Paranoia [ELITES]

[Deleted]

A WARNING TO THE PEOPLE THE GOOD AND THE EVIL    TAGS: Badger, Holly, Thicket, Vale   THIS IS WAR -- 30 Seconds To Mars  NOTES: Important thread... WORD COUNT: 154 ❥ A SLIGHT SNARL crept across Drought's muzzle as he perched upon a low bough of his tree. The patched leader was staring into nothingness with a somewhat-glazed expression. He was thinking about Lyric's betrayal... again. The memory of DeathClan's fall from power had haunted Drought constantly. He'd become thin, and his pelt was ragged as if he'd forgotten about grooming several moons ago. Where a strong and prideful cat once stood, there was now a mere shell. That wasn't to say he had become physically weak. Although the American Shorthair had definitely lost a bit of muscle, his frailness was more mental than anything. He appeared to snap out of his trance when the bushes surrounding the small clearing rustled. A familiar scent washed over the scarred tom, causing him to twitch his tail-tip and flex his claws into the branch. Perfect timing. "It's good that you're here. I needed to speak with you." ♚ Made by SYLVIA of SA and GS ♚

[Badger]

Badger, unlike his oh-so-powerful Leader, was unnerved by the loss of power. It was no longer a surprise to him when Deathclan's plans fell. If anything, Badger had gotten a bit of fun out of the whole oreal. He had "ruled" over Rockclan for a little while, and had even helped kidnap a poor widdle Rockclan kitten, who was now safely at home. It had been a good time for the grey tabby.

Now he was back to his normal routines. Wander aimlessly. Find a new den every other week. Hunt some scrawny prey by the carrion places, and try to listen in on the latest gossip. But today he had taken a detour from his schedule to visit his companion, Drought. He was aware that Drought hadn't been happy about his whole loss, and he figured by now the black and white leader wouldn't rip his own ears off if he mentioned one of the four Clans, or rats.

As he approached his Leader's tree he was actually surprised at what he found. A skinnier, rugged looking cat had replaced the Drought he had come to know and love-hate. But he didn't let himself gasp, or widen his eyes. He just let Drought speak to him, and when he was done, he sat down. "I do have a talent for being in the right place at the right time. Although I typically find it to be more of a curse. No matter, what did you need, my liege?" He asked, awkwardly bowing his head. Hopefully Drought would find it amusing, and not a mockery.

[Thicket]

Thicket was concerned for Drought's health and had popped by to see how he was doing. The leader had taken the defeat of the clans and the defection by Lyric harder than anyone. He was concerned for his friend and when he greeted Thicket the Tom replied, Yes Drought? Is something the matter? A concerned spark flamed in his eyes as he stared at his now gaunt and ragged leader. The poor cat needed to eat. He pushed the the meager mouse he had brought towards the Tom, hoping he would eat.

Then he took notice of Badger, one of the more experienced Deathclanners and fellow Elite. Badger had ruled over Rockclan while he, Thicket, had gained control of Fireclan. Hello Badger. he muttered to the other Tom.

[Holly]

I yawned as I left my current little humble abode.  I wasn't that old, being the youngest of the elites.  My body was covered in scares from the few months I had been in full service of my "clan".  Jeeze, I was turning into a sappy clan cat already.  Maybe spending thos few hours with kittens and Applesomethingface softened me up.  I gave a small grunt, reminding myself that I'd have to change that before Drought ripped my head from my shoulders.

I heard the whisper of far away voices as I took my leisurely walk, the noises grabbing a hold on my interest.  I gave a grin and bounded towards the sounds.  My eyes lit up a little as I spotted something that made me rather intrigued.  A group meeting of elites.  I gave a hard swallow, trying to ready my always sore throat to speak.  I took a spin and chose something from my sets of interchangeable personalities.

"Did I miss the invitation to the party?"  I meowed as I walked towards them, a lopsided grin was set lazily on my mouth as I cocked my head at the cats.  "How 'bout we just call me fashionably late.  So, what's happening?"  I raised a fictional brow at the others as I settled down with curiosity obvious in my eyes.  I wasn't one to be excluded from groups with interesting information.  I could deal with not speaking to the lower class for awhile and not be bothered, but listening to Drought always seemed to entail something rather fun to participate in.

