HAS THE LIGHT GONE OUT FOR YOU? \ gathering announcements

[Orangestar]

SkyClan is not the last to arrive, but Orangestar is the final leader atop the Great Rock by some measure. She struggles a touch in her ascent, breaths heavier than usual, the reason clear to any cat who takes a single look at her rounded belly. She spares Flamestar and Mirepurr glances that linger a touch longer in surprise, but otherwise wastes no time in stepping forward to address the five Clans gathered beneath.

"Let the Gathering commence." Orangestar rasps, breathless. She's quiet for a moment, as if deciding where to begin and not evening her breaths. When she does, however, her proud attention flits between two she-cats amidst the crowd, before it dips to the patchwork tom seated among the deputies. "SkyClan welcomes two new lead warriors this moon: Howlfire and Florabreeze, who have joined my council. Twitchbolt, too, has returned as my deputy."

It's odd on her tongue, to have an absence of truly bad news to share. Slate's injury doesn't need to be spoken of among the Clans, nor Palemoon's; but, next, for a cat who is not there: "Palemoon has retired to the elder's den. We thank her for her service as a warrior of SkyClan, and hope she will be able to join us at future Gatherings."

It's not as if the den would be getting any less crowded, however, with four new nests made. "Emberfall, Spicepurr, Springshine, Bloomfur and Batscreech have all passed their assessments, and we welcome them as this moon's new warriors.

Adderpaw, Ghostpaw and Foxglovepaw join us tonight as SkyClan's newest apprentices. Next moon, I hope to share news of kits with you all." Her final comment is idle, mind drifting back to the calico expecting her grandkits back in SkyClan's nursery. She pays no mind to her own future kits as she speaks. Returning to her senses after a heartbeat, Orangestar nods resolutely.

"That is all from SkyClan."

ooc ✧ 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦

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• 
  
  [ art by pin ]
• ORANGESTAR ✧ she/her, leader of skyclan | seven lives
  
  
  — "a scarred white-and-ginger she-cat with brown eyes."
  — (undisclosed) mate to slate ; currently expecting kits
  — speech is in #D2977D
  — tags | penned by mercibun, contact on discord for plots.
  
  
  
  

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[MIRESTAR]

Being here is easier the second time around, but Mirepurr still wishes their paws were trained on the ground instead of the branches — guilty, guilty, guilty. It should be an honor, if the invisible greatness that radiates off every single leader was not so blinding to their down-turned gaze. At least their chest does not threaten to cave in now. They had gotten used to patrol assignments... they would get used to this, too, but if all goes right, Smogstar will be taking control again soon enough.

This time, they are not the only ones out of place. ThunderClan had been absent last time; instead of Howlingstar's pleasantly muted browns joining them, it is Flamewhisker, with her bright and bold colors. It can only mean one thing... unless Howlingstar is also just as sick as Smogstar.

Mirepurr watches Orangestar out of the corner of their eye... considers asking if she needs help, and decides against it. Orangestar has quite a temper. There is no doubt she does not wish to appear "weak" in front of all five Clans and thus get disrespected by the question itself — although pregnancy and its toll on the body are nothing to feel weak about. Once she starts talking, it is over before Mirepurr knows it... and in a haste to get over their own announcements, they go after her.

(They do offer her a nod of acknowledgement, but not much else... SkyClan's news are good, but Mirepurr does not think they could so easily address the star-blessed.)

"We've had two attacks this moon," they begin with the worse news. "Hemlocknose had a quarrel with a fox, and Poppyglow has been greatly harmed by Granitepelt's only daughter." They do not wish to name her — to let it ring underneath the moonlight's gentle glow. Lilacfur might not approve of this reveal... but the other Clans deserve to know, just like they had been told of Granitepelt's initial betrayal. Who knows who her next victim will be? Unless Ghostmask is only out for the blood of her kin. "I urge you to pay attention to your borders, in case either one of them has wandered that way."

Mirepurr shares a glance with Lichenstar; a silent reveal of their knowledge about matters between her and Smogstar, if she knows how to look into the depths of their eyes. Ferndance's daughter is in attendance tonight... thought to be killed, thought to be stolen, but instead- ShadowClan's former apprentice had sought refuge in the riverlands voluntarily.

