what if (p)

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Jude smiled softly, tipping his head when she spoke of Pain. "That's good to hear." 'Maybe he isn't as bad as he seems.' Of course, Jude had never spoken with him. He was just making assumptions.

"Who knows. I could see you two becoming friends." He shrugged. "I think you'd be a good influence for him." 'Hopefully it wouldn't be the other way around.'

[Natalia]

Natalia shrugged.

"I suppose only time will tell." She responded. She cocked her head. "You really think so?" She wasn't sure exactly why Jude thought that... She was maybe okay-ish in some areas, but she didn't think of herself a good cat to learn from in general.

She looked away. "Have you seen Dove around?" She asked suddenly. "It's been a while, and I would've imagined Dove would want to make a move by now..." She frowned and recalled her initial opinion of Dove. A little too happy for Deathclan. 

[Deleted]

"Yeah." He gave her a gentle nudge, shaking his head as she continued. "No, I haven't. I hope she's okay..." He wondered where she could've gone. 'Maybe she's out hiding, and is trying to test us or something.' He dismissed the thought. 'She wouldn't leave us.'

Jude sighed. "It'd be weird, fighting against the IceClanners. I practically live with them."

[Natalia]

Natalia sighed.

"I'm sure she's fine.... But...." She hesitated before bringing up her point. "Perhaps she's a little wary? She's our leader. We sort of have to trust her to make the decisions to keep Deathclan going, y'know? Maybe she's shying away because she doesn't want to make them." She suggested carefully. She sighed. "I don't know if it's just Dove being weird... But she seems a bit... Nice, if I'm being honest." 

She sighed again. "We practically live with other Deathclanners. Doesn't stop us from clawing their ears off." She pointed out.

[Deleted]

"Maybe." He didn't think Dove would put off decision-making. She seemed too professional. But maybe Natalia was right. 'I hope she knows that we need her.'

Jude shrugged. "I guess you're right."

[Natalia]

Natalia took a deep breath.

"Hey... Jude?" She asked suddenly. "When I joined Deathclan... I think Dove had only just obtained the leader position." She looked at him seriously. "You don't think... Someone might decide they can lead Deathclan better and cause a mess?"

[Deleted]

Jude frowned. He hadn't considered anyone else taking up the leadership role. It just seemed weird if someone other than Dove led them. "I don't know. Do you think anyone would?"

[Natalia]

Natalia sighed.

"Honestly... It can be hard to know what cats think sometimes. Maybe Pain? I remember Dove listened to his suggestions back at the meeting a while ago. And after that, actually... I remembered coming across him doing work for Dove. He seemed to be sacrificing sleep...." She shrugged. "Could be wrong, but if anyone made a move I think it'd be him."

[Deleted]

"Hmm..." He didn't know what to think of Pain being leader. It would either be great or terrible. "I'd rather have Dove than Pain." Jude said, knowing it'd be kind of tough to take orders from Pain. 'But Natalia said he wasn't too bad... So what do I know?'

[Natalia]

Natalia huffed.

"I swear, if some random weirdo makes a grab for power... I'm going to make sure it's someone competent myself." She promised. "I'm not going to stand by and let an idiot lead Deathclan into the ground."

[Deleted]

Jude laughed. "Then maybe you should make a grab for power." He smirked. "I think you'd be pretty good at it."

[Natalia]

Natalia huffed. 

"Don't be so sure." She warned, though her tone was light. "But maybe it'd be alright if you were standing by me."

[Deleted]

"Aw, thanks." He grinned. "You're nicer than you let on, y'know."

[Natalia]

Natalia's cheeks slightly reddened.

She huffed and looked away. "Yeah, yeah...."

[Deleted]

Jude gaze her a nudge. "It's a good thing."