The Forgotten Order Placement [Forgotten Order Meeting!]

Klaus emerged from the blackness of his den and stepped out into the early, pale gray morning light. Cold struck against his pelt right away as an early morning wind swept tendrils of powdery snow from the ground and across the frozen landscape. His children had proved to be hardy and determined this leaf-bare despite it's harshness. Maybe that was what made them strong. His kits were born into a world of bitter cold and low food resources, yet they thrived. Harsh, bitter and unforgiving was the world they were born into and it was all they had known so far. He didn't want it to go to their heads, lest they become arrogant and overconfident, but he was proud of them. Today he was going to give them their ranks beyond mere recruits. The Darkness knew that they had earned it.

Klaus kicked off of the ground and easily landed into a branch on the old tree. It wasn't snowing, thankfully, but the bitter wind would speed up and slow down at random intervals. So far it hadn't been enough to knock Klaus off of the tree however.

"All of you who are cast aside and forgotten, assemble beneath the old tree and hear my council!" He called out, not quite able to shake off the habits of being in a clan and calling clan meetings. He supposed he had made it sound unique enough to the Order. Well... if Tarot approved of it then it would stick. The pale tom sat patiently on the tree and waited for the rest of the Order to gather below. He would take note of who was here... because they all should be. If not, there could be consequences.

Atalante sat, finishing the last of a bird she'd caught earlier. As she grew older, she spent less and less time in their little camp, determined to both explore and improve her hunting skills. She loved her siblings, she did, but she wanted to stand out. She wanted to be better than them.

And maybe her parents would notice if she trained harder.

Her head lifted at the sound of her father's voice. Cast aside and forgotten? With how many siblings she had, Atalante wondered if that wasn't a jab at them. They all needed to work harder, that much was true. What's this about? The pale-furred, fluffy tortoiseshell gazed up at her father, curiosity shining in her cerulean gaze.

Ares lay on one of the many crumbling rocks that rose up above the camp. It was too windy for him to try climbing for now, at least with him being so inexperienced. He wanted to train, but he also knew his limits. There was a decent chance he would fall out and crack his skull on one of the rocks below. He would train his combat skills today, at least he had been planning on it until his father called them together. Cast aside and forgotten huh? Described some of the cats in the camp at least.

He leaped down from his perch, looking up at his father. It was incredible how fast he could climb, and how easily he could perch in a tree, despite the wind. Ares wanted to be that skilled someday... someday soon. So he sat, looking up at his father with golden eyes, wanting to get back to training, but also wanting to hear what his father had to say.

When Tarot heard the call, he knew the time had come. Slowly opening his violet eyes from the darkness of his den, he mused on everything that had got him here, got him to this point in his life. The struggles of the Twolegplace, the discovery of the forest cats, the slowly growing interest in the going-ons beyond the twolegplace, beyond the forest, and, most importantly, when he came across Klaus.

Today, he felt something though, similar to when he had lived in that trash pit and had watched as his grandmother slowly faded before his eyes. The rushed feeling... of time being far, far too short. A gut sensation of falling for seemingly an eternity, only to sense the ground getting ever-closer.

Tarot wasn't sure if this sensation was for him, or for his friend, but he knew that they couldn't wait any longer, they needed to establish something that would last far longer than either of them will. They needed to plant a tree with roots strong enough to withstand even the worst of storms, they needed to foster a legacy that would expand across generations.

The loner stood from where he had been curled up in his nest, one he refused to share with anyone to keep the loner in him from feeling smothered by other cats. Shaking out his pelt, he lapped at the tufts of fur that refused to obey his wishes, before emerging from the darkness, the usual apathetic expression on his face replaced with a solemn one to foster respect.

Tilting his head up to look at his companion, he padded closer to the tree they had spent many hours in discussion on once before. Of course, the small details, like where he was supposed to sit during these little meetings, were rather lost on him, so he instead lept up the tree and onto a branch slightly lower than Klaus's, but still visible if anyone bothered to look somewhere other then his flashy friend.

As the bothersome wind swept around them, he glanced down at the gathering cats, settling into a half-crouch rather than an elegant sitting position. in situations like this, he had no intentions of trying to match or outdo the pale tom above him, after all, he wasn't the figurehead of this operation.