❤

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Vale]

Vale entered the scene, curious as he saw all three other elites and Drought. "Oooh am I late for something?" He inquired curiously with a toothy grin and a cock of his head to the side. "What are we talking about?" He blinked in puzzlement to all of them. His eyes finally rested on Drought and he noted that his colleague looked.. rather different today. He hadn't spoken to Drought since before the DeathClan raid on the four Clans and it seemed the loss of this plan had taken its toll of time on Drought. The brute leader looked ragged and unkempt.

What the heck happened to him? He thought solemnly to himself with intense curiosity burning in that question. Aside from all that Drought had said someone was on time for something. He wasn't sure why but he felt like Drought had something important to say and for some reason Vale was a bit too intent to hear it. He also didn't know why he felt like he might possibly feel hesitant to as well. Because in the state of ungroomed fur and well.. he just didn't look like himself.

Would he be angry the elites couldn't keep the power going in the Clans? Obviously without the kits no but.. Was this meeting for some type of penalties or consequences? No.. If he wanted that he would probably meet one by one. Not all four full grown cats at once..right?

Hopefully this meeting would be good news and not any bad news Vale wouldn't want to hear.

[Deleted]

THIS IS WAR TO THE SOLDIER, THE CIVILIAN    TAGS: Badger, Holly, Thicket, Vale   THIS IS WAR - 30 SECONDS TO MARS  NOTES: ------- WORD COUNT: 329 ❥ ONE BY ONE, as surely as the clap of thunder that follows a lightning strike, the Elites began to arrive in his little clearing. It wasn't long at all until all four were standing or sitting beneath his tree. There was Badger, proud and eager to bring some life into this meeting. Drought cast his gaze over Thicket, who was concerned but polite. Hopping down from the branch stiffly, he accepted the offering with a grateful nod and sat down on a root to eat the mouse swiftly. As he did so, he glanced at Holly - always quiet yet unmistakably confident. Today, it seemed that he was rather chatty. How unusual. Downing the last of the prey from Thicket, he met Vale's eyes briefly. His relative's words betrayed his curiosity. However, Drought could also see a hint of nervousness in that gaze. Looking away, the patched tom scanned the four again as he allowed a silence to fall upon the group. It was only then that he finally spoke again. "All of you know what happened, or at least you should have heard about it by now. You were all driven out of the Clans because Lyric, the cat tasked with guarding the kittens, turned traitor and helped them to escape." He wasn't going to beat around the bush here. With a grave expression, Drought continued; "I don't blame any of you for her actions, but I know now that I cannot fully trust any cat, regardless of how loyal they may seem... and I can't allow any other DeathClanner to have such a high degree of responsibility." He hesitated, guessing that some of the Elites might see this coming even before he spoke the words. "From this point on, the position of Elite will no longer exist. You will all become Royals, though I may occasionally call upon you for somewhat-important tasks." He took a slow breath, bracing himself for what would surely be an outpouring of indignation. ♚ Made by SYLVIA of SA and GS ♚

[Badger]

Badger listened to Drought speak in absolute silence, although he was sure his amused expression gave away how he felt about the ordeal. Drought's command wasn't surprising as the least, and Badger could not bring himself to even pretend to be devastated. Instead he stood up and shrugged.

"Well, Drought, good for you on making a smart decision." He said, breaking the silence that had began once Drought had finished speaking. "Deathclan could use some more smart decisions. Keep that thinker box of yours rolling, and soon we'll eat like the Royalty we seem to be." He said, beginning to turn away. He didn't care to listen to what his former Elite-mates had to say.

But he was not done speaking. "Oh, and by the way, the Clan is likely, as a whole, to see this as an act of paranoia, and maybe even weakness. Some might even see it as a sign that you consider yourself higher than everyone else, and therefor do not need a group of Elites or Guards or Seconds." He said grimly, turning back to look at the disgruntled Leader.

"Be careful. Cats wary of your leadership are the most dangerous to you." He said, turning back to his exit and walking away. He was done with this meeting.

[Thicket]

He balanced these thoughts very carefully. The position of Elite was now eradicated. Interesting news indeed, but Royalty sounded far better than Elite. Was he offended? No he was like many others members of the Royalty as he kept to himself for the most-part. This act of Drought's was for him to increase his power over the clan, a move he understood. I hope this works out. I understand recent events have caused much confusion and reason for this. I can't help but agree. One day you may deem it fit for the position to return, but otherwise I am not fickle at all with what my rank is.