Ain't no rest for the wicked (Clan Meeting)

Though Leopardsun had chosen a place that would allow her to survey her clanmates' responses to Nightstar's announcements, she had her own opinions on them. Acknowledgement of the still-missing cats was welcome, the reminder that life would move on regardless of their presence a necessary one. Mental health checks... She wondered what they would consist of exactly, and if she could, perhaps, obtain some form of exemption; though she doubted it.

The search and rescue training was, as any cat who knew her well could have guessed, the thing that made her happiest by far. It was precisely the sort of thing she might have come up with on her own had Nightstar not done so; the memory of his death (his blood splattered on her paws and her chest) so clear in her mind even now. She had no complaints whatsoever on the subject.

Likewise, border guards were something she couldn't find any fault with- other than the obvious danger associated with the position, but it seemed to be a necessary idea given the recent increase in trespassing. It was the sort of task she would have pounced on immediately were she just a warrior, but as deputy she had other concerns and different risks to take for the sake of ShadowClan.

The policy change that followed had her narrowing her eyes- not necessarily because she disagreed, but because it was so unexpected coming from Nightstar. It was hard to tell how anything like that would play out until it happened, though Leopardsun privately questioned his logic.

As for the council, Rookfire seemed like a sensible enough choice; he was older than her, with experience and perspective she couldn't quite grasp. Locustcall was the same, but she couldn't help still feeling somewhat conflicted about Nightstar appointing him to the council: he was a ShadowClan cat once before, true, but he was still so new to this ShadowClan. How were they to know he understood them, or had their best interests in mind?

Still, at the end of the day they were Nightstar's decisions and she was Nightstar's deputy. Whether or not she liked or agreed with his choices, it was important that they work together to keep things in order.

So she watched quietly as Singedfox volunteered to guard the border, and as Rookfire accepted the offered council position she called his name.

Redice entered the camp at about the time Nightstar began to speak. The red tom padded quietly over to the Jagged Rock, took in the information and looked at the cats he named as he did so. Okay... Redice didn't have anything to say about it really. New rules, new roles... yay? If that was all that the meeting was for, then he was glad he had come only when it was important and hadn't lingered any longer than necessary. He had his own plans, and Nightstar or Leopardsun howling for attention when it wasn't crucial only took away from the time he could be investing into his own endeavors.

He would wait to be dismissed, as was protocol, but at the end of the night, Redice planned to do his own thing. If anyone was ever curious, they could come ask. If not, he knew the value of time and had no intention of wasting anyone else's.

Nightstar began to speak and Locustcall listened in closely.

He didn't like the sound of mental health checks, he didn't want a cat trying to root around in business that wasn't theirs, but it was easy enough to just say he was fine and brush them off... Because he was fine. It could be helpful for some other cats though so he couldn't complain.

Teaching search and recovery and daylight patrols had him nodding along. Shadowclan was the only clan sensible to work in darkness, which gave the other four clans free reign while they slept. Their hazardous territory was usually enough to keep them out, but clearly Windclan was finding ways in regardless. If they wanted to keep their land safe, they'd have to play by their rules.

The last idea made the tom blink. Bringing new cats in? Clan cats, Locustcall heard that distinction, but it was still letting strangers in from rival clans. Kits he could understand, they could be trained in Shadowclan's ways and, once they were older, Shadowclan would be their only memories. Grown cats however, they didn't know what they were leaving behind or why they were joining their home. Their loyalties could be anywhere, even after passing some test. Thankfully, it was Nightstar behind the ruling. He could count on him not to go soft on some clan-hopper because they fed him some sad story. He could trust Shadowclan wouldn't get overrun anytime soon.

His ear flicked when he heard his name. He was getting put on council much sooner than he had thought. The tom purred and nodded, a smile pulling at his lips. "I accept. It's an honor to work with you."