bridge over troubled waters [CLAN MEETING]

Newleaf and its warmth had come, sweeping over the Clan--melting frozen puddles, thawing icy temperatures, easing injuries and prickled pelts. It ought to have been a time of new hope and rebirth. Instead, it marked the ending of a bond that Perchstar had hoped to continue forward. Though some Clanmates might have found comfort or relief in the news, it felt like the chill of leaf-bare had shackled itself inescapably to her pelt. She did her best to keep her head upright and her bearing neutral as she made her way back into camp. Practice kept the exhaustion from her face. Honestly, what hurt the most was that she did not even feel as betrayed as she ought to have. Birdstar's claws in her back had been so awful that this severance paled in comparison. She'd known Mottlestar's paws were too big to fill; she should have expected that a coward wouldn't be willing to give any of their Clan's resources to someone who was viewed as the reason of all her sorrows. I tried, Mottlestar. Truly I did. Why couldn't you have stayed, and I have gone? This is a worse outcome for everyone involved.

What would her Clanmates think? Would they be disappointed in yet another of her diplomatic failures? Glad not to have to share Sunningrocks anymore or the promise of their claws? Indifferent at an alliance that may have only meant something to Perchstar herself? She grit her teeth to wish the thoughts far away. It did not matter, she told herself. All she was going to do was deliver the news. And then... there was the other revelation. The one that actually hurt. Sleepycloud's betrayal. Not just in choosing a mate outside her Clan, following in her father's repented pawsteps, but in completely abandoning her Clan. In not caring what happened to them. In not even informing them, when they had now been back for moons. The thought that Hawkshriek had died far away from home, not even knowing that his sister still drew breath, nearly made Perchstar's claws unsheathe--but she held them back. Her pain would not even be as bad as what she knew would prey upon Poppyshine when she told her. What if I just didn't tell her? What if I didn't say her grief was all for nothing, and that a cat she mourned and esteemed as her own kit didn't care enough for her to give even a word of her return? But no. As much as she wished she could, she couldn't take this pain upon herself. Poppyshine would know, one way or the other... and she deserved to have privacy and comfort when she was told. As did Murkyriver, who would have to be told of yet another passing she had missed in her change of Clans. Why did the sun shine today? It ought to have been just as frigid as the ice encasing her heart. And yet, newleaf remained. Hopefully her Clanmates would recover along with the growth, rather than withering as she. All these thoughts and more ran through the RiverClan leader's mind as she ascended, but she managed to clear her thoughts just briefly enough to sound as emotionless as ever when she called out the summons. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting."

Sprucebark was doing really well actually. He had a new mate in Scorch and they were really good for one another. She helped him keep posiitve in life. Helped balance out his otherwise very plan oriented nature. Helped him to remember it was okay to have good times.

The whole time they were forced away at the lakes he was actually in suprisingly good spirits because of this in what would have otherwise crushed him to be away from their lands.

It seemed that everything was going quite well, he had adopted a kit now too with shared responsibility in raising.

He went over to join this meeting looking up at his leader. She looked tired, the war was over now luckily though so hopefully that could make her feel better soon. He hadnt really talked with her as much as he would have liked to about it. Being tasked with the defense of the clan servign under his older brother Storm was important too when they were off at battle with poppy.

He wondered what this meeting was gonna be... were there any apprentices ready for warriorhood? He wasnt thinking so but he admitedly had not been keeping as close tabs on the apprentices progress as he usually had. Something that used to have him worried but now he was learning to be content in things.

He settled in waiting

Sprucebark gave a happy nod to his adoptive son. He had gotten hurt which had made all the queens very flustered.

In times past, back when sprucebark was a younger cat he too would have been very anxious over such news.

In more recent times however he was accepting that things happened sometimes. The important thing was that Elmpaw was alive and here now. Although, it did appear that at times his son was not fully aware of the situations he got himself into, a note he quietly made to himself and filed away neat and tidy in his thoughts as was usual for him.

"wonder what this is all about he thought aloud

Swandive basked in the sun's warmth near the edge of camp, stretched out with blue eyes half-closed in contentment. She was far from sleepy, but the feeling of the sun on her fur was so nice, she had sorely missed it. Good riddance to leafbare, at last.

