Under The Full Moon [Gathering]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, border:0px solid #d3c5bb;border-radius:100px;width:480px;background-image:url('http://i.imgur.com/bnwH44b.png');background-position:top;b ackground-re peat:no-repeat;background-color:#8d131f;width:456px;background-position:top;background-repeat:no-repeat;padding-top:320p x;padding-bottom:10px;padding-top:315px;] Thistlespot was usually a rather calm she-cat, respected among her clanmates for being resourceful and kind yet something seemed off about the medicine cat; it actually had been off since the last half-moon gathering. She’d been double checking her inventory, making sure she had the right amount of herbs and that they were in the right order when Stormstar called forth a meeting to announce who’d be attending this gathering. The spotted cat’s eyes widened in surprise as she admired the full-moon hanging above their head, had she been so submersed in nightmares, in prophecies and ever lasting screams that she hadn’t noticed the special occasion? She sighed and cringed her teeth as she got ready to make the journey to Fourtrees because even if she wanted to stay, try to relax and play around with her medicine she had to go… Calm down… She thought to herself as her eyes lay on the massive figure of her leader trotting just ahead of her, her fur was standing and her eyes were wide open, she was visibly nervous. In fact she was making a tremendous effort not to jump at any little sound. Yet another sigh escaped her lips, Thistlespot had been meaning to tell him about the dream she had in the moonstone but she never seemed to find the appropriate time or words, and if she did something always gobbled up her voice. I’ll tell him later… She decided for the eleventh time that past moon. The trip was short and soon they emerged in Fourtrees where various clan cats were already mingling, she took a deep breath and plastered a weak but convincing smile on her face. With a few light steps she immersed herself in the chattering of the Gathering, this was going to be one long night but she willed herself to at least try to enjoy herself like her favorite elder and former mentor had told her to. Now, she could talk to the medicine cats about herbs or she could try to strike conversation with a warrior or apprentice… She tilted her head in a rather silly if still slightly nervous fashion, what to do? word count :: 360 words. tagged :: I don't know

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[atrb=background,http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7560/u0h8.jpg] Flamestrike felt a little nervous, Gatherings never really bothered him as he tended to see them as part of the pattern or norm, something that had to be done in order to uphold both tradition and peace. But this time was different, he felt nervous. Not nervous as in you feel that something bad is going to happen but nervous as in excitement. He would never admit it mind you but he could feel the creeping butterflies of excitement creeping around his belly, making his usual calculated steps distracted and uncoordinated. He couldn’t help it really since RiverClan was going to attend the Gathering and that meant that there was a small possibility of catching a glimpse of her. At first he felt confused but eventually shrugged it off as logical, something he’d been making a habit off since meeting the tan cat. Reasons were unimportant all he knew was that he felt excited and for the first time in moons he didn’t feel the strong urge to suppress it. True, it was a small almost nonexistent possibility but it sill made a goofy and content smile spread across his somber features at the prospect of seeing the pretty warrior. He didn’t even notice the disappointment in his apprentice’s eyes when she wasn’t called forward to attend the moonlit truce all his thoughts were pinned on the RiverClan warrior. WindClan’s pace was swift but not hurried and when they finally arrived to Fourtrees a big slump of evident disappointment crushed down the light that glinted in the warrior’s eyes for he could only scent ThunderClan. He cringed his teeth and walked up to the bulky warriors with a nice smile on his face, which soon lit up when he heard more cats were coming yet his hopes were crushed again at the sight of ShadowClan. He wanted to sulk in a corner but decided sulking would be a waste of time and that instead he should try to make conversation until Moonshine arrived (if she was coming at all, that is). So he swallowed his excitement and walked up to Cloudstep whom had caught his eye a few heartbeats ago. His smile was pleasant when he approached his friend and a brown ThunderClan tom he didn’t recognize. “Hello,” he mewed, once again trying to calculate the tone and words he used with perfection. The Thundercat seemed like the wary type so it was imperative he made a good first impression. “My name is Flamestrike,” he introduced himself appropriately and pleasantly. “How fare things in ThunderClan?” word count: 425 words. tags: Cloudstep and Mousepelt notes: Sorry for the double post!

[/b] she meowed with a grin that wasn't in the least bit sarcastic.

Blizzardshard heard her and sent an amused look, just as Owlstar leaped down and spoke to him about keeping on his toes. Blizzardshard gave him a cheeky grin that Owlstar didn't see before the group set off. As he'd been instructed, Blizzardshard stayed to the back of the group to keep an eye out for possible ambushes.

