☼WindClan: Home of the Swift and Loyal |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| ☼

Goldheart huffed, not exactly fond of young cats but padded forward anyway, nodding to his new apprentice before touching noses with him.

Goldheart looked over Cloudpaw, analyzing the small tom. "We'll see about that." he mewed flatly, but gave the tom a little smirk. "Keep the attitude up kit, we'll see what you can do."

Cloudpaw brighter a little at the last comment and looked over towards his brother. He didn't envy him, knowing about the drama with Dashclaw. He didn't even want to be a moor runner and now he as to train Breezepaw.

Goldheart turned to look at Cloudpaw, before glancing over at Dashclaw, he had never been a mentor before, where did he even start? "Uh, you want a tour of the territory?"

"Really?" Cloudpaw looked at him. "Yes I do!" He meowed excitedly. "Can we go now?" He asked.

Swiftstar's ears flicked in surprise as the deputy approached him, but he nodded. "Of course Blacktail, why don't we step into my den." He gestured back towards the leader's den with his tail and began to pad in that direction Does he disapprove of my decision to allow WindClan to hunt at Highstones? he thought, his whiskers twitching. That seems unlike him.

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Swiftstar frowned slightly and sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws. "Blacktail I chose you as my deputy because you have more experience than anyone in the clan. Your age doesn't bother me at all...in fact I look to you and your wisdom as a help, not a hindrance." In all honesty he hadn't given much thought to Blacktail's increasing age. The deputy had always been a steady guidance for him, and the rest of the clan.

Blacktail wanted to purr at the words of the leader, though all he could manage was a small smile and a flick of his ears.
“I have been honored, every moment I’ve spent serving you and serving Windclan as their deputy...and yet, we have suffered greatly, and we are changing, in ways that require a younger form of leadership. As a deputy, I cannot show it...yet, my paws are worn down from digging, and running. The cold stiffens my joints in ways that it never has before. I lose my breath in half the time of any other Warrior, and it grows harder and harder to hide it. All the wisdom I have shown, I know in my heart that you have it within you. They say a young leader is keen on a wiser deputy. My dear friend, you are not so anymore.” Blacktail’s eyes flickered to the side before he looked steadily at Swiftstar.

“This is the time in a leader’s life to look towards a permanent successor, when your lives pass and you live no more. This day was going to come, sooner or later. I think what Windclan needs now is youth and energy, not any more old wisdom. If we are to recover, from the fire and from Meadowbrook’s treachery, we need a deputy that can act in perfect condition, at full strength and at full capacity. I...I do not think I am that deputy, anymore.”

“I want the clan to understand that their generation is more than capable of changing Windclan into the best version of itself. There are leaders amongst them, just like you, who deserve a chance to help you do just that. I’m still going to be right here, always willing to help and to give advice. Windclan needed me as deputy in their time of peace, and I did all I could. I...admittedly never expected such a position. My entire life, I had been hesitant and unsure, of myself and of the future. Adderclan...it changed me. And even before that, I never felt as if I was ever a cat destined for anything beyond simply being. That cat never truly goes away, even with age.” He chuckled lightly, before he grew serious again.

“Thank you, Swiftstar. For believing that I was worth the wisdom I tried to extend. You are a cat worthy of loyalty, and of leadership...But if I step down, I only ask that you consider what ails the clan the most. I want you to think of what divides us, and to choose a cat who will help you close those divisions. I...” He hesitated. “My dream, back then and even now, was always to one day see a Windclan that does not decide a cat’s merit on title of duty, but rather the making of their character. I never want another cat to feel the way I did, to feel wrong for not being able to choose one side or the other, in duties...and in kinship. To feel better or worse than the cats around them for being in one rank over the other.” He admitted, the muted pain in his eyes as prevalent as when he had been a young apprentice, too torn to choose which path he was supposed to take.

Blacktail smiled once more, watching his leader with a nod. “I trust in your judgement. There are many cats to choose from, dedicated Warriors who would fit the job wonderfully. I have faith that this time will be your last time, for choosing your deputy. In the meanwhile, I do want to still help, until leafbare ends at least. I may not be able to head the larger tunneling projects like I used to, but I can still dig until we’re recovered enough...and, well, I need to speak with my mate and kits, as well.” He admitted, glancing back at the den entrance.
“I only hope the clan will understand why I must step down.”

Sagefoot headed into the tunnels, Larkpaw at her feet.

Her daughter scampering along excitedly. "I can't believe you're gonna show me everything you know!"

Sagefoot chuckled quietly. "Well I can't show you everything in one day."

Sagefoot purred, her heart full as she stared at their little family, she turned to Larkpaw, eyes glinting with mischief “Oh here are the slow-paws. We were wondering where you went.”

Larkpaw moved to her sister, headbutting her should gently. “Isn’t this exciting? All together in the tunnels!”

Sagefoot nodded, both grateful for the suggestion but saddened that she couldn’t be near her beloved tom. “I have great faith in them, but I would feel better if we don’t have any stragglers”

Larkpaw nervously padded forward in the tunnel, “It’s so dark in here!”