Shadowclan's Gathering (TC)

Nightstalker hauled himself up the tall rock with grace. While it was larger and smoother than Shadowclans own meeting place, the young deputy found no issue with ascending it, other than a quick scrabble, his wounded front paw failing him briefly. He was Shadowclans deputy, and leader without Froststar there to lead them, and he was going to show every cat in this clearing exactly that, even if it could be seen as disrespectful. Iceheart had been his faithful friend, trying her best to fill a niche left empty for the time being, but he understood the effort she was putting forth. "Shadowclan, if your bodies permit you so, please join me. We must not remain idle, so lets all discuss what we need to do now." Nightstalker called, though not with the ceremonial words. He'd not allow Thunderclan any insight on how they ran, that would be disadvantageous in the future.

Snowfoot, sitting outside the strange medicine den, perked her ears as she saw Nightstalker climb what was obviously the ThunderClan meeting rock. She winced a little when she saw his wounded paw. Her own broken toe was healing, albeit slowly, and she was reminded that most of the clan was either missing or injured. Or likely both. She tried not to think of the third option, of the kit she’d seen at Roseburn’s feet. At the meeting call, Snowfoot limped more into the middle of camp. After all, it was just a toe. She could certainly contribute to a meeting. They were to discuss what to do, she registered. But how could they move on? This wasn’t even half the clan, and they were sitting in another clan’s camp. They were even denied the ability to go to the Gathering! Snowfoot remained silent, but gave Nightstalker a look that said, “Any bright ideas?”

Frostednight sulked from the shadows, glancing from side to side to join the small gathering of ShadowClan cats. "Hello." She said to the brown and white warrior, before turning to her former mentor.

Snowfoot sat in silence as other cats joined the makeshift Gathering. Bedraggled. Injured. Weak. What a sorry sight they all were. It made her want to cry, seeing her clan in this shape. And there was nothing they could do. Iceheart’s questions surprised her. In an uncharacteristically blunt manner, Snowfoot responded. “Really? You think Nightstalker has news he hasn’t told the rest of us? Face it, Iceheart. We. Know. Nothing.”

Nightstalker waited patiently for his clan to gather, but there certainly was not plenty showing their faces. That was alright he supposed, he could work with those few that showed themselves and they could spread the word and get everyone up to speed. But for now, he had a meeting to run. Iceheart spoke up not too long after she had gathered, Frostednight, his apprentice had joined her. Snowfoot and Marshmallow both appear as well, and he gave a brief nod to all of them before he went to respond to Iceheart, but before he could speak, Snowfoot had spoken rudely and out of turn.

And that would not do.

Nightstalker lashed his head to look at Snowfoot, his teeth baring as he looked down at her venomously. He would NOT have any of his clan disrespecting each other, especially in another clans camp. They could not see them infighting, it could open them to be seen as weak and present problems in the future. "Snowfoot! It would not be unwise to know when to hold your tongue! Your attitude is unwarranted." Nightstalker snapped, before cooling his tone and gaze when he turned to address Iceheart properly.

"No news yet, I'm certain we will hear something when the Thunderclan cats return from the gathering. As for the scouting, I have not seen too much of our territory. Many of us are not able-bodied to scout it, and with the flooding, our already treacherous territory must be full of mud pits. We must wait for it to dry out, and our bodies to heal before we can properly assess it for hospitality." Nightstalker mewed, hoping that his response would satisfy the young she-cat and his clan-mates.

Frostednight bristled at Snowfoot's words as she sat on the other side of her. Her head whipped around and she snarled, her giant body bristling with agitation. She stood, and took a step towards Snowfoot, her different colored eyes shining with hostility. "I vote we send Snowfoot out alone to scout the swamp." A whole sentence, uttered out if Frostednight's mouth? It even shocked herself. She took another step forward, her mane-like poof making her appear even larger. All she could picture was picking Snowfoot up by the scruff, dragging her through the ThunderClan underbrush, and leaving her to her own devices.

But Frostednight wouldn't do that. She couldn't, and even in her whisper-frenzied mind, she would control herself not to do such a thing.

Snowfoot dipped her head. “I’m sorry, Nightstalker. I was out of line. But I would like to remind you all that my baby is one of the missing cats. Do any of you know what it feels like to lose three kits? I lost all three of her brothers. I may seem clingy, but it’s because Lightpaw is all I have left. I don’t know if my last kit is alive or dead.” Snowfoot had begun tearing up. She’d tried to keep calm and cool for the sake of her clanmates. She knew she was a senior warrior and the clan looked to her for stability. But inside she trembled with worry.

Roseburn sat back as Snowfoot began her rant, heat rising in her pelt. Up until this point she had been willing to stay out of the argument, but she was growing irritated with Snowfoot. "Do you think you are the only cat missing someone you care about? My littermates are somewhere out there. Swiftheart is out there, do you think Nightstalker isn't worried about her? I am sorry you are missing Lightpaw. I am sorry you lost your kits. But you are not better than any cat here because of it. We are all scared. We are all grieving over someone. So maybe do what my brother, and your deputy, told you to do, and shut your mouth. Unless you have a real apology that doesn't come with excuses."

Even with all she needed to say being let out, Roseburn was still fuming. She really thought she could do whatever she wanted? Roseburn had to walk away for a moment to cool off. Snowfoot was really getting on her nerves just then.

Nightstalker hardened his gaze as he locked eyes with Iceheart once more, allowing a small moment of uncomfortable silence to brew before he released a sigh. "I'll allow it. Come see me later and we will organize something."

Then he turned his attention to the rest of his clan, a growl rupturing from his throat, his tail lashing, and his teeth baring. "ENOUGH! I will have no more of this discussion. I understand that everyone is scared, and stressed, we are all missing loved ones. But that is no excuse for us to insult each other. If there is a problem, I will address it, and I will deal with it. A public smackdown is not the way to be handling our problems and disputes. Especially not now." Nightstalker huffed, glowering down at Frostednight, Snowfoot, and Roseburn.

Forcing his fur and anger down, he spoke again. "We shall be patient. Thunderclan will tell me the news of the gathering I'm certain of it. In the meantime, we shall survey our territory."




OOC: We totally get that Nerd, you're doing a good job with Snow and portraying grief and anger! I think every cat in Shadowclan is extra volatile, but I didn't get any Karen vibes from your post. I understood it as a distressed mom, just wanting her kids back home safe. Snows actions are justifiable. Nightstalker understands that things are tough, but he personally isn't willing to allow or tolerate any bad attitudes amongst his clan mates. Especially in the enemy camp, so he's being a bit harsher than he'd normally be.