A small rooster trudged through the mud, long feathers trailing behind him like ebony serpents that seemed to loom beyond vision, hackles of rich scarlet with golden highlights that gave him an almost fairytale appearance. He came upon Wingclan's treeline and flew onto a gnarled little branch and watched from his perch. He hopped down to approach the border but felt a tug on his rump.
"My tail!" he squeaked, his eyes were wide but he was clearly mocking his vanity. He tugged on it gingerly, only to have it tighten even more. He dangled from the tree, his feet flailing for a moment and his wings flapping, two of his feathers tied tightly to the tree's boughs, "Could I get some help here?" he called out. "Ummm, hello?"