- STAGHEART-

BERRYSHINE - "I'm real proud to see how she's grown. Thinkin' 'bout how I found her, as a helpless lil' thing in that bush all them moons ago... if I'm honest, I were a bit nervous that she weren't gonna make it too far in the Clan with how fearful she was. But it seems StarClan's plans are far wiser than I, and led her right where she needs to be. Her dotin' heart can make 'er a bit naive, but really, it's that which makes 'er special as a medicine cat. She ain't got much time for me no more with her duties, a far cry from the clingy lil' thing that stuck to my paws whenever I was near. But I hope she knows I'm there for 'er, even if the Dark Forest were to swallow us whole. I'll protect her wit' my life."

WILLOWTAIL - "I hadn't meant to take on another helpless lil' thing, but Willowtail was dropped right in my paws. As my 'pprentice, she were a fiery 'n excited thing. As she's grown, she's become a lot calmer 'n wiser, which has been nice to see. The kid's been through a lot. Losin' a mother like that, on top of what the Clan went through... then her brother, her mate, 'n some of her kits. Tragedy follows 'er. I just hope I can give 'er some solace by lettin' her know she's got someone watchin' her back. It's nice to see how close she 'n Berry have gotten — I think it's good for both of 'em. 'Sides, I don't always get she-cats, so... at least they can talk about whatever it is they do."

DAISYPAW - "Sorta adopted this one, too, when Brightnight died durin' the raid. Poor kit was the only of her litter, 'n had no parents. Willowtail was just a 'paw at the time, so I guess I was the only one really there to look after 'em. 'Specially since that fox-heart in WindClan that's their 'father' is.... well, I have choice words for 'im. Still, this one's got Willow's spunk 'n drive, though her condition makes her vulnerable. I'm real glad Stormstar never sent 'er to the Twolegs, though I would've understand if she had. She's done real good as a Caretaker in the Clan, 'n I think bein' with family's good for her. She's a gem, 'n I'll try to keep 'er safe, too."

[ CLASSIFIED ] - "Er, well, uh... she's... a real fine lady. Pretty, too. Kind, carin', soft-spoken... hardly thought much 'bout her till that one dream. Then, well... ah... she... she's sorta special, in a way. Can't seem to get 'er off my mind. It's nice, talkin' to her... she ain't like anyone I ever met. But I know it can't go on too much longer; I'm treadin' in some choppy waters here. If I find myself much deeper in this, I guess I'll play the fool all over again."

OWLSTAR - "She's a goodin', 'n I think Stormstar did real good in choosin' her. We ain't talk too much personally, but I think she knows she can rely on me, 'n it's good to feel. She's about my age, 'n it hurts my mind to think of havin' to lead a whole Clan, 'specially after all we've gone through recently. But she's reasonable, fair, 'n got my support — 'n I'd follow her lead anywhere. Tough as stone, too. Did ya see her against those otters!?"

STARRYPAW - "Good kid, tough circumstances. She ain't RiverClan by blood, but she sure swims 'n fishes as if she were born in our nursery. Berry told me a bit about 'er problem with the whole... blood thing. I ain't mention it, 'cause I don't want it to get to 'her head. She's strong beside it, 'n I think she's got real potential. Ain't seem like she got many others by her side, so I'll do what I can."

WEEPINGPAW † - "Poor kid didn't deserve what happened to 'im. He was strugglin' there for awhile, but I really coulda seen 'im becomin' a good warrior someday. He was 'bout gettin' as tall as me, too. I know his death hit the girls hard, losin' a brother... he didn't need me as much as Willow 'n Daisy did, but he still seemed to 'ppreciate me bein' like a father to 'em. Berry blames herself for it, I know she does. I hope she don't still carry that around. Weepin'paw's probably doin' much better up there than down here, but I'll miss 'im."

STORMSTAR † - "Y'know... I always respected her, 'n her wit' me. Even if I were never a Lionheart (gotta keep them faces young 'n fresh, no doubt), she'd still come to me at times 'n ask for help 'n advice. I think she knew I'd do just 'bout whatever she asked. Her loss was... a rough one, for us. 'Specially since she was finally bringin' around that stability we were hopin' for. But I still think she did wonders, despite her past mistakes, and I woulda followed her till the end. Hope she's findin' some good, well-earned rest up there — her time were too soon, if y'ask me, but I'm happy wit' how Owlstar's leadin' us. Anyway... feels like I lost a friend, inna way. Dunno if we could've called ourselves that, but it felt like it. Never quite got the nerve to return your nickname game, but, uh... I'll see ya around, Storms."

