{L0S1V0} [LittlexElkxPale] adrenaline rushes.

[ambird]

[bg=c6c6c6][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] "Palefoot! Palefoot!" she exclaimed in unison with the rest of her Clan. Well, with most of her Clan. Some had been bitter, and others hadn't spoken at all. Littlewhisker, personally, scoffed at this. Why hold grudges? They were all apart of the same Clan. Had the same ambitions. So, she couldn't fathom why cats decided to complain about Cedarstar. He was their leader, had gotten every last one of them here, or had invited them into the Clan with open arms. Don't assume, however, she was saying he had no flaws. Oh, no, her dear friend had many. This whole problem that was beginning to develop was precisely from what the non Forestclanners thought was favoritism. And, from her point of view, it may as well have been that. But, that was how Cedarstar was. Granted, they could all learn to be a bit more humble at things, but live and let learn. If these cats decided to escalate with their complaints, then and only then would she consult with the elder's and then discuss the possible issue with Cedarstar. He needn't already be paranoid at this early in the game. Littlewhisker shook her head, somewhat in disbelief at herself. Already making it us and them! She really had to watch that, didn't she? Being Cedarstar's friend since practically kithood did that to her, she supposed. A smaller part of her knew that didn't make it right in the slightest. She had to be the optimistic one. However things played out, Littlewhisker had to assure herself and others things wouldn't get as bad as she had already started to picture them. Otherwise, what use was hope in the world if you didn't believe in it? Littlewhisker blinked, letting her silent argument with herself pass for the moment. Stretching out of her sitting position, she quickly reminded herself of her duty she had been given. Early that day Rabbitstep had informed her that she would lead the next patrol, after Palefoot's warrior ceremony had taken place. Which, it had. Quickly scanning over her clan-mates, Littlewhisker decided who she would take with her. Seeing Palefoot pawing at the ground with excitement at her newly-found title, she purred to herself. What better way to kick in her warrior name then a patrol? Right, that was one cat picked out for the patrol. If she picked a seasoned warrior, she would have a complete patrol ready to set out. Looking to her left, she saw Elkstep eying Iceheart, and she stopped herself from eye-rolling. That tom needed to get out more. She sighed to herself, knowing that if she didn't pick him to go out on patrol, only Starclan knew what sort of chaos would ensue. Sure, he wasn't that bad, but one too many toms seemed to be getting on his bad side simply because Elkstep was Elkstep, and he loved a good fight. Regardless if it was his own Clan or not! She sometimes wondered what his ideals were at all. Quickly resigning herself, she spoke up. "Palefoot, Elkstep! We're going out to patrol! If you need to eat, I'd like you to do that sooner that later!" she exclaimed to the two, sitting out down by the entrance to the camp.

[Pyro]

There she was. She was all he could think about again. Her white fur, beautiful green eyes...the confidence in her walk...It was like he was in Mexico again. And that's where he was for most of Palefoot's warrior ceremony: in Mexico, jumping across roofs with Esmeralda. Better there than sitting in camp listening to Cedarstar drone away about the newest member of the warrior den. Now there'd be even less space. Suffice to say, he was not among those that called out the new warrior's name. The calls brought him back to attention again though, and he looked at Palefoot from the corner of his eye. She was one the cats Cedarstar liked, right? How special. A cat from ForestClan, he supposed...not that he really cared. He hadn't been there for the divide. Hell, he hadn't even been there when the clans where trying to get themselves together; he'd just been one of the ~lucky~ loners that managed to squeeze themselves into the affair after the clans hadn't collapsed. So, he didn't have much of a claim to any sort of feeling of entitlement. That didn't stop him from trying though. He might be a more recent addition to the clan by their standards, but that didn't mean he couldn't smell out favoritism when it was sitting right in front of his face. Loner-borns hunted and fought just like the ForestClan-borns, maybe even better depending on what sort of background they came from. He knew for a fact that he was more than a match for a lot of the 'original clan cats', but it was no use telling them so. No use showing them so, either, for all that it would probably gain him a little more respect. Their warrior code had something against whipping a cat's ass no matter how much they deserved it...and he wasn't quite ready to move on yet. "Palefoot, Elkstep! We're going out to patrol! If you need to eat, I'd like you to do that sooner that later!" "I would eat, but I'm afraid the excitement of the day has chased my appetite away." he turned slightly, giving the she-cat a crooked smile. "I'll be right theyuh." He turned away and rolled his eyes. He wasn't much in the mood for a patrol, and certainly not with an excited tenderfoot who was green as the day is long. Elkstep stood with a grunt and nodded a goodbye to Iceheart out of courtesy before heading over to the camp entrance where Littlewhisker sat. "Good call on taking Cedarstar's newest prize pony out for a jog. I've seen grasshoppers with less jump." speaking [bg=000000][atrb=width,428,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

