RiverClan Leader's Den

[spade]

Leading the WindClan leader into his den, Kestrelstar tried to formulate exactly what he needed to say. He didn't want to take up too much of her time, but the issue at paw was growing worse the more days that passed, and already he couldn't tell if this leaf-bare had been colder than the last. Snow had yet to fall, and he had a gut suspicion that Dawnstar and her band of toad-hearted warriors would try to take advantage of such a situation and launch another attack. He'd had yet to retaliate, as he considered the patrols that had reared up to face the onslaught of trespassing ShadowClan warriors and successfully driving them back retaliation enough.

But now they had targeted two Clans, and while the gray tabby was uncertain where Twilightstar's head lay in this entire situation, something told him she wasn't about to take this lying down.

"I assume you already know of the situation I wish to speak of," Kestrelstar began as he turned and took a seat in his den. It was pretty barren, save for his nest and a few pretty flowers and stones that dotted it - gifts from Petuniapaw. Shaking the missing she-cat from his thoughts, he lifted his yellow gaze to watch Twilightstar. "Dawnstar expects me to retaliate. Her border attack was a call for attention, a bait that the younger, more naive version of me would've snatched up right away. Splashleap informed me that my patrols had been able to drive them away, but I worry what her plans are come leaf-bare." It was clear that Dawnstar viewed her Clan as disposable weapons, which Kestrelstar could understand if only because he had too once upon a time; no longer, though.

Not wasting any time, the gray tabby let a soft sigh escape past tightly lined lips. "I know you and your Clan are still recovering, and the last times you have faced ShadowClan have ended poorly." Fernpaw. Fernpaw had been a casualty of their last go-round with ShadowClan, and a pang of grief slices through Kestrelstar's heart. "But I'm ready to do something about it. About Dawnstar. Her and her band of toads have grown too cocky. I know you had a good relationship with Lionstorm before his passing, and that WindClan and RiverClan have had a friendly history for quite some time. I hope that in turn, you can trust me as well as RiverClan's new leader, and hear when I say that if the time ever comes to go up against that fool of a tyrant again, RiverClan will be right alongside you."

When he had first started his leadership, Kestrelstar had not planned on offering over his warriors to anyone. But Dawnstar was more than just a thorn in his side; she was a terror whos shadows were slowly concealing the entire forest in nightfall. If nothing was done about it soon, he was worried that there would be nothing recognizable to remain of his home. Yellow gaze shimmering as he watched Twilightstar, he waited for what her opinion was on all of this.

// @Moonraven

[Dizerel]

Originally Posted by spade

As heavy pawsteps entered his den, Kestrelstar lifted his head to observe Junipersong. Something about her was amiss, off in a way that the leader couldn't quite place a paw on. They hadn't spoken in what felt like ages - partly his fault, as he had been running himself ragged in an attempt to get his Clan to like him. A fruitless endeavor, as he was beginning to realize he would never please everyone. All that mattered was that he knew his intentions. He knew in his heart that he had changed, was a good cat now. Sure, he wasn't perfect, but was anyone?

"I'm surprised you didn't bring a crab with you," the gray tabby tom snorted, amusement dancing in his gaze and twitching his whiskers as he padded over closer to his friend. Stars, he hoped they were still friends after everything. Not that he expected them not to be, but with so many things going on and the silence that had lingered between them upon his return to the Clan... it was hard to stop his mind from assuming the worst.

A beat passed before a dark, gloomy aura of seriousness overtook his expression, and a once small smile tight lipped into a subtle frown. He could tell she was on edge, that much was easy just by looking at her. "...It's the coyotes, isn't it?" He didn't even have to ask; he had been there. When Junipersong had bravely battled for the protection of her home against the pack that had almost stolen his life and injured several of his Clanmates. He recalled the gruesome story she had told him after, and to this day he would be lying if he said it didn't send a small shiver down his spine.

But he would never judge her. Aside from maybe Snakeheart, she was the only cat in the entire Clan who he felt as though he could trust all the way, one hundred percent. There was a certain safety whenever she was around, and having her in his den reminded him of that. Too long had passed since they had talked; that wouldn't happen again on his watch.