Owlstar paused the patrol at the top of the hollow and gestured with his tail for everyone to dive in. Blizzardshard was about to follow his Clanmates when he noticed Owlstar staying there. "What's up, buddy? Don't tell me you're nervous." he teased.
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Frostbite padded behind her leader and still what was in her head was really troubling her. It was still kept to herself but she knew after this she would have to share it with her leader. Finally hitting the place where the clans gathered she saw Thistlespot. Rolling her eyes mentally Frostbite actually decided to not go over a join. Frostbite took her own place and sat down passing cats one by one and just wanted all of this to be over and done with. Did the other medicine cats tell their leaders? That night gave every medicine cat the creeps and something was off. All taking off and not saying one thing to anyone.. something was up yes. The white she cat found her place, sat down and wrapped her tail around her front paws just watching it all.

Honeystep stayed behind her leader and was excited to be going to this gathering. Something about this one was going to be different it felt like. Honeystep looked down at the cats who were already here and of course Thunderclan got here first before them. Thunderclan cats were always on time. Padding down she saw Flamestrike take a turn and go talk to a few cats and rolling her eyes playfully Honeystep having that motherly personality gathered by a group of warriors and dipped her head and greeted herself and sat down and started talking.

Ladybird
» "There are no walls, no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind." ~Otto Frank

Young Smokepaw's scent reached Ladybird before his words did. He smelled strongly of ThunderClan, but his distinct individual odor was foreign to her, one she did not recognize. She was not alarmed by his approach -- few things surprised this warrior, attentive as she was to her surroundings, even with so many cats mingling about. At least one was bound to approach her here on the outskirts of the group. Much as she avoided conversation during Gatherings, idle chit chat was always inevitable. The Somali had prepared herself for this before she had set foot outside of camp, readying herself for the social endeavor that was sure to come. Her mental walls were standing tall and firm, and she felt confident enough to engage him, at least for a short while. Her mind felt supple, like muscles warmed up and stretched before a long training session.

At least this one seemed like the quiet type, rather than the usual blabbermaws and gossips. She had thought she may have sighted Smokepaw as he entered the clearing. If this was the same black cat who she had witnessed hanging back keeping to himself for the first few moments of the Gathering, then she had nothing to worry about. She had found a fellow introvert in the crowd, and this thought warmed her greatly.

Deciding to make the best of it, Ladybird curled her fluff of a tail around her paws and smiled warmly at the apprentice. She paused a moment before she spoke, allowing herself a few seconds to glance over the little tom. Yes, this must be the same fellow she had spotted earlier. If he too was the unobtrusive sort, perhaps there was hope yet for this conversation. She also took note of the fact that he seemed to be staring just as intently back at her, no doubt intrigued by the color of her pelt. No use in keeping her history a secret.

"Hello, Smokepaw of ThunderClan," she mewed in greeting. "I am Ladybird of WindClan. I couldn't help but notice you... noticing my coat." Her comment was not meant in vain, and she broadened her smile in attempt to emphasize this fact. She was merely being observant. "I am what Twolegs call a Somali cat. I was born a kittypet, though I have been with the Clan since I was an apprentice." There was no shame in her voice, but her eyes glinted with sadness for a split second before they resumed their calm demeanor. She of all cats would know what it meant to not be Clanborn. Her name prefix alone was enough to hint at her former life, however long ago it may have been.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, border:0px solid #d3c5bb;border-radius:100px;width:480px;background-image:url('http://i.imgur.com/yEWP3zd.png');background-position:top;b ackground-re peat:no-repeat;background-color:#413e2f;width:456px;background-position:top;background-repeat:no-repeat;padding-top:320p x;padding-bottom:10px;padding-top:315px;] Emberheart sat quiet waiting for the meeting, he paws had not stopped moving since moon high. She loved gatherings, the cats. the place and heck even the friends she had made. She watched the moon raise and noted how beautiful the full moon was her tail twitched as she got lost in the moon light. A rare moment of silence from the young she-cat as she thought about her children and the clan. But soon her thoughts got broken by the sound of her leader. Her head wiped around and walked towards the bottom of the boulder. She waited to here who was going and let out a small nod of approval. Though she loved her leader, she hated the way he towered over him. The black and ginger cat notice this as they ran to the gathering. Her thin slender frame made running easy. She enjoyed running, the act of feeling the wind through her hair made her feel alive. By the time they got the meeting her paws were itching to talk to someone anyone. Her graze found a Blizzardshard, another deputy. She bounded up to the deputy like a kitten " good evening, Blizzardshard!" he voice cracked under the enticement. She blushed slightly "I'm sure you're doing well?" Foxpaw came and sat with the clan he didn't think he was going to go. First off he was grounded in his first moon of being an apprentice I mean who does that? That and his small 6 moon frame could hardly keep up with the big warriors. Knowing this he didn't really listen, he looked around watching the other warriors and apprentice. His eyes grew wide with shock as he heard his name. He small apprentice was going to a gathering? Shock and relief ran over his body. The run to the four trees was a hard one for Foxpaw. Where warriors leaped carelessly over roots, Foxpaw struggled and climbed over them. But he got there maybe a little later then the rest! But he got there! He panted and looked around. Looking for other apprentice but his shy nature stopped him going to talk to anyone. If anything he just sat there in silence and watched the gathering. The struck of awe ran over him. So many cats so many warriors of different shapes sizes. All at peace for one night. word count :: tagged ::

