December Gathering 2018

Owlpaw looked patently at the she-cat when she spoke her first sentence she could not help but end the sentence in her head.
Everyone who I care about is no longer here.
She could not help but feel sympathy for the she-cat which was ridicules because who would want sympathy from a death magnet like her? They where not even in the same clans in Starclans name.
But Owlpaw did now what the she-cat was going trough, atleast a bit.
First her mother had died before she even turned an apprentice, the her mentor died, her best friend and after all of that her father had died while meeting the Skyclan cat she was now talking to.
She quietly answered "its okay to feel sad about your losses, I had plenty to, I know the pain".
She knew that Acornfall probably did't want the conversation to go that way but a part of her really wanted to.
Because maybe she finally found someone to who knows what she is going trough.

I think Acorn an Owl could make great friends

Great StarClan, it was cold! How in the stars' name was it legal to be out and about late at night when it was this cold? Teeth chattering, his short, coarse fur trying its best to bush out as far as it would go to protect his skin against the wind and snow, Rabbitpaw strode into the Gathering after Swiftstep. His mother, Brindlestar, had fallen ill with whitecough, and he hoped she would make a speedy recovery. Not only was she his only living parent remaining, but a Clan without its leader -- or at the very least a weak and sick one -- was a vulnerable Clan. He could just feel WindClan growing weaker and weaker by the second without their leader guiding the Clan tonight.

Not wanting to socialize with any cat from other Clans, knowing just how risky it could be, the short-furred, long-limbed tom stuck close to his Clanmates, and more specifically his littermates, trying to salvage any warmth they provided during this frigid night.

(OOC: Rabbitpaw is open for conversation from WindClan cats, but will be hesitant towards cats from other Clans.)

Morningpaw had arrived to the gathering with her fellow Shadowclanners. The medicine cat apprentice had made her way slowly to where the other medicine cats gathered. She now sat, looking at nothing or nobody in particular. She wasn't in the mood to speak with the others as all of her thoughts took her attention away. She was too tense to really converse.

Amberpaw sat patiently and quietly, watching with interest as cats milled about and Clans arrived, slowly filling the quiet former-battleground with chatter and commotion. Some cats kept to themselves, as they always did, while bolder apprentices and old friends from each Clan sought out cats of other Clans to mingle with. While the medicine cat apprentice was incredibly grateful for any break in hostility between Clans, she couldn't help but think of how they had also come together here not too long ago to battle their former Clanmates to the death.

Times had changed, and times would always change. Amberpaw sighed as Pricklepaw arrived. As usual, the ThunderClan medicine cat apprentice was closed-off and grouchy-looking, though at least he gave them all a civil nod as he settled away from them. Amberpaw wondered how ThunderClan was faring with such a bitter medicine cat apprentice caring for them. Not long after, Morningpaw approached as well, but to Amberpaw's disappointment ShadowClan's medicine cat seemed withdrawn and anxious as well. I'm beginning to dislike Gatherings, Amberpaw thought, casting her gaze sadly down to her paws.

---

Barleytuft strode in close to Swiftstep, feeling anxious about attending the Gathering when they had left Brindlestar behind. Their leader had fallen ill, likely thanks to the bitter weather on top of her new strains of being a mother. Bearing that many kits had taken its toll, and it showed in her susceptibility to illness. While WindClan wasn't necessarily weak yet, any Clan would be perceived as such without their leader present at a Gathering. Besides, if Brindlestar was sick, who else might fall ill? They couldn't take any chances, so Swiftstep led WindClan into the Gathering, leaving Brindlestar to rest.

The lanky tabby warrior made his way through the gathered WindClan, ThunderClan, SkyClan, and ShadowClan cats, to find a place to sit. Barleytuft had a soft spot for young cats, so when he saw a tabby-and-white SkyClan apprentice bounding around excitedly, he felt his own excitement begin to grow. Maybe this Gathering wasn't going to be so bad if there were still optimistic cats. "Aren't there?" Barleytuft mewed. "This must be your first Gathering. Hopefully it won't be too negative tonight."

ooc: Falconwing, Balreytuft is chatting with Eaglepaw.

Acornfall knew what Owlpaw was thinking, at least part of it.  Owlpaw saw her father, Crowclaw, get brutally murdered by Shade.  There may have been even more incidents that Acornfall did not know about.  ”You’re right.  It just seems frustrating that when someone you truly care about dies, and you cannot help them.”  Or if you could have helped them, but failed to do so. The brown she-cat couldn’t think much about this, because otherwise she would break into tears. Acornfall felt comfort in Owlpaw, almost like a friend.

