November Gathering 2021

Daystar was quiet… but attentive. Her mindset toward Gatherings had shifted from ‘get out as soon as possible’ to ‘take a look at the surroundings’. She believed that every cat had goodness in their hearts, and she always strived to find it and nurture it until it reached its full potential, but she wasn’t in the position to be foolish. Being naive would only get her Clan hurt. Her new mindset only had one downside. She had no idea what exactly she was looking for, but perhaps it was the cat that had tried to kill Swiftspirit on the basis of impurity. She led a Clan that was full of blood from every part of the forest, and it was her duty to look out for them just as much as it was her job to look out for those that had pure WindClan blood.

Her expression was neutral as she led the Clan into Fourtrees, and despite the fact that she immediately looked up to see Bloodstrike on the rock once again, she didn’t pause or falter this time. There was no change to indicate that she had even seen him. However, curiosity did begin to gather in her mind as her Clan dispersed behind her and she headed to the Great Rock. What had happened to SkyClan’s leader this time? Why was Flintstar below the rock? He wasn’t the only ShadowClan cat that was injured, either. Quite a few warriors held wounds of their own. Daystar was more concerned than she was curious now. She gave the ShadowClan leader a respectful nod before leaping onto the rock and glancing over at Bloodstrike.

“Hi.” Was all she said to the tom before sitting down and looking down at the cats below.

Bearflower watched Bloodstar closely as she padded into Fourtrees with SkyClan. Any other day, she would’ve been ecstatic to see her father lead the Clan, but considering the fact that they had completely stopped talking after the… “lightning incident”, she had no idea how to feel about him anymore. Overworking herself was exhausting, and although she had received words of praise from cats that she knew, she wasn’t sure if she could continue for much longer. Was she supposed to keep doing this until the day that she dropped dead in order to silently give the apology that she owed Beechface? Surely nobody expected that. Bearflower held back a sigh as she sat near Spottedfrog and took a look around at the injured ShadowClanners. What in StarClan’s name had happened to them?

bearflower is open to talk to!

Swiftspirit entered fourtrees with the rest of her clan, giving Daystar a nod as she settled among her clanmates. Skyclan and Shadowclan were already here, but not Riverclan... Swiftspirit scanned the Shadowclan crowd with interest, eyes landing on the dark form of the tom she'd fought at fourtrees not long ago. She was curious about the fresh wounds that he and the rest of his clan seemed to have, and even more curious that Flinstar seemed to be sitting among the deputies tonight. Bloodstrike stood atop the great rock again, and there was a she-cat she was unfamiliar with sitting at the base of the rock in what Swiftspirit assumed was no longer Bloodstrike's place. Maybe he was finally Bloodstar, then. She... wasn't sure how she felt about that, given everything that had happened between their clans. Hopefully they could avoid more fighting.

Beechface is talking with Basilpaw and Muddythorn!
Mistyfalcon and Swiftspirit are open to talk!

Shrikestorm and Ravenclaw came in with their respective clans. Ravenclaw was looking everywhere, as if she was going to find Dawnhawk skulking around for some Starclan-forsaken reason. She scowled at every other member of every other clan, keeping her distance from them. They were at fault for something, even if she wasn't sure what.

Making it a point to keep her chin up, Ivystar padded into the gathering with RiverClan at her heels. Weaving her way through the crowd, she made sure to keep her steps nimble and quick to avoid stepping on a stray tail or limb. Once she made it to the base of the rock, she leaped up and joined the other leaders at the top, nodding quickly before taking her spot.

Every eye in ShadowClan had to be on Flintstar tonight. Emberleap’s certainly were as he padded into Fourtrees alongside the others, close enough to watch the leader’s foreleg drag with every other step. A quarter moon had passed, at most. Never mind that Flintstar clearly had the worst of it—everyone who’d fought the rogues was still healing. Whenever the voice that almost sounded like Iniko murmured in his ear, Emberleap insisted right back: they had time. No need to put his guard up yet. Maybe no need at all.

