Change My Mind *spoilers for HJ*

I found him interesting. He was a bully, but unlike some other bully characters like Foxheart for instance, he didn't have any malicious intentions when it came to his attitude towards Tallstar and was genuinely upset when he was going to leave. In the end, the two did make amends. Not friends, but they were at least on better terms than before. Shrewclaw even gave Tallstar a life at his warrior ceremony. I suspect growing up where the moor runners and tunnelers were constantly at each other's throats didn't help much, either.

Well, normally it isn't the leader's job to pick the medicine cat apprentice. Either said cats makes the choice (like Leafpool) or they have no other choice but to become one (like Jayfeather). It seemed like no other cats showed an interest in becoming one and clearly Littlecloud hadn't been given any sign either.

As for the apprentices thing, it has been noted that ShadowClan has alot of them for him to handle and judging from the preview, it seems like even the other cats have trouble keeping them in line.

I do get what you're saying though, but like you said, Rowanstar is an interesting character and that's why I like him.

Why do you dislike Breezepelt

Bump

How would you feel about debating just for the sake of debate? Honestly, our opinions are pretty similar on almost all the cats (and when there's a difference, it's not major enough to be worth trying to change your mind over), so I was thinking I could try arguing the opposite side of a cat of a cat that's not on your neutral list.

Bump

Why do you like Squirrelflight? And why are you neutral on Ivypool and Bramblestar?

I just don't have much of an opinion on Bramblestar, and I personally found Ivypool to be annoying as an apprentice and poorly written as a warrior. Her story is interesting, but also rather predictable. She just didn't really interest me all that much, I guess.

With Squirrelflight, though, while I can understand why some would find her annoying, I personally never did. I'll admit, she was pretty bratty at first, but I don't think she was that bad. She was only eight moons old when we first met her, and plenty of apprentices have thought that they're the best or that they know more. And considering that she takes after both her parents, I'm not really that surprised.

She seems to mostly take after Sandstorm, though, since both were rather stubborn, rude, boastful when they were apprentices, and are both still sharp-tounged. But like her father, she has a kind heart and would for do anything for her friends and family. I also couldn't help but notice it was implied at one point in Midnight how Squirrelflight felt as if the Clan had high expectations of her because of who her father was, which may have contributed why she was so difficult when she was an apprentice.

Also, her going on the journey with the six chosen cats (and Stormfur) proved to be a good thing. Not only did help her grow as a cat and become closer to Bramblestar, but she also saved Feathertail from becoming a kittypet, saved Brambleclaw when he fell into a river, saved Tawnypelt's life (with Leafpool's help), came up with a plan to save Stormfur after he was imprisoned by the Tribe of Rushing Water, and though it didn't go as planned, she also came up with the idea on how to lure Sharptooth to his death.

She was also the one to find out where Leafpool and the other cats were (with Spottedleaf's help, of course), was the first cat to see and understand the 'dying warrior' sign, and was also the one who discovered ThunderClan's new camp at the lake.

In short, Squirrelflight has matured alot since the journey to find Midnight.

But then there's her not trusting Hawkfrost. Really, this was just lack of miscommunication on both her and Bramblestar's part. Both are to blame for the quarrel, not just one or the other. Squirrelflight should've either tried to give a better explanation or tried to understand why Bramblestar wanted to spend time with his half-brother sooner, which she eventually did, while Bramblestar should've been more cautious, even if this was his half-brother here. Both of them being as stubborn and hot-headed as they are doesn't help matters, either.

Now onto taking in Leafpool's kits. Well, she didn't really have much of a choice. It was either raise the kits as her own or Leafpool would leave the Clan one way or another. Squirrelflight didn't even want to take the kits at first since it would mean lying to her Clanmates, but agreed to do so because not only did she love Leafpool, but she also believed this would be her only chance to raise her own kits. And she did a good job at it, too.

Squirrelflight was always a good mother to Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather. She loved them as if they were her own and even still thinks of them as if they were truly hers. She was always there for them, even after they rejected her time and again, such as comforting Lionblaze over Cinderheart, as well as Jayfeather after Dawnpelt had accused him of murder.

