Cricketheart's mind was far from on the task Scorchstar set out for him. He could not have cared less about the silly competition Scorchstar gave everyone, and certainly didn't care about the way most of the cats had been acting. They all wanted to show off, to be the warriors that were picked. It was very frustrating for a cat like Cricketheart, who had grown up humble about his skills and less of a show-off than most of these cats. It was infuriating, but he didn't want to snap at anyone. Or make Scorchstar made, because he truly did love his work. He just wasn't sure he loved this part of the work, but at least it would be over soon.
The one thing that Cricketheart did find more refreshing was that he gave himself the opportunity to truly see the other cats and get to know them. It was eye opening for the black tom to see that he never really knew the other cats, at least not really. He felt he had finally made some close friends; able to talk more than just assignments or findings on patrols, able to talk more than strategy... it was weird. He had fun this moon.
The one thing in particular that stood out to him was seeing which cats truly deserved an honor like senior warrior. The quieter leaders, the strong personalities that weren't trying to show off. It was helpful for the deputy to see who he should trust more as leaders of patrol, even if he didn't select them as one of the five senior warriors. It was with these cats in mind that Cricketheart found himself in Scorchstar's den, relaying the cats he felt would fit a warrior adviser role. He felt calm about the scenario, the panic from last moon gone. Perhaps some cats would be angry, but everything would work out. It was an apprentice training session that truly made up Cricketheart's mind - the time that the mentors didn't even know he had been watching. It was these moments that made Cricketheart realize most of the cats performed true to themselves when he didn't make his presence known.
He found himself watching the hunting training with the five energetic apprentices. Scorchstar had entrusted four new warriors the duty of training these apprentices, plus Daisypatch, who had proved that she was skilled enough to train a second apprentice.
"Alright, we are going to be practicing as a group first." Cricketheart had just come from the camp, just invisible behind a nearby tree as he neared the training grounds. He watched and listened, hearing Daisypatch's usually quiet voice ring out as she took leadership of the training session. "Us warriors are going to demonstrate our own hunting techniques - every cat could have a different technique, so it's going to really help if you find one that's comfortable for you. It may take a few moons, but we will practice our hunting stances often." Cricketheart peeked around as the mentors had all demonstrated hunting crouches, the apprentices watching carefully, sitting huddled together and staring with wide eyes. Daisypatch had then, after making sure the apprentices understood, conferred with the other warriors to split off into smaller groups, allowing each apprentice to make their own stance and critiquing each one. While her skills with training were adept, it was her attitude after failure and after success that really impressed Cricketheart.
One of the apprentices had grown increasingly aggravated as he felt like he couldn't get the right stance down. Daisypatch was encouraging of the tom, but also sharp when she needed. She would praise his attempts and give him gentle corrections when he needed. And at the end, Cricketheart had made up his mind that Daisypatch deserved the new role.
"We all did excellent today," Daisypatch said as their training came to an end. "For working so hard, I would like to reward you with a race!" The apprentice's eyes lit up, each gaining a new energy as they started talking animatedly about being able to prove who was fastest. Even out of the warriors! Cricketheart watched in amusement as the apprentices raced with the warriors, all the cats laughing and having a good time, forgetting all the frustrating parts of the training. It was truly wonderful.
Cricketheart snapped out of his thoughts as Scorchstar called the meeting. "Shiningclan cats, please gather as I announce our new adviser warriors! All cats should be present for this meeting. I will remind everyone," the leader said as everyone gathered, allowing cats to get settled as they listened, "that this role is not replacing our deputy. This is only for practical reasons of needing level headed cats to help us plan, and give both Cricketheart and me the ability to give more responsibility as our clan grows." Murmurs slowly died down once Scorchstar looked around again, making sure that every cat seemed to be there. "Good," the gray tom said, satisfied that all cats were here. "All warriors were considered for this role, regardless of age or experience, and I regret that I would only allow myself five adviser warriors. Do not think this position is closed - I feel that this will be very dynamic and will always change."
"Without further discussion, I will get right to it. I would like each cat that I call to come forward so we can properly recognize you." A brief pause shifted throughout the camp, the attention of cats undivided as they waited for Scorchstar.
"The first cat Cricketheart mentioned did great not only in training apprentices, but also in knowing when she should lead or should follow. Daisypatch, please come forward. Cricketheart and I both agree you are one that should be an adviser." The she-cat, stunned but happy, took her place a the front as cheers rang out. "Next, a cat I have grown close to and has proved himself time and time again - Birchstorm." The brown tom showed no emotion as he went up to the front, though his kits were cheering loudly and he gave them a rare smirk. "Asterlight is the third we have chosen, despite his young age; he has shown that he has great skill in leadership and I would be honored to have him as an adviser. Appleclaw will be the fourth." Scorchstar waited until the cheers died down, allowing the four cats to settle up front before making his last announcement.
"The last warrior might come as a bit of a shock, but she has done more than many to prove her strength and her optimism and great skills. She has kits right now, but will be taking her role as adviser, if she would, after they become apprentices. Slatefang will be the last of the five." The large gray she-cat stared at her father, though her kits were bouncing around her and chanting happily. The cats all chanted for the chosen five, no cat angry to not have been chosen, happy for their friends.
