the stars unite us [CLAN THREAD!!!

[raid]

i said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me

the. stars would be twinkling above within a matter of hours. It was the perfect time to hold the ceremony he was about to give. It was known amongst the clans that after Cometstar had stepped to his position of leader, that a new deputy was now needed. It had been a careful consideration. And with time well spent and the end of the sand running out, the choice needed to be made. The names were swirling in his head. One a fine warrior, he didn't know her much. Whitedust. The she-cat was a fine specimen and perhaps a better choice then the one he was making. Favoritism was beginning to tug on his choice. Then again....Titianfoot. She was a very good choice. Her skills and her personality portrayed Celestialclan well. And while her earlier years had thrown him off and put him into a trance of mood swings, he had instantly thought of her when the deputy position was vacant once more. Sighing he swiped a paw over an ear. Titianfoot. The thought overcame him and he sighed. Contently perhaps? Or was it a sigh of longing for the touch that made him shiver? He took in a sharp breath, his sides tightening as his muscles contracted. He needed to be calm.

with. the rise of his body, the nerves were calmed. It was show time. Moving from his den, the ginger tom sauntered into the heart of his clan. Cats everywhere. Kits tumbling, apprentices practicing, warriors conversing. And there was his new deputy. In the course of it all, she stood out. She was his beacon. That shining light called out to him. The cold fingers wrapped themselves around his heart and for a moment the tom stopped. His amber eyes watched her closely, trying to find her scent within the stirring pot of Celestialclan members. Tearing his eyes away he moved to the snarled tree. It's living leafy green leaves were long gone and now the brown bark was all that was left. His strong legs pushed him towards the branch he needed to reach. Meeting it, claws dug for a moment, giving him enough grip to reach the next branch slightly higher. Here was the bird's eye view he had wanted. This branch sat wider, providing comfort for the leader of the clan. It wouldn't be long before he was gone, and someone would take his spot....someone...Titianfoot.

Titianstar. The thought made him want to cringe. He didn't want to put her in that possibility. Not yet. He had found himself wanting to be near her the day they met. And now...he was putting her underneath of him. Swallowing quickly he scanned the area beneath him, around him. "Cats of Celestialclan!" He yowled grabbing the attention before it slipped out of his grasp. "Those able to catch their own prey, gather for the naming of our deputy!" He looked for her once again. This was her time, her time. Not his. He had his moment at one point in time. His heart beat began to rush, as he spotted the blue gem eyes of the ginger femme. He wouldn't wait. No....let the words quickly flow from his maw.

"I say these words before the body of Shiverleaf, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice.The new deputy of Celestialclan will be Titianfoot!"

Words were gone, heart slowed. He moved from his perch, walking through the sea of tails and ears to her. His muzzle rested atop her head as one should when naming an apprentice or greeting a mate. The movement was done quickly, without thought. And suddenly, he was a fool.

you're my wonderwall

[lionpaw]

