cloverpaw directed their half-blind gaze to their clanmates as they spoke to them, and going on about how they needed to be quiet. strange, considering the amount of cats chatting away. cloverpaw gave them a low growl. Why the hell was blackpaw introducing himself when they were in the same clan?? the 13-moon old cat hasn't got a clue what was running through these idiot's heads. the only reason cloverpaw remained silent was because he didn't like to speak.
The young brown tabby apprentice was unaware of any tensions that may appear between the two clans. They were too focused on the fact that they finally get to meet the other clans! Hivepaw followed the rest of their clan mates before spreading out to find someone to talk to. Their green eyes landed on a grey tabby apprentice who looked as excited as themselves. They were young too, so they shouldn't be immediately better than them.
Hivepaw hopped over to the apprentice, resisting the urge to wrinkle their nose. Yuck.. What's that nasty smell? Did all Riverclan cat's smell like that or was this one just especially stinky. "Hi, I'm Hivepaw! I'm from Thunderclan!" The stripped tabby tilted their head. "You're Riverclan right? Do you know how to swim?"
Icepaw startled back slightly as he was suddenly approached by a tom that didn't see coming. Oh gross, why did he smell like he ran into like.. at least thirty trees. It reminded the tabby of Greyowl and the tree that the other had shown the apprentice, with all of its rotten and dying prey. Though really how could anyone forget that encounter. Over all the apprentice blinked at Hivepaw for a moment before getting an idea and feigning surprise as he smiled,
"Woah! Really? My name is Hivepaw too! I'm from Riverclan." Because there was no way that the apprentice could play pretend about his literal scent. And honestly wasn't that a downside to the other clans. How stinky they were. No ocean salt scent. Icepaw's facade broke quickly as he couldn't help but giggle to himself, raising a paw to cover his muzzle, "Sorry sorry, I'm just kidding, my name is Icepaw. And no- I can't swim, not yet! Do you guys really sleep in trees?" The young riverclan apprentice shot back, leaning forward with interest shining in his green eyes.
But then there was news with all the clans arriving. Though it seemed like a bunch of yelling- hey wait- what did Riverclan do to Thunderclan? They were getting upset over something as silly as dreams? The apprentice frowned, wow Bumblestar sounded really upset as she shouted at Owlstar. And then it seemed to get worse, with all the threats and then Owlstar responded and then there was more anger. This was almost frightening, but not to him of course, he was tough. It did make him wish that he had a cool bug to look at and study instead though.
"Are all gatherings this scary? What could be so wrong about some dreams? To say all those mean things about us?" While not directly at the Thunderclan apprentice beside the tabby, it wasn't not for Hivepaw at the same time as Icepaw really did want some answers about that. Though maybe he should've saved them for someone that he could actually trust. What if Hivepaw was as mean as Bumblestar seemed to be. He blinked, and almost tuned out Dawnstar's words as she started to speak next. "She's like twice your leader's size." Icepaw finished, an out loud observation.
Firelight walked through into the clearing. It looks like all of the other Clans are here. Good, then we can start. He made his way through the cats and sat down.
[OPEN]
Foxlily
ShadowClan Warrior
She-cat/She-Her
Foxlily walked in with the rest of her Clan. Ug. It's too crowded. She decided to stay in the less crowded back of the gathering.
[OPEN]
Sparkbreeze's mind was buzzing the whole way there. She was excited to be at the gathering and hear the leaders talk. She basically jumped around the place. She wanted to be closer so she walked quickly there.
Oof! She abruptly stopped. She ran into a cat. She opened her eyes and saw a tabby, his amber eyes looking at her. I'm so sorry! I did not mean to do that! She was so embarrassed. I'll just be on my way now.
Irisfrost padded into Seastones after her clan, fur fluffed up against the cold. Her pelt wasn't thin, but she still felt the freezing night air surround her, finding gaps between her fur to worm its way into. RiverClan was the first to arrive, she noted as she took a seat, curling her tail around her paws for warmth. Hopefully the other clans would arrive soon so the gathering didn't drag out too long.
ThunderClan arrived, then WindClan. Irisfrost listened idly as snatches of conversation drifted towards her, watching the moon climb higher in the sky while they waited for ShadowClan. She was starting to think they weren't coming when their scent hit her nose; she turned her head as the large group of cats melted into the crowd. Good, all the clans were there; the announcements could start.
ThunderClan was first. They had dealt with a plague these last moons, resulting in eleven deaths. It was a significant number, a sad one. Illness was not a good way to go. When Bumblestar asked for a moment of silence Irisfrost complied, bowing her head and hoping they had found peace in the stars.
