Gathering 2025 Event omach init ──✩°。⋆⸜ The First Gathering

This gathering took place in the year 2025.
This tag indicates this is an event specific thread.
A rake of claws against a mirror - grazing pelts we all once wore.
The peace here would be shattered and torn down the moment Hawkstar reached the assembled leaders, it seemed as though SkyClan was last to arrive - how unsurprising given they had to prepare a body for burial prior to coming this way. He lingers back alongside Stormcrow, his green eyes flashing dangerously as he glances at the crowded area near the large tree he had previously come to investigate not too long ago on his own; to think this place that was once a bloodied battlefield may soon be restored to such a state once more if a price is not paid in ThunderClan blood. Mousefang is already sizing up the cats present, picking out the ThunderClan scents, they do not look as formidable as he and his clanmates. A shame. He hoped for a fight but would find himself at a slaughter instead. So be it.
"Steady, Flowercloud." The rosette tabby offers in a low tone, as comforting as he could get given his practicality and the situation at hand. He wonders which of these cats did it, did they even dare to show up? If they had any shame or sense they wouldn't be here at all, but something tells him that's not the case; perhaps they hide in plain sight as if doing so will help alleviate their crime, their guilt - if they felt any. Mousefang looks for cats who might have fresh wounds, blood scent on their pelts, but he finds nothing and his lips curl in annoyance. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.


Ooc- Speaking briefly to @flowercloud
x
Mousefang

— SkyClan Warrior (Scout)
— He/Him
"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK

— A black rosette tabby with high white & mint green eyes.
#84ba64

 
juniper

it's almost overwhelming... the way everyone filters in like a proverbial flood. at first it had just been her, her warriors, the scent of familiar dust and craggy stones. the scent of a sparse forest... and of their shared hopes. if anyone has complaints, they're smart enough to keep them to themselves... knowing that Juniperstar wouldn't cater to their foul moods tonight. her head lifts high as she recognizes some sooner than others, as those in her favor fawn towards her with smiles and greetings. Pikestar is amongst the first, unsurprisingly; she bows her head in a curt nod, amusement worn on her face for the first sincere time in what feels like ages. he is enjoying his time... conversing with her apprentice like he is nothing but another child amongst his own clan... and it's a relief. let him have that normalcy... Boarpaw who has the heart of a lion in his chest and just doesn't know it yet. "Nice to meet you Iciclepaw," she purrs, turning warm eyes back towards the RiverClan leader, "Thanks for coming out tonight- don't worry though, I won't scold you for some good fun."

there is the briefest touch against her as she glances back to see Owlbark make a departure from her side, stoic and quiet and observant as ever. nothing but a watch dog... perhaps he'd learn to lighten up as the night went on uninterrupted in its peace.

her attention is summoned up by the sound of her name from an unfamiliar voice, looking towards the WindClan leader with ears stood at sudden alert. "You must be Dustystar then... I'm glad you were able to make it. I look forward to this being a chance to become... friendly." within the rolling hills of her territory laid the Moonstone... and securing safe passage to it would be important for future leaders and medicine cats alike surely. her pelt practically prickles with unease as a smooth voice coils up from behind her. one that speaks of her with fondness, an intimacy he doesn't deserve to hold and cherish. does he even understand the weight of his foolishness? how much more complicated this had become because of his clan?

she hardly returns the simple affection, offering him an exasperated sigh at the compliment. "No thanks to you, Sable... I swear if I hear a single huff out of ShadowClan there won't be another party for you to attend." her lecture is more like one waving a finger at an unruly child than a leader wielding an army at his beck and call. she cannot find the resolve to be truly furious with him, not in the presence of so many others who might mistake it for aggression. for a war maiden leading ThunderClan.

there is a familiar press of furs against hers as Serpentberry presses closer... as she coils up into the space where Sablestar had left a lingering, festering sort of sensation. it is eased like ice on a burn... stinging and comforting and painful all at once. she finds herself stunned... confused... relieved? did this mean the sharp-tongued medicine cat was not angry with her? that she understood this risk was something worth taking? could she trust to put her hopes between the snake's teeth and know they wouldn't sink in deep enough to poison them...? her maw hangs open slightly, leaning into the tickle of a soft breath against the furs of her ears. "I won't be far." and Juniperstar knows this to be a promise.

she traipses away, unbound unlike the heaviness with which her own paws refuse to move. some part of her wishes she could abandon her responsibilities enough to follow... or to have the vulnerability to beg her not to leave her side. but not here... not with these unfamiliar faces all around.

at least there is something to fill the aching void, the sound of family sent as a sturdy reminder of her place. and of what they'd lost to see today happen. would Bracken approve of this? or sweetly call her naive and beg her reconsider? maybe... if only to promise the safety of his children. of his mate who stood at her shoulder now. "It's a big undertaking but I'm hoping it'll prove a benefit to all of us." they could communicate shared threats! like those rats that had overrun the northern woods not that long ago... or any more sinister predators like foxes... dogs. they could be united, even if stood apart from another. fallen under the same banner as 'survival.'

Pikestar turns to her to propose another kind of truce, a more localized one concerning Sunningrocks- "I'm sure we could arrange something... I would hate to deprive you all of the experience-" but there is a sudden ripple in the crowd... and the smell of blood. nervousness licks at her belly, already fearful of how things may've gone south so quickly. her eyes scour her warriors for signs of trouble-making, certain they wouldn't dare humiliate her on this night.. and it isn't them that are covered in crimson...

it's Hawkstar herself... paraded by others caked and matted in it.

that's too much blood... she didn't lose a life on her way here did she? but who could've even done it, with so many warriors already clustered up here and mingling? she doesn't even notice that the RiverClan leader has slithered away, the fur on her spine standing on end as anxiousness claws its way up her throat. she had a bad feeling about this...