Whee! Patrol duty! Well...sort of whee, because truth be told she was sort of tired. All she wanted to was bounce around camp and not think very hard. Still, warriors got it done. And she was a warrior now. Though it granted her more freedom, in a way it also confined her, because she had more responsibility, and Palefoot and responsibility didn't always go well together.

Still, being a warrior after so many moons of training - and scary Crowclaw - was great. Her parents were so proud - they didn't see each other often, but now they'd be sharing a den again! Yay! She'd seen them among the crowd, cheering her on. They might not be the most sentimental of cats, but they'd still raised her with kindness and helped her through the Journey back when she was little more than a newborn.

She heard Littlewhisker call her name and bounded over...just in time to hear Elkstep's strange remark, and felt rather confused and a bit hurt.

"What do you mean, Elkstep? I've got lots of jump! And what's a pony?" She asked, head cocked to one side, whiskers twitching.

Palefoot was only of average height, but it was funny how Elkstep was smaller than her. Still, she'd seen him on patrols and knew he was no cat to be messed with, especially with all those scars. But she wondered what he meant. And what the heck was a pony?

[ambird]

[bg=c6c6c6][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Littlewhisker smiled briefly as the two cats came over. That was until, Elkstep spoke up. She knew he didn't particularly like how things went with Cedarstar and all. He was surely just here for the she-cats, which she found atrocious. Especially that Iceheart, Essie, whatever she wished to be called. Elkstep really was just going to stay for the opposite gender. Littlewhisker found this rather insulting. If he hadn't joined to help, why be here at all? She shook her head and thought of Palefoot. She was a kind soul, maybe a bit hyper. But, of course(granted, as was his nature), Elkstep had to make a comment. "Good call on taking Cedarstar's newest prize pony out for a jog. I've seen grasshoppers with less jump." "What do you mean, Elkstep? I've got lots of jump! And what's a pony?" she sighed and gave Elkstep a look. Had it really been necessary to make a smart remark about every little thing? It was immature and uncalled for. But she supposed that's what Elkstep was all about. And, Palefoot was being a bit much. She wouldn't say that out loud of course, it was impolite and foolish of her to think of that in the first place. A cat was a cat, no matter how they acted. Plus, however appalling it might be, they both were her Clan-mates. She didn't have the right to despise Elkstep, or the heart to tell Palefoot she was too much. She did, however, have the authority to tell Elkstep to knock it off. "Elkstep, if Palefoot is a pony then what does that make you? A rude and cruel weasel?" she said sharply. "Palefoot, a pony is a four-legged animal. They are a bit jumpy, but it is not a bad thing. Spunky-ness keeps the Clan alive." she said, smiling to the new warrior. Okay, so maybe that could have been a bit nicer. But, it was as Elkstep had done to Palefoot. And her response was not at all related to the fact Elkstep didn't like most Forestclan cats. Or, how they may or may not be treated better. He obviously felt favoritism was being played. Littlewhisker herself was slightly curious if that was the game her dear friend Cedarstar was in fact doing that. Deputy...most warriors, his mate...even her herself was one of his dearest friends. Favoritism was definitely at hand...but she didn't blame him entirely. It was just how Cedarstar was. Littlewhisker shook her head and went back to reality. A scarier place, but it made so much more sense then her world of facts and cold hard truths. For now.

