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8.2.10
Aug 2, 2010 20:50:39 GMT -5
Post by Cloud of Diamonds on Aug 2, 2010 20:50:39 GMT -5
Cedarstar was pleased. Unusually pleased, in fact. He usually had some worry on his mind, but tonight was one of those rare times when he didn't. Prey was good, the apprentices' training was going well...although...wait. Speaking of apprentices...a memory jogged in his mind. He realized that one of his apprentices didn't have a mentor, because he'd been talking to the other mentors recently about arranging an assessment - Tigertail, Crowclaw, Sandstream, Rabbitstep, Gingerstripe, heck, even Mistystream (Jaypaw WAS healing quite well) - and he had realized he was one mentor short. Peachpaw.
A burst of shame was replaced by a defense of himself - he HAD been busy the day she'd joined - but he admitted that he should have remembered this sooner, and now he had to consider who would be suitable.
He never got a break, did he?
Even the journey here...as he had begun the walk he'd looked back at Gingerstripe, his eyes locking with his mate's for only a moment before he tripped over a rock. It was very embarrassing for a legendary leader, and he'd heard some stifled sniggers from the crowd. He had growled and glared at them all sternly, but inside he was blushing madly.
It really was true that love spared no cat from foolishness, did it? Strategically speaking, it was a bad idea. But Gingerstripe was worth more than anything in the world...
Ahem. The part of his brain grounded in sense told him it would be a bad idea to look like a dreamy fool in front of the other leaders - especially the one who shared half of his love's name.
He chuckled to himself while watching his Clan milling below, his pads cold on the rock. He really was becoming more lighthearted, that he wasn't paranoid and suspicious of seeing the other leaders for the first time in moons - well, not as much as he normally was.
And Gingerstripe was part of that change, he thought warmly.
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8.2.10
Aug 3, 2010 23:28:53 GMT -5
Post by Whiskers on Aug 3, 2010 23:28:53 GMT -5
Gingerstar trudged toward the Gathering and there was no real purpose in her step. Not tonight, anyway. She didn't feel excited for this Gathering, though usually she managed to muster a little bit of anticipation, a little bit of desire, to see her fellow leaders and find out what was going on in the other clans. It was different this time and Gingerstar honestly didn't give a flying hedgehog what the others were up to (she should though, shouldn't she?). She had her own problems to deal with. She had an entire clan of them and the other leaders, well, they had the same. She had to wonder if the Gathering was a waste of time.
And if they heard you say that out loud, Pineclan would be shunned more than it is. You know why it's important. Starclan stuff aside, the Gathering brings us together and creates friendship. It's good diplomacy. Pineclan needs it the most, probably, Gingerstar winced at the thought, but it was true. They had a long way to go before they were respected as much as the others.
These thoughts didn't help Gingerstar much though. She still padded along lazily, her own deputy overtaking her when she thought a little too deeply. It was becoming such an effort to just keep moving. What she would really like to do is go to sleep.
Too late for that-- they were here. She looked down at the clearing and spotted Meadowclan, surprised that they were so early. Then again, she was surprised she was as early as she was. Gingerstar hadn't even made an effort this time, though it was satisfying, seeing that she had beaten Fogclan out for second place. It lifted her spirits, so with a quick nod to her clan, she entered the clearing, hoisted herself onto the rock and planted herself next to Cedarstar. She didn't bother to say hello though. Just as she wasn't in the mood for the gathering, she wasn't in the mood for conversation, especially pointless conversation. [/size]
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Spec
Full Member
Temporary Moderator
May Miststar have mercy on your soul
Posts: 217
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8.2.10
Aug 6, 2010 0:25:50 GMT -5
Post by Spec on Aug 6, 2010 0:25:50 GMT -5
Miststar walked, distracted by the day's events, obviously troubled by the happenings with Nightstream. She signed through her teeth, pelt prickled slightly with the irritable thoughts buzzing around in her head like gnats, before she allowed her pace to quicken. When she emerged into the Gathering circle, her hopes sank, bested by not only Cedarstar, but by Gingerstar as well, a certain cause for self mutilation at best. Inwardly letting out a loose hiss of disapproval, she sauntered forward with as much dignity she could manage, which was still monumental considering the circumstances that gripped her clan.Without turning to acknowledge her own clan members as they began to space out and mingle, accept any welcome she may have received by other clan members of the rivaling clans, or nodding her head politely towards the two other leaders that had gathered, she wove her way passed the throng of the crowd, not pleased at all. Equally without sound of manner, she made her way towards the Fogclan tree, settling herself comfortably as she settled herself down underneath Starclan's mighty gaze, blinking lovingly upon her clan as well as playing upon the ivory strands of her coat in the moonlight. Her eyes mutely scanned the clearing once more, shadowed by her impatience to continue and simply do Starclan's will to announce what needed to be spoken and separate once more. Well, at least she couldn't complain; Fogclan could have arrived last.
