High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

**carmen** · #**2051** October 5th, 2021, 12:21 PM

@Singing Jay
Who would have thought that her grumpiness would bring someone over. Falconfeather stared as Shadestorm trotted to a stop beside her and grunted out of phrase. On most days, she would have just turned away in apoligize, but today she was angrier than most days. "Why does it bother you that I'm angry?" Her birdlike amber eyes glared at his blue ones. "You don't seem to actually care about my well being." She had seen pity and worry before, but the anger in her gaaze hadd stirred up a third emotion in the other cat- anger. "Who do you-"

She cut off as Dawnstar began to speak. Listening as the leader listed off a list of reassigned apprentices given to new mentors and a list of new rogue-turned warriors. It appeared Bouncepaw was getting an aficial name. Bounceberry. Not bad. HEre eaers perked once more as her head swiveled back to Dawnstar. How interesting, a new deputy. It had been long enough. Who would be the lucky cat? Falconfeather glanced around, searching the faces of her clanmate. It made sense for it to be Grimhound, or perhaps Foxstorm. A few moons ago, Frogfang would have been in the running, but now...

Shadestorm!

Falconfeather snapped back to the cat she had been insulted mere moments ago. "Deputy?" She hissed softly. ANyone who Dawnstar trusted in such a position must be truly horrible.

(I do not agree with all of her opinions, especially relating to other cats. Just wanted to let you know!)
EDIT: I just realized her reactions are out of place, whoops!

***Undertaker*** · #**2052** October 5th, 2021, 02:04 PM

@kalor [open]
One smallish ear swerved in the direction of the incoming paws. Slyfox swiftly lifted her bright orange orbs from her paws and settled them on the young apprentice. Needlepaw appeared to be a bright and outgoing apprentice, and Slyfox might have smiled at her if she wasn’t so concerned with what the apprentice was doing talking to her. Not that it was a bad thing, it was just the huntress wasn’t exactly sure what one does in such a situation. Regardless of how awkwardly she felt inside, Slyfox kept her poised confident intact outwardly. She lowered her chin in a somewhat stiff nod of greeting, and then lowered her jaw to ask a question.

Alas that question would never see the light of day, Dawnstar was speaking again and so Slyfox had to give her ears to the leader. Several things happened at once, a new warrior, a new deputy, same medicine cat with a new name, and newcomers. Not to mention more reassignments. Oh! One of them was the youngling she had just been talking to. As the she-cat moved away from her, Slyfox faintly wondered what was going though her head. How did she feel about this new mentor. How didn’t Gingerpaw feel about getting threatened with death and exile? Slyfox honestly wondered if she was just and very empathetic cat or if she preferred wondering how everyone else felt because she couldn’t stand wondering how she herself felt.

Anyway from the expression on Gingerpaw’s face and the one on her new mentors, it didn’t seem like either of them were to all that happy with the leader’s crude words. Slyfox shifted her luminous gaze back to Dawnstar, knowing full well how the molly twisted sense of motivation worked. She had experienced firsthand during her assessment. It it didn’t seem like the clan had fully caught on yet, though.

Back to the new deputy, Slyfox wasn’t one for power or had many ambitions aside from exposing her father. She didn’t know enough personally about Shadestorm to properly judge him, but would keep him in a gray area until she figured him out. Slyfox’s thoughts slowly drifted back into nothingness as she recoiled her tail around her and went back to awaiting whatever her leader had left to say.

**JackHunt_17** · #**2053** October 5th, 2021, 02:06 PM

Wow. That deputy came out of no where. Fiercefire barely knew Shadestorm himself, but chanted the new deputy’s name all the same

***Undertaker*** · #**2054** October 5th, 2021, 05:40 PM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

Dawnstar found herself chuckling at Bounceyball's rather dull response to his name. He's clearly spent way too much time with the mutt seeing as he was taking everything in stride. He didn't seem upset in the slightest with the lack of attention, if anything, it didn't seem like he liked it much at all. The leader would continue to openly distrust the tom and worry about him abandoning the clan at some point in time, but unlike some of her more mousebrain clanmates, Dawnstar did understand the importance of having a medicine cat and how important they were to the clans.

There was certain respect she held for the medicine cat, and that respect was shown by her not killing, demoting, or changing his name to something she found funnier. She made a point not to bother Bounceyball unless she absolutely had to and would even refrain from forcing an apprentice on him since he did acquire his full name. So long as there was a mutual tolerance and Bounceyball didn't give her paranoia a reason to act up, the longer he'd live and cling onto his rank. Dawnstar didn't need to like or trust the cats she made use of.

Shadestorm and Brackenfire both seemed a little put off with the fact that attention was being drawn away from their 'moment'. Dawnstar would make a point in making it up to Brackenfire by having her tag along, Shadestorm was going to have to learn that although he had a new rank, he'd always be second to Dawnstar. The more she watched tom's reaction more she started wondering if she'd have to make a lot more than that clear to him. He was loyal, strong, and clearly fit to be deputy, but that arrogance in his face said something different. This rank was going to go right to his head, she could already see that. Yes, Dawnstar was certainly going to have to remind him of his place and probably tell him to be careful of much respect he demanded from the cats just because he was given a rank.

