November's Gathering [2020]

Trudging through the powdery snow, Lightningstar and his clanmates made it to Fourtrees. Having fur such as his was certainly a blessing, seeing as though he didn't become as cold as fast, but it was also in turn a curse, for the snow liked to cling onto the long fur than encompassed his belly and legs.

But of course, the large leader wasn't about to complain to any-cat and giving a nod to Cloudbreeze, he jumped up onto the Great Rock. Using his feathery tail to dust away the snow that covered the top of the rock, he gave his pelt a shake before sitting down. Lifting a paw, he began to groom himself, silently thanking StarClan that the snow wasn't currently falling anymore than it already had.

Wolfstar felt the cool breeze blew through his fur as he led his clam. He had tread this path many times, but never by himself. Never as the leader. He realized that the other clans weren’t aware of these changes and that he would have to make the big announcement.

As they arrived at Fourtrees, he noticed that Riverclan was second to arrive. Not bad. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he passed the spot where he used to reside during Gatherings and joined Lightningstar on the Great Rock, nodding in a friendly way to the older tom. He hoped he wouldn’t make a huge mistake in front of everyone.

Cloudbreeze followed slightly behind, slightly beside her large father. They were the two faces of Thunderclan, an easily recognizable duo. Of course, the cold wasn't her favorite. She much preferred the warmth that came from camp, without the snow to create frigid bones. Shaking out her pelt, the respectful dip of her head was given when Lightningstar parted to leap onto his spot. Her place was covered in snow, and a couple of distasteful swishes of her tail cleared it.

... until her father cleared his, and dumped more snow right back on top of her. With an unamused hiss, she shook out her pelt completely, once more removing the fluffy, crystalized water off of her spot. From there, she turned - simply to watch. As she always did. The prideful daughter of Lightningstar, a representation of a proud Thunderclan cat.

---

Jasperpaw followed somewhat towards the back of the Riverclan group. She was excited to finally be attending a gathering, but her youthful paws also meant it was intimidating to be so far from camp. The unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds were rather overwhelming, and so the silver she-cat opted to keep to herself.

---

ooc; my other cats will appear as other clans arrive <3

There was no excitement in the mollies eyes; there was barely any energy left in her body to spare, heartbreak and disconnect from reality reigning supreme in her chest. But it was one of her duties as a leader to attend and present at a gathering, something she had been lucky to avoid thus far but was now being abruptly thrust into. Her clan trailed behind her, and Heronstar forced herself to keep her head high as she trekked to Fourtrees, wanting nothing more than to lay down where she stood and sleep for a moon. The full moon illuminated the snow in the clearing in a ghostly white hue, and she took a deep breath as her alabaster paws found their way down the hillside. The walk to the Great Rock was familiar, however unease gathered in the pit of her stomach as the leader bunched up her muscles, springing up the rock, landing near Lightningstar and Wolfstar. Surprise glittered in olive eyes as she looked at the RiverClan tom, wondering if Lichenstar was just absent for this gathering. Nonetheless Heronstar managed a friendly smile, turning to look at the gathering clans.

---

His lip curled for a brief moment as the scents of all the clans hit his nose, but he pushed it away as an elder warrior took notice and shot him a glare, one telling him to stand down and be respectful for a single night. Resentment burned in his stomach towards his clan and the clans in general-- ShadowClan's never ending cycle of leaders was frustrating, and serving under a she-cat was even worse than anything he could've imagined. It was like he was the only one who really understood how useless mollies were, and how much they seemed to occupy every corner of his clan, ruining his life with their ceaseless nagging and demanding. Shaking out his thick pelt, he descended the dip into the clearing and sat toward the edges of the gathered clans, wanting nothing to do with any of them.

