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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2016 14:43:23 GMT -5
I look ahead to all the plans that we made and the dreams that we had.
I'm in a world that tries to take them away, but I'm taking them back.
Fog lay over the valley like a thick pelt as Rushwhisker rose from his nest beside Bitternwing. He realized that he could barely see her and peered around carefully, trying to discern the best way to leave the den without stepping on any cat. Well, this would make patrolling today a harrowing adventure. He managed to feel his way out without tripping over too many tails and stood to the side of the warrior's den, keeping the entrance open since any cat coming out probably wouldn't see him were her to stand in front of it. He sat to give himself a quick grooming as he puzzled over the patrols for the day and what this fog would mean for every cat. He was hoping by sunhigh the sun would have burned most of it away, but it was so thick he was pretty confident it wasn't going anywhere any time soon.
Tentatively, he reach one paw out to swish through the silvery cloud in front of him, watching it swirl away with vague interest. Droplets of water clung to his pelt like dew as the fog whirled around him, making an already chilly day even colder. His thoughts turned briefly to Frozenpaw and he frowned. Today would be a terrible day for her. She relied so heavily on her eyes. He would have to ask Russethawk and Bitternwing and Ashpaw to help him keep an eye on her today. She shouldn't be alone in this fog, and he didn't want her going out of camp today either, unable to hear or see. To be honest, he didn't really want any of the apprentices out of camp today. Other than Frozenpaw, they were all incredibly young. If they fell into the river or something, unable to see where they were going, they would be in big trouble. And no warrior would be able to see just where they were in the water to save them.
He stood suddenly, wanting to speak with Stormstar about the problems with the fog before assigning patrols, and cats would expecting his direction very soon. He made his way slowly toward the leader's den behind the River Stone, or at least in the general direction of where he knew it should be. He slowed as he sense the big stone in front of him and he made out the dark shape of it, not wanting to run right into it, and used his whiskers brushing against it to guide him around to Stormstar's den, pausing and calling out softly, “Stormstar? I think we need to talk about this fog....” Among other things. His ears twitched as he thought of all the other questions and concerns he had that he wanted to bring up, but kept putting off for the sake of seeing RainClan run like a normal Clan for once after so many moons of strife. And he would do it again, and keep doing it until he forgot about them completely, if that's what his Clan needed him to do.
Cause all of this time I've just been too blind to understand what should matter to me.
My friends this life we live, it’s not what we have, it’s what we believe in. @dreamer
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2016 20:23:31 GMT -5
STORMSTAR He had not been awake long, but he had decided to stay in his nest a bit longer. The light outside was darker than normal, and the air felt damp. He was in no mood to venture from his den. Eventually of course he would have to seek out Rushwhisker, but didnt he perhaps deserve just a little longer to rest.
That was when the decision was taken from him with Rushwhisker's timely entrance. Stormstar arched up his back, stretching his spine and then reaching out with his front paws and digging his claws in the ground. Finally with a lazy yawn he shook himself out and padded over to Rushwhisker. and looked past him out of the den. Ah, fog, lovely.
"We will delay all patrols for a little while I think, and let cats rest for a bit. Then hopefully the fog will have cleared some. If not we will try to send out only the warriors past the river. The other apprentices can gather moss and work on dens. We should probably make sure Ottersplash's supply doesn't get damp either, medicine cats don't like that for some reason."
He looked his deputy up and down, thoughtful.
"If we do have some extra time... perhaps you would like to ask those questions I've seen you supressing over the last days?" Amusement twitched at his whiskers. "Well spit it out, Rushwhisker, so I can prove why you are a good choice."
Stormheart sat, settling his paws in front of him and his fluffy tail curled around them. I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2016 23:09:28 GMT -5
I look ahead to all the plans that we made and the dreams that we had.
I'm in a world that tries to take them away, but I'm taking them back.
Rushwhisker nodded in agreement at Stormstar's words as the older tom
appeared and spotted their predicament swirling in silver clouds around them. There wasn't really anything else to be said about it, all of his concerns and thoughts on the matter had been echoed by Stormstar already. He waited a moment as silence fell between them and caught his leader looking him over just as he was about to excuse himself. He blinked in surprise as Stormstar saw right through him. He hoped the rest of the Clan didn't read him so easily.
“W-well... I mean...,” his ears flicked back sheepishly and he glanced behind him, but of course saw no one through the fog, “It's not exactly that I think I'm a bad choice, I just....” He sighed and lowered his voice slightly, “There are just so many other more experienced warriors who seem like they would be... better deputies.” He thought immediately of his mentor; Russethawk had helped him through so many things and always seemed to know what to do or say.
“And I...,” he glanced away slightly, “I don't mean to doubt you, Stormstar... but I couldn't help but wonder if the pressure of the situation... maybe... made you choose too hastily.” He met Stormstar's eyes again so the other tom could see how serious he was, “And if that was the case, then I don't mind stepping down at all. I wouldn't hold any hard feelings over it or anything. I just want what's best for RainClan.” He raised his head slightly, “I'll be whatever RainClan needs me to be, whether that's deputy or a regular warrior.”
Cause all of this time I've just been too blind to understand what should matter to me.
My friends this life we live, it’s not what we have, it’s what we believe in. @dreamer
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 10:48:58 GMT -5
STORMSTAR Stormstar watched his young deputy grapple with what he would say and how he would say it. He was pretty young, and there had been other choices... but not many. So many of the older warriors had been the ones to become purists, and the few that remained were hurt and distrustful. After the stress put on Bluewave to get everyone through the situation, Stormstar had known he would need a young strong deputy.
