LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

To be torn from your home, and thrown into another world as a stranger in a strange land... the entire concept was terrifying even for the most lionhearted. After all, one spent their entire life, from childhood until death, getting used to things. In most cases, they were getting used to the surroundings around them, that made them feel safe and happy. They became used to the people that lived there, as well as the gradually evolving routines that their home necessitated. Rhinestone had spent his life within Palmclan, slowly becoming used to the surroundings of his beachside home, more than happy to be a part of the tropical clan. When he had been just a child, he had been so wide eyed and bushy tailed, amazed by the seemingly endless world that Palmclan's territory had to offer him, as well as everyone else. As time had gone on, that world hadn't necessarily become smaller, but it had become more manageable. He knew the ins and outs of Palmclan's territory like the back of his paw, and he wasn't sure he'd give that sense of familiarity up for anything in the world. Not that he'd even consider it now, especially as leader. Palmclan was his home, and he had no intention of ever leaving it, or the people that resided within it, behind.

Of course, life didn't always care about one's intentions. Life was a cruel mistress, and it would do whatever it wanted with whoever it wanted, regardless of how much they clung to the home and safety that they had come to cherish. Perhaps if Rhine was a more cruel person, he would've pitied Fait for the situation that she had ended up in. He was sure that she was terrified, and it wasn't as if she didn't have a right to be. The caracal still seemed young, and on some level, Rhinestone doubted that she had ever even pondered the larger world before. Or, if she had, she had probably expected that she would be able to explore it at her own pace, not after being ripped from the arms of a loved one. For a brief moment, the tom tried to imagine what it would've been like for him to end up in a similar situation. Torn away from Palmclan as a child, left adrift only to wash ashore to find a group that he knew almost nothing about... he probably would've died on the spot. If not that, he would've at least been terrified out of his mind, hesitating at the very notion of taking a step forward. At least it seemed as though Fait had managed a few steps from the water, before the breakdown could be seen coming on.

The leader was unable to understand the words that left Fait's mouth, but that didn't stop him from urgently padding over. It was obvious she needed help, just going by her tone, and the general gleam of unshed tears in her eyes. No matter what language barrier existed between the two of them, Rhinestone could at least understand that. As he grew close to the other feline, he slowed down a bit, not wanting to frighten her. His voice was gentle and reassuring when he finally spoke, his fluffy tail twitching with anxiety that he was hiding, "Hello there... I don't believe we've ever met. My name is Rhinestonestar, and I'm the leader of Palmclan." He had no idea if she would understand, but hopefully his way of speaking would get across that he was a friend, not a foe. He continued in the same peaceful tone, his head tilting to one side in a wordless question, "It looks like you've traveled quite the far way, haven't you? Do you need help?" She wasn't the first to have washed up at their shores, and Rhine was fairly sure she wouldn't be their last, considering the recent influx of joiners.

The next part of his explanation would be a bit more complicated, so he ended up sitting back on his haunches. Lifting one of his legs, the rusty feline gestured back towards the main camp of Palmclan, the one that lingered within the sandy valley they called home. As he did so, he muttered, "It would probably be best if you followed me to our camp. While we're there, we can try and figure out where you came from, and how we could get you back, if that's what you wanted." That seemed like the most natural answer for what young Fait could need. She seemed like a lost child, and it seemed simple that she would want to go back to where she had come from, and where all her safety was. Whether or not Rhine and Palmclan could actually get her back there...? Well, it was certainly debatable, but not impossible. After all, they had gotten Lovekit home, even if it had taken Goldie coming along. Maybe someone would eventually show up to retrieve Fait as well?

Here you are and you’re all you wished to be
[size=9px]( silver tabby ; one month ; palmclan kitten )
You’re alive and you're not alone[/SIZE]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

The approach of Foamkit was wholly unsurprising, although Rhinestone did find a soft sigh working its way up from his throat at the fact that the boy was out of camp once again. He knew it was basically useless to try and scold the other, considering he had heard the same half-formed excuses over and over again. This was one thing that Rhine would rather have the child's caretaker deal with, considering he knew her to be a great deal more intimidating than he was – at least to Foamkit. Still, hearing the child address Fait as a friend caused a soft mrow of laughter to leave him, a smile upon his muzzle as he spoke, "Friendly as always, aren't we Foamkit? I suppose you'll have to help me show her to camp, then." The look on Fait's face obviously revealed that she was struggling somewhat, but it did seem as though she knew their language, albeit very loosely. It sort of reminded him of Foam's grip on the English language thus far, although Fait was obviously older, and probably just more familiar with another common tongue. That might've confused him long ago, but after learning of the other groups that lived around... it didn't seem so farfetched.

Bird. The nickname was certainly a strange one, but it was one that would be easy to remember, at the very least. Letting another reassuring smile come to his muzzle, Rhine dipped his head before he spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bird... sorry if it's difficult for you to understand this language. If it's more simple, you can just refer to me as Rhine." His own nickname was far shorter than his full warrior name, and also just generally easier to say. It wasn't as if Rhinestone was a real stickler for titles or anything like that, so it was easier to just tell Bird that she could call him that, regardless of if it was a nickname usually reserved for friends. The leader then blinked himself free from these thoughts when he heard Fait's soft and questioning tone, his eyes lighting up when he saw Foamkit winding in and out of her legs. He was obviously pleased, and Rhine couldn't help the chuckle that left him. He nodded his head firmly, making sure his voice was just as firm as he spoke, "Safe. You're safe here. As is he." He gestured a paw towards Foam, trying to make it clear he wasn't reprimanding her.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though the peaceful conversation wasn't meant to last. When Hauntingdreams approached, Rhinestone initially brightened, about to introduce the warrior, only for the other tom to correct Foam before turning towards him. Rhine immediately felt his ears pin back, and a sense of frustration run through him as he heard Haunting. Obviously the other's fears weren't ridiculous, but... Bird wasn't even doing anything. She was soaked and clearly afraid, barely capable of speaking their language, let alone plotting... Rhinestonestar soon found himself shaking his head from side to side, a soft hiss leaving him, "Haunting... we know that there are other groups around, but look at her. She's miserable, and clearly lost and confused, and she barely knows how to talk with us. She needs our help, and I really don't think she's acting just so that she can sneak in, or whatever else it is you're worried about. I don't know about you, but I hardly think Palmclan was a group founded on turning away those in need." Perhaps his words were a little harsh, but Bird really did seem as though she just needed help. If she was lying, then she was extremely good at it, and it wasn't as if they had the power to find that out, at least not now.

It was only a moment before the caracal spoke again, causing Rhine to raise his head in surprise. She seemed to be repeating Foam and Haunting, and the rust colored tom felt a grin come to his face when he heard her words. He nodded his head eagerly, encouraging her, "Yes! Yes, friend. You're a friend, Bird. You're more than welcome into the group." He then turned back towards Haunting, shaking his head at the warrior, "Can't you see? She isn't a threat. She's even a feline, like us. So, with all due respect, Haunting, I'm going to let her come back to camp." It felt odd, putting his paw down on something, but he also knew that to be his job as leader. If this came back to bite him in the ass later, so be it, but he truly didn't think Fait was capable of hurting a fly.