goodbye halcyon days. [cedarxelk]

[Pyro]

Elkstep had returned from patrol in a fine mood. There was a certain simplicity to clan life that he found enjoyable, and the opportunity for actual friendships filled him with a kittish joy. It had been a while since he'd been able to talk amongst friends...And a while since he'd talked with Essie. He hadn't been able to chat with her for a bit, and she hadn't been around to invite to the patrol. Oh well. There were only so many places his ivory goddess could hide. A quick glance and a sniff told him he'd just missed her though, which was altogether dissapointing. Ah hell, another time then. The tom selected a bird from the freshkill pile and went to sit on the edge of camp with it. In his brief search for Essie, he'd noticed the odd looks he seemed to be getting from those present. Did he look ill or something? He certainly didn't feel ill. That of course, was subject to change. Cedarstar was fast approaching with a set and determined expression spreading across his face. Elkstep recognized that Look from the spare few times Essie's father had adopted it. Something was wrong. "Ho there, oh fearless leader. What seems to be the problem?" [bg=d6d5ae][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=3b5839][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] I dislike doing this, but I will not go back on my word, thought the long-furred leader as he padded resolutely toward the small brown tabby tom. Ever since the end of the meeting, doubts had been running rampant in his head. Not about his decisions - of those he was sure - but of the real reasons behind the pranks. Was it true that some cats believed him to be favoring former ForestClanners? He would simply ask Elkstep. No matter uncomfortable the idea might be, it was the only way to face the truth. "Elkstep." He began his tone gruff and formal. "The Clan has come to a consensus. Because of the foolish and irritating pranks you, Hawkheart, Shrewstorm, and Foxpaw have been playing, there is to be punishment. All of you are forbidden from going to Gatherings for the next two moons, and you and Foxpaw are to be separated for the next half-moon. He will clean the elders' den and Aldernose will have his assistance in herb collecting when he wishes. None of you will be sent on patrols together either. That is all." He wondered if he should simply leave, but dismissed the idea. It is cowardly. I promised myself that I would face the truth, so I will. Besides, what can he say to me? These punishments - not even really such, restrictions - are hardly painful. If he continues his idiotic shenanigans, I can take harsher measures, but he is an intelligent tom. He should understand why he needs to stop. "You may discuss the restrictions with me in private, if you wish. Otherwise, I trust that you understand the matter and we can leave it be."

[Pyro]

The cheer drained from Elkstep's face. "The clan what?" No. No, no, no, no. Okay, so maybe a few of the pranks had been a bit uncalled for, but it wasn't as if Elkstep was consistently a no good dirty trickster as Cedarstar was implying. Hell, before he came to MeadowClan, any cat would have laughed at the suggestion that Holliday was fond of childish pranks. Knocking heads and flying off the handle? Yes. But pranks? No. There had never been any cause, any reason to indulge in 'playing'. His father had made sure of that, and then later on, after he was rid of the bastard, his life had taken up the mantle of preventing kittish antics. So yes, he had admittedly been inclined to cut loose a bit in MeadowClan, especially after meeting Shrewstorm and the ever-argumentative Hawkheart. But now he was being punished for having fun? What the freaking hell. And what was more, he was getting his apprentice taken away. Okay, so even he had been surprised when Cedarstar had deigned to give him Foxpaw, and maybe his training methods were a bit unorthodox...And of course, his apprentice had a long way to go, he was pretty sure, before the young ginger could understand the true meaning behind most of the menial tasks Elkstep periodically sent him on. And maybe, just maybe, he should be focusing more on the bare basics of what warrior apprentices were taught instead of taking sidetracks into medicine cat territory and survivng-on-your-own-101...But to take Foxpaw away from him? And just because of a few stupid jokes? Elkstep remained where he was, the prey by his side left untouched. Of course, that didn't mean he didn't want to have words with Cedarstar. "Leave it be? You wish. You entrusted me with Foxpaw's instruction, and now you're taking him away?" Admittedly, his service to Aldernose would ultimately further Elkstep's goals of giving the tom a rounded knowledge, but that should have been his decision. It should have been his call to send Foxpaw off to work for a spell under Aldernose. Oh, and he couldn't go on patrol with his friends. For chrissake, they were all he had. He wasn't exactly friend-of-the-year material, and the fact that he had managed to make multiple friends in MeadowClan never ceased to bring him no small amount of joy. Cedarstar was going to take that away too? "You can't be serious." [bg=d6d5ae][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=3b5839][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] "No, Elkstep. You will be separated for a half-moon, no more, unless either of you violates your restrictions, in which case it will be extended to a full moon and other punishments may be added. After this time you will train together as usual. Yes, I did entrust you with Foxpaw because you are experienced, and overall you have done well with him, despite your somewhat unusual methods. However, I believe a short period of isolation will do the both of you good and give you time to reflect upon your actions. Foxpaw will not be taken from you permanently." He should consider himself lucky, considering that there were a few who called for Foxpaw to be given to someone else. That would do more harm than good, however. The pair are accustomed to each other, and it is clear that Elkstep will not accept this easily in any case. He is strong willed, clearly used to being his own leader. Why, then, did he join MeadowClan? The question sprang unbidden from his own mind - he was almost startled at it. Yet he couldn't help but wonder what the small tom's life had been like before he'd become a warrior. Mexico, hadn't he been in some place called Mexico? Ah well. It hardly matters now. He chose to join the Clan, which means he chose to accept my authority. "I am serious, Elkstep. I understand that Clan life may be different from where you lived before, but this is part of it. You are a fine warrior, but you have also shown that you have little respect for the well-being of those who are not your friends. Slipping dung into prey, digging holes that cats trip into, soaking bedding...I am surprised at you and your companions. I am not asking you to like everyone in MeadowClan, but I am asking you to consider the consequences of your actions. Would you enjoy it if others did such things to you? Would you not demand that they face justice? Tell me." Cedarstar felt that he grew stronger as he spoke to Elkstep, staring him directly in the eyes. He felt sure that his arguments would make him realize the error of his ways. For whatever reason the pranks had started - attention seeking, petty vengeance, or simply foolish recklessness, or believing that I am biased - they must stop.