The grey morning swirled with a color very similar to Stormstar's pelt, and it made him wonder, if he could almost see his reflection in the fog. Had it been wise to accept the burden of leadership? Someone younger might have fared better, but Starclan was correct, he did indeed have the experience. Just as Stormstar was the leader that Rainclan needed, it would be Rushwhisker who would be the leader the clan deserved.
Clearly Rushwhisker did not agree, and Stormstar snorted slightly at him.
"Indeed there were older and better options, but that was not the purpose of my choice. Rainclan will need someone young, vibrant, and sensible to lead. You and Bitternwing are a symbol of hope, of the future. You are not ready yet, but that is for the best, this way I do not have a more seasoned or competent warrior vying for my power and attention. If we're lucky, together we will have a chance to build a lasting and united Rainclan, together." Stormstar paused to look his deputy up and down. "While my decision was hastily made, I stand by it, and would by no means give you the shame of stepping down due to a miscalculation on my part. You are deputy now, and there is no getting away from it." He held Rushwhisker's gaze for a moment. "That said, if you ever feel uncomfortable, you are welcome to form a small council of advisors from elders and senior warriors to help you make some decisions, or if you are uncertain about your feelings on the role you can talk to Ottersplash. Im sure he wouldnt mind."
The fog was growing a lighter grey as they spoke, but not any thinner.
"Any more questions, or concerns? I would be glad to address them." I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 15:25:12 GMT -5
I look ahead to all the plans that we made and the dreams that we had.
I'm in a world that tries to take them away, but I'm taking them back.
He listened intently to Stormstar's explanation and it became clear just why he had been chosen. Stormstar was one of the most senior warriors in the Clan. When he had thought to choose his deputy, he had thought more seriously about choosing a cat to succeed him, rather than just choosing a second in command. He had chosen him... to train him, in a sense. Because Stormstar was right. Had he himself been chosen by StarClan to take over leadership of RainClan, he would not have been ready. He would have done everything he could for his Clan, as he always would, but he simply did not have the leadership experience, or the life experience, to lead a Clan well right now.
As Stormstar's second in command, he would have plenty of opportunities to build up his leadership experience, to become more confident commanding his Clanmates. It made him uncomfortable to think about. Assigning patrols was one thing, most cats looked for direction there to make sure the Clan was run in the most efficient manner. It was more of a request than a command, really, and one that cats were happy enough to obey. But when it came to more serious matters, when it came to ordering cats into battle, that was when he knew he would really be tested. He did not want to order his Clanmates into danger. But it was something he would have to do at some point.
His ears twitched and he thought a moment as Stormstar asked him if there was anything else he wished to say. He was not ready to lead yet, not so completely as he needed to be to stand as leader of a Clan, Stormstar had said as much. On that they agreed. But he had just told the dark tom that he would be whatever his Clan needed him to be. For now, it seemed, RainClan needed him to be a deputy. So he would continue doing what he was doing, and know that Stormstar had indeed had a plan in mind when he chose him; it had not been a decision he rushed into without any thought, even if it had been a quick decision. It made him feel better, a tad more confident, anyway.
He shook his head, “No, Stormstar. I... understand now. Thank you.” He dipped his head gratefully and stood, glancing around at the fog, lighter in color now, but still just as thick, “I'll let the Clan know the plan for until the fog clears.” His whiskers twitched, “The apprentices will probably be disappointed... but better disappointed than hurt, or worse.” He was about to turn to go when he suddenly thought of his sister and stopped, “Oh! Actually, I wanted to ask you... about Ashpaw. My sister. Russethawk and Bitternwing and I have been helping her with her fishing and swimming, and she already knows how to hunt land prey really well, and how to fight. She's in a... strange place right now, within the Clan. She's not really an apprentice or a warrior. I think... I think she's ready for a warrior ceremony.” He looked at Stormstar hopefully. His sister deserved her warrior name, she had been a 'paw for far too long.
Cause all of this time I've just been too blind to understand what should matter to me.
My friends this life we live, it’s not what we have, it’s what we believe in. @dreamer
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 8:51:52 GMT -5
STORMSTAR Stormstar allowed a companioable silence to spread through the den while deputy considered his words. Hopefully the young tom would heed them and not be too uncomfortable. From Rushwhisker's report of the gathering, and the reports of Stormstar's other warriors, he had done well to represent Rainclan. It seemed the other clans had heeded their warning that they were still strong, and despite the immense hurt and pain which Rainclan had caused, Stoneclan had accepted the plea for forgiveness. Not everything would be immediately resolved, but it was a start. Unlike some of his predecessors, Stormstar had no quarrel with the other clans, and should clan need to expand, he would simply expand outward into the unclaimed lands on the outer borders. Even then, that would likely be unnecessary, what with the many deaths and losses within the clan.
As for what he would do with regards to Nightclan... well, they had been relatively quiet lately, and unless they attacked first, Stormstar would very strongly punish any warrior or apprentice who dared step paw out line when it came to their neighbors, especially Nightclan.
But there was so much to do, so much rebuilding and improving. Clearly his clan needed to be united first, and then of course they had to survive Leafbare.
Rushwhisker interrupted his thoughts with his response, thanking him. When he mentioned the apprentices, Stormstar twitched his whiskers in amusement.
"They're young and energetic, but Im sure they'll be fine. There is still much to do to prepare for Leafbare." Then his deputy mentioned Ashpaw, and STormstar nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, you are right, she fought honorably for us in the battle. We will have her ceremony soon. You may inform her as such. I will go and check on the elders and share tongues with them a bit for some wisdom and company, that is where I will be if you need me."
With a harrumph, the grey-furred leader got to his paws once more and stretched, before making his way out of the den and waving his tail in farewell to his deputy. I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait. |
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