"NO WAY IN THE SUN GOD AM I BEING MATES WITH A TOM!" Brilliantbeacon immediately shouted, glaring at the tom Bloodystar chose as her mate. "KEEP SHADOWKING THE HELL AWAY FROM ME." The she-cat was downright seething, and her claws were extended. She would rather go back to prison, to be perfectly honest, than have anything to do with the tom.

Shadowking turned to look at Brilliantbeacon, his mouth curved down slightly at her outburst, it wasnt what he had expected but to be honest he didn't care much. He had only his best intrest in mind, though it seemed the she-cat was going to make things quite difficult. The solid black tom didn't move a paw towards her either, it would be dumb to jump into the fire. "Its quite rude to talk about someone as if they aren't right here." He commented flatly. Honeystorm

Pollendrones eyes grew wide at the announcement of marriage and the fact that her own name had been said in the mix of it all, her head turned sharply towards Lionpride and her ears slid back slightly against her head. She liked the tom, but to be placed into an arranged marriage was a little much considering she didn't truly know him. Getting to her paws she once again walked toward the tom with a bit of a frown and an apologetic look in her eyes. "I didn't know..." it was all she could say before her throat tightened.  racer

"This can't be real... there's no way..." Sunnysmiles muttered to herself as Bloodystar went on. Ghazen, a tom she had only seen in passing, an initiate that could be her dad, was now about to be her husband. It was unreal, like she was stuck in some story her mother used to tell her. But no matter how much she pinched herself or closed her eyes, she never woke up. This was the reality she had. And her stomach sank as tears stung her eyes. "We can't keep anything... not even our hearts..." Her siblings and other family freaked out beside her, but she could barely find the words to comfort herself, let alone them.

Arcticsong walked over to Wolfconstellation, her paw immediately shooting up to his jawline as she twisted his head to turn to the left than to the right, "Hmmm..." She said as though observing something. She pulled up his lip, "Good teeth." She stepped back from him, "Mine is small, can I exchange him?" She asked, even though she was just as small as Wolfconstellation. "You don't seem very loyal either... Always sitting on the sidelines and not helping the clan." She said thoughtfully. This tom looked like he would be quite the project and although she was an exemplary mate for this tom, she wasn't sure if someone of her status should have to put up with such a lazy little tom.

Dancingpaw couldn’t believe what she was hearing. An arranged marriage so suddenly, involving herself and a prisoner? Had she done something wrong to deserve such a punishment? Amber eyes, wide and confused, searched the crowd until she finally found Earthpaw. She’d never spoken to the apprentice before. In fact, she’d been slightly intimidated by him, but now they were engaged. In the moments she spent staring at the tom, Bloodystar finished his list of soon-to-be couples and the blue fire above Earthpaw’s head flickered away. “What?” she exclaimed in a breathless whisper. Blinking rapidly in surprise, Dancingpaw finally understood. This was not a punishment at all but a reward. Bloodystar’s interpretation must have been in line with what the Sun God would have wanted and she was so blessed to play a role in it. Casting a shy smile across the clearing to Earthpaw, the she-cat hoped he was just as excited as she was.

"What's up, wife?" Strolling toward Goldengrace with a ridiculous grin, Festeringfruit was actually in a good mood for once. He had been enjoying Bloodystar's reign quite a bit and this was only more delightful. He couldn't care less about Goldengrace herself, they had only spoken in passing if ever, and he couldn't say he was interested in her at all. But she was his mate now, and he was certainly going to take bask in his new power over her. "Why don't you go grab us something to eat?"

Against her better judgement, Silverfringe had decided to stay despite the blue flame that had been hovering over her since her sisters wedding. She stood side by side with Sorrowfularia refusing to be torn from his side as the cats with the flames were ushered forward to the front of the crowd. It was clear who the flames were hovering over, it was her siblings and her nephew. What ever it was couldn't be good. But what came next wasn't exactly what she had been expecting... marriage?How in the Sun God's name had he come up with that insane theory? I mean at least she was paired with a cat that she had already fallen for and was going to have kits with, but her heart sank for her siblings... Perhaps if they volunteered to go ahead with the marriage, than it would give them some time. She gently licked Sorrowfularia on the cheek "Suppose we have to settle on a date now hmmm" she teased, despite the seriousness of the situation Honeystorm

He couldn't help it, he immediately searched the crowd for Shadeflower. The hurt expression on her face made his heat sink. He wanted to run to her, to tell her that he hadn't asked for this. But before he could act he saw  Pollendrone coming his was. Lionpride gave Pollendrone an apologetic smile as she approached, leaning in so that only she could hear "I know... and I'm sorry for what I am about to do. It might make things difficult for you" he straightened up gazing back up and Bloodystar with fury in his eyes. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with Pollendrone. She seemed like a nice enough cat, but his heart wasn't set on her... it belonged to another. Standing up tall his voice boomed out over the crowd, an unusual affair for the normally soft spoken tom "BLOODYRONDO" he called out the new High Priest, refusing to acknowledge his new title. When he spoke his voice was strong and steady, loud enough for everyone to hear but it as calm and collected "You say that these flames are a omen from the Sun God to see us married, but the Sun God is dead" he walked forward until he stood at the front of the crowd, cats parting before him left and right "Everyone here witnessed his death, so we shouldn't we ask who it is that really sent these flames?" he didn't have to succeed in changing everyone's mind, all he needed to do was plant the seeds of doubt in their minds "It seems awfully convenient that they only sought out the children and grand children of Littlestar, don't you think?" he mused never looking away from Bloody "First you humiliated my mother while she was to injured to defend herself, then you FORCE my sister into marrying you to rub salt in Littlestar's wounds, and now you seek out to marry off the rest of her children to keep us under your control" he could already see cats moving in to stop him from speaking "Hey is just me or are you seeing a pattern here? Honestly I get it. After Satinlights died you had nothing else to live for, I went through the same thing when Aconite passed away. You are grieving, but if Satinlights could see what you have become. What you have done to her family she would be ashamed of you"  Phantom Nova Jadie

