September Gathering 2022

Dappledlight heard a voice behind her and turned to see who it was. Two WindClan cats, she noted. "Hello, I'm Dappledlight," she meowed. She couldn't really think of anything else to say, still lost in thought about Froststar being missing. She let out a soft sigh of relief as the leader announcements started. Froststar has passed away... Dappledlight sat shocked for a few moments, unable to register what had just been said. "NO!" He couldn't be dead! H-he had nine lives! She must have misheard him, she tried to ration to herself, though she knew deep down she was lying. Her eyes glistened with tears and she muttered through a choked sob, "Excuse me." She stumbled toward a commotion and found Snowfoot lying on the ground with cats huddled around her. While it was being sorted out, her mind drew back toward Froststar. How he was the first cat to find her, how he defended her from Burningwing, how he proved to be a great warrior in light of dark times. She was only brought back to reality when Snowfoot and Roseburn seemed to be arguing. "The only one making s big deal is YOU, Roseburn!" she snapped, overcome with emotions, "This is a troubling time for ALL OF US!"

---

"RiverClan," Torrentpaw smugly meowed. The leaders had started talking, but he ignored them. Some leader dying didn't matter if they weren't his own. "So, is this your first gathering?" he questioned.

Dappledlight is yelling at Roseburn
Torrentpaw is talking to Beechpaw

Mottlerose listened attentively to each of the leaders' words, her head dipping with respect towards the news that Froststar had passed. She then only tilted it up to give a nod, the only sign she could show as Thunderclan was mentioned in helping to harbor Shadowclan during its troubling time. It was good to hear that Windclan seemed to be growing easily, and that Riverclan seemed to be fairing rather well at the same time. Truth be told, Thunderclan was a much more delicate situation. It pained her, and she almost felt bile rising in her throat at the idea of having to speak. Fully, the she-cat believed it was her mate that should be in her place upon the rock. Oh, how she wanted to leap down and rejoin the deputies.

But that wasn't a pleasure she was afforded. Perchstar talking seemed to give the small tortoiseshell enough courage to step forward, clearing her throat quietly before speaking. "Thunderclan continues to offer our support towards Shadowclan during this time." She began. "Minnowstar has fallen ill, though there is still hope that he will be able to regain his strength. We also have good news to share. Our medicine cat apprentice has gained her full name, and is now known as Eggdrop. Briarpaw, Brightpaw, Molepaw, Twilightpaw, and Redpaw all join our apprentice den, with their training going well. Greenleaf should, hopefully, be continuing to share its gifts with the forest." Having said all she needed to say, she stepped back.

Though, it was as she stepped back that she caught the comotion growing within the crowd. A concerned gaze snapped towards its origin, and her ears perked thoroughly in curiosity, and alarm. Hopefully, everything was alright? She couldn't quite tell, though thankfully, it didn't seem to involve any of her clanmates from her inspections. Unsure of what to do, the molly simply kept her place, paws rooted to the ground in uncertainty. It took all of her effort to keep that inside - she didn't need to appear weak in front of the Clans. Turning to the other leaders, she spoke in a hushed tone. "...does everything seem alright down there?" There were so many cats, it was hard to tell.

Molepaw was so wondering what animal would look nice on Briarpaw. She seemed interested in the pelt Grebedance wore. How would that tradition pass around? She listened to the conversation more intensely. Maybe she could give Briarpaw a pelt for her warrior ceremony.

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Beechpaw listened as he heard Torrentpaw explain that he was in Riverclan. She had a smug tone in his voice, but Beechpaw didn't care. If he was to be a great warrior, he must not fight for no reason. "Yes, this is my first Gathering! Is this your first Gathering too?" Beechpaw meowed. He wanted to make a new friend of he could, so he would try to be as kind as he could be to Torrentpaw.

Molepaw is talking with Briarpaw, Twilightpaw, and Grebedance.

Beechpaw is talking to Torrentpaw!