Something about her behavior was off. As she paced into the den she just found a comfortable spot to sit and just kinda slumped onto the ground. As if it were her own den. Normally this wouldn't be too big of a surprise. With someone who wears their heart on their fur and constantly shows physical affection, it would be expected for her behavior to reflect her mental state. But this was different. Being someone so carefree, worry and concern was rather unordinary for her.

"Oh, you figured that one out, huh? I tried to keep the pile as fresh as I could. Hopefully they were all still enjoyable upon your return" The small joke was what her mental state needed. Something to snap her back to thinking logically about things and not get herself stuck in an endless spiraling loop of worry. She longed to rub her cheek against his side but she didn't want to push things right now, seeing as it was their first time talking since his return.

Pausing for a moment. For anyone that had known about the previous ordeal with the coyotes, it would be obvious that was the reason for the molly's worry. "Yeah. I don't know I just... I'm afraid. Last time you almost died. and now I cant stop thinking about what could have happened. What if I wasn't there? What if something else happens and I'm not there? I just- its mouse-brained, I know. But that same scene keeps playing in my mind over and over again. Disobeying orders, running after the predator patrol. I saw lunging teeth and all I could think of was interposing myself..."

It wasn't just that, either. He knew about what happened with the coyote pup. She hadn't told anyone of the other occurrence, where she nearly killed her brand new apprentice. But that was one of the few things she felt uncomfortable bringing up to Kestrelstar. Her apprentice never got hurt but the idea that she was fractions of a second away from snapping the spine of the young Featherpaw.... it haunted her more than the coyote pup.

"This might sound stupid but.... I want to take care of the coyotes. By myself. Not only do I want to keep my clanmates safe but I feel like scaring away the coyotes without killing them is the only way I will forgive myself for that horrible thing I did." It was a selfish, foolish request. Any other cat might think she was just asking cause she wanted all the pride and fame of taking it on herself. But her eyes showed and intense resolve to them, determination to prove to herself that she was better this time.

[Moonraven]

Originally Posted by arden

Leading the WindClan leader into his den, Kestrelstar tried to formulate exactly what he needed to say. He didn't want to take up too much of her time, but the issue at paw was growing worse the more days that passed, and already he couldn't tell if this leaf-bare had been colder than the last. Snow had yet to fall, and he had a gut suspicion that Dawnstar and her band of toad-hearted warriors would try to take advantage of such a situation and launch another attack. He'd had yet to retaliate, as he considered the patrols that had reared up to face the onslaught of trespassing ShadowClan warriors and successfully driving them back retaliation enough.

But now they had targeted two Clans, and while the gray tabby was uncertain where Twilightstar's head lay in this entire situation, something told him she wasn't about to take this lying down.

"I assume you already know of the situation I wish to speak of," Kestrelstar began as he turned and took a seat in his den. It was pretty barren, save for his nest and a few pretty flowers and stones that dotted it - gifts from Petuniapaw. Shaking the missing she-cat from his thoughts, he lifted his yellow gaze to watch Twilightstar. "Dawnstar expects me to retaliate. Her border attack was a call for attention, a bait that the younger, more naive version of me would've snatched up right away. Splashleap informed me that my patrols had been able to drive them away, but I worry what her plans are come leaf-bare." It was clear that Dawnstar viewed her Clan as disposable weapons, which Kestrelstar could understand if only because he had too once upon a time; no longer, though.

Not wasting any time, the gray tabby let a soft sigh escape past tightly lined lips. "I know you and your Clan are still recovering, and the last times you have faced ShadowClan have ended poorly." Fernpaw. Fernpaw had been a casualty of their last go-round with ShadowClan, and a pang of grief slices through Kestrelstar's heart. "But I'm ready to do something about it. About Dawnstar. Her and her band of toads have grown too cocky. I know you had a good relationship with Lionstorm before his passing, and that WindClan and RiverClan have had a friendly history for quite some time. I hope that in turn, you can trust me as well as RiverClan's new leader, and hear when I say that if the time ever comes to go up against that fool of a tyrant again, RiverClan will be right alongside you."

When he had first started his leadership, Kestrelstar had not planned on offering over his warriors to anyone. But Dawnstar was more than just a thorn in his side; she was a terror whos shadows were slowly concealing the entire forest in nightfall. If nothing was done about it soon, he was worried that there would be nothing recognizable to remain of his home. Yellow gaze shimmering as he watched Twilightstar, he waited for what her opinion was on all of this.

