Under The Full Moon [Gathering]

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

Ladybird could tell that Smokepaw was still somewhat uncomfortable, try as she did to appear amicable and courteous. Perhaps her admission about her lack of family had upset the apprentice? Or her compliment had gone too far? Maybe he was in fact not pleased with the fact that he was the son of a deputy? Ladybird imagined the pressure that his lineage may exert on him and the expectations that might have befallen him because of his father. Though he had laughed at this, the she-cat could tell that her remark had embarrassed him, and she immediately desired to retract it.

Before she could, however, Smokepaw went on to say how his parents supported his clan, and this seemed to settle her worries a bit. He did have just a hint of satisfaction about his mother and father in his voice. And here she thought he might be having trouble with his status. "You must be so glad to have such dutiful parents. I think you'll shape up to be quite the young warrior someday." Another purr rumbled in her chest, and she dipped her head respectfully.

A moment of silence then fell between the two cats. Despite their pleasant exchanges about their families, Ladybird did not wish to stress the apprentice further, so she then changed the subject. "Is this your first Gathering?" she inquired with a gentle meow. "I remember my first, many moons ago. I was so scared I didn't talk to anyone. Whenever a cat from another clan approached me, I let out a little squeak and scurried off to hide behind my mentor!" She hoped that the story might further ease his restlessness. She could definitely relate to Smokepaw and thought that being in an accord about their first Gatherings might help him.

((hey guys, sorry it's so short. I'm over the sickness, but I've got some horrid migraines that make thinking hard so my posts will be small for a while))

[atrb=border,0,true] Willowstorm seemed to be the last deputy to make his way forward and take his place. Of course, this usually was mostly due to stopping to chat on the way and wandering around aimlessly while he listened to the conversations that happened around him. Not so tonight. Finchstar had needed help picking who to go and panicked most of the day. Although other warriors might be annoyed or frustrated by their leader, Willowstorm normally just smiled and assisted, trying to be both a friend and a deputy to the jumpy tom. Dipping his head in a friendly greeting as he padded over to the other deputies, the pale colored tom took a seat. "Good evening all." the tom began with a pleasant smile. "Prey runs well, I hope?" He had arrived just in time to hear Blizzardshard comment about Mourningstreak speaking to every one. Assuming a playfully fake sad-face, Willowstorm huffed. "Mourningstreak is talking to everyone? Darn I missed it!" he teased, a wide playful smirk on his maw. As far as Willowstorm knew, there hadn't been anything very big happening in Riverclan besides an overly jumpy medicine cat which didn't really send up any red flags. Riverclan's leader wasn't acting out of the ordinary, so who knew what would happen tonight? It did make Willowstorm wary when his clan-mates glared or shot glances back at their leader. If Finchstar didn't get a backbone, Willowstorm didn't want to know what would happen. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Word Count: 242 Muse: Ugh no Tags: other Deputies

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Redwhisker

The rusty-colored she-cat found herself wandering through the gathering without direction or meaning. This was her first gathering since she had been an apprentice, mostly due to the fact that Redwhisker wasn't a very well liked cat among those in her clan who had not forgotten her brother. Still, she reveled in the sights, sounds, and scents around her. There were so many cats from other clans and all of them, or most anyway, were speaking and enjoying the company of another cat. This would be Redwhisker's chance to make friends outside of her clan and it made her all the more determined to find someone to talk to.

