Once there now Here

[Amaree]

Hushpaw trailed after the traitor until he suddenly stopped in the middle of a clearing, and addressed her. The small apprentice froze with fear, and began to stutter incoherently, unable to formulate any suitable reply to Jaypelt's question.

[Professor Membrane]

 "Did you really think you could follow me like that? I'm an experienced warrior, it's not like I didn't  notice the scent of an apprentice." Jaypelt said, not unkindly.

[Amaree]

Hushpaw's ears warmed with shame at Jaypelt's words, and she hung her head. She couldn't even trail this tom without being sensed...how was she supposed to stop him? This situation was seeming more and more hopeless as the moments ticked by. "I...I...d-don't..." Honestly, she was at a complete loss for what to say. What was she supposed to say to a traitor?

[Professor Membrane]

 "Again, what is it that you want?" Jaypelt asked, taking a step towards Hushpaw.

[Amaree]

Hushpaw squeaked, and took several hasty steps backwards, when Jaypelt stepped towards her. "I w-was just wondering...h-have you seen any r-rogues recently? I've heard that there m-may be a couple c-consipiring to assassinate the l-leader.", she fibbed awkwardly.

[Professor Membrane]

 Jaypelt's ears perked up quickly at the word of the leader's assassination, "What? Where did you hears this?" Jaypelt demanded taking another step towards Hushpaw.

[Amaree]

Hushpaw's eyes narrowed with confusion as Jaypelt acted genuinely surprised by the news. He was a superb actor, apparently. "It's j-just a rumor...so have you?", she questioned again.

[Professor Membrane]

 "No, of course not! Who told you this?" Jaypelt, asked his tail flicking impatiently behind him.

[Amaree]

Hushpaw shrank back at the warrior's impatience, her mind scrambling for an answer. "Ah...um...Twigpaw t-told me.", she murmured quietly.

[Professor Membrane]

 "Twigpaw? Did he tell you where he heard it from?" Jaypelt asked.

[Amaree]

"I'm n-not sure...does it m-matter?", she responded meekly.

[Professor Membrane]

 "Does it matter?" Jaypelt spat, "We're talking about the leader here. WHat if these rumors are true then what?"

[Amaree]

This certainly was not the sort of reaction she would have expected from Jaypelt. Was Scarredclaw mistaken, perhaps? "Hehe...well, they're j-just rumors, r-right? Probably just s-some silly gossip...", she backpedalled weakly, backing away from the warrior.

[Professor Membrane]

 Jaypelt's whiskers twitched irritatedly, "Tell me if you hear anymore about this." Jaypelt growled, and turned to leave.

[Amaree]

Hushpaw nodded hastily, then turned and fled without preamble. Yikes! Now what? Either Jaypelt was an excellent actor, or her friend was wrong about him.