"I see.  If there's something very urgent I will bring a kit here; they learn words more frequently."

"Huh, okay. Is that all you need for now?"

"Well - speaking of kits.  Mine are still in ThunderClan."

"I have absolutely no idea how child custody among cats works."

"There is not a standard way to resolve these sorts of cases."

"I don't think I have a comparative advantage at figuring it out and worry I'd unbalance something delicate or cause more problems than I solved if I tried, but I'm sorry that you aren't able to share a clan with your kits, that sounds like it really sucks."

"I was not trying to get you to fetch them for me.  But it seemed important context if you are to continue interacting with the Clans, that I do want them in ShadowClan if that's where they'd like to be, and I want the chance to make my case to them so their only knowledge isn't whatever their Clanmates are telling them about me.  I had intended to request this at the next Gathering."

"I'll keep it in mind."

"Thank you.  What other business . . . Bluestar still has moments of clarity.  Don't think I lied if you happen to catch her on a good day."

"How many consecutive moments of lucidity would you predict impossible?"

"I don't know.  On the one paw she was getting worse, but on the other if Fireheart is picking when you meet and leading the discussion he could keep it up a long time.  She wasn't at the last Gathering; Fireheart spoke in her stead and claimed she was recovering from having breathed smoke during a recent fire in ThunderClan.  Mainly she was just much more suspicious and less competent.  I don't know how obvious it would be for a - Twoleg, who didn't know her before."

"Well, I'll keep an eye on it. Do you think she knows she's declining, when she's more aware?"

"It's hard to say.  She certainly didn't discuss it with me if so."

"Fair enough. Anything else?"

"I believe not.  I'll escort you back to Fourtrees."  He starts walking, not quite in the direction they came from.

Cam picks up his violin and follows.

Fireheart is still waiting for them there.

"Hello again!"

"Hello.  How did it . . . go?" he asks, glancing at Tigerstar.

Tigerstar sits a bit off to the side from where Cam is standing.

"Fine. I gave him a computer like Princess's, do you guys want one too?"

"I don't know what you gave her."

"A thing to help her learn to read and write, which can also send me messages while I'm not right there."

"Alright."

"Where d'you want it?"