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[atrb=background, i52.tinypic.com/w1sdqq.jpg] Titian paced back and forth, every line of her body curved and tucked with restraint as she moved from one task to another - changing bedings, organizing fresh kill, de-ticking elders, ect. Her coat twitched and shivered across her frame with tension, but it wasn't clear whether it was out of anger or mere unrest. She had not been prepared for this. In all of her planning and "what ifs", she had never expected that any feline would ever become an exception to her new-found preference for solitude. Even this small yearning for companionship was a great and terrifying foe. Could she not trust herself anymore? Would this one selfish want taint her ability to make level-headed judgments for the protection of CelestialClan? Especially considering who this want pertained to? She had never balked at the idea of dying alone, of living alone, ever before. Even as a bratty apprentice, the fear never occurred to her. The only things she had ever had to look forward to now had been good weather and no traffic. Alone in her forest most of the time, she had been content. Hadn't she? Well, had there been ears to complain to she might very well have, but she was now well-schooled in the art of "grin and bear it". Minus the grinning part, of course. She did what had to be done, because she didn't trust anyone else to do it right. Anyways, she had to prove herself. And now she wasn't so sure that she could trust himself. You need to make him leave your heart, a voice in her head chastised her, You need to get rid of him and forget about him. You don't have time for distractions. He's a leader, he's off limits anyways. He needs a queen to bear kits, not a warrior to send off to battle. She scrunched her blue eyes shut against the thought, coming to a halt even though she knew every rock and root, and likely would not have fallen. Her head dropped a little, with a note of what almost seemed like defeat. I never asked for any of this, she thought. Not the responsibility, at least. The isolation she had quite firmly implemented herself, to better serve her purpose. She was one with the trees and the undergrowth and the wildlife. And the whole forest ached with a life not lived. Then she scented him. Oh StarClan... distract me. It seemed the day's peace could not last for long, she could see a sandy figure through the crowd of CelestialClanners, searching the throng. For me? she hoped silently. She bitterly chastised herself for such a though. Her harks slid back to her pole and she gathered speed, nimble paws skirting the crackliest leaves and dry twigs as she tried to avoid his stare. She was gliding along at a loose trot when at last she was close enough to see that this was a futile attempt at escape when his stunning eyes found hers just as he called for a Clan meeting. She stumbled and tripped over a tangle of fallen branches, falling to her knees and utterly failing to be graceful. Drawing herself up with as much dignity as she could muster after such a spill, she picked her hind legs up high to each step over the branches in turn. Apart from some dirt and leaves clinging to her lower forelegs, there was no evidence of the fall left on her save a slight scrape on one leg. It didn't cause her any pain, but she was close enough already that to break into a trot might seem like she was rushing forward. She didn't want to seem overeager, did she? She walked forward under the best mask of calm he could manage. "I say these words before the body of Shiverleaf, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice.The new deputy of Celestialclan will be Titianfoot!" Her attempt to look nonchalant was slightly less than successful. Titianfoot tried to regain her composure, though perhaps it was a little late for that. "Cometstar, I...", she said, her voice on the quietest side of rough. She heard his words like they were coming from somewhere far away. I mean, who in their right mind would choose her, the one brat and now solitary warrior into a deputy? There was no guarantee that she'd be able to make it at that rank, to face all her Clanmates! Then again, she was once rather sociable. But really, who would give a damn about a cat the Clan only remembered to be a brat? The feline blinked rapidly, trying to understand what just occured. Deputy. She was named deputy. Was it because she would make a good one? Or was it simply for the reason that Cometstar wanted to bring her closer again after she dropped off the face of the earth. The moment she had gotten over mourning her parent's untimely death, she dove headlong into serving her Clan, devoting her every waking moment to duty. She always seemed to conveniently forget that it was Cometstar who brought her through her time of grief. Titianfoot gulped hard when the pale ginger tom smoothly dropped down from the branch moving through the crowd of CelestialClan. They all parted like a wave, watching him until he reached me. Every muscle in her body was taut and tense as he moved close to er - so close that his scent was all she could distinguish out of the many smells in the camp. She could feel his warmth when he bent his neck the short distance to touch his nose to the top of her head. She was still staring, stunned, at the ground when he pulled away. She turned my blue optics to him, bursting with hundreds of questions as her heart beat wildly in her chest like a bird's wings against a cage. She stared at him for a moment longer like this before remembering she was standing before the Clan - that she was now their deputy. She finally tore her gaze away from Cometstar and turned to face her beloved home. Her paws trembled beneath her while she struggled for the words and tried to remember some form of charm she had only moons ago. "I swear by my ancestors, my Clan," she paused and glanced at Cometstar. "And by my leader, that I will serve this Clan with all I have to give and more. Nothing less than my all will be given to each and every Clanmate, young or old." With that, she shifted uncomfortably and prepared herself for the onslaught of favoritism that was sure to come her way.

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[Dusk]

Fawndance
_{Is there anything I can do for you, dear?}

A new deputy had to be selected before the moon rose to its highest point; of that there was no doubt. It was customary - a law in the hearts and minds of the clan cats, and something not to be ignored even in the most dire of situations. The ritual provided control and order in a time where chaos and strong emotions were high. Indeed, the ceremony was a key element to stabilizing the fragile hierarchy of the clan. The structure could all too often be endangered; one death and an open position high in the ranks of the clan would be cause of much fighting amongst the ambitious hot-heads were there no predefined method of selecting a successor. Yes, the ceremony was to be viewed as a sort of salvation from greater mayhem. Fawndance currently detested the option with all her being.

