[Insidious]

DIMSTAR

leader of nightclan

He weaved through the trail paved out of skeletal trees with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times, and he had. He knew every inch of NightClan territory down to its last detail, down to its last indent carved by a paw, and he was proud to walk through it and know that he belonged. Anyone could call him indifferent or unfeeling (and he wouldn’t deny their claims) but he cared about the well-being of his Clan. He believed he’d made that known to any lingering disbelievers with his recent developments, but that wasn’t to say his decisions as leader weren’t being met with unvoiced hostility on some accounts. It was a daring move to make, but he hadn’t done it to be rebellious or to test how much his Clanmates would put up with before they broke. On the contrary, he believed wholeheartedly that every decision he made would steer NightClan towards continued success. Behind him, he hoped, was someone who could agree with what he’d done.

Eyes of colourless, bottomless white stole a glance at his companion. NightClan camp had been left in the capable paws of Smokefur, their medicine cat, and Blackwolf, a prestigious senior warrior, as he took a short outing with his deputy. It would’ve been easy enough to have a conversation inside of his den, but he wanted to escape from any prying ears. Besides, even though he’d never shed his layer of professionalism in everything he did, he believed a walk along the Branch Trail would feel more open and less stuffy. She would be able to let her thoughts run freely without concern.

“Everything seems to be in order.” Dimstar thought aloud with a sideways glance. “NightClan is in a good place. Once all of our apprentices are trained, we’ll have an abundance of new warriors, and then our borders will pose a threat to all.” There were limitless possibilities, and he seemed to be filing through them as his eyes shifted aimlessly. It was impossible to know what he was thinking about if he didn’t throw a bone. “Has word reached your ears of any disapproval in regards to the new regulations? I’ve heard nothing. Our camp seems to be subdued.” It could be because those against his call were too afraid to seek him out to challenge it, or because everyone was slowly starting to come around and see worth in it—he favoured the second option, but it seemed unlikely.

but if all we are is just machines

415 | @marshymutt | notes

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[Deleted]

NightClan Deputy - 30 Moons - She-Cat

"From what I can tell, there are a few cats who aren't very happy about your decision. Hollystorm, Bonetail, Squirrelpaw, Nightwhisper......it doesn't seem like all too many cats are actually for the regulation." Redcloud somberly admitted, recalling the day the dull-pelted leader had made the announcement. The looks that had covered the faces of her clanmates told her that none were too fond of the idea even then. She had believed, or at least tried to believe, that her fellow felines would eventually grow to at least tolerate the new rule but that seemed unlikely now.

"In an effort to try and bring a bit of comfort to our clanmates however, I've been offering as much information about the new regulation as I can give to those who are willing to listen. " The bitter chill of the air briefly tore the ginger she-cat's attention away from the conversation, prompting her to turn her gaze back in the direction of camp. This was certainly no time for the clan to be up in arms about a simple breeding regulation. The bitterness of leaf-fall was an ever-present reminder of that fact. Though perhaps that was why nobody was acting on it right now. The knowledge that leaf-bare was coming as well as the desire to be prepared when it did come was pretty strong at this point, and the clan certainly wouldn't survive leaf-bare without a strong leader to guide them.

Notes | Tags Insidious
/Word Count 239

[Insidious]

DIMSTAR

leader of nightclan

His deputy listed off a couple of names off the top of her head, and he wasn’t at all surprised to hear Bonetail was one of the first she admitted had some concerns. The two of them rarely saw eye-to-eye throughout his apprenticeship, and even though he was a warrior now, very little had changed between them. It was unlikely anything ever would. However, it was for reasons like that among an abundance of others that the regulations were necessary. He quite simply couldn’t rely on a large chunk of his Clanmates to make smart decisions about breeding. Bonetail, for one, had always struck him as an oddly flirtatious cat which was an attribute among the masses he failed to understand in spite of its popularity. There was no point in flirting with a cat that couldn’t be considered a potential lifetime partner. The regulations wouldn’t bring an end to flirting, but it would hopefully bring an end to mistakes that the flirting amounted to.

