Their conversation would not be over, Wavesong remaining rooted to the spot. He had his hopes too high it seemed. The molly wouldn't let what happened go so easily. She starts by asking if he's done himself a favor mentoring her youngest. In a way, yes. His claim over Troutpaw was made out of pure selfishness, not out of what actually would've been best for the child. Rushingtide's bristling fur and shouting while he was still going over the meeting flashed in his mind, a scowl forming on his face at the memory. Thankfully his outburst didn't throw the clan into blown out screaming match. Instead, his outburst led to many of the clan viewing him with anger. Rushingtide in all his efforts to make himself known as his own cat, had quickly tarnished it. However, this was not about him. Not for now anyway. This was about her youngest child, Troutpaw.
Pikestar listens in silence. Trust is what Wavesong is asking for. Namely, trust in him. In short, she doesn't believe him. Frustration begins to bubble in his gut. As she goes on, he is only reminded of the past. Where he had voiced his concerns about a certain warrior, and he was told to give another chance. Excuses. It was because of her, he didn't follow his instincts. When everything within him screamed that he shouldn't forgive, that he should put an end to things . . . It was her voice that rang in his ears, begging him not to act on it. To believe in a fire that couldn't destroy, yet she was unsure herself. The only reason why things had gone on as long as they did was not out of love for Adder. No, it was their love for Wavesong.
The softness in her eyes mocks him.
Too kind. Too soft. Too weak. How many times has he heard it? He was tired of it. Perhaps that is why she approached him. She knew he would easily back down. What she didn't know is that he didn't miss the way her gaze sharpened, as if she wanted to sink her own claws into him. Of course she'd glare at me when saying his name. It almost makes me want to laugh. He doesn't thankfully. The only thing she can glean from him is how his scowl turned into a neutral expression. Pikestar is certainly listening, but is he truly hearing her? Starfish, huh? Are you always going to use that name when you want things to go your way?
"No you can't."
He watches her, wondering if she feels like the world is crumbling beneath her. "How can I not see Adder? Especially when Troutpaw takes after him the most?" It was no lie. Troutpaw and Rushingtide took after their father, but in terms of strictly appearance, Troutpaw resembled Adder the most. As the boy grew older, it would be difficult for anyone not to note his resemblance to Riverclanner's exiled warrior. Especially if Troutpaw gained scars in the same areas his father had them. "The shadow their father cast is too big not to ignore. The only ones who can ignore their father's actions and the shadow he left behind are those who weren't here when it happened. However, they live in a RiverClan that have been irrevocably changed by his claws. That is a fact that can't be ignored."
Did she remember those days? Of fear and confusion swiftly after Adder killed him and was promptly exiled? The unrest he needed to quell by any means. How he put on a smile and carried on as if what happened to him was just a small accident. While the pair both cried over the man who betrayed them, he was never fully able to dissect his feelings and come to terms with them. The clan couldn't wait anymore. They were suffering, and if he fell into despair back then? it was hard to say where RiverClan would be now. They may have recovered physically but the hearts of many have been scarred.
"Rushingtide is going to continue being seen as a shadow of his father. He takes after him in appearance and in his fury. His little outburst during the meeting only made things worse." A silver paw touches the healing scratches on his cheek. "He's quite lucky. Jinglemoon said my wounds would heal completely. If Jinglemoon said otherwise, I'm not too sure the clan would be comfortable with him around." She doesn't need much more to understand what he is implying. "That means there's still a chance for him. The only question is how long? How long before he succeeds or burns it all away?" He doesn't think of how Wavesong would see him anymore. How her precious Starfish has turned out in the moons since his first life was taken from him.
The paw touching his cheek settles back on the ground. "I'm curious, and I'm sure the clan is too, on how he'll train Piranhapaw." Will he train Piranhapaw to have the same rage as their father? Or will he train them to be something different? A small smile curls from his lips. He knew pairing the two was a questionable choice from the beginning. However, he originally thought of Rushingtide training Troutpaw instead. If did follow through with his original plan, the clan would've known his true intent.
"As I said before. You can't trust me. I will always look at Rushingtide and Troutpaw and think of their father, that is something I can promise. However, Troutpaw doesn't have the same fire as Adder. My mind won't be clouded easily as a result. I will be able to train him just fine." It is not a total lie. He will be able to train Troutpaw, but he will be shaping Troutpaw as he sees fit.