 
-

Ugh, he was so annoying! By the time she was done with him, her throat was gonna be stripped raw. Back when she was still getting tossed around like garbage on a regular basis, even she had the sense to shut up. Where was his damn survival instinct? Did it run out of his ears?

Also, if he didn't want Stoatpaw to hear, then why the hell open his yap in the first place?! Fury radiated off her pelt in thick heat waves. Watching him cower and snivel should've made her feel good, but to her surprise, it didn't.

How could he even dare to call himself a ShadowClanner? He couldn't keep his damn mouth shut, and now he was taking his ear chewing like a whiny whelp. If he kept at it she was gonna black out and wring his skinny throat right there.

Deep breaths, Flea. Deeeeeeeep breaths.

Her eyes bore into him, nostrils fluttering wildly. She gets a little lightheaded, but it does keep her from rearranging his face and shoving his teeth where his eyeballs belonged. So she guessed it was working.

Okay. Fine. He was trying to help. Trying and doing a shit job of it, but the effort was there. He got his ears boxed and knew he messed up. That was enough... for now.

"Yeah? An' how exactly does makin' one of our own look weak in front of another clan help?" She snapped, delivering a light swat to his nose. Flames flickered with a little less fuel, but far from quenched. "Frog turds for brains."

He laid on the praise again, and she scoffed. Damn right her scars were cool. But those scars weren't just from fighting—they were from losing, too. From getting her ass kicked, dragged through the mud. The most recent tumble was with two coyotes, and she was lucky enough to survive. Only because half the clan had to come bail her out.

Sure, she was proud of her scars, but she wouldn't ignore where they came from. What she learned from them was etched into her as much as the marks themselves.

Snakepaw didn't know, He didn't know, but he would learn if he wanted to remain in ShadowClan. "That don't mean nothin'. You wanna learn from me?" The warrior leans in, voice crackling against his ear. "Here's another fucking lesson."

"What you see isn't always what you get. You keep thinkin' like that—you're gonna end up dead." Five moons ago she'd been nothin' more than a wailing furball but look now! She was a warrior. A real ShadowClan warrior—just like Froststorm said she'd be.

Fleafire didn't have much sympathy for outsiders, even if she was formerly one herself. They could either prove their worth like she and her siblings did, or die trying. "Here's what's gonna happen."

"You will meet Stoat in a couple days like she wants—and you're gonna fight her with everything you got, got it?" She narrowed her eyes. Anything else would've been nothing short of an insult to her friend. Treating her like a flower would only piss her off and make light of all the work she'd put into her training.

"Bet your ass I'll be there and if I think even a second that you're holdin' back on her, it'll be me you're fighting next." The heat burned out of her tone then, simmering down to a slow crackle. "Could've killed you last time, and that was without even half the training I got now. Think about that, yeah?" Impromptu lesson over. He needed to stew on that, and she'd rubbed his nose in it enough.

After a moment, she straightens up, finally giving him room to pick himself up. Fleafire sighs, giving him one last look. Lucky. Dumb as a stump, but lucky. How he made it out with all his limbs intact up til now was a mystery.

But all luck ran out eventually. Snakepaw would start doing better, or he'd end up like she did. Either hitting the ground so hard that she wasn't ever the same after, or in the ground.

Just as she turns to look for her brother and Stoatpaw, another group of cats arrives. SkyClan. She'd only ran into them once when that coyote chased Sealpaw into their territory. Fleafire didn't know much about them. Well, for a night of 'peace', they looked real pissed off. Fleafire squints. There was something rusty matted into their fur. Was that blood?

- - - - - - -
Still talking to @Snakepaw. Brief mentions of Froststorm and Stoatpaw.

But touch her and I'll hack you raw
FLEAFIRE
11 MOONS
SHE/HER
- Undersized cinnamon solid with folded ears. She's thin but stubby with very messy fur.
"SPEECH" - crimson | 'THOUGHTS/EMPHASIS' - crimson
Fleafire values family and strength the most. She is clever, sharp-tongued, and quick to anger. She is guided by her desire to become stronger and protect those she cares about—at any cost. Fleafire respects strength but not necessarily authority. She will push boundaries and take advantage of the weak at any given opportunity.

Due to her experiences, Fleafire is corrupt and lacks morals. She does not believe in Starclan but now believes in the Dark Forest. While not a devout follower, her loyalty belongs to her mentor, Froststorm, who reached out when she was at her lowest and saw her into warriorhood.

Growing up in a kitten mill, being separated from her mother, ending up on the streets, and being powerless have deeply affected her view of the world. Despite that, she has grown more resilient as a result of her hardships and bounces back quickly. Her training and mended relationships with some of her clanmates has solidified her devotion toward ShadowClan.


ILL HACK YOU RAW.
 
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Mirepurr's expression contorts into a frown; something that the lines of their facial features are not used to, and it tugs at the edges. It seems their words have fallen on deaf ears. Tickpaw, Stoatpaw, and Fleafire are adamant about their opinions of this night, and they make sure that anyone who looks their way knows it. The three of them all but gang up on poor Snakepaw, whose comment is now turned entirely on its head, with no escape in sight. Mirepurr keeps their attention on the group just in case something happens—nobody expects infighting to break Juniperstar's offered truce, but things have a way of surprising them—, but does not interfere just yet. If none of them wish to listen, then they can face Sablestar's wrath for themselves. Snapping at the youngsters' hindlegs out in public would only hinder ShadowClan's already-low reputation anyway.

Relief makes them sag a little when Bluegale approaches them. The more mature warriors here, the better.
"Lively sounds right. Delicate?"
Thick tufts of fur sway as Mirepurr shakes their head, emphasizing their point.
"I doubt anyone who grows up in ShadowClan can be considered delicate."
The swamp might as well be alive with how easily it shapes its inhabitants. Perhaps I'm the only exception, they think ruefully.

