ShadowClan Deputy 2020 (Again)

It had not been an easy thing to accept, Ravenmist choosing to step down. She had been a fine deputy for Flintstar, she had done what he had hoped she would...But both had realized that the position was not for her...She would return to be a warrior - where she would still serve her Clan. But that only meant that Flintstar had to find a new deputy. He sighed as he jumped onto the Jaggedrock, fur prickling at the sight of the Asylum cats. Having them witness warrior ceremonies was one thing, but for them to be seeing something so...So important as a deputy ceremony didn't feel right to him. But there was little he could do - he needed a new deputy. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock."

Rookpaw walked out of the medicine den at Flintstar's call, sitting down at near the front of the group. Is this an apprentice ceremony or a warrior ceremony? Ravenmist had just recently stepped down as deputy, so it could be any of those... Oh. It's got to be the new deputy ceremony. He wondered who Flintstar would choose. Probably not Vinetail or Willowbreeze, he thought, since Willowbreeze used to be a RiverClan cat and Vinetail's loyalty was put into question by the relationship with a cat from (formerly) another clan. Maybe Ebonysong? She seemed like a cat who could handle the responsibility of deputy. I guess that there's a reason why Flintstar's making the decision and I'm not.

In the wake of the Asylum takeover, Redwolf had seethed, anger permeating the very air around her more so than usual. Even on the patrols, she'd pointedly ignore the intruders, even when they spoke to her, to drive home the point that she didn't want them there, or anything else to do with them. Her very home had been invaded, and was no longer a place of solace, and she resented that, and with the major changes, Ravenmist stepping down was one that she was loathe to accept. Still, it was something more palatable than the takeover, and when Flintstar called out the summons, she slunk into the clearing, gathering alongside her Clanmates.

Making her way to Jagged Rock where the rest of the clan gathered, Tulipfang took a seat among the clowder of cats and soon after her father, Daisyflame, joined her. Her mother stepping down was a shock to both of them and ShadowClan, and with everything else going on it wasn’t something that ShadowClan needed, especially as far as their overall moral. Hopefully, whoever was chosen would serve them well and she prayed to StarClan that Flintstar chose wisely; for all of their sakes.

Ebonysong heard Flintstar's call and perked up. It had been so long since she'd attended a ceremony. Padding over to the Jagged Rock and sitting back onto her haunches, her silver-blue eyes scanned the crowd as more ShadowClan cats came gathering under the Jagged Rock. Wonder what this is. An apprentice ceremony or a warrior ceremony...? Either way, she was happy that there was still a bit of normalcy going on even under the control of the Asylum.

Tanglerose vaguely cast her eyes in the direction of the ceremony. How gloriously pointless, when ShadowClan was nothing more than a name that these cats were clinging to with all of their might. All the traditions and rituals and customs they continued to blindly follow were only hindering progress and change. She desperately wished to open their eyes. Unfortunately, Tanglerose was no diplomat, and any attempt she made to make a case for the Asylum was sure to be rebuked.

Instead, she just rolled her eyes and dipped her head to take another bite of frog. This new deputy would have just as much power as Flintstar... none. When she looked back up, she was relieved to see a small gathering of Asylum cats near her. Slowly but surely, Tanglerose felt she was winning their favor.

"They're holding themselves back," she grumbled to the nearest Asylum guard to her. "The ancestors have much less power than they all think. Just think of how much control they'd have over their own destinies if they just released their minds from this backwards culture. Watch, now... they put so much power in the words a ceremony that decides nothing. Ravenmist had no more influence than any senior warrior, either."

Mistyfalcon made his way over to sit at the edge of the crowd upon hearing Flintstar's call. It could've been a warrior or apprentice ceremony, but his own thoughts were too distracted for him to really care either way. He felt oddly disconnected from his clanmates now, still very much shaken up after Brighteye's death. Paying attention to whatever this meeting was about would at least be a bit of a distraction, he hoped.

He caught the edge of Tanglerose's voice, and his lip involuntarily curled in disgust. She seemed to be getting along with the rogues just fine from what he could tell, unlike the majority of his clanmates.

Murkystrike padded up, taking a position towards the edge of the gathering clan. Her ears were perked, but she looked around quietly, spotting Mistyfalcon nearby. Nodding at him, she turned her focus back up towards Flintstar, pointedly ignoring Tanglerose's comment. She had heard the tales of the Righteous Few, how they had killed leaders with a touch of their nose.... Clearly they had far more power than the she-cat gave them credit. She wouldn't stoop so low as to argue with rats, though.

The remark from Tanglerose had far from passed over Redwolf's head, and the russet she-cat's ears pinned against her head as she resisted the urge to spit at the flat-faced she-cat. Lashing her tail, she pointedly ignored the cat that she saw as a traitor to ShadowClan, and focused her sole attention on Flintstar.
Someone oughta knock you down a peg or five, Tanglerose. I'd do it myself, but I can't be bothered being seen in your vicinity, lest someone think that I'm willingly interacting with the Asylum.

A soft sigh escaped the leader as his Clan gathered, feeling the weight of his soon-to-be choice. He could hear some whispers among them but he paid no attention to them, instead running through his options one more time before he settled, yet again, on a single name. It was time. "As you all are aware, Ravenmist has stepped down from her position as deputy. It was not an easy choice but we both agree it was for the best - but, as always, this position must be filled..." He paused, letting everything sink in for a few heartbeats before he lifted his head and continued. "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ShadowClan is Ebonysong. I have full faith that she will serve me well."

Ebonysong almost deflated when Flintstar announced that Ravenmist had stepped down as deputy. Must be a deputy ceremony then... As Flintstar continued his speech, Ebonysong's eyes scanned the crowd for possible candidates as a deputy. Mistyfalcon seems like a good choice. Murkystrike too. Maybe even Smokespirit. The very thought of her mate becoming deputy made Ebonysong happy.

"The new deputy of ShadowClan is Ebonysong."

"What?" The dark-grey warrior sat up, stunned. Standing up and watching her leader in surprise, Ebonysong nodded once. Me? Deputy? No, I must've heard wrong. "I--Flintstar I promise to serve my Clan to the best of my abilities. I won't let you down. Thank you for giving me this opportunity." Legs almost giving out beneath her, Ebonysong blinked twice and steadied herself, partially convinced that this was a dream. There were far more experienced warriors, but Flintstar had chosen her...determination shined in her eyes as she watched her Clanmates around her.

Rookpaw waited for the rest of the clan to gather. Eavesdropping on Tanglerose's conversation, he immediately glared at the she-cat. He couldn't tolerate Tanglerose disrespecting their sacred traditions like this. He felt neutral to Asylum overall, and he would accept ShadowClan integration in specific circumstances, but those specific circumstances included the preservation of StarClan, their ancestors. "Decides nothing," he scoffed. "As if. You know that the deputy is the next in line for leadership of ShadowClan. I know that doesn't matter to you, but having a deputy has kept ShadowClan stable for moons and moons."

The black tuxedo walked away from Tanglerose after speaking his mind. He was never one to stay quiet when something he cared about, but he at least knew enough to walk away after. She's just too radical when it comes to Asylum. He still wanted customs to be preserved,  Sitting much farther away, he listened to Flintstar as the ShadowClan deputy was  His frustration turned into excitement as Flintstar announced the new ShadowClan deputy. "Ebonysong! Ebonysong! Ebonysong!" he cheered. At least he could focus on Ebonysong's new position, though it was obvious that he was going to conflict with Tanglerose in the future.