many people are dividing [nightfright]

CRICKETPAW

Okay, so maybe he had mentioned this to someone before, maybe he hadn't, but wasn't it weird that the clans had their own set of politics? Like, not only did they have allies and enemies, but they even had whole borders that were scented daily. Who knows though. Perhaps this was common amongst groups of cats- he wouldn't know, having been isolated from these sort of things for most of his life. Anyway, Cricket was always eager to try new things, no matter how little he knew about them or how ridiculous he found the activity to be, so when he spotted an NPC gathering people to head on a mid-morning patrol with them, he was the first person to volunteer. His fur was horrendously tangled, and he hadn't eaten anything yet, but next to that, he was an eager beaver. Once two or three more clan-mates appeared and decided to come along with them, the apprentice let out a 'whoop' of excitement before scrambling after everyone else. After pestering the group organizer a bit and asking where they were going as well as what they were going to be doing there, Cricket managed to draw a few answers out of them. This was a border patrol, which meant that they would be scent marking where Shadowclan's territory began and ended. Their patrol in particular was heading towards Darkclan, which if you asked him, had a pretty darn cool name. Shadowclan was also notable, but there was nothing that quite sent shivers down your spine like Darkclan.

However, once he managed to get these two things out of their maw, the feline completely ignored any further attempts at conversation, leaving Cricket to focus his hyperactivity towards someone else. Luckily, there happened to be a warrior walking right next to him. "Hey uh- Nightfright, was it?" He questioned, and even though his words were directed in her direction, his eyes were darting back and forth trying to take in the scenery. "Great name, by the way. It really matches your... fur?" What meant to be a compliment came out sounding like a question. He was unsure how she had gotten her name, and could only assume that it referred to her appearance. Unless it was a reference to her unbecoming personality, but hopefully that wouldn't be the case. How was he supposed to befriend people if they all resisted his efforts to do so? "Anyway, would you mind answering a couple of questions for me? I still have a lot to learn about clans and their lifestyle, and not everyone is willing to put up with my presence, so to speak." Probably because he kept on asking and asking, even after people told him to stop.

[I put their thread in this forum to prevent cluttering, if that's alright!

Cinnamontwist ]

CRICKETPAW

Grateful that someone had taken it upon themselves to educate him, and intent on soaking in as much information as possible, he quietly listened to the warrior's explanation. So everyone had the same last name until they became adults? While the idea was slightly disturbing, and reminded him of a dystopian society that encourages conformity and rejects individuality, he couldn't help but approve of it. Not only did the system make it easier to remember people's names, but in this way, your name would fit you like a glove. In many cases, a cat's name didn't necessarily match their personality, especially when it came to house pets and loners. But with clans, you could watch your clan-mate grow and mature as time passed. Then based off of what kind of person they are, you could give them a fitting title. Everyone's name was designed specifically to fit them, and them only. Though he supposed that you were bound to eventually repeat names, as there were only so many combinations that existed in the feline language. "Well that seems a bit mean." He joked, referring to her suffix. "Naming someone after their ability to startle easily." As for the whole frightening other clan's bit... "If that's really the case, I hope I will never have to go up against you in battle. For my sake."

Oh yes, he had almost forgotten the reason for initiating this conversation. Brightening up considerably, his smile turned from friendly to almost blinding in a matter of seconds. "First of all, why do we have to scent our borders in the first place?" He inquired, forcing his gaze to land upon the molly's face. He didn't want to seem uninterested, after all. "Like I know that we have to defend our territory and everything- or at least, that's what the other apprentices tell me, and that if we don't mark the borderlines, cats who don't any better will cross into Shadowclan on accident, but surely we don't have to be so... vigilant about it." The tip of his tail flicked back and forth, as if in deep thought. "Surely it wouldn't hurt to let them grow stale. A border's a border, right?" Did he sound like an ignorant, stuck-up idiot? Probably. Was he aware of this? Despite what you may think, the answer's no, he really wasn't. "How long does it even take for them to fade away completely? The scent markers, I mean."