---

Her first gathering as a medicine cat! Applestem was well groomed and beaming with excitement, the bounce in her step evident as she followed her father and sister to Fourtrees. At 10 moons old, the medicine cat was bound to be the youngest cat with their full name there, and she took an excessive amount of pride in this. Tail swishing happily, she made her way into the clearing, following her family as they made for the Great Rock. None of the other medicine cats are here yet, you're the first! A delighted purr escaped her as she sat in the spot dedicated to the healers of each clan, licking a forepaw as she waited for the others to arrive, almost buzzing with excitement.

Featherstep joined Heronstar at the head of WindClan as they entered into Four Trees. He had only seen a pawful of Gatgerings since earning his warrior name, and now he would follow his leader up to the Great Rock to sit among the other deputies. With a nervous twitch of his tail, the tom picked through the crowd to the deputies’ spot where Cloudbreeze was already seated. He gave her a friendly nod as he sat down nearby. “Hello there,” he paused and flicked an ear as he tried to remember her name— she had been a constant feature of the Gathering’s elite few. I suppose ThunderClan’s had good luck, he thought idly. “Cloudbreeze, right? I’m Featherstep, Heronstar’s new deputy.”

Leopardspot padded into the clearing alongside the rest of SkyClan cats. Two deputies had already arrived. She politely nodded to Cloudbreeze and Featherstep, before finding herself a place beside the two cats. Seeing that they seemed to be in a conversation, she did not hurry to introduce herself.

Sootheart followed her clanmates into the gathering place. Things had not been easy for ShadowClan, but they must stay strong. In front of other clans, they must not appear weak. She bit her lips and held up her head.

(OOC: Leopardspot is with the deputies, and Sootheart is open to talk to!)

Blazepaw looked around at all the clans in distrust. Even as his clanmates separated he stayed glaring to make sure no one came close. He was a little sad as his mentor died and that was a step in the wrong direction for his training. Blazepaw walked around trying to find somewhere to sit.


Whitepaw walked into the gathering with a big smile on his face. His tail rubbed gently over thornpaw's back as the two looked for a place to sit. Once they found the perfect spot, they sat down and curled their tails together. "Look at all these amazing cats, well none could be you." He mewed as he nuzzled thornpaw.


Blaze is walking around: He is open to talk but beware :3

White is sitting with thorn: He is open to talk but have fun dealing with the flirting

Thornpaw was excited to walk into the gathering, seeing all the clans again and learning about new gossip, he wondered if his old friend Mothpaw was going to be there and if he had gotten his warrior name yet. He sat down next to Whitepaw and eagerly looked for the Riverclan cats. He twined his tail with white and purred , nuzzling the other, before fluffing out his coat against the cold . “Oh stop, I’m no more handsome then any other Tom here”

Flashpaw stalked silently into the clearing his eyes narrowed his fur fluffed up making the apprentice seem ten times bigger then he actually was. His resentment towards the clans still smoldered inside him and he glance scornfully at Skyclan wondering if his traitor family was going to be there.

[Thorn is next to white and open to talk]

[Flash is open to talk he just kinda grumpy he also open to awkward family reunions ;3 )

Padding into the gathering, Bigfoot trudged through the snow with ease. Though his pelt was long and the light golden fur under his belly began to clump with snow as it dragged under him, his large paws and strong legs made walking through the white, powdery fluff not very difficult at all.

Looking around, the hefty tom took a spot near the side of the crowd, and dusted off the layer of snow so his rump didn't freeze. Sitting down, he was lucky enough to catch his father sweeping snow down onto Cloudbreeze bellow the Great Rock, completely unbeknownst to what he'd done.

Letting out a burly chuckle, the warrior couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Lookin' a little chilly there, Cloudbreeze!" he called out the the deputy wholeheartedly with his usual big, goofy grin.

Brightpaw bounded into Fourtrees alongside her clanmates, short tail twitching with excitement. She kicked up snow as she ran. It was tempting to roll around in and kick up the still mostly undisturbed snow but... No need to make a fool of herself in front of the other clans. Especially since she'd likely be made a warrior soon. Had to prove she was ready by being mature. And the gathering was sure to be miserable when the snow melted on her leaving her pelt soaking wet in the chilly night air.

