SkyClan's Deputy 2: The Sequel

Foxfire's resignation had been demoralizing, but Spottedstar respected his decision. It was only right to want the best for the clan, even if that meant giving up a position of power many would die for - indeed, many had killed for. His past choice had been poor. Foxfire performed admirably but failed to grow between his appointment and his request to step down. As such, it would be his responsibility to select a new cat to help him bear the burden of his leadership. But who? He'd thought it over for days before deciding that now was the time to choose. Foxfire would never forgive him if he died to some catastrophe and left him in the leadership position. The thought was mildly amusing. If he were really as spiteful as he felt sometimes, he'd throw himself off this tree here and now.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!"

Basilpaw padded out from the apprentice's den, expecting another deremony. Her bright eyes glanced around for Foxfire. She wouldn't settle down until she was next to him. Being around her clanmates had helped with the loss of Leaftwirl, and in particular the presence of her best friend. He had to be around here, he was the deputy after all.

Foxfire had been nervously pacing in the corner of the camp, well aware that this moment was upon them. He...Almost regretted his choice, if only because he felt like a failure. He had let Spottedstar down, he had let everybody down...And now they were about to know the truth. The ex-deputy sighed heavily as he heard the leader call ring across the camp, turning as he slowly approached...Before hesitating at the sight of Basilpaw. Fear burned in his chest, afraid to see how she would look at him once the truth was revealed but...He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath as he forced himself forward, awkwardly settling in next to her. He could feel his fur prickle as he stared at his paws, refusing to look up at his leader or say a word for Basilpaw. She had been so eager with him becoming deputy, how would she take the fact that he had stepped down? He knew this was for the best, he just hadn't been meant for it but...

But why did he have to be a failure?

The sound of his father's voice woke Wolfcall from his nap, and he stretched out, long forelegs stiffening and claws digging into the moss of his nest before he finally got to all fours, blinking away sleep and quitting the den. Immediately he fluffed his fur against the cold, wincing as his paws went from warm den to frigid, near-frozen dirt. Leaf-bare was hardly upon them and yet the young warrior already longed for the warmth of Greenleaf. Eyes slid around the clearing, landing finally on Basilpaw, and the tip of his tail twitched in amusement - if there was one thing he knew, it was that wherever Basilpaw was, is where Foxfire would eventually end up... and he was quite fond of both cats. So he padded over, and by the time he reached her, his prediction had been proven right, as the deputy made his appearance. Wolfcall headbutted the red warrior affectionately and then would around Basilpaw to settle on the other side of her, offering a purr in greeting. "You know what this is about?"

Flowerthorn heard her leader's call. Her ears perking up and her attention turning away from the prey she was eating. Her full blue eyes scanned over the crowd of gathering cats. Foxfire instantly had others hanging around him so she stayed back away from the crowd. Away from the front. She would just stay next to her food, and finish it as soon as the meeting was over. The pale warrior turned her attention up to the leader on the Branch. Curiosity burning inside her chest as to what this was about.

Deerpaw padded forward and sat next to his littermates. Why had Spottedstar called a meeting? Had shadowclan attacked?

It was a shame that Foxfire hadn't lived up to any-cat's expectations on what a deputy should be, but it was what it was and here they were, sitting at yet another deputy ceremony and wondering who would be the next cat to stand by Spottedstar's side. Sitting next to his son, Sunflower, Tinylegs watched as the clan gathered around him, eager to learn of who the next deputy would be.

Swanpaw slid from the little corner she'd been lying in, her head raised to look up at the branch. Spottedstar had called a meeting. Some part of her felt that she should care, another part still lived in a haze. She couldn't get Leaftwirl's bloodstained body out of her head, she couldn't forget that she'd just sat back in camp, waiting for the outcome of something that had completely blindsided her. Everything is in ashes.

Uncertain, she glanced around at the other cats, once again feeling that odd disconnection she had whenever she saw one of her Clanmates interacting with another.

You don't have to be alone, I promise.

Her eyes fell on Sunflower and Tinylegs, and hesitantly she moved to sit beside them, her tail curled around her paws. For now, she took a deep breath and pushed her thoughts aside, focusing on what Spottedstar was going to say. Maybe someday she would feel like a part of her Clan again, but for now, being there in a meeting was a start.

