Open to Join [Sticky] Cheetah's Flight '21 Gathering

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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Palestar's thoughts were a dark swirl as her paw falls brought her into the clearing. Flutterdream had perished early that same day and now without a medicine cat to train young Muddypaw. It had been more that enough to delay their usual proceedings; Flutterdream had needed to be laid to rest.

RiverClan scent clad bodies claimed the hollow but the pointed leader barely noticed. She had to remain a steadying force for the rest of her Clan and her tail gave a halfhearted wave towards Coldstar. Alongside her deputy, Dawnflurry and the now mentor-less Muddypaw, Nightwhisper, Heronsong, and Ashcloud were in her company representing ShadowClan.

There would be much to discuss.

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TC ATTENDEES: Palestar, Dawnflurry, Muddypaw, Heronsong, Ashcloud  and Nightwhisper

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettleplume followed at Coldstar's flank, his steps light yet purposeful as he descended into the hollow. His pale gaze moved instinctively across the clearing when he noticed ShadowClan emerging from the foliage. When their bodies settled he noticed immediately. Of who was among their ranks...and who was not.

His eyes settled on Palestar, then flicked once across the gathered cats to the newly named apprentice...Alone. His tail stilled, unable to meet Palestar's greeting as his brows furrowed with increasing intensity.

There had to be an explanation.

The best are often found in midst of thunderous chaos.

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Moosestar assuredly brought up the rear, his scent mingling with the thick pines as the heat tickled his short, dense fur. At least it gave him needed relief compared to the other two leaders in attendance. His tail shook with compressed excitement as he stepped forward, allowing his Clan to disperse and mingle as they saw fit.

"Hello Coldstar...Palestar. How are you both?" He greeted them both as the edges of his maw teased a smile.

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TC ATTENDEES: Moosestar, Kestralswipe, Tigerrush, Robinpaw, Dovethorn and Greypebbles

I did not wake up to be mediocre.

｡‧˚ʚ🪻ɞ˚‧｡

Nightwhisper's claws unsheathed into the dirt of Fourtrees when her clan had arrived, Flutterdream was gone, it wasn't even the rogue that caused it! There was nothing she could ambiably project her fury at that wouldn't get her in danger either. Her fur bristled by softened when she took noticed of Muddypaw... Oh Muddypaw, no other cat would be suffering from this loss more than her right now. Nightwhisper hadn't heard of a medicine cat apprentice alive without a mentor in some time. Her heart ached for the ruddy tortoiseshell.

As much as Nightwhisper wished to bound over and hover over Muddypaw protectively, the bicolor she-cat refrained, that wouldn't help at a gathering and the hovering wouldn't do well for any cat really, except for maybe kits needing protection from some of the worlds cruelties. But she had very little play in this, this was Palestar's news to share.

Whatever Palestar chose to do, Nightwhisper would be behind her.

Don’t compromise yourself - you’re all you have.

✦･ﾟ:* 💫 *:･ﾟ✦

As ThunderClan moved into the hollow of Fourtrees, Robinpaw noticed a tension that held thick in the air, something that felt almost wrong, weighing on her like heavy stones on her shoulders. With a short, unsteady breath, Robinpaw moved forward with her mentor, advancing to the cats in the clearing.

And then she saw the ShadowClan medicine cats... or lack-there-of. Muddypaw was there, but where was Flutterdream. Robinpaw wanted to ask, truly she did, but if it turned out to be the worst of the situations, she wouldn't be helping anyone by prying into business that wasn't her own.

Instead, she took herself to her mentor's side, lowering her tail as she stared at the entrance to Fourtrees, she hoped Flutterdream was just keeping up the rear... hopefully she was just ill today, but the thickness in the air spoke of something much more dire... please no.

Let’s have some fun!
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Muddypaw trudged along behind Palestar and Dawnflurry, shock making her eyes wide enough to almost hide the amber in them. It was all too sudden and not at all in the way that things were supposed to be. The ruddy torbie looked around the clearing, her ears drooping. She hadn’t been here last moon with her mentor. Even though she had been newly named, Flutterdream had trusted her to keep an eye on Brackenwing. Anxiety had wracked the young apprentice’s heart for the time while the clan’s medicine cat had been away, but nothing had happened and she had swiftly calmed down when Flutterdream had returned.

Once more the shattered apprentice looked around the hollow of Fourtrees nervously. She was supposed to be here with a mentor by her side, but instead she was here alone. With a shiver the mid-furred torbie padded over to join the other medicine cats. She had no clue where else to be and was grateful that she could at least recognise them from her prior visits to the moonstone at half moon. The memory of the night she had been accepted by Starclan as Shadowclan’s medicine cat apprentice stirred bittersweet memories. Looking up, Muddypaw wondered if they were looking down on her now, and whether they supported her still.

