The Dry Season Is Scavenger Season | Private

[Crow]

@drought


    If there ever was a day when Crow spoke out for her wariness, it would have been long forgotten despite the surprise it would have made. She was an independent yet loyal young cat, despite her minuscule education in anything thus far, though Crow was a quick learner, and could work things out on her own as well. She was brave, quick-witted, observant and in shape. The only weakness that could be said at the time for the youngling was her self-containment. It could come in handy, yes, though Crow's fault was stubbornness. She refused to consider asking for assistance when it came to training, and she refused to get to know people easily, though, being in Deathclan, that was probably a good thing.
    Boredom was a side affect of independence. Even Crow hadn't adapted to it, and she had been living independently since an anonymous she-cat tossed her to the so-called clan. The solid black youngling crouched loaf-like at the edge of the Main Clearing, her eyes pinched shut, tail curled around her paws. There wasn't much going on in her head besides daydreaming, and even though she was well aware of her surroundings, Crow didn't expect to be noticed, let alone approached by any means.

|Not the best I've written, but there you go |

[Deleted]

| LOAF-LIKE. THAT IS MY NEW FAVORITE PHRASE. |

Aside from the poisoning of the river, there hadn't been too much happening in DeathClan recently. Perhaps that was a good thing - it gave the younglings time to mature and sharpen their skills. A lull in excitement also gave Drought the chance to plot and scheme in peace. However, the Clans might start to think that they were no longer a threat if they went too long without acting. It was better to keep up a constant barrage of small things… mostly border attacks and the like, seeing as taking over entirely was no longer an option. He'd tried in the past.

The scarred tom headed for the main clearing. Somewhat to his surprise, a black cat was already there; Drought also didn't recognize this kitty. Her scent was vaguely foreign. Unsheathing his claws as a precaution, he padded over to Crow.

"Either you're new, or you're an outsider who took a major wrong turn. Let's hope it's the former, hmm?"

[Crow]

|Lol. My cat was sitting next to me kind of like Crow was and I though, "Hey! LOAF!"|

    Blinking in only hidden surprise, Crow looked up and the battered tom, her eyes taking in the appearance and sense of nobility in the way he held himself. There was always talk about Deathclan's leader, Drought, and so it was simply automatic that Crow assumed him the one people spoke of.
    "You're Drought, right?" Crow asked in her slightly squeaky voice. It was something she wasn't proud of, but she could only hope to grow out of it. "I'm Crow. I assumed you would be pleased with someone new to your... eh, clan, though your tone tells me otherwise." Crow's tail flicked almost annoyingly. She was meandering her way around in a swirl toward Drought's assumption, dropping obvious hints all the while. "And to answer, yes, I am new."

[Deleted]

"Of course I am," Drought stated in response to Crow's question. At least she wasn't one of the few who had no idea who he was. Being extremely notorious, it was always a surprise to find someone who didn't know his name.

"Then you misunderstand, Crow. New recruits are welcome here… but those who are simply trespassing are not." Generally, outsiders stayed clear of DeathClan's borders… though it never hurt to be cautious all the same.

The leader absently wondered where Crow had originally been from. A loner, perhaps? Most likely not a kittypet. Drought had been a rogue in his youth, though only briefly - he'd spent most of his life in the pseudo-Clan.

[Crow]

    The youngling nodded in agreement, her teal eyes almost neutral in tone. "I suppose I am," Crow finalized. Bored with the topic, she cast her eyes around the clearing, taking in the area. "What does any cat do around here to keep from collapsing in the agony of boredom?" Crow asked, figuring she would be in more trouble for snickering behind the leader's back rather than being upfront about her situation.

[Deleted]

He considered this briefly. "Well, if you're not in the mood to hunt, you can pick a fight with somebody. Preferably a cat who looks to be around your skill level. Doesn't need to be a grudge match; casual sparring works just fine." Combat tended to do away with boredom rather effectively - and it never hurt to train a bit.

[Crow]

    Rolling her eyes rather disrespectfully and in a disbelieving fashion, Crow accepted the response as mere data. "Don't get me wrong, but I find it rather annoying that you would use the term 'pick a fight.' Saying so implies that I want to injure a fellow member. I do want to train - I won't deny that - though it's an ineffective strategy for one like myself when you don't know the first battle move that could be used." Shrugging, Crow lifted herself onto her paws, meeting Drought's gaze steadily despite her size.

[Deleted]

"Wow, really? Would you like me to hold your paw and walk you back to your Twolegs?" Drought hissed, the caustic sarcasm threatening to burn a hole in Crow's pelt. "I think you've forgotten - this is DeathClan. A day without a fight isn't a day worth living. Anyone who's too weak to defend themselves will either leave, learn, or die. We don't use 'battle moves' here; do you think an enemy is going to stand still and wait for you to figure out tactics? Battle using your instincts." The black cat would need to quickly learn that violence was common here. Only the strongest belonged in this evergreen forest.

[Crow]

    Crow merely laughed. She wasn't scared, nor disappointed. "My instinct is education, tough guy," the she-cat responded simply, shaking her head ever so slightly. "Intelligence is the key to anything. Tell me: Did you magically learn to hunt? No. You needed to learn. That's instinct. It's learning to do something." Crow grinned. There was something about making a point that just sent poison to her tongue. The black youngling's tongue was sharp as a blade, and her mind even sharper. And she knew that.
    "I never said the tactic was an incorrect one. Simply a... how to put it? - it's an inconvenient one for many." Despite her absence of agreement in the method, Crow did nod to show she respected the teaching. I suppose it's a start. A few scars will only show determination.

[Deleted]

"You would do well to remember that disrespecting your leader will not get you very far in DeathClan," warned Drought. He was quite sick of getting snark from peasants who were barely more than kittens. "If you can't trust your instincts, you do not belong here. We do not teach each other; the mistakes you make will serve you well enough. Refine your instincts." There were neither apprentices nor mentors here for a reason - the Clans' methods were inefficient.

"Now - if you have nothing better to do than waste my time by insisting upon lesser methods, I believe we're done." The patched tom honestly did not have time for this sort of nonsense.

[Crow]

(Whoop whoop. Vacationing)
|Don't forget about me, @drought!

    Crow muffled a snort of amusement. It was odd, though she was flattered by Drought's vain attempts at understanding her. I will get further than you would believe, I'm sure, the praise-ambitious youngling thought in protest. "It was never my intention to profit different ways," Crow remarked, though a touch more respect tinged her voice. He's right; Telling my leader what is wrong with his methods isn't going to get me to a rank much older than a youngling.
    "Since my choice of conversation is so wrong, what would you like yo discuss? And nine of this simple-termed youngling remarks. I am a genius stuck in a youngling's paws."