February Gathering 2022

Batpaw purred happily as Bloodstar mentioned Slightpaws promotion and acheivment. hmm she gave him a playful nudge... she did pause at the mention of Bloodstar getting attacked by Dawnhawk... hmm she moved closer to slightpaw the idea of angry roughes attacking skyclan did not make her happy Be careful you she said quietly as she batted at his ears playfully.

"Oh-um.. nice to meet you... Starlingflare." He shuffled his paws nervously. "Windclan is... doing alright, I guess. I just got back, I haven't even back for a moon, but Goldenstar just became leader." He was telling the tom something that he would soon learn, if he didn't already know. He glanced over to the Great Rock, watching his leader with wide eyes. He wondered what the leaders were talking about for a moment before remembering the larger cat standing in front of him. "I was captured by twolegs many moons ago." He explained himself quickly. "What about you, though? It's been... a while, since i've heard from Thunderclan." Thoughts of Cedarheart filled his mind. He shuddered.

Slightpaw flicked his ear in reply to the she-cat's worry. what did she think he was, some useless, weak kit that couldn't lift a claw to protect itself? No, he did not need protecting. his claws shone in the moonlight as he dug them into the frozen ground. looks like he would have to deal with a bloody claw later, but for now, the white tom took out his anger on the floor beneath him.

Deerpaw is talking to Snowpaw and Rabbitchaser
Slightpaw is talking to Batpaw
Reedpaw is open to interactions

Murkystar had gotten lost in her thoughts. Though her ears had swiveled towards Bloodstar as he approached, there was no other sign that she had heard him. As others joined them, she still sat motionless and unseeing, but Bloodstar's sudden yowl calling the gathering to order made her flinch. As she blinked back in to focus, she realized that Minkstar was not present. Something must have happened, given the other tom's expression. She should have been pawing more attention... He would likely announce it to everyone as part of his clan announcements, but it would have been good to know. She listened silently as Bloodstar made his announcements, nodding slightly to him as he stepped back, but she did not move yet. She looked to the others atop the Greatrock and mewed softly. "My news is not quick, nor is it simple and easy. I request to make my announcements last. Please, go ahead."

The leaders did not seem like the most talkative bunch, and in his current state - that worked. Stoatfur was resigned to settling down on the rock and letting his eyes roam the clearing. Murmurs rose from all around, whether friendly greetings or clan gossip, he couldn't tell; however, he was certain there was a bit of both. Eventually, he picked out the familiar pelts of his own clan. Seeing them together almost made him jealous. Sitting here amid tentative enemies, each fighting their own battle, it was a cold and lonely thing. But this was the task that he had been given. This was what his life was now, and it wasn't much different than before.

When Bloodstar spoke, he hummed softly, dragged from within his own thoughts. Seeing Skyclan's leader sympathetic was a strange thing. He had only known the large tom as a battle hardened brute and watched him at a distance for so long. The thought had occurred to him before, but in an impersonal way, that there was likely more to these leaders than they appeared on the surface. Something to consider for the future - there would be plenty of moons to get acquainted. They words seemed genuine enough so he opted to dip his head. And then the gathering was beginning. Some cats came to attention, a few continued their mumbling, quietly.

He tipped his head to listen to the Skyclan leader speak. Rogues, huh? The ominous warning that came along with it had his mind churning. Cats they did not know, loners. Minkstar had accepted a few cats before his passing and there were three in particular that came to mind. None of them had seemed hostile or filled with any ill-intent but he supposed that the most practices liars would never reveal their secrets. Just because he had accepted them as a part of the clan did not mean that he couldn't keep an eye on them. Stoatfur tucked the thought away. Something to consider later. It was the speech of one of his companions on the rock that stirred his attention once more.