Rather than negotiate the Great Rock, Flintstar sat with Murkystrike beneath it. Emberleap turned away, chewing on the inside of his cheek, and set off in search of an empty seat. He settled on the outskirts of ShadowClan with a shiver. Though he would rather die than wear a fox pelt at Fourtrees (just as well, since he’d die anyway if he went through with it), he couldn’t deny the extra layers of fur and skin would have been welcome.

Emberleap is open to talk!

---

Starting two moons ago, the idea of visiting Fourtrees had made Flypaw nauseous with dread. Now that they were here, they realized how stupid that’d been. Shuffling to keep up with their taller Clanmates, they glanced around at the well-trodden grass, the dead leaves, the branches stretching like talons over their head—all of it new or almost new. There weren’t any ghosts here. After all the time they'd spent stuck on RiverClan's territory, it came as a relief.

They hurried forward to claim a spot in RiverClan’s section of the clearing, sweeping their scraggly tail around themself and angling their muzzle upward as they sat. That brute was on the Great Rock again. Flypaw’s gaze skipped to the deputies (plus Flintstar for some reason) gathered at the rock’s base. Though they didn’t recognize anyone there—except Dewlight, naturally—four deputies for four Clans could only mean one thing: Wolfstar was gone. The dark-furred apprentice scuffed a paw against the dirt, kicking up leaves. Served him right for attacking a medicine cat.

Flypaw is open to talk! (SkyClanners beware)

Other clans started to arrive, and Murkystrike shifted her weight between her paws. ShadowClan's wounds were still fresh and healing, her own included. She could see the looks, and hear the whispers of the other clans as they noticed them. She kept her head high through it all, refusing to let them believe that ShadowClan was any weaker than normal, even with their wounds. Hopefully Flintstar's leg would heal soon...

---

Dewlight padded into the clearing somewhat nervously. She had never been particularly fond of the Gatherings, especially since there always seemed to be something that happened. She had to tonight though, as RiverClan's new deputy it was expected of her to not simply just attend, but to stand at the base of the Greatrock with the other deputies. As she neared it, she saw the familiar faces that had been sitting there for some time now, but felt a bit of relief as she spotted another different face. She wasn't the only new deputy.... But the implications of that realization hit soon after. A quick glance revealed that Wolfstar was no more, and Bloodstrike (presumably Bloodstar, she assumed) now stood atop the rock with Daystar and Ivystar. Her brow furrowed as she looked back at the deputies, she could have sworn she counted four... Ah, Flintstar was next to his deputy. She couldn't recall the dark tortoiseshell's name, but she had been around for several moons. Another moment revealed a nasty wound on the tom's shoulder, and Dewlight winced at the sight. As she settled in with the other deputies, she found herself uncertain if she should introduce herself or not.

Basilpaw purred as her guess was proven right, and she settled down onto her haunches next to the much larger she-cat; she briefly caught her father's eye from across the clearing, shooting him a quick smile before turning back to her fellow medicine cat.  "It's nice to meet you too!  Yes, I've spoken to Muddythorn a few times now, he's very nice."  The tom's dark brown pelt approaching caught Basilpaw's eye, and she turned to greet Muddythorn as well with a friendly purr as he joined the conversation.  His question didn't come entirely as a surprise, she had already seen the curious gazes cast onto her clanmates, however, she didn't mind answering it.  "Flintstar led most of our warriors into battle to chase out the rouges who have been hiding out in our territory, and we were victorious!  I'm sure he'll talk about it more during the meeting.  It's been a lot of work patching everyone up, but thank StarClan we didn't have any fallen warriors to bury."  

Basilpaw's smile however didn't last, and it was with a hushed voice that she leaned in closer to the two older medicine cats and asked her own question.  "I was hoping to ask you two for some advice.  Have you ever treated a cat who had lost the ability to move and control one of their legs due to an injury?  If so, what did you do for them?"  She didn't mention a name, but she was sure they could figure it out from Flintstar's inability to join the other leaders.  The little tortoiseshell felt anxious butterflies take flight in her belly; the other medicine cats were her best hope for solutions.  If she couldn't find one...what would Flintstar do?

