New Arrival... or should I say prisoner? (Tagged)

[Lionhearted]

Tagged: Midnight [Briarstar] 

The two black toms walked side-by-side, avoiding each other's gaze. The sturdy, long-haired black tom's fluffy appearance, made him puff out and look larger, and he seemed to dwarf the scrawny black tom, who, in reality, was larger than the Clan warrior. 

Spiderfrost had been hunting in the forest when he found Rex, and the two had clashed briefly over a mouse. It was him who had called a temporary truce with the lanky tom, who turned out to be a pretty strong fighter; a worth opponent. but Spiderfrost had had his fair share of unfortunate experiences, and he was willing to let Rex go. 

but the other black tom had insisted on getting to know Spiderfrost, and so he told him about Clan life. Rex had looked interested, so here they were, heading to camp. Briarstar's orders for all intruding outsiders was for the warriors to escort them to her immediately. So that was what he was going to do. 

They arrived at camp, amid many stares, and Spiderfrost shepherded Rex to the leader's den, poking his head in first. "Briarstar?" he called cautiously. "Th-there's someone here. Who's interested in joining." He backed up, knowing his job was over, and dipped his head to Rex. "You're on your own now," he said, and left quickly. 

---

 

Rex was not uncomfortable with all the cats around him. His embarrassment had long melted away, and he learned to survive without it, mostly. It was like someone surviving in the woods, and after a while, the body fat burned off and all that was left was lean muscle. His self-consciousness had gone the same way, and he stood out the cave, waiting for the leader to come out. If I can't join, then whatever.  I'll just start my own group. Deep down, however, he did want to join. Pushing away this hope, he scowled at a passing apprentice, who leered back. I wonder who this Briarstar is, anyway. How did she become so powerful?

[Midnight]

Briarstar had been deep in thought. She'd gotten back from a hunting patrol fairly recently, and had disappeared to her den quietly, letting no one stop her on her way. The leader paced back and forth, pausing only to glance up at the hole in the roof of her den, tail-tip constantly twitching. Were there any incoming MidnightClan attacks? Those forest-dwelling foxhearts couldn't be trusted, not after they kidnapped and killed Pebblestar. Briarstar's eyes narrowed: had Bramblestar really not known that Pebblestar was in his territory? How did he not smell her there, given how long she must've been stuck? What an idiot.

The leader was about to plan some defense mechanisms that her Clanmates could build to scare off any potential attackers when Spiderfrost called in. Briarstar leaped and whipped around, fur ruffled. "Come in," Briarstar called out. She sat down and quickly washed her fur, refusing to give an outsider the idea that she was weak.

[Lionhearted]

Tagged: Midnight [Briarstar]

Rex yawned and walked in, not knowing what to expect. Play it cool. If you look nervous, then you look like a weakling. Pulling on his best impassive, stoic face, he looked at Briarstar for a moment, sizing her up, and then dipped his head. "Hello. You must be Briarstar. I'm Rex, and I'm interested in joining your TalonClan."

She looked well-groomed and looked quite pristine, which made her look like she held authority. That was good for Rex; at least she didn't seem like the type of cat who ran away with her tail between her legs far too often during a battle. She was a worthy opponent, should they ever clash. 

but now was not the time to pick enemies and allies. Now, it was time to initiate. "Please tell me what requirements I would have to meet in order to become a... er, warrior."

[Midnight]

"Ah, I see, a new recruit," Briarstar responded, her voice low as she looked the tom over. He was very scrawny, and Briarstar couldn't help but flick an ear at this; was he weak and underfed, or was that his build? Could he hunt for himself? The she-cat's eyes narrowed. Would he be useful for the Clan, or just another mouth to feed? If he was stronger, she may have pitted him against one of her strongest warriors, and later used him to hunt a bit; however, this cat appeared as though he was need a little more time devoted into becoming a warrior.

"If you are truly interested in becoming a TalonClan cat, you will undergo the same level of training as our apprentices. You will sleep in the apprentices' den, eat like an apprentice, hunt, patrol, and do battle training. You will receive a mentor who will teach you our ways. You will follow the warrior code: You will defend TalonClan with your life, you will not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory, you will not eat until elders, queens, and kits have been fed," she paused, giving him a moment to take it all in, before continuing, "you will kill prey only to eat it and you will thank StarClan - our warrior ancestors - for its life, you will not neglect a kit in pain or danger, you will not kill during battle unless necessary to protect your life or the life of another, you will help mark and protect our boundaries, and you will follow the word of your leader above all else," Briarstar finally finished. After saying it all aloud, it really was a mouthful, and she didn't expect Rex to remember it all at once. His mentor would go more in-depth with it.

"If you are willing to accept our code and our way of life, I would be glad to accept you as an apprentice of TalonClan," Briarstar said after a few minutes had passed.

[Lionhearted]

Tagged: Midnight [Briarstar]

There was a pause.

"If you are willing to accept our code and way of life, then I would be glad to accept you as an apprentice of TalonClan," said the leader finally. Rex considered her words. He was willing to try out anything, as long as it was going to work for him. but why had she paused for a moment? It seemed like a short, passing time, but Rex's mind turned. Briarstar must be one of those cats who didn't trust so easily. 

Play it humble. "I'd be glad to try it out, as you would try me out," he said, keeping his voice even. "Spiderfrost has told me a bit about your... system," he said, "so, am I Rexpaw now, or will you give me a new name?" 

Though he looked as if he was sitting rather low, to convey his cautious respect, Rex was in more of a semi-squatting-standing position. Three years of experience had taught him to be ready for anything; if anyone tried to attack him, now, he would be ready to jump up. If, hypothetically, he was to have to take on some of these warriors, should they ever become his enemies, he knew he could not. There were just too many, and he'd be darned to have to face this Briarstar, armed with her nine lives and her loyal cats. He would have to gain some popularity and respect first. 

"Do you know who my mentor will be?" he asked, trying to break some awkward tension. Act natural. Act friendly. If you don't make a good impression, then you will be a nobody to everybody. 

[Midnight]

"You will receive a new name and a mentor at our next ceremony, which will be in a few days. For now, I want you to go to the apprentices' den and ask one of them to help you set up a nest. After that, you may rest for the night. Until your ceremony, I don't want you to leave our camp. You may eat one small piece of fresh-kill a day until you are officially apprenticed," Briarstar instructed. Guards were always posted at the cave's entrance, so there was no way Rex would be able to escape - she'd alert her warriors of the tom's camp arrest. If he was anything like other outsiders, he would eat some free meals and make a quick escape, and no one was going to make a fool out of Briarstar. "If you leave the cave before you are an apprentice, we will kill you," the she-cat threatened, turning and waving her tail in dismissal. It was a bluff, but the idea of having a giant Clan of cats after you wasn't a risk that any sane cat would want to take for a few pieces of fresh-kill.