Sorreldust watched her children interact with their Mentors, and didn't miss the way Sandpaw seemed uncomfortable. She gave an affectionate lick to Russetpaw's head before she settle in to sit beside Sandpaw, pressing her side to him as he leaned into her.
She leaned forward to press her nose to his cheek and gave him an affectionate half grooming lick to comfort him.
"Do you want to tell me what's wrong, my silken sun? This behavior is unlike you. You're not in trouble, I'm simple concerned."
She used the cheers of their clanmates as they congratulated the new deputy- Bumblebreak?- to gently question her son, no accusation, only concern in her tone.
She took a moment to wrap her tail around him and gently squeezed him.
She looked up as Sootfur approached and returned his head dip, chirping softly at him.
"I trust you to take care of him. I know you're a good warrior and have much to teach him."
She lowered her voice further.
"If it's alright with you, I would like to be able to ask about his progress in the future. If not, that's perfectly alright."
He was one of few cats she would trust enough to even preemptively ask for permission to question after her child, and fewer still to not mind being left out of the loop for. She'd have to ask Thrushstar one on one about Russetpaw.
She paused as she finally heard what Sandpaw had said to her. He didn't want to be an apprentice yet.
She turned her attention back to him, tail holding him a bit tighter and pressing into his side.
"Does Sootfur's plan sound good to try for now? If you want, I can ask Thrushstar of I can make special sleeping arrangements for you, but don't forget, Russetpaw will be by your side and I'm always a shout away."
//this got messy, but I want to hug poor lil Sand\\
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