Gathering 6/17 - 6/22

[thistle.]

The young calico waited for the tom to notice her and respond, her bushy tail flicking with impatience. When he did speak (her attention had been grabbed by a fluttering leaf) she jolted slightly and turned her round face back to the brown tabby.
"I'm fine, Tigertail," she meowed back, cheered by his kind tone. Perhaps he wasn't annoyed after all!

She hopped on her white paws as if embers were singing her soft pads. "This is my second gathering! Or I, uh, think it is." She shrugged. "It might be my third." She acted nonchalant, as if going to Gatherings weren't that exciting. Unfortunately, the bounce in her step and the eagerness embedded in her voice betrayed her mask.

She plopped her rump down on the floor, wagging her tail much like an over-enthusiastic dog would. "You're from MeadowClan, right? What's it like, livin' in another Clan? Do you have an apprentice, by the way? Can I meet her or him? Or did he not come or somethin'?"

Spottedpaw had obviously forgotten that she had to be polite and not pry, especially when it came to a warrior.

[Kiddo [le pwnsome]]

Icetail jumped as the Pineclan cat spoke to her, she twisted her head to look at him, "Oh, hello," she paused, trying to remember his name," Smokestripe." The tone of her voice curled upward near the end, and it became a slight question. Behind her, she heard a snapped retort from the Fogclan apprentice and sighed, glancing up at the moon again. This was a Gathering for Starclan sake, not a battlefield. The subject of Pineclan's disbelief was a touchy one, especially in Fogclan, it might not take long for claws to come out.

To distract herself, she turned her attention back to Smokestripe and...

Mousedung

Smokestipe was Pineclan, and he could undoubtedly hear the argument. No suprise, half of the forest could probably hear them.

[Crowzerplorodon]

Otterfur drew back for a second, watching Briartail's quick fall-out from his kind composure. He couldn't help but shake his head sadly -- though he felt more pity toward the small tom than sadness that the other had acted the way he did. Luckily for Otterfur, the StreamClanner seemed to catch himself and pull on a more civil outlook. "It's nice to meet you too."

He sat in silence as Briartail spoke, nodding slightly in agreement with the small, brown cat. "Yeah," he said after a moment. "This place is kinda wonderful. How it brings all the clans together -- even for only a night -- in peace. It kinda really says something about the clans. How, despite our differences and opinions, we all can be peaceful."

His tail twitched suddenly, a fresh breeze had just sent him shivering. A glance to the sky told him that the night was getting on and soon the leaders would probably call all the clans together for their announcements.

--

Tigertail chuckled at the excited apprentice, glad to see that she wasn't like some young cats he knew and tried to take on the position of a warrior a few moons too soon. "Your third o' secon'? Both o' 'dem are more 'dan me, I've only been ta' one -- this one!" His eyes moved quickly to keep up with the bouncy apprentice's location.

"You're from MeadowClan, right? What's it like, livin' in another Clan? Do you have an apprentice, by the way? Can I meet her or him? Or did he not come or somethin'?"

He quickly reminded himself not to spill secrets. "Yup, MeadowClan. It's pretty great up 'dere, open lands as far as ya' can see. Only a few trees are on 'da ground, it's excellent fa' runnin' aroun' and catchin' rabbits! Ya' ever catch a rabbit, young'un?"

He didn't pause to let Spottedpaw answer him. "But naw, I don't have an apprentice yet. One o' 'dese days I'll get one and I'll definitely meet you two t'gether, trust me."

[glowlynose]

Briartail grinned and let out a content sigh. Otterfur had gotten it, and he was happy for the brown warrior. He followed the other tom's gaze toward the sky. The moon was climbing higher above the treetops now, and some instinct told Briartail that the leaders would probably be ushering things along fairly quickly. He found himself wondering what the leaders were going to talk about. What sorts of things were appropriate for clan leaders to talk about at Gatherings anyway?

Curiosity sparked in Briartail's eyes as he looked at Otterfur. "So what's it like living in PineClan?" he asked innocently. He was curious to know how their clan was operated without belief in StarClan. Did their non-belief mean they did not follow the warrior Code? That would be interesting, living in a clan with no Code. His grin dissolved into a more pensive expression as he thought about that.

