High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

**Aly~Hunter** · #**13381** December 5th, 2021, 02:25 AM

*Lightkit sat down, staring outside*
(open)

**Madelaine** · #**13382** December 5th, 2021, 02:48 AM

-->Creekflow<--

There the molly sat with her sightless eyes hooked on the entrance. She heard pawsteps go in and out, so she knew exactly where she needed to leave. She was tired of being in camp. It didn't help her clan at all. She didn't want to be like some cats in camp. Being lazy was stupid. Sure she was blind and some of those who were just like her usually just stayed near camp. She was far too different. She had a loud mouth and a ton of sass.

Creekflow moved towards the entrance about ready to head out. She stopped realizing she shouldn't go out by herself. She could take care of herself, but it was far safe just to have someone tag along. Of course though she was far too stubborn to ask for someone to go with her, so she stood there. Maybe somebody would see her and ask her if she was going hunting. If not she would just go out by herself.

// open \\

**Brightlight** · #**13383** December 5th, 2021, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose'Spirit

Rose'Kit slightly jumped from Day'Kit's arrival "O-oh, I'm just looking around, heh." She saw the playful urge in his eyes. "We could play if you want to play!"

--Daykit--

Daykit leaped up, eyes sparkling. "Ok!" He meowed, putting his mossball aside and grinning. "What do you wanna play?"

Daykit thought about what he wanted to play. He'd never really played with many kits, so he didn't know very many games.

**poppy** · #**13384** December 5th, 2021, 12:17 PM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

The anger was expected. Blatant dislike, distrust, expected as well. Cats demanding for her resignation... that was... not what she had thought cats would turn to as the solution. But a small part of her, that annoyingly logical and sometimes wimpy and pathetic part of her piped up, telling her it was for the best. It was, wasn't it? If she stepped down and gave the crown of ThunderClan to Dogbark, would all the problems be solved and everyone would go on their happy merry way? No, they wouldn't. If she stepped down, Dogbark would simply be the next target for critique. No matter what, the leader of the Clan, even if the deputy had failed equally or somewhat, would always be the punching bag for everyone. Clanmates. Other Clans. The leader was the head of a Clan, and therefore anything that isn't well within the Clan would be pinned on the leader.

It was sad, really. Because everything these cats said (with the exception of a few who were just looking for chaos) was true. She had failed. Failed as leader, failed as a warrior, failed as a sister, a friend, a mentor, an apprentice. As a daughter. Her life's foundation, it was built on her own downfalls. Her mother unofficially disowning her. Her mentor giving all they could to help her succeed and it turned out that she was still an awful excuse for a cat. Her multiple apprentices, all gone or dead. Her friends, she had drifted away from them. Her littermates, she had failed Marshkit and Beekit but also Amberflight and Acornpatch. She had fought many battles but still cats died because she wasn't good enough. And now this, her Clan turning on her, because she, again, had screwed everything up. And there, sitting on the branch of the Thunderwillow, Aspenstar began to drown in pity for herself. She couldn't help it, the natural reaction to hate and hurt was to just do nothing and feel bad for yourself. And that's what she was tempted to do. She could just run into her den and try to forget her problems. She could, better yet, just give in and allow Dogbark to become leader. But anything she did, someone was going to be angry about it. Life was a fickle thing. Leadership was a fickle thing. So what was she supposed to do now? Her eyes were drawn to her den's entrance. Dark and safe and comforting. Why wouldn't she want to hurl herself into her nest and forget it all? Because that's what she had done in the past, and it worked out swell in the end, didn't it?

As Dogbark and and Scorchfrost and Nectarflame and Cindersky and Sundust and Cornpaw and Buckbranch and everyone all spoke up, each word striking blows harder than Goosefury's claws had, the first instinct the ThunderClan leader had was to deflect. Deflect, deflect. Don't admit it, don't say that you've failed. Her mind conjured up rebuttals and retorts and ways to block of their words, but then... then something seemed to click inside her. She froze in place, sitting stiffly upon the Thunderwillow with a distraught expression upon her face.

She had sat in her den a lot. Letting time pass her by when she could have been talking with her Clanmates Rooting out infiltrators and kicking them out or talking to them, when she could have been patrolling the borders or hunting. She had done nothing. Nothing to help this Clan except for Clan meetings and the treaty with RiverClan, along with the occasional chat with her Clanmates, she had done absolutely nothing. The chilling, horrifying realization hit her like a tidal wave, and her posture slumped slightly with the weight of her failures. Failure, she had been using that word a lot lately. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words, the accusation, everything just flooded in. Everyone was yowling, arguing for her, against her, and then the worse came, from so many mouths but formed to one echoing in her ear.

''Step. Down.''

Her breathing came all ragged and shaky and her eyes filled with emotions that she had only felt two other times in her life, but these were so much stronger. How was she supposed to fix this?! The trust these cats had in her had probably fizzled out completely. She hadn't wanted this to happen. She wanted to bring back the glory days of her Clan, instead she was just about as use as Eveningstar was when he was dead. She might as well be dead, and nothing would change around here because she did nothing. Now, she realized how generic her apology was. How many leaders had used it before her? Enough that the words were easily brushed off as another promise void of meaning and just full of crap.

Her eyes found Dogbark, and she couldn't help it. She absolutely felt fear. What were his motives? He sounded like he and Nectarflame were now best buddies, so long as she said what he needed to hear. Right? His tough love speech had struck her hard, and she felt anger and pain and sadness and regret all at the same tie. It felt like he had betrayed her.He hadn't, he just wanted what was best, but he hadn't done much more, hadn't he? The patrols weren't her job. And yet NO ONE wanted to bring that up?! Again. She was blaming others. She was deflecting, pushing the blame onto someone else, because she was to blind to see it herself. Yeah, she was pissed off at him. She was pissed off at Nectarflame. And everyone who spoke out against her, but why? Because they were right about her. She hated them with a fire of passion that quickly dwindled. They were correct, and now she was going to pay dearly for what she had done. Or hadn't done, really.

Unless she did something about it.

Easily pulling her gaze away from her den, she looked down at the cats. She wasn't going to step down. No, she was going to fight for this. Taking a deep breath, she erased all of the rehearsed lines she had gone over a thousand times the night before. Just... she had to just speak from her heart. Cheesy, but it was the one way she knew she could do. ''You're all right. I have failed. I haven't been active as I should. I haven't been noticing the missing cats. I haven't done the things that a good leader should. I messed up, I really did. Everyone who spoke for me.... you're appreciated, but I don't deserve your support in this. I brought this upon myself, and now I will pay the price that comes with my own ignorance. Those who spoke out against me, you're also appreciated. If it wasn't for any of you, I probably would be doing the exact same thing I have been doing for a while; nothing. I was stupid, I was irresponsible and for that... I'm so, incredibly sorry. I know that so many of you want me to step down, but... but I can't. I won't. I may have failed, but I'm not giving up. Failure does not mean defeat. It means I know what I did wrong, and now I am going to right it.''

Her eyes were clear but full as she gazed at the gathered, bickering cats. This is what she had did. These cats wouldn't suffer again because of her. ''One moon. I will take one moon to be better, and if I'm not a better leader, if I haven't patrolled or interacted with my Clanmates or dealt with missing cats who just show up or done the things I should by the time the one moon is up, I will step down and allow Dogbark to...'' Her voice broke, and she drew in a shuttering breath. ''... I will step down.'' The enormity of her promise felt like it crushed her. Her nostrils flared, and she shuffled her paws again. It would be hard. Challenging. Her dumb heart had made a promise that she could not easily keep. She could do it. It would be simple. Not really simple, but there was a lot to do. It was possible. She would patrol, she would hold an event that had not even the slightest trace of giving anyone the chance to thank her, and she would talk to her Clanmates. She would take it upon herself to always, always speak to missing cats. She would... yes, the apprentice ceremonies.

She then paused. She wouldn't be begging for approval nor forgiveness from her Clanmates, but hopefully this would show them that she was actually prepared to change for the better. That she was able to be a great leader and help ThunderClan. The first thing she could do right now was deal with the loud and very disrespectful apprentice. Aspenstar met Slatepaw's eyes once again, and gave the disrespectful cat a frown and a head shake. ''Slatepaw, you have no right at all to speak like that.'' She said coldly, twitching her whiskers. Then, the apprentice seemed to reveal what very well may be the reason as to why she hated her leader, and the molly ducked her head, frown lightening into a apologetic and tired grimace. ''I apologize for my mistake, Slatepaw. I merely misspoke, and I am sorry about the distress you have experienced as a result of my foolish error. You are Slatepaw, not Thunderpaw, Slatepaw.