Perchstar's call broke the quiet, and Swandive stretched before pulling herself to her paws, padding forward to sit among the gathering crowd under the willow branch. What was this meeting about? Perchstar's tone gave little away, as usual... She would find out soon, she knew.

Once a reasonable number of cats had gathered, Perchstar began her announcements. There were... several things to bring up. "You all know that RiverClan and ThunderClan have been allies for quite some time. When Mottlestar died--" it was difficult to remain emotionless with such a sentence, but she managed to do so-- "I believed that the alliance would still last. However, at the last Gathering, Acornstar asked me for a meeting to discuss terms. I have just returned from such a meeting with her at the border." Her torn ear flicked once. This was not pleasant news to deliver... but it was her job to do so. Where was Poppyshine? It would have been nice to discuss this with her first, but there was little either of them could do to change it. "A major part of the previous alliance was the agreement that both Clans would share resources with each other when necessary. Acornstar told me that she could no longer honor her end of the agreement. If RiverClan was not going to receive anything from the alliance, then I saw no point in giving resources of our own to those who are incapable of reciprocating. Therefore, from now on, Sunningrocks will no longer be shared territory." Her eyes scanned the crowd, making sure they all heard her. This was important for future interactions with their former ally. "ThunderClan cats are no longer allowed to hunt or even set paw on the rocks. That piece of territory has returned to its rightful owners. Acornstar has said she will let her Clanmates know... but just in case, be ready to challenge any trespassers. Do not show aggression or unkindness towards our former allies, however. If they do not trespass, then you may partake in friendly conversation. I wish to keep ThunderClan as a neutral presence and not another unnecessary enemy, when SkyClan already wishes for our demise."

She could not help but notice Elmpaw sitting with Sprucebark in the crowd. Now would be as good a time as any to make sure that all of her Clanmates were warned and aware of the dangers currently besetting their Clan. "Secondly, and no less important, there have been a recent influx of rogues and outsiders near our territory. Many have trespassed and attacked our Clanmates. Troutpaw's body was found covered in rogue scent by the Gorge. These outsiders are dangerous and are not to be trusted. We do not know where they are coming from or how many there are. But in the meantime, no RiverClan cats are allowed to leave camp alone. This applies to apprentices, warriors, queens and elders alike. Do not attempt to slip away from your patrol or to shirk the rules. This is for your own safety." She looked at each Clanmate in turn, meeting their gaze with ice-blue eyes. Hopefully they would understand. With that said, she nodded and leapt down from the Branch. "That is all. If you have questions, please speak to me later. In the meantime--Poppyshine, Murkyriver, come with me to my den. I would like to speak with you."

Her prowl forth into the crowd upon Perchstar's return had landed her somewhere in the midst between Larkspring and Dovetail. To any other cat, it would have likely been amusing that the closest company the molly seemed to take was in the form of toms instead of any she-cats that should have otherwise been chosen as her prime confidants. Such was a fact that mattered little to the molly herself. Larkspring was a consistent presence whose unyielding honesty made him a prime candidate for simple companionship, and Dovetail... he had simply proven himself to be the only feline she could truly see herself trusting with every part of her within the confines of Riverclan. If she had to liken her bond to the tom to another, it would have been with that of her brother--one she had not seen.

The announcements that followed were nothing short of expected. Having seen the way her mother's successor had conducted herself at the previous gathering, it only brought into question her former leader's ability to truly make decisions. Or had Mottlestar's passing simply rattled the new leader that deeply to her core? Regardless, it was conduct that she did not find convincing for a leader. It would be in Riverclan's best interest to sever their ties, even if it meant an overall loss of beneficial assets. At least she could once more hunt at Sunningrocks without having to worry about unpleasant conversation with former clanmates that held some semblance of pity towards her and her situation. It was for the better that she did not have to interact with them.

Her head snapped upwards at the direct summon, and in an instant, the ever-silent sentry once more prowled forth. Naturally, with any manner involving Thunderclan, it seemed she would not be unable to escape its clutches. Had she not severed herself of its brambles for good? It did not matter. Any test that would stand between her loyalty and Riverclan would be squandered to nothing more than a gnat that hovered above the waters she now called home. With silent duty, she followed behind the deputy that held an all-too familiar likeness to that of her now-dead kin. As soon as she had taken a single paw-step into the leader's den, she halted with refusal to go further, sitting and curling her tail around her paws as she sat with the rigidity of a new warrior holding perfect vigil. She was at her leader's command, and it would be at Perchstar's alone that she would bow.

