CONGREGATION, LET'S SING IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT — GATHERING 11.15.23

[BLAZESTAR]

A hulking pale shape, silvered by the full moon, pads quietly to the edge of the Great Rock. Blazestar lifts his chin, feeling the cool fingers of an end-of-leaf-fall breeze tug through his whiskers, and calls, "Cats of all Clans! This Gathering will now commence." He sits, blue eyes dark but clear, and surveys the cats milling beneath the Clan leaders. "SkyClan grows stronger by the day, thanks to the lungwort brought back by our journeying cats. The last of our patients have begun to resume their duties. I believe the sickness is finally leaving our camp." He can only pray the other leaders can report the same. After all, if there are still cats struggling to recover, the disease has not truly been eradicated.

Blazestar continues, his heart full, "SkyClan honors all of the cats who made the journey to the mountains, but two in particular have ascended to my council. Both Greeneyes and Bobbie attend tonight as lead warriors." His gaze sweeps the masses, finding a ginger-splotched white pelt and the pale lilac tabby fur worn by his mate. Though he honors them both, there's a flash of warmth and affection that beams in his eyes when he seeks Bobbie. "I'm confident both will bring both strength and honor to my council."

The Ragdoll puffs himself up slightly, pride coloring his voice. "SkyClan welcomes two new litters of strong, healthy kits. My daughter Howlfire's kits born in ShadowClan's camp, Wolfkit, Blazingkit, and Hawk-kit, are sturdy and will make fine warriors. Butterflytuft has also had her litter, Weedkit and Fluffykit, and both are doing well." He wraps his tail about his massive golden paws, protecting himself from the chill in the air.

"Two cats have recently joined StarClan from our ranks. Brightflame, as some of you will know, died taking SkyClan's territory back from the rogues. Another of our warriors, Tawnystripe, lost his life this moon as well. The porcupine whose quills caused him to bleed out has been hunted down by Bobbie, Cloverjaw, Circe, and Lux." The pride in his voice waters down, sobering. He flicks his gaze briefly to the sky, searching for a sign one of the two warriors was looking down on them now.

He clears his throat. "Finally, one of our recent joiners has chosen to begin his warrior training. Happypaw trains under Sparrowsong. We have faith he will become a fine SkyClan warrior under their tutelage." He shifts his gaze to the other leaders on the rock, finishing, "That is all from SkyClan this moon."

, "​

​

 

[sparrowsong!]

..╭―――――――――――――――|➹|―――――――――――――――╮

.

As the leaders settle themselves at last upon the Great Rock, Sparrowsong seeks out Happypaw to sit beside him. "Up there," they murmured to him after a moment, gesturing with a point of their nose. "You might recognize them. Along with Blazestar, that's... Chilledstar of ShadowClan, Howlingstar of ThunderClan, Sootstar of WindClan, and..." their brows furrowed for a moment. "...Smokethroat, RiverClan's deputy."

Blazestar called out to begin the Gathering, and the tabby fell silent to listen. It felt good to finally have good news to share, and it felt good to finally hear it. There was a smile upon the small warrior's face as they looked up to the ragdoll.

After a moment's silence following the announcement of their losses, their leader swept on, and their ears perked when they heard both Happypaw's name as well as their own. Slight smile returning, they looked over to give him a soft nudge. "That's you!" Sparrowsong said quietly, feeling their own prick of pride for the shoutout. They swiped their tongue over their chest.

// talking to @HAPPYPAW ​

.

..╰―――――――――――――――|➹|―――――――――――――――╯

 

[HOWLINGSTAR]

As the Gathering commences, Howlingstar straightens herself and listens intently as Blazestar begins to share SkyClan's news. Her ears twitch as she recognizes the two names called as new lead warriors. They were two of the warriors she had wanted to thank for helping Stormfeather home, and though one bears a prideless kittypet name she feels good knowing the two of them earned the title of lead warrior. The news of two litters comes next and she finds herself leaning forward at the mention of her great grandchildren, eyes shining. She hadn't formally gotten to meet them, but she had been ill in ShadowClan's camp at the time of their birth. ShadowClan apprentices had kept her in the loop on their health and names, and she finds herself anxious to meet them someday on the border. She dips her head as Blazestar honors the fallen, remembering the apprentice Brightpaw as the intruder on her territory. She shakes her head gently; how cruel of the world to take her young spirit so soon.

It's her turn next and she steps forward to stand at the front of the Great Rock, white paws gripping the edge carefully. "ThunderClan struggled with Yellowcough as all the clans did. Many good cats were lost...Silverlightning, Wrenflutter...even our medicine cat apprentice, Lichenpaw, succumbed to the illness." Her voice dips low in grief. "We are strong now. We have recovered and continue to gain our strength back day by day, but tragedy has not fully left us. A queen, Maplepatch, has been slain by a fox. And Little Wol-" She struggles and swallows, voice choking. She must force down the tears that threaten to gloss her eyes as she finally grits out, "My daughter, Little Wolf, gave her life on the journey to bring the cure back for us. ThunderClan honors her sacrifice as we watch our loved ones come back from this plague." She fights the urge to look to Blazestar, knowing how painful it must have been when the news reached him.

