Luke's Study

[Fang]

It was a den, simple and unsuspicious. Most would suspect a fox or badger to inhabit it. If anyone dared move closer, though, they could scent him easily.

The tall siamese tom smiled at his work. He had taken only a few days to fix it up just right. His nest was tucked away at the side, of course, and he left plenty of room throughout the den for other things. He figured he wouldn't be inviting any cats into his temporary home, but he liked to be prepared for anything.

Luke, as the loner tom was called, quietly left this den through the main exit. There was another hole in the back for emergencies, but it was much smaller. Luke paused to wonder if he should work on that before relaxing, but decided against it. He wanted to see the land, to know where he should not tred.

The first scents that hit him were of cat, naturally, and on either side of his den. He could smell faint cherry blossoms in one's scent, and a foresty smell in the other. Further on the border, there was a salty cat-scent, like seawater. The last group he could detect was the hardest; a natural scent that seemed to belong in these lands. He was particularly curious about this group of cats, for they were not like the Clans he had listened to for many moons before his arrival in these lands.

Luke decided first to check out the foresty-scented cats since they were closest to his new den. He hoped that they were not hostile as he paused at the border. He blinked his bright eyes, then took that first step over the border. If he was quiet enough, he was sure he could search out the cats' camp and listen to them for a while without being noticed. He took a few more steps into the territory, then paused to listen for anything. He knew that these cats patroled their borders regularly, and he definitly hoped not to be caught so early on his quest...

[Wazo]

ooc: what clan is the foresty clan? i want to respond, but don't know who to use

[Fang]

((RavineClan is foresty, TealClan is seawater-ish, and CherryClan is obvious. XD I couldn't think of any other way to describe RavineClan's scent from their old home, so... yeah. =O ))

[Wazo]

From the first light that dappled the horizon of RavineClan, Morninglight had been up and about, patrolling the territory and the surrounding area. She liked the peace and quiet and she knew that with the new boundries and the prescense of the druids, anything could happen at this point.

The slender she-cat made her way through the forest, gracefully and methodically stepping over branches and rocks in her way, finally arriving to a patch of sunlight where she momentarily rested. The light hit her dappled golden and brown fur, making it shine, and she purred as a result of the received warmth. Her period of contentment was halted abruptly when a foreign smell entered her nose and immediately she was on guard. The fur on her back bristled slightly and her ears strained for a sound. She stood momentarily still, wondering whether to pursue it herself or head back to camp.

[Fang]

Luke's bright eyes were closed as he stood, listening. Moments went by. Nothing was heard. As the siamese opened his eyes and began to sneak forward again, a purr reached his sharp ears.

Luke froze. Was it a patrol? He heard nothing else... Either they had noticed him or he was hearing things. He was upwind from these foresty-scented cats' territory, so he could not pick anything up from ahead of him. He wondered once more if these cats were hostile, but he figured if he was careful he could avoid attack.

Calming himself quietly, Luke took in a breath, then began to speak. "Is someone there? I mean not to trespass," he began. He waited a moment, then decided to give his name. "I'm called Luke, stranger, and I come to your land in peace."

Did he sound believable? Luke could feel his heart pounding. He had never been this unnerved when meeting another cat before. Was that a sign? He quickly calmed himself again, trying to appear unafraid to this stranger, wherever they were...

[Wazo]

Morninglight was dumbfounded when she heard the cat speak, calmly, collectedly, and definitely a tom’s voice. She had assumed it was a rogue of some sort, judging by the fact that she couldn’t scent a clan scent, she was surprised one actually talked to her. He must not be hostile, or he would have snuck up on her, rather then give away his location so freely.

With these thoughts in mind, she thought it best to encounter him directly. She knew she could probably outrun him if need be and surely a patrol would be around. Morninglight turned her ears towards the sound and walked towards it. Stepping into plain sight, the golden warrior turned her emerald eyes onto Luke.

“Greetings Luke,” she mewed, clear and strong, to show that she was not afraid. “I’m Morninglight and this is RavineClan territory. Strangers are not welcome to wander freely within our clan’s land, but if you have a need, I can take you to speak with our leader,” she told him. She spoke politely but firmly, her clear emerald gaze directed on him. She knew with her slender frame she couldn’t intimidate him, but for some reason, she wasn’t worried.

[Fang]

Luke studied the she-cat for a moment. She was quite pretty, he had to admit. Morninglight... That name seemed to suit her dappled fur. She seemed quite dainty, even delicate, though Luke figured she would be just as skillful in battle as any other Clan cats he had seen. He wondered briefly how so much panic could build up for just one she-cat. It was most likely because he was in unfamiliar land.

Luke gave a friendly smile to further his safe, calm appearance. "If it is required, I will gladly speak with your leader." He paused to think of what to say next. "I am a cat of study, so I would love to learn from your Clan." If all went well, Luke figured, he would be able to learn from all three Clans, and maybe even those mysterious other cats...

[Wazo]

Morninglight's ears perked in surprise, at his polite manner of speech and his desire to know more about the clans. She had never heard of a cat who wanted to study the clans. She looked at him curiously with bright green eyes and then nodded in assent.

"Then I shall take you to Rainwhisker," she replied. "He will certainly want to know why you are here and perhaps question you further," she added. She wasn't scared that much of Luke. He seemed well-kept and far from the usual rogue ruffians they had to deal with. Still, Rainwhisker would want to know of his prescense here.

"You can follow me and I will take you there," she told him, motioning for the tom to follow her. She paused, her tail swishing curiously and asked, "Why do you want to learn more about us?"

[Fang]

Luke began to follow, though he stopped at Morninglight's question. Sure, he had received that very question many times in his life, but every time he was taken aback that no other cat felt the same longing for knowledge.

Finally, Luke answered in the same calm voice, "I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of knowledge, much like you Clanners have dedicated your lives to protecting your Clan. I want to know all I can, even about the differences in culture between the closest of Clans, and in the end pass it on to others and hope they continue to learn more."

Luke smiled again at the thought of his dream, his greatest desire. Coming out of his trance, though, he looked to Morninglight. "Is that a comprehensible answer? I've known many cats that still couldn't understand."

Luke paused to think of his wording. He hoped he would not insult the she-cat. Really, Luke could tell she was no simpleton... His bright gaze once again stopped on Morninglight, almost hesitant to receive her reply.