Respect, control, power, that was something that was earned, and Shadestorm had not earned it just because Dawnstar had called him deputy. It was purely through Dawnstar's actions that she had earned her right to be respected, fear, hated, the arrogance that she had held during her time as a warrior had turned into raw confidence. She had the skill, obtained the blood and tears of weak, and acquired the reputation to back up that confidence. It wasn't hard to make cats follow her, either out of pure fear or out of respect. Shadestorm's arrogance and ambitions would only get him so far in life, but it certainly wouldn't be as the next leader of ShadowClan. If he wanted cats to acknowledge him he'd have to do that himself, Dawnstar wasn't going to be back him up any time soon.

The brown tabby glanced over to Addersnow and Grimhound as the two of them joined up. It was an interesting experience to watch considering she's never seen her mutt act like an actual mutt before, Dawnstar could honestly admit that she didn't really care about their relationship, so long as Grimhound could make Addersnow into an acceptable ShadowClan warrior. Then they could go and frolic happily in the field of enemy corpses they left behind. If the serpant proves worth her time, and killed as well as the mongrel, adding Addersnow into her family could work. Especially since she got along so well with the mutt.

Foxstorm didn't seem all that happy with the new task Dawnstar had to give her, but she had promised to see if Foxstorm was good enough to be a part of the family, Brackenfire, Ravenpaw, Badgerscar, Redshrike, and Grimhound had all proven they deserved a place at her side. She had her eye on the brat Whisperpaw, he was just interested in a way. Spottedleopard could be potential daughter material if she had a bit more... something. Elmshadow and his latest adventure had caught her attention, she like his attitude and the way he handled himself. He was calmer than most and could she use another potential sibling.

She needed more cats, more family, members that she could actually count on should things turn sour. Dawnstar had plans to make up a special rank for those who served as her most trusted, it would be wise to start sharing and taking counsel from others with her future plans. She knew she needed advice and options for as great as she was, this would be the second time she thought she saw something in a cat that resembled herself, only to be sourly disappointed. But she wasn't quite at the point where she was openly willing to share just yet. So those thoughts were on hold. Perhaps once she was done playing with the fish and most likely bunnies, she'd tried pushing out of her comfort zone a bit more when things had settled down.

"I'm heading to the Hidden Haven, it's been a while since we've last returned there, I want to scent the path and check the surrounding areas for predators and remove any threats that could have settled there while we were away. While I'm gone Shadestorm will be in charge ---" Dawnstar paused for a moment, dropping her eyes to peer down at the deputy. It wasn't like she'd be gone for much, it depended on how much work they needed to put in to build sturdier dens and reinforce their claim over the territory. But, she could see something going wrong with her cocky deputy at the helm. Hmm, well ShadowClan had a few senior warriors that could be pestered if trouble arose, plus a Bounceyball. The sad thing was that Dawnstar was more concerned about the clan when she had a deputy than when she hadn't had one.

"Brackenfire [ poppy. ], Frostbit [ paradise ], Poisonpetal [ Rainquail ], Berrypaw [ starry ], Sharppaw [ Shade. ], Crowtail [ Angelique ], Orchidmoon [ Naiad ], Addersnow [ jackpot ], Maplepaw [ littlelove ], Wolfwhisper [ x ghostie ] and Clovernose [ egals ]. You'll all be joining me." The number of cats tagging along might seem rather large, but Dawnstar wasn't certain what she'd be walking into, and extra paws would be nice.

"While I'm gone, I want that tunnel to be finished getting dug up, and if you're not hunting or patrols you should be training either fighting or working on your climbing. This is no time for ShadowClan to be sitting idle." Everyone should be doing something, she'd be royal pissed off if she returned to find cats sitting on their asses. "We're done here." She snarled, leaping off the Shadowledge. As she waited for the cats she called to gather, she locked her eyes on the young kit who had failed to show up on time for the apprentice ceremony.

"Sleekkit [ -Ash- ], you showed up late so no you will not be made an apprentice. You'll have to wait until I call another meeting to become an apprentice." There was no pity or sympathy for the kit in the slightest, touch luck. If he couldn't come when she called, it was his own fault.

**Madelaine** · #**2055** October 5th, 2021, 06:15 PM

-->Crowtail

The tom had just saw the meeting egt more interesting. Then it was over just like that. Oh well he would be doing something productive. Plus it was a great opportunity to prove himself. After the meeting was dismissed the tom stayed behind and moved forward, looking around for the other cats Dawnstar had called for.