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

‹‹‹‹ ››››

She tread softly behind Fawnbriar as the leader led the way into Fourtrees. Fawnbriar settled herself to listen, but Rowanglade made her way towards Nettleplume. Muddypaw, Flutterdream’s apprentice, was clinging close but she was confident that the young cat would warm up as soon as the ShadowClan Medicine Cat joined them. Though, Rowanglade hasn’t seen the she-cat yet.

”Hello Nettleplume. Hope your trip went well.” Rowanglade gave a purr as Muddypaw joined them. The apprentice seemed more pensive than a cat that young should look. ”And how was your trip in, Muddypaw? It always seems like ShadowClan is so far away with the thunderpath in the way.”  

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

｡ ₊°༺ ☀️ ༻°₊ ｡

Emberdawn followed into the clearing beside Rowanglade, if not a few paces ahead of her. He was somewhat deep in thought, about Aspenberry, his roll in WindClan now, everything he could have done at that battle with the rogue... so many things he could have done. But what mattered is what he was going to do. And despite his thoughts, his posture didn't show them. He stood tall enough to seem confident. WindClan needed a deputy that can represent them with confidence and honor, he would be that deputy.

When the cats diverged into their respective directions, Emberdawn went in to his, this was his first gathering as deputy... questions would be had, but it was his time to take the place as deputy and represent his clan. And so, the time has come.

The tall cinnamon van tom made his way to the group of three deputies, Kestrelswipe of ThunderClan, Cinderwisp of RiverClan, and Dawnflurry of ShadowClan. And named, Emberdawn of WindClan. He sat himself beside them but didn't make an effort to talk at first, the fur along his shoudler's bristling with a quiet sense of unease. He took in abreath, held it for a moment before letting go in a sigh, then he greeted. Feeling the weight of the situation heavy on his back.

"Hello all of you."

"I can tell that we are gonna be friends"

⋆˚✿˖°

Petalsnap followed her clanmates into the Fourtrees clearing. Tense gloom filled it like dew in a leaf and weighed on her despite her efforts to remain unaffected. The rogue ordeal and associated tragedies had left a vague ache in her that reappeared now that she was at the Fourtrees again; the place seemed to present her with a ghost of the last gathering, highlighting spots that had once been occupied.

Petalsnap settled into a sitting position. Her tail lashed a few times before curling around her paws. She turned her attention to the comforting sound and smell of cats congregating around her and felt a bit warmer.

Let’s have some fun!
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Muddypaw jumped slightly as Rowanglade addressed her. She turned to look at the older Medicine Cat, her gaze hollow. “It was… alright, I guess,” she mewed quietly before turning her gaze back toward Palestar. Had the journey been far like Rowanglade had suggested? The young medicine cat apprentice had no clue. It had all been a blur to her, so lost in her thoughts had she been. It wasn’t supposed to be this way, and truthfully Muddypaw had no clue what was to happen. Was she still going to be a medicine cat apprentice? Surely she would, but who would train her? The young she-cat shook her head, distraught at the thought of the future.

Dully the cinnamon torbie looked around the clearing that was gradually filling. Something about the way the Windclan cats moved and spoke to others had her wondering if something had happened with them too, although whatever it was it didn’t seem as fresh as the loss that Shadowclan was experiencing. Having missed the prior gathering, Muddypaw was completely unaware that a different cat from the expected one was sitting in the Windclan deputy position. Maybe if she had been able to attend that Gathering she would have noticed.

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

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Muddypaw’s distraction and reaction sent a wave of worry though Rowanglade. Ususally a first time appearance at a gathering was exciting for an apprentice, not a cause for this level of unease and moroseness.

”Muddypaw…” She began, the newfound nervousness showing in the twitch of her tail and the slight rising of the fur along her spin. Something was wrong here. She hadn’t lived for six full turns of the seasons to miss a thing so obvious as this. ”Something is bothering you.” 

The old she-cat moved to sit next to the young cat. ”Please tell me what’s wrong.” 

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

｡ ₊°༺ ☀️ ༻°₊ ｡

"That's right." Emberdawn answered Dawnflurry with a nod, a glint of pride that not many might have in the fact that his mentor was such a hardened and knowledgable cat. For a moment, the tom's bicolored eyes moved to Kestrelswipe and regarded his greeting with a nod, but his eyes still shifted uneasily. There was always nerves to come from the first gathering as any new rank. When it came to anything really. This moon had a lot of firsts... "Sunbear will be pleased to hear that her work hasn't gone disregarded." he added, flicking his cinnamon colord tail before turning gaze towards the leaders, RiverClan of all cats seemed confident, of course they were, they didn't lose a deputy... they didn't lose any cat in that battle.

