February Gathering [2020]

Personally glad to see that the RiverClan leader decided to entertain his conversation, the large leader sat up a little straighter, the end of his fluffy tail flicking back and forth. "I will never understand why cats get at each other's throats about things as trivial as rocks," he huffed, shaking his head back and forth. He knew that Lichenstar would know what he was talking about and was curious as to what her thoughts on the matter were. Hopefully, she wasn't so intolerant as her clanmates...

~~~~~

Padding into the clearing with his head and tail high, Alfalfatuft sat down near the center of the crowd, a smug look on his maw. His russet pelt was neatly groomed, other than the single tuft of fur that stood up on the top of his head, per usual. To him, gatherings were a funny thing. Cats from each clan gathering to talk about news with the stars supposedly watching over them... it sounded like nothing more than an old elder's tale to him, but he wasn't going to tell any-cat that.

OOC: Alfalfatuft is free to chat
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Nettlesplash chuffed out a short sound of amusement at Glidingpaw's evident defeat and discomfort in the social situation, privately agreeing with the young Apprentice's dismal recapping of the event. The continuous stream of chatter reverberated throughout the night air, rising and falling as countless different conversations gave way to newer, more intriguing discussion topics. "Not very friendly at all," He agreed as he followed the young Apprentice's line of sight to various different targets, each individual looking just as thrilled as he felt, "But I suppose that's understandable- the last thing I want to do after a day's worth of duties is have to go pretend to be nice to some cat or another." The tom's teeth flashed in a brief grin at Silvertooth's approach and subsequent rounding upon the ThunderClan Warrior, especially whenever he happened to realize that Lichenstar was also watching. Idly, he couldn't help but wonder if the usually patient Leader would have any words about their civility or not. At Glidingpaw's question, he gave a slight shrug. "Not always, but it's hardly realistic to a single night of pleasantries to erase bad blood between Clans. Although I suppose it doesn't help that some cats are so much more prickly than others."

Redirecting his attention towards his denmate, he couldn't help but give the calico she-cat a soft nudge as Nightstalker hardly made an effort to conceal the occasional pointed-stare that just so happened to be directed solely at RiverClan cats. "Well that conversation sounded familiar, didn't it? I'm starting to think that ThunderClan just doesn't appreciate your charm very much." Nettlesplash inquired, head tilting slightly as he gazed over at Silvertooth.

Morningpaw couldn't resist rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath. "Better than being named after something that's been burned."

He brightened up his face when looking at Fernpaw. "You have some odd friends then," he chuckled, pretending to be ignorant of the insulting inference his comment gave.

Silverstar stood on top of the High Rock, troubling thoughts hiding deep within his gold eyes. Maybe it was not that important, but his heart told him that he should share. He looked at the crowd, making sure everyone has already arrived. He stared towards the leaders before stepping forward. "Let the gathering begin!" he called out into the crowd. His tail went to the side as he waited for the cats to fall silent. Silverstar's eyes brightened a bit as he started to share the good news.

"SkyClan has been recovering from the Great War well. I, along with Sorrelwing and Mistedsong, have made sure the clan survives and stays strong through this Leaf-bare. We're glad to have new kits in our clan. Many were born into our clan, while one was found alone in the forest, Icekit, who was allowed to stay in our clan. StarClan has been smiling down on us during these trying times. However..." his eyes then narrowed as he got to the bad news, "Our patrols have picked up scent marks from rogues. We have had no attacks or sightings, but there is significant evidence they have been on our territory. I have advised my warriors to be cautious and keep an eye out for intruders, and I suggest the others do the same."

Glidingpaw looked up, startled as Silverstar called the meeting together. She looked around as cats settled down and turned their attention upward to the Great Rock where the leaders all sat, Silverstar at the helm as he went first. He reported happily about the birth of new kits and welcoming in Icekit, and the young she-cat heard a few murmurs of congratulations ripple through the gathered cats. When his gaze grew more somber and his voice more serious the young she-cat felt her pelt prickle with unease. Though she hadn't heard of RiverClan scenting or seeing any rogues, her claws still working the ground under her and she narrowed her eyes. "I'll tear the pelt off any rogue that threatens RiverClan!" She murmured to herself, then cast a small, slightly nervous glance to Nettlefire. "Do you think we will encounter any rogues?" She asked quietly. She had yet to have any solid battle training and her confidence in her skills wavered, but she would do anything to protect that Clan who had taken her in and saved her life as a kit.

