An After-Gathering Meeting [open]

Well, that could have gone better. Shrikestar led his clan back to their territory, knowing that he was going to have to tell everyone what had happened. It was always fun times when he had to make an announcement, huh? 'Brackenwing's going to enjoy this one.' Once the clan was back at camp, he made his way to the Tallrock, which he climbed and called out to his clan, "WindClan, to me!" This concerned everyone, so everyone would have to come out and listen.

Sootpaw followed his clan back to camp in silence. The apprentice's tail flicked nervously as Shrikestar called a Clan meeting. What else was there to say? Windclan's relationship with every other clan had just been thrown into the dirt. Had there been no other way to do this?

To say Sparrowthorn was unhappy with Batsong, and Shrikestar, was a complete understatement. Her father hadn't even tried to stop Batsong from wrecking Windclan's reputation. She deserved to say her piece, but she deserved to say it in private, without bringing every clan into it. Now Windclan looked weak, with Shrikestar looking weaker, unable to control his own clanmates. Her eyes kept flicking through the crowd, hoping her mother would be there, that maybe she had returned to camp early. She hoped she wasn't wandering the territory.

Face kept an impressive neutral, Sparrowthorn turned to make sure her brothers were behind her, before sitting. Whatever would happen now, she needed them there, where she could see them. Make sure they wouldn't run off like Coyotegrin, and leave her alone to watch this travesty unfold.

Flutterpetal felt oddly hollow as he followed the rest of WindClan back into camp. He'd been hoping for a peaceful Gathering like any other--he'd even almost been able to make a friend. However, everything had been cut short by Batsong's actions. His flowers had been left trampled on the ground in everyone else's haste to exit. Every other leader in the forest seemed to hate them now, and most other cats (from what he could make out in the yowling cacophony) felt the same way. If Batsong had truly felt the need to do such a thing at Fourtrees, couldn't she have warned the rest of them first? Apparently Shrikestar had known what would happen, since he hadn't cared. But the rest of his Clanmates had seemed as confused and horrified as he had. Even if Flutterpetal had agreed with Batsong's interpretation of the code, he would still be unhappy with the fact that she'd sprung it on everyone else the way that she had. Were they not to be trusted?

And even then... he wasn't sure he agreed with a single thing Batsong had said, at all. Nightstar had done awful things like attack their cats, but all had been sorted out--or so Flutterpetal had thought. He bore no ill will toward the rest of ShadowClan. His friend Honeylight lived there, after all. But why did it matter if he and Mottlestar had kits? Neither of them seemed to be in love with the other anymore. That happened sometimes. So why did the entire forest need to know that they'd crossed borders for one night? Did that really concern every other Clan, WindClan included? Flutterpetal wanted nothing more than to believe in his Clanmates, even the medicine cat who reminded him of the friends he'd lost. But even he was finding himself feeling lost and frustrated with the way things had been handled. He wanted nothing more than to find Adderdawn and curl up for the night. But Shrikestar called a meeting--presumably to talk about what had just happened. Good. Maybe he could offer some kind of explanation.

Flutterpetal found a spot to sit beneath the Tallrock, trying to muster up the benefit of the doubt for his leader, trying not to let the chilly evening wind ruffle his fur too much... but it was difficult.

Brackenwing was awake when the clan arrived home, having not managed to fall asleep yet. Shrikestar immediately calling a meeting wasn't what she expected, and the elder's green eyes flicked to him, questioning. If there was a meeting called, Brackenwing very much doubted it was for anything good. Especially not directly after returning from a gathering, because gatherings were simply cursed. No good ever came of them. Ever.

Some of her clanmates, Brackenwing noted, did not look pleased. She glanced at Flutterpetal, a question in her eyes, but she expected that the sour mood of her clanmates was likely to be addressed shortly. There had been no storm of hail this time, at least... How bad could it be, really? She remained near the den for now, though whatever Shrikestar had called the clan together for had the elder's attention.

Smallbean hadnt spoken a word the entire trip back to camp. The tom had never in his life been so torn, between the word of his leader, his medicine cat, his clan, the forest. The lack of words outwardly spoken was made up for by the reptition of words in his thoughts. The words of outrage spoken by other clan cats, other leaders. The more he thought about it, the more he couldnt help but feel frustration for Batsong. They were right. As much as Nightstar had done to Windclan, it wasn't something that concerned the other clans. It should have been conducted privately.

