Eyes as Bright as the Moon {open}

• OOC: This topic takes place during the July 2020 Gathering. If your cat is attending the gathering, you may NOT post here. Only the cats who remain in camp will be allowed to post.
  

The forest was quiet apart from the occasional gust of wind that made the trees' branches sway. Pinepaw gazed up at the thick leafy foliage wistfully, a little miffed that he hadn't been chosen to attend this moon's gathering. Of course the tom was logical; not all cats could journey to Fourtrees and march about the so-called prettiest clearing in the forest. Pinepaw hadn't even left camp yet, let alone socialized with other clans. He supposed Harefoot, both his father and mentor, would make time to show him the territory later. He hoped that his dad wasn't catering to Ferretnose, trying to keep their youngest son from danger. His mum was real protective of him; with his sisters having made the journey to StarClan before they could even open their eyes. Pinepaw only frowned and wished Ferretnose's worry for him would manifest itself as confidence instead. He was the very best; he'd be enough to make up for his lost littermates, soon his mum would see.

Pinepaw's gaze cut through the brambles bordering camp, wondering what grand opportunities awaited him there. He knew sleep wouldn't come easy tonight. In the morning, he was bound to be taken hunting or exploring. The occasional crow would tease him, chirping haunting calls from deeper in the forest. Narrowing his brow, Pinepaw shook out his pelt and ducked beneath the fern grotto on one side of camp, deciding he should try and find some rest. He'd moved his moss nest into the apprentice's den yesterday, feeling confident. He already knew both Hickorypaw and Thrushpaw; so it had been quite easy to settle in. Pinepaw liked having friends his age to talk to, and often pondered on what life could be like if his sisters had lived. Sleep was going to be quite elusive. The stars peaking from above the leaf cover only further stirred Pinepaw's thoughts. There was always so much to do. He wanted to shine as bright as Silverpelt one day.

Ferretnose's good eye was fixed firmly on the camp entrance from her standing place by the Highrock. Since returning to full-time warrior duties, she had taken up more patrols than she really needed to. She needed her mind off things, so she could forget the little anxieties that consumed her. It felt that with every passing day it got harder to ignore the frightening mortality of her clanmates... and herself. No wonder Dustcloud was so timid. She caught the senior warrior's eyes in the darkness, chirping a greeting at her. The camp was half empty. Ferretnose never went to Gatherings these days, especially not since the great shake-up in the stars. A night of peace? Fooey.

One of her sons had stayed behind as well, though it was clearly not by choice. She shook her head at him with a wistful smile. Poor thing. All things considered, he was in for a very full and uneventful evening. The dense humidity was the biggest threat to ThunderClan at this time of moon and season. Ferretnose unstuck her pawpads from the ground with a grimace.

Since she’d been apprenticed, Thrushpaw had heard an awful lot about Gatherings. For a single night each moon, the five Clans could learn all they wanted about each other without having to raise their claws. The leaders named their newest warriors and apprentices, and talked about current events. Below, their Clans mingled across border lines. It was a dream come true—until she thought about how big ThunderClan was, and then how big five ThunderClans would be. Oakstar would probably say her name, the new one, tonight, but she didn’t need to hear it announced to so many cats when everyone who mattered already knew it. Thrushpaw liked to take things slowly; apprenticeship was no exception. When she’d been asked if she wanted to go to tonight’s Gathering, she’d refused, quiet as always, yet firmer than the Highrock itself.

Pinepaw, too, had stayed home. He was grumpier about it than Thrushpaw, though. From the apprentices’ den, she watched him trail through the camp with his berry-red nose pointed skyward and wondered why he seemed so agitated. The way she saw it, Fourtrees would still be there a moon from now. When Pinepaw turned toward the ferns, she scooted aside, giving him enough room to pass by. ”You're going to sleep already?” Though her training had left her worn, Thrushpaw couldn’t bring herself to close her eyes. To hear Nettlefire and the older warriors talk about it, guarding the camp was as important as the Gathering, maybe even more so. Besides, she liked the quiet too much to miss any of it. She waited until Pinepaw settled down, then crouched again, shifting her paws over the dirt the way Nettlefire had taught her. Hopefully that would be enough to keep her awake.

