Quarter Moon Meeting [March 2024]

Leopardstar scaled the Jaggedrock easily, sitting atop it at her admittedly impressive full height. Surveying the hollow that served as ShadowClan's camp and their home, clearing her throat before calling out.

"All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, please gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock for a Clan meeting!"

Silverhawk
T3 Warrior | ShadowClan | he/him

Silverhawk lifted his head from the frog he'd been picking over, his attention being dragged toward the Jaggedrock. He blinked once at Leopardstar as she called the Clan together before getting to his paws. Silverhawk padded closer, taking a seat at the front of the crowd and lifting his head with silent expectation.

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"If we did what was easy, then there wouldn't be anything to live for."

Lilyvalley made her way to the jaggedrock. She was admittedly a little tired, having spent the daylight hours sitting vigil, but she still sat herself amongst the crowd. Besides, she had to admit she was curious what Leopardstar had to say.

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Pineblossom

Pineblossom walked alongside Fernpaw as he pestered her into camp and towards the jaggedrock. Fernpaw did very well during training today and she was quite proud of him for the job-well-done today. She murmured, “Yes dear,” and followed with him to where he led. She spotted Silverhawk and gave him a small blink of greeting before sitting with Fernpaw and looking up at Leopardstar on the Jaggedrock.

ShadowClan • Tier 5 • She/Her • 70 | 160 • #6699ff

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Orchidpaw almost didn't attend the meeting. She was so used to skipping these occasions as a kit. She scrambled towards the meeting in sudden realization - finding her way next to Crabpaw and sitting down. She shot her peer an awkward smile before wrapping her fluffy tail nervously around her paws.

She gazed up at Leopardstar. She was beautiful - her silhouette caught perfectly in a beam of moonlight. Her eyes sparkled as she stared up at her leader. I wonder what it feels like to be up there? She thought, her stomach suddenly turning as she imagined the height.

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Leopardstar surveyed the Clan, holding her head high at the greetings and rapt attention focused on her, lingering briefly on Nettlepaw--who was more concerned with the ground--before addressing the crowd.

"We gather this night to share news and make decisions as a Clan," she began, setting the expectations of the meeting swiftly. "This past moon has been eventful, to say the least. First and foremost: WindClan has claimed the Hidden Outcropping for themselves, land that has been ShadowClan as long as any ShadowClan cat can remember. We do not currently have the strength or numbers necessary to reclaim it, but if the Clan as a whole rules that we should, we will focus our efforts on doing so."

Her gaze swept over the crowd again, settling on Sablestrike for just a second before moving on. "Additionally, what I said at the Gathering still holds true: the WindClan leader and his deputy have shown poor etiquette and a lack of respect, but likewise I will not stand for needless aggression from any of you. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, leave it and report to a superior. After Sablestrike's encounter at the border, it was all I could do to prevent a war. Before you act, ask yourself: is your pride worth your life? Is it worth the life of your kits, or your parents, or your siblings, or your friends?"

This time it was her own kits her gaze settled on, and again she looked away quickly. Best to wrap up this section swiftly.

"As a Clan, we will decide tonight whether or not we wish to reclaim the Hidden Outcropping. Any cat who has earned their full name--be they warrior or medicine cat or elder or queen--may vote. Kits and apprentices may observe. I ask that those voting, whether for or against reclaiming the Outcropping, explain their viewpoints; and that all remain civil." She lifted her head. "If we vote to reclaim it, there will be a period of time beforehand; to strategize, to train, and to prepare for either loss or victory. I will give my own viewpoint last."

She gestured with her tail to the crowd.

"Those who are eligible to vote, you may now offer your opinions and commentary."

Voting will conclude at 8 PM EST on March 29th!

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Silverhawk
T3 Warrior | ShadowClan | he/him

A chattering voice briefly drew Silverhawk's gaze down from the Jaggedrock. He watched as Fernpaw and then Pineblossom came into camp, apparently off a successful hunt, and his eyes lingered on them until they were settled amidst the crowd. He returned Pineblossom's blink with a gentle nod before looking forward again. It wasn't long until Leopardstar called the meeting to order and explained the point of her summons: a review of the last moon.

Silverhawk's eyes narrowed at the news that WindClan stole territory on top of maiming their deputy, but he wasn't surprised. They were a Clan of rats, anyway, cowardly and only smart enough to steal. Silverhawk was sure he would act the same in Sablestrike's position, but still-- when he looked around the clearing in search of the dark-furred tom, there was no kindness in his eyes. Batswarm and Moondancer were annoyances at best, one of them a nemesis at worst; he hadn't cared when they lost their lives. He was just grateful it wasn't Pineblossom. But if war came for them now-- if Leopardstar was foolish enough to send apprentices to battle, or if WindClan pressed their advantage --the lives of his own siblings were now at risk.

Silverhawk's tail thumped the ground once. Rookfire was the first to offer his vote, and Silverhawk didn't bother hiding the way his eyes rolled. What a fool he was. The oldest cat in the Clan, and he still believed in the efforts of diplomacy? Even in Silverhawk's short life, that'd proven to be entirely futile. He scoffed to himself and, when Rookfire finished, cleared his throat.

"WindClan's numbers are larger than ours. They have nearly twice as many warriors as we do--anyone can see their Gathering party. They aren't withering anymore, not the way Shrikestar and Smallstar left them." His voice quickly rose over the crowd's gentle murmuring. He kept his eyes fixed squarely on Leopardstar, withholding the wanted glance toward Pineblossom in search of approval. "The Outcropping rightfully belongs to us, but a war now would be a disaster. With respect, I don't want to see a repeat of the last one." And he honestly didn't want to reawaken any soreness in Leopardstar, nor in her remaining children. But the point needed to be made.

Silverhawk let his tail swish out to the side and sat a little straighter. "WindClan have shown their unwillingness to negotiate. They've already taken the Outcropping without notice. I fear attempts at diplomacy would lead us nowhere. I can't imagine they would forfeit hunting rights if they don't have the honor to maintain borders, either." It was the gentlest way he could call Rookfire an age-addled, naive idiot. Whiskers twitching, Silverhawk went on, "But it is ours by right. Perhaps... we could take the border from them in the same way they stole it from us? It's underpawed, yes, but they're clearly alright with the behavior. Some here might say we shouldn't stoop to their levels, but allowing a whisker will invite a tree-length."

He rose gingerly to his paws before continuing. "It would be simple. We could let a few moons pass, both to give WindClan a false sense of security about the Outcropping and to allow our own numbers to grow stronger. Then we order patrols to start marking over the scent-line; where the border ought to be. WindClan has no foundation for a moral argument, seeing as they stole the territory in the first place. I would imagine Tigerstar is smart enough to let old wounds scab rather than clawing them open, but... If he chooses to fight for it, we'll have plenty of time to ready our claws before it comes to that."

A smile curled the corners of his maw. Silverhawk dipped his head to signal he was done and smoothly lowered onto his haunches again. He thought it all sounded rather brilliant-- far better than Rookfire's mutterance. Far better than anything anyone present would say except Pineblossom. Finally, Silverhawk took the time to look toward her, curious what her words would be--and quietly praying she agreed with his sentiments.

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