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[atrb=border,0,true] Smokepaw was admittedly somewhat relieved when the she-cat did, in fact, reply to him, and her warm smile relieved him; he was still quite nervous about this first gathering, after all. When she started to speak, her voice did something to relax him; she herself seemed calm and collected, and that helped him to collect himself, too. "I am Ladybird of WindClan. I couldn't help but notice you... noticing my coat." He flushed a little, ducking his head in embarrassment; he hadn't meant to stare, and certainly not to make her uncomfortable. She was smiling even bigger when he peeked up, though, so perhaps he was forgiven. "I am what Twolegs call a Somali cat. I was born a kittypet, though I have been with the Clan since I was an apprentice." His eyes widened at that, and he sat up straight again. Though he knew that some of his clanmates would expect him to think less of her for being born a kittypet, he was far to concerned with being fascinated by what she'd just told him to so much as think about having that sort of bias. He mouthed the word 'Somali', the unfamiliar syllables heavy and strange on his tongue. He took a moment to think about what to say in response before he actually replied. She probably didn't want to hear things like "That's so strange" or "Wow, so do you miss being a kittypet?", so he held his tongue. Finally, he said simply, "That's incredible." He could feel the way his eyes were wide as the moon above them, and the way he was leaning slightly forward eagerly. He made a conscious effort to sit back and school himself into calmness before saying anything else. "I don't have an interesting story like that," he meowed finally, his tail flicking aimlessly over his paws. "I've had sort of a boring life, actually. My father's the deputy, but that's about it." He laughed quietly, almost to himself, allowing himself to trail into silence.

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Lightningshine smiled as the tom rambled. He understood he was nervous, embarrassed, or something along those lines. It really wasn't normal for Lightningshine to step out of his way to comfort something. It just kind fo happened naturally. But he wan't sure why Birdsong was so jumpy. It wasn't like he was going to turn around and attack him. "Yes we do have quite a crowd. I see Blazingpaw and Marshpaw over there...and Cloudstep and Flamestrike talking to Mousepelt. Sure that's an interesting conversation, since Cloudstep and Mousepelt are both timid cats," he mewed chuckling some, "At least they're stepping out of their shells." He sat and curled his ginger tail around his paws and clsoed his eyes to small slits. Watching all teh cats, they seemed happy but they weren't relaxed. Not like they usually were during gatherings. Had something happened in the other clans that didn't need to get out. He grew quiet for a bit then looked up at the stars. "Birdsong, do you have a feeling that something...big is going to happen tonit?" he mewed looking at the tom. His question probably caught the tom off guard but he wanted to know. Maybe he was just being jumpy since the adder attack. [bg=d4d6a7]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:423px; height:338px; padding-left: 11px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/MWdweeF.png);] Mousepelt gave a small nod to the new cat but he could already feel his ear starting to twitch from discomfort. The cat introduced him self as Flamestrike. Mousepelt showed he was paying attention by looking up to Flamestrike as he spoke but as soon as he finished Mousepelt looked away again looking toward the ground. "It's nice to meet you Flamestrike...my name is Mousepelt I'm still pretty new to the clans so sorry if I seem a bit...odd I'm just not use to being around so many cats at once especially this many cats." he said still avoiding both cats eyes by taking a quick glance toward the center of the hollow were most of the cats were gathered. "Any way as I just finished telling him-" Mousepelt went on giving a slowly flick of his tail toward Cloudstep "my clan is doing pretty well right now plenty of food, no sickness, or bad wounds to report. So how is you clan doing? Fully fed and worm I hope." he finished thinking it was only polite to ask as well. His tail quickly swept back and forth behind him again sending more dust into the air then before not even knowing that he was doing it he did nothing to stop it ether. [/style]