The moment is over just as quick, and Mirepurr is onto the better half of their speech. "Although we haven't had any ceremonies, ShadowClan sees new life: Maggotfur has given birth to Ivorykit, Rainbowkit and Cornflowerkit. They are a much needed addition, and I am glad to announce that they are all healthy — queen included. That is all from us." Short and sweet. A Clan in disarray with their king bedridden; to the other Clans, they simply appear to have enjoyed a calmer moon than the last.
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[lichenstar]

✦˚.✦˚✦˚✦˚ ✧ ˚✧˚✦˚✦.˚✦

CLAIM THE BURIAL I SEEK IN DREAMS FLOWING RIVER CEMETARY ✧

• Tufts of stark white fur grow over the scabs of new wounds, thought about in ambient waiting as it tugs uncomfortably at her skin... Though she is here tonight, it is not without debate; she could've sent Hazecloud on alone but the fear with which she gripped RiverClan's public status often inspired less than necessary self-sacrifice. Especially this time... Puddles of distraction flit between the sets of paws that line the great trees, half of them visitors that hadn't risen to such heights for some time. Flamewhisker's pale pads are a stark contrast to the soft, earthiness of her leader (questions toil in her head, the silence of her neighbors, the withdrawal of their medicine cat, the fact they'd not attended at all last moon)... Mirepurr's too, are not the grayish, muddy notes of Smogstar and thus feel wrong to be present.
  
  That was near half of them....
  
  The willow den would've been comforting... a needed reprieve... but what image would it have sent for the instability of the forest? Lashes fly upward as Orangestar begins, fuller in body than last seen (embarrassment trickles down her spine, adverting her gaze quickly to avoid her despite the confidence that rolls off the cream and dandelion she-cat), spreading only good news. It seems they've had good luck... and Lichenstar is not so petty as to feel inconvenienced by that. The delegate from ShadowClan pipes up quickly after, keen to get through their piece. It feels like an arrow pierced through her, in the intensity of that glance they give her- If they allude to the presence of a certain white and black she-cat in the crowd, it is only in that stare.... The slightest scrunch of her nose is all the thanks she can afford to offer, grateful that they are not so stupid as to shine a spotlight on Splashdance in front of the whole of the clans.
  
  How nice that they do not ramble in quite the same way that Smogstar does.... Perhaps it is anxiety that encourages a swift, succinct tongue... Or maybe just a lack of flamboyant ego. The blue lynx point doesn't linger on it long, clearing her throat to step in as the next to share news.
  
  "Prey has been... bountiful... as green-leaf has... come to an end. A... display of skill... and friendly competition... has seen my... warrior tested... in the face of... worsening weather. Two attend... tonight... as exceedingly talented.... hunters. I commend.... Cloudpaw... and Splashdance... for their hard work." She doesn't pause on the former ShadowClan cat's new name but passes her crystalline glance through Mirepurr in that moment. She is no lost apprentice anymore... but a fully realized warrior of RiverClan.
  
  "However... predators... are just as excited.. by our wealth. A fox... found a pair of our... apprentices in the night... and we were fortunate... it did not kill them. I... hope, sincerely... that they do not stray... across your borders," she glances towards Scorchstreak with a small frown, wondering if she knew about the gesture of compassion. The fish exchanged for a sickly mate would not be dangled in front of their face tonight...
  
  "But... we have had... seen growth in our clan.... Claythorn has brought three... healthy kits to our nursery... Dark-kit, Onyxkit, and Sparrowkit... and we have... been gifted more... by StarClan in the form... of wayward kits... Dropletkit, Eelkit, and Black-kit. Two apprentices... join us on this night... Foxpaw and Echopaw... and a duo... of new warriors mirror them... Valesight and Splashdance." She bows her head, a signal of her final words before offering verbal confirmation of the same- "That is all... from RiverClan..."
  
  News of Mosspool's demotion need not be touted here, nor the shifting of her sights to find new lead warriors.
• about
  
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[SCORCHSTAR]

༄༄ Just as Flamestar had departed from the deputies' perch to stand alongside the leaders, Scorchstreak now does the same. It feels wrong, somehow, to rise to the same level as those who are blessed by the stars, and yet someone must take the empty space left by Sunstar. Besides, Mirepurr also stands in a leader's place, and so the calico pulls herself onto the rock alongside the others. It is clear that in the following moon, Twitchbolt will likely stand in place of Orangestar, who looks absurdly round as she draws herself up behind Scorchstreak. Patiently, she listens to the other leaders speak, disinterested until the ShadowClan deputy mentions attacks on their clan. Mismatched scarlet and black ears perk up, swiveling in Mirepurr's direction in a clear show of attentiveness. Lichenstar, in their announcements, slides their gaze over to Scorchstreak for a moment as she mentions her clan's recent rise in predators—a brow rises, but she does not question the leader. If Lichenstar's hopes are offered in good faith, then questioning them would only cause conflict.

