1x1 with Alpha*

[SilentMelody]

Foxmoon watches as her mate pushes the limp bodies of the kits away. She was expecting his anger, but she relaxes at his soft and loving tone, tears filling her eyes again. She curls over the two brothers, holding them close for her mate to see. "You're right. We have two sons now, dear! We will care for them and love them. And I love you," Foxmoon murmurs softly, her eyes beginning to drift shut at the soothing motions of Barestar's tongue grooming her pelt.

***

Ebonysong had slept fitfully through the night, but he had been ordered to rest and would continue to do so. At the very least, he listens to the announcement from Barestar. He can't help but feel a sickness rising inside of him at the mention of the dead kits being unworthy of the clan.

But the current kits are given the names Cliffkit and Ledgekit, perhaps suitable for being the sons of the leader. Ebonysong wonders how the brothers are fairing compared to the kits that passed... and he wonders what happened to the bodies of the sisters.

When the announcements are over, Barestar returns to the nursery to be with Foxmoon and his two new kits. Ebonysong doesn't have to search for Mossblossom -- she quickly escapes from the den, but not without a withering look from Barestar. The black tom shudders and makes his way to her, his tail high in the air.

His paws sink into the slightly melting snow, and he scrambles to find balance. Ebonysong's ears grow hot, and he clears his throat before greeting quietly, "Good morning, Mossblossom. How did you sleep?"

---

Pebbleriver slept in longer than she expected to. Granted, she had been shivering occasionally, but she found a sudden warmth while she was sleeping and it comforted her. After Foxmoon's birth, she was more exhausted than she realized and slept through the whole night, including the morning announcements. When she sits up, she sees that the loner had dragged his nest beside hers.

Her green eyes meet his dazzling blue ones and for a moment, she's dumbfounded. Pebbleriver is almost like a statue, absolutely still as she stares at him. Did this mean she had touched him in his sleep? Would he be angry with her? Or was he still just a bit confused and dazed?

She ventures to ask, "Do you know where you are? Do you remember what has happened?"

[Alpha*]

Tired eyes turn on the bright eyed warrior; "I slept alright. " She tells him, wishing she could not have front paws for that moment. They ache. "How did you sleep, EbonySong?" Is questioned politely, eyeing a thin mouse on the kill pile with evident hunger. (Feeding kits leaves her hungry, constantly. But BareStar would have her pelt.)

She notes his slipping, and sweetly says nothing about him. Goodness knows she isn't very balanced! The queen smiles to herself, and at him. "I was just thinking of if PebbleRiver was awake yet?"

--

Fallen cautiously sits up, creating distance from the she-cat; "I apologize. " Is stated, "I didn't mean to be in your space, healer." He exhales, blinks, trying to offer comfort. It is an exceptionally good thing that he'd awoke first...

The silver cat doesn't dwell on it. When she asks him questions his intense attention is redirected to her, from studying the den, "I'm in your den." Is responded slowly, "at the Caven Clan camp, led by BareStar. " if anything he recognizes the scents, though he doesn't remember everything. "I apologize, i dont remember your name. " Is proceeded gently, "I fought owls, I was brought here by one warrior.. he... he ordered me in the storm. " a blink to himself as he tries to fill in the gaps that orders leave in his memory. "I... I had a kit with me. Is she alright? A tiny thing, a dark colored tabby. " THAT he does remember, the kit the owls were about to eat.

[SilentMelody]

Ebonysong is a bit oblivious to her gaze and to her attention being drawn away from him. He simply replies to her question with a small shrug. "I suppose I slept okay, although I bet that Barestar will ask me to rest more today. Or perhaps finally I can go hunting..." he sighs and shakes his head. At the mention of prey, Ebonysong's stomach almost lets out a grumble and he twitches an ear in Mossblossom's direction. "Have you eaten anything yet?"

He has a small smile on in face in wait for her answer, but he feels a twinge of guilt. Ebonysong had forgotten that Mossblossom hadn't seen Pebbleriver yet! His yellow eyes flick over her wounds, still crusted with blood. "Oh... I haven't checked her den to see her yet. Would you like me to accompany you? I know I promised last night."