Instead she glanced around the clearing as Lightningstar leapt onto the Great Rock and sweeping snow onto a white she-cat settled below. A voice called out teasing, apparently Cloudbreeze, about the snow and she turned to look at the massive, fluffy golden tabby on the outskirts. She purred in amusement at the molly's annoyed hiss.

Brightpaw maneuvered around a knot of cats that had formed, attempting to hop over a small drift, her paw slipped on a spot of ice, instead sending her straight into the drift. The snow completely covered her small, dilute calico form. She quickly leapt from the snow, blindly careening headlong into the large, golden tabby. She staggered back, shaking off some snow, though clumps still remained. She blinked the powder from her eyes as she stumbled over an apology, "Oh, Starclan, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to- I-"

---

Mothheart, trotted into the gathering, it was strange to be following Wolfsto- no, Wolfstar into Fourtrees. He supposed that it wasn't really that different but Lichenstarscale stepping down from leadership was just so hard to wrap his head around... He shook his fluffy head, barely even noticing the snow cover for his thick coat.

Something caught his eye, a ruddy brown coat that seemed very.... familiar. He froze, staring for a moment as he tried to place the other cat. "Thornkit!" he cried in delight, bounding across the clearing to his friend. "It's been so long! How are you!" Mothheart loudly purred, not even noticing the white tom plastered to Thornpaw's side.

---

Willowblossom trotted after Heronstar and Featherstep, head held high. This was sure to be an interesting gathering. He broke off from the rest of Windclan, purposefully padding away in search of a willing or not so willing audience.

[[Bright is talking to Bigfoot]]
[[Moth is talking to Thornpaw and Whitepaw]]
[[Willow is looking to spread some sweet gossip/rumors to anyone who'll listen]]

Whitepaw licked thornpaw before another cat came towards them. The older cat had the scent of Riverclan so whitepaw assumed it was the cat thornpaw met as a kit. When whitepaw noticed that the older cat didn't notice him he got annoyed. "Im here to you know!" he said with slight annoyance in his tone. He didn't know if it was from being ignored or thornpaw's attention being on some other cat. Whitepaw moved closer to thornpaw so both of them knew the brown Tom was his.


(Protective boi)

Whitepaw is sitting with thornpaw: Talking to thornpaw and Mothheart

Blaze is still walking around: He is still open

Oakleap padded into the gathering, her brown paws walking towards Blazepaw. "Hey Blazepaw." She meowed waving her tail in hello.

Bunnypaw walked around before she slowly came to a stop, sitting down on the flat grass that had been trotted on many times, wrapping her black and ginger tail around her paws.

Hollypaw walked into the gathering, his eyes widened in amazement.

OOC: Oakleap talking to Blazepaw, Bunnypaw and Hollypaw are open to talk

Thornpaw, purred softly at Whitepaw’s attention before letting out a happy mewl as Mothheart came near them, he purred loudly and rubbed his head against the other Tom’s side, “Mothpaw! It’s been so long! I’m Thornpaw now!” He mewled, playfully flicking his tail At Whitepaw.  “It’s so good to see you,  this is a Whitepaw my den mate” he introduced the two, nuzzling Whitepaw.  “ how are things in riverclan? I still remember how to fish you know~”


Flashpaw broke away from the other shadowclan cats and chose a spot in the middle brushing away the snow with large paws he would be big when he was fully grown, he fluffed up his thick coat and eyes the great rock, one day that’ll be him up there addressing the clans and feared and respected by all.

Mothheart purred loudly, turning to clonk his head affectionately against Thornpaw's. "You're an apprentice now! Congratulations!" It certainly made sense that Thornkit would now be Thornpaw by now, especially since he was at the gathering, but it still came as a surprise. "And I'm actually Mothheart now!" He puffed out his chest proudly, golden fur shining. His attention finally moved onto Whitepaw as Thornpaw introduced them, he blinked before grinning widely, "Any friend of Thornpaw is a friend of mine!" he boldly declared. He sat, sweeping his fluffy tail over his paws, mindless of the snow covering, "Riverclan is great! I can swim way better now, and can catch fish while swimming! It's really hard though..." He trailed off briefly, "You should come visit sometime!"

