June Gathering 2023

It had been a breath of relief when the decision was remained to keep up appearances - she had not wanted to sit with the other deputies when, by all hopes, this arrangement would only be happening for another moon or two. She huffed as she sat down, tail curling around her paws - content to be one of the many cats among ShadowClan rank, to be just a warrior for this night. Tomorrow, her duties as deputy would continue but for now... It was a moment to catch her breath, so to speak.

Badgermask is open to be talked to, but will 100% ignore any WindClan cats who try.

Harriertalon - who was normally a friendly cat - hadn't said a word to anyone unless she had to. Except for Burdockroot, but that was a given. She felt sick to her stomach in a way no herbs could settle; a sense of impending doom clawing at her shadow as if to drag her away from the clearing. She did not want to be here at all, but such was the road to becoming a medicine cat.

Taking her seat with the other medicine cats, her eyes trained on nothing in particular. Let this night be done and ShadowClan return home.

Harriertalon is not open for conversation.

---

A pale calico tom was all but dragging his feet (it would make his paws dirty) as ShadowClan strolled into Fourtrees. He would not be following them all the way into the clearing, but instead finding a small rock to sit on instead of the cold and filthy earth. He was close enough to hear whatever the other clans had to say, but dar enough to avoid any... Acts of wrath. Gatherings seemed to be teeming with cats ready to rip each other's heads off.

He side-eyed the young, battle-worn she-cat that sat several fox-lengths away. Maybe he should sit somewhere even further...

Batswarm is open to talk to.

---

Feeling the gaze of the tom who took moons to find somewhere to sit, Firefly flashed him a glare that made his head turn back to the gathering cats. He was far too... Clean. Like he hadn't worked a day in his life.

Tail laying gently over her paws, she sighed. "Can't wait to see what fun we have this time." She mewed sarcastically to her companion, Curlyfluff.

Firefly is not open to talk to unless it's her siblings or Curlyfluff.

Silverwing's gaze traveled on the edges of the clearing as she entered Fourtrees behind her clan. There was a certain someone that was supposed to be there, but it appeared this would be another moon without seeing her. Letting out a soft sigh, Silverwing scanned for another victim she could harass tonight. All the fun cats were usually off on their own, which meant someone not already in a conversation would be the best. Ah, there! Silverwing padded toward her target, tail swishing excitedly behind her. He looked pretty, and extremely fluffy! The silver molly plopped down a tail-length away from the tom, a usual smile splitting her face. "Hello," She purred, "would you mind keeping me company tonight? I don't think my friend is coming to this gathering, but I wouldn't be too upset with her if someone as pretty as you kept me occupied. You'd be doing her a huge favor."

Silverwing is talking to Batswarm

Shrewpaw will enter the gathering alongside Copperpaw

Falconmoon entered the gathering quietly. His eyes lingered for several moments on Dawnfeather before his paws changed direction and he approached her. He was nervous, but he hid it well. "Uh... Dawnfeather, your name was? Sorry, I've been busy and haven't been able to introduce myself properly. I'm Falconmoon." He said casually, feeling apprehensive and excited at the same time. He sat down and curled his tail around his paws trying to hide his nervousness. It had been a very, very long time since they last spoke.

Falconmoon is talking to Dawnfeather!

---

Lionstripe entered the gathering and sat mostly alone. Hoping this gathering would be better than the last, he stayed silent and sat straight to look as confident as possible. He was willing it to go well.

Lionstripe is open to talk to.

---

Darkspirit took his place at the base of the Great Rock with the other deputies. Those who were present, he gave a nod to. Otherwise, the stoic tom kept quiet and watched the gathering with mild interest.

Darskpirit is sitting with the other deputies and is quiet.

Amberstone is antisocial again this gathering.

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Dawnfeather turned at the sound of approaching pawsteps, offering the young tom a characteristic bright smile. He must be one of Wolfblossom’s kits, surely, or another close family member, with his shimmering golden fur and bright blue eyes so similar to her own. Falconmoon? Oh, that was a pretty name- the silent beautiful lethality of a falcon’s strike crossed with the almost eerie peaceful light of the full moon. Mmm. Only time would tell whether it fit him or not.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Falconmoon,” Dawnfeather said with a polite nod of her head. “No need to apologize! I’ve been in the medicine den more often than not these last few moons, anyways. Now, very important question young sir- what is your favorite color and favorite prey?”

