Fire on the Horizon [Patrol]

Firefalcon- ThunderClan Deputy

Firefalcon’s whiskers twitched in mild amusement – not enough to count – but enough for her to find some enjoyment from Sootnose’s statement. She wasn’t really aiming for compliments but it was a kind enough statement. Especially from a clan-born warrior. “I thank you. I truly wish to help our leader as much as possible and make sure I help the clan to my best ability. Thank you though.” The words came out slightly easier as she pretended to talk to Honeyflower instead of the black and white tom in front of her for just a moment. It made it much easier to speak in front of others and it was a habit she was fond of taking up when compliments came her way. She truly didn’t believe that Sootnose was being kind to her for any other reason to keep peace, whether he liked her or not. However, the continuing answer was satisfactory.

“I see. Hopefully we’ll have some more apprentices in the next moon to train with her so size will not be an issue.” She mewed slightly, before blinking. Well…she wasn’t expecting him to return the question at all. Conversations. How did they work? Her hazel eyes flicked in front of her as she heard Whitepaw interject. Well that was about as predictable as birds flying. Yes, like the small she-cat had any idea of clan politics or anything in particular about leading a clan. Such an uppity little thing. She wished Rowanstar would thoroughly thrash her in a mock fight and then it would be so much easier to see the little white she-cat crushed even for just a second. Was that sadistic, probably. It’s not like she wanted to see blood on her claws or pelt, but oh she had the urge to beat the small haughty apprentice into the ground.

“I see your apprentice has ideas on what I should be worried about.” She said lightly, not at all sounding deterred. “Stress is stress, I am not worried as long as we plan our movements beforehand. Rowanstar is a wise leader, I trust her word, and I’m sure if this fight is frowned upon by StarClan, we’ll certainly hear about it from Stormfrost or Mothpaw.” While she truly didn’t believe that any shiny cats were bearing down, she understood the point of it and Bluefeather and her talked about it quite often. It was a belief, and those beliefs in the clan cats wouldn’t be questioned. Whether or not they were real was beyond the point, she was well aware that leaders got lives from them and the like but if they would ever speak to her, a half-kittypet, even if she was clanborn was a laughable idea. Starry ancestors would probably laugh at her, she was sure.

“Sunningrocks has always been a bone of contention between the two clans, the forest has not. It is highly unlikely that RiverClan would ever want any part of the forest. However, I feel you are making an exaggeration that is completely untrue to mark your annoyance and supposed slight against you and your pride.” She said rather bluntly. “Sunningrocks is and never will be something that cats should lose their lives over. If you think some territory is worth the lives of cats, I would suggest thinking hard about seeing your love ones with their stomachs and throats ripped open just for some little bit of ground.”

Firefalcon pulled no punches. “The next time you suggest such actions, realize that Rowanstar has to account for every life in ThunderClan. That includes you and your brother, your family, and others. If we take on anything for Sunningrocks, it should be a plan to reduce the number of casualties as much as possible. I’m sure this has to have crossed your mind at some point Whitepaw, but if it hasn’t, I hope it has now. Rowanstar does not take your life with such little thought as you have taken others. She does not dismiss your mother, your father, or your brother, or you. A leader has to balance all these things, these lives, these responsibilities.”

She looked over to Sootnose. “I do apologize for the graphic description. I thought it would be pertinent to say.” She tilted her head slightly as if to apologize for mentioning something gruesome in his presence. Her head turned back to the white she-cat. “Either way, we will mark and patrol the border. If they attack, we defend. The time we find weakness, we have a plan, we will attack. I would prefer that both clans come to a mutual decision to share the blood-soaked rocks but that would just be too much to ask.” The end came a bit dryly. “I assure you though, if we come up with a plan to make sure casualties are slim, we will discuss it further. If it is such an important thing to ThunderClan, we will simply take it back when the time is right. Patience is something a leader, a warrior, and all have to have.”

She felt like she talked a bit too much but Whitepaw and cats like her irked the living Forest of No Stars out of her. Such pride at the lack of thought of anyone in the clan. Were clan cats just plain dull in the head to not think about others? To not think about how their family would feel if they died? Fighting off intruders was one thing – but no one was being hurt by RiverClan occupying Sunningrocks. Ever. Pride dripped off them like foul tasting mud as they forgot their places, they forgot who they were, all for a little drop of pride so they could roar their heads off. StarClan, if they would ever listen to a half-kittypet, she could only pray for the sanity of this bloody group of cats.

CAWN / Sootnose , LOST / Whitepaw - mentions other high ranks.
I like...would have sympathy for Whitepaw but her literally just responding to a bratty teenager with "Imagine your family dead, because you would rather have a piece of LAND than their safe LIVES." is hilarious to me cause she is 100% done with Sunningrocks.