"But with loss, comes renewed life. Two of our queens have given birth to their litters, too. Spiderlily has brought Softkit and Vixenkit into the world, and Leopardtongue welcomed Hazekit, Cougarkit, and Bravekit! We have named two new apprentices who are here tonight: Sunshinepaw and Pigeonpaw, mentored by their elder siblings Mousenose and Sparkwing. Toadhop and Mothfur earned their warrior names this moon, as did Stormfeather after her courageous journey to bring back lungwort." She does not dishonor the young she-cat's moment by disclosing she can no longer walk; she's sure that gossip will spread on its own.

"Before I finish, I want to announce two big pieces of news. Batwing and Hailstorm are two warriors that proved their reliability on the journey. As such, they have each been given huge honors. Batwing has been welcomed onto my council as a lead warrior, and Hailstorm has become Berryheart's new apprentice and will train to be a medicine cat." She smiles, allowing cheer to creep into her somber eyes. "That is all." Dipping her head, she scoots back to take her place in between Chilledstar and Blazestar, glancing curiously at Sunstride. Will Highstones be mentioned? Is what Smokestar told her true?​

 

[CHILLEDSTAR.]

DON'T YOU GIVE ME UP, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP​

---

there is a certain bitterness that hangs around them. could they be blamed? could they truly? no. they're angry. they're sad. they're tired. they are simply tired of being so damned tired. and yet, they sit upon the rock, distraught and uneasy. their claws gently clipped against the rock, jaw clenching as their tail lashed. they're partially listening to the other leaders, but not really. not when their eyes scan the crowd, trying to get any glimpse of the kits that had gone missing. would they be here? were they okay? were they safe? their stomach hurts.

"sorry for your losses."

everyone has lost so much since the start of the yellowcough epidemic. they're glad it's over. but that doesn't mean starclan was done tormenting. if starclan cared, they'd bring the kits home. if starclan brought them home... then maybe chilledstar would truly thank them. truly care for the stars and all that they did... in spite of the pain they believed they caused. if they could have one wish granted, it would be the safe return of the kits.

howlingstar stops speaking and they are suddenly aware of where they are. had they zoned out? they didn't even remember when they stopped scanning the crowd for familiar pelts. with a huff, they stand and roll their shoulders forward. let's make this quick.

"shadowclan is glad that everyone had reclaimed their camps and has returned to find their new normal. we also thank all of the journeying cats. for those who returned to the stars during such hardship... to those who stayed behind and helped other clans. for those who went. you all made very brave choices and shadowclan will forever be grateful."

was it bad of them to wish they would have returned just a little sooner? left sooner? they closed their eyes before just continuing to speak.

"honeyjaw stayed behind. wherever he is, may the stars watch over him. speaking of the stars... seems more cats have returned home to them. stumpyspots, sabletuft, snakefoot... hopefully they are watching us right now with peace in their hearts. may their hunts in starclan be more plentiful than they ever had been within shadowclan."

they hated that part.

"but it's not all bad. we have many new warriors to our ranks. sharpshadow, scorchedmoon, maggotfur, and flamingmoth. new warriors with the greatest of potentials.

sharpshadow was previously mentored by our deputy and now with his paws open, smogmaw is taking over the mentoring of ashenpaw, with the loss of his mentor.

and frostbite. he has been an absolutely amazing warrior, and it is with pride and honor that he has been promoted to a lead warrior."

they dip their head towards the cats that they've mentioned before shivering. now the fun part.

"as you all may or may not know we are still in search of tanglekit and halfkit. if you see anything, do let us know. all we want is our kits home with their father, and siblings. and we will not stop until we find them."

they don't want to speak anymore. they are so close to snapping and they can feel it like stick being bent past its prime. don't snap.

"...that is all from shadowclan."
​

 

[SMOKESTAR]

—————————————————————⊰★⊱————————————————————


He slips into the gathering area with head high and shoulders squared, Smokestar does not waste a moment to claim his spot; the place his mate once sat proudly head above the crowd of cats that surrounded them. His paws feel warm against the stone, he closes his eye and inhales to see if a scent of the familiar mottled figure lingered but like the den he now sleeps in alone it is faded and gone. The dark tom opens his eye, listening quietly and patiently to Blazestar's announcements - several new litters that would hopefully be old enough by leafbare to manage fine, new members of his council, journey cats specifically and he smiles inwardly knowing he will share his own similar promotion soon. ThunderClan has also taken cats who traveled to the mountains within their ranks, a better testament to loyalty and skill he could not imagine.

Briefly he catches Howlingstar's eye, but he spares them the theatrics that might otherwise have come from his predecessor. He does not have the confidence and loud charm to mimic his mate, he was just Smokethroat-Smokestar…and he would speak as he always did with an even tone like the river itself; smooth and unbroken.
"RiverClan has plenty of news to share…I have claimed my lives at highstones and am now named Smokestar; approved and accepted by StarClan." The crowd of cats lacks it's usual size, WindClan has sent only a small number and he is delighted to find his gaze scanning the familiar faces of the ones who had leapt upon him with claws and teeth and left him to die upon cold stone. It was only sheer will and determination that kept him alive and he smugly lifted his chin upward in defiance to them all. The feathers ringing his throat shift as the wind blows, brush along his fur ladden in petals and shimmering scales; a reminder of stars Bubblepaw had said.