[Pyro]

Elkstep resisted a grin as Palefoot bounded over. She was almost comical in her enthusiasm, and admittedly, he couldn't blame her. He hadn't been too overly excited to be rid of his old name 'Holliday', as he'd had it for far longer than he'd been in the clans, but there was something about being given a new name...a sense of new beginnings, perhaps? Still, he'd rather being going out on a patrol with a seasoned warrior, or else after Palefoot had quieted down some. It was much harder to resist laughing when she asked what a pony was. Alright, alright, he definitely couldn't fault a clan cat for not knowing what a pony was...but the question. The question itself was so absurd, at least to him. He cracked a smile and opened his mouth to tell her, when Littlewhisker decided to join the conversation. "Elkstep, if Palefoot is a pony then what does that make you? A rude and cruel weasel?" He looked at her and very seriously said "Yes," without missing a beat. He had been called worse, but he supposed it was beyond Littlewhisker as a 'lady' to say much more than what she had. Elkstep found himself giving her a wry look as she replied to Palefoot's question with a very poor description of what a horse was. But he wasn't sure he could do much better. Horses were one of those things one had trouble describing without actually showing a cat what they looked like. He couldn't think of any other creatures he'd seen with a mane besides twolegs...and twolegs didn't have hooves or long faces. "Well. I'm a weasel, Palefoot's a pony...I suppose that means you oughta be something just to even things up, Mrs. Littlewhisker." He squinted at her and twitched an ear back, a smile back on his face. "How about a sassy hen? That'll round things out rather nicely, don't ya think?" Without waiting for an answer he walked out the entrance. He would have loved to see the expression on her face, but somethings just weren't worth your skin to stick around for. [bg=000000][atrb=width,428,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

So THAT's what a pony was...though she still didn't really get it, she nodded in what she deemed a sagely, comprehending manner.

Growing even more confused, the spotted tabby looked from her black-pelted Clanmate to her brown tabby one as they exchanged remarks. The new warrior was not the smartest of cats, but even she could tell there was something going on here that she wasn't getting. However, being Palefoot, she tried not dwell on it and simply shrugged to herself, not letting her confusion ruin her good mood.

"Well...um...I guess we should get going?" She said, attempting a smile, trying to appear unperturbed. It bothered her that Littlewhisker had been so irritated at what was an admittedly strange and slightly insulting remark, but nothing harmful. Strange that she'd insult Elkstep over it - odder still that he'd agree...but then simply insult her right back. Oh well. It was probably none of her business. And nothing will ruin this day, she told herself firmly.

Light-minded as she was, the young MeadowClanner breathed in the familiar scents of earth and Clanmates, and a true smile returned to her face. Nothing was really wrong. Besides, this was her first patrol as a warrior! The evening sky was a pretty orange and gold, and she intended to enjoy it, so she bounded after Elkstep, calling back to Littlewhisker, "Let's go!"

OOC: Lame post is lame. D|

[ambird]