// @Moonraven

Twilightstar trailed in behind the RiverClan leader, taking a seat a few tail lengths away from him. She glanced around the den as Kestrelstar gathered his thoughts. She's never been inside another clan leader's den before, which isn't saying much. It wasn't like she bothered visiting the other clans all that much. Aside from the scent, there was nothing particularly different or special about the den. Curling her tail around her slightly wet and cold forepaws, Twilightstar returned her sight to the gray tom once he started speaking.

She flattened an ear against her head as Kestrelstar explained what happened with his borders. Not that she was taking sides, but he had provoked the she-cat by calling out her clan. Which honestly hadn't been the brightest plan of action, Dawnstar could hold a grudge for the smallest slight against her clan for moons. She was anything but rational and would go to extreme lengths to enact what she felt was retribution. Which made her worst than her mother, the fact that Dawnstar used her clan as disposable pawns made her that much worse. She was unpredictable and a lunatic, in the long run, it would be safer for WindClan to stand with RiverClan but...

"I am and will be forever grateful to hear that you will stand with us as is WindClan," Twilightstar began in a gracious tone, "But as of right now I'm uncertain on what I want to do with ShadowClan. The last fight with ShadowClan didn't just end poorly, they viciously slaughtered my clanmates. We couldn't even bury most of our dead. My clan might want to continue fighting and spilling blood, but I've grown... discontent with it. They've failed to realize that regardless of how many times we challenge her, there is no winning with a cat who's a mad as a fox in a fit. All Dawnstar wants is war, blood, and death, I don't believe she cares who's it is so long as it someones. I've killed her before she died choking on her own blood while laughing." That was definitionally one of Twilightstar's most disturbing memories.

"I don't believe tooth and claw are going to make her stop, if anything, she loses, recovers, and does it all over again. I don't want my clan to suffer, nor any clan, but I'm not going to retaliate for the sake of showing strength." The lives of her clan and perhaps once newleaf starts, if she hasn't figured out the territory situation, she'd fight to reclaim the Sky Glade as ShadowClan called it, but aside from that Twilightstar wasn't eager to lift a claw to challenge ShadowClan. Not because she was weak, but she was scared. The number of lives and blood spilled by that merciless clan and their deranged leader was by far the worst WindClan's ever dealt with under her leadership. Twilightstar truly didn't think fighting against ShadowClan to make a point was worth it. Still though...

"If you decide to retaliate against ShadowClan, WindClan will aid you." The leader's green eye shimmered with quiet determination. "Not because I feel that we owe you and RiverClan anything, you and Lionstorm have both reassured me that we owe you nothing. But you've been willing to turn WindClan's hardships and problems into your own. As allies and friends, RiverClan's battles are WindClan's at least against a blight threatening to harm anything and everything in her path." The two clans have been allies particularly since Twilightstar took over as WindClan's leader and that was rather long. She had pulled away from RiverClan when Kestrelstar had become leader, he had started off a little more reckless than Twilightstar was willing to accept. He made things far too personal for older leader's liking, but right now he seemed alright. It was unlike she'd take a side with him against ThunderClan should trouble ever stir up between them again. But ShadowClan, that was an enemy she felt every clan should have their hackles risen against.

[spade]

Originally Posted by Kunaiskrill

Nightleap -->


She looked at him. "I have some news, but before I do that, I wanted to thank you for training me so well. I'll stick with you no matter what." She said. "and, you were the first one I wanted to tell, I'm expecting kits!" she said, stifling a mrrow of laughter.

@spade

The unexpected display of gratitude did nothing short of shock Kestrelstar, yellow eyes widening at the words. To him, it was just the daily life of a warrior who was honored to mentor an apprentice; training them so that they could join the ranks of RiverClan's warriors and protect and defend their Clan. "I... I appreciate that. You were an excellent apprentice to teach," he returned, clearing his throat in combativeness of the rising awkwardness he felt. It still took a little getting used to, with the compliments he'd received. Hopefully in time he would get better at it.