“Very good. If those who are willing to listen to what you and I have to say on the matter are properly informed, they can relay that information to those among us who are less inclined.” Dimstar wasn’t a preacher. He didn’t know how to stand atop the Boulder Ledge and make the breeding regulations sound pleasant. However, he knew how to make them sound factual and beneficial. He didn’t need anything else to be convinced, but he knew that wouldn’t be the same for his Clanmates. Redcloud, at least, would be able to talk it up in ways he couldn’t.

Dimstar turned around to face his deputy. His chilling eyes found hers, and he held her gaze for a moment before speaking his mind. “I only want what’s best for our Clan.” It didn’t feel like something he needed to say, but at the same time, he wasn’t certain if he said it enough. Did Redcloud ever doubt that he held NightClan’s best interest at heart? He didn’t think so, but then again it was rare for him to take the time out of his day to truly look into how those around him were feeling. The leaders of NightClan before him had never attempted to place these kinds of restrictions upon the Clan, but that was precisely the point: How did anyone know they wouldn’t work out perfectly? If it failed horribly, he would eliminate it because that would be what was best for NightClan. Perhaps his Clanmates thought he was being an unfair leader, but had anyone taken the time to consider that was the way it needed to be? He promised to bring change into the Clan for their greater-good, and he always followed his word. A fair leader could make everyone happy, but alternatively a fair leader could easily disappoint through leniency.

but if all we are is just machines

472 | @marshymutt | notes

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[Deleted]

NightClan Deputy - 30 Moons - She-Cat

When Dimstar turned to face her, dull, colorless eyes gazing into her own amber ones, she had to suppress the urge to shudder. No matter how long the young deputy lived, she doubted that she'd ever get used to her leader's emotionless gaze. The she-cat nodded in response to his statement however, as he reminded her that he had the clan's best interest at heart. "I know you do. That's one thing I will never doubt." She mewled, only briefly lingering on the topic of her leader's desire to make the clan better.

Taking another few steps forward, a spark of memory brought itself to the forefront of Redcloud's mind. "Oh, and since we were just on the topic of breeding, Tinytail and I have recently become mates. She insisted that I tell you, seemed really interested in your opinion on the matter. Then again I think she's just very excited in general right now. She already questioned me over how we were going to go about conceiving our first litter. "

Notes | Tags@insidious | Word Count 171

[Insidious]

DIMSTAR

leader of nightclan

He had been aware of his deputy’s preferences prior to electing her as his second-in-command, so it didn’t surprise him that she’d found a suitable partner in the form of Tinytail. While he personally didn’t understand same-sex relationships, he would never so outrageously disrespect a Clanmate. It could be worked around, and it would be worked around. Redcloud had made that clear by bringing her new relationship to him in the first place. If anything, it solidified his trust in her even further after she confirmed she’d never doubted what he wanted for their Clan.

He contemplated their options in a moment of heavy silence. “I thought Palefire would be a suitable candidate for Tinytail should either of them come forward with a desire to have a litter. He’d perhaps be willing to help the two of you conceive your litter.” He searched Redcloud’s expression after mention of Palefire. He’d never seen the two of them spend an abnormal amount of time together, but he figured it would be easy enough for them to get along. He had been an excellent warrior prior to his injury, and Dimstar was confident that he could pass agreeable genes onto a litter he helped the pair of she-cats with. “I trust your judgement, of course. I wouldn’t be opposed if you had a different suggestion in mind.”

He trusted his deputy would pick nothing short of the best. However, that was what he was there for: If she didn’t, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell her as much. It interested him that Tinytail had been so eager for Redcloud to share their relationship with him. Did she want his blessing? He certainly didn’t disapprove, for both she-cats were strong-willed and advantageous assets to the Clan, and together—preferably with the help of Palefire—their kittens could turn out nicely. He had high hopes despite an individual preference for matches that didn’t require a third party.

but if all we are is just machines

321 | @marshymutt | MAKES IT VERY CLEAR DIMSTAR'S OPINIONS AREN'T A REFLECTION OF MY OWN <3

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