The pale, red-and-cream-furred she-cat sat, half hidden in the shadows of her den; trails of ivy and ferns hanging down from the rough hewn surface of the limestone. To the casual observer, the medicine cat appeared just as a proper medicine cat should: serene, composed, and curious as to the going-ons of her clan. Closer scrutiny revealed that the older she-cat was not as relaxed as first impressions would glean. Yellow-green eyes were wary as they fell on her leader while he paced easily through the camp to the ancient tree. Her tail seemed to have a life of its own, twitching and resettling restlessly across her paws although it was already curled comfortably about her. For a moment her gaze left the pale leader to graze across the other clan cats as they went about their lives; it moved on quickly to settle on the immobile form of the once living feline.

So odd; how peaceful death could appear. No more tension in the muscles or strain from constantly being in motion. Ears relaxed; legs neatly tucked beneath the body; eyes closed. She could almost appear asleep... almost. The lack of movement from her chest was more than enough to say that something was amiss. Then there was the unearthly slack in those muscles that could not even be attained by a living being while unconscious; the faint scent of herbs and the chill in the limbs, too, told their own story. Death. It was a part of life - ironic though it did sound in the she-cat's thoughts. So too were decisions a part of life; whether said decisions were for good or bad.

A faintly worried gaze returned to Cometstar as he called together a clan meeting. There was little need, with all the cats having been milling about the camp in anticipation of the event. Fawndance stood and made her way to her place of honor at the base of the tree, only the slightest stiffness in her stride telling of her aging. It would be best to consider selecting an apprentice to start training, but so far no cats seemed to be the right one to train. All the young cats lacked that affinity for memorization of herbs and treatments that would be required as an effective medicine cat. None seemed drawn to the call either 'Doesn't matter right now anyways, with spring here there's little to worry about for some time.' There were more important and current things to worry about for now. Like the decision for a new deputy. Fawndance had already formed her own opinion of likely candidates for the position. What Cometstar had decided, however, was another matter completely.

The medicine cat had watched the tom grow and change with time, having been there even for his kitting in her first moon as an apprentice. Watched him survive through grim times as an apprentice and evolve into a wise and mature warrior. As both an apprentice and a full-blown medicine cat Fawndance had treated wounds on the tom. Though never very close, there was still the shared relationship between a leader and his medicine cat. And wise though he may be, the pale ginger tom was not always a master of his emotions. That's what worried her the most. Would he be impulsive; act rashly and let emotion influence his choice? Perhaps she shouldn't doubt her leader so -after all he'd served without fail for nearly ten moons as a leader- but still the little worries gnawed at her mind the same way a winter-starved cat gnawed a bone.

"I say these words before the body of Shiverleaf, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice.The new deputy of Celestialclan will be Titianfoot!"

Fawndance blinked. It was all she could do not to glance sharply at her leader as he leapt down from the branches and greeted the new deputy. Not the results she'd expected, not in the slightest. Titianfoot was a bit young for the position, was she not? Not even thirty moons yet if memory served, and the feline wasn't so old as to doubt her recall quite yet.
'Mature though - for her age anyways.'
The warrior's loyalty couldn't be doubted, after all she was one of the hardest working cats in the clan. Smart too, she kept a good head in battle which was more than could be said for some others. As Fawndance rationalized the decision she found herself objecting less. A frown formed on her lips for a split second as she watched the leader and deputy, but it was replaced just as fast with an easy smile. She padded over to the other she-cat and nodded her head in greeting; dipping it slightly lower in a respectful fashion to Cometstar as well.

"Not quite the choice I expected, Cometstar, but good all the same I believe," she mewed in an even tone. No point in masking thoughts behind fancy words. "And brave words on your part, she continued, directing her speech now to Titianfoot. 'Let's hope you can uphold them.' Fawndance added silently. "Congratulations on becoming deputy."

