2.12.10 GATHERING!

[glowlynose]

Crowpaw's ears perked up at the sound of a familiar voice, his entire countenance brightening with them. Bluefur had come over to talk to him! The warrior had sought him out from every other cat in the whole gathering to talk to him. That simple thought alone filled the apprentice with so much joy that he felt like he might burst, literally. At the very least, he was flying higher than the tallest clouds. Amazing how such a simple act can completely turn somebody's day around, no?

"Bluefur!" he cried, and leaped up to rub his face affectionately against his friend's neck. Of course, the little tom was barely able to reach his face up to Bluefur's neck as it were, but it's the thought that counts, right? "I'm so glad you've come! Finchpaw has already introduced himself, but the other tom is Willowpaw. He's a clanmate of Finchpaw's. Gosh, I never expected to talk to this many cats at my first gathering! Still, there are so many others..." Crowpaw's mew trailed off wistfully. If there were this many cats at the gathering, there must be at least twice this amount in the forest! How was he ever going to reach them all?

Willowpaw's demeanor bothered the night-pelted tom to no end. What was he so frightened for? He had nothing to fear here, yet the pungent scent of terror radiated from where he sat. In fact, you could see it in the depths of his eyes. There were mysteries in those eyes... Crowpaw wanted to know what they were. If they were what made Willowpaw like this, they couldn't be anything good. It would really be best for the tom to purge himself of whatever baggage he was carrying. The light dimmed in his eyes briefly, oh, so briefly, as he whispered something to himself and himself alone. "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." Willowpaw's voice didn't just shake, it had seizures. What would it take to cure those seizures, to mend the pain that lingered underneath the fear in his eyes? Crowpaw didn't know yet.

"Ooh! Flowers!" Crowpaw returned to his normal state the moment the petals graced his eyes with their presence. How curious it was for flowers to bloom here. Then again, it was nearly green-leaf, and this place did not have much snow around. The blossoms must be the early ones, tricked out of their hiding place by the warm temperatures. Paws scrambling wildly, he dashed over to the spot where the little blue flowers made their home. There were four blooms, enough for the four cats that would receive them: Swallowpelt, Bluefur, Finchpaw, and Willowpaw. Careful to not disturb the roots, Crowpaw plucked the little blue flowers from the ground and turned to distribute them. He couldn't know this, but the flowers he had just picked were known to twolegs as Forget-Me-Nots. What an odd coincidence.

"Here, mom! I got another flower for you! And this time it's blue, like the sky." One down, three to go! Crowpaw smiled briefly at his mother before returning to his group. He hoped that they hadn't missed him too much.

"One for you, one for you, and one for you, Bluefur. See, I told you I'd find a flower to give you sooner or later! Looks like it was sooner.

"Before you all get weirded out, these are just presents for you guys. I... um... I like flowers." Crowpaw chuckled nervously and grinned, his pelt burning with embarrassment. He'd seriously just done that, hadn't he? He'd really just given a flower to a cat he'd just met. Willowpaw was sure to think him a freak now.

[/center]

[[ hardyrex ]]

Rabbitstep

- coz' every girl's crazy...

"Hopefully, it's been an... extreme Leaf-Bare."

Rabbitstep nodded. He had to admit, he had been through worse weather, but this was the hardest Leaf-Bare he had seen in a good amount of time. At least no one in MeadowClan had given into the snow-- mainly his kits and Dappledflower. It would feel like leaving his family all over again...

"Rabbitstep," The tan tabby meowed a little quick, trying to cover up the fact he zoned out. "of MeadowClan." New Deputy, Father of Three, and Dappleflower's Slave He held back a grin at his own thoughts. Sure, he would get why he was laughing, but Otterfur might think that he'd was a few feathers sort of a bird. Besides, everyone would think he was arrogant if he called himself such titles-- at least the first and last one.

Rabbitstep's humor snapped away at Otterfur's comment. He was here, unlike the other Clans. How dare the PineClanner suggest that--

Wait. No one knew yet.

"Well... Bramblefang... passed away not too long ago. I was named new deputy of MeadowClan. Cedarstar was going to announce it tonight."

... 'bout a sharp dressed man -

Beaverstripe

- then love until we bleed...