The air shifts impossibly when the last of the leaders enters the fray. Mirepurr's hackles rise as blood hits their nose, and their eyes widen next when they take in the bloodied mess that Hawkstar currently is in.
"Whatever happened to her?"


Talking to @bluegale
Looking at @Hawkstar
 

her nose still tingled where the large fluffy femme, graced in soft amber and fluffy white- stained with the blood of her son, still tingled from pressing her nose to rosebellys body before she had left. her low voice, promising the justice to come for her dear rosebud, green eyes still void of the sweetness and kindness they usually held. even after her and duskpools talk on the way here, there was a void in the green depths. he spoke of calm, of this and that- and for the first time in her life, her big brother irritated her. but she was persistent in reminding him that, that her son was dead, his nephew. that he didn't hate her, that she had to carry his bloodsoaked body alone, and the grief of a mother demanded this.

she understood his woes, after all- she was named for her love, her caring nature, her softness, and yet in this moment- it didn't suit her. clouds were soft and welcoming, a fresh mossy nest after a long day of work- not the blood soaked rage filled mother she was made to be in one day. she still saw the look in his eyes when green eyes locked against something darker, and it was even harder to work anything out in her mind when there was nothing that lingered in her mind but unfinished business.

all the scents of all the clans lingered in the air as they pressed forward- blood matting long usually well groomed fur. she had fell in step besides hawkstar, and her large body had become restless. her steps precise, her tail that had been dragging lifting, and her body moving with a sudden purpose- a reminder.

and as they reached the edge- eyes had turned, either remaining on them- or returning back to what they had been doing before.

i wanna go home

it echoed in her mind, roses voice slowly trailing away as the light they held leaving his body. her wail was still raw in her throat, soon followed for the demand of justice. her poor children that remained weeped and wailed for their brother- the children that walked near her. she could almost feel their presence underneath the boiling over anger, but yet again, she had relinquished herself of an unfamilar feeling, her paws guiding herself to a stop next to the bloodied paws of her leader. she looked as if she had been through war already, while hawkstar had merely dipped her pointed paws in the midst- but it was only due to having carrying her son back on weak legs.

she wasnt weak now. her green eyes scanned the cats, brows narrowed and cold as they lingered on different, before green eyes glanced to hawkstar. "
not yet." she responded simply in a rumble unfamiliar to her. "I'm still looking, the amount of bodies cannot deter me." but boy, was there a lot of bodies. there was a trickle of unease that left as wuickly as it had come, replaced with the adrenaline that had suddenly come over her.

her clanmates were backing her, and it only fueled that rush in her blood. she heard stormcrow- a supportive voice she wouldn't have expected, and yet she did. hawkstars loyal command, she couldnt be wholly surprised. it wasnt only her son that had died, after all. but a friend, a brother, merely a child.

the paws tensed against the dirt, black bridged nose leading her head as she scanned the crowd still. the faces of fear, it tugged at her heart from the youngsters, the ones who were innocent- the surprise, the shock, the low murmurs- but her eyes narrowed, and she scanned. still, the tom could not be found, and quietly, she heard mousefang. steady, and on cue, she had taken a breath- pulling claws back into the crevices of her toes. she hadnt realized they slipped out, hadnt realized shed been holding her breath.

"
still, no signs of him. not yet." flowercloud murmured to the leader, gaze searching. there were plenty of brown toms that it made it feel like a specific game of wheres waldo (even though she didn'tknow of it), and her tail flicked behind her in annoyance. before leaning closer to hawkstar, as if sharing a secret. but- no words came, rather using leaning against the leader as a brace before she surged forward like a bloodhound, searching for something like a crazed lunatic. she needed to get a hold of herself.
flowercloud ❀ 35 moons ❀ deputy ❀ she/her ❀ pinterest ❀ deidre
 

[ speaking with @scorchpaw and @gorsepaw ! ]

The mottled apprentice before her looks incredulous at first, as if stunted by the encounter. Cloudberrypaw feels that confusion twice over, lips pulled into a thin line as she corals the excess emotion into the pits of her belly. It churns, but she leaves it there to the best of her ability. It becomes harder when apprentices of her own Clan grow angry with one another - something over semantics or word choice - and that vile frustration builds in her chest next. She focuses on the stranger - Scorchpaw - and prefers the uncertainty over whatever her Clan blooms behind her.

"Cloudberrypaw," she says it like it hurts to speak, her throat raw from simply breathing. Her lion-like tail curls to her side as she turns her gaze to find her mentor, forcing a sense of normalcy even as her heart thrums faster than hummingbird wings. She can't settle - she hates this place. Cloudberrypaw had tried and succeeded, yet she still risks failure. Her teeth click together as a new thrall of emotion joins the clearing (anger, vengeance, disgust,) and a quieter, equally as snappy apprentice joins Scorchpaw's side. Gorsepaw. Her shoulders pull together slightly.

"Were you... looking for someone?" she hardly caught the gesture from Gorsepaw, but there's a sense of astonishment dwelling between the three of them. Astonishment and maybe... fear? She can't quite parse it out; the gathering is getting too loud. "I'm in your way," she states plainly, following with a drop of uncertainty in, "... right?"
 



- Curlpaw -






Life is to be enjoyed not endured.


.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Following behind her mentor, Curlpaw's ears flickered at the loud meows from the surrounding cats. Her eyes were wide and dilated.

I've never seen so many cats.

She looked to her mentor as he spoke. "They get nothing from us." A rather harsh assessment of a cat she knew nothing about. Still, Curlpaw would gladly oblige. Less cats to worry about interacting with was always the best case scenario. "Feel free to chat with apprentices from other clans..."

"No shadowclan cats, got it."

