Official Gathering Post

[Juniper]

•○•○ february 18 •○•○

It was a chilly night. Thin blades of grass cowered in the freezing earth as a brisk wind swept through them. A cold moon glared. Thick clouds hung in the dark sky, signaling rain to come. Swathes of stars glimmered in a background as black as a raven’s feathers. The Warrior ancestors were indeed watching over this event.

Everything in the night was still. Crickets chirped no melodies, and insects ceased to sing. Even the wind died down, leaving the trees and plants immobile. Then, a rustling beyond the hills came. Dark shadows flitted over. Cats began emerging and swarming beneath a tall ledge. As they assembled, a thin piece of cloud slid over the full moon, half obscuring its brilliance. As one, a great breath was inhaled. Was StarClan still furious over the previous Gathering? No one knew what would happen this time.

Weather Partly cloudy
Atmosphere Tense

•○•○ welcome to the chaos •○•○

[dawneon*]

lavasoul sat in front of the cats of her clan, branchstar unavailable for the evening. her normally crimson eyes were the deepest obsidian, colourless against her tabby fur. tail flicking against the cold ground, the deputy peered down the hill. she was nervous about this gathering for a few reasons, the most obvious of them all the fact that she would be the one looking over the clans beside the other leaders, and she would be the one demanding an answer for why ashclan was stealing prey from them. getting to her paws, the she-cat stretched her muscles before looking back at her clan, dark eyes taking in all the familiar faces.

don't start any trouble, that's all that i ask. no one knows how starclan will react, so best behaviour, and if need be, watch for my signal to leave.

[/b] her accented voice rang clear to her fellow soulclan cats, she wasn't at all sure how this gathering was going to turn out, not after the chaos that had unfolded last time. turning back to face the path, the she-cat took a deep breath of the leafbare air, digging her claws into the ground once more before flicking her tail as a signal to go forth.

bunching her muscles, she launched herself off the hill and down into the valley, landing in front of the already running cats. grinning to herself, she led the way, not even sure what to expect to find at the gathering. give us a chance, starclan. she prayed to herself as she moved into the gathering's clearing. they were the first ones there, good. that would give her a chance to prepare herself to face ashclan. this would be an interesting night. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[Stella]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/amanda1472/Icestar2-2.jpg] Icestar was nervous, she was a new leader, and this was going to be her first gathering. It was not time yet but she could see the night coming to set, Icestar breathed in, this would be her first gathering as a leader, but she was ready. Walking out side her small paw steps took her to the clearing, her aqua eyes saw the hard working warriors but it was time. The moon was large, beautiful and just right. Starclan was watching them. She sat down, they had to leave soon, ''Creektwist, Fallenleaf, Silverclaw, Silverwolf, Horizonshine, Floodpaw?''. Icestar called them one by one, her face calm, but her heart pounding, plus she hopped not to be the last clan there. She stood up now and shook her pelt. ''We must go, we don't want to be late'', the small white she-cat walked on, leading the way, she just hopped the apprentice where not too exited, and well she hopped they would not do anything stupid you could say. Icestar also hopped she had chosen the right cats for her first gathering, she hopped they would support her. Leading the way she slowed down, Icestar could sense another clan was here first, or well had gotten here pretty much the same time, she was not to sure though. Looking around she could see why she wanted to be a leader... Leading her clan Icestar Jumped, landing in the valley, she looked up though, the beautiful moon was now starting to become hidden. She hopped Starclan is not mad. But she kept on running, the small she-cat finally got there and dipped her head to the leaders. it seemed she would go first today, giving a small call she waited for the clans to cal down. ''Hello everyone... Aspenclan is doing well, Our prey may be low but we survive. We have many apprentice's who are growing strong and a queen, Horizenshine. Our clan is growing large, Thank you'', dipping her head she looked at the next leader, hoping she did okay.

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[flighty]

