>> option three, "No, you can come with me though"

Burnetstar stood up, and Icespark watched him with almond shaped blue eyes.

"No. You can come with me, though." The faint tabby stripes and spots that marked her pale coat ripples as she stood as well, and followed him down the hill and towards the nursery. The nursery was by far the coziest den, built in the shelter of a fallen pine. Though, Burnetstar noticed, it was quite crowded with all of the cats in it. As it was sunhigh and they were at the end of just-barely-warm weather, the kits were outside playing a game. When he and Icespark neared, he noticed they were playing their current favorite: reenacting Burnetstar's Coming to Power.

Feathertuft's four kits dominated the nursery, Poppykit being the largest and loudest of them. The black and white she-kit was apparently playing the part of Burnetstar, as she towered over one of Eveningwater's kits. The dark gray Sootkit was much, much smaller than Poppykit, being a merge smudge of fluff at her paws.

"Sootkit, you can't talk anymore; you're dead! I killed you!" She growled impatiently under her breath.

"But I don't want to be Beetlestar. I'm always Beetlestar." He complained, rolling from his side onto his stomach.

"That's because you look the part!" She replied. "Now, Rosekit, say your line!" She commanded. Burnetstar sat down from the distance, watching with interest. Rosekit, Eveningwater's other son, dispassionately sighed and lolled his head to the side.

"I won't stand for your actions," the cream and white tabby recited monotonously. Poppykit didn't seem to notice the lackluster performance, as she jumped away from Sootkit to play fight Rosekit. The tom didn't put up a fight at all, not finding the game quite fun, as he most likely was forced into the role.

"I'm the leader now, I'm Burnetstar! So you'll just have to get over any complaints!" Poppykit grinned. Her brother Rookkit and sister Archkit came in at this point, tackling her playfully. She let out a purr of happiness, and fought back.

"I don't remember this part happening? Have the elders started stretching the truth of what happened already?" Burnetstar rumbled, standing and approaching. The kits all separated immediately, sitting sharply with smiles.

"Good afternoon, Burnetstar! Good afternoon, Icespark!" They chirped. He had specifically ordered that the kits would greet him and his Council with respect. He glared down at Sootkit, who still had a stormy expression from being forced to be Beetlestar.

"Sootkit?" He prompted sharply, green eyes narrowed down on the tom. He looked up with golden eyes before realizing his mistake. He hastily lower to the ground in a bow, quickly meowing an apology.

"Sorry, Burnetstar. Good afternoon, Burnetstar, good afternoon Icespark." His gaze was on the ground, but he tentatively looked up. After receiving a slight nod, he sat back up to be at attention with the others.

"Good afternoon, kits. Poppykit, where's your mother?" He prompted the black and white she-kit. While she was growing into a sleeker coat, kit-fluff still touched her ears, and her deep amber eyes were still large on her face.

"Feathertuft is in the den with Spottedkit," she reported brightly. Poppykit is more than ready to be apprenticed. She has the energy and loyalty that are perfectly suited for spreading my control over her peers.

"Thank you. You may return to your games," with Icespark at his flank, they enter the nursery. The den was dim, the only light source being the entrance. Tigerslash lay near the enterence, belly swollen with Pantherstrike's unborn kits. True to Poppykit's word, Feathertuft lay with her tortoiseshell daughter, Spottedkit bear the back of the den.

Icespark sat neatly, but Burnetstar did not. His Advisor's blue gaze seemed a bit more dulled than usual. She seemed... distracted as she watched the queen before them. Feathertuft was carefully grooming her quiet daughter, but stopped at the company.

"Burnetstar, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She purred. Then, softer she chastised, "Spottedkit, don't forget your greeting." The black and ginger she-kit untangled herself from her mother, and sat up straight.

"Good afternoon, Burnetstar, Icespark." She meowed quietly with her head bowed.

Burnetstar accepted the greeting with a nod.

"Go join your siblings outside," he commanded in a light tone. She scampered out without argument.

Feathertuft sat up.

"I think I already know what you're here for," she meowed grimly. Burnetstar nodded. Icespark watched.

"Your kits are big enough and ready to become apprentices." She nodded, her face tight.

"Can't we just wait until they're at least six moons— it's not too much longer...!"

Before Burnetstar could speak, Icespark did.

"No. Burnetstar's made a decision, so it will be followed. You've had over five moons to dote and raise them, now it's time for them to serve the clan. You're lucky they weren't taken sooner." Her gaze was still a bit distracted, but at the same time they seemed colder than ever. Burnetstar blinked. I'll have to talk to her later....

Feathertuft looked to Burnetstar desperately.

>> Give her some sort of consolation as you tell her they'll be apprenticed today.

>> "I told and Icespark told you. It's happening, and it's happening today."

>> "We'll wait until tomorrow to do it."

//
an
woah a consistent update?? So unlike me.