"I am sorry to hear the other clans suffered losses as well. Meadowpaw, named Meadowheart for his bravery, joined StarClan during our fight to take back our camp and he will be remembered." 'Tell my sisters I said hi' a small but firm voice says, the awkwardness of youth in his tone but the pride of a warrior evident there as well. He had not yet gotten to, but he wanted to speak to Lightningstone and both his daughters at some point soon.

"Several new apprentices are here for their first time, Nettlepaw, Bristlepaw, Carawaypaw, Bumblepaw and Bubblepaw. Their mentors are skilled warriors chosen carefully to help mold them into fine RiverClanners." Or perhaps the reverse when it came to Nettlepaw and Pikesplash, only time would tell how the more meek warrior handled his new fiery charge but Smokestar had confidence he'd sort it out. Eventually.

"Our warrior numbers grow as well this moon, Hazewish, Catfishleap and Sablemist earned their names some time ago though none are present for this gathering. Petalstep, Mosspool and Ferngill have all earned their names the other day and sit with us tonight; all are cats who have trained well and two of them should be honored for their efforts on the journey that saved all of the clans from Yellowcough."
Many of the cats he had brought to night had been of those chosen few and he did not even try to hide the fact he had wanted to bring them before the clans for another show - they all owed them their thanks as they would to any other.
"...among the journey cats I have also added another to my council, my former apprentice Iciclefang has more than proven she is as capable as any cat and has joined our ranks as a lead warrior."

The cry of names, the hum of murmurs and voices rises up high and then falls like a steady stream and he turns then with eye narrowed but calm and voice burning upward to heave fire from his lungs; facing the WindClan deputy with a cool stare that did not match the blaze that spiraled in his chest.
"Sootstar has not deemed us worth her time then? I suppose she has condemned the gatherings now in the same way she decided that Highstones now belonged to WindClan? Has she fully turned her back on StarClan in her delusions or is she too afraid to face the foolishness of her push for power?" He slowly rises to stand, turns back to face the gathering as a whole, "Cats of all clans, WindClan has staked a claim to Highstones - going so far as to try to kill me when I went for my lives. They FAILED obviously, but let this be my open warning to the moorland cats that you either cease this idiocy or you face the wrath of RiverClan." Maybe he did inherit some of his mate's bravado, his teeth shine white as he offers a sneer that could melt the snow that capped a mountain with its intensity.
"After a fire has burned through the forest. Soot falls, smoke rises."

——✘ when does ripple become a tidal wave ———✘ when does a candle become a flame

• OOC can go here.
• 
  
  
  Smokestar
  —⊰⋅ Leader of RiverClan
  —⊰⋅ He/Him
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  —⊰⋅ Black tom w/vitiligo & one orange eye.
  

 

[SUNNVAR]

✦ . ˚ . The stone beneath his paws remains blackened, and the place below even that stands starkly empty before the crowd. He had only just grown used to being there, and now he is unsure if he may be welcome here again in the moons to come. StarClan watches with unblinking eyes in the night, and unlike others, Sunstride does not hide from their gaze. Even the leaders that give him cautious looks or disregard him entirely seem surprised by this. Who could blame them when he stands here in the circumstances that he does? How many of them know the truth of what has happened in the moors? To their leader, who they had followed this far? His gaze scans the crowd, seeking WindClanners. They are among Sootstar's most ardent supporters. It was no mistake that he was to take them here, and none other.

He meets his bravado unfailingly and unflinchingly. He rises to his paws, which brush stained ash and soot into and away from this stone. He steps into history, for all that he may wish to avoid those same mistakes. When he speaks, his voice carries surely through the clearing.

"Though we prepare for the difficulties ahead, WindClan has thrived since the return to our camp." He dips his head in silent thanks to the leaders that surround him, even the RiverClanner himself. "I stand in Sootstar's place tonight not for sake of injury or sickness, but as a sign of her strength, and the path she has set before us." And what a path this would be. "Smokestar speaks true, that WindClan has claimed highstones. In the moons to come, we cannot allow a hunting ground to go to waste. We have many mouths to feed, and as the clan whose territories touch upon it, it is well-deserved. You were struck not as an act of provocation, but to defend the land that WindClan has claimed." By warriors that stood beneath him now, whose gazes must hunger for weakness upon any of their faces.

"While we have lost capable cats due to this illness, our lead warrior Weaselclaw among them, our others are headed well towards recovery, and we welcome many others along this warriors' path. Milkthorn has been named a warrior for his bravery throughout the journey, and we have many new apprentices. Rivepaw, Featherpaw, Bearpaw, Singedpaw, Sunlitpaw, Finchpaw, Downypaw, Heathpaw, Pinkpaw, and Pearlypaw have already proved themselves capable and eager to learn. They will prove themselves among the best of us with time and training." It is instinct to search for them in the crowd, a smile threatening the tom's maw, yet it fades shortly as he recalls that they would not be here. It is for the best, in all that will come. He expects nothing short of chaos from RiverClan's desperate anger. They seek vengeance and will chase it at all costs. He may only wish that the other clans would not follow.

