January Gathering 2022

Lightningpaw followed a short distance behind his mother, Goldenfang, with distaste curling his maw. He wasn’t that excited about the Gathering. It was his first, true, but dealing with his own stupid denmates was annoying enough. He didn’t want to sit in the cold and stare at some other Clan’s leader as they complained about the snow driving the prey away. He knew already. He ran through tunnels on the daily to find food for his family.

The mottled tom trotted into the clearing and gave his pelt a good shake before settling into a pressed-down patch. He pulled his paws beneath his body and curled his tail around his side. Hopefully his body heat would melt the area around him. At least the winds from home couldn’t reach them in this dip.

Lightningpaw of WindClan is open to talk to.

Creekpaw was close behind her sister, Beaverpaw, though she halted when her sibling followed Perchfall beneath the Great Rock. They weren’t allowed over there. With a wrinkle of her nose, Creekpaw turned away from her dumb sister and looked around the clearing. Now what? Where should she go? The bobtailed she-cat saw her denmate, Tinypaw, talking to Hollyleaf. The three weren’t that far apart in age, so she decided it would be okay to talk to them. “I’ve never seen this many cats before. I wonder what they do at their own camps. They don’t fish, right? How do they even make it through leafbare?” The she-cat pondered, thinking of her own failures to catch land prey. She wouldn’t mention that.

Creekpaw of RiverClan is talking to Tinypaw and Hollyleaf

RiverClan and WindClan finally arrived, and Murkystar nodded slightly to the other cats upon Greatrock that were representing their clans. Daystar was not present, but it was leafbare - perhaps she was ill. A cold wind shook her fur, and she shivered before taking a step forward to stand at the front of the rock. It was too cold to sit around all night. "The Gathering has now begun! ShadowClan has been doing well, despite the bitter cold and horrid weather. I am proud to announce two new apprentices, Ospreypaw and Spottedpaw. We also have three new warriors representing us tonight, Nightstalker, Swiftheart, and Cicadashriek. We mourn the loss of a young warrior Mistlebright, taken from us by illness. May she find peace and rest amongst the stars." She mewed, pausing briefly before continuing. "In other news, we have seen a significant increase of predators roaming our territory. I'm sure the cold weather is making them desperate. Additionally, we are patrolling our borders regularly, despite the weather. Trespassers will be confronted accordingly." She finished, stepping back to resume her previous spot on the rock to allow the next cat to step forward. Hopefully the others would be swift so they all could return home to their dens.

As Robinpatch made his way into Fourtrees with his clan, his eyes immediately scanned the clearing for the familiar pelt of the Shadowclan tom he'd spoken to during the last gathering. He'd enjoyed the other's company and was hoping to finish up his story with him. However, once he did spot the dark-furred warrior, he was already surrounded by some unfamiliar faces. Robinpatch stopped in his tracks and bit the inside of his cheek. He was never really comfortable with large crowds so he decided on aborting that mission. He did inch closer to offer Dusk a greeting in the form of a nod before turning tail. Hopefully the younger saw it.

Robin wandered around for some time before he noticed a lone tom some ways away. He smelled like Shadowclan and for some reason that comforted the warrior. He supposed that so far, Shadowclan warriors were pleasant enough to speak with. He was aware that this won't always be the case but he needed to try anyway. No use in being too cowardly.

The tom appeared to be older than Duskflight yet younger than himself. That still wasn't going to stop him from using his favorite greeting. Not many cats were older than him so he had every right to act their senior and tease them.

"Hey there kiddo. Mind if I join you this fine night? Name's Robinpatch. I'm sure you've already deduced that I'm from Riverclan with my scent and all. Correct me if I'm wrong but you're from Shadowclan..." There. Not a bad introduction. He still needed to improve his social skills but he was getting there.

---

So...what was she supposed to do here really? Just...talk? Ospreypaw surveyed the multitude of cats with an unreadable expression. It was her first gathering and she didn't really know what to even think. It was all much. She wasn't very good at pleasant conversations so hopefully her mentor didn't get his hopes up -wherever the tom may have disappeared to.

