Chapter Three: Introductions

"Woah-" Cappuccino murmured before huffing a bit as Hawk was still on top of him "I'd like to be able to breathe please?" "O-oh right! Sorry." Hawk chuckled nervously, getting off of his brother-in-arms. "This place.. is so cool!" The gray tabby tom mewed, his fluffy tail twitching in excitement. However, his own excitement began to slowly deplete as he noticed most feline optics were now on him and his friend. Hawk blinked, beginning to become anxious from their perplexed, judgemental, and curious gazes. Some however, didn't even look their way.

Falcon'swoop nudged the two "C'mon, let's go to Juniper'star." He mewed, giving them a gentle glance before leading the way towards another tunnel, though it wasn't as deep. He then had come to a stop beside it. Around the entrance were vines that seemingly had been there for a long time. "Juniper'star?" The large tabby brute murmured, ears perking for any sort of confirmation. "Come in." mewed a young molly with a rather sweet and calm voice. Falcon beckoned the two kittypets to follow him as he stepped inside. Cap and Hawk looked at each other for a second before following after him.

Inside, it was rather dark.. though as his light blue eyes adjusted to the dark area he could see a fluffy alabaster colored molly with black ear tips, black tail tip, toes and part of a leg and a black star marking on her chest. Her eyes were oddly a violet color. "Oh? We have newcomers! Hello you two. My name is Juniper'star, the leader of this clan." She introduced herself, sitting up from her nest. The she-cat smelled like lavender, quite the scent.. a scent he enjoyed to be honest. The nest she seemed to be on was.. oddly colored. It was dark green and looked kind of mushy with bird feathers all over. Why on Earth would anyone enjoy lying on that? It's not exactly proper bedding if you asked Hawk. "What brings you two here?" She then asked. "We'd.. we'd like to join the clan.. ma'am." Hawk mewed, sitting down and curling his fluffy tail around his constantly shuffling paws. Cappuccino nodded "Yep! It sounds like a lot of fun!" He insisted, his whiskers twitching in excitement. "I see; and, what are your names exactly?" Juniper purred, curling her soft, fluffy tassel around her ebony colored paws. "I-I'm Hawk." He decided to introduce himself first in a quick manner before Cappuccino could interrupt him. "I'm Cappuccino! But, he likes to call me Cap; and, this is Mr. Wubbles!" The cream colored tom mewed, nudging the stuffed whale towards Juniper'star, his childish personality showing. "Oh— hello Wubbles." She mewed, a soft smile on her facial expression. "Well Hawk.. Cappuccino, before I can let you join.. you'll have to prove yourselves by doing a quick assessment. Though you won't be told when you'll be taking it. Just know it's almost like a test of loyalty." She explained. "Once you pass, you'll be announced as full members of this clan. Understood?" She mewed. "Understood! But.. um.. one question-" Hawk muttered, slightly tilting his head to the side

"Will we… have to change our names?" He asked quietly, glancing at Cappuccino so he could break eye contact with the molly. "Of course not, you can decide whether or not you keep your former names.. though the collars will have to go once you join." She answered. "Great! Thank you, Juniper'star." Cappuccino mewed happily, grabbing Wubbles and exiting the den, Hawk only whispered his thanks and quickly followed after the creamy tom. "Isn't this exciting, Hawky boy? We get to experience something new! I mean, look at this place, it's huge!" The tom exclaimed, obviously unable to contain his excitement. "Yeah! But um.. won't you miss our housefolk? I can only imagine how devastated they must be.. I feel kind of bad for just leaving." The striped tom admitted, looking at his friend. "Well, yeah.. but if we go back now they might lock us inside! We may never see this opportunity again. Besides, we get to learn some new stuff! It'll be fun, I promise." Cappuccino reassured him. "Yeah you're right. Thanks- aCk!" Hawk got cut off as Cappuccino rammed into him, pinning him down. "Wha- hEy!" Hawk snorted, pushing his dark gray paws against the other tom's cream colored chest. Cap purred "Cheer up, snuggle bear! You'll still be protected by me, your favorite guardian!"

"I think you'll be the cause of my death if you keep crushing me like this! Now get off, you log!" Hawk scoffed, kicking him off. "Not my fault I caught you off guard, dummy." Cap countered with a stupid grin on his face. "Jerk." Hawk grumbled before giving Cap a friendly nudge. Perhaps he was right; he might just like it here.