A shadow at the edge of the hollow moved and Redwhisker went to investigate, curious as to who or what wasn't coming. To her surprise, as she got closer, she realized that it was a cat. She couldn't tell if she had heard his name before or not so the rusty she-cat settled beside him and sniled kindly in greeting. "Hello. I am Redwhisker. May I ask your name?" The she-cat blinked curiously at him as she wondered why he wasn't mingling with the others. "If you would prefer to be alone, I can leave you be." Redwhisker added hastily, not wanting to seem rude or pushy to the new cat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

words: 220
muse: ugh no
tags: ripplestream/shiny

Rosepaw visibly flinched as the black tom spoke in a growl to her. Her own shadowy form backed up even further only to bump into someone else. Her little nose sniffled and tears of helplessness formed in her eyes. Everyone was scaring her and it felt like she was suffocating, despite the cool air around her clearly bursting into her lungs every now and then. It was difficult to reply to the blue-eyed warrior, what with her tongue seemingly ten pounds heavier. "U-um...I-I...I-I'm Rose...Rosepaw..." Rosepaw's voice was a mousey squeak at best and made her ears tighten against her skull, stick-like legs having her press closer to the ground so that grass brushed her belly. It was then that she heard the familiar loud voice of her new mentor right behind her. A tail brushed her shoulder and sent the nervous cat into a fit of stuttering and stumbling over her tiny limbs. "B-Blackt-throat, I- I...-" Stopping her mess of attempted words, Rosepaw felt the ticklish prickle of a sneeze run up her nasal passages and finally send her nostrils exploding with a rather loud achoo. Instinctively her little pink tongue swiped over her nose. Heat prickled through her pelt as embarrassment coursed through her veins hot and shameful. Sneezing brought extra attention -although minimal- to the frail apprentice and that sent her darting to hide behind Blackthroat, tiny frame shaking like a brittle leaf. Rosepaw's ribs were pressed close to the other, face buried in their fur and thin tail wrapped around a hindleg. Sootpaw, if you're watching this, please save me! [bg=ffffff][atrb=border,0,true]

"Good evening," a tom mewed. "I'm Loudstorm, of ThunderClan. You look familier, but there are so many cats in and out of these gathering's it's hard for me to remember names." Honeystep turned to who was talking it seemed to her and when she looked she was correct. A tom who did smell like Thunderclan greatly was talking to her. Honeystep nodded meeting his eyes and then gave a little laugh. ''I don't blame you. I swear new cats show up that weren't at gatherings three moons ago!'' she mewed gently. Yes this was a gathering for cats to be nice and talk and mingle but never to make friends. This tom who called himself loudstorm seemed very nice. Possibly around her age? It was nice to make friends at gatherings like this once a moon but once clans left those friendships stayed at fourtrees. They were not carried along with the other cats hoping to see them again over the border. Warriors and clans had limits and Honeystep knew hers. ''I'm Honeystep from Windclan. It's my pleasure to meet such a kind tom. You can't find those anymore I swear.'' she purred. When Honeystep gave compliments she meant them. She would always speak the truth and before she could say another word the call of Owlstar to start the gathering echoed in the air and Honeystep looked towards all the leaders and mewed, ''Looks, like we are going to get started in a few. I'm sure there will be a seat empty next to me if you wish to fill it for tonight.'' she offered with a gentle smile.

((MOONY!)

[atrb=border,0,true] Ladybird seemed a bit concerned, and Smokepaw hoped he hadn't made her uncomfortable after all or seemed threatening, talking about how his parents would defend ThunderClan; but then she said "You must be so glad to have such dutiful parents. I think you'll shape up to be quite the young warrior someday."', purring and dipping her head, and he relaxed, relieved to have not accidentally started some sort of altercation with the quiet she-cat. He did shuffle his paws a bit bashfully at the thought that he'd make a good warrior - he certainly hoped so, and he would try his best, but he thought it was far too early to tell if he'd be any good or not - and the compliment warmed him to the tips of his fur. They trailed into silence, broken only a moment later when Ladybird asked, "Is this your first Gathering?" Smokepaw merely nodded, feeling a new spark of excitement about the gathering pass through him as he glanced around the clearing. RiverClan was here now, so they must be getting close to starting. He returned his gaze to Ladybird as she conveyed the story of her own first gathering, and he couldn't help but laugh a little bit at the image of this cool, collected she-cat hiding behind someone else. "Well, I doubt my mentor would take too kindly to anyone hiding behind him," he meowed with amusement. "I'd probably get a lecture for trying. I have to admit, the idea was tempting at first, though. But you're much nicer than I was afraid everyone would be," he added shyly, not wanting to make Ladybird uncomfortable but wishing to share how much she had comforted him at this first gathering.

