WindClan's Deputy Ceremony

With the little game of sorts that she'd come up with regarding how to choose her deputy having concluded, Olivestar now had a clear idea of who she wanted to be her right-paw cat, and who would potentially lead in her stead once she was no longer leading at WindClan's helm. The last few days or so had allowed her to get to know her Clanmates better, especially how they operated under pressure, and in a (mock) position of leadership. It was now that she was ready to announce her choice, and following a long run to clear her head and solidify her decision, she took a deep breath and entered camp, pushing her way through the entrance and into the place that she called home. With a smile, she greeted her Clanmates with a friendly tail wave before making her way over to the Tallrock, following the familiar trail up to its summit.

She took a moment to relish the ever-present breeze that blew over and through the camp, before looking down at the Clan below. With a smile on her face and love for her Clan in he heart, she called out the familiar summons.
"May all cats old enough to run the moor gather beneath the Tallrock!"

As Olivestar called all of WindClan (well, the older cats, at least) together for a ceremony, Zinnia knew that there was only one thing it could be for: at last, with the tests of strength and skill behind them all, she was to name her deputy - not for a day and night, this time, but permanently.

It was a sobering thought, that the WindClan she stood in now was not the one that had found her. It was much the same, with familiar faces everywhere she looked; and yet it was different, as Finchstar stood among the stars and Raventail was no longer deputy nor leader. That it was her love standing on the rock around which every ceremony seemingly centered around...

Well. She was simply happy that she got to see it, she supposed.

The calico padded over to the highrock sitting down. It was obviously the deputy ceramony. I wonder who'll become deputy? Maybe Clearstone? Oh maybe the wonderful Crowspirit? Spotlake thought, swishing her tail back and forth.

Clearstone joined the rest of WindClan at Olivestar's call, settling down near the back so his tall frame wouldn't block any others' view of the Tallrock. Today must be the deputy-naming ceremony, one he had been waiting eagerly for since his assessment. Only StarClan knew who would be chosen, and the warrior could only hope and pray that it would be him.

...But, of course, if it wasn't him...he supposed he could live with that for now. Clearstone squared his shoulders, gazing up at Olivestone with interest.

Olivestone called all of the ceremonies now. With no deputy, she did apprentice ceremonies too. It could have been that, but it also may have been a warrior ceremony. Barring those two it had to be a deputy ceremony. The “Olympics” she had done were complete. Wildflower plucked the ground with a claw, considering herself as deputy for less than a second. I did terribly on the patrol. And I don’t have an apprentice, though Olivestar isn’t exactly keen on following tradition. The speckled warrior sat next to Clearstone, giving her friend a hopeful shoulder nudge. She knew how much he hoped for this. “Clearstone, if this is a deputy ceremony, there’s a good chance of it being you.” He worked hard for this. Maybe his rigidity and devotion were a little too much. If that was his major flaw, though, WindClan could be worse off.

Hearing the call from Tallrock, Smallbean turned from what he was doing and faced the leader. It seemed like another clan meeting- there had been many of those lately. After stretching his back legs, the small tom followed the crowd and sat down among his clanmates. He himself figured it was the normal meeting, something like an apprentice or warrior ceremony, but the talk of a deputy ceremony among the crowd got him thinking. It had been a few days since Olivestar was made the leader, so of course the clan was eager to learn who the new deputy would be. Maybe it was just mindless chatter, but he thought that Clearstone or Zinnia would make good deputies. Maybe his daughter, Wildflower, would be given the role! He looked over at his daughter with longing eyes. If only their relationship could be better.

Crowspirit padded alongside Spotlake, sitting down. His tail twitched with excitement and he purred. "Excited?" He wondered exactly why Ravenstar had stepped down- but the Clan would move forward as always, though he did wonder what such a rapid change in leaders meant for WindClan's future. Privately he hoped Clearstone would be chosen, as his former apprentice was the likely choice- and a good one. Levelheaded and responsible, the skinny young cat would make an excellent leader.

A smile on her face and the Clan gathered below, Olivestar was ready to announce her decision. It was a tight race, and with everything having been taken into consideration, it definitely hadn't been easy. However, she figured that she'd left everyone waiting for long enough, and with the breeze blowing through her fur, she opened her mouth to speak.
"We've waited long enough, and today, I will be naming a new deputy in my stead."

She watched for a moment to gauge the reactions of her Clanmates before continuing, "I say these words before my Clanmates so that they may hear and approve of my choice. Wildflower is to be the new deputy of WindClan."

Despite the young warrior's anxiety on her day of the game she'd set up, she'd considered a lot of things, and she hoped that the poistion would give the blind molly the confidence boost that deputyship had given Olivestar herself. There was nothing but joy on the gray she-cat's face as she found Wildflower in the crowd, hoping that she could feel the pride that the new leader was feeling for her.

---

i've listened to all of the criticism that people have put forth, and holly and i have agreed that it's better to just let it go, and appoint someone else. i hope everyone is happy with our decision, and i hope to put this whole incident behind us.

Large, dark ears perked at the announcement of who would be deputy. Despite his best wishes, he stiffened. He was happy for his friend, of course he was, he was very happy for Wildflower...but why not him? Clearstone's brows furrowed in frustration. No matter. He just needed to work harder and do more. Surely then his efforts would be recognized.

Stiffly, he brushed his tail against Wildflower's as she sat next to him. "I would have to agree with you, Wildflower, but it seems you have gotten the position instead. Congratulations, friend. You deserve this." For once, Clearstone was greatful that Wildflower couldn't see his face. His voice was curt, a note of wounded pride in it, and he rose to his paws. As much as he tried to be gracious...there were things he needed to sort out with himself. Quietly, he mewed a goodbye to the new deputy and slipped out of camp, off to go on a run to clear his head.

Crowspirit broke into a grin, without hesitation. His granddaughter! Deputy! He rushed towards her, but stopped short. Smallbean would want to congratulate her. So he stood a few tail-lengths away, a bit awkward. Maybe he should back up, tell her how proud he was later.

He turned back to Spotlake, beaming. He loved WindClan. He loved his family. And in that moment, he was certain no tom was luckier than he was, to have a loving mate, kind son, and a granddaughter stronger than any cat he had ever met.

Smallbean's heart sped up as he heard the announcement of choosing the deputy. A deputy ceremony? Now that was a rare occasion... although he had been alive for two to take place now. He had to admit, despite how short Raventail had been leader, it still felt a bit odd having Olivestar take his place. It was the same way when Raventail took over Finchstar's position, so he guessed it was only normal. The tom's ears pricked as the last announcement was made. My daughter... deputy of Windclan! Pride washed over him as he looked over to Wildflower. He began to run up to her- but quickly decided against it. Their relationship currently... wasn't at it's finest, and he really wasn't sure why. Instead of running up to her and excitedly congratulating her, he calmly approached her and avoided her gaze. "Uh... congratulations, Wildflower. I know you'll do amazing. I'm excited to see what contributions you will make to Windclan." He quickly bowed his head to her and turned away. He didn't want to exceed her personal space, especially with how distant she had been with him.

"Yeah." Spotlake whispered to her mate before Olivestar started speaking. Soon enough Olivestar annoucened Wildflower as deputy. Wait Wildflower as deputy? As in her granddaugther Wildflower? Pride overwelmed the queen and she ran up to the blind she-cat before stopping and her tail on her shoulder. "We're very proud of you Wildflower." Spotlake purred, pure happiness for her kin all over her voice. "I know you'll do great."