Talon nods, a pleased smile having formed on him as Silver's tale went on, now arriving at it's conclusion.

„Very good. Safe to say, he does not appear to be against the idea of a second Bloodclan cat around then. That might make things easier going forward."

Silver softly hums, his tail curling around him

„So it seems. And he shows promise. Ashfur certainly absorbed some of your lessons well enough by now. It does seem like he sees someone else in me though. Maybe fallen kin or such. I can't deny some curiosity on that matter, but it won't impede anything at any rate"

„Did you tell him when the next meeting is supposed to be?"

The older tom slightly bows his head

„Four days from now, as you instructed."

Talon, after rising to his paws, paces a few steps

„Good. Busy as the next days promise to be, I'm looking forward to it already. Excellent work, Silver"

Silver remains disciplinedly still in his position, letting a gentle smile form

„Gladly. I didn't mind, a pleasant distraction. Ashfur's curiosity is somewhat endearing. But that concludes my report. Any new orders for…"

Silver's ears swivel backwards towards the den's entrance, before turning his head that way a heartbeat later. Talon's ears perk up, focused in on the entrance, listening focusedly, intrigued at what drew Silver's attention. Steps, fairly soft, with a mild erratic rhythm, right outside. A brief heads-up before a head pops down into the den, blinking for a moment to adjust to the dim surroundings, before spotting Silver and Talon, mumbling an exclamation of surprise through the small piece of meat dangling from her mouth. Dropping it to the ground, Grail bows her head

„Apologies, I thought you'd be alone, Talon. I can come back later."

Silver shakes his head, mild amusement shining in his eyes

„I just finished with my reports, Grail. I was just asking if Talon has any new orders for me and then I'll be gone"

The older veteran warrior returns his gaze to Talon, the amusement remaining in his look. As mild embarrassment grows in Talon, he shoots back a brief glare.

„No new orders for now. You are free to return to your duties, Silver"

„Then I shall get out of the way"

With a dutiful bow of his head and a knowing, age wisened final look towards the dark furred leader, Silver rises up and leaves the den on quick paws. Grail remains a bit embaressed, the unexpected presence of Silver having brought upon some stress, unwillingly displayed by a row of smaller spasms on the right side of her face, drawing her lip back from her fang several times. Watching her stand there, signalling her distress, Talon's mind briefly races to cut short the rapidly expanding silence.

„Good to see you, Grail. Come in, what brought you here?"

Talon tries not to show his desire to cuff himself upside the head for asking such a foolishly obvious question, as if he hadn't seen the food she brought. Despite this, the silence breaking seems to embolden Grail a bit, a small tremble going through her right front paw as she smiles

„I thought I might bring you some food again. When you weren't in the healer's den, Venom said I'd find you here."

Talon nods, a mild displeasure running down his spine at the mention of their healer. He'll need to tell Venom still that potentially a lot of their supply might be used for Wrath's faction. A discussion he in no way looks forward to. But a displeasure he can absolutely not show right now, lest he risk Grail presuming it a reaction to her. Keeping his voice calm, Talon sits down and beckons the she-cat closer.

„You're kind, Grail. Stay, we should share then"

Grail pads closer, putting the meat down, part of the dog judging by smell. She shakes her head, smiling, her right ear flicking rapidly.

„It wouldn't be very much shared. You need your strength, I'm fine."

Talon shakes his head more energetically.

„I can't gorge myself when some of our own are skipping meals out there. And our warriors need to keep their strength up, including you, Grail. Stay, please"

Thankful for his dark pelt and gloomy den, Talon's ears burn up, difficult to spot in the dark. Grail is left way more defenceless. A few spasms rock her side, muscles jerking along her side and leg, the blatant tell only furthering her own embarrassment further, finally culminating in a nod however. As the russet furred cat settles down, her gaze ducks away under Talon's

„If you wish, then I'll stay"

Talon lays down, his long tail flicking, giving away his own unease.

„I… think I do, yes. Please, eat. You need it no less than I"

Raising his gaze, the light coming down from the den's entrance grants a majestic shine to the outlines of her fuzzy red pelt. Golden eyes, dilated wide in the dark of the den, finally no longer actively avoiding him as they settle on the food as she relents and agrees with another small nod. There is, warmth? The cold doesn't seem to quite reach Talon as he observes the she-cat for a few heartbeats, before becoming aware of his own staring and he leans down and tears a bite from the chunk of meat. It is pleasant, nice even. Despite the embarrassment, it seems fine, comforting. Not much chatter goes on, as one bite at a time the shared meal shrinks away. It appears that Grail, as far as Talon can guess, feels not much differently. Most major spasms seem to abate, only a small, continuous flicking of her right ear being noticeable. It is only as Grail's eyes remain on him for a short while, undisguised hope and admiration shining in her eyes, that Talon realises the soft, quiet purr that had begun rumbling in his throat.

