[Willowfern]

A smile lit up Roosterflame’s face as Thrushfur allowed him to come in. He picked up the nest making materials and sat down across from Thrushfur, unrolling the ball of moss and feathers and setting to work, though he was a bit distracted, wondering if he should say what he came in here for or not. In the end, he decided to just say it flat out.
“Thrushfur, I would like to challenge you for the open Keeper position,” Roosterflame meowed, sitting up a little taller as he untangled a feather from the moss ball,
“I believe I would make a valuable contribution to the existing Keeper unit, I know that I appear silly because, well, I kind of am, but I hope that I have also proven myself to be a very loyal and trustworthy member of my adopted clan.
If you aren’t familiar with my story, I came to ThunderClan as a former barn cat, then with only the simple dream of becoming a warrior, though I didn’t know what it really meant at the time.
I discovered, during my training and warriorhood the amazing world that I had joined. Sure, the clan was going to hell during that time, but I saw the incredible potential for greatness my new home had, and I wasn’t going to leave. Now, the clan is healing, we’re getting steadily stronger, and ThunderClan… it’s given me more than I’d ever thought I could have,” Roosterflame paused, voice heavy with emotion, as he thought of his best friend, his two apprentices, and Fuzzkit, the tiny kitten who was helping Roosterflame to stay sane during this painful time, “I want to give back to my clan, and becoming a Keeper is the highest level of service to my clan- besides deputyship, leadership, and becoming a medicine cat, but you know what I mean- that I can reach.
I know I don’t have to say all of this to challenge you, but I just want to tell you that I’m not best of the best at fighting, (though I am pretty good, I guess) and there’s a chance I will lose to you, so, I am telling you all this to get you to consider something:
There are some cats in this clan who are incredibly adept at fighting, but they aren’t the kind of cats who would work for this kind of role. Keepers are meant to keep things safe, and to protect the integrity of the clan, and some cats just don’t understand that. They may think it’s all about boasting our power. I know what happens when you try to align yourself up there with the sun, you get broiled. ThunderClan is getting stronger, but we’re not impregnable. We need Keepers to help govern the clan, not for trying to show off.”
Roosterflame took a deep breath, my, my, even when he was trying to be all professional, he babbled.
“I mean,” He continued, “What if a cat known for their tendency to start fights for no reason won against you? Well, I would hope that you’d deny them the role, if you’re sensible- not saying you aren’t! Sorry. Uhm,” He paused, inwardly wincing at his poor word choice, “Okay, well, let’s assume that what I’ve said were true, okay? Okay. But, now what if someone won against you, and they aren’t known for starting fights for no reason, but what if they do have that tendency? Well, you’d know that, if you knew them, right? That’s why I’m, uh, talking so much. I’m trying to get you to understand the kind of cat I am, so that your decision doesn’t have to be based on fighting skill alone, even though fighting skill is an important part of this.”
When he had finished his little speech, he set his mind back on completing the nest. When he had it in a good shape and form, he added the feathers to the bottom and to the edges, though he made sure to clip off the feather stems with his teeth and claws. He pushed the nest over to the spot where Sparrowstar’s had once been, and then he padded back over to Thrushfur.
“Test out the nest, let me know if I should add more moss or feathers,” Roosterflame meowed after a beat of silence.

[ @Eaglet ]