[Dizerel]

Originally Posted by arden

Kestrelstar had almost forgotten that Junipersong had finished out Fierceroar's training as well. Yet another reason to enlist her help in finishing the training for apprentices. She was a solid member in the Clan, well known and respected by the younger generation. "Fierceroar has proven herself time and again to be a warrior RiverClan can be proud to have," Kestrelstar agreed, nodding his head as he spoke. Featherpaw was... she was a little more on the softer side, but he was glad to hear things were going well. "Yes, fighting without claws... While I know we have some differences there, I can appreciate that you are instilling that in RiverClan's youth. It is something I wished I'd had in a mentor."

Shifting so that he was positioned in a more comfortable, more settled in seat, Kestrelstar gave a quick lick to one of his paws and drew it over his face. It was nice to just sit in here with his friend, and it made him feel like a simple warrior once more. Gone was the weight of responsibility, the ever mounting tasks that never seemed to be finished. Right now, in this moment, the leader felt content and... maybe even a bit happy. It was a nice and welcome feeling after many moons of turmoil.

A knee-jerk reaction that he couldn't help; his fur bristling at the mention of Dawnstar. Anger clouded yellow eyes in dark storms, but he resisted the urge to unsheathe his claws. He had since put behind him the ShadowClan leader's cowardly attack under the concealment of nightfall, simply due to how well his patrols and Splashleap had fought back in his absence. But even though he had not retaliated - and did not plan on doing so - his mind was always awake with ideas on how to tear the tyrant down from her crooked throne. "If Dawnstar can turn herself around, I'll believe anything," he replied with a snorted laugh. Turning his yellow gaze to Junipersong, Kestrelstar smiled. "Maybe you can use your no-claws tactic on her at the next Gathering and get her to see the light."

Not lost on him was the comment about not losing faith. Kestrelstar's yellow eyes sparkled with gratitude, his heart feeling warm in the moment. Many had forsaken him, had cast him out and still regarded him with heavy distrust, but Junipersong... She seemed to have never forgotten who Kestrelstar really was. Sometimes the leader was convinced she knew him better than he knew himself. "Thank you for coming to visit me. It was... nice."

Though, talking about Fierce did pull at the heartstrings a little bit for the big molly. Fierceroar had a time they were missing for a while, recently. And knowing that her former apprentice was missing made Junipersong pretty somber. After moving on from apprenticeship, the mentor and former apprentice hadn't done much together, and the thought of never having seen Fierce again made Junipersong regret not spending more time with each other. Hopefully she could change that for the future, if given the opportunity. She didn't want to dwell on it too much, though. She should focus on the here and now.

Junipersong took a good look around the den. Seeing what all Kes had done to the place. She remembered he was incessantly digging before when he had gone crazy. Wondering if that had a purpose and if it was visible. Also seeing if there were signs of any cats she would recognize. Any herbs from Snakeheart, perhaps? Or fresh kill brought in by anyone she knew? It was always interesting to ponder the lives that others had when you weren't looking. Though that might also be considered snooping.

She could sense his unease at the mention of Dawnstar. But it was an important thing to consider. Everyone had an issue with the corrupt leader, and even someone as empathetic as Junipersong understood that Dawnstar was, for the most part, evil and should be removed from leadership. However there is one thing that irks the big molly. "You know. Everyone is so insistent on removing Dawnstar from power or killing her. Do you think anyone has even tried to get to know her? To make things NOT about combat or killing and actually try to become friends? Maybe they have and I'm a mouse-brain but someone who grows up thinking that the whole world is against them is... well... going to try and fight the whole world."

And keep in mind, Junipersong would be the first to slit Dawnstar's throat if the Shadowclan leader tried to harm any of Junipersong's friends. Beneath Juni's soft exterior was a fiend just itching for a chance to go wild. A fiend that she didn't like. She kept it repressed, few knew about it, cause she chooses to be better than that. But it had its uses. Namely in protecting those she loved. Looking straight at Kestrelstar, remembering everything they have been through. She would not hesitate for a single second to claw and bite her way through every single cat in the other 3 clans if it meant protecting him.

Starting to make her way towards the exit. Sensing that it would be best to stop the conversation here for now, while everything was in good spirits. "Any time. If you need someone to talk to, no questions asked, you come and find me and I will drop everything I am doing. You got it?" She smiled. And if there was nothing else, she would take her leave.