Anastasia's ears perked as her father called out to them, tilting her head slightly at the words he chose. Cast aside and forgotten? Did that include her? She turned her gaze from the horizon she had been intently watching, yearning to chase it but keeping still for once to gaze at Klaus. She was rarely in the camp nowadays, leaving in the morning and setting out in a different direction each time, walking until she caught something or found something, returning as the sun set with her finds for the day to sleep. Rising to her paws, she padded over to Atalante and settled nearby to patiently wait for what their father would say next.

At the sound of her father call, Tornshadow lifted her head from her make-shift nest. Stars did it feel good to have a nest again, not to be moving from place to place like she had been for the past number of moons. She couldn't help but chuckle at his call, the words somewhat reminding her of what the clans used when calling their own meetings. He might not have been a clan cat in a long time, but there were some things that would never change.

She pulled herself to her paws, leaving the comfort of her nest. Her azure eyes looking around at the gathered cats. Her younger siblings were growing fast, they were doing well for themselves. They ventured a little far for her comfort, but she wasn't going to control them. Regardless she would do her best to make sure they were safe.

She settled down towards the back of the crowd, not really wanting to stand out among the crowd.

Cast aside and forgotten? Cast aside and forgotten?! Not this cat! No no! The molly quickly gathered beneath the tree, keeping herself at the very front of everyone else. With so many siblings it was easy to become hidden in the sea of legs. Not today! she swore, licking down her tufty fur. Aphrodite relied on the sun to make her pale fur glow, hopefully brighter than her siblings. Does he see me? does he see me? This is why she put herself at the front. Her siblings had grown much faster than the petite she-cat. While they grew fuller and taller she still had kitten fluff. Tucking that fluff away she then waited for whatever this "meeting" was about. If it's not about getting to sleep then it better be quick. I want to spend my morning resting, maybe with mother. But definitely not work. It's so exhausting to hunt like others do.

Alarm pricked at Aether's mind at the sound of his father's call. Cast aside? Forgotten? Did that mean Papa didn't love them anymore? He watched his siblings and the other group members gather, shocked at their calm dispositions. Didn't they care? Or did they already know? How could they not tell him! He wanted Papa to love him! He didn't want to be abandoned!

It took all of his strength to be able to call out to his father. He didn't want to be cast aside.

"Papa! Why are you casting us aside? Don't you love us? I don't want to be cast aside Papa, I want to be your son! Please! I will do anything! I promise I will be good!"

Aoife could sense the annoyance of her siblings at the group call, even before Aether did his common thing of telling everything exactly what was on his mind. She didn't like it much either, but was far too worried about more important things, like her future placement. No point risking anything now. Going to the clan Gathering had been stupid enough - she'd pretty much failed to keep everything in line. Even if she didn't appreciate the summon, she knew it was directed at her, and so joined her littermates where they congregated. She joined Atlante and Anastasia, largely because she felt as she was seeing less of her sister. Aoife may not have made it obvious what she cared about, but the clearest was keeping her family together, even if it was from a distance.

Astraeus slipped from the snow drifts, settling close by Ares, Atalante, and Aoife- though not so close he’d get on their nerves. Aether got nothing but a flat stare. The silver tom had been grumpier lately, and feeling under the weather- he felt certain he’d caught some mild whitecough from those Clanners at the Gathering.

Yellow eyes scrutinized his father as he curled his tail around his paws.

Her first few days in the Forgotten Order's camp were rocky. The wind whistled harshly here, the old hollow tree creaking overhead. It cried for something unknown. Cleo's ears perked up at Klaus's call. Cast aside and forgotten, eh? It fit, as tactless as it was. Cleo felt rather forgotten, with her mother far off wherever, and the rest of her family dead. Now where to sit? She'd noticed over the past few days here that some of Klaus's kits were far more competent than others. Ares, for one, would be a challenge to outdo. But Aether whined like a kittypet. Tarot had talked fondly of these kits during his spiel when she had first joined. And all but a few of them lived up to the praise. Cleo only hoped she wouldn't stand out amongst the crowd.

Torn looked rather uncomfortable in her spot, probably unnerved by Klaus's icy gaze as well. Cleo padded over to her side and laid her tail over the she-cat's, not saying a word. Her first course of action was to make friends if she was ever going to survive here.

Apollo's ears twitched at fathers call he had been busy goofing off seeing how high up he could throw a mossball into the air and then catch it in his mouth.

He threw it up one last time and it sailed threw the air hitting Astraeus on the head lightly.  He giggled and ran over to the meeting spot.  He loved goofing off but when father was around he tried to behave... even if just a little.  He sat amongst his many siblings and looked up at father.

