Juncostar
shadowclan leader
Juncostar had known that if he'd brought Mercuryrose into the territories with the knowledge of what he was about to say, she never would've followed him. It would have been a fight in the center of the camp, and nothing would've been accomplished. As much as he was concerned about his own image within the Clan, he cared much more for his deputy's own. Juncostar could talk his way out of almost any doubts with quick wits and a well-timed joke, but unfortunately, the black and gold she-cat wouldn't be so lucky.
And so he'd dragged her into the forest under the pretense of a hunting trip. Some bonding, perhaps, without kits hanging around their paws. He'd made it very clear that Aspenpaw and Ravenclaw were to stay in camp, as this was the last thing he wanted either of them to witness. A spring in his step, the tom led the way down a path deeper into the forest. He was filling the time on their venture thus far with small talk, which was, admittedly, so far out of character that Mercuryrose must have known something was up. He was too wound up internally with mixing emotions that he didn't have the energy to try much harder to conceal it.
As they reached a small secluded section of the forest, the tom's expression suddenly fell, and he turned his amber eyes on his deputy. "Look," he pressed, breathing a heavy sigh as he braced himself for her wrath. "This whole mess with ThunderClan," he began, shuffling his paws in discomfort. "Mercuryrose, we gotta talk about this. And I want you to just hear me out, 'kay? It's kinda important." Settling on his haunches, he awaited any sign that the she-cat would let him speak before he'd begin.
Mercuryrose
Shadowclan Deputy
Her dark green gaze suddenly darkened when looking at the Shadowclan leader, Mercuryrose couldn’t help but clench her jaw at his words, his demands. “There is a difference between us, I know how to separate my emotions and duties.” The black and rose-gold molly said with an edge on her tone, attempting to keep her temper at bay. Juncostar was irritating her, she knew that he was simply trying to protect her.. But the leader wasn’t giving her a choice in what she wanted to do, instead making the choice for her. Mercuryrose had plenty of cats make choices for her, but often it led to unspeakable consequences.
“Snarlingbadger knows his rights as Ravenclaw’s father, just as I know my rights for my daughters in Thunderclan. No leader, deputy or even Peachblossom had say in.” Mercuryrose said, remembering the conversation between the biological parents. The other surrogate didn’t intend on bonding with the biological kits that she birthed with Snarlingbadger, but due to her bonding with both Peachblossom and Snarlingbadger, she wanted a relationship with them. Mercuryrose didn’t want to fight for any kind of custody of her two daughters in Thunderclan, she wasn’t going to take them away from a home they knew their whole lives. Ravenclaw didn’t want to leave Shadowclan either, being raised and grew up within the camp.
“My kits’ blood won’t be on my paws, as I don’t intend on attacking a patrol nor barging into camp like the Mutts did. They play dirty, I don’t.” Mercuryrose said, rather wanting to play by the rules instead of Hawkstar and his kin feeling entitlement. It wasn’t until her eyes widened slightly at Juncostar’s outburst, and his declaration of keeping Mercuryrose on the side. The Maine Coon was silent for a moment, feeling her heart was quietly breaking. It felt as if Juncostar didn’t believe or have trust in her nor her actions, as she had trusted him with her life. Without saying anything, Mercuryrose got up from her spot
“I had accepted the position of deputy because you said we would be equals and work together as a team…” Mercuryrose began, her dark green eyes narrowed slightly as she had a blank expression on her face. This conversation would certainly leave an impact on their relationship and friendship, how both of their interests and had both were found family of each other. “The fact that you are making a choice without me having a say in it, is unacceptable towards me.. So I hope you know what you’re doing, and it doesn’t have severe consequences”
With that, Mercuryrose didn’t have any other words but padded off in the direction of the camp. She didn’t have any intentions of speaking with him anytime soon.