Embarrassment burns hot in his ears after the realisation, looking away, at a loss of what'd be the thing to say or do now. Time drags on a bit, probably for mere heartbeats, though it feels like entire weeks are passing by, as no words are exchanged. This won't do, this can't do… he'll need to say something at some point. Talon slowly parts his jaws, drawing in a breath, looking for words, the attempt abruptly cut short. Barely skipping to a stop, Castle's broad head pops into the den, slightly out of breath

„Talon, Abrarc is approaching. Ran ahead of the patrol, but they're escorting them here as we speak, going to be here soon"

A mixture of great relief and deep frustration run through Talon simultaneously. The harsh interruption of this moment is nothing less than fury invoking, yet it saves him from his uncomfortably help and wordless position. Rising to his paws, he nods curtly. Another time, hopefully more prepared by then. He beholds the red pelted warrior as he begins to pad past her.

„Feel free to stay until you're done eating. I have to go, perhaps we can resume another time"

The grey furred leader barely still registers her nod before pushing out of the den. Immediately after stepping out, he is hit by a gust of freezing wind, striking him as unpreparedly and viscerally as a falling brick. Talon blinks and mildly grimaces for a moment, somewhat stunned for a brief moment. Right, leafbare. After the seeming warmth of just a few heartbeats ago, the icy air serves as frigid wakeup call. Taking a moment and several deep breaths, letting the cold air fill his lungs, he turns, pouncing up the dumpster by the wall, before leaping from there up to his sitting spot atop his wall. Kestrel is likely resting by now, he won't be there for this. Turning and sitting down, facing the entrance to the alley, tail curling around and resting atop his paws, Talon awaits his guests.

While Talon upon his wall does not draw the attention of the cats around much, it is drawn to him instantly as soon as Arbrarc turns into the alley. Followed closely by Panther and Reed, guided and surrounded by the rest of Castle's earlier patrol; Lantern, Quail, Aspen and Spider. Talon observes the approach from up high. Very official looking. Almost how it was when outsiders petitioned Scourge, back in the day… an uplifting thought, but one that can not be allowed to undermine the seriousness of the situation. Arbrarc comes before him, that just about gives Talon his answer already, he could have simply stayed away if it'd been a no. Still, there are words that must be exchanged. Drawing close to the wall, the cats of Wrath's faction grind to a halt, sitting down as they gaze up to Talon.

„Greeting, Abrarc. I presume you have come to give us your answer to my proposal?"

Talon's voice sounds practise honed, loud and clear, yet neutral in tone. A mild pride in achieving this sparks in the back of Talon's mind, never to be shown on the outside. The large, tail-less tom holds Talon's gaze with little trouble. The second-in-command of Wrath sits with the calm regality of a leader himself, breaking eye contact but briefly as he shortly bows his head in response.

„So I have. After much deliberating and considering, we agree to your offer. We are to guide you to our camp, Wrath wishes a word with you upon arrival."

Talon observes the small delegation from above, his nicked ear flicking. So far so good. To his cats, this should confirm Talon's qualification, to the other factions his position of strength, well enough off to aid his clanmates. Good advertisement all around… if his trip into the lion's den works out.

„Very well. We shall ready ourselves and head out as soon as possible. It will be but moments, but you are welcome to walk our alley until we may go"

From the corner of his eye, Talon sees Grail's pelt emerge from his den underneath him and join the rest of his faction, watching from the sides. Abrarc nods, before red eyes meet red eyes once again.

„Very well. We await your go-ahead then"

Quiet discussion and murmuring go through the crowds of cats looking on. Not everyone would know of the deal Talon had proposed yet, news hasn't fully spread yet. That will take care of itself soon enough, more importantly Talon has now run out of time to explain to Venom what's to happen. No putting it off anymore now. With some trepidation, the dark grey leader leaps down, to dumpster, then to the ground in two swift bounds. Bounding over to the healer's den, he observes Wrath's cats. Arbrarc remains sitting, calmly observing around, otherwise not moving much at all. Panther appears a little more on edge, as soon as the discussion ended back up on his paws, scanning anyone that finds themself a whiskers breadth closer to them then the rest, nigh alarmed when Reed just calmly paces off. The cream coloured she-cat perfectly willing to mingle with Talon's cats and soon finding someone to talk to in Ferret. They are all still the cats, the clanmates Talon remembers. All this animosity between the factions can not end quickly enough. Maybe this is a step in the right direction… one may hope.

Venom sits next to the healer's den, shifting her gaze from Wrath's delegation over to Talon, a hint of suspicion in her eyes already, as her fuzzy tail flicks forth, resting against her chest, revealing Rain who'd been sitting next to her, partially shielded from view.

„Why do I get the feeling I won't like whatever comes next? What did we promise them?"

Talon lets out a small nasal breath, mentally bracing himself.