At last, attention shifts to her, and the calico understands that it is her turn to speak. There is no hesitation as she begins the announcements that she has been running through in her head since she first arrived in the clearing. "As you have noticed… Sunstar is not here with us tonight. He has asked me to share this month's announcements in his place. Thank you for the warning of Granitepelt's ilk, Mirepurr. WindClan will continue to pay close attention to our borders." She cannot help but wonder whether this daughter of Granitepelt had crossed through the moorland to reach ShadowClan's territory, or whether she had passed into Highstones instead. The ShadowClan deputy is offered a careful dip of her head, and then Scorchstreak moves forward with WindClan's news. "Our medicine cat, Cottonsprig, has returned to us this month. WindClan is… glad for her reappearance-" a glance is cast to the smoky she-cat, subtle and unnoticeable except to those who pay close attention, "-especially as our other medicine cat, Wolfsong, has fallen ill. He has been given lungwort, and we hope that he will pull through. Until he does, Sunstar has chosen to remain in the sick den alongside him." A fluttering of her dark ear is the sole mark of her irritation—no matter his intentions, the tom has put her in this situation. "Unfortunately, lungwort did not prove to be enough... to save one of our warriors from yellowcough. Quietcrow was a loyal and dedicated warrior, yet he now walks with StarClan." WindClan mourns him, she does not say. It is a given, that the clan should mourn the loss of one of their own.

"In better news… my own niece, Bunnypaw, has been apprenticed at long last. Her mentor, Sedgepounce, is an experienced warrior and will train her well. WindClan also welcomes new warriors this moon: Marigoldstem and Buckfire." Golden eyes seek out the two mentioned warriors in the crowd, using her own daughter's fiery pelt as a starting point to search for Buckfire's form. She wonders what the tom has spent the night doing, whether he has attempted his weak flirtations with any unsuspecting she-cats in the clearing. "And, finally… a queen, Bluefrost, has given birth to a healthy litter of kits." Her scorn does not find its way into the tone of her voice; Scorchstreak remains outwardly neutral in spite of her still-simmering fury at the younger tunneler. She dips her head to the crowd, and steps back. "That is all from WindClan."

YOU KNOW I DESERVE IT ☽♰☾ WELL, TAKE IT OUT ON ME

• ooc: —
• 
• SCORCHSTREAK ❯❯ she/they, deputy of windclan, tunneler
  ༄ small, slim flame-streaked calico with fiery golden eyes. cold and closed-off, ferociously protective of her clanmates. rarely seen aboveground.
  ༄ mate to bluepool ; sibling to rattleheart & rabbitclaw
  ༄ mentor to bilberrypaw & brackenpaw ; previously mentored pinkshine
  ༄ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted, but may react aggressively
  ༄ penned by foxlore

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[Flamestar]

〔✦〕The leap onto the Great Rock burned as she pulled on the wound Skyclaw gave her mere days go. If she listened close enough, she was sure she could hear the grumbling of her medicine cat as he watched her join the other leaders. However, Thunderclan had already missed last moons gathering...it would take a lot more than simple wounds to keep her away tonight. She dipped her head in respect to Orangestar as the round molly joined them last. The fire pelted leader offered the Skyclan leader a knowing smile, pointing her gaze to the other's belly. It wouldn't be much longer before Dawnglare and Fireflyglow refused to let Orangestar attend gatherings, her kits would need her in the nursery.

Orangestar began the gathering, informing everyone of her two new lead warriors, Howlfire and Florabreeze. She had met Florabreeze a couple of times on patrols, and she seemed nice enough. Howlfire on the other paw, a flash of pain went through her gaze as she imaged Howlingstar looking down upon the gathering. She could imagine the pride in Howlfire's parents and grandmother as they listened to Orangestar's announcement. She should be here to congratulate her herself... Twitchbolt's re-promotion was odd to her, but the nervous tom seemed less nervous tonight. She hoped he would serve his clan well. Mirepurr was next to speak, and while she does not speak, the leader cast a slightly narrowed glance towards the Shadowclanner. Had something happened to Smogstar? She announced that Hemlocknose had been attacked by a fox, and Poppyglow by Granitepelt's daughter. "I wish them a speedy recovery." The tabby said, dipping her chin ever so slightly. To conclude Shadowclan's announcements was the news of Maggotfur's new litter. Three healthy kits were always a blessing, regardless of which clan they came from.

Green eyes turn to Riverclan's leader as she speaks up next. Cloudpaw and Splashdance were honored for their skills in a hunting competition, before more news of fox troubles. I'll make sure the patrols keep an eye out. If two neighboring clans were already having predator issues, it was only a matter of time before they had a nasty fox on their paws. Claythorn had brought three kits into the clan, as well as three others who had joined. Lichenstar had brought two new apprentices tonight, as well as two new warriors. Next to speak was Scorchstreak. She had considered speaking next, but she was just as curious as the other leaders as to why the deputy was up here with them. When they had spoken before the gathering began, the other molly hadn't said anything about Sunstar passing or being sick. The deputy speaks boldly, confidently, like she were supposed to be up here. If she held any nervousness, she was hiding it well. Wolfsong was sick, and that was why Sunstar had stayed behind. Fortunately, Cottonsprig had returned, just in time it seemed. Yellowcough had made its nasty return, and she prayed the disease did not spread again. Her clan had suffered enough already, they could not handle a wave of sickness as serious as Yellowcough. Scorchstreak shared of Quietcrow's passing, and Flamestar dipped her head partially. Loss was a heavy pain, one their clan had endured much these past moons. As the deputy concluded her news of Bunnypaw's apprenticeship, and Bluefrost's new litter, it was now her time to speak.