Murkystar looked as if she had seen the dark forest itself. He couldn't imagine what had left a leader so subdued. Admittedly, he was curious, but there was a duty to be done. Even if he was the youngest on the rock, it did not mean he had to wait to speak. Stepping forward, Stoatfur honored Murkystar's request and began to speak. Nerves briefly flickered about in his chest as he spoke, but he shoved them away and pressed on, "Minkstar has gone to join Starclan. His last moons were filled with serving his clan and giving his lives to protect others. One of these lives was lost to a lone cat, maybe even those rogues of yours, Bloodstar. It seems the forest has a shared enemy. Tonight I will journey to the moonstone and recieve my lives. We've also had new kits and from that, apprentices. Softpaw, Cinderpaw, Mottlepaw, Brindlepaw, Reedpaw, and Shimmerpaw have begun their training."

He stepped back, finishing the announcements with a wave of his tail. The little brown and white warrior had to bite his tongue. That realization, of Minkstar's one life, hit him as he spoke. Dawnhawk had come from Skyclan and threatened the entire forest now, perhaps even taking the life of his leader - one of the few cats he truly love. Previously, he'd written off the former clan cat as Skyclan's problem. It still was but now it was one they had failed to quell, one that was impacting those he cared for. His tail tip twitched as he stewed silently with a neutral expression across his maw. This wasn't the time for accusation, and he wasn't sure it ever would be.

Jaystar's bitter-dark heart, fractured with exceptionally little regard or mourning for his own mother, expressed an astonishingly little amount of reaction in the wake of the initial proceedings of cataclysmic news continually shared; serpentine dark gaze cold and curious as it drifted between the perpetual aggressors. Though the fire-hot amusement that webbed through him at the revelation that Minkstar had died suddenly was difficult to reign tongue between teeth over, the happenings brought by Bloodstar served proficiently more grounding as rapport over a confirmation of rogues was given. Rogues. Full harrowing awareness blossomed sharply atop the hard, gaunt line of his bones, a violent jarring slipping down the tensed length of his spine with all the grace and gentleness of a late winter flood, dark gaze fixed upon the opening vacated by the now abdicated both Bloodstar and Stoatfur, his shared companion in both warfare and anointment. They had seen exceptionally little of rogues, Dawnhawk sire or note, in the past moons or so. But should such fixings prove correct, it likely would not continue in such a manner.

Jaystar, perpetually afoot with a characteristic sense of otherworldly grace, was a shadowy streak of movement against the snow-bleached backdrop of the night as he made to oblige Murkystar's wishes, too distance and alien from her sphere of influence and conflict to do little other than respect without grudging. Smooth steps were hurriedly taken in a careful, synchronous, process of familiar slowness, muscles stiff and heart throbbing out some erratic rhythm at the usual surge of apprehension- the task of speaking certainly his least idolized element of leadership currently experienced thus far.

"RiverClan continues to endure in the wake of such seasonal misfortune, although," Jaystar paused in the careful instructional proceedings of his usual announcements, casting a careful glance in the general direction of Bloodstar, the large tom a watery smear in the shadowed reaches of his peripheral vision, "a sufficient rogue presence has not been found within our territory. As of yet."

"We come bearing several new Warriors by the name of Darkglow, Feathersky, Tinypool, and Flywhisker. Once again, several new Apprentices have been bestowed the mantle of freedom and now are likely out inflicting terror upon the forest." Jaystar eventually drolled out, low voice reverberating from the fathoms of his chest with a pitch kindred to that of roaring thunder, "Though like those who spoke before me, I come bearing ill-tidings. A RiverClanner by the name of Swanmist has chosen to turn her back upon her Clan for her dislike of fish was simply unbearable; she has, as one with exceptionally poor decision-making skills tends to do, muddled her kits within this mess as well." Dark lips curling back into a pristine sneer of low contempt, the willowy-shadow Leader turned to eye his counterparts, there was a stiff clicking as his tense shoulders rolled and shifted, "Should any Clan discover her, RiverClan takes no calling in terms of interference and shall let her be handled as deemed appropriately by said Clan. However, should the deserter be spotted near our borders... she will be handled appropriately."

