[vellichor]

Beansprout
RiverClan Warrior

// disclaimer: beansprout's views do not necessarily correlate with my own. \\

As chaos surged around him, the voices surrounding Beansprout roared and combined into an incomprehensible clamor. He didn't hear anything that happened. Even if cats were speaking to him, he kept his gaze focused on Pikestar -- or was it Snowleap, now? Either way, his brain was clear and focused on his target. That cat who he loved as, well, a cat, but was never meant to lead RiverClan. A nagging thought in the back of his mind hoped that Snowleap would be able to find peace within RiverClan with the group's burdens off their shoulders. Perhaps his roleplayer would have some joy as well, for he was just as lovely as Snowleap was. [ @Captain ]

Everything came back to him when Wormbite [ @x ghostie ] -- lovely, beautiful Wormbite -- appeared at his side, dark fur brushing against lighter gray. He couldn't help it; even in the middle of unthinkable chaos, Beansprout smiled. The siamese cat would try to press his nose gently onto Wormbite's cheek. Now, he was able to take in the rest of the events.

Just in time, too -- Minnowpaw [ @Larissa ], an apprentice he knew, made their way to the medicine den, looking unwell. As much as he wanted to check up on the kid, Silversnow [ @puppeteer ] confronted him. However, her angry words fizzled away, so Beansprout didn't even think of it as worthwhile to acknowledge them. He didn't want to drag on arguments unnecessarily.

And then... Raccoonear. As she spoke, it was grating, like claws on rock. Beansprout's tail lashed nearly out of control as Raccoonear fed into his seething anger. With a scornful laugh, he stepped forward into his Clanmate's space, tilting his head up as he spoke. "You call us ignorant? You say we're trying to 'play hero', huh?" With a dismissive snort, the siamese continued. "Ferretsnap [ @lio ] put it nicely, but I won't. Both of your options are awful." Fangs bared as he went on. "Our options are another lazy leader or have a kid choose who leads the entire Clan? Who's the ignorant one now?" Beansprout's blue peeper narrowed, filled with fury. "Maybe if you thought for just a second, you'd realize that the last time a brand-new medicine cat held the fate of RiverClan in their paws, we got stuck with Kestrelstar!" Finally, he stepped back. "Maybe instead of pinning a life-altering decision on a kid, you should work on pulling your head out of your ass." As much as Beansprout disliked Stonepaw [ @carmen ], expecting the new medicine cat to make a decision this important was far too much pressure. That kid should be focused on learning herbs and getting to know his Clanmates.

Speaking of Stonepaw, the young cat appeared at his side and asked him a genuinely good question. If not Gingerstar, who to put in charge? It took him a few moments of thought, but Beansprout quickly came to a conclusion.

"Me."

Something set in his chest, hard and fast like a rock. "None of the high ranks -- not Gingerfrost [ @Estelle ], not any of the Shields, have displayed a full, unwavering faith in RiverClan. Many of them act only in situations like this. Like Raccoonear." With an unpleasant look, he gestured to the deranged cat. "RiverClan needs someone who can guide this Clan in times of peace in order to avoid chaos. And I am that cat. I'm confident of that." At the suggestion of a council of sorts, Beansprout shook his head. "RiverClan needs a leader, not a council. Though it's not a bad idea, cats will yowl and scream for power, desperate to be a part of this council. Some only step up when power is up for grabs." He thought grimly of all the cats who shouted directions into the void, hoping to be the one to command this unruly crowd. Unlike all those, though, Beansprout's message was heard and spread. "RiverClan needs a leader dedicated to them, not just for the -star suffix and the 9 lifetimes."

When Stonepaw went to tend to Minnowpaw (thankfully; the latter didn't look too good), Beastflame [ @ophelia ] approached. Instead of reprimanding Beansprout, the warrior offered a genuinely rational proposal. Wait until this meeting was over. Let the new apprentices and warriors have their time in the sun. With a slight dip of his head, Beansprout replied, "You're right. this is an issue, but our young should have their time in the sun. We've waited moons for a stable leader, and we can afford to wait until the end of this meeting."

As Briarkit [ @jupiter ] stumbled up to him, Beansprout listened as the kit wailed about him turning tail on Snowleap. Flattening his ear, the cat responded in a gentler tone. "I like Pikestar, I truly do. He is an amazing cat. But he's just... not ready to be leader. It's better for him to go back to being a warrior. Where he can be.... happier." His voice trailed off. Then, with a shake of his head, Beansprout spoke again, concern thick in his mew. "You need to go back to the nursery, or the medicine den. You're obviously not doing well." Who was supposed to be looking after this kit? "Lilycreek? [ @sol. ] Please take Briarkit out of this meeting. Get someone to take care of her. She shouldn't be here." With that, the warrior's focus was back on the meeting.

The next one to pipe up against him was Goosecurl. [ @wren ] He ignored the cat's words, choosing purposefully not to indulge their idiotic rambling. But then... "Goosecurl, do you really think keeping Briarkit at this meeting is a good idea?" Beansprout offered an incredulous stare toward his Clanmate. "No. Briarkit needs taken care of. I'd think it's pretty damn obvious that she's unwell." As he was going to continue, though, a new piercing voice demanded his attention. With a hiss in Pebblesplash's [ @~Fawn.Heart~ ]'s direction, Beansprout retorted, "I'm so sick of having to tell you cats to get your heads out of your asses. Open your eyes! If you think Pikestar is really the best example of a leader out there, then maybe you should get your brain checked out. Leaders are cats at the forefront of everything. Leaders are the ones who make the tough decisions and stick by their Clans. Leaders have 9 lives because they are meant to defend their Clan with all of them!" With a low growl, the siamese sat down. "I won't be going anywhere. Unlike some cats, I want to fix this broken shell of a Clan, not abandon it. Thanks for the suggestion, though." He was done talking to cats. He needed to hear what Snowleap and Gingerfrost had to say.

As Snowleap conceded that leadership would, in fact, be talked about post-meeting, Beansprout felt his hackles lower. The warrior hadn't realized how tense and defensive his posture was until there was just a touch of reprieve. He wouldn't say anything in response to Snowleap, allowing the meeting to continue as it should. But that was when Gingerfrost interrupted with his statement. Shock and a bit of respect flowed through Beansprout's veins. He felt calmer than before, and spoke directly to the deputy.

"You may need to improve by a landslide, but I'm glad you're not another leader making empty promises. I'm glad the leader position will be for someone else. Hopefully, someone who leads by a better example than Pikestar."