Coalescence

[Cloud]

Patchfur's voice brought the limping she-cat back from the shady realms of remembering and back into the present. She blinked her orange eyes, and took a few moments to process what he'd said, and what Dingypaw had said. The mottled she-cat spoke hesitantly, but her voice grew stronger as she went on.

"Maybe you're right, Dingypaw...but the thing is, how would we know when they were corrupt? They could plan for a while without us knowing. Remember RiverClan's leader? Everyone was too scared to act because they might they might be picked off, I'll wager. Now I'll bet that no cat these days would dare do something like that, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't at least consider equality. I mean, Patchfur does have an idea, and I for one somewhat like it. It might cause less problems.

I mean, it's also a question of not only worth but power - would we all have the same power, the power to decide? That's an amazing thing just to think about. When I was young, I felt like that if I could only be part of a Clan, serving what was right, I'd be happy. But then I broke my leg, and those dreams went poof. I've always wanted to make something great, a Clan, and be a part of it, a real part! And now Patchfur's talking about something that could do just that."

The old she-cat's eyes were dreamy, and she imagined a future of peace in a Clan, where everyone was equal no matter who they were or their age.

OOC: Apologies for corniness.

[kayte103]

After some time, Barkpaw trotted back into the mass of cats, a look of concern on his face. When he had gone to feed his aunt, there had been no water in their territory with which to wash her wound. He knew she would do the best she could with her tongue, but it still needed a proper cleaning.

His worries ebbed a bit when he saw Redstream enjoying her meal, the meal that he had gotten her. He padded over to her. "I've returned," he announced. "The meat's good, isn't it?" He could still remember the savory flavor on his tongue.

[duckyaisha]

Dingypaw shrugged in reaction to Dottedfoot's comments. "I used to care about stuff like that, equality and all that. Now I've realize that it doesn't really matter. I'm gonna get fed either way, so I don't care how the Clan's set up. Unless of course, we elders don't get food. Then I care. It's all about survival, you see, and I'm gonna survive no matter what. It's not my time to die until I say it is. Right now, hunting for myself's become quite a chore. This old cat just wants some rest, some peace, some food I don't have to hunt."

Patchfur's eyes lit up. His first ever supporter! "Dottedfoot, this is great! Finally, someone who understands that equality is the answer, that it's the right thing to do! Now that there's two of us, maybe we can help convince Woodstripe. She thinks I'm crazy, so maybe having a supporter will help her think otherwise." Patchfur was practically purring with joy. This might be the best thing that had ever happened to him.

[Cloud]

Oh, dear. Dottedfoot's dreaminess flickered out like a rat being killed by a well-placed swipe. She knew she wanted to support the ginger and white tom now...but she didn't want to argue with Woodstripe when the brown tabby had been so kind to her. Well, she couldn't kick her out of the Experiment, could she? The mottled elder wondered if Woodstripe and Patchfur had clashed before, and if so how great their rivalry was. The old she-cat's face grew thoughtful, and then she spoke.

"Woodstripe thinks you're crazy? Why? I thought she seemed nice...I don't want to make an enemy of her...I'm still supporting you, of course...but perhaps...hmm. Are you two on bad terms, or does she simply hate your ideas even after you've explained them?"

[duckyaisha]

"She doesn't agree with my ideas because she desperately wants to be leader. You might've heard her say otherwise, but believe me, becoming leader of a real Clan is at the top of her list. So of course, the idea of a Clan without a leader doesn't appeal to her. We fight often, and I try to convince her that being leader or being a leader's minion isn't a good way to live your life. No one else I've talked to agrees with me, which is what makes your agreement so shocking," Patchfur replied, choosing to ignore the fact that Woodstripe was still in the same area as him. He would tell the truth anyway.

[Ten]

"Patchfur, I do understand you distaste for Shortwhisker. However, he is manageable; do not worry yourself over him. My concern is that you claim to be participating in this experiment but do not intend to attempt the lifestyle which we now test."

With a glance at Dottedfoot, she added, "Now Patchfur, I assure you that with a leader in a Clan, elders would not recieve less respect. As for corruption, I have stated many times before that the cats of today are much more alert and assertive than our ancestors.

