Like a rock(private)

[Asterheart]

Robinstar
(Okay, just putting it out there, her mentor doesn't know that Iceclan has a new leader now, and so therefore she has been told that it's still Wildstar, so she'll be a bit like "so you're like, deputy or something then? Or do you have two leaders?" Lol. Anyways, on with this...)

Everything was seemingly silent, or at least as silent as a clan's territory is going to get. So no one really knew what the young tabby was about to try and do. Not that it was all that interesting anyway. She just sort of wished she had some friends to come with her. A little extra support in case she got in trouble. So of course, being as cautious as she was, she managed to sneak out of camp using a kind of, different route, per say. And now she just so happened to be, here.

"I can do this. Right? Sure I can! I'm a Treeclannner, after all. It's in the name, I guess..." With a large gulp of icy air, Aster dared open a bright blue eye. Then another. With both eyes now opened and fluffy rump pressed up against the rough trunk of a tree, she hesitantly viewed her surroundings, scared half to death out how high she was. And then her mouth fell open in awe, having realised just how beautiful the view was. Allowing herself to move of the trunk, she sidled along the reasonably thick branch and just simply stared, awestruck. Glancing down slightly, she purred to herself. "I should do this more often."

And this was the moment she learnt why never to look down. "Or not!" Her small pristine white paws slipped off the sturdy branch beneath her slim body and she squealed, flailing with her paws to grab onto the branch, and as she hung on by her claws, one thought struck her mind, breaking through the fearful fog isn't that the Iceclan border down there? And then she fell. Like a rock. A flailing. Squealing. Rock. Into the river below to be washed down stream. Maybe.

(Poor darling kitty, I feel so mean...Maybe. I just love the rock part though, had to through in something random there.)

[Robinstar]

( Alright c: This should be interesting, and yeah I like it too )

Robinstar padded along the riverbank, lost in his own thoughts. For once, his thoughts weren't so depressing as they usually were. For once, he didn't have to think about his mother's death, his father, his friends, family. How he'd hurt them all, whether on purpose or not. And for once, he could enjoy himself every once in a while, with the ones he called friends. Yet he was still cautious, as always, and he wasn't sure that would ever go away. He wouldn't let it. And he would always be as closed off as possible, in order to not hurt anyone else. At least, he'd try his hardest.

The leader could already feel himself slipping with his apprentice. He was getting too close to her, if one could even call that close, and he needed to build up his crumbling walls again, even if she wouldn't like it. He was distracted from these, and others such as Spiderleaf's joining, thoughts by a splash upstream. He looked over his shoulder, at first not thinking anything of it. It couldn't have been anything of importance—perhaps a fish leaping out of the water. Whatever it was, he couldn't see it, so he continued with his casual walk. In the silence that followed, one could hear the leaves crunching under his paws, and how the sound cut off suddenly when he saw what the splash had been. 

A young-looking she-cat floated downstream. The river wasn't particularly calm, but he was certain any IceClanner would be able to swim it. After all, it was in their blood. A new apprentice, perhaps? She looked a little big to be a new apprentice, and he didn't remember naming any new ones recently, but nevertheless, she didn't seem to be able to get out. Of course, the water masked any scent of TreeClan, so he was assuming she was from his own Clan. 

Without hesitation, Robinstar leapt into the river, paddling strongly towards the apprentice. He grabbed her scruff in his jaws, dragging her through the river while he tried to keep her head out of the water. It was slightly difficult, carrying the weight of another cat and fighting against the current at the same time. But he managed, and dragged her onto the bank.

[Asterheart]

The impact of her small body hitting the icy water felt like rock on rock and her head momentarily sunk beneath the surface, but with strong determination, she forced herself back up once more. Taking a large gulp of fresh air she considered yowling for help, but there happened to be no one around, and she had herself convince that she'd probably swallowed half the river by now. Attempting to paddle with her paws, she found she was partially able to keep herself afloat, or at least her head. Somehow the young apprentice had actually managed to find the iciness of the water soothing by now. She just wanted to go deeper, and deeper. And she would have, if the current thought hadn't been interrupted by another splash.

Managing to turn without sinking, she noticed another cat was approaching, fast. Oh joy, I'm not the only cat who happens to be drowning themselves around here she commented sarcastically in her brain. Where did these thoughts even come from? Who knows. Right now she happened to be focusing on the fact that said cat was actually swimming toward her. Like a fish! Her eyes nearly popped out of her head in surprise as the larger feeling caught ahold of her scruff and began swimming her back to sure. He even made sure her head stayed out of the water, though he still seemed slightly confused. Oh well.

