Post by ℓυиαя on Aug 16, 2015 1:24:32 GMT -5
"The Clan will stand with you," came her leaders reply, a reassurance for her ears only. Vineheart appreciated it, she did, but couldn't help but wonder what plans Starclan had for her in the upcoming moons. The role was heavy to bear now, what would it be like when she was at the top of it all, when the chase stopped with her?
In the moments after, as silence filled the air, Vineheart found there was nothing to say. Instead, while looking over at the dappled leader, she watched as the walls fell, giving her a brief, private glimpse into the mind of a strong and dedicated cat. In all her 30 moons, both being deputy and not, she had never seen anything like the soft, genuine smile that washed her features. It told Vineheart that it was going to be OK.
Smiling back, softly, delicately while the weight still pressed down upon slender shoulders, Vineheart nodded to Ratstar and then acknowledged Sparrowleaf's quiet greeting before he disappeared most likely to finish preparing for the journey ahead.When Vineheart turned her attention back to her, the walls once more stood strong and impenetrable, as they always had been and no doubt would remain. It didn't take her long to realise what it was in preparation for.
He moved swiftly, like the ground was about to fall out from underneath him, his paws hot on the heels of anger and pain. Vineheart tracked him, watching the fire in his eyes and the way his tail cut ferociously at the air until he stood right before them. For a brief moment, his eyes caught her and there was no softness there, no kindness or support. Just an unrelenting fire that would have burned her had he not fixed his gaze on someone else.
Ratstar.
"Don't go." Words of a tom that was hurt, armored under a heated tone.
"You think you can keep me here? You think I won't follow you? You think I won't fight your warriors, to come after you?"
His emotion was so raw, so unchecked. It hurt her. It reminded her of where his loyalties lay. Their private walks, their discussions, their closeness - it all fell away the moment he had to choose between them. As if it had never been. She was his second option and one he wouldn't - couldn't - fight for. Golden eyes shuttered and she looked away from the two felines locked in an intense battle, both primed and ready. One fire, the other ice.
"No, but she will need you, and I think you will stay for her."
The deputy froze hearing Ratstar say those words, hearing the knowledge behind them - and her heart stopped. She knew. Golden eyes flicked to the two of them.
What would he say?
A part of her was angry. This wasn't her battle to fight! She had merely been caught in the middle of it all when her heart had locked on him. This... mess between them was not hers to shift through. What was Ratstar thinking bringing her into this? That he would calm down, agree and everything would be just peachy? She felt like a piece of bait being shoved in a trap - vulnerable and helpless but to wait. As much as she knew she needed him, she didn't want him to think he was doing her any favours. She didn't want to hold him back.
What would he say?
There was a silence after Ratstar spoke, Vineheart's eyes flicking from one of them to the other, waiting to see the storm hit and for him to continue on his pained rampage.Nothing. Only silence.
She didn't know what to say. She had been thrown in a difficult situation and had no way of getting out. Ratstar was using her to make him stay and by the looks of things, knowing he would. She, Vineheart, would now be the cause of his unhappiness. An invisible tether that locked him here and away from where he needed to be. The normally kind features of the deputy were shadowed by a frown that crumbled the haggard lines of her face. She wouldn't have his support and if she did, it would be because he had to, because he had been convinced into it and nothing more. "Excuse me," she murmured, turning tail and leaving out the entrance to the camp. She couldn't sit through this anymore and pretend everything was OK.They were all heading into a storm that they couldn't handle.
And she were breaking inside.