Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Boldstar was engaged in this favored gathering preparation activity: watching the camp as the excitement built to a palpable level. Gathering night was always an important night, and right now nerves rank high with the random sickness striking cats down without rhyme or reason.
With a glance at the moon Boldstar finally made his move. He was old, yes, but still fit enough. His joints only ached today because of the rain. Fortunately the foliage of the Twinwillow was thick and kept all of them dry despite the deluge they would have to make their way to Fourtrees through. Every cat who went was going to be wet to the bone before they were 3 foxlengths from camp.
”All cats old enough to catch their own prey should gather here in the shade of the Twinwillow!” The call was an ancient one that went back to the founding of the clans. Night or not, he preferred to use the traditional words rather than some variation that accepted the darkness as a fact of life.
14
All of RiverClan
Gathering to announce who will be attending the gathering
The talking spot, RiverClan Camp, RiverClan Territory
Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Cottonbright had been one of those unfortunate enough to go out at sunhigh patrol. The heat was a thick blanket that settled against her frame, weighing her down - and that didn't even begin to describe the feeling of the rain as it bared down on them. Cottonbright had just groomed the wetness from her fur, although the humidity was ever present. Her large frame was pushed from the ground as glanced around, spying Boldstar as he made his way to address the clan. Her lime eyes lifted to see if she could spy her apprentice anywhere.
The activities of the day kept her away from him since this morning, and she was curious to see if he or her would be one of the ones asked to join them to Fourtrees. Cottonbright wasn't a fan of being sopping wet, but what cat really enjoyed getting soaked to the bone. She could only imagine how someone like Boldstar must be feeling.
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Nettlepaw had plans for the day, but Starclan had made it known otherwise. His face was fallen, and his gaze steady as he checked the current stores in the thick of the medicine cat's den. Today he wanted to try and dry some dandelion he had gathered the other day - if they weren't dried quickly they'd wilt and be of no use to anyone.
Without warning he slapped a scatter of moss, throwing it all other the neatly tidied floor of the den. Frustrated, he scoured the ground with his glare - Starclan had taken something precious to him, and now they sent a deluge to mock his sorrow. Duckfeather's death was still a fresh wound that needed treating, hot on his mind. Whatever had taken her was sudden and alien -
Above the rain, his thoughts and pouting was interrupted by the deep call of Boldstar. For a moment he contemplated loitering in the sick den, but decided otherwise. Stiff legged with a lash of his tail, the medicine cat's apprentice peered from the entrance of the burrow, sitting himself right outside with a huff and a lick to smooth over his ruffled fur.
What I dream, the day might send. Just around the riverbend.
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ 💧 ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Otterwhisker was helping herself to a couple of small slivers of fish as she supervised her kits outside of camp. Twinwillow offered near-perfect shelter from the storm, although her meal was soured by the occasional thought of the clan's most recent death. First it was Splashpelt, and now Duckfeather - both healthy warriors. In this case it was a miracle that she had not been mysteriously taken. Her tongue lowered to catch Merrykit under her tongue, giving her a few reassuring licks - although it was more for her consideration than the kit's.
Unwilling to shoulder the dourness that threatened to drown them, she offered the large tom a smile as he passed, silent assurance in the live long tradition of calling the clan together. Together they were strong. Otterwhisker would have been pleasantly pleased if she was called to go. The moisture in the air might slow her down, but the gathered storm gave her a certain pep in her step - and at least she didn't mind getting wet. It was often a treat to dive after fish and splash over the shore after waterfowl.
Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺
Merrykit sniffed at one of the minnows that caught her mother's attention. "They smell funny." She mewed matter of factly, and while she was more or less weaned from their mother, Merrykit seemed reluctant to start eating solid food with more regularity. Hopefully her and her siblings would be able to spent more time in the open. The sound of the storm echoed all around the young kit, and was glad for the comfort of her family. As her head craned up at her father, Boldstar, she blinked her aqua eyes as Otterwhisker gave her a few comforting licks, causing the she-kit to cuddle closer into the she-cat leg.
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
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
There is peace even in the storm...
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Stormkit was near Otterwhisker and Merrykit, but not too close. She was ignoring the possibility of food. Instead her eyes were firmly on her father. Maybe someday she would get to stand there are command the clan. Being a leader would be fun since no one else got to tell you want to do!
Briarfang lifted their head as they lay just outside the warriors' den. They had just been in the middle of grooming their paws, licking away the blood from their meal, when Boldstar's call rang across the clan. It was a gathering call. Quietly, they watched as cats made their way to the Twinwillow. The excitement in the air seemed to be enough to make every cat forget about the rain, though Briarfang rather enjoyed the warm humidity around their dark coat. After giving it a moment, they stood and stretched, stomach pleasantly full, and headed over themself to sit beside Thornstrike.
Sturgeonkit was lying on his back by Otterwhisker's tail, batting at it halfheartedly. Even though he had heard about a kit getting to go to a gathering, he wasn't excited at the prospect. Last time it happened, the kit was kidnapped by a monster!