---

Pebbleriver sighs softly and tries to relax, knowing that the loner didn't mean any harm. She watches as his bright blue eyes scan the den, and she nods in acknowledgement when he confirms his correct location. Although he didn't say much yesterday, from her brief assessment now it seems as if all -- if not, most -- of his memory is intact. "I'm Pebbleriver, the clan's medicine cat. Although, I suppose you already know my rank," she jokes lightly.

She patiently waits for him to recall the events from yesterday. Pebbleriver's head perks up at the mention of the kit. "Yes! She's okay now. A queen in the nursery has taken her in, so she's been feeding her and keeping her warm ever since you brought her to the clan," she explains quickly yet thoroughly.

The dark gray she-cat shudders at the thought of the kit being eaten by owls. "It's a miracle that you found her and saved her. Would you like to see her? You seem to be feeling better today."

[Alpha*]

Her face falls, "no I haven't eaten." Is responded, voice low and wary. But then his face is flooded with guilt and she quickly shakes her head to his question - "no, I shall go by myself. I.. I don't want you in trouble EbonySong. " the pretty calico tells him. She does offer a tiny smile, trying to put him at ease. "I don't want to wake her though, she had a long night."

--

Fallen twitches an ear; "you're the healer." Is confirmed quietly, but then she's talking about the kit and his intense attention is wholly on her. "Her parents tried to feed her to the owls." Is spoken with no small amount of anger, his claws slipping from their sheaths.

If he'd had the chance he would have killed them himself. "The owls got them. Then, took the kit. I couldn't leave her there. " the silver cat frowns, consciously hiding his claws so as to not alarm her. She doesn't deserve to be scared
Shouldnt be scared. Not of him. Not ever. PebbleRiver is talking about finding her. Saving the kit, like it's a miracle. A miracle?

If you call his curse that. (He let's out a snort of laughter, can't help it.) "I would, though.. id appreciate your dirtplace, healer."

[SilentMelody]

He watches as her face falls for a moment, but then she has a smile on her face. Ebonysong smiles softly back at the she-cat. "I suppose she did have a long night... but I would think she would be awake right now, what with the rest of her medicine cat duties," he lightly jokes, although it is the truth. Pebbleriver does tend to wake up at the same time every day, no matter what she's done the day or night before. Even if she's had a fitful night of sleep.

"Well, if you'd like to go by yourself... but at least check to see if she's awake, okay?"

---

Pebbleriver feels a sharp stab of anger at his words, but not towards him. That is fury towards the parents of the kit who would dare sacrifice her to the owls and the harsh storm. "I couldn't imagine anyone leaving here there. Although, I suppose that the cats that were supposed to love her the most did," she murmurs a bit bitterly and shakes her head.

She snaps out of her thoughts at the sound of his snort and cocks her head to one side. Pebbleriver doesn't comment on his odd sense of amusement, but instead smiles and dips her head. "Of course! Can you stand and walk? I'll show you where the dirt-place is, if you don't mind me escorting you." It's not that she doesn't trust him, but rather that she doesn't trust her fellow Clanmates to treat this loner with the same kindness that she always does.

[Alpha*]

"I'll check," promises MossBlossom, "but if she's asleep I'm not going to waken her." Her tail swishes gently, "what're your plans today EbonySong?" Is questioned, "since you're free to do whatever you please," a hint of envy touches her tone - one she quickly squashes and hopes he won't hold against her. When is the last time she was allowed to leave camp? To roam the forest? To hunt? "I hope it'll be fun."

--

"I.. I did check, there were no siblings to her." Is assured, certain she's upset by the idea that he'd left other kits to die. But he hadn't, couldn't. Would not.