---

Nightstalker listened to Silverstar talk, a look of disinterest crossing her features as she kept an eye on Silvertooth, her pelt still bristling and her ember eyes narrowed. When the mention of rogues came up her ears pressed forward and her gaze snapped upwards as all her senses became alert. Her eyes darted around the clearing as if she expected an ambush to be waiting in the undergrowth. Her tail tip twitched as her heart clenched in her chest and she scanned the clearing, taking a headcount of those she cared about. Oakpaw was beside her, and she curled her tail almost protectively around her apprentice as she glanced down at her. She was still so young, and SkyClan was so close to ThunderClan who is to say that they wouldn't start scenting rogues as well. With it being leaf-bare and prey was so scarce, any morsel found was precious and vital. She looked around and spotted Sandbreeze and she felt her heart ache, wishing she had chosen to sit closer to the sandy colored tom so she could seek reassurance in his presence. She worried for her mother and younger siblings at home, and suddenly the Gathering couldn't go by fast enough so she could check on them when she got back to camp.

Wildflower barely contained a dry laugh as Lightningstar growled about Sunningrocks. He was the one who had come onto their land and trespassed, and ThunderClan were the ones who always launched attacks to steal the rocks away from their rightful owners, and he was bristling about RiverClan making a big deal out of it? It was laughable.

What wasn't laughable, however, was the increasing reports of rogues. Wildflower had caught traces of them while gathering herbs around the gorge a few sunrises past. Now other Clans were saying they had been spotting them and detecting their scent as well. Rogues were pathetic, lawless fish-brains, but it was precisely because they were lawless that made them dangerous. They lacked a moral code, and they took what they wanted when they wanted. The fur on the medicine cat apprentice's neck prickled in disgust.

Wildstar nodded as Silverstar spoke, worried about the increase in activity in rogues. "As it is with every leafbare, prey is scarce, but our clan still thrives. We have many strong apprentices that will be warriors in no time." he paused to switch topics. "Our borders seem to be safe for now, though it is troubling to hear about rogues and stray cats moving closer into the forest. Thank you for the warning, Silverstar." he bowed his head as he finished, a sign that the next leader could speak. The orange cat made a mental note to start sending more frequent patrols when he got back to camp.

To hear that SkyClan shared the same troubling news as her clan, the rust-orange leader felt increasingly more on edge. Firestar stepped up to overlook the cats below her, attempting to hide the worry that began to form in her brow. "ShadowClan is doing well and recovering at great speed following the Great War. Though leafbare has given us some trouble with prey as well, we carry on strong as ever." The russet-coloured leaders tail twitched. "Since we have yet to see the cats behind it, I felt no need on reporting. But... Hearing your reports, Silverstar, I'm afraid I share the same news. An increasing number of patrols have reported the scent markings of rogues. We too have had no attacks or even seen these trespassers, but I second Silverstar's advice; Be wary of your surroundings."

With that, Firestar took a step back to make room for the other leaders.

Lionpaw padded after the rest of his clan into Fourtrees, swinging his head around to take in his surroundings. This was his second Gathering, so he wasn't a complete and total noob, but even so, he was excited! This was the only time he ever got to socialize with other clans, and while the ginger tom wasn't exactly a social butterfly, he still enjoyed the fresh and new conversation that wasn't coming from the same cats he saw day in and day out. Splitting off from the rest of WindClan, Lionpaw headed towards a couple of apprentices that at first, he thought were talking excitedly. But as he drew nearer, he realized that they were in fact... arguing? Flattening his ears, Lionpaw stopped in his tracks... hmm, better not even engage that. Last thing he needed was a potential fight at the Gathering.

He glanced around, looking for another few apprentices to possibly join up with, but by that time, the leaders had started speaking. With a disappointed frown, Lionpaw turned, finding Spiderspark's familiar pelt within the throng of gathered cats and heading towards it. He settled down next to his mentor and tilted his head up towards the Great Rock, listening.

This was SO COOL!

Even from a little while away, the pale kit could see the quad of enormous oaks in the distance, leaning over the center clearing. She'd gotten her mother to explain every inch of the Gathering place to her - all the nooks and crannies and every single detail that Ivyfeather could remember. Yet all of that was completely forgotten as RiverClan finally descended upon Fourtrees. Once the go ahead to move forward had been given, Otterpaw thundered down the slope, leaving a trail of broken snow in her wake and sending up plumes of powdery crystals from her rear paws.

She charged towards a group of gathered cats, skidding to a halt right in front of them with her tail up and ears forward... and then, as they stared down at the apprentice who had descended upon them so unexpectedly, Otterpaw's courage deserted her. Wait a second... these were strangers. Strangers from other clans who she'd heard wouldn't hesitate to eat a small apprentice like herself. She tried to yowl in fear, but what actually came out was a strangled gasp as she turned tail and fled back to her own clan. Or... attempted to, but as they'd all separated she couldn't find them! Otterpaw flattened to her belly in the snow, tail tucked, and swept her eyes around the clearing to find someone... anyone she could run to. And then, finally, her mother!

