Fresh snow, a cold morning. The sky has mostly cleared by now, letting the new white radiate with the shine of the sun's descending light. Right now though, it's pleasantly warm to Talon, as well as a few others. Exhaling, the red eyed tom observes the old, in some spots partially rosted through barrel, the flames within only visible to narrow slits around his eye level as he sits. The slits look a bit as though they'd been struck with something like a claw, only bigger. Eyeing som of the twolegs around the barrel, he briefly ponders if they might have made these holes, or simply found the barrel like this and used it. The thoughts soon enough fade away, as it really does not matter. The snow is melted away around the metal cylinder in a nigh perfect circle, and within that circle; pleasant warmth. Trying to keep his thoughts from wandering to the prior day, Talon returns his gaze to the twolegs, standing around the barrel, seeming to crave it's warmth no less than he does. Dishevelled twolegs, what little fur they have unkept upon their heads and faces, smelling of fatigue, old leather and less pleasant things still. Odd. They do not seem like most their ilk. They are rarely as handsy as younger twolegs, but unlike most other fully grown twolegs, they seem to almost acknowledge the cats here, Bloodclan, rogues… Still somewhat unpredictable, like all of their kind, but perhaps less so. Aside from observing Talon, Ferret and Spider as they arrived for a while, they made no attempts to chase them from what seems to be their barrel, fire and warmth they made. The cats won't be able to stay too long anyway though. The first sunrise patrol would soon be back and Spider will be on the next, now laying on the warmed asphalt of the little side alley they are in, pleasedly soaking up what heat he can before he'll have to venture out into the surrounding cold. Some of the returning patrol will no doubt want a spot here as long as the fire burns once they hear of it. As for Talon, he should return to the his alley soon. He has a faction to lead, remaining here all day will not do.

The loud, breaking crack of a piece of wood amidst the fire in the barrel briefly makes Talon's ears swivel towards it, perked in alert, but soon calming again. With a silent hum, he observes Ferret, the young warrior fixated on the distorting hot air rising from the barrel, the occasional flight of embers bursting forth. Usually a bit more energised, the tawny and brown warrior seems thoughtful.

„Your mind busy too then, it seems"

The words pass Talon without much thinking. After most of the night had been spend agonising over his own thoughts, it seemed almost merciful that, at least for now, most of his mind is quiet. For the time being he hopes that it may last a while longer. Ferret blinks, visibly surprised the be addressed after the long silence in which the three had been resting here since they arrived.

„Maybe. I don't know. I always figured Owl would be one of the few managing to get to go of old age. Father thought so too. Apparently he was a strong warrior in the clan's early days before he became…"

She hums, seeking kinder words than the ones initially coming to her. Talon nods with a small chuckle

„Old? Grumpy? Difficult to be around? He was not one for mincing words, nor did he like it when others did."

Ferret lowers her head a bit, seeming a bit ashamed that she can't but agree with the words Talon chose. Still she nods.

„Was he? A strong warrior, I mean. Gash said he fought fiercely."

One of Spider's ears turns to listen in on the conversation, but he remains quiet, continuing to bask in the warmth of the flames. Talon raises one of his paws, observing the reinforcing claws adorning it.

„I was still quite young myself then, but he was formidable when he joined us, yes. Never the most friendly cat, but dependable. The clan was glad to have him. And he the clan, he was not well liked by some of the groups of rogues around here. He used to treat that like an honour and was often among the first to volunteer when another group was to be chased off. That's how he became a veteran warrior, one of Scourge's guard. But he was one of the oldest to join Scourge."

A small while of mostly silence ensues, the raspy coughing of one of the twolegs and the crackling of the fire being the only noise above the usual background of monsters rolling along the thunderpaths. At last, Spider's grunt as he slowly rises up and shakes his pelt out, breaks the silence.

„Patrol should be back soon. Hornet's probably gathering her patrol already."

Talon nods towards the grey furred tom, getting up as well.

„Most likely. I'll head back as well. You coming too, Ferret?"

Talon turns to look at her, but she calmly shakes her head

„Not yet. In a bit perhaps. I'll be on my assigned sunhigh patrol in time though, I promise."

Talon nods as Spider walks over to him.

