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

“Unlikely...” Splashstone murmured, a twinge of self-hatred filling him at the thought of him ever being good enough to be a deputy. Would the clan even accept him if he was? “I expect some Moor-Runner. Who else would it be?” He mumbled.

(I really don't think Fireblaze knows that....she's way too young to have been around)

Breezefoot looked a little shocked that Blacktail was retiring. Ye supposed it made sense since the tom was getting up there in age but was was still surprising. He wondered who would be named his replacement. Maybe Harewhisker or his own mate.

Sagefoot gasped, never in a million years expecting her name to be called, she looked at her mate, unsure whether she should make her way to the front of the crowd or not.

Sandfall purred quietly as his sister's name was called, slightly disappointed it wasn't him, but proud of his sister all the same.

Larkpaw cheered as her mother's name was called. "Mama's gonna be deputy!"

Goldheart attempted to hold in a growl as Sagefoot's name was announced, he whipped around at Fireblaze "I told you!"

Jasmineheart turned to Splashstone with a tilt of her head, "She's a tunneler is she not? Are you okay with his choice?" 

Swiftstar watched the surprise flash over Sagefoot's face and smiled to himself. She had never expected to be deputy, and that was what would make her a great one. He tried to catch her eye to encourage her to come forward but she was looking elsewhere.

Silverspirit's tail flicked happily as her sister's name was called. Cloudscar is going to lose his mind when he finds out. She thought, chuckling to herself.

Fireblaze narrowed her eyes at their sister as her name was called. A small hiss escaped through her teeth. "What a rabbit-brain" was all she could manage, not sure if it was directed at Sagefoot or Swiftstar.

Sagefoot quickly pressed her nose to Stonepath's ear for his encouraging words before she carefully made her way up to Swiftstar, gazing over the clan with a hint of nervousness before she turned to face Swiftstar again. If Swiftstar believed in her to be a good deputy, she would do her best for her clan. Oh what is father going to think?

Jasmineheart continued to stare at Splashstone curiously, "Do you not think she will do a good job?"

Goldheart dug his claws into the ground, overwhelming anger overtaking him. "I can't believe it, she doesn't deserve this." he whispered harshly.

Swiftstar smiled encouragingly at Sagefoot before touching his nose to her forehead. "May you serve this clan for many moons." He said before taking another step back.

"Sagefoot!" Called Silverspirit from below, feeling like the crushing grief from losing their mother was lifting for the first time since the fire.

“Sagefoot! Sagefoot!” Stonepath called, raising his voice for once as he cheered for his mate. Juniperpaw joined in, bouncing on her paws.

Antpaw waved his tail excitedly, while Weaselpaw shrugged her approval, not one to get overly excited about these things. Rookpaw nodded, but did not lift her voice, and Cobblepaw cheered, yet it held a twinge of regret that it wasn’t his father as deputy anymore.

Siltpath sighed in relief, as Tinyflower scoffed but cheered all the same at her brother’s side.

Slushfur met Blacktail's gaze, questioning but still loving. She would have to talk to him after the meeting was over to understand his choice. When Sagefoot's name was called she cheered for her, believing she would do a good job.

Hickoryfrost cheered for Sagefoot, as did Gustpaw and Silverpaw.

Once the ceremony ended, Blacktail released a breath and stood to his paws, padding towards his mate. “I am sorry.” He mumbled softly, looking at her with a flicker of shyness and awkwardness he had thought he had overcome moons ago. His paws shuffled. “I didn’t want to...I didn’t want to tell anyone and stew on the choice. Thinking if it was the right one or not. I...wanted what was best for Windclan. I’m not out of commission, but I am not a young tom anymore. I hope you aren’t too upset with this. I still plan on sharing nests as much as we are able.” He promised.

"You don't need to apologize." Slushfur reassured, pressing her head into his shoulder. "I believe you did what was right for WindClan. Sagefoot will be a good deputy, I think. But what will you do now?" she asked. Blacktail could retire if he wished, but Slushfur wasn't quite at that age yet. She didn't want him to be there by himself.

“All of it!” Splashstone exclaimed, before he felt himself tremble a bit with fear. He took in a deep breath, letting his anger replace his fear instead. It was easier to handle that way. “He shouldn’t have-...He should have never met with mother! She should have never met with him! I...” He remembered Meadowbrook’s words, and the words of the cats in the Dark Forest. How a cat like him could never gain Starclan’s oh so righteous favor. He never wanted to be a number amongst the Dark Forest, but the thought of Starclan’s judgement shook him to his core. But how could he tell his sisters of where he went, and how much he knew?

“Then we support her as we always have. Swiftstar has plenty of life left within him. If your mother ever has to go through that fate...then we do as we always do, and put our Clan first.” Stonepath explained calmly.

Sagefoot smiled shyly at Swiftstar, "I'm glad I will have Blacktail and you for guidance if I need it. Please let me know when you need me."

Eclipsesky flicked his ears, "I suppose Swiftstar doesn't care about that as much as some of the other leaders. It doesn't change who you are as a cat anyway. You would be you and Sagefoot would be Sagefoot whether your father was from Windclan or not."

Jasmineheart flinched away from Splashstone's harsh tone, he had always been prickly, but her brother had never yelled at her before. She let out a little sniff, "None of us chose to be born like this Splashstone. Yes, their relationship was against the code, but we wouldn't be here otherwise. No one even knows we're half-clan. Why are you so scared all the time of it?"

Larkpaw puffed out her chest, "Perhaps she'll make me or Juniperpaw her deputy! We'd help her with everything!"

Slushfur let out a sigh. He was right, of course. "Always so wise." she teased lightly. "I don't think anything I could say would change your mind, so I will support your decision. You deserve rest anyway." she added. "But make sure you come out of that den often, you hear?"