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***Neptune.*** · #**1878** November 30th, 2023, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLostAmongTheStars

Adderpaw
Determined, Loyal, Lawful Good
“One day I’ll be the greatest warrior of all the clans!”

Adderpaw took a moment to take a deep breath, she felt so nervous about this but the fire in her heart burned for this and she wasn't just going to give up so easily. When was one not supposed to feel fear? "I'M GOING TO BE YOUR BODYGUARD SO YOU STAY SAFE!'' She shouted out before flicking her ear awkwardly shocked she did that. "Er.. When I become a warrior and... Know what, no I'll do it now I'll train to be the greatest warrior and help protect you Larkstar." She almost tried to hold back what she really wanted, what she really meant feeling nervous about how it came across. Though Adderpaw decided that no, this is what she meant and she wasn't going to hide her feelings.

"Larkstar when I heard the news about someone trying to hurt you.. To.. Ugh its hard to say it fully and I wasn't even the one in that situation! Anger boils in my stomach and I want to fit it to something more productive with it than just be angry." She took a moment to catch her breath as she had been yelling and speaking a lot. "I heard one leader go before I was born then two more left before I became an apprentice. I hate to make this sound like its all about me but it helps explain. I want there to be order, all this chaos has harmed our clan too much! I want to protect the order."

Adderpaw looked at her paws, she had her claws out in the dirt and she didn't even realize; maybe that happened when she spoke about someone trying to hurt Larkstar. She sheathed her claws back, it was improper to keep your claws out like that in front of a leader. "You are order. The warrior code is order. It is how things should be, chaos has been ruining everything.." She lowered her ear and her voice went low.

Suddenly Adderpaw stopped staring at her paws and jumped up to all fours looking like she was about ready to pounce on the world. "So I'm going to protect you! And that's how it's going to be!" She was very determined in her convictions.

At the new apprentice's declaration of protection, Larkstar can't help but feel her heart warmed. Unable to hold herself back, she laughs - the first time in days she's genuinely laughed about something, and it's an apprentice declaring that she'll be her personal bodyguard. It was silly... but it was also very sweet.

"Thank you, Adderpaw," she manages to say between breaths, grimacing when she feels a pain in the claw wound at her side. She'd gone to Tansypaw but... no, she shouldn't bother her, the medicine apprentice has her paws even fuller than Lark herself does. "You're very sweet for saying that. Maybe once you're older you'd be a great fit for Lionheart."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark

Fishpaw
Go With the Flow
34/100
___________

Unbothered by his leader’s show of aggression, Fishpaw settled down into a laying position with his paws folded underneath him. ”Hold on now, don’t get your fur in a twist,” He said with a long yawn ”I’m not here to hurt you. Honestly, I couldn’t be bothered even if I didn’t like you enough to warrant aggression.” The truth. One, he was quite small and didn’t have any substantial training under his pelt after going missing. And two, the effort needed to attack her was just not worth it. Not even out of spite.

”But to answer your question, yes. Choosing a more experienced cat would have been ideal,” He said, squinting at her with disapproval. ”Now I won’t pretend to know everything that’s been going on, as I spent a great deal of time lost due to the flood and the accident…” He shuddered at the thought of his near-death experience in the river ”But I do know one thing, and that is picking Birdsnow as your deputy was a terrible idea.”

Waving his paw to silence any potential argument, he continued. ”She’s been an apprentice my entire life, and despite my small size, I am 15 moons old. Additionally, she was just made a warrior at the meeting before this most recent one, and now she’s the deputy? There would understandably be a lot of outrage.” He didn’t want to waste any time so he got straight to the root of the present issue. Birdsnow just wasn’t a candidate that made sense. Sure, she could’ve justified it by saying the deputy was experienced, but to what degree? And even if that were the case, with the current unrest in the clan, promoting a fresh warrior straight to deputy was a bad move.

