To Choose a Deputy

[Lupin]

The dark tabby tom slunk through the shadows with ease, his long leg's bringing him closer to his perch on Smoothrock. The leader of ShadowClan had taken a long time pondering about who he would choose as second in command. This would be the cat that would suceed him from his own position one day. He wanted it to be a cat he could trust to keep his clan well.

Cursestar padded up the ceremonious rock to the top, his glittering green eyes watching the activity from above. Kits rolled around in the dirt while their mother's watched from afar chatting. A patrol had just came back from a hunt and a pile of apprentices was running over to meet him. The clan was doing well. Cursestar's only wishes were to find a proper deputy and increase the size of his rather too small clan.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath Smoothrock for a Clan meeting!" the tabby's voice was huge and booming. It would be easy for each cat around him to hear. Patiently, he waited as each cat bounded over. Apprentices first, followed by the warriors. Next came the kits, jittery with excitement. Queen's and elders were last to arrive sitting themselves with a tired sigh. Now he would announce the cat choosen to be deputy.

"We all know that only a few moons ago both Celestialstar and Mudfrost dissapeared," he meowed with no sorrow in his voice. He had barely known the two cats. "I was choosen to replace Celestialstar, but I have yet to choose one to fill Mudfrost's paws. It is about time that happened. I say these words in memory of Mudfrost so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice. Acaciaocean will be the new deputy of ShadowClan," finished he nodded towards the she-cat. He wasn't completly satisfed with the desision. But there were so few cats in the clan she was the best choice. The tabby tom padded of Smoothrock down to the ground and into the clearing. "Well what are you all standing around for? I want a dusk patrol coming out with me right now!" he yowled commandingly.

((OOC: Someone else can reply now. Also, ShadowClan does need new cats!!! It has pretty much none. About five warriors, and one is currently hiding in the Loner Lands.))

[sunni bells]

OOC: Naturally I would make cats, though I am trying to cut down, Maybe I'll make a low-key warrior. And thank you, though it's the second time she has been named deputy If there is another cat that is suitable I don't mind if she is replaced, because I already have Worldcall, Coldcurrent, and Hollypaw.

Acaciaocean stood stunned for a moment, his jolting commands brought her back. Her eyes flew around in a hurried circle. Sagewhisperer, Jaypaw and Fawnwhisper, your on patrol. she issued quickly, slumping to the ground, bracing herself. This was going to be interesting. She watched quietly as the three named cats trickled out of camp and turned to eye the apprentice at her side, It's good to see old friends in such a rough time.
Meadowpaw smiled gently, It is, congrats. she murmured in a distant voice.
Well now I have something to keep my mind on, right? she gave a weak smile and mewed, Dawn patrol tomorrow, you and me. I think we can handle it while others get their rest. Never quite seen the likes of Cursestar. Hopefully he can whip Shadowclan into shape...

[Lupin]

OOC: I know...but there are literally no member of ShadowClan. I would of probably picked Sagewhisper if it wasn't for the fact the Cursestar hate's his guts

[Laughing]

Sagewhisperer had walked into camp the moment that Cursestar had welcomed the new position into the Clan, Acaciaocean as deputy. He wacked his tail against his side in a momentary congratulations, not caring much for the cermonies of the Clan unless something shocking was going to happen. He stood at the edges of the crowd, watching as their great leader leaped from the Smoothrock to the ground and laughing when he roared out the dusk patrol. Truly Cursetstar was an interesting character to Sagewhisperer and to the entire Clan. The tom was a hulking Shadowclan tom, probably a powerful warrior during battle. Sagewhisperer had not been hanging around the man long enough to get a clear perception of the tom. He only knew that he was amusing and that served enough purpose to get Sage on the track of following the man around. He was very picky in the field of association, Cursestar was lucky that Sage even recognized him. Not that the tough leader would care, considering he seemed like a great hunk of ice.

