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[center][b]Interacting with:[/b] [@Hazelrah][/center]
[center] While Stonefall explained the rouge's arrival and the actions he had taken, Fernstar studied her paws, not wanting to be distracted by any visual stimuli. She had to admit that trained Warriors failing to detect the scent of racoons, especially scents that were recent, was very strange. Sunfur, Maplestream and herself had lived in this harsh, unforgiving forest for quite some time, and had learned the scents of every creature they shared this land with; predator and prey alike. However, there were a lot of possible reasons her Warriors could have missed the scent trail. She knew it was more difficult to recognize and follow scent trails in leaf bare than in green leaf, as they are quicker dampened by snow, ice and other debris blown by the strong winds. Not to mention, there was a lot going on in the Clan right now. She and Blackpelt traveling to receive her nine lives, the rouges showing up, dealing with Frogkit, and Moosepaw's impending Warrior assessment. Being caught up in the excitement and anxiety that was laden in these events easily distracts cats from being as focused as they normally would be. Everyone was exhausted. These things needed to be seriously considered. She refused to be the kind of leader who is hostile, battle oriented and mistrusting of any cat that stepped paw in her camp. Situations like this needed to be approached with tact and cautious optimism.[/center]
[center] As her deputy finished his explanation, she couldn't help but notice how hesitant and anxious Stonefall seemed. It was unlike him to be so [i]distant[/i]. Raising her head and locking eyes with the young tom, she let compassion shine through her gaze and reassured him. [color=3CB371][b]"Stonefall, what happened today was a difficult situation for [i]any[/i] cat to handle, but you did exactly what needed to be done. You protected the Clan's most vulnerable, neutralized the situation, and still managed to help the strangers who expressed they needed it. I can't say I would have done much different myself if it was me they had approached."[/b][/color] Running her tail over Stonefall's flank as a gesture of comfort, she grinned and meowed, [color=3CB371][b]"I chose you for this post for a reason. Your practical and rational thinking are, and always have been above others, and your loyalty is unflinching."[/b][/color] Withdrawing her tail and sitting up straighter, she sternly issued her addendum. [color=3CB371][b]"What will make you a bad deputy to your Clan is not a lack of skill, but the lack of ability to [i]believe[/i] in your skills. A deputy who is unsure of themselves will never make clear decisions and will create more problems than they solve. A cat who is confident in their position within their Clan stands out, and is part of what makes a Clan strong. You need to act like you know you deserve this position; and the skills to uphold it will follow."[/b][/color] Hoping her words would grant Stonefall some confidence, she stood and shook the cold from her fur. It was time to figure out what these roge cats wanted with WillowClan. Quietly padding towards the nursery entrance, she looked over her shoulder and asked Stonefall, [color=3CB371][b]"Come and speak to them with me."[/b][/color][/center]
[center] Pushing her way through the dry, rough brambles, she locked her eyes on the three disheveled looking rouges who laid at the back of the den. A skinny black tom, a white thick furred she-cat and a strong brown tom all turned their heads and stared at her. She stopped a fox length away from them and sat with her shoulders back. Before she spoke, Needletail's words echoed in her mind just the way she had spoken them in StarClan. [b]"With your seventh life, I give you judgement. The decisions you make for your Clan determine it's destiny, and cannot be wasted. Never let pride, pain or desperation cloud your judgement."[/b] Feeling a surge of confidence wash over her pelt, she finally spoke. [color=3CB371][b]"My name is Fernstar and I am the leader of WillowClan. My deputy tells me you crashed into our camp scratched and startled by a skirmish with racoons. If treatment for your wounds is what you are seeking, then I will consult with our medicine cat and see if we can spare any herbs. However, I would like to know more about you than your racoon encounter. Tell me, where did you come from?"[/b][/color][/center]