The silver cat rises to his paws when she asks him to, although his muscles ache and shout at the movement. But he's had worse. "Please, feel free to escort me, healer. If that is your custom and wish." Fallen stretches his good - er, better, - leg and his spine (which also aches dully from the weight he had carried so far). How old is he now? Certainly not as old as he feels. Neither would his age justify the injuries and the scars that litter his too thin body. Would he be allowed to eat again? It was... it was nice to be halfway full.

Her smile is pretty.

Blue eyes blink and then he is walking- er, shuffling, - after PebbleRiver. He finds himself hesitating before going out if the dim den. "I.. I'm not safe. I - I I mean that um, I'm not good with them." Is stammered when he sees the sheer number of the Clan. When he had met BareStar it had been with one other cat in the forest, on the border. And he could- at least at that time,- have taken three cats. But... this is different. He's WEAK, and Rolyuk killed the weak. Why shouldn't they? Healer or no.

He swallows, claws slipping from their sheaths as he lowers his head and trudges through the entrance. He isn't afraid of anything. Not of mortal cats; he is already bathed in cat blood.

They should be afraid of him.

With this confidence he squares his bandaged shoulders, and forces himself to think as if he were going into a fight. They're all threats, and he would win. (Win or die.) Blue eyes shift to an eiry shade of gray and he appraises the cats in the clearing.

Weaklings. (That tabby has a limp, the black patched cat is very old, the apprentices are thin, the orange cat has potential to be a threat with her broad shoulders, and the brown cat with no tail looks quick. ) He doesn't stop walking for them, doesn't acknowledge their gossip, just follows the medicinecat to dirt place where a siamese cat has just exited, long legs and thick fur classifying them as hard to injure. Fallen slips into dirt place, exhaling in mild relief when no-one follows him in, and then does the necessary.

--

She doesn't see the spectre that followed PebbleRiver out of her den and into the clearing, but she does see the medicine cat. "Excuse me Ebony, " is excused by MossBlossom, and she trots over to the specialist cat with cautious pleasure. "Good morning PebbleRiver, I was just coming to see you."

[SilentMelody]

Ebonysong flicks his ear-tip in contemplation before he answers her question. "Hmm... well, I suppose I'll hunt. Or at least try to. Make myself useful to the clan," he tells her, making up the plan on the spot. However, he can't help but recall Fallen, and his guilt-filled thoughts are, Rather than receiving credit for something I didn't do. "I'm sure it'll be fun. Not as fun as chatting with you, of course, but that's not exactly doing my duty and I've already been chastised for that," he half-jokes.

Their conversation is cut short when Mossblossom's gaze drifts away, and he follows it to see the medicine cat. Finally! "I'll talk to you later, Mossblossom. Feel better soon!" Ebony awkwardly calls back to her as she pads away. He flicks his black tail tip as he stands and shakes snow from his pelt.

---

Pebbleriver watches silently as the loner rises from his bedding and stretches the muscles straining under his silver pelt. "Yes, that is my wish. Please, follow me," she purrs and turns to head out of the medicine cat den. Outside, the skies are clear, but the ground is still snowy.

She glances back to make sure that he's following her, and she waits for him to shuffle just beside her. "It's okay, I can understand that. Not every cat gets along with each other. I'll stay by your side as long as you would like me to," Pebbleriver promises. She bites back the question of Is that why you're a loner? It would certainly explain his behavior. But it would be rude of her to ask that of him.

Pebbleriver can't tell exactly what his emotions are, but she senses uncomfortable waves coming off of him. His shoulders are more hunched, and his eyes are cast a darker shade. She pads closer beside him, not quite touching his fur as they walk. Her green eyes watch as his own gaze skims over each of the clan cats, each of her clanmates. What is he thinking of them?

When they reach the dirtplace, she dips her head to the siamese cat named Darkstride and they return the nod. "I'll be waiting for you out here," Pebbleriver tells the loner and sits down a few paces away. As he slips into the dirtplace, she makes a mental note to offer him prey and another bout of herbs. She peers over at the prey pile, squinting at the meager amount of prey. What happened to those owls?

