Pikestar was dreading this meeting, but it needs to happen. I know it does. All he could do was stare at the stump where he held RiverClan's Meetings for moons now. It was less daunting than when he first started, but he can't help but feel uneasy this time. How would the clan react? Would they be thrown into panic? Would they start hissing at him? Or would they all stare at him in vitriol for the truth they've been denied for so long? The only comfort he has is in knowing that by the end of this… He will not be alone. That's right. I did everything on my own back then. This time, I'll still have them. We may have lost some, but it's better than being all alone. We've spoken about this. We will make due with what we have for now. Everything will work out. I must have faith.
The eyes of the council and especially Frostmoth most of all sear into his back. They are waiting for him to begin. He can run from his duty and has in the past, but he can't run from them. Each and everyone of them placed their trust in him. Not that he could suddenly turn RiverClan around into paradise, but that he would keep his word. I don't want us to go back. You.. All of you can still hate me for what I've done and said. I know I was terrible to all of you. He recalls the anger from each and every one of them when he spoke foolishly during that dreaded council meeting. The image of Adderfang looking at his throat wormed its way within his mind.
His paws move forward. He refused to allow himself to wallow in despair over the what ifs. What kind of leader was he to go back on his wish? Already some have gathered below the stump, while others have begun to rush over. It was a bit strange. He hadn't said anything, and yet… The clan still gathered. It felt wrong. He was still very much the child king Pineheart referred to him as. Nevertheless, it did little good to let such thoughts eat away at him.
It was a reasonable order, right? Maybe Frostmoth and a few others would be against the idea since there have been plenty of sunrises since they've seen the medicine cat apprentice. Having search patrols would hinder the clan's survival for Leafbare, when prey was scarce. However, it was just one patrol. As for the others who cared for Rainpaw, perhaps they were unhappy with this order. After all, she was a respected member of the clan. She aided Jinglemoon in caring for the clan. Many would feel enraged at the clan's readiness to give up on her.
Green eyes meet the cold blue of Thunderpaw's eyes.
His gaze returns to the crowd below him.
He turns to Pineheart.
Next, he turns to Pigeonpearl.
Finally, he would cast his attention to Peachtrot. Her request had been a shock, and to be honest… He didn't want to go through with it. Even now. She could probably see the grief behind his eyes. The reason for her departure from the team was because of him. Of his failure to speak with her honestly.
It's with a heavy heart that he turns his attention to the crowd.
A beat.
This meeting has gone on for quite some time now. He's sure some cats are already praying for it to be over. However, he does have one final thing to take care of. I was saving it for the end, so we end on a more lighthearted note.
Pikestar watches as the apprentice runs off to their new mentor. A smile curls from his lips. It does not diminish as he looks for Sunpaw in the crowd. Like Twigpaw, he motions for them to come forward.
That takes care of everything. I think. If I'm missing anything it'll have to be done at the next meeting… This meeting has gone on long enough. His attention returns to the rest of the clan.
The eyes of the council and especially Frostmoth most of all sear into his back. They are waiting for him to begin. He can run from his duty and has in the past, but he can't run from them. Each and everyone of them placed their trust in him. Not that he could suddenly turn RiverClan around into paradise, but that he would keep his word. I don't want us to go back. You.. All of you can still hate me for what I've done and said. I know I was terrible to all of you. He recalls the anger from each and every one of them when he spoke foolishly during that dreaded council meeting. The image of Adderfang looking at his throat wormed its way within his mind.
His paws move forward. He refused to allow himself to wallow in despair over the what ifs. What kind of leader was he to go back on his wish? Already some have gathered below the stump, while others have begun to rush over. It was a bit strange. He hadn't said anything, and yet… The clan still gathered. It felt wrong. He was still very much the child king Pineheart referred to him as. Nevertheless, it did little good to let such thoughts eat away at him.
"Riverclan, I have many important things to discuss."