Coughing large amounts of water out of her lungs she managed to take in a few deep breaths of fresh air instead and steady herself. A bucket of relief washes over her and she simply stares at him in gratitude, and awe. "Note to self" she coughed, her lips forming a slight smirk, "learn to swim." Now that her coughing spurt appeared to be over, she shook out her pelt as best as she could before fixing it up and sitting before the other cat. Assuming he was a warrior, and probably not of her clan considering her came from and swam her to the wrong side, she bowed her head deeply. "I am extremely grateful and fully in your dept sir. My name is Asterpaw. Aster if you will." she finishes with a slight purr and lifts her gaze in order to look him over. She finally met his gaze and allowed a smile to grace her features. "And you might be?"

(Just her random, do something think something else moments there.)
Written for Robinstar

[Robinstar]

Robinstar hauled the she-cat onto the shore, sitting on he he rocks nearby as he tried to figure out who she could have been. She certainly didn't have the build of an IceClanner, or the thick fur that many of his Clanmates had. She definitely wasn't from the mountains, though the icy Clan did have many cats that hadn't originated from it. When she had finished coughing, the leader stood and turned away. After making sure she wouldn't die on the riverbank, he was eager to continue his walk.

Note to self. Learn how to swim. He paused, turning back around to face the female. "So you aren't from here, then." He said in a flat tone, scanning the river. How could he have not thought about it before? The river was right in between TreeClan and IceClan—or at least part of it was—and the apprentice had the build of a TreeClan cat. "Which means you're trespassing." He didn't want to start a war with the neighboring Clan, but if they had sent her to scope out the land or spy on the leader, he wouldn't hesitate to bring it to his Clan's attention. 

He nodded when she thanked him, his eyes suspicious but confident. And you might be? He wasn't too surprised. He hadn't been to a gathering with his new name yet, and she was probably too young to go to the gathering before. "Robinstar," he responded, flicking his tail. "Why are you in our river? Were you sent here as a spy?"

[Asterheart]

Aster blinked and shook her head, offering him a light apologetic smile. "It appears not. I happen to be from Treeclan" she purred at the mix of her name and thought of what she'd just failed to do. She best try to be a little more careful next time. If there was to be a next time, she'd probably get stuck cleaning ticks of the elders for a moon if she was caught having snuck out of camp without a warrior. She bowed her head down low in shame at the thought she truly was trespassing. She look back at the river, and the tree she had previously fallen from. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I promise! You see I just learnt about your clan from my mentor and I wanted to take a closer look, I was only gonna look from our side, I didn't mean to fall, I..." she trailed off, realising she was talking way to fast, and apparently forgetting to breath she realised as she took a large gulp of air and shifted her small white paws nervously, watching the drip, drip, drip of the water onto the bank below. "I'm sorry..." she murmured quietly, her ears back slightly and head still down, tail still and limp in shame.

Her eyes remained staring out the ground sadly, or for now they did, until he announced himself as Robinstar. Robinstar. She shot her head up and her wide eyes stared at him. "My mentor said Wildstar was Iceclan's leader! Surely you don't have two?" she eyed him curiously, though still very cautious. And when he accused her of spying she stiffened. It for some reason triggered something in her. And whatever it was, she wasn't sure whether to like it or not. "Why was I in your river?! I'll have you know that even as an apprentice I see this as being our river, seeing as it is between our two clans, therefore I have my rights. And furthermore, for your information, I wasn't spying, I was climbing when I fell into you precious river. There, does that make you feel better?" She glared at him, fur raised and eyes blazing, ending her sentence with a slight hiss before realising her mistake. Cowering away and back up slightly she stared down at the ground once more. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to snap! I just...I..." she shook her head, beginning to back away once more, deciding she probably pushed it too far.

(Well...That was new...)
Robinstar

[Robinstar]

Robinstar nodded, his suspicions confirmed. He wasn't hostile towards TreeClan, in fact, one of his only friends lived there, and he wasn't openly upset that she had accidentally crossed the border. Actually, he wouldn't even cars unless she was planning to attack—he wasn't raised that way. Then again, he wasn't raised by IceClan at all. But, Clan life called for its warriors to be hostile and wary, and that's exactly how he would be. He didn't want anyone to be suspicious of him, especially now that he was leader. "All right," he said, watching her with an expressionless face. "That's fine. But I expect you to be more careful—I can't promise that our warriors will be quite so kind."

Not that he was kind. Well, Robin was kind, yes, but he kept a neutral wall up. He was neither kind, nor mean. Extroverted, nor introverted. As long as no one tried to make friends with him, he was fine. And usually no one did. Surely you don't have two? "No," he responded, staring at her levelly. That would never go over well. Clan cats can't get along when it comes to leading. There's only ever been one leader. Though he was technically a Clan cat himself, the former loner always thought of himself as separate. Their ways were still strange, and, though he'd accepted them, they were certainly different than his loner customs.

"We have one. The change was recent," he said, his replies short and to the point, as always. "Wildstar has passed on." The death didn't exactly sadden him. He'd never met the former leader, nor had he ever seen her. In fact, he held a slight bitterness towards her for driving out his mother and for forcing Robinstar to teach himself how to lead. He'd never even seen her in person, only heard of her. So, he didn't feel as if anything had changed. He was still leading the Clan, except now he actually had help.

Robinstar bristled as Asterpaw grew angry. It was a little difficult to keep his face emotionless, and his eyes were slightly colder than before. "Do TreeClanners swim? Do they fish? No. The riverbank on the TreeClan side is the border, the river is ours. It runs through our territory, not yours, and the moment you place a paw in the river, you're trespassing. If your warriors have been teaching their apprentices that it is your river, I'd be more than happy to talk to your leader," he said. "Maybe he should teach his Clan some manners as well."

( so sorry this is late! i thought I replied. )

[Asterheart]

Aster listened to his words, passing off slightly snarky comments in her head at the mention of kindness. Not that I'd exactly call you kind she thought to herself before lowering her gaze in shame at the thought. He was a warrior, no, a leader he had no need to be nice to silly little apprentices like herself. Especially those from another clan. "I will try" she promised, bowing her head low in what she assumed as a respectful gesture toward the tabby. Be careful, right. Noted.

The cat seemed almost emotionless, listing off answers like they were nothing, though he still seemed guarded, bricked in somehow like she was when her mother died. Her eyes closed momentarily at the thought of her mother, but she allowed the thought to slip away. "You seem like a great leader" she commented truthfully, trying to make amends for her trespassing, uncomfortably aware that she was still on his side of the border. As she studied his emotions more, as per a habit of hers, she noted that he seemed to hold no emotion of the recent death. Probably didn't know her well. I haven't met my leader yet either, other than my ceremony that is... Mulling the thought over in her head, the apprentice decided she found it fitted in best. Was he struggling? she wondered, knowing it would be harder than it looked, and it certainly didn't look easy.

Aster watched as he bristled slightly, noticing he forced himself to remain emotionless. Though there were still those key points of anger, like the sudden freezing of his already icy gaze, and the calmness of his anger made her panic slightly. She would have preferred if he'd blown up in her face. A shiver runs down her spine, causing her to back up slightly. She'd seen a fine display of calm fury once, and it didn't end so nicely for the cat in her position. Why didn't I think of that! she mentally screamed at herself as the cold water swished around her paws, her eyes wide. To any cat who wasn't as sensitive to emotions as she'd trained herself to be, he would only really appear mildly irritated fi the most part, but to her it seemed as though he was about to attack, and she had no idea why. Maybe this was that part of her life? The blank space between her mother's death and joining the clan? Might the fear be a trigger of a long forgotten memory?

(I'm so weird. And no problem Robinstar, I just assumed you were busy, as leader and all )

[Robinstar]

Not unlike his mother, Robinstar had grown keen in detecting emotions. Whether it was from silently watching others or a genetic trait, he could tell that Asterpaw was ashamed. He softened slightly, but his expression remained just has flat as before, showing no signs. "Good." He gave her a stiff nod when she agreed to try. He knew just how badly IceClanners took to trespassers or newcomers, and he would rather an apprentice not be on the receiving end. Besides, he couldn't have TreeClanners following Asterpaw's lead. And if they learned how to swim, IceClan wouldn't have nearly as much as an advantage.