Beaverstripe hoped his one-word answer would drop a hint that he wanted to be left alone, but nope, this MeadowClanner stayed. Was it bother Beaverstripe month or something? First Birchtail, now...whoever this tom was. Birchtail. Crazy she-cat. Ever since she told him of Mistpelt's... plan, she wouldn't leave him alone. But the queen wasn't talking to him constantly, no. She would fix his nest and be all tidy. Not saying that Beaverstripe hated being clean, but she wouldn't stop.

And he was going to go ( more? ) insane.

Ah, less thinking. More getting ride of annoying cats.

"Sleeping is my way of enjoying it." Simple answer. Simple words. Now go away. And hopefully, by ignoring the PineClanner next to him, she's go away, too.

... then fall apart in parts -

Shadepaw

- [ song not yet choosen. ]...

Shadepaw could explode from excitment right now. Another Gathering! New faces, new smells, new friends... and old ones! Would Cedarpaw be there? Possibly. He'd have to find the brown tabby and say hi, share news, and all that good stuff.

His eyes scanned the clearing. The lack of snow was a blessing, but it made it harder to find Cedarpaw's dark coat. He'd have to look extra hard, maybe even taking the whole--

Hey! There he was!

Shadepaw raced down to his friend, bumping into a few cats along the way. He skidded to a stop, smiling. "Hey, Cedarpaw! Who are your new friends? I'm Shadepaw!"

... [ i fail. D: ] -

[Slug]

WILLOWPAW of FOGCLAN

"What, oh what do we have here?"

Willowpaw jumped at the new voice, his eyes putting the moon to shame, they were so wide and shiny, once they saw the newcomer. Big, blue, and PineClanner, the silver apprentice shrank under the tom's gaze, heart hammering against his ribs. He could barely think-- barely breathe. He felt so small-- so very weak compared to the other feline. Willowpaw tried gathering his bearings, but his thoughts were far too scrambled-- too chaotic to grasp. They were shooting this way and that, and the FogClanner couldn't understand but a few words of them.

He was going to die. Gathering or not, he was going to die. He was going get snapped in half like a twig beneath the PineClanner's paw--!

"You have quite the catch."

...Was the PineClanner talking to Crowpaw? But-- he-- Crowpaw-- bwuh?

Willowpaw nearly pissed himself when Crowpaw leaped up and happily greeted his clanmate with great enthusiasm. "Bluefur!" Crowpaw had said, rubbing his face against the much larger PineClanner's neck. Amazed at the black tom's boldness, the petite FogClanner gawked at the two for a moment, mouth open.

Then, finally, the silver apprentice sputtered "You know each other?!", disbelief in his tone. He immediately flinched after his lovely choice of words, embarrassment plastered to his features. Quick, Willowpaw! Say something-- anything! "O-of course yo-you kn-know e-each other." He said, looking away from the two PineClanners. "Y-your clanmates, a-after all!" Willowpaw gave a nervous purr, ears flat against his head.

Brilliance, Willowpaw. Absolute brilliance.

Miraculously, Willowpaw finally noticed the other newcomer, and uttered a sheepish "H-h-h-hi." as he recalled what Finchpaw had said before his little... outburst.

"Uh, you're right Willowpaw, I shouldn't take him for granted-- he does love me after all."

"I a-am g-glad. L-love s-should n-not b-be ta-taken fo-for granted.... I-It's a precious t-thing, and it's e-easy t-to lose." Was Willowpaw scolding Finchpaw? Yes, he was stuttering, but there was a tone in the FogClanner's voice that just seemed... like he was giving the ginger tom a lesson of some sort.

How odd.

BLUEFUR of PINECLAN

Bluefur nearly fell over at the unexpected attack from Crowpaw, letting escape an amused, oh-so-intelligent "What the--?". Then, he allowed a deep, rumbly purr to rise from his chest, his eyes crinkling at the corners with mirth.

"I'm so glad you've come! Finchpaw has already introduced himself, but the other tom is Willowpaw. He's a clanmate of Finchpaw's. Gosh, I never expected to talk to this many cats at my first gathering! Still, there are so many others..."

Like that, Bluefur's amusement disappeared like a dying flame. "It's not the quantity of your friends, Crowpaw, but their quality." Was his stony response to the other PineClanner, then he nodded at the two FogClanners. "...It's... a pleasure." He said slowly, as if testing the words. He then nodded again, approving of his choice of words as he glanced down at Crowpaw.