There were no immediate outcries of unhappiness with the news of the alliance. Perchstar was glad not to have to convince others of her reasoning further, at the same time she felt a little bit more empty, wondering if her Clanmates had ever wanted the alliance at all. If it had been selfish of her to offer their claws for a leader they did not care about. Well, it was of no consequence, now. The matter was over and finished. But in the meantime... she had other news to deliver. Thankfully both Poppyshine and Murkyriver followed her without complaint. Once they made it into the den--though Murkyriver seemed hesitant about coming very far in, which she supposed made sense--Perchstar sat down and offered a nod to both of them. "Thank you. These missives are of a more sensitive nature, which is why I wished to speak to you in private."

First she looked to her deputy. Though her heart plummeted every time she saw the new scars that she had been unable to protect her from. But that was a problem for later; right now she would allow herself to perform her duties properly and without unnecessary emotion. This news, though, was something she felt very... strongly about. "Poppyshine... there is some news that Acornstar informed me of that I thought you would like to know. I did not feel that it had to be announced in front of the Clan; and even if it did, I would rather make you aware of it first." She took in a quiet breath. "Apparently, Sleepycloud still lives." It ought to have been a joyful occasion; the return of one thought lost or dead. But... the circumstances decreed it was not. "She was not taken by Twolegs like we suspected. Instead, she abandoned her Clan without even a word of goodbye for a romance with a ThunderClan cat. They have recently returned to ThunderClan and been accepted there, which I have only now been informed of." She understood why Mottlestar had not mentioned it to her, given how busy they had been, but... knowing that this entire time someone she used to care for had been living blissfully without a care for her family nearly made her tail lash. She restrained herself. "During this entire time she did not care enough to let those mourning for her know. It is painful news, but... since Hawkshriek is no longer with us... I believe you are the only cat left alive who would have considered her as family. I am sorry to be the deliverer of this information." Would Poppyshine be more happy or saddened by this news? Probably the former, knowing the unbreakable kindness of the deputy's heart. That was all right, if so. Perchstar could hold enough of a grudge for both of them.

She turned then to the other she-cat she had summoned. This news had no sweetness to temper its bitter; perhaps that was why she had saved it for last. "Murkyriver. I am afraid that my news for you must also be ill tidings, even moreso. Though it pains me to only have bad news for two cats that deserve far better." Poppyshine and Murkyriver were still by her side after all of this. She wished she could have given them happy news, or something they would enjoy, rather than... this. Ice-blue eyes studied the warrior's twin flames as she spoke. "Acornstar told me that your sister, Firefly, has passed away. On the same day as Mottlestar did, no less." It was irrelevant to mention that this had been Acornstar's excuse for her awful behavior; that had little to do with the news itself. "If you wish to visit her grave, you have been extended an offer. Acornstar is willing to let you cross the border with an escort in order to pay your final respects." For the next sentences, she lowered her voice to a slightly softer tone. She knew that Murkyriver was similar to her in the lack of outward emotion shown, but not the lack of inward emotion felt. "I would not view this as a breach of your vow. The agony of losing those close to you should be allowed and respected." Stars knew she knew well enough what it felt like. It would be hypocritical to ask Murkyriver not to care about the death of her own sister.

The passive sheen of disinterest hung heavily atop Jaypaw's youthful features, dark gaze rife with the self-oriented contention so closely intertwined with a young life lived with so little experience; a curious little mirror to the collected expression of Larkspring just a few tail-lengths away. ThunderClan, no longer their ally? Fine! The dark-furred tom, angular and apprehensive, twitched a little, who wanted a bunch of fish-bellies for allies, anyways? Alabaster, pristine teeth gleaming from the sudden flash of a idly disinterested sniffle, Jaypaw struggled to remain fixated on Perchstar with the proper dimensions of attention for the remainder of the concise meeting- perhaps it was a little cruel to have hoped for something a little more... exciting, rather than strict instructions to remain attentive and with a companion at all times.