the conversationalist [c]

Daystar still didn't have a game plan. The trip returning to camp had been just as quiet as the trip to Highstones, and she had immediately retreated to her new den to sleep right when the familiar sight of home came into view. When the sunlight had trickled into her den that morning and the breeze ruffled her fur, causing her to wake up, she had glanced around at her surroundings before letting out a sight of disappointment. She was still in the leaders' den... last night hadn't been a dream. At least one of the merits of being in this den meant that she was able to sleep alone. She found herself enjoying the silence because it gave her the opportunity to think. Her first full day of being a leader started at that very moment, and she needed to focus on one thing.

She needed to stop thinking about SkyClan for one moment and focus on what really mattered: WindClan. It seemed as if she spent more time worrying over their newest rivals than she did focusing on her allies and friends within the Clan that she was now supposed to lead. That feeling of unease would always be in her heart, but she knew that her Clanmates were just as nervous as she was. They were unsure of the direction that WindClan was heading in, and they knew that they situation at hand was difficult, but it was Daystar's job to guide them now. She sucked in a shaky breath as she rose her three functioning paws and stretched her hind legs. It was about time for the splint on her forelimb to be removed, wasn't it?

As she poked her head out of the leaders' den and glanced at the sleepy forms of warriors and apprentices alike padding out of their dens to start the day, an idea struck her. In order to properly lead a Clan, she had to know her Clanmates well. She had never been the type of cat to actively socialize with cats that she barely knew, but she wasn't in the position to stick to herself anymore. Her new rank meant that she had to step out of her comfort zone, and what better way to do that then to get to know her Clanmates more?

What about Brookthistle? She was a kind warrior. They had both been mentored by Downtuft, a cat that Daystar missed dearly, so at least they had one thing in common. A gentle smile crept onto the leader's face as she padded over to Brookthistle and greeted the warrior with a flick of her tail.

"Good morning, Brookthistle," Daystar purred, "I just thought I'd check in and see how things have been. I know we don't get the chance to talk a lot."