Ask to Join Elderly Banter

Like most days, Ebonyflare was perched on his usual spot outside the elders den. A small, fallen branch that let him watch the camp from just a little higher than most. Observing his clan was what he spent his days doing now. Just quietly watching, ready to intervene if ever needed. It was the only way he could stay an active member of RiverClan without getting in the way. If there ever came a day where he could no longer provide anything he would leave. It was a personal choice though, and not something he would expect of everyone. 

Surprisingly enough, Ebonyflare preferred the colder seasons. Newleaf made his lungs ten times worse, and the heat of Greenleaf felt like it tightened them up. Leafbare was a refreshing change from the warmer weather, the cool tones air soothing his airways rather than burning them. Though if it got too cold it was just as bad as the hot days, for the frost felt like fire.

As he inhaled, each breath almost sounded like it was rattling through his chest, but the air wasn't icy today. It was pleasant. Enough to not make him scowl. He could see Bloomfire near the warriors den, the lithe, showy she-cat sharpening her claws on the outside of the den. She took a moment to inspect each claw before sighing and going back to scratching. Lilyriver was next to him, doing the same observing he was but her gaze was trained on the nursery, muttering something which he heard. 'The quiet isn't so bad you know.' 

Someone who could bear kits themselves was bound to think different than one who could not. To Ebonyflare, the heartbeat was still very much there, living in on each cat, especially the younger ones. Merrypaw and her siblings brought the life RiverClan needed. He knew that to some though, the heartbeat was found elsewhere. 'We can agree do disagree then. I won't say that its not that I miss it, but to me, RiverClan feels just as complete as ever. Age means nothing, its the characters themselves that bring life.' 

Ebonyflare wasn't even that old, and neither was Lilyriver, but aging had come for them both, earlier than either had wanted. The dark ruddy tom was only approaching an age of retirement now. His sister was still a warrior but he had to step down early. Lilyriver could still be out, performing her duties if it weren't for her sight. Still, she wasn't exactly overly youthful either. He wasn't going to discourage her, but there were other options. 'We have many young, healthy she-cats in this clan. Perhaps you could start talking to them.' RiverClan did not have many options truthfully. Thornstrike, Cottonbright, Bloomfire and Ambersmudge, and the only cat from there he could see even considering having one right now would be Cottonbright. He knew what Lilyriver was talking about. She wanted to take this step herself, and frankly she wasn't a bad choice. Probably RiverClan's best candidate. Topics like this Ebonyflare didn't really talk about. Kittens were for others to deal with, not him so he wasn't too sure what to say to his fellow elder. 'If you do choose to, its an honourable decision. You have many choices too. Your safest options would be me, Boldstar, Goosesong or Coldgaze. With Boldstar having Otterwhisker's litter, I would say pick otherwise.' Ebonyflare had no worry over suggesting himself. He knew his bloodline, and where he stood in the clan. Lilyriver could take care of them herself too, meaning he wouldn't need to help.