Closed Thread [Closed] GATHERING (14FG20)

She was anxious. Of course, it was nice to be first, but that also meant that all eyes would be on them when other clans began to arrive. But, that wasn't all bad, was it? Afterall, ShadowClan was strong and it was a true honor to represent the clan during the gathering; and who knows, maybe she'd meet some new and interesting cats! 

Like that one tomcat...

Clovershine shook her pale head, causing her ears to flick quickly. Best not to think of such silly things! Sure the fiery cat from WindClan was charming but nothing more. Clovershine swiped her tongue over her chest fur to settle her thoughts and decided that there was enough time for a quick bath before others began to arrive. Bringing her pink tongue across her paw, Clovershine gave her ears a quick once over before turning her attention to Hollyclaw's words. 

"Perhaps the cold is still settled in their bones" she purred jokingly.

"But I do agree, Hollyclaw, it will be incredibly interesting to see what we learn tonight!"

Out with the old - In with the bold

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The old gray tom led the way across the final approach to Fourtrees at a steady trot. He might be old, but he had StarClan's blessings and wasn't infirm yet. He slowed as they approached the gathering spot, entering at a more sedate, polite, pace. It wouldn't due to look like they were staging an attack instead of trying to make up time for the late start they'd gotten.

Though as he looked around Fourtrees he felt relief. They hadn't held things up. Others were running even later than them. Boldstar greeted Palestar with a flick of his ear and a nod. "Good evening, Palestar. It seems ShadowClan had to delays on the journey?"

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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Anxiety clouded her thrill as they conversed on Fourtrees. Soon there would be a sea of faces watching them as they entered, and she did everything in her power to try and soothe her nerves mid trot. She inhaled a deep sigh as Boldstar slowed, and as they broke through the trees she saw only Shadowclan. Cottonbright exhaled, teetering on her toes in thought - hanging back, perhaps a bit shy. She was content to simply watch, and peeked briefly at the Shadowclan she-cats assembled. Of course she recognized Palestar - but when her eyes glanced over, the leader's eyes were like shiny stones and just as hard.

Intimidated, she hastily turned towards the others, sweeping passed the medicine cat to the warriors, tip-toeing closer towards the pair once she managed to steel herself enough. "H-Hello." She managed in a timid mew.

She had been padding along close beside Cottonbright when the RiverClan Medicine Cat noticed the white warrior hesitate. Willowfrost knew that such gatherings could be quite overwhelming and it was her hope that any sort of solace may help soothe Cottonbright's anxieties. 

Without attempting to call much attention to the motion, Willowfrost lightly brushed Cottonbright with her tail. "Don't worry, sweet paws. StarClan is with us tonight." she whispered softly through a purr and nodded in appreciation as Cottonbright steeled herself before moving forward to interact with the other forms already gathered in the clearing. 

Raising her maw, Willowfrost tried to detect the scent of her fellow Medicine Cats, yet she couldn't detect anything quite yet. With a light shrug, Willowfrost made her way towards the center of the clearing to have a seat. 

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Willowfrost is right, you know. Starclan is with us tonight. It was a comforting mantra that played on repeat in her head, the medicine cat's slow encouragement warming the white she-cat up towards confronting Shadowclan. This she-cat in particular seemed a bit cold, a single word just as cutting as a slight breeze. Cottonbright tried hard not to flinch - with mixed results, but managed a nod.

"How was your trip to Fourtrees? M-must be interesting going underneath the Thunderpath." Settling lightly, ever so lightly, onto her large snowy haunches, the Riverclan warrior stole a glance over her shoulder, where she spied Willowfrost, and gave her a tiny smile before returning her gaze towards Hollyclaw.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

"Just imaging trying to dodge a monsters getting to Fourtress!" Cottonbright purred, or rather tittered. She... didn't think what she said was funny at all... Maybe she should just find a cozy place to settle in and not bother these Shadowclan cats at all. Surely Willowfrost would welcome her at her side, but she needed to at least respond to Hollyclaw's question. "Easy enough - Guess Shadowclan doesn't mind a little bit of rain."

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

It was a bit difficult to remain engaged with the shadowclan cat, especially since she scented the telltale sign of another clan approaching fourtrees. Windclan entered the clearing led by badgerstar, and cottonbright chuckled nervously as hollyclaw mused about thunderclan. "And still not here yet!" She added softly, wondering what was taking them. Maybe it really was the drizzle. 

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Right... what was acceptable topics to talk about. Cloudflare was half paying attention to Badgerstars words, and while he was certain about his own appearance, he wondered if a certain someone would also be here at Fourtrees upon their arrival.

When they breached the clearing he rolled his shoulders with a playful look at the younger warrior sisters. "I think I'll try my luck mingling in the crowd." He mewed softly, before his copper eyes regarded those that had gathered so far. Just missing Thunderclan, thus far. Good that meant that they weren't last.

He padded forward tail held high as he searched idly for one cat in particular. Yet he attempted to be subtle, casting his gaze this way and that, as if deciding who would be the best to approach. Cloudflare spotted a familiar she-cat.

Clovershine.

He sat down on his haunches a few fox lengths away, respectful as the swirls of his classic coat were muted on the night.

"Is this spot taken?" 

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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There was nothing but formalities in her voice as she firstly addressed the large riverclan leader. "The journey to fourtrees was fine. We do try to be punctual." Did Windclan and Thunderclan think the gathering was a joke? Where were they?

Palestar didn't have to be kept waiting long before she saw the black coat of Badgerstar step into the clearing. Well, that was one clan down. Her ear gave the tiniest flicker of irritation, but she settled herself when Badgerstar approached.

