LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

In some ways, it was difficult for Rhinestone to understand Medusa's plight. After all, he had lived within Palmclan for his entire life, and he was probably one of the most standard felines you'd meet in terms of appearance. Thankfully, the leader was pretty good at sympathizing with others, even if he couldn't fully understand what they were going through. He had been making a valiant attempt to prevent anyone from looking at Medusa strangely, or making her feel uncomfortable, but it was difficult. Palmclan was still a traditional group at heart, and some were irritated with him for letting in strange creatures and hybrids. He could only hope that exposure would lead to some level of change, or he would be forced to reprimand those who weren't cooperating in the next meeting. The group as a whole wouldn't have been alive if it hadn't been for new and unusual people joining after the hurricane had struck. It was only proper that they show them the respect and friendliness that they deserved. If anyone wasn't doing that, it would not only reflect badly on themselves, but also on the group as a whole, and could ultimately lead to their undoing.

This was what had led to Rhine leaving after Medusa when he noticed her practically fleeing the camp. He went off to hunt for a while, figuring that the other could use some time alone before he talked to her. By the time he eventually approached her at the beach, he had two rather plump mice clenched in his jaws. Padding over, he put the mice down carefully, purring in greeting to Medusa, "Hello Medusa... you looked like maybe you could use a good meal. Might put a smile on your face." It was impossible not to notice the sigh that had left her, and Rhine wanted to change that. Curling his own tail around his paws, the leader then questioned, "How has Palmclan life been treating you so far...? Not too harshly, I hope..." He could only hope her sorrow wasn't entirely caused by her surroundings. Although, if it was, it might be easier for him to help, given his position within the clan.

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Rhinestone did have to admit that it was a little... unnerving, watching Medusa fully unhinge her jaw to eat a mouse. Not only that, but her mention of shedding certainly caught him off guard, although he found himself hastily nodding. He couldn't help it, really. He'd avoid staring, or acting like she was some kind of freak, but beyond that? It would take some time before he was fully used to her. It wasn't as if she was the first hybrid to arrive on Palmclan territory – that honor went to Lovekit – but there was a large difference between a canine and feline hybrid, and Medusa's particular brand. Despite this, Rhine was quick to try and be friendly, settling down nearby in order to start eating his own mouse, smiling faintly at the taste. He wondered if Medusa actually got any taste from swallowing mice whole, or whether there was some kind of other similar experience. He hoped that there was, more for her sake than the familiarity it offered. He couldn't imagine a life without taste, especially when there was such a wide variety of prey to be found within Palmclan's territory, from the forest, to the cliffs, to the beach itself.

When Medusa described her experiences within Palmclan, Rhinestone found himself nodding, although he winced in sympathy. He definitely didn't approve of the staring, and he'd gladly tell off anyone who did it, although he wasn't sure Medusa would appreciate that. She was looking for a life that she could enjoy, not where everyone was getting scolded in her mere presence. The leader was about to respond, only to look up when Vass approached. The tom could feel himself tense up slightly, but it was only briefly before he was able to force himself to relax once again. Vass's size was still intimidating, but he was a member of the clan now, which meant that he was good. Nodding along with the tiger's words, Rhinestone turned his gaze back towards Medusa, "He is right, you know. A lot of them are just... trying to figure you out. And those who aren't? It's best not to pay attention to them. All they're doing is digging a hole for themselves that will get them in trouble with me, personally. I welcome your presence within Palmclan." He didn't want to get too preachy, but he really did want Medusa to feel comfortable within the clan. Without all of her memories, she didn't really have anywhere else to turn, and Rhine didn't want her feeling trapped and miserable.

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Medusa's offer was... tempting, to say the least. So many questions immediately leaped into the leader's mind, all clashing and struggling against each other. However, there was also a healthy helping of apprehension that hit him as well. The hybrid had mentioned that she was willing to answer any questions, but also that she didn't like feeling like an outcast, or an oddity. Would it be insulting to ask, even with the offer? Although, Rhinestone was also fairly sure that Medusa didn't want anyone walking on eggshells around her. Rhine's mind was a whirlwind of different thoughts for a moment, but he eventually managed to take a deep breath, settling them for the moment. He would ask something, but he'd try to make it something small, and do it respectfully. That would make it okay, right? With that in mind, Rhinestone cocked his head to one side, "I do have a question, actually... it's nothing big, but... does it hurt? When you do that whole unhinging your jaw thing? I noticed you rubbing at it, so..." His earlier questions about taste also resurfaced in his mind, but he refrained from asking those, at least for the moment. For one thing, he didn't want to be rude. He also didn't want to overwhelm Medusa, either.

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Rhinestone was definitely glad to learn more about Medusa. Aside from Lovekit, the leader had never encountered a hybrid before, and had only ever known snakes as creatures to be feared. In fact, the tom couldn't help the way that his body involuntarily tensed up slightly when Medusa flicked out her tongue, reminding him of the few times he had gone hunting snakes with Vixenvenom. However, he managed to recover fairly quickly, dipping his head in a quick nod. The thought of unhinging one's jaw was still incredible to him, but at least Medusa wasn't hurting herself when she was doing it. Although he supposed that made sense – after all, surely snakes would die of starvation if they had to hurt themselves every time they ate. Tilting his head to one side, Rhinestone let loose another question, glad that Medusa seemed happy, and not offended, to answer, "So... a great deal of the snakes that frequent the cliffs are venomous. Do you have venom? I'm afraid I'm not very good at snake identification, so I'm not sure about what species of snake you're a hybrid of..." The most he really knew about snakes was that they had sharp teeth and they could kill you, hence why he tended to avoid them.