Introducing Dainty

[Dewdrop]

Dainty cowered near the ground. Was this how all the cats behaved in this place? Because this was scary. She scuttled over to hide behind Orangesky. She didn't want to be in the middle of these cats; they might jump at each other any second. The things this Dustpaw was describing were horrible; she realised how good a life she had had.

Why did she leave her first Upwalkers? Just because they'd killed her siblings; they hadn't killed her, had they? They took care of her, kept her safe, well fed and warm. She could have stayed there and not have come here where she-cats were treated like mousedung. Well, they seemed to be treated like mousedung in FireClan. She made a mental note; if she was chucked out, she wasn't going anywhere near that FireClan thing.

She whimpered. She wished Dustpaw and Orangesky would stop shouting at each other. Why didn't Nightstar stop them?

[Twilight]

"QUIET! BOTH OF YOU! And that's an order! I don't want to hear another muttered word about this issue. Yes, Dustpaw. You do that. If you bring back at least five rabbits, I'll make you a warrior on the spot. NEITHER of you are the leader, I am, and I want you to shut up on the matter." She sighed, exasperated. She turned back to Dustpaw. " I want you, Dustpaw, to meet me in my space after the meeting. Without Oranegsky around." she flicked her eyes to the over aggresive tom and flicked her black tail. "And when I'm done with her and have sent her off to begin the mission, I want to see you in my space as well." She turned her face back to Dainty, and sat silent for a few moments. "There is still the matter of Dainty to attend to. I saw myself, that we keep her here for a few days, teach her as we would an apprentice. If she turns out to be unsufficient in keeping the clan well fed and protected, I saw we kick her out. What do you think?"

[Shadewing]

"It's not a problem, Nightstar. I respect any decisions you may make." Orangesky said, bowing his head down at the angry leader. "That does seem like a good deal. If you could get that done, you would have the skill of a warrior, Dustpaw, especially since the rabbits are scarce, and you are lucky to come across five. Per Nightstar's request, I will not bring up my quarrels with you right now."

Orangesky looked at Nightstar, and blinked his gray eyes, and began speaking about Dainty. "That is a good judgment, Nightstar. However, she was born a kitty-pet, so I fear that it may take her a little longer." Orangesky said, addressing his worry rather quickly. He then trailed off, a little quieter: "You know that with FireClan present in ShadowClan, we need to bulky up our members by any means necessary, in case they launch a joint attack on our territory. Dainty should prove valueable.."

[Dewdrop]

Dainty jumped as Nightstar yelled at the two arguing cats. Sure, she'd wanted it to happen; that didn't mean she didn't have the right to be scared when it actually happened. She listened to Nightstar. Dustpaw had to get 5 rabbits; in leaf-bare no less. That would be really hard. She didn't think she could even catch one rabbit. Even if she had been trained like Dustpaw. She started to concentrate on Nightstar's words again and heard her say that she would be trained for a few days and kicked out if she didn't do well.

What? She might as well leave now. This would not work out for her. She'd imagined the forest as a place where she would be provided for by handsome toms; hailed as a queen or something like that. She'd never imagined she'd have to work. A look of panic flitted across her face for a second. Who would teach her anyway? If it was Nightstar, she'd never learn in time.

She heard Orangesky telling Nightstar he thought it would take her a little longer than a few days; but he thought she might prove to be valuable. Well, maybe. She'd need a lot of help to be valuable to any one. "I agree with Orangesky," she said quietly. "You're all so knowledgable and strong and I don't know how long it would take me to learn your ways. I might need a bit longer than a few days." Dainty stared at the ground, her tail twitching.