[dino.]

// @tulle, @Starfall

>Buckbranch<

Once again, his answer to Cindersky was merely a nod as she moved away. Four apprentices - he could handle that.

His gaze flitted over to Spiderthroat and he met the tom's cool stare, eyes narrowing in just the smallest of fractions. "Indeed," he answered evenly. " 'Funny' - that's one word for it."

Then Aspenstar finally managed to speak up, and... damn. This wasn't going well. Anyone with half a brain could see that. And Aspenstar was trying, that much was clear, but her response would only serve as more fuel to the fire. He was pretty sure Nectarflame was seconds away from springing up there and yanking Aspenstar down herself, and with things sounding the way they were, most cats wouldn't move to stop her. His ears swiveled back as Aspenstar acknowledged Slatepaw - a notable endeavor went about in all the wrong ways. The apprentice wasn't supposed to be here, and had actively spoken out against things she had barely experienced, so why was Aspenstar still trying with her? She was obviously an issue and would continue to be; it was smarter to send her away now.

He cleared his throat. "That's all well and good, but this is circling back to the same old thing - vague and empty promises," he prompted Aspenstar. "How will you be better? In this one moon window you've given yourself, how will you interact with your Clanmates? What patrols will you put yourself on, what sort of work will you do, and how will you regain our favor? Vague statements are only going to drive them further away. Give them your plan and let them hold you to it."

It's what he wished he had done when it was he who stood up there. His personal failures had only added to the failures of past leaders and, now, it seemed, they were contributing to those of the present. If he could prevent Aspenstar from making the same mistakes as everyone before her, then ThunderClan could have a real chance at rebuilding - something they hadn't been able to do in seasons.

If she could get her act together, then they would have a fighting chance. Either that, or Dogbark would be taking the helm.

The latter option seemed more likely and favorable now.