She had lost count of how many times she had circled the clearing. Nobody really caught her interest. None of the conversations would keep her attention either. This was a hopeless endeavor. She should just trudge on back to the camp. However, before she could follow up on her thoughts, she noticed a peculiar tom with blue feathers in his tail. Huh? What happened there? Without her consent, her paws began to lead her over to him and his conversation partner that hadn't really caught her eye.

"Did you kill a bird with your tail?" was what she greeted the white-furred tom with an almost comically straight face. She then turned to look at the other tom and meowed, "Oh. Hello...you?" Great. What a fantastic way to make a first impression. She had definitely not insulted them in the first five seconds of meeting them. Was this her newest record or something? Ah well. If they told her to go away, she could always try with someone else...or just not try at all.

---

Coyotepaw followed closely behind Goldengang, her pelt groomed to perfection. She was extremely excited about this gathering, unlike her brother. Her paws had hardly graced the grass of Four Trees before a leader stepped forward, supposedly the leader of ShadowClan. Sighing, Coyotepaw took a seat towards the back of the crowd. Of course, her first Gathering and they show up so late she doesn't get a chance to mingle. She glanced around for Hawkpaw.

Coyotepaw is open to talk, but looking for Hawkpaw.

Minnowpaw listened to the more experienced she-cat's reply, tilting his head when she mentioned the number of gatherings she'd been to. Four gatherings meant four moons of training to become a warrior. He wasn't quite sure how many gatherings the average apprentice went to before becoming a warrior, so he supposed it was normal. "Guess the gathering is beginning.. I'd better get back to my clanmates. Nice talking to you-" he called with a smile as he padded away, taking a seat not too far from the deputies and near one of his denmates.

Minnowpaw has stopped talking to Dappledpaw and is open to interact with his Clanmates.

---

Disappointment clinged to her as she took a seat near her brother, Lightningpaw, not too close as to disturb him though. Daisypaw's excitement at the prospect of her first gathering had diminished when she found that the gathering was to begin the moment she had arrived. Getting to talk with the other apprentices had been the part she had looked forward to doing and now she had missed the opportunity. She grumpily made herself comfortable and rested her tail over her nose. Seeing her mother on the Great Rock amongst the other leaders filled her with pride and it brought a little comfort into the apprentice. Maybe this gathering would still prove itself to be exciting after all.

Daisypaw has arrived and is open to interact with.

Webshadow weaved his way through the crowd, watching Frostgaze follow Murkystar to his new spot by the Great Rock. His ear flicked, and he briefly considered joining his friend up front. But after shifting his weight and rumbling to himself, he decided he didn't quite feel up to it tonight, and found a quiet spot to settle in the back like usual, curling his tail close to himself as Murkystar opened the Gathering.


Newtspring filed into the Gathering alongside the rest of SkyClan, jaws parting in a yawn as they filled the clearing. It wasn't long before the other Clans followed suit, and he found s nice spot in the heart of it all to sit, glancing at the cats around him before turning his attention towards the Rock.


Cloverheart came grumbling into Fourtrees, her head low as she followed Jaystar and Perchfall. The pair took their places around the Rock, and she gave the crowd a glance around to see if she could spot anyone she knew. With no friendly familiar faces coming to view, she made her way to the medicine cats, settling a few tail-lengths away from them.

Webshadow is open to talk.
Newtspring is open to talk.
Cloverheart is open to talk with other medicine cats.

Swanmist entered the gathering, looking down at her paws as she walked slowly into fourtrees. She wasn't certain about leaving her kits at camp, but they were old enough to handle themselves... right? She sat down, giving her fluffy white chest a swift luck, feeling the matted clumps against her fur. Swanmist knew this was a sign of not being healthy, but she couldn't risk her kit's death, or any of her family's.