Fixing his eyes on the leader, he stared at her scrutinizingly. Ugh. ”What I’d have done was this: I’d have promoted a senior warrior to the position of deputy, one that doesn’t seem to be a total crazy. Just to appease the group. Then I’d have surrounded myself with a group of cats that I could trust, which in your case would include Birdsnow and… Well, others I’m sure. From there I’d make sure that at least one of them is with me at all times should a murder be attempted. Lastly, I’d have worked to improve my standing within the clan. As to how? I’m not sure, but that’s a later problem.” Basic stuff really, he didn’t understand how Larkstar hadn’t thought of a similar plan before.

”Let’s be honest here, your position in the clan is… mediocre at best. Half the clan thinks you and Featherbrain killed Gingerstar. More believe you’re incompetent or too young for the position-” He frowned as he said this, as he was in the second group of cats. He then took a look at the she-cat’s wounds and shook his head in disapproval. “Evidently, you’ve had an attempt on your life as well. And lastly, you gave what is essentially a 30-moon-old apprentice the second most important role within the clan. What you need right now is more allies, and in my humble opinion you’re doing a crappy job of finding some.” A shake of his head, followed by an exasperated sigh. ”Oh, I nearly forgot!” He said, bristling a little himself as he recalled a certain small she-cat that he may have been an ass to ”Minkpaw was murdered on our territory!”

Officially, she was declared “drowned”, but the tom knew that was a load of mouse-droppings. He had reason to believe that she was murdered, but that may just be the skeptic in him. He hadn’t the faintest clue who it was, or why, but whoever did it likely wouldn’t just stop at her. Whatever, that was for Larkstar to deal with and not him. Should he even refer to her as Larkstar? She had one life just like the rest of them, what made her so special? A failure. Just like Beansprout and Gingerfrost before her. If StarClan wouldn’t recognize them, then neither would he!

Rising to his paws, he lazily (and non-threateningly) approached the she-cat until he was right in her face. ”It’s not too late for you to choose someone else, however, you’ve made your decision and I believe you should stick with it. The question now is: What are you going to do? Are you going to control this mess of a clan? Will you force them to submit? Or are you going to allow everyone to walk all over you?” He challenged, unable to keep the slight growl out of his voice. ”I’m going to tell you the truth and say that I don’t have any hopes for you. None at all. However, I’ll be damned before I allow RiverClan to continue this downward spiral into ruin without saying anything. So what I want you to do is get your act together. Stop being so nice to those who act out and show them that you’re the boss. Show them that you make the rules and that they are to do what you say.” A small grin tugged at his lips when he said this, delighting in the possibility that something in this stars-forsaken clan would change. ”Show me that you’re not a failure and you’re worthy of your position. Earn your lives and turn this mess of a clan into something worth fearing. The other clans in this forest don’t respect us, and your own warriors don’t respect you – which I couldn’t care less about but I digress. Get this clan into shape and maybe…” A brief pause, as if he was undecided on what he should say. ”Maybe I’ll consider helping you out. There’s not much I can do while I wait for my training to conclude – shouldn’t be too long now, however, I can see what I can do about gathering some of your supporters and gathering intel for the time being, though I loathe to talk to these idiots for extended periods of time.” He’d given the idea a bit of thought before, however, he was still undecided on whether it was worth his effort or not.

There, he was done. He spent that whole time pointing out Larkwing’s flaws, but he also offered her what he felt was a fair solution. He hated the idea of going out of his way to help someone out, but this was his clan. As much as he didn’t like where things were, this was his home, and he somewhat liked Cherryswirl so he figured he would do something so that she wasn’t stuck in a stagnant clan for the rest of her life (she wasn’t getting any younger!). She better thank him for this if this brat in front of him gave him the time of day to even consider his offer of help. Hell, he’d be disappointed if the young leader didn’t tell him off for being as bold as he was. Frankly, he just wasn’t scared of her. Hopefully, she’d provide him with a bit of entertainment before he was either kicked out, dragged out, or left of his own accord.