Head lowered, he padded into camp behind Shrikestar, lagging behind as the leader scaled the Tallrock. A clan meeting. He knew. There was a choice he had to make. Stand by his leader, whatever it was he was going to say, or voice his dissent. Smallbean didnt exactly know what was going to be said. So, he took a seat just below the Tallrock.

Nervously, he watched as his clanmates gathered. Many had been there to experience it, they must know what this meeting was about. Although he wasnt tall enough to see every cat who gathered, one off to the side caught his eye. Brackenwing. He cast her a glance, a sorrowful one, expressing a silent apology for what would soon be announced. His stomach twisted at the thought of her disappointment, it was certain. Averting his eyes, he thought aboutabout, once more, facing her frustration. Eyes fixed on his paws, he waited for Shrikestar to speak.

Owlshade arrived some time ahead of the rest of WindClan's return, having departed the Gathering shortly after Shrikestar's disgrace of a response to Batsong's actions. He imagined that they wouldn't be too terribly far behind him, seeing as it seemed like WindClan was the only one who really wanted to stay after that... but he wasn't going to stand around and watch the Gathering erupt into chaos.

Nevertheless, the anxiety of the potential fallout weighed heavily on his mind as he found a corner of the hollow near the elders' den, and settled down there. It would surprise him if there wasn't some sort of meeting when the rest of the clan returned... and as cats began filtering into the clearing a little while later, followed by Shrikestar's announcement, he gave a long, silent sigh. At least he'd get to find out what happened... even if he'd been unwilling to stay and watch it unfold.

Standing on top of the Tallrock, Shrikestar looked over his clan. He could see the confusion on the faces of some, and the unhappiness on the faces of others. It did not seem that Batsong's declaration had been taken well. That was an understatement. As the leader, however, it was his job to manage the fallout. He was sure StarClan wouldn't abandon them in this time of great strife.

"At the Gathering, Batsong revealed to the clans the illicit relationship between Nightstar and Mottlestar. She had been given a vision from StarClan about this, and it was under StarClan's blessing that this information is now known by the forest. I will let you all know that this information was not taken well by some of the cats at the Gathering." Well, 'some' was putting it mildly. "StarClan did not end the Gathering tonight, so this has all been revealed under their guidance. They wanted this to be known." But did it have to be known in this way? "I will be increasing patrols just in case any of the other clans attempt to encroach upon our territory regardless, as a precaution." Any clan: by that, he meant ShadowClan. Who else would it be? "Any questions, or any worries you may have, should be directed at me. There will be no harassment of Batsong for what she has revealed tonight."

Rosepaw stuck fretfully to Batsong's side like a burr. Though, her single golden eye was alight with gratitude that their leader had her friend's back, as it seemed did the ancestors, and she had faith in Shrikestar as he leaped up the tall rock to call everyone together.

"It'll be okay, Batsong," she said to her friend. "We've got your back." Rosepaw felt that Batsong didn't have to struggle alone like she had tonight. 

Shrikestar's precautionary warnings were alarming, and Rosepaw searched instinctively for Whisperear, selfishly wishing for their support beside her. She wished for the comfort of Whisperear after missing her two friends on so many other difficult nights.

There they were, sitting sleepily outside the elder's den, pressed close against Bracken... neither Whisperear nor Rosepaw got up to move through the crowd, as much as Rosepaw wished it. Whisperear's comfort was their denmate, who looked just like a mate, if not their mate already.

Rosepaw would never have dared to speak at the four trees, especially as not even Shrikestar or Smallbean had addressed the gathering. But as Whisperear made themself heard, Rosepaw felt the courage rise in her to speak, too. 

"Batsong taking this on herself alone is what concerns me most," Rosepaw started somewhat hesitantly and awkwardly, in support of Whisperear's points. "I'm afraid for our friend-" she pressed closer to Batsong, "-our clanmate- and all in our clan." Shrikestar's intention to increase boarder patrols was both reassuring, and not.

Batsong sat at the base of the rock as well. She knew what she did may not have been popular. But it was what she felt the right thing to do was. What is right is not always popular. Could she have done this a better way? Maybe, she didn't know really.

What she did know however was that she was tired of allowing Nightstar to use windclan as a doormat and to abuse her clanmates the way that he had done needed to be addressed. The fact that she had grown a backbone and stood up to the monster was a result of his actions.

She looked to her side seeing Rosepaw right next to her bringing some amount of comfort to an otherwise nerve-wracking night.

She felt she should say something... but didnt know exactly what.

