheathed - but she forced herself to stay still, tensing her muscles in order to fight the urge to do something rather than just stand there.

She had no time to even draw in a breath before the other she-cat had knocked her to the ground; Pharaoh spluttered, the wind knocked out of her, and squinted blue eyes up at the other tabby as she held a paw to her throat. "You are trespassing on ShadowClan territory!" came the furious hiss from the stranger, and Pharaoh flicked an ear, feeling a rush of satisfaction despite her current predicament at the confirmation that she had indeed found the Clans. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't rip your throat out and leave your body for the crows!"

Allowing her eyes to widen a bit from the narrow slivers they had been, Pharaoh raised her chin slightly as she blinked up at the other cat. She wasn't sure how much of an effect it might have, considering she was pinned down - but she wanted her to know that she wasn't afraid. At the same time, she wasn't attempting in any way to appear hostile (though she was fighting annoyance at the pain she'd been caused by the Clan cat so far); she wanted to do her best to remain respectful, so that she might be permitted to at least speak her case.

"I'm here because I want to join your Clan," Pharaoh told the other cat, her voice beginning as a rasp because of her breathlessness but growing stronger as she spoke. "Please take me to your leader." The kit was doing all she could to sound more mature than she truly was - though her voice was high-pitched and betrayed her young age, despite its steadiness and lack of fear.


TAGS: ✗ Featherpaw ✗ FROZENSTAR

[✗ Featherpaw ✗]

The medicine cat apprentice stood her ground, not budging and giving in to her sympathy as the kits eyes widened underneath her. Even though she was of the same age, if not, close enough, the gray healer was thicker toned. It was mainly because she active, strong, and nothing but pure muscle - minus the fact they all were so skinny at this point in time. However, the tabby seemed calm under the clan cat's grip, though her eyes were sparked with surprise. Even after her threat, the growl continued in her throat, green eyes hostile and angry. She was a medicine cat, she chose to heal, but nothing angered her more than a broken code - and this kit was breaking it right now. I'm here because I want to join your Clan. The gray cat couldn't help it, she stumbled a bit and laughed. An actual, whole heart laugh. But, she caught herself, pushing her weight back onto the other she cat and allowing her claws to pinch tabby's throat. Please, take me to your leader. Again, the clan cat scoffed. "You think you can just prance into our land and plead Take me to your leader and you are now a member? Sorry, sweetie that's not how it works. Clan cats are clan born." There was a strong hatred in her voice. An obvious statement that she did not run well with kittypets and loners. She pressed forward, allowing her claws to sink deeper into the cat's neck. "Okay, kitty, i'll make you a deal." She purred, oh too sweetly.

It wasn't like Featherpaw to be so hostile. She was the sweetest tempered cat in Shadowclan, but kittypets held no place in the forest and this kit stank of it, even if it was faded. The apprentice lifted herself from the kit, backing off and allowing her to rise to her paws. She sank back onto her hind paws, her fur fluffed up like a porcupine, white teeth bared. "Knock me down." She hissed, her voice still laced with that hatred. "Take me down, it's fair, I will bring you to my camp. However, if I get you down first, you leave this territory and never look back." The gray cats tongue ran over her teeth as she growled lowly, her tail lashing angrily behind her. And then, she waited. This was the tabby's chance to prove herself. Shadowclan didn't just take up any cat that washed up on it's territory. No, if this she cat really wanted a space in the clan, she would fight for it. If she wanted to lick clan cat paws, she could go over to Thunderclan. The clan built on peace and kindness. In truth, that clan was nothing but a group built on drained clan blood as well as full on kittypets and loners. Shadowclan was strong and pure, no cat go through their walls without strength. This cat's first good move was the lack of fear and a steady voice. It gave Featherpaw the need to give her a chance rather than chase her off. It was the tabby's decision if she wanted to take it.