"Ah! Redstream, my apologies, I did not notice you arrive. Dottedfoot here would like to join the experiment. Do you object?"

Before she could answer, Woodstripe hastened to clear up any confusion. "Patchfur and I are civil with one another, as we should be. I do not think him crazy, though I do disagree with the feasibility of his ideas." She paused to smooth down her chest-fur. "Please, Patchfur. I am not 'desperate' for anything. As you can see, I am not the leader in this situation (although you yourself have requested I make executive desicions). Were I as desperate to be leader as you say, would I have accepted my losses in the election?"

If they were to go to war over Dottedfoot's loyalties, so be it.

[duckyaisha]

"They may recieve the same amount of respect, but would they be an essential part of the Clan? Would they do all the things they wanted to? Would they make decisions- oh, silly me, I forgot that leaders make all the decisions. Anyways, in my Clan, elders' votes would count just as much as warriors' votes would. They would directly influence the Clan and take part in decision making, unlike in your Clan where they sit around in the elders' den and advise the leader who may or may not decide to take their advice. Which scenario do you favor, Dottedfoot?" That would take care of Woodstripe swaying the elder towards her side. Now for the rest of the argument.
"What it is about my ideas that you find impossible?" Patchfur asked. "You may feel that my ideas are impossible, but I think yours are morally wrong. Why would a group of cats submit to being led around by a leader, never questioning anything, just following orders every second! They claim it makes them happy, but is this true when they have never encountered another way of life, one where all cats are equal? What makes a leader able to have free will and the warriors simply minions? A certain personality trait? One cannot change their personality in the blink of an eye; and it should not determine their place in the Clan. The problem with your Clan is the heirarchy itself. It is unjust and perfectly suited for corruption. The cats have no choice as to who their next leader is; the deputy of the leader automatically assumes the postion, and he in turn chooses another deputy, and so on and so forth. Eventually a corrupt cat will take power, mark my words."
Patchfur took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, then added,
"You may not be desperate for leadership, but I can tell it is something you desire. Why else would you start this experiment? The only reason you aren't leader right now is because I forced you not to be. You would not have losses if I had allowed you to run, since everyone seems to find you the perfect cat for such a position."

[Cloud]

Patchfur. Woodstripe. Patchfur. Woodstripe. Equality or not? Ginger and white tom or brown tabby she-cat? It almost made Dottedfoot's head hurt. Part of her complained that why should she have to make this decision? She didn't want to anger anyone. But if someone else were deciding for her...well, yes, that would make things easier, but it also meant they might not pick right...her thoughts meandered as the two cats argued. Which was right and which was wrong? Which was was easier and which was not? Which was better politically? What should she do depending on which side she decided to pick?

All she really wanted was to take a nap in the sand. However, that was out of the question right now.

On an offhand note, she realized that a cat had arrived, probably the leader.

"Oh...hi there. Can I join the Experiment?" She said shyly.

[Darky [Megan]]

"I have no qualms about Dottedfoot joining us. It's nice to meet you," Redstream greeted, brushing past Barkpaw for the moment after a quick nod of acknowledgment. "I am the temporary deputy of the Experiment. Spiderstripe, the leader, still has yet to arrive."

She looked over Woodstripe and Patchfur. She wondered if she ought to request for them to break it up. From what she could discern, Patchfur and Woodstripe were arguing about Patchfur's opinions. She herself was all for Clan living, coupled with a responsible leader, and felt that Dottedfoot would do best to agree with their side of the matter, but she didn't want to tell other cats to abandon their own beliefs for those of others.

Deciding that she would wait and see how Woodstripe handled the situation instead ( knowing she was such a good talker), she sat down and began to groom herself. Barkpaw would come over, she knew, but she hoped he would quiet down for the moment.

[duckyaisha]

Dingypaw nodded as Redstream approached. "Dootedfoot'll be a great addition to the experiment," Dingypaw meowed, though she didn't specify a reason why. Mostly it was so she'd have another elder to talk to. Patchfur and Woodstripe were arguing again; she tried to tune them out while she attempted to groom her fur. It was thoroughly matted with mud and sand, so even getting one patch of it clean took quite a while.