August Gathering 2022

Hornetpaw wandered into the gathering with curiosity. Other clans were probably not as fun as Thunderclan! Obviously. But the different smells and colors of their pelts just made the little tom very happy. The first gathering seemed like a good point in his life to take in the pleasure of... well, of existing!
Still, the sound of their voices was too loud, too much for him, so he stayed behind the group.
One thing dawned on him right away. Other apprentices also were seeking some less intimidating company. Or maybe a quieter one? That he could get behind. A small white and gold cat stuck out to him right away. Tom squinted to make sure they weren't talking to anybody. He wasn't down to jump into a group conversation without any thinking. Yet.
Luckily his paws knew before he thought about it that just coming over and introducing himself was the way to go. And that is exactly what happened. As he came closer it became more or less obvious that the one he was heading towards was a she-cat and probably an apprentice. A small nod had to do instead of hello or hi.
"It's my first gathering." The simplicity didn't bother him at all. "What's your name?" Another small thing that he did was smile or more so smirk. At least confidence was the one thing that he never lacked.

Hornetpaw is trying to talk to Thornpaw

Frostpaw padded behind Briarstar, her own footsteps more sure. She was getting older, almost a warrior. Perhaps she would be one at the next Gathering.

The silver marbled tabby looked around, the moonlight shining on her stripes. She was not some groveling, sniffling mess. They had a new leader, and thank StarClan for that. Bloodstar had lost his mice and Beechfang was a murderer. It didn’t need more thought than that.

She took a seat towards the back of the clearing, her eyes meeting her leader’s. This would be a new era for SkyClan.

If only they could get rid of the frog-chewers… as much as having the entire territory rendered unusable was a terrible thing, Frostpaw felt so cramped with ShadowClan lodging in their dens.

Frostpaw of SkyClan is open for conversation!
Fuzzybelly of ShadowClan is at their specific meeting!
Mintheart of WindClan is still banned!

Mallardpaw found themselves towards the back of the group when it came to those who joined with Windclan. Certainly one of the younger faces of the crowd, it was shocking just how many cats there were. Especially given the small side of their home Clan, seeing just how many cats and smells truly existed in the forest was daunting, to say the least. Still, they joined with the rest of Windclan. Anxious paws dug into the earth below as the lanky cat looked about for signs of any comforting faces, anybody they could mingle with. But... it was increasingly difficult to find one.

Mallardpaw of Windclan needs a social buddy!
Moonlily is still looking for someone to talk to!
Mottlerose is still chatting with deputies!

Blazefang inwardly cringed as her friend seemed a bit startled. Had she committed some kind of major social blunder? No way, she told herself. It’s not like I broke the Code. Blazefang listened to the news with a smile. Kits were always great, and so was Stormdance having his warrior name. “Cool,” she said simply in reply. Then things took a more somber tone. “Okay,” she said, voice wobbling a tiny bit, as she followed Stormdance out of the thick of the crowd. “What’s wrong?”

Scorchtalon padded into the gathering behind his clanmates, eagerly glancing around the familiar hollow. His spirits sank when he realized Shadowclan hadn't arrived yet, and his eyes narrowed with worry. Marshmallow had been absent from their regular meetings at dawn lately, and he couldn't help but wonder why. Had something happened to her? Or to her clan? He was sure he would find out soon enough, though he felt helplessly confused in the meantime. With a small sigh, he forced himself to return to his usual cheery disposition, turning to one of his clanmates.

"Hey, you doin' alright kid?" Scorchtalon said, his gaze concerned as he spoke with Mallardpaw. The apprentice seemed anxious, though that made sense considering this would be their first gathering. He gave the younger cat a reassuring smile, instinctively attempting to comfort them despite the worry churning in his own gut.

"I know it seems overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it. As long as the full moon truce stands, you can feel free to chat with cats from other clans, and even make a new friend or two." He left out the part about having to potentially meet those same "friends" in battle. It was a night for peace, he didn't want to talk about the wars that usually ended in unneccesary bloodshed.

"If you want, I can come with you and introduce you to some cats? It'll be fun, and maybe you'll even learn something."

Scorchtalon is speaking with Mallardpaw!

[eh, I'll do everyone else later]

Plumpaw trailed closely behind Fogpaw, entering the gathering with a wary glance around at the other cats. Though the last gathering had been uneventful, she still wasn't entirely comfortable with the sheer force of cats in attendance. Even with Shadowclan absent, the hollow was still practically bursting with cats, and Plumpaw would be lying if she said it didn't make her a bit uncomfortable. Tonight her discomfort was coupled with the nervousness she felt over her new role. It would be her first gathering as a medicine cat, and though she knew all the medicine cats were supposed to sit together, she didn't know much beyond that. Were they supposed to act a certain way? Were there specific rules for medicine cats at gatherings? Things used to be so much simpler. She sat down amongst her colleagues, giving them a friendly nod as she settled in beside Fogpaw.