Tags: PHARAOH

[PHARAOH]

Pharaoh stared at the gray-and-white cat for a moment, tilting her head as she seemed to consider the offer she had made. Her throat stung where the stranger had pierced, and her shoulders ached, but she was steady on her feet, flicking an ear as if in acknowledgment of the words. Then she spoke - a simple "Okay." Her voice was still even, though not at all hostile, just calm, with perhaps a hint of curiosity. The little cat wouldn't back down now - she'd come this far, and her mind was made up. There was no way she'd go running back to her father after she'd come this far - and especially not when she'd done exactly what he'd told her not to do. 

This was it - no more deliberation. The tabby steeled herself; then, in one instant, she tensed her muscles and prepared herself to spring - then launched herself forward at the gray-and-white cat with all of her strength, claws unsheathing as she stretched them to try and bowl her over at the shoulders. Pharaoh had never had any training besides what her father had taught her and her littermates as kits, and she was still small, barely six moons - but if she had anything, it was determination, and she was determined to see this through. Every muscle in her body screamed as she forced herself to put more power into her leap than she likely had ever been used to before; she was entirely focused on what she wanted now, and what she wanted was to win. If she succeeded in knocking the other cat down, she would herself stumble and roll a few tail-lengths away; after all, untrained, she would be relying completely on her strength, and would likely lose her footing soon after if she was successful in her attack. She would try and get back on her paws as soon as possible after, though likely a little clumsily because of the fall.

[✗ Featherpaw ✗]

The small tabby was determined and it drew out quite a bit of respect from the apprentice. If the cat had spunk, maybe she was worth it to at least let Frozenstar look her over. But, Featherpaw wasn't that quick and ready to give up. Her nose twitched and before she could take a breath, the tabby was on her. Small, but powerful paws pushed on her shoulders and caused her front legs to buckle. She fell forward, getting a mouthful of dirt before she jumped back up, not letting the tabby get a quick jump on her. However, she was surprised to see the tabby stumble and fall onto the ground. She allowed the tabby to get to her paws, but before she could make another move, the apprentice was on her. Sharp teeth aimed for the small cats hind legs, and if she managed to grab it, she snapped it up. Not enough to break the leg, but enough to rip the other she cat from the ground, then releasing and dropping her. If she was down, Featherpaw lashed her unsheathed claws against the smaller cats shoulder, not stopping until she felt the warm gust of blood. Then, she simply held the smaller cat down, waiting for a surrender or a way for the cat to get herself out.

However, if she had missed, she paced away a bit and out of the reach of the tabby and waited. She would then let the kit come and get her. it wasn't as hard as she had expected, the cat was smaller, younger. She could tell now by the way her body was fragile and could break between her teeth. If the tabby came at her again, she would bounce a step back and aim her teeth at the little cat's neck, ready to snap her teeth around it and put her in a tight hold, only drawing a little bit of blood, but enough to stop the cat from getting away from her.

Note: Short, sorry ;-;
Tag: PHARAOH

[PHARAOH]

The little tabby bit back a yowl of surprise as she was attacked again; paws ripped out from under her, she crashed to the ground, but before she could even have a chance to catch her breath, the other she-cat's claws were at her shoulder, and Pharaoh felt warm blood on her fur. Though she fought not to cry out, not wanting to show weakness to this cat, she let out an angry hiss as she thrashed her paws from where she was pinned beneath the other cat. "That's not fair!" she snarled, sounding calm no longer, though her voice was still shrill and kit-like, despite the rage held within it. "You said if I knocked you down you'd take me to see your leader!"

Furiously, she flailed her paws harder, attempting to batter the stranger with them for a moment before switching tactics and twisting around, trying to reach one forepaw to rake her claws at the gray-and-white tabby's belly fur. She was hoping that the attack to the sensitive area would break the stranger's concentration, if only for a moment, and if she succeeded in twisting to claw her she would then put all her strength into surging upwards, attempting to unbalance the Clan cat and get free, where she would promptly stand and take a defensive stance. Even if she failed to claw the other cat, she would not give up on her thrashing and flailing; Pharaoh was not going to simply lay down and take this sort of abuse, nor would she surrender for any reason. 