In thinking such, it is only lightly that he tugs upon the newfound leader's bait: "Of the few things that I fear in life, your threats are not among them. That is all from WindClan."

𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚𝘖𝘔𝘌 𝘈𝘚 𝘓𝘐𝘍𝘌 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘗𝘖𝘐𝘚𝘖𝘕; 𝘚𝘜𝘕-𝘉𝘓𝘖𝘖𝘋 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚𝘖𝘔𝘌  ╱╱ 9.16.2023 ˊˎ＜

• OOC. —
• ✦ . ˚ . FORMERLY SUNNVAR. HE - HIM - HIS OR THEY - THEM. DEPUTY OF WINDCLAN. 4 YEARS OLD. PENNED BY REVELATIONS. —————————
  
  
  —— a tall auburn tabby with thick fur and bright glacial eyes. sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond it, with fur that flames red and deepens to a burnt amber with every stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of them. he radiates confidence and self-assured authority.
  
  

  ✦ NPC x NPC. DECEASED MOTHER, ESTRANGED FATHER. NO LITTERMATES. MATE TO WOLFSONG. FATHER TO BEARKIT, SINGEDKIT, RIVEKIT, SUNLITKIT, AND FEATHERKIT ——

• "speech"

​

 

[lichenstar]

⋆ ✧ · ✧ ⋆ ✧ · ✧ ⋆ ✧ · ✧ ⋆

---

Nothing short of the highest honor, to be brought here tonight adorned in crimson painted feathers, dusted in scales of fish as if they were so plentiful it bordered on excess and at the side of a leader thought killed before he could become one. She hoped WindClan were sick to their stomachs, afraid of the resilience that was the river-dwellers. The other clans would not be given the satisfaction of looking down on them again- for the last time RiverClan had been pushed around, disrespected and WindClan's self-righteous blindness had guided their stumbling paws too far.

But for Sunstride to sit there with eyes hollow of recognition makes the river in their veins roar with thunderous anger, a torrent broiling where it sat defensively underneath the rising ashes of a king reborn.

The mechanical nature of his speech betrays him in some small way, one she could not recognize now but might understand as the future unfolds. He does not believe half the words that he speaks... and he is being watched by more than just four clans. WindClan slithers through the crowd like hungry dogs, staring with a hunger for the dark hide they'd failed to still.

The blue point struggles to bite her tongue, curling a broken tail neatly around her paws for some sense of pressure, something to focus on that wasn't the way her claws begged to give him a permanent reminder of RiverClan just the same way Sootstar's little henchmen had done to Smokestar time and again. "What a boring excuse... 'hunting' around Highstones..." a growl of disbelief- who could trust the words of such clearly unhinged pack of fiends? And what idiotic to-be leader would try to grab a meal after traveling through two entire territories anyways?

The dismissal of the storm that had already been brewing would only find him drowned in the downpour. If it weren't for the direct order for RiverClan to maintain their decorum, she'd have a few more choice words to share but... this would have to suffice to say "bullshit."​

 

[FERNGILL]

A few scales caught in the moonlight off the red of Ferngill's pelt. Though he wanted to stare down WindClan's deputy, try and appraise all he could from the rosetted tom's face about why he was here and not Sootstar, he managed to temper his anger enough to listen to Blazestar, Howlingstar, Chilledstar and Smokestar speak in turn. Each Clan was glad to be home, and maybe hadn't seen this dissolution approaching so soon after they had banded together- the looks of sympathy River, Sky, Shadow and Thunder gave each other was enough to convince Ferngill that if they had to rise against WindClan, they would.

Soot falls, smoke rises. A smile quirked upon his lips, determined. In approval, his ribs vibrated with a purr of approval. This had to, had to end. Sootstar's transgressions against RiverClan, against StarClan- it'd be paid for. Karma hurtled toward her, Ferngill was sure of it. Its sprawling wrath could be the only reason she daren't have shown her face tonight.

Still, Ferngill could not bring himself to seek out the faces of his WindClan journey-mates in the crowd. For once, he had believed that they could be something more. Scorchpaw had saved Iciclefang. He'd hunted, laughed, at Mouseflight's side. But RiverClan came first- his heart lay at that shore, and would never be torn from it. To Lichentail he looked, and nodded subtly- as subtly as he could manage, at least.

"What prey lives on the Moonstone, anyway...?" he spoke in a low murmur. Why had they stopped Smokestar from getting to the Moonstone if it hadn't been just to hurt him? It was evil, purely. They could have escorted him to the Moonstone, they could have done anything but hurt him. Smokestar hadn't tried to steal Highstones as a hunting ground; he'd been on the noble journey of any leader. Ferngill felt sick to think about it all. ​

✦ penned by pin ✦​

 

[WOLFSONG]

──ᨒ↟↟ᨒ↟ᨒ↟↟ᨒ── No reason to believe he could have survived, indeed. A patrol of cats could not guarantee Smokethroat —Smokestar– was dead. One more mistake in a series of misdeeds, and were it possible, Wolfsong believes Sootstar would wage war against StarClan themselves. But she is not here to lay claim to the errors made in her name. It is Sunstride who must stand before all these cats and explain what madness has found the moors, and Wolfsong can do nothing for him. Had he been with that patrol, he would have made a gift of Smokestar's liver, would have ensured his death so he could not stand near Sunstride and threaten his life. She has endangered his mate, his children who now train for battle, but she is still Sootstar.

