July Gathering 2022

Another moon, and another Gathering. Perchstar could not remember a time when the full moon had been something to look forward to, rather than something to dread. In theory, a time of peace when all the Clans could converse sounded like a good thing... however, the previous Gathering had been nothing short of a disaster. A murder confession, a kitting queen, and elders with a disgusting lack of decorum had caused StarClan to send every Clan home with their tails between their legs. However, now, with Bloodstar theoretically gone... well, maybe peace wouldn’t be such a far-fetched idea. Maybe the cool breeze of evening, washing away the day’s overbearing heat, would bring rest and relaxation. Maybe the bright, twinkling stars would be friend rather than foe.

Still, it was with a cautious optimism tempered by trepidation that RiverClan entered Fourtrees, seeing it as of yet unoccupied. So, we are the first to arrive, then. She would have to wait and see what had become of SkyClan after that... incident. It would be best for everyone if the insane tom had stepped down, or been driven out. But had Briarthorn been able to hold her own? They’d have to wait. With a light, hopeful smile to Poppyshine, and a reassuring nod to Hickorypaw, the gray-and-white she-cat leapt gracefully onto the Great Rock. She was alone there, for now.

RiverClan may now enter the Gathering.

RiverClan was the first to arrive, something that was a relief for Dovesight. She could quietly slip over to where the medicine cats sat without having to answer any questions. But at the same time, who was going to ask questions anyway? Every cat knew what happened in RiverClan. Her place at this spot was only a matter of time.

Still, it didn't fully feel right, sitting in this spot. Maybe it was because she was sort of on display. She couldn't hide in the crowd like she had before. Maybe because she had no idea what she was even doing. She couldn't name a single herb outside of a cobweb or a stick, and she was charged with being the sole medicine cat of the Clan. And the cats that sat here knew what they were doing. Last gathering proved that. They put everything aside to help the kitting queen, doing whatever was necessary, while she sat there and watched.

And now she was going to sit among those cats. A total outsider infiltrating their group.

How would they even respond to that?

Dovesight is open to talk to, she is totally fine, not scared at all.

Briarthorn's thick pelt was absolutely miserable during the humid Greenleaf months. She much preferred Leafbare as far as the temperature went, because she would hardly notice the cold, if it weren't for the snow coating her paw pads. She tried to ignore it as she lead SkyClan into fourtrees, the rest of the Clan... or what remained of it, at least, trailing closely behind her. She'd been wise enough to leave several capable warriors back at camp, in the event that Bloodstar decided it was in the cards to return to camp. She wouldn't put it past him, at this point.

Taking a deep breath, she made a beeline for the rock, where only Perchstar sat. She managed a brief nod to the deputy sitting at the base, and then leaped up. Shaking out her fur, she took her spot. She had an opportunity, now, to speak to Perchstar one-on-one before the other Clans arrived. "Bloodstrike is no longer leader, and he is no longer a member of our Clan. Beechfang has been exiled as well. I will travel to highstones as soon as a proper deputy is in place to earn my lives." Her voice remained steady. She felt it was only fair to give Perchstar a proper warning... And an apology. "Bloodstrike is... Unwell, as you know. It would not surprise me if he attacked SkyClan or RiverClan patrols, even unprovoked. I will not tell you how to run your Clan, but I do think it would be reasonable to keep your guard up. Beechfang will likely remain peaceful- Bloodstrike is who I am more worried about." Her eyes flickered down to the clearing below, where her Clan was filing in slowly. "I apologize, sincerely, for RiverClan's loss. If we can aid you in gathering herbs in Cloverheart's absence, please let me know. I hope that going forward, our Clans may remain neutral and uphold a sense of diplomacy between one another."

Another perfect night for a Gathering, but Shrikestar had learned quickly that just because the weather was nice didn't mean a Gathering would end up peaceful. The last Gathering had been a disaster to put it bluntly, and he had been embarrassed as leader by his own wayward elders. That was why they would be staying back at camp. He jumped to the top of the Great Rock and came to see another new face: Briarthorn. The SkyClan deputy was in place of Bloodstar, so did that mean... Well, it would mean that each clan had lost a leader in rapid succession. Was StarClan trying to tell them something?

"Evening," he mewed evenly to Perchstar and Briarthorn. "I hope everything is alright with your clans." There was meaning to that, considering it had been RiverClan and SkyClan that had nearly come to blows last time. He had no idea if things had been settled between them, but he expected to figure that out before the Gathering was over.