The golden molly leaned forwards slightly, eyes gleaming with excitement. She’d forgotten to ask Firepool, in the excitement of the rock-balancing contest, but she wouldn’t forget now!

In the silvery light of the full moon, the few grey flecks on her muzzle seemed to shine. Dawnfeather’s eyes were as clear and unclouded as ever, her step just as sure, but age’s ghosting breath would not pass her by.


Dawnfeather is talking to Falconmoon!
Ridgecrest and Drizzlepaw are open to speak with their respective Clans!

Marigoldmask was perhaps one of the last to arrive in Skyclan, but ultimately found herself drifting amongst the crowd rather cheerfully. Even if the last gathering had been one where the air held tensions so thick they even got to her, she was still rather pleasant and kind in her appearance. She took to the outskirts, ready to attempt to try and cheer up anyone who may have needed a bit of a boost. After all, she fully understood. Coming to a place that was supposed to be kind when it had been rather hostile? No doubt it'd ruffle a bit of fur.

Marigoldmask (SkC) is open to discussion!

---

Murkyripple “I welcome the shadows like a long-lost friend.” Murkyripple found herself on the outskirts of this particular gathering patrol. There was no reason for her to stay in the thick of her Clan, as she was always on sentry duty. This was her prime time, after all, given the fact that the moon was high in the sky. However, it was perhaps for another reason that she found herself on the outskirts. Giving a blink of greeting towards her deputy, and one towards her sister that she was actually rather glad to see, Murkyripple found herself mingling in the crowd. Drifting perhaps a little lost, but truthfully, she was on a mission. There was a unique scent she was hoping to catch, a particular cat she was seeking out in the crowd. If he didn't appear tonight, she fully understood. After all, it wasn't like that particular clan was anywhere near a forest-favorite for the time being. But nevertheless, she hoped to find him, searching through the crowd, weaving in-and-out like a shadow. Murkyripple is looking for Flutterpetal! code by kiiko • edited by kitty

Falconmoon noticed the bits of silver on the white and gold molly's face and a familiar pain tugged at his heart strings. They were a reminder that everything he cared about was going to fade away into death and that he may never speak to them again. Even in his previous life, he couldn't bring himself to hate Dawnfeather, though that truly did seem lifetimes ago now. He tried not to linger on it too long and answer her question. That at least brought a smile to his face. She hadn't changed a bit.

"Blue, like the sky... and quail." An answer that both Dawnhawk and Falconmoon would have given. He smiled at her afterward. "Good luck finding a blue quail, if that's what you were thinking." He smirked for a moment before he followed up with his own question. Stars it was so good to see her up and well.

"What about you?"

Falconmoon is talking to Dawnfeather!

“Me too!” Dawnfeather exclaimed in excitement, clear blue eyes shining with excitement. “That’s so considerate of you to ask, dear! I’ve always loved blue, and quail- so did my grandmother, you know. Hmmm… I do think I like starlings… hmm. Both, I guess? Oh, and don’t tempt me! I’m sure I can find a blue quail if I look hard enough… right? Don’t they come in blue?”

No, those were the bluebirds, she rather thought. Self-explanatory name for a beautiful creature. “I’m doing well!” she chirped, tilting her head to the side. “How about you? Were you at the last Gathering? I heard it went rather awful, although I’m sure no one meant for it to.”

Dawnfeather is talking to Falconmoon!
Ridgecrest and Drizzlepaw are open to interact with members of their respective Clans.