She announced new apprentices and warriors, and then she turned on RiverClan. Apparently Cobwebstorm had been visiting the dreams of ThunderClan cats. Irisfrost's brow furrowed; she hadn't even known cats could do that. Was it a medicine cat ability? Or something StarClan bestowed upon certain cats? But those questions were soon pushed aside as Bumblestar started threatening her. Threatening RiverClan. Irisfrost's fur bristled as the leader talked about killing her clanmates, driving them out again, mauling them like they were nothing more than prey. If it wasn't a gathering, if StarClan didn't demand peace on this night, she would've been happy to fight, to show Bumblestar that RiverClan was not to be messed with. That they wouldn't take her threats lying down.
But it was a gathering, and no blood was shed. Owlstar took the leader's threats well, not getting angry, not responding with aggression. Irisfrost felt a flicker of respect for her; most cats wouldn't be able to keep a level head in her situations. RiverClan's past few leaders likely wouldn't.
Owlstar continued on to the announcements, all of which she had heard before. It would be interesting to see the other leaders' responses to the news that the Starcave had collapsed. Would they think that it was RiverClan's fault? An ill omen that proved they should be driven out permanently? As much as she hated that they might use the cave-in against her clan, that view might be close to the mark. As much as Owlstar said it wasn't a sign, Irisfrost wasn't so sure. The Starcave had been there for... StarClan knew how long. It was their ansestors communication channel with the living. The thought of it just collapsing due to an earthquake didn't sit right with her. Wouldn't StarClan be able to stop it from happening?
Dawnstar clearly had the same thoughts as her, saying that it was RiverClan's problem and that it was most likely a omen. It was frustrating, but her words rung true; the other clans likely wouldn't have a new leader for a long time, even if they had medicine cats that needed their names. RiverClan, on the other paw...
Irisfrost pushed her frustration down as the ShadowClan leader began her clan's announcements. Sometimes it felt like StarClan itself was against her clan, and she hated that feeling. All she could do was ignore it and hope it went away.
Well, the apprentice he was talking to vanished. Oh well. Burnedbark noticed Firebloom nearby, she was made a warrior the same time he was. He rose to his paws and padded over, casually sitting next to her while keeping his gaze on the high ranks. He couldn’t tear his eyes away for even a moment. “Feels weird.” He commented. “Hearing our warrior names.” He elaborated, realizing she may have no idea what he’s saying. He cast a quick glance her way, just to make sure she knew he was talking to her. But that was the most he took his eyes away from the high ranks for.
╔══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╗ Firebloom
Heavily scarred and half-blind she-cat with red fur, minimal white spotting and a single ocean blue eye.
She/Her | 13 Moons | + every 21st | ThunderClan Warrior | Insecure
Purrks:
Silver Tongue T1 [Permanently Active]
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
When ShadowClan finally arrived, Firebloom let out a breath of relief. She'd finally be able to talk to- uh.
Wait. What.
Was she seeing this right? Has her vision gotten worse? Silent|paw? With the other high ranks of the Clans? Hello? Anybody talk to her about this because WHAT THE HELL?!
The she-cat ended up staring wide eyed at Silentpaw, but as soon as Bumblestar started talking his eyes found hers. And instinctively, she tore her gaze away from him. She planned to stay completely still and silent for the rest of the Gathering, and when Dawnstar began talking, she spared Silent|paw one final glance at the mention of his new promotion as a Medicine Cat Apprentice. Okay, now it seemed she had to take that in. How wonderful. She almost didn't hear the voice of another cat beside her, and was almost startled when she turned to see Burnedbark beside her.
"U-uhm. Y-yeah. Doesn't it?" She stammered, attempting to keep an overall pleasant expression. She glanced away from Burnedbark and at Silent|paw for a brief moment, and it travelled to Sleepysunrise, the newest medicine cat, then to Dawnstar, Owlstar, and Bumblestar. She didn't know what to think of this new information and it was killing her. With a stiff expression, Firebloom turned back to Burnedbark, forcing herself to not look away.