He holds his mate's gaze when it catches him, his sole eye so cold it scorches, though the contempt is reserved for a figure absent from the Gathering. My mate, my children, my home— I would have given them to her gladly if she had shown herself worthy of them. ​

WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 38 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTRIDE (07/05/2023). BIOGRAPHY, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.

medicinal expertise med. part ii med. part iii med. part iv

• — ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge.
  — ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know; he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
• — ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel."
  — ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
• — ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you.
  — ★★☆☆☆ KITTING: Thanks to Starlingheart, he's better prepared for the arrival of kits, but any complications will need a little faith and a lot of luck.
• — ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you.
  — ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.

​

 

[Nettlepaw-]

NETTLEPAW ♂
RIVERCLAN
APPRENTICE
THREE MOONS
BLIND IN BOTH EYES
BIOGRAPHY AND TAGS
APPRENTICED TO PIKESPLASH
PLAYED BY SHEOGORATH​

---

He doesn't like this. There are too many scents. Too many cats. He's heard comments about WindClan tonight, things that should concern anyone, but as the gathering commences, he turns his sightless gaze toward the grand, jutting stone, and listens. Most of it seems typical enough, and when it's Smokestar's turn at last, he puffs out his chest in pride as his name is spoken to the rest of the gathering. The matter of WindClan, however, is a grim one. The voice that responds is not Sootstar's. She is not present on this night. Rather, it is WindClan's deputy, Sunstride.

While other RiverClan cats might seem content to keep their voices low out of respect for the clan leaders, Nettlepaw does no such thing. He narrows his frosty eyes and yowls, "That's not fair! WindClan has no right to Highstones! Where will leaders get their nine lives? What about medicine cats? Is WindClan going to attack our medicine cats?" He demands loud enough for all to hear, spitting fury in his vocals. Defiance.
​

​

 

[Flycatcher]

Yet again, another gathering has already begun with a sense of unease and tension looming over it. If things were right and just in the world, the clans should have been enjoying momentary peace, celebrating their returning clanmates, the reclaiming of their homes, the treatment of the yellowcough. That is not to be the case.

Blazestar and Howlingstar lead off the proceedings. Both speak of losses, new warriors and apprentices, and new kits. Chilledstar's announcements are largely the same though he mentions still being in search of the missing kits. Flycatcher bows his head solemnly at this news. His own search for them had found little sign of them and he was disheartened to hear ShadowClan had not found them yet either. He was hopeful they would still be found. After Chilledstar, the newly named Smokestar steps forward to speak. Again, he shares the usual announcements of births, deaths, new apprentices and warriors. And then he begins to speak of WindClan and the actions that clan had taken against him.

Flycatcher knew what was coming after hearing from Howlingstar the events that had transpired. It's a shocking turn of events truly, one that both angers and unsettles him. The fact that they had claimed the land around Highstones was a bold move in itself but attacking Smokestar on his journey to receive his lives and then leaving him for dead was callous even for them. Sootstar is not present tonight to defend against this, though her deputy takes her place. Between his announcements for WindClan, he claims that the attack was not a provoked attack but one of defence. Flycatcher can't help but audibly scoff at the notion. "So WindClan turns their backs on StarClan and decides that must be the case for all the clans?" Flycatcher grumbles. "I fear for our medicine cats and future leaders if they cannot even travel to sacred ground without fear of not making it home." Sunstride claimed they had taken it to keep their mouthes full over leafbare, but Flycatcher doubted it would truly end there.​

 

[ROEFLAME .]

ROEFLAME — I fell in love with the fire long ago.

Roeflame's expression is quick to shift from content to appalled as the news the leaders above share quickly transitions from routine to a discovery- an entitled one.
Of course Windclan would be the ones to pull such a stunt, and Sootstar couldn't have been bothered to show up.
Gaze shifts from Smokestar to Sunstride, sharpened with contempt as he calmly weaves his way through the backlash.
Instinctively, she looks to the medicine cats that sit nearby, to Howlingstar, then to Flycatcher, attempting to gauge their reactions.
Flycatcher speaks, and Roeflames gaze remains on him, the comfort of his reason bringing more ease to the warrior than any of the leaders that sit on that rock.
"What gives you the right?" In a split second she forces herself to look away, spitting the demand at the golden moorland tom.
"How is it you think you can stop the forest from our right to speak with our ancestors?" Whether she is heard or not, brushed off or acknowledged, her voice is loud, eyes ablaze in scalding celadon.

"speech"

tags​

 

[Fireflyglow]

His heart is hammering in his chest as he listens to the news that each of the Leaders speak of, the newfound Smokestar making claims that sends panic down his spine. Fireflypaw's head jerks in the direction of the other medicine cats, to Wolfsong with a look of disbelief. "You're joking." Fireflypaw hisses under his breath, feeling the fur along his spine rise in fury. If he couldn't talk to StarClan, he couldn't see his baby sister or his mother again, he couldn't commune with Haku or any of the others above. His teeth grit as he turns his blinded gaze to Sunstride.