[Pyro]

"No, Cedarstar. I don't recall anyone ever telling me I wasn't allowed to cut loose every once in a while." Now he rose. "And I never put dung in prey." Consider his actions? Consider his actions? For that, he could just run back to daddy. It dawned on him that perhaps the pranks had been a bad idea. Looking back on them, some of the pranks had been childish at best. He was a grown cat. He should be more responsible. But then, when had Elkstep ever been responsible for more than two seconds? Essie would probably be glad to vouch for his character-dubiousness. However, didn't everyone deserve the chance to have a little fun every once in a while? It wasn't as if he didn't do his part for the clan: he hunted, if needed he'd defend it, at at current he was training one of their own to do the same. "I may have a bit more humor in me than some others. I certainly wouldn't be blowing a goddamned gasket over it." the small tom muttered under his breath. Louder, he said "I'm not going to let you send my apprentice off to be the doc's fetch-and-carry boy. If you insist on uprooting him, then at the very least he should learn a damn thing or two besides 'don't upset the god-almighty leader of the clan and a few windbags. I want Aldernose to treat him like a medicine cat apprentice. I want him to teach him. I won't have my apprentice suffer or be put an inch behind the rest of his yearmates." Elkstep matched Cedarstar's stare, his hazel eyes boring into his leader's face. He might have to work harder with Foxpaw after the whole ordeal was over. He'd be damned if this little incident pushed back the apprentice's warrior ceremony, as he realized that it just might. And of course, it was his natural instinct to push for at least one concession. [bg=d6d5ae][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=3b5839][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] I may not be a hot-tempered cat, but my patience is wearing thin. The large tom tried to conceal his growing irritation, but his ears were laid back and his claws were extended, digging into the soft brown earth. "You are allowed to 'cut loose' as you say, but that does not mean irritating others without good reason. I'm glad to know it was not you who did that, but if not, it was one of your cohorts." His words ended with the hint of a growl as his fangs were bared slightly. Deep breaths. You are the leader here. Remember what father said - warriors may irritate you, but unless they wish to leave the Clan, they must submit to your judgment. Cedarstar chose to ignore the muttered words from the smaller tom, but his yellow eyes narrowed as the arrogant tom spoke further. How dare he speak like that. Like he has the right to order I, Cedarstar, around, especially after what he and his foolish compatriots have done. "I will speak to Aldernose about the possibility, Elkstep. I would advise you to hold your tongue, before I add further punishments for your arrogance. Unless you wish to simply leave the Clan, finding it is not all fun and games? I will not stop you, even though I am so high and mighty. I'm sure none of those windbags would stop you either. I respect you, but you are making it very difficult to continue doing so. Unless you and your friends don't care because I "favorite"? I am not deaf. At first, I thought it was just another prank. Yet these ludicrous rumors of my favoritism toward former ForestClan cats seem to persist - clearly, I must have done something irredeemable that I am unaware of to be treated as rudely as you are treating me now. So out with it. Go on, I can't punish you for being truthful, only for being arrogant. Or are you too afraid to say it to my face?" Though seething, the MeadowClan leader was fiercely satisfied. On one paw, it was ridiculous that it had come this far, and yes, perhaps he was being drawn too much into his warrior's infuriating superiority. On the other, whatever Elkstep's misguided thoughts were, he could logically explain how wrong they were once and for all.