Amberwing slyly stepped out of her new den, looking up at her former mentor/ current leader, Spottedstar. She saw her father and slowly padded towards him. "Deputy, I assume." She meows to Sunflower. He happened to be next to her grandfather. She mewed a greeting to Tinylegs before looking back up at Spottedstar. "Hm, who would be made deputy?" She meowed quietly. She hadn't noticed Swanpaw until a while later. "O-oh sorry Swanpaw, didn't see you! Hello!" She mewed to the apprentice who she was pretty sure was older than her. Amberwing smiled, fangs showing. 

OOC: Her teeth were somehow clean even though cats can't brush their teeth-

Basilpaw greeted Foxfire warmly as he wondered over, briefly nuzzling into his shoulder. The tom said nothing and she had planned to question him on if he knew whose ceremony this was, or if there was some other news to announce. But the young warrior Wolfcall piped up before she had a chance to speak. To his purr, she offered one of her own. The tom had surpassed her in terms of training and had proven to be an excellent warrior. Although they had spent little time together since he'd been a kit, she had always admired the tom. Her green eyes turned to look up at him and she meowed, "I'm not really sure. Are there any kits ready to become apprentices now? We don't have too many right now that I'm aware of. It's not really the best season for kits... but I guess we will see. Do you know Foxfire? I'm sure Spottedstar tells you everything." As she settled down, looking smaller between the two toms, she straightened up. Even in the face of everything, it was a great feeling to have her clanmates around her, and that was something that would never change.

Juniperpaw scampered from the fresh-kill pile where he had deposited a bright red cardinal. His father had called a meeting, and interested to hear what it was about, he settled close to Deerpaw. Something about the presence of his older siblings made him more attentive than usual, like perhaps their good listening skills were briefly shared with Juniperpaw when he sat near them. He licked his muzzle, clearing it of prey-blood, and shared an interested look with Deerpaw.

The SkyClan leader's thick tail flicked back and forth as they gathered. Most didn't know what it was about, and his news would be a shock. Spottedstar only hoped they didn't look down on Foxfire for wanting the best for them. It was for their own good - and it would be in Spottedstar's favor to have a deputy who was much less... fearful. They would look better. They would be bolder. "My Clanmates," Spottedstar called, quieting the crowd with his yowl. "A few days ago, Foxfire spoke to me in private. He has decided to step down from his position as deputy. His service was short, but he was honorable and reliable through it all. He is not retiring. Instead, he is resuming his duties as a warrior. Foxfire, SkyClan is grateful to you for your hard work. May you find rest between your regular warrior duties." Spottedstar dipped his head to the red warrior, attempting to convey his gratefulness in a single movement. His former apprentice had been there when he was needed, and even if Foxfire was not ideal, he was loyal to the very end. The leader valued that. Weaker cats had fled the clan for more trifling reasons.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors and the leaders before me may hear and approve of my choice." The ceremony started quickly and would end just as quickly. Spottedstar had thought about his next choice since the moment Foxfire resigned, and while he was concerned he'd make another mistake, he decided that he could only make so many mistakes before the right cat came along... or before he molded one into the right cat. His next deputy would have drawn ire from a certain deserter who'd made an undue fuss about bloodlines, and that thought alone made Spottedstar crack into a slight dark smile. "The new deputy of SkyClan will be Wolfcall."

The spotted leader jumped from the Tallbranch. He'd seen the tom sitting with Foxfire and Basilpaw, and beckoned him over with a flick of his ear. Unfortunately, he knew what he was doing to Wolfcall. He'd learned well from Foxfire's experiences. Wolfcall would be targeted by their enemies - not for being himself, but for his position. He'd be held to impossible standards, treated like a rank instead of a cat. He'd have a difficult responsibility thrust on his young shoulders. And if he made it far enough, he'd experience the horror of dying nine times over. "Congratulations, my son."

Foxfire smiled softly at Wolfcall as he sat down next to him, taking comfort in the the presence of his apprentice...Before the question of what this was about left his maw. He felt his whole body grow ridged, gaze falling to his paws as he tried to find the words to speak, to say anything. He...He couldn't admit it. He didn't want to admit, if he just stayed quiet, Spottedstar would do it for him. And so he didn't say a word, simply closing his eyes as he heard Spottedstar starting to speak, to reveal his choice to the Clan.