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8.2.10
Aug 11, 2010 16:13:35 GMT -5
Post by Crowzerplorodon on Aug 11, 2010 16:13:35 GMT -5
Cloudstar had sped the last moon coming to the conclusion that FogClan baffled him.
First, Owlstar comes and tells him of what happened. Cloudstar didn't hesitate to believe her, and his feelings toward Miststar turned hostile. Then, after the last gathering, he became confused. Miststar didn't seem to be the horrible she-cat Owlstar made her out to be, and the white tom wanted no more than to find Owlstar and try to get the full story. Maybe if he was a little more confident in his beliefs, he would seek answers from StarClan.
But as he looked down on Miststar in the gathering, he couldn't help but think that StarClan was confused as well.
StreamClan was last, which was a rarity. Cloudstar had assumed their camp was closest to the clearing and that was why they always seemed to be first. It didn't bother him, though, and moments after pausing above the clearing, he was flicking his tail and sending his cats down. There was no need to speak to them. Cloudstar was confident in his clan. Once each cat had bled into the clearing, the leader himself went, approaching his fellow leaders with a jolly smile. There would be no animosity this gathering, he would insure it. "Greetings," Cloudstar purred, crouching down before leaping to join the leaders on the rock. "Nice night for a gathering." Which was true. The weather was mild and not as hot as it'd been lately. The ground wasn't too dry, as it had rained recently. And there was a nice breeze going. If anything, Cloudstar would have said this was the perfect condition for a gathering.
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8.2.10
Aug 11, 2010 17:03:15 GMT -5
Post by Slug on Aug 11, 2010 17:03:15 GMT -5
SANDSTREAM of MEADOWCLAN It was strangely refreshing to get out of camp. Why, Sandstream had no clue. In fact, it baffled him, because he felt more 'comfortable' in his camp, surrounded by his herbs. But now? Now it was like it was his first breath of... life? Freedom? There wasn't really a word for what he was feeling right now. Or maybe he was just sniffing the herbs too much.
But then there was Jaypaw, Sandstream realized. Jaypaw, who had been injured by a badger, who was healing nicely, who was of Sandstream's own clan...
Guilt was something foreign to Sandstream, but now the concept suddenly gnawed at Sandstream with a sudden intensity that made him stop dead in his tracks. Jaypaw? Sandstream wondered, ears flat against his head as he stared hard at the ground. "No, that is a ridiculous possibility," Sandstream murmured.
But it was him. Jaypaw, who had questioned Sandstream will I ever heal? and will I ever become a warrior?, was... annoying? That wasn't right. His patients weren't annoying, let alone enough to make him feel like this out of camp. Then again, it made sense, though it bothered Sandstream that he, Medicine Cat, found his patients annoying.
It wasn't Jaypaw's fault that he was worried about his leg, but Sandstream found himself irked at the lack of.... belief? Trust? The lack of what? It had something to do with his skills as a medicine cat, Sandstream was sure of it. After all, why would Jaypaw question about his leg when he knew that Sandstream was medicine cat? That he was a healer, and therefore could put his life into Sandstream's care?