(OOC: to avoid a time paradox, let's pretend she's already recieved her 9 lives)

Her paws guiding her along the path she knew so well, Maplestar led Shadowclan to the gathering. Despite her inner turmoils, she kept her head high and a smile on her face. The snow underpaw made her toebeans paws cold, so she quickened her pace, hoping to arrive to the gathering faster. Even though she had just lost her mate, she felt a sense of excitement. The new position seemed to have awakened something in her. She began to feel a sense of responsibility for her clan, which could only be natural, right?

Finally arriving at the sacred meeting place, she jumped into the clearing and quickly spotted where she was to go: the highrock. With a deep breath, the she-cat climbed the rock and sat down on top of it, Finding Lighningstar and Wolfstorm already there. Wait- Wolfstorm? That couldn't mean... Turning toward the tom, she softened her gaze. "If... if you don't mind me asking, what happened to Lichenstar? Nothing bad, i hope?" It seemed unlikely nowadays for leaders to just- retire. She just hoped that Riverclan didn't have to go through the same thing as Shadowclan had.

Thornpaw grinned he had always liked Mothheart ans was glad the other was so eager to be friends with his friends, His whiskers twitched in amusement, “as much as I loved to I think I’d get into a lot of trouble if I just crossed the border but we can meet at the border and you can show me your skills” he offered .

“Whitepaw can come too,” he ran his tail down the tom’s side.

Whitepaw watched as Thornpaw and mothheart talk, giving a purr when Thornpaw mention him. "Sure! Your dad will kill both of us if he finds out, it must be a secret." he laughed as his mentor, Thornpaw's dad, would definitely not like the two going off alone to meet a different clan cat.


Blazepaw looked up at the sound to oakleap. "I don't know where to sit, too many cats." he mewed glaring at the gathered clans. He liked oakleap as she took care of him like a mother when his mother couldn't stand him glaring at everyone.

Whitepaw is stitting with Thornpaw and Mothheart: No one else come, 2 is enough

Blazepaw is with oakleap: Open for an apprentice to come try and friend him

Grasssnake followed Maplestar into the clearing, heading towards the bottom of the rock with the other deputies. He sat down and waved his tail in hello to them.

"Yea gatherings do have lots of cats. If you want we can sit at the outskirts. There are very cats there." Oakleap said.

OOC: Grasssnake is sitting with other deputies, Bunnypaw and Hollypaw are open to talk to

Leopardspot nodded back to Grasssnake. It looks like we are having a lot of new faces for the deputies. She thought to herself.

Stormpaw followed his clanmates into the clearing. He noted another apprentice sitting nearby and decided to say hello. "Hello there," He meowed with a polite smile, "I am Stormpaw, from ThunderClan."

(OOC: Leopardspot is with the deputies, Stormpaw is talking to Bunnypaw, and Sootheart is open to talk to!)

Turning around, the young leader found himself face to face with one of the cats he had known as a deputy, Heronstar. Had something happened to Brindlestar? Or had the she-cat simply retired, as Lichenstar had? He didn’t want to pry, so Wolfstar didn’t say anything, assuming the she-cat would bring it up during her announcement later on.

Maplestar was the next to join them. His eyes widened, mouthing softly opening in surprise. Had three new leader been apiunted in just this past moon? As she asked about Riverlan’s leader situation, he managed a smile. "Lichenscale stepped down, not to long ago. I would hope something similar happened with Hawkstar?..." He didn’t know the Shadowclan tom too well, but he would never wish anything bad on another cat.

unless they really deserved it

Thornpaw purred with amusement, “it’s a date then we’ll meet by the half moon when everyone is asleep how’s that?” He asked swishing his tail excitedly . “You can show me how to fish better.” He told mothheart . He yawned and looked up “ oh looks like the gathering might start soon,” he noticed movement out of the corner of his eyes and saw Flashpaw move through the gathering the lanky large Tom cat fluffing out his fur and eyeing every cat with suspicion . “Yikes .. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a battle” Thorn whispered to the other two.