Bloodstar eyed the other clan members as they came in carefully looking for injuries that might tell the sign of a clan vs clan conflict. He saw none, and so far, the other clans looked just as concerned and curious as he was. The only clan that wasn't present was Thunderclan. Daystar hopped onto the rock with him and he looked at her as she greeted him.

"Hi." He answered her back. If she wasn't interested in further conversation then that was fine with him. Ivystar hopped onto the rock next and he gave her a single nod in greeting. No one seemed to realize he was Bloodstar yet. No matter. They would know soon enough.

---

Bearspirit padded into the gathering just a bit behind Dewlight. Once they had arrived and were being seated, he picked a spot that was close to the deputies without actually intruding in their space and made absolutely sure not to look in Windclan's direction. What bothered him was that he had to try so hard. He did however look for the Shadowclanner that had attacked them almost a moon ago. Upon spotting him, he saw that a lot of Shadowclan had fresh wounds on them. What in the stars had happened?

---

Burningwing's fur bristled just slightly at the sight of the Windclan she-cat and the Riverclan tom that he'd run into right here not long ago. He kneaded the ground beneath his paws, wondering if he should approach either of them. He had a feeling the gathering was going to get hairy, but he had to hold his ground no matter what.

Beechface waved her tail at Muddythorn as he approached, nodding. Basilpaw, it seemed, had questions, and if the poor thing had lost Rookfire as a mentor so early into her training, Beechface could see why. Even for a more experienced medicine cat, the wounds her clanmates bore (especially Flintstar's) would have been daunting.

"My mother can't put weight on one of her legs anymore." Beechface had to fight to keep the snarl out of her voice at the memory of what had happened to cause it, "Her leg healed on the surface, but the ligaments and muscle damage were permanent. The best you can do is keep him resting and keep the wound clean. Easier said than done, I know." Warriors were stubborn, and Flintstar seemed to be no exception if he'd dragged himself here on three good legs. "My mother was forced to retire from her injury. If starclan can't or won't fix whatever happened to him, there's no helping it. You can't heal everyone, much as we'd all like to." She failed to keep the bitterness out of her voice with that last sentence, naturally.

Driftpaw lumbered into the clearing along with the rest of SkyClan, his pale green eyes drawn to every sight and sound he could find. Newtspring wasn't there tonight, so Driftpaw had to find some cats to sit with on his own. He migrated towards Hailpaw, a familiar face, and took a seat beside him as other Clans began to filter in. He hadn't met any of the others yet, and the different scents filled his nose with an almost overwhelming presence. Excitement and dread filled his chest equally, and he took the moment to lick at his thick chest fur to calm his nerves. It was unlike him to be nervous, but...here he was.

As the other Clans got settled, Driftpaw flicked Hailpaw with a bushy tail to get his attention. "Hey, come chat with me. I wanna meet the others," he mewed, before plodding off towards a young, dark cat that had caught his attention. They smelled of mud and frogs and dead leaves, so Driftpaw assumed this young cat was from ShadowClan.

"Hey," he started, offering Flypaw a lazy smile. "I'm Driftpaw, from SkyClan. What's yer name?"

Driftpaw is talking with Hailpaw and Flypaw!

Hailpaw watched more cats come in from the Skyclan side of Fourtrees, looking for smaller fuzzy shapes that could be assumed to be apprentices. He could comfortably talk to a warrior if he wanted to, but it would be easier to impress a cat more his age and skill level, and that was what he was looking for. Someone to impress. This was his first gathering after all, might as well leave an impression on some of the other clans. One apprentice gave him a friendly nod, which he excitedly returned, but seemed to be preoccupied with finding someone else.

Hailpaw perked up as a furry tail brushed up against him, turning his head to face Driftpaw. "Sure! Lead the way," he chirped, rising to his paws to follow the other tom. They had chosen to speak to a dark-colored cat, which Hailpaw met with a wide grin, his tail raised in a confident greeting. "And I'm Hailpaw," he added after his friend had spoken, plopping down into a sit and allowing his tail to curl elegantly around his paws.