The weight of all eyes on her was a lot to take in, but she embraced it confidently. "Thunderclan has much to share tonight, given our absence last moon. I wish I stood here tonight under better circumstances. Howlingstar was murdered by one of our very clanmates...her own grandson, Skyclaw." The orange molly paused as heaviness of her news reached each of the ears in the clearing. Howlingstar was a noble, well loved molly throughout the forest. She had family in Skyclan and Riverclan, and was a cat that everyone in the clans knew. She wouldn't go into detail on how she had been killed, knowing very well that her clanmates were reliving the moment as she spoke. "After her death, Skyclaw and his followers took over Thunderclan. All Thunderclanners with kittypet blood were exiled, and many of our beloved clanmates lost their lives. Pebblestep, Morningcloud, Ploverhop, Mousenose, and Rabbitnose lost their lives before we could revolt." Her gaze darkens, but she continues. "When the time was right, Fallowbite and Palefire retrieved our exiled clanmates, and we retook our clan. Skyclaw and many of his followers are dead. The ones who survived have been exiled and chased from the forest. If anyone sees Redflower, Wrathpaw, and Ravenstrike, treat them as rogues. They are dangerous, and should be treated as such. In the battle, we lost more warriors. Howlingstar's son Cobwebtail, Lightstrike leaves behind his newly apprenticed kits, and my son Sparrowpaw."

"But despite the tragedies Thunderclan has suffered, tonight we bring many new faces. Antlerbreeze, Doepath, Fallowbite, Houndshade, Addersnap, Stagsnarl , Braveheart, Roaringsun, Softsight, Vixencrown, and Tigerwing have all earned their warrior names. All are here tonight, except for Fallowbite, Tigerwing, and Doepath..but they will be here next moon." Tonight they would rest their wounds in the medicine cat den. "Beetlepaw and Coalpaw have been apprenticed to Burnstorm, Dovepaw has been apprenticed to Roeflame, Littlepaw has been apprenticed to my son Falconheart, Scarletpaw has been apprenticed to Raccoonstripe, Meadowpaw and Ivorypaw have been apprenticed to Palefire, Mottledpaw and Coltpaw have been apprenticed to Stormywing, Hopepaw has been apprenticed to Lovelight, Wolfpaw has been apprenticed to Rowanthorn, Basilpaw has been apprenticed to Campionsong, Spiderpaw has been apprenticed to Wildheart, Myrtlepaw has been apprenticed to Stagstrike, and I am mentoring Merlinpaw." There were many clanmates here tonight that should have had their special moment be announced by Howlingstar, but she hoped they would hold onto the comfort that their former leader was still watching them tonight. She knew the motherly tabby would not be missing her great grandkit's first gathering. "Thunderclan's ranks are continuing to swell. I am pleased to announce that Badgerstripe has moved to the nursery, and will having her first litter soon." This is where she would end the gathering, but there was something else she needed to do.

Her council did not yet know about this, her next announcement would come at a shock to all. But being forced to stay campridden had given her a lot of time to think about how to prevent the tragedies her clan had endured again. "I would like to propose an addition to the Warrior Code." If she hadn't had stares on her before, she could feel them now, burning into her already burning pelt. "The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires, or is exiled. No clan should ever have to go through the pain that Thunderclan has experienced these two moons."

even on my weakest days ( I get a little bit stronger ) //

• ooc.
• FLAMESTAR —— leader of thunderclan , mentoring merlinpaw . storm x lily . littermate to nala, smokey, and nemo ✦ penned by icey !
  ✦ afab / she/her / 38 moons & ages every 20ᵗʰ
  ✦ widowed / heterosexual / closed to romance
  ✦ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / underline & tag account when attacking
  —— difficult in battle
  ★★★★★★★★★
  
  ✦ "speech", 'thoughts', all opinions are in character
  ✦ tags — msg on discord for plots — toyhouse
  
• 
  
  

  a longhaired red tabby with low white and green eyes. flamewhisker's fur is a vibrant hue of red, riddled with thick classic tabby markings. her fur is medium in length, and she has a large, feathery tail. her chest, belly, tail tip, and her paws are dipped white. flamewhisker's eyes are a dark, deep shade of green. her shoulder has a large scar on it from a fight with a dog. she also has a shredded ear from a disagreement with a loner during her time alone before joining thunderclan. on particularly cold days, or sometimes before a major weather change, she will walk with a slight limp from her shoulder injury.

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