Either way, the little tabby would have something left to say, words now dripping with venom - "I thought Clan cats were supposed to have honor!" She was still furious that the other cat had attacked her again, though also somewhat at herself for perhaps misunderstanding the challenge.

[✗ Featherpaw ✗]

She had managed on her first attack, the smaller cat was easy to push around. However, she then decided to throw a hissy fit, screaming at Featherpaw for not keeping her word. She planned to keep her word, once she had the tabby confined. If she brought her back to the camp without a scratch on her, she would look weak and honor-less, yet, she didn't expect the loner to understand that. Her ears flattened as the tabby began to throw herself around like a kit having a tantrum - though she still was a kit, hardly old enough to be an apprentice. The wound on her shoulder was nothing more than a flesh wound, a bit of cob-webs and comfrey would have it better in no time at all. However, she was about to let herself off the kit when the sneaky little witch latched a claw into her stomach and tore. The gray apprentice hissed loudly, spit flying to the front of her mouth. She instantly flew back and through herself to the ground, trapping the tabby's paw underneath her. But, before she could rip it out, Featherpaw aimed a sharp bite at the other cats upper paw. Allowing her teeth to sink into the soft pawpad, against the claws.

If she was successful, she muttered sternly. "Are you going to stop whining like a little rat and let me explain? Or are you going to try and take a chunk out of my stomach again, little bird." She snarled, her voice muttered by the paw in her mouth. If she missed the paw, she simply kept trying to knock the kit off balance to pin her again, get her confined enough to get the same sentence out. She was a healer, she didn't want  to hurt the kit, but she needed to prove that Shadowclan wasn't going to take just any cat. Either way, the tabby had shown courage, bravery, determination, and chose to not let Featherpaw's delay go unquestioned. It was a warrior-like thing to do, and if she would just calm down enough to let the gray apprentice speak, she would bring up the talk about Frozenstar once again. And, it would probably be a good idea to exchange their names as well... 

Tag: PHARAOH

[FROZENSTAR]

The Shadowclan leader was up late today, having slept in after being out late on a patrol the night before. Sunlight was just starting to pour out onto the forest, it looked like a promising day today. Maybe Frozenstar would have some luck, in finding some prey for her clan. Leaf-bare was particularly brutal this time around, and the she-cat was getting worried about what her clan would have to do. She felt like a failure of a leader, her clan was starving, weak, and there was a constant threat of Riverclan hanging over all the clans. All day, the leader would be out hunting and patrolling, desperate to get her clan on the route to getting strong again, no matter how tired she was. A small cloud of guilt hung over her, from sleeping in a bit today. Unacceptable behavior from a leader.

Despite the dawn light already, the forest was still. No birds chirped, and there was no scuffling in the bushes, The flame-pointed cat opened her mouth, to scent for any food nearby. Nothing, except the scent of another cat, one she could distinctively tell was Featherpaw, the medicine cat apprentice. The medicine cat and their apprentice always had a bit of a distinct scent to them, due to sleeping in a den full of herbs. Frozenstar was about to move along, when she caught a whiff of another cat's scent. It wasn't the scent of any other clan, most likely a rogue or loner. 'What are they doing hunting on my land?' The leader narrowed her eyes, her striking white fur standing on edge, This cat would pay, food was too scarce to let some low-life come onto Shadowclan land, and get away with their life. 

