July Gathering 2022

There were several moments of silence between the five leaders, despite the fact that all had now arrived. A slight tinge of irritation bristled under Perchstar's pelt, though it was well covered by the relief that she still felt over Briarthorn's survival. She hadn't wanted to be the one to start the Gathering... but these cats were all new leaders, her included. None were confident enough to begin, it seemed. She had wanted to speak after SkyClan, so that they could deal with the news of Bloodstrike on their own. But someone had to start this. "The Gathering will now begin," she called out clearly, her neutral tone ringing throughout the murmuring clearing. This was just like a meeting in RiverClan. Just... with more cats. "RiverClan is faring well this greenleaf. We have a new medicine cat in training, and many new apprentices: Juniperpaw, Sootpaw, Sleepypaw, Hawkpaw, Rainpaw, and Hickorypaw. The differences with SkyClan have been sorted out. I will let Briarthorn say the rest." She wouldn't presume to speak on the she-cat's behalf. With a nod, Perchstar stepped back, allowing the other leaders to say their pieces. There was not much to be said from RiverClan this moon. She didn't want to announce Maplespring... it was best to keep relations with WindClan neutral for now.

~

Murkypaw... ShadowClan... Froststar. It was a lot of new information. Still, Flutterpaw was delighted. A new friend! The excitement in her eyes mirrored his own. It was nice to meet someone else who felt the same way that he did about the Gathering. "Our leader's Shrikestar, The brown tom up there. My brother's friend is his apprentice." His chest puffed out a little, proud on his brother's behalf. At the reminder of Adderpaw, he glanced around once again-- but wherever the other apprentice was, he was nowhere in Flutterpaw's line of sight. Oh well. He'd tell him all about this later! Looking closer at Murkypaw, his eager grin morphed into a concerned frown. Her enthusiasm seemed to have waned slightly... she looked a little tired. Was it something he said? "Oh, sorry if I talk too much. I was just excited to meet another apprentice. I like making friends." His smile returned, a little softer this time. "Want to be friends, Murkypaw? I think you're cool."

Briarthorn sat awkwardly atop the rock with the other four leaders, unsure of what to do next. She hadn’t even been deputy at a gathering before, much less responsible for the entire Clan and their announcements. In fact, it had been moons since she’d attended a proper gathering at all because of the Dark Forest’s reign and the situation at the previous gathering. Whiskers twitching as she tried to work up the courage to steo forward and begin the gathering, she felt a bit of relief wash over her as Perchstar went first and made RiverClan’s announcements. She didn’t say much about SkyClan’s situation, for which Briarthorn was thankful. The entire forest didn’t need to know all of their business; it was irrelevant to everyone aside from SkyClan and RiverClan. Stepping forward, Briarthorn cleared her throat and began. ”SkyClan, aside from obvious recent troubles, has been doing well. In my time serving as deputy and leader, many apprentices have began their training: Plumpaw, Moonpaw, Lichenpaw, Trufflepaw, Frostpaw, and Nightpaw. Several of out ranks also earned their warrior names: Crimsonflame, Wolfblossom, and Birdchaser.”

Taking a deep breath before continuing, Briarthorn attempted to calm her nerves. There was no good way to go about this. ”As Perchstar mentioned, the differences between our Clan have been properly put to rest. After last gathering, Perchstar and two warriors came to our camp to ensure that things had been settled. They had not, as Blood…strike refused to properly handle the situation, and instead resorted to completely unnecessary violence. I do not stand for that, and though I had only just been named deputy a few sunrises ago, I could not stand for that. He proved he was unfit to lead. The details are of no concern to you all, but know that Beechfang and Bloodstrike have both been banished from SkyClan territory. Bloodstrike should be considered dangerous, and I encourage you all to be wary of him around your borders and do not hesitate to defend yourself against him. I will journey to highstones within two sunrises to receive my nine lives as leader. Birdchaser has been named my deputy. That is all.” Well, that went about as smoothly as it possibly could. Being done with her announcements, she stepped back and allowed the other leaders to say their parts.

mobile and can’t edit my last post ;;

Nightpaw slowly walked into the gathering, his well-groomed multicolored pelt reflecting the moonlight. He’d rather be just about anywhere but here right now, and even considered turning around and going home. However, his mom definitely needed a show of support frol him. This was his very first gathering. He should be excited, not ready to leave. Head and tail low, he found a spot near the outskirt of the clearing and waited patiently.

Frostednight glanced over to Iceheart as she spoke and for once, kept her gaze on her. "Too many cats for my taste, and I don't care what the leaders have to say." She hesitated for a second, and then looked around. "Should I move closer? I wasn't sure if you wanted to be spoken to." Her tail flicked slightly, a small quirk of hers when she wasn't sure about something. Admittedly, she was aloof and horrible at social interactions. Her only weakness, in her multi-colored eyes.

Shrikestar listened calmly to Perchstar and Briarthorn's announcements. It appeared that the fight between the two clans had been settled, though obviously not to everyone's happiness. He wondered what exactly was going on in SkyClan to have them going through such turmoil. It reminded him of the terrible saga with Dawnhawk. Of course, he knew all SkyClan cats weren't dangerous murderers, but they had a distressing amount of violent offenders... He didn't imagine either Bloodstrike or Beechfang wandering onto WindClan territory, but he would have to tell his clan to look out for them, just in case.

