Open to Join [Sticky] [ACTIVITY CHECK] Leaf-bare waits for no-one. [TW20]

Leopardrose was there in camp when Moosestar unleashed his call above the dreary weather. The Gathering, marring some catasprophy in the forest, would happen regardless if it was snowing or clear skied. Still, she understood that despite the condition, some cats would not look forward to being called to join - and she offered Greypebble's a reassuring glance as she sat beside him.

Bravesong peered through the dour window of the Elder's den, refraining from joining the crowd. His paw throbbed with a constant dull ache that kept him from moving very well in leafbare, and hoped Moosestar's choices would be conscious of that fact. Only the strongest should be called to go.

Quickly returning to make dirt, Brindlespice kept her head low as she joined the crowd of gathered cats. She imagined the rest of the forest at Fourtrees, drenched and complaining, and she didnt' want to be one of those cats. Taking half shelter underneath some branches, her tail flicked pointedly over her paws.

Wildcry wasn't far from the nursery, having escaped to help herself to some fresh - if sodden - prey. A nursing mother shouldn't be far from her kit, so she didn't expect to be called to join Moosestar. The lesson of the night could be based on prudence, alongside the warrior code - she would do everything she could to give Rimekit the advantage she needed to pull ahead.

From inside the bowels of the nursery, Rimekit was practicing her stalking, body low as her face scrunched up at the image of Robinkit leaned over her mass of dried, dead plantlife. She didn't fully understand what they could represent, but she also didn't care as she leaped over towards Robinkit, her movement clumsy and callous as she barrelled forward aiming to swat at a shriveled petal.

Sunstrike sighed, and stretched out to watch the gathering. She was keeping an eye on Finchkit, that much was for sure. His sister always seemed to disappear the moment she blinked but he hadn't been as adventurous in the winter - preferring to stay where it was warm. Smart kit.

"What do you think, baby?" She resisted the urge to pull him closer for grooming. That might embarrass him in front of his... aunt? She didn't bother to think about it too hard. "Do you think you will be called?" She doubted it - the last time a kit came to the gathering from the clans was before her lifetime. But there had been kits in the clearing before. Hopefully not again. She was sure her heart wouldn't be able to take it if he did have to make the trek.

Robinkit's new interest in herbs was something she kept meaning to bring up to Tigerrush, and always seemed to forget last minute. Perhaps Wrentalon would do it, since she was his littermate. Rimekit's attempt to swat the non-medicinal herbs in front of her kit still earned a harsh look from  the queen. But she kept silent. Robinkit had a sharp tongue and she really didn't want to get into a fight with her relative over this. Better to let the kits sort this out themselves.

Kestrelswipe had set himself halfway down the Highrock, waiting for the rest of the clan to gather. The stone was cold under his paws, but he did his best to keep his fur smooth. Internally, he was steeling himself in preparation for the cold, wet trek to Fourtrees.

Stormfall sat with his tail wrapped around his paws, seated towards the back of the crowd. He was mostly listening out of respect for Moosestar and the rest of the clan. He had gone to plenty of gatherings in his lifetime, and was no longer as excited as the younger warriors tended to be. To him, it'd be better to allow them to have their fun, and give him and the other seniors a break from the long walk.

Wrentalon found a spot among the other warriors. He had just returned from a hunting trip, and dropped his fresh-kill on the pile, which was satisfactory enough by leaf-bare's standards. If he was called to go out tonight, he thought it might be a good idea to keep an ear out for any prey while trekking.

Robinkit was quick to cover her false herbs with her body before Rimekit could get to them, it seemed as if it was an instinct to protect as many she-cat might have, she crouched over her plant collection an aimed a hiss at Rimekit "Rimekit these aren’t toys!" She cried out, her dappled tail lashing slightly in agitation.

"I spent a lot of time collecting them, I don’t want any paws that don’t belong to Tigerrush and myself touchin them" the ginger, white and black scrap of bristled fur stood her ground with tiny claws sheathed "play with your own leaves please" she added, her voice wasn’t really aggressive, nor was it submissive, she wanted to make a point that the leaves and flower petals she attended to weren’t for just anyone

Robinkit glanced at her mother to back her up but her gaze didn’t linger for too long as she whimpered and huddled around her ‘herbs’ letting out a little whine her eyes filling with water caused by kit-like sensitivity, she didn’t really know why she was crying, perhaps it was the idea of loosing something that she had become rather close with, she was rather attached to her little collection after all.

Stepping out from the warmth of the warriors' den and into the cold of camp outside always made Mistyleaf grateful for the tufts of fur between her toes. While in the process of padding over to the Highrock for the meeting, the silver torbie paused when Robinkit moved to keep Rimekit from her pile of plants.

"I'm sure Tigerrush will appreciate your efforts," Mistyleaf told Robinkit, trying to be encouraging as the kit looked upset.

Cherrytree was fast asleep in the elders den, like she was every gathering call. A slight snore roused from her nose every few moments. An indication of what was a deep sleep. Surprisingly enough, for how chilly the weather was she wasn't curled up like a rolly polly, and instead was sprawled out in her back, head half out of her nest. A not so pretty sight that was for sure, but the elder had been through everything at this point. How she slept was the least of her concerns.

--

Larchsong had been doing better as of lately. She wasn't her usual self, but there were moments when she picked up that her mind was at peace, and that she might just feel like she was looking forward to the next day. She was a little restless today. Would she get to go to the gathering? Would she get to see Sootbounce again? Sootbounce was the best. A twin flame!

--

Coyotepaw was ThunderClan's only apprentice at the moment, and it meant that most moons she had a high chance of going. Did she want to go today though? She wasn't really sure. Every opportunity at seeing her siblings again was precious, but it also brought along a sense of disappointment and longing which she didn't think would ever leave. She positioned herself by Leopardrose, glancing up at Moosestar with wide, orange eyes.