(sorry for the delay. I had a cat that was demanding attention.)

Sea Foam wasn't sure if that was a good idea, but it would be quicker. Black Rose looked eager to visit some place knew. Though he was smart enough not to just jump into something without at least thinking about it. Shaking her mane out, Sea Foam decided to trust the Zolnixi for now. "Very well, we'll trust you for now," the mare answered, walking up Feather Talon but still keeping some distance between them.

~

Grey Claw was just about done with his patrol when a mouse scurried past him followed by something slamming into him. It wasn't too big so the Lighira was able to stay on his feet. Grey Claw turned with a growl only to see a golden Zolnixi. A very frightened Zolnixi at that. With as sigh, he laid down on his stomach to look less threatening. "Calm down, I'm not about to attack you," his deep voice rumbled. It wasn't unusual for him to come across members of the Zolnixi clan that lived in the land bordering this side of Grey Claw's pride's land. Most of the time they did venture so near the border, but times were hard for everyone. As long as this Zolnixi didn't try to head deeper then he sees no issue with letting her go.

Ghost Wisp watches the three speak to one another, wondering what in the world they could be talking about. She climbs down from her tree, and walks over to the others. "Is there any way I can help?" She asks the zolinix

Rowan Heart sat up. He hated sitting still while the clan starved, but what could he do? Someone had to stay and guard the elders, queens and cubs. He began to pace restlessly up and down the clearing.

--

Red Whisper pounced on the creature. It was a tiny mouse but it was better than nothing. Maybe, just maybe, their luck would change. She hoped that this mouse would be the first of many. Picking up her mouse she headed down to the stream, maybe she could catch a fish or a water vole.

As Feather Talon was going to leave, she was suddenly approached by a strange Ryori. At first, she put herself into a defensive stance, before realizing that the smaller creature wasn't intending on attacking her. Relaxing, she looked back at the two Qitari, and then over to the Ryori, flicking an ear.

"I'm not sure...you'll have to talk to the other two and see if they're alright with you tagging along with us."

--

Sun Leaf still looked apprehensive, her tail tucked between her legs even as Grey Claw laid down. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she shook a bit. "How am I supposed to know you won't? I'm not stupid, I know we're all starving. You probably think I'd make an easy meal, huh?" Although she wasn't much of a fighter, Sun Leaf wasn't about to just lay down and die.

Black Rose glance questionly at Sea Foam, he wouldn't mind taking help when it was offered. But he also knew how careful Sea Foam was. Said mare shifted slightly, uneasy. She didn't know if this Ryori was friend or foe.

"I... suppose a little extra help wouldn't hurt," Sea Foam hesitantly said.

~

Grey Claw felt a bit insulted by the Zolnixi's words. "Yes, my pride and I could use food; just like everyone could. However, you didn't know just how close you were getting the border. Why should I attack you for that? A warning right now will do," he said, letting his indignation show in his words. Really, he may be hungry but Grey Claw still had his honor.

Ghost Whisp's eye light up when she hears this. "Thank you, I will prove most useful." She says with a eeryness to her voice, much like a ghost would have. "Shall we leave now?"

Doubting that a lone Ryori would be much trouble, Feather Talon nodded, starting to lead them back to the main cave of the Zolnixi Tribe. When they arrived there, her brother, Mouse Foot, was standing guard, position rigid and strong as ever. Upon seeing his sister and the newcomers, he jumped up, narrowing his eyes.

"Feather Talon, what--"

"Relax, Mouse Foot," she told him, brushing her tail along his side. "They're friends. Let them in, we must speak with the leader."

--

Sun Leaf gave him another weary look, before stepping back a few paces more. "W-well, um...where is your border, anyway? And if you're looking for prey you're in the wrong place, this side of the mountain's nearly stripped."

(could my new character Ebony Paw be Gray Claw's apprentice?)
White tooth padded over to Mouse Foot, "What's going on?" she asked the gray Zolnixi, "Why's Feather Talon going to talk to the leader?"

--

Burning Paw sighed. There simply wasn't any food left. She longed for the bright read berries that used to grow during green leaf. Her mouth began to water and her stomach growled at the thought of the moist sweet meal.

--

The young Lighra apprentice padded over the hard dry earth her eyes scanning the dead plant life for her mentor.

Ghost Wisp follows. She hated it when others jumped and she was around, it made her feel bad that she had scared them. She sits in silence waiting to be spoken to.

Mouse Foot looked over at White Tooth as she appeared, and he shrugged slowly, watching as Feather Talon went to search for the leader. "I'm not sure. It probably has something to do with them." He motioned over to Sea Foam, Black Rose, and Ghost Wisp. Trotting over, he asked the Ryori, "Hey, who are you? Why did my sister bring you here?"