Rosekit observed the cats in camp carefully. There were a few younger apprentices that hadn’t been to the Gathering, which Rosekit had heard about, and a warrior she didn’t know. Sighing to herself, the brownish-red kit padded out of the nursery and sat down next to the fresh-kill pile, examining the different prey inside it. Most were mice, with some lucky ones being squirrels and even a few birds. Huh...I guess that ThunderClan cats can climb trees then? She scratched at her neck with a paw, before staring up at the full moon. It was boring inside camp. If only Rosekit was an apprentice, she would be able to go to the Gathering already. Her light brown eyes pierced through the night as she stared at the woods, wondering what it felt like to run and catch prey freely.

((What’s going to happen here?))

ooc: There's going to be a pack of dogs who attacks camp, because we live for drama here

---

Ferretnose heard the pattering of little paws behind her and turned towards the source of the noise. Rosekit was wandering towards the fresh-kill pile. "Moonhigh snack?" she whispered, falling from her dutiful posture in favor of laying down, where she could relax and entertain the kit. "How is the nursery, Rosekit? I miss it a little. Maybe I'll come back if I can convince Harefoot!" she joked.

The senior warrior joined Rosekit in staring at the beautiful moon as it cast gentle, iridescent light over the camp through the tops of the trees. ThunderClan was large and proud, but it was also loud. Nights like these were ones she lived for. For one moment, everything stopped moving. There were no duties, no hunts, no battles, no alliances or nemeses, and no warriors. There were only cats and the moon.

OOC: Well...I’m not surprised XD Imma make Rosekit attempt a swat at the doggies.

Rosekit turned her head towards the new voice in surprise. It was the warrior. She didn’t know her name though. “I just ate...so I’m fine. The nursery is sometimes great and sometimes, well, I get bored of it.” Rosekit admitted, her brownish-rosy colored pelt still accompanied by kit fluff. “I would love for someone to play with sometimes. Camp is kinda boring at times like these.” Even though she did prefer some silence from time to time, Rosekit easily got bored, like all other kits do. “I’ve met some cats but I would always want to meet more.” Huffing in frustration, Rosekit rolled over onto her back, little paws waving around in the air as if trying to grasp something. She found that she couldn’t roll over again. “Uh...little help please?”

Quailpaw was a bit sad that he couldn't go to the gathering, but he didn't mind sleeping. He curled up in his nest, sort of hoping that Thrushpaw would join him but if his sister wanted to stay awake then he would accept her wishes/

Sablekit blinked, quiet voices drifting through the night to her ears. It was late, but, well, she wasn't sleeping. Not yet. Some of the rest of the Clan had gone to the mysterious Gathering, and a part of her stubbornly insisted that she'd stay awake until they came back. Hickorypaw had gone, and Dad, and some others, and since Lirista wasn't an apprentice yet.... Well, she wanted to know. What's it like? What do they do?

Her ears twitched again, and she restlessly flicked her tail, glancing over at a big form and a little one under the moon in the middle of camp. Ferretnose and Rosekit; she knew the big she-cat a little from when she'd been in the nursery, and the other kit a little, but did she want to cross over to them? The open space still felt wrong; it made the fur on her neck prickle, but they were there, and alright, so.... Another flicker of movement caught her eye, and she spotted Pinepaw pad into the ferns of the apprentice den, Thrushpaw moving aside. Finally, the restless feeling bubbled over, and she padded to Ferretnose and Rosekit, her head down and slightly hunched against the big sky looming over her head, her still-short tail twitching behind her.

Then she was there, and... Rosekit was... lying on her back? Sablekit blinked, looking up at Ferretnose and then to the other kit, sudden uncertainty buzzing in her paws. "Um, are you okay?" She stood there awkwardly for at least a couple of heartbeats, trying not to stare and ending up staring. What... what should I do?

