Spiderpaw's Campaign {The Experiment}

[duckyaisha]

Dingypaw had also decided to vote Redstream, and was rather alarmed by her speech. "Many of us are voting for you because we think you are the most fitting to be deputy. You're an intelligent, kind she-cat with good ideas. Really, I don't know of anyone better for the job," she replied. Why wouldn't the she-cat want to be deputy? Maybe she didn't want the responsibility, although Dingypaw knew she could handle it.

[Brain]

Dingypaw's speech surprised Rockpelt. They don't know enough about me, he thought. He knew that if he wanted to win, he'd have to think of something. Fast.

"Do you want to be deputy, or not?" he asked, quickly trying to think of something to say. But his mind was blank. It had taken all of his intelligence just to get this far, and yet he still felt like an outsider.

[Gosh]

Spiderpaw was having a hard time deciding on who she would vote for. Redstream had been her opponent for leader, and Spiderpaw thought that she would be great in a position of authority. However, the black she-cat also looked up to Woodstripe, and she respected her greatly. She was puzzled, however, by the fact that Redstream didn't seem to want to be deputy. After a moment of hesitation, she meowed, "Redstream, if you're sure you don't feel right for the position, then I will vote for Woodstripe."

Woodstripe! The name sent alarm coursing through his body, even if she had only gotten the one vote so far. Now Bronzefoot had to make his decision. Woodstripe was a no-no, of course. She already commanded a sense of authority here; it wouldn't be good to give her more power. Rockpelt was out too; he would kick Bronzefoot out of the Experiment in seconds. Though Redstream had many supporters, strangely, she didn't seem to want to be deputy. Who was the other choice? Oh yeah, that Speckledclaw. She seemed alright, but would she be easily manipulated? Of all the choices, she was the one who Bronzefoot knew the least about, but she seemed tough, strong. But Redstream didn't want to be deputy; perhaps this could be used to his advantage? And it would help keep Woodstripe or Rockpelt from being deputy, anyways. "I vote for Redstream," he meowed.

[kayte103]

Barkpaw was downhearted at her reply. "Oh. All right then." But he soon continued his wooing. The young tom rebounded quickly from disappointment. "See you later, beautiful," he said, wanting to let the she-cat know she could come back to him anytime.

As he padded away, Barkpaw noticed some cats "voting" for others. He wondered what this was for, and also being curious to the point of pleading to know what he wanted, he sat within earshot of the group.

[duckyaisha]

Patchfur definitely did not want Woodstripe for deputy. She'd started the experiment, so of course she wanted to be in a position of power. Although Spiderpaw could help keep her in line, unless Spiderpaw decided to treat her like a leader instead of taking up the authority herself. He was rather alarmed that Redstream didn't seem to want to be deputy, as he considered her his best choice. "No, Redstream, you're perfect for the job!" he meowed hurriedly, trying to reassure her. "That's why everyone's voting for you."

[Darky [Megan]]

Redstream kept a smile on her face as one by one, the cats voted for her. She was perfectly sure each of them had good reasons for doing so, and though she was feeling reluctant to take the place of deputy, she still felt heartened at all the support she was receiving.

It was also clear to her that if she refused, she would likely be met with animosity that might ruin the entire experiment for her as a whole. Redstream believed that the cats gathered around her at present were reasonable enough to respect her personal decisions, but she still knew that even the most composed of cats could still feel bitter at not getting what they wanted.

That, and an underground sense that majority of the cats were depending on her for something important to each of them individually, spurred Redstream to meow in response to Spiderpaw; "On a second thought, I'd be quite happy to run for deputy. I've decided that the Experiment is quite likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that it would be foolish, personally, for me to pass up the chance to experience life as a deputy. However, I'm also taking into notice that I have quite a number of supporters," she smiled gently at all of them, "and as majority seem to think I'm the right choice - well, who am I to disagree?"

Having said that, Redstream looked expectantly at the Experiment's leader, waiting for a reply. She scanned the surroundings at the same time, feeling a sudden, brief urge to detach herself somewhat from all the ruckus. The brown tabby that had spoken to her earlier was still within earshot, she noted.

Sighing inaudibly, but still with a smile, Redstream sat up straight and tried to dismiss the swirls of reluctance growing in her belly.

Speckledclaw on the other hand, had given up hope of becoming deputy. Redstream had far too many supporters - it was already a decided win for her. Grunting, Speckledclaw resigned herself to simply being a normal Clan cat in the Experiment that would look to the leader and deputy for guidance. It was how a Clan ought to work, at any rate, and she was lucky that she was going to experience Clan life for the first time. Disappointment flickering into thin air, Speckledclaw snapped loudly, "I vote for Redstream as well."

Orangestorm, who had quietly been glaring at Barkpaw as the tom exited the inner circle of the cats that had gathered, turned his attention back to the voting. Deciding it would be the easiest just to go with the flow, he added in his vote for Redstream as well, copying Speckledclaw's words.

[duckyaisha]

Dingypaw grinned broadly, glad the she-cat had overcome her anxiety. "I'm sure you'll do fine," she meowed reassuringly. The Experiment was already looking good. She was going to get food, Redstream was deputy, and even though she hadn't wanted Spiderpaw for leader, the black she-cat seemed intelligent enough. Although something was bothering her. "Wait a minute. If Spiderpaw's going to be leader, I think she should get her warrior name. Unless, of course, she would rather keep the name Spiderpaw," she added. Although she had preferred to keep her apprentice name even as an elder, there was no guarantee Spiderpaw wanted the same.

[kayte103]

After listening to what some of the other cats had to say, Barkpaw was even more confused than before. They were voting for a deputy, and there was a leader? There hadn't been a Clan in ages; what was going on? His curiosity drew him back to the group.

"Excuse me for interrupting," Barkpaw apologized, insincere although sounding otherwise, "but what is this all about?"

[Brain]

By the time Barkpaw decided to speak up, Rockpelt had lost all hope of success. Clearly no cat wanted him to be deputy. But he still had one final idea that might help him in future elections. First he'd answer the newcomer's question.

"This is a ten-day experimental Clan," he mewed. "We have already elected Spirderpaw as leader and are now voting for the deputy. The candidates are Woodstripe-" -he gestured to the brown tabby with his tail- "-Speckledclaw, Redstream, and I, Rockpelt."

And now for the plan. "Also, I vote for Woodstripe," he mewed and then, sitting down, he began to wash his paw.

[duckyaisha]

Patchfur nodded, agreeing with Rockpelt. "If you want to participate in the Experiment, you have to ask Spiderpaw. She's our leader," he meowed, managing to keep the resentment out of his voice. It wasn't the fact that Spiderpaw was leader that bothered him. It was the fact that there was a leader at all. But he had to live with it, for ten days at least.