“Monarchwing will be the new deputy of Windclan.” Brownclaw flicked his ear in surprise. Monarchwing? That was an unexpected choice. But he was super happy for her! Did he expect it to be her, not in the slightest, but the surprise of it heightened his amazement like wow! (Good job Monarchwing! Congrats!) He happily watched Monarchwing bounce up to Ratstar. Brownclaw cheered her name till his throat was sore, but... hmmm. Something seemed off almost. Monarchwing was bouncy, lighthearted, and smiling. Smiling wide as she told everyone how surprised she was, but she'll try her best to be the most amazingest deputy possible. But they way she said it... It was almost... Brownclaw didn't know the words to put with it... Flat? Practiced? Maybe he was over thinking it. He was definitely overthinking it. (Dummy, just be happy for your sister. Stop looking for things that arn't there) But he couldn't help it, just that one little thought and he began to notice more and more. Monarchwing bounced a lot, everywhere she went, Brownclaw used to think that it was because she was just excited and happy all the time. He could never, he would just get worn out, but he admired her energy. So one afternoon he glanced at her. She was bouncing, as always, but they were controlled. Calculated, almost... Like she decided on a path before taking it? And, It was hard to notice if you weren't looking for it, but Monarchwing was tired. Her eyes were slightly sunken in, like she hadn't been sleeping enough. and her breaths were large and exhaustive, like she hasn't been letting herself rest. Was she okay? Was his sister okay? Should he talk to her about it? Is this something she wanted to talk about? Did she know that she was doing this to herself? He had to say something. Maybe she needed a hug? Something was wrong, right? If something was bothering Monarchwing then he would have to do something to help her feel better. Cause if he can't be a good brother then honestly what else is he good for? During a quiet moment, in the evening after everything was done for the day, Brownclaw approached where Monarchwing sat alone grooming herself. Alone...? "Monarchwing, are you... okay?" he asked gingerly. "You seem off?" Monarchwing turned to look at him, for less then half a second Brownclaw could see a look in her eyes. The look of despair, of outrage, of horror, and of weariness. Before being quickly covered by a mask of a lovely smile, a practiced and perfected smile, Monarchwing's signature smile. Brownclaw felt cold. "Yeah? I'm all good!" his sister tilted her head, "Wazzup?" She wasn't fine, Monarchwing wasn't all good as she said, she was tired and sad and angry, Brownclaw could see it now. He saw it in how tense her body was, how her fur was slightly raised. Was something scaring her? Was she mad at someone? Was she mad at him? Brownclaw would understand if she was mad at him, he has a temper himself. But he knows what its like to bottle yourself up and if Monarchwing was doing that too... "You don't look ok, I'm just wondering if something happened? Is being deputy getting to you a bit? I kn-" "You don't think I can handle being deputy? You think I'm bad at it?" Monarchwing interrupted, struggling to hide the hurt in her voice. Brownclaw blinked, that's not what he meant at all! He knows that being deputy is sometimes a stressful job and maybe that stress was getting to her. "I think that you're a great deputy! I'm just- Its you seem tired... and I can't read your mind, but I can tell that something is wrong, something is bothering you, and-... and... I...Can I help?" Monarchwing sighed, one of weary submission, "... Yeah... yeah... ok. Brownclaw... I don't know if I can tell you right now... But you are right... I'm tired. Super duper tired." "That's okay," Brownclaw smiled, worried yet relieved, "You don't have to tell me but I just wanna let you know I'll be here when you need me." He opened up his arms for a hug and waited for her to take it. She did. She scooped him up and clutched him tightly. He let himself purr so she could hear him. (I'll be here for you no matter what. I'll help you face whatever you are facing no matter what.) Monarchwing was clutching him so tightly, he found it was almost hard to breath. Something sharp poked into his fur. Did Monarchwing have her claws out? (That was a stupid thought. Don't think stupid stuff like that, dummy.) Brownclaw felt himself being squeezed so tight that he let out a little gasp, and Monarchwing instantly let go. Brownclaw slid to the ground. (She must of really needed that hug.) He peered up at her ready to smile and laugh it off, but... his sister... she... Monarchwing looked even more distressed. Brownclaw felt sick. Starclan, he really did just make everything worse didn't he. What an empty smile.
“Monarchwing will be the new deputy of Windclan.” Saffronstep wasn't surprised. He had seen this coming a mile away. They were preparing for it. Ratstar and Monarchwing. Cats murmured in astonishment. He felt annoyed. How did they not see this coming? How did anyone in Windclan not realize- He took a breath. The day the ground collapsed. Monarchpaw, Ratstar, Cottonthorn, and Sootclaw were on patrol. Monarchpaw had managed to catch Ratstar and pull him to safety. Cottonthorn wasn't so fortunate. He had gotten consumed by the dirt. By the time they dug him out he was alive, but barely. Choked by the soil. Monarchpaw had run off to who knows where. Everyone thought it was because of the shock. Saffronpaw knew better. Something was up. Cottonthorn didn't survive the night. It took a whole day for Ratstar to decide on a new deputy. And his choice was beyond odd. Stoutburr? The elder? Dumb choice, if you asked Saffronpaw at the time. Saffronstep knew better now. This was a plan. And it wasn't Ratstar's. Someone else was pulling strings. He had overheard Stoutburr telling Ratstar he didn't want to be deputy. He was supposed to be retired. Ratstar had responded, "Only a little longer my friend. She needs to be ready first." Who was the "she" that Ratstar was talking about? It didn't take long for Saffronstep to figure it out. When they became warriors, the first thing Ratstar did was assign them apprentices. They were brand new warriors! Another stupid decision, unless it was for a reason. Just giving Monarchwing an apprentice would be too suspicious. So all of them got one! Saffronstep kept an eye on them after that. Sometimes he would see Ratstar take Monarchwing aside to chat. When Saffronstep listened in... he wasn't surprised to hear them talking about leading a clan. Advice about good hunting spots, warrens to leave alone in leaf-bare so the prey population can grow, how to talk to a leader of another clan, what to do if tensions are high at a gathering, proper and improper punishments for code-breaking. They were preparing for this. And then. the moment that their apprentices became warriors... Stoutburr retired from being deputy. Saffronstep had seen the little things too. How Monarchwing acts when she thinks that no one is watching. It's an act. It's all an act. Monarchwing has burned away inside leaving only the husk of a happy playful girl. Dancing to a song that has long since turned sour. What does she want to achieve? He mused. Is Monarchwing the one behind this? Or is there someone else who wants her in charge? Is she a puppet or the master? He didn't know yet. But he was going to find out. One way or another. He watched her bounce up to Ratstar to accept the deputyship. Eyes empty. A speech so practiced it sounded forced. And she smiled. What an empty smile.
