Sweetened Breath, Tongue So Mean [closed]

The chilly air was weighted down with a sour stench, something so distinctly foreign yet unfortunately familiar all the same. This close to the Thunderpath, nearly everything was lost to the terribly unpleasant scent of acrid metal that seemingly permeated the dry earth that stretched along both sides of the strange black river. Brushing through the prickly and decaying grasses that congregated together in pitiful little clumps, Brindleface made certain to keep several tail-lengths of distance between herself and the dangerous strip of disputed borderlands- despite being born and raised in the forest, the Thunderpath still fostered an unpleasant chill in the center of her being. What could possibly warrant the need for the destructive creatures that constantly prowled along the unnaturally smooth surface? Thick nape fur prickling uncomfortably at the thought of the oddly colored monsters that constantly raced atop the Thunderpath, the silver tabby was quick to resume her brisk pace as she continued to pace along the frequently marked border.

ShadowClan's patrol schedule rarely seemed to sync with WindClan's own frenetic pacing, but she always liked to be careful- now more than ever, considering that both of her kits were old enough to venture out with daily patrols. Brindleface would much rather have an immaculate sense of preparation, especially as far as the shifty behavior of ShadowClan went. After all, what kind of cats would actively enjoy living in a dark, sludge-riddled marsh?

It was earlier than he'd prefer, the sun still in the sky as he padded out into ShadowClan's territory, paws stinging from the cold dirt underneath him. Leafbare was the only time his paws weren't soaked from the thick marsh around him, although he'd much prefer muddy paws to frozen ones.

Magpiewing's muzzle bunched together as he made his way towards the Thunderpath. The hot stench that filled the air around the dark, night-black path always made the tom gag, although he was one of few warriors in his clan that was willing to patrol its edge. Most of his clanmates were terrified, a justified fear. Those giant, rickety creatures the forest called 'Monsters' were a horrifying predator. He'd much rather a dog attack him than risk a monster veering off of its path.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a silver figure across the smooth, black path. He squinted, cursing the sun as he tried to identify the figure. His sense of smell was useless amongst the harsh miasma that radiated off of the Thunderpath. His affinity for the night condemned him in these situations. The only solution was to approach them.

The deputy called out. "Hey! Identify yourself!"

The barren, grease-riddled earth beneath Brindleface's paws trembled faintly, the barley discernible shuddering of crumbling asphalt an indication of some faraway monster rumbling along. The stiff breeze, made choppy and weak by the scraggly collection of wilting foliage that clung to the foul soil, only served to intensify the cloying scent of unnatural, acrid metals. The unpleasant mixture of broken pieces of the Thunderpath and stones overturned by the constant stream of movement clung to the tender underside of her paw, sending the occasional stream of fiery pinprick of discomfort resonating up her forelimb. Sniffing irritably, the Deputy was forced to pause for a moment- features drawn tight in an outward expression of her dismay at having to lick away the foul smelling debris that was embedded in the soft flesh of her pad.

Focused fully on the task of attempting to clean herself without getting too much of the foreign taste of unnatural oils, Brindleface didn't catch a glimpse of the shape slinking along the opposing stretch of grass- only taking notice of the ShadowClanner after he spoke. Indignation sparking a fiery trail down the length of her spine, the young she-cat swung an incredulous gaze around to the featureless shadow of dark fur that evidently making demands of her. What was even the point? Did they really think she'd ever step a pawstep outside of WindClan's scent-markers willingly?

"Identify myself?" Brindleface echoed in a sharp mixture of dismay and irritation, "Are you without any semblance of sense? Why, in the name of StarClan and all things good, would I ever answer to some finicky Apprentice shouting at me for no reason?"

"Apprentice?" Magpiewing stood to his full height, amber eyes glaring over the Thunderpath, unflinching as a monster roared passed the two cats.

The burly tom made his way to the very edge of ShadowClan's territory, his eyes straining to see the she-cat through the daylight. The closer he got, the better he could see her fluffy, silver pelt. He inched closer until the surface beneath his paws turned hard and hot. Pausing, he stood tall for the WindClan cat to see. "You do have some nerve, mistaking a deputy for an apprentice. Do they not teach you anything about respect in that hovel you call home?" His tail lashed back and forth. What a proud little warrior.

Ah, that certainly struck a nerve.

Brindleface let out a sharp exclamation that was dominated by the presence of foul words, and her momentary triumph was quickly diluted by the ShadowClan Deputy's jeering response to her own words. It was difficult to unspool the fiery thread of anger that was currently ensnaring her, unsure if she was more upset that he didn't recognize that she was a Deputy as well, or if it was the callous manner in which he addressed her. Fur prickling sharply under the strain of her rage, it was difficult to even recall why she had attempted to travel all this way whenever her pride was practically screaming to engage further. "It was an honest mistake, considering I've seen newly-made Apprentices who stand about a head taller than you." She snapped, pupils shrinking sharply as she watched Magpiewing step out onto the disgusting surface of the Thunderpath. "I could ask you the same question! Are you too busy picking rat bones from your teeth and trying to groom out the poisonous mud from your patchy pelts to learn how to mind your own business?"