November Gathering 2021

Frostgaze dipped his head in acknowledgment before it snapped up again, eyes focusing on the not-so-distant form of Burningwing. He was yowling about business that was not his to interfere in. A scowl formed on the white tom's maw, and he began lifting himself up, before Webshadow spoke again. Sitting back down, he shut his eyes for a moment, contemplating what to say once again. "Every time Burningwing has an outburst, it makes me reconsider calling him friend instead of simply clanmate. He is an imbecile more often than not, he won't learn from his mistakes." His gaze finally landed back on Webshadow, watching him speak. "Of course. I would never leave you to fend on your own. You are my friend as well." A small smile, nearly invisible, emerged on his face. It was nice to be speaking to a.. a friend that he didn't have so many disagreements with.

Ratpaw twitched at the sound of the young tom’s voice. It felt... a bit like his presence wasn’t appreciated, but then he was also looking down: the other, lighter-furred apprentice was still sprawled lazily. Certainly not tense.

He glanced back, toward Shadowclan; his mentor was exchanging low words with a clanmate, and wasn’t looking his way. Would he approve? But it can’t hurt. Ratpaw was about to open his maw when he heard a loud voice from the center. They were farther, but he heard Flintstar’s voice. His ear flicked.

”I’m Ratpaw,” he mewed quietly, tail motioning toward the center rock. It was a bit too faint at this distance, but Ratpaw could imagine what was being said. (He had heard many renditions, of leader reports, and Shadowclan had been mostly quiet, after the rogues.) ”That’s me. I’m from Shadowclan.”

If it weren’t obvious. But then, perhaps this apprentice would say the same thing, and Ratpaw wasn’t certain at all. ”And you?” he mewed curiously. The tom hadn’t distinguished the scent, just yet, that reminded him of water-musk and mingling of other things. Maybe grass? Did that imply Riverclan, or Thunderclan? The dark-furred tom’s head tilted.

Normally, he’d be... more on edge, with a strange cat. But he found the apprentice’s nature quite disarming, if quite strange. Ratpaw was not used to cats being so... relaxed about things, especially ones his mother insisted were important. But he could get behind that. Was this a common attitude?

Ratpaw is speaking quietly with Greypaw. And still does not know his name (but still appreciates vibes).

Webshadow let out a small purr in response to being called friend, his smile stretching wider. "I'm proud to be your friend," he rumbled, bowing his head. Further commotion drew his attention, and he looked up to peer between cats' shoulders as Flintstar pushed his way towards Burningwing.

"He's... certainly something," the reply came with a snort, pale eyes narrowing as he tried to observe the situation. "I wouldn't blame you, for not wanting to call him friend. With all the kits you've brought back to camp, well–" he paused, blinking slowly. Was it a step far, to imply that Burningwing would hurt them? Frostgaze was the one who had brought them to shelter, after all. Surely, that meant something to him. "Clearly you two have... vastly different views on things." A beat as Webshadow watched, waiting for an actual altercation to break out. "I am glad you don't agree with him, though. You're a good cat."

Driftpaw's ears flicked back at Flamepaw. There was absolutely no need to be rude just because someone happened to look different. The gray and white apprentice frowned, eyes narrowing. He didn't think he liked this Flamepaw cat. "If yer gonna come over here an' insult my friend, might as well jus' leave while you've still got the chance," he mewed lowly, leveling a serious glare at the orange apprentice. It was rare that Driftpaw ever got so serious, but...Hailpaw didn't deserve that. Hailpaw was nice, and sweet, and handsome, and Driftpaw liked his company a lot, so he was not about to let some uppity WindClan apprentice talk to him that way.

"Either ya be nice an' keep yer mean comments to yerself, or we make you leave." Satisfied with his retort, Driftpaw straightened up, turning his attention towards the leaders and what they were saying. He noticed Flypaw had done the same, so he was only following their example.

Driftpaw is talking to the Apprentices, but mostly Flamepaw!