„I never put that in question. Goodbye then, Ferret"

As the two toms slowly pad on out of the pleasant warmth and through the snow, Ferret mews a quick 'bye', just barely audible over the crackling in the barrel. Talon strides on, Spider at his side, out of the small side alley and along the thunderpath, sticking close to the twoleg dens to remain out of the way of the twolegs constantly bustling about. Despite his best attempts, his recounting of his early memories of Owl allowed regret to fill the almost void he had managed to maintain in his mind. Owl and Wax, both gone, not even their collars remaining to be remembered by. Spider's mewl from the side pulls Talon out of his thoughts before sinking in too deeply

„Will you come? To tonight's thing for Wax and Owl. Not really a burial or bringing a collar to the Hall,… not much of anything really. But I think some cats would approve if you were there"

Talon looks at Spider from the side for a brief moment before retuning his gaze to in front of him, navigating the way by instinct.

„Probably. On top of the monster nest, watching sundown, was it?"

„Yeah. Don't think anyone's gonna do much of a speech or anything, but yeah. Seemed correct, doing something for them at least, if we can't do much else"

Talon lets out a deep breath, the exhaled air clouding immediately. Thinking for several heartbeats on how to respond without either sounding as rueful as he feels, nor as cold and thankless as Scourge might have, he resorts to simple silent nod. He feels Spider's eyes piercing him from the side, unable to tell what the warrior might be thinking. Was the nod not enough? Perhaps something should have been said, but what? Again, it is Spider breaking the resulting silence.

„Is it true? What some of the others were saying?"

„Depends, what are they saying?"

Talon flicks one of his ears Spider's way as the two turn at last into Talon's alley. Near the wall, Hornet is pacing back and forth, her patrol gathering. Hornet spots Spider from some distance, impatience sparkling in her eyes. Spider lets out a sigh at the sight, a small entertained smirk arising on Talon. They'd all been on patrols with a moody patrol leader at some point, the feeling is know. But there is no trace of Frost's patrol having returned yet. So, perhaps there'd be no harm in Hornet's not moving out immediately already. Slowly, Talon slowly to a halt, sitting down to at least finish his conversation with Spider. With an amused hum, Spider signals his understanding of Talon's intent, sitting down beside the leader. The gratitude in his golden eyes soon makes room for something more difficult to read. The faint smile replaced with a more neutral expression, Spider continues a bit more quietly in tone

„That you speak with Scourge."

Talon observes the tom closely, ignoring the fairly distracting lashing of Hornet's brightly coloured striped tail. He can't quite determine Spider's thoughts, the lighter warrior giving little to base any guesses on.

„Is that making rounds again, then?"

Perhaps if Spider's train of thought is hard to read, Talon could still find out the general opinion on the matter. So far there has been no signs of much discontent, perhaps Kestrel was right and it's not as big a deal as initially thought. Then again, how could something like that not be a big deal?

„It's been making rounds ever since we joined you. Still don't know how Kestrel found out, and none of us have ever heard you talk much about it."

Talon turns his head towards his wall, his brown pelted second-in-command sitting atop the dumpster, observing the alley below, regularly returning his gaze to Talon since he returned. He waves his tail in greeting, seeing Talon looking over to him. After returning the gesture, Talon lowers his eyes to his clawed paws.

„I have some ideas on how he found out by now… but why is that now relevant? Or are our clanmates just growing curious?"

Spider slightly tilts his head to the side, seeming to search his words for a brief instant

„It's just, some of us notice that you don't always act the way we thought you would anymore. Not in a bad way or nothing, but, we kind of notice. Frost keeps spouting things like you'd become a second Scourge. And since Kestrel said it back when we joined factions… warriors talk. Can't help wonder what we're even talking about though."

Talon nods slowly, looking upon Spider, eyes drawn in where his pelt slowly changes shade, from the brighter brown of his body to the deeper and darker brown of his legs. The subject was always going to come up sooner or later, but how much should Talon say? It'd serve no purpose to try and contradict the claims by now, but how much detail would be too much? Telling them about the Dark Forest might not be wise, it could be twisted too easily into Talon sharing beliefs with the forest clans. At the same time telling them of the Void would be… concerning news for his cats to take in, especially in times where they have still enough to worry about in the here and now. Not to mention the implications of it… All the clanmates that died before Scourge did and found refuge for them, all the cats that have been irreparably lost to the Void. Parents, siblings, friends they had back when they were rogues, loners, kittypets… gone. But that Scourge still exists, Bone, that there is somewhere for them now, regardless of where it is, that may yet bring them some hope.