CRICKETPAW

Following in her example, Cricket would tentatively lift his leg to mark a nearby bush, glancing at the warrior for approval. Sure he had seen his parents doing this around their home every once in a while, but since they lived out in the middle of nowhere, and neither of them had bothered to explain what scent marking was, Cricket didn't pay much attention to it. But now that Night had clarified things, their actions made a whole lot more sense. Furrowing his brow, he nodded along with her words, trying his best to absorb the information that was being relayed. "Okay, just to make sure that I'm not misunderstanding you, let me get this straight-" He meowed, momentarily stopping in his tracks. "If we were to stop marking our borders, people- or rather, other clans would take advantage of this and begin to steal our prey? Or they'll take up residence in the forest with our knowledge? If you don't mind me saying so, that's several shades of wrong." Indeed, he couldn't see why one clan would drive another clan from their home territory. It was selfish and unnecessary. Surely they had enough land of their own? Deep inside he knew that some people would do whatever it took to forward their own selfish desires, even if it meant hurting others, though the whole situation still baffled him. "Well, thank you for telling me this. I don't want to stumble through life blinded by naivety, if you know what I mean. I just... really hate being ignorant to things, so every bit of information helps." Resuming his trot through the woods, it wasn't very long before the feline had conjured another question out of thin air. This one was more casual in tone, and slid off the tongue like butter. "Anyway, what does a pretty lady like you do for fun?" He questioned, before realizing his mistake and throwing himself into a void of embarrassment. Oh gods above- or Starclan, whoever was watching him at the moment, he had called her pretty. It wasn't a lie, far from it in fact. She was rather attractive, but to say it out-loud like that... someone kill him now. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to say that!" The male managed to sputter, his eyes unnaturally wide. His heart had sped up considerably, and he felt like fainting at any second. "Not that you're ugly or anything! No- you're very good looking, don't get me wrong! I just meant that- well, I don't know what I meant! Just... please forgive me!" He couldn't lose Nightfright's friendship so soon after gaining it. The loss would be irreplaceable!

CRICKETPAW

Did she just... return his compliment? The tom opened and closed his mouth only for no words to fall out, as he wasn't sure how to react. Not bad looking? No, he must've had heard that wrong. Whenever the tabby looked at his reflection, he saw nothing but a mess of imperfections. Ears that were too large for his head, green eyes which resembled vomit in color, a too skinny body that was covered with patches of missing fur and scars- there wasn't a beautiful bone in his body. Yet Nightfright seemed to think otherwise. Perhaps she was just lying for both of their sakes in an attempt to cover up her own embarrassment and make him feel better, but he wanted to beleive that this wasn't the case. That someone actually liked his appearance. The idea boosted his confidence, and a twinkle of mischief entering his gaze, he began to chuckle. At this point, the only way to brush off his embarrassment was to roll with the flow. Finish what he had already started. "Well, now that I've thoroughly made a fool out of myself, I might as well explain the meaning behind my words, don't you think." He questioned, sending her a wink. But seeing as how he had little experience with the action, it was somewhat stilted in nature. "Your dark coat reminds me of the night sky, ever alluring and full of mysteries waiting to be discovered. And your eyes- ah, I could go on and on about them. They sparkle and shine like unpolished jewels, brimming with- with, oh I can't find the right word! Potential? Emotion? How does one describe the beauty hidden behind your glimmering orbs?" Since he was still a bit new to this whole 'flirting but not quite flirting' thing, he was unsure of whether or not this was overkill. His words came from the heart though, and were genuine. While waiting for her response, Cricket would focus his attention on the road in front of them, which clan cats referred to as a Thunderpath. He had seen a couple of them nearby his old home, though they were normally made of dirt and stones, so this black stuff was new to him. "How do you think humans make these?" He questioned, unaware that human wasn't the correct term amongst his clanmates.