[bg=c6c6c6][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] "How about a sassy hen? That'll round things out rather nicely, don't ya think?" Littlewhisker sighed, letting Elkstep get his remark. If that's what he had wanted, he got it. Unlike him, she didn't like picking fights and would rather talk about the problem. Which, he mocked that ethic of her's constantly. He was a fighter, while she just wanted everyone to get along. Deeper down she knew that Littlewhisker couldn't stop every little bickering cat but she'd try. Oh yes. She would never give up the chance of peace. If it was possible, Littlewhisker would attempt to achieve it. Great Starclan that sounded immensely idiotic. She herself was changing. But she couldn't tell if it was for the better. Becoming more...barbaric would be an interesting thing. Starclan help her if she'd spoken that aloud. Elkstep would eye roll and make some fox-hearted comment. See! That was what she was doing. "Let's go!" At her own pace(quick, but not too fast, she had her standards) Littlewhisker followed the two out of the camp and quickly took the lead. She herself had to say she sure knew how to pick cats for a patrol. Newly christened Palefoot was almost floating on air, giddy with excitement. This made her smile. Littlewhisker remembered the simpler times as well. Newly named warrior. All those moons back ago in Forestclan. Realizing her love for Russetpelt. Following her best friend and mate and some others to find this new land. It all seemed so long ago. And, it honestly was. The Clans were all settled, leader's becoming more comfortable in their Clans and their Clan-mates. Sadly, this also meant strife. No one could deny Fogclan and Pineclan's hate for each other because of the belief systems in each Clan. She felt neutral. Both Clan's could believe whatever as long as it didn't hurt Meadowclan. What she did worry about was rebellion in her own little Clan. For moons, noting had gone wrong. Peace seemed to be in their grasp. Hollow victory, it seemed. As soon as Cedarstar had started making things look like favoritism. Jury was still out on if it all was pure favoritism because he could and he knew it bothered the former rogues or he was painfully oblivious. Knowing her dear friend, it was most certainly the second one. Cedarstar was a great warrior, the type of leader that made you want to follow him because of how he talked, but at times he seemed to lacked the greatest skill of all: common sense. She at times wondered if the deputy hadn't been Forestclan-born if the possible rebellion wouldn't have surfaced. Or even if he had chosen a rogue or a loner for a mate. She doubted they would say anything against that. It was a horrible way to think of things, but it was the truth. After a few moments of silence, which came as a shock to her, Littlewhisker decided to speak up. "Of course I'd be the sassy hen. Huh. The Sassy Hen, Weasel and Pony all out on patrol, what a wonderful thing at that." she said, trying not to smirk. Littlewhisker had never tried before to go along with things. She had always called out the wrong things cats said. Granted, she still did that but Littlewhisker seemed to be calming down with that. What in the name of Starclan was wrong with her? She had to be polite, lady-like and overall professional. Sure, that was professional. But agreeing to be called barn animals! What was to come of her if she strayed from her path she had clung to all these moons?

[Pyro]

"Like a goddamned circus." Though he'd been the first out of camp, he quickly dropped to the back of the patrol. He wasn't much into leading patrols (wasn't even his to lead this time), and might have even been infamous for repeatedly refusing point blank to lead them whenever given the chance. However, it was hardly because of his ~modesty~ and ~humble follower tendencies~. He just didn't want to fricking lead a patrol. Elkstep had learned his lesson as far as that was concerned back in Mexico as Holliday, and in any case he was more prone to going off by himself anyway. Less cats to look after. The tom did hate the silence though. God damn he hated the silence. Silence in general, really. He was always better when something was happening, when someone was talking, when there was no silence. So of course, while he was comfortable walking in back, guarding the rear because he didn't think he could trust Palefoot to do it, new as she was, he was incredibly antsy. An antsy Elkstep was a chatty Elkstep. A quiet Elkstep meant he was thinking, and when an antsy, quiet Elkstep got to thinking there was really no telling what sort of topic he would pick for conversation. Given the circumstance, him being with two of Cedarstar's golden warriors, it could nearly be counted on that his thought would turn once again to favoritism: How quaint that Littlewhisker was leading the patrol. A ForestClan cat. The mate of Cedarstar's best friend, and of course, one of his best friends. How in dirt's name Russetpelt or Littlewhisker hadn't ended up as deputy was beyond Elkstep. But he supposed even Cedarstar had his boundaries. Still, the deputy he chose was from ForestClan as well, and for Cedarstar, maybe that was enough. Did he think he couldn't trust those who'd been loners? Elkstep excluded, because well...Elkstep wouldn't trust himself not to cut his nose to spite his own face. In all honesty, was there really much to be trusted about the ForestClan cats? They'd played traitor to one leader already. And someone had once told him 'once a traitor, always a traitor'. Perhaps there was comfort in being surrounded by your fellow deserters. That special bond that came from the old 'I did it, you did it too, we're in this together now'. Or maybe Cedarstar thought only clanborn cats were competent enough in clan-ways to be given positions of high rank. Maybe a forestclan cat would know. Oh look. There was one right here. "Miss Littlewhisker would you be so kind as to tell me about ForestClan. I'd love to know what makes the bond ya'll seem to have." [bg=000000][atrb=width,428,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