(the kits should team up and take down a dog or two ;P)

Harefoot sat just outside the camp entrance, large ears perked for sounds that could indicate danger. He was camp guard that night, and though the job was important, not much ever happened. He wasn't particularly worried and instead his attention turned to the conversations drifting quietly from inside the camp. He recognized Ferretnose's sweet meow and the response of a young kit, but whatever they were talking about eluded him. The senior warrior thought fondly of Beecloud and Cedarheart at the Gathering and hoped they would have a peaceful evening.

A few strands of sleepy chatter swept through the clearing as Pinepaw's denmate, Thrushpaw, made way for him to pass by. The russet tom settled down into his own mossy nest with a yawn, green eyes blinking at the she-cat wistfully. "Well I don't want to." He responded to Thrushpaw's inquiry, kneading the moist soil beneath his paws. "But it'll make tomorrow come faster if I sleep. Tomorrow I can do something useful." Pinepaw gave his denmate a coy yet tired smile, failing to stifle yet another yawn that preyed on his jaws. The voice of a few stray kits and his mother echoed off the bramble barrier outside. It was only a few days ago that Pinepaw was still occupying the nursery. However the change of name and moss nest location had a large influence on his demeanor. In his mind, a Pinepaw needed to act much more serious and smart than a Pinekit. That's how apprentices were supposed to work, of course.

"Are you not gonna sleep?" The russet tom asked Thrushpaw, moonlight cutting through the ferns overhead. He wondered what the she-cat would get up to in the night if she wasn't here in her nest. It made Pinepaw wonder if he should hold off on sleep as well. He wouldn't want to miss out on any adventures of course, and if Thrushpaw was going on one, Pinepaw just had to be there too. His thoughts drifted over the humid haze as loud, thundering steps rumbled through the forest beyond.

---

The scent of cats was not as strong in the thick wall of brambles. Black Dog's lips dripped with saliva. Cats were large prey, but Black Dog was big, and Black Dog was hungry. The moonlight set a fire in his belly. He needed to kill, to eat. He wanted blood on his teeth and meat in his stomach. There were not as many cats in the wall of thorns. Black Dog didn't have to be wary anymore.

With a crash, he and his companion dog burst through the foliage, large paws digging and scratching at the sandy clearing in a terrible manner of gnashing teeth. They howled in the night with fierce terror, a hunger fueling their bones. Black Dog's senses grew crazy with flesh and bone. He was surrounded by prey, all that needed to be done now was to kill. The first cat he saw was russet. He stood by the thorny wall but was toppled over as Black Dog stomped on his small body. Black Dog would rip and tear. Black Dog snapped at the cat's back and threw him across the clearing, rounding on the ginger tom once more.

Black Dog used Iron Bite on Harefoot, dealing 30 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Black Dog
HP: 150/150
SP: 330/350 (-20)

Harefoot
HP: 70/100 (-30)
SP: 280/280

Finally she had a blessed night of peace and quiet. For the past moon, Rainstrike's days had been filled with repetition. Hunting. "Training." Patrolling. Camp. She was back to apprentice duties, not leaving camp without a mentor, spending her spare time fixing the bramble wall and clearing moss from the dens. For the most part, Rainstrike complied with Oakstar's commands and restrictions, her punishment for trying to help, to save ThunderClan - all but going by Rainpaw, that is. But not tonight.

Most of the clan was gone tonight, at the Gathering, and she took this opportunity to sneak away, and enjoy some solitude... a respite from the terrible company she'd had to endure recently. Her punishment was nearly over if Oakstar kept his word, and she couldn't wait to have her freedom again. Tonight was just a sample of that, as she lingered close to the camp, reluctant to go too terribly far lest the temptation not to return siezed her. She was lying sprawled across the lower branches of a large tree, one paw dangling down into thin air, claws flexing idly.