Plumpaw is open to talk!
________
Beetleshade slipped into the gathering with her clan, looking as if she'd rather be anywhere else. While she had resented Minnowstar's decision to let Shadowclan occupy their camp, she thought it was downright idiotic to leave them unattended while the whole clan was off at the gathering. In her opinion, she could do a better job as both leader and deputy than the cats who currently held those positions, though unfortunately, her clanmates didn't seem to have realized that yet. Finding a spot among her clanmates, she glared up at the Great Rock. She usually didn't have the patience to pay attention to the leaders' pointless announcements, but she figured she'd make an exception tonight. Maybe some cat would declare that the worst of the flooding had gone, and Shadowclan could go back to their own camp.

If only....

Beetleshade is open to talk to! though she's a bit grumpy at the moment

The calico had followed silently behind Mottlerose and Minnowstar, mind so completely and thoroughly elsewhere that she hardly realised they had made it, being one of the last to arrive - as the new usual. She felt so... there wasn't any real words. She was scared. ShadowClan was now living in her camp. Minnowstar would know soon, Flurrypaw would know soon, all of her clanmates, who she had struggled to bond with--

Nothing felt right. And yet, she was here on the edge of the gathering, tearing up springy grass, pent up and afraid. Thistlemask cast a very deep and sad look upwards, wishing greatly that Achelois hadn't left her. At least then she would have someone.

Thistlemask can be approached but she'll probably be silent

---

Grebedance had watched with pride as Minkpaw bounded off, hoping she would have a better first gathering than the bicoloured molly did. She honestly had to fight off the urge herself to sprint after the russet apprentice, wanting nothing more than to participate in the apprentice gossip she had once witnessed, but she stuck to following in the pawsteps of other warriors, pelt shifting slightly with each careful step. It was her first gathering wearing the pelt, having been quite afraid of ruining it for many moons, but finding with time that it appeared to be basically indestructible, something the Riverclanner was quite pleased with.

As they crested the hill, Grebedance found a comfortable spot towards the front, looking at all the new leaders with deep intrigue. Once her father had been among them, and now... She shook off the thought, choosing not to dwell on a tom she had only ever known as a traitor. Instead she waited patiently, wondering if Perchstar would announce her as a new warrior tonight.

Grebedance is open to chat!

---

The little molly was a pure ball of excitement, following in Flutterpaw's footsteps, frowning as he walked off to speak to some Riverclan cats, leaving her to her own devices. This was only an issue for a few brief moments, as she saw a russet molly on her own, also a Riverclan cat, she realised as a distinctly watery smell flushed her nose, and Hazelpaw plonked herself down next to her. She could feel her own excitement matched in the other apprentice, as it was clearly her first gathering too, and she couldn't help the excited purr bubbling in her throat.

"Hi!" She grinned, a bit toothy, raising her head slightly. "I'm from Windclan! My name is Hazelpaw! What's your name!"

Hazelpaw is talking to Minkpaw!

Batsong enters the gathering with her clan. She didn’t like gatherings that much … too many cats for her shy nature she sat mainly with her clan sticking with them


Daisypaw enters and looks around for other apprentices to talk with


Sprucepaw enters it is interesting to finally get to see it


Swiftheart is sick in the skyclan med den and is not in attendance this gathering .

Yarrowblossom's genuine smile made Flutterpaw feel warm inside. Surely they were friends now, right? Wonderful! The tall tom looked so nice with the white flower tucked into his somewhat scraggly fur. He felt so happy that he had made a new friend that he barely noticed the strange way that the stockier tom-- Woolywing-- looked at him. "Aw, I'm glad you like it," he said a little bashfully. "There's lotsa cool flowers like that around WindClan territory. Does RiverClan have many flowers? Or is it too wet there?" His light green eyes shone as he looked up at his new friend. "And for the record, I don't think there's anything wrong with havin' a flower name. Flowers and herbs can save lives! I don't think anyone should look down on you just based onna name."

Yarrowblossom's friend addressed him about the Moonstone, and the apprentice turned with a smile. Everyone was so encouraging and nice. He wanted to be friends with all of them! "I've heard it's pretty," Flutterpaw agreed with Woolywing. "Batsong says it's the 'most important moment of apprenticehood'." Yet another cat was introduced to their bustling group. Flutterpaw turned and directed his friendly smile at the other cat's face-- was that ThunderClan scent?-- and nodded in greeting. "Name's Flutterpaw! Nice to meet you." A quick glance away from the faces of his many new friends showed that four out of five leaders had arrived. That meant the Gathering must start soon! Yarrowblossom seemed to have the same idea. "Good idea," he meowed softly. "Since y'all are warriors now, you should prob'ly be paying attention to the leaders. I can come too if you'd like."