...Or maybe Sandstream was just being paranoid again, though that thought was ridiculous, too.
Blinking, the tabby realized he had been standing in place for quite a while, and urged himself forward, aimlessly weaving through the crowd of felines before finally settling down on a soft, grassy patch and proceeded to bathe his orange pelt.
OOC: fffft so much fail, omfg. Dx
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8.2.10
Aug 12, 2010 23:53:27 GMT -5
Post by Whiskers on Aug 12, 2010 23:53:27 GMT -5
Goosefur Gathering time. There was nothing better. As she sped alongside her fellow Streamclanners, Goosefur's steps had never been lighter, and she hardly made a sound, preferring to fly rahter than romp around like a youthful, excited apprentice-- however, ironically, that was what she was inside. Young at heart, raring to go, energy in every blink. She could hunt for days on the high she was getting from the full moon.
Her stellar mood was attributed to her friends. They were the reason she danced circles around her clanmates with eyes the size of a shocked kitten. Tonight would be the night she could actually see them and not break any rules. She could speak freely of her life in Streamclan-- well not too freely-- and she didn't have to worry about who was coming around the corner or if her clanmates would smell the foreign scents on her fur. A Gathering brought fun back into Goosefur's boring, routine-stricken life. Even if all her friends couldn't make it, she could still breathe at Gatherings and mingle with cats that she had met on the journey.
However, she seriously wished that one of her friends--just one-- would be here. And if there was a Starclan, Goosefur put her faith in Them. Don't let me down here. I just...I miss them so much. So come on Starclan!.
Goosefur descended into the mass of cats, eyes open, nose twitching as the scents overtook her. Yet she was excellent at distinguishing scents and so she sought out the ones most familiar to her. She'd find one of them... she had a good feeling about tonight. [/center] Mistystream [/font] Gatherings made Mistystream uncomfortable; they had always been that way. Though there were many, many cats surrounding her, and plenty of opportunities to talk to others, her tongue was tied and she felt alone. Then, there were times when she felt as though she was a fish stuck in a puddle just a few feet shy of the pond. And the rest of the fish were bustling by, glancing her way, yet moving on with nary a blink or a pause. She had always found herself uncomfortable in large crowds...she figured it was because, when there were so many cats, no one actually spoke and connected. They passed through each other after a few questions. Some cats were not like that, though. She had watched many laugh and spend the whole time with one particular individual. A lot of the apprentices were this way, which made her nostalgic for her youth-- not that she was old at all. Yet she longed for the days of young, blithe innocence.
She stayed on the edge of the crowd, watching some of these apprentices meet each other with excited kit-squeals. The males immediately opted for a physical form of greeting-- a swipe on the head. She laughed quietly, but let her eyes drift elsewhere as her long, feathery tail wrapped around her body. Perhaps tonight she would venture deep into this sea of cats. She could find a friend there.
But she did not move and she knew that such thoughts were only that-- thoughts. Wishful thinking, at best.
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8.2.10
Aug 13, 2010 0:01:49 GMT -5
Post by Pyro on Aug 13, 2010 0:01:49 GMT -5
Aspenheart glanced at Gingerstar. It was probably the umpteenth time he'd done so that night. It wasn't for romantic reason though, rather, it was more out of concern. He'd passed her by accident several times, ending up leading PineClan's descent for a few moments. Normally, Gingerstar would have sped proudly ahead but today...She seemed distracted. He wondered if it was about Rain. The loner had certainly been stirring up a lot of excitement. Aspenheart wished he knew the cat's motives for wanting to stay though. It wasn't often anymore that loners showed up on their doorstep and requested permission to join the clan. That alone was odd in itself.
The deputy shook his head. Now he was getting distracted. PineClan needed at least one attentive and alert rank tonight. He gazed around the clearing. FogClan seemed to be avoiding PineClan more than usual...But he didn't think anything of it. What was a little more indifference on their part? And he had managed to have a semi-pleasant conversation with their deputy at the last gathering; something he hadn't thought possible.