What Nightleap said next widened his eyes further. He didn't make it a point to get into the intimacies of his Clanmates, so generally he wasn't all that in the know of who was mates or who was expecting kits. But something about this scenario made him glad that his former apprentice had come to tell him. After a moment, the RiverClan leader offered a smile. "That's great to hear Nightleap. I'm sure they'll be excellent additions to RiverClan. You'll teach them to stay out of my den, yes?" The last part was tinged with sarcasm as the tom let out a chuckle of his own.

Originally Posted by Dizerel

Something about her behavior was off. As she paced into the den she just found a comfortable spot to sit and just kinda slumped onto the ground. As if it were her own den. Normally this wouldn't be too big of a surprise. With someone who wears their heart on their fur and constantly shows physical affection, it would be expected for her behavior to reflect her mental state. But this was different. Being someone so carefree, worry and concern was rather unordinary for her.

"Oh, you figured that one out, huh? I tried to keep the pile as fresh as I could. Hopefully they were all still enjoyable upon your return" The small joke was what her mental state needed. Something to snap her back to thinking logically about things and not get herself stuck in an endless spiraling loop of worry. She longed to rub her cheek against his side but she didn't want to push things right now, seeing as it was their first time talking since his return.

Pausing for a moment. For anyone that had known about the previous ordeal with the coyotes, it would be obvious that was the reason for the molly's worry. "Yeah. I don't know I just... I'm afraid. Last time you almost died. and now I cant stop thinking about what could have happened. What if I wasn't there? What if something else happens and I'm not there? I just- its mouse-brained, I know. But that same scene keeps playing in my mind over and over again. Disobeying orders, running after the predator patrol. I saw lunging teeth and all I could think of was interposing myself..."

It wasn't just that, either. He knew about what happened with the coyote pup. She hadn't told anyone of the other occurrence, where she nearly killed her brand new apprentice. But that was one of the few things she felt uncomfortable bringing up to Kestrelstar. Her apprentice never got hurt but the idea that she was fractions of a second away from snapping the spine of the young Featherpaw.... it haunted her more than the coyote pup.

"This might sound stupid but.... I want to take care of the coyotes. By myself. Not only do I want to keep my clanmates safe but I feel like scaring away the coyotes without killing them is the only way I will forgive myself for that horrible thing I did." It was a selfish, foolish request. Any other cat might think she was just asking cause she wanted all the pride and fame of taking it on herself. But her eyes showed and intense resolve to them, determination to prove to herself that she was better this time.

Waves of worry and concern rolled off Junipersong to the point that Kestrelstar found that his paws were instinctively leading him towards his friend. Yellow eyes were narrowed with concern - and if he was being honest, a mild trace of confusion. He had never understood before, and still didn't, why a few cats in the Clan believed he was worthy of any saving. He was doing his best to redeem himself, to showcase his change, but deep down there was a part of him that longed for the quiet dissolution. A soft pin drop in the middle of the night that would be his departure. It baffled him when cats like Junipersong... worried over him. What had he done in his time as leader other than burn himself down to the ground, with RiverClan alongside him?

It was hard to keep those thoughts at bay, a challenge that Kestrelstar had accepted he'd probably spend his whole life battling against. Some times it was easy to do so; others, nearly impossible.

Sitting down closer to his friend now, Kestrelstar felt his own shoulders slump a bit as he let out a sigh. "Thankfully, I've got a few extra lives to spare," the gray tabby tom joked softly, though it didn't have the same lightheartedness as his first joke had. Even if he had mustered all of the parts of his personality that remained bold and brash, the joke still would've sounded flat. Before his eyes, Junipersong was breaking under the weight of the recent coyote revolution, and he'd be damned if he'd let her go through that alone.

"I've got claws, and I'm a lot less mouse-brained than I was as a foolish warrior. I don't... I don't go looking for danger as much as I used to. The thrill, the need to... to prove myself to my Clan. At least, I try not to. You don't have to worry, really." Lifting his gaze so that he was searching her own, Kestrelstar offered the beginnings of a smile. He hoped that he could at least shoulder this feeling with her. Remembering how the coyotes had ripped apart his Clanmates so easily caused him to shudder when he thought about it. However, logistically he had only seen one - maybe it had just been passing through.