OOC: That was just what I was thinking, Rainypool. Maybe we could make another topic in the Fallen Oak? this may turn into a friendship that is too strong

Leopardstar nodded, genuinely pleased to hear of SkyClan's good fortune.  Though they weren't explicitly allies, the two clans weren't rivals either, and a long legacy of good wills lay between them; though, he still wasn't keen to give away too much about his own clan.  "We're doing well, it seems the prey is still running on both sides of our borders, and we've welcomed many kits, including five of my own."  He couldn't keep the pride from his voice but quickly felt the need to clarify.  "Well, they're not mine by blood, but I've taken in a litter found abandoned on the outskirts of our territory..."  It was at that moment that he wondered how far the story of his own history had traveled within the clans; it was common knowledge back home, but would Tinystar see him that way as well?  A rogue who had clawed his way through life to somehow end up on the highest throne the clans offered?  He didn't elaborate, but felt his heart race a bit faster; he didn't have to worry for long though, for the sight of another leader arriving quelled his nerves.  He returned Scorchstar's polite nod, before turning his gaze back to the crowd; he wasn't interested in speaking on personal matters in front of a clan allied against him.  The arrival of Swiftstep though came as a shock, and the usually composed tom couldn't keep his eyes from flashing much wider than usual.  Where's Brindlestar?  The words were on his tongue, but the ticked-tabby deputy turned away before he could ask, and the time suddenly seemed inappropriate.  He would find out soon, he guessed, but his stomach churned anxiously.  Had her injuries from the fire gotten worse?  Or was this a simple matter, having nothing to do with his fears that she had sacrificed much more than fur during that terrible battle?

Riverclan was last to arrive. It was kind of unusual but the leader couldn't care less. All that matter was that his clan was here and he had a few things to share with the other leaders, especially with Brindlestar, Leopardstar and Scorchstar. However, when he reached the clearing and raised his head to look up the leader's rock, disappointment crossed his eyes when he saw Swiftstep instead of the cream tabby she-cat. Jaystar climbed the rock while his clan started to set down and he greeted all the leaders with a respectful, quiet nod, but Shadowclan's. He made sure to sit next to him and locked eyes with him. "It's good to see you, Scorchstar. I hope leaf-bare is treating you well." He purred, friendly to his ally. However, his next words were said in a lower voice, so the dark tabby could be the only one to hear him. "There's something that we must discuss, Scorchstar. A kit has come to my clan a few nights ago... and she claimed to be your kin." The silver tom waited for his response to that. He had to make sure that there was a part of him that would actually welcome Shade's legacy when he couldn't. Jaystar hated the idea of leaving a small kit out in the wild but Riverclan couldn't accept Lengxue in. Her family was with the rogues and Shadowclan, and she and her uncle didn't want to be with the first ones.

---

Berrycloud entered the Gathering with the rest of his clan. It was a shame his former mentor couldn't be here but maybe he should try to just relax and have some fun. The large, golden tabby settled down and waited. This time, he wasn't quite in the mood to search for some fun with other clans but he would be happy if some apprentice or warrior would like to join him tonight.

---

The dilute calico she-cat followed her father closely and decided to stick close to her clan. Hailsong couldn't help a soft snarl when she spotted Windclan due to the recent skirmish she had against one of their warriors. She was sick of those trespassers and she had to admit that she wished Brindlestar was sick and that that was the reason she was not here. The clans would be better without her, a leader who risked the lives of Riverclan apprentices for moons because of what a dead leader did a long time ago.

Swanpetal followed her leader into the Gathering, idly glancing over the cats from the other Clans. The rest were already here. RiverClan was last, but she was certain no one would dare assume they were any less because of it. She pondered approaching one of the strangers and making casual conversation, but decided against it, instead sitting silently and keeping her eye on the leaders. Gatherings were a place and time for important news to be shared, after all, and Swanpetal had never liked not knowing things. She was so focused on the leaders and thinking of nothing else that she would have failed to notice someone approach.

Grousepaw strode in after his mentor and the deputy. He observed Swiftstep closely, keeping a keen eye on how he acted when he climbed atop the high rock. His gaze turned then towards the other cats of the clans. All were scattered around and mixed. Disorganised, chaotic... his nose wrinkled at the sight of it all. Such disorder was a terrible idea. Although he knew of the gathering truce, what if two cats did get into a fight? Would they be able to be stopped in time with such a large swathe of cats, or would every cat plunge into a fight?

He huffed, keeping the opinion to himself as his gaze caught sight of a couple she-cats. Self conciously, he lifted his posture and tilted his head up proudly. He was a son of Brindlestar, and he wouldn't allow himself to look foolish and timid.