"Oh, someone called me for patrol?" the tabby tom perked his head at the command from his new deputy, though he didn't look at her. Picky with relationships, Acaciaocean did not qualify on his lists until she did something to attract his attention. "Thank you kindly for the opprotunity, new deputy." His voice floated out and then he was slinking towards the exit of the camp, looking back in hopes to see that Cursestar was in fact joining the cats outside of the camp. He had to be careful of what he did and said though, considering that he was joining Cursestar and two other felines that he really did not have a taste of wonder for. Jaypaw was an apprentice, he didn't know he too well. Fawnwhisper was another one that he had no clue for. He just blinked his eyes in wonder as he waited outside of the camp, his form still as he awaited the company of the other felines.

[sunni bells]

OOC: For one life and one life only! FAWNWHISPER!! Sorry if Fawny's a bit rude in the first part.

Caught between a different tom, apprentice and in her opinion cranky leader she wasn't quite sure what Acaciaocean was trying to tell her. Oh well, she lived in Shadowclan didn't she? Where all the oddities came out to play. Lets just get going. she meowed, her eyes were trained merely on Sagewhisperer. A slightly odd name for a cat, but then she knew she was slightly judgmental and tried to stop.
So... What are you thinking about? she asked the warrior in all senses of boredness, she was a princess, and yet she was lounging around in the dark pines of Shadowclan, why was she here? Why didn't she leave? The strange bond to her horrible homeland kept her there, not the cats. Or prey, the prey certainly. Few cats in Shadowclan kept her attention. Yes Shadowclan could be the most boringly exciting clan ever. They stooped so low that from the second an innocent child was born they were stamped as soon-to-be power hungry predators stalking the dark forest with no though of mercy, such a reputation.

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[Lupin]

What great fun this was to be. Cursestar padded forward, not bothering to turn his attention to Sagewhisper. Why, of all the cats Acaciaocean could of choosen did she choose him? Cursestar had no liking for the other tom whatsoever. Something about Sage just...anoyed him. It was sure to only get worse in the coming moons. For now, Cursestar would simply have to live with it. He turned, one tattered ear flicking in dislike. "If your all done chatting I'd like to start this patrol. If not, there's enough room for elders. I'm sure there you can enjoy your gossip," Cursestar was an impatient cat. It was obvious by everything he said, and did.

Jaypaw, was nearly as impatient as her leader. This would be her first patrol with a true high ranking cat. Up to now, she had only been out with warriors, paticuarally her mentor, Acaciaocean. This brought another wave of excitement onto the young apprentice. Her mentor had been given the position of deputy! That must mean then that she, Jaypaw, was of some more importance. The deputy's apprentice. It was an appealing thought. An even better thought was to get out of this camp."Cursestar is right!"she piped up over the chatter of the older cats."Let's get going already!"[/color][/size]

[sunni bells]

Fawnwhisper cast a full thrown glare to her leader, defiant as ever and only gave a slightly ruffled look at the apprentice. Don't let me ruin your fun, your majesty. she cast sarcastically Cursestar's way, sweeping into a cat styled curtsy. She smiled a sickly sweet smile and returned her gaze briefly to Sagewhisperer before turning away, her too, now ready to start the patrol.

OOC: Sorry for the whimpy, post... so tired.. I probably should have just waited.

[Laughing]

Sagewhisperer spared the other she-cat a blank glance, a sign that he wasn't interested in her word. He had no intention of growing any sort of relationship with this she-cat. His eyes were focused on the bulking form of the leader as he slipped out of the camp to be beside his warriors, and the jittery form of the excited apprentice, Jaypaw, after him. He didn't glance upon her for more then a second or so, his attention still drawn absolutely to the shadow of his leader in the gloom of the Clans forest. He was used to a reed bed and open skies, not the claustrophobic atmosphere of the pines around him. Even the far apart trees settled a disturbance in the chest of the ex-Riverclanner. His thin shoulders shook for only a moment, glittering jade eyes melding into a distant look, if only for a second.

"Oh, so brusque, Cursestar. If you like us you do not have to act like a little boy anymore. You can attract our attention without brash words," Sage smiled, his gaze flaring to life once more as he spoke. His eyes spent no time on the forms of Jaypaw or Fawnwhisper, the females of the group too ordinary to spark his attention. However, he did respond to Fawnwhisper with a slight grin on his face, though his eye did not even turn in her general direction. "Cursestar is our leader, Fawnwhisper. That means that you should be bowing," he laughed, the sound a cold one. He expressed little emotion otherwise towards the other two on the small patrol. He did not wonder how long it would last until he was approached so hardly by either of them that he had to pay them some attention.