**Abyssopelagic** · #**2056** October 5th, 2021, 06:16 PM

Cloudpaw snorts and shakes his head. He didn't know who Shadestorm was and didn't really care about his promotion at the time being, but he couldn't be rude, now could he.
"Congrats Shadestorm," He muttered to no one, but his effort had been made.
He did, however, put more effort into congratulating Brackenfire for earning their warrior name while also receiving praise from Dawnstar, even if it was miniscule.
"Brackenfire!" His cheer fell a bit flat, but it rang out more than his congratulations for Shadestorm had.

Cloudpaw twitched his nose and sat heavily on the ground as Dawnstar announced she would be taking a small journey with a group of her clanmates and wasn't surprised that Poisonpetal was among the number called to join her. Whatever, he'd still make sure the warrior heard about it.
As much as he disliked him.

He felt a pang of hurt as Sleetkit was passed up to being given an apprentice ceremony. It wasn't entirely unfair, he supposed, he'd still be made an apprentice next time, but he would still be missing important opportunities to train. Maybe if he learned enough from his mentor he could try to teach Sleetkit.
He wiggles up beside his brother.
"Hey, don't worry. If you want I can teach you so you don't fall behind."
It was more effort than he'd put forward for any other cat, but he'd do it for any of his siblings and no one else.
@-Ash-

**shaded shadow** · #**2057** October 5th, 2021, 06:40 PM

troutclaw lisend to dawnstar

**error** · #**2058** October 5th, 2021, 07:36 PM

~Rufflefeather~

As the tabby tom slipped in from being a bit late, his ears caught the sound of Dawnstar’s voice. Better yet, the new deputy. He darted over to Shadestorm, greeting him with a big grin. “Congrats on being deputy Shadestorm!” He told the cindery-tom, before his smile lessened. “Help this clan be better. Can you promise me?” He said, looking to Shade right in the eyes.

@Singing Jay

**-Ash-** · #**2059** October 5th, 2021, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainquail

Cloudpaw snorts and shakes his head. He didn't know who Shadestorm was and didn't really care about his promotion at the time being, but he couldn't be rude, now could he.
"Congrats Shadestorm," He muttered to no one, but his effort had been made.
He did, however, put more effort into congratulating Brackenfire for earning their warrior name while also receiving praise from Dawnstar, even if it was miniscule.
"Brackenfire!" His cheer fell a bit flat, but it rang out more than his congratulations for Shadestorm had.

Cloudpaw twitched his nose and sat heavily on the ground as Dawnstar announced she would be taking a small journey with a group of her clanmates and wasn't surprised that Poisonpetal was among the number called to join her. Whatever, he'd still make sure the warrior heard about it.
As much as he disliked him.

He felt a pang of hurt as Sleetkit was passed up to being given an apprentice ceremony. It wasn't entirely unfair, he supposed, he'd still be made an apprentice next time, but he would still be missing important opportunities to train. Maybe if he learned enough from his mentor he could try to teach Sleetkit.
He wiggles up beside his brother.
"Hey, don't worry. If you want I can teach you so you don't fall behind."
It was more effort than he'd put forward for any other cat, but he'd do it for any of his siblings and no one else.
@-Ash-

Sleetkit sucked in a sharp breath, slowly backing away into the crowd, where he found himself right next to Cloudkit. Cloudpaw, he reminded himself. Tears pricked at the kit's eyes as he turned to face his brother. Sure, maybe it was an overreaction; afterall, he would become an apprentice next meeting. But still. Now his siblings would get to train more than him, and no matter how hard he trained, they would be warriors before him as well.

"Yeah sure. Or you'll be too busy with your fancy apprentice stuff going on." Hurt pierced his heart at the thought. His siblings moving on in their lives without him. If he hadn't taken that stupid nap, he would've been an apprentice... And now he didn't even have any friends in the nursery anymore. Tail drooping between his legs, he padded back off to the nursery, still a kit.

**beau** · #**2060** October 5th, 2021, 08:31 PM

Orchidmoon stood from where she had been sitting to watch the meeting. By most standards, it was fairly eventful. A new warrior, a handful of apprentices, a couple of newbies, and the medicine cat had finally gotten his new name. Bounceberry. It was at least more respectable than him still being a 'paw. Though she did quite like the nickname that Grimhound had come up with, Bouncyball. Her ears flicked up as she heard her named called by Dawnstar, and she stood as she listened to the instructions. A subtle smirk crept onto her maw. Finally, she was doing something outside of normal routine. Despite her feeling ill recently, she had been frustrated with the cycle that had built up. Go hunt, go train, maybe a patrol if she was lucky.

She stood, giving her coarse brown pelt a shake, and stalked over to where the other cats in the patrol were congregating. Her gaze flickered through the crowd, searching for the faces of the other cats that were to join them. The molly's sleek tail-tip twitched, her paws were itching to get out of camp. The she-cat wondered what they would encounter as they reclaimed the Hidden Haven. She supposed she should hope for nothing too interesting, a quick and easy check-up on the decrepit camp. But a little excitement wouldn't be terrible... Maybe some rogues to chase off. She hadn't shredded a cat's pelt for moons, having unfortunately sat out on the battle with Windclan, and border patrols seemed to be terribly boring at the moment.