Curly rushed off, eager to find her friend. Weaving through the crowd, she was unable to detect his scent. The unfamilar cats swarming the clearing of the four trees. Forced to find him by foot, it took Curlpaw much to long. By the time she arrived, she had heard most of the outburst. Her eyes rolled dramatically.

TORRENT PAWWWWW! It just had to be shadowclan.

She approached the crowd from behind her rosetted friend. Her haunches quickly lowering to the ground infront of him. She enjoyed listening to the bickering of the other clan cats for a moment.

"Yeesh." Her voice carried a low rumble of disapproval. She glanced to Torrentpaw hoping to get some sort of attention, his gaze was fixated on one particular cat. Curlpaw let out a soft sigh. As much as she would love to just run off, she knew he was worried and would stay that way without resolution. Whoever this cat was, they clearly mean something to him. "Hello fellow apprentices!" Curlpaw boldly interrupted, still sat on her haunches. "Delicate this, delicate that... WHO CARES! Shouldn't we all be greeting in peace and harmony... or some shit? You all look..." Curly paused, pondering the best possible adjective with the least offense. "Tense!" She stood, walking closer to Snakepaw. She sat beside them, very clearly invading personal space. Her paw raised to rest on the cats shoulder, a toe pressing inbetween his shoulder blades. "Wow yep. Very tense can you feel that knot?" She retracted her paw from the feline beside her.

"So can't we all just get along?"

There was an awkward moment of silence. Her eyes darting between the cats hoping for some sign of approval.

  • ⟡ OOC -
    Interrupting @Snakepaw @Stoatpaw @FLEAFIRE @Tickpaw in an attempt to pull @Torrentpaw from the conflict arising.

  • Curlpaw
    ‎ ‎
    She/Her | Riverclan/Apprentice

    Dialogue - text - Thoughts
    Mentored by Smokewreath
    Curlpaw is a LAZY cat!! All she wants to do is eat and sleep. Having no motivation to progress in her training, she is often looked down upon. She is very carefree and doesn't care what the others think.

    Curlpaw is a Havana mix with a curly coat and a docked tail. Her fur is a rather deep amber. Her eyes glow a vibrant green.
 



- TORRENTPAW -






Not some average bones, I believe in love!


.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
A smile began to form across Torrentpaw's muzzle as Snakepaw began to visibly ease and introduce himself, despite his mew being full of confusion. Though his smile quickly died at the Shadowclan apprentice's next words.

"It is not because she is so delicate that you will be able to pick a fight with her, I'm not allowing that!"

He followed his gaze towards Stoatpaw, but as his eyes met Snakepaw's again, they burned with sudden surprise and anger. His shoulder fur rose–he couldn't help it, and at this point, he didn't care if their secret got out. Had this cat lost his mind? Torrentpaw parted his jaws to reply, his body language suddenly cross at the other apprentice's audacity.

White fur crossed his vision, stopping Torrentpaw before he could get a word out. It was Stoatpaw herself, tail lashing as she held Snakepaw by her gaze alone. He watched her defend herself against the other apprentice's ignorant words, and he couldn't help the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin, eyes beaming with admiration for his friend.

Catching her eye before she padded away from the scene, Torrentpaw watched her leave, paws itching to pad after her. He hadn't noticed the other two Shadowclan cats arrive, his eyes flickering back towards them as they began to spat at Snakepaw, who was dumbfounded. He listened to them defend her, and Snakepaw desperately try to give reason for his words. He felt brief sympathy for the apprentice, as it was clear he felt instant regret for his own ignorance.

"Hello fellow apprentices!"

Torrentpaw's head swung around, falling onto a familiar face that had apparently been sat beside him. He blinked at Curlpaw, wondering how long she had been there.

Before having the chance to further process the scene that had unfolded before him, the stench of blood hit his nostrils, causing his body to stiffen as he glanced around in attempts to determine where it was coming from. In the midst of their argument, another clan had begun to flood into the clearing, which had to be Skyclan. Torrentpaw's gaze travelled with them as they walked though the clearing, their paws and pelts stained with red. His pelt ruffled, this time with apprehension as the air itself seemed to change with their arrival. Something was wrong.

"We should get back to our clan, Curlpaw." Torrentpaw meowed, dragging his gaze back to her with a seriousness in his tone. She would have to massage Snakepaw's shoulders another time.

"And Snakepaw," He began, shooting the apprentice a quick warning look. "You shouldn't underestimate the strengths of those around you." Torrentpaw meowed, his voice firm but not unkind.

With that, he gestured back towards his clan with a toss of his head, expecting Curlpaw to follow after. Stoatpaw did not leave his thoughts as he padded away, though he would have to catch her after. Whatever had happened with Skyclan was of grave concern, he could taste it in the air.




  • ⟡ OOC -
    Speaking to @Snakepaw and @Curlpaw before leaving the scene and padding back towards his own clan.
  •  
  • Torrentpaw
    ‎ ‎ He/Him | Riverclan Apprentice
    "speech" - text - thoughts
    Mentored by Pineheart
    A rosetted charcoal Bengal.
    Has a sturdy build with a large head and paws, and short thick fur.
    Holds a zealous and determined demeanor.
    Usually seen with Squid


 

Snakepaw gulped again, ears down and tail low. When Fleafire swatted at him, he yelped loudly, to his own embarrassment. It didn't hurt, but he was so tense and worried that he expected to be mauled again at any moment. So he yelped.

"I didn't mean to make her look weak! I just didn't want anyone hurting one of my clanmates…" he muttered, cowering still. He felt like explaining himself further, but he was afraid of the reactions to whatever he could say more. So he shut up and listened to Fleafire.

He gasped at the possibility of fighting Stoatpaw. It felt more like a trap than anything else. What if he won? Would Flea and Tick leave him alone? Or would he get jumped by them whenever he ends up alone again? Still, he didn't voice his opinions, he learned something out of it.