'Best behavior, Bluefur.' He reminded himself.

His brows shot up at the silver apprentice's-- Willowpaw, was it?-- outburst, anger prickling at his skin. Best. Behavior. He repeated, though allowed himself to glower at the FogClanner. Glaring never did anyone any harm, as far as he remembered.

A new voice broke the warrior from his irritated gaze, however, and the glare became a cold, steely stare as it locked onto a she-cat. For a few moments, Bluefur said nothing in reply to the StreamClanner's greeting, then stiffly dipped his chin slightly in response.

That was all the she-cat was getting.

Suddenly, a flower was shoved into Bluefur's face, and the warrior stared down his nose at the flower, disgruntled. "...Again, Crowpaw?" The PineClanner said, clearly exasperated. Finally, he allowed himself a small smile, and pawed the flower close to himself, almost protectively.

"Another flower to add to my ever growing collection." Was the amused response.

SANDPAW of MEADOWCLAN

Work in Progress

[Whiskers]

A flower.

Finchpaw didn't know what to say. Or how to react. He just sort of sat there, staring at the pretty thing. And then, finally, when he got his head on straight, he was wondering what type of use this flower could have, healing-wise. Its look was quite unique but Finchpaw thought that if he crushed it into a poultice it might act similar to other flowers. Maybe? He would have to check with Brightnose and he would most certainly bring this flower to her after the gathering. That might impress her. He really did need to get back into her good graces.

"Thank you...Crowpaw, for the gift. It's very nice," Finchpaw felt a little awkward as he thanked his friend. He felt the need to say something else...to fully show his appreciation. "I'll have to explore its medical uses when I get back to Fogclan."

Meanwhile, Willowpaw's comment irked him. He really wanted to spit at the tom, for no real reason. Willowpaw was being perfectly kind, Finchpaw just had no desire to defend his feelings for his father, or get a lecture on them. It was times like these that he wished he was either alone or with Frostpaw, since she knew what Rowanheart was like.

Finchpaw managed, however, to keep his tone easy and casual. "That's very true, Willowpaw. Those who have love are very lucky individuals indeed."
---

Shrikewhisker grinned down at his poor victim. It sounded like she was a clumsy one. Well, Shrikewhisker was not the most graceful cat in the whole forest himself, so he thought that they might get along quite happily indeed.

"Ah, you poor thing-- been a bad night for you then? If so, don't worry, the fun is just beginning. the leaders haven't started the meeting yet, so I assume we have some time to chit-chat. If you wish to, that is? Oh right! I'm Shrikewhisker by the way. Pineclanner. It's a pleasure to meet you...?" Shrikewhisker raised his eyebrows in a question, signaling the streamclanner to fill in the blank. Though he had a good idea of her name, it was only polite to ask.

[/size]

[neworleans]

Cedarpaw lifted his head to taste the air, thinking he'd caught a familiar scent. He was right-- Silverflower's calming aroma was growing stronger by the moment. Which probably meant... yup, here she was. Right in front of him. Oh boy. The brown tabby tom felt an embarrassing warmth wash over his skin like a wave. He'd spoken to the she-cat before, and something about her made him feel... different. Was this... love? Was that even possible for a cat like him? Cedarpaw cleared his throat so he wouldn't trip over his words (or be less likely to, anyway). He dipped his head in a gesture of respect, acknowledging her higher rank. "Hello to you, too, Silverflower. It's lovely to see you again." The apprentice wrapped his tail around his paws as he sat up straight. He knew it was proper for a cat to put on its best face in situations like this if it wanted a positive outcome.

Cedarpaw's nose twitched at another familiar scent. Looking to the side, he saw Palepaw bounding up to talk with him, squeezing her way through the throng of cats. The tabby tom couldn't help but give a mrrow of amusement. "Hey there, buddy!" "Hey, Palepaw. Nice to see you again." He barely had time to say this when she continued speaking. "This another friend of yours, Cedarpaw? Hi, I'm Palepaw of MeadowClan." The apprentice nodded. "Yes, this is Silverflower." He stopped there, figuring the silver she-cat would want to introduce herself the rest of the way.