And then something moved nearby, twigs cracking beneath its feet, and Rainstrike's nostrils flared, her eyes snapping open. What little wind there was, was blowing away from her, ao at first she couldn't tell what had made the sound. But scent became unnecessary when the creature moved directly below the tree in which she was settled, completely oblivious to her presence. The fur on her neck spiked in fear, the blood in her veins suddenly icy. A dog? This close to the camp?

No... more than one. They passed below her, too, and the she-cat forced herself to stay stark-still as they moved away... towards the ThunderClan camp. No... there were few able bodied cats there tonight, mostly kits, queens. They'd stand no chance. But against a pack of dogs, what difference could she make? Rainstrike was frozen, fear locking her limbs into place. Should she stay here, safe, or go back and defend ThunderClan? The same cats who vilified her a moon before? But Ferretnose was there, that much she knew, and that much was enough to force her into action. Ensuring the dogs were long ahead of her, she leaped from the tree and sprinted towards home.

((Welp there the doggies. Time for the smack))

Rosekit struggled a bit more, before flopping onto her side and getting up again. Another kit had joined her, about her age, and she smiled in greeting. “Hi! I’m Ro—“ A crack sounded and barks came from the entrance of the camp. Freezing in sudden fear, Rosekit turned around slowly to see...a pack of dogs, snarling and growling. They had already thrown a warrior across the clearing and was now advancing on an apprentice. Rosekit squeaked in fear, backing away slowly, before seeing that there was barely anyone guarding the camp. Rosekit knew that it was a stupid idea, an utterly foolish idea, but she did it anyways. Dashing around the dog, she pulled out a sheathed paw and smacked it’s hind leg. Rosekit smiled triumphantly, before realizing what she was dealing with. Panicking, the brown kitten dashed far, far away from the dogs, before hiding behind Ferretnose, trembling in fear.

Rosekit used Front paw blow on Black Dog (lol)
Rosekit:
HP: 5/5
SP: 10/15

Black Dog:
HP: 148/150
SP: 330/350

Thrushpaw looked back just in time to catch Pinepaw mid-yawn. Smiling despite herself, she bit her tongue until the urge to laugh had passed. The urge to make a comment was still alive and well, however. ”You’re sure you don’t want to?” As he settled deeper into his nest, Pinepaw explained his reasoning. Thrushpaw, having turned the rest of herself around to face him, considered it as if considering one of Nettlefire’s lessons. He wasn’t wrong; time had a weird way of passing while she was asleep. It’d be nice to wake up to morning, with Dock and Minkstream back in camp. ”I guess that’s right…”

Wait, no—she couldn’t sleep! She had reasons for being awake, even beyond liking the quiet or wanting to see (and interrogate) the rest of her family right away when they got back. ”No,” she said, ”I’m working on my hunter’s crouch to show Nettlefire.” Now that she thought about it, she wasn’t sure they’d be training right after a Gathering night—but this way, she’d be ready if they did, and she’d have another day to practice if they didn’t. Thrushpaw made to crouch again, but a low, growing rumble stopped her. Only a few sunups ago, Nettlefire had taken her to see the Thunderpath. This…wasn’t quite like that, but it was close enough that Thrushpaw’s fur spiked up.

She jumped like a SkyClanner when the first creature broke through the camp’s walls and tossed Harefoot aside like a piece of crowfood. Eyes wide with terror, Thrushpaw glanced back into the apprentices’ den. Quailpaw and Pinepaw were here. They stood a better chance together; maybe they’d even win. But Lirista wasn’t with them. A look around confirmed she was by Ferretnose and Rosekit. Out in the open. As long as Mermurr had a say in the matter, nothing would happen to her. Passing by Rosekit, the small tabby shot forward. The beast had thrown Harefoot with its mouth; she wanted no part of that. Remembering the lightning that had shot up her spine whenever her siblings accidentally trod on her tail in the nursery, she sank her teeth into the beast's tail and pulled.

Thrushpaw used Tail Yank on Black Dog, dealing 2 damage and using 10 stamina. Black Dog is stunned for 1 turn.

Thrushpaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP (-10)

Black Dog
146/150 HP (-2)
330/350 SP

Russet ears perked up as Thrushpaw mentioned she was practicing a hunter's crouch. Pinepaw blinked sleep away from his eyes as he watched his denmate intently, wondering if the strange stance she was holding happened to be a technique. The idea got Pinepaw to his feet as he shuffled closer to observe the move Thrushpaw was using. The apprentice was only a little put off that he hadn't learned anything of the sort yet, but the warriors were busy of course. He could compensate by prodding Thrushpaw for her techniques, and maybe impress his dad and mentor Harefoot along the way.

Pinepaw's careful observation was cut off as Thrushpaw jumped about a tail-length into the air, sending a wave of shock down Pinepaw's spine. "Is that really part of the move?" He hissed, trying to hide his noticeable surprise. However Pinepaw realized what had spooked his denmate a moment too late. Two large creatures burst through the bramble wall like it was a dried leaf. They were impossibly big, and the black creature snapped up Harefoot in his jaws, launching his father across the clearing. The tom hit the sandy wall with a sickening thud, a sound which had Pinepaw gasping in terror. "Dad..." He croaked weakly, throat dry in utter surprise. Were these... dogs? Pinepaw had never seen a predator before, let alone a dog. He'd heard enough elder's stories to make an observation, but the beasts made the stories seemed like kit's play compared to their very real presence.

Pinepaw blinked as his denmate Thrushpaw burst out of the ferns, bravely grasping the black dog's tail and pulling hard. Her frame was so small compared to the massive beast, and a wave of terror rocketed through the apprentice's chest at the thought of what that beast could do to Thrushpaw. There were kits here too, weak cats that wouldn't even stand a chance. Pinepaw had no formal battle training - he never learned how to deal with this. His thoughts dove back to that Greenleaf day with Hickorypaw - when Burningkit had tackled him into the dirt. Pinepaw could do that. He let out a forced exhale, narrowing a set of fearful green eyes as he burst from the ferns as Thrushpaw did. Pinepaw threw himself at the large black dog, the full force of his lanky frame slamming against what felt like a wall of rock. Pure muscle was unyielding, but the dog seemed to be stunned by Thrushpaw's tail trick. Pinepaw unsheathed his claws and tore at the black dog, terror clouding his vision. He had to protect his father. Thrushpaw and the kits too. The dog wouldn't get to them.

Pinepaw used Run-and-Tackle on Black Dog, dealing 6 (+3) damage and costing 10 stamina.

Pinepaw
HP: 20/20
SP: 70/80 (-10)

Black Dog
HP: 137/150 (-9)
SP: 330/350

Ferretnose heard a sudden rustling, followed by the foul, vomit-inducing scent of hound. Yowls erupted around her as she instinctively leaped to her paws. To her horror, Harefoot was caught between the jaws of a great black shadow. She screamed, backing up for a moment as her brain faltered. She was frozen, her body choking itself as her mate disappeared under a dark black cloud. Then, Rosekit dawdled forward, and Ferretnose felt the last inklings of queenhood rushing out of her as her paws began to propel her forward. "DOGS!" she cried, alerting the last of the confused camp. Somewhere, an apprentice grabbed hold of the black creature's tail, taking its focus away from the little kitten.

Ferretnose leaped onto the dog's face, grappling its eyes, nose, ears, and lips with her pin-sharp claws in rapid succession. As she tumbled down, she began pushing Rosekit farther from the dog. "You need to go," she urged. "Take the other kits and go to the nursery. Huddle in the farthest corner, where the brambles are. We will protect you! Don't stay here!" She spun back around, standing over Rosekit with as much authority as she could muster in the face of such a terrible beast. She tried not to look in Harefoot's direction, for fear of what she might find. She had to keep her focus on the dog, on protecting the camp, on protecting the kits.

Ferretnose used Rending Front Paws on Black Dog. [17 HP] [25 SP]

Ferretnose
95/95 HP
225/250 SP

Black Dog stunned
120/150 HP
330/350 SP