Flutterpetal had nearly stayed back in camp. Gatherings hadn't done much good for him recently. His only reason to go was to maybe hope he saw friends instead of being stared at with glares as sharp as claws from all four other Clans. WindClan's name was as good as mud to the rest of the forest... he was lucky that he knew at least two cats who didn't think that way about him, at least. Eventually, the thing that drove the tom out of his bed was the same stifling air in camp. It hadn't felt safe recently. It hadn't felt like home. It wasn't that Fourtrees would feel much safer, but... he felt that maybe, the chance to look at a few more clumps of lavender or see a golden or tortoiseshell pelt would be worth it. It would be better than nothing. It would be better than breathing the same stale air. The moors had seemed dead lately. The wind had stilled. It was a bad sign. Slowly he got up on reluctant paws, took a few daisies from the edge of the territory to adorn his dark pelt, and trailed behind the rest of his Clan, noting with an unfamiliarly bitter taste in the back of his throat how proud Shrikestar bore himself. It was as if the words of his Clan were nothing to him. They would never be anything to him. No amount of appeals to reason, angry calls to justice, desperate pleas would move him. He believed so wholly in his own righteousness that it made Flutterpetal sick. So he decided not to look at the leader, or at Batsong, and instead scan the crowd.

Light green eyes seemed a little bit duller than usual as they roved through the multitude of cats, looking for any familiar colors. So far, he'd had no luck. Both ThunderClan and ShadowClan were here. So where was Honeylight, or--?

His second question was answered belatedly as he nearly bumped into another cat who'd had the same roving ideas he had. They were both stalking the outskirts of the crowd, focusing so intently on scanning the inner areas they hadn't seen each other. Flutterpetal let out a quiet yelp of surprise as his momentum was stopped by a soft tortoiseshell pelt. "Stars, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to..." He stopped himself, blinking. Tortoiseshell. Luminous orange eyes. Bracken and tree bark. It was one of the two cats he'd been looking for. A wide smile spread onto his face. "Oh, hey! I was looking for you! Sorry for, uh, stumbling into you like that. But hi, how are you doing?"

Flutterpetal is talking to Murkyripple!

Batswarm rolled his eyes as a cat approached him. He had sat so far away for a reason! "...Hi." She wasn't very smart, was she-

Hold on. Pretty? Maybe she was smart after all. The diluted calico sat up even straighter, his chest puffed out. "I suppose I could... Just this once." A moment of pause before he finally caved and asked, "What about me do you like the best?"

---

At her brother's words, Firefly felt a pang of guilt in her stomach: she hadn't sought any of her siblings out after her return. She just... Felt incomplete, to say the least. "Yes, it has. And I'm sorry for that... I've been too much in my own head lately. How have you been?

Wasn't it the mentor's duty to teach the apprentice? Why then was Firefly off doing her own thing when this was Shrewpaw's first gathering? Firefly should have been teaching her how to converse with others, or give her tips on how to keep her nerve while surrounded by all these cats! Not that she needed it, but it would have been nice. Shrewpaw instead found herself glued to Copperpaw's side, only sparing occasional glances toward her mentor. Fourtrees was filled with a variety of scents, many of which she had never smelled before, and the constant chattering of cats almost sent her mind buzzing. For a kit this would be overwhelming, but she was an apprentice now. That meant she could deal with this... As long as Copperpaw was with her.

Copperpaw said they would do everything together, that included this. Shrewpaw guided her sister deeper into the clearing, aiming for a splotchy looking cat that seemed to be off on her own. That was a sad sight, but easily fixed. "Hello, I'm Shrewpaw." The golden tabby offered a smile to the cat. Shrewpaw nudged her sister, a sign that is was her turn to introduce herself.

Shrewpaw has forced Copperpaw to join her, they are talking to Mothpaw

"My, how generous of you!" Silverwing had a hunch a cat as immaculate as this one wouldn't brush her off. He was the type to fish for compliments about his beauty, though she didn't expect him to be so brazen about it. Well if it wanted compliments he would get them. Maybe she could even... "Where do I even begin? You've got to easily be one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen. It's like Starclan blessed you with unnaturally good looks, and they gave you such a luxurious pelt. I'm really jealous, honestly! Erm, would you mind letting me touch it? I'm sorry if that sounds strange, but I'd never forgive myself if I didn't ask." Would this work? She had thought it would at first, but maybe she was being too aggressive. Should she had worked her way up to asking for a touch? No use in wondering now, all she could do was wait for his response.

Silverwing is talking to Batswarm