"Uhh..." Having grown up in the care of Caramelcream, Wolfconstellation was used to being poked and prodded out of nowhere, so he took Arcticsong's sudden inspection better than most. He didn't pull away, opened his mouth wider when she shoved her paw it in, and only shivered slightly when she brushed his fur the wrong way, "Me and Singedwolf get mixed up all the time, ya know, that cuz we're both wolfs. I bet you're supposed to be with him.... haha... ha... silly Bloodystar."

At one point in Wolfconstellation's life, he had had big ambitions of being High Priest someday; however, when he saw how much that cost, he had decided against it. Avoided commitments, kept expectations low. He wanted to be that guy who no one asked for help but also didn't cause any drama. A chill life. That kind of life was not compatible with Arcticsong. So, this just couldn't be right. Right? Right. Deny it long enough and it'll go away.

"Yeah this is totally a mistake."



"Most of the chosen cats were in prison for their crimes, but through the Sun God's forgiveness they have been given a free second chance at life. Even though their mother murdered him. Even though they turned their back on their Clan in favor of a traitor. He still allowed them a second chance," Bloodystar meowed loudly, cutting through the murmuring crowd as they reacted to his mate assignments. He narrowed his eyes on Brilliantbeacon, who had the most visceral reaction, as he added, "Do not waste it."

He was content with the speech. Keep it short and sweet, then get some rest, the day had been exhausting and Bloodystar had a lot of his mind, namely Nikkohydrangea. He'd thought that tom had been bluffing at the Ceremony Springs, but his friend really hadn't returned to camp... had he really left the Clan...?

"You say that these flames are a omen from the Sun God to see us married, but the Sun God is dead"

Lionpride's roar rose above the crowd, fearsome and commanding as the king of beasts he was named after. Bloodystar held his breath so he wouldn't scream right back at him. No, he must keep his composure, as High Priest he couldn't let petty topics such as these to get to him. But he had to react. The question had been posed and if he didn't offer an explanation dissent would spread faster than fire.

"If the Sun God is truly dead, then how do you explain the warmth of the sandstone beneath your paws? The light the nearly blinded you when you left your prison? Or the burning fire not just above your head moments ago, but the one that graces the skies above, day after day? He may have lost his voice and his form, but the Sun God is very much alive. As the High Priest, I am closest to him of all, and am more then qualified to interpret his holy messages," Bloodystar answered, descending the cliffside path to join his clanmates, "I am not a soothsayer. I do not know why the flames chose Littlecrow's kin. However, I am confident in my interpretation."

Bloodystar fell silent for a few tense moments as he closed to space between himself and Lionpride. The massive tom was surrounded by loyalists but High Priest waved them away and started the giant down with cold fire in his eyes, one on one, "I humiliated your mother? No, she humiliated herself when she accepted the Moon Goddess's unholy strength and ripped out her God's still-beating heart. I forced Jetfire to marry me? Whoever told you this did you a disservice, ask anyone who attended the wedding, if your sister did not want to marry me she had ample opportunities to leave, but she did not. You think I would go through all of this just to wound your mother's pride? She did that all on her own!"

His voice rose until he was nearly shouting, no cat in the Clan would have missed a word. When he spoke next, however, his voice was greatly hushed, but still carried.

"My life has always belonged to the Sun God. Likewise, my ambition has always been to bring him honor and glory. You and your mother both actively defy that fact... but Satinlights never did. If she could see me now, I have no doubt that she would be cheering me on."

He took another step forward. Should Lionpride strike him now, the young High Priest would not be able to dodge.

"The one she would be ashamed of, brother, is you."

"The sun's still in the sky, mousebrain." A voice yelled out, but was indistinguishable as to exactly where. It was a little talent he had. Romulus Fauna, or Fawnpaw now, had to get something out of this. And with his wounds healing and his siblings here, this was as good of an opportunity as any. For all the eyes that looked for the voice, he slid through the crowd with ease.

~~~

"And let's suppose this is true." Sunnysmiles couldn't sit back, emotions tempered briefly as she walked up to stand next to Lionpride and Brilliantbeacon. "You said earlier that you were the one who chose our mates, correct? If setting up Brilliantbeacon with a tom she clearly doesn't want isn't smearing our name, I don't know what it is. Satinlights would be disgusted by your actions." She spoke softly, but there was a deadly seriousness in her eyes. One like the sun itself.