Deerpelt followed Honeycrisp through the territory, appreciating her eagerness. It seemed like she was just as ready to head back to camp as he was. As they reached the SpringClan border, the warrior paused and scented the air. The last time he'd gone out with only one cat, he'd been trapped in a cave after a fox chase. Deerpelt was a bit on edge now as he smelled for anything wrong at the border. Nothing strange, that was good. He kept going, surprised when the scent was incredibly strong. Could there be a patrol in the area? "Honeycrisp," he called lowly, waiting on the she-cat to near him and catch what he was smelling. neverstarstar

Deerpelt glanced from the tom - Marbleknight, his clanmate had said - to Honeycrisp in confusion. This was not at all how he'd expected the short patrol to go. "What do you need an escort for?" the warrior asked, head cocked to the side. Honeycrisp didn't seem to understand either.

Deerpelt didn't like this stranger trying to intimidate his clanmate so he growled lowly, coming closer. "Oh really? And who would that be." His voice didn't hold a question but a challenge. Deerpelt remembered his own mate who he had left behind when he joined Fallclan and he was suddenly sad. If Marbleknight wanted to see his, who was Deerpelt to stop true love? But this could be a ploy, too.

Deerpelt looked to Honeycrisp. She wasn't saying anything. What if he made the wrong choice? The warrior held up his tail for a second to motion for Marbleknight to stay put and said to Honeycrisp, "Can we talk over there for a second?" He wanted her opinion but really didn't want the other cat to hear them.

The warrior had no idea, and he said as much to his clanmate. "I'm not sure. If this is some way to infiltrate Fallclan, we'll be in a lot of trouble. And wouldn't his mate have known to meet with him instead of expecting him to be taken to the camp? It seems wrong." Deerpelt thought for a second longer and before Honeycrisp responded, he changed his thought process. "Though I am interested that he can give us a name as long as he swear to take him to camp. And this is only one cat. I would prefer we bring his mate to him instead but I know he won't tell us who. I don't see a choice." Deerpelt didn't want to make this decision on his own or say something that would get him into trouble, but he hoped his clanmate had a heart and saw the situation a similar way.

Honeycrisp looked just as torn but added thoughtfully, "perhaps they've had a fight? Or maybe... maybe she is afraid to meet him out here?" Looking at the tom with distrust she finally meowed, "let's taken him close to the entrance, then ask if she wants to see him. If she says no, we escort him back and chase him off if needed."

She was speaking loudly, plainly wanting Marbleknight to hear her, and the tom nodded his grim agreement, "fine, if she doesn't want to see me I'll leave quietly, deal?"

The walk to camp was completely silent, Marbleknight was too anxious about the meeting with Hollypool to try and make polite conversation. He and Hollypool were mates, but they hadn't truly let their relationship grow. He liked her, her name sent his heart aflutter, but was there more than that? He didn't know. But he most certainly intended to find out.

Once a few paces from camp Honeycrisp paused and looked at Deerpelt, "I'm going to get her, make sure he doesn't try and follow." With that she padded into camp and sought out Hollypool. It occurred to her for a moment that this she-cat in front of her had taken a mate from another clan, and Honeycrisp should deeply disapprove. Instead she only felt concern for her. "Hey, Hollypool. There is a cat here to see you, he claims to be your mate. Do you wanna see him?" No use dancing around the subject.

Honeycrisp nodded, shifting a bit in discomfort before adding, "if anyone else finds out... well, your loyalty would certainly be in question. Are you prepared for that?" It wasn't from a place of judgement, more one of deep concern for a clanmate who was viewed as such a loyal warrior.

neverstarstar