A Careful Approach

[nannerpus]

Galen padded wearily through the undergrowth. The vegitation and open air of the forest was alien to him compared to the reeking black chain-link, glass, metal, asphalt and concrete of the twolegplace. He remembered how he once viewed this place from the rooftops of the twolegplace with his mother and siblings, the green smudge silhouetted against the setting sun. The peace and comfort of this place had attracted him. It was freedom.
And now Galen was here, but he was afraid to approach.

It is hot now, he thought. Greenleaf must be here. He approached the distinct wall of scent at the border of the wild cats' territory.
I should not cross, he decided. Or I will have my ears clawed off.
He had been wordlessly watching the territories of the clan cats for many sunrises now. He noticed that each group were very different, yet much alike. The scents and sights intimidated him, but somehow, the life of the forest cats was interesting. It seemed to draw him in, stir something deep and hidden, something that the domestic city had stolen from him. He somehow longed for the closeness and companionship of group society. His throat grew tight and dry.

I won't have to be alone anymore.
Freedom was there, at his clawtips!
He felt the urge to dive over the crest of the hill and into the wild cat's territory, but halted and carefully considered.
Wait. Just wait.

[Squid]

Nothing was really happening at AshClan camp lately, so it was pretty boring just sitting there. Minnowstep had gone hunting, Winterpatch was doing the border patrol by himself, and everyone else had something to do as well. Not Stonestream though, the blind, silver tom had managed to slink away from camp unnoticed and headed towards the border along Uncharted Territory. Stonestream suddenly stopped, raising his head, he sniffed carefully. "Hello?" He was blind, but every bone in his body said there was a stranger at the edge of the border. "I imagine my nose isn't wrong, so if you're there, might as well say so" His tone was not threatening, or angry in any way, just curious.

[nannerpus]

Galen's head shot up in alarm. Someone had spoken to him. He scented cat. He recognized it, but could not label it's clan's owner.

What should I do?! Should I answer, or just walk away? he thought rapidly. Maybe this is my chance to join them. Galen tenatively raised his voice.
"Greetings," he said, trying to be courteous.

Galen was surprised that the silver tom had not attacked him yet, because he had wholly expected the wild cats to not take kindly to his intrusion. Even though he still had not crossed thier scent markings, he understood he was a threat.
Galen caught a glimpse of the cat's eyes. He's blind! How did he see me? They were clouded and milky like the depths of a river or the turbulence of the clouds.

"I am Galen. Who are you?"

[Squid]

Stonestream just stared for a moment in the direction the other cats voice was coming from. "As well to you, Galen" He mewed, returning the greetings "I am Stonestream, from AshClan" Still, the silver cat made no move to cross the border and attack the 'intruder' as another would have, instead he sat down on his haunches, Stonestream could tell that this cat had not come for a fight. "May I ask why it is you are standing there on the edge of our borders?"

[nannerpus]

"I am..." Well, truthfully, Galen wasn't sure why he was standing at the edge of 'Ashclan's' border. "... I was looking for a home." He stared at his paws, then raised his head to look at Stonestream. The gray cat gazed at him with sightless eyes. Do I really want to do this?
"Can I join Ashclan?"

[Squid]

Stonestream smiled "It is not my decision, but the leaders" He said, overstepping the borders and circling around Galen, taking a good look at him. "You're young, and look strong" Stonestream returned to his spot in front of Galen "I'll take you back to my clan, and from the time you step into camp, it's Winterstar's choice of what to do with you, he seems mean but he is actually quite gentle, so I'm sure if you train as an apprentice first then he'll accept you"