But that didn't seem to be it - the past seasons' coyotes. As Junipersong spoke her request outloud, Kestrelstar couldn't help but recoil. Eyes wide, pelt bristling a bit. "No!" he exclaimed, before realizing how loud that was. The initial shock wearing off, the RiverClan leader shook his head vigorously. "No. I am not sending you to face those coyotes alone. If they pose a problem, we'll send multiple, capable warriors after them. You can be apart of that, but you're not facing them alone." His voice was firm, solid, confident - resembling the old Kestrelstar he had been before certain events had shattered those parts of him. Yellow eyes glimmered with defiance at her request, though there was a hint of worry deep within him. As much as Junipersong was worried about losing him, he was just as worried about losing her. She was his best friend, the cat that had been there through so much... if a coyote took that away from him, the leader wasn't sure if he'd ever recover.

Originally Posted by Moonraven

Twilightstar trailed in behind the RiverClan leader, taking a seat a few tail lengths away from him. She glanced around the den as Kestrelstar gathered his thoughts. She's never been inside another clan leader's den before, which isn't saying much. It wasn't like she bothered visiting the other clans all that much. Aside from the scent, there was nothing particularly different or special about the den. Curling her tail around her slightly wet and cold forepaws, Twilightstar returned her sight to the gray tom once he started speaking.

She flattened an ear against her head as Kestrelstar explained what happened with his borders. Not that she was taking sides, but he had provoked the she-cat by calling out her clan. Which honestly hadn't been the brightest plan of action, Dawnstar could hold a grudge for the smallest slight against her clan for moons. She was anything but rational and would go to extreme lengths to enact what she felt was retribution. Which made her worst than her mother, the fact that Dawnstar used her clan as disposable pawns made her that much worse. She was unpredictable and a lunatic, in the long run, it would be safer for WindClan to stand with RiverClan but...

"I am and will be forever grateful to hear that you will stand with us as is WindClan," Twilightstar began in a gracious tone, "But as of right now I'm uncertain on what I want to do with ShadowClan. The last fight with ShadowClan didn't just end poorly, they viciously slaughtered my clanmates. We couldn't even bury most of our dead. My clan might want to continue fighting and spilling blood, but I've grown... discontent with it. They've failed to realize that regardless of how many times we challenge her, there is no winning with a cat who's a mad as a fox in a fit. All Dawnstar wants is war, blood, and death, I don't believe she cares who's it is so long as it someones. I've killed her before she died choking on her own blood while laughing." That was definitionally one of Twilightstar's most disturbing memories.

"I don't believe tooth and claw are going to make her stop, if anything, she loses, recovers, and does it all over again. I don't want my clan to suffer, nor any clan, but I'm not going to retaliate for the sake of showing strength." The lives of her clan and perhaps once newleaf starts, if she hasn't figured out the territory situation, she'd fight to reclaim the Sky Glade as ShadowClan called it, but aside from that Twilightstar wasn't eager to lift a claw to challenge ShadowClan. Not because she was weak, but she was scared. The number of lives and blood spilled by that merciless clan and their deranged leader was by far the worst WindClan's ever dealt with under her leadership. Twilightstar truly didn't think fighting against ShadowClan to make a point was worth it. Still though...

"If you decide to retaliate against ShadowClan, WindClan will aid you." The leader's green eye shimmered with quiet determination. "Not because I feel that we owe you and RiverClan anything, you and Lionstorm have both reassured me that we owe you nothing. But you've been willing to turn WindClan's hardships and problems into your own. As allies and friends, RiverClan's battles are WindClan's at least against a blight threatening to harm anything and everything in her path." The two clans have been allies particularly since Twilightstar took over as WindClan's leader and that was rather long. She had pulled away from RiverClan when Kestrelstar had become leader, he had started off a little more reckless than Twilightstar was willing to accept. He made things far too personal for older leader's liking, but right now he seemed alright. It was unlike she'd take a side with him against ThunderClan should trouble ever stir up between them again. But ShadowClan, that was an enemy she felt every clan should have their hackles risen against.

As Kestrelstar listened to the other leader, a part of him felt frustration. The hesitancy to take a stand against ShadowClan was infuriating, though he managed to keep a lid on his claws, fur, and expression - save for the slight pinching together of his brows and darkening of his eyes. Did they not want revenge for their fallen Clanmates? Did their claws not seek justice against those who had viciously slaughtered their own, leaving them for worse than dead??

