DOGGED 〘 PRE-GATHERING 〙ˊˎ﹤

[SUNNVAR]

It surprises him at times, to think of how quickly these moons have turned. He has been in WindClan for longer than he might expect, and has grown accustomed to most of their tradition, but as the night wears on, he realizes– he had no yet learned to accept this one. Though he had lived his life with as many colonies as this forest boasted, they lived their separate lives. Only on the battlefield did they meet, or in truces confined to their camps and shared meals. Temporary as they may have been, such promises would stretch on for moons at a time. Friendships would be born of small kindnesses, and said friendships would die again with their withering. Such was to be the way of life, he thought.

This Gathering of theirs– it was a truce that died far faster than any he had known before. For one night only hey sit and they speak, and Suntsride cannot make sense of it. They speak of a battle that had turned the forest floor red and darkened the clouds above their heads. Somehow, that had made them the way that they are. It had bound them to this night of peace. And he, and the rest of those unwilling, must still suffer the consequences of it. Perhaps there is some wisdom to what they do; Sun can see advantages to peace. If only he did not have to suffer the typical pleasantries for it.

Preparing himself for the walk, and all that would come once they arrive in the clearing, Sunstride sighs. His breath ghosts up into the chilly night air, hot and pleasant until it is gone. He should groom his fur some, and find Wolfsong to tame his as well. He should ensure that his clanmates are aware of their goals, and prepared to act accordingly. The lead warrior does none of the above, and instead stares at the stars in silent contemplation.

﹥ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES INFORMATION 〙ˊˎ﹤

• ooc: this is set before the gathering, shortly before they set out!
• SUNSTRIDE. named for his coloration and his bold chasing of fate.
  —— cis male, uses he - him. thirty-four moons old. warrior of windclan and former rogue.
  —— cautious of clan life, but an apt learner. encourages close bonds between clanmates.
  —— loyalty uncertain, cares for those surrounding him. undoubtedly closest to wolfsong.
  
  sunstride is broad and bold– a creature standing above most of windclan, though not a beast beyond its borders, with fur that flames red at its base and deepens to a burnt amber with every whorl and stripe. his eyes, in comparison, are a pale summer's blue, still as bold as the rest of him.
• "speech"

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[SOOTSTAR]

Swiftshrike had been kind in agreeing to nurse Sootstar's kittens and she'd be eternally grateful for it. Now that she was a leader she could not spend near two moons cooped up in the nursery to feed her young, her clan needed her. Besides, she was far too paranoid of traitors and usurper attempts to even think about allowing Badgermoon to hold the reigns alone.

Thanks to Swiftstrike, their clan still had their leader with a bonus of five additional kittens. Recovery still took time, her labors had been intensive. She doesn't have the strength to make it to fourtrees, much less to then bicker with RiverClan and SkyClan, then making it back. The mere thought causes her body to shudder in protest, she just hopes this doesn't make the clans feel she's grown weak.

Sootstar is slowly pacing around the camp, she does not walk tall and pridefully, in fact she is slouched and terribly slow. It's evident she is in some extent of soreness, she doesn't seem to mind displaying this in front of her clan, oddly enough.

Happening upon Sunstride she notes him staring off in thought, her black nose twitches in a cool breeze as she meows,"Cold paws?" ​

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Spoiler: TAGS ★ 01/07

( primary character / "speech" / ic opinions )​

╰ ★ ჻ 001 GENERAL INFORMATION ,
· SOOTSTAR, female — she / her
╰ ‣ 34 moons . pisces. ages on the first
╰ ‣ windclan leader . marsh-born . believes in starclan
╰ ‣ former soldier of the marsh group

╰ ★ ჻ 002 VISUALS & AESTHETICS ,
· DOMESTIC FELINE, smells like heather and wet dirt , status — 100%
╰ ‣ blue smoke . scarred chest, difficult to see through fur . green eyes

╰ ★ ჻ 003 MENTALITY & MANNERISMS ,
· ESTJ-A ❝ EXECTUTIVE ❞ , Slytherin, Lawful Evil
╰ ‣ Cunning, brash, fierce, confident, self-reliant, envious & selfish
╰ ‣ finds great difficulty in relating to others . can be cruel, usually shows mercy to those she can find sympathy with
╰ ‣ sole key to her heart is loyalty, if you have her trust, she often shows a completely different side of herself. Aggression tends to manifest from her extreme paranoia
╰ ‣ Appreciates titles such as "miss, m'am" etc

╰ ★ ჻ 004 INTERACTIONS & RELATIONSHIPS ,
· SOOT CLAW x PEBBLE BREEZE, sister to Pebblenose
╰ ‣ heterosexual. mate to Weaselclaw
╰ ‣ mother to Windpaw & Sootpaw
╰ ‣ mentor to Smokepaw & Coyotepaw
╰ ‣ average fighter . skilled hunter .
╰ ‣ will start fights . unlikely to flee .
╰ ‣ attack in underline . penned by user @ava.​

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[Firefang]

She'd been a kit during the time of the great battle, she knows of it only through stories of it's tragedy and the way of life that'd been born out of its bloodshed. It's not something she thinks about often, it's a history she hasn't lived after all a trauma she cannot share with her older clanmates it's a much different feeling then the one Sunstride feels who has lived a many moons before coming to the moors. It's easy to forget he had not always been here, he's marked forever as a rogue but he'd been accepted not just by Sootstar but by most of the clan without such heavy scrutiny as those who bore the filth of kittypet blood.