That smelled like... Shadepaw! "Hey, Cedarpaw! Who are your new friends? I'm Shadepaw!" "Well, you already know Palepaw, but I doubt you've met Silverflower before," he replied, gesturing with his tail to the silver she-cat beside him. "So, let's get acquainted, hm? Then we can talk about what's new. Sound good?" He glanced around, almost tentatively, at the three cats near him, searching for approval in their faces.

[glowlynose]

Crowpaw was a little bit taken aback with Bluefur's statement. It's not the quantity of your friends, but the quality. What was the warrior trying to tell him? That he shouldn't be so friendly to everyone? Well, how in the universe was he supposed to make "friends of quality" if he didn't at least try to make friends? Nobody would want to be friends with him if he wasn't nice to them. Bluefur just didn't see was all. He'd never make friends if he didn't meet anybody new. Just because the warrior might not like meeting new cats didn't mean he had to rain on Crowpaw's parade. In a moment of childish spite, he considered taking Bluefur's flower back. After all, what Finchpaw said about medicinal properties might be true. He was sure that Redclaw might find some use for it, certainly a much better use than Bluefur could ever have for the little blue blossom. Perhaps then Crowpaw's mentor might actually give him the time of day. Wouldn't that be nice?

Ah, but no. Taking the flower would be cruel. It might even hurt poor Bluefur's feelings, and that was the last thing the tom needed, more hurt feelings. No, he would let the warrior keep his flower. What Bluefur needed right now was some love. That's what he'd need for a while. Crowpaw studied his friend for a moment before turning to Finchpaw. "If it is useful, will you let me know? It could really benefit all the clans, I think."

"Haha, yes, Willowpaw, we are in the same clan," Crowpaw chuckled. Despite the tom's nervousness, Willowpaw was an okay guy. Quite amusing, no doubt. "Yes, I agree with that. Love is easy to lose. It's also easy to forget when you have love. That's the saddest thing of all, forgetting love. Love is quite precious." Crowpaw smiled easily at his little group of friends, perfectly content. In the company of friends, everything was good. And they were talking about love, the best thing in the world!

[/center]

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Swallowpelt

As she lay there, being grumpy and hoping no cat would talk to her, along came her small black son. She started as the little tom smiled his endearing smile at her and laid a blue flower at her paws. The scarred PineClanner could only stare, dumbfounded, as he padded serenely back into a group of apprentices and a warrior...Bluefur! But that was hardly the most surprising thing: As she caught the scent of his companions, she realized they were all FogClanners! Her heart almost stopped.

Had he no idea what he was doing? Chatting with their deadliest enemies? The fear and concern was almost enough to make her get up and march over there right now to glare at the FogClanners.

But not quite. Swallowpelt had never been an overprotective mother, and she wasn't about to start. As concerned as she was, she knew it was up to Crowpaw to figure things like that out. He did have brains after all, despite his rash friendliness. Didn't he? Maybe. She'd just have to hope. Then again, hoping wasn't something she was good at. As long as no FogClanners bothered her, she could let him be, though.

Ashstorm

Ugh. Typical FogClanner, trying to make her go away, it seemed. Mouse-brains, the lot of them. Well, she wouldn't just meekly walk away like some scared wimp. Nope, she'd tell him exactly what she thought of him. Not too rudely. But enough to send a message. It was a Gathering, after all.

"You know, we're not all that bad - and if you sleep through the whole thing, you'll miss announcements, you mouse-brain."

The gray she-cat was careful about her tone, though it seemed otherwise. She let her annoyance show through, hinting that he was prejudicing PineClanners - which he was, obviously. But she didn't show withering contempt or anger. Just irritation. Nothing, she hoped, that would induce a fight, which was so obviously forbidden and Gingerstar would never forgive her if she caused.

Otherwise, this tom would have been treated to a short, sweet, and loud burst of words that would be so satisfying to say. Oh, but it was hard not to do that. But, the petite warrior knew she must control herself.

-possible other posts coming-

[Crowzerplorodon]

Blackpaw

[/color][/font]

[/i] stutter and he actually liked Willowpaw, whereas he knew close to nothing about this fiery she-cat. Then again, he always liked fiery. But, as a FogClanner, he should've been near appalled that a non-believer would even dare approach him. Really he should be spouting words of StarClan and other crap he couldn't be bothered with. Yeah, StarClan was awesome and all, but hating another cat over StarClan was just asinine.