Flintstar's ears twitched at a voice, glancing over to see a she-cat had spoken up. Ah, that had to be Swiftspirit. He gave a brief nod to her, acknowledgement of her agreement to speak to him before he turned back to Bearspirit as the tom also spoke up. "All I want is your side of the story, no need to stay any longer than that," he responded, giving a flicker of his tail as he turned and padded back to where the deputies were, taking his seat next to Murkystrike. He leaned over to his deputy, keeping his voice low - some of the other leaders still had to speak and he didn't want to cause any more of a scene. "I have chosen to speak to Bearspirit and Swiftspirit after the Gathering - the ones who attacked Burningwing," he explained, twitching his ear as he glanced back at where his troublemaker warrior was still sitting. "...I will get their side of the story before we decide to bring this up to Ivystar and Daystar. Lead the Clan home - I'll return on my own." There was a pause, before a soft huff escaped him - knowing that Murkystrike wouldn't like that. "...You may assign a warrior to escort me home if you want thought, I do suspect catching up to you all once I finished speaking to them would be...Troublesome."

... 

Flamepaw resisted the urge to growl at Dreampaw's back as his "brother" walked off. At least there was that - no more Dreampaw to ruin his first gathering, and- Somebody was talking about insults. With a half-smirk on his face, ready to agree with them about Dreampaw's feather-headedness, he turned back again.

And found the apprentice looking straight at him.

Shock jolted through his pelt, his whiskers stiffening. "What-? I didn't- I wasn't-!" The icy feeling melted quickly as heat burned through into a flame of anger that flashed in his eyes. "I wasn't talking to him. Weren't you paying attention-?"

"Either ya be nice an' keep yer mean comments to yerself..."

It felt like his eyes had suddenly become moons frozen in the sky, shock and hurt whirling into a gaping, black pit that had abruptly opened in his gut - a feeling totally foreign. Why did this stupid apprentice think he'd insulted his hare-tailed friend? What were they, mates or something? Flamepaw had just been making conversation-!

"...or we make you leave."

And abruptly, fire flared to life in his eyes, burning them into twin blue chips of rage, a snarl bubbling up in his throat. "Oh yeah? And how're you gonna do that, rabbit-breath?" He spat, aggressively stalking right up into the SkyClan apprentice's face, practically touching his muzzle, teeth bared and muzzle wrinkled savagely. "You SkyClan cats think you're so great, huh? You think just because you came into our camp and mauled some elders and queens that you can just walk around with your claws unsheathed and expect the rest of us to get in line?" He could feel his heart beating fire through his veins, anger pulsing in every strand of fur.

"You're just cowards," He hissed, hearing his voice grow louder and not caring in the slightest, teeth gleaming and eyes flashing with challenge. "If you think you can make me leave, go ahead and try!"

Flamepaw has gone nuts and is now yelling at Driftpaw!

Hentooth was pretty certain by now that she’d caught a lil’ bit of kitcough from when Goldenfang had been sick… she knew she should’ve found another way to get the bedding out other than carrying it in her maw, but what other way was there? At least she was young, strong, and pretty much constantly surrounded by herbs. As soon as they got home, she’d be fine with a good rest…

She was far enough away to not be caught up in the chaos and the ShadowClan leader stuff… but she needed to. This was her fault, her steamin-hot pile o’ horse-dung and she’d be blasted if she let anyone else clean it up-

Oh. There was something that needed fixin’. Quite badly and quite urgently. What the stars did Flamepaw think he was up to? Frustrated with the situation, frustrated with the hare-brained apprentice, and mostly frustrated with herself for her loose maw, she rose to her paws and hurried over to where Flamepaw was talking to a few apprentices- she had to hurry before some other Clan’s warrior decided to take things into his own paws-

She sunk her teeth into his scruff and pulled him backwards, just like she had when he was a kit. He was heavier now, and she wasn’t feeling quite quite at the moment, but she was still able to get him out of the poor apprentice’s face-

Oh. A SkyClan apprentice.

The noise rushed in, bringing with it a headache, and Hentooth’s mood went from bad to worse. Someone stepped on a twig, and her fur involuntarily bristled. She nodded curtly to the SkyClanners, in no mood to apologize… but look what she’d done already. She wasn’t about to make it worse-

“Sorry.”

That was all she could muster. She turned her attention to Flamepaw, mentally bracing herself for the flood of words that was doubtless to follow. “Don’t you dare debate your medicine cat in front of SkyClanners,” she hissed quietly, making sure the SkyClanners couldn’t hear. “Talk later. I’m sure that wasn’t unprovoked.”

Hentooth has left her position under a Great Oak and hurried over to get Flamepaw out of poor Driftpaw’s face.

Starlingflare shook his head. "I'm not surprised in the slightest. After all it was one of their cats that took my eye." He growled out. "Of course she didn't leave without some wounds herself." He commented. "Plus the whole Robinloft situation.. The murderer was a Shadowclan warrior before hand. Maybe they just do a better job of hiding it.. Well until now that is." The dilute gray tom said.

--

Batglow didn't really know what else to say about the tom. They all knew how troublesome Burningwing was. "It's only a matter of time. He is going to slip up eventually and when he does you and I will be waiting." A low growl rumbled in the black tom's chest, he would just play the part of respectful clanmate for now, but he would waiting for that slip up.

Outbursts kept seeming to erupt around the clearing, and Murkystrike frowned as each one followed the other. ShadowClan, or more specifically Burningwing, was at the center of one... No real surprise there. Flintstar made his announcements and then left to go tend to him, leaving Murkystrike at the base of Greatrock. She kept her head high, but she was thinking of what repercussions would follow the tom's sticking his nose into things. Flintstar returned before long, and the deputy nodded as he explained what was to happen. "I understand. Thank you, Flintstar. I'll wait up for you in camp to fill me in." She mewed, keeping her voice low in a similar manner before standing and turning to the other deputies. "It was a pleasure to see you all again. Please excuse me, I must take my leave, there are matters I must attend to." She explained as she lowered her head respectfully, still mindful of the remaining announcements as she stepped away from Greatrock in search of Mistyfalcon. She knew he had come tonight... But where was he?

It was Batglow that she saw first, and she made her way towards him only to find Mistyfalcon there as well. She smiled, purring as she greeted each tom in turn. "Hey, you two. I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation... Mistyfalcon, Flintstar is going to stay behind to speak with the two who fought Burningwing. I want you to stay behind, and accompany him back to camp." She mewed, gesturing towards the two cats Burningwing had been arguing with earlier.

Driftpaw held his ground, his face impassive as Flamepaw grew closer and closer, snarling in his face. "You did too, you laughed at my friend Hailpaw here an' were about to tease him more about his pretty pelt when yer Clanmate stopped you. Don't yell at me." The gray and white apprentice's eyes were narrowed. his ears flicking back as Flamepaw spouted something off about killing elders and whatnot. "...I don't really know what yer talkin' about. That was before me, I think. I ain't responsible for what my Clan did in the past." Quietly, he watched as a mottled molly came and dragged Flamepaw away. She smelled of plants and herbs, much like Beechface and Muddythorn, so he could only assume she was a medicine cat as well. She muttered an apology and Driftpaw inclined his head in recognition. "No worries," came his mumbled reply, before he turned his attention towards Hailpaw, Cricketpaw, and Antpaw. He didn't want to stay around there any longer, actually. Sighing heavily, he gave his chest a few licks to calm his rising nerves down.

"C'mon, guys, let's go somewhere else. I don't think we're too welcome here anymore."

Driftpaw is talking to Flamepaw and Hentooth, and motioned to leave to Hailpaw, Cricketpaw, and Antpaw!