Swanmist is open for conversation, though she's looking weak, tired, and hungy

Timbersun was walking into fourtrees with a smile this time around. Why wouldn't he be smiling? His sister was back- and with adorable little kits! The kits will be fine, Hentooth will be happy and safe with us again. He promised himself. Everything will be okay. Things will go back to normal and everything will be fine. Could you call a Leafbare like this fine, though? He decided not to worry about it and look around for a cat to talk to. Timbersun spotted Mistypaw, the apprentice had lost her tail st the same battle he lost his ear. That felt like a long time ago, yet it hadn't occurred to him until now that this would be the grey she-cat's first gathering. She didn't look like the happiest cat, and Timbersun certainly didn't blame her. He would be mad too if at his first gathering, he came to fourtrees with a missing tail. Maybe he should talk to her?

"Hey... Mistypaw! How are ya? First gathering, huh? I don't think we've spoken much before, if at all." He wouldn't point out her tail, after all, it's only his second gathering with his missing ear and nobody wanted to talk to him that much last time.

Timbersun is talking to Mistypaw, but wouldn't mind anyone coming by to say hi

Marshmallow isn't allowed to come because of an accident

Tinypaw was startled by the sudden dark she-cat that approached her. The apprentice lifted her head and quickly recognized her as one of the warriors of the clan. "Yes... I am" She replied shyly. It was the first time a warrior, apart from her mother and Perchfall, talked to her. She was nervous... but also excited. Since her kithood days, she had felt alone and out of place, unable to find the right words to get to know other cats, even her own denmates. This was her chance to change that.

Despite her nervousness, the small black molly smiled back at Hollyleaf. "Yeah... there's a lot of new faces." She started, mewing softly. "To be honest, I still struggle talking with my own clanmates, so I find it difficult to approach other clan cats... I think.... I prefer to continue talking to you." However, before she could continue, another Riverclan member approached them.

It was Creekpaw, one of her fellow apprentices. With a shy smile, Tinypaw greeted her with a nod and moved a little to make space for her. Creekpaw's question caught her attention. She had never thought about that. How did the other clans even manage without fish? When land prey is so scarce these days? The small molly looked back to Hollyleaf with wide blue eyes, anticipating her answer.

Tinypaw is talking to Hollyleaf and Creekpaw

Perchfall was not expecting the small presence next to her as she settled by the other deputies. Beaverpaw, one of RiverClan's newest apprentices, had followed her, apparently not knowing that it was frowned upon to approach the higher ranks in their set spots. Trapped between concern for the young she-cat and frustration that the little one's mentor was too busy chatting with other cats to look after her apprentice, she held back a sigh. "Go find Hollyleaf," she advised. "No cat is going to hurt you. Fighting at the Gathering is forbidden." The gray-and-white she-cat gently nudged the smaller apprentice with her paw, prodding her to go ahead back into the crowd of RiverClan cats. Tinypaw seemed to be doing fine without her... why was this apprentice who wasn't even hers deciding to cling to her? Kits usually didn't like her.

Perchfall is talking to Beaverpaw (very politely telling her to leave).

Pinepaw pads over to the Fourtrees, He was a bit late, Yes, But He trekked over, and was in Awe of the Clan Leaders, And almost every cat in the clans, There were many cats here, all five clans together, For peace. "Woah... What a place!" Pinepaw sat down with some Apprentices, Looking to make friends with Cats from Other clans.

Pinepaw is Open to chat!, And would love a conversation.

Burningwing is stuck in Camp. Bearspirit is not here.

---

Murkystar started the gathering this time and he was grateful for it. The sooner this ended, the better. Once she had finished speaking, he stepped forward onto the Great Rock.

"Skyclan is not only surviving, but we are thriving despite the harsh weather. Skyclan has new warriors, Beechfang, previously known as Beechface, Crickethop and Dreamyflight. We also have new apprentices, Elkpaw and Mountainpaw. Dawnfeather was missing for a time, but she has returned to us safely, thank the stars. There have been more predators on Skyclan territory as well, but we are actively organizing hunts to get rid of as many of them as possible. Hopefully this harsh season passes quickly. I know it's been a strain on the other clans as well, and while we do not have many resources to spare, Skyclan still wishes the other clans well during leaf-bare."