“Wouldn't think of it, m'lady,” he said, pouring on the charm. At least she had a nice laugh, and she seemed more competent than the two StreamClan she-cats by his side. But just because he thought them incompetent did mean he wanted them to leave. Blackpaw's eyes widened a little when Swanflower bid her good-byes. “Wait just...” He trailed off, not knowing what he would have said any way. The she-cat probably wanted to hang with some warriors and not a rag-tag bunch of apprentices. Ah well, her loss.

“Hey now,” he purred, coming back into the conversation with a smile. “Only mousebrains judge? You callin' my entire clan – myself and our lovely leader excluded – mousebrains?” Hey, it wasn't a secret that FogClan was full of self-righteous judging kits. Blackpaw wasn't though (okay, he was, but he would never say it) and neither was Owlstar. But everyone else? Yeah, judges, the lot of 'em. Naturally though, his words were light and he spoke humorously. It wasn't like he would actually have it out for the she-cat – Duskpaw – because of it.

“So, how's this night treatin' you?” Simple conversation. Just what he needed.
[/ul]

Otterfur

[/color][/font]

[/b] he mumbled before coughing. “That's tragic, I'm so sorry,” this time his voice was clearer, not clouded with pointless sorrow. “Congratulations on your position. I uh... Uh, congratulations. I'm sure your clan is glad to have you...” Oh yeah, they were so glad that they had to lose an important member. Rabbitstep may have potential to be a great deputy, but Bramblefang was (or had been) a great deputy. Otterfur smiled hesitantly, then remembered that this tom had more than just being a deputy to look forward too. Rabbitstep was Dappledflower's mate – he recalled hearing some of the queens gossip about it.

“And congratulations on your kits... though it's probably a bit of old news now. They'll be apprentices soon, right?”[/ul][/blockquote][/size]

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Duskpaw

Oh, drat. Back to square one. Um...now what to say to not make herself look stupid? She was lucky he'd played along so far, but...if only there were someone to speak for her, who knew whether the black apprentice was joking or not, because she couldn't tell. It was true Fogclan was full of believers, but...well, maybe not speak for her, but to be added to their little group...hey, that looked like a lonely gray apprentice over there. Why not invite him? A little voice in her urged.

"Hey over there, Mr. droopy and gray! C'mon and join us! It's interesting over here!"

She probably shouldn't have added that last bit...but who cared? Maybe it would soon be forgotten. Sometimes, Duskpaw didn't understand why she was weird, and this was one of those moments. Why, when things were so exciting and fun, filled with potential, did cats still stop and stare at any slight abnormality? This was supposed to be when they ignored each other's differences. It was supposed to be when they all got along. When everyone at least tried to connect with someone else, no matter who they were.

Boy howdy was she cheesy.

And then for no apparent reason, reality came back in a rush of memory.

Sadness. Heartbreak. Faded memories, distant sounds. The reason why she was such a freak. Why her inner, core being was freaky. She hadn't grown up with others like her. She had to learn on the run.

And if she fell down, no one would stop for her.

Still, she put on a brave face. The others didn't deserve to be burdened with her problems.

Palepaw

Palepaw bobbed her head pleasantly. So this warrior was called Silverflower? And oh look, Shadepaw! She purred at his silliness. Didn't he remember her from the last Gathering they'd seen each other at?

"Remember me, Palepaw, you silly?" She meowed gently at him. He seemed pretty young, probably no more than eight moons at the most. Still, he looked nice enough.

"And hi, Silverflower! Any friend of Cedarpaw's is a friend of mine."
The spotted apprentice smiled at the warrior, hoping the blue-eyed she-cat couldn't sense her nervousness. She hoped they wouldn't interrogate her about her beliefs...would they? Surely Cedarpaw wouldn't be friends with such a cat...

She looked up, awed as always by how many stars there were in the sky. Did StarClan cats really live in those? Or were they actually the stars? Palepaw liked the idea of a spirit living in every star better; it sounded so nice. And each star was probably really big, even though they seemed tiny from where she sat. The sky was a long way up, after all. StarClan cats could run around all day, and leave their stars to visit each other...