"Sounds like she deserved it." Beechface muttered back. An apprentice should have known that they didn't need to maim someone, foxdung! Her lip curled at the mention of Robinloft's killer, though she did manage to keep her voice low as she continued speaking. "If it were up to me, that Shadowclanner would be dead or exiled. It's foxdung that my clan has to be dragged into her mess because she was too cowardly to say anything." Beechface huffed, "It's bad enough that she's in Skyclan to begin with." Was she holding a grudge against her? Absolutely. "I'm glad that Dovefrost came to me about it. Otherwise we would have never known. You've lucked out with having decent medicine cats like him and Mossbloom." It was still hard to believe that Mossbloom was dead. She'd been a mentor as well as a friend and would be sorely missed.

---

Mistyfalcon smirked at Batglow, though his ears swiveled in Murkystrike's direction as she approached. The gathering was proving to be more lively than he would've liked, and he could guess that she feeled the same somewhat. "Hey, Murkystrike. No getting out of this one early?" There was a hint of a smirk that crossed his expression, though he knew full well the chances of repeating that were slim to none. More likely none. Her words only confirmed it.

"Told you I should've stayed home." Mistyfalcon grumbled, though the protest was half-hearted. With his injuries, Flintstar did need someone to watch out for him, and if it came down to a fight... "Alright, I'll stay. I don't trust those two as far as I can throw them." He trusted Burningwing about as much, though kept the comment to himself.

Oh, looks like he did something right. The stranger wasn't annoyed at him, nor did he immediately move away. That was progress... he supposed. As the gathering-meeting thing was announced he glanced over, blinking blearily. Well, it was quieter now.

While Greypaw would've preferred just completely ignoring the troublesome meeting, he kept an ear on it. When he still heard hissing and yowling from some group, he looked over to see Bearspirit standing there before some angry tomcat that was spitting insults at him and apparently some windclanner.

Greypaw's ear twitched as he heard the apparently-shadowclan-leader speak, saying some names. He glanced back to his impromptu companion as he spoke. He seemed a bit skiddish, glancing in a particular direction before he actually said anything. His name was both unfortunate and interesting. Rats often had a bad reputation, but the riverclan apprentice didn't actually care about stereotypes, because honestly... what did cats know? Was probably just animals acting like animals. Oh no, they bit you? Well, that sucks, welcome to the real world. Oh, they have crowfood in their stomach? Well, guess they're better at surviving on bearly anything better than cats do.

"I'm Greypaw. The only riverclan cat who sucks at being a riverclan cat." He smirked casually as he said that despite how bad it sounded. Was quite the easy to get cats to underestimate you if you verbally state how bad you are at fitting into your own clan. "Nice to meet ya." He mowed casually, voice light.

He glanced over when he heard more aggressive hissing, and blinked as he saw the shadowclan leader leave their spot to talk to the enraged brown tom that was yelling at his clanmate. Well with an action like that it was obvious that the hissy-fit tomcat was a shadowclanner. He winced visibly feeling both pity and embarrassment for his companion's clan. After that another yawn struck him, and he stretched while still laying on the ground before flopping on his side and grooming his face.

"Looks like your leader has suddenly taken an interest in my clanmate." He huffed, not seeming particularly concerned about the whole scene. He then glanced over as he heard more enraged hissing, and watched as what he assumed to be a medicine cat dragged their apprentice away from two other cats. His face looked wholly unimpressed. With these outbursts on top of the constant state of tension that was hovering over the gathered cats, he felt like it really wasn't worth the effort to gather.

Idly, the young tom hummed. "I wonder if it's always this hard for the clans to not despise each other for one night. Yeesh... seems far too troublesome to go to the gathering, I deal with enough drama back in Riverclan." The apprentice snorted, then paused, sighing. "It's less tiresome to not be angry, I wonder why so many cats seem to waste energy on such a bothersome emotion. I think they all need to take more time to just... relax." He mused.

He swore that warriors were not supposed to act like grumpy kits that just got told they needed to stop playing and go to sleep. He had seen such similar behaviour in the nursery, wasn't apprenticeship supposed to be an escape from that stuff?

The young tom's eyes lidded as he stared at the leaders lazily, barely bothering to process what everyone was saying. He could feel what minimal energy he had being sucked out of his soul the longer he stayed there. Maybe this was how Starclan kept their forms in the afterlife long enough to meddle with the younger generations...

