String Theocracy [Priv Needlesong& and Foxlily]

Foxlily's head darted up from the herbs she'd been sorting. As she listened to Needlesong, they tucked the sorted herbs away to be stored for later. “I don't mind at all!,” she chirped, shaking out her pelt as she stood. She approached, gesturing vaguely at the herbs with her muzzle. “I think I need a break from that, anyway. Even medicine cats get dizzy keeping their noses in herbs for too long.”

With their traditional nervous smile, they tilted their head. “Lead the way, I'm ready when you are. What's on the mind?”

She felt a coldness when he mentioned that he might actually end up leader one day - she knew he was right, of course, but thinking of the implications was harsh. As he continued speaking, though, it was easier for them to get an idea of why he wanted to talk to them. Multiple souls... She wasn't sure she was more equipped to answer, but they'd already made up their mind to help him.

“Well, from what I understand of how the lives impact leaders - which is limited, admittedly - I think... the traits of the lives given would be bestowed upon the deputy's soul - you, in this case - but the effect of StarClan's healing is applicable to your body itself. In theory, you should come out of it as unchanged as leaders with only one soul in their body,” she pondered aloud. “Though, it's hard to say how StarClan will ever approach things.”

They added in a murmur, “they're rarely clear.”

“I don't think you have.” In truth, she wasn't sure she'd ever thought to wonder about it. They, too, offered the seemingly starless sky a quick look. The concepts at play were dismaying, and she opted to refocus her attention to Needlesong. “I wish it were as simple as just asking StarClan, but they don't always answer even medicine cats. Next time I do speak to a StarClan cat, though, I'll try - I can't guarantee they'll give me anything concrete, though.” It was never easy to answer questions about StarClan - all the answers they'd offered the living were typically cryptic in nature.

Not a particularly helpful bunch.

“Well, kittypet souls don't go to StarClan, but they must be up there somewhere - so, maybe the souls of non-cats are up there somewhere, too. It doesn't seem impossible that they might cross paths.”

They giggled, working within the limitations of their knowledge to imagine the scene. “Even though I don't know what it looks like, I can picture how spectacular that would be to witness,” she mused. Solemnly, they added, “obviously, I'd like for you to live as long as you can.”

With a hum, she thought again - that moment would only be earned if StarClan opened their borders to them all. “Maybe you don't know much about StarClan, but I want to hear your opinion on this - if a non-cat were to partake in a Clan as much as any of the rest of us, honored as a Clanmate in their own right, wouldn't they have the right to enter StarClan if they so chose? The only difference between, say, Badgerthistle and a loner who fights valiantly for their family or group is the title of Clan and the reverence of Clan cats before us." She rolled her eyes warily.

“Well... most Clan cats have reverence for them. In any case, we wouldn't expect the valiant and loyal loner to be in StarClan, but a fate among the stars is anticipated for Badgerthistle. So, do they have to be a cat?”

They nodded. “On that we agree, though I'm not wholly convinced non-Clan cats aren't somewhere up there, out of the reaches of StarClan.” While not what she intended, her own wording made her pause. “That might be nicer, if I'm being honest. StarClan often seems to me like it'd be frustrating, if not stressful, despite the reputation Clan cats have given it for being the ultimate honor - the ultimate peace.”

They shook their head with a chuckle. “Oh, sorry, I suppose I'm biased. Interpreting StarClan's signs has always been one of the more difficult tasks for a medicine cat. You're right, though, everyone deserves peace. The intrinsic value of life is even highlighted in the Warrior Code, despite recent events.” Foxlily sighed softly before straightening up quickly, eyes wide with an internal surprise. “Did you have any other questions, though? I didn't mean to distract from your initial purpose.”