"Just another night I suppose..." Nothing exciting had happened since Miststar announced her leadership. He guessed he should be happy that things were quieting down once more...but somehow he felt as though things were better when events were actually happening. Like he needed assurance everything was still alright and bustling.
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"What a waste of time." Adderfang didn't get the gatherings, much less why Miststar picked him to go along. Probably just to have some variety or to show the other clans she tried not to play favorites. Whatever her reason, he wished she hadn't chosen him. The large tom just couldn't see the point in enemies meeting in one place for a whole night. It was just begging for a fight to break out.
And yet...as he looked around, things were surprisingly peaceful. Something else he didn't understand. Were the supposed ancestors in the sky...what did the clancats call them..StarClan? Was StarClan really enough to keep them from fighting? How stupid. As if a bunch of dead cats could really do anything to a living cat. And there was the matter of whether or not they existed. Something, from the way Miststar and the other FogClanners treated PineClanners, he could guess was very...important? Important that you believe they exist. He smiled, an twisted expression that looked far from happy and joyous on the grey tom. Clearly the way to manipulate many of the clan cats was to justify your actions with StarClan. He could probably kill a PineClanner out on patrol and get rewarded...All he'd have to say was he did it for StarClan. His smile broadened. Oh the things he could get away with in Miststar's reign.
The smile faded though as he remembered to appear somewhat normal as he scanned the crowd...possible victims. All of them deserved to die. It was their life that had drawn Sonne in. Their life that had gotten her killed.
The tom spotted a she-cat in the crowd. He smiled again. She looked like she felt out of place. The quiet sort maybe? The kind that always had a secret. He was quiet...ish...And well...Adderfang walked over to Mistystream, trying to make his face seem somewhat friendly. Perhaps he could test out his theory on this cat. "You seem...a bit uncomfortable here. Not used to all the cats?" His voice was deep, but...awkward. As though he wasn't used to talking to others.
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8.2.10
Aug 13, 2010 9:34:42 GMT -5
Post by Rolo on Aug 13, 2010 9:34:42 GMT -5
((As usual, Frostpaw IS at the gathering, having sneaked past the guards back at Fogclan camp. However, since she's not going to be interacting, I won't bother doing a post for her.))
No-ears
No-ears knew he would be lying to himself if he swore that he was looking forward to this Gathering. He'd never been less enthused by the prospect, not even when Forestclan had gone to ones which could only be described as hostile.
Maybe it was just paranoia, he was getting old after all, but the forest no longer felt as safe as it had been. For moons, he'd wallowed in joy at the lack of clan rivalries and had had time to simply consider the interclan troubles that usually pushed to one side. Now, although he couldn't put his paw on why, it felt as if there was some danger lurking in the woods, a threatening presence that sent a chill through his old bones. He hadn't dared tell any cat about it, not even Gingerstar, because he feared he was declaring there was a fox before one had truly appeared, but he was incredibly worried.
Miststar worried him. In her, he could see everything that could potentially ruin Pineclan, everything they didn't want. Even though she was kind and harmless now, he hadn't lived for this many moons without learning when a cat was more than they seemed.
No-ears swallowed, forcing his mind from his doubts and onto the journey ahead. He couldn't help but think that this journey became progressively more difficult with every passing moon. By the time he was nearly at the clearing, last as usual, he was puffing and panting, desperately in need of a rest. His leg was aching and he felt impossibly thirsty.
He felt a pang of irritation. He needed to be at this gathering fully concious and thinking, and here he was wondering if the clans would mind if he had a brief nap.
But he couldn't help it. His mind was fine but he felt weak and suddenly shaky, unable to take another step. He was forced to stop, sitting right at the edge of the clearing, battling for breath.
Perhaps he shouldn't have come...