The spotted tabby was full of delight as she raced along, paws thudding over the grass, kicking up dirt and pebbles with little thought as to if it might be inconsiderate to her Clanmates. Ahhh! There many things she was bad at, but she could run! That was probably the reason for her suffix, she reflected. Well, it certainly suited her - and it was a good skill for a MeadowClan cat. A good skill...oh right! Boundary markings. Bleh. She'd never liked this part of being a warrior, but she did it anyway. After she finished, she stretched, tired from her running, and flopped down on the ground. Oh, she could have a break, couldn't she? You weren't made a warrior every day. And she'd done her job. As she settled herself on the soft, grassy ground, an ant crawled on her paw and she wiped it off against the dirt. Eww! Bugs. She'd never much liked the things, except for butterflies. Butterflies were so much like her; flighty, fast, and...nah, she wasn't that good-looking. Moderately so, but it wasn't like any toms had ever paid attention to her in that way. Licking her fur, Palefoot wondered if she wanted a mate. The young warrior wasn't quite old enough for one yet, but...well, she wasn't really sure how she felt. There wasn't any tom in particular that she liked, and she was fairly certain none liked her specially. Still, it wasn't a big worry; she had plenty to do without worrying about a mate. But it might be nice, one day. OOC: In which nothing entertaining happens! [bg=dadbdf][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[ambird]

[bg=c6c6c6][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Littlewhisker cringed at Elkstep's crude humor. A circus? Only Starclan itself seemed to know all about this cat, and she herself wasn't interested in the least. He was unruly, and you could never quite tell with him what his goal was. Or, for that matter, if he had a one at all. She shot him a quick glance to watch as he went back to the rear of the patrol. She sighed, and slightly rolled her eyes at this. Sure, they needed a rear, but he always seemed to be the outcast. Even if certain cats treated him like that, he also just pushed it himself. Well, it wasn't for her to worry about. It was just how things planned out. As they trekked on, not much was said. Which, was perfectly fine with Littlewhisker. Each of them were probably immersed in their own thoughts. She herself had been thinking of a particularly nasty comment she'd overheard during the ceremony. Something about how Cedarstar had been choosing favorites. Which was down right ridiculous. Palefoot was of Clan blood, yes, but did that mean that Cedarstar had some sort of vendetta against non-Clanners? No, not in the slightest. Regardless if she knew that, that didn't meant that others would jump to that conclusion. The former rouges and kitty-pets would probably start to assume that first. Maybe even cat's who had been loyal, but had easily swayed opinions. She couldn't be too sure, otherwise that meant letting her guard down around any cat she felt that she could. Great Starclan! There she went again, with that whole 'us versus you' thing. Was she going crazy? Debatable. When they patrol was done with, she'd have a word with Cedarstar and Russetpelt. They needed to know of the feelings she was getting off some of the cats in the Clan. Paranoia or not, this needed to be addressed. The possibility of unrest within the Clan was high. She was slightly startled by Elkstep's question. Littlewhisker hadn't heard a peep out of either of them the whole way, and then he decided to ask about what made her and her two best friend's bond so tight. Like that was something that even needed to be asked. Either way, maybe some knowledge would lessen Elkstep's possible feelings of favoritism inside the Clan. "Our friendship? It goes beyond even the journey to this land. When we were kits, the idea of friendship had been decided. We were best of friends. A bit like the Three Musketeers, you could say. Our bond was close through warrior-hood, and obviously mine and Russetpelt's grew even closer, but you aren't asking about that aspect. A turning point was truly the journey. Taking cats into unknown places, all by the whim of Starclan. Even I had my doubts. But we made it. This is not unlike you and Mexico, is it?" she had answered his question, and now she turned it back slightly on him.

