[Dust]

Originally Posted by The Cannibal

Silence settled into the brown tabby as he waited for his deputy to speak, his gaze easy and unwavering, and his smile unfaltering. Being the social cat he once was, he understood that sometimes silence and direct eye contact could make others nervous, and if Frostflight gave off that impression he would be sure to divert his gaze at varying intervals. But for now, it just appeared as if the other tom was trying to get his thoughts together, try and decide how he wanted to start. Frostflight started, met his gaze and then faltered, admitting that he wasn't sure what he wanted to ask. The leader would nod his head in understanding, remaining silent though. He wasn't going to pressure the tom into asking a question, it wouldn't be the same. Looking away as his deputy did, Grousestar tried to prep himself for possible questions, so that he wouldn't appear so unsure or surprised by them. After all, he was setting an example for Frostflight, he was Frostflight's guideline for when he became leader. A leader needed to be relaxed, sure of his answer and ready to provide answers when they were asked. So when the question was finally asked, Grousestar returned his gaze to the tom.

"You certainly are. Though we are joined in territory and living quarters, you still have all of the duties and permissions as any other deputy. You're no longer responsible for Riverclan, but Skyclan instead. Your announcements will be for Skyclan cats, ceremonies for Skyclan cats, patrols for Skyclan cats. It is a good question though, I feel others may share your confusion.
Clans are normally separated by territory, so what happens when you have two together? Nothing really, I am still leader, I still lead Skyclan, and you are their deputy, you still perform your duties. Essentially we are separate but together, Riverclan and Skyclan." The answer came easily, he had time to think this over. Because even he, when making the final decision to join Riverclan in territory, had questions about how they would be separated. And he came to realize that territory meant nothing, it was who you were lead by, who you lived with, it was the cats that made the clan, not the land. They didn't stop being Skyclan when they moved here from the mountains, they were still the clan they were, and it was no different when they moved in with Riverclan.

"Really? I can do all that?" It was easy to see the surprise light up on his face as he half-mumbled the question to himself. Though as he absorbed the information from Grousestar, Frostflight's demeanor seemed to change completely. His muscles relaxed from their tensed position as he met the other's gaze with a nervous smile. There was something scary about how comforting Grouse was, but he wouldn't complain at all. With all the chaos of the move, Lion snapping at every turn, and Fallen's complete silence towards him... Frostflight felt validated. It felt good to know others shared his confusion, his worry. The interpretation Grousestar shared with him made sense and for a moment his belly swirled with guilt at the thought of his friends in Riverclan... Snowybreeze, Mintflower, Fawnpaw and even Lionstorm. Would he have to renounce his relationships to preserve the Skyclan name? It was silly, but the feline found himself choked up at the thought.. He didn't want to leave them behind so easily, especially not Snowybreeze...

"I suppose it would have been easier if I was originally from Skyclan," he commented in amusement, though his ear flattened against his head, giving away his disappointment. "I feel like I'm on the fence right now... Riverclan doesn't like me because I betrayed them and Skyclan is wary of me because I'm originally from Riverclan..." Frostflight gave an awkward lick of his chest fur before letting out a quiet sigh. There was no use worrying about it for now. He was here to learn from Grousestar, they could chat about their problems later! "So," his words were slow with thought, "I know that it's my duty to perform ceremonies, conduct patrols and make announcements, but is there anything else I should know? Er... any other responsibilities?"