[lily ♫]

umbrefang

**
we're young enought to say,
oh, this is gonna be a good life!

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The choice of deputy had been on the horizon for quite awhile now, and in the cool evening air, it was entirely expected. At the time that Cometstar called the meeting, Umbrefang had been sitting among a few clanmates and sharing tongues. When his leader announced the deputy, Umbrefang couldn't hide his surprise. He had in no way expected Titianfoot to be chosen for deputy. Sure, she aspired to be so, he knew, but never had he really thought she'd receive it. A smile raising up his face, he flicked his chocolate tail over behind him, touching the ground so slightly, a slight purr within him. Good for her, then! "Well said, Fawndance." The tom added evenly, almost cooly.

His leafy-green eyes shone with amused light, but part of him was unsure. What had made Cometstar choose her? Nothing outrageous had happened recently to make her a clear choice. Eh, but then again, what did Umbrefang know? He was perfectly content as a warrior, so there was no jealousy on his part. Shrugging, he stood up, shook himself off, and went directly up to CelestialClan's new deputy.

The flame point she-cat was as pretty as ever, and Umbrefang beamed. "Don't make us think you're a wrong choice, Tish." He chastised, laughing a bit. For a moment he hoped she wouldn't take it seriously, but in the end, she might. Oh, well. It had been intended to be lighthearted, and that's what mattered. He nudged her with his paw before he stepped back and joined Fawndance. "Ah, well, let's hope she doesn't screw up too much." Murmured the tom to his clanmate, tilting his head and letting out a short yawn. The clearing was so packed with cats that it'd be rude just to pad off to his den so soon, so he simply stood there, shifting his weight from paw to paw and clenching his jaw shut to keep off weariness.

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[breezy]

Whitedust had been out by herself all afternoon. She had longed for a moment of peace and quiet away from the clan's chaos.Though it wasn't too much to complain about. Whitedust did indeed enjoy a few moments to herself to just think. She finally had pulled herself away from her thoughts to head back to camp. Though she felt that while she was out she might as well bring back something for the Clan. She brought home a few mice. Nothing too fancy but enough to satisfy at least an apprentice's stomach.

As her paws pulled her into the Clan's shaded campsite, she heard Cometstar's yowl fill air. She slowly padded to sit to listen to her leader.Her mind flashing to her former leader,Stormstar.It'd been moons since she arrived in Celestialclan yet she still compares it to her former Clan wishing it more like IceClan.She quickly shook her head. IceClan is the past. CelestialClan is the future for you.she knew that her heart longed to run through the tundra lands and fish through the cold waters of the river and bare feel the cold due to her nice, dense, fluffy coat.

That was what she was born for. That was the terrain where she belonged. Not within a forest that was covered with greens and mice and vole prancing around in plenty.

Feeling pains of loneliness often consumed her. She longed for a companion. Of any sort. Weather it be a friend, lover or even an apprentice. She had been use to the company of others. She had hoped to make a friend or something once she arrive. But nothing had happened. She barely knew the leader,which she knew wouldn't be good. But she felt herself long to be alone to think. She often wondered if the loner life was more suited for her now.But she would shake her white head and quickly remind herself that she hated to be alone. Even though she had no close ties with anyone she felt, in the slightest, better with just other felines surrounding her.

She listened to her leader. She dipped her head closing her blue eyes. Titanfoot. . . the new deputy. She felt a pang of self pity for herself.But also happiness for Titanfoot. Whitedust knew that she hadn't been around enough and she had lacked in getting to know the Clan.She goaled to improve.She turned her fluffy white head to look at the new Deputy as she smiled briefly before getting up shaking her white fur before walking to Titanfoot with a light smile. She nodded as she said,"Congratulations, Titanfoot.I hope to get to know you as CelestialClan's deputy soon." She glanced at the other cats with a curtsy nod towards them as she said a brief hello before padding off to sunbath.

