As far as the eye can see... change

[Wildheart]

((OOC| Open to all CC even thoughts in other threads.))

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Smoothstone for a clan meeting!"

Silverstar felt more sorrow than she should have. Crowfoot, shamed of his failing strength, had not even felt able to stand before his clanmates and accept his position with the elders. He would not be present for this meeting - having flt as if he'd failed her, when in truth, it was simple natural progression. Silverstar had always known that his time as her deputy would be over in a few seasons.

"Crowfoot has made a difficult decision. He is joining the elders - and so Crowclan needs a new deputy." Silverstar took a deep breath, searching for the correct words to say. This wasn't going to be easy.

Streamfur blinked supportively from his seat not far off. Shardclaw jumped when Streamfur nudged him and grunted, waved his tail up at Silverstar. Bluepaw padded from the apprentice den, pausing to wait for Snakepaw, while Ravenpaw jostled her sister Magicpaw for a good spot to sit.

[Dawny]

Snakepaw padded out after Bluepaw, yawning widely. "What's this one for?" the blind apprentice muttered, nudging his friend's shoulder lightly.

[Kitsune]

Whisperpaw bounded out ahead of the other apprentices, shoving a little past Snakepaw - she was still more sore with him than the other apprentices, especially since she had only been trying to have some good-natured fun with him at the Gathering, and didn't try for that often, too busy competing. She had thrown herself hard back into competing again.

She watched as she could - quietly. Her tail gave a little flick at the news. Huh, changes were already coming. She gazed up in rapt attention, curious as to who was taking over.

[Froggie!]

Willowleaf padded out into camp with Littlekit in tow. She looked up at Silverstar, hoping that her little brute of a daughter would becoming an apprentice, even though it was over a moon until she would be six moons old.
-----
Littlekit looked up at Silverstar shocked that Crowfoot didn't want to be deputy any more. She thought that was an awesome position and would love to be deputy.

[Dawny]

Snakepaw hissed as Whisperpaw shoved past him, ears laying flat and pelt bristling. "Fox-dung." he muttered, before settling down at the edge of the group. New deputy...

[Froggie!]

Gorseclaw padded into camp as he heard Silverstar's calling and dropped the prey from his mouth on the fresh-kill pile before racing over to sit below Silverstar. He wondered if Crowfoot ahd really been that out of it lately to want to step-down. Gorseclaw guessed that was a very tough decision and if he was ever blessed in supporting his clan wasn't even sure he would be able to be brave enough to make that choice.

[lynxfire]

Siennadust trotted quickly over to the Smoothstone, sitting a little to Silverstar's right and staring upwards, waiting for the Clan meeting to begin. She felt anticipation rising in her, wondering what this was all about, but that anticipation was soon replaced by a sense of regret. Crowfoot had been a good deputy: she was sad to see him retire. She blinked slowly up at Silverstar, then looked around, wondering where Crowfoot was.

She waited patiently as the Clan assembled fully, though the end of her tail twitched with impatience. She wanted to know who was taking over as deputy; she sent a silent prayer up to StarClan, hoping they would have chosen someone capable, someone who could lead CrowClan well. It was a huge responsibility... and she felt a pang of guilt as she thought of how she wanted the position. She knew it was arrogant to think she was good for the role, but she couldn't help it. Looking away, she tried to ignore these thoughts as she waited.

[Wildheart]

Bluepaw sat down and studied Silverstar thoughtfully. "It's important." She was whispering to Snakepaw when Whisperpaw went shoving past. She flattened her ears, but pressed her shoulder to his. "She isn't worth it." She murmured in his ear, placing a cooling lick to his cheek.

Silverstar looked down only one more moment - she was young enough to remember the anxiety of these type of meetings.
"Siennadust will be the new deputy of Crowclan." She stated softly, yet her words carried to every cat present.

Streamfur - content enough in his simple life as a warrior to feel not stirring of jealousy - was first to raise his voice, his eyes sparkling at his sister's choice. "Siennadust! Siennadust!"

[Dawny]

Snakepaw leant closer to Bluepaw, taking comfort in her presence, his sightless green eyes staring ahead of him. The brown tabby's ears twitched at the naming of the new Deputy, and he added his voice to the Clan's in congratulating her.

[Halftail]

Having set silently in the corner up until now Dapplekit grinned letting her voice rise with the others, "Siennadust! Siennadust!" she called.

[Froggie!]

"Siennadust!" Gorseclaw cheered. He padded up to the new deputy. "COngrats Siennadust, you'll make a good replacement for Ratfang." Gorseclaw mewed.

[lynxfire]

((OOC – Froggie – Er, Ratfang? xD))

Siennadust was silent, her mind reeling, still trying to digest and register Silverstar's words. She wasn't sure if she'd heard right. Her amber eyes were wide, her body still. Me? Deputy?

It's what you wanted, isn't it? a small voice in her head said to her. You've gotten it. Congratulations.

I didn't know –

Be careful what you wish for.

But can I do this?

Sure you can. You've been telling yourself you'd make a great leader every night in your nest. Now is your chance. Lead CrowClan to glory.

But I didn't mean...

Shh. Look, everyone's cheering you on. They believe in you. You're deputy – you have to believe in yourself. You can make CrowClan great. Don't just sit there looking like a mouse-brain. This is your first moment as deputy – act like one.

Siennadust gave her head a brief shake, trying to clear the bizarre thoughts running through her head. She was deputy! It was surreal, and yet – her heart warmed as she heard the Clan cheering for her. They approve of me, she realized, and a purr rose in her throat. I deserve this, I know I do.

Act humble.

She dipped her head, blinking owlishly up at Silverstar. "T-Thank you, Silverstar," she meowed quietly, and then turned to face the Clan. She took a deep breath, and when she spoke, her words were even and strong. "Thank you for your approval," she purred. "I promise to do my best to lead you all, and protect the Clan with my life."

((OOC – Yay, inner turmoil plus greediness plus over-confidence plus the capability to match... I like Sienna xD))

[Kitsune]

Whisperpaw could not add much of a voice to the chorus chanting, but tried a few strangled, harsh mews anyway. "Siennadust!" She gave her tail a little twitch. She couldn't let what the others thought of her get to her. She refused. She focused all of her attention on the new deputy, even when she couldn't cheer properly. She wanted to enjoy this change. Siennadust would make a great deputy, right?

[Halftail]

Grinning happily Dapplekit callen the new deputies name. Inside she snorted, one day she'd be better then all of them. Just they wait and see.