As for not telling Bramblestar, well granted she didn't tell him because she wanted him to love the kits as if they were his own, but then again, I think it was probably for the best that she didn't tell him. He was the Clan deputy at the time and had been ridiculed several times just for being Tigerstar's son. He was also criticized for being chosen as deputy without an apprentice. I have no doubt that Bramblestar would've helped his mate and her sister, but if he had, he likely would've been forced to step down in a similar way Leafpool had done, and/or the Clan would've lost their trust in him had he also been in on the secret and would've had to prove his loyalty to them all over again.

As for Ashfur, well first of all, Squirrelflight never used Ashfur to make Brambleclaw jealous and I don't really get why people keep on thinking this. Not only has this been confirmed by the Erins themselves, but Squirrelflight never really saw Ashfur as anything else but a friend. Yes, she knew he liked her and she did consider being his mate once or twice, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. She was nothing but kind to him throughout the entire time they were still friends, if not a little annoyed with him being overprotective and such. She even tried to let him down gently, but he was the one who kept on acting cold towards her afterwards.

What makes anyone think that she's that type of cat? Just because she spent time with him while she was fighting with Bramblestar doean't mean anything at all. It just meant she wanted a friend. That's like saying Sandstorm used Dustpelt to make Firestar jealous, or Dovewing used Bumblestripe to make Tigerheart jealous. No. That's not how it works at all. While Brambleclaw was clearly jealous, that's just a coincidence, really. Squirrelflight wasn't doing anything on purpose.

Besides, Squirrelflight is usually very straightforward when confronting a problem and not once did she ever have any thoughts of using him to make Brambleclaw jealous. In fact, she was more angry and annoyed and upset at Brambleclaw for trusting Hawkfrost than wanting to make him jealous, especially since she was the one who broke things off the first time.

Squirrelflight was hurt when Bramblestar broke up with her, but she dealt with it in the best way she could. She accepted both the break up and Ashfur's death as punishment that she didn't deserve to be loved and never once complained.

I think Bramblestar made a good choice in making her his deputy. He valued her generous spirit, wisdom, and impulsive desire to help others. She's great at her job and takes care of the Clan whenever Bramblestar can't, and she seems to have a very loving relationship with her kits from what we've seen so far.

Squirrelflight is a good cat who has had excellent development. That's why I love her so much. She's no longer the same cat she once was and her role as the Clan deputy shows that.

Lol! True. XD

What about Bramblestar and Ivypool? Since you asked about them, are you going to try to change my mind on them?

Don't get me wrong, Ivypool certainly had a reason to be jealous, especially since she didn't even know about Dovewing's powers, but the way she handled it was really bad and not to mention overdone. Her arguments with Dovewing especially annoyed me. However, I am glad they made up. That being said, I agree. Surely the Clans passed down stories of at least cats like Tigerstar and Brokenstar. Thornclaw especially should've known how bad the place was.

Anyway, I do agree that Bramblestar could've been more understanding of Squirrelflight's decision sooner, but he at least came to understand it eventually in Bramblestar's Storm. I can understand why he'd be angry for keeping such a secret this huge from him, but at the same time I felt like he was somewhat overdoing it. At least talking things out with either Squirrelflight or Leafpool might've been helpful, but it doesn't seem like he did this at all and just gave them (mostly Squirrelflight) the cold shoulder for moons.

This is why I'm neutral on BramblexSquirrel. It's well-developed and well-written, but it lacks communication on both ends. Hopefully now there won't be any drama between then anymore and will be more open with each other from now on.

And why did you bring Ashfur into this?

As for Spottedleaf, I'm neutral on her. I like that she's helpful, but her obsession with Firestar really annoys me.

Well, you didn't have to post the entire paragraph, you could've just said I mentioned Ashfur when defending Squirrelflight and I know I did, I was just curious why you were bringing him up when you were arguing against Bramblestar since it seemed a little out of place.

Anyway, you asked me on Spottedleaf and I offered you an explanation how I feel about her. Do you have a rebuttal or do you feel the same way about her as I do?

And I agree with this. Hopefully her novella can at least make her tolerable.

Also, according to Vicky, Spottedleaf was killed off so the best side of her character would be brought out. Firestar not having to choose was really more of a bonus.

Anyone else you want to debate on?

What do you think of Ferncloud? What about Jayfeather?