[Pyro]

"Interesting. But I was asking more about the bond all of you forestclanners seem to have. A little odd that all our high ranks have their roots in ForestClan. Was it first come first serve, or does our fearless leader have something against promoting those with the smudge of rogueship in their history?" Even as he said it he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps that was the root of all things: first come, first serve. Certainly, those who had made the journey from ForestClan would have been ready and available as soon as ranks needed to be filled...but of course, the journeying cats had picked up loners and kittypets along the way, to his knowledge. Yes, yes, the loners (and the kittypets especially) would have to prove themselves, but once that was over with was there really anything else other than blatant favoritism standing in their way? Littlewhikser has asked if that was not unlike the happenings in Mexico. Well, guess what sister, it was unlike Mexico. He had to scrape through the more recent bad memories to get to the good, but in those good memories was the knowledge that there with the rebels a cat was judged by not where he came from, but by the deeds that he did. Elkstep had been an outsider, a gringo as Raphael had none too kindly reminded him, but he'd earned his place with the rebels. Well, he had before he'd gotten Essie's brother killed, and unless every loner that joined MeadowClan had made similar grave mistakes, Elkstep was quite certain that they'd proved themselves to be loyal, valuable members of the clan, regardless of their previous allegiances. Yet still Cedarstar refused to recognize them. Their leader was biased. And that chaffed Elkstep. Chaffed him somethin' fierce. "They didn't play favorites in Mexico." [bg=000000][atrb=width,428,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

Palefoot had wandered back, and she was surprised and puzzled at what she heard Elkstep say. What did he mean? Well, sure the leader, deputy, and medicine cat were ForestClan-born, but that's just the way it had worked out! It wasn't bad or anything. Cedarstar didn't have anything against former rogues and kittypets and neither did anyone else! ...Okay, maybe she had once, she reluctantly admitted to herself. But that was when I was too little to know better! She argued to herself. I'm fine with them now. She bounced up next to the small tabby tom, yellow eyes wide. "But Elkstep! That's just the way it happened! I mean, we were the ones who originally broke away, so of course our leader is ForestClan-born! And besides, you weren't here before - our first deputy, Bramblefang, was rogue-born. It's just unfortunate that that horrible badger killed him." The spotted tabby sniffed a little, remembering. "Rabbitstep was just picked to replace him because he was the best one for the job. And Sandstream's mentor was rogue-born! But she died, too. It was sad, we were all sad! So don't say such silly things. I mean, I like you. You say funny things, but you seem like a nice guy." Palefoot completely meant all of what she said, entirely unaware that she might look foolish and naive. She nudged Elkstep playfully, hoping to reassure him. [bg=dadbdf][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[ambird]

[bg=c6c6c6][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Littlewhisker looked up from her paws, having at first assumed that Elkstep had been talking of her and her friends. Now that she realized he meant the Clanborn cats as a whole, her stomach began to feel queasy as it had when she had first had her suspicions about cats feeling that favoritism was at work. And here Elkstep was, confirming those exact suspicions. While Palefoot attempted to make him see that it wasn't favoritism, Littlewhisker thought of how to respond back to such a large accusation. Sure, it was Elkstep. Coming back with a retort would be easy, but he'd just pellet you with more and more until you had to give in. No. "Elkstep, fate works in mysterious ways. It wasn't first come first serve, it worked because of who had the experience at the time. And, I am blatantly aware that this isn't Mexico. If it was, I'm almost positive you wouldn't still be lurking about," she said flatly, turning to look at Palefoot, who was brightly looking up at Elkstep, trying to cheer him up. She did this all with the best intentions, but the she-cat simply didn't understand the way's of the brown tabby tom. Littlewhisker understood him a tad bit better, but she didn't think any cat really could decipher everything that went through his head. "I can honestly say that no foul play is involved when deciding ranks. Medicine cat's are chosen by Starclan themselves, and they don't look at a cat and say 'Oh, they're rouge-born! No medicine cat apprenticeship for them!'. Rabbitstep was a clear choice, Cedarstar, the elder's, Russetpelt and I all agreed on it. He may have come from ForestClan, but at the time we knew where he stood." "And, plenty of non-Clan born cats, including you, have apprentices. So, go on, tell me Cedarstar favorites. But then be reminded if he really did, would you still be Foxpaw's mentor? If you don't know the answer to that question, then may Starclan help you," she said sharply,"Palefoot, remark that border, it's becoming stale." she almost hissed out. Turning away in anger, her rage vanished when she heard a squeak of alarm from the newly made warrior. She sighed, closing her eyes. Why was she letting this tom get to her? Was it because she knew that Cedarstar was playing favorites? Was that it? No...it couldn't be. He didn't. He was a wise, noble and loyal leader. But...depending on what you looked at, there could also be evidence of Cedarstar picking and choosing by blood. But...he couldn't be doing it on purpose. Could he?