"Blasphemy! Do you mean to incur the wrath of our ancestors?!" He shouts at the Deputy, tail lashing behind him- he looks back to his fellow medicine cats, expecting them to lash out as well. They were being kept from the one thing that connected them all, surely they wouldn't just stay silent on the issue? His eyes roll then, expecting another bolt of lightning to strike the rock once more. Surely StarClan would make it known that they don't agree with this decision?​

SKYCLAN MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE ✦ 16 MOONS ✦ CHUNKY, BIG-FOOTED SEAL POINT ✦ TAGS​

 

[PIKESPLASH]

It begins. His trembling has started and a forepaw rubs against his neck. Smokestar has not spoken yet, but he is already a bundle of nerves. Then again, for the riverclanners they were aware this would be a ticking time bomb. It was discussed that Windclan's claim over highstones would be announced and what all of them should prepare for. All of them showing up glossy with feathers or flowers in their pelts was also planned. It was done to not only gloat, but to show Windclan if they dared show their faces that they were unfazed and stronger than they took them for. Riverclan was not to be mistaken for weaklings. He listens to the other leaders. Nothing is amiss, other than Howlingstar. They had told the Thunderclan leader before the gathering what has transpired and he watches with careful eyes as she glances at Sunstride. Typically it would be Sootstar herself among the other leaders, but this gathering it is Sunstride who takes her place. Why isn't she here?

Finally, it is his leaders turn. The manner in which Smokestar speaks is different from his theatrical mate. He remembered the last gathering hearing Cicadastar speak left him impressed, but also mortified in some ways. Didn't Howlingstar get annoyed? He shakes his head. Now is not the time to be thinking about that gathering. When Smokestar called his apprentice's name he can't help but smile and chuckle watching Nettlepaw puff out his chest. The trembling was momentarily forgotten as he took note of his apprentices appearance. Even though Nettlepaw can't see himself, he is shinning and the goose feathers suit him. The trembling returns, albeit worse than before when Smokestar finally announces the news all of them have been waiting for. Oh cats, what's going to happen now? Smokestar is so cool, but I don't know if Sunstride would be too happy about it.

The Windclan deputy is unfazed. It's almost impressive how Sunstride holds himself among the other leader's and explains the reason why the highstones were claimed. All the riverclanners had expected Windclan to try and come up with an excuse, but none of them would be prepared for this one. It was a horrible excuse and his clanmates whispers reach his ears. It's good to know that he too can't believe that all of them were barred from the highstones for hunting. Then, his apprentice is the one to start the outcries. As soon as Nettlepaw yowls and defies the orders they were given.

All his nerves are replaced with anger at his apprentices defiance. His trembling would cease as he bared his teeth towards Nettlepaw and glared at the tom. He understands more than anything that Nettlepaw loves Riverclan fiercely, but this is not what they agreed on. Smokestar would be displeased if his yowls were to create a fight. Before he can reprimand his apprentice, Thunderclan voices while muffles aside from one she-cat yowls show anger towards Windclan as well. The she-cat who yowls brings up their ancestors and the gall of Windclan to take that away from them.

Even a medicine cat is displeased. One from skyclan furious about Windclan's doing. It seems like Windclan has become even more of an enemy to the rest of the forest. The notion to cuff and reprimand Nettlepaw is snuffed out. We'll talk about it when we're back home. For now, all he can do is turn his attention to his leader as if to ask what should they do? We trust you. Give us the word Smokestar.

 

[BLAZESTAR]

Howlingstar leans forward, her eyes gleaming, at the mention of Howlfire's kits. Blazestar eyes her, his heart heavy that she has more kin she will know only tangentially over the border. He listens to her, closing his eyes when he delivers the news about Little Wolf. There's still a tearing in his gut when he thinks of her lying beneath ice and stone, miles from the comfort of her children and the Clan she loved, of the new mate she had taken before her death, but he does his best to remain stoic in the face of the announcement. He recognizes the names Batwing and Hailstorm—Batwing had been on the journey, and Hailstorm had been the tom Little Wolf had taken as a mate before her death, the one who'd held her as the life ebbed from her body. He has taken up the mantle of medicine cat apprentice. Blazestar searches the crowd for him, and if the two are to meet eyes, he will blink empathetically in his direction. There is no animosity in his heart—he knows the other tom must still be grieving heavily.

Chilledstar speaks next, announcing a new appointment to their council as well as more news about warriors and an update on the missing kits. He frowns, remembering Orangeblossom's report about the cats who'd traipsed through ThunderClan to ask about the kits. "I'm sorry there's still no sign of them," he murmurs, blinking sympathetically toward the white-streaked leader.

