BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME [ blazestar ]

[SILVERSMOKE]

There'd been a brief moment of time where Silversmoke thought that he may have been involved in a fight over a joke that he hadn't even been the one to make. It hadn't been just a prediction, but a hunger that took the sight from both of his eyes and blinded him from the consequences of his own actions. He'd been by himself since the tensions had dispersed, boasting a righteous strut as he paced by the clan walls, boldly proclaiming to none but himself that he'd have given Slate a run for his money if he had backed up his threats. It was a haughtiness brought about by the promise of combat... all up to the point where another informed him that Blazestar was wishing to speak to him. Reality sunk in rather quickly when he was reminded that his actions had consequences. He'd forgotten himself for a minute, forgotten the hills he'd needed to climb to become the cat he was today, and it almost cost him his reputation (and perhaps so much more) within SkyClan. Slate's presence brought out the worst in the spotted tabby, it was a reminder of a past left behind the day he arrived in the colony, but he knew that wasn't a good excuse for the clan.

They'd laughed and joked about the pair's hatred for each other until the point where it had almost come to blows. Perhaps it was better if they still mocked his hissing and chastising, but Silversmoke wasn't sure. He wanted to be taken seriously, he just didn't know if he was quite ready to stomach what that meant now that he had dozens of eyes gawking up at him for guidance. His head held aloft, Silversmoke prowled toward the elderberry bush that concealed his leader's quarters, noting curiously that this was one of the first times he'd ever seen the inside of the den. Stepping into it, the tom's eyes darted left and right, calmly taking in the new sights and smells. It didn't take long for a more familiar shape to enter his vision, their features speaking of a kittypet softness to Silver even moons after leaving that life behind. He craned his neck back slightly, the tips of his tufted ears brushing against the branches overhead. Then, the male offered a stalwart nod of his head, respectful in nature, but faltering somewhat as he tried to determine where best to hang his cranium in the leader's presence.

"I heard you wanted to speak with me," he mewed, steeling himself against the whole range of reactions the ragdoll may have. He'd seen Blazestar ruffled before, but it was always different when such ire was directed toward oneself. "About what happened with Slate, I mean."

@BLAZESTAR



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[BLAZESTAR]

Blazestar is not lying in his nest when Silversmoke enters. The Ragdoll is sitting upright, regarding his newest lead warrior wearily. "Yes, I do," he says, beckoning with his muzzle for the silver tabby to come further within. What he says to him is not for the rest of their Clan to hear.

His tail is curled about his massive paws, but as he begins to speak, the tip begins to twitch, betraying his feelings. "I heard Thistleback had to intervene between you and Slate," he says. His voice is calm, but his dark blue eyes are intense. "Would you have drawn your claws against your Clanmate had he not?"

He exhales. "If he were to attack you, there would have been severe consequences for him, rest assured. One thing I do not condone is a SkyClanner turning against a Clanmate." His frown is gentle, a tug upon his muzzle. "Silversmoke, do you know why I offered you the position of lead warrior?"​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

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[SILVERSMOKE]

Like a silver shadow, the tom skulked further into Blazestar's den, looking for permission to sit and acting upon whatever the leader gestured to him. In the tense silence, Silversmoke searched for a vibe, bunching his paws closer together when he found it all too quickly. Blazestar seemed liable to erupt any second, it was almost difficult to hold the Ragdoll's gaze for too long, but in the face of such adversity, he tried his best. A brief recounting of events was offered and his ears swiveled back slightly in embarrassment. He appreciated Thistleback too much to feel any anger towards the other Lead for breaking him out of his stupor. Would you have drawn your claws against your Clanmate had he not? All too quickly, he closed his eyes and shook his head. "I cannot say." A white lie, and Silversmoke isn't completely sure why he'd said it. He'd been as tense as a coiled spring, the moment Slate even twitched the wrong way, the tabby's teeth would've been in his face. He could only hope that Blazestar wouldn't question him on his perceived uncertainty - it was more difficult to admit to savagery than the feral feline had ever realised.

A SkyClanner turning against a Clanmate. Silversmoke's head tilted upwards a pinch, trying not to grimace at such a statement. Slate had never been a true clanmate to the Lead Warrior, he was not an animal that was prone to giving others forgiveness, and the black tom that infested his thoughts like a flea was no exception. Briefly, he wished it was not blasphemous to point it out, but making himself the exception to Blazestar's moral code would be a slippery slope that he had no interest in. A question was asked of the fluffy feline and he settled his mismatched eyes onto sapphire ones. The male cast his mind back to the meeting, the dozens of cats behind him cheering his name, the cat above him endorsing him with compliments he'd seldom heard. One in particular stuck out to the blue tabby, and his ears twitched in recognition. Oh, so that was where this was going. "If I recall, it is because you said I was brave and had great judgment..." Silversmoke still doubted it, how could one with so many regrets ever have good sense? 'You're just down on yourself because you're in trouble,' he told himself bitterly.

"I don't doubt he would turn on me first, he doesn't follow the same code we do, his obedience is one formed out of convenience, not a genuine interest in SkyClan's future. I guess I am just protecting myself for when that day comes, but... that is likely the rogue in me still talking." Keep your guard up and no one would take advantage of your naivety. He had to remember that he was not as alone as he liked to make himself believe, that if Slate did do as he feared then it would not just be his own skin in danger. Silversmoke's tail slowly lashed behind him. "I am sorry."