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Cloudstep nodded some at Mousepelt as he explained that everything was going well in Thunderclan. Good. He knew Gingerflight was long gone, but it still worried him some when Thunderclan was in trouble. It was nice to know they everything seemed to be going well. If he remembered right they were probably about to get a new apprentice. "Everythign is going well in Windclan. Still learning to do things on my own but it isn't too bad," he mewed. He smiled at the tom and nodded in agreement as he looked at the entrance that Riverclan usually used to come to the gatherings. His tail flicked some then he shook his head some almost as if it was a chill. No, he couldn't think about her. He was a medicine cat. There couldn't be a she-cat in his life. See Flamestrike coming over he smiled at his clan friend. Flamestrike was always coming to see him, for advice or just to talk. He seemed distracted as well. He flicked his ears some and tilted his head as he noticed the tom glancing the way he had been. Was he expecting someoen from Riverclan as well? If so, he was surprised he hadn't said something to him already. Or had he, and Cloudstep just hadn't been paying attention. He hoped that wasn't the case. [bg=a3b0b4]

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[atrb=background,http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7560/u0h8.jpg] “Pleasure to meet you, Mousepelt.” He replied and settled down besides Cloudstep giving the ThunderClan warrior space so as not to make him uncomfortable. His gaze traveled back to the summit were RiverClan usually made its grand entrance with their glossy fur and well-fed muscles, he seemed edgy and even if he was trying to seem normal he wasn’t doing a very good job. His whiskers twitched when he caught his medicine cat friend giving him a curious look, was he acting that strangely? He stared at his fidgeting paws and concluded that he was indeed acting in an unusual manner. Flamestrike couldn’t help it, whenever something bothered him or called his undivided attention he would proceed to calmly think about it, draw conclusions and store it away in the endless shelves of his memory. But he couldn’t do that with the small memories he had of Moonshine, something always made him second-guess or a strange emotion would pop-up and cloud his rational judgment. So he sat here, waiting for RiverClan to appear just to catch a miniscule glimpse of her, perhaps talk to her and see her shining smile. Damn, he was smiling goofily again. The orange warrior shook his head and dragged his consciousness back to real world. “Do you think RiverClan is coming?” He finally asked, if to someone in particular or to himself he didn’t quite know for his gaze was still locked in the summit, waiting not so patiently for the rest of the warriors to arrive. word count: 252 words. tags: Cloustep and Mousepelt. notes: oh hai

Ladybird
» "There are no walls, no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind." ~Otto Frank

The apprentice's reaction was one that Ladybird had seen before. She pretended to overlook his wide eyes with a polite nod. She had met many cats since she fled from the grasp of the Twolegs whose plans for pedigree kits had bred her into existence. Most shared the same level of surprise, and yet, also the same level of understanding. She did not look the part of a wild cat, no -- far from it. Her appearance was exotic, even shunned by Clanmates and strangers alike. Their harsh glances and unspoken scorn expressed their feelings clearly, even now, when her days as a kittypet seemed more like a dream than the horrific, caged reality she had experienced. She did not belong here.

But tonight was not the night to dwell on such things. Her story seemed to fascinate Smokepaw, and for that, she was grateful. Ladybird emitted a content purr from her throat. "Oh, it's hardly incredible," she answered softly. "It was not a happy time for me. I was not close to my parents or my siblings, and I did not really have any friends where I grew up. I am happier with my Clan. They are all my family."