Then memories of the raid he had launched on ThunderClan came back. Of the dark shadows that had interlaced with each passing though - how disconnected Kestrelstar had felt from himself and his Clan as he led them down the perilous path of never-ending revenge. The aftermath from it all, circling him like scattered debris. Slicing him at ever corner, stinging with each blow. It hadn't been worth it - revenge for those who had died. He knew that now, and it felt almost like a moment of clarity as he finally compared the two situations.

All his life, Kestrelstar had only known the life of a warrior. Fighting to protect the Clan, not thinking ahead further than the current battle before his paws. Thrust from that life straight into leadership had been jarring, and he had tried to lead as a warrior rather than a leader. Always thinking, always contemplating... it had resulted in a few of the gravest mistakes of his life. The gray tabby cleared his throat and ducked his gaze a bit, feeling ashamed of all the times he had jumped to bloodshed and fighting as the answer to every little issue. Because Twilightstar was right; though he had not the experience the older leader did in fighting ShadowClan - and Dawnstar - he understood her. Some cats enjoyed the pain, regardless of winning or losing. Some cats bathed in the disturbed shadows and lashed out at any cat who tried to get them to see different. He understood, because not long ago he had been one of those cats.

The mentioning of owing debts... Kestrelstar once again felt his ears heat up in shame. "There will never be any debt between our Clans," he replied in agreement, his voice taking on that of a softer tone. "I... have not had the easiest time leading RiverClan. Sometimes I feel as though Lionstorm and Snakeheart selected the wrong cat for the job. I just... I didn't want RiverClan to be weak." Moving on a bit from ShadowClan, he was now remembering the fiery conflict with ThunderClan. Impulsivity had to be one of his worst traits, or so he was realizing. Looking back at Twilightstar, Kestrelstar nodded. "Now I understand better. I don't wish to do anything with leaf-bare so close, but something has to be done soon, before Dawnstar gets it in her head that he had us defeated - that will never happen under my leadership." Taking a moment the gray tabby drew in a breath, straightening his shoulders. "I'm grateful to know that I and RiverClan have yours and WindClan's support. I'm... sorry for all of the grief Dawnstar has caused you." He couldn't even begin to imagine. With the border attacks, RiverClan had managed to fight back and hold their ground with no deaths save for a few. WindClan... had not been as lucky.

[Kunaisoul]

Nightleap -->

She smiled and laughed. "Of course, Kestrelstar." She smiled. "I'm going to tell Snakeheart next, He's ought to know." She said, dipping her head. "It was good to see you."
@arden

[Rani]

Feeling his brother finally relax under him got a soft pleased huff from Snakeheart content that at least the birdbrain knew fighting him on this was an uphill battle. He was laying here tonight and in the morning he'd be sprucing up this depressing den to something befitting riverclan leadership. If that kicked kes outta his den to share Snakehearts for a night? ....well that was just a coincidence. He had it all planned out too Junipersong would be focused on things that'd make Kestrelstar happy, Rowanmist would be focused on making the den pretty and he'd focus on making it comfortable to prevent any potential back pain. The plan was foolproof the medicine cat reflected jaws cracking wide in a yawn as he sagging into his new cat bedding tail curling to make sure no limb was un blanketed nodding off with a low happy purr.

@arden

[Dizerel]

Originally Posted by arden

Waves of worry and concern rolled off Junipersong to the point that Kestrelstar found that his paws were instinctively leading him towards his friend. Yellow eyes were narrowed with concern - and if he was being honest, a mild trace of confusion. He had never understood before, and still didn't, why a few cats in the Clan believed he was worthy of any saving. He was doing his best to redeem himself, to showcase his change, but deep down there was a part of him that longed for the quiet dissolution. A soft pin drop in the middle of the night that would be his departure. It baffled him when cats like Junipersong... worried over him. What had he done in his time as leader other than burn himself down to the ground, with RiverClan alongside him?

It was hard to keep those thoughts at bay, a challenge that Kestrelstar had accepted he'd probably spend his whole life battling against. Some times it was easy to do so; others, nearly impossible.