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[BLAZESTAR]

Blazestar frowns at Silversmoke's response to his initial question. "I cannot say." An honest response, and he supposes he should appreciate that, but it's not one that settles right with him. "We have many enemies, Silversmoke. There is no reason we should be making enemies of one another." He looks at the lead warrior meaningfully. "That is why, and I still believe it to be true. Good judgment is not drawing claws against a SkyClanner, whatever their moral code is."

Silversmoke's explanation concerns him for a moment. "Why do you say that about him, though? He's fought for SkyClan, even though he'd only been here a short amount of time. Is there... something I don't know?" Genuine puzzlement crosses his features.​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

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[SILVERSMOKE]

Good judgment is not drawing claws against a SkyClanner, whatever their moral code is. He inhaled deeply as he accepted such truth into his life, a truth he'd been happy to follow until he first saw the charcoal tom splayed out in camp like he owned the place. His nose angled downwards as the lecture continued, quietly repeating the leader's words until there was a gap. A tufted ear twitched, his narrow pupils darting upwards and immediately clocking the symptoms of confusion in Blazestars expression. He moved to flinch as if dodging a claw strike when the ragdoll asked him to elaborate on his character assassination of the warrior. His throat momentarily felt taut - what if Blazestar considered Slate to be a better fighter than him? What if he lost his place? All his tenure in the clan, he had devoted his faith to its values even if he disagreed with them, but this was one matter he could not put behind him. There was a rare glint of nervousness in the tabby's twitching tail tip before he was able to steel himself for the exposition to come.

"I knew him from a time before he joined. Not very well, the twolegplace rogues in my favourite hunting spots tended to keep to themselves but one day, there was a scrap. We both had our focus on the same scrawny rat and I got to it first. He felt he was owed the prize, I disagreed. Before I could even react I felt a searing pain in my right eye. It was like the very fires of StarClan had wrought my face, all I could see was red." His scar was pink and ugly, tearing through the soft fur that had once lined his face and leaving an impression of battle hardiness that never bothered him until he was confronted with its origin. His fur began to bristle in memory of the agony, of running into the forest and eventually finding the pine colony that would unknowingly change his life for the better. A grim part of him wondered if he should thank Slate for that at least, but the absurdity of such a thought was quickly overshadowed as he unsheathed his claws and leaned forwards. "My vision in it isn't much better nowadays, but I'm not so blind as to deny the truth about him. Some rogues don't have a choice, they do what they need to do to survive, and others take it a step further and feel as if their way of life gives them the right to treat others however they want. Those latter cats are stains on the clans, unchecked ruthlessness makes us no better than dogs and yet... unchecked ruthlessness is all Slate has. Look me in my good eye and tell me he needed to disable me to get such a paltry meal. He wouldn't even be here if he didn't have family here, he'd be off picking fights with foxes or killing some poor cat for looking at him the wrong way. He didn't fight for SkyClan, he fought for the thrill of fighting."

He knew how easy it was to succumb to that love. Battle felt better than sharing tongues or a full stomach, it was proof of strength and skill that would always be there. His own affections had been tempered for the sake of the clan, he fought for a greater purpose, he thought. His lips briefly curled as he considered denying Slate such a chance to feel that same importance before he remembered his place and shook his fluffy head, his expression falling into a formal melancholy. "If that's a moral code you accept I won't argue against it. I trust you to make the right decisions, more than I trust myself around Slate and if you don't want claws drawn against your own then I promise you I won't hurt him. I just ask that you tell Orangeblossom not to put me on the same patrols as him, at least until..." 'Until I know I can keep my own word.' "Until you think I'm ready to be on patrol with him again."
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[BLAZESTAR]

Blazestar listens to Silversmoke with his troubled expression plain on his flame-pointed features. A story of two rogues scrapping for a rat in the Twolegplace, one nearly taking the other's eye for a shot at food in their belly. The Ragdoll could not imagine living such a life, only able to look out for himself, no one to depend upon when he was injured or sick or unable to feed himself. He had never lived such a life -- and so, for the first time, he feels some shame at the judgment he's passed upon the rogues he's encountered.

But still... Blazestar finds himself nodding when Silversmoke states, "Those latter cats are stains on the Clans, unchecked ruthlessness makes us no better than dogs." The Ragdoll exhales. "I wouldn't have thought Slate to be that type, but I'm still getting to know him." He studies his newest lead warrior. Blazestar can't help but think of the walk near the Twolegplace he'd taken with Slate, the other's admission of kittypet heritage, the way he'd sworn Blazestar to secrecy.

He doesn't know what to believe. "That may all be true. But cats can change," he murmurs. He lifts a paw, as if to intercept any of Silversmoke's protests. "I know you say he hasn't, and perhaps you're right. I can't say for sure."

He pauses. Silversmoke's request to be put on separate patrols is a start, he thinks. "Yes, I will let her know to keep you on separate patrols from now on.". He relaxes, hoping Silversmoke will as well. "The other warriors and apprentices will look to you now as an example. The last thing I want is for them to begin thinking infighting is okay." He gives the silver warrior a smile. "If you find something out that could be dangerous, or a sign of betrayal, well... then I expect you to bring that to me, or to Orangeblossom. Okay? Don't take matters into your own paws for something like that."

His smile widens. "For a rowdy apprentice or a lazy warrior, though... well, that's now in your jurisdiction." He flicks his tail against the young tabby's flank. "You can go now. Try to relax some."​

[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]​

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