All cat attendees
Usual Gathering, discussing the murders
Fourtrees
14
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
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
The night air was crisp, still heavy with a damp chill. Palestar led the procession of ShadowClan cats through the underpass, the scent of wet stone and earth filling her nose as the echoes of their pawsteps bounced off the tunnel walls. The cold clung to her pelt, but she barely noticed it. Her thoughts were fixed ahead - on Fourtrees... on the leaders who would be waiting and on the truth she had no choice but to bring to light.
Whisperingwind’s murder could not be ignored.
She kept her expression composed as she glanced back at her warriors. ShadowClan had been shaken and tonight she would ensure that the other Clans were aware of the incident and protect their own borders. As the trees loomed closer, their bare branches stark against the full moon’s glow, Palestar took a steadying breath. The Gathering had begun. And before the night was through, all of the forest would know that blood had been spilled.
[OOC: From ShadowClan: Dawnflurry, Flutterdream, Clovershine, Hollyclaw, and Duskpaw]
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
Rimekit, ♀ Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
The best are often found in midst of thunderous chaos.
‹‹‹‹ ★ ››››
The lingering cold was.. concerning, to the younger leader. He disliked the idea of Leafbare fighting to hold its grasp on the forest. Leafbare was hard enough- they had been lucky to not suffer casualties to sickness this year..
Just that thought, "casualties" made him want to pause and dig his claws into the soil.
Nonetheless, he made his way to fourtrees with his clanmates in tow. There were many of them today, and for good reason. Despite the lasting peace between clans, a rogue had dared to create chaos of their own.. killing one of his Senior Warriors, Cottonlily, in the process. If such a cat could manage to kill her, one of the most skilled cats in the clan.. then there was no doubt every cat was at danger of this clanless fiend.
Thus, as he walked into the moon-bathed clearing- which he crossed without thought- he offered Palestar a thoughtful nod, while considering her. Every warrior knew well not to betray secrets to the other clans- whether through word or expression. However, it wasn't hard for a strong emotion, such as grief or anger, to still seep its way through even the most stone-hard cat. He was curious if this rogue had only troubled ThunderClan and RiverClan's border, or if it was more far-reaching than that..
Perhaps those rogues had returned.. If so, this problem would be highly unlikely to be more than simply a problem for ThunderClan- bigger than simply keeping patrols large and full of skilled fighters..
Just the thought made Moosestar's blood cool..
[OOC: Attendees from ThunderClan: Wrentalon, Mistyleaf, Leopardrose, Stormfall, and Spidertongue.]
Tiptoe through the murk and mire
✧ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ♖ ⭒ ♦ ⭒ ✧
Duskpaw moved with the rest of ShadowClan, his ears pricked, blue eyes sharp as they passed through the underpass.
Whisperingwind was dead. Murdered.
The word stuck in his head like a thorn, a cold, gnawing thing. As Fourtrees came into view, bathed in the eerie glow of the full moon, Duskpaw's claws flexed against the ground. His gaze flickered to Palestar. She was steady, unreadable, but he knew the truth she carried would shake the Gathering to its roots. He could already imagine the looks on the other Clans’ faces - shock, suspicion, maybe even fear.
Good. Let them be afraid.
His tail lashed once before he forced it still. ShadowClan wouldn't cower. He wouldn’t cower. Keeping his head high, he followed his leader into the clearing, the weight of the coming storm settling deep in his bones.
Spawn of flame, Thunder-struck, from the ashes I rise
──●◎●──
Leopardrose moved with quiet purpose among her Clanmates, her sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered warriors beneath the moon's silver glow. The damp chill of the night clung to her pelt, but it was nothing compared to the unease settling in her chest.
Cottonlily was dead.
The news had struck ThunderClan hard, rippling through their ranks like a stone breaking the surface of a still pond. Cottonlily hadn’t been some reckless apprentice or an aging elder. She had been one of their best, a warrior as skilled as she was steadfast. And yet, she had been slain. Not in battle, not by some rival Clan, but by an outsider. A rogue.
Her eyes flickered toward the leaders as they arrived, catching their wary glances of acknowledgement. Without a word her rosetted pelt moved among her clan, before breaking free and padding confidently towards RiverClan's side of the clearing, casually scenting for their arrival. Perhaps Boldstar or his cold-eyed deputy would reveal any such insecurities before announcements were shared. She liked to speculate, at least.
This wouldn't be an ordinary Gathering. Blood had been spilled in the forest.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
Rimekit, ♀ Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Tonight Flutterdream stuck close by her leaders side, a small, quiet stint of support. ShadowClan had lost someone, and the clan was still in grieving. Whisperingwind's death shocked harder than even the coldest winds could, and there was nothing Flutterdream could have done to prevent it. StarClan had been silent, both before and after the young she-cats death. ShadowClan's medicine cat hadn't expected anything, but it's not like it would be unwelcome either.
Part of Flutterdream told herself that this wasn't the last. Some other clan would have similar news of a grisly murder, and she would not be surprised. With ShadowClan being the first to arrive, Flutterdream sat herself down by Duskpaw. 'Relax, young one.' She said plainly, though there was a hint of softness in her tone. She couldn't tell exactly what Duskpaw was thinking, but he was riled up, and the gathering would only ignite such feelings more. He needed to calm himself before proceeding, so he could represent ShadowClan as a clan not weakened by such unfortunate events.
I play...
