[Mauve]

Originally Posted by Suspiciousmindz

@Mauve

Cedarpaw felt slightly relieved that she wasn't going to try and press the adventure any further. It was smarter in the end. Who knew what they would run into out there. Just because it was their territory, didn't mean it was safe, you can't predict anything out there. "It's okay he's not leader. It meant I got to see him more. Being leader is a lot more work than we think and he couldn't handle it and have us so it's okay. Fallenstar will make my name fair just as he would've," he responded. It all reality, that was Cedarpaw's fear. He knew Russetswirl and Fallenstar weren't on good terms despite Fallenstar was his deputy at one point. He always feared Fallenstar would take it out on him.

Dawnpaw was somehwat aware of the disdain between Fallenstar and Russetswirl, but she didn't pay close enough attention to it to relaly notice it as anything more than them simply not talking. "Oh, I'm sure he will yeah. He has to," she responded, nodding her head along with it. Despite her more innocent nature, the young apprentice looked up to Fallenstar, seeing past his sometimes grumpy exterior. Being leader had to be stressful, and she was certain that he was the best cat for the job. "Have you ever talked with him before? I've always wanted to, but he seems so..." the molly began, scrunching up her nose as she thought, trying to come up with the best word to describe it. He wasn't intimidating, but..."...Untouchable." It wasn't the best fit, but it was the best Dawnpaw could think of. She looked back at Cedarpaw, blinking in thought. "Like, I want to talk to him, but he probably has no idea who I even am. After all, my dad used to be a loner; he's not even full RiverClan."

Originally Posted by doug.

"There's a few ranks," Firehawk answered. "Kits-- which are cats under six moons, apprentices who're six moons or older and in training to become either a warrior or medicine cat. We only have one medicine cat apprentice at any time, assuming our medicine cat decides to take one. After that, we have warriors. We're responsible for hunting and protecting the Clan. The medicine cat and their apprentice are in charge of healing the injured or sick. If you're hurt, go to them. They'll fix you up."

The younger cat chasing the beetle reminded Firehawk of his own apprentice, Cedarpaw, and he smiled. "Then there's the elders, who're cats no longer capable of serving the Clan or have decided to retire from age and relax for the rest of their moons. The kits will often go to them to listen to stories." Confirming Mud's thoughts, he said: "Fallenstar is our leader. He's responsible for major decisions. Alliances, attacks, exiles... in all honesty, it's a little concerning he's in charge when he's made a point to agitate the other leaders. Rowanflower is his deputy, the second in command and his successor if he dies while she holds that position. She's an adviser to him, and occasionally she'll throw together patrols but for the most part that's up to us. If you decide to join, you can join Cedarpaw-- my apprentice, and I on one to get you used to the territory."

"Ah..." Firehawk gently chuckled. "You realize I chose to stay here before I met her, correct? When we met... I'd already been a warrior for what, twenty moons? I rescued her from the river during Leafbare and helped her back to health. Her condition was... grim." Her health had improved significantly over the moons they were together. "She might be out with some of our kits right now-- they're apprentices right now, they recently became ones!" Firehawk was proud of them. "If we see her, I'll introduce you."

As his brother explained the ranks, Mud nodded with his ears swiveled forward to catch every word. Even though he could come across as cocky and arrogant at times, the dark tabby really was curious about learning of this new structure and way of life. "So you train them from that age... What if they don't want to be a warrior? Or if they want to leave the Clan?" Mud was certain this was rarely a case, but he couldn't help but wondering as he watched his brother.

Interest lit up his gaze as he mentioned the leader, and how much power they had. It intrigued Mud, but he was pretty sure he'd never be fit to lead a group larger than just a few cats. "He sounds... interesting. It's weird that you put so much trust and loyalty to just two cats, though. I would think that warriors, as you call them, would have more say. Such as what to get the Clan involved in." Listening to just two cats and abiding by their dictations didn't sit well with Mud, but he was sure there was something to it he was missing. "But I guess that means the warriors must look out for each other, too. Make sure everything runs smoothly since two cats can't simply do all of that themselves."

"Oh yes, if we see her I would love to meet her. That would make me... an uncle if I'm not mistaken. I never thought I'd be one," he admitted, glancing over at Firehawk with a grin. A sort of admiration lit up his gaze as he watched his brother. "I know I was never the softest of the group, but... I've missed you brother. I'm glad to see you've found a home and a mate and a new family!" Happiness surrounded his tone, and it was a rare sight to see the usually charming and confidant tom admit his brotherly love towards one of his littermates. "Not that I'm planning to," he began, another thought coming to him as his tail twitched back and forth, "but if I were to join, would that make us both warriors? And would I have to have a - what did you call them? Apprentices? Would I have one of those too?"