He looks for two apprentices among the crowd. It is rather strange that despite everything, Thunderpaw and Galepaw refused to be near one another. The news will be devastating. It pains him to give them this news, but it has been days since Rainpaw's disappearance. They've sent countless patrols and any leads have gone cold. It would be a miracle if they found Rainpaw at this point. "The first thing I would like to discuss is our clan's missing apprentice Rainpaw. We have sent countless patrols and scoured our territory thoroughly. Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful in our efforts. It's been more than a couple sunrises since she disappeared. Her scent is long gone by now and any tracks she may have left could've been washed away by the rain. It pains me to say this, but we are going to lessen our search patrols to only one. This patrol will search until Leafbare. If she isn't found then… Our search for her will cease entirely."
It was a reasonable order, right? Maybe Frostmoth and a few others would be against the idea since there have been plenty of sunrises since they've seen the medicine cat apprentice. Having search patrols would hinder the clan's survival for Leafbare, when prey was scarce. However, it was just one patrol. As for the others who cared for Rainpaw, perhaps they were unhappy with this order. After all, she was a respected member of the clan. She aided Jinglemoon in caring for the clan. Many would feel enraged at the clan's readiness to give up on her.
Green eyes meet the cold blue of Thunderpaw's eyes.
"I believe Rainpaw is still alive, and I hope one day she returns to us safely. In the meantime, the clan should prepare for Leafbare. It wouldn't be any good if Rainpaw returned with our clan in shambles."
His gaze returns to the crowd below him.
"The second thing I would like to discuss is RiverClan's council."
It's time. "Pineheart, Pigeonpearl, and Peachtrot have decided to step down from their position as Life Guards."
Already he can witness the confusion among the crowd, along with faint chatter. He has no doubt they are now considering what that means. "I have spoken to each of them and support their reasons for stepping down."
He turns to look at the three of them. His heart aches. Even though he had accepted their own reasons for leaving the council, it didn't erase his own feelings. After all, they were the founders of this clan and shaped it to what it was today. He wouldn't be here… No, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for them."Even though they will no longer be Life Guards I want to thank them for their time."
It wouldn't surprise him if Frostmoth snapped his head in his direction. This was not part of what they discussed. He has an inkling that the deputy will reprimand him for this. Some older warriors in the crowd may call it unprofessional. Frankly, he didn't care. He turns to Pineheart.
"Pineheart for his endless guidance and patience towards me. I know I made things difficult for him more than once. Even though we may have not seen eye to eye, he still listened and carried out his duties. I've seen how his steady paw helped put the clan at ease. A reliable tom throughout it all, and I know he will continue to help this clan. No matter what rank he holds, I believe in him."
There is so much to be said to the older tom. It lingers on his tongue, but he knows that Pineheart is a man of action. Words meant little to him. The best way he could thank the hulking tom was to graduate from boy to man. One day he'll become a proper king. Next, he turns to Pigeonpearl.
"Pigeonpearl for her insights, especially when it comes to understanding someone may not have the best intentions. I know we butted heads here and there, but I have always valued your stubbornness. I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise. I may have hated it when you called me out for my insincerity and foolishness, but I know that it was done for the good of the clan. Even though you've decided on this new journey, I believe you'll continue to help this clan in ways you may not see."
He does not elaborate what this new journey is, for it is not his to share. They have made up some time ago, and yet he can't help but feel a little sad. In order to gain her friendship, he would lose her. I hope you fulfill your dream.Finally, he would cast his attention to Peachtrot. Her request had been a shock, and to be honest… He didn't want to go through with it. Even now. She could probably see the grief behind his eyes. The reason for her departure from the team was because of him. Of his failure to speak with her honestly.
"Peachtrot. I am thankful for your kindness towards others. No matter what happens you will always lend an ear for someone to talk to. You've lent me your ears many times and I've made wiser decisions with a clearer mind. You also spread joy within our clan. Even when times are hard, you have the ability to make cats laugh. I also believe you'll help Riverclan in the future, in your own way."
Like Pigeonpearl, she too had a journey of her own. He was not sad. No, he was filled with regret. If only he had said something sooner. It never crossed his mind that he'd been hurting her in the process. It's with a heavy heart that he turns his attention to the crowd.