"Fine-" he tried to reply, being suddenly interrupted by another apprentice. Seemed to be another Riverclanner, by her smell. Ugh, was today the day all of Riverclan would make him look like a fool? Not that he needed much help with it or help with making everyone decide to hate him… It took him all of one wrong word for things into descend to chaos.

"I'm not tense!" he muttered, as he saw Torretpaw take his leave. Well, if he wasn't tense then, he felt a shiver and his body tense up now. The smell and the visage of blood filled him with dread. Whatever happened, it wasn't good, and maybe they all should stay close to their clan. He really wanted to tell them to find Stoatpaw, make sure she wouldn't be alone to fend for herself if things went to shit, but he did learn his lesson and instead said something else.

"Maybe we should also stay close to our clan…" he said in a small voice, apprehension filling his throat, making it hard to talk.

  • "speech"
    thoughts

    ☆ OOC: Replying to @FLEAFIRE @Torrentpaw and @Curlpaw

    Art by Pheo!
  • SNAKEPAW he/him, shadowclanner, 14 moons.
    A lanky blue diluted tortie with green eyes. Stands of average, almost tall for his age, height.
    Mentored by Loudclaw (NPC)
    No family
    Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
    Color = mediumpurple
    Penned by draculaelliot ↛ draculaelliot on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
 

This was Juniperstar's idea, and while he felt it was.. a good one, yes, he also felt like something was off. The air felt weird. Tense. This wasn't common for them. The last time this many cats had been here... he can feel the wound on his side burning. He swallows thickly, ears pressing against his skull in a rare show of trepidation. Normally it wasn't written on his face, and every fiber of his being wanted to hide in Ghoststrike's shadow all over again. He wouldn't do that here- it was kind of embarrassing to do that, after all. Hide in another guy's shadow in front of the many clans that have formed and congregated around this clump of large trees. So he licks his chest and moves into the situation at hand, baby blue eyes wary of each Shadowclanner he scents.

Hopepaw is presumably at his side, and he offers his apprentice a smile and permission to mingle if he wished. Truthfully, he wasn't sure he wanted to let the little guy go trapezing off on his own, but he had to have faith that he could take care of himself. In the same breath he tells him if he wants to stick close he's allowed. Thunderflash's eyes shift away from Hopepaw, searching the crowds- and in the same instance that Serpentberry sees it, he watches Sablestar touch Juniperstar, meaning to make friendly with her. His stomach churns and he grits his teeth together. Bastard. His thoughts whisper, and it takes everything in him to let his eyes drop away from Juniperstar. Owlbark could take care of her- Serpentberry was another story. He watches, briefly, as she slips away to someone else.

He can't look much longer. Her flank presses to a Shadowclanner's- Jadethorn. Irritation grows hotter, into a flame, in his stomach. He misses the way Sealpaw mounts the rock to look for him, his ears forward and irritation turning into a scowl on his face. His friend, his best friend, making buddy-buddy with the cat that kept him from killing Sablestar. His teeth snap together and his head turns. His side burns, the scar that Ghoststrike mended with his own fur burning hotter. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt. He doesn't run to Serpentberry, does not cause a scene, does not flee towards Juniperstar or Owlbark to whine about the fraternization between his best friend and his enemy. No, his paws carry him to the edge of the gathering, right beside the spot Ghoststrike chose to haunt, and sits down with a dramatic huff.

"I need a spar as soon as we get back." He mumbles out to the other Storm Guard. If it wasn't obvious enough, his body language was speaking to rage, fury boiling like lava, barely contained by the cold jaws of trust. He trusted Serpentberry to not do something stupid, to not make an ass of himself. He ignores the urge to bury his claws into the ground, nose wrinkled and teeth grit together. Still, that odd air returns, hovering above their heads. Blood- he scents blood, and he's sure it isn't from the way he's been biting into his cheek. Baby blue eyes, stormed over with clouds, narrow towards the group of Skyclanners on the rocks. They're searching the crowd, wearing expressions of anger.

He feels like a mirror.

  • "speech"
    // speaking to @hopekit , looking directly at @serpentberry and @Jadethorn , then escaping the main grouping to sit with @GHOSTSTRIKE
    // @Sealpaw IS mentioned but he misses her, sorry </3
  • THUNDERFLASH he/him, thunderclan storm guard, twenty-six moons.
    a sh/lh chocolate tabby with low white and stunning baby blue eyes. stands of average height with a 'mohawk' and spiky-shaped mane.
    mentored by n/a / mentoring hopepaw
    whichever relations / want listed
    peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
    penned by dallas ↛ dallasofnines on discord, feel free to dm for plots.
 

Swirlpaw, -- 8 Moons / Skyclan Apprentice -- Ages on the 5th
Brown and orange tabby chimera she-cat with mismatched eyes.
Daughter of Milkheart, sister of Creampaw and Nutmegpaw.
Tagging N/A

The slaughter of Rosebelly had the clan up in arms. There was justice to be served, and it would be served tonight. Hawkstar was on a warpath, leading her warriors behind her to what was supposed to be a peaceful gathering. The idea of that shattered when Rosebelly was murdered by those Thunderclan cats. Where was their honor, Swirlpaw thought, as they marched to the fourtrees. Did they not beleive in Starclan and the Warrior Code? Did they not know what kind of crime they had committed? The hypocrisy of Juniperstar's call to peace was plain in front of them.

Swirlpaw had never been in a battle before. She had been training, of course. She was an apprentice, and she threw herself into her training with gusto, obediently doing all she could to learn and become the best warrior that Skyclan could offer. To grow into an honorable warrior who would never kill a cat from another clan who hardly put up a fight. To be a cat who would protect their borders and follow Hawkstar and Starclan's will as was written in the stars. She had never felt such anger and such... fear, before. She hadn't known Rosebelly well, but they were clanmates. To know a warrior of Thunderclan could end a life to easily... it was terrifying.

