"When do you think Oatstar will do the naming ceremony...?"
"I hope soon. Juniperpaw has been giving me grief ever since I told her I passed on my recommendation to Eagleburn."
Sitting together, Orchidspots and Hollyclaw preened in the early morning sunlight, sharing tongues and passing gossip back and forth. Elsewhere, the clan was bustling with activity. In the distance, Eagleburn busied himself with arranging the morning and afternoon hunting patrols, while Juniperpaw was practicing her hunting prowl.
"Sleekpaw is almost there as well," murmured Hollyclaw, irritation rising in the dappled gray cat's voice. Emerald eyes drifted until they fixed on Eagleburn.
The black, scarred tom-cat stood tall and proud. Even from their distance in this sun-blessed spot, Hollyclaw could feel the aura of confidence he radiated.
Truly, that cat was a gift from StarClan.
For how else would they survive under the leadership of such a self-doubting cat?
"I'm worried Oatstar will keep up this habit of his, and we'll end up having a bunch of apprentices running the clan."
Orchidspots shuddered, causing his ginger, bengal-patterned pelt to ripple as if caught in an intense shiver.
"Don't curse us with that," he hissed, swatting her with his tail.
The she-cat chuckled.
"We both know Eagleburn won't let that happen," she reassured, her tone confident as she glanced back to their deputy.
Yes, by the day, it seemed more and more like Eagleburn was their true deputy, and not Oatstar.
While she did believe StarClan had given them Eagleburn as a deputy for reason, she felt dubious of why they had allowed Oatstar to assume the role of leader.
Had StarClan no power over a past leader's choices?
Could they not see a cat as unworthy, and not permit them their nine lives?
... Did Oatstar even have his nine lives?
"Why do you look like you have your head in the clouds?"
Orchidspots's curious voice made Hollyclaw snap out of her thoughts, quickly shaking her head.
"Sorry. Thinking about my next round of training with Sleekpaw," she lied, and Orchidspots nodded understandingly.
"Yes... I need to think about my next excuse for Juniperpaw as to why her warrior ceremony is delayed again."
