Welcome to Gaia! ::

[Freezeshadow snorted, turning his gaze away from her. He was in too much thought to calm down...he wasn't like Griffonsea, he could never find time to relax when anxiety constantly set his fur on edge. To him, relaxing would be like flicking your tail in front of the enemy.]

[He noticed her tail moving side to side with a relaxing bounce, until it made contact with his own. He stared at the scene for a bit, watching as her tail quickly retreated to her paws. His eyes wandered to Shiftstar, who looked about ready to collapse] Is my unease really that noticeable, even by touch...? [Freezeshadow shook his head in disdain, disagreeing with the simple offer.] "I cannot enjoy when we are thrown into constant danger. Such a word...can't even exist." [He muttered bitterly, his claws scraping the muddy grounds underpaw, scoring marks on the soft surface.]

[Hearing her answer, he only flicked his tail in annoyance, closing his eyes for a brief moment.] "This is why I do not try to do this... Such small fortunes distract the wary mind, melting it until it becomes nothing but a pool of laziness... If you do not rest now, you're going to only cause trouble for the m—everyone. Everyone would be bothered by your current condition..." [Freezeshadow trailed off, sinking his teeth back into the fish. He had no more to say.]

[His actions came to a pause when a pelt like snow entered the clearing, followed by a calico she-cat. It was Ivoryscale. Freezeshadow sighed aloud, rolling his eyes at the sight. If Ivoryscale was going to act like a Ravenwing, he was going to claw his face, despite being his clanmate. But to his surprise, the tom seemed rather surprised by the Tenderfoot-like actions, replying with logic, not even a sign of flirtation. Freezeshadow allowed his thorn-sharp claws to slide back, breathing out a sigh. He couldn't help but wonder how close in appearance Ivoryscale looked to...Echosong. It was strange.]

[Freezeshadow eyed Shiftstar, nudging her flank. His mind had switched from curious surprise to unknown concern.] "You may be blessed with nine lives, but that does not mean they can be used unwisely. I'm no medicine cat, but you should sleep...don't make me drag you all the way to your den." [Though it sounded like a joke, Freezeshadow's tone stayed grim and cold. This was not an observation...this was an order.]

((ooc: ......))

[It was only out of his concern that he acted this way. Nothing more than actually showing some care in his new leader. But in her eye, he was probably still a kit who needed to learn who was who. It seemed like Freezeshadow had forgotten...or not even cared when anxiety pricked at your neck like an annoying tick. He nodded his apologies to her, stopping mid bow when she started laughing.] Shiftstar...? [Freezeshadow tilted his head to the side, but listened to her words with his full attention, ignoring the playful nudge which he guessed was her little revenge. He opened his mouth, about to speak, but the rest of her favor drowned out an unformed retort. All he could do was nod to her request as she stood up to survey the camp.]

[The gray tom stood up as well, eyes scanning the area for any cats who were still out. Most were at the Apprentice Cove to enjoy the overflow of fish... But there had to be at least some cats who still cared about their clan borders. He remembered Ivoryscale coming here and decided to ask him, his scent trail was still fresh...and Tenderfoot hadn't even tried whispering where they were going.
But before he could even take one pawstep forward, he was staring nose-to-nose with Shiftstar, who licked his ear with an almost mother-like love. Or was that just his reward for serving her for most of the day? Freezeshadow made sure to watch her go to her nest, her paws dragging against the damp grounds. She really did need some sleep. He sighed, licking at his chest fur in what appeared to be embarrassment.] Why does she act like her...why did she not just scold me...why is she concerned for my well-being. I am the warrior, I must protect her...

[Freezeshadow asked himself, lost in his own thoughts for only a heartbeat. He shook his head quickly, disregarding the curious thoughts. Shiftstar's words from before still rung in his head as he buried the remains of the two fish.] "Allowing yourself to be calm and relaxed is just as important as being vigilant. Not only can your body become tired, but the mind can as well." [A cold smirk fell across his face as he stared back at the den.] I must humbly apologize, Shiftstar...but a warrior's duties to the clan never ends... [With that thought in play, he padded across the clearing, to the place Tenderfoot had led the white warrior Ivoryscale.]

[He stopped at the edge of a rocky cliff, just behind Ivoryscale. From behind, he looked like Echosong...but lacked her petite form, her lithe shape. It was like staring at a male version of her. Freezeshadow prodded Ivorscale lightly with a gray paw, trying to shake him out of his seemingly dazed state.] "Shiftstar has ordered a patrol which I am leading, to scout the borders, just to make sure the other clans know their places..." [He murmured boredly as usual. Only the strange glint of curiosity betrayed the apathetic facade.]

((ooc: ......))

[Freezeshadow waited for Ivoryscale's little daze to end, flicking his bushy tail from side to side during his stay. It made him feel uncomfortable and a little annoyed the tom was staring at him with blank eyes, a clear side-effect from daydreaming. If Spottedpaw were still here, he'd never let her do this... The Clan needed warriors, not daydreamers.]

[Ivoryscale's voice came out hesitantly shaky, bringing the least bit of concern to Freezeshadow. This only proved the white tom was not quite himself today. He said nothing as he began stalking off to gather more warriors, his paws churning small mud puddles and leaving tiny ripples in his place. He actually found pleasure in the silence, finding some comfort. It would give him time to recollect his thoughts. But for Ivoryscale...that wasn't acceptable.]

[Freezeshadow heaved out a quiet sigh, trudging onward as the tom talked and talked...about Echosong. He was well aware of her death, actually feeling a pang of guilt for not being there. Then again...what could have been done? She died trying to save his mother...but the whole thing was like killing two birds with one treacherous claw. Silence fell across the two for a few moments, only the sound of soft pawsteps betraying the stillness.]

"Yes I know her...she'd always keep her sister out of trouble... No, no cat could have survived that fall...that would be impossible. She has swam to a different land, though. One that she now walks, above us...along with Moss-star. So you could say it is a land of joy...a land of paradise..." Freezeshadow murmured quietly, his voice calm and quiet, despite this choice of topic. He didn't turn to look at Ivoryscale.

[He remembered Mother talking about the place. The starry-coated cats up there gave her the nine lives in order to be a Clan Leader. She told him of how shiny and beautiful they were. She even imagined herself the same way. It brought both relief and depression to his heart. Freezeshadow gave his chest fur a couple licks, washing away any scents of sadness.] Well, you have your wish...be happy, please...

[Then he brought up the topic of his former apprentice, Spottedpaw. Freezeshadow groaned mentally to himself. He dreaded speaking of past occurrences...especially ones that had to do partly with him. But he showed none of this to the curious Ivoryscale.]

"It is the pride and ambitions of toms that gets the best of them. They start ignoring the warrior code, corrupting what they thought they'd learned at their apprenticeship. Sometimes they drag innocent lives in the process of their dark goals...it truly is disgusting...something I wish would just drown deep in the river... I guess in a way...my dream came true."

[Freezeshadow padded ahead, an obvious sigh he was done speaking. He walked across the clearing, just in time to see Desertflight ambling lazily to the fresh-kill pile. The grey tom joined him, nudging his pelt and gesturing with his head to the entrance. Desertflight nodded silently and followed behind Freezeshadow.]

"Come on, Ivoryscale, I don't think there will be much activity. We should be enough..." He called over his shoulder as he hurried to the entrance.

((ooc: Desertflight was an NPC...I hope it's okay if I used him for the patrol surprised

Freezeshadow to the River))