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Loudstorm smiled at Honeystep's friendly greeting. It was a lovely name, too. It matched her, he felt. Gathering's were unique opportunities to meet others from the different clans. Honeystep was right, it seemed that every gathering new faces appeared. New, young faces, that made Loudstorm feel older and older each time he saw them. Many faces come and go at these gatherings. They die, they fall ill, they just don't get picked, and in their place new ones come. His ears pricked forward. Was that a compliment he just recieved from the WindClan she-cat? He smiled. "I'm honored to be one of those toms." Just as he finished Owlstar called out. Loudstorm's gaze flicked over to the RiverClan leader who had just arrived. Honeystep's voice drew his attention back to her. ''Looks, like we are going to get started in a few. I'm sure there will be a seat empty next to me if you wish to fill it for tonight.'' He dipped his head to her. "I'm a lucky tom, to be able to sit next to you, then, Honeystep." The black tom stood in order to escort her to a closer spot near the great rock the leaders gathered upon. "May I have the honor of escorting you to our seats?" who said chivalry was dead? Loudstorm lived it everyday. He stretched a kink out of his old shoulder wound before leading Honeystep to a spot closer to the front. [bg=ededed][atrb=border,0,true]

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Lighningshine listened to the white tom quietly as he talked about comfort rather than confidence. He did have a point. It was better for a cat to be true to themselves than to try to change to fit what every other cat wanted. If that was the case then no cat would be who they really wanted to be. They would all the be same like little matching herds. He chuckled to himself at the thought then stopped seeing Birdsong's look. He gave him a weak grin then ducked his head some. Sorry, just a mental thought," he explained, "but you have a very good point. It is better that one be himself. I guess i should be used to that. I always strive to be myself but with this i wasn't so sure." He grew quiet for a bit and watched as the leaders gathered together and the medicine cats started to gather as well. Tucking his paws underneath him some he closed his eyes a little to listen to the chatter around him. It was nice just to relax for a while. He just wished it was a little warmer. But with Birdsong here it was still nice. "You know it's kind of funny, i always saw Owlstar as a big tom, but when you put Stormstar beside him he looks as small as an apprentice," he mewed a hint of laughter in his voice. He loved his leader to death, but it was always a little funny comparing any cat to Stormstar. [bg=d4d6a7]

OOC: I LOVE LOUDSTORM OMG I WANT HIM

Honeystep blinked in amusement when the tom offered to escort her to their seats. He was something else really. You never run into a tom who was that nice and respectful. With the tom leading the way Honeystep followed and felt as if it was just them who were here attending this. Everything else just went or fell silent and all she was focused on was the time that was spent between them. Honeystep could never fall in love with him. Yet still shocked he was almost looked as if he was close to her age. Taking her seat and wrapping her tail around her front paws she heard Owlstar call out Finchstars name. rolling her eyes she whispered, ''Always late that clan.'' Blinking at the leaders she fell silent and looked around to see cats gather around ready to hear what this gathering was going to be about. She gave a small gentle smile to Loudstorm and looked back at the leaders. ''any idea what might happen tonight?'' she asked keeping her eyes straight along with her gaze.