"Cursestar, if you wanted to catch our immediate respect you would have started the patrol without us and we'd be left to follow in your pawsteps. Because, your majesty," Sage grinned when he stole the phrase from the princess-esque she-cat, "no one can deny your royal command." He twitched an ear, a slight incline of his head in the direction of the vast Shadowclan wood. His lips twitched as he smiled, a devilish appearence he took on. "Lead the way," the tom leaned back, allowing a path for his leader to walk. "Unless the leader is going to sit back and allow a simple warrior to take his place."

[Lupin]

OOC: My post is tiny. I'm low on muse...it took a ton of effort to get this all down.

Cursestar growled slightly at Sagewhisper, knowing this would be an awful patrol. But he had so little choice in warriors that of course he would be forced to be near this cheaky cat. "If you put half of the effort you do to annoy me Sagewhisper into using it on this patrol, I'm sure we can be finished this quickly. If not, thene I'm afraid I can always find another to fill your place," Cursestar turned to the other tom, starring him in the eyes. Compared to the average, monstorous sized ShadowClan leaders, Cursestar was a small cat. That didn't keep him from standing as tall as he could, so at the very least he could look Sagewhisper in the eyes. "If your through your comments, we'll be getting going now," he growled in a low tone before turning away. "Come on everyone, I want this patrol done with already"

OOC: I haven't completly gotten Cursestar's full character yet...more reason for the crappy post above.

[sunni bells]

OOC: I will reply.. soon, lol, Fawnwhisper is sort of like a prissy-princess... A bit more snarky though.

Fawnwhisper made it none of her business to conceal her girlish giggle. She had no doubt whatsoever that this would be one of the more interesting patrols she would attend. She didn't mind him taking her usual address of the leader. She had always worded things more differently than other cats, and for the most part her voice dripped with sarcasm when she spoke, though her appearance was upbeat and happy. She could still be the light-hearted maiden she once was, that is, before coming a warrior. She no longer had much to complain to her fellows about, no more leading on toms without them not thinking of anything in return, knowing they were just the toy for the day.

An amused smile lingered on her lips, and though ever so unappealing to us, which were lined with thin fur, her back sprinkled with white splashes, as if the heavens had accidently let a bucket of paint spill while she was near by, though it only dotted her back. The gingery pelt the clothed the rest of her rustled in the evening winds, Where to your greatness? her tone was serene and plain, with only her usual hint of bashfully-shy-mixed-peppy-kit in the distance, though the intent was worded as a slight mockery. The thought of being banished or punished amongst the clan brought her no fear, she hated Shadowclan, she was completely loyal to her home though.

OOC:Uhkay... Well she is sort of confusing, she is loyal to what she is a member of, but she doesn't like it there, she was just raised to always be loyal... so...

[Laughing]

Sagewhisperer felt his white whiskers twitch in utter amusement, a response to the rough manner in which Cursestar spoke. He supposed that it was impossible for the man to be anything like gentle or caring, for that would be uncharacteristic of the typical Shadowclanner. For what pugnacious leader enjoyed helping others? That would make him look like an absolute fool. And that was certaintly not something that Cursestar was. Right?

"But, Cursestar. I'm putting all of my effort into making this patrol the most enjoyable for you," he cooed, mocking the leader mercilessly. Wasn't he supposed to be respectful? Yes, especially to someone that had accepted his stay in Shadowclan since he was such a coward that he ran from Riverclan with his ears flat against his head and a shiver running across his spine. Then why? Why did Sagewhisperer act like such an absolute fool in front of the man that he needed to impress the most? What was he gaining by acting so nonchalant and frivolous? He was, in his book, gaining the most mirth that he had been touched by in a while. Surely that was the reason why he had chosen this Clan, this leader to follow around with his annoying word. No other leader would be so bothered by a warrior's little words then a new one, and here was Cursestar, fresh out of the oven.