He could see the confusion on their faces and Aether even voiced his concerns. Klaus waited, looking around at the others to see if they understood why he said what he had. Tornshadow seemed to understand, but she was clan-born and knew what a meeting sounded like when it was called. This wasn't Skyclan, however. This was the Forgotten Order.

"It looks like I'll have to clear up some confusion before I continue." Klaus's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion. As the Order gathered below, he made careful note of who was to be chosen for each role.

"The Forgotten Order is mostly made up of my family, it's true. But the Forgotten Order is more than just us, Aether. It is bigger than us. I expect it to grow. I expect all of you to help it grow. The Forgotten Order is a play on words just as much as it is the name of our group.

Before there were clans to defy the laws of nature, the Natural Order of things was that the strong survived and the weak died. There were no leaders of clans that had multiple lives. We, cat-kind, were all rogues at one point, or loners if you prefer that term instead." He gave Tarot a look before continuing. "Ever since Starclan appeared and began meddling with the laws of nature, giving power and nine lives to those they deemed worthy enough to be leaders, the natural order of things has been cast aside. We are here to remind Starclan that the natural order is alive and well, and we will enforce such ideals until there are no clans left to speak of. There will be no Starclan left either.

In your travels and on your missions regarding the clan cats, you will hear them say great things about their starry ancestors in the sky. I'd like to tell you that they do not exist, but having been a warrior of Skyclan once, I have been to the moonstone and have witnessed them for myself. They are very real... but they are not kind, they don't watch over or protect the clans like the clan cats will claim. Starclan is evil, putting a Warrior Code in place that prevents any clan from completely wiping out the others. On the surface, that sounds very noble, but because of that code, the clans have been warring for ages and will continue to do so. No one will have victory, but no one will have peace either. There can be no peace without a clear winner. Starclan knows that.

Starclan even forbids anything that could cement the bonds between clans and end the violence forever, like romances across clans for example. There are many decent cats in those clans, but they have all been brainwashed and deceived by Starclan and pit against each other in an endless war. They aren't even allowed to kill other warriors without consequence, because if they did that, one clan would have to come out on top and end the violence. Where would Starclan's entertainment be then? So they forbid it.

That's not to say Starclan doesn't entirely disapprove of killing... only those outside of the clans are permitted to be killed. Those outside of the brainwashing that is the Warrior Code; Those that can see from an outsider's perspective how cruel Starclan really is. It is only you Starclan permits warriors to kill. I discovered this truth when I was still an apprentice in Skyclan, and Starclan has been trying to bury me ever since. They set my home ablaze, despite Skyclan being the most devout clan in the forest, and I have no doubt they were only trying to kill me. They knew what I would become, where I would stand one day."

He went quiet and stared down at the group of cats that was now his Forgotten Order. He had done it. Despite his lack of devoutness towards Starclan, he had once again acquired power. He had complete control over this group though... and he would not be making the same mistakes that the leaders of the Asylum did. One well organized rebellion wasn't going to make the Order crumble into nothingness. Cut off one head of this beast and another would grow to take it's place. What did Hyacinth call that thing? A hydra? Regardless, it was much more dangerous than the mere snake that the Asylum was. After he had paused for a moment, he continued again.

"What I meant by "those who are cast aside and forgotten", I didn't mean the Order would forget you. No. The Order is here to help protect those outside of the clans, and that includes those who have been exiled from them. Clans are very rigid. If you do not obey the leader, you are likely to be thrown out. Those that disobey the word of their leaders are not always such horrible cats, but rather those that can think for themselves. We want them. So they fit into the "cast aside and forgotten" category. The Forgotten Order itself has been forgotten, but the Order will not neglect or cast aside any of it's members. This is your home, now and always, so long as you are not a detriment to it's survival."

Klaus hoped that these younger cats would understand. He allowed them to think on what he had said for a moment before he decided to move onto why he called the meeting to begin with.

"I have called this meeting because I have decided where to place some of you. If you disagree, feel free to meet with me afterwards to discuss it." His eyes traveled to Atalante. He always felt a chill down his spine whenever he looked at her too long. She looked far too much like her grandmother... and how he hated that molly even now. He had to remind himself that it was not Atalante's fault, but yet another slight from Starclan most likely. He would not allow it to affect him in the way that they wanted.

