[squidz]

— STAGHEART —

very large, muscular, & scarred light brown tabby tom with stark blue eyes and a torn ear; killer aptitude t3 | just a scratch

[ riverclan warrior | tomcat | 55 moons | gruff & battle-hardened, heart o’ gold; loyal to a fault ]

—

Stagheart was relieved when Owlstar seemed to consider his words and think on what Daisypaw could do; part of him had dreadfully thought she might come to the same conclusion that Stormstar had, wanting to toss the Caretaker roll altogether and possibly find her a home far away from the Clans. And as much as that would've made logical sense, he was grateful that Stormstar had decided against it in the end, with Berry's medical advice; he wasn't fond of the idea of Daisypaw being separated from her kin. And now... she would have a chance to belong and have a designated role for it.

He nodded slowly as she spoke; essentially she'd be doing the duties of an apprentice without training for hunting and fighting, but added tasks such as helping out with the kits, perhaps the medicine cats, things like that. That seemed decent enough, and would give her enough to do for some purpose and not risking boredom. Hopefully Daisypaw would be alright with that; he'd felt terrible having had to neglect her training for so long. And the fact that Owlstar seemed okay to have a cat like that in the Clan was relieving.

"Ah, yeah... alright. That all sounds good to me. I remembered Stormstar wanted to scrap the role altogether at some point 'cause of Daisy's condition. But I think she could be helpful — StarClan knows she's got a big heart 'n the will to do things despite her body," he rumbled in a half-amused, half-dry statement. "I got no problem doin' what I can to make sure she's assigned duties 'n keepin' to 'em."

Stagheart paused a moment, tilting his broad head thoughtfully. "A name would be good. Don't think she'll wanna be a 'paw forever, 'n her trainin's been held off long enough. I'll get to enforcin' her duties 'n see what I can't think up for 'er. Then whenever ya think it's fair, she can get her name. If you ever want or need her to learn somethin' else for the Clan, lemme know, 'n I'll make sure it happens."

The large warrior felt a bit lighter now. He was just about to start rising to his paws when another thought crossed his mind. Whiskers twitching, he frowned a bit.

"You think I should, er... try to at least teach her somethin', like self-defense? It was one of Stormstar's worries, that she don't know how to defend herself 'n would be a..." What word had the gray leader used? "...a liability. But whether I do or don't, I'm thinkin' it should be a rule—if you agree, of course—that if she ever goes outside camp, she needs at least one other cat wit' 'er — 'n a warrior too, not an untrained 'prentice. She needs someone who knows how to fight to watch over 'er in case of any threats."

The tabby tom met his leader's eyes, respectfully deferring to her opinion after his suggestions, but hoping she'd agree. Daisypaw's ambition and heart might make her want to push herself and do things on her own, and the last thing he needed was to find her dead somewhere and no one the wiser. If there was a rule about it from Owlstar herself, perhaps that could rein in the apprentice's passionate tendencies.

[ @Marigoldwhisper ]