[Pyro]

"Oh Palefoot you are a treat and a half." Elkstep chuckled, amused f not a bit perturbed with her bubbly response. "Why Littewhiskuh, whatevuh do you mean?" his accent was more pronounced now, his speech almost musical in nature. "Are you suggestin'. In your infinite wisdom. That I am a liuh?" His eyes narrowed. "You are woefully ignorant of what I have done and you would do well to remember that before you bring up Mexico again." He stalked forward, closing the distance between Littlewhisker and himself. "So you and Russetpelt helped him choose and win over what few elders we have? Was the rest of the clan's word not good enough for him? After all, it's not just you three who have to live with his decisions." If Littlewhisker had hoped to derail Elkstep with her next words she was sorely mistaken. Even Essie had trouble getting him to drop something once he had picked it up, and by god had he picked this up. He was determined as ever to follow through with this argument even if it meant taking Littlewhisker up on it on another day. "I don't doubt that it is necessity that gave me an apprentice, Littlewhisker. Can you say with honesty that I would have been given an apprentice if there was someone else? I know full well that Cedarstar doesn't approve of my manner with Foxpaw." a corner of his muzzle twitched up, forming a crooked smile. "Can you say with honesty that you believe what you're saying? So defensive. All I asked was if Cedarstar was biased. you know he is. Why is it so hard for you to admit it to yourself?" Speaking [bg=d6d5ae][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

Palefoot had happily drifted off into space, staring at the clouds as the two older cats talked when Littlewhisker's words snapped her back to reality. "But I just marked it!" She proclaimed with surprise and slight hurt, squeaking. Still, the black she-cat didn't look like she was in a very good mood....so, the spotted tabby slunk off to the patch where she'd been, aimlessly padding in circles, trying to tune out the debate of the night-pelted she-cat and the small tabby tom. Yet she couldn't stop her ears listening, even when she flattened them, humming to herself, and shredded grass with her paws. A lot of it she didn't really even understand...Elkstep confused her, even Littlewhisker was being kind of strange. A liar? Elkstep hadn't lied, at least as far as she was aware. They were just having some weird fight over favoritism. Mexico? Was that where the tom had been before he'd come to MeadowClan? It sounded like an exciting place. What on earth did he mean about Rabbitstep though? Everyone having to live with his decisions? Well, of course they did! He was their leader, he'd saved them all from Brownstar! He deserved their loyalty! Am I really getting defensive? The yellow-eyed she-cat thought uncomfortably. Oh, this is all so confusing...why are they even fighting?! Does any of this even matter? Unable to control herself, she was so upset she just raced back and skidded in between the pair. "Look! The both of you are fighting over nothing! I just...why?! It's all so confusing! Who even cares about whatever Cedarstar does or doesn't do? We're all MeadowClanners! When I see two cats, both of whom I respect fighting...it's not right! It just makes. No. Sense!" Trembling, the fact that she'd just shouted at two senior warriors began to sink in. "I marked the border." She mewed in a whispery voice. Then it all became too much and Palefoot did what she'd been named for - she fled. OOC: Palefoot's usually pretty calm, but when she gets confused...asplosion time. XD [bg=dadbdf][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]