„Yes. From time to time at least. Scourge chooses when he cares to speak or not. It's good to see Bone and some of the others again"

Spider listens closely, ears intently zeroed in on Talon, soon a small nod escaping him

„So… there is someplace. After this, I mean?"

„There is. No paradise by any means, but definitely better than there being just literally nothing."

Spider lets out a small scoffed chuckle, shaking his head

„Suppose so. Not like life's a paradise either. But I keep thinking, what does that all mean for us? Doesn't seem to make all that much impact on us here right now."

Talon's ears swivel on his head. A few nearby discussions have ceased. Frustration builds behind Talon's brow. Their conversation is the furthest thing from private. Every word he speaks on the matter now will circle through the faction and possibly the clan before long. Words must be selected carefully.

„Mainly it means it isn't just over after we die. Scourge would not suffer the same nonsense the Forest clans cling to. He gives advice when he cares to, but life remains for us to live. If we rely too much on our dead, our living will become weaker for it."

Spider ponders Talon's words, quick hushed talks taking place in small circles around. No lie spoken, Scourge cares not to make a Starclan of his own and he could clearly take more influence in things than he does. He made it clear that Talon should be independent from him by the end. He knew things might go wrong on their mission to the meat-place, but thought it better for the clan if it happened and Talon learned from it than to try to intervene in any way… Though masking it, a twinge or resentment bubbles up in Talon. He understands the logic behind it, but to accept the lives of clanmates as mere payment for lessons learned… Scourge's coldness reaches depths Talon is unsure he could ever reach, unsure if he'd ever WANT to reach. The red eyed leader does not get to deepen himself too far into these thoughts however before Spider sways his head from one side to the other.

„Kind of sounds like him alright… An imperfect ever-after with Scourge still calling the shots, suppose that's the best us alley delvers could have hoped for. An eternal could-be-worse."

Talon let's out a quiet huff, the tip of his tail flicking. His answer a bit quieter as he slowly rises to his paws again

„Well, welcome to Bloodclan."

Spider gets up quickly, shaking his pelt out with a small smile that is in equal parts genuine and ironic

„Welcome to Bloodclan indeed. But if I leave Hornet waiting much longer, I fear I'll be able to answer my own questions soon. Scourge guide your claws, Talon"

With a brief bow, Spider turns on the spot and bounds towards the assembled and waiting patrol, Hornet's brightly coloured tail swishing in agitation as she impatiently awaits the last to arrive, shooting Spider a deeply displeased glare as he winds past her with a hushed apology. Talon slightly turns his head to the side, looking from the edge of his vision at one of the groups he knows to have listened in. Soot, Poppy and Gravel all try their best at seeming inconspicuous, but too forcedly so to have any success, all seated nearby in a small circle, painfully clearly trying to not look Talon's way and revive their previous discussion.

Talon suppresses the need to let out a deep sigh at that before stepping forth. He's probably done the best he can with what he has to work with. Hopefully. Hornet dibs her head in greeting as she passes Talon with her patrol, out on the unenviable task of making the round along Granite and Wrath's borders in the biting cold. Talon wanders over to the dumpster by his wall, leaping up easily, though the frost has rendered the top somewhat slippery.

„Nothing new to report just yet, I reckon?"

Kestrel shakes his head in response, observing Talon from the side

„No, all quiet here. Pleasantly so for now. Cats are calmer now with the food situation visibly better"

„Good."

Talon nods as courtly as he answers before leaping up the rest of the way to the top of his wall, taking his usual spot. The faction gets on, if they keep up the effort they'll get through this leafbare without much hunger. That's done at least. They got what they needed, what they set out for. Starvation could have cost them dearly, especially with a few young ones among them. Talon looks out over the alley, though truly stares off into nothing. They did as needed. He did what has to be done. Despite the knot in his stomach, thinking of the coming little goodbye ceremony his clanmates have arranged for this evening. He's seen many cats die, a fair number of clanmates, such is just life in twoleg-place. Why do these two rest so heavily on Talon's gut? Is it really just because this time, it was HIS orders, HIS mission? He'd feel sorrow for Bloodclan's fallen, he felt sorrow for Fang, Echo… Wicker too, but it's not the same. There is no hiding behind someone else having given the say so this time. It wasn't Scourge, who coldly but logically determined they'd win more than they'd lose, it wasn't Wrath that he could resent for hasty actions. This was him, this rests entirely on Talon, even if it's the same thing he's seen many times before.