With Hawkshriek's go-ahead, and with cats of SkyClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan filtering in; Reedpaw's excitement grew more unmanagable. Padding around the clearing, (or, moreso, dashing around,) Reedpaw skidded to a stop  "Hello!" He heartily greeted; a grin wide upon his features. Her scent was somewhat familiar; one of RiverClan's borders, maybe..? He internally shrugged; he'd probably find out soon, anyways. "I'm Reedpaw; future strongest warrior of RiverClan!" The tom boasted- though his face softened, turning for a question. "What's your name? ....And, your Clan?" The apprentice tacked on. The scent was on the tip of his tongue.. But it narrowly escaped, like a minnow slipping between his paws.

===

It was strange; knowing camp would be filled with not just their queens and kits, but also left with ShadowClan's own warriors and apprentice.. The uneasiness was hard to shake off, even with the excitement the full moon normally brought. Hopefully, next time a Gathering met, all the Clans would be in attendance. Foxglare turned her attention to her apprentice; it would be even stranger for Brightpaw- the black molly's first time to Fourtrees, and it would be lacking a Clan.. She shook away the thought. "I'm sure you already know; but feel free to speak with any of the other Clans' apprentices-- this night will only be one of peace." Foxglare, though, stuck close to ThunderClan's scent; sitting on the edge of the clearing.

Reedpaw attempts to talk to Blackpaw!
Foxglare is open for conversation!

The calico absolutely glowed with positivity, and Birdchaser's ears lowered in slight dismay at it. She'd been expecting a lot more... hostility, from RiverClan, all things considered. But their deputy was peppy and full of energy, and seemed thrilled just to meet someone new– nevermind the tensions that had just simmered between their Clans. She nodded slightly at the offer of peace, though she didn't bother to hide the twist to her expression. "Everything's settled, I think." Her gaze flickered upwards towards Briarstar briefly, then back towards Poppyshine. For a long moment, she considered saying something snappy about how her own mother was the cat they'd exiled– but she held her tongue. Poppyshine had been polite, and she would be, too. Besides, pawsteps drew closer, and another she-cat settled near them.

"Birdchaser." She mewed simply, bowing her head in brief acknowledgment of Mottlerose's greeting. The deputy shuffled slightly; she was stiffer than she'd ever been, though it was from her own nerves more than anything. "Good to meet you both. Formally." Not wanting to fumble over her words and make a fool of herself, she bit her tongue at that, glancing between the two and waiting.

Birdchaser is speaking with the other deputies.

Dayquill had come to Fourtrees with a mission, this time. Not to get out as quickly as possible: he was here in search of someone. That ginger cat he'd run into here before... he wasn't sure what drew him in, but he wanted to find her in the crowd. Hopefully, she'd be in attendance with the rest of WindClan. Quietly, he slipped away from ThunderClan, immersing himself in the fast-growing crowd.

He weaved through the thickest parts of it first, careful not to trod over any tails, tracking towards where WindClan seemed to be gathering. There'd been no immediate sight of Blazefang, though. Feeling slightly discouraged, he paced outwards, drawing a wandering path towards the treeline, then over towards ThunderClan, and closer to the trees once more. Then, a flash of ginger between the crowd. Hope warmed his chest, and Dayquill dipped between cats to step nearer. As he got closer, he was relieved to see it was her. A paw lifted to close the gap between them when he realized the dark tabby near her wasn't just sitting next to her; they were actually talking. Wilting, Dayquill watched them. He made no effort to move away, though he didn't bother to drift any closer, either. He just... stared, looking a little sore at the sight of them.

Dayquill is staring at Stormdance and Blazefang.

Released from his mentor's side, Rowanpaw wasted no time in tearing into the clearing, reveling in the sheer openness of Fourtrees. The oaks were massive, and the sky looked so different here, framed by their boughs, and– the other Clans were arriving! His pelt bristled with excitement, a smile pulling up the corners of his maw. He refused to waste this night talking to the same cats he saw everyday; he needed to find someone new to talk to. Prancing about, he found himself wandering into a group of cats that smelled like... flowers and air and dirt. Weird. Shaking his head, the ruddy tom scanned the Clan that had arrived before his gaze settled on a cat that looked about his age. Rangy, and awkward looking, and sitting all by himself. Shaking out his pelt, Rowanpaw slipped over to the apprentice, settling at their side with a cheeky grin and a bump to their shoulder. "Well, hello there. Sitting all by yourself at the Gathering? That's no fun." He purred easily, wasting no time in making himself comfortable at Mallardpaw's side; he stretched out, letting out a yawn before settling back into a relaxed sit, eyes glittering and focused as he waited for response.

Rowanpaw is talking to Mallardpaw.