⋆ known u n k n o w n s . {open!}

there was something incredibly serene about new-leaf, though perhaps only the vast relief that accompanied the first thaw of the season, but all around iceclan's territory were signs of new life- buds emerging from barren trees, and pale yellow petals blooming wherever one looked. it certainly was picturesque, the tom thought to himself, but a cool wind reminiscent of leaf-bare combed through his thick apricot pelt and chilled him right through. within the next moon, though, iceclan would be thriving. after all, the buds and flowers weren't the only signs of new life in the forest. rowanstar himself felt rather fresh and new, still growing into his new position as leader. it had only been a quarter moon since he had visited with starclan, and at times his legs still trembled with the force of their power in the lives he had been granted. still, the young tom was renewed with energy and anticipated heralding his clan into a time of peace.

but for now, it was time for escape. patrols had been set, he assumed, and there was little to tend to in camp. no threat had recently been discovered out in the territory, so the young leader took it upon himself to go for a bit of a solo hunting mission. if there was one thing about being leader that made him uncomfortable, it was the expectation that he ought to stay sheltered in camp. no, that would not do. how could he clear his head that way? no, it would take the gentle babbling of the creek which sprawled through his territory to cast all the buzzing thoughts away.

however, something stopped him short. he hadn't been traveling in a particularly quiet manner, regrettably, but someone else had. just enough that he hadn't detected them sooner, but with the shifting wind, rowanstar parted his maw and breathed deeply. "ah, stormfrost," he meowed, flicking his tailtip, "hiding, are you?" he asked, but his eyes twinkled with good humor as he pushed through the brush to find the slender female not far from the water's edge.

the slender tom's long tail brushed against the ground idly as he watched his deputy fluster with his twinkling gaze the only sign of humor in his features. her silver frame seemed to shrink under his words, and he fought back a bout of laughter at this attitude. he wanted to console her- they were both new at this! but at the same time, he was terribly amused. "so you were hiding from your clanmates then?" he inquired, his expression showing false surprise- after all, he was practically doing the very same thing and he found it ironic their paws, seeking solitude, had carried them both to the same spot. he lifted his tail and flicked it over one of stormfrost's ears, finally casting her a playful grin as he turned and returned to the water's edge, motioning with a paw for her to join him.

"nothing new," he nodded his confirmation of her question, another soft smile twitching at the corners of his maw. it was a very good time to be leading the clan- iceclan was enjoying the bounties of newleaf, and fireclan and stoneclan were leaving them to their own devices. for now, at least, but rowanstar wasn't worried. "theres a bit of a lull in camp, i thought i'd take advantage of it while the sun is shining," he meowed softly, thinking the female ought to have an explanation of his company. "i thought i should do a bit of hunting though- so i have an excuse to be away for the afternoon. dappledbloom is holding down the fort while we're away." the pallid ginger tom found a path of stepping stones across the creek and darted expertly over them, then turned on the other bank and stooped over the water's edge, careful that his shadow wasn't cast into the water so he wouldn't have to keep so still- he didn't think he was capable of remaining motionless anyway. it felt as though there were ants in his paws!

in fact, he couldn't really focus on the puny minnows flashing silver before his eyes. "i'm a bit nervous." he confessed, straightening once more to glance across the water at stormfrost. "are you? the next gathering will be my first as leader." the tom blinked, curling his tail neatly over his forepaws, his features taking on a thoughtful expression, "i've never had trouble with the other clans though, i served as deputy at gatherings for many moons." he murmured, more to himself than anything.