He...He had been expecting a burden to fall on him, the weight of his Clanmates shame but yet as his choice was made known...There was almost a freedom with it. The freedom he had hoped for, but hadn't been expecting. He raised his head, catching the end of Spottedstar addressing him with a slight nod and gave a weak, soft smile. With that done...It was left to wonder who would take his spot. He hadn't tried to put much thought into it, it was hard enough dwelling on his choice that...It was easier not to think about it.

"The next deputy of SkyClan will be Wolfcall."

Foxfire blinked as he swung his head to stare at his apprentice, shocked for a moment before a soft laugh escaped him. Of course, of course it was Wolfcall. He was a smart boy, brilliant and cared a lot about his Clanmates. He had a good head on his shoulders, he was certain that the new deputy would succeed where he had failed. "Wolfcall! Wolfcall!" he called out, before his smile faded a little as he lowered his voice. "I'm...I'm proud of you, Wolfcall," he said softly, his gaze falling to his paws. "I'm sorry that I wasn't a good enough deputy but...I wasn't meant for that. You'll do a much better job, I believe in you." With that, he gave a slight smile before he turned to glance at Basilpaw, wondering how she had taken the news.

Basilpaw didn't know what was going on, and Foxfire was deliberately quiet, leaving Wolfcall to tilt his head, eyeing his mentor with a befuddled expression. But he didn't have long to dwell on it before Spottedstar continued, and with every word, the dark warrior's brow furrowed more and more, until he was staring at the ground. Foxfire had quit? Why? He was a good deputy! Someone he'd always looked up to! Wolfcall's ears slanted back, confused.

But then he heard his name.

It took a moment for the words prior to catch up with him, and then there was a long, dumbfounded silence before he could collect himself enough to respond. "I... what..?" those words were spoken under his breath, quietly, as he crept slowly over to his father. He bowed his head respectfully, raising his voice so that all the clan could hear. "Thank you, Spottedstar, I am honored. I promise to serve SkyClan faithfully, to serve and protect to the best of my ability, and make SkyClan proud." He gave the leader's shoulder a swift lick, and then turned to face Foxfire. "Thank you, I will use everything you taught me, to make you proud."

What left the leader's maw was perhaps the last thing that she expected. Basilpaw blinked in shock several times before registering what had happened. Foxfire wasn't going to be deputy any more, not because Spottedstar didn't want it, but because the russet tom no longer desired the role. There was a slight pang in her chest as she began to realize one of her few fears: her friend believed he was not enough. As she danced with the thought, the she-cat found herself subconsciously calling out Wolfcall's name with the rest of the clan. Although she had no doubt the warrior would do a wonderful job, as their leader would not have chosen him without knowing that, she couldn't bring herself to fully embrace the jovial feeling of the ceremony. Little Bug's thoughts were churning with concern for her Fox. He needed to know how great he was. The lack of initial words and the expression writ across his face made sense now. Both mentor and apprentice spoke before she finally found her voice. But before she spoke, she bounded to Foxfire's side and tucked herself as closely as she could to the underneath of his chin, "Being deputy just distracted you from being the greatest warrior ever, but that won't get in the way now anymore."

Foxfire let out a soft laugh as Wolfcall turned to speak to him, having graciously accepted his new postition in the Clan. "That won't be hard, Wolfcall. You've already make me proud enough," he purred, before blinking as he felt Basilpaw suddenly worm her way between the two, stuffing herself right underneath his chin. He was surprised by the sudden contact, nearly pulling away in pure shock but forced himself to remain, to accept the cuddles as the apprentice spoke up. He gave her a wary look, the slightest flicker of confusion over his face. Did...Did she truly not understand why he had stepped down or was she simply trying to cheer him up?

He sat there, musing over her words before a soft smile found its way onto his muzzle. "...Of course, Bug. N-Now I need to focus on being the best warrior. Deputy just...Had to much responsibilities to make that something I could work on," he said, although he really was only saying the words to play along with Basilpaw. He wasn't sure he believed it - he didn't want to be the best warrior. He just be happy as an plain warrior - being the best, being...Good enough had plagued his mind since he had become deputy. He hadn't been able to convince himself that he was worth it, that he was good enough and he was hoping to escape that now that he was back to being a warrior.

He just wanted to be average.