Emberdawn's whiskers gave a twitch before he moved his gaze back to the other deputies. These were his commrads now, regardless of how many moons senior, Dawnflurry and Kestrelswipe were deputies as he was, but they still deserved the same respect as every other cat below or above him... as much as the list of cats above him was growing shorter...

A heavy breath left his muzzle, though he tried to feign confidence for the sake of his clan, a clan seems strong with their presentation at a gathering. "I hope you are all doing well... in your own clans."

Let’s have some fun!
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Muddypaw’s ears twitched at Rowanglade’s voice and the young she-cat’s eyes welled with tears that she barely held back. How could she possibly tell the Windclan medicine cat what was wrong? It was Palestar’s place to announce this kind of thing, surely? Yet as the ruddy torbie looked toward the older she-cat she felt she had to say something, anything. “Fl… Flutterdream won’t… won’t be… joining us,” she eventually mumbled and stared at her paws, lower jaw quivering as she firmly clamped her jaw shut to prevent a wail.

Flutterdream had been more than simply a mentor to Muddypaw. She had been the young she-cat’s friend and great aunt. Their bond had only begun to form, yet for the past moon the cinnamon she-cat’s entire life had been spent with Flutterdream. Most interactions had been with the clan’s medicine cat. Muddypaw’s heart felt like a claw was caught in it and she wished she could be curled up in her nest, mourning. Or at least sitting vigil with her mentor’s body, but she had to be here. Undertrained as she was, she needed to take on the role of Shadowclan’s medicine cat.

Realising that she was Shadowclan’s sole medicine cat reminded Muddypaw once more of her fears and concerns regarding her training and position. She wasn’t sure what would happen now. Whether she would be reassigned as a warrior or expected to fulfill the role she had been training for but with only a moon’s training. Suddenly her intention to leave Flutterdream’s demise for Palestar to announce was completely whisked away. She had to know what would happen to her. “She… she was… a monster… she’s gone to Starclan.” The young apprentice had almost whispered the words, struggling to get them out even quietly. “What will happen to me, Rowanglade? What will happen to Shadowclan?” Muddypaw stared up at the older medicine cat with a wide, trembling gaze. Fear was written all over her face and truthfully, the cinnamon classic torbie looked like she was about to collapse in heaving sobs at any moment.

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

‹‹‹‹ ››››

Rowanglade froze in surprise when Muddypaw spoke. Flutterdream not coming suggested someone was ill or injured so severely that the Medicine Cat couldn’t leave them! But then, why was the apprentice so full of sorrow?

Gone to StarClan!

The words rippled through Rowanglade. First her eyes widened, then her ears drooped back. Finally her plume of a tail fell lax behind her. Her mind struggled back, the rowan tree and butterfly that StarClan had shown them.

What will happen to ShadowClan?

A sudden sense of purpose flowed through Rowanglade. She understood now. Her ears and tail raised as she took a deep breath. “ShadowClan will be fine, Muddypaw. Just give me a moment.” Then she turned, facing the Greatrock. Her joints were not going to like what she was about to do. Rowanglade knew she would ache for days after this.

She took two running strides worthy of a much younger cat and then leapt to the smooth surface of the stone. Rowanglade stilled for a moment, half expecting her aged body to have much more trouble with this. It was as if StarClanners themselves had caught her with their bodies. Maybe they had? Rowanglade couldn’t be sure, but that was how she hoped the elders would tell her story.

“Because Flutterdream cannot,” The pointed tortoiseshell’s voice rang over Fourtrees. “I will be taking Muddypaw to WindClan for training.”

She scanned the gathered cats for a long moment, then leapt back down. Pain lanced through her shoulder but she ignored it. Rowanglade hid the limp as she rejoined Muddypaw and Nettleplume.

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬

Nettleplume did not move at first as the words took their turn striking him in pieces. Flutterdream was gone. Muddypaw was alone in her Clan. His gaze snapped to the young apprentice then to Rowanglade as realization settled in like cold water through his fur.

His ears flattened, the sharp, analytical mind he prided himself on stalling just long enough for something far less controlled to take hold. The forest was unraveling faster than they could bind it...

And Rowanglade -

His eyes tracked her as she surged forward watched her take the Greatrock before any leader could open their mouth. It was bold...but not entirely unexpected for the senior medicine cat amoung them.