---

Blossompaw followed silently behind RiverClan. Her green eyes flashed up towards Leopardstar, then towards the thunderclan cats she could see with a bitter discontent. Her mother had been distressed at Icepaw's injuries, and she hated seeing her that way. Whichever cats were responsible would pay, and she could barely wait for the announcement.

Heronflight and Larkpaw walked with RiverClan.  Heronflight is preparing to listen to the leaders, while Larkpaw can’t take his mind off Lengxue.

OOC: No muse at all

Frozenpaw entered the clearing with the rest of her clan, striding calmly alongside her brothers Rabbitpaw and Grousepaw and wondering vaguely what this gathering would hold. She'd never been here before or seen so many cats at once. It was lovely with the snow, but by now much of it had been trodden on and squished into the dirt below it. It was poetic, really. The gray she-cat giggled at Grousepaw's posturing and nudged Rabbitpaw to get his attention. Hopefully he would cheer up soon; they were all worried about their mother, but Frozenpaw was sure Brindlestar would be fine. Besides, Swiftstep was doing a good job, and he was a pleasant sight to see upon the rock alongside the other clans' leader. He really was quite striking, wasn't he? Her tail flicked to indicate that she was deep in her thoughts, and she brushed close to Rabbitpaw in a mutual bid for warmth against the cold wind.

---

Dawnpaw looked up when Marshstorm's tail wrapped around her, and she felt a slight sense of comfort that she rarely allowed to affect her. This time, she was very accepting of his affection and appreciated the gentle tone of his deep voice. "Peace... She mumbled to herself after he left her, and she glanced around the clearing. Cats were milling about and even conversing with members of other clans. The leaders sat next to each other calmly. Young cats and old alike interacted with civility. It was strange to see a place that was so filled with death now filled with life. Dawnpaw sighed, already tired and wishing to return to her nest in camp. Duskpaw was at camp. She wanted to curl up next to him and sleep for an eternity.

And then quick movement caught her her eyes, and before she knew it, Dawnpaw saw a flash of pale calico fur and pressure of her dear sister against her chest. She was on the ground, although the landing hadn't been painful, merely surprising. "Redkit!" She exclaimed impulsively before she realized her mistake. "But you must have been made an apprentice, my mistake. Redpaw." She purred, looking back up into her littermate's eyes with barely restrained joy. Her face hardened into a frown when she mentioned Slatepaw being rude, and she rolled into a sitting position with a slight growl. "That fool had one job and he can't even... Burntpaw...! Yes, they've been good to us so far. Some of the older ThunderClan cats avoid us but the rest accept us. Duskpaw remained at camp this night." She didn't want to even think about her lousy mentor and his other annoying apprentices, so she left her analysis at that and returned his gesture of affection with a quick nuzzle. Perhaps they didn't have the best relationship as kits, but right now blood meant more to her than anything. The three of them together provided considerable warmth, and she wasn't too interested in Slatepaw at this point.

Ears perking at the sight of the WindClan deputy taking place among the leaders instead of Brindlestar, Tinystar found himself curious as to what had happened to the she-cat, though he assumed it would be addressed later in the evening. Turning his head to watch as Jaystar finally arrived, he decided to get to business, seeing as though the gathered cats had been waiting long enough already. Standing up, the midget made his way to the tip of Greatrock with his head and tail held high. "Let the gathering begin!" he yowled and waited a few moments for the murmurous conversations to quiet down.

