ReedxRowan [one step at a time]

[Pyro]

Reedfoot nodded. What Rowanheart said made sense. They had to approacch this matter very carefully. One wrong word or move and Otterclaw would quickly catch wind of the conspiracy between them against him. Then he'd be even more reluctant to believe in StarClan...If that was even possible.

So how could they do this? Did they have the time for Rowanheart to become Otterclaw's friend and get to him that way? Probably not. The more time Otterclaw had to brood over StarClan's existence with his own ideals about them, the farther into the pit he'd fall. Perhaps a third cat was needed, a sort of buffer zone to soften Otterclaw before Rowanheart spoke to him about his dream. But who could fill that role?

Perhaps...perhaps she did need Mistpelt's help after all. But direct help from her might set Otterclaw off...or would it? "You don't do you? ...But what if Mistpelt sent you two on a patrol together or something? You'd have plenty of time to talk and StarClan, may they bless out clan soon, could gradually come into the conversation? It'd probably be better than just going with him seemingly on your own accord like I suggested before because it wouldn't look suspicious."

Yes...the situation must be approached gradually. That was the only way. It was slow yes, but it was the only way that would work for her brother.

[Whiskers]

Yes...if they were ordered to go on a patrol together, Otterclaw wouldn't suspect a thing. And then, well, it would be up to him to convince the poor lost soul of Starclan's existence. Rowanheart was struck with a bout of nervousness. What if he couldn't convince him? He couldn't be responsible for another wretched life! He was already failing Finchpaw fast-- no, no, not failing, he couldn't fail him-- and Frostpaw was so long gone that she was impossible to reach. If he couldn't bring Otterclaw to the light, what kind of servant of Starclan would he be?

A terrible one. He needed a win, he really did. He couldn't stand to just fail his dear friend, Reedfoot, but he would be failing himself.

"That sounds like a great plan..." Rowanheart murmured to the she-cat, as he tried to shake his voice free of his anxiety. "I'm sure Mistpelt will respond positively to it as well. And once your brother and I become friends, then we can go on more patrols together out of choice, rather than necessity."

At least he was looking forward to speaking to Otterclaw. It was an opportunity to make another friend, and as sad as it was, Rowanheart really was a lonely tom and he did want more friends. He should be satisfied with just the company of Starclan, true...but he was not Mistpelt, and so he couldn't look past those silly desires like she could.

"I really hope this works," Rowanheart sighed. Please, please let it work.

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