[ @FrostyGalaxy Sorry that he’s a meanie butt! Also I didn’t intend for this to be as long as it is, whoops! Additionally, if Lark gets mad, feel free to have pp perms to beat the lad up. Nothing permanently debilitating, but a little whack and a pow won’t hurt anyone. Ofc if it's more in character for Lark, I hereby grant you staff and pp perms to murder the rat]

Every shred of filth Fishpaw spat was another claw in her pelt. He wasn't... wrong exactly - about anything. Larkstar knew that, she knew that the one big decision she's made so far has been... not greatly received by the clan as a whole. She knew she was taking a risk regarding her own reputation among the clan, but she had been so certain she'd made the correct choice. Her decision had basically been made on the spot, though. There were other options she was considering, but in that moment, when an attempt on her one measly, stupid life was made, and Birdsnow rushed in to protect her? That solidified her choice. It was not one made with logic. It was one made out of fear - like a kit still clutching on to a worn down mossball, ignoring everything anyone told her about getting rid of it for a new, better one.

But Fishpaw was right about another thing - she couldn't take that decision back now. It would look weak, it would look cowardly, and while she may not be the bravest cat in the forest, Larkwing had enough pride to know that taking back her word was the worst possible decision she could have made. Although, according to Fishpaw, even appointing Bird in the first place was a horrible decision. He did not think she was worthy of her position - a sentiment she herself shared. Somehow she lucked her way here (if you want to call it 'luck', it felt more like some sort of divine punishment to her), and she'd been doing a real poor job of showing that she deserved it. 'Because you don't deserve it. He's right, you know he is,' the ever present doubt stalking in the back of her mind made itself known again.

She wanted to bite this apprentice's face off, find some long, strong grass and wrap it around his maw until he couldn't spew any more filth. But she couldn't do that. That was the desperation showing itself - the need to leave this den. Would his mentor blame him if she smacked him over the head, though? Maybe Cherryswirl would agree that he deserves it. Or maybe she only wants to hit him because she knows he's right and is too sensitive to take what he's saying to heart. But he'd managed to get right to the heart of her problem because she doesn't know what she's doing. She had no one to teach her, Gingerstar had died before she could learn anything about managing a clan from him... and it seemed everyone blamed her for that death. Couldn't she just beam herself up to StarClan and beg him to tell them she's innocent?

...if StarClan would even let her in. They sent her to the Dark Forest when she went to greet them, after all, why would they want her visiting them? 'But I haven't done anything to deserve the Dark Forest!' Her mind pleads, but the snarling growl of her fears and her doubts renders her silent. Maybe she does belong to the Dark Forest... not because of what she did, but because of the actions of every RiverClan leader before her. If she can even be called a leader - Fishpaw certainly doesn't think so.

As the apprentice finishes his speech, Larkwing considers his words. He says to convince him she's not incompetent, but she has no idea how to do that. Instead, she narrows her eyes at him in a glare, unable to suppress the low growl that leaves her throat. "I want you out of this den in the next 10 seconds or, so help me, I will drag you all the way to the elders den by your ear so they can teach you some respect." There... was that competent enough for him? Authoritative enough?

"So far, the candidates are Cherryswirl, Cliffjumper and, though she's still an apprentice, Springpaw." Larkwing informs him. And then, a little less confidently now that she was speaking about a topic she really didn't know much of anything about, "I'm... unsure how the process for choosing Lionhearts usually goes. I've heard that other clans have a spar for the role - I'm not opposed to that, but how did you become one?"

So many questions... Lark smiles at the little thing fondly, amused at the curiosity and began answering the mountain of questions. "Kits, depending on the needs of the clan, can become apprentices starting at 5 moons, but that's rare. The official age in 6 moons, though sometimes they're apprenticed later for whatever reason. I'm sure some of the queens or warriors could teach you more about nest building if you're interested. As for why I sleep alone..." she pauses briefly and thinks it over. "I think it's a hierarchy thing," she eventually settles on, "it's like a way to let the rest of the clan know who's in charge. But I don't always have to sleep in here alone... I could go back to the warrior's den if I wanted to, or others could sleep in here if I invite them to."

"No, no! That's ok!" Lark quickly assures, accepting the respectful lick, though she feels a little undeserving of it. "Could you, um... could you tell me a little about Sootstar? What was he like?" Curiosity wins out, and she asks her question, wonder in her gaze. Maybe if she took an interest in him she could coax him into telling her how to do this job...

