SandPaw|MoonPride - Apprentice|14 Moons|Serval Mix|Location - Camp

The low, rumble words came to SandPaw's ears slowly - seeming to roll across the sand to him.
He gasped internally. *Darn!* As an apprentice, your mentor's approval means everything. Not just for your future - but in life. Knowing he mucked the whole thing up sent his heart down to his tail tip. He would surely never graduate - "I'm going to be an apprentice forever!" He thought, although this was all in the far reaches of his mind - as the forefront was completely captivated by fear and anxiousness.

All of these thoughts happened in a mere second though, and he still hadn't moved from his crouched position. He was just about to look for ShrewPelt when he suddenly felt uneasy. It took him a small moment to figure out what it was - a strange odor coming from the intruder's direction. SandPaw's eyebrows came together in confusion, as he had never came across the scent before. The uneasiness lowered slightly - but the adrenaline coursing through his veins made it impossible to fully depart.

Finally, he came to a decision. Firstly, the mystery cat seemed to make a peaceful outreach - which meant there was a much lower risk of injury for him. Secondly, the large onyx figure hadn't made a move, or any kind of signal that he could notice. With a final deep breath, he walked out from behind the bush and looked into the deep red gaze of what he know could only think of as a beast.

"What is your bussiness here?" SandPaw asks after a moment, his eyes never retreating from the black cat's piercing one. The question was intended to come across as strong - as if he was a Guard, or a Warrior, as he'd always wished to be - but his low self-esteem made his words falter, and his tail twitched with slight irritation.

SandPaw|MoonPride - Apprentice|14 Moons|Serval Mix|Location - Camp

He almost could have started when the beast spoke again, it's chilling voice sending a warning through the young cat's brain. He pushed it back in his mind, however, as he was a MoonPride cat - and they musn't show fear.

"This is MoonPride's territory. I can either escort you to the King, so you can speak with him about passing through, or you can leave." He said, surprising himself at how his voice seemed tougher, and his pulse calmed whilst conversing with the intruder. Not to be confused with confidence, though - as the thoughts roaming his brain were of a self-demeaning nature, to be sure.

SandPaw|MoonPride - Apprentice|14 Moons|Serval Mix|Location - Camp

SandPaw cleared his throat quietly at the beast's words, watching the onyx pelted... feline, act quite confident and sure of himself. He thought carefully at his next words, as he knew he was very, very alone on this - and considering what he'd done, would probably always be.

"Well, as you can imagine, we like it here too - and you're welcome to talk matters over with the King of your staying - after all, most of the Pride were once loners like yourself." He called - for he was still some distance away. The young tom tried to remember what his role models do when something like this happens, but truth be told - he couldn't remember anything like this ever happening in MoonPride - let alone to him.

Although he was fit, and could handle himself adequately in the field, he thought little of himself - except in words. His joy was being able to handle a sistuation without the acts of violence or physically attributes. He was good at it too - sometimes teaching Cubs new things, or settling arguments. This, however, was no Cub - and he certainly wasn't looking for an argument.

SandPaw sat down and let his tail drape onto the ground. He was feeling much less anxious about this conversation now - as, so far, there hadn't been any threats/hints/or suggestion of oncoming violence - that of which he was cautiously grateful for.

|Addercub|FtM|1m|Leoponger|Moon Cub|
|Location: Nursery|Mention(s): (d) Echofrost (id) Goldencub, Flowerpaw|
Head falling to the side a bit, she wrinkled her nose at her frankly over-dramatic brother. What was wrong with him! And getting huffy at a healer? Addercub sure didn’t know much, but she did know that healers had to be respected. Blinking in bemusement, she resisted the urge to giggle, trying to ignore Goldencub as he continued with his fit. She nearly startled when Echofrost addressed her, asking for the answer. ”Um… I think… there were…” the cub tried desperately to recall how many. Glancing over at Flowerpaw’s tail once more, she struggled to recount, forgetting to close her bad eye. ”I-I can see about… maybe four, but I think when I counted before there were more.” confusion swamped her features. Could could this be? How did the healer apprentice’s stripes dissipate into thin air? A growl of frustration curled her maw, though she curbed it quickly, glancing up at the healer hopefully. ”I’m not sick, right?” she whispered nervously, shuffling her paws.

SandPaw|MoonPride - Apprentice|14 Moons|Serval Mix|Location - Camp

SandPaw's eyebrows came together for a moment at the beast's question - seeing him almost leave had given him some hope, so this procrastination was somewhat confusing.

Not knowing if the onyx figures incredible senses - or the fact that he knew of ShrewPelt in the bush, answered with what he logically interpreted the question to be.

"I go by SandPaw. Our King is called DuskStar. Due well to remember that - if you ever wish to join us, you'll do better around here with names." He answers calmly - his outlook on the situation getting better and better by the second. He knew this could have gone very differently - and he thanked StarPride that it hadn't.

He deeply enjoyed the fact that he was holding his own. Not only that, but that his mentor hadn't intervened - although the thought gave him mixed feelings as to the reason why he hadn't.

With a breath for concentration, SandPaw waits for the black cat's response anxiously.

Cypressstar|MoonPride Queen|4 Years and 6 Months Old|Female |Location- |Mention(s) Directly- Addercub, Goldencub|Mention(s) Indirectly- Echofrost, Flowerpaw

The queen watched her cubs and listened to the healers words, consern tugged on her, as Addercub and Goldencub would not say how many stripps where on Flowerpaws tail. The queen nodded her head to healer and apprentice, as they left. Leaning forward, Cypresstar sweeped her cubs closer to her. Looking down at Addercub, the queen said, "Addercub, I want you to answer me truthfully. Can you see out of both of your eyes?", the mother asked, worry etched on her face.