[namen_roodles]

FLINTCLAW
Thunderclan warrior | 23 moons | Massive, scarred dark tabby tom with pale blue eyes.
Killer Aptitude T1 | Just a scratch
~~~

Flintclaw's ear twitched at the ex-medicine cat's admission. No, strike that. He didn't have that ear. The burning sensation of his phantom ear made his tail tip twitch where it was wrapped around the young apprentice beside him. Did he hear that right? Wolfpaw had wanted to step down, was it? Is that why he neglected his clanmates? Spiderthroat certainly had a point. He could've stepped down after and just done his duties... but instead, they were here. They were all here. Without an official medicine cat.

Or were they?

Pale eyes flicked between the deputy and Treetiger, narrowing slightly as he tilted his head. Whatever the molly had done that day must have impressed the deputy, because he didn't even ask the practically asleep warrior if she wanted the position of medicine cat. His jaw clenched slightly as Treetiger's eyes held a glaze like a cat that wasn't actually awake. She spoke. She agreed with only one word... but panic rose in her eyes as she looked at the gathered crowd.

Flintclaw wasn't sure what to think. Perhaps if he had been a little more aware on the day the patrol had returned, he would be able to sort through these thoughts better. Sort through the strange occurrence that was happening in front of him. Treetiger had been out for a while. Did Spiderthroat speak to her about this one of the many times he couldn't stand the medicine cat den and slipped out? Maybe. That didn't make sense, though. That would mean that this entire event in the clearing would've been premeditated and, while he didn't doubt that Spiderthroat was intelligent enough to do such a thing, he doubted that the deputy wouldn't have acted sooner if he foresaw the severe reasons for the sudden change of medicine cats.

He would just have to trust Spiderthroat's decision on this... but, with all the events of the passed weeks... from Bumblestar mistaking him for Wolfhive, the occasional and strange behavior during clan meetings, and even running directly into that fight without much, if any, surveillance ahead of time... to Wolfpaw and Hollowpaw failing to organize and heal all of the cats on that battle patrol... Well, he wouldn't say it out loud, but his faith was shaky at best. So far, it seemed like Spiderthroat was the sanist and most capable of them all, right now. He could pass off Bumblestar's comment as a fluke of waking from death itself, and the fight itself as a simple strategic error, but, right now, she was incapacitated, anyway. She had just died. Again.

This just meant he needed to heal faster. Somehow. He couldn't stay idle while he watched Thunderclan slowly falling apart. He needed to step up more. It didn't matter how much it hurt or wore him down. He needed to show fierce loyalty, and only bring up doubt in private if, and only if it was absolutely necessary. He could hope that others would do the same... because the last thing they needed on top of the sudden shift in high ranks was doubt on them.

So, his face stayed like stone, only a cold, apathetic look rested upon his features... Directed, naturally, at Wolfpaw and Hollowpaw. They had one more chance, so graciously given by Spiderthroat. He wondered if he would do the same if he had been in the deputy's position...

@Dolomedes (I mean, his tail IS still wrapped around Rosepaw, so, figured I'd just mention you haha.)