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:423px; height:338px; padding-left: 11px; background: url(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/257481447_f78f9545e7.jpg);] After walking around for a bit Blackfur didn't end up finding any of the medicine cats besides Cloudstep and he still thought it was best to let him talk to his friends so he ended up siting back in the middle of the hollow again. He looked around at all the cats most looked like they were enjoying the gathering so far. "Well at lest this gathering is going better then the half moon one." Blackfur muttered to him self but really was happy to see every thing was going so well. Blackfur gave a large yawn feeling a bit tired. "I really got to get some sleep when I get back to camp. That is I hope I can get some sleep tonight...I wounded when the leaders are going to start the gathering?" he said to him self but really in no hurry implied the question just passed his mind. He gave another large yawn then started to groom him self a bit with nothing else to do. After a quick cleaning of his ears he looked up into the sky looking at the moon and stars thinking to him self again thinking about his herb storage back in his den and if he needed to get any new ones tomorrow. [/style]

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Loudstorm stopped at two spots close to the front of the crowd. The clans were gathering about and getting settled now that all had arrived. A hush was beginning to form over the crowd as they prepared to listen to what the leaders had to report. Loudstorm didn't expect anything much to happen at this gathering, unless the other clans had something major to report. Loudstorm heard Honeystep's comment about RiverClan. He glanced over at the newly arrived clan. The majority of them seemed irked over their late arrival. Then again, anytime you were the last clan to arrive you felt irked. The black tom's gaze turned to the leaders. Finchstar of RiverClan seemed nervous and jumpy. Then again, at all the gatherings Loudstorm had seem him at, even as a deputy, he had been a nervous wreck. ''any idea what might happen tonight?'' Loudstorm shrugged. "Nothing out of the usual has happened in ThunderClan. Except-" his throat caught, and he cleared it. Except for the badger that killed my mate and son. he didn't know if Owlstar would mention it. Loudstorm didn't want it mentioned. "I, er, I don't think there's going to be a very interesting night." He adjusted his sitting position, and his gaze faced forward, to the leaders. [bg=ededed][atrb=border,0,true]

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[atrb=background,http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7560/u0h8.jpg] Flamestrike followed Moonshine closely keeping an eye on the place where the leaders would give their announcements, he soon settled down besides the RiverClan she-cat wrapping his front legs with his slightly fluffy tail. He grimaced a little at her words, remembering how agitated Cloudstep had seemed when he had arrived from the medicine cat half-moon meeting. His friend had refused to speak of his worries so he had shrugged it off as medicine cat things he couldn’t really understand. “Now that you mention it, Cloudstep seemed… upset,” he whispered and furrowed his brow in confusion, had the rest of the medicine cats been as agitated as his friend? “But things have been relatively peaceful this past moons,” he tried to reassure the she-cat with a smile even if his tail twitched at this new prospect of trouble. Now, it’s not like he felt something was wrong for he wasn’t one to go around trusting intuition or blind judgment but he would definitely have his senses open for any signs of disturbance, specially to those that threatened the warm peace that’d been enveloping the clans lately. He sighed and tried to relax; now that greetings were over and he knew he could spend the whole truce by her side he felt the tension in his muscles slowly diminishing. “Do you think we could…” he bit his lip and gave his chest a quick embarrassed lick, he wanted to see her again outside of the moonlight, just once or twice would be enough for him… or so he thought. He cleared his throat and continued, “see each other again?” A strange weight was lifted from his shoulders, he had done it, and he had finally asked her. Now all that was left was wait for her answer. word count: 296 words. tags: Moonshine. notes:

Moonshine listened closely to her new friend and was very happy to have him sit next to her. She felt more relaxed now that he was at her side. Sadly after all of this they would have to part ways and wait a whole other moon until they could see one another again. Sadness filled up inside her when the thought of that came to her mind but shockingly the tom had gave her the question if he could see her again. Golden eyes looked at the Windclan tom with a huge smile on her face. In a hushed tone she mewed, ''It's not a matter of could its a matter of can. I mean I don't have a problem with seeing you again I really don't I would love to see you again..'' Blinking she mewed, ''That's of course if we can meet another way and not by me getting stuck in a ball of thorns.'' keeping her voice more quiet she mewed, ''We need a place.. a place only you and I know about. Where no one can find us or follow us..'' Blinking she left him to think and her herself thought about it too. Yes her duties lied in her clan but what was wrong with seeing him again.. nothing...right?