Hailpaw is talking to Driftpaw and Flypaw!

---

Cicadapaw walked in with the other Shadowclan cats, not as proud as he thought he would be to represent his clan. His clanmates still smelled metallic from healing wounds and his leader couldn't even join the others on the rock! They looked pathetic, nothing like the strong and powerful Shadowclan they should be. Other cats would have questions, he didn't want to answer them, but he still should try and pick up the slack for his clanmates. He could be strong when others couldn't.

He sat down on the Shadowclan side, head tall and fur neatly groomed for once. He had to be a model Shadowclan cat to show every other clan what they were really about.

Cicadapaw is open to talk to!

---

Ebonypaw's eyes widened as he breached the trees into the main clearing, completely aghast at how many cats there were gathered in Fourtrees. Simply being in camp could feel crowded at times, forcing him to leave for the river to clear his head. He didn't know if he could handle five clans worth of cats. At least the walk here was enjoyable, a nice change of scenery.

He didn't retreat, padding in and sitting with his clan. It was a lot to take in: the sheer amount of cats, the noise of everyone talking, the river-like movement as cats moved past each other to talk to someone. His green gaze flicked from cat to cat, overwhelmed but attentive. It was important to take part in gatherings and see the culture of other clans. Clans that understood and like each other wouldn't fight, and he wasn't quite interested in fighting.

Ebonypaw is open to talk to!

Goldenfang trotted in close behind Daystar. Her leader’s body language was far different from the last Gathering, in a good way. She smiled up at Daystar before her eyes flicked to Bloodstrike. The WindClan deputy couldn’t suppress the curl of her lip at the sight of him. Her hostile expression dropped as she looked down at the base of the Great Rock to join her fellow deputies. ‘Ah, Bloodstar, then. This should be interesting…’

She nodded to the new mollies in the deputies’ spot: a solid gray queen with the scent of milk and fish in her fur, and a mottled gray-and-black she-cat with impressively long fur. She’d seen the first one from a distance while watching RiverClan fail pathetically at land hunting; as for the second, Goldenfang wanted to say she could place her at the camp battle at one of her Clanmates’ throats, but truthfully she had very little recollection of it besides the burning rage that sometimes boiled in her stomach at the memory. “Goldenfang of WindClan. Charmed.” She was genuine, at least. The SkyClan warrior had yet to make a splash as big as Bloodstar, and she had no reason yet to feel badly towards her. Goldenfang’s steely blue eyes remained trained on her for a moment longer before she allowed her gaze to fall over Murkystrike and Flintstar.

Goldenfang’s whiskers twitched quizzically, though she said nothing. There was a glimmer of something more than interest in her eyes. ‘They will explain… or they won’t. Regardless, no other Clan has fresh marks like that.’

---

Turtlefur dutifully entered the Gathering after Ivystar and Dewlight, not far behind Bearspirit. He kept an eye on Flypaw, though his apprentice was growing into a fine young cat. They should be named already… he made a mental note to check in with Ivystar on that, although he never knew when his concerns were important enough to bring to her. He sighed and scanned the crowd. He was hesitant to approach anyone. The bobtailed warrior caught himself searching SkyClan’s ranks for Birdsong even though he knew she wouldn’t be here. He saw Egretstorm’s silver fur and sat next to her, instead. “Bloodstar… sounds straight out of an elder’s tall tale. I’ll bet you a salmon he killed Wolfstar to become leader.” He didn’t believe it, but it wouldn’t be that surprising if it had actually happened.

---

“So I’ve heard, but I had a hard time believing it. But it seems to be true.” Lynxpetal replied to Primroselight. She was grateful for the softly colored she-cat’s presence. She wanted her Clanmates nearby even if she knew better. After all those seasons… the threat of betrayal still felt very real to the former rogue. “The truce is only for tonight?”

Goldenfang is talking to Dewlight and Ashstorm.
Turtlefur is talking to Egretstorm, and is open to other cats.
Lynxpetal is responding to Primroselight.

