January Gathering 2023

Smallbean had spent the entire journey to fourtrees in the middle of the group behind Shikestar, keen eyes searching for the slightest glint of light reflected off the surface of a twoleg trap. Being in the center of the group made him feel slightly more secure, but he couldn't be more relieved when he recognized the familiar yet tiresome chatter of clans conversing. The clearing was thick with the scent of Skyclan, it was clear that they had been staying here the past moon. He didn't know what he would do if Windclan had chosen to stay in the clearing, his paranoia would be through the roof. For this one night, he hoped that the clans could avoid disaster, and the the twolegs would keep their distance.

By the time he'd arrived to the base of the Great Rock, all of the other deputies had already gathered there and begun talking - at least he assumed that they were all the deputies. There was a new face among them, and after glancing up to see Birdchaser standing on top of the rock it didn't take him long to guess which clan she belonged to, or what fate had become of Skyclan's leader. It went without saying, he wasn't going to bring it up. Before anything, though, he'd greet Poppyshine. "Poppyshine! Hi! How are you?" He'd forgotten how much enjoyed the she-cat's company, she always made him feel included in conversations with the deputies. "How's um. How's Riverclan doing?" Pausing, he turned to face the rest of the group. "And- um.. How are you. All? I'm Smallbean. Windclan..."

Nightstar had started the gathering, and Smallbean frowned at the sound of his voice. Although his attention was directed toward the other deputies, he could tell from the sound of his voice that the leader's remarks were directed toward Windclan. He winced. Then, after Nightstar's ending comment, craned his neck and looked upward with squinted, questioning eyes. Birdchaser took over from there and Smallbean felt a hint of satisfaction when she pointed out that he had wrongly announced Briarstar's disappearance. It seemed Nightstar's own deputy realized it too.

---

The sound of approaching chatter had risen Astershine from his paws, prepared yet unready to deal with the gathering. It felt wrong for all of the clans to be in their camp, even if their camp was in Fourtrees right now - it was like an invasion of privacy. Although of all times for another clan to be in their camp, he was glad it was while they were in Fourtrees during a gathering; it would ensure that no blood would be shed.

As other clans began to pour into the clearing, Astershine was able to catch a glimpse of Creampaw before he was lost in the crowd. Letting out a sigh, he backed toward the edge of the clearing and found himself next to a kit, one that he'd seen around. "Burningkit?" He took a few steps toward the kit, before sitting down beside her. "You should stay nearby, you might get stepped on or something." His voice became hushed as the gathering began, but his attention remained fixed on Burningkit. "Are you excited? You get to go to a gathering before you became an apprentice! Isn't that cool?"

Smallbean is talking with the deputies.
Astershine is talking to Burningkit but is open for conversation!

Snowfoot barely had time to nod amicably and give Iceheart a hello before Nightstar began the announcements. The warrior couldn’t help but wince at her leader’s comments this moon. She’d heard about the altercation at the WindClan border, but last time she’d checked the code said to challenge trespassers, not beat up newly-made warriors, allies no less, without warning. She’d had her sleep interrupted by WindClan holding ceremonies, she had a fair idea of who was who. Russetrye was younger than her kits! She’d barely been made a warrior, surely she deserved at least a warning before being beaten to a bloody pulp! The black-and-white cat stiffened, tail lashing, but she held her tongue. She’d drawn enough attention at Gatherings for once in her life.

The silence between the two of them lasted way too long, and for a moment the Skyclan tom wondered if the other cat had even heard him. Before Stoatclaw had the chance to repeat himself, the other tom spoke up. "Locust, of Shadowclan?" The warrior echoed. That was odd. Locust clearly wasn't a clan name, and Nightstar had claimed at one of the gatherings that outsiders would not be welcomed into Shadowclan. He had also claimed that any cat caught trespassing would be met with immediate violence, was that why this cat had so many scars? "You must have really impressed Nightstar if he let you join Shadowclan, and from what I know of Nightstar he's not an easy one to please. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly did you do?" There was genuine curiosity in Stoatclaw's voice as he spoke. An outsider joining a clan that was openly against outsiders, who wouldn't be curious about something like that?

Stoatclaw paused to listen more closely to the announcements. Perhaps Locust had been allowed into Shadowclan because Nightstar was in such a good mood? His clan seemed to be growing at an amazing rate with all of the apprentices, a new warrior, and an experienced warrior returning all in the span of a moon. "Sounds like a lot is going on in your clan, eh?"

Stoatclaw is talking to Locust

Shrikestar did not miss that glare Nightstar sent his way before surreptitiously gazing around at the rest of the leaders. His eyes darkened, but only slightly. This was a Gathering, and there was no point in starting a fight under the watchful eyes of their ancestors. If Nightstar had a problem with Shrikestar, as leaders underneath an alliance, he could come explain himself. For now, he would announce the news, as if everything was as normal as they could be.

"Despite the upheaval the great shake has brought us, WindClan has not been shaken along with it. We continue to thrive despite all challenges. We have three new warriors joining us: Russetrye, Sleepyhollow, and Fuzzface. We also welcome Shadepaw to our apprentice ranks. While the prey is not as plentiful as it may be under normal circumstances, we do not want for food. That is all." He took his spot back next to the other leaders, staring forward and not looking at the others. His eyes were on his clan instead, watching them sit there and listen to the leaders.