She was scared. She kind of wished she had stayed back at camp.

But, looking at the Skyclan warriors at her side, she knew it was her time to prove her loyalty to her clan and fight for their honor and for justice to befall upon Rosebelly's murderer. It would have been cowardly to stay back at camp, and she needed to be strong for her clan. For Hawkstar and Flowercloud. She could only hope that this would be quick. For it to be rather diplomatic. Maybe the other Thunderclan cats didn't know. If they did... they would surely understand and agree with whatever justice was dealt out. With the dozens and dozens of cats crowding the gathering, things could so easily disolve into something worse. She needed to fight if that happened.

So she straightened her shaking paws, she scanned the crowds, standing by the warrior's sides, strong and unmovable. scared. She pushed down the longing in her soul when she caught sights of apprentices gathering together, making friends and chatting happily. This gathering wasn't for that. This gathering was for justice.

 
I'm a young soul in this very strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout what is true and fake
But why all this hate? Try to communicate
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make

.


Humming softly to herself, Weaselchirp toddled along with the rest of the WindClanners, wide orange eyes scanning the clearing with a lazy sort of wonder. A smile tugged at her face, her scruffy whiskers twitching once as she caught sight of something particularly rock-shaped nearby. " Yeah, so I found a rock not too long ago. " she began conversationally, yapping at the nearest clanmate with the same breezy tone she always used. " Named her Susan. Looked like a Susan. " Beside her, her apprentice Cloverpaw padded steadily along, such a good little thing, that one. So helpful with digging! Weaselchirp had no doubt she'd be an amazing tunneler one day.

" Anyway, I was gonna bring Susan home, but I got distracted by this toad. Kept yappin' at me. " she continued, her voice light. " Funny thing, if you stared at him long enough, it was like he knew stuff, you know? Not normal toad stuff. Weirdly specific stuff. " She let out a short chuckle, eyes half-lidded with amusement. " Reminded me of this loner I once met. Told 'em my whole life story, worms, tunnels, everything. They were so awkward they gave me a pebble just to shut me up. I think I still have it stashed somewhere, tucked in a neat little spot. Wasn't in the barn, you know. " Her head tilted suddenly, eyes focusing. " Anyway. D'you think this whole Gathering's gonna go smooth? " she asked the WindClanner absently.

She stared at them for a beat too long, her wide eyes giving the impression she could see through fur and straight into thought. But before they could answer, she broke away with an airy step and a fond glance toward Cloverpaw. " Stick close to me, yeah? We'll be back to digging in no time. Well, not tonight. I wouldn't do that to you. Even the stars need sleep sometimes. " Her tail gave a gentle flick, and she reached out with a light paw to pat the apprentice on the head. " Tomorrow, maybe. After you've had rest. Still got growing bones, after all. "

The scent hit her before the sound, sharp, coppery. Blood. She blinked slowly and looked toward the center of the Gathering, where leaders and deputies clustered tight. Her expression didn't change much, just a slow realization behind her eyes. Huh. Didn't they know blood scent went bad in open air? Whatever was going on, it didn't quite register as urgent yet. But still, almost instinctively, she curled her thin tail around Cloverpaw's side, drawing her in with an easy, warm smile.

She wasn't one to make promises. But she would be here, and for now, that would be enough.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis


66 MOONS
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WINDCLANNER
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SONG
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bio


ooc: yapping to a poor wcer and to @Cloverpaw
 

Hollowmumble, -- 36 Moons / 'Windclan' Cat -- Ages on the 14th
Black spotted ghost tabby with bright amber eyes.
She is friendly, yet quiet, and always willing to help.
Interacting with @Weaselchirp & @Cloverpaw

Hollowmumble hummed absentmindedly in response to Weaselchirp's story, muttering an "Of course..." when she spoke of the weird toad. Her eyes scanned the cats around them as Cloverpaw and her trailed behind Weaselchirp, keeping a careful eye out to make sure they didn't bump into anyone. She glanced up, focusing back on the other Windclanner's words when she asked about the gathering. Hollowmumble blinked a little, staring into her large eyes before sighing.

"I can only hope so. With however many clans here, there's sure to be some kind of infighting. I just hope they can keep it under control." She really doubted it would go flawlessly, zoning out as she studied the droves of cats around the area, gathering in groups and chattering away. She could already spot some arguments cropping up, though luckily nothing too bad just yet. At that thought, her fur stood on end, ears and head perking up to look around.

The smell of blood.

There was no screaming, but an odd sort of silence fell over many cats. Something was wrong. She scanned the crowd slowly, absentmindedly closing in on Cloverpaw's other side so that she was safe between her and Weaselchirp. That was when she spotted them. Warriors from another clan, marching into the area, a couple of cats drenched in blood. This wasn't good at all. Her ears lay flat and she lowered her head again, subconciously wishing to hide herself so that she wouldn't be noticed. "That's not good. That's not good at all."

Hollow watched them closely, jumping slightly when a cat suddenly dashed away from the group, searching.

She glanced behind her, nervous. "...Maybe we should back up a little. Get out of the crowd and keep out of the way. Come on."

 

Hopepaw is… well, to say he's overwhelmed would be an understatement, and a grave one at that. There is far too much noise, too many voices, making colours flash in his head against his will. He knows his sister will be running off to make friends, and probably the rest of the Thunderclan apprentices too, but… he's scared. It doesn't help that Shadowclan is there. His mother didn't talk much about what happened, but… it was bad, and it made her upset. So it made him upset too, they made him upset. He blinks up at his mentor when he speaks to him, telling him it's okay to go mingling, but that he can stay close too.

