November Gathering 2018

The moon is high in the night sky, the cats of silver pelt gleaming alongside it. The clearing is lit in beautiful blue and grey tones of light, the moon and stars shining brighter than they ever have before as if to say 'I am here to stay'. The slight spitting of rain dampens the ground despite there not being a cloud in sight, the dark shimmering of water making the clearing seem as if it was another world entirely. A wind gently rocks the leaves as if the wind was a mother rocking her kittens to sleep, a silent hush of the rustling leaves natures lullaby.

Being the first clan to arrive was a surprise to even him, but even so, he was proud of himself for arriving in such a timely fashion. Unlike the last gathering, the moon shone high in the sky, giving the clearly a calming glow. Tonight, things would hopefully be back to normal, or at least more so than they'd been for the mast couple of moons...

Giving a nod to Mistyrain, the tiny white and grey leader made his way over to the Greatrock. Giving his pelt a shake, he bunched up his haunches and jumped as far as he could upwards. Grabbing hold onto a part of the rock that was jutting out, he placed his hind paws on a ledge just a little bit bellow him and pushed himself up onto the top of the rock. Letting out a soft sigh, he sat down with his tail wrapped neatly around his stubby paws, as he waited for the rest of the clans to arrive.

Slow exhales lingering heavily within the crisp night air, a smokey trail of white drifted after Brindlestar. The foul stench of smoke and decay hung heavily upon the night air, even after several early Leaf-Fall storms had plagued the lands with enough rain to wash away the utmost layers of the earth. Shifting uneasily within her flesh, the pale molly adverted her gaze away from several troubling expanses of earth that were chillingly familiar. Narrowed gaze, vacant and seemingly sightless to the lingering damage, remained fixated upon the the smooth expanse of the Great Rock, she purposely sidestepped the remnants of shattered branches. Quietly leaping atop the Great Rock with little effort, Brindlestar hardly acknowledged Tinystar or SkyClan's presence.

Must they meet so soon? The dead had hardly been within the earth, the wounds still unhealed.

His green eyes were dull but this time there was no exhaustion. He just didn't feel like himself since the fight... since Lichenmask tossed him into the flames after telling him about the lies of his mother. Now that the stars were back, should he go back to the Moonstone and speak to Starclan? But... what would happen then? They knew about his romance with Goldeneye... it would break his heart if the stars had decided to abandon him because of that love... But he couldn't live in the shadows when he had to confront Ivystar about her past and origins. He had to know why she lied to him, her own son and deputy.

Jaystar just flicked his tail, nervously, trying to let go of those thoughts for this night. Riverclan entered the clearing as a small mass of shadows. It was clear his clan was growing an even though it meant life was good in their clan, it was also worrisome. More cats meant more food... and with the approach of leafbare, he wasn't so sure if they would have enough food. He hoped they will.

The large tom climbed the rock quickly, taking his place by the side of the other two leaders. He looked around with an absent look, memories of the war and fight coming back to his mind like a flood. This was no longer a place he could remember with peace. This rock was not only the place were leaders sat down. It was also the place where that traitor killed him, the place where he died under the weight of a fallen tree. So many bad memories...

Even though the places where the flames had licked hungrily at his fur were still blackened and burnt, the rest of Leopardstar's bright pelt stood out, like a beacon in the night's darkness. With a flick of his tail, he and the rest of his clan's chosen representatives trotted down into the clearing, and it was a bit of a shock to find the sacred grounds clean and serene once again, though the faint remnants of fading bloodstains still littered the earth in a few places. It had been such a short time since war had been waged underneath the four great oaks...the usual peace felt foreign and strange. Trying to shake off the memories of that terrible evening as his paws crunched over the scorched ground that surrounded the Great Rock, Leopardstar bunched his recovering muscles and leaped up onto the stone where his first life had been taken. Landing a little less smoothly than normal, the ThunderClan leader dipped his head to each of his fellows in turn; casually to Tinystar, but more hesitantly towards Jaystar.

His polite nod offered to Brindlestar though also came with a faint smile, and he settled down in his usual place beside the pale tabby she-cat. He still remembered how, after the battle, she had seemed to dodge his questions concerning Lichenmask's attack on them both, and he still didn't know for sure how she had ended up in the fire. He assumed that Lichenmask had pushed her as well...but he hadn't just been pushed. StarClan had healed the gruesome wound the exile had dealt his throat when he had been revived but had she been subjected to the same horrific experience? Despite his many questions, Leopardstar didn't speak and simply cast his gaze out into the crowd where his clanmates were beginning to mingle.

Stagpaw strode in after Brindlestar. It was his first meeting, but he wasn't worried. The proud and handsome tom settled close to where the deputies sat and waited, in silence.

Ooc: open to talk. I'll post more if talked to I promise

The Fourtrees that night seemed very different from the Fourtrees the night of Lichenmask's death. As Scorchclaw stepped into the clearing, however, he could still make out the traces that the war had left. The fire had wrought its searing mark upon the earth, leaving the soil blackened. Green eyes narrowed, the fluffy deputy threw a glance at the already present leaders. WindClan was already present, a solemn reminder of the situation RiverClan was in. If negotiations with Brindlestar fell through, another war would be inevitable. The thought cast a shadow across his face. It was really too soon for further fighting. Padding after Jaystar to the Great Rock, he took a seat at its base while the leader leaped up. He paid the other deputies a bare glance, moodily flicking his tail.