Snowfoot lay on the ground in silence for a good couple minutes. She had to save her strength. Finally, she slowly sat up. A fresh wave of dizziness washed over her, but she steeled herself against it and managed to remain upright. “I wasn’t talking about him, Roseburn, I was talking about you. But I know you’ll never see,” she quietly mewed, staring off into space. “Please guys, just… let me be.” Her expression was one of a much older cat as she looked back up at the rock, trying to refocus everyone and avoid eye contact. There was just one problem. The leaders were looking in her direction too. “Great,” she mumbled under her breath.
Snowfoot is baffled by Roseburn’s behavior, embarrassed at all the attention, and really wants to disappear right now.

Lightpaw looked to the other apprentice. “He was my grandfather,” she said. She finally realized there was a commotion of some kind going on and looked just in time to see Snowfoot sitting up. “And it doesn’t look like Mother’s taking it very well,” she added.
Lightpaw is talking to Stoatpaw.

"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss," he mewed. She seemed to be taking the loss of her grandfather well, at least on the outside. Stoatpaw turned his attention to Snowfoot. She did not look well. The warrior looked as if she would be blown around by the smallest breeze. "No, she isn't. Should we do something?" Concern edged his voice, though he realized as he spoke that he was just a stranger to her. "Um, by the way, I'm Stoatpaw." His greeting was awkward, but at least he had gotten it out.

Stoatpaw is talking to Lightpaw

Minksplash observed the shock that seemed to flash for just a moment on the molly that she had approached, though the russet warrior couldn't place any blame in response. After all, when used to guarding in silence, it's not common that a cat dares to approach you. Her mind went back to all of the times she had been guarding camp, at how little anyone even seemed to recognize that she was even there. Perhaps it was as a kind gesture to those who were guarding so as to not disturb them and allow them the full focus on their duties, but perhaps it also was an inherent selfishness that cats had on focusing on their own tasks. Either way, Minksplash understood.

Not to mention, it wasn't hard to think why a Riverclan cat would make a Thunderclan cat be uneasy. They were infamous for fighting over Sunningrocks, but that ill will had no place during the evening. The gathering was a time for peace, to set the differences aside and chat, even for a short while. She adjusted the mink pelt around her neck as she was observed, not entirely put off by it.

The slow response she gained was her sign that it was alright to continue speaking to the molly, a sign that she wasn't entirely being shoved away at that moment. Studying the Thunderclan warrior carefully, Minksplash sat so she could once more face the leaders. At the same time, her body was angled towards the now-identified Comfreyheart to be able to speak to her, but she took a seat a fair distance away. She didn't want to intrude upon the hesitant molly's space, after all. "Did Shadowclan seem mostly okay after the flood?" She inquired. It would be a much more polite question than asking if Thunderclan was okay, or if their leader was alright. She soon heard the announcement that Mottlerose had made, after all.

Minksplash is awkwardly talking to Comfreyheart!

Sootspirit blinked when he was approached by a cat.. Windclan.. His mother's sister? He remembered mention of her family but other than that he didn't much more. A small pang hit his heart.. His missed his mother, and this just reminded him that there were still pieces of her around. "I'm Sootspirit, nice to meet you. I remember there was mention of family before, but I never heard specifics. I'm glad to finally get to see you." He told the Windclan warrior.

Sootspirit is talking with Blazefang!

Echomist growled when he heard the commotion happening, he recognized the voices right away, knowing one of them was his sister. Green eyes narrowed as he looked over at the cats. "That is enough! All of you. This is not the time or the place for this argument right now. Keep it in your mouth until we get home." The spotted tom said, everyone was suffering right now, everyone was weak, but they could not show their clan was divided right in the gathering.

Echomist is addressing the whole Snowfoot v Roseburn situation

Before she could speak, announcements had started. She had been right about new leaders, and Brackenwing wasn't sure she was particularly happy to be right. The clans needed stability after everything that had happened recently, and such frequent changes of leadership were bound to cause tensions. The Shadowclanner that Silverpaw had led her to had introduced herself, and Brackenwing's green eyes turned toward her wearily. "Uh, hi-" No sooner than Brackenwing had attempted to stumble over an awkward greeting was the she-cat, Dappledlight? Excusing herself and darting toward her own clanmates. Inwardly, Brackenwing couldn't help but be relieved. Whatever had happened to draw the other she-cat away, it had at least got her out of socializing with one stranger for the night. Her gaze slid to Silverpaw momentarily, before instinctively being drawn back towards the Shadowclanners. A fuss like that was never good... And the arguing that seemed to break out make her short marbled pelt bristle. "See? It's always something, Silverpaw." Brackenwing muttered, "It's just not worth it. Hopefully no real fighting breaks out this time." She added.