Pebbleriver is shaken from her thoughts when a she-cat cautiously approaches. "Good morning, Moss-" she begins to greet, but she halts when her emerald gaze rests on the calico's marred face. She inhales a hiss of empathy and swiftly stands up, rushing to her side. Pebbleriver is quick to visually assess the injuries. "You should've come to see me sooner! Any longer and this wound could've gotten infected," she chastises.

[Alpha*]

"Thanks EbonySong!" Is chirped hopefully, before turning her attention to the gray Her green eyes - through the injury of course- look uncomfortable. What could she say that wouldn't go against their leader? Or his mate. "I um... I thought you were tired last night. " Is spoken at last, with a ripple of unease through her pelt. Hadn't the medicine cat seen the strike she'd suffered last night from FoxMoon? Nomatter. "I um, I washed it a bit, after it stopped bleeding. "

PebbleRiver is angry with her. (And she does want to defend herself; but not only would BareStar- and thus FoxMoon-be angry and retaliate against HER, they may go after the other she-cat. And it would be all her fault. ) "I'm sorry PebbleRiver. " is murmured.

--

Fallen chooses just that moment to exit the dirt place, and his eyes look over the sorry state of the cat before him, with PebbleRiver. He breathes in the scent of milk, cut hay and the particular one that means the clan, then faintly the one that he recognizes. "Moss?" Is questioned, voice low. "It's me, Fell. What happened to you? Where is Fang?" His pain is forgotten, and a violent edge creeps into his voice- even as cruel light shines in his eyes. "Who did this to you?"

--

MossBlossom opens her mouth to reply before the change comes over the spectral cat before her. "I ... I was in the wrong place." She stammered, bowing her head before his wrath. The calico exhales nervously as soon as he turns his gaze away and onto the clan cats. (He's a force to be reckoned with, even injured. )

"Really, Fell." Is whispered, half noting his tail as it coils around one hind leg, "it'll be alright. P-pebbleRiver is a great medicine cat. It's my fault anyway, Fox -" she clears her throat, "I mean, the cat was upset and I was in the way -" Whiskers tremble, feeling his fury.

--

Fallens' whole body is still, he seems to hardly breathe; indeed, the healer is competent, better than so many. He's straightened again; cataloging and considering. Someone named Fox? Hm.

A slight smile finds his face; there would be time for information later. "I see." Is spoken quietly. "Shall I stay out here, PebbleRiver, until you're through?"

[SilentMelody]

Pebbleriver can feel the guilt exuding from the other she-cat, and she softens at her apology. "It's okay, Mossblossom. I just wish you would've come to me sooner for help, no matter what I'm doing," she murmurs. And I just wish I would've noticed sooner. I know that Foxmoon was harsh on her last night, but I never could have imagined...

She pauses in her thoughts when the loner emerges from the dirt-place, and at first he seems shocked at the sight of Moss. Pebbleriver assumes it's because of the state of her injuries, but there's a gleam of recognition in his gaze before it turns to rage. These two know each other! she thinks in bewilderment and remains silent as the two briefly speak with each other. And yet, even Mossblossom seems to submit to the loner, head bowed and whiskers trembling with her speech.

Pebbleriver watches as the loner -- Fell? Is that what she called him? Such a strange name -- straightens up with a small smile on his maw and asks her a question. Even she almost flinches under his gaze... but she hardens her resolve and narrows her eyes at him. Is this the correct time for suspicion? Should she trust him? "No, you'll come back to the medicine cat den with me and Mossblossom. Since it appears that the two of you know each other, you can keep her company while I'm treating her wounds. But don't say anything that will upset her or rile her up. I'm counting on you to help her remain calm the whole time."

She turns and heads towards the medicine cat den. With a flick of her dark gray tail-tip, she beckons the others to come along with her without glancing back to see if they're following. She would assume -- and hope -- that they would obey her orders.

---

Ebonysong can't help but dawdle in camp for a few moments longer... just in time to see Mossblossom speaking with Pebbleriver and... Fallen? The two are talking almost animatedly to each other. He frowns at this and shakes his head, making a mental note to ask about it later. Ebonysong remembers that the two knew each other from their past, but he can't help but feel a stab of jealousy in his chest.