"Evening, Badgerstar. We were beginning to wonder. I'm glad you had no trouble on your way here... " before stiffly nodding at his mention of a peaceful gathering. She wouldn't have it any other way., and it was insulting he'd insinuate otherwise.

Out with the old - In with the bold

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"Hello Badgerstar." He greeted the young tom with a flick of his ear and a quiet swish of his tail. It was late and he wasn't going to be overly soft on the matter, though he also wasn't going to bother with aggression about it. They all had better things to do than argue. Which was highlighted by Badgerstar nattering about a peaceful gathering. "The code demands peace, and so there will be peace." Boldstar responded curtly. Young toms should know better than to imply that there would be problems before there was even a sniff of an issue. The young scratch was just trying to sound what he thought a leader sounded like. Boldstar was too old for putting on airs like that.

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.

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Rowanglade made her way through the crowd slowly, just cocking an ear here and there in greeting as she passed cats. She was old enough that she'd seen most of these young warriors when they first cut their teeth at upholding the gathering peace. Most of the names had slipped her mind, though.

Instead she made her way over to where the other Medicine Cats were starting to gather. They'd all been together only a quarter moon ago, but it was always nice to chat with other medicine cats. She settled with the others, just giving a nod of greeting to avoid interrupting Tigerrush's question to Willowfrost.

Familiar scents washed over Willowfrost like a soft ray of sunshine and a purr escaped from her chest in a happy rhythm. Finally, the other Medicine Cats had arrived!

"Hello, Tigerrush, dear!" She cooed "It's just wonderful to see you. RiverClan is doing quite well and  StarClan has blessed us with precious kits that are just too excited to grow up." 

The last sentence caused her to chuckle and she couldn't help but imagine what those little fluffs could be up to right now. Willowfrost paused for a moment to nod a welcome to Rowanglade- and gave her a gentle smile to acknowledge her presence- before the grey she-cat continued speaking. 

"How is ThunderClan fairing this moon?"

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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With the slight bounce of his awkward gait, Bravesong trailed behind Goldenstar, beside Mistyleaf as the two cats made their way into the glade. The miniscule, biitter part of him wondered if they were last to Fourtrees due to him, but passed his concern under the water when he heard the familiar voice of Mistyleaf.

"Nothing like the light of the full moon." He agreed. True, the moonlight wasn't as warm as the sun, but it was just as comforting. Once he came to an agreeable distance, he sat down on his haunches, more keen to allow himself to be approached than to do any more moving. His paw needed a rest. Bending down, his maw swiped at his good paw before it swiped over an ear. When his one eye lifted, he saw bodies moving closer to them.

Dawnflurry approached with an amiable greeting, and Bravesong gave a throaty purr. "Dawnflurry. You as well. How have you been?" He asked the Shadowclan deputy, and was quickly added by a second scent. Wasn't that... "Good evening... You're Shadesleek, right? How has warrior life taken to you?" He remembered the joy he felt when he became a warrior.

Clovershine had been staring up at the sky and letting the sound of all the other cats mingling wash over her. 

Ahhh...

A  large sigh rippled through her chest as a smile peeked out under her pale cheeks. She just LOVED gatherings. It was always so fun to get together and see what the other clans had been up to; not to mention the very important task she had tasked herself with. The sly job of gathering as many juicy details as she could! In fact, she'd been sitting here entirely too long!

It was time to get to work...

At that very moment, however, a familiar voice caught her attention just a few tail lengths away. And her entire body froze. Except for her heart, which started beating just a little bit faster. The feeling caused her to flinch slightly and with a quick turn of her head, she saw the tomcat who'd spoken. 

Cloudflare

"Oh! Hello there."  Embarrassed by her reaction, Clovershine gave a  couple of quick licks to the fur on her chest and subtly turned blue eyes towards Palestar's location, hoping that her sister hadn't seen. It wasn't normal for Clovershine to act frazzled around other cats so there's no doubt the ShadowClan leader would have far too many questions.  

Turning her attention back to the WindClan warrior, Clovershine did her best to recover, giving him a quick smile before nodding her head at the space he was seated.  "You're welcome to sit here! I  always enjoy company after all. Let's see...it's Cloudflare, is that right?"

The twinkle in her eyes gave away the fact that his name was, indeed, not something she had easily forgotten.  

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Her reaction to his presence acted like a chain reaction in his chest. His body might have been calm, a casual visage that the tomcat had a natural inclination towards.

He could feel his heart flutter underneath his fur, beating louder when she turned towards him, but not before she glanced towards the area where Palestar stood with the leaders, whose back was facing them, the irritated flick of her tail reserved for the leaders who had gathered.

Thunderclan had arrived, and he kept his ears perked towards the various conversations that unfolded naturally around him.

He merely had to remain as nonchalant and carefree as he possibly could be, and yet it was easier said than done. Exhaling softly, he smiled, enhancing his casual airs in his voice as the length of his tail curled around the whites of his paws.

"Oh! Hey - I didn't mean to startle you."

She just seemed... alone.

Withdrawn somehow compared to the others that have already started to pair and group off into little tangents before the actual announcements. He made sure to acknowledge those who passed, giving a cursory nod towards the Shadowclan deputy.

"Cloudflare?"

He feinted lightly, wanting to give an impression of initial confusion, yet his eyes were playful. "No, you're right. It's Cloudflare."

The warmth behind his gaze was overlaid with performed ignorance as he continued. There was a hesitation in his response, as if trying to fish for her name in return.

"Clover...streak?...Shine!"

He shook his head, admonishing himself. "Sorry about that. Hope the drizzle is finding you well. How's Shadowclan faring this moon?"

He recalled his scarred black furred leader. Just a banter of idle, appropriate conversation...