Was that all being a leader was? Planning, contriving, scheming. Thinking only about how to prevent attacks, strengthen warriors, borders, advantages, disadvantages. Robinstar hoped not. Surely there was a greater pleasure in leading the Clan? Keeping the Clan fed, perhaps. But how, with all this responsibility, was he supposed to feel if he failed? Perhaps there wasn't anything else to being a leader, except survival of the fittest. Was Reese right? Maybe. But that doesn't mean I could ever leave. As much as he hated to admit, Robin was attached to IceClan, he loved it, and he wasn't sure he could ever let go.

Her compliment startled him slightly, but he didn't show it, as usual. He blinked slowly, studying her face. Had she meant it? Was he a good leader? He wasn't sure if her assumption was correct. After all, no one in his Clan liked him save a few. Sure, they respected him, but how many of them could say that they enjoyed his company? None but Sunfish. Then again, hadn't Robinstar brought that upon himself? "Thank you," was all he said, as was custom. 

He he noticed the way she backed up until icy water was flowing around her ankles. She's scared of me. I deserve it. This is what I've always done, hurt others. Most didn't think it was true, but it was one of the main reasons he was so closed off. It had all started with his mother. And how could one say it wasn't true? Coal, Snap, Leo, his mother. All presumed dead. All dissapeared. Hurt. They, the ones left, tried to convince him otherwise, but he was set in his beliefs. He watched Asterpaw, not sure what to do. She couldn't get across, could she? She hadn't been able to swim before, and the current there was strong. She was stuck there, with him. And she was frightened, like a caged animal. His thoughts had caused his eyes to flash with an unreadable emotion, but he had calmed. And now he was waiting for her next move.

( Naaah :3 and yes, I suppose that was part of it xD Sorry for the longish post, I got kinda carried away heh )

[Asterheart]

(Heh, their and Robinstar got the same trait.)
Aster was not sure how she ever managed to pick up on emotions, but somehow she could tell he was the same. So, I have something in common with someone I've never met. A leader even? she wasn't sure how to feel about this new factor. Apparently in this game, neither had the upperhand. As Robinstar softened, she looked up at him. She never expected a praise from him. Maybe a strict warning. But a praise? With the slightest of smiles she nodded before bowing her head gently. She wondered how many people she'd had a straight conversation with that included no head bowing or respectful gestures, and no feeling ashamed of herself. Even as a kit, she'd greeted everyone respectfully, even a den mate. For as an outsider, she'd always been told of these high and mighty clans that could fight anyone off, even each other. And they taught each other and fed each other like a perfect little society. And so she viewed every clan cat as higher than her, from the youngest kit to the oldest elder.

Aster watched his reaction to her compliment, and it worried her slightly. At first it had been surprise, but now it was tainted with unsurety and doubt. She pricked her ears slightly to catch his words as her begun to speak, wondering what he might have to say after thinking over her comment, but all he did was thank her. Did I say the wrong thing? Push the wrong button perhaps? If so, she certainly wasn't sure she wanted to try another one. She felt almost sorry for him. Most leaders seemed to know if they were good in their role or not. But Robin seemed so unsure, so, confused? She hated the thought of anyone feeling that way.

As fear enveloped her and the water swelled around her legs, she noticed him watch her, it seemed as though such a display was almost familiar to him. And it seemed as though it was to her as well. What had happened in that empty part of her life. That gaping hole in her memory, blocked out by, what? Did she really want to know? Yes, she had too. Maybe it told her who her father was, or better yet, who she was. How pitiful could it be, not knowing who you were? She remembered her kit hood, and so she knew she had her name. She remembered her mother, a kind and gentle soul who had promised to return. She remembered the death of that soul cat. And that was all. Next thing she knew, it was moons later and she was running for her life. But from what? All she knew was that a clan cat saved her and she'd had to ignore that missing memory. But now? It was like this new cat was somehow helping her remember. Maybe he reminded her of someone long forgotten. Or was he part of all of it?

The water was strong, tugging at her like a rope caught around her legs, pulling her. It did, it pulled, hard. She stumbled, almost not wanting to regain her balance. Until. There was muddled emotions in his eyes, a mix of, everything really. But what she most realised, was calm. Fighting the current, she regained footing, still slightly unbalanced. She'd been in this situation before. Maybe not the same, but close. Allowing herself too feed of his sudden calmness, she pulled herself out of the water and sat on the bank. She didn't shake out her soaked pelt, she didn't shiver, much. She merely sat there, and watched him.
(Maybe he could be part of the forgotten memories? If ya want that is. At least if they meet again he'd be able to name another that could enjoy his company. And no problem. I do the same when I'm not being lazy)