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

As Smokepaw shuffled his paws in what could only be some level of minor embarrassment, Ladybird placed a small paw over one of his. The apprentice seemed timid, and for good reason -- many warriors in training found their first Gathering overwhelming. "You will be a great warrior, I just know it," she purred, patting his paw in reassurance.

"You have the heart for it, I can tell. You're not selfish or arrogant, and you have no negative qualities that I can see that would hurt your chances of maybe becoming deputy yourself one day." Her eyes shone with confidence in Smokepaw. Even though she had only been chatting with him for a short while, it brought her happiness to lift the chins of some of the new apprentices during Gatherings. She had spoken with many young cats and heard many tales about each of them, both of bravery and of foolishness. This sensible little fellow was quickly climbing the list of goodness.

Though she did not make a sound at his comment about seeking refuge behind his mentor, there was laughter in her gaze. "Oh, I was scolded alright. And you know what I did? When I couldn't find shelter huddling between my mentor's legs, I ran straight for the oaks and huddled beneath the great rock, only to be shushed away by ShadowClan and RiverClan's leaders! I was so humiliated I could hardly speak for a quarter-moon. That's a fact!"

Ladybird then sat a little taller, nodding with understanding. Smokepaw seemed to be calming down and settling in at last. "Not all warriors are short-tempered or scary, even if they have the potential to be. Why, even my apprentices learned to think twice about crossing me. I've set many a coat on fire with my burning eyes, believe it or not. But that doesn't mean I can't also be kind. Remember that. There are two sides to every story, and two sides to every cat." Noticing her paw still rested on Smokepaw's, she quickly removed it and blinked encouragingly. Yes... He would make a fine warrior indeed.

Birdsong
» Take me under your wing tonight

"No need to apologize, Birdsong purred, moving over to nudge up Lightningshine's chin with his nose. "It's hard sometimes, especially when some of your Clanmates have a propensity to, er... tease." He frowned slightly at this, recalling all of the namecalling and paw pointing he had received on numerous occasions when he was seen giving affection to another tom. At first, their jeers and mocking had stung him fiercely, for Birdsong was always one to be concerned about his appearance -- both physical and emotional.

He snorted and shook his head to clear it. "But that's no matter. You have to learn to ignore the unfavorable comments and just enjoy and appreciate your own thoughts and preferences. Especially if you've found that special someone. You have to be strong for him... or her, whichever the case may be. I've even seen the more traditional relationships mocked and frowned upon. You can't let it bother you. Who are they to say who you can like?" He puffed out his chest at this, grinning.

As the quiet fell again, Birdsong took a moment to listen, just as Lightningshine was doing, to the sociable noises and voices around him. Much as he tried to focus on one particular conversation, so as to glean some of the usual gossip he was so looking forward to, his attention continued to redirect back to Lightningshine beside him. He felt his shoulders tremble in a light shiver, though not from the cold. At the mentioning of the size differences between the leaders, he perked up again. "You do have a point. Stormstar is monstrously huge!" he giggled, revealing his teeth in a laughing grin.

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Cloudstep grew quiet as Snowpaw curled into him for a little bit. It was nice having her warm body near his. Just to have her there, he wasn't really cold. Nervous maybe not cold. When she moved away he felt a small pang in his chest. When she spoke he looked toward the other cats and then up at the leaders. They all did seem ready to start. He looked back at the white she-cat. He didn't want to leave her but he also knew he had a duty to uphold. He quietly looked around to see if there would be anyone that would sit with her. That's when he caught sight of Flamestrike again. "yes, i do need to go to the medicine cats...but i don't want to leave you alone," he admitted softly, "My friend Flamestrike seems to be talking to one of your warriors. I can take you to meet him or i can see if you can come sit with us for tonight. Which would you rather do?" He watched her, wanting her to know that it really was her decision to make. She looked scared that if she was left alone that she might be swallowed up by something. He gently moved his tail over to touch hers to know that he would try to stay if he could. But he also couldn't just ignore his duties. [bg=a3b0b4]