Silverstar knew he was late. Gatherings used to be times of comfort and peace, five clans united together, stars above, a night of perfection. But now, they felt unsafe. Worrying about relations between clans, worrying about the rogues. It was getting harder and harder to swallow all of that down and ignore it. This might be the first time he felt reluctant to attend. He led SkyClan to the gathering and jumped onto the Great Rock, noticing how Lichenstar and Magpiestar were both replaced. He was curious about the reasoning, but he kept silent as he sat with the leaders.

Giving a nod as Silverstar joined them, Lightningstar took not of how his friend's pelt seemed a bit uneasy and while part of him could understand why, he didn't say anything. If Silverstar had a problem, they would most likely talk about it later.

"Let the gathering begin!" Lightningstar's voice boomed over the crowd bellow as he stepped up to the edge of the slab of stone. Waiting a few moments for the clowder of cats to lower their voices, he then began. "ThunderClan has been fairing well this past moon, prey is bountiful even with the season growing colder, and we've had several new litters as well as new apprentices and warriors," the deep voiced leader mewed his usual news. Casting a glance back at RiverClan's new leader, it was a shame that Lichenscale, for whatever reason, felt the need to step down, but even so, there was business to attend to regarding their alliance and what the younger tom would do with it. While he wanted to say something about it now, he wanted Wolfstar to be able to share the news with every-cat first and decided he'd bring it up later.

"That is all, he finished before turning around and making his way back to the line of leaders. Waving his tail back and forth, he brushed off the snow that had managed to cover his spot while he'd been talking and sat back down.

The molly had remained silent, crouched towards the end of the rock the other four leaders occupied. Three new cats sat atop, thrust into a position they had only dreamed about within a matter of days, and she hoped with a pang the others hadn't dealt with something similar to herself. For a while it was as if she wasn't there, no cat seemed to acknowledge her presence, and Heronstar couldn't pin whether it was sadness or relief blooming in her chest at the ignorance. As the gathering began, the leader listened to Lightningstar give his report and dipped her head to the large tom, and the mottled she-cat waited a moment before getting to her paws. Heronstar felt dizzy as she looked down at the crowd, attempting to seek out the fluffy pelt of Cloudpaw, realising with a jolt she had no idea if the tom was here. Swallowing hard, she cast a quick look up at the cold stars above, heartbreak evident as she longed to know if Brindlestar was ever going to join her ancestors among the stars. Returning her gaze to the gathered cats beneath, the molly began to talk.

"This past moon... WindClan lost Brindlestar, as an illness took all nine of her lives. Our medicine cats were unsure of what it was as they had never handled anything similar, however it started after she was bitten by a snake, leading us to believe it was an isolated incident. I-" Her breath caught in her throat as grief gathered in the pits of her stomach, embarrassment at her display of weakness burned in her paws and her ears quickly overwhelming it. Something deep inside urged her to continue talking, and she took in another trembling breath, tail-tip swishing against the cold stone underpaw. "I have received my nine lives, and I have chosen a new Deputy. If you will, please congratulate Featherstep," The molly looked down at her deputy, wondering what the other clans would think of his peculiar appearance, but felt a small bit of courage return.

"However in some lighter news, our clan grows bigger and stronger. In the past moon we have had many apprentices complete their training, and become warriors. They are Mistyheart, Eagleblaze, Dashfoot, Featherstep and Willowblossom. We have also had several kits reach apprenticehood and receive a mentor; Jaggedpaw, Russetpaw, Gingerpaw, Thornpaw and Whitepaw. There has been no sight of the rogues in moons, however we did take in an abandoned litter of kits recently, and they will be raised as WindClan warriors. That is all," Heronstar chorused the way Lightningstar had ended his speech, and she resumed her position, glad to be out of the limelight.