Windclan Deputy Ceremony July 2023

Smallbean had risen with the moon that evening, exhaustion from the night before pinning him into the depths of his nest until nightfall. Although Shrikestar had given up all responsibility of leadership - the title, the responsibility, the den - he had remained in his nest among the warriors that night, enjoying one last rest in his home of many moons. As he rose from the nest, shaking the moss from his fur, he gave the divet a longing, melancholic glance, as if he were saying a final goodbye to an old friend.

The clan was still stirring at this time, providing a welcome ambiance to soothe his running mind. It was a relief, he was still able to make the announcement to a clan awake enough to process it. Although, they all knew what he would be announcing, he figured. It was while drifting off to sleep that night that he pondered it. Who the next deputy would be. Who would be his second in command. Who it would be that he would trust with the burden that he was now facing himself. After much thought, he had come to a final decision. He just hoped it was the right one.

Putting one paw in front of the other was difficult. Fatigue dragged at his every step, every stride was a struggle. His muscles ached, but he scaled the Tallrock anyways. A few hesitant steps forward, and the entire clan was before him. No other announcement he'd ever made from this rock had carried such significance. The possibilities of his clanmate's responses crossed his mind, but he focused on his current objective. There was no place on this rock for his nerves. At least, not now.

He recalled the day that Shrikestar -storm, had stood on this rock, to make the very same announcement that he would be making now. How happy he'd been that day, how prideful. How worried he'd been of his newfound responsibility. It had been so long ago. So much had happened, so much had changed. He felt the same way he did all those moons ago. Inexperienced, unworthy, but still stepping up to the task. He wondered if Shrikestorm had felt that way, too.

"Let all cats old enough to run the moors gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting." The words carried far more weight than they ever had before. More weight than what held down his heels. More weight than his clanmate's opinions. More weight than the responsibility that he now carried on his shoulders. An exhale slipped past his lips, a release of pressure that he didn't realize was building. For just a moment, he let his eyes fall closed, allowing himself to relax in the diminishing chatter as it turned into hushed whispers.

To say he never expected this day, would be somewhat true. He had honestly expected Shrikestorm to stick to his ego and remain leader until he died, but it was a relief to see that Windclan was moving forward. Things were going to get better. No longer would the clan be divided. Well.. Maybe it just depended on who Smallbean picked as his second. In the tall tom's opinion, Smallbean needed someone who was the opposite of him. Not afraid to speak out about certain things, but just as passionate about the wellness of the clan.

Tigerdance didn't know who would fill that position, part of him hoped that it would be him, but he could put aside his ego for one moment if it meant that the clan would be better off. He didn't want Windclan to be stepped on anymore, but also didn't want them to be in a constant battle over nothing. So for now he turned his eyes to the new leader, waiting on his next words.

Smallbean's voice had the elder lifting her head, though stayed near the elder's den. Her ears still rang and she was still more dizzy than she would like to be, so she wasn't exactly keen on moving from her resting spot. Despite the pain, she was almost hopeful. Shrikestorm had stepped down, and Smallbean would have to pick a deputy. Hopefully he would pick someone strong, but not someone prideful. The last thing they needed was another Shrikestorm, or another cat too hesitant to speak up when they thought their leader was making mistakes. She was trying to be cautiously optimistic that Smallbean would pick a sensible option, but she was also wary, ready to be disappointed and ready for the clan to be stuck with more of the same.

The clearing settled into silence, and when Smallbean opened his eyes once more, the clan was gathered beneath him. His gaze locked onto the far end of camp, unable to get himself to look at any cat. As the anxiousness in his stomach settled, he cleared his throat and took a weak step forward. "Now that Shrike..storm has stepped down, and I have taken his place... the clan is in need of a deputy." The tom swallowed. "And I will soon be heading to Highstones to receive my nine lives." The sentence didn't feel real. Never did he think he'd actually live long enough to be saying those words. His nine lives.

"I say these words before StarClan, in hope... that they approve of my choice." Smallbean let his worried glance drift skyward. He hoped that if he were making the wrong decision that Starclan would do something. Silence fell over him for a few heartbeats as he waited for something, anything to happen. The following stillness and peace comforted him, taking the lack of turmoil as a wordless confirmation of his decision. It put him at ease. He relaxed. "The next deputy of WindClan will be Tigerdance. I trust that... He will help us reach a point of comfort and safety, and help us grow for seasons to come." Forcing his gaze to lower, he made eye contact with the striped tom. The last obstacle was Tigerdance's own reaction. Smallbean could only hope that Tigerdance felt up to the task enough to take on the role.

He was expecting his name, but not expecting it at the same time. Of course as soon as Smallbean said his name his pride shot through the roof. Relief and excitement A chance to show the clan just how great he could be both for himself, and the clan. The tall tom smiled speaking up before the cheering would start. "I promise to do what I can for everyone." It was short and sweet, but it was all he could manage at the moment.

Of course when Sootstorm approached him, Tigerdance was quick to give him a smile. "We will see about the apprentices, be careful though you might end up drowning in them."

Brackenwing was unsure of what she expected from Smallbean, truthfully. Whoever he picked for deputy was going to have their paws full with the ailing clan, that was for sure. But she could almost believe that things would slowly begin to right themselves.

Smallbean's choice in deputy was a surprise, but a welcome one. "Tigerdance," Brackenwing purred, "Congratulations." He was her son in every way but blood, and she was proud to see him accept the position of deputy. She knew he would try his hardest to help the clan.

It wasn't until the night after the lightning struck the gathering and Shrikestorm stepped down as leader that Rosepaw saw Smallbean again. She had not felt him to be an older, more exhausted, more hesitant and anxious cat than tonight. The thought of him bearing the weight of their world worried her.

Batsong had confided in Rosepaw that she would step down after Sparrowthorn's ceremony. With a sneaking suspicion that Batsong and Smallbean had had feelings for each other, Rosepaw expected them to give up the weight of their responsibilities together in peace. With Shrikestorm stepping down, she expected Smallbean to do the same.

A dark hollow feeling opened up inside of her. Her faith in their leadership had crumbled and caved in. Smallbean was a part of the same problem. But he would receive nine lives. The WindClan in her head that Rosepaw had journeyed so far and so long to return to, was just that, in her head.

She sat numbly in the middle of the crowd as Tigerdance was announced as the deputy. He was Sootstorm's mentor, but she did not know him, and gave him small quiet congratulations from a distance. Rosepaw didn't know how to feel about her home.

Sparrowthorn had shown up when Smallbean called, there was simply no other option. She had hardly slept, ensuring Sootstorm was taken care of, and because the awkward burn on her back was just annoying enough to prevent a sound sleep. It was easier to work anyway, it took her mind off of what had happened. Her own father had stepped down, and it seemed Smallbean would be stepping up after all, though she wasn't entirely sure if he was cut out to be a leader. He had always seemed soft-spoken, and shy... and a bit of a coward. Regardless, he was to be their leader now, and if Starclan approved of him, then she would live with it.

Tigerdance was appointed as their new deputy, a cat she hardly knew. She didn't know many, though. With a quiet grunt, she retreated to the Medicine Den, giving Sootstorm a side-eye that told him he'd better be getting back sooner rather than later.