„Wrath's cats that were injured in battles against the twins and their rogues, we're heading out to help them, heal them. We need you to come with us to Wrath's alley, along with some of our stock"

Venom holds Talon's gaze, several heartbeats passing by of the news sinking in, thoughts churning behind her greenish-yellow eyes. At last, she sighs and shakes her head, tail unfolding and slowly lashing in mild annoyance.

„Should have known… I'll need a few carriers. And with Frost and Clover still in, we need to keep Rain and some supplies here."

Rain looks up in surprise, mildly bristled in face of the intimidating prospect that this'd effectively put him in charge of the healer's den for a while. Talon slowly nods

„Agreed. That's what we'll do then. I'm pleased you're being understanding, Venom"

She shoots a sharp stare at Talon, but soon sighs again, her gaze softening before turning her head away to look over at the delegation

„Well… they are our clanmates still, right? Wrath's a narrow minded fool in my mind, but he remains Bloodclan's narrow minded fool. And a healer heals. I don't like watching our clanmates die any more than you do, Talon. I did not learn how to heal to just let that happen. But it might leave some of our supplies somewhat depleted"

„I'm already looking into possibly refilling our stocks. With a bit of luck, we'll be replenished before the moon is over"

„I'll hold you to that, Talon."

She slowly rises to her paws, shaking out her tortoiseshell pelt, observing the cats around and making her little selection on whom she'll pick to help carry things.

„I'll join you and Arbrarc when we're ready. Won't take long."

Venom pads off, leaving a somewhat lost looking Rain behind. Talon steps closer to the young healer, Rain's head snapping over to him before lowering in a respectful bow.

„Don't worry, Rain. Only some already healing wounds to take care of. And your father remains if you need anything. I am certain you'll manage just fine without Venom for a bit. It'll be a few days at the most I imagine"

Rain raises his head again, pondering the words spoken to him before nodding

„Yes, probably. I hope. I'm nowhere near as good as Venom yet… but if nothing new happens I think I got it"

Talon gives the younger tom an encouraging pat on the back with his tail

„Trust in yourself. You'll do just fine, and afterwards your lessons with Venom go on as they did so far. You'll become a capable healer, I harbour no doubts about that. Both Venom and Kestrel agree on that note"

Rain looks up at Talon, nervousness and still a whinge of worry in his pale amber eyes, but a spark of pride shining underneath at his leader's words.

„I promise I'll try my best, Talon"

The red eyed leader can't but crack a small smile at this, giving the smaller cat a nod

„Very good. Then we got nothing to worry about"

With that, Talon pads onward, towards Arbrarc, Venom brushing back past him, Soot, Gravel and Gash accompanying her into the healer's den. Arbrarc turns towards Talon as the latter approaches, giving a small nod of his head in greeting again.

„Talon. It seems like things are going reasonably well here. Some of our own were unsure how well merging factions again would work, expected there'd still be two distinguishable groups. That doesn't strike me as being the case here."

„We've very actively worked to make it so. But we're all Bloodclan, cats only need the chance to remember that, and what it means"

Arbrarc looks around, a good number of cats remaining around, chatting and observing, while slowly more and more peel away again, going after their duties and their own business.

„So you keep saying, Talon. Difficult to disagree right now. We shall see. Either way, we all know it's nowhere near over yet. I remain surprised you offered this to begin with. You know Wrath will not submit himself to you, not for this"

Talon sits down, humming quietly and nodding slowly

„I know. Wrath wouldn't submit until someone has already gotten the vast majority of the clan united behind them already in my estimation."

Arbrarc looks up into the sky. The sun keeps creeping slowly further upwards in a mostly cloudless sky. For a brief moment, something akin to wariness shadows the light grey second's face

„Or if someone strong enough would support his wish for vengeance…"

Talon's ears perk in Arbrarc's direction

„One day, perhaps. But I remain firm that Bloodclan needs to fully recover from the fracturing before we can even consider such a thing. My priority is clear on that matter."

Arbrarc returns his gaze to Talon, looking him up and down, seeming to size him up

„Sometimes compromise is important. That would have been the one to get closer to possibly joining our factions together. The fact that you actually went ahead and struck against the forest clans, only to refuse shedding blood, it's been a source of frustration and even confusion for Wrath."

Talon observes Arbrarc a few moments before turning his head away, thinking on this.

„Perhaps. But as you said, nothing is over yet. The Wrath I know refuses to lay aside his honour. Coming to his aid, even if it's begrudgingly so, he won't forget."

Talon notices from the corner of his eye that Arbrarc is beginning to look past him. Turing his head to follow his gaze, he sees Venom and her chosen three carriers heading towards them, their maws all filled with leaves and herbs.

„True. Remains to be seen what that'll mean for you and yours in due time. For now, it seems your cats are ready. We should head out, a long way to walk ahead and leafbare does not make it easier"