What's Up Dock? (Halle)

do you hear the lion roar?

[attr="class","itdscroll"]Falconstar watched the rest of his patrol pad away, taking their recent catches with them. He and his fellow clan mates had been hunting, since the morning dew was still wet on the leaves on the forest floor until now, with the sun high in the sky and cascading warm light down through the budding forest canopy. The hunters had caught several squirrels and mice, plenty to stock up the fresh-kill pile for the day, so Falconstar felt comfortable letting them head on back to camp with their prizes. The leader settled his thick paws in the ground and nodded to himself, mind made up. He had decided to stay out in the territory awhile longer before he returned, in order to fetch some more prey, while one of the clan apprentices carried back his earlier catches. Falconstar couldn't abide if Thunderclan went hungry during such a prosperous-looking newleaf; the fresh-kill pile lying low was intolerable. He straightened up and moved on, waving his tail in a passing gesture to the patrol as they disappeared among the trees aiming towards the camp. Falconstar purred, watching them go. He was proud of how Thunderclan was taking the new exchange of power. His clan was behaving themselves in a proper and honorable fashion, rising to the occasion, as it were. It would be so easy to remain in a state of mourning for Applestar and her unfortunate demise, but Thunderclan was rising above their recent downfalls for better times and the sights warmed Falconstar to his core.

He stepped out lightly, enormous paws making no sound on the slightly damp earthy floor. Despite his sheer size, Falconstar had mastered the art of walking silently. His mentor, Dovefeather, had spent many an hour instructing him on stealth. I was so gangly and too big for my own fur, Falconstar recalled, amusement curving his lips and twitching his whiskers. It's a wonder she was ever able to pass anything of use on to me! The tom had learned from many a wise she-cat. His mother, his mentor, Applestar... even his new apprentice, Tinypaw, was teaching him new things. Perhaps Hazelclaw will, as well, he thought to himself, reminded of his deputy when thinking of the various she-cats in his life. She is quite wise for her age, even if she doesn't know it yet. Comforted by these thoughts of familiarity and family, Falconstar continued on his way, testing the air every so often for any signs of prey nearby. Instead of scenting prey, however, the tom found himself smelling herbs and yet another she-cat familiar to him and equally important to the clan. Falconstar changed directions, trotting towards Sandfeather's scent, tail lifting in the air at the prospect of speaking with his medicine cat. Perhaps he could offer his services! Falconstar had no intention of going back to the Thunderclan camp yet, so he would do well to make sure that Sandfeather had all the help she needed first. And then he would pursue another squirrel or mouse for the fresh-kill pile.

"Hello?" Falconstar approached, hearing her muffled greeting, and guessing that she couldn't smell her leader through all those herbs. "Sandfeather!" He meowed grandly, swinging to the left so that she might see him and know she was with a friend. "I see your hunt for herbs goes better than mine for squirrels," he joked, eyes warm with good humor.



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