Let's Get Down to Business [Golden]

[Legit]

@goldenbird - Sorry for the sucky start T-T

Ever since Mothcloud's miraculous reappearance, there were many things that Bramblestar wanted to talk with her about. Ashstep. The prophecy. Pebblestar. but he at least wanted to give her some time to settle back into Clan life before diving straight into everything again. Yet still, even after all this time of thought, Bramblestar didn't know what to say. He hadn't with Ashstep either. A lack of communication on his part--losing Briarwing and killing Pebblestar had sent the leader into another depression-like state similar to when he lost his son--eventually led to the deputy position opening again. Which wasn't good at all; Bramblestar wasn't getting any younger.

The MidnightClan leader excused himself from the group of senior warriors he was eating with, stood up, and padded over towards Mothcloud. "Mothcloud?" He lowered his voice as he got closer so that none of the surrounding cats could hear. "There are some things we need to discuss in private. Please meet me in my den whenever you finish your meal."

[Deleted]

Mothcloud had been sitting in the clearing by the fresh kill pile, prodding and turning a piece of fresh-kill as if closely inspecting it for bruises and imperfections that might change her mind from choosing it. Her ears pricked in surprise and she looked up suddenly as Bramblestar had appeared beside her. Her mind immediately raced to a million possibilities at what might be the matter and why Bramblestar had asked to see her in private, considering she was no longer of any high position. Had she missed cleaning a den? Had she made a mistake? Perhaps she should have brought back more fresh-kill, or perhaps Bramblestar had noticed something she had yet to do! Oh no, she would have to apologize right away and go fix whatever it was that he had found, as she was sure it was some error on her part.

The dark tortoiseshell left the uneaten prey where it lie and trailed hesitantly behind him, all the while casting anxious glanced around the camp as if hoping something would give her a clue as to what she was preparing to be reprimanded for. No, she just couldn't figure it out. It could be too many things! Taking a deep breath, she ducked into the den with her tail low and twitching, and one ear flicked back in unease. "You wanted to discuss something?" She inquired, while mentally preparing herself for a sudden abashment.

[Legit]

When Bramblestar heard Mothcloud's light pawsteps following behind him, he sighed internally. He wished that she had at least stayed back to finish her prey. She pressed herself too much and next to never made time to relax. Even as just a normal warrior again, Mothcloud was always busy. He smiled to himself, deep in thought. Of course she wasn't going to wait; Mothcloud had always been a loyal warrior and was always concerned with what he was doing or what he said. Bramblestar thought himself silly for believing for a moment that she would do anything but follow him right away.

Upon entering the den, Bramblestar turned around to address the warrior after leaving enough space for her to sit. "Yes," he said in response to her question, nodding as well. "You may or may not be aware of this, but the last deputy did not quite work out as expected," the old tom began, "So, the position is now open again. I've debated long and hard on this matter because whoever is chosen will most likely become my successor." Bramblestar paused to let his words sink in. "None in the Clan have more experience with the position than you. None are more qualified. I don't believe anyone is better suited."

[Deleted]

Mothcloud's eyes widened; this was not the conversation she had been expecting to have. Yes, she had known that Ashstep had been a poor deputy, but most of her beliefs had been bias due to her resentment to being replaced by a cat that she was convinced just couldn't meet her exceptional organization standards and cleanliness around camp. She hadn't expected that Bramblestar or the camp would see the same way, seeing as they had continued to keep her as deputy once Mothcloud had returned. Mothcloud of course, had blamed this on the fact that she had been gone for so long, the clan had forgotten what clean had looked like. She had kept herself rather busy with bringing the camp to its previous state as it had been before she left and continuing her routine, deputy or not. She refused to let her clan fall into some dirt-ruin state as long as she was still there, even as a warrior, to prevent it.

Nonetheless, she still missed her role as deputy. For whatever reason, it seemed that cats seemed to respect her less now. She couldn't be sure if it was because they didn't feel the need to listen to her after she had disappeared and her role was changed, or if they simply did not want to aid in cleaning the camp now that they had a choice. Heatherfern had clearly been one of those situations of cats who felt they could mock her now that she was demoted, and leave the den a mess in her wake. Everything just seemed to be a battle upon returning, whereas it had not been such a fight before. She didn't understand why they couldn't see that she was the same Mothcloud who was doing this for the well-being of the clan.

"Me as deputy?" Mothcloud breathed in a mixture of surprise and determined eagerness. After all this time, it still seemed that Bramblestar had not been one of those cats to doubt that she was trying to aid the clan and that she had done some things right as deputy. She had worked very hard to try to prove to him that she was when she had returned, thinking that he would reinstate her, but after a while it became clear to her that he didn't feel comfortable with demoting Ashstep (even if Mothcloud felt she herself was the better choice). She couldn't quite understand why and had not been too happy about the fact. The only good aspect was that even as a warrior, there was much cleaning to be done to distract herself from her disappointment.

but now, she could be that again. She could continue to serve Bramblestar from right by his side at all times and ensure that his orders were carried out properly. She could organize patrols, hunting trips, the rebuilding of the camp and the cleaning of the dens! Oh how she had missed doing all of these things! "I- Bramblestar, I would be honored to! You won't regret it, I promise! It will be just like before... but better! I have so many ideas for organizing the camp and the cleaning and rebuilding of the dens! I was thinking that pine needles for bedding can actually be quite messy, and that we should just stick to the moss from now on by the river where the needles are less dense. Oh! And there is a small gap in the apprentice's den on the front right corner by the entrance that drips and though it's not in the way of the beds I think it could easily be repaired with a layering of loose twigs! Oh, and instead of patrolling the northern border we should try patrols to the east side-" Mothcloud began rambling off a list at a mile per minute, unable to contain her excitement or register if Bramblestar was even able to keep up with her lengthening list of specific tasks. Starclan, did it feel good to be able to have some input, while also knowing that she could ensure it goes through.