He felt his tail puff up at the thought. Would he be brave enough to save his sisters if one of them were stolen? Rolling to his feet, he waddled up to where Stormkit was seated and stretched out beside her. "Whatcha thinking?" He knew his sister pretty well, and by the way she was looking at Boldstar he could already half guess.
"Boldstar seems very brave." He curled his tail around his feet, and blinked up at his father. Would he ever get to be like that? Having everyone looking at you - trusting your guidance. Seemed like a lot of work.
Seemed like a lot to live up to.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
I can fly like an eagle
And strike like a hawk
Do you think you can survive?
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
The young she-kit was awake, and so she was moving. A lot. Well, actually, not this time! This occasion, she was looking up at her mother; the ball of fur shivering with excitement. She was already rather large, not far from the similarly large Sturgeonkit's size, a clear sign of Boldstar's heritage in her veins.
Unlike her other siblings, which currently could care less, she was being driven crazy by her mom's fish. She had grown to become quite an eating machine, and constantly eating and constantly growing. Her mother's milk had always been a decent option for food growing up, it was filling and did it's job, but as soon as she could be weaned, she worked at it as quickly as she could.
Now, she was oh so wishing she could beg her mom for a bite, despite knowing how rude that would be, especially right before or during a Clan Meeting.
The only reason Thornstrike was already in camp waiting for the gathering announcement instead of showing up late with prey was because they'd already been hunting earlier. Trying to stay dry was futile, so the calico had chosen fishing instead of hunting around the fields. The trout she'd brought back was probably gone already, but Thornstrike hadn't looked. She was finishing off a smaller fish as Briarfang appeared and sat down.
Nettlesky left the warriors' hollow at Boldstar's call, but upon seeing Nettlepaw emerge and sit down with such a huff, the torbie decided to stay near the tunnel entrance to the dens instead of going to the freshkill hollow. It had barely been two days since Duckfeather was taken from them right in the middle of camp. She wasn't about to tell him to join the others.
PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue
NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot
Mintpaw had been curled in the apprentice's den, feeling rather cold and alone after his dame's death, especially since the cream tabby tom had the only nest in the den since Nettlepaw nested with Willowfrost. Even though he did his duties as he was told and remained attentive, Mintpaw currently lacked the energy and extra enthusiasm, his haazel eyes were sad and dull. When he heard Boldstar call for a clan meeting, he hauled himself from his nest and sat listening from the entrance to the den to see if he was going to the Gathering, if he was going to have to kitsit, or if he would be able to go curl back up in his nest.
((Congratulations everyone! All PCs have reported in. Feel free for some casual RP. Remember that posting order will be based on who you're actively interacting with, rather than the whole group. No one would get anything done otherwise!))
There is peace even in the storm...
‹‹‹‹ ››››
”He doesn’t just seem very brave. He’s the bravest.” The conviction in Stormkit’s voice bordered on insulted. No one could think their father was anything less than the best at all the things he did. Her brother had no business having any doubts at all. ”Someday, I want it to be me. Up there.”
The decision was made in a split second. Going from a half-formed maybe into a certainty.
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Boldstar rode out the beat of time it took for the cats of the clan to gather, giving them a few moments to shift and settle. Once the crowd, save for a few mewling kits, quieted he gave voice to the choices he’d made earlier in the day with a clear voice:
”Your Deputy, Medicine Cat, and I will be joined at tonight’s gathering by Thornstrike, and Briarfang. Cottonbright and Mintpaw, the pair of you will be seeing to camp security.”
He gave the excitement the moment it needed to settle so that the cats called forth had a chance to enjoy a breath before Boldstar made his leap down to the ground again. He raised his plumed tail high like a flag. ”With me, if you’re going!” he yowled out, then started to head north. If they cut the path right they would be able to have cover for awhile when they took the rockpath over the river.
Briarfang blinked as their name was called. It wasn't that they thought they shouldn't go to the gathering, but they simply hadn't expected it. Well, at least their sister would be going as well. They stood as their leader leapt down to the ground, arching their back in a deep stretch that ended with them shaking out a hind leg. They looked over to their sister beside them. "Well, it looks like we'll be missing a few hours of rest tonight, eh?" They were in little rush to catch up as their leader headed to leave the camp.
Thank goodness. No kits at the gathering this moon.
Sturgeonkit looked over at his sister, her eyes still glued on their father. "I never said I thought he wasn't. But don't you think even big cats get scared sometimes?"
Despite this, he smiled. Maybe he wasn't cut out to be like Boldstar but his sister was at least. "If you are gonna be leader, I'll be deputy. Or Merrykit will. She would be good at leading people."
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
"We?" Thornstrike told Briarfang with a snort. "Like I ever rest at night." She stretched as Boldstar called out and started to leave. "Obviously we're going!" the calico yowled back and quickly went to dispose of her fish before catching up.
PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue
NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot
