A Quieter Gathering [O]

Twistpool

Twistpool did wonder if he made the correct decision in staying home. On the one paw, he did not have to make that dreadful journey to Fourtrees and risk getting chased by Twolegs again. That was why he did not attend last moon. Until this entire mess is fixed, he probably won’t attend another one; his bones were too weak to be running around like an apprentice. On the other paw…he was now responsible for the kits that remained in the nursery, and whoever else decided to stay home.

He had curled himself up in the nursery to watch after the blasted kits. He really only knew the name of one, Sunkit, and that was because he bothered Twistpool almost daily. He’d brought one of the other ones but Twistpool did not remember the scrap’s name, and he had never even spoken to the third who remained glued to the nameless one’s side. Twistpool sighed and laid his chin down on his paws as he watched the scraps of fur. Maybe they would keep quiet and not bother him.

…bah. He knew that wouldn’t happen.

Larkkit

Larkkit’s ears kept twitching. It was bad enough being confined to the nursery on nights like these because most of the clan had gone to the Gathering. But having to be here, stuck with Sunkit of all cats, and also be watched over by the oldest cat in existence? Larkkit’s irritation was beyond measure. His ears would not stop twitching.

“Rook,” Larkkit rumbled to their sibling. “It is quite late. Would it not be easier to simply sleep and find out what happened at the Gathering in the morning? It is not as though we need to concern ourselves as kits anyway.” Oh how he would much rather be asleep, not dealing with Sunkit or Twistpool or anyone else. He could just curl up with his brother and forget any of the annoyances of the world.

Sunkit was in… well. Sunkit was in a bad mood. He had tried to stay positive, really he did, but it was hard not to feel bitter and irritated that he wasn’t even an apprentice yet, much less given permission to attend the gathering. It wasn’t like he was itching to return to Fourtrees, given that’s where he lost his parents, but he was itching for something to change. If one more adult told him to be patient while his denmates became apprentices and his parents were still not home, Sunkit was positive he’d start clawing up the walls.

Sunkit watched the other kits- and apprentice- for a moment. Larkkit was speaking to Rookkit, and Toadpaw’s mood seemed to be as sour as Sunkit’s was. Sunkit contemplated turning over and just trying to sleep the night away, but he immediately knew he’d just get more bored and irritated.

Dragging himself out of his nest with a huff, Sunkit moved across the nursery to instead flop at Twistpool’s side, pressing against the elder and resting his chin on his paws. He didn’t speak, tail thumping the ground rhythmically. At least Twistpool was there. Sunkit always felt better around the older tom, grumpy though he may be.

After a moment, the quiet got to him again, and Sunkit rolled over to look at Toadpaw in his little corner. “Has training been fun?” He asked Toadpaw, trying to keep the jealousy out of his tone. If he was going to be awake anyway, he might as well talk to the other cats in the den. Everyone sitting in grumpy silence sounded utterly boring, even if Sunkit was half-tempted to indulge in it.

Rookkit

It was a bit of a surprise, when Perchstar called around a large patrol to shuffle off for the Gathering. It made sense, Rookkit supposed... but it also did not. They were not ignorant to how many faces had disappeared from RiverClan, familiar or not. It was no business for kits, but they were curious and attentive: the tight whispers about the lingering presence of twolegs and traps was also not lost on them. So, why bother? The full moon demanded so... but it did not stand to reason why a phase of the moon demanded the Clans' full attention. Perhaps they would get lucky, and return with news of their missing Clanmates. It was a selfish hope, and one Rookkit long should have grown out of (despite the fact they yet remained in the nursery), but they refused to let it go. It was also the only thing they could use to justify attendance at the Gathering.

Larkkit's lowered voice pulled Rookkit out of their musings, and they turned slowly toward their brother. "Oh. Yes." He murmured absently, head dipping in a short nod. Larkkit was irritated, he knew; and in a way, Rookkit was too. His gaze slid toward their grizzled guardian. Twistpool was not the best company, as much as Sunkit seemed to like him. And Sunkit... Rookkit could not even tempt conversation out of him to try and keep his brother awake. They were unsure what, but something had made him sour and silent. Silent until he piped up to say something to Toadpaw's lingering form, at least. Rookkit's ears lowered, flickering rapidly for a moment. They felt a bit sour now, too. Maybe that was just Larkkit's irritation working into their own pelt.

Turning to their brother, Rookkit agreed shortly, "Yes." Nudging against their brother's side, they moved him a little closer to their shared nest, flopping against the bedding with a soft rustle. "This does not seem important. I doubt I will sleep. But, we may try."