Copperstorm
and in the storm of life, there was you
and in the storm of life, there was you


ThunderClan
Ranger
Council Member
You walk along the edge of danger
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU
.
It was an odd sort of gathering before him, but still, Copperstorm had wanted to come. He needed to keep an eye on the apprentices, on his son too. His gaze found Boarpaw first, the young tom already chatting away with a RiverClanner, tail flicking in easy rhythm. Was this the first time they'd met? Perhaps during the Gathering... or had Boarpaw snuck out of camp before? His whiskers twitched, a brief flicker of suspicion that quickly gave way to resigned amusement. No, he decided. There was no use chasing shadows today. Asterpaw and Dreampaw caught his attention next, the latter under ThunderClan's care for now until he would return to ShadowClan. They, too, seemed content enough, speaking to a RiverClanner near the edge of the rocks. For now, at least, peace held steady between their clans.
Still... Too many scents, too many faces. The mingling of ThunderClan and RiverClan made his fur prickle with unease, not for lack of civility, but because it reminded him too much of old battles and old scars. Copperstorm found a rock near the edge of the Sunningrocks and leapt onto it, the stone still warm beneath his paws. He sat, posture easy but alert, golden eyes flicking across the gathering with careful precision. He didn't speak, didn't feel the need to. He was here to watch, to ensure all remained well.
Yet beneath the calm mask, tension coiled deep in his chest. His father's shadow stretched far, even here among the sunlight and laughter. Charcoal's cruelty had scorched too many, and some RiverClanners still bore the memory of it. Copperstorm knew there were faint traces of that monster in his own face... His build, his coloring, his stare when his patience frayed. He hated it. He didn't want to see those eyes staring back at him when another cat looked his way.
So he stayed where he was, quiet, distant, a silent guardian. Watching. Listening. Keeping the peace in the only way he knew how. A soft sigh slipped past his lips, his tail curling lightly over his paws as his gaze swept once more across the clearing. For now, the apprentices were safe. That was enough.
Speech, thoughts/emphasis