Volepelt
Volepelt followed Mistpelt closely as she entered the gathering, his head held high and fur puffed out. The glory of Starclan's power had now truly entered his soul and helped him rise above the sin of the cats of the other clans. Now he held no worries about brushing pelts with all the cats in the clearing, neither politically or religiously. After the last glorious Gathering, they had all learnt that Fogclan was now a great presence in the forest and a clan to be reckoned with, so he held no fear.
As soon as Fogclan dived down into the clearing, he wandered to the very same spot he had sat in the last time he'd been here, below where the leaders sat. Here, he could watch the events unfold and give Miststar his never wavering support.
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8.2.10
Aug 13, 2010 10:01:35 GMT -5
Post by Slug on Aug 13, 2010 10:01:35 GMT -5
Note: I'm making this short, because omfg, No-ears, don't you dare die. ;_; SANDSTREAM TO THE RESCUUUE!
BIC:
SANDSTREAM of MEADOWCLAN
Over the heads of some felines, Sandstream spotted No-ears and paused in mid-lick of his bathing, worry creasing between his eyes. Something was obviously wrong with the elder, as Sandstream noted from the PineClanner's shaking.
Something very, very wrong.
In the span of five seconds, Sandstream rose to his paws and padded quickly, if not almost running, to No-ears, staring hard at the Elder for a split second before lowering his head and pressing his ear against the PineClanner's chest. The MeadowClanner's whiskers quivered in thought as he heard the Elder's heart rattling around, but other then that, it appeared that No-ears was simply out of breath.
Rising to his full height, Sandstream settled himself next to No-ears, wrapping his tail around his paws. "Elder No-ears, please allow yourself less rushed breathing, and more longer, deeper inhales. You have exerted yourself too much for your body to handle at your age."
Well, at least he was honest.
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8.2.10
Aug 14, 2010 21:43:35 GMT -5
Post by Whiskers on Aug 14, 2010 21:43:35 GMT -5
Mistystream [/font] At first, Mistystream thought Adderfang was just headed toward a cat behind her. Made sense. She had never seen the tom before (well she had, probably, but she had never acknowledged him as more than one of the crowd) and he smelled of Fogclan. He had no reason to talk to her. But, for some reason, it was not some cat behind her that he sought-- it was her. When he stopped in front of her, she nearly double-taked. When he opened his mouth, Mistystream fought to keep cool, and managed to thankfully look only a little startled.
And his words sent a rush of heat to her cheeks. He saw through her, in a way other cats hadn't, or even bothered to try. It made her wonder why now; maybe his friends were all at home. Maybe he just wanted to make a new friend or he could have been curious as to why she looked as though she might vomit any second. All things were possible as this cat was mysterious and definitely gave off that type of aura. In fact...if she thought about it and really looked at him, Mistystream realized he was sort of awkward himself.
Maybe he was coming over to talk to her because he was...like her.
"You look like you are not either," the words tumbled out of her-- she didn't even consider thinking through them, though she probably should. "I...I am just not very good at this small talk." Gingerstar [/font] With Cloudstar's arrival, all clans were present, not that Gingerstar really gave a rat's tail. She wouldn't have noticed Cloudstar at all, if it had not been for his cheery (annoying) statement about the weather. Ha-- the weather of all things. How boring could this gathering be?
But she amused Cloudstar's attempt at conversation by, well, disagreeing and being as negative as possible. "I think it's too dry," was her short response. She would have said more-- said something degrading or sarcastic-- but she saw something that stopped her. Confusion temporarily replaced her annoyance as she stared at Sandstream, Meadowclan medicine cat, rushing over to a wheezing No-ears.
No-ears! Panic moved Gingerstar. She didn't bother to tell her fellow leaders where she was going, she only jumped off the boulder and pushed her way through the crowd roughly, making quite the scene. She arrived at her Oldest Elder's side in a second. For once, Gingerstar let herself be emotive and her worry showed, plain as the moon above.
"What's going on? What are you doing?" she asked Sandstream with the aggression a mother might have when faced with an ill or injured kit, though No-ears was not her kit-- if anything, she would be his daughter, what with how old he was.
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