Sitting down closer to his friend now, Kestrelstar felt his own shoulders slump a bit as he let out a sigh. "Thankfully, I've got a few extra lives to spare," the gray tabby tom joked softly, though it didn't have the same lightheartedness as his first joke had. Even if he had mustered all of the parts of his personality that remained bold and brash, the joke still would've sounded flat. Before his eyes, Junipersong was breaking under the weight of the recent coyote revolution, and he'd be damned if he'd let her go through that alone.

"I've got claws, and I'm a lot less mouse-brained than I was as a foolish warrior. I don't... I don't go looking for danger as much as I used to. The thrill, the need to... to prove myself to my Clan. At least, I try not to. You don't have to worry, really." Lifting his gaze so that he was searching her own, Kestrelstar offered the beginnings of a smile. He hoped that he could at least shoulder this feeling with her. Remembering how the coyotes had ripped apart his Clanmates so easily caused him to shudder when he thought about it. However, logistically he had only seen one - maybe it had just been passing through.

But that didn't seem to be it - the past seasons' coyotes. As Junipersong spoke her request outloud, Kestrelstar couldn't help but recoil. Eyes wide, pelt bristling a bit. "No!" he exclaimed, before realizing how loud that was. The initial shock wearing off, the RiverClan leader shook his head vigorously. "No. I am not sending you to face those coyotes alone. If they pose a problem, we'll send multiple, capable warriors after them. You can be apart of that, but you're not facing them alone." His voice was firm, solid, confident - resembling the old Kestrelstar he had been before certain events had shattered those parts of him. Yellow eyes glimmered with defiance at her request, though there was a hint of worry deep within him. As much as Junipersong was worried about losing him, he was just as worried about losing her. She was his best friend, the cat that had been there through so much... if a coyote took that away from him, the leader wasn't sure if he'd ever recover.

She shot a glance of worry his way at his joke. She was usually one for levity but joking about throwing away ones life (or lives, in this case) was not a laughing matter. "I hope you know. Any loyal Riverclan cat would give their own life before letting you spend one of yours. Myself included." She sighed. More than anything else about him, even that time he had gone crazy and blown up on her, it hurt her to see him be so nonchalant about his own existence. "The entire clan benefits from having you alive and well. You make the lives of so many cats better. At the very least, you make mine better" She states, moving in to brush her cheek along his flank, if allowed.

As she pulled back to let him explain his take on her bold request, she just kinda..... fwumped down onto her stomach, eventually rolling onto her side. If it had been nearly anyone but her, it would be appallingly casual for a warrior to do this inside the leader's den. "I.... I know its mouse-brained to ask but.... Im just really worried. After something that happened I feel like im less in-control of myself than usual. I want to do something that will make me feel in-control again." Looking up at the ceiling of the den for a bit, thinking to herself. "Though I am really glad you are back, too. I feel so much better and more in-control when im around you. Maybe its because im worried half to death that you are gonna do something risky..... Snakeheart told me he is gonna sick me on you if you dont take better care of yourself" A bit of a grin on her face as she recalled what Snake had said to her on their herb patrol together.

"I dont know I just.... things feel better with you around. Thats all." She mewls, turning back to her paws to stand up. "Ill respect your decision as leader. Though im still gonna want to try somehow proving to myself that Ive gotten better.... I just wonder how I can do so without being reckless."

[spade]

Originally Posted by Kunaiskrill

Nightleap -->

She smiled and laughed. "Of course, Kestrelstar." She smiled. "I'm going to tell Snakeheart next, He's ought to know." She said, dipping her head. "It was good to see you."
@arden

Kestrelstar dipped his head to his former apprentice, feeling himself just a bit lighter at the news. Kits was a good thing, as much as he had a distaste for the little rugrats whenever they crowded him in his den. Hopefully they would turn out to be great warriors like their mother. "You too, Nightleap," he replied in farewell.

Originally Posted by Dizerel

She shot a glance of worry his way at his joke. She was usually one for levity but joking about throwing away ones life (or lives, in this case) was not a laughing matter. "I hope you know. Any loyal Riverclan cat would give their own life before letting you spend one of yours. Myself included." She sighed. More than anything else about him, even that time he had gone crazy and blown up on her, it hurt her to see him be so nonchalant about his own existence. "The entire clan benefits from having you alive and well. You make the lives of so many cats better. At the very least, you make mine better" She states, moving in to brush her cheek along his flank, if allowed.

