Speaking With Nightstep (Fox Only)

[Midnight]

Midnightstar sat in her den with her tail wrapped around her paws and her red eyes the only color noticeable in the darkness of the small, circular space. "Nightstep.." The she-cat began, "You have to realize that some cats will pity you for your blindness." She sighed, deciding that definitely wasn't the place to start. "No. I don't know, honestly. but I want you to tell me everything that's happened from the day you met Thunderpaw and Lightningwind." She settled down and tucked her paws under her chest, a signal that she wasn't about to let Nightstep leave anytime soon. "I know it's none of my business, but I, as Clan leader, feel I should at least try to settle this as it's clear to me after the scene that just unfolded that it cannot be done by cats with bias' in the situation."

[Foxpaw]

Nightstep sighed as she laid down and tucked her paws beneath her. "We grew up together in the nursery. They were two moons older than me. They were the first cats to realize that something was wrong with me and told my parents. They both wanted to be my friends though, but there was always a difference. Thunderpaw would always act like I couldn't take care of myself. One time he even made me promise to let him protect me, and I agreed because I couldn't stand to see him hurt or upset. Lightningwind was always trying to keep my spirits up and defending me from Thunderpaw's protection. It seemed like Thunderpaw always felt like he was better than Lightningwind, and Shadowstep didn't help. Thinking back, I can see a lot of times where he's tried to keep Lightningwind from Thunderpaw and me," she sighed, pausing to take a breathe. "Everything's continued the same up until today. Thunderpaw tries to protect me, Lightningwind encouraged me as tried to let me have some fun, and Shadowstep kept trying to get in between us. but I guess because we were made warriors today, Thunderpaw decided it was time to try to treat me more like his mate..." She explained the confrontation in the forest and what happened when she got back. "I don't know what got into him...." She mewed distraught.

(Er... Got lazy towards the end...)

[Midnight]

Midnightstar listened, "So.. It sounds like Thunderpaw wants to protect you from everything, but, of course, as a separate cat you feel like you need to live your own life and not be protected ever moment. Lightningwind protects your from Thunderpaw..." Her voice lowered as she thought about all that she was just told, mind whirling from the quick life story. Midnightstar looked down for a few moments to decide what her opinion was. "I guess.." Midnightstar began, looking back up at Nightstep, "I understand not wanting to hurt Thunderpaw's feelings, but I think that if you'd told him long ago to stop trying to protect you and that you can handle yourself, it would prevent all of the minor times that you've had to tell him to stop that built up to this.. Unless I understood wrong? Thunderpaw appears to be the type of cat that ignores being told something he doesn't want to hear and seems like his pity for your blindness has made him himself blind in that he listens to no cat when told to stop being so protective... Possibly his pity blocks that out?" She wondered, tipping her head to the side slightly. "I'm not sure for I do not know and wasn't there every moment, but if Thunderpaw is your best friend as well as Lightningwind but Thunderpaw doesn't realize when to stop protecting you, maybe it's time for you to choose?" She hissed and her claws slid out of their sheathes a bit. What am I saying? She's not going to like it but I don't know how to put it! I've never been into drama and I don't know how to deal with this! The leader thought, angry with herself. She took another sigh and said, "I guess what I'm trying to say is... Ummm.. Well, live your own life, Nightstep. Don't let any cat- not me, not Shadowstep, not Thunderpaw, not Lightningwind- make your decisions for you. I can only offer you advice and what you do with it- or don't do with it- is up to you." Midnightstar felt guilty for not really knowing what to say, but what she'd said already was all she felt she could offer considering she had no idea how she was wording anything anymore and hardly knew her own opinion on the matter after the words she'd just said. I feel like I've said more words just now at a single time then I have my whole life... I hate talking.

[Foxpaw]

Nightstep listened carefully to everything her mentor said thoughtfully. Her mind whirled, and she felt guilt hit her at the thought that maybe she could of stopped it. but then she knew it wouldn't. She shook her head. "I've tried to tell him a couple times before, but he just ended up having a temper tantrum. I think it just would of been a repeat of what happened today." At her leader's last words, she rose to her paws and pressed her nose into the other she-cats fur before standing back and bowing respectfully. "Thank you Midnightstar. MidnightClan couldn't have a better leader," she mewed, heart slightly lifted by her words.

[Midnight]

Midnightstar blinked at Nightstep and purred when she was told that MidnightClan couldn't have a better leader. Midnightstar sat up and simply replied, "Thank you, Nightstep. Though you have to know that I make mistakes like any other cat and what you do has to come from what your heart and mind tell you." She knew it sounded ridiculous- what a mother would say to a kit in a story- but it had to be said. "Go now, Nightstep, do what you must." Midnightstar flicked her tail and headed over to her nest, signaling that the talk was over.

[Foxpaw]

Nightstep nodded, determined. She knew what she had to do, what she always needed to do. She had been so concentrated on not hurting Thunderpaw's feelings that she had almost been blind to Lightningwind. That was going to change. It was her life, and the cat she wanted to share it with was Lightningwind.She quickly rushed out of Midnightstar's den, heading to the nursery.