"SkyClan is fairing well, even through Leafbare. Eaglepaw, Sunpaw, Daypaw, Swanpaw, and Lambpaw have all gained their apprentice names and Spottedleap has joined the warriors in the warrior's den. Prey is plentiful and there have been no unusual occurrences as far as our borders, which are held strong," finishing his part, he stepped back as to let another leader take their place to share their own clan news. The inadmissible account in which Mintwhisker had told him about Jaystar's so-called atrocity against the code clung to the back of his mind, but it wasn't his place to bring up such a scandal among all five clans, and so he'd instead try and talk to the leader privately about it sometime later.

~~~~~

Turning his head from gazing up to the Greatrock, Slatepaw watched as Burntpaw made his way over to their other siblings. He wasn't very fond of such reunions, but had nothing better to do. Trotting after his brother, he stood a cat-length or so away as the three apprentices caught up. At first, he didn't mind the lack of affection towards him, but as heartless as he was, even he needed attention at times. "Nice to see you too, Dawnpaw," he huffed, a frown upon his large muzzle as his tail flicked back and forth.

Lightstep followed Jaystar in, though he hung back a few tail-lengths since he knew he was in no position of authority. The deputy and medicine cats had more right and a greater need to be close to their leader, especially on the night of the Gathering. The white RiverClan warrior simply felt comfortable around his grandfather and leader, and enjoyed being near the tom. Tonight, however, as he followed his former mentor closely, all he could think of was Icepaw - his brother Aspenstrike's son, and his nephew. All that Lightstep could think of was how badly wounded the small white cat had been... and all he could do was pray that the young tom would pull through. If I see those ThunderClan apprentices, Lightstep thought grimly, I might break the truce. I'd better stay with my family.

So when Jaystar split off, Lightstep stayed near the front of the gathered cats, trying not to look around him. He wasn't sure he'd be able to compose himself if he saw Hailpaw here, after what she'd done to his kin. He just didn't want to see anyone. The white warrior was grateful when Tinystar of SkyClan stepped forward to begin the Gathering, all but ensuring that Lightstep would receive no new or unwanted company.

---

Mottledspark followed RiverClan, though he felt lonely to be at the Gathering without Lightstep. While his friend was there, the other tom had been incredibly absent from their friendship since his nephews injury. Mottledspark couldn't blame him, but he hated it. He sat within a clump of RiverClan cats and listened silently.

Leopardstar stepped forward right after Tinystar, not wasting any time before launching into his own clan's announcements; if any conflict started upon the stone - as was usually the case- he wanted to snag the chance to show ThunderClan's renewed strength before his voice was drowned out.  "ThunderClan too has known relative peace for this last moon, and despite the first snowfalls our territory is still rich with prey, strengthening our young and old alike.  I am pleased to say that over this last moon our nursery has been filled from both within and outside the clan, and we have welcomed many new apprentices into our ranks; Snowpaw, Badgerpaw, Ferretpaw, Cedarpaw, Dawnpaw, Duskpaw, Daisypaw, Lynxpaw, and Batpaw.  By next moon, several of our up-and-coming young cats will also have been embraced as warriors.  That is all."  As the large spotted tabby tom turned around, his sharp hazel gaze swept from the crowd below onto the other leaders, lingering for a heartbeat longer on Jaystar.  We're not as weak as you think we are; despite the hardships, ThunderClan always rises from the ashes, resilient as the strongest oak.  Our time of being of the 'lesser' clans will not last.  Sufficing with a faint, but confident, half smile, Leopardstar sat back down beside Tinystar and Swiftstep, gesturing for the next cat to take their place.

With RiverClan being the last one to enter the clearing, it seemed that they would not have to wait long for the Gathering's commencement. As usual, Scorchclaw took his seat by the other deputies in wordless silence. A cursory glance was enough to make out the absence of ShadowClan's deputy. The white-furred tom was absent at the base of the Great Rock. The large tabby wasn't exactly anxious, to say the least; still, it concerned him somewhat as fellow deputies of allied clans. Narrowing his green eyes just slightly, he directed his gaze away from his companions and towards the shifting crowd. Swiftstep standing among the leaders did not escape his attention either; however, when it came to WindClan, he could scarcely give a mouse tail.

Whether by some fated misfortune or plain chance, RiverClan seldom had purely good news to bring to the Gatherings. Tonight would be of the same case. Neither Scorchclaw nor Jaystar had forgotten the state of Icepaw back at camp. Beneath the RiverClan deputy's stoic mask, he was seething with silent anger. He had to wonder what ThunderClan was teaching their apprentices. Time and time again, the shrub-dwelling clan had demonstrated their violence and atrocity. In comparison to Ivystar and Jaystar, who had always taken action to preserve their clan, ThunderClan could not claim themselves any better.

---

As always, Tigerleaf had no plans to converse with any of the other clans. Her actions were more or less predictable by now. While the rest of her clanmates poured into Fourtrees, she hung back at the edges of the clearing. Occasionally, she would wonder why she still attended these Gatherings. She had enough trouble talking to her clanmates; why bother with strangers? Ever since she had become a warrior, she had gradually lost the motivation to even put in the effort. It was much easier to sit quietly out of sight. She had every intention to do the same thing this time.

Unfortunately or fortunately for the young warrior, she just had to catch sight of a certain dark calico pelt in the crowd. Oh, right. She could not simply forget about Sparrowpaw. The apprentice did not seem occupied. Rather, she was seated alone somewhere towards the front of the crowd. Perhaps the mentor and apprentice were similar in at least one sense. For a brief second, Tigerleaf's maw quirked into a slight, crooked smile. Making her way forward, she wound through the mass of warriors and apprentices until she reached Sparrowpaw's side. With a silent glance at the other she-cat, Tigerleaf settled herself by her side. If they were going to be alone, they might as well be alone together.