sea's siren song ☆ joiner

[RHINESTONE.]

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?

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan