2.1.2011 Gathering

[Whiskers]

Tonight was going to cause Gingerstar a serious headache. Why? One word: Rain. She could just tell that that loner was going to stir up trouble for her, one way or another. She hated that he was in her clan already, and now that he was going to a Gathering...it was like he insisted in being in every nook and cranny that was her life. Of course, she was the one who picked the cats to go the Gathering, so really it was her fault. But she couldn't leave him behind in her beloved Pineclan, when herself, her deputy, and No-ears were coming to the Gathering. She trusted no one to look after him, and so she knew-- she was positive-- that he was up to something. He was out to make her life miserable, so she needed to keep an eye on her 'apprentice,' or else he would no doubt succeed in his mission.

She had given him a pep talk before the Gathering, telling him to try not to talk or look at any cat if he could, to just stay low and maybe take a nap on the side ("You don't want to listen to the leaders talk about themselves anyway," she had sniffed as she squinted at him disdainfully), while she took care of the boring business of Gatherings. She had gone out of her WAY to make the Gatherings appear to be tediously dull to the point of yawn-inducing, and she had actually told the truth (only exaggerating a little bit, really), but knowing Rain, he wouldn't listen. He would probably announce to the world that he was a loner and that Gingerstar had let him in Pineclan. He didn't know that that was practically an invitation to invade her territory-- if it got out, everyone would be whispering by the end of the night how Gingerstar had gone soft. But she couldn't let that happen. If he just kept his head low, stuck with Pineclan cats, maybe some decent bit of Pineclan would rub off on him and no one would notice how he was a loner in the midst of the clans.

Now, she knew it would get out eventually. Her elders had advised her on just announcing it, but Gingerstar had no plans on that. No way. Why draw attention to the embarrassment? If cats found out before she managed to chase Rain away, she'd brush it off like it was no big deal, and it was none of their business anyway. If she announced it at the Gathering, there would be a big hoopla about it, with cats yelling and arguing and accusing her of tainting warrior blood, yadda yadda yadda. So this was her plan and it was going to work, as long as Rain didn't screw it up. And he probably would.

But if she could just get through tonight, with no drama...Gingerstar would be so eternally grateful, hell, she wouldn't make Rain pick off the elder's ticks again. For a while, at least.

"Looks like we're first," she announced to her clan as she arrived at the clearing. "Remember...behave yourselves," and as her warriors descended, she caught Rain's eye and glared for emphasis. Seriously, if he messed up tonight...urgh, she could already feel the headache coming on.

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[Cloud of Diamonds]

Cedarstar was slightly displeased to see Gingerstar there just a bit ahead of him, but decided not to let that bother him, despite the question that always formed in his mind whenever he saw her there. He felt a bit of smug satisfaction as he watched her call back that he never needed to warn his Clanmates - he was confident that they all knew the consequences for stepping out of line, as he'd shown Shrewpaw from last time.

Why in StarClan's name did I ever let her make her own Clan? Was I mad?

It still bothered him occasionally. Perhaps that was why they hadn't granted him a mate yet - he had displeased them by letting this odd, slightly repulsive ginger she-cat make a Clan of non-believers.

It had seemed like a good idea at the time - every cat was new and free, blah blah blah, step forth. Even if the concept was stupid, not all PineClanners were bad, obviously. Naturally his own Clan had some disbelievers and they were all right, for the most part. It was just the thought of a whole Clan of them defying tradition that made him uneasy.

The big fluffy brown tabby led his group in, nodded to them, then padded over the hard, dull ground and jumped up on the rock, waiting for her to do the same, his yellow eyes watching all the felines in the space.

[glowlynose]

Rainpaw, don't cause any trouble at the Gathering. You have to remember that, okay, mousebrain? No. Trouble. Trouble is bad and it would embarrass me. Just lay low and try not to draw too much attention to yourself. I mean, it'll be hard for you to do, since you're a big hulking brute and your voice is funny, but please try, okay? Just... please, don't make an idiot of yourself.

That had, in essence, been Rainpaw's pre-Gathering experience. He hadn't seen any other mentors giving their apprentices such a lecture. He must be really special. He rolled his eyes and snorted. Yeah, right. What kind of special? Just stay out of trouble, Rainpaw. Oh, and while you're at it, remember to floss your teeth and wash behind your ears. That's a good little boy. Why did he put up with her again? Oh, right, he had to. She really wasn't that bad, though. Despite the facade of harshness that she put up, it was starting to crack. The ugly cocoon was starting to peel away, slowly, but surely, a smile or a hesitation before a rebuke at a time. He was breaking her down.

But now they were here, and after one last admonition directed at the Clan, Rainpaw descended into the clearing. They were the first clan there. He assumed that was a good thing? Some sort of status symbol among the clans? Whatever the reason Gingerstar had wanted to leave so early and get here first, he was sort of glad that they were here first. It gave him the opportunity to observe the clearing empty. He always liked to see a place empty. It was like it was asleep and then as everybody got there, it woke up and took on a life of its own. He wanted to see this gathering place wake up.

And then the other clans began to arrive, one right after the other, like ticks of a second hand, perfectly spaced and barely noticeable except for the sound. He was instantly surrounded by strange cats. Well wasn't this fine and dandy. He had no idea what to do now. Oh, but there was a nice looking ginger tom by himself. He didn't look like he'd mind some company. So he walked over, smiling. Little did he know he was approaching Firestorm of FogClan, possibly the most confrontational cat in their arch-enemy clan.

"Hi! Nice night, ain't it? Stars sure are pretty up there." And so the can of worms was opened. Poor Rainpaw.

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[the.Scream]

Smokepaw followed the rest of MeadowClan with a pounce in her step. It was pretty exciting that the Gathering was happening. Hopfully there would be something going on... The black-and-ginger she-cat lifted her muzzle, immediately scenting another Clan. Soon, more cats would cokme to find out the news for the Clans. Her whiskers twitched, Smokepaw's mind drifting on a new thought. It seems pretty boring at the moment with only two Clans. Mabe she could explore the place a bit, just out of fun? She vaguely remembered when her father and her made a den, when hardships had come in their lone social-life.

Smokepaw thought that maybe she could try, if the ground was weak enough. Bored, she planted her nose to the ground, sniffing for any scents for some mice, having decided not to since she only came here once a moon.

[Ember]

Quailpaw

Quailpaw trailed silently behind her clan mates. Smokepaw was ahead of her. She walked quietly hoping someone would notice her quietness and pipe up a conversation. Maybe she would actually make a friend tonight. This was one of her first times out of the camp ever, she could hear prey scuffling about. She wished she knew how to hunt. She wondered when she would ever have a mentor.

Her tail drooped and she kept her head low. Couldn't Smokepaw see how much Quailpaw wanted to be her friend. Couldn't she see that Quailpaw was dying inside to talk to her. All she wanted was a friend, and she thought Smokepaw and her could be great friends. But everytime she worked up the courage to say hi to her, she couldn't because of a patrol or another cat. She continued on with a deep breath. She continued to stare ahead at Smokepaw's tail that was far ahead of her and Smokepaw was not likely to turn around to face her.

[the.Scream]

Smokepaw's tail wavered as she had finally caught the delicious mouse. It was plump for the seaon, probably eating hay from the barns, and would make a good meal to share. The apprentice set down her mouse, and looked around. The wide space should be filled up. Wondering if the other Clans were late, Smokepaw picked her mouse up softly by her teeth, then edge backer. The warriors of MeadowClan had already taken their place, but Smokepaw was never ready to sit down and relax. That would take moons to master.
Luckily for Quailpaw, Smokepaw caught the she-cat's eye, and resisting to continue pacing, abruptly sat next to the brown apprentice. After riding her mouth of mouse fur, the tall she-cat began, "This gathering is going to take a while; I can feel it," she mewed cheerfully, swiping a paw along her whiskers to straighten them. Smokepaw didn't mind the long wait; it gave her time to climb the tall trees of the gathering place, or do something interesting.

"I wonder what the PineClan apprentices are doing...," the she-cat mewed, more to herself, trailing off. "Wanna climb a tree and share this mouse with me? It seems pretty boring down here. Plus, we could probably see what the other cats are doing, once they come." Though Smokepaw appeared cheerful, it just made her uncomfortable to be in such a scared place to the Clans. The apprentice was formerly a loner, with her now-dead father, and it didn't seem right when she appeared at gatherings.

OOC: Yah, Smokepaw's first friend Do you notice how inactive FOF been lately? Oh, and what's the, um, code to make it all small, like yours? It seems like of weird to have mine normal while your guys are all fitted

[Ember]

Quailpaw

Quailpaw looked at the apprentice in surprise. She had actually talked to her. The brown apprentice felt a purr begin to rise in her throat. "Yeah, I have a feeling it will too." She caught the she-cat's eye as her voice rang in her ears once again.

("Wanna climb a tree and share this mouse with me? It seems pretty boring down here. Plus, we could probably see what the other cats are doing, once they come.")

Quailpaw felt her heart skip a beat and she sat up. "Of course! Are you sure you want to share that with me? I mean I can try to catch my own, I mean it's your's. Are you sure you want to share it with someone who can't contribute to her clan because she can't hunt?"

Quailpaw sunk her claws into the bark of a nearby tree and began to climb. Her spirits were suddenly high and her mood was brightened. She might actually have a new friend. The purr only got louder as she continued to climb.

OOC: Yes I have... oh and the code that I use is [ font = calibri ] [ / font ] Just without the spaces Try experimenting with different sizes and fonts until you find one that fits you

[the.Scream]

The apprentice couldn't help but giggle at how surprised Quailpaw was.
"I don't mind sharing; we could share tongues. No offense, but they might be offended by that," Smokepaw replied. She knew how, if she were in the situation, she'd feel if some cat offered her pity because of her history. It would be annoying, but the apprentice didn't say her dislike in her idea outloud. That would be rude.

The black-and-ginger apprentice followed her new friend, climbing swiftly up the tree as well, the mouse in her jaws. It would be amazing to see the Clans- well PineClan and their Claw- from a high, so they chose an oak tree with some leaves that just barely popped up from the harsh leaf-bare enviornment.
The two finally made it up the top, Smokepaw perching on an out-stretched branch, letting her right paw dangle in contentment. She had settled her prey on the inside of the oak, a safe distance from plunging into the clearing.
Smokepaw lifted her muzzle, and breathed in the fresh air, a bit thin due to their height. The apprentice was surprised at how close the Clans were. It was just two fox-lengths form her. With a stretch, Smokepaw curled her tail and padded back towards the oak, to Quailpaw, the two watching the Clans.

OOC: Thanks. I'm kind of too lazy to experiment right now :P. I'll do it on Smokepaw's profile, at the RP example, later. :) Thanks for the tip, and sorry if I sound a bit dumb when I ask 'have you noticed how inactive...' Just trying to strike conversation :D

[glowlynose]

Dovepaw

[/font]
Dovepaw had been unusually subdued on her journey to this moon's Gathering, even more so than usual. She usually found room to stick in a few offside remarks to the cats she lived with but did not really know, but this time she had been completely silent. Volepelt probably thought her silence was a sign of her newly found maturity and purpose in FogClan, which was complete mouse dung. In fact, it couldn't be further from the truth. Dovepaw did not give a rat's tail about most of her clan. They were all brainwashed little automatons, even the ones that did not agree with Mistpelt but did nothing about it. FogClan's sanity had run away with Owlstar, leaving a few guardian angels behind to brave the insanity and protect the innocent and weak ones- the ones like Dovepaw, who now found herself thrust into the inner sanctum of the evil sweeping over her clan, and here she was without a guardian angel. They had all been left behind. She would have to protect herself now.

Smokefur had been left behind. It was because of her. She had betrayed her guardian. She supposed she didn't deserve one anymore, and that's why they had all stayed. Just like she had forsaken them, they were now forsaking her. It was only right. Still, it made her sad. Oh, how she missed Smokefur. If there was anything she could do to right the injustice done against him, she would. Maybe she could turn things around and be his guardian.

Those thoughts churning in her head were why she did not speak. She did not trust herself not to let those ideas escape her mind. She was terrified of what would happen if she ever did let them escape. She would be cast out, shunned, broken. What use would she be then?

Do you know what terrified her more than that, though? Sometimes she felt like she actually belonged where she was- with Volepelt, with Miststar, up at the front of the apprentices, leading them into their glorious future behind the leadership of the Council. This was the first place that she had not only belonged, but had been recognized. Volepelt saw something in her. And sometimes she felt like just giving in to that, even though she knew it was wrong, that the Council was lying (perhaps unwittingly and out of ignorance, perhaps not), would be okay. Like it would cause the least amount of damage to those around her. If she only played along and lost herself, maybe she would lose so much that she would forget how wrong it was. Ignorance is bliss, they say.

As FogClan descended into the clearing behind Miststar, Volepelt, and the others, Dovepaw hesitated. She knew that if she went down there with them, she would have the eyes of everybody on her, judging. The other clans judged her for being a FogClanner and so they avoided her, and her own clan judged her because what she had done in the past did not agree with their new code of perfection. Volepelt had told her that once she confessed her sins in front of them, she would be forgiven and her transgressions wiped from memory, but he lied. She might be forgiven, but nothing could make the accusatory eyes of her clan forget a single thing. None of Volepelts words could wipe those memories from the slate of anybody's mind, her mind least of all.

So she detached herself from her clan and found herself a nice little alcove in the clearing where nobody from her clan would go. They usually glommed together in a horde close to the tree. Maybe they felt like it would bring them close to StarClan or whatever, being close to that glorified old trunk. Dovepaw was settled comfortably in the back, all by herself. The other cats smelled FogClan on her hide and moved away, which was fine with her. She didn't deserve even their attention. But still, it would be nice if she had someone to talk to...
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[Ember]

Quailpaw

Quailpaw swallowed a piece of the mouse she was sharing with Smokepaw and looked around at the various cats all of them were sharing tongues or conversing with one another. All except for one. A young white she-cat was walking around looking lost amongst the crowd of cats. Quailpaw cocked her head, she didn't know the cat. Well, she didn't know any of the rival clan cats here, but still she didn't know who the white cat was. She looked to her new found friend.

"Smokepaw, who is that?" She figured Smokepaw may know who the she-cat was, considering she had been to gatherings in the past. She felt bad for the snowy cat, she reminded her of how she herself had been just a couple minutes earlier. Lonely and wanting someone to talk to. She pushed her head up, "Hey!" She called trying to get the cat's attention. Once it seemed like she had, she beckoned the cat over. "What's your name?"