Batpaw listened carefully to the leaders announcements hmm what did Murkystar have in store for them the request to go last was interesting... perhaps she would get her curiosity solved soon enough.

She noticed Slightpaw pawing at the ground from her comment wich made her giggle softly. ok ok... calm down I was only joking.... I know you can take care of yourself she nuzzled closer to him, purring softly...

She wished this night could last forever, but she knew the gathering would end soon once Murkystar made her announcement.

When do you want to meet again? she asked slightpaw in a low whisper looking into his deep blue eyes with her soft golden eyes


-------------------------

Swiftheart stayed quiet listening to the leaders words, hmm deserters from riverclan? ... that was interesting, well as long as they did not cause shadowclan any trouble it was not really a concern per say... she wondered how much her mother would tell of the rouge attack on her clan. Skyclan and possibly thunderclan were also aware of such happenings but perhaps not to the extreme that Shadowclan had suffered. She sat closer to her brother Nightstalker and very much so welcomed his presence as he had joined her.

Hollyshine entered the Gathering with scars, her warrior name, and a single intention: to find a Riverclan molly. Granted, it was more of a growing desire to than a thought-out plan, but... it was hard to explain, okay? She’d just been feeling… more beaten and fragile, recently. (Not that she’d ever say it aloud.) And the thought of sharing her name with the one who appreciated it the most — enough to take it! — felt... like a good idea, that’s all.

The slash across her eye, while no longer bleeding — that foxing piece of rat’s dung that called herself Thunderclan! — was still there: a healing scab. She tried to take out my eye! Not yet unconscious, Hollyshine had reacted furiously — she still had her vision — but it would still scar. And so she admitted to no small amount of… well, not fear, but wariness, about seeing that stinking tortoiseshell pelt anywhere. But the other part of her was stubbornly unafraid, and wanted another go. Would’ve won if she fought me fair.

But that was beside the point. The leaders began speaking, and caught up in her desire to find Hollyleaf quickly, Hollyshine didn’t notice a younger tom until she rammed right into him. Their shoulders collided and Hollyshine recoiled — pain lanced up her still-bruised, battered side — and hissed lowly, “Ugh! Watch where you’re sitting, you birdbrain!”

Hollyshine has run into Aspenpaw.

—-

Ratrunner stepped into Fourtrees on shaky paws, willing himself to keep steady. Just for tonight. He shut his eyes. The sounds of so many cats felt… too much.

I don’t want to be here, he felt in his soul, looking down. But he was.

His mother followed close behind him, and Ratrunner could feel her quiet concern. Muted, distant — but it was there. As if to anchor him, she wordlessly rested her head above his. The warmth seeped in through his fur, and for a moment, they let other cats pass by. Her grief was powerfully subtle, tinted with anger. But when it came to her son, she let none of it show… except in these gestures

When she pulled back, theirs eyes met. Will you be all right? hers seemed to ask. They were gold: his gold, if teeming with a mother’s sharp concern. He nodded.

Ratrunner received a small murmur of acknowledgement in return. But his mother — clearly torn in her trust of his answer — didn’t move to join the others. She’s been afraid to leave me alone.

That wasn’t right.

“I’ll be all right,” he assured quietly, a tiny bit hoarse. Ratrunner didn’t manage a smile, but his mother wouldn’t have believed it if he had. (She felt it too.) “I’ll sit with someone.”

Dusktail’s nod was, this time, full of softness. I’m trying, Mom. She touched his nose, gently — knowing this — and then allowed herself to slip into the crowd. Whomever she meant to watch or speak to, she would find.

Which left Ratrunner, alone and uncertain if he could keep his word. His healing wounds made him feel ill and exhausted… and part of him, heart still hollow, didn’t want to. “But I promised.”

Shadowclan had gathered a bit closer to the rock. There was his mentor, or Frostgaze. Or… Ratrunner’s eyes lingered on a dark, exhausted tom. But not yet— not here. Maybe… it would be better to sit with someone outside the Clan tonight. But not far. The voices of the leaders began reaching him; cats turning to listen.