As she pulled back to let him explain his take on her bold request, she just kinda..... fwumped down onto her stomach, eventually rolling onto her side. If it had been nearly anyone but her, it would be appallingly casual for a warrior to do this inside the leader's den. "I.... I know its mouse-brained to ask but.... Im just really worried. After something that happened I feel like im less in-control of myself than usual. I want to do something that will make me feel in-control again." Looking up at the ceiling of the den for a bit, thinking to herself. "Though I am really glad you are back, too. I feel so much better and more in-control when im around you. Maybe its because im worried half to death that you are gonna do something risky..... Snakeheart told me he is gonna sick me on you if you dont take better care of yourself" A bit of a grin on her face as she recalled what Snake had said to her on their herb patrol together.

"I dont know I just.... things feel better with you around. Thats all." She mewls, turning back to her paws to stand up. "Ill respect your decision as leader. Though im still gonna want to try somehow proving to myself that Ive gotten better.... I just wonder how I can do so without being reckless."

The RiverClan leader had never been one for physical affection - it had taken him awhile to even accept it from Frozenberry (a thought that passed through him like a sharp curved claw now) - so his first instinct was to pull away. But instead he remained in place, parts of him tensing up before settling back into their relaxed state. There was something... something akin to a spark, but it wasn't noticeable enough to Kestrelstar for the tom to hold onto it.

Between the notion that she was worried about him and her rolling onto his den floor, Kestrelstar stifled a laugh. Instead, the RiverClan leader lowered himself to the ground as well, rolling onto his back and stretching his paws upwards towards the roof of his den. Laying side by side with his friend, the gray tabby tom let a sigh slip through his jaws. "Have you thought about taking on another apprentice? You've done an excellent job with Featherpaw - from the looks of it she is almost ready to become a warrior. If you'd like, since I know you're not going anywhere, you could help train those who seem to have revolving mentors." It was something she would be able to put her focus in, and at least Kestrelstar knew that if he was in her position it would help him. Having something to focus that much energy on was beneficial for every party involved.

Of course Snakeheart had. With a mrrow of amusement, Kestrelstar's yellow gaze followed Junipersong as she moved to stand back up. He followed suit and was soon on his paws once more. "Snakebite doesn't scare me. Although, I am trying to take better care of myself, really. I... RiverClan has been doing so well, and I like to think part of that is because of the personal changes I've made. I'm glad I came back, despite all of the obstacles that have been put in my way. And I'm glad... that cats like you still choose to put their faith in me." The den grew quiet for a moment as Kestrelstar glanced towards Junipersong. He couldn't imagine living life without the massive brown tabby, his friend and confidant, right up there with Snakeheart.

Glancing towards the entrance of the den, Kestrelstar sighed. "Maybe you could go around and share your ideas with every other cat in RiverClan," he joked with a laugh, taking a seat once more before returning his gaze to his friend.

[spade]

So. Another Shield missing. Kestrelstar was a bit concerned, as Fierceroar had been a new warrior - but her age and experience reassured him that maybe she was fine. Still, a part of him wanted to go look for her if he could - and maybe Sagewhisper too while he was at it. But for now, he needed to fill that rank and there was a cat in mind who had recently returned that he wanted to speak with about it.

Padding towards the entrance of his den, the gray tabby leader surveyed camp with thoughtful yellow eyes. It was easy to spot his target, and he cleared his throat in preparation. "Goosefury! A moment, if you don't mind." Beckoning the tom into his den with the tip of his tail, Kestrelstar disappeared inside once again to wait for the scarred warrior to join him.

// @Papaya

[dino.]

// @arden

>Goosefury<

The scarred tom had been lounging in a corner of camp, splayed out and utterly bored out of his mind yet with no motivation to cure said boredom, when a certain yellow-eyed cat dove in to rescue him. Goosefury lifted his head to blink at Kestrelstar's back as the leader vanished back into his den.

Briefly wracking his brain of recent actions that could have possibly gotten him in trouble (and finding none, so this must be good news), he hauled himself to his paws and crossed the clearing. With a flick of his tail he slipped inside. "What can I do for you?"