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[atrb=background,http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb404/InfernoLarka/darknes1-2-1.jpg] Darkstar took a deep breath as she led her Clan, scenting AspenClan in front of her. She raised her tail slightly, signalling for the rest of FrostClan to settle down as she joined the other leaders. Her eyes strayed to each mouth, catching all bits of information from the other Clans. Sensing Icestar's nervousness, she allowed herself a small smile. She wasn't the only new leader here, it seemed. As Icestar finished her report and looked toward her, she tipped her muzzle slightly and shifted forward. "FrostClan is doing well. We did not suffer through Leaf-Bare, and our warriors are as strong as ever. The prey is beginning to run thicker now, as the ice on the river is thinning. The fish provide an easy way for strength, and our queens and elders are full and healthy. The warmth of NewLeaf is coming just in time, though, as we are blessed with a new kit, Deathkit. We are glad to have him, as he is important to help prolong the life of the Clan. We are faring well, and we are increasing border patrols, to warn off any intruding....kittypets, or loners.. That is all that I have to say." The small calico leader shifted backward again, whiskers quivering as she realized she may have made Deathkit sound very, very important. She prayed that the other Clans would not notice her fumble there, and just believe that it was true, that he was needed to help with the growth of FrostClan. Her gaze wandered toward the moon. Silverpelt was shining brightly above, but a faint cloud was covering a bit of the moon. That wasn't good. Were they upset with what had happened at the last Gathering? Perhaps their ancestors were merely warning them away from another fight. She felt like digging her claws into something solid, like the ground, but didn't want to cause more tension. She took another deep breath, filling her lungs with cool night air. It's alright, Darkstar. Get ahold of yourself. You're a tough kitty, and that's why you're leader. C'mon, now, focus! Focus... She just needed to focus.. Her gaze wandered through the Clans before settling on Sparrowdash. Warmth spread through her, tickling her insides. She imagined him and her, standing side by side, training Weedpaw together, hunting together... Watching kits grow up together.. No. These thoughts were too much. Forcing them from her mind, Darkstar shifted again and looked over at the next leader, flicking her ears as she waited for them to step forward to make their announcements.

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[shocky !]

B R E E Z E S T A R

It was his turn to speak.

Deathkit. He flicked an ear. What a foreboding name.

Breezestar calmly surveyed the other leaders, knowing that the burden was now on him. He had prepared his speech, of course, but there was a still an unfamiliar grain of nervousness worming its way into his stomach. The black and white tom rarely ever felt this way, but it was his first Gathering as leader since Hiddenstar's death, and he knew that all the other Clans were wondering why he was up here instead of the familiar black tom they had come to recognize. Within his Clan, the change of power had been subtle and easy. Here, with cats who only saw him once a month, it was difficult. The contrast was sharply obvious. He wasn't Hiddenstar, and he would have to explain why.

He took a deep breath and gazed out at the crowd with piercing yellow eyes. They were all staring at him expectantly, and he wasn't about to let his Clan down. “Fellow Clans... you have probably noticed that I'm sitting here instead of Hiddenstar,” he mewed slowly, his words accompanied by a wry flick of his ear. “Hiddenstar is no longer our leader. He... made a choice that wasn't good for the Clan. No longer able to lead us, he resigned. It is my duty to report his death and to inform you that I have seen StarClan and have received my nine lives.” There was no need to worry them by saying Hiddenstar had attempted murder. Hiddenstar... Hiddenpromise, whichever, seemed to have relented. But still...

“Hiddenpromise will remain as a warrior of AshClan and should be treated as such,” he said firmly. Maybe that way, no one would bother the warrior.

Blinking, the tom collected himself. The memory of his nine lives ceremony had started momentary twinge within him. The pain had been immense, yet the closeness he had felt to his ancestors had been worth the torment. The pain had been good pain, strong and pulsing within his chest. If all leaders felt this, well, how did they end up like Hiddenstar? How did they betray their Clan like that? Breezestar winced inwardly, careful not to let any emotion show on his solid white face. He kept his posture as if he had been chiseled from rock. Maybe it had to do with the visions that the tom had been receiving. The great darkness. The owls.

What else was there to talk about? Right, the drought.

“AshClan has also been affected by the lack of water, but you must remember that our territory is naturally dry and rugged. This has not had a great impact on us, and we still remain strong. Should any Clan think otherwise, they would be sorely mistaken,” mewed the tom, flexing his claws. His yellow eyes narrowed. Then he dipped his head and fell silent.

[Juniper]

•○•○ february 18 •○•○

The four Warriors, their pelts dappled by streams of moonlight, waited on the ledge. They towered over a mass of cat, their coats splashing color to the dry lands where the Gathering was held. Scraps of weeds split the earthen ground, and shrubs dotted the landscape. Mottled and gnarled trees sprouted, their branches void of any leaves. Instead, leaves blanketed the dust with their cracked skins of tan and black.

The words of the leaders spoken, cats below began to mingle and discuss the latest gossip. However, all activity ceased as a sudden change occurred to the moon. In another collective gasp, a scarlet mist, almost like blood, sheathed the round moon. It glowed a faint crimson, and the skies darkened evermore. Shadows infiltrated the site below, wreathing the Warriors with a black mist. A pale red light shone upon the earth. It was as if everyone and thing were bathed in blood.

