Timberwolf had always held himself to a certain standard — it had been expected of him, after all, being a former leader’s only child. Most had expected far more out of the old tom, but he felt accomplished in his life. He had seen so much, done so much that, in truth, Timberwolf felt it was a life well lived. He had earned his position as a clan elder, one of the few that had made it so far as ‘retirement.’

While some might say he’d been metaphorically put out to pasture… Timberwolf knew that that wasn’t the case — not exactly, anyway.

As his gaze came to settle on one of the cats that had succeeded his father, the old tom’s ears and whiskers twitched just a little. It was always a pleasure to speak with Morningstar, although they didn’t speak as often as he and other clanmates did. But she was busy, and he could not fault her for not holding many close friendships. The she-cat dipped her head in greeting. Timberwolf returned the gesture before a pleased look crossed his graying features.

“Afternoon Timberwolf. I haven’t had a chance to check in and see how you’ve been as of late,” Morningstar said. A small rumble of a purr touched his voice for a moment before Timberwolf spoke in his own deep baritone.

“It’s quite alright, Morningstar,” the old tom stated. “I know things are quite busy for you. I don’t expect you to have much time for idle chit-chats. How have you been? Not working too terribly hard for too long, I hope.” And it was true; he had seen the toll that had been taken on his father with the weight of leadership. He doubted it was much different from the young leader herself. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, after all.

Timberwolf, at this point in his life, had accepted that nothing in life was perfect. ‘Perfection’ was something that was not achievable. The best that a cat could do, Timberwolf thought, was to do the best that they could do. To be their own definition of ‘good’ and fighting the ‘good fight,’ so to say. But, perhaps that was merely the meanderings of a tomcat a little past his prime.

"I always have time to chit-chat with my dear clanmates, yourself especially Timberwolf." Morningstar said. Timberwolf chuckled a little, a borderline wheeze of a sound.

“Well, I’m always happy for a chit-chat,” he said. In truth, he loved any interaction that he could get. He was somewhat sociable by nature, and not being out and about on patrols and hunting groups every day lessened the amount that he could communicate with others. He felt left behind at times, but he knew that he had earned his position within the Elder’s den.

"I have been busy, but I will do my part to pull my weight in the clan, no one gets an easy ride. We need all paws helping, and I refuse to sit idly by and watch others work, not when I am capable of assisting." Timberwolf could see the pride touching the younger cat. ‘To be young and so full of pride,’ he thought to himself. He had been much the same. Perhaps he still was at times… rather, he knew he was.

“That is very true,” he said. “But, pulling your weight looks different as a leader. Your duties are a tad different than the average warrior’s are. I’m not saying don’t help out, Morningstar. All I’m saying is don’t run yourself into the ground. It’s hard to recover from that, when things don’t stop coming.” He did his best to offer advice when he could, especially when he could see that others could probably use it — even if they didn’t always want it.

Timberwolf had to accept that he could not ‘save’ the she-cat from herself and that she would do just as she pleased despite his advice. A small twitch of his whiskers, a small smile at the thought. ‘Ah, to be young. I cannot say that I was not the very same,’ he thought to himself. He’d, in his younger moons, felt that he had a lot to live up to, big pawprints to fill in being Orchidstar’s — only — son.

“You don’t want to rest?” Morningstar gasped, a jokester’s expression touching her features as she looked at Timberwolf. He gave a quiet chuckle, a sound that slowly grew to be more of a wheeze the older he got. A twinkle, however, touched his eyes with a youthful glimmer that could not be dulled, no matter how age touched his own features. “Oh how could that be?”

“Hey, when you get to be my age, sometimes you get too much rest,” he borderline purred.

“If it is not rest you desire, Timberwolf — tell me what it is you want to do. There is no reason you can’t still enjoy yourself after all,” Morningstar said. Timberwolf grew thoughtful for a moment.

“Honestly, I always enjoy a walk around the territory,” Timberwolf said in earnest. “Perhaps I could try these old bones at catching something once again. See if my claws are still sharp enough.” He couldn’t help but chuckle a little at his own statement.

Timberwolf knew he was free to come and go as he pleased within the camp — but it was hard to not feel confined when many insisted that he have someone with him at his age. Usually, in those moments he simply dropped the subject, not wishing to make them feel bad for their genuine concern for his safety. But, he also felt like telling them that it was only his bones that grew old — his mind still remembered everything he had learned and done in his younger days with sometimes startling clarity.

Timberlwolf, well, a younger Timberwolf that is, would have once agreed with the sentiment of going out in a blaze of glory being better than being put out to pasture, so to say. But now… he realized that ther was some small use in being an elder. Some came to him for advice, and he could help around camp when his old bones weren’t quite so sore. He felt he still had use to some degree, although it wasn’t nearly as fulfilling as his purpose had been when he was a warrior. But, Timberwolf knew most of those things he could no longer do, the strain on his aged joints too much.

We'll I am sure Seedbloom wouldn't be upset at hearing you getting out to stretch and get some fresh air. Besides I approved it, so worst case she can chew my ears off for it." The leader said. Timberwolf let out a small sound of amusement, a happy twitch touching his whiskers.

Would you do me the pleasure and lead the way, Timberwolf?" Timberwolf stood, with some pride to his moments. He dipped his head slightly before beginning to walk towards the camp enterance. He walked with his chest puffed out a little, and his head and tail held high. He was having a moment of feeling good, feeling as if he were swirling with some pride.