The dark tabby listened to the word of Fawnwhisper, though did not turn his gaze to her. She was obviously wanting to get out of here. And Sage was kind of tired of standing here, Cursestar would just get more annoyed and then the task would just be drawn out longer. So, without following a command from his ever so angry lead, Sage hopped forward a couple of steps, waiting for Cursestar to lunge ahead or for Fawnwhisper to say something snappy at him for going ahead of the leader. He turned his lime eyes on them, a crawling sneer on his expression. "Since our patrol leader doesn't know how to lead, why don't we just start ourselves? I doubt that Curse-y over here is going to have a problem with that since all he seems to know how to do is snap and growl."

Impatience to start made Sage even more sarcastic then earlier events, the twisted look that had mangled his more apathetic expression before taunting. What was Fawnwhisper going to do? And Cursestar? The cunning tom just couldn't wait to see.

[sunni bells]

Though he did not face her she knew he wondered as he stepped forward, his words resounding from his mouth and then fading into the thick air. Okay, she shrugged, Oops! she hadn't meant to actually say things, they just sort of spewed out of her mouth. But now there was no going back, and she didn't want to anyway. If her mother could see her now... She cringed to even think about what her prim and proper (dead, If I might add) mother might say. Ah well, she wasn't her mother.

She stepped blankly forward, her face a small smile but otherwise a mere stoniness and small sparks of amusement fluttered behind her eyes like a trapped butterfly, dieing for escape. She glanced at Sagewhisperer out of the corner of her eyes, her searching eyes gaging his reaction, so far there was none. No matter, she continued upon stepping in front of him as to appear the lead when another cat emerged from the shadows. And dare I say whom.

Fawnwhisper! Sagewhisperer? All of you, what are you doing here still. she purposely did not include either the leader's name or the apprentice's name seeing as she might like to keep her head, and she doubted the apprentice was the cause of their delay. Acaciaocean didn't seem the least bit please as she firmly locked her gaze upon Fawnwood, knowing the girl would not look away, defiant as she was. I promised your mother to watch after you. she muttered her tall frame allowing her nose to gaze the mid of Fawnwood's forehead in a family-like approach. Dear Deertail... her gaze hardened, She then turned upon Sagewhisperer gave him a hard glance that said all, it announced something like, I know your pleasures, I'm not entirely strict, otherwise I wouldn't have sent you on this patrol. I could have you supervising apprentice, but what fun would that be? there was something of amusement and yet stern warning in her gaze. And then she turned away, Allow Cursestar to lead and get on with it! she said tracing her way back into camp.

[Darkheart]

Darkheart had returned from patrol with a fat squirrel and two mice, which she placed on the fresh kill pile. It took her little time to catch the rumors flying about camp concerning the new deputy, which she confirmed before the letting the sinking feeling start to settle in her gut.

Now, even wide awake and no longer in the Place of No Stars, she could here her father's unpleasant hiss in her ear ~Idiot. Unless Acaciaocean is killed in battle you'll have to wait for HER to become leader before becoming deputy...~

"It's not my fault, I just got my first apprentice.." she muttered lamely to herself, getting a few odd looks from some kits for seemingly talking to thin air. She huffed and wandered off to the edge of the camp to think.

There were times she was not sure whether the ambition to be leader was even her own or all based on her father's dark whispering in her ear. She had not felt any sense of triumph when her apprentice was assigned to her, only a vague sense of annoyance at first, and it struck her to wander if being one small step closer to her goal was not in fact something she dreaded rather than desired. She was not practically interested in bossing other cats around so much as being left alone. She had no desire to have kits or become any tom's mate at all....

~That's IT!~ Her father's schemeing hiss made her fur stand on end and she almost jumped, half expecting to turn and see the wraithlike dark striped tom next to her. Of course, he was not there.

~Cursestar has no mate. It would be the perfect opportunity to get close to him and...~

"Cursestar has never been interested in a mate, nor am I.." she argued, grimacing at the very idea. True, she found the Shadowclaw leader to be..interesting, as interesting as she ever found any cat to be but if she let Darkstripe lead her down this path, supposing it worked, it could only lead to treachery and murder eventually. She was a young cat, a seemingly cold-hearted cat, but deep down she was not sure she had it in her to be the same sore of cat her sire had been