The tom's eyes suddenly narrowed ins suspicion after the idle thought...

Actually, that would make sense. Greyapw didn't trust those ghosts as far as he could push them, which wasn't far. Really, He'd probably collapse after the first step, really.

The young riverclanner seemed to completely zone out, train of thought steering straight onto a rabbit trail of something completely unrelated to what he had just been conversing about. Suddenly he snapped out of it as he heard another leader speak though, and he blinked, regaining his previous thoughts.

He glanced over at Ratpaw, still as relaxed as ever. "You seem chill though. Hopefully, we don't have to maul each other on the battlefield one day because our leaders decided they wanted to hate each other." He mattered the last part, glancing over suspiciously at Ivystar.

... Hmph, leaders were so troublesome... why did he even bather being a clan cat again...?

Oh, right, to honour his dead sibling's and parents' memories and escape the guilt of being the only one left alive from his family....

After a pause he heaved a great sigh, suddenly seeming very done with the world, and let his head drop to the ground."... What a drag."


____ ____ ____ __ _ _ _

"I wasn't! Can't you losers take a joke?" He spat, tail lashing, the impassive face of the other apprentice just making the anger under his pelt burn hotter. "Your whole Clan's like that, just like you, you horsi-"

The end of his sentence came out in a yelp that quickly turned to an outraged snarl as someone yanked him back by his scruff. Eyes flaming, he twisted and swiped wildly at whoever had dared pull him away, his claws meeting nothing but air even as a familiar scent belatedly registered through his fury, and he stumbled back onto his own paws.

Hentooth.

Apologizing for him.

Again.

His skin burned. Whipping around, he turned betrayed eyes still simmering with rage onto her face. "I don't need anyone to say sorry for me-!"

“Don’t you dare debate your medicine cat in front of SkyClanners.”

He ground his teeth, fur spiking out and tail whipping from side to side as a low growl grew in pitch in his throat. It felt like worms were eating underneath his pelt, some part of him warning against lashing out, the rest of him too worked up to stop. "No, it wasn't unprovoked!" He snapped. "That stupid SkyClanner threatened to make me leave just because his friend couldn't take a joke! I'm not an idiot! I wasn't going to attack him! Why do all of you keep TRYING TO PULL ME BACK?!"

His lips drew back from his teeth, chips of blue flashing defiance stubbornly in spite of the twisting in his stomach that said he'd probably gone too far. He didn't care. They'd ruined his first Gathering. They were all pure horsedung.

Hhhhhhh Flamepaw's throwing a hissy fit at Hentooth please slap him.

Just as Flamepaw’s mouth opened to spew fox-dung at her, the SkyClan apprentice’s words registered in her head.

”I ain’t responsible for what my Clan did in the past…”

Her eyes narrowed. Her claws sunk into the ground. Flamepaw’s words sailed past her ears.

The absolute hypocrites.

The flash of anger that had been simmering in her green eyes was replaced, overwritten by a cold, smoldering wrath like the pressure building up within a volcano.

Hentooth glared at Flamepaw for a long moment. The night had been too much… and she knew she wasn’t this furious at him…

“Quiet.”  

One word. Her entire fury, building like a hurricane, compressed into a single syllable.

She took a deep breath, dug her claws deeper into the ground.

“Shut your maw. One more word an’ I’ll personally make sure you stay in the nursery until your littermates are warriors.” Her anger had drained out of her, leaving her exhausted… the familiar words didn’t have the familiar fire behind them.

“You shouldn’t be fraternizing with SkyClanners anyways. They’re absolute horse-dung, do you hear? The only reason you ain’t in worse trouble,” she hissed, feeling her energy return, “Is ‘cause SkyClan done show me they never change tonight. One more yowl and we’re talking to Daystar tonight.” She turned before he could answer, mentally inscribing the silvery SkyClan pelt into her mind. She wouldn’t forget it.