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[ Hunting ]
↠ Rabbitmask, Ashbreeze, Jaguarbite,
Emberthorn, and Hailstep hunt.
↠ Raventail, Appleclaw, Owltalon,
Cherryheart, Birchstorm, and Nightfrost hunt.
[ Border Patrols ]
↠ Argentfang, Deerleg, Ferretclaw,
Hollyfoot, Rivergaze,
and Bramblepond patrol
the borders.
[ Rank Up ]
↠ Dunepaw is ready for
his warrior assessment! If he
passes he will return as Dunewhisker.
[ Mates / Kits ]
↠ Cindersong due in 1 moons.
[ Other / Request ]
↠ Scorchstar requests a warrior.
↠ ShiningClan consumes 2 birds
and a squirrel [8 servings].
↠ Note: Herbs are now
located in my archive. Link is
listed on top if needed.
[ Training ]
↠ Swimming: Rainpaw, Minkpaw,
and Martenpaw.
↠ Stealth: Sorrelpaw.
↠ Hunting: Ivypaw, Rowanpaw,
Peachpaw, Pikepaw, and Seedpaw.
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Leader
Scorchstar | 58 moons | ♂ | ♦
Lives: ★★★★★★☆☆☆
Deputy
Cricketheart | 41 moons | ♂ | ♦
Medicine Cats
Timberleaf | 26 moons | ♂ | ♦
Olivepaw | 9 moons | ♀ | ♦
Warriors
Firesong | 63 moons | ♀ | ♦
Argentfang | 57 moons | ♂ | ♦
Thornstrike | 47 moons | ♂ | ♦
Birchstorm | 41 moons | ♂ | ♦
Cherryheart | 41 moons | ♂ | ♦
Snowflower | 39 moons | ♀ | ♦
Nightfrost | 38 moons | ♀ | ♦
Appleclaw | 37 moons | ♂ | ♦
Maplecloud | 37 moons | ♀ | ♦
Deerleg | 36 moons | ♂ | ♦
Daisypatch | 34 moons | ♀ | ♦ Apprentices
Sorrelpaw | 13 moons | ♀ | ♦
Dunepaw | 12 moons | ♂ | ♦
Rainpaw | 9 moons | ♂ | ♦
Minkpaw | 9 moons | ♀ | ♦
Martenpaw | 9 moons | ♂ | ♦
Ivypaw | 7 moons | ♀ | ♦
Rowanpaw | 7 moons | ♀ | ♦
Peachpaw | 7 moons | ♀ | ♦
Seedpaw | 7 moons | ♂ | ♦
Pikepaw | 7 moons | ♂ | ♦
Queens
Turtlegaze | 50 moons | ♀ | ♦
Slatefang | 30 moons | ♀ | ♦
Cindersong | 30 moons | ♀ | ♦
Kits
Dustkit | 4 moons | ♀ | ♦
Swiftkit | 3 moons | ♂ | ♦
Shrikekit | 3 moons | ♂ | ♦
Warriors (cont.)
Jaguarbite | 32 moons | ♂ | ♦
Ferretclaw | 28 moons | ♀ | ♦
Hollyfoot | 28 moons | ♀ | ♦
Thymetail | 28 moons | ♂ | ♦
Rabbitmask | 25 moons | ♂ | ♦
Rivergaze | 25 moons | ♀ | ♦
Darkthunder | 24 moons | ♂ | ♦
Raventail | 22 moons | ♀ | ♦
Honeyflame | 22 moons | ♀ | ♦
Ashbreeze | 21 moons | ♂ | ♦
Emberthorn | 21 moons | ♀ | ♦
Bramblepond | 18 moons | ♂ | ♦
Asterlight | 15 moons | ♂ | ♦
Hailstep | 15 moons | ♂ | ♦
Owltalon | 15 moons | ♀ | ♦
Elders
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]♦[/url]
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]♦[/url]
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Mentors
Available skills | Hunting, Stealth,
Swimming, Fighting, Tracking...
Mentor | Apprentice | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Deerleg | Dunepaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Cindersong | Sorrelpaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Thornstrike | Rainpaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Snowflower | Minkpaw | H,St, Sw, F, T.
Scorchstar | Martenpaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Thymetail | Ivypaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Rabbitmask | Rowanpaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Daisypatch | Peachpaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Honeyflame | Seedpaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Ashbreeze | Pikepaw | H, St, Sw, F, T.
Ally Clans: none (open)
Enemy clans: none (open)
Borders:
North | open | location
South | open | location
East | open | location
West | open | location
filler filler filler
filler filler filler
filler filler filler
filler filler filler
Fresh-Kill Pile
Mouse | x7 | 1 serving
Rabbit | x7 | 3 servings
Bird | x5 | 3 servings
Small fish | x6 | 2 servings
Squirrel | x7 | 2 servings
Frog | x8 | 1 serving
Two birds
and one
squirrel are
consumed this moon.