"Ah... S-Sunhaven, gather over here please!"

The call rings through the air, crisp and clear in the ever-dimming light of the sunset.  Another week passes them by, each day whirling beyond him like leaves caught in the ever-rushing stream of time.  Each time he jumps up here and sits down and waits, lost in his thoughts, and awaits the arrival of his clanmates, he's shocked by just how quickly meeting time has come once more.  With pricked ears and tail nestled over his paws he listens to the shuffling of pawsteps and murmur of voices until they begin to die down and the tabby clears his throat lightly.  He's been dreading having to say this for so long, but closes his eyes for a brief moment and decides to just jump in.

"This... uh, th-this might be a surprise to some — or not, I... don't really know — but I've decided to step down from leader."  The words hang in the air, damp and heavy like a cloud.  Jericho feels a knot in his stomach — is he letting them down, doing this so soon?  Sunhaven is still relatively new and they still haven't fully grown into their skin, but Jericho knows that he can't be the one to get them there anymore.  Does he seem a coward, running from his responsibility?  Will they look down on him?  Maybe he deserves it, and yet this is the only thing he can think of to do without somehow hurting them more.  His honey-hued eyes blindly flicker until the lower to the fountain below, paws shuffling and rubbing anxiously at the coarse concrete.  He swallows shakily.  "I-I've had a great time as your Helion, really, and I will always love this place and want to continue to help it grow, but I-I'm not the right person for the job.  I'm... ah, I-I've never been much of a leader type."  The last sentence is admitted with a sheepish smile, still shy and embarrassed but rather making light of himself and the situation.  Jericho knows it — they all do.  He's a gardener, a medic, anything but a leader.  Even after all of this, he can't come to think of himself that way.  "I came into this position... ah, b-by necessity, really, not out of merit, and right now I think... I think we need someone who really deserves it in charge." 

The ginger tabby hesitates, shifting anxiously and trying to gauge for a reaction as he slowly continues, "That's why I'd like Quantum to step up in my place.  I... I know she has the energy and drive Sunhaven needs."  The words he speaks are true; though Quantum can be reckless, she's determined and bold and he hopes she'll bring with her a breath of fresh air.  As soon as he speaks the tigress's name it feels like a ten-ton weight is lifted off of his shoulders, like he can finally breathe after holding his breath underwater.  There's still a ball of uncertainty that sits in his gut, anxieties over what his clanmates will think of him, but for now the responsibility itself has been lifted and bestowed upon another and he's suddenly at ease.  The blind Sunbearer smiles weakly; he's meek and hesitant but warm as ever, eyes soft but kind like the setting sun's rays.  "R-Really, ah, thank you all for giving me this opportunity.  I'm sorry it ended so soon, but I don't regret any of it.  And I know Quantum will do fantastic."

With that he rises unsteadily to his white paws and leaps down with gentle grace from the fountain's lip onto the cool wood of the boardwalk.  He doesn't belong up there anymore, he's meant to be down here in the crowd with the others where he now slowly takes his seat.  It's a passing of a torch, a new era, and in spite of everything Jericho will remain to see where it takes him.

OOC: Hey y'all!  I'm sure you can read the title, and though Sunhaven hasn't been around long I think those who know me will have seen this coming.  I love this place a whole heck of a lot and didn't quite get to do everything I wanted, but I've got a ton of stuff on my plate irl and just can't be around as much as I know y'all need me to be, and though I want to continue to help make this place better I'm still a casual roleplayer at heart and I don't want my activity to hurt the clan as a whole.  I'm not planning on leaving or anything (you'll see me and Jeri around some!), but I'm passing on leadership to Axiom/Quantum.  Thank you all for letting me lead even if it was just for a little while, you're a fantastic community and I know Axi will do great! <3

I didn't want to make any announcements, changes, or promotions/demotions because I knew I wouldn't be in charge this coming week, so I'm leaving the floor open for Axi to take over with stuff if they'd like.