{ { faithy! what's shakin, bacon? } }

The strange cat's scent hit her the same time she heard his muttering, and Cadet Desdemona pressed herself to the ground instantly, thanking the stars that the grass was high enough to offer some protection. He looked kinda familiar, like some of the other new recruits that had moved in a moon or so earlier. The she-cat slowly stood up, trying to get a read on his body language. He didn't seem to mean any harm, though he did look frustrated.

Drawing up her confidence, she raised her tail and plastered on a scowl. "What are you doing on Regime territory?" she called, her tail really the only thing that could be seen over the tall grass. "Stop, and announce your business." Her voice was a lot more firm than her resolve, however, and it was with hesitant paws that she made her way to the tom's side. Here, thankfully, the grass was a little shorter and her lithe tabby frame was finally visible. She didn't look angry or scared, but more like a little kid trying to emulate a grown-up.

{{ Dude that's so cool! I just finished my first interactive fiction game and my very first board game for final semester projects this year! I'll def take a look @ yours }}

"Serene and Arcane..." Cadet Desi tried to place the names and finally recalled meeting a she-cat named Arcane. "You're their litter-mate?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow in disbelief. It really was convenient that some tom from SunClan decided to claim kin to Regime cats now, of all times, but Cadet Desi was also loathe to keep litter-mates separate as she understood how important family is.

"I don't think I can just let you into the tunnels," she began slowly, trying to figure out how to say this. "Even if they are family, I don't think you can just waltz about the territory like you belong. You are an outsider. On the other paw, they are your family. I..." She trailed off, stuck. What was there to do that wouldn't get her in trouble with her superiors later? "I think I can leave you up here if you promise not to go anywhere while I fetch Arcane for you. I don't know of a Serene, though, so maybe your brother went somewhere else instead?"

Cadet Desdemona winced, more to herself than in response to anything Dusky said. She knew she'd get into trouble if she brought an outsider into the tunnels without permission, and she lived her life trying not to get into trouble... "Here," she said, strengthening her resolve. "Come sit under here - " She motioned with her tail towards the disguised tunnel entrance only a few paces from them. "It'll be dryer, and you'll be out of sight. Then I can go ask Superior Limavady if she can escort you to your siblings. That's really the best I can do."

She gave him a sympathetic look. He was a potential groupmember and she really did understand his plight, so she wanted to give him the best shot at seeing his family as possible. "Can you do that? Stay here, and stay out of trouble? I shouldn't be too long gone, I promise." She gave him a small smile and tilted her head, oblivious to his strangely calm demeanor and just happy that he wasn't angry or crying.

{ { I'll go ahead and message Val and see if she'll reply with Lim after your next reply! } }

Cadet Desi couldn't hide a smile at his humor and felt her face heat at his wink before she turned tail and disappeared into the darkness of the tunnels. As she descended, the air dried out a bit and the temperature lowered from the balmy heat up top to a cooler, more comfortable temp. She wasn't sure where she'd find her superior, but thought that HQ would be the best best. She wasn't exactly allowed in, though, so she made her way to the main post and stopped just outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Limavady and convey her need to talk.

Cadet Desdemona jumped when he touched her, fur raising along her spine instantly. When she saw who it was, she felt her face flush and cast her eyes down. Mousebrain, she thought to herself, then forced herself to steel her nerves and look Limavady in the eyes. "Superior Limavady," she said, wishing her fur would settle faster. "There's an outsider who says he has family who just joined the Regime and wants to visit them. He said he's considering joining as well. I didn't want to bring him into the tunnels without permission, though, so I just left him at the tunnel entrance."

"Arcane and some cat named Serene? I've never heard of the latter but he's only a cadet and I doubt he would try to get into the tunnels for ill. I just thought you would know better what to do." Cadet Desdemona was relieved the decision was in another cat's paws, as she didn't want to be the reason any harm befell the Regime. She knew Limavady would know best.