[raid]

Titianfoot. Beside him at last. Underneath his steady gaze she had matured through her young but eventful warrior times. He knew many would find it surprising, though some would find it irrelevant who would ever lead or for that matter be a part of their clan at all. None the less he would stand by his choice. Eyes washed around the scenery unfolding around him. Cats. Plenty of them all dared to cast glances his way in almost a disapproving manner. And by my leader, that I will serve this Clan with all I have to give and more. Nothing less than my all will be given to each and every Clanmate, young or old. Good words, great words. It made his coat shiver with the thought that at least some part of her cared? Right? She would fulfill her spot as he thought she would. Or...at least he hoped. Fawndance. He spotted her and she moved towards him almost with a sassy sway. Of course she expected differently. She knew everything right? Typical Medicine Cat. The ginger tom felt himself grow uncomfortable, but quickly pushed it aside as Umbrefang sauntered over to where Fawndance was.

He gave his words to Titianfoot. Then the two receded. They thought they were done. "I have confidence in her, and in my choice itself. That's all that matters is it not?" He let his words flow calmly, smoothly. "And do not walk away so quickly. There is more to be taken care of." His words this time were stern, reprimanding. There were times when he would of let these little words exchanged between another and himself go. But the deed of announcements and official business was not over. By now the group of cats had backed away from him and the she-cat beside him. "Fate!" The she-cat, she was just there. And her kits inside of her. "Starclan please accept this change as we accept into our clan Fate, now to be Fatesong of Celestialclan. " He dipped his head, not only finding the need for Starclan's acceptance but for the clan to suck it up and deal with it.

Celestialclan needed cats,..but what clan didn't....He shifted his eyes to the body of Titianfoot. She was just beside him, within reach. His tail flicked, touching hers lightly as a soft purr, barely audible, rumbled quickly.

[Dawn]

* FATESONG

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It's just, it's just
I can't seem to fall asleep these days

She had taken in the ceremony, knowing what would happen at the end of it. Oh, things were happening fast. But never had she expected it to be this fast, and she didn't know what was coming. The future was storming at her, overtaking her. First, she had left Delirium. Then, she had given birth to three kits, which now should have rested in the nursery. Instead, they were beside her, far too young to be near all this. Fate wanted to get them into a safe, warm nest, and as quickly as possible. If she expected things to slow down from a breakneck pace there, she was dead wrong, though. Fate listened as the clan cats, Celestialclan she had learned, bickered over the choice of deputy- what she knew to be a second sort of leader, with less blessing from 'Starclan.' The she-cat was none other than the one she had met in the forest, her valiant rescuer, Titianfoot. There's so much to learn. How can I possibly make this commitment now? How can I ever learn it all? But it was what was best for the kits. She hadn't named them yet, her two sons and small, weak daughter, but she had a tiny flickering of idea inside of what their names would be. Fate's yellow gaze softened as she looked from the largest, the gray tom; Veil; to the smallest, a mottled calico, Dew; and then at last to the lanky ginger, who resembled her brother, and who she had decided would bear his name; Rowan.

Her name was called, though she suspected it had little meaning to this somewhat naive 'Cometstar,' who was enamored with his choice of deputy and had only just met her. Fate was startled thoroughly by how quickly the ceremony was done, rather unprofessionally, though she knew little about the ceremonies and decided it was well enough. She hadn't expected another name, but it was close enough to her's, and not as strange as it could have been; Fatesong. She was only just beginning to realize that this would mean new names, too, for her kits, and so she would have to tell the clan warriors that they were already named properly, however she figured that was. Fate, now Fatesong, gave her black coat a shake on a thin frame. Celestialclan was obviously the best place for her to rest, even if her acceptance into the clan had obviously been quite hastily done. There was food here, water, shelter, and a good place for her to raise her kits. What she didn't know was that their father was present there, still without a warrior name. She didn't know that when she hoped for just a healthy place for her kits, she would be getting so much more than she bargained for. After Conrad had run off, the black female hadn't considered he might be present in their upbringing. And yet, only the future could tell...

