In Stone, We Trust [Open for SKC]

Swoop watched with narrow eyes as clan life bustled on.

SkyClan seemed to be functioning, chugging along and making do with Rippedsky as their Stoneteller, but he was too green. She'd heard that he wasn't even born in this clan, born in another and chased out to here. He was like them, a foreigner, no more qualified to lead than Stoneteller, which was why she had this conviction. Someone had to stand up for the Tribe, someone had to stand up to Rippedsky. So she did, not making eye contact with anyone, she walked over to the rock where Crow's stars had given his announcements. She sat at the base in respect, choosing not to jump up to the top.

"Tribe cats, Clan cats, I need you to listen to my address. Please." Her blue eyes shone with determination that wasn't going to be easily swayed. She was doing this for everyone, someone had to look out for the Tribe.

Storm that Lights the Clouds looked up as a voice sounded in the clearing, blinking in surprise at the sight of Swoop of Fierce Doves as she sat at the base of the rock that Crowstar - but lately Rippedsky in his absence- spoke out to the Clans. His eyes narrowed as he got to his paws, padding over as he fixed the kit-mother with a curious look. What could she want to speak of? Things had been peaceful in the camp...Even if Crowstar was still strangely missing. For a second, he thought about speaking out and questioning what this was about but respectfully said nothing as he sat down as he waited for the rest of the camp to gather to listen to what she had to say.

Lilyheart padded into the camp, a bird weighing heavy in her jaws as she heard the call of Swoop. Worry made her paws prickle as she put it to rest on the pile and turned to walk towards Swoop, her brow raising in wonder. "What's going on Swoop? Is everything alright?" The she-cat asked, turning to look around for Rippedsky or anyone really. The lack of... knowing making the she-cat uneasy.

Sparrowkit made her way out of the nursery, glancing behind her and wincing as her mother shot her a glare. She had stayed, curled around Mallowkit. She only got up to take a peek outside and eat.

She padded up to Lilyheart, tilting her head curiously as she watched Swoop.

Wildheart padded closer to the queen who had called out for a meeting. He hadn't been sleeping in the warriors' den since he had just arrived, so he slept towards the outer edges of the camp, a solitary bed until he can get reacquainted with the clan, hopefully building up trust along the way. He sat within earshot of the Tribe Queen, still further away than the rest of the camp. He didn't want any sour looks if there were going to be any. He didn't want to find out.

Rippedsky watched from the edge of the clearing as the tribe's queen yowled to the rest of her group, as well as his clan. It appeared like the tribe was meeting. However, confusion crossed his features at the fact that is was not Stoneteller doing the calling. And the fact she also wanted to address the clan. He sat down near the edge to simply watch. What was happening appeared to be only a tribe concern, but she made it seem like more. While they were now a part of Skyclan in a way, he felt the need to stay. There were still differences, though, and he respected the their distance. Someday they would come together, but he did not want to push it. Stoneteller and him had already discussed the possibility. His blue eyes shone with interest as he watched Swoop from afar, waiting to hear what she had to share.

Cloudpaw padded into camp with a limp shrew clasped gently in his white jaws just as he heard an unfamiliar voice call 'address them.' He soon realized why the voice seemed so unfamiliar. It was a tribe cat. One of the Queens, or Kit-Mothers as they call themselves, was addressing them. Tilting his head in confusion and annoyance he padded up to sit quietly towards the outskirts of the usual gathering place, right next to his father. "Do you have any idea what this is about?" He asked his father, tone a bit irritated but also a bit curious. He had thought about questioning the tribe cat, but he thought better of it. Might as well listen to what she has to say first. He thought, cloudy blue gaze quizzical.

Frost had been changing out the Kit-Mothers' nests to make them a bit more comfortable, when she heard Swoop's call to gather. Hazel gaze clouded in curiosity, she finished up quickly before padding out and making her way to sit close to one of her tribemates, Storm. Settling herself down, she glanced toward the tom, wondering if he had any clue as to what this could be about, but his look of surprise only made her more curious. What could Swoop possibly have to say that was so important she had to call a kind of 'Clan Meeting?' She thought inquiringly.

Eye of the Prowling Lion's ears swiveled to the source of his mother's voice when he heard it ring through the camp. He had been napping pleasantly outside the nursery before it had woken him up. His health, although much better than before, had not been fully restored; he still required a lot of rest and a lot of sleep. The young tomcat, roughly the age of an older to-be, lifted his head from his paws and stared at Swoop in interest and slight confusion. He wondered what it was his mother would say, and a glimmer of hope budded in his chest. He wasn't sure what exactly he was hoping for, but he just wanted to hear good news after the disappearance of the Clan's leader set everyone's fur on edge. The air of mistrust that hung around camp was tangible to even the youngest Tribe cat, and it was stifling.

Night of Stormy Gales was surprised to watch the kit-mother Swoop take her place at the base of that tall meeting stone and call for the Tribe and Clan's attention.  He couldn't help but narrow his green eyes a bit; usually it was only Stoneteller who was allowed to call meetings for the Tribe, and the only ones in SkyClan that seemed to do it were Crowstar and.....Rippedsky was his name?  Even though he was hesitant to respond, Night couldn't help but feel a faint prick of curiosity towards what Swoop would say.  She knew the ways of the Tribe just as well as he did; it must be something important if she would threaten to undermine Stoneteller's authority.  Though he didn't rise from the spot where he sat, he gave the gray tabby and white she-cat his full attention.