A leaf fluttered past on the breeze, still a left over from last Leaf-Bare. Briartail fought the urge to chase after it, but he did lift a paw and tense his hind legs. He was ready to spring after the leaf at any moment. The leaf was so enrapturing that he almost forgot how many cats were around him. If he accidentally pounced on one of them instead of the leaf, it would be chaotic. His nose twitched.

[Pie]

Stormflower stood just a few inches behind Cloudstar as they reached Fourtrees. The hollow was emtpy, void of any life. Twitching her whiskers in the slightest she felt an odd sense of satisfaction. For one reason or another Stormflower enjoyed being first to Gatherings; it gave her time to collect her thoughts and compose herself for the overwhelming amount of cats to come.

Waiting for Cloudstar's permission, Stormflower jumped to her paws with her clan, their bodies working like, ironically, a stream. Feeling the closeness of her clanmates eased her stirring nerves making her feel whole for a few moments. They tended to fill the small void that haunted her with the loss of her kits and mate.

Once her paws hit the worn grounds of Fourtrees, Stormflower shook her past memories off for the night. Tonight was clearer than most. That had to have been a good sign, yes? Watching Cloudstar break off toward his respectable spot, Stormflower wandered off in her own direction. She didn't exactly have a given destination she wanted to end up, she just walked. Slowly the other clans began to fill the hollow. Watching with curious eyes, the gray tabby cat kept to the outskirts, observing and retaining all she could. Gatherings were the best way to find a cat's character, sometimes.

Generally she found most had perfected masks of fake care and interest. Yet, apprentices seemed to have no problem dissing each others beliefs. Angling her ears toward their conversation she felt an odd stir hit her chest. Their bicker didn't sit well with her stomach. Why bash one another, especially at a Gathering?

Watching the two red toms, Stormflower quickly ran through the cats names' in her head. Firepaw and Finchpaw, two brothers of FogClan. The one they spoke too was obviously PineClan, however, she couldn't recall his name. Coming to her paws, Stormflower wove her way around cats, giving a nod here, a 'hello' there, until she reached the three apprentices.

"Everyone enjoying their first Gathering?"[/color] Smoothly injercting, Stormflower fixated her golden gaze upon Finchpaw, a small smile haunting her lips. Sitting between Firepaw and Spiderpaw, Stormflower looked down at the PineClan apprentice when his name finally clicked. That's right.

Spiderpaw.

Looking at the young tom he seemed so angry. She hated that she could relate to the rage that swam in his eyes. It wasn't his fault he was raised not to believe in StarClan and it wasn't the other two's fault that they did believe in StarClan. They lived in peace with each other this long, why break each other apart now. Especially at such a young age.

Wrapping her long tail around her paws, Stormflower allowed her searing gaze to travel from Firepaw and look up at the leaders. Nothing yet. Glancing up at the sky she wondered how long until they started sharing news. [/size]

[laur]

With a curt nod towards his leader, a large, brown and black striped tom strode across the clearing. His lamp-like yellow eyes flashed on pelt after pelt as he acknowledged numerous other felines. This gathering will be interesting, he thought coolly, flicking his tail and twitching his whiskers as his immense brown paws carried him swiftly towards the front, nothing to be unexpected. Ususally, Kestrelstorm was a rather outgoing tom, enjoying the company of others and having a fair amount of fun in large groups. Now, under the scrutinizing gazes of other clanmates, he wasn't enjoying himself like he hoped he would.

Who were they to force him into believing in a bunch of starry cats? Who were they to patronize and discriminate his clan for refusing the status quo? Since when did he and his clanmates lose the privilege to have different beliefs? Thoughts almost the same as these crammed Kestrelstorm's mind as he felt his eyelids lower into what was unmistakably a glare.

Forcing his bright yellow eyes to be open and friendly, he trotted closer to where the leaders usually reported. Kestrelstorm sat, his thick-ringed brown tail wrapping daintily around his large round paws -- dainty for a cat of his size, that is. His nicked ear swiveled; picking up the sounds around him, he distinguished the voices of those cats talking nearby. He noticed it was mostly those of a few apprentices. Now sniffing the air, Kestrelstorm realized suddenly he had planted himself directly beside the StreamClan deputy, Stormflower.

