[ti]Open[/ti]Second in Command

[KingHarry]

A new deputy was needed. The choice was hard, though. MothClan had many fine members - a lot of them being perfect deputy material. That was the benefit of being a clan of determined cats that took their future into their own paws, he supposed; it meant that possible leaders were everywhere.

Loonflight was the obvious choice, Mothstar supposed. He trusted his cousin and he knew that he would do a good job. The issue, though, was that the warrior was getting on in age. MothClan needed new blood, no? They didn't want to make a name for themselves for having ancient leaders.

Hm... Who else was there? Rainflight came to mind. She was a more experienced warrior, yes? But she followed the code so closely. That wasn't the worst thing in the world, of course, but in a clan of cats that had defected from their previous clans, perhaps a bit more flexibility was needed.

Rowanfrost? No, too irritable. Cloudedfire? Impatient. While Mothstar wasn't the most patient cat himself, he didn't appreciate the fact that perhaps the clan needed a future leader that would think before they leapt. Silvertongue, perhaps? He certainly thought a lot, but the leader also knew that his friend did not actually want to lead.

So, Pebblewing? Too passive. Brackfall? Young. Pouncefox? Would probably be a good leader in the future, but he needed to learn his own leadership methods first instead of simply following Mothstar's example. Smokegaze? Too... Unhinged.

Mothstar spent a while longer considering his options - names and faces repeatedly running through his mind - before he finally made his mind up. The huge warrior silently stalked out of his den and climbed onto the largest rock in the camp.

"May all cats old enough to fight their own battles gather for a clan meeting!" Mothstar called, his voice bouncing around the clan's rocky home.

"I have made my decision about who will be the new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of MothClan is Brackenfall."

The young warrior was perhaps a risky choice when it came to his age and experience, but Mothstar believed that he had the qualities needed to be a good deputy. Besides, age wasn't that important of a factor right? After all, Mothstar had eight more lives left - he wasn't going to die for many more moons yet.

[sabs]

BRACKENFALL >>

    The dark tom arose from his spot by the fresh kill pile to join the Clan meeting. Every pawstep to that place under the high rock felt like hours. He'd known that MothClan had needed a deputy, and he was more than interested in the position. However, he also knew that he was quite a bit younger than most of the warriors in the Clan. Brackenfall had proven himself to his leader many a time, both in wit and strength, but his lack of experience would be seen as a weakness to the old cat.  Nevertheless, he was still hopeful Mothstar would see through that, and see him for his potential. The warrior curled his well-kept tail over his paws, anxiously awaiting the news.

    Most of the leader's speech had flown so quickly through Brackenfall's head that once he heard his name, he blinked, a quick feeling of shock coursing through his body. But it was just that, a quick feeling, then it was gone. Both excitement and pride filled it's place.

"The new deputy of MothClan is Brackenfall." The words played in his mind, sweet as a day in Greenleaf. 

       The newly appointed deputy remained composed as his fellow Clanmates chanted their congratulations.  He raised his head high, but kept a serious expression. This was it, the moment he'd been waiting for. He wouldn't let Mothstar down. Sure he lacked experience, but Mothstar had most of his lives left. Plenty of time to teach the young cat how to follow in his pawsteps, right?  But as he looked up to the older tom for reassurance, he couldn't help but catch a glint of uncertainty in the graying cat's eye. All the good, warm feelings rushed out of him and again he was filled with doubt. He thinks I'm too young. Brackenfall knew this would happen. He shook his head to himself. No, he would prove to his leader that he'd made the right choice. He'd prove it to his Clanmates. He'd prove it to himself. 

    

[Miss Tactical]

Featherclaw was just stirring in her nest when her leader called for a clan meeting. The previous night she had her encounter with Weasletooth at the border. The encounter wasn't a pleasant one. He had accused of her not being loyal which was not the case. She had been a loner before joining Mothclan. She was not clan born like some of the others here. However, there were other cats who had been loners as well. So what was he so fixated on her? Was it because she nearly beat him that one time at the border? She stretched her limbs, the cold air made them stiff. She could not wait until New-leaf when the weather would get warm again. She made her way to the center, sitting between a couple of warriors.
    Today was the day a deputy would be picked for the new clan. Since arriving here Featherclaw had met many formidable toms and she-cats who would would fit the role. She did hold her breath however. She knew Weasletooth had been a clan cat. He was one of the cats who supposedly followed Mothstar to create this clan. Her eyes glanced over to the tom who seemed to have a look of confidence in his stance. At this point in time, Featherclaw would be okay with any cat as long as it wasn't that sour tongued tom. Something seemed to have gotten caught in his fur. Maybe he had a thorn in his paw. Who knows.
    She listened intently. Mothstars eyes seemed to bounce around to a few cats before landing firmly on Brackenfall. She glanced at the tom briefly. He was young there was no doubt about that, but young meant full of youth, full of life. Full of new ideas to make them better. Featherclaw flicked her ears as Brackenfalls name was called. He was the new deputy of MothClan! The she-cat watched as many cats walked up to him congratulating him for his new role. Weasletooth on the other paw walked off. Better luck next time fox breath... She  smirked slightly. Featherclaw was unsure if it was her place to speak with him. After all she was slightly new, it had only been 6 or 7 moons since she joined. She had already lost track.  After tossing the idea around in her head she gathered the courage to walk up to the tim.
    "Congratulations Brackenfall. You will do excellent" Her tone was awkward but sincere. She was still learning her den mates likes and dislikes.  It would come in time. She had already learned a lot and proved herself on multiple occasions. There was no questioning her heart or intent. "do not let others judge your skills because of your age. We young cats need to stick together" Featherclaw touched his shoulder with her tail as a friendly gesture. He would be fine, she knew so.