Lonely Rolling Star [open]

Morningkit was tall, noticeably more so than all of the other kits in the nursery. Being almost apprentice aged was a part of it, yes, but he also had long, awkward legs that stumbled when he walked. Clumsy, he was, but that didn't change the fact that he was taller than all the other kits. It was that height advantage that led him to believe that he should always be leader when they played clan.

"I'm leader of the clan, Morningstar, and you're not allowed to be leader. Any who challenge my leadership shall be exiled! I, Morningstar, exile you for trying to be leader!" The kit giggled, not realizing that he had been raising his voice. Rearing up on his hind legs, he playfully dashed after the other kit, batting at them with his paws. "You're exiled I say, exiled!"

Snailkit hissed at Morningkit for refusing Snailkit the leader role. Morningkit was ALWAYS the leader. But even so, playing clan was always fun. And he was still having fun with Morningkit!  He stared him down with a wide grin, his tail lashing in playful manner. "Try me! I'll be the leader! And I'll run this clan well!" He said, withstanding the seemingly harmless battery.

Snailkit brought his tail down to the nursery floor. He attempted to shove Morningstar away, while a quiet growl rumbled in his throat.

"You can't exile me - you aren't leader!" Swankit's voice rose indignantly at her foster brother's claims, a pale paw reaching out to swipe at him in turn. "You always want to be leader." She huffed out, it wasn't complaining if it was true, which it was!

And then Snailkit voiced his own desire, and Swankit scoffed. "You? No way! I'll be the leader!"

Checking in on the residents of the nursery was Tinypaw's favorite part of his apprentice duties. The queens were always friendly, and the he enjoyed playing with the kits when he had a moment to spare. He also found comfort in the familiar space, reminded of the days not so long ago when his days were spent playing with his sisters in the warm sunlight. He couldn't stifle an amused purr when he approached to find the kits scuffling and fighting over who would be the leader of their pretend clan.

"Silly kits, you can't all be leader." He stated, sitting nearby. Stormdance would be expecting him for a patrol in a bit, but he certainly wouldn't turn down the chance to rest his paws for a bit beforehand. "If every cat is leader, who will be the deputy? Every strong clan needs a strong deputy."

Snailkit stared down Swankit before turning his gaze to Tinypaw. He thought for a moment, Tinypaw was right. Every clan needs a deputy! It's the job of the deputy to do.. A lot of important things! They're the ones who assign duties, send out patrols, and will end up leading the clan once the current leader loses all 9 lives..

Snailkit sat down and began to speak. "You're right, you're right.. But." He paused, turning to the other kits. "I won't be having an argument about this. We should be talking about this like true warriors! I've been asking about the warrior code to my mom and she says that a part of the warrior code is that warriors shouldn't need to use their claws to finish battles. I assume this can also go with disagreements!" He said, smiling. He was pretty sure that was what his mom said. He thinks the metaphor is clear! If you don't need to fight with claws to be successful in a battle, you don't need to fight with anger to win a battle of wit!

He kept a calm composure and grinned. Snailkit looked around the room, hoping everyone understood what he was getting at.

"No, the clan will die under your rule, Snailtail." Morningkit resisted Snailkit as he tried to push him, only stumbling and ducking away from the other kit's weight. Swankit's voice caught his attention, so he whipped his head around to protest her claim, only for his nose to meet her paws. "Augh!" He paused from their totally real battle to sneeze at the impact of his sister's paws. "I am leader! I can exile you if I want. I am tallest, so I'm the leader!"

Eventually, some apprentice interrupted their struggle for leadership, bringing the revolutionary suggestion of a deputy. "Right. So I should be leader, and you," He gestured to Swankit with his paw, "Are deputy." The kit's gaze flickered over to Snailkit. "You're the medicine cat, since you don't want to use your claws or whatever. Morningstar, and his dutiful medicine cat, Snailtail."