"Atalante, Ares, Achelois and Tornshadow step forward. You have proven to be obedient and fierce. I assign you the rank of Prowler. You will go to the clan's borders and recruit who you can. You will also do whatever the Serpent, Tarot, tells you to do. Whatever he tells you." He put emphasis on those words. Tarot might need them to do something... off-color once in awhile. But he would speak no more on that matter.

"Anastasia, Aether, and Aleksander step forward. You will be Hunters. Provide for the Order before you provide for yourselves. You may ask for additional help from other members any time you see fit. Hyacinth, you will be a Trainer for the time being. Once you feel you can be moved into a different position, come see me and we will discuss. For now, you are responsible for teaching the Order combat and stealth from your Scout days in the Asylum."

His eyes then moved to the next three cats.

"Aphrodite, Aoife, and Achlys you will be Guards. Protect this camp with your life. Raise the alarm if you see anything suspicious and those present will assist you in defending it. Astraeus, Cleo and Apollo you will be Protectors. Go on the outskirts of our borders, constantly mark them, and if you come across anything suspicious on the borders, tell a Leader or a Guard immediately."

With the assigning out of the way, he watched the Order for reactions. After he let the information sink in a bit, he opened his mouth to speak one final time before allowing the others to speak.

"If any of you are dissatisfied with your placement, speak to me later. I have chosen no Overseer for any faction right now, as I need to see how well you do your jobs before I decide which of you is the best for that position. Prove to me how well you can work and give me a reason to pick you as Overseer. Until then, I will not call a meeting again for another moon or so. You have that long to impress me and beat your competition."

And that was the end of that. He would allow them to speak now, for better or for worse.

Anastasia listened intently as her father began to speak, starting with explaining the meaning behind his strange summons. Her mouth opened slightly in a silent oh, her eyes lighting up in mild understanding. She still didn't fully understand it all, given her lack of knowledge of the clans and their ways, but she was pacified with her father's explanation of his strange choice of words. As he continued on, her eyes lit up in excitement. Their assignments! She was quivering, but for once the cold had little to do with it. Which position would be first? She hoped she was a prowler, she loved going out and seeing everything. She hadn't encountered a clan cat yet, though... Hmm... Klaus started naming her siblings, and she straightened, hoping to hear her name, but when it didn't come she didn't react too much. There were plenty of other positions, and who knew what they were assigned to. Prowler. Dung. The bitter taste of disappointment lingered on her tongue as she glanced to those who had been named, forcing a small smile of silent congratulations. Tarot was in charge of them, at least for now, and she felt even more disheartened. Her name was called, and her ears perked back up, taking in the assignment her father gave her. A hunter. She was good at hunting, and enjoyed it, but... It was nearly impossible to find prey. Especially for so many. And with Aether and Aleksander? She had hardly seen Aleksander, and Aether was... Well.... Impulsive. And didn't seem to know how to take a hint. She fought against the frown, but her brow furrowed all the same. If she was to be a hunter, then she would be the best hunter that Klaus had ever seen. If that's what he thought was best for her, and for the family and others as a whole, than she would be the best she could be at it. Didn't mean she had to like it, right? She wasn't being asked to like it. She was being told to do it. And do it she would. Besides, there was still a chance to be assigned to be an Overseer. Each position had it's place, it's purpose. She would get used to hers.



Wouldn't she?

Getting rid of Starclan? She didn't know how she felt about all of that.. She never really saw Starclan as an enemy. Of course Skyclan was the one she opposed in the long run. She didn't support anything they did, though as he spoke a lot of things were beginning to make sense to her. Why he did the things he did. Tornshadow looked up at her father. She promised her loyalty to him, to support this order, and that she would do. While she might not agree with everything, it was still better than being stuck in the clans. Better than being stuck in Skyclan.

Tornshadow was so stuck in her head that she almost missed the assignments. She sat a little straighter, ears perked as she listened to the names. She had expected not to be placed anywhere important, to be a shadow once again in this order like she had been in Skyclan, but no. It seemed that Klaus had other plans for her. A Prowler huh.. Go to the clans and recruit as well as do tasks assigned by Tarot? She could do that. She didn't exactly know who to start with, but she would figure it out.

As the names continued, Tornshadow felt a twinge inside her.. Her name stood out among the rest. She felt like she didn't fit with her name.. "Klaus, Tarot." She spoke up. "May I request a name change? I feel like my clan name doesn't fit with the Order's ideals."