Now, Slatepaw, after the meeting I would like you to promptly meet me in my den. If you don't show, then you'll be escorted off ThunderClan land until you are ready to talk. Considering your outrageous behavior, this will be your final warning. If you don't shape up, it may temporarily jeopardize your place here in the Clan.'' Hopefully the apprentice realized how hard Aspenstar was trying to make peace. It might not be the best, but she was quickly being drained of her apology and softness skills.

Finally, she turned to look at Maplewhisker, who´s support was appreciated but the aggression was... not. ¨Maplewhisker... I appreciate it, but I don´t need to be defended. I know I´ve done wrong. Please refrain from being aggressive towards your Clanmates, it´s not worth jeopardizing your status in the Clan for.¨

At last feeling at least somewhat satisfied with the conclusion that had been drawn, the maple-furred molly settled down, preparing for more dislike and distrust to come at her. At this point in time, right now, her words would be all. Until the apprentice ceremonies took place and if a sign would come before the meeting ended, signifying the new medicine cat, she could do nothing but make promises. Maybe after the meeting, she would take a patrol out. Well, after her chat with Slatepaw, should the gray molly decide to actually show up (which, with that attitude, was doubtful).

Over her 9 times dead body would she allow herself to fail this Clan so severely ever again.

(just a quick note that since there was a lot of posts to reply to, most of which were kind of similar with the questions and everything, I just had Aspen answer everyone in one go just to save what's left of my sanity ^^)

**Akira** · #**13385** December 5th, 2021, 12:58 PM

Flamelight's whiskers twitched. Well, Aspenstar made mistakes, sure, but didn't everybody? Especially new leaders, like Eveningstar and Kestrelstar over in RiverClan. All of them made mistakes, but they grew. This might be a hole in the road now, but he trusted Aspenstar would grow.

The tortie stood up. "Well, promises are usually empty words that need backing, but right now, I have faith in you, Aspenstar. You still have time to grow and change: not everything is obvious when it comes to doing right, especially as a leader. I know you'll work for the Clan even harder than before. I only ask that you become willing to listen and rely on us: if that can't happen, how are we supposed to communicate and know how to progress? That'd be unfair. So please: be aware everyone in the Clan wants to help you and the Clan improve, but we can do that only if your willing to interact, rely, and trust us like we should you. Would you be willing to do so?"

**error** · #**13386** December 5th, 2021, 01:40 PM

Bushpaw just stared. He had ignored Fernpaw’s snottiness, and had just been listening to Aspenstar’s remarks. “Step down?!” Bushpaw’s mind started racing. His leader couldn’t step down. It had been only a short time, atleast for warriors. He couldn’t imagine a Dogstar.

**dino.** · #**13387** December 5th, 2021, 01:55 PM

// @tulle, @Starfall

>Buckbranch<

Once again, his answer to Cindersky was merely a nod as she moved away. Four apprentices - he could handle that.

His gaze flitted over to Spiderthroat and he met the tom's cool stare, eyes narrowing in just the smallest of fractions. "Indeed," he answered evenly. " 'Funny' - that's one word for it."

Then Aspenstar finally managed to speak up, and... damn. This wasn't going well. Anyone with half a brain could see that. And Aspenstar was trying, that much was clear, but her response would only serve as more fuel to the fire. He was pretty sure Nectarflame was seconds away from springing up there and yanking Aspenstar down herself, and with things sounding the way they were, most cats wouldn't move to stop her. His ears swiveled back as Aspenstar acknowledged Slatepaw - a notable endeavor went about in all the wrong ways. The apprentice wasn't supposed to be here, and had actively spoken out against things she had barely experienced, so why was Aspenstar still trying with her? She was obviously an issue and would continue to be; it was smarter to send her away now.

He cleared his throat. "That's all well and good, but this is circling back to the same old thing - vague and empty promises," he prompted Aspenstar. "How will you be better? In this one moon window you've given yourself, how will you interact with your Clanmates? What patrols will you put yourself on, what sort of work will you do, and how will you regain our favor? Vague statements are only going to drive them further away. Give them your plan and let them hold you to it."

It's what he wished he had done when it was he who stood up there. His personal failures had only added to the failures of past leaders and, now, it seemed, they were contributing to those of the present. If he could prevent Aspenstar from making the same mistakes as everyone before her, then ThunderClan could have a real chance at rebuilding - something they hadn't been able to do in seasons.

If she could get her act together, then they would have a fighting chance. Either that, or Dogbark would be taking the helm.

The latter option seemed more likely and favorable now.