"I… It's a little overwhelming," he says. He looks around again, ears flicking, trying to somehow fend off the noise around him. "I'll stay with you. Uhm… maybe I can mingle next time…"

If there is a next time, he thinks, somewhat dully. He wants to mingle, it's just… scary. And what if they don't like him, or think he's weird? His only real friend was Boarpaw, but he'd already run off to mingle with the other apprentices, somehow undettered by fear.

Thunderflash seems to go through a wide range of emotions in a very short time, many of them unfamiliar to Hopepaw at his young age. Eventually he takes off towards Ghoststrike, and Hopepaw follows, settling close to his mentor, a wisp at his side. He mumbles something to the other tom that Hopepaw doesn't hear, and then, suddenly– blood. The smell of blood. It's vaguely familiar, a faint memory from when he was born 6 moons ago. But the anger on the cat's faces, those who are covered in it– that is unfamiliar. He looks at them apprehensively, and a little scared, and shuffles closer to Thunderflash.

 
But my words, like silent raindrops fell

And echoed in the wells of silence

The hour between Flop-ear being carried into camp on his mother's back, and the departure of the patrol for the gathering had gone by slowly for the small apprentice. While clanmates ushered themselves around to prepare for the trek, Downypaw was sitting stock still by the body, sky blue eyes not once moving from where they stared, boring holes into the soft pelt with the intensity behind them. He would rise again... He had to... For Sticky-fur, for Stripe-tail, for One-eye and all the others who cried and raged at the stillness of their clanmate and friend. Afterall, he couldn't be gone, right? Not when so many came back from the worst, even herself. But it was taking longer. One-eye hadn't taken this long...

A large paw stepping into her view made the apprentice jolt slightly as her clanmates started to gather near the entrance of camp. The white molly looked up to find Sky-eyes's father, Rumble-Scar, blocking her from being able to see Flop-ear properly. She had been hesitant, but still, she had been chosen to go with the others. There was a touch from Bloody-heart, which helped her follow in step with her and the hulk of a tom that initially blocked her view. Bloodied paws would be washed along the way to the great trees, her mentor having coaxed her to a nearby stream. She wondered why, when both One-eye and Stripe-tail were still swathed in the congealed liquid up front. Flop-ear had still been hurt by another group, after all. Still, she didn't see anyone else wearing the red so she didn't give much resistance.

As Downypaw stepped into the clearing, she was suddenly bombarded with a mess of different scents and a rainbow variety of pelts. Her paws froze in their movement almost immediately, muscles tightening like ice as her gaze fluttered across all the different felines she didn't recognize or know. Ears swiveled backwards, pressing tightly against her skull as her breath caught in her throat. Beside her, she could feel Wave-legs's presence, although she was sure he was saying something to her she wasn't paying enough attention to. She was to overwhelmed. There were to many cats. To many faces and scents and all of this was too much and she suddenly wanted to go back to camp. Where she could wait for Flop-ear to wake. Where the only cats she had to try to understand were her family.

Shakily, a pawstep was taken backwards, and then another. The third seemed to be where she made a mistake. Another body, dipped in the color of moonlight like herself, was briskly making their way past the group when it happened. As usual, the alabaster molly seemed to find her way into situations that could cause trouble. The collision is light but sudden, eliciting a yelp from Downypaw as she was caught by surprise. Pawsteps were frantically made sideways before she stumbled and lost her footing, flopping down against her stomach. Scrambling back into a sitting position, sky blue eyes stared upwards at the taller white molly, ears still pinned, tail curled tightly against her legs. A shaky paw came up and pressed against her chest, tapping before she lowered her head in a deep bow of apology. She didn't mean to get in the way! And she couldn't tell if this cat was from the particular group that had hurt Flop-ear, her nose clogged with to much all at once.
  • ooc
    —— Interacting with @Stoatpaw ! Mentioned to be near @Fujimoto !
    Because Downy is deaf, obligatory nickname list!
    Hawkstar -> One-eye (for her one eye)
    Wolfstorm -> Sky-eyes (for his azure eyes)
    Duskpook -> Rumble-Scar (for his deep 'voice' and scars)
    Fujimoto -> Wave-legs (for their wavey-striped front legs)
    Flowercloud -> Stripe-Tail (for her big striped tail)
    Teaselfeather -> Sticky-fur (for their trinket filled fur)
    Rosebelly -> Flop-Ear (for his one floppy ear)
    Stormcrow -> Blood-heart (for her red chest spot)
  • string of lyrics / lengty or short quote goes
    here
  • Downykit she/her
    A Small Long Haired All White Molly with Sky Blue Eyes, Deaf In Both Ears and Mostly Mute
    ❧ Apprentice of Skyclan
    ❧ 11 moons; ages on the 7th of every month
    speech thought attack
    ❧ peaceful + healing powerplay permitted
    penned by Taru
 
—————————————————— Rocked by an endless motion ✦


By all means, he had been staying out of the way. The tom wasn't exactly looking to mesh with many of the clans in the first place, but he thought he'd come along anyhow. If anything, it could tell Wavesong about the gathering once the group had returned home, and surely the kits would be clambering over the returning cats in curiosity. Galepaw hovered not far from his sister @Thunderpaw, blue eyes wide and watchful over the mixing of his familiar world with so many unfamiliar individuals. "...Awfully crowded, isn't it?" The pale cat noted lowly to his sister after a moment, wrinkling his nose slightly as he shuffled ever so closer to his own group. "Not the most organized of events... if you could even call it organized in the first place." Hopefully it would be over soon, and the tom could go back to a much calmer, much more predictable, much more wet environment. The bird caws were... unfamiliar, piercing, calling out singsong-y warnings that only he could heed.

Focusing on those songs of fear would drive the apprentice mad, and so instead it focused its attention on the familiar form of Torrentpaw. 'Ah, of course he's mingling.' The pale lynxpoint thought with a small smileat least the confidence of the older apprentice was a welcome and familiar sight... but it didn't take long to spiral into some sort of chaos, as apparently that strange patchworked tom had made a fool of himself, or perhaps a fool of his clanmates? It hardly mattered the why in the end, all he needed to glean is that the interaction didn't go well.

