Calling on the Leader

[:c a i:]

"Ravenstar!"

Skytail trotted gracefully towards the leader's den, fully intent on extracting Ravenstar from his leader-ish restraints for the afternoon. He'd been so busy lately, so she'd decided that it was high time he took part in some normal cat activities. He could take his leader hat off for a little while. It'd been so long since she had talked to him about things which were unrelated to Clans and schemes and all those things which came with being leader and warrior. Once upon a time they had talked fairly regularly, being nurserymates and then apprentices together.

"Ravenstar, are you in here? We're going for a walk, and I won't take no for an answer!" Skytail's clear voice rang out in the quiet, and she poked her head around the entrance, peeking in the den and squinting about to see if her leader was present or not.

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[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Ravenstar heard the voice and wondered what it was that Skytail could possibly want with him. It wasn't a particularly leader-ish thought, or at least, not a very patient one. He imagined that good, proper leaders heard their Clanmates asking for them and sprang immediately to their feet, eager to soothe their fears and fix their problems. That was what loyal, caring leaders did, was it not?

Since he was neither loyal nor caring, he had no idea.

Good leader or not, he couldn't simply ignore the imminently-nearing warrior that was seeking his attention. He could still hear Skytail approaching, her little paws bringing her ever-closer to the stone shelter that was his den. She called out again; apparently her business was not to ask him about patrols or some other worry, but instead to demand his company so that she might take him on a late-afternoon stroll. He had to admit, that was something he hadn't expected when he roused that morning to begin his day.

Getting to his paws, the delicate tom padded out of the shadow of his den so that Skytail wouldn't force her way in and start demanding that he emerge from his lair and take a walk in the sunlight for once. Because he knew she would. Sweet and nurturing as the she-cat seemed to be, she could be quite obstinate when it suited her.

Stepping out into lemon-y sunlight, Ravenstar flicked his gaze around and located Skytail where she was standing nearby. Pale green eyes moved slowly up her form, measuring impassively, before they finally reached her face. He tipped his head slightly in greeting, putting on an indulgent smile so he wouldn't appear quite the cruel and unforgiving cat that he truly was. "Good afternoon Skytail," he greeted her. He went the innocent route and kept his expression carefully blank. "Did you need me for something? How is Thymepaw doing?"

Ah, the Clan's resident klutz, older than any apprentice he had ever known save those who suffered from serious injuries. Had he not trusted in Skytail's abilities as a mentor, he would have thought that it was her training at fault for his utter failure in all things Clan-related. But no, the gangly tom was simply one more headache for Ravenstar to worry about; a cat who seemingly failed at everything, and for no apparent reason. Ah well, maybe he would grow out of it some day.

And maybe hedgehogs would fly.

[:c a i:]

Skytail stopped as soon as Ravenstar made his appearance, and, with just a swift, sweet smile, she swiftly turned around again, beckoning with her tail that he should walk beside her. Few might dare to make demands of a leader in this way, but Skytail held a confidence that Ravenstar would not be angered today.

A walk would do the tom good. Skytail wondered whether he was attempting to become a bat, lingering in the darkness of his cave all day - someday he might grow wings, and hang upside down in his lair. Hard not to smile at the thought. She looked at that smooth smile spread across Ravenstar's face, and the perfectly polished leader voice wafting over her. Oh yes, Ravenstar had not lost one fragment of his mask throughout the moons. An enquiry of Thymepaw's progress? Skytail felt the urge to roll her eyes and shoot Ravenstar a withering look, because both he and she knew that her apprentice would need a miracle to progress his training. How else would he be doing?

Skytail settled for a knowing smile cast up at Ravenstar, and a little shake of her head as she padded lightly towards the route out of camp. "Ravenstar," she said in an almost tinkly tone. "Will you not put away the lovely smile and the honey tones? I wonder if I might see the cat you were born as again today. StarClan knows he has not been seen since he was a little kit at his mother's side." That little, can't-fool-me smile did not waver, yet there was nothing about her demeanour which would suggest she was anything but politeness; a nice she-cat respectfully encouraging her leader to enjoy an afternoon outside. Nothing except a little twinkle in her eye, likely to be missed by her companion as she turned her face away from him teasingly.

And as Skytail took them out into the sunlight and away from the shaded den, one could not help but wonder why Skytail started her game with Ravenstar today.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Ravenstar gazed somewhat bemusedly after Skytail as she saw him and immediately turned to make her way back around camp, beckoning for him to follow. He didn't imagine that there was any other cat in the Clan who would just expect the leader to follow them on a whim. It made her quite unique in that respect; it also made her annoying. The tom was tempted to simply watch as she walked out of camp and return to his den... it would be amusing to imagine her face when she realized that he wasn't coming. But she would only be back to bother him again, and he would rather not drag this on any longer than it needed to be. He could retreat back to his den and have her hover about until she was appeased, or he could go along now and placate that meddling mind of hers for a few days. The choice was obvious.

Quick, efficient steps crossed the distance quickly, first catching up to Skytail, then passing her. Since she wanted to walk, he would set the pace. If she wanted his company, then she would keep up. He glanced seriously at her from the corner of his eye, noting her indifference. Perhaps he had put too much faith in her talents of a mentor after all, if she showed no concern for her own apprentice's failure. Thymepaw's less-than stellar results reflected on her, and would only continue to do so if she continued to regard the young tom's training so casually. Somewhat irritated, he filed the issue away in the back of his mind. Something else that he had to deal with.

Skytail's request was unexpected - and annoying. Surprises often were for a creature such as him, who desired control and perfection always. To have a cat call him on his pretenses was an unpleasant reminder of those little inconstant factors that he couldn't control, random occurrences that would invariably find some way to make his endeavours more difficult. But he simply offered a mild look in reply. "I have been nothing less than honest with you, Skytail," he said candidly. "But that kit disappeared long ago. Cats change - everything does." The gorse surrounding camp tugged slightly on his pelt as he brushed past, pausing at the top of the hollow that was WindClan's camp. Everything changed, grew, bloomed, withered and died. What of his Clan? Was it like everything else, destined to dust and ruin once its time had passed? He was determined to see that it did not. He would make it greater.

Turning away from the bustle of camp, Ravenstar disappeared over the ridge.

[:c a i:]

Skytail smiled secretly when it became clear that Ravenstar had not chosen to ignore her and retreat to his den. Neither had he scolded her for being so forward with the leader, though she suspected he probably found her intrusion rather irritating. Nonetheless, she had his best interests at heart, didn't she? He couldn't fritter away his days in his gloomy den forever. At least, not if she had anything to do with it.

Again, Ravenstar spoke in that tightly controlled, even voice, never letting on when he was angry or annoyed. Always the even-tempered leader. As they walked, Skytail glanced at him, letting him lead but falling into step beside him, as close to equal as he would let her get. She grew silent for a while, thinking his words over and glancing over her shoulder to camp. Everything was well; nothing fell apart the moment Ravenstar turned his back.

"Everything changes," Skytail repeated musingly. "Yes. Time does that. I suppose I shall settle for the cat you are today, then. Even if that cat refuses to willingly show his true thoughts to me." She smiled again, this time a little bit regretfully, lightly slipping after the black tom, her tiny paws so light that she made not a sound. The quiet murmur of camp and the comforting sounds that signified the life within faded out as the world shrank to just her and Ravenstar. A cat and a cat in her eyes. A bored leader and a persistent she-cat in his.

"Are you angry that I took you from camp?" Skytail asked suddenly, her voice quiet and thoughtful. "Because it certainly wasn't my intention to irk you." She looked at him, considering.

"Sometimes it's good to let yourself breathe."

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