Weariness was heavy in his bones. The past few days, he had been working his tail off. Apart from his many duties as the deputy, he had been taking part in many a patrol. Shade's threat had not yet been eliminated. He could have been finished To make matters even worse, a fox had ventured unto RiverClan territory yet again. Pantherkit had already fallen prey to it when he had sneaked out of camp. Apparently, the forest did not intend to give him a break.

---

Hailpaw bounded into the clearing close behind Marshstorm and Leopardstar. Now this was what Fourtrees should look like. Beneath the gentle starlight, the clearing that had once been ravaged by death looked almost beautiful. Her first gathering had been one of gloom and tense discussions, with war imminently pressing on the clans. In comparison, tonight's gathering seemed more like what her first one should have been. Of course, she had no idea of the current conflict between RiverClan and WindClan. As she swept her gaze across the gathered cats, Hailpaw's yellow eyes were shining. Now... how should she spend the time before the gathering actually started?

OOC: Tigerleaf is resting at camp. These two aren't actually open to talk to, as I'll have no way of roleplaying them for the next week.

Falconpaw walked into the clearing, her mind flicking back to Beepaw. Last time they had met in peace like this, he had been there. Would he ever leave her memory? Did she even want him to? She laid down near the foot of the Great Rock, letting out a heavy sigh.

(Falcon is open for a quick convo, but once ShadowClan arrives I have a plan for her and Asterspark.)

Despite the recent tragedies surrounding the Clans, Emberheart was happy to finally feel like herself again. It felt like an eternity since she had last followed her leader to a Gathering, first isolating herself due to grief and then unable to attend because of illness. But she had finally recovered from both, and while she knew her life would never be the same without Heatherpetal at her side, she couldn't wallow in her grief any longer. And so she had pushed herself to smile until it finally felt genuine, and to actively make efforts towards her physical recovery. Now, she felt the rewards of her efforts: she had missed hearing news from other Clans. Perhaps she could even have a pleasant conversation with a cat from another Clan tonight, though she doubted it.

~

Swanpetal followed Jaystar with her head held high. She had been seriously ill until very recently, and she hoped the confident way she carried herself would help to hide the fact that she still didn't feel like herself. Most of the things that still bothered her weren't physical, but she wouldn't allow herself to be seen as weak. Not when all the Clans were present. She had to show that she was strong in front of potential enemies and allies alike. At the very least, she was sure she could act like herself and find someone to speak to, if it was necessary. And then, when the Gathering was over, she would return to her self-reflection. For now, she simply hoped she could hide the sadness in her eyes.

(Both are open to talk to!)

Mintwhisker padded into the gathering, her tail-tip twitching. "This way, Amberpaw." She mewed, brushing against her apprentice's fur reassuringly as she guided her through the crowd. "We'll sit here with the other Medicine Cats."

Lilypaw trotted briskly into the clearing, her sky-blue eyes turned towards the Windclanners who flooded into Fourtrees opposite her. "Here we go..." She whispered to herself, her black-rimmed ears swiveling as she approached the nearest one. "H-hi! I'm Ripped- er, Sky... u-uhm I mean, uh, my name's Lilypaw, hi!"

Stormstrike stepped smoothly into Fourtrees, his sleek gray pelt ruffled against the wind whipping through the clearing. "The scorch marks are still here..." He murmured, his summer-yellow eyes trained on the burnt, blackened earth.

Heronflight walked into Fourtrees, his head up high.  He was thinking hard about what the purists wanted and what happened during the battle against Lichenmask and company.  He had to sit it out with a minor bout of greencough, even though he really wanted to fight against the purists.  Although he had pure blood himself, he would always choose loyalty to RiverClan over eliminating all non-pureblooded cats.  The gray tabby tom shuddered from the thought of betraying his clan.  However, he realized, the purists were eliminated themselves, and peace swept the clans.  At least, it would until leafbare arrives.  Of all cats, the gray tabby tom knew that leafbare would be a tough season for all the clans.  Realizing that he was still standing up, the experienced warrior sat on his haunches as he waited for ShadowClan to arrive.

Wrenbreeze was thinking about the battle against the purists when she sat down.

Larkpaw realized that the world had a lot of blood shed in the last battle. Why can’t everybody be peaceful? the brown tom pondered as he sat next to Wrenbreeze.

Acornfall walked into Fourtrees after Tinystar, her brown tabby pelt shining in the moonlight. Although she still is attractive on the outside, inside she is shattered. She had lost her mom, her dad, her siblings... and her best friend. SkyClan was the last thing she had. Acornfall decided to talk to another cat if they approached her. It would be good to have new friends.

Badgerpaw stayed back in camp because she didn’t want to attend.

OOC: Heronflight and Acornfall are open to talk to!