Some sort of speaking on her part seemed to be in order, so she nervously scratched her paws a bit in the earth underpaw, then looked up and met the distracted leader's gaze. I'm his last priority... Fatesong thought grimly, noticing his actions with her keen yellow lights. They were hard as she meowed, "Thank you, Cometstar. I, Fatesong, vow to give my all in supporting Celestialclan, and will thus raise my kits," She thought quickly, remembering all she knew about the clans- paws, kits, warriors, and leaders, "Rowankit, Veilkit, and Dewkit, within your warrior and clan codes." With that she stepped back, glancing cautiously about at the warriors, and realizing she, whether she liked it or not, was now among them. The queen felt a shiver on her neck. "Now, I would like to let them rest, however, as there's been a lot to take in and they are barely a day and a half old. If we could return to a place of shelter, they could get their strength back." She was frightened. Hardened by all that had happened, but still scared as a young apprentice within. She didn't let herself shake, outwardly, but her words were short. She had been previously in a den, but was not sure, now, where the family of four would rest. Fatesong hoped they could be directed to a nursery of some type.



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[lionpaw]

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[atrb=background, i52.tinypic.com/w1sdqq.jpg] Titianfoot blinked rapidly, shock still set deep within her. She turned her bright blue eyes up to Cometstar, still unsure of his faith in her. Yes, she loved her Clan and would give anything for them, but she was young, and she certainly was unsure of herself. How could the Clan be confident in her when she wasn't confident in her? The ginger-pointed feline cast her eyes away from the tom at her side, her ears growing hot as cats approached her with half-hearted congratulations. She didn't sit, but instead shifted her paws and forced herself to stand tall. Unsure as she was, she would not let anyone see she doubted herself. If she Clan was to respect her, she had to respect herself. If the Clan was to take pride in her, she had to take pride in herself. She set her jaw and held her head high, recalling her days as an apprentice. She did her best not to appear snarky and bratty as she had in her days of training. She dipped her head in respect to Fawndance. Titianfoot's ears burned with the knowledge of Fawndance's disapproval, though she didn't express it directly. She flicked her tail and twitched her whiskers, trying not to let her Clanmates get under her pelt. "Thank you, Fawndance." she spoke evenly, struggling to grasp the charismatic nature she once possessed with ease. "I am a cat of my word." It was then that Umbrefang arrived, a pleasant smile on his face and portraying a face of ease. Titianfoot wondered how easily he could remain so calm. At first, she was ready to defend herself again as he agreed with Fawndance, but when he spoke to her with a light-hearted gleam in his eye, she chided herself for being so quick to assume. It wasn't fair to think every at disapproved of her - though most surely did. The deputy smiled carefully, reminding herself that because she was deputy, she had to reteach herself to interact pleasingly with others. No more could she forever remain alone - she was in line to be leader now. That thought seemed to hit her like a falling tree. It wasn't just deputy she was chosen for. She was now a likely candidate for leader of CelestialClan one day, if Cometstar were to loose his last life before she lost her only life. That simply thought of Cometstar's demise quickly silenced her revelation on her new status in the Clan. In no way would she allow herself to consider Cometstar's death arriving before hers. She took a deep breath and nodded to Umbrefang. "I'll be sure to live up to Cometstar's trust in me." she meowed with a flick of her tail. With watchful blue eyes, she monitored the two as they padded away, murmuring to themselves. The feline narrowed her eyes thoughtfully and turned to Whitedust as she approached, understanding now that she was apart of a very dangerous, dangerous game: politics. She always respected Cometstar for being so diplomatic - how could she ever live up to a leader like him? She shyly cast a glance to the tom, caught momentarily at the sight of the setting sun catching on his pelt, turning it to a blazing gold. She looked away sharply and returned her attention to the white warrior. "Thank you, Whitedust." she said in response. "I look forward to knowing you better, as a part of CelestialClan." As Whitedust moved on, she waited for any others, but none came. Instead, she received doubtful looks and nervous murmurs from her Clanmates as they began to filter away. She felt a knot twist i her belly, but she refused to let their doubt eat away at her. By StarClan, I will be the best deputy CelestialClan has seen yet. she vowed. Titianfoot shifted her weight and then felt her heart jump when her pelt brushed Cometstar's. She could feel the tension crackling between them like electricity, and she desperately longed to be alone with him, to talk to him like she used to, to curl up beside him and feel his warmth. She looked to the leader in hopes to catch his eye, but his attention was elsewhere. She followed his gaze to where Umbrefang and Fawndance sat in conversation, casting glances their way. Then suddenly, Cometstar padded straight for them, a determined look set in him. Alarmed, Titianfoot padded slowly after him. She caught the end of his comment to them, and her ears suddenly grew hot with shame, frustration, and also pleasure. She was pleased that he was so confident in her, but how would the Clan ever learn to accept her if she couldn't defend herself? She flicked her tail and pretended like she hadn't heard the words spoken until Cometstar called the Clan back before they were completely gone. As cats backed away to give both her and Cometstar space and to get a better view, Titianfoot stood tall and proud beside her leader. Her pelt just barely brushed his - hardly noticeable to anyone else, but she was acutely aware of his closeness. She searched the sea of faces until she found Fate, the queen Cometstar currently spoke of. Titianfoot herself had seen the loner to camp and requested that she and the kits be allowed to stay in CelestialClan. The she-cat purred quietly to herself as the loner became a Clan-cat, receiving her new name. Vaguely, she wondered if their prisoner would ever become apart of the Clan. Conrad seemed to enjoy being there, and even assisted in camp now and then. The fact that he was caught steeling prey was nearly forgotten now, and cats liked him. Even Titianfoot found that she enjoyed his company now and then. I'll talk to Cometstar about it later. she decided. As he finished his announcement, Titianfoot prepared to walk away and begin organizing the final evening border patrol, as was a deputy's duty. She froze when Cometstar's tail flicked against hers, a low purr just loud enough for her to hear making her shiver lightly. She looked up to him with surprise, but smiled and held his gaze, loving the warmth of his stare. But then she remembered. She averted her eyes, a pang stinging her as she reminded herself that she couldn't be with him. As deputy, she had to put all her attention and focus towards CelestialClan, and she'd been doing that anyways. Not to mention that she could not be a queen. She'd never wanted to be one, no matter how much she liked kits, and now she couldn't. Cometstar needed a she-cat who could be a queen for him, not a warrior he would send into battle. If they were ever to be together, everything would get muddled. When they each had a dedication and commitment to CelestialClan, they would be wrapped up in each other, worrying for the other's safety, and if they were ever allowed to fall in love... What if they decided to put each other's safety first? Titianfoot gulped hard, facing reality as she had done so many times when it came to Cometstar. No, she couldn't allow herself to love him. It would be foolish and selfish. She looked back at the ginger tom after Fatesong spoke. "I'll escort her to the nursery." she meowed to him, doing all she could to control her voice. With that, she brushed her tail against his flank and padded to Fatesong, smiling warmly to her new Clanmate. "I'll show you to your den." she meowed, turning to walk towards the nursery with a flick of her tail for the queen to follow. She tried to focus herself on Clan tasks once more, pulling herself away from thoughts of ever falling in love with her leader. But perhaps she had no idea how far she'd already fallen for him.