After Briarthorn went, she stepped back, and he nodded to her before stepping up to take her place. "WindClan has been doing well. The prey runs plentiful, and we continue to grow as a clan." Not as much as he could hope, but the other clans didn't need to know that. "We have a pawful of new apprentices: Flutterpaw, Leafpaw, Adderpaw, Daisypaw, Goldenpaw, and Quickpaw. We also have a new warrior: Whisperear." With that, he stepped back and nodded to the next leader to go. They were all new, but it seemed it would be up to the new leaders to usher in a new, brighter age to the forest. Or so he hoped, at least.

Harebounce purred and followed slowly behind her silly little granddaughter, nudging her along as she seemed very intent on rolling to the Gathering rather than walking. She would’ve joined her of course, if it wouldn’t mean murder on her hare pelt; by the end of it she might as well be showing up bare-furred! Upon entering the clearing it seemed like she’d lost Sleepypaw, but by the time she caught sight of her again she was chatting animatedly with another apprentice. With an approving smile she turned to find her own conversation partner and instead found her grandson Hickorypaw sitting all on his lonesome. Her grin took a mischievous glint as she snuck up behind the young tom before giving him a sudden – but light – tap on his behind. “What are you doing, sweetie?” She gave a laughing, rumbling purr before crouching side-by-side with him. “Are you excited for your first Gathering? I think the last time I was here your father and your aunts hadn’t even been born yet!” The Dark Forest had risen on that particular night, although that would be a discouraging thing to say right now, so she put the thought of it away.

~

To be here, as a warrior… he wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it. Yewfrost trailed slowly behind the rest of SkyClan, his ears pricked and nose tingling with unease. On this night last moon their oh-so-great leader showed his true colors to the rest of the clan. It made him remember something his father had avoided telling him, something that had happened just before Yewfrost was born. That Bloodsta- Bloodstrike’s son Dawnhawk, or Morningstar, or Klaus, or whatever name he’d given himself then, had come to camp while the clan was away one day and slain their elders and whoever else couldn’t run from his claws. From what he could sense and from what he saw during the time Morningstar had SkyClan under his paw, it was only a matter of time before the phrase “like father, like son” would be proven once again.

And so a cowardly thought came to him. What if he decided to avoid that situation entirely? What if he… left? His paws took him to sit beside Driftcloud, his one remaining friend in the clan, his mind still absorbed in thought. What would he say to them if he went through with it? His chartreuse eyes landed on Moonpaw who was deeper in the crowd. Given what she’d divulged to him before, perhaps she was having the same thoughts he did. Maybe she was the one who needed a way out the most.

Harebounce is talking to Hickorypaw!
Yewfrost is sitting next to Driftcloud.

Froststar silently listened as Perchstar began the gathering, keeping it short and allowing Briarthorn to explain everything. He wasn't entirely sure why they hadn't discussed that announcement beforehand, but the tom didn't quite care. Peace in the forest was preferable to war, where they would either have to choose a side or be alienated from those who had. Shadowclan didn't need that drama. Shrikestar's announcement had been short as well. Of course, he had decided it was his turn to speak. Clearing his throat, the small tom stepped slightly forward on the rock so he could be easily seen. "Shadowclan has had a prosperous Greenleaf, and we have a few new apprentices that have begun their training, those being Crowpaw, Murkypaw, and Lightpaw. We have also had apprentices complete their training, and earn their warrior names, those being Forestbreeze, Frostednight, and Roseburn. That is all the news from Shadowclan." With that, the tom stepped back, nodding to Minnowfin slightly.

"Great!" Lichenpaw replied to the RiverClan apprentice, a wide smile on his face. "Isn't it amazing, seeing all the Clans together like this..?"  Lichenpaw mewed, gazing toward the crowd of clancats in the clearing. "Honestly, I wish the full moon happened more often! Maybe there'd be less fighting between all of us.."  He gave a small shrug, before practically spinning back toward Grebepaw. "What about you? D'you like the Gathering?" Lichenpaw asked, tilting his head in curiosity. The other apprentice had been situated somewhat oddly, in his opinion- sitting alone and idle in the clearing, rather than trying to.. well, do anything. She was basically missing the Gathering!

Lichenpaw continues to talk to Grebepaw!

Crimsonflame had returned to SkyClan, thankfully. There was a smile on his face as he padded into the gathering, for the first time not self conscious over his place. There was no risk of getting kicked out just because he was there. Briarthorn wasn't going to hold his upbringing against him like Bloodstar did. Everything was good.

He spotted Thistlemask and flashed her a grin, letting her know everything had turned out alright. She was talking to another cat, so he wouldn't interrupt, and he sat down among the crowd, listening as the announcements began.

The things Briarthorn said, he expected, aside from the announcement of his warrior name, in which he was slightly flustered. Bloodstar would never celebrate his presence in the Clan, let alone announce it to the gathering. His smile widened as he realized just how different things were going to be.

Crimsonflame is open for conversation and is in a very good mood