Hentooth bounded into Fourtrees behind her leader and deputy, casting a quick glance about as her Clan dispersed. Flintstar didn’t look too hot- new deputy for RiverClan and SkyClan- wait.

SkyClan. New deputy. Sh- she.

Standing still, frozen, petrified, she stared up at the Greatrock with an emotionless face, the crowd swelling around her. Suddenly, it was so loud… and so muffled at the same time. A single sentence, from the fishy smell of RiverClan, caught her attention.

… bet he killed Wolfstar to become leader…”

More likely than not, though she wouldn’t stoop to believe a rumor. With a sudden flash of anger, she shook out her fur and trotted into the crowd, deliberately keeping her gaze from the Greatrock. Daystar was braver than she was- the snapping sound-

With a furious tail flick, Hentooth stalked through Fourtrees, not entirely sure where she was headed but Dark Forest-bent on getting these thoughts out of her head. Her gaze lingered for a moment on a red and black ShadowClanner… with a mental shrug she padded over, sitting next to him.

”Hentooth.” He could figure out her Clan and station for himself. “Excuse me for asking… are you Basilpaw’s brother? Your pelts are rather similar…” He was a rather odd color for a tom, and the reds and blacks did look like ShadowClan’s medicine cat apprentice… who was talking to SkyClan’s medicine cats. Hmm. What was she… Flintstar, most likely. Hentooth wrenched her thoughts away and politely focused on the tom nest to her.

Hentooth is talking to Burningwing.
Dawnfeather is open to talk to!
Prickletail likely won’t come.

Oliverain walked along side her mother as they entered the gathering. She was happy to be the one to escort her, and happy to show her the massive trees and beautiful hollow. Lynxpetal took a seat near the Great Rock so Oliverain followed. She sat by the queen, curling her tail around herself. The sky was ridden of clouds, making way for the glistening moon and it's starry kits. She observed the shiny dots, letting Lynxpetal look around, and talk with Primroselight. Oliverain turned her gaze to the Shadowclan cats that had arrived. If Skyclan does leave, there wouldn't be any more gatherings. she thought, even though it didn't matter to her. Shadowclan were just some other cats living like her, same as all the clans. The fighting is a bit unnecessary, it will be better to not constantly be hissing at each other. She looked up to her leader, wondering how the other clans would react to his new position.

Oliverain is open to talk to.
~~~~~
Loudnose saw the Skyclan cats, running down the hollow to meet them. Gatherings were fun for the tom, it was just another way to make friends. Within the crowd of Skyclanners and fellow clanmates he spotted a she-cat with a golden fur. Her bright blue eyes seemed kind to Loudnose. Padding up to her he waved his tail, excited to see if she would talk with him. "Hi! My name is Loudnose, what about you? Your fur is really pretty, and your eyes!" he greeted, energy buzzing around his paws.

Loudnose is talking with Dawnfeather.
~~~~~

Pheasantpounce has not arrived yet.

Dandelionflight bounded after the rest of her clan in the clearing. She looked around and noticed that the clearing was empty. A cold wind ruffled her fur and she kept to the inside of the small crowd. This gathering should be more interesting than most, since Bloodstrike was now Bloodstar. The other clans started to appear and she looked around for someone to talk to. She spotted a ShadowClan apprentice and approached them. “Hey! I’m Dandelionflight! What’s your name?” She enthusiastically meowed to the unfamiliar cat.

——————————

Dappledpaw ran after her clan into the cold clearing of Fourtrees. It surprised her to see SkyClan there first, but she noticed the large, scarred figure of Bloodstrike on top of the Great Rock. She looked down and saw a gray she-cat sitting at the foot of the rock. She put two and two together and realized that Bloodstrike must be Bloodstar now. She looked through the small crowd and saw a large, brown and white she-cat. “Hello, I’m Dappledpaw, who are you?” She meowed to the SkyClan she-cat. She was pretty sure they had never met.

Dandelionflight is talking to Duskpaw!
Dappledpaw is talking to Oliverain!
Cherrycloud will arrive later!