Life in ReedClan was simple: awaken at dawn, join patrol if needed, hunt, scent, mark borders and return home to lounge in the sun. Most called them “lazy” and “unskilled”, but what was the point of getting into trouble unless one had to? Mackerelslip was always confused about her fellow Clans over such a fact. They were worried about purity, sanctity and borders. It was always borders borders borders, and by the end of the day, she was sick of smelling the dusty earth coming from across the way. The scent of fermented weeds and herbs made her nose wrinkle as she patrolled, day in and day out. While she could understand the comfort it may bring to another, it was a commodity she could not wrap her head around. However, as her patrol came closer and closer to the border, she snuck away from them in an attempt to find herself closer than ever, heterochromic eyes brimming with excitement like a kit just out of the nursery.
‘BreezeClan,’ she pondered, purring delightedly as her paws drew her nearer and nearer to the scent markings dividing the lands. The dirt squelched underpaw, and she chuckled half-heartedly as she finally made it to her destination.
“So, this is it.” Her mew was quiet, a wondering twinkle in her eye as she took the sight in, soft pelt feeling the faintest breeze coming from on high. Mackerelslip breathed a quiet sigh and sat down, curling her tail over her paws and examining the terrain before her. It made her wonder just how different their lives were compared to hers. Perhaps they didn’t have it as hard, or perhaps harder than her own. If she met another Clan cat, perhaps she could inquire.
StarClan knows that would be a big “if”, though.
Taking in the scene through two orbs the color of slitted green leaves, the tom stared at her. His expression gave no sign of surprise but instead, a modest amount of amusement. Traveler. It was an interesting choice of words, when he most expected an insult regarding the scar across his muzzle, the most popular among them, it seemed. "Solace," he repeated, nostrils flaring as a breath pushed through his lungs. "You're seeking comfort from rival, BreezeClan cat?"
His eyes wandered over the waters of their territory. The sight of their fish-scented depths reminded him of where his webbed paws came from. Though he held the ability to tread their waters, he denied it. He would forever stay confined to the land, where he belonged.
The charcoal tom blinked back to her. He couldn't help but feel interested in what she was looking for, but he didn't feel an appeal to converse with the enemy. His suspicions kept him from adventuring into the unknown. "No," he answered simply, curling his tail over his paws. "I suggest you turn away from these borders immediately."
What a scuffle it was. Blood, fur and bodies had crested through the air like the great birds above their heads, leaving chaos and heartbreak in their tracks as each side claimed lives, and took charge of their own paths. It was clear that there was no resolving such a conflict anytime soon between them, and it was a sad reality the little chimera molly had to face. A shiver rippled up her spine as she remembered cats swarming around her, unknown teeth sinking into her scruff and razor-edged claws gouging at her pelt from every angle. The blood began to thrum in her ears again, and they flattened down to her cranium out of sheer instinct, newly tattered and scarred from said squabble.
The borders were technically “off-limits” according to their leader, but she paid no mind to the potential punishment coming her way if she was found out. A moment of piece was needed, as she was growing wrapped up in her worries for her litter mates. Doespackle and Phoenixwhisper hadn’t been seen for moons, and she’d been advised to think them dead.
She couldn’t.
So, out of both a need to escape, and a curiosity as broad as the cosmos, Mackerelslip found herself at the border, hearing a name calling to her from seemingly afar. Ears perking back up, she straightened her posture and turned her head towards the sound, waving her tail in greeting of the unfamiliar tomcat. While the taunt registered in the back of her mind, she opted to ignore it. Why would she be ashamed of swimming? “Greetings, fellow traveller!” She called in return, a purr bubbling up in the back of her throat, “I come seeking solace, or perhaps a conversation!”
Though it had been moons since the whole BreezeClan and ReedClan scuffle came to be their way of life, they were still weary of one another. Blood was shed on both sides, but with each victory that either had owned, dug them deeper into a war they could only wish would end with their name being chanted in triumph. On one hand, Coalbreeze wanted it to stop once and for all, and on the other, he wanted to see ReedClan driven into the ground, but secretly, as if to the point where he wasn't even aware of the desire. Nobody knew his promotion was based on the lie he created when he sent that medicine cat to the stars. Nobody other than his mother and former mate, that is. And the lie would die with each of them.
Despite being warned not to near the borders on his own due to the running on issues with ReedClan, he still wanted his peace. The striker could handle himself. ReedClan wouldn't do much more than watch him from the other side if he came into contact with them. They learned their lesson the last time.
The deputy neared the lake that split into ReedClan territory, but kept his paws to the part that they agreed upon. His throat felt dry. He walked all the way out here on his own and went in the opposite direction of Lasting Falls. Despite the cold air nipping at his nose, he crouched down to lap at the surface. Everything was quiet, still, welcoming, until he glanced up to see a warrior of their rival clan nearing the border, looking off towards a different direction of BreezeClan.
His eyes turned to slits as he sat up. "Curious swimmer," he called, an almost taunting tone playing at the back of his throat. "What brings you to the border?"