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[Dawn]

* FATESONG

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It's just, it's just
I can't seem to fall asleep these days

Fatesong nervously continued to scratch at the ground, drawing her partially blind and deaf kits close as they bumbled about, frightened and mewling. They must be so exhausted... Her tail flickered around Dew, yellow eyes caring and softening again as she looked down at her small scrap of a daughter. No, her name is Dewkit, now. But it's for the better, isn't it...? Fatesong's exhaustion was just hitting her as she thought only of her kit's weaknesses, and it was enticing to lay down right there with her kits, but she knew she must remain strong before the clan cats. Even if they were her clanmates now, they still felt unfamiliar; they were outsiders, if not potential enemies.

She hadn't heard Titianfoot's comment, for it was quiet to Cometstar, but she witnessed the movement of her jaw in his direction. The ebony queen hadn't really grasped yet that these cats, all these unfamiliar warriors around her, would be her new clanmates. It would be hard to adapt to these warriors that seemed so soft and unsure, so affectionate and passionate, and yet their leader was fair, listening to their opinions but still strong in his own. It was different, a completely changed world from the one that she had been in her entire life, Delirium. Things were spinning and she had been fighting to pick up the pieces ever since Conrad had fled, but now, even if she didn't know it yet, she'd been put back on track. She had Dewkit, and Rowankit, and Veilkit. She had a family, and now, she had Celestialclan- for better or for worse.