Please feel free to bump me on any ongoing RPs, no matter how long it's been. I have ADHD and it gets really hard for me to keep track of all my RPs ^^
Additionally, I do not share the same beliefs as my characters! Please do not take their words personally <3
• • •
༻ Silentpaw is ShadowClan's Medicine Cat Apprentice! Do mention me whenever he is needed ^^ ༺ ShadowClan Healing | Medicine Den Character Bios | Training Tracker | Silentpaw's Tracker | Art Shop | Waitlist | RP Finder
"You, too. Was worried someone ate you or something." She stops her craning, eventually satisfied that no immediate threat is going to jump out at the both of them. More than anything, Salamanderpaw wants to urge her littermate to his feet and coax him back home, beg a Lionheart to take them, just get them both out of here, but that would look weak. That would look like running. So she leaves Seapaw be and just slouches beside them, plume tail twitching erratically.
"Everyone's gonna start being mad at us again. 'Cause we keep...hhhffff." Salamanderpaw won't do it. She will not blame Riverclan for this. Cobwebstorm must have had a very good reason. Greyowl and Morningpaw, too. Riverclan's cats are good cats and she refuses to believe anything else. Salamanderpaw just doesn't understand why their reasons had to be for doing things that would jeopardize them all like this. Don't her clanmates think about the position they're all in? The one they've been in since returning from the mountains? Doesn't all that fear and all that anger, the understanding that the ice they sit on is still whisker-thin, twitch to life in their minds when they wake and settle heavy in their chest when they go to sleep? She'd forgotten it once since coming back. One time. Then a clanmate had to pay the price for her to remember. None of us act alone. We are all the paws and eyes and teeth of the same animal, and when we keep striking out the way we are, no wonder they see us as a monster.
So maybe it doesn't even matter if the reasons were good; hadn't her reason, back at Smallpines, felt like a good one? A reason is intangible. Consequences are real. And you don't get to suffer those alone when you live like us.
"Windclan, 'cause Greyowl and Morningpaw. Thunderclan, 'cause Cobwebstorm." And maybe it's not just that—surely the weight of so much recent loss was bothering Bumblestar and that just made everything worse for everyone—but that's evidently all it takes right now to put them at odds, so that's all that should matter to Riverclan. The consequence, not the reason. "Shadowclan probably couldn't care less but at this rate I'm sure they'd jump at the chance to stretch their legs if Windclan and Thunderclan invited them on another raid. We should just close all our borders. Make it so that nobody leaves camp alone, if that's what it takes." It doesn't fix the real problem...but Salamanderpaw doesn't know what that problem even is. Why this stuff just happens to them. And anyway, that solution wouldn't have helped for either of the things they're under scrutiny for now. Greyowl and Morningpaw worked together. Cobwebstorm technically never left camp. How even does it work, visiting a dream? Do all medicine cats know how to do that? Urgh, her head hurts...but if Salamanderpaw knows anything at all, it's that she isn't a smart cat. She has to believe that a smart cat will know what to do about all of this.
"I don't know if I ever wanna go to another Gathering after this. I said some really bad stuff to a Thunderclan apprentice. Worse than what I said to Slugpaw that one time." She admits quietly, staring forward while she tilts her head and presses the top against Seapaw's shoulder. "But I'll keep coming if you do. If you want to, I mean." If the truce broke one day and Seapaw was here and she wasn't, Salamanderpaw would never forgive herself. She leans away now, no longer nudging them. "Did you look for rocks with the others? I found some cool ones but I gave them to Redsurge...but there's still some cool ones out there."
Thunderclan's declining the invitation to reestablish their connection to Starclan. She's in begrudging agreement...but she understands why it might be a good move for Owlstar to try and dig a tunnel to the stars again. They should try ingratiating themselves to somebody. Maybe then Owlstar would get another life or two for a job well done.
"'N do you think they'd let us help pry Starclan out of some old rocks? I bet the pebbles over there are crazy."
Worried someone ate him?! Well, it almost felt like that'd happened, so maybe it wasn't so far from the truth. But they figured it'd be a lot scarier if cats were actually trying to eat them - erugh. It reminded him of that kit-tale of ShadowClan eating kits... Well, he'd never seen it disproven, but... They had to nip their imagination in the bud - quick. They were already scared, not was not the time to start thinking about silly scary stories. He glanced around, trying to tell if ShadowClan was near, but they honestly couldn't tell. It took them a second to clue into what Salamanderpaw was saying, her voice pulling him out of his daydream - well - nightmare.
It definitely looked like the clans were getting mad at them. Maybe it was his spiral into scary stories, but Slamanderpaw's idea about ShadowClan made sense. They didn't know much about ShadowClan at all, but that only made them scarier. Closing the borders would be easier. So much easier. Then they'd never have to risk fighting. They could just leave the other clans alone, and none of this stuff would happen. It actually sounded like a good plan - why didn't Owlstar do that? They knew it would be over the top. They knew Owlstar couldn't really do that, but if only.