He couldn't focus much on the little brown apprentice going to intervene as the frenzied call of birds caught his attention. His neck snapped towards the treeline where the fear was emanating from—strange new calls filling his ears, ones that told of death, of danger, of violence and metallic smells on the wind. It didn't take long for the treeline to give way to new forms, bloodied forms. It unsettled him, the sight of blood mixing with dirt on muddy paws, coating the front of who seemed to be the leader of the bunch. "Thunder..." He muttered quietly, in an attempt to get his sister's attention on the incoming clan. They didn't exactly seem friendly... but at least whatever they wanted, they didn't seem to want with his clan.

He had little time to dwell on the appearance as Torrent popped up in his line of view once more. "Mmm.....Didn't go well, I take it?" Gale tried for an almost humorous tone, though the hushed nature that had fallen over the gathering certainly put a damper on it. After a terse, quiet moment, he cleared his throat once more. "Not exactly what I expected to see." The lynxpoint muttered tensely, eyes moving back over to the bloodied warriors. "The birds aren't the fondest of them, either..."

  • speaking to @Thunderpaw, then to @Torrentpaw as he comes back (and @Curlpaw as well if she ends up following torrent back!!)
    still open for any interactions from other cats, though :) its being a bit of a homebody and sticking with his clan at the minute
  • Galepaw
    ✦—Riverclan Apprentice | 8 Moons
    ✦—He/They/It
    ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
    ✦—A fluffy high white lynx point with curled ears and deep blue eyes
    #87878E #BAB2AC
 
You walk along the edge of danger
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU

.


Copperstorm had kept a close, unblinking eye on Boarpaw, his throat constricted tight with dread. The moment he came into view... Towering, massive, unmistakable.... Copperstorm's every instinct screamed to drag Boarpaw back to his side. Tuck him away. Hide him behind his legs, send him back to Dewshine. Anything to keep him from being seen. From being recognized. But he couldn't. To act now, to intervene, would betray too much. Would make any connection between them glaringly obvious, and if Coalstrike hadn't already scented it, the tom certainly would then.

Golden eyes flicked toward Peachtrot, just for a breath. A shaky smile tugged at his mouth but never reached his eyes. Stars above, he was falling apart inside. A storm churned beneath his ribs, violent and breathless. His eyes snapped back to Coalstrike. The brute was staring right at him. Of course he was. Every muscle in Copperstorm's body coiled, a simmering anger lapping at his paws like fire, aching to be released. This tom... This monster had no right to call himself father. And yet just by existing, by walking into the clearing like he belonged there, he was unraveling everything Copperstorm had tried to build. Everything. What was he doing? Why was he speaking to the RiverClan leader? There was tension there, he could feel it from across the clearing. Voices raised, postures tense, a snap of a snarl toward the leader. Had Coalstrike caused that? Had his poison already seeped into another Clan, started to rot it from the inside?

His heart hammered painfully. What if this was more than a coincidence? What if this was deliberate? What if he was here for Boarpaw? Copperstorm's eyes darted back to the young tom, watching him scan the crowd with bright, eager eyes. Please don't look at him. Please don't get too close. Please, Stars, don't let him know... The flame-point that had once saved them during the war stood nearby. A familiar face. A potential shield. But would it be enough?

Then, chaos again, SkyClan's arrival. Blood. The leader, the large molly beside her, both streaked with it. What in the name of StarClan is happening?! This was supposed to be a night of peace. A Gathering. Not a battlefield, not another mess for him to try to untangle with trembling paws and a heart full of dread. And still... those eyes. Coalstrike's gaze burned into him, like the past refusing to die. Copperstorm wanted to scream. To run. To fight. To disappear. But instead, he stood. A stone against the tide. Not for himself. For Boarpaw. For Dewshine. For the family he would protect with his last breath, even if the ghost of his father was here to haunt it.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis


33 MOONS
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THUNDERCLAN
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SONG
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bio
 
FLAMERUNNER OF SHADOWCLAN

" Hah, I wouldn't mind being a Seal Guard. " Flamerunner quipped, a grin tugging at his muzzle as he bumped his shoulder lightly against Sealpaw's. " Sounds way more fun than a Night Guard could ever dream of. " His blue eyes sparkled with mischief, but softened when she mentioned Thunderflash. Ah, Thunderflash. The big tom with the odd accent and the ghost that followed him like a shadow. " You know what? I think he would be. " he said warmly. " We just have to look around. Bet we'll spot him. "

But then… Movement stirred at the edges of the Gathering. He looked up. SkyClan. Or at least, he thought it was. The group approached like they were on a mission, shoulders squared, eyes sharp, pelts bristling with that strange, rigid energy. Two of them were streaked with blood. Not fresh… but not old, either. Flamerunner's posture shifted almost reflexively. His body moved closer to Sealpaw's, brushing protectively against her flank. " There must be a reason for it, kiddo... " he murmured, voice low, eyes locked on the blood-marked cats. Still, his gut twisted. That wasn't normal. Not for a peaceful Gathering.

He looked down at her again, the charm in his tone returning, but dulled around the edges. " I think we hang back a bit, yeah? Maybe find a few other clan cats first. Just to be safe. " He flicked his tail gently behind them, signaling the way. " What do you say, spunk? A little recon retreat? " His grin was soft, reassuring, but his eyes scanned the crowd with quiet intensity. Everything was supposed to be peaceful.
But peace was fragile, and Flamerunner could feel the cracks beginning to spread.



RUN BOY RUN ——・゚✦
・゚✦ —— THE SUN WILL BE GUIDING YOU





ooc: talking to @Sealpaw