[Pyro]

"My arrogance? Oh yes, it is quite arrogant indeed to want what is best for my apprentice and to be willing to fight for it. Are you implying that this is to reinforce that I joined your clan and submitted myself to your rule? When I did so, did I relinquish my right to an opinion?"

And so they came to the crux of it: Cedarstar's favoritism. Elkstep did not expect Cedarstar to be so direct about it. In truth, he did not expect the meadowclan leader to address it at all. Certainly not now. But there it was, and what was Elkstep if not a creature of confrontation? His leader wanted the truth? Fine. The small tabby warrior looked Cedarstar over, as though he was trying to discern if the request was a joke or retorical. Cedarstar seemed admant though, and far be it beyond Elkstep to avoid such an opportunity. In any case, he was already in trouble and Cedar was already mad.

"Only ludicrous because none of your friends have the heart to tell you or the eyes to see it. You do favor Forestclanners, even if you don't realize it." Surprisingly gentle, but spoken in the soft, Georgian voice that usually gave only the barest hint of the contained rage so often held beneath the words it spoke. "Your closest confidants, your medicine cat and his apprentice: forestclan. Your former deputy, peace be his, forestclan. Your current deputy: a kittypet, but known for her dislike of loners. That's too many coincidences. Maybe you're just going with what's familiar, but maybe you should try to be more familiar with all of us." he snorted. "I bet you look at the way I train Foxpaw and say it's different. Weird. Not the clan way. And maybe you should trust the clan way. But it ain't always best."

So calm. But that was probably do to the fact that now things were truly out there. Now as for him leaving...

"You can't just get rid of the cats that disagree with you. And I ain't leaving yet another home just because I'm one of them."

[Cloudbat]

[bg=3b5839][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Unfortunately, he would admit (reluctantly) that Elkstep had a point, even if his request was somewhat unusual. A warrior apprentice receiving medicine cat education? It was...odd, but he could see no reason to forbid it, logically. Except that is, the high amount irritation the small tom was providing in his way of asking. "You not did not relinquish your right to an opinion. You gained the right to treat others with respect. What you relinquished was the right to act as high and mighty as you make me out to be, hypocrite." Then...oh, then. The most horrible thing Elkstep could use against him. The truth. Because for once, he was at a loss for words. His ears were laid flat, then perked, then laid flat again. His tail swished slowly, ever so slowly back and forth in the dust of the underground camp. His silence wore on as he considered his warrior's words. StarClan, help me. Is he truly right? Is this bigger than even I realized? This matter required serious consideration. But now was not the time. It was clear that Elkstep hated him, or either disrespected him deeply. He could not afford to show weakness by opening his views and letting the brown tabby mock him further. So he would only answer the last part of his question. "I do not purposefully wish to be rid of your services. I would not chase you from here. All I asked is whether you wished to leave. Evidently you do not. I will think upon your words and tell you by sunhigh tomorrow what I have decided. This conversation is over, and you understand what your restrictions are. Good day." With that, the MeadowClan leader dipped his head slightly to the younger tom, and turned to find someone. Anyone. Gingerstripe. Russetpelt. Littlewhisker. Sparrowclaw. The elders. All of them formerly of ForestClan. Except Flamestorm and his deputy. Yes, his deputy. He needed to speak with her. She was loyal, but unfortunately the wayward tom was right: she harbored an intense grudge against former rogues and loners, which puzzled him. He had always disregarded it, for she was an excellent deputy in most other ways. But this...divide, that he seemed to have unconsciously caused. It had to be fixed. I may not feel kindly disposed toward Elkstep at the moment, but he is a good warrior. Besides, this is not for his sake alone. It is for anyone else who may share his views. StarClan grant that not be many, he thought with a shudder. StarClan grant I can fix this before it widens - and breaks us in two.

[Pyro]

"At least I know I'm a hypocrite, Cedarstar, and I can live with it. The real question though, is can you?" How beautifully convenient of Cedarstar to gloss over the matter of his favoritism. It was so damn funny, Elkstep couldn't help the harsh laugh nor the sardonic grin that spread across his face as his leader turned away. Oh Cedarstar. Poor, poor Cedarstar. Did he think the problem would go away if he ignored? And the very idea that he might still allow a gap in Foxpaw's training. By God, if Foxpaw showed any signs of falling behind or ended up being used as some excitable pack mule by Aldernose...Well. Restrictions be damned, they'd just train on the sly. "I eagerly await your decision, and I hope you'll consider looking into who you are. Cats only get worse if they don't know what ails them." he called out as Cedarstar paced away. One last jibe. One last warning. But if Cedarstar couldn't come to terms with what he was doing...well, it might be even worse than if he did. At least if he did know he was biased, there was a chance it could be fixed. But if he didn't...Well. Maybe somebody would just have to try a little harder to open his eyes. [bg=d6d5ae][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]