ORCHIDMOON [NPC] † - "I ain't one to admit that I was a mama's boy, but maybe I was. I dunno. My pa weren't really the role model type. Anyway, I don't remember too much 'bout her that ain't fuzzy, since she died all them moons ago... when I was just old enough to become a 'paw. But she was kind, 'n lovin', 'n... well, I just hope she's doin' alright up there. 'N that she ain't laughin' at me too much, watchin' me tryin' to play the game of being a 'father' to a buncha she-cats who just fell into my paws like a mouse-brain. Just hope I'm doin' alright, in her eyes."

SUNHEART - "He's another one I ain't talk to much, but I think he's a good kid. Listen, I know he ain't no kid, but he's so young 'n bright that he feels like a kit to me. Heh. Anyway, I think Owlstar's wise for choosin' 'im, too. He ain't rash or dumb, even if he's a bit awkward sometimes. But I ain't one to talk. I'd feel good with his leadin' pawsteps, if (StarClan forbid) somethin' were to happen to Owlstar. With a lil' more experience, I think he'd be ready."

WHISPERINGPAW - "Probably will be seein' more of this gal since Berry's made her the new medicine 'pprentice. She seems real sweet, 'n right along with Berryshine's values to the Clan. I know she misses Cobwebstorm, but I think this'll be good for her. It gets lonely in that den of hers."

LIONHEARTS - "Y'know, they're a good bunch. I've liked all the picks, 'n think Owlstar 'n Sunheart are smart for makin' 'em. The team's been growin' pretty strong, 'n I look up to 'em as leadin' warriors. Even if they're all younger than this ol' guy, heh."

JAYFROST - "Always liked 'im as a warrior, was sad to see 'im go. But comin' back to the Clan was a real surprise. He's a lil' different now, though I ain't too sure why — Berry said it was some bad business with Twolegs, 'n left it at that. Them creatures are strange."

COBWEBSTORM - "Never spoke much to her myself, though I know how close she was with Berry. Real shame what happened to her, 'n only gives me more reason to not forgive ThunderClan for all they've done to us these past season cycles. Still, I'm hopin' she comes back one day — whether she was fit for the role or not, I ain't think she deserved what happened to 'er, nor for her to blame herself. Poor Berry's real torn up about it."

MIDNIGHTPAW - "Nice, quiet kid I took for some swimmin' trainin'. Ain't too much to say, 'cause he was good 'n listened, 'n caught on after awhile. I always grumble when the youth gotta come to some old cat like me for trainin' when their mentors should be doin' it. But I think he really 'ppreciated it, so I hope it was good. Look forward to seein' 'im become a warrior."

FRIGIDPAW - "Uh... this kid is a pawful, 'n a half. Talks in the third person 'n has enough energy to rival an entire nursery o' kits. But he's got the spirit, 'n is smarter than he seems — some of those ideas of his surprised me, I'll admit. If I can help wrangle 'im, I think he'll be a good one someday. Just, uh... if I can understand all his yappin'."

NIGHTSHADEPELT † - "A shame, this is. I only met the kid once, really, when Willowtail introduced 'im to me as her mate. Seemed like an alright guy, once I scared the fleas outta him. Heh. Just didn't want 'im messin' with Willow's heart. What happened to 'im was... well, I just know it's heavy on Willowtail, 'specially since she's carin' for his kits. They won't know their father till they meet 'im in StarClan. But they won't be without somebody lookin' out for 'em. Eh... guess that makes me a sorta grandfather? Is my muzzle grayer than usual today?"

WOLFHEART [NPC] † - "(sigh)... y'know, I wish I had more to say 'bout my Pa. He was as ruthless as he was smart, 'n as cold as he was skilled. Taught me how to fight 'n survive from the moment I could walk. Maybe I owe 'im for it, maybe I don't. Don't know if he really loved my mama, 'n there weren't much leftover for me. He was more shadow than cat. Still... part of me carries 'im, wherever I go. I didn't wanna go down the same path he did, 'n hope I've veered off enough. I still catch myself in that darkness sometimes, 'n his voice can haunt the shadows of my dreams. Sad to say it, but, well... when he went... it weren't soon enough for us."

WATERTAIL [WC] - "Y'know, I don't say this lightly, 'cause I've got plenty a list to make of dirt-faces out there. But this tom might just take one of the top spots. Had the 'pleasure' of runnin' into 'im at a Gatherin' after only hearin' about 'im from Willowtail. The fox-heart didn't even care 'bout her or her growin' family, 'n just about sneered in her face. One look I gave 'im had 'im shrinkin' in his fur. Don't know if he's dead or just smart enough to not show his face 'round me again, but whatever it is, he better just stay outta our fur. If he ever tries hurtin', talkin', or even lookin' at Willow too much again..."