Meanwhile, Ravenclaw sulked into the Gathering, refusing to look up at the Great Rock. She had held great respect for Bloodstar, even in his lean years that bookended his time as leader. Now he was gone, and Beechfang was as well. The sisters had had their differences, but she truly loved Beechfang all the same. Now it truly felt like everything she had: her crush, her sisters, her parents, even her pretend kits, were all gone. It stung, but she wasn't going to let anyone else see her in pain.

Moonpaw followed behind her mentor, though she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Her mother led the clan in, but with everything that had gone on... It was just overwhelming. Nevertheless, the young apprentice had to keep herself together. She'd be strong, for her clan. It didn't matter what happened. She waited until Ravenclaw seemed to find her place, before peeling away, instead opting to find her brother...

Moonpaw is looking for Nightpaw!

Blazefang was a bit wary as she walked with her clan to Fourtrees. The previous gathering had not gone well, but she’d breathed a sigh of relief when Shrikestar had insisted on the elders being left behind. A strange but not unpleasant feeling bubbles in the ginger she-cat’s chest when she smelled the scent of fish and saw Perchstar on the rock. RiverClan was here! Maybe she’d get to see her sister again. Blazefang had known that Maplespring left to be with her RiverClan lover, but she hadn’t heard anything of her since. Come to think of it, she might also like to see Stormpaw, the RiverClan apprentice she’d spoken to at the last gathering. He seemed nice enough.

Blazefang has arrived and is looking for Maplespring (or any news of her) and Storm(paw? something?).

Snowfoot and Lightpaw have not arrived yet.

Froststar lead Shadowclan into the gathering with his usual, cold, demeanor. He couldn't help but worry about what Riverclan and Skyclan would get up to this time... maybe Windclan as well. There was no telling anymore. Maybe they had finally got their unruly cats under control, and the tom could actually get through some announcements this moon. He had never even introduced himself, though he was sure he hardly needed it at this point. With a quick brush against Webshadow, the tom motioned with his tail for Nightstalker to follow, and broke off from the clan to the Great Rock. Three leaders were already there, but at least Shadowclan wasn't last this time. Leaping up, the short tom gave a short nod to each of those upon it... even Skyclan's replacement. He was surprised to see a new face upon the rock so soon, but he was sure all would be explained in time, so he didn't question. Glancing between Perchstar and Briarthorn, Froststar finally spoke. "Evening. I do hope all of the clans will be calm this night. Starclan will not appreciate cats nearly coming to blows again, I would suppose."

Shadowclan may enter the gathering!

Hawkheart hadn't wanted to leave his kits, but he hadn't attended the last gathering and had heard it got pretty heated. If anything got heated again, he wanted to ensure Coyotegrin was safe. He also maybe wanted to fight a little bit, but that wasn't the point. The point was that he wanted to be her shield, no matter what. If he had to attend a boring gathering on the off-chance it got heated again, so be it.

Hawkheart is open to talk to!
Froststar is open to talk to (for leaders)!

Memories from the last gathering haunted Smallbean, although he couldn't say it was the worst gathering he'd ever been to. Head low, he entered fourtrees, following behind Shrikestar as he padded toward the Great Rock. Hopefully this gathering would go better than the last. The elders who had started the fight were left back at camp, to his relief. If everyone could keep their claws sheathed, this gathering should be a mild success, in the least.

Having made it across the clearing without stepping on someone. or more accurately, being stepped on, Smallbean sat at the foot of the Great rock, right where he had sat a moon before. He watched the taller growth on the edge of the clearing for movement, anticipating the arrival of Thunderclan now that Shadowclan had just arrived.

Smallbean is open for conversation

Her first gathering as a warrior, and Roseburn was thrilled. She was ready to brag to any cat that approached her. Of course, she needed to find a spot for herself first, and so she sat among the edge of the crowd of ShadowClan cats, a smile on her face as she tried to seem as approachable as possible. And then she waited for a brave soul to approach her.

Roseburn is VERY open to talk to

The other Clans started to shuffle in, and Dovesight couldn't help the lashing of her tail. The more cats that came, the more insecure she felt. Why did she have to come? She didn't want to come to the gathering as a warrior, and now she was a medicine cat so she was expected to show up every moon. It was amazing she hasn't had a panic attack yet.

Dovesight is still scared

Brackenwing did not like gatherings. She was coming anyways, because if she had to stay in camp with the elders, she would actually go insane. She was beyond tired of staying in camp, and now that she'd been allowed back to her duties she was glad for the chance to stretch her legs at least. The marbled tabby sat near the edge of the hollow, watching as Shrikestar headed towards the great rock. She wasn't particularly interested in interacting with anyone from the other clans, though would be happy to talk with any of her own clanmates.