Oh he sounded so much nicer than he wanted to be. While his words were genuine, he still would rather be moving around, clawing ears off and fighting to keep himself warm rather than sit here. He stepped back and allowed whatever other leader that wanted to speak to do so.

Smiling back, Hollyleaf was almost relieved that she didn't make things awkward. Tinypaw seemed to be pretty anxious when she approached her, after all. Though soon, another cat arrived— Creekpaw, from what she remembered. She inclined her head in return as a greeting. "I suppose they all have their ways, even if I'm unsure how everything works in those clans. Not everyone eats fish as we do, but I'm sure they all have some sort of trick up in their minds. Hunting is important for the clan, after all." With another topic in mind, the molly was about to go on.. when she spotted Beaverpaw settling down near Perchfall. Oh Stars.

Her eyes now switched focus back to the deputy, giving an apologetic dip of the head before turning towards her apprentice. She flicked an ear, gently motioning for Beaverpaw to come over. After all, apprentices weren't supposed to sit with deputies. Once that was settled, her gaze fell upon the two apprentices near her once again. "I apologize for just now. Right, how has training been for you two? Everything still going fine?" She smiled.

Hollyleaf is talking to Creekpaw and Tinypaw (and is motioning for Beaverpaw to come over).

Hawkpaw lumbered into the gathering, mildly annoyed. He didn't want to go, what was the point? Listening to other clans was boring, and he didn't like talking, it was just a double no for him. However, he wanted to be a warrior, and to be a warrior, he had to go to a gathering at some point. He would rather be with Coyotepaw, she was the only interesting cat in that clan. Finally he spotted her, and quickly approached. "Hi." It was simple, short, but it was more than he said to most cats.

Hawkpaw is 'talking' to Coyotepaw!
Ashfall has stayed home to be with the sick Daystar!

For once, nobody approached Beechfang, and she was content to sit among her clanmates, even if it was taking a while for some of the clans to get to fourtrees. Windclan seemed to be tonight's holdout, and Beechfang wasn't surprised in the slightest. They'd always been cowardly, maybe they had finally decided it was better not to show their faces?

They finally showed themselves, and Beechfang paid little attention beyond noting the deputy taking a position on the great rock. Maybe Daystar had finally kicked the bucket, good riddance, as far as Beechfang was concerned. Goldenfang- or Goldenstar now? Would follow soon enough... So would the rest of Windclan. The forest would be better off without their ilk.

Murkystar and Bloodstar had the good sense to get the gathering started quickly after that, and Beechfang sat a little straighter at Bloodstar announcing her warrior name, shoulders back and head held high. The rush of pride was unfamiliar to her, and a far different reaction than she'd had when Wolfstar had announced she was training as a medicine cat apprentice all those seasons ago. Now she could actually serve her clan where it mattered most.

Briarthorn quickly padded into the clearing, head hung low, yet she walked with purpose. She declined to speak to any ThunderClanners for the duration of their journey, and made a beeline toward the first group of SkyClanners she saw upon entering fourtrees. Finally, it seemed, she’d be able to go back home. She missed her family, and even if she hadn’t seemed to enjoy her time in SkyClan much thus far, she had to admit she missed that, too. She was glad to finally be released from her punishment, and was fully prepared to make a name for herself in SkyClan.

—-

Head held high and chest puffed out proudly, Otterpaw pranced into the clearing, flashing a smile to everyone who looked his way. That’s right, he was finally able to go to a gathering. And at the next one, he’d be a warrior for sure. He had to… He had to make Birdsong proud. He’d fight all the geese in the world to make that happen. Shaking his head a bit, trying to clear his mind from his mother, he took a seat on his own and sat down, proud expression never faltering.

Briar and Otter are both open to interactions!