Next is Smokethroat—no, Smokestar, who announces he had officially been to the Moonstone. Blazestar dips his head briefly in a show of respect. The RiverClan leader had served Cicadastar faithfully, and he had taken the reins after his leader had died during a time of crisis. Blazestar has seen the snow-flecked tom's strength and resilience firsthand. "Welcome, Smokestar." He thinks of the cat who'd come before, his ally, long-winded and long-limbed, eyes like burning ice. Smokestar is quite different—as he speaks, his voice is frank, his words blunt and lacking the pizazz Cicadastar had always spoken with. He announces a new addition to his council as well as a pawful of new warriors and apprentices. It's his final announcement, though, and his direct challenge to Sootstar's deputy, that causes Blazestar to begin bristling.

"Highstones does not belong to WindClan," he hisses, his dark eyes flashing in the WindClan deputy's direction. Sunstride stands unwavering in the face of Smokestar's ire, confirming what the rest of the forest dreaded. Sootstar has lost what is left of her mind. "All Clans suffer in leafbare, but Mothermouth is sacred to all of us, not just WindClan! What are we to do when our medicine cats must share tongues with our ancestors?" His lip curls, his hackles rising so that his pale fur puffs out around his neck and shoulders. The cats below begin to stir, outraged yowls beginning to rake the air like claws. Blazestar does not silence them—he only waits for a response from Sunstride, from WindClan.

, "​

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[CHILLEDSTAR.]

DON'T YOU GIVE ME UP, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP​

---

oh how the tables have turned. just last gathering, they could tell that sootstar was judging them for their open so called "defiance" of starclan. did they defy the starry cats? no. not at all. they've done everything that's been asked of them. but they had questions. still, even with their unease towards the star pelts, they'd never do something so insane. so stupid. the plan backfired because smokethroat– now smokestar– stands where cicadastar used to. he would be quite the interesting leader, especially with a term that almost ended before it even started. he almost got lucky.

"you cannot keep our medicine cats, or any cats that need to communicate with our ancestors, from moonstone, and you very well know it. you windclanners have always been overzealous but this is going entirely too far. has sootstar not learned from when starclan tried to strip her of a life right here on this very rock? do their warnings mean nothing to her? to all of you?"

they are looking at sunstrride but they are talking to all of windclan. these cats had to know that their leader was insane.
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[SMOKESTAR]

—————————————————————⊰★⊱————————————————————

Territory, it is said. More room for hunting. But Sunstride is an idiot if he thinks he believes that for even a second. Not a word of it was breathed before, not a single thought about starvation was had. This was nothing short of a power grab and that they had been so determined to end his life spoke volumes more than any weak excuses the sun-touched tom could give. The other leaders protest, he hears his own clanmates raise their voices angrily along with the sound of several others; a cacophony of noise - anger, violence, disbelief. Lichentail grumbles beneath the stone he stands upon, SkyClan's medicine cat apprentice cries out with horror. He's thankful, at least, not a soul among them defends this insanity. That they all know this is too much, too far, even for the moorland queen.
"Sootstar can not even defend her own actions and will send her deputy to make excuses in her steed." He dips his head down, his next words a low whisper of a hiss for the rosette tom alone, "...she threw you to the wolves did she? You follow her to a grave." Smokestar snaps his head away, furious, but his voice as steady as he scans the crowd of cats gathered around the rock; the WindClanners present are all familiar, his blood stained every claw, every tooth. He'd assume this was some intimidation tactic if they hadn't seemed so surprised to see him. Maybe this was their 'reward'. He sneers downward, "WindClan has crossed the final line, you are nothing but opportunisitic vipers. What if I had gone with my medicine cat? Would you have killed him? What of the full moon gatherings they also congretate to? Would WindClan have killed the medicine cats of every clan for 'TRESPASSING' on land that has always been free for all the clans? Just because you do not respect StarClan does not give you the right to decide who may access it or not and any cat who follows Sootstar willingly after this will regret not having done a better job killing ME." He is surprised how even his voice remains, how he is loud but not screaming, how he has managed to maintain his posture and composure despite his rage.
"You will be paid back for this transgression. We will finish the job StarClan started when it struck the stone you stand upon, in the place her paws once stood if we must."
If she showed her face at the next gathering he was going to kill her, he was going to make it a show of force, he was done humoring this insane woman's presence in the forest. "RiverClan, we are leaving."
The dark tom moves across the stone away from Sunstride whom is ignored, a curt nod given to the other three before he leaps down with his tail raised in a sweeping motion.

——✘ when does ripple become a tidal wave ———✘ when does a candle become a flame

• OOC can go here.
• 
  
  
  Smokestar
  —⊰⋅ Leader of RiverClan
  —⊰⋅ He/Him
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  —⊰⋅ Black tom w/vitiligo & one orange eye.
  

 

[SOOTSPOT]

In one fell swoop, the eyes of the forest were seething. The claws of those who treated WindClan as nothing more than a pest were now out and ready to strike, their militant faith the only thing protecting himself and his clanmates from wrath. He felt confident in it, confident today would not be his final day, but blood still howled in his ears, his stomach still knotted itself as he found himself trapped within a crowd of mouse brains. He wanted to defend his clan, with discretion being the better part of valour, Sootspot was silent as the leaders bickered back and forth. Chartreuse gaze settled on the sky for a mere moment, the lack of clouds noted with a bristle of thick fur. With an open declaration of war and threats of violence for the whole of Fourtrees to hear, he had expected some pushback. How easy it was to forget that StarClan did not let clans forge their own path. StarClan's silence was approval, it wanted WindClan defeated. When Sootspot smiled at the Gods, it looked more like a sneer, a dare for them to burn the moors to the ground if his mother's path was truly so wrong.

