High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]
Dusklion - RiverClan... Leader?
Most of the Clan started to gather up, which the tired deputy - leader? - appreciated greatly. Still there were those who came up to her, looking for something to do. Blue gaze flickering towards Waterhawk [ @FadingWhispers ]. She could smell... something. "See if any prey needs to be carried, 'n when we're at the new camp I want you gettin' that leg checked out by Berries." Her tone grew serious as she added, "I mean it, Waterhawk. Don't be a fluff-brain 'n just let it fester." She wasn't sure when the warrior had gotten the injury, but now that the deputy - leader? - knew about it, she wasn't going to just let it slide.
...Really? They were asking that now? Flattening her ears in disgust she fixed Rainfur
[ @Cinnamiontail ] with a glare, parting her jaws to speak - but Sedgeflake [ @BEAR. ] added his two cents in. She flashed the tom a grateful look, glad that at least one cat recognized what an asinine question that was. "My brother just died, Rainfur. Ask me about my deputy choice again 'n you'll be Rainkit faster than you can blink." She wasn't serious in her threat, and there was no real bark behind her words, but stars above... she had just lost her brother. As foolish and fluff-brained as he was... he was family, and it hurt. It would, for a long time. "'N no. You'll do your duty as a warrior 'n help this Clan move to our new home."
Rowanmane [ @Rowan ] was next to approach, and something felt sharp in her gut as she watched him. Guilt. It was guilt. For even considering going against her brother. But Dusklion didn't let it show on her face. Instead, she just dipped her head to the tom. "...'Ppreciate that, Rowanmane." Despite the way her chest felt hollow, the gray-furred deputy - leader? - refused to break or bend. Not now. Right now RiverClan came first. She had shoved down the ugly emotions before coming back, because it wasn't her that mattered right now; it was the Clan.
A lot of cats were coming to offer condolences, and as much as the deputy - leader? - appreciated it, part of her wished they would stop. There was work that needed to be done, the Clan needed to move before whatever had gotten Fades came back. But as Tails [ @ChromeSilver_Hwaa ] leaned her muzzle against her own, Dusklion felt a faint tremble shoot through her. She was silent as she lifted her head, a sense of gratitue in her eyes as she watched the young warrior head off towards her sister.
Approaching now was Adds [ @Fish ] with... Grimpaw [ @Goopysharkboi ]. Dusklion blinked, memories of the previous day coming to mind. That's right, Crowglow was this kids mentor. She had intended to call a meeting together shortly after relocating the Clan, but it seemed the kid had noticed the tom's disappearance. "...He's dead, Grimpaw. Was killed by a rogue." Because truthfully that's all Skypaw had been ever since his demotion. She couldn't bring herself to try and soften the blow. "He's been buried at what'll be our new gravesite. I can.. take you there once we get to the new camp, if you want." She wasn't sure if the spitfire would accept the request but... it was out there nonetheless. Regardless she had a Clan to move, and there would be time to announce things like that later.
Brokenstream's [ @Tanghulu ] support was appreciative - she was thankful for all the Lionhearts, really, because Dusklion knew she would need them. The deputy - leader? - gave him a thankful nod and watched as he headed towards the back, picking up a kit on his way. It was then she caught sight of Wisteriawren [ @Rose ] and... oh, did her heart shatter all over again. The mixture of jealousy and grief was intense, and hopefully she would get a chance to talk to her friend about everything soon...
"...Thank you." She was running out of words - and the energy to speak them - but still Dusklion gave a grateful nod in Sunsetgleam's [ @Minkuu ] direction. Will she be okay? That was... a question for a later time. "'M fine." They even sounded like a lie, so the deputy - leader? - quickly looked away to avoid it being called out. Her attention was snapped up quickly by... oh for the love of stars.
The next cat to start yelling was going to get to test out their new nursery, she swore. Her eyes narrowed, wondering what the hell happened between Sedgeflake and Goldfish and - oh? She was too damn tired to deal with this - why were full grown cats screaming at each other like kits? Why were apprentices still being threatened. Dusklion flattened her ears against her head, eyes narrowed at the scene.
At least Sedgeflake had the smarts to back off and go be productive. He held a good point, but starsdammit if one more cat yelled everyone was getting demoted to a kit. The displeasure of her warriors bickering was clear on her face, her tail tip twitching back and forth.