---

"Snowfoot?" Harechaser's eyes widened at the sudden commotion. Swiftheart and Dappledlight had rushed to the fallen warrior, as well as several other cats. Harechaser hung back, knowing full well that she would only get in the way.

Roseburn, it seemed, had something to say on the matter, and it was even less helpful than Harechaser could've been in that situation. Stars above, what was wrong with her? Did she have no empathy for anyone but herself? It wasn't long before Roseburn was quickly being called on the behavior at least, and Harechaser could only remain silent, glaring at her sister in disbelief. She didn't know what was wrong with Snowfoot, but it seemed she'd regained consciousness and she'd rebuked Roseburn too. Hopefully that meant she was going to be okay for now, though Harechaser could imagine that being in the middle of a gathering couldn't have been pleasant.

Brackenwing is with Silverpaw.
Harechaser is watching the SC drama but keeping her mouth shut.

Blazefang smiled. “It’s good to meet you too. Actually, I’ve kinda been watching you and your siblings for a while. I’ve been friends with your clanmate Stormdance since before you were born. So how’ve you all been?
Blazefang is talking to Sootspirit.[b]

Lightpaw shook her head. “It looks like half the clan’s already over there. Mom can handle herself, she fought the Dark Forest once! I’m Lightpaw, nice to meet you.”
[b]Lightpaw is talking to Stoatpaw.

The sudden departure of the Shadowclan cat left Silverpaw disappointed, though the emotion in her voice quelled that feeling. She understood the need for Dappledlight to be with her clan. One Shadowclan cat had even fainted during the announcement. "Always something?" Silverpaw questioned, a rage building. Whirling on the warrior, Silverpaw let her words spill out. "They just lost their leader, Brackenwing! Wouldn't you do the same if Shrikestar died?" It had been a battle to get the warrior this far, and with one burst of emotion she would erase all of her progress. Silverpaw did not care in this moment. "Where is your compassion, or does being a good warrior take that away?"

Silverpaw is 'talking' to Brackenwing

"Lightpaw? Nice to meet you too." Stoatpaw committed the apprentice's name to memory, at least he could make a friend this night. He gave the apprentice a short dip of his head before continuing. "It sounds like you'll be able to return home after this gathering, are you excited?"

Stoatpaw is talking to Lightpaw

"Arguing like that never ends well. Especially at a gathering." Brackenwing muttered, eyeing the Shadowclanners that had been arguing among themselves. Well, against one cat, as far as she could tell, but it wasn't her business. It wasn't anyone's business but Shadowclan's. And it needed to stay that way, as far as Brackenwing was concerned.

She didn't trust the arguing Shadowclanners not to spill over. Gatherings never ended with arguments being settled.

Her ears flattened at Silverpaw's stinging retort. "I- No-" She began, only to stop. Silverpaw- Brackenwing ran over the words she'd said and winced. "Sorry. I suppose that was foxhearted of me." She muttered. If there were visible signs of smoke curling from her pelt from the sheer embarrassment, Brackenwing wouldn't have been surprised.

Some warrior she was, being scolded by an apprentice.

"It's not that I don't have sympathy. Losing a leader is never easy, especially on the poor deputy that has to take their place, much less on the clanmates who knew them well." She muttered, "Gatherings are nothing but bad news and bad decisions. They're a time for tempers to flare and for cats to argue, Starclan's supposed peace or not." She muttered sourly, her own thoughts on the half-remembered gathering where elders had attacked a confessed murderer. Even before that, the dark forest had seen fit to make every full moon a new tragedy. Brackenwing had never known a peaceful gathering and didn't trust it. At all.