Salamanderpaw didn't want to go to anymore gatherings. Her didn't want to either. But something kept him coming back. Maybe, he thought, if he saw the other clans enough, everything would make more sense? Why they're always fighting? Why RiverClan's always in trouble? They supposed they were getting their answers. Not the ones they wanted, though.
It was all because RiverClan kept being bad. It had to be. They keep doing bad things. Stromstar did something to someone, they still didn't know what. Fadingstar was bad enough to be chased away. Now Cobwebstorm was doing something strange. Was it something bad? He didn't know. And then what about the cats before them?? No one had ever told him. He hoped someone would appear and tell him, but that never happened. The 'paw blinked, remembering where he was, trying not to let his thoughts consume him again. Salamanderpaw as mean to another ThunderClan cat. But he hadn't met this cat. Slugpaw was very nice, but that didn't mean he trusted all of ThunderClan. "Did they deserve it?" He tilted his head as he asked, hoping for a yes, or even a maybe. Salamnderpaw wasn't bad. Maybe she was mean to Slugpaw that one time, but so was he. A little meanness wasn't the same as the stuff all those other cats did. Even if she said no, he'd find a way to excuse it.
"Maybe we don't need to come here again." He shook his head. Nothing good was coming out of it. Plus they didn't even get to look for rocks! "No... I got uh..." They paused to think, wondering if there was a way to phrase this without showing quite how silly they'd been, "I got a little swamped in the crowd." He let out a sigh.
Hmm, the Starcave... He never thought he'd even get the chance to visit it, but maybe with all this going on her could see it! "Mhhm, I bet the pebbles there are way better," they smiled cheering up a bit. "and I bet there're some nice ones in camp, if we can't go."
[sorry if this is all over the place, super tired !! :') ]
Of course, he took everything she said literally. Twilightstar watched her deputy make a fool of the ShadowClan leader, only for said she-cat to arrive after. Late and uncaring as ever. She swore it was going to be him or Lightningstorm who ended up giving her a heart attack. Perhaps it was due to having been one of Dawnstar's personal projects, and thus residual fear buried deep within, but she didn't understand how the medicine cat and deputy could so casually tease and mock the opposing leader.
Out of all the deaths she's dealt with, the ones at Dawnstar's claws were among the most traumatic. As amusing as it was to watch Crowtooth carelessly mock her, she hoped he remembered how unhinged and dangerous the monster in cat's fur truly was. Twilightstar glanced at Dawnstar and fought off the urge to hiss at the giant leader when she looked at Coldpaw. It seemed she was just curious so Twilightstar let the tension drain from her body slowly.
Bumblestar started the announcement with dreadful news about deaths and plague. She had lost quite a lot. You could practically hear the pain in her voice as she mentioned Wolfhive. Twilightstar felt for her for such loss was never easy to deal with, not even time helped. She fell silent at the request and pinned her ears back as the ThunderClan leader launched into a small rant about RiverClan once again causing trouble.
Twilightstar cast Owlstar a puzzled look after hearing about Cobwebstorm's... trespassing into dreams. Twilightstar hadn't been aware that a medicine cat could walk into whoever dreams, she always thought that was a starclan gift. But it wasn't surprising after everything she's seen in her long life. She hoped the RiverClan leader properly punished the she-cat. Her brief meeting with the cat at the border hadn't left the greatest impression, but she wasn't sure demotion was the way to go about with RiverClan still without a deputy.
And the Starcave? It had collapsed. Twilightstar didn't care much about the collapse or the cause of it, even if it was a bit fishy how it fell after RiverClan's visit, but she did need that fixed. StarClan could rot for all she cares, outside of Blazingstar, Fallownose, and Larkthroat, those were the only few starclan residents who at least attempted to do anything for WindClan since Twilightstar became leader. Buuuuut, Crowtooth would be needing his lives, hopefully not super soon, but soon enough.
Twilightstar wasn't certain how long she'd be making her final life last, but she couldn't leave that alone. Crowtooth would get himself assassinated after one gathering with Dawnstar. She bet Lightningstorm would somehow manage to mock him even in death and Crowtooth would spend all his time haunting the medicine cat until she joined them in Starclan and Twilightstar would have never know peace ever again. It'd probably be worse once they found Bravebird and Fallownose up there. Errr... she would have to work extra hard to make this life last as long as possible.