Littlestream padded into the clearing after her clanmates the silver tabby tried not to look to the scorched earth as she sat down slowly.

Blossompaw padded nervously after her clanmates into the clearing. Her gaze looking to the burnt earth wondering what had even happened as she moved to sit down by herself her green eyes looking around

Spottedpaw ambled along with the rest of SkyClan, a bit hindered by the brightness of the moon and stars above. He was born into the darkness and the red glow. It had been comforting, even, when he was younger. But now the sky changed, and the sun burned with a vengeance all day and the cold stars peered down at him by night. It was stifling and unnatural to him, but all the older cats were relieved and joyful. Spottedpaw didn't get it, but he kept his mouth shut. At least that crazy rogue Lichenmask was dead and the Clans didn't have to be so afraid anymore; hopefully that'd be the last of mortal cats screwing with nature for a while.

The ginger apprentice stayed in the back of the group, surveying the four leaders that had arrived at almost the same time and wondering just what would go on this time.

Harepaw's eyes were glued to the sky. 'They're better than I remember...' He thought to himself, inwardly praising StarClan for their triumph. It was a sham he couldn't be there himself, but he was also glad he didn't suffer such grievous injuries like most of those who did fight. The ThunderClan apprentice peered up reverently at the leaders on the Great Rock, wondering what new they had to share. Would rivalries continue on the way they always had? Harepaw let his gaze wander briefly over the crowd of cats. His own clan, of course, but he didn't recognize anyone in the other clans. He hadn't interacted with the other cats much. He stopped momentarily when he saw Hailpaw, remembering she was Beartooth's adoptive sister, and then turned his attention to looking for the long-fanged warrior.

Marshstorm padded swiftly into four trees behind Leopardstar. His muscles were tensed as he settled at the base of the great rock and curled his tail tight around his forepaws. His eyes took in the destruction that had befallen the clearing so recently. The ground was still scorched where his paws rested, but worse still, his mate was so badly injured. His claws dug into the earth as he thought about Dustcloud's injuries. He wanted to be there in the medicine den with her, yet it was duty that called him here now. A quick glance at Leopardstar and he sighed. Some of his tension fading slightly. Surely he felt the same way... his own daughter had lost an eye in the war.

All of it for what? He couldn't begin to explain. It all felt like a waste. Cats had died, given their lives for a false belief or in combat to prevent evil from taking hold of the forest. It made him clench his jaws tightly to think about. StarClan itself had to end the potential reign of terror, and while he was grateful that they did, it couldn't have been just that little bit sooner? He was broken out of his reverie by a fellow deputy that joined him at the base. He nodded politely to them, jaws unclenching to speak kindly despite his own warring emotions.
"Greetings, has your clan faired well since the battle?" He tried to keep his tone neutral, not wanting to ask anything too deeply personal.

---

A pair of she-cats walked in from the RiverClan side. Dewshine's silver fur gleamed in the moonlight as she stopped at the border of fourtrees, watching as her daughter ran in with the rest of the clan as she sat on the outskirts. Her blue eyes directed to the ground that had stolen her son and a precious friend away from her.

Blossompaw ran into the gathering eagerly. She could see black marks that littered the great rock and tilted her head with intrigue. So that must have been where the lightning struck. She looked down at the bloodstained earth. Not even rain could wash it all away as she felt her pelt rise in an unsettled manner. Subconciously, she moved closer to the nearest RiverClan warrior. Her gaze broke from the ground at the sound of Stormstrike's voice.
"It must have been terrifying." She murmured in response. A shiver crawled up her spine as she tried not to think of her brother being struck like that. By something so fierce... did the fire hurt? She hoped not.

"Lilypaw!" Darkflower called out, hurrying after her sister. She regretted telling Lilypaw of their father's origins, it hadn't gone how she'd wanted, nor expected. She also hadn't expected to be chasing after he sister, like she was some run away kit. It wasn't her place. Lilypaw was her sister, they were the same age, but Darkflower felt she had to protect her. In her head, she knew she was being far too overprotective, but every "what if" made her all the more protective.

The tuxedo apprentice caught up to Lilypaw catching the last tidbits of conversation. "Darkflower of SkyClan." she mewed introducing herself. Her nose wrinkled at the pong that drifted from the WindClan cat, but she tried her hardest not to let it show. SkyClan was still her home, it was where her remaining family was, and that was reason enough to stay.

~~~~

As Goldeneye had instructed, Oakberry had been being as active as she possibly could, given her predicament. The walk to Fourtrees, had been rather tiring, more so than she had expected. Her legs throbbed with every step, and she began to regret her life decisions even more than she already did. Maybe Goldeneye hadn't meant this much exercise, but it was too late now, as she took a seat beside her clan.

~~~~

The gathering smelt less of fish when it was on fire. Epic legend, Gladepaw, enters Fourtrees. She couldn't help, but feel that this gathering would be an epic moment for her, when they'd finally recognised she killed Lichenmask. Yes, that was it. Leopardstar hadn't told ThunderClan, as he was saving it for the gathering. The fluffy white she-cat settled down, closest to the front. She wanted everyone to acknowledge her epicness.