Quietly, and gingerly, Ratrunner found someone sitting by themselves. A large warrior, with long fur. Skyclan, by the scent — someone who already knew what happened to them — but also… perhaps someone who wouldn’t be bothered, if Ratrunner sat near her? (Beside her, tiny, dark Ratrunner wouldn’t seem much of a threat.) Not wanting to disturb the meeting, Ratrunner asked very quietly, “Do you mind if I sit next to you?”

Ratrunner is talking to Briarthorn.

—-

Mintpaw fell into the Gathering beside her family, feeling unusually reserved. Maybe it was how uneasy their mom seemed. After Thunderclan, the sudden presence of unfamiliar scents didn’t seem so scary — but overall Mintpaw felt herself bracing for something terrible — and feeling little bit stiffness as a result.

She did feel a flicker of sadness, though, that their Grandpa wasn’t here — but that was only right. He loved them fiercely and deeply, and Mintpaw never doubted that. But we can’t love him anymore, can we?

Flurrypaw clearly did, and her feelings blazed always; you couldn’t stop her. And maybe they could, but… it felt so painful. What if we have to fight him? And... What if he’s ashamed of us? It was easier not to think about. She stayed by Flurrypaw, tail touching her side in comfort, until her blood froze. Jaystar’s words made her shoulders pull in, and she resisted the desire to fold in on herself.

Instead, Mintpaw stood to her full height — just taller than her mother, but with the thick fur to make her seem larger. She couldn’t say what made her do it, but maybe it was a flash of anger, too. It’s not like Jaystar says. It was a sharp thought, like the whip-lash of a tail. She didn’t understand everything, but she understood enough, and their mom was only doing what she had to.

Mintpaw is with her family, but is open to talk to.

Slightpaw pondered about her question. he curled his tail around his paws and after a while murmured, "at the Fourtrees, four sunrises after the gathering." they couldn't risk coming back too soon in case some other cats were there too.

_______________

Deerpaw listened attentively to every leader's words. she closely examined how each leader stood, how they talked, their choices of words. those would all become useful in the future, she was sure.

_______________

Reedpaw puffed out his chest fur at the mention of his name. Thunderclan used to have barely any cats, but now the apprentice den overflowed, and soon so would the warrior's den. when he was a warrior, Reedpaw would make sure he got back Sunningrocks.

Deerpaw is talking to Snowpaw and Rabbitchaser
Slightpaw is talking to Batpaw
Reedpaw is open to interactions

Snowpaw shuffled her paws nervously at each mention of rogues as the leaders gave their announcements. She was painfully aware that her own mother had been a loner, and she had been born one too. Was she now a threat for not being Clanborn?

Snowpaw is sitting with Deerpaw and Rabbitchaser.

Deerpaw noticed Snowpaw shuffle her paws nervously. was she upset by more news of the rouges? Deerpaw was painfully reminded of both their origins. she had almost forgotten, so into her training. she twined her tail with Snowpaw's. she would be there, always.

Batpaw nodded at his answer agreeing to it i will be there for sure... p-p..promise she said quietly purring. She curled her tail tighter around the tom purring softly very happy. When she was with him she felt so relived and refreshed, she did not want to go back to camp just yet but she knew the gathering was probably almsot over, she savered these last couple minutes that they would get together for awhile the best she could

The sound of the other leaders speaking and the sudden silence of the crowd shook her from her momentary dread. So Stoatfur now stood in Minkstar’s place, making her no longer the most junior leader. So be it. She’d gotten a good enough grasp anyhow, and her glance shifted discreetly to Bloodstar. She didn’t dislike him in particular, though she couldn’t help wondering if his sun would set in the near future. He hadn’t been leader for as long as some of the more established ‘stars of the past, but he hadn’t been young like herself and Stoatfur when he succeeded Wolfstar. Stars, he wasn’t young when he was named deputy.

