- Jun 7, 2022
- 288
- 157
- 43
"WE ARE THE BROKEN ONES, WHO CHOSE TO SPARK A FLAME"
The exhaustion, greater than any that she had ever known, had only grown since it had first set in. That had been the day she was given her new name by the stars. It was the weight of leadership, she supposed, the burden of responsibility. If that was the case than she would carry it proudly, and she had tried to. Was trying to. Despite her efforts fatigue withered her frame and stole the bounce from her step. Her eyes didn't shine like they used to, they were more focused, more intense. And sometimes, when she thought no one was looking, her face would drop into a look of pure weariness. It was apparent that her duties were beginning to wear at her, however she denied it.
Even then though, what of it? Emberstar was, for the most part, still herself. Enthusiasm still radiated from her every word, and affection burned in her every glance. She was still willing to spare a moment, and far more than that if asked, to talk with whoever asked about whatever they wanted. Even if that further strained her schedule. If anything, she was simply a touch more serious than before. That was a more than welcome change, wasn't it?
As she whisked through camp, offering quick nods and smiles to everyone she passed, the leader ran through her mind all the things she still needed to do today. For one, she needed to check on Cinderfrost. Since their little talk, Emberstar had allowed the medicine cat a little more leniency. Out of the understand they had reached, of course, but also out of necessity. She had a lot of duties to attend to, and dragging Cinderfrost along for all of them was always impractical and sometimes even actively detrimental. Not to downplay her own faith in her medicine cat. After the passion the other molly had shown for kits and her assistance helping out Flame, she had more of that then she had ever had. There was, however, enough unease left over to make her wish that she could keep more of an eye out.
Patrols! That was another thing she had been meaning to get to. But no, not today. A glance at the sky told her it was getting late, and setting up patrols at this hour would be self-defeating. Tommorow, maybe? Speaking of how late it was getting, she should go out to hunt. She hadn't caught anything in so long, and that was a bad example for a leader to be setting. Oh, she had also wanted to check in with the mentors to make sure everything was going smoothly, but not officially. No, just a friendly little check in. No need to put any pressure on anyone. She would be subtle. She was good at being subtle.
Around and around her thoughts swirled, her gaze faraway as she considered it all.
Even then though, what of it? Emberstar was, for the most part, still herself. Enthusiasm still radiated from her every word, and affection burned in her every glance. She was still willing to spare a moment, and far more than that if asked, to talk with whoever asked about whatever they wanted. Even if that further strained her schedule. If anything, she was simply a touch more serious than before. That was a more than welcome change, wasn't it?
As she whisked through camp, offering quick nods and smiles to everyone she passed, the leader ran through her mind all the things she still needed to do today. For one, she needed to check on Cinderfrost. Since their little talk, Emberstar had allowed the medicine cat a little more leniency. Out of the understand they had reached, of course, but also out of necessity. She had a lot of duties to attend to, and dragging Cinderfrost along for all of them was always impractical and sometimes even actively detrimental. Not to downplay her own faith in her medicine cat. After the passion the other molly had shown for kits and her assistance helping out Flame, she had more of that then she had ever had. There was, however, enough unease left over to make her wish that she could keep more of an eye out.
Patrols! That was another thing she had been meaning to get to. But no, not today. A glance at the sky told her it was getting late, and setting up patrols at this hour would be self-defeating. Tommorow, maybe? Speaking of how late it was getting, she should go out to hunt. She hadn't caught anything in so long, and that was a bad example for a leader to be setting. Oh, she had also wanted to check in with the mentors to make sure everything was going smoothly, but not officially. No, just a friendly little check in. No need to put any pressure on anyone. She would be subtle. She was good at being subtle.
Around and around her thoughts swirled, her gaze faraway as she considered it all.
✦ ★ ✦