The dark furred leader snaps back to reality at the intrusive clacking of claws against asphalt. Frost approaches as the rest of his patrol, clearly just returned, splits up to go their separate ways.

„Greetings, Talon. All quiet on our border with Wraith. Seen a few hunters at work, but well on their side of the border."

Talon nods shortly at the news. So far there's been no real threat from the quiet leader, but with how well she can blend into any minuscule shadow despite her white pelt, how much more dangerous might she be with fresh snow everywhere to camouflage her… It'd be careless for Talon to let his guard down now. They paid a steep price for the food now filling their bellies, it'd be a disgrace to the sacrifice Owl and Wax made to let it fall into another's paws now. But food is not their only concern. Beckoning Frost closer to the wall with a sway of his tail, Talon looks out over the alley. Venom could return any day. So far they've been fortunate, the cold has only made for a few cracked pads so far, easily fixed by young Rain. Sickness could still arise before the weather begins to warm again, they will need to restock their herbs already, as Talon has promised. Or are those vastly different herbs than what Venom took with her to Wrath? He'd need to ask Rain, or better yet, Venom. Beyond having been taught b his mother to chew burdock to dull pain or for small infections, Talon has no real knowledge of any of these plants. Taught so long ago… How long has it been since he thought of her?

Sliding his paw along the side of his face both to discretely clear his thoughts and fix his whiskers, Talon returns his gaze to the white veteran warrior before the wall.

„Let's hope it stays so. Take some food and rest before heading out after patrolling in deep snow. Will you attend that little ceremony for yesterday's fallen?"

Frost briefly tilts his head a bit in thought of the matter

„Can't really say I knew either of them al that well. Nor do I really relish the idea of sitting still outside when the sundown chill begins to creep in. I feel I'd stick out like an infected claw"

Flexing his claws against the edge of the wall and arching his back in a bit of a stretch as the cold air already begins to annoyingly seep into his fur, Talon gives a brief hum

„A pity, but understandable. Very well, dismissed. And tell Moon or Rover when you see them that I want an update on their activities soon"

Frost bows his head, his tail flicking behind him as he turns around

„Will do. Scourge guide your claws"

„And yours, Frost"

Talon watches the former second-in-command step away, only to find integrate himself into a small conversation between Clover and Quail further down the alley. Fair enough, though Talon would have thought that at least Owl would be a bit more closely acquainted to a fellow veteran warrior. Then again, every cat's free to associate with or avoid each other as they please when not under orders. Either way, it would not matter in Talon's case. His conscience would no doubt give him another uneasy night if he chose not to go. He owes them this much at least. All that remains for now is to see the rest of the day through until then. Talon lets out a huffed nasal breath, observing the little cloud it creates in the freezing air.

The sun runs it's course across the sky, though by the feeling of it, it might as well be missing. Time passing by, the cold perseveres all throughout, even during sunhigh barely a difference being perceivable. Though, aside from the cold, the day goes by without any trouble above minor nuisances. Almost strange, so calm and normal a day, right after a day of extraordinary feats and losses. Talon looks at the lowering sun, touching the edges of the large twoleg dens in the distance. Not long now until it touches the actual horizon. At least if one is high enough up to see it. Talon looks down, observing Kestrel returning to the wall, leaping up onto the dumpster and giving a grateful nod up to Talon.

„Appreciated that you kept position till I got back. Don't think many leaders would stay to cover for their second instead of the other way around"

The red eyed tom slowly unwinds his furry tail that had been wrapped around himself, before jumping down, landing beside Kestrel

„Well, now you get to do just that. Doubt much will happen between now and the end of sundown, but…"

„Never wrong to be cautious. I get it. Besides, can't fault you for wanting to attend the thing. It's a good look for you as leader."

Kestrel stretches himself long before turning to face the alley and sit down. Talon nods, observing Gash and Sparrow bringing in a pair of small rats to the food pile. Not much on these scrawny rodents, but everything that permits them to stretch their newly won supply is welcome.

„Probably. Anyway, I should get going. You can leave once our night-guard takes his post. It's Soot's turn tonight"

„Very well then. Have a pleasant evening, Talon. If the bunch of you don't freeze solid up there…"

Talon leaps off the dumpster, shaking out his pelt before moving on.