An unwelcome flicker of something akin to envy stirred beneath his pelt, but it was surface level. Why should Rowanglade have two apprentices when he didn't even have one? Nettleplume didn't even want one, but the feeling passed.

As Rowanglade dropped back down and rejoined them Nettleplume rose to his paws and mirrored the old tortie point she-cat in her actions. His cream ticked pelt could be spotted onto the Greatrock. His plumed tail steadied his balance as his blue gaze swept across the gathered Clans.

"ShadowClan will not be without guidance while their Medicine Cat Apprentice trains elsewhere." If there was any murmurs he didn't wait on them. Nor Coldstar's opinions on the matter. "At first light, I will take a patrol to escort Frosteyes to ShadowClan. She has more than enough experience to help you all until Muddypaw's training is complete." Frosteyes was a former medicine cat, his own mentor. She would understand and want to help in any way she could, he was certain.

Nettleplume held the silence for a breath longer to let everything settle then stepped off the rock without flourish. There was only purpose. And maybe mercy...

Let’s have some fun!
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Muddypaw’s heart broke all over again as she saw Rowanglade’s reaction to the news. Why did Flutterdream have to leave them all so early? The fears regarding Shadowclan suffering because they would have to rely on only her began flashing through the young she-cat’s mind and she crouched down, quivering. Was disaster coming to Shadowclan? What if this was only the beginning? What if all the clans were about to go through tragedy? Muddypaw felt like she was encircled by every threat to the clans and that they were closing in on her, ready to kill her.

Before the ruddy torbie’s mind could spiral even further, Rowanglade’s voice broke through like a soothing rain and before she knew it, the older medicine cat was moving swiftly away. Confusion and then shock entered Muddypaw’s multicoloured gaze as she watched Rowanglade leap upon the Greatrock. Her shock shifted to horror and awe as it was announced that Rowanglade intended to train her in Flutterdream’s place. The young apprentice blinked, hardly able to comprehend everything that occurred that day.

Muddypaw was still blinking in shock, confusion and worry as Rowanglade returned to her side. If she accepted this offer, this demand, would Shadowclan be okay? How was this to work? Either Rowanglade would be travelling to Shadowclan to train her, or her to Windclan to receive her training. Either way a clan would be left without a trained medicine cat in the meantime. The situation felt impossible and the cinnamon torbie felt at a loss for words. Before she could voice her concerns, Nettleplume was moving, doing the same thing Rowanglade had just done. The tom’s words, however, calmed her nerves and answered her unspoken questions.

So new was Muddypaw to her apprenticeship that she knew nothing of Frosteyes, but she trusted Nettleplume to make a good choice to help her and her clan. It was a relief to remember and realise just how different the stances between warriors and medicine cats were. If not for the difference, Shadowclan might have been left alone to suffer, and Muddypaw alone to try to hold the clan together with her minimal knowledge. Once Nettleplume rejoined the group of medicine cats, Muddypaw dipped her head respectfully to him and Rowanglade. “Thank you, both of you, I don’t know what I would do without your help,” she meowed with warmth. Had she been older she might have recognised the debt that she now owed the two older medicine cats. A debt that would likely never be requested by the medicine cats, but only Starclan knew what the leaders reactions about it would be.

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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Palestar was both relieved and a bit struck by the boldness of the two medicine cats as they took their stand on the great rock. On one paw she was grateful for their efforts but on the other they were still rocked by a trajety that was still a fresh wound.

Once the two had made their announcement, Palestar moved through and addressed the Gathering crowd first, starting the Gathering proper. "As was revealed by the medicine cats, Flutterdream is no longer with us. She was struck on our border by a Monster while she was retrieving herbs...earlier today." She tried not to let the grieve cloud her expression even though her tail wasn't held as high as it usually was.

"Other than that, ShadowClan stands tall. The warm weather has made prey run plentiful and our apprentices are learning and growing fast. Everyone is healthy and we look forward to a peaceful forest once again... And, we have welcomed a new, lively kit into our fold, Glowkit."

The best are often found in midst of thunderous chaos.

‹‹‹‹ ★ ››››

Moosestar's mood had shifted from the dour announcements, first presented by the WindClan and RiverClan medicine cats and then by Palestar herself, confirming his fears. At least through their combined efforts ShadowClan woudln't be without a medicine cat.

When Palestar moved from the speaking place, Moosestar made his way over, his voice carrying over Fourtrees. "ThunderClan has been faring well. Prey runs strong and we have also welcomed two new kits, Skunkkit and Weaselkit out of Orchidflame, one of our Elders. Other than that, events have been relatively peaceful in our lands."

He then moved to make room for Coldstar and Fawnstar.