She's nearby as one of the cats who'd been allowed the honor to come along, her wounds wouldn't inhibit her from walking the long stretch to fourtrees something she is thankful for and the chilly wind gives her something more pressing to think about then the dull throb of the bite mark on her scruff. It's nothing really, they wouldn't in all likeness even scar. The pain pales to that of some of her clanmates who's pelts had been torn ragged and even the pain of pushing out five kits. She finds herself looking at Sootstar, concern lighting in those fiery hues as she watches her lumbering form pace to and fro. In all honesty she didn't realize just how much of an affect having kits was on the body, Starclan she can't imagine wantin' them in the future if it left someone as strong as Sootstar weak.

She wouldn't dare call her that out loud. This was temporary and she hopes by next moon she can properly return to her place besides the four lesser leaders. She'd look away and back towards Sunstride, her paws shifting in place impatient to get going. ​

( ✦ )

 

[TIGERFROST]

Tags and Information

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He wanted nothing more than to attend the gathering, to go against all common medical sense and make the long trek despite his injuries. Tigerfrost is stubborn and bold, but not quite so foolish. If he turned up to the gathering limping around, the rest of the clans would surely see it as a sign of weakness, and that was the last thing WindClan needed. No, they must appear to be strong and healthy as ever. There were too many snakes in the other clans, too much venom whispered into wintry air. He glowers with distaste. Those that would be leaving soon were gathering nearby, mingling with the many that would also being staying behind, including Sootstar herself.

"I'd like to go." He speaks roughly into the cold air, as if hoping someone would talk him into it. A huff breathes frozen mist into the wind as he sits nearby, gazes toward the small group with piercing eyes of fire. "I suppose it's better that I remain here. Don't let those SkyClan kittypets sneak off with any of our apprentices." Tigerfrost warns with an irritated grunt, vividly recalling Thistleback taking Coyotepaw aside, just days before that wretched apprentice ran off to rejoin the kittypet clan. "They're snakes." He adds, referring to just how untrustworthy he viewed the other clan.​

 

[SCORCHSTAR]

Although Scorchstreak would do anything for her clan, for their fearless leader, she thinks that her obedience has its limits. The calico avoids going to gatherings—the sky too open above them, the press of cat bodies around her too confining. She much prefers the safety and comfort of her tunnels, the smell of hare and dirt surrounding her on all sides.

She will not be going to tonight’s gathering, but she slinks over to stand beside the other WindClanners. Sootstar will not be attending, given she only recently gave birth to her latest litter of kits, and Tigerfrost says that he’d like to go, but will remain at the camp anyway. "I’ll hang back as well. Better than spending a night amongst snakes," she comments offhandedly, tail swishing behind her.
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[ MONSTROUS WOMAN ]​

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[SNAKEHISS]

❪ TAGS ❫ — So they were calling SkyClanners snakes now, were they? The dark tom couldn't help but take offense to the fact. "Don't compare those kibble-eaters to the likes of me." Snakepaw snorts as he makes his way over, making sure to hold his head high and appear proud and strong in front of the leader herself. If there was one individual he admired perhaps just as much as his parents, it was Sootstar. He always made sure to heed his father's advice and present himself as a worthy youth in front of the woman, for his own reputation would reflect upon that of his family.

Some of the other cats were determined to remain in camp for tonight's gathering, while Snakepaw was quite eager to show off to the other clans. Especially without Sootstar present tonight, WindClan needed to look as unified and strengthened as they possibly could. "I'll go 'n spit upon any cat who underestimates WindClan's strength, especially that Kittypet King and his lackeys." He claims with a quick lash of his tail.​

 

[Sedgerunner]

"BUT I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR"​

A sensation of dread mixed in with apprehension knots at her own stomach as she approaches the grouping of warriors along with Sootstar. Their leader wouldn't be joining them this time, giving herself a chance to recuperate after her laborious delivery to bring kits into the world. They were already becoming strong and confident, just as their heritage was. Sedgerunner was sure Sootstar and Weaselclaw were more than proud of their kits and that her leader was eager to get back to her duties. Badgermoon would be accompanying them this time, settling himself amongst the leaders this time instead of below where the deputies normally perched themselves. WindClan needed to appear as unified and strong even without Sootstar present. She'd best herself as well, to put on a brave mask and ooze confidence. A feeling so foreign to her. Hopefully she'd be able to perform the task.
Sedgerunner knows this is a time to share news and remain neutral between the other four clans, but she can't help but wonder the outcome. Did Dandelionwish, Daisypaw, Coalfoot, and Coldsnap reside in one of the otner clans? Did they run to RiverClan where Hyacinthbreath resided and try to live among them? Would they show their faces to the Gathering? The warrior huffs through her nostrils then, surely they'd have better sense than that. She just hopes no blood will be shed tonight, but they would soon see wouldn't they? Sedgerunner listens as insults of snakes and SkyClan are thrown into the frigid air and she nods in agreement. "If—If they have any respect for StarClan and their Will, they would do well to mind their manners tonight." Her voice murmurs across a thoughtful tongue, drawing her long tail over her limbs to attempt to warm herself.
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✦ ★ ✦​

 

[Addervenom]

Life doesn't discriminate

Adderkit lopes through the gathering crowd, curiosity gleaming within dark vermillion eyes. Tiny ears remain pricked to absorb the conversation happening around him as he settles close to his mother. "I can go to the gathering next moon, right?" The boy asks, craning his head back to look upon the blue smoke molly. It annoyed him that he could not accompany them now, but he heeded the words of his superiors with a stiff flick of his tail. The conversation continues and his intense gaze pings from one individual to the other as words are spoken. Finally the topic of skyclan arises and Adder scoffs at their mention. "Tch, skyclan. Why did all powerful starclan gift those kittypets with something they don't deserve? They're just a bunch of soft paws playing pretend, they're not real warriors. They don't belong in our forest." Adderkit huffs, tail lashing behind him wildly like his namesake. ​

Between the sinners and the saints​

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