~a cool day ιn leaғ-ғall~ (open)

Quailnose didn't feel like doing much today. He'd gone out to hunt a bit with his sister, and that was good enough. Knowing the deputy, the tom would likely be tossed into a patrol later that day anyhow. So until then, he lay sprawled off to the side of camp to better appreciate the cool weather. It was odd; despite being a cat with short hair, he loved Leafbare way more than Greenleaf. Something about pushing through tough times made him feel accomplished and gallant. Of course his sister would say he was anything but with his lazy and silly ways, but he could dream, couldn't he?

The tabby sat up at the sound of pawsteps in the near silent clearing and grinned when he spotted young Hawkfoot. "Hey! Wanna come hang out over here, Hawkfoot?" he drawled just loud enough for the other to hear. Quail's tail lashed lazily behind him as he did so, eyes half closed in relaxation.

He'd noticed her start and blinked a bit before offering a gentle headbutt to her shoulder in apology as she neared. "Didn't mean to scare ya." he rumbled, eyes twinkling a bit in amusement. Silence then reigned over them a moment as the she-cat settled down before she asked him how he was. Per usual, the question only proved to make his grin itch wider.

"Oh, you know me, I'm always peachy as can be. How about yourself?" Quail let his head lull back to take a better glance at the warrior's face. A calm purr thudded through his chest serenely.

Quailnose nodded in humored agreement with his peer, adjusting himself in order to get more comfortable. A soft grunt breezed past his maw at the movement. The fresh earth he'd shifted onto wasn't warmed by his body and sent his pelt prickling a bit but Quail ignored it.

Ears perked at the she-cat asking about any news, the tabby chuckled. "Always. I think my sister's turning into an icicle with that personality of hers...although I'll have to thank her for at least preparing me for Leafbare!" the tom purred cheerily, always ready to spout silly complaints about his littermate in good fun.

A hum of agreement rumbled in his chest. "We have plenty of skilled hunters, I'm sure we'll be fine." Quailnose replied serenely. He'd never been big on worrying, and liked to take things as they came.

When Hawkfoot said she had nothing to report, the tabby narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. "Oh come on, there's always something, silly girl. Any admirers, or someone you've come to have a crush on?" the tom waggled his brows teasingly.

Quailnose chuckled at the obvious embarrassment Hawkfoot radiated, then began to full on guffaw at her asking about him. Love? Quailnose? It was possible, but not many could put up with his foolishness.

Calming himself and catching his breath, the tabby warrior simply grinned at the younger cat for a heatbeat. "No, no...I'm not that easy to tolerate. Plus, everyone here seems so boring lately, who wants a dreary mate? Not me, that's for sure. I want someone sexy, funny, and willing to have fun...not some serious bore." one last chuckle escaped before he fully calmed. Then mischievous glint lit his yellow eyes, a matching smirk following suit.

Scooting closer, he whispered for effect. "So what do you think good ol' Fangstar's love life's like? That oughta me some juicy stuff, eh? Can't imagine Fangyfang fallin' for someone."

Quailnose rumbled another laugh. "That's okay, my sister wouldn't pay it any mind either if she weren't so darned obsessed with Clan politics."

He thought long and hard about what had been going on. There wasn't much, really. Cats were being cats and yelling at him as usual...but that was about it. Then, it came to him. A shit-eating grin threatened to overwhelm his face.

"Yeah, I've got a real good bit you'd like to hear. You know that one tom....uh...." he scratched one ear absently. "Wheatclaw, was it? I'm pretty sure he's cheating on his mate. The guy's been eyeballing she-cats left and right when Squirrelsplash turns her back. Shame, too...she's one of the prettiest cats I've seen." Quail shook his head in disbelief.