"I thought Clan cats were supposed to have honor!" A young voice rang through the trees, in a spiteful tone. That must be the rogue. The cat couldn't have been too old, and it sounded like another cat already found her. Frozenstar got low to the ground, and starting creeping towards the cats, very careful to make sure she stayed downwind from the two young cats, so she was not detected. She crept quickly and quietly, until they were in sight, Featherpaw had the cat pinned to the ground, a young cat, who was rather thin. No sympathy came from Frozenstar. All cats were hungry, no excuse for this young cat to wander onto her territory. She watched as Featherpaw proceeded to bite the young cat's paw, and a flash of approval went through the leader. Even the clan's medicine cat's apprentices were trained to be formidable in combat. "Are you going to stop whining like a little rat and let me explain? Or are you going to try and take a chunk out of my stomach again, little bird." Featherpaw muttered to the young cat. Now it was time for her to step in.

"What would you like to explain, Featherpaw?" Frozenstar padded calmly out of the bushes, her head held high, a cold glare in her eyes. Despite her slender figure, the leader stood with an air of confidence and grace, as a proper leader should. As well as strength, even though her frame was thin with the harsh toll leaf-bare had taken on the clan, her muscles seemed bigger than ever, still visible despite being relaxed under her white fur. The leader's light blue eyes left the medicine cat apprentice, and looked down at the young cat beneath her. "Both of you two, get up right now, and tell me what is going on here." Frozenstar glared at the two cats, her voice cold and unforgiving, This was not to be tolerated.

[PHARAOH]

Pinned and with sharp teeth now sunk into her paw, the little tabby loner hissed under her breath, though more from pain than from anger now. Her brief satisfaction at having landed a successful blow to the stranger's stomach was gone now; clearly she had not helped her case at all in doing so, and the gray-and-white cat only looked more annoyed. "Are you going to stop whining like a little rat and let me explain? Or are you going to try and take a chunk out of my stomach again, little bird." For once, Pharaoh, though normally very stubborn, complied, and fell silent under the other cat, as if giving her a chance to 'explain' as she said; the kit gave a light exhale, somewhat akin to a sigh, but still did not speak. 

Then another, unfamiliar voice was speaking too -- "What would you like to explain, Featherpaw?" Pharaoh blinked, shifting her gaze in the direction of the words, and staring, some unreadable emotion upon her face. The other cat, though slender from what Pharaoh could only assume was lack of food, stood tall and confident, almost authoritative - looking at her, and sensing the commanding air she had about her, the tabby loner could not help but wonder if this cat might be a Clan leader. "Both of you two, get up right now, and tell me what is going on here." The older she-cat had spoken again, and this time Pharaoh did more than just stare; now she glanced at Featherpaw for a moment, seeming almost - almost -  uncertain despite how much this was unlike her. Then the little cat moved as if to yank her paw away and herself away from the other young she-cat, and stand to face the newcomer. 

If she were to succeed - or even if she were to be allowed to stand by way of being released - Pharaoh would stand and turn to the older cat, then raise her chin almost as if in defiance as she met her gaze, refusing to show fear or doubt despite knowing that she did have to show some amount of respect. Though she would stand tall - or as tall as she could manage - and, if she were feeling fear, reveal none of this on her face - she would force her fur to lie flat again, and keep her tail down, not wanting to outright challenge this stranger who she only assumed was someone of some high position. Either way, even if she had not managed to stand up, she would try and appear this way - brave, fearless, but not hostile - and the little loner would speak; "I'm here because I want to join your Clan. I traveled for two moons to find you; my father was a Clan cat, too." Though her words were mature, her somewhat shrill voice still betrayed her age; "You don't have to consider it if you don't want to. But I'm strong, even though I'm little. I could be..." Pharaoh paused briefly, searching hurriedly for a word she couldn't quite remember - "... an asset. And I promise I'll hunt and fight as well as any other cat - better than any other cat, one day, maybe." She didn't have to add that this would definitely require training; despite her build being likely meant for great power, stamina, and speed, the little she-cat had lived most of her life either as a soft kittypet or a starved loner; she had no real training of any sort as of yet, and without the chance to learn, it would likely take a very long time before she could ever dream of matching up with a Clan warrior. Still, she could be strong, if only she was given the chance - she was confident of that. The little she-cat refused to do anything but believe in herself fully, even if it might have seemed ridiculous.

Satisfied at having spoken her piece, the tabby flicked her ears and fell silent, awaiting a response.

[✗ Featherpaw ✗]

To the apprentice's amazement, the tabby below her had actually fallen silent, as though she was considered the clan cats offer. Gently, and with a lot of hesitation as well as caution, she allowed the tabby to have her paw back, her own tongue running over her lips to clear off the nasty tang of cat blood. she could never stand it all that well, at least, not in her mouth. Seeing it didn't bother her, but tasting it... Yuck! She had been trying to find the words to speak when suddenly, she felt a strong ripple race up her spine. What would you like to explain, featherpaw? Frozenstar's voice filled her ears and her green eyes widened. But, suddenly she caught herself, she had done nothing wrong, she was protecting her borders and the warrior code strictly said 'challenge all trespassing cats' and that is what she had done.

Tail still lashing, she forced herself to take a deep breath, her sides shaking from the adrenaline. Now, she turned to her white leader, eyes down on the ground in submission as she lowered her head - a silent apology. "I was out looking for herbs - which are right over by that bush," she stated as if to prove her point. "and then I saw her, she was just sitting there, as though she was waiting for me or something. I challenged her - just like the code says. She wanted to join the clan, but we can hardly feed ourselves!" Featherpaw meowed, her voice almost a wail. "And plus, we are stronger than that. We don't need to take loners into our ranks to be strong, we already are. But, I told her that if she could beat me in a battle and prove her worth, I would take her to discuss things with the leader." Her ears flicked and she dipped her head. "I"m sorry, I should have came and got you, but I didn't want to show a loner where our camp was. It is a risk I wasn't willing to take." Her head was low and she said nothing, only allowing her ears to twitch as the other cat spoke up.

Now, she sat there, looking down at her leaders paws. She had been trying to do the right thing and now her 'honour'  as the loner had put it, was gone.

Tags: FROZENSTAR PHARAOH

[FROZENSTAR]

The leader stood quiet, listening as Featherpaw spoke up, her eyes narrowing as she thought about what the young she-cat said. The medicine cat apprentice did well, and truly was a great asset to their clan. Even though Frozentar didn't pay much attention to the young cat around camp - she usually let the medicine cat and their apprentice do their own thing - the young apprentice had many traits the leader admired in a young cat. "I"m sorry, I should have came and got you, but I didn't want to show a loner where our camp was. It is a risk I wasn't willing to take."  Featherpaw finished, her head low. Frozenstar softened her gaze, and was about to speak to the young cat, when she heard the intruder start to talk

As the young cat talked, Frozenstar was appalled by the words coming from her mouth. Joining Shadowclan? What kind of cat thought they could walk into her territory, and just be taken into their clan, no questions asked. That was just not how it happened. She let out a small exhale of air, as the rogue said she would be an asset to the clan, an exhale that could almost be interpreted as a laugh. It was difficult to see how this little cat, who looked like skin and bones at this point, could be an asset. Especially since they couldn't just give away their fresh-kill to random cats. 

Gracefully, the leader stood up, and walked over to the two she-cats, almost looking down on them. She turned to Featherpaw, and gave a small smile, although her gaze remained cold. "It's okay Featherpaw, I'm proud of you." The Shadowclan cat meowed softly, nodding her head to the medicine cat apprentice. "Now for you, what makes you think you can join our clan, when we barely have enough food to feed our elders and kits? We are going hungry, with the constant fear of battle over our heads. Cats like you, hold the clan back. It's cats like you that get killed their first battle, if they even survive a leaf-bare full of hunger and disease. The clan blood in you, doesn't mean a thing if you grew up in a spoiled life, without a worry." 