„Would be a bit too convenient for you. Can't make it that easy for you to become leader, can I?"

To the sound of Kestrel's entertained chuckle, Talon pads onward, soon leaving the alley behind. Quick paws moving over asphalt, snow and strewn salt, knowing the way, before too long the destination comes into view. The huge structure towering above all others around, not nearly as tall as the sky-pillars in the middle of twoleg-place, but easily overlooking most other buildings around these parts. Entering through the doorless opening unopposed, Talon is quick to find the stairs upwards, casting a quick look into the large, open main room as he begins his ascent. Monsters, all quiet, left to rest here while their twolegs are elsewhere. And the same on the next floor, and the next, all the way to the very top. To build one den for so many monsters. Twolegs are odd creatures indeed… But it does make for a brilliant vantage point all the way up. Arising up the winding concrete stairs, going on just long enough to be mildly annoying, Talon finally finds himself at the top level, spotting right away the gathering cats, talking by or sitting atop the small stone wall that marks the building's edge. The descending sun silhouettes the warriors as Talon pads over. While not silent, the noise of twoleg-place I slowly decreasing a bit as night approaches. The red eyed tom is greeted by several nods and small bows as he steps through the small group of cats still sitting on the ground, Talon himself jumping onto the little wall once it's in safe range. Broader than his wall in the alley, and rounded off a bit. Considerably more comfortable. Ahead of him, now visible past the buildings that obscure it on ground level, the horizon is clearly visible, just in time as well, as the lower edge of the sun begins to touch it. Bright and radiant, even in the cold. The talking of his clanmates increasingly dies down as they take notice that it has begun, one after the other leaping or climbing onto a free spot of the wall.

Talon's gaze is drawn in as a familiar pelt appears at the edge of his vision, watching Grail sit down beside him with a small bow, but no words. Talon's heart beats a little more firmly, but now would not be the time for words, simply nodding his head to return the golden eyed she-cat's greeting before turning his gaze back towards the horizon. The sun seems to radiate a different shade of colour as it slowly sinks, drenching the sky in the most brilliant orange-red, going out from a brilliant golden orb.

The sun moves but slowly, yet fast enough to very much perceive. Such an intriguing thing. It rises every day, descends every day, but no cat can know for sure what it truly is. It is light and it is warmth, it dictates the sleeping and waking of most creatures, and it outlasts everything. Talon slowly blinks. Owl and Wax were born under the same sun they probably died under by now. The same sun Talon was born under, the same sun Scourge was born under. Or is it a new one that rises each day, a new offspring ascending every morning? Probably not, but who can say… Hard to say which would be the better symbol either. To have the certainty of something constant, no matter what hardships they face, or to see with each sun-rise and sun-down that things go on even if some things end. Which would they have preferred? Owl would have certainly liked perpetuity. Wax, hard to say, but upbeat and eager as he was, perhaps he would have preferred to see something new in each day. Perhaps…

The cold increasingly creeps in, frosting everyone's breath all the more, as more of the sun vanishes behind the distant line. The colours all the more magnificent to behold as the bright orb releases it's hold on the sky. The silence however remains, no words are spoken, none will be, not before the sun is gone. Still, the involuntary noise of some of the warriors mildly shaking in the cold is very much audible. Can't be helped. Talon himself is none too far from that himself, but for now he tries to steel himself. An attempt also made, yet seemingly failed by Grail, her fluffy tail wrapping around her mildly shaking self. Talon's ear turns in her direction. He still has yet to make a decision regarding Grail. Or does he? He can not disrespect her by shielding her the way he would some vulnerable kit. Nor can he deny that her proximity is… good. Pleasant. Soothing, in a perhaps still awkward kind of way. And she has made a lot of effort to attain his attention, a lot more than he has for hers.

His ears warming, Talon winds his tail over to Grail, slowly laying itself around her. Talon feels a brief jitter from her, unsure if it is surprise, her twitchings, or disapproval. He tries to pull his tail away in deepest embarrassment, only to find it's retreat halted. Though slightly contorting into small jerkings, Grail's right paw holds the fuzz of Talon's tail against herself. Relaxing a little, Talon lays his tail back around her side, finding no resistance to it. Soon, slowly, Grain simply leans over, resting her head against Talon's shoulder. There are no words, only the descending sun. And the promise of a new sun tomorrow.