[r a g e] against.the."ma c h i n e"

[blank]

Darkness was beginning to disolve like mist in a gale. Against the dark horizon was a smudge of pale cream, the mark of the rising sun. The cool breeze of dawn was ruffling the thick neck fur against the king's throat; he gave a sigh as he emerged from the den where he slept. His flaring orange eyes took on a calm, dignified look as he studied the clearing.

Leaping onto the flat-topped surface of the smooth-stoned Statue Top was a powerful feline with short but thick golden tabby fur and bright orange eyes. It was King Tanabi of the Golden Mavericks. He shouldered his way to the precipice, then cleared his throat, thick, lion-like gold tail covering his paws with the tip still twitching spasmodically. He called out, "Golden Mavericks of any age, gather here to listen to your king!" He scanned the clearing, thinking of the young kitten he was making into a novice.

Dragg, he believed his name was. Big for a kitten, with amber fur covering him from head to tail, and darker stripes striking across that. He was the brother of the traitor called Gnar, who he was still thinking of hunting down to kill, for treachery to the Golden Mavericks. Maybe it would be better to let him live a life of harshness, cruelty, coldness. Or perhaps he would find a better life, although that wasn't so fortunate to Tanabi or his tribe if he spread lies or stories about them. Gritting his teeth, he told himself Gnar wouldn't do that. Hopefully.

Shrugging and sighing heavily, he thought of who to appoint the new novice's mentor; Electra, of course. She was a strong, independent proxy with skills to match any king or queen's. Blinking as he thought of her, a slow smile crept over his golden muzzle. She was the right choice for my proxy. She will make a fair queen when the time comes. Shaking out his golden coat and settling back to watch the arrival of the few cats he had so far.

[//.weep]

-->my silent eyes spin twirling ice

A lithe shadow sprung into the clearing, sliding out of the den, shaking the sand that had slept in her pelt off. The ginger fur slid delicately over her smooth body in a calming motion as she stalked out, shoulders rolled back, chin up. Her eyes flew towards the, pale, gold-colored king, standing on the Statue Top. The murk depths of them swirled gently as she watch him. The random patches of color that crouched underneath gave her eyes a wisom-like glow, yet most feared her. Kako sighed. Why was it always like that? Wherever she stayed, people either feared her or marveled over her. The small ginger-colored tabby settled down, looking up at Tanabi, guessing of what possibilities he would have for the mentor. Kako's tail drooped. Probably Electra.

[<---[Rebel] Angel xX]

Electra stode in, her golden pelt matching the king's intensity but with a more femenine tone to it, more graceful. Her azure-blue eyes glittered with there constant intensity, but the wild look in them was somewhat toned down by the occasion. She was always a flashey cat, wanting everyone to see her in her full glory, and never when she was in need, but she didn't want to steal the show. Not today, when a new cat was recieving the rights of apprenticeship.

Her feathery golden plume, usually waving like a banner, was brought down by her slender legs so as to avoid excess attnetion. She padded onward, eyes trained ahead, until she reached her accustomed spot below her leader. She gave a firm glance up to her king and gave a soft smile.

She adored her leader for all she was worth, in more than just admiration. She realized that she must have fallen in love with Tanabi long ago, but she didn't want to admit this to herself. The were multiple reasons for her denial. Her love was so passionate, that she was sure it would begin to interfere with her work. Being distracted by her king was hard now, but she wasn't sure it would get any better if she "aquainted" herself with him. Their personalities were so alike: proud, noble, never letting others see wekaness. If they ever got into a fight their rigid nature would prevent them from ever recovering.

She sighed a let her thoughts wander wistfully to the future. Their kits would have been gorgeous golden girls. That was what she had always wanted... But for the time being, she had to concentrate on the task at paw. Tanabi had mentioned the posibilty of her recieving this kit for training, and she hoped it would be true. There were a few other possibilities other than her, but she had an optimistic feeling about today.

[blank]

Tanabi watched as two of the tribe's she-cats appeared. Kako, a small, slight, shy tabby with beautiful gem-splashed eyes and Electra, his proxy, a tall, slender she-cat with soft golden fur. He shuffled nervously as each entered the clearing. Hardly a womanizer, Tanabi had to keep the feeling at the meeting, and the emotions had to be proud but solemn instead of shy and lusty. Shaking his head, fluffing out his short gold fur, he meowed clearly as he gazed down on the lower cats, "I would start the meeting, but we appear to be missing Dragg, who is the cat in question. Any ideas of his whereabouts?" He blinked, eyes narrowing into slits.

[//.weep]

Kako looked up slowly, eyes flicking over the golden tom's body. Her head lifted upwards to, dipping back down as Electra passed by. Her ginger head shook from side to side, clearing her throat softly. "No, I don't. Could be pining after his brother, t'ough." Kako shook her head undefineably, watching Tanabi curiously.

[blank]

Tanabi sighed, and, with a dark gaze sweeping the two she-cats below, meowed, "This is humiliating. The kit will have a reckoning with me." He glanced at Electra, murmuring for her benefit, "I'm sure you'll have your paws full with a punctuately oblivious cat like that." He ruffled his fur regally and continued to close his eyes and open them, as if hoping that when he opened them, Dragg would be there.

[[jaega's] agony.x]

It was as Tanabi spoke that Dragg appeared through the camp enterance. He had known for some time now that he would become a novice; he was overwhelmed, and sought a walk through the territory of the Golden Mavericks to ease his nerves. As he entered camp however, and saw his leader on the Statue Top, poised and looking deeply angered. He lowered his head in shame, knowing his walk had lasted too long. Great. Just great.

If Gnar would've been here, he would've taken care of anything. He would have stood up to Tanabi and used several excuses, most lies, to explain why they were late to their own novice ceremony. But Gnar wasn't here. He had left the Golden Mavericks some moons ago to the Black Mauraders. Dragg felt lost without him, for they had been brothers. With his mother and father now dead, he was his only family left.

With his head still dipped, he padded slowly to the base of the Statue Top. He took a deep breath and looked up at the powerful leader's, trying to keep his gaze. "Sorry," his words were barely audiable. He was too nice and too honest to lie to Tanabi; just the opposite of his dark hearted brother.

[blank]

Shaking his head and trying to hide a smile, Tanabi meowed in a less-cross voice, "It's okay, Dragg. I'm sure in the future you will not be so late." Shifting positions, his yowl rang out, "Great Vastari, we have all given you our own souls to guide into life -- I now give you Dragg's. May your spirit flow into his mentor, Electra, so that she may help you guide him into success in serving the Tribe you left behind." His tongue ran over his chops in a swift flash, and he motioned for the two to bump shoulders and conclude the short, spiritualistic ceremony.

[//.weep]

Kako glanced to each side quickly. Dawn was approaching fleet-fotted, as was the tabby's hunger. But Kako patiently listened, tail drooping, as the mentor was announced. It was obvious nobody wanted her to train kits. They thought she was too odd. Just because of a pair of stupid eyes. Kako drew herself around shyly and darted off, not uttering a word to any of the cats.

Kako -- Silk Canopy

[. . silent]

[[Oooh! Have her join A.R.! Raion'll like her!]]

[blank]

ooc - NO. NOT AGAIN.

[<---[Rebel] Angel xX]

Electra did as it was accustomed to do, and with a brush of the shoulder, she received a new cat to be trained into a true warrior. So what if he had been a little late? She could train him into punctuality, by using the same methods her mentor had used with her.

She couldn't help but glance up once more at her majestic leader, a tom with a powerful position and an even more powerful body. The thing she liked about him most was how every thing about him seemed effortless, like he could take down a warrior with a casual flick of his tail.

Trying to remain focused, though, she shook herself of her side thoughts and looked her apprentice in the eye. She wanted him to know that their training together wasn't going to be easy, but it would definitely be worth it.