"I encourage you all to show your appreciation to Pineheart, Pigeonpearl, and Peachtrot. They are founders of this clan and were the very first Life Guards of this clan."
A beat.
"I'm sure you've all realized by now that this leaves very few of us in the council. Frostmoth, Russetfall, Jinglemoon, and I are aware of this and the strain it will cause this clan. That's why we've decided to open our ranks once more. Currently, we are not appointing anyone new to the Life Guard position. However, we will be keeping an eye out for warriors who show promise. That is all on the matter of RiverClan's council."
This meeting has gone on for quite some time now. He's sure some cats are already praying for it to be over. However, he does have one final thing to take care of. I was saving it for the end, so we end on a more lighthearted note.
"The last announcement for this meeting will be mentor assignments."
Frostmoth chewed me out for not having a mentor for Twigpaw. I swear I had everyone. Guess some stuff does slip by when things get busy. He looks to Twigpaw and beckons her forward with a paw. "I am sorry that I failed to assign you a mentor, but today you will have one. They are a warrior who will give you the attention you deserve. I have confidence that they will teach you well. Your mentor will be Pebbledream."
He hopes the two are pleased with this pairing. Pebbledream may follow a strict regiment that could take some adjustment, but he has confidence it is what Twigpaw would enjoy after training all by themselves.Pikestar watches as the apprentice runs off to their new mentor. A smile curls from his lips. It does not diminish as he looks for Sunpaw in the crowd. Like Twigpaw, he motions for them to come forward.
"You will be assigned a mentor too. Your mentor will be Guppysplash. She's quite the weaver and I'm sure she'll be happy to share those skills with you."
That takes care of everything. I think. If I'm missing anything it'll have to be done at the next meeting… This meeting has gone on long enough. His attention returns to the rest of the clan.
"That's all for this meeting! Thank you for staying and listening."
-
Heya RiverClan! I know this post is extremely long, which is why it was made with a scrollbar! In this meeting we do over a bunch of things as well two ceremonies. Below will be a summary of what was went over along with some other news! Don't worry, an announcement post will be made in RiverClan announcements in Discord as well.
DEMOTIONS:
— Pineheart (stepped down)
— Pigeonpearl (stepped down)
— Peachtrot (stepped down)
— Rainpaw (disappeared, a singular search patrol will continue to look for her until Leafbare)
MENTOR/APPRENTICE PAIRINGS:
— @twigpaw! with @pebbledream.
— sunpaw with @Guppysplash
Other big news is that a RiverClan Mass Adopts will drop soon! It's either already up by the time I've posted this meeting or will be posted shortly! Along with RiverClan's Mass adopts there will be fall event. It will also be posted in the ooc board of Riverclan, and will also be announced! Along with these two thread will be a s/HP consent thread will drop. RiverClan is looking for members to add to the council and will be looking for promising warriors to add to their ranks. Specifics will be outlined in that s/HP consent thread! There will also be an announcement for this. In short we got a lot going on for RiverClan!!! ANYHOW.
Even though Pike yapped about his former council mates, I want to express my thanks and gratitude towards Teddy (pineheart), Chuff (pigeonpearl), Taru (peachtrot), and Fern (rainpaw) for being a part of the team! I remember when did dice rolls for who would be on the very first team and how exciting it to see in real time who would be selected. I had no idea who would be apart of Riverclan's first council ever and when you all were picked I started thinking of so many ways how the group would mesh and where conflict would arise. The thread I love most for the council would be its very first council meeting! Even though it was actually the worst one ever for our battle cats. It was amazing to see the love and care everyone had for the clan (both ic/ooc wise). I am going to miss you all terribly on the team, but I know we will continue to plot with one another. It's been such a joy having you all be part of the first RiverClan council <3
That being said... RiverClams go forth and invade their channels!!! -
PIKESTAR— leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
♱ 42 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
♱ speech is"#36D9AB"— thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
