just no [o]

[Mudclaw]

mudclaw sighed as he sat on one of the gravestones in fireclan territory, simply observing his foggy surroundings. he tilted his head to look upwards at the dark sky, the blackness only broken by the moon that seemed to shine way too bright. the tabby let out  small grunt at it before leaping off the stone and onto the floor, curling up next to it and closing his eyes.

[Hickorypaw]

Despite what she'd said to Willowspirit about leaving camp without a chaperone, Hickorypaw found herself doing just that. There was only so much she could do in camp without getting bored. She'd lined her nest with feathers then taken some to Plumpaw's nest as well. Her other siblings hadn't been around so she hadn't touched theirs yet, but she'd kept some for them. The nursery had, had a small hole that she'd filled with Sparkpaw. So Hickorypaw was left bored. The only thing she thought to do was leave camp and travel on her own for a bit.

She made her way to the graveyard, a place she had explored the day earlier with her mentor. She wasn't expecting to find another cat, but when she recognized Mudclaw she padded towards him gratefully. Now if she was caught she could say she'd left with him and not get in trouble, hopefully. "Mudclaw," she called, trying to be polite. It seemed the young warrior was sleeping and she didn't want to startle him. "Isn't the graveyard a bit of a creepy place for a nap? The elders told me it was haunted."

[Mudclaw]

mudclaw's eyes opened to the sound of a voice saying his name. he didn't recognise it all too well, but he knew he had heard it somewhere before. he twitched his nose and replied, "what?" he asked simply before shrugging.

"at this point i couldn't care less about some ghosts or whatever."

[Hickorypaw]

Hickorypaw regarded Mudclaw as he spoke, absently padding closer. She wasn't entirely sure whether his words were meant to sound brave or angry. "That's brash of you," she finally settled on. She moved past her elder slightly and leaped onto the tombstone, wobbling for a moment until she caught her balance.
"I don't think I've heard of anyone that leaves camp just for a nap. Isn't that what your nest is for?" She asked the question with nothing but honest curiosity in her voice, not intending to be demanding.

[Mudclaw]

mudclaw shrugged again, turning around when hickorypaw jumped on to the stone behind him, sitting up so he could answer the apprentice, "i came out here just to get away from everyone," he said, swishing his tail, "so if you wanna leave..." he suggested, trailing off.

[Hickorypaw]

Hickorypaw's head tilted at the sentiment. "Is there a reason you're hiding?" She finally asked point-blank. A clan cat that didn't want to be with his clan sounded quite strange to her, but then, Hickorypaw had never understood the sentiment of isolation. She assumed Mudclaw was hiding out of fear or guilt then, or perhaps sadness.

It seemed he wanted her to leave as well and Hickorypaw's ear twitched uncomfortable. The urge to obey an older warrior combated her desire to help. She left her perch on the tombstone and landed a tail-length off, prepared to leave. She hesitated just a few moments to hear Mudclaw's answer though.

[Mudclaw]

mudclaw shrugged again, "just because i wanna be alone without feeling like I'm being forced to go talk to others," he explained, flicking an ear when hickorypaw didn't leave like he had asked her to. he sighed and rested his head on his paws, "why does it matter to you anyway?"

[Hickorypaw]

Hickorypaw tipped her head, considering his answer. Perhaps there were simply cats that liked having time alone. She nodded thoughtfully at that realization, whiskers twitching. "I see. Then I'm sorry I disturbed you." Despite the apology she sat down. "I don't think one should ever be 'forced' to talk to others. Don't you enjoy it?"

She was learning a lot of new things during the strange conversation. It was refreshing, since Hickorypaw loved learning new things. Mudclaw's last question put her through a loop though. Her brow furrowed with confusion. "Shouldn't I? We're clan mates, allies. We're supposed to be friends. Of course I'd care if I thought you were in trouble or upset." It was the simplest logic to her to care for every member of Fireclan, but it wasn't a sentiment always shared.