Cries of terror and horror split the night; cats everywhere were frantic. Was this a sign from StarClan? What did it mean? Trying to calm their panic, they sought the wisdom of their medicine cats. Surely even they knew what was going on…?

Moon Lunar eclipse
Atmosphere Terror
Chaos Tons

•○•○ welcome to the nightmare •○•○

[Holly]

Silversoul looked up at Icestar. She listened to her new leader speak. She let out a small smile towards her leader. She dropped the smile once she heard the name of the kit. 'Deathkit? What a repulsive name? Why would Frostclan let that queen name her kit Deathkit! What a mouse brain she-cat!' She thought. Oh how that annoyed her. She held her tongue and wouldn't let it show on her face either that the name bothered her greatly.

She quietly and peacefully listened to the other leaders speak. She watched peacefully and respectfully. She curled her tail around her paws.

Skyheart- The Loyal

Skyheart watched the faces of cat at the mention of Deathkit. He felt a twitch of annoyance. Yes the name wasn't best, but what did it matter to them. He let out a low growl. His eyes narrowed. He dug his claws into the dirt. None of them knew the kit, but he bet they were judging the kit already.

He listened to the other leaders as calm as he could. He held his tongue and stood quiet, even once all the leader were done speaking.

[Juniper]

The tabby she-cat was sprawled across the grassy knoll, her body limp and her tail streaming out behind her like a waterfall. Stars glimmered over her but she took no notice. Heavy eyes that drooped with fatigue barely saw the blurred figures of four cats perched upon a high rock. A paw seemed to prod her side, but when she raised her head to investigate, she discovered it was only a fallen branch. She yawned and stretched, her jaws sliding softly from her wide mouth. Might as well listen to what the leaders were saying. It wasn’t as if she had anything else better to accomplish.

Misty gray paws ringed with ashen black extended out in front of her, claws unsheathed to slice the soft earth. Adderpaw’s jaw gaped wide open like a serpent about to swallow its prey whole. A row of jagged incisors glinted brightly in the moon’s faint glows of light. She sat up into a more comfortable position, eyes blinking blearily. She turned to her neighbor, who was a tabby cat just like she was, although much paler in contrast. He was a handsome-looking tom, though off limits to her – first because he was from some other Clan and second since she was a medicine cat apprentice. Still, she could appreciate his good looks couldn’t she? Besides, what a silly rule that. Sometimes queens dealt with heartbreak or abandonment. If a medicine cat had their own mate, wouldn’t they be able to understand their female patients more?

The silver-tipped Warrior stared at the four leaders, disgust evident on his face. He gave a non-committal grunt. Adderpaw grinned at this, her mouth stretched awkwardly from her spontaneous nap. “Hey, what’s your name?” she whispered quietly, ears flicked to hear if anyone else was eavesdropping on the two. She opened her mouth as if to say more, but suddenly the skies darkened considerably from their earlier stormy gray hues. A red glow, gleaming like scarlet blood, sheathed the pale full moon. She gasped and huddled closer to the other Warrior, who smelled of FrostClan. Her pale eyes burned into the image of the bloody moon, ears flattened and tail bristling as if to attack it. “What… What’s going on!?” she shrieked shrilly. Her breathing quickened as her heart pumped a furious and painful beat against her side.

Word Count 389
Tags Everyone who’s here (lazy)
Ooc Yay for lunar eclipses.

[Holly]

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[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][bg=f8e4a9] Skyheart turned as he heard someone talking to him. his ears flickered as he realized it was an apprentice, but slowly remembered she was Soulclan Medicine Cat. He downed the anger, no reason to be rude to a curious apprentice. He nodded politely to the young she-cat. "Hello, I'm Skyheart, you must be Adderpaw, am I correct?" He turned his icy gaze back o the leaders until he realized she asked him another question. He hid his annoyance well. Had she not be listening and looking around. "Did you not notice the glazes and surprised expression of the leaders and warriors when Deathkit's name was mention. These cats don't know the kit yet judge her by her name? Stupid mouse brain cats." He glazed gently at the apprentice. He hoped maybe she'd understand his anger. Skyheart Speaking Skyheart Thinking "Other person's cat talking"

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[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][bg=fef7f1] Silversoul turned her glaze to Skyheart and Adderpaw. He let out a small smile. Oh how apprentices were to curious for there own good sometimes. She looked back towards the leaders. She gently wrapped her tail around her small paws. Silversoul Speaking Silversoul Thinking "Other person's cat talking"