Post by Midnight on Jun 6, 2015 18:25:39 GMT -5
The sun was sinking below the horizon by the time Briarstar had returned from her journey to the Skyfield. She would never forget that ceremony, and although she wanted to find Maplebreeze and tell him all about it, that was strictly against the code. Casting a glance at the nursery, then the medicine den, Briarstar had two fresh goals in mind: visit Pebblestar's kits to name them and find an official queen to foster them (that was going to be emotionally draining for sure) and talk to Duskflame about all that had happened and all that was going to happen.
but, for now, Briarstar's Clan needed her.
"Cats of TalonClan, I ask you to gather in the main cave to hear my words." Briarstar called out, her voice weaker than she expected. Suddenly self-conscious, the tortoiseshell began washing her chest fur as cats seeped in from various tunnels. A patrol or two padded solemnly in, carrying prey.
"As you know, last night was a... life-changing experience for TalonClan. We lost the life of our first leader, the cat who brought us together. Pebblestar was a wonderful leader who left for StarClan all too soon." Briarstar dipped her head in respect for her leader, her friend. "I would have liked to have had this discussion with you all last night, but I was exhausted, confused, and shocked. I apologize for my weakness." Briarstar paused for a moment, fur rising in embarrassment. How could she be a good leader if she raced to her nest when she should have been making a speech? Her Clanmates were just as bad off as she was, but the difference was that she had to be strong. "We will be holding Pebblestar's vigil today. Anyone who does not feel that they are up for patrolling may take the day to rest. It is greenleaf, and we are well-fed." Another moment of silence for Pebblestar.
Briarstar took a deep breath and sat straighter, forcing her fur to lie down. She looked at every cat in the crowd, recognizing them by their eyes, their pelts, their skills, personalities, names... everything. These were the cats of her Clan. These were her peers, her warriors, her mentors, apprentices, kits, friends.
"As unfortunate as this whole situation was, we need to move on. We need to show that we are strong. I am proud to announce myself Briarstar, your leader. I will do my best to serve you, to protect you, to guide you so that we may be respected among all cats as a true Clan. We are TalonClan, and we represent the strength of birds, the resilience of our mountainous terrain, and the loyalty that keeps us all together as one. We will never forget Pebblestar, but we cannot always look back at the past as a bad thing - we must look at it as something that will make us better as a Clan."
Briarstar cast a quick glance at the fresh-kill pile, and, noting how large it was, spoke again. "Let us feast in honor of our past and future of a Clan. There are many trials ahead of us. I will be selecting a new deputy after discussion with the elders and senior warriors, but for now, I want you all to relax. You deserve it." Briarstar dipped her head to her Clan before padding toward Pebblestar's body, which was in the center of the cave clearing, surrounded by wild mountain flowers. The new leader settled down, resting her chin on Pebblestar's flank.
but, for now, Briarstar's Clan needed her.
"Cats of TalonClan, I ask you to gather in the main cave to hear my words." Briarstar called out, her voice weaker than she expected. Suddenly self-conscious, the tortoiseshell began washing her chest fur as cats seeped in from various tunnels. A patrol or two padded solemnly in, carrying prey.
"As you know, last night was a... life-changing experience for TalonClan. We lost the life of our first leader, the cat who brought us together. Pebblestar was a wonderful leader who left for StarClan all too soon." Briarstar dipped her head in respect for her leader, her friend. "I would have liked to have had this discussion with you all last night, but I was exhausted, confused, and shocked. I apologize for my weakness." Briarstar paused for a moment, fur rising in embarrassment. How could she be a good leader if she raced to her nest when she should have been making a speech? Her Clanmates were just as bad off as she was, but the difference was that she had to be strong. "We will be holding Pebblestar's vigil today. Anyone who does not feel that they are up for patrolling may take the day to rest. It is greenleaf, and we are well-fed." Another moment of silence for Pebblestar.
Briarstar took a deep breath and sat straighter, forcing her fur to lie down. She looked at every cat in the crowd, recognizing them by their eyes, their pelts, their skills, personalities, names... everything. These were the cats of her Clan. These were her peers, her warriors, her mentors, apprentices, kits, friends.
"As unfortunate as this whole situation was, we need to move on. We need to show that we are strong. I am proud to announce myself Briarstar, your leader. I will do my best to serve you, to protect you, to guide you so that we may be respected among all cats as a true Clan. We are TalonClan, and we represent the strength of birds, the resilience of our mountainous terrain, and the loyalty that keeps us all together as one. We will never forget Pebblestar, but we cannot always look back at the past as a bad thing - we must look at it as something that will make us better as a Clan."
Briarstar cast a quick glance at the fresh-kill pile, and, noting how large it was, spoke again. "Let us feast in honor of our past and future of a Clan. There are many trials ahead of us. I will be selecting a new deputy after discussion with the elders and senior warriors, but for now, I want you all to relax. You deserve it." Briarstar dipped her head to her Clan before padding toward Pebblestar's body, which was in the center of the cave clearing, surrounded by wild mountain flowers. The new leader settled down, resting her chin on Pebblestar's flank.