The leaders before her all had ill news to share. SkyClan and ThunderClan, in particular, told hair-raising stories of outsiders wreaking havoc. It seemed RiverClan and WindClan were the only ones untouched… and ShadowClan’s torn-up members suddenly fell into place like a puzzle. Her ear flicked anxiously as Jaystar finished his piece. She hadn’t personally experienced the horrors of the Asylum, and yet the looming dread felt as familiar as her reflection.

Soon the moment was hers. Goldenstar stepped forth and then remembered that she hadn’t yet introduced herself as leader, that last time she had filled in for Daystar. “WindClan still thrives this moon. I have no rogue interactions to report, though we’ll keep our eyes and ears open. StarClan saw fit to lead Smallbean home to us after moons of captivity in twolegplace. Mistysky has earned her warrior name after showing excellence and dedication in her training. Muddyleap, myself, and Shrikestorm have been tasked with training our newest apprentices: Fawnpaw, Woollypaw, and Batpaw, respectively. As for Daystar, it pains me to announce that she has not survived her infected injury. It was far more serious than any of us had anticipated. I greet you all as Goldenstar, new leader of WindClan, with Shrikestorm by my side as my deputy. My Clan awaits what the future holds, and we hope to meet it alongside you all as honored rivals rather than bloodied enemies. That is all.”

The other leaders each gave their announcements, and Murkystar took careful note of the announcements involving rogues. So Minkstar had joined the ranks of StarClan... Taking a deep breath, and trying not to wince at the way it pulled at her healing wounds, Murkystar stepped forward after Goldenstar. "I speak on behalf of ShadowClan when I say that we're sorry for ThunderClan's and WindClan's losses. May the stars light Minkstar's and Daystar's paths always." She mewed softly."It appears that this moon yielded troubles for most clans, but let's begin with some celebration. ShadowClan is proud to have three new apprentices and one new warrior representing us tonight. Deerpaw, Sootpaw, and Snowpaw have begun their training, at Ratrunner has taken his oath as a full warrior. I am also happy to announce Rookfire's return to us, having been taken by twolegs several moons ago. We grieve the deaths of Burningwing and Amberdawn, taken from us far too soon in methods I will further explain in a moment. An apprentice, Frogpaw, has also gone missing. She has black fur and white paws, with green eyes. If any of you spot her, please let us know."

Murkystar took a heavy breath, rolling her shoulders back as she looked back out over the clans gathered below. "ShadowClan had also had issues with rogues this moon. One crossed our borders, and was challenged by my warriors. A battle ensued, which unfortunately resulted in the death of the intruder, and significant injuries to one of my warriors. What happened next was... Unexpected. In the middle of the day, I caught the scent of a large number of intruders. We were able to attack before they located our camp, but the battle was not without it's hardships. However, it brought some information I feel is important to all of the clans. The leader of this group was Dawnhawk, formerly of SkyClan. The same who disgusted himself in WindClan for several moons. Apparently the rogue that was killed was one of his kits, and from the look of the group accompanying him, he has many more. I'm uncertain of where they might have made their camp, but they are clearly in the area for the time being, and with his knowledge of the clans and asylum tactics we should all be wary. It was clear that he was using similar tactics to asylum leading up to, during, and following the battle, and he has many to protect him. If any cat has any information they can offer, or finds anything suspicious, I encourage them to speak out and bring it to their leaders attention. This is a threat that can not, and should not, go ignored." She mewed, her voice hard as her tail lashed behind her. "In spite of the battle, ShadowClan is healing well, and growing stronger by the heartbeat. Our borders are still reinforced and patrolled regularly. That is all I have to report." She mewed, lowering her head slightly as she stepped back. What each clan would do with the information was up to them now... She had done what she could.

Reedpaw gasped at Murkystar's words. was there really such a danger among the clans? was Thunderclan going to be affected too?

Deerpaw is talking to Snowpaw and Rabbitchaser
Slightpaw is talking to Batpaw
Reedpaw is open to interactions