Finally Frozenstar stopped, and took a step back, a little ashamed at the harshness of her tone. It's almost as if, all her fears and worries about her clan surviving this leaf-bare, just spilled out of her mouth while talking to this little rogue. Although she did not tolerate cats on her clan, she might have been too harsh, considering the cat was young enough, she probably couldn't hurt a mouse. However, Riverclan had started taking in loners and rogues, to increase their numbers. It was not something any of the other clans liked, and they looked down on Riverclan a bit for doing it. At the end of the day though, they were the strongest clan out of the four, and Frozenstar lived in the constant fear of a Riverclan invasion. The Shadowclan leader was prideful, but she couldn't even deny the clan's strength. Maybe adding non-clan cats to their ranks, despite the lack of fresh-kill, was just the thing they needed to ensure their strength in holding off the stronger clan?

[PHARAOH]

The little tabby was aware that her words hadn't seemed to have gone over quite as well as she might have hoped; the leader cat seemed almost to scoff at the idea of the little loner joining the Clan, much to Pharaoh's chagrin. She listened with a frown as the leader answered her, her gaze and voice harsh - "Now for you, what makes you think you can join our clan, when we barely have enough food to feed our elders and kits? We are going hungry, with the constant fear of battle over our heads. Cats like you hold the clan back." Pharaoh felt her lip curl, feeling the blow to her pride, but she bit back a protest. It's cats like you that get killed their first battle, if they even survive a leaf-bare full of hunger and disease. The clan blood in you doesn't mean a thing if you grew up in a spoiled life, without a worry."

There was a brief silence; the leader took a small step back, and Pharaoh tilted her head as she blinked up at her, guessing that she had finished with her answer. She had spoken of death and of battles, but the former kittypet found she didn't really care - she wasn't afraid, and she had come here because she wanted to fight, not live the soft life of her kin. Her unwavering gaze never left the Clan leader's as Pharaoh deigned her with a reply in return - "I didn't grow up spoiled," she told her, unable to hold back the urge to defend what might have been left of her 'honor', no matter how immature it might be to want to do so. "I mean - I did, but I left. I've been on my own for moons, and I'm still here." Not exactly for the better, of course - even Pharaoh had to admit that she was half-starved, and she hadn't really learned much living on her own with no one to teach her - but what little she had managed to catch had filled her with pride, and she had always been able to find enough kittypet handouts to at least sustain her until the next time she made a successful catch. Either way, she had survived - and surely the leader could see that as a plus? She was an asset. She had to be... or her whole escapade had been entirely pointless. No, Pharaoh refused to consider that, and with a near-inaudible huff she pushed the thought completely from her mind, choosing instead to focus on one last attempt to win the strange cats over.

After a moment, the loner seemed to have found the words, and she flicked her tail before sitting back on her haunches to speak them - though she still did not lower her chin or her tail from their proud, high stance. "There are more Clans, aren't there?" she mewed slowly, taking her sweet time in each word, as if carefully considering each one. "If you turn me away now, nothing would stop me from joining one of them instead." As she spoke, her eyes narrowed a sliver, an almost sly expression in her sharp blue gaze; it was apparent that Pharaoh knew entirely what she implying, and that this implication was not wholly unintentional. If you turn me away, I'll make another Clan stronger instead of yours, she thought, and this was the message she wanted to convey - but she did not dare speak the words out loud. As it were, she was confident that the Clan leader would realize the same thing even without her needing to come right out and say it - she could remain subtle, retain an aura of politeness despite her attempts to manipulate the leader into accepting her in. 

And what she spoke was likely true - from her father's tales of the Clans, she knew of a Clan renown for taking in the lost and down on their luck (maybe LightningClan - she couldnt remember), and she was certain she could probably make it there and weasel her way into their ranks instead if this cat insisted that she leave. But the little tabby had no desire to leave at all - as much as she felt indignant at being so harshly treated, especially by the other cat her age, she was, on the whole, impressed by these cats, almost, in some strange way. After all, what honor would a Clan have that would accept in a stranger so easily? These cats seemed proud, and above all, as a cat of immense pride and stubbornness herself, Pharaoh could respect that. And it was because of that pride and stubbornness that she still refused to leave; she wanted to let her words sink in, perhaps see if the leader might yet change her mind. She was not going to be driven out until she had exhausted all possible attempts at winning these cats over.