Dawnstar made sure to comment on her thoughts about the Starcave and RiverClan. Even though Twilightstar knew she was only stirring the pot, Dawnstar's words rang true. RiverClan would be drowning again if they didn't get their act together fast. Bumblestar sounded like she was one paw step away from declaring war on them again. Twilightstar couldn't even feel bad for RiverClan.
After the ShadowClan leader finished with her announcements, she fixed the amber-eyed cat with a cool stare at the comment about the Starcave. Hmm, was she that predictable?
"While I understand why you don't care to fix the Starcave, I don't believe StarClan's been doing dung for any of the clans. However, I think it's a good idea to look into it. At least for the medicine cats' sake. I plan on visiting the StarCave before I return to camp after the gathering to see what we're dealing with and will be having WindClan aid in clearing up the collapse if possible." Twilightstar meowed to both Bumblestar and Dawnstar. "I'd like to invite one of your medicine cats to tag along, only if they wish." Twilightstar looked at Wolfhawk and Sleepysunrise, uncertain of either of their thoughts regarding the collapse.
"If you and your medicine cat want to come along, Owlstar, feel free to. You can bring what you've gathered and I'll take it home on my way back to my camp after visiting the Starcave." Twilightstar offered while rising out of her crouch. She felt some of her bones crack and pop as she sat up straight. She wanted to take Crowtooth but thought better of it. She'll take him for a visit later, she didn't want to take any chance with the other clans catching WindClan's secret.
"We have three new warriors, Hollyhawk, Birchfawn, and Fallensky. And several new apprentices, Strawberrypaw, Songpaw, Jaggedpaw, Gnawingpaw, Hawkpaw, Seedpaw, Jasminepaw, Skypaw, Buzzardpaw, Crowpaw, Egretpaw, Gracklepaw, Magnoliapaw, Cinderpaw, Coldpaw, Frostpaw, and Flickeringpaw have all begun their warrior training." Twilightstar started WindClan's announcements.
"We've lost some good clanmates to StarClan. Silverrose fell in battle while defending our territory from rogues and Owlpaw was found deceased in our territory, we believe she might have eaten something bad. One of our queens, Braveburst, died while kitting, she left behind Robinkit who's being cared for within our nursery. As you heard one of my warriors, Rodenteye, was brutally murdered by some RiverClanners, since Owlstar was swift to dole out appropriate punishments and promised compensation, there will be no retaliation from WindClan. However, we will be keeping a close eye on RiverClan's border from here on out. I will not be so merciful should RiverClan step out of line again." Twilightstar thoughtfully pauses there and shifts to lean a little heavier on Coldpaw.
"Sunheart, a former WindClan warrior, was exiled for threatening an apprentice. For whatever reason he decided to start a rebellion against me and roped a few apprentices and warriors into it. We discovered it rather quickly and ended it just as fast. Sunheart was executed and the remaining members were exiled. Tigerfur - a white and ginger tabby with dull green eyes, Ottercold - a sleek brown tom with blue eyes, Skycloud - a white tom with gray spots and green eyes, Rootpaw - brown tabby tom with green eyes and a bobtail, Mistypaw - a white she-cat with blue eyes, and Ferretpaw - a cream point she-cat with green eyes. I would advise giving any of them any chances within your clans. They were all easily manipulated by foolish slanders and lies. They have no sense of loyalty and can not be trusted. Bunnybounce - a white she-cat with long ears and blue eyes was exiled after she took an outsider mate and abandoned WindClan." She informed the other clan leaders with a soft growl. She never wanted to see any of them again.
"We've had some troubles with some buzzards after one of our kits escaped, Stumblekit, he was rescued but at the price of some serious injuries to our warriors, and he's since been punished." She hoped this was the last time she had to report about something like this.
"Finally, WindClan's has had some unusual twoleg activity on our territory. We're not sure what they're doing there, but we're hoping to be rid of them sooner rather than later. We're working on plans to remove them if they don't remove themselves. But I would mind your borders in case they decide to wander in your territories." Twilightstar finished her announcements and looked over to Crowtooth.
"Can you lead them back to camp and mind everyone until I return? If you and Lightningstorm are going to insult each other the whole way home and throw snow, Lightningstorm can come with me to visit the cave and you can take your son with you." It's siblings, that's what the two reminded her of. Twilightstar wasn't sure why it took that long to dawn on her.
@dino. @Undertaker @Marigoldwhisper @Alchemist Kitsune @Rani @Estelle @Beaan
#gathering
Re: January Gathering