Trying not to be rude, Kestrelstorm turned his massive brown head towards the she-cat. "Good evening," he boomed, putting the most genuine smile upon his flat face that he could muster, "I hope you are well?" His round yellow eyes scanned the she-cat's face, evidently looking for a sign of disgust or dislike. Though he was a good-natured cat, his beliefs were something he would never joke about - the fact he didn't believe in StarClan practically ran his life. He needn't waste his time talking to a cat who was revolted by the fact he had no starry felines guiding every pawstep. If Stormflower were to reject his friendly greeting, he would simply find another cat to engage in conversation before the gathering started. Nevertheless, he sat, hopeful, watching Stormflower as he prepared for a response.


ooc:// sorry, that was pitiful. i'm still rusty =/ but i had to get into the fray somehow.

[/center]

[Pie]

Stormflower focused her gaze in front of her, angling one ear toward the apprentices, and lost herself within thoughts of the past and present. These cats were so young! Why fight about something that could ben either way. She hadn't believed in StarClan when she was a loner. She hadn't thought there was anything to really believe in.

Then she met the Clans, it just so happened she grew with StreamClan. Her mate hadn't given in to believing StarClan, but her son had. Coal was intrigued by the idea, as for her daughter, she was a little more skittish with the thought of it. She liked thinking her parents were the ones watching her. Would her beliefs had been different if PineClan was the clan to accept her?

Honestly, Stormflower knew it could have gone either way. She could be a famous StreamClan cat because of her non-belief in StarClan, or she could have been a famous PineClan cat that did believe in StarClan. Whatever it was, StarClan, a higher power or just straight fate, Stormflower was a believer in StarClan and apart of a clan that matched what she found sacred.

"Good evening"[/i]

By the sound of a rather deep, yet friendly voice, her wild train of thought was shattered. It took her a moment before she could place who he was.

"Ah, hello Kestrelstorm."[/color] She turned to face the large tom, a kind look upon her face. "Yes, I am very well. Are you enjoying yourself tonight?"[/color] She never had a problem with cats that had different beliefs. Stormflower just hoped her tongue would keep in check during this conversation. She didn't want her harsh humor or bluntness to affect this tom in any way. Lucky for him she was in a rather good mood, despite the bickering apprentices before them.

Shifting her body in the slightest, she gave a more open, friendly posture toward the PineClanner. Even though their clans were on opposite ends of the spectrum, Stormflower wanted nothing more then to tie a bond somewhere.

ooc;; I thought it was perfectly fine ^^ I'm rusty too :/[/size]

[» s a b ø r ]]

Sandpaw raced into the clearing, thrilled that it was finally her first Gathering. She more fell down the slope than ran, actually. When she reached the bottom she stood on her feet quickly, looking around to make sure no cat had seen her stumble. She heard some cats from other clans, that had seen it, snicker. She lifted her head high and ignored them though as she walked deeper into the mass of cats. She saw Otterfur talking to some other cat, but decided to let him be; he already had to deal her 24/7, him being her mentor and all.

She wandered around a bit more until she spotted Kestrelstorm, her beloved deputy, and Stormflower, the StreamClan deputy. She wanted to be just like Kestrelstorm when she became a warrior, except for the tom part (lmao). She hoped that she would be as respected as him and become deputy one day. Sandpaw pushed down her intimidation of talking to both deputies, not wanting to make PineClan seem like they raised timid apprentices, and walked over to the two deputies and said politely, "Hello Kestrelstorm. Hello Stormflower. How are you both doing on this fine night?"

[/b] Sandpaw gave both each a bow of the head then sat down and rested her tail over her paws. She always felt more mature than her actual age.
[/blockquote][/center][/size]

[laur]

Just as Kestrelstorm was about to reply to Stormflower, a bundle of sandy fur plopped itself beside him. "Sandpaw." He winked at her in acknowledgement of her arrival. The little apprentice was such a bundle of energy sometimes, he was surprised at how mature she seemed at the moment. Turning to face Stormflower again, he stated, "This is one of PineClan's apprentices, Sandpaw." He flicked his tail nonchalantly in her direction. "Not mine, however" he added, voice booming, "I believe she belongs to Otterfur."

