[Ginger]

Emberlight

"In the darkest times, hope
is something you give yourself."

The new deputy of RainClan padded alongside Silverstar and the rest of RainClan to StarClan's claws. The closer the group of RainClanners got, the more Emberlight could feel his nerves rattling. He would be met with many looks tonight, some of them curious, some of them positive, yet many of them disapproving. The cats of the four other clans could be quite judgmental. 

A part of him wanted to see a particular face. One he had once met on the border between RainClan and StoneClan. A beautiful, kind, and lovely face. Yet that part of him could not control his actions at this gathering. Tonight, he had other duties to attend to.

After watching as Silverstar climbed up the rock and joined the other leaders, one of whom was Smokestor-star, Emberlight turned to see the other deputies of the clans going their own ways. His heart went out to Smokestar and Valiantstride, both of whom looked absolutely haggard. StoneClan must have been going through an incredibly tough time with Hawkstar's passing. Upon looking at Darkstar and Lionstar, Emberlight shuddered as he thought of the senseless war looming over the two clans. He hoped the StarClan that the other clans would be able to stay out of it like RainClan was planning to. 

A large dark-brown figure caught Emberlight's attention. "Pumafang," he started, a friendly chirp to TreeClan's large deputy. With steps as light as ever, the petite deputy made his way over to Pumafang. "What a pleasure to be here with the likes of you." Stopping directly in front of the large tom, Emberlight looked up into his eyes. He couldn't help but slightly chuckle; it must have been such an odd sight to see two deputies of such greatly varying size sitting right next to one another.

"How is TreeClan faring?"

53 Moons. Warrior. RainClan

Notes.@jet .302 words

Hellion , Ghost the Undead Goddess , I would love for y'all to join in as well! don't feel obligated if you don't want to though

[Deleted]

The gathering was to be formal business, as always, though Pumafang couldn't help but dwell on the promise of war. He moved his paws with an unusual lightness, steps fueled by a fire only the leader, deputy, and healer of TreeClan knew about. And Timberfrost. Pumafang thought. He couldn't hide anything from his mate. He was inept at lying, and frankly, he felt like he had no reason to. Arriving at the gathering was as usual: his eyes found purchase beneath Lionstar's perch, and his amber gaze did not stray from that place until he had made it all the way there. He was distanced from the crowd. Pumafang put himself on a pedestal above those who hadn't been persistent or ambitious enough to secure a leadership role. There was only one cat he looked up to, and it wasn't by choice.

Lionstar was his leader, for now. Hawkstar's death had made Pumafang...impatient? The thought of sitting beneath Smokestar made something similar to envy and wrath boil beneath the colossal tom's skin, though it was heavily diluted with indifference, and easily composed. 

A friendly voice sounded near TreeClan's deputy, pulling the tom out of his mullings. Flattery didn't phase the massive, chocolate-black deputy, but courtesy was to be pleasantly reciprocated. It was the professional thing to do. Establishing firm grounds of respect was a science, something Emberlight seemed well versed in. Pumafang was pleased to see a neutral, amiable face present itself beside him. It was a pleasant distraction from thoughts of war.

A kind fellow. Pumafang mused as he assessed RainClan's new deputy, amber gaze empty and features flat. But nothing more.

"Greetings, Emberlight." Pumafang's deep voice resonated monotonously, amber eyes drinking in the small tom's gaze like a black hole: cold and empty, consuming all love and light without return. Although lacking normal sympathies, Pumafang's words were no less formal and kind in structure. "Likewise. You seem comfortable in your role. I am pleased to see RainClan at peace."

A moment passed by before he finished. There was no emotion in his words or his posture, and like a stone panther he replied to Emberlight's civility.

"TreeClan is strong. The valley is growing colder, and leafbare is an unfriendly sight, but our persistence and power will yield prosperity regardless." Pumafang rumbled. "How copes RainClan, with this season's change?"

Ginger

[Ginger]

Emberlight couldn't help but smile a little wider at Pumafang's seemingly death-like response. He had heard rumors of the large tom's coldness, and it was so exciting to see it actually ring true.

A gentle purr escaped from the ginger deputy's lips at the assurance that TreeClan was doing well. When questioned about RainClan, an almost awkward laugh erupted.

RainClan had finally begun to recover from the floods, but every single cat still felt the burns of it. Not often would one find a RainClan cat flinch at the sight of rain or waves, but it seemed to be a somewhat common occurrence now.

"RainClan is glad to be home. StarClan has sent us many trials. I would even dare to say some are excited for the river to freeze over."

Emberlight sure was. After watching so many cats fall beneath the surface of the water, he was having a rough time watching his clanmates swim in the constantly flowing river. The river brought life, but it also brought great death, as the tom has learned.

A flicker of movement caught the deputy's eye, and he turned to see the other deputies approaching the two toms.