"I d-did what I believed to be the right thing. I am not a perfect cat and am the first to admit that. Maybe a d-different way would have been better. B-but from my experience trying to fix problems in the dark can backfire just as much if not worse. It was because the treacheries of Dawnhawk were not made loud and clear from the start that he was allowed to continue for so long." She looked at all the cats who were disappointed in her and it was uncomfortable but at the same time she had done what she truly believed was the best move in the situation.

"I would r-rather be remembered as someone who ruffled some feathers at a gathering than be rememebered as someone who said nothing and just stood by and watched as the next potential dicatator came into power." She looked down to her paws.

"maybe what I did was not following tradition. But to try and prevent a repeat of history I took action sooner than later and publicly so that other clans knew the dangerous pattern of Night"

She didnt want to make them listen to her beyond this. She had explained herself and any more would just annoy them beyond what they already felt towards her probably.

"I understand if you are upset with me. If you want to talk or voice your concerns I will be available as always, you can see me anytime." Regardless of how they saw her, she would still listen to anything they had to say. Even if they didn't like her for all this she still had a duty to try and serve them the best as possible.

"in the meantime I will search for my next apprentice
... assuming anyone would want to be her apprentice after all this she thought gloomily. But the clan needed an mca and with Birch vanish with no trace she needed to begin the process of training

Flutterpetal was hunching in on himself a little bit, feeling smaller than normal. Brackenwing noticed his oddness--it wasn't like him to be so subdued--and glanced over questioningly, before taking her place beside Whisperear. He almost went over to his friends, but his paws felt frozen. What would they think of this? Was there going to be yelling in camp again? What did Shrikestar even have to say for himself? Everything was frigid... but it felt a little bit warmer once Adderdawn arrived. The familiar sensation of his brother leaning into his side stabilized his uncertainty. Everything might still be okay. At the very least, he had Adder.

Before he could tell his brother anything, though, Shrikestar finally spoke up. He said... surprisingly very little, though Flutterpetal supposed he probably shouldn't be surprised. The way he said it made it sound so much nicer and more diplomatic than it had been. No diplomacy had been involved, aside from the fact that several other high ranks had clearly restrained themselves from tearing Batsong's fur off. But did the fact that StarClan did not end the Gathering really mean that this had been what they wanted? Was Batsong really justified? Either way, Flutterpetal felt unhappy with how things had gone. The stars were not the only thing that a medicine cat should have to answer to.

It appeared that Whisperear felt the same, as they demanded--politely--why the Clan had not been told. That same question had been echoing in Fluttepetal's ears since Batsong climbed onto the rock. Batsong also said her piece: that she did what she thought was right. Once again, she likened Nightstar to Dawnhawk, called him a "potential dictator," and admitted what she had done did not follow tradition. Rosepaw was apparently defending her due to their friendship, which ruffled Flutterpetal's fur a little bit, but he decided not to mention it. He didn't want to ruin the friendship they had begun to build with each other, even though he was no longer sure what his opinion of Batsong was.

First he looked at the medicine cat, who still seemed proud of herself for her actions, despite knowing that many cats would be upset. "Batsong," he said quietly, "if you really wanted to do nothing but reveal the relationship between Mottlestar and Nightstar, then you went about it incorrectly. Every member of the Clans now knows your bias against Nightstar. I don't like him either. I don't think any of us do. But your comparison of him with a story from queen's tales to kits about the Dark Forest does not do you any favors. Even if Nightstar should be made to step down, your announcement was not the way to go about it. I also second Whisperear's question: why wasn't the rest of the Clan told?" He hated speaking up like this. His voice was still soft. However, he couldn't stop the betrayal he felt from creeping into his tone. "Did you not think it necessary to warn your Clanmates before ruining our relationship with the forest? Were you not going to mention the spits and hisses towards WindClan's name? How every one of us is now in danger and our borders are no longer safe? How all the goodwill in the clearing vanished the moment you broke tradition and started hurling accusations?" In a rare display of unhappiness, his tail lashed once behind him. He had never hated Batsong, but he no longer thought that he liked her. Such actions done with no prior discussion, affecting the rest of the Clan so much, for the "will of the stars..." He didn't like it. But she was not the only one at fault for the disaster.

His gaze moved towards the tom on the rock. "And you, Shrikestar. I know that you are leader, and your word is law. But couldn't you have told Batsong this was a bad idea? Or were you blinded by what you assume is the will of the stars, too? Even so... shouldn't you care about us? Shouldn't our opinions be of some value to you as well? Why not even bother to warn us before you made WindClan the pariah of every Clan in the forest?" Flutterpetal looked up towards Shrikestar, almost begging for some kind of explanation that made sense. He wanted to trust his leader. But after how things had been handled tonight, he was no longer sure if he could.