He surveyed the two she-cats near him. He hoped that Stormflower would not take the interruption as insulting, and he hoped the young apprentice would behave herself properly. More than anything, he hoped the meeting would start soon. Small-talk was not his strong suit. Watching Stormflower closely, he politely asked, "Do you have an apprentice?" Hoping she did not find his innocent question suspicious, he continued quickly, "I don't have one, myself. I will sometime soon, I hope." Gingerstar knows all PineClan needs now is a friendly Gathering.

~¤~¤~¤~¤~¤~¤~

Cedarstar lurked close behind two of the other leaders. His large yellow eyes scanned both cats as his brain worked like a computer, pulling up facts about each. Cloudstar -- very large tom. His clan believes in StarClan, but not as strong as FogClan. Very faithful and strong.. yes, a good choice for leader, I think, his brain recited his thoughts clearly as his penetrating gaze rested on the next cat. Gingerstar... PineClan, no belief in StarClan whatsoever. Quite powerful for a she-cat... a bit strict, but nevertheless a good choice.

He smiled. Glancing around at the assembled cats before him, he let his heavy brown paws carry him towards the leaders he chose, the long, tree-brown fur waving freely in the slight breeze with every step. His shadowed paws halted right beside Cloudstar as he turned his magnificent lion-of-a-head towards the other tom. "Good evening." Cedarstar plastered a friendly, yet some-what grizzly smile onto his face. I'm hoping you and your clan are quite well?" His gigantic plume of a tail swished happily as he turned his gaze towards Gingerstar. "And yours as well?"

He lifted a fat forepaw gingerly, licked it, and swatted a few tufts of hair out of his eyes. He kept his grin on his wide face, though in his head he worried that he had come on too strongly. But what's really to worry? He's a cunning cat, and his authority granted him the right to do as he pleases. These cats owe it to him to be friendly, anyway. He bestowed upon them almost as much power as he has himself.

Cedarstar tried to keep his deep voice from sounding aggressive as he spoke, "I've seen you by the border lately, Cloudstar. You seem to be getting along well." he rested his tail on the white leader's shoulder for a moment. Angling his ears towards Gingerstar, his head followed. "I haven't seen much of you in the past moon. Nonetheless, I'm without a doubt that you're doing fine." Squinting with happiness, Cedarstar could not help but let the excitement of the Gathering get to him as he waited for a response.

[» s a b ø r ]]

Sandpaw smiled at Kestrelstorm as he winked at her. She did have quite the crush on the figure of authority. She knew it was stupid for an apprentice to have a crush on a warrior, let alone the deputy, but she couldn't help herself. He was strong, handsome, and he didn't treat her like a little kid; he treated her like she was a warrior...sometimes. If cats could blush Sandpaw would have been blushing. Her gaze drifted to the ground as she unsheathed one claw and dug it through the dirt, embarrassed.

"Not mine, however. I believe she belongs to Otterfur." His voice pulled her out of her embarrassed trance, which made her more embarrassed because she was pretty sure he had caught it. She looked up at Kestrelstorm then said, a bit timidly, "That's right. I'm Otterfur's apprentice."

[/b] She didn't like how he said the word "belongs" though. She didn't like to think that she belonged to anycat, she was much to timid to say the words that ran through her mind though: I belong to no cat though, keep in mind. Plus, if it offended him that she would speak out she would feel horrible about herself. She desperately wanted to be closer to the deputy, but he was not her mentor and he was much too busy. Also, cats would get suspicious if she just followed him around the camp. She had no reason to bother Kestrelstorm with her presence.

She smiled awkwardly at Kestrelstorm, not taking her eyes off of him. She met his gaze a couple of times only to be embarrassed and avert her eyes to her dirt scraping once more. She knew she was acting childish to think of her deputy in such ways and she didn't want to make him embarrassed by her behavior. She thought it might have been better if she would leave them to their talking, but she was much to excited inside about having a conversation with Kestrelstorm- and Stormflower- to leave. So she sat there and tried to get her feelings under control while Kestrelstorm made small-talk with Stormflower.[/size][/center][/blockquote]