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Pansyface heard the summons from this strange she-cat, but didn't respond at first.  Only Crowstar and Rippedsky have the authority to call meetings, who does this Tribe cat think she is?  Eyeing the gathering crowd with a skeptical murky green glare, the bi-color she-cat remained where she sat at the edge of the clearing.  Returning to her casual grooming, she kept her ears perked though in case anything the Tribe cat said was of any interest.

Stoneteller popped up, curious as to why Swoop would be calling a meeting. He said nothing, though, respectfully letting the kit-mother speak. He wanted to make sure that all of the voices of his tribe were heard. Plus Shadow is a terribly lazy and overwhelmed dude rn and can't think of anything else.

"My fellow tribemates and clanmates, Crow- Crowstar has been gone for near a moon now. And with all these dangers in the forest such as that Thorn of Rocks and fires, isn't it only sensible that we unite under an experienced leader?" She stumbled on saying the leader's name right, and all but gave up on saying the Thunder Tribes cat's name, but her sentiments were clear. She wanted security, protection of her tribe mates that had lost so much. Swoop spoken from a place of a kit-mothers love, and she hoped that would be conveyed. Rippedsky was too inexperienced to lead them.

"I understand Rippedsky leads us now, but he is so young, untested by the moons. I propose that we united underneath Stoneteller, and let his ancient wisdom guide us. He had served us for so many moons, the Star Clan spoke to him directly. Is he not the best cat to lead us?" The kit-mother continued. "I beg you to see the wisdom in this. Perhaps this is why Star Clan lead us to you? Rippedsky, please, step down and let Stoneteller lead us."

There was no chance to reply to Cloudpaw as she began to speak. Rippedsky's eyes widened as the queen spoke. She wanted him to step down, and for Stoneteller to lead? While this might have sounded appealing to some of the other tribe cats, it was in no way a good idea for Skyclan. Stoneteller, while wise and with many moons of experience leading the tribe, was not a clan leader. He barely understood forest life. A swirl of emotions built up withing the black and white tom. It was rare anger was something he felt so readily, but given the fact he had over exhausted himself to clan running, it was there. Nothing had happened to prove he was incapable of leading his own clan, and yet this she-cat was standing up front, proclaiming he was unfit to lead. The tom's tail flickered with aggravation. But he pushed away the anger in order to sort through his thoughts. He needed to address the cats as well, not let this go.

Rippedsky padded up to the front and stood next to Swoop. He felt no need to jump higher up on the tallbranch to address the cats now. There was no need for a display of power. However, he had to set the records straight, "While I understand your concerns, the clan is in good paws. I do not pretend to know everything and have gone to both my senior warriors and Stoneteller for advice in these times. Stoneteller," His gaze stopped flitting around over the assembled cats and settled on the tribe leader, "I appreciate your wisdom and all you have to offer into leadership. But this is a clan, not a tribe. Our clan is underneath Crowstar's leadership, and he is guided by Starclan. As is custom, and as his chosen deputy, I must run things in his place until his return."

He smiled softly at the friends he had made within the tribe and at his own clanmates. Rippedsky would not let them down. His stepping down would not fix anything. After a moment of silence, the tom took a deep breath and added one more thought, "I will not leave my clan in these times. My duty is to help run the clan and protect you all. I would never abandon that responsibility by stepping down."

"Yeah!" Dandelionpaw said, bounding up to the rock. Her fluffy white tail was sticking straight up and was excessively fluffed out at the mere idea of This... Stoneteller cat leading a Clan. "This is a Clan, not a Tribe! Plus, my father is awesome and he can take whatever comes at him! That stuff with Rockthorn and the fire wasn't Rippedsky's fault and you can't blame him for it!"

"I stand with Swoop." Storm's voice was calm as he spoke up from where he sat, letting his gaze sweep through the gathering of cats. His ears barely twitched as he allowed his gaze to land on Rippedsky, straightening up his body slightly. "The dangers that have fallen upon us is...Untold and I feel that following a cat that understands the burden of leadership is the wisest choice with all that is happening. It is clear that you are unfamiliar with leading a group of cats but Stoneteller is not - you could serve the duty you always have as being...The second in command of the Clan but I share the belief with Swoop that leadership should fall to the cat that has dealt with leadership is harsh times." His voice was even, not swaying one way or another as he shared his thoughts as he gave a small shrug of his shoulders. "I do not believe you need to step down - simply allow Stoneteller to fill the void that Crowstar has left while you remain being...Deputy."

"The only cat who will ever be qualified to fill Crowstar's spot is Rippedsky." Addergaze called loudly, irritation evident in the short, brisk words. She felt the urge to snarl at the foolish behavior of Swoop and Storm- hopefully it was starvation that made them forget their manners and not simply the fact that they were born without them. At Rippedsky's civil answer, the massive she-cat struggled to refrain from rolling her eyes. Didn't he understand that obviously needed to be more stern with these...savage outsiders? "No matter how comfortable you feel within our camp, you should do yourselves a favor and remember the fact that you are all guests within our home- guests who have evidently forgotten their manners." She quipped briskly, a frown etched upon her stern face as her gaze darted between Storm and Swoop.

The large she-cat rose to her paws and brushed her way through the murmuring crowd and closer towards Rippedsky, tail twitching in irritation as she did so. "We take you in when you are all on the verge of starving to death. We give you shelter, prey, and herbs and yet here you are- demanding that we put a cat who knows nothing of our culture or traditions in charge just because what? You're somehow surprised at how unpredictable life can be? You think that an Outsider who's hardly been in camp for more than a few sunrises is more fit to lead than a cat who was deemed appropriate in the eyes of both Crowstar and StarClan?" Addergaze challenged, her gaze narrowing as she swung her head around to glance at the crowd once more, daring any of the Tribe cats to say otherwise.