She did not hold Smokepaw's gaze while she talked, not wanting to intimidate him with too much eye contact, but continued to smile nonetheless. Judging by Smokepaw's apparent nervousness, she guessed that this was his first Gathering, though she couldn't say for sure. He could simply be anxious by the sheer numbers in attendance tonight, just as she had been at his age. "I'm far more interested in hearing about your life! Son of a deputy, my goodness. You must be so proud!" Ladybird hoped that the praise would make him feel more comfortable, remembering a somewhat similar conversation she had held with another warrior at a previous Gathering. Though she never learned his name, he had lavished her with kind words that strengthened her for many moons afterward. She would have liked to do the same for Smokepaw.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: transparent, width: 400px; height: 300px;] Finchstar you're just like your father|buried deep under the water|you're resting on your laurels|and stepping on my toes|whose side are you on?|what side is this anyway?|put down your sword and crown|come lay with me on the ground Willowstorm, Blackfur, Crimsonclaw, Ripplestream, Moonshine, Shudderbreath, Duckstep, Ginger-root, Sorrelstrike, Summerfrost, Speckledpaw, and Snowpaw." They were late. Finchstar always had a hard time picking cats to go to the gathering. If he could, he would take everyone. He desperately didn't want to leave anyone out or cause any disappointment, and he was scared to consult his deputy in fear that he might be judged for not being able to do a simple task such as choosing cats for a gathering. As he fretted the night before, (he needed at least two whole days to figure it out. Anything less won't be enough) he accidentally fell asleep while determining who to bring and worrying about who he was going to hurt yet what was fair. Finchstar ended up wasting more time on making a decision when a panic attack hit him when waking up this morning after realizing he was stupid enough to fall asleep when such an important affair was in his head, and when he finally settled down (although still shaky and panicked) he paced back and forth in his den, his mind a raging storm as he faced the social anxiety of not only picking cats to go, but to face all the cats of every Clan as RiverClan leader. He had subtle panic attacks during the day, and it wasn't until the deputy checked up on him after being locked up in his den all day and how late he was coming out when he was much overdue for leading them to the island. Finchstar was given some poppy seeds after barely making it to the medicine cat den due to his fatigue condition, and after the deputy, some senior warriors, and medicine cat gave him some counseling and advice on who to pick, almost moonhigh he finally came out with a decision. He felt calm, but his mind still whirled with guilt on not being a strong leader as well as the unfortunate ones who stayed behind. The fear of being social and standing in front of a crowd also made his legs stiff and his pelt sweaty as he ran to the gathering place, despite the cold air. Finchstar knew he would be the laugh of the gathering, whether his Clan-mates told enemy Clans the reason for being so late: being a weak leader, because the simple fact of being late in the first place. Yet he hid his decomposing mind with a hard face, repressing the shivers going through his clammy body. Soon he arrived, and instantly he slipped into the shadows, finding unseen paths toward the Great Oak, only to be seen again and face the eyes of many judgmental cats. (im so sorry im late and this sucks. im going to try posting a lot more tomorrow and if anything ill definitely keep track of this and make sure to reply if necessary.)

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Birdsong
» Take me under your wing tonight

Stepping out of their shells... Birdsong frowned and tilted his head down to briskly lick his chest. Lightningshine's comment smoothed his nerves, and he coughed sharply, as if he were ridding his lungs of the pitiful stutters that had been plaguing him. He was in no danger here, with StarClan's truce holding the peace tonight. How silly was being!

As Lightningshine rattled off a list of cats in attendance, many of which he was able to match faces to in his head, Birdsong nodded slowly. He had met some of these cats in Gatherings past, and though he was quick to frighten and easily distracted, the tom rarely misplaced names, or the personalities that went with them. He was especially intrigued by Clan rumors and gossip, and was known to spreading the particularly juicy bits.

His Clanmate's question did however, catch him off guard, as Lightningshine likely expected. "What do you mean? he asked, his returning inquiry bursting out in a high-pitched squeak. The warrior looked about him, noticing the uneasiness of so many cats, lingering just below the surface of their conversations. "I suppose... you do have a point," he said at last, a worrying frown tugging at the edge of his muzzle. "Something does seem off tonight... Was there any word from the medicine cats when they last traveled to the Moonstone? Frostbite did seem... troubled, I thought, when she returned."

Moonshines perked her ears up at her name being called for the gathering. Was she going to see...him? No don't get ahead of yourself. Eyes shining bright the she cat was ready to go. Following the leader her heart pounded with excitement and all she thought about if that one windclan warrior would be there that saved her from the terrible thorns. Making her way after her leader every step she took brought her closer to the place where the cats gathered.

Blinking and seeing all of the cats down there her eyes scanned the area..was he not here? Letting out a sigh a warrior from her clan asked, ''You okay?'' Moonshine nodded then made her way down to go gather with other cats. The beautiful she cat walked with grace and held her head high. Giving a smile to those she passed by she kind of forgot all about that tom who saved her by her bridge. Moonshine then sat down with a group of other cats and spoke her hello and got into a conversation.