Fatesong found herself admiring all of the cats she had witnessed speak; for they were all so much kinder and different than Delirium warriors. Cometstar... compared to Shard, he was a kit. And yet, he had control, power- but doesn't misuse it or command total leadership. He has Titianfoot by his side, as counsel. The black cat also found that she greatly, if not above all the others she had met thus far, admired Titianfoot. Perhaps it was just because the she-cat had rescued her, had brought her here, but even the weight of that hadn't fully reached her. Fatesong had no way of knowing that the new deputy, who seemed so sure in herself, so strong and with strong morals, could actually be conflicted within. She always seemed to know what to do; and though she didn't know much about the role of deputy, she felt that Titianfoot would be the best choice. It was an unfair opinion; but still, she couldn't help but feel that way after all that she had done for the young queen.

She found herself wanting to know everything about the clan cats, to study and to learn, to really know them as her family. Who expected kits, who were together as mates, who were friends and who were enemies. She would keep her eyes and ears open, trying to learn all she could, because she was so extremely curious of them. At first, the pretty deputy had seemed cool and a bit too emotionally controlled; but now she smiled, and it was extremely reassuring to her, Fatesong relaxing a bit. Her new clanmate certainly was more than met the eye, she could tell that much. And she and Cometstar... They seem close. Were they friends before she became deputy? She was guarded, but her yellow lights glowed with curiosity, and when a young ginger tom approached and asked quietly if he could help her with carrying her kits, she was too tired to resist and be suspicious. Besides, he seemed friendly; his green eyes gleamed with a warm light. Fatesong agreed, and the warrior, Jaspersun, took Rowankit and Dewkit, while she carried Veilkit after Titianfoot.

The den, the Nursery, was warm and smelled familiar of kit smells, milk and moss. After she was shown to her nest she turned back to Jaspersun. "Thank you. And thank you, Titianfoot." She smiled, a bit sheepishly, as she settled in with the three mewling, hungry kits. On their arrival Fatesong had been given prey, and there would be plenty of milk for them. "You'll make a good deputy." Already she felt sleepy, and as the ginger tabby dipped his head and padded for the exit, she was struggling to keep her eyes open, dipping under the black waves of sleep.

OOC. :) I'm all done. Later we could have Conrad visit her or something, in a different thread? I'm not sure if this one is continuing on but I'm finished with Fatesong in it.

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[Dusk]

Fawndance
_{Is there anything I can do for you, dear?}

'Truly, no others?' Such were Fawndance's thoughts momentarily as she padded a short distance from the leader and new deputy, Umbrefang by her side. She was dismayed slightly, seeing the frowns on some muzzles as few cats bothered to acknowledge Titianfoot; there was even some bitterness in a few veiled glances. Well, with any luck the irritation would be over with in a few days. The last thing any clan needed was some form of in-fighting. Lost again in her thoughts, it took a moment for the sorrel she-cat to register the seal colored warrior's words. She chuckled lightly, inwardly amused at the tom's forward nature. "Starclan willing, she'll perform admirably."

Where she would have carried on the conversation a while longer, Cometstar came forward again. A grim formality in his tone told Fawndance more than enough about his present mood.
"Perhaps next time you should stay one the tree branch, rather than scurry down to your precious she-cat. She kept the dry retort to herself, whiskers twitching as the only outward sign that the feline hadn't taken a liking to his reprimand. Irritation made the leader's word thorny, and though the barbs were dulled they still pricked. Still ears perked forward to listen as her yellow-green gaze fell on the black stranger in their midst.

Fatesong? Well, "Fatesong" now anyways. The medicine cat hadn't been informed of the new arrival. The thought dug like a thorn into her side, only burying itself deeper as her glance fell to the three bundles of fur near the newly made clan member. And kits. I thought I was better at staying in communication than this. Fawndance had already shifted her weight back onto her paws to offer her services when Titianfoot beat her to the punch. A small sigh escaped her lips as she sat back again; watching as they padded away, Jaspersun joining them to help carry the kits. She'd check in later, the feline decided.