[ashstrike]

"She is not without her fire... Or her cunning. That is the voice of someone with more experience and wisdom beyond their years. Rough... Misplaced perhaps, but that understanding is fascinating within its own right."

Mused a smooth, deeper voice that could only belong to a tom. It rasped with a clear, dignified note as a shadow left the shade of the underbrush, brought there by the sounds of fighting and then exchanged words. When he came from the murky depths of the pine forest, it was like he was melting from them... The only thing clearly perceived being a set of clear, blue eyes the color of chipped ice. He was of a bigger build than any of the cats present here. Even with his thin, hungrier frame, he still had the gait and confidence that belied the true strength he had with each paw step. Strong, stringy muscle would ripple beneath a clean, ash-gray pelt. He had thicker shoulders, and they rolled as he stalked forward with a much more relaxed walk than the others who first addressed the stranger. His notched ears would scan around, ensuring there was indeed no trouble waiting for them beyond the border or around. His eyes likewise would give a quick look around before they would settle on the trio present in the area... Eventually stopping next to his younger leader as he gives a dip of respect... Gaze trailing over Featherpaw with a furrowed brow before finally settling on Pharaoh.

He would not say anything... A good few seconds of dead silence from the tom as his icy gaze bore into Pharaohs' own, sizing her up. His expression revealed little in turn, looking more chiseled and serious before he finally breaks the silence with his smooth voice again.

"This is no kittypet." He concluded. "No kittypet would look that starved. In the very least, she is not spoiled. I would say she has endured at least a couple moons surviving out here. Alone... I would guess." He would blink his icy eyes as he studies the young, female cat as if confirming that theory by her expression and reactions alone. Ashstrike would settle down, his long tail wrapping around his paws as he sits in a more comfortable position, expression ponderous.

Silence would settle for a moment longer before Ashstrike would turn his head to Frozenstar and simply state, "She did not ask for a handout. Nor did she approach with wide-eyed enthusiasm. She sought a clan and waited on their border... Our border. that deserves attention I think."

Finally, Ashstrike would actually directly address the cat he spoke of. "What is your name? And the name of your father and the clan he came from?" He asked gruffly, but not aggressively.

[FROZENSTAR]

Frozenstar narrowed her eyes as the loner continued to talk. Threats did not impress her. Her stubbornness, on the other hand, had a bit of effect on the leader. Showed some sort of determination, something that was to be admired. However, another clan wouldn't even entertain the fact of letting her in, except Riverclan. Thunderclan was ravaged by sickness, a smaller cat wouldn't last a moon there. Windclan was starving even faster then Shadowclan, and with a lack of shelter, the cold was killing them off too. And in all honesty, she wasn't even sure if Riverclan would let a smaller cat in. As far as loners and rogues were, there was a lot of bigger and stronger cats from which Riverclan could choose. They might laugh in the face of a smaller cat like the one before her. However, none of these thoughts were voiced, with a cat coming up behind her and cutting her off before she had a chance to speak.

Ashstrike walked in unannounced, and Frozenstar flicked her ears back as the tom talked. He talked as if he was leader and it was him that they should listen to. She did not return the typical head nod of respect; instead, she took a deep breath as to not get angry. Respect from her clan-mates was something hard for her to come by, being a young leader and not of much experience, so any cat talking over her generally peeved her. "Greetings Ashstrike, however, I believe you have no business here. This cat has been trespassing on our territories, past our borders, and I have it completely under control. This is not a decision that concerns you." Frozenstar meowed with authority, struggling to keep her fur laying flat against her back. If she was to make a decision about letting a loner into the clan, it would be her decision, and her decision alone. No warrior was going to boss her around, especially one who was just as young as she was. Even more, trying to undermine her authority in front of a loner was just disrespectful.