Sleeping in her den, Larkstar is unaware of the silent sentry standing guard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshiftreign

you can break a shovel when you break new ground.

purrks: agatha kitty, mind reader, go with the flow

[ @FrostyGalaxy [larkstar] ]

rushwater dipped his head in respect, glad that larkstar understood his rationale behind the choices. perhaps (though hope was a dangerous thing to have) she would shape up to be a great leader after all. it would certainly give rushwater one less thing to worry about.

her understanding made his shoulders relax and his words come easier. his next topic was one that he had thought on at length; since the moment they lost cattail pond.

“i’m sure you’re aware that a small but vocal portion of the clan disagree with you being leader, and my running theory is that in times of great stress and chaos the clan needs an enemy. someone to blame, to punish for every inconvenience. neither you nor i are keen on this rebellion talk- i mean, sure, rebellion has its time, but now is not one of them.” rushwater paused, reigning himself back onto topic.

“i digress. you see, what i’m getting at is riverclan needs a common enemy. something to rally against, and prove that we’re all still a family. we’re all still riverclan. for this reason, i’d like to voice my idea of a take-back plan. if possible, i’d like to keep this plan clandestine. you’re free to tell your lionhearts and deputy, of course, and the decision falls on your shoulders, but i’d be careful as we can never truly know where the other clans have eyes and ears.”

patiently, the rhadamanthine blue-grey tom awaited an indication to continue before he spoke again.

“thunderclan is more likely than not expecting us to make an attempt on the cattail pond, and i see why; it’s a useful little place, and it was a painful loss. we’re bound to get bold and try to rip it from their grasp as they did us. this means they’re prepared.”

the ghost of a smirk, roguish and flattering on him, replaced his usual thin frown. “i’m suggesting we use their overconfidence and planning against them, cut the head off the snake and watch them flounder and writhe trying to pick up the pieces. as they say- divide and conquer.”

rushwater was a good warrior. that was common knowledge; he was dedicated and skilled. a bit asocial and sometimes brash, but he was useful. yet, even more than all of that, rushwater had a critical skill. one interest, however odd, that made him both dangerous and crucial in equal measure. it was what made him a powerful ally- or, in thunderclan’s case, a powerful enemy.

it was tactic.

logical observations with practical implications. his ability to infer what each win, each loss and give or take meant. to compromise, togive-and-take, form artful deception and draw the necessary connections. war was a game of chess, a skillful dance of push and pull. rushwater could dance this dance and play this game. it was second nature.

it was what he was made for; of all of the things he enjoyed, it was the only one he let himself indulge in.

“my suggestion, at surface level is to take firefly cove. it was ours quite some time ago- i was an apprentice then, it was before you were born or just after that we lost it. i can’t recall. it’s a tricky spot, though easily defensible. the mountain paths take time to scale and must be done in a single file line, so we’d need time to get our forces in position. this is why i suggest we make it look like we’re attacking cattail pond, lure the brunt of thunderclan’s forces there, and have our warriors push the scent borders and get into position at the cove during the frenzy. of course, this plan is a lot more detailed than what i’ve explained so far, and i’ve got a full plan for each different aspect of this; a scouting party, false scent lines, a small ambush, instilling panic, an emergency get away and some backup plans.”

“if the idea interests you at all, i’d be more than enthused to elaborate further.”

[]

As she listens, Larkwing tilts her head. She'd been raised on tales of the battle to keep Firefly Cove, among many other stories the queens and elders of her youth had deigned to share, but she's never seen the place for herself so she didn't know the geography as Rushwater did, instead listening to his plan. Curious now, she says "I like the idea of stealing back from the squirrels, but the clan made themselves clear two meetings ago - they're not ready for any fighting. I want to respect their wishes, but if you think this plan is crucial to - uh... morale, or something, then I'd like to hear more of it."

"Congratulations," Larkstar smiles at the news. New kits mean new future warriors... and more mouths to feed. But mostly new warriors. "Feel free to move into the nursery, I'll let Birdsnow not to include you in patrols for the time being." She purrs.