punishments give new opportunities

[Ian]

When he hears about Flashpaw being attacked on the patrol he lead, Slytiger is devastated. Logically, he knows there is no way he could have predicted the other warrior's actions, but he still hates himself for allowing the apprentice to be injured on his watch. Still, there is no time to feel sorry for himself. He searches for Mistlewhisker, padding over once as his gaze lands on her. Slytiger needs to get the punishment over with so he can be there for Dawnstar and their kits. Their kits. He's still not over the fact that he and Dawnstar are having kits. Fogpaw is going to have little siblings! But now is not the time to be thinking of such things. He dips his head demurely to the deputy, a rarely-seen serious expression on his face. "Mistlewhisker. I heard what happened with Flashpaw. I was... unaware that scum could not be trusted, but it does not excuse what happened. I will accept whatever punishment you or Dawnstar has deemed necessary."

Slytiger hopes it will not be a long one. He wants to be there when his kits are born. He wants to help Dawnstar pick names for them. He wants to be a good father. But he also has to be a good warrior, and that means acknowledging mistakes and accepting the consequences. Whatever is expected of him, he will go above and beyond. Slytiger knows Dawnstar is pissed—it's impossible she isn't. He owes her more than what he has been giving her lately, so he vows to himself that this punishment will be the start of a new era.

@Mica