He tries to brush it off as best as he can and turns to leave through the camp entrance. His black paws sink into the blanketed snow as he walks, leaving pawprints on his path. Once he's deeper into the territory, he parts his mouth to drink in the scents. Mostly just snow, but there's the faint warmth of prey.

Ebonysong follows the scent through the forest and eventually looked up to see a small bird on a branch, sitting eerily still. He frowns at this as well, but it's prey, shouldn't he take this chance? The black tom decides that he should and immediately drops into a hunter's crouch. Although the bird is one or two fox-lengths above him in the tree, he's going to leap. The muscles in his back legs bunch, and he springs up into the air.

He bats at the branch, unable to directly hit the bird. The motion of the branch sends the bird flying... but it makes no move to flap its wings. It falls to the snow, and he lands squarely beside it, scrutinizing it silently. What's the matter with it? Why didn't it try to fly away?

Ebonysong decides that he can't be picky about it -- prey is prey. He believes it's a mercy as he delivers the killing blow to the neck.

[Alpha*]

The deputy steps out of the shadows, chest and legs and belly caked with snow, in his mouth is a pair of rather small rabbits which he soon sets on the ground. "Good catch!" He purrs, noting the hesitancy of the other cat - he'd seen the others' hunt. Frozen birds arent exactly common, but they arent something to worry about.
He gathers the two small rabbits from the snow and hops towards where he plans to cache his kills. Large paws scrape through the snow before he deposits the food into the hole. "Want to keep hunting with me?"

--
"Im sorry," is repeated quietly, "ill do better next time." (Because shes practically positive that there would be a next time.) Then she watches as Fallen becomes a shadow of her friend, empty of emotion and thought. and MossBlossom opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. So, she turns and walks towards the medicine cats' den - she doesn't miss FoxMoons' glare as she re-enters the nursery. But there's nothing to do about it. The calico slips into the medicine cats den, sitting on the soft sand floor that still leaches the warmth she has from her fur. Why had FoxMoon treated her so?

--

He's going to say something about privacy when not one but three separate orders are given one after the other. His body straightens, his eyes go vacant of emotion and will, and in a slightly louder than conversational tone says, "I see, I hear, I obey." His voice has no feeling to it. Paws move of their own accord - his mind carefully and completely blank.

It's not until he is back in the medicine den, curled around the she-cat he'd once known that memory and words again are his to use. His hearts slam against his ribs painfully; just like them. Just like the Mera. Just like Rolyuk.

Not safe.

Not free.

Fallens' breath comes in short pants, eyes flicking to and fro, but he can't leave. Can't go. Can't escape. How can he escape? How does she know? He didn't tell her, did he? Tell her his greatest weakness. His pelt prickles uncomfortably, even as the calico beside him sits absolutely still, avoiding his fear and wrath, avoiding claws that are ready to maim, even though he has hidden them. Even though he's trying to be soothing.

MossBlossom knows what's going on... "It's alright." Says the silver cat to his companion, voice devoid of feeling. "You were the queen who took the kit. I'm glad she has you. She deserves a good mother. A good friend. " Fallens' voice is an uncaring monotone. He wouldn't regain his sense of self until the orders are fulfilled, or he's told to forget about it. "What will you name her?"

The queen is quiet a moment, "I named her Owlkit." Is replied softly. "I'm glad you came to join the clan Fell. " when he doesn't respond to that she continues, "I'm glad you're here my friend. " Again there is nothing from his mouth- it's not an order or a question. "Let us share tongues. " that's an order, one he doesn't know how to follow.

She carefully begins to groom the cat who is curled around her: aware that he doesn't know what this means. Soon however, she just sits still and silent, watching his glazed expression and still features and as PebbleRiver bustles about the den preparing herbs. "There, you're all clean." Not that he was filthy before, because of the snow, and SparrowClaw. She turns her half a gaze to PebbleRiver with a soft exhale.