---

Wolfblossom padded into fourtrees behind Briarthorn. In truth, her head was still spinning from coming back to camp and finding Beechfang had been exiled, but she wasn't about to let it show here. She couldn't help an angry glare at the Riverclanners that were already present, but didn't approach them and instead padded toward her former mentor Ravenclaw, choosing to sit beside her aunt instead.

---

This was Harechaser's first gathering, and she couldn't help but feel excited at the idea as she bounded after Froststar into the hollow. Having grown up during the dark forest's reign, the scents of the other clans weren't that familiar to her beyond Windclan and Skyclan from their shared borders. It looked like Thunderclan wasn't here yet, it seemed, and Harechaser found a spot near her sister Roseburn, though she gazed around curiously at the other cats.

Brackenwing is open to talk, but will be grumpy about non-Windclanners.
Wolfblossom is open to talk, and will be unhappy with Riverclanners.
Harechaser is open to talk.
Mistyfalcon has not attended and Beechfang has been exiled.

Nightstalker didn't need to be told twice to follow his leader to the great rock, though he wasn't particularly thrilled that Froststar thought it necessary to beckon him, whatever that was water under the bridge. The young tom looked to where he was supposed to sit, and once more felt apprehension, but it seemed that only Windclans deputy had taken their place. Striding up, Nightstalker presented himself with the utmost confidence and professionalism as he sat next to the smaller deputy. How such a small cat could look so grizzled was beyond him. Well, at least he had time to introduce himself and speak with his fellow deputies.

"Greetings, my name is Nightstalker, Shadowclan's deputy. And who might you be, Windclan's deputy?" He mewed, his sharp amber eyes pinning down the tom, albeit intentionally. When you were a rather tall, darkly coloured cat with menacing amber eyes of one of the most elusive clans, one tended to have a menacing disposition despite attempts to not do so. Oh well, having a short white-furred leader helped.


Nightstalker is speaking with Smallbean, but is still open to converse with the other deputies.

An almost crushing wave of relief rushed over Perchstar as she saw Briarthorn enter the Gathering at her Clan's head. So... that meant everything had gone well. Though she had no attachment to the SkyClan deputy, the ferocity with which Bloodstar had attacked her would have given any sane cat chills. The gray and white she-cat's face remained neutral as the other deputy-- no, leader now-- approached. Yet, there was a slight softening to her expression as she nodded. "I am relieved that you are safe, and everything went well," she responded honestly. It would be easy to feign indifference... but for some reason, she did not. The next words made her gaze harden slightly, though. Bloodstar-- no, Bloodstrike. What a fitting name. He was in exile. The father of Dawnhawk and Beechfang, the sire of murderers, who had shown his own true colors and maniacal tendencies by brutally attacking his own deputy. He could be roaming anywhere... and he could go for revenge. Remembering the madness in the scarred tom's eyes made Perchstar suppress a shiver. "Thank you for the information. I will double my camp guards, and make sure our new medicine cat is especially protected." Her eyes flickered down momentarily to where Dovesight sat, obviously anxious, and then looked back up at Briarthorn. There was a rare warmth in her gaze. "Your condolences mean more than you know. Cloverheart will be... deeply missed by our Clan. Once again, I greatly appreciate your cooperation. I dislike unnecessary bloodshed just as much as you. I share in your hope that things will remain cordial from now on."

And with that, their time to safely converse was over. Shrikestar appeared and took his place, and shortly after him, Frostgaze. Froststar, she supposed, though there had been no time to find out last moon. Perchstar inclined her head respectfully to both. "All has been put to rights," she told them neutrally. They had no need to know of RiverClan's inner workings, nor the deal that had been struck with SkyClan-- all they needed to know was that there was no need for bloodshed. "By all means, this Gathering should be a peaceful one." Her gaze slid over to the WindClan leader. "I believe all those who caused trouble will no longer be an issue tonight." Hopefully he had left the crazy elders in camp. He was no mouse-brain, it seemed; a quick scan of the crowds beneath showed no sign of them.

Perchstar is conversing with the other leaders.

Dandelionflight bounced down into the clearing. Bloodstar had stepped down and Briarthorn was now the leader. She was happy that SkyClan was under better management, and one would most likely not send them into a pointless war. She sat down in the clearing. She didn't really feel like approaching anyone at the moment.

---

Dappledlight followed after her clanmates. She hoped this gathering would go better than the last. Well, to be honest, practically anything would go better than the last. She wandered down and found a spot to sit in. She didn't really mind if anyone talked to her.

---

Dandelionflight is open to talk to!
Dappledlight is open to talk to!