Introducing: Mothwing

[mothwingofriverclan]

Mothwing leaves camp at sunrise, wanting to beat the greenleaf heat. Herbs are plentiful this time of year, and Mothwing wants to find a few to take back to camp to teach Frostpaw their scents. She’s glad that she’d found a new apprentice with a connection to StarClan so quickly after Willowshine’s death, if only so that her clanmates wouldn’t bug her. She still doubts that they really need StarClan; it had been Bristlefrost that saved them from the impostor and the Dark Forest, not a bunch of mouse-brained dead cats. Still, Frostpaw was learning her herbs well, which was what really mattered.

Heading for the lakeshore, Mothwing keeps an eye out for borage, and maybe some rosemary. Padding up to the edge, Mothwing takes a look at her reflection. She’s getting old. Her dappled golden fur isn’t as shiny as it once was, and her amber eyes are tired, but she notes with satisfaction that she’s still bigger and stronger than most of her clanmates.

There’s an odd flicker in the lake, and Mothwing instinctively swats at it with her paw--extra fish is always welcome, even in bountiful greenleaf--but it turns out to be a trick of the light. Disappointed, she looks up, and is startled to find herself at a completely different lake. It’s much smaller than her lake, and she can’t see the Gathering island anywhere. Besides, it smells completely different--is it leaf-fall suddenly? She backs up a few steps, the fur on her back raising defensively.

For a moment, she wants to laugh--is this her first ever vision from StarClan? They couldn’t have sent this to her seasons ago, when her position was in question? Then she notices the large twoleg dwelling looming over the lake, and she feels a stupid kind of relief. There are definitely no twoleg dens in StarClan’s hunting grounds, so this isn’t a vision. On the other paw... she has no idea where she is.

“Is any cat here?” she meows as loudly as she dares. Unbeknownst to her, anyone walking by would understand her words, whether they were a cat, a twoleg, or any other person.

Comments

[mothwingofriverclan]

Thank goodness, a more sensibly built type of creature. Mothwing approaches the large lizard cautiously, noting his claws and teeth, but also his relaxed posture. He's clearly not prey--no ShadowClan cat would try to hunt this lizard.

"I'm Mothwing," she offers, settling into a crouch. "What's your name? You speak cat very well."

[socialjusticedragon]

Certainly not! He's far too big to eat, and they likely couldn't bite through his scales besides.

He's quite intent on remaining still, it wouldn't do to squash a new friend. "I am Temeraire. Or Lung Tien Xiang, if you like, but Temeraire is easier. And I speak many languages very well. I do not think I have ever spoken to a cat before, you are very small. I will be careful."

[mothwingofriverclan]

Temeraire reminds Mothwing of how Leafpool had described Midnight, the badger who spoke to cats, foxes, and even rabbits. He seems just as mysterious and learned as her, so Mothwing bows her head respectfully.

"Thank you," she meows. "How is the prey running around here?" She hopes it's running well--it seems like Temeraire could eat a whole clan's worth of fresh-kill every day.

[socialjusticedragon]

He is not truly as wise as he seems; he’s just moving very gingerly at the moment for safety’s sake. “Well, one does not need to hunt here; unless you particularly want to. There is plenty of food inside the manor.” He does indicate the pile of fish nearby, with a nod. “The fishing is good, though!”

[mothwingofriverclan]

"I don't really like kittypet food, so I'll fish," Mothwing meows, getting up and inspecting the fish. She recognizes a few of them, which is a relief. "May I try one? I'll catch you one in return, if you like."

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh, you may take it! I have already had quite enough for now, but I am going to see if I can perhaps make a stew, later." He'll figure something out, at least. He's figured out tea parties and the like. "What is a kittypet, pray?"

[mothwingofriverclan]

"Thank you." Mothwing happily chooses a trout and bites into it. If she closes her eyes, she can almost imagine herself back at camp. "A kittypet is a cat who lives with twolegs. Most kittypets choose to do it, but some are trapped against their will. I don't suppose twolegs keep any lizards like yourself as pets."

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh, no -- I mean, a bit, but it's complicated." He considers this for a moment or two. "I am not a lizard, also, I am a dragon. And I am not anyone's pet, but I do have a human that I care very deeply for."

[mothwingofriverclan]

"I apologize. I've never met a dragon before." She wonders if Temeraire is some kind of SkyClan-style daylight warrior. "Who is your human? What are they like? Are they here too?"

[socialjusticedragon]

"His name is William Laurence, and he is the finest captain you could ever see. I have known him since I hatched. He is honorable, and intelligent, and kind -- and an abolitionist, and he has very strong morals...and he is not here, and I miss him very much, but he will turn up sooner or later. He always does." He sounds -- a little disconsolate, but certainly stubborn in his belief that Laurence will show up here. Temeraire can be very stubborn when he wishes to be.

[mothwingofriverclan]

Temeraire describes William Laurence more like a clanmate than like a twoleg, and Mothwing's heart clenches with pity.

"He sounds wonderful," she meows. "Wait, what is it that he wants to abolish?"

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh, slavery." He scratches his talons in the dirt a little, displeased at the very mention of it. "It is -- an awful human thing, where they think they might own another human, and make them work, and put them in chains. I cannot understand it, but I am glad Laurence does not like it."

[mothwingofriverclan]

"That's terrible." Mothwing's eyes widen. "I've known cats to be tyrannical leaders, but never to that degree. No one does that... here, do they?"

[socialjusticedragon]

"Oh, no, I would not have it; and neither would Enjolras!" A dragon can be a very fearsome thing to contend with when he is in a Mood, after all. "All of the humans here are quite good, at least all the ones I have met."

[mothwingofriverclan]

Mothwing nods in assent, though she's not so sure. She'll decide for herself if the twolegs are good or not.

"I'm glad you're here to keep them in line."

[socialjusticedragon]

"Thank you, but I have not noticed any bad behavior outside, at least. They are no more unruly than a lot of aviators." He doesn't go inside much, or he would be aware of all the billiards table shenanigans and holy fire incidents. But hopefully those won't affect Mothwing much, either.