Whisperear sat beside her, and almost without thought Brackenwing intertwined their tails for a moment, finding comfort in her denmate's presence. Shrikestar began to speak, and Brackenwing closed her eyes, a soundless sigh leaving her. Of course there was drama at a gathering, there never wasn't drama at a gathering. Only this time the drama was because Batsong had poked her nose into things that was not Windclan's business. A prophecy that didn't involve Windclan at all, by the sounds of it.

Whisperear spoke, struggling to make their voice heard, and Brackenwing nodded in quiet support. "You know how Nightstar reacts... So you decide to provoke him. In front of the whole forest. By exposing some relationship between leaders that doesn't involve Windclan at all. Did you really expect that the other clans would react favorably to a gathering being disrupted in such a fashion? Have you lost your mind?" Brackenwing asked in disbelief, "And you, Shrikestar... Smallbean. You let her do this without stepping in? Do you want to bring Nightstar down on our heads? I know little of Thunderclan, but I doubt they will be happy you dropped that news on them, either. And Shadowclan, after everything our clans have been through, even less so. You must obviously have an idea of the reaction if you're already planning on increasing patrols, though our numbers are few. Do I have to remind you of your elders who can no longer fight and serve as warriors? Or the kits who are even less able to defend themselves, should Shadowclan come storming our camp as Skyclan did?" She hadn't been alive for that, but she knew the stories.

Batsong's explanation... Did not help Brackenwing's mood. Her tail lashed as she faced the cat who was like a sister to her, disappointment in her expression. Her defense of her actions brought to light thoughts that Shrikestar's address had not. Before she could speak, Flutterpetal did, and for a moment Brackenwing wished that she was not hearing him correctly. She waited for him to finish, feeling her stomach churn with dread and unease.

"Tell me, Batsong, would you have done the same for my parents and their illicit relationship? Or did that not matter because they weren't leaders and Swiftspirit was as much your parent as mine?" She asked sharply, green eyes narrowing on the dark she-cat. "It wasn't about that relationship at all, was it? This was about your hatred for Nightstar - not that he doesn't deserve it - but you can't possibly think that putting your clan in danger was the right thing to do. You can't possibly think that sticking your nose into someone else's business was right. Starclan didn't end the gathering, but it is not Starclan's wrath that our patrols will be increased to protect against." She despaired for the clan's future under these three.

"Flutterpetal speaks of accusations. Plural." She said slowly, "I dearly hope he does not mean that things that were dealt with in the past have had the cobwebs pulled from them. How badly have you tarnished Windclan's reputation, medicine cat?" The title was hissed out, venomous, harsh. "Shrikestar, shall we do this again?" Her narrowed gaze settled on the leader, memories of how Shrikestar handled Silverwing and telling her and Whisperear about it rising to the forefront of her mind. She couldn't believe what she had heard these past several minutes. She would not waste time in beating around the bush, either. "What is the point in following leadership who does not trust the clan with information that involves their safety, let alone leadership we cannot trust to keep the clan safe?"

Shrikestar spoke, and then Rosepaw, and finally Batsong. Owlshade sat back on his haunches and flicked his pale gaze around the camp. It seemed like the reactions were mostly mixed, or cats who didn't know what to say, so they didn't... until finally, Flutterpetal piped up, followed quickly by Whisperear and Brackenwing in turn. Their mutual dissatisfaction over what had happened inspired a weird combination of relief and guilt within him, but he kept his face neutral as he moved over to sit beside his sister. All of them had brought up good points, and he wouldn't repeat most of them, but one question that hadn't been answered - or if it had been, he didn't hear it - still lingered.

"Did you know, Shrikestar, what Batsong's plan was for the Gathering? Did you know what she planned to say, what she planned to do, to our reputation? Or did she not bother to tell you, either?" His eyes slid from Shrikestar, to Batsong. She had been his former mentor, someone he trusted, someone he expected to make good decisions, but this clearly hadn't been the case tonight, and though he did feel some remorse for what she would doubtlessly go through after this, the well being of the clan as a whole was more important than any one cat's feelings. His stare returned to their leader. "It's clear that Batsong isn't repentant over what happened, which in itself is an issue, but your blatant indifference to the threat that now hangs over all of our heads is what's more worrying to me, Shrikestar."

Owlshade took a breath, shifting from one paw to the other. In a flat tone, he asked. "So is it just Batsong that we cannot trust to keep us safe? Or is it you, too?"