From WindClan
Aspenberry (F) an affectionate deputy
Rooknose (M) an awkward elder
From ShadowClan
Dazzlepaw (M) an energetic apprentice
Flutterdream (F) a friendly medicine cat
Muddykit (F) a troublesome kit
Pebbleshine (F) an insecure elder
Specklenose (NB) a graceless warrior
From ThunderClan
Cherrytree (F) a loving elder
Coyotepaw (F) an anxious apprentice
Larchsong (F) a chatty warrior
From RiverClan
Bloomfire (F) a snarky warrior
Ebonyflare (M) a candid elder
From beyond the clans
Aurelius (M) a self-concerned feral
Potato (M) a laid-back semi-feral
Sarafina (F) a skittish housecat
Wrentalon stood in the Fourtrees clearing, his claws working the dirt with impatience as he watched the leaders. Now wasn't a time where he felt like socializing--he wanted answers. Some sort of plan to make things right. Or at least another chance to voice his anger. Maybe now someone else would finally take the threat of nearby rogues seriously.
Stormfall sat himself down in the gathering crowd, not paying much attention to anyone in particular. His shoulder was aching a bit from the long walk, and it felt good to rest. Briefly, the thought came to him that he probably didn't have many more gatherings in him before he retired to the elders' den. Odd to think about.
((Attending from RiverClan: Boldstar, Coldgaze, Nettleplume, Thornstrike, Clamsneeze, Ambersmudge))
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Gathering nights were feeling later and later each Moon. Boldstar knew he would have to make the inevitable change in his life soon.
Boldstar shook the thought off with a flick of his ear. They were not far now, poised on RiverClan territory at Tresspass point. His tail raised as he boldly led the way over the rockpath and into Fourtrees. He opted to settle himself close to the Greatrock. He’d not brought apprentices with purpose, but based on the site of an apprentice from ShadowClan prehaps the incident on RiverClan territory was isolated.
Maybe, for once, a problem would prove to be far less then it might be.
```
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Nettleplume moved in stride with his clanmates, his pale blue eyes narrowed against the lingering chill in the air. The night was crisp, but the undercurrent of tension was sharper still. He could feel it, a quiet hum beneath his pelt, in the rigid shoulders of warriors around him, in the way Boldstar led them forward.
This Gathering would not be a peaceful one. Alderfly's murder was a tragedy, but if that was the only blood spilled, Nettleplume would have been surprised. Rogues did not strike once and vanish into the night - they lingered like disease, spreading, festering... growing bolder. He had little doubt that more news would come before the night was over.
As they crossed into Fourtrees, his gaze flicked toward the already gathered cats. Palestar stood composed, but there was a weight behind her expression that told him she had not come here to exchange pleasantries. His whiskers twitched as he spotted the rigid stance of a ShadowClan apprentice, who was near their medicine cat.
He decided that's where he'd go. If StarClan had granted any wisdom, he had yet to hear it...and he doubted he was the only one left in the dark. "Evening, Flutterdream." As the cream ticked tom approached the tortie she-cat, he gave her a solemn nod, eyes flicking towards the apprentice with an appraising glare.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
Rimekit, ♀ Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Coldgaze:
The night was crisp, but Coldgaze was invigorated. There was a mystery afoot, and he intended to have it solved.
A dead Thunderclan cat was one thing, but a murdered Riverclan Warrior- on their own territory - was entirely another. He flicked his tail, surveying the incoming clans. Shadowclan, early as always. Followed closely by Thunderclan - their warriors impatient and pacing. Clearly they were unsettled by the death. Deaths.
Only his leaders slower pace prevented him from trotting ahead, fur bristling, and pressing the Thunderclan deputy on the details. Nettleplume, perceptive as always, had already broken from the group to ask questions of his own - Coldgaze would have to wait until the gathering began before throwing his questions out to the clan.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (he/him) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (she/her) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (he/him) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (he/him) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (he/him) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (she/her) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (she/her) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
▲▼‹‹▲ ▲››▼▲
It had been awhile since Spidertongue got the oppurtunity on going to the gathering tonight. Though on this night, it won't go down as a positive meet and greet. Hearing the news of a well respected member, Cottonlily, have been murdered. This disturbs him personally, even if he and the molly have never known one another. Whoever has harmed her, rogue or not, they should be severely punished..
As of right now he sat closely with his clanmates.
✣‹‹●‹‹✣ ✣››●››✣
Ambersmudge is unsettled with the deaths happening to a couple of clan-cats, which included one from her clan..Alderfly. The molly couldn't believe someone who hadn't even reached 30 moons, would be murdered and be left behind somewhere he was soon found at. Her tail flicked and laid low. Following her clanmates over to the spot where Riverclan is seated.
The ginger-molly had her eyes glance a bit at the surroundings, looking a little more at the high rocks, then at other clan-cats.
Ambersmudge sure do wonder how will it go tonight...
HummingDaze
- - -
Player-characters:
Brackenwing || nonbinary, warrior of Shadowclan||
Ambersmudge || she-cat, warrior of Riverclan||
Smallclaw || tom, warrior of Windclan ||
Spidertongue || tom, warrior of Thunderclan ||
Luna || she-cat, unaffiliated Feral ||
(From Windclan: Fawnbriar, Aspenberry, Rowanglade, Pipertuft, Boulderdash, Smallclaw, and Basilflame)
Windclan was last to arrive tonight and as Fawnbriar led her clan to Fourtrees, she noted many of the gathered cats seemed tense and ill at ease. Many expressions were closed and flickering around, many pelts were ruffled and she noted even the occasional tail lash or whisker twitch. Something had definitely set the other three clans on edge and it set off alarm bells in her head as a weight of anxiety began to settle back in her stomach, though Fawnbriar did her best to appear as much as ease as the other three leaders as she approached them. She greeted them with a poliet mew. "I hope my clan hasn't kept everyone waiting for long tonight."