She would deal with Sedgeflake and Goldfish - and Redmire, it seemed too - later by calling them into her den and figuring out what the hell had happened while she was gone. But for now... "Strongstorm [ @Bugabaddie ]!" Hopefully the tom showed up, because Dusklion was pissed and not in the mood for any of this. At all. "Threatenin' an apprentice? Really? What the hell of 'don't mess with kids' is too complex for you to handle?" There was a pounding in between her ears that only seemed grow. Had he laid his claws on this apprentice, Dusklion might've thrown him out. "You're Strongpaw now until I say otherwise. When we get back to the new camp, you're not to leave it until you 'n I talk. Got it?" With her tail bushed out and eyes narrowed, she hoped the message got across to the top. "Songfeather [ @Levanya ], walk with Strongpaw 'n don't let him out of your sight," she called to the warrior nearby, casting them a glance.
[ strongstorm has been demoted to strongpaw and is confined to camp! i will have dusk call him into her den once she returns from her ceremony 
]
Looking once more around the den, Dusklion rolled her shoulders back. "We're headin' out!" She let her voice ring across her Clan, lifting her tail to signal them together. "Everyone stick close, 'n if you see someone fallin' behind I want you helpin' them." They would rise up stronger, Dusklion would make sure of that.
With one last flick of her tail, the deputy - leader - turned and led her Clan out of the run-down den.
By the time they made it to the new camp, the sun was setting. Her paws ached something fierce, but Dusklion remained upright. All she wanted to do was sink into a nest and sleep for the next several moons, but she knew she couldn't. "Alright! We're here." Turning to face the Clan, the de- leader let her gaze sweep over all of them. This was her Clan now. Underneath the pain of losing her brother, underneath the doubts and the 'what-ifs' and the worries that somehow, someway, they would drive her out, too, Dusklion felt proud. She felt proud to be standing here, a place she had worked so hard to get to. Mistakes had not made it easy, and there were times she had thought about caving, but she stood stronger here now. Leader of RiverClan...
More importantly though, despite their flaws and their imperfections, she feld pride at the group of cats before her. Together, Dusklion knew they would become a Clan worthy of respect once more.
Outside of, you know, warriors acting like kits.
"...This'll be the new camp. It's protected 'n safe, 'n most importantly, the other Clans don't know where it is. I want us all workin' together to make sure it stays that way for as long as possible. This... it's a new start for us. I know a lot of you have memories in the older camps - hell, I do too. But this... it'll be good. I'll make sure it's good. I know words don't mean a lot, in our history of leaders, but I swear to you all. RiverClan isn't lost, not yet. Not while I'm leader." Perhaps her words would be nothing more than hot air that her Clanmates would ignore, but Dusklion couldn't dismiss the passion that flared within, despite the exhaustion that gnawed at her.
Now for the dens. "The dens've been cleared out, but still need moss nest to be made for them. Brokenstream [ @TanghuluCat ], I want you to gather up a few cats to help with the warriors' den. Goldfish [ @Blaaze ] take a few others 'n make some nests in the apprentices' den." For each den she named, she flicked a tail towards it. Looking around at the gathered cats, Dusklion blinked. Most of them would likely be exhausted... "If a couple cats could also help get the nursery 'n elders' den set up as well with nests..." Hopefully, paws crossed, her Clan would learn to work together and there wouldn't be any petty arguments over how to get things done.
"Those who're injured or exhausted, if I catch wind you tried to help before restin', there'll be hell to pay." Sharp concern laced her tone as she addressed the Clan, narrowed yet worried eyes looking over all of them. "'M not gonna lead cats who don't know their limits 'n instead decide to push themselves too far. There's been plenty of prey brought over, 'n a stream in camp for drinking." She tried to locate Berrypaw among the crowd, knowing that the first thing she would need to do was visit the Starcave with the younger cat. "Tonight, Berries 'n I will be travelin' to the Starcave together - me for my... leader name, 'n Berries because it's about damn time she got her full medicine cat name." Pride gleamed in her eyes as she found the young she-cat. This would be new for both of them, and she was glad to have her at her side.
"While we're gone, the Lionhearts are in charge. If I hear about anyone else startin' fights, attackin' Clanmates, or otherwise bein' dumb..." yes, she looked directly at Strongpaw as she spoke, then back to the crowd, "...you'll get to test out our brand new nursery alongside our kits." Dusklion let an exhausted, sarcastic grin spread across her face. "Other than that - get some rest. You all did good, helpin' move today. 'M... 'M proud to be this Clan's leader. Now get some rest."
Dismissing the Clan with a flick of her tail, the leader looked towards Berries with a tired grin. "You ready, kid?"