Otterpaw sprinted towards Ivyfeather like the Dark Forest itself was on her heels, finally reaching her mother and wedging herself up under the queen's belly, she shivered, eyes wide and overwhelmed.

Listening as Silverstar, Wildstar, and then Firestar spoke, Lightningstar stayed silent, his abnormally large form looming near the edge of the rock. It was odd that all of the clans so far, including ThunderClan had been finding rogue scents around their territories... but hopefully it was just because of some nosy clanless cats and not something bigger going on...

Waiting for Firestar to finish, the large fluffy leader stood up, his head and tail high as he made his way to the front of Greatrock. ThunderClan is doing well and recovering quickly after the Great War. Prey is plentiful and life now continues as normal," the deep voiced leader mewed. "We too have scented strange rogue scents around our borders. Nothing dangerous, but we will be keeping a close eye on the forest, as to not let anything slip by our paws," he finished and returned to his seat next to Lichenstar.

Willowshade nodded at Sandbreeze, about to reply amicably before huffing as her conversation was interrupted before it'd hardly began. That was her fault for arriving so late, though. She glanced down at Otterpaw shoving herself underneath her mother, smiling softly at the young apprentice's innocence. She trotted a little further away from the Great Rock as the leaders began to speak and sat, curling her tail around her paws to keep them warmer. Rogues? she thought, cocking her head in interest. Not just one, but in multiple territories? That can't be good. The she-cat frowned, mind running wild with possibilities. The Clans had just finished fighting each other, and now they had new threats. Wonderful.

---

Rimepaw's eyes widened further as he took in the absolute unit that was Lightningstar. StarClan above, who gave a cat the right to be that big? He prayed internally that he never had to face that cat in battle, although he would do anything for his Clan. And rogues too? Everywhere? The apprentice could not help but be filled with anxiety; he hardly even begun his training and now mysterious cats threatened the forest.

Either the sarcasm went over his head, or he paid no mind to it, but either way, Cloudpaw's face glowed with somewhat overwhelming friendliness. He tucked his paws beneath his chest. His thick fur kept him warm, but not that warm! If he wasn't careful, Wildstar might end up having to give him the name Nofoot. "It's nice to meet you, Ratpaw! And you're quite right. This is the only season I don't stick out like a sore paw. Though," He glanced at the ShadowClan tom, eyeing his thin frame and sleek fur. "I'm sure everyone else is hoping Newleaf comes early this year." Ah! The leaders were speaking! Oops.


Lichenstar's ears flicked at the larger tom's words, unsure what to make of him. Her Clanmate's description of his... outburst at Sunningrocks didn't match how he spoke of it now. 'Perhaps he realized and is embarrassed about it now? ...Nah.' She didn't get to think on it more before the Gathering began. The slightest of frowns darkened her gaze as Silverstar, Firestar, and Lightningstar all mentioned an odd number of rogue trespassings. The calico stepped forward as the last leader to speak. "RiverClan is also recovering well even during this harsh season, the river is once more a plentiful provider no matter the weather. As to rogues, no unusual activity to be reported, though I thank you for the information. RiverClan will keep a close watch on its borders during the coming moon." With that she had nothing left to say, so she took the half-step back to her seat and took to watching the cats below. While she didn't appreciate the strong scents or the loud chatter of the other clans, the warmth rising up from those gathered was not unwelcome. StarClan knew how the cold bit at a cat's bones, especially if they were alone. This was... nice.

It was certainly odd, seeing as though all of the clans had found the scents of rogues on their territories. Lightningstar wasn't a superstitious cat, but something was definitely up and he wasn't going to let this strange occurrence skim right under his nose. Once the Lichenstar finished with her news, Lightningstar rose from where he sat and gave his hind legs a stretch.

Walking towards the edge of the rock once more, he stood tall and proud as he looked over the gathered cats. "This gathering is now over. Every-cat, follow your leaders back to your respective camps, and may StarClan light your paths," the large, fluffy tom mewed with a nod, his voice booming over the silent clearing. Turning around, he readied himself to jump off the rock, seeing as though there wasn't much else to say to the leaders, but before he did so, he stopped.

"Lichenstar, whatever is going on between your clanmates and mine, it's pure foolishness. I have no reason to quarrel with you nor RiverClan, and I hope you and I can amalgamate among our differences, especially with what seems to be trying times ahead," Lightningstar mewed, shifting his gaze every so slightly over his shoulder so that he met the she-cat's gaze. While he could be seen as a cat who didn't care much for "relationships," such a relationship with their neighboring clan could be a beneficial asset later on, so for now, he would force himself to show at least a drop of... gentleness to his ways. That was of course, until any-cat stepped out of line or proved themselves to be an enemy of ThunderClan...

With that, the ThunderClanner hopped off of Great Rock, padded out of the clearing, and began the journey back home.