Intruder [Watchers]

The three laceworks had to wait around for nightfall yet again. Being told some information about the Watchers culture in the meantime. Mostly involving the stars of course.

Saikaam would return to the group himself soon enough, “Follow me to your new outpost location.” The purple male would say before hopping along the rock formations to a new location.

The three, Hiroshima, Cairn and Paris would have to be quick to keep on the Watcher leaders heels. Passing by a couple wooden platforms on their small journey, before coming to a stop that overlooked a series of rock arches. 

“This will be your new lookout post for the night. Keep your eyes peeled!” He would say before gliding off. 

The tone he held in the last part sounded a bit foreboding to the group. It was as if he knew the previous night was slow, and that he knew something was coming. Maybe he did too, maybe it was a set up, a test. The best way to find out was to stay and see.

But the three would settle in at their post soon enough, the bioluminescent paintings on the nearby walls would be their friends. After resting what felt like many hours between their two shifts, this time they figured they would stay up together. If they needed to, one could rest at a time of course, but at least this different strategy would be a change of pace for them.

Cairn would sit and study some of the paintings while they were all up and alert. Trying to memorize the constellations depicted, she was no astrologist and couldn't tell if they were accurate. Perhaps someone else in Vanquest was however that she could ask later.

During this time Paris and Hiroshima would watch over the ledge and down into the Druid territory. Watching as those down below would start to disperse and settle in for the night. Oh how peaceful this was in a way, being high above others watching them from afar. No wonder there was a whole clan dedicated to this. A clan that was dedicated to seeing everything from the shadows, without being noticed. 

Cairn would soon join the two in peering over the edge once she was done memorizing the paintings. She wondered if any of those down below even noticed they were up here, probably not. Especially not by the time they all seemed to be asleep and still. 

Bats would stirr soon enough to flutter about the caves, glow bugs dancing in the now dimmer light of the cave crystals. Time seemed to almost flow at a different speed down here, it felt like months had passed but at the same time only feeling like a week since they stepped in the caves. It was hard to tell which feeling had been correct.

But all seemed still and quiet for most of the night. The three would manage to all stay awake, keeping silent in their night-watch so as to not be noticed by any potential passerbys. Not that they have seen any thus far besides bats and insects. Which they hoped was a good sign. 

But it wasn't much longer before Cairn would spot the shape of a headian moving about in the darkness. She would silently nudge Hiroshima and Paris, pointing with a paw in the direction. With some quiet glances and unheard gestures, the group would silently rise to their feet. With each of their postures now hunched over, they would pad over to this intruder on silent toe tips. Going on to surround them, before they would pounce.

Each would land upon this blue intruder, who would try to push them off out of instinct. 

“Get off!” 

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” Hiroshima would spat at them back.

Though it wouldn't take them much longer to realize who this headian was underneath this dark colored attire hiding parts of his pelt. Alesiter, but why he was there wasn't obvious to the group.

“Alesiter? What are you doing here?” Cairn would be the one to say it out loud, the group getting off of the headian by this point.

“None of your business.” 

“Actually it IS our business, we were told not to let anyone in.” Paris would chime in.

The druid, from the ground below them would huff, almost impatiently so. “Was looking for someone.” 

“Who?”

“I'd rather not say. I'll just leave.” Alesiter would turn to go back towards the path that led back down. Only to be blocked by Cairn.

“Spill it or you aren't leaving.”

The male would almost seem embarrassed looking between each of the members of this group. To him it was pointless to hold it in at this point. 

“I don't know her name, alright? She had strange white markings like that. Just had thought I saw her come this way. I really don't want any trouble so I'll be going.” Having gestured to the Lacework pattern on Paris’ pelt. Before turning to leave once again.

This time the group would let him leave back towards the druids. Having exchanged some glances with each other. They would settle in for the rest of their nightshift. Feeling relieved that he wasn't someone planning to steal from the Watchers. 

Come what they started to see as the morning, Saikaam would return. “You passed with flying colors! Now then let's teach you outsiders more about our culture before we tell you how to get to the next clan shall we?” 

The purple headian would share some more information with Carin, Paris and Hiroshima as well