**Mistletoe** · #**13388** December 5th, 2021, 02:31 PM

~Mallardstep~

From where the black tom sat, he could see Aspenstar’s inner struggle from looking at her expressions. For a while she had seemed unsure, but he could hear the change in her voice. She was being more commanding, stepping up. She had even given herself more work. Something he would never have done, himself. He found himself leaning toward her side more. Dogbark will be a good leader when it’s his time, but it isn’t. Aspenstar has her own strengths. Whether or not Thunderclan will wait for her to figure them out is the real question. For now this growth was enough to satisfy him. She had shown that she could realize her mistakes and that she would try to fix them. He wouldn’t argue for her, however. She had to do that herself. She seemed to have realized that now. Besides he was still tired from his Riverclan patrol.
Mallardstep looked at the other cats around him. Trying to judge if Aspenstar’s response is had had the same effect on his clan mates. Buckbranch didn’t seem too happy. He made some good points, but Mallardstep was cold and didn’t want to sit out here for too much longer.

**Toodle** · #**13389** December 5th, 2021, 03:21 PM

Leafecho felt a new emotion building up inside her, melting through her passivity. It started to get under her pelt how unreasonable so many warriors were being. She understood wanting and demanding the best for their clan. She hadn't been here long but she wanted success for the clan maybe even more than most, she knew what it was like to not have such a support system. Before her mind could stop her she turned to Buckbranch and refuted, "What more do you want?" She started to trail off, heat spreading beneath her pelt in sheer embarrassment, but she was already in it now, so she pushed herself to continue. "I mean...She did just give us all a time frame. It's...it's not an empty promise when she states a deadline, right? She spelled out her plans, if she were to go into detail over every single plan she had then we'd...well, we'd be here till the next gathering. I don't think it's too much to ask to give her one more moon to let her prove herself. She's not asking for forgiveness, she's simply asking for the opportunity to prove herself."

She felt herself shrinking until her throat seemed to close up. Reality was crashing into her. She not only spoke in front of the whole clan, she went against another cat, and a tom at that. But it needed to be said, right? She was proud of herself but it was a pride buried somewhere deep down beneath how mortified she felt.

**Singing Jay** · #**13390** December 5th, 2021, 03:29 PM

~ Larkwing | @poppy. | hehe, how's Aspen gonna feel about this |

Urgent. Lark had never cared for this group of weird cats but what had happened both at the odd event and meeting was a problem. Nectar, Corn, even Dog seemed like bad news at the moment. She was loyal to herself and herself only, but her options were to make things better here or leave with her kits to become a loner again. Neither were good options but at least this one was easier to try out, harder to accomplish perhaps but preformable without closing the other option. If things got worse she could leave, if she left she couldn't make things better here.

"Aspen?" Her voice was quick and sharp as she hurriedly made her way into the den. She didn't look around this time, both since she had already been here and because her mind was nowhere near those thoughts. "I need to talk with you about these recent events." Quickly she settled in front of the chief before continuing rapidly, not waiting for the other molly to answer her. "Nectar is a problem, that much is obviously. What it less obviously is what to do about the mater. As I see it there are three options here about what to do with her. Option A is to make it look like an accident, I can do it myself, lure a fox towards her or push her in front of a car. Option B is to frame someone for her death, OR frame her for something to justify banishing her. The last option C is to simply kill or exile her without too much justification."

"There are pros and cons to all of these. A is simple and wouldn't be questioned much, might even pull the clan together if we make it look like Dimclan did it, we could make them unite towards and common threat. But if it fails we might have an even bigger issue to deal with if she understand we set it up, and it could possibly turned the clan on us. High risk, high reward you see.

B might be the safest bet, on one would blame you if it's convincing enough and it could make you look like a good leader since you're executing the justice they crave, we could even toss out a few others to make it look better. As long as everyone of them isn't against you at the moment since that would be very suspicious and might make them revolt.

Then there is C that is a compete gamble but with pleasing rewards. Say we execute her, cats will either agree you did the right thing by eliminating a possible danger to our clan, but they might instead - and sadly this is most likely - think you're acting in a bad way and revolt. If neither of those happen they will either not care or get scared of you, for better or for worse, it could all depend on how we play things."

She had been speaking so rapidly she as almost out of breath. But there, three options, it could go very wrong or get rid of many of their problems. "But of course Nectar isn't the only problematic cat but she is the most problematic, with her gone we can wrong on the other things."