(The Debate)

[dfsfsd]

The black tom shrugged, “Depends on how you see things,” He replied calmly, “Now, as for the distribution of food and water, I would not know. For Clan cats, I believe cats had to hunt before eating and those unable to hunt ate first…These may be rumors, though, and things would be decided when a Clan was formed. As for water, it is very much like food.”

Copperthroat snorted and his gaze flicked to Bronzefoot, ‘Beetle-brain tom,’ He mouthed to the other cat before turning to face Beetlefur once more, “You just admitted that you do not know how things will work. How can you ensure our safety?”

Beetlefur did not answer.

[Gosh]

"Before a Clan is implemented, cats would vote on how it would work, choosing from several fair options. That is why we do not know for sure," Spiderpaw meowed calmly.

"So those who could not give anything to the Clan got fed first? That's kinda dumb, seeing as the cat who can actually hunt and fight would be weakened if they didn't get enough food. Well, partly - kits and queens I can understand, but old cats who couldn't hunt anymore...." Bronzefoot shook his head.

[dfsfsd]

"You must respect the cats who have seen much in their lives," Beetlefur replied, "Imagine when you get to old to hunt. What will you do? Starve? In a clan, that is not a option." The black tom's tail curled up.

[Darky [Megan]]

"That is true, that is true," said Redstream and Speckledclaw.

"He had mentioned that certain things would be decided on once the clan was formed," Speckledclaw snapped, in response to Copperthroat's last statement. "In a clan, a good leader would listen to their fellow clan cats before making major decisions that might affect the whole clan. In my opinion, the elderly, young and sick would be fed first, as (and I am sure most of you will agree) majority of us are more or less skilled hunters and there would still be food left-over."

"We must also not forget the elders' who have spoken of ... food piles," Redstream meowed, trying to remember the proper name. "Any fresh-kill made by a cat, perhaps out of hobby or habit would be put into that pile, and that would probably ensure enough, if not more than enough food for the whole clan."

"And what of the non-clanners, might I ask?" Orangestorm inquired, noting a flicker of surprise on his sister's face. Usually the tom just plain ignored her prescence. "The result of said food pile would probably result in other cats not 'aving enough prey! If too much was put by store of the clan, should one ever be formed, we would 'ave a load of fights over food, as well as water." The tom's ear twitched. "We barely have enough water left at the moment, too."

[dfsfsd]

Nodding towards Orangestorm, Copperthroat mewed, "He has a point," Turning to the she-cat who had snapped he added, with a snarl, "So you're telling us we have to wait until a clan is formed to know what'll happen to our lives? I don't like the sound of that and I doubt you would, too."

[Darky [Megan]]

"Certainly I mightn't. However, I cannot predict every single thing that would happen within a clan, no one could - cats do not have psychic powers," Speckledclaw growled. "We don't know what's going to happen to our lives at the moment, and it would be no different in a clan. I would've thought that was obvious." The she-cat finished off with a slightly taunting smirk, baring the largest of her fangs.

[dfsfsd]

“All the more reason to protest,” Copperthroat snorted, his mouth stretching into a wry grin, “We know what’ll happen if we continue like this- we’ll survive. No cat can guarantee survival if a clan was made. You just said so yourself; I most certainly won’t let something that dangers myself happen.”

“Do you only think of yourself?” Beetlefur inquired.

“Most of the time, yes.”

[Ten]

Woodstripe took a deep breath. "Now that you all have provided me with a break in the discussion, I shall answer Copperthroat's question with a question of my own: in asking what would happen to cats outside of the Clan if we did reform, is this an indication that you have no other qualms with the idea of Clanhood than what would happen to cats not involved?"

She nodded at Beetlefur. "Compromise is the core theme of a Clan. Authorities would have to take the views and opinions of all cats into account when making decisions."

With a glance at Frailheart, she added, "Also, I know there are cats who would want to cooperate on more than hunting because I exist. Are there any of you with me on this?"

[Darky [Megan]]

"How very selfless of you, Copperthroat," the scarred she-cat mewed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Speckledclaw could not help feeling a little agitated at the tom.

At Woodstripe's last statement, Speckledclaw and Redstream once more answered simultaneously, nodding their heads.

Orangestorm grunted, curling his tail around himself.

[Gosh]

"Perhaps any kits I may have will feed me," Bronzefoot snapped. "Perhaps not. And you're right," he added, nodding at Orangestorm. "Should the Clan make a food pile and store food, then there would be less food for the non-clanners."

"Most of the time, thinking only about yourself ensures your survival," Frailheart meowed matter-of-factly to Beetlefur. "And Woodstripe, no, I am not with you on that. How would it benefit me to cooperate on more things than hunting?" 'As if I cooperate on hunting anyways,' she thought bitterly.

"I have something else to say," Bronzefoot meowed. "Now, there are some who survive on crickets and lizards. But for most of us, I think you'll agree that rat makes up a lot of our diet. If we organized our efforts to get more rat and store it in a food pile, then there would be less rats and therefore less rat offspring, which could bring the extinction of that very tasty meat. Now, if our efforts to get rat meat were not organized - which they aren't - this does not make much difference than if they were. But if we started to store meat unnecessarily, then there would be less rat, and...Well, I think you understand what I'm trying to say."