He feels the mask slipping and swallows a lump in his throat, a reminder that it was best to keep it on should the worse ever come to pass. But... it was tough, and he was young, a fact he often forgot when surrounded by young tunnelers for most of his days - cats in WindClan did not see seniority often. "The first rule of the code states we must defend our territory, why would you, faithless friends, ask us to defy StarClan and let trespassers walk our land?!" His gaze finds those in the crowd who challenged WindClan's decision, the medicine cats and deputies and leaders who desired Mothermouth for themselves. But, when eye contact is made, he doesn't look at them, he looks above them, as if his opinion was truly the only one that mattered. It was, maybe not in the world's eyes, but his own. He was the son of Sootstar, he had been a part of the order to kill Smokethroat, he had helped steal kittens right out from ShadowClan's noses, all in his mother's name. This was just another act that was not his own, but Sootstar's, and she was above everything.

"This is why you need that stone to talk to your ancestors. You only respect StarClan's wishes when it is convenient, and admonishing your enemies, well... that is very convenient, indeed. Perhaps your medicine cats should try talking to the dead from the comfort of their own dens as ours do, had you a lick of faith about you, it would be easy."


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[BLAZESTAR]

Chilledstar beside him addresses not only Sunstride, but the WindClan cats smirking and preening below like well-feathered birds. "Has Sootstar not learned from when StarClan tried to strip her of a life right here on this very rock?" Blazestar growls his agreement, his tail lashing once behind him with a powerful thrum.

"Hiding behind StarClan will not save you from the rest of us," he says, watching as Smokestar gathers his Clan and leaps from the Great Rock. "You will be paid back for this transgression," the amber-eyed RiverClan leader spits, and Blazestar nods once—slowly, blue gaze settling on the gray-pelted WindClan cat who preaches to them from below.

"SkyClan will stand with RiverClan. You will not keep us from StarClan. Let it be known." An ember-colored ear flicks, determination creasing his features. "SkyClan, let us return home."

Following Smokestar's lead, Blazestar nods a goodbye to both Howlingstar and Chilledstar and descends from the Great Rock with a mighty pounce. The brush-like tip of his tail flicks toward his Clan, gathering them so they may pad away from the masses.

, "​

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[ROOKFANG]

THE HERMIT ─── Pathetic. This was all he was gaining from how the situation unfolded with Windclan and the attempts to diminish their connection with Starclan. He was not clan born but after spending so many moons among his clanmates, his skepticism had become a solid belief for the ones who danced above them with the moon and stars. Now, with the speckled blanket draped above them, he had followed to the gathering with his new apprentice and the others. He enjoyed the journey, the movement and flow of time being matched with their pawsteps against the ever-growing cold dry earth. Had he not been found by the warriors who saved him, the trembling child would have happily thrived as a rogue. Unclaimed and unrestricted, the mixed blood within him craved it but Rookfang knew his clan needed him, it would be unjust for him to get up and leave. So despite the wind dancing around them, the brooding figure stuck by their side until they arrived at the Gathering.

The tension was thick and suffocating, his jaws parted to let out a low exhale of uneasy pain. His wounds had healed but the ache remained, a constant drone that he was not the one with nine lives. He kept his head low, spiked fur gently shifting as he settled down in a hunched sitting position, clearly uncomfortable with the tightness of the area. Yet, the warrior's thick ears twitched and turned at the voices that surrounded him, absorbing any little detail that could be saved within his mind, information that could be clung onto for any clues of what was happening among the other clans. Windclan. His half-lidded stone-like gaze dragged itself to the smaller formed crowd of Windclanners, his displeasure beginning to crack the mask that he kept placed neatly over his emotions. They had taken a life from Smokestar, unjustly so in such a sacred ceremony for the male. The ribbons of irritation and frustration were tying themselves tightly around his chest and throat at the idea that they would have been at risk of losing yet another leader. As much as Smokestar belonged to Cicadastar and vice versa, the leader now belonged to Riverclan and its members.

Sootstar's disgustingly irksome appearance was nowhere to be found, something that pleased and displeased him at the same time as he listened to each announcement from the other clans until Smokestar began, the usual news that shined the strings of positivity despite the bleak tension that caused the fur on his pelt to rise. Then, came the mention of a certain she-cat's absence, and he couldn't help but curl his lip in disdain for such a useless excuse for the attack on their leader. That was the best they could come up with? Prey? This unfathomable concept seems to be "strengthened" by the comment from Sootspot, Rookfang's stormy eyes locking onto the tunneler.

"Windclan has dealt with leaf-bare times before without restrictions to Highstones. You are using it to your convenience and Starclan will see that your foolish ideology is finished." With that floating out as he slowly rose to his paws, the scarred tom shifted to head out along the others, there was no point in wasting any more of their breath and time with brainless empty-eyed fools.​