Mottlestar watched as tensions seemed to be growing among the leaders. She kept her place, even shuffling just a step closer towards Perchstar and giving her a nod of respect in return as others stepped forward to speak. There was at least some semblance of good relations between Riverclan and Thunderclan - and she wanted to keep it that way. There was no animosity that she held between the other Clans, and even a small flicker of kinship between herself and Nightstar. That was the way Thunderclan needed it to be, and hopefully, she would allow it to stay that way.

Though as Shrikestar made his announcements, it would then be her turn. "Thunderclan firstly expresses their condolences for Skyclan, and that they may be able to return home soon, and safely. This season has shown no shortage in terms of its struggles. However, we would like to announce that we have a plethora of new apprentices in our ranks. Frondpaw, Curlypaw, Sagepaw, Murkypaw, and Lichenpaw." There was a fair bit of pride that rumbled in the molly's chest as she mentioned her daughter, but she was careful not to bring too much attention to it.

"We have noticed the increase of twoleg traps and clanmates that have gone missing from our ranks, and it seems we are not alone in this struggle. We ask that, should any Thunderclan cat be found, they be returned before any disciplinary action is taken due to the likelihood of twoleg intervention. If it is deemed necessary, I will ensure that any cat breaking the code will be reprimanded appropriately. This will be extended to any other cat that may be found on Thunderclan's territory, but only for the time being. I will not tolerate theft or abuse of this offer." Her mind flashed to Dayquill, and how Thistlemask and herself had gone missing for a short time. If they were dumped on another part of the forest... she hoped for mercy. It only made sense to the small, motherly molly that the same offer was extended.

"That is all for Thunderclan." She concluded, before stepping back into the crowd of leaders.

Perchstar caught the glances that Shrikestar and Nightstar shared before the announcements began. Time hadn't been very kind to the scraggly young ShadowClan leader. He seemed on edge--more than the rest of them were--and began the Gathering in a way that was more rude than she'd expected. His blunders continued when he presumed the reason for Briarstar's absence before Birdsomething could say anything. Though Perchstar's facial expression did not change, she couldn't help but feel a slight prick of annoyance on behalf of SkyClan. Which surprised her, since she did not care much for the tree-dwelling Clan, though she had little opinion on them now that Bloodstrike and Beechfang had been driven out.

As impolite as Nightstar's outburst had been, Birdchaser (that was her name; soon to be Birdstar) acquiesced that it was true. Briarstar had not returned. Perchstar bowed her head momentarily to express her condolences. While they had disagreed on whether Beechfang deserved any punishment. Briarstar had been intelligent and saved her Clan from the bloodthirsty tom leading it. Perchstar had been... looking forward to seeing how the leader developed. Now it seemed that she wouldn't get the chance. The past few moons had truly been awful.

Shrikestar and Mottlestar spoke next, with little of import to say. She flashed her eyes to look at the ThunderClan leader at the mention of leniency for Twoleg intervention. It was a reasonable policy; a far cry from Nightstar's annoyed behest that ShadowClan territory (currently uninhabited) remain untouched, though both made sense. Perchstar similarly had little to say. She would rather have stayed back at camp to work on rebuilding, if the Code did not dictate a meeting at every full moon.

"RiverClan fares as well as can be expected," she began, tone calm and even. "We are currently rebuilding our camp. Progress is going well. Though there are many traps still on the territory, we have avoided them as best we can and lost very few to the Twolegs. We hope for our warriors' safe return, and hope for the safe return of all forest cats as well." Perchstar glanced down at where the medicine cats sat. It caused her a brief moment of grief not to see Dovesight's face there. "Our medicine cat apprentice Sandypaw has gained her full name, Sandyshell. RiverClan territory will abide by the same rules as usual, and any missing cats will be swiftly returned to their own Clans." She met the eyes of the young deputy. It was unfortunate that the Clan would be going through upheaval during such an already-troubling time. However, she handled herself well at the Gathering so far. If she survived her journey to the Moonstone, she may be a good leader. "I also offer my condolences for the loss of Briarstar. May she find rest in the stars." Perchstar stepped back. "That is all. If we have nothing else to discuss, then RiverClan will return to our camp."

Storm enters and sits in the back not wanting to socialize


Same for swift she is not in the mood rn

Bat goes and looks for the meddies to maybe sit with realizing she was a little late she tries to be quiet when entering

And then they all go back home cause I was super late on my post lols

Her eyes narrowed instinctively at the tom who approached her, words oozing off his tongue in a way that was clearly meant to rope the molly into conversation, something she had been staunchly against from the moment of her birth. Her tail began to flick lightly in annoyance as she remembered their current location and the expectation that she would engage in any amount of conversation. Including with... Thistlemask sniffed the air briefly, fighting off a scowl. One of Nightstar's warriors. Better be nice.

"I am Thistlemask. And you are?" It seemed she waited a little long to speak as the gathering began, different leaders taking jabs at each other for different things, Birdchaser's announcement on the disappearance of Briarstar, and her dear leader managing to stay far and away out of it. The molly breathed a deep sigh of relief as the announcements wrapped up rather quickly, dipping her head goodbye to the other deputies and the Shadowclan warrior before gathering Thunderclan to take home.

home time!